Multiculturalism never fails to deliver, even at the Olympics

Multiculturalism is a concept that evokes different opinions when discussed, but one which never fails to express its truth. Look at the medals table at the current Olympic games in London, apart from China (a communist state), America and Britain are the leading countries. These are also two countries with the most multicultural teams you can imagine. Team GB is doing exceptionally well and the team contains athletes from some of the most diverse backgrounds. There are British-Africans, British-Jamaicans, British-Asians, British-Muslims etc representing Britain. It makes me wonder how anyone still doubts the power of multiculturalism, I mean how can they fail to see that diversity brings power to any nation. Look at the English Premiership Football League, the most successful league in the world, it has players from Brazil, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Italy etc representing English clubs. Look at the US NBA league, it features players with Sudanese origins, Nigerians, and even Chinese players. Imagine the NBA comprising only of pure-bred US-born nationals, do you think it would be the greatest basketball league on earth? Imagine Manchester United FC features only players of pure English heritage, do you think it will produce some of the most magical players we've seen in the game? Imagine Ronaldinho, Kaka and Ronaldo could only play in their home countries, do you think the UEFA Champions league will be such a spectacle to watch? 

We see it in the conservative newspapers all the time why multicultural Britain is not a good idea. They say immigrant populations come to depend on local resources and make "indigenes" suffer unnecessary hardship. How further from the truth can this be. London and New York are the most multicultural cities on earth, are you surprised what happens in these two cities affects the whole world? London is the heart of Britain, if London goes down, the whole UK will suffer. Who keeps London running? Everyone, from the pure-bred English professionals to the immigrant investment bankers from Trinidad and Tobago, the Indian doctors and Nigerian nurses. There is every national you can think of in London, they make the city what it is. Why? Because diversity brings an enormous amount of knowledge wherever it is permitted. Far-right parties in Britain like the BNP (British National Party) have gained more attention lately by their rhetoric of "Britain for Britons" only.  In times of political and economic confusion, its not unusual for far-right parties to gain a bit of attention. The shocking thing is how mainstream newspapers, politicians sometimes play the immigration card to keep people from looking away from them. To the BNP, immigration is a bad idea, and British jobs should be for British people only. Well, if the world was like that, I guess we would still be living life as they did in the dark ages. Cross-cultural information sharing will not exist and everyone will be stuck in their own little enclaves. Countries will restrict their talent pool to their pure-bred nationals only. Mo Farah, a Briton with Somali origins who became the first British person in history to win the 10,000m Olympic race would not have happened, and Jessica Ennis, partly of Jamaican origin, would not have been able to bring so much glory to Britain. Ryan Lochte, the American swimmer and eleven times Olympic medalist, with Cuban roots, would not have been able to represent America. Bradley Wiggins, the winner of the 2012 Tour de France, was born in Belgium to an Australian father, but won the world's most prestigious cycling competition for Great Britain. 

To the the narrow-minded, immigrants are the disease-ridden and welfare cheats who cook "smelly" food next door. The long-term benefits of immigration outweigh its disadvantages in my opinion. Yes a country should maintain control of its borders, but the way immigrants are portrayed in mainstream media particularly here in Britain is nothing but disgraceful. The Daily Mail recently published a piece labelling overseas-born British athletes as "Plastic Brits" and even some Members of Parliament (MPs) have condemned the opening ceremony of the London Olympics as "leftist crap", because it featured mixed race families etc, which some think is "not the norm" in Britain. 

I am glad this Olympic games have once again demonstrated the power of multiculturalism and the fallacy and idiocy of monoculturalism. Cast your net far and wide, and you will catch the best fish. Its just a simple natural law. 

8 Habits of Highly Desperate Twitter Users

I started actively tweeting about two years ago, though I had a passive twitter account for about a year before this. Since my active tweeting, I have noticed some crazy habits of people desperate to gain followers. Twitter is designed in such a way that your followership is a direct reflection of your relevance in twitterverse. Some people have millions of followers, from @ladygaga to @justinbieber, while others have followers running into their hundreds of thousands. I have about 170 followers on twitter, but even that has been difficult to build. On twitter you must have something to say that draws people to you. But what does an average joe like me have to say to draw a crowd? 

I started actively tweeting about two years ago, though I had a passive twitter account for about a year before this. Since my active tweeting, I have noticed some crazy habits of people desperate to gain followers. Twitter is designed in such a way that your followership is a direct reflection of your relevance in twitterverse. Some people have millions of followers, from @ladygaga to @justinbieber, while others have followers running into their hundreds of thousands. I have about 170 followers on twitter, but even that has been difficult to build. On twitter you must have something to say that draws people to you. But what does an average joe like me have to say to draw a crowd? 

I have discovered that to break this "barrier of entry" into twitterverse, many people employ cheeky tactics similar to what people do in real life to attract the attention they think they need. Twitter is a highly intimidating sphere where everyday, millions struggle to get noticed. Why they want to get noticed is another topic entirely. And why do you need to have a followership to be happy? Another topic again. But these are some of the dodgy methods employed by desperate twitter users:

1. Stealing

One of the strangest habits I have observed on twitter is the fact that people actually steal tweets! But how is this done? Someone sees a clever tweet on their timeline and instead of hitting the retweet button, they copy the tweet and paste on their own timeline, hence taking credit for it from their own followers or hashtag users. I have seen it many times and some of my tweets have been stolen too. Its like they are thinking if I cant come up with a clever line, I will rob somebody for it. Just like criminals do in real life.

2. Sucking Up

Many people have got opinions on several issues, from the war in Iraq to the new ring on @kimkardashian's finger. But in twitterverse, many people switch sides, not because they've had a change of heart or received new knowledge, but because they are ready to kiss asses to gain followers. Someone might tweet "Oh Kim, I am a huge fan of your shows, f***k haters!" and then Kim Kardashian might retweet that to her over 15million followers (the last time I checked), thinking he is a loyal fan. This could boost the sucker's own followership as he is now exposed to millions of people by that single retweet, even though this person may have never seen more than one episode of Kim Kardashian's TV show.

3. Attack Twitter Heavyweights

This is an offensive method where a desperate twitter user randomly attacks the personality of another twitter user who has huge followership (a twitter heavyweight). The attacker picks up an unnecessary argument with an Heavyweight hoping it will get him noticed on twitter. Many times the Heavyweight does respond to personal attacks, and to respond he has to quote the attacker's twitter handle. Take this example, a well known TV presenter, say @piersmorgan makes a remark about a Premiership football player (as he normally does), a desperate twitter user may attack his comments just to pick an argument. And after a few exchanges with Piers, he would have been noticed by @piersmorgan's over 2million followers. He usually would get a trickle of followers from there.

4. Begging

Like some unfortunate people beg on the streets for money, so does desperate twitter users beg for retweets in twitterverse. They actually ask the twitter Heavyweights to "Pleeeeeaaase" retweet their tweets. "They could say something like, "I am running the marathon on sunday, I am so excited! Please retweet", even though thay may be sitting on the sofa eating cheese & onion flavoured crisps on that day. Some deliberately follow someone and immediately request a "follow back", sometimes politely.

5. Ranting

Yes we all have opinions and get pissed off by certain people or ideas. But the type of rant I am talking about here is going on about a non-issue in a desperate attempt to come across as intelligent or opinionated, when in actual fact you are not. Someone for example might decide to rant about their bus journey to work, how crowded it is and how little government is doing to ease the "suffering". They go on and on and on, until they get one or two retweets and some followers, then alight from the bus, saying thank you to the driver. 

6. Tagging

Yes we have all done this at one time or the other, tag a major public figure in our tweets who we think might sympathise with our opinion. The voltron retweets and followers keep popping up on our twitter account for the next few minutes, with loads of retweets too. But this is a difficult route for many desperate twitter users, as you must say something clever enough to convince the twitter Heavyweight to make a retweet.

7. Spreading lies and rumours

This is a very dodgy method as desperate twitter users obsessive with gaining followers deliberately spread rumours or lies. They usually capitalise on a "trending" incident (or accident) and tweet false information that sometimes aggravates the situation. For example, there might be a bus crash in town, instead of sticking to the facts the desperate tweeter user spreads misleading and false information like "OMG, the driver is lying unconscious" when in actual fact, the paramedics are simply performing routine checks on the driver on the floor.

8. Trolling

This is a very dark method, and only the "twitter psychopaths" use this. They mock innocent but vulnerable people and make sick jokes about others to gain notoriety and hopefully attract followers who may be keen to see more of their notoriety. Many trolls have been arrested and made to face the law because it has caused great pain to its victims and it is a very bad idea. It is actually a criminal offence in some countries.

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"Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's...." - Should Nigeria's multi-million dollar churches pay tax?

God is big business in Nigeria, and the pastors dont hide it either. Nigeria is home to some of the wealthiest pastors in the world, with a total net worth of millions of dollars. According to Forbes Magazine in 2011, the top ten richest Nigerian pastors have an estimated total wealth of over $300million dollars. These are major-league, business-savvy guys that dont just draw millions of followers but earn their respect too. But is this all for God as they would make us believe? 

Nigeria is a poor country by western standards, but in the middle of it lies a wealthy elite, not the corrupt politicians this time, but church leaders. Prosperity gospel is the new buzz word in Nigeria, and it preaches that God's blessing is directly proportional to financial prosperity, and wealth is a form of reward to those who serve God faithfully. In a country where many parts of the population struggle to keep bread on the table, this sort of message surely has mass appeal. But the hope of prosperity doesn't come cheap as followers have to "give so that they can receive". So every Sunday service, Nigerians donate generously to their churches and expect to be uplifted by God and rewarded in "ten folds". Some Churches hold up to three different services on every given Sunday. I am sure that the total amount of tithes donated by Nigerian church goers every Sunday must run into millions of dollars. The church leaders tell their congregation that all the money is to expand the church and spread the word of God farther and wider. Now lets look at some of these wealthy pastors and their assets:

1. Bishop David Oyedepo

Officially the wealthiest Pastor in Nigeria, David Oyedepo, 58, has an estimated net worth of $150 million (2011 Forbes Magazine). He is the founder of Living Faith World Outreach, also known as Winner's Chapel, founded in 1981. The Winners' Chapel network of churches is present in over 300 cities and towns in Nigeria, as well as in over 63 cities in 32 other African Nations, Dubai, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (Wikipedia). Bishop Oyedepo's Faith Tabernacle in Lagos, headquarters of Winners' Chapel seats 55,000 Nigerians comfortably every Sunday, it is the largest church space on the continent I would say. Affectionately refered to as "Papa" by congregation members, Oyedepo owns 4 private jets with homes in London and the US. He also owns Dominion Publishing House which publishes all the ministry's books. He recently launched an airline, Dominion Airline, through which he now puts his private jets to commercial use. He has got investments in the education sector and owns Convenant University, an elite institution that caters for some of Nigeria's upper class children. Oyedepo was embroiled in a 2011 controversy where a video of one of his church services appeared to show him accusing children of witchcraft and slapping one of them in full glare of the congregation. See video here

Officially the wealthiest Pastor in Nigeria, David Oyedepo, 58, has an estimated net worth of $150 million (2011 Forbes Magazine). He is the founder of Living Faith World Outreach, also known as Winner's Chapel, founded in 1981. The Winners' Chapel network of churches is present in over 300 cities and towns in Nigeria, as well as in over 63 cities in 32 other African Nations, Dubai, the United Kingdom and the United States of America (Wikipedia). Bishop Oyedepo's Faith Tabernacle in Lagos, headquarters of Winners' Chapel seats 55,000 Nigerians comfortably every Sunday, it is the largest church space on the continent I would say. Affectionately refered to as "Papa" by congregation members, Oyedepo owns 4 private jets with homes in London and the US. He also owns Dominion Publishing House which publishes all the ministry's books. He recently launched an airline, Dominion Airline, through which he now puts his private jets to commercial use. He has got investments in the education sector and owns Convenant University, an elite institution that caters for some of Nigeria's upper class children. Oyedepo was embroiled in a 2011 controversy where a video of one of his church services appeared to show him accusing children of witchcraft and slapping one of them in full glare of the congregation. See video here

2. Chris Oyhakilome

Popularly known as "Pastor Chris", 51, is the founder of Believers' Loveworld Ministries also known as Christ Embassy. With an estimated net worth of between $30 million - $50 million, Pastor Chris runs an elite congregation including successful business executives and high level politicians. He owns three television channels: LoveWorld TV, LoveWorld SAT and LoveWorld Plus. His other interests include newspapers, hotels and extensive real estate. His Loveworld TV Network holds the record for the first Christian network to broadcast from Africa on a 24-hour basis. Pastor Chris was embroiled in a 2010 court case over money laundering, but the case was eventually dismissed.

Popularly known as "Pastor Chris", 51, is the founder of Believers' Loveworld Ministries also known as Christ Embassy. With an estimated net worth of between $30 million - $50 million, Pastor Chris runs an elite congregation including successful business executives and high level politicians. He owns three television channels: LoveWorld TV, LoveWorld SAT and LoveWorld Plus. His other interests include newspapers, hotels and extensive real estate. His Loveworld TV Network holds the record for the first Christian network to broadcast from Africa on a 24-hour basis. Pastor Chris was embroiled in a 2010 court case over money laundering, but the case was eventually dismissed.

3. Temitope Joshua

Age: 49. Popularly known as TB Joshua, is one of Africa's most controversial pastors, with a net worth of between $10 million - $15 million, he is founder and head of the Synagogue Church of All Nations. His spaectacular miracle sessions that claim to heal diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS, have won him attention across the world, and has been seen with many famous African Presidents including late Fredrick Chiluba of Zambia. He runs a satellite TV channel, Emmanuel TV, and won awards from the Nigerian Government in recognition of his charitable work. 

 4. Matthew Ashimolowo

Founder of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), the largest Pentecostal Church in the United Kingdom. In 2009, Ashimolowo's church posted profits of close to $10million and assets worth $40million. He runs a media company, Ashimolowo Media, which produces Christian literature and documentaries.

Founder of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), the largest Pentecostal Church in the United Kingdom. In 2009, Ashimolowo's church posted profits of close to $10million and assets worth $40million. He runs a media company, Ashimolowo Media, which produces Christian literature and documentaries.

These are just four of the handful of Nigerian super-rich pastors who preside over multi-million dollar congregations, or are they "corporations"?

In Nigeria, Churches and other places of worship are designated as charity organisations hence do not pay corporation tax, nor pay capital gains tax on disposal of their assets. Traditionally, churches are regarded as places that provide help for the poor, take care of the homeless and carry out a lot of public good. Taxing them, it is assumed, will mean religious persecution. Some have pointed out also that exempting religious organisations from tax is a way to maintain separation of Religion and the State. Taxing churches, it is said, will put a great deal of power in the hands of government who may abuse it. 

At the same time though, not taxing these big churches that make millions of dollars every year amounts to a significant lost revenue for government, and an enrichment of a few who are clever enough to hide all their business exploits under the name of charity. Even Jesus said one of his sermons when asked whether Christians should pay tax, he said "give unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's". Churches nowadays, particularly the Pentecostal ones, have evolved into a cash generating machine for its founders. The founders claim their business exploits are to expand the church and spread the word of God and they do not own personal assets, all belongs to the church. But for whose benefit? Nigeria's poverty level is increasing every year as many thousands of peoplecontinue to live below the poverty line. So what have these churches done to alleviate poverty in Nigeria. In my opinion you should solve one problem before moving to the next. Instead of these churches expanding all over the world, staying in Nigeria and improving the lives of its ordinary people will be a laudable project. If there are fewer homeless people on the streets of Lagos due to the work of these churches, I am sure the world will commend them. If members of these churches have access to free or subsidised healthcare, then they are doing something significant for the society. If poor village children who cannot afford even school shoes are helped to go to school, then they are helping society. How can they all earn these millions and not improve their environment? But rather they continue to open more branches everywhere else in the world. 

These pastors also shy away from politics and rarely criticise government. Instead we see them at the echelons of power wining and dining with presidents and senators, they tell us they are praying for Nigeria. Well, maybe they need to do more than pray, action will be better. We need to see these big pastors use their immense power and influence to transform Nigeria for good. But you know what, that will never happen. Many politicians attend these churches and their tithes are not small. They donate "major-league" cash.

Every corner you turn in Nigeria there is a church and a pastor claiming to speak to God directly, hence can solve problems. But no Pastor has come up with the solution to the deteriorating security situation in the north of the country, nor any solution to the corruption that has engulfed the country from top to bottom. Yet they talk to God everyday and are "God's anointed". 

I wrote this article not as a solution but an examination of the rise of big corporations disguised as Pentecostal Churches in Nigeria. It is time Nigerians wake up and recognise that the solution to our problems does not lie with the big pastors, rather they may be part of the problem.