Splendid Literature and Cultural Foundation announces writing competition for young Nigerian Writers

Splendid Literature and Cultural Foundation has started accepting entries for its 2013 annual competition usually organized to select and publish the best six (6) unpublished stories by Nigerian writers (aged between 11-21 years) of children’s literature who are resident in Nigeria.

According to the foundation, entries are invited from all over the country. “Submitted stories should entertain and enlighten, with strong Nigerian/African content. The Foundation’s judges will assess each entry on the depth, originality and quality of the writing and the story’s appeal to its intended audience.These stories should stimulate the imagination of the readers to think and problem-solve in novel ways”, says Damola Olofinlua, the foundation’s Coordinator.

The rules and regulations of the competition.

All entries must be original; unpublished stories in English Language, plays and poems would not be accepted.

The two categories being considered are:

• Junior: An original unpublished story in English Language for children between the ages of 8 – 12. Length: Up to 3,000 words
• Senior: An original unpublished story in English Language for young adults between the ages of 13 and 17. Length: Up to 6,000 words

The best three stories from each category will be selected for publication by the Foundation’s Panel of Judges.

Submission Procedure

1.  Submissions should be typewritten or legibly handwritten, double spaced on numbered pages. Entries submitted online should be in clear and legible fonts. Illegible entries will be disqualified.

2.  Include a passport photograph, name, residential address, phone number and email address on the title page of the manuscript, with only the full name of entrant on each numbered page of the submission.

3.  Entries must be submitted under the entrant’s real name. Pseudonyms are not permitted.

4.  Not more than one entry per entrant will be accepted.

5.  For online submission, ensure that you attach your entry and e-mail it toentries@splendidfoundation.com. OR Submit six (6) copies of the entry manuscript to Splendid Literature & Culture Foundation:

31, Alhaji Tokan Street, Alaka Estate, Surulere, Lagos or P.O Box 7328, GPO, Lagos.

6.  Submissions should be accompanied by evidence of Nigerian citizenship (photocopied/scanned copy of birth certificate, Nigerian passport or Nigerian ID Card).

7.  The closing date for all entries is August, 31 2013.

For more details, visit www.splendidfoundation.com

My Name na...

Shocking it may seem!

I went searching for the meaning of my one of my names, the one that is mostly referred to as "English name" or 'Saint name" as commonly associated with in the Catholic church; and got a pretty load of information from the websites I visited. A deeper reflection on the meaning of my name as projected by various websites showed that the meanings of our names may not be far fetched from who we really are. The meanings may not all fit as a round peg fits in a round hole, but there will be that minutest link in relation to who we reallare as a person, our personalities/character.

Here's what I found as the meaning of my name from different websites with their links attached too!

Teutonic Meaning: 

The name Harriet is a Teutonic baby name. In Teutonic the meaning of the name Harriet is: Keeper of the hearth. Rules her household. From Henriette, the French feminine form of Henry.

American Meaning: 

The name Harriet is an American baby name. In American the meaning of the name Harriet is: Ruler of the home.

French Meaning: 

The name Harriet is a French baby name. In French the meaning of the name Harriet is: Ruler of the home.

English Meaning: 

The name Harriet is an English baby name. In English the meaning of the name Harriet is: Rules the Home. Feminine form of Harry (from Henry). Famous Bearer: Harriet Beecher Stowe (Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1811). 

People with this name have a deep inner desire for a stable, loving family or community, and a need to work with others and to be appreciated.Expression Number: 7

People with this name are excellent at analyzing, understanding, and learning. They tend to be mystics, philosophers, scholars, and teachers. Because they live so much in the mind, they tend to be quiet and introspective, and are usually introverts. When presented with issues, they will see the larger picture. Their solitary thoughtfulness and analysis of people and world events may make them seem aloof, and sometimes even melancholy. http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/harriet

I quiet agree with the "Introvert" part but this can be also environment based because I can be quite extroverted too in certain gatherings or amongst pretty close ties.

Another website had the following meaning:

1. Your first name of Harriet gives you an independent, serious, reticent, and studious nature.
2. An intellectual, you have a deep appreciation for art, music, literature, and all the phenomena of nature.
3. You express your thoughts and feelings best through writing rather than verbally.
4. In fact, others find it challenging to understand you as you do not reveal your innermost thoughts unless you are completely comfortable in your friendships.
5. For that reason, despite having good business abilities, you like to work alone or where you are making your own decisions.
6. It has created separateness from others and loneliness in your life.
7. Physically, any weaknesses in your health would centre in the heart, lungs, or bronchial organs.     http://www.kabalarians.com/f/harriet.htm

With respect to the above descriptions of the personality of  persons called "Harriet" I do not think I quite agree with some of the analysis made because this is not rocket science and may have few exceptions.

Like I said earlier, these names tie around WHO we really are, so we all have to be careful of the names we give our children or even choose to bear. 

I am happy my name is Harriet because it bequeaths who I am. :D :D :D

This is my opinion and I stand to be corrected though. 

Please feel free to read and leave your comments.

Hugs!

The "Over Efficiency of Some" Online Ads

“Over the past 60 years, marketing has moved from being product-centric (Marketing 1.0) to being consumer-centric (Marketing 2.0). Today we see marketing as transforming once again in response to the new dynamics in the environment. We see companies expanding their focus from products to consumers to humankind issues. Marketing 3.0 is the stage when companies shift from consumer-centricity to human-centricity and where profitability is balanced with corporate responsibility.” ― Phillip Kotler

Social media marketing which is also called Internet or online marketing/advertising, is a process of driving traffic to various platforms/social media sites for the purpose of publicity/brand awareness, customer service management, sharing information or promoting various goods and services. Also companies join the social channels and consumers can interact with them, this interaction feels personal to users because of their previous experiences with social networking site interactions.  The internet is accessible to anyone via a mobile or smartphone and other various gadgets; it also allow individuals to interact with one another and build relationships via these social media sites.

However, over the past few years, advertising/marketing on social media platforms in Nigeria has a taken a different shape and has become irritable. You cannot visit any site now especially on the Google Platform without being bombarded with various clips from different companies/organizations/online stores advertising their products. For example, for every single YouTube video you click to watch, you find one advert and it reoccurs like that for each view. It is worthy of note that there is a "Skip Ad" icon which enables you to skip the Ad about to be shown but it still wears one out having to always do that. Also, you will notice that irritant adverts that pop-up when you visit any other site. The latest which I noticed, are Ads from different organizations/companies/online stores, StanbicIBTC Bank, MTN, Jumia, Konga, and even Ads telling me how I can make #41,000 daily now pop-up above my blog page and even on my blog dashboard. Urgghhh!  I get the impression that some of these online Ads are Scams following the frequency by which they pop up on my screen.

Why should my privacy be invaded with so much arrogance and disrespect? Is it a crime to be signed on to a free platform or have an existing account with a site? I am not against social media marketing because I also use these social media platforms for adverts/promotions too, but I believe in modesty and caution in exhibiting these Online Ads campaigns. 

“We don't have a choice on whether we do social media; the question is 
how well we do it?       ― Erik Qualman

Thanks for taking out time to read this, and please feel free to share and follow my blog too :) :) :)

I love you always, Hugs!!