Failure sucks; Almost winning sucks even more. This is true in every field, but I will love to discuss on it as it pertains to writing.  Have you ever been the just a point away to become a winner in a competition or anything at all. You know that feeling right? It really sucks more than just being kicked out at the early stages of the competition. So, if you have had this experience before, this piece is for you. Let's have some serious discussion.

So, I am a final year law student of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and I have not been enjoying studies lately. Some time last year (the coronavirus year) I started blogging, I just wanted a space where I can talk about topics that interest me for everyone to see. It didn't go well because of so many issues. However, this year I decided to try another path, essay competitions. 

As God will have it, I found myself in a group chat sponsored by the NHEF foundation where I get updates on every opportunities for students: essay, scholarship, competition, etc. This gave me updates on thousands of essays. I was excited and started writing. Trust me when I say, I have written more than 15 essays in two months. That is, participating in 15 essay competitions. It was terrible, the constant rush of Adrenalin, trying to meet up with deadlines, editing, etc. Plus I have my school works, projects, and assignment to deal with. I am literally dry up. Like I reached my limit. The outcome of the essays is what prompt me to write this.

In the first categories of the competition, the organisers just go straight ahead and announced the winners, most times, it's just one person. They say nothing at all to the other contestants. Honestly, this is totally insensitive. Lots of work was put into writing, it won't kill organisers to just send a decent email congratulating the contestants and maybe offer a review before announcing the actual winners. 

In between, I started online courses and workshops on how to write good essays, articles, etc. Woww, please deary, whatever you do, always learn to fall back to training again. You don't know how much new knowledge has been added to that field where you are, until you go for additional training. Learning should be a conscious periodic process. Anyways, it is here that I realise most of my essays lacked so many things, and I wished I can rewrite them again. Lolll

Second category is the main gist. Here, I received email of being among the top contestants, in some, top 50, 10, 15 respectively. Wowww, this really made me excited and I smelled winning. I started receiving congratulatory messages already from my peers and classmates who didn't qualify up to this stage of the competition. Winning became so clear and possible. You know when you start spending money that you haven't received, or when you begin to imagine yourself climbing the stage to receive the award. It's really lit. Then the blow hits. They announce the top 3 winners and you are not among. For me, I was shocked at first, then I cried, then I isolated myself, them I slept and woke up. 

I woke up this morning with a different kind of energy. I realised that I am a winner. After all, I was among the top 10, 15, 50 or whatever they announced. So I wasn't wrong to imagine spending the prize money. I was right to imagine myself being announced a winner. My mates were right to congratulate me.

To be honest, I am not a failure. I wasn't perfect with my essays and sometimes I wonder how they manage to consider me top 10. But, feeling like a winner is the exact kind of energy I need to pick up another essay, this time I will apply my knowledge of those new skills I learnt from the trainings and my previous experience. 

To other writers and well wishers. Don't give up. I tried 15 times, I am about trying another round again. If you fail, go back and restrategize. Go for more training, meet experts, re do. You gain nothing from trying. You never fail when you try, you actually just learnt how not to fail again. Gracias to you all!!!

PS: You can write about your experience, it has a way of giving you clarity and calmness.

Removing and Blocking Cookies: Cookies and privacy threats

 Removing and Blocking Cookies: Cookies and Privacy threats

Odds are, you are reading this publication using a mobile device, but few are, with a computer. There is also a very high chance that you have visited other sites before coming to this site. So, we are all consumers of several websites on a daily basis. With this, you probably have countless cookies on your mobile device or computer. Therefore, discussing cookies should not be too difficult to understand.

Let's say you are a vendor dealing on books. You open a shop to sell to people and give a parting gift to anyone who so much as come say ,"Hello". Unfortunately the gift is a kind that benefits you more than it does the receiver. It literally tracks and monitor the receiver, and study their habits on the internet. Your aim for giving this gift is to serve the receiver better whenever you have an encounter with them again. Sounds creepy right!!!! This is exactly what cookies are. Cookies was first used in web communication by a man named Lou Montuilli in June 1994. The idea was to retain partial transaction states of customers, but not on the website servers. So Lou found a way to help companies to track and store users behaviour on a website in each user's computer instead without their permission of course. It's the same as saying; Oh I love you and want to keep my eyes forever on you so I can treat you like an angel, but i won't do it myself, you will have to do it for me, and yes I won't be needing your permission. It worked!! That was how cookies in websites came into being.

In this post, we would answer salient questions about cookies, such as

• What are cookies
• What is it uses
• How it works
• Why it can be dangerous 
• How to remove and block cookies (i.e ensuring your privacy) 

WHAT ARE COOKIES

HTTP cookies (also called web cookies, internet cookies, browser cookies, or simply cookies) are small blocks of data created by a website while a user is browsing and it's placed on the users computer or mobile device by the users web browser. And more than one cookie may be placed on a user's device during a session.

Cookies serve useful and sometimes essential functions on the web. They enable servers to store stately information (for example, items added in a shopping cart in an online store) on the user's device or to track the user's browsing activity (logging in, recording which pages were visited in the past, etc.) They may also be used to save for subsequent use information that the user previously entered in to form fields, e.g. names, addresses, passwords and payment card numbers, etc.

WHAT IS IT USES

Cookies actually serve a lot of purpose to the website, these include

1. Session Management: Cookies were originally introduced to provide a way for users to record items they want to purchase as they navigate throughout a website. This also helps in logging in to website. The server sends the client a cookie that when the user logs in, the server remembers that that particular session identifier has been authenticatedand,  grant the user access to it server.

2. Personalization: cookies can be used to remember information about the user in order to show relevant content to that user over time. This way every time the user access a page on the website, the server can personalize the page according to the user's preference.

3. Tracking: This can be used to track user's web browsing habits. Corporations exploit users web habits by tracking cookies to collect information about buying habits. The Wall Street Journal found that America's top 50 websites installed an average of 64 pieces of tracking tech into computers, resulting in a total of 3,180 tracking files. The data can then be collected and sold to building corporations. That is a lot!!!

HOW IT WORKS

Cookies are arbitrary pieces of data, usually chosen and first sent by the web server, and stored on the user computer by the web browser. The browser then sends them back to the server with every request, introducing states (memory of previous events) into otherwise stated less HTTP transactions. Without cookies each retrieval of a web page, or components of a web page would be an isolated event, largely unrelated to all other page views made by the user on the websites.

WHY COOKIES CAN BE DANGEROUS

1. Cookies themselves aren't harmful. However, some cyber attacks can hijack cookies and enable access to your browsing sessions. This is done especially in authentication cookie. Security vulnerabilities may allow cookie data to be read by an attacker, used to gain access to user data, or used to gain access to the website to which the cookie belongs.

2.  Third-party Cookie: cookies are usually sent only to the servers setting them or a server in the same internet domain, However, a webpage may contain images or other components stored on servers in other domains. Such cookies are called third-party cookies. Here, an advertiser on a web page sends cookie to your browser to track user's across multiple sites, this happens whether you click on it or not. As of 2014, some websites were setting cookies readable for over 100 third-party domains. On average, a single website was setting cookie, with maximum number of cookies reaching over 800. Most browser such as Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera and Google Chrome, do allow third party cookies by default. This is by far the most dangerous of all the cookies. It's literally "having all eyes on you".

3.  Zombie Cookies: This behave like virus in terms of it addictive nature to your phone and computer. It installed permanently on users computer or mobile device, even when they opt not to install cookies. They also reappear after they have been deleted. Sometimes called flash Cookies and extremely difficult to remove.

4.  Besides privacy concerns, cookies can be used for security attacks. So ,we really need to watch out for them.

HOW TO REMOVE AND BLOCK COOKIES

This is what we are all waiting for. Lucky for you I have got you covered. Let's discuss this under two headings.

A.  Removing Cookies: Cookies can be an optional part of your internet experience. If you so choose, you can limit what cookies end up on your computer or mobile device. Removing normal cookies is easy, but it could make certain websites harder to navigate. It may also make users to have to re-entry their data for each visit.

To do this, (1)find the "settings", privacy section- sometimes listed under "Tools", internet options, or Advanced. (2) follow the prompts on the available options to manage or remove cookies. What are you waiting for. Below are steps to clearing cookies on specific sites

1. CHrome: Under the chrome tab at the top left of your screen, click "Settings > privacy > clear browsing data".

2. Firefox: Under the Firefox tab at the upper left of your screen, go to "Preference > privacy & security > show cookies > Remove all"

3. Safari: Under the Safari tab at the upper right of your screen, go to "Preference > privacy > manage website data > Remove all

4. Opera; Under the opera tab go to "settings > clear browsing data > clear cookies

The final step is to instruct your browser to allow first party cookies while blocking third-party cookies. This is explained below

B.  Stop Receiving Cookies: This especially work for third-party cookies. The first step may be to make sure you have a record of all the passwords for sites that require login(a password manager can help with that). Once you do this, then go to the settings to clear cookies as explained above. Steps on how to block third-party cookies for major sites

1. CHrome: Settings > site settings > cookies > Block third party cookies

For computer go to "preference > privacy > content settings > cookie > block third-party cookies

2. Firefox: Go to "preference > privacy > history ( the default setting is "remember history" , change it to "use custom settings for history" to reveal your cookies option. 

3. Safari: Apple's browser features the same cookie compromise- "Allow (cookies) from websites I visit" -  which can be found at preference > privacy

4. Opera: Settings > advanced > cookies (disabled and click save password) 

"Managing cookies is just one component of Protecting your privacy."Companies may use non-cookie technology to track you across website, and clearing cookies won't address that..... But, cookies are still the most common way companies track you on the web"- stated by Justine Brookman, Privacy Director for Consumers Union, the Policy and Mobilization division of Consumer Reports. In conclusion, just like we take our car to the mechanics for service once in a while, to clear the air, we need to do same with our mobile devices and computer.

It's about time to clear that cookies. Except you are comfortable having millions of companies watching and monitoring you on the net. In which case, you are literally, a "public" private person. 

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 LIABILITY OF SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS IN DIGITAL MARKETING

Digital marketing

So, you have this celebrity that you are crazy about, let's say, somebody like Beyoncé, and have probably been following her on all the social media platforms she is on. One day, she made a comments or two about this beauty cream, and how it worked wonders on her skin, and she is recommending it to all her fans. You bought it and started applying it. Some days later, you had a terrible skin reaction. You went to the hospital and was diagnosed with one of these scary skin diseases. Worse, skin cancer! What would you do?

Social media marketing is one grey legal area, as they are little or no law regulating it. In cases where there are laws, it's only as regards intellectual property infringement, defamation, privacy invasion, etc. The question about the liability of the manufacturer or service provider is not our concern, as it's a clearly laid down principle that is codified that a manufacturer or service provider is liable for any harm caused by their product or service. Today, we will look at the liability of a social media influencer or personality. Additionally, we would be exploring tips on how a social media influencer can avoid liability by taking some due care or diligence.

WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

Social media marketing is defined on Wikipedia as the use of social media platforms and websites to promote a product or service. Although some people refers to it as e-marketing and digital marketing, the term social media marketing is more popular. Some of such networking platforms includes, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, MySpace, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Skype, Telegram, Pinterest, etc.

There are different tactics on advertising on social media. Our focus here is on an Active Approach Social Media Marketing tactic also called influencer marketing. It's a tactic where brands approach influencers to advertise their products and services through their social media platforms. This allows brands to reach their target audience in a more genuine way. Base on Mediakix data on Business Insider Intelligence estimates that brands will spend up to $15billion in influencer marketing by 2022.

WHO, THEN IS AN INFLUENCER? An influencer, according to Werner in Influencer marketing hub; is someone who has the power to affect other's purchasing decision because of their authority, knowledge, position or relationship with their audience, etc.

Social Media

THE REASONING BEHIND THE LIABILITY OF A SOCIAL MEDIAL INFLUENCER IN DIGITAL MARKETING

Since there is no law clearly regulating social media in Nigeria and most countries of the world. There will be nothing criminally wrong about any social media influencer or personality giving a false knowledge of a product or service on their social media platforms, especially knowing it falsity, or negligent as to the authenticity of such claims. Usually, fans who are aggrieved engage in bad mouthing or shaming such an influencer on social media. However, this may land a defamation suits on you if you tried it.

Looking at it generally, one would agree that, indeed, an influencer does not owe you a duty. Nobody expects you to go around social media believing everything you hear or see, hook, line and sinker. As a matter if fact, you owe yourself a duty to be "reasonable", not to allow social media to rule your life.

On the other hand, there is another view, which is the generation-Z view. This is the view of the current generation. In the 21st century world, where tech is at the tip of our fingers, and having a constant active presence on the different social media platforms. Living the lives of our so-called "role model," from social media, it will be right to say that our generation rely heavily on what we see and hear online in other to make decisions.

There is a plethora of examples to back up this fact. During the just concluded EURO 2020, the news about Christiano Ronaldo ( a popular Portuguese footballer) advising people to drink water rather than carbonated drinks such as coke went viral. The result was that coca cola company lost $4billion withing hours of the video going viral. That is a lot of money!!! These are true life event showing that influencers and indeed social media, dictates the lives of billions of people around the world. According to the January 2019, We Are Special report, 3,484billion people actively use social media, that is 45% of the world's population!!

Therefore, it can be argued that where a person who is a social influencer or personality, having great influence on the lives of so many people. it's only reasonable that such a person owes a duty to their fans or followers on social platforms, especially when it comes to advertising.

THE LIABILITY OF A SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER IN DIGITAL MARKETING

The law always seeks to be careful in the process of providing law and order and doing justice, not to control every aspects of the lives of people. Hence, the law carefully intervene when the wrong done is substantial, or foreseeable lethal to a person or people. This begs the question, when can it be said that a social media influencer in social media marketing is liable. We will discuss this using two scenarios

in the first scenario, is a case of an influencer just advertising on the social media platforms, or maybe a brand ambassador, for example Kylian Mbappe (a popular French footballer) is a brand ambassador for Nike. Here, it's just a contract. "Pay me, and I will advertise for you. I will literally refer my followers to you, and leave them to your 'Mercy'. Whatever you do isn't my business, but yours. But, for the sake of my brand, please treat my followers well."

Remember, not every wrong is a subject for litigation. In this case, you can sue the manufacturer or service provider. It's doubtful if you can successfully litigate against the influencers. The rationality is that the social media influencer must have disassociate his/herself from the adverts through different means such as adding captions like #ad# (hashtag ad), or words used shows that it's only an adverts for the company. The equation is. Company + influencer + Fans (consumers) = Social Media Marketing

Second scenario, it's a case where the influencer has made comments or used words to approve or endorse a product or service. Here, the influencer must have reasonably believed that the product or service is not false. That is, he or she has exercised reasonable care to know such a product or service is not false. (the court will most likely look at the extent of falsity of the statement). Hence, if it's such that a reasonable social influencer in the business of digital marketing would know that the claims are false, then it's a clear case of liability. However, if the influencer knows of such falsity, and still went ahead to advertise. Then, it's a case of wilful intention to cause harm to another.

The words used by the influencer must be such that has placed him or her in the shoes of the producer. He has become one with them. An example, is where a celebrity goes to great lengths to advertise a skin products. Commenting on how it works, the skin type, endorsement, etc. The equation is like this Influencer-Company+ Fans (consumer) = a perfect social media influencer liability case. This is because the fans no longer see the company, but the influencer. They are persuaded and enticed by the words so much so that, they believe and put it into action. With the generation-Z's view in mind, This is usually the case, as they listen, read and believe everything that the influencer says or does .

TAKE AWAY

1) Countries should enact laws that regulates what happens on social platforms. With the amount of money generated there and the huge impact on people's lives, it's only reasonable for a law to guide people's relationship on social media.

2) Social Influencers should exercise reasonable care to check on product or service before marketing it. Social influencers should also be careful of words used in advertising. If they must advertise, they should use words that disassociate themselves from the company to show it is an adverts and not a personal recommendation.

3) Fans (consumers), especially the generation-Z should exercise reasonable diligence while on social media. And not to believe everything they see or hear. The amount of damages that the court may award will not take away the harm done to you.

4) Manufacturers and services providers should exercise reasonable care while producing goods and to ensure they get authorization and approval from regulating companies.

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The Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan and the impact on terrorism in Nigeria; Boko Haram

 INTRODUCTION

Terrorism is a threat to humanity, not only does it lack in peace, it also deteriorate education, progress and development in all the areas where it is present. The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan is a terror to everyone. In particular, to the Afghans, western countries, other neighbouring countries, but also for African countries, where terrorism has found a safe abode. Nigeria is not left out of this disease. Boko Haram, though has been announced defeated by the current administration of President Mohammadu Buhari, their attacks still continues in northern Nigeria. What future holds for us in the wake of Taliban rule in Afghanistan is a question that is worth some measures.

Who Are The Taliban

The Taliban, also called Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), is a Deobandi Islamist movement and military organization in Afghanistan, currently waging war (an insurgency, or jihad) within the country. In 2017, the Taliban was estimated to have 200,000 troops. It emerged in 1994 as one of the prominent factions in the Afghanistan Civil war. It consisted of students from the Pashtun area of Afghanistan who have been educated in traditional Islamic schools, and fought during the Soviet-Afghanistan war.

Aims and Objectives of The Taliban

The Taliban emphasize spiritual and cultural difference between the west and the east. Denounces the west as oppressive against Islam, and condemned International forces as "occupiers" and "invaders". They portray the Government of Afghanistan as it's puppets and the reconstruction works as effort of making Afghanistan a Christian country. They stated that, they aim to restore peace and security to Afghanistan, including western troops leaving, and to enforce their own version of Sharia, or Islamic law, once in power.

THE TALIBAN IN AFGHANISTAN GOVERNMENT

The Taliban have had their own fair share of government experience from 1996-2001. They took control of government and it was the most devastating times in Afghanistan. Little wonder crowd filled up the Kabul airport in a bid to leave the country. Only those who have experienced their rule know how difficult living was.

Among the atrocities committed were; massacre against Afghans civilians, they denied UN food supplies to starving civilians, banned media and music, prevented girls from going to schools, banned women from having jobs outside of healthcare. The Taliban were responsible for 76 percent of Afghans civilians casualties in 2010, 80percent in 2011 and 2012. Now, you understand why the large crowd at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan on Monday.

Moreover, in December the Taliban offered their territory has a training camp of terrorist, and also provided a safe haven to Osama bin Laden, where he orchestrated the 9/11 attacks in the USA in 2001, killing about 3000 people.

In international relations; only three countries, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates had diplomatic relations with Afghanistan. After the 9/11 attack, only Pakistan maintain such relation. Almost all of the country assets in other countries was frozen.

On economic level; Afghanistan became the world highest supplier of opium, having a production and supply rates of over 70 percent. The country was an opium house. This was the major source of income since the economic was totally down.

Nevertheless, the US, in retaliation of the 9/11 attack invaded Afghanistan and routed the Taliban regime in October 2001. The Taliban leadership fled to Pakistan.

The Present Situation of Taliban Takeover of Afghanistan Government in 2021

In 2020, the Taliban signed a peace agreement with the US and entered into negotiation with the Afghan government. However, little progress has been made in the talk. Meanwhile, after a two decade long presence in Afghanistan, the US withdrew it's troops in the country as part of the deal. The Taliban launched an offensive that tripled the number of Afghan district under its control.

This is not all, as compare to before, the Taliban is more strengthen and sophisticated terrorist group. It is a threat to democratic institutions, citizen's rights and regional security. The group has withstood counterinsurgency operations from the world's most powerful security alliance, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the three US administration in a war that has killed more than 6000 US troops and contractors and over 1,100 NATO troops.

The Taliban, which has between 58,000 and 100,000 full-time fighters, is stronger now than at any point in the last 20 years. After they captured Kabul, the country's capital, it was reported that $83 billion dollars worth of American military training and hardware, including jets, guns, tanks, light weapons, SAM missiles, RPG's has fallen into the hands of the Taliban. The Taliban is now the world most sophisticated terrorist group ever!

IMPACTS Of THE TALIBAN TAKEOVER OF AFGHANISTAN IN WORLD TERRORISM

The Islamic state (IS) group militants, another terrorist organization, looking to find a new base after the defeat of their self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria is now a reality. History has shown that, the Taliban offering their territory as a safe haven for other terrorist organization.

Secondly, the return of Al-Qaeda is also inevitable. During their last takeover of government, the Taliban provided a safe base for Osama bin Laden Al-Qaeda, which planned the 9/11 attacks on the US in 2001, killing nearly 3000 people. An estimated 20,000 recruits from all over the world passed through Al-Qaeda's training camps, learning lethal skills and creating a terror learning centre, before they are dispersed back to their own countries.

Although the Taliban's focus is on ruling Afghanistan according to their strict interpretation of sharia law. But, other jihadist, such as, Al-Qaeda and ISIL may have different ambitions beyond those borders.

IMPACTS IN AFRICA; BOKO HARAM AS A CASE STUDY

Boko Haram is based in northeastern Nigeria, also active in Chad, Niger and northern Cameroon. Founded in 2002 by Mohammed Yusuf. The group was led by Abubakar Shekau from 2009 until his death in 2021, although it splitter into other groups after his death and also in 2015. Their main goal being to "purify" Islam in northern Nigeria. It formerly aligned itself with the Islamic state of Iraq and the Levant. Since its resurgence started in 2009, it has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced 2.3million from their homes. In mid 2010 was the world's deadliest terror group according to the Global Terrorism Index.

In July 2014, Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram released a 16 minutes video where he voiced support for ISIL's head Abu Bake al-Baghdadi, Al-Qaeda's head Ayman al-Zawahiri and Afghan Taliban head Mullah Omar. in March 2015, Shekau pledged allegiance to ISIL head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Though, Boko Haram splits have caused many factions to form out of the group they still have a connection with other terrorist organization, such as Taliban.

he Nigerian Government, has earlier announced the defeats of Boko Haram, but news about their attacks still looms the media. Their active presence in other neighbouring countries is something to look out for. The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, will most likely serve has a morale boost to Boko Haram. Moreover, the Taliban may cause an international jihad. Afghanistan may be used as a training camp for new recruits. They may enter into a deal of supplying weapons and ammunition to other terrorist organization like Boko Haram.

The future still holds so much for us. But every minute we use planning, defending and strengthening our Nigerian Army for possible terrorist attack will be a wise move by the Government.

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IPOB sit at home order and the Right to freedom of movement

 Does the Recent Mandatory Sit _at_home Order by IPOB in eastern Nigeria States supersede the Right to Freedom of Movement

On August 9th, 2021, the Indigeneous People of Biafra (IPOB), a secessionist group in eastern Nigeria ordered a weekly sit_at_home exercise across the eastern states in solidarity with its detained leader; Mazi Nnamdi Kanu's who was brought back to Nigeria in a controversial manner by the federal government, and is standing trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja. He is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him in response to years of campaign for the independent of Republic of Biafra.

The Right to Freedom of Movement enjoys a constitutional force and is entrenched among the Fundamental Human Rights of Nigerians. The concept of the right differs by country. In Nigeria Constitution, for example, it's guaranteed only Nigerian citizens. In South Africa, it's guaranteed to everyone within the territory of South Africa. This write up will put emphasis on right to move freely only and not other context of the Right to Freedom of Movement.

INTRODUCTION

The very first characteristics of living things is movement, as seen in the basic biology acronym MR_NIGERD. This is because, living things, especially human beings move around for survival, to acquire basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, etc. This right is a prerequisite for the enjoyment of other human rights, for example, Right to Life and Liberty.

WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF THE RIGHT

The draftsman of the 1999 Constitution, which is the highest law in Nigeria, included these rights as part of the Fundamental Human Rights as seen in Section 41 (1) of the 1999 Constitution. "Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry" thereto or exit therefrom". This does not mean that non-Nigerian citizens have no right to enter Nigeria or move freely to Nigeria or exit Nigeria. It means that these rights are not guaranteed them as a constitutional right as guaranteed to citizens of Nigeria.

Cases where this has been applied are

1) Re Williams v Majekodunmi: The court held in this case that a Restriction Order of 29th May, 1962, which limited Chief F.R.A. Williams within a distance of three miles from his house was an infringement of his right to move freely within Nigeria.

2) Goriji_Dinka v Cameroon: The Human Rights Committee found a violation of the right to freedom of movement where a person was put under house arrest.

Other contexts of these rights include; The right of every citizen to move freely within Nigeria; right to reside in any part of Nigeria; right to be expelled from Nigeria; right not to be refused entry into Nigeria; right not to be prevented from leaving Nigeria.

LIMITATION AND RESTRICTIONS ON THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

The right to Freedom of Movement is not absolute. Section 45 (1) of the same Constitution provides a limitation to it by any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society in cases where it's in the interest of defence, public safety, order, morality or public health or for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other people.

This justifies restrictions on freedom of movement of suspect and convicts, in terms of detention, imprisonment. Also, justifies the imposition of curfew and restrictions of a person's movement to a particular place, restrictions on exist of citizens to enemy countries. 

An example of a case is Faith Okafor v Lagos State Government: Here the Court of Appeal held that restrictions of freedom of movement for environmental sanitation on the last Saturday of the month was unconstitutional. It turned out that there was no law limiting the right to movement in the case, it was only a mere directives by the governor.

COMPARISON BETWEEN THE MONDAY SIT_AT_HOME ORDER AND THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

In light of the above analysis, the sit_at_home order is a restriction on the right to freedom of movement. Although the reasons given of it being a solidarity exercise for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu sounds empathetic. It's unconstitutional, as it doesn't fall within the provisions of the Constitution; that is the right to freedom of movement can be derogated by a law that is reasonably justifiable for the interest of defence, public safety, etc. The sit_at_home order is not a law made by the government, but a directive given by IPOB.

This notwithstanding, the directive has been observed judiciously in all the eastern states of Nigeria in solidarity of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The observation of the order is most times kept by fear of violence, as some armed men are seen in public areas like markets, where they shoot guns to scare traders and others around to run home. On the other hand, on 16th of August, 2021 the sit_at_home directives was reportedly suspended by IPOB saying that the civil action will now hold on the days it detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu appears in court. This implies that the next sit _at_home will be on October 21st, 2021. Ironically, those who went about their daily business ran back home, as it was heard that some armed men went through some places in Enugu, shooting sporadically to scare people to go home.

People living in eastern Nigeria are not sure when this situation will end, or at what stage the states government will intervene. We however, pray that the federal government will do justice by Mazi Kanu, so that peace can be restored.

Coronavirus Lockdown: Tips to Kill Boredom(part 1)

CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN: TIPS TO KILL BOREDOM 

Learning is Fun

The Coronavirus also called COVID 19 is a big war nobody saw coming this 2020. Not only has it made everyone to be on their heels, but it doesn't discriminate as both the rich and the poor, the public figures and the commoners, etc are affected or stand a chance to be affected by it.

However, in times like this stay-at-home, a lot of things happen, boredom usually the most common. In a bid to help curb boredom this write up was made to give us a guide on anti-boredom tips to do. Also, this period can also be a good time to learn new skills and do new things. Who says staying at home is frustrating!!!

I will cover many areas that we can engage in to make our stay at home much easier and happier, however, for starters, we will cover educational enrichment now which can be summarised into:

1. Dive into the online learning platform.
2. Online learning platforms and features.
3. Introducing you to it.
4. Who should take part in this and the advantages?
5. What next? 

DIVE INTO ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORMS.
An online learning platform is a good option for many people. Not only does it give you the comfort of learning from your home, office, etc, it also gives you the opportunity to interact with lecturers or instructors from other countries in the world and learning from their rich educational syllabus. Additionally it gives you the grace to interact with learners from around the world too. A certificate is given on completion and it's just a really exciting way of learning and for somebody like me, it almost like the only time I get to learn and be super happy why receiving lectures,
So I will move straight into the list of some of the online learning platforms out there for you.

TOP FIVE ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORMS AND THEIR MAJOR FEATURES
All the platforms have either a website or a mobile application while some have both. However, in some, the website is way better than the mobile app while in others the mobile app gives a better experience than the website. Read the tip to know which you should make use of in any of the platforms.

1)  ALISON. ( https://alison.com/ )
I had my first online learning courses from here and it was super amazing. Alison is more like a charity home, in the sense that they practically offer all their courses for free. However, you will have to pay some money to get the certificate (it's worth it!)

TIPS:

• There are loads of courses here, so it will be okay if you get confused on the exact course to choose.
• The courses are grouped into different fields, you will have to choose the category you want.
• The classes are divided into tiny sections and may either be in writing or videos and the videos don't have a transcript, you have to use your MB to play the videos.
• If you want more content in a course, Alison may be the option you should go for. The content of the course here is so voluminous,  especially if you are doing a diploma course. I am still doing a course on Microsoft software I started since last year!!
• Please don't bother downloading the mobile application, it's such a waste of MB

2). FUTURELEARN (https://www.futurelearn.com/ )

This UK-based learning platform offers a top selection of online degrees and free certification courses, available on mobile, tablet or desktop. The courses here are pretty limited, however, the ones available are very good. I enjoy learning here the most!!!

TIPS.

• The courses are either on video or write-ups. All the videos have a transcript!! This is really good to save data, so you can just be reading the transcript and ignore watching the videos especially if you have poor networks.
• All the courses are free but to get the certification you have to pay money. They do bonanza sometimes and offer certification for free.
• This is the most interactive learning platform ever because you have the opportunity to interact and comment on every lecture. And even ask questions.
• The only problem with futurelearn is that your access to a course is so limited and once that date passes you can't have access to it again. So you will have to plan your calendar very well to meet up with the course duration.
• Also every course have a starting date, so you can only access a course when it's commences.
• The website will do, you don't need the mobile application.

3)  EDX.  ( https://www.edx.org/ )
This is a really cool platform too. It's own by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the courses are very educative. If you want to see loads of Harvard University courses this is where to find it.

TIPS.

• The mobile application is the key here. Please just leave the website and use the app it's just about 14MB to download.
• The courses are either videos or write-ups, however, the videos have transcript!!! So you can easily read it if you are having poor network. However some courses are in a way that you can't learn it without videos and so transcript will be useless, here you can easily download the videos for the future.
• Your access to the course too is limited like future learn so you need to work with a calendar.
• Courses here too also have starting date and you can only access a course when it commences

4)  UDEMY.  (https://www.udemy.com/)

It offers something for everyone, from business development, finance and accounting, to design, marketing and office productivity. Udemy allows you to pick and choose the topics you are interested in, rather than committing yourself to a strict lesson plan, which makes this educational platform extremely flexible and user-friendly.

TIPS.

• Since practically anyone can become a course instructor on Udemy, make sure to choose courses with high ratings and excellent reviews to maximise the money and time spent learning a new skill.
• Additionally, if you’re a business owner, you can opt for a business account, which will unlock thousands of relevant courses for all your team members and in very specific fields.
• The website and mobile application are super wonderful. 

5).  COURSERA. (https://www.coursera.org/)
This list will be incomplete without Coursera. This is like the biggest and most trusted learning platform ever. They offer courses from top universities in the world like Harvard, Yale, Oxford University etc and the course content is super amazing.

TIPS

• The courses are available on payment of fees  so you need a financial budget to learn here but its worth it
• You can do masters and doctorate degree here. You can basically go to school. Like even do your B.SC here. There are more platforms but I will like to stop here.
• You can sure of getting your money's  worth from any course you choose to offer.
•  There are one week free access for some courses though.
• The mobile app is great.

INTRODUCING YOU TO ONLINE COURSES.
To get started with online learning there are things you need in place. Such

• EMAIL ACCOUNT: Most Online platforms will require you to sign up using an email or yahoo account. So, you need one to get started. Also, it has to be a functional email as most times they send a verification message to your email for you to click on before you can complete your registration on the platform.
• BROWSER: You need a good browser to access most online courses. For those using their laptops, Windows, Linux and Mac are pretty good. However, for those using their mobile phones to access these platforms then Chrome is a great idea that I will personally recommend. Firefox too may be okay. Generally, all browsers are okay, but some browser won't load the pages well of these courses and it will affect your learning experience so start the course. But as you go you can notice which browser works better for you.
• ELECTRICITY: The one thing that can make a vacation so frustrating is lack of electricity. So, yes you need electricity as your data is on while doing the courses and your phone battery may be running down fast. However, you can easily load all the pages you want to read and off your data so as to reduce battery consumption.
• NETWORK: You don't want to play a video with a bad network, you will practically run mad. So the network is really necessary to enjoy your experience here. However, don't lose hope simply download the pages in a place with a good network and then go back to your comfort zone to read it.
• DISCIPLINE: This is a VIRTUE when it comes to the online learning experience. Remember no lecturer is taking attendance or subtracting mark from you. So you need to be discipline else you may not meet your time table.
• TIME: Time is important too. Time spent on the learning platforms and time for exams etc is something you choose in your convenience so I advise you choose something you can work with.
• OBSERVANT: you need to be really observant of the learning environments for you to do well in it. So yes I advise you click on everything you see, go through every page and learn
• FUN: Who says learning is not fun. Learning can really be so much fun too.

LIST OF ONLINE PLATFORMS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS STUDENTS 

https://outschool.com/   yeah, it's top of the list so it's my favourites for secondary students and pupils too.
https://primetech101.com/my-number-bond-app-3/   offers exciting classwork an assignment for kids to stay busy.
https://emea.scholastic.com/en  Woww parents watch out for this
https://www.varsitytutors.com/  This is perfect for both primary and secondary schools students
https://mysteryscience.com/   This one inspires children of 3-16 years old to love science.
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/preparing-for-uni   This one is for SS3 students to prepare them for University

OTHER STUDENTS
For those in the higher institution especially those in federal and state universities, it seems your vacation will be very long because of the ASUU strike. So I will list the courses for law students. There are lots more. Remember to try the platforms I listed above.

LAW STUDENTS 
https://www.shortcoursesportal.com/studies/194014/international-human-rights-law.html This one is on edx. Read the section I explain how to go about edx platform.
https://www.shortcoursesportal.com/studies/194009/international-law.html  This is good for those that want to do international law.
https://www.shortcoursesportal.com/studies/254663/international-investment-law.html  Investment lawyers look here
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/mergers-acquisitions-structuring-deals   This is good

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/human-rights-and-international-criminal-law
http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=SAyYsTvLiGQ&subid=&offerid=451430.1&type=10&tmpid=18061&RD_PARM1=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.coursera.org%2Flearn%2Foilandgas&u1=gtc_ivy_league_courses_2020_fcc_medium     Oil and gas law course totally free on Coursera.

Other course of study have rich certification courses which are available at the platforms I listed. Just search for it there. 


WHO SHOULD ENGAGE IN THIS EXERCISE AND THE ADVANTAGES
Well for starters, everyone should take part in this mainly because the moment you stop learning then everything comes to a halt. So with our stay-at-home practice engaging in online courses can really be a great way for us to learn more skills, new skills, and just anything we wish.
Also, the courses listed are not exhaustive, meaning there are lots more, hence you can see more just by searching for it on google or those platforms listed. Everyone including parents, students, workers, teachers etc can benefit from this.
The advantages Everyone:

• Exposure to new knowledge
• Increasing your skills especially technological skills.
• Advancing in your career field.
• Improving on your CV through the certification from those courses.
• Networking with new people and lecturers from all over the world.
• General exposure into the online experience.

WHAT NEXT!!!!!

• Start signing up and doing the courses already!! 
• Ask as many questions as possible. Remember it your first time so you may have a lot of confusion but feel free to contact me through my contact details below or comment on the blog post.
• Don't be afraid. Be strong. Remember you will not be alone. People have done this before, people are doing it with you and people will do it after. So I will try to create a network with you and others if you wish to just contact me.
• We are aware learning is so much phone when done in a group. So if you wish to join a group of learners, feel free to identify yourself with me so I can connect you with others. So exciting right!!!
• Watch out for my next post on other things to engage in during this coronavirus stay at home.
• Don't forget to share to as many people as possible. Let's fight boredom and idleness in our community.

Liability of Learner Drivers- A Stand to Behold.

The liability of learner drivers or Drivers with learner's permit is an issue of concern to all. On the one hand, the law and indeed the society as a whole seeks to protect and preserve the ignorance of the leaner, and on the other hand, the law seeks to protect the lives of other innocent drivers plying the roads too.

For the purpose of this work, some terms will be taken to mean the following:

• Highway: includes any roadway to which the public have access to and is controlled by the state.
• Steering Wheel: means a wheel-shape that a driver places his hands on while driving, especially for the purpose of controlling the vehicle.
• Learner Driver or a Driver with Learner's Permit: means a person who is a freshman to roads or who is not yet qualified to get the valid driver's license.

HOW TO OBTAIN A LEARNER'S PERMIT
In Nigeria for a person to become a learner driver or obtain a learner's permit, the person would:

• Obtain form MVA 15
• Pay a prescribed fee
• Attend a driving school approved by Federal Road Traffic Corps
• Obtain a pass from driving school with 3rd issue learner's permit
• Drive for at least three months accompanied by an instructor who is a licensed driver
• Affix 'L' sign on the front and rear of the vehicle
• Tested by the appropriate authority after the 3rd issue of the learner's permit for a period of not less than 3months.

These are found in section 27 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2004.

THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT DO AS A LEARNER DRIVER

1. Driving Alone: By standard, a learner is required to always drive accompanied by a person sitting by his/her side in the vehicle.
2. Don't drive with another learner that only has a learners permit like you.
3. Failing to Renew Your Licence or Upgrade it: every learner's permit issued in Nigeria expires in just 90days (3months). Try to visit the FRSC office before the expiration date and apply for another one.
4. Forgetting to Remove/Add the Learners Sign Before Driving: many learners do this if they share the same car with their spouse or partners who have already gotten a drivers license. They may either forget to add the learner's sign to the car before taking it out of the road or to place the sign on a car being driven by an expert driver. If anything goes wrong and such a driver is stopped by the authorities, the person will have to present a valid licence and no other.
5. Disobeying Safety Rules: there same are a lot of safety rules and regulations,  every driver should know. For instance, drivers should not drive with one hand, or keeping your hand at 12 o'clock position(the top) or sometimes at 6 o'clock position (the bottom) on the steering wheel. Let your hands always be at 9 and 3 o'clock ( right and left side) on the steering wheel, so that you can easily and properly control the car even if there is a sudden emergency on the road.

Other regulations a driver should keep include driving with the seat belt on and obeying traffic rules. Most times these regulations are provided in statutes, so failure to obey them may lead to arrest and prosecution by the appropriate authority.

WHAT IS THE POSITION OF THE COURTS AS REGARDS LEARNER DRIVERS: LIABILITY OF LEARNER DRIVERS

The law is basically divided into two: criminal law and civil law. The major distinctions are that in the criminal law the state or police or other appropriate authority, in this case, the Federal Road Safety Corps prosecute offenders and its always a crime against the state(society). However, in civil law, it's an individual that sues another to court and therefore, it involves a wrong committed against an individual or a person.
Usually, a single offence can lead to both criminal and civil law. In the case of learners drivers if you drive negligently and maybe somebody gets injured, then your act is an offence against the state(criminal) and a wrong against the victim injured(civil).

In such civil cases, the court has not been very quick in being nice to learner drivers and at many occasions hold the drivers liable.
The reason behind this attitude of the court was given by Lord Denning in the case of Nettleship v Weston where he stated that 'a learner driver must do his best as a driver of skill and care who makes no errors of judgement'

The reason for this according to Kodilinye and Aluko is that a car is
'a lethal weapon and public policy require that the strictest possible standards of care be maintained by the learner drivers.
Hence the court places the learner driver in the same position as an expert driver because the danger that may result in their negligence is too dangerous to require otherwise.

Therefore in the words of Lord Denning in the same case, 'a learner driver might be doing his best, but his incompetence best is not good enough. The law holds the same standard to all'.

In conclusion, one can say for the fact that you are a learner driver doesn't mean you should endanger others. You can't practice driving while putting other's lives in danger. Hence you must be extremely careful in all capacity when you choose to ply the road. You owe a duty of care to your fellow drivers and other pedestrian and anyone who will be affected by your actions or inactions on the road.

Don't forget to leave your comments and share too.