Here are the slavery pictures that protesters in London were unhappy with

Racist Art Exhibition in London cancelled due to massive protests

LONDON, UK - A Barbican art exhibition which features black performers in chains was cancelled after protesters blockaded the entrance and branded it 'racist'.

Exhibit B, which takes inspiration from 19 century human zoos in Europe and created by Brett Bailey, was due to open at The Vaults on Tuesday night.
But Barbican staff made the decision to cancel the opening shows after demonstrators blockaded the entrance and road leading up to the venue in Leake Street last night.

The 'Human zoo' art exhibition featuring black actors in cages and chains had travelled all over Europe but had to be cancelled after protesters block entrance to Barbican.

The union of Great Britain is saved as Scotland votes NO to independence

This morning, there are roughly 2.5 million disappointed Scots as news filters through that the NO voters have taken the lead in the referendum for devolution. The people of Scotland voted 55% to 45%.

On the other hand there are about 64 million English people who are relieved that the United Kingdom stays intact. Today marks an important day for everyone in the UK. Some will be delighted some disappointed.

What are the implications of this results?

• The English politicians will have to honour their promises to the people of Scotland
• More power to Scotland
• An awareness there there is a big chunk of the population who don't want to be in the Union
• A new way of dealing with the Scottish
• A reconciliation

Will England be saying bye-bye to Scotland tomorrow?

The Scottish will vote tomorrow, either for or against independence. Today, the polls stand at 51% for YES and 49% for the No voters. It is quite a close contest and the winners will be known by 6 am on Friday 19th of September. Politicians have had heated debates and there has been news of intimidation and shuffling of members of the public by campaigners. 

I had, secretly for months stood on the side of the YES voters for two reasons: First being that I believe that it is a basic and natural human right that each sovereign country should be allowed rule it self. Secondly, if a people think they have been short changed and want to break off, then, they should be allowed to. This is 2014 and colonisation is out of fashion.

Over the last couple of days, however, the excitement of the campaign has worn off for me and I can now see the repercussions for England of Scotland breaking away from Great Britain. Here is what will happen if the Scottish take a walk:

Scotland has vast oil reserves in the North Sea which is what we all use in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in our cars, factories as petrol or diesel and in our homes as gas. Once the Scots leave , we must wave goodbye to the oil and gas from Scotland and look to the Middle East and Africa for our oil - which will triple in price to around £3.99 per lire.

There are many powerful banks, businesses and call centres with headquarters and bases in Scotland, once there is a YES vote, many new businesses will migrate there to enjoy being part of a newly created country with laws that favour their businesses.  An example, is Ireland where the government reduced business rates to attract foreign investors.

Interests rates in England may go up to raise the income lost from the union with Scotland and so shall taxes, levies and the removal of subsidies on oil and gas.

The cost of education will rise as more subsidies are removed. There are about 6 million people living in Scotland while about 65 million Britons live in Northern Ireland, Wales and England. Many Scottish students may go back home to receive free education up to university level, leaving the British schools and higher institutions under occupied and under funded.

Scotland has the most fertile of all the lands on the Isles. For years, battles were waged by the Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, Norwegians and so on just to take over the farms and resources of the land. Our food will become more expensive as over 70 per cent of our cattle are reared and food crops are farmed in Scotland. Little food comes from down here and England will have to rely solely on imported food with added tariffs and taxes.

The flagship British NHS and PENSION system will collapse as the Scots extract themselves from this historical invention which has interwoven all the countries of Great Britain for centuries.

There are also political, cultural and property repercussions which will arise.

THE WINNERS
The Scots, financial institutions and lawyers.

THE LOSERS
The rest of Britain especially, Wales and Northern Ireland, Educational Institutions, the NHS, pensioners and the Benefit System.

If you live in England be prepared for enormous changes - more reduction in salaries, increase in tax, NI contributions and pensions. the cost of drugs may also go up and you may have to pay for primary and secondary education. Food will also become more expensive as we negotiate new food prices with a new Scotland. 

Most importantly, laws will have to be re-written, new rules, codes and regulations, new passports and many more. A new flag will be created to exclude Scotland. In the current British flag - union jack, the navy blue in the flag represents Scotland. When Scotland leaves the union, the blue will have to go. Here are examples what the new flag will look like:

The history of Scotland - Scottish vote for independence

The history of Scotland

Down memory lane - How Scotland become part of Great Britain 

Scotland has a long and fascinating history. Many tales of battles fought are closely linked to a desire to rule a well located country, rich in natural resources. 

Scottish history in the making

People lived in Scotland for at least 8,500 years before recorded history began Britain. At times during the last interglacial period (130,000–70,000 BC). The discovery of ten pre-ice age axes on Orkney and mainland Scotland show that Europe had a climate warmer than today's, and early humans made their way to Scotland. 

The first written records of Scottish history date back to the arrival of the Roman Empire in the 1^stcentury AD. The Roman province of Britannia reached as far north as the Antonine Wall, which once ran across central Scotland from the River Clyde to the Firth of Forth. To the north lay the territory of Caledonia, which was ruled by the Picti people.

Frequent battles with the Picts saw the Roman retreat to Hadrian's Wall – which spanned the north of England from Carlisle in the west to Wallsend in the east. By the 3^rd century, the Romans had all but departed the land that is now known as Scotland.
In the 5^th century, the north-west of Scotland was raided and settled by Gaels (Scoti), originating from Northern Ireland. They later established the Kingdom of Dalriada in Scotland’s western regions.

In the same period, Angles conquered a territory south of the Antonine Wall to form the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Bernicia. This later become a part of the northern English kingdom of Northumbria.

At the end of the 8^th century, all of Scotland's kingdoms were overthrown to some extent by marauding Vikings. Numerous defeats by the Norse raiders eventually forced the Picts and Scoti to end their long-held hostility towards each other and unite in the 9^th century to form the Kingdom of Scotland.

However, the Scottish battles for power did not end there. In the 12^th Century, Anglo-Norman barons, including the Bruce family, laid claim to much of mainland Scotland. In exchange for land, these barons helped King David I to secure his claim to the throne and feudalise much of Scotland.

By the 13^th century, Alexander II and his son Alexander III were determined to bring all of the former Norwegian territories in the west of Scotland into their own territories. The Norwegian king, Hakon, sent a massive fleet to Scotland to hold on to his territories. In September 1263, the two forces clashed at the Battle of Largs in Ayrshire.

Three years later, with the conclusion of the Treaty of Perth, Magnus Hakonarson, King of Norway, gave up Scotland's western seaboard to Alexander III.

Scotland – whose throne passed through the control of the houses of Balliol and Bruce in the following years – had yet to win its freedom. The bloody wars of Scottish independence followed as the Scots tried to throw off the yoke of English influence.

Scottish landowner Sir William Wallace became one of the main battle leaders, defeating an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.
Wallace served as Guardian of Scotland until his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk.

In 1305, he was captured in Robroyston, near Glasgow, and handed over to King Edward I of England, who had him hanged, drawn and quartered for high treason. In 1314, Robert Bruce inflicted a significant defeat on the English at the Battle of Bannockburn.

After  Robert Bruce was excommunicated by the Pope in 1318 for killing John “Red” Comyn, a group of Scottish Nobles gathered to write the Declaration of Arbroath in support of his right to the Scottish throne. 

Construction on one of Scotland’s most beautiful churches, Rosslyn Chapel, began in 1456.  The complex carvings and lost burial vault of the church have been an inspiration to many theories of connections to the Knights Templar, Freemasonry, Pagan imagery and even that the Holy Grail may be hidden underneath. 

James IV of Scotland holds the dubious honour of being the last ruling monarch of the British Isles to die on the battlefield.  The Battle of Flodden Field between the Scots led by King James IV and English forces began on the afternoon of 9 September 1513 and by nightfall the Scottish forces had suffered a decisive defeat as well as the loss of their King.

Whilst conflicts with England continued for centuries, the “Auld Alliance” with France provided not only a military ally but also a continental flair to Scottish culture.  Mary, Queen of Scots was born the daughter of a French mother and went on to become Queen Consort of France, albeit briefly, as well as of Queen of Scotland. 

Having spent much of her childhood in France, Queen Mary spent only a few years on the Scottish throne before being forced to abdicate her throne in favour of her son James VI.  Mary escaped to England to seek help from her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, but would never see Scotland again. Mary was held prisoner in a succession of English castles for over 18 years before being beheaded for her part in a plot to take the English throne from Queen Elizabeth.

In 1603, after the death of Elizabeth I of England, James VI of Scotland succeeded to the English throne as James I. In 1707, the Acts of Union formally united Scotland with England and Wales as Great Britain.

During the Scottish Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution, Scotland became one of the commercial, intellectual and industrial powerhouses of Europe.

The country’s industrial decline following the Second World War was particularly acute but in recent decades Scotland has enjoyed a cultural and economic renaissance, fuelled in part by a resurgent financial services sector, the proceeds of North Sea oil and gas and, latterly, a devolved Parliament.

On 18th September, 2014, the Scottish will go to the polls to vote YES for independence and NO to stay in the union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Culled from scotland.com

Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School Old Girls UK prepare for fundraising gala nite

The LAGGSOGAUK logo - Designed by iShine Media, Design and Publishing 

Old girl of LAGGS and current president, Ms Oluyinka Olumide

LONDON - The Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School Old Girls Association are organising their first fundraising gala nite in London. The event which is themed, "The  Steel Magnolias" dinner & dance Fundraising Gala night will take place in London on Saturday 13 September from 4pm is set to attract many high profile professionals in and around London. Money raised will go towards refurbishing the school buildings and especially the library and the science laboratories according to the LAGGSOGAUK president, Ms Olayinka Olumide.

I met up with the LAGGSOGAUK social secretary and old girl, Ms Lola Awosika and here are the amazing things she says guests at the LAGGSOGAUK gala nite can look forward to...

Lola Aisida Awosika - LAGGSOGA, head of socials

What is the LAGGSOGAUK gala nite about?

The LAGGSOGA UK which stands for the Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School Old Girls Association UK is a group of old girls of the school which is in Nigeria and we are raising funds for our Alma-mater. We are doing this through "The  Steel Magnolias" dinner and dance.

How do you hope to achieve tour goal?

We are selling tickets for the event, we are also interested in individuals or companies willing to offer sponsorship, donations and we are selling advertising space in our event brochure .

What  will the money raised be used for?

We hope to raise a sizable amount of money for our Alma-mater Lagos Anglican Girls Grammar School. We are hopeful that we are able to help improve the quality and standard of education of the girls currently at the school as well as raise women of substance.

What special attractions can guests look forward to at the event?

There will be a mix of interesting acts including:

• A comedian;
• A saxophonist;
• Music by DJ Ladi;
• Side games;
• A special song by a young artist;

It is bound to be a friendly, warm and relaxing atmosphere an unforgettable night full of excitement and fun.

Are there any benefits for those who attend?

Guests will be treated to the best service in town including a:
3 course meal with drinks,
Photo shoot on the red carpet
Champagne reception
Lots of raffle prizes to be won
A networking opportunity
Paintings to view pre-order or purchase

Where is the event? When? Any tickets? Raffle? Auction exhibition? Free parking?

• The LAGGSOGAUK Fundraising Galal Night will take place at The De Vere Village Hotel, Elstree London.

• There is ample and free parking on site. The event will start at 4pm.

• Tickets are £50 per head.

• Raffle tickets are on sale at £2.50 per leaf.

• Paintings by acclaimed British/Nigerian artist and designer, Morin Okenla.

• Exhibition stands.

Anything else? Anything you want to tell old girls in UK?

Come and join the Association where we come together for a good cause, bond together. help and support one another and raise real women of substance.

Lola  Aisida Awosika is a professional recruitment Account Manager and also the CEO of Kiddieslollipop Entertainments and P2p events. She has over 20 years experience within the entertainment and events management industry. Her outfit of services is described as unique and exclusive bringing creativity, fun, excitement, productive planning and perfection to any event.

She uses her talents and creative mind to demonstrate  the gifting of God upon her life. As a motivational  speaker and a youth mentor, she enjoys guiding and empowering youths with a passion to see them reach their full potential  and purpose by encouraging them to aspire to fulfill their dreams.
Lola has focused on and applied the LAGGS school motto,"Our best in everything" in all areas of her life. Lola is a mother of two children and lives in London.

 

How to Find the Right Mentor for you

A helping hand.  PHOTO: effaynyrie.com

You need a mentor and you want one now. The good news is that the first step to getting what you need is to identify it. But the second step, at least for most people, is a bit fuzzy. How exactly do you go about finding the right mentor?

 
First, Develop Your Criteria

What are you seeking to get from a mentoring relationship? Advice on the inner-workings of your company? A new job? Help with specific skills you feel you lack? This information may reside in different people, so it’s important to know what you want to learn before you begin the process of identifying target mentors. Once you’ve firmed up your criteria, read on.

How Do You Gain the Interest of a Prospective Mentor?

Mentoring expert and author of The Mentor’s Guide (2nd Edition), Lois Zachary, , says that it’s all in the messaging. The benefits to the mentor are many, and should be tailored to the specific situation. For example, benefits might include helping her contribute to the growth of the company. Mentoring can help strengthen facilitation or management skills.

Zachary also comments that the idea of paying it forward is very powerful, especially for senior people who are thinking about their legacy.

If your prospective mentor is at the C-level, the organizational benefits involved in mentoring can be a good incentive. For example, mentoring helps with the recruitment and retention of talent. Companies are very motivated to hold on to the talent they have, and create as much loyalty as possible.

Zachary also says that mentoring fast-tracks leadership development, creates a tried and true way to include new employees, and increases diversity—again, all areas of utmost interest to companies.

Once You Have a Mentor, How do You Make it Work?

Zachary says that Gen Y’s are embracing mentoring because it fits with their desire to move faster and more efficiently in their careers. Gen Y’s crave feedback and dislike authoritarian approaches, and they are interested in reverse mentoring older generations in social media and technology skills. In my own research I have found that Gen Y’s would gladly trade salary for mentoring.
Sarah Kathleen Peck, a communications specialist for an international landscape architecture company, says, “My best mentors? They have been in the sidelines, nudging and encouraging and prodding, allowing me room to explore and discover on my own. Sometimes your greatest advocates and champions aren’t the loudest people in your life, but they are highly influential.

People don’t need bosses who tell them what to do and talk incessantly; often the best mentor is a quiet ear that helps you figure out what to do on your own. This is how leaders are grown – by encouraging individuals to take the reigns in exploration, discovery, failure, and success.”

Ryan Paugh, Chief Of Staff, The Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), says,“My best mentors have always been people who drive me crazy. Penelope Trunk, my co-founder at Brazen Careerist, is a good example. We spent the first year of our company resenting each other’s polar-opposite work styles, but turned out to be great friends in the end. To this day I count on her to challenge my business decisions and help me see things from a different perspective.

It’s funny that today I consciously make career decisions based on how challenging the rest of my leadership team is to work with. Sure, we drive each other crazy, but we learn so much from that and end up being the best mentors for one another.”

Megan Atkinson, an Energy Efficiency Professional, comments, “My greatest mentors have been those that recognize my talents and character while matching them to my priorities. Several mentors from past experiences tried to push me into a mold of yesteryear’s idea of mentoring. Being a tenacious young professional, my most valuable assets have been the mentors that recognize my generation’s need for a long-term vision. Brody was the sometimes brutally honest voice of reason when it came to navigating corporate culture and politics. Tom was inspiration to chase after what I want and fear less. Tina was the gentle yet tenacious helping hand offering her insights on career pathing and sharing ideas. They’ve all made the mentoring experience very collaborative and individualized – two high priorities Gen Yers (and I, personally) seek in any project or venture.”

Vanessa Francis, Associate Director, Community Affairs at Johns Hopkins University, says, “During my career, one mentor that stands out in my mind was a director of a local government agency where I worked for three years. My mentor provided great advice for not only handling my work load but also served as a sounding board and advised me on how to manage agency politics. When I decided to pursue another career, my mentor was extremely supportive by providing career advice and a recommendation to on my behalf to my new supervisor.”

Zachary’s book is brimming with advice and exercises on making the mentoring relationship really work for both mentor and mentee. In the meantime, there is much to say about mentoring and I’m planning a follow-up post. Send me your mentoring stories—both good and bad–so I can share them.

Forbes