What Happened To The Church

I want to plead with you to read this to the end, it won't take much of your time.
Growing up in in the 90's helped me to draw a big line between the church of the past and the church of the present.

Those days, if you employ a Christian you would be sure of their integrity, financial prudence and adequate delivery of their duties. To be born again then is an honour and the seemingly carnal people would make jest saying he/she is 'SU'. Evangelism too was crude and impactful. Sinners would cry after every sermon. U dare not go to church to steal or catch a babe. The church was a consuming fire and a place of repentance. Our pastors were mentors. Their children were always coming first in class. Unit leaders too were respectable.

For so many reasons I love the church of the 90's. I won't fail to mention that the church of the 90's didn't have world class cathedral. If there was a fan, there is no electricity to power it. A major musical instrument we had was the tambourine. The pastors shoe can't give you your reflection. Simply put, the church was crude, powerful, repentance driven. It was not packaged, not a business venture. Gold and silver they had not but the anointing of our lord Jesus Christ they possess in abundance. 

Now, the case has Summersaulted. Silver and gold the church has, but power they do not. Now, being a Christian is no more a currency, the moment you mention. "I'm a pastor", people become weary of doing business with you. In the news: pastors have murdered, stolen, committed sexual immorality. In fact they have committed all sins thinkable.
Where did we miss it? We missed it when denominations divided us. We missed it when building cathedral became more important than building holiness into the members. We missed it when membership became more important than converts. We missed it when we think being a pastor is a profession and not a calling. We missed it when we started applying worldly principles to govern a spiritual body. The church shouldn't struggle trying to be the world, the world should struggle trying to be the church.

We copied the united states, in that country, pastors will tell you the kind of food they want to eat, the kind of hotel and they amount that must be in the envelope. They 'ru(i)ned' the church like a company. No wonder God's own country has become Gay's own country.
We copied America's style of church soon if care is not taken we will dwindle into America's kind of faith. ( I know you will say God forbid-continue)  
But why? What is the church for? The church has many functions. I will just share some.

1). Worship; our relationship with God is both private and public, and we need both. Let’s begin with our public interaction with God – worship. It is possible to worship God when we are all alone, but the term worship usually suggests something we do in public. The English word worship is related to the word worth. We declare God’s worth when we worship him.
Music is the most common form of worship. In our music, we need to consider the needs of people who may be attending our services for the first time. We need music that they will find meaningful, music that expresses joy in a way that they comprehend as joyful.
Music is only one aspect of our worship services. Worship includes more than expressing emotion. Our relationship with God also involves our minds, our thought processes. Some of our interaction with God comes in the form of prayer. As a gathered people of God, we speak to God. We praise him not only in poetry and song, but also in ordinary words and normal speech.

2). Spiritual disciplines; worship services are only part of our worship. The Word of God must enter our hearts and minds to affect what we do throughout the week. Worship can change its format, but it should never stop. Part of our worship response to God involves personal prayer and Bible study. People who are becoming more spiritually mature hunger to learn from God in his Word. They are eager to give him their requests, praise him, share their lives with him, and be aware of his constant presence in their lives.

3). Discipleship; throughout the New Testament, we see spiritual leaders teaching others. This is part of the Christian lifestyle; it is part of the Great Commission. “Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20 ). Everyone must be either a learner or a teacher, and we are usually both at the same time. “Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” ( Colossians 3:16 ). We must be learning from one another, from other Christians. The church is an educational institution as well as a place of worship and transformation.

4). Fellowship; the church is sometimes called a fellowship; it is a network of relationships. We all need to give and to receive fellowship. We all need to give and receive love. Fellowship means a lot more than talking to each other about sports, gossip and news. It means sharing lives, sharing emotions, bearing one another’s burdens, encouraging one another and helping people who have needs. Most people put a mask on to hide their needs from others. If we are really going to help one another, we need to get close enough to one another to see behind the masks. It means that we have to let our own mask fall down a bit so others can see our needs.

5). Service; i am emphasizing physical service, not the service of teaching or the service of encouraging others. A teacher is also a washer of feet, a person who illustrates the meaning of Christianity by doing what Jesus would do. Jesus took care of physical needs such as food and health. In a physical way, he gave his body and his life for us. The early church gave physical help, sharing their possessions with needy people, collecting offer­ings for hungry people.

6). Evangelism; "Go into all the world and preach the gospel,” Jesus commands us. Many of us need a lot of improvement in this area. We have been too conditioned to keep our faith to ourselves. People cannot be converted unless the Father is calling them, but that does not mean that we shouldn’t preach the gospel! Jesus told us that we should.

If the church do all of these we wouldn't be afraid of islamisation agenda.
Ola-Abraham Emmanuel is the author of Add a little madness

Source: Emmanuel Ola Abraham. 

Mark Zuckerberg Returns to Nigeria to Meet with Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari.

Facebook CEO returned to Nigeria yesterday 2rd of September, 2016; to meet Nigeria's president Muhammadu Buhari. Mark Zuckerberg who already left for Kenya after visiting Lagos few days ago, but on friday he and his team returned to Nigeria to meet with Nigeria president Muhammadu Buhari. 

Nigeria government welcomed Mark Zuckerberg yesterday into the Aso village, where he was to meet the Commander in chief of the Arm forces of the federation, President Buhari. About thirty ICT personnels and entrepreneurs, such as bloggers, Internet and online media actors, also met with the young internet business magnate. The visit has generated so much positive actions and reactions on the media. The Nigeria youths, including some of the Nigeria celebrities were so proud that Zuckerberg visited the country. 

I am so glad that people like Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook Incorporated can visit African countries (Nigeria and Kenya) at this time. What a great motivation and inspiration! for Africa entrepreneurs, particularly those in the ICT business, especially, at this time where Nigeria is facing a lot of economy crisis and nothing seems to be working in the country. I also believe Mark Zuckerberg visit will serve as an eye-opener and wake up-call to a lot of youths in Africa who have failed to use the social media and other internet platforms to generate wealth that are meant to be tapped. The visit will also serve as an inspiration to those who have been using the social media like Facebook to empower themselves before now. Facebook community and other social media have helped online vendors and entrepreneurs advertised their goods and services thereby, connecting them to millions of people who need their services across the globe. Facebook has also serves as a global integration because it bring us together despite being at different locations on the planet. The world has become a global village through the social media, and Facebook especially has made people of different races to become close like families and friends. 

Sometimes I ponder, and just swing in the ocean of my thinking. I have a lot of questions begging for answers, and my curiosity is driving me to a greater height, with the dream  that is much more bigger than the imagination of the hope that awaits me. Has God not make everything beautiful in its own time? but yet he also placed ignorance in the hearts of men, so that man cannot imagine what God has planned, from the beginning to the end of their lives. 

As for me, I continue to ponder, and thousands of questions are rolling in my mind, which I would had asked him if I was one of those that met him yesterday. I heard some people  discussing and posting comments about Mark's simplicity and simple life style.  More importantly, how he really feels about his status. As one of the richest man in America and with a good position on the ranks of World's Richest men, but yet, why is he not looking flamboyant or dress in luxuries like some of our black rich men do? All these were some of the questions, some young people in Nigeria are asking online. 

Different people with different takes on his visit. Some were bothered on why his proposed visit wasn't announced. Some didn't care about that. All they know is that  a messiah of technology has come and one or more problem must have been discussed and solution must be on the way with the support of Mark. While to others even though the visit has nothing to offer, at least it's sending a signal that the world in general appreciates and approves of this present government, as in the last one month, the Secretary to the government of United state visited Nigeria, just few weeks after the Fifa president visited. 

As I conclude, Nigeria, is nothing to talk about in term of technology business because we lack the infrastructure, and proper knowledge from elementary school even to higher institution.  The situation is even worsen by the fact that some intelligent or talented students have to drop out of school or ICT training institute due to financial problem or economy crisis as it is at the moment. Yet, I still believe Africa  can produce great inventors, if only Africa leaders can utilize the country's resources well and become committed to youth empowerment and development, by putting in place good Infrastructure, that will enable her citizens to live in their realm of dream.

Mark Zuckerberg as come and gone, I pondered again on the hope that awaits the poor masses in an environment where the rich are getting richer and flaunting their wealth to oppress the poor masses. The mono economic which solely depend on oil has failed us this time, corruption has become the garments of government officials and our so called religion leaders have failed us surprisingly. So, if embracing Technology is what President Buhari has included in this diversification strategy to a new market of technology, it is really nice. 

But deep lessons must be drawn from Mark's bravery, simple life style and timely contributions to the world. Such a wealth! Wealth that questions the wisdom of men. 

  

 Photo Credit: Mark Zuckerberg page. 

Rio 2016: Why Nigeria is poor in Sport

As we all know that, the activities of the Olympic game is one that involve a lot of planning, and of course  huge budget. Olympic moment has helped to bring together Athletes and various Sportsmen and women from all over the world, including  the African countries making it to reached the peak in some activities. Little wonder the Olympic games is one of the greatest sport Festival in the world today. And it has become the pinnacle of most Athletes' careers who come to show-case their talents to the world at the Olympics every four years, and the winners of each games they participated bring the glory to their country. 

However, most of the African countries see the Olympic as a great privilege to be featured in the game, and compete on the international level. I remember, while growing up in Africa (Nigeria) one of the name one often hear is the name of one of the Nigeria Sprinter, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, who was the first Nigerian to compete at five Olympics (1988-2004) women's Athletics. And also, I remember when Nigeria won Olympic football gold medal in 1996 against Argentina, it was a big celebration and jubilation for us in Nigeria back then. 

But sadly enough, time has changed, Nigeria sport team have lost their glory days due to the fact that there are no motivation, or any effective sport schools or sport training centers with standard sport equipments that can enhance the sport teams to train well. Although, there are still few sport training centers and sport academies; like the IFA (Intergrity Football Academy) among few others, and there are also few Sports NGOs who help the less-privilege or poor kids who has talents for sport. One of this NGOs that readily comes to mind is FREDRICK AGBAJE FOUNDATION. However, Nigeria government does not give more support or motivation to the sport teams or sport activity. For instance, the Nigeria football team almost miss the Olympic game in Rio because they do not have enough money to buy their ticket to Brazil, just to manage to get there 6 hours before their first match. This same team that lacks motivation, having qualified for the Semi-final of the Olympic games Men's Football lost the games by 0-2 to Germany. 

I remember when the Olympic games started few weeks ago, both Nigeria and Germany did not have any medal, but good for Germany; the German sport team at the Olympic game pick up so fast, and has earned Germany more medals, making Germany to be in very good position on the medals table. But on the other hand, Nigeria remain on the same level, no gold nor silver... Nigeria can celebrate a bronze medal at the end of olympics game 2016. Back then Nigeria made Olympic Football history as the first Africa to win the gold medal. Although, that time the Nigeria Football team coach was a Dutchman (Johannes Bonferere) from Holland. To many observers, that was the greatest olympic match ever played by Nigeria Football team. (Atlanta 1996, Nigeria vs Argentina). 

In Europe or America, there is organization, structure and motivation to sport, but in Africa (Nigeria) there is no organization/structure or motivation, all down to the talent of the athletes. So why is Nigeria so poor in sport? One reason is undoubtedly or unquestionable is corruption, and sport has never been a priority for the government, the Nigeria government has no interest in sport. Rather they are there to embezzele the oil money, that is supposed to be used for the development of the country's infrastructure.  Such as; good roads, public sports trainning centers or schools etc. 

The general poor performance of athletes is not untraceable  to the poor economy hardship in the nation and poor infrastructural development, in which sports facility is one. Nigeria is down at a moment, not just in the Rio Olympics or in sporting achievement, but in all facets of her destiny as a nation. There is a need for sport and recreation facilities in Africa (Nigeria), I think this will help to prepare the sport teams for international games or sport such as the Olympic games. I believe recreation infrastructure is necessary, new facilities will allow us to train more athletes, like as it is here Germany or Europe for example my thoughts!

Queendaline Schneider.

World Hepatitis Day: 2 Million people dieing from it.

Kicking Hepatitis out of Nigeria with the Royals, General Yakubu Gowon, Princess Peju Hameed, Chief Agboola, Prof. Victor Adetiloye and Latasha Ngwube: Good will Ambassador. 

Today is world Hepatitis Day, yet only a few are aware of the disease. It is estimated that over 450 million people in the world are infected with the Hepatitis virus infection in the world, and 50 million are in Africa. Sadly enough, people die of Hepatitis B & C. More than 90 per cent of carriers of the disease are not even aware of it. 

After the adoption of a resolution during the 63rd World Health Assembly in May 2010, the World Hepatitis Day was endorsed to be globally celebrated on July 28 in honour of the 1976 Nobel Laureate Baruch Samuel Blumberg for his outstanding research work on the discovery, and effective test for hepatitis B. 

The virus kills and damage the liver; it is more dangerous and deadly than HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. There is need to create awareness programmes to help minimize the spread of the deadly virus. However, WHO is alerting people to the risks of contracting hepatitis from unsafe objects, such as; unsafe blood, unsafe injections, and sharing of sharps objects, including sharing drug-injections equipment. 

Also, to mark the day in Nigeria, her Majesty Yeyeluwa Wuraola Ogunwusi, Latasha Ngwube among others flagged off the WALK for life against Hepatitis on the street of Ile-Ife, Osun state, Nigeria. Despite the rain, her majesty still did walk, as a good will Ambassador; creating awareness and educating the people about the hepatitis virus infection. They were healthcare personnel there for people to get screened. 

"Did you know about 4,000 people die daily from 1- of the 5 strains of Hepatitis?, did you know it is treatable/curable if detected early?"- Latasha Ngwube who was also screened today at centre of the event today in Ile-Ife Osun state Nigeria. Latasha Ngwube took the walk today with her majesty Yeyeluwa Wuraola Ogunwusi alongside with the youth as the good will Ambassador. 

It is advised, that everyone go for a test, and take necessary precautions. Effective treatment are available for hepatitis B and there is cure for hepatitis C, so, it is very crucial to talk to your health care manager or doctor in order to know your hepatitis status, and way out where necessary. It is a standard precautionary measure for all pregnant women to be screened for hepatitis in order to protect them and their unborn baby. 

Furthermore, all women should get Hepatitis A and B vaccine before pregnant. There are safe and effective vaccine against Hepatitis A and B types. In Europe, Germany for instance, most of the European women get the vaccine before getting pregnant; the vaccine is in three package which last in the body for 10, years. 

Save tips: Avoid sharing needles or personal items such as; razors, needle, clippers etc. Avoid tattoos, and other body piercings activities and also avoid casual and unprotected sexual intercourse. Let us spread the NEWS and not the virus!

Queendaline Schneider

Photo credit: Latasha Ngwube.

Green Town (Grünstadt) Wine Festival Germany 2016

The Grünstadt wine Festival on Sunday, July 24, 2016, in Luitpoldplatz street. From 10:am, is the worlds of wine, live music bands, food and wine vendors, and the children carousel was part of the events. It was a nice and lovely day, as the people enjoys the music bands, and wine at the occassion. 

It is estimated that 65 percent of the German wine production is coming from the Rheinland-Pfalz. Germans are also known for the production of wine, however, Germany is the eighth largest wine producing country in the world. 

Speaking with some of the winegrower, in the Leiningerlandes at the Grünstadt Wine Festival, it is obvious that white wine is the highest production of wine in the area or in Germany. According to Mr Klaus Grün, one of the winegrower (wine is good Otto grün) Grünstadt-Sauseheim, who has been in the business for over 30 years, he is the third generation of the otto grün wine. He explained that they produced 30 percent red wine and 70 percent white wine. And in his own word he says "wine is good for enjoyment, one or two glasses a day isn't bad". He went further to explained, that since the people are in the area of wine, it also makes the people to drink wine. And of course wine is a tradition in Germany. 

I also met Miss Anna Lena, she is the 67 winegräfin, Leiningerlandes from Obringheim. She explained about her new office as the new elected weingräfin, for tourism, and continue to promote wine in Germany. Alongside with her father, they also talk about various wine production; in their styles, such as; dry, semi-sweet, sweet white wine, red wine, and sekt. They produces 40 percent red wine, and 60 percent white wine. Müsel wine is good has been in existence since 1737, it was founded by Johan Sebastian Müsel, and Anna Lena and her family are the eight generation of the Müsel wine. 

Personally, I find this interesting,that most of the winegrower in Germany inherited their vineyard from their forefathers, and are still able to meet up with good production of wine. There is also in Germany, a wine Queen, and wine princess but in Leiningerlandes is the wine countess (weingräfin), I guess this is coming from the history in 17 century, Countess Eva of the Leiningerlandes Castle. And this has become part of the wine festival in Grünstadt or Leiningerlandes as the people elect new wine countess (weingräfin) every year, to show case the wine festival annually. 

It was indeed a great day today, because the rain can disrupt the wine festival, and that would have stop people from coming out. It was a nice event as the people in Grünstadt and around Grünstadt sitting outside and inside the tent, eating and enjoying a glass
of wine.  Three music bands performed, starting first with TSG music band. TSG is also one of the oldest music band in Grünstadt, it was founded in 1861, and they are in partnership with Grünstadt music school according to one of the member of the band, Daniel Hennig. They are also known as the Blaskapelle Grünstadt. And around 1:pm, the Akkordeoh Orchester Leinngerland starts to play... Such a nice event! Also I will not forget the friendly gestures, as the people interacted with me there, especially the older ones. Oh what a friendly gestures! Indeed wine gladdens the heart"- Psalm 104:5

Few Africa countries are into wine production, such as; South Africa, Egypt amongs others. But Nigerian produces palm wine. Palm wine is an alcoholic beverage created from palm tree or coconut palms. It is known by various names in different regions of Nigeria. The yoruba people of Nigeria call it "Emu" meaning wine. Usually, the white liquid that is first colleted is tends to be very sweet, and non-alcoholic before it is fermented. As a child I drank a lot of new palm wine, as it is claimed to be healthy, (Palm wine it said to be a good source of vitamin B1,B3 &B12), so therefore a lot of parents in Nigeria gives their child or children new palm wine to clean their stomach. There are no wine festival in Nigeria (Africa) but palm wine plays an important role; in many ceremonies in some part of Nigeria, for example, the Igbo people of Nigeria use palm wine as part of traditional marriage rites. Etc

As white wine or sparkling wine is rooted in the German culture, so is palm wine deeply rooted in the West Africa culture (Nigeria). But there are really no wine festival in Nigeria as it is here in Germany, since Nigeria do not belong to the red or white wine producing regions of the world. 

Queendaline Schneider.

Why Nigerians Do not Know about Horticulture.

Africa soil is good for planting fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Although, not all Afrcican countries plant flowers, but African countries are still leading in the world for flouristculture. According to a reliable source, it is estimated that over 2-8 billion roses are imported from Africa; Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Kenya. Kenya is the third largest exporter of cut flowers in the world. Since Kenya signed the agreement with European Union to be importing their fresh vegetables, flowers to Europe; from Naivasha to Amsterdam, the countries farmers and gardeners has been doing a great job, to meet up with the task. The country flower power or bloom is attributed to it's sunny climate, which enable high quality flowers to be grown year-round basis.

In Europe, for instance in Germany, flowers are use for various activities or occassion, it is more or less like a tradition for the Germans; just like same way people all over the world use flowers for communicating; the German people enjoy exchanging flowers at any occasion. According to Mr Karlheinz Starck, owner of flower-house STARCK (Blumenhaus STARCK) in Grünstadt-Germany: he explained what flowers are used for in Germany or Europe. He says, flowers are use as gifts on special occassion such as; wedding, birthday, mother's day, and as burial rites. When the German people visits their dead relation they bring flower to the graveyard of their departed soul. He also went further to explained, how countries like; Isreal, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, and even our neighbor Cameroun are doing well from exporting flowers. I was overwhelmed with curiosity? I was surprised, because in Nigeria, the floriculture or horticulture is not well developed.

Why is Nigeria not doing well in flouristculture or horticulture? The answer to this question is far-fetched, firstly Nigerians do not know about the usefulness of flowers, and they do not appreciate flowers, unlike here in Germany that people use flowers as gift, if you give a Nigerian flowers as a gift he/she might not really appreciate it, because flowers is not part of Nigerian culture. Of course, Nigerians use artificial flowers for decoration, as wedding bouquet, and on valentine's day some lovers also exchange artificial rose-flowers. "Personally, I never saw a real rose flowers in my country (Nigeria-Africa). I was surprised or amazed to know that Africa (Kenya) is the largest production of rose flowers. They grow buttonhole carnations and red roses for the lovers of rose flowers in Europe, but they themselves could not enjoy the beauty and fregrance of the flowers due to the poverty level in Africa. The poverty level in Kenya made a lot of their farmers to work so hard, to harvest more flowers for the European labour market, because they live in adject poverty they do not know about the beauty of flowers, nor do they understand the language of flowers but only seeing the flouristculture in Kenya doing well, will soon open eyes of other Afrcican countries in horticulture, especially Nigeria who depend only on crude oil as the only source of income, since the oil sector provides for 95% of Nigeria's foreign exchange earning, and has failed to develop it Agriculture or Horticulture sector, and other sectocs of economic growth of the nation.

Nigerian will be surprised to know that Kenya flouristculture ranks as one of the economy's fastest growing source from the highest industries, the second largest foreign exchange earner, $250million per annum. It sound cool right? But one can not overemphasised the usefulness or significance in European culture. I'm glad in a country that understand and communicate with flowers or nature. For example, the German or European's culture has made me to know that, the rose flower speaks life for their sharp thorns signify that life is beautiful, but also hard. In Germany or in some other part of the world, people give the sick bunches of flowers to wish them a new life of health, and also bring bunches of flowers to their dead relation to show them contiunity of love and a new hope in paradise. Flowers make the world beautiful. The world is made beautiful by wonderful creatures, things that exist in it, including plants and animals. Even God the Creator of the Universal, when He created man, he placed man in beautiful garden "The Garden of Eden" (Gensis 2:8-14). That tells us that God is interested in flouristculture.

But sadly enough, most of the African countries are not communicating with flowers. When you visit the cemetery or memorial Park one will not find a single flowers there. And yet Africa (Kenya) is leading in flouristculture. Even the Lake Naivasha that used to be a beautiful place in Kenya in nomore beautiful like it used to be known in the past. Not only that The cemetery look abandoned, the parks too are nothing to write home about. The one thing that bothered me about 'flouristculture ' in Africa is that the gardeners of those flowers that are been imported to Europe remains in poverty, while their governance are the one enjoying the benefits. This is another story of the African Child! It is a disease called corruption.

Queendaline Schneider.

Music School Park Festival in Germany.

On Sunday, July 10, 2016 at 12:30pm. The Grünstadt music school performed; drum, violin, flute, guitar, trumpet etc at the Park festival organised by the music school, which took place at St Peter's park. The Park festival is a yearly event and this year the school celebrate the festival alongside with their 40 years aniversary of the music school in Grünstadt. 

The music school, celebrate its 40 years aniversary, the school was founded in (1976), and since then it produced a lot of singers within and outside Grünstadt. Speaking with one of the school board of director Mr Martin Richard, who explained how the school is been manage through funds from donations, and case prize won by students in concert are to buy new Music Instrucments for the school. He also talks about how the school recently went on tour to Spain to perform in a concerts of over 1,000 bands with 6,000 singers, and the students performance was outstanding; they performed in the concerts to very appreciative audience, the school recived cash prize of 1,000 Euro. No doubts, with talent and good training the students are doing well in concerts. 

Also, speaking on the concert and the various music instrumentals such as; piano, drum, viola, cello, trumpet, flute, harp, clarinet, guitar etc, Völker Riegler the guitar teacher of the music school in Grünstadt talks about his experience of teaching guitar over 25, years with the school, and they have around 1,000 students who plays different music instrucments. He also explained how the children start to learn music from early age, some of the children who starts from the age of 5 year old, and some of them go further to study music at University, but most of them have already have their foundation from the music school. 

The youth singers directed by Völker Riegler began the concert with the guitar and other music instrucments, they produced delightful Performance, other bands or group also performed gospel and Rock songs. 

There were different music bands at various corner inside the Park (St Peter Park). One can hear the music from different angles as the music students perform. There was also a big stage at the center of the park; the main entertainment centre. From here one could see the big bands performing on stage to audience that either sat in a lower area directly in front or stood around the edge with a plate of cake or bread with sauge and drinks to enjoy with the music. Of course with a nice weather, in a beautiful atmosphere in the park the audience does had a great and a good time with the music. 

At 3:pm, the big band sings. The big band which is made up of teachers and old students from the Grünstadt music school, another great performance from everyone, and most importantly a great day out as the big band left us in high spirit. This made the concert an even more great experience for me and I think as well as the audience did have a great time. 

In Germany the children get to learn a lot of things as they grow up, which includes learning the music at school, while in Africa (Nigeria) most children do not really enjoys such right due to the sick economy of the country. Even though the country is one of the richest country in Africa, yet the children or youths are still lagging behind. On like in Germany where the people organised concerts to entertain the people, in Nigeria (Africa) most of traditional musical performances are for religions, and social engagements such as; funeral rites, naming ceremonies of a new born baby, marriage ceremonies, opening of new house, gospel festival, these are the only period Nigerians enjoys musical experience. In the past most the children in Africa (Nigeria) do not have access to learn music in school at early stage of their life, especially the poor children. There are no music school where children can learn and show case their talent in singing unlike here in Germany where Kids get to learn from the music school. Most of the Nigerian famous musician discovered their talent from singing in the church choir, they do not have any formal education or any knowledge of music from school. Since the churches in Nigeria were imported to Africa by the Europeans missionary, so by that way a lot of children were able to learn how to play some of the music instrucments. But today, some of the very rich children can now learn music in the school at a very high price, and the Europeans rock, Jazz, trumpet, afro pop and Africa America hip hop within which Western classical music remain the predominate in Africa (Nigeria) today. 

I was impressed by the concert, because it made a lasting impression on me, such I have not see in my country Nigeria (Africa). 

Queendaline Schneider.