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REJECTION IS FINE, MY PhD STORY... by Niyi Olarewaju

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In 2017, I applied for 5 PhD positions, four ended in premium rejections. But, after each rejection, I improved and moved on. I was finally accepted for the fifth one which was the most competitive, with over 450 applicants for 20 positions. I did not believe my eyes when I received a mail informing me I scaled through the initial screening, I thought it was a fluke. I had my BSc and MSc in Agricultural Sciences. How is it possible I passed the screening for PhD positions at Hannover Medical School? Well, I was officially invited for an all-expense-paid interview in Hannover, and I also received the list of the available PhD projects. I went through, and I had no experience in any of the topics, as they focussed majorly on cardiovascular diseases, stem cell therapies/research, regeneration approaches, and cancer research. This is impossible I said... I read widely on the projects, and I became profoundly fascinated by their prospects. The mere thought that I may get an opportunity to w...
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EUROPE'S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE: MATTERS ARISING by Niyi Olarewaju

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With Europe now becoming the epicentre of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19), European nations’ response to the pandemic will soon come under scrutiny on how they largely failed to learn vital lessons from China’s initial lacklustre response to Covid-19, and the Chinese authority’s subsequent aggressive and efficient management of the epidemy which ensued across mainland China. As the second wave of infection struck Europe, Italy emerged as the incubation hotspot in February, most European nations paid lip-service to the evolving epicentre in Italy, largely ignoring the incredible mobility of this novel virus. These nations largely failed to put in place any concrete measure to alert their citizens on the very high transmissibility of Covid-19. It is understandable that European governments want to prevent panic and disruption to economic activities, which can incur overwhelming consequences, but downplaying a global health emergency which has for weeks tilted towards a pand...
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KILL THE PHOBIA: THOUGHTS ON SOUTH AFRICA

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Words cannot describe this The barbarism at plain sight The goriness of the wanton killings The horror of the unprovoked destructions And then the big question The perpetrators of such dastard acts Are they humans too? Our psyche is battered and tormented Our heart is broken and it bleeds Our eyes are swollen and pregnant Pregnant with the flood of tears The flood of tears big enough to drown us And I can't stop asking What has happened to our humanity? Like pencils, humans have become tools Tools to a priority that is misplaced Blind we are to the handwritings Like the vulture long beaten by the rain You know not where the rain starts beating you How will you know where it stops beating you? They have eyes but they don't see Educated but the mind is ignorant Developing but the mind is crude Progressing but the mind is medieval Lessons on the sanctity of human life And life's dignity and decency The question keeps coming What have we done to ...
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NIGERIA 2019 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AND THE CHOICES AHEAD by Olaniyi Olarewaju

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As the Nigerian 2019 election is fast approaching, with campaign activities gaining tract and the nation's electoral commission ramping up preparations, it is pertinent to also critically appraise the options presented Nigerians in this election. In this article, I will primarily focus on the presidential election which of course draws the biggest interest, and which is also, the most important in this round of elections. Interestingly, unlike other elections since the military handed over power to the civilians in 1999, there seems to be very little optimism and excitement about the 2019 presidential election. In 1999, we were all excited about the prospect of returning Nigeria to democratic governance after about 15 years of military rule. In 2007, it was fascinating to see the nation transition from one democratic government to another. The 2011 presidential election was special in its own way, because of the unique stories of the top candidates in that election. The climax o...
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Venezuela: A new Syria in the making?

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With the turn of events in the last two weeks, it has become imperative to grasp the new realities of Venezuela, especially with the United States’ recognition of Mr Juan Guaidó as acting President, which triggered other countries to either recognise Mr Guaidó or the incumbent President, Nicolas Maduro. But for starters, it is worthy to mention that America is no longer that dependable and reliable ally the world used to know. Today’s America is a far deviation from the American that helped rebuild Europe post-world war II, or the America that helped lay the foundation for strong economic successes in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. In fact, America’s foreign and economic policies today are the complete opposite of everything that led to the huge successes in these countries decades ago. Hence, the need to be cautious in embracing America’s dictates especially in Venezuela which presents a very unique case. While it may sound very scintillating to hear America’s support for Mr Juan G...
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A Nation Mourns........

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Finally I am able to put myself together to write about events in Nigeria in the last one week. I tried to protect myself by simply looking away from my social media pages, but the thoughts just never go away. The pain runs deep, the sorrow, the grief, the goriness. No word can describe them! My psyche is battered, my soul is tormented and my heart is tortured. Why do we deserve this horror as a people! Why? We are all touched and bereaved by this loss of precious lives, this can and should never be accepted as the new "normal". Apologies to the religious folks, this is not the time for prayers. For way too long, we have been deceiving ourselves; acting like a particular manner will fall from heaven and right the wrongs, or bring sanity into our system. For almost 6 decades, we have been rigorously praying away our problems, instead of standing up, take our destiny in our own hands, and act like a people with a purpose. So this time around, can we spare the prayers, and b...
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My Thoughts on the Migrant Crisis in Europe by Olarewaju Precious Olaniyi

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Honestly its amazing how world leaders address issues sometimes, European leaders want to address the growing migrant crisis without addressing the on-going war in Syria which is the biggest contributor to the incredible explosion in the number of migrants arriving the shores of Europe finding solace and peace. I think these leaders need to be honest, this issue can only and must be addressed from source, a return of peace to Syria through an agreement between Iran and Russia-backed Assad Regime and Western-backed Syrian Rebel Coalition Forces, seems to be the LIKELIEST path to return of peace in Syria since it seems defeating the Assad's regime is growing increasingly unlikely, and peace in Syria is the ultimate solution to the exploding migrant crisis in Europe.  I don't want to sound as if i am singling out Syria on this issue, but again, Syria is apparently the biggest contributor to the explosion in the number of migrants arriving the shores of Europe, and this emphasizes ...
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