Change The Conversation

“Beni American University is my full time job. I really don’t like school only because of lack of personal expression. But Beni University will allow each student to personally express themselves” I had the pleasure to sit with Gossy Ukanwoke, who is the President and Founder of Beni American University and also a senior at Girne American University, North Cyprus studying Management Information Systems. What is Beni American University? It is Africa’s first hybrid university. It has both online and on campus resources. It allows students learn online as well as on campus. Basically a school without classes. Campuses will have recreational activities, study lounges etc. Students take examinations physically on campus, work on assignments, group works, consultations. The library is always available to the students. We have access to over 10 million libraries. Where and how did you come up with the name Beni? What does it mean? (Laughing) I get that a lot. It’s something that i...

We cannot love others until we learn to love ourselves. What does it mean to truly love ourselves? I personally would have thought doing everything I would want was part of loving me. Fine dining, nice clothes, shoes and beautiful jewelry, basically anything and everything luxurious and super comfortable. And I have heard people so many times say “ I am doing this for myself because I love me “ question is do we really say that just to justify a selfish act we are about to do and need an excuse like not caring for people because of their inconveniences? Or we really need to do something we really want to do but only way to do it is by saying “ I’m going to do this because I love myself” . What I do know is that whatever people decide to do is basically what goes on in their minds. Actions we all take is strongly motivated by what we think is right and decide on what course of action to take or at least we do what we think is right even if it might be wrong. Anyway the philosophical ...

Part of who I am and what I am is what my mother taught me. Cliché I know and I truly dislike talking about myself. I am more of a listener than a talker, safe to say I do not really like the spotlight. But anyway Part of me is what my mother has taught me and shown me. And I want to share this because I wouldn’t be where I am mentally without her. Growing up she would always tell me what I am doing is to better myself and not her. Education and spirituality is for me to reap the fruits of my labor and not for her, because she doesn’t need it but I will. She will often ask where do you want to be 5 years from now? 10 years from now? And before I will answer she would ask again where were you 5 years ago? Where were you 10 years ago? If she hadn’t asked me that I would never had realized how time flies. I mean yes time flies but then when you actually go through that flashback you realize it was just the other day. But you have to ask yourself if you have grown from that person you were...

Violence only stirs more chaos.Very true. But in a situation where violence is forcefully imposed on innocent lives, civilians and bystanders. Where people are killed with no respect for lives, religion or consequences then there is a problem. Not just ethical or moral problem but plain inhumane problems. Especially when there's nobody fighting back. But then its hard to fight back since the violence are caused by "Boko Haram"- a supposedly militant "Islamic group" with links to Al Qaeda. Honestly though Who or what is Boko Haram? And it seems like every attack on Nigeria Boko Haram takes credit for it. Including bank robberies, suicide attacks etc. I guess its safe to say there are many sectors of Boko Haram that Nigerians still don't know of. Every suspect that has been caught gets gunned down! Do the police and government not want information? Or are they just gunning down random people who they think are Boko Haram members because not even the police kno...