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ALS Ice Bucket Challenge sweeps the virtual space

The worldwide virtual space has been set alight with the ALS Ice bucket. Challenge which has had virtually everyone taking part in the last few weeks.
ENCOMIUM Weekly takes a look at what the challenge is about…

INTERNATIONAL CELEBRITIES SPEARHEAD CAMPAIGN
Virtually everyone has been doused in bucket-loads of icy water – from notable personalities – Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Apple’s Tim Cook and Mark Zuckerberg; to international superstars – David Beckham, Lebron James and Jennifer Lopez.
Football personalities such as Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho; Argentine maestro, Lionel Messi; Ivorian legend, Didier Drogba; Liverpool skipper, Steven Gerrard; Brazilian wonderkid, Neymar; Portuguese star forward, Cristiano Ronaldo and a host of others.
Movie stars such as Hugh Jackman, Tom Cruise, Leonardo Di Caprio, Russell Crowe, Ryan Seacrest, Steven Spielberg, Robert Downie Jr, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Ben Affleck, Gwayne Stefani, Jessica Alba, Zac Efron, Zoe Saldana, Chris Hemsworth and Kate Upton.
Music stars were not left out – Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Justin Bieber, Lady gaga, Iggy Azalea, Justin Timberlake, Lil Wayne, Selena Gomez, Britney Spears, 50 Cent, Taylor Swift and Drake.

NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES LAMBASTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR TAKING PART IN THE ALS ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE
As expected, the ice bucket find its way to Nigerian shores as superstar producer and Mavin CEO, Don Jazzy, drenched himself in icy water then nominated Kukere master, Iyanya.
Movie icon, Genevieve Nnaji soon followed suit, while the likes of rave of the moment, Davido; one half of Africa’s biggest duo, P Square’s Peter Okoye also had bucket-load of water poured over them.
Not long afterwards, social media was at the neck of the superstars, slamming them, saying the disease is ‘alien’ to Africans.
Here are a select few of social media reactions…

Charles Novia reacts on social media: @charlesnovia:

Charles Novia
Charles Novia

“I am sorry to say but our Nigerian artistes are something else at times. The Ice bucket thing for ALS is a good example of their coltishness.
They just want to trend on what foreign artistes do for a good cause. In Nigeria, they do it mostly for self-serving photo – ops. Sheesh!
I’m sure most Naija (Nigerian) artistes pouring tepid water on themselves think ALS means another new version of an SUV from the look of their pics (pictures).
Disease wey dey kill una people for here na EVD. Una nor take picture with sanitizer or showing that una dey wash hands to spread awareness Na ALS wey be slow killer and nor even affect una people much na im una dey pour iceless water for una body?” Novia said.
“To prove wetin? Say una baff? Really! Must you do it because it’s trending? If you must follow the USA lead, then come together for Ebola. Dove tail on that. It’s really irritating, sha. And when you point it out, they will say you are yarning opata. When na dem start the opata wey cause the yarn. Enough of this second  class mentality. Find the originality for positivity in your inner recesses. Don’t do it cos Dre or Beyonce did it.
”As usual, my opinion is basically my opinion. If e pain anyone, er. .er..pour ice water for your body? Eh? Lol. God bless.”

Yvonne Nelson
Yvonne Nelson

@Yvonnenelsongh: ‘Say sh*t and I’ll block you if I see it. SIMPLE! You live in America and think Africa is America? People in my country don’t have potable water to drink and you display your ignorance on my post? No one asked you to follow or check my page… Ilovemyafrica! Ourpartoftheworld’

Another Ghanaian actress, the beautiful
Joselyn Dumas questioned the logic behind Africans’ involvement in the challenge, using her handle @Joselyn_Dumas, she said:

“#ALSicebucketchallenge all good, but what are we doing about our own issues here in Africa?
#cholera #Ebola #malaria…

How about #cholerashowmehowyouwashurhandchallenge. We have no reason doing #ALSIceBucketChallenge.@okodjoe

@Uru_Eke.
If we really want to raise #awareness on issues, we can start with #malaria#ebola#cholera oh what about the #ChibokGirls #letsgetrealguys
Show me one person who has died almost instantly of #ALS in Africa and I’ll show you thousands dying of
#malaria#cholera#Ebola.

Other reactions from social media:
Ice bucket challenge is not fun in Nigeria, some no even get light to on fridge, money to buy block nor donate
Drugged love (@iam_theobat) August 21, 2014

It’s an Ice Bucket Challenge, my Nigerian celebs are pouring warm water on themselves…. *sigh*
– Osagie Alonge (@OsaGz)

Who nominated the first Nigerian popular name that started the ice bucket challenge? Or someone just nominated himself and passed it on?
– Peer Pressure (@LordIzien)

Do Nigerian celebrities even know what the ice bucket challenge is for? Have they heard of ALS? – Miss Campbell (@Adacampbell)

“@AkinSolebo: Ice bucket challenge is every day in Nigeria since you can barely rely on hot water” real rap
– FLY_EastCoast (@bolakalip)

Instead of the ice bucket challenge, #Nigeriancelebrities should bring more awareness about Ebola. – Yimz (@yimz_yimz)

I was waiting for Nigerian celebs to begin this ice bucket challenge rubbish and typically, they no disappoint. Our follow follow too much.
– Jock. (@Nnamdiarea)

Only big men in Nigeria can do the ice bucket challenge. Those who have at least one generator and one inverter.
– @DebbiieOjay ♥ (@oh_yinkan)

Ice bucket challenge? You mean every morning shower in Nigerian secondary schools?
– Leo (@Spartex_Kb)

These Nigerian celebs doing the Ice Bucket challenge are playing wayo. I see no ICE. It might as well be warm water  ♥SisiYėmmié.com (@Sisi_Yemmie)

Nigerian celebs dt r doin icebucket challenge…do u even know why it’s done+do we have d disease in Nigeria? So stupid
– Play-a-maker Dante™ (@ThaSoulReaver_)

Nigerian celebs shld knw Ice Bucket Challenge is not only about pouring cold water and getting soaked, U need to donate to D cause as well.
– Alashock (@alashock)

I wonder if the Nigerian celebs doing the ALS ice bucket challenge even know exactly what it’s for, rather than just famzing with a trend – Pavlov (@LoladeAjagun)

ORIGIN OF THE CHALLENGE
The origins of dumping cold water on one’s head to raise money for charity is unclear and has been attributed to multiple sources. From mid-2013 to early 2014, a challenge of unknown origin often called the Cold Water Challenge became popular on social media in areas of the northern United States.
The task usually involved the option of either donating money to cancer research or having to jump into cold water. One version of the challenge, which took place in Salem, Indiana as early as May 15, 2014, involved dousing participants with cold water and then donating to charity; for example, the Auckland Division of the Cancer Society of New Zealand. As with similar challenges, it was usually filmed so footage can be shared online.

WHAT THE ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE REALLY IS?
The Ice Bucket Challenge or the ALS ice bucket challenge is an awareness campaign for the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) – also referred to as Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Lou Gehrig’s disease in the United States, and rarely Charcot disease – is a neurodegenerative disorder with various causes. ALS is characterized by muscle spasticity, rapidly progressive weakness due to muscle wasting.
This results in difficulty in speaking, swallowing, and breathing. ALS is the most common of the five motor neuron disorders.

– MICHAEL NWOKIKE

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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