A Tale Of Plagiarism One Too Many For Nigeria s Linda Ikeji

Every social networks savvy Nigerian understands Linda Ikeji, or must understand her, and it is practically difficult to have a discussion centred on online media in Nigeria without her name turning up, one way or another.By embodying that renowned Nigerian can-do mindset, ex-model Linda succeeded in making her name a referral point whenever people in Nigeria think of an effective news site. For this lady from humble beginnings, starting a blog site when her modelling profession started to unwind was something to do, for the love of it, never for money. This was some 6+ years earlier. Now, with the majority of the better-known corporate organisations in Nigeria contending for advert space on her blog site, Linda's enthusiasm has actually turned her into Nigeria's premier blogger, and wealthiest, by far.Over the years, Linda has set patterns, affected federal government policy and gave Nigerians lots of things to discuss. Fearing what an unfavorable exposé on her blog site would do their image or professions, stars of all kinds gravitated to her, and Linda, whose modelling profession would never be said to be that high flying, ended up being a star, and got to rub shoulders with those who declare ownership of the flashy world of glamour.


Maintaining a simple mien, Linda, initially, didn't appear to care much about all the glamour, but she did remember how far she had come and never stopped working to inform the world how she moved from not having a thousand Naira in her checking account a couple of years ago to getting to where she is today: all from having and consistently publishing on her simple design blogspot website, from the convenience of her bedroom.As part of an interview panel a couple of weeks back, I heard interviewees gush about just how much they appreciate Linda's work ethics and her ability to capture and own a segment. 'She's so good, she makes her blogging look like talking with your good friends,' one impressive ambitious author gushed when asked what she believes is the Linda Ikeji magic. I agreed with her. I think Linda Ikeji is incredible, in her consistency. As somebody who desires the writer tag, I know direct how difficult staying on track is.Advertisement


Some weeks back, Linda published that she had actually gotten a brand name brand-new Range Rover 4X4 and social networks went abuzz. Many individuals questioned if spending 24 million on one automobile makes good sense, especially if you already have two excellent automobiles in a country where (as the IMF can't stop informing the world) the typical person subsists on less than a dollar a day. However, there were those who felt it was a good relocation: a grand statement that the blogger had signed up with the world of the incredibly rich.Linda Ikeji displays her wheels. Photo: Linda Ikeji's Blog


Perhaps it was the interest created by the purchase, however Nigerian stays abuzz. Not with the news of the very automobile, however around something that has actually evaded the lady's heels for years: the concern of what numerous see as her widespread plagiarism.Now, you 'd require to check out Linda's blog to much better comprehend her style, but the reality is that, typically, beyond the two liners she adds, she can't declare ownership to the majority of the material. In the new age of super fast breaking news and countless personal blogs, copying and pasting is becoming more rampant and, in places such as Nigeria, is incorrectly being viewed as the norm.As quickly as the twitter furore over Linda's current use of somebody's product without attribution or permission started on October 4 2014, a lot of individuals quickly got on her case.22/ 32 Despite making 10s of countless US$ each month from her site, @LindaIkeji picks to willfully overlook ALL copyright holders,- Mr. Aye Dee (@MrAyeDee) October 5, 2014
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Linda Ikeji steals posts and is called effective. If you call her out, it's beef. This is why politicians steal our wealth & are hailed.- Ikenna Ronald Nzimora (@ronaldnzimora) October 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/sugabelly/status/518772004540153856But, Linda is not without her fans: I do not believe in 'haters'. I don't think it's hating. I simply believe it's a rejection to accept her authenticity. But it exists, solid.- Chude Jideonwo (@Chude) October 4, 2014Advertisement


Leave Linda Ikeji alone. Start your own blog. Run it the method you want. Then purchase your own Range Rover.- Ohimai Amaize (@MrFixNigeria) October 4, 2014
When all is stated and done, the truth will remain as glaring as it is simple: The web is seriously challenging the existing copyright laws and the sheer variety of violations makes most attempts at persecution a really high order. However, the truth also speaks of rights and wrongs: Stealing somebody's copyright is incorrect and making a profit out of it is even worse.As I have actually said previously, most content owners are OK with others using part of their work (with attribution and a link back to the original source) however are unhappy with the copy and paste journalists who believe it is fair play to occupy their websites with contents that are the fruit of someone's intense labour.Advertisement


I will not claim to be saintish. Nobody is. And I am sure there are several methods to excuse Linda's supposed transgressions, however those excuses fade in the light of the oft-repeated assertion that she neglects individuals who attempt to call her when she infringes on their copyright.That's too bad. For somebody who is an inspiration to lots of young people here, she needs to understand that there is marked difference in between a press release and an IP. For a press release, most content owners will enjoy that it is being reposted throughout the internet. As a motivator and function design, Linda needs to start teaching those who admire her that a piece like the one you're reading, as unappealing as it may appear, is someone's infant and like many children, you require to ask the moms and dad for authorization before you take them on a journey away from home. And after, let me know where my baby is and how far she's travelled by sending out a message back home, with a track back.She requires to show that beyond the buzz, she can up her video game and set the best kind of standards.