A Tale of Plagiarism one a Lot of For Nigeria's Linda Ikeji

<br>Every social networks savvy Nigerian knows Linda Ikeji, or need to understand her, and it is nearly impossible to have a discussion centred on online media in Nigeria without her name appearing, one way or another.By embodying that famed Nigerian can-do attitude, ex-model Linda succeeded in making her name a reference point whenever individuals in Nigeria consider an effective news site. For this woman from simple starts, beginning a blog when her modelling profession began to wind down was something to do, for the love of it, never for cash. This was some 6+ years back. Now, with most of the better-known business organisations in Nigeria contending for advert area on her blog site, Linda’s passion has turned her into Nigeria’s premier blogger, and richest, by far.Over the years, Linda has set patterns, impacted federal policy and gave Nigerians loads of things to speak about. Fearing what an unfavorable exposé on her blog site would do their image or careers, stars of all kinds gravitated to her, and Linda, whose modelling career would never be stated to be that high flying, ended up being a celebrity, and got to rub shoulders with those who declare ownership of the flashy world of glamour.<br>
<br>Maintaining a modest mien, Linda, initially, didn’t appear to care much about all the glamour, however she did remember how far she had actually come and never failed to inform the world how she moved from not having a thousand Naira in her bank account a couple of years ago to getting to where she is today: all from having and consistently publishing on her basic design blogspot site, from the comfort of her bedroom.As part of an interview panel a few weeks back, I heard interviewees gush about how much they appreciate Linda’s work principles and her capability to capture and own a sector. ‘She’s so excellent, she makes her blogging appear like talking with your pals,’ 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 understand firsthand how difficult staying on track is.Advertisement<br>
<br>Some weeks earlier, Linda posted that she had acquired a brand name new Range Rover 4X4 and social networks went abuzz. Lots of people wondered if spending 24 million on one vehicle makes sense, specifically if you already have two great cars in a nation where (as the IMF can’t stop telling the world) the average individual subsists on less than a dollar a day. However, there were those who felt it was an excellent move: a grand announcement that the blogger had actually signed up with the world of the extremely rich.Linda Ikeji shows off her wheels. Photo: Linda Ikeji’s Blog<br>
<br>Perhaps it was the interest produced by the purchase, however Nigerian social media stays abuzz. Not with the news of the very vehicle, however around something that has dodged the woman’s heels for many years: the question of what lots of view as her widespread plagiarism.Now, you ‘d require to go to Linda’s blog to much better comprehend her style, however the fact is that, normally, beyond the 2 liners she adds, she can’t declare ownership to the majority of the material. In the new age of super quick breaking news and countless individual blog sites, copying and pasting is ending up being more widespread and, in places such as Nigeria, is mistakenly being viewed as the norm.As quickly as the twitter furore over Linda’s recent use of someone’s material without attribution or approval started on October 4 2014, a lot of individuals quickly got on her case.22/ 32 Despite making tens of thousands of US$ monthly from her site, @LindaIkeji selects to willfully neglect ALL copyright holders,- Mr. Aye Dee (@MrAyeDee) October 5, 2014
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<br>Linda Ikeji takes posts and is termed effective. If you call her out, it’s beef. This is why political leaders steal our wealth & are hailed.- Ikenna Ronald Nzimora (@ronaldnzimora) October 5, 2014
https://twitter.com/sugabelly/status/518772004540153856But, Linda is not without her supporters: I don’t believe in ‘haters’. I do not believe it’s disliking. I just believe it’s a refusal to accept her authenticity. But it exists, strong.- Chude Jideonwo (@Chude) October 4, 2014Advertisement<br>
<br>Leave Linda Ikeji alone. Start your own blog. Run it the way you desire. Then purchase your own Range Rover.- Ohimai Amaize (@MrFixNigeria) October 4, 2014
When all is stated and done, the reality will remain as glaring as it is easy: The web is seriously challenging the existing copyright laws and the large number of violations makes most efforts at persecution an extremely tall order. However, the fact also speaks of rights and wrongs: Stealing someone’s copyright is incorrect and making a profit out of it is even worse.As I’ve said previously, most content owners are OK with others using part of their work (with attribution and a link back to the initial source) however are unhappy with the copy and paste reporters who think it is reasonable play to occupy their sites with contents that are the fruit of somebody’s intense labour.Advertisement<br>
<br>I will not claim to be saintish. Nobody is. And I make certain there are numerous methods to excuse Linda’s alleged transgressions, however those excuses pale in the light of the oft-repeated assertion that she neglects people who attempt to contact her when she infringes on their copyright.That’s too bad. For someone who is a motivation to lots of young individuals here, she needs to understand that there is significant distinction between a press release and an IP. For a press release, most content owners will more than happy that it is being reposted throughout the web. As a motivator and role model, Linda requires to begin teaching those who look up to her that a piece like the one you’re reading, as unattractive as it might appear, is someone’s baby and like a lot of babies, you need to ask the moms and dad for approval before you take them on a journey away from home. And after, let me know where my child is and how far she’s taken a trip by sending out a message back home, with a track back.She requires to show that beyond the buzz, she can up her game and set the ideal sort of requirements.<br>