Bon Voyage

As you course through my blog, this is welcoming you aboard and wishing you a safe passage. I believe life is a journey and we are all passengers. So in the course of this journey, please do honestly criticize albeit constructively, commend where and when necessary and recommend so that i could be a better writer and make the journey a worthwhile one. I'll be glad to tap from your reservoir of knowledge.



Have a nice ride.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Uniqueness in you

I was in limbo when two Mortals sent for ME! I was conceived by the act of man and woman in coitus; I wonder if gays could have borne me as is the craze these days! The love and affection of my parents triggered their sense of responsibility and they sought to achieve the Divine will-Procreation.

The magnificence of the Creator and His artistry brought me to life. In the cry of a baby, my parents found joy. From The benevolence of the Almighty, they harvested a blessing, Nnamdi!!!
As a toddler, I protested in fear of those unknown faces. With my feeble fingers I sucked and yearned for mama’s breast and smiled to papa’s discomfort when I pooped.

As a child, I crawled, learnt to walk, fell and stood up again- A hard lesson I would later realize is a recurrent theme of Life on earth. Then I babbled and talked their talk-refusing to be a silent spectator. I was brought up in the way of the Lord and revered the only gods I knew by sight-my Parents!

The rod was spoilt and I became the better as I learned to read and write. I scored so low in grades and with the encouragement of my Teachers, I scored high and excelled.
As a teenager, my body evolved as I hit puberty. I giggled at the sight of Eve’s daughters and pondered of the hidden beauty of nudity (don’t judge me). A feeling grew in my pants and my heart skipped a beat whenever I saw a pretty gal. I dared to be different; I swam in an ocean of vices, some of which still clings to me.

I was welcomed to the Ivory Towers and got lost in a World unprecedented, filled with independence and far away from home. I fell, I rose-as usual and I also conquered! I also discovered my passion for the writ which I delicately nurtured as the Muse choose me, a disciple.

Yes, I struggle. I do my best to live each day as an adult. Responsible for my actions, the choices I make and the friends I keep while always acknowledging those I have. Its still a long road ahead…

I am a Victor and so are YOU! Illuminate the World, step into greatness and discard the robe of mediocrity…because you were created UNIQUE!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Crazy, random history reflection....Independence!

1914: Amalgamation was a mistake...dem for leave evry body wit him juju and village, den develop am if dem want!

1958: With the drafting of the Constitution…the dream was beginning to look real, crude was also discovered about this time in Oloibiri, current Bayelsa-our blessing…a curse

1960: Formal declaration and ceremonies, making late Dr Azikiwe the 1st ceremonial President…a bright future as Mary lugard has named niger area-Nigeria

1966: Bloody coup by the Army…its execution was and is one of the problems that began the journey to a disunited Naija

1967: secession by a Colonel Ojukwu, Biafra born! the dimmed sunrise of Biafra, if only…maybe we for don become industrial Giants

1970: end of civil war. The greatest fallacy of Naija history by Gen. Gowon “no Victor, No vanquished”…after the loss of millions of souls and casualties on both sides. God bless their souls. 20 pounds for properties owned in parts of the north. Ndigbo now learnt the hard way…buying and selling, even their consciences! One Man was a war hero…collecting the instrument of Surrender! Baba Iyabo

1973: NYSC founde by Gen. Gowon to foster unity…Ajuwaya na waste of time, serving without pride, just a source of pseudo-employment where 40yr olds are happy to be recruited!

1976: Baba Iyabo, then a General Olusegun Obasanjo was given the mantle of leadership after the assassination of Gen. Murtala Mohammed by Major Dimka…he cried like a baby cos he was scared

1980: Power was given to the First Civilian rule and the beginning of the Second Republic. Alhaji Shagari and his Vice Dr Ekwueme. It was in this era that the finance Minister, Late Chief Udoji boasted that Nigeria had too much money but don’t know what to spend it on. Civil salaries were doubled…food e bin dey, water bin dey, and our road bin good…wat about the Ghana people, na dem dey sew shoes and dey teach our people!

1983: Gen. Buhari seizes power, introduced Kick Against Indiscipline. C how people dey frog jump for streets, u cud have been charged if u waka anyhow…for wandering!

1985: A gap-toothed General assumes power and ruled for eight years…Self-acclaimed “Evil Genius”,Maradona SAPped Naija, oil windfall of 12 billion $ vanish, chop-I-chop government. Na here, be the original yahoo-yahoo start a la 10 Downing street.dat was d 1st tym I sabi dat address, no even know wetin e be, u sabi now ba?

1993: The fairest election in the history of Nigeria was conducted with late Chief M.K.O. Abiola emerging as winner, yet annulled!...how much wickedness can come from a friend, on the march again, looking for the man to lead.-MKO is d man o!

Late 1993-1998, another General, a shade-wearing one assumes power. He intended to become a civilian President-perhaps against Papal advice, died on seat…One of Naija’s best Military President, vilified but I fink an unsung Hero. He loved accumulating money. has got his flaws but check the records …steady economic growth, steady fuel price of 11 naira,first world cup attendance by Naija, victory of Atlanta Olympics and Ajunwa’s gold medal in long jump, reward of athletes and odas. –ves: Hanging of Ken Saro Wiwa, detaining and witch hunt of NADECO members with the likes of Pa Enahoro, Prof Wole Soyinka etc in its ranks.

Mid June,1998: General Abdusalami takes his turn, conducts elections…wise man with his white beards and a Statesman now

1999: Power is handed to ? Guess…Baba Iyabo, who escaped being given ‘tea’ and was a born again having only 20 naira, abi 2000 naira in his account…”when providence smiles on a man, how he handles it is how he would be judged”-Anonymous… he ruled for eight years, wanted t change the constitution to allow for a third term. Oloriburuku ni eh ! did some good tins-GSM, good economic team led by DR MRs Okonjo Iweala-wiping out 18 billion $ in 2006, etc…yet He failed to become a revered Statesman by wanting to change the constitution to remain in power,for how long? E no dey belle ful am? Now having billions of dollars and companies…from where? make una tell me!

2009: A covenant between friends is kept, OBJ hands power to his bosom friend’s son/relative? Alhaji Umaru Musa YarAdua…a pawn, whose health status was in question
Ø 2010: President UMY dies in office and after a long tussle and heated polity, Mr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Azikiwe assumes power permanently after acting…Another Man of Providence after OBJ? he is allegedly being purported by his mentor OBJ, will he make the same great beginnings and worse end?
October 1st 2010, Mediocrity would be celebrated with pomp and gallery amidst poverty and security in the land, with the lives of 15 innocent kid pupils hanging in the balance…Naija, Agbaya

2011: Who rules Naija? Will we see another Mother of all Rigging a la 2007? Will Naija break up against the backdrop of a US Intelligence report? Are we gonna ever feel the pride of singing the National Anthem? When will True Nigerians and Patriots be awarded National awards rather than cronies, political Psycophants and party loyalists? Will the Super Chickens, grow to ascend 5th position in the Worl a la 1994? When will looters and indicted public pen-robbers be tried, prosecuted and jailed? When would these Old Generals from the past, leave our politics alone? Tym will tell….I dey go sleep. if I wake up, maybe…food e go dey,water e go dey, our roads go good.wat about d nepa abi PHCN nko? We go get light, industries go yanfu, jobs go plenty, our certificate go get head, white people go like com invest….hope I no dey dream!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Joke

A woman was having a daytime affair while her husband was at work. One rainy day she was in bed with her boyfriend when, to her horror, she heard her husband's car pull into the driveway.'Oh my God - Hurry! Grab your clothes and jump out the window. My husband's home early!' 'I cannot jump out the window. It is raining out there!' 'If my husband catches us in here, he will kill us both!' she replied.'He has got a hot temper and a gun, so the rain is the least of yourproblems!'
So the boyfriend scoots out of bed, grabs his clothes and jumps out the window! As he ran down the street in the pouring rain, he quickly discovered he had run right into the middle of the town's annual marathon, so he started running along beside the others, about 300 of them..

Being naked, with his clothes tucked under his arm, he tried to blend in as best he could. After a little while a small group of runners who had been watching him with some curiosity, jogged closer.
Do you always run in the nude?' one asked. 'Oh yes!' he replied, gasping in air. 'It feels so wonderfully free!' Another runner moved a long side. 'Do you always run carrying your clothes with you under your arm?' 'Oh, yes' our friend answered breathlessly. 'That way I can get dressed right at the end of the run and get in my car to go home!' Then a third runner cast his eyes a little lower and asked, 'Do you always wear a condom when you run?' 'Nope...just when it is raining.

church names in naija

While browsing recently I saw a thread discussing really queer & hilarious names of some (real) new generation churches here in Nigeria. I've reproduced some of them here for your ponderment
Here it goes::.
Jesus Of God Mission (Imo State) God's Mennonite Church Guided Missiles Church JESUS IN THE NOW GLOBAL MINISTRY' Healing Has Begun Ministry God's Own Ministry The True Assemblies of God Church (don't want to think of what this implies of the other Assemblies of god we know) Jehova Sharp Sharp (Festac) Huricane Miracle Ministry Healing Tsunami Ministry Satan in Trouble Ministry Fire for Fire Ministry Guided Missiles Church === saw this one myself here in Lagos. My guess is they're affiliated with NATO FIST OF FURY (NTA road, Port Harcourt) Run For Your Life Ministry === my favorite! Here's the sign for Run for your life chapel The Yoke Must Broke Ministry Jesus Heal Ministry Face to face ministry Angels on Fire Chapel of Peace Liquid Fire Ministries (Suleja, Niger State) By fire By Fire Ministry HOLYFIRE OVERFLOW MINISTRIES David Killed Goliath Ministry (Kaduna) House of Jehova's Padawans (TransAmadi, PH) JESUS IN HIS MIGHTINESS GLOBAL MINISTRY OPM - Other people's money (PH) God in action ministries Moving mountain gospel church MY BROTHER IS A CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD Fellowship of the Wings - Ajah (Lamgasa) Power Foundation Ministries, Aba. === The pastor's maiden crusade was titled: "Your Money is Looking For You" HOLY GHOST ON FIRE MINISTRY (Abuja) HIGH TENSION MINISTRY JESUS NEVER bleep UP MINISTRY (Benin) === for those of you who don't get the meaning, replace the word bleep in this one with the err... the "F" word Devil go hear am Jesus Ministry Accredited Church of God Chukwudi & Son evangelical ministry, Aba === (Igbo man no dey carry last!) Power pass power church of the mountain ministry incorporated Ministry Of The Naked Wire - Bayelsa State LABORATORY CHURCH OF GOD And here's the sign for Laboratory Church of God Go and tell Ahab that Elijah is here ministries - Benin God is Real Ministry. Motto: "Jesus no get muscle but he get power" Fire burn ministries JESUS THE LANDLORD, WE THE RELAXING PEW MINISTRY - Port harcourt Happy Go Lucky Church of God Almighty In Jesus Name Amen - Abeokuta Old time religion ministry Strong Hand of God ministry Best Spot In The Land of God Church - Apapa. Trigger happy ministry. Motto- always firing the devil KASABUBU CHURCH OF GOD - Ibadan Jesus knows his children ministry - Benin SEVEN THUNDERS OF JESUS Perfect Christianity Ministry Elshaddai Shall Not Die Ministries Elshaddai shall not die ministries ...

Monday, August 23, 2010

HOPE...THE DOPE NIGERIANS SMOKE

Don’t misconceive the caption of this write-up. Yes! We have all come across that familiar smell of dope…zzzz. Some reach for its higher ilk, cocaine, heroin, codeine and a whole lot more, to mention a few.

If you were thinking I have become unpatriotic to sell Nigerians short, nah! Much as each day plunges us as a Nation deep into quagmire, I will not contribute to its failure deliberately and without purpose. Truth is we indulge in some of these drugs to take away the sorrows of daily living!

Rather, I am using this medium to celebrate all Nigerians home and abroad, hustling and working their socks off to make ends meet. The shoe maker on the street walking in the scorching sun, the gal selling recharge card and sleeping ‘on duty’, school kids going to school without knowing what the future holds for them, the mobile policeman collecting roger even when they create illegal roadblocks across our highways and lead several innocent lives to their graves (God accept their souls, may they rest in peace-those who lost their lives in the unfortunate carnage on Lagos-Ibadan expressway), the sheen of sweat on the faces of the kaya and scavengers who scavenge for valuables in garbage and trash cans. I could go on and on…like a car with a failed brake but we all know that which keeps us going.

Nigerians are a special breed of people. From Aba to Ikwerre, Jimeta, Oturkpo, Kaduna, Zuba, Ghana, Libya, India, Italy, USA, UK, Holland and a whole lot many Countries , even those you could hardly relate to or haven’t heard about, WE remain proud. It’s so unfortunate, some of our brothers and sisters have tainted our image but we still hold our head high!

We were ranked some years ago to be the World’s happiest people despite the myriad of problems plaguing our dear Country. I couldn’t agree more! Our resilience is remarkable. In fact, Waffi man talk say” e go better, e go better na im man take see grey hair” Yet We still succeed where others failed, grow where others were stunted, excelled where others gave up and rose from being a no body to a somebody! Even my great drink acknowledged the naija power!

Hope is our watchword! We cling to it like a lifesaver…In every situation; we find the positive side of it. I am awed by this trait because obviously it resides in our genes, yours humbly not exempted.

As the Irish say, “hope is the physician for every misery”.

This is wishing all my naija brothers and sisters and also to Muslim folks having their Ramadan el Kareem all the best in their spiritual upliftment! Don’t loose hope peeps, we are NIGERIANS! A great people but not yet a great nation to equal our potentials. Be the best you can be…say no to mediocrity!

Am so high!!!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

A THOUGHT ON MY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW

How time flies! I can’t believe my humble self will be twenty six years old tomorrow. It’s amazing what the Lord has done and I would remain grateful (even tho I get picture of wetin man for don achieve or wetin for be!) .

First and foremost, I will use this medium to say ‘Happy birthday’ to all born in the month of July.

What actually struck my mind this morning was that I was born in the year 1984, when the Disciplinarian and Creator of Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) General Muhammad Buhari was in power and twenty three years later, He contested the Presidential elections under the aegis of All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and lost. By next year- twenty seven years later, he would most likely contest the same Presidential elections under a new political party he founded. I am not bothered about his ambitions, Abraham Lincoln- a onetime President of US suffered many political setbacks and I quite agree with his loyalists that he did a good job during his reign as PTF Chairman and the fact that he has got something to offer (Every Politician has something to offer, if not there would be no speeches or manifesto, no be so)! My grouse is that He should be an elder statesman after all these years and having tasted the power at the top, himself and his fellow General – the maverick, self styled “Evil Genius”. They should learn to leave a political ideology and terrain for upcoming YOUTHS.

I was in Primary school during the 1993 general elections when we sang in the streets of Eko (Lagos state) “On the march again…looking for the Man to lead-M.K.O is the Man O!” Even if my good friend Barr. Eyo disagrees with the idea of celebrating “This Pillar”, the fact remains that the struggle for democracy by those who even came before MKO yielded dividends which we are enjoying albeit in drops!

Lucky Me! It was in the year 2000 (Y2K) that I wrote and passed my Senior Secondary Certificate Exams (SSCE) at Hope Bay College; that fateful year when the Millennium bug chose to conquer computers Worldwide. This fact made Nigerians become aware of the internet and World Wide Web (www.com) despite the fact that our contemporaries in America, Europe and some other parts of the World had been enjoying the service since 1994. Also, with the myriad of opportunities that came our way courtesy of this oyinbo wonder, came that societal malady that has defied cure and changed the life of our youths forever…YAHOO- YAHOO!

I got admitted into the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe Univesity, Awka to study Medicine in 2001. This was after seeking admission in Great IFE the previous year, got Biochemistry but was told to come back after one year because of the Ife-Modakeke crisis and as usual…Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) brouhaha (I no fit wait, na im I take another JAMB enter school wey dey on session.una dey laff!). It was in 2004, sometime in October that after all the jolly time, jacking Last’s anatomy, sketching drawings from Grant’s atlas of Human Anatomy, Guyton( Physiology) and cramming metabolic pathways from Lehninger and Hackers(Human biochemistry), dissecting a correct male, fat cadaver (laffs-where you wan see female, or who go donate? Na half yansh we dey use 4 exam and studies! ), writing the MBBS and repeating a year…I still failed o. (0/3 twice! Imagine me na olodo I be? Dem lie no be small! I com discover say crookere dey med schl-I even see opportunity but dey form say nothin…abi na some Doctor’s children and their wayo, yansh magic.4get!) Some worked hard and deserved their success and are currently Doctors but more annoyingly and painfully too, some (myself excluded cos there’s no excuse for failure) who deserved to be there were shown the door and…WELLA, CHUCK.D (RIP) and many others who may yet find their feet. For those who were undeserving or who reaped where they did not sow, their theartre(ic) future will judge. I rose from my fall, headed back to Awka from Nnewi.

In 2005, after so much stress, fortunately my change of course form-from Medicine and Surgery to Economics was approved by the Senate. I picked up the ashes of defeat and used them to plant the seed of demand and supply and as fate would have it, after four years I graduated with a Second Class Division honors( no be beans, though e no izy eee).

I am currently serving the Country for the mandatory one year National Youth Service scheme in F.C.T. Abuja. My employers being the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC)… (before u talk, no bi we dey chop the oil money biko. Aka m di ocha-my hands are clean.na only normal pay and settle from Ogas na im I dey chop).

All in all, I have met numerous people and have travelled( been) to places like Oyo-Ibadan, Enugu-(Ebe an a ataa abacha, nkwobi, okpa di oku,gi tinye ya mmanya ocha-palm wine and several fun-seeking places in town,Osun-Ife, Akwa Ibom-Uyo, Mbo, Akia-Atti, Udesi, Adamawa-Yola, Cross Rivers-PH, Abia-Aba and not forgetting my hood in Eko/Lasgidi: Olodi-Apapa, Anambra-Awka, Nnewi,Osha-Fegge(sanko),Nteje, Awkuzu-JONEB of doz days, Awka Etiti, Nimo and my beloved and backward State-Imo-Owerri.

I have been assisted by childhood friends from lasgidi, friends from Nnewi, Awka and presently by some folks in ABJ! You all know yourselves, I am using this medium to say thanks for being there-gals and guys (I no be womanizer or homo! laffs).

To all those Relatives and Family friends that helped in one form or the other and still throw their weight to support me whenever I call on them…thanks(e go reach my turn).
Presently, its less than twenty-four hours to my birthday and unfortunately, there’s no bash or visit to the Orphanage. Good news is that since I am a night crawler, shyo go start by 8pm at a joint (control me 4 venue).After the brew, na one/more of the clubs man go end up. Financial contributions and logistic support will be highly appreciated (if na Baba Iyabo library, no be people go dey rush to donate 250M?). Warri man say dem no dey try pass try…even if I spend 1 million-na still try dem go say I try!).

Baba God, all POWER belongs to you (me and u go do our own foreign for church on Sunday)! Help us to achieve all that we want to achieve by the riches of your glory (tho u no b MTN).

Hope this musing wasn’t boring.luv to read your comments. Be a Victor and don’t have a vision 2010 or 2020 without laying adequate plans…that future is already here! Have a lovely weekend!

Missing those who are far away…

Screwing government (joke)

A little boy goes to his dad and asks, "What are Politcs?" Dad says "Well son, let me try to explain it this way:
..1. Im the head of the family, so call me the president
..2. Your mother is the administrator of the money, so we call her the Government
..3. We're here to take care of your needs, so we'll call you the People.
..4. The nanny, we'll consider her the Working class.
..5. And your baby brother, we'll call him the future."Now think about that and see if it makes sense."

So, the little boy goes off to bed thinking about what Dad has said.Later that night, he hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to check on him. He finds that the baby has severly soiled his diaper So, the little boy goes to his parents room and finds his mother sound asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he goes to the nannys room.Finding the door locked, he looks in the peephole and sees his father in bed with the nanny.He gives up and goes back to bed.

The next morning, the little boy says to his father, "Dad i think i understand the concept of politics now:The father says "Good son, tell me in your own words what you think politics is all about"The little boy replies, "The president is screwing the working class, while the government is sound asleep. The people are being ignored and the Future is in deep shit".

Pharmacist

A young man goes into a pharmacy and says to the pharmacist, "Hello, could you give me a condom. I'm going to my girlfriend's home for dinner and I think I may be in with a chance!"The pharmacist gives him the condom and as the young man is going out; he returns and says, "Give me another condom because my girlfriend's sister is very cute too. She always crosses her legs in a provocative manner when she sees me and I think I might strike it lucky there too."The pharmacist gives him a second condom and as the boy is leaving he turns back and says, "Go on, give me one more condom because my girlfriend's mum is still pretty cute and when she sees me she always makes eyes, and since she invited me for dinner, I think she is expecting me to make a move!

During dinner, the young man is sitting with his girlfriend on his left, the sister on his right and the mum facing him. When the dad gets there, the boy lowers his head and starts praying, "Dear Lord, bless this dinner and Thank you for all you give us."A minute later the boy is still praying; "Thank you Lord for your kindness."

Ten minutes go by and the boy is still praying, keeping his head down. The others look at each other surprised and his girlfriend is even more surprised than the others. She gets close to the boy and says in his ear, "

I didn't know you were so religious."The boy replies, "I didn't know your dad was a pharmacist!"

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Get Rich-Quick Syndrome and Nigerians

Nigerians are known to be industrious, disciplined, intelligent and nice naturally. However, current events in our National life seem to suggest that we as a Nation have derailed. Nigerians are being viewed with suspicion both home and abroad. In the recent past, it was not uncommon to see admonitions by Foreign Governments that their Nationals should not do any business with Nigerians. Even the way we are frisked at the International airports left a lot to be desired and our case was not helped by the attempted bombing of a US bound airline last year December by a young Nigerian Al Multallab. We are known as scammers, robbers, drug peddlers, assassins and dishonest people.

Here at home, the case is not different. The British (I guess for their selfish reasons) amalgamated the North and South, with diverse cultural, religious and historical differences in 1914. This is one of their greatest undoing .The military take-over post Independence and the coup of 1966 and its consequences especially for the Igbos (the vanquished)especially after the Civil war of 1967-70 heralded the birth of hate, mistrust and a sense of fore-boding of our respective cultures. Despite the introduction of the National Youth Corps Scheme (NYSC) in 1973 by the General Gowon led leadership, integration and social tolerance for each other has become an illusion and one offered with theatrics.

The irresponsibility and corruption of our leaders past and present both during the Military and Civilian dispensation has left our Country in quagmire…the Manufacturing sector is comatose, the Agricultural sector is on a sick bed, with foodstuffs being imported, The Power sector is still a puzzle that defies practical solutions (even when we know a feasible solution is realistic if we really need change) and the Educational sector is critically ill churning out graduates, many of whom are unemployed; the story is same for other sectors. Change is inevitable but we still fold our hands or aspire to join the bandwagon of an elite political class that has held the nation to ransom.

A little over 5% of the Nation’s population amassing quite a huge amount of money personally that is meant for the infrastructural development of our Country. Their children schooling abroad, they attending health checkups and treatment overseas while our Health institutions are possessing obsolete equipments, their acquisition of gigantic properties here and overseas, acquiring a fleet of State- of –the art cars that leave the youths stupefied. Federal jobs have become juicier jobs because they present an opportunity for less work and greater access to Federal and Local Government finances. Dignity in labor is no longer respected and thus we arrived at this junction of woes and acquired the illness- The Get Rich Quick Syndrome (GRQS). A disease that makes Youths give in to yahoo-yahoo business, rituals, murder, armed robbery and kidnapping which is notoriously becoming lucrative by the day, to mention some of the nefarious activities.

Every young Man wants to drive a jeep without sweating for it, the ladies would say dem no dey chop love and go into prostitution-Corporate and personal to be embellished in the latest fashion fad in town. Power emanating from such wealth have been known to subjugate the efficacy and independence of the Judiciary from the Executive such that if one is privileged, he/she can do anything and get away with it.


All these will take us nowhere! We are not meant to serve our Nation for what we can gain but the service our Nation would gain from us. Someone told me last week that the youths are to be blamed for allegedly selling their ‘birthrights’ to the ‘Old Breed’ of politicians who shortchange them and shut the doors on them after the ‘election business’ is over. It was the retired General Babangida (the acclaimed evil-genius) who asserted sometime ago the irrelevance of the Youths in today’s politics. He should take a look at the cabinet and staff of the US President Obama and he would realize how young and vibrant they are.

The relevance of the Youth in our National growth cannot be over –emphasized. The immediate contributions Prof. Mrs Dora Akunyili- the current Minister of Information, the erstwhile Minister of Education Dr .Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, Dr Okonjo Iweala, AIG of Police retired Nuhu Ribadu and others to mention a few have left golden footprints and still continue to leave a mark in the sands of time.

A re-orientation has to be put in place for the Youths, self-employment encouraged with capital loans and financing, Government agencies have to be encouraged and urged to go about their job diligently and the Judiciary has to prosecute defaulters and corrupt civil service workers no matter how coveted or high-ranking they may be. Also Prof. Attahiru Jega the newly appointed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman has to prove that he can be an activist even in politics by ensuring the quick and effective registration of voters and conduct of credible elections come next year. Nigeria must not be a failed State! Rather than become dysfunctional, I would say lets break up for our good (no one should misunderstand me) but if we must forge ahead as one, then we should break those barriers of religion and learn to tolerate one another and also give a chance to merit rather than mediocrity or connection to get the right jobs and contracts.

Fast money vanishes through the fast lane!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Spring in the Desert

I have sank deep into despair, the brunt of my troubles have taken me captive. I am incarcerated in a gaol with no light to differentiate night and day. I wonder when I would see the light again and my exhausted shoulders sag in resignation to fate- the events of the now.

When my eyes fluttered open from slumber, I pondered on the journey to my present destination. Survival? , a word that I come across daily, will be my mantra that I shall sing to stay strong, awake and alive!

No one to hold my hands, no one to pour my heart to and no one to tell me ‘’it’s going to be okay”. I bear my cross alone like Jesus the Savior. Will there be a Simon to help me carry my cross? It’s in my mind that I am incarcerated, where I hear the echo of my broken voiceless voice and where I calm the machinations of my aura and appearance.

Like a man in the desert, not a pitcher of water to quench my thirst. My feet so bruised, my clothes so haggard while my hair grows its style. Then I saw a gazelle run past me with outstretched fingers pointing…I followed obediently till I saw a new side to the desert, an awesome sight beneath a pyramid of sand. I saw a spring’ its water cascading down the rocks, fruits flourishing, birds squeaking in delight and other animals taking a rest.

I see a lovely sunrise over the top of a mountain. I go down in my knees in thanksgiving to God who has deemed it fit to bring a smile to my sorrow-filled life. Alas I see hope, future and when I bathed from the stream, how refreshed I felt. There was indeed an end to all the suffering. Heaven and hell could be felt on Earth but as they say, “He who has never tasted the cup of sorrow will not appreciate it when honey is dropped at the tip of his tongue”.

No matter what the World throws at me. I will stand tall and rise from my fall. It’s a new beginning and I would remain a Victor and survivor!

Friday, July 16, 2010

To Mama ( Nne oma)

When the world turns me down,
I seem to know and go nowhere
In your bosom, I find comfort
You are my anchor I hold unto
Against drowning in a world
Filled with hatred, bias and sorrows

Who else could fill your void
I can't thank you enough
You will always have a big space in my heart
No One like You!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

The inevitable end called Death

Death is an inevitable end that faces all humans. Today, marks the twenty-sixth post humous birthday of a friend. One who it took so long to impress and make an avid reader of my works. I remember Chuck-D, his nickname when he rapped, the soccer matches he played, the times he borrowed me money and how shy he used to be with regards to expressing himself to the gals. However, when the news of his demise filtered into the then medical campus (in Nnewi-Anambra state-Nigeria), those same gals cried more...the vanity of life.

I wonder if some of his friends remember him. He was the closest person to me that has passed away. His death brought to reality the fact of human wickedness and the fact that i could die anytime and in an unthinkable circumstance, asn he died at twenty. Its six years, and I have left the medical school-withdrawn! I however have graduated with honors in the field of Economics with a second class upper division (not a big deal as some would say) and I am currently serving my country in the National Youth Service Corps scheme (NYSC).

I look at the pomp and grandeur that accompanies some burials in this part of the world and I shake my head in agony, Why? I live each day of my life as the last and I live life in the moment albeit with a conscience. Its not how long one lives that matter but what legacies and how one has influenced the lives of those around you. how has the world become a better place because you once lived? how many people smiled or breathed easier because you lived? These are some of the questions that trouble my mind.

When i die, tears would be inevitable not because I am so unique, but because human emotions shall run their course...its permitted. I would love to be cremated and my ashes spread about or kept in an urn as the case may be. All in all, in death or in living I want to be remembered and thought of as a humble, honest and philanthropic person.

May the soul of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.Amen!