The 30th Olympic games, London Olympics, officially started with a colourful opening ceremony at the magnificent Olympic Stadium. Here are some of the pictures of the spectacle witnessed during the opening ceremony.
.jpg)
.JPG)
Saturday, 28 July 2012
PICTURES FROM THE OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY
IN GOD
I will like to make a distinction
between Islam and Islamism, just like there is a clear cut distinction between
Christianity and Christian extremism, the latter symbolized by Timothy McVeigh
and Anders Breivik of the Knights Templers.
Islam as we know is a religion
with deep and abiding appeal while Islamism as defined by Daniel Pipes demands
man’s complete adherence to the sacred law of Islam and rejects as much as
possible outside influence with some exceptions (such as access to military and
medical technology). It is imbued with a deep antagonism towards non Muslims
and has a particular hostility towards the west (read Boko Haram). It amounts
to an effort to turn Islam as a religion and civilization into an ideology. It
is a total transformation of traditional Islam.
Islamism has been thriving in
Africa in recent times especially in North, East and West Africa because it is
tapping into ideological roots that were laid down long before now (the Muslim
brotherhood in Egypt has a well cultivated pedigree that dates back to 1928)
and kept alive by failure of governments, bankrolled by offshore financiers and
inspired by the defiant (and highly successful) regime of revolutionary Iran.
It is now a language of dissent winning because it is the deepest and widest
channel into which today’s Arab discontent can flow. They have succeeded in
taking over the governments in post Arab spring North Africa (Egypt and
Tunisia) with Libya being the exception. This was probably what Hilary Clinton
had in mind when she admitted in Egypt on the 13th of July 2012 that
“things changed at a kind of warped speed”.
The success has not been so
smooth or fast in West Africa, but nonetheless there have been concerted
efforts to conquer these parts of the continent. As far back as 2008, elements
of the Trans national Islamist group, Al Shabab, attempted infiltrating post
election Kenya without success to cause dissent. To halt their continuing
effort to gain foothold in its territory, Kenya had to invade Somalia (the operational
base of Al Shabab) in October of 2011. The extent of their success in Kenya is
debatable, but what is not in doubt is their resolve. Earlier this month, the
twitterati of Kenya started blaming the Somalian refugees as culpable for a
host of Kenya’s problems.
The story is different in the
Islamic Maghreb (Mali, Mauritania and Niger). This area has gradually come to
be the operational hub of the Islamists, and with hounding of Al Qaeda
leadership in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is the new face
of terror. Al Qaeda and Al Shabab merged in early 2012. The GUARDIAN of London
in its 13th of July edition listed Ansar Dine, Boko Haram and Mujao
as the three major forces backed by AQIM. The same edition of the newspaper
quoted a Mali based western diplomat as saying “If Islamists continue to
control vast areas of Mali (equal in size to the whole of France) where they
can do what they like, then this will pose a direct threat to Europe”.
The poverty, ignorance and frustration
prevalent in the areas stretching from the peninsula in Somalia to Central and
West Africa has made the area a veritable recruiting ground for frustrated
people to rally around a single ideology not necessarily of their own making.
Boko Haram has derailed from the
original path charted by its founder. This is no surprise as a revolutions’
consequences need not follow from its causes. The movement has allowed itself
to be hijacked by Islamists who have a different agenda. The crusade they are
being used for has been planned long before and they only provided the
platform. There are powerful and influential people behind them and their
activities are thriving here because of the support they have from within. If
you have the chairman of a political party claiming they (Boko Haram) are
fighting for “justice”, and the president of the nation admitting that they
have permeated every strata of the society including his presidency, then you
know we are not in normal times. This is the same country that was predicted to
have been heading for “failure” some years back. It is the same country one of
whose topmost bankers was imprisoned in the mid 90’s (after his sojourn in
Sudan) for participating in religious extremism activities that led to death.
The Islamists in my opinion are
just about 10% of the Muslims population worldwide, but they are very active
and vocal with their reach and influence far greater than their numbers. There
is a great battle going on for the soul of the Muslim world. This is the battle
between the Khomeini and Atartuk dispositions. This is a battle that will make
an ideology encourage its adherents to seek to eliminate members of other
faiths. This is an ideology that seeks to desecrate the institution of an
Emir/Shehu. This is an ideology that encourages the killings of Islamic
scholars that do not toe its chosen path, an ideology that is attempting to
embark on a modern day crusade.
The Islamists have suffered
tremendous setbacks in the Middle East just as Boko Haram had been crushed in
Nigeria in 2009 but what we are witnessing here now is a resurgent Al Qaeda
reinventing itself in Africa and using Boko Haram amongst others as its vehicle
for achieving its goal. It is not what it seems to be at the surface and
certainly not a battle between Muslims and Christians but a more intricate and
complex battle being supported and financed by extremely powerful, wealthy and
influential forces from behind the scene.
Akpobaro Ebinum.
akposebinum@yahoo.com
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.
“Your son is here,” she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient’s eyes opened.
Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man’s limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.
The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man’s hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.
He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital – the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.
Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.
“Who was that man?” he asked.
The nurse was startled, “He was your father,” she answered.
“No, he wasn’t,” the Marine replied.
“I never saw him before in my life.”
“Then why didn’t you say something when I took you to him?”
“I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn’t here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.”
Many times, there are opportunities presented to us through the mistakes of other people. However, we're not always able to discern, hence, the oppportunity to be a blessing and be blessed is thrown away.
I dare to say that for any man who desires success in life, the best way to achieve this is in your ability to maximize the opportunities that come your way, even if it is a product of someone else's mistake. There's someone out there who need you...please don't miss out.
BE INSPIRED.
“Your son is here,” she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient’s eyes opened.
Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man’s limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.
The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man’s hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.
He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital – the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.
Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.
“Who was that man?” he asked.
The nurse was startled, “He was your father,” she answered.
“No, he wasn’t,” the Marine replied.
“I never saw him before in my life.”
“Then why didn’t you say something when I took you to him?”
“I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn’t here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.”
Many times, there are opportunities presented to us through the mistakes of other people. However, we're not always able to discern, hence, the oppportunity to be a blessing and be blessed is thrown away.
I dare to say that for any man who desires success in life, the best way to achieve this is in your ability to maximize the opportunities that come your way, even if it is a product of someone else's mistake. There's someone out there who need you...please don't miss out.
BE INSPIRED.
one Glass of Milk
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door 2 door 2pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, n he was hungry. He decided he would ask 4a meal at d next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened d door. Instead of a meal he asked 4a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, n then asked, “How much do I owe u?” “You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never 2accept pay for a kindness.” He said, “Then I thank u from my heart.”
As Howard Kelly left dat house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God n man was strong also. He had been ready 2give up n quit.
Year’s later dat young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her 2d big city, where they called in specialists 2study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in 4d consultation. When he heard d name of d town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose n went down d hall of d hospital 2her room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in 2see her. He recognized her at once. He went back 2d consultation room determined 2do his best 2save her life. From dat day he gave special attention 2d case.
After a long struggle, d battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested d business office to pass d final bill to him 4 approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on d edge n d bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, 4 she was sure it would take d rest of her life to pay 4it all. Finally she looked, n something caught her attention on d side of d bill. She began to read d following words:
“Paid in full with one glass of milk”
Signed, Dr. Howard Kelly.
As u journey through life, u must know dat every act of kindness today is a seed sown to secure ur future. Never stop giving, even wen there's no immediate gratification.
Be a blessing 2someone today.
Dayo Nigeria
As Howard Kelly left dat house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God n man was strong also. He had been ready 2give up n quit.
Year’s later dat young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her 2d big city, where they called in specialists 2study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in 4d consultation. When he heard d name of d town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose n went down d hall of d hospital 2her room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in 2see her. He recognized her at once. He went back 2d consultation room determined 2do his best 2save her life. From dat day he gave special attention 2d case.
After a long struggle, d battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested d business office to pass d final bill to him 4 approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on d edge n d bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, 4 she was sure it would take d rest of her life to pay 4it all. Finally she looked, n something caught her attention on d side of d bill. She began to read d following words:
“Paid in full with one glass of milk”
Signed, Dr. Howard Kelly.
As u journey through life, u must know dat every act of kindness today is a seed sown to secure ur future. Never stop giving, even wen there's no immediate gratification.
Be a blessing 2someone today.
Dayo Nigeria
Monday, 16 July 2012
Live Above Limitations
This parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule praying or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbours together, told them what had happened, and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbours continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, HE WOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!
This he did, blow after blow. “Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up!” He repeated it to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!
It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like what would bury him actually helped him . . . all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.
THAT’S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity, all those things that are supposed to be pull us down end up pushing us to be better.
React positively to challenges, it's your password to living above limitations.
Have a beautiful day.
Dayo Nigeria.
Initially the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbours continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, HE WOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!
This he did, blow after blow. “Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up!” He repeated it to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!
It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like what would bury him actually helped him . . . all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.
THAT’S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity, all those things that are supposed to be pull us down end up pushing us to be better.
React positively to challenges, it's your password to living above limitations.
Have a beautiful day.
Dayo Nigeria.
Saturday, 14 July 2012
The Only Three Days
How many times have we wasted a whole day, thinking about what is already out of our hands? How many times do we allow regret of past actions deny us the joy and happiness of the present? Just thought I should share this story with us to encourage us understand and maximize the usage of the only three days all men have.
YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW
There are two days in every week about which we should not worry.
Two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.
One of these days is yesterday with its mistakes and cares,
Its faults and blunders, Its aches and pains.
Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.
All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday.
We cannot undo a single act we performed.
We cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone.
The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow.
With its possible adversities, Its burdens,
Its large promise and poor performance.
Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.
Tomorrow's Sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds,
but it will rise.
Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.
This just leaves only one day . . . Today.
Any person can fight the battles of just one day.
It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternity's -
yesterday and tomorrow that we break down.
It is not the experience of today that drives people mad.
It is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday
and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.
Let us therefore live but one day at a time.
Have a wonderful day, week, month, and year ahead.
Dayo Nigeria.
YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW
There are two days in every week about which we should not worry.
Two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.
One of these days is yesterday with its mistakes and cares,
Its faults and blunders, Its aches and pains.
Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.
All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday.
We cannot undo a single act we performed.
We cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone.
The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow.
With its possible adversities, Its burdens,
Its large promise and poor performance.
Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.
Tomorrow's Sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds,
but it will rise.
Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.
This just leaves only one day . . . Today.
Any person can fight the battles of just one day.
It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternity's -
yesterday and tomorrow that we break down.
It is not the experience of today that drives people mad.
It is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday
and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.
Let us therefore live but one day at a time.
Have a wonderful day, week, month, and year ahead.
Dayo Nigeria.
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Abati: A Man Without Integrity
Hurry Up, Jonathan – Dr. Reuben Abati.
Abati vs Abati.
In continuation of our Abati Vs Abati Series, here is another brilliant editorial piece (published in May, 2010) from Dr. Reuben Abati on the perceived sluggish attitude of the Goodluck Jonathan government towards initiating the change needed to transform Nigeria.
IT is very easy in a Presidential position in Nigeria, nay Africa, to get carried away with the ceremonies of office, to be largely overwhelmed by the fawning attention of sycophants and opportunists, and as the intensity of this increases, the man of power begins to imagine himself a superman, and he soon forgets his primary assignment and begins to enjoy the office for its own sake and what it can bring. It is both a practical and psychological pitfall, the drama of which has been played out all too often in many African states, to the great discomfort and disadvantage of the people. It looks like President Goodluck Jonathan is beginning to fall into that pit. He needs to watch his steps.
During the inauguration of a new Federal cabinet in March, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan as he then was, seemed to have demonstrated an awareness of this same pitfall when he promised that his government will “hit the ground running.” He charged the new Ministers to come up with blueprints within two weeks and that this will be formally presented to the Executive Council and defended. That speech was full of excellent sound bites. In it, the Acting President also promised to focus on certain key areas of governmental activity: electoral reform, the war on corruption, the Niger Delta crisis, and the power sector. To show his determination, the then Acting President also took personal charge of the power portfolio with a promise that his government will ensure regular electricity supply in the country as a matter of urgent priority.
Although there was still so much uncertainty surrounding his Presidency, with the former President Umaru Yar’Adua still in the background on a sick bed, and reports of selective sightings of the ailing President, Jonathan’s emergence brought fresh hope and helped to stabilise a drifting polity. With Yar’Adua’s death on May 5, and Jonathan’s assumption of full presidential powers on May 6, whatever doubts that may have existed about the legitimacy of his government were neatly resolved. But since February, and given the events of the last few days, there is no indication that President Jonathan intends to “hit the ground running.” He seems to have hit the ground dancing. He should watch his footwork. Where are the blueprints from the Ministers? Three months have gone already, when will Jonathan start working? He should read the mood of the Nigerian people more carefully, the ordinary people, I mean. They are impatient.
In three years of the Yar’Adua presidency, not much transformation took place as the people continued to search in vain for the same democracy dividends they have been looking for since 1999. They were distracted by tales of Presidential illness, and the wanton irresponsibility of the professional political elite. Jonathan has enjoyed so much public goodwill because he is the beneficiary of the change that the people wanted. Any kind of change would do, and that is why not so much capital has been made out of the fact that Jonathan was in fact a part of the Yar’Adua government as No 2 man. Jonathan is expected to run a Presidency that is driven by a policy of “business unusual.” A Presidency that works as if it is under the pressure of time, and it is; a carefully focused government whose only priority is service delivery within the short period available, and a man at the top who inspires fresh confidence because he knows what he is doing.
Early signs indicate that Jonathan may find it difficult stepping up to the game. He has fallen so early into the error of doing business as usual. He is the ultimate pacifier. He seems determined to run a government of the Godfathers. Every man who imagines himself to be a custodian of the Nigerian legacy, even only a portion of it, seems to have a share of his government. Nothing has been more sordid than the silly politicking that has so far attended the appointment of a new Vice President. For comparison, Dr. Jonathan should look towards Britain where a major political situation has been resolved so decently within a matter of days, without any disruptions and the country has moved on. A general parliamentary election was held (no ballot snatching, no violence, no iwuruwuru), the result was a hung parliament and a coalition government had to be formed (in Nigeria, that could have resulted in bloodshed), Gordon Brown resigns (if he were a Nigerian, he would have found a way of getting some MPs to cross-carpet to the Labour Party), the LibDems align with the Conservatives, David Cameron emerges as Prime Minister (born in 1966; IBB are you there?) and Nick Clegg as Deputy Prime Minister (born in 1967: IBB, you see?), and almost immediately a new cabinet is announced. Britain is moving on. It is possible to say that the circumstances are different (no Prime Minister died in Britain) but we are dealing with the same issues: change of government, management of processes and leadership; while Nigerian flounders, the British have again shown us how a modern government should run.
For a whole week, the country was held hostage by speculations about who should be the next Vice President. We have been treated not to a decisive and prompt choice by the President, but to the activities of all kinds of powerful individuals and groups: The Governors Forum, the Northern Senators Forum, Northern Emirs, the Yar’Adua family, General Theophilus Danjuma, and General Olusegun Obasanjo all associated with the nomination process. The Northern Senators Forum was divided over the issue and the Governors reportedly resolved that one of them must become the Vice President. The Middle Belt was up in protest and some characters from the North West claimed that if the Vice President did not emerge from their geographical zone, Nigeria’s unity could be threatened. There has been no talk about quality or merit. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo goes to Katsina to pay a condolence visit and he reportedly told the Yar’Adua family that President Jonathan will sustain the late Yar’Adua’s legacy. How does he know that?
In every manner, President Jonathan gives the impression that he is yet to take charge of his office. He should hurry up. He should appoint as Vice President, a man that he can work with, not someone whose only interest is politics and the 2011 general elections. The Governor of Kaduna State, Namadi Sambo has been named Vice president designate, but the Governors Forum is said to have imposed on him on the President. The dirty politicking over the appointment of the Vice President already exposes the dangers in the zoning arrangement and Nigeria’s fragile unity. By allowing every matter to drag, Jonathan slows down his government and loses momentum.
When will his initiative on electoral reform begin? What is his blueprint for the Niger Delta? When will the construction companies begin the task of providing needed infrastructure in that region? Or if that is not possible, what structural and constitutional reforms does he want to push through to resolve existing conflicts? On corruption, is he really interested in the anti-corruption war or he is out to use the anti-corruption agencies to settle conflicts within the ruling PDP? These are not the key signals coming out of the Jonathan Presidency. His handling of the appointment of the Vice President can only further divide the PDP. Those whose names have been touted and who have been busy lobbying for support may become new enemies of the president and the new Vice president and do their utmost best to thwart the administration’s efforts. In more serious societies, where there are equally divisive issues as in Nigeria, a Vice president would have been announced immediately and all mischief-makers duly neutralised.
And yet what the people want is real change: change in their circumstances or a momentum in that direction. Something has changed however: President Jonathan’s wardrobe. He now oscillates between the Ijaw gear, the Arewa cap and the complete Yoruba agbada. One of these days, he will get round to the Igbo red cap, the Tivi black and white cap, and the Efik/Ibibio wrapper. No chance for the Koma people in that wardrobe arrangement, I think. But can President Jonathan just please, hurry up and focus on the important issues of national interest, the same issues that he himself has identified to start with?
*Dr. Reuben Abati is presently the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Goodluck Jonathan.*
Abati vs Abati.
In continuation of our Abati Vs Abati Series, here is another brilliant editorial piece (published in May, 2010) from Dr. Reuben Abati on the perceived sluggish attitude of the Goodluck Jonathan government towards initiating the change needed to transform Nigeria.
IT is very easy in a Presidential position in Nigeria, nay Africa, to get carried away with the ceremonies of office, to be largely overwhelmed by the fawning attention of sycophants and opportunists, and as the intensity of this increases, the man of power begins to imagine himself a superman, and he soon forgets his primary assignment and begins to enjoy the office for its own sake and what it can bring. It is both a practical and psychological pitfall, the drama of which has been played out all too often in many African states, to the great discomfort and disadvantage of the people. It looks like President Goodluck Jonathan is beginning to fall into that pit. He needs to watch his steps.
During the inauguration of a new Federal cabinet in March, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan as he then was, seemed to have demonstrated an awareness of this same pitfall when he promised that his government will “hit the ground running.” He charged the new Ministers to come up with blueprints within two weeks and that this will be formally presented to the Executive Council and defended. That speech was full of excellent sound bites. In it, the Acting President also promised to focus on certain key areas of governmental activity: electoral reform, the war on corruption, the Niger Delta crisis, and the power sector. To show his determination, the then Acting President also took personal charge of the power portfolio with a promise that his government will ensure regular electricity supply in the country as a matter of urgent priority.
Although there was still so much uncertainty surrounding his Presidency, with the former President Umaru Yar’Adua still in the background on a sick bed, and reports of selective sightings of the ailing President, Jonathan’s emergence brought fresh hope and helped to stabilise a drifting polity. With Yar’Adua’s death on May 5, and Jonathan’s assumption of full presidential powers on May 6, whatever doubts that may have existed about the legitimacy of his government were neatly resolved. But since February, and given the events of the last few days, there is no indication that President Jonathan intends to “hit the ground running.” He seems to have hit the ground dancing. He should watch his footwork. Where are the blueprints from the Ministers? Three months have gone already, when will Jonathan start working? He should read the mood of the Nigerian people more carefully, the ordinary people, I mean. They are impatient.
In three years of the Yar’Adua presidency, not much transformation took place as the people continued to search in vain for the same democracy dividends they have been looking for since 1999. They were distracted by tales of Presidential illness, and the wanton irresponsibility of the professional political elite. Jonathan has enjoyed so much public goodwill because he is the beneficiary of the change that the people wanted. Any kind of change would do, and that is why not so much capital has been made out of the fact that Jonathan was in fact a part of the Yar’Adua government as No 2 man. Jonathan is expected to run a Presidency that is driven by a policy of “business unusual.” A Presidency that works as if it is under the pressure of time, and it is; a carefully focused government whose only priority is service delivery within the short period available, and a man at the top who inspires fresh confidence because he knows what he is doing.
Early signs indicate that Jonathan may find it difficult stepping up to the game. He has fallen so early into the error of doing business as usual. He is the ultimate pacifier. He seems determined to run a government of the Godfathers. Every man who imagines himself to be a custodian of the Nigerian legacy, even only a portion of it, seems to have a share of his government. Nothing has been more sordid than the silly politicking that has so far attended the appointment of a new Vice President. For comparison, Dr. Jonathan should look towards Britain where a major political situation has been resolved so decently within a matter of days, without any disruptions and the country has moved on. A general parliamentary election was held (no ballot snatching, no violence, no iwuruwuru), the result was a hung parliament and a coalition government had to be formed (in Nigeria, that could have resulted in bloodshed), Gordon Brown resigns (if he were a Nigerian, he would have found a way of getting some MPs to cross-carpet to the Labour Party), the LibDems align with the Conservatives, David Cameron emerges as Prime Minister (born in 1966; IBB are you there?) and Nick Clegg as Deputy Prime Minister (born in 1967: IBB, you see?), and almost immediately a new cabinet is announced. Britain is moving on. It is possible to say that the circumstances are different (no Prime Minister died in Britain) but we are dealing with the same issues: change of government, management of processes and leadership; while Nigerian flounders, the British have again shown us how a modern government should run.
For a whole week, the country was held hostage by speculations about who should be the next Vice President. We have been treated not to a decisive and prompt choice by the President, but to the activities of all kinds of powerful individuals and groups: The Governors Forum, the Northern Senators Forum, Northern Emirs, the Yar’Adua family, General Theophilus Danjuma, and General Olusegun Obasanjo all associated with the nomination process. The Northern Senators Forum was divided over the issue and the Governors reportedly resolved that one of them must become the Vice President. The Middle Belt was up in protest and some characters from the North West claimed that if the Vice President did not emerge from their geographical zone, Nigeria’s unity could be threatened. There has been no talk about quality or merit. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo goes to Katsina to pay a condolence visit and he reportedly told the Yar’Adua family that President Jonathan will sustain the late Yar’Adua’s legacy. How does he know that?
In every manner, President Jonathan gives the impression that he is yet to take charge of his office. He should hurry up. He should appoint as Vice President, a man that he can work with, not someone whose only interest is politics and the 2011 general elections. The Governor of Kaduna State, Namadi Sambo has been named Vice president designate, but the Governors Forum is said to have imposed on him on the President. The dirty politicking over the appointment of the Vice President already exposes the dangers in the zoning arrangement and Nigeria’s fragile unity. By allowing every matter to drag, Jonathan slows down his government and loses momentum.
When will his initiative on electoral reform begin? What is his blueprint for the Niger Delta? When will the construction companies begin the task of providing needed infrastructure in that region? Or if that is not possible, what structural and constitutional reforms does he want to push through to resolve existing conflicts? On corruption, is he really interested in the anti-corruption war or he is out to use the anti-corruption agencies to settle conflicts within the ruling PDP? These are not the key signals coming out of the Jonathan Presidency. His handling of the appointment of the Vice President can only further divide the PDP. Those whose names have been touted and who have been busy lobbying for support may become new enemies of the president and the new Vice president and do their utmost best to thwart the administration’s efforts. In more serious societies, where there are equally divisive issues as in Nigeria, a Vice president would have been announced immediately and all mischief-makers duly neutralised.
And yet what the people want is real change: change in their circumstances or a momentum in that direction. Something has changed however: President Jonathan’s wardrobe. He now oscillates between the Ijaw gear, the Arewa cap and the complete Yoruba agbada. One of these days, he will get round to the Igbo red cap, the Tivi black and white cap, and the Efik/Ibibio wrapper. No chance for the Koma people in that wardrobe arrangement, I think. But can President Jonathan just please, hurry up and focus on the important issues of national interest, the same issues that he himself has identified to start with?
*Dr. Reuben Abati is presently the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Goodluck Jonathan.*
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Saturday, 12 May 2012
just A Thought On Governance
ose who saw the bleakness of the future through his face and resisted, I can only say: "Let's Fight On". Though an end may not be seen now, but surely that end shall come. Just that I don't know what form that end will take... Ayo, you're always my guy, the ink will never run dry.
We are a people with a strong spirit, even the heaviest of metals they use to threaten us whenever we demand transparency will not deter us from standing. No matter how small our mouths are, they can't be too small to utter our disgust about an administration that is full of brain illiterates. No matter how hoarse our voices our, the melody will sound, just as I heard in the land of the Apartheid then that 'freedom is coming...'. We may not know when, but we know that indeed 'We shall overcome' and in our hearts, we truly believe.
In the greatness of Nigeria, I BELIEVE. Let us march together and let these people know that he who murders sleep will know no sleep himself. Thousands of our fellow flesh and blood are being massacred and butchered by the Haramites, yet what our ably incapacitated President will do is to repeat the same script that is full of promises of things that even the President doesn't have. Then his spokesperson would come out to say that his paymaster has done all he promised Nigerians. Then I begin to ask; 'Would I really want to become a Doctor of books if it is an attribute of pathetic liars, shallow-minded, selfish, greedy, and incapable people'. Theirs have become a tale of two Dr(s) exposing the failure of the educational system anywhere in the world. Wisdom is never bought in the walls of a classroom or lecture hall, it is sought after.
For those whose stomachs decide the direction their brains go, I wish I could look into your faces when your children or younger siblings look into your eyes and ask you why things aren't working well. Electioneering should never be for the highest bidder, don't let us destyroy the future of unborn generations in our lineage because we allow the road to our mouths dictate the direction that our brain will go to.
To be continued.
God Bless Nigeria
Nigeria Shall Arise.
We are a people with a strong spirit, even the heaviest of metals they use to threaten us whenever we demand transparency will not deter us from standing. No matter how small our mouths are, they can't be too small to utter our disgust about an administration that is full of brain illiterates. No matter how hoarse our voices our, the melody will sound, just as I heard in the land of the Apartheid then that 'freedom is coming...'. We may not know when, but we know that indeed 'We shall overcome' and in our hearts, we truly believe.
In the greatness of Nigeria, I BELIEVE. Let us march together and let these people know that he who murders sleep will know no sleep himself. Thousands of our fellow flesh and blood are being massacred and butchered by the Haramites, yet what our ably incapacitated President will do is to repeat the same script that is full of promises of things that even the President doesn't have. Then his spokesperson would come out to say that his paymaster has done all he promised Nigerians. Then I begin to ask; 'Would I really want to become a Doctor of books if it is an attribute of pathetic liars, shallow-minded, selfish, greedy, and incapable people'. Theirs have become a tale of two Dr(s) exposing the failure of the educational system anywhere in the world. Wisdom is never bought in the walls of a classroom or lecture hall, it is sought after.
For those whose stomachs decide the direction their brains go, I wish I could look into your faces when your children or younger siblings look into your eyes and ask you why things aren't working well. Electioneering should never be for the highest bidder, don't let us destyroy the future of unborn generations in our lineage because we allow the road to our mouths dictate the direction that our brain will go to.
To be continued.
God Bless Nigeria
Nigeria Shall Arise.
Deliver Us From These Moths (Remix)
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
You Need To Read This
September 25, 2008 was a very remarkable day for me not because it was the last Thursday in the month of September, far from it. I clocked 22years that day, and after pressures from my roommates and other Ydi members I organized a party. That was not the only thing I did that day, I found time to visit my friends at the Obafemi Awolowo University Zoo, actually I prefer you call it a forest because there are many more trees than animals in it. Save for the lion and the crocodile, there was nothing exciting about the experience. Another thing that day was to indulge myself, I forgot about my budget for the month, walked into a boutique and parted with three shirts and footwear. One of the tops is my Arsenal Jersey; the buy was quite strange considering that I’m a Liverpool fan. But I have always had great respect for Arsenal Football Club, and in any case I just liked the jersey. But why would I choose to bore you with wardrobe news like I had just bought a Cadillac, if not that a stranger tore my jersey this morning. I was just returning from my visit to Ydi Uniben Chapter very early on Sunday October 12, 2008. At about 9am I could say good morning Ore and the inhabitants thereof. For a long time I had always heard people talk about how bad the road in Ore is, but finally time had given me the opportunity to see for myself the result of greed, corruption, insensitivity to the masses and darkness prevalent in a continent that’s referred to as the dark continent. Thanks to Asa, as I savored music from her album via my Mp4. Finally somehow after about two hours of maneuvering through the death trap set by our government, popularly called ‘road’ from Benin to Ore, I boarded another Bus en route Ile-Ife. As I sat in the bus in a red top with the inscription Fly Emirates eagerly awaiting other passengers, I suddenly noticed a trader who was selling bibles, a closer look at his goods made me realize that the Bibles were actually the big size version Gideon Bibles- Gideon Bibles are distributed free around the world in a bid to spread the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. “How much is a copy of your Bible?” the man who obviously thought that finally he had gotten a buyer, quickly responded.
The criminal was selling what some persons like himself not in attitude but in biological make-up printed to be distributed for free, at a price of N800.Very quickly I opened the first page of the bible and my curiosity was satisfied, as it was boldly written "THIS BIBLE IS NOT FOR SALE". For the benefit of a doubt, I confirmed that the culprit could read English, and asked him to read same- This Bible is not Sale. It was at that point I assumed the office of an activist, why would one person be selling what was supposed to be free for all? It’s the same reason why the road from Benin to Ore, Lagos-Ibadan Express Way and many other inaccessible roads in Nigeria are not tarred. One criminal Governor, Senator, Local Government Chairman would suddenly decide to use for his family what had been provided for a whole nation. I was angered because it only takes 1000 people like my bible seller to understand why Nigeria is suffering in the midst of plenty.
Already I had seized 1copy of the bible as I continued to explain to him why he deserved to be jailed. By now the bus was already full and the other passengers were begging me to return the bible to the man. I was certain that he would continue in his business if the bible was returned to him, sincerely my desire was to seize the other bibles and also arrest him. In a bid to convince him about the consequence of his actions, I read Malachi 3:8 to him, which shows how God cursed a whole nation because of their greed; eating what God has said belongs to him.
I thought I had finished my responsibility as a responsible citizen and lover of this great nation, as the man walked away from the bus. But I was wrong, because just as our bus stopped by at the nearby gas station, he also came back this time around determined to get back his lost sheep.”You would see what I would do to you if you don’t give me back my bible; in fact you must come down from this bus. As he began to throw threats I sat calmly in the bus watching events unfold, his next strike wasn’t vocal. He pulled my shirt threatening to get me naked. The result was that my cherished Arsenal Jersey got turn. But again let’s give him some kudos for his last words before the bus zoomed off. He said, “What’s your problem, are you the only educated person here.” Only if time allowed him get the response, obviously for a young man like me still in the pursuit of a first degree, I couldn’t have been the only educated person in the bus. But alas, that drives home the point again, Nigeria is where it is today because of the large number of educated illiterates and spiritual giants who are socially dumb.
We might not have the opportunity to talk sense to woman at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, who is blind to the needs of many Nigerians who live below the poverty line, but very sensitive to the need to raise unsolicited funds for Barack Obama. But we must preach this message of change where we find ourselves in everyday life. Though I did not succeed in arresting Mr. Bible Seller, but I succeeded in creating awareness at the park, that he was selling goods that had been paid for. The psychology of man would stop him from selling those bibles, for the fear of another activist. Though my jersey is now torn, it reminds me of how every day we tear this country apart either because we want for ourselves what is meant for everyone, or because we refuse to take a bold stand for the truth. Regardless of where you stand it’s time for you to make a change to see this country change. God Bless Nigeria, another way of saying May God punish her enemies. Lest I forget, as I alighted at the front of Obafemi Awolowo University, I gave the free bible to the conductor
Posted by Dayo Nigeria at 6:29 AM 0 comments 
Email This

BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
When Good Turns Bad
Life is very interesting because there is hardly anything that does not have it's own share of twists, even the best of things. A major problem noticed however, is that some people try very hard to make the good works of others look bad because it is making their own lapses very obvious and they do anything just to achieve this. A failure as we all know will always want others to fail so they can have different excuses for failing, so when they see some that are not failing, there is a burden on them to ensure that the good works of such people are rubbished.
I have been a victim of this and i am definitely not the only person that has been affected with the activities of these people who have phobia for success. But when your good turns "bad", instead of being dejected and wearing the look of a loser, look up and tell yourself that I am working and that is why they are trying to bring me down. If I don't work, nobody will see me as a good enough threat to start digging a pit that only he can fall in. The attitude of victors when they face this kind of challenge is that they look up and tell themselves "I am a Work in Progress", not an abandoned work. Just like the popular gospel song by Donnie McClurkin, "We Fall Down, But We Get Up."
Dayo Nigeria.
Posted by Dayo Nigeria at 6:22 AM 0 comments 
Email This

BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Tears of a Patriot
Watch out!!! The tears of a patriot can only bring fear into the minds of unprogressive elements in this nation. The tears roll down my cheeks when I see different accidents on Nigerian roads occassioned by the terrible state of our major highways. Won't the blood of these innocent souls call for justice? Just some weeks ago, major streets in Osogbo, the capital of Osun state, in the South-Western part of Nigeria was wiped away by flood, killing people and destroying properties worth hundreds of millions of naira. Even the most callous person will be moved to tears upon seeing the corpse of a JSS 2 student, whose head was smashed by a moving truck when he was trying to jump on the truck in a bid to avoid entering into the mini-dam on the road. The most bizarre of all the events that happened that day was when the Deputy Governor appeared in some of the affected areas elegantly dressed as if there was a wedding ceremony to attend. To add salt to the injury, just two days after the unfortunate incident, the state chairman of the party who has held the state hostage for almost eight years through their visionlessness splashed millions of naira on the birthday of his 10year old daughter.
I cry and cry because it's as if our wait for a better nation will never end when idea starved political jobbers keep stealing the votes of the masses. Why would our older comrades charge us to fight for a noble cause when they know they are not ready to be partners in progress with these young people who can not add to the money in their accounts? The patriot cry. Many beautiful ideas that will lead us to the path of greatness have been killed because both the society and even those who use speeches to motivate us to fight for a noble cause are not ready to assist us.
The tears of the patriot says we are a people with a strong spirit, we will never give up. Our darkness can never last forever, and show them that our God can not fail us. Young Nigerians, be happy to join hands with other people who are working for progress, it is not about who gets the credit, but about making Nigeria a great nation. Let us always remember that it is only in unity that we can achieve much. Finally, the patriot cries for a revolution in the land, not a violent one, but one that happens in our minds. Let us always stand for what is right, no matter the kind of mountains before us. There is no victory without a battle. We shall get there. God Bless Nigeria.
Posted by Dayo Nigeria at 11:09 AM 0 comments 
Email This

BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
Deliver Us From These Moths
Our Father, who hath in heaven, hallowed be your name ...and deliver us from these moths who have turned the gifts for all into gifts for a very few. Smite those who have consistently put our dear country in the dungeon of underdevelopment and take food away from the mouths of all those who have ensured that many of our citizens of this country find eating a single meal in a day very difficult.
My dear Lord, your word says that we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for therein lies our own peace. Nigeria is the only Jerusalem that we know and since you commanded us to pray for her peace, we therefore declare that whoever is against the peace of this nation shall not know any peace whatsoever. For all those who keep sponsoring religious crises and strife among the various ethnic groups in the Northern part of this nation, especially Bauchi and Plateau states, we ask that You throw confusion into their camps and You bring them to justice like what no ceremonial committee of inquiry has been able to do. We also declare that for all those who are praying that militancy will not cease in the South-South region, they will end up as victims of their own evil plans.
We also pray that those Haramites who have decided to be Cainanites, by shedding the blood of the innocent shall meet their waterloo as soon as possible, and all those who sponsor them shall be shamed just as you did to King Ahab whose body was devoured by dogs.
Lord, your word also says that you will punish the children for the sins of their fathers, we therefore decree that you will mete out punishment on those who keep stealing our money and even make jest of us by saying we should thank them for doing so little for us therefore putting us in the wilderness of stagnation and retrogression. We declare that your judgment comes upon these ones heavily in a way that twenty generations to come from their lineages will flee from evil deeds. Please Lord, don't wait till the time of their children before the wrath of your vengeance is felt, but let if be felt from now on all those who delight in doing evil and glory in enslaving the real people who get wealth for our nation.
The Holy book also says that to everything in life, there is a time, therefore, we know that for all the people in elective and non-elective positions, there must be a time to leave. Dear Lord, we put before you all those who think that it is their birthright to rule forever even when the only standard that can be ascribed to them is a high level of irresponsibility and executive recklessness, like the one who told us he had no shoes, yet has started stifling life out of those innocent, but gullible ones who brought him in, together with his lieutenants who care less about what the masses think, as long as his closest friend who they call an architect can get millions of naira just to purchase 57 newspapers in a single day. Yet, they do all they can to ensure that those with shoes who voted for the one without shoes will be forced to sell their shoes.
Abba Father, as we prepare for season five of elections in some years' time into what to this point has been government not of the people, not by the people, and not for the people, we ask that You put into the hearts of our youths to grace to refuse being instruments in the hands of all the political jobbers who will want to use them as tools to deny people of their rights.Whoever that youth is, who still insists on being such a tool to bring sorrow to others, that in your anger, You make such person incapacitated before and during the period of election so that our people can vote without fear. We also speak into the lives of all those who pay peanuts to people to steal what belongs to others that whatever good thing that is supposed to be theirs shall be denied.
Above all, give us the grace to choose wisely so that our dear country will be set on the path of greatness when people with the heart to build shall be enthroned as our leaders. All these we ask for in your Holy name
You Need To Read This
September 25, 2008 was a very remarkable day for me not because it was the last Thursday in the month of September, far from it. I clocked 22years that day, and after pressures from my roommates and other Ydi members I organized a party. That was not the only thing I did that day, I found time to visit my friends at the Obafemi Awolowo University Zoo, actually I prefer you call it a forest because there are many more trees than animals in it. Save for the lion and the crocodile, there was nothing exciting about the experience. Another thing that day was to indulge myself, I forgot about my budget for the month, walked into a boutique and parted with three shirts and footwear. One of the tops is my Arsenal Jersey; the buy was quite strange considering that I’m a Liverpool fan. But I have always had great respect for Arsenal Football Club, and in any case I just liked the jersey. But why would I choose to bore you with wardrobe news like I had just bought a Cadillac, if not that a stranger tore my jersey this morning. I was just returning from my visit to Ydi Uniben Chapter very early on Sunday October 12, 2008. At about 9am I could say good morning Ore and the inhabitants thereof. For a long time I had always heard people talk about how bad the road in Ore is, but finally time had given me the opportunity to see for myself the result of greed, corruption, insensitivity to the masses and darkness prevalent in a continent that’s referred to as the dark continent. Thanks to Asa, as I savored music from her album via my Mp4. Finally somehow after about two hours of maneuvering through the death trap set by our government, popularly called ‘road’ from Benin to Ore, I boarded another Bus en route Ile-Ife. As I sat in the bus in a red top with the inscription Fly Emirates eagerly awaiting other passengers, I suddenly noticed a trader who was selling bibles, a closer look at his goods made me realize that the Bibles were actually the big size version Gideon Bibles- Gideon Bibles are distributed free around the world in a bid to spread the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. “How much is a copy of your Bible?” the man who obviously thought that finally he had gotten a buyer, quickly responded.
The criminal was selling what some persons like himself not in attitude but in biological make-up printed to be distributed for free, at a price of N800.Very quickly I opened the first page of the bible and my curiosity was satisfied, as it was boldly written "THIS BIBLE IS NOT FOR SALE". For the benefit of a doubt, I confirmed that the culprit could read English, and asked him to read same- This Bible is not Sale. It was at that point I assumed the office of an activist, why would one person be selling what was supposed to be free for all? It’s the same reason why the road from Benin to Ore, Lagos-Ibadan Express Way and many other inaccessible roads in Nigeria are not tarred. One criminal Governor, Senator, Local Government Chairman would suddenly decide to use for his family what had been provided for a whole nation. I was angered because it only takes 1000 people like my bible seller to understand why Nigeria is suffering in the midst of plenty.
Already I had seized 1copy of the bible as I continued to explain to him why he deserved to be jailed. By now the bus was already full and the other passengers were begging me to return the bible to the man. I was certain that he would continue in his business if the bible was returned to him, sincerely my desire was to seize the other bibles and also arrest him. In a bid to convince him about the consequence of his actions, I read Malachi 3:8 to him, which shows how God cursed a whole nation because of their greed; eating what God has said belongs to him.
I thought I had finished my responsibility as a responsible citizen and lover of this great nation, as the man walked away from the bus. But I was wrong, because just as our bus stopped by at the nearby gas station, he also came back this time around determined to get back his lost sheep.”You would see what I would do to you if you don’t give me back my bible; in fact you must come down from this bus. As he began to throw threats I sat calmly in the bus watching events unfold, his next strike wasn’t vocal. He pulled my shirt threatening to get me naked. The result was that my cherished Arsenal Jersey got turn. But again let’s give him some kudos for his last words before the bus zoomed off. He said, “What’s your problem, are you the only educated person here.” Only if time allowed him get the response, obviously for a young man like me still in the pursuit of a first degree, I couldn’t have been the only educated person in the bus. But alas, that drives home the point again, Nigeria is where it is today because of the large number of educated illiterates and spiritual giants who are socially dumb.
We might not have the opportunity to talk sense to woman at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, who is blind to the needs of many Nigerians who live below the poverty line, but very sensitive to the need to raise unsolicited funds for Barack Obama. But we must preach this message of change where we find ourselves in everyday life. Though I did not succeed in arresting Mr. Bible Seller, but I succeeded in creating awareness at the park, that he was selling goods that had been paid for. The psychology of man would stop him from selling those bibles, for the fear of another activist. Though my jersey is now torn, it reminds me of how every day we tear this country apart either because we want for ourselves what is meant for everyone, or because we refuse to take a bold stand for the truth. Regardless of where you stand it’s time for you to make a change to see this country change. God Bless Nigeria, another way of saying May God punish her enemies. Lest I forget, as I alighted at the front of Obafemi Awolowo University, I gave the free bible to the conductor
Posted by Dayo Nigeria at 6:29 AM 0 comments 
Email This

BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
When Good Turns Bad
Life is very interesting because there is hardly anything that does not have it's own share of twists, even the best of things. A major problem noticed however, is that some people try very hard to make the good works of others look bad because it is making their own lapses very obvious and they do anything just to achieve this. A failure as we all know will always want others to fail so they can have different excuses for failing, so when they see some that are not failing, there is a burden on them to ensure that the good works of such people are rubbished.
I have been a victim of this and i am definitely not the only person that has been affected with the activities of these people who have phobia for success. But when your good turns "bad", instead of being dejected and wearing the look of a loser, look up and tell yourself that I am working and that is why they are trying to bring me down. If I don't work, nobody will see me as a good enough threat to start digging a pit that only he can fall in. The attitude of victors when they face this kind of challenge is that they look up and tell themselves "I am a Work in Progress", not an abandoned work. Just like the popular gospel song by Donnie McClurkin, "We Fall Down, But We Get Up."
Dayo Nigeria.
Posted by Dayo Nigeria at 6:22 AM 0 comments 
Email This

BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Tears of a Patriot
Watch out!!! The tears of a patriot can only bring fear into the minds of unprogressive elements in this nation. The tears roll down my cheeks when I see different accidents on Nigerian roads occassioned by the terrible state of our major highways. Won't the blood of these innocent souls call for justice? Just some weeks ago, major streets in Osogbo, the capital of Osun state, in the South-Western part of Nigeria was wiped away by flood, killing people and destroying properties worth hundreds of millions of naira. Even the most callous person will be moved to tears upon seeing the corpse of a JSS 2 student, whose head was smashed by a moving truck when he was trying to jump on the truck in a bid to avoid entering into the mini-dam on the road. The most bizarre of all the events that happened that day was when the Deputy Governor appeared in some of the affected areas elegantly dressed as if there was a wedding ceremony to attend. To add salt to the injury, just two days after the unfortunate incident, the state chairman of the party who has held the state hostage for almost eight years through their visionlessness splashed millions of naira on the birthday of his 10year old daughter.
I cry and cry because it's as if our wait for a better nation will never end when idea starved political jobbers keep stealing the votes of the masses. Why would our older comrades charge us to fight for a noble cause when they know they are not ready to be partners in progress with these young people who can not add to the money in their accounts? The patriot cry. Many beautiful ideas that will lead us to the path of greatness have been killed because both the society and even those who use speeches to motivate us to fight for a noble cause are not ready to assist us.
The tears of the patriot says we are a people with a strong spirit, we will never give up. Our darkness can never last forever, and show them that our God can not fail us. Young Nigerians, be happy to join hands with other people who are working for progress, it is not about who gets the credit, but about making Nigeria a great nation. Let us always remember that it is only in unity that we can achieve much. Finally, the patriot cries for a revolution in the land, not a violent one, but one that happens in our minds. Let us always stand for what is right, no matter the kind of mountains before us. There is no victory without a battle. We shall get there. God Bless Nigeria.
Posted by Dayo Nigeria at 11:09 AM 0 comments 
Email This

BlogThis!
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
Deliver Us From These Moths
Our Father, who hath in heaven, hallowed be your name ...and deliver us from these moths who have turned the gifts for all into gifts for a very few. Smite those who have consistently put our dear country in the dungeon of underdevelopment and take food away from the mouths of all those who have ensured that many of our citizens of this country find eating a single meal in a day very difficult.
My dear Lord, your word says that we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for therein lies our own peace. Nigeria is the only Jerusalem that we know and since you commanded us to pray for her peace, we therefore declare that whoever is against the peace of this nation shall not know any peace whatsoever. For all those who keep sponsoring religious crises and strife among the various ethnic groups in the Northern part of this nation, especially Bauchi and Plateau states, we ask that You throw confusion into their camps and You bring them to justice like what no ceremonial committee of inquiry has been able to do. We also declare that for all those who are praying that militancy will not cease in the South-South region, they will end up as victims of their own evil plans.
We also pray that those Haramites who have decided to be Cainanites, by shedding the blood of the innocent shall meet their waterloo as soon as possible, and all those who sponsor them shall be shamed just as you did to King Ahab whose body was devoured by dogs.
Lord, your word also says that you will punish the children for the sins of their fathers, we therefore decree that you will mete out punishment on those who keep stealing our money and even make jest of us by saying we should thank them for doing so little for us therefore putting us in the wilderness of stagnation and retrogression. We declare that your judgment comes upon these ones heavily in a way that twenty generations to come from their lineages will flee from evil deeds. Please Lord, don't wait till the time of their children before the wrath of your vengeance is felt, but let if be felt from now on all those who delight in doing evil and glory in enslaving the real people who get wealth for our nation.
The Holy book also says that to everything in life, there is a time, therefore, we know that for all the people in elective and non-elective positions, there must be a time to leave. Dear Lord, we put before you all those who think that it is their birthright to rule forever even when the only standard that can be ascribed to them is a high level of irresponsibility and executive recklessness, like the one who told us he had no shoes, yet has started stifling life out of those innocent, but gullible ones who brought him in, together with his lieutenants who care less about what the masses think, as long as his closest friend who they call an architect can get millions of naira just to purchase 57 newspapers in a single day. Yet, they do all they can to ensure that those with shoes who voted for the one without shoes will be forced to sell their shoes.
Abba Father, as we prepare for season five of elections in some years' time into what to this point has been government not of the people, not by the people, and not for the people, we ask that You put into the hearts of our youths to grace to refuse being instruments in the hands of all the political jobbers who will want to use them as tools to deny people of their rights.Whoever that youth is, who still insists on being such a tool to bring sorrow to others, that in your anger, You make such person incapacitated before and during the period of election so that our people can vote without fear. We also speak into the lives of all those who pay peanuts to people to steal what belongs to others that whatever good thing that is supposed to be theirs shall be denied.
Above all, give us the grace to choose wisely so that our dear country will be set on the path of greatness when people with the heart to build shall be enthroned as our leaders. All these we ask for in your Holy name
Starting Isn't The Destination
This is the third in my series on perseverance, and this story is particularly very inspiring to me because it is one that challenges me and tells me that I cannot afford to give up. Failure isn't when challenges come as stumbling blocks on our journey in pursuing purpose, it is when we give up because of the challenge. I once heard that the breakfast of champions are challenges, and this is absolutely true.
I invite you to come with me to the Mexico City, Olympic Stadium. October 20th 1968, the time, 7.00 P.M. The closing ceremonies had just been completed. The spectators and athletes, still warm from the euphoria of the celebration, were gathering their belongings to leave the stadium. Then the announcer asked them to remain in their seats. Down the boulevard came the whine of police sirens. From their vantage point, many in the stadium could see motorcycles with their flashing blue lights, encircling someone making his way toward the stadium. Whoever it was, he was moving slowly.
Everyone remained seated to see the last chapter of the Olympics take place. By the time the police escort got to the stadium, the public address announcer said that a final marathoner would be making his way into the arena and around the track to the finish line. Confusion was evident among the crowd. The last marathoner had come in hours ago. The medals had already been awarded. What had taken this man so long? But the first sign of the runner making his way out of the tunnel and onto the track told the whole story.
John Stephen Akhwari from Tanzania, covered with blood, hobbled into the light. He had taken a horrible fall early in the race, whacked his head, damaged his knee, and endured a trampling before he could get back on his feet. And there he was, over 40 kilometres later, stumbling his way to the finish line. The response of the crowd was so overwhelming, it was almost frightening. They encouraged Akhwari through the last few metres of his race with a thundering ovation that far exceeded the one given the man who, hours earlier, had come in first. When Akhwari crossed the finish line, he collapsed into the arms of the medical personnel who immediately whisked him off to the hospital.
The next day, Akhwari appeared before sports journalists to field their questions about his extraordinary feat. The first question was the one any of us would have asked, “Why, after sustaining the kinds of injuries you did, would you ever get up and proceed to the finish line, when there was no way you could possibly place in the race?” John Stephen Akhwari said this: “My country did not send me over 11,000 kilometres to start a race. They sent me over 11,000 kilometres to finish the race.
You don't have any excuses not to get to the finish line, the only reason you won't get to the finish line isn't the challenge you will face, but your decision to quit. The earlier you knew that no one else, but you, is responsible for your success or failure. How many times have you seen young people blame the situation of things in the country as the reason they've not been able to achieve anything. Have you forgot so soon that if there was no Goliath, David might not have established himself as a warlord. The reason that challenge is before you is for the purpose of your announcement.
I don't care what you are going through, I don't care what you've been told by people, I don't care what all those things that are telling you to quit are, what I am sure of is that if your heart is capable of conceiving the idea, then you are capable of achieving it. Don't listen to the noise in the market, concentrate on what you have gone to do in the market.
I challenge you not to give up on your dreams, because there must be a battle you have to win for you to be called a winner. Don't give up when you have not even started anything and you have to know that your challenges are there to become stepping stones for you.
You are created to be the best, never give up until you become the best. And remember, it is not just about starting, the most important thing is to get to the finish line.
God bless you
God bless Nigeria.
I invite you to come with me to the Mexico City, Olympic Stadium. October 20th 1968, the time, 7.00 P.M. The closing ceremonies had just been completed. The spectators and athletes, still warm from the euphoria of the celebration, were gathering their belongings to leave the stadium. Then the announcer asked them to remain in their seats. Down the boulevard came the whine of police sirens. From their vantage point, many in the stadium could see motorcycles with their flashing blue lights, encircling someone making his way toward the stadium. Whoever it was, he was moving slowly.
Everyone remained seated to see the last chapter of the Olympics take place. By the time the police escort got to the stadium, the public address announcer said that a final marathoner would be making his way into the arena and around the track to the finish line. Confusion was evident among the crowd. The last marathoner had come in hours ago. The medals had already been awarded. What had taken this man so long? But the first sign of the runner making his way out of the tunnel and onto the track told the whole story.
John Stephen Akhwari from Tanzania, covered with blood, hobbled into the light. He had taken a horrible fall early in the race, whacked his head, damaged his knee, and endured a trampling before he could get back on his feet. And there he was, over 40 kilometres later, stumbling his way to the finish line. The response of the crowd was so overwhelming, it was almost frightening. They encouraged Akhwari through the last few metres of his race with a thundering ovation that far exceeded the one given the man who, hours earlier, had come in first. When Akhwari crossed the finish line, he collapsed into the arms of the medical personnel who immediately whisked him off to the hospital.
The next day, Akhwari appeared before sports journalists to field their questions about his extraordinary feat. The first question was the one any of us would have asked, “Why, after sustaining the kinds of injuries you did, would you ever get up and proceed to the finish line, when there was no way you could possibly place in the race?” John Stephen Akhwari said this: “My country did not send me over 11,000 kilometres to start a race. They sent me over 11,000 kilometres to finish the race.
You don't have any excuses not to get to the finish line, the only reason you won't get to the finish line isn't the challenge you will face, but your decision to quit. The earlier you knew that no one else, but you, is responsible for your success or failure. How many times have you seen young people blame the situation of things in the country as the reason they've not been able to achieve anything. Have you forgot so soon that if there was no Goliath, David might not have established himself as a warlord. The reason that challenge is before you is for the purpose of your announcement.
I don't care what you are going through, I don't care what you've been told by people, I don't care what all those things that are telling you to quit are, what I am sure of is that if your heart is capable of conceiving the idea, then you are capable of achieving it. Don't listen to the noise in the market, concentrate on what you have gone to do in the market.
I challenge you not to give up on your dreams, because there must be a battle you have to win for you to be called a winner. Don't give up when you have not even started anything and you have to know that your challenges are there to become stepping stones for you.
You are created to be the best, never give up until you become the best. And remember, it is not just about starting, the most important thing is to get to the finish line.
God bless you
God bless Nigeria.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)