THE NIGERIA I SEE.

Whenever I hear the lyrics of the Nigerian national anthem, my blood boils, it boils with patriotism and love for the only nation we can proudly call our own. When I reflect again, the weight and the burden borne by these heroes past give me a resolve to fight for the protection of the entity called Nigeria; to uphold the unity in our diversity and to harness the abundance of human and material resources which Mother Nature has bestowed upon us.

Nigeria is one of the best countries to live in. We are not plagued by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions but our own internal eruptions often threaten to drag us to our knees.  Many Nigerians, especially the youth say that Nigeria does not support dreams and that it is one of those countries where dreams die a natural death. Really, I don’t share in this view; not because Nigeria has met all my dreams but because I dare to think that I must be the solution in every problem I encounter. This indeed is the mindset for the materialization of this Nigeria that I see.

The great writer, Chinua Achebe in his book the trouble with Nigeria said that the problem of Nigeria is failure of leadership. Though this is true, it is far from being the only thing. Followership has equally failed as it has become hard for Nigerians to trust their leaders even if the leaders happen to be well-intentioned. Hence it is imperative that we embrace a strong attitudinal change to bring our nation on course again.

EXCUSE ME, WHO IS SPEAKING?

There is always a voice behind every voice. Which one do you hear? Sometimes, when people speak to you, try to listen. I’m not asking you to be unnecessarily judgemental about people but I want you to pay attention to the view I’m going to share.

Often, when the enemy wants to bring bad suggestions to you, he goes through the least sources you can’t imagine. When the devil wanted to bring Eve down, he came through the serpent, an unlikely source. When the enemy wanted to finish Samson, he came through Delilah, the least source- she was his Lover! To Abraham, it was through his wife, Sarah that the voice spoke through and he slept with Hagar and the outcome was Ishmael and today that outcome is still being battled.  When the enemy wanted to get Jesus, he came speaking through Peter, and Jesus, being who he is, rebuked Peter knowing that it was not really Peter but it was about the one speaking through him.

Asking for God’s direction is one of the ways to decipher the voice in every voice.

Ten Things You Probably didn't know about Mandela

                          1. Mandela’s tribal nickname is “Rolihlahla,” meaning “Troublemaker.”

Other accounts translate Rolihlalhla to mean “to pull a branch from a tree,” which, of course, is something only a troublemaker would do. It was his teacher, Miss Mdingane, who gave him the English name “Nelson,” much to the relief of journalists everywhere when he became famous.

2. Mandela was expelled from university after less than a year.

After finishing boarding school, Mandela headed to Fort Hare Missionary College. Less than 12 months later, he was expelled from college for helping to organize a strike against the white colonial rule of the institution. One might call this foreshadowing.

3. The United Nations decreed his birthday as Mandela Day.

In 2009, the U.N. declared Mandela’s birthday, July 18, as Mandela Day to mark his contribution to world freedom. The holiday calls on individuals to donate 67 minutes to doing something for others, reflecting the 67 years that Mandela had been a part of the anti-apartheid movement.

TEN KEYS TO A BETTER YOU!

KEY#1- BELIEVE

You must believe in yourself. Many of us harbor false beliefs. Sometimes we do not realize this. These false beliefs may have been with us our entire life.

We need to rid ourselves of this excess baggage. Many times, these false beliefs only serve to reinforce negative thoughts. This in turn prevents us from doing all the good we might otherwise do. The next time you “talk to yourself", stop and listen to what you said. Is it really true?

 KEY#2- VALUE

You must value everyone and everything that you have. Unfortunately, some of us do not appreciate what we have until it is taken away from us. It is then that we realize our loss and what we had. But then it is too late. Each day we should focus on what we have and give thanks. Remember that by focusing only on what we want and never valuing what we have, we become unhappy.

 KEY#3- SECURE

ARE WE LOSING THIS WAR?

Those who know me very well are aware that I am an ardent optimist any time, any day. I see hope in the midst of hopelessness; and why won’t I when I’ve made myself a self-styled Motivator? Nevertheless, I do not lose faith at all in my calling but when the Motivator needs some motivation, “You know say water don pass garri.” But never mind, “my own water never pass garri.” But now, I’m worried on the state of our nation. I first saw this headline in an article sponsored by Transparency International, “Nigeria is gradually losing the war against corruption.” It got me thinking; yes, it did. Most people in public offices and a good number of Nigerians have eroded the true spirit of nationalism.

Why are we losing this war against corruption?

TOUGH LOVE

                             

        Friends, it doesn’t feel so good to be far away from you for so long a time. As some of you already know, I was on my National Assignment in Kwara state, Nigeria and I had very limited access to the internet but now, it feels good to be back so we can inspire each other again! I missed you a lot and I hope you missed me too. I’m sorry for some of the expectations I could not meet  up with- some calls unreplied, some columns not written especially that of Explorer magazine but right now, I'm glad to be home.

        

 Please consider this short piece; I hope it says something to you.

It was ten minutes past ten. The night was cold and lonely, the silk cotton moved rhythmically to the spinning fan on the ceiling. As Mama Emeka knelt down, tears percolated in her eyes and streamed down to wet her palms. She clenched her teeth and muttered something under stiff breath. She had lost count of how long she had been kneeling there but she had been beckoning on God to restore her one and only son, Emeka.

           “Oh God, let my son come back to me!” She silently said with a weird mixture of faith and hopelessness. The night was cold but she managed to open the door to step out in the chilly cold and dangerous night in search of her son.

She felt she needed to stretch her faith beyond measure. She searched many places and finally found her son exhausted and abandoned in a “Pot Avenue” Emeka had been smoking and had lost consciousness. Emeka had preached in the church, sang in the choir, led many to Christ yet the alluring fantasies of a supposedly sweet world would not let him be.

One step after another, he derailed, became a frequent visitor at the jail house, an addicted smoker and a gangster.

Mama took him home amidst tears. “I had you in my womb for nine months, I breastfed you, I have always loved you. I could even die if only that will make you live; but son, come back to the Lord!” She wailed silently.

Indeed, Emeka later gave up his bad habits and returned to God, got rehabilitated and restored.

Indeed, Mama’s love could be tough but God’s love is even tougher! Would you take that love for granted? Don’t give up on God because he would not give up on you. Are you lost right now like Emeka, the waiting arms of the Lord are ever ready to welcome you back!

Just call home; Jesus is waiting with open arms!

Yours in active service!

Chijindu.

MOSQUITOES' PLANET.

His head was bowed and his hands folded behind his back. In one moment, he reached his hands down into his pocket and brought out a white handkerchief, ran it across his face and remained calm. “Don’t worry, this is a small case. We are on top of the situation”, a police sergeant said. Beads of intense perspiration hung loosely again on his forehead and trickled helplessly unto his starched brocade.

“Dr. Mike, it’s obvious you don’t love your wife. If you love her, then another 5million naira will not be too big. You must pay in another 5million naira before dusk or else…or else…” the call from the kidnappers cut and then, the connection broke. Dr. Mike had spent years in the U.S with his family and has been in the Nigeria for one year and six months. He had worked hard to empower inner city kids and get them back to school. Tales of kidnapping had only been tales to him until now. “How can they ask for another 5 million” he deeply wondered.

“Sir, our men will need 20,000 naira to fuel our car to intensify our search. We’re truly on top of the situation” The pot-bellied sergeant said in an unconcerned tone.

“You must be a devil’s advocate and some sort of stupid accomplice.” An angry Dr. Mike retorted at the police man. “Hey Dr. be careful with your mouth. You must know that we are on top of this situation.” The police officer stuttered.

After several unsuccessful attempts to rescue the wife, he paid another 5 million naira. When his wife was finally released, she had been shot and crippled on one leg. Speechless, he took his wife and returned after the kidnap saga back to the U.S and a helpless and weak security system are still on top of the situation. Dr. Mike returned back to the U.S. with fears, with scares and with tales of woes for a country for which he had been once patriotic.

This may sure be fiction but it does represent the moments encountered by many people in a nation that seems more like a Mosquitoes’ Planet where everyone is trying to get a bite off the other. Where shall we run to; the latest in line being the kidnap of the mother of the Nigeria finance minister. This will definitely not be unconnected with those involved with looting the nation’s treasury through the controversial fuel subsidy which Prof Okonjo Iweala is trying to bring to book. While she works to fix our economy, some mosquitoes are working to “fix” her back home; and to hear that the kidnappers are demanding 1 billion dollars is grossly laughable.

For a lot people, this represents their fears about Nigeria; a nation with plenty mosquitoes, both human and animal elements. Yet, my question is this, how can we run away from the only country we can call our own?  Shall we all run away for fear of being haunted? By no means! It’s a fight that we must fight; a fight that is needful and we must fight it with the last drop of our blood.

It’s not easy anywhere, but ours is a unique case and we must rise above these numerous evils. This is our nation and it is 'ours to plough; not to plunder'! May God help us!