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!

WHERE IS YOUR TALENT?

Iyke Udoh was raised in the streets. He grew up under the shadows of violence in the ghetto. Well, by no fault of his. Every evening, to cool off from the hostility of the environment in which he found himself, he would compose and sing songs that often made his listeners’ ears glued to his voice. Every time he listened to established singers, something within him always told him that he could do as well if not better.

On the birthday of the girl he had always admired, he decided to sing her a special tune. As he sang tears fell on the cheeks of the people who listened to him and they marvelled at such awesome display of an undiscovered talent.

You may be like Iyke Udoh, with a great but undiscovered talent. Where is that your talent? Have you been admiring others and forgetting that within you is everything you need? Do you look at people, envy them and enter into unnecessary competition with them? You are in a competition with your last performance. Polish your talent and be your best; you may be age mates with the person you envy but not grace mates, so paddle your canoe.

Don’t underestimate that little talent you have. Don’t hide it. Your biggest breakthrough might be connected to the talent that you’re hiding. What you need to be the best is not too far from you but rather it’s within and around.

Yours in active service,

Chijindu.

9/11; WHEN MEN WERE MOVED TO TEARS.

The memories of the pain and agony inflicted on the world by terrorists who bombed the world trade centre on 11^th September, 2001 remain evergreen especially every September 11. It was one tragedy too many and the pains remain indelible especially in the hearts of those who lost dear ones. Lives were lost, families were ruined and the world was thrown into what has become one of its biggest and most sophisticated terrorist attacks. A lot of people were buried in the rubble; with their dreams, plans and aspirations.

What a world of uncertainties and transient life! That wicked act was masterminded in the heart of an evil genius, Osama Bin Laden and that emphasizes the power of thought and what one man’s idea could do to a world either positively or negatively. Someone said that evil persists when good men do nothing. Hence my challenge to you is this, what are you doing to the betterment of our world? May the souls of those that departed rest in peace and may we arise in our time to make our world a better place.

HOPE WHEN IT HURTS.

When everything in our lives is going on well, it’s easier to smile and stay excited; we even feel better about the place of God in our lives.  At such times, we have better reason to stay on top of our world. But what happens when the feeling is not all too rosy; when your expectations aren’t streaming in like summer spring? The real test of your character is not your disposition when the going is good but by how you react when you’re hurting.

 It‘s easier to feel good when all is going fine but how about when the going is tough? Will you give up? In times like this, don’t forget what you do have.  Celebrate your life, your gifts and rare friends and be grateful for the things that God has given you. It’s amazing to know how many people allow circumstances to determine their life’s course. Life’s too precious for you to spend your life hurting. Make some allowance in your life for people who might piss you off sometime; you have to let go and move on. Remember, as long as there’s life, there’s hope.

If you’ve ever come to the point where you’re hurting, I dare to remind you that God is God both on the mountain and in the valley. Whatever the problem may be,  God is in control and knows everything and how you choose to react to all these is what makes all the difference. 

When you’re hurting, let go and let God! Allowing God to step into that situation would make your mind clearer and cause mountains to tremble before you.No matter what you’re going through, there is grace to sail through!

One with God is majority

I believe in the strength in your character; you’ll come out stronger.

Stay on Top of your Game! 

Chijindu

5000 NAIRA NOTE; I DEY LAUGH!

In the last few years, we’ve seen a constant devaluation of our naira; one of those policies that is foisted on the Nigerian nation without people getting a chance of voting for or against it. The recent news about the introduction of a 5000 naira note came to me as a rude shock.

Is 5000 naira note really the best thing for our economy at a critical time as this? I personally do not think so. I dey laugh because the naira devaluation continues. We are gearing up for a cashless economy yet we are encouraging wastage of resources. Instead of bringing up policies that will help us, we are tearing up what is being built. We can understand from the culture of our country that once a naira note becomes a coin, it’s about going into extinction. What will become the fate of a twenty naira note in the years ahead? Hmm… I wonder.

I laugh because it seems the CBN governors are playing a game of relevance. Soon, a loaf of bread will become 1000 naira and the next CBN governor might introduce a 100,000 naira note and the devaluation continues. Is Sanusi, the CBN governor, helping us or destroying us by this policy? If in the days of my father, one naira was a paper money, and in my days, 5000 naira is coming into the picture, who knows what will be in the time of my children? Maybe a 5 million naira note! A bike man might even give you a blow in the eye for offering him a 5000 naira note on a cold morning for a 50 naira bike fare.  And trust our politicians because they will find it easier to continue laundering our money by easier means. The faces to appear on the 5000 naira note makes me wonder even more; not that they don't deserve it but by what means were they arrived at?

When will this come to an end? Even though I laugh, it’s not my normal laughter; it’s a laughter of disappointment at the numerous mistakes we make as a nation on account of our leaders.

          Where are we heading as a nation? 

But my question is this; how much better can you and I do if the mantle falls on our shoulders as leaders in this nation?

         May God help us!

THE GIRL DIED.

My mind raced swiftly. The holdup was so much and I hurried to get to my destination on time. The month of August has been quite eventful with some beautiful uncertainties. As I raced swiftly to board a bike to my destination amidst the hasty attempt to browse through the dailies, my eyes caught sight of the Sun news headline for 23^rd August, 2012- Face book Murder- Why we killed Cynthia. I was shocked, nay, perplexed.  

What happened to this pretty lady? Who were behind her death? While I tried to gather information, I found out that she was lured to a hotel where she was killed and dumped in a morgue.

Yes, the girl, Cynthia, the daughter of Major Gen. Ozukogu (rtd), an ex-general was murdered by those she met on a social media site, face book. It’s indeed painful that this ended the sterling tomorrow of this pretty young lady. Well, the two young undergraduates held in connection with the murder have been arrested through the help of the CCTV footage at the hotel but unfortunately, Cynthia’s life can never be restored.

I urge you to be careful with the people you meet on social media sites. You may never know who they are. However, we cannot undermine the positive impact of these social media sites in educating, connecting and fostering freedom of self expression. The evils committed through these media must also be checked. It all starts with the content of your mind. 

Myself, I’ve met people live through face book who have helped me further the course of our young non-governmental organization-Motivators International; hence I do not condemn that. What I condemn however is the motive of the meeting. Why are you willing to meet that friend you’ve never met from Adam? Where is the best place for such meetings? Or is your motive to sleep with that person you’ve never met before on your first meeting because the person has lured you with money? Let’s be realistic! Don’t destroy your life on the altar of some fleeting pleasure.

Cynthia’s case was discovered but many other such cases may go undiscovered.  Please guard your life to the best of your ability. Accept Jesus for He will help sharpen your life’s purpose. Hence “I commend you to God’s word which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among those who are sanctified.” Pray before anything you do and let the Holy Spirit guide your steps. If you must meet any person you’ve never met before, please do so in an open place. My prayer is that Cynthia’s soul will rest in peace.

May no evil ever befall you my friend.

Much Love from me!

Chijindu

DUTY POST.

If Joseph in the bible had failed when he was sold into slavery, a generation would have failed. There may have been no Israel, and there may have been no redemption from famine and despair for his family.

If Joseph had failed in Portiphar’s house and slept with Potiphar’s wife, he may have become a chief servant and never a Prime minister. If Joseph had compromised his stand, he may never have been the redemption of his people. Why would we have to fail if we knew how many destinies hanging on our shoulders; if we knew that our failure means a lot to our generation?

We must not fail at our duty post.  Joseph went through pain, rejection, accusation and betrayal. He had every reason to throw in his belief. Yet he held on, clutching unto integrity and good name at the expense of his life. That’s what greatness is about. It’s not bread and butter. It’s daring when the waves roll high. If Joseph had failed at his duty post, there may never have been help for his family during hunger. Don’t mess up your principles just because everyone is watering down standards. You can dare to stand alone in order to preserve your ideals. That everyone is sleeping around; cheating or joining a bandwagon does not give you the same license as them. We, yes; you my beloved friend and I play by a different set of rules and get a different set of results. If you don't play by that same rule of integrity, it's high time you joined. It’s time to get individualistic in what concerns national transformation. Everyone has a duty post.

Don’t fail at your duty post. If you do, Nigeria may just have lost; Africa may just have lost; your family and state too if you destroy the future around which is tied the different destinies looking onto you.

You will not fail! Together, we'll persevere, together, we'll fly! I believe in you.

Yours truly,

Chijindu.