CredoWriters: Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
Building of lives, physical structures, enterprises and services are at the core of existence. Nothing existed which was not first built and nothing was built which was not first created or perceived. There are many more things that have been built and can still be built, but one which has taken a prominent role is building of relationships. Relationship building permeates family, physical, emotional, business and international relationships respectively.
Relationship may be defined as a significant connection or similarity between two or more people or things or groups; and especially as regards the way they behave toward and feel about one another. Relationship shows our affiliations, rapport, bond, correlation and association with one another or with other members or group in our society or different circles. No man is an island; this cliché has over the years defined the basis on which relationship must exist in all spheres of lives. And this relationship is what I prefer to look at as networking.
Networking simply is the process or practice of building up or maintaining informal relationships, especially with people whose friendship could bring advantages such as business/social opportunities. Take for instance when God decided to create man he entered into a relationship with man where man will serve and worship God and God will be man’s deity giving man life and blessings. When a man marries a woman or a man dates a lady it becomes a network where both parties stand to benefit from each other. Even in school we benefit by associating with serious or intelligent students who either spur us or teach us when we are lost. When business associates form groups such as mergers or cartels or even partnerships these kinds of relationships provide networking opportunities for them to benefit from economies of scale. Networking has taken a more central role now with revolution in both knowledge and information& communication technology (ICT). Taking a cue from broadcast networks it is easier and cheaper for a media outfit with a network of stations to reach many audiences at a time and hence maximize revenue from massive advertisements due to their wide coverage. Same for computer networking where the internet or central server provides a platform for many computers or processing units to interact with each other. Bringing this into human networking, we stand to benefit and maximize our potentials by building networks around us. We will gain in terms of knowledge and information, business and job opportunities; family and social activities, religious and spiritual growth. Building network is as important as maintaining these networks. No relationship is important if we go into them and just abandon them. They become more useful when we maintain them and even upgrade them.
Have you imagined what happens to you if you do not maintain contacts and someday you have an urgent need that any of them is in position to address? Let’s say you care less to keep in touch with your mechanic and someday, your car suddenly breaks down far away from town where you have no one to call for aid? Visualize you had established a rapport with your mechanic, will he not leave anything he is doing and come to attend to your car no matter how odd the time is? Or do you think money can solve all the problems all the time? Look at critical areas of human need today like health, law, security, banking, insurance, business, etc and see if you have any kind of relationship with a professional in each or some of these fields. Why not make friends with a doctor today so that you can call him /her when ever you have an emergency and you may just need medical information. Why not find and build a contact with security agents today to enable you make that urgent call when the need arise since 911 does not work in this country. You can even make friends with a lawyer who will advise you informally and for free in case you need a legal advice or you need to go into a contract. How about knowing that banker whose area of competence is more than yours or different from yours. Even in the office, we can build our networks with the people who work with us on the same desk or different floors because we need them.
As we need them, they will also need us or our services. As we see the need in others we must also make ourselves needful and useful by becoming experts in our professional and informal lives. We must be willing and able to place ourselves to be available when they need us. Networking is a wonderful opportunity which gives room for synergy. We must give as much as we take, we must learn as much as we teach, we must also improve the relationships by updating our capacities to be and remain relevant in the networking equation.
Networking in this present day makes it possible for us to tap from the pool of talents embodied in others; it enables us to tap our own potentials in the bid to remain active and relevant. Networking teaches us about the interdependency evident in the fact that we need each other and even businesses need each other whether as competitors or as holding companies; as linkages or as markets. Networking gives each of us a social value or economic value since we have the opportunity to develop our resources. We make money from networking and also save cost from this.
Building and maintaining contacts is the key to surviving in a highly competitive world. Information and communication technology has made it easier by compressing space and time, thus we can network across distance and beyond mere physical contacts. Let’s keep building if we have already started, let us start building if we have not started, most importantly, let us not only build but let us maintain our networks. As the world keeps moving from analogue to digital, from manual to automation from physical to fibre, we can not afford to shy away from upgrading our own networks. At the height of it, is when networks build networks between and among themselves to harness the boundless opportunities which integration affords all.
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Saturday, November 13, 2010
WINDOW OF FORTUNE
CredoWriters:Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
How many times have we out of anger, frustration, fatigue, fear, hatred, laziness and even sheer mediocrity lost other opportunities because we shut ourselves in or out by failing to leave a window open? We pass opportunities by shutting ourselves out and opportunities pass us by because we shut ourselves in.
We have lost the will to try other pastures because when we discovered the present pasture we threw all to the wind, locked ourselves in this and believed that we have attain the best. We have lost the faith in our ability to dare because we didn’t leave any window open for possibilities to believe in our selves. We are living on the dexterity of those who left their windows open and pushed their frontiers to build enterprises while we have limited our selves to their whims and caprices.
Even in love sometimes we fail to love again because the last time we did we got hurt or disappointed hence we said never again; and this came with shutting of the doors and windows to everyone and anyone including those who unknowingly to us are the right people we have been born for. Even plants can not survive if they are isolated and locked away in rooms without window, because they need air, light and sun to grow. What more of we humans and how much more for the human mind, heart and will?
No matter what we face now or we have faced, we need to leave at least a window if not a door, and we need to leave a pigeon hole if not a window. No matter how good life is, it can still be better and no matter how bad life is, it can still be worse. This window we leave makes it possible for our good lives to become better and makes it possible for the bad life to have an opportunity to become good else it can get worse; because there is always a motion in life, nothing is static.
The desirability for us to take charge of our emotions and decisions makes it imperative for us to allow a vent in and out of our lives. This vent gives us the advantage over those who live in a sealed world. Living in a sealed world whether in affluence or penury has already foreclosed our ability to gain more or change our fortune for good.
The golden opportunities of life come at different times and outlooks, they major way to benefit is to leave a lee way that we can use to tap into those opportunities. Leaving a window open no matter our circumstances in life makes it possible for us to smile again, love again, gain again, achieve again, excel again , fly above our inadequacies and discover our destiny.
How many times have we out of anger, frustration, fatigue, fear, hatred, laziness and even sheer mediocrity lost other opportunities because we shut ourselves in or out by failing to leave a window open? We pass opportunities by shutting ourselves out and opportunities pass us by because we shut ourselves in.
We have lost the will to try other pastures because when we discovered the present pasture we threw all to the wind, locked ourselves in this and believed that we have attain the best. We have lost the faith in our ability to dare because we didn’t leave any window open for possibilities to believe in our selves. We are living on the dexterity of those who left their windows open and pushed their frontiers to build enterprises while we have limited our selves to their whims and caprices.
Even in love sometimes we fail to love again because the last time we did we got hurt or disappointed hence we said never again; and this came with shutting of the doors and windows to everyone and anyone including those who unknowingly to us are the right people we have been born for. Even plants can not survive if they are isolated and locked away in rooms without window, because they need air, light and sun to grow. What more of we humans and how much more for the human mind, heart and will?
No matter what we face now or we have faced, we need to leave at least a window if not a door, and we need to leave a pigeon hole if not a window. No matter how good life is, it can still be better and no matter how bad life is, it can still be worse. This window we leave makes it possible for our good lives to become better and makes it possible for the bad life to have an opportunity to become good else it can get worse; because there is always a motion in life, nothing is static.
The desirability for us to take charge of our emotions and decisions makes it imperative for us to allow a vent in and out of our lives. This vent gives us the advantage over those who live in a sealed world. Living in a sealed world whether in affluence or penury has already foreclosed our ability to gain more or change our fortune for good.
The golden opportunities of life come at different times and outlooks, they major way to benefit is to leave a lee way that we can use to tap into those opportunities. Leaving a window open no matter our circumstances in life makes it possible for us to smile again, love again, gain again, achieve again, excel again , fly above our inadequacies and discover our destiny.
The Agony of a Baking Powder
CredoWriters:Wakdok,Samuel Stephen.
Once upon a time, I was non-existent; I was happy where I was because I was no where.
I had nothing to fret and worry about. I could wake and sleep at will and travel everywhere at anytime.
I was really a free being because I was not even in being.
The baker and the flour had an affair and they decided to start baking.
Good, homemade bread tasted so sweet and people rushed to buy and eat.
The increase in demand led to a surge in production.
The profits were coming and so was the market expanding.
At the rate the flour was been used to bake the bread, the baker knew it would run out of fashion and it was going to cost him more to sustain the rapid purchase of flour to keep the bakery at optimal point.
They introduced the production possibility curve concept and baptized it as Isoquant. But something was missing. For the curve not to obey diminishing returns they needed more dough with less flour.
From my wilderness of freedom they cajoled me into the baking process and called me a baking powder.
Little amount of flour combined with Sammybest gives more dough for higher loaves of bread.
The market kept booming, the people ate enough and the baker smiled home with more silver.
I bear the mixing, endure the heat and undergo the transformation.
I see how my captivity aids a small portion of flour give birth to many loaves for the accomplished baker.
I am mostly locked in a tin or tied in nylon without light or air, when I am brought out it is not to get some fresh air but to be added to the dough and sent into the heat.
Like an animal fat I get heated and evaporated, at the end of the process everyone sees the bread and the coal but no one remembers me because I have gone
But since I am just some powder and I have no mouth to eat the bread, I must now wait for miracle.
Now I fret at my existence because I was happier when I did not exist.
Their avarice is my agony.
Once upon a time, I was non-existent; I was happy where I was because I was no where.
I had nothing to fret and worry about. I could wake and sleep at will and travel everywhere at anytime.
I was really a free being because I was not even in being.
The baker and the flour had an affair and they decided to start baking.
Good, homemade bread tasted so sweet and people rushed to buy and eat.
The increase in demand led to a surge in production.
The profits were coming and so was the market expanding.
At the rate the flour was been used to bake the bread, the baker knew it would run out of fashion and it was going to cost him more to sustain the rapid purchase of flour to keep the bakery at optimal point.
They introduced the production possibility curve concept and baptized it as Isoquant. But something was missing. For the curve not to obey diminishing returns they needed more dough with less flour.
From my wilderness of freedom they cajoled me into the baking process and called me a baking powder.
Little amount of flour combined with Sammybest gives more dough for higher loaves of bread.
The market kept booming, the people ate enough and the baker smiled home with more silver.
I bear the mixing, endure the heat and undergo the transformation.
I see how my captivity aids a small portion of flour give birth to many loaves for the accomplished baker.
I am mostly locked in a tin or tied in nylon without light or air, when I am brought out it is not to get some fresh air but to be added to the dough and sent into the heat.
Like an animal fat I get heated and evaporated, at the end of the process everyone sees the bread and the coal but no one remembers me because I have gone
But since I am just some powder and I have no mouth to eat the bread, I must now wait for miracle.
Now I fret at my existence because I was happier when I did not exist.
Their avarice is my agony.
Monday, October 18, 2010
THE GOODLUCK-PATIENCE CO PRESIDENCY?
CredoWriters: Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
Nigeria may have started with the West Minister or cabinetry system popular called parliamentary system of government in the first republic. The good thing about this system is that it is very cost effective as the members of parliament are also the cabinet ministers. It also allows for a vibrant opposition and shadow ministers who serve as checks to the ministers from the ruling party. It encourages debates and the principle of collective responsibility falls on the Prime Minister who like other parliamentarians is also present in the House to defend or convince the parliamentarians to vote for any policy or decisions to be taken. In the parliamentary system there is no tenure limit, as long as a party gets the majority seats in Parliament, that party continues to form a government and the leader of the party becomes the Prime Minister. The good thing is that even in less than a year, month or week in office, once a vote of no confidence (there is no impeachment) is passed on the Government or even any of the government sponsored debate, the party/ government is removed. It is cheaper to conduct a vote of confidence or vote of no confidence than to conduct impeachment proceedings.
Gbam! The military struck in 1966 and we summarily passed a Vote of NO Confidence on the first republic? After the coup and counter coup of 1966 and a 30 months bitter civil war between Nigeria and the former Eastern region known as The Republic of Biafra we had another attempt to return to civil rule but Uncle Jack (General Gowon) didn’t keep to his time and the ruthless Murtala came in 1975 promising to hand over. After his assassination his deputy General Obasanjo promised to complete the transition programme which he did. Rather than stick to the parliamentary system, he opted to return Nigeria to democratic rule in 1979 via the Capitol Hill model i.e. the American presidential system. Unlike the former, the argument is that the Presidential system is based on the principles of separation of powers because the Executive is different from the legislature. They snag with this system apart from been so expensive is the over concentration of power in the President. Unlike the parliamentary system of government where the Prime Minister is the head of Government and a president even albeit ceremonial is the Head of state, there is fusion of power in the Presidential system of Government where the Head of State and Head of Government is one and the same person. This is called the Executive President. The fusion of the executive and parliament (many people) of the 1960 gave way to the fusion of the head of state and government (one person) in 1979. We jettisoned check and balances for separation of powers which in essence was not the truth. The time bomb with this is that it gives room for a civilian dictatorship. Thank God the first Executive President of Nigeria Alhaji Shehu Shagari was either not a dictator; or Buhari didn’t allow him to rule long enough to translate into one, but unfortunately the Palace coup of August 1985 gave birth to a military dictator who saw the Presidential system as an opportunity to practice diarchy.
Babangida would not have used the title of a military prime minister because there can not be a Prime Minister without a parliament, but he found it perfect to use the title of a military president because as earlier stated, the fusion of the two offices into the executive presidency is already an almighty formula to dictatorship and what better dictatorship than to have a military dictator who was also a president? At the height of his diarchy he had a civilian Vice President, civilian state Governors and mockingly a legislature at not only the state levels but at the federal level. A military President, giving or withholding his assent to a bill by a National Assembly.
When invariably the third republic was aborted and the military continued their adventure until 1998, another era of returning to democratic rule finally came. Since we used the Parliamentary in the first republic and presidential in the second republic, and the 3rd republic failed why didn’t we use the French system called the Hybrid system which is a combination of the Parliamentary and Presidential system? What do we love so much about the Americans that we stick so much to their Presidential system as expensive as it is. Yet we do not practice their accountability and transparency .The Presidential system concentrates so much power in one man and in developing countries like Nigeria, the President even exceeds his limits by dictating to state governors in a federation where the states are supposed to be autonomous?
If I was complaining about the Presidential system placing too much responsibilities and powers in the hands of one man, the Nigerian solution is been worked out. We are now drifting into our own model of Presidential system called a Co Presidency. This will enable the excess responsibilities and powers on the President be shared by his wife. This will then call for an amendment to the constitution. If we vote for the party in a parliamentary system, and vote for the candidate in a presidential system, will it be out of place to ask that we should amend the constitution to ask voters to vote for husband and wife in a co-presidential system? Patience Jonathan is becoming as strong as Goodluck Jonathan. The constitution recognises only the man or woman elected as President or who succeeds a President but we are faced with a scenario now where the wife has become a Co-President. Gradually but fiercely, she is consolidating her hold on power with her retinue of aides and its attendant cost to the economy. She is trying to outdo Maryam Babangida in glamour and has assumed the motherly role of Maryam Abacha. Patience is now blatantly addressed as the Mother of Nigeria. She will out pace Stella Obasanjo in travels and jewelleries. The impoverished tax payers’ money is used to sponsor her women for change initiative which is a decoy for her going round to campaign for her husband’s election .She is trying not to talk as fast as Turai Yar’adua but she talks rather too slow that before the end of her sentence one would have forgotten what she said at the beginning, she doesn’t bother to take a cue from the professional Fatie Abubakar. The constitution does not recognise the office of the first lady but here in Nigeria we have turned that office to that of an Executive First Lady. I have no grudges with that but it should be enshrined in our constitution if it must be.
I can not wait for us to have a female President so that I will see how the husband will be addressed. Will he be called the First Gentleman or the First Husband? Will he influence his wife to create the ministry of Men affairs and have the Minister of Men affairs who is a member of the federal executive council follow him like an orderly? Will he meet with state governors or husbands of state governors? Will he arrange a meeting with all male political appointees and go round states asking for affirmative action? It is high time we demanded for a constitutional amendment to include a clause insisting that people taking a shot at the presidency must have spouses who are professionals and gainfully employed to save us from wasting public funds. But until that is done, the Goodluck- Patience Co-Presidency may after all be the Nigerian home grown model of democracy we have all been praying for.
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Nigeria may have started with the West Minister or cabinetry system popular called parliamentary system of government in the first republic. The good thing about this system is that it is very cost effective as the members of parliament are also the cabinet ministers. It also allows for a vibrant opposition and shadow ministers who serve as checks to the ministers from the ruling party. It encourages debates and the principle of collective responsibility falls on the Prime Minister who like other parliamentarians is also present in the House to defend or convince the parliamentarians to vote for any policy or decisions to be taken. In the parliamentary system there is no tenure limit, as long as a party gets the majority seats in Parliament, that party continues to form a government and the leader of the party becomes the Prime Minister. The good thing is that even in less than a year, month or week in office, once a vote of no confidence (there is no impeachment) is passed on the Government or even any of the government sponsored debate, the party/ government is removed. It is cheaper to conduct a vote of confidence or vote of no confidence than to conduct impeachment proceedings.
Gbam! The military struck in 1966 and we summarily passed a Vote of NO Confidence on the first republic? After the coup and counter coup of 1966 and a 30 months bitter civil war between Nigeria and the former Eastern region known as The Republic of Biafra we had another attempt to return to civil rule but Uncle Jack (General Gowon) didn’t keep to his time and the ruthless Murtala came in 1975 promising to hand over. After his assassination his deputy General Obasanjo promised to complete the transition programme which he did. Rather than stick to the parliamentary system, he opted to return Nigeria to democratic rule in 1979 via the Capitol Hill model i.e. the American presidential system. Unlike the former, the argument is that the Presidential system is based on the principles of separation of powers because the Executive is different from the legislature. They snag with this system apart from been so expensive is the over concentration of power in the President. Unlike the parliamentary system of government where the Prime Minister is the head of Government and a president even albeit ceremonial is the Head of state, there is fusion of power in the Presidential system of Government where the Head of State and Head of Government is one and the same person. This is called the Executive President. The fusion of the executive and parliament (many people) of the 1960 gave way to the fusion of the head of state and government (one person) in 1979. We jettisoned check and balances for separation of powers which in essence was not the truth. The time bomb with this is that it gives room for a civilian dictatorship. Thank God the first Executive President of Nigeria Alhaji Shehu Shagari was either not a dictator; or Buhari didn’t allow him to rule long enough to translate into one, but unfortunately the Palace coup of August 1985 gave birth to a military dictator who saw the Presidential system as an opportunity to practice diarchy.
Babangida would not have used the title of a military prime minister because there can not be a Prime Minister without a parliament, but he found it perfect to use the title of a military president because as earlier stated, the fusion of the two offices into the executive presidency is already an almighty formula to dictatorship and what better dictatorship than to have a military dictator who was also a president? At the height of his diarchy he had a civilian Vice President, civilian state Governors and mockingly a legislature at not only the state levels but at the federal level. A military President, giving or withholding his assent to a bill by a National Assembly.
When invariably the third republic was aborted and the military continued their adventure until 1998, another era of returning to democratic rule finally came. Since we used the Parliamentary in the first republic and presidential in the second republic, and the 3rd republic failed why didn’t we use the French system called the Hybrid system which is a combination of the Parliamentary and Presidential system? What do we love so much about the Americans that we stick so much to their Presidential system as expensive as it is. Yet we do not practice their accountability and transparency .The Presidential system concentrates so much power in one man and in developing countries like Nigeria, the President even exceeds his limits by dictating to state governors in a federation where the states are supposed to be autonomous?
If I was complaining about the Presidential system placing too much responsibilities and powers in the hands of one man, the Nigerian solution is been worked out. We are now drifting into our own model of Presidential system called a Co Presidency. This will enable the excess responsibilities and powers on the President be shared by his wife. This will then call for an amendment to the constitution. If we vote for the party in a parliamentary system, and vote for the candidate in a presidential system, will it be out of place to ask that we should amend the constitution to ask voters to vote for husband and wife in a co-presidential system? Patience Jonathan is becoming as strong as Goodluck Jonathan. The constitution recognises only the man or woman elected as President or who succeeds a President but we are faced with a scenario now where the wife has become a Co-President. Gradually but fiercely, she is consolidating her hold on power with her retinue of aides and its attendant cost to the economy. She is trying to outdo Maryam Babangida in glamour and has assumed the motherly role of Maryam Abacha. Patience is now blatantly addressed as the Mother of Nigeria. She will out pace Stella Obasanjo in travels and jewelleries. The impoverished tax payers’ money is used to sponsor her women for change initiative which is a decoy for her going round to campaign for her husband’s election .She is trying not to talk as fast as Turai Yar’adua but she talks rather too slow that before the end of her sentence one would have forgotten what she said at the beginning, she doesn’t bother to take a cue from the professional Fatie Abubakar. The constitution does not recognise the office of the first lady but here in Nigeria we have turned that office to that of an Executive First Lady. I have no grudges with that but it should be enshrined in our constitution if it must be.
I can not wait for us to have a female President so that I will see how the husband will be addressed. Will he be called the First Gentleman or the First Husband? Will he influence his wife to create the ministry of Men affairs and have the Minister of Men affairs who is a member of the federal executive council follow him like an orderly? Will he meet with state governors or husbands of state governors? Will he arrange a meeting with all male political appointees and go round states asking for affirmative action? It is high time we demanded for a constitutional amendment to include a clause insisting that people taking a shot at the presidency must have spouses who are professionals and gainfully employed to save us from wasting public funds. But until that is done, the Goodluck- Patience Co-Presidency may after all be the Nigerian home grown model of democracy we have all been praying for.
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Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Nigeria at Fifty
CredoPoets; Wakdok, Samuel Stephen
Mama is fifty
The world is sending congratulatory messages
My elder siblings are dinning and wining
They are celebrating mama’s age,
They bought lipstick to adorn her lips
New clothes to wear on her
My sisters even sewed theirs
My uncles are busy popping champagne.
Mama is fifty
Everyone is happy for her
Even the sun seems to be smiling from afar
As the rains walk southwards to give us room
I look around and see everyone dancing and jubilating
Thanking God for her life.
When I stare into mama’s loving eyes what I see are misty clouds.
I know why mama is sad on her birthday.
Mama has attained the golden age but with wooden legs.
And my family members who took away the gold in her
Are the very ones dancing more than ever.
Mama is fifty
At fifty our mother is wooden not golden.
Mama is fifty
The world is sending congratulatory messages
My elder siblings are dinning and wining
They are celebrating mama’s age,
They bought lipstick to adorn her lips
New clothes to wear on her
My sisters even sewed theirs
My uncles are busy popping champagne.
Mama is fifty
Everyone is happy for her
Even the sun seems to be smiling from afar
As the rains walk southwards to give us room
I look around and see everyone dancing and jubilating
Thanking God for her life.
When I stare into mama’s loving eyes what I see are misty clouds.
I know why mama is sad on her birthday.
Mama has attained the golden age but with wooden legs.
And my family members who took away the gold in her
Are the very ones dancing more than ever.
Mama is fifty
At fifty our mother is wooden not golden.
THE PRESIDENT’S FATHER
CredoWriters: Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
Watching Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on television reading his declaration to become the next President and Commander In Chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I asked myself a question. Who shall we call our President; The father or the son?
Bukola Saraki did not convince me that he wrote the speech he read, I want to believe his father, the self styled god father of Kwara Politics wrote the son’s speech. He claimed Nigeria needs a younger generation to take charge of the affairs of our country. Agreed we need the new breed to come and salvage us, but someone should please tell Mr. Governor what we do not need are old breed masqueraded in their children as new breed. Each time I see Bukola Saraki I see Olusola Saraki’s shadow looming around, anytime hear Saraki Jnr. talking it is the voice of Saraki Snr. that is talking to me. How else would one explain a man who made his son governor of a state for 8 years and his daughter a senator from that state. How can I imagine that the godfather now wants his daughter to take over from the son as the governor as he promotes his son to the presidency of our nation? Will it not become the trinity of the father, the son and the daughter? If kwara state can be re-baptized to Saraki state and all people of kwara state made to adopt the surname of Saraki, will Nigeria become the Republic of Saraki too?
I dare say that if Bukola Saraki was the son of a commoner like many of us, he would not have become a governor, it was his father’s rather than his popularity that made him a governor. It is his father who months ago gathered political big wigs in kwara and told them to pray for his son who after two terms as governor was too young to go into retirement. The father has now found another employment opportunity for the son.
Bukola Saraki made mention of what he hopes to accomplish as the President of Nigeria based on his achievements in kwara, none of the politicians is shamed to be promising things we ought to have overcome by now. But must one be a President to serve or create a change? Can’t he as a senator, philanthropist, or as an adviser, still contribute in the development of this country? Can’t we have a Saraki Foundation that will create Jobs or provide scholarships to empower the youth? Can’t we have a Saraki NGO that will address infant and maternal mortalities? What of a Saraki Center that will train skilled and unskilled Nigerians to make them well equipped to face the challenges of a modern world? Why must it be a Saraki Presidency; will there be this urge to serve as the President if that office is divorced from having access to the billions of oil dollars at the president’s disposal to be spent or embezzled at selfish politicians’ whims and caprices?
In other civilized societies, great men who contributed to the development of their land and people were and are not politicians. Bill Gates is making impacts worldwide without a government portfolio. Michael Jackson pumped millions of dollars into Charity without seeking for political office. Oprah Winfrey is doing same without the patronage of public funds or power. Why can’t we take a cue?
I don’t want to be in doubt of who is my President come 2011, whether it is the son or the President’s father? I don’t want our country’s budget to be prepared from Ilorin or laws to be made by a father whose son is privileged to be the President. I don’t want my nation’s armed forces to be confused on who really there Commander in Chief is .I believe that the mystery of the Holy Trinity should end in the spiritual sphere of God the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and not extend to the political of sphere in form of the selfish trinity of the father’s President, the Son and the daughter. It is only in a tortoise economy like ours where growth is so slow or non-existent that people personalize governance and economic resources to this magnitude.
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Watching Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on television reading his declaration to become the next President and Commander In Chief of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I asked myself a question. Who shall we call our President; The father or the son?
Bukola Saraki did not convince me that he wrote the speech he read, I want to believe his father, the self styled god father of Kwara Politics wrote the son’s speech. He claimed Nigeria needs a younger generation to take charge of the affairs of our country. Agreed we need the new breed to come and salvage us, but someone should please tell Mr. Governor what we do not need are old breed masqueraded in their children as new breed. Each time I see Bukola Saraki I see Olusola Saraki’s shadow looming around, anytime hear Saraki Jnr. talking it is the voice of Saraki Snr. that is talking to me. How else would one explain a man who made his son governor of a state for 8 years and his daughter a senator from that state. How can I imagine that the godfather now wants his daughter to take over from the son as the governor as he promotes his son to the presidency of our nation? Will it not become the trinity of the father, the son and the daughter? If kwara state can be re-baptized to Saraki state and all people of kwara state made to adopt the surname of Saraki, will Nigeria become the Republic of Saraki too?
I dare say that if Bukola Saraki was the son of a commoner like many of us, he would not have become a governor, it was his father’s rather than his popularity that made him a governor. It is his father who months ago gathered political big wigs in kwara and told them to pray for his son who after two terms as governor was too young to go into retirement. The father has now found another employment opportunity for the son.
Bukola Saraki made mention of what he hopes to accomplish as the President of Nigeria based on his achievements in kwara, none of the politicians is shamed to be promising things we ought to have overcome by now. But must one be a President to serve or create a change? Can’t he as a senator, philanthropist, or as an adviser, still contribute in the development of this country? Can’t we have a Saraki Foundation that will create Jobs or provide scholarships to empower the youth? Can’t we have a Saraki NGO that will address infant and maternal mortalities? What of a Saraki Center that will train skilled and unskilled Nigerians to make them well equipped to face the challenges of a modern world? Why must it be a Saraki Presidency; will there be this urge to serve as the President if that office is divorced from having access to the billions of oil dollars at the president’s disposal to be spent or embezzled at selfish politicians’ whims and caprices?
In other civilized societies, great men who contributed to the development of their land and people were and are not politicians. Bill Gates is making impacts worldwide without a government portfolio. Michael Jackson pumped millions of dollars into Charity without seeking for political office. Oprah Winfrey is doing same without the patronage of public funds or power. Why can’t we take a cue?
I don’t want to be in doubt of who is my President come 2011, whether it is the son or the President’s father? I don’t want our country’s budget to be prepared from Ilorin or laws to be made by a father whose son is privileged to be the President. I don’t want my nation’s armed forces to be confused on who really there Commander in Chief is .I believe that the mystery of the Holy Trinity should end in the spiritual sphere of God the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and not extend to the political of sphere in form of the selfish trinity of the father’s President, the Son and the daughter. It is only in a tortoise economy like ours where growth is so slow or non-existent that people personalize governance and economic resources to this magnitude.
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Saturday, September 18, 2010
“THE (DIS) ECONOMICS OF PROSTITUTION IN NIGERIA.”
“THE (DIS) ECONOMICS OF PROSTITUTION IN NIGERIA.”
CredoResearchers: Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
Background:
The issue of prostitution is a complex one; it is so dynamic and hence its economics also. Prostitution exists with us and since we co-exist with it whether as participants, agents or onlookers; we as members of the society cannot afford to shy away from this phenomenon much as we try to. Prostitution is extremely wide spread, though the question of prostitution is a difficult and thorny subject that has received a little attention in Nigeria. Our reluctance to come to terms with the harm widespread of mass prostitution does to the entire society is highly hypocritical and comes with a lot of associated costs.
Economic reasons such as vicious circle of poverty have raised the tally of the women in crimes labeled among which is prostitution and women trafficking. The women’s involvement in prostitution though can be linked to poverty is not limited to it. Also most of the money generated from prostitution is expended on the sustenance of family, education, etc. Most women and children are not freely choosing to work in prostitution, “it is a choice based purely on economics of food and shelter”. According to a World Bank report 20 % of the world’s population possesses 86% of the world’s financial wealth. The assets of the three executives of Microsoft are more than the combined assets of the 43 poorest countries in the world – representing more than 600 million people. This has led to an increase in immiseration-the growing poverty of the mass of the population in the periphery.
Naanen (1991) writing on the history of prostitution in Nigeria’s upper Cross River Basin during the first half of the 20th century, traced the rise in commercial sex activities and blamed colonialism and even the sexual habits of the colonialists. Colonization led to an increasingly monetized economy where sex could be bought. This paper attempts to bring to the fore the problems posed by prostitution in a bid to attract attention to this menace with the view of finding solutions to this societal challenge.
The Dynamics of Prostitution:
Prostitution is said to be the world’s oldest profession. It is a complex and worldwide phenomenon. Kollantai 1921 sees prostitution as a phenomenon which is closely linked with unearned income. He further defines it as the act of selling one’s body for material benefit- for decent food, clothes and other advantages. It can then be said that for prostitution to take place; there must be an exchange at a cost-value, making prostitution an economic activity. It is however not limited to one sex alone but over the centuries, the females have been on the active side of providing the services with the males as the patrons.
The double standard and the depersonalization of sex combined, making sex a viable commodity in a society of consumers. The growing use of nudity and illicit sex scenes in the media, as an effective economic tool, and the focus on pleasure rather than work assisted the commercialization of sex. As it became defined in economic terms, society began to equate sex with success. Women derived their sexual success from desirability where as men’s success is measured by their ability to have or buy sex. With success as a goal, the demand for sex as a commodity increases, creating a broader market for pornography and prostitution. In this economic system, most often lower class women, recognizing the monetary worth of their bodies, sell it as a means of income. This relationship makes urban areas the centres of prostitution because “the city” provides more sufficient patrons to make prostitution a profitable occupation. Prostitution is thus defined as a socio-economic phenomenon, illustrating a free market where every participant sells themselves for money or goods, exploits and is exploited and where some make more profits than others. In that sense prostitution (including male prostitution) is an economic rather than a sexual phenomenon. On the other hand, prostitution illustrates clearly the gender difference which lies at the heart of the sexual system, and it is therefore not a by-product but at the very foundation of many economies.
The international labour organization for one has recognized prostitution as work. Whatever arguments, prostitution is one of the few ways in which women with no other skills and little education can earn a living. The United Nations believes that at least 10% of the world’s female population in urban areas earns all or part of their living working in prostitution. Prostitutes often argue that they are also therapists. Therapy now includes “sex surrogacy “- where substitute female partners help men who lack sexual experience or suffer feelings of inadequacy in bed. Sex surrogates would certainly not see themselves as prostitutes, and yet they perform sexual service for money.
Those who sell sex are as diverse as sex itself. Most are female, some are male. Most are heterosexual, many lesbian or gay. Some see prostitution as a personal tragedy; others have chosen it freely. Prostitution and sex tourism fall under a more general category of sexual exploitation. Sexual exploitation happens when one person (or persons) receive(s) sex or money through another person’s sexuality. For instance, prostitution entails a man receiving sex while a pimp may receive the money using a woman as a prostitute. In sex tourism, a foreigner may pay a sex travel agency for a trip to Nigeria which includes airfare, hotel, food and women for sex. Sex trafficking is defined by the European Union as the transportation of women with the goal of sexual exploitation with or without their consent. The concepts of prostitution are dynamic especially with the advancement of capitalism and the growth of globalization, yet they all centrally revolve around a pivot; sex is purchased through prostitution no matter the guise.
Causes of Prostitution:
As already stated poverty and the excuse of poverty drives the trading in prostitution and wealth increases the buying power of the patrons while at the same time raising the allure for more players. This means that inequitable distribution of income which is reinforced by corruption and high rate of unemployment are among the major drivers f prostitution. Towns grew where both goods and sex could be more easily bought. Discriminatory practices against women like widows or sterile women who are driven out of their homes; is another major cause of prostitution.
The demand for commercial sex in itself is another major cause for increase in prostitution. Long distance truck drivers and men with high sexual drive seem to push up this category of demand –induced prostitution. The revolution in Information and communication technology (ICT) has radically influenced the choice of women participants in prostitution. ICT enhances the recruitment and participation in prostitution through e-prostitution. Ladies keep their pictures and mobile numbers in hotels for clients and patrons to contact them. Modern technology has made them to now see what glamour is; and the crave for material wealth as evident in the society is driving more and more people to work in this industry.
The Market structure of the Industry:
Prostitution can be decomposed into four forms; institutional, freelance, corporate and international prostitution respectively. The first is mostly practiced in the hotels, brothels and bars while the second is a single sex operator. Corporate prostitution occurs when ladies are compelled into sleeping with their bosses to get jobs, promotions or even keep their jobs; or when female workers must sleep with clients to achieve their targets. The last one involves cross border prostitution which involves smuggling and human trafficking
Prostitution integrates most of the various market situations. It is often a monopolistic competition because the sex providers can be differentiated. High valued prostitutes can however become monopsonists when they attract and restrict individual clients to themselves alone. Also the supply of clients can be a monopsony or oligopoly when one or a few rich clients become the sole or few patrons of a sex worker(s). In other cases prostitutes form cartels to maximize the benefit s from the trade. Outsourcing is very rampant where madams or established prostitutes provide younger ladies or new entrants to men who will in turn pay them for acting as suppliers. Consequently the value chain moves in both directions from the clients to the sex providers or from the sex providers to the patrons through intermediaries.
Most of the women are below the age of 30 years, indeed many see prostitution as a stage in their life circles because men demand younger women. The women see this period as one when they can and must save for later investment back home. Unfortunately in the modern day, even ladies from comfortable backgrounds, students and some working class ladies have been attracted to the glamour which prostitution provides, and hence they have joined in the trade at the economic sphere of ostentatious living rather than necessity. Even Professional and other employed ladies engage in prostitution on a part time basis.
Benefits of Prostitution:
The benefits of commercial sex for the supplier is that prostitution even after food and clothing and the institutions cut are taken into account is lucrative. The average prostitute makes as much money as a senior civil servant. The flow of sophisticated young women into towns and cities like Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Kano, Jos, Benin and Ibadan among others is a product of modernization. Naanen (1991) showed that half a century ago, the remittances from prostitutes into Obubra of South East Nigeria amounted to more than double the public revenue, contributed to house building and family support.
Costs of Prostitution:
Commercial sex is an active source of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV and AIDS. Prostitution is becoming more of a dangerous profession, with the increase in crime rates ladies working in prostitution stand a high chance of becoming victims of rape, kidnapping and rituals. Daily trust newspaper of May 18, 2010 on page 41 reported the story of a 22 year old female undergraduate who jumped from the third floor of a hotel in Abuja to escape ritualists. She broke her waist in the process; she had been picked the previous night to sleep with a client (who happened to be an agent of a ritualist) at the rate of N4, 000 only.
Prostitution discourages hard work because it gives the ladies the false impression that there is an alternative to success through selling their bodies for money or favour. This brings about moral decadence in the society and is a major reason for human trafficking which results to human degradation and also sex slavery.
Control Measures Against Prostitution:
The Family Based Approach: Should be the fundamental and primary control measure. Family values must be reintroduced and entrenched at the very tender age with close monitoring through the formative years into adulthood.
Community/Religious Based Approach: must be emphasized to save the society from the pollution caused by prostitution. It should be a participatory /collaborative method designed to expose the dangers of prostitution on the individuals and society while encouraging the populace on the merit of morality and hard work. Counseling and rehabilitation facilities should be made available both for preventive and corrective measures. The media must reduce its sensational portrayal of sex as a tool for exploitation and achievement.
The Government Approach: comes in the area of ensuring adequate living standard with qualitative human development indices to all citizens. Corruption must be minimized, poverty alleviated, infrastructure provided, education subsidized and employment generated or the opportunities enabled. Rural areas should be developed and urban poverty with high rate of population densities must be checked. People who exploit others sexuality for greed or money should be brought to book and border control should be enforced to check human trafficking.
The Radical Approach: like the current moves by the incumbent minister of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja to flush out prostitutes who have refused to leave the trade. However care must be taken to put in place adequate measures and incentives for the prostitutes to buy into scheme, else they will go under and this will distort the supply of commercial sex. This in turn will only create black markets and hike up the price of commercial sex. Again this will serve as a multiplier effect to motivate more prostitutes to find ways of circumventing the government since it will become more lucrative at a distorted supply rate.
Conclusion:
It is clear that economics more than any other factor propels prostitution. This could be economics of needs or economics of wants, economics of survival or economics of luxury. In the short run the boom is an incentive with attendant benefits but in the long run the doom to the individual or society is a collateral damage. The economics invariable becomes a diseconomy with the industry creating disequilibrium. The big challenge is to identify the major causes of prostitution like poverty, dislocation of the actors from their families, corruption, and the commercialization of sex among others. Adequate measures at both the governmental and nongovernmental levels must be taken to address these causes. Radical control measures taken must be careful not to criminalize the prostitutes. Rather they should be integrated. Prostitution should be taken out of the prostitutes and not just mere taking them out of prostitution.
In addition, because prostitution is deeply rooted in economics, making it illegal doesn’t reduce the persistence of male demand. Illegalization, however transforms prostitution into a subculture with a criminal status. Once a prostitute has a criminal status, she becomes trapped in an economic and criminal cycle that facilitates societal rejection. In the final analysis the economics of prostitution is a zero-sum gain; the disadvantages far outweigh any perceived advantages.
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CredoResearchers: Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
Background:
The issue of prostitution is a complex one; it is so dynamic and hence its economics also. Prostitution exists with us and since we co-exist with it whether as participants, agents or onlookers; we as members of the society cannot afford to shy away from this phenomenon much as we try to. Prostitution is extremely wide spread, though the question of prostitution is a difficult and thorny subject that has received a little attention in Nigeria. Our reluctance to come to terms with the harm widespread of mass prostitution does to the entire society is highly hypocritical and comes with a lot of associated costs.
Economic reasons such as vicious circle of poverty have raised the tally of the women in crimes labeled among which is prostitution and women trafficking. The women’s involvement in prostitution though can be linked to poverty is not limited to it. Also most of the money generated from prostitution is expended on the sustenance of family, education, etc. Most women and children are not freely choosing to work in prostitution, “it is a choice based purely on economics of food and shelter”. According to a World Bank report 20 % of the world’s population possesses 86% of the world’s financial wealth. The assets of the three executives of Microsoft are more than the combined assets of the 43 poorest countries in the world – representing more than 600 million people. This has led to an increase in immiseration-the growing poverty of the mass of the population in the periphery.
Naanen (1991) writing on the history of prostitution in Nigeria’s upper Cross River Basin during the first half of the 20th century, traced the rise in commercial sex activities and blamed colonialism and even the sexual habits of the colonialists. Colonization led to an increasingly monetized economy where sex could be bought. This paper attempts to bring to the fore the problems posed by prostitution in a bid to attract attention to this menace with the view of finding solutions to this societal challenge.
The Dynamics of Prostitution:
Prostitution is said to be the world’s oldest profession. It is a complex and worldwide phenomenon. Kollantai 1921 sees prostitution as a phenomenon which is closely linked with unearned income. He further defines it as the act of selling one’s body for material benefit- for decent food, clothes and other advantages. It can then be said that for prostitution to take place; there must be an exchange at a cost-value, making prostitution an economic activity. It is however not limited to one sex alone but over the centuries, the females have been on the active side of providing the services with the males as the patrons.
The double standard and the depersonalization of sex combined, making sex a viable commodity in a society of consumers. The growing use of nudity and illicit sex scenes in the media, as an effective economic tool, and the focus on pleasure rather than work assisted the commercialization of sex. As it became defined in economic terms, society began to equate sex with success. Women derived their sexual success from desirability where as men’s success is measured by their ability to have or buy sex. With success as a goal, the demand for sex as a commodity increases, creating a broader market for pornography and prostitution. In this economic system, most often lower class women, recognizing the monetary worth of their bodies, sell it as a means of income. This relationship makes urban areas the centres of prostitution because “the city” provides more sufficient patrons to make prostitution a profitable occupation. Prostitution is thus defined as a socio-economic phenomenon, illustrating a free market where every participant sells themselves for money or goods, exploits and is exploited and where some make more profits than others. In that sense prostitution (including male prostitution) is an economic rather than a sexual phenomenon. On the other hand, prostitution illustrates clearly the gender difference which lies at the heart of the sexual system, and it is therefore not a by-product but at the very foundation of many economies.
The international labour organization for one has recognized prostitution as work. Whatever arguments, prostitution is one of the few ways in which women with no other skills and little education can earn a living. The United Nations believes that at least 10% of the world’s female population in urban areas earns all or part of their living working in prostitution. Prostitutes often argue that they are also therapists. Therapy now includes “sex surrogacy “- where substitute female partners help men who lack sexual experience or suffer feelings of inadequacy in bed. Sex surrogates would certainly not see themselves as prostitutes, and yet they perform sexual service for money.
Those who sell sex are as diverse as sex itself. Most are female, some are male. Most are heterosexual, many lesbian or gay. Some see prostitution as a personal tragedy; others have chosen it freely. Prostitution and sex tourism fall under a more general category of sexual exploitation. Sexual exploitation happens when one person (or persons) receive(s) sex or money through another person’s sexuality. For instance, prostitution entails a man receiving sex while a pimp may receive the money using a woman as a prostitute. In sex tourism, a foreigner may pay a sex travel agency for a trip to Nigeria which includes airfare, hotel, food and women for sex. Sex trafficking is defined by the European Union as the transportation of women with the goal of sexual exploitation with or without their consent. The concepts of prostitution are dynamic especially with the advancement of capitalism and the growth of globalization, yet they all centrally revolve around a pivot; sex is purchased through prostitution no matter the guise.
Causes of Prostitution:
As already stated poverty and the excuse of poverty drives the trading in prostitution and wealth increases the buying power of the patrons while at the same time raising the allure for more players. This means that inequitable distribution of income which is reinforced by corruption and high rate of unemployment are among the major drivers f prostitution. Towns grew where both goods and sex could be more easily bought. Discriminatory practices against women like widows or sterile women who are driven out of their homes; is another major cause of prostitution.
The demand for commercial sex in itself is another major cause for increase in prostitution. Long distance truck drivers and men with high sexual drive seem to push up this category of demand –induced prostitution. The revolution in Information and communication technology (ICT) has radically influenced the choice of women participants in prostitution. ICT enhances the recruitment and participation in prostitution through e-prostitution. Ladies keep their pictures and mobile numbers in hotels for clients and patrons to contact them. Modern technology has made them to now see what glamour is; and the crave for material wealth as evident in the society is driving more and more people to work in this industry.
The Market structure of the Industry:
Prostitution can be decomposed into four forms; institutional, freelance, corporate and international prostitution respectively. The first is mostly practiced in the hotels, brothels and bars while the second is a single sex operator. Corporate prostitution occurs when ladies are compelled into sleeping with their bosses to get jobs, promotions or even keep their jobs; or when female workers must sleep with clients to achieve their targets. The last one involves cross border prostitution which involves smuggling and human trafficking
Prostitution integrates most of the various market situations. It is often a monopolistic competition because the sex providers can be differentiated. High valued prostitutes can however become monopsonists when they attract and restrict individual clients to themselves alone. Also the supply of clients can be a monopsony or oligopoly when one or a few rich clients become the sole or few patrons of a sex worker(s). In other cases prostitutes form cartels to maximize the benefit s from the trade. Outsourcing is very rampant where madams or established prostitutes provide younger ladies or new entrants to men who will in turn pay them for acting as suppliers. Consequently the value chain moves in both directions from the clients to the sex providers or from the sex providers to the patrons through intermediaries.
Most of the women are below the age of 30 years, indeed many see prostitution as a stage in their life circles because men demand younger women. The women see this period as one when they can and must save for later investment back home. Unfortunately in the modern day, even ladies from comfortable backgrounds, students and some working class ladies have been attracted to the glamour which prostitution provides, and hence they have joined in the trade at the economic sphere of ostentatious living rather than necessity. Even Professional and other employed ladies engage in prostitution on a part time basis.
Benefits of Prostitution:
The benefits of commercial sex for the supplier is that prostitution even after food and clothing and the institutions cut are taken into account is lucrative. The average prostitute makes as much money as a senior civil servant. The flow of sophisticated young women into towns and cities like Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Kano, Jos, Benin and Ibadan among others is a product of modernization. Naanen (1991) showed that half a century ago, the remittances from prostitutes into Obubra of South East Nigeria amounted to more than double the public revenue, contributed to house building and family support.
Costs of Prostitution:
Commercial sex is an active source of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV and AIDS. Prostitution is becoming more of a dangerous profession, with the increase in crime rates ladies working in prostitution stand a high chance of becoming victims of rape, kidnapping and rituals. Daily trust newspaper of May 18, 2010 on page 41 reported the story of a 22 year old female undergraduate who jumped from the third floor of a hotel in Abuja to escape ritualists. She broke her waist in the process; she had been picked the previous night to sleep with a client (who happened to be an agent of a ritualist) at the rate of N4, 000 only.
Prostitution discourages hard work because it gives the ladies the false impression that there is an alternative to success through selling their bodies for money or favour. This brings about moral decadence in the society and is a major reason for human trafficking which results to human degradation and also sex slavery.
Control Measures Against Prostitution:
The Family Based Approach: Should be the fundamental and primary control measure. Family values must be reintroduced and entrenched at the very tender age with close monitoring through the formative years into adulthood.
Community/Religious Based Approach: must be emphasized to save the society from the pollution caused by prostitution. It should be a participatory /collaborative method designed to expose the dangers of prostitution on the individuals and society while encouraging the populace on the merit of morality and hard work. Counseling and rehabilitation facilities should be made available both for preventive and corrective measures. The media must reduce its sensational portrayal of sex as a tool for exploitation and achievement.
The Government Approach: comes in the area of ensuring adequate living standard with qualitative human development indices to all citizens. Corruption must be minimized, poverty alleviated, infrastructure provided, education subsidized and employment generated or the opportunities enabled. Rural areas should be developed and urban poverty with high rate of population densities must be checked. People who exploit others sexuality for greed or money should be brought to book and border control should be enforced to check human trafficking.
The Radical Approach: like the current moves by the incumbent minister of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja to flush out prostitutes who have refused to leave the trade. However care must be taken to put in place adequate measures and incentives for the prostitutes to buy into scheme, else they will go under and this will distort the supply of commercial sex. This in turn will only create black markets and hike up the price of commercial sex. Again this will serve as a multiplier effect to motivate more prostitutes to find ways of circumventing the government since it will become more lucrative at a distorted supply rate.
Conclusion:
It is clear that economics more than any other factor propels prostitution. This could be economics of needs or economics of wants, economics of survival or economics of luxury. In the short run the boom is an incentive with attendant benefits but in the long run the doom to the individual or society is a collateral damage. The economics invariable becomes a diseconomy with the industry creating disequilibrium. The big challenge is to identify the major causes of prostitution like poverty, dislocation of the actors from their families, corruption, and the commercialization of sex among others. Adequate measures at both the governmental and nongovernmental levels must be taken to address these causes. Radical control measures taken must be careful not to criminalize the prostitutes. Rather they should be integrated. Prostitution should be taken out of the prostitutes and not just mere taking them out of prostitution.
In addition, because prostitution is deeply rooted in economics, making it illegal doesn’t reduce the persistence of male demand. Illegalization, however transforms prostitution into a subculture with a criminal status. Once a prostitute has a criminal status, she becomes trapped in an economic and criminal cycle that facilitates societal rejection. In the final analysis the economics of prostitution is a zero-sum gain; the disadvantages far outweigh any perceived advantages.
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Saturday, July 31, 2010
HOW WE LOST OUR VIRGINITY
CredoWriters: Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
Humanly speaking we were all born with our virginity intact, but honestly speaking most if not all of us have lost our virginity. How we lost our virginity, when we lost of virginity, and what or who we lost our virginity to is very key, but not the ultimate.
Virginity is defined by the dictionary as an unspoiled state. It is the state of being untouched, unexplored, or unspoiled. Many of us were virgins in our hearts, in our trust, in our finances, in our beliefs, in our academic pursuits, in our ambitions, in our careers and in a host of others. And as varying as these states of virginity are, so have we lost our virginity in various states; individually or combined.
Once we were innocent, once we were full of trust, once we were happy, once we were young at heart, once we were optimistic, once we were full of faith and not long ago we believed in hope, we had confidence in our selves. Today the young man has lost his self esteem, the boy has lost his confidence, the lady has lost her trust in love, the woman has lost her happiness, the parents have lost their sleep, and the citizens have lost faith. We have lost one or few or many of the various states of virginity. We gave our all and got none or so little in return. He loved with all his heart and got all the disappointments. We had gone to school with the hope to achieve our ambitions, some have achieved, some are still achieving but some have lost the drive to achieve. Many a young people grew up to seek and believe in love. Some are happily in love; others are sadly out of love. Most of us had plans to be financially emancipated, some are on their path, others have met with obstacles and some have met brick walls.
We were once naive; today we are suspicious, worldly and shrewd. We were once innocent today we are malicious and some times tainted. We were once full of hope; today we are skeptics and pessimists. We were once courageous today we live in despair. We were once happy today we are sad and full of grief. We were once buoyant; today we are glum and sullen. We no longer aspire, we no longer dream, we no longer plan, we no longer wish and we no longer desire. How then can we hope to achieve? How can we live if we do not anticipate? Should loosing our virginity kill our dreams and life?
We lost our hearts to heart break, should the heart break last for ever? We lost our love to failed relationships; must we deny ourselves the right to love again? We lost our wealth to the economic meltdown will the gloom remain till death? We lost our happiness to those who exploited us, should we remain in that state? We lost our trust to those who betrayed us must we doubt the whole world? We lost our childhood to wrong peers can't we become better adults?
We may have lost a lot but we can not afford to loose our head. We need to win our confidence and faith and trust and personality back. Loosing our virginity is not as tragic as not gaining the lessons that will help us regain our worth. Loosing our virginity may be painful but remaining in a state of perpetual lost is more painful, that will be a total lost.
That we have lost our virginity is no longer news, how we lost our virginity should not kill our morale but the question we should ask is: what did we gain when we lost our virginity? Did we gain the lessons? Did we gain the experience? Are we going to remain perpetual losers or can we bounce back?
If we lost our virginity we can not afford to loose ourselves.
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Humanly speaking we were all born with our virginity intact, but honestly speaking most if not all of us have lost our virginity. How we lost our virginity, when we lost of virginity, and what or who we lost our virginity to is very key, but not the ultimate.
Virginity is defined by the dictionary as an unspoiled state. It is the state of being untouched, unexplored, or unspoiled. Many of us were virgins in our hearts, in our trust, in our finances, in our beliefs, in our academic pursuits, in our ambitions, in our careers and in a host of others. And as varying as these states of virginity are, so have we lost our virginity in various states; individually or combined.
Once we were innocent, once we were full of trust, once we were happy, once we were young at heart, once we were optimistic, once we were full of faith and not long ago we believed in hope, we had confidence in our selves. Today the young man has lost his self esteem, the boy has lost his confidence, the lady has lost her trust in love, the woman has lost her happiness, the parents have lost their sleep, and the citizens have lost faith. We have lost one or few or many of the various states of virginity. We gave our all and got none or so little in return. He loved with all his heart and got all the disappointments. We had gone to school with the hope to achieve our ambitions, some have achieved, some are still achieving but some have lost the drive to achieve. Many a young people grew up to seek and believe in love. Some are happily in love; others are sadly out of love. Most of us had plans to be financially emancipated, some are on their path, others have met with obstacles and some have met brick walls.
We were once naive; today we are suspicious, worldly and shrewd. We were once innocent today we are malicious and some times tainted. We were once full of hope; today we are skeptics and pessimists. We were once courageous today we live in despair. We were once happy today we are sad and full of grief. We were once buoyant; today we are glum and sullen. We no longer aspire, we no longer dream, we no longer plan, we no longer wish and we no longer desire. How then can we hope to achieve? How can we live if we do not anticipate? Should loosing our virginity kill our dreams and life?
We lost our hearts to heart break, should the heart break last for ever? We lost our love to failed relationships; must we deny ourselves the right to love again? We lost our wealth to the economic meltdown will the gloom remain till death? We lost our happiness to those who exploited us, should we remain in that state? We lost our trust to those who betrayed us must we doubt the whole world? We lost our childhood to wrong peers can't we become better adults?
We may have lost a lot but we can not afford to loose our head. We need to win our confidence and faith and trust and personality back. Loosing our virginity is not as tragic as not gaining the lessons that will help us regain our worth. Loosing our virginity may be painful but remaining in a state of perpetual lost is more painful, that will be a total lost.
That we have lost our virginity is no longer news, how we lost our virginity should not kill our morale but the question we should ask is: what did we gain when we lost our virginity? Did we gain the lessons? Did we gain the experience? Are we going to remain perpetual losers or can we bounce back?
If we lost our virginity we can not afford to loose ourselves.
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THE RHODESIAN CONNECTION
CredoFiction: Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
August 14th 2012
The Queen knows she has had a long life and has outlived all of her children except Charles, who is terminally ill, her grandsons William and Harry. Philip her husband died two years ago and her mum died a decade ago. Queen Elizabeth II, the longest serving, monarch in British history knows fully well that her sojourn on earth is about to end. After ruling for over a century, the House of Windsor has no heir to the throne. Eighty Percent of the population knows no monarch except her, Queen Elizabeth II: The sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Queen of Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
July 2nd 1979
Grace Mugabe was angry; she was screaming and cursing the idiot.
“Joan is only 15 years old “she cried
Robert Gabriel Mugabe who has finally come out of the trench after fighting the British and now Smith after his Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Rhodesia in November 1965. Mugabe is now set to head the new and independent government of Zimbabwe formerly known as Southern Rhodesia. He seemed undisturbed that his 15 year old teenage daughter was pregnant. Robert has always known the white racists colonialists to be thieves. They captured blacks and sold them into slavery to develop the new world in the Americas, stole the black people’s land and they can do worse.
Mugaba has always been a fox, he was not bothered at the cause of his wife’s anxiety he only smiled at his wife in the presence of his war cabinet members
Elizabeth Alexandria Mary was born in 1926 in London. The first child of the duke and duchess of York, later King George VI. On November 20, 1947 Elizabeth married Philip Mantabatten the former prince Philip of Greece at Westminster Abbey in London. He had become a British subject nine months earlier and was married under the title of Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh. A year later Elizabeth gave birth to a son, Charles. In 1950 she gave birth to a daughter Annie. A second son was born in 1960 and a third son Edward in 1964. The sudden death of King George VI, her father cut short a trip to Kenya in 1952; she came to the throne on February 6th 1952 and was crowned at Westminster on June 2, 1953.
Queen Elizabeth described 1992 as a horrible year. Her daughter and two sons separated from their spouses. Prince Andrew separated from his wife Sarah in March. The marriage of Princess Annie and Mark Philips ended in April. The prince and princess of Wales (Charles and Diana) parted in December. The divorce of Prince Charles from Princess Diana in 1996 raised questions about Charles’ succession as the monarchy has no modern precedent for a divorced sovereign. The Queen marked her golden jubilee of her ascension to the throne in 2002. She lost her mother and sister in that same year. This is 2012, 60 years after she ascended the throne. Her reign is longer than any one ever imagined, at 86 she is not scared of dying but she frets about the continuity of her line on the throne. With Charles dying also, she has no heir to the revered throne.
Robert Mugabe’s government has brought sanctions and embargoes since 2003 on the country and people of Zimbabwe. The British government has led the US and EU to tighten economic sanctions and travel bans on the regime in Harare. After he was accused of rigging his elections is 2003 and confiscating land owned by white Zimbabwean farmers. This led to a near collapse of the economy with inflation running into millions of percentage. Mugabe has remained a faithful catholic even after the catholic bishops condemned his government. His children were all brought up in the catholic faith. Joan Mugabe has since married a Kenyan but her son born to her at the age of 15 was adopted by her parents and has always known Robert and Grace to be his parents even at his present age of 32 years. John Paul Mugabe was named after Pope John Paul I, the unknown pope who only spent 33 days as pope in 1978. The paternity of John Paul Mugabe was only known to four people on earth.
Prince Charles could barely speak but he would muster all the life in him to speak to the Queen. His mum came in as soon as he sent for her. She looked frail though full of courage at her age. Charles murmured some words into her ears and she saw her legs wobbling, she managed to sit beside him as confusion ran her brains. She doesn’t know whether to curse or bless her first son.
The Queen summoned the Prime Minister for an emergency private meeting. David William Donald Cameron was born on 9th of October 1966 and became the Prime Minister at a very young age of 43. David was born 21 years after the Second World War; he is a direct descendant of George I, George II, George III and King William IV with his mistress Dorothea Jordan. As an illegitimate descendant of King William (1765-1837) David Cameron is not in line of succession to the British throne.
When the Queen presented her demand to the young Prime Minister, Cameron froze. He couldn’t believe the Queen was asking for too much, more than any one on earth can offer. Elizabeth has nothing more to loose. She has seen it all in life and now that she can die anytime, she will either preserve her blood on the throne or bother less about the continuity of the British monarchy.
Robert Mugabe has been the Prime Minister and later President of Zimbabwe since 1980. He has watched his country suffered various sanctions from the west championed by his colonial masters the British since the tenure of Tony Blair. He kept his secret without malice and suddenly history is about changing; he will be part of that history changing event. He began to recite the Hail Mary full of Grace. His demands were said in a few words but their weight will be enormous, which ever option they chose he has lived enough to deal a big blow to the white supremacists.
David Cameron saw this as an opportunity to bargain with the Queen. This is his chance to get into the succession line of the throne since he was a descendant of King William even if illegitimately. He will use his coalition in the House of Commons to change the statutes while the Queen will impress upon the House of Lords to ratify it. Cameron was mistaken, the Queen is not just concerned about preserving the monarchy, but she is worried about her blood vanishing from the throne. She told him to his face and the fury could be seen on his face. He never thought a day will come that he will walk out on the Queen but the day has come. He adjusted his tie and was about to stand up when she softly told him to sit back.
“David”, she began” I have nothing more to fear because we all will loose. I, you, England, we all will loose”
“I have some classified documents from my father which of passed to the Americans will show how the British forces bombed the Pearl harbour in 1944 and blamed it on the Japanese to draw in the Americans into the second world war. You were not born then but I am sure you know the history the way it was written. That will be changed if I am forced to make this revelation. The Japanese will ask for trillions of compensations as a result of the nuclear bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima by the Americans in retaliation. Britain will go bankrupt, the pound will become worthless, I will be in my grave and you Mr Prime Minister will have no country to govern at just the age of 45 and your kids Nancy and Arthur will grow up to know a Europe without a Britain. France will be happy at last, Germany will be happier and the Russians will only chuckle”
The Rt.Hon. David Cameron was shivering as he stepped out of Buckingham Palace. The Queen knows she had played her last card and she hoped to God that her lies on Pearl Harbour woks.
The British Parliament convened late into the night as a matter of urgency. Some members will rather prefer the abolishment of the monarchy. Some citizens had complained about its huge cost on the British economy. However the monarchy is the last emblem of Imperial Britain. Canada, New Zealand, Australia will all become republics, the common wealth of nations will collapse, and Argentina will get the oil in Falkland Islands. The House voted in secret, when the outcome was transmitted that night to the Queen, she sighed knowing what Britain has suffered. Mugabe had demanded that all the sanctions against his country should be lifted and a compensation of 10 billion dollars should be paid over a period of 5 years. Only on those conditions will he accept to talk with the Queen or her Prime Minister. On the other hand the Catholics were once a persecuted people in England since the time of King Henry VIII in the 16th century, until the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 granted full political and civil liberties to the Roman Catholics in Great Britain and Ireland.
On August 31st 2012 Queen Elizabeth II like her uncle Edward once did announced her abdication from the British throne .She is to be succeeded by her grandson who she met only a few days ago. He is also the grandson of Robert Mugabe the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe once called Southern Rhodesia at the time of his (the new king) conception. The United Kingdom will have a catholic king after all the wars in Northern Ireland; the once colonial Britain will have an African blooded King.
In the evening of September 10, 2012 after the coronation of the new King, Elizabeth Alexandria Mary died in her sleep. Only two people knew the pills she had taken; her physician and the Prime Minister. She would be buried besides her father King George VI and her grandfather King George V. She has gone to her grave happy; knowing that the British monarchy will go on with her blood on the throne.
David William Donald Cameron will carry a heavy burden to his grave and he hopes he does not have to live long to suffer the misfortune for ever.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe called his grandson to condole him on the death of his grandmother and predecessor on the British throne. He too would finally allow the opposition or any young member of his party to take over the reigns of power in Zimbabwe; his colonial enemy has paid the supreme price. His own blood and name is now the sovereign of the United Kingdom, the King of Canada, Australia and New Zea land, the head of the common wealth of nations, the protector of the British Dominion overseas; King John Paul Mugabe.
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August 14th 2012
The Queen knows she has had a long life and has outlived all of her children except Charles, who is terminally ill, her grandsons William and Harry. Philip her husband died two years ago and her mum died a decade ago. Queen Elizabeth II, the longest serving, monarch in British history knows fully well that her sojourn on earth is about to end. After ruling for over a century, the House of Windsor has no heir to the throne. Eighty Percent of the population knows no monarch except her, Queen Elizabeth II: The sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Queen of Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
July 2nd 1979
Grace Mugabe was angry; she was screaming and cursing the idiot.
“Joan is only 15 years old “she cried
Robert Gabriel Mugabe who has finally come out of the trench after fighting the British and now Smith after his Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Rhodesia in November 1965. Mugabe is now set to head the new and independent government of Zimbabwe formerly known as Southern Rhodesia. He seemed undisturbed that his 15 year old teenage daughter was pregnant. Robert has always known the white racists colonialists to be thieves. They captured blacks and sold them into slavery to develop the new world in the Americas, stole the black people’s land and they can do worse.
Mugaba has always been a fox, he was not bothered at the cause of his wife’s anxiety he only smiled at his wife in the presence of his war cabinet members
Elizabeth Alexandria Mary was born in 1926 in London. The first child of the duke and duchess of York, later King George VI. On November 20, 1947 Elizabeth married Philip Mantabatten the former prince Philip of Greece at Westminster Abbey in London. He had become a British subject nine months earlier and was married under the title of Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh. A year later Elizabeth gave birth to a son, Charles. In 1950 she gave birth to a daughter Annie. A second son was born in 1960 and a third son Edward in 1964. The sudden death of King George VI, her father cut short a trip to Kenya in 1952; she came to the throne on February 6th 1952 and was crowned at Westminster on June 2, 1953.
Queen Elizabeth described 1992 as a horrible year. Her daughter and two sons separated from their spouses. Prince Andrew separated from his wife Sarah in March. The marriage of Princess Annie and Mark Philips ended in April. The prince and princess of Wales (Charles and Diana) parted in December. The divorce of Prince Charles from Princess Diana in 1996 raised questions about Charles’ succession as the monarchy has no modern precedent for a divorced sovereign. The Queen marked her golden jubilee of her ascension to the throne in 2002. She lost her mother and sister in that same year. This is 2012, 60 years after she ascended the throne. Her reign is longer than any one ever imagined, at 86 she is not scared of dying but she frets about the continuity of her line on the throne. With Charles dying also, she has no heir to the revered throne.
Robert Mugabe’s government has brought sanctions and embargoes since 2003 on the country and people of Zimbabwe. The British government has led the US and EU to tighten economic sanctions and travel bans on the regime in Harare. After he was accused of rigging his elections is 2003 and confiscating land owned by white Zimbabwean farmers. This led to a near collapse of the economy with inflation running into millions of percentage. Mugabe has remained a faithful catholic even after the catholic bishops condemned his government. His children were all brought up in the catholic faith. Joan Mugabe has since married a Kenyan but her son born to her at the age of 15 was adopted by her parents and has always known Robert and Grace to be his parents even at his present age of 32 years. John Paul Mugabe was named after Pope John Paul I, the unknown pope who only spent 33 days as pope in 1978. The paternity of John Paul Mugabe was only known to four people on earth.
Prince Charles could barely speak but he would muster all the life in him to speak to the Queen. His mum came in as soon as he sent for her. She looked frail though full of courage at her age. Charles murmured some words into her ears and she saw her legs wobbling, she managed to sit beside him as confusion ran her brains. She doesn’t know whether to curse or bless her first son.
The Queen summoned the Prime Minister for an emergency private meeting. David William Donald Cameron was born on 9th of October 1966 and became the Prime Minister at a very young age of 43. David was born 21 years after the Second World War; he is a direct descendant of George I, George II, George III and King William IV with his mistress Dorothea Jordan. As an illegitimate descendant of King William (1765-1837) David Cameron is not in line of succession to the British throne.
When the Queen presented her demand to the young Prime Minister, Cameron froze. He couldn’t believe the Queen was asking for too much, more than any one on earth can offer. Elizabeth has nothing more to loose. She has seen it all in life and now that she can die anytime, she will either preserve her blood on the throne or bother less about the continuity of the British monarchy.
Robert Mugabe has been the Prime Minister and later President of Zimbabwe since 1980. He has watched his country suffered various sanctions from the west championed by his colonial masters the British since the tenure of Tony Blair. He kept his secret without malice and suddenly history is about changing; he will be part of that history changing event. He began to recite the Hail Mary full of Grace. His demands were said in a few words but their weight will be enormous, which ever option they chose he has lived enough to deal a big blow to the white supremacists.
David Cameron saw this as an opportunity to bargain with the Queen. This is his chance to get into the succession line of the throne since he was a descendant of King William even if illegitimately. He will use his coalition in the House of Commons to change the statutes while the Queen will impress upon the House of Lords to ratify it. Cameron was mistaken, the Queen is not just concerned about preserving the monarchy, but she is worried about her blood vanishing from the throne. She told him to his face and the fury could be seen on his face. He never thought a day will come that he will walk out on the Queen but the day has come. He adjusted his tie and was about to stand up when she softly told him to sit back.
“David”, she began” I have nothing more to fear because we all will loose. I, you, England, we all will loose”
“I have some classified documents from my father which of passed to the Americans will show how the British forces bombed the Pearl harbour in 1944 and blamed it on the Japanese to draw in the Americans into the second world war. You were not born then but I am sure you know the history the way it was written. That will be changed if I am forced to make this revelation. The Japanese will ask for trillions of compensations as a result of the nuclear bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima by the Americans in retaliation. Britain will go bankrupt, the pound will become worthless, I will be in my grave and you Mr Prime Minister will have no country to govern at just the age of 45 and your kids Nancy and Arthur will grow up to know a Europe without a Britain. France will be happy at last, Germany will be happier and the Russians will only chuckle”
The Rt.Hon. David Cameron was shivering as he stepped out of Buckingham Palace. The Queen knows she had played her last card and she hoped to God that her lies on Pearl Harbour woks.
The British Parliament convened late into the night as a matter of urgency. Some members will rather prefer the abolishment of the monarchy. Some citizens had complained about its huge cost on the British economy. However the monarchy is the last emblem of Imperial Britain. Canada, New Zealand, Australia will all become republics, the common wealth of nations will collapse, and Argentina will get the oil in Falkland Islands. The House voted in secret, when the outcome was transmitted that night to the Queen, she sighed knowing what Britain has suffered. Mugabe had demanded that all the sanctions against his country should be lifted and a compensation of 10 billion dollars should be paid over a period of 5 years. Only on those conditions will he accept to talk with the Queen or her Prime Minister. On the other hand the Catholics were once a persecuted people in England since the time of King Henry VIII in the 16th century, until the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 granted full political and civil liberties to the Roman Catholics in Great Britain and Ireland.
On August 31st 2012 Queen Elizabeth II like her uncle Edward once did announced her abdication from the British throne .She is to be succeeded by her grandson who she met only a few days ago. He is also the grandson of Robert Mugabe the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe once called Southern Rhodesia at the time of his (the new king) conception. The United Kingdom will have a catholic king after all the wars in Northern Ireland; the once colonial Britain will have an African blooded King.
In the evening of September 10, 2012 after the coronation of the new King, Elizabeth Alexandria Mary died in her sleep. Only two people knew the pills she had taken; her physician and the Prime Minister. She would be buried besides her father King George VI and her grandfather King George V. She has gone to her grave happy; knowing that the British monarchy will go on with her blood on the throne.
David William Donald Cameron will carry a heavy burden to his grave and he hopes he does not have to live long to suffer the misfortune for ever.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe called his grandson to condole him on the death of his grandmother and predecessor on the British throne. He too would finally allow the opposition or any young member of his party to take over the reigns of power in Zimbabwe; his colonial enemy has paid the supreme price. His own blood and name is now the sovereign of the United Kingdom, the King of Canada, Australia and New Zea land, the head of the common wealth of nations, the protector of the British Dominion overseas; King John Paul Mugabe.
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NIGERIA'S FOURTH RELIGION & FIFTH GOSPEL
CredoWriters: Wakdok,Samuel Stephen.
We have a 4th religion in Nigeria, and is the fifth gospel after Matthew, Mark Luke and John It is evidently present though not officially recognised in our constitution, it is the most practised in our land. We have the African Tradition Religion , Christianity and Islam. This three we know though the last two have chased the first one. But this fourth religion is so unique. It allows for dual membership. You can be a member of any of these three religions and also be a member of the fourth. The religion called CORRUPTION. It is a gospel that has spread across the length and breadth of this land. It starts from the homes to workplaces and even to the places of worship. It is the official religion of government officials. Corruption is now the state Religion in Nigeria. Corruption is that which makes our budget to become like nursery rhymes. It is the empty drug stores in our hospitals. Corruption is the reason why those who fail get the job and those who pass get the knocks. Corruption will not allow prostitution to be banned in Abuja, it will only disrupt the supply and jerk up demand. That will result to black marketing and hike in the prices of commercial sex. Corruption is what makes our country to be lost in the woods at 50, and makes our leaders to make us their street urchins.
In this religion called Corruption , their reward is not in heaven , it is right here and that is why our taps are not running today and our schools have become fountain of failures.
Comfortably you can be a Christian or Moslem and still belong to this religion. No one will accuse you of serving other gods.
There are two aspects of this religion. The illegal and legal corruption. The illegal corruption is carried out by the poor and lowly. In fact when you are caught you are already found guilty even before you are tried. The legal corruption is that by the high and mighty. This legal corruption is in fact a holy communion, you have to belong. The incentive for corruption in Nigeria is very high and attractive. Ask the president, the senators , the governors and even the local government chairmen. A minister has a special adviser, the special adviser to the minister has a special adviser in turn. The President has special assistants, special advisers, senior special assistants, presidential assistants, domestic aides and personal assistants. That is a sure way of helping themselves with the national cake. The people bake the cake, the politicians eat the cake. The people hold the cows and the politicians milk the cows.
Unless we define the role of this forth religion, unless we evaluate the impacts and decide to all convert to it so we can all benefit or cast it out if it is not good for all; many will be called but just a few will remain chosen.
It may be a good religion to the wolves in power, but a very bad gospel.
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We have a 4th religion in Nigeria, and is the fifth gospel after Matthew, Mark Luke and John It is evidently present though not officially recognised in our constitution, it is the most practised in our land. We have the African Tradition Religion , Christianity and Islam. This three we know though the last two have chased the first one. But this fourth religion is so unique. It allows for dual membership. You can be a member of any of these three religions and also be a member of the fourth. The religion called CORRUPTION. It is a gospel that has spread across the length and breadth of this land. It starts from the homes to workplaces and even to the places of worship. It is the official religion of government officials. Corruption is now the state Religion in Nigeria. Corruption is that which makes our budget to become like nursery rhymes. It is the empty drug stores in our hospitals. Corruption is the reason why those who fail get the job and those who pass get the knocks. Corruption will not allow prostitution to be banned in Abuja, it will only disrupt the supply and jerk up demand. That will result to black marketing and hike in the prices of commercial sex. Corruption is what makes our country to be lost in the woods at 50, and makes our leaders to make us their street urchins.
In this religion called Corruption , their reward is not in heaven , it is right here and that is why our taps are not running today and our schools have become fountain of failures.
Comfortably you can be a Christian or Moslem and still belong to this religion. No one will accuse you of serving other gods.
There are two aspects of this religion. The illegal and legal corruption. The illegal corruption is carried out by the poor and lowly. In fact when you are caught you are already found guilty even before you are tried. The legal corruption is that by the high and mighty. This legal corruption is in fact a holy communion, you have to belong. The incentive for corruption in Nigeria is very high and attractive. Ask the president, the senators , the governors and even the local government chairmen. A minister has a special adviser, the special adviser to the minister has a special adviser in turn. The President has special assistants, special advisers, senior special assistants, presidential assistants, domestic aides and personal assistants. That is a sure way of helping themselves with the national cake. The people bake the cake, the politicians eat the cake. The people hold the cows and the politicians milk the cows.
Unless we define the role of this forth religion, unless we evaluate the impacts and decide to all convert to it so we can all benefit or cast it out if it is not good for all; many will be called but just a few will remain chosen.
It may be a good religion to the wolves in power, but a very bad gospel.
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Monday, June 7, 2010
The Reincarnation of Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua
CredoWriters:Wakdok,Samuel Stephen.
The first President of Nigeria’s fourth republic lost his wife and went on to complete his term without a replacement to the office of the first lady. The second President of Nigeria’s fourth republic lost his life and his deputy who was in acting capacity has replaced him sending the immediate past first lady packing. This means that the office of the first lady is hinged on the husband’s position. There can be a president without a first lady but never will there be a first lady without a president. For those who turned the immediate past first lady into a demi god this is a lesson that the cult like status of the first lady must never be allowed to repeat it self . The funds raised by the immediate first lady for the International Cancer Centre should be handed over to a Joint Cancer Commission who should execute that project. Whether it was the so called cabal that enforced the former first lady or it was the first lady that reinforced the cabal to bring out one of the strongest conspiracy in the nation’s history, we demand an investigation into the manner the health of the late President was mismanaged and used to pursue inordinate ambitions at the expense of the generality of the populace. The disgraced attorney general who argued that the late President can rule from anywhere should defend if indeed the President can still rule from beyond. The way the hawks handled the issue of the man’s illness wiped out all the good deeds and intention of a man no one accused of corruption or other vices associated with Nigerian leaders.
“Yar’adua was a good man.” That is the verdict of most if not all Nigerians but the verdict went on to say he was surrounded by bad people. Can good wine in a dirty cup still remain hygienic for drinking? If we have to pour away the sweet but contaminated wine, we ought to go further and wash the cup or dispose it and get a clean cup; else any other wine poured will still get contaminated by the dirty cup. The Mamluks had strong power in Eygpt, in 1805 when Muhammed Ali seized power in Egypt, he saw the mamluks who once were slaves but had steadily gained control of Egypt as a major threat to his rule. He invited them to his palace for discussions over luncheon and had all of them slaughtered. The Nigerian mamluks who we know as the cabal must be slaughtered politically so that the nation will move forward.
Karol Wojtyla was 58 years old when he became the Pope John Paul ii and he went on to become one of the longest serving pontiffs in his about 26 years papacy. Yar”Adua died at just 58 years old. When Pope John Paul was sick, we all knew his illness and he was seen around the world. He changed in our very eyes from the skiing Pope to a man who walked with stick and finally on wheel chair. It got so bad that he could hardly bring his hands together while celebrating the Holy mass at the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. Yet we saw our pope and the world shared in his pains while he suffered and grieved when he died. Nigerians were not privileged to see their Presidents when he was terminally ill. The cabal held our President as a prisoner, a pun to be used in a game of chess. When Maradona was suffering from his drug induced sickness only a few years back, thousands of Argentines kept vigil in the hospital lawn praying with their lit candles, today Maradona is on his way to South Africa as the Coach of his world cup squad. Fidel Castro who led the Cuban revolution in 1959 took seriously ill and at the eve of the revolution’s 50th anniversary in 2008, he relinquished power to his brother Raul, yet Cubans see their ailing hero on national TV who has been indisposed since 2008 and read his speeches on the internet.
My faith does not allow me to believe in reincarnation even if I wanted to, but if I have a wish, it would be that the man UMY or Umaru Musa Yar’Adua reincarnates to learn all that happened in his last months on earth. How in his semi-conscious and unconscious state; his wife leading a cabal or a cabal led by his wife held him as a toy cat to call the mice to order. They played a game where a toy cat with electronic sound was used to chase the wandering mice. Each time the rats get close the sound is triggered and the rats run back only to discover the cat didn’t chase after them. That is because the cat is not real, it was just a decoy.
Nigeria does not cease to beat my fancy and Nigerians do not cease to amaze me. The late President, who got a score card of below average, nick named Mr. Go Slow, suddenly becomes a national hero. I dare say he was a good man, but as far as governance is concerned we did not see or feel the dividends. Out of the seven points agenda only Niger Delta is said to have been a success, not that it was concluded. That will be like getting half over seven; to me is a fail. The promise of 6,000 mega watts of electricity was a sham and a fraud at that. Land reforms saw Aleiro transforming from Kebbi to becoming the mayor of Abuja where choice lands were allocated to cronies. The electoral reforms committee he promised was so delayed and ultimately when the Uwais panel submitted its report; his government set up a committee under Aondoaka to tinker with the report. Little or nothing was heard about the human capital development. The dredging of the Niger was only flagged off before he was flown to Jeddah on the eve of Nigeria’s 49th Independence just to have an achievement to state during the Independence Day broadcast. The funniest was the spate of policy reversals and speeches by the man and even his aides. If we have to be sincere to ourselves, Yar’Adua did not deliver on his promises, there was no guarantee that he would have won a second term except in Nigeria where elections are not free and fair. Four years were all he had on his hands to make the impact and he had spent close to three years, about 65% of his tenure without any tangible impact. Intention to pass exam is not the same as passing the exam, he meant well but my question is; did he do well?
Now that Yar’Adua’s death has forced him into Glory, and a choir has emerged in the land singing his achievements or rather good intentions, will it be out of place to pray he reincarnates and listens to the sweet song of all the good deeds he did which have only come to limelight after his demise? In the event this is impossible; his death, his burial in a simple grave and the vanity of power should warn all the living Yar’Aduas (People in power and authority) that they only have one life to live and serve their country men and women. Their wealth and power in the final analysis do not and will not count, only their good deeds will immortalize them in the people’s hearts and give them a place in the people’s hall of fame.
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The first President of Nigeria’s fourth republic lost his wife and went on to complete his term without a replacement to the office of the first lady. The second President of Nigeria’s fourth republic lost his life and his deputy who was in acting capacity has replaced him sending the immediate past first lady packing. This means that the office of the first lady is hinged on the husband’s position. There can be a president without a first lady but never will there be a first lady without a president. For those who turned the immediate past first lady into a demi god this is a lesson that the cult like status of the first lady must never be allowed to repeat it self . The funds raised by the immediate first lady for the International Cancer Centre should be handed over to a Joint Cancer Commission who should execute that project. Whether it was the so called cabal that enforced the former first lady or it was the first lady that reinforced the cabal to bring out one of the strongest conspiracy in the nation’s history, we demand an investigation into the manner the health of the late President was mismanaged and used to pursue inordinate ambitions at the expense of the generality of the populace. The disgraced attorney general who argued that the late President can rule from anywhere should defend if indeed the President can still rule from beyond. The way the hawks handled the issue of the man’s illness wiped out all the good deeds and intention of a man no one accused of corruption or other vices associated with Nigerian leaders.
“Yar’adua was a good man.” That is the verdict of most if not all Nigerians but the verdict went on to say he was surrounded by bad people. Can good wine in a dirty cup still remain hygienic for drinking? If we have to pour away the sweet but contaminated wine, we ought to go further and wash the cup or dispose it and get a clean cup; else any other wine poured will still get contaminated by the dirty cup. The Mamluks had strong power in Eygpt, in 1805 when Muhammed Ali seized power in Egypt, he saw the mamluks who once were slaves but had steadily gained control of Egypt as a major threat to his rule. He invited them to his palace for discussions over luncheon and had all of them slaughtered. The Nigerian mamluks who we know as the cabal must be slaughtered politically so that the nation will move forward.
Karol Wojtyla was 58 years old when he became the Pope John Paul ii and he went on to become one of the longest serving pontiffs in his about 26 years papacy. Yar”Adua died at just 58 years old. When Pope John Paul was sick, we all knew his illness and he was seen around the world. He changed in our very eyes from the skiing Pope to a man who walked with stick and finally on wheel chair. It got so bad that he could hardly bring his hands together while celebrating the Holy mass at the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. Yet we saw our pope and the world shared in his pains while he suffered and grieved when he died. Nigerians were not privileged to see their Presidents when he was terminally ill. The cabal held our President as a prisoner, a pun to be used in a game of chess. When Maradona was suffering from his drug induced sickness only a few years back, thousands of Argentines kept vigil in the hospital lawn praying with their lit candles, today Maradona is on his way to South Africa as the Coach of his world cup squad. Fidel Castro who led the Cuban revolution in 1959 took seriously ill and at the eve of the revolution’s 50th anniversary in 2008, he relinquished power to his brother Raul, yet Cubans see their ailing hero on national TV who has been indisposed since 2008 and read his speeches on the internet.
My faith does not allow me to believe in reincarnation even if I wanted to, but if I have a wish, it would be that the man UMY or Umaru Musa Yar’Adua reincarnates to learn all that happened in his last months on earth. How in his semi-conscious and unconscious state; his wife leading a cabal or a cabal led by his wife held him as a toy cat to call the mice to order. They played a game where a toy cat with electronic sound was used to chase the wandering mice. Each time the rats get close the sound is triggered and the rats run back only to discover the cat didn’t chase after them. That is because the cat is not real, it was just a decoy.
Nigeria does not cease to beat my fancy and Nigerians do not cease to amaze me. The late President, who got a score card of below average, nick named Mr. Go Slow, suddenly becomes a national hero. I dare say he was a good man, but as far as governance is concerned we did not see or feel the dividends. Out of the seven points agenda only Niger Delta is said to have been a success, not that it was concluded. That will be like getting half over seven; to me is a fail. The promise of 6,000 mega watts of electricity was a sham and a fraud at that. Land reforms saw Aleiro transforming from Kebbi to becoming the mayor of Abuja where choice lands were allocated to cronies. The electoral reforms committee he promised was so delayed and ultimately when the Uwais panel submitted its report; his government set up a committee under Aondoaka to tinker with the report. Little or nothing was heard about the human capital development. The dredging of the Niger was only flagged off before he was flown to Jeddah on the eve of Nigeria’s 49th Independence just to have an achievement to state during the Independence Day broadcast. The funniest was the spate of policy reversals and speeches by the man and even his aides. If we have to be sincere to ourselves, Yar’Adua did not deliver on his promises, there was no guarantee that he would have won a second term except in Nigeria where elections are not free and fair. Four years were all he had on his hands to make the impact and he had spent close to three years, about 65% of his tenure without any tangible impact. Intention to pass exam is not the same as passing the exam, he meant well but my question is; did he do well?
Now that Yar’Adua’s death has forced him into Glory, and a choir has emerged in the land singing his achievements or rather good intentions, will it be out of place to pray he reincarnates and listens to the sweet song of all the good deeds he did which have only come to limelight after his demise? In the event this is impossible; his death, his burial in a simple grave and the vanity of power should warn all the living Yar’Aduas (People in power and authority) that they only have one life to live and serve their country men and women. Their wealth and power in the final analysis do not and will not count, only their good deeds will immortalize them in the people’s hearts and give them a place in the people’s hall of fame.
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IS JONATHAN JESUS?
CredoWriters: Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
We live in perilous times and as a country we are psychedelically funny. We want Jonathan to leave office in 2011; we also want Jonathan to achieve in one year what our eleven years of uninterrupted democratic rule have been unable to achieve. We want Jonathan to achieve in one year what Obasanjo could not achieve in eighth years and Yar'Adua in three years. We are celebrating eleven years of democracy but we can not boast of eleven hours of uninterrupted power supply, we can't count eleven Nigerians who can take us to the Promised Land out of a population of 140million. We are celebrating eleven years of democracy and we can not boast of eleven states who can survive independent of oil revenue despite all the abundant non oil resources in Nigeria. We are celebrating eleven years of uninterrupted democracy and we can not tame our inflation to eleven percent or below.
Here is a man who never dreamt of becoming a President, by accident rather than by design he became the man at the helm of the affairs, do we expect he will address the problems of this country by accident also? If Obasanjo and Yar'Adua both members of PDP could not salvage the situation even though they sought to be elected or imposed, do we honestly expect Jonathan who did not seek election to salvage us? Are we expecting anything different or better from this Jonathan who is also a member of PDP? If the party had the country at heart, are we not supposed to have achieved more as a nation in these eleven years of PDP rule? This goes to tell that we do not have serious political parties in Nigeria, because if we do and they have their party manifestoes we wont be expecting anything radically different from Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
It took Obasanjo eight years to mess up our educational system with incessant strikes from the tertiary down to primary levels and we think Jonathan can spring up miracles in a year? It took Obasanjo eight years to toy with the power and oil sectors reforms and we seriously expect Jonathan to perform magic in one year? It took Yar’Adua three years to rigmarole with his electoral reforms and now we believe Jonathan must ensure credible elections based on electoral reforms in one year; Is Jonathan Jesus? It took Jesus three years to complete his public ministry on earth.
Jonathan's one year is more of an interim or transit rule; unless he decides to stand for President in 2011, which many of us are not disposed to. However every Nigerian above 18 years has the right to vote and be voted; it therefore is his sole decision to contest or not. But if we as a people think Jonathan can fix our problems in one year then we are flippant in our thoughts as a nation. Jonathan is not Jesus and we can not expect much from him in this one year. All we expect of him is to keep the ship of this nation on steady waters and not throw our nation into more confusion by attempting to do everything to please everybody especially the elites. He should be prudent in the management of our dwindling resources and accountable to the ordinary men and women especially at a time when the oil wealth is depleting at an astronomically rate.
The best gift we can give ourselves as a people is to stand for change, make our votes count and make sure only credible Nigerians are voted into power come 2011. Whoever we truly give our mandate to rule in the next four years, we can now expect them to deliver on the promises made to the electorate. Until then Jonathan is not Jesus and we can’t expect him to perform magic either. Even Jesus is a miracle worker and not a magician. We would be expecting magic from Jonathan if we hope to have all our problems fixed in one year by one man who hitherto did not have a national plan to rescue Nigeria.Even with his penchant for architects (Vice President, Minister of Mines and Steel, Minister of State for Power) can he build Rome in a day? Remember the elites and not the electorate made Jonathan the President and that is evident in his romance with the ex generals and political gladiators.
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We live in perilous times and as a country we are psychedelically funny. We want Jonathan to leave office in 2011; we also want Jonathan to achieve in one year what our eleven years of uninterrupted democratic rule have been unable to achieve. We want Jonathan to achieve in one year what Obasanjo could not achieve in eighth years and Yar'Adua in three years. We are celebrating eleven years of democracy but we can not boast of eleven hours of uninterrupted power supply, we can't count eleven Nigerians who can take us to the Promised Land out of a population of 140million. We are celebrating eleven years of democracy and we can not boast of eleven states who can survive independent of oil revenue despite all the abundant non oil resources in Nigeria. We are celebrating eleven years of uninterrupted democracy and we can not tame our inflation to eleven percent or below.
Here is a man who never dreamt of becoming a President, by accident rather than by design he became the man at the helm of the affairs, do we expect he will address the problems of this country by accident also? If Obasanjo and Yar'Adua both members of PDP could not salvage the situation even though they sought to be elected or imposed, do we honestly expect Jonathan who did not seek election to salvage us? Are we expecting anything different or better from this Jonathan who is also a member of PDP? If the party had the country at heart, are we not supposed to have achieved more as a nation in these eleven years of PDP rule? This goes to tell that we do not have serious political parties in Nigeria, because if we do and they have their party manifestoes we wont be expecting anything radically different from Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
It took Obasanjo eight years to mess up our educational system with incessant strikes from the tertiary down to primary levels and we think Jonathan can spring up miracles in a year? It took Obasanjo eight years to toy with the power and oil sectors reforms and we seriously expect Jonathan to perform magic in one year? It took Yar’Adua three years to rigmarole with his electoral reforms and now we believe Jonathan must ensure credible elections based on electoral reforms in one year; Is Jonathan Jesus? It took Jesus three years to complete his public ministry on earth.
Jonathan's one year is more of an interim or transit rule; unless he decides to stand for President in 2011, which many of us are not disposed to. However every Nigerian above 18 years has the right to vote and be voted; it therefore is his sole decision to contest or not. But if we as a people think Jonathan can fix our problems in one year then we are flippant in our thoughts as a nation. Jonathan is not Jesus and we can not expect much from him in this one year. All we expect of him is to keep the ship of this nation on steady waters and not throw our nation into more confusion by attempting to do everything to please everybody especially the elites. He should be prudent in the management of our dwindling resources and accountable to the ordinary men and women especially at a time when the oil wealth is depleting at an astronomically rate.
The best gift we can give ourselves as a people is to stand for change, make our votes count and make sure only credible Nigerians are voted into power come 2011. Whoever we truly give our mandate to rule in the next four years, we can now expect them to deliver on the promises made to the electorate. Until then Jonathan is not Jesus and we can’t expect him to perform magic either. Even Jesus is a miracle worker and not a magician. We would be expecting magic from Jonathan if we hope to have all our problems fixed in one year by one man who hitherto did not have a national plan to rescue Nigeria.Even with his penchant for architects (Vice President, Minister of Mines and Steel, Minister of State for Power) can he build Rome in a day? Remember the elites and not the electorate made Jonathan the President and that is evident in his romance with the ex generals and political gladiators.
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THE ENDANGERED SPECIE
CredoWriters: Wakdok, Samuel Stephen
I am the endangered specie, billions of naira is spent trying to conserve wild life and forestry but little is set aside to conserve me. I am writing this letter with urgency because I may have become extinct by this time next year. I am the endangered specie, in an era where my equals in other parts of the world are getting better attention and quality treatment. Now more than ever I am a target of pedophiles, an object of rape, an item of domestic violence, an article of less national value.
I am the endangered specie, I eat hunger for dinner and drink thirst at lunch, malaria is the only companion I have ;though billions is spent to roll back malaria, the only person who gets rolled is me. Daily I am rolled into life of starvation, deprivation and violence. I am privileged to go to a health centre manned by quacks and I got enrolled some years back into a ghetto called school. In my school the teachers were never students or they were students who didn’t pass their exams; however they are all that could be hired since my situation is a pitiable one.
I want to read but hunger blobs my sight only for me to fail and the blame is put on the standard of education. I have looked every where for standard of education to ask it why it makes me fail but the more I search for it the more I see the faces of the government officials who sent their children to schools abroad with the budget meant for our local education.
I am the endangered specie, I would have loved to send in an entry for this years Children’s day celebration but I suddenly realized that I have failed my exams in advance because our curriculum is either not convenient for the kind of children in my country or my country is not committed to the curriculum. I suddenly realized that our leaders prefer a set of hungry, sick and uneducated children because they hate the idea that we may grow up to step into their big shoes. They prefer we do not grow healthily so that our legs will remain small and unable to fit into their shoes. They are happy when we keep failing exams, a justification of their teething hold on the jaws of our common wealth.
I just wrote an essay meant to be read at this year’s children’s’ day but I have a filling that my legislators are only interested in sharing constituency projects money for their avarice and the civil servants have become the civil gods. The judges are heating my small head with their gavels while the big thieves get patted for introducing dynamism to looting.
I am the endangered specie, our blackboards are so white that we can no more see what the chalk writes, I hawk on the streets and I am being hawked. Those who once lived their childhood to the fullest now deny me the innocence of childhood. I am raped, I am orphaned, I am exploited, I am denied basic amenities, and I am the endangered specie. I am the Nigerian child. Happy children’s day indeed!
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I am the endangered specie, billions of naira is spent trying to conserve wild life and forestry but little is set aside to conserve me. I am writing this letter with urgency because I may have become extinct by this time next year. I am the endangered specie, in an era where my equals in other parts of the world are getting better attention and quality treatment. Now more than ever I am a target of pedophiles, an object of rape, an item of domestic violence, an article of less national value.
I am the endangered specie, I eat hunger for dinner and drink thirst at lunch, malaria is the only companion I have ;though billions is spent to roll back malaria, the only person who gets rolled is me. Daily I am rolled into life of starvation, deprivation and violence. I am privileged to go to a health centre manned by quacks and I got enrolled some years back into a ghetto called school. In my school the teachers were never students or they were students who didn’t pass their exams; however they are all that could be hired since my situation is a pitiable one.
I want to read but hunger blobs my sight only for me to fail and the blame is put on the standard of education. I have looked every where for standard of education to ask it why it makes me fail but the more I search for it the more I see the faces of the government officials who sent their children to schools abroad with the budget meant for our local education.
I am the endangered specie, I would have loved to send in an entry for this years Children’s day celebration but I suddenly realized that I have failed my exams in advance because our curriculum is either not convenient for the kind of children in my country or my country is not committed to the curriculum. I suddenly realized that our leaders prefer a set of hungry, sick and uneducated children because they hate the idea that we may grow up to step into their big shoes. They prefer we do not grow healthily so that our legs will remain small and unable to fit into their shoes. They are happy when we keep failing exams, a justification of their teething hold on the jaws of our common wealth.
I just wrote an essay meant to be read at this year’s children’s’ day but I have a filling that my legislators are only interested in sharing constituency projects money for their avarice and the civil servants have become the civil gods. The judges are heating my small head with their gavels while the big thieves get patted for introducing dynamism to looting.
I am the endangered specie, our blackboards are so white that we can no more see what the chalk writes, I hawk on the streets and I am being hawked. Those who once lived their childhood to the fullest now deny me the innocence of childhood. I am raped, I am orphaned, I am exploited, I am denied basic amenities, and I am the endangered specie. I am the Nigerian child. Happy children’s day indeed!
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WRITING ON MY WALL
CredoWriters: Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
Ø It has been eleven years since I started cleaning the dirt on my wall. I am cleaning my wall to erase all the old writings that dotted the wall over a period of thirty nine years. Hard as I clean, I am not making the desired progress I ought to. Could it be that the old writings on my wall have so stuck that no amount of cleaning will wipe them away, or is it that I clean slower than the writings that keep cropping?
Ø I need to have a clean wall; I need space on my wall to write quality health, affordable and decent accommodation, controlled inflation, optimal employment level, macro economic stability, good and motor able roads, and security. I need more space to write child care and protection, credible electoral process, stable power supply, adequate water supply, alternative revenue generation, refined petroleum products, religious harmony, youth and women empowerment.
Ø If I can clean all the previous rusty and dirty writings I will be able to write more of qualitative education, transparency and accountability, civil liberties, rule of law, dignity of human hood, national pride, agricultural revolution, balance of payments equilibrium, sound judicial and legal system. If I do not wipe my wall fast and clean enough how can I guarantee constitutional reforms and fundamental human rights? I need enough space to write on my wall. But the old writings clean slower and the most antagonizing is the little I clean, the more the old writings spring up. I still see rape after cleaning for eleven years, someone wrote poverty after all my efforts of cleaning this long. An enemy wrote religious crisis and genocide, robbery and rituals, women and child trafficking. How fast can I clean my wall when as I clean the fifth columnists write the old ways faster than I?
Ø It has been eleven years of cleaning my wall, do not write on my wall to enable me finish. If you must write, please do not write drug abuse, cultism, child marriage, exponential inflation of contracts. Please do not write exam malpractices, election rigging, advance fee fraud, money laundering. Help save my wall by not writing kidnapping, oil spillage, gas flaring, fuel scarcity . Do not bring the word discrimination on my wall neither should you bring hunger again to my wall nor bribery and corruption. I have been cleaning my wall for the past eleven years after it was messed up in the previous thirty nine years. I am about spending fifty years with a wall that I can not be proud of .Kindly spare me the troubles and pains of abortion, infant and mother mortality, mass illiteracy exam failure, prostitution, violence against women and children or slavery.
Ø I am so exhausted from eleven years of cleaning and writing on my wall. Give me some water and food, I need light to work all night and meet my target. Give me space to clean and write on my wall. If you must write on my wall do not write any of those words I am cleaning. Write prosperity, write self sufficiency, write development, write peace, write hope, write genuine DEMOCRACY! Eleven years of writing on my wall; I want the world to see the results and not excuses.
Ø It has been eleven years since I started cleaning the dirt on my wall. I am cleaning my wall to erase all the old writings that dotted the wall over a period of thirty nine years. Hard as I clean, I am not making the desired progress I ought to. Could it be that the old writings on my wall have so stuck that no amount of cleaning will wipe them away, or is it that I clean slower than the writings that keep cropping?
Ø I need to have a clean wall; I need space on my wall to write quality health, affordable and decent accommodation, controlled inflation, optimal employment level, macro economic stability, good and motor able roads, and security. I need more space to write child care and protection, credible electoral process, stable power supply, adequate water supply, alternative revenue generation, refined petroleum products, religious harmony, youth and women empowerment.
Ø If I can clean all the previous rusty and dirty writings I will be able to write more of qualitative education, transparency and accountability, civil liberties, rule of law, dignity of human hood, national pride, agricultural revolution, balance of payments equilibrium, sound judicial and legal system. If I do not wipe my wall fast and clean enough how can I guarantee constitutional reforms and fundamental human rights? I need enough space to write on my wall. But the old writings clean slower and the most antagonizing is the little I clean, the more the old writings spring up. I still see rape after cleaning for eleven years, someone wrote poverty after all my efforts of cleaning this long. An enemy wrote religious crisis and genocide, robbery and rituals, women and child trafficking. How fast can I clean my wall when as I clean the fifth columnists write the old ways faster than I?
Ø It has been eleven years of cleaning my wall, do not write on my wall to enable me finish. If you must write, please do not write drug abuse, cultism, child marriage, exponential inflation of contracts. Please do not write exam malpractices, election rigging, advance fee fraud, money laundering. Help save my wall by not writing kidnapping, oil spillage, gas flaring, fuel scarcity . Do not bring the word discrimination on my wall neither should you bring hunger again to my wall nor bribery and corruption. I have been cleaning my wall for the past eleven years after it was messed up in the previous thirty nine years. I am about spending fifty years with a wall that I can not be proud of .Kindly spare me the troubles and pains of abortion, infant and mother mortality, mass illiteracy exam failure, prostitution, violence against women and children or slavery.
Ø I am so exhausted from eleven years of cleaning and writing on my wall. Give me some water and food, I need light to work all night and meet my target. Give me space to clean and write on my wall. If you must write on my wall do not write any of those words I am cleaning. Write prosperity, write self sufficiency, write development, write peace, write hope, write genuine DEMOCRACY! Eleven years of writing on my wall; I want the world to see the results and not excuses.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
LETTER TO HEAVEN
CredoWriters- Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
Our father in heaven I want to pray but I am not a Pentecostal prayer warrior, I want to sing like the psalmist but my vocal cords are not good for singing. All I can do is to pray in writing and write as if I am singing. There is no telephone to heaven so how do I dial your number and no post office box either. But I know you are ever present and ever living, my prayer or song when written will get to you and my prayers will be answered.
Our Father in heaven; you told us your kingdom will come, but the evil men keep chasing us away from that kingdom or keep diverting that kingdom to their pockets and offshore accounts. Is it just that millions should be denied your kingdom because some selected brigands have laid siege on our inheritance?
Our father in heaven; you taught us to ask for this day and with faith in you we only seek for this day. We live for this day and want to fend for our families for this day, but daily we lack for this day because the greedy ones have since days gone by appropriated the days ahead for themselves upfront. They took our day and are even taking all the days yet to come leaving us helpless and hopeless. Our daily bread they have accumulated to their ever bread. We toil and get more impoverished; they belched on the fruits of our labour while we keep praying for this day which they have already stolen.
Our father in heaven, how can we forgive them their trespasses when they are not working towards emancipating us from economic slavery? We ask you to forgive us the sins we commit to ensure we survive their wickedness. Punish them since they are the real brains behind our sins and father, for us to be sinless the evil men must be purged.
Our father in heaven; they have more than led us into temptation. They are pushing us to steal our own porridge because it is not made available to all. They have led us to tell lies proclaiming their lordships to get crumbs from their tables. We scramble for crumbs from the bread they steal daily from us.
Our father; kindly delivers us from evil and we know who they are. We can not be delivered from evil when the outlive us. We can only be delivered from evil if you kill them for us father. Father, I do not imply you are a murderer because to kill an evil man is not murder. Ten good men have never caused misery to one bad man, but one bad man can cause miseries to million men. Should a few evil men live for millions to suffer?
Our father in heaven I am not a Pharisee, neither am I a tax collector. I am worse than the hybrid of these two. I am a Nigerian at the brink of extinction. Save us lord from the smiling evil men and the frowning evil men alike. Protect us from the wicked people who play chess with our destiny as a nation and a people. Those who wasted our today must not waste again our tomorrow.
In your most Holy name I pray. Amen.
14042010
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Our father in heaven I want to pray but I am not a Pentecostal prayer warrior, I want to sing like the psalmist but my vocal cords are not good for singing. All I can do is to pray in writing and write as if I am singing. There is no telephone to heaven so how do I dial your number and no post office box either. But I know you are ever present and ever living, my prayer or song when written will get to you and my prayers will be answered.
Our Father in heaven; you told us your kingdom will come, but the evil men keep chasing us away from that kingdom or keep diverting that kingdom to their pockets and offshore accounts. Is it just that millions should be denied your kingdom because some selected brigands have laid siege on our inheritance?
Our father in heaven; you taught us to ask for this day and with faith in you we only seek for this day. We live for this day and want to fend for our families for this day, but daily we lack for this day because the greedy ones have since days gone by appropriated the days ahead for themselves upfront. They took our day and are even taking all the days yet to come leaving us helpless and hopeless. Our daily bread they have accumulated to their ever bread. We toil and get more impoverished; they belched on the fruits of our labour while we keep praying for this day which they have already stolen.
Our father in heaven, how can we forgive them their trespasses when they are not working towards emancipating us from economic slavery? We ask you to forgive us the sins we commit to ensure we survive their wickedness. Punish them since they are the real brains behind our sins and father, for us to be sinless the evil men must be purged.
Our father in heaven; they have more than led us into temptation. They are pushing us to steal our own porridge because it is not made available to all. They have led us to tell lies proclaiming their lordships to get crumbs from their tables. We scramble for crumbs from the bread they steal daily from us.
Our father; kindly delivers us from evil and we know who they are. We can not be delivered from evil when the outlive us. We can only be delivered from evil if you kill them for us father. Father, I do not imply you are a murderer because to kill an evil man is not murder. Ten good men have never caused misery to one bad man, but one bad man can cause miseries to million men. Should a few evil men live for millions to suffer?
Our father in heaven I am not a Pharisee, neither am I a tax collector. I am worse than the hybrid of these two. I am a Nigerian at the brink of extinction. Save us lord from the smiling evil men and the frowning evil men alike. Protect us from the wicked people who play chess with our destiny as a nation and a people. Those who wasted our today must not waste again our tomorrow.
In your most Holy name I pray. Amen.
14042010
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“MADE FOR NIGERIAN ROADS”
CredoWriters- Wakdok,Samuel Stephen.
If we looked back at the history of advertisements in Nigeria, can we still remember the Peugeot advert of about 22- 25 years ago? “Made for Nigerian Roads.”
Peugeot was definitely one of the best brands you could find then in Nigeria among the likes of Volvo, Benz, Fiat, Passat, Land Rover etc. Toyota was still relatively alien and Honda had barely graduated from manufacturing motorcycles and generators.
The advert looked great on TV especially with all the GLs, GRs, SRs, brands of Peugeot 405,504,505 and the ultimate 505 Peugeot Evolution. I recalled seeing brand new Peugeots cruising in the adverts on TV and Newspapers while they sold for as low as N79, 000.00 as recent as 1989. The advert then made a lot of sense and it was a selling point for PAN that their cars were strong and rugged enough for our roads. In retrospect I want to interpret that advert as either an insult on the Nigerian nation that we needed such rugged cars for our bad roads, or I rather euphemistically say the advert should have been a wake up call for the various agencies of government saddled with providing roads and other critical infrastructure to have read in between the lines. Funny enough this was a period when we had DFRRI (Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure) under the Babangida regime running concurrently with the Federal ministry of works and housing on one hand and the various states ministries of works and housing on the other.
Today, we have FERMA (Federal Road Maintenance Agency) and the works ministries but that Peugeot advert is gone. I would have been happy if that advert was obliterated on the ground that Nigerian roads do not need an advert for rugged cars. I would have been happier if as Honda and Toyota were taking over the Nigerian and world automobile markets, Nigerian roads were gradually been transformed. I would have been happiest if Peugeot which way back found the winning formula to be the king of Nigerian roads had no need of improving their brand since our roads not only became deadlier but unable to be fixed; even with all the gulf war oil windfalls of 1991 and the N300 billion naira of Mr. ‘Fix It’. Paradoxically, Peugeot went into Research and Development to come up with 406, 306,206,307,407 and 607.Where as Peugeot like other automobile manufacturers saw the need for innovation and transformation, Nigeria saw no need to improve upon her roads or other infrastructure.
If we walked and drove on rugged roads during the Peugeot advert, we now drive on death traps a quarter of a century after. If we walked on untarred roads to schools during DFRRI and the famous Peugeot advert, we now hop on refuse dumps and pot holes in the era of FERMA and exotic cars. The pitiable news is this, if Peugeot saw the need to use steel and durable spare parts during the life span of their “built for Nigerian roads” adverts because there was care for standard and safety, they are now driven by competition, innovation and efficiency of factors of production to use fibre. If cost went down, then standards also went down. If our roads went from bad to worse, then the quality of cars on the road nose dived too. But they cared less because very few Nigerians asides government agencies can afford the brand new Peugeot automobiles as we have become a Tokunbo Nation, a pack of Cotonou Drivers, and a proud set of Belgium car owners. The unvarnished truth is that Peugeot does not care to run adverts on papers and TV anymore, because they can no longer describe the state of the Nigerian roads either in print or graphics. If they now attempt to measure their comparative advantage by the level of Nigerian roads as a competitive edge; their international certification may be withdrawn because our roads have attained a negative status.
Major General A. A. Adisa (RTD) a former works Minister died in a motor accident as a result of bad roads; you may call that the law of retributive Justice. But what about the countless Nigerians prominent and classless who have died per minute on our roads? Innocent school children have been killed by reckless drivers who are products of a notorious road regime in Nigeria. The condition of Nigerian roads have become so terrible that we no longer go through driving schools to obtain our driver’s licenses, there are as many unqualified drivers as the unsafe un-motor able roads that dot all corners and cross all highways in Nigeria. Last week the Chairman of FERMA asserts that one trillion naira is needed to fix Nigerian roads. All the hundreds of billions of naira hitherto earmarked for the roads have worsened (but bulged pockets and accounts) rather than alleviate the situation. And the most recent casualty of the Nigerian road is Hajiya Fatima Ibrahim, the former Minster of Energy in charge of Power at the commencement of Yar’adua’s regime.
I can’t tell which of these will be harder for Peugeot to achieve. Get another slogan for a new advert that will surpass the old one which boasts: “Built for Nigerian Roads” or really manufacture cars that will withstand the oddities of the present state of Nigerian roads which they were able to achieve in the time past? Funny enough Nigerians are now born and like the Peugeot cars of yore made for Nigerian roads and that is why many more Nigerians are dying on Nigerian roads.
07042010
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If we looked back at the history of advertisements in Nigeria, can we still remember the Peugeot advert of about 22- 25 years ago? “Made for Nigerian Roads.”
Peugeot was definitely one of the best brands you could find then in Nigeria among the likes of Volvo, Benz, Fiat, Passat, Land Rover etc. Toyota was still relatively alien and Honda had barely graduated from manufacturing motorcycles and generators.
The advert looked great on TV especially with all the GLs, GRs, SRs, brands of Peugeot 405,504,505 and the ultimate 505 Peugeot Evolution. I recalled seeing brand new Peugeots cruising in the adverts on TV and Newspapers while they sold for as low as N79, 000.00 as recent as 1989. The advert then made a lot of sense and it was a selling point for PAN that their cars were strong and rugged enough for our roads. In retrospect I want to interpret that advert as either an insult on the Nigerian nation that we needed such rugged cars for our bad roads, or I rather euphemistically say the advert should have been a wake up call for the various agencies of government saddled with providing roads and other critical infrastructure to have read in between the lines. Funny enough this was a period when we had DFRRI (Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure) under the Babangida regime running concurrently with the Federal ministry of works and housing on one hand and the various states ministries of works and housing on the other.
Today, we have FERMA (Federal Road Maintenance Agency) and the works ministries but that Peugeot advert is gone. I would have been happy if that advert was obliterated on the ground that Nigerian roads do not need an advert for rugged cars. I would have been happier if as Honda and Toyota were taking over the Nigerian and world automobile markets, Nigerian roads were gradually been transformed. I would have been happiest if Peugeot which way back found the winning formula to be the king of Nigerian roads had no need of improving their brand since our roads not only became deadlier but unable to be fixed; even with all the gulf war oil windfalls of 1991 and the N300 billion naira of Mr. ‘Fix It’. Paradoxically, Peugeot went into Research and Development to come up with 406, 306,206,307,407 and 607.Where as Peugeot like other automobile manufacturers saw the need for innovation and transformation, Nigeria saw no need to improve upon her roads or other infrastructure.
If we walked and drove on rugged roads during the Peugeot advert, we now drive on death traps a quarter of a century after. If we walked on untarred roads to schools during DFRRI and the famous Peugeot advert, we now hop on refuse dumps and pot holes in the era of FERMA and exotic cars. The pitiable news is this, if Peugeot saw the need to use steel and durable spare parts during the life span of their “built for Nigerian roads” adverts because there was care for standard and safety, they are now driven by competition, innovation and efficiency of factors of production to use fibre. If cost went down, then standards also went down. If our roads went from bad to worse, then the quality of cars on the road nose dived too. But they cared less because very few Nigerians asides government agencies can afford the brand new Peugeot automobiles as we have become a Tokunbo Nation, a pack of Cotonou Drivers, and a proud set of Belgium car owners. The unvarnished truth is that Peugeot does not care to run adverts on papers and TV anymore, because they can no longer describe the state of the Nigerian roads either in print or graphics. If they now attempt to measure their comparative advantage by the level of Nigerian roads as a competitive edge; their international certification may be withdrawn because our roads have attained a negative status.
Major General A. A. Adisa (RTD) a former works Minister died in a motor accident as a result of bad roads; you may call that the law of retributive Justice. But what about the countless Nigerians prominent and classless who have died per minute on our roads? Innocent school children have been killed by reckless drivers who are products of a notorious road regime in Nigeria. The condition of Nigerian roads have become so terrible that we no longer go through driving schools to obtain our driver’s licenses, there are as many unqualified drivers as the unsafe un-motor able roads that dot all corners and cross all highways in Nigeria. Last week the Chairman of FERMA asserts that one trillion naira is needed to fix Nigerian roads. All the hundreds of billions of naira hitherto earmarked for the roads have worsened (but bulged pockets and accounts) rather than alleviate the situation. And the most recent casualty of the Nigerian road is Hajiya Fatima Ibrahim, the former Minster of Energy in charge of Power at the commencement of Yar’adua’s regime.
I can’t tell which of these will be harder for Peugeot to achieve. Get another slogan for a new advert that will surpass the old one which boasts: “Built for Nigerian Roads” or really manufacture cars that will withstand the oddities of the present state of Nigerian roads which they were able to achieve in the time past? Funny enough Nigerians are now born and like the Peugeot cars of yore made for Nigerian roads and that is why many more Nigerians are dying on Nigerian roads.
07042010
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THE DIARY OF A CREDO KID
CredoWritersBy: Wakdok,Samuel Stephen
My dad does not keep a diary but I am not my dad. I can only want to be like him in ways I can; yet I am myself, a different person even if just a baby and so in my less than three months on earth I keep a diary; my own diary.
I was surprised to be born in a private or call it catholic hospital when I came to find out that my uncle works in a teaching hospital. Since a teaching hospital is a tertiary health provider I expected to get the best but I was more surprised to hear that Uncle Besto as he is fondly called warned my dad against having me delivered in their teaching hospital. Why? I asked; my uncle does not trust the facilities in government hospitals where he works. They may have the best brains but the facilities and services may not be able to match his confidence level and he wants the best for me as his nephew.
Shortly after my mum was delivered of me, just less than fourteen hours later to be specific, Jos caught fire and the scene where it all started was just less than 2 kilometers from my hospital bed and my mum had not even fully recovered from the anesthesia. The tanks rolled beside my wall and though I was less than a day old, I was not expected to hear or make sounds, I heard the sounds of war and the war is taking a heavy toll on humanity. I will love to skip the horrors of March 7, 2010 where children and women were made to face the inhumanity of man to man at a genocidal proportion. Funny enough my mum took me on a flight as if to Egypt when Herod wanted to kill the baby Jesus. She has refused to go back to the city my dad loves most in the world because the world has become unsafe even for harmless and innocent children and women, perhaps I now know that the innocents are the most vulnerable.
I am a baby, but the power situation has taught me how to sweat like an iron smith. I stare at the bulbs so much when PHCN manage to supply electricity or when daddy puts on the generator. I hear noise but the light which illuminates from the noise making machine over shadows the noise, unfortunately my dad spends money buying fuel to just give us few hours light at night. For the very few times the power comes on, I skip my sleep to stare at that beautiful but evading brightness and the breeze from the fan can be so soothing, I only wish we can have power always.
Sadly, my maternal grand father died after a brief illness in a government hospital, they were proud to inform my mourning family as they must have been doing to others that the mortuary is not working. A doctor class mate of my uncle was bold to tell my dad that since she came to that hospital; the mortuary has never worked that she knows of. Alas; I now understand uncle Besto’s fear about my mum giving birth to me in their teaching hospital which is government owned. In Nigeria there is either no effective government or there is a government cartel run along family and business lines and the rest outside this alliance are left to fend for themselves in anyway and every way even if to the point of death. When we traveled for the interment I saw the state of roads and I will need to grow older to be able to describe the condition of these roads in my diary, for now I will keep the pictures of what I saw in the fatigue my small body and bones went through.
My aunties and mum told my dad how I watch TV with keen interest even at my tender age; my dad dismissed them as exaggerating the scenario. Last night when the generator powered TV was on, I saw the only ex-military President concurring to speculations that he would contest the 2011 presidential election on the platform of the PDP. My dad was furious because he believes Nigeria got its descent into abyss during the evil reign of IBB and he is so mad that people are even considering IBB for presidency in 2011. IBB was the man who looted the treasury like no one before him ever did and he opened the gateway to Nigeria’s hell. If IBB had used his executive military power, the abundant oil wealth and his 8 years of tenaciously holding to power to build roads, refineries and power plants, the level of infrastructural decay witnessed now will never have happened. IBB politicized the military by giving political appointments to junior officers who were called IBB boys at the expense of their superiors. These same junior officers would later return to the barracks with millions and exotic cars and were expected to take orders from their superiors? He stirred the hornet’s nest by sneaking a secular Nigeria into the organization of Islamic countries. So much time was wasted on debating the IMF conditionalities while the citizens vehemently rejected it, IBB went behind their back to introduce the structural adjustment programme. He undid the best election and called it annulment, my dad is really mad that IBB could even dare to think of coming back. But in Nigeria the evil minded have always held the country to ransom.
I was born at a time that Nigeria had no resident President, the hullabaloo of making the then Vice President to act was tearing the nation apart, eventually when the pressure became unbearable the National Assembly introduced the doctrine of necessity into the polity and proclaimed the VP as AP( Acting President). The controversial Attorney General was promptly relegated to the delight of most Nigerians. After the Executive council of the federation was dissolved hopes were high that a new council would comprise of dynamic visionaries and experts, hopes seemed dashed when most of the new members are either recycled or come from families with ties to those who have milked this nation dry.
I love my Spanish name even though I wonder why my dad gave me the name Salvador which reminds people of the Mexican soap opera titled Second Chance. However he argues that he had that name in mind years before he got married or even came across the soap opera. My name can be translated to mean saviour or rescuer. Apparently Nigeria needs a second chance and Nigerians need to become the saviours and rescuers of themselves. This can only be done when we all stand for the right cause and sacrifice our inordinate ambitions for the glory of truth and country. Babies like me must grow to know what is right and not just anything. Above all the country must be given a new lease of life by allowing the new breeds an opportunity to enter the arena. Enough of the same old names of the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Let us take a cue from the Tony Blairs, Gordon Browns and David Camerons of the Britain, the Bill Clintons and Barrack Obamas of United States. Yesterday, the youths were the leaders of tomorrow. The youths of yesterday should be the leaders of today so that the youth of today may be the leaders tomorrow.
I am a credo kid and I believe that we will make it. But the nation will make it only when our elders set their priorities rights and leave the stage for the new breed to continue. Continuity does not have to remain with the individual; continuity is only guaranteed if the system has the capacity to regenerate irrespective of individuals. What is needed is for the institutional capacities to be strengthened and guaranteed and not for power to keep rotating among old hands and fagged brains .No individual should be too powerful to hold the system captive and no system should be so inefficient to make millions of people suffer in a nation blessed with abundant resources both natural and human.
The candle I am using to write is almost burning out and I am sweating profusely, I would have loved to have a cold bath but my mum says it must be with hot water since I am still a baby. The water is almost boiling she needs to fix it with some cold water but the tap is not running. I guess she has gone out to look for water vendors or mai-ruwa as they call them. Here I sit writing in my diary and my dad is held up in the traffic after a hard day at work. Things must change for the better before I grow up so that life may be more meaningful for us in this nation.
My dad does not keep a diary but I am not my dad. I can only want to be like him in ways I can; yet I am myself, a different person even if just a baby and so in my less than three months on earth I keep a diary; my own diary.
I was surprised to be born in a private or call it catholic hospital when I came to find out that my uncle works in a teaching hospital. Since a teaching hospital is a tertiary health provider I expected to get the best but I was more surprised to hear that Uncle Besto as he is fondly called warned my dad against having me delivered in their teaching hospital. Why? I asked; my uncle does not trust the facilities in government hospitals where he works. They may have the best brains but the facilities and services may not be able to match his confidence level and he wants the best for me as his nephew.
Shortly after my mum was delivered of me, just less than fourteen hours later to be specific, Jos caught fire and the scene where it all started was just less than 2 kilometers from my hospital bed and my mum had not even fully recovered from the anesthesia. The tanks rolled beside my wall and though I was less than a day old, I was not expected to hear or make sounds, I heard the sounds of war and the war is taking a heavy toll on humanity. I will love to skip the horrors of March 7, 2010 where children and women were made to face the inhumanity of man to man at a genocidal proportion. Funny enough my mum took me on a flight as if to Egypt when Herod wanted to kill the baby Jesus. She has refused to go back to the city my dad loves most in the world because the world has become unsafe even for harmless and innocent children and women, perhaps I now know that the innocents are the most vulnerable.
I am a baby, but the power situation has taught me how to sweat like an iron smith. I stare at the bulbs so much when PHCN manage to supply electricity or when daddy puts on the generator. I hear noise but the light which illuminates from the noise making machine over shadows the noise, unfortunately my dad spends money buying fuel to just give us few hours light at night. For the very few times the power comes on, I skip my sleep to stare at that beautiful but evading brightness and the breeze from the fan can be so soothing, I only wish we can have power always.
Sadly, my maternal grand father died after a brief illness in a government hospital, they were proud to inform my mourning family as they must have been doing to others that the mortuary is not working. A doctor class mate of my uncle was bold to tell my dad that since she came to that hospital; the mortuary has never worked that she knows of. Alas; I now understand uncle Besto’s fear about my mum giving birth to me in their teaching hospital which is government owned. In Nigeria there is either no effective government or there is a government cartel run along family and business lines and the rest outside this alliance are left to fend for themselves in anyway and every way even if to the point of death. When we traveled for the interment I saw the state of roads and I will need to grow older to be able to describe the condition of these roads in my diary, for now I will keep the pictures of what I saw in the fatigue my small body and bones went through.
My aunties and mum told my dad how I watch TV with keen interest even at my tender age; my dad dismissed them as exaggerating the scenario. Last night when the generator powered TV was on, I saw the only ex-military President concurring to speculations that he would contest the 2011 presidential election on the platform of the PDP. My dad was furious because he believes Nigeria got its descent into abyss during the evil reign of IBB and he is so mad that people are even considering IBB for presidency in 2011. IBB was the man who looted the treasury like no one before him ever did and he opened the gateway to Nigeria’s hell. If IBB had used his executive military power, the abundant oil wealth and his 8 years of tenaciously holding to power to build roads, refineries and power plants, the level of infrastructural decay witnessed now will never have happened. IBB politicized the military by giving political appointments to junior officers who were called IBB boys at the expense of their superiors. These same junior officers would later return to the barracks with millions and exotic cars and were expected to take orders from their superiors? He stirred the hornet’s nest by sneaking a secular Nigeria into the organization of Islamic countries. So much time was wasted on debating the IMF conditionalities while the citizens vehemently rejected it, IBB went behind their back to introduce the structural adjustment programme. He undid the best election and called it annulment, my dad is really mad that IBB could even dare to think of coming back. But in Nigeria the evil minded have always held the country to ransom.
I was born at a time that Nigeria had no resident President, the hullabaloo of making the then Vice President to act was tearing the nation apart, eventually when the pressure became unbearable the National Assembly introduced the doctrine of necessity into the polity and proclaimed the VP as AP( Acting President). The controversial Attorney General was promptly relegated to the delight of most Nigerians. After the Executive council of the federation was dissolved hopes were high that a new council would comprise of dynamic visionaries and experts, hopes seemed dashed when most of the new members are either recycled or come from families with ties to those who have milked this nation dry.
I love my Spanish name even though I wonder why my dad gave me the name Salvador which reminds people of the Mexican soap opera titled Second Chance. However he argues that he had that name in mind years before he got married or even came across the soap opera. My name can be translated to mean saviour or rescuer. Apparently Nigeria needs a second chance and Nigerians need to become the saviours and rescuers of themselves. This can only be done when we all stand for the right cause and sacrifice our inordinate ambitions for the glory of truth and country. Babies like me must grow to know what is right and not just anything. Above all the country must be given a new lease of life by allowing the new breeds an opportunity to enter the arena. Enough of the same old names of the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Let us take a cue from the Tony Blairs, Gordon Browns and David Camerons of the Britain, the Bill Clintons and Barrack Obamas of United States. Yesterday, the youths were the leaders of tomorrow. The youths of yesterday should be the leaders of today so that the youth of today may be the leaders tomorrow.
I am a credo kid and I believe that we will make it. But the nation will make it only when our elders set their priorities rights and leave the stage for the new breed to continue. Continuity does not have to remain with the individual; continuity is only guaranteed if the system has the capacity to regenerate irrespective of individuals. What is needed is for the institutional capacities to be strengthened and guaranteed and not for power to keep rotating among old hands and fagged brains .No individual should be too powerful to hold the system captive and no system should be so inefficient to make millions of people suffer in a nation blessed with abundant resources both natural and human.
The candle I am using to write is almost burning out and I am sweating profusely, I would have loved to have a cold bath but my mum says it must be with hot water since I am still a baby. The water is almost boiling she needs to fix it with some cold water but the tap is not running. I guess she has gone out to look for water vendors or mai-ruwa as they call them. Here I sit writing in my diary and my dad is held up in the traffic after a hard day at work. Things must change for the better before I grow up so that life may be more meaningful for us in this nation.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
FOREVER AND A DAY
FOREVER AND A DAY
(1)
CredoFiction- Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
She is sexy, voluptuous, and dangerously beautiful. Exactly as I have always wished my lady to be. She brings all the passion and fantasy of my teenage years to life. I have always wanted to meet and fall in love with the most beautiful woman who will make heads turn on the street and even in the church. I have loved to have a woman that will make any man jealous. And also to have a lady who is hospitable and friendly to all.
I had a very busy schedule for the day; the appointment with the consultants was finally scheduled to hold today after about three postponements. As the lead partner in my architectural firm, this was the kind of contract I have always dreamed of. Once we successfully execute this contract and the sum is paid, I am sure of making triple digits which will launch me and the firm to unimaginable heights. The beauty of the design alone will earn us more business and I am very sure that this is just the beginning of our ----
Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Tyres screeching
I was so buried in my thoughts that I didn’t see the other car coming from left side of the road; before I could turn to see the car I had quickly maneuvered my car to avoid hitting the other car. I couldn’t imagining getting involved in any accident today of all days when I am about sealing this life changing deal and clinching the contract. As I swerved my steering to avoid hitting the other car, there was no way I would know that I had left the road and had hit my car against a broken down vehicle. Before I could rescue myself out of my car the other driver who caused all these quickly drove away.
I assessed my car to see the extent of the damage, luckily no injury to me or any other person, but this would surely delay me as my radiator was already empty, it gave way when I hit the stationary vehicle. I have just an option – take a cab to the meeting because I cannot afford to miss it at any cost.
“Oh no I am sorry, it is a pity you got involved in this but can we be grateful to God for your life?” Came one of the sweetest voice I have ever heard. As I turned to look at the owner of the voice I saw a face more beautiful. She was dressed in a casual but decent top and jean. Yet from her clothe I could see her feminity peeping out. I was still looking for my voice to respond to her concern when she moved closer and asked me if I was okay.
“I am Suzanna. How do we get you and your car out of this situation?”
My name is Felix was all I could stutter as her breathe enveloped the atmosphere.
I looked at my wrist watch and saw that I only had 15 minutes to the meeting. How long with it take my mechanic to get to the scene? Unless I decide to leave the car on the road since going late for that meeting was not thinkable.
She seemed to have read my thoughts and asked me what I was going to do.
“Suzanna, I have this urgent and very important meeting to attend and I have less than 15 minutes …
She cut me short before I could finish and asked for the venue of the meeting. Apparently she lives not far away from the scene of the accident. She put a call through to her driver and when he came she offered to drive me to the venue of my meeting. Her driver would wait until my mechanic comes to take my car to his workshop.
We talked less as we drove to the venue, she guessed rightly that I needed to calm down and regain my composure and I was grateful to her for both the ride and the silence. I travelled back to my thoughts and was oscillating between the beauty beside me who came to my rescue and the project I was looking for to clinch. We got to the venue on schedule and as I was alighting from her car, I bent down to pick my laptop; she reached out and touched one of my shoulders asking me when I would be through with the meeting.
All I could tell her “it is a business meeting and I can’t determine how long it would take. But immediately we are through I will take a taxi to my mechanic’s since I hope he would have been through with my car by that time.”
I was so happy that I made it to the meeting on time and I lacked words to express my appreciation. I quickly put my hand into my pocket and fished out my card and passed it to her. I thanked her for saving my day rushed away before I realized I didn’t collect her card. I ran back to her car and asked for her card which she didn’t have in the car but promised to text me her number since I was in a hurry.
I clinched the project deal and I was elated. That was when I realized that her text had not come in and all the euphoria of hundreds of millions in naira fizzled because I want to see Suzanna again. She made it possible for me to be punctual at the meeting and the money gave way for the quest of seeing her eyes again and listen to that sweet voice of hers.
So much has happened in one day and it seems it will take me a life time to forget the money I will make and the lady who came to my aid.
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FOREVER AND A DAY
(2)
CredoFiction- Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
Luckily when I got to the mechanic’s garage he had fixed the car. I was hoping if the Suzanna’s driver dropped his GSM number with my mechanic but he answered in the negative. I paid for the job and zoomed off. Already my office colleagues were calling to congratulate me on this quantum leap and we were billed to celebrate this big feet at the Zest; one of the newest joints in town. I drove home to have a quick shower and change into something casual. Much as I was overjoyed from the success of our contract and was so enthusiastic to share the pleasurable moment with my partners and colleagues, I notice that I was thinking more of Suzanna than the jack pot we just hit. Life! Is this how it is that we crave for something and when we get it we crave for something more? In the afternoon of this day until the sudden car crash and my meeting with Suzanna; all I longed for was to clinch the deal which we just did, but now there is this feeling of wanting something intangible. Every sms that hits my cell phone gives me hope of her number coming in only to be dashed when I see a client or a friend’s text.
In the heat of that accident and the rush to make the meeting, I didn’t realize that the phone in my hand is the new one I bought with a new SIM and this new number is not on my card. I must have left the other phone on my table when I dashed out this afternoon. I hurriedly changed and drove to the office, on my way I tried calling my secretary severally but her line was not connecting. When I got to my office I saw her text and several missed calls from that line. As I was trying to call her back another text of hers came in
Felix, I came back to pick you but I was told the meeting was over. I called many times but you were not picking. I hope your meeting went as planned. Try fixing your car and get some rest. Sue.”
I stood there transfixed, undecided; should I call her and get her address or go ahead to the Zest where my colleagues and I will be celebrating?
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FOREVER AND A DAY
(3)
CredoFiction- Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
I have always stood by my principles of not mixing business with pleasure and since the outing at the Zest is a continuation of our business victory, I owe my colleagues the duty of been there. Calling Suzanna will tempt me to want to meet her tonight and I wouldn’t want to risk standing up my colleagues.
When I got to the Zest, the enthusiasm of my partners was high, I was glad I didn’t keep them waiting any longer. We had drinks, ate enough meat and talked about our fortune and the fame that will come with it. We agreed that this is just the beginning and we must put more efforts to surpass our client’s expectation as that will open more doors for us all. Thankfully today is Friday and as such we can all rest tomorrow being Saturday. I needed the rest more than any one can imagine.
It was a long night for me, I tried severally but Sue’s line was switched off. I wanted to thank her on voice call apart from the text I sent when I was at the Zest. I was so exasperated that I should have slept like a log but this night sleep was not forthcoming. I couldn’t imagine how beautiful and sweet she was, I was grateful for her saving grace but most of it my heart began to travel and I want to meet her tomorrow, no tonight, no; right now. I wish she was here with me. I want to stare into those eyes and listen again to that voice. All the money I will make will not make any sense, not any more. I have suddenly found out that my fantasy has a face, my passion has a name, and my dream is real.
I struggled to sleep that night and since I was so fagged out, sleep came at about 3 am and I did not know when it was day break. I dragged myself to the bathroom and had a cold bath to clear off the fatigue. I could hear the beep of my cell phone and I was happy when her text came in. She turned in early for the night and she usually switches her phone. I called her and thanked her for the previous day’s kindness. She agreed to see me later in the day and I was so excited, I could only hold myself from screaming on the phone and wait for the time. Since my car was now in order, I offered to pick her but she declined and we agreed on meeting at La Ayisha, a cool spot not far from where we met the previous day. If she was beautiful yesterday, she is stunningly beautiful today. If she was sexy yesterday she is unethically tempting today. She smelled so sweet I felt like devouring her. I stood mesmerized at the sight of such a beauty that I did not even open my mouth to greet her.
“Felix, it is good to see you again. How are you today?”
I was jolted back to life when I heard my name.
We talked about a lot of things and by the end of that lunch, it was obvious that a friendship has been struck, but deep in my heart I knew that a day alone with this exquisite lady will not calm my nerves. I have always prided myself as a guy with self control, ladies do not accelerate my heart beat.I know that I am goodlooking, full of brains and sweet words and always in charge when it comes to matters of the heart; but here I am staring at my heart slipping away and should I be glad to let it go?
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FOREVER AND A DAY
(4)
CredoFiction- Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
“Felix, you know it has been wonderful knowing you. I just do not go about throwing my self at men. With you it was different, the first day I saw you I couldn’t pretend to myself, it was obvious I liked you and I showed it.”
“But I can not jump into another relationship now,I have not healed from the past relationship. Tony is a nice man, he did not break my heart;though I was hurt by his decision, I perfectly understand his reason.”
I have spoken all the words I can,yet she remained adamant. She is not ready to dare more than been friends. How can I tell what Tony did to her unless she tells me?
“Darling you know I love you, but I am sorry this thing can not work.It is not your fault and neither is it mine. The only blame I take is not bringing this up earlier, and that was because I was so consumed by our love and your sweetness that I did not think anything could come between us but sweet heart this is beyond us and you know it”
“Tony, where do you want me to start from? How do you want me to go on living , I love you and with you all that I am is in your heart.”
“Suzanna, yes I know all these;I love you and that is why I am asking you to let go. All that is not love ,that does not begin with love and end with love.”
“Tony is it my fault that both of us are carriers?”
“I didn’t say it was yours and I will be devastated too, but I know so much than to let us get into this. The future is longer than today, I want to save us all the problems that may arise which you know will not be in our control.”
“You have always confessed your love for me, remember how difficult it was for me to accept your overtures because I hate risking my heart. Eventually when you persisted and I saw how serious you were , I gave in and ever since I have loved you like I do to my soul.”
“It is because I love you that I am risking my life’s happiness to give us an opportunity to live happily. Loving you today will be useless if we can not remain in love forever.”
“What will stop us from loving always? If we love and love the way we do now, we can always stand what ever comes our way.Please Tony do not do this to me.”
I could see the mist in her eyes, I wanted to tell her to stop but I needed to know what she had suffered and why she is not forthcoming in opening her heart to another man.
“Suzanna, it takes a man that really loves you to give you up. If I am selfsih now, we all will suffer later. You, the kids and I.Take this as a sacrifice and evidence of my love. You will be hurt but that is because you are naïve now .”
FOREVER AND A DAY
(5)
CredoFiction- Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
“I loved him, I felt like dying but life has to gone on. I withdrew into my shell. My dad was the Defense Attache to Mexico, I resigned my job at MTN and went to Mexico for a while to get over Tony. There I read and learnt more about Tony’s fear.
Hitherto, I took it for granted. Apart from treating it in a topic in senior school biology I didn’t bother much about sickle cell anemia. I went back to dig some books about this subject that has caused me the greatest pain of my life. I was born into an aristocratic home, I am beautiful and they also said I have a stunning figure; men hardly give me a break even when Tony was all over me.
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic life-long blood disorder which is occurs mostly in the tropics where malaria is common. It is characterized by the red blood cells assuming an abnormal rigid sickle shape. Tissues that do not have a normal blood flow become damaged. Sickle cell anemia is inherited. If one parent has Sickle Cell Anemia (AS) and the other is Normal (AA), all of the children will have sickle cell trait.
If one parent has Sickle Cell Anemia (SS) and the other has Sickle Cell Trait (AS), there is a 50% chance (or 1 out of 2) of having a baby with either sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait with each pregnancy.
When both parents have Sickle Cell Trait, they have a 25% chance (1 of 4) of having a baby with sickle cell disease with each pregnancy.
“Tony and I happened to have the traits meaning we both are AS and that was the waterloo of our love relationship. Because I didn’t bother to know my genotype earlier, we never talked about it until almost three years into our relationship when Tony brought it up. He had a friend whose kids were suffering from the disease and the parents watched helpless as two of their children died. They made frantic efforts to save the kids through blood transfusion and other means, but there is no universal cure for sickle cell anemia.”
As she spoke I was astonished. I do not even know my own genotype. I have never cared all I know is that my blood group is A+.
My world stopped for a moment as I try to think what next to do. Rush to have a test of course; but my fear grew. After her experience with Tony and what she now knows about the disease, she swore that she is so grateful to Tony for saving her and their unborn kids from the risk of sickle cell and she will not even go into any relationship if the man has the trait or where he is ignorant of his genotype.
I was under so much pressure that I could not imagine what the result of my test will be. If I was a carrier like her will I live a normal life again without this lady full of life and sweetness? She is sexy, voluptuous, and dangerously beautiful. Exactly as I have always wished my lady to be and now I am loosing her to one senseless biological trait the way she lost Tony? We both waited in silence as the laboratory technologist walked out with my result, my eyes closed themselves and all the laughter in this world seem to evaporate right before me.
Epilogue
Suzanna and Felix have never stopped talking about the way they met and how they narrowly missed falling in love because of sickle cell anemia. Interestingly they both concur that it was so helpful they found out about their genotype before getting committed and thank heavens Felix’s genotype happened to be AA after the test results came out. They did two more tests to be very sure and Suzanna has never been this happy. She lost Tony but was glad she met Felix. Their wedding bells are already ringing and they have set up an NGO to educate people about the importance of knowing their Genotype and the help they will be doing themselves and their would- be children if they took informed decisions of not marrying themselves if they suffer or carry the traits. They are also opening access to therapies that will limit the pains and sufferings of those suffering from it.
Love is beautiful but sickle cell anemia in children may shatter that love when we marry blindly.
“I love you Felix and I will never let go of you my King.”
“Sue, you are my Pearl, my heart beat and my all; I am dangerously in love with you my Queen”
She is exquisitely beautiful and I am grateful to have her, to live with her for a day is to live forever.
Dedication:
To Jordan and all the products of love whose parents were ignorant of their Genotype status or the love was so strong when they found to let go.
AA + AA= AA,AA, AA,AA=Excellent
AA+AS=AA,AA,AA,AS= Good
AS+AS= AA,AS,AS,SS= Not Good
Note- The probability is the chances of occurrence in every pregnancy and not in the total number of children.
AS+SS= No
SS+SS= Not at all
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(1)
CredoFiction- Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
She is sexy, voluptuous, and dangerously beautiful. Exactly as I have always wished my lady to be. She brings all the passion and fantasy of my teenage years to life. I have always wanted to meet and fall in love with the most beautiful woman who will make heads turn on the street and even in the church. I have loved to have a woman that will make any man jealous. And also to have a lady who is hospitable and friendly to all.
I had a very busy schedule for the day; the appointment with the consultants was finally scheduled to hold today after about three postponements. As the lead partner in my architectural firm, this was the kind of contract I have always dreamed of. Once we successfully execute this contract and the sum is paid, I am sure of making triple digits which will launch me and the firm to unimaginable heights. The beauty of the design alone will earn us more business and I am very sure that this is just the beginning of our ----
Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Tyres screeching
I was so buried in my thoughts that I didn’t see the other car coming from left side of the road; before I could turn to see the car I had quickly maneuvered my car to avoid hitting the other car. I couldn’t imagining getting involved in any accident today of all days when I am about sealing this life changing deal and clinching the contract. As I swerved my steering to avoid hitting the other car, there was no way I would know that I had left the road and had hit my car against a broken down vehicle. Before I could rescue myself out of my car the other driver who caused all these quickly drove away.
I assessed my car to see the extent of the damage, luckily no injury to me or any other person, but this would surely delay me as my radiator was already empty, it gave way when I hit the stationary vehicle. I have just an option – take a cab to the meeting because I cannot afford to miss it at any cost.
“Oh no I am sorry, it is a pity you got involved in this but can we be grateful to God for your life?” Came one of the sweetest voice I have ever heard. As I turned to look at the owner of the voice I saw a face more beautiful. She was dressed in a casual but decent top and jean. Yet from her clothe I could see her feminity peeping out. I was still looking for my voice to respond to her concern when she moved closer and asked me if I was okay.
“I am Suzanna. How do we get you and your car out of this situation?”
My name is Felix was all I could stutter as her breathe enveloped the atmosphere.
I looked at my wrist watch and saw that I only had 15 minutes to the meeting. How long with it take my mechanic to get to the scene? Unless I decide to leave the car on the road since going late for that meeting was not thinkable.
She seemed to have read my thoughts and asked me what I was going to do.
“Suzanna, I have this urgent and very important meeting to attend and I have less than 15 minutes …
She cut me short before I could finish and asked for the venue of the meeting. Apparently she lives not far away from the scene of the accident. She put a call through to her driver and when he came she offered to drive me to the venue of my meeting. Her driver would wait until my mechanic comes to take my car to his workshop.
We talked less as we drove to the venue, she guessed rightly that I needed to calm down and regain my composure and I was grateful to her for both the ride and the silence. I travelled back to my thoughts and was oscillating between the beauty beside me who came to my rescue and the project I was looking for to clinch. We got to the venue on schedule and as I was alighting from her car, I bent down to pick my laptop; she reached out and touched one of my shoulders asking me when I would be through with the meeting.
All I could tell her “it is a business meeting and I can’t determine how long it would take. But immediately we are through I will take a taxi to my mechanic’s since I hope he would have been through with my car by that time.”
I was so happy that I made it to the meeting on time and I lacked words to express my appreciation. I quickly put my hand into my pocket and fished out my card and passed it to her. I thanked her for saving my day rushed away before I realized I didn’t collect her card. I ran back to her car and asked for her card which she didn’t have in the car but promised to text me her number since I was in a hurry.
I clinched the project deal and I was elated. That was when I realized that her text had not come in and all the euphoria of hundreds of millions in naira fizzled because I want to see Suzanna again. She made it possible for me to be punctual at the meeting and the money gave way for the quest of seeing her eyes again and listen to that sweet voice of hers.
So much has happened in one day and it seems it will take me a life time to forget the money I will make and the lady who came to my aid.
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FOREVER AND A DAY
(2)
CredoFiction- Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
Luckily when I got to the mechanic’s garage he had fixed the car. I was hoping if the Suzanna’s driver dropped his GSM number with my mechanic but he answered in the negative. I paid for the job and zoomed off. Already my office colleagues were calling to congratulate me on this quantum leap and we were billed to celebrate this big feet at the Zest; one of the newest joints in town. I drove home to have a quick shower and change into something casual. Much as I was overjoyed from the success of our contract and was so enthusiastic to share the pleasurable moment with my partners and colleagues, I notice that I was thinking more of Suzanna than the jack pot we just hit. Life! Is this how it is that we crave for something and when we get it we crave for something more? In the afternoon of this day until the sudden car crash and my meeting with Suzanna; all I longed for was to clinch the deal which we just did, but now there is this feeling of wanting something intangible. Every sms that hits my cell phone gives me hope of her number coming in only to be dashed when I see a client or a friend’s text.
In the heat of that accident and the rush to make the meeting, I didn’t realize that the phone in my hand is the new one I bought with a new SIM and this new number is not on my card. I must have left the other phone on my table when I dashed out this afternoon. I hurriedly changed and drove to the office, on my way I tried calling my secretary severally but her line was not connecting. When I got to my office I saw her text and several missed calls from that line. As I was trying to call her back another text of hers came in
Felix, I came back to pick you but I was told the meeting was over. I called many times but you were not picking. I hope your meeting went as planned. Try fixing your car and get some rest. Sue.”
I stood there transfixed, undecided; should I call her and get her address or go ahead to the Zest where my colleagues and I will be celebrating?
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FOREVER AND A DAY
(3)
CredoFiction- Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
I have always stood by my principles of not mixing business with pleasure and since the outing at the Zest is a continuation of our business victory, I owe my colleagues the duty of been there. Calling Suzanna will tempt me to want to meet her tonight and I wouldn’t want to risk standing up my colleagues.
When I got to the Zest, the enthusiasm of my partners was high, I was glad I didn’t keep them waiting any longer. We had drinks, ate enough meat and talked about our fortune and the fame that will come with it. We agreed that this is just the beginning and we must put more efforts to surpass our client’s expectation as that will open more doors for us all. Thankfully today is Friday and as such we can all rest tomorrow being Saturday. I needed the rest more than any one can imagine.
It was a long night for me, I tried severally but Sue’s line was switched off. I wanted to thank her on voice call apart from the text I sent when I was at the Zest. I was so exasperated that I should have slept like a log but this night sleep was not forthcoming. I couldn’t imagine how beautiful and sweet she was, I was grateful for her saving grace but most of it my heart began to travel and I want to meet her tomorrow, no tonight, no; right now. I wish she was here with me. I want to stare into those eyes and listen again to that voice. All the money I will make will not make any sense, not any more. I have suddenly found out that my fantasy has a face, my passion has a name, and my dream is real.
I struggled to sleep that night and since I was so fagged out, sleep came at about 3 am and I did not know when it was day break. I dragged myself to the bathroom and had a cold bath to clear off the fatigue. I could hear the beep of my cell phone and I was happy when her text came in. She turned in early for the night and she usually switches her phone. I called her and thanked her for the previous day’s kindness. She agreed to see me later in the day and I was so excited, I could only hold myself from screaming on the phone and wait for the time. Since my car was now in order, I offered to pick her but she declined and we agreed on meeting at La Ayisha, a cool spot not far from where we met the previous day. If she was beautiful yesterday, she is stunningly beautiful today. If she was sexy yesterday she is unethically tempting today. She smelled so sweet I felt like devouring her. I stood mesmerized at the sight of such a beauty that I did not even open my mouth to greet her.
“Felix, it is good to see you again. How are you today?”
I was jolted back to life when I heard my name.
We talked about a lot of things and by the end of that lunch, it was obvious that a friendship has been struck, but deep in my heart I knew that a day alone with this exquisite lady will not calm my nerves. I have always prided myself as a guy with self control, ladies do not accelerate my heart beat.I know that I am goodlooking, full of brains and sweet words and always in charge when it comes to matters of the heart; but here I am staring at my heart slipping away and should I be glad to let it go?
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FOREVER AND A DAY
(4)
CredoFiction- Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
“Felix, you know it has been wonderful knowing you. I just do not go about throwing my self at men. With you it was different, the first day I saw you I couldn’t pretend to myself, it was obvious I liked you and I showed it.”
“But I can not jump into another relationship now,I have not healed from the past relationship. Tony is a nice man, he did not break my heart;though I was hurt by his decision, I perfectly understand his reason.”
I have spoken all the words I can,yet she remained adamant. She is not ready to dare more than been friends. How can I tell what Tony did to her unless she tells me?
“Darling you know I love you, but I am sorry this thing can not work.It is not your fault and neither is it mine. The only blame I take is not bringing this up earlier, and that was because I was so consumed by our love and your sweetness that I did not think anything could come between us but sweet heart this is beyond us and you know it”
“Tony, where do you want me to start from? How do you want me to go on living , I love you and with you all that I am is in your heart.”
“Suzanna, yes I know all these;I love you and that is why I am asking you to let go. All that is not love ,that does not begin with love and end with love.”
“Tony is it my fault that both of us are carriers?”
“I didn’t say it was yours and I will be devastated too, but I know so much than to let us get into this. The future is longer than today, I want to save us all the problems that may arise which you know will not be in our control.”
“You have always confessed your love for me, remember how difficult it was for me to accept your overtures because I hate risking my heart. Eventually when you persisted and I saw how serious you were , I gave in and ever since I have loved you like I do to my soul.”
“It is because I love you that I am risking my life’s happiness to give us an opportunity to live happily. Loving you today will be useless if we can not remain in love forever.”
“What will stop us from loving always? If we love and love the way we do now, we can always stand what ever comes our way.Please Tony do not do this to me.”
I could see the mist in her eyes, I wanted to tell her to stop but I needed to know what she had suffered and why she is not forthcoming in opening her heart to another man.
“Suzanna, it takes a man that really loves you to give you up. If I am selfsih now, we all will suffer later. You, the kids and I.Take this as a sacrifice and evidence of my love. You will be hurt but that is because you are naïve now .”
FOREVER AND A DAY
(5)
CredoFiction- Wakdok, Samuel Stephen.
“I loved him, I felt like dying but life has to gone on. I withdrew into my shell. My dad was the Defense Attache to Mexico, I resigned my job at MTN and went to Mexico for a while to get over Tony. There I read and learnt more about Tony’s fear.
Hitherto, I took it for granted. Apart from treating it in a topic in senior school biology I didn’t bother much about sickle cell anemia. I went back to dig some books about this subject that has caused me the greatest pain of my life. I was born into an aristocratic home, I am beautiful and they also said I have a stunning figure; men hardly give me a break even when Tony was all over me.
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic life-long blood disorder which is occurs mostly in the tropics where malaria is common. It is characterized by the red blood cells assuming an abnormal rigid sickle shape. Tissues that do not have a normal blood flow become damaged. Sickle cell anemia is inherited. If one parent has Sickle Cell Anemia (AS) and the other is Normal (AA), all of the children will have sickle cell trait.
If one parent has Sickle Cell Anemia (SS) and the other has Sickle Cell Trait (AS), there is a 50% chance (or 1 out of 2) of having a baby with either sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait with each pregnancy.
When both parents have Sickle Cell Trait, they have a 25% chance (1 of 4) of having a baby with sickle cell disease with each pregnancy.
“Tony and I happened to have the traits meaning we both are AS and that was the waterloo of our love relationship. Because I didn’t bother to know my genotype earlier, we never talked about it until almost three years into our relationship when Tony brought it up. He had a friend whose kids were suffering from the disease and the parents watched helpless as two of their children died. They made frantic efforts to save the kids through blood transfusion and other means, but there is no universal cure for sickle cell anemia.”
As she spoke I was astonished. I do not even know my own genotype. I have never cared all I know is that my blood group is A+.
My world stopped for a moment as I try to think what next to do. Rush to have a test of course; but my fear grew. After her experience with Tony and what she now knows about the disease, she swore that she is so grateful to Tony for saving her and their unborn kids from the risk of sickle cell and she will not even go into any relationship if the man has the trait or where he is ignorant of his genotype.
I was under so much pressure that I could not imagine what the result of my test will be. If I was a carrier like her will I live a normal life again without this lady full of life and sweetness? She is sexy, voluptuous, and dangerously beautiful. Exactly as I have always wished my lady to be and now I am loosing her to one senseless biological trait the way she lost Tony? We both waited in silence as the laboratory technologist walked out with my result, my eyes closed themselves and all the laughter in this world seem to evaporate right before me.
Epilogue
Suzanna and Felix have never stopped talking about the way they met and how they narrowly missed falling in love because of sickle cell anemia. Interestingly they both concur that it was so helpful they found out about their genotype before getting committed and thank heavens Felix’s genotype happened to be AA after the test results came out. They did two more tests to be very sure and Suzanna has never been this happy. She lost Tony but was glad she met Felix. Their wedding bells are already ringing and they have set up an NGO to educate people about the importance of knowing their Genotype and the help they will be doing themselves and their would- be children if they took informed decisions of not marrying themselves if they suffer or carry the traits. They are also opening access to therapies that will limit the pains and sufferings of those suffering from it.
Love is beautiful but sickle cell anemia in children may shatter that love when we marry blindly.
“I love you Felix and I will never let go of you my King.”
“Sue, you are my Pearl, my heart beat and my all; I am dangerously in love with you my Queen”
She is exquisitely beautiful and I am grateful to have her, to live with her for a day is to live forever.
Dedication:
To Jordan and all the products of love whose parents were ignorant of their Genotype status or the love was so strong when they found to let go.
AA + AA= AA,AA, AA,AA=Excellent
AA+AS=AA,AA,AA,AS= Good
AS+AS= AA,AS,AS,SS= Not Good
Note- The probability is the chances of occurrence in every pregnancy and not in the total number of children.
AS+SS= No
SS+SS= Not at all
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