Which Way Nlng?

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Author Topic: Which Way Nlng?  (Read 70400 views)
Rizoma
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3840 on: April 30, 2008, 12:50 PM »

Abeg, make una no vex. which NLNG job are u guys talking about, is it the HSEQ Advisor job. Have they organized a test?
opokonwa (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3841 on: April 30, 2008, 01:11 PM »

Quote from: pak on April 30, 2008, 11:35 AM

@Lady M
I have a job for u (or is it your brother).
Its in my home - town,
I come from a riverine area and lots of water.
maybe your bro will start out by helping us
clear the weeds on the waterways.

gosh!!!

some people don't seem to have any modicum of decorum.





YEAH! Grin Grin Grin


Quote from: Rizoma on April 30, 2008, 12:50 PM
Abeg, make una no vex. which NLNG job are u guys talking about, is it the HSEQ Advisor job. Have they organized a test?
Johnny Just Come! Grin Tongue
opokonwa (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3842 on: April 30, 2008, 01:30 PM »

Quote from: pak on April 30, 2008, 12:01 PM

I'll try to see the game but If you are a good friend of mine give me a call when its time
for penalties because am sure i would have dozed off before then.


You've got some humour there too Grin

Indeed Kuwena's 'Litany of Love' has brought to the fore, peeps who were long-thought 'dead'.
Genius Quality Huh Yes, I agree, Kuwena has got some traits.

Lest I forget, your reference to Psalms made me go searching my online Bible Wink
kuwena (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3843 on: April 30, 2008, 06:04 PM »

April ends today. At the start of April I shared with you all the 22nd Anniversary of my father's death. That was on the first day of April.

On this last day of April, something different has happened. I have got my visa to the United States of America. Only today, for the first time in my life I went to an embassy, and for the first time in my life I took an embassy interview. And for the first time in my life I got a visa, to the United States of America.

Soon I shall get on a plane and go to the USA to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant at a University that has paid over 44 thousand US dollars to give me free tuition, free health insurance and free accommodation, just to help teach their undergraduate students and earn a master's while doing so.

I love America.
kuwena (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3844 on: April 30, 2008, 06:06 PM »

Quote from: opokonwa on April 29, 2008, 11:10 AM
Una don start again?! Cry Cry Cry
'Love'? .   .  .  .  Litany of 'love'? Huh
Mmmmmmmmmmmmh .  .  .  .  .  .  litany of .  .  .  .  gini???

'Love' Huh Angry Undecided
I don't know why I should respond to these post other than the fact that Opoks! feel roped in Undecided
I don't feel 'love' in the literal sense of the word for the thread of for anyone .  .  .
This is just where I unwind Angry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Angry
 Grin
And atimes chat with peeps I barely know. I guess I love chatting. Undecided
When company time is boring Undecided

Do I have to go on calling people one by one even peeps I barely know? Undecided Undecided Undecided
Well let me try.

Kuwena, I do not love you. I do not hate you either. Let me borrow your words; I am resigned. Undecided
From the loudest advocate of God to the one who publicly denounced Him.
From the loudest Hope bearer to the loudest harbinger of despair on the same thread? Huh
From many peeps' model of Faith in God to an untouchable Embarrassed
From the greatest praise singer of Yahweh to obviously the most confused mind on the threadno insults meant, just keeping it REAL!
And lately, from the Catparian secret sect to a 'Litany of love'? Huh Where does all these leave me?
I rather not discuss you further. Had it been only your type on this thread, I probably wouldn't be here.
Don't mean to berate anyone but if I have to speak, I have to speak my mind.Opoks! leaves no room for pretense.
I only wish you well.

Aniffy, between you and Opoks!, I don't know who admires the other more.
I do not want to go into another praise-singing. From the 1st time I met you till now, I am impressed.
You were the reason I wanted to visit Bonny; I wanted to tap into your business-savvy mind.
They (Kenosky) say I love money; I have to be successful in life, so mixing with people who think like me is not a bad strategy.
Urbane, smart and intelligent, not to mention confident, I say we have a lot in common.

Kenosky, Isi azu! Tongue Hearing you speak on the phone the first times, my impression was that this was a rugged guy. You know the voice na! Tongue
Hanging out and in with you a couple of times, I had another impression and puzzle; this guy plays 25hrs a day, how come he's damn brillant?!
Never a dull moment with you man, I used to wonder how you made your First Class in school. There are babes and guys around you 24hrs, abi na you dey around them; yabbing, joking, cursing, jumping up and down? Huh
Your belle nko? E don come down? And the many chicks you change like hankerchiefs; which one dey now, number 129? Huh
Take am easy man; ihe na-ato uto na-egbukwa egbu Tongue

Jaisidaisy, it's not hard to place you.Though it's rare to meet gals who can hold a guy (no guys) in conversation eyeball to eyeball, day after day, week after week and going to months. You're obviously having fun. But I wonder who be your Bobolibobo? Gals like you are often hard to get 'cause you do everything guys do; play football (both indoors and outdoors) Tongue, drink beer, smoke, gist about chicks, make fun of chics, hang out with guys and strategize like guys. Well, Nne, welcome to the Hood Club! It's obvious that your heart is as open as your conversations!

Alfa, I often think of you as seven years older than the oldest of us. They say you write like Opoks! Actually you do (that was before I kolooooed Tongue)
I still sound like you when I go philosophical. Otherwise, there are many sides to me. They say I dey craze; Oh boy! there are many sides to Opoks!
Craze time and reasoning (Alfaprime) time.
I still wonder what keeps you on this thread. Huh

Opoks! I just don't understand you. Must you yarn your mind?
Well, everyone is writing their true (or otherwise pretended) impression about everyone else. Opoks! had to contribute. Tongue

To the rest, I don't know any more consistent peeps than those above (not including Opoks! Grin)
All I can say is if I didn't write about you, you probably have not made an impression on me lately Tongue You probably need to write more. Tongue Tongue

Opokonwa, I will take special time to reply you word for word. Believe me.
kuwena (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3845 on: April 30, 2008, 06:07 PM »

One thing I know for sure now is this: THERE IS GOD, AND GOD IS GOOD. PERIOD.
kuwena (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3846 on: April 30, 2008, 06:07 PM »

I will talk more later.
kenosky (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3847 on: April 30, 2008, 10:29 PM »

PAK, i knew something like this was definitely going to bring out the craze man in u! Thanx but shockingly, d match between Liverpool and Chelsea produced 5 goals (more than d total number of goals that both teams have scored in all their encounters in the last 4 years- 7 meetings!). I feel for u if u missed that match! Sad Smiley

Jisi, d more u look the less u c, it will take u ages to decode my font style- na mi only get the copyright! Tongue You ddnt c anything in what opoks said? u see the way the guy dey yab mi and every oda person all in the name of Litany? if u don't c it, den u need come my church make we deliver u! Lips sealed

Opoks, i follow u yarn say true true kuwena na genius- dry bones shall rise again! Grin, all them run away people don dey resurface!

Kuwena, go back to my post on the 1st of April when u talked about the pains which April brings to mind- i asked u to chill, relax and look up to God for this April would be the beginning of greater and better things for u (I WUZ PROPHESYING- I THINK ITS TIME I OPENED MY OWN CHURCH!) Cool. Congratz on your VISA, i wuz beginning to think it wuz long overdue! And don't mind pak, if na America be your goal, carry go but do not forget one fact- remember to look back to know ow your siblings are faring! God has a purpose for granting u the VISA- do not disaapoint him (oops! c mi sounding like a preacher o! shuoooo! Shocked

Lady M and Rizoma, LNG usually advertises whenever they need people- u don't need anybody to assist your brother! And we were not talking about the HSEQ advisor job here! Huh


@all, av a good night rest and an even greater day tomorrow!
kenosky (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3848 on: April 30, 2008, 10:36 PM »

kuwena, visit page 114- April 02, 2008 of our noble thread and u ll c the very words which i used! Then you will reaffirm (u av already affirmed) that there's a God in heaven! Grin Cheesy, I really can't wait to receive my first congregation- opoks, stannesi, aniffy, jisi, pak, pgm, kenosym, alfaprime (u fit even be the preacher while i hold on to the treasury Grin, eve kuwena fit dey manage my US chapter na1 Grin Cheesy
stannesi (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3849 on: April 30, 2008, 10:58 PM »

Prophet Keno,  we don hear u ooo,  no worry i go come your church,

Kuwena. congrats on your  happy month,  no shaking,  your blessing r extended to other months, 

All the world's a stage, most of us are just stagehands.

Barcelona 4 life,  Manchester United Sucks,  so does Chelsea,  its ganna be a sick finals but still Chelsea shuld win,

El-Rufai na Thief.!!!
aniffy4eva (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3850 on: May 01, 2008, 12:26 AM »

Quote from: kuwena on April 30, 2008, 06:04 PM

On this last day of April, something different has happened. I have got my visa to the United States of America. Only today, for the first time in my life I went to an embassy, and for the first time in my life I took an embassy interview. And for the first time in my life I got a visa, to the United States of America.

Soon I shall get on a plane and go to the USA to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant at a University that has paid over 44 thousand US dollars to give me free tuition, free health insurance and free accommodation, just to help teach their undergraduate students and earn a master's while doing so.

I love America.

Congrats Kuwena!!! I am glad that you are set on the course that you must follow. I am also particularly glad that you can now follow your dreams and forget about your current job, because you don't seem to enjoy it. However, one thing i must advise is this: the reality of US may not be as perfect as your expectation. . .  so please give room for slight differences.

As a parting thought;

"Too many times we question who we are to feel confident, favoured, exceptionally blessed and special, but  who are we not to. . . ?"

Selah

kenosky (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3851 on: May 01, 2008, 06:29 AM »

Quote
Quote from: aniffy4eva on May 01, 2008, 12:26 AM
Congrats Kuwena!!! I am glad that you are set on the course that you must follow. I am also particularly glad that you can now follow your dreams and forget about your current job, because you don't seem to enjoy it. However, one thing i must advise is this: the reality of US may not be as perfect as your expectation. . . so please give room for slight differences.

As a parting thought;

"Too many times we question who we are to feel confident, favoured, exceptionally blessed and special, but who are we not to. . . ?"

Selah




ANIFFY, SPOT ON! SPOT ON AS ALWAYZ! Stannesi, methinks your view on what the Champions league final would be is jst what it is- UR OPINION! I go on to say both teams in the finals deserve to be there watever it is u think! So maybe u should just do yourself a favour, relax and enjoy the finals on 21st and don't tear an artery trying to predict doomsday!
AlfaPrime
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3852 on: May 01, 2008, 08:25 AM »

Well, well! To think that it was actually during the very same few days I was offline that such an interesting post as this Litany of love would come on board! Actually had a serious task at hand, which I felt required maximum concentration while it lasted, hence I decided to postpone the renewal of my internet subscription for a few days when it expired last week. And before I knew it, the few days dragged to about 5 whole days, nearly a week!

Anyway, good to be back. Am I still permitted to submit my own litany? It may not be as elaborate as some of those I've read, I must fore warn. Just as I must also warmly thank all those who have taken out precious time to write glowing tributes some of us, especially those who had some words for AlfaPrime.

@kuwena
Undoubtedly, this is the guy who started the thread and played his pwn part to grow it to this length and level. Kuwena, You're sure a complex chap; but that's ok by me. What's way off is when a chap gets complicated, which u're not. I have always admired your comand of literary skills and graphic prowess. Keep it up. Seems u could make a captivating narrative essay out of almost anything. I guess part of what has endeared u to me is the common passion for writing that I believe we both share; In fact, the title u gave your autobiography amazingly sounds somehow like that of my autobiography (it's actually more like a summary of my secondary school days). keep up the good work, man.

@Kennosky.
Epitome of versatility on the thread. Talk football, talk investment, talk jokes, talk practically any amiable topic under the sun and he's right there. You're undoubtedly one of the reasons behind the survival and flourishing of the thread. Kudos. You have a way of lifting people's spirits and cashing in on any opportunity to encourage the discouraged. Keep it up also.

@Opoks.
Everyone of course knows that this is the bold, forthright, courageous guy on the thread. Speaks his mind, not minding whose ox is gored, to borrow an already used adjectival phrase here. You also know how to pitch your tent somewhere and stick to your guns. Opoks, while I don't know much of your financial leanings, u remind me so much of what a resource person once said at a financial seminar I attended: "People tell you, 'don't put all your eggs in one basket', but for me, I say, 'put all your eggs in one basket, and then WATCH THAT BASKET!'" But then, in such a shifty, changing, wishy-washy world, it's good to have those who are as true as their word.

@Pak
All hail. Welcome back with full honours. I wonder where You ran to. Your hilarious anecdotes and insighful commentaries on the foreign football leagues have been tremendously missed on the thread. Not mentioning your timely and relevant scriptural quotes. God bless.

@Jisi
Looking forward to talking with you, even if we can't meet in person. You have a lot in common with Ken, especially where joviality is concerned. I get the impression that You're one who hardly ever allows herself to get annoyed, because you're so willing to see the lighter side of everything. Tell You what, Jisi, if you put up that attitude at work, it's sure goin to fetch you a good pile of work (a la increased targets) because your bosses and colleagues have marked you out as some one who "works very well, even under pressure". But then, I wager it'll also fetch You some good recommendations and promotions. Stay hot on the wire (thread, I mean)

Time would fail me to acknowledge every other person now. I must come back to finish this noble task as soon as I can. Those who have already printed the litanies (any plural word like that???) should please return to this page to print again, so You can also carry my words of friendship with you through the days of life ahead,  But am sure that even if You can't, an exellent memory should prove much helpful enough,

cheers everyone, wishing You a lovely and memorable workers' day.


@Kuwena
Congrats on your successful visa interview. Guess time for "parting" (or is it departure) advice will come later. For now, enjoy!!!
kuwena (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3853 on: May 01, 2008, 09:28 AM »

Thanks, everyone. It has been a wonderful experience for me, believe me. And whenever I recall it, my joy knows no bounds. And there is hope too, not just joy. I thank you all. And Aniffy, I do know America is not perfect. I never expected it to be.  Wink. Opokonwa has made some declarations in his so-called litany, and there are some other things besides which I would like to put in perspective. I will do so in my next post. It will be long.
kuwena (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3854 on: May 01, 2008, 11:08 AM »

I am an orphan boy. My father died when I was not yet six years old. And six years later, my mother died as well. I was very young. And I knew nothing.

But I did not stay young. There was a time when I had to go and live with my father's younger brother at Owerri. I found him a viciously wicked and jealous man. He did not want me to be useful in life. He did all in his power to make sure that I ended up good for nothing.

So I left. I discovered that I had to choose between two alternatives: have a family, or succeed in life. So I chose to succeed. When I was leaving him, I did not have a particular destination in mind. I just grabbed my bag, and I was out into the wild world on my own. And all he did was laugh. The last thing he ever told me was: 'Your father thought he was a disciplined man, that he was discipline itself; where is he today, is he not six feet in the grave? And you are going the same way.' I said, 'Back to sender,' and I slammed the door behind me. That was four years ago.

I loved God. As a destitute orphan, he was the only one I had. I prayed to him. I prayed like Queen Esther did, when Haman threatened to annihilate the Jews. She said to Yahweh: 'O God, ever since I was small, my elders have told me that you chose Israel out of all the nations to be your special people.' It was so I told God. I put all my trust in him. I knew he was sufficient for me. I knew that with him I would never have to need the Nze family anymore.

I read my bible fervently, even as I suffered. I prayed the psalms everyday. Even today, there are some I know by heart. My favourite was Psalm 129:

Upon all the bad things they have been doing to me since I was young
Israel must say this again:
Upon all the bad things they have been doing to me since I was young
They have not overcome me;
Plowmen have been plowing on my back with longer and longer furrows
But now Yahweh the Righteous has shattered the yoke of the wicked.
So let them all be thrown into confusion, them that hate Zion;
Let them be like grass on the rooftops that shrivels before it blooms
With which neither the reaper nor the gatherer fills his arms,
And to which no passerby says, 'Yahweh's blessing be on you.'

I also liked Psalm 124:

What if Yahweh was not on our side?
Israel should answer this question:
What if Yahweh was not on our side
When they attacked us?
If Yahweh was not on our side when they attacked us,
They would have swallowed us alive
In the heat of their rage
The waters would have gone over us
The torrents would have swept us away;
Either the waters or the torrents
Would have drowned us in their turbulent waves.
But blessed be Yahweh who has not let us fall prey to their teeth,
Who has let us escape like birds from the net of the fowler;
Having torn the net, he let us escape.
Our help is in the name of Yahweh, who made both heaven and earth.

With these passages of Scripture, I was strengthened for the difficulty of those years. Then I graduated and went to Service. Yahweh was still all I had. I was a fervent Christian, praying all day and all night long.

Until realization struck. It was a name. The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG). I will never forget my NLNG experience. Of all the things I have wanted, perhaps I have wanted NLNG the most. At a point in life, NLNG was all I thought I needed. NLNG seemed like the perfect climax to all my suffering. NLNG, I compose a poem for you:

NLNG
Gas of flaring stops
Purple fires in red bands roaring
Defying terrestrial antidotes of air
Manipulating windy blasts
Filling ocean-going vessels
Taking in her stride
The blue-white ethers convoluting
Strong and pressing, yet condensed
And trapped of steel
Lucrative enterprise on the seas
Selling abroad and filling local coffers
Costly of make, costly of trade
Abounding in the glory of natural wealth
Beneath the earth
Forever wed to black gold
By the Maker's hand.
With helmeted men and office people
With government spending and senators' laws
With poverty stricken communities ogling
The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas company
Stand still sure
Defiant of them all.

I made the second sacrifice. The first had been the sacrifice of family. My so-called uncle and his brothers were jealous of me. They did not want me to succeed. They daily cast spells for my undoing. I knew that with them, I could not stand a chance; I could not be all God intended for me to be. I had to make the first sacrifice. I slaughtered my family on the altar of success. They were to be dead to me, and I to them. You know, these days I think I understand why some of the ritualists ask people to get their closest family member for money ritual. There seems to me to be a sound logic in this: if you can do without your mother, then you are ruthless enough to be wealthy. It is four years plus since I left the Nze family, and I have considered them dead in my psyche. I don't think of my so-called brothers, and I do not feel responsible to them in any way. They don't even exist to me. That is why, Your Excellency, when I read of your telling me to help my brothers and stuff, I just laugh, ha ha ha; ha ha ha; ha ha ha ha aha ahaha. I have no family. Full stop. They are dead to me, and I am dead to them. They killed my father, for no just cause and buried him in the family house at Owerri.

Then I decided I would sacrifice Nigeria. It was to be the second sacrifice. I looked at this my so-called country through and through, and I despised it. I despised it in my heart. When I left the Nze family, I was almost due for the Federal Government Scholarship. In that same year, the scheme was discontinued in my school, and I couldn't get to apply. But even before then, my mother had died, thanks to this country. She had been a Major in the Nigerian Army. Let me tell you how exactly she died. I shall copy the relevant part from Ninety Negro Numbers:


Before The Forty-Second Number

I was in secondary school then. It was Monday morning, and our class teacher, Mr. Oladele, stepped in to call the roll. Then he looked directly at us and said, ‘There was a plane crash yesterday. Military officers going for training to Jaji fell into the swamp. All are feared dead.’ Hot water was in my heart, and I pinched my seatmate, Olayinka. He read the horror in my face. We said nothing, only waited for the teacher to leave, and then I told him.
‘Yinka, mother was on that plane.’
‘How can you be so sure?’
‘She’s doing the military course at Jaji.’
‘Yes, but that is not proof that she has been involved in the crash. Shall we run after Mr. Oladele and ask him?’
‘Yes, let’s.’
We ran after Mr. Oladele who, on hearing our slapping steps, turned around and demanded to know why we were following him. ‘Sir,’ I said, ‘I fear my mother was on that plane – did the news supply the list of victims?’ My teacher loved each of us dearly.  He took my hands in his. ‘Onyenachi,’ he said, ‘you know how to pray, don’t you?’ I said I did. ‘Do not let the devil paint pictures in your head. You must be strong, Nze, and you must pray.’ I nodded. He looked at me, smiled wryly and left. I must pray. Yinka nodded too, as if he read my mind, and we walked together back to the classroom. Later that day, I did pray.
   
‘Onyenachi!’
I got up hurriedly from my bed. Muyiwa had come to fetch me. He said there were some people in the general lobby waiting to see me. I at once doubled all the way there. I saw Mr. Odo, Mrs. Osuji, Mrs. Adejumo and Uche. I greeted them well. They looked at me without responding. Finally, it was Mr. Odo, a family friend, who spoke: ‘Onyenachi, something has happened. Is there anything in your dormitory you want to bring along? We have come to fetch you.’ The world had ended. I recalled what Mr. Oladele had said. Prayer had been useless. I nodded. Tears stung my eyes, and then I turned around and ran all the way down to my hostel room. I recalled the little Jane Eyre shut away by her wicked aunt in the dark room, as she prayed that nothing sinister would cascade down the chimney and fetch her away. ‘We have come to fetch you… to fetch you… to fetch you…. No!’ I stopped my ears, and fell on my bed, panting. Then I opened my locker. The first thing I saw was the novel I had been reading. It was Chinua Achebe’s No Longer At Ease. It told the story too well. I grabbed it and a few other things into my bag.  Sinister spirits were singing a dirge about fetching little girls away with dead mothers. I slammed my locker shut and ran back to the lobby.

Along the road back to Festac, my fetchers talked about every other thing, except the something that had happed; which was fine, as it allowed me to soon get bored and sleep off, waking only to Mr. Odo’s voice saying, ‘We’re here!’ I looked around. This was Festac alright, but we were not at our own house. This was the Osuji’s home at Third Avenue.  And here were all my brothers: Chinemere, Chidi and Chima.  I was perplexed.

They all looked morose. I entered the room and sat down. It was Chidi that broke the silence.
                ‘Welcome.  How was school?’  It was an irrelevant question.
   ‘Chidi,’ I called.
   ‘Hmmph?’
   ‘Why did they come to fetch me?’
He did not answer, simply looked away. I sighed, then got up and went to sit on the verandah.  I passed by Chima, our youngest brother.  He was not playing as usual; he too was gazing in stupor. I saw one of my Osuji cousins, Ogechi. I hailed her half-heartedly, and then pulling her aside, I asked, ‘Oge, why did they come to fetch me?’ ‘Let me not be the one that would say what would make someone faint-o!’ And she hurried away.

I slumped onto the flower bed. I had guessed right. Mama was dead. She had not lived up to a hundred and twenty years as I had hoped. She had left me quickly. I did not cry.  There was no need.

Later that day, my maternal uncle Kirian came to introduce us to our new mother. It was to be Mrs. Osuji. I looked at her perched on the tall stool by my side. I knew it would not work. We watched the nine o’clock news later on and heard my mother’s name called of the victims: Major G.N. Nze.  It was all over. Nigeria had killed her.


 
As a stage hand, fix up a woman’s dressed corpse onto a catafalque, and get a young boy in mourning to kneel by it and chant this poem soulfully to his dead mother on the still hearse. From time to time as the condition grips him, he falls onto the dead body and weeps; at others, he composes himself and talks resolutely of what he must do. He continues to speak, as a soft dirge plays off stage. Curtains.
















You Died, Mama

Mama, what must you have been thinking
As the plane entered the marsh?
You must have been crying for me,
Who will take care of my son!
I see you clutch your breasts in horror
As a gasp escapes your lips
I hear you shout my name,
O, Onyenachi’a!
The tears must have flowed freely
As your head repeatedly hit the backrest
The gargantuan machine whirled speedily down
Your heart sank with it.
The black exhaust tired you
Whimpering of desire to see me again
Imagination could not help
You felt numb.
It was then you died, mama
They left the plane two days in the swamp
They wanted you to die – all of you,
The crème of the Army.
Suffocating heat and stench pressed your chest
Throttled you away to the other side
Where men walk with their heads
Their feet in the air.
I recall you came to me later
To explain it was not your fault
You never wanted to leave me
But I was too pained to listen.
I kept on asking why
A quiz you could not attempt
Why was it you had to die
When you did?
Mama, do you know I am an orphan now?
Those brothers-in-law of yours
Have pushed me off,
I am now destitute.
The other day I was hungry
But I had no money
I remembered wryly how you used to insist
Eat more, you are not stuffed yet.
Mama, things have changed since that day.
Chinemere is no longer doing well
He has left school
He says he can't go on.
All Chidi does is slave for Dominic
That wicked man at Lagos
Chima cries everyday; he is confused
He even says he wants to be a priest.
I am struggling for them all
I want them to change
To be as they were when you
Were still with us.
I have not dropped out again mama,
I will graduate this year
Even if you will not be there
To rejoice with me.
Someday I will make money
And gather my brothers together
As it once was,
It will be like you were here again.
But you will be watching us from heaven
With beady eyes
Not the tears you shed on the plane
But with joy.
I know who killed you, mama
It is Ambrose
He knows a lot of juju
He willed that plane fall down.
As you cascaded from heaven
Into the darkness of the swamp
They rejoiced and clapped,
What will they do when you rise again?
I recall what you used to say, mama.
I am a man now
I will do my best
I will not let you down.
Is papa there with you?
What of that footballer, Samuel?
My name too is Sam,
But I prefer Onyenachi’a.





For many years now my spirit has not been with this nation, though my body has been. It is not as if I hate the country; but I know I'll never amount to anything here. The country limits me with its inferior ways. I feel as if I'm slowly dying everyday in this country. I feel as if the longer I stay in this nation the nearer I draw to my grave. This country has meant sorrow and deprivation, limitation and strife for me. I want out. I want to exhale. I want to stretch. I want to breathe. I want to explode with the greatness of the gods. I want to be with the greatest of the greatest of the great; with the makers of the aeroplane; with the writers of Pilgrim's Progress; with the architects of the Pentagon; with the dicoverers of Einstein's theorem; with the leaders of global thought. That is why when people use words like: proudly Nigerian; Naija l'ewa wa, and so forth, all I can do is sigh. Nigeria is not my country in spirit; I am not of true value here. She killed my mother, whether she meant to or not, and buried her in the Federal Capital, at Abuja.

Most recently, I made the third and last sacrifice. Myself. And it was NLNG that drove me to this third and probably last sacrifice. My uncles had driven me to sacrifice my family. The C-130 plane crash in 1992 had driven me to sacrifice my country. Nlng drove me to sacrifice myself. On that day I realized that I had lost NLNG, I died. That was the last straw. If you read my poem, You Died Mama, you would see that as at the time I wrote it, I had not sacrificed myself. Though I had sacrificed my family, I still reserved a portion for my nuclear household, because I considered them to be part of me. And I felt I could convince them to leave the Nze family with me. That was what I meant by 'gathering them together'. NLNG provided the greatest source of hope that that could happen. I felt with a job like NLNG I could easily call my brothers to me, and help them. Alas, that was not to be. I discovered that not only was I to sacrifice my family, I was to sacrifice my dreams for my brothers. Indeed, I was to sacrifice all my former ideals: marrying Princess Ugonna at age 29; building a house for myself and my children; retaining Jude as my bestfriend; remaining a Christian; indeed, all I used to hold dear died in me, together with the NLNG dream; so that after mourning and burying my NLNG dream, I buried my Christianity, my girlfriend's love; my bestfriend's care; my desire to marry, build a house and settle however briefly in Nigeria; my desire to help my brothers even if not the rest of the family, and everything I trusted, in the same grave with the NLNG dream. I died to everything that was me. I realized that I could not marry Princess; I realized I could not help my brothers and pull them away from the larger family; that it was not mine, but theirs to do for themselves; I realized I could not build a house or settle in this country, as my spirit was really not in it; I realized that my so-called bestfriend and I had two different worlds. I realized so many things, and I saw that my ideas were not going to take me far enough; not as far as I wanted to go. NLNG had made me realize that. So I killed myself; I sacrificed myself, and buried myself with my NLNG dream.

Now I am born again like the eagle. I am transformed. I have made the three sacrifices: I have sacrificed my biological family. I replace it with the world. Now, I will love everyone based on his own merit. I love Kenosky as much as I love Chima for example, if not more. The favourtism of siblinage now holds nothing attractive for me. The whole world is my family: Jews, Americans, Japanese; I am free from the temporal trappings of a family.

I have sacrificed my country, and will not return when I leave for the USA. I replace it now with the USA, a melange of all races and cultures, a true no man's land; a land of opportunity and untold wealth, wealth that I will attain to. I want to be richer than Bill Gates; I want to be the first black man to win both a Nobel prize for Literature, and for Peace. I want to outswell the gods in achievement, without being apologetic to my compares for outshining them; I want to grow; to storm the barbican, to leap the ramparts; I want to tower over Kilimanjaro, bestride Kangayinka; I want to outrun the deer, and beat him to the stream; I want to outstrip Mandela in fame; to be the greatest black man that ever lived.

I have sacrificed myself, all that I am. I replace it now with all I can be; a great, glorious and wonderfully strong personality. I want to study deep the works of sages past and present. I want to read countless books. Bill Gates has said that what troubles him the most is the number of books left unread. I want that to trouble me as well. I want to build my body in the gymnasium; I want to groom my speech in the school, and love a different woman; I want to discover my truest personality, sexuality, spirituality and vocation. I want to be the best I can be. And establish the Cult of Cults for all the world. It will not be a secret society, nor will it oppose anything that is good. It will respect Christianity with a holy passion; but it will also respect Mohammedanism, and Bhuddism, and all other religions. It will teach the separation, full development, organization and transcendence of the human being, and it will make all its members visions of perfection, and measures and ends for all makind.

My three sacrifices have been painful. The first has condemned me to a life without family, except that which I make myself by marriage and association; the second will condemn me to eventual adoption of the citizenship of another man's country; the third has made me give up everything I once held dear, most painful of which is my Christianity and allegiance to His Holiness; but through these sacrifices, I wish to break all the barriers that will stand between me and becoming the very best I can ever be in a cosmic setting. And I willing proceed with my sacrifices.

Because it is said in Iboland that the race of life is never tiring.
kenosky (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3855 on: May 01, 2008, 08:27 PM »

kuwena, i ddnt think i ld have the strength to finish reading your post but i did all d same- i want to remind u of only one thing 'we choose our friends, but not our family!'. Chima, Chinemere and chidi, no matter what u do would still be your brothaz. What makes u think u can love mi more than chima? Av u forgotten that charity beginss at home? even if it doesnt end there! Kuwena, Kuwena, Kuwena, 3ce av i called u- forget not the days of little beginning. Go and make your peace with your brothaz and last of all with God, and u ll be surprised at how free u shall become (oops! now i m sounding like a Preacher again)! Hmmmm Huh

Alfaprime, like Opoks, your litany was SPOT ON! Thank u 4 speaking so frankly!

Jisi, wetin dey happen? u still dey look for my font style?HuhHuh?/ Grin Cool

 
stannesi (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3856 on: May 01, 2008, 10:01 PM »

Omo Keno this your guy (kuwena) omo ma kolo ooo,, 

Kuwena d Renaissance man, good write-ups,  4 a bestseller,

to me its seems your new practise is "egoism"

sorry abut your terrified sad past u slaughter as a ram, u can blame eveytin on someone or sometin and get on wit your life,  remember d world is a sphere. it has no end nor begining,  point. its left for you to begin at a point.

try to me more optimistic abut your family, your country, & your life, 

“Pessimists are more often right, but optimists accomplish more.”

don't hav much time anyway,  still going to drop more, 

Omo!,   which levels, i no see ma name 4 some people Litany of Love,  ooo,

i no go Gree ooo,  i no go Gree, i dey jealous ooo, i no go Gree
JISIDAISY (f)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3857 on: May 01, 2008, 11:44 PM »

 Cry Cry Cry I'm really sad----Guys, I hope kuwena is okay. I honestly hope you are ok Kuwena, because i don't think you are. My advise to you? Kill yourself before he kills you. The way I see it , there are two of you inside of you. But I must say congratulations on your visa, you can run but you can't hide. The issue isnt the country(thats just geography) the issue is you. If you like go to another planet, you will most definately have your issues---and more sef, because then you'll have to deal with aliens Grin.

Alfaprime, I dey vex oh. How you go say me and Kenosky dey similar? Fine sophisticated chic like me? Grin. I no go gree oh. And see as kenosky just agree sharply.

Kenosky i still insist say na typewritter you dey use. Shi ke nan.

Guys----I'm loyal

opokonwa (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3858 on: May 02, 2008, 09:09 AM »

Where is Aniffy? Huh
Na only to talk about buying shares him know? Shocked
Abeg get your ass down here!
And perhaps your own 'Litany of Nothing' Tongue
opokonwa (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3859 on: May 02, 2008, 09:43 AM »

Quote
April ends today. At the start of April I shared with you all the 22nd Anniversary of my father's death. That was on the first day of April.

On this last day of April, something different has happened. I have got my visa to the United States of America. Only today, for the first time in my life I went to an embassy, and for the first time in my life I took an embassy interview. And for the first time in my life I got a visa, to the United States of America.

Soon I shall get on a plane and go to the USA to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant at a University that has paid over 44 thousand US dollars to give me free tuition, free health insurance and free accommodation, just to help teach their undergraduate students and earn a master's while doing so.

I love America.
from Kuwena

Congrats! G!
I hope this makes you feel Good!


Quote
One thing I know for sure now is this: THERE IS GOD, AND GOD IS GOOD. PERIOD.
from Kuwena
No vex o! Shocked
Since when? HuhAnd how long will your new belief last? Huh Huh


Quote
PAK, i knew something like this was definitely going to bring out the craze man in u! Thanx but shockingly, d match between Liverpool and Chelsea produced 5 goals (more than d total number of goals that both teams have scored in all their encounters in the last 4 years- 7 meetings!). I feel for u if u missed that match! 
from Kenosky
My guy! I feel for am too o!
That matchno cracker! is still fresh on my mind
And my team won! Tongue
Up Chelsea!


Quote
Kuwena, go back to my post on the 1st of April when u talked about the pains which April brings to mind- i asked u to chill, relax and look up to God for this April would be the beginning of greater and better things for u (I WUZ PROPHESYING- I THINK ITS TIME I OPENED MY OWN CHURCH!) .
from Kenosky
Eh! Prophet Elijah!abi Kenosky!
No start your Oloshi! church Tongue


Quote
kuwena, visit page 114- April 02, 2008 of our noble thread and u ll c the very words which i used! Then you will reaffirm (u av already affirmed) that there's a God in heaven!  , I really can't wait to receive my first congregation- opoks, stannesi, aniffy, jisi, pak, pgm, kenosym, alfaprime (u fit even be the preacher while i hold on to the treasury , eve kuwena fit dey manage my US chapter na1   
from Kenosky
That kain churchesp with Opoks! in it will be brutal! Grin


Quote
Barcelona 4 life,  Manchester United Sucks,  so does Chelsea,  its ganna be a sick finals but still Chelsea shuld win
from Stannesi
 Tongue Tongue Tongue


Quote
Stannesi, methinks your view on what the Champions league final would be is jst what it is- UR OPINION!
Exactly!

Quote
I go on to say both teams in the finals deserve to be there watever it is u think!
Abi o! Undecided

Quote
So maybe u should just do yourself a favour, relax and enjoy the finals on 21st and don't tear an artery trying to predict doomsday!

Some fans do not know how to lose Gallantly Undecided
 
 
 
kuwena (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3860 on: May 02, 2008, 12:48 PM »

Once again, I have been misunderstood; by Kenosky, by Jisi, and by Stannesi. I beg to drop the topic henceforth. Let's move course of discussion, Your Excellency.
pak
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3861 on: May 02, 2008, 01:02 PM »

Kuwena please try and check your mail box.
opokonwa (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3862 on: May 02, 2008, 01:38 PM »

Kuwena, you used the expression 'so-called' a number of times in your posts; three caught my attention though.

First is Opokonwa's 'so-called' litany.
Second are your 'so-called' brothers.
Third is the 'so-called' country; Nigeria.

I consider it an honour to be included in your 'so-called' list.


Need I comment on the rest of your post? Huh
Perhaps, where necessary:

Quote
Most recently, I made the third and last sacrifice. Myself. And it was NLNG that drove me to this third and probably last sacrifice. My uncles had driven me to sacrifice my family. The C-130 plane crash in 1992 had driven me to sacrifice my country. Nlng drove me to sacrifice myself.
I will like to add here that apportioning blames to events for decisions you take is cowardlyI'm afraid I lack soft words!

Take responsibility for your actions and stand by your decisions.
Please don't and stop blaming it on NLNG, Nigeria or your uncles.
Your uncles are different humanbeings from your brothers so I wonder why subtituting one for the other? Huh
I love brave & courageous guys who call a spade a spade. Sad

I would also like to point out that you also sacrificed God after you lost NLNG.

You see why I shun away from posting at times? I must stir up the hornest's nest.

I also lost NLNG and I've had other disappointments in my lifethough not in your magnitude.
But I learn from them and take responsibility for my decisions and resolve.
I don't blame it on uncles, NLNG, Nigeria or God!


Quote
Now I am born again like the eagle. I am transformed. I have made the three sacrifices: I have sacrificed my biological family. I replace it with the world. Now, I will love everyone based on his own merit. I love Kenosky as much as I love Chima for example, if not more. The favourtism of siblinage now holds nothing attractive for me. The whole world is my family: Jews, Americans, Japanese; I am free from the temporal trappings of a family.
One day, you will need a family and you will not have any.


Quote
I have sacrificed my country, and will not return when I leave for the USA.
I wish you safe trip.


Quote
I have sacrificed my country, and will not return when I leave for the USA. I replace it now with the USA, a melange of all races and cultures, a true no man's land; a land of opportunity and untold wealth, wealth that I will attain to. I want to be richer than Bill Gates; I want to be the first black man to win both a Nobel prize for Literature, and for Peace. I want to outswell the gods in achievement, without being apologetic to my compares for outshining them; I want to grow; to storm the barbican, to leap the ramparts; I want to tower over Kilimanjaro, bestride Kangayinka; I want to outrun the deer, and beat him to the stream; I want to outstrip Mandela in fame; to be the greatest black man that ever lived.

Quote
I have sacrificed myself, all that I am. I replace it now with all I can be; a great, glorious and wonderfully strong personality. I want to study deep the works of sages past and present. I want to read countless books. Bill Gates has said that what troubles him the most is the number of books left unread. I want that to trouble me as well. I want to build my body in the gymnasium; I want to groom my speech in the school, and love a different woman; I want to discover my truest personality, sexuality, spirituality and vocation. I want to be the best I can be. And establish the Cult of Cults for all the world. It will not be a secret society, nor will it oppose anything that is good. It will respect Christianity with a holy passion; but it will also respect Mohammedanism, and Bhuddism, and all other religions. It will teach the separation, full development, organization and transcendence of the human being, and it will make all its members visions of perfection, and measures and ends for all makind.

And after all these thingsif they ever happen where will your soul be?
Remember that it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercyRomans 9:16
And that 'under the sun, the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all'Eccl 9:11


Quote
My three sacrifices have been painful. The first has condemned me to a life without family, except that which I make myself by marriage and association; the second will condemn me to eventual adoption of the citizenship of another man's country; the third has made me give up everything I once held dear, most painful of which is my Christianity and allegiance to His Holiness; but through these sacrifices, I wish to break all the barriers that will stand between me and becoming the very best I can ever be in a cosmic setting. And I willing proceed with my sacrifices
And I wish you well!
Someone had done what you intend to do.
Sometime before the creation of mankind, in the heavens was an Arch Angel called Lucifer.
The Bible described him as 'the Bright Morning star', 'an angel of the morning'. He was so beautiful! And so powerful!
He was perhaps the most beautiful being that 'His Holiness' as you described HIM created.
But he wanted a world of his own, to be free of his allegiance to the Ancient of Days. He so much nursed a world of his own that he became proud and rebellious to his masterjust like you have.

But you know one thing with aspiring to become free from your Godyou will indeed be free but not quite free.
Because noone can outsmart HIM
Lucifer got his wish, he now presides over the Kingdom of Darkness, not in his former glory as the 'Bright Morning star', but as a demon; satan, condemned to eternal damnation in the lake of burning fire, in the Day of Judgement.

And oh yes! He was also allowed to deceive 'like-minded peeps' like him; both other angels and now humanbeings, who will serve in his kingdom and share his eternal punishment.

What am I saying Kuwena?
There is nothing new under the sun. Sad What you are trying to do has been attempted before but met with severe consequences.
It will pay you to retrace your steps, reconcile with your God and maker and make peace with your brothers, if Pride and wisdom (or the lack of it) will permit you.
But I'm not advising you not to proceed to the USA. Go in Peace bro!

PEACE

I hope to be added to the list of those that misunderstand you after reading my post.

Pak, kindly yarn your submission openly; this is an open forum! Angry
niyooo (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3863 on: May 02, 2008, 02:48 PM »

Hi All. I see the thread is still bubbling. That's kul. Haven't had time to read posts i've missed, guess I'll do that soon, I'm starting my leave today so i'll be able to do that, had a busy schedule the past couple of weeks. Ciao.
aniffy4eva (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3864 on: May 02, 2008, 03:20 PM »

Quote from: opokonwa on May 02, 2008, 09:09 AM
Where is Aniffy? Huh
Na only to talk about buying shares him know? Shocked
Abeg get your ass down here!
And perhaps your own 'Litany of Nothing' Tongue

 Grin Grin Grin. . . Opoks! u no serious. . . Tongue. . .  well, i guess i just wanted to be sure about my thoughts before posting them here. . .  Smiley. . . well, what i have isn't a litany of love, but my thoughts about the people i have met here:P, so here we go!!!

Alfaprime

Very "serious-minded" individual. Hardworking. Always wants to help a brother in spiritual need. Exemplifies leadership. Analytical and logical, rather than emotional. Quick to hear, slow to speak

Kenosky

Very intelligent and humorous. Always has a good word for everyone. someone who loves to enjoy life. Good dedication to "nairaland" duty. Football fan. Fun to be with.

Jisidaisy

Beautiful. Intelligent. Good-hearted woman. Caring. Very good conversationalist. Unique.

Opoks

Bold and assertive. . . speaks his mind. Doesn't hide his feelings. Humorous. Intelligent. Hardworking. Go-getter. positive attitude. May be frustrated by routine.

Wandel

Soft-spoken. Calm and pleasant. Intelligent. Analytical.

Stannesi


Playful. Intelligent

Kuwena


Artistic creativity. Intelligent. too emotional. Introspective.

For those i have left out. i'll be back, maybe its because you guys don't post often. . .  Tongue

pak
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3865 on: May 02, 2008, 03:41 PM »

@Opoks

I had earlier promised Kuwena that I was going to send him a mail privately even
before his post-visa posts and I have done that.

I can only make my submissions openly on the thread with his consent.

Nothing secretive about it,  just sticking to earlier promises.
opokonwa (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3866 on: May 02, 2008, 04:48 PM »

Quote from: stannesi on May 01, 2008, 10:01 PM

sorry abut your terrified sad past u slaughter as a ram,
You sure 've got some humour there Grin


Quote from: JISIDAISY on May 01, 2008, 11:44 PM
The issue isnt the country(thats just geography) the issue is you. If you like go to another planet, you will most definately have your issues---and more sef, because then you'll have to deal with aliens Grin.

Una all don craze! Grin


Quote from: pak on May 02, 2008, 03:41 PM
@Opoks

I had earlier promised Kuwena that I was going to send him a mail privately even
before his post-visa posts and I have done that.

I can only make my submissions openly on the thread with his consent.

Nothing secretive about it, just sticking to earlier promises.
I guess some guys are nicer than I am. Undecided
Everyone has their own way.


Quote from: aniffy4eva on May 02, 2008, 03:20 PM

Jisidaisy

Beautiful. Intelligent. Good-hearted woman. Caring. Very good conversationalist. Unique.

Beautiful? Huh Also beautiful?? Huh Huh
Wait till I see her picture.


Quote from: aniffy4eva on May 02, 2008, 03:20 PM
Opoks

Bold and assertive. . . speaks his mind. Doesn't hide his feelings. Humorous. Intelligent. Hardworking. Go-getter. positive attitude. May be frustrated by routine.

Take am easy joo!
I no sure say I be all these things Embarrassed


Quote from: aniffy4eva on May 02, 2008, 03:20 PM
Opoks

Bold and assertive. . . speaks his mind. Doesn't hide his feelings. Humorous. Intelligent. Hardworking. Go-getter. positive attitude. May be frustrated by routine.
How you know? Huh
Especially when it's not interesting. Embarrassed


Quote from: aniffy4eva on May 02, 2008, 03:20 PM

Wandel

Soft-spoken. Calm and pleasant. Intelligent. Analytical.

Wandel still dey alive?! Huh
Some guys sabi shun thread? Undecided


Quote from: aniffy4eva on May 02, 2008, 03:20 PM

Stannesi


Playful. Intelligent
The guy dey Crrrrrrrrraaaaaaze?! Grin
Reminds me of Tommyex at the height of his craze Grin

@all
I'm going to enjoy a swell weekend!
My time outside the office these dayz!  .  .  .  .  .  I look forward to them! Grin
 Cheesy They are always full of interesting! events! Grin
Bye! .  .  .  bye! .  .  . bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Grin
kenosky (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3867 on: May 02, 2008, 11:14 PM »

my eyes are heavy as i type but type i must- Jisi, when i said Alfaprime's post was spot on, i ddnt mean the part where he said we were alike (me and you, abi na you and I?)- afterall, y would i want to be alike with a trouble maker (i ddnt say like u though!! Cool).

Opoks, u craze pass all man self- which one be many girls wey u dey link to mi- who is always in the romance section? Huh no b u? shuoo! Meanwhile, Chelski goes to Moscow in one piece under sky blue skies but would most likely return in pieces with the sky all red!

kuwena, if u say we misunderstood you, let it be so! Lips sealed but your brothas are not your uncles (as opoks rightly pointed out!)

Aniffy, you're a brotha from another mother

Stannesi (opoks summarised it all- the guy dey craze, u embody pgm, tommyex and pak at the height of their craze- in fakt, methinks you're kolo!!!) Undecided

@all, have a swell weekend! I go still hail una 2mrw

Jisi, my font style still remains 'the more u look, the less u see! Kiss Tongue Cheesy
JISIDAISY (f)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3868 on: May 02, 2008, 11:32 PM »

Opoks, you are the craziest of them all. you think I'm as ugly as you are? think again Cool. I'm very sure say after God create me finish He look me and smile. Cheesy He too try.

Kenosky, if you want to say something be bold enough to say it aight. we all know you are the worlds greatest trouble maker but because of your ball less nature you can't get to the guiness buk of records. Have some balls dude, or better still get an implant  Undecided

Kenosky(yes you again) I am not looking anymore, if u like use feather take type sef na u sabi.

kuwena, when is the party going to be?

Aniffy, my personal person 'ssup?
tommyex (m)
Re: Which Way Nlng?
« #3869 on: May 03, 2008, 10:11 AM »

Hey my people,
Make una no vex say i never come onlineeven if i wasnt contributin so much,i dey try settle UP
I miss all of una oo, Infact i don miss all the action.
Make una no worry I will be back 'bigger n better'.

I have gone through pages and the flows,yabs,humour n information is even greater nowadays.
opokonwa (m)