UNDERSTANDING FRIENDSHIP
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
10th March, 2024.

My attention was drawn to a write up done by one of our brothers in a social media platform where he showered immeasurable encomium on a certain prominent fellow in our community for being a true friend. According to him, this friend of his, without delay came to his rescue when he was in trouble. Indeed, it is an exhilarating experience to have a friend show up when one is in distress. After going through the carefully worded dirthyramb in honour of a good friend, I began to do some inquiry into the concept of friendship. What exactly is friendship? Is friendship possible? Can man survive without friendship? Can an act of generosity be equated with friendship? Is it possible for a man to offer an act of generosity with an ulterior motive? Who is a true friend? Is it possible to meet someone today and call him/her your friend?

Friendship is an integral part of human life. Even lunatics have people they see as friends. Friendship traverses all the cultures of the world. 'Friendship' according to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary 'is of enduring affection, intimacy and trust between two people'. Every friendship must possess three fundamental ingredients such as; positivity, long-standing and cooperation.

We live in a society where people are not sincere - they manipulate everything including friendship to their own advantage. As a result, many people have concluded that friendship is a sham. But it will shock some people to learn that friendship is made possible by certain cosmic or elemental forces. When people of like minds or character come in contact with one another, friendship is born. Our father used to tell us how his friendship with Moses Odila started. According to our father, he noticed that among all the young men, especially those from our tribe - Ogba, Moses was extraordinarily decent, he conducted himself in a respectful and orderly manner. While our father formed this opinion about Moses, Moses had also done same about our father. This is how their friendship was birthed. This friendship never waxed cold, it grew from strength to strength. The bond holding their friendship was so strong such that nothing could come between them. Their religious belief was kept far away from their friendship. Despite the fact that my father was a member of Church of Christ and Moses a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses, they tagged along very well. Their friendship received a boost from the fact that they looked alike. They were like twins. There was hardly anything they didn't buy together. Their clothes, hats, walking sticks etc were always in pairs. The friendship was so strong that they called their wives the same name - Roselyn. Their friendship was known by all within our community and Port Harcourt where they lived such that they began to complain that if something eventually happens to one of them, the other will not last. When our father passed away in 2010, his friend, Moses could not withstand the blow, he followed suit the next year. This is what friendship is all about.

Friendship is much more than how many of us look at it. An Australian legal philosopher, John Finnis in his integral human fulfilment theory recognized 'friendship' as one of the basic goods of life. To Finnis, the interplay of these basic goods viz; life, knowledge, practical reasonableness, play, aesthetic experience, friendship and religion produces human fulfilment. For Finnish, friendship is a basic good that must be sought for its own sake and not as a means to an end.

From this inquiry, it is obvious that friendship transcends act of generosity especially, those done with the intention of getting public attention. While acts of kindness or generosity should be applauded, it should be known that they can be used to launder the image of the one (usually politicians) offering the assistance.

In conclusion, who can we refer to as a friend? A friend is one who is there for you regardless of the time and situation. A friend must be one who doesn't judge you - he accepts you the way you are. A friend will never speak ill of you or try to hurt you. A friend is one you never get tired of being with. A friend is one who is always loyal, trustworthy and willing to tell you the truth. A friend is one you can entrust your life, spouse, children, properties etc in his hands and do not entertain any fear. A friend is one who makes you happy.

Anything outside of this is nothing but fake.

THE TRUTH ABOUT OUR SUFFERING

A man unknowingly ties his neck with 'aklo' (chain) and God almighty in his infinite mercy removes the aklo and throws it away. The same man wakes up the following day, goes to where the aklo is lying, lifts it and, this time around knowingly and willingly ties it around his neck, do we expect God to come and remove the aklo again?

We have strangulated ourselves with our thoughtlessness.

God has helped us but all the time, we choose to remain in self-inflicted captivity.

Today, we're all crying because of rising cost of living but who caused it? God or man?

Even when the voice of reason came, instructing us to act aright, we rejected it. Today, we're all crying. I remember quite clearly how a certain man warned that if we go the wrong direction, we will suffer...are we not suffering today? To us, God has been merciful enough. But due to our unreasonableness, He has withdrawn and left the ball in our court. Therefore, how to escape this quagmire is ours and ours alone.

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
10-02-24

LESSON FROM MARIE-ANTOINETTE

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
6th February, 2024.

The life of Marie-Antoinette represents the true picture of the 18th century European society which was made up of the aristocrats and the commoners. Though members of the same society, their experiences were radically different. While one group (the aristocrats) enjoyed life, the other (the commoners) toiled and gnashed their teeth before they ate. This was the time Marie-Antoinette featured.

Marie-Antoinette was born in 2nd November, 1755 in Hofburg Palace, Vienna. At the age of 14, she was married to Dauphin Louis, grandson of France's King Louis XV on 16th May, 1770. Eight years later, she ascended the throne and was actively involved in policy and decision making.

One day while being dressed in her tastefully furnished room by her lady-in-waiting, she observed from her window that a large crowd of people were around the palace. Confused, she asked, "why is that massive crowd gathered outside the palace gate?". The lady-in-waiting replied that; "the people are hungry and crying for bread". Marie-Antoinette, due to her alienation and unfamiliarity with the people's plight or predicament said, "if there's no bread, give them brioche (cake)". Because her life was confined to the ivory tower of France, she didn't know that brioche (cake) was only available in the palace. At the end of the protest which turned out to become one of the fiercest in world history - the French revolution, she and several others were consumed; they lost their head to the guillotine.

In Nigeria, members of the aristocratic or political class, like Marie-Antoinette are unaware of the excruciating hardship that ordinary Nigerians are going through. Those living in the ivory tower of the Nigerian society do not know that many people are dying because of starvation. With the rising cost of living, many people have resorted to taking the easy way out - suicide. For others who must survive by every means necessary, crime and criminality is the answer.

During an interview with a renowned Nigerian political economist and former presidential candidate, prof. Pat Utomi recently, he said, "every Nigerian is in distress except those stealing money". Similarly, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A. Adeboye during February Thanksgiving Service (last Sunday) confirmed that political office holders like; Governors, President etc will, no matter the situation, lack food and fuel for their vehicles. This situation is made worse by the fact that these people or members of the political class are alienated from the ordinary people. For instance, despite the biting hardship in the land, they throw lavish parties, buy jets, expensive cars, build gigantic houses etc: they and members of their families are ignorant of the troubles that the ordinary people go through every day in order to stay alive. As the economic situation continues to deteriorate, people are most likely to hit the streets with a view to registering their displeasure over the fate of the economy. Yesterday, 5th February 2024, residents of Minna the Niger State capital took to the street to protest against the biting hardship and rising cost of living in the country.

Yesterday's protest in Minna should not be treated with kid gloves by the government; as a matter of fact, the protest should be viewed as a warning signal. The suffering of the masses must be addressed immediately to forestall the type of tsunami that swept across France consuming Marie-Antoinette and other members of the aristocratic or ruling class.

KNOWING MANUAL HAIR CLIPPER

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
31st January, 2024.

How many of you still remember manual hair clipper? Manual Clipper is a precursor of the modern electric hair clipper. Manual hair Clipper was invented around 1855 by Nikola Bizumic, a Serbian barber. Prior to the invention of the manual hair clipper, scissors and razor blades were the major instruments for barbing. The manual hair clipper has a blade that is made of Titanium, a body made of stainless steel and so on.Today, there are rechargeable clippers that can be used without electricity.

Prior to the late 80's and early 90's when electric hair clipper became prominent, manual hair clipper was the major device used in barbing: it was used in barbing studios or saloons. In the saloon of those days, barbing was not dependent on electricity or power supply; whenever barbers needed light in the night, they turned to their special kerosene lantern known as "tilley lamp"

In the saloons, were giant size mirrors and chairs that rolled customers from one side to another. This was one of the things we, as children enjoyed most in barbing saloons. The barbers were always handy with their horsetail to brush-off hairs. One thing about the barbers of those days was that, they sometimes used their mouth to blow away hair from customers' head and face as they barbed. There was one barber in our area who was always in the habit of blowing his cigarette breath on customers as he did his work. We didn't like going to that saloon because of his offensive breath but many people liked him because he was very good when it comes to barbing.

People born in the mid 80's and beyond may not know this device. Today, manual hair clipper is nothing but a relic from the past.

In those days, many people were known as celebrated and accomplished barbers. Do you still remember any of them? In my area in Diobu, Port Harcourt was a popular barber at Ojoto by Etchue street known simply as Papa Ofonime. He was a good barber. Another popular barber was a handsome and light skinned man from my hometown, Omoku popularly known as "Nigerian Barber". These men in those days were the alpha and omega of barbing. Incidentally, when electric clipper emerged, many of them were already too old to adjust to the intricacies of the new device. Gradually, they faded away with the manual hair clipper.

Although the manual hair clipper is no longer fashionable today but, we still remember it as well as the men who skillfully used it to sustain their families.

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
23rd January, 2024.

Blaming others for our ineptitude and mistakes is a practice common to man. From the beginning of human history, man has always made frantic effort to refuse to accept responsibility for some undesirable events caused by him. In Gen. 3:9-13, Adam and Eve refused to take responsibility for their failure. While Adam blamed Eve, the woman God gave him, Eve blamed the serpent for making her disobey God's instruction. None of them accepted to take responsibility for their action.

Failing to take responsibility makes a bad case worse: it offends the sensibility of the one being addressed. By failing to show regret or take responsibility for their action, Adam and Eve offended God the more so much so that He drove them away from the beautiful garden of Eden.

Taking responsibility is the opposite of shifting blame. Taking responsibility entails the realization that a mistake or error has been committed hence, the need to show remorse and tender a sincere apology. Taking responsibility is a virtue that is informed by one's knowledge concerning human life. Taking responsibility is a burden that many people are not willing to bear; they always want to present themselves as innocent and flawless. Taking responsibility is an act of honour and integrity - only the brave and courageous take responsibility. In this regard, David in the Bible is a typical example. When David was confronted by Nathan over his atrocity in the house of Uriah, he did not behave like Adam and Eve who shifted blame. Instead, he regretted his action and even condemned himself for committing such wickedness. For this singular act of taking responsibility, God looked upon him with mercy. In our homes, offices etc, if someone genuinely expresses or shows remorse for his/her action, such a fellow is most likely to be looked upon with mercy.

Shifting blame is a grave evil that many people consciously or unconsciously indulge in. In our homes, schools, offices, religious houses etc, people shift blame. Shifting of blame is associated with lies. People who shift blame often commit the fallacy of 'argumentum ad baculum' (appeal to force) even when they know that they're lying. In social media, there is a popular comedy skit of how a young man who's probably a driver or a gateman in a rich home impregnated the family house-girl. When the master of the house found out, he sacked both the young man and the house-girl and; pushed them out of the house. Confused and didn't know where to go with his "accidental" wife, he called one of his brothers in the village that he has lost his job. When his brother demanded to know what happened, he blamed it on the rain that fell one night. When his master and his wife travelled, he was left alone with the house-girl. According to him, that night, there was a heavy rainfall and the weather was cool. NEPA even made the matter worse by cutting power supply. This situation, he maintained is responsible for his present predicament. The skit, reveals how foolish people can be when they try to evade taking responsibility. The young man never saw his lack of self-control as the source of his trouble. Instead, he blamed the cool weather and power outage. What foolishness!

In our society, it is considered almost anomalous to take responsibility for a mistake or a bad action. Whoever takes responsibility for a bad job is often looked upon with derision; it is believed that such a person is not clever. In the history of our national life, individuals and institutions have always engaged in blame games. In areas where they have apparently performed abysmally poor, they still go ahead to look for who to blame. A vivid example of shifting blame was aptly demonstrated by APC when it took over the reigns of authority from the PDP. Having failed to deliver on the campaign promises it made to Nigerians, it turned around to blame PDP. To the APC members, the 16 years of PDP rule is the reason why they're not able to achieve their goals. This is a lame excuse!

Taking responsibility makes people to regard one with seriousness. By owning up or taking responsibility of failure, people recognizes one's sincerity and also understand that, it is possible that the person concerned may have been confronted by situations he/she didn't envisage. But having identified the challenges, it is most likely that he/she will do better if given another opportunity

When people genuinely show remorse for their failures and mistakes, chances are high that such will not repeat itself. Therefore, as parents, children, teachers, preachers, employers, employees etc, let us imbibe the practice of taking responsibility. In the event that we're not able to verbally take responsibility because of the sensitive nature of the matter, our actions should be able to attest or speak for us.

WHERE IS TRUST AND SINCERITY IN NIGERIA?

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
12th January, 2024.

The hornet's nest has been violently stirred and the vespa wasp is on rampage. In the midst of the confusion, everyone is running helter skelter! Nobody knows who's next to be stung.The land is no longer safe. But who evoked this evil and malevolent spirit tormenting our country? It must be the devil himself.

Why is there so much mistrust and suspicion in our society today? Only few decades ago, the Nigerian society was a bastion of peace and happiness. One could traverse the entire country without entertaining fear of any kind. Illiterate and uneducated men and women moved from one end of the country to another to buy and sell without harassment or intimidation. At a time, women in southern Nigeria discovered the Baga Fish market in Bornu state where they go to buy fish. These women travelled great distance before arriving at Baga, a small riverine village around Lake Chad where they returned with dry fishes carefully arranged in cartons of various sizes. Rather than narrate a story of assault and victimization, the women talked about the warm and hospitable treatment they received from their hosts. Similarly, they talked about the beautiful landscape and the simple lifestyle of the people.

In metropolitan centers like Kaduna, people of different religion lived in peace and harmony: no one disparaged the faith of another. Farmers and herders treated each other with respect. In fact, they lived together without a feeling of doubt and uncertainty. One of my senior colleagues who hails from Benue state confirmed to me that it is by living together with the Fulanis in their village, Taraku that he learned how to speak Hausa language. Because of this cordiality, marriage was contracted between some of his Tiv people and the Fulanis. Life, during this period was peaceful and enjoyable.

Outside the Benue valley, the Fulanis conducted themselves in a decent and honourable manner. Everywhere they went, they shepherded their cattle in such a manner that there was no friction between them and their hosts.

In those good old days, Nigerians related with one another in truth and sincerity: stranded persons easily got help or support from fellow citizens. Parents whose children attended school in distant places only had to hand over their children to driver of any vehicle heading to the same destination and the children will arrive in school safe and sound. In the political arena as well as other areas of leadership, leaders operated with a reasonable measure of decency and accountability. In those days, leaders didn't have to steal the way leaders of today do. At least, there was still a sizeable portion of the image of God left in them. It was during this period that Nigeria recorded a gargantuan human and infrastructural development. Regrettably, Nigeria has transmogrified into a land governed by greed and wickedness. A land where crime has become a norm. In our society, people commit all manner of heinous atrocities without any form of remorse. In fact, Nigeria is currently described by many as a 'crime scene'.

Following the high level of greed and wickedness in the land, trust and sincerity have receded to the background - people no longer trust themselves like they used to in time past. Late last year, professor Moyo Okediji, a Nigerian lecturing in a US university recounted the bitter experience he suffered in the hands of Nigerian security operatives. According to him:
'I came in through Ghana and decided to enter Nigeria by road so that I could see the lagoon landscape... Everything went well in Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic until I stepped into Nigeria. Na there trouble start oooo!'
Professor Okediji would have been robbed by the very people who are supposed to protect him if not for the timely intervention of a crowd of young Igbo men who saved him from the hands of the Nigeria Police attached to the Festac Mile two station.

In Nigeria, everywhere stinks of corruption and criminality. Make one slight mistake and you're 'pepper soup'. Everybody moves with his or her eyes wide open because nobody knows who to trust.

Few years ago, in the part of Makurdi called North Bank, a woman was late for work and begged her neighbour who operates a commercial motorcycle popularly known as 'Okada' to help drop-off her children in school. The man agreed only to hand the three children to ritual killers who didn't hesitate to slaughter the children and subsequently removed their heads and other vital organs in the body. When the children's teachers didn't see them in school, they called the mother of the children to know why the children didn't come to school because they were known to be regular in school. When the woman heard this, she became alarmed and called her neighbour immediately. When the man did not pick after several dail, she drove home immediately only to find the man moving his things from his apartment. When the woman saw this, she held the man and demanded to know the whereabout of her children. When no reasonable explanation came from the man, she raised alarm which attracted other neighbours.Together, they dragged the man to the police station where he confessed his wickedness and later took the police men to the scene of crime where the remains of the children were discovered. On sighting the decapitated and mutilated bodies of her children, the woman fell down and died. This is what goes on in our society on a regular basis. As a result, everybody is living in fear. People don't trust one another.

How did we get to this level of greed and wickedness? How can we return to the days of old when love, truth and sincerity reigned supreme in our country? We all have a duty to think and eschew this great evil because, if we continue in this disgusting path, we shall all be consumed.

KNOWING 'EKPO MASQUERADE' ALSO KNOWN AS 'CALABAR YANSH'

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
7th January, 2024

How many of you still remember Ekpo Masquerade popularly known as 'Calabar Yansh' in Port Harcourt? Before I proceed, it is important to understand the origin and purpose of the Ekpo Masquerade. Ekpo is a cultural society that is found in the Ibibio and Annang parts of present day Akwa Ibom State. Ekpo is built around the belief in life after death; it focuses on spirits of departed ancestors that have returned to the land of the living in masquerade form to participate in the communal festivities of their kinsmen.

Ekpo originated from Arochukwu, an Igbo community that share common boundary with Akwa Ibom. In Arochukwu, there are different grades of Ekpo.

Ekpo does not collect money with its own hands because it is believed that it will carry the money to the land of the dead. For this reason, money is collected on its behalf by any member of the society that is assigned to do so. Ekpo does not see women. This is why women run away wherever Ekpo is performing.

Back in the days in Port Harcourt, Ekpo Masquerade was very prominent. The reason for this was the high population of Cross Riverians in the metropolitan city of Port Harcourt. In those days, Cross River State was the home State of the Ibibios and Annangs. In order words, before Akwa Ibom State was carved out from Cross River State, the Ibibios and Annangs had Calabar as their State capital. For this reason, all of them were known and referred to as 'Calabar people'.

Owing to the high population of these Calabar people in Port Harcourt especially in the suburbs, it became customary for them to, during festive periods such as; Easter, Christmas, New Year, Independence Day etc to display their Ekpo Masquerade. Because of the scary look of the masquerade coupled with the charcoal painted all over the masquerade's body and its open or exposed buttocks, children began to call it 'Calabar Yansh'. Over time, this name gained prominence such that it displaced the original name - Ekpo. Till date, not many people in Port Harcourt know that the original name of the masquerade is Ekpo.

Calabar Yansh, in those days used to be an interesting masquerade. Although it pursues women and children yet, it was a darling of the people especially children. Calabar Yansh can smear somebody's cloth with charcoal if offended.

As the masquerades and their members move about, they're followed by a multitude of children who often taunted the masquerades by calling them names with the intention to provoke them so that the masquerade can give them (the children) a hot chase. Sometimes, the masquerades actually lose their cool and pursue the children. Some children who could not run fast enough end up receiving some strokes of the masquerade's long canes.

As the masquerades move about, they often stopped by in compounds where their members reside to freshen up. While the masquerades are inside cooling off, the entire neighborhood is besieged by children who are anxious to see the masquerades. In this regard, children followed the masquerades to old Port Harcourt township from Diobu where some of them miss their way and unable to return back home. On several occasion, announcements of these (missing) children have been made in radio and television houses.

Calabar Yansh was a regular masquerade in Port Harcourt that many looked forward to. I do not know if Calabar Yansh is still active as it used to back in our growing up days.
*******************

BEWARE: ALL THAT GLITTER IS NOT GOLD.

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
5th January, 2024.

Bible's admonition that we must be vigilant because 'the devil prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour' is not a joke. The devil is really out to destroy people. Few days ago, I saw the video of a known 'juju man' throwing crisp naira notes in a lavish party he organized or attended. Also displayed in the short video were different expensive cars belonging to the 'juju man' who looked more like an R&B singer.

From the juju man's classy and graceful appearance, many people, especially the youths will, without doubt want to identify with him because of the things he has showcased. But what does the Bible say concerning such things? 'Beware: all that glitter is not gold'. This is an instruction that must be taken seriously if we must escape the wiles of the devil.

The flashy things that the juju man has thrown at the public is nothing but a bait: those who will take it will know no peace.Their life will be like a beautiful flower hauled into a fiery furnace.

The devil is not sleeping, it is using different things that look beautiful and attractive on the surface to imprison people. For this reason, we must try our best not to fall for the attractive things we see; majority of them are sham - they're intended to lead us into destruction.

NIGERIA AND GREED

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
4th January, 2024.

Greed is a killer; it has ruined our land. Greed has infested the heart of Nigerians such that there is hardly anything that a typical Nigerian can do without devising means of stealing from the system or shortchanging others. Actions in this country are always propelled by greed. Greed is nothing but 'a selfish or excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is actually needed'.

There is a popular expression in pidgin English that goes thus: 'na thief wey dem catch be thief'. The implication of this statement is that there are lots of thieves out there who may actually be worse than the one caught in the act. In our society, it is very difficult to vouch for anyone. Many who present themselves as saints are really worse than the devil himself. This may not be noticed until they are entrusted with power or money. Nigeria is a land full of greedy people. The virtues of honesty, truth, contentment, selflessness etc are often treated with disdain and scorn.

In Nigeria, trust is like a scarce commodity: people, for the sake of earthly riches flagrantly betray or abuse the trust reposed in them. The most annoying part of the problem is that those saddled with the responsibility of keeping or managing funds brazenly embezzle humongous amount of money that they obviously do not need.

The most recent case is the one involving the suspended National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu who is currently in EFCC net for moving ₦44 billion naira from NSIPA's account to private accounts few days to the end of December, 2023. According to THISDAY, the EFCC's attention was drawn following the unusual movement of billions of naira from NSIPA's account to private and corporate accounts without the authorization of the President or Minister. Two days ago, Halima was arrested by EFCC operatives, grilled, released and re-invited the next day.

What has remained discomfiting to me is the temerity with which people steal money in this country. In the case of Halima, I have been asking myself, 'what does a woman who is believed to be filled with milk of compassion want to do with such a huge amount of money? Does she want to buy the entire country? This is crazy!

Halima, to my mind was just unfortunate that her case was brought to the fore - there are many public office holders who are right now moving huge amount of money from government coffers to private accounts without being detected. It is possible that Halima may have stepped on powerful toes hence this embarrassment - na thief wey dem catch be thief! Unfortunately, this act of stealing that is fueled by unbridled greed cuts across different strata of our society as well as tiers of government e.g., local, state and federal government.

To ameliorate this audacious stealing, government must devise ways or means of restricting or limiting public officials access to funds. Imagine a situation where a public officer can relocate huge amount from government's treasury without due process? The ability to carry out such illegal transactions successfully remains one of the greatest obstacles to our development - government must ensure that such openings are blocked.

THE WAGES OF EVIL AND WICKEDNESS

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
31st December, 2023.

As this year, 2023 winds up and 2024 is about to begin in earnest, we should be reminded about the wages of evil and wickedness. When the Bible says: 'the wages of sin is death' and 'there is no peace for the wicked', we must understand that these are not mere rhetoric but infallible and indubitable truth. Any man who indulges in any form of wickedness certainly will pay the price.

I was born and raised in the metropolitan city of Port Harcourt popularly known in those days as 'Pitakwa'. Port Harcourt, from inception has been home to different people; the good, the bad and the ugly'. We have, in our own very eyes seen how the bad and wicked people, one after the other ended in shame. Many of them, who, through their evil gotten wealth elevated themselves to the status of god lost everything they had toiled for including their own lives within split seconds. In 1991, a particular strong man, Izi Joe who lived in Diobu part of Port Harcourt was killed in a wild rampage carried out by Diobu youths against criminal elements and their sponsors. Owing to a deluge of crime in the city, a number of young men gathered at the popular Ikoku Spare Part market complaining about the spate of crime in the city and what can be done to arrest the ugly situation. Suddenly, in one accord, they decide to purge the city, particularly Diobu of all workers of criminality. With one resolve, the small gathering which later transformed into a mighty crowd, like a tsunami moved through the streets of Diobu consuming every criminal: those that were not around, their properties were brought out and set ablaze. When the irate youths arrived at the residence of Izi Joe at Abel Jumbo street, the house was deserted, Izi Joe's boys have all ran away. When words got to Izi Joe in one of his mistresses house that his residence was under attack by some boys, he jumped into his white 504 saloon car and headed straight to his house; his intention was to confront the boys but was shocked to find a mammoth crowd there. Without wasting time, he was identified, beaten black and blue before flinging him into the already burning house. But he managed to come out of the fire heavily burnt and ran to Holy Cross, a private hospital at Abel Jumbo street by Ojoto street where he finally gave up the ghost. In Diobu where Izi Joe reigned as a terror, the people confirmed that 'the wages of sin is indeed death'. Shortly after Izi Joe's death, the community people took over the land because the house was completely razed down and later sold to a church. All of Izi Joe's wisdom turned to foolishness. In the process of trying to gain the whole world, he lost everything including his own life. What foolishness!

Like Izi Joe, multitude of evil and wicked people have ended in most tragic ways. Personally, I have no remembrance of any evil or wicked man who ended well. All the men that were said to be mean and wicked ended their lives in agony and shame. Beside ending in tragedy, none of them had a reasonable child or children. Instead, it is the children of the common but good men that have become the movers and shakers of our present society. From the loins of the good men in Diobu have emerged Governors, Deputy Governors, Senators, Ministers, Commissioners, Lecturers, Business Moguls etc.

It pays to flee from every appearances of evil because its consequences is too heavy.

Have a happy and prosperous new year!

THE END OF JAKPA

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
23rd December, 2023

There is a new word that has found its way into the Nigerian lexicon. The word is 'Jakpa'. Jakpa is a Yoruba word meaning 'to run away'. Today, jakpa has become a common word used all over Nigeria and even beyond.

Jakpa apparently means 'to run away from something bad or unpleasant'. It suggests fright and flight. Nobody runs away from something good and interesting.

The word jakpa as it is known and used in Nigeria has two major elements viz; emigration and escape. People leave the shores of Nigeria for various reasons e.g, studies, business and pleasure. In these instances, they take their time to process their relevant documents, travel and return back to the country. But in the case of jakpa, there is a desperation to leave the depressing and suffocating country by every means possible.

The word jakpa aptly captures the reality of the Nigerian society: the resolve or determination of citizens to escape the harrowing and agonizing difficulties that surrounds everyday life. Jakpa is propelled by the desire to live in an organized and sane society where life is beautiful and interesting. One remarkable fact about jakpa is that; it only offers temporary solution - people run away from Nigeria in order to escape the heartrending challenges plaguing the country and enjoy better life outside.The enormous size of Nigerians in diaspora has not improved the situation of things in Nigeria. Instead, things seem to be moving from bad to worse. Many of these people return to the country using whatever resources they have to further pulverize the system.

Jakpa, in today's Nigerian society is very critical. Nobody wants to remain in misery. Life in Nigeria has become unbearable. Many people have died and are still dying as a result of economic hardship. Many families are unable to take care of their basic needs such as; feeding, clothing, shelter etc. This has produced exacerbating problem of insecurity. There is no gain stating the fact that Nigerian society is unsafe.

As a country where corruption, nepotism and tribalism hold sway, hardwork and merit are often not recognized and; mediocrity the order of the day, it is imperative for people to jakpa. Man must preserve his own life!

Surviving outside one's homeland is not a piece of cake. Through jakpa, one agrees to become a second class citizen wherever he finds himself. The desperation to jakpa from the depressing society of Nigeria has hauled many Nigerians into miserable and piteous conditions. Just to stay away from Nigeria (the jaw of the crocodile), many Nigerians take-up all manner of horrible jobs such as; call girls, washing dead bodies in the morgue, cleaning gutters/drainages, washing dishes etc. Despite the galling and degrading means of livelihood, there is no amount of offer that will make them return back to the country.

The truth must be told, it is not every Nigerian who escapes from Nigeria in the name of jakpa that is happy where they are. Many of them are like endangered species; they live their lives hiding. They do not have rest of mind. The xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, Libya etc is still very fresh in our memory. Many of those who returned through government's intervention did not waste time to return back to the 'slaughter houses'. Many Nigerians who were caught up in the Russian/Ukrainian war refused to return home. To them, 'it is better to die there than return back home'. This also brings to mind the tormenting and torturous experience Nigerians go through in their effort to jakpa - many of them do not arrive their destinations alive.

One thought that has befuddled many Nigerians is: 'why is Nigeria, a land blessed in both human and natural resources so disoriented and backward?' Nigeria is a land divided along tribal and religious lines. These lines are deeply entrenched such that individuals, institutions as well as meritocracy have been toppled. Nothing actually matters to Nigerians outside their religion and tribe. With this attitude, we have, with their own hands destroyed out country. Having ruined the country, we have resorted to jakpa. But jakpa is not the solution to our problem. Only us (Nigerians) can fix Nigeria. To do this, we have to pull down every obstacle to our development such as; tribalism, religiosity, mediocrity, illiteracy, corruption, laziness etc.

If we're able to achieve this, jakpa will die a natural death because institutions will dispense their responsibilities creditably (without bias and lopsidedness). In this regard, our democracy will be strengthened, our elections will not be flagrantly manipulated, our judiciary will reflect the billet of Themis, the goddess of justice. In this instance, our courts will not deal treacherously with Nigerians - whoever transgresses the law of the land will be dealt with accordingly. Those who enrich themselves through our heritage or common wealth will automatically give way.

By the time we arrive at this station, jakpa will no longer be fashionable. Rather than jakpa, it is forighners that will be doing our dirty jobs for us.

RIVERS OF CONFUSION

Rivers is in dilemma -

It is on a crossroad

Left is far

Right is sour

The people stand dishevelled

Watching in this and that direction

The political merchants have arisen!

The soul of Rivers is the bone of contention

This fight is driven by greed

Their swords have stirred the still waters

A turbulent wave is hereby actuated

The sinless shore is its target

And a thick fog entraps the people

Scores will fall by the blows of the mindless merchants

Rivers men will chew the bones of fellow Rivers men

And lick their tongues in delight -

Their master's bulwark stands firm!

But the cracks and crevices can bust Rivers

At the end, the common man is the loser

The dribs and drabs is meaningless

We have decimated our house in the lap of rapacious political merchants

Only caution and vigilance can save our abode of Rivers.

By:
Ajukura, F.O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
19th December, 2023.

A WONDERFUL PEOPLE

We are a wonderful people.
All of our ingenuity
Is to scoop from government pot
And eat till our tummy burst
We don't give a hoot about others
We are the epitome of selfishness

Nobody wants to set the fire
Nobody wants to cook the food
But we want to gulp and guzzle!
We're a bunch of spineless sloths!
Who desires to own the sky
With lying tongues and itchy paws
In view of the battle around the pot
We shall soon hear the pot is stolen

And all of us will rest!

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
16th December, 2023.

WHY EGIS CALL OTHER OGBA PEOPLE "NDE IGBURU".

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
14th December, 2023.

Ogba ethnic nationality, like every other group is made up of sub-groups or clans with inconspicuous and noticeable differences in areas such as; speech, customs, tradition and history. The Ogba nation consists primarily of three clans viz; Egi, Igburu and Usomini. However, Egis do not share this narrative. To them, Ogba is made up of Egi and Igburu. As far as they are concerned, Ogba is either Egi or Igburu. But before we proceed, it is pertinent to briefly look at Egi clan. Egi is a clan made up of several towns and villages. It is located at the southern part of Ogba land. F.J. Ellah in his book, 'Ali Ogba' quoted W.F.H. Newington who, in the Intelligent Report of 1930 stated that "Egi is apparently an (Ekpaffia) Ekpeye term for farming". In the same Report, Newington observed that the "country is much drier than in the Igburu area which lies to the north of it". According to a popular Ekpeye oral tradition, the name Egi, is derived from "a particular yam specie called Ege". Because this yam was farmed or planted on a large scale in the Ogba territories close to Ekpeye land, Ekpeye people called the area Ege. The name (Ege) overtime changed to Egi. This account agrees with the previous one which states that the name is derived from an Ekpeye term for farming. It also agrees with the position of the Report that names of the three major clans of Ogba land are derived geographically and not geneologically.

Egis description of other Ogba people as "Nde Igburu" is rooted in the history and believe that Egi is the first son of Ogba. According to this historical account, Ogba had two sons namely; Egi (senior) and Igburu (junior). For this reason, they argue that Ogba is made up of only two clans viz; Egi and Igburu. This is why they call every other Ogba man who is not an Egi man "Onye Igburu" meaning "Igburu man". But is it true that every other Ogba man who is not from Egi is an Igburu man? The answer is "NO!" Not every Ogba man outside Egi is from Igburu. As we have observed from the preceeding lines, it is incorrect to call an Usomini or Omoku man "Onye Igburu". The reason for this is simple; Usomini and Igburu are different zones or clans in Ogba land with marked differences. Although, some ardent believers of this version of Ogba history argue that Usomini is an artificial creation - it was not there from the very beginning. In fact, many of them maintain that it was the colonial government that created the Usomini group/zone/clan. But Ellah clarifies that "...the groups and their names were definitely not created by the colonial agents! They existed and had their names and culture before the colonial era".

Despite this fact, Egi people have continued to refer to every other Ogba people who are not from Egi as "Nde Igburu". In this regard, the word "Igburu", to Egi people has become a label used in describing non Egi Ogba people: this label has become indelibly entrenched in the consciousness of Egi people such that erasing or correcting it is almost impossible. This can be likened to learning the use of left hand in old age.

Changing or correcting the label "Igburu", obviously is going to be an uphill task owing to the fact that it is deeply rooted in the culture and psychology of the people. However, the present and coming generations must know the truth about Ogba land - that it is made up of three major clans or zones. And that members of the various clans should be addressed appropriately.

NIGERIAN POLITICS

Politics in Nigeria is repulsive and nauseating. Those who engage in it, do so only to enrich themselves and members of their families.

Their rhetoric is superficial and undulating - it cannot pass through the fire of integrity.

Politics in Nigeria should never be taken to heart because, it's like a harlot on the highway - it's for the highest bidder.

Politics in Nigeria should not be taken seriously because it's like a boat controlled by the wind - it has no destination!

Politics in Nigeria is devoid of honour and integrity. It is a field where men of honour dare not tread.

Those who ventured into it using the badge of the clergy have ended up more disillusioned. They have either lost a tooth or broken an arm. The game is without form. Only amoebic beings can navigate its awfully treacherous waters.

A certain respected cleric dabbled into it but soon learned that it's about a one legged dance done in the dead of the night. He sneaked out and has remained calm like ice water - no more noise about politics.

Nigerian politics is not a venture worthy of sacrificing one's life.
If you die, you die in vain!
In Nigerian politics, people speak from both sides of the mouth.

In Nigerian politics, those who cast all manner of aspersions on political opponents shamelessly become their most vociferous defenders - they go back to their vomits and eat them all up.

Will the shameless shunting ever stop? It seem unlikely.

Today, they are happily flying the flag of the opposition. They have suddenly forgotten the horror they unleashed on that party.

Today, they have openly discarded their original garment.
Tomorrow, they will don another. It doesn't matter how filthy it is. The stomach must not be empty. The stomach is a god that must be worshipped.

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
11th December, 2023.

CUT YOUR COAT ACCORDING TO YOUR SIZE

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
10th December, 2023.

A beautiful looking and light skinned lady was, within the week caught in Gboko, Benue State for stealing a goat. The lady who is said to be a single mother of two children was caught when she was negotiating to sell the goat. The lady was later paraded round the town with the goat by angry youths.

Now, what could have precipitated such a beautiful looking and able-bodied lady to condescend to stealing a goat? Could it be hunger/poverty? Or she's just a lousy kleptomaniac?

Personally, I do not share the sentiment that hunger can push one into stealing. It is true that hunger and poverty have the propensity to make a man act or behave in ways considered improper. However, one does not need to steal to survive. There are countless ways of defeating or overcoming hunger without stealing. Whoever steals and blames it on hunger and poverty is only deceiving him/herself. He or she is first and foremost a thief! Many people who steal do so out of laziness and over bloated ego (they think too highly of themselves). There are also people who suffer from persistent neurotic impulse to steal; most of the time, they steal without a motive.

In analyzing this issue, some people have digressed by blaming the system. That we have a corrupt system where those in authority steal from our commonwealth is not a justification to steal from another person who, perhaps, is going through more severe economic or financial hardship.

The lady, obviously is guilty of stealing but lucky to have escaped being lynched. Except the condition of Kleptomania which is viewed as a mental illness, man has no justifiable reason to steal.

In order not to be cut short in a most tragic manner, learn how to cut your coat according to your size!

MEN AND DESTRUCTIVE EGO.

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
6th December, 2023.

Men are special breed; they lay down their lives in order to protect their homes. Sometimes, they take this responsibility to the extreme when they try to cover-up or protect their wayward and uncooperative wives and children.

One of the greatest weaknesses of men is ego. Ego is simply a feeling or opinion that one has about him/herself: this feeling is formed especially when contrasted with another self or the world. Men have ego. They don't want to appear as weaklings or failures in the eyes of the public especially, their fellow men. In the heart of every man, he is in charge of his home and affairs. In this regard, whatever thing that threatens or attempts to dethrone him as the head of the family is either rebuffed if he has the capacity to do so or he swallows his pride and live with it (this is the greatest destroyer of men). In doing this, he tries as much as possible to camouflage the facts in such a manner that those around him will hardly notice. But what he does not know is that nothing is hidden under the sun - people will always know the truth about him and his home. Men who find themselves in this unpleasant situation work very hard to make ridiculous excuses for their wives failures and inadequacies. This position becomes necessary because they lack the capacity to stem the tide or instill discipline and correction. No burden can be heavier than this. Many men, unfortunately are under this weight. Only few of them are able to break free from this entanglement. Doing this however, may require the man to strip himself of his ego. For example, if he is being subjected to degrading treatment from his spouse due to his inability to provide for his family, he mustn't die in silence - he should be able to speak up and find a way to escape from the mire. It should however be noted that speaking up should be the very last resort.

A man in Lagos known as Boniface was constantly harassed by his wife for not working hard enough to improve their living condition. As the harassment continued unabated, Boniface resolved in his heart to, one day teach his wife a lesson she will never forget by beating her. One Sunday evening when he returned home after attending their community meeting, his wife refused to serve him dinner. When he asked her what the problem was, she shouted at the top of her voice:
'don't ask me that stupid question. Why didn't you eat in that your stupid village meeting?'.
Overwhelmed with anger, Boniface decided to carry out his plan of beating her up. Unfortunately, it was Boniface that was fatally beaten up. He never knew his wife was so powerful. From that day, he became a bigger slave to his wife. Anytime he returns late from work, his wife beats him. The beating became too frequent that he gradually slipped into the status of a 'boi-boi' in the house. The reason being that, he was not able to tell people the truth - that his wife beats him. However, he always consoled himself with the thought that his wife will change. One day, all hell broke loose when he, out of frustration returned home very late from work after heavy drinking, his wife who has been fuming with anger that he stayed out late, threw caution to the wind and, like a hungry lion pounced on him in the full glare of their neighbours. The beating had always been inside their apartment but this time, she decided to do it outside so that neighbours can confirm their suspicion. Boniface, in that drunken state was mercilessly beaten up such that he passed out. It was not until he lay immoveable that the enraged woman left him. When she noticed this, she became afraid and started calling on neighbours to help revive her husband. Unfortunately, all the neighbours in anger ignored her appeal. Only one of their neighbours, Mr. Justin came forward to help revive her husband. When his situation did not improve, they sent for his elder brother who lives nearby. By daybreak the man was rushed to the hospital where he passed away three days later.

Boniface died not because his wife beat him to death but because he failed to address the abusive marriage he was in. The time he realized that his wife had usurped his position or authority as the head of the house, would have been the most appropriate time to take his stand. Instead, he continued in the abusive marriage because he didn't want people to know that his wife beats him till he lost his life. Martin Heidegger, a German existentialist philosopher identified the inauthentic lifestyle as the worst lifestyle any man can live. According to him, the inauthentic lifestyle is when a man lives his life not according to his own dictates but according to the dictates of others. This, to Heidegger is the worst form of deceit. Men who live their lives in this manner usually end in tragedy. If Boniface had cared less about what people will say concerning his wife beating him and terminate the marriage perhaps, would have not died the way he did.

Men must make frantic effort to save themselves from abusive and oppressive spouses. In the same vein, women should not wait for their lives to be snuffed out in abusive marriages.

MEN AND DESTRUCTIVE EGO.

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
6th December, 2023.

Men are special breed; they lay down their lives in order to protect their homes. Sometimes, they take this responsibility to the extreme when they try to cover-up or protect their wayward and uncooperative wives and children.

One of the greatest weaknesses of men is ego. Ego is simply a feeling or opinion that one has about him/herself: this feeling is formed especially when contrasted with another self or the world. Men have ego. They don't want to appear as weaklings or failures in the eyes of the public especially, their fellow men. In the heart of every man, he is in charge of his home and affairs. In this regard, whatever thing that threatens or attempts to dethrone him as the head of the family is either rebuffed if he has the capacity to do so or he swallows his pride and live with it (this is the greatest destroyer of men). In doing this, he tries as much as possible to camouflage the facts in such a manner that those around him will hardly notice. But what he does not know is that nothing is hidden under the sun - people will always know the truth about him and his home. Men who find themselves in this unpleasant situation work very hard to make ridiculous excuses for their wives failures and inadequacies. This position becomes necessary because they lack the capacity to stem the tide or instill discipline and correction. No burden can be heavier than this. Many men, unfortunately are under this weight. Only few of them are able to break free from this entanglement. Doing this however, may require the man to strip himself of his ego. For example, if he is being subjected to degrading treatment from his spouse due to his inability to provide for his family, he mustn't die in silence - he should be able to speak up and find a way to escape from the mire. It should however be noted that speaking up should be the very last resort.

A man in Lagos known as Boniface was constantly harassed by his wife for not working hard enough to improve their living condition. As the harassment continued unabated, Boniface resolved in his heart to, one day teach his wife a lesson she will never forget by beating her. One Sunday evening when he returned home after attending their community meeting, his wife refused to serve him dinner. When he asked her what the problem was, she shouted at the top of her voice:
'don't ask me that stupid question. Why didn't you eat in that your stupid village meeting?'.
Overwhelmed with anger, Boniface decided to carry out his plan of beating her up. Unfortunately, it was Boniface that was fatally beaten up. He never knew his wife was so powerful. From that day, he became a bigger slave to his wife. Anytime he returns late from work, his wife beats him. The beating became too frequent that he gradually slipped into the status of a 'boi-boi' in the house. The reason being that, he was not able to tell people the truth - that his wife beats him. However, he always consoled himself with the thought that his wife will change. One day, all hell broke loose when he, out of frustration returned home very late from work after heavy drinking, his wife who has been fuming with anger that he stayed out late, threw caution to the wind and, like a hungry lion pounced on him in the full glare of their neighbours. The beating had always been inside their apartment but this time, she decided to do it outside so that neighbours can confirm their suspicion. Boniface, in that drunken state was mercilessly beaten up such that he passed out. It was not until he lay immoveable that the enraged woman left him. When she noticed this, she became afraid and started calling on neighbours to help revive her husband. Unfortunately, all the neighbours in anger ignored her appeal. Only one of their neighbours, Mr. Justin came forward to help revive her husband. When his situation did not improve, they sent for his elder brother who lives nearby. By daybreak the man was rushed to the hospital where he passed away three days later.

Boniface died not because his wife beat him to death but because he failed to address the abusive marriage he was in. The time he realized that his wife had usurped his position or authority as the head of the house, would have been the most appropriate time to take his stand. Instead, he continued in the abusive marriage because he didn't want people to know that his wife beats him till he lost his life. Martin Heidegger, a German existentialist philosopher identified the inauthentic lifestyle as the worst lifestyle any man can live. According to him, the inauthentic lifestyle is when a man lives his life not according to his own dictates but according to the dictates of others. This, to Heidegger is the worst form of deceit. Men who live their lives in this manner usually end in tragedy. If Boniface had cared less about what people will say concerning his wife beating him and terminate the marriage perhaps, would have not died the way he did.

Men must make frantic effort to save themselves from abusive and oppressive spouses. In the same vein, women should not wait for their lives to be snuffed out in abusive marriages.

DO YOU KNOW HAPPY BYEDAY?

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
4th December, 2023.

To the children of today, the term 'byeday' is a sour and unacceptable word. Even children in rural areas understand that the word byeday is wrong. But that was not the case during our growing up days.

Only few decades ago, the use of correct English at homes was very rare; children were brought up with vernacular - pidgin English. Because many parents were uneducated, they used their indigenous dialect or language in communicating with their children. Schools were not left out as many of them used vernacular to teach their pupils. As a result, these children turned English words upside down.

As children, birthday was simply known to us as 'byeday'. As far as we were concerned, byeday was a day we eat rice together and groove to the beat.

Byedays reflected the true African spirit of collective and shared mores. Although, only few parents marked or celebrated their children birthdays, majority of parents do not even know their children's date of birth. As a result, birthday celebration was automatically ruled out. Since the society was more communalistic than it is today, parents who wanted to celebrate their children's birthday, a day or two before the 'D' day go round the compounds within the neighborhood to tell parents to allow their children to attend their child's birthday slated for so so and so time. Whenever such information reached our ears, we become even more excited than the celebrant. On the 'D' day, we kit up in our 'Christmas' clothes. Before the scheduled time, we're already seated in the venue gleaming with excitement. The invited and uninvited alike! When the birthday rice and stew was served, usually in a large tray with few pieces of meat conspicuously placed on the it. At the appropriate time, we descend on the rice with our bare hands and, within a split second, the entire food disappears into utter nothingness. When water to wash our hands do not arrive early enough, we wipe our soiled hands on our clothes without qualm. The climax of the occasion was the byeday song. Majority of the children, being satisfied with themselves just fired away...
Happy byeday to you!
Happy byeday to you!!
Happy byeday!
Happy byeday!!
Happy byeday to you!!!

After this little ditty, we moved to the dance floor where all manner of dance steps were displayed. Those who did not know how to dance watched with amazement.

At the end, we retire to our various homes to share our escapades in our small circle of friends. We never saw anything wrong with the word byeday till years later when we learned that the right pronounciation was 'birthday'.

Life, today is different because our society is gravitating fastly towards individualism. People are extremely careful how they relate with one another. Similarly, the high level of greed, wickedness and insecurity being experienced today have made matters worse. Recently, a woman, who was moved by pity fed her neighbour's child who was hungry because the child's mother went to market and left the child at home without food. Later in the night when the child began to run temperature, the mother of the child accused her neighbour of poisoning her child. This was a callous and weighty allegation! The woman was shocked over the allegation because the child ate with her own children in the same plate. Two days later, the sick child was taken to the hospital where it was confirmed that child had malaria parasite. Happenings of this nature have forced people to move into their cocoon.

The era of byeday is gone because people today are more educated and enlightened. Even toddlers know how to pronounce 'birthday' correctly.

This may sound funny to children of nowadays but those born in the 60's, 70's, 80's and even early 90's clearly understands what I'm talking about.

Cheers!🎈

THE NATURE OF MAN

Humans are like ants. Sprinkle a little sugar on the ground and they will gather to feast on it. Remove the sugar and they are gone. Their presence in that location is occasioned by that which they love - sugar. The same thing applies to man. When people gather around a particular man, it is not because they love him but because of what he has in his hands. Remove that thing and they will disappear without a trace.

Today, I see people, like bees, swarming around newly elected/appointed public office holders. In the course of their neverending visits, they make remarks exaggerating the virtues and accomplishments of their host.

Don't allow yourself to be swayed by the deception of their lips. They have come for one and only one reason - to enjoy the sugar in your hands. If you do not believe this, wait till you exit the office that produce the 'sugar'. I assure you that many of them will forget your name. Some of them will even call you a thief. Such is the nature of man!

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
24th November, 2023.

NIGERIA AND THE PALAVER OF BRAIN DRAIN

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
21st November, 2023.

This period, in time to come is going to be considered one of the worst or darkest in the history of this country: a period when the best brains, in droves left the shores of this geographical entity called Nigeria in search of a better life.

The best brains are not alone in this race for a life befitting of a contemporary man. The young men endowed with bodily strength are also on the run. They have abandoned their nationality and are busy winning awards, medals and laurels in physical and sporting activities for their newly adopted countries. In Cameroon, a similar country to Nigeria, Breel Embolo, a 25-year-old Cameroonian born Swiss player scored against the Indomitable Lions in the 48th minute of their group G opener at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Embolo's goal against his original home country shattered the hearts of many Cameroonian youths such that they attempted to raze down his family house in Cameroon. Similarly, those who are not so blessed in the areas of mental and physical capabilities are not left out - they too have joined the band wagon to "japa". Nobody wants to live in an unsafe and insecure society; a society without hope and prospect.

Nigeria, without doubt is gravitating towards the Hobbesian state of nature where life is "solitary, nasty, brutish and short". Surviving in this country is extremely difficult. Movement has become hellacious owing to the activities of men of the underworld. Certain roads and areas have been identified as 'no go area' following the activities of kidnappers and terrorists. A certain woman, few years ago came into the country from abroad and, unfortunately fell into the hands of kidnappers who raped and abused her. While recounting her ordeal on National TV, she swore never to return to this country of villains. There are many like her who are not fortunate to share their experience. Food, which is considered the most basic need of life is gradually slipping out of the reach of many Nigerians. Life generally has become boring and uninteresting! A friend who recently moved to Singapore confessed to me that he almost died here in Nigeria as a result of depression because, despite his high position in his place of work, he could not feed well, pay his house rent and children's school fees. But up there, life is beautiful. Everything that makes life enjoyable is in place. Food is cheap and affordable. Data is almost free of charge. He told me that since he arrived that country about three months ago, power or light has not blinked. "It is as if I am already in paradise", he concluded excitedly.

One question that has continued to run through the minds of ordinary Nigerians is "why is it that our leaders who are familiar with life in these societies are reluctant to replicate what they see over there in our country?"

With everybody planning to leave this country in search of greener pastures, who will be left behind to build the country? Nobody!

In light of the above, the current leadership must find a way to avert the dark cloud looming over Nigeria. The country must be made attractive to keep its human capital from flying away to develop other climes.

AN ECONOMY IN COMATOSE

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
19th November, 2023.

When something is in comatose (coma), it is said to be in a state of profound unconsciousness caused by such things as; sickness, poison, accident etc.

The word comatose here is used to describe the economy of this country. The economy is the base of every society. It is through the economy that a society is adjudged to be making progress or not. Economy does not exist in the blues, it subsists in a society and is driven by individuals and institutions (both public and private).

The economy of this country has been on a consistent descending order. Administrations have risen to power on allegation that the preceding one is terribly enmeshed in corruption and mismanagement of the country's resources and; therefore pledges to offer a lasting solution. But what do Nigerians get or see at the end of the day? The new administration bastardizes whatever is left of the economy such that the previous administration is considered saintly. This dreary situation has continued till this day. As a matter of fact, many people dying do so as a result of starvation and depression. Nothing seem to be working! The only thriving venture is politics. Only politics has the capacity to catapult an individual from abject poverty to affluence within a space of one to four years. No wonder people do everything humanly possible to win election: they cheat, maim, kill etc just to be there! Because of this culture, all manner of nonentities gravitate towards the political arena while those with the requisite credentials and charisma watch from the sidelines.

The lack of proper upbringing, moral astuteness, integrity, intellectual and managerial capacity of our leaders have precipitated our economy into a downward spiral. In the history of this country, there is no administration that has outshined or outperformed its predecessor. This pattern of movement has continued unabated such that our economy is today in comatose or what can, in Nigerian parlance be described as "push and start". Our refineries are dead: they have been replaced with a corrupt and fraudulent arrangement of importing substandard petroleum products into the country. Recently, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration removed the much touted 'fuel subsidy' which has remained an albatross in the petroleum sector. This decision has escalated the hardship and suffering in the land so much so that many people are yearning for a return to the subsidy regime.

With the hardship plaguing the land, many Civil and Public Servants have been reduced to objects of mockery. With their abysmally poor remuneration or wages, they cannot afford to train their children in private schools that are driven by profit margin: only those who have found a way to get extra income through sharp and dubious means are able to weather the storm of hardship.

I was inspired to do this writeup when I got reminded through an article I was reading this morning that; slightly above three decades ago, a litre of fuel was between #45 and #60. A bag of cement was just #38. Today, a litre of fuel is almost #600 and a bag of cement is #5,500 in some areas. When I saw the sales invoice of 40 bags of cement sold in 1989, I was amazed. The cost of the entire 40 bags was #1,520. Today, 40 bags of cement is #220,000. Given this background, how can a honest and dedicated Civil or Public Servant build a house for himself? This situation is not in anyway limited to cement and fuel, it cuts across every conceivable aspect of our society. The implication of this situation is that majority of Nigerians are under immense pressure; they go about with so much anger, frustration, bitterness etc. How can Nigerians get out of this mire and also change the narrative of the preceding administration/government doing better than the succeeding one?

CONSCIENCELESS LOT

I have realized that the greatest evil on the face of the earth is propelled by the lack or absence of conscience. Although, some people argue that inordinate greed is responsible for most callous and insensitive behaviours displayed by man. But, beneath every act of greed or selfishness is a dead conscience. Conscience is the part of the mind that makes one aware of the moral status of his/her action. Good conscience shows one the path to follow in order to be a good person while a bad conscience does the opposite.

I witnessed the height of dead conscience when a certain foreigner, Dr. Amos Wolfgang visited a community and was moved by the level of hunger, poverty and backwardness he saw there. When he went back to his country, he raised money to support the poor and malnourished children and also the idle youths he saw in that local community. From his country, he sent the money to the Community's Development Committee (CDC) and other relevant bodies of that community with instruction on how to administer the money so that; at the end, at least 50 members of the community will be lifted out of poverty. In the thinking of Dr. Wolfgang, "if up to 50 people are lifted out of poverty, they will help to support others and the community will flourish". But he was wrong, the dead conscience that pervade the community made sure that Dr. Wolfgang's dream for the community was miscarried. When the money eventually arrived, few privileged members of the community cornered the money and shared it among themselves. What did they do with the money? They built needless houses, bought flashy cars, married more wives and hired praise singers to be showering them with arid and vain praises. Meanwhile, those whom the money was meant for continued to wallow in abject poverty. Many of them who could not endure the weight and burden of the situation resorted to criminality in a bid to survive. In this situation, their victims are not always the conscienceless lot who have deprived them from escaping the malaise of hunger and poverty but the hoi polloi like them who are only trying to eke out a living for themselves.

This is what the lack of conscience has caused the entire community - sustained backwardness!

In this situation, who do we blame? Certainly not Dr. Wolfgang or others but the dead conscience of the community's leaders.

May God give our leaders the heart of flesh!


By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
17th November, 2023.

TABOO OF FEMALE DOGS IN OMOKU

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
16th November, 2023.

You must have heard that female dogs are forbidden in Omoku. Do you have any idea why this innocent creature was banned or forbidden from moving about freely in Omoku? To understand this issue, let us first turn our attention a little bit to the concept of taboo. What is taboo? A taboo is a religious or social practice(s) that forbids or restricts certain behaviour, activities, relationships, places or things. Taboos are context based - they vary from one community to another.

Taboos emanate from societal norms and customs. The purpose of taboo is to ensure proper functioning of the community in the way that is considered fit by the people.

Shortly after Ogbas, descendants of Aklaka settled in their new found land, they were faced with a number of challenges. One of them was the violent and aggressive activities of their Aboh neighbours. The Abohs were superior to Ogbas because they had trained (men) fighters and better weapons. With this advantage, they threatened and ransacked Ogba communities especially, those living along the coastlines. It was as a result of the activities of the Abohs that the entire Ogba people met in Omoku and resolved to have a centralized leadership that will help in coordinating a resistance or counter attack on the Abohs. This leader, according to the peoples' resolution was to reside in Omoku, a community that was considered central in Ogba land. From Omoku, it was easy to connect to every Ogba community. According to Ben-Fred and Henry Onyedibia "Okoya (Nwaebe) was chosen supposedly due to his father's kingly regalia which he put on to the 'Nnokota Ka Ogba Li'kpo". The royal robe which Okoya wore to the meeting of Ogba people in Omoku singled him out and eventually was made 'Eze Ka Ogba Li'kpo' (leader of the entire Ogba).

Around 1655, few years after Okoya Nwaebe Nwalia had settled down as Eze Ka Ogba Li'kpo in Omoku, the Abohs struck. With everybody gone into hiding, the Abohs had a field day ransacking the small community unchallenged. While they were searching for valuable items to plunder, Eze Okoya's dog which may have seen its master lowered into a bunker in order to protect him from the marauding Abohs started barking and scratching the surface of the bunker. As the dog continued doing this, the Aboh warriors became suspicious and decided to find out why the dog was disturbed. In the process, Okoya was discovered and subsequently decapitated. Although, Ogbas who were initially overwhelmed with fear and watched events from their hiding places mustered the courage to defend their land after seeing their king killed in a most gruesome manner. With the boldness of a lion, they attacked the Aboh warriors such that they (Abohs) ran away but perished at a location or spot in the Omoku river called 'edebu'.

After this incident, elders of Ogba land met and jointly passed a law banning female dogs in Ogba land. The Umu-Ebes ceased the opportunity to demand that the Ogba kingship be made their inheritance. Families that challenged the position or claim of the Umu-Ebes were oppugned by the Umu-Ebes to release one of their prominent sons to be massacred like Okoya their son, brother and father. When none of them could make the sacrifice, the elders swore, decreeing that henceforth, the kingship is an inheritance of the Umu-Ebes. These laws remain active till this day. Between 1999 and 2000, Oba Chukwumela Nnam Obi 11 made a frantic effort to have the ban on female dogs and other laws considered archaic and retrogressive repealed. This move was however met with a stiff resistance by the people. When it became obvious to the Oba that the people were not interested in having the age long tradition broken, he soft-pedaled and allowed the people's will to prevail.

Till date, female dogs are considered as taboo in Ogba land. But, with the divisive politics that is prevalent in Ogba land, many communities have distanced themselves from this law. Concerning Omoku, it is my believe that all the laws that do not possess the spirit of the contemporary time including the ban on female dogs will someday be jettisoned on the ground of being superfluous and encumbering.

(From the desk of The New Onelga Pinnacle).

CRAZE PALAVER.

Being crazy or mad is probably the most burdensome condition known to humanity. In every situation man finds himself, he puts his mental ability into use with the view to helping himself. But when craze or insanity is involved, everything is gone! He is trapped in a box; only external forces can deliver him even from the minutest malady. This is the palaver of craze!

A certain man who has been mad for half a decade was seen, as usual soliloquizing in the corner of an alley. In his endless litany of complaint he said:
"People talk too much! They talk about things that concern them and things that do not concern them. If you work, they will complain. If you do not work, they will also complain. What do they want man to do? This small craze work that I am doing, they complain that it's too hard. How do they know it's hard? This work that everything is free?". He paused for a while as if he was thinking and suddenly exploded with laughter. "This work is too easy, the only wahala is the waka-waka in it" he said and kept quiet for a second or two and continued. "This work is truly easy. What I do not like is the too much talk-talk around me. People talk too much! Small time, they will shout that I am lazy. But God knows I am not lazy. I am a hard working man. Even God knows!" As he tried to lie down, he jumped up with sudden urgency and said "If they see me resting now, they will start shouting at me saying: 'this small craze work, you cannot even do it well', world people!". Angry, he lifted the heap of trash around him and forcefully dropped it on his head and; at a brisk pace walked into the busy street.

Craze is a serious palaver!

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
15th November, 2023.

THE BEAUTY OF GRATITUDE

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
13th November, 2023.

Gratitude is a good and commendable trait, not many people have the quality or tendency to express it. Before we proceed, what exactly is gratitude? "Gratitude", according to the Thesaurus Dictionary is "the feeling of thankfulness or appreciation (or similar positive response) by a recipient of another's kindness". This kindness can be gifts, help, favors, or another form of generosity to another person.

Gratitude is a feeling or response that is borne out of one's personal conviction. Gratitude is never compelled or imposed on anyone. When somebody receives a favour from another, it is expected that the recipient of such favour express unreserved gratitude to the one who has offered him the favour. Failure to do this, obviously will be adjudged as "ingratitude". One of the major reasons why many people are reluctant to offer help or assistance to others is ingratitude. It is an incontrovertible fact that a lot of people have become victims of their generosity or kind deeds. The stench of ingratitude is very strong in our society. A lot of people have not only failed to show appreciation for the kind deed extended to them but have acted in a way that discomfits the one who offered the assistance. Over two years ago, a young man in my office approached a senior colleague of his and complained about the challenges he was going through in his family. At the end, he begged the senior colleague to borrow him the sum of #50,000 and pledged to returned the money within 3 months. The senior colleague displayed a noble generosity by giving him the money without any interest. Today, it is exactly 2 years and 3 months; no dime has been given to the senior colleague despite the fact that the young man has been collecting his salary regularly. Even as some incentives and bonuses hit his account, he has refused to return the money as he had earlier promised. Every entreaty to get the young man return the money has fallen on deaf ears such that, few days ago, the senior colleague declared that she was leaving the matter in the hands of God. This is the height of ingratitude and wickedness. The implication of this action is that it is going to serve as a stumbling block to others.

Gratitude unlike ingratitude is permissive; it allows people the freedom to relate freely with one another without entertaining fear of any kind. Gratitude enlivens the society such that there is unrestrained growth and development.

Humility and gratitude are Siamese twins: one can hardly exist without the other. Proud and arrogant people seldom express gratitude; in their mind, it's as if they're poor, hungry or suffering.

Ingratitude cuts across the various strata of society. In order words, ingratitude is not limited to any group or class of people. For instance, the rich, poor, strong, weak, young, old etc can manifest un-thankfulness or ingratitude.

Yesterday, I was enthralled by the level of gratitude displayed by an elderly woman (an Octogenarian) popularly known as "Mama" in my Church. Mama is such a thankful and appreciative woman. Whatever good that is done to her, she never fails to tell anybody close to her about it. Moreover, she will also insist that you thank the person for her. Yesterday, during Church service when I gave her a token for offering, she told everyone who cared to listen and asked them to, on her behalf thank me. At a point, it was becoming embarrassing as many people started coming to me to say "thank you". What startled me was when our Pastor came quietly to me to say "thank you". "Mama told me that you gave her something" he said.

I decided to talk about Mama because she has a grateful heart. Not many people are like Mama: she is a happy and convivial person. I'm sure that her age and strength is drawn from the beauty of gratitude.

Gratitude is such a beautiful thing; despite the fact that it depicts good manner, it opens door to many relationships and opportunities. According to a study published in 2012, grateful people enjoy better health than others. Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions such as; envy, regret, hatred and frustration. Grateful people are prone to conforming to laws or standards. They also sleep very well. Above all, gratitude increases mental strength.

Gratitude energizes or invigorates the spirit when you recognize all you have to be thankful for. For the fact that you're alive and moving about freely is more than enough to thank God and be happy.

THE BEAUTY OF GRATITUDE

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
13th November, 2023.

Gratitude is a good and commendable trait, not many people have the quality or tendency to express it. Before we proceed, what exactly is gratitude? "Gratitude", according to the Thesaurus Dictionary is "the feeling of thankfulness or appreciation (or similar positive response) by a recipient of another's kindness". This kindness can be gifts, help, favors, or another form of generosity to another person.

Gratitude is a feeling or response that is borne out of one's personal conviction. Gratitude is never compelled or imposed on anyone. When somebody receives a favour from another, it is expected that the recipient of such favour express unreserved gratitude to the one who has offered him the favour. Failure to do this, obviously will be adjudged as "ingratitude". One of the major reasons why many people are reluctant to offer help or assistance to others is ingratitude. It is an incontrovertible fact that a lot of people have become victims of their generosity or kind deeds. The stench of ingratitude is very strong in our society. A lot of people have not only failed to show appreciation for the kind deed extended to them but have acted in a way that discomfits the one who offered the assistance. Over two years ago, a young man in my office approached a senior colleague of his and complained about the challenges he was going through in his family. At the end, he begged the senior colleague to borrow him the sum of #50,000 and pledged to returned the money within 3 months. The senior colleague displayed a noble generosity by giving him the money without any interest. Today, it is exactly 2 years and 3 months; no dime has been given to the senior colleague despite the fact that the young man has been collecting his salary regularly. Even as some incentives and bonuses hit his account, he has refused to return the money as he had earlier promised. Every entreaty to get the young man return the money has fallen on deaf ears such that, few days ago, the senior colleague declared that she was leaving the matter in the hands of God. This is the height of ingratitude and wickedness. The implication of this action is that it is going to serve as a stumbling block to others.

Gratitude unlike ingratitude is permissive; it allows people the freedom to relate freely with one another without entertaining fear of any kind. Gratitude enlivens the society such that there is unrestrained growth and development.

Humility and gratitude are Siamese twins: one can hardly exist without the other. Proud and arrogant people seldom express gratitude; in their mind, it's as if they're poor, hungry or suffering.

Ingratitude cuts across the various strata of society. In order words, ingratitude is not limited to any group or class of people. For instance, the rich, poor, strong, weak, young, old etc can manifest un-thankfulness or ingratitude.

Yesterday, I was enthralled by the level of gratitude displayed by an elderly woman (an Octogenarian) popularly known as "Mama" in my Church. Mama is such a thankful and appreciative woman. Whatever good that is done to her, she never fails to tell anybody close to her about it. Moreover, she will also insist that you thank the person for her. Yesterday, during Church service when I gave her a token for offering, she told everyone who cared to listen and asked them to, on her behalf thank me. At a point, it was becoming embarrassing as many people started coming to me to say "thank you". What startled me was when our Pastor came quietly to me to say "thank you". "Mama told me that you gave her something" he said.

I decided to talk about Mama because she has a grateful heart. Not many people are like Mama: she is a happy and convivial person. I'm sure that her age and strength is drawn from the beauty of gratitude.

Gratitude is such a beautiful thing; despite the fact that it depicts good manner, it opens door to many relationships and opportunities. According to a study published in 2012, grateful people enjoy better health than others. Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions such as; envy, regret, hatred and frustration. Grateful people are prone to conforming to laws or standards. They also sleep very well. Above all, gratitude increases mental strength.

Gratitude energizes or invigorates the spirit when you recognize all you have to be thankful for. For the fact that you're alive and moving about freely is more than enough to thank God and be happy.

THE BEAUTY OF GRATITUDE

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
13th November, 2023.

Gratitude is a good and commendable trait, not many people have the quality or tendency to express it. Before we proceed, what exactly is gratitude? "Gratitude", according to the Thesaurus Dictionary is "the feeling of thankfulness or appreciation (or similar positive response) by a recipient of another's kindness". This kindness can be gifts, help, favors, or another form of generosity to another person.

Gratitude is a feeling or response that is borne out of one's personal conviction. Gratitude is never compelled or imposed on anyone. When somebody receives a favour from another, it is expected that the recipient of such favour express unreserved gratitude to the one who has offered him the favour. Failure to do this, obviously will be adjudged as "ingratitude". One of the major reasons why many people are reluctant to offer help or assistance to others is ingratitude. It is an incontrovertible fact that a lot of people have become victims of their generosity or kind deeds. The stench of ingratitude is very strong in our society. A lot of people have not only failed to show appreciation for the kind deed extended to them but have acted in a way that discomfits the one who offered the assistance. Over two years ago, a young man in my office approached a senior colleague of his and complained about the challenges he was going through in his family. At the end, he begged the senior colleague to borrow him the sum of #50,000 and pledged to returned the money within 3 months. The senior colleague displayed a noble generosity by giving him the money without any interest. Today, it is exactly 2 years and 3 months; no dime has been given to the senior colleague despite the fact that the young man has been collecting his salary regularly. Even as some incentives and bonuses hit his account, he has refused to return the money as he had earlier promised. Every entreaty to get the young man return the money has fallen on deaf ears such that, few days ago, the senior colleague declared that she was leaving the matter in the hands of God. This is the height of ingratitude and wickedness. The implication of this action is that it is going to serve as a stumbling block to others.

Gratitude unlike ingratitude is permissive; it allows people the freedom to relate freely with one another without entertaining fear of any kind. Gratitude enlivens the society such that there is unrestrained growth and development.

Humility and gratitude are Siamese twins: one can hardly exist without the other. Proud and arrogant people seldom express gratitude; in their mind, it's as if they're poor, hungry or suffering.

Ingratitude cuts across the various strata of society. In order words, ingratitude is not limited to any group or class of people. For instance, the rich, poor, strong, weak, young, old etc can manifest un-thankfulness or ingratitude.

Yesterday, I was enthralled by the level of gratitude displayed by an elderly woman (an Octogenarian) popularly known as "Mama" in my Church. Mama is such a thankful and appreciative woman. Whatever good that is done to her, she never fails to tell anybody close to her about it. Moreover, she will also insist that you thank the person for her. Yesterday, during Church service when I gave her a token for offering, she told everyone who cared to listen and asked them to, on her behalf thank me. At a point, it was becoming embarrassing as many people started coming to me to say "thank you". What startled me was when our Pastor came quietly to me to say "thank you". "Mama told me that you gave her something" he said.

I decided to talk about Mama because she has a grateful heart. Not many people are like Mama: she is a happy and convivial person. I'm sure that her age and strength is drawn from the beauty of gratitude.

Gratitude is such a beautiful thing; despite the fact that it depicts good manner, it opens door to many relationships and opportunities. According to a study published in 2012, grateful people enjoy better health than others. Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions such as; envy, regret, hatred and frustration. Grateful people are prone to conforming to laws or standards. They also sleep very well. Above all, gratitude increases mental strength.

Gratitude energizes or invigorates the spirit when you recognize all you have to be thankful for. For the fact that you're alive and moving about freely is more than enough to thank God and be happy.

MESSAGE TO OUR DEARLY BELOVED SISTERS.

There is an African folktale that talks about Tortoise and his son. In that story, Tortoise was said to have asked his son: 'how many times will something happen to you before you will learn?' the son replied: 'it is from other people's experience that I learn'.
'Brilliant!' Tortoise exclaimed with excitement and added:
'you're indeed my son'.

Young ladies, please take a cue from the wisdom of Tortoise's son. You do not have to be a victim before you will learn that the days are evil. Many ladies have lost their lives in the hands of desperate and evil men who want to get rich at all cost. Do not deceive yourselves that what consumed others cannot consume you. Don't wait till it happens to you because, if it does, you may not be lucky to tell the tale. Many have gone!

As we approach the yuletide season, please, be careful how you hookup. Blood sucking vampires are going to be needing a lot of blood this period.

Be wise!

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
8th November, 2023
(From the desk of The New Onelga Pinnacle)

WHEN BROTHERS KILL EACH OTHER TO PLEASE POLITICIANS

The greatest mistake any man can make is to kill his brother in order to please a politician. Politicians, especially in Africa and Nigeria in particular are the worst people to rely on. The reason is simply - they're as unstable as water. Majority of Nigerian politicians do not operate based on integrity and laid down principles. A typical Nigerian politician is like a boat controlled by the wind - It is without a sense of direction. Nigerian politicians are propelled by nothing else except 'self' or 'personal' interest. Whatever or wherever their interest will be secured is where they will be. It does not matter if that which they sought or pursue comes from the pit of hell. In this regard, a typical Nigerian politician is not sure of where he/she will be in the noon time. This explains why they're always jumping from one party to another and, even going to dine with those whom they have abused severally. Our politicians are guided by the popular cliche of 'no permanent friend, no permanent enemy. Only permanent interest'. What a treacherous and self serving philosophy! Majority of Nigeria politicians are deceptive, insensitive and callous; they do not have a carefully laid down program or plan for their supporters. In fact, most of the adernt supporters are dumped into the trashcan as soon as whatever assignment that is given to them is completed - they're like tissue paper! Similarly, majority of the supporters have no plan for themselves. They sheepishly follow these politicians in order to feed their hungry stomach. Most of these supporters, especially those who work as thugs have no value for themselves or anyone else - they're like zombies. Just yesterday, a member of PDP in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Timi Biriyai Macdonald lost his life and several others injured in a violent skirmishes with thugs suspected to belong to the opposing party - APC.

With just eight days to the gubernatorial election between the incumbent Governor, Senator Douye Diri of the PDP and the immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and a former Governor of the State, Chief Timipre Sylva of the APC, the state is deeply enmeshed in violence. After the dastardly attack in Nembe yesterday, the two political parties have been accusing each other for sponsoring violence in the State. But the question is, 'who are the ones being used to attack each other?' certainly not the politicians children or close family relations. The people used to perpetrate violence are children of the common men. They're the expendables! Timi Biriyai Macdonald obviously was not killed by any other person but his fellow Ijaw brothers. Why must brothers do this to themselves? Whoever killed Macdonald to please his politician master, obviously did not consider the pain and misery he has thrown members of Macdonald's family into - some of them may not be able to cope with the tragedy that has befallen their breadwinner.

Politics of brother killing brother in order please politicians is disgraceful - it strips us of our dignity as humans. The politician you kill your brother for his/her sake will come together in closed door meetings, hug each other, drink the best of wine, eat luscious meals and whisper to each other 'don't mind those fools'. I recall what happened in Rivers State particularly Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State during build up to the 2015 governorship election: politically motivated killings became rampant in the area. For the first time in the history of the area, brothers decapitated brothers and went away with their heads. Several other atrocities were inflicted upon brother by a fellow brother. Blood flowed like water in the streets. Omoku, the Local Government Area's headquarter became a ghost town as indigenes and non-indigenes alike fled the town in order to save their lives. But what do we have today? Those whose interest precipitated the bloodletting are wining and dining together. Those who were killed are gone forever and to many of such victims, their families are still gnashing their teeth in pain.Who are the losers? Obviously, the common man who allowed himself to be used.

It is indeed a worthless venture to kill your brother in order to please any politician.

May God help us!

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
4th November, 2023
(The New Onelga Pinnacle)