₦airaland Forum

PHILIP NWAENYEA BROWN - EZE EGI THE 1ST OF OGBA LAND
(A CHERISHED LEADER)

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
20th December, 2022

Philip Brown was born on 7th April, 1927 into the family of Igwe Orukwohu Brown of Uriem kindred in Obagi. In 1940, Brown concluded his primary education in Seventh Day Adventist Church missionary school, Obite. The following year, he proceeded to Abua Grammar School where he graduated with flying colors in 1945. Three years after his graduation from secondary school, he joined the Nigeria Police Force. Two years later, he realized that the strict and regimental life of the police was not for him. For this reason, he left the police to pursue his dream of being self-dependent. Having been exposed to the life of Lagos, coupled with his great enterpreneural abilities, he ventured into business and became quite successful. Even as he recorded immense success in his chosen career (business), he still nursed the ambition of furthering his education. In 1975, after the civil war, he went back to school and three years later, bagged a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Administration.

Shortly after graduation in 1978, the people of Egi clan, having recognized his excellent track record in business and interpersonal relationship with others nominated him to contest for the exalted stool of "Eze Egi". This contest was to be the first if its kind in the history of Egi in Ogba land. For this reason, only the 'creme de la creme' of Egi were to vie for the position. The election which took place in Akabuka had Brown competing with a strong opponent in the person of Kingdom Elenwa of Akabuka. At the end of the election which took place on 15th November 1978, Brown secured an overwhelming victory over Elenwa. Out of 60 delegates who participated in the election, 47 of them voted for Brown while 17 voted for Elenwa. Based on the outcome of the election, Brown was declared winner but was not crowned "Eze Egi" because of series of accusations and shenanigans by agents of mischief within the clan. However, on 16th March 1981, the Egi Council of Chiefs and elders took a bold step by crowning the winner of the election, Philip Brown as the foremost Eze Egi of Egi land.

Eze Philip Brown was loved by his people for countless reasons. Some of these reasons were that; he was honest and transparent, he was a renowned philantropist, he was handsome. But above all, he was a happy and convivial host to everybody including children. As a man of peace, his reign ushered in peace and prosperity to the land

Eze Philip Brown was a man blessed in almost all facets of life - he was wise and wealthy, he had many wives and children, he had a great look. His abode was an open place where people visited freely to wine and dine.

On 19th November 1989, Eze Brown joined his ancestors after a protracted illness.

Eze Brown may have died long ago but his footprints remain indelible in the sand of time.

CHRISTMAS: A PERIOD OF SOBER REFLECTION

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
25th December, 2022

Christmas is a one day celebration but it takes the whole year to prepare for it. Despite the fact that Christmas is generally understood as a celebration that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, different people have different understanding of what Christmas is. Majority of people who celebrate Christmas do so because they are intractably enmeshed in the celebration - they can't avoid it. Against this background, they engage in a noisy and rumbustious celebration. In many quarters, the celebration is accompanied with a drunken and licentious revel. For the purpose of gaining understanding, what exactly is Christmas? The term Christmas is derived from the English expression "mass on Christ's day". Mass on Christ's day refers to the Catholic celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist on the day of Christ's birth.This expression is more recent compared to "Yule" with German origin meaning "feast of the winter solstice". Other European languages describe the same feast as follows: Navidad (Spanish), Natale (Italian), Noel (French) etc.

The celebration, "feast of the winter solstice" which begins right in the middle of the winter has been in existence before the birth of Jesus. During this period, people celebrated and shared or exchanged gifts. A mythic figure called "Santa Claus" dominated or played a prominent role of offering gifts to people. This event or celebration was carried out on 25th of every December.

The celebration had both a sacred and secular connotation. The religious or sacred aspect of the celebration was to express hope and thanksgiving for seeing the light - sunlight. During this period, Europeans take holidays to honor their god(s). For instance, the Germans honored their god, Oden. In Rome, the Romans honored Saturn.

In the early years of Christianity, Christmas was not known or celebrated. Rather, it was Easter that was celebrated. But in the Fourth century, the Church decided to institute the birth of Jesus and, accordingly recognized it as a holiday. Pope Julius 1 chose December, 25th. The essence of this move was to systematically displace the Saturnalia pagan festival.

After the adoption of December, 25th as the birthday of Jesus, Christians and non-Christians alike celebrated Christmas. On Christmas day, Christians attend church and returned home to merry or celebrate in a mundane manner. By adopting the same date of winter solstice festival as the birthday of Jesus, the Church decimated the pagan worship but, its inability to dictate how Christmas ought to be celebrated created an opening for certain elements of the pagan religion to creep into the celebration. This explains why Christmas celebration is often associated with the exuberance and raucousness of the pagan religion.

Coming down home, Christmas is celebrated by everybody. In our various communities, Christmas is simply a day or period of merrymaking. In our indigenous languages, we notice the corrupt pronounciation of Christmas. Majority of our forebears who were adherents of the Indigenous African Religion participated actively in Christmas celebration. They didn't know anything about the sacred aspect; their concern was on the sublunary aspect. In the contemporary age, many people, irrespective of the preponderance of Churches, have very little or no regard for the religious dimension of Christmas. Everybody just want to enjoy the spirit of the season.

Christmas is when a lot of things happen. To some, it's a period of stocktaking and display of wealth. While to others, it's a period of enjoyment. Recently, a man was stabbed to death by his wife as a result of an altercation concerning a Christmas demand that was not met. During Christmas, all manner of misbehavior are exhibited by young and married people alike. Many people have lost their lives in the course of celebrating Christmas. Whatever we do, let us bear in mind that Christmas is about Christ and nothing else. Christmas should be a period of sober reflection: a period when we ask ourselves some salient and soul searching questions like "what is our relationship with God and our fellow men like?" Let us think about our lives and make amends where necessary.

Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

NO EASY ROAD TO GREATNESS

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
05/12/22

The road to greatness is filled with thistle and thorns. Threading along this road is the most herculean and tasking venture to undertake. Many withdraw even before they get started. The road is not for weaklings - it is for people with determined and resilient spirit.

Along the road to greatness are all manner of predators; their goal is to slit your throat and drink your blood. Stepping into this road without adequate preparation can be catastrophic; it can turn one into a cuckoo.

Along the road to greatness, you are ensnared by friends and foes. They are threatened by the mere thought that you're headed for the sky - they can't allow you beat their wit. You can't be the star boy. Your light has to be extinguished immediately.

The road to greatness is a necessary route that must be traversed regardless of its daunting encumbrances. The road to greatness is a boulevard of masquerades and evil spirits surrounded with a dusty and asphyxiating air but one must trudge-on with diligence and boldness. The weapons in this journey must include; honesty, character, faith, integrity, confidence and loyalty.

To reach the finish line, the mind, glued to its objective must commit the yearnings of the body into utter forgetfulness. This hunger can be a source of reckless distraction. The bellicose and whizzing sound of death, as it passesby must be courageously discountenanced till the engrossing valley dissipates like vapour.

The dawn offers the warmest celebration of victory - joy and laughter rings endlessly in the air. The mere mention of name heralds a thunderous ovation. Everybody is carried away in the melee of possessiveness. In this regard, the dark and harrowing past is buried in the bowel of history. Many will never know what it is your eyes have beheld. Only the courageous can achieve greatness!

REFLECTIONS ON BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
26th November, 2022

Two days ago was my birthday and expectedly, my children were excited. They were looking forward to a celebration of some sort because that has been our tradition - birthdays are accompanied by celebration. It does not need to be heavy but there's always the presence of a cake, drinks, singing and dancing. Unfortunately, "this is not going to be the case this in year's birthday for daddy" I told them. I had struggled to convince them that the economy could not allow me to celebrate it the usual way. However, I promised them that next year's birthday, by the grace of God will be splendid. I also went further to remind them that what is paramount is to, first and foremost thank God for adding yet another year to daddy's age and not necessarily the cake, the drinks and so on. This lifted their spirit a little bit until I announced to them that, in the evening when I return from work, we shall be having a light refreshment of soft drinks and snacks that their excitement returned. Many people including adults are like this; birthdays are seen as a period of enjoyment and merrymaking instead of a period of sober reflection. No wonder many, especially girls and ladies go the extra mile to ensure that their birthdays are celebrated in a grand style. To majority of the youths, birthdays are periods of carousing with friends and misbehaving.

By the way, what is birthday? "A birthday is the anniversary of the day on which a person was born typically treated as an occasion for celebration and giving of gifts". Birthdays have become a global practice - it permeates every culture of the world. Put differently, there is no culture today that is not familiar with the practice of birthdays. In fact, birthdays have become an integral part of human society. The rich and the poor alike celebrate birthdays: the difference lies in the weight of the celebration but one thing remains clear - birthday is birthday. Today, birthday celebrations have reached a level where infants or toddlers must have their birthdays celebrated either at homes or in schools. Birthdays have come to stay but, how did birthday start? Who introduced birthday? Birthday, obviously could not have originated in ancient or pre-literacy time because of the absence of a standard calendar. Although, history records that even in ancient times, men have always created methods of keeping track of days and larger divisions of time. The natural units for time keeping used by most historical societies are the day, the solar year and the lunation. Calendars are explicit schemes used for time keeping. The Egyptians are among the earliest to use the calendar.

Historians record that birthday started in Egypt. The first mention of birthday was in 3,000 BC and it was connected to a Pharaoh. This birthday however, was not about the day of birth of the Pharaoh but his birth as a "god". In ancient Egypt, Pharaohs were transformed to gods as soon as they are crowned or coronated. Thus, their birthdays commemorated their birth as "gods" because this was more important than their physical birth

Other cultures and civilizations like the ancient Greeks followed the Egyptians in celebrating the birth of a god but the Greeks differed a little bit in the sense that they celebrated by lighting candles when a child is born, the essence of this was to ward off wandering evil spirits. Birthdays for the ancient Greeks was purely for protective purpose.

The Romans were the first to celebrate man's physical birth. To the Romans, birthdays were special celebrations; they were not connected to religion.

In the Christian faith, birthdays were initially considered to be a pagan celebration because of the issue of "original sin". Later, this thought was abandoned and Christians began to celebrate birthdays e.g., Jesus' birthday (even though Christ did not mention or order it - Christmas). The Romans encouraged this celebration

Birthday celebrations have continued till German bakers invented 'birthday cake'. The Germans also invented the idea of placing lighted candles atop a cake and blowing them out while making wishes.

Following the advancement and spread of many bakeries in Europe, many people began to have access to cakes. Prior to this time, only the wealthy or noble could afford birthday cakes. Many historians believe that this is the reason for wearing a birthday crown.

Birthdays, as we have them today is a practice that has come a long way. Birthdays, over the years have passed through different phases. Although, the fact that birthdays are celebrated across different cultures of the world does not mean that there are no cultural signatures. For instance, the attire, songs and dance steps of birthday celebrations in India may not be the same with those of Iran or Thailand. This is placing birthday celebration under the lense of culture. The slight differences notwithstanding, what is paramount is that "birthday is the anniversary of the day a person was born - it is usually accompanied with celebration".

WHAT DO NIGERIANS WORSHIP?

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
25th November, 2022.

Worship is an intrinsic part of human life. The act of worship entails showing love, respect and obedience to a higher (spiritual) being by rendering or offering prayer. This act is, in most cases done with others who share the same believe in the same higher being or god. Worshippers, through different ways express admiration and love for this god. To this end, they subject themselves to willingly following the dictates of the deity. In some cases, they put themselves through pain and torture just to express their humility and willingness to obey.

Nigerians are highly religious people. The central teaching of the major religions in the country is built around the concept of "love". Everybody is enjoined to show love to one another. Whoever loves his brother will not plot evil against him or subject him to pain and misery.

Majority of Nigerians are adepts in religious matters. During worship, they emerse themselves wholly in prayer and supplication to god with every amount of devotion and commitment. Often times they, in an attempt to express how profound their love for god is, fight and even kill those whom they consider to have maligned and denigrated him.

In the place of worship, different types of ritual are performed or observed in order to make themselves acceptable unto god. In the place of worship, they showcase extreme piety and holiness; some move with a saintly gait as if they are incapable of killing an ant. In the place of worship, they visualize the beauty and grandeur of paradise - where they and fellow brethren will live a life of happiness and perpetual worship to god but slightly away from the venue of worship, they turn their spiritual garb inside out. What a smelly deceit! The eloquence and rhetoric that is often reeled out serve only to feed their hungry stomach and those of their family members and friends.

In every facet of our life, people display unpretentious wickedness: there is hardly anybody who is free from this act. Those who choose to do the contrary are quickly identified and extinguished like a candle in the wind. They are considered the enemies of society.

In business circles or market places, those who are known to be ardent believers or worshippers are the worst profiteers; they take undue advantage of the declining economic conditions to fleece the people by arbitrarily increasing the price of goods. The wickedness exhibited by these traders or marketers aggravates the already pathetic situation. After this great wickedness, they go to the place of worship adorning the garment of piety. Who are we deceiving?

Still within the commercial enclave, people deliberately import and sell items or commodities that put the life of the people in great risk. For example, many of such people, who profess to be men and women of faith sell fake and expired drugs and other essential commodities to members of the public without considering the implication of such heinous act. Those who are charged with the responsibility of monitoring such activities jettison the job they are constitutionally assigned to do and focus on lining their pockets with fetid notes. It's indeed a dreary situation! By tomorrow, they throng the various worship centers where they offer hypocritical prayers.

The security operatives who are charged with the responsibility of protecting lives and properties of members of the public often times, fall face down in worship after slitting the throat of innocent people. Who are we deceiving?

If for whatever reason, you find yourself in a crossroad with Power Distribution officials, you will understand the true meaning of "man's inhumanity to man". Majority of them are implacable: they are worse than the devil himself. There is no other language they understand except to exploit power consumers. Recently, a friend of mine living in a three bedroom bungalow without any heavy electrical appliances such as air conditioner etc was given a crazy bill of over sixty thousand naira for a month. When he reported the matter in their office, they treated the complaint with levity and subsequently threatened to have him disconnect if he fails to clear the bill within forty-eight hours. How can people who go through the rites and rituals of worship act in this repulsive manner?

In all, majority of Nigerians are hypocrites: they only pretend to be spiritual or render worship to a higher and benevolent being, when in the actual sense, they worship their stomach and material riches. If this were not so, how can it be explained that one who has the knowledge of the all-powerful and all-knowing being can go ahead to kidnap his fellow man who has not offended him in any way and demand for ransom. It is common knowledge that they kill some of their victims even after collecting the ransom. Others just kill for money ritual purposes. Minutes after commiting this great evil, they go down on their knees and offer prayers. This is the height of hypocrisy! God cannot be mocked!

Our prayer is that God should raise men and women of impeccable character who will be able mount the saddle of leadership and turn things around for good.

As election is around the corner, let us do the best we can by voting people with absolutely irreproachable character. Let us not get carried away by tribal and religious sentiment.

OIL PRODUCTION: HOW HAS IT IMPROVED THE WELL-BEING OF NIGERIANS?

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
24th November, 2022

Oil production has been more of a curse than a blessing to Nigerians. Oil money has been grossly mismanaged by members of the ruling class right from when oil was discovered in commercial quantity. The oil boom of the 70's placed too much money and power in the hands of public office holders to the extent that "our problem was no longer money but how to spend it". Yet many have wondered, 'how has this money improved the well-being of the generality of the people?'. The answer to this thought is obvious, oil has inflicted unimaginable pain on the people. Oil producing communities seem to be the worst hit. Till date, oil producing communities are suffering the worst form of environmental degradation; oil spillages, gas flaring etc still holds sway. Oil politics has turned oil producing communities in the Niger Delta into a war zone where brothers fight and kill their brothers in a bid to get a piece of the action.

In this analysis, I shall be comparing Kuwait, a small country in the Middle East with Nigeria

Kuwait is a small country sitting between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The name Kuwait is derived from the Arabic word "Kut" meaning "fort".

From the time when the ruling emirate family officially established a sheikhdom in 1756, the country's wealth has been linked to foreign trade. Over time, the small "fort" grew to become a Kuwait city - a modern and tolerant metropolitan society.

As a former British protectorate, not much was heard or known about it until 1990 when Saddam Hussein decided to annex it.

Kuwait's wealth is mainly drawn from investment in petroleum extraction and processing. This began in the 70's. By the mid 80's, Kuwait was refining most of its oil domestically and marketing over 250,000 barrels a day in its own European retail outlets. By the end of 1980's, Kuwait became one of the highest per capita income in the world. Despite the challenges it encountered during the Iraq invasion, income rebounded when oil prices rose dramatically in the early 21st century.

As the third highest oil producer in the Middle East after Saudi Arabia and Iraq, the little desert country with few million inhabitants hardly needs to boost oil sales. Its per capita wealth is almost at par with thar of the most prosperous countries in the West such as US, Sweden, Switzerland etc.

Kuwait, with its wealth derived from oil, practices the model of a modern welfare state, with "womb - tomb" security assured for all citizens. All education and health-care are free, and the government pays the expenses of any Kuwaiti going abroad for university study or medical treatment. Telephone services are free. Taxes are nonexistent except for import duties. Every Kuwaiti is guaranteed a job in the Civil Service, if no one else hires them. They cannot be fired without the personal authorization of the Crown Prince. One in every three Kuwaiti owns a good car. The only thing left to be done according to one commentator is "to enclose the entire country under an air conditioned dome".

Kuwait is not quite a democracy; its figure heads - the emir and the Crown Prince are not products of election, other government officials are. The primary concern of the government functionaries of Kuwait is not to steal money and hide them in septic tanks or stash them in foreign banks as it is the practice in Nigeria but, to ensure that Kuwaitis live like kings and queens; as if they are in paradise. Kuwait has a relatively free press and independent trade unions. Members of the Kuwaiti society are enlightened. Women are not oppressed. In fact, as a Muslim dominated society, women have not worn the veil since 1956. Kuwait is a society built on the principles of equality, justice and fairness.

Kuwaitis are not spirits; they are humans like Nigerians. The leaders of Nigeria can turn things around if they sincerely adopt the type of values or mindset guiding the Kuwaiti society.

CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS: CURSE OR BLESSING?

By:
Ajukura Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
15th November, 2022

The discovery of crude oil and natural gas ushered in development to our land. In the incipient stage of oil exploration and exploitation in what is today known as Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State development was somewhat rapid. Infrastructures like roads, schools, hospitals etc were built on a regular basis. Oil came with so much money. It turned around the fortune of the people. People became wealthy without stress. I recall the famous Ogba traditional musician, Pope Ogbu in one of his popular songs "Ogbrumadube", boasted that "the birds and goats in his village of Ibewa now drive cars". The sudden explosion of wealth which Pope Ogbu referred to in his song was occasioned by oil money.

Following the introduction of oil money, people abandoned their pristine means of livelihood. Fishing, farming, hunting, basket/woodcarving, pottery etc were relegated to the background because of oil money. Unfortunately, everybody cannot survive on oil alone.

The quest for oil money has brought so much disaffection and division among the people. This situation is made worse by the activities of greedy elites that wants to corner everything to themselves and members of their families.

Many things that the people were known for prior to the discovery of oil have gradually moved into extinction. For instance, the people of Ohia Ugha were known for making baskets. In Oboburu, earthenwares were made with great mastery. As a child, I remember seeing a lot of clay pots sold along the road in Oboburu. Today, all that is history. Nobody wants to be identified as a potter. In fact, to many, it is demeaning to be identified as such. But in developed societies, foreign exchange is earned through such crafts. Japan,China etc earn a lot of money through the exportation of earthen or ceramic wares. If we had not abandoned these crafts, perhaps, we would have developed or taken them to an enviable level where our products would have been competing with that of other countries.

Over dependence on oil and gas has damaged the very fabric of our value system and society in general - people want to be rich without commiting the required amount of effort. The youths are busy killing themselves in order to occupy a position where they can have access to oil money. Elders cheat and tell lies with impunity so that they can have a piece of the cake.

Oil has brought more curse than blessing to our people. We can however correct this anomaly if we decide to retrace our steps and begin to pay attention to some other areas.

LAZINESS: THE SLAYER OF HUMAN SOCIETY

By:
Ajukura Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
8th November, 2022

Laziness is the bane of Nigeria's progress and prosperity. Lazy people want the best things of life but do not have the strength and patience to accomplish or achieve them. Laziness simply means "moving slowly" or "not liking to work hard". Several reasons have been attributed to laziness but regardless of the reason(s), laziness is a slayer of human society and must, by all means be discouraged.

Majority of Nigerians, obviously are lazy. President Muhammadu Buhari, sometime ago confirmed this when he said that "many Nigerian youths are lazy" and Nigerians particularly the youths, were terribly enraged by this comment. What they did not know was that the President mirrored the truth using those words - he chose to be blunt about the matter. Majority of Nigerians are indeed lazy!

In our society, laziness is often adorned with the garb of 'smartness'. Lazy people can be irredeemably mischievous: they're always looking for short cuts. Despite the stiff sanctions meted on offenders or violators of examination malpractice in schools, many students still indulge in it. In both the public and private sectors, people still engage in the act of corruption regardless of its unpleasant consequences. In the larger society, people are not deterred by violent and sometimes barbaric actions inflicted on those caught in knavish and ignominious acts such as stealing etc. Some years ago, some notorious armed robbers were killed during a shootout with the police in Port Harcourt and their bodies were displayed in Mile 1 Police Station for the public to catch a glimpse of the consequences of crime. While people gathered in their numbers looking at the dead armed robbers, some daredevils took advantage of the crowd to steal from the disorderly onlookers. In doing this, they never realized that the thunder which killed the elephant can snuff out the life of the ant in a split second. Many Nigerians, especially the lazy ones have become callous and insensitive: they are more inclined to morally reprehensible acts. Punishments, regardless of their severity, no longer serve the purpose of deterrence. Many in this regard will argue that, "all die na die" - they try to justify their devious way of life. This is why money ritual is on the steady increase. Many who indulge in such repugnant practices do not live long to enjoy their blood money - they are cut down prematurely. What stupidity!

Laziness has broken the bones of many Nigerian. Hardwork, which is viewed as a virtue is looked upon with repulsion. Many people live in abundant wealth without having a recognizable means of livelihood yet the society holds them in high esteem. Those who genuinely work hard are often viewed with contempt and derision. This is why known money ritualists, cultists, thieves etc are conferred with different types of titles, accolades etc. This is very unsettling!

Any society that elevates laziness and mediocrity above hardwork and integrity is doomed to failure. In our society, government has been discovered to be the greatest cash cow. To this end, everybody wants to draw as much blood from the government as they can possibly imagine. This explains why politics has become the most lucrative venture. People do everything to remain relevant in politics; they cannot survive without politics because politics guarantees 'free money'. Sometimes, it takes honest civil servants 35 years to make money that some politicians make in just one month. This is appallingly outrageous!

To many people, politics has become a career or profession. They don't have a plan to quit unless they die. Even those with respectful and prestigious professions like; law, medicine, accounting, engineering etc have veered into politics. In this country, there are medical doctors, lawyer etc who have forgotten the rudimentary or basic elements in their field of study. What a shame!

In Africa and Nigeria in particular, many leaders have been reduced to a vegetable but will not exit the stage, they'd rather be disgraced than leave honourably. What has become even more disturbing is not individuals desire to remain perpetually in power but, the undieing quest of tribes and religious groups to own or possess the cash cow - government. This is the greatest problem staring Nigeria and some other African states in the face.

Working on our value system, promoting the principles of fairness, justice and equality, rule of law, encouraging industry and diligence by recognizing and rewarding those who work hard and; reducing the powers of public office holders such that they will no longer be able to 'turn water into wine' is the only way that sanity and progress can be attained in our society.

THE VANITY OF BODILY BEAUTY.
The rate at which people, especially young girls idolize their body these days is becoming worrisome. Many of them are as unstable as water because of the excessive attention they pay to their body. In school, they cannot settle down to study. In business environment where they are learning one skill or the other, they are lost in self admiration. In offices where they work, their dream is to be a cynosure - the center of attraction. Often times, they engage in very mundane discussions such as, which girl has the biggest and wobbly butt in the neighborhood, which girl has the most glowing skin etc.

Competition among young girls in terms of outdoing each other when it comes to looking good is very tense. No girl wants to be left behind in the frenzy of beauteousness. This madness has made many, including those without means to get fake silicone buttocks, hips and breasts. Because of the desperation to look more attractive, many girls have gone into prostitution. Others have aligned with criminal gangs and, like a tick ended in the bowel of the egret.

In the social media space, these girls show so much fondness for their physical appearance. The latest is passing of titillating messages through their pictures. If they don't put their breasts on display, it is s their buttocks. Two days ago, a girl posted on her story (Fb), the video of her buttocks shaking in a tight hugging pant. No doubt, the intention of such salacious video is to attract members of the opposite sex. But I wondered to myself, "in few years from now, what will become the fate of such iniquitous instrument (the buttocks)?" Obviously, it will fall out of alignment and will no longer be able to hold its captive ( the man it had captured). Soon it will wear out and become an eyesore - the scary old woman in the corner of the street used to be a paragon of beauty in her days.

Physical beauty is like a mirage, an illusion - it is ungraspable. Young people especially, young girls should learn to pay less attention to bodily beauty and focus on building mental or intellectual (beauty) capacity because, it is not transient like bodily beauty, it stays with you for the rest of your life. Be wise!
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
23/10/2022

THE VANITY OF BODILY BEAUTY.
The rate at which people, especially young girls idolize their body these days is becoming worrisome. Many of them are as unstable as water because of the excessive attention they pay to their body. In school, they cannot settle down to study. In business environment where they are learning one skill or the other, they are lost in self admiration. In offices where they work, their dream is to be a cynosure - the center of attraction. Often times, they engage in very mundane discussions such as, which girl has the biggest and wobbly butt in the neighborhood, which girl has the most glowing skin etc.
Competition among young girls in terms of outdoing each other when it comes to looking good is very tense. No girl wants to be left behind in the frenzy of beauteousness. This madness has made many, including those without means to get fake silicone buttocks, hips and breasts. Because of the desperation to look more attractive, many girls have gone into prostitution. Others have aligned with criminal gangs and, like a tick ended in the bowel of the egret.
In the social media space, these girls show so much fondness for their physical appearance. The latest is passing of titillating messages through their pictures. If they don't put their breasts on display, it is s their buttocks. Two days ago, a girl posted on her story (Fb), the video of her buttocks shaking in a tight hugging pant. No doubt, the intention of such salacious video is to attract members of the opposite sex. But I wondered to myself, "in few years from now, what will become the fate of such iniquitous instrument (the buttocks)?" Obviously, it will fall out of alignment and will no longer be able to hold its captive ( the man it had captured). Soon it will wear out and become an eyesore - the scary old woman in the corner of the street used to be a paragon of beauty in her days.
Physical beauty is like a mirage, an illusion - it is ungraspable. Young people especially, young girls should learn to pay less attention to bodily beauty and focus on building mental or intellectual (beauty) capacity because, it is not transient like bodily beauty, it stays with you for the rest of your life. Be wise!
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
23/10/2022

IHIUKWU ONUOBDO (ISOMAH – THE BRAVE LEADER)
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelis@gmail.com
20th October, 2022


Ihiukwu is one of the families or kindred in Omoku. Ihiukwu is also one of the earliest settlers in Omoku. Ihiukwu is special because of its name “Ihiukwu” which means “large face”. Many people including those from Ihiukwu are confused over the reason or origin of the name. The title of Ihiukwu in the Ogba Isiali tradition is “Ogbowu”. Members of the Ihiukwu kindred are concentrated in Obieti section of Omoku.

The name “Ihiukwu” is not known in Egi part of Ogba land but it, together with its brothers, Umu-Dike and Umu-Okiriekwota constitute the Umuakpa kindred. In Usomini, it retains its name “Umu-Ihiukwu” except in Igburu where its presence is sketchy.

Ihiukwu has a common primogenitor known as “Eblechi”. Eblechi who may have been born in the late 14th Century had two brothers , Dike and Okiriekwota. Eblechi was a famous hunter. He had two wives with many children.

One Eke day (a day when farming and trading was, according to tradition not allowed) Eblechi set out on a hunting expedition. From Obigwe, the abode of the Ogba people, he moved farther into the jungle where he missed his way. As he wandered in the jungle, he sighted few huts clustered together. As he drew closer, he noticed that one of the huts was billowing with smoke – an indication that people inhabited the area. At the end, it turned out that he was in the domain of Abguru (the first man to discover or settle in Omoku). After introduction, Agburu and members of his household welcomed him and gave him a refreshing meal after which he was offered a room to pass the night. The following day, Agburu took him round the serene and beautiful environment. Captivated by the beauty and serenity of the land, Eblechi became reluctant to return to Obigwe. Some days later, his close relations comprising of his eldest wife and sons left Obigwe in search of him. When they arrived the beautiful settlement that later came to be known as Omoku, they too became enthralled by the agreeable and congenial environment such that they decided to stay. Gradually, the entire family relocated to the new settlement (Omoku).

One day, during a hunting expedition, organized by Eblechi’s children across the Omoku river, they uprooted a mighty tree. In excitement, they described the tree and what they have done as “wheukwu” meaning, “great thing”. This later became their nickname. Over time, the word “wheukwu” was corrupted to “Ihiukwu”.


In the Ogba/Aboh war, Ihiukwu people built a war canoe that was placed under one of the descendants of Eblechi known as Isomah. One of the men under Isomah’s command was his “nwa-adah” (nephew), a brave young man known as “Osoh” (a descendant of Orodu). In the war, Osoh was the first to fire a shot that brought down an Abor warrior in their boat. As the Aboh warriors were thrown into pandemonium by the sudden attack, Isomah, from nowhere jumped into the boat and cut off the head of one of the Aboh warriors including his “seat” known in Ogba language as “nga”. This is why Ihiukwu people are sometimes referred as “Umu-ogbubri nga”. F.J. Ellah tells us that the sword Isomah used in the war is preserved to this day.

After the war, the elders of the community met and decided to honour those who displayed uncanny bravery in the war. The recognition and titles conferred are as follows:
1. Ihiukwu (Isomah) was recognized as the ‘brave commander’. In any big ceremony, Ihiukwus are expected to take the lead followed by Umu-Orodu (this is because Osoh, the nephew of Isomah comes from Orodu lineage).
2. When a cow is to be killed in a public ceremony, Ihiukwu people especially, those from Isomah’s lineage are to cut off the head of the cow. This is in reminiscence of the act of gallantry demonstrated by Isomah during the war.
3. Following Isomah’s bravery in the war, Ihiukwu was elevated in the traditional cabinet to be next to Iyasra (the mouth-piece and Second in Command to the king). In this regard also, Ihiukwu was entrusted with the responsibility of keeping record of festivals. The eldest man within the family was to perform this task. In addition, he was to, following the tradition of Ogba, declare when festivals should commence and when they should end.
4. Umu-Orodus were conferred with the title “Umu-ogbubrisi” (those who decapitates). This title was given to Umuorodu since there was disagreement between Isomah and Osoh concerning who cut off the head of the Aboh warrior. Since Ihiukwu had already been awarded with the title of “Umu-ogbubri nga”, the elders decided that, Umu-Orodu be given or awarded with the title “Umu-ogbubrisi”

5. Umu-Orodu must be the first to fire or release a shot in any public gathering. The shot could be either to mark the beginning of a ceremony or the end of it – this is in line with the act of bravery displayed by Osoh in the war.
6. Umu-Orodus were also elevated or given the political title “Igbazu-ka-eze” meaning “Chief adviser to the King”.

THE GAME OF SYCHOPHANCY

We are indeed living in a perilous time. A time when people worship their stomach. A time when truth is sold for a morsel of bread. It doesn't matter how saintly or pious an action is, as long as it does not put one in the good stead of those who control resources of state, it is outrageously evil – a game of sycophancy.

The entire community driven by the queerish craving to possess. This unbridled desire has obfuscated our minds thereby, reducing us to goats that understands only two things: sex and eating grass.

We are in a society where people do not even trust themselves: they will say "A" today and "B" tomorrow - they are nettlesome charlatans. The situation is much worse in the "faith" oriented milieu - people teach heterodoxy that they may stuff their pocket with smelling wad and their belly with rotten fruits.

The political arena is the seedbed of lunacy: this area offered the abominable sacrifice that offended the godhead in his azure dwelling. Members of the political class are shortsighted and egoistic. They are bereft of ideas. All they know is shout in hoarse voices and stuff their boundless belly. All manner of pungent lies ooze from their lips. Their dance is like that of the witches - not to entertain but to inflict suffering. They set brother against brother; initiate bitter recriminations when their wicked agenda is frustrated. The impecunious and servile soldiers put up ingenious arguments to defend woes of their master.

Our society has no moral compass. Those occupying privileged position squander the people's money as if there is no tomorrow. They turn themselves to unfortunate Santa Claus, donating lavishly to outsiders when their houses are been ravaged by hunger and starvation. This has accentuated the mirthless song of sycophancy. The nauseous bootlickers will not rest - they too have to survive the Nigeria way.


Those seeking elective offices put on the garment of deceit: they appear like doves but will develop the teeth and claw of a leopard as soon as they cross the threshold of power – they are not to be trusted. The entire society is mired in mistrust because people deify material riches but in due time, God will make that which is crooked to be straight.
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
20th October, 2022

EXPELLING YAHOO BOYS FROM OUR COMMUNITIES
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
20th October,2022

INTRODUCTION:
My decision to do this write-up was triggered by what I saw two years ago when I travelled to Omoku*. During my brief stay, I noticed a particular fenced compound. The compound possessed an unmistakable serenity around it but there was something sinister about the building. Although, I could not pinpoint exactly what the problem was but my sixth sense was alarmed. Thus, I decided to do a little digging. Many boys live inside the beautiful and quiet compound. Each of these boys live in one room self-contain apartment. A cursory look at them reveal immediately that they are non-indigenes of the community. It will not take a keen observer a minute to perceive the misty aura around them. With only few lightheaded questions, my suspicion was affirmed - “they are Yahoo boys!” A man told me nonchalantly. He was not bothered about revealing such information to me, a man he does not know. To him, it was not a secret. Everybody within the neighborhood knows the truth about the occupants of the building. The nocturnal boys inside the compound are hardly noticed or seen in the day time. They are only active in the night. It is during night time that they go out to purchase things, hang out with friends in joints and hotels. Majority of these boys, from my findings, rent or hire apartments in the guise of being students. Once they secure accommodation, they begin their nefarious activities. To have a better understanding of the activities of these faceless fraudsters known as “Yahoo boys”, it is pertinent to walk the reader through their modus operandi and the danger they pose to society.
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“Yahoo-Yahoo” is a localized way of referring to internet fraud. According to Wikipedia, Internet fraud “is a type of cyber-crime that makes use of the internet and could involve hiding information with the aim of defrauding victims of their money, property and inheritance”. Yahoo-Yahoo has become pervasive in Nigeria because of peoples’ attitude towards sources of wealth. In Nigeria, people’s source of wealth is not known or disclosed. Between 70% and 80% of wealth in the country is enmeshed in secrecy. This unfortunate situation has helped to fuel the increase in Yahoo-Yahoo.

Majority of the people who engage in this nefarious activity are young male undergraduates who are computer savvy – they are usually between the ages of 18 and 35. From the proceeds of fraud, they live an extravagant lifestyle. The identity of these boys are not difficult to decipher; they do not have a recognizable source of income yet they are seen cruising round town in expensive cars, clothes, handsets, hang out with exceptionally beautiful girls etc. Many of them wear weird coiffure and tattoos. They congregate in small groups but are noticeable in hotels, bars and clubs because of the way they throw money. Many of them drink heavily and abuse substances like cannabis sativa, tramadol, crystal methamphetamine popularly known as ‘ice’, cocaine etc. Sometimes, they startle onlookers through the way they spend money and smoke things like hookah shisha in the club – they can spend as much as #250,000 just to buy a bottle of drink.

Yahoo boys sometimes do not operate alone; they liaise with their collaborators who are either serving or sacked bank staff. These collaborators furnish them with financial status and details of bank customers thereby making such customers easy prey. Yahoo boys have sent many of their victims to early grave; they have ruined homes and businesses. Yahoo boys are enemies of society – they are evil.

Yahoo boys do not need to be in a particular environment or location to carry out their nefarious activities. All they need is their computer, access to the internet and a place where they can operate (freely) without prying eyes. Yahoo boys can spend a whole day on their computer monitoring the activities of their would-be victim – Yahoo boys are patient but vicious predators.

Yahoo boys are always on the move, they do not reside in a place for long, ones they register a big kill, they relocate to another area.

Yahoo-Yahoo is not for dullards. It takes a quick-witted mind to con somebody. Many of the Yahoo boys who are either undergraduates or fresh graduates scam people who are within and outside their locality. There are several report of how security operatives have arrested Yahoo boys for scamming people who reside outside their locality – with the internet, the entire globe is a small village.

What the Yahoo boys are doing today is not different from what people have done in the past – people have always used deceptive or fraudulent means to dispossess others of their money and properties. The only difference with Yahoo boys is that they take advantage of the vulnerability of the internet space.

Yahoo-Yahoo (cybercrime) is gradually becoming less lucrative because many people are now conscious of the activities of the devil incarnates. Corporate bodies, groups, organizations are not resting on their oars – they are constantly introducing measures to checkmate the activities of Yahoo boys. Similarly, they are reminding members of the public through advert placements, text messages etc to be vigilant of the wiles of the fraudsters. In this regard, defrauding people have become somewhat difficult for Yahoo boys. Although, the Yahoo boys are not resting – they are constantly devising new methods of defrauding people.

Since Yahoo boys are used to living a lavish lifestyle, condescending to a level of earning few thousands at the end of every month is just inconceivable. For this reason, majority of them have decided to up the ante by going into kidnapping and rebranded Yahoo-Yahoo known as “Yahoo plus (Yahoo+) and Yahoo plus-plus (Yahoo++)”.

Most of the kidnappings within the locality are orchestrated by Yahoo boys. Rebranded Yahoo-Yahoo is simply the introduction or use of magical or occult powers to manipulate people into becoming victims. Rebranded Yahoo-Yahoo is categorized into two classes namely; Yahoo plus (Yahoo+) and Yahoo plus-plus (Yahoo++). The Yahoo plus makes use of magical or occult powers to hoodwink or hypnotize people. In this case, people unknowingly yield to the demands of the fraudsters. There are reports of people been hypnotized by merely picking a strange phone call. Yahoo plus-plus is unconnected with the use of the internet. In this brand of Yahoo, victims are used for money rituals. Those used for money rituals usually end with madness, one strange illness or the other etc. The choice object of sacrifice in this brand are “young girls”: they are hunted and used with great relish. Items belonging to young girls such as; pants, bras, used sanitary pads etc are often taken and used for money rituals. Sometimes, they are lured to secret places where they are gruesomely murdered and their body parts harvested for ritual purposes.


CONCLUSION:
Yahoo boys from every indication are bad news; they are verminous and evil. No human society should tolerate the presence of such nocuous bipeds. To this end, landlords must make genuine effort to ascertain the identity of those they release their houses to in the name of rent. All stakeholders in the community must ensure that all Yahoo boys and their collaborators are identified and expelled from the community. By this, I do not, in any way suggest that people should take the law into their own hands by harassing members of the community in the guise of chasing out Yahoo boys. Diligent investigation should be carried out by the local vigilante personnel. If there is substantial evidence to show that a fellow is involved in Yahoo-Yahoo, such a person should be handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and prosecution.

*Omoku is the author’s home town. It is also the Headquarter of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area in Rivers State.

WHERE IS MOBUTU SESE SEKO?
By:
Ajukura,Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
28th September, 2022

Human life is like a flowing water – it is never constant. If you are a mover and shaker today, tomorrow, when you exit the stage, you will have to, from the sideline watch people do what you used to do. Some years ago, Dr. Peter Odili was a burning spear; a political colossus, the star boy of Nigerian politics but today, as an ordinary member of society he, sometimes with awe, watch as Wike, the current governor of the state (Rivers state) perform certain political acrobatics that were not common in his days. He is fortunate to be in Wike’s good book. Recently, during his 74th birthday anniversary, Wike recognized him as a mentor and offered him various gifts. Some who are less fortunate are made to smell their butt. The story of former leaders being chased about like a quarry is no longer news.

Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbenda Wa Za Banga was born in Lisala, Belgium Congo now Democratic Republic of Congo on 14th October 1930. Mobutu attended Missionary schools before joining the Belgian Congolese army in 1949. Having moved from a clerk to a Sergeant Major, the highest rank for Africans, he developed interest in politics and, as one who had passion for writing, he began to send articles to Newspapers in Leopoldville (now Kinshasa). In 1956, he was discharged from the army and became a full time reporter for daily L’Avenir (The Future). He later became the editor of “Actualites Africaines” a weekly tabloid. Through his works as a journalist, he met Patrice Lumumba, a nationalist leader. Shortly after Lumumba launched his political movement, “Mouvement Nationale Congolaise” (MNC) in 1958, Mobutu decided to join. In the group, he rose to become a key figure. In June 30th 1960 when Congo gained political independence, the coalition government of President Joseph Kasavubu and Premier Lumumba decided to appoint Mobutu as secretary of state for national defense. Few days later, the blacks in the army mutinied against the Belgian officers. As a known and respected former officer, Mobutu was able to exploit the situation to his advantage: he established control over the mutinying soldiers. At this point, the disagreement between Kasavubu and Lumumba was beginning to take a worrisome dimension. In September 1960 Mobutu, using the military overthrew the government but later handed power over to Kasavubu in February 1961. He was later rewarded with the appointment of Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Few months later, Mobutu’s troops arrested Lumumba and moved him to Katanga where he was murdered in a most gruesome manner. By 1965, the same power struggle that occurred between Kasavubu and Lumumba began between President Kasavubu and his Premier, Moise Tshombe. This time, Mobutu, through another coup, sacked the duo and assumed the presidency. Two years later, Mobutu suppressed an insurrection masterminded by the whites in Congolese army.

In other to localize his country and give it an African coloration, Mobutu moved to Africanize names. In this spirit, he, in October 1971 changed the country’s name from the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Republic of Zaire. In January 1972, he changed his own name from Joseph Desire’ Mobutu to Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbenda Wa Za Banga meaning “the all-powerful warrior who because of his endurance and inflexible will to win go from conquest to conquest leaving fire in his wake”. In a bid to soften the military nature of his government, he formed his popular “Mouvement Populaire dela Revolution” (MPR) which remained the country’s only political party – through this means, civilians began to gain appointment into the government.

By 1990, the government of Mobutu had started experiencing stiff opposition. Those who opposed the government came largely from Congolese on exile, university students, big and small people who had been sidelined from benefitting from the economic revival. In the face of strong opposition, he managed to maintain his rule. Unfortunately, the government was inundated in colossal corruption, mismanagement and neglect. This eventually led to the collapse of the country’s infrastructure. Through corrupt means, Mobutu acquired for himself the largest personal fortune in the world – his mansion. In his village, Gbadolite, he acquired a large expanse of land where he built his magnificent mansion which was valued at one hundred million pounds. The super structure was decorated with Italian marble, Katangese high-karate gold plated doors and windows, Spanish floor tiles, automatic American air conditioners, state of the art communication systems, king size swimming pool, a private airport control tower, 3-4 inch bullet proof glassware, 5 presidential suits, 6 Jacuzzis and surrounded by a mini game park full of different kinds of wildlife. This super structure, before Mobutu’s exit from power was believed to be one of the most magnificent private mansions owned an individual throughout the globe.

In 1997 when the opposition, led by Laurent Kabila became unbearable, Mobutu sneaked out of the country he had ruled for over three decades with iron fist and ran to Morocco where he died of prostate cancer complications at the age of 67.

There are two basic lessons to be learnt from the life and experience of Mobutu. The two lessons are ‘the finger of providence’ and ‘the futility and emptiness of the material world’. Providence stands very tall in the life of Mobutu. Mobutu had no significant training or qualification that made him unique. He was enlisted in the army as a soldier but with providence smiling at him, he rose to the highest rank reserved for Africans – Sergeant Major. It is said that, “a man’s gift makes way for him”. Mobutu had a flair for writing. When he left the army, he ventured into the print media where he worked as a journalist. He became famous in this area and subsequently rose to become an editor of a local but popular tabloid. It was through this way that he met Patrice Lumumba and later joined his political movement, “Mouvement Nationale Congolaise”. When independence was achieved, Mobutu benefited by being appointed secretary of state for national defense. The finger of providence manifested mightily again in his life during the insurrection of black soldiers against their white overlords. By virtue of his portfolio as a secretary of state for national defense and also as a former soldier, he was given the mandate to address the problem. This development gave him the opportunity to firmly establish his grip on the military. It is in this way he rose to power to become a ruthless dictator.

The reality of the futility and emptiness of the material world is one that is very significant in the life of Mobutu. Despite all the wealth and power he wielded, his end was that of misery and agony. He sneaked out of a country he had ruled for about 32 years without saying “goodbye”. How sad! He left behind all the wealth he had brazenly acquired. Today, the magnificent structure he built in his village is now home to wild rats, tropical snakes, gecko lizards, mega snails, scorpions, birds and thousands wild insects.

Power and riches are temporal - anyone blessed in these areas should remember that they are like vapor and cannot be trusted. The reason is that, their disappearance hang threateningly over the head of those who possess them. Mobutu, drunk with power changed his name to an “all powerful warrior…who leaves fire in his wake” but at the end, he realized how frail and empty human life is. He died as a fugitive in a foreign land. It is foolhardy to relish in the thought that power and material riches make one superior to others. Power and riches are indeed heavy: they have the capacity to inflict incalculable pain and misery on those who possess them if they are mismanaged. Only intangible assets like; wisdom, knowledge, good name, hard work, patience can offer true happiness.

OLD AGE IS NOT A SIN
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com 13th September, 2022

Old age is the last stage in the life process of an individual. Old age refers to people who are 60 and 65 years of age and above. Old people have limited regenerative abilities and are more often susceptible to diseases, symptoms, injuries and sicknesses than young people. Old people are confronted with different social issues such as; retirement from active or strong activities, loneliness etc. Old age is a period when an individual begin to retreat or withdraw into a life of solitariness. In this period, friends become few. Some family members begin to, unconsciously see the individual as a personification of death and therefore, begin to run away or give reason(s) why they (the old people) should be avoided – this attitude is common in superstitious and less developed societies.

It is the desire of many people to grow old. The Bible presents growing old as a normal and natural part of life. There is honor involved in growing old. Old age is normally accompanied by increase in wisdom and experience – “gray hair is a crown of honor and splendor, it is attained by a righteous life”. The Bible also reminds us that God wants us to remember that; “life is short” and “that the beauty of youth is like a mirage that will soon fade away”.

Those who demonize the aged and infirm are young people: to them, old people are the witches and wizards preventing them from moving forward in life. They fail to come to term with the warning of Socrates “man know thyself, for an unexamined life is not worth living”. Rather than examine themselves with the view to identifying where their problem is coming from, they turn around to blame the closest old woman for their woes. Many old people have died as a result of this wrongful labeling. Meanwhile, young people are the worst witches and wizards; all the atrocities currently being inflicted on the populace are carried out by young people. Bizarre acts like; decapitating people and selling off their body parts for pecuniary purposes are done by young people. Stealing of the peoples’ common wealth and thereby precipitating them into economic hardship and undue suffering are all caused by young people.

The world never knew that there are so many old people in the developed societies until the coming of COVID-19. The high population of old people in that part of the world is not by chance or accident: having known that old people can be like children, they devoted a lot of time, energy and resources in taking care of them. It is against this background that they developed the branch of medicine known as “geriatrics” and “gerontology” as the scientific study of old age or the process of becoming old. Unfortunately, this idea is unknown in our clime. What is known is the “dehumanization of old and infirm people”.

Recently in Okwuzi, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, a delicate old woman was almost lynched for allegedly turning from a bird to a human being. Those who joined in the fray to pummel the old woman did not demand for concrete evidence – they just got carried away in the current of stereotyping all old women as witches. This type of wickedness towards old people must stop.

To save old people from such vile and malignant treatment, government especially, the local and state governments must establish “Homes for the Elderly” to cater for old people who do not have anybody to take care of them. The major thrust of these homes or centers will be to offer compassion and care as well as provide a calm and friendly atmosphere for them. The centers are to be affiliated with government hospitals so that their health or medical needs can be addressed with ease.

Let us learn to treat old people with love and care because, if our life’s journey is not cut short, we shall all get old someday. Old age is not a sin.

THE RISE AND FALL OF R. KELLY
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
10th September, 2022

The worldly man’s desire is enjoyment and the satisfaction of the cravings of his flesh. In examining the nature of man, it is apparent to conclude that he, more often than not is governed by his impulse or inclination. Man, by his nature is acquisitive and aspiring. He is ever seeking satisfaction for his wants and desires. The things he impulsively run after are; bodily pleasure which consists of; sex, abundance of choice wine and food, clothing, jewelries, huge bank accounts, magnificent houses, treasures of cars to mention only but a few. The wise king Solomon in this regard admonishes us that, “he who loves money will not be satisfied with money. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness”. Similarly, living a sexually perverse lifestyle can inflict all manner of pain and suffering on anyone who indulges in it. For instance, Samson, in the Bible lost his power, vision, heavenly assignment and destiny as a result of having sexual relationship with Delilah – a wrong person. He did not live to tell the tale.

Robert Sylvester Kelly popularly known as R. Kelly, like Samson, is one man who has moved from grace to disgrace following his unrestrained sexual cravings. Kelly was born on 8th January, 1967 at Chicago Lying-In Hospital now known as University of Chicago Medical Center. Kelly’s mother, Joanne was a school teacher and a devoted member of the Baptist Church. Kelly’s father is not known as he left pretty much earlier leaving Joanne with the responsibility of singlehandedly raising Kelly and his siblings. When Kelly was five years old his mother got married to an airline worker known as Lucious. At the age of eight, Kelly started singing in the Church. At that same age, Kelly had a girlfriend known as Lulu. Lulu eventually lost her life when, during a fight with other children in a play area by the creek was pushed in a fast moving current (water) where she drowned. Between the age of eight and fourteen, Kelly and his younger brother were sexually abused by Theresa, their elder sister. Also at the age ten, Kelly was sexually abused by an older male who was a friend of the family.

In September 1980, Kelly, having been encouraged by his high school music teacher, Lena Melin won his first prize in the high school talent show. After the event, Kelly left the high school basketball team and focused on music. Having been diagnosed of dyslexia, he dropped out of high school – Kenwood Academy after spending only one year there. Following this development, Kelly started performing in the street and also continued with basketball.

In 1989, Kelly and three other formed the MGM (Musically Gifted Men). In 1990, the MGM was offered a contract. After the release of their album, titled “Why You Wanna Play Me”, the group disintegrated. In 1992, Kelly, in partnership with the group Public Announcement released their debut album “Born in the 90’s”. Towards the end of 1992, Kelly and Public Announcement embarked on a tour. After this tour, Kelly separated with the group. On 9th November 1993, Kelly released his first solo album titled “12 Play”. On the Billboard “Hot R&B Singles Chat” his “Bump and Grind” song stayed a record-breaking 12 weeks at number one. Other tracks like “Your Body’s Calling”, “Sex Me” etc shook the music industry.

In 1995, Kelly got his first Grammy nominations in writing, producing and composing Michael Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone”. That same year, Kelly released his second “self-titled” album that was less salacious compared to the first one. Like the first album, the second one was a huge success.

On 26th November 1996, Kelly released his third album titled “I Believe I can Fly”, an inspirational song. The track won three Grammy Awards in 1998. In 1998, Kelly launched his record label known as Rockland Records. On 17th November 1998, Kelly released his fourth album “R”. The album featured artistes likes; Celine Dion, Nas and Jay-Z.

In early 2000,Kelly won multiple awards. Towards the end of 2000, he released his fifth album “TP-2.Com”. Unlike other albums, all song in this album were written, arranged and produced by Kelly. In 2001, Kelly won the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards.

On 24th January 2002, Kelly announced the completion of his first collaborated album with Jay-Z, “The Best of Both World”. In the closing ceremony of 2002 Winter Olympic, Kelly performed and a sex tape of Kelly with an underage girl circulated the public space. That same year, Kelly released the remix of “Ignition”. On 18th February 2003, Kelly released his album “Chocolate Factory”. The album had great songs like; “Snake”, “Step in the Name of Love” etc. Later in the year, Kelly released his greatest hit album which included the song “Thoia Thoing”.

On 24th August 2004, Kelly released the double album “Happy People” and “You Saved Me”. Two months later, Kelly Jay-Z came back to release their second collaborative album, “Unfinished Business”. On July 2005, Kelly released TP.3 Reloaded. Between 2006 and 2009, Kelly , through collaboration with other artistes like; Bow Wow, T.I., T-Pain, Usher, Ne-Yo, Keyshia Cole etc released great songs. In June 2009, Kelly released his first mixtape, The “Demo” Tape presented DJ Skee and DJ Drama.

In November 2010, Kelly collaborated with many African musicians including our own Tuface Idibia. This collaboration gave birth to a super group known as “One8”. On 14th December 2010, Kelly released his tenth album titled “Love Letter”. On 19th July 2011, Kelly went for an emergency throat surgery at the Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. In 2013, Kelly continued with his career despite the allegations of sexual misdemeanor hanging on his head. Throughout the whole of 2013, he collaborated with many great musicians. In December 2015, Kelly released the album titled “The Buffet”. The album performed poorly on the Billboard chat. On the 21st October 2016, Kelly released his only Christmas album “12 Night of Christmas”.

There is a popular African proverb which says “when death is calling a dog, it doesn’t allow it to perceive the smell of feces”. What this means is that, whatever is meant to destroy a man strips him from every sense of decency and responsibility. Kelly’s ascension to wealth and fame heightened his predatory pursuit of teenage girls. Every effort made by close family members and associates to discourage him from continuing in his pedophilic behavior proved abortive. In 1994 when Kelly was 24 years old, he bribed a government official to prepare a fake ID for Aaliyah so that he could marry her. In the fake ID, Aaliyah who was 15 years was declared 18 years of age. A year after the marrying Aaliyah in Chicago, it was discovered that they had lied about Aaliyah’s age and the marriage was annulled.

In 1996, Tiffany Hawkings confessed in court that she started having sex with Kelly in 1999 when she was 15 years old and continued until she was 18 years. Owing to the “personal injuries and emotional distress” she suffered during the period of her relationship with Kelly, she sued Kelly claiming $10m in damages but got $250,000 at the end of the case.

In 2001, a former intern at Epic Records, Tracy Sampson dragged Kelly to court after she accused him of luring her into an indecent sexual relationship when she was 17 years old. Tracy further accused Kelly of controlling every aspect of her life. The case was later settled out of court with Kelly paying her an undisclosed amount of money.

Between April and May of the following year (2002), Kelly suffered two court cases. The first one was from a Chicago woman, Patrice Jones who accused Kelly of impregnating her when she underage and subsequently forced her to abort the pregnancy. The second case was from Motina Woods who sued Kelly for videotaping them when they were having sex without her knowledge. The videotape eventually went viral. At the end, Kelly settled both cases out of court, paying undisclosed sums to the ladies. In June of the same year (2002), Kelly was charged 21 counts of making child sexual abuse videos by the Chicago police. Kelly had been arrested after the sex videos was anonymously sent to the Chicago Sun Times and subsequently forwarded to the police. Although Kelly denied the charges, he posted a $750,000 bail. The case eventually went in his favor because the jury could not prove that the girl in the tape was a minor.

In 2004, Kelly was arrested in his holiday home in Florida for producing child sexual abuse images with an underage girl. The charges were later dropped because Kelly’s defense was able to convince the judge that the police did not follow due process before searching Kelly’s house and subsequently discovering the tape.

In 2017, Kelly was accused of converting young women who came to him for help concerning their music career into sex slaves: these women were often held incommunicado. Some of the women’s parents confirmed this allegation. In 2018, some of these women decided to speak up about their ordeal in the hands of Kelly. Notable among the women that spoke against Kelly were; Jerhonda Pace and Kitti Jones – they claimed that Kelly had been having sex with them when they were underage. They further confessed that Kelly had, in the process of making love physically abused them. Jerhonda had, in 2021 testified against Kelly in the court.

Concerning Kelly’s preference for young girls, one of Kelly’s closest associate, Lovel Jones confessed in a BBC documentary that it was common knowledge that Kelly love young girls. Following Kelly’s lecherous and immoral behavior and several court cases against him, there emerged a massive campaign against him known as “#MuteKelly”. In this campaign, the popular RCA record label, show promoters, ticket sellers etc were encouraged to sever ties with Kelly. Although this campaign did not achieve much because Kelly continued to perform live shows. However, it left a significant dent on the image of the musician. While the campaign was going on, the unrepentant singer who, through his comments and songs had been challenging the campaign against him got entangled in another case. This time, a former (female) partner of Kelly sued him for deliberating infecting her with a sexually transmitted disease.

In February 2019, Kelly was charged in Chicago with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. In a video that was obtained and made public by a popular US lawyer, Michael Avenatti, Kelly was seen having sex with a 14 years old girl. He however pleaded not guilty but, few weeks later, prosecutors uncovered another sexual assault and abuse against another minor aged between 13 and 16 years. This attracted additional 11 charges against the superstar. Some of the major description of offences against him include; “sex and MouthAction with a minor” and “the use of force or threat of force”.

In July 2019, Kelly was charged with two different federal indictments in Brooklyn and Illinois. The two indictments showed that Kelly and his associates were involved in recruiting underage girls for sexual purposes and also using them for the production of child sex abuse images.

In August 2019, Kelly was accused of luring a 17 years old girl who approached him for an autograph in 2001 to his hotel room where he offered her $200 to UnCloth and dance naked with him. In August 2021, Kelly’s trial began in New York. By 27th September, Kelly was found guilty on all nine count brought before him. Gloria Allred, a lawyer who represented many of Kelly’s victims confessed to reporters that, in her 47 years of practicing law, she has pursued many sexual predators who have committed crimes against women and children but Kelly is the worst predator she has come across.

In November 2021, one of Kelly’s associates, Michael Williams was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment after he, about a year and four months ago allegedly intimidated a witness due to testify against Kelly in the court by burning the witness father’s car. By trying to use violence and intimidation to divert the course of justice, the law was invoked against him.

In June 2022, a US District Judge, Ann Donnelly sentenced Kelly to 30 years in prison for using his celebrity status to sexually abuse young girls and women.

What is the lesson to be learnt from Kelly’s travail? A fly that does not heed advice follows the corps to the grave. Anything that has the propensity to tarnish a man’s image should be jettisoned without delay. Unfortunately, many celebrities do not reason in this direction – they are blindfolded by their wealth and fame. This explains why many of them end in tatters.

Kelly, by his unrestrained desire for young girls made himself an embarrassment to humanity. With all his money and towering fame, he turned himself to a pariah – an enemy of human society. Kelly’s fall, obviously was quickened by the society in which he found himself; he was part of a society where the rule of law reigned supreme and not a crude and corrupt society where justice is circumvented by mere offering of few wads to corrupt law enforcement and judicial officials. Indeed, Kelly’s experience has shown quite clearly that if wealth and fame is not properly managed, the result can be very catastrophic.

IGBU CULT OR SOCIETY IN OGBA LAND.
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
19th August, 2022.

Igbu is one of the cult groups or secret societies in Ogba land. Igbu cult featured prominently in Ogba traditional society. The advent of Christianity severely decimated the power of the once famous cult group. Although Igbu is scarcely known today, few traditionalists still belong to the cult.

Igbu cult signifies power and strength. It was a cult of warriors and brave men. Igbu was not for weaklings - only people who have distinguished themselves as brave and fearless men are admitted into the cult. These warriors are reputed to have taken battles into enemy territory and returned unscathed. In Ogba language, these caliber of men are known as "Okparionyohia". Ogba history is replete with brave men who have singlehandedly fought battles with men and dangerous animals and emerged victorious.

In short, Igbu is a cult of warriors. It is only in Igbu that members lift up their drinks with the left hand to indicate strength and resilience. As a society of warriors, the group is often symbolized with okia (spear) and omerenyi (cutlass or sword).

One of the most significant or striking thing about Igbu cult is its refusal to bow or yield to defeat. A member of Igbu cult is expected to show uncanny bravery and resilience in all matters of life including death: when he is confronted with death, he is expected not be chicken hearted. It is against this background that a dead member of Igbu cult is, rather than lieing down in state during his burial ceremony is kept in a sitting position. What this means is bravery before death - refusal to lie down or bow even in death. In the present age, such bizarre sights or practices are no longer common, what is done is placing the picture of the deceased member against the wall.

MONEY POLITICS AND CORRUPTION
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
19th August, 2022

Politics in our clime is indeed cumbersome. Vying for one elective position or the other come with a myriad of nerve wrecking challenges but the highest among them all is the availability of funds to run campaigns. This challenge may appear normal because money is a crucial factor in getting things done. Unfortunately, the type of money that is required for an aspirant to be given attention in our millieu is massive. For those vying for elective positions at the lowest rung of the ladder e.g., Councillors, L.G.A Chairmen and State Houses of Assemblies, they must make sure that humongous sum of money is stashed somewhere. With this numbing challenge, many people who have the moral rectitude and capacity to lead are compelled to back out leaving behind the "lion hearts" to remain in the contest. Often times, these lion hearts go the extra mile to raise money from devilish and despicable sources in order to realize their ambition.

For some time now, I have been following the activities of politicians especially, the young ones. Most of the time, I try to see beneath their effable and agreeable facade. Right inside of them lurks distress, fear and worry; this situation which can be described as a "debilitating darkness" is created by the unbridled desire to win election at all cost.

In the communities they visit for campaign purposes, people appear in their best smiles and garbs in order to eat and drink from them. In this regard, everybody seem to be lost in the melee to get a piece of the action - their priority is to feed their hungry bellies.

But a greater burden awaits the people as they will have to live with their mouths sealed like that of a snail for a whole term or more. During this period, there will be no plausible reason to attack the politicians. After all, it is said that "you can't eat your cake and have it". The most that can be done at this point is to complain how the politicians are inaccessible and insensitive to the plight of the people.

The peoples attitude towards election has to change. Candidates should be viewed from the angle of competence: they shouldn't be turned to cash cows. Don't forget that if you exploit them during the campaign season, they may do same to you when they get into power. Similarly, elections mustn't be about sharing money. In some communities, if money is not shared to every member of the community, the candidate(s) is likely to be booed by the people - this is wrong.

PORT HARCOURT: AN OMPHALOS FOR INTERNET FRAUDSTERS?

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
11th August, 2022.

Port Harcourt is the capital of oil Rivers State. Port Harcourt is also known as the garden city of Nigeria because of its greenery and cleanliness. The city of Port Harcourt has a high concentration of economic activities. Port Harcourt is a city bubbling with abundant opportunities in the area of trade and commerce. The city is adorned with the beauty of modern architecture: it boasts of beautiful residential, commercial and industrial layouts. Because of the abundant economic opportunities it offers, it has become a destination for "the good, the bad and the ugly".

The influx of all manner of people into Port Harcourt has presented the city with numerous challenges such as; housing deficit, traffic congestion, increased criminal activities etc but kudos must be given to the state government for its unwavering determination to keep the vermin (criminals) at bay. Owing to the inability of these criminals to operate freely in the streets of Port Harcourt, they have resorted to defrauding members of the society from behind closed doors. These shadow-like figures operate in obscurity, they are popularly known as "yahoo-yahoo" boys, they survive through peoples tears and blood. The city of Port Harcourt is replete with these serpentine creatures. They are the epitome of fake life.

From the proceeds of fraud, internet fraudsters live extravagant lifestyle; drive exotic cars and wear expensive clothes, shoes and jewelries. Many of them own properties in choice areas of Port Harcourt but, like the saying goes, "every day for the thief, one day is for the owner" (their last song is usually that of regret). Few days ago, precisely on the 4th of August, 47 internet fraudsters, in what has been described as a sting operation was carried out by officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were arrested in different locations in Port Harcourt. Items ranging from cars, laptop computers, wrist watches, cameras, monies etc were recovered from the culprits. The arrest revealed that majority of the arrested fellows were non indigenes of the state - they may have entered the state purely for the purpose of carrying out their nefarious activities.

The EFCC is by this operation highly applauded - the state government must give them all the necessary support in order to rid the state of internet fraudsters.

LESSONS FROM THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
August, 2022

The French Revolution was a watershed event in world history that started in 1787 and ended in the late 1790’s. The French Revolution came as a result of insensitivity and callousness of members of the ruling class. Although, some commentators do not agree with this position, they attribute it to the abysmal “old order”. The old order refers to the French class system: this system created great inequality among the French people. Every French citizen belonged to one of the three classes. The three classes include:

1. First Estate – this class consist of just 1% of the population, they are made up of the higher Roman Catholic clergy such as; Bishops, Abbots, noblemen by birth etc. These powerful men control between 5 and 10% of the land in France and enjoy a lot of privileges.

2. Second Estate – this class consist of members of the nobility, they form 2% of the population and own about 25% of the land in France. These people too enjoyed a lot of privileges and lived in opulence, they occupy high positions in government and the military. The main income of these people come from feudal dues they collect from the peasants who lived and worked in their land.

3. Third Estate – this class was made up of the largest number of the population such as; peasants, artisans, members of the middle class like doctors, lawyers, merchants, business managers etc. Majority of these people lived in the rural areas others lived in slums in Paris. Although, they own about 40% of land but impoverished by the payments they make to the other Estates. Some of these payments are tithe to the clergy, feudal dues to the nobles and land tax to the king – members of the Third Estate worked hard to sustain the system but unfortunately, had no voice in how the government was run.

Frustrated and tired of the insensitive and oppressive system, members of the Third Estate began to, directly and indirectly express frustration over the unfair social structure. Despite the increasing complaints and demands from members of the Third Estate, the cost of living continued to increase, price of essential commodities continued to soar. The nobles in their insensitivity continued to charge the peasants higher fees for the use of equipment in the production of wine and others. While the peasants were being exploited in the rural areas, the artisans were equally not spared in the cities – they were faced with astronomical increase in prices while their salaries remained the same: this made them increasingly unhappy. Their greatest frustration was directed at the king who superintended over the oppressive government.

Following the high level of selfishness displayed by the government officials, the economy of France began to nosedive. Even as things were moving from bad to worse, the nobility and the clergy were unperturbed; they refused to make necessary sacrifice by cutting down their wages. Things began to get out of hand as crops began to fail such that staple foods and products like bread slipped out of the reach of the people.

Things got out of hand when, in the meeting involving the three Estates, the clergy and the noble tried to suppress the Third Estate. Reacting to this move, the representatives of the Third Estate who were members of the middle class organized and called themselves the National Assembly: they gathered around a tennis court where they took an oath never to disband until they had written a constitution for the French people. Knowing the implication of allowing only the Third Estate to draw up a constitution for the country, the king directed the First and Second Estates to join in the drafting of the constitution.

In the course of drafting the constitution, trouble broke out as the three Estates could not reach a compromise. Members of the Third Estate who constitute about 80% of the entire population of France and who have suffered oppression for ages went berserk with anger and began to attack people who would not support their course – this eventually led to rebellion against the government. The first government institution to suffer attack was the prison – the Paris prison called "The Batille". With the weapons stolen from the Paris prison, the people formed what came to be known as a revolutionary government in Paris. With this audacious attack, peasants, swearing not to pay feudal dues drove the Landlords out of their properties; broke into their manor houses, robbed granaries and anything of value they could lay their hands on.

Owing to the violent unrest, the nobles, in a session that lasted up to two in the morning voted to end most of their privileges. By this vote, they gave up their feudal dues as well as their exemption from taxation. Similarly, they agreed that every male citizen can hold government, army, Church offices. Based on this decision, the National Assembly, on 4th August, 1789 came up with a reform that marked the end of the “old order”.

Inspired by the American Declaration of Independence and Constitution, as well as the English Bill of Right, the National Assembly designed the Declaration of the Rights of man and of the citizen in August 1789.

The reform was hinged on the ideas of great philosophers like; Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau etc. The reform granted equality of all men. It guaranteed freedom of speech, press and religion: it protected against arbitrary arrest and punishment. It however, did not grant equality right to women.

The king refused to accept the reform – this decision caused another round of protest across France. The violence and insecurity occasioned by this protest compelled the king to leave his palace in Versailles and move to Paris. Few days after the King had settled in Paris, the National Assembly moved to Paris.

With the liberalization of the French society, the Church was pitched against the National Assembly. Pope VI condemned the reform and many other clergy followed suit.

In 1791, the National Assembly presented a new Constitution to the people. The Constitution retained the king but limited his power. It also adopted Unicameral legislature – members were to be chosen by voters.

Ensuing the civil unrest in France, the king, Louis XVI and his family decided to surreptitiously flee to Australia where the queen’s (Marie Antoinette) brother was an emperor. Along the way, they were arrested and returned to Paris by soldiers. Threatened by the upheaval in France, other monarchies ganged up against the revolutionary government in France. In a bid to defend the new government, the revolutionary government, in 1792 declared war against Austria which was the ring leader of the monarchies or opposition countries. In August of that year (1792), mobs attacked the king’s palace and killed many people. This action did not stop as they attacked the prison and killed imprisoned nobles and priests.

In the determination of French citizens to defend the revolution, many young people volunteered to fight for France. Despite the absence of almost everything needed to fight a war, the French army won an astonishing battle at Valmy, less than 100 miles from Paris. With the victory at Valmy, the rag-tag French army became more emboldened to fight for the defense of their country. While the war was going on, members of the revolutionary government who were mainly from the middle class e.g., lawyers, doctor, merchants etc drafted France’s first democratic Constitution. Some of the things contained in the Constitution include; political powers to reside in a single national legislature that will be based on universal male suffrage among others.

Shortly after the enactment of the democratic constitution which introduced or launched the Republican era, the government turned its attention to legacies of the past. The first issue to, in this regard be treated was that concerning the king, Louis XVI. In December 1792, he (the king) was tried and convicted for conspiring with foreign monarchs against the liberty of France. In January 1793, he was beheaded on the guillotine. There was tumultuous jubilation across France over the execution of the king – to the people, the death of the king meant the death of insensitivity and oppressive government in France.

As Nigeria is edging close to the boiling point – the point at which the French people decided to take their destiny in their own hands, what are the lessons to be learnt? With the growing discontent among the ordinary people who constitute about 80% of the population, members of the ruling or privileged class have continued to display brazen disregard for the peoples sufferings. Before the Revolution, members of the privileged class did not know that the economy had degenerated to the extent that the people could no longer afford bread. Today, similar situation is playing out in Nigeria, members of the privileged class are unaware that majority of Nigerians can no longer afford bread. Only few days ago, the Minister of Agriculture said that, despite the security challenges currently being experienced in the country, “food production continues at an appreciable level for most parts of the country”. The Minister also added that, “food production sufficiency has placed the country as number one in Africa and fourth in the world”. What the Minister perhaps, did not understand is that the information he has released does not reflect the reality – prices of food commodities have soared such that majority of Nigerians can barely afford staple foods like; beans, rice, maize, cassava.

Blinded by their selfishness, members of the French privileged class bluntly refused to make the necessary sacrifice of reducing their wages and cutting down some of their privileges in order to revive the ailing French economy. Today, we are witnessing the same experience. In Nigeria, members of the privileged class are not willing to make the necessary sacrifice in order to put the country in the path of greatness. According to the revelation of the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan in Punch Newspaper of 13th December, 2021, “a senator receives #1.5m as monthly salary and #13m as quarterly office-running while House of Reps members receive #1.3m as monthly salary and #8m as quarterly office-running cost”. The difference between these legislators and the average Nigerian is very clear. Similarly, state governors who spend only four or eight years in office receive jumbo severance package and allowances compared to what civil/public servants who have committed greater part of their active days in the service of their father land receive. The call to prune or cut down these privileges have been rebuffed. It is no longer news that the public schools have been run aground by members of the elite. Every passing day, people decry the deplorable condition of these public schools. Owing to the insensitivity of government, public universities have been shut down for almost six months thereby compelling the students (children of the common people) to stay at home. This situation has subjected some of these undergraduates to gravitate into various unwholesome practices. To the annoyance of the common people, members of the privilege or ruling class throw the pictures of their children either matriculating or graduating from one foreign university or the other in the public space.

The Nigerian ruling elite must realize that power is transient and not static: the French elites who refused to sacrifice a little of the privileges they enjoyed, lost everything including their lives during the Revolution. Even the revered king was not spared; he was executed in a most terrifying manner.

To avert the calamity that befell France during the Revolution, members of Nigeria’s ruling class must give heed to the voice of reason by turning away from their greedy and callous ways – a stitch in time saves nine!

END OF THE ROAD FOR UDUAK AKPAN
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
06/08/2022

In case you do not know who Uduak Akpan is; Uduak Akpan is the young man from Uruan in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State who lured one Iniubong Umoren, (a graduate of philosophy from University of Uyo and also a female job seeker) to his father's house where he, after raping her, killed her and buried her in a shallow grave inside the compound. After this act of wickedness, he (Akpan), in a bid to build an alibi for himself ran to his sister's place in Calabar.

The behaviour of Akpan clearly suggests "fear" - he was afraid hence his decision to run away. But if we may inquire, "what exactly was he afraid of?" Apparently, Akpan does not want to go the way of his victim, Umoren. He wants to be alive and free from all forms of botheration - he wants to be free like the birds in the sky meanwhile, he has not only terminated the life and dream of Umoren, he also has terminated the hope of the parents of Umoren. The parents of Umoren had, from her childhood committed their energy and resources in training her so that someday in the future, she'll be able to support them but, due to the wickedness of Akpan, that hope has been shattered - the thought of losing their beloved daughter in such a gruesome manner will continue to weigh down on their spirit.

People like Akpan who destroy other peoples lives but want to, at all cost preserve theirs are the biggest cowards in the face of the earth. If you have the guts to take another person's life then, you must not be afraid to offer yours. For, if you cannot pluck out your own eyes then, you must not contemplate doing so to another person. Our society is replete with such cowards - they commit acts of wickedness and go into hiding, waiting for the dust to settle before they resurface. Any person who does this, is not "man enough" but simply a "woman wrapper" - you'll certainly be picked out like a tick one day.

Based on the natural principle of retributive justice, "you can run but you can't hide", Akpan ran away in order not to be fingered in Umoren's disappearance but, eventually, he didn't run for long before he was arrested and paraded before humanity for perpetrating such unspeakable wickedness. On 4th August, 2022, in a State High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, he was sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of Umoren. Upon the pronouncement of the verdict by the presiding Judge, Justice Bassey Nkanang, the heavens collapsed on Akpan and he resorted to saving his life by taking to his heels. Unfortunately for him, the Correctional security personnel within the court premises picked him like a tick and hauled him into the waiting "mini black-maria" van and, off he was taken to the Custodial Center where he is to remain till the day of his execution. Even if he is not executed immediately, he will spend the rest of his miserable life with his heart hanging in the ceiling in anticipation of the day he will meet the hangman. What a dreary way to come to the end of the road!

For those threading this iniquitous path, be rest assured that the same fate await you - it's just a matter of time.

JUJU INVOCATION UNDER THE LENS OF THE PRESENT AGE
By;
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
August, 2022

Introduction:
The issue of change and permanence is one that has occupied intellectual discussions beginning from the time of the Ionian philosophers. While some philosophers like Parmenides have argued that reality is permanent, others like Heraclitus say that the only permanent thing in life is change. From the tone of the above mentioned philosophers and the school of thought they represent, it is obvious that their arguments are based or situated on two different realm or plane e.g., physical/material and spiritual/mental.

For man, as a being that resides in the concrete or physical world, it is preposterous to say that reality is in a constant state of permanence. The reason for this is that reality is ungraspable – nothing is permanent e.g., from birth, one continues to undergo series of change until he passes out of existence. The same process of change persists in everything around him.

In relating this phenomenon to the area of human culture and civilization, it is without doubt that the human society too is affected by the principle of change. In other words, human societies are not static: they undergo or experience change. It is in this regard that it (human society) is classified into different periods or epochs e.g., primitive, ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary. Thoughts and practices that were adjudged to be lofty or impressive in the ancient time are mere caricature when viewed through the lens of the modern or contemporary age.
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In primitive or traditional societies, things were done based on the dictates of the spirit of the time. During this period, there were no formal schools, courts, airports, seaports, computers etc. People relied mainly on their instincts and physical abilities. As a society where quarrels, disagreements, strife is inevitable, people resorted to the best possible means available in settling conflicts. In the primitive or traditional Ogba society where logical and analytical reasoning was absent, it became necessary to approach the oracles or deities who were believed to see and understand everything that happens to man. It is against this background that the idea of using juju as a means of conflict resolution came into existence. In order to have a clear understanding of the subject under discourse, it is important to examine the term juju. The term juju is derived from the French word “jou-jou” meaning “plaything”. Juju is a spiritual believe system that makes use of amulet, charms and mascots in religious practice in West Africa. The term, initially was connected with the Priest-kings of towns in West Africa, upon whom the prosperity of towns was believed to depend. One of the earliest recorded juju in history is the “juju of Elele” (a locality in present day Rivers state) in which the Priest-king was elected for a term of seven years. Juju, as it later came to be understood was not just about a leader whose life exudes progress for his community but that which permeates every sphere of human life. In this way, juju became synonymous with the entire community – it was neither good nor bad. It could be used for constructive purposes as well as nefarious or wicked purposes.

Owing to the high moral standard that was prevalent in the traditional Ogba society, the use of juju generally known in Ogba as “erisi or utu” was used mainly for protective or constructive purposes but as the society evolved, strange and obnoxious practices began to creep into the peoples way of life (culture). In this regard, some indigenes of Ogba went ahead to acquire powers from strange lands in order to operate shrines (juju houses) purely for pecuniary gain. As the society advanced, the desire for material possession increased exponentially; people became eager and desperate to acquire material wealth. This strange attitude ushered in all manner of wickedness – people no longer cared about the safety and wellbeing of other members of the community.

Another thing that threatened the fabric of the Ogba society was the way people became endeared to juju invocation – in the slightest provocation, they surreptitiously invoke juju with the intention of terminating somebody’s life also, there arose a penchant in the people for manipulating juju to do their bidding. This unwholesome practice persisted even in situations where they are guilty. For instance, a man who was caught in the act of stealing goes secretly to a shrine and invokes juju on somebody for calling him a thief. In the shrine, he manipulates the juju by saying “Mr. A called me a thief, if I have ever stolen his belonging, let it be well with him but, if the reverse is the case, please kill him for me”. Based on how this petitions is rendered, the juju swings into action – many people have died in this way. This illustration shows quite clearly that juju is amenable to the manipulation of man.

In this age where the judicial system is driven by criticality and logicality, swearing of juju is no longer fashionable - people prefer to go to court to seek redress. Similarly, the advent of Christianity and Islam has rendered the idea of juju invocation archaic and obsolete. To many people today, it is surprising or shocking to learn that juju invocation is still in practice.

Since people have the inalienable right to pursue or follow any religion of their choice, it became necessary for the Oba (Eze-Ogba) of Ogba land to address the major challenge bedeviling the African Indigenous Religion within Ogba land. Following the severity of the impact of this challenge on Ogba society, the Oba (Eze-Ogba) constituted a committee that consulted with members of Association of Juju Priest in Ogba land. At the end of the consultation, “A Traditional Bye-law to Introduce Harmonized Operational Standard for all Juju Shrine Priests in Ogba Land” was established. Some of the high points the Bye-law are as follows:
1. It was enacted by the Oba (Eze-Ogba) in partnership with the Local Government Area of Rivers State.
2. To settle disputes among individuals, groups (families), communities etc.
3. To address the problem of misuse of traditional means of settling disputes which has resulted in the untimely death of members of the community.
4. To provide operational guidelines on how invocation of juju should be carried out and to regulate the activities of juju priests within the area.

Guidelines and Recommendations of the Bye-law:
a. Before invocation of juju against another person(s) in any shrine, the aggrieved person must first report the matter to the head or chief of the family.
b. It is illegal to invoke juju without the notice of the presiding priest.
c. Where efforts to make peace fails, the aggrieved person can only summon the alleged offender to the shrine for hearing and adjudication.
d. Setting up a juju shrine in Ogba land by non-indigene is prohibited except for curative and useful purposes.
e. Inducing juju to kill without proper investigation is prohibited.
f. Female priests are forbidden from carrying the traditional mace known as “oji”.
g. Any juju priest who contravenes these regulations shall be held culpable for the consequences of such violation.

Penalties:
Anybody who violates the above stated regulations shall be liable to a fine of #50,000 with one Ram, 5 tubers of yam and 4 bottles of Gordon Gin. Failure to comply, the culprit shall be handed over to the Government for prosecution or given any traditional measure as the case may be.

Terms and Conditions for Revoking of Juju
1. In revoking of juju that was secretly invoked, the priest shall receive 1 bottle of local gin (kai-kai) and a consultation fee of #2,000 only.
2. Consultation of oracle shall remain #2,000 only with a bottle of local gin (kai-kai).
3. Where death is involved, the items for revocation shall include; one goat, 5 tubers of yam, native chalk (uro) and kola nuts.
4. In the case of juju being deposited at the residence or land of the victim, the following shall be needed for revocation; 1 small goat for cleansing of land, the sum of #10,000 for the juju priest and #20,000 to be paid to the complainant.
5. In the event where the juju invoked has not killed anybody for two or more years, #1,000 and a bottle of local gin (kai-kai) only shall be used for the revocation
(This Bye-law was unveiled on 30thJuly, 2022).

Observations on the Bye-law:
a. What happens when a violator of the Bye-law does not have the capacity or wherewithal to revoke the juju?
b. What happens when somebody invokes juju secretly and abscond thereafter?
c. What happens when somebody secretly goes outside Ogba land to invoke juju against another person?
d. By these regulations, does it not suggest that it is man who now dictates or determines what the oracles must accept and not the other way round?

While I commend the Oba (Eze-Ogba) for taking this brilliant step, I wish to sincerely request that he extends similar gesture to the area of burial especially, mothers’ burial. Ogba people are groaning under the weight of burdensome burial practice: we cannot continue as slaves to obnoxious cultural practices. The reality of an obnoxious burial (rites) practice dawned on me when I lost my mother last year. During the burial, my siblings and I were made to go through a herculean process of appeasing our mother’s people. This process required us hiring a middle-man or messenger known as “onye ozi”. The middle-man is the only means through which negotiation with the mother’s people is possible. The services of this middle-man (onye ozi) come with a great cost as you have to pay at least #25,000 as fee. This, of course is outside his consultation fee and drinks. Before one secures the approval to go ahead and bury his (deceased) mother, one must have spent a fortune in settling his mother’s people. Often times, these people appear overly aggressive and ready to fine you (Idhi nkwa) at the slightest mistake. I recall an incident that occurred during my mother’s burial on 30thDecember last year (2021), some younger female relations of my mother harangued my wife for not lying completely on the ground during the presentation of kola (iche oji). The aggression exhibited by these young ladies, by my assessment was unnecessary – burials should unite people rather than create needless enmity amongst them.
In some communities outside Ogba land, burial activities have been streamlined to the extent that burial of a loved one is done not more than two weeks after death and, with minimal expenses. The reason for this is obvious – to save the bereaved from running into financial trouble.

Conclusion:
The review of juju invocation in Ogba land became necessary following the primitive way it was being practiced. Juju invocation in Ogba land prior to the introduction of the Bye-law (2022), obviously was without order and sanity, people behaved lawlessly and, this clearly is not in tandem with the spirit and realities of the present age. Before the emergence of this law, there was a serious condemnation from the people concerning the high rate of untimely death of members of the community resulting from the archaic and antiquated method of invoking juju. This condemnation was fueled by the basic elements driving the contemporary society such as; enlightenment, orderliness, freedom from entanglements of any kind, critical thinking/problem solving etc. It is my hope that this Bye-law will live up to expectation and also serve as a springboard to more innovative and fulfilling reviews in the future.
LONG LIVE THE OBA (EZE-OGBA) OF OGBA LAND!
LONG LIVE OGBA LAND!!

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT OGBA LAND
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@yahoo.com
1st Aug., 2022.

Ogba Cosmogony:
In traditional Ogba society, the Ogba people thought that they were in the middle of the universe. To them, the only people that inhabit the world with them are the Orus (Ijaws) and Igmos (Igbos). The Oru and the Igbo people are the neighbours of the Ogba people, this is why the Ogbas used to refer to the entire universe as "Oru la Igmo". The Ogbas were ignorant of the existence of other people.

Ogba Geography:
Ogba land covers a total area of about 30 kilometers by 20 kilometers in the Niger Delta flood plain. To the south is Ekpeye, Engeni and Ijaw. To the southwest is Egbema, Oguta and Awara. To the north and northwest is Aboh/Ndoni, Kwale and Onitsha. The major rivers in Ogba land are Orashi and Sombreiro. Orashi runs from north to south through Obrikom, Kreigani, Idu while the Sombreiro from north to south runs through Ogba villages such as; Obor, Okprukpuali, Okansu, Ohiaugha, Obiozimini down to Abonnema where it rejoins the Orashi and finally empties into the Atlantic ocean.
About two miles south of Obrikom, the Omoku River rises from the earth and runs through Omoku to empty itself into the Orashi. The location where this happens is known as "Onu Omoku" meaning "mouth of Omoku". About three miles northeast of Omoku, the Orashi River meets the Onita River that flows from Ndoni to connect with River Niger. Along the Onita are Ogborus (plantations) scattered here and there. These plantations are owned mainly by the Usomini people of Ogba land. Ogba people settle in these Ogborus to carry out their fishing and farming activities between February and September of every year. By October, after a successful harvest, they leave the Ogborus (plantations) and return home known as aliuor.
The decision to stay or settle in the Ogborus (plantations) does not emanate from choice but necessity. The difficult terrain of rough footpath, creeks, swamps, lakes, rivers etc made it impossible for them to be shuttling the road on a daily basis; for this reason, they had to settle temporarily in the Ogborus.
Throughout the time they stay at home (aliulor), they devote their time to enjoyment and merriment.
The presence of fertile lands and many rivers, creeks and lakes make the Ogba people to live a comparatively high standard life. In other words, the Ogba people are well off when compared with others. To this end, starvation resulting from hunger and poverty was not known in Ogba land.

Social life:
With the advantage of favourable economic conditions and attendant affluence, the Ogba people became generally known as happy, peaceful and proud; they also became highly contemptuous of dehumanizing jobs such as; being under another person as servants popularly known as boi-boi.
Ogba people are proud people, they like the adornment of their person with lavish clothing and ornaments known as; esum (beads), odu (ivory bangles), mgbrechi (metal bangles) etc.
Ogbas believe in securing their houses; they like fencing their compounds. Their compounds usually have strong gates which was always opened with care. Visitors are to enter the compound in a single file – this was a security strategy.

Transmigration:
Transmigration is the practice of transforming from one state or form to another. Transmigration from human form to another creature such as; python, crocodile, tiger, leopard etc was very common among the Ogba people. By transmigrating to these creatures, they attack their enemies. Different families in Ogba have particular animals they transmigrate into; this, in Ogba language is called izi anu. We are told that it is through this means that members of Umu-Iyasira family used to dislodge Oru (Ijaw) people who had taken over certain areas of Ogba land particularly, Omoku.

Witches:
This involves a clandestine activity practiced by women. In Ogba language, this is known as amisu. Amisus are bad people who are feared and avoided because of their evil practice. Amisus are generally believed to be old women who, in the night turn into black and ugly bird – they usually meet in the night where they hold their meetings. F.J. Ellah tell us that “the cult of witchcraft appears to have been introduced into Ali-Ogba from Ogbaru”.

Wizards:
Wizards are like witches but differ a little bit in mode of operation. Wizards are male; they do not turn to black birds at night but possess evil powers to harm others. Wizards in Ogba are known as mgbasi. Mgbasi people operate in secret. They are wicked and dangerous people: mgbasi people can poison others or inflict them with unknown and incurable disease – they are considered as enemies of society. F. J. Ellah believes that “wizardry entered Ogba land from Igmo land”.

Conclusion:
Ogba culture is simply a fusion or mixture of Oru mores and, Igmo pattern of village republicanism and speech.

You're all too sentimental to digest the points I have made - deviating from the core issue of disunity among the Ogba people to your Igbo wahala.

OGBA: A DIVIDED NATION
By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
July, 2022

One of the terrible things to befall a nation is not poverty or hunger but disunity. Disunity breaks a peoples’ spirit: it renders them susceptible to devious schemes. When a nation is divided, genuine progress and development becomes impossible. No wonder it is said that, “a house divided against itself cannot stand”. Ogba land, a nation blessed both in human and natural resources bears a conspicuous mark of disunity. In fact, Ogba land has become a cynosure of disunity. The lack of unity amongst the people has ushered in unnecessary rivalry and unspeakable backwardness. Today, Ogba land, as one of the highest oil and gas producing areas in the Niger Delta region occupies the backburner in the scheme of things. In recent time, we realize that no significant developmental project has been located in the area by the government despite its enormous contribution to the wealth of this country. What is the cause of this unfortunate situation? Disunity! The Ogba nation is highly polarized. This polarity is not as a result of observable differences in speech, customs and tradition but an attempt by members of the elite to dominate or control the resources of their territories. To achieve this, they churn out divisive narratives that will keep the people eternally antagonistic to each other. In this way, the manipulators (elites) have ample opportunity to enrich themselves and members of their immediate families as well as their friends. Majority of the elites who fuel divisive stories have their children placed in juicy positions while those of ordinary Ogba people engage in war of vanity.

I didn’t know that the division amongst Ogba people is this severe. Back when we were in University, we, Ogba students related with one another as members of one big family but today, I realized that there is nothing like one big family. People have been chiseled into an unthinking automaton – they act in a machinelike way.

When I wrote that the Eze-Egi Stool is a relatively recent one, all hell broke loose. Some people reacted angrily by throwing abuses at my person. They accused me of denigrating their paramount ruler. Although, some had received the information contained therein with equanimity. To majority of them, the information I had passed was false and demeaning to their King. At this point, I realized that the problem of Ogba was largely misinformation and ignorance. Many people content themselves with what they hear (them say) without making any effort to verify them. One thing that I know enlightenment does is to give an individual the impetus to ask questions. Unfortunately, many are not aware of this.

Ogba land is a nation on the verge of disintegration following lies that have been planted in the minds of the people. For example, some people believe that the Eze-Egi Stool is an ancient stool whereas, Eze Kingdom Elemchukwu Elenwa was the second Eze to occupy the Stool. When he paid a cultural visit to the Oba of Benin on 22nd December, 2008, he told the Oba that “…the ancient Eze-Egi Stool was among the cultural heritage of Old Ahoada Province, former Eastern and Mid-Western bioregional administration but till date I have been without success for the recognition of the ancient Eze-Egi Stool in Rivers State”. I’m sure many people never knew that by 2008, the Eze-Egi Stool was not recognized by the Rivers State Government. Although, Eze Elenwa mentioned severally that the Eze-Egi Stool was an ancient Stool of Old Ahoada Province… but was that the case? The answer is NO! It will interest you to know that during the visit, the Eze-Egi complained that his Stool is yet to be recognized by the Rivers State Government and, expectedly, the Oba promised to get across to the Rivers State Government to ensure that something is done about the situation. I have decided to bring this information to the fore because most of the campaigners of Eze-Egi Stool being old or ancient may not be aware of this fact. In this regard, it becomes convenient to argue that what drives Ogba society is ignorance. Again, many are not prepared to make inquiries: they are just satisfied with the information that has been hurled at them – it is these type of people who constitutes themselves as agents of stasis. In my conversations recently with one hotheaded Egi brother, he accused me of not knowing anything and bragged how he is an adept in Ogba history because his grand-father was a famous traditional historian in Egi land. When I asked him about the source or means through which he got his information? He started stuttering. Obviously, he knew I will not accept what he wanted to say – “my father told me”.

Swallowing hook, line and sinker all that is thrown at us has brought Ogba land to this pathetic situation. The ordinary Ogba people do not have problem with each other. It is members of the Ogba elite or ruling class that have brought this division amongst the common people. The reason for this is obvious – to control the resources. Recall that, during the Eze-Ohali contest in 1971, all the prominent sons of Ohali across Ogba (including Egi) met in Obigwe to decide who becomes the Eze-Ohali. It was in this meeting that Moses Igwe emerged as Eze Ohali. It was also in this meeting that they unanimously decided that he rule, not from his ancestral village, Amah but Omoku. In this regard, the power of unity becomes very apparent. But I am not sure that such a meeting (unity) will be possible today. This is bad for a land that shares a common ancestry. The only way out of this mire is to develop a new attitude towards our nation (Ogba) – we must not see ourselves as island. We have to work together to overcome the challenges ahead. We must not constitute ourselves as stumbling block to fellow Ogba brothers and sisters. We must, as a matter of course develop a philosophical approach to issues. In order words, we must learn how to query or question things brought before us. The reason for this is that our leaders, those who benefit from the resources of the land will not want to relinquish their position for whatever reason. They will want to continue to manipulate the people by feeding them with venomous and divisive narratives. Lastly, we have to revisit our history; there are too many gaps that needs to be filled. If this will require us to pull down the entire structure and rebuild it like Rene Descartes did in his “Meditations” then let us begin without delay.

2023 ELECTION: THE DECIDER OF NIGERIA'S FATE

By:
Ajukura, Fidelis O.
ajukurafidelisobi@gmail.com
July, 2022.

2023 election will be significant because it is going to decide the fate or future of Nigeria. For those who are familiar with the law of 'dialectics', you will agree with me that, it is at the peak of anti-thesis (contention) that synthesis sets in. This election will put Nigeria on a new footing (synthesis). The 2023 election will determine whether Nigerians will remain in this "break and quench" contraption or they are going to join the comity of normal and progressive countries.

Every Nigerian has a choice to vote the candidate of his/her choice. However, such choice must be an informed one. Nigerians can't afford to vote based on vacuous sentiments. The reason being that Nigerians have been wallowing in abject poverty and hunger for some years now. Many Nigerians (this permeates the length and breadth of the country) go to sleep without food in their stomach. Those who are opportune to eat, do so just just to stay alive. Staple foods like garri, rice, beans, maize that were often looked at with disregard have gone out of the reach of majority of Nigerian. Similarly, other staple products like flour and sugar have equally gone out of the reach of the common man. This is why bread has disappeared from the table of many homes. Even frozen fish popularly called "iced fish" that was meant for dogs and pigs are no longer affordable. Nigerians, owing to their inability to afford fish or meat have been compelled to join the league of herbivores animals. Yet many still can't afford the vegetables. This situation is much worse for those within the rural areas - survival is extremely difficult because there is nothing to eat and no medicine to take when they fall ill. The most disturbing aspect of this problem is that, those at the helm of affairs are unperturbed about the iniquitous status quo: the reason being that their stomachs and storehouses are already saturated with assorted kind of foods and drinks. Those who are privileged to pickoff the crumbs from their masters table, in a bid to protect their position sing false praises to glorify their masters. This explains why many people including the highly revered clergymen are betraying themselves.

Nigerians, certainly cannot continue like this. With the 2023 election, they will decide with their votes whether to continue in this misery or create a society where everyone will be catered for and given a sense of belonging - a society where one group will not lord it over others.

Nigerians especially the youths have never been so determined to take their destiny in their own hands like they are doing now. The usual lackadaisical attitude that they are known for has suddenly been replaced with the spirit of "responsibility and commitment". Never like before, the people are determined to change the status quo. In Voters Registration Centers, they have demonstrated dogged resilience. Despite the shenanigans, they have, like the rock of Gibraltar remained unshaken: they are determined to be registered - not even the sun or rain can frustrate their resolve.

The 2023 election is going to be a turning point in terms of attitude of the people especially, those of the South East. The people of the South East, particularly the youths are ready to slug it out with majority of their elites who have expressed reluctance in changing the status quo because of their selfish interest. In this election, there will be a major showdown between the elites and the youths. At the end of the day, the elites will count their loses. And this is most likely going to influence or change the political orientation and disposition of not just the South East but the entire country

We have our future before us, let us vote wisely.