₦airaland Forum

You can have your entire week(end) planned out and then life happens, the wind of reality blows you in a completely different direction. Some you survive and recover from, others, the end of the road, a dead end. Series of events happened between July and December 2018 that severely questioned my belief in God.

On the cold rainy Saturday evening of July 28, 2018 at about 5pm I was awakened from a 30 minute (old) duration nap to a loud shout of “He’s got the whole world, in His hands, He’s got the whole wide world, in His hands…” my phone ringtone at the time. A reassuring tune that God is “always” in charge and a constant reminder each time my phone rings. It was my dad calling. His voice was devoid of the conventional cheerfulness each time we spoke –red flag. He said “Emma, leave whatever you are doing and go to Ondo State now! find your way to a place called Ofosu, it is either before or after Ore. There has been an accident and we don’t know the severity of it”. While transiting from my sleepy state to an instant shock, I asked, which accident? Who’s in Ondo State? Because at the time, my older sister was in Gussau, Zamfara and my other siblings were in Abuja, Edo and Lagos. Then he said, “your sister’s husband was coming home from Lagos, your sister called and someone who identified himself as a Road Safety officer said there’s been an accident, come now to Ofosu, Ondo State and ended the call. The phone has remained unanswered since then. So go now.” I jumped from my couch and screamed Jesus! He screamed back and said “put yourself together! No matter what happens, don’t tell your sister or mother anything. Talk to me first.

I stepped out immediately and went to my friend’s place and we both set out to a somewhat unknown destination right under the rain. We spent the next five hours trying to locate the place, asking any and everyone who was nice enough to listen to two seemingly lost strangers at night. During this time, I never stopped hearing my reassuring ringtone, reminding me of how God has the whole wide world in his hands as my phone never stopped ringing. “You don reach di place? Where you dey now?” were the inquiries that bombarded my ears as I embarked on the longest journey of my life, not because it was actually that long, but because in addition to having no knowledge of my destination, I also did not know what awaits me, what awaits my family, what awaits my little nephew and niece, aged one and four at the time.

We eventually located a clinic that could best be described as a travesty at almost 11pm. The place was dark, no electricity, all I saw was a few candlelight. I was afraid of going inside, to face reality, afraid of finally having something to say to my family. I dialed his number as I went close to the entrance and I could hear that song by Prosper Ochimana “Ekueme” – that Eastern Gospel song with lyrics “You are the living God oh! Eze no one like you”. That was his ring tone at the time.

I rushed into the building and said that’s my brother’s phone, I came for him, where is he, is he okay? When the phone eventually stopped ringing, it already had about one hundred and seventy three missed (unanswered) calls. They asked me his name and I told them and they asked me to come with them. I turned on the flashlight of my phone, then I saw a couple of people on the mat/floor with injuries right at the makeshift reception which was a sitting room. My brother was not among them. My heartbeats increased at this point. Even though I was at the destination, I still didn’t know what awaits me. We walked through a small corridor into a room with a candlelight. There were four beds and one person on each. They asked me, “e dey here”? I flashed my light, he wasn’t there. We went to another room, a smaller room, with two beds, a candlelight and I soon recognized my brother. Na him bi dis, I said. He was alive, breathing but unconscious. I was happy, that kind of happiness that comes with celebrating a bad event because it wasn’t as bad as your imagination as pictured it. It wasn’t the worst, he was in a coma, it was bad, but he was breathing, he was alive and it was worth celebrating. I went close to him, touched him and said close to his ear, brother I am here, Emma is here. I am taking you home, you will be fine.

As instructed, I spoke to my dad first. He’s alive. “Oh thank God!” he said. But he is not conscious, he is not talking; he is not even aware I am here. “At least, he’s alive, breathing. The way the Road Safety officer sounded, I was expecting the worst. But this isn’t the worst, there is hope” my dad said in a loud tone, so everyone could hear, obviously to ease the tension that enveloped the house that night.

From that moment on, our effort was on getting an ambulance to get him to a real hospital so he can get the necessary assistance. This place wasn’t one. All they did was place everyone on drip and just wait for their relatives to turn up and pay a ransom to secure their release. There was this one time I saw them using a syringe to draw from a patient’s drip and injecting it in another patient’s empty container. There were a lot of scary practices. I stood beside him for the rest of the night, praying, hoping and receiving calls from those who were not there with us but were in greater pain. There were times when the sound of his breath would change and I would firmly grip his hand as though I was holding his soul from leaving his body. By morning we got an ambulance and headed for UBTH in Benin.

On our arrival that Sunday morning at the A&E ward, we were told there were neither stretchers no bed space; they eventually reappeared after a while and he was finally getting help. I was relieved. I feared the worst could happen the night I stood beside him and while inside the ambulance. I said all kinds of prayers. I remember asking God to take from the number of years allocated to me on earth and give them to my brother so we could have him with us a little longer; so his kids could know him. I kept telling God of how much of a good man he is, how great of a husband and impeccable father he is to his wife and infant kids respectively. How the accident happened simply because he did not want to miss going to church the next day, so he went to Ojota to get an alternative when the ones at Ogba had moved before he got there. How he loves God and enjoys doing His works. I sincerely and ceaselessly prayed! He was finally in a real medical facility, his wife, sisters and friends were by his bedside, it was a huge relief. Deep down, I believed God had answered my prayers. If he could survive that night at the ‘clinic’ and our ambulance drive to this place where he’s getting help and surrounded by friends and family, then the worst is over.

We have been here for five days and our experience at UBTH was another unpleasant one. There was this time we needed to carry out a brain scan and a couple of x-rays. We were told their equipment were bad and given a referral with the person’s name and mobile number to a private diagnostic center. We booked a private ambulance because theirs were also not functional and when we got back with the result, it took us two days before we could get someone take a look at them. The man that examined the test results told us there were no major damages, just bruises. He was oblivious of why he was still in a coma four days after the crash. My sister asked him what we could do, what the standard practice was in such situation. He told us that since they can’t fathom the reason for his lingering unconsciousness, our only option was to take him to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where his organs will be aided by medical equipment to function better. He however reminded us that it’s quite an expensive option with a fifty percent survival chance; he described it as 50/50. We were ready to dive at any option that offered any amount of survival chance. For us at that point, anything is better than nothing at all. Before we could convey our approval for this option, he told us that the ICU was filled up to capacity. There was no space for any new patient. My sister asked when there will be space and he told us with a straight face “when somebody dies.”

A few minutes to 6am on Friday 3rd August 2018, I was awakened by a phone call from one of my brother’s friends who came the previous night to stay with them at the hospital. I was afraid to take the call. An ominous premonition occupied my entire being. “Emma, where are you, can you come to the hospital now?” were his exact words. I told him I had something planned out for that morning, that I’ll be with them later that day. He insisted that I come immediately, that my brother wasn’t doing so well; “please try and come now so we know what to do” then he dropped the call. I could sense that something was off. If there was anything that required my presence, my sister would have called. I was still trying to process what he said when he called again within few minutes. This time, the pain in his voice betrayed him when he called my name twice, silence interjecting each call… “Brother Peter is gone!” You said what, gone where? I asked him. I was immediately thrown into confusion because my brain refused to interpret the signals from my ears. “Brother Peter has left us, he’s gone!” Where is my sister? I asked immediately. “She outside, she does not know yet. That’s why you have to come quick.” He said and dropped the call.

I got to the hospital as fast as I could. I wept bitterly on my way there. My eyes were red, slightly swollen, it was easy to tell I have been crying. I had to put myself together before I got to where she was. I met her outside with my in-laws. They were praying. She saw me and with so much innocent ignorance asked what was wrong? Why my eyes were red? And why I was at the hospital that early when I told her the previous day I would be indisposed that morning. I just couldn’t look at her. I told her I had a rough night. I inquired why they were praying and she told me her husband has been finally moved to the ICU and she’s hopeful of a recovery. I almost started crying again. She spoke with so much faith not knowing that fate has dealt us a heavy blow. I left them and went inside. I saw my brother still on the same bed, covered up and stripped of all the oxygen mask, drip and other medical apparatus. He was cold, motionless and even though I stood beside him, he was gone. I came back outside, they were still praying. I had the intention of breaking the news but their enthusiasm weakened the nerves in my tongue. She inquired of him. I just told her they didn’t let me in as the place was out of bound to non-staff. I went to a corner and with tears in my eyes, I called my dad to break the news.

As the morning dew melted into noon with almost everyone outside the hospital aware of the situation we started receiving calls from all over and my sister became increasingly suspicious. This time, my brother has been moved to the reception at the morgue. My sister started to insist that she want to see her husband. We had made arrangement for a hearse to convey him to a morgue closer to his place of interment while still trying to pacify my sister that it was time to go home. By then everyone, the “prayer band” inclusive became aware of the tragedy but no one was bold or strong enough to tell my sister; we all believed that somehow she will find out, it was an unspoken understanding. She saw us going up and down and she heard vague snatches of side talks, then she started to scream repeatedly “my husband is not dead”.

The ride home was another long one. The emotion I felt cannot be described, only imagined. My sister kept insisting that her husband was not dead. Her assertion reminded me of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross in her analysis of the five stages of grief when one suffers a catastrophic loss. The first stage is denial, because the loss is so unthinkable, it becomes difficult to imagine it is true. My sister was stuck at this stage for a long time. When we got home, everyone was waiting outside. She jumped down from the car and rushed to my dad’s feet. “Daddy, my husband is not dead. Please let me take him to church, please just do this one thing for me”. My dad is quite firm and resolute and once he is convinced that something is not in your best interest, no amount of tears will placate him. But that day, I saw the kind of softness in him that I have never seen. He told her it is okay for her to go to church and pray if that is what she wants. He noted that sometimes it’s better to allow people express their emotions and explore all options so they don’t implode. She went to church with her sister in-law and I’m sure they cried to God all night long till the evening of the next day.

I think I went straight to the second stage of grief which is anger. I was angry at the driver who rammed the bus into a stationed truck and ended up with only a fractured leg. I was angry at the country for the bad roads and broken down facilities and systems. I was angry at the clinic that first handled him unprofessionally. I was angry at the hospital where he died, I believed they were at best ineffective. Most of all, I was angry at God! There was this one time someone on a condolence visit said God has a reason for everything and I was almost asking him to please tell me the reason so I could explain to my infant nephew and niece. I was angry and momentarily lost my faith in God. Why would God allow us to go through all that stress, waste resources, time and hope only for Him to allow the worst happen? My brother was a good man, he was too young and didn’t deserve to die that way and time. I believe my sister remained in the first stage until her husband was interred. Even though I was at the anger stage, I somehow hoped that my sister’s denial of reality weaved with her faith in God would birth a miracle. I hoped against hope. Few days later, while in a motorcade to his final destination for interment I realized that my sister’s stage one denial and my stage two anger were in vain and after watching sand being shoved on the casket where he slept, I skipped stage three and four and grudgingly arrived at the final stage of grief – acceptance.

Four months later, a day to Christmas, I had a dream about him. In the dream, it was as if he was alive and that all that have been happening was a dream. When I woke up, from my room, I heard my four years old niece repeatedly pray these words with so much emphasis – “my daddy will not die in Jesus’ name”. It broke me.

I have since learned that life will be unbearably dull if we have answers to all of life’s questions. So we must accept and endure that which cannot be changed or undone. My nephew and niece are growing up to be among the smartest kids I know. They most often call my dad “daddy” instead of grandpa they called him before. They were both born on the same day, three years apart and today, March 28th is the day.

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talktrue1:
It is well

ARE YOU SURE?

I returned from my holiday a few days ago and had to get units for my prepaid metre. After payment and getting my receipt token, I discovered that what N2,000 normally gives me was short by 18 units, so I asked the lady and she told me Electricity Tariff has been increased effective 01/01/2017. The increment was from N24 per unit to N31 per unit. While I was still trying to think of what to say, the lady simply looked at me and said "Oga it is well" .

This increment was Secretly carried out to avoid protest like the one that follow the proposed mobile data tariff. This ought to be the reason why nations have labour unions, but the Nigerian Labour Unions have been bought and paid for.

This is really terrible, prices of virtually everything in Nigeria have gone up but salaries from Federal, State, LGA and Private Establishments remain the same.

Below is a receipt of the worth of N1,000 unit as at January 2016. In January 2017, N2,000 can not afford it.

I just hope somehow, things get better in this country soon.

God bless Nigeria.

BY EMMANUEL ONOFUA
It was on the 28th day of March 2015; Nigerians came out in their millions armed with their PVCs with which they made a bold statement – change.
The handwriting was clear, they were fed up of what was and what had been, they were hungry for a new experience hence a supposed new beginning was birthed on the historic May 29, 2015 with the “I belong to nobody and everybody” assurance. Never in my decades on earth as a Nigerian have I seen such a hopeful celebration. It was as though the people had been liberated; the messiah was here, a new sheriff had arrived, time to hit the ground running. The alchemy of opposites between the projected paradise or even purgatory and perdition is confusing; while a microscopic content hold the belief that we are at paradise gate, quite a number opine that we are in purgatory but today’s majority believe we are headed towards perdition.

Purgatory:
Purgatory place of suffering in the Roman doctrine was the place where souls remained until they had been expiated of their sins and could go to paradise. It is a popular belief among a number of Nigerians that the president is on a restoration mission. Many are of the opinion that the rot in the system is overwhelming, hence the present suffering. The quote that it is darkest before dawn serves as a lotion they rub on themselves daily.
The ruling political class rode on the very popular and widely accepted maxim that the ousted political party had reduced Nigeria to an unfit place for habitation. Their precise message of change brought to the awareness of over fifteen million Nigerians of voting age a strange reminder of what was missing. Nigeria has been destroyed, vote for change if you envision restoration. It was at this instance that the loud trumpet of change was blown; the nation’s statement was unequivocal – lead us out of perdition into paradise.

It has been over one year since the result of the 2015 general election was announced and it seems the nation quest for answers has led them into more questions. Many however are of the strong conviction that President Buhari is the answer and that when a nation is redeemed from perdition, there must be purgation experience of purgatory before heading to paradise. To them the hard times and all the harsh realities of today are as a result of the nation’s arrival at purgatory.

Perdition:
The cliché of eleven months being insufficient to appraise the government compared to the wasted sixteen years of the ousted political class has become boring and meaningless. The average Nigerian is unperturbed and indifferent if the ruling political class is a product of a certain political party; what means something to them is the positive output of governance.

Yesterday at 5:03am, I received a text from one who I consider to be one of the most faithful and optimistic proponents of the Buharism theory. It reads in part “Buhari has hit a milestone this time. He is now the first president to achieve OMW of electricity in human history. The country was in dark darkness. What an achievement.” Data from Nigeria’s System Operator showed that on the 31st of March 2016, at around 12.58pm, no power generation company in the nation could produce electricity as all the Discos received zero megawatts allocation from the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

The case of the greatly reduced power generation and distribution in Nigeria wouldn’t have bitten so hard on Nigerians if there was petrol for their generators, readily available for purchase. As at today, a litre of petrol sells for between N245 and N305, worse still, one would put up with hours of endless queues in order to get the product as very few fuel stations have for sale. The minister for state for petroleum has told Nigerians that we should not expect magic as he is not a superman while a presidential spokesman has advised Nigerians to go on a hunting venture for vandals of gas pipelines if we are tired of experiencing poor power supply. Reality is, there are thousands of excuses for failure but never a good one.
Expectation is the catalyst of disappointment and this is the mood of majority of Nigerians. Prior to the 2015 election, the present government promised a radical departure from the hitherto mode of governance and in all honesty, this has been experienced in infinitesimal doses. President Buhari’s government has spent more time talking as though this is a pre-election era than in actually getting down to the business of doing what was promised. In Shakespeare’s words – “Talking isn’t doing. It is a kind of good deed to say well; and yet words are not deeds.”

Conventional wisdom holds that when one finds himself in a hole, the first thing to do is to stop digging but I am unsure if the current political rulers realise that the nation’s economy is in a deep hole as they seem to be completely divorced from today’s reality.

They say you never know what will kill you until you try it, but then it may be too late. Today’s harsh reality seems to suggest that Nigerians have made an innocent mistake as the current ruling class have started to bring out their whip and other instruments of torture. The nation appears to have made the mistake of opening the political space to an alternative whose curative touch to national afflictions have proven to be more deadly than the disease. That we have not hit the ground does not mean we are not falling. Except something is done urgently, Nigeria under President Buhari may just be on a slow boat to perdition.
Onofua (e_onofua@yahoo.com, Twitter: @e_onofua) writes from Abuja

www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/04/04/nigeria-under-buhari-purgatory-or-perdition/

https://www.thecable.ng/nigeria-buhari-purgatory-perdition

www.authorityngr.com/2016/04/NIGERIA-UNDER-BUHARI--PURGATORY-OR-PERDITION-/


globalreportersnews.com/2016/04/nigeria-under-buhari-purgatory-or-perdition-by-emmanuel-g-onofua/

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By Emmanuel G. Onofua

The 2015 general elections have come and gone, the contests have been won and lost, the victors are doing their victory dances while looking forward to the tasks ahead while the vanquished are nursing their wounds and still trying to wake up to reality. The drama, intrigues, tensions and uncertainty that enveloped the atmosphere is gradually dispersing as we commence another four year journey to 2019. However, the 2015 elections came with rich lessons, and here are some.

Never Ruin People’s Chances in your Life

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a party which prided itself as Africa’s largest party, has ruled Nigeria since the birth of Democracy in 1999. Apparently, the sixteen years old leader has been used, misused and abused that the chances of some credible candidates under the party’s umbrella had been almost completely eroded.

Some candidates, who contested under the umbrella and lost, suffered defeat solely because of their political affiliation. There were audible comments like “he is a good candidate; with a major disappointing ‘but’- his platform”. The people perceived and labelled the self-acclaimed Africa’s largest party as a wrong bus station to call for passengers owing to the national appeal and reputation they earned for themselves in close to two decades of their leadership. Their leadership actions and in some other cases, inaction ruined the chances of most of their candidates in the just concluded election. As I humorously put it – Never ruin people’s chances in your life. PDP has messed up so bad that they made it nearly impossible for their good candidates to win elections. People would say, give me HIV, STD, RIP...anything but PDP.

Be Humble; tomorrow is Uncertain

The Omnipotent being has a way of bringing humility to those who find it too cheap to add to their short list of moral values and virtues. On the 18th of December 2008, barely nine years into Nigeria’s democratic rule, headed by the PDP, the then National Chairman vehemently stated that the party will rule Nigeria for not ten, not twenty, but for sixty years. Making such expression on borrowed breath with conviction was the height of contempt to the Supreme Being.

With forty four years to go, the contemptuous prediction like sand through the hour glass has been brought to an abrupt end. The lesson here is pretty simple - Don’t count your chicken while they are yet eggs because those eggs might break before they get the chance to hatch. Be humble; tomorrow is a decision and no one can take that decision away from God.

Mind your Business

Before I buttress this point, I’d like to state that I am a Christian by faith; although my name hints so, but it’s important for emphasis sake.

The build up to 2015 general elections saw many clergymen, literally abandoning their original business (or calling) to dance in the mud of politics. They threw caution to the wind and made bold declarations as though they just got out of a board meeting with God whose universe they appeared to be shareholders/investors in. There were spiritual endorsements, which eventually had no physical value or manifestations after 28th and 11th of April, 2015. Some gambled with their integrity and suffered immeasurable losses along with their anointed candidates.

There were so many “God told me” bubbles, prior to the general elections which have since been deflated by reality and left the message bearers in a lonely path of disrepute. Their obvious lack of interest in their original business has earned them funny and uncouth tags and certainly will reflect in their loss of fans and customers.

Importance of Teamwork

If snakes live together, who would approach them? But they chose to live one unto itself, so they fall easy prey to man and other predators. It’s difficult enough to successfully attack a single viper...imagine they move in groups? One of the most important lessons of 2015 elections is that the outcome was a product of building a formidable team, sharing a singular vision with team members, concentrating efforts and achieving a set goal. What the ACN, the ANPP, and CPC could not achieve in isolation become possible when they formed an alliance and eventually defeated a common enemy.

The outcome of the alliance of the parties vividly exemplifies the African proverbs – If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.

Patience is a Virtue

Hasty decisions, seldom favours one. This is a fact. There were individuals who played pivotal roles in the birth of the nation’s new ruling party. They paid their dues, suffered verbal attacks and all sorts of political jabs. They exercised patience for so long till they decided to move to places where they were convinced they will have their breads buttered.

Sometimes, you don’t know what is going to kill you until you try it; but then it’s going to be too late. It may be safe and on point to add that these individuals, littered all over the country fell at the edge of success owing to their lack of patience. Lesson – sow and cultivate the seed of patience and reap bountifully.

Don’t Push your “Luck”

There are people among us who are lucky. What you struggle for, they get easily; what takes you years, can take them days. These people are no spirits, they are humans like us; they are full of luck. But even luck is exhaustible and can disappoint fast when pushed.

Like our current number one citizen, there are quite a number of serial beneficiaries of luck scattered all over the country with countless numbers of testimonies on how luck has kept them living on our taxes and commonwealth since the birth of democracy in 1999 and even before. However, as the recompense for pushing luck, most of them have been disappointed by their unflinching belief in the inexhaustible nature of the luck that has sustained them thus far.

It is an art of wisdom in knowing when to take a bow honourably with the ovation still in your favour; when to count on luck and more importantly never to push your luck.

Sometimes, by Loosing, you also Win

Each time I try to convince myself that you sometimes win by giving up; I am faced with the question - in what world do you leave the ring and declare victory? Well, maybe in the world where your giving up is a sacrifice, a martyrdom of your ambition. Where your giving up is to prevent a nation from going up in flames and burning beyond recognition.

There seems to be a new trend of political opponents who lost out in elections to make phone calls. This act was fashioned along the now popular phone call of March 31st 2015, made by the outgoing President in conceding defeat. It is no mistake to say that the singular act of the President save Nigeria a lot of destruction, bloodshed, death and eventual fragmentation.

The actual loser of the election has been commended for his famous and unexpected act of sportsmanship. He has been called the technical winner for saving the nation a great deal of doom that was predicted as possible aftermath of the election.

http://www.news24.com.ng/Elections/MyNews24/Lessons-from-2015-general-elections-20150414

Nigeria's problem is systemic. In a country where we have Federal Government, State Government, Local Government, Ward Councillors and some well-to-do citizens. Nobody wants to do something because we believe somebody should do it so, everybody abandons it. I'm sure there's a traditional leader in that community, but he will never see this as a problem; what concerns them is who offers more to win endorsement for election.

God Help Us.

lolaluv1: Eyah....
#sad.

A young man cut off in his prime....

A heartbreaking story...
A close friend wrote:
He lived well while we could still behold him in our eyes, even in his absence, he remains ever present. He lived like the sun which vanished from the sky but still gives warmth to the earth, he was a shooting star, his light no moon can boast of radiating. Continue to rest buddy, see u someday on the other timeless side.

MizMyColi: The hand with which I handle my phone went numb for abit

You can imagine how much pain we feel and I can only imagine what his parents feel.

Infomizer: Life!!! What a set up! Accept ma condolences chief, and allow me to commend the write up.

Thank you.

Dear Evans,
It’s been one whole year since you woke up for the last time, stepped into eternity and the curtain of life was drawn on your very existence.

It’s been one year since you left our eyes red-wet; inconsolably heartbroken and with more questions than answers. Your path was broken beyond repairs and your life which gave us joy became another heartbreak story.

It’s been one year since the cold hands of death pushed you off the stage when you were still to commence your actual performance. Your scene was cut off the story, you were pushed off the ladder and now the story continues without you in it.

I still have you on my various IMs, hoping one day a note will pop-up from you. My fingers go numb when I think of deleting your number… It’s been one year, I didn’t mind the pain; it’s the hope that kills me.

It’s been one year and now I’m sure of something I didn’t want to believe – you now live in forever; part of a story that only exist in yesterday.

This date is a strange reminder of what is missing… You ought to be here exchanging your success stories with ours, hinting on battles fought and victories won. If I could make a wish today, I’d say disguise and enter the womb of a pregnant woman, so that in nine months, we’d have another you. How sad can a tale be – to make a wish you already have the answer to?

I hope you are in a place where you will always have your bread buttered; where you’ll always have your head sheltered and your skin clothed. I hope you find rest in the place where every day is bright, free of pains and worries; where you are certain that you’ll live forever.
We miss your electrifying personality; we miss your smiles. We miss all the great cheers we did with our glasses of wine.

We still have our hearts in pieces occasioned by your abrupt existence; we are still to completely move on. We still hold on to that friendship even though you nolonger hold the other end of the rope. I wrote this note for you, I couldn’t write to you because it will be a note I’ll never send.

One year after, it breaks my heart to still put three simple letters together to form one difficult word – BYE.
Rest on, my friend; you are still in our hearts.
RIP Evans Inang Ayi. (May 1986 – August 10 2013)

From: Emmanuel G. Onofua

Just came across this story on a newspaper on how people via social medium drew attention to the 'go and die' widow. While listing few medium that created threads and groups, Nairaland was listed after Facebook. You guys really did a nice job. Obviously, eyes are watching.


Edo PDP, Oshiomhole Politicize Widow Saga

Weeks ago, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State was filmed using uncouth words on a widow who was allegedly trading on the walkway in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The Governor was said to be on an inspection tour when he encountered a woman trading on the pedestrian walkway – an act which violates the Edo State environmental laws. The task force which accompanied the Comrade Governor on the tour immediately took possession of the woman’s wares with the intention of confiscating them.

The woman, on seeing Governor Oshiomhole, immediately fell on her knees, shedding tears and crying for mercy. In her plea, she hinted that she is a poor widow who trades to take care of her family. She lamented that her late husband was a police officer and was killed in active service. Her intention was to use her words to pacify the already irritated Governor and probably get her wares back.

Surprisingly, Oshiomhole, who many believed to be a listening Governor, obviously irritated, shut the woman down. It would have been less atrocious if only her plea fell on deaf ears. However, Oshiomhole won the criticism of people when he lambasted the woman and never exhibited any humane feeling in dealing with the helpless widow.

“If you are a widow, go and die,” Oshiomhole said to the woman.

Like many other videos of public interest, it caused a huge traffic on all social medium, with millions of viewers on YouTube.

Nigerian at home and in diaspora, in their swift response, lambasted the Governor for his uncouth and derogatory outburst on the widow. They reminded him not to be a poor student of history as he had always presented himself as being a part of the poor and defenseless.

Nigerians did not end their interest in criticism; some magnanimous Nigerians immediately launched a fundraiser for the widow. On Facebook, Nairaland, Twitter and some other social channels, people who were eager to donate created groups and sent delegates to try and locate the widow so their donation would get to her.

Like an opportunist, the Edo State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as always expected in Nigeria where every conduct of a public officer is seen as an opportunity to be politically exploited immediately keyed into the occasion to express their disgust at the conduct of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the State chapter of PDP, Chief Dan Osi Orbih, the party lamented on the insensitivity of the Governor towards the plight of poor and oppressed people in the society. The party further stated that the widow would be given N250, 000 to subsidize the effect of the ferocious assault, perpetrated by the Governor and his team.

The statement party reads: “The PDP, Edo State will not let any Edo person ‘to go and die’ if it can help it, especially not hardworking people like that widow who is engaged in lawful enterprises that are, in themselves, not easy to carry on.

“To this end, our party has instituted an endowment fund for all widows and oppressed people in the state and by this release, we invite the widow captured in the video of the encounter with Governor Oshiomhole to come to the PDP Secretariat on No. 70, Sapele Road, at 11am on Tuesday December 3, 2013 to receive a first-installment sum of N250,000.00, to cushion the pain, trauma and loss occasioned by her mistreatment and the seizure of the items she sells,” the party said.

To thwart the efforts of the state PDP in regurgitation its severely battered credibility, and to make amends for his widely condemned conduct, the Comrade Governor, in a swift response, invited the widow to the Government House in Benin on Monday December 2, 2013 – a day to the proposed meeting with the State PDP.

Oshiomhole expressed his regret in the choice of words he used against the widow and offered an apology.

In addition, the Governor splashed a cash amount of N2 million on the widow; absorbed her into the state taskforce which entitles her to salary and promised to sponsor her son who accompanied her to the university.

A source in the Government House also hinted that the Governor remarked behind cameras that it would be unwise for the woman to fraternize with the PDP after the unexpected showers of blessing which has been rained upon her.

According to an Edo saying, when you achieve something greater than a farmland, you abandon the farm. This was eventually displayed by the widow, who defiled all anticipation from the PDP camp and never showed up for the presentation of the N250, 000 as promised by the PDP.

Many opined that the proposed presentation of the said amount by the PDP was only a mere show of chauvinistic benevolence and an act meant to discredit the Governor whose administration has been said to be more productive than that of successive PDP government in the state.

The political wrestling has however turned out to benefit the now tagged “happy widow” as her once bad encounter has turned her fortune around.

http://thenews-chronicle.com/edo-pdp-oshiomhole-politicize-widow-saga/

G-7 GOVERNORS: THEIR REAL GROUSE

Earlier this year, we learnt that a group of Governors elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), decided to form an alliance. Some said they had formed a new political party, others said they had decided to remain in the party and act as outlaws within the party.

These seven soldiers are Governor Rotimi Amaech of Rivers State (the special one), Governor Babaginda Aliyu of Niger State, Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State, and Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State.

I called then seven soldiers because a lot of political analysts have opined that these Governors are very courageous to rise up against a platform that made them Governors. Some saluted their valour for being able to speak out against an internal oppressive leadership, regardless of the political negative effects it might birth on them.

This group had said they are the new face of political sanity in Nigeria. They claim to be on the side of the masses; they act like the voices of reasoning, they present themselves as heroes, unblemished fighters and if need be martyrs. They claim to be the breakaway from the conventional practice of impunity, corruption, deception, nepotism and feigned transformational agendas.
Quite a large number of Nigerians have been carried away by the powerful oratory of this group; won over by their supposed sincerity, their selective generosity and their seemingly unadulterated personalities and track records.

Only a microscopic few, however questioned their sincerity of purpose, true motive, driving force and the slippery nature of the group.

While the group has been able to cajole a section of the Nigerian populace and some Members of the National Assembly with their utopian proposal, true democracy re-invention and presently unfeasible propositions; some Nigerians have refused to be blinded by the smoke screen of deceit; have refused to see the sheep clothing, but the wolves itself.

This holier-than-thou attitude displayed by some of these G-7 Governors have made many, including myself to question – what are they fighting for? Are they any better than the institution they are fighting? Are their interests genuine and in simulacrum with the interests of the ordinary Nigerian who has been at the receiving end of all the ruinous and injurious policies and activities of the Nigerian political class?
Next time you seek to take sides with these G-7 Governors; ask these questions, and attempt to answer.

As much as they wish to embed and embellish the true reasons why they are fighting against the Presidency; their actions and utterances, coupled with pieces of information that have emanated from their daylight and nocturnal meetings, have betrayed their actual grouse with the Presidency and the BamangaTukur-led People's Democratic Party (PDP).

It is stale news to announce that majority of the political echelon in Nigeria are not impressed with the fact that Dr. GoodluckEbele Jonathan is the President of Nigeria. This bitterness stems from countless reasons, which providence and God in His sovereign wisdom and decision had refused to acknowledged, and somehow made the son of a fisherman and a canoe maker; a boy with no shoes; a man from an infinitesimal minority; the smallest State in Nigeria to become President and preside over heavy weights. As BBC News puts it – “As his name suggests, Nigeria’s President Jonathan has a habit of being in the right place at the right time.”

It was bad enough that he became Vice President; worst still that he became Acting President, occasioned by President UmaraMusa Yar’Adua’s illness and eventual demise. Irritatingly unthinkable that he nerved-up courage to run for Presidency in 2011; worse of all that he “might” even in his dream hallucinate about running for Presidency in 2015.

President Jonathan was allowed to become Acting President in 2010, after a protracted political battle, because they didn’t see him as a threat in the April 2011 general election. However, his name “Ebele – God’s wish” also came to play as it extinguished the long-standing zoning policy of the PDP which rotated Presidency between Southern and Northern Nigeria.

During the political dispute in the buildup to 2011 Presidential election; President Jonathan was quoted as saying he would not contest the 2015 presidential election. This immediately sparked up the flame of ambition among many Northern politicians who see themselves as prospects and Presidential materials. This ambition had been the eyes with which they see;the thought behind every political decision and move, and the real reason why they perceive President Jonathan as an obstacle, owing to the fact that there is a possibility that he might also consider a re-election, thereby creating a clash of interest.

Robert Greene, in his book – “48 Laws of Power”; a popular demand among politicians and men who wish to possess power, stated that “the only thing wrong with ambition is that it always blinds one to reality”. Reality in this instance is the failure by these fighters to realize that come rain or shine, peace or war; whether monkeys and bamboos are soaked in blood (as a Presidential prospect puts it), the man who God has ordained for a position in life can never be pushed off the ladder, regardless of the efficacy of the opposing forces.
From the above, it is clear why these political gladiators are bent on employing every means, conventional and unconventional to annihilate any atomic zeal in President Jonathan to run for 2015 Presidency. That is simply put, their major grouse with the President Jonathan administration.
What most people however found nebulous is the reason(s) why Governor RotimiAmaechi, of Rivers State (a sister State to Bayelsa State), is among these group who are bent on terminating President Jonathan’s political career.

Governor Amaechi (the special one in the group; as he calls himself), has proven himself as an indefatigable political force. He has risen from the political scratch into a national political figure; ignore Amaechi’s political wit and prowess at your own peril.
However, many from the Niger Delta have branded Amaechi as a mole that joins forces with Northerners to fight against the Niger Delta. They condemn his mode of appreciation towards the rear privilege of having the region produce the President of Nigeria.
What many do not know is that Amaechi is not fighting against the Niger Delta; Amaechi loves his region, he is proud to be a Niger Deltan and would fight against any force that fights against his people. Mr. Amaechi however, has one singular political archenemy, one who he would willfully concentrated his political energy in fighting against – President Goodluck Jonathan.

Governor Amaechi’sobvious lack of respect for President Jonathan was birthed out of the impression that the man had never been elected into major office in his own right; he had climbed to the zenith of politics aided by luck. Mr. Amaechi has seen it all in politics, he has contested and won elections, he has been deprived of his victory and re-instated by a court of law; he has fought like a soldier, and won likewise. But Mr. President who he sees as less qualified than himself has gotten to the peak, with little or no battles, let alone wars.
Another secret reason of Amaechi’s bitterness with President Jonathan is clash of interest. Just like other “I can do better” President wanna-be; Mr. Amaechi also nursed a huge ambition when President Jonathan said he would not re-contest in 2015. Reliable information from Governor Amaechi’s camp, tells that he had nursed the ambition of running as Vice President in 2015. However, Mr. President’s perceived change of mind has become a mountainous barricade to his ambition. Those who know Amaechi, knows that he does not like to lose; he is very courageous, fearless and vengeful when he perceives an enemy. His ambition knows no bounds; if President Jonathan’s Presidency would be a problem, he has no qualms joining forces with others to obliterate him from power. What he does not understand is that whoever obstructs his friend from becoming a king, would not have a king as a friend.

As for the other G-7 Governors, the motive is basically alike. Governor SuleLamido has been said to be interested in the Presidency in 2015. Recently, while some youth in Jigawa were protesting the arrest of two of Lamido’s sons by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), they stated through their leader, Malam Musa GamboGuri, that the alleged politically motivated arrest of the Governor’s sons, would not deter them from throwing their weight behind Lamido’s quest for Presidency, come 2015.

Sometime is August 2013, posters of Adamawa State Governor, MurtalaNyako, flooded the streets of Adamawa. The posters which portrayed his interest in 2015, Presidency was later said to have been posted in some areas of Niger State and Abuja.
Governor Babaginda Aliyu of Niger State who has been the mouthpiece of the G-7 Governors; had always laid emphasis on the words of President Jonathan about not running for Presidency in 2015. He had on several occasions accused the President of negating his own words and abruptly severing his solemn promise.

In January 2013, Governor Aliyu sent the Niger State Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) on a tour to other state chapters of the party on a “thank you tour over the election of Umaru Chiza as National Youth Leader of the PDP”. Mr. Chiza as we know was elected in March 2012, which makes one wonder why saying thank you after almost a year? The Niger State Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Mahmud Abdulrahman added that the tour was to create a strong relationship and “a view to getting their support to contesting key positions come 2015 general elections”. A member of the delegate later opened up and stated that the real mission was to solicit cooperation of States in favour of Governor Aliyu’s presidential ambition, adding that if that fails, the State plans to present former Head of States, Abdulsalami Abubakar as a Presidential Aspirant.

The Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has already launched his 2015 presidential campaign. If you log on to the social media – Facebook, you will see the official campaign page with presently over 30, 000 likes on the platform.
On Wednesday April 30, 2013, Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso said: “I will declare my Presidential ambition at the right time,” he also stated that he was working round the clock and making consultations towards his ambition.
It is obvious that virtually all the Governors in the G-7 group have ambitions which accidentally clashes with the perceived ambition of President Jonathan; hence the political battle.

The G-7 Governors’ grouse with the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP is the perceived support the leadership might give to President Goodluck Jonathan. They know that Mr. Jonathan, being the President, has an edge over every other aspirant in the party should there be a primary election.
Secondly, it was rumoured that the Tukur-led PDP was planning to make President Jonathan the consensus candidate for 2015 presidential election under the platform of the PDP. If this pulls through, their individual ambition of taking a shot at the Presidency in 2015 would be postponed to a later date that they are not sure of.

Virtually all the G-7 Governors are serving their second term as Governors; this makes re-election impossible. Since re-election is impossible, they would certainly lose their immunity and the immediate implication for that is that they become prone to the hunt of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He who has nothing to hide, fears nothing; I doubt if that is the case with these Governors. This is certainly not an option.

Secondly, these Governors, after serving their second term, risk losing political relevance if they don’t take a shot at the Presidency. Thus to stay relevant and to avoid being expendable politically, they must make a move such as the political contrivance code-named “the New PDP.”
Now the real questions to the group are: are they really fighting for self-preservation and continuous political relevance? Is the nPDP just a contrivance or a movement to barricade a perceived clash of interest? Are they a breakaway from the conventional political ideas or just a rebranded group with same goals? Are they the new faces of politics in Nigeria or will their individual greed and parochial interest terminate their mission? Like almost everything in life, time will tell.

EMMANUEL GBELOKOTOR-ONOFUA
Writes from Abuja Nigeria.

utumunta: Though dragging the President's name into the matter is misleading, it is good as long as it is used to identify the soldiers duty post. The problem is the headline.

This is the only objective comment here. I wonder why u r all looking at it as if someone is attacking the President.
From the way I see it, the reporter is trying to tell the president how incompetent the soldiers attached to his children are.
Look at it this way, what if while those soldiers were away, something happened in that area that needed the attention of the security agents? I guess u didn't see it that way.

The reporter is exposing the inadequacies and unprofessional acts of the soldiers and this has nothing to do with Mr. President.

Read the entire story and spot where something negative was said aboutthe president. The reporter only stated that the soldiers abandoned their duty for something outside their jurisdiction.
Let us read and understand things for whT they are and not see then with political or sentimental eyes.

utumunta: Though dragging the President's name into the matter is misleading, it is good as long as it is used to identify the soldiers duty post. The problem is the headline.

This is the only objective comment here. I wonder why u r all looking at it as if someone is attacking the President.
From the way I see it, the reporter is trying to tell the president how incompetent the soldiers attached to his children are.
Look at it this way, what if while those soldiers were away, something happened in that area that needed the attention of the security agents? I guess u didn't see it that way.

The reporter is exposing the inadequacies and unprofessional acts of the soldiers and this has nothing to do with Mr. President.

Read the entire story and spot where something negative was said aboutthe president. The reporter only stated that the soldiers abandoned their duty for something outside their jurisdiction.
Let us read and understand things for whT they are and not see then with political or sentimental eyes.

Barely a week after soldiers brutally assaulted a young man for walking along the pedestrian walkway opposite Eagle’s Square Abuja, another case of soldier brutality has been reported to our correspondents.

On Thursday November 14, 2013, Mr Ozemoya Alasan, was brutally assaulted in his house by soldiers who we learnt are attached to President Goodluck Jonathan’s kids at American International School, Games Village, Abuja.

While narrating his ordeal to our reporters, Mr. Ozemoya stated that he was in his house on the fateful day when soldiers stormed his apartment with guns in a commando style and started assaulting him without a word.

“I was in my house in Lugbe with my one year old daughter when some soldiers came to my house with guns and started assaulting me. When I inquired the reason for their assault, they intensified the assault even with my one year old daughter in the house.”

The victim added that after the assault, he was dragged into a waiting vehicle and taken away to a location by Games Village in Abuja.

“After beating me and inflicting injuries on me, they forced me into a waiting vehicle and took me to one place close to Games Village where they started questioning me.”

Mr. Ozemoya noted that he was shocked to later discover that the soldiers who invaded his house where ordered to do so by his own blood brother, one Mr. Suleman Alasan.

“They forced me into the vehicle where I saw my own brother behind the steering and they drove me away to a place I have never been before. Then they started to tell me that my brother ordered them to come and beat me and pick me up.”

The victim said he has a minor issue with his brother and they were resolving the issue gradually, and wondered why the soldiers had to get physical with him over a minor family issue. He further narrated that the soldiers who are attached to Mr. President’s children, are assigned to protect the children of Mr. President but abandoned their primary duty and stormed his house to assault him.

“I had a minor issue with my brother and we have been making efforts to resolve it. I recommended someone to him to assist him in clearing some vehicles he sent to Nigeria. He never gave me money, I only recommended the man to him. I was told that they had minor disagreement over money and I have been making efforts to resolve the issue. So I am really surprised that he brought soldiers to my house to assault me.

“The soldiers he brought to my house are assigned to the children of President Jonathan who are students of American International School at Games Village. It seems my brother gave them some money and they abandoned their primary duties and came to my house to assault me,” Mr. Ozemoya said.

Some witnesses who corroborated the story of the victim said they made effort to inquire what the victim has done but they were surprised to see their neighbour who they described as a peace-loving man being severely beaten in his own apartment.

Mrs O (not her real name), a staff of Ministry of Defence said she was present during the assault and even her plea could not pacify the soldiers. She was however magnanimous enough to pick up the little baby that was abandoned in the house after the father was dragged out of the house.

“It all happened in my presence, my neighbour was severely assaulted. His little daughter was right there and I kept begging them to stop but they refused. I work with the Ministry of Defence and I know that under normal circumstances, soldiers are not supposed to storm a house to assault someone who is not a criminal or a terrorist. When they dragged him away and left his little child, I went to pick up the child and called his wife who was at work to inform her of the issue. I am really saddened by this brutality. The Human Right Commission and the Ministry of Defence should fish out those soldiers and deal with them accordingly,” she said.

The victim also stated that he was ready to give his brother the address of the agent he recommended but was deterred by the threat of his brother on the agent’s life.

“I was even ready to give him the address of the agent. The text of his address is still with me. But I refused to text him the address because he told me that he will go to his house and kill him, so I was scared because I don’t want him to kill a man and cause trouble for me.”

Efforts to contact Mr. Suleman were unsuccessful. However, while the victim’s wife was pleading with Mr. Sulema to allow the issue to be resolved in a family way, Mr. Suleman threatened to assail the victim in a more severe way, adding that what he had done was just the beginning of his assault until the man he recommended for his is presented.

Mr. Ozemoya however added that he has decided to take necessary actions to ensure his safety and that of his family. As at the time of filling this report, Mr. Ozemoya was on his way to the National Human Rights Commission to make a formal complaint.

It would be recalled that just last week, our reporters witnessed a similar brutality being meted out on a pedestrian who used the isle opposite the Eagle’s Square in Abuja.


Follow the link to view photos: http://thenews-chronicle.com/soldiers-attached-to-president-gejs-children-abandon-duty-to-assault-man-in-his-house/

Nigerians yesterday poured their hearts out on the culture of waste and unnecessary spending by elected leaders. This was on the controversial visit of the beautiful Namibian princess and 2013 reality show- Big Brother Africa the Chase winner Dillish Mathews to the Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in Benin, the Edo state capital.

They described the luxurious hosting of the 23 year old Namibian as unnecessary and misplaced priority as there are more important pressing issues to be handled.

Big Brother Africa the Chase winner, Dillish Matthews and her Namibian best friend who also contested in BBA, Maria Nepembe came in to Nigeria and were lavishly hosted by the Edo state Governor, Oshiomhole in Benin.

Some people, who spoke to our correspondents, noted that the Governor has become a preacher who does not practice what he preaches. Francis Idahosa, an Edo indigene vehemently stated: “why is our Governor wasting our state money to host Dillish? Of what economic importance is the visit? Some days ago he suggested to President Goodluck Jonathan to shun the planned national conference and call for an unemployment conference and create jobs, is he creating any job with the lavish reception to the Namibian girl? Why do our leaders luxuriate around at the expense of the citizen?”

Another respondent, Ukashat Umoru, decried the needlessness of the brazen waste of fund, nothing that the state still holds the highest records of Nigerian girls prostituting outside the country. He noted: “Edo state still holds the record for the highest numbers of females being exported abroad for prostitution; some of these girls ran out of options, imagine how many of them would have been saved if such wasted money was used to build skill acquisition centers in the state”.

Adeleke Lekan added that it is pure disrespect for the electorates. “When he was begging for his people to vote for him, did he tell them he will be using his time in office and their resources to host people who will not add any value to the lives of the people in the state? This is not right; two people from Nigeria – Melvin and Beverly Osu – were also part of the reality show; though they did not win, they went far and lasted till the tail end of the show. Were they ever invited by any Governor? No! Yet they are here in Nigeria and are Nigerians, and a Governor is hosting a foreigner,” he said.

It would be recalled that the Namibian was in Benin City, Edo state in 2012 for Miss University Beauty Pageant which was held in the state of which she was a contestant along with 38 others. Dillish Mathews disclosed while in the Big Brother Africa house in South Africa that while in Benin in 2012, they (the 39 contestants) visited Governor Adams Oshiomhole; adding that the Governor gave them three thousand dollars($3,000) which is about N480,000 each.

SOURCE: http://thenews-chronicle.com/nigerians-chide-governor-oshiomhole-on-misplaced-priorities-as-oshiomhole-secretly-host-bba-the-chase-winner-dillish-in-benin/

A Tribute To My Late Friend "Evans Ayi" Who Died 2 Months After Nysc
By Emmanuel G. Onofua.

I am shattered; I found something I refuse to accept but everything indicates it is true. I remember on that hectic evening of July 2nd 2012-our first day in Kubwa NYSC Camp, we met, became friends and bonded like we’ve known each other forever. I was tagged 1334 and you were 1335. I remember our daylight and nocturnal winning and dinning in Mammy Market and how we designed our shirts to look different from others.

My hearts is full of cracks and everything I remember about you is through a fog of dismay and despair as I rub my eyes in disbelief to wake up from this evil dream; but it is like that dream when you are falling and you wish desperately to wake up before you hit the ground but it’s all out of your control. It’s hard to accept this is an eternal dream that will span a lifetime.

Nothing seems quite as tragic as the death of a young promising man. All the potentials for the future seem empty and wasted, all hopes, dreams, and plans are brought to a sudden end. All your warmth and sounds of life has become cold and silent.

Again, I am sorely faced with the reality of the ephemeral nature of life, the uncertainty of tomorrow and the emptiness of promises. The mystery of why dry leaves cling to a tree and fresh and promising ones fall to the ground was again magnified in the existence of man. You had great and lofty dreams, but your demise is an eloquent testimony that reality always gets in the way of dreams.

You saw your morning and vague snatches of the start of your noon; but the dark side of reality has prevented you from seeing your evening and night.
People say life is short. But ‘short’ is too long for the life you lived- your life was less than brief, you left us in grief.

Your demise vividly defines untimely death; but who am I to define the length of life.
If a loved one is just going to London to school or work, we cry for the absence and rejoice for the gain because we hope to see them again...

I wish I can say as much about death; I wish we can take an elevator down to visit our demised loved ones or they could fly over to spend some time with us to eclipse that eternal grief of their absence. But we cannot comprehend death until we fully comprehend life.

I could go on and never lack words because this heartache and heartbreak tirelessly feeds my muse, but my muse has unlocked the stream of my eyes and has broken the boundaries of my manly emotions.

It is taking all the strength in my soul to say goodbye. I least imagined that 2months and 5days after our glorious climax of our 1years National service I would be saying RIP; I ought to say congratulations on your appointment, but the auto crash seized your breath and changed the content of my message.

Now I know that even the anticipated celebrations of new years are sober warnings that one is another year closer to death and every breath of our lives is a step closer to death.

No one living has seen beyond the curtains of death into what lies beyond. But conventional belief tells that it is probably better on the other side.

Every moment with you was littered with love and happiness and I am grateful to God that in my lifetime I was blessed with a friend as you.

REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND; TILL WE MEET IN ETERNITY.
RIP EVANS AYI.
MAY 1987 – AUGUST 2013.

Gooooooooo

I saw this post on facebook and decided to share it here.
OPEN LETTER TO D’BANJ FROM A FAN (A MUST READ FOR D’BANJ AND DON JAZZY FANS)
Dear Oyebanjo, Dapo Daniel AKA D’Banj,I am seated at a local restaurant here at the university town of Nsukka, in Enugu State, Nigeria, drinking a bottle of Fayrouz and listening to the sound of the generator, which is the only source of electricity around here.I have watched your latest music video. I went through the rigour last night. It is the video of the song entitled “Don’t Tell Me Nonsense” and it was awfully disgusting, the song, I mean. Kaffy and the rest of the dancers didn’t disappoint in the video.This is bad, I know, using awful and disgusting, in same sentence. But that is what I feel about what I saw. Brother, D’Banj, a lot has changed since you left your brother and hustle partner, Ajereh, Michael Collins AKA Don Jazzy. Truth. Your songs have been nothing but trash. I wonder if anyone has said anything nice to you since you started making songs outside Don Jazzy. If they have, it must have been for that singular hit song entitled ‘Oliver Twist.’ Kai! That song swept through Nigeria and the rest of the world. You would not believe that the ordinary child on the streets of Nsukka knows the lyrics of that song and the dance steps too.In Nigeria, there are plenty factors that weigh us down. One is our inability to manage our weaknesses. I see you have been buying yourself expensive jewelleries. The other day, I saw on Olorisupergal’s blog that you wear a wristwatch worth my entire family and maybe inheritance. I commend your taste. You are a lucky and hardworking man. You deserve it, besides; ‘Oliver Twist’ made marks. It took the Nigerian music to a height that had never been seen in recent times. Its toping charts, downloads, Youtube views and itunes purchases are amongst the few things I can mention.Dear, D’Banj, Don Jazzy may not be an ideal partner, I bet you, no one is an ideal partner! Perfect couples quarrel and make up. It is the joy of having such union. I believe misunderstanding is part of us, as humans. I will run to the zoo the day I see a union that agrees on almost everything.Back to your music, I feel Don Jazzy was made to make good music with you. He may not only be your producer, but whatever input, from advice, to production, will go a long way. Besides, he has been miserable too, without you. I have seen his eyes in music videos. There is one he did with Tiwa Savage. Ah, Tiwa. She looked dazzling, while Don Jazzy looked wanting and dispirited. Tiwa may have a perfect voice but Don Jazzy has not been able to achieve what he did with you. The other boys, K-Switch, Wande Coal and the goody bag crooner, D’Prince are unfortunate learners.They must be stark illiterates to have taken sides when you guys parted. I understand their ignorance. But my concern here is, if you wish to stay relevant in the sight of Nigerians, making good music, and not caressing a stripper on stage on your birthday, then you have to make amends with Don Jazzy and understand that people argue because they are beneficial to themselves. Only dummies agree on everything.I think tribalism had a lot to play in your split. It is a sad reality, if I am right. Tribalism will eventually destroy Nigeria. Our young people think they belong to a superior tribe and so make silly comments which sometimes bring about misconception and then crisis. I once had a boss, who is Igbo, who felt my tribe’s men were lazy, just because she came to my state and saw a job and was privileged to be a high ranking staff. I have had people who think those from the north should be gatekeepers and cobblers. Someone called me a militant once in Abuja, at the Sheraton, when he discovered I was from the Niger-Delta. I forgave his gross stupidity.I think we should drink a cup of water when ignorant people say rubbish about our personalities or flaws and relate it to tribe.You are a great young man, D’Banj. Few people have attained the height you have. I am encouraged to pursue what I am currently pursuing because I know I will triumph. Your likes and that of 2Face Idibia, despite your weaknesses are heroes. And you must recall that Kanye West met you because he had heard good stuff from you. When nothing good manifests, he may be forced to give you a new job description at Good Music, which may be mopping of the floor of the studio. This evil will not befall you. If you believe it, type amen.D’Banj, pride is the worst enemy of any man who wishes to last longer anywhere. A drop of arrogance may work, but pride is detrimental. You were called the ‘entertainer’ because you offered entertainment. Today, Inyanya, Kcee, Flavour, Wizkid and Davido are doing better. Imagine Burna-Boy, chai, that boy has some senses oh. His music, even when he is talking nonsense makes you want to sit and listen or dance to it, as the case may be. The only person that is yet to outshine you is my dearest sister, Tontolet Dike. That girl needs Jesus.I have to go back to my drink. I paid for it and it is almost missing me. I enjoy your struggle or hustle, as you may choose to call it. I wish to hear something profound from you. While awaiting that miracle that only you can perform, I
wish you the very best of life.Your admirer,Nwilo bura-Bari Vincent

babaowo: Its a matter of time NCC will collect bribe and all will become stories.....

You know what I think? NCC PROBABLY brought this up @ this eleventh hour to help MTN cover up. Because it's just some few moments before they announce they fiticious (arranged) winner of the air plane. Why did NCC not make this ban hitherto? Why is it that it is when MTNN has successfully collected their money from innocent Nigerians with lottery mentality that they have come up with the blah blah blah? I may b wrong but don't b supriced if some give n take n announce n ban chua chua has taken place behind d curtain. God Bless Nigeria. [color=#990000][/color]

Dyt: my bf gives me 10k every week and is still not enuf

U intended to boost ur status but u only succeeded in flaunting ur cheap self. Real girls don't depend on 10k weekly. U still dare to say it aint enuf.

However, I don't even wanna dwell on dis cus we all knw dat some girls can lie n present things dat don't exist as though it does.

Dats how an indigent girl I knw who has never even been to any airport updated yesterday "No flights for now" and when I asked her(she knws I knw her too well)all she said was "lol".

Word of advice. Tell ur brother of 22yrs n who is still a student n is still part of family project to b giving his GFs 10k every week. When u give birth tell ur kids to do same.

I'm not against a guy giving money to his girl but my point is dat it shd b with his own discretion.

fados4sure: Edo state is the fastest developing state in Nigeria and the governor is Adams Oshiomolem..
Reconstruction of all the school,
construction of six lane road with work way park way and drianage,
Diverting of storm water project( gully erotion) and so on..
Akwa Ibon been the state with the highest allocation suppose to be the fastest but, is the slowest developing state in Nigeria.

Where is the six lane road?

amara1979: I hate Anenih and all his cohorts, but unfortunately all his former cohorts have all joined Oshiomhole in AC. So why is oshiomhole still crying wolf? I hate PDP and all they stand for, but Oshiomhole has gone far enough with this godfather stuff. Oshiomhole is gradually becoming a godfather within AC, yet he is still crying. There is nobody in PDP anymore; they have all joined AC, so he should shut up and think of how to win the election. The by elections conducted that were conducted by Oshiomhole were heavily rigged in the favour of AC, after the one man one vote nonsense oshiomhole preached. He deceived PDP into having a free and fair election to test who was more popular in edo state, and at the end he rigged it massively. That was why the last parliamentary election within the AC that saw Senator Ozamere emerging as the party's flag bearer was very bloody. There was serious intra-party rigging by oshiomhole to favour his candidates. What you so, you will reap. Oshimhole has refused to conduct local govt. elections since he came in, why? How much is edo state owing? How much was used to contruct airport road, that still on going for about 3yrs? The elites in Edo State are no more being carried away by oshiomhole's antics, they are losing confidence in him. He is as corrupt as Lucky Igbinedion who installed him there. Suddenly after it was revealed that he was building a 10.5 Billion niara mansion in his village, people close to him start getting killed, and yet he is pointing accusing fingers at others. The police should investigate the PDP and AC alike, I dont trust that demon Anenih and even oshiomhole himself. They will both do anything to hold on to money and power.

Wise men speak facts. U write without any trace of sentiments. U said it as it is. May God bless u n I hope u hear more people like u speak. Kudos.

amara1979: In all that Oshiomhole has been saying, why has he is never mentioned the names of the two biggest thieves; Lucky Igbinedion and his Father? Who is fooling who?

Big question. Oshiomhole is in alliance with those thieves so he will never dare to mention their names. Rather he will call Names of political parties. I just hope people open their eyes n c beyond sophisticated suger-coated oratory.

In the coming days, Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, renowned for professing his association with the lowly and his disdain for ostentatious living, will have quite some explaining to do.
 
His widely perceived incorruptibility as a former labour leader and current public office holder completely negate all possible explanations for the source of the fund with which he has been prosecuting the ongoing construction of a grandiose multi-billion naira country home, which was a secret project until Saturday when it was unearthed.
 
Buried in his hometown of Iyamoh, off Auchi-Okene Road in Jattu village, Etsako West Local Government Area, the sprawling estate houses multiple swimming pools, fountains, multiple theatres for cinemas and live entertainment, and a huge event hall.
 
Oshiomhole’s kinsmen interviewed by THEWILL correspondent when we visited the village Sunday morning confirmed that the construction site is guarded by armed vigilantes and mobile policemen to prevent unauthorised persons from entering the property as earlier reported by ipaidabribenaija.com, which blew the whistle on the project on Saturday.
 
Oshiomhole was president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) until a few months before he contested and won (in court) the Edo State governorship election.
 
Defending the project, some of his friends and confidants told THEWILL that he made a lot of money from secret payments approved for him through proxies by some state governors and ministers during his labour years.
 
But curiously Oshiomhole has denied owning the property.
 
Sometime around 2003, Oshiomhole constructed his first multi-million naira mansion in Iyamor (as seen in the photos) with a lawn tennis court, a huge hall and a couple of chalets.
 
The Governor also has a mansion in prime Maitama-Abuja and Kaduna.
 
The contractor handling the project is a South African architect, Verissimo Taveres, the same builder that constructed the controversial multi-billion naira Abuja and Benin mansions of Chief Lucky Igbinedion, a former governor of Edo who was convicted for looting the state’s treasury during his eight-year tenure.
 
Edo State has borrowed over N30 billion naira under Oshiomhole and just a few days ago took another credit of $75 million USD from the World Bank.
 
His critics say Oshiomhole has over the years successfully hidden from public his desire for luxury, opulence, women and the good things of life.
 
Some also say he has not completed any major project since he assumed office as governor almost four years ago though they gave him credit for road projects completed and ongoing.
 
As news of the stately mansion is certain to spread in the weeks ahead, Governor Oshiomole will be faced with the uphill task of convincing his hordes of followers that the project has been funded with money other than public cash.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK TO VIEW THE OTHER PICTURES. I COULD ONLY UPLOAD FOUR.
http://thewillnigeria.com/politics/13594-Oshiomholes-Implicating-Multi-Billion-Naira-Mansion-Unearthed.html