₦airaland Forum

Osaze has no brain. He opens his mouth and words tumble out faster than his mental faculty can process. Don't be surprised tomorrow to hear him say Lagerback was the best thing to happen to the Super Eagles.
Osaze was already feeling cool because he made some impact in the qualifiers, so he now considers himself part of the mafia that must always get an automatic shirt.
I think Lagerback was just unlucky at this tournament. Amodu is a nonentity.

akanbi_edu says

There is something wrong with this decision from Ondo state Government. He was an OBA for God's sake, he shouldn't have been treated like that. Just like the governor of the state that has immunity, there should a form of process of trial by his Kingmakers that leads to deposing a sitting RULER(no matter what type).

If the Governor did this, would he have been removed just like that?The last time I checked, he would have gone through a process before being removed if at all.

A system that removes a ruler like is prone to chaos. Come to think of it. If the governor just used this incident to get back at the OBA who might have refused to support him during the last elections, how would you know? Think about institutions people. Remember that politicians always look for advantage in every situation. It is left to the people to build a system that is fair to all.

My point is not about what he did right or wrong, it is about the process of removal. I think it is bad to remove anybody holding political office just like that.

jonyjay says

Did you have a mother?did you have a sister? did you have a daughter? how will you feel if the woman happen to be your mother? someone like you will never let justice prevail in that country. i love the developmnet on this barbaric act.we should learn how to respect women in that country.
       NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW.

@jonyjay:
Did you read what he wrote before spewing this? akanbi_edu was against arbitrariness which any government in power can use and abuse. He is not justifying Mr Adesina's actions of assault and battery. I agree entirely with him that the process of removal was not tidy. We should not just focus on outcomes, the process is more important so that we have strong and durable institutions.

My romance with Nigerian columnists

I first became fascinated with newspapers and newsmagazines in my secondary school days when I would stay glued to very old editions of Drum and Spear magazines which were subscribed to by my uncle who lived just next door to us. Daily newspapers such as Times, Sketch, Tribune and Concord were also a delight to read as I became educated on the various tendencies of the politicians of the second republic in their attempt to win the people’s votes. In the process, I succeeded in broadening my horizon compared to my peers as I got to know the meaning of words like “Lilliputian”, ever before reading Gulliver’s Travels. What attracted me to a write-up then was its ability to communicate in a simple and sensible manner to a young mind like mine, and to make interesting reading. (The same reason I loved Cyprian Ekwensi much more than Chinua Achebe). Of course, my experience was shaped considerably by the limited variety of newspapers I had access to as my parents were not literate or buoyant enough to subscribe to newspapers. I had to always rely on my uncle’s supplies, which though not diverse, was regular.
The first column that caught my fancy then was by a writer named Wakabout who wrote for Lagos Weekend, a tabloid that was published every weekend and is usually filled with news of marriage divorces with all the salacious details which usually appealed to less-serious minded folks. I always looked forward to each edition and was really pained when they stopped publishing. I also discovered Sam Akpabot, a professor at the University of Ibadan who maintained a weekly column with the Daily Sketch of which I was a faithful devotee then.  His column was actually focused on sports and he made it a point of duty to predict the results of matches to be played by the Green Eagles, as the Super Eagles were called then. He always had very beautiful explanations as to why his predictions did not come to pass; which is more the rule than the exception. And the commonest excuse was that the coach failed to listen to his advice on team selection and technical approach. His fortune-telling skill appears to be rooted on a combination of clairvoyance and knowledge of soccer, though always difficult to know which one formed the more tangible basis for his predictions. In the Nigerian Tribune, I liked reading Tai Solarin’s State of the Nation, Ayekooto by Bisi Onabanjo as well as Periscope.
The first time I read Ndaeyo Uko’s column in the Daily Times, I was so mesmerized and awed by his ability to process humor and satire in beautiful prose. He remained one of my all-time favorite columnists. I felt a sense of loss when his column was no longer featured in the paper as I learnt he left the country abroad for greener pastures.
I had a thing for Doyin Osagie-Okojie’s column titled Lipstick in Vanguard and that was my first experience with a female columnist. Chris Okojie (Doyin’s husband) ran a column titled Outraged on the inside back page of Vanguard newspaper and found an interactive way to discuss sports using combative language; this also piqued my interest. I did not know what happened to both of them as they also seemed to have melted into thin air. Perhaps, they also relocated abroad for a better life. Like Chris Okojie, Ade Ojeikere who was running a similar sports column in ThisDay some years back is a writer I admire for his expressiveness and passion. He recently got back to doing the same for the Nation newspapers.
The late 80s and early 90s witnessed the booming of soft-sell magazines like Prime People, Vintage People, TopLife, Hints, Hearts, Sweetheart and the likes. The next generation of writers I fell in love with were some of the writers in these magazines. I then began to appreciate writers who could bring out interesting perspectives from entertainment, fashion and life generally. Toni Kan who was writing for Hints then thrilled me to no end, but I also admired the writings of Helon Habila, Goke Jaiyesimi and Kayode Ajala. I first came across Reuben Abati through his column in Hints magazine then and he was also one of the writers I admire a lot. May Ellen Ezekiel’s MEE and You column in Classique magazine also thrilled me immensely, and to a lesser extent, RMD’s Adlib column. Among the group of celebrity journals like Fame, Global Excellence, Treasure, City People and Climax (what a name!), I grew to like the writings of Femi Akintunde Johnson (FAJ Live), Mayor Akinpelu, Dele Momodu (Pendulum) and Funke Egbemode.
The period of tyranny under the successive regimes of Buhari, Babangida and Abacha created a lot of psychological challenges for a young person like me seeing oppression face-to-face and being powerless to deal with them. I found succor in columnists who took on the government on behalf of the rest of us.  I therefore started becoming less fascinated by style, and became more enamored by substance and abiding principles. It then became difficult for me to enjoy beautiful prose white-washing government’s tyrannical actions or worse still, avoiding having to address them. My search for crusaders drifted my focus to writers who squared it up with government by criticizing unpopular policies and actions of government officials. I was told of the quintessential style of Dele Giwa but could not appreciate him before he was killed as I was only a teenager by then. With the repeated assault on my psyche as a citizen by successive Nigerian governments through various oppressive actions, I gradually began to define my favorite columnists along three streams: those with substance and style, those with substance and less style, and those with style and little substance, a categorization I still use till the present moment.
The first group which represents those I can not do without include writers mainly from the Guardian newspaper stable such as Okey Ndibe (now in The Sun), Sonala Olumhense, Paul Nwabuikwu (before he joined government and disappeared from the radar), Peter Claver Oparah, Luke Onyeakakah, and Levi Obijiofor. Back page columnists in The Nation such as Idowu Akinlotan and Marijata as well as in ThisDay such as Eni-B and Yusuph Olaniyonu also appealed to me. As far as I am concerned, ThisDay’s Simon Kolawole is one of the greatest writers in Nigeria. With his brilliance and unique style, he could, using simple prose, passionately drive home a point. I quite appreciate the humanity in him and would never forget some of his forgivable temperamental outbursts when he described Anyim Pius Anyim as a “mass of protoplasm”, paraphrasing Chuba Okadigbo. Godwin Agbroko was another great columnist I cherished. I always loved Femi Osofisan’s articles the few times he manages to put one up. I liked Joe Igbokwe except on occasions when he was unable to shed his partisan inclination which always beclouds his perspectives on certain matters. Ishaq Moddibbo Kawu of New Nigerian is a grade one writer in my reckoning, and Mohammed Haruna less so.
In more recent times, online writers like Michael Egbejumi-David and Pius Adesanmi also thrilled me with their unique styles. I marveled at the latter’s description of Bode George’s trial as the “Gelefication of corruption”. Such wordsmiths! Mobolaji Aluko, another online writer, does not pretend to be a style-driven columnist, but I enjoy his analytical approach all the same. Aliyu Tilde also strikes a good cord with me. I also rate The Perceptor column in SaharaReporters very highly.
The second group included writers that are generally acknowledged as fine columnists but I have failed to appreciate, try as I might. It included writers like Adebayo Williams who used to write for Newswatch magazine and Edwin Madunagu who still maintains a weekly column with the Guardian. Ijeoma Nwagwuwu who tries to discuss economics on the back page of ThisDay also belongs in this group as is Odia Ofeimun. I am sure there are many more like these writers whose articles I must have come across at one time or the other (like the Newswatch trio) but they just could not strike a chord with me. Perhaps I am a lazy reader. Brilliant writers they apparently must be as acknowledged by others, I just couldn't understand them. Even with extraordinary efforts to digest their writings, I failed to be enticed by their over-intelligent analysis. I guess my IQ just couldn’t cope. These folks struck me by their ability to take government to task on their various policies and actions, or propounding new ideas, but I just could not process and synthesize their writings.
The third category is actually a burgeoning group as I keep adding more columnists from the first group to this group based on my observations that their motives were not always altruistic. I regard them as excellent writers whose writings must be enjoyed, but would not take a chance with assuming that these columnists actually believe all that they preach about. For example, I moved Segun Adeniyi into this category immediately he became Yar’Adua’s mouthpiece and I now tended to look at his past criticism of government actions as a strategy to get attention. I think the right word is Opportunism. Azubuike of the Punch is, in my reckoning, firmly ensconced in this group. Reuben Abati and Dele Momodu script beautiful articles, but I just have found it rather difficult to trust them. They are still hovering on the fringes as I am yet to decide whether they belong here or in the first group and I am actually bidding my time on them. Chidi Amuta of ThisDay relocated here a few weeks back when his devotion to IBB could no longer be disguised. Good writer he is, in my reckoning, but shallow on principles. There is another small category under this group and it includes writers who appeal to me with their peculiar styles but do not address political and governance issues primarily; Onoshe Nwabuikwu (Airtime in ThisDay and later in The Punch newspaper) and the Dear Bunmi problem-solving columnist in The Vanguard.
I will end this piece by going a little off-course. There was this guy in the newspaper industry that I really loved (only God knows where he is presently). Albert Ohams, though not a columnist, was a talented cartoonist with an unbeatable sense of humor. I will never forget one of his cartoons where he depicted an accused person in court being defended by a lawyer. I will try to recount the piece as best as I can.
The lawyer, while pleading his client’s case grabbed him and said,
“My Lord, it is totally unfathomable that this short and tiny man could be accused of defiling this 6 feet tall and very huge woman. Look at his stature, look at his height, even look at his organ, tiny and miniscule”, (the lawyer said, grabbing the man’s focal places).
The accused man whispered to the lawyer,
“Oga Lawyer, softly softly touch my thing o. If the thing wake up penren, we go lose this case o!”

This is an update on this sexual abuse saga:

http://209.157.64.201/focus/f-religion/2524930/posts

Irish-born archbishop resigns (Benin City, Nigeria)
Irish Times ^ | 5/31/2010 | EOIN BURKE-KENNEDY

Posted on Tuesday, June 01, 2010 2:47:30 AM by markomalley

Pope Benedict has accepted the resignation of the Irish-born archbishop of Benin city in Nigeria following allegations of sexual abuse against him.

Archbishop Richard Burke, a member of the St Patrick’s Missionary Society based in Co Wicklow, said the reason for his resignation was his failure to observe his vow of celibacy.

In a statement issued today through the Irish Catholic journal, Dr Burke said he was deeply ashamed of his behaviour.

“I have caused great pain, hurt and bewilderment to those around me,” he said.

The archbishop stepped down from his position as the city’s archbishop last year after an allegation of abuse from a 40-year-old woman was made against him.

Dolores Atwood alleged she was abused by the archbishop when she was 14 years old, and a patient in a hospital at Warri, Nigeria, in April 1983.

Dr Burke has admitted having a sexual relationship with Mrs Atwood but is adamant that she was over 18 at the time.

“On January 6th, 2009, I was officially informed by the Society Leader of St Patrick's Missionary Society that an allegation had been made to him by Mrs Dolores Atwood that I had sexually abused her when she was a child,” Archbishop Burke said in his statement.

“I responded immediately that I have never, ever, in my life – in any way – sexually abused a child. This is still my position. It is the truth,”

Dr Burke insisted he and Mrs Atwood insisted had “caring relationship” that began when he was 40 and she was 21.

“In the last 20 years, Mrs Atwood and I met on seven occasions. On three of those occasions our relationship was again expressed sexually. This was entirely inappropriate behaviour and it is something for which I am truly sorry,” he said.

However, in an interviewlast October, Mrs Atwood claimed she was sexually abused by the archbishop when she was a child. She also alleged he continued to have a sexual relationship with her as recently as 2003.

Ms Atwood, who now lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, said she believed she was “manipulated and controlled’’ as a teenager. She said she eventually confessed the relationship to her husband because she was wracked with guilt. She wrote to the Vatican and the society reporting the allegations.

Dr Burke (60), from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, was ordained a priest for St Patrick’s Missionary Society, in 1975. He was ordained a bishop in 1997, and installed as Archbishop of Benin, Nigeria, in 2008.

The  most important quality for a successful marriage is selflessness.
Most of the issues that create problems arise out of each party wanting to advance its own interest.
When both partners are ready to think of their own interests less, and their partner's interest more, success is more certain.

According to IBB,

“I think it is good at long last that somebody is trying to acknowledge the efforts of Chief M. K. O. Abiola. We cannot deny him the fact that he fought for democracy, and I am glad that the government is accepting it".

Who was MKO fighting against? The enemies of democracy of course.
And who is the number one enemy? IBB of course.
So if we agree to immortalize the one who died while fighting for democracy, don't you think it makes sense to mutilate the one person who killed democracy?

A big NO. Kanu's career has ended and the sooner he realizes this, the better for him.
He should not go to South Africa so he can allow a budding youngster the chance to join the team and not block the slot.
Kanu was already a liability to the team even before the last Saudi match.

@lastpage
You made two wrong submissions in your post in Scenario 2 items c.) and g.):

In Scenario Two.

c) Studying at NIPPS, his EFCC seat was given to someone who signed Ibori's criminal bail bond!

Farida signed George Akume's (former Benue Governor, now senator) bail bond, not Ibori's.

g) After trying all these injustice and eye-sore tricks and failed, they now said he did not submit his "Asset Declaration Form" and sent the ICPC to hound him.

It was the Code of Conduct Tribunal that had a case with Ribadu, not ICPC.

My own take is that Ribadu should stop parading himself as a hero. He was a willing tool in the hand of a vindictive and hypocritical Obasanjo who never really tried to fight corruption.

When people say Ribadu is an Anti-corruption czar, we can as well say that OBJ is an anti-corruption mogul.

I don't think we should be satisfied with just clamouring that Iwu must go. We should ensure that he proceeds to jail for denying the Nigerian people their votes as attested to by the elections in Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, Anambra, Cross-River, Kogi, Adamawa, Sokoto, and in hundreds of senatorial, House of Representatives and States Houses of Assembly elections in 2007. He should also be made to pay for the lives of many Nigerians who were killed while protesting the electoral robbery.
I am firmly convinced that no reasonable human being would want Iwu to conduct any elections in Nigeria ever again. All credible institutions, organizations and individuals have been unanimous in calling for Iwu's sack: US, EU, NLC, NBA, TMG, Falana, Save Nigeria Group, Enough is Enough, Soyinka etc.

@ Borat:

are men of God supposed to take sides.i mean one-sided in their view.

Yes. He should always be on the side of truth and justice. So men of God need to take sides.

he's not castigating obj and others on a personal note but in front of his congregation.

Exactly. He does not hate OBJ as a person. He hated his actions which have brought untold hardships to us as a nation. So he is free to make his views public just as we are privileged to read yours here on nairaland.

what does he stand to achieve by insulting them.

No personal gain. Just to condemn what is wrong. Are you saying we should only do things when we can derive personal gains?

he needs to be cultured in his comments as people are looking up to him.

Many people look up to him on account of his "uncultured" proclamations. Many of us see him as one of the few clergymen who can dare speak the truth to power. Most other religious leaders have been pocketed, or are cowards.

To Marvix, Sayso, bluetooth, Borat, Otokx, Kwajay etc and all those who can't see the sense in what Bakare is doing. I will like to make this suggestion.
If his area does not have electricity, if his car gets damaged from bad roads, if his relative dies from police brutality, if his family member dies due to lack of good health care, if his children can not secure admission to university due to quota system, if he has no potable water in his home, if his church members die from road traffic accidents due to terrible roads, if his friends are victims of armed robbery due to lack of quality policing, if he has to pay higher prices to fuel his car, if he has to fend for several graduates who can not secure jobs on account of the bad economy; he should just quietly take it all to God in prayer.
Abi? God is the only solution to human problems. God solved the problem of apartheid in South Africa. God got us independence from Britain. God created the economic miracle of the Asian tigers. God liberated America from Great Britain and Kuwait from Iraq. God made Obama President while Martin Luther King, Malcom X, Jesse Jackson and all the other black civil rights activists were just making noise. God made life easier in Europe and hell in Africa. Yes, only God can solve our problems and we should just leave politics to politicians like Anenih, Maduekwe, Alao-Akala, James Ibori, Gbenga Daniel, Fani-Kayode and the likes. If only we can do these, in fact we will achieve and surpass all the Millenium Development Goals before December this year.

Learn to use your brains when thinking/reading i believe you are all intelligent

I Corinthians 7: 36 tells them to marry and not to fornicate
and if you want to argue you should tell me what "marry" in the sentence is for!

@karo93:

Don't move from the answer to the question.

The Bible says, "let him do what he will". He wanted intimacy.
It then absolves him from the guilt of sin when it says, "he sinneth not". If he were referring to marriage as you suggested, there was no need to assure him that it is not a sin.
It then went ahead to say "they should marry" afterwards.
Any other interpretation is your personal view and does not change what has already been written.

No need to go for insults. It belittles you.

Can someone explain what this Bible verse is trying to say:

I Corinthians 7: 36

But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. (KJV)

This, to me, tends to suggest that pre-marital sex could be allowed under some circumstances.

I love Saridon Papa because of his never-say-die attitude. Even when every other Fuji musician ganged-up against him, he was never fazed.
Let any of the doubters answer the question Barrister posed to them: Show me any other musician who sings pure Fuji like Saheed Osupa!

Wish I could listen to any of the musical tracks of the Lijadu sisters who were popular in the 70s. Can anyone help?
Are they still alive?

Oshiomhole is one of the governors who are vociferously against a Jonathan presidency. I heard him explaining at  the AC convention in Benin last weekend why it is unfair to sack someone just because the person is sick. We keep hearing that he thinks he stands a better chance for president in 2015 if Jonathan is prevented from assuming the office of president.

It might interest you that she is not the only minister pushing for Yar'aduas replacement. There were moves already to make Jonathan acting Pres by the national assembly before this woman started her heroic movie.

Correction. She is part of that cabal. She needs to get out first and join the Save Nigeria group, activists or even NLC before we should take her seriously.

And don't get mad. We are in democracy.

@Akanbi_edu:
Dora was the only Federal Minister who took a risk to take a public stand on the UMY issue when it was riskiest to do so. And the others have been more ambivalent rather than being decisive. Even the Health Minister is afraid to take a stand for the truth and is more content to play safe. Cowardice at its peak.
Let me know the other Ministers out of the entire 42 who took a stand like she did please.
And I also don't think she should resign to join the Save Nigeria Group. We need her there to continue to speak the truth to power.

I get mad when people like Akanbi_edu continue to insist that Dora only found her courage when it was obvious that UMY was in coma. What about the remaining 42 ministers who still have not found their courage even after UMY was brought in half-dead? So you think what she has done is not an act of courage or patriotism?
And to those saying Dora's persistent and firm position is annoying, the battle is far from over and we need the likes of her to make sure we wrest this country from the cabal holding it hostage.
I never knew there will be a time when any Nigerian will be criticised by anyone for saying the truth. And yet we hope to progress as a nation!

As far as I am concerned, unilorin is not a school; it is a garrison. Or  maybe a conquered territory.

A school where you are not allowed to express contrary views is a prison. Its students and staff unions have been terrorised into submission. Many of its products will pass out having mastered the subjects of their disciplines, but not learning important lessons of life. Their graduates are the ones who will never be able to resist tyranny in the larger society because they have been emasculated while in school.

And this issue of the school maintaining 10 years of unbroken academic calendar is a total lie. The ASUU strike that led to the "unilorin 49" crisis took place in April 2001.  There was also another violent demonstration by students around 2002/2003 where the mini-campus gate was razed and the school shut. The student leaders were rusticated then.

Unilorin fans also failed to mention that the school has the highest number of litigations filed by victimised students and staff against any academic institution in Nigeria. It has consistently lost all the cases and have been paying a lot of damages to the victimised persons. Even presently, the school is yet to figure out how to pay the huge costs awarded against it on account of its illegal sack of the 49 lecturers in 2001.

A university is a place of ideas where pluralism and diversity are celebrated. A school where people are compelled to reason in a strait-jacketed manner cannot be said to be conducive for intellectual exploits. I think unilorin does not qualify to be described as an intellectual environment. It is a shame of a university.

This is the Soludo group at work.
Having recognized Ngige as the main opposition to their principal's gubernatorial ambition, they have resorted to playing the religion card. Let's see how this is going to play out.
And then we must also ask the question: All the previous governors that the Bishops have supported, how have they fared?

@Tcrack:
So, in line with your suggestion, Kanu could be appointed as the official morale booster of the team rather than fill the space that could be occupied by a budding talent who has been denied a chance because Kanu is forcing himself to go to the 2010 world cup when in actual fact he adds no real value to the Super Eagles or to Portsmouth.

What is the fuss about a girl sleeping with 83 men?
I mean if she said she had slept with say 10, 20 or 30 men, would it have made a difference?
What is the magic number?
What is the cut-off point beyond which a girl (or guy) would be classified as a slut?

Our greatest problems in Nigeria has its roots in the fact that our leaders do not derive their mandate from the people.
Soludo is trusting in the power of PDP, Turai, Anenih, Iwu and all the evil men that are banding together to deny us a good life. And the arms of flesh will surely fail him. They gave him the PDP ticket by tricking his co-aspirants and are confident they will hand him the Anambra guber position.
Ngige is the only one among the trio who, when faced with a decision of whether to cooperate with the oppressors, or side with the people, he chose to fight the godfathers and take sides with the people.
If this election is about the Anambra people, Ngige should win.

From graduating at the very top of his class in the Scottish university where he earned his accountancy degree, to his meteoric rise to the hierarchical pole position in ITT for Africa and the Middle East, MKO Abiola's entire life was the stuff of profoundly inspirational legend, but since Abiola happened to be born a Nigerian, the natural assumption that will continue to be made by most is that the man's colossal wealth accrued by virtue of corrupt practice, as opposed to being the JUST reward for a gruelling and epic lifetime of hard work, entrepreneurial genius, bravery and perseverance.

If there ever remains but one single unrepentant admirer of MKO Abiola left on this planet, that person would be me.

Rest in peace,  Baba Kola.    All is well.

Thanks Jakumo for this piece. I doff my hat for you for choosing to stand out from the crowd.

I will always admire the man MKO Abiola. He is a legend and one of the greatest Nigerians that ever lived.

Whatever anyone might have against him, Nigerians knew all these and even worse things about him but still went ahead to choose him as their president. All of these issues were publicised while he was running for president yet Nigerians preferred him and stood with him in the battle for the actualization of the mandate.

If everyone is to be tested by fire who will stand? Awolowo? Bola Ige? Azikiwe? Tai Solarin? Fela? Gani? Soyinka?
But all these guys are yet heroes because their weaknesses pale in comparison to their many acts of greatness.

And to those (Aloy~Emeka and Fhemmmy) who said God did not want Abiola to rule this country, so the God you are referring to wanted Abacha, Babangida, Obasanjo and Umaru to rule us? That God must really love us.

I was one of those who never believed in TB Joshua or his so-called miracles. That was until recently when I began to listen to his programmes on Emmanuel TV. He is certainly different and so unlike other so-called men of God in Nigeria.
First, he does not make general predictions like "this is a year of retribution for people who have taken Nigerians for a ride". Or "this is a year of rewards for both evil-doers and righteous men".
I had personally listened to 3 different prophecies which he made before the fact. And they all turned out to be 100% accurate.
He predicted that Gani Fawehinmi will die on a saturday. It occured the very saturday following the sunday that he made the prediction.
He predicted the Super Eagles home match against Tunisia will end in a draw. It happened.
He also predicted this Mozambique match outcome.
You folks don't have to believe me. Listen to his telecast by yourself and verify whether he is right or wrong.

Ibori is currently being interviewed on Channels TV. The interview will probably be over by 9.00 am.
For people based in Nigeria, text questions and comments to 33566 while the programme is still on air.

Ribadu is a hypocrite.
Simple.

Yes o Inspiragh. Tell them abeg.
Even Nkem Owoh (Osuofia) sang "I go chop your dollar". Who die that time?

Ogaga4Luv,
You are treading in dangerous places and you have really overstretched the boundaries of intellectual freedom.
I pray that your soul be rescued before it is too late.
I am sure even the most ardent Muslims who have issues with the Bible will not agree with your description of the miraculous conception of Jesus as debauchery.

Thanks Jesoul.

It is easier to find convincing explanations when you turn to the Bible. And in fact Romans Chapter 9 explains better why we don't have the right to question God when He chooses to do things His own way; including sometimes applying double-standards to sin. Just compare what David did to what Cain did. Also compare what Paul the Apostle did (as Saul) to what Ananiah and Sapphira did. And examine the prices each of them paid.

However, I am able to strenghten my faith when I am able to reason something out, not just swallowing what the Bible (or any book) says. I find it difficult to believe any doctrine when it does not agree with my conscience. This is the basis of my current dilemma as to why God will be happy with mass killings. For example, when Jesus told his disciples to remove one of their eyes if it leads them to sin, I used my own logic to believe he was just being figurative and was preaching self-discipline, not sanctioning self-harm.

The concept of a compassionate, forgiving and just God looks dissimilar to a God who will punish a (sinful) human for showing mercy. Even if He is a God of justice and a consuming fire, the Bible actually states that his mercies endures for ever and also that mercy overcomes judgement. And my reasoning tells me that God is more merciful and compassionate than any human.

Aje ke lana, omo ku le ni!

This was in today's papers (The Nation):
http://thenationonlineng.net/web2/articles/17013/1/Stranded-Bellview-Airlines-passengers-protest/Page1.html

Stranded Bellview Airline’s passengers protest
By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor Published Today News Rating: Unrated

Stranded Passengers
Operations at the Bellview Airline’s counter were disrupted for a few minutes yesterday, as some London-bound passengers protested the delay in their flight.

The over 500 passengers were the cynosure of all eyes at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, as they went about their protest.

They accused the airline of deceiving them on when they would be airlifted.

The airline’s promise to airlift them, they said, had run into days. They were stranded in Lagos.

The passengers accused the Ministry of Aviation of complacency in addressing the service gap by the airline.

They berated the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), for its inability to call the carrier to order, for its abuse of passenger rights, which is against the prescribed rules of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), as well as the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

It only took the intervention of Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ((FAAN), Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun and the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Mr. Jonathan Johnson, to restore normalcy.

The passengers said they decided to protest when all efforts to get the authorities to wade into the matter failed.

They said many of them were on the verge of losing their jobs. Students among them said they may miss classes.

As at press time yesterday, they are yet to know when they would get flight back to London.

Some of the passengers, who spoke with reporters, said they were disappointed about how the airline handled their situation.

Olowonisile Joseph, 11, a primary seven pupil of KLS Child’s School, London, said: "I am very upset. I am supposed to be in school tomorrow (today) but I am still here. The service of this airline is rubbish."

Another kid passenger, Joshua, said he was already missing classes in London since his mates have resumed classes since Wednesday.

"I came into Nigeria about three weeks ago on holiday with the hope of returning to London on Monday, but it is unfortunate that I am here still here in Nigeria when my classmates are already in classrooms studying. I am not happy with this airline at all. Bellview is a life destroyer," Joshua said

The passengers, who bought their tickets in London, said they suspected that the airline had problems with its operations but they were assured that all was well, only for them to be stuck in Lagos.

Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Dr. Harold Demuren said the aviation regulatory body has compelled the airline to make provision for the well being of the passengers.

A source described the airline’s problem as technical and operational.

Bellview’s Communication Manager Habib Mohammed said the problem was technical, adding that the airline is working out modalities to solve the problem, according to international best practices.

The passengers, he said, had been rebooked on other airlines with which it has "interlining".