Because I am involved!

Boycott all products of Nigerian Breweries

2012-02-15T00:44:00.000-08:00

I really don't understand what this country is turning into, a few hours ago I called to order for crates of Maltina Can and bottled drinks as I usually do, only to be told that I have to buy either 1 crate of Star or Guinness per 5 crates of Maltina, :O I actually thought it was a joke until the sales representative insisted that he was serious and that was the new company's policy. My God! The promotion and advertisement has now reached a point of forceful purchase and blackmail!
As a regular customer I furiously called the depot manager and to my surprise he only apologized and insisted that I buy as there was nothing he could do. In his words, "Oga am sorry, na so the thing be now, mek u just buy, no be sell u go sell am!":/
I might sound like a conspiracy theorist but I believe this is a deliberate attempt to hoodwink us into either the consumption of beer or its sales. The saddest part of it is that a lot of us won't care, infact a lot of us aren't bothered, some will even say, after all "I dnt even drink Maltina, so...". This is the same attitude that Muslims all over the world have and that is why today we are under all sorts of attacks and intimidation.
It probably wnt make much difference but am appealing to all Muslims to boycott all products of Nigerian Breweries, this include, Maltina, Fayroz, Amstel Malt and of cause all their alcoholic drinks. Support the call!
Abdul_Hafiz™--->Let's win d future™
Let's win the future and stand our grounds!

Theories of Boko Haram

2012-02-14T01:07:00.002-08:00

Alot of theories have been made over the issue and activities of Boko Haram over the last few months, some say its the continuation of the Yusufiyya movement of the late Muhammad Yusuf, others say its a western conspiracy design to destroy Islam and d region, some believe it is a combination of the two. What ever we believe, whatever might be true, the fact is things have changed, d rules have been altered and we have no control over the game any more. A new wave of socio-religious crisis has been introduced and the attention of the world is now on us. All this is purely the manifestation of bad leadership, injustice and an extremely selfish elite (ruling class) who have no regards to any opinion but theirs. These over the years has created a problem that is eluding the whole nation.

For the region to survive and grow, good governance must be demanded and entrenched. Responsible leadership must be the hallmark for our choice of leaders and performance the yardstick. This is the region's only hope and by extention the country's only hope. Military solutions creates further violence because violence begets violence in a continuous vicious circle of hate and intolerance that only good leadership and governance can break. We have to be interested in the affairs of our region to be able to demand for what is best. To this I repeat, wake up arewa, wake up!

7 Reasons Buhari/bakare Will Lose The Elections Despite Growing Popularity!

2011-02-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

This was posted on Nairaland by Papa Browne. Pls read below, I found it very interesting.

Let me start by acknowledging the fact that the Bakare pick by Buhari, has improved Buhari's fortunes desperately. In many online polls I've come across of recent, Buhari/ Bakare's popularity has skyrocted sometimes surpassing that of Jonathan. What I observed however, is that the biggest loser is Ribadu. All his fans seemed to drift enmass to the Buhari/Bakare ticket. Jonathan's popularity remains good, just a little less than the early days.
Given the fact that Buhari controls the North West with 19 Million Voters and has a pretty Good Showing in the South West, you would think Victory should be certain for CPC.
However, I'm 1000% sure that after a free and fair election come May 29th Buhari would not be anywhere near Aso rock for the simple reasons stated below

1)They are not campaigning
We have just 5 weeks to the elections and I can't see any sign of Buhari campaigning anywhere in Nigeria . He hasn't visited any states in the south or middle belt. No rallies whatsoever. Does he think everybody reads newspapers or have internet connection?? Ruralites which constitute the real voters in Nigeria have never heard about CPC. How are they going to give him votes. How is the farmer in Isale Egan, Arochukwu or Gbaramatu going to vote a Buhari he has has never heard about? Jonathan on the other hand is travelling everywhere despite the fact that he has the required visibility already.

2)The CPC has very limited structures
CPC has no structures in many states across the country. In fact, they didn't even field Governorship candidates in many states. Elections are won by politicians and not on the pages of newspapers. People actually think PDP wins because they rig. Thats far from the truth. PDP winS elections because they built structures across the country. Every Okada Association, Taxi drivers Asscoc, Market women group, and every other group that controls large swaths of REAL voters are all on the payroll of the PDP. The CPC structures start and finish in the North West and some states in the North East. Structures in the South West are shared between PDP and ACN. Without these structures, there is no way CPC is winning even 10% of the votes in the South West.

3)Jonathan's Popularity
It is not very often you see a popular incumbent. Jonathan is very popular, not because of his performance but because of the nature of his ascension. Nigeria is a very religious country and many people have come to believe that Jonathan has been propped up by God to bring change to the country. There is the impression amongst so many I've spoken with, that God will use Jonathan to change Nigeria.
Buhari knows this so well, so he calculatedly brings in a Pastor as running mate to tilt the balance. Was it a good strategy,I think very much so! Will it improve his fortunes, sadly I don't think so as Bakare is known to have discredited all the crowd pulling ministers including Adeboye whose he seems to be courting desperately these days.

4)Cash, Money and Finance
Seriously, in any election, Cash is King. Whether that Election is in America or Zimbabwe, Nigeria or New Zealand!! Obama raised $600million dollars to execute his election. Without that war-chest, he would have lost to McCain. Fact is, He bought that election legitimately!!
Nigeria is not an exception! Money rules! Donald Duke estimated that it would cost close to 20 Billion naira to execute a honest presidential election. And that's just for campaigning minus settlements. My opinion, 50 Billion wouldn' t even do. If Buhari can raise that money in 5 weeks, then trust me he stole it!!

The PDP can buy up all the almajiris in the North West with N1000 each and they would line up enmasse for Jonathan. 19 Million almajiris will cost the PDP only 19 Billion Naira= Now that's chicken change for a party that has controlled a the economy of a country with some of the world's finest oil wells.
On a serious note, where is Buhari going to get the money required to campaign across the nation in just 5 weeks.The man needs to advertise, billboards, posters, etc they all cost money !!

5)Jonathan is relaxed
Jonathan is so relaxed. When a man is so relaxed, you can tell that he has very little to worry about. The Buhari ticket would have worried the Jonathan camp if they had teamed up with ACN. But as it is always with the opposition their selfish interests carried the day.
Before the PDP presidential Primaries, Jonathan was very uneasy until Babangida was out of the race. When Atiku was left in the race, Jonathan became relaxed because victory was now certain. Atiku was an easy case. Exactly the same is playing out with Buhari. Jonathan's relaxed mien suggests that Buhari's CPC is nothing but a paper tiger!!

6)25% in 24 states
Buhari cannot win up to 25% in any of the South South or South East states. That takes 11 states out of the running, leaving him with 25 states to score at least 25% of the votes. Is that a possiblity? I doubt especially given the fact that in the south west, the votes will be split in three between Jonathan, Ribadu and Buhari. Also states like Plateau and Benue would hardly give Buhari 25%. It will be so hard for Buhari to score that 25% in 24 states. That automatically nullifies any numerical victory he wishes he might obtain.

7)Time and Chance
One of the most fundamental principles in life is the Time and Chance principle. Somehow it just appears like this is Goodluck Jonathan's time. Despites many miscalculations on his part, his popularity just doesn't seem to want to go downhill. Whether we like him or not, it looks like he is here to stay at least till 2015.
Same way Obama came and upset the dreams of so many like McCain and Hilary Clinton, so also Jonathan has truncated the life long ambitions of the likes of Babangida, Atiku, Gusau and come April it looks like Buhari will be added to the list of those who have fallen under Jonathan's dream killing sword!!

A testimony by a Nigerian on why he did not vote for Buhari in the past.

2011-02-25T11:56:00.001-08:00

Pls Vote Wisely

A respected friend of mine sent me this email of which I find the contents of the email very insightful and appealing. I suggest you read it to understand what I mean. ;-)

This is who we vote for. Seriously this is where we must place our votes laying aside nepotism and all manner of sectional thrills and thirst.

In 2011, GMB is not alone. He's supported by a team of volunteers online and offline who never voted for him before. We didn't vote for him, because we didn't know. We didn't know that he supervised and birthed our only existing refineries. We didn't know that what he did in road construction while in the PTF hasn't been matched by 12yrs of the PDP, even though some claimed they were lopsided. We didn't know that in his time as head of state he reduced inflation from 23% to 4%, by fiscal discipline and a homegrown economic team (not achieved under any other era, even military). We didn't know that there was no religious crisis while he led.'
We didn't know that J.J Rawlings of Ghana took over 2yrs before him, and killed all the corrupt leaders, while GMB merely gave his own, long-term jail sentences. We didn't know that the hospitals and universities around the country never witnessed as much benefits they got from the PTF from any government after or before his time. We did not know, that this man despite serving in senior capacity in the oil sector, has no petrol station, much less a rig, refinery or an oil block like so many of our leaders. We never voted him, because we did not know.
But now we know... We know that he has follower-ship in the north that money can't buy. We know that those who follow him are poor, and follow him out of hope and belief in his values. I have met old men who know him, who have said... "All I need from Buhari is his word, I can take it to the bank". Now we know that here is someone that has been in everything to make him an IBB or Danjuma, but didn't take that road.
We feared he was an Islamic fundamentalist, but he challenged us to provide any human being who can point at anything he did to show that. Now we know, that it's about the values... The only former head of state that does not own a house in Abuja. Educate someone today! I just did

How far so far?

2010-06-03T16:22:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

So much has been said about the need for us to come together as one to forge a new paradigm of politics and social order in our dear country. But unfortunately few actions have been taken; the struggle has mostly been a struggle in the pages of newspapers, in gossip corners and beer parlours. Few have dared to take a stand. But i ask you, how far have we gone in trying to bring positive changes to our dear country besides talking about it? How far are we willing to go to stand up for Nigeria? These are questions we may not have a definate answer to until we take the first step, until we bring our heads together under a single umbrella, not that of the PDP ofcourse but an umbrella that does not accomodate ethnicity, religion, political differences and or regional affiliations, an umbrella that accomodates only united aspirations and goals.

The task before us is one that requires us to look at Nigeria as a whole and be patriotic enough to put the interest of the nation above all other selfish interests. If we truly believe that we the younger generation can bring about the needed change the country so desperately yarns for, then we have to be ready to put words into action. We have to be ready to rise and rise till we bring down the cancer that is eating up our entire social and democratic entities. We have to awaken from our slumber and organise for change. We have talked and talked, now is the time to act!

I do not have the blueprint on how this struggle will be won, but i know for certain that if we unite ourselves despite the odds against us and forge a cause greater than any single individual or group; one that is aimed at uniting the country and putting in place structures that will eliminate or atleast reduce significantly corruption, sycophancy and nepotism in governance, then we will move mountains, we will break barriers and we will change the direction of the tides. Oh yes WE CAN! Oh yes we WILL!

IBB - what we may not know

2010-04-14T13:22:00.000-07:00

That corruption is the source of all our problems, from insecurity, to poverty, to our underdevelopment and everything else is not news anymore either in Nigeria or to foreigners. However I wish more journalists would put extreme pressure on the looting and stealing pol...itical "elites" to save our dear country. There are certainly many patriotic and honest Nigerians who mean well for our dear country. There are some very good journalists who could use words to convey strong messages that could educate the public of the true enemies of Nigeria. My sincere belief is that it is easy to govern Nigeria, if three essential ingredients of nation-building were honestly and determinedly addressed - Patriotism, Corruption and Enforcement of the Written Laws of the Land. Lack of any of these reinforces the other and addressing any of them addresses the others automatically. The bane of Nigeria's problems is the almost complete lack of patriotism, especially among the thieving "elites", which in turn, provides the fertile grounds for corruption.

When I was in Lagos in 2007, one look at the traffic situation informed me that 98% of the traffic jams in Lagos is caused by human factor. Essentially, the lack of enforcement of the laws guiding road use, again due to corruption! This is just one example. The aim of this write-up is to notify Babangida and his cronies that there are patriotic Nigerians all over the world, who have knowledge of his secret activities against the interests of Nigeria, for his own personal selfish benefits. His cousin had described him to me, as a ruthless, vindictive, unforgiving megalomaniac and extremely corrupt. Since he literally determines what happens in Nigeria, it might be very dangerous to pose a frontal attack against him. He's a very ruthless man and powerful. If he could order his childhood friend, Gen. Mamman Vatsa, to be killed without batting an eyelid, we'd be just small mosquitoes! We all need to start shouting our lungs out through writings, so that these thieves would feel the pressure and get out of the way for a better Nigeria It's just a shame. When I was growing up in Cameroun, every remote village had pipe borne water and all the major towns and cities had 24hours /daily, of electricity! Nigeria is probably the only country in Africa where citizens defecate openly, all times of the day, in major cities, without consequences! I feel sad thinking about all these. I'm currently based in the U.S and a full blooded and patriotic Nigerian, though born and raised outside Nigeria. The first impression any first time visitor would have of Nigeria would be of a country where nobody takes the law seriously because the laws are there but never enforced due to corruption; of a chaotic, free for all country with a complete lack of patriotism from top to bottom. How did we get to this sorry and seemingly irreversible state? Our biggest problem is the continued recycling of the architects of corruption and their cronies, the so called military and political "elites", under various guises of minister this, minister that. Ghana was able to move forward because Rawlings realized that the only way to move Ghana on was to completely eliminate all the old thieves. This option may not be feasible in Nigeria's case, but if we all join hands together, especially our journalists, and say “enough is enough” to these thieves, instead of celebrating them, we can achieve something significant. But first, we have to identify the architects of corruption and relentlessly go after them through our write-ups or other civil actions. The sole architect of the extreme corruption as seen today in Nigeria and the sorry state of affairs is no other than the former dictator, IBRAHIM BADAMOSI BABANGIDA. One of his relatives was my roommate in the US during my under graduate education. I was able to glimpse the true nature of the beast from him. Here is the Babangida most Nigerians know nothing about.

Babangida is the most destabilizing force in Nigeria today and the more Nigerians know about it the better. Babangida was sent here (U.S) in 1983, for a military course, during the Reagan administration. He admired Ronald Reagan's Machiavellian dribbles with the American public and became a disciple of Reagan's trickle-down economics, popularly derided as "voodoo" economics, where the resources and wealth of a nation are distributed to a few cronies, with the hope that their business activities would create wealth that would trickle down to the common man! This is how Babangida single-handedly wiped out the Nigerian middle class, creating a few stealing billionaires and a mass of poverty, with nothing in-between. Anyway, while in the U.S. it became obvious that Babangida was recruited by the CIA. Mobutu's power and relevance to the U.S interests in Africa was waning and they needed another Mobutu in a strategic country. Babangida fitted Mobutu's personality traits; very ambitious, unpatriotic, bold, greedy and cunning. So Babangida fitted the profile of a strong-man, like Mobutu, the U.S was looking for. It was also this time, in 1983, that Buhari and Idiagbon overthrew Shehu Shagari, who was drifting and didn't seem to get a handle on how to move Nigeria forward. Buhari/Idiagbon had always been true patriots, and came in to try to save Nigeria. Buhari's government was very serious about putting Nigeria on a straight path. There was a serious effort to combat indiscipline, drugs and corruption that bedevilled Shagari's government. Buhari refused to borrow any more money from the IMF and World Bank; refused to devalue the Naira, as demanded by the West. When the West tried to blackmail and sabotage the Nigerian economy at that time, he countered it with the counter-trade polices, which was actually a corruption fighting tool (it was used by Cuba to neutralize years of America's economic blockade of that island nation).The West knew that Buhari/Idiagbon were hell bent on serving only Nigeria's interests against any other interests and they weren't going to have it. It should be remember that it was also during this period that Reagan was fighting several covert or proxy wars around the world. During the Reagan's administration, the CIA actually became the main instrument, albeit covertly, of America's foreign policy. When Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua became the leader of that country, it did not go down well with America because of his Marxist leanings. The CIA created and funded a rebel army, the Contras, to overthrow him, in what became known as the Contra War. The U.S Congress was kept in the dark about this covert war for a while, but when it came to their knowledge, they cut off all funding for the illegal war. The CIA was determined to bring down Ortega's government so they had to come up with other ways of funding the war and bypass the Congress. They turned to selling drugs, but they could not do this directly from the U.S soil, so they looked for a Third World country to use to import the hard drugs and later smuggle to the U.S. Nigeria became very attractive to them because of its corruption, large population and chaotic nature. They felt it was the only country they could pull off such with relative ease. But Buhari was the head of state and was sending drug dealers to the firing squad. They knew he would never let them use Nigeria as their base for drug operations to fund their covert war. Nigeria was still the most attractive to them for the venture. It became clear to them that Buhari/Idiagbon had to go. So entered Babangida and the coup that overthrew Buhari, covertly planned, supported and carried out with the aid of the CIA. As soon as Babangida overthrew Buhari, he proceeded to undo everything Buhari tried to achieve for a better Nigeria. He devalued the naira, accepted all the conditionalities of the IMF and World Bank. Nigeria became a free for all with zero accountability. If you remembered his speech after the coup, there were ramblings about democracy, free market, human rights, etc. In fact the wording of that speech could have been scripted by the American State Department. In 1986, the Time Magazine (either February or September edition) reported that at the height of America's covert wars during the Reagan administration, the U.S had the very elite commando unit of their armed forces, the SEAL, dispatched to several different countries for covert activities. Guess what; this unit was in Nigeria in August 1985, during the week that Babangida overthrew Buhari. These Special Forces are highly trained in all kinds of warfare. No Nigerian ever asked why they were in Nigeria at that particular time. The thinking of the CIA was that a coup against a Northern Muslim Fulani by a middle belt military personnel would be resisted and therefore bloody. So the SEAL was dispatched to make sure Babangida succeeded. If the coup had been resisted, Buhari and Idiagbon would have been killed, no question about it After the coup, the CIA cut a deal with Babangida, where Nigeria was used as a major drug transit and money laundering center for the proceeds of the CIA drug trade. This is how the CIA was funding their Contra war.

The phony or rogue bank, BCCI (Bank of Credit and Commerce International) was used to launder the proceeds of the drug business and take them out of the country. Babangida's loots left the country through this bank. Remember that branches of this bank were everywhere in Lagos and the North. Two investigative journalists in the US later broke the news that the CIA was involved in drug smuggling to fund the Contra War. They didn't mention the country that was used, but from all indications, it was Nigeria! However, Dele Giwa somehow stumbled on this information and was seriously investigating it and was about to break the news when he was killed. This is the main reason that Babangida had Dele Giwa killed. Remember also that the former leader of Burkina Faso, Capt. Thomas Sankara, of blessed memory, was a close friend, albeit, revolutionary friend of Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, who was hated so much by the .U.S. After Sankara was killed, obviously with help from the West, the rest of Africa condemned the cowardly act except Babangida. As a matter of fact, he gave the leader of the coup that killed Sankara, Major Compaore Blaise, a red carpet welcome to Lagos, barely a week after the murder. Again when in 1986, Reagan unjustifiably bombed Libya and killed Gadaffi`s daughter, everybody in Africa condemned the unprovoked attack, except Babangida, who was blaming Gaddafi for the attack. Toward the end of 1986, or 1987, (can't remember the exact year), Babangida was given a "Strategic" award, by the Heritage Foundation, a US right wing front whose philosophy is total world domination, economically, politically and militarily. The few other people, who had received this award, include Henry Kissinger and the former NATO Commander, Alexander Haig, people who had gone out of their way and the risk of their lives to advance America's interests. No Nigerian journalist or news organization asked or questioned the reason IBB was given that award. Nobody asked why there was an explosion of drug activities during IBB's regime. The only investigative journalist we had, Dele Giwa, was killed, so we were and still are in the dark of what is actually going on in Nigeria. And to make things worse, most of our papers are owned by the looters or friends of the looters. Anyway, it was during IBB's regime that most of our wealth was looted out of the country (about 80%). It was the dream of America to make IBB, President for Life, just like Mobutu.

Enter Orji Kalu, now former Governor of Abia State. I am not very sure whether it was IBB who introduced Kalu to the CIA or the other way round, but it was the dream of the US to make Babangida the President and Kalu his Vice. Kalu is still a sleeper operative of the CIA. Three weeks before the last presidential election in 2007, Kalu was at the CIA headquarters at Langley, Virginia. The only way anybody could get into that building is if you have a top secret security clearance or an active asset of the CIA with high level security clearance. Remember that Kalu had always boasted about how close he was with the Bush family. The only link between the two is the CIA and the fact that Kalu was a valuable asset for them, having proved it by betraying Nigeria, one way or the other, for his own personal gain. How did IBB move his loots to France and Switzerland? IBB is as devilishly clever as he is ruthless. Kalu became the go-between, between him and the CIA, to avoid being linked to the CIA. With the help of the CIA, Kalu created numerous phony front companies to launder IBB's loots and payouts from the CIA deal, and move them out of the country through the rogue bank, BCCI. This is why when Ribadu arrested Kalu for corruption, the Bush regime was up in arms against it, and the current Attorney General, Michael Aondoaaka took over the EFCC, in a mild drama. I'll come to this later. Kalu has the same character traits as Babangida or even worse. The CIA found him very valuable to them because this guy could do literally anything for personal gains and aggrandizement.
Remember, Kalu had always stated that he is who he is today because of IBB. In fact this is the only honest statement that ever came out of Kalu's mouth. IBB created the very problems we are all suffering today. He never ever wanted to give up power for what he was getting out of it. He is an extremely crafty guy and dangerously cunning. America's dream, or rather the CIA's dream, was to make Babangida a long time dictator like Mubarak of Egypt, and Orji Kalu his vice president, and for Kalu to continue after Babangida. The election that Babangida held in 1993 and which Abiola won was never meant to be. Babangida never wanted to give up power. America didn't want him to give up power either. So he wasted all our resources, just to pretend that he wanted to give up power. He annulled the election on the advice of the State Department of the US, who did not trust Abiola to cut deals with them whenever they needed one. When Abacha realized that Babangida had no intention of giving up power, he tricked Babangida and forced him to hand over to the Shonekan's so-called Interim National Government. The US never forgave Abacha for that. Abacha's demonization went full blast. The US had hopes that they could still find a way to bring Babangida to power. The easiest way would be to eliminate the two major contenders, Abacha and Abiola.This would leave us no other option but Babangida. Abacha and Abiola could have been killed with the assistance of the CIA. I studied chemistry, as an undergraduate, and I know that a very minute drop of concentrated potassium chloride could easily create a massive natural heart attack and death immediately. Potassium chloride (KCl) has a very narrow lethal dose, i.e. very narrow range of lethality. This is the weapon of choice for most intelligence covert operations, because it could never be traced by any toxicology tests. My strong suspicion leans toward the use of KCl to kill Abiola and Abacha, to make way for Babangida to return. Babangida has never told the truth about why he annulled that election. He could never tell the true reason. Nigeria was smart to let Abdulsalam to rule after Abacha's death, instead of Babangida. Abacha was never a saint, but most of the demonization against him was orchestrated by America, in a way, to divert attention away from Babangida. Even the so called Abacha loot in Swiss banks could have been Babangida's, just to use the insignificant amount to blackmail Abacha, and have Nigerians believe that all the looting was done by Abacha.You see, our biggest problem is believing everything the West tells us without questions, not minding that they have always employed the Machiavellian doctrines in their dealings with the rest of the world. The US actually succeeded in having every Nigerian talking about Abacha's loot, while Babangida conveniently faded to the background, attending weddings, birthday parties, funerals, etc, everywhere! In 2007, all grounds were cleared for Babangida to sneak back, and with the advice of the Bush Administration, for him to appoint Kalu as his running mate, a position which Kalu declined. Most Nigerians, and most of the rest of the world except Western Europe and Israel, are extremely naive about America. As much as being utilitarian, Americans are natural existentialists, driven in all their actions, bad or good, only by self interests. The only thing consistent about Americans as individuals is their unpredictability. For example, an American can ceremoniously and sanctimoniously give you a million dollars today, and tomorrow that same American kills you unceremoniously over five dollars! It saddens me whenever I read about our government officials trooping here to "learn" about the American system. The American government structure is very organized and extremely well structured and managed by very patriotic citizens. But honestly, America does not want the same fine structure for any part of the world outside Western Europe and Israel. America's prosperity and power are based partly on their ability to manipulate all the developing countries to remain dependent, so that they could easily be used. America did not accomplish their goal to return IBB to power in 1993, but they encouraged him to contest in 2007. In fact, everything was on the ground for him to run again, but Kalu refused the Vice President-ship. I, personally, was very alarmed that Nigerians folded their arms and some misguided corrupt cronies were actually rooting for this evil man who killed the finest of young Nigerian army officers, and essentially the architect of the present rot we are in. I sent part of the information I'm giving you to Nuhu Ribadu, when he was Chairman of EFCC, and also to the Sun Newspaper (at the time, I did not know the paper was owned by Orji Kalu, Babangida's partner in crime). I'm very sure Ribadu read it, and probably briefed Obasanjo about it. Those at the Sun Newspaper could have informed Kalu about it, and Babangida could have gotten wind of it. About a month after I sent the article, I learnt that Babangida withdrew his ambition with the phony excuse that he would not run against his "younger brother, Yar'Adua". My honest belief then was that he realized that there were people with damaging information about him. And also, Obasanjo could also have discouraged him, having been briefed about this information by Ribadu.These are my speculations as to why Babangida suddenly withdrew from contesting. So Ribadu played a major part in Babangida not running in the 2007 election.

Babangida has a huge animosity against Ribadu, who was really responsible for derailing Babangida`s presidential ambition in 2007. He never forgave him. In one of his several wedding or funeral services talks, Babangida made it clear that even if he never ran for the Presidency again, he would be involved in determining whoever rules Nigeria. He was responsible for the selection of Yar'Adua as President, after twisting Obasanjo's hand, who owed him for getting him out of jail and making him President in 1999. Most of PDP's "BIG" men are all carry-overs from the Babangida's regime. Remember when he said he was satisfied with the selection of Yar'Adua as President, calling him his younger brother? He actually forced his old cronies and "boys" in the PDP to select Yar'Adua. He knew that Yar'Adua has a lot of humility, defers to him and lacks self confidence. He knew he could easily manipulate Yar'Adua. Essentially, Babangida is actually the one still calling the shots, behind the scenes, in Yar 'Adua's government. All Ribadu's problems were orchestrated by Babangida. Most Nigerians thought it was Ibori, but though Ibori is one of his "boys", Babangida is the only one in Nigeria powerful enough to go against Obasanjo's friends. Babangida influenced the appointments of Okiro (IGP) and Aondoakaa (AGF) and Waziri (EFCC), all in an effort to kill the war on corruption, and stop all the noise about corruption. Have you noticed that in all his public utterances, Babangida had never said anything against corruption? He does not see corruption as corruption, because he believes in Reagan's trickle down or voodoo economics, i.e. give the wealth of the nation to a few of his cronies in government or business, and they would create wealth for others. It is this same Reagan's idea that is wreaking havoc in the American economy today! Everyday, Yar 'Adua's government looks more and more like Babangida's regime, because he influenced Yar'Adua to recycle his old cronies into important positions. These are men who through the years, have perfected the art and science of stealing and looting. Babangida remains the most destabilizing and powerful force in Nigeria today. It's almost as if he owns Nigeria. He remains untouchable because all the recycled kleptomaniacs called politicians, who are in leadership positions today, owe their wealth and power to Babangida Watch my words, all talk about Nigeria's progress, remains just talk, until Babangida's powers and influence are erased. Until we have bold, very patriotic, incorruptible, and independent individuals elected by the people, Nigeria would go nowhere!!!!. The only leader that Nigerian people ever elected was Abiola. The others were either influenced by foreign powers in collusion with corrupt politicians and the military. Nigeria needs the likes of Nuhu Ribadus, Gani Fawhinmis, Tai Solarins, and yes, Mohammed Buharis and Babatunde Idiagbons. I was born in Cameroun, and I am a true pan-Africanist. I am an extremely patriotic Nigerian with a lot of passion for Nigeria. Any foreigner who ever comes in contact with me ends up loving Nigeria and wanting to go there. It's my little way of rebranding Nigeria, whatever that really means. I sincerely believe that Nigeria could potentially be the greatest wholly black nation on earth if we could put our acts together and stop corruption at all cost and by all means necessary. The West is very much aware of Nigeria's potentials and they are doing everything to stop it, especially the US. This is why the American Press uses every opportunity to humiliate Nigeria, to make us lose our Natural self confidence and not compete with them toe-to-toe. There are more criminals in one American city, than all of Nigeria combined! The truth is that a powerful wholly black nation would shatter the methodical stereotype of the black race, as stupid, by their media over the years. A powerful black nation would also awaken their black population to aim higher, and regain their confidence after years of emasculation. This is something they'll do everything to avoid. I honestly believe that most of our problems, especially the Niger Delta, could be traced back to LONDON AND WASHINGTON, through their multinational corporations, who corrupt and impose corrupt and inept leaders on us .............Anyway, let see what we do to help our country. The article should be reconstructed as poser questions for Babangida to answer to Nigerians. This brings out all the points of interests, but avoids accusing him directly This would force him to react and be on the defensive, thereby, exposing himself for a second look by Nigerians.

Written by Cozie Chimason Monday, 12 April 2010

The Active Manager Tool Kit

2009-06-23T01:18:00.000-07:00

The Active Manager's Tool Kit - 45 Reproducible Tools for Leading and Improving Your Employee's Performance

Traditional Formal educators: A threat to innovation and creativity

2009-06-08T23:27:00.000-07:00

Different independent school of thoughts have different views and perspectives towards education and learning, while experts and professional educators strive to achieve and formulate different methods and skill in the dissemination of knowledge, few have successfully accomplish the task entrusted upon them by society. Education and learning is the most diverse, dynamic and never ending quest that any human being can undertake, and it can prove to be the most daunting of all task.
As a student and passionate believer in the power of knowledge, I have occasionally found myself in what I like to call “academic dilemma”, a situation where I like to choose what I feel is more important for me to study and what is of less importance during the course of an academic semester. This is as a result of the aspirations I have just as any other student dreaming of becoming successful in future. For instance I would feel subjects solely based on calculations are not necessarily relevant to someone who wants to be a civil activist. While this might appeal to the senses and desires of the average student, it is however one of the greatest misfortune of formal traditional education. An unfortunate situation where the scope of learning and choice of knowledge is being narrowed down to very specified scopes and fields.
To clearly explain my point, perhaps I should give my definition of a formal traditional education, which I find to be simple, it is simply any form or means of education were a student’s ability to think and analyze through a problem is based solely on what has been said or discussed by the educator or what has been written in the reference texts. As a result of this, It has become unfortunate that many student end of failing major examinations as a result of the limitations placed on learning, while others fail because they have failed to provide what is “in the slides” that is being provided by the educator to students. I have even heard lecturers making it clear to their students that they are not likely to pass their examination if they fail to regurgitate what has been provided to them in the slides. Thus a lot of students have fallen victims of the traditional formal education “syndrome”, however, I do not place the blame on the educators alone. Different tertiary institutions have different cultures of learning and in most cases educators are forced to confine themselves within the learning cultures of the institution by authorities and students who by human nature are resistant to change and prefer being spoon fed.
The risk of conventional methods of knowledge transfer cannot be overemphasized or analyzed, that should be the subject of further research, however the biggest threat it poses is the imprisonment of the mind, where the mind is taught subconsnously not to think “outside the box” or better said, outside the class. This is why most classes conducted in the strict conventional learning environments, with lecturers playing the roles of masters and all knowing gurus breed this most conventional and rigid minds in our society, this is greatly unhealthy for the young mind. Thus, it can be said that the thin line that separates Ivy League colleges and the regular colleges are the learning atmosphere and knowledge transfer methods, not simply the presence or absence of smart gifted kids and genius lecturers. I am a strong believer that formal education should be a tool that facilitates the never ending quest for learning, in the most diverse and dynamic manner were every aspect of the society is not left untouched. However, when those entrusted with shaping the future through shaping the mind, are not willing or able to let the minds of their student free up and wonder about in the endless pursuit of knowledge, then the aim of education becomes defeated.
Coming back to the great role of educators in the society in general, we can summarize everything into one word Empowerment; this is one of the greatest words in the English language, with powers greater than the matching barbarian army of Attila the great leader of the Huns. The question is how can an educator empower his/her students? Educators empower their students by believing in their students potentials, even when hopes for utilizing those potentials seem bleak. A very learned friend of mine vividly recalled to me a conversation he ones had with his classmates during an in-between class breaks. On one of such occasions, his friends mocked him for being the dumbest kid in the class; it was a terrible experience he said as he recalled his ordeal with occasionally flashes of mixed reaction on his face like a bride on the day of her wedding. He told me that he was looked down upon by his classmates simply because his answers were always different from the rest of the class and he always asked “stupid questions”. In fact at some point, he actually felt like he was really the dumbest kid in the class. Looking back from those depressing days he said, what he eventually found out was that, his teacher never empowered him as a student and never encouraged him to set his mind open and think outside the box. My learned friend now simply laughs at his memories as today he is one of the best minds in his field. However, had he not been empowered by his new teacher later in life, he may never have shaken the belief that he is actually a dumb kid with no sense of direction. My learned friend’s new teacher who happened to be a “white man” saw something in my friend that nobody else did, he saw a mind that was open, a mind that had the ability to think of what has not been thought of, a mind with endless potentials ticking, waiting to explode to its full potentials like a timed bomb, such is mind of every human, he thus empowered my friend by believing in his dreams and convincing him that having a different point of view, did not mean one is less of a human or student but that one is actually thinking beyond the confide boarders of his class.
Additionally, educators have the responsibility of empowering their students by teaching them the necessary skills they need to succeed in the quest for lifelong learning. Like a kung-fu master who teaches his student the secrets of the art, but does not chooses the opponent which his students might likely face in future, teachers are suppose to “show the road to a student and not walk him through it” as one of my favorite educators once said. I don’t know exactly who coined the phrase; “learning through spoon feeding”, but it’s meaning suggest to me the perfect way to enslaving the mind. Going back to my learned friend and his experience with the “white man” that changed his life, my friend recalled that in an effort by his lecturer to empower his mind, he unlike most of the rest of his teachers encouraged him to watch more television, read more magazines, news papers and even if he founds sex to be a curious thing, then he should watch a few x-rated movies to quench his curiosity. However, he made him write a report every week on what he had learned new and to share it with his class mate whether it was related to the class subject or not, he recalled an embarrassing day when he had to share about male puberty experience in front of the class with all the beautiful girls present. My friend had no idea why he had to be doing this, until long after he had left school that he discovered that what his teacher was doing was to set no boundaries to his learning scope and to empower him with a mindset that does not consider any form of learning a taboo.
Another way through which educators can empower their students is by prodding them to take risks. Most cultures and societies discourage some out rightly, risk taking. This cannot be unconnected to the general fear we naturally have of the unknown, the fear of change from a current situation to an unexpected one. I think it was in the book, Who moved my cheese, by Spencer Johnson, M.D. That it asks, “What would you do if you were not afraid? “This is a very powerful question with deep meaning which we all should occasionally ask ourselves. A lot of us limit our potentials and abilities simply because of fear, the fear to take risks and explore new things and ways of doing them. An educator has to prod his students to take risk, to be creative, innovative and independent minded. This can only be achieved by removing boundaries to learning and class discussions, and by removing the status quo that gives the supreme powers of knowledge to teachers and teachers alone.
Empowerment of students by educators can also and should come in the form of the recognition of successes and achievements. It is said that the best way to motivate a person is to listen to that person; a lot is being achieved and gained by both educators and students when there is more of listening by the educators rather than less. Through listening, a teacher gives his student a sense of pride and a feeling of being important and respected, in addition to building a stronger bond of relationship, because of these, the student psychologically feels the need to live up to that standard of feeling important and respected in class, and thus strives to broaden his/her knowledge so that he/she can continue to contribute to the academic learning process. On the other hand, the recognition of success has an almost instant effect on the psychology of a student as I have personally experienced. It can be said to be as simple as this; when a student does something good or says something well no matter how little or insignificant it might be, an educator should recognize the action of the student and praise him/her in public same goes to when the action is negative. However in the case of a negative action that requires punishment and or criticism, educators I believe should never take a swift action immediately in public particular if it is an action that requires comments and criticism, this is to avoid embarrassing a student and putting him/her on the spotlight and on the defensive, against the educator. However in the case of punishments and penalties, it can be issued in public so as to deter its future occurrence by other students.
On a final note, looking back at the experiences my learned friend had his “white teacher” , one can only imagine what would have happened had the teacher not taken the initiative to empower my friend in his studies, who knows what my friend’s life would have looked like? Perhaps the best he could have been will be what I also like to call “a learned and rigid text book guru”, someone with no dynamics in knowledge and approach. Even a decent conversation with such a person would prove to be an uphill task. Thanks to his teacher’s empowerment, my learned friend has become one of the most enlightened people I have ever met, who knows about virtually everything and has a smart answer to every question, something that occasionally gets me jealous, I hear they call people like him genius, but don’t forget he was once regarded as of the “dumbest kids” in his class.
As an educator in whatever respect or scope that is, your decision to empower your students have a direct impact on the future trajectory of their lives and the society we live in. Educators are not to be stingy with the time they are suppose to invest in their students, by affirming your student’s potential, broadening his/her skills, pushing them to accept risk, and celebrating their success in public and failures in private, you are propelling them into stunning accomplishments and building a better society for humanity.

Ponder on this!

2009-06-06T09:23:00.000-07:00

Pls ponder over this, i just read it from an email sent to me by a friend.

A man woke up early in order to pray the Fajr prayer in the masjid. He got dressed, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid. On his way to the masjid, the man fell and his clothes got dirty. He got up, brushed himself off, and headed home. At home, he changed his clothes, made his ablution, and was, again, on his way to the masjid.

On his way to the masjid, he fell again and at the same spot! He, again, got up, brushed himself off and headed home. At home he, once again, changed his clothes, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid.

On his way to the masjid, he met a man holding a lamp. He asked the man of his identity and the man replied 'I saw you fall twice on your way to the masjid, so I brought a lamp so I can light your way.'

The first man thanked him profusively and the two where on their way to the masjid. Once at the masjid, the first man asked the man with the lamp to come in and pray Fajr with him. The second man refused. The first man asked him a couple more times and, again, the answer was the same. The first man asked him why he did not wish to come in and pray.The man replied 'I am Satan.
'The man was shocked at this reply. Satan went on to explain, 'I saw you on your way to the masjid and it was I who made you fall. When you went home, cleaned yourself and went back on your way to the masjid, Allah forgave all of your sins. I made you fall a second time, and even that did not encourage you to stay home, but rather, you went back on your way to the masjid. Because of that, Allah forgave all the sins of the people of your household. I was afraid if i made you fall one more time, then Allah will forgive the sins of the people of your village, so i made sure that you reached the masjid safely.'

So do not let Satan benefit from his actions. Do not put off a good that you intended to do as you never know how much reward you might recieve from the hardships you encounter while trying to achieve that good.

If forwarding this message will bother you, or take too much time from you, then don't do it, but you will not get the reward of it, which is great. Imagine, that when you forward this, you recieve 240 good deeds, and so will I for sending it to you! Wouldn't it be easy just to press 'Forward' and recieve this reward?

Wa Assalamualikom wa Rahmatu Allahu wa Barakatahu.

...............now whose the BOSS?!

2009-06-05T00:02:00.000-07:00

"Real power can't be given, it most be taken...." those are the words used for the Tagline of the movie; The Godfather. Most people will agree with me that, Pres. Obansajo like any other past leader didn't relinquish his "throne" out of his free will or the desire for a continued democratic system. On the contrary he did so because he had no other playing card on the table, he was cornered by Nigerians and even the international community, his only viable exit strategy was to appoint and install a successor, of course irrespective of what Nigeria say or think.

I can only imagine what was going through the mind and actions of the Egba man just after the defeat of the third term evil scheme. "this useless boys have dared me, Emi....Aremu Obasanjo!" OR "Nasiru! come here!....my friend will you run here......am calling you and you are dancing....., GO! and call Nuhu and the rest, tell them to deal with everybody that worked against MY third term, Turaki should be number 1", or maybe he just thought "hmmm...ok let me get somebody and share the cake with, a small boi like that quite Umoro". He could have thought of so many things, but i guess the idea of getting a stooge, a puppet to be the face of the government sounded more realistic to the Ex-General, and Yar'adua the perfect candidate. One thing led to the other and eventually Obasanjo got his way again damning whatever we thought or needed.

Pres. Yar'adua, has been many things since he "ascended the throne", from an illegitimate president to an anointed stooge, a sick and dying person and the list goes on and on. Am sure most Nigerians had mixed reactions/feelings about Yar'adua when he became the commander in chief, for some it might be a relief and to others an extension of the Obasanjo dynasty, few thought he could ever be a man of himself and outgrow the dominance of Obasanjo in the nation's politics, except for those who are close to the President and knows him well and of course the little that understood power. Like Atiku the former Vice President once said when he was asked whether he offers advice to Pres. Yar'adua when they meet or not, his words were "when a person has power particularly that of a Nigerian president, even if he is your son, you have to be careful when dealing with him...." This alone shades some light to the fact that it is very difficult to control a powerful person let alone having them as stooges except of course in more complicated nations like the UK and US.

The picture above speaks for itself, a testimony of who exactly is in control of the administration, even though control is not exactly what we need,provision of good roads, electricity, and security alone is what we are asking for.

Back to business...

2009-06-02T22:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys, iv been out of the blogging world for sometime now.....far too long i guess? Anyway am back, and i think this time around am here to stay. Its been an interest time that i took off. I have been working on my book and reading alot of other books lately. I have also been watching and observing how things are going by lately, there seem to be alot of turbulance, not that i like it, but its interesting.

From Nigeria to Malaysia, Asia to Europe, Middle east to America, things seem to be heating up and people going haywire. Can't wait to start writing again....I'll keep you posted. :D

About Change

2009-04-23T01:24:00.001-07:00

“…Indeed, Allaah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves…” (Ar-Ra‘d: 11)

REMINDER

2009-04-23T01:12:00.000-07:00

Brethren in faith! Fear Allaah as He should be feared, for whoever fears Him will receive His protection; whoever turns to Him in repentance will receive His guidance and pleasure; whoever humbles himself in His worship will be honoured by Him and whoever transacts honourably with Him will prosper.

Fellow Muslims! Trials and afflictions are sent to awaken the affected nation to a serious and sincere review of its culture and civilisation, as well as a transparent assessment of its actions. This is because it is civilisation and culture that influence people’s behaviour and concerns. Indeed, there is a dire need for this self-examination in order to identify causes of weakness and defect. Monumental challenges and crises awaken nations and constitute major turning points in their history; they rouse them to strive hard for their progress and development.

Indeed, past failures do not in any way kill the future of an afflicted nation; rather, they draw its attention to its potential and capability. Allaah says regarding the tribulation of the Battle of Badr that which means: “If a wound should touch you – there has already touched the [opposing] people a wound similar to it. And these days [of varying conditions] We alternate among the people so that Allaah may make evident those who believe and [may] take to Himself from among you martyrs – and Allaah does not like the wrongdoers - And that Allaah may purify the believers [through trials] and destroy the disbelievers.” (Aal ‘Imraan: 140-141).

When major incidents take place, they do not affect a nation alone but affect most nations of the world, for they generate numerous religious, economic, social and political reactions. What is therefore expected of the intelligentsia of the affected nation is a fundamental review of its policies and systems as well as the effects of these on individuals and nations. Moreover, all contemporary principles, systems and policies of this age require scrutiny and re-examination.

There are indeed some current systems that are beneficial materially, technologically, medically, economically and educationally, but what effect have these useful systems had on those who propagate them? It seems as if the very propagators of these systems are themselves devoid of any compassion or mercy; they proclaim systems whose implementation is biased; they speak of freedom, democracy and human rights but their actions contradict their statements. Contemporary history is full of arrogance, ostentation, dictatorship, humiliation, oppression of weak nations and usurpation of their wealth. Justice and ration therefore demand that the afflicted nation should deal with other nations honestly, wish them well and review its policies towards them as well as to seriously reflect upon the basic factors that have caused people’s hatred towards it.

What benefits are there of principles and systems that generate hatred and allow the humiliation of others? Of what use are policies that facilitate arrogance and haughtiness? Sincere reflection must be made upon the waves of violence that take place all over the world.

Let it be known that if violence is allowed to prevail instead of dialogue and mutual understanding, the voice of the weak will not be heard and justice will have no chance; and even worse than these is that aggression and violence will be legalised. It is therefore a must that all types of aggression, hostility, hatred and racism, be brought to an end.

Among the issues that need urgent review are the wars that have characterised this generation, in which many innocent lives have been lost and in which destructive weapons that not only kill but also cause impairment and chronic diseases to the living are wantonly used. What then is the benefit of a system which has as its product, aggressive and unjust wars that know no law or norms? Compare this to the injunction of the Qur’aan about the purpose of fighting a war which says that which means: “Fight in the way of Allaah those who fight you, but do not commit aggression. Indeed, Allaah does not like aggressors.” (Al-Baqarah: 190) Statistics speak of millions of casualties of these senseless wars all over the world. Therefore, a careful and sincere review of these policies and systems in the light of their effects will go a long way in solving the problems at hand.

Lawan Muhammad Dunoma

Captain. Thomas Sankara: A tribute to a forgotton Gem

2009-02-10T23:35:00.000-08:00

Few have earned the status of being my roles models, though i have quite a number of them who have very unique qualities that i individually admire and try to emulate; from my great father to the Great Mao of china to Fidel of Cuban, Hitler of Germany and even Obama of the "world". Each of them is unique and well known and remembered for a certain quality, but non is remembered for sincere uprightness and integrity like the young and ambitious Captain of Burkina Faso formally called The Republic of Upper Volta, Captain Thomas Sankara. Thomas Sankara is one in a long lineage of African sons and daughters whose ideas and actions have left an indelible mark on the history of the continent. He was however killed by his brothers in arms with the belief that they could defeat the great example he set for progressive youth across the continent. Unfortunately for his murderers they couldn't have been more wrong with their belief as a week to the faithful day of his assassination, in a historic speech marking the 20th anniversary of the assassination of another great revolutionary,Ernesto 'Che' Guevara,Thomas declared that "ideas cannot be killed, ideas never die". Indeed, the history of humanity is replete with martyrs and heroes whose ideas and actions have survived the dawn of time and have inspired future generations. The ideas, belief and sacrifice of Thomas Sankara has made him a martyr that is larger than life.

This is the reason why over two decades of his dead, Thomas Sankara continues to be in the minds and heart of the few that struggle to end the domination and enslavement of the African Continent. The power of Sankara's revolutionary ideas and popularity cannot be unconnected to the continuous reflection of African's who are frustrated with corrupt leaders and rotten leadership styles that is incapable of setting the continent with all its rich resources of both human and natural abundance in the pairs of western and Asian continents. Sankara’s popularity is also deeply rooted in the profound sincerity of his commitment to serving his people, his devotion to the cause of the emancipation of the Burkinabés and all African peoples. His charisma, honesty and integrity made him a hero for the ‘wretched of the Earth,’ to coin a phrase from Frantz Fanon, who was greatly admired by Sankara.

As Africa looks desperately for leaders of integrity and vision, the life and ideals of the late Thomas Sankara seem more and more relevant and exemplary with the passage of time.

Above all, however, the greatness of Sankara lies within the ideas and values he embodied during his brief time on the African and international stage. Indeed, if Sankara arouses as much fervor today as he did two decades ago, it is because he embodied and defended causes that still resonate today among the millions of oppressed in Africa and around the world. Sankara was a genuine revolutionary and a great visionary who had the courage to take on the most difficult challenges and who held great ambitions for his country and Africa. Most of the ideas or causes he defended two decades ago are still at the heart of the struggle for the economic, social and political emancipation of peoples around the world. He was an environmentalist ahead of his time in a so-called ‘poor’ country that was supposed to have other more pressing priorities than the environment.

Sankara was one of the first heads of State, perhaps the only one in his time, to condemn female excision, a position that reflected his unwavering commitment to the emancipation of women and the struggle against all forms of discrimination against women. He was a relentless advocate of gender equality and the recognition of the role of women in all spheres of economic and social life. In his famous speech of 2 October 1983, he stated: ‘We cannot transform society while maintaining domination and discrimination against women who constitute over half of the population.’ His unrelenting struggle against corruption, long before the World Bank and the IMF picked up on this issue, made Sankara an enemy of all corrupt presidents on the continent and of the international capitalist mafia for whom corruption is a tool for conquering markets and pillaging the resources of the global South.

Sankara rejected the inevitability of ‘poverty,’ and was one of the first proponents of food security. He achieved the spectacular feat of making his country food self-sufficient within four years, through sensible agricultural policy and, above all, the mobilisation of the Burkinabé peasantry. He understood that a country that could not feed itself ran the risk of losing its independence and sovereignty. In July 1987, Sankara, close on the heels of Fidel Castro two years earlier, called on African countries to form a powerful front against their continent’s illegitimate and immoral debt and to collectively refuse to pay it.

Once again, he understood before others that the debt was a form of modern enslavement for Africa; a major cause of poverty and deep suffering for African populations. Sankara famously stated: ‘If we do not pay the debt, our lenders will not die. However, if we do pay it, we will die…’ On the international stage, Sankara was the first African head of State, indeed the first in the world, to denounce the UN Security Council’s right of veto and to condemn the lack of democracy within the United Nations system as well as the hypocrisy that characterized international relations. Today, all of these ideas have become self- evident truths and are at the heart of popular resistance movements, including the World Social Forum that has become one of the most powerful major rallying points.

Captain Thomas Sankara is the lion king that should be remembered by all and who value the ideas and values that he stood for and died for this values should particularly be upheld by the youth of the African continent since it has become obvious that the current generation of leaders are hell bent on throwing the continent back to colonial rule. Thomas Sankara is a role model, a teacher, inspiration and a benchmark to all of us that strive to see a better, progressive and more united Africa that should be strong enough to be heard and respected. Long Live Sankara, Long Live Africa and long live the cause of the good.

Shocking five year old smoker!

2009-02-03T05:18:00.000-08:00

I just came across an interesting and shocking story of the Five-year-old child whose parents want him to be in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest smoker ever. But unfortunately for the parents, that wont happen, as according to the spokesman of Guinness the kid is not eligible since "individuals concerned may not have a choice and could be forced into it".

Obviously a five year old kid doesn't have a choice in this case and is unaware of the health implications of his acts. (Like duh!) But what shocks me most is his parents "encouragements" or should i say the pride they have in their toddlers smoking habits and addiction. They actually claimed to have "encouraged" the kid to smoke since the tender age of 3! Saying that he has shown some amazing and dazzling skill most chain smokers will be envious of, he also smokes all kinds of cigarettes and doesnt hesitate to show off to his friends and neighbors. Well obviously this is wrong and very unethical but come to think of it,isnt he cute...:-)

Mystery woman II

2009-01-28T09:27:00.000-08:00

Still on my mystery woman series, i decided to write this second poem even though i personally preferred the first because the first poem did raised a few eyebrows and generated a few gossips and questioning, those that konw me well konw that i sometimes enjoy being misunderstood at least even if just to continue keeping people in the dark. Anyway let me not get carried away, enjoy....

I wonder where my mystery woman has gone
I wonder if you even exist
A woman who I can really care for
A woman worth my love and care
A woman that will be down for my ride
If there is a mystery woman like this, you’ll be my knight in shining armor
My star, my sun, and my full moon
You’ll be my everlasting love,
Mystery woman, you’ll be my woman

We’ll be as close as we could be
Holding each other tight thinking of the next decision to make
Thinking about the future, our future
Staring into each other’s eyes
Knowing that your LOVE is true
My mystery woman
This is just a poem for you
But words can’t bring you to me my mystery woman.
Only fantasies can

Why choose when you can combine?

2009-01-24T10:22:00.000-08:00

I am just wondering as an outsider to the American style of politics, what is really the most important factor and policy making decision by America that should concern me, internal policy or foreign policy, i am certain its foreign policy. Ok if thats the case, now that we have Senator Hilary Clinton as the secretary of state, perhaps the second most powerful official in Washington then what should we expect of the American foreign policy, i mean the Obama foreign policy? Hilary is in support of an imminent attack on Iran, a sovereign Nation that has not or plans to attack any Nation whose only offense is the fact that it is an emerging powerful Islamic country which poses a threat to the Zionist agenda of global domination. So my question is why choose in the first place when you could have combined?

LORD give us love Every time.

2009-01-23T03:10:00.000-08:00

I write this simple poem as a dedication to the poor innocent kids that are being massacred in Gaza, around the world and to all the victims of violence and injustice.

Lord give us love every time,
Maybe love is what we so desperately desire,
To brighten our days in this darkness,
To place a smile in our sad faces,

This life that is filled with sorrows,
Murders, massacre and violence is the order of the day,
Lord give us love every time,
We can never have too much love.

In a world that has gone astray,
Lord give us love to laugh with pleasure,
Give us love to dazzle our souls with laughter,
To make the orphan kids in Palestine sing out load and the hungry kids in Africa smile for the next meal.

Lord let there be laughter to make the world alive again,
Bring on love to us,
Its welcomed in our souls of tears and sadness,
Appreciated from this coldness,
Give us lovely words and deeds to relate with one another,
So pleasing to our ears and heart,
Making us happy for a while,
Give us love every time,
Over all threatening and sublimed messages,
Lord give us love every time,
Over those who want to see us cry,
Lord, Oh Lord, love is what we need.

Barack Obama : Zionist, Messiah, or a puppet dancing on a string?

2009-01-20T08:57:00.000-08:00

A lot has been said and written about President Obama,like i always say, he is a charismatic and articulate politician who has changed the course of history. Perhaps the history pages of the 21st century can not be written without a page dedicated to this appealing politician.

Just like the millions of people that have been swept by the Obama "fever", i have also been a curious and avid admirer of the man Obama.I had wished and hoped to be like Obama, then of course wondered how to be like Obama; i'v read his books and books written about him, listen to commentators and news reporters, watched adverts and commercials about Obama, discussed with die-hard Obama fans and watched as Kenyans celebrate his success as theirs all for the simple desire of understanding the man Obama and what makes him so "special". But as i keep researching further and deeper and observing current world events and historical facts i ask myself is Obama really the Messiah he appears to be? Or is he another Zionist proxy or a dancing puppet dangling from the strings of his puppet masters?

To the best of my knowledge and understanding (despite clearly knowing that alot of people will disagree with my views for different reason, more commonly because we have been hypnotized and we happen to live in a world of illusion), Obama has been packaged and presented to the world as the quintessential politician for democracy; American style, the Harvard graduate and self made attorney and later senator who serves as an example of a new era in US racial harmony, whose supporters keep insisting that he will pull out US troops out of Iraq, while ignoring the facts that the US government has spent hundreds of billions of dollars establishing permanent bases in Iraq and throughout the region and clearly has no intentions of pulling out of Iraq or the region anytime soon as claimed by Obama. Indeed, while parading himself as an antiwar candidate, Obama has clearly refused to reject the preempted strike on Iran (why is that so?), an imperfect but sovereign Nation that has not attacked anyone. Perhaps most importantly, to Americans particularly, Obama who many have treated as a messiah has shown little interest in investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks mass murders of innocent American citizens which evidence clearly shows an inside hatchet job (remember that World trade center tower 7 was never hit by a plane and it collapsed like a perfectly controlled demolition), which is also the sole reason why American troops are butchering and killing men, women and children in at least two different sovereign nations.

One thing i must say is that the Zionist controlled media has once again accomplish a tremendous feat in its goal for A NEW WORLD ORDER by packaging and presenting the "perfect" candidate to lead the world as Bush Snr once said; "....we have before us the opportunity to forge for ourself and future generation A NEW WORLD ORDER, a world where the rule of law not the law of the jungle governs the conducts of nations, when we are successful and we will be, we have a real chance of this world order.......".
They have held up the man Obama to the world as an example of what "YOU" too can become, but like his colleagues and most other politicians, he is noting but a self serving, sweet talking politician who keeps phrasing more of the same "business as usual do not apply anymore" for he is "CHANGE", for he is ushering a completely new world order!

Those who fancy themselves as progressive or tolerant by supporting Obama should understand that your rock star, celebrity idol worship of a former junior senator from Illinois who has accomplished almost notting of political relevance besides his opposition of the "funding" of the Iraq war and giving a keynote speech at the democratic national convention four year prior to his candidacy is perhaps just a show of thoughtful political awareness or more like a cheer leading drill being led by the masters of puppets, captains of geo-political propaganda who have openly endorsed Obama as their candidate for global unification which will eventually lead to a one world order. Mark my words now before its too late, before the end of this year, maybe within the first six months of his administration, Obama like John Kennedy will be tested. The world is certainly looking, America has just sworn in a brilliant 47 year old senator president. Remember i said it first in this not so popular blog site of mine that, the world will be faced by an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test this guy. They are going to make it really big, i don't know what it is going to be no body knows except them, but mark my words, i promise you that the world is going to face a major and challenging crises, as a student of history and politics, i guarantee you something big will happen. Of course i can give you at least a handful of scenarios from where it might originate; for instance, with the current financial crisis, the US Economy is Expected to collapse possibly by the end of this year or earlier and when this happen, there can be a possible great depression that will result in the rise of food shortage and starvation in the US, another major event that might possibly occur is maybe something similar to 911, possibly a nuclear attack, a breakout of civil unrest that can result in a civil war or the breakout of some man made pandemic. I am only making my predictions based on personal thoughts and historical events. History they say repeats itself and usually in a violet way. Listen to me when i speak!

If Gaza falls . . .

2009-01-16T06:55:00.000-08:00

Israel’s siege of Gaza began on 5 November, the day after an Israeli attack inside the strip, no doubt designed finally to undermine the truce between Israel and Hamas established last June. Although both sides had violated the agreement before, this incursion was on a different scale. Hamas responded by firing rockets into Israel and the violence has not abated since then. Israel’s siege has two fundamental
goals. One is to ensure that the Palestinians there are seen merely as a humanitarian problem, beggars who have no political identity and therefore can have no political claims. The second is to foist Gaza onto Egypt. That is why the Israelis tolerate the hundreds of tunnels between Gaza and Egypt around which an informal but increasingly regulated commercial sector has begun to form. The overwhelming majority of Gazans are impoverished and officially 49.1 per cent are unemployed. In fact the prospect of steady employment is rapidly disappearing for the majority of the population.

On 5 November the Israeli government sealed all the ways into and out of Gaza. Food, medicine, fuel, parts for water and sanitation systems, fertilizer, plastic sheeting, phones, paper, glue, shoes and even teacups are no longer getting through in sufficient quantities or at all. According to Oxfam only 137 trucks of food were allowed into Gaza in November. This means that an average of 4.6 trucks per day
entered the strip compared to an average of 123 in October this year and 564 in December 2005. The two main food providers in Gaza are the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the World Food Programme (WFP). UNRWA alone feeds approximately 750,000 people in Gaza, and requires 15 trucks of food daily to do so. Between 5 November and 30 November, only 23 trucks arrived, around 6 per cent of the total needed; during the week of 30 November it received 12 trucks, or 11 per cent of what was required. There were three days in November when UNRWA ran out of food, with the result that on each of these days
20,000 people were unable to receive their scheduled supply. According to John Ging, the director of UNRWA in Gaza, most of the people who get food aid are entirely dependent on it. On 18 December UNRWA suspended all food distribution for both emergency and regular programmes because of the blockade.

The WFP has had similar problems, sending only 35 trucks out of the 190 it had scheduled to cover Gazans’ needs until the start of February (six more were allowed in between 30 November and 6 December). Not only that: the WFP has to pay to store food that isn’t being sent to Gaza. This cost $215,000 in November alone. If the siege continues, the WFP will have to pay an extra $150,000 for storage in December, money that will be used not to support Palestinians but to benefit Israeli business.
The majority of commercial bakeries in Gaza - 30 out of 47 - have had to close because they have run out of cooking gas. People are using any fuel they can find to cook with. As the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has made clear, cooking-gas canisters are necessary for generating the warmth to incubate broiler chicks. Shortages of gas and animal feed have forced commercial producers to smother hundreds of thousands of chicks. By April, according to the FAO, there will be no poultry there at all: 70 per cent of Gazans rely on chicken as a major source of protein.

Banks, suffering from Israeli restrictions on the transfer of banknotes into the territory were forced to close on 4 December. A sign on the door of one read: “Due to the decision of the Palestinian Finance Authority, the bank will be closed today Thursday, 4.12.2008, because of the unavailability of cash money, and the bank will be reopened once the cash money is available.” The World Bank has warned that Gaza’s banking system could collapse if these restrictions continue.
All cash for work programmes has been stopped and on 19 November UNRWA suspended its cash assistance programme to the most needy. It also ceased production of textbooks because there is no paper, ink or glue in Gaza. This will affect 200,000 students returning to school in the new year. On 11 December, the Israeli defence minister, Ehud Barak, sent $25 million following an appeal from the Palestinian prime minister, Salaam Fayad, the first infusion of its kind since October. It won’t even
cover a month’s salary for Gaza’s 77,000 civil servants.
On 13 November production at Gaza’s only power station was suspended and the turbines shut down because it had run out of industrial diesel. This in turn caused the two turbine batteries to run down, and they failed to start up again when fuel was received some ten days later. About a hundred spare parts ordered for the turbines have been sitting in the port of Ashdod in Israel for the last eight months,
waiting for the Israeli authorities to let them through customs. Now Israel has started to auction these parts because they have been in customs for more than 45 days. The proceeds are being held in Israeli
accounts.
During the week of 30 November, 394,000 litres of industrial diesel were allowed in for the power plant: approximately 18 per cent of the weekly minimum that Israel is legally obliged to allow in. It was enough for one turbine to run for two days before the plant was shut down again. The Gaza Electricity Distribution Company said that most of the Gaza Strip will be without electricity for between four and 12 hours a day. At any given time during these outages, over 65,000 people have no
electricity.
No other diesel fuel (for standby generators and transport) was delivered during that week, no petrol (which has been kept out since early November) or cooking gas. Gaza’s hospitals are apparently relying on diesel and gas smuggled from Egypt via the tunnels; these supplies are said to be administered and taxed by Hamas. Even so, two of Gaza’s hospitals have been out of cooking gas since the week of 23 November.
Adding to the problems caused by the siege are those created by the political divisions between the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Hamas Authority in Gaza. For example, Gaza’s Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU), which is not controlled by Hamas, is supposed to receive funds from the World Bank via the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) in Ramallah to pay for fuel to run the pumps for Gaza’s sewage system. Since June, the PWA has refused to hand over those
funds, perhaps because it feels that a functioning sewage system would benefit Hamas. I don’t know whether the World Bank has attempted to intervene, but meanwhile UNRWA is providing the fuel, although they have no budget for it. The CMWU has also asked Israel’s permission to import 200 tons of chlorine, but by the end of November it had received only 18 tons - enough for one week of chlorinated water. By mid-December Gaza City and the north of Gaza had access to water only six
hours every three days.

According to the World Health Organisation, the political divisions between Gaza and the West Bank are also having a serious impact on drug stocks in Gaza. The West Bank Ministry of Health (MOH) is responsible for procuring and delivering most of the pharmaceuticals and medical disposables used in Gaza. But stocks are at dangerously low levels. Throughout November the MOH West Bank was turning shipments away because it had no warehouse space, yet it wasn’t sending supplies on to Gaza in adequate quantities. During the week of 30 November, one truck carrying drugs and medical
supplies from the MOH in Ramallah entered Gaza, the first delivery since early September.

The breakdown of an entire society is happening in front of us, but there is little international response beyond "UN warnings" which are ignored. The European Union announced recently that it wanted to "strengthen its relationship with Israel" while the Israeli leadership openly calls for a large-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip and continues its economic stranglehold over the territory with, it appears, the not-so tacit support of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah – which has been co-operating with Israel on a number of measures. On 19 December Hamas officially ended its truce with Israel, which Israel said it wanted to renew, because of Israel’s failure to ease the blockade.
How can keeping food and medicine from the people of Gaza protect the people of Israel?! How can the impoverishment and suffering of Gaza’s children - more than 50 per cent of the population - benefit anyone?! International law as well as human decency demands their protection. If Gaza falls, the West Bank will be next, this might just be the begining of another world war!

Sourced from; Sara Roy
London Review of Books
1.1.2009
http://www.lrb.co.uk/v31/n01/roy_01_.html
Sara Roy teaches at Harvard’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies and is the author of Failing Peace:
Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict.

Reminder

2009-01-03T12:01:00.000-08:00

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The good deeds of any person will not make him enter Paradise (i.e., no one enters paradise only through his good deeds)." The Prophet's companions asked: "Not even you?" The Prophet replied: "Not even myself, unless God bestows his favor and mercy on me. So be moderate in your religious deeds and do what is within your ability. None of you should wish for death, for if he is a doer of good, he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil doer, he may repent to God." - Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 577

ATTENTION PLEASE!

2008-12-31T08:34:00.001-08:00

ASSALLAMU ALAIKUM.

O Muslims! We are about to receive a new Hijri year and it is not from the Sunnah to celebrate it or to congratulate one another on its advent. For the Muslims, the passage of years does not constitute a real cause of happiness; rather, what counts is the amount of time spent in obedience to Allaah during these years. The years that have passed will be considered as successful if they were spent in obedience to Allaah and miserable if they were spent in disobedience of Allaah. Therefore, the most evil person is he who has lived a long life and has committed evil deeds throughout. It is a must that we receive our days, months and years while in obedience to Allaah. We must bring ourselves to account, redeem ourselves from our bad deeds and duly perform our responsibilities towards our wives, children and relatives.

Contributed by: Lawan Muhammad Dunoma

The Beauty of Mathematics

2008-12-31T07:49:00.000-08:00

Its been sometime now from the day i wrote last on this blog, i have been down with a terrible break bone fever, but am fine now thanks be to Allah. I came across this amazing mathematical trick or what do i even call it, anyway you just have to read on to find out what its about. Enjoy.....

Absolutely amazing!

Beauty of Mathematics !!!!!!!

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

Now, take a look at this...

101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?
What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to
GIVE OVER 100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help
answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

If:

H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K

8+1+18+4+23+ 15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E

11+14+15+23+ 12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E

1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
get you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Have a nice day & God bless!!

Mystery woman

2008-12-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

Mystery woman,
O my mystery angel,
I crave for your sweet voice and tender touch
In the lonely days I stay alone,
Wondering what your name is,
To hear you whisper it into my ears,
To know who belongs to my fantasy world,
To know who I'm talking to in my dreams,
Or who I'm swooning about,

Mystery woman,
The one I dream about,
Daydreaming, sleep walking,
Wondering how our paths crossed,

Mystery woman,
The thoughts of you keep me deciding on what to say,
I write this short poem for you my mystery woman,
but words won’t bring you to me
Life brings life,
But when will we talk again.
In my dreams, and lonely nights……..

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

2008-12-09T01:07:00.000-08:00

Hi i got this email from an Uncle which i find to be very important to share with you all, don't worry it is not long, so be patient and read it. It is also very important and you might use the knowledge one day so check it out:

STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters... S.T.R ..
My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a party, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. (they offered to call ambulance)

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00pm , Ingrid passed away.)
She had suffered a stroke at the party . Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today.

Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this...

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally! He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Remember the '3' steps, STR . Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.
The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions :

S * Ask the individual to SMILE ..
T * = TALK. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (eg 'It is sunny out today').
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS .

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call the ambulance and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

NOTE : Another 'sign' of a stroke is
1. Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue.
2. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

See, i told you it wouldnt take you long to read this, anyway prevention is always better than cure. This piece of knowledge will inshALLAH help save a life someday.

QUR'AN AND MORDERN SCIENCE

2008-12-07T11:48:00.000-08:00

Consider the following Qur’anic verse:

“Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one Unit of Creation), before We clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?” [Al-Qur’aan 21:30]

Only after advances have been made in science, do we now know that cytoplasm, the basic substance of the cell is made up of 80% water. Modern research has also revealed that most organisms consist of 50% to 90% water and that every living entity requires water for its existence. Was it possible 14 centuries ago for any human-being to guess that every living being was made of water? Moreover would such a guess be conceivable by a human being in the deserts of Arabia where there has always been scarcity of water? The following verse refers to the creation of animals from water: “And Allah has created Every animal from water.” [Al-Qur’an 24:45]
(Posted by: Lawan Muhammad Dunoma)

A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY IN DESPAIR

2008-12-06T10:48:00.000-08:00

I had a dream, a dream of a fantasy land, a nation, full of bliss and happiness

I had a dream, a dream so sweet; a mirage or just another illusion in a night sleep.

I had a dream last night of a great country, with all the blessings of the lord
I suddenly woke up to find out that it was all a dream, disappointed, disgusted and depressed, I wish it wasn’t just a dream,

But I had hopes that today, the sun would be shinning and the sky will be blue.

As I stepped outside my little apartment, rain fell upon my head.
A sign of hope, luck or simply a warning sign to go back to my dream?

My car wouldn't start so I walked instead.
Walking alone along a lonely path,

I dropped my head in disgust and asked the Lord for one request.
"Lord, why is it that things don’t go well in my country?" He gently replied,
"Dear child it is because your nation doesn’t thank me for all the blessings I have endowed upon it."

“I wake it up every morning and enabled it to see the sun again. While other nations are burning,
I gave your people shelter, protected their families, and even let you get independence from the whites.

I blessed you far greater than any country around you.
But you were too busy to thank me,

you don’t go to war because I maintained your peace,
you have money in oil but what do you do with it?
Despite that I still maintained your wealth.

You have resources on your shores and knowledge to build on it,
You have plenty of food to eat, and what did you do?

You ignored me and went about your tasks. But when you
wanted something you never hesitated to ask.

You prayed to me to take away a tyrant as a leader but never bothered to pray to me to give you a better person to lead you.

I was there when you needed me, and that wasn't too long ago,
But when things started going your way, it was me you did not know.

As if that weren't enough, I provided your favorite luxuries,
This was something I didn't have to do, they weren't even necessities.

And when it was time to get on your knees and show your gratitude,
You decided that after all the blessing I have given you, you weren't in the mood.

So I decided to give you just a little test,
To show you how it would feel to stop being blessed.
I cursed you with tyrants among yourselves to lead you to an eternal doom………………,”

Suddenly I began to realize what the Lord was saying
And when I got home, I fell to my knees and started praying.

He said, "My child, you have learned and you know I do forgive,
But remember to remember this day as long as you shall live.

Remember to pass the message of love and compassion to your brothers and sisters
Remember to have faith in your lord and ask of him for guidance and protection even when in your comfort zone

I love filling the life of my creatures with joy and love, and your pain I'll alleviate it, but
Just a simple thank you would show how much you appreciate it."

Solitude

2008-11-28T09:43:00.000-08:00

In my solitude. . .
At times I retreat to my "shell,"
Clinging to the security of being alone.

In my solitude. . .
I may attempt to merge with my surroundings--
To be ignored, unnoticed, a silent voice rarely heard.

In my solitude. . .
I can feel completely alone and sometimes safe,
Although surrounded by people.

In my solitude . . .
I'm perceived as having a padlocked soul--
And few try to gain entry into my realm.

In my solitude . . .
Few will dare venture to really know me--
To hear my quiet voice or to really try to understand who I am.

In my solitude . . .
I can have a myriad of words to say,
Yet, my sealed lips will not release them.

In my solitude . . .
The words I do speak will at times be jumbled or misunderstood,
And I'll feel worse for having spoken them.

In my solitude . . .
I will be viewed as "quite" and unfriendly,
Labeled by the presumption of a turbulent world.

Yet, despite my solitude . . .
I will at times emerge from my "shell,"
And you may catch a glimpse of who I am.

And despite my solitude . . .
I may put on a good "front,"
Disguising my innermost insecurities.

Despite my solitude . . .
A select few will manage to penetrate these "walls,"
With the sharing of time and the evolving of trust.

Despite my solitude…..
I know I will accomplish my goals,
With the innermost convictions that I hold.

Despite my solitude…
I know the world will bow to me,
Whether it likes it or not.

My solitude . . .
Frequently unrecognized, seldom understood--
A shackle, a haven, a veil or a time bomb waiting to explode!

WHY YOU SHOULD LOVE AND RESPECT YOUR PARENTS!

2008-11-13T05:18:00.000-08:00

It is rather very unfortunate and dis hearting that most of us today disrespect, neglect, ignore and even abuse our parents. Because of that i would like to draw the attention of each and everyone of us to read this article. It is very long, i know! But please be patient and read it because Allah has commanded us to treat our parents well, and He has linked this to the command to worship Him and the prohibition of associating anything in worship with Him, this should tell you how serious and important our parent are to us. The rights of the mother in this regard have been emphasized more than those of the father and the reason for that are endless.

Allah says:“Worship none but Allah (Alone) and be dutiful and good to parents…” [al-Baqarah 2:83].

Ibn ‘Abbas said: “This means treating them with respect and kindness, and lowering the wing of humility to them, not answering them harshly or glaring at them, not raising one's voice to them, but being as humble towards them as a slave towards his master.”

Allah also says: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, not shout at them, but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small.’” [al-Isra’ 17:23-24].

Al-Baghawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “This means not saying anything that may contain the slightest hint of irritation. [The word ‘uff’ in the aayah, translated here as ‘a word of disrespect’] comes from the word ‘aff’, which is similar to the word ‘taff’; both words refer to the dirt that collects under fingernails, and [in Arabic] when one is annoyed and fed up with something, one says ‘uff!’ to it.” or shit, tsa etc. Most of us forget the harsh pains we have caused our parents from the moment our mothers conceived our pregnancy to the very last day we will spend with them on earth. It is usually a never ending state of prayer and worries for them no matter how old we grow. My mom still struggles to keep her tears from flowing down when ever i have to leave home for school and i am very sure, that is the same with all parents out there.

Abu Baddaah al-Tajeebi said: “I said to Sa’eed ibn al-Musayyab: ‘I understood everything in the Qur’an about respecting one’s parents, apart from the aayah “But address them in terms of honour” [al-Isra’ 17:23]. What are these terms of honour [al-qawl al-kareem]?’

Ibn al-Musayyab said: ‘It is the way in which a slave who has done wrong approaches a harsh and strict master.’”

Makhool said: “Respecting one’s parents is an expiation for major sins.”

For those of us that are harsh and rude to our parent especially the mothers, you have to be patient with your mother and put up with the harsh treatment on her part, which at times maybe upsetting to you. Each parent can sometimes be too cautions and might irritate some of us, but thats only because they love us. Like my mom worries to much that she discourages me from telling her my problems. But by treating her with respect and dealing with her kindly, you will earn her good pleasure and love. Try to avoid things that will provoke her and make her angry, even if they are in your interests, without causing harm to yourself.

Your mother’s rights over you, and your rights over her

1 – The mother’s rights over her child

The mother has many major rights over her child. These rights are innumerable, but i can mention a few of the following:

(a) Love and respect, as much as possible, because she is the most deserving of people of her son’s good companionship.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “A man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said,

‘O Messenger of Allah, who among the people is most deserving of my good companionship?’ He said, ‘Your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then who?’ He said, ‘Your mother.’ He asked, then who?’ He said, ‘Your mother.’ He asked, ‘Then who?’ He said, ‘Your father.’”

She is the one who made her womb a vessel for you and nourished you from her breast. You have no option but to love her. The fitrah (natural inclination of man) calls you to love her. Love between mothers and children and children and mothers is something that Allah has instilled even in animals, so it is even more befitting for the children of human beings, and for Muslims in particular.

(b) Taking care of her and looking after her affairs if she needs that; this is a debt that rests on the child’s shoulders. Did she not take care of him when he was a child and stay up with him at night and bear it all with patience?

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful and kind to his parents. His mother bears him with hardship. And she brings him forth with hardship…” [al-Ahqaaf 46:15]

This even take precedence over jihad if there is a conflict between the two.

‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: “A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and asked him for permission to participate in jihad. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to him, ‘Are your parents alive?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Then your jihad is with them.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2842; Muslim, 2549)

(c) Not offending them or saying or doing anything that they dislike.

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “say not to them a word of disrespect” [al-Israa’ 17:23]

If Allah has forbidden us even to say “uff” [paraphrased as “a word of disrespect” in the translation of the meaning of the aayah] to our parents, then how about someone who hits them?!

(d) Spending on her if she is in need and does not have a husband who can spend on her or if her husband is poor; for the righteous, spending on one’s mother and feeding her is more precious than feeding their own children!

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Three men went out walking and rain began to fall on them. They entered a cave in a mountain, then a rock fell (blocking the entrance to the cave). They said to one another, Pray to Allah by virtue of the best deeds that you have done. One of them said, O Allah, my parents were elderly and I used to go out and tend to my flocks, then I would milk them and bring the milk to my parents for them to drink from it, then I would give some to my children. One night I came home late and found them sleeping. I did not want to wake them, and the children were crying at my feet. I kept waiting and the children kept crying until dawn broke. O Allah, if You knew that I did that for Your sake, then open a way for us through which we can see the sky. So a way was opened for them…” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2102; Muslim, 2743)!

(e) Obeying her when she tells you to do something good. But if she tells you to do something bad, such as shirk, then there should be no obedience to any created being if it involves disobedience to the Creator.

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not; but behave with them in the world kindly” [Luqmaan 31:15]

(f) After one’s mother dies, it is Sunnah to fulfil any vows that she had made, and to give charity and perform Hajj and ‘Umrah on her behalf.

It was reported from Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that a woman from Juhaynah came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said:

“My mother vowed to go for Hajj, but she died before she did so. Can I perform Hajj on her behalf?” He said, “Yes, perform Hajj on her behalf. Do you not think that if your mother owed a debt that you would pay it off for her? Fulfil her debt to Allah, for Allah is more deserving that what is owed to Him should be paid.” (narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1754).

(g) After she dies, it is also Sunnah to honour her by maintaining ties with those whom she used to keep in touch with, such as her relatives and friends.

It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“The best of righteous deeds is for a man to keep in touch with his father’s friends after he dies.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2552).

2 – Your rights over your mother

(a) That she should take care of you when you are a child, breastfeeding and nurturing you. This is a well-known aspect of human nature that has been handed down from the beginning of creation.

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years, (that is) for those (parents) who desire to complete the term of suckling” [al-Baqarah 2:233]

(b) She should bring you up in a righteous manner, for she will be responsible for that before Allah on the Day of Resurrection. You are part of her “flock” and she is your “shepherd”.

It was reported that ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Umar said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say

: ‘Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The imaam is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. A man is the shepherd of his family and is responsible for his flock. A woman is the shepherd of her husband’s house and is responsible for her flock. A servant is the shepherd of his master’s wealth and is responsible for his flock.’ I think that he said, ‘A man is the shepherd of his father’s wealth and is responsible for his flock. Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 853; Muslim, 1829)

With regard to her interfering with such matters as when you go out of the house or come in, or your going out in the evening with your friends: both parents have to watch their children with regard to this, so as to keep control of things and not let their children be led astray by bad company. In most cases, when young people are corrupted it is because of bad company. Concerning this matter, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“A man will follow the way of his close friend, so let each of you look to who his close friends are.”

(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2387; Abu Dawood, 4833. This hadeeth was classed as hasan by al-Tirmidhi and as Sahih by al-Nawawi, as stated in Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, 7/42).

Parents also have to watch when their child goes out and when he comes in, because they should not give him free rein, especially if he is not righteous.

You have to acknowledge their status and respect them and offer them good companionship, even if they give you a hard time with regard to things that Allah has made permissible for you. Allah has commanded us to treat our parents well even if they are kuffar who call you to shirk, so how about if they are calling us to something which they sincerely believe to be good? Even if sometimes it causes you some difficulty with regard to something that is permissible for you, the best thing to do is to obey them and do what they want. Even though you do not have to do this, it is a kind of sacrifice and giving them preference, because they are the most deserving of being given good treatment. In the Qur’an, Allah has mentioned obedience to parents immediately after worship of Him, in order to demonstrate the high status afforded obedience to parents.

4 – Your father has the final say concerning everything that comes under his responsibility. For example, he is the one who decides in which school a child who is dependent on him will study. The father also has the final say concerning anything to do with his property, such as your using his car, taking his money, etc.

With regard to a son who is grown up and independent, he makes his own decisions concerning things that Allah has permitted. It is prescribed for him to please his father so long as that does not conflict with his obedience towards Allah. The son must continue to respect his father no matter how old he gets, because this has to do with honouring one’s parents and treating them kindly. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said:

“I never climbed onto the roof of a house in which my father was.”

If a father tells a child to do something good, or to stop doing something that is permissible, he should obey him so long as that will not cause the son any harm.

The IMPORTANCE OF HONOURING ONE'S PARENTS IN ISLAM

The importance of honouring one’s parents is:

Firstly: it is obedience to Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:8]

“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was young’” [al-Israa’ 17:23]

In al-Sahihayn it is reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas said:

“The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was asked which deed is the best? He said, ‘Faith in Allah and His Messenger, then honouring one’s parents…’”

And there are many other Aayat and Mutawaatir Ahaadeeth which say similar things.

Secondly: obeying and honouring one’s parents is a means of entering Paradise, as it was reported in Sahih Muslim from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said

: “He is doomed, he is doomed, he is doomed.” It was said, “Who, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “The person whose parents, one or both of them, reach old age during his lifetime but he does not enter Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim, 4627).

Thirdly: Respecting and honouring them brings friendship and love.

Fourthly: respecting and obeying them is a way of showing gratitude to them because they are the ones who brought you into this world. You should also show gratitude towards them for bringing you up and taking care of you when you were young. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents” [Luqmaan 31:14]

Fifthly: if a person honours his parents this may be the cause of his own children honouring him. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Is there any reward for good other than good?’ [al-Rahmaan 55:60]

And Allah knows best.

Du’aa’ for guidance of your mother

The best thing for you to do is to pray for guidance for your parents and your siblings. This is what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did, as is reported in a number of ahadith, such as the following:

Abu Hurayrah said:

“I was calling my mother to Islam, when she was still a mushrik. One day I called her to Islam and she said something about the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that upset me. I came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), weeping, and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I was calling my mother to Islam and she refused. Today I called her and she said something about you that upset me. Pray to Allah to guide the mother of Abu Hurayrah.’

So the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘O Allah, guide the mother of Abu Hurayrah.’ I left, feeling hopeful because of the Prophet’s prayer. When I got home, as I came near to the door I saw it was ajar. My mother heard my footsteps and said, ‘Stay where you are, Abu Hurayrah!’ I could hear the sound of water. She washed herself, got dressed and put on her khimar (head covering). Then she opened the door and said, ‘O Abu Hurayrah, I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.’

I went back to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), weeping with joy, and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, good news! Allah has answered your prayer and has guided the mother of Abu Hurayrah.’ He praised and thanked Allah, and said, ‘That is good.’ I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, pray to Allah to make my mother and me dear to His believing slaves, and to make them dear to us.’

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘O Allah, make this slave of Yours (meaning Abu Hurayrah) and his mother dear to Your believing slaves, and make the believers dear to them.’ There is no believer who hears of me or sees me, but he loves me.” (Reported by al-Bukhari, 4546).

I hope and pray that this article as long written as it is will have a lasting and meaningful impact on us and how we relate with our parents. I also dedicate this article to my loving parents for the struggles, pains and the endless effort they put in raising an imperfect and sometimes difficult child as i am.

Why you should be selfish when choosing your friends.

2008-09-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

Selfish or selfishness is a word most people like to be hypocritical about, we all hate to be called selfish while denying the fact that we all are selfish in one way or the other. Selfishness is a natural and human attribute we all possess, well of course like foolishness and kindness some of us take it to the very extreme. People only identify selfishness when they are at the receiving end, you never hear anyone talking about selfishness when he or she is the culprit. I am selfish and I do not hesitate in telling anyone that cares to know, well certainly I am selfish in the healthy way, like not compromising my precious time and pleasure for someone else benefit (I only believe in mutual benefit not the other way round), or booking that hotspot in the restaurant for my date.

But there is obviously one thing I am most selfish about, well maybe not “most selfish” about, that’s my choice of friends and associates.

Ok now let’s try and think about everything we own in our lives, whether it’s the people, the reputation, the job, the career or the fortune…etc. Now ask yourself, did all these things just end up in front of you without a certain degree of your choice? Of course not, everything in your life came to you because at some point in your life you made a selfish decision and chose to have it, whether that decision or choice has turned out to be positive or negative. Like for instance if you have a job you hate, it could be because at some point in your life you decided not to go to school and study or when you were in school didn’t bother to study hard, it could also be because you chose to work by taking the job rather than do a business or stay at home and sleep. It all involves selfish choices we make. Anyone with a "fish brain" knows that there are certainly some things in life that we have to choose very carefully, such as careers, partners, clubs etc and other things we don’t have to spend too much time on like the brand of you PC for instance. Some people don’t even care about the choice of the car they drive or their bank or insurance company, which is cool with me but am sure those people would now have a second thought after the recent financial crisis that is sending shivers in the spine of everyone particularly Wall Street.
The point am trying to make is that we all make choices and selfish choices most of the time, so why can’t we be selfish when choosing our friends who are one of the most important things in our lives? If we can be careful in choosing the brand of cigarettes we smoke or the shopping mall we shop at, then we should equally be picky about selecting our friends, maybe like the way my lovely mom selects vegetables and cloths in the market. Friends are our backbone, our secret weapons and our secret line of defense, they are usually the ones we let our guards down with and to whom we expose our weaknesses, even though I think we should never expose our weaknesses to nobody, perhaps that’s why my dad doesn’t have much "friends" except for family and a few associates.

Let’s look at a typical scenario of foolishness we usually make; you meet a guy or girl at a friend’s house or in any other social gathering, you start doing things together, you know, guy things like going to watch the game together, arguing about which soccer team is the best between Arsenal and Man U or Chelsea (when they all suck :p), or going to the club to pick a few girls for the night, or for the girls like gossip about the hot guy you saw at the mall, you know the usual things. You think you know this guy or girl so you foolishly start telling them some intimate and private things like how you bribe your dean to change your results, how you cheat on your gf or what you ATM pin number is (sounds really stupid isn’t it?). But what do you really know about this guy or girl that you should be telling them your secrets? Come to think of this, if not for our foolishness and weak heart, there won’t be spies and secret agents in the world even James Bond will be out of job.

Just because you had a couple of fun with some random dude or chick, you shared some jokes and laughs, he bought you some wraps of weed to get high or she offered to spend the night at your place…..so what?! What’s the big deal with that?! Does a little human bonding mean you should automatically open up, and give your trust away? Come on people!, I should hit you across the head now if you even have to think about it.

What is a friend? A lot of people have different definitions of what a friend is, but as far as I am concerned a friend is such like anything else, a commodity to be used when the need arises. Period! We have friends because when we need something, they are available to provide a service, whether it's to talk to us and motivate us when we feel down, to provide us with some advice or to simply accompany us to the soccer game so that we can have someone around to enjoy the game with. Friends are there because we are selfish, self-absorbed people, who don't like to do things ourselves, friends are there because “we need” them. It’s “we” not “they”, because nobody hangs around with a friend that they don’t benefit from.

Please don’t make me hate you by being hypocritical about the definition of a friend, because I have heard people saying that a friend is someone we care about, trust for, blah, blah, blah. You care for your friends because they know everything about you or because they represent an asset in your life. Without these two things, your caring level drops fast. In life, we don't make friends, we make contacts and contracts that’s why we hear politicians saying in politics there is no permanent friend or enemy, there is only temporary interest. People become friends because they represent a certain interest to one another not necessary temporarily as in the case of politic, it could be for a life time.The minute we realize whether consciously or unconsciously that a certain somebody is in one way or the other an asset in our lives that’s the very minute we decide to make them our friends, and the very moment their value depreciate so is the level of our friendship. Don’t be surprised if your friends ditch you when you don’t have any worth in their lives, it’s not their fault most people would do the same, you included. If you are still deceiving yourself that you are different, perhaps more “human” than I sound, ask yourself why you don’t have a lunatic or a known armed robber as a friend, except of course you are one yourself.

Now, I may be saying all these, but I'm also human myself, I’ve also made some terrible choices in life and have had some very bad friends, and despite everything I've said I cannot guarantee myself that I might not make some more mistakes in the choice of friends, I have come to realize that nobody can do anything alone. At a certain point in our lives, we all need friends both good and bad, I once told my friend that even a hooker can be your friend as long as you know how to use people. With that in mind, you have to realize that you must be very careful about choosing the select few (and privileged in my case :-) ), people that you can say are your good friends . You can have a million friends, but it takes a very few to be called close and good friends, to be on the safe side make your mom or dad your best friends.

A friend of mine recently got admitted into rehab. I can guarantee you that if he had listen to my advice and was half as smart as I am :-), he wouldn't be in rehab, but in my mind, he will always be a close friend. This is not because I really care much about him at the moment, but because when I was a stupid teenager, we did some things that let's just say my parents especially my mom would frown upon.

I definitely can't be there to tell you which morons don't deserve your friendship and which do, but I can tell you to be very careful before you let your guard down and trust another, because trust is a very powerful and dangerous thing.

==To all my friends out there, i love you all so much and really appreciate your existence in my life,i can't imagine how life would have been without some of you, don't get me wrong with this write up, am only expressing myself AGAIN==

Desperate Woman=Undateable Women

2008-09-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

A close friend of mine recently had some crises with his girl friend that I very much admire and decided to date her friend for a while to “teach his girl a lesson”. Like I said I quite admire his girl friend and the idea of him dating someone else sounded like a good one to me and a stupid one on his part. He told me about the “new” girl with much excitement as he was speaking but I found a familiar pattern in the girl he was describing to me and I instantly categorized her as an “undateable” girl. I advised him to go for someone else as this “new” girl is simply desperate and undateable or better still try to sort things out with his girl friend. He asked me to explain to him why I said his new target is a desperate and undateable girl which of course I did and also promised him that I will write an article on desperate women, (not desperate housewives yet) to share with other people.
The desperate woman as the word desperate suggest is characteristically a woman unable to keep her cool and wait for her man, thus makes frantic efforts to prey on men who are unaware of her desperation. She is also unable to keep a man committed, and she turns men off with her frantic desire for a serious commitment. Sound like anyone you know? I bet it does.
There are thus many signs that suggest a woman or a girl (whichever way that suits you) is desperate. I'm sure after you finish reading this you will find out that even your girlfriend well maybe boyfriend is a desperate partner. It is rather impossible to maintain a healthy relationship with a desperate woman, which makes them undateable. Usually her urge for a serious and committed relationship coupled with her self-imposed deadlines—such the need to get married or the need to get you to commit into the relationship—eliminates any hope for a normal relationship. I have compiled a list of signs she might show to prove that she is desperate and undateable, this article is however not intended to hurt anyone or aimed at anyone in particular neither is it to discourage or insult the judgement of my good friend as he tries to fly free into a new nest. Below are some of the signs I have compiled of a desperate and undateable woman from experience and several other source of information.

-A woman that is almost always in one relationship or the other;

Just like a man, you can tell a lot about a woman from her relationship history and a long history isn’t usually that interesting to hear about. A desperate woman’s past is usually one continuous series of relationships. She is usually never single for long because she can’t stand being single. In addition to this, each one of her former boyfriend is very different from the other. A relationship history like this is a warning bell, you should move on in your search if a woman doesn’t seem to have any particular type; it only indicates that this woman is not interested in looking for that certain someone so much as she’s looking for that certain anyone. My advice is that if you smell a rat and suspect something fishy find out about her relationship history either from her or from mutual acquaintances so as not to fall for her never ending traps.

-She's too organized, maybe a micro manager

There is definitely nothing wrong with being organized but when a woman has everything planned: this weekend, next weekend, the color of her future bridesmaids’ dresses, the names of her hypothetical children, everything planned to detail, then of course she might be a desperate one. A desperate woman has excessively detailed plans, and if you are foolish enough not to see that, she will soon incorporate you into those plans with alarming speed. Have you ever met a woman who two weeks after you have met her she's already saying: "I love you and I can’t live without you". After three dates, she wants you to meet all her friends and maybe her parents. The desperate woman is usually on a time line and, as a result, she tries to impose a serious commitment prematurely, acting as if the two of you have been together for years, even if you've only been on a couple of dates.

Certainly this kind of women are undateable, well maybe it’s just a coincidence that I have a cat and am single, then again, maybe it’s not. Sometimes pets indicate desperation. Make no mistake, I am not out to accuse pet lovers of social desperation and there is no reason to freak out just because your girl friend or boy friend has a pet or two. The key of course is to watch their interactions with the pets. An obsessive behavior might indicate a desperate need for affection, the question you should be asking yourself is; are her pets substitute for people? (Well I guess mine is :-)) Take my advice: The first time she refers to her pets as "children," leave the room immediately she is desperate.

-She's an excessive pushover

At the beginning of things, it might seem cool; she wants whatever you want. She thinks whatever you think; you have the same idols and role models etc. Soon though, you'll realize that she's just playing at compatibility in an attempt to deceive and convince either you or herself that the two of you are meant to be together. Trust me, while it might seem cool for a week or two, you don't really want to date someone without opinions, without interests and without an identity. A perfect example is like…………….ok let’s not go into that, I promised at the beginning not to mention names or refer to anyone so I guess I better keep to my words before someone sue me for inflammatory remarks.
So now maybe unfortunately for you, you are in a relationship with a desperate woman. You foolishly thought all that obsessive, clingy, panicky behavior was just part of the charm right? What a fool, but don’t worry, it’s certainly isn’t too late, of course I won’t write on signs without giving my own opinion on how to separate yourself from that undateable woman of the desperate specie.

First things first, suck it up and break it off. Don't bother yourself manufacturing an excuse. Just politely tell her you're not ready for a serious commitment and apologize for being in the relationship in the first place. Well you know how girls are; she might try to play around with your emotions by yelling, and crying telling you how much she loves you and all that. She might plead and beg you to stay. However, you have to be tough and be a man by take a firm position, a straight face and an upright posture might help if you feel weakened. But don’t forget that these are all signs that you're making the right decision and also remember that she's desperate.
Now after this what’s next? Am sure you will ask. Well the next step is what I’d like to call damage control. See your break up like that of two powerful nations, say Russia and US. As soon as all diplomatic relations have been ended (the relationship in your own case), employ your propaganda machinery sort of your CNN and start circulating your version of the story, don’t give her any breathing space or she will get back at you were it will hurt you the most. Get in touch with your mutual friends (your United Kingdom, it certainly will help even more if you have a Tony Blair in charge) and use your initial contacts to set up future plans. A desperate woman is like a wounded lioness she can’t hunt, she needs the pack to survive and thus will try to attach herself to your social circle, using your friends to get back at you or together with you. Of course you will want your people to form a barricade not a bridge, so I’ll leave you to take over from here.
On a final piece of advice, you should understand that a desperate woman will remain desperate even after you’ve broken up, that’s for sure! Their pattern of action is to try and contact you and will likely want you to get back together. Remember this is a woman who specialise in neediness. That’s why you need to cut off all contacts, forget about being nice and diplomatic, it won’t help you here. Just go cold turkey. Avoid taking her calls and make sure you don’t see her at least for a while. She’s proven herself to be clingy; don’t give her a chance to cling. Got it? Good! Now go find yourself a nice girl that is right for you.
Now like I told my good friend, whether that girl is a desperado or not, I don’t really know and certainly not in any position to say nor am I here to judge, BUT definitely a girl or woman that exhibits the sign I have just mention is not normal. Well of course you can also relate it to the guys. Maybe I should write about the desperate man. How does that sound?

= = = I dedicate this article to my close friend and business partner, C-boy for his confidence in soul searching and quest in avoiding the desperate woman. = = =

“THE PRESIDENT THE WORLD NEEDS”

2008-09-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

I wrote this article some months back when the US presidential primaries/convention was yet to be held and when i was still a bit naive and supported Barack Obama. For the record, i still think he is a great guy like most people say, but if i was an American citizen (whether black or white),he certainly wont be the candidate i would vote for. I would rather vote for...........anyway it doesn't even matter.
Enjoy reading....

A few days ago while sitting alone after a long day at school, thinking of how to get my mind off the academic stress and routine, I came across an article on Barack Hussein Obama, the democratic candidate for the President of the “united” states of America, the article was about his vision for a new United State of America (my emphasis on United). Originally I had wanted to write an article on President Umar Musa Yar’adua and the burdens of his “legitimate” government. It would have basically been an article attacking the government of President Yar’adua concerning issues on the war against corruption and electoral fraud. I had planned to write it in an interesting way, but at some point I felt it was rather too negative and harsh, maybe because of my frustration on how corruption still pays in Nigeria and how glorified corrupt individuals are in the country. Well for now I have decided to look into the bigger picture, to write something about the next world “leader” which normally should not be of much concern to me. By the way who says the world needs a president anyway? Notwithstanding, I might still go back to continue with my article on President Yar’adua’s administration.
Many people are likely to disagree with me on the choice and content of this article for different reasons and of course for genuine reasons in most cases but because of the increasing influence and power of the US government in the day to day affairs of the rest of us (I mean the rest of the world), I think we will only be doing justice to ourselves if we put some interest in who becomes the next president of the United States of America. For obvious reasons, the race to the white house is more interesting and entertaining this time around. More and more Americans are beginning to put in some interest in politics and more people from the outside world are watching with keen interest. With the way things have been over the last 8years of President Bush administration, politics in Washington is no more left in the hands of politicians, people now seem to be calling for a change, the world is shouting for a change too at least the Iraqis will tell you that. This is because, whoever is likely to be the next US president and by extension the next Chief inspector general of the world will have to be a better and more articulate person than George Bush. A lot of people will agree with me that today Washington has become the world’s police station and the inhabitant of the white house is the World’s inspector general of Police. Forget about the economic crises in American today and the fall in the value of the US currency, the bitter fact still remains that, America controls either directly or indirectly 40 percent of the World. At least that is how it seems to be. Well for those who are just awake to current affairs, the battle for the white house has now been narrowed down to Senator Hilary Clinton, Senator Barack Obama and John McCain. Hilary Clinton obviously does not need much introduction; at least the name Clinton should give most people a hint, yes! She is the former first lady. John McCain is one person I honestly see as possibly becoming the next president because I see he has what it takes (hold your horses, do not throw away the article, I will justify my claims). Certainly it would be a living nightmare to have a John McCain as the next US president but I definitely see the possibility, well this is simply because I see the guy as being shrewd, even mean, enough to take over the reins where George W. Bush will leave off, you can tell from his face that he will be another war president and that is exactly what the cooperate lobbyist want. War means money to them, and peace is certainly a threat to their investments. However, Barack Obama is a candidate I so much admire; I will be very economical with the truth if I say that I would not want to be a politician like him. He certainly is everything he is said to be; smart, articulate, inspiring, appealing, energetic and very determined to the course he believes in. He is also a tough and focus candidate as he puts it in his own words: “I try to explain to people that I may be skinny, but I am tough”. Obama’s appearance in his many elections campaigns around the US has been exciting and mind-blowing. Even his most dedicated critics agree that the guy is smart and articulate, he certainly represent the modern leader, well dressed in his suits, tall and handsome like a Hollywood star; the manner and confidence he exhibits in his speech is well collected and articulate. Even under intense pressure, his arcane sense of humour shows through the crowd like a bright new star that he is. Yet as perfect as Obama seems, he is not the likely person I see clinching victory come November this year. If it where my choice to decide who the next “world leader” should be, I would certainly go for an Obama.
The big question now is what kind of a president does “the world” needs? Definitely someone smart and intelligent (as we have seen what daft and dull leaders can do), excellent speeches, a good and clean heart, and an innocent personality would be just enough, an articulate mind would certainly be an icing to the cake. For the benefit of doubt, this is the type of leader the “world” needs. Forget about skin pigmentation or historic background, Barack Obama is the man we need. And oh I wish we could get our way this time around! Unfortunately, the factors and players in the American politics do not consider any of this. For those that think political mafias and barons only exist in third world countries would have to explain how a father made up his mind to install his partially retarded son as a president of the country regarded as “mother of democracy” so as to create and continue the Bush dynasty. Of course we now know how easy it is to rally the corporate America behind a project Bush. Or if you are in doubt, and then look into the strategy adopted by the Bush administration to bring fear and terror unto the doorstep of each and every American for the sake of a second term? In fact these people are so powerful that getting a third term through a McCain or Hilary Clinton would simply be a fiat acompli. A sealed deal waiting to be delivered, but some people will still argue that America is going through an Economic crisis where thousands of people are losing jobs and industries closing up, and thus Americans are up and ready for a change. Well the theoretical and real factors/issues that would then determine who Americans will vote for in November are the failing economy, the strengthening of America’s position as the World’s military and political power, the war in Iraq, and of course the war on terror among others.
Certainly with these factors on ground, the US does not need a Mr. Nice guy; it certainly does not need a Mr. Harvard either. What it needs is a cunning and shrewd president, a president that will look into our faces and lie without even noticing our existence. A president that will be cunning and smart (not book smart) enough to convince the world that he/she is a god sent angel sent from heaven to save the world from “terrorist”, while carrying out the most evil and inhumane jobs that will be required for the cooperate America to regain its lost territories, dominate the world and bring about a new world order! America will “need” a president that will continue the war on terror, either in the same manner George Bush has carried his, or in a more intelligent and cunning manner, while parading him/herself as a vanguard for peace and unity.
American “needs” a president that will understand the need for America to rein supreme in world politics, and to bring about A NEW WORLD ORDER! In all this, I see Hilary Clinton or John McCain to be the next president but certainly not Barack Hussein Obama, our choice!

LEADERSHIP AND THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR GENERATION

2008-09-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

This is a speech i gave at the 1st Zaria Old Boys Association gathering on Leadership and the challenges facing our generation.

PROTOCOL

GOOD DAY TO YOU ALL.
Please permit me to start by expressing my profound gratitude to those present here in our midst that have found time from there tight and busy schedule to be with us as we mark the birth of the first Zaria Academy Old Boys Association gathering. I thank you for the honor and privilege of addressing you. It is indeed a great privilege for me to address you and an opportunity to be in your midst and to speak of issues which continue to agitate the minds of all of us. I also want to quickly thank the Executive members of the ZAOBA for the visionary step they have taken to bring this great gathering into reality.

As I look across this room, today, I am instantly reminded, in all humility, of the great opportunities before us and our dear country, well as the enormous challenges we face in the difficult task of being the future leaders of our great country. As complex as these issue may seem, as difficult and as numerous as they may appear, as controversial and as they sometimes are. I am comfortable and convinced by the very fact that this is the proper audience with enlightened minds and perhaps the “best and brightest” of our generation to deliberate and come up with positive solutions. Please where my views or perceptions of these issues are not in accord with yours, I crave your indulgence and mercy not to be angry or sentimental but rather be passionate, considerate and objective, for I am full of confidence that in the eventual differences, we are in unity in the objective struggle and commitment towards a good, focused and progressive leadership in our motherland Nigeria. Our cultural and ethical diversities has train us to take sides. Whichever side we are, the attainment of good and progressive leadership in Nigeria should be our ultimate objective.

There has never been a time in modern Nigerian history when the issues of leaders and quality leadership have been so important than now. The need for a Nigerian leadership that has the competence to comprehend the threats, challenges and opportunities of globalization, the imperative of democratization and good governance, the vision of a preferred future and the capacity and commitment to realize it, is clearly crucial. In light of the enormous problems and challenges facing Nigeria today, the current generation of Nigeria leaders has been subjected to severe criticism. It can not however be said that they have bluntly failed us as citizens and the country at large. To do so would be both unrealistic and unjust. Some of our leaders today respond to the problems confronting the nation in the best possible way they can while others pay no regards to them. There have indeed been successes and failures.

Time changes, opportunity come and go so is the case of effective leadership. Perhaps you would permit me to borrow a phrase from the great literature icon; Shakespeare as he puts it in his own words: “Time and Tide waits for no man”. Each situation and a problem is a combination of continuity and change. The current generation of Nigerian leaders have to a very large extend failed to respond effectively and positively to the challenges of change. For various reason our leaders today lack the capacity to fully comprehend the long-term implications of the domestic and global changes, the problems facing us and the competence to provide sustainable solutions. More unfortunately or even disheartening is the fact that they have failed to create conducive environment that would enable the continuous evolution of succeeding generations of young Nigerian leaders with competence, integrity, vision and commitment to the course of service. My great audiences don’t be discouraged by these facts.

Today we live in a world of continuous changes. Change is a fact of life. But changes create fears and insecurity as well as challenges and possibilities. What has distinguished the successful countries from those that failed is the mere existence of leaders with the capability to anticipate changes and to respond to them positively. Looking back, we can see that the successful countries have been those whose leaders had the capabilities to identify or anticipate important changes in the global market-place of goods, services and ideas and also responding to them timely and effectively.

The problems confronting our country today are complex and deep-rooted to history. And that is why today the outside world views Nigeria as a poor and under-developed country primarily because our leaders have failed to respond effectively and timely to changes, challenges and opportunities in the domestic and global market-place. Nigeria is where it is today because not just the leaders but we also as citizens have lacked the requisite capabilities, the political will, or both to effectively respond to the changes, challenges and opportunities that have confronted the country in the course of modern evolution. This may not be unconnected to our cultural and religious sentiments of blind respect to leaders irrespective of there performance and moral standards. A pity indeed!

The present negative image of Nigeria as a country in deep troubles of corruption and lack of public accountability and of Nigerians portrayed as a people unable to solve their problems is unhealthy and damaging. Though thanks to the courageous work of a controversial man who I have great respect for. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who has over the years tried so hard to redeem the international image of our nation.

My dear audience, it is not my intention to keep you this long just to listen to my not so long speech, the fact is a lot is at stake for our country to move forward, I will not do justice to my conscious if I continue to keep these facts to myself. It is time we start talking! Like I have mentioned earlier in my speech, I am greatly honored and highly privileged to stand before such a gathering of intellects and highly educated young men that I consider the best and brightest of our generation. I have so much confidence that with our generation of future Nigerian leaders that is better educated, well conversant with domestic issues and understand the threats, challenges and opportunities posed by globalization there is great hope for our tomorrow. I also want us to acknowledge the critical importance of freedom, democracy, strong civil societies, good governance, accountability and transparency in our quest for a better tomorrow.

To me the struggle for national and human liberation are historical facts to be acknowledged but the consequences of the failure of the current and some past generation of leaders to deliver to their promise is something we all have experienced. We are understandably angry, impatient and frustrated. I AM UNDERSTANDABLY ANGRY, IMPATIENT AND FRUSTRATED! I believe that we have a better sense of what needs to be done to prepare for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Let’s keep the hope alive and work for the unity, progress and continuity of the entity called Nigeria. “The struggle continues and Victory is certain”

Thank you very much for your patience and attention.

ONCE UPON A VISION.......

2008-09-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

This is an article i wrote a few months ago which was published in a few national online news portals that i want to share with visitors of my blog, because of the importance of the issues i addressed in the article.
I hope you will enjoy reading it.....

It is said that the future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious, perhaps this should normally be applicable to an individual or a small group of people who are likely to hold the most rigid beliefs about what the future might be as a result of ignorance or simply the fear of the unknown or to say it straight those who hold the natural fear of change. This should never be the case for a country that has considerably gone through the highs and the very lows of development since its attainment of independence or of a country arguably blessed with the most enlightened and visionary men of modern history. Nigeria like most other developing and developed countries has the vision of becoming one of the 20 greatest economies of the world at least the 20th by the year 2020. This vision has come to be known as the "vision 2020". The issues I would like to address though I may likely sound pessimistic are not parallel to our great vision 2020 but in fact the essential "ingredients" if you will agree with me, towards attaining the goals of vision 2020.

One fundamental thing that has continued to baffle my mind is the manner and confidence in which our leaders talk, shout and sing of the vision 2020, and the preparedness they show towards the glorious year 2020 which we all eagerly await. At least to see our very own country standing high and "rubbing shoulders” with great economies like that of China, US, Germany, France, England or even our sister in independence, Malaysia so to say. These are just some of the countries that are regarded to have great economies or fast growing economies as in the case of Malaysia that is just 3years ahead of us in independence. Oh yes! 3years is “just" because many of us can barely remember what we did at age 3. But again there is one obvious thing our leaders/ advocates of vision 2020 have failed to understand, see, or realize in our match to the year 2020. This is something that is very common among developed countries and the fast developing countries, this is something that has radically changed the way we live, work, play, communicate and even earn a living. This is something that has today made the transfer of information from one corner of the world to the other possible in a matter of seconds and with just the push of a button, it is not merely the computer we use at home and offices as some might be quick to say but what we have come to know and call the Information and communication technology (ICT) age. ICT is no doubt a force to be reckoned with, a force that has opened up and is opening up endless opportunities for developed countries and the developing countries. The future with ICT is a future with endless opportunities and possibilities. We are today a witness to the undeniable increasing importance of knowledge. But what we do not seem to witness is that knowledge is an important resource that would drive the growth and development of economies. This is true because as it is continuously becoming obvious, day after day, knowledge is gradually replacing the traditional land and labor in economics as the important factor in the whole process of production. What we ought to understand is that knowledge is a productive factor that is becoming the key to productive competitive strength which Nigeria obviously has in abundance and of economic achievement. It is today being used as the primary industry that supplies the economy with the essential and central resource for production. Those sincerely advocating for vision 2020 if there really are, should understand that it is now the era of knowledge, and this means that different set of rules, focus and direction has to be followed. From economics to physics, as the days pass by, a new paradigm shift is taking place. It can then be argued that the economics of Adam Smith is today being replaced by that of Paul Romer, and that the science of Isaac Newton are now being replaced by that of Albert Einstein, and that the views of other great scientist like Charles Darwin are also being replaced by that of Stuart Kauffman.

So what should all this simply tell us? That the battles of yesterday are different from those of today and that those of tomorrow will certainly be different from those of today, well, that is only to be understood by those who even bother to prepare. Thus, when we analyze this, we will see that, we cannot fight the battles of today with yesterday’s weapons. Similarly, the battles of tomorrow can not be fought with the weapons of today, even in practical military warfare. Again for Nigeria to really actualize the vision 2020, if it is really a sincere and collective vision, then we must prepare and arm ourselves with the requisite skills and expertise to survive and prosper in this knowledge era. If we are really serious about our "collective" vision 2020, then we must not be passive onlookers. Otherwise, this new knowledge era would pass us by like a lighting strike. We most and I quote, "most be part of this transformation brought about by advancement in ICT". This is because it will not only help Nigeria in moving to realize its dream of becoming one of the most developed countries by the year 2020 but will also determine the possibilities of actualizing such a dream. Though with the current focus of the government in control, one would only wish that considerable amount of attention should have been focused on certain areas of the economy such as the Advancement in communication technology, tourism, energy generation which the president once called a national emergency and other relevant areas of the economy in order to
fully arm and prepare ourselves for the glorious year 2020. But rather, focus is being channeled at some other areas, which I obviously would not call irrelevant, but not essential in wining the race to year 2020. This only makes us a country fighting the battles of today with the weapons of yesterday, and fully arming ourselves for the battles of tomorrow with the weapons of today.
Similarly, let me try and analyze for instance the importance of the telecommunication industry in our match towards actualizing the vision 2020. Perhaps many observers will agree with me that there is no industry which is as furiously science-and-technology-driven as the telecommunication industry. So fast has technology grown and expanded that even the telecom’s people and people in related and unrelated telecom industry are quite breathless in trying to apply the technological capabilities and potentials of the ever evolving and revolving technological industry. In developed and fast developing countries, wireless is everything; it has virtually replaced, outdoes, and out priced cables. This is so because of the obvious reasons of efficiency, speed and low cost of maintenance. Wireless has no doubt taken over even before cables have been fully utilized. Technology is really pushing the world faster than the world can even utilize it. And it seem like Nigeria is not even in the starting line up.
Again so fast is the speed of technological improvements that today, applications may become obsolete and outdated in a matter of few month. This means that unless and until a country understand or at least prepares for the continuous change and improvement in technology, and until it accepts to follow its path, there is every possibility that its people are likely to be outdated in every aspect of life and human development. It is true that some little steps are being taken towards improving the telecommunication industry for example, and by improvement I mean, both in the service being offered by telecom companies and in the regulations being imposed on them. The quality of transmission has so far improved though not to a satisfactory level. I can still remember when I have to shout into the mouthpiece when making long distance call; I mean call from Abuja to Katisna. The service was so bad then that I regarded a call from Abuja to katisna as a long distance call. But another problem we still face is that today the transmission is "so good" that we can not attempt to make a single call without getting a "network busy" notification, until after several redialing before the call might finally get through. This might sound flimsy; it is important to note that a country planning to have one of the best economies by 2020, should not still be stuck and choked up with little transmission problems like this, at least not at this time. Though the telecom industry is largely driven by the private sector of the economy, the government still has a very important and crucial role to play in ensuring that while its poor and helpless citizens are being ripped off, excellent services must be provided to complement the high tariffs, since price control is difficult to implement in the telecom industry for obvious reasons. But then, if still the government is not sure of how to handle and tackle these problems, how then can we hope to compare ourselves by year 2020 with even South Africa, let alone the rest of the world out there. In the same vain, we can not always be deterred or pessimistic about the possibilities of actualizing vision 2020, though the facts on ground are too obvious to support our pessimism. It is still very much realistic and a lot of us are optimistic that it will be a dream comes true, that is only if we can wake up from our slumber and "smell the coffee".

When I am talking about the digital divide in Nigeria, then it is no doubt synonymous with the knowledge divide. This is true because, When countries developed, they move into a higher level of knowledge, its people become more enlighten and more innovative ideas flow out. Today prosperous economies are essentially, knowledge based economies. We I talk about knowledge-based economy, I am really taking about information sharing. I do strongly believe that for any country to move strong into this new era of knowledge based economy, then, technology should never be a privilege, or accessible only to the urban areas, or private
schools even rich countries. Everyone, whether the rich or poor, privileged or unprivileged, those in private or public school must be able to access and share this knowledge. The use of information technology must be freely democratized.
However, while prescribing technology as a means to bridge our country's "digital divide" one must remember that technology simply provides the means. As such it is a means to an end. The important thing when dealing with technology is the application of the data and information that can be accessed. Handling data and information is a different skill. It requires wild imaginations and innovations. It is not just the question of doing what other countries are doing or what have been leant from others. It is about applying data and information to do old things and to devise new ways so that greater efficiency and productivity can be achieved. Being in the IT field I am always so amazed that someone else's application or innovation is so simple that one should have thought of it. Take for example the idea of creating a search engine like google.com, or of youtube.com and a host of others. Thus the idea of selling goods and service via the internet was still a dream 20years ago. But today, it is not just someone’s dream come true but a new trend and a way of living. Based on this issues, I believe the government of Umaru Musa Yar'adua can and should play a meaningful role in narrowing the current digital divide by committing funds, resources and computer and internet training to all educational institutions and government agencies without leaving the less privileged, before we continue to fall further behind in technology and knowledge wealth. I do understand that there have been ongoing activities and technical cooperation programs being implemented in some states and ministries. But so far noting positive and commendable has come out of those activities and programs, maybe because they lack sincerity of purpose. But nevertheless, I hope greater focus will be directed towards addressing the issues of digital divide, unless if we intend to remain the way we are today, and possibly never actualize the vision 2020.......The struggle continues and victory is certain....... Inshallah!

Now who is Abdulhafiz Musa Abdullah?
Simple, like one of his role models, the former prime minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, Abdulhafiz is a visionary young man, unlike many people, he has the ability to see the Big picture. He can paint a picture but he is not an artist; he can anticipate trends and the opportunities embedded in such trends but he is not a clairvoyant. His thoughts have no limits and he does not believe in the impossible. He has a "can-do" attitude where his dreams can become true.
As a visionary, he can see with his eyes closed. Unlike some people who go through the days of their lives with glorious dreams and never having the guts to act on such dreams and make them happen, he is the opposite. This article is a testimony of such vision. Would he face critics for writing such an article? Definitely! Would he be misunderstood? Yes! Will he make mistakes and wrong perceptions? Certainly, but neither would dampen his enthusiasm as he struggles to see a greater and more productive Nigeria.

Why I Hate Lazy People

2008-09-14T11:15:00.001-07:00

Now it’s time I get really nasty, I want to talk about those lazy good for noting idiots. I sure we all know some of them, maybe you are one of them, the type of people who don’t have any real ambition in their lives but like to prove otherwise. I am talking about those drug addicts who go about wasting their parents hard earn money, those street beggars popularly known as almajirai in Nigeria, the yahoo boys who go about destroying the image of our great country and the worst among them the stupid politicians who continue to suck our country dry. Lazy people are the enemies of our progress, the people who will stop us from achieving anything as a nation and even stop us from evolving as a species if allowed to breed. (Let’s exterminate them!!!)
These lazy people are like rotten eggs; leave one rotten egg next to a fresh one and before you know it, the fresh one will become rotten too. Laziness is a disease that needs an urgent cure, a serious one, more serious and deadlier than AIDS. It is fast growing in our society that even those that are not lazy are gradually becoming lazy.
What happened to the days when people had to work hard to earn a decent livelihood? Back in those days, our forefathers have to walk miles carrying cutlasses and hoes to go to the farm and farm what they will bring back home for dinner. What happened to those hard working civil servant who devote their entire lives working for the government and earning a decent livelihood from their salaries. Now we have fat and obese politician who get paid just for sleeping in the national or state assemblies or some executive office. What the hell happened?!
I’ll tell you exactly what happened.
Those fools that parade themselves as politicians and “leaders” are the symbolic demise of our society and root cause of all these laziness. Imagine our “president” who by the way is terminally sick and ill can’t even get a proper health care in the country, with all the resources at our disposal has to frequently go to some other country to get treated, and to make things worse for himself he lied in the name of God claiming he went there for the lesser hajj when he knows his handlers are not good at concealing secrets (I only hope and sincerely pray that he gets cured of whatever his sickness and illness is, Nigerian is more important to me than his health that’s why we need him strong and healthy). Everything is messed up in the country and nobody seems to care.
Coming back to the root cause of all these laziness and its effect, I’ll like to talk about those lunatics, not the drugs dealers of course, am talking about the politicians who steal the resources that are meant to be used for building schools, hospitals, roads and all other basic amenities every reasonable country should have (you can image how backward we are, if at this time we are still crying about the basic needs of the citizens), who instead of discharging their duties as expected of them use it to breed drug addicts and glorified prostitutes in their homes. Am not saying that all those drug addict and glorified prostitutes you find on the streets or in our tertiary universities are children of politician nor am I saying all children of politician are bad, certainly not, the point am trying to make is that most of them are a product of useless families and stolen wealth (there are of course a few exceptions).
Propaganda from these stupid and lazy politicians has infiltrated the media. Yes, I am now talking about you lazy clowns in the media who spend weeks to write a 500-word article that is full of nonsense. By the way what do you even write about? “Yar’adua is sick again”, “EFCC is set to arrest more ex-governors”, “Crises in the senate over 2008 budget” etc…..bullshit! Get off your lazy asses, you ignorant idiots and write something worth reading. I don’t have a fancy English background or a degree in English or journalism and yet I pump out my writings in less than a day.
Moving on to those yahoo boys craps and their laziness, it’s always annoying and frustrating whenever I login to my email hoping to read something good, instead I keep on seeing these poorly written distress letters from either some bank manger or some company director in far away Burkina Faso, Mali (of all places), Ghana or south African about some dead guy who died in a plane crash and left some few million dollars in their banks and no next of keen to claim the funds, (Stupid right?!) Now they want me to help them secure a transfer and all that crap. Am sure most of us have received those kinds of emails. My first question is what sort of a fool falls for these kinds of emails?! Definitely a lazy one, Secondly yahoo boys please cant you do something better than that? I mean if you are that lazy and want to make easy money please email me and I will give you a better Idea. By the way those useless white guys you see on crime and investigation channel or BBC who claim that some Nigeria guy has scammed them are idiots, lazy and greedy! It’s only a lazy and greedy person that falls for these things. Except for the fact that government agencies are not sincere these people should be arrested too for trying to collaborate with criminals to steal a dead man’s money.
Now it’s one thing to be lazy, but to be open and straight about it is totally a different ball game. It’s also another thing to pretend and hide the fact that you are lazy. Almajiri’s or homeless people are lazy and worthless in the society, but at least they’re honest about it (by the way am not talking about the disabled ones; the blind, crippled or the very poor and old, those are suppose o be taken care of by the government, that’s what is done in civilized nations). The only thing I respect about Almajirai is their honesty in showing that they are lazy and hopeless. Every night they spend on the street begging, they are broadcasting to the world how lazy they are. All you sentimental idiots who think I’m inhumane and evil for calling them homeless and lazy should follow them around for 24 hours and see how useless they’ve made themselves and how they negatively affect the economy of the country.
But at least Almajirai get punished for being lazy. Every day they sleep under the bridge or out cold on the streets, they beg for food, and they end up rotting in their own filth. Unfortunately, there is a smarter breed of lazy people who know the rules of life and somehow manage to live the good life through their laziness. Yes politicians and yahoo boys included.
These group of people are those people I’d like to call the “pretenders”, there are like corruption in Nigeria, they are everywhere. The “pretenders” are the lazy people who do just enough to hide their laziness. I know a couple of these guys (I just don’t want to write their name, not that am scared to), they are everywhere particularly in Northern Nigeria. These are people that completely sit down and depend on their hard working relatives. Their mode of operation is simple, they go to their hard working brother, sister, sometimes just a mere blood relation and gossip, telling useless stories and back stabbing others just for a mere chicken change. The most unfortunate thing is that, the hard working ones are the ones encouraging and promoting this kind of laziness by listening to these morons and tipping them for the gossips they brought. Unknown to those that sponsor them by tipping them for the gossips, these pretenders are always on the move, and will not stop until they go to each and every house that they expect to get tipped, while taking and spreading different version and remixing the gossips to suit their masters. Their ambitions almost always evaporate faster than that of a hooker when she gets paid before the sex. The more you pay them, the more gossips you get.
The good news is that no matter how smart a lazy dirt think he or she is, whether the yahoo boys, the drug addicts, the politician, the almajirai (homeless street beggars) or the pretenders, things eventually catch up with them. Sure a pretender like a politician can make lots of money, make a nice living and have a beautiful home with flashy cars, he’ll however never earn my respect or that of real people, except of course those hardworking politician who are few and have my respect.
The path of success for a lazy person will always be rough even though it might seem smooth. You need to be an honest, clean minded and focused to attain real greatness in any society, that’s why only those who are hard working become legends and eventually great. Even though in Nigeria it’s not exactly like that, but at the end of the day, the determined and self motivated people (certainly not always, but most of the time) get ahead of the lazy pretenders. In progressive nations unlike in Nigeria, it’s the go-getters that make up the 1% of the population and control the other 99%.
The question am sure most people would have in their mind is what can we do about these laziness that is retarding our growth and progress? Simple, let’s do the exact opposite of the lazy people. Why did I say that? Because having the drive, patriotism, ambition, goals and the desire to work in order to execute things with 100% effort will allow us to move forward as individuals and as a nation, so that one day we might have the power or money to either make some tough decision like jailing or exterminate this lazy people or flush them out of the country like Fidel Castrol did in Cuba.
If you hate lazy people as much as I do, don’t wait for things to happen or change tomorrow, change them now. Our destiny is in our hands, whatever we decide to do let’s do it now to make things better before these lazy people find a way to shut us up……….. I propose we over throw the government. Who is with me?!

Why you should be single

2008-09-14T11:07:00.001-07:00

Ok let’s face the facts first, except you are an abnormal human being or you have some sexual disorder or maybe you are naturally created to be “unique”, we all need a partner, that someone in our lives that we trust, love and care for in a romantic way. Like they say beside (or is it behind) every successful man is a woman. Most people psychologically tend to feel and believe that they cannot live without a man or a woman in their lives which of course is somewhat true. But I am of a slightly different opinion and am going to try and convince you to be on my side, well am certainly not saying that I don’t need that someone in my life nor am I trying to prove that you don’t need a partner either, of course we do.

I was recently asked by a “concerned” friend about what are my reasons for being single? I jokily responded by telling her that all the gurls aren’t attracted to a guy like me (I hope it doesn’t turn out to be true ….), she was however of the opinion that it has to be my fault, she taught I was smart, handsome, ambitious and all the flattering words you can think of. For a minute I thought she was right but of course didn’t let the flattering get into my head.

Yeah I am single, so should you be, committed to no one in particular, able to hang around and have as much fun as I want to, and able to sleep until noon with no one underfoot to tell me to do otherwise. It’s a great life and why shouldn’t it be?

Fortunately for most of us, these days there is no real social pressure to be in a relation, plan to get married or even get married. I have also found out like most of us have the moment I set my foot in the university that one can easily get laid without saying the “fatihah” or “I do”, Alhamdulillah I still haven’t fallen into the temptation trap. This is the world I have found myself in and most people now wait until much later in life to tie the knot, but so what?

Still, that nagging question keeps popping into my head. Do I need a girlfriend? Should I ransom my freedom? Should I embark on the great search for my soul mate and willingly kiss my single days goodbye forever?

While I am still yet to answer these questions and only I can answer them, here are a few reasons why I am still single (at least for the time being) and why you should break up with that idiot you call a bf or that nagging b***h you call a gf and enjoy your freedom.

If you most know……….

I am taking my time to find the right gurl

Perhaps the most important reason to me for staying single is that I can afford to wait for the true soul mate (that’s if one even exist) to pop into the scene. I am taking my time to casually and gracefully wade through the barracuda-infested waters of the dating pool and confidently set my hook for the prize catch.

In other words, by holding out for Miss Right (instead of Miss Always Right or Miss Right Now), I am trying to avoid the mistake of a lifetime and be in a relationship for love -- and not out of desperation like most folks are. (I know at least five people that are in desperate relationship at the moment, trust me, they always confide in me when things go wrong).

It’s sad to say, but I have seen so many gurls get hitched for the wrong reasons, like they’ve reached a certain age sometimes as young as just 17, all their friends are in one relationship or the other, some even married, these poor gurls have been unsuccessful at the “art of dating” and this stupid guy shows up first......., BOOM! She is interested, only to bite her finger later in regret.
Fortunately for me, this reason for staying single allows me to take my time and play the singles dating game (yeah of course there is a singles dating game), and increase my odds of beating the heart break statistics. Maybe you should also take a minute and consider this too.

Next……

My cherished freedom of doing what I want, when and how I want it done.

I feel like the world is my oyster (so should you), I can pick up a crazy idea to do what I want or go where I want at anytime or day without a second opinion that has to be taken as the first and important one (if you get what I mean). It’s also cool to not have anyone around to nag at me to do this or that, or worst still to go shopping, (I really don’t have any problem with spending, but I rather go buying than “shopping”).
I am absolutely free to hang out with my buddies, play with my cat (and she is really adorable), read as much and write what I want to. I have plenty of time for my personal interest and hobbies. And best of all is I have the luxury of being all by myself.

Moving on…….

I get to focus more on my dreams and ambitions

My important reason for staying single at the moment is that I get to enjoy the opportunity of building and actualising my dreams without getting drained by the tons of energy a relationship entails, maybe you should also consider this, instead of the few hours or minutes you have to yourself now to plan your dreams and ambitions because she’s always there, if not physically but electronically there (which is even more annoying by the way) think of the tones of time you would have had if he or she wasn’t in your life. I remain free to put in long hours to write, do my research on weekends or do whatever else I have to do to be productive or at least feel contend. Again I get to be as much obsessed with my passion in politics, writing and money making as I can which I doubt would be possible with someone around my neck.

Am still not done……

Opportunity and ability to build and accumulate wealth.

Staying single means a lot, it means I am not forced into buying those expensive accessories, perfumes, jewelleries, compulsory gifts etc...(So that my gf can impress her friends with the huge price tags), or any of the other bloodsucking financial drains that relationships entails. (Now take a minute and calculate how much money u’v spent that could have been used for something more worthwhile on that retarded moron you call a bf or that gurl u call a gf that u can’t even show off to ur parents )

Plus I don’t have to restock her shoe collection or wad rope with more and more and more……cloths that gf’s demand (at least not for now). Come to think of it, relationships are like purchasing a car and having to pay for fuelling, maintenance, road tax and all the expenses you can possibly think of.

By staying single, I am not legally, socially or psychologically obligated to anyone but myself. (I sound like a selfish moron don’t I?). But let’s face it; once you agree to go into that relationship or even think of saying “I do”, she has you by the balls forever manh! Guys and gurls, reason with me for a second, those of you that are deceiving yourself being in that miserable relationship or marriage, think of the money that instead of letting her/ him dictate to you how and when to spend, use it and invest in that all important singles cruises or that wild night out (for those that are on the wild side of life), or maybe investing to buy that cool outfit, car or even a house; that’s if you’re a made man/ woman.

I bet you get my point, moving on……..

Being single gives me the opportunity to enjoy serenity

I love peace and quiet, maybe that’s why I get along well with my cat more than some human beings. When you don’t live with a woman or a man, you are not subjected to that never-ending mood swings and emotional storms. For me I don’t have anyone blaming me for everything that she screws up in her life, and of course no fights. But if you “really” want to have a guy or gurls around depending on what your sexual orientation is (by the way am not here to teach morality today, I will discuss that some other day, I assume we all know the right things to do and should be guided by our religion and moral conscience), as long as you keep it causal, if he/she get too uppity, simply walk away free and clear. (Trust me, it’s that simple).

Just a minute, am almost done……..

When your single, you don’t have to compromise

If there is anything that retards success and progress, then it has to be compromises especially those unnecessary compromises. Being single means I don’t have to constantly find a “middle ground”—meaning doing what she wants me to do whether I like it or not (in most cases we don’t even like it). This include being forced to go to the mall and spend 5 hours only to come out with a few shopping bags (mind you that’s what I call “shopping”, it’s definitely not buying where you go straight to the shop and straight to the point) or suffer the torture of having dinner with her friends and not being allowed to “admire” or “appreciate” one of them, worst still, you can’t even get their numbers.

Ok people, let me be serious, while marriages and relationships do certainly provide certain benefits and am not totally oppose to it, am not even oppose to it as long as you are happy. Being single keeps the door open for many options and opportunities in your life (see it like being in the real world and not his or her world), However my advice is this; there isn’t anything fantastic with being in a relationship most of the time, it’s mostly a miserable life people put themselves through, it’s just kallon ki tsan rogo ne (a mirage). Similarly don’t kill yourself or destroy your precious life simply because you want to fit in, or you want to do it because everyone else is doing it, worst still don’t kill yourself because you found out that he or she is cheating on you, SHIT HAPPENS, get over it, that’s life, move on, there is a great life out there for you without that fool you call a partner. And for those that are still single and living a fantastic life, my advice to you is this; your freedom is more important than anything, so never surrender it lightly or without a fight, even if you think you have met the right person of your dreams.

So guys/gurls think twice (maybe three times) before you say YES (or however it is you accept him/her as a partner in a relationship). If you are still not sure about it however, here’s one last piece of advice from me, take charge of your life, and make the best out of it…….

Noting is Random.....

2008-09-14T11:05:00.001-07:00

"We will not walk in fear, one of another. We are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes which were for the moment unpopular. This is no time . . . to keep silent." - Edward R. Murrow (1908-1965) American Broadcaster, Journalist.
This is perhaps one of the greatest quotes that has inspired and influenced me to start up a blog, well certainly nothing is random, nor will anything ever be, whether a long string of perfectly blue days that begin and end in golden dimness, the most seemingly chaotic political acts, the rise of a great city, the decision to go into a relationship or my desire to start up a blog. I had always wanted a medium through which I can voice out my opinions, it however took me a very long time trying to figure out how to start up my blog, of course I don’t mean trying to understand or learn the technical aspect of it, it was more or less figuring out and answering the questions of why, how and when to “speak up”. I also had a hard time trying to come up with a name for it after finally making up my mind to start blogging. I had wanted a name that will signify the purpose of the blog. You wouldn’t believe the kind of names and phrases that popped out of my head, like; “lest we forget”, “memoirs of an outcast”, “the struggle continues”, “because I am involved” and so many other crazy names and phrases I wouldn’t mention to avoid making me sound crazy. I finally settled for “because I am involved” because it makes a lot of sense to me in terms of the issues I intend to write about and of course means a lot in itself. To be honest I borrowed it from the title of Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu's memoirs which I was fortunate to read during my days as a senior secondary student in Zaria Academy. I can still remember my friends laughing at me and wondering why I was reading the book at that time and age instead of reading something like Harry Potter or some other books that should naturally suite my interest at that time and age. Well of course they were right, I didn’t really understand much about the contents of book though I tried to, I also found it to be somewhat too political and full of conspiracies; I was however attracted to it because of the title and was curious to find out what the author was involved in and why he wants the world to know. The rest in now history and I will advise anyone that can get a hold of the book to try and read it. That was my inspiration for the title of my blog.
Well unlike in the book where Chief Ojukwu wrote about the struggles of post Nigerian Independence, the coup and counter coups, the biafran war and the path Nigeria and its leaders are heading to etc... I would say my “because I am involved” blog is going to address and talk about a wider and broader spectrum of issue over that of the renowned activist and soldier. I intend to touch and write on everything around me, everything that I have come across, and everything that I have an opinion over, practically everything about what I am involved in, what I intend to involve myself in or have been involved in at some point.
In the few years I have spent in this turbulent world, I have been fortunate enough to have had different experiences and learned a lot of things which has shaped my thoughts and perceptions on things that I want to share with the outside world. So to sum up everything, I will be writing about life, my life, the life of those around me, about politics, leadership, and governance and most importantly the lives and struggle of my countrymen and women who need to be heard.
I have always considered myself as an opinionated person maybe sometimes controversial, whichever way it is I certainly enjoy being me. The older and more exposed to life I get, the more I realize the impact and importance of service. Whether being a teacher, a reporter, a counselor, a politician, a religious preacher or a simple blogger expressing his or herself, service to me has become very important in every aspect of life, it is more important than education, money, power, success, failure or circumstances, than even what people think or do for themselves. It is more important than physical appearance, intelligence or a skill that is not used for the benefit of others. The collapse of great families, companies and nations can be very much linked to the inability of those who are responsible for serving the people to serve in the right manner.
I strongly believe that there is a huge misconception about service to humanity. A lot of people assume that leaders are the only ones responsible for serves. This of course is totally wrong. Everyone has a role to play, whether the rich, poor, educated or uneducated, powerful or powerless, the old or the young, we all have a role to play individually and collectively.
The amazing and remarkable thing is that we have a choice everyday regarding how we can embrace and serve humanity for that day. The problem is we shy away from it. We simply don’t care or like Barack Hussein Obama will say, we simply don’t get it! Of course we don’t always understand what the struggles in life are about and how they affect us directly or indirectly.
I have come to understand and accept the fact that we cannot change our past, and that is why we shouldn’t look back. We cannot change our present or future either, by simply sitting and folding our arms. Religion has taught us that we cannot change our destiny too, but I believe that our destiny can be shaped. I am convinced that life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it and I am very much sure that it’s the same with most other people.
By creating this blog, I only hope and pray that it will be of great service to everyone who reads it and perhaps change some lives for the better. But my hope is only a state of mind, not of the world. Either I have any hopes or not, it is a dimension of the soul and not essentially dependent on some particular observation of the environment around me or the estimate of a given situation. And certainly my hope isn’t prognostication. It is merely an orientation of my inner spirit and the orientation of my heart. My deep hope for the believe that my blog will serve as a great service to people in this deep and powerful sense is not the same as joy that things are going well, or the hope of investing in an enterprise that is obviously heading for success, but rather it is the hope for the ability to work for something because deep inside me I believe it is good and is the right thing to do. Not just because it stands a chance to succeed, but because the more propitious the situation in which we all demonstrate hope, the deeper the hope is.
I certainly am not pessimistic about the idea of having to start this blog, but only hopeful of it achieving the objectives for which I have set out to achieve. But then neither is my hope the same as pure optimism. It is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but certainly that something will make sense, regardless of how it turns out.
I hope and pray that this blog will have a positive impact on each and every person that visits and reads it.
On a final note I will like to dedicate this blog to the queen of my heart, the light in my life, and my source of inspiration, my mom Aisha and definitely my dad Musa, who gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person by believing in me, certainly the most calm, patient and loving person I have ever come across. Thank you for everything.