Please "SAY IT OUT"

Hello readers,how is the day going and i hope you are all reaching out to your loved ones,because if you don't, you may regret it one day...

I was chatting with a friend a while ago and she told me how much she regretted never telling her brother,how much she loved him,shortly before he died.The Brother had gone to her school to inform her, he will soon be a graduate. He never got back to his destination, he died in a car accident. That also reminds me of a story i read somewhere, sit back and enjoy:

One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.

On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" she heard whispered. "I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know others liked me so much," were most of the comments.No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.

Several years later, one of the students was killed in Viet Nam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature.The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin.As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her.

"Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked. She nodded: "yes." Then he said: "Mark talked about you a lot."After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher."We want to show you something," his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket "They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it."Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times.

The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him."Thank you so much for doing that," Mark's mother said. "As you can see, Mark treasured it." All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around.

Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home."

Chuck's wife said, "Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album."

"I have mine too," Marilyn said. "It's in my diary"

Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. "I carry this with me at all times," Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: "I think we all saved our lists"

That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be.

So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.Never again miss a wonderful opportunity to do something nice and beautiful.Remember, you reap what you sow. What you put into the lives of others comes back into your own.

May Your Day Be Blessed As Special As You Are

Sleeping on duty.

The issue of sleeping is a very serious thing, recently i dozed off while returning from a very busy trip and i started wondering what actually make people sleep without caution.I have a friend back in the university days who can sleep on water,what my friend need to sleep is just a moment of inactivity, i just wondered is that sleep cannot be controlled or people just sleep for the fun of it.I want to hear readers opinion concerning "Sleeping on Duty".

Closer

Today, average lifespan according to a recent statistics is about 75 years.

This means that; If you are presently 20, according to the lifespan statistics you only have 660 months left. If you are 30 years old; 540 months left. If you're 40 years; 420 months remaining.

If you're presently 50 years; 300 months and if you are 60 and above, you have less than 180 months.

Now, my objective is neither to depress nor to frighten you. Rather, I only want you to understand that we do not have an unlimited number of years to live. It's a pity that most of us live our lives as if we have 5,000 years to live.

Fast forward yourself in time, visualize yourself when you'd be old, grey and on your death bed. What are those things that you are going to regret? What are those chances you'd wish you had taken? And what are the things you'd wish you had achieved?

The woman you'd wish you had asked out? The job you'd wish you had changed? The education you'd wish you had furthered.Whatever?

The only person holding you back is you. Take chances and even if you make mistakes, it's still ok. The most important thing is that you learn from them and then do better next time.

Dear all, Live your life to the fullest!

Cheers

This sweet stuff,is a killer

Few minutes ago i was taking a bottle of fanta and it suddenly struck me that what am doing may not be healthy.So i went to Google search engine to find out, what is the effect of sugar on my body,i made a very startling discovery.Read on:

1. Sugar can suppress the immune system.

2. Sugar upsets the mineral relationships in the body.

3. Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.

4. Sugar contributes to the reduction in defense against bacterial infection (infectious diseases).

5. Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function, the more sugar you eat the more elasticity and function you loose.

6. Sugar leads to cancer of the ovaries.

7. Sugar can weaken eyesight.

8. Sugar can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline levels in children.

9. Sugar can cause premature aging.

10. Sugar can lead to alcoholism.

11. Sugar can cause tooth decay.

12. Sugar contributes to obesity

13. Sugar can cause changes frequently found in person with gastric or duodenal ulcers.

14. Sugar can cause arthritis.

15. Sugar can cause asthma.

16. Sugar can cause gallstones.

17. Sugar can cause heart disease.

18. Sugar can cause appendicitis.

19. Sugar can cause multiple sclerosis.

20. Sugar can cause hemorrhoids.

And many more i actually saw about 146 of them, but you won't believe that i tried to find out the advantages.I saw just one sugar is a sweetener,Period. So think and act

Free or Hiding

This article has been on my mind for some weeks now,i even put the topic down and opened a note pad for it,but i did not write about it for long. I just finished a discussion with my Human Resource Manager now and the urge to write this article swelled up in me.

Recently there was a call in my office for every one to drop one bad habit and pick up a good one and true to it, we started seeing a lot of changes,ranging from use of wrong words to clubbing quitting and all that. I was so surprised at the level of change that,i was moved in my spirit to write this article.Because i asked myself are we really changing or we are hiding.

Whenever people are asked to make a change that will affect their personal life,they have 3 options,it is either they go ahead and break the habit,or they keep on as if they don't care,but the third option is the most common,which is that people will just be more careful concerning that habit wherever you are which is very dangerous.

We should not be ashamed to get help whenever we need to, most of what we keep away from people that love and are willing to help us, tend to destroy us at the end of the day.Remember 'Gehazi' yes that one in the bible,he went behind to collect a gift his master rejected,of course they didn't beg him for it,so why won't they collect it,after all the man's intention is to bless them.Because of that single act he blessed himself and his family with a wonderful leprosy.

My friends instead of hiding that stuff,Pleeeeeeeeease drop it now, it can truncate your journey.

TGIF

Thank God Is Friday.

Dream

When i was a child i dreamt about so many beautiful things, and i was also aware of how great i will become,with constant reassurance from my parents that i will climb heights in live that they have never even dreamt about.

As i was growing in live things started changing from level to level, when i started learning how to drive i could remember my dream car then was Nissan Laurel. Oh God, i can remember vividly how i begged my dad to please get one so i can drive with him,but the old man went for a Peugeot 505 Evolution,so i changed my dream car to Mercedes benz 230 then.

As i proceed in my journey through live my taste for cars started changing and started climbing too,from Honda Allah(1990) to Honda baby boy (2000). I also remember strongly how i prayed to God when my father in the lord bought a Nissan X terra,that God should help me,because i want to drive that kind of car.

But do you know the beautiful thing God did, he was watching and waiting for me to be ready because i was not ready, i thought i was, but i was not matured enough for all those things. Even when i had enough to buy a car of my choice God said no. But when the lord turned again the captivity of Zion we are like them that Dream (Psalm 126:1).

When the time came the lord not only gave me the money to get the car,but he also helped me to get a good deal that i find difficult to understand. The next thing for me now is to move on, for i already desire another one,do u really want to know my next dream car. Hang on with me...But am saying to you today, Dare to Dream cos "Dreams come True",Dream it is vital for your growth and advancement

!OH LORD I THANK YOU FOR TAKING ME TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

Why i write.

When i started writing on my blog,i ventured out with the intent of reaching out to my friends,younger ones,people that know me and accord me respect.As a result of this i have been struggling with writing for long,too long.Recently i discovered that what i can write with them in mind is limiting, because am no longer in touch with most of them, they don't even know that this blog exist,so i made up my mind to let go and unleash my skills.I will write when it is popular and write when it is not.

As a result of this i want my new set of readers to get to know me,that is where am coming from and where am going to. To this effect, starting from my next post,i will beaming some light on where,how and what of my life,i will be telling my story of GRACE because without grace, i would have derailed long time ago.

I will be covering issue ranging form Love,academic,financial and spiritual life.I'm not sure am a very good story teller but i will try my best to make it an interesting piece without and exaggeration nor holding back, i will say it as it happen.Why dont you relax and take the trip with me, you will enjoy it have a wonderful week ahead. Aloha!

Read and Think

READ EACH SENTENCE SLOWLY AND THINK ABOUT IT.

Untrue love starts with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with tears.

Don't cry over anyone who won't cry over you.

Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget.

Don't let the past hold you back, you're missing the good stuff.

BEST FRIENDS are the siblings with different parents.

When it hurts to look back, and you're scared to look ahead, you can look beside
you and your BEST FRIEND will be there.

Nobody is perfect until you fall in love with them.

Remember, every minute spent angry is sixty seconds of happiness wasted.

As you go about your work today,be happy your best is yet to come.

Life is Beautiful

Happy nu week,this week i want to open the blog with some thoughts of mine and quotes from various sources,that i always read through when am challenged or bored.Take time to read, ponder and act cheers.

• When i expect, i feel tension.when i accept, i feel light.

• Appreciate innocence.Appreciation is like letting the sunshine in.Everything suddenly becomes brighter
  

• Seize the day.

• Aspire greatly.Anything less than a commitment to excellence becomes an acceptance of Mediocrity- Brian tracy
  

• How wonderful, that no one need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.

• Dream boldly.Nothing BIG was ever achieved, without the first dream.

• A fear starts when you think it,and stops when you don't.

• "Live out of your imagination,not your history" - Steven Covey

• A day without laughter is a day wasted - Charlie chaplin

• A mind, once stretched, will never again return to it's original dimensions"

• Probably you are designed to be outstanding for a reason.

• After any pain,you can choose to appreciate the freedom

• Be peaceful in yourself, and you'll find peace all around you

• The best way to raise your quality of life is to raise your standards.

• You are always rewarded for what you gave not what you received

• Everyone smiles in the same language - Mother Teresa

• Remember to really notice the "magic moments" that are all around you

• Even the turtle goes nowhere until he sticks his neck out.

• Make time for fun everyday.

• Awaken to your ultimate potential.

• We cannot direct the wind,but we can adjust the sails.

• Aerodynamically bumble bee can't fly! Fortunately,it can't read either!

• Isn't it great to know we are all different...and we can appreciate that uniqueness in others.

• With every challenge you may face, whisper to yourself "it's time to grow"

• Sometimes it gets very dark but given time the sun always rises again.

Hmn! 3 W

Good day, how is it going...If you are happy about future thank God, peradventure you are feeling other wise don't worry i believe 2008 have a lot in stock for us all, whether you are positive or you are not sure,just position yourself for the coming blessing because it will stretch your net to a breaking point, hope you are ready for it.As for me i have been taking time to re organise my life,my system and many other areas so that i can attain my desire level in life and also get to a place of honour and Glory. To go far in life there are 3 things you need to be very careful about and they are WINE,WEALTH and WOMEN.This dreaded 3 things of life which the bible also recognise in the book of 1st John 2:16 as lust of the eyes(WOMEN),lust of the flesh(WINE) and pride of life(WEALTH).They are good things of life but if abused they can kill.Please dont get me wrong they are very good, but when they are in control, you can loose it all,if care is not taken.

1. Lust of the eyes(Women)
Just take a walk around town today with your eyes opened though, you will see a lot of half
naked women walking the street,but then i ask myself why are they doing it and the only
answer i can get from myself is fashion. I cannot hide the fact those things causes me to struggle atimes, but whenever i think of it, i ask myself how far do i want to go in life and how far can i go,then alarm will blow just like my Laptop avast anti virus system. CAUTION! Women are very essential in life without them we are not complete but when u are involved with so many you will definately regret it,someone said something in lighter mood that actually inpired this article.He said and i quote: 1. It's important to have a woman, who helps at home, who cooks from time to time, cleans up and has a job.
2. It's important to have a woman, who can make you laugh.
3. It's important to have a woman, whom you can trust and who doesn't lie to you.
4. It's important to have a woman, who is good in bed and who likes to be with you.
5. It's very, very important that these four women do not know each other
So please be careful.

2. Lust of the flesh(WINE)
Paul recommended to Timothy to drink wine for his stomach's sake and for his continuous ailments. The Bible often makes references to the value of wine for health and
enjoyment.However there is a caution in the book of proverbs that wine is a mocker and beer
is a brawler he that is led astral by them is not wise.I would never recommend that anyone begin drinking, because alcohol has many destructive health effects. Physicians simply cannot predict with any certainty who will become a problem drinker."However it is not only wine we are talking about here today,anything you do in life that make you loose the sense of who you are is not worth it,because you will overcome the tipsy and the crazy effect of it,but then When
the dust clear you will regret your careless action.Some people are actually masters in it,but
be careful too much of it may lead to your down fall. Because too much of everything is bad.


3. Pride of life(WEALTH)
Many times we equate wealth with money. I want to say at this point that,you can have money
and not be wealthy but it is not likely that you will be wealthy with absence of money.You can
have wealth of experience and a lots of other things.The caution here is when you get to a level
where you have something that makes men respect and honor you,then we all tend to become careless, we pay less or no attention to things of God and even neglect his several warnings,we tend to make material things our God.But my friend before you take that plunge apply your brakes pride goes before a fall.

To get to the peak is not the issue but to remain there is the greatest work.See you on top.

Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Welcome to my year of "Overflowing blessing".What a time in the year to do this after 17 days into the new year,but it is better late than never.This year i believe will be a lot better than 2007 which was a year of perfection.Now i need you to believe with me that whatsoever the lord has perfected in 2007 will result in overflowing blessing in 2008.Did i hear u say Amen.Then let us walk into the fullness and then overflowing of his blessing hand in hand.

Well it is a little over 2 months now since my last post,this year promises to be better,fasten your sit belt because we have a lot ahead of us.This year there will be a lot of reorganization ,discussions, topics will be raised and many more.Please make sure you are part of everything happening.Have a wonderful and exciting year ahead

Cheers

Stock Market.

Once upon a time in a village, a man appeared and announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for N10.The villagers seeing that there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest and started catching them.The man bought thousands at N10 and as supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort. He further announced that he would now buy at N20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer rate increased to N25 and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it!

The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at N50! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now buy on behalf of him.In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers. Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at N35 and when the man returns from the city, you can sell it to him for N50."The villagers squeezed up with all their savings and bought all the monkeys.Then they never saw the man nor his assistant, only monkeys everywhere!!!

Welcome to the "Stock" Market!!!!!

Perfect world.

A father was reading a newspaper. He didn't want to be disturbed by his little girl,so he cut out a map of the world, tore it to pieces and gave it to her to assemble.After a while, she returned to him with the map all in perfect order, every piece in its place. The surprised father said, "Honey, you don't know anything about geography,so how did you do it?" The innocent girl replied, "The picture of Jesus is at the back of this map and I knew if I have Jesus in the right place, the whole world would be perfect." Have a blessed day

Last Faith.

Amazingly i have been staying in my present apartment in Lagos for about 3 months now,and i know very little or almost nothing about my neighbors.I know we are all young and upcoming,there are some i really want to get close to and some i hate to avoid,not because they are bad but because they are either too good or too quiet to a fault.One of those i love to see is Pastor D(not real name).He dropped me off on my way to the office yesterday and we rubbed minds on a number of things and i was lead to do something when i got back home.He then told me something,that sort of inspired me to write this post.He said "you don't understand what you have done for me,do you know what it is to exercise your last faith this is a confirmation that God is real". There are times we just pray and feel like nothing has happened,be sure a lot has happened on your behalf,read the story of the girl below as an example.

A girl went to her friends house and she ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone. She wasn't afraid because it was a small COMMUNITY and she lived only a few blocks away.As she walked along under the bike trail Diane asked God to keep her safe from harm and danger.When she reached the alley, which was a shortcut to her house,she decided to take it. However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he were waiting for her.She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for God's protection.
Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped round her,she felt as though someone was walking with her.When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.

The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there.Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep.Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this young woman,she decided to go to the police station.She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him.She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before.When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed.The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her.

She asked if they would ask the man one question.Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her.When the policeman asked him, he answered, 'Because she wasn't alone. She had two tall men walking on either side of her.'
Amazingly, whether you believe or not, you're not alone.
PS: God is always there in your heart and loves you no matter what.'If you deny me in front of your friends, I shall deny you in front of my Father'.Relax and have a wonderful time with him.

STAND UP FOR HIM

Have you discovered IT?

Have you ever thought about what happens when you discover your passions and really get aligned with your destiny?

Ö Days become meaningful

Ö Success is inevitable

Ö Work is play

Ö Joy is a daily experience

Ö Life becomes magical

Ö Spirituality is natural

Ö Miracles happen constantly

Ö Happiness is spontaneous and lasting

Ö Relationships are fulfilling

Passion is that one thing which has the power to transform, regenerate, and ignite anyone’s life. Passion is the one thing which every successful person has.

Yet, even after you get clear on your passions, sometimes you forget, old habits crop up, you backslide a bit. But my friend you need to step up your game because your true happiness lies in discovering who you are.See u on top.

Happy New Year...Nigeria Will Be Better

Happy new, welcome to 2007. This is the year we have been waiting for, my prayer is that all our prayers will be answered and all our expectations met In Jesus name. But personally I really thank God for what he did for me as individual in 2006 it was one long year, a year that many people want to forget for so many reasons and others would not forget for obvious reasons. But either way what more can we do than be happy that we were finally able to sail through.

There are lots of reasons to be optimistic, this year as well as a lot to be pessimistic about as a nation, a lot of us would be watching with an eagle eye as events unfold towards the General Elections, on the international scene the drama would certainly continue from where it stopped last year.

This post would be a thrust of all I expect would be confronting us this year as a nation and as a people, it would be a confabulation of issues that if tackled can take us closer to the promised land and if neglected will only be ingredients for disintegration and a continue slide downwards.

We again from the beginning of this year will be battling poverty; of the mind, of pocket and of sensibilities, despite seven years of reforms we still remain one of the poorest in the globe, despite our natural and human resources, due to human mismanagement we are battling to sustain meaningful development, and growth that is equal to the expectations of our people not even the international standard.

With the emergence of the Buharis, Yaraduas and co., again though subtly we will still be concerned about tribal sentiments, ethnicity, religion and thus to a large extent none of us or few of us are thinking nor discussing meritocracy. Around these three evils and many more we are likely to be subjected to more of political irresponsibility, rascality and political arithmetic that widen the gulf between the rulers and the ruled.

We shall again be fighting against negative statistics of reality, we are still somewhere around the fifth largest HIV/AIDS infected nation, although from 2nd we have moved down to 18th in the corruption index, we still remain and have continued to feature amongst nations with the worst badly run economies.

We are insecure as a people, we are once more going to be constantly dependent on others after 46 years of paper independence, our Rice would still come from Thailand, any land but not our land, our drugs both fake and original, and we have India, Germany and co. to thank for them.

This year, will we be able to make sense of our economic macro-policies, with cars, computers, clothing, and ball point pens all from Jand or Yankee. Will we shed off the skin of a nation that is full of contradictions, a nation of millions of school leavers without jobs, a nation of millions sick with curable diseases and ailment, a nation yet blessed with fertile land, with intelligent men and women in abundance. But being punished by a handful of crooks called leaders, being ruled by a collection of mediocre. A nation where amidst these poverty a man would steal in billions.

The issues that stop us from attaining nationhood again may include, the fact that we are all hypocrites, constantly waiting for any opportunity to better Judas Iscariot in the act of betrayal, go ask Atiku and Obj. Topmost is, we shall again see leaders who grew up in Oshodi, schooled in Oshodi, lived there all their lives and get elected to serve Oshodi, and first thing on their card would be a familiarization tour of Oshodi. Our Leaders would still be exploring all means and any means necessary to steal from us.

With looting, corruption and insincerity, the ball again would be played on the pitch of underdevelopment and to think otherwise would be deceitful. Our cry would still be trying to catch the Asian Tiger; even some West African puppies have gone too far for comfort. We may suffer the rule of idiots again, because sages are kept in dust bin or how will you explain the dropping of Donald duke for the lucky one time deputy Governor Of bayelsa state (Jonathan Goodluck) who we are yet to see his performance at the state level, it is going to be like it was, while Tafawa Balewa wanted to be a broadcaster, the powers that be thought otherwise, Yakubu Gowon was not intellectually, psychologically, temperamentally, ready but the Oligarchy said it must be him. Then we had all-knowing Obj in his first coming that was forced on us by Danjuma, Shehu Yaradua and co.

In Shagari it was no different, as the man that wanted to just be a Senator, a man that was not even at the Row Park venue of the NPN primaries emerged as winner without his consent, he was not even aware that his name was on the ballot. In 1998 fresh from prison, the Baba of Aso Rock had asked "how many Presidents did Nigeria want to make of him" but we did not listen. So again we may end up with a reluctant President in Yaradua except otherwise when qualified men like Professor Pat Utomi and many more are being brushed aside. These we have to contend with this New Year. INEC would be in the eye of the storm so also the Police, the ruling PDP, EFCC, the likes of Uba, Adedibu and many ruffians that the government has created.

Things will be better, Nigeria can be great if only we can prove these men wrong, if only you and I can make a concerted effort at being right in our own little way and fight in our own small corner. The nation will fight for liberation from tribal loyalties, ethnic jingoism, religious segregation, monetary godafatherism and many more. We will have to move a ladder up from hope and expectation to reality.

In this New Year, we have to move towards a Nigeria of the people for the people and by the people I mean a Nigeria that will be committed to the vision of the founding fathers, or we continue the self deceit and watch the nation crumble like cookies. As I welcome us into this new year let me say that this is our nation, only us can stop the drift, people that claim to love us are few, many a nation are watching and waiting. Let us remember that we cannot continue to massage the ringworm and leave the sore. Almighty God we as a people thank you for a New Year and ask for the best. Have a blessed, exciting and memorable year ahead.

Recall notice.

The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units, code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.

This defect has been technically termed, "Sub-sequential Internal Non-morality," or more commonly known as "SIN".

Some Symptoms: Question

1. Loss of direction
2. Lack of peace and joy
3. Depression or confusion in the mental component
4. Foul vocal emissions
5. Selfish, violent behavior
6. Amnesia of origin
7. Fearfulness
8. Rebellion
9. Pride

To correct this SIN defect, the Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory authorized repair and service free of charge. The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the stagge. So run quickly now, offer last till the last day which may be tomorrow.

Disloyalty to the Constitution

While swearing in six new federal Permanent Secretaries on 4th January 2006, President Obasanjo emphasized on the need for loyalty to the government and the nation. He said:

”“To me, there is no 99 percent loyalty. It has to be total. If you cannot give total loyalty, then you should look for another job. You have heard of something they call military loyalty. If that means total, then there is no other thing except military loyalty. Because if you do not give military loyalty, you endanger the lives of not yourself but the lives of others when you are in battle.

This statement is interesting as it is very instructive when linked to the third term agenda. This so for the simple reason that before assuming office, the President and the 36 state governors swore to protect and abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Despite this, the President and some of the governors are maneuvering to coerce the National and the State Assemblies to hurriedly amend the Constitution in order to accommodate their third term ambitions. It is ironic that the President would demand 100% loyalty from all his subordinates but fail to give 100% loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the authority under which he was elected into office. For, a President who violates the constitution of his country when it suits him is certainly on slippery grounds when he demands 100% loyalty from his subordinates.

Conclusion
There is no doubt that President Obasanjo and a tiny clique around him are trying to steer Nigeria into murky waters full of political bombs. All well meaning Nigerians should, therefore, rise up, as they have done in the past, to nip in the bud this cynical and dangerous move. As for Obasanjo, he could do well by heeding the advice of President Matthew Kerekou of the Republic of Benin that

“If you show your wish to remain in power or try to insist on staying there and the people don’t want you, you are heading for the sort of trouble, which Benin managed to avoid in 1990.”

Because anyone,

“Who fails to leave power, power will leave him.”

However, should President Obasanjo choose to ignore this brotherly advice, he may very well be reminded of what he is believed to have told former President Ibrahim Babangida, in a speech at a 1992 Council of State meeting, in response to the calls by some groups for him to prolong his stay in power:

“As someone who was in the battlefield during the Nigerian Civil War and who unexpectedly but providentially assumed the mantle of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the leadership of the government, I beg you in the name of Allah not to mistake the silence of our people for acquiescence or weakness and the sycophancy of the greedy and opportunistic people who parade the corridors of power as representative of the true feelings of our people.

Nigeria needs peace and stability. It is too fragile to face another commotion. In God’s good name drag it not into one. This is the time for you to have some honourable exit. May God help you and help our country.”

Life and a cup of coffee.

Welcome to December the month of great people. Today i just want to reach out to all hard working professionals out there, when things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar……and the coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf ball are the important things–your family, your children, your health, your friends, your favorite passions–things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else–the small stuff.”

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18 holes. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.”

“Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”