SENTIMENT

The affiliation of being self evident, courageous, bold and truthful to one's profile can be jeopardized with a pinch of sentiment in the interplay of decision making and self satisfaction. Sentiment in a nutshell is an attitude,  thought or judgement prompted by feeling, an idea coloured by emotions, or an exaggerated and self indulgent feelings of tenderness, sadness or nostalgia.

'Ladies and gentlemen', this statement is often said in a gathering, event or an official meetings. The statement either initiated by sentiment or from the unconscious mind of the initiator has given a clue that men are gentle gender, while women could be gentle or not. In that context, men are often well appraised by this usage of glittering generality.

The saying; "A Mothers Love Lasts Forever" is an indication that the initiator of the saying is much more in love with his or her mother than the father, probably because the mother had in times shown some care and love. Looking at the saying glaringly, does that mean a father's love doesn't last? This can be said to have had a pinch of sentiment in the interplay of decision making and self satisfaction.

Jealousy is regarded to be an issue of the heart, and it is often said that this happens when two lovers are deeply in love,  but on the other hand, this can be regarded as sentiment which is produced by the fear that the loved person prefers someone else.

Gender inequality can be said to be a sentiment based ideology. A woman in certain places is forbidden to hold an official position in places of authority, and same is applicable to homes where women are not categorized to be entitled to educational needs as well as shares to inheritance. The preference attached to male child as against female child is noted to have been a result of sentiment which exists long time ago. Men are often tagged the head of the family in most religious settings and this has made most fathers to crave for male child than female child.

At the government level, sentiment is often in play whenever ministers and officials are chosen. People are not mostly chosen based on their capability, but their political affiliation which has however made some ministries to encounter hiccups. The biase, and subjectivity in the approaches of our day to day life can be categorized as set backs that wouldn't make our decision to be truly genuine,  but based on self and human satisfaction.

The Earth Planet

Bet whistles, competition at its peak,  a relay at it fastest track, jingling of the bell, and tempest moment. We wouldn't have started,  but as we did, it brought about the assumptions.

Life has never been fair,  and it can never be fair.  It had been like that from the onset,  so shall it be till man knows that earth is spherical in shape. This spherical like nature brought about the saying; what goes around comes around. We move in circles and so we have not realized that we are dancing to the tune of what made us, how we were made and what comes out of us.

This is earth planet, where some will always be rich without toiling, where some will only get rich while hustling, where some even after the toil will still sleep in the toilet, the set that gather the whole baggage and eventually turns to a dumping ground.

This is earth planet,  where some find their lovers at the easiest times and beautiful memories are recorded without breaking the arteries, where some will try different people before getting it right, where some will forever stay single, where some get divorced,  where some turn to gays and lesbians.

This is earth planet,  where social media is now the new means of communication, where letter writting has been pushed to extinction, where technologists are rated than postmasters, where most transactions are done online,  where files suddenly turned to burden,  where new born babies have hand set.

This is earth planet, where discrimination thrives, where apartheid exists,  where the margin between the rich and the poor is longer than the wires that connect electricity,  where the bullies are considered the godfathers, and the bullied are considered the morons, where we have first class, economy and business class in an aeroplane, where some clubs have membership,  where some set wouldn't dare to step into some clubs, where prostitutes have class.

Welcome to  earth planet,  where Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, where Cain killed his blood brother Abel, where the killings of blood relations is on the increase, where we keep eating the forbidden fruit, where we love to listen to lucifer's voice than our creator's voice, where some parts are thrown missile to and it becomes a routine, and above all, where nothing is impossible.

Pluto, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, Uranus, Neptune  I have never stepped,  but the list of things that go round and round on earth are enormous and they continue. Infinity has no end,  so old school things will still come as what we refer to as trending. If we had started it well from the garden of Eden, good things would have been what go around, come around,  and the joy of the earth spherical like shape would have been reaped bountifully.

When Hunger Sets In....

It was never your office, it is my kitchen, says the angry woman to her husband who paces round the house complaining. Vicker who has reached the limit of starvation rushed back from work and tried to get his belly filled with food, but unfortunately the fridge was empty and no food to microwave. He got so furious at the absence of his wife and the emptiness of the fridge, and decided to put some grains of rice on the cooker.

As he deepened his hand in the cabinet,  a sound of knock hits the door. Vicker never bothered to ask who is at the door, he left the boiling water on the fire and opened the door. Amazingly,  she's here says Vicker as he opened the door for his wife.  The woman of the house is back from work looking tired. Yes, it seemed she had a stressful day.

Vicker barely welcomed her, he turned back to the kitchen looking for solution to his starvation. Bella dropped her kit on the couch and followed her husband anxiously. She screamed as she saw her husband with a full bowl of grains attempted to be poured in the boiling water put on the cooker. She quickly rushed to hold his hand,  ordering him to stop.

He waited for some seconds before heeding to her words. Afterwards, Vicker yelled at his wife for not making provisions for his lunch. Bella angrily replied that the kitchen is hers and not his husband's office. She never knew that Vicker was going to make it home before her. Vicker paced angrily throughout the period of their conversation, complaining that he needs his lunch. Why do we have water splashed on the floor, why do we have tomatoes on the floor, would you have poured so much grains in the pot? why is my cabinet so disorganized,  why are my things wrongly placed?  asked Bella. Vicker yelling back says; Are you the owner of the things in the kitchen, so why do you keep personalising the kitchen? "Because it is my personal office,  my kitchen and not your office!" says Bella

As Vicker tried to reply, Bella threw a question at him saying;  where is Jeremiah? Sudden silence took over the atmosphere. Vicker suddenly turned to a stammerer, and could barely construct a sentence. Eventually, he confessed that he didn't pick the little boy from school. Bella rushed out of the kitchen,  picked the car key and sped off to her son's school. Vicker was depressed, turned off the cooking gas and sat at the pavement outside waiting for his wife and son's arrival.

Be Careful Of What Your Ring Says About You

From time immemorial a ring has been an object that symbolizes different things, be it fashion,  marital status,  or class identity of man. A ring is a curcumscribing object,  circular and hollow usually worn on fingers, but some come as earrings, bracelets, and accessories. It is made up of plastic, gemstone, metal, wood, bone, glass, and also comes in different shapes, sizes and colours. We have gold, silver, diamond,  and other colours with ornaments.

Rings mean different things to different people and the general assumptions of ring placement on fingers is that ring is placed on the forefinger when one is searching for a spouse, the middle finger placement symbolizes engagement,  the ring finger is the wedding ring finger, while the pinkie finger ring placement means divorce or death. Far from the general assumptions of ring placement, here are some of the importance attached to rings as they are worn on different fingers,  especially the left hand fingers;

The thumb; Some people believe that a ring on the left thumb represents the quality of will, used to make a fashion statement and often said to be a sign of wealth especially for a man that wears it.

The Forefinger;  It is often known as the first finger and the second digit of a human finger, it is also called the pointer finger, trigger finger, digitus secundus amongst others. Some also refer to it as Jupiter, the index finger that stands for  self confidence,  ambition,  leadership etc.  Hundreds years ago it was said to be the most common location for a man's ring. In some parts of Europe, ring placement on this finger denotes family status,  and some people below certain rank were forbidden from wearing rings on the specific finger.

The Middle Finger; It is said to be the saturn,  sense of right and wrong, balance wheel, truth and self analysis. It symbolizes power, and responsibility.

The Ring Finger; This is called the ring finger because in many cultures,  the left ring finger is meant for weddings and engagements. It is also a sign of creativity and a ring worn on this finger symbolizes marital status,  betrothal,  promise and chastity.

The Pinkie Finger/ Little Finger; This finger is the smallest of all the fingers, and it symbolizes that one was married before. In the 19th and early 20th century,  the bottom ring was the wedding ring and the signet ring is worn on top. It's often times associated with organized crime, an example seen in the Sopranos drama.

However,  whatever ring, or finger placements one thinks is better must be done accurately,  in order not to be misjudged. Sometimes a single lady wears a ring on the ring finger,  and this often chase bachelors in search of a bride from such lady with the assumption of her being taken. Fashion is beautiful,  and placing it right and correctly is also appreciated.

A Letter Initiated By A Nigerian To President Muhammadu Buhari ( Prince Michael Nku Abuo)

The emphasis on good governance is vital, and the need for collective change and responsibility are germane as well. In this context,  here is a piece from the desk of a Nigerian citizen aspiring to see an effective change to president Muhammadu Buhari
Prince Michael Nku Abuo (JP) wrote;

Prologue
Funny as it may sound Your Excellency Sire, about two nights ago I had a dream where I met you at a function and told you I had solutions to most of our nation's challenges and begged for an audience to present these solutions, and in my dream you gave me a note to see you at the villa.

The other side of this dream will be and is a subject of another day. Why I had this dream is unclear to me but as a Christian and one with a flair for social re-engineering it is a daily responsibility I have to pray for two personalities whose paths carry the destinies of many dear to me: One is His Excellency Sen. Prof. Ayade Benedict and the other is His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, as well as for my state and country. Now to the subject matter.

On National Challenges
Your Excellency, I bring you tidings of peace, love and goodwill. I wish to commend your courage and strides in ensuring that our country remain united against forces that seek to tear her apart.

These forces like no other time in the history of this country is waxing stronger  by the day. From the perceived politicization of your fight against corruption, to the clash between pastoral herdsmen and the indigenes of various states and the devastating effect of Boko Haram on the people of Northern Nigeria and indeed Nigeria as a whole and its bad publicity on our nation.

Our economy too is facing serious challenges as evident in the downward movement of our Naira against the upward movement of Dollar. Several factors have played out to put our country and economy in very challenging circumstances, for example the states of our infrastructure, our "single" based export and multiple import economy, underutilized human resource capacity, corruption as seen across our nation's ranks and poor work ethics of most civil servants, etc.

Aside the above, all of a sudden power output has dropped, we are queuing to buy petroleum products at an average of about two-five times the approved price. The prices of products in the market have soared as a result of increase in transportation and the dollar price. Even government agencies involved in service provision like hospitals etc have increased the price of their services.

This has caused untold hardship to many. In the midst of all this, all we hear is there's no money and salaries across boards remain constant. How can the masses survive under this dire circumstance?

Salvation Path
Recently,there's a renewed verve amongst some group of Nigerians for the actualization of a sovereign state of Biafra. I intentionally refused to caĺl them by their ethnic nomenclature, for the categorization of our people by tribe and ethnicity has done us more evil than good. I believe we are first Nigerians before any other thing.

It is my believe in and for Nigeria, that has and is providing a guide towards my prayer and open letter to you. I am a patriot and a solution based critique. Irrespective of the fact that I voted for Goodluck Jonathan in the just concluded presidential elections doesn't mean that I should watch you fail or our country sink further in comatose.

I make these submissions out of love for our nation and uttermost respect for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am guided by conscience and a true sense of my responsibility as a citizen for the evolution of true nationhood.

It must be made clear that we are not the only country with challenges and I do not blame you for these challenges, for these happenings is deeply rooted in the history of our nation and only a deep rooted solution over time will see to its end and it must be driven by the people of this nation to bring it to an end. The president alone can't proffer and implement remedy to the situation on ground.

Government and citizens need to take a critical appraisal of the happenings in our Nation and individually and collectively play roles towards the salvation of our country -Nigeria, beyond tribe, ethnicity, religion or politics.

As a youth who has studied the history of our nation and the histories of other nations. I understand that the path to evolving true nationhood is beyond mere wishes or verbal rhetoric or sudden happenings from a magical wand. The efforts must be conscious and all inclusive.

Therefore, permit me to provide you with my humble advice on some of the pressing issues faced by Nigerians.

The question Biafra of Biafra
Your Excellency Sire, it may be embarrassing and more so annoying for you to face agitations for the realization of a sovereign state of Biafra, after the lives and properties lost during the civil war and the mass protest it has spurred in certain part of the country recently but we can not wish neither can we force certain problems away.

We must be truthful to ourselves as a nation and truth come from deep soul searching and answering questions that arise without biases. It is steps taken and implemented towards these answers and question that brings about peace.

Did we really burry the Biafra biases with the end of the war?Now the question of the Biafra biases includes the settlement and treatment given to the South Eastern and South South part of Nigeria after the war who made up the majority as victims of the war. Is there really government face across the states in these zones? Are the scars of the war truly healed or is it a smile out but hate-inside predicament?

Will the Nigerian state be willing to call for a referendum if need be to foreclose the possible re-emergence of these agitations? The current deaths caused by security  operatives during peaceful protests from Biafra agitators worth it and can it not be avoided?

If Nnamdi Kanu broke the law, should the law be broken to prove that he broke the law?(The question of innocence-until-proven-guilty must be taken into consideration)

Will this not all end in dialogue?Yes it will!

My take Your Excellency Sire on this Biafra matter is that a detribalized commission be set up to look into the remote cause of these agitations and recommendations according to its finding, which should be all inclusive and transparent, be fully implemented.

Secondly Sire, the trial of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu should be made open and done within the law to avoid perception of biase.

Thirdly, security operatives should be properly guided in ensuring that peaceful protests are not turned into blood baths by their actions. Let us not forget how Boko Haram metamorphosed into what it is today. Pictures and video of peaceful protesters gunned down across the country paints your administration in bad light.

This micro scene depicted above is driven by youths and these youths are supposed to be or are the custodians of our future as a nation. What future can we boast of if our youths and people will willingly die against a nation that they should die for or protect?

Your Excellency, if I say that all was well with and in the last administration then I will be a barefaced liar and hypocrite. Just like we had the bad, we also had the good. It is a well known and proven fact that government is a continuum.We will like to see you continue with policies and programs of the past administration that was pro masses such as the YOUWIN project, the SUREP program, the full implementation of the report of the National Conference as well as ensuring the passage of the petroleum bill into law, etc.

New areas we will love to see reform are in the areas of social welfare/developmental initiatives for the physically and financially challenged as well as our teeming unemployed youths. If the United State Government can provide social services to the vulnerable of their society despite their capitalist nature we can. Only one recovered loot is enough to handle this.

Exploring our potentials fully by utilizing our agricultural and other natural resources to create jobs and opening of more avenues for exports in order to boost our economy.

Deepening regional ties by maximizing trade and business opportunities within the African Union and ECOWAS. For example, in a recent survey by Green Peace, China is illegally exploiting our water resources and as a big brother in the region we can sway these exploited opportunities to our favour and provide more than enough animal (Seaproducts) for the region. This is an economic potential.

On Boko Haram
We want to know what is happening to our national satellite in space and we must launch a project for our presence in space. This will enhance our telecommunications and also help us in cyber security and in national and regional security. The utilization of the Russian Space Satellite recently to know the workings of ISIL/ISIS and its partners is something worthy of thought. Same can be utilized in ending the menace of Boko Haram with a focus of this Satellite in the North East.

More so, as regards Boko Haram, it was covered in the media that different countries like the United States, etc pledged support for the rebuilding of the North East due to the devastation caused by the insurgents...What is the latest on these fund and the rebuilding exercise?

Since the efforts of Boko Haram is focused on the rural areas aside utilizing satellite techniques, can the community ties(carefully selected and trusted) be deepened with our security agents for a more collaborative effort towards ending this menace? I belief that the rural dwellers' apt understanding of the terrain will be a plus to our security forces.

Besides with all the intelligence report and funds expended on information gathering do we truly not know those behind this terror group? If we do why have there not been prosecuted and these names made public? What is the driving force behind these people and their ideology? It is a known fact that one of the Abuja-suicide bomber was a physically challenged woman coerced into the act.

Prison reforms.
Our President, a selective tour across our prison system will expose the rot of this critical sector of our nation. A place where convicts are to be modelled has transitioned to where they are worsened. Dilapidated infrastructure, awaiting trial inmates now spend more time for even an offence that, if found guilty, will not warrant their staying that long, worst is over 70 percent are finally discharged and acquitted as innocent after years of pains and persecution, poor nutrition as against approved funds for ration, no international standard corrective measure etc. The prison system needs to be overhauled.

Petroleum
The price regulatory board in the petroleum sector has got to be overhauled and replaced with people of sound conscience as our economy depends on this. This is to ensure accurate pricing and sales of petroleum products. To balance the distribution of petroleum products, government should also own trucks to ensure adequate distribution and break the monopoly of independent distributors and also increase her filling stations across the federation (Proceeds from NNPC can adequately handle this)

Education
Funding for our educational sector should be improved towards result oriented research for patents and national interest focused areas/initiatives. For our primary and secondary school, it is possible for us to provide free meals and also totally free tuition. A country like Venezuela has achieved this and we too can.

On Infrastructure
I was elated to have heard of your special trust fund for infrastructural development across the country. This indeed is a step in the right direction but the federal government must not just stop at establishing these funds but ensuring that these funds are properly utilized for what it is meant to be used for and where it is meant to be used.

I was in Abuja recently and an idea struck. If it is possible for us to have federal contractors executing standardized jobs in the FCT, can we not have these contractors directly reconstruct our dilapidated road networks across the federation with the direct supervision of the federal government? What the citizens want is result and majority of those who voted for you are the ones worst hit by the deplorable state of our roads. So many have died due to this.

On Gender & Youth
While I commend your executive team as recently composed. I will like to say that gender balance is not reflected as well as the largest section of our polity the youths. It is also false notion to presume that a reduced executive team is tantamount to reduced corruption and leakage. It is not ministries, agencies or parastatals that steal monies, it is people that do and their pattern is known. The youths as the most vital component of our nation must be carried along in all spheres of governance from creating opportunities for the utilization of their potentials, through the creation of social security packages for the unemployed, vocational training and financial supports to build their businesses etc, scholarships and grants.

TSA
What we need is not just an effective mechanism of recovering stolen funds of which these recoveries should not be restricted to political rivals or opponents but mechanisms should be evolved to prevent stealing and diversion of funds by ensuring that the ICPC, EFCC, Servicom are equipped with individuals with impeccable characters and executive legislation sponsored and passage ensured to ensure a truly independent platform devoid of the redtape of governance and indeed redtape in governance and its system is something that must be addressed via the utilization of digitization of the processes.

It is also necessary to thank you for the implementation of the single treasury account which was initiated by the immediate past administration as well as moves to deepen the reach of Nigerian Railways. Across the federation fond words are spoken of your support for opposition party government by show of presence and approval of financial aids as seen in Cross River State through your support for the Super Highway Project, Deep Sea Port and environmental remediation funds to recover erosion sites and stop erosion across the state.

Before, I conclude this phase of our conversation I wish to join voices with the house of representatives to appeal to you to recall the 2000 recruits of the Nigerian Immigration Service unceremoniously dropped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while also appealing for fulfillments of various campaign promises which is possible with critical thinking, planning  and execution.

On Agriculture
I have developed a model that will see to the proper utilization of undeveloped plots scattered across the federation for agricultural ventures that will create over 20,000 direct jobs for youths, grow organic crops for exports and contribute to our nation food security as well as contribute to our IGR while also securing grazing fields for pastoral farmers and nomads and this will presented to  ministry of youths, finance and agriculture for inputs and implementation.

Epilogue
Be bold and encouraged Your Excellency Sire, it is no child's play to lead the country with the most populous black race and one so plundered by ethnic and religious sentiments. It is not easy to run an economy that has depends heavily on export of crude and with the fall in crude price. In all know that since power comes from God, God has your back and He alone has given you this singular opportunity at this very critical time to do His bid and as already known His bid is of good and not of evil to bring us to an expected end.

You have so much support both locally and internationally to achieve your "change" mantra. So much human and natural resources to galvanize to building a great, united and prosperous nation. So many may want you to fail but be assured that those with you are greater than those against you. Nigerians have got just one country and president. We must defend her with our all,if need be our lives. In this quest for true nationhood failure is not a choice.

Dear president, your quest for true change will be felt not from your promises or the usual heavy budgetary pronouncement or the reduction of ministries or agencies but that change will be seen by how many youths get jobs to build the Nigerian dream, when our mortality age changes to 80/90, when our hospitals are fully equipped with personnel and needed tools, when power improves, when we refine our petroleum  products and these products are ready and sold at pocket friendly rates, when our schools get the needed boost both infrastructure and quality educational output from qualified teachers, when pay is equivalent to prevailing market happenings, when death rates from poor road network is addressed and families can at least provide  meals and basic requirement to live securely in any part of our federation etc only then will we experience that true change. This is the change that the Nigerian in the street clamoured for.

It may sound impossible but it is possible to attain the above and more if you divide the wealth in this nation by our population it is enough to carry us for over ten thousand years individually  how much more if positively harnessed and utilized. To further prove the possibility of this assertion a critical  compilation of stolen funds since the founding of this nation and the figure it will give you will provide a clear guide to the practical scope of my postulation.

This change may all not come in your reign but framework and efforts must be put in place beyond party lines and politics to build a strong and undivided nation. That goal starts now and this realization will be made easier by all keying into same. The task ahead is beyond politics and we can only attain our goals by looking beyond politics.

Yours sincerely,

Prince Michael Nku Abuo, JP
Citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigerians and National Facilitator Towards A More United and Prosperous Nigeria



 

The Rhythm And Rhymes Of Christmas

Is it a rhythm,  or a rhyme? It takes the place of the two. Songs are sang, the word is often said at the time, and different acrivities take place. It's a season where we have the festival at its peak,  a time of merriment and celebration of a new life and the well branded season is known as the Christmas season which aims at celebrating a king that was born in a manger.

What does Christmas stand to celebrate? It is a celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ,  incorporating various Christians,   pre christian, and secular customs. It is a period that the Son of God is remembered to have come to the world for a significant reason.
Some memories attached to his birth are mysterious events surrounding his existence. He was given birth to by a virgin known to be Mary, His birth took place in the manger, because of the search for his life by King Herod. King Herod was jealous of the new baby on a notice that he is the king of the Jews.  In the bible, the three wise men bearing gifts of myrrh, gold and silver for Jesus,  asked a question in Jerusalem of where they could find Jesus the newly born king of Jews, and that they have seen his star in the east and they have come to worship him ( Matthew 2:2, NKJV). The king was furious on hearing this message. He ordered for them and asked them to bring him the news when they find the newly born so that he could worship him. His motive was to kill the child in order not to have a competitor, but as fate may have it,  the three wise men never got back to him.

The season often comes with harmattan where the cold breeze passes the surface of the warm water and there is fog, but some people refer to it as winter season.
The festivity of Christians doesn't lie only in celebration, but the appreciation of the context in question. The widely believe is that Jesus came to the world, left his treasures to change man from his sinful ways. He is known as the son of God, and some movies have been done in his record, ranging from the (Son of God) produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey,  and directed by Christopher Spencer,to (The Nativity Story) which was written by; Mike Rich, and directed by Catherine Hardwicke, and (The Passion of Christ) which was produced by Bruce Davey and directed by Mel Gibson.

It is Christmas season! A season that recorded the most widely celebrated festival in the world. This is a season that cold is much more experienced in most parts of the world and it is usually celebrated in December. I have walked some miles, and all I saw were different decorations at the entrance of so many official work places, balloons, Santa claus in schools and different places. A season of seasoned chicken, turkey, beef, exceptional meals, assorted and local drinks, beautiful new clothes and shoes to accompany.

However, as  the the celebration continues, Christians shouldn't forget that it is also a time of thanks to Jesus, and intercession. We shouldn't forget that when the celebration is at its peak,  don't drink alcohol and drive because it is time for merriment, and not a time to mourn.

No Work Is Done Without Stress

The hot kettle, the smokey head, the hot pan, the torn flesh, the cold river, the foggy area, and the frozen chicken, all had passed through a rigorous time to maintain their usefulness.

The kettle is hot while trying to boil water, the head is smokey while trying to get a clue,  the pan is hot in its quest to fry the chops, the flesh is torn as it tries to pull the luggage, the river is cold because of the influence of  water, the area is foggy as the cold air passes over the warm water and moist land, and the chicken is frozen so as to maintain its savour.

Whichever way we try to make it in life,  sweat must be seen, either on the face or under the wears irrespective of the air conditioner attached to our working environment. Every job, or work has its little or big challenge.