SPiRiTuAliZiNg THoUgHt

2012-01-27T00:28:00.001-08:00

Imagine having to leave a high-paid job as Principal of the prestigious Federal Government College which is regarded across West Africa as the best among equals in the field of education. That was exactly what His Royal Majesty UKOHA did when his maternal uncle passed on from the throne. The Community wanted no other than the distinguished academician who knew nothing of traditional headship but had spent the greater part of his life within the four walls of classrooms either as a student or teacher.Ever since his ascension to the throne in a kingdom founded by a woman, His Majesty has changed the perception of his people from that of hewers of wood and pitchers of water, peasant farmers and warriors to that of intellectuals, successful industrialists and international merchants. He has also completely eradicated illiteracy, gender discrimination, laziness and hooliganism from amongst his people.In a culture where Kings are entitled to marry as many wives as there are beautiful maidens around, His Majesty is constrained by his religious inclination to remain attached to his glamorous wife who also had to subjugate her role as school Headmistress to adorning the regal beads and playing the role of “First Lady.”Their twenty years on the throne is being marked this month with pomp and pageantry and by exhibition of cultural displays amidst recognition of eminent citizens among whom is one Chief EBULU whose illustrations spanning over a period of more than fifty years, could be found in the pages of most school textbooks used across Africa and beyond.Surely, this event and the personalities deserve emulation; to serve as role model to other communities where the primitive lifestyle has remain unchanged.

POPE's VISIT TO BENIN: Blessing or Curse?

2011-11-16T04:32:00.001-08:00

As we approach the end of count-down to the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Benin republic, it can easily be seen that Cotonou the commercial nerve-centre is becoming cleaner than ever before.This new look of a city that was almost hitherto assuming an epidemic level of filthiness is not, however, without collateral damage. Structures adjoining the pavement of most roads and boulevards across the city which serve as business centres or workshops for various types of economic activities have been completely pulled down by agents of the Municipal Council. Ironically, it is the same Council that collects various taxes and rates in respect of these business places on monthly basis, and one wonders how they hope to make up for the losses which happen to constitute a greater percentage of their revenue base.The effect of this demolition exercise is that more than 30% of businesses in the city have suddenly come to indefinite standstill with the attendant hardship it has brought to hundreds of thousands of breadwinners.The Pontif's visit is to last just four days, but the demolition exercise started since more than one month, and the big question is how much longer the victims will stay without regular income.The ripple effect is already being felt at the international markets and restaurants and bars which have suddenly started recorded low or zero customer traffic.Some desperate traders are said to be planning a mild display of placards during the reception of the august visitor in front of the national stadium to register their plight.Their argument is that since the theme of the Pope's visit is "RECONCILIATION," that government should also consider RECONSTRUCTION of their knocked-down structures or REHABILITATION of law-abiding business people.

NEW EDITION SOLAR COOKING OVEN by Vincent NNANNA

2011-10-24T02:11:00.000-07:00

MATERIALS NEEDED:
1 Any dark coloured plastic bowl
2 Recyclable carton sheets
3 Black waterproof sheets
4 Inexpensive reflective louvre blades
5 Super glue

METHOD OF ASSEMBLAGE
Recyclable sheets of carton are trimmed to fit round the interior of the plastic bowl to act as insulation against heat loss. Back side of the tinted reflective louvre blades are further darkened by pasting black waterproof sheets to intensify reflectiveness of the mirrored surface. These blades are thereafter layered round the plastic bowl. The cooking pot is set on top of a little piece of wood at the centre of the bowl ensuring that sun rays act directly on the pot from all angles. Water pasteurization point can be achieved in less than 30 minutes. Most cereals car be cooked in less than one hour.

SOLAR COOKER AT SCHOOLS

2011-08-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

Vincent NNANNA has successfully concluded working tour of parts of Ohafia Educational sub-zone in Abia State Nigeria conducting on-hands solar cooker training of students and teachers of selected secondary schools. Above video shows students of Federal Government College building their own solar cookit.
Students of another international school entertain the trainer with some home-made delicary after the workshop.

50th Anniversary of the Military in Benin

2011-01-28T04:16:00.000-08:00

Benin republic is today celebrating the 50th anniversary of the formation of its military services which include the Army, the Navy, the Airforce, as well as other paramilitary agencies such as the Gendamerie, Marine Police, Commando force et cetera.
The purpose of this colourful ceremony, according to the Head of Armed Forces Dr. Boni Yayi, is to display the military capability of the country as well as reinforce the potentials of the military with a view to injectingthe spirit of non-partisanship in politics.
Historical Background:The Benin military came into being on the promulgation of Law Number 60-32 of 28th July 1960, but it was not until 1961 that the first embryo of the army was conceived in Ouidah which then served as the official headquarters of the then DAHOMEY now Benin Republic.
November 30 1975 saw the birth of the Peoples Republic of Benin which was promptly followed by the transformation of the Army to the Peoples Army on 14th January 1976.
Recruitment into the military is on quota basis across the 12 provinces of the country reflecting the national character of the military.

Adieu Missebo Market

2011-01-20T11:02:00.000-08:00

The Missebo International market in Cotonou which constitutes the most populated and most economically viable single centre of trading activities in Benin republic has been reduced to rubbles. This is to enable the Benin authorities build a more dignifying shopping mall with parking facilities on the site. If the dream is realized, it will be the first ever one-stop shop in Benin republic.
This market which was established in 1972 and accommodates more than twenty-five thousand traders from across the West African sub-region is located in the heart of Cotonou municipality, and is the point from which most goods especially textiles and used clothing imported from abroad are distributed across Africa. Revenue generated from this market on a monthly basis runs into millions of dollars both to the Market Authority known as SOGEMA and to the individual traders. But it does appear that government’s decision to embark on this demolition is informed by the fact that little returns is trickling into its purse out of the huge taxation raked in by the market administrators.
According to the President of the Nigerian Community in the diaspora, there have been ongoing discussions between the Benin government market authorities and members of the Nigerian Retailers and Importers Associations respectively concerning relocating the market to a more conducive and accessible environment. However, the Benin government authorities have not been patient in allowing the traders to return from Christmas holidays before the demolition exercise and this has resulted in most people losing their goods while others will return to find that they have no place to put up to continue their business activities.
Some of the displaced traders could be seen from the footage standing aloof and helpless as they are being intimidated by the menacing presence of the arm-carrying policemen.
This incident is happening at a time when schools are just resuming for the second term and parents are at a loss as to where and how to find the money to feed their children let alone paying school fees.
“A hungry man, they say, is an angry man.”

FLOOD IN BENIN REPUBLIC

2010-11-20T06:59:00.000-08:00

The republic of Benin in West Africa was submerged in flood the first of its kind in 47 years following an unprecedented heavy rainfall. According to official sources, a total of 700,000 persons have been affected by the flood out of which more than 200,000 have become internally displaced without homes. About 65 persons mostly children lost their lives due to cholera outbreak as water from the drainage system and the overflowing lagoons had contaminated domestic water supply. Residents were forced to use canoes converted to taxis to get to their homes to see if they could still salvage some valuables from their flooded homes.

Schools which had just resumed classes after the long vacation remained deserted as school children could not find their way into the school compounds. Fishermen who had converted their boats into street taxis still found time to catch fishes on the flooded streets.

COOKING GAS SCARCITY IN BENIN

2010-09-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

“Water, water everywhere, but not enough to drink.” Today, it is cooking gas that is in “short” supply that it cannot meet the needs of domestic consumers.
Benin has two licensed cooking gas distributors – SONACOP which is the government-owned petroleum marketing company, and ORYX a private concern. For the past one month, SONACOP has been monopolizing the distribution of this essential commodity throughout a country of nearly three million consumers. ORYX which has its installations close to the Cotonou harbor was stopped from operations on allegations that their bottling plant has been found to be substandard and constitutes environmental hazard.
In effect, SONACOP apparently unprepared for the upsurge of consumer demands, has been unable to combine refilling cylinders of the two types, thereby causing not only long queues both at its gas stations but also at all the newly-established proximity service centres. Consumers deposit their bottles and have to wait for more than a week before lifting the product.
This development has brought untold hardship to both domestic and industrial consumers of gas in the country. People have resorted to inevitable use of alternative fuel or heat energy sources such as firewood, charcoal, kerosene and saw-dust. Some who cannot afford any alternative have to travel across the border to buy gas from neighbouring Nigeria. Herein lies the real danger as most of the users of these alternative fuel sources are not knowlegeable on how to manage any crises that might arise therefrom.
This trans-border purchase is already posing a lot of dangers as it has become common to see a single motor-bike loaded with about six 12kg cylinders plying to and from Nigeria and covering a distance of more than 80 kilometers on a very busy highway. Pick-up vehicles loaded with gas cylinders have become a common sight on this international route.
Critics of government are saying that the closure of ORYX on allegation of non-safe is a political gimmick calculated to stifle a powerful political opponent who happens to be a Director of that multi-million gas company. It will be recalled that Presidential polls will hold in Benin during the first quarter of 2011.
Surely, this kind of situation could have been averted, had the sub-regional gas pipeline project promised by former President Olusegun Obasanjo not become a pipe-dream.
Vincent NNANNA.

HIV/AIDS CAMPAIGN AT COTONOU SCHOOLS

2010-09-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

HIV/AIDS CAMPAIGN AT SCHOOLS
In spite of all the human efforts aimed at arresting the spread of the one epidemic that has defied all known medical and unorthodox therapy, HIV/AIDS continues to sound to many people as some sort of alien from outer space. Most people especially in the rural areas of African environments are never able to differentiate between HIV/AIDS and other common sexually-transmitted diseases such as Syphilis or Gonorrhea; and so attempt to treat them with the same approach. Among the academic class in the cities, the level of awareness is not appreciably higher than the urban scenario.
This conclusion is informed by the level of response, participation and enthusiasm shown by students of one of the international secondary schools in Cotonou – Benin republic, during a campaign organized by members of International Association of Science, Economics and Commerce students (Association International des Etudiants en Science, Economie et Commerce (AIESEC), drawn from 17 countries around the world. AIESEC has its headquarters in Canada.
During the workshop which lasted over one month, students of Greater Tomorrow International School had to fight for space which forced the organizers to reduce the participation age and other criteria in order to accommodate the overwhelming demand. Parents were no less enthusiastic in encouraging their wards to get really involved while lobbying for an extension of the original time table.
According to the Co-ordinator of the program Master Say-Ali Mouhamadou who happens to be the senior prefect of Greater Tomorrow International School, some of the topics discussed include Handling Teens, Sexually Transmitted Infection, HIV/AIDS, Teens pregnancy and Abortion, Teens and Sexuality, among others.
At the end of the workshop, participants were at a colourful ceremony issued with certificates, male and female condoms and T-shirts.
An estimated 22.4 million adults and children were living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa at the end of 2008. During that year, an estimated 1.4 million Africans died from AIDS. Around 14.1 million children have lost one or both parents to the epidemic. The following data shows HIV/AIDS prevalence in Benin Republic as at the period 2008:

People living with AIDS = 190,000; Percentage of Adults aged between 15 – 49 = 1.2%; Women = 37,000; Children = 5,400;
AIDS Deaths = 3,300; Orphans due to HIV/AIDS = 29,000. Source: GRADES-AFRICA® http://vinfish.blogspot.com

According to some of the participants, the workshop has opened their eyes to so many health and sex-related information that are not ordinarily taught in the school curriculum. They expressed the need to have more of such extra-curricular activities for the benefit of the teeming number of endangered youths both in schools and around the communities.

WHEAT AVAILABILITY Uninterrupted

2010-09-13T03:29:00.000-07:00

Wheat Price Volatility: Panic is Baseless and Hurts Poor People

Apparent similarities between today’s rising wheat prices and the food-price crisis of 2007-2008 are just that: apparent, not real. Suggestions to the contrary serve to drive up prices and hurt poor people, who spend much or most of their incomes on food. They need neither jittery markets nor ad hoc protectionism, which has exacerbated past food crises.

At first glance, the current situation can look like an unfolding rerun of the last crisis. Russia, hit by drought and wildfires, has banned exports of wheat well into 2011. Ukraine and Kazakhstan are weighing possible restrictions of their own. Unrest in Mozambique has been blamed on rising prices. All this evokes 2007-2008, when more than a dozen major food producers halted or restricted exports. This was meant to protect domestic markets as staple prices soared and global grain stocks fell to record lows, but it put even more pressure on commodity prices. Global market stability was sacrificed at the altar of domestic politics. This sparked riots in countries starved of food imports.

However, the situation today is different in a number of ways:

1. We are able to cope with lost production better than we did two years ago. The latest figures from the US Department of Agriculture’s World Agricultural Outlook Board indicate that wheat production in 2010-2011 will amount to 656 million metric tons, 7% more than in 2007-2008, even after tallying all known losses. Moreover, global wheat stocks stand at around 175 million metric tons—nearly 50 million metric tons more than in 2007-2008. The United States alone holds reserves of 26 million metric tons—more than enough to cover the combined estimated loss of 18 million metric tons from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and the European Union.

2. Bad weather—a perennial wildcard in agriculture and commodity markets—has not hit all producers. While Russia and others tally losses from drought or floods, the United States—the world’s largest source—enjoys a good harvest, as do Argentina, Australia, India, and Uzbekistan.

3. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) food price index rose 5% during August, prompting comparisons to previous spikes. This might seem dramatic, but in actual fact the peak of 176 seen in August was a mere 1% higher than the January 2010 level of 174. This is all the more striking because the index includes not only grains but also oil, fats, and sugar—the prices of which also have risen (and for separate reasons). In other words, for all the recent talk of runaway wheat prices, the impact has been minimal.

4. In order for world wheat prices to drive up the price of bread, they would have to stay high for a prolonged period. In 2007, prices rose continuously for months on end before hitting consumers. Today, prices are volatile. Two points bear emphasizing. The first is that volatility is not the same thing as inflation. The second is that volatility has stayed within the normal range since the end of the last food-price crisis. Indeed, recent spikes notwithstanding, the prevailing trend is flat or slightly downward. In consequence, there should be no knock-on effects.

5. Spot prices for wheat rose by nearly one-quarter in July and by more than 50 percent between the start of June and early August. But weekly price increases, compared with four weeks previously, were no larger in July 2010 than in May or November 2009. Indeed, when compared over a 12-week span, prices have climbed less in the past three months than they did at the end of 2009.

6. Likewise, futures prices for September contracts on the Chicago Board of Trade posted their biggest daily increases since 2008 twice during the first week of August. But these were aberrations, extreme values of return that remain freakish and highly unlikely when viewed against supply, demand, and returns in the futures market over the past six years. Moreover, these spikes involved nearest-delivery contracts, looking ahead one month. Contracts of longer maturity are a better guide to overall market conditions. These also have adjusted upward—but at a much calmer pace. This is contrary to what happened three years ago, when futures prices of distinct maturities climbed relentlessly and in lockstep.

7. The situation today also differs with respect to other key commodities. The World Agricultural Outlook Board and FAO expect maize production in 2010-2011 to exceed the total for 2007-2008 by 4% and 5%, respectively. The FAO expects production to increase by 3% for rice and 4% for coarse grains such as rye, barley, and sorghum. And the price of a barrel of oil today hovers around US$74—against US$131 in June 2008.

If policy decisions such as Russia’s appear to have overlooked much of this, so too has public discourse. For example, initial news analysis tied the recent unrest in Mozambique to the price of wheat—wrongly so. Rather, the government raised the prices of basic food and non-food items to reflect the rising cost of imports from South Africa, Mozambique’s main supplier. These have become more expensive as Mozambique’s currency, the metical, has fallen against the South African rand by 21% since January 2010 and 47% since September 2009.

More thoughtful analysis has followed in recent days but not until after the earlier, more reflexive narrative had already caused another global price spike. That was the last thing consumers—especially poor ones—needed.
This article is taken by permission from The International Food Policy Research institute (IFPRI) and is written by Maximo Torero
Director, Markets, Trade, and Institutions Division,
International Food Policy Research Institution (IFPRI)

PRESIDENT's LIFE IN DANGER?

2010-08-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

President Boni Yayi narrowly escaped death yesterday when his helicopter nearly caught fire. This incident happened in Dassa north of Benin republic where the Head of State was attending some state functions. When the initial hiccup was noticed with the helicopter, the Pilot thought it was a fuel problem. After dropping off the Head of State and some members of his entourage, the Pilot quickly attempted to fly off to procure additional fuel that can sufficiently fly them back to Cotonou. It was then that some curious observers noticed some apparent misbehaviour of the helicopter; and it had to be promptly grounded for safety.
Given some unfolding antagonism within the political fronts against Dr. Boni Yayi, one cannot but conclude that the life of the Head of State could be in some danger.

It will be recalled that President Boni Yayi has gone down in history of Benin Republic as the first to acquire a presidential jet which was a gesture from President Muomar Khadaffi of Lybia which was meant to consolidate the strong economic and political bond between the two countries. Albeit, the said aircraft is also said to be grounded for reasons of needing some servicing that Benin could hardly afford in terms of cost.

MIXED FEELING AT CHURCH

2010-08-25T12:40:00.000-07:00

With the overwhelming child abuse scandal that has dominated airwaves on issues affecting the Roman Catholic Church worldwide, the Catholic commuity is always held in suspense when an unusual or infrequent clergy mounts the altar in some irregular manner.
Such was the atmosphere last Sunday in Cotonou when Monsignor Marcel Honorat Agboton mounted the pulpit. But the tension was soon eased off when all he had to say was that he had submitted his letter of resignation both as Arch-Bishop of Cotoou and from active service to the Vatican. His reason for pulling off the red cap which symbolically distinguishes a priest of his rank and calling from other clergies, was on account of a long standing ill health.
Even though Monsignor Agboton is highly cherished as one that ignited spiritual fire among Catholics in Cotonou, he is not badly missed as someone equally ebulient and charismatic in the person of Monsignor Antoine Ganye the substantive Bishop of Dassa-Zoume is immediately stepping into his shoes.
What a big relief it was to the tensed congregation to know that none of their shepherds was being linked to the global sex scandal that has thrown the Papal Church into untold shame and scandal.

EXTRACT OF CONFERENCE CALL

2010-06-26T06:19:00.000-07:00

G8, G20: A “Business as Unusual” Approach Must be Adopted to Meet the First Millennium Development Goal of Halving Hunger

By Shenggen Fan
Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Global banking regulation, the European credit crisis, and sovereign debt burdens are likely to dominate the G8 and G20 meetings in Canada this weekend. Yet, five years after G8 leaders promised at Gleneagles to increase development assistance and one year after they promised to advance global food security at their summit in L’Aquila, the number of poor and hungry people is increasing. We are moving further away from the world community’s first Millennium Development Goal of halving the percentage of hungry people between 1990 and 2015.

In 2009, when the number of hungry people in the world stood at 1.02 billion, we were confronted with the need to reduce that number by 73 million people a year by 2015. It is now 2010 and the goal appears to be slipping away. Yet it is a modest one that would still leave some 600 million people deprived of food.

The objective of cutting hunger in half can still be achieved, but business as usual will not be enough. What is needed is “business as unusual.” The elements of such an approach to tackling world hunger are as follows:

Invest in Two Core Pillars: Agriculture and Social Protection
The first step in reducing poverty and hunger in developing countries is to invest in agriculture and rural development. Scaled-up investments in social protection that focus on nutrition and health are also crucial. More importantly, policymakers should increase investments in productive safety net programs that support the poorest and hungriest households and increase their productive capacity.

Bring in New Players
New actors in global development—the private sector, philanthropic organizations, and, more importantly, emerging economies—have important roles to play in reducing hunger in developing countries. The private sector can provide effective and sustainable investment and innovation to help in the fight against hunger. Private companies should be given the right incentives and a favorable operating environment. Emerging economies are playing a growing role in trade and investment, and in providing development assistance. They need to be fully integrated into the global food security agenda.

Adopt a Country-Led, Bottom-Up Approach
Effective, efficient, and sustainable policies that are well adapted to the local context can help countries maximize the impact of the global agenda and tap external development assistance. Successful reforms also need to be local in nature, with poor people acting as a driving force in the development process. At the same time, some issues—like climate change, trade, and control of disease—must be addressed at the global level. The task for individual countries is to digest and integrate these issues in developing their own strategies at the country level.

Design Policies Using Evidence and Experiments
Pilot projects and experiments have the potential to improve policymaking by giving decisionmakers information about what works before policies are implemented across the board. Experimentation can improve the success rate of reforms as successful pilot projects are scaled up and unsuccessful policy options are eliminated. To succeed with this approach, policymakers need to allow impartial monitoring of experiments and rapidly transform the lessons learned into large-scale reforms.

Walk the Walk
Decisionmakers at the global, regional, and national levels have made commitments to policies and investments for enhancing food security, but they have often failed to meet those commitments. To effectively enhance food security, financial commitments must be supported with strong institutions and governance at all levels and monitored in a timely and transparent fashion.

Scaling Up “Business as Unusual”
Some aspects of this “business as unusual” approach have already been applied successfully. They need to be scaled up and extended to new countries in order to have a real impact on global hunger. On a larger scale, the global food governance system itself needs to be reformed to work better. Also, although global and national actors have distinct roles to play, it is important that they work together, combining their efforts to fight poverty and hunger. A stronger system of mutual accountability between the two groups would help keep progress on track.

THE PRICE OF LOSING VIRGINITY

2010-05-25T11:27:00.000-07:00

Vending food or article along the streets is something no woman would like to make her lifetime occupation. Even in a country where the average lowest income earner is on less than US$2.00 per diem, this type of job is considered as best fitting for non-indigenes or nomadic or immigrant refugees struggling for survival.
For Magdalena, it was not a matter of choice or the lack of it that she was into street trading. Worse still, she was into selling oranges and peanuts which made her even more vulnerable.
Street trading business demands strict observance of the rule of survival of the fittest if one must manage to break even. In spite of the meanness or awkwardness of street trading, a preponderant majority of African women and men are helplessly embracing it as any other white-collar or dignifying profession.
With the legislative embargo on employment into the civil service still in force in most African states, many school leavers as well as college graduates can hardly expect to land any meaningful job except as help-hands in some private enterprises such as mechanic workshops, at the artisans’, or as house-helps in homes that have not yet been scrambled off.
Magdalena was in her 12th grade in one of the Montessori educational houses in the city when she fell for one of those flattering and sugar-coated words from an infatuated honey-bug in the neighbourhood. No sooner had they started some hideous affair than she was put in the family way. Her man happened to be one of those houseboys who would convert his master’s house into a brothel while the family is away on their usual preoccupations.
Magdalena was too naïve to understand the difference between a house-owner and an impostor. She had been taken in by the leisurely manner with which the boy conducted himself whenever he hosted her. They would share some drinks from the variety of wine and spirits that lined the family bar. He would usher her into the kitchen and even coax her into helping out with preparing some of the dishes they shared amidst more flattering words and empty promises of marriage.
If anyone was to blame for the incongruity between these two lovers, it would be the gods that seem to have chiseled Magdalena out of some unusual and extraordinary clay, with such dexterity that gave her the most exquisite physique ever on earth. If she had been born into some well-to-do family, one could bet she would emerge the world’s most beautiful girl with the right statistics. This one traverses beyond “beauty in the eye of the beholder” class.
Any uncastrated man could have fallen for this smashingly beautiful mermaid, but for her tender age and probably the family background which was not anything to write home about. In a rural setting where there is no hiding the fact that Magdalena is a single-parented child whose real father one could be sure of, men are skeptical of venturing into any serious relationship lest they contract an outcast.
This house-boy who happened to have migrated from the woods was not familiar with the ancient rules of this locality. Moreover, his secluded residence did not afford him any opportunity of making friends with the indigenous boys of his age. It would not have mattered to him if he even fell in love with a ghost, let alone an outcast. He was in essence freer than the people of this village who were still enslaved to obeying the rules of the jungle in the name of respecting tradition. Such was the fate that gave him the incontestable possession of the most beautiful girl of her time. As a matter of fact, nobody envied him. Instead, he would be regarded as a gullible idiot who had taken what everybody would not accept even for a price.
GRAND CHILD ON THE WAY
Barely two months into this frenziedness, things turned sour when Maggie as she was fondly called by this lover-boy, began to experience symptoms that are usually associated with early pregnancy, such as drowsiness, vomiting and loss of appetite. Maggie’s mother would be deceived by her daughter’s age to dismiss these signs as mere happenstance. And it would be considered serious embarrassment to imagine or suggest that the poor girl had started eating food that is an exclusive reserve of adults. The frequency of these symptomatic occurrences continued to be a source of concern to her mother whose sense of modesty beclouded her sense of reason to see that no other form of illness could be associated with those signs.
By the third month, it had become obvious that this one-time angel was no longer a virgin. Valleys in her abdominal region had given place to rapidly obtruding mountain. Her almost invisible breast had suddenly assumed the size of an organic-grown and tenderly groomed South African apple. The type that first-time visitors to the south would like to take home as souvenir. Hairs were showing on her forehead as never before. Her school uniform no longer fitted to expose her gorgeous physique.
The mother who could no longer restrain herself from voicing her fears, had to confide in one of her woman friends who happens to be a close associate of the family. It is usually said in some African parlance that the baby reptile beheld by one person can easily be construed a python. She really needed a second opinion to convince and reassure her that Maggie was still the baby of her childhood. Her lady friend was alarmed to learn that she could not distinguish between a pregnant girl and one who had swallowed a cow. Whether it was convincing or reassuring, the verdict of the second opinion alarmed and devastated Maggie’s mother beyond redemption.
She had a million and one reasons to be so devastated by the revelation that her only daughter would end up like any other girl from a poverty-stricken family in town. As a single mother, it had been her long-held belief that if girls were treated like an egg, they would last long enough to hatch a live chick at the appropriate time that will gladden the hearts of their parents.
AGONY OF A MOTHER
She would go as far as pledging some of her valued jewelries and wrappers in order to pay Maggie’s school fees as well as give her a comfortable lease of life that would make her fit properly into the society comparing favourably with her peers. In almost all the instances, she had been unable to redeem the pledge, and had in so doing been left with a dwindling reserve of convertible wealth. Ironically Maggie was about to hatch her own, though prematurely.
She was devastated and ashamed to know that she had been living with a fellow woman and she didn’t know it. Her other worry was that she had inadvertently let out a family secret to a third party whom she could not trust to keep the lid closed. She was even more disturbed when it was revealed that the prospective father of her grand-child would be a house-boy and a non-indigene. This woman was not unaware of her daughter’s astonishing beauty, and had secretly nursed the wish that one member of the bourgeoisie class would ask her hand in marriage when she came of age. She knew that such a development would suddenly uplift her to a higher level of material existence and put an end to her perpetual suffering. She almost cursed the day she conceived Maggie, but for her religious devotedness.
How was she going to cope with members of her Women Group who would insist on proper upbringing of a member’s child especially the girls? Who would make them believe that she always went the extra mile to ensure that her child got more than most of her peers? How could they understand that she truly practiced what she preached as she had on several occasions chastised mothers whose daughters fell short of religious morality?
Could she afford to feed an extra mouth at a time when they had resorted to a ‘zero-one-zero’ eating plan? These were some of the questions that bugged her already beclouded mind. How could anybody think clearly in such circumstance? All she could do was slump on her bare floor and try to suppress her anguish and tears which were bubbling like fresh keg of palm wine. Any uncontrolled outburst will usher in uninvited neighbours who would do her more harm than good by helping to peddle the news as fast as an unfriendly whirlwind would scatter a thatched roof in early winter. All the persuasion from her lady friend to maintain tranquility fell on deaf ear. She knew for certain that it was only a matter of time before her friend would be the first to start a gossip that would soon spread around in a village where everyone knows everybody.
When she appeared to have surmounted the initial shock and devastation, the next question that came to mind was how to confront the lover-boy or the master. Her friend who had a clearer reasoning had argued that it were better to pass on the buck to the master on grounds of vicarious liability.
They both agreed that that was a clever idea and decided to take that line of approach so that this rich man could at least sponsor the pregnancy up to and beyond delivery while his wife would provide most of the unborn baby’s essentials.
UNHOLY VISITATION
One week before the two-man delegation would set out on the scheduled visit or confrontation, Maggie had gone to announce to her lover-boy that she was carrying his baby; expecting the boy to jump for joy, hug her, shower her with precious kisses and dance around the living room of their supposed apartment, with some rock music at the background. When she pressed the bell that she was accustomed to, it was a woman that opened the gate to ask what the matter was.
“Good-day, ‘Ma,” she greeted, stooping halfway down as a sign of respect to a senior.
“Yes, my dear, how may I help you?” asked the house owner, with her gentle eyes curiously screening this unusual and unfamiliar visitor.
“Please ‘Ma, I’ve come to see Andie.”
“Oh, Andie? My husband asked him to wash the car. He’s at the backyard. Wait a minute.”
“Andie!” she called out.
“Yes ‘Ma,” echoed Andie from the distance.
This girl’s countenance became suddenly engulfed in utter confusion. She had never encountered other faces in this home that she looked forward to sharing with her future husband, Andie. She had never been opportuned to notice that the building had a backyard and a car park. If she did, as her naivety would hardly permit, she never bothered to probe further. Hearing that her hubby had been sent to wash another woman’s husband’s car was an incomprehensible and inconceivable ‘April Fool joke.’ For a moment she thought she had knocked at the wrong door, but the familiar landmarks were still there to prove that there had been no mistaken identity. She was deeply engrossed in these contemplations to notice Andie standing beside her and shivering like a frightened puppy that had just been fished out of a dirty gutter. His unguarded and uninhibited fright expressed more than words could say. Madam didn’t need a soothsayer to explain what had gone wrong. But to give both of them the benefit of doubt, she broke the silence by asking the girl if that was the Andie she was looking for.
“Y-ye-s-s ‘M-ma,” replied Maggie, amidst sobs and gritting teeth.
Andie who was still holding lather-soaked towel in one hand and a hard brush on the other stood with his mouth agape as if he was beholding a ghost. Presently, his master who sensed that some unusual dialogue was going on in his abode had arrived at the gate.
It was he who asked Andie who the pregnant girl was; expecting to hear that she was one of his sisters or cousins. Andie known to be of plausible tongue suddenly became dumb but not deaf in the face of this unexpected visitation. Silence, they say, is golden. This one conveyed more than a pound weight of golden message to both Master and Madam.
“So, you’ve been sleeping around with girls, uh? And this one is already carrying your baby.”
Having assessed the whole situation from an old man’s point of view, Master retired back into the room for a brief moment and promptly returned with an envelop which he handed to Andie.
“Here, he said, is your salary for this month and another sum representing your one month salary in lieu of notice. I don’t think we need your services any longer. Go, gather your belongings right this moment and leave this house immediately. Suspend the car washing. I will deal with that myself.”
Maggie stood there with her face stuck to the ground which seemed to be caving in under her bulky weight. She would have relished it if the ground beneath had opened its mouth to swallow her and her unborn baby. Tears from her eyes were continuously and freely dripping but unable to create the flood that could sweep her eternally out of this embarrassing and dehumanizing situation. The sky with its heavenly bodies seemed too distant to behold, and she could not fathom rendering any supplications for rescue to the Deity she used to know and serve. In her present condition, she felt some sense of self-condemnation and considered herself unworthy to be begging God for mercy. Getting pregnant for a total stranger and a houseboy for that matter was anything but what she could wish for. She remembered moments when Mother would jokingly but prophetically call her ‘Lo-o-lo-o,’ a title used by the Igbo people of Eastern Nigeria to denote a rich man’s wife. More sobs, more tears, and a bunch of regrets kept sweeping over her. But it was too late to dwell on such mortal predilection. There was nothing she or anybody could do about the situation.
As Andie went to bring out his bag and baggage, the couple engaged Magdalena in some compassionate heart-to-heart talk during which she told how she had been deceived into believing that Andie was the owner of the house and that he meant to marry her, whereupon she consented to sleeping with him; the evidence of which was the three-month-old pregnancy.
The couple had sincere compassion on her on account of her frail nature and tender age, but was cautious not to betray any impression that would make her believe that she could get any form of assistance from them. The same reason why no indigene would want to have anything to do with the likes of Magdalena was what informed the couple’s restraining instinct. They didn’t want to be victims of their own failure to follow the traditionally accepted line of rectitude.
Meanwhile, Andie emerged from the house with an empty fifty-KG bag which constituted his luggage. The couple felt relieved to bid them both farewell forever. The man instinctively reminded Andie that he should not bother to call by or even call them on phone. Thus was Andie thrown back into the over-saturated labour market with the additional burden of an unsolicited wife and an unborn baby.
Whoever coined the adage that “poverty is a sin” ought to receive a philosopher’s award. Imagine how this one-time homeless and hopeless Andie who had been offered not only a peaceful home and a well-paid job with other fringe benefits had to plunge himself back into penury in a twinkle of an eye by frolicking with something that lies next-door to the channel of the worst of all human excretion. In the present circumstance, it is difficult to imagine who is the greater looser. Is it the young girl who had not only lost what every girl treasured most, but also her future educational opportunity; or Andie who had sojourned from a distant land and had been fortunate to find a job and a family he could comfortably relate with, only to lose all that for a mess of porridge?
NO HIDING PLACE
The raven and other birds of the air have their nests. The squirrel and foxes have their burrows, but Andie the son of man has no place to lay his head. He had just lost an employment opportunity of a life-time.
As soon as they backed out from the residence of his former employers, Andie attempted to open his stinking mouth to ask Maggie why she chose to embarrass him with such an unprecedented and unannounced visitation. Maggie immediately descended on him with her massive body and was slapping him all over with her feeble hands. Andie held fast to his luggage so as not to spill the contents to public view. This incapacitation on his part proved an advantage which Maggie exploited to no end as she continued to slap, kick, bite and scratch Andie all over inflicting some visible cuts here and there. Andie was taken aback to see his angel display such unrestricted level of hostility in public. He almost froze to death with the realization that he had inadvertently contracted putting up with what he thought was a ‘tiger in sheep clothing.’ He knew quite well that it would be difficult for any family to take him in after hearing of his activities at his former employers’. The hardship that sent him out to this foreign land had not assuaged way back home. He only needed to brace up to drink the full gall of the consequences of his exuberant recklessness.
Some neighbours who had witnessed the spectacle had gone to alert Maggie’s mother who promptly appeared at the scene with her lady friend and comforter closely treading on her heals. Within minutes, the much dreaded gossip had gone into circulation. The parabolic Job says that what he feared most has come upon him. This mother would have pledged or traded the remnants of her possessions in exchange for keeping the state of her daughter’s disgraceful and abominable act forever concealed. But the unthinking and unmindful girl had dug not only hers but her mother’s grave. The mother’s friend who had been contemplating how to handle the inevitable gossip without giving out much of her own involvement, felt very relieved that the cat had already been let out of the bag by the culprit and victim herself.
It was only after the scandalous street fracas and a few words of caution from the other woman that Maggie realized that the prospects of the rumour spreading as fast as it would meant that she had to remain in solitary confinement for a very long time. She would lose her school friends as no sane mother would allow her daughter to mingle with not only a street fighter but a spoilt and prostituting child like Magdalena. She was the socializing type of girl who made friends easily, and subjecting her to the type of isolation that was imminent could be very unbearable.
NO GOING BACK
Thoroughly bemused and not too sure how far the gossip had spread, mother went home with her daughter followed by the fiancé and the other woman.
The bombshell dropped when after preliminary interrogations and explanation of the entire episode, Andie announced that he had no place to go to. It dawned on Maggie’s mother that she had not only inherited unwanted pregnancy, but an unsolicited son-in-law and irreversible scandal.
It was at that juncture that her friend took her aside and suggested that since the deed had been done, there was nothing more to be afraid of, and that allowing Andie to stay would not make any difference. She added that the boy could even help her out in her farm work which was draining much of her energy on account of her age. That idea pleased her and she whole-heartedly consented to accommodating Andie and damning the consequences. Andie was very grateful to find a home, a wife, and not the least a job even though he did not expect to be paid for that. To him, the end justified the means. The previous plot to accost Andie’s master and intimidate him with a pregnancy that he knew nothing about was discarded in the face of those compromises. It remained to figure out how to manage the girl through ante-natal until the baby would be safely delivered.
To avoid all the tongue lashing and reprisal attacks that awaited her at the Women’s Group, Mother decided to voluntarily exclude herself from their meetings for good. It did not bother her that such a decision meant that she would lose all the benefits of membership should anything happen to her.
ADDED RESPONSIBILITY
Soon it would occur to the family that the combined efforts of Mother and Andie alone were not enough to provide sustenance to the family as well as acquire the necessary essentials in readiness for the baby that would soon arrive. When the other woman who had played the role of family adviser was presented with the difficulty the family was passing through, she advised that since Magdalena was in very ebullient state of health, she could engage in some petty trading to augment the family’s meager resources. She cleverly added that a pregnant woman needed to engage in some form of exercise in order to make her child delivery an easier task. That was how the idea of hawking oranges and peanuts was conceived. That executive decision was handed down to Maggie, not with a view to sampling her opinion, but for immediate implementation. If not for the pregnancy, she normally would have earned herself severe whacking and immeasurable sanctions from her no-nonsense mother.
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD
During her initial outings, she could not muster the courage to venture into familiar territories for fear of being seen by her erstwhile school friends. But as she continued to record low sales in spite of having to trek long distances, it dawned on her that her only option was to catch the bull by the horns and carry on with her life and the stigma. She started moving to every corner she imagined there would be high sales output. During the course of her rounds, she would buy some necessities that she thought her baby would have need of.
The most patronizing customers of Maggie’s line of commodity were mechanics, taxi drivers, motor park touts and petty shop owners who could hardly leave their businesses to go to look for food. She suffered the greatest harassment in the hands of auto mechanics and taxi drivers who would make passes at her and would want to take advantage of her. On many occasions they would say to her:
“Magdalena, we used to believe that you were one of the untouchables. Now that the chips are down and the unfriendly breeze has exposed the back side of the hen, how about letting us have a piece of the action?” She would try to avoid wandering into such places for some time, but would soon return if she noticed that her sales level was dropping.
If she felt wearied out by the scorching sun and would take a hike home, the taxi driver would henpeck her not a little and would offer to drive her to some brothel before dropping her off for free. These were very tempting and annoying moments for her, but she soon learned to cope.
On one occasion, a filthy-looking apprentice lured her into a junk wagon in the workshop and offered to buy her entire ware for the day in order to save her the ordeal of perambulating the length and breadth of the town all day. She almost leaped for joy at that offer because it meant half a day’s work for full earning. But wait a minute. What would a trainee mechanic be doing with perishable consumables the cost of which far exceeded his one-week stipend? What degree of compassion would stir his benevolence into making such a generous offer? If his kindness was accepted for once, what would happen on subsequent days? This must be a big joke or the poor boy must have gone mad. After all, given his dirty and tattered mechanic outfit, it was not easy to distinguish him from a regular psychiatric inmate. But he was not mad. From the bottom of his heart, he meant every word of that offer and was ready to live up to his promise if only the pregnant girl could condescend to having fun with him right in the makeshift boutique – the rickety vehicle in the workshop.
Prompted by the principle of ‘once beaten, twice shy,’ the thoroughly alarmed girl, who was already packaging her articles of trade for the kind-hearted wholesale customer, stumbled out of the wagon, screaming and cursing as she spilled part of her peanuts along the trails.
The family continued to face the harsh realities of penury from day-to-day. Mother and Andie spared no single day without working at one or the other of their farms. Maggie did not cease from bearing the burden of her new-found occupation on her head and another burden of disobedience in her womb.
Up to that point in time, Maggie had so much improved in the manner of packaging and dressing her merchandise to make it more appealing to the public. She would build a circular base with the oranges and top it up with the groundnuts arranged in a conical pyramid.
COINCIDENCE
Fast forward. One fateful morning, a company executive, obviously attracted by that meticulously arranged pyramid of merchandise and the astonishing beauty of the vendor, had to pull over to patronize the young lady. As Maggie tried to lift down the heavy load to sell to her latest customer, the weight gave her such an uncomfortable contraction of abdominal muscles and made her experience what the women call a “show.” This is associated with bursting of the placenta and gushing out of hot fluid, signaling the readiness of the baby to emerge.
The young and inexperienced mother-to-be not understanding what had happened to her, tried to suppress her embarrassment. When she stooped down to select what her customer had chosen, another hot fluid splashed and dripped down to soak the lower part of her tight-fitting gown. She was forced by circumstances to incline herself to the body of the man’s jeep, hoping to regain her composure.
When the man noticed her ordeal, he carefully managed to alight from his vehicle to help her to stand on her feet. To everybody’s surprise, the restless baby had already popped out his head. The man did not know how to handle the situation. Looking across the road, he beckoned on two women who promptly rushed to the rescue. It was agreed to convey the girl to any nearest medical facility.
The two women assisted to position the lady into her customer’s jeep. One of them sat to ensure that her head remained propped up. The other ensured that her legs remained eagle-spread so as not to suffocate the emerging baby.
Before they arrived at the nearest clinic, the baby had completely and safely been delivered by the two ‘peripatetic midwives.’ He was a boy. It only remained to give both mother and child some professional brushing-up. The man apparently overjoyed that fate had placed him in a position to render such humanitarian service, offered to pay the hospital bill. He bargained with the girl that the boy should be named after him if that would please the father.
The girl was highly pleased to behold all those unfolding events. She knew the implications of naming her baby after such a rich man. In most African cultures, it meant that the man would bear greater part of the responsibility of the child’s upbringing. There was no limit to what he could do for the boy in particular and the family in general.
She thanked the man and gave her word to communicate his offer to her parent in due course. The man demanded of the staff of the clinic when they hoped to discharge mother and child. Having learnt that it would take some four days in order for the nurses to keep mother and child under strict observation since it was her first pregnancy, he promised to return to convey them home.
When he returned home later that evening, he narrated his experience to his wife, and she was equally pleased that Providence had blessed them with such a miraculous coincidence. She promised to join her husband to drive the family home on the scheduled day.
Before Mother and Andie returned from farm, news had already spread that Maggie had put to bed. Rumours were peddled that she had delivered right by the road side. Others said she had delivered in a strange man’s car. Whether it was in a lorry or on a mountain-top did not bother the family. All they were grateful for was that it had been a safe delivery, and a bouncing baby boy for that matter.
They quickly gathered whatever rags they could find and rushed to see the baby at the clinic. When they arrived and saw some brand new baby’s wears, napkins, expensive powders, lotion, soaps, towel, bath-tub, feeding bottle and every manner of baby’s toiletries delivered by the ‘foster parents,’ they dared not let anyone know that they had brought some rags for the same baby.
Magdalena narrated to them how she had encountered an “angel” earlier in the day, and how the baby chose to emerge just then.
It is customary in some African cultures to name the first son after his grand-father. In this case, the boy should bear Andie’s father’s name. But since Andie’s father had no meaningful existence, and it would bring no fortune to the family to name the boy after him, the lot fell to name it after the ‘Good Samaritan.’ Maggie who had not yet communicated the man’s request to her family was pleased that the Almighty had arranged everything to fit properly for her unborn child.
Eight days after the child’s birth, the families came together with friends to pronounce the boy’s name as custom demands. Mrs. Samaritan personally provided all the food and drinks that guests shared on that occasion. They bought a bag of toys and amusement and educational objects for the baby. To cap it up, the man offered to sponsor Magdalena to finish her education up to any level.
And they lived happily ever after.
Story by: Vincent NNANNA.

SPATE OF KIDNAPPING IN BENIN

2010-04-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

Since we entered the year 2010, the once-serene city of Cotonou has experienced not less than six cases of kidnapping of Nigerians with increasing number of armed robberies.

Curiously the majority of cases revolved around businessmen from one particular Nigerian community.

1. The first one involved a couple whose one and only child was kidnapped and thrown over the perimeter wall after the mother had been beaten to submission. Unfortunately for the criminals, their get-away motor-bike could not kick start, and they had to pull away as some panic-stricken crowd had started gathering apparently alerted by the alarm raised by the couple. The kidnappers are said to have left with about €4,000 (four thousand Euro) which the said victim threw to them over the fence as ransom to free his child.

2. The second incident involved a man whose wife was successfully kidnapped for a ransom demand of 5million francs CFA. She was later released but it is not clear whether the ransom was paid or not.

3. The third and most recent case happened at a shop located around the CABOMA area of the city centre, where, by broad daylight the company lost about 40million francs CFA to armed robbers. The robbers casually walked into the shop disguised as customers and were bargaining on the price of bales of second-hand clothing. When they had conveniently engaged the attention of the shop owners, one of them demanded that the cashier surrender the proceeds of their day’s sales amounting to forty million francs CFA. Upon her refusal, they hit her on the head with a bottle of sparkling wine and forced her to submission.

Interestingly, none of these cases was reported to the Police for ‘obvious reasons.’ And one is bent to believe that this is the reason for the perpetuation of the acts of kidnapping and armed robbery.
One close associate of one of the victims on claims of anonymity fingers 'tax evasion' as the reason why these very rich merchants do not want to report to the Police to avoid bringing the departments of Customs and Finance into crossfire.

It is difficult to say who the next victim will be. A stitch in time saves nine or ten

SHEA BUTTER TREE TO THE RESCUE

2009-08-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

The Government of Benin republic has ordered the upward review of petroleum, electricity and water tariff by 18% (eighteen per cent) with effect from the first week of July 2009. This was announced Wednesday by the Minister in charge of Energy and Water Mr. Sacca Lafia. To the average Beninese, this is a disastrous phenomenon occurring at a time when people are still battling to cope with the dividends of a global economic crunch. Following this announcement, there has been restiveness among the populace as not everybody is prepared to bear the burden of increased water and electricity bills just yet. In effect, people are obliged to fall back to traditional habits of fossil fuel consumption using firewood and charcoal. Fortunately, charcoal and firewood exploitation are neither prohibitive nor scarce. There is abundant supply of shea tree in all regions of the country. This abundance has been helpful to consumers in past years, and will prove very feasible this time around. Apart from the numerous uses to which the Shea tree is being employed dating back to centuries, Climate Change Advocates (and that includes all of us); will soon discover that there is more to the tree than just its food, medicinal and industrial value. Industrialists will need substance extracted from the seed of the Shea tree for soap and cream production. Even the bark of this tree has also been employed in medicinal soap production in most West African countries. Most importantly, the wood has been exploited for ages in the production of high quality, long lasting charcoal. Before one thinks of deforestation, it is pertinent to note that the people of Benin republic are not unmindful of the effects of destroying their eco-system through deforestation activities. In effect, for every single Shea tree that is hewed down, at least ten more are planted in its place thus ensuring continuity of exploitation vis-à-vis regeneration. Moreover, the tree is never cut from the root; so that it has chances of sprouting more stems that can be trimmed to rear up another forest in the near future. The charcoal which burns without emitting the much talked about carbon or fume is almost absent in this specie of charcoal from the Shea tree so that not much harm is done to the ozone layer. This charcoal is being used for heating the room, cooking at various levels, large-scale fish drying and fueling industrial furnace. Local restaurants also use it for their beef and chicken barbecue which adds some appetizing and mouth watering aroma to the roast.This product is produced in commercial quantity and is good for use in Europe where there is more cold weather condition for the greater part of the year. Government argues that the reason for the increase is to guarantee uninterrupted water and electricity supply, but most members of the public do not seem to agree with that excuse.

GHOSTS ARE REAL

2009-07-20T03:33:00.000-07:00

There is widespread belief among Africans on the existence of ghosts. Popular religions (including the writer’s), do not ascribe to such beliefs. But in the light of the endless debate and counterclaims bordering on this ghost phenomenon, I am persuaded to share the following stories:
Ghostly Conversation:
“Do you believe in ghosts?”
“Damn me, if I don’t, because that would amount to not believing in oneself.”
“As a matter of fact, I have come to prefer living in this ‘ghostly’ state of freedom
than being perpetually trapped in the filthy solid called ‘human’ form.”
“By the time the officials would come to remove that body,
they will be sorry to realize that we have since freed ourselves.”
This was part of a conversation heard by a condemned prisoner from his inmates who had passed on during the previous night. And they continued thus:
“Imagine I couldn’t be stopped by any of the sentries at the three fortified
gates as I passed without having to have the shackles unlocked.”
“I have taken advantage of my freedom to visit just anywhere
I desired to, including my family and my friends.”
“The only sorry part of my interactions with the people I met
was the fact that each and every one of them thought
that they had had what they call a dream.”
To ghosts as to humans, each existence is considered to be the real while the other is the unreal. Both cannot be true for there be only one reality. When considered from the standpoint of metaphysics, it does appear that that which we call material existence is but a counterfeit of the world of substance.
Back to the prison:

When the authorities were alerted to the sudden death of two out of three inmates awaiting the hangman’s noose, undertakers were promptly dispatched to evacuate the unsightly corpses.
Little consideration is given to the fate of condemned criminals, let alone their dead bodies, hence there was no call for autopsy to determine the cause of their untimely death. However, upon the insistence of the surviving prisoner, one of the undertakers dared listen to his detailed account of how his now dead partners-in-crime had poisoned themselves with some overdose of cocaine usually smuggled to their cell by some prison officials.
The drug trafficking part did not interest him as it was already an open secret. The dramatic manner of their death and the subsequent conversations and apparitions was as thrilling as a good movie.
According to this eye-witness, it was one of the suicides that resurrected first on the night of their tragedy. This eye-witness was woken up by a glow at the far corner of their unlighted cell. Initially, he thought it was some security men that had come with torchlight to inspect the cells. This soft light gradually assumed form like human frame and angled itself at different dimensions as it spindled and finally floated out of the cell through the concrete deck above their head. Goose pimples enveloped this witness’s entire being. He became momentarily dazed and dumbfounded. He thought he was in some sort of trance. When he eventually came to, he tried to talk to his cell-mates, but no voice talked back to him. He tried to feel his way through the darkness to where his friends are supposed to be staying. His hands touched two cold lifeless bodies. It was then that it dawned on him that he was the only living being in that prison cell.
Since the day his death sentence was pronounced by the Judge at the Armed Robbery Tribunal, he had developed thick skin and could hardly wait for his execution. Every passing hour was as agonizing as the stings of a million scorpions. He once boasted to his mates that he no longer feared death. But as his hands felt the lifeless and cold bodies of those two malfeasants, his entire system reverberated with such strange timidity that surprised even him. For a moment, he became aware that he was afraid of nothing but death.
In the News:

It was when this story was published by a journalist friend of the undertaker that government became interested in the matter and had to order for autopsy to confirm the drugging angle. The startling revelation triggered off a nationwide crackdown on prison drug cartel which smartly went underground, only to surface after the security agents had been bought over or wearied by fruitless efforts.
After that publication many unsolicited correspondence bearing witness to authentic accounts of apparitions began to pour into the journalist’s mail box. Being himself an investigative journalist, he did not just take in those stories on their face value.
The following accounts are the result of an in-depth research work, vigils or surveillances, interviews and interactions with religious authorities, institutional doyens, historical and traditional heavyweights of various ethnic representations in and around Africa.
Definition of Terms:

Before arriving at conclusions, attempt had been made to draw a distinction between 'ghost' and 'spirit.' The Encarta Dictionary describes ghost as: supposed spirit remaining after death; supposed spirit of somebody who has died, believed to appear as a shadowy form or to cause sounds, the movement of objects, or a frightening atmosphere in a place; an entity that seems to exist but does not.
It describes spirit as the vital force that characterizes a human being as being alive.
The Nicene Creed formulated in AD 325, which constitutes the formal statement of Christian beliefs, refers to The Holy Ghost as the third person of the God-head. Recent translations of the Scriptures have interchangeably used The Holy Ghost to mean The Holy Spirit.
From the foregoing, it is clear that the distinguishing features are:
► Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit refers to the third person of the God-head. It is always written with an initial capital letter. It cannot be rendered in plural because there is only one Spirit as there is only one God.
►Ghosts cannot be said to be 'spirits' because the Encarta has defined it as “supposed spirit.”
During the research work and interviews, these clarifications were shared with resource persons with a view to keeping within bounds.
Celebrating Laurels:

Not long ago, there lived a young man who was untimely snatched away from his loved ones by the wicked hand of fearless death. Mr. Obele had just graduated from the university and was about to enter into the labour market. He was the only son of his parents amidst five sisters. Expectations were very high on him as the first fruit of that family. His early graduation meant that he would soon be helping his parents in the upbringing of his younger ones as soon as he landed a reasonable job. It was for this reason that the parents made sacrifices and compromised the early education of his sisters to ensure that he got the best possible education. He was not unaware of the demands upon his life, and endeavoured to excel in his educational career through diligence and striving for high ethical and moral standards. True to type, he bagged first class honours in Banking and Finance.
In the very moment of his triumph, the greatest tragedy that he would not be alive to recount had befallen him and every hope he and indeed every member of the family cherished, fizzled out like the morning dew when the sun begins to blossom. At the end of his National Youth Service Corps, Obele was returning home to share the joys with family members when the minibus he boarded got stuck in a go-slow caused by a rickety slow moving truck that would not make way for other vehicles to move ahead.
The driver crawled behind that truck for miles before being coerced by impatient passengers into attempting to overtake it. Many of the passengers resorted to calling him ‘madam’s driver.’ Some called him apprentice driver. Others even cajoled that he was following a funeral convoy. Most disturbing was the fact that other vehicles, which looked, outmoded than this bus overtook both his bus m and the truck in front.

Fate Strikes:

The driver seemed to have run out of patience when all of a sudden he decided to overtake the never-ending convoy. Just then, that truck which had no rear-lights tried to overtake another truck further ahead thereby pushing the minibus into the counter-traffic lane. Here was where they kept date with destiny.
The three vehicles ended up on the body of an oncoming trailer on the Lagos-Benin highway in western Nigeria. Sixteen passengers lost their lives in that tragic incidence. Two survivors from the minibus lived to tell this story – a pregnant woman and her baby that was born on the scene of the accident.
One of the obituaries read as follows:

"With gratitude to God for a life well spent, we mourn the untimely death of our son and brother, Mr. Obele who died last Saturday in a ghastly road accident along Lagos-Benin highway. Obele was a graduate of Lagos University. He was aged 21. His remains will be buried in his father’s compound next Saturday. May his gentle soul rest in the bosom of the Lord, Amen. He is survived by his parents and five sisters.”

Regular Occurrence:

On a daily basis, pages of newspapers in Nigeria carry similar obituary inserts. One would therefore ask why this particular incidence should make news headlines. Is he the only future hope of the family that ever died prematurely? Is he the only one ever to graduate at the age of twenty-one? Alternatively, is he the only lone son of a family of six ever to die in auto-crash? More pathetic incidents than this happen on Nigerian highways almost every passing hour. These reasons are therefore, not enough to warrant recalling the obituary.

Ghost in Bank:

Fact is that barely six months after his death; Mr. Obele was spotted by one of his university mates working in one of the popular banking institutions situated along Allen Avenue, Lagos Nigeria as a Cashier. His friend had come to cash a cheque given to him by one of his benefactors as he was still searching for employment. He congratulated Obele for having already found a good job. It was when he ran into another schoolmate of theirs and shared the news of Obele having secured a job that his unbelieving friend argued that the very boy he was describing had died, and that he even attended his funeral. The argument that ensued made them fix a hurried rendezvous to visit the bank the following day.

Identification Parade:

Fortunately, Obele was seen flesh and blood by the doubting ‘Thomas.’ His shock came when his host evaporated before his eyes as he rushed forward to call out his name. Thomas slumped right on the banking hall and shortly passed away. There was stampede and uneasiness within and outside the bank premises. Some customers who could not immediately comprehend what had transpired ran for cover thinking that some robbers were carrying out their usual daylight raid on the bank. The bank supervisor who suspected the same robbery operation discretely set off the alarm system, which brought armed combat police officers promptly surrounding the bank and cordoning off the entire street to forestall any attempt to escape.

Cross-examination:

When Thomas came to, after having received some first aid treatment, he was whisked into the bank manager’s office for questioning amidst tight security. The initial apprehension and disbelief that met his story soon gave way to another pandemonium when the Security men that were dispatched to invite Obele to come and identify Thomas who claims to be his schoolmate reported that he was nowhere to be found. His jacket, lunchbox, and valise, which he left in the cloakroom, had all disappeared. The column where he signed on the attendance register that morning remained blank. No Security staff saw him leave the bank premises, which were immediately sealed off as soon as the alarm went off. Worst of all, his entire personal file had also disappeared from the file cabinet. The only thing the bank authorities refused to disclose was whether the cash he had drawn from the strong room to commence the day’s business as well as the transactions he had made with customers prior to the drama were intact.

Startling Revelations:

Further investigations that took a combined team of the bank’s anti-fraud squad and men of the Police criminal investigation bureau to his last known address at Aguda area of Lagos and subsequently to the hometown of late Mr. Obele in Isele – Delta State, only confirmed Thomas’s story. Neighbours at his Lagos address confirmed that he had moved in barely six months ago which coincides with the same period he started work at the bank. His girlfriend, Florence, confirmed that Obele had come home that ill-fated afternoon and collected all his belongings claiming that the bank was sending him on some training. He left some money with Florence and promised to come back for her as soon as he checked into the lodging at the training centre. She confirmed that they had met at a nightclub some four months back and that she was already carrying his two-month pregnancy. Upon this confirmation, the Cashier’s cage from where Mr. Obele made his dramatic exit became a ghost cage with no staff agreeing to enter therein.
The Ghost Question:

This is only one of many stories of apparitions of dead people among the living. This gives rise to the question of whether people really die in the sense of the world’s understanding of the phenomenon. Alternatively, do they just change form, location, and name; carrying on with their day-to-day activities wearing the same physical appearance? Is this state of existence applicable to a select type of people or is it an experience involving everybody?
Traditional Practices:

In most African environments, interments of beloved ones are not concluded without special rituals or fervent prayers purported to persuade or pacify the ‘spirit’ of the departed to “Rest in Peace.” In the same vein, some families would enlist the intervention of religious priests or traditional medicine-men to exorcise the spirits of their departed ones, especially when things seem to go wrong in the family. Such instances that call for spiritual intervention range from childlessness, infant mortality, and mysterious sicknesses to unprogressiveness among family members. The widespread nature of this practice only confirms the extent of belief on ghosts.
A grandfather once explained about the spirit world, how the souls of our ancestors continue to need love and attention and devotion. Given these things, they will share in our lives and they will bless us and even warn us about disasters in our dreams. But if we neglect the souls of our ancestors, they will become lost and lonely and will wander around in the kingdom of the dead no better off than a warrior killed by his enemy and left unburied in a rice paddy to be eaten by blackbirds of prey. Such conversations can only allude to the widespread and deep-rooted belief in life after so-called death.
In the Republic of Benin, for instance, the 1st and 2nd days of the month of November are observed as national work-free days. In anticipation of this holiday, people would go to or hire labourers to clear grass, decorate, and refurbish the tombs of their departed ones at the public cemeteries around the country, well in advance. Come the D-day, family members would throng to the graveyards to hold prayer sessions preceded by anointing the tombs with fragrances, lighting candles, incense and, according to individual family disposition, offering sacrifices of various kinds in honour of the departed ones. To round off the occasion, parties are held with lots of eating and drinking. Some families even hire live bands as if in a real funeral. This practice, alludes to the widespread belief that the ‘spirits’ or ‘ghosts’ of their loved ones are still present somewhere around our earth; and by these rituals, are being reassured of the families’ attachment and love.

From the Archives:

Lopsang Rampa, the author of “Cave of the Ancients,” in one of his series is being credited with negotiating with a certain frustrated but ebullient looking young man about to take his own life; who willingly shifted from his body and allowed Rampa to take it over in exchange for his own frail and disease-stricken frame. Rampa in essence had his mystically advanced mind intact, but only expressed through the young man’s borrowed shell. The story continues that way back home, the other man’s wife continued to behold the face and frame of her husband, but could not comprehend his strange behaviour and utterances for the rest of their cohabitation. Neither did she realize that she was in fact, living with a complete stranger.

A Living Witness:

A widow who is still alive today was sick and bedridden. All medical and therapeutic remedies rendered to her only drained the family’s lean resources. It got to a point that no further help could be given and she was left for dead. Her children were too young to offer any assistance, as she was rather their breadwinner. One night, as in a trance, she picked up a shovel and a head pan and followed an old man who guided her through some familiar bush track to some very strange environment where the king of the local village only touched her on the shoulder restoring her to instant state of healthiness. The same man whom she later recognized as her late husband had escorted her back to a point where she could recognize her way home. It was daybreak by the time she got back into the village having trekked all the nightlong. People were surprised to see an almost dead woman go back to her farm work tilling the ground and cutting overgrown grass with the strength and vigour of a teenager.

Vivid Memory:

The sorry twist to this experience is that she still has a vivid picture of the environment where she received her healing but no known community within their locality fits into her description. Her experience started like a dream where her late husband came to visit her on her sickbed and said to her that she needed to be alive to continue to fend for their three children. He then offered to take her to the man he said was a native doctor who also was the king of that mysterious village. This story can be verified by anybody who doubts its authenticity because the woman in question and her children are still alive up to the time of going to press.

Dateline–Togo:

There was another woman who lived in a popular part of Lome in Togo republic. She operated a roadside restaurant, and her food was said to be exceptionally delicious and much sought after. One day, someone identified her as a woman from her far-away town in neighbouring upper-volta region of Ghana. He knew she had died some years back. He boldly walked to her front and called her by name. She looked up, waved her long spoon across his face, and felled him to the ground right on the street.

In a twinkle of an eye, she evaporated carrying all her pots of variety of food. As if that was not enough, she took with her the young girl that was her helper. When curious neighbours who witnessed the spectacle hurried to where she lived to arrest her for causing public disorder, they received the shock of their lives on discovering that she had also packed all her belongings, which could hardly fit into a pick-up van. All these happened in less than fifteen minutes, which is too little time for anyone to have gathered as much household utensils and furniture to escape.
Ghost Call-girl:

A young man who lived in Port-Harcourt Road in the commercial city of Aba in Abia state Nigeria once contracted a prostitute with whom he spent the night at his residence. The next morning, he asked the girl to accompany him to his business place in what is called cemetery market. This locality was a one-time burial ground that the government cleared to construct one of the very busy markets in the state for want of space. They both walked hand-in-hand and side-by-side until they got to a culvert that needed one person crossing at a time. The man was the first to cross. As he turned back to grab his girlfriend’s hand once again, she was gone. It was early in the morning and there was not yet the normal crowd that could hide anybody. The man raised alarm and his shop neighbours joined in a frantic search, which yielded no results. The only answer to her sudden disappearance was that she was a ghost. When the man ran back home to check whether she was there by any chance, he met his room still padlocked. He had the only key to his room. The girl’s vanity bag and underwear that she had washed and hung in the man’s bathroom earlier in the morning were all gone.

Cote d’Ivoire Resident:

What about a young man who had a wife and two children. They had spent four years in Cote d’Ivoire before he consented to taking the family to his hometown somewhere in Ngwa-land near Umuahia the capital of Abia state - Nigeria. When they arrived within earshot from the man’s compound, he alighted from the chartered vehicle and directed the driver to carry the family to a compound he indicated to them feigning that he wanted to inform a relative of their arrival. That was the last they saw of him. When the wife met with members of the family and identified her husband from the family photograph that hung on the wall, one member of the family was invited after another until they had almost the entire village in session. The woman apparently overwhelmed was full of joy that she had such a large number of in-laws. After protracted consultations, the grave of the man she claimed to be the father of her children was shown her. The woman and her children are still living and have put the nightmare behind them.

Diplomatic Passenger:

During the oil boom era in Nigeria; Nigerians acknowledge that what they now have is a ‘doom,’ some undergraduates used to travel abroad, during long vacations, to as far as the United Kingdom, to buy various items which they sold to raise money for their next tuition, board, etcetera. One of such girls had met a white man at Heathrow airport who offered to chaperon her around popular shops at the end of which he offered to accommodate her for a couple of days in his apartment in central London. This was not an unusual gesture as most tourists always appreciated anything that would make them spend less on hotel bills. The girl returned to London three weeks after her last visit, and headed for her lover’s residence. She stood at the gate and knocked frantically, pressing the doorbell endlessly, until some neighbours came to inquire what the matter was. When she announced the name of the man she was hoping to meet and confirmed that they had been together some three weeks back, she was told that the man had been dead about a year ago. Moreover, no one was known to have entered that apartment for quite some time. Upon hearing that revelation, the girl slumped to the ground. Ambulance service was called up. The girl was later handed to the Nigerian High Commission that assisted to fly her back to Nigeria.

At the Morgue:

Let’s be patient to share this last testimony of an old man who slapped a mortuary attendant and got his neck twisted. His wizardry was an open secret. His eyes continued to blink after his heart had stopped beating. Autopsy report confirmed him dead while the blinking eyes proved otherwise. As his body started decomposing, his kindred conceded that he be buried like any dead person. During his burial ceremony he had the hands and feet of his coffin bearers twisted in unimaginable manners until there was a consensus to delay the interment for another couple of days. While the corps lay in the morgue, attendants reported of endless shuffling of feet and collision of caskets especially during the nights.

One of the attendants tried to ascertain what the matter was. What he got as a report was dirty slap on his face from the man with blinking eyes. He was busy scattering the other caskets and corpses to create a distance between them and him.

Flesh and Blood:

There is no scientific explanation to the fact that a body can remain fresh with blood still flowing in its veins after it had been buried for more than six months. Science describes decomposition as the process of breaking down complex matter into simpler form through the action of fungi and bacteria. This process can commence as early as forty-eight hours in the case of vegetables and animals once the life giving source is disconnected. But this natural law was violated by a woman from the same locality as the man at the morgue earlier spoken of. During her life-time, she was known to be a devout member of the Women’s Guild in her local church. That devotedness earned her a befitting and well attended church burial. According to tradition, she was buried on her undeveloped piece of land within the outskirts of the village. Her frequent and unceasing appearance at her former house especially at eventides became a source of worry not only to her immediate family members, but to the entire community. A group of clergies did whatever they could, but she would not be assuaged from making those nocturnal visits. As a last resort, a traditional medicine-man had to be consulted. His two initial visits to the grave proved futile. The woman seemed to have eavesdropped on the discussions preparatory to nailing her down and had decided to play hide and seek with the BABA as he was fondly called. Himself being an adept in the craft, got himself dangerously fortified and enlisted the services of two aides, just in case.
During the next three days, BABA and his assistants were on fast; eating only a morsel of roasted plantain soaked in raw palm oil by midnight. On the high-day and at the high-hour, the trio set off and stealthily barricaded the graveyard, making any intrusion or escape very dangerous and impossible. After carefully studying the situation, BABA ordered his assistants to clear off surrounding weeds and start digging the grave with the intention of exhuming the corpse. When they struck the deck, lo and behold, they came face to face with a casket glittering with polish and ornaments as on the very day the woman was buried. The screws which held the cover were already loose, indicative of the fact that they had been previously tampered with or had never been fastened in the first place. While they were trying to contemplate this anomaly, the woman emerged from inside the casket, shelving the cover aside in a very casual manner. Her clothes were as fresh as ever before. She engaged BABA in a long dialogue which heightened with threats, abuses, allegations and counter-claims and finally mellowing down to compromises. When BABA had succeeded in putting her to sleep, he had her head severed from her neck, and handed it to members of the woman’s family for reburial on her living room which was one of her grievances for frequently coming back home. The family would rather take the fresh cut head to the Police and lodged a complaint of murder against BABA. He was promptly arrested, and would have gone to jail if not for the intervention and testimony of a cross-section of the community and the church authorities.
So far for this drama. Dwelling long on evil tends to give it some air of prominence, which is not the intention of these write-ups.

Unresolved Debate:

These and other verifiable evidences of appearances of people that were once dead amongst the living begs the question as to whether people really do die, whether reincarnation is still an issue for debate, or whether all those apparitions are only some hallucination of some sort, or proof of man’s immortality. Whatever it is, these appearances have neither ceased nor have people found any clear-cut explanation to the phenomenon.

Suspicion amongst Neighbours:

It is becoming even confusing to tell whether one’s next-door neighbor at the place of business, in the churches or even at home is not a phantom from a nearby or distant location seeming to be a living human. The danger lies in the fact that their true identity only becomes obvious when they happen to be identified by some earlier acquaintance, and they vanish. Everybody seems to be a suspect. Or are we not? If we are not, what evidence do we have that we can even vouch that our parents or grandparents were not such-like beings?

Earth-bound souls:

The only argument that can stand the test of time in this regard is the common belief among certain occult or secret societies that their adherents, who fulfill the requirements and obligations of their membership, can be sure to have as many as seven lives or levels of physical manifestation either on this earth or in some regions only known to them. For the love of these earthly material exigencies most Africans especially business executives and some government officials or politicians are known to belong to one or more of these secret societies. Apart from using their membership to intimidate and threaten non-adherents, most of them have used it to attain levels of affluence and influence. Little is known of their involvement until at death when their members usually come to hijack the funeral to the exclusion of other members of the family.

To such group of humans, their life is ever shrouded in secrecy, scandal, and accusations. There are endless mysterious deaths of family members, which are linked to the demands of their cult. It is alleged with absurdity of evidence that they do pledge the lives of those family members in exchange for riches and promise of long life or life after death.

Non-violent:

But ghosts do not and CANNOT cause physical harm to any living person. What can be attributed to physical injuries sustained by people who lay claim to having encountered a ghost is the scientific fact that some people make themselves vulnerable. They lack courage. They harbour fear. They fail to exercise control over their Solar Plexus, and thus allow it to contract in the presence of any form of threat. It is evident that non-resistant thought expands the Solar Plexus; resistant thought contracts it. Pleasant thought expands it; unpleasant thought contracts it. Thoughts of courage, power, confidence, and hope all produce a corresponding state, but the one arch enemy of the Solar Plexus which must be absolutely destroyed before one is immune to so-called ghostly attacks is fear. It is capable of making men tremble at the contemplation of their past, present, and future; fear themselves, their friends, and their enemies; fear everything and everybody including ghosts.
During such encounters, the victim has been known to slap, kick and scratch himself under the illusion that he was wadding off a ghost. This accounts also for the physical injuries sustained after such encounters.

Materialism:

The Scriptures say that, “where a man’s treasure is, there he focuses his heart.” This ‘heart’ is synonymous with soul, mind, spirit; whatever faculty that constitutes an embodiment of or manifestation of that personality or individuality called ‘man.’ A further understanding of the activities or preoccupations of those aforementioned apparitions will reveal their strong attachment to materialism.
Some schools of thought will also attest to the fact that one of the factors that compels them to constitute a coven or congregation is not only the material allurements but also the alleged physical manifestation of their spiritual Masters.

Other Inducements:

All human activities emanate from thought. Thought originates from the Mind – the Universal storehouse of all information. Even when people tend to forget their actions or thoughts, the Mind continues to retain these information. That retention is otherwise known as Consciousness.

Duality of Being:

Man is both physical and spiritual. Physicality has its shortcomings and hindrances. The spiritual is uninhibited. Hence, when the physical body becomes inanimate, has passed through the death experience, the spiritual continues to exist, carrying with it all the embodiment or characteristics of the personality through which it had expressed.

The Distinction:

If prior to passing on, a person had been malevolent, vindictive, hostile to others, wicked, a murderer or thief, quarrelsome, alcoholic, adulterer, liar and full of all the vices the world ever knew, he does not suddenly transform into a benevolent, gentle, loving peace maker. The same is true of a person who, by universal standards could be adjudged a good person. Personality or character traits are carried over to the next level of existence.
Ascension to higher levels will depend strictly upon the degree of refinement or reformation of the individual, hence the Scriptural injunction to work out one’s salvation with fear and trembling. Phil.2:12(b).
The distinction, therefore, is that whereas benevolent spirit persons move closer to celestial level of tranquility, serenity and bliss, wicked ones continue to hover around dense regions as ghosts.
When some people die, their mundane inclination attaches them to the physical world. This attraction motivates the “ghost” to draw Etheric Energy from their surroundings at will, thus keeping them grounded to the material environment rather than allowing them ascend to finer astral levels of existence.
Seldom do most dead people come to terms that they are no more dwelling in flesh and blood. Such ghosts tend to continue to dwell in their familiar native environments such as the offices, market place, personal rooms, trying to communicate with former acquaintances, and stupidly engaging in physical life activities such as drinking, eating food, having sex; in fact, engaging in all manner of physical life trappings. Some lurk around in the hope of trying to settle scores with enemies or reconcile with people they had regrettably offended, or still, trying to put finishing touches to unfinished business; though these are not possible without a physical body.
People have often come back to life after several hours or even a couple of days in a state of comma, resulting from fatal accident, influence of anaesthesia, hallucination, or having some dose of astral travelling. They have been consistent in their accounts of near-death experiences, which coincide with some of the accounts herein given.
Curiosity and excitement at the prospect of unrestricted movement compel some of these dense spirited persons to wander into the river. Some experiment with living among wild animals, reptiles and domestic animals. Others prefer to dwell among the birds of the trees. Others, still, maintain their physical body and carry on as if they had not died. It all depends on the overbearing inclination of the person during life time.

Epigenesis:

A developing baby in the womb tries to mimic the mother’s movement as transmitted via the umbilical cord. As soon as the umbilical cord is severed at birth, the baby is liberated to begin to mimic other people that surround it. This includes learning to smile, eyes movement, crawling and walking and talking with increasing number of days of its earthly existence. The same is true of a traveller who, for instance leaves what we can call a 19th century “third world country,” who, wearied by the long distance, sleeps off, only to arrive in a 21st century “developed world.” This traveller is one that is passing through what we call ‘life’ to what is termed ‘death’ which is marked by the severance of the silver cord. This severance of the silver cord which marks the final stage of passing through the threshold between earthly physical existence and extraterrestrial sojourning, accounts for the rolling upwards of the eyes of a departing soul as it trails the blaze along its enchanting trajectory beyond the horizon.
Such a sudden change of environment will certainly confuse the traveller. The initial reaction will be that of unbelief, confusion, and disorientation. But with time, he will begin to mimic other beings within the environment. He will make new acquaintances, initially with timidity, until time and circumstances enliven his response. He then will begin to exercise his sense of discrimination, liberty and choice.
In this state of consciousness, everything is possible including transmigration, teleportation and transformation.

Transmigrated Vultures:
The following photograph depicts a man-eating vulture which is believed to be an embodiment of a one-time cannibal. This man and his wife were lynched in a mob action instigated by the village youths after they have been substantially linked to many mysterious disappearances of children within the neighbourhood of Onitsha in Anambra state of Nigeria. Shortly after the death of the couple, people started noticing this pair of vultures at the refuse dump near one of the road-side markets after the Niger Bridge. Naturally, vultures congregate around butcheries where they can get enough meat to each. But this pair had insatiable preference to human flesh. Children who occasionally went to have a bowel movement at the dump seldom returned to their parents. These disappearances ceased only after the vultures were tracked, killed and burned to ashes.

Making Contacts:

Interestingly, what people regard as ‘invocation of spirits,’ is nothing more than tuning up oneself to a rate of vibration, launching out, attuning to a frequency of higher electro-magnetic charge otherwise known as the sixth dimension. Spirit CANNOT be ‘invoked’ – that is, called down to earth. Rather, humans can raise consciousness to a level where communication with spirit becomes possible.
Scriptural Injunction:

Conversely, according to the Epistle of St. Paul to the people of Corinth “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:47 – 52.

Exceptions:

Evidently, spirit-filled persons can hardly be counted among those apparitions. Their abode is in the spiritual realm as promised by Jesus the Christ when he said, “In My Father’s house, there are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you so that wherever I am there you will also be; if it were not so, I would have told you.” (John 14:2).

Humans have a Choice:

And God says, “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; in that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. (Deuteronomy 30:15 – 20.)

Exhortation:

Little wonder the wisest man in recorded history wrote:
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say; I have no pleasure in them; while the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low; also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

Final Word:

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1 – 8, 13)

The Implications of GM Crops for Smallholder African Farmers

2009-05-20T01:16:00.000-07:00

International experts, key policymakers, heads of farmers associations, and private sector representatives are gathering in Uganda from May 19-21 to examine the potential benefits and challenges of producing genetically modified (GM) crops in Africa with a theme "Delivering Agricultural Biotechnology to African Farmers: Linking Economic Research to Decision Making." This conference is organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in collaboration with the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology and the Science Foundation for Livelihoods and Development.According to a press release from the organizers the director of IFPRI’s Environment and Production Technology Division, "In the coming years, growing populations, stagnating agricultural productivity, and increasing climate change will make it even more difficult for Africa to tackle poverty, hunger, and malnutrition," He added that: "To confront these challenges, many African countries are increasingly assessing a range of tools and technologies, including agricultural biotechnologies, which hold great promise for improving crop yields, household incomes, and the nutritional quality of food in an environmentally sustainable way."By bringing social scientists and decision makers together, this first-of-its-kind conference aims to bridge the gap between policy and research, and provide solid information and evidence on which sound choices and investments related to GM technology can be made. Research presented at the conference, for example, shows that in delaying the approval of GM fungal-resistant banana, Uganda foregoes potential benefits ranging from about US$179 million to US$365 million a year. According to IFPRI analysis, expansion in the adoption of GM crops could also significantly lower the price of food in developing countries by 2050. Realizing these benefits, however, depends on acceptance by farmers, public awareness and consumer preferences, regulatory and market issues, and strong political will, including the willingness to invest in new technology.Deciding whether or not to make GM crops a priority in their agricultural development and food and nutrition security strategies and invest in modern biotechnology is an important consideration for many African countries. To help inform such policy decisions, conference participants will share research findings that address critical questions, including:* What are the potential economic gains and drawbacks of GM crops, especially for poor, rural households?* What obstacles prevent smallholder farmers from gaining access to and successfully using GM technology, and how can these constraints be overcome?* What lessons can be learned from other developing countries, such as South Africa, China, and India, where GM crops are already being commercially grown by smallholder farmers?* How can policymaking be improved to ease the dissemination and commercialization of agricultural biotechnologies?* What are the regional and international trade implications of growing GM crops in Africa?"Managing the opportunities and risks posed by GM crops, including trade-related challenges, requires countries to have well-functioning, efficient, and responsible biosafety systems," said Margaret Karembu, director of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) AfriCenter in Nairobi, where the Kenya Biosafety Bill became law in February 2009, joining Mali and Togo, which enacted national biosafety legislation in 2008. "These countries’ experiences offer useful lessons for other African countries working to develop biosafety policies, including the increased potential to benefit from proven research and help smallholder farmers with limited resources gain access to agricultural biotechnologies and successfully use them." To draw additional lessons, conference participants will examine a number of case studies, including:* The challenges of bringing insect-resistant (Bt) cowpea to market in Nigeria* Consumer perceptions of the potential introduction of a fungal-resistant banana in Uganda* Impact of GM crops for smallholder farmers in the Philippines, Honduras, Colombia, and Bolivia"Considerable experience suggests that biotechnology can contribute to improved food production and quality in developing countries," concluded Dr. Rosegrant. "Moreover, crop traits currently in the development pipeline-including drought and heat tolerance-are of particular value to African farmers.
To be or not to be is no longer the question with regard to acceptability of GM or not. Just a few years back, it was like a taboo for journalists to discuss issues encouraging the adoption of GM cropping in so many African environments. But with the passage of time, consciously or curiously, many of us have consumed and come to appreciate GM products.
Chief among the many factors that have encouraged GM acceptability is the economic advantage it has over the conventional food production methods. And since there has not been any reported health related cases associated with it, nobody seems to complain any more. Gradually ignorance is giving place to experience, thanks to the media enlightenment programs.

LAND GRABBING OR SNATCHING?

2009-05-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

The scramble by people of the west to acquire farm land in Africa has been fingered as one of the causes of the lingering effects of ever-increasing food prices. This cannot be far from the truth considering the fact of the contingency measures that attend these projects from start to finish. While some countries are producing to feed the teeming hungry masses, others are seeking land for the production of biofuel crops. Whereas these intentions are laudable, there is no doubt some adverse effects are to be expected especially concerning the ‘donor countries.’
In a recent report published by the International Food Production Research Institute (IFPRI) titled “Lang Grabbing” by Foreign Investors in Developing Countries, other factors contributing to the ongoing food price crises since 2007 include increased pressures on natural resources, water scarcity, export restrictions imposed by major producers when food prices were high, and growing distrust in the functioning of regional and global markets which has in turn pushed countries short in land and water to find alternative means of producing food. The report also argues that these land acquisitions have the potential to inject much needed investment into agriculture and rural areas in poor developing countries, but they also raise concerns about the impacts on poor local people, who risk losing access to and control over land on which they depend.
The research identifies two major categories of the so-called ‘Land Grabbers.’ which are food-importing countries with land and water constraints but rich in capital, such as the Gulf States. The second group is countries with large populations and food security concerns such as China, South Korea, and India which are intensifying land acquisition overseas. Their targeted victims are naturally the developing economies where production costs are much lower and where there is abundant land.
Even as the issue is still being discussed, many developing countries have already swallowed the line, hook and sinker dangled by their would-be tenants. One only hopes that the Zimbabwean saga of chasing out authentic farmers should not repeat itself by the time it is realized how lucrative the business of farming can be especially when handled by experts with the advantages of advanced technology. History, they say, repeats itself because people refuse to learn from it. Methinks, one way we could avoid a reappearance of past ugly incidents is for the indigenous farmers to form co-operatives and enter into alliances with the foreign farmers which will afford them the opportunity of not only being co-partners in farm management but would over a period of time acquire the much needed technology that would make them truly independent in the long run. By so doing, they should be able to produce enough food for local consumption while the expatriates are concerned with producing for export.
Given that the food price crisis has increased competition for land and water resources for agriculture, it is not surprising that farmland prices have risen throughout the world in recent years. In 2007 alone, farmland prices jumped by 16 percent in Brazil, by 31 percent in Poland, and by 15 percent in the Midwestern United States. In many countries, developed water sources are almost fully utilized, but agricultural demand for water is expected to increase drastically in the future.
Curiously, of all the land deals already signed, Africa accounts for more than seventy percent spread between Zimbabwe, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania and Nigeria; with less than ten percent involving Pakistan and the Philippines.
Because of the urgent need for greater development in rural areas and the fiscal inability of the developing-country governments to provide the necessary infusion of capital, large-scale land acquisitions can be seen as an opportunity for increased investment in agriculture. Proponents of such investments list possible benefits for the rural poor, including the creation of a potentially significant number of farm and off-farm jobs, development of rural infrastructure, and poverty-reducing improvements such as construction of schools and health posts. Other possible positive spillovers include resources for new agricultural technologies and practices as well as future global price stability and increased production of food crops that could supply local and national consumers in addition to overseas consumers. Though some of the land-lease agreements make provisions for investments in rural development, these deals may not be made on equal terms between the investors and local communities. The bargaining power in negotiating these agreements is on the side of the foreign firm, especially when its aspirations are supported by the host state or local elites. Smallholders who are being displaced from their land cannot effectively negotiate terms favorable to them when dealing with such powerful national and international actors, nor can they enforce agreements if the foreign investor fails to provide promised jobs or local facilities. Thus, unequal power relations in the land acquisition deals can put the livelihoods of the poor at risk. This inequality in bargaining power is exacerbated when the smallholders whose land is being acquired for foreign investment projects have no formal title to the land, but have been using it under customary tenure arrangements. Since the state often formally owns the land, the poor run the risk of being pushed off the plot in favor of the investor, without consultation or compensation. Land is an inherently political issue across the globe, with land reform and land rights issues often leading to violent conflict. The addition of another actor competing for this scarce and contested resource can add to socio-political instability in developing countries.
The ecological sustainability of land and water resources slated for foreign investment is another important issue when considering large-scale foreign investments. Introducing intensive agricultural production can threaten biodiversity, carbon stocks, and land and water resources. Converting forests or rangelands to monocropping reduces diversity in flora, fauna, and agro biodiversity, as well as aboveground and subsurface carbon stocks. Many tropical soils are unsuited for intensive cultivation (one reason for long-fallow cultivation cycles in many tropical areas that are considered “unused”), or there is insufficient water for intensive cultivation. Although fertilizer use and irrigation can overcome some of these limitations, these activities can lead to long-run sustainability problems such as salinity, water logging, or soil erosion if they are inappropriately designed. These problems are most likely to occur if the outside investors focus on short-term profit or lack a sound understanding of the local ecology. Irrigating the landholdings of foreign investors may take water away from other users in the area or from environmental flows, and intensive use of agrochemicals contributes to water-quality problems in groundwater and runoff. Foreign investors with short-term leases may have a short-term perspective on the sustainability of intensive agriculture and less identity with the area than local residents. Thus, it is important to conduct a careful environmental impact assessment that not only looks at effects on the local area, but also considers off-site impacts on soils, water, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity. Land-lease contracts should also include safeguards to ensure that sustainable practices are employed.
The IFPRI report has not left us without some useful suggestion which, if properly adhered to, will eliminate the much-detested incidents that usually arise from transcontinental marriages of this nature. Among some of the suggested elements of a code of conduct include:
1. Transparency in negotiations. Existing local landholders must be informed and involved in negotiations over land deals. Free, prior, and informed consent is the standard to be upheld. Particular efforts are required to protect the rights of indigenous and other marginalized ethnic groups. The media and civil society can play a key role in making information available to the public.
2. Respect for existing land rights, including customary and common property rights. Those who lose land should be compensated and rehabilitated to an equivalent livelihood. The standards of the World Commission on Dams provide an example of such policies.
3. Sharing of benefits. The local community should benefit, not lose, from foreign investments in agriculture. Leases are preferable to lump-sum compensation because they provide an ongoing revenue stream when land is taken away for other uses. Contract farming or out-grower schemes are even better because they leave smallholders in control of their land but still deliver output to the outside investor. Explicit measures are needed for enforcement if agreed-upon investment or compensation is not forthcoming.
4. Environmental sustainability. Careful environmental impact assessment and monitoring are required to ensure sound and sustainable agricultural production practices that guard against depletion of soils, loss of critical biodiversity, increased greenhouse gas emissions, or significant diversion of water from other human or environmental uses.
5. Adherence to national trade policies. When national food security is at risk (for instance, in case of an acute drought), domestic supplies should have priority. Foreign investors should not have a right to export during an acute national food crisis.
Given the unrelenting level of corrupt practices in most if not all African countries, one can only expect that these investments will last but a few years before they get messed up in the quagmire.

OBAMAnia

2008-11-06T09:27:00.000-08:00

While I join the rest of the world in congratulating US President-elect Barack OBAMA on his successful election to the esteemed position of the World's Number One gentleman and Commander-in-chief, I want to advise politicians around the world and Africa in particular to look out for what virtues they can learn from the way and manner the man we all now want to relate with as distant cousin has conducted himself up to the point of winning the hearts of the United States electorate and the world at large. It is hoped that the wind of CHANGE will soon sift the chaff from the wheat in the field of politiks. Well done OBAMA. Africans are proud of you.

OBAMA AND THE REST OF us

2008-10-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

Sometime around April this year, I had such a convincing relevation in my sleep that got me really worried concerning the safety of the next President of the United States of America - Barak OBAMA. Over the years, I have learned to distinguish between a dream and a vision or a revelation. There was no mistaking this one. Such was the conviction that as soon as sunrise the following morning, I could not waste a minute in conveying this feeling by registering it on the OBAMA campaign website. That is why it does not surprise me today as the world is treated to the photographs of two kingpins who are said to have been caught red handed in their bid to assassinate not only OBAMA, but unleash mayhem on hundreds of innocent Africans who happen to have some sympathy towards America. I can bet that this news will only highten the popularity OBAMA is already enjoying among people of the entire world. Win, win, BARAK. Win OBAMA.

Spiritual Healing in a scientific age

2008-05-31T11:26:00.000-07:00

SPIRITUAL HEALING IN A SCIENTIFIC WORLD: By Vincent NNANNA

When the heart speaks, however simple the word, its language is always acceptable to those who have hearts. For this reason, I intend to drop my nom de plume and write as if speaking from the pulpit to the effect that hearts and souls may be touched and healed.
Any time the word 'Health' is mentioned, the intellect, like the computer memory, races back and forth in search of corresponding images to match her understanding. Often times, we stumble on words like vigour, stoutness, contagion, hereditary, medication, hospitalization, epidemic, and all the et cetera. Health is associated with acquired wealth and a person's ability to retain the best medical practitioner, hence the saying that "Health is Wealth." But the truth of this saying lies in the fact that a truly healthy person enjoys a state of wealthiness that money cannot buy. To gain a better understanding of Health, let's cast our minds back to the condition of Man at the Garden of Eden. The dominion God gave to man at the beginning of creation included power over sin, sickness and death. At what point then, did these malevolent triad creep into man's life? The first recorded case of sin in the Bible is that of listening to and obeying other voices. In that scenario, Eve preferred the argument of a lieing-talking serpent to that of her Creator, and Adam was soon to subjugate his role of calling his wife to order, and danced along. The multifarious results were pain in child-bearing, weakness in toiling, killing of ones brother and indulging in prodigalism.
Another instance we have of unhealthiness prevailing among God's children was when the Israelites murmured against constituted authority, and turned to other gods. According to the Scriptures, their behavior angered God and He allowed them to be bitten by fiery serpents (Numbers 21:5 and 6). There is abounding evidence to prove that every situation of sickness or death has been occasioned by sin in one form or the other. It was this understanding that prompted the disciples to inquire of Jesus Christ concerning a lad that was born blind whether it was the boy who had sinned or his parents.
Jesus' brief ministry contained more than thirty specific cases of healing. In the majority of those instances, he not only healed the sick, but enjoined them to "go and sin no more, lest greater evil come upon them."

The Nature of Evil: Evil or unwellness is a condition where the five senses, the organs of the human system and the physical and mental faculties become dysfunctional. If these conditions could be brought about by a violation or disobedience of God's commands, it stands to reason that restoration to normalcy can only result from right conduct. Instead of examining ourselves to see the evil in us that has occasioned our state of unwellness, we look to the stars and accuse our Creator for venting His anger without cause, or we look to the earth and accuse our parents for what we term hereditary diseases or still claim that we have been visited upon by the sins of our forefathers ancestral curses. When we come face to face with climatic changes, we blame our condition to epidemic or contagion or genetic cross-pollination. In our delusion, we loose sight of our God-bestowed dominion over everything upon the surface of the earth, above the skies, under the sea, et cetera. (Genesis 1: 26-28).

The Turning Point: As Christians, we ought to rejoice in the fact that the Scriptures have already provided the way out of these trials. The Book of Romans chapter 6 verse 16, clearly says "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" When Apostle Paul cautioned against looking lustily at a woman, he only meant to show the power of the human mind. The Mind, which does not constitute part of the human organ, controls a greater proportion of human thinking, reasoning and physical expressions. When one Mind tries to exert overbearing influence over another, the weaker one can be made to do the biddings of the stronger. It is against this danger that the Scriptures counsel us to "Let this Mind be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5). Having the Mind of Jesus, instead of the mind like of Eve and the Israelites as earlier mentioned, will lead to the benefits of 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land."
Materia Medica: Where do we turn to in times of trouble? To matter, of course. "The medical triumphs of this century are generally regarded as among the wonders of our age. Less well known is the extensive, documented literature challenging modern medicine's right to be accounted an exact science or even a socially satisfactory system of health care. This dissatisfaction is by no means confined to such crusading critics as Ivan Illich and Robert S. Mendelsohn, with their insistence that medical science still causes as many diseases as it cures. The criticisms extend through hundreds of sober medical reports, sociological studies, ethical disquisitions, economic analyses, legal decisions, popular magazine articles, and academic investigations. As President Derek Bok of Harvard ruefully suggested in a carefully balanced 1983 report on the needs of the university's medical school, "Dean Burwell was only partly facetious in stating to Harvard medical students: 'Half of what we have taught you is wrong. Unfortunately we do not know which half.'" For instance, nosocomial illness an umbrella term for a whole catalogue of infections acquired inside the hospital has proved fatal to some patients who entered the hospital for treatment of a very minor ailment. It was estimated in 1978 that of 32 million persons admitted to American hospitals each year, about 1.5 million develop some kind of nosocomial infection, and 15,000 die of it. Despite the progress in medical science and technology, President Book wrote in his Harvard report, "Many studies have revealed that doctors make a disturbing number of major diagnostic errors, and he illustrates this by a recent survey of 100 autopsies at a prominent teaching hospital which disclosed such mistakes in twenty-two percent of the cases." These revelations are not intended to belittle a profession so distinguished by dedicated zeal as the physician's. It is just to say that generally the cultured class of medical practitioners is grand men and women, therefore they are more scientific than are the false claimants to Spiritual Healing." Robert Peel

That being the case, how could we entrust our health-care to people whose practices are based on assumptions? Some practitioners who confess to practicing healthcare delivery can only pass for mental assassins or money-minded quacks. What most of them try to do is magnify a condition of fear and ignorance and make it seem real to the sufferer. The end result is ingestion of a greater poison to overcome the effect of the weaker, and a diminishing financial status of the unsuspecting victim. Let's consider one common practice among the medicals. When a patient complains of a feeling of pain, the most probable prescription will include some doses of analgesics or pain killer. What the drug does is to numb or dull the brain and render the memory cells insensitive to pain. A repeated numbing of the cells by this process will ultimately lead to their destruction. We must remember that brain cells are the only cells that CANNOT be replaced or regenerated once they die. Who can tell how many brain cells are killed by a single dose of so-called pain killers, while the doctors get paid for turning fellow human beings into guinea-pigs? Consider also the method of the traditional herbalist, who, most of the time will recommend that the potency of his herbs or roots (concoctions) is being attained when soaked in some local spirits; What alcohol does is to cause the walls of the intestine to thicken and the organ to contract thus preventing the secretion of gastric juice, and inducing ulceration, bleeding; sometimes vomiting and ultimate death.
How many be the instances where the medical profession have pronounced death sentence on sufferers of what they brand terminal or chronic dis-ease? Many are the cases where their predictions have been rendered of no effect by the victim's reliance on spiritual remedy divorced of all material contaminations. Predicting danger does not dignify life, whereas forecasting liberty and joy does, for these are strong promoters of health and happiness. Resort to spiritual method of healing, as Jesus did, is a form of mental medicine, which gains no potency by attenuation, as does homoeopathy; and its largest dose is never dangerous, as with allopathic medicine; but the more the better in every case. This accords with the Scriptural injunction to "Pray without ceasing." (I Thessalonians 5:17).
It is clear that sin endangers sickness and culminates into death. But man is not helpless because our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus who says in essence, "I am the Way, Truth, and Life, and whosever believes in me shall not perish but have everlasting life." Believing in Him, means to love him; and loving him means to keep his commandments: "to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your Soul, and with all your might, and to love your neighbour as yourself."
Enjoy a blissful ride onto healthiness, in the Name of Jesus Christ, A-men.

Why this silence?

2008-04-30T11:22:00.000-07:00

When crises loomed in Kenya, we all shouted, foul! Today, a more humanitarian situation is looming in Zimbabwe, like a time bomb that will not take long to explode. And nobody seems to be talking about it. Could we possibly be overwhelmed with a situation we are already acquainted with? Who does not know that Mr. Mugabe will prefer to cling on to power, even while within the portals of the grand leveler of all human greatness - death? Who does not know that he would exploit the arrogance of his unrepentant neighbour to smuggle arms with which to scare his opponents into flight? Who does not know that the South African mascot will pretend to be too busy to call his friend to order, or at least summon other SADC heads of state to speak his mind? Who will bell the cat? The United Nations certainly has a jurisdiction on this matter. What are they waiting for? And above all, what are Zimbabweans in exile there for? Don't they have a network that can combine efforts to invoke an ouster clause on an illegal regime. The election results so far indicate that Mugabe has no right to remain in the State House. He is in a terrible state of shock to the realisation that the mammoth crowd that was singing his eulogy at the campaigns, went into the voting booth to speak the truth to their conscience. Once the people whose interest and destiny are at stake have spoken, what moral justification does anyone else have in condemning the opposition or the West? We are aware of the suppressed press in the jungle called Rhodesia, but what use is the Worldwide-web if the journalists in that enclave cannot use it effectively to speak out? They only need to act as whistle-blowers and leave the amplification to the rest of their compatriots around the globe. Or have those Zims in exile opted to play second fiddle in foreign land? More questions than answers. Where there is a will, there certainly is a way.

POSTERITY

2008-04-11T01:42:00.000-07:00

Discussing posterity is like embarking on a journey that will never come to an end. Before this generation came to be, our forebearers had constantly been moralized on the virtue of bequeathing a noble legacy for posterity. This appeal conjectures a homo sapiens personification. The call extends beyond the present generation and will continue through generations yet unborn. Posterity therefore, seems like a persona non grata hence the abject neglect or nonchalant attitude towards it. The truth is that posterity is to human existence what tweedledee is to tweedledum. It could be called a two-edged sword sort of phenomenon. We could also liken it to the chicken-egg relationship. It does not matter which is first. What is important is that both depend on one another for propagation of their generations.
It is hard to say whether posterity is there because of anterior generations or successive ones. Whichever it may be, posterity is there to serve both interests. To the one side of the divide, it is like a motivating factor against insensitiveness, greed, self-centredness and reckless living. Were it not for the sake of posterity, people would perchance bother less about toiling beyond putting some meal on the family lunch table or having just enough clothes to cover the body, until they breathe their last. Civilisation and technological advancement would have been adversely undermined but for posterity. Morality would have been thrown to the dogs because people would care less about the consequences of any irrational behaviour. “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die,” would have assumed centre stage.
To the other side of the equilateral demarcation, posterity, assuming a human face and staring humanity eyeball to eyeball says, “See what I have done for your sake. What do you intend to do about improving on it?”
While whipping up emotions of gratitude, it serves to motivate or challenge humanity towards greater endeavour. This leaves a trail of unbroken chain of cause and effect, action and reaction. It is not in all circumstances, though, that posterity posits itself in the past and point to the future. The very fact that this journal is being put together is for posterity. Wise people will glean through the pages and decipher something that will have some impact on their lives. Generations yet unborn will read and thank goodness for ancient wisdom. Posterity exists in the immediate.
Posterity in itself is an embodiment of virtue, but the misinterpretation of it has led to so many negative tendencies. Otherwise, what would make a man seek to perpetuate himself in political office as purported president of a country whereas he is only trying to amass wealth for a micro unit of posterity – his immediate family to the disadvantage of the greater human factor – the nation at large?
If man had the option of choosing to live beyond the prescribed age of one hundred and twenty years (see Genesis chapter 3 verse 6), it would make sense to see why people build reinforced concrete mansions with state of the art gadgets. Or why a nation would want to plant a piece of flag on the surface of the moon or under the sea bed to colonize a territory. This is not to suggest that interterrestrial explorations are not necessary. But when it goes beyond serving the overall interest of humanity, it becomes an obsession.
There are three major factors that impel humans towards doing things for posterity. One, some religious fanatics believe that the revelation of John in the Book of Apocalypse has numbered them among those that will inherit the “new earth.” (ibid. 11:10; 20:4; 21:21-27). Every attempt made by these set of believers towards discovering the earth is to preserve their dream home. I am not to judge the rightness of that Biblical interpretation or otherwise, but when we cast our mind back to the Guyana tragedy of recent memory which was based on an erroneous interpretation of the Scriptures, we can clearly see where these could lead us to. The Guyana sect was a bunch of greedy people who did not want to leave anything for posterity. They would rather embark on wanton destruction of their possessions and finally taking their own lives, their offspring’s, everything. But they inadvertently left a history for posterity to learn from and be wiser.
The second reason has to do with tradition which behoves us to “let our children enjoy better opportunities than we have.” This is like a moral obligation which one is not bound to uphold except to the extent of ones understanding and moral rectitude. Let me quickly say that morality to me is the Eldorado of the Golden Rule which says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Every facet of moral ethics is hinged on this premise. Society would brand a person who lives on inheritance and fails to contribute to the advancement of humanity as a lazy gold digger; which remark is in itself derogatory. Therefore, even some fortunate ones who happen to have benefited directly from the benevolence of posterity or the goodwill of their ancestors, almost always strive to maintain a status quo to ensure that the baton does not stop changing hands by their own ineptitude, because of the saying that to whom much is given, much is expected.
The third factor that has served to foster posterity can be linked to economic prosperity. When people have more than a lifetime’s sufficiency, the tendency is to invest and reinvest. Even when some sum is stalked away in security vaults, it still benefits the overall interest of the populace through the law of multiplier effect in Economics. This situation can best be likened to the legendary dog that follows an overfed person in the hope that if he doesn’t defecate, he would vomit. Either way, there will be food for the dog.
It has often been said of naïve persons that “posterity will demand explanation.” This statement which again gives posterity a human face has its beneficial value. It has been a constant reminder against incredulity.
Some sceptics would ask, “Where is posterity?” Let such a sadist look around him and see suffering humanity scavenging rubbish dumps for food to eat. Look at the carnage on our roads resulting from neglected or badly finished road networks. Go to the hospices, prisons yards and orphanages and see suffering humanity most of who are in conditions not of their own making. Look around the countryside and see the absence of essential facilities and infrastructures. It is not unusual to see a family that is despised and isolated by other members of society because some despicable legacy had been bequeathed by some unscrupulous forebearer. There are abounding instances of abandoned mansions which nobody would want to live in because of the belief that it is being haunted by some mysterious forces. There are cases of girls born to some families who could hardly find a suitor except some gluttonous stranger because they stand accursed and consequently would spell doom to any one who dares to associate with them. There are communities that suffer underdevelopment on account of unfulfilled pledges by their ancestors to some serious moral obligations that have spiritual implications. In their minds, this unfortunate lot is asking the endless question, “Where is God in all these? What has happened to the promise of a good life? What have I done to deserve suffering in this manner? What unseen hand could be responsible for my plight? And a myriad of unvoiced lamentations keep reverberating into space. In Christiandom, this endless agony is referred to as witnessing against evil, and it doesn't go forth without attracting severe penalties on the evil-doer. One does not need to look far for evidences of posterity demanding explanation. Because they would not come to look us in the face and point accusing fingers is no reason to believe that perpetrators of evil can go unpunished. In her literary work, Science & Health with key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, “Thoughts unspoken are not unknown to the divine Mind” (Page 1 line 10).
Look at the contrasting picture of another group who has not considered it a virtue to live for the sake of others, no matter in what insignificant measure. It is to them that posterity is directing the unspoken question. I can hear someone repeat the Abel response, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9(b).
When it comes to time of reckoning, posterity will certainly demand of us what footprint we have left on the sands of time. If we happen not to find ourselves on the two extremes, we should expect to hear our Lord saying, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Mathew 25:21).

BANK ROBBERY IN COTONOU

2008-04-02T00:34:00.000-07:00

Between 15.00 hours and 15.30 local time on April 1, 2008, the city of Cotonou was greeted with an unprecedented commando-style armed robbery. Some robbers numbering about fifteen had anchored at the lagoon which constitutes the eastern border of the Dantokpa international market within the city centre. They looked like other fishermen and passenger ferry boats who disembark by that harbour to enter the market. So, it was difficult to suspect anything uncommon except that their speed boats’ engines never stopped running.
Their destination was two international banks located within twenty meters of each other within the main bowl of the Dantokpa market. Within less than two minutes of assuming strategic positions, the robbers who were apparently heavily armed with automatic sub-machine guns and some AK-47 simultaneously fired warning shots and ordered everyone in the banks to stay quiet. They then went ahead to amass every cash they could lay hands on including from customers who had not yet handed theirs to the Bank cashiers. Operations ended, the robbers then engaged in sporadic firing, shattering doors and protective gates in their bid to escape. While people dived into nearest hidings for dear lives, the robbers sped off to their waiting flying boats and disappeared into the high sea.
The Manager of the Dantokpa branch of Diamond Bank and his staff were in a very traumatic state of mind to speak to anyone. All he could tell me as I pressed to get some bit of information was that they had a hierarchy in the bank, and I should rather approach their headquarters to speak with the Public Relations Officer. As at the time of filing in this report, all the Banks branches have been placed under lock and key. The Police Commissioner at the Dantokpa post told me that his men had not arrived at any conclusive reports, and so could not risk any incorrect information.
All the traders and business people within the two adjoining international markets had thronged to the scene of the incidence to see things for themselves, as there had never been any robbery of its kind before in the city. When I tried to speak with some of them, they were unanimous in condemning the general security situation in the city. They were of the opinion that if there had been adequate security, such an incident could not have taken place. Meanwhile there has not been any word as to how much money had been taken away by the robbers. But on a usual Tuesday (which records high traffic on account of traders coming from Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina-Fasso), the takes are always higher than other days of the week. Therefore, the robbers must have taken this trend into consideration before embarking on their operation.

LATEST ON THE BANK ROBBERY

The "James Bond" style of escape by the daylight bank robbers in Cotonou yesterday still holds the populace spellbound. This morning, people are apprehensive of opening their business houses. They just gather around in clusters, discussing the dramatic event of yesterday. Armed security officials are being noticed at all the Bank premises, which had not been a common feature in the past.
The Police Commissioner at the Central Police station has confirmed that four (4) persons have been taken into custody for questioning in connection with the said robbery. The suspects are said to be some members of the gang who could not hasten into the speed boat as it hurried away with their loot. These four men therefore decided to join their group at some predesignated spot but were unfortunately caught within three kilometres on their way outside the city. Some of the evidences found in their possession include locally made shortguns and packets of unused ammunition.
What appears to be collateral damage resulting from the robbers fire power include two soldiers identified as Houssou Fiarc and Eric, whom the robbers perceived as potential impediment to their escape bid and sought to get rid of them. The two soldiers are reported to have died from gun shot wounds and have been deposited at the University Teaching Hospital where two other women are still being treated for serious bullet wounds.
Bureau de Change operators in the informal sector who have their shops or stalls right in front of the motorway that passes through the market have got stories of having been robbed during that operation.

Missing Original Certificates

2008-03-24T10:50:00.000-07:00

Originals of Educational certificates belonging to one TRACY BAVINGTON, taken at CRESTWOOD School, have been found, and are now in safe hands, awaiting delivery to anybody who can give convincing proof of ownership. They include:

Certificate of Secondary Education
Computer Awareness certificate
General Certificate of Education - English
Pitmans Examinations Institute - Typewriting

URANIUM IN NIGERIA (The Gains and the Pains)

2008-03-06T00:26:00.000-08:00

URANIUM FIND in Nigeria

We are simulating something closely resembling the spiritual term ‘omniscience’ by being able to share vast amounts of information over tremendous networks. Nineteenth century concepts of what was called a ‘billiard board universe’ has dissolved into relativity and the more recent so-called ‘principle of uncertainty.’ As a result, the atom has split, atomic and nuclear energy are being tapped to increase by a vast degree the availability of physical power which has already leapt over great barriers. Yet the general feeling is that we have been able to chip away only a few fragments from the mountain of knowledge. Looming ahead of us, practically intact, lies a huge mass of fundamental facts any one of which, if uncovered, could change our civilization in a manner never before known.
Whereas these developments portend of high economic gains, political superiority amongst equals, security advantage, et cetera, one cannot loose sight of the adverse consequences that could result from a misuse or deliberate abuse. Fire, they say, is a good servant, but could be a very stubborn master. In Nigeria, gas, a by-product of oil exploitation, is being burnt off because oil companies neither utilize nor recycle it. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company says that about 40 percent of gas produced in the country -- almost 23 billion cubic metres -- is burned annually. The World Bank estimates that Nigeria loses about 2.5 billion dollars annually to gas flare. This is the same gas successive governments have pledged to pipe down to factories and kitchens across some four countries within the West African sub-region, to wit, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana and Senegal. During an interview with one of Nigeria's past President, I was told that agreements have been signed and that laying of the pipes would start in ernest. That was some five years ago, but the project still remains a pipe-dream. In addition to oil, Nigeria also has gold reserves and arableland suitable for commercial exploitation. These resources, if properly harnessed, will make Nigeria less dependent on oil which accounts for more than 90% (ninety per cent of her total revenue).

Only recently, it has been reported that Uranium deposits have been discovered in some six states of Nigeria by the Atomic Energy Division of the Geological Survey of Great Britain. This silvery-white radioactive metallic element was first discovered in the Liruai hills in Kano state and in the Kigo hills near Dorowa on the Jos plateau. Other states where the find have been reported are Adamawa, Cross River, Taraba and Bauchi respectively. This indeed is a heart-warming news not only to the federal government but to the people of the concerned states. At least the derivation revenue accruing to mineral-based states is going to boost the coffers of the states’ Treasury. To the country at large, this means a drastic shift from the problematic crude oil sector to some less competitive enterprise.
According to studies, not many countries of the world are endowed with the radioactive mineral which makes Uranium highly priced and of high value. It is obtained from the ore uranite which occurs in small bodies of granite containing pyrochlore with 3.3 per cent uranium oxide, 3.3 per cent thorium oxide and 41.1 per cent niobium and tantalum oxides.
However, uranium mining being an area of significant interest in the world at present, it is necessary to inform and assist the resident communities (potential victims of radiation) identify the key issues and rights associated with uranium mining. It is important that while the named communities are counting their Dollars that will come by way of derivative allocation, they should also consider and properly understand the USES, GAINS as well as related health HAZARDS of this highly priced mineral deposit and that the determination of their future should be arrived at soberly and appropriately.
It should be known and properly understand that uranium mining has stimulated immense distress in respect to environmental and radiation aspects over the last three decades around the globe.
Indeed, from the economic perspective it is clear there might be an opportunity for countries endowed with this mineral deposit to profit immensely from its exploitation. However, it is necessary to raise this supreme and most fundamental question whether or not the economic benefits outweigh the social concerns and hazards considering that the life span could only be between 10-12 years.
The government and the general public should be aware that:
Uranium mining carries the danger of airborne radioactive dust and the release of radioactive radon gas and its decay products which is hazardous to the general public and workers.
Uranium has radiological consequences for employees if not well protected risking development of lung cancer and other pulmonary diseases.
There will be contamination of water resource use with the toxic chemicals used in the separation of the uranium ore.
Mismanagement of uranium disposal waste from leaching ore can have long term health and environmental consequences.
Environmentalists and Environmental protection Agencies as well as Human Rights Organisations and other concerned Non-governmental organisations might not achieve every goal and may concede to lack of scientific and legal authority to realize the necessary goals immediately but, assistance and assurance from the relevant authorities that fight to preserve and monitor the environment for posterity will certainly come. With the visit to China of President Yar'adua last February, it is expected that Nigeria should be able to diversify her mineral exploitation to include URANIUM. Moreover, the electricity crisis which has become almost the country's middle name could be laid to eternal rest if the potentialities of uranium are fully exploited.

REINCARNATION

2008-03-02T10:57:00.000-08:00

Websters dictionary of the English language defines Reincarnation as the re-birth of a Soul on earth in a new body after death. That goes to suggest that for reincarnation to take place, one must first die. It also suggests that the experience must be manisfested on the body. Thirdly, it points to the fact that it is the 'soul' that reincarnates. Based on this premise, one would have sharply responded that this is a non-issue since the death phenomenon is merely an illusion, which is to say, there is no death, neither could there be any reincarnation since it is the former that gives rise to the latter. When the subject of pre-existence is brought up, sometimes there is the inclination to think that it implies previous existence in the flesh, whereas man doesn’t live in the flesh even now. You will never understand the fact of man’s pre-existence so long as you believe in time. Divine consciousness is from everlasting to everlasting. But that is now. A single statement by Jesus Chist the Master Physician will elucidate this argument further, "Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had before ever the world was." (John 17:1-5). Life, not only that of Christ Jesus, has no beginning and can never come to an end through what is called 'death'. One moment of divine consciousness will wipe out centuries of false belief. I would therefore urge my reader to maintain an open and unbiased mind until we get to the conclusion of this discourse.
This subject has evoked a lot of controversy oner centuries. There are more than four schools of thought that have propounded varying theories; most presenting only a physical manifestation as their evidence.
The Indians of Sikih and Hindu religions are said to hold the belief that a human soul can reincarnate into a cow or bull, hence the level of veneration and kind treatment they accord these animals.The elephant is treated as a sacred member of the Indian household because of the same belief that it might be one of their reincarnated ones. Their ceremony of cremating the body of dead people speaks a lot.The fire is to burn off all dross material as with cleansing from accummulated sins while the sprinkling of the ashes to the ganges is symbolical of final purification to facilitate the reincarnation process. If one were to follow the evolution theory, it would sound absurd that a 'soul' that has evolved through the lower stages from apes to human should degenerate to a level lesser than human. Let's leave that part to evolutionists for now.
Christians are divided on this issue, with less than ten percent timidly harbouring some notion favourable to the phenomenon known as reincarnation. This insignificant number of believers hinge their argument on some New Testament passages of the Bible where the disciples of Jesus asked Him who had sinned, that a young man would be born blind. (John 9:2). It is argued that this question reveals that the Hebrews of that age did believe that actions of men in any cycle of earthly existence contributed in determining the nature of their next level of reincarnation. Fortunately, Jesus could not corroborate that belief. He would rather turn their attention to the fact that such occurences only provided an opportunity for demonstration of the healing power. Another passage of interest is the last Book of the Old Testament, Malachi 4:5 which says, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." At the time of that promise, Elijah had long passed on from physical existence. Therefore, it stands to reason that he was meant to reincarnate in another form to fulfill the promise in Malachi. This text is further supported by another encounter between the followers of Jesus Christ and their Master when he enquired of them who people say he is, and they answered - Elias, John the Baptist, Jeremias or one of the prophets. Christians try as much to avoid discussing these texts in-depth to avoid being labelled "infidel."
Another belief which is strongly held by majority of Africans even before the advent of western forms of religion has it that people can have a rebirth manifested in the physical realm up to seven incarnations. Their only proof lies in some character traits exhibited by a newborn baby. Another almost convincing evidence borders on physical appearances closely identical to that which had been noticed on some departed family members. This belief is so strong that some people would name their new born child after the one suspected to have reincarnated him or her. They would look out for certain behaviours and would easily try to match some coincidental gestures as proof of divine return of a loved one. Such souls are always treated with the utmost respect lest they depart prematurely in protest for being despised.
The fourth premise upon which I wish to consider this subject derives from the writings of a nineteenth century Metaphysician whose names appears on the American Women Hall of fame for her revolutionary discovery. Reverend Mary Baker Eddy writes in her ground-breaking exposition, Science & Health with key to the Scriptures, "As a man falleth asleep, so shall he be after death, until probation and growth shall effect the needed change. Mind never becomes dust. No resurrection from the grave awaits Mind or Life, for the grave has no power over either." (ibid. Page 291 lines 22 - 27). This interpretation is derived from the Book of Ecclesiastes chapter 11 verse 3, "In the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be." Hers is not an argument in favour of or against reincarnation. She speaks in what the Scriptures call "a new tongue" as with the Apostles on the day of Pentecost. She is speaking of deathlessness as she succinctly explains on Page 289 of the same Book, "The fact that the Christ, or Truth, overcame and still overcomes death proves the 'king of terrors' to be but a mortal belief, or error, which Truth destroys with the spiritual evidences of Life; and this shows that what appears to the senses to be death is but a mortal illusion, for to the real man and the real universe there is not death-process." She concludes that "God's universe (including man), is spiritual and immortal."

I have searched the Scriptures and have found that Mary Baker's argument coincides with the first description of man as "created by the Word of mouth proceeding from God" as recorded in the Book of Genesis chapter 1 verses 26 and 27. If God made man in His own image and after His likeness, and God is a Spirit, therefore, it follows that man is spiritual and deathless. God is not an anthropomorphic being. How then can we believe in the death of that which is deathless? For reincarnation to take place, according to the proponents of that ideology, man/woman must first die. This can not be a possibility since death, as we know it, does not exist.
We must learn to believe in Life which is eternal and the real, more than we believe in what is termed death, which is only a passage from one stage of mortal existence to another, not much different from a clown leaving the stage to reappear and mix up with the audience at the lobby, wearing a gentleman's atire and looking like any other person in the crowd. Unrecognised by the crowd, he still moves in their midst, carrying within his memory all the tricks that made him a focal point some few moments ago on stage, although unable to register the same impression as he moves along doing other activities of ordinary life.

Kudos to Kofi Annan

2008-02-28T10:13:00.000-08:00

At last, Kenyan “warlords” (excuse my vulgarity for once), Kibaki and Odinga have succumbed under the weight of the erstwhile UN-Secretary General, Koffi Anan. Following the latter's jettisoning of the pressure groups backing these two Kenyan political leaders, there has, today been reached a compromise agreement of fifty-fifty power sharing between the Mwai Kibaki ruling party and the Raila Odinga main opposition party. While congratulating these field players for their humility in coming to compromise, the questions that are on my mind are:
What will become of the varying ideologies and manifestos of the two parties?
How do they hope to integrate the coalition parties into their power sharing scheme?
What rehabilitation and reconstruction plans are possible to erase the scars of the ethnic resentment of last month?
How are they going to return properties that were sold under duress or outrightly confiscated from the Kikuyus to their rightful owners?
What about legal proceedings against those caught in the very act of hacking their fellow countrymen and women and children to death; and raping innocent women?
How do they hope to disarm those blood thirsty hoodlums who had already acquired deadly weapons in readiness to forment another trouble in case the talks broke down?
These are obviously issues that cannot be swept under carpet like withdrawing or abandoning electoral petitions already filed before the courts.
Restitution is a natural as well as spiritual law and can hardly be undermined, else it will seem like a keg of fermenting wine waiting to burst and spill over with time.

While we wait for answers or reactions to these teething questions, one cannot fail to commend all the known and unknown mediators that have brought the impasse to a consensus. Before anyone says a-men or so let it be, let us not forget that this is merely a case of two captains trying to steer one ship. Such a ship can hardly be brought to a steady cruise. It will swing unceasingly to the right at one time and to the left at another time. Do we have experienced seamen on board to swing along? Or are we going to watch another boat rocking drama. If I had a say in Kenyan politics, I would have counselled that the opposition exercise some patience while the incumbent carries on the affairs of state till a conclusive end of tenure. During this time, the opposition would have perfected their grassroots sensitization and mobilisation which would guarantee their undisputable victory at subsequent polls. Certainly a marriage of incompatibles is like a nightmare. The offspring of such a marriage is usually a stillbirth. Experienced midwives know this to be true. My heartfelt prayers pour out for Kenya. Insha Allah, I will be visiting very soon to hear those warming birds songs once again.

SPiRiTuAliZiNg THoUgHt: Whither Super Eagles Coach?

2008-02-18T09:19:00.000-08:00

SPiRiTuAliZiNg THoUgHt: Whither Super Eagles Coach?

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

2008-02-12T10:23:00.000-08:00

Three PUZZLING events occured today in the Kenyan Political arena. Sequel to the marathon tete-a-tete between the ex-UN Secretary General, Kofi Anan and the warring parties in Kenya, to wit, President Kibaki and Raila Odinga, the long-running battle appears to have come to what seems like a happy ending, with the UN-SG addressing the National Assembly. Other dramatic fallouts from the nearly half-a-month meeting are:
1) President Kibaki orders that the homes of displaced people should be rebuilt and they be returned home. That is nearly 300,000 displaced people. He was launching the free secondary school education programme at a Nairobi school.

2) Kibaki’s opponent, Raila Odinga was in court opposing a petition filed by a voter challenging Kibaki’s election. At the same time, he challenged an election petition challenging his election as MP for Langata in Nairobi.

3) Third the speaker of the National Assembly, Kenneth Marende, hinted to the press that the mediation spearheaded by Koffi Annan is likely to recommend changes in certain laws and amendments to the constitution to accommodate ODM in the government.What makes these events look like a puzzle is the wonder for Kibaki to order the Internally Displaced Persons to be returned home and their homes reconstructed which means that he is confident that no-one will attack those "foreigners" again.Of course some 1190 suspects had been arrested in connection with the killings and other forms of violence. Some 200 of these have been charged with murder - a charge that could mean the Hangman’s noose or life in the slammer. One would ask if these arrest have served in driving sense into the heads of the hotheads who have been killing the Kikuyus with impunity over the years?Why is Odinga opposing the petition to have the Kibaki election nullified? After all his henchmen say that Kibaki’s win is in doubt. It is hard to say whether the court will entertain his objection. In the first instance, he has no locus standi in the matter- since it was filed by a voter. Analysts wonder why ODM is objecting to the petition since it would have achieved what the party does not want to do- ousting President Kibaki. The Kenyan Constitution provides that amendments especially one that could introduce the post of an Executive Prime Minister, are subject to a referendum. Chances are; Kenyans will reject such fundamental changes since they have not asked for it. Just how some of the resolutions from the Kofi-chaired meeting will be constitutionally applied is yet another puzzle that needs to be untangled. But one cannot but wish Kenyans KUDOS for the milestone achievement so far.

Whither Super Eagles Coach?

2008-02-07T06:19:00.000-08:00

I read from the "AfricanExaminer.com.blog" that the Nigerian Super Eagles' coach Mr. VOGTS would long have been thrown out of the country by the Nigerian Football Authority in the manner of jettisoning dirty water in the bath with the baby in it. What has kept him in what seems now like "a typical Nigerian detainee awaiting trial", is one tiny clause on the contract paper which provides that this scapegoat should be given at least 30 (thirty) days notice of intention to sack him. Poor fellow!
My appeal to all sports lovers is that we should not be in a hurry to draw conclusions, especially when it has to do with taking food away from someone else's table. Whenever a national football team shows a bad outing - that is, fails to deliver, it is always the coach that bears the brunt of blame. As far as I am concerned, football tournament is a collective performance of both the coach and his boys. If anybody has to be punished for what happened between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Black Stars of Ghana last week Sunday, it is all the parties concerned. Have we forgotten how all of them used to line up to receive a handshake from Nigerian Heads of State each time they have a good outing? And the package is usually heavy and juicy. The coach is never singled out for honours, neither had he ever been excluded. Finally, before we bring down the axe, let us ask whether it is the barber that has not mastered the skill of hair-cut or is it the blade razor that is blunt.
I am informed that the sack order is at the instance of "Nigerian sports lovers". By the way, what has been the reaction of these sports lovers toward the number 12 jersey on the Ghanaian side (the referee), who caused more harm to the Eagles than their antagonistic opponents? Is there any clause that forbids the NFA or those over-enthusiastic sports lovers from petitioning the CAF or the Referees Association or still the Ghanaian government or all the above parties for the brutality meted out to players on the Nigerian Eagles team during that ill-fated match? The referee’s discriminatory officiating and apparent oversight of the physical assaults on members of the Eagles team served to frustrate the Eagles during the first half of play despite their determined effort to vindicate themselves as superior to their opponents. The bullying tactics applied by those uncivilized Black star boys, (I thought that stars are divine and ought to shine bright instead of being black), coupled with the earlier threats by most of their fans was reason enough for any human who valued his life to exercise extra caution. Anybody who watched that match would wonder how a player could leave chasing after a ball that is about being taken from him, only to turn two steps backward to thrust three fingers into the eyes of his opponent. That was what a Ghanaian player did to Michel. And the referee who was right by their side failed to notice that brutal attach. I hear that more than one week after that incident, Michel is still nursing the wound. If Nigerians should leave the burning house and begin to chase after rodents, methinks, it is time to think whether a country is worth fighting for, let alone dying for.

Criminal Silence

2008-01-28T04:20:00.000-08:00

Deadly Silence
As we continue to receive reports of mayhem in the slum region of Kenya, one cannot help but ask who is silently motivating and arming those killers. Initially, they had to carry any bricks or pieces of logs they could find with which they dealt blows at their helpless victims until they were dead. Now they have started carrying machetes. Before long, they will start carrying more deadly weapons like rifles and explosives. And someone will argue that they are mere angry unemployed youths seeking to express their discontentment with the government "in a dramatic manner"; unleashing vegeance on a particular ethnic group. Is it not the same government that made two specific promises upon assumption of office in 2002, to wit, that it will try to jettison corruption at high places, and to improve on the economic relevance of the country? Both pledges, it had fulfilled. It beats me hollow to imagine that a man should go to pick up a deadly weapon like that, sit by the stone to sharpen it over a period of time and move from point A to point Z and fail to show any change of mind along the way; and goes ahead to hack down fellow human beings - big and small. Clearly this is a case of premeditated aggression. It is even more disheartening that the politicians whom one could hold responsible for encouraging these killings have preferred to keep silent; giving the impression that their hands are tied. The questions therefore arises as to how tight or tied their hands would be in terms of controlling the masses if they were given the mandate to rule. Who would want such a ruler? And the children that are being paraded as victims of Police high handedness. What responsible parent would allow his underaged child to join a gang of robbers being used by politicians to undermine the existence of their fellow citizens? Those parents do not have value for their children talk less of love and concern for their future. My deduction is that those children are being recruited without the consent of their parents, and are being used as human shield as well as a calculated ruse to intimidate the Pose and in turn give them a bad name before the international community. If the two elder statesmen from the depths of Ashanti town in Ghana could not resolve the political fiasco in Kenya, why would the international community fold their arms and watch innocent citizens perish? Let someone bell the cat.

Eye Witness Account

2008-01-22T07:12:00.000-08:00

A Kenyan-based colleague of mine who happens to belong to the same Network as I do, has kindly reacted to my blog with the following revealing facts which I have reproduced in unabridged form. Read on.
"I just did not know how to move until Vincent Nana came online. Let me first congratulate this guy for his honest and objective approach to to the crisis in Kenya. Others such as John and his friend in South Africa were dishonest because they demonstrated a clear misunderstanding of the issue at hand. Probably I should clarify this; unlike Mbeki who wanted to extend his term of office beyond the two terms allowed in the constitution, Kibaki's was bidding for his second and final term as allowed in the constitution. No Kenyan, I repeat no Kenyan would allow him a third tirm however good he is.The issue was not illegal extension of one's term in office, it was whether, Kibaki won his second term fairly. On this one, i belief the most competent commentators would be kenyans who had lived with the process longer than any one else. Therefore It is dishonest and arrogance on any foreigner, be he a journalist of a foreign observer, to pretend to know our politics better than us.As for Yellow Journalism, i totally agree with Vincent that this time around, Journalists went overboard. The process did not begin with the election and the violence that accompanied it. Kenyan journalists, supposedly the freest in the world, lost it when they sold their services to the highest bidder. The process of lying began way back in 2006 when some began to produce copy for a price. At that time, they were attacking Equity bank, one of the most innovative and fast growing indigenously owned bank. That failed, so was the attack on a company calle East African Cables, owned principally by KIbaki's associates.According to a document dated November 9th, 2007,ODM set a side some Kshs 29.3 million (US$500,000) to bribe Journalists. Apart from Cash Hand outs, some were promised plum jobs at State House once ODM takes over the Government. That is why, I am told, ODM copy was handled by Managing Editors in our news rooms. We even saw some Managing Editors take the microphones and go to report in Kisumu, ODM's stronghold. With this kind of booty, and I cannot say that foreign correspondents did noot partake of the largesse, the death of the hated Kikuyu does not matter. To some journalists and their Editors in Kenya, the death of a kikuyu is not an issue, the oinly people who dies are ODM supporters. Even criiminal activies such as looting and plunder of Kikuyu owned assets by ODM goons is ignored for highlighting it drives their ambitions away. Those who read my copy earlier send would know the mess that the media made of the election results. The Media in Kenya let kenyan down. It actually betrayed their country.Having been bribed blind, most turned a blind eye to ODM's rigging practices. Rigging began long before observers came to the scene. ODM was the major culprit in rigging its candidates for Parliamentary seats. In Most cases the Party gave certificates to losers in the polls. Among these were one James Orengo who lost in the preliminary and still got the Party's nod stand the Ugenya seat which he won. Chances are, he was also rigged in this seat since the victor in the preliminaries was also standing on another party's ticket.Evidence emerging suggests that the attack on Policemen was an intimidation scheme as most kept away from the Polling station in Luo nyanza.This is an election offense which could costs ODM the election. It is because of its own involvement in tinkering with election results that ODM brands a legal matter a political one. LIke Vincent I do not see the benefits of mediation since no mediator has power to overturn the election results in Kenya except the High court. ODM cannot go to Court for that is where its own skeletons will be brought out.Ethnic hatred became the only campaign weapon since ODM's attempt to introduce other issues such as grand Corruption hit a cul de sac. The economy was growing and money was being put in the hands of rural economy, the famers, Livestock Keepers, etc through improved prices of their produce.Incindentally acording to a document allegedly from ODM and which the party has not denied to date, among the donors to its kitty were the the Kingpins of such massive looting scandals as: Goldenberg ( Kamlesh Pattni donated kshs 13.5 million), the Kamani Family which were the Kingpins of the Anglo leasing Scandal donated kshs 12.5 million). Others were Gun dealer Anura Pereira (Kshs 107 million) Joshua Kulei who led president Moi's gang of Robbers Donated kshs 45 million. One wonders how the party would have fought corruption in Kenya, while the corrupt put it in power.Dick Morriss and associates, an American Consultant specialsing in Plotting civillian Coups, Ksh 21.5 million; Republican Party of ther US Kshs 154 million, Friends of Barak Obama,a US presidential aspirant on a democratic Party ticket, Ksh 66 million. Other donors were: Landrover of UK and its Kenyan Franchise holder, CMC group, Kshs 75 million.Now you can see why EU and other foreigners are screaming murder as they see their ambitions on kenya go to waste. The relationship between President Kibaki and the so called donors was frosty during his first term. It was frosty because Kenya which boasts of the largest budget in East and Central Africa, it now stands at US$10 billion of which Kenyans finance 93 percent that is 9.3 billion. This has made Kenya a litte independent to the discomfort of the so-called donors. In fact the country has in the past 5 years been giving donors conditions instead of the other way round.Landrover must have been expecting to recover its lost market of supplying the Kenyan Police and Armed Forces with Landrovers.Others such as Germany must have been eteing the same market which has now been taken over by the Japanese vehicle makers. The Noise is basically pegged on self interest amon the so called "internationational community" Their investment in ODM has gone to waste and to salvage something, they are better off calling a legal affair political so that they can find some room to comment. What it will achieve, I cannot see. May we could discuss this. Will mediation resolve a legal Dispute issue in Kenya? Remember in my earlier copy I indicated that both parties were involved in tinkering with election results. ODM was simply outsmarted in its own game."

Musyoka wa KyendoNairobi, Kenya.
PS: Musyoka is a gentleman journalist. I have every reason to believe what he has written because he had in the past, through his write-ups, proved to be a trustworthy writer with indefatigable resolve to state the truth even when it hurts his person.

Media Bias on Kenya

2008-01-19T02:25:00.000-08:00

Google Search

I have been mute on the Kenya saga because of the seeming 'yellow' journalism coverage of the issue by even highly respected media. Suppose at the end of the day, it is discovered that the incumbent did actually win, how can one remedy all the destruction of lives, character assassinations and wanton vandalisation of property that have been pepertruated by the so-called angered faction against fellow country-men?
Imagine the unguarded and provocative utterances of the opposition which have continued to infuriate rather than tame the hoodlums into killing their kinsmen in the style of Tutsi and their brothers of recent memory. The opposition has gone on air a million times to count the number of rioters who have been shot at by the Police. They have shown no remorse over the killing of scores of the Kikuyus and the destruction of their properties, looting, raping their women, maiming and traumatising innocent children by the opposition supporters. As far as I am concerned, this is the height of insensitivity at high places. The incumbent President has come on air only three times during all these turmoil, and has in no wise incited anybody into violence or revenge. What will the opposition gain by calling on the international communities to impose sanctions as if it had to do with strangling Kibaki as a person? If the unfortunate millions of Kenyans suffer or even die as a result of these stringent measures, who will the sadists rule when they come to the supposed distinguished or exalted seat? Politics is not a 'do or die affair' (apologies to ex-President Obasanjo of Nigeria). If one loses an opportunity to serve his people in one capacity at any given point in time, he could still show them love in so many other ways. In fact, his philanthropic gesture at a time like that will naturally endear him to their hearts, and would autamatically earn their votes next time around. Why must we be in such a hurry if the motive is not to serve self interest.

ROLE model DEMOCRACY

2008-01-07T05:22:00.001-08:00

If there is any one African country that deserves recognition more than others, it is Benin republic. Its democratic posture is worthy of emulation by any country that values the interest of its ctiizens.Benin had divested itself of Socialist apparatus by 1990 following a National Conference that gave it a Democratic dispensation which has continued to flourish day by day.The 2006 Presidential Election was the closest and hottest contest Benin ever witnessed. Yet is went without any disturbing incident,inspite of the fact that more than twenty-six aspirants from almost fifty political parties, associations and alliances were in the race। Surprisingly, a non-starter, running on ‘no party’ ticket emerged victorious। The 2007 Parliamentary elections was no less successful। There were more than two thousand (2000) candidates contesting for 83 seats.Since his assumption of office, the two-times doctorate degree holder in Economics, President Thomas Boni Yayi has proved that the peoples’ votes were not cast in vain. The country which had an economic index of 2.9% in 2005 was catapulted up to 5.3% by 2007 with a projection of hitting 7% plus by 2008.Some of the remarkable evidences of Dr. Boni Yayi’s good governance are his Micro-economic policy and free education package which have benefitted even the least petty traders, fishermen, farmers and craftsmen acorss the country. Needless to mention that members of the Fourth Estate of the realm have so far enjoyed relative cordial camaraderie, and the bliss is not likely to degenerate.The three major religious entities recognised by the government, to wit ; Christianity with an estimated 28% population, Muslim – 21%, Non-Religious – 6% and Voodou traditional religion with 35% ; all enjoy equal participation in national affairs. Ethnic rivalty and xenophobia which tended to portray the country in bad light have since been relegated to the back stage.High profile public officers including those from the Judiciary, the Police and the Military, who have in one way or another been indicted for crimes or abuse of office have been brought to justice like any other citizen. These stringent measures have resulted in the recovery of huge sums of financial loot and confiscation of assets by the government. The government’s Decentralisation policy has brought developmental infrastructure to the grassroots and is spreading up at a speedy rate. Finally, the combined efforts of the Media cannot fail of being commended. But for these selfless services, avian flu which is very much lurking around our backyard would have had a toll on the populace. Information, indeed is power.

THREE MAGIC WORDS THAT SAVED A LIFE

2008-01-05T00:35:00.000-08:00

Arriving late at the Aflao border from Ghana to Benin republic, Mr. Koffi stopped to pass the night as it was not possible to continue the night journey following the official shut down of the frontiers after 9.00p.m. The scene at the border could be likened to a pilgrim camping or some refugee camp with people littered all over the place. The Bar-man in the one and only lodging at the border, seeing the desperate need for rooms, offered his room to Koffi and a girl he had been discussing with which offer they promptly jumped to in anticipation of snatching some wink if only for a few minutes.
Nancy quickly arched herself onto the one-passenger bed, leaving Koffi with the option of squeezing in with no space between them. The situation was desperate, and such compromising closeness did not matter any more. At first, they slept like two innocent boarding house room-mates. But the sensations of opposite sex metabolism soon beclouded their sense of reasoning as they both, like consenting adults, locked themselves in warm embrace with lips gummed together in what looked like an inseparable eternity. Koffi’s heart pounded heavily that it did not need a doctor’s stethoscope to hear it. Amidst groaning and whining, the lady managed to utter the words, “I AM POSITIVE”. Koffi’s spontaneous reaction to those words was like thunderbolt. He instantly jolted out of bed, slumping to the floor in his flight and temporarily paralyzed by that shocking disclosure from Nancy who was indeed HIV Positive.
After the devastating shock of Nancy’s confession had subsided, Koffi who is a secondary school teacher made a resolve to launch HIV/AIDS campaign at schools around the country. It became obvious to Koffi that in spite of all the human efforts aimed at arresting the spread of the one epidemic that has defied all known medical and unorthodox therapy, HIV/AIDS continues to sound to many people as some sort of alien from outer space. Most people especially in the rural areas of African environments are never able to differentiate between HIV/AIDS and other common sexually-transmitted diseases such as Syphilis or Gonorrhoea; and so attempt to treat them with the same approach. Among the academic class in the cities, the level of awareness is not appreciably higher than the urban scenario.
During the workshop which lasted over one month, the unexpected turnout forced the organizers to reduce the participation age and other criteria in order to accommodate the overwhelming demand. Parents were no less enthusiastic in encouraging their wards to get really involved.
According to the Co-ordinator of the program some of the topics discussed include Handling Teens, Sexually Transmitted Infection, HIV/AIDS, Teens pregnancy and Abortion, Teens and Sexuality, among others.
An estimated 22.4 million adults and children were living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa at the end of 2008. During that year, an estimated 1.4 million Africans died from AIDS. Around 14.1 million children have lost one or both parents to the epidemic. The following data shows HIV/AIDS prevalence in Benin Republic as at the period 2008:

People living with AIDS = 190,000; Percentage of Adults aged between 15 – 49 = 1.2%; Women = 37,000; Children = 5,400;
AIDS Deaths = 3,300; Orphans due to HIV/AIDS = 29,000. Source: GRADES-AFRICA® http://vinfish.blogspot.com

According to some of the participants, the workshop has opened their eyes to so many health and sex-related information that are not ordinarily taught in the school curriculum. They expressed the need to have more of such extra-curricular activities for the benefit of the teeming number of endangered youths both in schools and around the communities.

BIRD FLU MARS CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

2007-12-22T02:12:00.000-08:00

The Minister of Health has confirmed the long-feared presence of Birds Flu in Benin Republic. This pronouncement is sequel to an analysis result received from a Canadian-based Laboratory.
Following this report, inhabitants of Benin have been thrown into panic over what to eat during the Christmas and New Year festivities since most families had already penned down chicken as part of delicacy to garnish their tables during the Yuletide celebrations.
The Vice President of International Red Cross, Cotonou Chapter confirmed to me this morning, that his team have been placed on RED ALERT following this announcement. He confirmed that their members have been adequately trained to handle any cases of outbreak.
Meanwhile, Health officials have been coping with mass burial of affected birds so far detected.
Most families have resolved to make it a fishyish celebration rather than risk the chicken disease that has dified the medical profession.
Here is wishing all my fans and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Naked Dancers

2007-12-07T07:37:00.000-08:00

NAKED DANCERS

I had boasted to my friends about my royal background in order to acquire for myself some measure of respectability on campus. To buttress my claim to royalty, I would show them a photo album of my parents’ marriage anniversary, which supposedly attracted very huge crowd. Almost every member of the community was at that party. That was during the boring war years in Biafra.
People had grown weary of having to spend most of their time hiding from air bombardments. Some couple had taken advantage of this forced isolation of an entire community, and been trying to overcome the effects of malnutrition that was so widespread among the populace. They had resorted to having chicken served at almost every of their meals. Not that they had a poultry farm of their own, neither could they afford to buy even a single chicken; yet they shared a whole chicken between them every day.
People in the neighbourhood had been unable to untangle the wrangle of endless disappearance of one-chick-a-day from families. More mystifying was the fact that almost every one in the community, except this couple, looked half-well-fed or half-malnourished on account of the global hunger imposed by the war.
Cat was let out of the bag one moonlit night. A man who had eaten half-cooked cassava for lunch had developed a runny stomach that kept him awake all night. The food poisoning had ballooned up his stomach to the size of a triplet pregnancy. His wife whose fault it was to have fed him with half-cooked cassava had offered to play the midnight midwife in order to save herself from the wrath of the villagers should anything worse happen to her husband. She had posited that she could not collect enough firewood to have the food properly cooked, owing to prevalent desertification.
As she was escorting her husband to one of the bout of visitations to the public latrine some metres away from the living enclave, they had accosted another couple in the cold lonely night. At first they thought it was another victim of runny stomach that had gone to answer the call of nature. They halted to exchange commiserations. The pregnant man was impatient to halt for such distractions that would impede the urgency that lay behind his heels. He had to incline his feeble frame on his wife’s shoulder. This other nocturnal couple tried to copy their example, but could not immediately decide who was to lean on the other’s shoulder.
In the faintly lighted night, it could be detected that this other woman had a larger stomach size than she used to be. She was neither pregnant nor had eaten raw cassava during the course of the day.
The cause of her artificial pregnancy came to the open when the object behind her wrapper tried to struggle for breath? It had let out some embarrassing shriek of a cry as the woman tried unsuccessfully to snuff out its life. The hidden object turned out to be a cock they had just stolen from another unsuspecting family in the neighbourhood
“What!” queried the sick man. This was quickly followed by a high-pitched alarm raised by his one-night midwife. “E-wo-o,” A-lu-o,” echoed the couple in unison as they ran back to the village centre, leaving a trail of watery human faeces apparently dropping from the bewildered sick man. Such embarrassing display did not matter anymore in the face of the overbearing discovery. This alarm startled people from their sleep. Men emerged from their huts armed with machetes; not very sure what was the matter. Women came out, clutching their children protectively as if that was the only object they cherished. Vigilante groups quickly mounted post at the various entrances to the village to hold back any intrusion. With this type of barricade, the thieves knew that it would be fatal to attempt to escape. They simply had to present themselves at the court of the traditional Prime Minister. Bad news spreads fast. Rumour spreads even faster. Soon it was peddled even across to the neighbouring villages that a couple had been caught with a pack of chickens. Some other versions claimed that it was a goat. Some later related how they thought that enemy soldiers had invaded the village.
People could not wait for the break of day before thronging to the residence of the Prime Minister to catch a glimpse of the thieving couple;
As tradition demanded, the thieves would dance naked round the village starting from the Prime Minister'’ court-yard and terminating at the village square from where a verdict of banishment would be pronounced on them. It was in the hall adjoining the village square that my parents’ marriage anniversary was being held.
The youths angered by the fact of having to mount unnecessary guard at the boundaries at unholy hours of the night, had opted to lead the carnival. They had also adorned the couple in all manner of fetish-like objects, with the stolen chicken dangling just above the lady’s groin. The lady seemed to feel comfortable on her newly acquired outfit, which allowed her some forward inclination so that the dangling chicken would cover her confusion most of the time.
By virtue of the restrictions imposed by the war, it was not often that people were treated to some fun like this. Some ban had been placed on various traditional ceremonies such as the annual New Yam festival, which usually attracted a gathering of all sons and daughters of the land from home and abroad. But this incident bordered on morality, which the people held in religious esteem. Besides, it is not often that one sees a naked adult in full view. So, both curiosity and the call for justice and respect of moral values had prompted the large crowd from within and abroad that accompanied the train.
The duo danced frenzily to the drumbeat rendered by the angry youths who had just been deprived of a good night’s sleep. As for the youths, this dance was more of a vendetta than the usual carnival we all had missed for so long.
It was generally acknowledged that the woman had danced more hysterically judging by the flexibility of her bulky stature, and the way she resonated rhythmically to the deafening rattlers, cymbals and every manner of noise-producing object that constituted the orchestra. It did not really matter whether a culprit danced well or not. Afteral, this was supposed to be a parting token, indeed the last dance that would in no way turn the course of events around. Getting rid of a criminal was like avoiding an epidemic. There was no going back.
The camera-man that covered my parents’ marriage anniversary had inadvertently captured most part of this intruding carnival, which portrayed the mammoth crowd as being part of the marriage anniversary thereby infusing some air of importance to it.
It was this feeling of greatness that I had sought to impress on my college mates at the campus. And it almost worked, except that I was in a dilemma with having to explain the presence of those naked couple garbed in tatters and some dead chicken.
Could I have said that they were mad guests that had wandered into the crowd uninvited, or that it was part of side attractions that attended the culture of my people?

REWARD

2007-08-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

REWARD - by Vincent NNANNA

For a reward to be truly rewarding, it has to be manifold in its manifestations. It has to impact lives apart from that of the beneficiary alone. Its end result ought to be to magnify or bear testimony to the grace and glory of God. This multifarious expression of a single act of gratitude coincides with the picture as conveyed in the first Epistle of Peter, chapter 4, verse 10, which says: "As every man received the gift even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." I have highlighted four key phrases which clearly define what should be our attitude in the giving and receiving process.

Webster dictionary defines manifold as a whole that consists of many diverse elements. That is to say, a reward, like the single word it is, consists of one whole attitude that contains diverse elements. Bearing that in mind, it is important to look beyond what we would receive as reward and try to discern its component parts.

Not long ago, a surgeon friend of mine says that what gratifies him most is not the fees paid by his patients. In the save vein, he has never felt any regret by the inability of some of his clients to pay their medical bills. In each case he does maintain an equilibrate state of mind. His attitude lies in the understanding that he is only a tool in God's hand, that the manifold blessings he receives do not always come from payment of medical bills. He went further to say that the fact that most of his patients do open their mouth to outpour their feelings of gratitude to God, is always a great reward that money cannot buy. He is always elated by such simple expression like: "The Lord has done it;" "I thank God for your life, doctor;" or still, "I don't know how to thank you for what you have done to my life." To him, the honest acknowledgment of wellness humbles him beyond expression and constantly reminds him of the faithfulness of God who says: "I am the Lord that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26b). I am persuaded by this gentleman's attitude to believe that giving does not impoverish us, neither does withholding make us richer.

In trying to comprehend the import of reward, it might be rewarding to take a cursory look at its opposite, denial. Denial has to do with withholding something that one had looked forward to receiving knowing well that he had laboured enough to deserve it in return. I do not know of any normal human being who would pretend to be cheerful in the face of apparent denial. It is natural to express anger and disappointment. These feelings only serve as escape valve for some emotional combustion that denial could build in us; they do not make amends for the denial. Often times, the reaction would vary according to the magnitude of the object or the degree of attachment, nay the premium on the reward. It is usually difficult, if not impossible to look the other party in the face and say: God bless you! Neither do men walk up to the pulpit to testify before the body of Christ as to how kindly they have been treated by someone who denied them of a reward. Like its opposite, denial also could give rise to various emotional, mental or physical, but nonetheless unpalatable reactions. It is an ill wind that blows no one good - both the perpetrator or the offended person. Rather than cement or solidify the bridge of friendship between persons, denial creates a gulf that separates even the best of friends or blood relations. It therefore, beats me hollow to understand why some outwardly serious-looking Christians would fall prey to the temptation to deliberately prefer to deny others their legitimate rewards. In so doing, they inadvertently deny God of the opportunity to receive the glory due to His holy name. When God blessed man and gave him power to subdue, as contained in the Book of Genesis, chapter one, verse 28, does that mandate include the authority to subdue and dominate or deny our fellow human beings? Maybe, we need to seek a better interpretation and understanding of our bounds and limits with regard to that command.

Without risking overflogging the issue, it might be of immense help to appreciate some of the adverse consequences that might result from denial. It can and does give rise to a feeling of discontentment; a feeling of an unexpected vacuum begging to be filled. It leads to loss of confidence. A measure of trust that took many years to cultivate, could crumble in a twinkle of an eye. Disillusionment would make someone who had held another in high esteem to begin to doubt his integrity or moral rectitude. It could make one to wonder just how much of a hypocrite a professing Christian could be.

History is replete with violent reactions resulting from denial of one sort of another. Strong empires have fallen with huge loss of lives. Micro family units and business relationships have been torn apart. The list is inexhaustive and so are the consequences. In most cases the effects have been disproportionate to the original cause.

My system always runs riot and I tremble much at the prospect of struggling daily to live up to the spirit of the Golden Rule in a positive way. I however, obtain my consolation from the Messiah's admonition immediately following the Beatitudes; Luke 6:38: "Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." From the foregoing, it is clear that the reward phenomenon is preemptive. That is to say, we must first engage ourselves in some noble deed before expecting to be rewarded. This sounds like another injunction of Jesus regarding where we should store our treasures. Alas, how much we resist being meted with the same measure we have doled out to others, let alone having it shaken, pressed down and overflowing. One would have taken pitched tent on the loophole if this text had only stopped at "measuring unto you." But it categorically states that "shall men give into your bosom." This, to me, implies that what we will receive as reward will have great impact in our innermost part, the heart which is the vital organ of every human being. It goes beyond scratching on the surface. How often do we hear some aggrieved person remark that the wrong someone did had touched their heart? Were it possible that men could borrow even one phrase from the Epistle of Peter earlier referred to, such as "ministering as good stewards" in our relationship with other, there would be a world of men with manifold blessings pressed down and running over. A world where there would be no room for lack or want. Who says we cannot have absolute satisfaction in life? This is attainable because it had been our original state from creation. It is only by implicit obedience to the Scriptures can a sure return to the promised land be made possible.

Let us give impersonally and impartially. Let us act as good stewards of Him who is faithful. The Scripture says that our left hand should not know what our right hand is doing. My understanding of this passage is that we should not behave like the Pharisees who stand by the road side to sing their own praises. We ought to give without expecting anything in return, especially from our benefactors. According to one celebrated American author and religious leader, "The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father, and blessed is the man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good." (Science & Health with key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy). This appears to sum up the attitude of my surgeon friend, and is supposed to be the attitude of every man made in the image and likeness of God.

Human Right Violations in your neighbourhood

2007-08-03T08:32:00.000-07:00

If we look back to what were considered traditional values, and the violations they imposed on certain individuals, it would not seem inappropriate to call for truth and reconciliation panels to seek redress for the victims. Obviously, some of those practices were instituted on misconceived or selfish premises. It has since become common knowledge that some of the so-called oracles that had to be consulted for pronouncement of certain impositions were themselves mere conspiracies of charlatans and criminal-minded rulers. Most of the laws were designed to keep enemies and/or suspected competitors at bay. Was it not ignorance, suspicion and fear of the unknown that prompted the oracle in Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" to decree the cold blooded murder of the white missionary and to bind his 'iron horse' to the tree lest it ran away to tell?
My mother was 12 when she had to be betrothed to a 40-year-old king from a neighbouring clan, just because she was a princess and the two kings wanted to consolidate their political treaty, using the innocent girl as a token. The cruelty she had to suffer from both sides was better imagined. On the one community, it was forbidden to accept back a female child once she had been married out. On the other, it was a taboo to keep a woman that delivered of twins. My mother was trapped between the two barbaric traditional practices, for no sooner had she settled into premature motherhood than she delivered of a set of twins. Because she was the King's wife, they did not have to carry out the prescribed custom to the letter. Otherwise, both mother and the twins would have been killed immediately. The oracle had to be consulted. The charlatan who had been eating my mother's food by virtue of his being the King's personal physician and fortune-teller had the audacity to pronounce that the twins must be killed. My mother, who had endeared herself to the King's heart, proved very stubbord for once. She had insisted on keeping her twins or die with them, knowing very well that her husband would not want to loose her either. While the controversy lasted, another consultation had to be made to see if there was a way of pacifying the gods. Unfortunately, precedents had already been set with previous elimination of many sets of twins and their mothers; and the law is no respecter of persons. This particular case proved very knotty because there was another custom that forbade any son of the land from shedding blood of any member of the royal household. Any violation of this law attracted death by sacrificing the culprit to the shrine. This impasse re-echoed the question of "who will bell the cat?" After protracted consultations amidst murmuring by impatient members of the community, the oracle reluctantly came up with a verdict of banishment of mother and the twins into the evil forest. This was a piece of land that had not been explored or exploited since time immemorial. It was there that unwanted property of dead people had to be deposited in case they would need them. People who had had to pass through that forest at noon or by night claim to have heard sound of clattering of utensils or pounding of mortar, which reinforced the notion that dead people actually carried on their activities there. Paws of wild animals like hyenas and wolves had been identified by hunters along the foot track. Only very powerful native doctors did venture into the inner parts of the forest in search of rare herbs and barks of medicinal trees. They, too, had testified to the existence of ghosts in the forest. Some even talked about a pond of fresh water which could pass for a lake. Water drawn from that lake was believed to cure stubborn diseases. But drawing from that source was not easy because all those wild animals and pythons did go there occasionally to bathe and drink from. It was into this evil forest that a teenage mother and her twins had to be banished, wearing only a piece of wrapper and nothing else.
The fact that she survived four days and nights in that jungle cast a shadow of doubt over the authenticity of the stories surrounding its evilness. She had found shelter within the cavity of a tree trunk. Her food consisted of palm-nuts, wild manioc tubers and fresh familiar leaves. She recalls that at one time during her incarceration, a pregnant antelope had ventured onto her abode and layed by her side as if to comfort her and her twins. She had felt really comforted because that was the only time she could manage to take a nap during which the neighbourly antelope had wandered away. By her third day in the forest, she had woken up to find the uncovered twins stone dead as a result of exposure to cold and insect bites. She had dug a shallow grave as far as her strength and bare hands could go and buried them. Tears and sweat from that task and the sorrow it entailed had soaked her cloth so much that she could squeeze out enough to douche up herself later. By this time, she had decided that she had no reason to remain in that god-forsaken solitude any more. Going back to her parents was out of the question because of that obnoxious custom that forbade the return of a daughter once married out. She had to risk wandering along the path to see where fate would lead her. It was at that juncture that she encountered one young man who was returning late from farm. The sorry sight of an unkempt lady who wore the distinguishing royal bead on her neck and wrist aroused the young man's curiosity. This farmer was not in the habit of passing through that road, but on that particular night, he had to because in spite of the mystery surrounding it, it was closer home, and he needed to get home fast. As they entered into conversation, it had become clear to him that she was not yet another ghost that had assumed human form to entice an unfortunate and unsuspecting victim. Her story evoked so much compassion that the young man could not resist the urge to offer her shelter even for some temporary period of time. It had been decided between them that she concealed of her regal paraphernalia in order not to attract attention and to save the young man's head. Days ran into weeks, and weeks into months, until I was born. Today, my modest bungalow is standing on the very spot where the tree that housed my mother and her twins had been. There are a dozen of other houses within the one-time evil forest. The rest are very fertile farms. One would wonder where those ghosts had moved on to. Or was it only a myth?
Now that some of those belief systems and practices are on the verge of being dismantled - thanks to religion and civilisation, what manner of restitution can adequately compensate for the wrongs they had inflicted? I do not expect an answer except to open our eyes to the fact that more heinous practices than my mother's unfortunate ordeal still abound all around us in the likeness of child slavery, forced marriages, dedication to deities, debt bondage, sex rituals purported to cure epidemics, perpetual female confinements, female genital mutilations, and a number of human right abuses; all in the name of upholding traditional values. In all these scenarios, women are the most vulnerable. I am therefore, inclined to quote a nineteenth century American writer and human rights activist, Mary Baker Eddy: "In olden times it was the Amazons who conquered the invincibles, and we must join hands with their daughters to overcome our allied enemies of evil and to save us from ourselves." (Pulpit & Press, 1925) Italics mine.

Periscoping Benin (3): Legislative Elections

2007-04-06T03:34:00.000-07:00

The 5th in the series of legislative elections since Benin adopted a Democratic-based Constitution in 1990 was held last Saturday. The results, as demanded by the Constitution, were supposed to be announced within 48 hours after the voting exercise. But the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA) needed some extension of time to enable her tidy up some knotty issues.
With the results now officially announced, four parties have emerged tops with the Force Cauris Pour un Benin Emergent (FCBE) of President Boni Yayi leading with 33 or 633.241 votes out of the total 83 seats. Others are Alliance pour une Dynamique Democratique (ADD) with 21 seats or 476.338 votes; Parti du Renouveau Democratique (PRD) 10 seats or 276.348 votes; and Union Pour la Releve (UPR) with 03 seats or 127.834 votes.
A total of 3.891.536 voters were registered for the election, out of which only 2.812.048 was accredited representing 93.53% of total votes cast.
The voting pattern is truly a test of the support the regime of President Boni Yayi is receiving from the populace. It will be recalled that he had emerged into the political arena as an independent. Soon after it became clear that he was the most popular choice, some group of political parties then known as the ‘Wolougede Alliance’, formed a coalition to support him. This is the Alliance that has metamorphosed into FCBE. The ADD party is made up of Antoin Kolawole Idji the outgoing President of the National Assembly in alliance with former President Nicephore Soglo and Bruno Amousou, who both, contested the presidential elections of last year. The PRD belongs to Adrien Houngbedji who was one time National Assembly president, who also was unsuccessful during the last year’s presidential elections. The URP is a popular party embraced by people of the North. It belongs to Issa Salifou, a frontline businessman with substantial investment in the Media. He is said to have opted to lend his votes to the support of President Boni Yayi, who by the way, is from the north as well. This does not give the FCBE party a comfortable majority in the House, but it is enough to cushion the ground for a smooth lobbying and to instil in the President some sense of the need to be cautious in his conduct of the affairs of governance.

CELEBRATING THE ABOLISION OF SLAVERY

2007-03-26T03:43:00.000-07:00

If there be anyone to whom much credit should be given regarding her role in abolishing slavery, it is the American author and religious leader, Mary Baker Eddy, whose name is boldly written on the American Women’s Hall of Fame. She was married to the famous Colonel Glover of Charleston, South Carolina, who was considered wealthy, but much of his property was in slaves. Upon being deceased in 1844, Mrs Glover Eddy (as she was then known), refused to inherit her husband’s wealth of slaves. As she later wrote in a letter to The Mother Church in 1902, page 15, “I could never believe that a human being was my property.” She had taken this stand in spite of the abject poverty and political persecution she was facing at that time, coupled with her publisher’s refusal to pay her royalty on her first published work, Science & Health with key to the Scriptures. As she later wrote in that book, “Legally to abolish unpaid servitude in the United States was hard, but the abolision of mental slavery is a more difficult task. Men and women of all climes and races are still in bondage to material sense, ignorant how to obtain their freedom. The rights of men were vindicated in a single section and on the lowest plane of human life, when African slavery was abolished on our land. That was only prophetic of further steps towards the banishment of a world-wide slavery, found on higher planes of existence and under more subtle and depraving forms. Slavery is not the legitimate state of man. God made man free.” Paul said, “I was free born.” “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Love and Truth make man free, but evil and error lead into captivity.” (ibid. 225). As the world celebrates the abolision of slavery, it will only be fair and just to remember the pioneers such as Mary Baker Eddy, who vehemently resisted the urge to sacrifice her woes on the altar of human slavery.

Periscoping Benin (2)

2007-03-22T00:24:00.000-07:00

With a couple of days before the 5th legislative elections in Benin is held, candidates have resorted to grassroots close-door strategy. The fanfare and motorized carnival that characterised the first week of the campaigns have completely disappeared. Though president Boni Yayi came onboard as an independent, some group of political parties have formed a coalition to carry his banner of 'change' which has since become a household slogan in the country.
This campaign of proximity has seen every available hotel and restaurant within the city fully booked. The most catchment targets are the youths, market women and housewives. This has to be the case because business activities seem to have grinded to a halt owing mainly to diversion of attention to politicking to the detriment of business preoccupations. This situation is compounded by the incessant power outages which ironically appears to many to be the only visible evidence of the regime of 'change'.
With the election of a new National Electoral Commission Chairman in the person of Eugene Capa CHICHI , there is renewed hope of conducting the election of the 83 Deputies as scheduled, because he has pledged to ensure that the voters' lists which had been confiscated by some Commission representatives will promptly be retrieved to facilitate planning.
One factor which is most likely to fool the candidates concerning the huge turnout at their campaign meetings is that success at the polls cannot be measured by these numbers because most of them come not to listen to manifestos but for the stipend and snacks that are distributed during such gatherings.
Preponderant majority of the contestants come from the old brigade of politicians who had contested during the 2006 presidential elections and failed, but have found it not derogatory to condescend to vying for a seat within the 83-member Parliament. The desperation to stay within the corridors of power is apparent among this group judging from the amount of resources they seem to pull together against the meagre input of the greener candidates. Needless to say, generally the campaign has been peaceful and orderly, typical of Benin culture of modesty and decency.

Periscoping Benin republic

2007-03-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

Benin republic (république du Bénin), originally known as DAHOMEY, is a country of about six million inhabitants. It is lying between Togo/Ghana on one side and Nigeria on the other side – all in West Africa. Its chief export product is cotton. Its official language is french, having been a colony of France. After gaining her independence in August 1960, the country came under Marxist-socialist rule for a long uncomfortable period of time. By 1990, democracy was installed after a national constitutional conference. This transition was embraced with mixed feelings because it was the once-feared military dictator who succeeded himself after he had personally undergone some spiritual transformation to become a true Christian. In order to perpetuate himself in office beyond the constitutional mandate, this born-again Christian sought to amend the constitution which attempt was vigorously opposed by the Parliament. By March 2006, presidential elections was held. Former Economist and Regional Bank Director who had contested as an independent candidate emerged victorious. A few months before the end of tenure of the Parliament, clandestine overtures were initiated to elongate their life by one year. This effort was quashed by the Executive. On the 15th day of March 2007, some unidentified gunmen shot at the presidential convoy as he was returning from a campaign rally for Legislative election at which he had given support to some loyal contestants sympathetic to his administrative. By 20th March, some six suspects had been taken into custody by the Police in connection with the attack on the presidential entourage. This same day, the president of the republic held crucial meeting with members of the Autonomous Electoral Commission at the end of which the Chairperson was sacked for administrative irregularities. Legislative elections are to be held on Sunday March 25. Meanwhile, some Electoral Commission agents have confiscated some voters’ list from some constituencies alleging that some allowances are being owed them.

Metaphysical Healing

2006-12-26T23:14:00.000-08:00

More than twelve (12) months ago, I had noted some revelation on the blank page of my personal study Bible. The message had come to me as clearly as one would hear his own voice. It says to me: “The seeds are scattered abroad, the harvester has to stoop down to gather them to see how many basketfuls will result.” I did not understand the import of the message at that time, because I could not relate it to anything in particular that had occupied my mind. But I managed to underscore the words ‘abroad’, ‘stoop down’, and ‘basketfuls’. Then on the eve of 2006 Christmas Day celebration, after listening to some news concerning one Spannish medical expert that was being dispatched to Cuba to carry out some surgical operation on President Fidel Castro, my mind proptly and vehemently opposed that arrangement as if it concerned me personally. Not that I had been an admirer of Mr. Castro, but the compassion at this moment was so overwhelming that I had to recall the message contained in that ‘voice’ of more than 12 months past. I immediately went on my knees and started praying for President Fidel Castro. I argued on the side of perfect health which he already enjoys. I denied seeing him as some ‘vegetable’ that has to be experimented upon to give him what he already has – Life abundant.
It did not surprise me when the next day December 26, the surgeon flew into Cuba from Spain and after examining the person of Fidel Castro, pronounced him very healthy, and added that he did not afteral need any further treatment as his health had improved appreciably. The news added that Fidel was already hoping to go back to work.
This is definitely victory for Christian Healing as opposed to materia medica. Let God take the glory.

SECURITY and Moped taxi-men responsibility

2006-12-20T06:02:00.000-08:00

Cue in: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to CAPP FM 99.6MhZ and onto the programme “BACK TO LIFE”. My name is Vincent NNANNA.

INTRO: Tonight, we want to talk about the ZEMIDJAN, that is the Moped riders, the motor-bike taxi. There is some disturbing insecurity in the country. Whose duty is it to provide security? The government on its own has security outfits in place to protect us. But what is happening of recent has shown that security can no longer be guaranteed. Today, there is a combined patrol of three arms of the security enforcement, yet if we do not play our own part......... Ladies and gentlemen, we have the telephone like 21-33-52-25. Or you can send text messages to my mobile - 9744 4619. You’re free to call and chat with us.

I have 3 discussants here in the studio who will be x-raying the situation vis-à-vis the responsibility of Zemidjans towards the security and themselves as well. It is them that know the type of people they carry, where they drop them off, and how the environment looks like.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have in the Studio Osondu who has come all the way from England. We have also Ef-em, and we also have Louis Amedokpo a french teacher in town. The question is: Do you agree or not, with my submission?

Ef-em: Uncle Vin, I agree that the Zemidjans have a role to play in the security of the people.

Osondu: Hundred per-cent okay.

Louis: Yes, I agree that they have important role to play.

Moderator: What role should the Zemidjans play in guaranteeing our security?

Louis: They can help some of the security people like the Police or the Army. Although they are not part of the Army, but they can help by informing them any time they suspect somebody, because they carry most of the people doing business around the city.

Osondu: Like we know, that coin has two faces. Even so is this issue of the Zemidjans. There are some of them who actually themselves are the criminals we are talking of.

Moderator: No. We cannot say so, until we catch them.

Osondu: Let me give some instances. Remember that we campaigned on this station sometime ago that some people are using motorbykes and wearing the Zemidjan’s uniform to rob people during the early hours of the day, until some of them were caught. One of the people I interviewed tells me that a Zemidjan that was carrying him on the day he was robbed had told him that the Zemidja-man coming behind them was a thief. So, they know the criminals among them. Let them identify them and report to the authorities.

Ef-em: Not all the men putting on that yellow shirt are Zemidjans. I remember sometime when I went to Lagos to buy some stereo sets. On arriving at Tokpa (international market), I dropped the set with the Zemidjan-man and said let me go inside and take something. Before I could come back he carried the set away. So the Zemidjans know the bad ones among themselves. If they want to assist the security situation they have to fish out all those ones who are not really Zemidjans. If they really want to secure us and secure their own life, they have to stop drinking alcohol.

Moderator: You’ve made a point that they are those of them instead of being the cat that chase away the rat, have become the rat. But I believe that there are some that can still be trusted. Do you think there is anything the government can do to give them a sense of belonging, a sense of responsibility?

Osondu: They have been organising seminars for the Zemidjans on the issue of HIV/AIDS. They should also sensitize them in terms of security. But the government themselves, like the Police are not innocent. One of my friends was searched and nothing incriminating was found on him, but the Police went ahead and collected something from him.

Moderator: So, extortions by some law enforcement agents are not helping matters. There will be some level of vendetta; that is: ‘If you do me bad, I will shirk my responsibilities and not help the society in being a safe place;’ Do we have any idea of the numbers to call?

Osondu: Just dial 19 or 18, or if it is the wrong number you will be properly redirected.

Moderator: I will like to inform our listeners that these lines are free. The important thing is to give accurate information so that they know the location and what to expect there. You can also report to us in the Radio station and we will take over from where you stop. We will trace the officer on duty and find out why no action is being taken on your information.

Moderator: Ladies and gentlemen, here is where we draw the curtain for today, remember to join us next week Sunday at the same time and on the same frequency. Bye-bye.

HIV/AIDS in Benin

2006-12-01T07:26:00.000-08:00

INTRODUCTION
Contrary to public opinion that HIV/AIDS is far from reaching the inhabitants of Benin republic, one single Health clinic has recorded more than three thousand new infections during the period January 1 to November 30, as can be seen from this radio interview I conducted this morning to mark the occasion of the World HIV/AIDS Day celebration. The interview was aired on CAPP FM Radio 99.60MHz Cotonou. Dr. Frank Alapini is the Medical Director of Arc-en-ciel HV/AIDS Hospital based in Cotonou – Benin republique.

Vincent/CAPP Fm: Dr. Alapini, how come your practice is in the field of HIV/AIDS?

Dr. Alapini: HIV/AIDS is a new disease and it needs special hanbdling. I have followed special courses on HIV/AIDS treatment.

Vincent/CAPP Fm: HIV/AIDS are acronyms. Could you give us their full meanings.

Dr. Alapini: When you hear AIDS, understand – Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome. When you hear HIV, understand – Human Immuno-deficiency Virus.

Vincent/CAPP Fm: So, when there is a deficiency in the human system to a certain degree, somebody becomes vulnerable to manifesting HIV/AIDS sickness?

Dr. Alapini: Somebody can have HIV without developing into AIDS. It depends on the body defence immunity level.

Vincent/CAPP Fm: Could you trace the origin of this epidemic, bearing in mind that it has been said that it originally was detected from the Ape or the Gorilla.

Dr. Alapini: HIV/AiDS has no scientifically traceable origin. All that story is mere gossip. But sexual relation is one means of its transmission. It is not a curse from God as some people seem to believe also. It is a result of the sexual behaviour of people.

Vincent/CAPP Fm: Could you describe the symptoms to our listeners, please.

Dr. Alapini: There are 3 categories of symptoms associated with this disease – the digestive system, the skin and the pulmonary system. The main symptoms of the apparatus of the body is continuous diarrhea lasting over a period of three weeks. Another symptom is protracted coughing or skin rashes of unusual nature.

Vincent/CAPP Fm: Some men do have discharges from their urinary tract in cases of ghonorhea infection. Does HIV/AIDS infection come with this symptom also?

Dr. Alapini: No. But a ghonorhea carrier can be vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection faster than a normal person.

Vincent/CAPP Fm: Where can people go for tests to discover their status?

Dr. Alapini: We do conduct free tests at the Arc-en-ciel medical centre; and it can be done in just 30 minutes.

Vincent/CAPP Fm: What is involved in the actual treatment (or management) of the infection?

Dr. Alapini: The treatment is the business of specialkists. It largely depends on the level of the CD-4 count. That is the soldier in the human system. If it is too low (that is 200 microbits) we can start treatment. But if is is more than 500 microbits, we cannot yet start treatment.

Vincent/CAPP Fm: It is sometimes said that a person can test negative at one time and test positive at some other time in future. How does that happen?

Dr. Alapini: What we detect during the test is your antibody. So, it takes time for the anti-body to come to the surface. That accounts for testing negative at one time and positive at a future time.

Vincent/CAPP Fm: What preventive measures would you recommend for non-infected people?

Dr. Alapini: According to me, as I am also a religious person, I pefer Abstinence and Faithfulness. I can only recommend condoms to those who are already infected so that they do not contaminate others.

Vincent/CAPP Fm: A friend of mine says he slept with a carrier. He quickly took a shower. He had a test a few weeks after and tested negative. Could that be right?

Dr. Alapini: Yes. It is not all sexual relationships that can result to HIV infection.

Phone Call: One caller asks whether there is anything like HIV/AIDS in Benin republic. His question arises from the flagrant manner with which the womenfolk yield to sexual advances in this country.

Dr. Alapini: Concerning the way girls use their thing in this country, I want to say that in one year, we have recorded 3,000 new cases of HIV infection. There are more than 1,000 victims on admission at the moment at our Health Centre alone. There are many more at the Teaching Hospital and a lot more at other clinics apart from those who just come for treatment and disappear for fear of being identified.

Vincent/CAPP Fm: Dr. Alapini, could you tell us the method of treatment and how effective it has been.

Dr. Alapini: At the moment, we administer Anti-Retroviro Therapy. It helps to aleviate the pains. Any person who is placed on this drug is to remain on it for life. There is no known cure as of now. But prevention is, and has always been the best remedy.

A call from United Kingdom :
Vincent: Hello, Osondu, We have a Doctor in the house today and we are talking about HIV/AIDS. Any contributions?

Osondu: Even here in the UK, there is a way of handling it. The anti-retroviro. But to me one thing I would recommend is total abstinence. I do not even encourage the use of condom.

Vincent: Dr. Alapini, I visited your hospital three years ago and there were 6 patients. But when I called on you last week, the number has heightened astronomically. I thought it had been turned into a general hospital.

Dr. Alapini: Okay, let me tell you that in one year, since January till this month I have 300 new cases. If somebody does not believe that HIV exists, a short visit at Arc-en-ciel will show you that it does.

Vincent:About incubation period, how long does it take before somebody who contracts HIV begins to manifest the disease?

Dr. Alapini: Maximum incubation period is 6 months. Let me make myself clear: incubation period is the time you have the anti-body. To have the disease depends on individual immunity system. So, somebody can develop the disease in two years. It can take some up to10 years.

Phone Call: Is that the doctor? Somebody was talking to me that HIV can be contacted through kissing. Is that true?

Dr. Alapini: No. My answer is ‘No’. Your saliva does not contain the serum that contains HI-virus.

Ef-em: Some people argue that one can get HIV through mosquitoe bite.

Dr. Alapini: No. If it is possible, all of the humankind would have gotten HIV. When mosquitoes bite somebody, it keeps the blood it takes from you inside its stomach. When mosquitoes bite you it injects you its saliva. My word of advise is “Abstinence before marriage. Faithfulness after marriage. That is my word.

Vincent: Thank you Dr. Alapini, thank you everyone. Here is where we draw the curtain for tonight. Meet you again next week Sunday. Good nite.

Vincent/CAPP Fm: That is the much we can take for now, Dr. Alapini. Thank you for accepting to be my guest on CAPP FM Radio 99.6

Dr. Alapini: Thank you for hosting me, Vincent. Bye listeners.

WHERE ARE THE GHOSTS?

2006-11-18T10:02:00.000-08:00

Are Ghosts and Ghost Tales Real?
My childhood was spent in an environment where superstition and fetish practices were the norm rather than the exception. Adults used to gather the children on a moonlit night and tell tales of frightening monsters and dinosaurs that lived in the neighbourhood in times not far gone.
The fact that these stories were told by elders of the family in whom the younger ones placed so much confidence, trust and respect, made it easier to regard fables and fictions as facts. Thus, children treaded very cautiously, believing that such monstrous creatures still lurked around. These situations only helped in producing crooked boys and timid girls.
Sometimes children became so obsessed with imagining phantoms to a point of convulsing as if they had been grabbed or seized by some real monster. In most of these instances a fetish doctor would be invited to try to exorcise the supposed evil spirit.
Now, when I look back to that experience and put it side by side my experience in Christian Science, I wonder just how many people are still grappling in ignorance about such phantoms. It’s deplorable that superstitious beliefs continue to be peddled over generations only to become hard-held landmarks in the peoples’ culture. Parents should feed their offspring with truth and peace, rather than with the false belief in ghostly beings. Children should not have to wait, like me, for some opportunity to unfold later in their lives before they are told the truth. It only takes each one of us to put forth the effort to enlighten and to share the truth with the less informed in our society.
It has become clear to me that it is the mortal mind which conjures up impressions and creates images of non-existent ‘evil spirits’ that would seize an unsuspecting lad and throw him into a fit. God created man and "gave him dominion over every other creature." (Genesis 1:28). How then could a lesser being be capable of frightening or causing harm to man? If God is every where and fills all space, and “in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28), where else could the evil being come from and what space is there for it to occupy?
Growing up with a belief in things that are not real sometimes shapes one’s life and character. It is important to replace superstitious beliefs with the truth that God and man, the infinite Principle and His idea alone constitute the only Truth about life and existence. It’s also important to understand that "the supposition that corporeal beings are spirits or that there are good or evil spirits, is a mistake." (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, page 70:9-11). Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, also cautioned that, "children should be told not to believe in ghosts because there are no such things." (ibid. 352:26).
Let us therefore replace our primitive belief and suchlike practices with the great fact that God is the sole Cause, the Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent. Beside Him there is no other power.

WHEN GOD SPEAKS

2006-11-16T23:18:00.000-08:00

HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD:
Suspicion and apprehension: these are the words that rightly described my attitude when people would claim of ‘hearing the voice of God.’
Very often I would hear people (especially religious preachers) make claims of having been spoken to by God. My apprehensive reaction stemmed from my childhood understanding that the Biblical accounts of verbal encounters with the Almighty only involved people like Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Abraham, et cetera.
Moses was to lead the Hebrews/Israelites out of captivity. God needed to use him especially for that purpose and had to manifest himself to him in an extraordinary manner. Elijah was a radical priest who demonstrated the omnipotent power of God in very unique and distinguishing circumstances. Abraham was an icon of faith. For him to have waited over a hundred years before bearing a child so much outweighs the promise of ‘a piece of land. Their faith and deeds surely afforded them the singular privilege of communicating with the Almighty on a one-to-one basis.
When one compares these patriarchs of old with today’s Christians, the personality gap seems very disproportionate to imagine that God would choose to interact with any of us in the same manner. However, God spoke to me not long ago and though there was this childhood feeling of inadequacy in me; the unfolding events in my life opened my heart to understand differently and to know that the human measurement of personality which looks at physical appearances or status, has nothing to do with God’s assessment of people.
I have never considered myself fit to be God’s oracle, at least, by human standards, but then I elected to enlist as a full-time public practitioner of Christian Science healing which involved having to abandon my paid employment as a military officer and as an international journalist. And although I must confess that I have a track record of job turnover, I have never enjoyed the job security and satisfaction that I do with being a Christian Science Practitioner. There were young ones to tend through primary education and an elderly mother whose only son is me. There were house rent and utility bills to pay. And I was little known in the foreign land where God’s voice had led me to relocate. Above all, I had cultivated a culture of not accepting any fees for my services. Therefore, for God to speak to me a promise of unceasing sustenance is, to say the least, like a voice that needed scrutinizing. When I opened my Bible the following morning to behold involuntarily the same promise clearly delineated in Psalm 37:3 “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so that thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shall be fed;” there was no telling that this truly was the voice of God. What I immediately heard was, in the words of the Psalmist, “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this;”…. Psalm 62:11.
Since then, it has dawned on me that God can speak to anybody, not on account of our human assessment of standards, but by reason of the needs of our time and environment and our personal relationship with God.
When God speaks to people, it is always for a divine purpose that will serve the overall interest of a greater majority. Jonah’s mission to be an evangelist - to the people of Nineveh started with a voice from God. An escape bid that resulted in his being thrown into the sea brought him face to face with God again. The flavor of this second encounter is the fact that his concealment within the safe repository of a fish’s belly could not hide the evangelist from the presence of God. His encounter with the mariners also serves to establish the fact that God’s command cannot be thwarted for too long.
God also provides the wherewithal to facilitate the mission. The children of Israel were to travel through a desert land to the land of promise. They had no ship to sail through the sea, but God charted a course across the great sea. He gave them manna when they seemed to have run out of ration. He stayed the pestilence when there was an epidemic outbreak. The Israelites developed an attitude of trustiness borne out of the multiple demonstration of God’s ability to supply their needs - even in dire circumstances.
A senior friend of mine demonstrated a similar sense of trusting God in turbulent times. We were on an eight-hour flight to South Africa in December 2004. About five minutes before landing, the pilot’s voice announced that the landing would be delayed because of approaching stormy weather in Johannesburg. Less than a minute thereafter, the voice came again, this time audibly shaky. It warned that he was going to drop the aircraft some meters below to avoid a head-on collision with the fierce storm. If the pilot and the crew were expressing such panic, might it be expected that the passengers would also then panic? As I looked down the aisle, I could see the hostesses curled into their seats like frightened puppies and the atmosphere had changed from one of anxiety to that of serenity. One could see the different religious blends depicted by the postures of supplication exhibited by the passengers. Prompted by the inhibited and consoling voice of the pilot, some of us could look out of the window to behold some trees and a building aflame with the lightning. However, amidst the raging flame were the fascinating evening lights which gave Johannesburg the look of Manhattan at night. Once we had landed and were queued in the arrival hall for immigration formalities, the hitherto charged atmospheric weather had assumed a serene and tranquil feeling. A passenger asked my friend why he had remained calm during the tempestuous weather. His spontaneous and emphatic response was, “I was trusty.” That statement jolted me into further inquiry. My friend said that just before the cockpit alert came on stream, he had heard the voice of God saying to him, “Be still!” And he had followed that command.
Although there were appearances that could make one relapse into doubting, I was confident that the voice of God had spoken to us, as clearly as a human voice, because there was not one sick among my close acquaintances. But my trustiness stems from a statement by the author of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, that “Divine Love has met and will always meet every human need.”
I could have naturally questioned why God would choose to communicate with me or my friend, but when I had opened my Bible and the first passage that greeted me, carried a repetition of the same promise God had spoken into my ear when I first entered the public practice of Christian Science healing, I was left with no option than to accept the obvious fact; “God has spoken once, twice have I heard it…….” Not only do I know, but now I understand that anybody can hear the voice of God. Whom God chooses for his communication is entirely God’s business. But we need to be on our guard in obedience to Jesus’ command to his disciples; “What I say unto others, I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:37

USING YOUR RESOURCES

2006-11-16T23:15:00.000-08:00

USE WHAT YOU HAVE:
The wise counsel to use what one has, may sound ambiguous to many who consider themselves as belonging to the category of have-nots. The ambiguity lies in the fact that people always look outside for happiness or sadness. But if we can pause for a moment and look inside of ourselves by way of introspection, we would be astonished at how much potentialities are buried within our treasure vaults.
A twentieth century philosopher says that every child comes to earth with its own supplies. This axiom, much as it is not some argument in favour of what is considered by many as the principle of predestination, points to the fact that each human being possesses in equal measure the same spiritual elements derived from our Creator. This is supported by the fact in the first Book of the Bible which says that God made man (and woman) in His image, after His likeness. (Genesis chapter 1 verse 26). A grain of rice if sowed in the soil cannot sprout forth to yield mango fruits any more than the image and likeness of God can be anything less than its Creator. God being omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresence, man and woman made in his likeness must of necessity, possess all power, be all-knowing and can be ever-present. In essence, man coexists with the Creator. The image before the mirror cannot be different from who or what it reflects. This is the fact which prophet Elisha sought to establish when a widow who had lost her husband in a battle tended to believe that the end had come for her and her two sons who were about to be whisked away by creditors on account of some huge debt she had inherited from her late husband. While she looked up to her creditors for debt reschedulement or conditions other than taking away her two sons into slavery, Prophet Elisha turned her attention inward to the realization of her true worth. Obviously, a debt that would warrant the confiscation of a widow’s two male children should be worth more than the value of a mere pot of oil. But this widow had between her and the creditors a pot of oil and her two sons.
To get a clearer picture of the situation, let us look at the Hebrew meaning of pot. This word is rendered sir, a vessel made of various sizes, and of different materials, earthenware and metal; and used for manifold purposes, such as boiling flesh, reforming metals and storing water for domestic use or oil. Tracing African history back to our Jewish ancestry, one could compare the pot of oil to our ancient earthen water pots or calabash with capacity ranging from 10 to 15 litres. My mother has one.
Doesn’t it sound bizarre to ask a widow who has inherited a debt she did not incur, to go a borrowing? The average person will consider this command as a suicide bid. But that looks like what the radical prophet asked the woman to embark upon. After he had assessed the woman’s agonizing condition, and seeking to help her out of her delusion, he had inquired of her what she had left in store. That is to say, how much is she worth? Many people in responding to this type of inquiry would be inclined to answering in the negative considering the insignificant quantity of the pot of oil vis-à-vis the huge debt burden hanging on her neck like an albatross. Many a times we consider what we have as too little in proportion to our liabilities, and we end up declaring that we don’t have anything at all.
It is an established law of nature that gratitude for benefits already received engenders the opportunity for more blessings. The widow’s recognition of what resources she had, no matter how little, turned out to be the catalyst for abundant blessings that attended her confession. It didn’t matter to the prophet how little oil the woman had. It didn’t matter that she was already a celebrated debtor. It didn’t bother him that society would naturally turn down an appeal for loan from a chronic debtor. All he cared for was that this outwardly poor widow had some hidden treasure which she recognized and had acknowledged. He then says to her, "Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours’ even empty vessels; borrow not a few" (II Kings 4:3). Hard word, you think. But the first approach to obtaining our miracle is gratitude for benefits already received. This involves recognition of spiritual endowments which take various forms with various people. The second step is in humble and implicit obedience to the voice of wisdom. This can come in the form of a good counsel from an expert, a suggestion from a not-too important person by human assessment, or the still small voice. The widow’s response to those rules is most exemplary, for she promptly dispatched her two sons to the task of borrowing empty vessels of all shapes and sizes from apprehensive neighbours. She did not fear that her creditors might lay hands on the boys and kidnap them on account of the debt. She disobeyed traffic rules. She did not question what to do with empty vessels from neighbours, some of whom she had not interacted with for some time since she retired into self solitude. She simply followed orders like a soldier in the infantry division of the army. According to the Scripture, she did not go about gossiping her situation with neighbours or trying to consult other women regarding the prophet’s queer counsel. She simply locked up herself and started filling the empty vessels from the meager supply without any iota of doubt whatsoever. It appears to me that oil was in short supply at that season of the year hence she couldn’t afford more than one small pot, and there were many empty containers in the city.
Having exhausted all the empty vessels in the city, the man of God who had stood guard between the woman and the God of abundance now came down from the figurative mountain, gave thanks to the almighty and ordered the ever-grateful widow, "Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest (II Kings 4:7(b).
Looking at external exigencies of life denies us of the opportunity of recognizing the seed of God implanted in our very bosom. Comparing ourselves with others makes us loose sight of our own capabilities. It is only in recognizing our heaven-endowed treasures can we be truly grateful, which in turn, begets multiple blessings. On the other hand, constantly resorting to our inward part will link us to the voice of silence and make us aware of whatever steps or direction the almighty intends for us to follow. As the Scripture say, "thine ear shall hear a word behind thee saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left." (Isaiah 30: 21). A song I learned in early childhood says, "Count your blessings, and name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."
There is no limit to what God can do except the limitations in your thinking as to what God cannot do.

REFORMATION AND PARDON

2006-11-16T23:06:00.000-08:00

Reformation and Pardon:
In my native African village, there are ancient landmarks which are meant to benefit all members of the community without discrimination. As such, any unnecessary desecration or exploitation of any of those objects or utilities by any single member or group of persons to the exclusion of others usually attracts open disapproval by the rest of the society. I need to mention that we used to run a well organized Police state with unwritten code of conduct and prescribed penalties attached to the breaking of any of those laws. That was before the emergence of the colonial masters. Environmental sanitation exercises were monitored by the youths. If they would have cause to help any family clean their compound or their surroundings, the offending occupants were required to pay penalties ranging from some measure of meal or palm kernel or maize to tubers of yam as the case may be. Any man who failed to join in bush clearing campaign for the communal farm ran the risk of not getting a portion of farmland for that season. These stringent measures compelled a life of strict obedience and civility on my people at that time. Moral rectitude remained the norm rather than the exception.
We had just returned home from the city for a Christmas holiday. A century-old fruit-bearing tree stood at the centre of my village square. Adults consisting mainly of nursing mothers and children would sit in clusters under the shade of its extended branches. Birds and squirrels that had made their nests within the branches and hollows would occasionally lose grip of ripen fruits that will come tumbling down to the ground to incite a scramble among the women and children within the precincts of the fallen fruit, to the delight of the men who sat at the nearby thatched hut playing games and telling or listening to tales.
I could not afford the indefinite dependence on mere birds or squirrels to help me with a share of the fruits which hung generously and invitingly on the distant branches of the old tree. Up went my catapult. I aimed and brought down no less than five ripe fruits clustered together at one shot. I intended to excite the traditional scramble among the shade-dwelling fellows, but to my surprise, not one of them moved to grab my fruits. I thought they were being modest with me, so I quietly gathered my harvest and offered to share with some of my peers, but none would accept my kindness. It then dawned on me that something was amiss. My excitement suddenly waned as one old man approached and inquired after my identity. After gathering all the information as to my name and who my father was, he promptly returned to the hut and I could see him conferring with the other elders who were waiting in anticipation. There was deafening silence around me as the women and children discussed in whispers. I never felt such loneliness in all my life in the midst of a crowd. I managed to scurry home. Before I could settle down to share my experience with my mother there was an approaching long line of old men backed by half a dozen of drumming youths following my trail. They ended up in my father’s compound. They outnumbered the chairs in our house and it would be an offence to keep some of them standing. So my mother and my elder sisters expressly skipped off to borrow any seats that could be reached within the neighbourhood. After some preliminary introductory rituals it became clear to me that those men had come to penalize my father for the fruits I forced down from the community tree. As I hid behind a window blind to observe the proceedings, I could guess that the penalty far outweighed my offence. I could hear one of the elders jokingly say to my father that since he doesn’t live in the village, it was a pleasure to share of his wealth this one time. I had thought to protest but had been restrained by my mother who warned that any interruption of the proceedings would amount to contempt of court and would attract further penalties.
When I look back to that embarrassment, extortion, humiliation and disappointment suffered by my father for my sake and for a mess of porridge, so to say, I feel terribly humbled to think of the arraignment, trial and subsequent crucifixion of Jesus Christ in the hands of His own people. He, who had no sin, was made to die a sinner’s death, which the Westminster’s dictionary of the Bible says “was literally a judicial murder.” (ibid. 308). After abducting Him to the house of Annas the father-in-law of Caiaphas for preliminary examination, he was hastened before Pontius Pilate to seek to obtain the governor’s approval as the lower court lacked jurisdiction to handle such a case. Seeing no basis for granting the leave of court, Governor Pilate had to order for the Messiah to be transported to President Herod Antipas who also was reluctant to exercise jurisdiction but for the pressure mounted on him by the fraudulent crowd. (Luke 22: 66-71; 23:7-11). The Holy Scriptures say that Jesus died for no crime and without any real legal process. His execution was carried out by 4 soldiers under the supervision of a centurion. With him also 2 common robbers were led to death. (John 19:23). Eye-witness account of St. John, who was not very far from the scene of crucifixion, saw blood and water issue from the wound that had been inflicted upon Jesus Christ. That goes to prove that there was apparent external bleeding. But it does appear that his eventual death was occasioned not by the outward injuries but by the broken heart exhibited by the utterances he had voiced as he hung on the accursed tree, such as “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34).
In the present dispensation, a lawyer would have offered to plead my case and cause the judge to enter a verdict of ‘first offender’ and acquit me as a minor. But ignorance, they say, is no excuse. The contemplation of my inability to denounce or challenge what I considered to be undue exploitation of my father and the lack of defence on my trial left a sour taste on my tongue. I had resolved not to return home ever again for another Christmas holidays if that was how to treat an innocent fruit-loving boy. I had also resolved never again to taste that genre of fruit for all I care. But my father could not be deterred by that unfriendly attitude of his kindred.
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder and Discoverer of Christian Science movement, in her book Science and Health with key to the Scriptures, writes that “the atonement of Christ reconciled man to God, not God to man, for the divine Principle of Christ is God……” (ibid 18:17). God had not at any point in time separated Himself from His creation. The Bible says that we are his image and likeness (reflection) (Genesis 1:26-27). But man sought to hide from the presence of his Creator by consequence of the sin we commit. Jesus was aware of this disposition of his false accusers hence he presently begged the Father to “forgive then, for they know not what they do.” Thus he paved the way for reconciliation between man and God. Mary Baker Eddy writes further that ‘The design of Love is to reform the sinner. If the sinner’s punishment here has been insufficient to reform him, the good man’s heaven would be a hell to the sinner. (Science & Health page 33:30-1). But if the sinner would rely on the plea made on his behalf by Jesus Christ and continue to sin and expect to be pardoned by the all-merciful Father, should this not be a mockery of the suffering that Christ bore on the cross? The purpose of that manner of death was not to erase man’s sin and license him to commit sin with reckless abandon, but to show that sin occasions punishment and that only by the destruction of sin and by true reformation can man hope of attaining eternal forgiveness. For this cause are we being admonished to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13). A pastor friend of mine once argued that the Scriptures say, “…. For we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God….” As far as I am concerned, he sounded defeatist. I had said to him, “so what?” Many people seem to share the same view that having once fallen; we should just lay there and pray for our salvation to come from the cross. I am inclined to refer once again to Mary Baker Eddy’s argument that though the principle of mathematics has already been established, but we cannot stand before the blackboard and invoke the problem of maths to solve itself. It has to be worked out by the student in accordance with the established principle; else we get the wrong answer. So is the principle of individual salvation. Jesus has mapped out the way for us to follow, and only those who tread that path can expect to get to the destination point. He had said in substance, “I am the Life, the Truth and the Way.” Therefore, if we are seeking to live our life to the fullest, we must truthfully follow along the right Way. This is the only guarantee for life eternal.
If I fail to return to my village on account of what I had considered an unjust customary practice, that would not change my status as a bona-fide citizen, neither would my dislike for apple stop the tree from bearing fruits. Man is not annihilated, nor does he lose his identity, by passing through the belief called death. We cannot continue in sin because someone has paid the penalty. Our only guarantee for peace is the abolition of any occasion of sin in our individual lives. God has given us the ability to overcome all evil and nothing can deprive us of that authority.

CSPractitioners.com - Benin Practitioner Directory

2006-11-08T08:03:00.000-08:00

CSPractitioners.com - Benin Practitioner Directory

URANIUM

2006-07-28T01:25:00.000-07:00

URANIUM: Gains and Pains

2006-07-28T01:12:00.000-07:00

URANIUM FIND: Gains and Pains
Vincent NNANNA
We are simulating something closely resembling the spiritual term ‘omniscience’ by being able to share vast amounts of information over tremendous networks. Nineteenth century concepts of what was called a ‘billiard board universe’ has dissolved into relativity and the more recent so-called ‘principle of uncertainty.’ As a result, the atom has split, atomic and nuclear energy are being tapped to increase by a vast degree the availability of physical power which has already leapt over great barriers. Yet the general feeling is that we have been able to chip away only a few fragments from the mountain of knowledge. Looming ahead of us, practically intact, lies a huge mass of fundamental facts any one of which, if uncovered, could change our civilization in a manner never before known.
Whereas these developments portend of high economic gains, political superiority amongst equals, security advantage, et cetera, one cannot loose sight of the adverse consequences that could result from a misuse or deliberate abuse. Fire, they say, is a good servant, but could be a very stubborn master.
Only recently, it has been reported that Uranium deposits have been discovered in some six states of Nigeria by the Atomic Energy Division of the Geological Survey of Great Britain. This silvery-white radioactive metallic element was first discovered in the Liruai hills in Kano state and in the Kigo hills near Dorowa on the Jos plateau. Other states where the find have been reported are Adamawa, Cross River, Taraba and Bauchi respectively. This indeed is a heart-warming news not only to the federal government but to the people of the concerned states. At least the derivation revenue accruing to mineral-based states is going to boost the coffers of the states’ Treasury. To the country at large, this means a drastic shift from the problematic crude oil sector to some less competitive enterprise.
According to studies, not many countries of the world are endowed with the radioactive mineral which makes Uranium highly priced and of high value. It is obtained from the ore uranite which occurs in small bodies of granite containing pyrochlore with 3.3 per cent uranium oxide, 3.3 per cent thorium oxide and 41.1 per cent niobium and tantalum oxides.
However, uranium mining being an area of significant interest in the world at present, it is necessary to inform and assist the resident communities (potential victims of radiation) identify the key issues and rights associated with uranium mining. It is our aspiration that the USES, GAINS as well as related health HAZARDS of uranium shall be understood and the determination of the future arrived at soberly and appropriately.
It should be known and properly understand that uranium mining has stimulated immense distress in respect to environmental and radiation aspects over the last three decades around the globe.
Indeed, from the economic perspective it is clear there might be an opportunity for countries endowed with this mineral deposit to profit immensely from its exploitation. However, it is necessary to raise this supreme and most fundamental question whether or not the economic benefits outweigh the social concerns and hazards considering that the life span could only be between 10-12 years.
The government and the general public should be aware that:
Uranium mining carries the danger of airborne radioactive dust and the release of radioactive radon gas and its decay products which is hazardous to the general public and workers.
Uranium has radiological consequences for employees if not well protected risking development of lung cancer and other pulmonary diseases.
There will be contamination of water resource use with the toxic chemicals used in the separation of the uranium ore.
Mismanagement of uranium disposal waste from leaching ore can have long term health and environmental consequences.
Environmentalists and Environmental protection Agencies as well as Human Rights Organisations and other concerned Non-governmental organisations might not achieve every goal and may concede to lack of scientific and legal authority to realize the necessary goals immediately but, assistance and assurance from the relevant authorities that fight to preserve and monitor the environment for posterity will certainly come.

Looking Inward

2006-07-26T09:56:00.001-07:00

USE WHAT YOU HAVE
The wise counsel to use what one has, may sound ambiguous to many who consider themselves as belonging to the category of have-nots. The ambiguity lies in the fact that people always look outside for happiness or sadness. But if we can pause for a moment and look inside of ourselves by way of introspection, we would be astonished at how much potentialities are buried within our treasure vaults. Vincent NNANNA

A twentieth century philosopher says that every child comes to earth with its own supplies. This axiom, much as it is not some argument in favour of what is considered by many as the principle of predestination, points to the fact that each human being possesses in equal measure the same spiritual elements derived from our Creator. This is supported by the fact in the first Book of the Bible which says that God made man (and woman) in His image, after His likeness. (Genesis chapter 1 verse 26). A grain of rice if sowed in the soil cannot sprout forth to yield mango fruits any more than the image and likeness of God can be anything less than its Creator. God being omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresence, man and woman made in his likeness must of necessity, possess all power, be all-knowing and can be ever-present. In essence, man coexists with the Creator. The image before the mirror cannot be different from who or what it reflects. This is the fact which prophet Elisha sought to establish when a widow who had lost her husband in a battle tended to believe that the end had come for her and her two sons who were about to be whisked away by creditors on account of some huge debt she had inherited from her late husband. While she looked up to her creditors for debt reschedulement or conditions other than taking away her two sons into slavery, Prophet Elisha turned her attention inward to the realization of her true worth. Obviously, a debt that would warrant the confiscation of a widow’s two male children should be worth more than the value of a mere pot of oil. But this widow had between her and the creditors a pot of oil and her two sons.
To get a clearer picture of the situation, let us look at the Hebrew meaning of pot. This word is rendered sir, a vessel made of various sizes, and of different materials, earthenware and metal; and used for manifold purposes, such as boiling flesh, reforming metals and storing water for domestic use or oil. Tracing African history back to our Jewish ancestry, one could compare the pot of oil to our ancient earthen water pots or calabash with capacity ranging from 10 to 15 litres. My mother has one.
Doesn’t it sound bizarre to ask a widow who has inherited a debt she did not incur, to go a borrowing? The average person will consider this command as a suicide bid. But that looks like what the radical prophet asked the woman to embark upon. After he had assessed the woman’s agonizing condition, and seeking to help her out of her delusion, he had inquired of her what she had left in store. That is to say, how much is she worth? Many people in responding to this type of inquiry would be inclined to answering in the negative considering the insignificant quantity of the pot of oil vis-à-vis the huge debt burden hanging on her neck like an albatross. Many a times we consider what we have as too little in proportion to our liabilities, and we end up declaring that we don’t have anything at all.
It is an established law of nature that gratitude for benefits already received engenders the opportunity for more blessings. The widow’s recognition of what resources she had, no matter how little, turned out to be the catalyst for abundant blessings that attended her confession. It didn’t matter to the prophet how little oil the woman had. It didn’t matter that she was already a celebrated debtor. It didn’t bother him that society would naturally turn down an appeal for loan from a chronic debtor. All he cared for was that this outwardly poor widow had some hidden treasure which she recognized and had acknowledged. He then says to her, “Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours’ even empty vessels; borrow not a few” (II Kings 4:3). Hard word, you think. But the first approach to obtaining our miracle is gratitude for benefits already received. This involves recognition of spiritual endowments which take various forms with various people. The second step is in humble and implicit obedience to the voice of wisdom. This can come in the form of a good counsel from an expert, a suggestion from a not-too important person by human assessment, or the still small voice. The widow’s response to those rules is most exemplary, for she promptly dispatched her two sons to the task of borrowing empty vessels of all shapes and sizes from apprehensive neighbours. She did not fear that her creditors might lay hands on the boys and kidnap them on account of the debt. She disobeyed traffic rules. She did not question what to do with empty vessels from neighbours, some of whom she had not interacted with for some time since she retired into self solitude. She simply followed orders like a soldier in the infantry division of the army. According to the Scripture, she did not go about gossiping her situation with neighbours or trying to consult other women regarding the prophet’s queer counsel. She simply locked up herself and started filling the empty vessels from the meager supply without any iota of doubt whatsoever. It appears to me that oil was in short supply at that season of the year hence she couldn’t afford more than one small pot, and there were many empty containers in the city.
Having exhausted all the empty vessels in the city, the man of God who had stood guard between the woman and the God of abundance now came down from the figurative mountain, gave thanks to the almighty and ordered the ever-grateful widow, “Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest (II Kings 4:7(b).
Looking at external exigencies of life denies us of the opportunity of recognizing the seed of God implanted in our very bosom. Comparing ourselves with others makes us loose sight of our own capabilities. It is only in recognizing our heaven-endowed treasures can we be truly grateful, which in turn, begets multiple blessings. On the other hand, constantly resorting to our inward part will link us to the voice of silence and make us aware of whatever steps or direction the almighty intends for us to follow. As the Scripture say, “thine ear shall hear a word behind thee saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30: 21). A song I learned in early childhood says, “Count your blessings, and name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”
There is no limit to what God can do except the limitations in your thinking as to what God cannot do.

(In)Dependence

2006-07-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

(In)dependence :
The Journey so far:
After being set free by his task-master, one African slave is said to have pleaded with his master’s spouse to intercede on his behalf that he should remain within the confines of the estate. Fact is not that he has no place to return to or does he not have relatives to receive him back into his ancestral home. He had simply gotten comfortable with his state of servitude and cannot contemplate fitting into any other environment whatsoever. Vincent NNANNA

The same can be said of many African countries. Our colonial masters conceded to granting us independence after some protracted battles or dialogues with our forebears. It is on record that no African nation got her independence on a platter of gold. In some cases, lives had to be sacrificed among other dehumanising experiences. Knowing not what the future portends, our inexperienced pioneer politicians had inadvertently conceded to agreements that carried the ‘enslavement clause’ on our behalf. It is this conditionality that now accounts for the myriad of neo-colonial tendencies that seem to clog most of African democracies.
As we are becoming more conscious of the need to be completely independent, the need arises as to how best to completely disengage ourselves from the strangleholds of our former colonial masters.
A debris-infested stream can only be sanitised from the source. It logically follows that for us to break the jinx of colonial enslavement; we have to go back to the drawing board. It is not imperative, though that all countries of Africa must of necessity try to be independent just for the sake of it. Certain options have to be considered against the odds. The first question to ask is what was the interest of the colonial masters? This implies knowing what resources – human or natural – that attracted their presence in the first instance. One could ask what alternative resources there are at the present moment and how much of external or internal resistance there would be against the quest for independence. This consideration is very vital as it has been discovered that at the root of every clamour for a restoration of the status quo (that is returning to the pre-colonial era), are some highly placed members (aborigines) of the country in question. Most of these neo-colonialists are known to have in one way or the other been benefiting from the exploits of the ‘masters;’ and could not see the possibility of enjoying the same privileges under an independent dispensation. Getting to know whether there exist the needed manpower and technology to manage the situation and the resources profitably will not be a bad idea. In the absence of such variables, by all means, remaining attached to the master would be fundamental to the continued existence of any given colony. In that case, a colony should think of how much longer it can afford to remain attached while planning on long-term cessation strategy. Otherwise, it will be foolhardy to negotiate for independence when one does not know what to do with it.
If we must tow the line of secessionism, however, while back at the drawing board one needs to properly negotiate for total and uncompromising independence. No royalties. No appendages. No bi-lateral co-operation or military support strings should attend such negotiations. To be truly independent, a nation should have some level of national earning power and well-trained human resources that should form the nucleus of her Gross Domestic Product. Rather than have ourselves perpetually tied to the apron strings of colonial powers for reasons of economic relief, African countries should seek to initiate inter-regional or trans-regional cooperation and exchanges whereby the richer countries would extend every manner of assistance to the not-too-rich ones; uniting in one grand brotherhood.
To be able to harness their resources properly, the spirit of patriotism should be inculcated on the citizenry. This demands reciprocity on the part of government. That is to say, a citizen ought to have good reasons to be proud to swear allegiance to the country that affords him succour. Ethnic, social or religious and other forms of discriminating structures should be dismantled. Above all, freedom of expression and respect to fundamental human rights should form the bedrock of the country’s existential code.
Experts say that technology cannot be transferred. But we also know that it can be acquired. Therefore, in order to ensure sustainability, a nation should be liberal in despatching her citizens on scholarships to other developed countries for the purpose of acquiring skills in various fields pertinent to the future development of her resources – human or mineral-based.
Alongside this strategy, it should encourage private sector investment by putting in place investor-friendly policies that will encourage individuals that have abilities to embark on healthy entrepreneurial activities that will in turn contribute to the economic well-being of the nation at large.
A policy of heavy taxation of private or corporate investors has been known to be counter-productive. It has led to so many cases of fraudulent practices aimed at circumventing the established system. On the other hand, some foreign investors have tried to shy away from investing into the country even when there seem to exist some other attractive parameters such as a peaceful environment or a Freeport policy. It has to be acknowledged that not all countries do have mineral resources, but granted that no country is built on the sky; one would expect that the soil ought to be the first place to conquer for the propagation and development of her economy. This places agriculture at the top of the list. As the debate or genetically modified (GM) cropping rages on, there have been evidences of bumper harvests deriving from experimenting on this new technology. Records have shown huge foreign exchange earnings accruing from GM flower export by Kenya and Zambia. Fears are rife that some Asian countries will soon cease completely or trim down their import of raw materials from Africa because of their success in GM crop production especially in the field of cotton. Their complaint is that African traditional farming method yields meagre results and is slow in arriving.
A great percentage of African human resources are wasting by reason of lack of skills acquisition. Many people could not benefit from the fortune of knowing the four walls of any educational institution – be it primary, secondary or tertiary. A lot more of our abundant human resources have found harbinger in foreign economies where the pastures are greener. Others who have some skills cannot gain employment either in government or in the private sector. Micro-finance institutions are not helping matters on account of rigid and impossible demands from potential entrepreneurs.
The last thing any sensible human being can do is watch the hands of death try to snatch him of his right to exist. A cursory peep into the prison yards will unfold some trend of confessions from the inmates across the continent. Majority of the prisoners consist of petty thieves who had to steal to keep body and soul together. The other category that is on a recycling list is fraudsters who have chosen to unleash their venom on the affluent members of society who they hold responsible for their misfortune. One other class of armed bandits has the same reason as the fraudsters, but they carry their anger to the extremes by choosing not to be lenient with the society at large. Their revenge is known to be disproportionate.
Before we drift farther into anarchy, let African governments device a means of making every citizen not only seem to feel but apparently feel a sense of belonging. The hierarchy of fundamental human needs should be respected by ensuring that the average citizen has a roof over his head, can afford some clothing and at least a square meal per day. Unemployment scheme should be introduced whereby a near-accurate data of every unemployed citizen is registered. This data would serve as a bank or grid for manpower development according to individual abilities and interests. Micro-financing should be decentralized to ensure that deserving investors from even the remotest corners of the country can draw there from and be accountable to their local peer monitoring team.
It is certain that this exercise, if religiously implemented, will result in drastic reduction in crime rate and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation. Such a nation cannot afford no to be independent.

MORALISING CARTOON

2006-07-13T00:40:00.001-07:00

CARTOON WITH SOME MORAL

As nations unite once again in one heart and one voice to celebrate football (soccer) at the 2006 World Soccer Tournament, tagged “Germany 2006,” one cannot help being attracted to one unique advertisement which, as far as I can tell, has some moral to inculcate. The message of forgiveness, reconciliation, tolerance and unity of purpose or universality seem to be imbedded in that one cartoon. It depicts a butcher about to cut into pieces a bird that he has already (un)dressed. There is a laboratory scientist about to inject some substance into a guinea-pig. Talk about an inflated balloon about to be pierced by some prickly plant. And there is a stoutly dwarf who embraces in jubilation, some gigantic and muscular neighbour who had invaded his privacy. The cartoon also depicts a lumberman who, halfway through hewing down a forest, had to change his mind as he and the tree engage themselves in a warm embrace to hail a winning team. For the sake of the nostalgia of football, these characters had to literally bury the hatchet and hold their antagonists in warm embrace. Each and every one of us has a right to life, to __expression of our emotions and sentiments among other rights. How many do exercise these rights let alone know them is the big question that does not yet have a satisfactory positive response. Try extending a warm handshake or a peck, why not a hearty embrace, if you can. To the extent that you exert warmth towards your guest, the same measure will you feel.

PITY PARTY LONELINESS

2006-07-13T00:40:00.000-07:00

ALONE AT A PITY PARTY : By Vincent NNANNA
A crowd of more than 2000 guests honoured a birthday party. That included some generals among other high ranking army and naval officers and some well-known political juggernaughts. That is the way it is when one could be numbered among the cream of the society. In a city of a little more than one and a half million inhabitants, any party that can garner as much as 2000 personalities is rated as a bash. The Scriptures give an account of a certain rich man who made a supper and invited people of his class. When the supper was ready he started receiving apologies and excuses for absence instead. (Luke 14:1620). One need not be counted as rich, but if one is in good rapport with neighbours and the society at large, people will naturally want to identify with you.
That was not the case with the man by the pool at Bethesda near the sheep market in Jerusalem. (John 5:4). When Jesus Christ inquired of him whether he would be made whole, rather than respond directly to a simple inquiry, he would rather start singing his pity party song of what he considered the impediments that stand on his way. He says in effect, "Master, you can see that I am all alone. The people around here do not care about my condition. They are all so self-centred." The second segment of his party song runs like this: "Even the angel whose duty it is to stir the water is not helping matters either. He does not reside here permanently. He comes at special times. And his presence is always very brief." As this man goes forth and back with his complaints, he brings his family history into the picture, and he says, "I have nobody." Having nobody is the point of departure between success and failure in a great number of human endeavours. Seeking employment in some big organisation, getting a raise in work place, obtaining admission into higher institutions, obtaining visa to countries of high economic value, etc; demand having connexions in high places if one must succeed in obtaining some favour. Thus having nobody was a significant factor that contributed to the inability of the impotent man to get out of his condition. It is not unusual for people to ask for complimentary (name cards), of someone they consider important in their life. Some people go to the extent of demanding testimonials which they can attach to their profile to show how closely related they are to some important personalities. This only serves to show what importance people attach to having ‘somebody.’ But the man at the pool had nobody. And that gave him cause to indulge in self-pity.
Pity party celebrants are always alone. They have nobody to party with them. If you ever have a guest at your pity party, your situation will rather deteriorate. The more guests you have, the worse your situation gets. Such guests come not to commiserate with you but to make your illusion seem like a reality. They come to show you sympathy and give you some sense of self-justification. The friends of Job came to sympathise with his situation as Job began to question the wisdom of God. Those sympathisers did not help Job’s situation. (Job Chapters 20 – 31).
But the man by the pool had one distinguished guest who made a difference. As he was having some tête-à-tête with this heavenly guest, there were great expectations that Jesus might probably call down the angel especially for this man’s sake so that some majestic fiat will issue to stay others from entering the pool at that moment. One could see feelings of resentment across the faces of those other patients waiting to take their turns into the pool. To their utter disappointment, this guest had a different agenda. He was not there to add to the man’s sorrows or to cause some reluctant angels to come down to stir the waters. Jesus’ mission is to destroy the belief in unreality.
Amidst all the mixed expectations, Jesus says to the man, "Take up your bed and walk." In so saying, Jesus brought to light the fact that having nobody is not relevant to our salvation or success in life. The Scriptures tell us that one with God is with majority. Jesus also demonstrated that recounting unfriendly attitude of people towards us does not help or improve our situation. He showed that reliance on material objects like diving into the pool is not necessary to receiving healing. He says, "I am the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6). He also promises that whoever believes in Him will not see death.
Rather than dwelling on pity parties, and recounting our woes of how people relate to us and how we do not have any body to help us, we should look unto Christ, (the author and finisher of our faith); as the sole guest at our party. We should look away from matter for the resolution of our problems. Mary Baker Eddy, the founder and discoverer of the Christian Science Movement, in her book Science & Health with key to the Scriptures, writes, "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." She goes on to say, that "If one turns away from the body with such absorbed interest as to forget it, the body experiences no pain." (S&H. Page 261, Lines 4 – 11). We should, like the man at the pool, follow divine orders to "rise, take up our bed, and walk." Completely healed. This is the true identity of man: A perfect mind and a perfect body.

PRUDENCE @ HOLIDAY PERIOD

2006-07-11T01:27:00.000-07:00

PRUDENCE @ HOLIDAY TIMES : Vincent NNANNA
During the next 3 months beginning July 1st through September 30th 2006, pupils and students in Benin republic are on long vacation. As schools remain closed during this period, pupils and students would not take some break from activities. While many of them engage in what has come to be known as traditional ‘holiday courses,’ most of them, especially the girls, would be seen at all the wrong places for all the wrong reasons, around the cities.
Worried by this unholy perambulation during long vacations, the Benin government in collaboration with some international institutions such as the UNICEF has introduced a scheme aimed at providing relief packages to encourage as many girls as possible to have access to fairly subsidised schooling. Unfortunately, though, not many of the beneficiaries do appreciate the value of the scheme.
Little wonder that as soon as schools are on break, most of them resort to doing what they know best – prostituting. One cannot deny the fact that there are some nice girls, however, who, by reason of their good parental upbringing and strong religious background, are persuaded by moral suasion not to have themselves tangled in the wrangle.
The notorious prostitutes’ enclave popularly known as ‘Jonquet’ would be overcrowded with ‘new kids in town.’ Male clients consisting in the main, of white-skinned businessmen and some sailors usually scramble for these new and young girls for a change. The older professionals do not bother because, afteral, they are the ones that offer shelter to these school girls and hire them out to their customers on commission basis.
These girls can be classed into three categories, namely:
1. Some final year students who believe that they have no chances of gaining any employment opportunity. They cling to the axiom of ‘making hay while the sun shines.’
2. There are the insatiable sex maniacs who would grab at the slimmest excuse to return to their stock-in-trade.
3. There is the unfortunate child from very poor families who have no other means of sustenance, and find lucrative bed-mate in the sex market.
As the saying goes, one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. It logically follows that when schools are back on course, those who have smeared themselves in filth will return to classes with unbearable influence to corrupt their unsuspecting peers. Their manner of conversation, spending habit, seductive allurements, drinking and smoking tendencies, extravagant display of dirty fortune; would naturally overwhelm even some teachers. Before long, prompted by some instinct of curiosity, the innocent peer groups will begin to wonder how their mates have suddenly burst into some fortune. The danger lies in the fact that the need to satisfy this curiosity can lead to most of the unsuspecting children being initiated into the crime world.
The bottom-line of the entire hullabaloo is that the maternities are replete with more expectant mothers. The clinics play host to more patients with sexually-transmitted diseases. Police cells are filled with night wanderers who could not satisfactorily explain their motive for being caught at odd places at night. Above all, the cities begin to experience increased crime rate.
To arrest the situation from escalating further, more emphasis should be placed on sex education at all levels of child upbringing including the home, religious institutions as well as educational institutions. The dangers of HIV/AIDS should be made a reality by encouraging more talk-shops. Radios, Newspapers and Television houses should devote prime time moments for enlightening the public on the dangers of single-parenthood, the implications of unwanted pregnancies, the far-reaching consequences of sexually-transmitted diseases, the stigma associated with prostitution, infant mortality and deaths resulting from premature pregnancies.
A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.

Gains of Bénin President's Tour

2006-06-02T02:08:00.000-07:00

GAINS OF BONI YAYI’S STATE VISITS
arely 24 hours after his inauguration as Bénin’s number one man, President Boni Yayi had embarked on his first but curious tour which took him to Nigeria. Since then, he has visited other African countries on what is referred to as working visit. The fallout from these trips has proved that indeed they were working trips. Some of the countries visited by President Boni Yayi include :
Þ Nigeria: President Boni Yayi’s first port of call had to be Nigeria. Undoubtedly, the invitation must have transpired during the swearing-in ceremony in Porto-Novo with Nigeria’s Head of State, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in conscpicuous presence. That trip was not unexpected because, charity, they say, begins at home. And Nigeria being the country in closest proximity to Bénin is like home to many Beninese. Not just that. History has it that a great number of Beninese have their root in Nigeria in addition to trans-frontier economic activities between the two countries both in the formal and informal sectors. It therefore becomes expedient and natural for the two governments to work hands in gloves to harness the already existing healthy relationship between them.
Þ Senegal : Before his election as Benin president, Boni Yayi’s presence in Senegal had been some source of pride not only to the host country but to the banking industry at large, where Boni Yayi occupied the hot seat of the African Developement Bank at its headquarters in Dakar. President Abdoulaye Wade could not have missed being closely related to the banker-turned-politician which advantage he would now exploit to be counted among the first African presidents to play host to Bénin’s first gentleman. President Boni Yayi government’s acquisition of what has come to be known as technocratic embelishment stems from the crop of specially skilled manpower (however few), that he drew from his former banking outfit in Dakar.
Þ Mali/Niger : These are two countries whose nearness and dearness to Bénin cannot be ignored. The volume of trade between these countries and Bénin coupled with the apparent number of migrant traders from these countries really calls for attention.
Togo/Ghana : Though the President is yet to visit these two countries, that does not mean that they are being undermined. Hardly can one get out of Bénin from the side of the equator without encountering Togo and Ghana. Benin on its part has served as land of refuge for displaced Togolese and Ghanaians alike during their moments of political turmoil.
Gabon : The first emigrants from DAHOMEY to Gabon dates back to early 18th century. More than 200 years after the first movement, people of both countries still have a reason to interact culturally, socially, economically and politically. What with the recent donation of a sum of 20 million francs CFA by President Omar BONGO to the good people of Bénin resident in Libreville. This is indeed a clear testimony of the love and hospitality spirit existing between the two countries. Therefore, President Boni Yayi’s visit to Gabon can be perceived as being only natural.
Libyia : Given the prominent role being played by President Moumar Gadhafi in the African Union, it behooves of any right thinking African leader to seek to get as close to him as possible. This is one gentlemen that has publicly denounced acts of terrorism to the admiration of the G-8 and particularly the United States.
The Windfall : To the uninformed mind, these trips embarked upon by President Boni Yayi would look like a further drain on the country’s non-existent savings. But from economic perspective, what he has embarked upon is the most effective way of seeking to revitalise an ailing economy. In the words of this double-laurette economist, during his recent visit to the Hubert Maga University Teaching Hospital, " If an institution that is supposed to cater for sick persons is itself sick, it has to sought remedy first from external source in order to be able to fulfil its function effectively." (emphasis mine). Needless to say, these trips, judging from the economic variables, one should not expect to see the results within a very short period of time. Yet some evidences of bright llight at the end of the tunnel can be noticed in so many quarters. The aviation industry, the agricultural sector, the petroleum products distribution zone, and international trade, to mention just a few, have started breathing some air of revitalisation, and it certainly wont be long before the real windfall will become generally felt. Obviously, Béninese should give kudos to this God-sent regime of President Thomas Boni Yayi.

ICT as an Enterprise

2006-05-02T08:02:00.001-07:00

WHAT IS THE BEST BUSINESS MODEL FOR ONLINE JOURNALISM ?
In suggesting what should be the best business model for online journalism, I am tempted to say that no model can be said to be the best. Forging a workable should depend largely on the needs of the environment. So, for anyone to prosper in this field, one should be conversant with what is needed by the majority of the consumers in his locality. Another factor to consider is what has been already offered by other service providers (i.e. your competitors).
2. CAN THE MEDIA MAKE MONEY ONLINE ?
This question would have received a ‘No’ answer from me some three years back. But having been involved with online buying and selling, I am aware that many people could be said to have accumulated much wealth just by sitting before the magic screen and typing away their time.
3. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CREATIVE WAYS OF GENERATING REVENUE ONLINE ?
One way is to ask for subscription at an attractive (not prohibitive) rate.
Another way is to make your site juicy so that people will prefer it to other sites. By this, I mean to say that one has to diversify his/her scope of coverage. Once, your site is acceptable to 50 persons, and they remain regular clients, there are chances to quadruple that figure in no distant time.
4. WHAT SERVICES CAN WE DEVELOP FOR ONLINE AS NEWS ORGANISATION ?
Apart from regular ‘hot’ news items, one can also provide on-line shopping for scarce commodities. Quiz competitions of intellectual nature will be a good sale for your site. Feedback facility on debates of popular interest will also go. Issues, for example, as whether to try Charles Taylor in Siera-Leon or at the Haigh, will certainly attract large traffic. At the local level, one can get some religious bodies to advertise their activities online. Chat rooms can be developed for debates for similar organisations.

5. WHAT ELEMENTS OF "OLD MEDIA" BUSINESS MODEL CAN WE TRANSFER ONLINE ?
Radio frequencies can be transferred online. Movies, like soap operas can also be moved to the online media for ‘subscribers only’.

6. WHO CAN BE INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING OUR ONLINE BUSINESS MODEL ?
Online business journalism is not restrictive. Once you know what is involved, anybody who has been into media practice can equally do media online. All you need is internet literacy.

Strengthening the African Media

2006-05-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

I wish to make the following remark with regard to what it takes to strengthen the media. Perhaps an empirical example might help. Here in Bénin republic, during the just concluded presidential electioneering campaign, the media distinguished itself as a body to be respected. How did it happen? A few weeks before the campaign flagged off, the media regulatory body did organize seminars for journalists where series of slogans, guidelines, bill boards and sensitizing instruments were shared. Of course, sanctions were attached to any violation of those guidelines. Some two media houses tried to play the old game. They received the sledge-hammer. They were banned from covering the elections. That means loosing a great percentage of their audience/readers for as long as the elections lasted. Other media houses were put on toes as a result of that punitive measure. It might be interesting to note that at least a quarter of the media houses are owned by politicians or have some measure of leaning. Yet, decorum was the order of the day. Many international observers who came to Bénin during the elections did not leave without commending the Bénin media. The level of respect the media in Benin commands, not only from politicians, the government, or from members of the civil society, is unparralleled. It stands to reason that, should any media organisation in Benin seek to obtain some outside assistance to strengthen itself, it will certainly receive positive response, on account of that tongue of good report. Alas, the same cannot be said of many other African media. My submission, therefore, is that building a sustainable institution to bolster the public sphere and help nurture effective states, has to begin with establishing a credible media.

Verification

2006-03-29T03:07:00.000-08:00

TRIGGER QUESTIONS What does ICT Journalism means to you?
Information and Communication Techniques Journalism is the art of using modern technology to disseminate information with professional touch.
Can ICT makes a difference in Journalism?
ICT will make a big impact in journalism as it is already doing. That is to say, journalists who possess the additional capacity to source information via the internet, and have the modern technology such as the PC and its accompanying soft and hardwares, telephone, et cetera, perform better, deliver faster and are more accurate.Are we going to see the death of newspapers due to ICTs?
I do not envisage any threat to newspaper publishing as a result of ICT. Newspapers are only going to be more worth-the-while and substantial when the ICT revolution is brought to bear on its content and final publication .How does ICT change Journalism?
Journalism will no longer be boring. Interviews that usually take long period of time to schedule can be arranged and done with in a twinkle of an eye. Facts cannot be obliterated, because the one journalist is aware that whatever information is is processing can always be verified independently whenever people are in doubt.What was the most useful information did you get through reading of lecture notes and readings?
I never knew that blogging was one useful tool for posting private information. I am also excited about the innumerable opportunities that about with ICT development. What is the most important ICT tools in your news organisation?
My radio station have since adopted the processing of reportage via the mobile phone. Minidisk recorders have replaced the antiquated cassette recording mechanism. Computers are available for word processing. With that, one can hardly encounter serious spelling or grammatical errors that used to be common especially with the print media. Copies of texts can simply be scanned and converted instead of having to re-type a whole bunch of texts.How can we generate more stories about ICTs?
Our individual and collective contributions born out of enthusiastic research work and personal experiences can form a big story about ICT.

Vincent NNANNA,
03 BP 1628, Cotonou, Benin.
Tel: +(229)97444619 & 93478254

intjet

2006-03-26T03:58:00.000-08:00

Three types of journalists exist. The next-of-kin journalist, who happens to be there because the media house is a family property. The cocktail journalist, who appears at state functions and does not miss any of those grandoise that are peculiar to the environment. The conscientious journalist or journalist of conscience is there because of his honest and soul-touching conviction that what, who, why, when, where and how issues should be critically analysed and addressed to the satisfaction of all concerned, thus guaranteeing a society free from suspicion and mistrust. Few there are that venture onto this path. I am proud to belong to the minority group. What about you?

Vincent NNANNA