The Pen.....Mightier than the Sword

My people, Im happy to be back here. Its been too long (yet I know I wasn't missed), however, it feels good to be back. The thing about "gist" blogging is that there is always "gist", someone is either suing someone else or doing something unthinkable. For those of us who have chose to go down this quiet, hardly ever traveled road of intellectual blogging- I pity us. However, if we are passionate enough, and we have the staying strength and NEPA and network permits us, we must strive to fulfill.

So, forgive me for my hiatus, I have a lot of people in my life to say that too, very dear to not so dear, yet, we do have responsibilities. So to those who have kept the faith and you know yourselves- I ask for your forgiveness, you are very appreciated. Its not much, but its something and its from me to you, so read these stories, enjoy them, mull over them and try in some way or the other to bring light, life and happiness to your home, your office, your neighborhood.   

There is so much strife in the land my brethren, I do not need to tell you. Bombs are still going off, people are still being shot, kidnapped, some Governors are still at the throat of the Presidency, Im not sure if ASUU has sheathed its sword yet. But, when it seems like the whole world is crashing down on you. Remember, yesterday is gone, today is still yours and tomorrow is for the taking. Peace and love children

Cross River State and the Inheritance of its Throne

“His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State has announced that he will support a candidate from the Northern senatorial district to succeed him as Governor of Cross River State”. And so, pellmell to the Governors residence. The North of Cross River State (Obanliku, Obudu, Bekwarra, Ogoja and Yala LGAs) has had the misfortune of never producing a Governor of the State, yet, as a group they provide the largest number of votes. The people are simple, loyal and forward thinking, however, almost everyone from the North is a “big man”. The North has had quite a few shots at powerful offices in the past- deputy governor, speaker, minister and a host of commissioners, special advisers and board members to say the least. Due to these “big men”, it hasn't been easy fostering a unified front, candidate or policy. Somehow or the other, the masquerades of the North never really dance to the same tune.

At this juncture; let us call upon the drummer or drummers of the North, the pied pipers if you must. Among the big men, there are big men. There are those whose decisions sway even the most unlikely situations, there are those whose lips are ever lined with honeyed words and are planted firmly to the ears or is the it rear end of the puppet masters themselves. We ask these masquerades, these powerful men to please sheath their swords, put away their personal pipe lines and focus on the good of the people of Northern Cross River, nay Cross River itself. And let us produce someone of great character, a man of vision, of capabilities and network, a simple man, a man of good conscience and steel, who will lead this great state to greater heights.  You see, the North has great big shoes to fill, in the recent past we`ve had the mercurial visionary Donald Duke and the incumbent grassroots developer and stabilizing hand Liyel Imoke. Between these two men, Cross River State has been put and kept on the worldwide map as a tourist destination, investment haven and a rapidly developing State. Whoever comes after these two men has a herculean task set for him or her.

What manner of man or woman? How do we find you? If you are out there, and you know you have a desire to govern this Cross River State, that has been declared as promising, safe and secure, peaceful. You will have to get off your lofty horse or stool, you`ll have to submit yourself to the people of the North 1^st and then the people of the State. We have questions to ask you, and you must have answers for us. These people of the North and of Cross River are no fools, we have tasted the juices of good fruit, we can’t and won’t hand over such a lush vineyard to just any “big man”.  Enough said!!!

Of Space travels and all things earthly

Listening to the BBC recently, it came to my attention that India had just put another space craft into orbit, this time they were headed for Mars. Incidentally, the Indians managed to find water in some rocks on the Moon in 2008. There is something interesting about the year 2008 as it concerns successes and failures. It was in 2008 that the western world including most of Africa fell under a grueling financial meltdown, of which most countries are still struggling to come out from. Ask Greece, Spain, even America not to talk of Nigeria, where all the economic indicators are just numbers. Policies, personalities make things happen in Nigeria not grandiose economic plans and forecasts. Back to space travel: around 2007 China also sent an orbiter into space, to gather information etc, India (as I said) sent an orbiter into space in 2008, while the western world groaned and crashed, isn't there an omen here. Should we not look eastward these days? Is that not where the sun rises? The world power balance and finance table is turning, new super powers are emerging and they all seem to be coming from the east.

In total contrast, we here in our beautiful country are weighed down by a N255million scandal, stories of “rebel” governors, no water, no light, bad roads and religious missions to Israel and Mecca and universities on strike. Everyone knows there are potholes on the streets of India, everyone knows that India is largely poor, however, the people and government have decided to make their mark on earth and even in the heavens. India produces its own steel, so they make their own cars, armored tanks, trains and railway lines. Their educational and medical standards are the stuff we dream about here in Nigeria. I’m not saying we, as a country should giddy up and head out into space, no! Don’t hang me yet. I just believe that the issues that weigh us down, bog us, permeate us, insult and embarrass us are too mundane and degenerate. I mean how can we still be getting promises of constant light at this time and age. All business and lifestyle depends on power, costs, maintenance etc all depend on power. Lets get it right as a people, let’s vote the right people into office and challenge them with clear and achievable milestones, if they don’t deliver, we kick them back into oblivion and look forward to a brighter day. After all we are in Africa, the sun lives here, we have no reason to visit the sun or his siblings. All we need is decent and sustainable living.