Theatre of the Absurd II

Only a few minutes ago, the Federal High Court of Appeal sitting in Oyo State overturned the election of Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the Governor of Osun State, appointing Rauf Aregbesola of the ACN instead.

Well, it is sad that this sort of decision is being made this late - almost at the end of Oyinlola's stolen second tenure as Governor. Seeing as this seems to have become the order of the day, urgent steps must be taken to prevent people from serving up to three years of a term without having being legally elected.

I am of the opinion that justice is still justice, no matter how delayed it might be - but the time has come to adjust the terms under which this particular justice is served. It is outright unfair to only send these imposters out of office, punishments must be meted out to those deserving of it.

INEC officials who went on to make wrong declarations in the face of contrary evidence and people found guilty of complicity in these ignominious happenings must all be made to face the wrath of the law - at least as a means of deterrence.

This spells another good one for the courts, at least. It further shows that the Nigerian Legal System is taking bolder steps to assert its independence of the ruling party - and that is a good one for the populace at large.

Here comes the curtain on the reign of the PDP in Osun State, and it furthermore spells an end to the ambition of Omisore to govern the state - at least he now has to wait four more years. Given that it is almost certain that Aregbesola will do a better job at governing the state than Oyinlola did, and that the PDP will not be as strong in 2014 as it is now - then he just might have to wait longer than that.

Taken together, these court judgments across states in Nigeria spell the end of the second act - in the theatre of the absurd. It is time for Nigeria to move on!

Let's do this, shall we?


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Sent via Nokia Email

How I became afraid of the Nigerian Police Force (Part 2)

This post is continued from here.

"Wake up, my friend, and lock the door!"

By this time, both my friends who were originally in the room were outside - looking morose. I was scared, and confused, because I did not know who those men were or where they were taking my friends. Worse, I could not even muster the courage to ask.

One of the men who 'invaded' my room announced that he felt they should take me too, but the 'boss' had other intentions. I later gathered it was their usual practice to leave someone behind, to ensure that someone on the outside was making informed moves to secure the release of the arrested ones. He made sure I locked the door and detailed one of the other men to ensure that I stayed indoors. I was undecided on whether they were policemen or thieves, but I was starting to tilt towards deciding on the latter.

The instant they left, I made for my laptop and shoved it firmly under a pile of dirty clothes (I felt they were thieves), and then grabbed my Bible and tried to re-assure myself. By now, I felt sure they were thieves and I felt they had taken my roommates for sinister reasons, so I sent text messages to a few friends asking them to pray along. At about 5.30am, I mustered enough courage to venture out of my room and make enquiries. It was then that I found out they were policemen from More (Ife's major police station).

Calls were made, to the Student Union Government, my Aunt in Lagos, girlfriends and parents of the 'arrested' duo from my room - and others from other rooms (funny how no girls were arrested, isn't it?). Moves were made, ensuing in a short trip to More Police Station, where the official at the counter rudely told us she knew nothing about any arrests. This led to a trip to Osogbo, where we met with the Commissioner of Police for Osun State - and were directed to Lagos. The show wrapped up with a trip to Force CID Headquarters, at Alagbon, Lagos.

We found that the 'poor' boys had been charged with *wait for this* - Economic Sabotage with intentions to undermine National Interests!!! I gathered that everyone who had a laptop AND a modem (and had the misfortune to be working on them at that time) were arrested that morning. So, thanks to a few 'Yahoo boyz' - owning a laptop and a modem had suddenly become crimes 'punishable' by 'arrest'. Of course, the arrested fellows were put behind bars - same as other suspected murderers, robbers, etc.

Some parents had already bailed their children, with the least amount paid being N50, 000. The leaders of the Student Union registered their displeasure at the mode of arrest, and ensured that all the arrested students were accounted for.

The most interesting part as far as I was concerned was that I was supposed to be awake, making a blog post (which would have put me in the laptop AND modem category) - so I would have been arrested too, if I wasn't so tired from my earlier physical exertions.

I look back now and I can smile, but I remember that morning - and it was pure terror. I was scared silly, and I remember expecting one of those guys to stick a gun into the room any moment and blow my brains out. I remember writing up a note, telling my parents I loved them and asking that my laptop go to my younger brother. May sound funny, but really - it was THAT bad!

I don't know what you think, but I don't think I was being paranoid. By my standards, how I behaved was perfectly normal - expecting as I was woken from deep sleep by a jab from an assault rifle.

Tonight, I will sleep in a car, or maybe on a table. The reason is simple. From that day, till date, I have not had a good night's sleep in that room. No night spent there is complete without a nightmare where someone comes in and points a rifle at my temple. I would rather sleep on a table or a chair, because I would rather have discomfort than fear.

That brings questions to mind, a lot of them. If I was this affected by being woken by a rifle that probably had no bullets in it, then what happens to children around the world who grow up in war-torn areas? What happens to the minds of kid soldiers, who have managed to kill up to fifteen other humans before they attain the age of fifteen?

I have read that talking about a fear openly can help to overcome it. I will try to sleep in Finetouch again tomorrow. I will try not to be afraid, and I hope that the nightmares will not come back.

Let's heal the world, and make it a better place. Peace.

Its funny how I still have 'block', but I know that if I don't manage to post this article now - I may never get down to posting it. My mind has moved on, and something else is in the works. I'm sorry if the style is inconsistent - but hey, this is pure me!

How I became afraid of the Nigerian Police Force (Part 1)

I have a pathological and oftentimes debilitating fear of the Nigerian Police Force. (Please note that 'Force' has been officially removed from their name, but almost all the badges on the policemen I encounter still bear it). Every time I happen on one of the 'men in black' who are charged with 'protecting the nation' - particularly when they are armed - I go weak at the knees!
I have my fair share of fears, some of which are that: I dislike dogs (with a passion); I get really dizzy in elevators, and I HATE heights. However, in the past three months – the fear of the police has gone from being virtually non-existent to becoming the dominant fear on my horizon.
I do not have to look far to identify the reason for this new fear, and here I will tell you the story of how I became afraid of the Nigerian Police.
A few months back I led prayers at the weekly prayer meeting of the Student Christian Movement – and in my usual style – every fibre of my being was involved. I spent about five hours preparing to speak for forty-five minutes, and at the end of it all I was exhausted. On getting back to Finetouch (where I stay in town) I promptly went to sleep (about 10.30pm) with my shoes on! Yes and there were two other people in the room with me who stayed awake to get some work done on their laptops.
The sleep was peaceful, and uneventful (except for that one fine girl was chasing me in one of my dreams), until about 2.00am when I was woken by a sharp jab to my right leg. I shifted in my sleep – without opening my eyes – in the hope that whoever was responsible for the pain would let off. However, the pain came back, sharper and was accompanied by a gruff voice saying "wake up young man".
I opened my eyes, and almost immediately collapsed in fright – there was a man in mufti with an AK-47 rifle! (Trust me, I know an AK when I see one – I have played enough first-person shooter games!) The jabbing pain on my leg was from him trying to wake me up by MILDLY hitting me with the gun!!!
"You sleep too much; wake up wake up wake up"!!!
Needless to say, I jumped off the bed in one motion – and made for the entrance to the room – (a reflexive but stupid action that I now think was directed at escape).
The man restrained me, forcibly, and asked calmly "where are you going"?

This is real life o, not in any way fictional! I have decided to break it into two parts because I'm getting 'block' and editing the latter part is becoming burdensome... Check back, will ya?)

Musings of an Afraid-To-Graduate Student

For some time now I have been in serious, albeit uncoordinated thought. I have turned to the compass of my word processor in a bid to find direction in the stormy mess that my thoughts have become - and this post is born out of that rush for direction. Forgive me if I come across as disjointed, but feelings like this grab hold of me once in a blue moon.

Service today was a Thanksgiving Service for the Graduating Class of 2010 from my campus fellowship, the Student Christian Movement, and as usual of such services was packed full of songs, celebration and testimonies. It came with mixed feelings for me, for a number of reasons (none of which was that I thought ill of any graduating student o!)

Ok, one of my best friends ever (who did a four year course) is graduating - seemingly leaving me behind. Also, a few other great friends I have made over the past four years are moving on. Yes, it is good to know that everybody is growing up and moving on with their lives, but I still cannot shake the feeling that I am going to miss them really bad!

Yes, and did I mention that (by God's grace) I belong to the Class of 2011 - the next set to graduate from the greatest of Nigerian Universities? Well, I do belong!!!

Well, at the moment the thought that I will (by God's grace) graduate next year does not particularly bring me plenty joy. Rather, it brings a heightened awareness of the amount of work that needs be done in that one year. See, the celebrations and testimonies today only served to drive home one reality - my time here will be up soon!

The largely peaceful and idyllic environment of the Obafemi Awolowo University campus has been a home of sorts to me over the past four years. Here I have made friends, learnt to give and serve, learnt to respect other peoples' opinions and perspectives, learnt to lead, the list could go on forever...

I consider who I have become over these past four years, then look back at the boy that walked haltingly into the Amphitheatre for the Matriculation Ceremony sometimes in November 2006 - and I can only wonder at how far I have come. Indeed, God has been faithful to me.

Yes, I have short-changed myself - and at times I have lived below my full potential. I have gotten great grades and bad ones. I have made money and lost even more. I have lent money out and I have lived in debt. I am not who I want to be - but I have come a long way from what I was.

Now, I am grateful that I chose to study a five year course. I am grateful that I have two semesters to right my wrongs, maximize my potential and raise the bar on myself. Beyond that, I am grateful that I have come to the awareness of how little time I have left at this time. I shudder to think what would happen if I became aware on the day of my own Thanksgiving Service - that simply would be disastrous!

Today, I will take the advice of Paul and I will seek to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way. Yes, I can be and do anything! I can leap over any wall, and run through a troop. Nothing is impossible for me - because I believe!

I believe I can fly... you can fly... WE CAN FLY!!!

I'll see you at the top; just make sure you fly as high as you can!

Peace.

Give it up for MTN

I almost did not write this, but then it would not be fair if I did not. Considering that only a while back I wrote a piece in which I labelled MTN a company bent on "ripping Nigerians off", it is only fair that I take back those words in the light of their new Internet connection rates and commend them for a job well done.

By now, it is no news that MTN Nigeria has slashed their Internet connection rates, so much that I screamed on seeing the new rates. These new rates are extremely competitive, and the majority of them are aimed at mobile users signifying that the company has undergone a shift in its perception of the market and has adjusted its behaviour accordingly.

It is easy to see that the average mobile Internet user would rather pay a thousand Naira for 100MB of data on a monthly basis than spend N500 to configure a cheat that might be blocked in a few days and that was the point of my argument in the earlier article. It is also quite obvious that cheaper rates will lure people into spending more time online, in the process incurring more data charges and leaving MTN with roughly the same amount of profit or more on a monthly basis.

While I am not under any illusions that I played any part in causing MTN to review their connection rates downwards, I must commend the company for being responsive to the needs of its customers. At this juncture, I must also state that I sense a hint of a reaction here - a reaction to Globacom's Internet rates. But then, that is why we live in a supposedly free-market economy, is not it?

So, for those students who need to refer to Google and Wikipedia on a constant basis, and for the social networking freaks who live on facebook, MTN is the way to go!!!

Peace.

Lamentations from the past

Just finished writing up a new story... Read the first few paragraphs down here, and read the full story here on my other blog.

It was widely said of Ayankoso that he was okunrin meta, three men in one. Truly, he feared no man, for the reason that he wielded an almighty weapon; one so mighty that it often conquered the sword when all else failed. ‘Koso was the only person who could confront the king without fear, and even the king refrained from directly opposing him on any matter of consequence.

Over the years, serving under the administrations of different kings, ‘Koso had become the conscience of the kingdom. The wealth of experience garnered from serving a wide variety of kings, coupled with information he picked up from study and his travels had made him a voice to reckon with in matters of state. You see, he had been on the scene from the very beginning, and he had outlasted every king that had come to share his stage – yes, his stage.

Ayankoso was loved and respected by the people, because he spoke for them. It was Ayankoso who felt the pulse of the people, and relayed it to the king and his council. It was he who exposed the king and his men when they secretly went against the laws they swore by in the open; it was he who shone his old flashlight on the shady deals that went on under the cover of darkness, yes – it was he who fought for the people when the king and his men trampled on their rights.

Read more...

You too can walk on water!

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I have recently decided to share some spiritual truths I come across via this medium, and this is the first in a series of randomly spaced notes that will continue for some time.

Only this morning, I was reading through the first chapter of Luke, and I was struck by the contrast between the responses of Zechariah and Mary to the message that Gabriel brought them. You remember that story, do you?

Zechariah was an old priest who had been praying to God for a child (vs. 13) for quite some time (vs. 18). We understand that we pray expecting to receive, so we might guess that Zechariah was expecting an answer, right?

Kaita - An Average Nigerian Man!

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Unarguably, things fell apart after Kaita was sent off. If you have ever played football manager, you know what it means for morale to drop. Team morale simply hit record low levels the instant we went one man down. After Kaita was sent off, it was inevitable that we would lose to Greece, simple!

It was appalling to see him drop to his knees, but then – it was not surprising. Just like many other Nigerian men, Kaita was brought up in an educational system without a functional reward and punishment system. He did not start lashing out in anger on that field, he surely had been doing it for years – and getting away with it!

He is not the only one at fault here, Nigeria is! He is only an example of a society with no clear cut moral standards. He is an example of a society where corruption and abuse of office are the order of the day, where the evil go unpunished and the good suffer – in silence!

From policemen who lash out in anger and kill innocent people to school teachers who beat students till they bleed; from fathers who hit their children at the slightest provocation to bus drivers who pick fights at the slightest goading – Nigeria is rife with people who have an anger problem. People who have gotten away with ‘immoral’ acts so many times that they have become a norm for them!

Kaita is in the spotlight today because he lashed out in anger on an international stage, but what about the rest of us who do it in our houses? What about you?

MEMOIRS OF A GRADUATING STUDENT

Just finished writing up a new story... Read the first few paragraphs down here, and read the full story here on my other blog.________________________________________________


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As I make my way to the podium for the customary handshake with the Vice Chancellor, I cannot help but be amazed at how short he is.

Imagine. Here I am, claiming the University Prize for the Best Graduating Student, and all I can do is think about how short my erstwhile Vice Chancellor is. Just imagine!

I look across the motley crowd literally hugging the makeshift seats at the Amphitheatre, and I can almost feel the awe and admiration in the air. Hey, can someone please tell me what all these people are staring at? Me?

That young lady in the convocation gown, the one over there, she looks like she would follow me without as much as a thought if I smiled at her. Well, I must confess it is rather sad that I have to meet with the representatives from Sahara Oil and ChevronTexaco after this ceremony – I really would love to chat up that girl after this ceremony, there is this thing about her that makes me want to scream! She bats her eyelids at me, and sure as clockwork - my heart skips a beat. In that one missed beat, I know for sure that meeting this young woman is of more importance than meeting with the black guys in black blazers.

Read more...

THEATRE OF THE ABSURD

Finally, it has been announced that President Yar’Adua is dead, and reports on www.234next.com have it that Goodluck Jonathan has been sworn in as the President of the country. Click here for more details.

Well, I am of the opinion that Yar’Adua has been ‘dead’ for a long time, it is just that the news is only now been released in the public domain. I do not mean that he has been physically dead for a long time, what I mean is that he long since ceased to be relevant in affairs of state.

I am not particularly happy at the death of Mr. Yar’Adua, what I am happy at is that the Nigerian state no longer has an excuse to run around in circles, and the new President can fully concentrate on the task of moving the country forward without the fear that some invalid may suddenly resurrect and ask to be reinstated.

Turai, and the Nigerian polity at large should learn from this – the office of the President is larger than any one individual. I daresay that until the Nigerian state understands and incorporates that principle, we may return to this same point in some form at some time in the future.

Well, here comes the curtain on the reign of Mr. Yar’Adua. We have come to the end of the first act – in the theatre of the absurd. Forgetting those things which are behind, we look forward to a greater and better future. It’s time to move this great country of ours forward.

Let’s do this, shall we?

Read more here, here, and here.

2011: Who Says Jonathan won't run?

Great write-up by Salisu Suleiman:


"As INEC unfolds its proposals for next year’s general elections in the midst of rising political activity, it is clearer than ever that if there is one thing common to Nigerian politicians, it is the fact that most of them do not look back at history and are thus unable to project, even hypothetically, what the future may be like. And because they are unable to draw the lessons from the past, they very often lack a strategic approach to power and politics. Indeed, from the jostling and postulations currently going on in the country, it is obvious that they also do not understand the nature and essence of power."


Read more here.

FOR THE LOVE OF NIGERIA...

(This was originally posted on the 1st of October, 2009)

For a few days now, I have felt under a lot of pressure.

I have repeatedly tried to commit my thoughts to my word processor, in a bid to ease the pressure, but motivation has been long in coming. Even now, as my fingers move lightly around the keyboard in an attempt to coax every last drop from the spigot of inspiration – I cannot shake the feeling that the flow will constrict and eventually die out. In any case, before I allow that to happen, I hope to maximize it.

Let’s do this, shall we?

I was taught by a cruel and unfeeling educational system not to show emotion, as shows of emotion were often ‘rewarded’ with punishment. I was brought up to believe that crying was synonymous with weakness, that public shows of emotion were only for the faint of heart – to be avoided with all the will power I could muster in demanding situations.

Sadly, in a drastic departure from what I have believed for years, recent happenings have taught me with agreeable force and shown me with stunning clarity - real men cry!

You know the feeling you get when you cry alongside a hungry kid who hasn’t eaten in days, yet who refuses your money in an effort to save face for his parents? You know the feeling you get when you cry alongside a father who has stuffed his ego down the toilet seat as he asks you for a loan to fix his motorcycle, so he can go out and make some money for his family? You know the feeling you get when you cry alongside a sick 3-year old that cannot afford quality medical treatment, and whom you are almost powerless to help?...

LAGOS BOY

This article is every bit for me as it is for you!

As is usual when I have not written in quite a while, I have way too many things running on my mind and picking one is sort of a Herculean task.

So, I am in Lagos for Industrial Attachment, but for me, this is a great opportunity to work for myself. I have been studying PHP for quite a while, and this is a time to hone my skills. I have this funny sensation of loving Lagos, and hating it at the same time. I love the new environment, the diversity, staying in Wale’s house, and meeting 2 of my cousins for the first time. At the same time, I hate the incessant traffic jams, the crowd of humanity that seems to dog every step I make, the heat, and the oppressive carbon monoxide tinged smell of the air.

I love my DADDY!

I love my daddy!

That is one statement that I used to find hard to admit, and even more awkward to say to his face (I have not found the strength to say it to his face yet, thank God for text messages), but I sit here – about to leave home again – and I cannot help admitting that I love the man whose genes I carry.

Random thoughts on Nigeria...

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(This was originally posted in February)

I cannot shake the feeling that I have shied away from writing about Nigeria for too long. I must make an excuse for myself, so I will say that I have felt overwhelmed in recent times. I use the word overwhelmed, because the evils that plague the nightmares of this sleeping giant are threatening to stifle its life force, by all means.

I say overwhelmed, because I feel as though we have been set the collective task of reclaiming every evil that escaped from the mythological Pandora’s Box and somehow forcing the box back down into the depths of Hades.

Where do I start from? So much has happened between my “For the Love of Nigeria” on the 1^st of October and now, that it would take posts on end to summarize my hitherto flittering thoughts on happenings in Nigeria. From religious uprisings again in the North, to Mr. President going on indefinite sick leave; from a misguided fanatic trying to blow up a plane, to the Super Eagles conceding 3 goals to the Egyptians after starting the match in such wonderful form; in fact, our collective story would take ages to tell.

All sorts...

Been watching Bill Gates speak about American education at TED, and now I have stopped to wonder how those guys got to the forefront in almost everything... I believe that if we can get education right in Nigeria, over the course of the next 35 years, we can raise a new breed of people... with redefined identities, and with a strong sense of loyalty to the nation...

Trying to see in what little way I can contribute to the education thing, probably join someone that is already doing something - or start something if I don't find somewhere I can fit in...

Let's do this, or...

What say you?

JOS: From peace home to killing fields...

Found this great piece by Sunday Dare... It really is worth your time, please... follow the link...

"I no longer have sweet memories about Jos. No feeling of nostalgia. My excitement about my birthplace has fizzled out over the years. Infact, these days I dread any visits to Jos to see my siblings and childhood friends. The places I loved so much to visit in Jos no longer hold any attraction for me. From thousands of miles away in my place in America, I smell death each time I hear about Jos. I feel pained because the knives of the killers have struck home twice now and I have seen many, too many loved ones and innocent lives lost on the platter of religious fanaticism. The present religious crisis which began on Sunday has finally put paid to my romance with Jos and to a large extent led me to write off the Nigerian government as failed and criminal in many respects. A government unable to guaranty the safety of lives and property does not deserve to rule over us. Simplicita, it is an illegitimate government..."

A tragic letter from ground zero (Jos)

Forwarded email from Norma of Zamani Farms.

Hello customers,

I don't know whether my internet connection will be working tomorrow, so I have decided to take this opportunity to let you know the situation at Zamani Farms.
First of all, thanks to all of you who tried to help me rescue some of our staff and others in Kuru Jenta. I want to state that I have not yet been able to go to the farm to see for myself what is the situation, but have been in touch with some individuals by phone. According to reports, all of the Muslim houses in Kuru were burnt, and most of the Muslims were killed. Only a few are still alive. Although the person I spoke with (one of our farm staff) was naturally upset and a bit confused, he told me that he believed that except for himself, the other Muslim members of staff of the farm were all killed, along with many other inhabitants of the village.He along with his wife and children were injured but managed to escape, and at that point (this evening) he was attempting to walk through the bush to get to the Police Staff College, which he felt was the nearest place of refuge where they could be safe.

Jos Crises: Leadership Failure and the Drift to Anarchy

Once again, the city of Jos in Plateau State has gone up in flames as crisis erupted leading to the death of over 20 people, with hundreds wounded and property worth millions destroyed. This is coming at the heels of another deadly conflict in Bauchi a couple of weeks ago where about 70 people died. Add the thousands of citizens who died during the Boko Haram crisis a few months ago and the magnitude of death and destruction become bewildering.

The Good Governance Group (3G) notes with concern that the number of ethnic and religious crises we have experienced of recent is clear indication of failure of governance at all levels. 3G hereby condemns all violence and the resulting loss of life and property in the strongest terms. We also extend our sympathies to all those who lost family and friends in this mindless mayhem.

It is sad that in less than three years of PDP government of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Nigeria has witnessed more than four deadly religious and communal conflicts with death toll running into thousands and property worth billions of naira destroyed. The unbroken chain of avoidable violent conflicts in Nigeria is clear evidence that the PDP government of President Yar’Adua has failed woefully in protecting security of life and property in Nigeria and promoting the fundamental objectives of constitutional democracy in Nigeria.

In a period when government officials are vociferous in condemning our listing as country of interest on terrorism, the government continues to fiddle while the nation is engulfed in sectarian violence. While we promise the world that we are peaceful nation fully paid up in its commitment to human rights and political stability, innocent Nigerians are killed coldblooded in spates of ethnic or religious madness. Government cannot prevent violence and cannot protect innocent citizens in outbreaks of violence. This is shameful.

The recurring incidences of ethnic and religious crises we have experienced of recent is clear indication of failure of governance at all levels.Coming barely a year after the last round of violence which left thousands of people dead, and many more displaced, these new acts of violence has occurred only because rather than resolve the crisis that triggered the first one, they have only been politicized.

This has led to further loss of hope and growing anarchy in the country. Combined with high levels of poverty and unemployment, our people are completely disillusioned and resort to violence at the slightest provocation. This is dangerous. The absence of President Yar’adua and the failure of the Federal Executive Council and National Assembly to enforce provisions of the Nigerian constitution and guarantee leadership through allowing Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to emerge as Acting President until President Yar’Adua returns to full health further complicate matters.

As a movement dedicated to the institutionalization of Constitutional authority in Nigeria, 3G hereby calls for an immediate halt to the violence. We call on the federal government to urgently ensure that the roots causes of these conflicts are addressed to ensure that more lives and properties are not lost. We draw attention to the unmitigated failure of PDP government of President Yar’Adua to offer leadership which is dragging Nigeria into anarchy. 

Salihu M. Lukman

Group Organizing Secretary

Join http://3gnigeria.org/signup.php

Crazy...

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 (reading for exams last semester - sometimes early last year)

Methinks that somewhere in my ‘A QUICK WORD’ section I said something about sharing part of me. Well, I am about to do that RIGHT now.

Please forgive the speed with which I write this. If you notice the difference in my writing style, please understand that I am in the middle of exams and with eleven papers and about 5 lab sessions over the next 3 weeks – I sure have got my work cut out for me.

Ok, so I have a paper on Thursday that I cannot seem to find the motivation to read for, Mechanics of Machines. Nice content, great lecturer, but I simply cannot bring myself to focus on it. Well, before you go on to crucify me, note that I also have two papers on Friday, Fluid Mechanics II and Statistics for Engineers. Every time I have set out to read Mechanics of Machines, I find that I end up reading Fluid Mechanics II.

So, why? Guess I simply prefer the Fluid’s course… The content is no less abstract than Mechanic’s content, but I seem to identify more with it…

Ok, so I am about to send my friend, Lamide Tawose, a text… I’m asking for her help… It is a given that I cannot cheat, and I absolutely have to net a good grade on this exam, so…

Been up for a while now, playing around with Navier-Stokes equations and the likes – Fluid Mechanics II, and I’m starting to freak out…

Listening to ‘If I didn’t know better’ by Luther Vandross, and I am flying back in time to 2005… Funny how that song is forever associated with that time in my life… If you know the song, you can get a glimpse into what I went through during that phase of my life…

Yeah, Funmi Ojediran, I’m missing you like ‘dash’. You probably won’t get to read this, but in the event that someone who is reading this knows you – then I ask that they please pass on the message. Yeah, and Olaniyan Kayode too… You guys were an integral part of my stay in Secondary School, and it’s funny how we haven’t spoken in over 3 years now… Sad!

@ Dolapo Balogun, thanks for the earphones and the optical mouse… Really appreciate ‘em...

@  Segun Wemimo, thanks for your time today...

@ OAU na’s… Read your books o!!!

@ Myself… You better fall in love with MEE 306…

@ Pastor… I’m sorry, but I’m stabbing prayer meeting this morning…

@ Everybody out there… Peace…

L8r.

ARISE! O COMPATRIOTS

(People queuing for fuel in Nigeria, regardless of the fact that we are number 8 on the OPEC list o!!!)


Came across this article that I posted sometimes in July, precisely the 10th of July, last year... I think that it could not be more relevant at this time, when we seem to be in urgent need of focused leaders... Join me as I go down through memory lane...

"I believe in a Nigeria with a government of the people, by the people, and for the people; whose 
just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; and a nation established upon the principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity.

We will never bring disgrace on this our Nation by an act of dishonesty or cowardice.
We will fight for the ideals and Sacred Things of the Nation both alone and with many.
We will revere and obey the Nation’s laws, and will do our best to incite a like reverence and respect in those above us who are prone to annul them or set them at naught.
We will strive increasingly to quicken the public’s sense of civic duty.
Thus in all these ways, we will transmit this Nation, not only not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us."


Read the rest of this article...

Have you seen this man?

Found this great picture while browsing through the net...

yeah, and this one too -

Drop your answers to the question it poses as comments...

If Nigeria Fails...

Great article by 'Deolu Akinyemi with the title - IF NIGERIA FAILS...

"Yesterday was quite a full day for me, it was a day in which many things simply came to a head. I had deliberately refused to comment on a number of issues for a while, hoping that in the period of my silence things will bounce back to normalsy. The more the days pass however, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that we are approaching a failed state. Optimism is good, if it is bound at the bottom by reality, at the top by faith and at the sides by work. Baseless optimism is a cancer, it’s false hope and mere lies.

Rather than confront our issues and do what we need to do to save our nation from a head on collision course with failure, we tell ourselves it’s all going to be well, God will do it, we make God out to be our slave. In the face of unconstitutional behaviour, in the face of  televised dishonesty, of forgeries at the highest levels, of being labelled as terrorists, of no power at home and a vacuum in the seat of power, the elite in Nigeria have not heard the drums of war... Read the rest of this article."

Where is Yar' Adua?

Found this great site where Nigerians are making themselves heard on this issue of Yar'Adua's e-governance (or is he using blackberry's)?

Find below excerpts from the site:

"I am of the opinion that yaradua must be dead. Its been almost a month, and the FEC is still claiming he is recovering. Please! There is a different between politics and outright stupidity. Do the right thing: relieve him of the job, and let Nigeria move on."

"he's probably chilling and partying wit Abacha in hell!"

"Can some1 tell the difference between when he was around and now that he is not around?... there is absolutely no difference, because he was doing nothing before he left us about 44 days ago. GOD HELP US....."

Follow the link, and make your voice heard...

Peace.

Chevron Nigeria Scholarships

Nigerian students in the following departments and in their second year of study should follow the link for more information about Chevron Nigeria Scholarship 2010 Awards...

1. Accountancy
2. Agricultural Engineering/Agricultural Science
3. Architecture
4. Business Administration/Economics
5. Chemical Engineering
6. Civil Engineering
7. Computer science
8. Electrical/Electronics Engineering
9. Environmental Studies/ Surveying
10. Geology/Geophysics
11. Law
12. Mass Communication/Journalism
13. Mechanical/Metallurgical & Materials Engineering
14. Human Medicine/Dentistry/Pharmacy
15. Petroleum Engineering

Letter to the President

Came across this great letter to the President by Tolu Ogunlesi while checking out 234next.com... It's a great read, please follow the link if you can...

Have fun.

THE POWER OF WHAT YOU LISTEN TO...

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“What this demonstrates, I think, is how impressionable and vulnerable we are in the face of a story…” –Chimamanda Adichie.

In Indonesia, they have a phrase that has become an integral part of my life over the past few months - djam karet. Loosely translated into English, it means the ‘hour that stretches’.

Once in a while, I have one of those ‘hours that stretch’, where I try to take an objective look at life. I approach those thinking sessions trying to become more aware, trying to understand why I think the way I do and trying to identify which parts of my life I could take more responsibility for.

Recently, I set out to identify what was responsible for my thought patterns, and what kind of effect it had on my quality of life. The results of that session gave rise to this post. I would like to share what I learnt, because I believe that they apply to everyone, regardless of age, culture and other differences.

Let’s do this, shall we?

Have you noticed that we never really see the world the way it is? Has it occurred to you yet that we all see the world the way we are; that we see a reflection of ourselves in others? Let me give you a way to picture this, other than the clichéd belief window concept. Think of yourself as looking at life through sunglasses, tinted sunglasses. Now, while your pair of glasses might have clear lenses, it still has some element of shade built into it.