You cannot change PDP... PDP will change you

Nice article by @ekekeee in response to the famous 'great party' tweet by @MrFixNigeria.

"... I have seen and known enough to appreciate that the PDP reality forbids change, and will eat up anybody who comes in with a genuine intention to ennoble the organization. Remember Okwesilieze Nwodo – the ousted party chairman who was out to instill discipline in the party? What became of him? The system ate him up! ..."

KOYE-LADELE Mogbekeloluwa, +2348062543654, koyegbeke at gmail (dot) com

Dear FRSC, why do we need new number plates?

I have never understood the reason behind the introduction of the new number plates.

If it was done in an attempt to re-register car owners and update databases - the same could still have been done with the present number plates.

However, the 'funniest' reason for the introduction of the new number plates I have heard has come from the Corps Marshal of the FRSC who argues that additional 'security features' on the new plates and licenses will help in checking the spate of road accidents and death rates caused by reckless drivers on the road. How?

Read the full news article here.

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KOYE-LADELE Mogbekeloluwa, +2348062543654, koyegbeke at gmail (dot) com

On Falling Out of Love...

Last night, I got into a conversation with my friends as to what was responsible for Kevin's behaviour towards Ogo. (I presume readers are familiar with Ogo's story and my previously stated thoughts on it).

Evidently, as in other relationships that end up on the rocks - these two were in love at some point. There was a time of their lives when they were completely sold on each other, when they lived for each other, when their hearts would flutter as they shared private moments together.

So, what happened?

What happens to transform a loving boyfriend into an abusive husband? What happens to transform a caring lover into a distant, unfeeling stranger? What?

In the case of Kevin and Ogo, it is particularly evident that Kevin chose his family over his wife at some point. How does that work? Where does one draw the line between parents/extended family and their wife/nuclear family? It is evident that men need to be strong enough to protect their wives from their families, but if care is not taken - they run the risk of alienating family. Where then is the right place for a man to stand?

Whoever wrote that post on behalf of Ogochukwu Onuchukwu intended that the living learn from her story, that others might avoid her end by taking heed to her experiences - men and women alike. I intend to do just that.

Sound off in the comment section below.

20,000 Pageviews

So, I finally hit (and passed) the 20,000 pageviews mark today - on my 100th post.

Blogging has been fun, trust me.

From my  first post  quoted by another blog and published on Helium, to my recent rant about Nigerian churches and their Universities - my writing has sure come a long way. From my first post in the Theatre of the Absurd series to my controversial (at least on facebook) post on Homosexuals, Corruption, and Misdirected Energies - I have not for once ceased to exhibit my affinity for controversy.

What I have tried to do in this blog is articulate my opinion. I am not always right, but I have always been a proponent of being sincerely wrong if you are wrong at all. Life is in stages, and at every stage we learn more and know more than we did previously. I have never hesitated to form strong opinions and stand by them, supporting my belief that taking responsibility for your choices often requires more strength you need to make the choices in the first place.

It is very hard for me to draw up a list of my favorite posts, because a part of me has found expression in every one of them...but if I really had to choose five - I would pick the following:

1. For the Love of Nigeria (October 1, 2009; an emotional outburst on the many issues that plague the Nigerian state).
2. Nigerian Christendom: a Misguided Sense of Neutrality (March 12, 2010; another outburst - this one on the continued neutrality of the Nigerian church).
3. Theatre of the Absurd IV: INEC Goofed! (April 4, 2011; written on hearing that INEC had postponed the elections by one week - and gave rise to one of my most classic paragraphs ever).
4. Istoria: A Yahoo Boy and His Murano (Part Two) (June 13, 2011; a widely popular story of, well, a yahoo boy and his murano. :D)
5. Theatre of the Absurd VI: Of Bomb Blasts, Policemen, and Presidents (August 26, 2011; written after the Abuja bombings).

I'd also like to throw in the following two, published on the Daily Times blog:
1. The Problem With Church Universities (March 3, 2012; inspired by the news of the completion of MFM's Mountain Top University).
2. Bridging the Chasm between Government and the Governed (January 10, 2012; inspired by happenings during the fuel subsidy removal protests).

Let's drink a toast, to 30,000 more pageviews within the next two years!

Thank you, for making this happen!

KOYE-LADELE Mogbekeloluwa, +2348062543654, koyegbeke at gmail (dot) com

The story of a woman who died trying to win her husband's affection

I just read the most chilling story online. It is a Sunday morning, but I am just sad.

Why do evil things happen?

"... Kevin, you  had again become very impatient with me. My fears were fully alive again. The  battles it seemed I had won were again in full rage. My husband, in your irritable impatience and anger, you told me to my face that our son, my Kamsi,  was worthless to you. You said he was abnormal. You said that our daughter, my Amanda, was a girl and that you had no need for a girl child because she would  someday be married off. I remember, in pain, that you didn’t attend Amanda’s christening because you were upset with me. You told me your mother was more important to you than “THESE THINGS” I brought to your house. You were referring to our children, were you not? “THESE THINGS”. ..."

Why do good women fall in love with 'bad' men? Why do the bad guys get the great girls (at least, most of the time)? Why do good women spend lots and lots of time trying to gain the validation of men that don't even deserve them?

"...Recalling the abusive words,  the spitting, the beating, the bruising, the knifing, and the promise that I  would not live long for daring to forget to buy garden eggs for your mother, an  insult you vowed I would pay for with my life ……., I knew then it was over for  me. There was no rationalizing needed any longer. Even the blind could see ………. You did not want me in your life..."

Why do some men pander to their mother's demands at the expense of their wife's happiness and well-being? Why do some men treat good women like dirt?

"... Kevin, do you remember that on  my return I gave you a pair of shoes I had bought for you? Kevin, my husband, do  you remember hurling those shoes at me? Kevin, do you remember me breaking down  in tears? Kevin, do you remember me asking you that night, many times over, why  you hated me so much, what I had done to make you hate me as much as you did?..."

For the good guys out there, I must also say that it takes a lot of work to remain 'good'. I am pretty sure a lot of work goes into keeping a relationship going strong... A lot of maturity, perseverance... A willingness to overlook small issues such as whether she presses the toothpaste tube at the middle or at the end (for God's sake, just buy TWO!). A willingness to confront issues as they arise, not leaving any bruises to fester and turn into open wounds...

It feels good to be in love with the woman of your dreams, but it takes work to stay that way till death do you both part.

Please follow the link and read the full letter.

PS:
You know, the sad part is that this Kevin guy is definitely going to marry somebody else. Would her sacrifice have been worth it in the end?

KOYE-LADELE Mogbekeloluwa, +2348062543654, koyegbeke at gmail (dot) com

Yesterday or day before, it was in the news that the Governor of Delta State, Gov. Uduaghan, has decided to take up the case of Okeoghene. Reports have it that actions to save this young man's life have started in earnest and he will soon be on his way to India where he will have access to some really good medical care.

That is good news.

It is good to know that Nigerian youth are gradually pulling their weight and leveraging on social media to coordinate and direct our efforts, and even better to know that our words are backed by actions. Before Gov. Uduaghan decided to step in, Nigerians had raised N2M for Oke already. I feel proud to have been a part of this move, and I feel proud to have contributed to a cause larger than my daily routine.

Also, I'd like to give it up for Linda Ikeji - the most influential Nigerian blogger of our time. Her post on Oke made sure his story was heard across Nigeria. Respect!

We are the world.

KOYE-LADELE Mogbekeloluwa, +2348062543654, koyegbeke at gmail (dot) com

Votes on CP Africa (presently) rate Etisalat better than MTN

Votes on CP Africa presently (3.35pm, Thursday March 22 2012) rate Etisalat better than MTN.

Isn't that interesting? I thought MTN would be leading by a clear margin.

Follow the link to vote and view current results.

KOYE-LADELE Mogbekeloluwa, +2348062543654, koyegbeke at gmail (dot) com

Customs seize (and destroy) 13 trucks of chicken

Only this morning, I read in the news that the Nigerian Customs Service seized, and DESTROYED frozen chicken worth N200 million!!!

Now, now, I am not sure - but in my opinion so long as there was nothing wrong with the frozen chicken (quality wise), then destroying (some of) it was equivalent to burning N200 million (original) Naira notes because someone had gotten them in a dubious manner.

If it was that the chicken had been imported in such a way as to avoid paying import duties, then the chicken should have been impounded (and kept in good condition) until the importer paid the appropriate duties plus an appropriate levy. And even if the importation of chicken is prohibited, then I am sure there are better ways to go about it than to destroy goods of such value.

My thoughts.

KOYE-LADELE Mogbekeloluwa, +2348062543654, koyegbeke at gmail (dot) com

...The Use of Quota Systems to Enforce Gender Equality

Nice thoughts here from Seun Osewa on the use of quota systems to enforce gender equality.

KOYE-LADELE Mogbekeloluwa, +2348062543654, koyegbeke at gmail (dot) com

Nigerian Churches and their Universities

Only yesterday, it was in the news that Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries has completed the building of their university – Mountain Top University. This is somewhat good news for the Nigerian state, as the burgeoning youth population is in urgent need of more educational institutions to sate the desire for higher education.

It is further argued that many church-run universities are better equipped than their government counterparts. Oftentimes backed by churches with deep pockets and a sincere commitment to an improved society, no expense is spared in the bid to acquire state of the art equipment and facilities for these universities. These results have paid off, as some church-run universities are now ranked higher than many government universities.

Church-run universities are also unique from another perspective. They profess to focus on the simultaneous development of the ‘mental, spiritual, moral and physical man’ – setting themselves apart from conventional universities which have no business catering to spiritual needs of their students. However, in the long run this emphasis on spiritual training may prove to be their undoing.

Universities are training institutions in more than one way. Apart from providing academic training, students – many of whom have lived with their parents all their lives – are brought into close contact with people from various tribes and belief systems. Rooms with Christian Northerners and Moslem Southerners alike facilitate a better appreciation of the diversity that exists in Nigeria and the real world, and gives room for better integration into society. Students are exposed to the many challenges of time and finance management, and helped to see how their choices have direct effects on the quality of their lives by seeing how their choices affect their grades.

Largely, this is not the case in many church-run universities. In a bid to ensure spiritual and moral development, the administrations of these institutions have taken over the business of making personal choices for their students. Young adults who should ordinarily be left to decide how to spend their time and to take responsibility for their choices are made to live regimented lives. Students in some of these universities only have access to school-controlled phone lines; others dare not be seen talking to a lady or holding hands in public. Exit from school premises is strictly controlled, and some of them attend up to seven services a week.

This, in my opinion, defeats the very purpose of university education. University graduates are expected to know enough to hold their own in society. They must be balanced people, who can tolerate and live with people of differing faiths and belief systems. They must be responsible people, who can make informed choices and live with their consequences.

There is a need to strike a balance. The desire to provide faith-based qualitative education must be balanced with a healthy appreciation of the need to train responsible and tolerant graduates. Until this balance is reached, church-run universities will continue to contribute to the imbalance in Nigerian society.

Think on these things.