NIGERIA: Town Hall Meetings Project (THMP)
Please welcome...every one of you who went beyond the awkward sounding name for this group, and you sensed a seriousness in the theme of the cause that you now belong. On behalf of pioneer conveners of this cause, we welcome you to the NIGERIA: THMP.
As a post independence Nigerian, I have had the luxury of inheriting, along with the rest of us, the initial bubbly feeling of being born into a free nation with prospects of greatness and opportunities for grandeur. After all, we were, and is still, the largest black nation in the world. We account for almost half the population of Africa. The population of Lagos State alone is greater than that of the whole of Israel and Mushin Local government has more people living inside than the whole of the nation called Kuwait.
I remember that Volkwagen Beetle was sold for N1200 back in the 1970s, and a brand new Mercedes 500 SEC sold for N50,000 even in 1982. I remember receiving free train/palne tickets at end of school at the Federal Government College, Kaduna. I remember that in Shagari's day, bad as it was, the minimum national wage was N125.00 and since that translated then to $250 and 100 GBP, it was worth a lot to those of us that just left secondary schools in Shagari's first term.
I remember that, even till the early 1980s UK entry was visa free for us and the cost of airline tickets for me to study A Levels in the UK was about N250 return. Even though I got admission into the University of Leicester, it made no sense to ignore JAMB scores that brought me to Unversity of Lagos, where I later earned both a Federal and Lagos State Government scholarship. From there on it still felt that we all had hopes of fulfilling destiny.
What went so wrong?
I hope that those of us that have chosen to join this group believe that we are taking the question out of the electronic media, out of home gossips and printed critiques, to the very heart of the community. I hope that we belong to a class sufficiently passionate about the next 50 years of Nigeria that we will go beyond forever complaining to tirelessly planning to rebuild the nation that hosts our mortal beings. I hope that we will come together to help our leaders and emerging leaders with a documented compilation of the thoughts, ideas, ideals and mission principles that will help us retrace our path to national greatness. I hope we will all become problem solvers rather than problem articulators.
Can we turn hope into action? A la Obama?
This is the cause that we have begun. I have prayed deeply before embarking with my co-conveners on this journey, and I have raised a team of people, even to Aso Villa, to agree with us on this quest, in prayer.
The rest is left to us pioneer members of this new movement, which Mr John Oluwagbemiga has called New Nigeria Movement. Believe us when we say, we are coming to a place near you.
Lets get our buckets, spades, chisels and hoes. Lets get working, through inspired dialogue, to chart a path for a blessed nation.
Lets have a documented vision for our nation that will take us further to the next 50 years and beyond...lets change this nation...YES WE CAN.
Tell your friends...contribute your words...attend our meetings...join our committees...the time is now...there may never be another.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA.
George H. Ashiru
Co-convener
NIGERIA: Town Hall Meetings Project (THMP)
MAN OF CONTRASTS... An Alpha Male In Pursuit Of Truth, and Fulfillment...
Monday, May 24, 2010
ALL I NEED IS LOVE...
From the coastlines of Tripoli, where the poor down trodden sons of Ham are shoveled into miniature arks of Noah...hoping, some how, that they would find refuge in the shorelines of brother Japeth, in Spain.
From the dark forests of Nigeria's Niger Delta, to the sprawling tents in Darfur...the sounds of war...the cries of woe...the shouts of anguish, even to the scorched streets of Mogadishu.
From the lands of Havillah, filled with good gold, hemming Gaza and Ashdod and Ashkelon...to the walled streets of Jerusalem...the deserts of Jordan, stretching to the inlands of Iraq...it is the same cry...of Shem's offspring...
Of God's people saying...
ALL I NEED IS LOVE...
Let our love cover the earth this week...Let it be.
GHA
Ultimate Love Foundation
Month of the First-fruits
2009
From the dark forests of Nigeria's Niger Delta, to the sprawling tents in Darfur...the sounds of war...the cries of woe...the shouts of anguish, even to the scorched streets of Mogadishu.
From the lands of Havillah, filled with good gold, hemming Gaza and Ashdod and Ashkelon...to the walled streets of Jerusalem...the deserts of Jordan, stretching to the inlands of Iraq...it is the same cry...of Shem's offspring...
Of God's people saying...
ALL I NEED IS LOVE...
Let our love cover the earth this week...Let it be.
GHA
Ultimate Love Foundation
Month of the First-fruits
2009
NIGERIA: The Golden Calves
AGENDA: Transformation
God’s hands, healing our land, transforming our lives
Events going on in our nation, Nigeria, indicates that God is at work in this nation, for the emancipation of the land from foundational evil. Every effort at providing positive leadership for the regeneration of the nation has met with brick walls because the foundational evil (Golden Calves) remains in the land.
The Golden Calves:
Rituals for the coronation of more than 90% of traditional rulers in Nigeria involve invocation of malevolent powers, shedding of human blood and rites that spiritually degrade the people of the lands. God explicitly commanded man not to shed human blood (Gen. 9: 2-4).
Nigeria’s foundational development of her political system, is based on strife, idolatry, demonic covenants, regionalism, ethnicism and greed. This is unrighteousness. Until the righteous rule, there will be no joy in the land.
Government resources at every level are committed to rituals to appease local demonic deities, especially at Local Government levels. The invocations of evil elemental powers enslave the people of the land.
Rulers in the land depend exclusively on local gods and powers for instruction on how to govern their people. Democratic principles and human rights are ignored, in order to perpetuate cultural practices that enslave rather than emancipate the people.
Most communities are dedicated to local deities that require perpetual sacrifices. This is the greatest form of bondage and is the greatest reason that young people are emigrating from Nigeria, not poverty.
Most small and medium businesses still dedicate their businesses to local deities and powers and run these businesses as advised by diviners instead of using basic business principles.
Many military, police and civilian rulers in Nigeria have covenanted with demonic powers for personal protection. Thus, the nation has been ruled by people under demonic influence. These powers have become major strongholds controlling the presidency, state houses, military barracks etc. Leading to constant strife, power struggles and violence through coups etc.
In 1974 and 2003, tens of thousands of foreigners entered Nigeria for the All Africa Games, chanting the names of their national deities, invoking their powers upon the land mass of Nigeria. (As I was a Chaplain
and Head of the Prayer Department during COJA 2003, I saw this manifest evil myself)
In 1977, various cultural troupes, many completely demonic, were given permission to come and invoke their elemental powers upon the land mass of Nigeria during the FESTAC ’77.
Television, internet etc has constantly exposed impressionable youths to various vices and lusts of the flesh, turning secondary schools and universities to dens of fornication, prostitution and other vices.
Spiritual poverty has led to the inculcation of materialism, greed and covetousness and selfishness into the cultural foundation of each community, showing at national level as unprecedented corruption.
This spiritual poverty has also infiltrated every religious organization, and God Almighty is approached only for His benefits rather than His mercy. Though there are crowds in Churches, it is based on the personal charisma of men and “politically correct” preaching, materialism preaching rather than for repentance that leads to change in course of life.
Many national leaders are active members of secret demonic cults and are acting out scripts engineered by rulers of the darkness of these times. Future leaders are recruited and branded through campus cultism.
Blood shed through various military coup and power struggles e.g.; June 12, has caused divine curse upon institutions and individuals involved. There is no atonement for this curse, except the blood of those who kill are shed (Numbers 35: 33-34). But if these people shall repent, the curse on the land shall be annulled.
Until the generations that caused abominations in the landmass of Nigeria are completely wiped out by divine judgement, there can be no rest or peace for the people of Nigeria; and no man can successfully rule Nigeria until God is appeased (2 Chro. 34: 24-28). Only complete national repentance, and prayers of the righteous at every level, can bring renewal and justification and glorification to Nigeria.
God is angry with every nation that practices all these abominations, and unless intercessors are raised to pray for the nation, nothing but judgement and desolation awaits Nigeria and all her future rulers (Ezekiel 22: 23-31)
Arise Nigerians...lets transform this nation, from within us, to the community and then the leadership. If we will not arise, we will sink and Ghana and other nations will take our place in Africa.
George H. Ashiru
President
Institute for Transformational leadership
God’s hands, healing our land, transforming our lives
Events going on in our nation, Nigeria, indicates that God is at work in this nation, for the emancipation of the land from foundational evil. Every effort at providing positive leadership for the regeneration of the nation has met with brick walls because the foundational evil (Golden Calves) remains in the land.
The Golden Calves:
Rituals for the coronation of more than 90% of traditional rulers in Nigeria involve invocation of malevolent powers, shedding of human blood and rites that spiritually degrade the people of the lands. God explicitly commanded man not to shed human blood (Gen. 9: 2-4).
Nigeria’s foundational development of her political system, is based on strife, idolatry, demonic covenants, regionalism, ethnicism and greed. This is unrighteousness. Until the righteous rule, there will be no joy in the land.
Government resources at every level are committed to rituals to appease local demonic deities, especially at Local Government levels. The invocations of evil elemental powers enslave the people of the land.
Rulers in the land depend exclusively on local gods and powers for instruction on how to govern their people. Democratic principles and human rights are ignored, in order to perpetuate cultural practices that enslave rather than emancipate the people.
Most communities are dedicated to local deities that require perpetual sacrifices. This is the greatest form of bondage and is the greatest reason that young people are emigrating from Nigeria, not poverty.
Most small and medium businesses still dedicate their businesses to local deities and powers and run these businesses as advised by diviners instead of using basic business principles.
Many military, police and civilian rulers in Nigeria have covenanted with demonic powers for personal protection. Thus, the nation has been ruled by people under demonic influence. These powers have become major strongholds controlling the presidency, state houses, military barracks etc. Leading to constant strife, power struggles and violence through coups etc.
In 1974 and 2003, tens of thousands of foreigners entered Nigeria for the All Africa Games, chanting the names of their national deities, invoking their powers upon the land mass of Nigeria. (As I was a Chaplain
and Head of the Prayer Department during COJA 2003, I saw this manifest evil myself)
In 1977, various cultural troupes, many completely demonic, were given permission to come and invoke their elemental powers upon the land mass of Nigeria during the FESTAC ’77.
Television, internet etc has constantly exposed impressionable youths to various vices and lusts of the flesh, turning secondary schools and universities to dens of fornication, prostitution and other vices.
Spiritual poverty has led to the inculcation of materialism, greed and covetousness and selfishness into the cultural foundation of each community, showing at national level as unprecedented corruption.
This spiritual poverty has also infiltrated every religious organization, and God Almighty is approached only for His benefits rather than His mercy. Though there are crowds in Churches, it is based on the personal charisma of men and “politically correct” preaching, materialism preaching rather than for repentance that leads to change in course of life.
Many national leaders are active members of secret demonic cults and are acting out scripts engineered by rulers of the darkness of these times. Future leaders are recruited and branded through campus cultism.
Blood shed through various military coup and power struggles e.g.; June 12, has caused divine curse upon institutions and individuals involved. There is no atonement for this curse, except the blood of those who kill are shed (Numbers 35: 33-34). But if these people shall repent, the curse on the land shall be annulled.
Until the generations that caused abominations in the landmass of Nigeria are completely wiped out by divine judgement, there can be no rest or peace for the people of Nigeria; and no man can successfully rule Nigeria until God is appeased (2 Chro. 34: 24-28). Only complete national repentance, and prayers of the righteous at every level, can bring renewal and justification and glorification to Nigeria.
God is angry with every nation that practices all these abominations, and unless intercessors are raised to pray for the nation, nothing but judgement and desolation awaits Nigeria and all her future rulers (Ezekiel 22: 23-31)
Arise Nigerians...lets transform this nation, from within us, to the community and then the leadership. If we will not arise, we will sink and Ghana and other nations will take our place in Africa.
George H. Ashiru
President
Institute for Transformational leadership
RAHAB: From Rejection to Rejoicing
RAHAB – From Rejection into Rejoicing
Dedicated to Michi & Freeda George Foreman, Dolapo Oladimeji, Lara Koleoso
And to Tolu Ashiru and Teewhy A Jeremiah, Ronnette Graham
The oily tan on her withering façade had seen many a harsh solar storm. Deep olive green eyes freckled with hints of cataract penetrated into the oblivion ahead. Her small aquiline nose hooded over her small sculptured lips – ruptured by the dry weather of Abib. Long gossamer black tresses, even to her waistline, caped around her delicate shoulders, with strips of gray forming crinkles at the frayed ends. She was once ornamentally beautiful.
The woolen robes embroidered with scarlet silk barely kept the cold away as she sat atop the bales of flax on her rooftop. The snow on the mountains had melted into the Jordan and she could smell the waft of the petals as they sprung forth in Nisan. Jericho, the beautiful fragranced abode of the heritage of Canaan, in the shadow of palm groves, beset by the Fountain of Elisha. A fortress, walled with intricate patterns of Asphalt and the mud of the banks of the River Jordan.
She looked forlornly, beyond the walls, beyond the sleeping sentry, beyond the massive gates, to a vision of salvation... To her dreams, of the march of the army of Shem’s God. She saw a king, a lion, a throne, a crown, and one who even like the son of man. But she had known no other God, but Baal and Tamuze, and Asherah…but this Son of Man…is perhaps truly a god?
The streaking winds and the dimming sunset soon penetrated her bones. She gathered her robes again and stood atop the produce of the barley harvests, the stalks of flax and the silken ropes she had spun, dipped in scarlet oils. She would sell them to strangers from the Nile, even from Gaza and the Chaldees. Perhaps there was one already in her chambers. She closed her eyes and prayed…”Oh God of creation and of all mankind, whose mercies endure forever. I beseech thee; let my hour of salvation draw nigh”.
As mists gathered in her eyes again, frozen tears, delicate pain, heaving bosoms…the painful memories wracked her body. She, the Queen’s Chambermaid, and the Prince’s love interests. The delight of the royal household, on account of her ethereal beauty. Sought after by the mighty, princes, rulers, and men of valour…the King’s generals. But to the chief of the princes she did give her heart. Until one night, when the drunken brother of the chief prince besought her…and violated her. And the King…banished her to the soldier’s quarters at the Inn of Rejection, where strangers and travelers dwelt until the morn. There they banished her, and named her Rahab, rejected, forsaken, proud and insolent.
She opened her eyes, and looked down. The line of merchants and had thinned out. Many would drink to a stupour and pass out on the earthen floor. Some would make for her private quarters, with shekels and Dinaris, with silver and gold. But in the silhouette of the night she beheld two men of a different countenance. Their hair was curly dark brown. Their hands as men of great labour, their robes from Goshen and the sandals from Egypt…these were Shem’s seed…Hebrews. She hurried down to the Inn, pulling her robes together…by a silken scarlet rope.
The Inn was boisterous. Down the steps she could see the Hebrews. She beckoned to them, to come to her upper chambers, to her quarters. They made towards her.
“Hey, where are you going?” A drunken merchant made to block the Hebrews approach.
“I was here before you. Been waiting for Rahab”
Rahab went further down, and kicked the amorous merchant out of the way, and pulled the two men into her room. All the men laughed.
“It's two men tonight eh? Rahab? One said. And there was more laughter.
The humiliated merchant made out of the Inn, and told the Chief Sentry of the Hebrews.
And they went to see the King, for no one had right over her, being a former chambermaid in the palace.
Rahab inspected the two men.
“You are Hebrews?” They nodded
“How is it you have ventured here at peril to your lives?
“Jehovah Nissi is able to protect us”
“Aah. Is that the name of Abraham’s God, by whom the wicked are terrified?”
And she besought them to tell her a about the God of Shem.
The King was beside himself in fury.
“That prideful and insolent woman. Are not all the soldiers of Jericho and the strangers of the nations enough for her? Has she now become confederate with the Hebrews of whom we have no armour against their God?”
And he sent them to her with authority to bring the strangers to the palace, but not Rahab, for she was banished from his sight.
At the Inn, Rahab opened her windows, which were made out of the walls, that the cool air may begin to oscillate and her incense may wear out. The Hebrew men and slept on her earthen floor, till daybreak. But she could not sleep. The words she had heard were life itself. Her visions had come to visit her. The God of Shem did hear her prayers after all. The Son of Man did not merely live in the heavens, but He had servants on earth to do His will. Did not these men bring words of hope and of mercy and of grace to all who will believe? She could not remain in Jericho.
The sound of thundering feet startled her…the King’s royal guard. She quickly awoken the Hebrews and took them to the rooftop where she had sat. She motioned for them to lie beneath the stalks of flax lest the sentries on the walls would observe them, even in the night. She hurried to her chambers and put on her robes, tied together with the silken scarlet rope. A heavy object hit the door of the Inn.
“Rahab, come down at once, in the name of the king” The Chief Sentry shouted
All the merchants and strangers were fully awake. But the palace guards did not make to enter into the Inn for it was their custom.
Rahab went forth to speak to the guards.
“Rahab, hear the words of the King. Bring forth the men that came to you, that entered into your house, for they are spies”
Rahab responded.
“Yes they did come to me, but I don’t know where they are now.”
She continued. “When it was dark, at the time for the shutting of the gate the men went out. Where they went I do not know. Why don’t you pursue them quickly? You might even overtake them.
So, the royal guards had the gates open and ran into the night, and the gates were shut after them.
Rahab retreated indoors and barricaded her doors and sneaked onto the roof of her house, where the Hebrews were hid beneath the stalks of flax. She brought them to her room and motioned to her open windows. She untied the silken scarlet rope around her waist and tied one end to the bedpost near the window. Then she said.
“By vision, I know that God has given you Jericho and we are sore afraid of you and everyone in this land trembles because of you. We have heard of the might miracles wrought on your behalf and how your God did dry up waters for your escape and how two kingdoms were utterly destroyed by your soldiers. As soon as we heard these, our courage failed us and we have known these things.”
She continued.
“For out of the mouth confession is made unto salvation. I confess this that my heart declares, that the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now, therefore I pray, swear unto me by God, since I have showed you kindness, that you will repay me with kindness, even my father’s household, and when your set time for victory over Jericho comes, you will save my entire household”
And the Hebrews said, “So let it be written, so let it be done”
Then they scrambled down the scarlet rope to the earth below outside of the walls.
Rahab shouted after them.” Go towards the mountains and remain there three days so that the royal guards which seek you may return empty handed and you can go you way.”
Then the Hebrews replied. “On that day of deliverance, keep this scarlet rope on the lintel and doorpost of your house and ascertain that all your household remain indoors because of the destruction that comes forth, otherwise we will not be guilty by this oath you have made us swear to you”
And she said. ”According to your words, so be it”.
As the Hebrews marched in Jericho, there were drumbeats of war. All the men gathered the women and children and took them to the city centre…but Rahab they left alone, with her family, by the city walls. She took the silken scarlet rope that had brought salvation to the Hebrews and hung it around the doorpost of her house, so that from afar it looked like a trip of blood, painted across the lintel and the doorpost. The she went back and begun to sing the song of the Passover, which the Hebrews had taught her. The same song that they had sung on the march out of Egypt.
All, and about them, the days passed. She could see the Hebrews, Priests, soldiers and men and women surround the city and march in a solemn procession for many days. There was silence in Jericho. Even as the men ran around the walls with their weapons, she could hear the Hebrews again as they taught her, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, for pulling down all kinds of strongholds…from Jericho to Ashdod”. She began to teach again the words of the Hebrew men…and of the visions she had seen…of how God chose her out of harlotry and said “You have found favour in my sight”. She taught about the visions of women like herself, whom the LORD will also raise up with a new song. She spoke of the sure mercy of God that would speak to a Moabite woman and a woman in Samaria. She spoke of how she would come to bear a new name, “Rachab”. And of a son…
Suddenly, there was a powerful shout, like that of many rivers, and the thunderous falling away of all the fortresses of Jericho, of yokes, of burdens of strongholds. Screams and shouts of men, women and children, under the debris of stones and rocks, and she saw the robes from Goshen running into the city with swords of victory. They huddled together in the fortified wall that was her home, which did not fall. Then the doors bust open…the soldier that came in said to them…
…”Come quickly…my name is Salmon.”
And Salmon, a Prince of Judah of the Hebrews, took Rahab to his tribe, and loved her and married her…and they begat Boaz, who married the Moabitess, Ruth, who begat Obed, who begat Jesse, who begat David…and the rest? Are they not written in the Holy Books?
(c) George Honey Ashiru
Ultimate Love Foundation
Month of Man
2009
Dedicated to Michi & Freeda George Foreman, Dolapo Oladimeji, Lara Koleoso
And to Tolu Ashiru and Teewhy A Jeremiah, Ronnette Graham
The oily tan on her withering façade had seen many a harsh solar storm. Deep olive green eyes freckled with hints of cataract penetrated into the oblivion ahead. Her small aquiline nose hooded over her small sculptured lips – ruptured by the dry weather of Abib. Long gossamer black tresses, even to her waistline, caped around her delicate shoulders, with strips of gray forming crinkles at the frayed ends. She was once ornamentally beautiful.
The woolen robes embroidered with scarlet silk barely kept the cold away as she sat atop the bales of flax on her rooftop. The snow on the mountains had melted into the Jordan and she could smell the waft of the petals as they sprung forth in Nisan. Jericho, the beautiful fragranced abode of the heritage of Canaan, in the shadow of palm groves, beset by the Fountain of Elisha. A fortress, walled with intricate patterns of Asphalt and the mud of the banks of the River Jordan.
She looked forlornly, beyond the walls, beyond the sleeping sentry, beyond the massive gates, to a vision of salvation... To her dreams, of the march of the army of Shem’s God. She saw a king, a lion, a throne, a crown, and one who even like the son of man. But she had known no other God, but Baal and Tamuze, and Asherah…but this Son of Man…is perhaps truly a god?
The streaking winds and the dimming sunset soon penetrated her bones. She gathered her robes again and stood atop the produce of the barley harvests, the stalks of flax and the silken ropes she had spun, dipped in scarlet oils. She would sell them to strangers from the Nile, even from Gaza and the Chaldees. Perhaps there was one already in her chambers. She closed her eyes and prayed…”Oh God of creation and of all mankind, whose mercies endure forever. I beseech thee; let my hour of salvation draw nigh”.
As mists gathered in her eyes again, frozen tears, delicate pain, heaving bosoms…the painful memories wracked her body. She, the Queen’s Chambermaid, and the Prince’s love interests. The delight of the royal household, on account of her ethereal beauty. Sought after by the mighty, princes, rulers, and men of valour…the King’s generals. But to the chief of the princes she did give her heart. Until one night, when the drunken brother of the chief prince besought her…and violated her. And the King…banished her to the soldier’s quarters at the Inn of Rejection, where strangers and travelers dwelt until the morn. There they banished her, and named her Rahab, rejected, forsaken, proud and insolent.
She opened her eyes, and looked down. The line of merchants and had thinned out. Many would drink to a stupour and pass out on the earthen floor. Some would make for her private quarters, with shekels and Dinaris, with silver and gold. But in the silhouette of the night she beheld two men of a different countenance. Their hair was curly dark brown. Their hands as men of great labour, their robes from Goshen and the sandals from Egypt…these were Shem’s seed…Hebrews. She hurried down to the Inn, pulling her robes together…by a silken scarlet rope.
The Inn was boisterous. Down the steps she could see the Hebrews. She beckoned to them, to come to her upper chambers, to her quarters. They made towards her.
“Hey, where are you going?” A drunken merchant made to block the Hebrews approach.
“I was here before you. Been waiting for Rahab”
Rahab went further down, and kicked the amorous merchant out of the way, and pulled the two men into her room. All the men laughed.
“It's two men tonight eh? Rahab? One said. And there was more laughter.
The humiliated merchant made out of the Inn, and told the Chief Sentry of the Hebrews.
And they went to see the King, for no one had right over her, being a former chambermaid in the palace.
Rahab inspected the two men.
“You are Hebrews?” They nodded
“How is it you have ventured here at peril to your lives?
“Jehovah Nissi is able to protect us”
“Aah. Is that the name of Abraham’s God, by whom the wicked are terrified?”
And she besought them to tell her a about the God of Shem.
The King was beside himself in fury.
“That prideful and insolent woman. Are not all the soldiers of Jericho and the strangers of the nations enough for her? Has she now become confederate with the Hebrews of whom we have no armour against their God?”
And he sent them to her with authority to bring the strangers to the palace, but not Rahab, for she was banished from his sight.
At the Inn, Rahab opened her windows, which were made out of the walls, that the cool air may begin to oscillate and her incense may wear out. The Hebrew men and slept on her earthen floor, till daybreak. But she could not sleep. The words she had heard were life itself. Her visions had come to visit her. The God of Shem did hear her prayers after all. The Son of Man did not merely live in the heavens, but He had servants on earth to do His will. Did not these men bring words of hope and of mercy and of grace to all who will believe? She could not remain in Jericho.
The sound of thundering feet startled her…the King’s royal guard. She quickly awoken the Hebrews and took them to the rooftop where she had sat. She motioned for them to lie beneath the stalks of flax lest the sentries on the walls would observe them, even in the night. She hurried to her chambers and put on her robes, tied together with the silken scarlet rope. A heavy object hit the door of the Inn.
“Rahab, come down at once, in the name of the king” The Chief Sentry shouted
All the merchants and strangers were fully awake. But the palace guards did not make to enter into the Inn for it was their custom.
Rahab went forth to speak to the guards.
“Rahab, hear the words of the King. Bring forth the men that came to you, that entered into your house, for they are spies”
Rahab responded.
“Yes they did come to me, but I don’t know where they are now.”
She continued. “When it was dark, at the time for the shutting of the gate the men went out. Where they went I do not know. Why don’t you pursue them quickly? You might even overtake them.
So, the royal guards had the gates open and ran into the night, and the gates were shut after them.
Rahab retreated indoors and barricaded her doors and sneaked onto the roof of her house, where the Hebrews were hid beneath the stalks of flax. She brought them to her room and motioned to her open windows. She untied the silken scarlet rope around her waist and tied one end to the bedpost near the window. Then she said.
“By vision, I know that God has given you Jericho and we are sore afraid of you and everyone in this land trembles because of you. We have heard of the might miracles wrought on your behalf and how your God did dry up waters for your escape and how two kingdoms were utterly destroyed by your soldiers. As soon as we heard these, our courage failed us and we have known these things.”
She continued.
“For out of the mouth confession is made unto salvation. I confess this that my heart declares, that the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now, therefore I pray, swear unto me by God, since I have showed you kindness, that you will repay me with kindness, even my father’s household, and when your set time for victory over Jericho comes, you will save my entire household”
And the Hebrews said, “So let it be written, so let it be done”
Then they scrambled down the scarlet rope to the earth below outside of the walls.
Rahab shouted after them.” Go towards the mountains and remain there three days so that the royal guards which seek you may return empty handed and you can go you way.”
Then the Hebrews replied. “On that day of deliverance, keep this scarlet rope on the lintel and doorpost of your house and ascertain that all your household remain indoors because of the destruction that comes forth, otherwise we will not be guilty by this oath you have made us swear to you”
And she said. ”According to your words, so be it”.
As the Hebrews marched in Jericho, there were drumbeats of war. All the men gathered the women and children and took them to the city centre…but Rahab they left alone, with her family, by the city walls. She took the silken scarlet rope that had brought salvation to the Hebrews and hung it around the doorpost of her house, so that from afar it looked like a trip of blood, painted across the lintel and the doorpost. The she went back and begun to sing the song of the Passover, which the Hebrews had taught her. The same song that they had sung on the march out of Egypt.
All, and about them, the days passed. She could see the Hebrews, Priests, soldiers and men and women surround the city and march in a solemn procession for many days. There was silence in Jericho. Even as the men ran around the walls with their weapons, she could hear the Hebrews again as they taught her, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, for pulling down all kinds of strongholds…from Jericho to Ashdod”. She began to teach again the words of the Hebrew men…and of the visions she had seen…of how God chose her out of harlotry and said “You have found favour in my sight”. She taught about the visions of women like herself, whom the LORD will also raise up with a new song. She spoke of the sure mercy of God that would speak to a Moabite woman and a woman in Samaria. She spoke of how she would come to bear a new name, “Rachab”. And of a son…
Suddenly, there was a powerful shout, like that of many rivers, and the thunderous falling away of all the fortresses of Jericho, of yokes, of burdens of strongholds. Screams and shouts of men, women and children, under the debris of stones and rocks, and she saw the robes from Goshen running into the city with swords of victory. They huddled together in the fortified wall that was her home, which did not fall. Then the doors bust open…the soldier that came in said to them…
…”Come quickly…my name is Salmon.”
And Salmon, a Prince of Judah of the Hebrews, took Rahab to his tribe, and loved her and married her…and they begat Boaz, who married the Moabitess, Ruth, who begat Obed, who begat Jesse, who begat David…and the rest? Are they not written in the Holy Books?
(c) George Honey Ashiru
Ultimate Love Foundation
Month of Man
2009
The Philosopher King
It was Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher whose hypothesis tells us that for a perfect State or republic to exist, then the leader of a nation would need to be a king and a philosopher. Such a person would be, as Christ put it, a “King and a Priest”. A true leader would conform to the concept of Plato’s hypothesis, especially as it was confirmed by Christ hundreds of years later. This indicates that a true winner is a person like King David, who was anointed both as a King over a nation as well as an Oracle of God. King David wrote that;
“No king achieves victory with a large army. No warrior rescues himself by his own great strength...We wait for the Lord. He is our help and our shield.”
The leader needs a winning philosophy. This philosophy should have divine inspiration. Such a person is one “that fears the LORD. He is the one whom the Lord will teach which path to choose. He will enjoy good things in life...” Such a leader would have certain characteristics in his approach to his path in life. These qualities are possible to develop and adhere to, by the grace of God. David defines such a leader as “The one who makes a promise and does not break it, even though he is hurt by it.” We know that good kings and leaders do not break their words. This is why God told us not to swear by the Bible, but that when we say yes or no let it be so.
The winner is usually a leader of people; he is given authority, he has the power of victory, he has the qualities of a king. He recognises the hand of God in his winning ways. He will acknowledge this as King David did in saying;
“Thank the Lord, my rock, who trained my hands to fight and my fingers to do battle...and the one who brings people under my authority.” The best leaders of all times include people whose actions and words we try to copy. People like Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and many others. There are some general qualities that one finds in these types of winners. They are;
Vision. Leaders have a vision of their goals in life. American Helen Keller once said, “The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight
but no vision.” If your goal is merely to win at things, without any other divine long term purpose, then you have missed the point. You will become like Samson, who misused his power, or Saul who debased his crown.
Faith. Your vision cannot be actioned if you have little faith in God and in yourself. You become a king like Mike Tyson, who had no control over himself, and had faith in everyone else but God. Faith gives you a winning attitude.
Discipline. Leaders know that it is important to stick to plans and set goals and to have the strength of character to achieve the results desired.
Conviction. Leaders also know that success and the maintenance of winning ways requires conviction, which is a form of faith.
Humanism. Great champions are compassionate. They have an interest in the progress and happiness of others. Leaders love and receive love. Young David was so loved by the people that it directly led to the downfall of King Saul.
Integrity. Leaders ensure that they are known for their forthrightness and consistency of character. People can bet on their words. Great kings have immeasurable integrity.
Hard Working. Winners do not expect every plan they make to come to fruition without a great deal of toil and sweat. A great leader prays and prepares with equal fervour.
Orator. Leaders discover that they will need to express their philosophies and action plans to their admirers, followers and even rivals. The leader should do everything possible to improve his oratorical and writing skills.
Pursuing Excellence. The Leader pursues excellence with a passion.
Vision. The hallmark of a leader is hinged on the word excellence. The leader is one who excels in many things, even if recognised for one or two.
Undaunted. Indomitable Spirit is a quality that a leader must have. The leader accepts no defeat but strives till the very end. If he loses a physical crown, he returns to reclaim it.
Studious. The leader constantly studies and researches materials related to his field of activity and related areas. Knowledge is power and power is one of the elements that provides victory. King Solomon, was a king with astounding wisdom and knowledge. His enemies simply bowed to him.
The winner is a King because he excels and has people under his authority. He is also a priest because all the achievements are ordained by God Almighty. Sometimes, leaders operate within an institution that negates divine presence. A leader may, for instance, be asked to join or lead a union, or group, whose main desires are contrary to God’s will. The leader may flow along with God, and in leading such a group, he gets a chance to redirect their thoughts and actions to be in accordance to God’s will. This is a practice of priesthood. A priest or minister of God is not merely a person ordained in a religious ceremony by humans, but one pre-ordained by the Holy Spirit, and thus empowered supernaturally.
A supernatural leader is a philosopher-king. Such a person is on a Golden Path. The import of that path is not discerned by those to whom God has not given the vision. However, the devil is able to see that such people are anointed, even if it does not know their divine programme. That is where the challenge comes for leaders, and hence the need for priestly as well as kingly anointing. Without the priestly anointing, the winner has no spiritual authority and cannot engage in spiritual warfare when necessary. Without the kingly anointing the leader does not compel human follower-ship. He would be lacking in authority over human or in human affairs.
.
The leader has a winning philosophy which guides his Golden Path. This is why the sayings of some of the greatest men in history are often quoted. Much of what a true leader says is often divinely inspired. That is why such words are often on marble. A philosopher is one who loves wisdom. Such a person studies, meditates and is open minded. He is the type of person that the Lord teaches in his heart rather than wait for human teachers. A philosopher-king is contemplative and sensitive to the inner stirrings of the spirit of God within.
Many military and business leaders have a knack for finding the quick and easy way to win in their endeavours. This habitual short cut is caused by the feeling that the battles or contracts chased are the true depictions of their talents and success in life. Unfortunately, such practices are often un-enduring and are empirically and spiritually valueless. It is these types of leaders that say that they are successful but unhappy. Many of our world political and business heroes fall into this category. They give nothing to mankind but an exhibition of talent, and they are quickly forgotten when the talents starts to wane. Muhammad Ali gave talent, love and religious inspiration to many. He showed conviction and resilience. He showed courage under fire and never complained. He will not be quickly forgotten; even by generations to come.
The philosopher-king is one who has a programme that is ten years ahead of everyone else’s. Such a winner plans for translating physical talent to spiritual endowment. The philosopher-king is both a champion and a leader. He is an embodiment of one with knowledge, wisdom and discernment. Such a winner can express selfless love – Agape. Such a leader would rather serve than exploit people. Because he is also a “priest” he is also a representative of the Lord amongst men.
The winner should be a preacher, and what he or she preaches should have divine input. To become a philosopher-king, you need to start with the King of all Kings. The one who anointed David and Solomon, and who appointed us to be “kings and priest”. The One whose gift to you is a “crown of fine gold” that the gates of hell cannot prevail over.
(c) George Ashiru
(From the book "The Golden Path"
The Institute for Transformational Leadership.
“No king achieves victory with a large army. No warrior rescues himself by his own great strength...We wait for the Lord. He is our help and our shield.”
The leader needs a winning philosophy. This philosophy should have divine inspiration. Such a person is one “that fears the LORD. He is the one whom the Lord will teach which path to choose. He will enjoy good things in life...” Such a leader would have certain characteristics in his approach to his path in life. These qualities are possible to develop and adhere to, by the grace of God. David defines such a leader as “The one who makes a promise and does not break it, even though he is hurt by it.” We know that good kings and leaders do not break their words. This is why God told us not to swear by the Bible, but that when we say yes or no let it be so.
The winner is usually a leader of people; he is given authority, he has the power of victory, he has the qualities of a king. He recognises the hand of God in his winning ways. He will acknowledge this as King David did in saying;
“Thank the Lord, my rock, who trained my hands to fight and my fingers to do battle...and the one who brings people under my authority.” The best leaders of all times include people whose actions and words we try to copy. People like Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and many others. There are some general qualities that one finds in these types of winners. They are;
Vision. Leaders have a vision of their goals in life. American Helen Keller once said, “The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight
but no vision.” If your goal is merely to win at things, without any other divine long term purpose, then you have missed the point. You will become like Samson, who misused his power, or Saul who debased his crown.
Faith. Your vision cannot be actioned if you have little faith in God and in yourself. You become a king like Mike Tyson, who had no control over himself, and had faith in everyone else but God. Faith gives you a winning attitude.
Discipline. Leaders know that it is important to stick to plans and set goals and to have the strength of character to achieve the results desired.
Conviction. Leaders also know that success and the maintenance of winning ways requires conviction, which is a form of faith.
Humanism. Great champions are compassionate. They have an interest in the progress and happiness of others. Leaders love and receive love. Young David was so loved by the people that it directly led to the downfall of King Saul.
Integrity. Leaders ensure that they are known for their forthrightness and consistency of character. People can bet on their words. Great kings have immeasurable integrity.
Hard Working. Winners do not expect every plan they make to come to fruition without a great deal of toil and sweat. A great leader prays and prepares with equal fervour.
Orator. Leaders discover that they will need to express their philosophies and action plans to their admirers, followers and even rivals. The leader should do everything possible to improve his oratorical and writing skills.
Pursuing Excellence. The Leader pursues excellence with a passion.
Vision. The hallmark of a leader is hinged on the word excellence. The leader is one who excels in many things, even if recognised for one or two.
Undaunted. Indomitable Spirit is a quality that a leader must have. The leader accepts no defeat but strives till the very end. If he loses a physical crown, he returns to reclaim it.
Studious. The leader constantly studies and researches materials related to his field of activity and related areas. Knowledge is power and power is one of the elements that provides victory. King Solomon, was a king with astounding wisdom and knowledge. His enemies simply bowed to him.
The winner is a King because he excels and has people under his authority. He is also a priest because all the achievements are ordained by God Almighty. Sometimes, leaders operate within an institution that negates divine presence. A leader may, for instance, be asked to join or lead a union, or group, whose main desires are contrary to God’s will. The leader may flow along with God, and in leading such a group, he gets a chance to redirect their thoughts and actions to be in accordance to God’s will. This is a practice of priesthood. A priest or minister of God is not merely a person ordained in a religious ceremony by humans, but one pre-ordained by the Holy Spirit, and thus empowered supernaturally.
A supernatural leader is a philosopher-king. Such a person is on a Golden Path. The import of that path is not discerned by those to whom God has not given the vision. However, the devil is able to see that such people are anointed, even if it does not know their divine programme. That is where the challenge comes for leaders, and hence the need for priestly as well as kingly anointing. Without the priestly anointing, the winner has no spiritual authority and cannot engage in spiritual warfare when necessary. Without the kingly anointing the leader does not compel human follower-ship. He would be lacking in authority over human or in human affairs.
.
The leader has a winning philosophy which guides his Golden Path. This is why the sayings of some of the greatest men in history are often quoted. Much of what a true leader says is often divinely inspired. That is why such words are often on marble. A philosopher is one who loves wisdom. Such a person studies, meditates and is open minded. He is the type of person that the Lord teaches in his heart rather than wait for human teachers. A philosopher-king is contemplative and sensitive to the inner stirrings of the spirit of God within.
Many military and business leaders have a knack for finding the quick and easy way to win in their endeavours. This habitual short cut is caused by the feeling that the battles or contracts chased are the true depictions of their talents and success in life. Unfortunately, such practices are often un-enduring and are empirically and spiritually valueless. It is these types of leaders that say that they are successful but unhappy. Many of our world political and business heroes fall into this category. They give nothing to mankind but an exhibition of talent, and they are quickly forgotten when the talents starts to wane. Muhammad Ali gave talent, love and religious inspiration to many. He showed conviction and resilience. He showed courage under fire and never complained. He will not be quickly forgotten; even by generations to come.
The philosopher-king is one who has a programme that is ten years ahead of everyone else’s. Such a winner plans for translating physical talent to spiritual endowment. The philosopher-king is both a champion and a leader. He is an embodiment of one with knowledge, wisdom and discernment. Such a winner can express selfless love – Agape. Such a leader would rather serve than exploit people. Because he is also a “priest” he is also a representative of the Lord amongst men.
The winner should be a preacher, and what he or she preaches should have divine input. To become a philosopher-king, you need to start with the King of all Kings. The one who anointed David and Solomon, and who appointed us to be “kings and priest”. The One whose gift to you is a “crown of fine gold” that the gates of hell cannot prevail over.
(c) George Ashiru
(From the book "The Golden Path"
The Institute for Transformational Leadership.
Irons In The Fire
Reminiscences, on my birthday
"People say I've got my hands in too many things...keeping time with paupers just well as kings. I tossed my head unto the silver cloud...and then I sigh...got to keep my Irons In the Fire"- Teena Marie.
At the time I was born, in the mid-1960s, Nigeria was in Crisis. The technically flawed military coup of Majors Ifeajuna and Nzeogwu, both Igbos from Eastern Nigeria and their colleagues, inadvertently thrust power in the hands of Major General Aguiyi Ironsi, also from the East, in 1966. The coup left Prime Minister Tafawa Balawa, and Northern Nigeria premier Ahmadu Bello, and several others of Northern extraction dead. That ignited a Northern officers counter-coup a year later, that brought in a young Colonel Jacob (Yakubu) Gowon to power in Nigeria. These were preceded by the civilian crises in the Federal Government of Tafawa Balewa . Everywhere, in Nigeria, there was instability, with the South-west as the major theatre of chaos. The drum beats of war was sounded in the Eastern parts by Colonel Ojukwu, who opposed the new federal leadership of Colonel Gowon, and the loss of lives and properties of mainly Igbos in Northern Nigeria, during the 1967 coup that brought Gowon to power. Meanwhile, there were riots in parts of other country; especially Tivland. Yorubaland in the South-West was regarded as the "wild west", with the political imbroglio involving premier Akintola and the giant of Yoruba politics, Chief Awolowo.
The leadership of the new Nigeria was simply unable to hold the country together as a homogeneous country after all their effort to wrestle political control from the British. Between 1962 to 1965, chaos had enveloped the political system of Nigeria. In 1962, the hallowed Western House of Assembly was in disarray. This provided the opportunity to declare a state of emergency and nullify, for a period, the premiership of Chief Ladoke Akintola. At this same period, the effective leadership of the political party controlling the western region, the Action Group, were incarcerated. The federal and western regional elections of 1964 and 1965 ignited the explosion of the simmering volcano of intractable political crisis. The man at the top of the heap, Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, misread the situation as tribally or regionally fuelled, and thought it was expedient to be neutral. At this time, my father, was a player in the West Africa Student's union.
Meanwhile, the young and small Nigerian army, was getting restive. The British trained senior officers, seemed to be more professional in their attitude ignored the political situation and concentrated on hobnobbing with the political leaders for favourable positioning at the very top. But the junior officers, many with university education, and a keener eye for trends and a passion for systematic application of military power were defining a more political attitude in the rank and file. The bolder ones hatched the semi-professional coup de tat. A singular event that changed Nigeria's future for ever. Since January 15, 1966, Nigerians started becoming experts at recognising how many stars made one military man a general, and another colonel. My first notable talent, as a young boy, was in fine art. I became an expert in drawing General Jacob Gowon in full military regalia by the time I was a few years old.
America was also in crisis at this time. There were cultural crises arising from the civil rights movements engaging America to correct the anomalies of racial segregation, in fact and form. Cassius Clay was on his way to becoming the most popular person in the world, as a boxer, and was preparing to jettison his Faith to become a radical, black Muslim under "Prophet Elijah Mohammed". This singular act, which saw him accepting a name given by this Elijah Muhammad Ali, would also unleash terror against him, by the same murderers of his mentor, Malcolm X. The war against Vietnam had peaked, and America was losing technically. For even though they were to wipe out 1 million Viets, their own loss off 55,000 soldiers was more than their middle-class nation could stomach. Instead, the average young American led by actress Jane Fonda, was into the new-age philosophies of self help and Asian mystical religion. It was profitable to "Make love, not war" and to have group orgies and peace rallies. John Lennon would survive the Beatles as a cultural icon. American cowboy movies were infiltrating every nation in the world, and the struggle to colonise the moon and terrestrial space was on between the Soviets and America.
In Britain, the "Great" haven been made nonsense of, Caribbean migrants had continued flooding into the hallowed streets of London. Nigerians were having the first generation of dual-citizen babies in hospitals all over England, curiously avoiding Scotland and Wales. The rest of Europe had stabilised after the manic self destruction of the 2nd European Civil War, which they had extended to other parts of the world, in an incorrigible attempt to cause worldwide chaos. Most of Asia was resolutely 3rd World, using the popular parlance. The rest of Africa was either at war, becoming sovereign nations or under white minority rule. While Elvis Presley ruled in America, the Beatles made world conquest a priority from their Liverpool factories. Yet, Indian and Hong Kong made Chinese movies entertained the rest of the world. Honda and Suzuki were competent making little motorbikes and generators that were popular in Africa. All in all, it did not appear that Armageddon was going to happen on earth, despite the pockets of armed and unarmed conflicts here and there.
In South Africa, the "Madiba", Nelson Mandela had been caught, tried spurriously, and jailed for what was to tbe 27 years. The American civil rights movement had peaked in their struggles, and the 1964 Civil Rightd Act rewarded the tenacious marches of Martin Luther King Jr and his associates. Man walked on the moon and nuclear as well as space technology became objects of strife rather than human accomplishments.
In Nigeria, the streets of Lagos were beautiful and the Marina was quite picturesque. The real estate high rises were not yet there in the 1960s. The weather patterns were nicer, because the ozone was not so depleted. In the interior of the country, many towns lived in the shadow of Lagos but closer to nature and greatly enhanced by the rich culture and traditions of our peoples. The average Nigerian was not touched by the political instability at the regional and national levels, and took solace and strength from the traditional institutions. The Sultan of Sokoto had more power than any Prime Minister, as did the Obas of Lagos, Ife, Benin, Ijebu and Oyo. The people would listen first to their Kings before they did political leaders.
My infancy was not threatened by the contagious madness of the political world. I was a precocious child. The first male offspring of my parents. My education was sheer complexity; from lowly public schools to expensive foreign education, more than 20 institutions in all. I have thus been enriched by a multitude of cultures, religions, peoples and attitudes and this has given me insights and experiences beyond my years, and consequently, a quite complex personality modulated only by the steady hands of my maternal grandmother. A mystery within an enigma. At once a Tom Sawyer and David Copperfield. Aloof, reserved, sometimes snobbish, and yet adventurous, amorous and humanistic. I soon got tired of explaining my nuances to the continuous melee of strangers that came into my life, preferring the mystery to the exposition. I had the love of my family, and that seemed enough. I spent most of my childhood away from home, in the dreary loneliness of several boarding schools. Today, my reluctance to form attachments and the need for independence is borne from these childhood experiences.
I was born sandwiched between two royal families in Ijebuland. It happened that we were often referred to as 'children of the one armed King'. A direct reference to the immediate past Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Adesanya, a maternal great grandparent. As it were, the succeeding King, Oba Adetona is my maternal grandmother's nephew. The royal family immediately to follow Adetona's family in order of precedence to the throne, would be the Subomi-Balogun dynasty. This family came from Princess Ashiru-Balogun - my father's cousin. Thus, from both parents, and across three of the four royal households in Ijebuland, I and my sisters were directly connected. As a child, I spent weekends an holidays in the Awujale's Palace in Ijebu Ode, and came to be really fond of Oba Adetona. From this connection I came to learn and understand first hand, Ijebu history and traditions. My research would confirm that, it is no empty declaration that the Ijebus as part of Yoruba stock, were of the ancient Nubian race - the last, black Pharaohs of lower Egypt. No mean feat that Awujale has a palace in Cairo today. Going even further, they, as part of the black race, were from the Canaanites - Noah's descendants.
Awujale Adetona is not reputed to love the rigidities of ancient traditions. During my adolescence he lived in a simple palace. I loved to visit his household and play around with his second child, Princess Tutu. She was quite maternal, and would come visit me at the boarding school that I then attended and feed me with Pronto and other sweet confectioneries. The Oba himself, was, and is still very accommodating. His principled stand on many issues date back from his youth. My grandmother told us of the times that he had stood against the traditional high chiefs and priests over aspects of his individual interpretation of tradition. Considering my many close encounters with him, I was not surprised that many, many years later, he would grace my wedding as the very first individual to arrive at the Church premises. Nowadays, he tells me every time we meet, to recover his personal expenses on me from my absent father. I have had precious few things to ask of him, but he has never refused any request. And he has never forgotten my grandmother's fostering care so many decades before before his coronation as King.
Despite all these royal connections, I experienced a normal childhood. I witnessed my parents struggle to establish themselves in life. I learned to hunt and fish, and to sell bread and provisions to passers-by around my family home. While living with my maternal grandmother in Lagos, I learned to sell bottled cold water and retail alcohol. I learned to lift cartons of beer and soft drinks and to go on sales trips around Lagos. Indeed, I was being prepared for financial independence and business success. I grew up accepting that sometimes I had to use a pit latrine, and enjoy the company of large green flies. I got accustomed to going to the bushes to 'spend a penny' by using itchy leaves to wipe my backside. I walked long distances to school, and got used to the continued absence of my parents while I moved from one boarding school to another.
I grew up to see my father buy his first car, a Volkswagen beetle, which he could not drive. I saw first hand, everything my parents had to do to make a living. I was not born with a silver-spoon in my mouth, I had to learn to use a breakable aluminium spoon to feed. I saw my parents battle one economic and spiritual war after another. I witnessed my father waltz his way into a prison experience, because of some problems where he worked. I saw the agony of my mother, taking his food to meet him, me in tow. And at that young age, I saw guns being brandished at hardened criminals. I remember vividly seeing one of my younger sisters, at age three, falling down from a first floor balcony to a cold hard concrete floor some twelve feet below. She survived without a scratch. It is amazing the things young minds can record and recollect. I can remember events happening in my life since the age of three with astonishing accuracy. I am extremely happy for the experiences of my youth. I feel qualified to tell my story. I thank my God for being alive today...and raising my children...and doing God's work...and caring about my nation. I've got to keep my Irons in The Fire.
(c) George H Ashiru
Month of Perfection
200
"People say I've got my hands in too many things...keeping time with paupers just well as kings. I tossed my head unto the silver cloud...and then I sigh...got to keep my Irons In the Fire"- Teena Marie.
At the time I was born, in the mid-1960s, Nigeria was in Crisis. The technically flawed military coup of Majors Ifeajuna and Nzeogwu, both Igbos from Eastern Nigeria and their colleagues, inadvertently thrust power in the hands of Major General Aguiyi Ironsi, also from the East, in 1966. The coup left Prime Minister Tafawa Balawa, and Northern Nigeria premier Ahmadu Bello, and several others of Northern extraction dead. That ignited a Northern officers counter-coup a year later, that brought in a young Colonel Jacob (Yakubu) Gowon to power in Nigeria. These were preceded by the civilian crises in the Federal Government of Tafawa Balewa . Everywhere, in Nigeria, there was instability, with the South-west as the major theatre of chaos. The drum beats of war was sounded in the Eastern parts by Colonel Ojukwu, who opposed the new federal leadership of Colonel Gowon, and the loss of lives and properties of mainly Igbos in Northern Nigeria, during the 1967 coup that brought Gowon to power. Meanwhile, there were riots in parts of other country; especially Tivland. Yorubaland in the South-West was regarded as the "wild west", with the political imbroglio involving premier Akintola and the giant of Yoruba politics, Chief Awolowo.
The leadership of the new Nigeria was simply unable to hold the country together as a homogeneous country after all their effort to wrestle political control from the British. Between 1962 to 1965, chaos had enveloped the political system of Nigeria. In 1962, the hallowed Western House of Assembly was in disarray. This provided the opportunity to declare a state of emergency and nullify, for a period, the premiership of Chief Ladoke Akintola. At this same period, the effective leadership of the political party controlling the western region, the Action Group, were incarcerated. The federal and western regional elections of 1964 and 1965 ignited the explosion of the simmering volcano of intractable political crisis. The man at the top of the heap, Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, misread the situation as tribally or regionally fuelled, and thought it was expedient to be neutral. At this time, my father, was a player in the West Africa Student's union.
Meanwhile, the young and small Nigerian army, was getting restive. The British trained senior officers, seemed to be more professional in their attitude ignored the political situation and concentrated on hobnobbing with the political leaders for favourable positioning at the very top. But the junior officers, many with university education, and a keener eye for trends and a passion for systematic application of military power were defining a more political attitude in the rank and file. The bolder ones hatched the semi-professional coup de tat. A singular event that changed Nigeria's future for ever. Since January 15, 1966, Nigerians started becoming experts at recognising how many stars made one military man a general, and another colonel. My first notable talent, as a young boy, was in fine art. I became an expert in drawing General Jacob Gowon in full military regalia by the time I was a few years old.
America was also in crisis at this time. There were cultural crises arising from the civil rights movements engaging America to correct the anomalies of racial segregation, in fact and form. Cassius Clay was on his way to becoming the most popular person in the world, as a boxer, and was preparing to jettison his Faith to become a radical, black Muslim under "Prophet Elijah Mohammed". This singular act, which saw him accepting a name given by this Elijah Muhammad Ali, would also unleash terror against him, by the same murderers of his mentor, Malcolm X. The war against Vietnam had peaked, and America was losing technically. For even though they were to wipe out 1 million Viets, their own loss off 55,000 soldiers was more than their middle-class nation could stomach. Instead, the average young American led by actress Jane Fonda, was into the new-age philosophies of self help and Asian mystical religion. It was profitable to "Make love, not war" and to have group orgies and peace rallies. John Lennon would survive the Beatles as a cultural icon. American cowboy movies were infiltrating every nation in the world, and the struggle to colonise the moon and terrestrial space was on between the Soviets and America.
In Britain, the "Great" haven been made nonsense of, Caribbean migrants had continued flooding into the hallowed streets of London. Nigerians were having the first generation of dual-citizen babies in hospitals all over England, curiously avoiding Scotland and Wales. The rest of Europe had stabilised after the manic self destruction of the 2nd European Civil War, which they had extended to other parts of the world, in an incorrigible attempt to cause worldwide chaos. Most of Asia was resolutely 3rd World, using the popular parlance. The rest of Africa was either at war, becoming sovereign nations or under white minority rule. While Elvis Presley ruled in America, the Beatles made world conquest a priority from their Liverpool factories. Yet, Indian and Hong Kong made Chinese movies entertained the rest of the world. Honda and Suzuki were competent making little motorbikes and generators that were popular in Africa. All in all, it did not appear that Armageddon was going to happen on earth, despite the pockets of armed and unarmed conflicts here and there.
In South Africa, the "Madiba", Nelson Mandela had been caught, tried spurriously, and jailed for what was to tbe 27 years. The American civil rights movement had peaked in their struggles, and the 1964 Civil Rightd Act rewarded the tenacious marches of Martin Luther King Jr and his associates. Man walked on the moon and nuclear as well as space technology became objects of strife rather than human accomplishments.
In Nigeria, the streets of Lagos were beautiful and the Marina was quite picturesque. The real estate high rises were not yet there in the 1960s. The weather patterns were nicer, because the ozone was not so depleted. In the interior of the country, many towns lived in the shadow of Lagos but closer to nature and greatly enhanced by the rich culture and traditions of our peoples. The average Nigerian was not touched by the political instability at the regional and national levels, and took solace and strength from the traditional institutions. The Sultan of Sokoto had more power than any Prime Minister, as did the Obas of Lagos, Ife, Benin, Ijebu and Oyo. The people would listen first to their Kings before they did political leaders.
My infancy was not threatened by the contagious madness of the political world. I was a precocious child. The first male offspring of my parents. My education was sheer complexity; from lowly public schools to expensive foreign education, more than 20 institutions in all. I have thus been enriched by a multitude of cultures, religions, peoples and attitudes and this has given me insights and experiences beyond my years, and consequently, a quite complex personality modulated only by the steady hands of my maternal grandmother. A mystery within an enigma. At once a Tom Sawyer and David Copperfield. Aloof, reserved, sometimes snobbish, and yet adventurous, amorous and humanistic. I soon got tired of explaining my nuances to the continuous melee of strangers that came into my life, preferring the mystery to the exposition. I had the love of my family, and that seemed enough. I spent most of my childhood away from home, in the dreary loneliness of several boarding schools. Today, my reluctance to form attachments and the need for independence is borne from these childhood experiences.
I was born sandwiched between two royal families in Ijebuland. It happened that we were often referred to as 'children of the one armed King'. A direct reference to the immediate past Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Adesanya, a maternal great grandparent. As it were, the succeeding King, Oba Adetona is my maternal grandmother's nephew. The royal family immediately to follow Adetona's family in order of precedence to the throne, would be the Subomi-Balogun dynasty. This family came from Princess Ashiru-Balogun - my father's cousin. Thus, from both parents, and across three of the four royal households in Ijebuland, I and my sisters were directly connected. As a child, I spent weekends an holidays in the Awujale's Palace in Ijebu Ode, and came to be really fond of Oba Adetona. From this connection I came to learn and understand first hand, Ijebu history and traditions. My research would confirm that, it is no empty declaration that the Ijebus as part of Yoruba stock, were of the ancient Nubian race - the last, black Pharaohs of lower Egypt. No mean feat that Awujale has a palace in Cairo today. Going even further, they, as part of the black race, were from the Canaanites - Noah's descendants.
Awujale Adetona is not reputed to love the rigidities of ancient traditions. During my adolescence he lived in a simple palace. I loved to visit his household and play around with his second child, Princess Tutu. She was quite maternal, and would come visit me at the boarding school that I then attended and feed me with Pronto and other sweet confectioneries. The Oba himself, was, and is still very accommodating. His principled stand on many issues date back from his youth. My grandmother told us of the times that he had stood against the traditional high chiefs and priests over aspects of his individual interpretation of tradition. Considering my many close encounters with him, I was not surprised that many, many years later, he would grace my wedding as the very first individual to arrive at the Church premises. Nowadays, he tells me every time we meet, to recover his personal expenses on me from my absent father. I have had precious few things to ask of him, but he has never refused any request. And he has never forgotten my grandmother's fostering care so many decades before before his coronation as King.
Despite all these royal connections, I experienced a normal childhood. I witnessed my parents struggle to establish themselves in life. I learned to hunt and fish, and to sell bread and provisions to passers-by around my family home. While living with my maternal grandmother in Lagos, I learned to sell bottled cold water and retail alcohol. I learned to lift cartons of beer and soft drinks and to go on sales trips around Lagos. Indeed, I was being prepared for financial independence and business success. I grew up accepting that sometimes I had to use a pit latrine, and enjoy the company of large green flies. I got accustomed to going to the bushes to 'spend a penny' by using itchy leaves to wipe my backside. I walked long distances to school, and got used to the continued absence of my parents while I moved from one boarding school to another.
I grew up to see my father buy his first car, a Volkswagen beetle, which he could not drive. I saw first hand, everything my parents had to do to make a living. I was not born with a silver-spoon in my mouth, I had to learn to use a breakable aluminium spoon to feed. I saw my parents battle one economic and spiritual war after another. I witnessed my father waltz his way into a prison experience, because of some problems where he worked. I saw the agony of my mother, taking his food to meet him, me in tow. And at that young age, I saw guns being brandished at hardened criminals. I remember vividly seeing one of my younger sisters, at age three, falling down from a first floor balcony to a cold hard concrete floor some twelve feet below. She survived without a scratch. It is amazing the things young minds can record and recollect. I can remember events happening in my life since the age of three with astonishing accuracy. I am extremely happy for the experiences of my youth. I feel qualified to tell my story. I thank my God for being alive today...and raising my children...and doing God's work...and caring about my nation. I've got to keep my Irons in The Fire.
(c) George H Ashiru
Month of Perfection
200
My Vision My Values My Nation
I Have A Dream
I do have a dream: but before my dream comes my conviction, my confession of faith.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, and in His son Jesus Christ, my restorer, and in the Holy Spirit, who empowers me. I accept the Cross which Christ bore for my sins, the Blood which sanctifies my soul, and the Resurrection that gives me hope of eternal life. I believe in the Church, which is the body of Christ, and for whom He is the groom. I lay me bear to my Creator, Jehovah Elohim, my own shortcomings so that He may sanctify me by his name Jehovah Quadesh who sanctifies. I ask my righteous God, Jehovah Tsedkenu to give me His righteous kingdom which I seek. I ask for the Lord, Jehovah Nissi to be my banner, and by His special grace to be my shepherd Jehovah Rohe, and my comforter Jehovah Mekadesham. Let the God of peace Jehovah Shalom bring peace unto my soul. Let Jehovah Jireh Provide all of my needs, and the El Shaddai be my satisfaction. May my ever-present Lord, Jehovah Shammah continue to be my guide, and the Lord of Hosts, Jehovah Sabaoth grant me continuous victory. May the power in the blood of Christ Jesus flow into my life. I receive that portion which is assuredly given to all those who seek diligently, the Holy Spirit. I accept my cross, by the grace of God , the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost.
Like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. I dream of the day when men will wake up to the higher purpose of life. I dream, concerning my country, of the day when the leaders are true altruists, and not rapacious politicians. I dream of the day when every tribe and tongue differ only in their language, but not in their loyalty to the country as a whole. I dream of a less corrupt civil service and the placing of square pegs in square holes. I am desirous of a most professional military, who are not besotted with the desire for political power, political positions or political privileges.
I dream of a future leader who is a truly begotten child of God. One who comes to serve, and not to "do us a favour”. One who is both a philosopher as well as a king. One who puts the people above political and economic expediency. One who wakes up in the morning to seek God’s guidance, for the performance of his onerous tasks. One who can stand tall in the community of world leaders. Not because he is perfect in some way, but exactly because of his imperfections. One who can stand for the rights of his people as a first priority. One under whom, we have an intrinsic feeling of security. One who respects the history and traditions and cultures of the black race, and who can be a rallying point for the emancipation of the black race. One strong enough to carry the problems of the country, without the temptation to blame everyone else for the problems. One who can shrug aside criticisms to continue along the path which he is convinced to be right. One wise enough to understand that the majority is not often right, and who can stand for his principles when under majority oppression. But one who also understands that the voice of the majority is sometimes the voice of God. One who has the ability to discern between right and wrong, and the tenacity to stand by that which he thus believes.
I have a dream of a future world free of hunger, of international strife, free from petty nationalistic bickering. I have a dream of a world besotted with the spirit of humanism. A world so enthused with Ultimate Love, that God himself descends to live with us. I dream of a world in which the powers of evil are under severe restraint. And where people instinctively wish to do good, than to do harm. I dream of a world where colour, race or creed is resigned to the trash can, people are respected by the virtue of divine uniqueness of oneness with God the Father. I dream of a future world, where there is no first, second or third ‘worlds’. A world of equality in the capacities and opportunities of the people of the world. A world without “superpowers” or “rogue nations”.
I dream of men of integrity. Of women of substance. Where wives and husbands live in harmony according to the laws of God, and not the dictates of the age. Where a couple are each other’s strengths and not mutual competitors. Where women accede to the opinions of their husbands, and men respect the wishes of their wives. I dream of the perfect home - in degree, of course – where, the maternal parent make the children a priority, and the paternal parent lends a great helping hand. Of homes, where there is one captain and a good first-mate. Where children are not controlled but comforted. Where juveniles are allowed to be themselves. Where societal standards and norms of behaviour do not dictate the nature of family values. Where parents would rather spend time with their children than friends. Where social or economic ambition do not compete with domestic roles to the detriment of the latter.
I have a vision of a united Church. One not concerned about the material condition but the spiritual things. I wish for religious harmony between the established religions. I desire to see men of God, who are truly sharers of anointing, and not quid pro quo business people. Where “born agains” replace fanaticism with sublime fervour. Where religious dogma is replaced with divine wisdom. Where scepticism is replaced with discerning open-heartedness. I seek the true meaning of the words of God. I believe, by divine inspiration, that only a few people truly understand the messages therein. I desire that the Lord will separate the ‘Pharisees’ from people of quiet but solid faith. I dream of the time when the Lord will reveal himself to his ‘babes’ such that false prophets shall be revealed.
I look to the time when people who are truly meek, the peacemakers, and those of pure heart pervade the world. I myself seek the grace to become one of these people. I desire to give to the Lord in my small measure, for the bounteous blessings which he has bequeathed me. I seek how to make amends for my own misdeeds. I seek to thank God, by service to humanity, for His ‘anointing’ which flows in my life. I seek to sublimate the human crave for earthly power and possessions. I seek to possess and to give the Ultimate Love. I seek the company of people on their own Golden journey. That we may commune according to divine direction. Those, who have dipped their molten ore into the fire. Who forge for themselves, that ultimate weapon, for the service of God’s people. Desiring that we may have left on the sands of time, our own little bits of inspiration, for others whose fire is being kindled for a future unknown, but so sure.
I see a Ministry concerning the leaders of the Nigerian society, and indeed the entire world. I see a trickle-down anointing, which begins with the “arrest” of the leaders of the society by hearing the word of the one true God. In this way the entire country will be committed to the Will of the Most High God. In this light I foresee internal religious strife engineered by the serpent, through its’ earthly agents. This artificial “war” would begin with the erstwhile “leaders” of the Nigerian nation. For, the word of God, will expose their true nature. The serpent within them will rise. And it shall nonetheless be defeated. Young men and women will rise up to take over the running of this nation in proxy – awaiting the One that this world was willed to. All our people of all faith will come to accept the one true will of God. For those opposed, it will be like the whole world has been consumed by an unforgiving fire, they will wish they had never been born. Many will call the name of Christ, whether they be Christian or not, and He will answer their call. He will not ask if you are already “born again”, He has the power to make you die and be resurrected in Him as a truly born again person. The name of Christ is proven to neutralise every evil power. This Ministry is one that must go to the high and mighty who have sold the birthright of this nation to the devil. The new generation shall regain the lost glory of Nigeria, and it shall be accomplished without armed revolution, but by love. This is a collective Golden Path. As it is written, so shall it be done. This is a message of the Golden Path. Now the trials begin.
I do have a dream: but before my dream comes my conviction, my confession of faith.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, and in His son Jesus Christ, my restorer, and in the Holy Spirit, who empowers me. I accept the Cross which Christ bore for my sins, the Blood which sanctifies my soul, and the Resurrection that gives me hope of eternal life. I believe in the Church, which is the body of Christ, and for whom He is the groom. I lay me bear to my Creator, Jehovah Elohim, my own shortcomings so that He may sanctify me by his name Jehovah Quadesh who sanctifies. I ask my righteous God, Jehovah Tsedkenu to give me His righteous kingdom which I seek. I ask for the Lord, Jehovah Nissi to be my banner, and by His special grace to be my shepherd Jehovah Rohe, and my comforter Jehovah Mekadesham. Let the God of peace Jehovah Shalom bring peace unto my soul. Let Jehovah Jireh Provide all of my needs, and the El Shaddai be my satisfaction. May my ever-present Lord, Jehovah Shammah continue to be my guide, and the Lord of Hosts, Jehovah Sabaoth grant me continuous victory. May the power in the blood of Christ Jesus flow into my life. I receive that portion which is assuredly given to all those who seek diligently, the Holy Spirit. I accept my cross, by the grace of God , the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost.
Like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. I dream of the day when men will wake up to the higher purpose of life. I dream, concerning my country, of the day when the leaders are true altruists, and not rapacious politicians. I dream of the day when every tribe and tongue differ only in their language, but not in their loyalty to the country as a whole. I dream of a less corrupt civil service and the placing of square pegs in square holes. I am desirous of a most professional military, who are not besotted with the desire for political power, political positions or political privileges.
I dream of a future leader who is a truly begotten child of God. One who comes to serve, and not to "do us a favour”. One who is both a philosopher as well as a king. One who puts the people above political and economic expediency. One who wakes up in the morning to seek God’s guidance, for the performance of his onerous tasks. One who can stand tall in the community of world leaders. Not because he is perfect in some way, but exactly because of his imperfections. One who can stand for the rights of his people as a first priority. One under whom, we have an intrinsic feeling of security. One who respects the history and traditions and cultures of the black race, and who can be a rallying point for the emancipation of the black race. One strong enough to carry the problems of the country, without the temptation to blame everyone else for the problems. One who can shrug aside criticisms to continue along the path which he is convinced to be right. One wise enough to understand that the majority is not often right, and who can stand for his principles when under majority oppression. But one who also understands that the voice of the majority is sometimes the voice of God. One who has the ability to discern between right and wrong, and the tenacity to stand by that which he thus believes.
I have a dream of a future world free of hunger, of international strife, free from petty nationalistic bickering. I have a dream of a world besotted with the spirit of humanism. A world so enthused with Ultimate Love, that God himself descends to live with us. I dream of a world in which the powers of evil are under severe restraint. And where people instinctively wish to do good, than to do harm. I dream of a world where colour, race or creed is resigned to the trash can, people are respected by the virtue of divine uniqueness of oneness with God the Father. I dream of a future world, where there is no first, second or third ‘worlds’. A world of equality in the capacities and opportunities of the people of the world. A world without “superpowers” or “rogue nations”.
I dream of men of integrity. Of women of substance. Where wives and husbands live in harmony according to the laws of God, and not the dictates of the age. Where a couple are each other’s strengths and not mutual competitors. Where women accede to the opinions of their husbands, and men respect the wishes of their wives. I dream of the perfect home - in degree, of course – where, the maternal parent make the children a priority, and the paternal parent lends a great helping hand. Of homes, where there is one captain and a good first-mate. Where children are not controlled but comforted. Where juveniles are allowed to be themselves. Where societal standards and norms of behaviour do not dictate the nature of family values. Where parents would rather spend time with their children than friends. Where social or economic ambition do not compete with domestic roles to the detriment of the latter.
I have a vision of a united Church. One not concerned about the material condition but the spiritual things. I wish for religious harmony between the established religions. I desire to see men of God, who are truly sharers of anointing, and not quid pro quo business people. Where “born agains” replace fanaticism with sublime fervour. Where religious dogma is replaced with divine wisdom. Where scepticism is replaced with discerning open-heartedness. I seek the true meaning of the words of God. I believe, by divine inspiration, that only a few people truly understand the messages therein. I desire that the Lord will separate the ‘Pharisees’ from people of quiet but solid faith. I dream of the time when the Lord will reveal himself to his ‘babes’ such that false prophets shall be revealed.
I look to the time when people who are truly meek, the peacemakers, and those of pure heart pervade the world. I myself seek the grace to become one of these people. I desire to give to the Lord in my small measure, for the bounteous blessings which he has bequeathed me. I seek how to make amends for my own misdeeds. I seek to thank God, by service to humanity, for His ‘anointing’ which flows in my life. I seek to sublimate the human crave for earthly power and possessions. I seek to possess and to give the Ultimate Love. I seek the company of people on their own Golden journey. That we may commune according to divine direction. Those, who have dipped their molten ore into the fire. Who forge for themselves, that ultimate weapon, for the service of God’s people. Desiring that we may have left on the sands of time, our own little bits of inspiration, for others whose fire is being kindled for a future unknown, but so sure.
I see a Ministry concerning the leaders of the Nigerian society, and indeed the entire world. I see a trickle-down anointing, which begins with the “arrest” of the leaders of the society by hearing the word of the one true God. In this way the entire country will be committed to the Will of the Most High God. In this light I foresee internal religious strife engineered by the serpent, through its’ earthly agents. This artificial “war” would begin with the erstwhile “leaders” of the Nigerian nation. For, the word of God, will expose their true nature. The serpent within them will rise. And it shall nonetheless be defeated. Young men and women will rise up to take over the running of this nation in proxy – awaiting the One that this world was willed to. All our people of all faith will come to accept the one true will of God. For those opposed, it will be like the whole world has been consumed by an unforgiving fire, they will wish they had never been born. Many will call the name of Christ, whether they be Christian or not, and He will answer their call. He will not ask if you are already “born again”, He has the power to make you die and be resurrected in Him as a truly born again person. The name of Christ is proven to neutralise every evil power. This Ministry is one that must go to the high and mighty who have sold the birthright of this nation to the devil. The new generation shall regain the lost glory of Nigeria, and it shall be accomplished without armed revolution, but by love. This is a collective Golden Path. As it is written, so shall it be done. This is a message of the Golden Path. Now the trials begin.
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