I LOVE YOU, BUT I WANT BETTER
Their love was seemingly made in heaven. They went arm in arm all their years on campus, had many things in common, and attended the same fellowship. The University was their Garden of Eden. Contrasting lives moulded together by a homogeneous academic and social community. Their contrasts were the attractive qualities. They met through a mutual friend, Matilda, who indeed had brought them into the popular fellowship on campus.
She was raised in a middle-class family and had many of the fine things of life. Her folks were both senior public servants and lived in official quarters and got to travel abroad frequently on trips paid for by government. The economy was better then than it is now, and she and her siblings got to travel often too.
She was an A grade student, and had schooled at the prestigious Queen's College. Not only was she intelligent, she was beautiful. Suitors were already lining up right from her A' Level days at Loughborough College in the UK. She got into the University by direct entry and she studied Pharmacy. Her name is Anjola, but she is more popularly called 'Angel'. She often wore glasses.
He, after several attempts, got enroled to study Philosophy. He was restless and unsatisfied with both his career path and his situation. A fastidious student of 'Socratic Methodologies', he had a philosophy for his situation, and everything else that happened in his life. He had interesting and often contrary opinions about everything under the sun. He was broody and aloof, but had a close network of buddies that shared his passions. He liked to sing to play the guitar whenever he was alone.
His name is Lanre, and was popularly called Larry. He was rugged in his good looks and spotted a full beard though neatly trimmed. When he frowned, it was a scowl, but whenever he smiled, the sun came out. That was his attraction. He was quite persuasive in words and emotive in expression and it was difficult not to agree with his thoughtlines - being quite philosophic. He didn't have a lot of money, never drank or smoked - he is orphaned and was brought up by his Uncles.
Larry and Angel grew in the fellowships they both attended, and Larry having had an unstable religious foundation, questioned every word and preaching and had a logical twist to every miracle - being a philosopher. Nonetheless, he came quite often, and became quite close to the Pastor of the local fellowship. Soon, he began attending, on Sundays, the mother cathedral, and was soon known for his endless questions, to the Church heirachy. The Senior Pastor chose to mentor him, as his was a delicate issue.
Angel drew closer to graduation while Larry was still in his penultimate year. She was headed for medical internship. But she had begun to complain that Larry seemed more addicted to the Church than to her. They were not spending enough 'quality time' together, she complained. He soothed her nerves, promising to marry her at the end of his course. She completed her internship in a different city and then proceeded for the national youth service in yet another.
In the meantime, Larry seemed to have become quite addicted to Christian service...and he told Angel. She was pleased to hear that. The distance didn't help though, and they soon had less time together to plan their future. He was in his final session on campus.
One afternoon, he had a call from Angel...she called to break up with him. She cried over the phone. She said the last four years were the most amazing of her life. She sobbed "I love you, but I want better". She explained how she met another Christian brother where she served, at a local Church. He was an engineer, working in an oil services firm, and apparently had attended Loughborough College a few years before her. They had so many things in common. He had potential.
Larry was broken...and he put all his heart into Christian ministry. Angel got married.
...Eight years later...
Angel was quite happy. She had two children, a God fearing and successful husband. His name is Dede. Dede came home one night from work with some excitement in his face. He had just being promoted to regional manager in his firm, and transferred to the nation's beautiful capital city. She was excited too...they had both prayed for this. But first Dede had to visit the City for a month to organise logistics before they could move permanently. Angel reminded him to look for a good Church they could attend once in the City.
Dede was back after a month. he had gotten a house. They were okay to move all their possessions to the City. But he looked and spoke differently on his return. Angel held his hands, led him to their 'Situation Room'.
"Dede". You have changed somewhat.
"Oh yeah?" Dede seemed surprised
"Yes. You are subdued yet happy"
"Is it so obvious?"
"Sure. Tell, my darling...what happened while you were in Abuja"
"Wow". Dede began.
He spoke about going into a Church for service...it was a magnificent edifice. Everything and everyone was proper, friendly and showed genuine Christian character. The worship was unbelievable and he found himself crying. He had never experienced God this way. It made him feel cheated...that he probably never really knew God. Then a woman came forth to minister, and he was electrified. She spoke with passion and conviction. He learnt that she was the Pastor's wife. Then came the Pastor.
The man was so gentle with words, so empathetic in his ministration and effective in his explanations that he thought he had never heard the Scripture preached before. He knew he just had to meet the man. Afterwards, Dede met up with the Pastor. He couldn't tell his age...he had white hairs on the sides, and a quite powerful stare, yet gentle mien. After their meeting Dede recommitted himself to God and chose the Pastor as his personal mentor.
Angel was transfixed, and excited. The story was already making her eyes misty. She was inspired. She could not wait to get to the City and experience these wonderful things for herself.
They moved into the City and settled in the task of adjusting their lifestyles to the new environment. Dede resumed in the office and she stayed home as a proud homemaker. The children enrolled in a private academy.
On one of the evenings she phoned Dede at the office and asked about mid-week services at the Church. She couldn't wait to get the dose of divine anointing that so moved her sweetheart. Dede confirmed there would be a service that same evening. She could go by herself, the driver already knows the Church location. He would join her afterwards from the office. The children stayed home with their nannies.
Indeed it was a fantastic edifice. Thoroughly airconditioned, and smelling of fresh flowers. It was a contemporary design but with tall domes suited for better acoustics. She was welcomed inside by ushers who obviously were professional women coming straight from their offices, from their suits.
The music ministrations were indeed heavenly. It was obvious that the ministry had a lot of gifted music ministers, or perhaps it was the Pastor. She had chills often. Dede was right. She was going to love this place. Soon Dede joined her. After a few announcements the service moved into the exhortation.
The Pastor moved from his seat in front of the congregation, followed by his wife, presumably. Angel followed with rapt attention, the beautiful order of things and the wonderful couple, dressed in corporate suits, as they moved holding hands to the pulpit, where two chairs had been positioned.
The Pastor's wife moved towards the microphone. Dede held her and said. "She is a truly blessed woman". The Pastor's wife started to sing. Angel strained her eyes a little, and peered to see her properly, the congregation being so large and many worshippers already standing in anticipation of the ministration to follow.
MATILDA!!!! Shouted Angel. Everyone looked back. Dede looked at her in shock. Then Angel's eyes wandered to the Pastor. LARRY!!!! She shouted again. Then she fainted.
(c) George Honey Ashiru
Month of Grace
Ultimate Love Foundation
MAN OF CONTRASTS... An Alpha Male In Pursuit Of Truth, and Fulfillment...
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
GHA - Words On Marble
MOONWALK: The act of facing a direction while moving in the opposite. Oh Lord, save us from personal or national Moonwalking.
Are you on the field playing? Don't be distracted by the spectators' cynicism, grumbles and snide remarks. Spectators don't win prizes. Keep your eyes on the prize.
Both Honey and Dung attract flies. But the ant is more discerning, it avoids the dung and goes for the honey. May the Lord bless us with the gift of discernment.
Cynicism speaks more of the nature of the Cynic than it does the object/subject of their cynicism.
If your blessings are across the river, better learn to build a bridge, or row a boat.
The aircraft uses the very things that resists it to soar. Ground friction to get ground speed of 200mph plus, air friction to get lift and stability. Nothing shall, therefore, limit us from soaring to greater heights.
Sycophancy: A practical form of hypocrisy, where an aide/friends publicly promotes a position/person contrary to his or her conscience.
Freedom of Expression is not Freedom to Insult: It can land you a libel or slander charge, and lose you friends and make mortal enemies...and, once its expressed, its like mudslide, it gathers unholy momentum. Let's learn to bridle the pen/tongue.
Gridlock: Acid and Base neutralising each other to form harmless common salt, and water.
Spiritual poverty is a disease that economic empowerment cannot overcome.
My Duty Is To Love - God's Duty Is To Judge
Gossip is murder by subtle means - so is deliberately mis-informing people about someone you envy, or don't get along with.
In the quest for nationhood: Have we freely joined together in a “matrimony of common development” or in an “unholy matrimony of convenience”? That is the question.
Inspiration has an expiry date and plenty of alternative vessels. Seize the moment, otherwise it may disappear like the mist at sunrise.
When there is chaos, people want an older, steady hand at the elm of things. When there is stagnancy people want a young, dynamic hand to forge ahead. Are we in a state of chaos, or stagnancy? That is the question?
Don't envy the grace of God on another persons life. Grace is often for the prodigal...maybe you are the faithful son.
In a Taekwondo tournament, the 3rd round is the most vicious, and you need more stamina than for the first two. Often, the winner is decided by the actions in the 3rd round. So it is with nation building, the ending is determined at the end.
RAHAB: From Rejection 2 Rejoicing. Folks, dont let what others think or say about you fog over Gods promise to you. Set your sights ahead. Be blessed.
All it takes to be a Patriot is to use your talents to be a blessing to your community...and little drops of water...
The mining tragedy turned miracle is a lesson in indomitable spirit, and what is possible if people come together rather than come at each other.
What anchors on Hope? Business, Marriage, Expectations, Nation Building. The job of the Motivator is to build your Hope. You build all else yourself.
Creation has a Purpose, and Man has been given Dominion, through Inspired Actions, and Prayer, to determine its destiny. The endless hurtle to destruction implies that Man, in the whole, has not activated both principles.
Prayer is good, but Worship is guaranteed to get God's attention.
The woman with the issue of blood waited on mortal hekp for 12 years, until she walked in Righteousness' Path. No matter what your own ISSUE is, God will respond to your Faith, (not your needs)
God stands alone in judgement: Haven called the Hebrews a stiff-necked people, threatening to destroy them, nevertheless he rejected the confederacy of Balak and Balaam against Israel.
Jonah, the reluctant prophet, having obeyed, awaited God's judgement on a nation...but God's mercy wasbat work, to his chagrin. A repentant people can earn God's mercy.
Goshen was a fruitful land, in ancient Egypt, assigned to Joseph and his family by Pharoah. It spawn a nation, which soon became threatened with extinction. But when God smote Egypt, his judgement bypassed Goshen. Wherever we are now, its our Goshen. Stay there till God smites your enemies.
I know some nice folks, makIng a change in their spheres of influence - in offices, community, church, media, etc...You don't need to get to the centre of power to make a difference. "Action" is not a noun, its a verb.
If your vote can be paid for, then your life has a quantifiable value - the amount you received.
Everytime we look to the promised land, and see the sea instead of the shore, you know a 40 year wilderness wandering is coming up.
If you want to be happy in life, make friends with Optimists. If you want to be successful, make friends with Realists. Keep away from Pessimists, they will drain your energy.
TRANSFORMATION: "A Qualitative change, in act or shape or appearance". Can also mean progress in development - a change for the better. Can we get this type of transformation with old wine in new skin? How can there be change when the players are still the same, and have always been part of the "more of the same" movement?
Why Do People Resist Change? Change creates a new category of winners...and losers too
If everyone ran their homes well, and their offices/jobs/businesses, etc...and steward their responsibilities with earnest care...we wouldn’t be clamouring for heroes to lead our nations. We would be the heroes.
I don't have time to keep looking at the specks in other people's eyes - I am too busy chopping down the logs in mine.
Watch it when people clamour, endorse, and try to ram your name down the throats of the electorate. You may end up like Saul - wanted by people, yet ultimately rejected by God, and destroyed. Try to be like David - work silently in the wilderness - your day of glory will soon come.
The football team has many designations. Coach, Trainer, Medics, keeper, Players etc...As long as WE all play the roles we are gifted/assigned/appointed to do, the team will do very well. We can't all be politicians/opposition/activists, etc, and no one man can bring the desired change, save God Himself, with the cooperation of ALL the people. But we each have a duty to DO what we can!
Can you imagine a chicken voting for Tasty Fried Chicken (apologies, TFC)? It may be complimentary, but it (chicken) will end up in a growling bowel. That is what will happen if we vote with our eyes closed. Fellows, don't vote zones and superstars...when the time comes, vote rightly.
David gathered many stones to fight Goliath: But the Lord only needed one to finish the job. Lord, give us the right weapons to defeat the goliaths of our time.
King David's experience is proof that, sometimes, our Promotions comes while within the enemy's Palace.
Would you entrust your child to a self taught swimming coach? Or your Faith to a untaught cleric? Dont cast your vote blindly. It is like casting your pearls before swines. God bless us with discernment today.
Everywhere Isaac located, he sowed, and he reaped, 100 fold. His enemies relocated him, but his allocation kept coming through. Even a King came to him, and acknowledged God in him, and by covenant Isaac was established and settled. Wherever you may locate or be relocated
Location Determines Allocation
Moses was a mere man, but God made him a god over King Pharaoh - Joshua was a mere man, but God gave him the scalps of 31 Kings. You don't need to be a King/President/Governor/Senator, to change the world. All you need is to be leader submitted to God.
The Pulpit, designed as a podium for exhortation and encouragement, has been turned by some as a platform for grandstanding and criticism. Little wonder those who sit under these, have relentlessly critical spirits. Practice Love.
A man is called by covenant, not character. But his character will determine the success of his calling.
I wont let you go till you bless me. And after you bless me I will bind myself to you forever. Lord, you know you are irresistible.
When an insecure man or woman marries, the first thing they do is to disconnect their spouses from their family and friends, so the other party becomes utterly dependent on them. Possessive-obsessiveness is destructive.
Are you on the field playing? Don't be distracted by the spectators' cynicism, grumbles and snide remarks. Spectators don't win prizes. Keep your eyes on the prize.
Both Honey and Dung attract flies. But the ant is more discerning, it avoids the dung and goes for the honey. May the Lord bless us with the gift of discernment.
Cynicism speaks more of the nature of the Cynic than it does the object/subject of their cynicism.
If your blessings are across the river, better learn to build a bridge, or row a boat.
The aircraft uses the very things that resists it to soar. Ground friction to get ground speed of 200mph plus, air friction to get lift and stability. Nothing shall, therefore, limit us from soaring to greater heights.
Sycophancy: A practical form of hypocrisy, where an aide/friends publicly promotes a position/person contrary to his or her conscience.
Freedom of Expression is not Freedom to Insult: It can land you a libel or slander charge, and lose you friends and make mortal enemies...and, once its expressed, its like mudslide, it gathers unholy momentum. Let's learn to bridle the pen/tongue.
Gridlock: Acid and Base neutralising each other to form harmless common salt, and water.
Spiritual poverty is a disease that economic empowerment cannot overcome.
My Duty Is To Love - God's Duty Is To Judge
Gossip is murder by subtle means - so is deliberately mis-informing people about someone you envy, or don't get along with.
In the quest for nationhood: Have we freely joined together in a “matrimony of common development” or in an “unholy matrimony of convenience”? That is the question.
Inspiration has an expiry date and plenty of alternative vessels. Seize the moment, otherwise it may disappear like the mist at sunrise.
When there is chaos, people want an older, steady hand at the elm of things. When there is stagnancy people want a young, dynamic hand to forge ahead. Are we in a state of chaos, or stagnancy? That is the question?
Don't envy the grace of God on another persons life. Grace is often for the prodigal...maybe you are the faithful son.
In a Taekwondo tournament, the 3rd round is the most vicious, and you need more stamina than for the first two. Often, the winner is decided by the actions in the 3rd round. So it is with nation building, the ending is determined at the end.
RAHAB: From Rejection 2 Rejoicing. Folks, dont let what others think or say about you fog over Gods promise to you. Set your sights ahead. Be blessed.
All it takes to be a Patriot is to use your talents to be a blessing to your community...and little drops of water...
The mining tragedy turned miracle is a lesson in indomitable spirit, and what is possible if people come together rather than come at each other.
What anchors on Hope? Business, Marriage, Expectations, Nation Building. The job of the Motivator is to build your Hope. You build all else yourself.
Creation has a Purpose, and Man has been given Dominion, through Inspired Actions, and Prayer, to determine its destiny. The endless hurtle to destruction implies that Man, in the whole, has not activated both principles.
Prayer is good, but Worship is guaranteed to get God's attention.
The woman with the issue of blood waited on mortal hekp for 12 years, until she walked in Righteousness' Path. No matter what your own ISSUE is, God will respond to your Faith, (not your needs)
God stands alone in judgement: Haven called the Hebrews a stiff-necked people, threatening to destroy them, nevertheless he rejected the confederacy of Balak and Balaam against Israel.
Jonah, the reluctant prophet, having obeyed, awaited God's judgement on a nation...but God's mercy wasbat work, to his chagrin. A repentant people can earn God's mercy.
Goshen was a fruitful land, in ancient Egypt, assigned to Joseph and his family by Pharoah. It spawn a nation, which soon became threatened with extinction. But when God smote Egypt, his judgement bypassed Goshen. Wherever we are now, its our Goshen. Stay there till God smites your enemies.
I know some nice folks, makIng a change in their spheres of influence - in offices, community, church, media, etc...You don't need to get to the centre of power to make a difference. "Action" is not a noun, its a verb.
If your vote can be paid for, then your life has a quantifiable value - the amount you received.
Everytime we look to the promised land, and see the sea instead of the shore, you know a 40 year wilderness wandering is coming up.
If you want to be happy in life, make friends with Optimists. If you want to be successful, make friends with Realists. Keep away from Pessimists, they will drain your energy.
TRANSFORMATION: "A Qualitative change, in act or shape or appearance". Can also mean progress in development - a change for the better. Can we get this type of transformation with old wine in new skin? How can there be change when the players are still the same, and have always been part of the "more of the same" movement?
Why Do People Resist Change? Change creates a new category of winners...and losers too
If everyone ran their homes well, and their offices/jobs/businesses, etc...and steward their responsibilities with earnest care...we wouldn’t be clamouring for heroes to lead our nations. We would be the heroes.
I don't have time to keep looking at the specks in other people's eyes - I am too busy chopping down the logs in mine.
Watch it when people clamour, endorse, and try to ram your name down the throats of the electorate. You may end up like Saul - wanted by people, yet ultimately rejected by God, and destroyed. Try to be like David - work silently in the wilderness - your day of glory will soon come.
The football team has many designations. Coach, Trainer, Medics, keeper, Players etc...As long as WE all play the roles we are gifted/assigned/appointed to do, the team will do very well. We can't all be politicians/opposition/activists, etc, and no one man can bring the desired change, save God Himself, with the cooperation of ALL the people. But we each have a duty to DO what we can!
Can you imagine a chicken voting for Tasty Fried Chicken (apologies, TFC)? It may be complimentary, but it (chicken) will end up in a growling bowel. That is what will happen if we vote with our eyes closed. Fellows, don't vote zones and superstars...when the time comes, vote rightly.
David gathered many stones to fight Goliath: But the Lord only needed one to finish the job. Lord, give us the right weapons to defeat the goliaths of our time.
King David's experience is proof that, sometimes, our Promotions comes while within the enemy's Palace.
Would you entrust your child to a self taught swimming coach? Or your Faith to a untaught cleric? Dont cast your vote blindly. It is like casting your pearls before swines. God bless us with discernment today.
Everywhere Isaac located, he sowed, and he reaped, 100 fold. His enemies relocated him, but his allocation kept coming through. Even a King came to him, and acknowledged God in him, and by covenant Isaac was established and settled. Wherever you may locate or be relocated
Location Determines Allocation
Moses was a mere man, but God made him a god over King Pharaoh - Joshua was a mere man, but God gave him the scalps of 31 Kings. You don't need to be a King/President/Governor/Senator, to change the world. All you need is to be leader submitted to God.
The Pulpit, designed as a podium for exhortation and encouragement, has been turned by some as a platform for grandstanding and criticism. Little wonder those who sit under these, have relentlessly critical spirits. Practice Love.
A man is called by covenant, not character. But his character will determine the success of his calling.
I wont let you go till you bless me. And after you bless me I will bind myself to you forever. Lord, you know you are irresistible.
When an insecure man or woman marries, the first thing they do is to disconnect their spouses from their family and friends, so the other party becomes utterly dependent on them. Possessive-obsessiveness is destructive.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
MOVITATION IS NOT INSPIRATION.
Motivational speeches promote the fulfilment of Wants - Inspirational speeches promote the fulfillment of Purpose. One is energised by the Flesh, the other by the Spirit.
Books and speeches that have short cuts to material things are motivational. Books and speeches that point to a life of service and giving, they are inspirational.
Motivational materials tell us how to squeeze water from a rock. Inspirational materials tells us to become the rock that gives out water.
The Success of the motivational speaker is the Subject of his speeches. The Trials of the inspirational speaker is the Lesson of his speeches.
A motivational Preacher teaches how to use Scripture to get our needs. An inspirational Preacher tells us Scripture provides our needs - man shall not leave by bread alone.
Hitler was motivational, Martin Luther King was inspirational. By their fruit you discern the two.
A motivator identifies problems, an inspirer helps to solve them.
A motivator sympathises with you, teaches you how to fish. An inspirer helps with the fishing.
A motivator is a great role model. An inspirer is a good mentor.
To transform a life, or a nation, both are useful. But the work of the Inspirer is more enduring.
Lets get together and inspirer.
Books and speeches that have short cuts to material things are motivational. Books and speeches that point to a life of service and giving, they are inspirational.
Motivational materials tell us how to squeeze water from a rock. Inspirational materials tells us to become the rock that gives out water.
The Success of the motivational speaker is the Subject of his speeches. The Trials of the inspirational speaker is the Lesson of his speeches.
A motivational Preacher teaches how to use Scripture to get our needs. An inspirational Preacher tells us Scripture provides our needs - man shall not leave by bread alone.
Hitler was motivational, Martin Luther King was inspirational. By their fruit you discern the two.
A motivator identifies problems, an inspirer helps to solve them.
A motivator sympathises with you, teaches you how to fish. An inspirer helps with the fishing.
A motivator is a great role model. An inspirer is a good mentor.
To transform a life, or a nation, both are useful. But the work of the Inspirer is more enduring.
Lets get together and inspirer.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
NIGERIA: Building A New Nation Of Our Dreams
-By George Ashiru[Convener, Town Hall Meetings Project (THMP)]
LeaderValuesConference, October 16 2010
THEME: The Emergence Of National Saviours(LeadersWithIntegrity)
What Is Nationhood:A “nation‟ “is a body of people occupying a given area whose common interests are strong enough to make possible the maintenance of a single sovereign civil authority, i.e. a state which may and often does predate the nation as a historical reality” (Harmati. 1983)‘
Nation-building’ is defined as “the process of reinforcing the common bonds among the people of a nation state to the end that there may be general stability and prosperity so that the nation may participate usefully in the community of nations”
The foundational materials used in building a nation are not bricks and mortars, i.e. not a strong treasury, nor a strong army nor an inexhaustible and formidable arsenal, though they may seem important. To be a nation, any community or society may require political unity or territorial integrity, one executive, one constitution, a common law, a means of viable transportation and easy communication.
A nation is built, besides other factors, by common civil values, common symbols, common sense of progress, common participation in decisions, equality before the law, mutual respect for others and tolerance, and a feeling of freedom –From a report by Lutheran World federation
“National development does not consist merely in economic progress but means increasing possibility for all of living a fully human life on the physical (material), cultural, spiritual levels. It also implies the growing ability of a nation as whole to take its rightful place in the international field, economically, politically, culturally, i.e., to function with a proper degree of autonomy and prestige “-Cardinal Gracias, 1967.
From the biblical perspective, the foundation of God's throne, the Bible says, is righteousness and justice (Ps. 89:14) and a kingdom (“nation‟) is built on righteousness or destroyed by its absence (Pro. 11:11). It is law and justice that keep a nation steady and strong (Pro. 29:4). A nation is a good and welfare state when it is built on the principles of honesty, morality, justice and fairness (Pro. 29:12, 14; 31:2-5). Righteousness, morality, justice etc provide the foundation for a just and welfare nation. Its pillars are principles of human dignity and freedom, truth and knowledge, personal responsibility and stewardship, and the rule of law.
The big question is this? Do we have a “nation”? Or are we a confederation of nations? Are these confederates looking in the same direction? Do we worship the same god and have similar beliefs? Are we culturally, morally homogeneous? Have we freely joined together in a “matrimony of common development” or in an “unholy matrimony of convenience”?
Nigeria Pre-1960:Politically
There was no unity. Hundreds of kingdoms existed side by side with no sense of unity or any serious sense of interdependence. These were ruled by the traditional institutions under the guidance of the priestly caste while the common people had no say whatsoever in administrative matters. A fragmented, splintered, competitive and fighting political scenario prevailed; loyalty was to the kings. Any idea of a devotion to the land in general was in existent.
At the social level the feudalism and caste order was in complete command of the situation. Being a discriminatory system it could not see equality of humans. Finality belonged to the social order of wealth. The low status and illiteracy of women wasted half of the total human resources. Education was the monopoly of the royalty and the wealthy; and they were all male in gender. Female infanticide was widely common. Killing of twins, human sacrifices, child marriage, enforced widowhood etc were normal in those days. Infant mortality rate was high, resulting in creating a multitude of young widows. High birth rate was the only answer to the high infant mortality rate and the curse of short life span. Another heavy pressure upon the women!
Religion was communal and the traditional gods and their priests reigned supreme. There was no choice, democratic or otherwise in worship, and everyone adhered to the final authority no matter how unjust, of the king and priests. Freedom of individual conscience and free and open dissemination of knowledge were neither entertained nor encouraged. The North was predominantly Islamic, and the governance was through the Emirates, guided strictly by the Koran and the commentaries and guides, Sunnah and Hadith. These published guides made governance straight forward and easy for the Sheiks and Emirs, and it was easy for the British to rule through these institution.
In the South West, things were a little more treacherous, with kings and communities constantly at war, expanding territory and several romancing with the colonial powers to destabilise other kingdoms to get political leverage with the whites. Slavery was a trade which the kings of the South West of Nigeria delighted in engaging in. The value placed on human life of the poor was nil, explaining human sacrifices. The religions were quite secretive and adherents and followers assumed mystical powers which kept the citizens in fear and bondage. Unlike Islam, and Christianity, the traditional religions did not have manuals for reference…the populace only got involved through general festivals, and for private divinitions.
The South East, with the embedded minority groups did not fare better with struggles, land wars and cross border raids, etc. The religious practices were also absolutes and involved much bloodshed.These foundations did not portend much for a future republic…and colonial fiat, subterfuge and structural deficiencies made that all the more certain.
Colonialism’s Positive Effect:
Colonialism arrived with a three-pronged approach.-Trade -Governance, and -Religion.
For the sake of our subject matter, which centreson private initiatives for nation building, I will put emphasis on the effect of the value system of the colonialists’ religion in helping to abrogate the embedded strongholds in Nigerian communities in the Southern parts of Nigeria, whose effect is now a major advantage to their citizenry.
The colonial missionaries in pre-independent Nigeria, under the protection of the British forces and government sponsorship laboured for a philosophical, moral and cultural regeneration of the worldview prevalent in the Nigerian landmass and it is this commitment on the part of these missionaries, that helped the building up of religious freedoms, abrogation of terrible native traditions and creating a new value system constitutionally committed to the principles of secularism, individual freedom of conscience, equality of all humans and genders, and constitutional parliamentary democracy. How it was introduced, and whether it was wholly accepted by the peoples of the South of Nigeria, and how it is being practiced…that’s another story.
Education was the most effective method of bringing the desired change. Churches and schools existed side by sided. In the length and breadth of Nigeria, missionaries took the initiative and founded schools and other educational institutions and through the newly educated generations brought about radical changes in the value system and worldviews affecting modern Nigeria at the embryonic stage.
Post Independence, More of the same:The Experience of the last 50 years.
1. Lack of a sound development agenda or plans to be implemented by national leaders.
2. Lack of a visionary leadership in national government.
3. Lack of exposures/experience on the part of national leaders
4. The refusal or unwillingness of incoming leadership to accept and implement development agenda/plans of the out-going ones
5. High class corruption, power, greed, selfishness on the part of national leaders 6. The refusal and or failure of the national leadership to make local leadership part of decision-making with regards to crafting a development agenda
7. Injustice and bad governance
Why?
1.A return to feudalism
2.A return to caste, class and discriminatory orders.
3.A perpetuation of hypocrisy, hybrid of values.
4.An ‘Animal Farm” ideology.
5.Extreme individualism
6.Inordinate unquenched thirst for control over others
7.“Decorative Democracy”, not fundamental to our cultural norms.
Fast Tracking To The Future –Your Roles As “National Saviours”
1. If we are to serve as role models in the society, the LeaderWithIntegrity should consider an active plan for general mediation, reconciliation and unification within the various communities in Nigeria, for the house divided against itself can never stand
2. The LeaderWithIntegrity should strongly engage the state to the extend that they will begin encouraging and counseling their membership to take up assignment in high government offices and begin to apply good governance within every sector of the national society in line with transformational values.
3. The LeaderWithIntegrityneed to seriously promote positive national identity policy by encouraging Nigerians to appreciate their values and culture.
4. The LeaderWithIntegrityshould constructively engage and encourage government to harness the limited financial resources for vital areas such as a health care delivery system, quality education, agriculture etc.
5. TheLeaderWithIntegrityshould seek to support the enforcement of the rule of law. Despotism or dictatorship rest on the will and power of mortals, who always are a minority but a serious threat to the majority, and it is the moral right of the leader to challenge this anomally
6. The LeaderWithIntegrityshould initiate a dialog at the national and local levels aimed at involving national policy that will clearly spell out the hope and aspiration of the Liberian people for national unity, peace and progress.
7. The LeaderWithIntegrityshould intentionally find and mentor emerging leaders, building their capacity and get them involved in community and national development projects within their respective localities and beyond .
8. The LeaderWithIntegrityshould preach messages of peace on national tolerance in respect of political differences, religion, tribal back ground, etc.
9. The LeaderWithIntegrityshould be very pro-active in peace-building and reconciliation programs in every community across the country
10. The LeaderWithIntegrityshould now redefine his /hereducational, health, agriculture, etc capacity building role and begin to work towards achieving the MDGs within their spheres of influence.
11. The resources available in any community—material, mineral and personnel—have to be harnessed and put into maximum use with efficiency so that community may progress in the economic front. That is one of the challenges for the LeaderWithIntegrity
12. The development of a nation is intrinsically related to the intellectual development of its members. Knowledge and intellectual development cannot be monopolized by a few and the rest denied its privileges. The duty of the Leader is to find ways to improve the knowledge base of the citizenry, through discourse such as the one we are partaking now.
13. The leader must ensure the principle of human worth and freedom. There must be an atmosphere of freedom for individual members to develop themselves as individual persons using all their talents and gifts and the resources available. Pre-eminence cannot be given to any social or political order or set up and make individuals serve the system. If that happens then the individuals are enslaved to an oppressive system in operation.
14. In a democratic period, the leader has an imperative to drive voter education, to drive voter registration and the sanctity of votes.
15. Clear vision, ability to think, discuss, debate and articulate convincingly and persuasively, right decision-making process, the power to execute them—these the political process provides. When leaders stay away from this crucial area of life, besides betraying our lack of wholesome commitment to the totality of life, we deny ourselves the privilege to decisively participate in the mission of nation-building. This is willful abdication of responsibility, and that is criminal
Finally…Quoting from C. V. Mathew“We need a fresh vision for our nation in the 21st century—a nation that is made of individuals, families, communities and a mosaic of races, language groups, religious traditions and cultures; a vision born out of the Biblical worldview, a vision that honors Jesus Christ the Lord of the nations and history, a vision that seeks the well being of our fellow citizens in a healthy environment and the fulfillment of our national aspirations in healthy fellowship with one another (i.e. communal harmony); a vision that promotes a genuinely national consciousness, and social and national integration. It must be a vision that realizes truth, righteousness, justice, freedom, equality, mercy and love.”
LeaderValuesConference, October 16 2010
THEME: The Emergence Of National Saviours(LeadersWithIntegrity)
What Is Nationhood:A “nation‟ “is a body of people occupying a given area whose common interests are strong enough to make possible the maintenance of a single sovereign civil authority, i.e. a state which may and often does predate the nation as a historical reality” (Harmati. 1983)‘
Nation-building’ is defined as “the process of reinforcing the common bonds among the people of a nation state to the end that there may be general stability and prosperity so that the nation may participate usefully in the community of nations”
The foundational materials used in building a nation are not bricks and mortars, i.e. not a strong treasury, nor a strong army nor an inexhaustible and formidable arsenal, though they may seem important. To be a nation, any community or society may require political unity or territorial integrity, one executive, one constitution, a common law, a means of viable transportation and easy communication.
A nation is built, besides other factors, by common civil values, common symbols, common sense of progress, common participation in decisions, equality before the law, mutual respect for others and tolerance, and a feeling of freedom –From a report by Lutheran World federation
“National development does not consist merely in economic progress but means increasing possibility for all of living a fully human life on the physical (material), cultural, spiritual levels. It also implies the growing ability of a nation as whole to take its rightful place in the international field, economically, politically, culturally, i.e., to function with a proper degree of autonomy and prestige “-Cardinal Gracias, 1967.
From the biblical perspective, the foundation of God's throne, the Bible says, is righteousness and justice (Ps. 89:14) and a kingdom (“nation‟) is built on righteousness or destroyed by its absence (Pro. 11:11). It is law and justice that keep a nation steady and strong (Pro. 29:4). A nation is a good and welfare state when it is built on the principles of honesty, morality, justice and fairness (Pro. 29:12, 14; 31:2-5). Righteousness, morality, justice etc provide the foundation for a just and welfare nation. Its pillars are principles of human dignity and freedom, truth and knowledge, personal responsibility and stewardship, and the rule of law.
The big question is this? Do we have a “nation”? Or are we a confederation of nations? Are these confederates looking in the same direction? Do we worship the same god and have similar beliefs? Are we culturally, morally homogeneous? Have we freely joined together in a “matrimony of common development” or in an “unholy matrimony of convenience”?
Nigeria Pre-1960:Politically
There was no unity. Hundreds of kingdoms existed side by side with no sense of unity or any serious sense of interdependence. These were ruled by the traditional institutions under the guidance of the priestly caste while the common people had no say whatsoever in administrative matters. A fragmented, splintered, competitive and fighting political scenario prevailed; loyalty was to the kings. Any idea of a devotion to the land in general was in existent.
At the social level the feudalism and caste order was in complete command of the situation. Being a discriminatory system it could not see equality of humans. Finality belonged to the social order of wealth. The low status and illiteracy of women wasted half of the total human resources. Education was the monopoly of the royalty and the wealthy; and they were all male in gender. Female infanticide was widely common. Killing of twins, human sacrifices, child marriage, enforced widowhood etc were normal in those days. Infant mortality rate was high, resulting in creating a multitude of young widows. High birth rate was the only answer to the high infant mortality rate and the curse of short life span. Another heavy pressure upon the women!
Religion was communal and the traditional gods and their priests reigned supreme. There was no choice, democratic or otherwise in worship, and everyone adhered to the final authority no matter how unjust, of the king and priests. Freedom of individual conscience and free and open dissemination of knowledge were neither entertained nor encouraged. The North was predominantly Islamic, and the governance was through the Emirates, guided strictly by the Koran and the commentaries and guides, Sunnah and Hadith. These published guides made governance straight forward and easy for the Sheiks and Emirs, and it was easy for the British to rule through these institution.
In the South West, things were a little more treacherous, with kings and communities constantly at war, expanding territory and several romancing with the colonial powers to destabilise other kingdoms to get political leverage with the whites. Slavery was a trade which the kings of the South West of Nigeria delighted in engaging in. The value placed on human life of the poor was nil, explaining human sacrifices. The religions were quite secretive and adherents and followers assumed mystical powers which kept the citizens in fear and bondage. Unlike Islam, and Christianity, the traditional religions did not have manuals for reference…the populace only got involved through general festivals, and for private divinitions.
The South East, with the embedded minority groups did not fare better with struggles, land wars and cross border raids, etc. The religious practices were also absolutes and involved much bloodshed.These foundations did not portend much for a future republic…and colonial fiat, subterfuge and structural deficiencies made that all the more certain.
Colonialism’s Positive Effect:
Colonialism arrived with a three-pronged approach.-Trade -Governance, and -Religion.
For the sake of our subject matter, which centreson private initiatives for nation building, I will put emphasis on the effect of the value system of the colonialists’ religion in helping to abrogate the embedded strongholds in Nigerian communities in the Southern parts of Nigeria, whose effect is now a major advantage to their citizenry.
The colonial missionaries in pre-independent Nigeria, under the protection of the British forces and government sponsorship laboured for a philosophical, moral and cultural regeneration of the worldview prevalent in the Nigerian landmass and it is this commitment on the part of these missionaries, that helped the building up of religious freedoms, abrogation of terrible native traditions and creating a new value system constitutionally committed to the principles of secularism, individual freedom of conscience, equality of all humans and genders, and constitutional parliamentary democracy. How it was introduced, and whether it was wholly accepted by the peoples of the South of Nigeria, and how it is being practiced…that’s another story.
Education was the most effective method of bringing the desired change. Churches and schools existed side by sided. In the length and breadth of Nigeria, missionaries took the initiative and founded schools and other educational institutions and through the newly educated generations brought about radical changes in the value system and worldviews affecting modern Nigeria at the embryonic stage.
Post Independence, More of the same:The Experience of the last 50 years.
1. Lack of a sound development agenda or plans to be implemented by national leaders.
2. Lack of a visionary leadership in national government.
3. Lack of exposures/experience on the part of national leaders
4. The refusal or unwillingness of incoming leadership to accept and implement development agenda/plans of the out-going ones
5. High class corruption, power, greed, selfishness on the part of national leaders 6. The refusal and or failure of the national leadership to make local leadership part of decision-making with regards to crafting a development agenda
7. Injustice and bad governance
Why?
1.A return to feudalism
2.A return to caste, class and discriminatory orders.
3.A perpetuation of hypocrisy, hybrid of values.
4.An ‘Animal Farm” ideology.
5.Extreme individualism
6.Inordinate unquenched thirst for control over others
7.“Decorative Democracy”, not fundamental to our cultural norms.
Fast Tracking To The Future –Your Roles As “National Saviours”
1. If we are to serve as role models in the society, the LeaderWithIntegrity should consider an active plan for general mediation, reconciliation and unification within the various communities in Nigeria, for the house divided against itself can never stand
2. The LeaderWithIntegrity should strongly engage the state to the extend that they will begin encouraging and counseling their membership to take up assignment in high government offices and begin to apply good governance within every sector of the national society in line with transformational values.
3. The LeaderWithIntegrityneed to seriously promote positive national identity policy by encouraging Nigerians to appreciate their values and culture.
4. The LeaderWithIntegrityshould constructively engage and encourage government to harness the limited financial resources for vital areas such as a health care delivery system, quality education, agriculture etc.
5. TheLeaderWithIntegrityshould seek to support the enforcement of the rule of law. Despotism or dictatorship rest on the will and power of mortals, who always are a minority but a serious threat to the majority, and it is the moral right of the leader to challenge this anomally
6. The LeaderWithIntegrityshould initiate a dialog at the national and local levels aimed at involving national policy that will clearly spell out the hope and aspiration of the Liberian people for national unity, peace and progress.
7. The LeaderWithIntegrityshould intentionally find and mentor emerging leaders, building their capacity and get them involved in community and national development projects within their respective localities and beyond .
8. The LeaderWithIntegrityshould preach messages of peace on national tolerance in respect of political differences, religion, tribal back ground, etc.
9. The LeaderWithIntegrityshould be very pro-active in peace-building and reconciliation programs in every community across the country
10. The LeaderWithIntegrityshould now redefine his /hereducational, health, agriculture, etc capacity building role and begin to work towards achieving the MDGs within their spheres of influence.
11. The resources available in any community—material, mineral and personnel—have to be harnessed and put into maximum use with efficiency so that community may progress in the economic front. That is one of the challenges for the LeaderWithIntegrity
12. The development of a nation is intrinsically related to the intellectual development of its members. Knowledge and intellectual development cannot be monopolized by a few and the rest denied its privileges. The duty of the Leader is to find ways to improve the knowledge base of the citizenry, through discourse such as the one we are partaking now.
13. The leader must ensure the principle of human worth and freedom. There must be an atmosphere of freedom for individual members to develop themselves as individual persons using all their talents and gifts and the resources available. Pre-eminence cannot be given to any social or political order or set up and make individuals serve the system. If that happens then the individuals are enslaved to an oppressive system in operation.
14. In a democratic period, the leader has an imperative to drive voter education, to drive voter registration and the sanctity of votes.
15. Clear vision, ability to think, discuss, debate and articulate convincingly and persuasively, right decision-making process, the power to execute them—these the political process provides. When leaders stay away from this crucial area of life, besides betraying our lack of wholesome commitment to the totality of life, we deny ourselves the privilege to decisively participate in the mission of nation-building. This is willful abdication of responsibility, and that is criminal
Finally…Quoting from C. V. Mathew“We need a fresh vision for our nation in the 21st century—a nation that is made of individuals, families, communities and a mosaic of races, language groups, religious traditions and cultures; a vision born out of the Biblical worldview, a vision that honors Jesus Christ the Lord of the nations and history, a vision that seeks the well being of our fellow citizens in a healthy environment and the fulfillment of our national aspirations in healthy fellowship with one another (i.e. communal harmony); a vision that promotes a genuinely national consciousness, and social and national integration. It must be a vision that realizes truth, righteousness, justice, freedom, equality, mercy and love.”
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The Sanctity of Votes In An Electoral Process
The Sanctity of Votes In An Electoral Process - The Citizen’s Perspective –
Presented By:
George Ashiru [Convener, Town Hall Meetings Project (THMP)]
On the occasion of the Roundtable On Santity Of Votes In An Electoral Process
Organised By: United States International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) Lagos State Alumni Association.
Held 26th October 2010 at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos
Protocol:
Your Excellency, The Executive Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
The Chairperson of this occasion, Senator Joy Emordi
The Representative of the U.S. Ambassador, Mr Mathew Trumbull.
The President and members of the IVLP Alumni
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
Preambles:
• In year 2000, heads of 189 governments, including Nigeria, agreed to meet 8 goals that will halve extreme poverty by year 2015 – The MDGs.
• All 8 of the MDGs were agreed to be achievable if governments live up to their responsibilities.
• Because of the direct benefit to citizens, they were expected to hold their governments accountable for achieving these MDGs.
• The only methodology for citizen action for responsible governance is democracy, where the citizens can reward or reject political leadership for achieving these and other developmental goals.
• The instrument for achieving this citizen action is through the ballot box. The electoral process provides the direct means of the citizens of a country to, in the majority, determine the leadership, direction and methodology and ideology of governance for the common good.
• The sanctity of this process and the value of each individual vote determines the progress a country makes towards achieving her developmental objectives.
• Time and time again, we have seen a political system in operation in Nigeria, where a select few have acted like they have debenture holdings of our collective votes, and can allot the votes and the resulting value as they will.
• We the citizens have come together to say No, NEVER AGAIN!!!
A Corporate Analogy:
• Nigeria can be likened to a large corporation, FRN-PLC, founded 1914, established 1960.
• An American Intelligence Factbook estimated our collective value at $159Billion. Furthermore, the expendable GDP per capita was given from $300plus to a useful GDP/capita of $2400 (2009) per citizen, young or old.
• This translates to each of us having an average net worth of $2400, which in equity terms, is 2400 shares per head (assuming $1 per share).
• During our annual AGM (elections), I exchange my shares for votes. My shares are equal to all others, but by proxy, some of us wield slightly more shares, on behalf of our non-voting shareholders (children). In any case, it is a fair and equitable distribution of shares.
• My equity exchanges for a vote during the AGMs. I expect dividends for my equity, I vote for Directors and CEOs that will guarantee me return on my shares. My shares are not a subvention or donation to anybody, they are my holdings in the corporate entity called FRN-PLC.
• I attend the AGM personally, and I see my co-shareholders diligently exercising their duty of casting their shares in votes as their conscience leads them.
• But, Alas, at each AGM, till now, an unscrupulous few brokers, directors, and line managers, collude to turn our experiment into the “Animal Farm” (Apologies, George Orwell), where some persons allocate our shares and trade in our shares, without our consent, acting as though their own 2400 equity are debentures with exponential values. Where, instead of their shares to have a $1 to a share, they magnify their shareholding to $million to a share . Equating themselves to a majority, and making nonsense of the equal equity we have been bequeathed.
• So, at our various shareholder association meetings (town hall meetings), we have new resolutions we want activated for the upcoming AGM in 2011.
Resolutions:
• Our shares/votes must have equal values
• That our citizens must be educated not to trade their shareholdings for a bowl of porridge or undervalue these shares by trading it at N500 for a vote.
• That the citizens, being equal partakers of the commonwealth of Nigeria shall no longer deliver their votes through political proxies, but each man/woman will personally cast their votes and ensure the sanctity of the tabulations.
• That we recommend that previous beneficiaries and perpetrators of such unsanctified votes shall not be allowed to stand for further elections, whether through the judicial process or through citizens’ action.
• We also demand judicial compensation for the erstwhile mis-alloted votes.
• We all agree that the corporate entity called Nigeria is a viable entity with awesome potentials, and we will ensure the delivery of a just electoral process and good governance to the upcoming generations, through aggressive citizen education, and issues driven enlightenment campaigns.
• That citizens’ apathy is the result of the loss of sanctity of their votes. Additionally, citizens’ apathy is increased by the following;
-Ignorance about electoral processes. –Ignorance of issues in governance –Cultural mindsets that presume elders, the wealthy, etc are better leaders. –Election violence and political thuggery. –I religious misapplications on the role of the citizen in ensuring the sanctity of votes, and good governance.
• During an election cycle, the scenario the citizen expects is;
-Parties, after internal democratic primaries, present candidates.
-Candidates present their case.
-Voters make their choices.
-INEC tabulates, endorses, and announces these choices as it is.
• We also admonish INEC to consider the following actions; -Educate the citizenry through Town Hall meetings, etc and, -Work with NGOs to create awareness on voter registration, responsibilities, etc -Empower voters to defend their votes through an accountable voting system.
Presented By:
George Ashiru [Convener, Town Hall Meetings Project (THMP)]
On the occasion of the Roundtable On Santity Of Votes In An Electoral Process
Organised By: United States International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) Lagos State Alumni Association.
Held 26th October 2010 at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos
Protocol:
Your Excellency, The Executive Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
The Chairperson of this occasion, Senator Joy Emordi
The Representative of the U.S. Ambassador, Mr Mathew Trumbull.
The President and members of the IVLP Alumni
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
Preambles:
• In year 2000, heads of 189 governments, including Nigeria, agreed to meet 8 goals that will halve extreme poverty by year 2015 – The MDGs.
• All 8 of the MDGs were agreed to be achievable if governments live up to their responsibilities.
• Because of the direct benefit to citizens, they were expected to hold their governments accountable for achieving these MDGs.
• The only methodology for citizen action for responsible governance is democracy, where the citizens can reward or reject political leadership for achieving these and other developmental goals.
• The instrument for achieving this citizen action is through the ballot box. The electoral process provides the direct means of the citizens of a country to, in the majority, determine the leadership, direction and methodology and ideology of governance for the common good.
• The sanctity of this process and the value of each individual vote determines the progress a country makes towards achieving her developmental objectives.
• Time and time again, we have seen a political system in operation in Nigeria, where a select few have acted like they have debenture holdings of our collective votes, and can allot the votes and the resulting value as they will.
• We the citizens have come together to say No, NEVER AGAIN!!!
A Corporate Analogy:
• Nigeria can be likened to a large corporation, FRN-PLC, founded 1914, established 1960.
• An American Intelligence Factbook estimated our collective value at $159Billion. Furthermore, the expendable GDP per capita was given from $300plus to a useful GDP/capita of $2400 (2009) per citizen, young or old.
• This translates to each of us having an average net worth of $2400, which in equity terms, is 2400 shares per head (assuming $1 per share).
• During our annual AGM (elections), I exchange my shares for votes. My shares are equal to all others, but by proxy, some of us wield slightly more shares, on behalf of our non-voting shareholders (children). In any case, it is a fair and equitable distribution of shares.
• My equity exchanges for a vote during the AGMs. I expect dividends for my equity, I vote for Directors and CEOs that will guarantee me return on my shares. My shares are not a subvention or donation to anybody, they are my holdings in the corporate entity called FRN-PLC.
• I attend the AGM personally, and I see my co-shareholders diligently exercising their duty of casting their shares in votes as their conscience leads them.
• But, Alas, at each AGM, till now, an unscrupulous few brokers, directors, and line managers, collude to turn our experiment into the “Animal Farm” (Apologies, George Orwell), where some persons allocate our shares and trade in our shares, without our consent, acting as though their own 2400 equity are debentures with exponential values. Where, instead of their shares to have a $1 to a share, they magnify their shareholding to $million to a share . Equating themselves to a majority, and making nonsense of the equal equity we have been bequeathed.
• So, at our various shareholder association meetings (town hall meetings), we have new resolutions we want activated for the upcoming AGM in 2011.
Resolutions:
• Our shares/votes must have equal values
• That our citizens must be educated not to trade their shareholdings for a bowl of porridge or undervalue these shares by trading it at N500 for a vote.
• That the citizens, being equal partakers of the commonwealth of Nigeria shall no longer deliver their votes through political proxies, but each man/woman will personally cast their votes and ensure the sanctity of the tabulations.
• That we recommend that previous beneficiaries and perpetrators of such unsanctified votes shall not be allowed to stand for further elections, whether through the judicial process or through citizens’ action.
• We also demand judicial compensation for the erstwhile mis-alloted votes.
• We all agree that the corporate entity called Nigeria is a viable entity with awesome potentials, and we will ensure the delivery of a just electoral process and good governance to the upcoming generations, through aggressive citizen education, and issues driven enlightenment campaigns.
• That citizens’ apathy is the result of the loss of sanctity of their votes. Additionally, citizens’ apathy is increased by the following;
-Ignorance about electoral processes. –Ignorance of issues in governance –Cultural mindsets that presume elders, the wealthy, etc are better leaders. –Election violence and political thuggery. –I religious misapplications on the role of the citizen in ensuring the sanctity of votes, and good governance.
• During an election cycle, the scenario the citizen expects is;
-Parties, after internal democratic primaries, present candidates.
-Candidates present their case.
-Voters make their choices.
-INEC tabulates, endorses, and announces these choices as it is.
• We also admonish INEC to consider the following actions; -Educate the citizenry through Town Hall meetings, etc and, -Work with NGOs to create awareness on voter registration, responsibilities, etc -Empower voters to defend their votes through an accountable voting system.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
NIGERIA - THE UNVEILING
He stands as a giant within the thorns.
Superfluous robes decked in ornaments of wealth.
At the centre of the empire of evil.
His method is subtle, his power is immense.
He holds sway over the hearts of his children of pride.
The thorns hide the monstrosity of his veiled facade.
Pulling strings over those bedazzled by his ornaments.
He is the brother of the Persian Lord.
Ruling over the rulers, receiving worship of men.
Taking and giving as he wills.
The people are in a daze.
A mist enshrouding the thorns over the palace.
False flowers adorn the opulence of the throne room.
Where the smell of the dead is masked altogether.
And rolling stones gather the tar.
A Hand from the skies shows the way.
A people of destiny step in the fray.
But alas, they have no weapon of choice.
Into evil's his hands they fall.
Taken lawful captive by ignorance.
So then the Maker comes.
The people of destiny he saves.
And He showed them a greater way.
And tells of two paths to glory.
That a nation might be saved.
Then the ruler bows altogether
For his corruption has been exposed
And his armour rendered of no effect
By the cry and sighs of the obedient.
And the power of earth's maker.
Let the spiritual gird their loins.
For this battle is the Lord's.
The minds of great men are already captive.
To the ruler of this present darkness.
In the flesh shall no man prevail.
To the faithless, shall not be rewards.
To the discerning shall be great victory.
The Scepter is now aloft.
For the chosen in this generation.
So let it be written, so let it be done.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA
George Ashiru, Patriot.
Superfluous robes decked in ornaments of wealth.
At the centre of the empire of evil.
His method is subtle, his power is immense.
He holds sway over the hearts of his children of pride.
The thorns hide the monstrosity of his veiled facade.
Pulling strings over those bedazzled by his ornaments.
He is the brother of the Persian Lord.
Ruling over the rulers, receiving worship of men.
Taking and giving as he wills.
The people are in a daze.
A mist enshrouding the thorns over the palace.
False flowers adorn the opulence of the throne room.
Where the smell of the dead is masked altogether.
And rolling stones gather the tar.
A Hand from the skies shows the way.
A people of destiny step in the fray.
But alas, they have no weapon of choice.
Into evil's his hands they fall.
Taken lawful captive by ignorance.
So then the Maker comes.
The people of destiny he saves.
And He showed them a greater way.
And tells of two paths to glory.
That a nation might be saved.
Then the ruler bows altogether
For his corruption has been exposed
And his armour rendered of no effect
By the cry and sighs of the obedient.
And the power of earth's maker.
Let the spiritual gird their loins.
For this battle is the Lord's.
The minds of great men are already captive.
To the ruler of this present darkness.
In the flesh shall no man prevail.
To the faithless, shall not be rewards.
To the discerning shall be great victory.
The Scepter is now aloft.
For the chosen in this generation.
So let it be written, so let it be done.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA
George Ashiru, Patriot.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Of Ambition, Of Knowledge
It is now only one month to the anniversary of an independent nation called Nigeria, and only a few months to the inception of another electoral process. Whatever our history has been, we now have a chance to influence our future. If any foundation will be laid, that will flourish for another 50 years, we must decide to pick up the gauntlets dropped by our collective accusers, destroyers, and spoilers- but it is our choice. The choice is individual, and little drops of water will make for a blessed future. No one shall have the right, nor the power to overcome his personal or communal challenges in the incoming generation, if he has sowed no seed today for her future greatness.
As for IBB, OBJ, and whatever acronyms, seem to animate us these days, remember, they are yesterday's men, and nature will take care of them in due course. However, their legacy is mixed, and while some argue for their right actions, others berate their wrong actions. In all these, we are forced to look, dwell, and if not careful, be stuck in the past. They did what they felt compelled to do, and history, and heaven will judged them. Similarly, history and heaven will judge each for the opportunities we are given to steward our nation, whether at the sedentary level or the highest level.
Now, we should look to the future, to the generation that is coming, to the vision that will correct the past, to the leaders that will activate a newer vision. And it is the sum of the transformational individuals that will bring forth a transformational generation. One of the key attributes of transformational (change agents) leaders is KNOWLEDGE! It is said, a people perish for lack of knowledge, for they have rejected knowledge. Historically, people look up to the leadership for knowledge – and by that I don’t mean certification. But actionable knowledge, to build capacity and to create value for the citizenry.
In the past 6 months, I have had the privilege of presenting papers to about 450 civil servants, from junior to director level, through 6 separate seminars or workshops. In these interactions I have learned considerably, what makes a nation work, and how it can both be destroyed or rebuilt. This, from the people who manage our collective commonwealth.
In contrasts to the cerebral outpourings of various speakers, activists, political commentators, etc, these Nigerians were able to share enough practical, actionable knowledge, that one wonders why the country has not moved beyond its present, sedentary level. But they all convinced me of one thing. Most persons vying for political office, and whom they receive instructions from, are complete novices when it comes to statutes, laws, regulations, etc, that are necessary to govern our vast, and complex nation well. Many of these politically ambitious, they say, have passion, and some specialised education, but not enough information about the various loopholes, bridges, systems, designed into the various civil service protocols. Thus, when they come in, they are not able to perform according to their passions.
Many civil servants of officer level have several university degrees, professional qualifications, ongoing cross training, and vast knowledge of various acts, decrees, laws, and management methodologies. When confronted with a political leader with clear lack of understanding of any of these, they have a private chuckle. The bad eggs among them are able to manipulate the novice political leader at will. One common revelation however, is that the relatively successful political leader in government, who can make all ends meet, is one who was once a civil servant. The summary of their argument is this – many political leaders are completely ignorant. Some may say, they tend towards corruption, or lack passion, or lack patriotism – but that is for another debate.
The quality of decisions leaders make is dependent on the quality and amount of information available to them. Leadership is not a subject in most universities in our nation, and neither is instruction on the nature of our government and civil service. The success, or failure, of the George Bush Jr presidency was hinged a round one single decision – Iraq’s possession of weapons of mass destruction, and the ensuing war that cost 100,000 Iraq lives, thousands of allied soldiers lives, and a bill of 1 trillion dollars. One decision, based on false premise, instigated within the American civil service, and made available to a political leader. That issue also almost cost distinguished Colin Powell his reputation earned over 35 years as a soldier, intelligence and security advisor. A colossal waste of resources, which effect is still affecting the entire world today.
Clearly, many of us have not bothered with learning and relearning how to manage governmental operations. National security, economic policies, internal administration, judicial process, diplomatic methodologies, inter-government protocols, and many others. We read a few journalistic expressions and form whole doctrines from them. Yet, we are not only ambitious for high office, we castigate everything and everyone. I shall be publishing the full report of my interaction with the civil service in a magazine in due course, and it shall be part of the submissions of the Town Hall Meetings Project (THMP) to the Nigeria Jubilee Project.
The ability to read Newsweek, and write a note or two, or coherent comments on newspaper headlines will not make us capable of leading a local government, not to speak of a state or complex nation such as ours. We need more from the next generation - not merely passion, and patriotism, but a humble willingness to learn, and relearn and keep relearning about governance and leadership, and about the systems we desire to manage through the political process.
The next generation deserves no less. It is not a matter of emotion, or faith, or sentiment. Our very lives depend on all of us demanding knowledgeable leadership, regardless of partisan considerations. And it is my hope that those reading this, with a heart for service, will get on their knees and begin searching for more understanding, wherever it is available. That our emerging leaders should begin to burn the midnight oil, not of political meetings alone, but of wisdom gathering. That they BE PREPARED TO LEAD, and not just getting elected.
We demand no less than the best, it is our right, and it is our expectation. So that we do not make the same mistakes of the outgoing generations. This is a heartfelt appeal to emerging leaders.
God bless you, and God bless Nigeria.
George Ashiru.
As for IBB, OBJ, and whatever acronyms, seem to animate us these days, remember, they are yesterday's men, and nature will take care of them in due course. However, their legacy is mixed, and while some argue for their right actions, others berate their wrong actions. In all these, we are forced to look, dwell, and if not careful, be stuck in the past. They did what they felt compelled to do, and history, and heaven will judged them. Similarly, history and heaven will judge each for the opportunities we are given to steward our nation, whether at the sedentary level or the highest level.
Now, we should look to the future, to the generation that is coming, to the vision that will correct the past, to the leaders that will activate a newer vision. And it is the sum of the transformational individuals that will bring forth a transformational generation. One of the key attributes of transformational (change agents) leaders is KNOWLEDGE! It is said, a people perish for lack of knowledge, for they have rejected knowledge. Historically, people look up to the leadership for knowledge – and by that I don’t mean certification. But actionable knowledge, to build capacity and to create value for the citizenry.
In the past 6 months, I have had the privilege of presenting papers to about 450 civil servants, from junior to director level, through 6 separate seminars or workshops. In these interactions I have learned considerably, what makes a nation work, and how it can both be destroyed or rebuilt. This, from the people who manage our collective commonwealth.
In contrasts to the cerebral outpourings of various speakers, activists, political commentators, etc, these Nigerians were able to share enough practical, actionable knowledge, that one wonders why the country has not moved beyond its present, sedentary level. But they all convinced me of one thing. Most persons vying for political office, and whom they receive instructions from, are complete novices when it comes to statutes, laws, regulations, etc, that are necessary to govern our vast, and complex nation well. Many of these politically ambitious, they say, have passion, and some specialised education, but not enough information about the various loopholes, bridges, systems, designed into the various civil service protocols. Thus, when they come in, they are not able to perform according to their passions.
Many civil servants of officer level have several university degrees, professional qualifications, ongoing cross training, and vast knowledge of various acts, decrees, laws, and management methodologies. When confronted with a political leader with clear lack of understanding of any of these, they have a private chuckle. The bad eggs among them are able to manipulate the novice political leader at will. One common revelation however, is that the relatively successful political leader in government, who can make all ends meet, is one who was once a civil servant. The summary of their argument is this – many political leaders are completely ignorant. Some may say, they tend towards corruption, or lack passion, or lack patriotism – but that is for another debate.
The quality of decisions leaders make is dependent on the quality and amount of information available to them. Leadership is not a subject in most universities in our nation, and neither is instruction on the nature of our government and civil service. The success, or failure, of the George Bush Jr presidency was hinged a round one single decision – Iraq’s possession of weapons of mass destruction, and the ensuing war that cost 100,000 Iraq lives, thousands of allied soldiers lives, and a bill of 1 trillion dollars. One decision, based on false premise, instigated within the American civil service, and made available to a political leader. That issue also almost cost distinguished Colin Powell his reputation earned over 35 years as a soldier, intelligence and security advisor. A colossal waste of resources, which effect is still affecting the entire world today.
Clearly, many of us have not bothered with learning and relearning how to manage governmental operations. National security, economic policies, internal administration, judicial process, diplomatic methodologies, inter-government protocols, and many others. We read a few journalistic expressions and form whole doctrines from them. Yet, we are not only ambitious for high office, we castigate everything and everyone. I shall be publishing the full report of my interaction with the civil service in a magazine in due course, and it shall be part of the submissions of the Town Hall Meetings Project (THMP) to the Nigeria Jubilee Project.
The ability to read Newsweek, and write a note or two, or coherent comments on newspaper headlines will not make us capable of leading a local government, not to speak of a state or complex nation such as ours. We need more from the next generation - not merely passion, and patriotism, but a humble willingness to learn, and relearn and keep relearning about governance and leadership, and about the systems we desire to manage through the political process.
The next generation deserves no less. It is not a matter of emotion, or faith, or sentiment. Our very lives depend on all of us demanding knowledgeable leadership, regardless of partisan considerations. And it is my hope that those reading this, with a heart for service, will get on their knees and begin searching for more understanding, wherever it is available. That our emerging leaders should begin to burn the midnight oil, not of political meetings alone, but of wisdom gathering. That they BE PREPARED TO LEAD, and not just getting elected.
We demand no less than the best, it is our right, and it is our expectation. So that we do not make the same mistakes of the outgoing generations. This is a heartfelt appeal to emerging leaders.
God bless you, and God bless Nigeria.
George Ashiru.
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