OBIECHINA THE REPENTANT OFFICER

He called me yesterday night and was just apologizing: " Big bro, good morning. Hope you know who's speaking?". I replied " your voice is one I can easily decipher, Obiechina."

Actually I was hesitant not to pick his calls initially, but then who doesn't offend the other in this our world? His use of "Big bro" highlighted his desire for forgiveness. So i listened quietly to his pidgin-good English explanations :

"You know after that day I no come hear from you again. I no say you dey angry with. But bros, abeg no vex. Na instructions I dey follow that day ooo. The night before, we had a committee of friends meeting where we were given works and works description. My own was clear: food first to those who bought asoebi. Then to those who came with packages probably gift items. Then to others if it is still remaining. Even sef, drink na one person per bottle. You this Buhari thing. Everything don cost for market. Abeg no vex for your guy. That day my head full."

Of course I understand, being in charge in occasion is never easy. You try to satisfy the guests while also trying to make sure that the little resources go round. So I immediately accepted his apologies. Then I quipped: "My wedding na next week Saturday oooo."

"Bro, wait oooo. You mean your wedding na next week Saturday. He asked for clarity.
"Yes ooo my broda, 8th of October" I replied.

"Na im u dey talk small small? I will be there live and direct. I will help you out well well that day. Ask that your friend wey I organize him food and drink for am nah. I secure am tight. Even after the wedding, plenty meat and rice still remain" he boasted.

"Don't worry, before that day, we go yarn" I concluded.

I am now torn between the sale of 'national assets' and keeping them.
Obiechina will definitely come for my wedding. He will definitely serve in the occasion too. But in this era of CHANGE, I will change his role too.

I'm thinking he might serve better in arranging cars in the car park or maybe directing people who are not familiar with the terrain.

What do you think?

#8THOCTOBERISTHEDATE#
#10daystogo#

PHOTO CREDIT: www.frenchvillagecollege.blogspot.com

OBIECHINA THE MAN IN CHARGE

The last time I saw Obiechina, he was lanky, looking pale and probably feeling the brunt of a dwindling national economy. We were friends back then in the university, a vibrant young guy with a cool tendency to regale his friends with incredible stories of his family's wealth and affluence. But that's not my concern when I ran into him some time last year. I paid his bus fare as he was already quarreling with the bus conductor over a well known price for a distance between two bus terminals. 

So you could imagine my happiness when I attended a friend's wedding reception last week and it was Obiechina who was saddled with that enviable responsibility: the sole controller of food and drinks. 

I was greatly elated. The night before, my cooking gas went dry. I decided to go fasting for God's remembrance of those who had been subjected to forced fasting since the inception of this regime of change. Then came morning, and I took bread and cold tea (boarding school taught us a lot). Then I dressed up and went headed for the church. I love wedding masses so much; so much preaching about leaving parents, submission to the will of a man and the reciprocation of such submission with love and tenderness by the man. During the taking of the photographs and I felt a little bite in my tummy and the signal was quite clear- the worms have nothing more to feed on but the lining of my intestines. I needed to eat.

So the site of Obiechina and the resources under his care sent feelings of satisfaction and elation all around my body and soul. As I approached him, I remembered the first thing we met after a long while. A part of my brain told me that I should rejoice after all, one good turn deserves another. The humble part reminded me that we mustn't expect our reward here on earth. The other one quickly countered: “you didn't expect any payback, the Lord just provided this opportunity. "

The reception arena was almost filled up when I entered. On sighting Obiechina I headed his direction to greet him and maybe remind him of my presence.  We locked eyes before I closed down the distance between us so I started hailing him from that point: "Echina the man, Biggest boy." He was just smiling and two more steps I shook hands with him. "How do you know the celebrant" I quizzed. “we live on the same street" he replied. There was something about his reply; it was cold and mean at the same time. Even his smile was half-hearted so I felt I had to leave him to any available seat. 

Devil is a liar!!!!!! The lady sharing food was doing that so meticulously, line by line. And I thought maybe I wouldn't be needing Obiechina after all. But look at this: We were the last line to be served. The lady left and never returned to our canopy again. After 30mins of waiting I decided to save myself and the others. So I approached my man, Echina and told him about our predicament.  He just motioned to me to chill. I went back and sat down. Another 30mins gone and I went to him again and I got this: “guy free me joor. How many times dey go bring food for una there sef?" Before I could open my mouth to say a word, Obiechina hissed and turned to shout at another guy who was trying to request for some bottles of alcohol.

 I felt singed by his words and actions. I wouldn't have approached him in the first instance, but his presence made me spray all the monies in my wallet thinking lunch was assured. The worms continued biting, the newly-wedded couples continued dancing, Obiechina continued shouting.

Will I be fasting for a second night in a row? No gas, no kerosene. And worst still, it's still not October 8 yet so I can start enjoying the benefits of a married man. 

So imagine how I felt when someone tapped me from behind and asked: “which brand, 3'3 or guider?"

#Pleasesavethedate#

#October8#

photo credit: www.southafrica.net

SOFT RESPONSES

 

Wisdom and knowledge are hidden in the most unlikely of places sometimes. Humility and approach to thrown 'insults' go a long way in salvaging situations.

So, I was faced with the mild dilemma of which bike man to patronize. Both okada riders signaled to me almost at the same time. My mind was almost made up to join the bigger one but then he said: " Oga come and enter here jare. This other one na my boy." The the other one replied: " So your boy no dey chop???" 

That response was enough to take me back to the Gospel of Mathew 15:26.

Canaanite woman: Lord my daughter is possessed 

Jesus: woman, it is not right to take the children's food and toss to the dogs

Canaanite woman: Lord, even the dogs eat from the crumbs that fell from the children's table.

Jesus: your faith has saved you. Go your daughter is delivered 

Soft replies to 'harsh' words has the effect that a gentle breeze has on a sweaty face. More so, it frees the possessed and like today, it guarantees chop money to a 'son'.

Don't always attack ferociously. 

" sometimes,  the best form of attack is to appear defenseless"

photo credit: www.stewardshipoflifeinsititute.wordpress.com

THE LIFE WE LIVE

Up in the morning we do a sign of prayer

Into the bathroom, we take a bath in a shower

Shirt is worn and legs are pulled through a trouser

Off we go with feet in a snicker

Out in the streets or in the office we try to make ends meet

Sweats a lot, think hard and smart that our lives might get a lift

Some get promotion some demotion all just in a twist

Joys and cries in a moment just because of a list

After a while, love is found

And marriage to happen is bound

The bride price costs less than a pound

But the kinsmen 'unlike' Shylock demand a thousand pound

Settled?  Yea but now he seems unsettled

Wife is in labour and the hospital must be settled

Child has an examination and fees has to be settled

Rent just expired and landlord has to be settled

One way or the other the troubles come and go

Kids are beautiful and in their eyes sometimes you find a glow

Wives are gifts especially when with you they patiently sow

Family is a blessing when God is not given the place so low

Then one day a man on a bed is dying

Wife and kid beside his bed emotional tears crying

His age is ripe and his soul needs a flying

He tries his best but death needs no fighting

Up in heaven above

#youseriouslydon'texpectmetoknowtherest#

 thumbs up to all of us who live and to all those who have lived

BREAK THE TRADITIONS (HEAD TIE)

Traditions have reasons. And a reasonable tradition here might be very unreasonable there. A reasonable tradition today might become unreasonable tomorrow. And for some traditions, they change constantly in the same time and place.

I sat behind her in the church. But it was only her I could see throughout the entire celebration. Every religion practices the covering of hair by women. So the woman in front of me was in obedience to the tradition of head covering. And she obeyed the law to the letter. But her overt obedience was almost at my own detriment. 

I tried too hard to see the altar and the officiating priest. I couldn't see clearly the designs on the altar. But anyway, faith cometh from hearing not by seeing. So I kept listening.

But when the priest started pouring out blessings, I couldn't really see the directions at which the blessings were thrown so I could leap for a catch. If blessings are physically thrown, the woman's scarf would have taken all that belonged to me. But again, blessings are intangible and permeates through fabrics.

My point: I really do not see the importance of women wearing scarf in the places of worship. Maybe it had a real reason in the past, but just like so many old traditions, it may have lost its application.
African women already have so many attachments on their hair. No need for head tie.
#breakthetradition#

photo credit: www.dailykos.com

HAPPY FEAST OF NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

 

When a director says, my hands are tied, sorry I wish to help you but I can't. If he is honest, then he must be

referring  to some organisational policies that impede him from rendering assistance to a person.

So it came to pass that a certain boy was born. He grew up just like his peers. Then one day he attended a 

wedding reception of a friend, relative, whoever. Maybe because so many people came to the same party

 uninvited, drinks got finished.

Then a woman walked up to him probably on his way out or something and told him the wines have 

 finished. 

Was she thinking that he was a palm wine tapper or the wedding sponsor?

Quickly, he interrupted, my hands are tied, the organizational policy says my time is yet to come. Not

 now!!!!!

But guess what? The woman has spoken. And she was no ordinary woman. She was and still is the mother 

of the CEO who also happen to be the Chairman of the board of directors. 

Of course, he knew and as a good director, he obeyed but not compulsively but that humanity might hear

and learn that: MARY IS A POWERFUL INTERCESSOR. THE MOTHER OF JESUS WHO IS 

ALSO GOD. HENCE THE MOTHER OF GOD.

CLAIM IT OR BELIEVE IT?

 

Many people are claiming so many things these days. So Temitope Elizabeth Olusoji wrote yesterday about a girl who wishes that a guy proposes to her.  But when asked her relationship with the guy, she CLAIMED that he is her fiancée.

Obsessed and Christ-less Christianity is making us look immature, too gullible and worst easy prey to the devil himself.

Always believe and fight for the kingdom. But first, you have to accept the reality on ground. Imagine what would have happened if the blind man had told Jesus: " I'm not blind. I am seeing" instead of "Lord, that I may see." He accepted his visual status before believing that Jesus has the power to fix a dysfunctional pupil and retina.

A Nigerian will be sick and need urgent medication yet he would refuse the need for medication and when you listen closely to his trembling and mumbling lips, you will be hearing: "I'm not sick and healthy" repeatedly.  The next day an ambulance will be called to  convey him, God so kind, to the hospital,  and Satan so kind,  to the mortuary.

Please take prescribed drugs when you feel sick. The drug is not a product of 'science' from the atheist point of view.  But a product of miracle. NOW THAT IS BELIEVING GOD. That someone with migraine took acetaminophen and it effectively stopped the malaise is 'miraculous'.  God has revealed so many miracles through science.

 Why worry Christ again, if there is still a healing balm in Gilead??????

And you are still job-hunting yet you claim you are already rich, living in a mansion with olympic-size swimming pool and a garage filled with 2016 range rovers.

Temitope my friend says: Ok ooooo. Kontunuuuu

photo credit: www.amazon.com