By OkeyIwuji

Over the years, the Nigerian people have been tagged toothless bull dog consciously or not by her leaders and citizens of other nations where people believed in forceful actions to effect changes. This was the position of one of my Indian friends around the year 2000 while considering the mal administrations of public office holders in this country. In fact, he took me on a trip of high profile corruptions in high places of power which were unknown to me as a citizen of this country and which have prevailed until now and concluded by saying that these cannot happen inIndia. He bereted Adams Oshiomhole, the Labour Union leader then, his inabilities to hold on to strike actions till there were concrete turn around of issues and demands met. 

My friend was right but the Labour’s willing compromise as I think could be viewed from different angles, namely;

- Unwilling to let this house (Nigeria) fall though a legitimate course is being pursued.

- Endless hope that dialogue could bring the needed change.

-Nigeria wrong interpretation of burning issues along religious and ethnic lines.

- Infiltration of labour union leadership with government bribed agents to oppose and counter labour moves thereby confusing the masses on who to believe.

- Nigerians inability to hold on to strike for too long when stuffs are running out.

- Some Nigerians habit of mortgaging their conscience for piece of government’s cake to betray and sabotage a genuine course.

- The brutal handling of protest by the Nigerian forces acting on orders, which also are not better than other members of the society.

- Insufficient interest on economic, social and political issues being discussed and their implications on the masses, being shown by the later in order to offer adequate support to the union.

- Poor sensitization of the public on issues being discussed.

- More importantly, the fact that an average African values this gift of God called life, and would compare the cost of risking his life and that of others to the course being pursued, especially when the arrow heads have their own children settled overseas.

These could evidently be some reasons why Labour Union, a rallying point for Nigerian masses has not been able to effectively mobilize the people for a protest march to turn events around in the system but how long the status quo will remain is uncertain because a lot of people are becoming disturbed by continued looting of the treasury by the people in power and government owned institutions while imposing more hardships on the poor masses by way of economic policies.

The debate whether to remove petroleum subsidy is very high now and it is like drawing the people’s interest more than ever as the government seriously lobby support from the lower and upper houses of national assembly to approve her intentions. The president has insisted that subsidy removal is in the interest of Nigerians and has no intention to draw back from that decision while acknowledging the additional pains the poor must have to bear in other to effect the desired economic change. On the other hand, Nigerians have pleaded earnestly that the subsidy be speared for now until the nation’s grounded refineries are fixed.

 And very recently it was learnt that some youth under the auspices of The Nigerian Youth Forum delegates numbering up to 500 people had a crucial meeting with President, Goodluck Jonathan expressing disappointments in the past administrations and warn categorically that revolution is imminent if the needed change and good governance expected from the present administration is not delivered to Nigerians this time. And the fact that Nigerian youth constituted about 70% of the entire population so as not to be taken for granted any more was sounded into the ears of the president by one of the speakers. Among those present at the Youth Lunch meeting that spoke were said to be, the National Associations of Nigerian Students president, National president of Nigeria Youths, Youth Activist group representative-Chude Jideonwo, Rita Dominic for the Nollywood, Audu Maikori for theNigeria entertainment & Music industry, Genevieve Nnaji as Guest Speaker and a representative for young women.

Nollywood Actress, Genevive Nnaji

This kind of meeting has never happened in the history of the country; at least, in the recent past that group of youths would seek the attention of Mr. President to bare their minds on some dislikes in the polity. It is a sign that some changes are taking place in the minds of Nigerians and something awkward may likely take place if grieves continued un addressed by the leaders. The lines that divide us seem to be diminishing in the face of prolonged oppressions of the poor of this country which the leaders have taken advantage of to misrule us. And we are getting mature, wiser and reasonable to allow the aforementioned factors to continue to sell us out to our hurts and detriments. Time is here for Nigerians to forge a common front without religious or ethnic bias to topple oppressive rule and mismanagement like other countries with similar antecedents.

Whether the meeting is of great significant to both parties is to be proven in a matter of time.

 The Nigerian masses are waiting to be educated properly on the facts about whether petroleum subsidy has ever existed inNigeriaor not because of contra claims of the past petroleum ministers inNigeriathat the country has never had subsidy on petroleum before. If the claims by Rtd General Buhari, a two time petroleum minister inNigeriaand Professor Tam David West are verifiable truths and not political propaganda then it means that the previous governments have fooled her subjects for more than two decades now.

Hear Professor David West on petroleum subsidy on June this year;

Prof. Tam David West, Former Petroluem Minister.

‘There had never been petroleum subsidy in Nigeria and that the term was only coined to deceive Nigerians into believing that government is subsidizing prices of petroleum products, which ought to be higher than what they are. David-West, who served under the military government of Major-General Muhammadu Buhari and Major-General Ibrahim Babangida respectively, as such cautioned President Goodluck Jonathan “never to contemplate increasing petroleum prices. “He should resist all pressure from all sides.

The mere thought of increasing petroleum prices is an irresponsible thought. There is no subsidy. The concept of petroleum subsidy is fraudulent. General Buhari was Petroleum Minister under Generals Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo respectively, before he later became Head of State. I was also Petroleum Minister under him. And both of us independently addressed the congress of the world that any form of petroleum subsidy is fraudulent.’

According to Mr. West, he is speaking for the masses because he can conveniently pay #150 should the price of fuel rise to that from #65. This is certain in every respect but he needs to do more by making Nigerians know that his position on the issue is not politically motivated rather a best of judgment based on insider’s knowledgeable facts.

The ministers are well positioned to give Nigerians a detailed account on what has generally been accepted as do exist which they are refuting not only calling a press conference to address this thorny issue but suing the government. Their ability to convincingly clear the doubts on petroleum subsidy will go a long way to determine the direction ofNigeriathis time. It is an act of patriotism to speak out against injustice of government on the subjects which late Gani Fawehmi (SAN) would not allow (obvious lies) to lie low. It is a patriotic responsibility of the two ministers, having been inner circle members to take the government to court to show Nigerians that petroleum has never been subsidized any time. Nigerians need them right now to save them from additional burden which the government wants to place on their shoulder. When Nigerians see them go this far doubts will be erased from the minds of people as which is to believe. Right now there is a government organized public hearing to hear from Nigerians their opinions on subsidy removal, only those with in-depth knowledge like the ministers can effectively argue in favour of the masses who have being deceived for years now. Besides, it is a nature designed platform for the Rtd General to shine for his 2015 presidential ambition which he must not loose sight of.

Civil Right Activist,Late Gani O Fawehinmi (SAN)

Going by the disparity in the claims of successive governments and the two past petroleum ministers on the subsidy, it implies that the subsidy has been another conduit through which billions of naira has been siphoned out of the country by our leaders. AndNigeriapeople would like to know whether funds were allocated for subsidy in various budgets and how the funds were spent or employed antics of government whenever she feels like increasing fuel pump prices inNigeriaand making more money for personal accounts. The ball is on the court of these men to demonstrate nobility to Nigerians by taking this awareness campaign to higher level because majority of the masses have been told over the years that subsidy existed. Let them based on the convictions identify with the plight of poor masses and spearhead a no increase of fuel price inNigeria. The poor will definitely rally behind them considering the fact that, it would mean a sacrifice on their part, if they who could afford to pay #150 for a liter of fuel will lead a passionate campaign against fuel increase because of the masses.

Nigerian masses had endured for long the scourge of previous fuel increases by successive governments without any positive impact on their lives except government executive and legislative arms and their cronies feeding fat on their blood. All the benefits derived from tight economic measures of the past ended in the accounts of past presidents, governors, ministers, senators, reps, heads of establishments etc.

 Removing a fake and ghost subsidy from the budget in another hand is a welcomed development, at least, to block that aspect of official fraud conduit but increasing the pump price thereafter  is to increase the hardship of a people already ridden by penury. Like as said by someone is to make the less privileged pay for government inefficiency and for well meaning Nigerians a show of compromise and inability on President Jonathan’s side to recover all the looted funds from looters to move the economy. Billions of dollars the president wants to source from increase in fuel price to transform a Nigeria of his dreams is in the hands of his colleagues and easily accessible to him with the help of already -willing foreign countries of the world who had got sympathy with corruption mess in the country. So, to look away from the looted funds to fuel increase is a sign of serious compromise, weakness and lack of audacity like his predecessors to pursue a corrupt-free society. Going by various statements made by the President, it is obvious that the subsidy is conduit through which few colossal cabals that bestrides this nation are settled through inflated price fuel imports while the nation’s refineries are allowed to rot.

The president’s insistent on removal of subsidy could mean to forestall a continued sucking of revenue by few to the disadvantage of the larger society in one hand and unwillingness to confront directly sources of the nation’s economic woes which he is familiar with. Should subsidy be removed without hike in pump price of petroleum products Nigerians will keep mute but to burden the people further while the nations wealth are fraudulently stashed in foreign accounts overseas is a height of injustice. As at this day, petroleum product dealers have started to horde products in anticipation of price increase when the budget will be read during the President’s New Year speech. Queue has returned to fueling stations even as Nigerians are preparing for Christmas celebration.

President Jonathan’s Federal Executive Council Team

The President will be playing the script of King Rehoboam of Israel who would not yield to the plea of his subjects to make the yoke which his Father did put upon them lighter rather answered that his little finger will be thicker than his father’s loins. And whereas his father laid them with a heavy yoke, he will add to their yoke; his father had chastised them with whips, but he will chastise them with scorpions.

And we know the end of that story;Israelrebelled before his face and broke into Northern and Southern kingdoms.

In like manner the past presidents, especially OBJ laid on Nigerian masses heavy economic burden which their families and closest cronies never experienced but not to the point of closing ears to the call of sparing petroleum subsidy (if there was one) and now President like Rehoboam wants to increase the economic burden in defiance to passionate plea to spare the subsidy. The Federal executive council like the peers of Rehoboam are encouraging the president to go ahead with subsidy removal as a condition to pay the minimum wage requested by Nigeria workers but the question begging for answer is whether the States governors have sincerely employed existing allocated resources to work without appreciable result? What is the assurance that the additional revenue to be generated from draining further blood from Nigerians through astronomical increase of prices of goods and services as subsidy is removed will not go down the way of other revenues of past years?

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

 The stage is being prepared by corrupt rulers for a mother of all revolutions which will shock the world. Rehoboam could not believe his hears whenIsraelqueried what portions have we in David? Neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse; to your tents, O Israel; now see to thine own house, David.

Ten tribes of Israelwent their own way because of his inability to listen to good counsel. The president might be fast tracking the disintegration of this country already predicted to happen by 2015 by American political analysts in his bid to please the shylocks in this country who care only for their families well being. Two possibilities are either Nigerian youth stand as an indivisible entity to overthrow oppression and tyranny for a better country we all are yearning for or go their separate ways into smaller nations.

 The world has entered into another phase of existence where a collective voice against injustice, oppression and victimization has become a trend to achieve quick result through mobilization of the less privileged instead of solitary cries. But the clarion call must come from someone who has the facts and burden to convince the audience to identify with the plight. Russian revolution and most recent Tunisian, Egyptian, Libyan and Wall Street occupation were brainchild of individuals and communicated to already disenchanted people towards existing systems. If the Western and North African youths can take to protest to effect a desired change then Nigerians can if bravery is to swallow cowardice and liberality selfishness. We have a more pitiable course than these people;

We are slaughtered everyday on highways in deplorable states after billions of naira was written off as spent, we die for lack of good health care systems, no employment opportunities for greater number of school leavers, ritual murder is in the increase, terrorism, starvation, lack of quality education with high cost of schooling while children of our leaders cruise in merriments with looted funds in already made countries with basic facilities their parents denied us here.

Mohammed Bouazizi, Tunisian revolutionist.

No one else changes Nigeria except by Nigerians neither will the favoured by faulty system willing to let go without a forceful push. Nigerians must stand up and fight for their rights. Little did President Hosni Mubarak of Egyptbelieve that a handful gathering of protesters demanding for a change which he wanted to suppress at all cost with his forces will snowball into a long drawn protest that will end his government and bring decisive change in the Country. Egyptian protesters grievances are focused on legal and political issues^[25] including police brutality,^[1] state of emergency laws,^[1] lack of free elections and freedom of speech,^[2] uncontrollable corruption,^[2] and economic issues including high unemployment,^[3] food price inflation,^[3] and low minimum wages.^[1][3] The primary demands from protest organizers were the end of the Hosni Mubarak regime and the end of emergency law; freedom, justice, a responsive non-military government, and a say in the management of Egypt’s resources.^[26] Strikes by labour unions added to the pressure on government officials.^[27]

^Similarly, the remote causes of Tunisian revolution of 2011 were high unemployment, food inflation, corruption,^[11] a lack of freedom of speech and other political freedoms^[12] and poor living conditions. The protests were sparked by the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi on 17 December^[15.  Mohammed (26) was a poor vegetable seller, who struggled with his truck on the street of Sidi Bouzid to ache a living daily, whose life was cut short in protest for a humiliation and insult on his dead father and assault received from a policewoman who seized his unlicensed cart and goods, not being satisfied with the 10 dinner ($7) fine the poor man tried to pay.

The above scenarios and many more are present in higher dimensions in this country; unemployment, inflation of goods and services, uncontrollable corruption, minimum wage, insecurity of lives and properties, poor living condition, molestation and outright killing of civilians by force men, lack of freedom of speech, multiple taxations, levies and rates, lack of justice and equity, quality education and medical care etc.

These have reached a fearful height that even the President concurred few weeks back at Lokoja that a revolution is imminent in the country if nothing urgent is done to provide employment unto the masses of this country. The president was not alone in his speculation of revolt from the masses; President Obasanjo whose administration relieved good number of Nigerians their jobs through his kangaroo privatization magic of government owned companies in similar statement expressed fear for an on coming revolution from the unemployed masses. Then if the Nigerian masses keep quiet means that they have equally disappointed their expectations from their leaders which spell doom for the future.

Nigerian Labour Union leader,Comrade Umar(middle) and his men boast a showdown with with President on Petroluem subsidy removal.

Jonathan repeated his firm decision to let subsidy go and accepted the option of mass revolt instead based on his knowledge that the economy will collapse in the next two years if subsidy should continue while talking with Civil right Organizations and some eminent Nigerians. In other words, dialogue which has been a usual approach the masses have adopted for years in dealing with the government will still be unfruitful in the days of Mr. President who claims not to be anything different from the masses. Now if the subsidy removal will not translate to increase in pump price of fuel and allied products then Nigerians will be happy.

Nigerians have borne for so long without our leaders feeling sincerely our pains rather maintained that it is good for us, for if they do, would have addressed the problems long ago, therefore, time is ripe to nip oppression to the bud once.

INGLORIOUS EXIT OF Col.Maummar Gaddafi

by Okey Iwuji

by Okey Iwuji (culled from souljah)

Frank Krause testimony is filled with touchy life experiences that can bless anyone’s soul eternally, that made republishing the same in this blog becomes compelling. I believe you too will be blessed if patience is exercised till the end. Have a nice time with Frank.

I’d like to tell you that what you’re about to read is really important and is going to impact your life. The truth is, I’m probably not going to tell you anything you haven’t heard before, but let me encourage you to read it anyway.

Raised in a Christian Home

I was raised on a dairy farm in the Fraser Valley along with five sisters and one brother. It was a beautiful, quiet place. As a preschooler, I often took our dog along the creek to fish over the hill at the back of our property. My parents always taught me about God and his Son Jesus, so as I walked, I would often think about God. Was He bigger than my dad? How long was forever – longer than a Sunday morning service?

I also did all the things that children do in a Christian home: Sunday school, choir practice, young people’s groups, and so forth. I did them all without complaining – until I was 15. It was Sunday morning and Dad and I had just finished chores. I was slow coming in from the barn and Dad told me to hurry up because I was going to be late for church. It was that morning that I told him I wouldn’t be going to church anymore. My dad was a big guy – very strong and with a fuse so short it couldn’t be measured – so, I was expecting the worst. Instead, he looked at me with the most hurtful look on his face. I had to leave the room. I just couldn’t look at him.

My Heart Was Hardened

Something happened to me that day. I started to get hard inside. Before long, I was drinking on weekends and dropped out of school. By the time I was seventeen, my behavior was such that Mom and Dad asked me to leave home. There is a lot of security in an orderly Christian home and when I was on my own, I was lost. I continued to drink heavily, and many nights I slept in my car in some gravel pit or behind somebody’s barn, because I was too drunk to drive home. I couldn’t find a job good enough to support myself, so, out of desperation, I joined the army.

After six months of basic training, I was posted to Germany. When you’re in your late teens or early twenties and you’re living in a place where anything goes, that’s how you live. Cheap booze and lots of pretty girls became my lifestyle. After three years, I came home. The first thing I did was visit my Dad, who happened to be clearing land with his bulldozer. When he saw me, he shut off the machine and came over. It was a long time before he could speak; he was so glad to see me.

 However, it didn’t take long before my life was right back where it had been before I left. About a year later, I met a gal whose father was also a heavy drinker, so my behavior didn’t surprise her. We were soon married and eventually had two daughters.

One of the things my Dad taught me was how to work hard. I started my first business when I was in my mid-twenties, and it went quite well. A few years later, I bought a large poultry farm, which also did well. Even with this success, though, my drinking was always a problem. It affected my marriage and family so much that I knew I had to do something. So I went to my first Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting. To my disappointment, all I heard that evening was these guys talking about God. What a disappointment. I thought they were actually going to teach me something about how to quit drinking.

A Brief Attempt at Change

Even so, I made up my mind I was not going to drink anymore and I actually started taking my kids to church. I got so religious I think even God couldn’t stand me! But two years later, I began drinking again.

I don’t know why, but the evening I started drinking, I stopped in to see my Dad, who was widowed by now (Mom had passed away ten years earlier). I told him I couldn’t keep up this lifestyle anymore and I was going back to drinking. Again, Dad had the wisdom not to say much, although I could tell he was very sad. He was a reactionary, so for him not to react to the things I was doing was a gift from God.

When I was in my mid-thirties, I had the chance to sell both of my businesses, so I did. By then I had built up enough equity that if I were wise with my money, I wouldn’t have to work any more. So I bought the big house on the hill. I had everything that was supposed to make me happy, but was the most miserable I had ever been.

 One Sunday morning I was in bed sick and hung over. For the first time in years I prayed: “God, I have everything I want, and I’m still unhappy. There has to be more to life than this. I ask that you do whatever it takes to get me right with you. If you have to take all of this away, then do it.”

I’m here to tell you – God answers prayer!

Everything Fell Apart

Not long after I prayed that prayer, I sold our big house on the hill and bought a large acreage, where I built a new house. It was just about that time that things started to come apart. Our marriage was a mess, and my finances were going down the drain. Even though lots of good deals came my way, I couldn’t seem to keep any of the money I made. Things got to the point, that for the first time in many years, I had to go to work for someone as an employee. That was very hard on my pride. I took a job as a heavy equipment operator in a road building camp. It was very much like the army: the tougher and cruder you were, the more respect you got from the other men. Let’s just say I had a lot of respect.

When I was home, I would stop in to see my Dad. He was always glad to see me, and I always knew he cared about me. I also knew he loved the Lord and that he had something I thought I would never have. You see, by this time I thought I was doomed to hell and there wasn’t anything I could do about it. One Sunday afternoon, I visited Dad prior to him going for some exploratory surgery. After our visit, I headed back to camp.

That Wednesday, I got a call telling me Dad had passed away. By this time I was so hard, I told my wife I wouldn’t be coming home. I didn’t want to see her or my Christian brothers and sisters. I knew going home wouldn’t bring back the one person I knew who loved me. But once again, God intervened.

Without my knowing, Dad had changed his will two days before he passed away, naming me executor of his estate. My sister Katherine had her son-in-law drive her out to the camp to tell me. In spite of how dirty I was, she gave me a big hug, and I nearly cried. And so, I had to go home.

My Father’s Legacy

It took me a week to take care of Dad’s business. When everything was completed, there were only two things left: his bedside Bible and a book by Hal Lindsey called The Late Great Planet Earth. I threw both of them in my bag, went on a two-day drunk, and then headed back to camp.

Over the next two weeks, I started to read some of the verses Dad had underlined in his Bible, more out of curiosity than anything. I also began to read Hal Lindsey’s book. I remember reading a particular passage where it said that when Jesus died on the cross, He died for all of my sins: past, present, and future. I stopped. I had never heard that before. It must be a misprint, I thought. I must have read it five or six times before the lights came on and I realized that Christianity had everything to do with Christ dying for me and very little to do with Frank being good enough.

Talk about excited! I got down on my knees and accepted Christ’s forgiveness for my past sins and asked him to be my Savior now and in the future. For the first time in my life I felt free. I got up off my knees and was jumping up and down on my bed yelling, I’m free! I’m free!

That was ten years ago. I’d like to tell you that since that time everything has been great. The truth is, my marriage still came apart, my kids still had to go through our divorce and I still lost all of my money. But for the first time I could turn to God and have peace through all of it.

I also faced the fact that I was an alcoholic. Through AA, I was able to clean up the wreckage of my past and become free to get on with the rest of my life. Nearly a year later, I met my childhood sweetheart, June, who had also given her life to Christ. We were married not long afterwards and God has continued to do great things in my life. My kids have learned to trust me again and I have two stepchildren that love me and four grandchildren who love to see me. Each one of our children and their spouse has made a commitment to Christ.

New Opportunities

One-and-a-half years ago, I prayed that God would give us opportunities to share what He has done for us. A month later, June and I found ourselves in the Amazon with a JESUS film project, where we saw hundreds of people come to know Jesus for the first time.Then, last October, my brother Don and I traveled to the Ukraine with Campus Crusade for Christ. We got to see the house where Dad and his family lived. We also shared Christ with many people including those living on a military base. Again, hundreds of people heard and responded to the good news of Jesus for the first time.

A Fatal Diagnosis

Before I left for the Ukraine, June and I knew there was something wrong with me physically. I had been very fatigued and was stumbling and tripping a lot. I went to see a specialist, and on December 16, 1994, I was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. People with ALS have a life expectancy of between two to five years after symptoms appear. I’ve probably had this for one-and-a-half years already, so I don’t know how much time I have left. I asked God to remove the fear of death, and he has done that. I also asked Him to make my life count for whatever time I have left.

Shortly after my diagnosis, a friend of mine at work died of cancer. He was a Christian, and he asked me to do his funeral service. I had the opportunity to share my faith with about 150 people, a number of them non-churched construction workers. I don’t know if any one of their lives were changed as a result of my story. My job is simply to share what God has done in my life and let Him use me where He can. When you know you haven’t got long to live, the fear of man is gone, because you have nothing to prove. But you’re all in my shoes, really, because whether we have a terminal illness or not, each day, we’re all one step closer to meeting Jesus than we were yesterday.

What Will it be Like?

I sometimes wonder what it will be like to be all alone with Jesus – to sit beside a quiet stream in the mountains and ask Him all the questions I have; to stand and look into the face of the One who died for me and tell Him how much I love Him. Isn’t it great that He isn’t some al being but rather a real and living God we all get to spend eternity with? Can you imagine touching the Christ who died on the cross and rose again? To never wonder again: Was that God talking or was it just me?

I know there have been very few changes in my life that Frank has made. Everything that has changed in my life has come about when I’ve surrendered to God by the power of His Holy Spirit. He has made the changes, and He’s still doing it. I’m so thankful for a Christian Mom and Dad that never gave up on me. When I want to judge my own children, I’m often reminded of my Dad and how he loved me unconditionally. The Bible says,

“If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him?” (Matthew 7:11, emphasis mine).

Where this journey leads me is truly in the hands of God. I just ask for His mercy and grace to accept all He has for me.

You Can Have it Too!

 If you’re reading this and have yet to invite Jesus to be your Savior, there will never be a better day than today. It’s just as easy and as free as it was for me back in that road camp. There’s no magic in any particular words, but if God is speaking to you, don’t wait. Don’t harden your heart one more time.

If there’s unforgiveness in your heart, deal with it. Don’t wait. You can walk in freedom and it’s wonderful. Ask God to show you if there’s anything you need to deal with and then ask Him for the courage to deal with it. He’ll give it to you. He is always faithful. ~~~~~~~~~~

 What about you? Are you wondering what life is all about? Do you, like Frank, feel that something is missing in your life? If so, you can find fulfilment and peace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 The Bible says (Jesus is speaking),

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3.20).

Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive us of our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of our will.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

If you prayed today and asked Jesus Christ to come into your life and take control, we would love to hear from you.

After four and a half years of having Lou Gherig’s disease, Frank Krause passed away peacefully in the early hours of December 23, 1998.

Frank’s wife June also wrote about her experience in facing ALS and about being Frank’s caregiver. Join again in the next publication.

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OKEY IWUJI

By Okey Iwuji

 Most of African nation’s streets are beautified with standing and sitting beggars instead of flowers. At the parks, airports, church gates and other public places where by calculations the probability of respondents are quite high, these brethren took positions yards away from each other like strewn flowers, leaves shaken by a gentle breeze as they wave hands in pity to draw sympathies from passersby to assist with alms. Only compassionate hearts that streams in and out of such public places look at the directions of the invalids to drop whatever their minds proposed to give out at that moment into their hands. These they received with thanks and without grudging invoke God’s blessings to rest upon the givers. Why? Because beggars have no contribution to the givers income to raise an eye brow no matter how wealthy and gorgeously dressed the later is assessed to be. So, this thought is behind the saying,’ a beggar has no choice”.

In all sincerity, the paltry sums people dole out to beggars are not as obligation to the beggars because they are not stakeholders in the goose that lays the golden eggs neither are they oxen that threads out the corn. And with that in mind, it will mean ingratitude to see one fume for little value of what is given but not so with the givers children, relations, wives and workers. Wives and children will complain loud, stubborn ones will make house uncomfortable for every one and workers will carry placards with murmuring  all the way because there is bona fide  right of relationship existing.

It is yet to be seen any beggar whose living condition improved better year after year with the proceeds of begging for which he is exposed to a lot of hazards; cold, rain, sun, long treks, robbers, name it. It is very rare, at least, in Nigerian setting to find a beggar in comfortable house, own a vehicle, have savings and access the basic good things of life. In fact, it is impossible, an aberration unless the one is a criminal covering up with begging. Things might be different in other countries where the governments are committed to the welfare of the people but not inNigeriaand some developing nations. Though Nigerians are said to be hospitable yet the little drops into the palms of beggars have not any way changed their fortunes, for if they have, no beggar would be coaxed to leave the streets of Nigeria nor make government to feel ashamed as they embark daily on their endurance trek within the States capitals, particularly Lagos and Abuja.

Similarly, the situation of an average worker inNigeriais not far from that of beggars on the streets ofNigeriaexcept that the former is not depending on the public for daily bread. Work remunerations in many places of employment inNigeriaare not meant for to promote the individual’s progress and financial freedom rather to keep body and soul so as to continue working as slaves to the slave masters called employers. In some Asian own companies, workers treatments are like that Israelites of old received at the hand of Egyptians task masters when the building of treasure cities of Pithom and Raamses were in progress. A day a television channel interviewed some workers working in one of the manufacturing companies in a remote area ofLagos; my eyes opened more on the plight of Nigerian workers in their own father land. The management banned any type of meeting or contact with any labour union. No safety gadgets were provided for people working in such a manufacturing company making use of chemicals. In another development, a worker was thrown out to his fate after a machine chopped off three fingers from his right hand. He was accused of sleeping on the machine but if not for calling in a Lawyer that was able to get a compensation for him, he would resign to faith.

Nigeriaworkers constitute about 60% of the entire population and out of this work force 70% are employed in private sector owned largely by Nigerians and Asian shylocks, who would draw every pint of blood in a worker in the name of service rendering. This group of workers is left at the mercy of their employers since the sector is unorganized and had no government intervention to regulate the activities therein. The employers helped by the economic woes of the nation became the alphas and omegas, thereby dictates what to pay, when to hire and fire their staffers. With the rate of unemployed school leavers soaring daily in a crawling economy, job seekers and workers are left with no choice than to accept what is available. Infact, employers make bold to inform the applicants or workers the numerous unemployed graduates out there. Some Indian companies have as a condition for employment, keeping in custody the original certificates of the employed, may be to hold them down from applying elsewhere.

So when government talks about minimum wage, it myopically concentrates on the remaining 30% workforce spread across Federal, States and Local governments, government owned establishments and some public companies excluding those in private sector because of lack of boldness to compel the employers to conform to a new wage arrangement having made economic environment unfriendly through mismanagement of resources. Yet, shamefully, it is the remaining percentage that government hesitates to pay minimum wage of N18,000.00 agreed several years ago. Each successive government wishes that no mention of minimum wage implementation be ever made. Worst of the Administrations is the eight years rule of General Olusegun Obasanjo when many Nigerians died at different striking periods of Nigeria Labour Congress with other affiliate unions to protest for either wage increase or increase in cost of petroleum products which had a negative multiple effects on the income of the workers. The leadership refused to be touched with the economic afflictions and complaints of the people. Whatever be the reasons advanced for the inability to pay the minimum wage then has overtime proved false, as those funds purported lacking have been traced cooling off in bank accounts of leaders and their cronies within and outside the shores of Nigeria. Nigeria is estimated to number about 150,000,000 people both working and non working groups of the population and her daily revenue runs in billions of dollars from crude oil only, so, it remained a pretentious falsehood to find reasons not to pay the workforce something better than the minimum wage being contested both at all levels of employment. Should effort be made to share revenues to Nigerian subjects as earned daily, every citizen and visitors in the country are sure to be greeted with millions of naira daily and still some balance will remain to undertake projects inNigeria. How much of N18,000.00 are contained in N75.7 billion naira stolen by Former Minister of works, Dr. Hassan Muhammed Lawal during his tenure in office, for which Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is dragging him around? And this is among the least of frauds committed by Government functionaries who would claim that government lacks fund to pay the required minimum wage. A person, who by right of birth is entitled to a million naira every day has sacrificed to the point of begging for some thousands of naira monthly which government has denied him and the eighteen thousand government has agreed to pay is being politicized. Haba!

Only a selfish and self centered government as seen inNigeriawill look away from the economic plight of her subjects grinding in penury while his families cruise in affluence. Her leadership from the executives to legislators has over the years exhibited nothing but cruelty and heartlessness by thinking for the generations unborn of immediate families while the people eyes can see die from neglect and irresponsibility of government. Recently the central bank governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi disclosed to the public that 25% of yearly budget of the nation is spent on remuneration of lawmakers only, which is said to be higher than some sitting presidents remuneration of other nations, and has defended it before the chambers, refusing to withdraw his word rather willing to make public the facts and figures, if the lawmakers threaten him further.

Government leadership which is a part of civil service has treated by action other workers as not joint stakeholders in the Nigerian project rather as beggars that must beg for crumbs of leftover from executive and legislative tables. For instance, apart from the monthly salaries and other embellished allowances of the immediate administration ending this May 28th, each member of the house of representative collects a quarterly allowance of N47million naira, while each member of Senate collects N56 million naira and this President Goodluck has announced to trim down to N12million and N17million respectively as he resumes office on the 29^th May, as a new president elect of Federal Republic of Nigeria. In one year of the dispensation, a house representative member went home with N188 million and a senate member smiles home with N224 million apart salaries and during Obasanjo leadership, almost every bill to be passed was accompanied with Ghana-must-go bags to lobby for a passage of bill while some school mates of these politicians who are not privileged are struggling to ache living with stipends.

The right to improved working conditions and emoluments the executive and legislators have, the same right other workers in their categories have because all are contributing to general well being of the country, therefore, should see wage increase as a right of workers and not alms to beggars. Constitution should be reviewed to make wage increase of workers a yearly, two or three years affairs since government refused to toll right path to economic stability. For why should a worker remain on the same salary or slight naira difference for three or five years in the face of continuous rise of prices of goods and services in the country, and with this, desperate to impact administration will rise up to the challenges in governance. Nigeria workers have sacrificed so much which past governments have deceitfully urged them to, with promise for a better living after the economy (which they were not willing to fix) is recovered, for if they were interested in the economic recovery, sacrifice would have as well be made by them and the treasury not looted by successive governments.

For over eight years workers have been calling for a consideration to improve wage of the workforce from N7,000 to N18,000 (which government agreed to pay the later amount after series of negotiations with labour Unions about a year and half ago) which fall on deaf ears. Bill forwarded to the National Assembly was politicized between the executive and the former while Labour watch helplessly with patience all the dribbling by past presidents. On the contrary, the two arms of government continue to bloat their emoluments through their drummer boy agent, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), such that Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua needed to persuade the three arms of government to cut down their take home packages in the face of world economic crisis of last two years. Now, what is N18,000 to a least paid worker in an unstable economy likeNigeria’s economy? This amount translates to N692.30 daily for workers working from Monday to Saturday and from 7.30 to 6.00 pm in a week, to which majority at this level belong to. In this amount is transport, medical, utility, food and any other expenses. InLagosfor instance, on a good day, transport could take on average N200.00 depending on the location of office and residence. Transport cost changes with weather condition in a day, rush hours, riots and any other unforeseen circumstances and these situations occur from time to time. High cost of transportation makes it difficult for some trading companies at Balogun, Idumota and some other places to employ job seekers from Surulere area, Ikeja and other axis far from the markets, for the employers truly considered that the little pay will end up on transportations.

A least manageable plate of food in work places ranges from N150.00 to N300 depending on location. For those who pay monthly house rent, the cheapest room inNigeriacity suburbs is about N2,000.00. So check what unmarried worker within this group is grappling with each month salary is paid and understands what an average family of four is passing through monthly. N18,000.00 when converted to dollar equivalent amounts to $120, pounds sterling 70 and Euro 80, that is what a worker takes home at the end of the month. In some places like restaurants, dry cleaning shops etc. people receives between N8,000 and N10,000 a month. A story is told of a hospital where auxiliary nurses working for a Medical Director of the Outfit are paid N10,000 every month. What is that amount for a lady that has a monthly sanitary to buy, let’s face realities.

Is it not possible that some beggars who are at vintage places make more than this in a month? No wonder sometimes one comes across neatly dressed and good English speaking folks framing stories of sympathy meant to stir a listener to financial help. These could be among the working-beggars judging by how they approach people with style so that the next person will not notice what is being discussed.

Besides, since the implementation of the minimum wage is belated, the purchasing power of the wage has further decreased by inflation with years of delay that the impact will not be felt except arrears will be paid by back dating an effective date of payment to compensate the workers.

Now, who among the ruling class (Commissioners, Governors, Senators, Ministers, House of Representatives and Assemblies) will declare that the monthly allowances for their children in primary, secondary and higher institutions are equal to or less than N18, 000.00 and be truthful? Let him reply with particulars so that verifications can be made. Children, who in no way have contributed to this nation in any capacity, cannot be given stipend but adults with families are meant to live with this every month. Is this not wickedness, oppression and injustice? Yet, in the national anthem,Nigeria asks God’s help to build a nation where no man is oppressed. The two tiers of government oppress the working class and by extension the Nigerian people because this cater for other dependant groups.

Before us, is a double standard in the distribution of economic resources comparable to a situation that snowballed into Russian Revolution of 1917 by Lenin and his colleagues depicted in the Animal Farms Literature by George Orwell, where the poor populace became discontent and revolted against the Czarist government in order to end the economic and social injustice at that time. Who is sure that the economically oppressed people will not rise against the oppressors if the trend continues unabated? Who can guaranty this when looters are left to walk home with their loots and a winner takes it all syndromes continues to play while the labour force receives a pay of sorrow?

And so long as, government refuses to sincerely address wage palaver, by increasing appreciably what is due to workers in the light of jumbo salaries and allowances Lawmakers and Executives take home monthly and economic realities, the economic system will still be distorted by strike actions in the future. Or, the government can reverse the lawmakers’ office to part time affairs and pay them sitting allowances only like in other countries; after all, no greater commitment to duty has been shown by the law making bodies.

Another essential aspect of minimum wage government must address is disparity in salaries structures in the system. Apart from Oil companies, banks and some multinational companies that have reasonable salary schemes that accommodate somehow the high inflation rate existing in the system, others would do nothing to cushion the effect of ever increasing price of goods and services. Such places will wait for workers to protest and pressure them to do something before an action is taken or even begin to resign.

The margin of disparity in what is paid to workers in the above companies mentioned and others down the line is wide that a policy is needed to bridge the gap because all the workers shop in the same market. For instance, cost of living in Oil cities of Port Harcourt, Warri is high, followed byAbuja, the nation’s capital city andLagos for it’s population as well. Workers with the same qualifications should be made to receive close to the same salary. Let the little gap be a factor of industry and location of work. Consider how appropriate this scenario; two classmates graduates, employed at the same time, one privileged to gain employment with any of the above mentioned industries, earning between N250,000-N800,000 monthly while the other either in government civil service or private sector earning between N30,000-N100,000 monthly, working in the same location, may be Port Harcourt, buying from the same market. Government pays ward councilors N120,000 monthly, and signs out from time to time money to execute identified projects in the wards which never accounted for nor executed and government is not bothered. Some of these councilors are not graduates but school certificate holders.

Is the margin not too much? But what obtains in some places is much more than these examples. There should be an enforced wage bracket expected to pay to new entrants into the workforce inNigeriadepending on their qualifications higher than the present contested wage anywhere whether in government sector, private, public, or religious sectors. An employer of labour was boasting to his graduate employees for over nine years as they press for increment that they should be grateful that he is paying them less than N50,000, when a new Law graduate student of last year is being paid in another private firm N30,000. Yet, a fortunate new Law graduate student could be paid up to N150,000 elsewhere in the same city of the same country. Is it not painful and pitiable that a graduate who has consistently worked for ten years inNigeria cannot afford a car of his own nor pay rent for a flat of two bedrooms in a country where previously these provisions were incentives for new graduates passing out of service? Another friend shared a story of how an employer told his staff (graduate) that not everybody will live in a flat, where as flats are what tradesmen and apprentices in buying and selling that gained freedom from their masters and worth their onions are renting with ease despite the high cost of accommodations in the cities. Work remuneration inNigeria among the private sectors has passed from treatment based on what is equitable and good conscience to what other people are doing since the law is silent.

Therefore, government will not fail to give guidelines to those in private sector with certain controlling capitals and turnovers on what to pay and those in religious sector with certain amount of monthly proceeds what to pay if they need the services of certain category of people. It has been discovered that many Nigerians are not liberal in terms of remuneration of workers, hiding under bad economy while carrying out personal gigantic projects gulping millions of naira with their children studying abroad while their workers live on advances month by month. Such people will readily boast that they pay what others are paying no matter the level of increase in profit or income or that government does not pay that much they are paying.

Government must take the issue of minimum wage seriously because it is a contributing factor for mass exodus to certain sectors while other sectors are suffering or exodus outside the country for greener pastures overseas or do or die politics, serving as political thugs and increase in robbery, bribery and corruption in hallowed places like the police. The lack of commitments to duty experienced in health and educational sectors are as a result of inability of government to pay commensurately the services of teachers and medical doctors, for instance, therefore, these workers get distracted with other personal engagements to overcome a lot of economic challenges of the families. Government should if possible establish a labour court that will try the cases of employment because of a lot of ill treatments workers are given by employers of labour inNigeria. Hopefully the President’s assent to the Minimum wage bill which others shied away from portends a new concern to the plight of Nigerian employees and a strong indication that Mr. President could be relied on to give workers sense of belonging inNigeria project, all things being equal.

By Okey Iwuji

He walked into my office about 4.25 pm on Tuesday 13^th of July, and asked,

Admin Manager; what are you doing? I mean the Admin Manager.

  Inspector; Pardon

Admin; Repeated his question.

 Inspector; I am tidying up for the day. The closing hour is here with us and today is Church service, I answered with suspicion.

(Yes for one who had sat tight for nine hours to be asked such question about this time in my work place means something).

 Inspector; Please, I need to reach home and change these wears,

Admin: Ok, but make haste not to miss the last flight, no driver to drop you at the Airport, beside the hold up is building by now.

 Inspector; that is true.

 In haste, few items were missed among the personal effects planned to pick; toothpaste and brush, shaving bic even a trouser to change.

The later was as a result of indecision. Since I was coming back the following morning would it be needful taking a trouser along? I queried my mind but before a conclusion was drawn, the fever of missing my flight was already on me. How will I beat the hold ups to get to the airport, what if the last flight has been fully booked?

My mission toAbujamust be first thing in the Morning. Mr. B needs my message in order to resume with the Host office by 8 am.

In haste, I dashed out to the street, picked the available bike to the bus stop (most times bike remains the best means for urgent errands like this so the temptation to go all through to airport by express with the bike was strong), but a gentle voice cautioned with reassurance that I will be in Abuja this night.

As the instructions regarding my trip toAbujareechoed intuitively my heart beat repeatedly looking at the stretched vehicles held up front and back and at this point on the road every bike going to the port has a passenger on. To get down from the bus would be a risk of being robbed because the tigers of the lonely axis readily discern who is going to the Airport judging by dressing and bag.

Night was closing in and from a distance one could see planes taking off, roaring as they go piercing the sky and my beat increased with discordant rhythm.

At the airport, the last flight was to leave by 8.15 pm, quickly one of the good securities helped me buy ticket while I sat down to calm from the panting shiver all over me.

What would have happened if I missed the flight because of my phobia plying the express on bike especially busy hours of the day or if in anxiousness jumped into one chance waiting bus?

(One chance is a slang use by robbers who operates with bus or taxi cab. They tell an unsuspecting victim that only one space is remaining in the vehicle to fill up).

I just thanked God for helping me so far. I dialed the Admin, who was desirous to hear that I made it to the Airport. He was happy and informed that Mr B was on his way toAbujafromPort Harcourtwhich implied we may likely meet at the Airport.

There was stress and fatigue on me as I was struggling to finish my #280 coke and a sausage.

Looking at the #50 bottle of coke sold for #280 at the airport I saw exploitation written all over the walls of the airport building, evil of Nigerian government and unholy business arrangement with Asian shylocks.

Conquered by this thought, suddenly my hand brushed on my jaw sending sharp feelings which reminded that this moustache will be due tomorrow morning. Then line up of the essential things for the journey which were forgotten strolled past one after another through the eyes of my heart as though on a television screen; a trouser, toothpaste, shaving bic, pomade, comb etc.

Well, there could be a purchase of these items in the town on landing was a consolation but this never happened as the flight delayed beyond the take off time. Mr. B and those detailed to pick us left having waited long at the Airport for our arrival in vain. The announcement for our boarding was made so every one raced to the bus taking passengers to the tarmac of Virgin Nigeria. By my side was Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross River State. A young vibrant handsome man who did his people a lot of good in his days of office and set pace for what will be called modern Calabar. He was enmeshed in a discussion with his colleague unaware of efforts some ladies opposite us were making to draw his attention. Some will whisper to those who never knew him that this is Donald Duke, and immediately you see their eyes focused on him with mouth open.

             Governor Donald Duke,Fmr GovernCross Rivers State,Nigeria.

In the Aircraft, the air hostess began announcement and demonstration on the use of the safety gadgets, one thing kept ringing in my mind, when will Nigerians know and appreciate that not all Nigerians using the aircraft understand English language, though it is a lingua franca.

When will this all important information on the use of safety gadgets for emergency exit translated into native languages to enable all to benefit in times of danger. Please the Airliners; we need this information translated into at least three major Nigerian native languages of Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba and pidgin English as well, so that those who could not understand English can benefit from native or pidgin English. Also, the information should be given with a minimal speed and a natural relaxed African tone except the information is considered a recitation where you don’t expect the audience to follow all through in order to beat time allotted for it.

Something again struck my mind as I watch helplessly time after time how people turn the aircraft a semi market place while this important information is been given. Endless discussions and phone calls make the entire place noisy that you hardly pick the information being given and make a fool of the air hostesses who take their time to demonstrate and inform on the use of the safety gadgets, to my conclusion.

People considered responsible should not settle for something less either because of being familiar with the instructions being given or that this information is not necessary or that an individual does not understand the English or follow the mimicking of white man accent which some Nigerian air hostess are importing into a local bound airline.

Now, one thing remains true despite the trillion dollar business deal which cannot wait till we alight from the craft, we should not in selfishness loose sight that some people could be entering the aircraft for the very first time and need that information being disregarded for their own safety. Aircraft should not be a market place where someone can hold a long stretch discussion unperturbed. No one does it in an office and escape query for engaging in idle discussion that encourages distractions no matter the level of excitement.

Others will be reluctant to put phones and light off even when instruction has been given. For such, it is time to read papers that cannot wait after forty fives minutes or an hour at most of the trip. I think people should learn to respect and encourage the air crews to serve us better.

Hmm, as our flight touched the ground, I called to know where Mr. B is, only to be informed how far their vehicle has gone from the Airport. I was persuaded to wait for them to come back. It was another waiting such that I was the last passenger to leave the arrival hall. Some airport workers at luggage clearing centre would ask, ’Oga, are you waiting someone? So, getting to the hotel where we checked in no more time remained for shops have closed for lateness. Even to get booked into a hotel that night was luck for it was as ifAbujawas hosting the all the political parties that night. We shuttled from place to place to get booked in vain; everywhere was fully booked to capacity. So a purchase was the least worry at this time. The same luck on our side enabled our meeting the canteen already closing for the day, which could not help but to attend to famished souls with remaining rice. Indeed it was a hectic trip for me.

Here is morning without my brush, paste and none were served by the hotel, so what do I do? In that dilemma a voice spoke again why not try a search on your traveling bag? I obeyed like a school boy in serious need to solve an algebraic equation, without argument unlike me.

Can you guess what happened next? I found a chewing stick hidden inside one of the inner pockets of my bag which only God knows how and when it entered there. However, the discovery offered me a relief; at least I will not make my companions uncomfortable as we get talking this morning. I began to delight in the bitter taste of the stick once more; the dirt is clearing with its foul dour, teeth getting dry, white and strong. A kind of flavour being tasted kept me wondering whether this stick is from dogon yaro, aboshi tree or some others I could not recall now having been long toothpaste robbed us our native cleanser. Around 70’s and 80’s when we were children, no one knew how far Mr. Jumbo advert will impact on our traditional use of chewing stick as villages were gathered by some salesmen in the Village squares to introduce this whiteman’s wonder that will wash off the dirt on your teeth in a matter of seconds. Mr. Jumbo, an actor I suppose in that cinema has dirty teeth full of plaques that turned brown-green will open his mouth wide in laughter to the discomfort of his colleagues, and every one watching will have hand on the nose as though he was in the square with all of us and just in a twinkling of an eye the dirt clears on application of a Mac cleans toothpaste. Later, pastes were shared to every one freely. With this and lovely jingles of those days our hearts were gradually stolen away from our native chewing stick to this chemical mix called toothpaste.

How canAfricarecover her value system? Improve our stick to the conviction of Oyibo man that it is better than toothpaste. Yes now, the sticks we chew are medicinal. The bitter taste fights stomach ache as one draws and swallows the squeezed water from the chaff. Bitter things like this drives malaria and stomach upset. Dogon yaro tree is widely known inNigeriafor its potency to fight malaria, therefore there are no doubt that the little liquids we swallow while chewing stick does some good work in our lives. While pondering on this, decision to surf the Net for possible information, it was amazing to discover that chewing stick is not just an African affair only, but nations like Babylon has known the use of chewing stick as early as 3,500 BC ago, Romans, Greek, Middle East, India and European fell out of love with chewing stick for about 300 years ago.

Dogon yaro tree,known for potency to cure malaria.

 The sticks were from different trees including, lime, orange, muthala, Miswak etc. according to what grows in a region which providence allowed for man.

Chinese were said to have officially developed chewing sticks in 1600BC made from Aromatic tree twig to freshen breath and invented the first natural bristle toothbrush made from pigs necks in the 15^th century, while Egyptians are believed to have started using a paste to clean their teeth around 5000BC, before toothbrushes were invented, and people in China and India first used toothpaste around 500BC.

Now from this findings, it is evident that the use of chewing stick might be strange to many of my readers especially those from Europe, China, America, India and many others, therefore, to include what it involves become necessary.

Simply put, when the stick is chewed…

1.) the fibers at the end become loose, thereby forming a rough “brush”

2.) continued chewing

a.) loosens and dislodges particles between the teeth

b.) stimulates blood circulation in the gums

c.) increases saliva production which in turns acts as a natural mouthwash that rinses away bacteria and creates an inhospitable environment for them to thrive and flourish.

   Man has come a long way UN end to ensure that he keeps teeth white, freshen breath without much difficulty by advancing further from electric toothbrush to invent lately Solar toothbrush to replace the use of toothpaste which has conquered the former (chewing stick) for decades now. The product Solar toothbrush which made first appearance in 1995 is still undergoing improvement touches from the Japanese manufacturing company, Shiken, manufacturing the world’s first high technology toothbrush called “Soladey -J3X”, relies on solar power and a chemical reaction to brush your teeth instead of hand power and toothpaste. A solar panel at the bottom of the toothbrush sends a series of electrons up into your mouth.

This brain child of Emeritus Professor, Dr. Kunio Komiyama and his colleague Dr. Gerry Uswak of University of Saskatchewan is to eliminate the use of paste, harness the power of the sun to kill bacteria, whiten and refreshing the teeth, but lacks the mint taste of a toothpaste, though the project cannot be said to have been concluded but it is another giant stride by man to shift dependence to solar based technology from petroleum and chemical based technology.

Emeritus Professor, Dr. Kunio Komiyama

Dr. Gerry Uswak ofUniversityofSaskatchewan.

However the applause from the two inventions in this regard, cannot compete nor effectively replace the nature given means of teeth cleansing, despite the fact that researchers that have carried out a good research work on chewing stick seem to shy away from giving it a befitting endorsement.  For instance, Department of Periodontics collegeof Dentistry, Universityof Illinoisat Chicago, American Chemical Society and The World Health Organisation encourages the use of chewing stick. The Year 2000 Consensus Report on oral Hygiene states that chewing sticks may have a role to play in the promotion of oral hygiene, and that evaluation of their effectiveness warrants. … The choice of the words ‘may have a role to play’ does not authenticate the use of chewing stick as a tool for teeth cleansing. But from the reports by other researchers and comments made by contributors who traditionally make use of  chewing sticks from various trees world wide, shows that the benefits in addition to the primary objective of cleansing include;

* Kills bacteria that causes gum-disease.
* Fights plaque effectively.
* Fights against cavities
* Removes bad breath and odors from the mouth
* Creates a pleasant fragrance in the mout
* Effectively cleans between teeth due to its bristles being parallel to the handle, rather than perpendicular, which results in effective cleaning between the teeth
* Increases salivation, thereby inhibiting dry mouth
* Miswak stick sharpens the memory
* Miswak eliminates slime
* Miswak creates a fragrance in the mouth
* Miswak is a cure for illness
* Miswak strengthens the gums and prevents tooth decay
* Miswak assists in eliminating toothaches and prevents further increase of decay which has already set in.

* Miswak is a cure for headaches
* Miswak creates lustre (noor) on the face of the one who continually uses it.
* Miswak causes teeth to glow
* Miswak strengthens the eyesight
* Miswak assists in digestion
* Miswak clears the voice

* It is an all natural source of fluoride.
* Leaves your mouth with a fresh flavor.
* The cost for one stick is less than a name brand toothbrush

Generally,

* Chewing stick does not contain chemical elements that create holes on the gum unlike some pastes.

* It does not eat the gum unlike the toothpaste.

* It cleansings the teeth white also like the paste and more when combined with ash from burnt fire wood greater wonder is performed. The ash in itself contains chemical substances that fights bacteria and cleansings white also.

* Chewing stick removes plaque on the teeth readily and strengthens the teeth and gum.  * In chewing the stick the gland secrets saliva which carries some enzymes back to the stomach when swallowed that helps to fight germs in the body. This is in contrast with the use of paste and brush which compels the user to spit out the foam together with the enzymes.  

Apart from the fact that the chemical used in paste eats and weakens the gum, the teeth chance of falling off at old age is quite high. Biting some foods especially hard once might send some shivers to the teeth at an old age.

Teeth breaking and other forms of damage are common these days which causes toothache and made teeth removals rampant equally. Some, the pains are so excruciating that someone said that the pains is greater than the pain during child delivery.

Recently, a research discovered that toothpaste causes kidney problems and the enlightenment campaign is seriously on right now.

So, chewing stick, a gift of nature, has a lot of merits over paste and toothbrush, electric toothbrush and solar toothbrush. When chewing stick the user is doing a multiple of things at the same time; taking care of teeth and other health therapies, therefore, this generation should not extinct this nature gift rather improve it to meet the need of the age.

Stick can only take time to chew unlike the toothbrush. For those who are always on the run the use of chewing stick might not be a delight but when the side effects of brush and paste calls the regret will be great. To strike a balance some people might choose to change intermittently the use of brush and stick.

Start today to practice the use of chewing stick at least on weekends, the pleasure will be untold.

Reference;

1. The Chewing Stick – Nature’s Nifty Little Toothbrush- Veronica Allen

 2.        Benefits of Miswak- ellenbrt

  3.      Chewing sticks: timeless natural toothbrushes for oral       cleansing-Wu CD, Darout IA, Skaug N. Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60612-7212, USA. chriswu@uic.edu

   4.    Chewing sticks versus toothbrushes in West Africa. A pilot  studyNorton MR, Addy M. 

       5.     The Chewing Stick: Better than a Toothbrush inAfrica?

                 -Dele Olawole of AfricaService

Tools ‹ THE INSPECTORS.

By Okey Iwuji

  He walked into my office about 4.25 pm on Tuesday 13^th of July, and asked,

 Admin Manager; what are you doing?

 Inspector; Pardon

 Admin; Repeated his question.

Inspector; I am tidying up for the day. The closing hour is here with us and today is Church service, I answered with suspicion.

(Yes for one who had sat tight for nine hours to be asked such question about this time in my work place means something).

Admin; Oga wants you leave for Abuja right now with any available flight for the business on hand. Mr B is on his way to Abuja too from Port harcourt.

 Inspector; Please, I need to reach home and change these wears,

 Admin: Ok, but make haste not to miss the last flight, no driver to drop you at the Airport, beside the hold up is building by now.

 Inspector; that is true.

 In haste, few items were missed among the personal effects planned to pick; toothpaste and brush, shaving bic even a trouser to change.

The later was as a result of indecision. Since I was coming back the following morning would it be needful taking a trouser along? I queried my mind but before a conclusion was drawn, the fever of missing my flight was already on me. How will I beat the hold ups to get to the airport, what if the last flight has been fully booked?

My mission to Abuja must be first thing in the Morning. Mr. B needs my message in order to resume with the Host office by 8 am.

In haste, I dashed out to the street, picked the available bike to the bus stop (most times bike remains the best means for urgent errands like this so the temptation to go all through to airport by express with the bike was strong), but a gentle voice cautioned with reassurance that I will be in Abuja this night.

As the instructions regarding my trip to Abuja reechoed intuitively, my heart beat repeatedly looking at the stretched vehicles held up front and back and at this point on the road every bike going to the port has a passenger on. To get down from the bus would be a risk of being robbed because the tigers of the lonely axis readily discern who is going to the Airport judging by dressing and bag.

Night was closing in and from a distance one could see planes taking off, roaring as they go piercing the sky and my beat increased with discordant rhythm.

At the airport, the last flight was to leave by 8.15 pm, quickly one of the good securities helped me buy ticket while I sat down to calm from the panting shiver all over me.

What would have happened if I missed the flight because of my phobia plying the express on bike especially busy hours of the day or if in anxiousness jumped into one chance waiting bus?

(One chance is a slang use by robbers who operates with bus or taxi cab. They tell an unsuspecting victim that only one space is remaining in the vehicle to fill up).

I just thanked God for helping me so far. I dialed the Admin, who was desirous to hear that I made it to the Airport. He was happy and informed that Mr B  stilll on his way to Abuja from Port Harcourt which implied we may likely meet at the Airport.

 There was stress and fatigue on me as I was struggling to finish my #280 coke and a sausage.

Looking at the #50 bottle of coke sold for #280 at the airport I saw exploitation written all over the walls of the airport building, evil of Nigerian government and unholy business arrangement with Asian shylocks.

Conquered by this thought, suddenly my hand brushed on my jaw sending sharp feelings which reminded that this moustache will be due tomorrow morning. Then line up of the essential things for the journey which were forgotten strolled past one after another through the eyes of my heart as though on a television screen; a trouser, toothpaste, shaving bic, pomade, comb etc.

Well, there could be a purchase of these items in the town on landing was a consolation but this never happened as the flight delayed beyond the take off time. Mr. B and those detailed to pick us left having waited long at the Airport for our arrival in vain. The announcement for our boarding was made so every one raced to the bus taking passengers to the tarmac of Virgin Nigeria. By my side was Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross River State. A young vibrant handsome man who did his people a lot of good in his days of office and set pace for what will be called modern Calabar. He was enmeshed in a discussion with his colleague unaware of efforts some ladies opposite us were making to draw his attention. Some will whisper to those who never knew him that this is Donald Duke, and immediately you see their eyes focused on him with mouth open.

             Governor Donald Duke,Fmr Govern Cross Rivers State,Nigeria.

In the Aircraft, the air hostess began announcement and demonstration on the use of the safety gadgets, one thing kept ringing in my mind, when will Nigerians know and appreciate that not all Nigerians using the aircraft understand English language, though it is a lingua franca.

When will this all important information on the use of safety gadgets for emergency exit translated into native languages to enable all to benefit in times of danger. Please the Airliners; we need this information translated into at least three major Nigerian native languages of Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba and pidgin English as well, so that those who could not understand English can benefit from native or pidgin English. Also, the information should be given with a minimal speed and a natural relaxed African tone except the information is considered a recitation where you don’t expect the audience to follow all through in order to beat time allotted for it.

 

Something again struck my mind as I watch helplessly time after time how people turn the aircraft a semi market place while this important information is been given. Endless discussions and phone calls make the entire place noisy that you hardly pick the information being given and make a fool of the air hostesses who take their time to demonstrate and inform on the use of the safety gadgets, to my conclusion.

People considered responsible should not settle for something less either because of being familiar with the instructions being given or that this information is not necessary or that an individual does not understand the English or follow the mimicking of white man accent which some Nigerian air hostess are importing into a local bound airline.

Now, one thing remains true despite the trillion dollar business deal which cannot wait till we alight from the craft, we should not in selfishness loose sight that some people could be entering the aircraft for the very first time and need that information being disregarded for their own safety. Aircraft should not be a market place where someone can hold a long stretch discussion unperturbed. No one does it in an office and escape query for engaging in idle discussion that encourages distractions no matter the level of excitement.

Others will be reluctant to put phones and light off even when instruction has been given. For such, it is time to read papers that cannot wait after forty fives minutes or an hour at most of the trip. I think people should learn to respect and encourage the air crews to serve us better.

Hmm, as our flight touched the ground, I called to know where Mr. B is, only to be informed how far their vehicle has gone from the Airport. I was persuaded to wait for them to come back. It was another waiting such that I was the last passenger to leave the arrival hall. Some airport workers at luggage clearing centre would ask, ’Oga, are you waiting someone? So, getting to the hotel where we checked in no more time remained for shops have closed for lateness. Even to get booked into a hotel that night was luck for it was as if Abuja was hosting the all the political parties that night. We shuttled from place to place to get booked in vain; everywhere was fully booked to capacity. So a purchase was the least worry at this time. The same luck on our side enabled our meeting the canteen already closing for the day, which could not help but to attend to famished souls with remaining rice. Indeed it was a hectic trip for me.

Here is morning without my brush, paste and none were served by the hotel, so what do I do? In that dilemma a voice spoke again why not try a search on your traveling bag? I obeyed like a school boy in serious need to solve an algebraic equation, without argument unlike me.

Can you guess what happened next? I found a chewing stick hidden inside one of the inner pockets of my bag which only God knows how and when it entered there. However, the discovery offered me a relief; at least I will not make my companions uncomfortable as we get talking this morning. I began to delight in the bitter taste of the stick once more; the dirt is clearing with its foul dour, teeth getting dry, white and strong. A kind of flavour being tasted kept me wondering whether this stick is from dogon yaro, aboshi tree or some others I could not recall now having been long toothpaste robbed us our native cleanser. Around 70’s and 80’s when we were children, no one knew how far Mr. Jumbo advert will impact on our traditional use of chewing stick as villages were gathered by some salesmen in the Village squares to introduce this whiteman’s wonder that will wash off the dirt on your teeth in a matter of seconds. Mr. Jumbo, an actor I suppose in that cinema has dirty teeth full of plaques that turned brown-green will open his mouth wide in laughter to the discomfort of his colleagues, and every one watching will have hand on the nose as though he was in the square with all of us and just in a twinkling of an eye the dirt clears on application of a Mac cleans toothpaste. Later, pastes were shared to every one freely. With this and lovely jingles of those days our hearts were gradually stolen away from our native chewing stick to this chemical mix called toothpaste.

How can Africa recover her value system? Improve our stick to the conviction of Oyibo man that it is better than toothpaste. Yes now, the sticks we chew are medicinal. The bitter taste fights stomach ache as one draws and swallows the squeezed water from the chaff. Bitter things like this drives malaria and stomach upset. Dogon yaro tree is widely known in Nigeria for its potency to fight malaria, therefore there are no doubt that the little liquids we swallow while chewing stick does some good work in our lives. While pondering on this, decision to surf the Net for possible information, it was amazing to discover that chewing stick is not just an African affair only, but nations like Babylon has known the use of chewing stick as early as 3,500 BC ago, Romans, Greek, Middle East, India and European fell out of love with chewing stick for about 300 years ago.

 The sticks were from different trees including, lime, orange, muthala, Miswak etc. according to what grows in a region which providence allowed for man.

Chinese were said to have officially developed chewing sticks in 1600BC made from Aromatic tree twig to freshen breath and invented the first natural bristle toothbrush made from pigs necks in the 15^th century, while Egyptians are believed to have started using a paste to clean their teeth around 5000BC, before toothbrushes were invented, and people in China and India first used toothpaste around 500BC.

Now from this findings, it is evident that the use of chewing stick might be strange to many of my readers especially those from Europe, China, America, India and many others, therefore, to include what it involves become necessary.

Simply put, when the stick is chewed…

1.) the fibers at the end become loose, thereby forming a rough “brush”

2.) continued chewing

a.) loosens and dislodges particles between the teeth

b.) stimulates blood circulation in the gums

c.) increases saliva production which in turns acts as a natural mouthwash that rinses away bacteria and creates an inhospitable environment for them to thrive and flourish.

Man has come a long way UN end to ensure that he keeps teeth white, freshen breath without much difficulty by advancing further from electric toothbrush to invent lately Solar toothbrush to replace the use of toothpaste which has conquered the former (chewing stick) for decades now. The product Solar toothbrush which made first appearance in 1995 is still undergoing improvement touches from the Japanese manufacturing company, Shiken, manufacturing the world’s first high technology toothbrush called “Soladey -J3X”,  relies on solar power and a chemical reaction to brush your teeth instead of hand power and toothpaste. A solar panel at the bottom of the toothbrush sends a series of electrons up into your mouth.

This brain child of Emeritus Professor, Dr. Kunio Komiyama and his colleague Dr. Gerry Uswak of University of Saskatchewan is to eliminate the use of paste, harness the power of the sun to kill bacteria, whiten and refreshing the teeth, but lacks the mint taste of a toothpaste, though the project cannot be said to have been concluded but it is another giant stride by man to shift dependence to solar based technology from petroleum and chemical based technology.

Emeritus Professor, Dr. Kunio Komiyama

Dr. Gerry Uswak of University of Saskatchewan.

However the applause from the two inventions in this regard, cannot compete nor effectively replace the nature given means of teeth cleansing, despite the fact that researchers that have carried out a good research work on chewing stick seem to shy away from giving it a befitting endorsement.  For instance, Department of Periodontics college of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, American Chemical Society and The World Health Organisation encourages the use of chewing stick. The Year 2000 Consensus Report on oral Hygiene states that chewing sticks may have a role to play in the promotion of oral hygiene, and that evaluation of their effectiveness warrants. … The choice of the words ‘may have a role to play’ does not authenticate the use of chewing stick as a tool for teeth cleansing. But from the reports by other researchers and comments made by contributors who traditionally make use of  chewing sticks from various trees world wide, shows that the benefits in addition to the primary objective of cleansing include; 

* Kills bacteria that causes gum-disease.
* Fights plaque effectively.
* Fights against cavities
* Removes bad breath and odors from the mouth
* Creates a pleasant fragrance in the mout
* Effectively cleans between teeth due to its bristles being parallel to the handle, rather than perpendicular, which results in effective cleaning between the teeth
* Increases salivation, thereby inhibiting dry mouth
* Miswak stick sharpens the memory
* Miswak eliminates slime
* Miswak creates a fragrance in the mouth
* Miswak is a cure for illness
* Miswak strengthens the gums and prevents tooth decay
* Miswak assists in eliminating toothaches and prevents further increase of decay which has already set in.

* Miswak is a cure for headaches
* Miswak creates lustre (noor) on the face of the one who continually uses it.
* Miswak causes teeth to glow
* Miswak strengthens the eyesight
* Miswak assists in digestion
* Miswak clears the voice

* It is an all natural source of fluoride.
* Leaves your mouth with a fresh flavor.
* The cost for one stick is less than a name brand toothbrush

Generally,

* Chewing stick does not contain chemical elements that create holes on the gum unlike some pastes.

* It does not eat the gum unlike the toothpaste.

* It cleansings the teeth white also like the paste and more when combined with ash from burnt fire wood greater wonder is performed. The ash in itself contains chemical substances that fights bacteria and cleansings white also.

* Chewing stick removes plaque on the teeth readily and strengthens the teeth and gum.  * In chewing the stick the gland secrets saliva which carries some enzymes back to the stomach when swallowed that helps to fight germs in the body. This is in contrast with the use of paste and brush which compels the user to spit out the foam together with the enzymes.  

Apart from the fact that the chemical used in paste eats and weakens the gum, the teeth chance of falling off at old age is quite high. Biting some foods especially hard once might send some shivers to the teeth at an old age.

Teeth breaking and other forms of damage are common these days which causes toothache and made teeth removals rampant equally. Some, the pains are so excruciating that someone said that the pains is greater than the pain during child delivery.

Recently, a research discovered that toothpaste causes kidney problems and the enlightenment campaign is seriously on right now.

So, chewing stick, a gift of nature, has a lot of merits over paste and toothbrush, electric toothbrush and solar toothbrush. When chewing stick the user is doing a multiple of things at the same time; taking care of teeth and other health therapies, therefore, this generation should not extinct this nature gift rather improve it to meet the need of the age.

Stick can only take time to chew unlike the toothbrush. For those who are always on the run the use of chewing stick might not be a delight but when the side effects of brush and paste calls the regret will be great. To strike a balance some people might choose to change intermittently the use of brush and stick.

Start today to practice the use of chewing stick at least on weekends, the pleasure will be untold.

Reference;

1. The Chewing Stick – Nature’s Nifty Little Toothbrush- Veronica Allen

 2.        Benefits of Miswak- ellenbrt

  3.      Chewing sticks: timeless natural toothbrushes for oral       cleansing-Wu CD, Darout IA, Skaug N. Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60612-7212, USA. chriswu@uic.edu

   4.    Chewing sticks versus toothbrushes in West Africa. A pilot  studyNorton MR, Addy M. 

       5.     The Chewing Stick: Better than a Toothbrush in Africa?

                 -Dele Olawole of AfricaService

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By Okey Iwuji

What maybe called a revolution in body exercise is here with us in Nigeria.

Previously, body exercise or physical education or fitness was taught in Primary schools in the country then by Teachers Training College students on teaching practice. It was an exciting moment which pupils in primary schools long for because of the time it affords to play around, compete with others to win prizes and enjoy the relationships and teachings of new breed of teachers that were soft and tender hearted. Since, it is a subject of its own, participation becomes compulsory for every pupil that hunger for success and promotion to another class.

Physical education could only be mentioned among Secondary school students during the inter house sports competitions, when students were divided into different houses to compete with others and other schools students during the sports week. It was a subject meant for Teachers Training College and Universities Students who are specializing in Education. Generally, physical fitness was consciously attended to as an academic and relaxation activities and not for it’s health implications. Boys were seen to exercise inform of football during leisure hours and girls engaged in some form of exercises during play hours. Such fun filled leisure hours of old has been stolen by wide spread of Television, computer and internet based programs and continued home tutorials that presently take the greater hours of children’s days that no room exists for leisure group play any longer.

In those days people were not intentionally into exercises for health gains until recently. Parents in Africa used to forbid their children and consider the same as idling away precious time that would have been spent in helping out in farms, trade or house chores and  for that, a lot of children received severe dealings from parents, unlike the developed world where children were encouraged to exercise for all round benefits especially health.

 In the developed world, physical education comprising many sporting activities has come of age dating as far back as late 1400’s and gained relevance and momentum in the centuries following, especially in 1800’s. In 776 BC, the first ancient Olympiad was held while in 1896, first modern Olympic was held in Athens, Greece. Johann Bernard Basedow, Friedrich Jahn and Charles Beck, all of German stock, were popular contributors to making physical education gain wide recognition, establishing a system of physical training among others, which was considered as a form of patriotism, by creating strong, sturdy and fearless youths who would help to secure Germany’s freedom and could defend the Fatherland from outside forces having been defeated in the Napoleonic wars. It is self evident the advantages of muscular development (macho) and knowledge of martial acts which are off shoots of body fitness and physical exercises to self and national defense in times of war and attacks as envisaged by these Germans. Apart from this, the development of physical education and body fitness has offered employments to people in form of teaching, made many footballers, wrestlers and other athletes’ millionaires who would have not done well academically. Other ancillary benefits include; scattered locations of fitness shops in every nook and crannies of the towns with laudable patronage which has invariably created more jobs to non sports men and women in the system. The global friendship, interaction, relationships enhanced through global sporting competition like Olympics, and relieves from stress garnered from the day’s tedious jobs, as people relax in front of TV Sets watching different sporting competitions.

 Due to the pervasive enlightenment on the perceived benefits of exercise to health and life across the globe, Nigerians could not but join millions of people all over the World to seek for a better healthy living. Of course, Africa would need exercise to augment her inadequate nourishing food supply and relieve from stress through excessive labour, but to what extent does exercise guaranties a healthy living begs for answer.

Body fitness gurus and nutritionists are not holding back from educating the public on this subject in order to reduce the rate of mortality in our society and with the spread of gyms and fitness centers across the countries and early morning television programs on fitness, the message is penetrating fast into the heart of the society getting men and women obsessed with exercise.

According to the Surgeon General of Department of kinesiology and health at Georgia State University and other experts, benefits of exercise among many others include;

      DR. J ANDREW DOYLE (PhD)

      Dept of Kinesiology and Health, Georgia State University.

• Reduce the risk of premature death
• Reduce the risk of developing and/or dying from heart disease
• Reduce high blood pressure or the risk of developing high blood pressure
• Reduce high cholesterol or the risk of developing high cholesterol
• Reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and breast cancer
• Reduce the risk of developing diabetes
• Reduce or maintain body weight or body fat
• Build and maintain healthy muscles, bones, and joints
• Reduce depression and anxiety
• Improve psychological well-being
• Enhanced work, recreation, and sport performance

• Improvement in cardivascular/cardiorespiratory function (heart and lungs)
  • Increased maximal cardiac output (amount of blood pumped every minute)
  • Increased maximal stroke volume (amount of blood pumped with each beat)
  • Increased blood volume and ability to carry oxygen
  • Reduced workload on the heart (myocardial oxygen consumption) for any given submaximal exercise intensity
• Increased blood supply to muscles and ability to use oxygen
• Lower heart rate and blood pressure at any level of submaximal exercise
• Increased threshold for lactic acid accumulation
• Lower resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with high blood pressure
• Increased HDL Cholesterol (the good cholesterol)
• Decreased blood triglycerides
• Reduced body fat and improved weight control
• Improved glucose tolerance and reduced insulin resistance
• Increased muscular strength
• Increased strength of tendons and ligaments
• Potentially improves flexibility (range of motion of joints)
• Reduced body fat and increased lean body mass (muscle mass)
• Potentially decreases resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure
• Positive changes in blood cholesterol
• Improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity
• Improved strength, balance, and functional ability in older adults

Experts said there are literally zillions of exercise benefits to be gained through a regular fitness and nutritional plan and if the assumption is entirely worthy to be relied on why are athletes collapsing to death due to health problems in their numbers throughout the world?

 This claim notwithstanding, the Lord of the universe has a different understanding about the benefits derivable from a commitment to exercise. For him, exercise is insignificantly contributing to the well being of people’s daily lives and should not be exalted above measure as people are doing these days.

Hear him;

But refuse profane and old wives fables, and exercise yourself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profits little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

Looking into the time that was, now and to come, the Spirit of God began to sound important warning to those who would be caught in a web of less important activities, undermining the substance for the shadow, through the writing of St.Paul to young Timothy, just as someone in an effort to compare the level of advancement physical education has attained presently and in the near future asked a question, thus;

If archaeologists were to come to Lakeview 100 years from now to investigate the current year, what sort of things would they find? What conclusions could they draw about physical education in the 21^st century (present day)?

The Spirit never ruled out how less important the place of body fitness to life when weighed on a balance of priority with godliness. In his absolute judgment, body exercise contributes little to human well being though good.

It is possible to quickly affirm to this thought as though there is deep comprehension of the knowledge the Spirit of God was selling but where people place godliness on their scale of preference on daily activities speak volumes of the lack of knowledge of this subject. Or some other rejects and argue on the matter as though an academic exercise.

But to comprehend this thought, one must realize that by AD, body fitness and nutritional plan had started gaining popularity and making waves such that clamour for fitness has become a public issue like today. In fact, some nations like Rome could not participate in the Greek games earlier because it was done in nude. So, body fitness has been drawing attention of men such that God needed to alert youthful Timothy on that which matters most in life in order to save him and his followers from distraction. Distraction, in that young Tim may have faced a challenge to abandon, at least temporarily or kept his congregation waiting for body exercises or having converts who rank body exercise first before worship in their scale of preference as we have today, therefore, the Spirit needed to address the situation on ground before now.

An end point for body fitness and nutritional plan is for a healthy body improvement according to experts which could affect man’s longevity no doubt, but godliness has promise for life now and after. It is no evil to pursue health through exercise and diet programs rather doing so with negligence to God and his word. One should know that it is simply a contributor and not an ultimate solution to healthy living.

A pastor told his congregation, how God rebuked him when he became so anxious and conscious of his health and cleanliness to a point of obsessions that he became quarrelsome with almost every member of his household. The Lord told him that anyone that serves him could drink pond water like an ox and nothing will happen to him. Don’t miss the emphasis, not that God approved drinking dirty water rather for a child of God to loose sight of right living by quarrelling to keep a policy of cleanliness and not keeping faith with author of life is unchristian. One does not need to break a law, especially God’s own law to keep a man made or circumstantial laws.

The scriptures said, a servant of God should not strive and that we should be careful for nothing but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let our request be made known unto God.

                                 Don’t be tempted to  argue that body exercise referred by the scripture means profane and old wives fables which he advised to refuse, no. From the first verse of the chapter, he began to address the teachings that were invoke, forbidding to marry as in outcaste/free born and celibacy as a doctrine in some religious quarters, abstinence from meat (food) as religious obligation and nutritional plan and then on body exercise. These were issues that dominated public discourse in those days. He needed to take time to address each one and give every one unambiguous position in life because of the importance of the kingdom’s business. Knowing fully well that as the end of the World approaches people will shift emphasis and be entangled more in things that will rob the zeal for God and godliness. Men will become too careful about their lives (what to eat, wear, drink, where to live etc) that things God has spoken will be faithlessly forgotten.

Godliness, he said, is profitable or beneficial in all things (health inclusive) no matter from which angle it is viewed. Godliness grants a healthy life span and it requires efforts as in exercise to attain to. Man’s life span on earth was shortened as a result of ungodliness and lack of reverence to him and not lack of exercise and God is willing to give any man a long life span if he submits to tenets of righteousness. Hence, he wishes above all things that men may prosper and be in health, even as their souls prosper, therefore quest to improve health without a corresponding desire to improve the soul man in all godliness is a disservice to ones entire wellbeing. If a child of God heeds to the call to moderation of life; eating habit, prayer and fasting and other Christian disciplines, surely will have a great life.

There is literal and spiritual life in the word of God which teaches more of godliness and it is health to our flesh, the book of Proverbs informed;

My son, attend to my words; incline your ears unto my sayings;

Let them not depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart.

For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

The word of God gives healing and life to all that receive and apply it by faith.

Israelites of Jesus day knew it but not many took advantage of it. That is why Jesus challenged them on the subject they were familiar with; search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

The scriptures presented God and his Messiah in various places as healer of sicknesses and was demonstrated by the later in his earthly ministry. Sicknesses like hemorrhage, otherwise called issue of blood and other infirmities that defied medical solution for years were treated miraculously by power from on high. This development shows that some ailments are demonically conjured to afflict men though they have symptoms similar to familiar sicknesses. So, if one who keeps a regular exercise, body fitness and diet programs is afflicted with this kind of health problems, what will happen next?

Today, there is a repeat of ignorance and unperturbed attitude about godliness and fear of God in the world at large. It manifests in peoples daily lifestyles and outright rebellion to sacred days set aside by the church to worship the Creator of all flesh. And both Israel that received the law of Sabbath and Rome that gave Sunday recognition as days of worship are together with the rest of the world guilty in keeping the holy days unholy, rather turn Saturdays and Sundays as days for social activities of all sorts; parties, clubbing, hangouts etc . And now, with the increased wave of body exercise all over the World, those lacking finance to spare on social functions or kept from the functions for fear of insecurity or for health gains found the Stadiums, gym centers and open fields as good places to spend the Saturdays and Sundays morning with their instructors on body exercises instead of devotion with God. The trend is gradually increasing in Nigerian cities that streets are becoming busy early Saturdays and Sundays mornings with young folks trekking, jogging or running down to these places instead of communing with God at church services centers. And before long Nigeria might experience like America and Europe youth flight from worship places leaving church services to few old men, women and children.

Before making an argument that it is only on weekends that people have time, one should consider whether exercise must only be in the morning hours alone and whether it is worth taking God’s own time in human life? Men have five and six days to attend to themselves and their needs, so that few hours of a single day will also be denied him? If one absents from congregational worship every week, when will he find time to worship God, when he is alone with numerous issues calling for attention?

Another baffling question is how many of these vibrant working class men and women will leave out board and managerial meetings or balancing of accounts scheduled on these days by the organizations leadership for body exercises and remained in the employment? Or use the time to be at work place for gym? And who is that member that absents severally from club gathering without genuine reasons and retains his membership? No, only in the things of God that majority of people show laxity and the appointment with God on these service days worth more than the worldly engagements.

That shows the extent the hearts of human beings have drifted to secondary issues of life from the primary.

Notwithstanding the much talked about exercises, many people given to it are not freer from health problems than those not committed to it. Ironically, a good number of athletes who are on daily routine exercise and whom the World would be envying for healthy living are ridden with health problems, therefore, making a statement that healthy living is not all about exercise and dieting but God determines what should be.

Collaborating with this fact, Dr. Philip Maffetone, lamented in his Fit But Unhealthy, that many athletes in great condition have died in the course of training, competition or just hanging out. In “Ironman” magazine, Michael Chiccone, in what he termed Radical Revenge lamented that “If all this exercise is so good for you why are so many people who exercise dying young or coming down with “old people’s” diseases?”

 Despite the fact that these respectable physicians attempted to suggest possible medical negligence that could give rise to incessant deaths of these exercise brokers, the fact remains that God is the decider of what happens in peoples lives and should not be alternated for any other.

Instances of athletes that died as a result of health problems abound in the World, from Nigeria, America, Europe and Asia, but for emphasis just this few are taken;

Late  Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji (25) of Nigeria Green Eagles slumped and died in 1989 at National Stadium Lagos, while playing World Cup qualifying match against Angola. He was diagnosed to have died of congestive heart failure.

LATE USA OLYMPIC MARATHON RUNNER,RYAN SHAY

Ryan Shay is an American professional long-distance runner (28). On November 3, 2007, during the US Olympic marathon trials in New York City, Shay collapsed approximately 5 1/2 miles (9 km) into the race. He was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Doctors at the hospital who examined him reported that he died of a massive heart attack, due to a pre–existing enlarged heart condition

LATE ROBERT GARZA

The most recent event which occurred on the 14^th of March this year is the sudden collapse of another American basketball athlete, Robert Garza (16). According to the Associated Press, Roma (Texas) High junior Robert Garza collapsed during a game at an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) tournament Saturday in Austin, falling just after taking a sip of water on the bench during a timeout. The McAllen Monitor reported that paramedics attempted to revive Garza at the scene, but failed to do so. He died approximately an hour after collapsing at Brackenridge Hospital.

 What get things complicated is that the victims are young, in their teens to forties and despite the ECG (electrocardiography) mandatory screening machine which was seen in some quarters as a panacea to dictation of any hidden health problems in the body of athletes, the death rate remain high in some places.

A new study from Israel finds out that screening athletes for hidden heart problems may not help to prevent sudden deaths. The findings, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, cast doubts on the usefulness of widespread, mandatory screening of young athletes with electrocardiography, or ECG.

The test measures the electrical activity of the heart and can detect disturbances that might spell trouble.

For the new study, researchers compared rates of sudden death from cardiac arrest during the decade before the law with rates in the decade after. Using newspaper reports, they found a total of 24 documented cardiac-arrest deaths among competitive athletes between the ages of 12 and 44 — 11 deaths before the law, and 13 after it. Before the law, there were about 2.5 deaths per 100,000 athletes each year; after the law, there were roughly 2.6 deaths per 100,000 each year, the researchers estimate.

LATE JACK LALANNE .

On the other hand, what might be a celebrated case of longevity gained through exercise is that of Jack LaLanne who died at 96 on 23^rd Jan this year. He was an accredited fitness guru who inspired television viewers to trim down, eat well and pump iron for decades before diet.  LaLanne died of respiratory failure due to pneumonia Sunday afternoon at his home in Morro Bay on California’s central coast, his longtime agent Rick Hersh said

And although Jack was said to have maintained a youthful physique and joked in 2006 that, “I can’t afford to die. It would wreck my image, but finally went to the way of all men. While it is a pleasant old age in a generation people struggle to hit 70, one outstanding lesson is that fitness and diet plan does not take away health problems when God allows them to visit any man. Whether Jack’s above statement was indeed a joke or a perception of the mind based on success on body fitness has been proven with time, showing that nothing endures but God. Supposing Jack like some American and European atheists gave all his life to body fitness programs and seminars without time for God in his life time, what will become of him now, though he cheated death for 96 years on the planet earth? Another life has begun with him in the great beyond which his years on earth will

just be less than a tip of iceberg in comparison.

The names used as case study are few out of professional athletes and ordinary people who though engaged in exercises and fitness programs have exited from the world due to health complications. Therefore, as one becomes bothered to shed weights to beat the body into shape and aspires to look young, healthy and live longer on earth, in the same way, let him keep a true fellowship with God the creator, for life that now is and is to come.

 Reference;

(1)   Body fitness and Health by Mayo-Mayoclinic.com.

(2)   History of fitness by Lance C Dalleck

(3)   Fitness benefits by J.Andrew Doyle (Ph D)

(4)   Body fitness and health by Cindy Brothers Inspirational Personal Training.

(5)   Fit but Unhealthy by Dr. Philip Maffetone.

(6)   Holy bible, 1Tim4;7-9, Prov4;20-22

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