THE INSPECTORS

It is excitingly bitter to remember past years glorious experiences.

One could not help but for posterity reasons in doing such things.

Christmas used to be a time young people waited with much enthusiasm.

Though a year may seem dull and longer than the previous years, 

Immediately October was in the corner activities changed,

Everything seemed to move faster than ever.

The weather equally changed with it’s foggy like cloud.

Early morning cold with dusty days informed the presence of harmattan.

On the paths to our streams were seasonal flowers shooting out on both sides.

Pleasant smells emitted from these flowers were inviting to man and insects alike.

Insects like butterflies, ants, specie of beetles perched to suck flower juice,

While as children we reached out for the flowers to keep.

We desired the flowers to ever remain with us for the fragrance,

But within few days all withered away.

At the stream, we would swim and swim never wished to go home till darkness crept in. It was like some sweeten substances were added to the water unlike before.

Usually noticed was increased rate of accident on the road to one of our streams named Onukwuemeke .This road gulped a lot of blood in those days it was narrow because of presence of heavy traffic during the season.

The stream was in a valley formed by two high hills which slopes from both sides to the bridge.

Its lying at out sketch of the village makes the road lonely at Nights which armed robbers always took advantage of.

Some nights after our moonlight Christmas preparatory masquerade dance,

We would go in groups to the stream to wash off sweat before the night’s sleep

Only to be dispersed by sporadic shots from robbers and wailing of people being robbed.

Personal effects of people would be littered all over the places in the morning as we visit the scene. Things like loaves of bread, biscuits and rice were in abundance.

These were people whose buses arrived late from
Lagos going to Umuahia.

           It might interest you to know that the Orientals of Nigeria never toil with Christmas festival. It is a long holiday period which affords every one opportunity to see kits and kens whom he missed during the year or many years as the case may be.

Parents take their school children home in order to get familiar with home and relatives having being away from home due to academic works.

Various meetings usually hold at that time that makes people to travel in droves from all parts of Nigeria and beyond to eastern part of the country.

The journey to the region paralysis activities in other regions of the country,

Prices of commodities usually go down in these regions whereas astronomical increase is witnessed in the eastern region.

Transport costs go up to high heavens because of population explosion during the period with roads getting busier each day until third day in the New Year when people begin to go back to their locations.

         Harvest used to precede Christmas celebration in those days which cushioned the adverse effect of the population boost. Many were into subsistence farming and could afford much to eat and sell or exchange little with neighbors  who were in dare need, perhaps, whose stock have fallen short during the period. Churches could be seen organizing harvest sales otherwise called bazaar. Bazaar sales were produce realized from thanksgiving services organized by churches to appreciate God’s mercy in keeping them throughout the year and for the good harvest also.

Bazaar sales were usually an auction type which made the produce very cheap to buy. During the service, people were called family by family, kindred by kindred, village by village to come to the altar with their gifts to show gratitude to God. It was these gifts of various kinds that were later sold at bazaar to raise money for the upkeep of the church. At bazaar, each village cooked their own rice which they sold at a reduced price. There used to be competition for who would finish sales on time, so that made sales cheaper because entire community, town, parish or diocese would gather at a central place to celebrate the harvest together. That harvest Sunday used to be an eaten day. No one had needed to cook in the house as all roads led to bazaar center. We children would carry our plates with little money handed to us by our parents to buy rice to eat as many times as we were able. With gladness we approach the elderly ones to celebrate bazaar for us. They in turn dash out some money while those who had none to give would begin to dance for us singing bazaar, bazaar, bazaar etc. A lot of funny things were on display. In fact, it was a fun time. At the end of bazaar some of us must have gained additional money which we would save to spend at school after our Christmas break. So bazaar was one of the activities that heralded Christmas celebration and offered people opportunity to buy additional foodstuffs at a cheap price to keep as buffer stock during Christmas.

By this time atmosphere have changed, wonderful colours would appear on the sky as though God was on duty again preparing for Christmas as well. Beautiful soft tunes would be renting the air. People would beam with smiles. Now and again, cars and buses would stop at the bus stops with people alighting with big luggage. Neighbors, friends, colleagues and relatives embrace one another with great screams.

From this time once quiet and peaceful village became busy and bubbling each passing day.

         Now came the carol nights, people gathered in their groups with edifying songs going from house to house reflecting the birth of Jesus the Saviour of the whole World. Such songs like Silent night, noel, while shepherd watch their flock by night etc would steal the chilly nights. With perfect rhythms streaming in through the roofs made a sense of angelic presence together with glowing moonlight and gentle breeze. We would like to catch a glimpse of the show such that as soon as our parents opened door to attend to the august visitors we have already jumped out.

From 20^th day of December to 23^rd were nights for carol processions. It was another time to make additional wads as every host willingly with joy dole out some bucks to the night guests.

Then 24^th was a vigil service night that will give birth to Christmas day being 25^th.

The night service was for adults who may not be for one reason in the morning service of Christmas except for some curious children. Some elders would say that morning service was for display of new dresses sown for Christmas so they stay back home to cook rice for the Christmas. Really, children and some women will gorgeously pose in their new Christmas attires begging for notice that morning. Some would not be attentive to the sermons of the day having been lost in pride for the new cloth and costly alluring perfume they wore. Children would display different toys ranging from guns, cars, animals, dolls, mask etc. Knockouts of various sounds and sizes would boom as they were lighted. Those who could not afford money for knockouts use local made guns with matches or carbides.

Joy and thrill filled the air as maskquereds race to market square to perform their dances.  A lot was to eat, drink and throw away.

        Life has gone far away from the scene. It is a great burden as Christmas day approaches. There is fear within and without because of rampaging armed robbers, assassins and hostage takers. Men have hearts on hands should necessity prevails on them to travel panting at every slightest sound of explosive.   The roads are in shambles offering their bits of nightmare. Days are spent for trips of few hours on lonely and jungle routes.

Christmas has meant different things to different people; a time to make life hellish due to incomparable price increase of commodities. Fuel hike is the greatest contributor of price increase. People must be ripped off through land and air because of this yuletide. What of the carnage on the high ways and increased ritual activities.

Joys are turned to sorrows as news of fatal accidents and disappearance of some people purported to have left their abode filters into the ears of waiting parents at home. No help comes readily from the tiers of government who are busy sharing millions and billions for Christmas Rams while the Nation perishes.

The once serene atmosphere of Christmas is filled with violence. And with the downturn of economy inflation has crippled many purse, people strive to keep soul and body breathing than to lavish in Christmas. People have been impoverished to the point that change of apparel for Christmas is a mirage.

In fact everything seems unhappy presently, environment complains also. Those sprouts that heralds Christmas are no longer seen as if a protest has been staged against the age.  The harvest is gone only few places can afford to arrange a bazaar without the accompanied pomp and pageantries.

That which offered joy sometime suggests being a curse now.

Who will bring us back the old Christmas before we see him whose birth is celebrated over these years in Nigeria?

History told us how our brothers and sisters were served as meat to unsolicited wild beasts and ants in various jungles of African forests. Not for any offence committed but for being born as twins or with disabilities. Africa could not tolerate coming out of the womb with lost of essential members of the body. It was adjudged evil and being superstitious believed that some spirits have come in the likeness of men or those victims of disabilities were suffering from nemesis as a result of past evils.
They were left to die in the jungle through excruciating means of passage. How traumatic it could be for a few days old once in the bosom of a mother now left to fate in a lonely thicket. It wailed with no comfort in sight until the last strength was gone then bowed to death. Some cries attracted these carnivorous beasts which ate them up.
This is a short story of an African disabled child in the Stone Age. Today, Christianity and Science have helped to prove that we suffered from lack of knowledge though some still wallow in this inadequacy.
        The scripture posed a question-
Can a mother forsake her sucking Child?
That she would not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Yea, they may forget…..(Isa 49;15)
African mothers affirmed to this daunting question from the Lord unwillingly perhaps. It is unnatural with women to lack love and compassion towards children of their wombs but was helpless in this regard. Tradition and oracle have said that such children were for evil forest being abomination; therefore doing otherwise meant disobedience to the gods. Only the strong willed men would brazenly snatch these suckling babies from the cuddles of their mothers and would roar at these weeping women to desist from pursuing them. Both voices of mothers and children would rent the air at the dead nights as the bonding loves were forcefully torn apart to appease the gods. While it was to keep in tandem the laws of the land in the primitive days doing the same now could be for economic reasons, shaving off the burden associated with growing up, or lack of grace to keep sight of these incomplete creatures of God. For we know that real women would rather keep these fruits of nine months labour at all cost than to cast away though evidently greater labour is ahead. To behold and cherish meant more despite the suffering and understanding that these weak things might not return any help after wards.
         Thanks for the missionaries who enlightened us that such treatment is inhumane yet Africa has not fully comprehended it at this height of civilization. Women are still abandoning their kids for sake of disabilities. In Western world couples, society and government have learnt to appreciate the physically challenged and equally decided to forge a common front to confront these confrontations. People readily with joy offer to adopt the deformed in order to give them sense of belonging and equal opportunity to good living. Government provides some comforts which individual parents could not through different programs. Everyone is supportive knowing fully well that anybody could have been victim of handicap. This helped some to realize their potentials with little efforts. People like Steve Wonder, Marilyn Baker and recently Pastor Nick Voltage are typical examples who have jeered disabilities at the face to climb the rungs of greatness in human history. Pastor Nick was born without hands and only a limb to show for legs and with this he virtually does everything a complete man could do. He is just one out of many of this kind.
          However, these individuals did not just become strong out of weakness without a cause. Their parents courageously embraced their status with joy, faith and hope that someday God will show forth his praise in their wards lives. They looked and prayed to God in faith concerning the fate of their children without murmuring. Neither charged Him with hatred or dislike instead offered thanks. With love and passion tended these gifts without disillusion. In love gave equal opportunities to life with its attendant privileges, instill confidence in these personalities which translated to strength in the most feeblest to stand tall amidst crowds of able folks.
        Gratitude to God draws grace from his presence no matter the condition. If only African mothers will appreciate that a next door neighbour may be longing to have a protruding belly to prove her feminine gender in vain for years.
And desire to have that which they are casting away provided it is on record that a child once cried in her kitchen and that a child sucked from her own breast. They will be grateful and seek earnestly God’s grace to hold on than to cast away.
Little Alex of Mrs.Theresa Adedoyin’s Heart of Gold, Adedola Street, Surulere is one of such unfortunate babies born to women who had hearts to throw away their suckling children for sake of deformity. He was picked by a Samaritan in the neighbourhood where he was wailing and writhing in pain with Ants all over him.
Alex’s biggest problems are his feet. Instead of the usual five toes on each foot, he has only four toes on the left leg, three of them joined together and looking like a claw. The remaining toe stands far apart from the three that are joined. The second foot has only three toes. He was abandoned in a crate with cellophane bag to hide his legs from peoples notice. His cries draw sympathy from passersby who offered to help. While his real mother found no reason to cope with deformity another had better understanding that a soul should not be wasted for any reason. In the mother’s bid to off the burden associated with deformity unconsciously enrolled her name in the list of ingrates before God and Man. And true that she is now free from Alex burden only God knows when the torment of conscience for her action will end.
        The physically challenged must on the other hand appreciate themselves. Be grateful to God for being alive, though it may be difficult yet possible no matter the extent of deformity. Stop bemoaning rather addresses their minds that God is not unrighteous but will make ways for them. Brace up with challenges of life, believing they can do all things through God who helps all mankind. Seek to make livings without much dependence on fellow men. Humble themselves before God for exaltation.
Unfortunately, many handicapped are antagonistic with God and Man. With great bitterness in heart curse God on daily basis for these states of live instead of praying to him. They become defeated in the hearts even to learn a trade. For them people must sympathize with their conditions and provide for them. They take to the streets for alms. By so doing render their guides or companions redundant. As the society provides for the disabled provides at the same time one who is hail and hearty that must have been restrained by parents from doing something only to lead a disabled relation. These children waste their youthfulness by not going to school or learning a trade. Only time will tell their regrets when old age draws nearer when they could not do any more. Even their survivals in these harsh economic days remain a miracle.
May be Nigerians have overdone these alms giving to encourage laziness among her youths to the point that people now fend to be deformed or with a problem in order to receive financial assistance on our streets. But Pastor Nick Voltage, Steve Wonder and Marilyn Baker are self sustained individuals who though are impaired could feed crowds of able folks for months without blinking an eyelid. What a great challenge we all have to face in this part of our world?
The able are made small and inadequate when Pastor Nick, a motivational speaker talks about his school days, investments, engagements and future adventures he is going to embark on. Only grace can lead to such a matchless vision of an impaired person.
          Nigerian society is trying with respect to alms giving to the disadvantage of her disable folks, though not wonderfully well, but the problems associated with disability is not just dole kobo kobo to these victims. They need to be taught self reliance so as to survive in this hard time. One could not help to imagine how these impaired are getting along when able people are finding it difficult to feed on quality meals two times daily. If the society on whom they depend is facing this difficulty more will be the world of the physically challenged. This calls for serious orientation programs by Government and the NGOS to enlighten these folks on the need to be independent and to help reduce the presence of these loved ones from the nook and crannies of our streets. Also to launch continuous campaign against throwing away the deformed with committed promise to share the burdens of the unfortunate coupled with laws to punish the culprits.
Our charity homes, Schools for the disabled and Donors are relatively few compare to the number roaming our streets. Our Government should endeavor to adequately fund and equip these homes and institutions so as to give opportunity to willing folks to learn trades.
There should be Government assisted program that will help parents of the disabled to procure equipment that will aid their wards developments in different aspects of deformity. Pastor Nick voltage had different custom made gadgets at different phases of growth. It eased his pains. Those gadgets may worth a fortune which Nigerian people cannot afford therefore Governments assistance is highly needed in this regard.
          Another nagging problem the deformed has is social acceptance in the area of marriage. It is a world-over problem. Majority find it hard to accept these ones as spouses. But few years back a woman confirmed it possible if only we become a little thoughtful. She accompanied her husband to Nigeria who was invited by The Redeemed Christian Church of God to deliver motivational speeches to Nigerians. The man in question has no hands from shoulder down from birth only two legs he uses to do everything. She was happy, proud and bold to be in love with such a person. What could be responsible for her excitement if not grace?  African experience is quite horrible; people in marriage can readily abandon their spouses for sudden lost of essential members of the body in an accident how much marrying a deformed from birth.
Despite his academic and financial achievements the greatest challenge Pastor Nick has is getting a life partner though a white man. He does not pretend about it. Every body is watching to see whether this deepest desire will be met. Only a woman with grace like the above cited example will be interested. Grace enables us to do uncommon and unnatural things. A woman sometime ago was approached for marriage by a cripple, who is a shoe designer in one of the big markets in the East. As usual with a woman full of expectation she shunned the hapless young man. But as weeks roll into years she discovered that every prayer she made on marriage pointed her to the rejected man though able suitors were coming. No love for them, no peace for herself or acceptance for the man on wheel chair. She battled in vain until she succumbed to the little still voice speaking to her conscience. Today they are happily married with children. The shame and pride which would have made her make a mistake of her life have been swallowed in victory. This is for those who cared to pray. Are there not many out there being kept back by pride and shame to identify with the deformed? A good question to ask your self is if I am the one what next?

okey iwuji 

 CC;www.nigeriavillagesquare.com

Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary defines a philanthropist as a rich person who helps the poor and those in need, especially by giving money.
Apart from monetary needs other things like clothing, food, scholarships etc are among the things people give in the name of helping the poor.
          We could see in Nigeria and world over people, societies, clubs, churches engage in this act of helping the less privileged of the society. Some would go far to WILL their entire life savings to some people or group of people, for example the motherless homes, aged homes, rehabilitation homes at their last days on this Earth.
Though some do it in good spirit others have something else in mind.
            But who is the poor? For me, it is one who you are better than.
To the extent you are better of is the extent he is poor to you.
That is to say that poverty is in levels.
If the financially poor is rich in knowledge and freely employs his wealth of knowledge to help the rich financially then he qualifies a philanthropist as well.
By this we find an unconscious exercise of this act daily by an average human being on the street, as he dolls out a kobo or cent to the people he considers less privileged or employs his wisdom, experience to assist another.
           While some do it as a responsibility, pity, concern, for show, or fame, for corresponding sowing and reaping benefit which is a principle of the bible, some persons do it for political reasons. For instance, when you see a young vibrant man with wads who has neglected his community or group of people suddenly turns to undertake projects like grading road without tarring it or sinking a borehole watch it he has started nursing political ambition. That is Africa .
          Two incidences cited in the bible give us a good understanding of what should be a drive for this act of philanthropic gestures.
“Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum…….And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, that he was worthy for whom he should do this:
For he loves our Nation, and he has built us a synagogue.[Luke7;1-7]
Another scripture that will assist us is from Luke 10:30-35
“And Jesus answering said, a certain man went down from….but a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.…I will repay thee.
From the two cited scriptures the two actors had love, compassion as their main drives for the actions. The first man loved his nation at least being a centurion and his people demonstrated in building a synagogue for them. The second man loved and had compassion for his fellow human being that necessitated his footing the hospital bill.
Now, we know that some of our religious acclaimed philanthropists  must have drawn their inspirations from this or other teachings whether Christians or Moslems because building of synagogues, mosques, cathedrals  are commonly found among our people and sending of relieves to victims of some sort hence their accreditation.
We must pause to ask, who is really a philanthropist?
 Is he one that loves and cares for outsiders but not his immediate community, families and very close relations? They hear his largesse with the ear only. Right there with him are starving tens and hundreds, drop outs due to inability to cope with cost of education, unemployed willing to work but could not be helped. He turns his eyes to other side with all his money and connections. This individual has his compound surrounded with high walls and under lock and keep such that even an ant will find it difficult to go in. He is not in talking terms with anybody except his praise singers who employ the means to reach him. May be the community has queried and suspected his life style and wealth.
    Can he  be one who is ready to WILL his life savings to an animal pet but would not give a dime to another because of his race, color, religion or faith despite his known need? He would want his pet to live than the individual and will do everything possible within his reach to dispose him.
      What of a person who engaged in trading adulterated and expired products, made his money, and later donate money or establish a foundation for orphans whose parents are victims of his wicked trade?
         Related to the above is one who killed others for money rituals and dole out to people whose breadwinners might be minting machines in the wardrobe of the acclaimed philanthropist or one who used his position to steal the Nation dry of the money meant for the entire wellbeing of her people only to build factories in his name to employ the same people he has willfully robbed.
           Can  he also be one who gives in return for what has been give him or things he intends to gain from one he gave to or a person who through his company concentrate on donating to institutions which Tax Authority included in the list of allowable expenses and not bothered about others outside the category?
        I am sure it is none of the mentioned category of persons considering the virtues of people in our case study and he that aspires to be called a philanthropist should learn that true charity begins from home without dissimulation, discriminatory, and sacrificial too. Therefore, before you build that high riser that will shelter the world check out your source and motives.

By Okey Iwuji
CC;www.Nigerianvillagesquare.com

Nigerians were shocked to hear from the mouths of three past heads of state, Generals Babangida, Buhari, Abubakar and Emir Tahir that the much celebrated case of loot by late General Abacha was false.  They all affirmed one after the other over the weekend during the 10^th anniversary of the late general.
Though people have started reacting to the statements accredited to the heads of State, it calls for a pause and ponder on what they really mean and intentions too considering the caliber of people they are.
 For one reason, Abubakar was the immediate president after the death of General Abacha whom we believe suppose to know more about the loot issue.
Two, both presidents belong to the ruling council of this country therefore should have facts which Nigerians may not be privileged to have.
Three, they were with the government that declared Abacha as a looter for eight years and could not utter a word, it is an irony.
 Four, it could be they are comparing the money stolen by Abacha and that of Obasanjo therefore judging that the later stole nothing in comparism. This could be deducted from the statement of General Babangida couple of weeks ago that if the money he has is up to what is being alleged Obasanjo is having he would have built nuclear factory for Nigerians.
        And we Know that if this statement was made by General Babangida alone many Nigerians would have given it a wave of hand but for Abubakar, Buhari and Emir Tahir means a lot.
So, it will be quite interesting for the press to conduct another interview for the presidents to ascertain the exact thought of their statement. But, if the idea is that the loot was a frame then a challenge has been thrown to the probe panel to produce that report verbatim to enable Nigerians be their own judge.
      It is important to clear every doubt especially when the two heads of state, Babangida and Abubakar are still suspects of loot in the eyes of Nigerians. May be
they are by implication taking opportunity of the anniversary to tell Nigerians that their own hands are clean from looting and corruption.
Also, informing us that Obasanjo’s administration victimized Abacha and family for nothing. Their statement made stronger impact by that of General Buhari who over the years has been reputed for his disciplinary disposition. For him to join voice with the duo makes the matter more serious that it should not be thrown overboard.
Nigerians should be willing to know what happened in Abacha’s case, as well as get Babangida and Abubakar probed to exonerate them from all suspicious side talks.
 If they are found guilty we now know that they are imploring tribal sentiments, and become more suspicious of Buhari whom we are clamouring for next president
because he might come up tomorrow to give obj a clean bill after this much have been discovered and if they are right we now know the depth of Obasanjo’s wickedness and insincerity.
 Besides, Nigerians should be ready for next agenda that will unfold if Abacha really stole, possibly the Northern oligarchy might have plans to persuade Yar’adua to return all that were seized from Abacha’s family and friends.  Who knows the reason behind the president’s change of mind from continuing probing the past president’s administration on NNPC which Nigerians are waiting eagerly to receive the report? Are you sure there is no suspicion that after the administration is probed pressure will be mounted on the president to probe the previous administrations?
One thing is certain, should Nigerians leave Obasanjo’s probe to be stopped and Abacha’s Assets restored a platform for terrible looting has been created which will certainly make Niger and Ethopia better than us in the near future.

Cc;www.nigeriavillagesquare.com ,www.theinspectors.blog.com

Sunday sun of June 1, among other previous cases of rape reported a man who forcefully had carnal knowledge of his supposed two sisters aged 11years each. The young man, 26 years, Chukwudi Adieze married with a child had the two sisters simultaneously in a nearby bush as they went to answer the call of nature.
    We know that the case of rape is handled with high handedness especially when the case is on the table of a woman magistrate or judge and police officer, reason is that female folks must be defended at all cost. While I am not writing in defense of anybody my humble advice is that our handlers of law should remove sentiments in their zeal to ensure that female rights are protected. I have tried to imagine how one man could pin two girls down, cover their mouths with his one hand and used the other to undress both of them and himself and move from one to another. They did not shout, none could wriggle out of his hand to raise an alarm. It is not an easy fight to enter into any unwilling woman no matter her age. An intruder must have a greater strength or fearful weapon to silence her. It is more suspicious when they were not hypnotized nor tied to a stake as it was not mentioned.
Does it not suggest a consensus arrangement between the supposed rapist and the girls who suddenly changed because the act was discovered by their elderly brother?  May be this girls have been wagging their waist to this young man’s notice expecting a day to have a feel of him since childhood of this days is only in the outer body look.
Secondly, following the revelation (if true) of an existing feud between the girls family and the young man, then, it could be a set up. May be they have been advised by their parents to play on with the young man so as to entangle and nail him.
Thirdly, it could be that the girls are known for waywardness and their brother suspected foul considering the time it has taken them to answer the call in that nearby bush.
        Whichever is the position of the matter the truth is that there is no smoke without a fire. Like other cases of rape where a seventy year old man raped a girl of eight years, teacher raped student, pastor raped church member, security man raped his master’s wife or daughter, boss raped his staff in the office, father raped daughter, brother in-law raped sister in-law, robbers raped their victims etc. Our society is overcharged with sexual immorality and men are helplessly falling victims.
Unlike what used to be when we were growing up. Case of rape could be heard once after many years or not at all in some places.
 
Today as Eve was gateway for devil into the world women have actively embrace the role of their grandmother with an awful enthusiasm.
         For the religious who believed in the existence of demonic entities, a book I read in the eighties written by one of the occultist said that when Satan wants to conjure high rate of immoral activities into the world some demonic spirits will engage in sexual spree which in turn reflects into the lives of men on earth. So one could say that this nefarious activity has continued none stop since then.
It might help you to believe that the sensitized atmosphere with sexual activities is not ordinary rather instigated in the spirit realm taking advantage of women’s vulnerability, inordinate crave for fashion and affection. As Satan inspires designers to sow those crazy wears that see through and flaunts which some women acknowledge that they are bad to be worn  in the day but for night parties or in the bedroom, skimpy and open dresses, encourage shooting pornographic pictures, teaching so called sex education, existence of stripe clubs and churches, and men respond in acceptance, rapes and sexual harassments, violence will not cease in our society because the hearts of some people have been taken captive by lust. The lust has transcends age, color, status and it has become a great price we all have to pay.
When feminism was growing in America and Europe and legislations that gave women untold freedom and equality little did the world foresaw the attendant problems. Right now the world over cannot control women excesses. Unfortunately, some innocent women share in this humiliating act of rape.
      But to punish rapists whose sensual organs were aroused by what women dancers and others displace on our streets, video or TV screens leaving the women folk continue in their provocative dressings is a one sided approach to the issue. Remember, a society where dog eats dog weak or smaller ones suffer and this is the case with victims of rape. To ensure that a coexistence is achieved a knowledgeable farmer will make a separation. Treating an ailment without addressing the cause will achieve little. Therefore, our legislature and judiciary should look at this rape issue again and come up with laws that will regulate what women wear these days because no one knows the next victims. We are Africans, we have our cultures. Africans should stray not away with the whites in bid to copy them. We appreciate the light they brought to Africa but would not allow them in depreciation to take us back to golden age. It would be likened to Israel making a golden calf to return to Egypt of the bible time. A female actress from the northern part of the country was asked whether she could wear what she wears in Lagos in any city in the North or her place, she said no because life is different up there. It is a place where decency is promoted, people that wouldn’t want American nudeness for dressing but in Lagos she has joined the bandwagon of fashion freak celebrities.
        When a Governor started a war against indecent dressing in one of the states there was divergent opinions on the exercise, suddenly it short lived. May be those who call evil good with their high powered connections killed the move. The truth is that societal ladies who are culprits of indecent dressings might escape rape but their innocent sisters or daughters, house helps could suffer their mess.

Cc; nigeriavillagesquare.com

In the recent times, the Newspaper industry provided a marketing platform for our young beautiful sisters to advertise themselves to enable some prospects know the existence of these damsels.
 The publication started with the Sun newspaper I suppose, and before long some others followed suit. The words of the invitation read thus, do you consider yourself stunning enough to grace our page 3? If yes, send your picture/ bio data.
Indeed, this column has been embraced by a lot of respondents seeking for notice.
Sincerely we know that Nigerians have poor reading culture and our sisters are the worst of the population. Someone said, if you want to hide something to a Nigerian put it in writing, and that is true.
Some of our boys would read sports magazines or columns in a newspaper and no more while the girls would go for gossip magazines at most.
Well, it could be due to discouraging news that fills our daily papers. Majority don’t take delight in reading about a government that has no truth. Why spend time to read something that might increase your high blood pressure.
Yes, everyday new faces will be on the papers showing how our beloved sisters love these columns. They are contended once their pictures are on these pages and not with jargons in the entire papers. You could hear some sisters exclaim that this babe is cute, but share a story that was in the same paper few days later they mop at you; some will even ask where did it happen?
Some reasons behind page 3 are known to the newspapers Editors but I feel it is a marketing strategy to attract more sales seeing that beautiful things always draw attention. But it has gone beyond just awareness to connection bureau service where love and lust prospects get in touch with the newspaper house to be linked with  damsel of their choice whose telephone number is not displayed on the picture.
In fact one of these girls confirmed that since her picture was published with number a horde of calls and text messages come daily on her phone. Sometimes some will compliment her others make some dirty requests.
You can trust our young sisters who have realized how easy to get connected to a senator just by posing a photograph that will feature on a page of newspaper the next day you are in his hand and heart and in minutes later you are already with his numbers. So, the need to bare it all comes in. Why should they give you assignment to crack your brain in figuring out the shapes of their endowments, after all, Joy is looking for the same opportunity.
What disturbs include the age brackets involved, between the ages of 17-35. Some will out of shame not disclose their real age. I guess some will not disclose their real names for the same reason and since their cell numbers are displayed. Also, these questions that are usually asked, ’what turns them off, profession and hobby?
You find if not all in modeling or students and traveling, dancing, reading, music or meeting people. Then, you wonder if one is under 22 years, a student and likes traveling, dancing, watching movies, music when will she read her books? Why the crazy search for men instead of concentrating on her studies? And why all in this group love modeling and acting?
Well someone concludes that they are the unserious type of girls found at every nooks and crannies of this nation with men old enough to be their fathers. Be it true of false is left for our sisters to comment.
Now looking at this issue of what turns off, almost all said lies, insincerity, pride or arrogance, gossip. Can it be true that our sisters are candid with these answers knowing that these are their stock in trade?
I am yet to see any of this page 3 girls without pride. At least, it is pride that makes them flaunt it all so that the world would see the burst in the places and compliment or toss them. How many in their pride and arrogance not bluff any one not considered to be their match in terms of beauty, marriage, carriage, or having an expected cash load. Can they accept a young man who in his sincerity discloses his penury and desire to relationship with them? In fact the only polite way to discharge a suitor or friendship seeker not admired by a woman is to find a good lie. For an average woman lying is not evil. It is a way out of tight corner. Only few women will have boldness to tell a man that I refused to honor your invitation because I suspect your intention.
Women always mean the opposite of their intentions. If a woman is saying I don’t like it that is when she likes it most. How many fall prey to 419ners and smart boys.
One Ghanaian Actress said she loves Nigeria men because they tell girls what they want to hear, even when they {women} know that those things could not be true but they can’t help believing them.
Therefore, one who sues for equity must ensure to have clean hands.

This was a thought that flew into my heart weeks ago.  I have opportunity to see one of the generals we started hearing and reading about since childhood at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Lagos aboard Virgin airliner to Abuja, Retired General TY Danjuma. A tall slim man who age and sickness have altered the likeable personality he was known with. One of the things I admired about him at that moment was a calm disposition, not flamboyant such that you will hardly recognize the presence of a man who had been among the ruling clique for decades, and who sits on billions of naira as he passed with two orderlies to a little distance close to the ticket counter to buy and to confirm tickets. I am sure only few that read newspapers would notice him since there was no fanfare or entourage accompanying him.

This General  first came to public knowledge by his controversial role in the assassination of his master J T Aguiyi Ironsi , the Military Head of State of Nigeria in 1966 which led to Nigerian civil war of 1967.Since then, he has been among the ruling class in Nigeria whether military or civilian regimes. So as I looked at him with interest a lot of things began to run through my mind; the birthday bash at 70 and the interview granted to the press that has generated a lot of ripples down to other celebrated birthdays of other generals who lost every privilege to salvage this nation at this their dispensation, few remarkable questions always posed by the press which hinged on their achievements and what gratitude they owe to God.
While they talk about life at 70, life in and after service and ability to manage their vast empires none has ever regretted their failures towards God and Nigeria people.
These were a generation of young officers who saw Nigeria at the beginning before independence, benefited from colonial administration in terms of good healthcare scheme, free education, good standard of living, employment, good roads etc, even when Nigeria was not as rich as today. They know that independence was sought for freedom for Nigeria children and black race in general that they might have right to life, not only denying them the right enslave them. They are not oblivious that the remote cause of the civil war was corruption of the politicians and desire to end it at all cost yet they became the worst culprit. They equally know that Nigeria took up arms against herself and enter into trenches until 1970 because of separatist none of the issues was addressed and demand is louder today.

If they are sincere patriots they will acknowledge their colossal failures, for one, good number of them are walking corruption. They made Nigeria worse than they met her, sowed greater discord among Nigerians by words and actions, wasted resources and impoverish the country due to self centeredness.

The young officers of 1967 are the Generals of today who held Nigerian people to ransom for 47years now without inch of progress. May be, their General stem from the fact that they shed their brothers blood for a unity that has never been or they are generals of loot and wastage. If they could not fix Nigeria when in military uniform and agbada with all their acclaimed good and bad, local and international experiences, who then? Their children who have been groomed with looted resources and taught that stealing is godliness and wisdom as they strive daily to plant their children in mainstream of affairs of this nation.

I felt sad while musing over our state, then I said to myself , if I were the generals I will hide my face in shame. I will confess to God that my gratitude to him for sparing me from bullets of civil war that tore more valiant men than me was to enrich myself ungodly at the expense of the less privileged. At Armed forces day, I must with weeping apologize to other fallen heroes of my betrayal and disappointment to our collective interest to war against Nigeria .