THE NIGERIAN DREAM (Arise O Compatriots)

THE NIGERIAN DREAM (Arise O Compatriots)

The future is here, the whole world is waiting. The creation is moaning uncontrollably in earnest expectation of the lead actor to take the centre stage and set the place for this final performance.
We have seen the rehearsals and we have been disappointed. We have experience the trial and error of the forerunners that left us with nothing but a shaky foundation that makes us doubtful of building a lifetime edifice of nobility that our souls crave.
There is much more to offer our world. There is much more to bequeath to posterity. There is much more to give to our nation and she will not stop the flood of tears gushing down to her forlorn face until her children leave the treadmill of trivia, take their rightful place and fulfill her long awaited dream of becoming first amongst equals.
She has a vision to dictate the pace with viqour. She has a vision to be honoured among peers, to become a positive reference point. She has a vision of giving to others- whosoever, part of her vast riches and resources, reassuring them of a better world, fight for the same cause, giving refuge to the lost and soul to the dead.

Fate came, saw and failed. Though she had been a bereaved mother, many times of her choicest off springs, yet she would not give up even when she has foetus in her womb. Though she had been raped of her dignity times without number, still she believes
· She believes in her vision
· She believes in her dreams
· She believes in the designer of her destiny
· She believes that a day is coming and now is, when the winds of change that turn desolations into civilization will blow on her path…
· She believes that one day her children and her foes will dine on the same table aiming for one cause of rebuilding the fallen walls of their motherland and upholding her gates.

The sun is almost up but the morning may be stalled, and her woes continue, if its creators would not stand up for their noble cause. Neither, the morning nor its joy will appear if the bearers of good fortunes would not attain their great lofty heights.
She is tired of labour, will she continue to try? Or she should just bow out and find succor in permanent oblivion? She listens to faith. She keeps beliefs. What a great dream she must have! The scream of disunity in her in her bowels filters to her mind, piercing her soul and she goes down on bended knees, in breathless pains… screaming “O God! Guide our leaders’ right and help our youth the truth to know”.
Still, she believes if only the children of her youth will forsake their “borrowed” causes that have so far bedeviled them searching for green pastures abandoning the Greenness of their motherland, and attend to her in this final pain. If only they will share her undying faith, even in her dying state, if only…

Behold! At last, her Baby, her Dream, the creator of her future. The carrier of her destiny.
Despite her paleness, her eyes glow like the radiance of the sun at the sight of her dream.
A dream that will lead the world. with his GREEN blood of integrity, eye brows of excellence, palms of efficiency and productivity, neck of quality, clean heart for health and progressive relationships, arms of entrepreneurship, chest of positive attitudes and large feet of leadership. He will not only succeed but also bring his siblings to the forefront of global innovations and inventions.

NIGERIA has a vision… YOU and I are her Dreams!
We are not alone! O God of Creation…and build our nation where peace and justice shall reign!

LASISI PRODIGY O’BOSUN(WGFF) PRODIGY’09

A CONTEST WITH ELEDUMARE

A CONTEST WITH ELEDUMARE

In his folly he belched
Disapproving the claims of an existing almighty
Believing in the strength of his might
Freethinker, he claimed to be,
But never meditated on the thought
That there must be a beginning and an end
And that he can’t conquer death carnally.

But if the Heaven should cease rain
If the earth should be turn barren,
If the atmosphere should be corrupt
And the sun should turn black,
Helter – skelter he would run
To shamefully believe that there exists
An Omnipotent, Omniscience and Omnipresent GOD!!!


Lasisi Prodigy O’Bosun (WGFF) PRODIGY’09

Car Driver's Dilemma

You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night. You pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus:1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.2. An old friend who once saved your life.3. The perfect man (or) woman you have been dreaming about.Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that therecould only be one passenger in your car.Think before you continue reading. This is a moral/ethical dilemmathat was once actually used as part of a job application.You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first; or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to findyour perfect dream lover again.The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer.He simply answered: "I would give the car keys to my old friend, andlet him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait forthe bus with the woman of my dreams."Never forget to "Think Outside of the Box."

SHYNESS

Shy people are often intelligent, creative individuals, with highly active imaginations. Their minds work overtime manufacturing imagined catastrophes which seldom occur.Most of us have occasion to blush, feel our hearts pounding, or find 'butterflies' in our stomachs. Not-shy people accept these reactions as mild discomfort and look to the positive aspects of what might happen later--having a good conversation with the minister at the church social, getting the right directions from a French gendarme, learning the latest dance step. Shy people, however, tend to concentrate on these physical symptoms. In fact, sometimes they don't even wait to get into a situation that might make them feel shy. They experience the symptoms in advance, and thinking only of disaster, decide to avoid the church social or the tour to Paris or the dance.In noting what shyness is, we also need to point out what it is not. Many assume that being shy is the same as being introverted. While introverts are sometimes shy, shyness and introversion are not the same, nor do they always occur together. Introverts are people who, to put it simply, enjoy being alone. They treasure time alone above time with people. They may be very good in relating with people; they may be lots of fun. Watch your thoughts, they become words; Watch your words, they become actions; Watch your actions, they become habits; Watch your habits, they become character; Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny and Destiny can never be changed...PRODIGY(W.G.F.F)

AFRICA

AFRICA
Africa gave civilization to the world through her unique creative ideas such as the Egyptian Pyramids but as I watch the trend of global events daily, my heart aches as I discover that the one who gave the civilization is the last on the queue of relevence.
Statistics has it that Africa has only about 0.1% content representation on the Internet! But hope lies ahead because, for example, African modes of creative expression are receiving attention as the whole world seeks to understand the thinking of Africans who are responsilble for and support developments in the continent and in the world at large.
The dynamic quality of our traditions, the subtlety of our skill in ordering human relations, and adaptability to change, are increasingly being recognised. Fortunately, I'm part of the African Youth Initiative, so I know what I'm talking about... Viva Africa! Below is a poetic work by David Diop that captures the not-too-common information on our continent, the continent called AFRICA.

AFRICA ...by David Diop

Africa my Africa Africa of proud warriors in anscestral savannas Africa of my grandmother's singingAlong the banks of her far-off river I have never known you But my gaze is charged with your blood Your beautiful black blood spread abroad over the fields The blood of your sweat The sweat of your labour The labour of your slavery The slavery of your children. Africa tell me Africa Is it you, then, this back that bends And sinks under the weight of humility This trembling striped back That says yes to the whips on the noonday roads?
Then a gravely voice answered me: Impetuous son, that young and robust tree That tree over there Splendidly alone midst white faded flowers It is Africa your Africa that springs up again Springs up patiently obstinately And whose fruits ripen with The bitter flavour of freedom.

NIGERIA

NIGERIA
Nigeria, a nation that attained independence from the British government on the 1st of October, 1960 and became a republic on October 1, 1963, is located in the western part of the African continent overlying the Atlantic ocean.
Nigeria was given the name by the woman who later married Lord Lugard. She formed the name from the phrase, Niger Area. In 1914, the mentioned Lord Lugard brought about the almagamation of the Northern and Southern regions of the country.
Nigeria is made up of thirty six (36) states and a Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and covers an area of 923,768.64 square kilometers. The estimated population is 120 milion and it has two principal rivers, Niger and Benue. The currency is the Naira and Kobo, with one hundred kobos equivalent to one naira.The legal law tax system is British Oriented and the timing is GMT+1 hour.The major exports of the nation are Petroleum and Cocoa beans (and it's products). The major imports are Machinery and transport equipment, Manufactured goods, Chemicals, Agricutural products and foodstuff.
Nigeria was under the leadership of both millitary and civilian leaders until the 29th of May, 1999, when democracy was given a chance through the hands of General Abdulsalam Abubakar, who handed over to a democratically elected President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was the millitary head of state earlier in the history of Nigeria.

The National Anthem
ARISE, O compatriots, Nigeria's call obeyTo serve our fatherlandwith love and strenght and faithThe labour of our heroes pastShall never be in vainTo serve with heart and mightOne nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.
O God of creation, direct our noble causeGuide thou our leaders rightHelp our youth the truth to knowIn love and honesty to growAnd living just and trueGreat lofty heights attainTo build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.

The National PledgeI pledge to Nigeria my countryTo be faithful, loyal and honestTo serve Nigeria with all my strengthTo defend her unityAnd uphold her honour and glorySo help me God.

HISTORYThe history of Nigeria in the earlier period of 1000 to 1899 is that of kingdoms and empires founded; myths and legends created, all of which tally with the typical moonlight story telling in the traditional African societies.
Since there were no official records kept of events preceding the arrival of the colonial masters, the environment has provided fertile grounds for myth making. The most prevalent feature being the exxageration of the role of one man who is usually invested with heroic stature. For the Hausa people North of the Niger, it was Bayajidda, a middle Eastern Prince who, in a moment of bravery, killed one snake and got a princess as reward. For the kanuri people of what is now the North East of Nigeria, it was one Saif Ibn Dhi Yazan, a legendary Yemeni hero who used his supernatural power to found the Seifawa dynasty in Kanem Bornu. In Yoruba land, it was one Oduduwa.
Ironically, the ancient notion of a heroic founder is not restricted to Africa since it has become universally prevalent. What this boils down to is that most of ancient history approximates to Napoleon Bonaparte's summation of history as not more than a tale told by the winner.
THE HAUSA STATESThe Hausa States which owe their history to the legendary acts of Bayajidda, said to be prince of Baghdad, were, at the beginning of the 11th century, centered around a cluster of towns which later developed as centers of commerce by the mid 15th century. Founding of the states were actually credited to the seven true descendants described as Hausa Bokwoi. The states are Katsina, Kano, Rano, Daura, Biram, Gobir and Zaria. Bayajidda's set of another seven sons regarded as bastard Banza Bokwo founded Zamfara, Kebbi, Yauri, Gwari, Nupe, Kwararafa and Ilorin.
The common features of the Hausa States remain cultural diffusion while Islam was used to reinforce authority in Kano under Mohammed Runfa and Zaria under Queen Amina which dominated Hausaland for much of the late 15th century. Of course there were no uniform structures of government within and among the Hausa States but the common institutions remain: Galadima, Madawaki, Waziri, Magaji, Yari, Sarkin Degari and Sarkin Yan Doke who were Ministers in charge of various departments like Finance, Prison, Police, Army etc.Although the Hausa societies in this period were characterised by specialization in agrarian industry, there was also extensive slave raiding to supply the Sudanese and North African markets.
KANEM BORNU EMPIREThe Kanem empire predates the second millenium since it was established around 800A.D by a Yemeni hero whose Seifawa dynasty came to an end in 1422 when the Kanem empire gave way to the Shehu dynasty of Bornu.
Incidentally, Islam had gained ground in the 11th and 12th century during the Seifawa dynasty. The empire was also a powerful one with a military might of over 40,000 men. The popular rulers of the period were Mai Ali Ghaji and Idris Aloma who actually began the process of Islamization.
BENIN EMPIREThe empire began essentially as an Edo village in the years preceding the commencement of the second millenium. As to its emergence as a city state, the story is credited to Eweka, son of Oranmiyan (Yoruba Prince) who married Ekinwide (Edo Princess) in the year 1253. The fame of Benin, however began in the mid 15th century when Ewuare the Great took over the reins of government through a coup d'etat after two days of fighting for control. He subsequently changed the name of Benin to Edo and reorganized the army. There were of course a number of principalities in Ishan, Owan and Etsako while Iginowa founded Itsekiri Kingdom in 1485.
The earliest contacts with the Europeans were actually in benin when John Affonso d'Averio, a Portugese explorer visited. Early in the 16th century, Esigie continued the expansion of the kingdom by extending to Igbiraland in present day Kogi State after defeating the Attah. He also received Portugese Christian missionaries though he was more interested in their guns than their gospel.
Oba Akenzua who ruled between 1713 and 1735 on his part introduced reforms and encouraged the development of artwork, especially brass.
Benin Kingdom was one of the strongest in the decades preceding colonial conquest perhaps because the organisation had the Oba at the center as a semi divine person who maintained monopoly over commerce while the system of succession was on primogeniture which helped to ensure security of tenure.
OYO EMPIREThe history of the Yoruba people and states are traceable to the legendary Oduduwa whose son, Oranmiyan founded Oyo Empire with Alafin as the titular head of State and second in command to the deity. His powers were however limited by Oyomesi with Basorun as leader.
The Oyo empire was at the zenith of its power in the 19th century but the contradictions in the power structure was to prove its waterloo. With the arrogance of Oyo, there were revolts in Baribaland while the Egbas declared unilateral independence under Lisabi. The Dahomey people were to follow under Gezo.
At this period, Afonja, a frustrated Are Ona Kakanfo, joined forces with Alimi who led the Jihad in Ilorin and thus helped to deal a fatal blow on his fatherland.
Other interesting links on Nigeria are:

About Me

Book of records have it that on Tuesday 26th November in the Mid 1980's that his Mom delivered a Baby Boy at about 3:00 Pm Nigerian time at the Epe General Hospital, Epe Lagos State Nigeria, who was later Named Olatunbosun on the 8th day according to Islamic rites.

Olatunbosun as he is fondly called is presently a Student of Lagos State University Jibowu Campus where he studies Accounting and Finance in his 400 Levels.... Also, he is a Diploma Student of the Prestigious Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). He is full of potentials