Thursday, November 26, 2009

THE MYLES MUNROE INTERVIEW


Myles Munroe is certainly a man that loves Nigeria with a passion. Widely trravelled and respected globally, Munroe has visited the country many times to inspire and motivate Nigerians with sound teachings based on biblical and basic success principles. Here is an interview with him, although brief, I hope it inspires you to make a positive difference wherever you are. No wonder, the great Mahatma Gandhi said, let us be the change that we seek in the world.  Stay focused and Inspired!
Q: What would be your first advice to President Umaru Yar Adua if you were to see him, as an expert on leadership matters?
Munroe: My first advice to the leader of any country is to define his value of people. How important are the people to him because his value of the people determines how he treats them
Q: We have so many churches in the country, and you talked about God not being a God of religion. What exactly seem to be the problem that despite the number of churches, things have not changed much in the country. Is it a problem of the religious leaders not being able to pass the message, or that of orientation of the people, or hypocrisy?
Munroe: It’s probably a little bit of all of those. There is no way to define it, because it’s complex.
Q: So, how can we reduce or bridge the gap between the 1st world and the 3rd world countries?
Munroe: For us to believe that we don’t need the 1st world countries to become successful, that the secret of our success is in our own countries.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Super Eagles, What Next?


Finally, after many months of football attrition, all the thirty two teams for South 2010 FIFA World Cup are known. There were many unforgettable moments. How Egypt succumbed to their North African neighbours, Algeria, in a classic Arab football war in Sudan. How Guus Hiddink couldn’t save his Russian team from elimination by Slovenia. How Andriy Shevchencko, one of the world’s finest players ever, was reduced to tears after Ukraine lost out to a steely defensive Greece. How Thierry Henry’s ‘hand of God’ assist would continue to haunt the Irish for years to come. But despite the controversies and high moments, for countries such as Egypt, Russia, Ukraine, the 2010 world cup dream is over.

For Nigeria and the Super Eagles players, the dream has just begun.

After snatching qualification from the jaws of elimination, the Super Eagles left their great escape for the dying moments of their final match against Kenya. If Tunisia had won against Mozambique, it wouldn’t have mattered. But thank goodness, the ‘Black Mambas’ did Nigerians everywhere a huge favour.

Far away from the country then, I didn’t get to watch the Nigeria-Kenya match. I was at Brandenburg Gate when the call came in and excitedly informed me about Nigeria’s qualification. “We have qualified for the world cup,”. Great! I relayed the message to my friend as well. “Really, wow, that’s great,” he said. The Super Eagles qualification was a huge relief for many Nigerian football fans. (Let’s not even talk about the Golden Eaglets).

Expectedly, the talk of hiring a foreign technical adviser for the Super Eagles has resurfaced. As usual, heavyweight names such as Guus Hiddink and Jurgen Klinsmann have been bandied about as probables. Hmmn. Maybe they should give Shaibu Amodu a chance this time. Or what do you think?

Anyways, for managing to qualify for South Africa 2010 World Cup, Nigeria, we hail thee. What happens next would also count.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

NAIJA CONTRI PIPO

Money dey yab the common man.
Sometime
E dey bi like pepper for yansh
Gari don cost
She na sansa
Na im poor man go chop?

Gofment say dem wan Deregulate
Shay dem want make the masses Precipitate?
Relocate and parambulate?

Naija pikin wey sabi oyinbo
Go talk say
Di masses are shuffering,
but di tori for di matter be say
no be we all dey go for mass
for insai church
abi, na efiribodi be catholic?

those days, Dem say uncle Sege get church
For insai di Aso villa,
She hin don become pastor now?
Abeg, make our SINators
And house of representakeTIFs
Helep mi ask am
Make hin do beta prayer
For dis we contri too o!

Cos, e bi lai say our sins
For dis obodo naija
Don too plenty
Maybe dat is why we de suffer
Gofment suppose import agric bees
Come dis contri
So dat e go dey flow
Wit milk and honey.
We kuku ma get cow boku
For we north sef,
Abi dem don start to import am too?

Na only shit I no say
Wi pipo no dey import
Our contri is full of shit, man!
Which way, Nigeria?
I remember say Sonny sing dat wan
But, she hin no know say
All of we road do spoil finish?
Make we kuku use ahroplane, abi?

But, na efiri day our gofment pipo
Dey mess (for) up!
Na how we go come do am now?
Abeg, me ah don tire for dis Naija sef!

© Arukaino Umukoro

Monday, November 2, 2009

CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FATHER (4)

Father had told me years ago when I was about to enter the university that I should be driven by my convictions and not my fears.

“….How many times did I call you,” father asked after I finished packing my travelling bags for the day’s journey, with the help of mum, of course.

“Three times, father,” I answered, counting. He sat on the chair in my room. When father sits down in that position, it is the signal that you are in for a long talk. Oh, not again, mum just finished having one with me.

“Remember where you come from,” father started

“Yes, father,”

“Remember that honesty is always the best policy and the patient dog eats the fattest bone,”

“Yes father…but not in this Naija anymore,” I could dare interrupt father when he wants to show he’s proud of me, I think. Passing JAMB is a big deal nowadays, you know.

“Oh, I see. So, what is the new policy for your generation now,” father asked amusedly.

“Your bank account is the best policy and the smartest dog eats the fattest bone. Ask our politicians,” I said, grinning.

Father smiled. “So, you want to be a crooked politician in your crooked student union government?” he asked.

“C’mon father. You know I hate politics,”

“So, why the reference?”

“Sorry, just stating the obvious,” I said apologetically. But, father should know the trends of events in this country nowadays. Our politicians don’t steal in millions anymore, they steal in billions and stash ill-gotten wealth for themselves and fifteen generations after them.

“Son, let’s be clear on this. I have tried my best to bring you up on the right principles and guide you in the right path. I would be highly disappointed in you if you change your in-bred high standards overnight in university. That’s the reason for this discussion,” father said as a matter of fact.

“Yes, I understand father,”

“Remember that no matter how far lie goes, truth would always catch up with it one day,”

“Yes, father,”

“I want you to always be truthful to God and yourself,”

“Yes, father,”

“Your integrity is priceless. There is no asking price,”

“Yes, father,”

“Hold fast to God and the right principles I have taught you over the years,”

“Yes, father,”

Father went on to talk about the consequences of cultism, rising above negative peer pressure, , keeping company with the right kind of friends, knowing who my real friends are, dating and relationships vis-à-vis concentrating on my studies, striving for excellence in all of my endeavours ….” Well, it lasted for an hour.

“Choose your friends wisely,” he continued. I remember him quoting these same lines to me when I turned ten. Father, in his fatherly self, had discussed some of these topics with me when I was much younger. But one of his golden principles is that learning is a continuous process. And as a student matures, the issues also mature. So, the teacher has to devise new and innovative methods of re-introducing the subjects to the student.

“That is why you still learn the fundamentals of BODMAS in your junior secondary school modified as equations and algebra,’ father had said then. The largest room in the world is the room for improvement, he always said. When you hear a thing twice or more, it becomes part of your psyche.

And Father knew many innovative ways on reinforcing timeless truths and principles to us, his (students) children. Every lesson with father, no matter how many times you have heard them, is always a new experience. Frankly speaking, although at times, it could drag endlessly, but father was a master at giving pep talks.

“I want you to know that we all love you very much and know that you would certainly do us proud wherever you are,” father continued.

“Yes, father,” Now he wants to make me cry.

“I believe in you….,”

I hugged him then. “Don’t worry father. I know. And I would never let you down. I promise.”

© ARUKAINO UMUKORO