JOKE OF THE DAY!

To those who've experienced it before: Slapping to death a mosquito that sucks at your leg -that's SUCCESS! Listening to the rumbling sound of hunger in your stomach -that's MUSIC! Passing through a closed tunnel in search of "light at the end of the tunnel" -that's HOPE! Falling/jumping off a rock cliff to verify "The Call of Wings" -that's FAITH! Crying after a tooth has been pulled off -that's TEARS OF JOY! (After all, "the end justifies the means") Beating a child until they cry in order to correct their misbehaviour -that's LOVE! Praying for 24/7 uninterrupted electricity in Nigeria -that's PRAYING AMISS Confronting armed robbers at night with only a torchlight and a pen -that's COURAGE! (After all, isn't the pen "mightier than the sword"?) Piloting a helicopter the first time you've ever entered one -that's ADVENTURE! Singing the National Anthem each morning you wake up -that's PATRIOTISM! And finally ... after reading this and u no smile/laugh and share it to your friends -Haba na! Are you TELEPATHIC? Go see your doctor! (Everyone knows this is a joke.)

ASUU AGAIN??

ASUU commences nation wide strike today

The Academic Staff Union of Universities ,ASUU, on Monday declared that it has commenced an indefinite nationwide strike.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Monday declared that it has commenced with immediate effect a “comprehensive, total and indefinite” nationwide strike.

The Union National President, Dr Nasir Isa Fagge made the declaration at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after their National Executive Council meeting held at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State on Monday.

Fagge was quoted saying, “We are embarking on indefinite strike nation wide because the Federal Government reneged in the Memorandum of
Understanding MoU signed with ASUU in 2009 to pay lecturers their earn allowance.”

The unionist said that the government had also reneged on the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the union in December 2011.

In his words, “Before now, there has been this issue of the implementation of the key issues contained in the 2009 agreement we entered into with the
Federal Government.

“We have had several meetings and deliberations to let government understand why these issues must be resolved but it is like the more we meet
and deliberate, the messier the issue gets.

“One of the issues that needed to be addressed was basically that of the academic earned allowance. This earned allowance and other issues had dragged on until government then agreed to write an MOU with the union.

“But as we speak, there has been nothing to show that government was committed to an MOU it also willingly wrote to better the university sector. It is in this regard that we are embarking on an indefinite strike.”

He also added that in 2009, the Federal Government made a law to pay each lecturers N12,500 per month as earn allowance which it never did since 2009.

Fagge said that having waited patiently for the government to swing into action to no avail, the NEC of the union decided to meet, deliberate and come up with the action.

Speaking further on the new development, the Chairman of the
University of Lagos chapter of the union, Dr. Karo Oghenekaro, said that the Federal Government entered into the
MOU with ASUU after the union suspended its strike two and a half years ago adding that FG’s penchant for reneging on agreements was not acceptable.

He explained that the government had
made essential laws on some of the burning issues such as the 70 years retirement age of lecturers as well as the pension commission.

According to him, government, however, is not forthcoming with other pressing demands such as the earned allowance.

He noted that the academic earned allowance was expected to take care of excess work load carried out by the lecturers such as examination officers,
deans and supervision of post graduate, masters and other programmes.

He said, “I want to say that not all lecturers are entitled to this allowance, but as we speak, not a single lecturer under the aforementioned categories has received any such allowance.

“What we are demanding as the earned allowance is not more than N12,500 per person, yet government is saying it cannot afford such.

“Government was actually thinking of the cost implication of everything but after much deliberation, government agreed to sign the MoU and said it had set aside N100 billion to take care of all the burning issues.

“However, government came back to us and pleaded for a reduction and we decided to step the cost down to 80 per cent. That not enough, it also appealed for another reduction to 50 per cent.

“This 50 per cent, government said, will be a one off payment. That it was from that 50 per cent that we shall take care of everything, including the earned allowance. This did not go down well with us and so we decided to meet and take the decision we have just taken.”

According to him, the Nigerian tertiary education sector is where it is because of inadequate funding. He said that one of the reasons why there were no foreign scholars in the system was because of the poor wages.

He added, “When we agitate about earned allowance, we are also using it to as a means of attracting foreign scholars so it is not all about our personal interest. We are also using it to address the issue of brain drain in the system.

“As it were, our best brains are all drifting into industries and other sectors that will pay them better, rather than ploughing back into the academic sector. To us, it is all about looking at a bigger picture and putting things in the right place.”

The union leader said that the decision to embark on the strike was painful but that there was no going back until government takes positive steps to address their demands.

This news update is brought to you courtesy of DailyPost Nigeria (www.dailypost.com.ng)

UNN POST UTME UPDATE!

UNN 2013/2014 SCREENING EXERCISE FOR ADMISSIONS

UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR

2013/2014 SCREENING EXERCISE FOR ADMISSIONS

 The University of Nigeria, Nsukka hereby invites candidates who made her either their first or second choice in the 2013 Universities Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and scored 180 or above for screening.

The screening will be conducted at the Nsukka campus of the University as follows:

DAY ONE DATE: Thursday 18th July 2013	DAY  TWO DATE: Friday 19th July 2013
FACULTIES: Morning Session Faculty of Health Sciences & Technology Faculty of Medical Sciences	FACULTIES: Morning Session Faculty of Business Administration Faculty of Education Faculty of Environmental Studies (including all candidates who applied for Surveying & Geoinformatics) Faculty of Law
Afternoon Session                                                                        Faculty of Agriculture Faculty of Biological Sciences Faculty of Dentistry Faculty of Engineering Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Physical Sciences  Faculty of Veterinary Medicine	Afternoon Session Faculty of Arts Faculty of the Social Sciences (including all candidates who applied for Public Admin. & Local Govt.)

 
ONLINE PRE-REGISTRATION

a)       Eligible candidates should pay a processing fee of  Two thousand Naira (N2,000) and obtain a scratch card for online pre-registration at any branch of;

  -        First Bank of Nigeria Plc,

-        Diamond Bank Plc,

-        Union Bank Plc, in the major cities of the Federation, and the

-        University of Nigeria Micro-Finance Banks at Enugu and Nsukka.

b)       Online pre-registration commences on Monday July 01, 2013 and ends on Friday July 12, 2013.  Those who fail to register within this period will not be screened.

With the scratch card, candidates should access and complete the University of Nigeria 2013/2014 Post-UTME screening form online at www.portal.unn.edu.ng.

 Note: First Choice Candidates must not scan any passport photograph on their forms. However, Second Choice candidates should upload their passport photographs on their online application forms.

c)        All candidates are required to bring the following for the screening exercise:

                                                               i.      A copy of ONLINE form duly completed;

                                                             ii.      2013 /2014 JAMB slip;

                                                            iii.      HB Pencil and Eraser.

No GSM handsets, calculators or any other extraneous materials should be brought into the screening halls.

Information on the Venues for the screening will be made available at the campus and on the University of Nigeria website, a day to the screening dates.

BLIND CANDIDATES

Blind candidates should register online, but they are not invited to the screening exercise.

Candidates may also visit the University of Nigeria website, www.unn.edu.ng, for this information.

The details of the Screening Exercise for Direct Entry candidates would be announced later.



     (Sgd.)

A. I. OKONTA, FCAI, FIIA

REGISTRAR

HOW TO WIN SCHOLARSHIPS IN NIGERIA

WOW! Wow!! Wow!!! It’s so great to be a winner; so wonderful and exciting to win a scholarship! Isn’t it? Of course, it is; you then become a “big guy/girl”. I can understand that a lot of students do apply for and sit for scholarships exams very often and yet don’t get to be successful winning any. Well, take heart my dear, it does happen. Personally, I don’t really like the phrase “how to...” it sounds quite “scammalous” to me. I’d prefer the title “winning scholarships...” or doing this or that and not really how to do them. (Well, that’s by the way) In this column, I will be giving you useful tips and hints on how you can win the scholarships you apply for, to study here in Nigeria (and even abroad!). First of all, why do you need this scholarship? A lot of students, whose parents/guardians can comfortably and conveniently pay their fees, are some times the ones who apply for and win these scholarships. Many of them use the money for “flexing things”. I am not in any way against some students applying for them; for wise students, they use the grant for “investments”. Also, winning a scholarship is like a prayer answered for some indigent students for whom these scholarships, I suppose, were originally meant for.        

Now, let us get to work! I will be writing more from an individualistic viewpoint; by God’s grace, I am a scholarship recipient as well –Agbami 2012 Scholarship Award of #100,000 per session. How then did this happen? First of all, you must understand that information rules the world (and truly it does!). I could not have applied if I didn’t know that such a thing existed. Some students make the mistake of waiting for the information only from the radio, newspaper, television, peers, etc. Note this: good things come to those who wait, but better things come to those who work for it! Numerous reputable companies in Nigeria usually make provisions of scholarship awards as part of their social responsibility. Your ability to get updates on time is very necessary. Don’t waste your time! You should rather subscribe to websites –such as Nairacareer, Scholarship Resource, myschoolcomm.com, etc- to receive latest updates and information on these scholarships, based on your requirements, STRAIGHT TO YOUR MAILBOX! This is not a cure-all actually; you still have to keep your ears to the ground (and your eyes on the net and notices). There are some “smart” guys around also who could help you find what you are looking for; it wouldn’t be outlandish to patronize them (at a little pay sometimes). Well, thanks that now such information is quite very accessible by many cause it spreads like WILDFIRE on campus.

When you have got the information you want, it is your duty to provide ALL necessary documents required of you by your host (both originals and photocopies) during the application, and keep them safe. Try to register much earlier before the deadline; I don’t really know why, but just try. By this time, you don’t need anyone to tell you that you must prepare real hard –READ! (i.e. if you are short-listed). What then should you read? Most scholarship exams are usually IQ questions, demanding to know your ability to reason and take decisions within a limited time. As a result, you need to add to your kit books on (especially) GMAT and GRE questions involving Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning/Mathematics, Logical Reasoning, and even ABSTRACT Reasoning! Also, you have to be versatile; try to be current in the affairs of life for questions could as well come from current affairs.

Don’t overwork yourself! You are going for an exam, and so you need to be healthy. Eat good food, rest well the night before the exam, and feel confident and hopeful as you go out to write the exam. Make sure you have all required documents with you, be at the exam centre minutes before the exact time and never be afraid of those supervisors and machines (yes, most scholarship exams are written with computers). Do not also be carried away by the “confused” looks on fellow candidates. Be focused, as well as relate well with others after the exam to get more info regarding the results and updates.  Don’t play around! Skip those questions you consider are wacky and answer the ones familiar to you. If there is still time, go back and try to answer those you skipped. Remember to read the instructions carefully!

Finally, in fact, actually, you should not neglect the God-factor. To be frank with you, I never really prepared hard and yet I won! Grace differs. Commit everything that day in prayers to God (I don’t intend to sound religious, but that’s the truth!)

Now you get going and are on your way to making your dreams come true. Good luck!!!

(Thanks for all the comments in the last edition; by God’s grace, I am PLUS 1 today! Join me celebrate. God bless us all!)

NEWS!!! ENLIGHTENMENT SERIES ANNOUNCES A LITERARY COMPETITION ON THE TOPICS:

1) PERFECTION –CAN I EVER BE PERFECT? 2) THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW –WHEN IS TOMORROW?

RECHARGE CARDS TO BE WON BY THE BEST TWO WRITERS FOR EACH TOPIC; THE BEST WRITEUPS WILL BE POSTED IN SUBSEQUENT EDITIONS

SEND IN YOUR ARTICLES AND CONTACT TO THE CONTACT BELOW:

Watch out for another edition of Enlightenment Series next week Monday. <www.skola93.blogspot.com>

Skola: +2348138404469, skola.chidi@gmail.com.

My father, my Father!

We are so sorry for late posts, please bear with us.

“And Elisha saw it, and he cried, ‘My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof!’” (2 Kings 2:12a)

Hello, good day and welcome to another edition of the Enlightenment Series. How was your weekend? Splendid, I guess! Some of the last week’s comments on the topic HALITOSIS are relayed thus: “Nice” –Iam-switch. “Very informative, keep it up!” –Theodore Uzoamaka. “Informative” –Kachi. “We need more of these” –Jaypee. “A nice write-up; bravo, boy!” –St Melchizedek II. “I enjoy reading your article! Keep it up!” –Osinachi Michael. Thanks a lot; it was very rewarding! Feel free to participate in this periodical by sending in your article.

Today, we have another interesting topic to talk about. The first paragraph above is an excerpt from the Bible story which we know about –the taking of Elijah into Heaven. Now, let’s consider the two characters mentioned. Elijah was a prophet of God whom He used mightily to correct his people the Israelites and bring them back to Him. He, Elijah was able to command fire from Heaven, famine and rain on the land, disgrace the worshippers of Baal, run faster than a chariot, and even divide the Jordan. Such a mighty prophet! Yet, he became insecure and wanted himself dead but was told by God to raise Elijah as successor. Elisha, a rich animal farmer, left all and followed Elijah to be tutored/mentored by him and was able to receive a double portion of Elijah’s anointing. Truly, Elijah was his father.

Who is my father? My father naturally is that man who was involved in the process of my existence and is identified as a parent toward me, performing the functions and responsibilities of a parent toward me. Of course, my father is usually many years older than me. My father could also be that man whom I look up to for direction, advice and mentoring. Now, talking about my natural father, what is my relationship with him like? He’s my father because right from birth, he’s been the fatherly face and voice over me. I stay(ed) in his house; he pays/paid my fees, feeds/fed me, clothes/clothed me and teaches, talks and advices me. I reciprocate by rendering him my unreserved obedience, loyalty, respect and compliance –sometimes even when he’s wrong.

Let’s assume all these happened while I was still nwata n’ulo nna m (a kid in my father’s house). Now, I think I’ve grown and therefore need no longer to reciprocate my father his deserved and desired benefits. Ok, let us say, as a kid perhaps from a Christian home, I was introduced to another Father. I was told He’s the Creator of the whole earth and is worthy to be praised, glorified, respected, obeyed, loved and feared. As I grew, my Father told me that for me to be His child, I’ll have to believe and accept His only begotten Son –Jesus Christ. I accepted the condition and then began to know more and more about my Father; how He loves, protects, provides, preserves, directs and chastises me. I also came to know I should reciprocate by serving and obeying Him and loving my fellowmen –shikina!

Then I also realize that I’m still under the influence of my father –as a son/daughter of the soil- as long as he’s still alive. I recognize some similarities in the ways both fathers relate to me and sometimes some “clashes/conflicts/differences”. Sometimes, my Father tells me to do this, and my father is not in support. My father also instructs me to do that which is sometimes not in tandem with my Father’s will. I’m now left in a dilemma; but my Father tells me that I should obey my father and authority over me (Eph. 6:1-2, Rom. 13:1) and my Father’s word tells me to obey Him rather than men (Acts 4:19).

Of course, if I had remained a sinner, I’d have to battle for an alloyed patriotism to 3 fathers –the 3^rd being the devil, who is in fact more demanding than the other two! Let’s leave him out of the matter now. Now, I ask, “Can I claim to have a perfect/good/right relationship with my Father when I don’t with my own natural father? Is it possible to say I’m completely happy or fulfilled when both fathers always “clamour” for my 100% allegiance, inasmuch as my father was also created by my Father? Is it proper to make my Father glad in me but become a sorrow to my father? Which of them should be given primary priority when making/taking very important decisions of my life? Don’t I have a right to follow my own will? ” I need your answers please! My father here could also mean my people, origin, identity group.

N.B: This write up is not the personal state of the author, but is written especially for those who are in like condition to find the way forward. For example, non-Christians converting to Christianity, or a catholic converting to another denomination, or a (prospective) missionary/business person without parental support, or an issue in choice of career, marriage, etc. Please comment wisely (Christians especially).

My view: Ask your Father to direct you to the right mentors that will help guide you accordingly –someone like you needs right, godly mentoring. I do not also think that your father will be in contrast with your Father if he is also your Father’s son, because he is used by your Father, alongside other mentors, to shape you up to be the best you should/ought to be. Nevertheless, it has to be your Father first before your father, inasmuch as you have a right/will, and also a duty of making your father glad and be his worthy successor, for if not for him, you would not be existing or be where you are now (no matter your current status) –think about all those investments he has made in your life all these years. God bless us all!

Watch out for “How to win scholarships in Nigeria” next week Monday. <www.skola93.blogspot.com>

Skola: +2348138404469, skola.chidi@gmail.com.

HALITOSIS

Definition: Halitosis, also known as bad breath, is a condition which occurs when noticeably unpleasant odours are exhaled in breathing. The bad smell is usually caused by chemical molecules containing sulphur which are produced when bacteria that live in the mouth breakdown protein in the diet. According to Wikipedia, the intensity of the bad breath differs during the day and is usually worse upon awakening (i.e. “morning breath”) because the mouth is exposed to less oxygen and is inactive during the night.

Bad breath, as we know, is something quite detestable among many people and could cause certain social repercussions. It is quite annoying, limits communication and favourable association/relationship amongst individuals, friends, associates, relatives, and even between spouses and strangers; a majority of the population are usually affected by this condition at one time or the other.

The information contained here seeks to render the issue as a social condition with medical reference and would not in any way act as a substitute for the medical advice of your own health care professional. (I am not a health care professional –I be Engineering student o- but feel this researched information would be needful. Oko Emmanuel, in our last edition says, “Man originated from the grave”; thanks to others who made their comments as well.) A lot of us dislike being accused of having bad breath, no matter how sincere the person might be, and yet many of us prove incapable of pinpointing to those who have it to their faces that they do. Why then is this so? According to Sam, a student, “If it’s my friend, I’ll tell them right away; if a stranger, hmm... I’ll just maintain!” Another, a career-person has this to say: “In fact, it’s not user-friendly!” Having looked at this as a social condition affecting a lot of us, it would be appropriate that we seek ways to ameliorate the condition of our mouths.

Causes: A lot of factors are considered causes of halitosis. Some of these are listed below:

1)                  Systemic diseases –such as kidney failure, lung infections, diabetes mellitus, carcinoma, renal infections, etc., can be at the root of (chronic) halitosis. However, these are extremely infrequent in the general population, and individuals afflicted by such often show additional symptoms than bad breath.

2)                  Tooth decay and gum disease –waste products from the anaerobic bacteria growing below the gum line have a foul smell and have been clinically shown to produce a very intense bad breath.

3)                  Smoking –this is one of the most common causes of bad breath, especially because it can lead to gum disease.

4)                  Mouth –there are over 600 types of bacteria found in the average mouth, many of which produce high levels of foul odours mainly due to the breakdown of proteins into individual amino acids. Dry mouth can be caused by general illness, medicines and simply not drinking enough fluid.

5)                  Tongue –this accounts for 80-90% of all cases of mouth-related bad breath. Large quantities of naturally-occurring bacteria are often found on the posterior dorsum of the tongue, where they are relatively undisturbed by normal activity. This part of the tongue is relatively dry and poorly cleansed, and provides an ideal habitat for anaerobic bacteria.

6)                  Nose –in this case, the air exiting the nostrils has a pungent odour that differs from the oral odour. This may be due to sinus infection or foreign bodies in the nostrils.

7)                  Food –garlic, strong spices and herbs, usually are the favourite culprits; including some other foods.

8)                  Esophagus –this is usually due to ageing food retained in the esophagus. Improper closure of the esophagus allows air to enter it from the stomach and gases escape to the mouth.

9)                  Stomach –this, according to most researchers, is a very uncommon source of bad breath, except in belching.

Diagnosis: How do I know that I have bad breath?

 1)  Self diagnosis –smelling one’s breath, or asking a close family member/friend (confidant) to help. One popular home method is to lick the back of the wrist, let the saliva dry for about 1 minute and smell the result. Another, scrape the posterior back of the tongue with a plastic disposable spoon and smell the resulting residue.

 2) Professional diagnosis –laboratory tests used in dental offices such as Halimeter, Gas chromatography, BANA test, β-galactotestsidase, etc., can be used to carry out professional diagnoses of halitosis.    

Management and treatment: As a rule, effective treatment is not always easy to find for chronic halitosis. However, something can still be done as measures to manage it:

1) Maintaining proper oral hygiene –this is in fact the best approach to this condition. Activities including daily brushing, and gentle cleaning (not scrubbing) of the tongue surface (twice daily), flossing, and periodic visits to dentists and hygienists, should be maintained.

2) Gargling with an effective mouthwash –especially right before bedtime. Mouthwashes may contain active ingredients that are inactivated by the soap present in most toothpaste. Thus it is recommended to refrain from using mouthwash directly after tooth brushing with paste. Mouthwashes often contain antibacterial agents including cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine (which can cause temporary staining of the teeth), zinc gluconate, essential oils, and chlorine dioxide. A new approach for home treatment of bad breath is the use of oil-containing mouthwashes and two-phase/component (oil: water) mouthwashes. Essential oils have been found effective in reducing halitosis, and are being used in several commercial mouthwashes.

3) Eating a healthy breakfast –especially with rough foods which help clean the very back of the tongue.

4) Chewing gum –chewing sugarless gum can help with the production of saliva and thereby help reduce bad breath; since dry mouth can increase the buildup of bacteria leading to bad breath. This helps in cleansing the mouth and washing away oral bacteria. Chewing may also help after eating certain meals, especially those rich in proteins.

5) Of course, smoking should, if possible, be quit, since it is one of the most causes of bad breath.

Delusional halitosis (Halitophobia): This is a condition in which one worries or fears about bad breath –fear/worry of having bad breath. This tends to affect young men and could be linked to depression, diffidence, etc.

Finally, bad breath is something we all worry about. It would be nicer if there were pleasant odours everywhere out there, for a healthy society is also a wealthy society.

Expect another exceptional write-up same day, next week on the topic: My father, my Father!                                                         Watch out! <www.skola93.blogspot.com>

Skola: +2348138404469, skola.chidi@gmail.com.

THE ANIMAL CALLED MAN (2)

Hullo once again, friend and good day. It’s another Monday today as we continue in our quest of finding the way forward. Last week, we had a little exposition on the topic as we discussed some of the characteristics of Man and his origin. I also appreciate the comments made by some of our readers: Essien, Consider, Anonymous, etc. –it was really rewarding. So we continue; I still hold to the view that man was not originally created as, or to be, an animal. Yes, we are not animals! However, let us hear what others have said so far.   

Olusegun Obasanjo (1998), in his book “This Animal Called Man”, attempts to examine Man’s existence on earth and the purpose and ways to achieving that purpose in this world and in the next world to come. Having man as his focus, he says that man can best be understood through the appreciation of God. According to him, “the universe is of unfathomably great immensity, seemingly great in confusion, held together and controlled by God of infinite power, intellect and majesty”. Obasanjo asserts that the purpose of Man on earth is “to live to the glory of God”, but unfortunately, Man has turned out to be a disappointment to his Maker. He also argues that it is through faith that Man conquers his “lower animalistic nature and instinct”. (Cited by Uzor Maxim Uzoatu;www.cnenigeria.com/als/october1999.htm)

Pico della Mirandol, a philosopher of the Renaissance, in his Oration on the Dignity of Man says that “when man philosophizes, he ascends the chain of being towards the angels, and communion with God; and when he fails to exercise his intellect, he vegetates (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oration_on_the_Dignity_of_Man). The root of this dignity lay in his assertion that only human beings could change themselves through their own free will <Emphasis mine>; this therefore implies that Man tends to lose his dignity when he fails to exercise his intellect, which is one faculty of the soul (nothing more, nothing less!). This “exercise” of course should always be geared towards positivity, possibility, productivity/usefulness, and not negativity, wickedness or evil. When Man fails to exercise his intellect, he therefore is tagged a/an (real) animal, a fool, an idiot, and stupid, useless, mad, worthless!

But I ask; is his failure to exercise his intellectual powers enough reason to make Man lose or deny him his dignity? Perhaps, the founders of UNN who sought “to restore the dignity of man” would help us answer this. Is the toilet cleaner in our hostels not worthy of this same dignity just as we who are “learned” are? Are the barrow-pushers, bricklayers, beggars and hawkers, (local) cobblers, tailors, carpenters, farmers, traders, security personnel, and the poor, including their children, not also worthy of having this same dignity which we who are “better off” have? Please note that I am not trying to condone poverty or laziness. This is because, “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.” (Prov. 6:10-11, 24:33-34, KJV). Actually, the statement by George Orwell is right, that “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” (as a result of social stratification).

What then have we been saying all this while? Let us rethink on our attitude towards the different human beings we meet on daily basis, irrespective/regardless of their facial disposition, class, physique and/ or background, inasmuch as they consist of different characters, temperaments and personalities. (We need “tactics” to handle each of them differently) This is because another thing I have learnt about this life is that the people whom we think matter now, may not matter in the future and the people whom we think do not matter now, may matter in the nearest future. You want some respect and affection right?? Why don’t you give same to others? (Didn’t they say that respect is reciprocal?) Lucky Dube, in one of his tracks says, “Be good to the people on your way up the ladder cause you’ll need them on your way down”. This is because they are beings who can Move, Respire; who get Nutrition from food; who feel Irritation and have emotions; who must Grow; who of course Excrete; who can Reproduce, and who of course will Die one day. If you do not have a reason to respect the dignity of the animal called Man, then do so based on the reasons stated above. Note also that you can only be complete (restore your dignity) in Christ, if you accept and walk with Him. (No apologies for sounding thus!)

Finally, in conclusion (tautology intentional), I believe this article has in one way or the other provided another stepping stone to the way forward. To add more stepping stones, kindly send your write-ups to the contact below. We must find the way forward!

This topic is actually a very broad one and cannot (categorically) be fully exhausted in these few pages. You may wish to enlarge it. Expect another exceptional write-up same day, next week on the topic: HALITOSIS                                                         Watch out! <www.skola93.blogspot.com>

Skola: +2348138404469, skola.chidi@gmail.com.

THE ANIMAL CALLED MAN

Hello once again! It is another Monday; a beautiful day which God has made, if and only if you do take out time to behold the wonders and beauty of each day and stop bemoaning it. Today, we continue the Enlightenment Series with the lovely topic above. (Don’t forget to send yours via the administrator; thanks to the comments made last week by Consider and others. Remember, we only seek to find the way forward.) Yes, “The Animal Called Man”! You might ask, “What’s this guy trying to say?” or “Are you trying to insult or degrade mankind?” Well, perhaps you will answer the questions at the end of this edition. (Note that I will be writing primarily from an individualistic perspective. “Man” is used in a generic sense here.)

I remember my Biology textbook in secondary school saying that there are two kinds of “things” in the world; viz. living and non-living things. It further went ahead to sub-divide living things into plants and animals. From this, you can see that it is either you are a plant, or an animal. (I believe plants do not read!) However, the same textbook went further to sub-group animals into other bla and bla which you should know; Man is not the only mammal that was mentioned by the textbook. But, in order to “avoid” the “animality” of Man, we choose to call ourselves “higher animals”. I totally agree to this though, because I do not see myself in the same level/class with the goat, fowl, monkey, chimpanzee and even the lion or the eagle. This is because “God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. And God... said to them, ‘... rule... over every living creature that moves on the ground’” (Gen. 1:27&28, NIV). I then begin to wonder why some people say that life evolved from the water and that Man is the latest form of this evolution which has occurred some millions of years ago after the “Big Bang”. I would like to ask them why man has not evolved into another “being” after many such years of their existence. Let them please answer!

What then is an animal? Encarta dictionary says an animal is a living organism that is distinguished from plants by independent movement and responsive sense organs.

What then makes Man an animal? The acronym MR NIGER D helps us out. Man is often denoted as a:

·        Social animal – This is because Man thrives well in the company of fellow men. Someone once said that the man who naturally resigns to himself away from the others is often times said to be either a beast or a god. From birth, Man learns to depend on his mother’s milk and love, father’s protection and support and siblings’ company for survival. He also learns to interact with a vast majority of fellow humans and other animals as he grows up, and needs also their approval and admiration. Even the prisoners, monks and nuns interact amongst themselves and so, there is no exception to the sociality of the animal called Man.

·        Political animal – This is because as he grows and thrives on his interdependence on others, he desires to control, organize and dominate them. As such, he sets out to seek for power over them via many means; sets up governments, formulates laws and enforces them, all in order to rule, be respected and even feared. Some people lay hold to the claim that they are “born to rule”; but I ask, who then is “born to be ruled”??

·        Rational animal – This is because as he traverses his ecological location, he observes a lot of things which lead him to wonder, ponder and go yonder to conquer. Man is a being of value who is ontologically not interested in wasting his time and life. These values influence his choices and preferences in life, and thus decide his behaviour. Man thinks and philosophizes on the issues of life.

·        Religious being – This is because he believes there is a Supreme Being who is responsible for his existence and that of other things which he sees, and who in one way or the other controls the world and everything in it. Thus he seeks to acknowledge, respect/ worship and approach this Divine Being higher than him, using various means and depends on Him for protection, provision, fulfillment and support. As a result, there are motley of religions all over the world, who in one way or the other seek dominance over the others.

·        Selfish being – This is because he is not more interested in others than he is in himself; he is naturally egocentric, proud and ambitious; if not for true, real Love (of God).

·        Creative being – Oh how I adore the creative powers of the human mind! Who has ever thought of building a “tower of Babel”? Or of constructing the pyramids of Egypt or the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Or of flying without wings or swimming without fins? Or of the internet or of even going to the moon?! Or of writing or reading? Or of singing and making sweet, melodious tunes? Who, if not the powerful, creative animal called Man? Never underrate or underestimate the great, powerful abilities of the human being!

Oops! We are sorry we will not go any further, because we promised that each publication would not exceed two pages. However, this great topic continues next week. Do keep in touch. <www.skola93.blogspot.com>

Skola: +2348138404469, skola.chidi@gmail.com.

GLOBALIZATION AND US

Western norms and practices are gradually being transported across the globe as the acceptable way of behaviour. If the central idea of globalization is interaction and integration, then globalization as a concept is not new to Africa and the world in general. Africa's interaction with the rest of the world dates back to the 15th century during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, European colonialism, and post colonialism/independence to this present age, which all happened without regard to ethnic, cultural, linguistic and other considerations. On a balance of probability, there is the temptation to conclude that the consequences of globalization on Africa have rather been negative (Yeboah Kwame, 2011).

Good day, welcome once again to another edition of the “Enlightenment Series”. Big thanks to those who commented on the last edition: Jaypee, Okor John, etc. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but please do not misunderstand us; we only seek to find the “way forward”! This is a broad topic and you may wish to expand it.

Definition of Globalization:  It is an international socio-politico-economic and cultural permeation process facilitated by policies of governments, private corporations, international agencies and civil society organizations, essentially seeking to enhance and deploy economic, political, technological, ideological and military power and influence for competitive domination in the world. (Yeboah Kwame, 2011).

Africa is made up of over fifty nations with an estimated 1000 different languages spoken and as many distinct ethnic groups. Africa is endowed with immense natural and human resources, as well as great cultural, ecological and economic diversity. Africa is the world's RICHEST continent, in terms of natural resources. Yet, in spite of these impressive facts on Africa, most non-Africans have referred to it as the "Dark Continent", which in the past was a reflection of their ignorance of Africa's immense potential. And they continue to inflict psychological injury on us by reporting motley cases of endemic government corruption, chronic human rights abuse, hunger, poverty, civil wars, HIV-AIDS, on their daily news headlines!

Now, in view of globalization which, in as much as we know, has brought grave negative effects on our culture and tradition, it is worthwhile if we also acknowledge its positive effects on us. Globalization opens people's lives to other cultures, and information and communication technologies have eased interaction among countries and peoples. Most inhuman cultural practices (e.g.: female genital mutilation), myths and taboos have been totally relinquished, majorly because most of them have outlived their usefulness due to urbanization and the trend of modern development. I also think that other such under-developing tendencies should likewise be thrown overboard; the times have truly changed!

Nevertheless, it is disheartening to note the rate at which we willingly jettison our traditional values, norms and customs, to accept the Western way of life and “articles of imperialism” –technology, language, dressing, etc, hook, line and sinker. In Nigeria today, where "vernacular" is forbidden in "formal" settings; where citizens flaunt their foreign possessions (phones, laptops, clothes, vehicles, etc) with gross arrogance and impudence; where parents cocoon their children from the "evils" of the villages –thereby alienating them from their roots-, and so on and so forth, the effects of globalization seem to be too dire.

Recall that the Europeans brought Christianity to us (one of the positive effects of colonialism); but now how ironical that we are the ones now "sending it back” to the Western world –excessive materialism, immorality, indecency, atheism (induced probably by scientific, technological and economic advancement), etc, are now on the rampage over there.

In conclusion, it is high time we Africans stopped being at the receiving end of almost everything on the globe. It is now our time to GIVE. This is because national pride is essential in nation building. The salient questions then would be “Do we actually have a national pride?” “What do we have to offer?” What can we say about those “local” manufacturers whom we don’t patronize and still advocate for “Pan-Nigerianism”? (Every one of us is guilty of this, including me) “Because they are sub-standard!” one would retort. And what makes them “sub-standard”? Because they have set the standard for us! (Even though some of those guys are after “quick cash” anyway) I remember my GSP207 seminar lecturer who says that no culture is better than the other; that development is relative. Nevertheless, I will not rule out the fact that some Africans have a problem –the brain drain. We are more after the “stomach” (i.e. comfort, pleasure) than the brain, and this has made us what we are presently. If we agree then that the African problem is the brain drain then the effective solution would be to make good use of those brains; kudos to all those Africans who are doing us proud all over the globe. Therefore, brethren, THINK and ACT and let us show the world that truly there is TREASURE without measure right here in Africa! God bless us all.

(Next week, we shall be discussing “The Animal Called Man”. Watch out! <www.skola93.blogspot.com>)

 Skola: +2348138404469, skola.chidi@gmail.com. 

HAPPY EASTER!

EASTER: FACTS, SIGNIFICANCE AND LESSONS

Well, well, well! Easter has come and gone, isn’t it? It isn’t! (This post is quite belated since there was no post last week because it was a holiday; so we continue.) Last week, Christians (and non-Christians even) all over the globe joined in the Easter celebration to celebrate the risen Christ, whose death and resurrection about 2000 years ago has brought inexplicable joy and meaning to the human race.

Wikipedia reveals that Easter is a Christian festival and holiday and is the culmination of the Passion of Christ (which as we know was the sufferings and pains the Christ himself went through) preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and penance, and which begins on Ash Wednesday. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week (as specifically recorded from Mark 11-15), beginning with Palm Sunday, including the Maundy Thursday (Last Supper) and Good Friday. The First Council of Nicaea (325AD) established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon (Paschal full moon), which follows the March equinox; as such, Easter is a moveable feast. Using the Gregorian calendar, Easter always falls on a Sunday between 22 March and 25 April, inclusively. Next Easter holds on 20^th April of the Gregorian calendar. Christians of Jewish origin were the first to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which they likely did so as a new facet of the Passover festival since the resurrection date was close to the timing of Passover.

I remember when I was younger, as an enthusiastic Anglican, when we used to go to church in the evenings of the Holy Week and Bible passages containing Jesus’ activities on those days were read. On Palm Sunday, we waved our palm fronds with eclectic expressions, and happiness. On Maundy Thursday, Holy Communion was eaten, and on Good Friday, a 3-hour service beginning at 9 A.M was held to mark Jesus’ 3 hours stay on the cross. As usual on Easter Sunday, enough rice and chicken was eaten, friends and family in the village visited and then “normal” activities resume after that –without really understanding the reasons why a man was crucified many years ago.

John Piper, in his book, The Passion of Jesus Christ gives 50 reasons why Jesus Christ came to die. (This article is written for all: Christian believers, disciples and non- alike, with the aim of calling back to our notice certain things) A few of them are relayed here. He suffered and died: (1) To absorb the wrath of God (Rom.1:18) –God is actually angry when men sin and is ever ready to punish sin, rather the reason for the season accepted to do what He did in order to save us sinners (Rom.3:23) from destruction (Rom.6:23). (2) To show the wealth of God’s love and grace for sinners (Jn.3:16, Rom.5:8). (3) To cancel the legal demands of the law against us (Rom.8:2, Col.2:13). (4) To abolish circumcision and all rituals as the basis of salvation (Gal.6:12). (5) To obtain for us all things that are good for us (Rom.8:32). (6) To free us from the futility of our ancestry (1 Pet.1:18-19). (7) To enable us to live for Him and not ourselves (2 Cor.5:15). (8) To create a people passionate for good works (Tit.2:14).

The message of Easter is the message of the Cross –shame, pain, suffering, sober reflection, sacrifice and love. But what do we see these days? Some of us Christians now reject the old rugged cross and rather, desire a brand new light one! (I wonder whether Christianity was originally meant for frivolity) Note that true Christianity is radically different from Western culture (language is an element of culture) and sadly, may not be found in many churches today (John Piper, 2004). Some preacher once said that the greatest moment of (church) service is when the congregation leaves the (church) door to become the church outside. But what then do we do? We go to church on Sundays and attend fellowships every other day, yet still remain our very “normal” selves. Time has come when we no longer become beings tele-guided/programmed by religious activities and festivities (I never said they are not relevant). It is time to reflect on the personality we are celebrating –Jesus Christ.

Imagine leaving your throne/riches in heaven to live as a poor, wretched fellow –that’s sacrifice! Imagine being mocked by the people you care about and spat upon by a dirty, smelly Pharisee –that’s shame! Imagine being betrayed by your best friend, being whipped 39 strokes of horse whip, being clipped by long nails on your hands and feet for 3 hours on a cross, wearing a crown of thorns, and being disowned by your own father –that’s pain! Imagine carrying your own (heavy) death bed, dragged over 650 metres of rugged, sloping land on an empty stomach by military men, and being given vinegar for water –that’s suffering! And finally, imagine accepting to die for someone else who is not related to you by blood/affiliation –that’s love! (Reflect on www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/barbet.html) Yet, we go on refusing to partake of his sufferings, shame, love and pain. Remember what St. Paul wrote in Phil. 3:10-11: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  

Well, nevertheless, one man has died that others might live, and this is the joy of Easter –revival, restoration, resuscitation and renewal. Imagine the kind of power that resurrected Jesus Christ on 30 A.D and claim it to revive, restore, resuscitate and renew your lost, dead, faint, weak, forgotten potentials and possessions; I don’t know what you are still waiting for, unbeliever/backslider/confused to surrender your will and soul to Him. May God’s grace, peace and love be upon us all. God bless!

Skola: +2348138404469, skola.chidi@gmail.com.

(Next week, we shall be looking at “Globalization and Us”. Watch out! <www.skola93.blogspot.com>)