Nigeria May Never Have Another ‘2015’

When Naomi Lucas (a lady I greatly respect and admire) writes, everyone reads! Her new piece combines what I choose to call ‘spiritualism’, logic, patriotism and hope. All in all, it is a call to action.

Here’s what Naomi wrote:

I have been accused in the last couple of weeks of ‘keeping quiet’ about Nigeria’s political terrain. But I am not one to speak if I’m not sure what to say. Now I do and I urge you to listen. Please.

Nigeria has caused me a lot of constipation and sleepless nights. I have been analyzing the landscape and the build up to the presidential elections and asking myself everytime – what does this all mean? What lesson do we need to learn so we can move from here? How do we move from here? While doing all this thinking, my attention was drawn to the significant numbers at play:

Nigeria was amalgamated – 1914
As a collective we have existed for 100 years – 2014
Elections are scheduled for – Feb, 14

As a person, I am very conscious of seasons. Like Almustapha describes it – the undulating nature of life. I try to think in periods not actual dates, so I ask, what is it about the numbers 14 and 100? So that I do not bore you, you can take your time to study the significance of both numbers but people, we are not alive today by mistake. 10 is a perfect number, add 0 and you have 100. It signifies completeness. 7 is the number of perfection, multiply it twice and you have 14.

I think Nigeria is at a major crossroad. For 100 years it has flourished and floundered, grown and made mistakes and that cycle was completed last year. 2015 represents a new beginning, a decent opportunity to start again and well, and you, reading this, are a catalyst for the next 100 years. The decisions you will make in February will affect 170 million people and at least 3 generations unborn. I spoke with a sage who told me, Naomi, if we don’t get it right this time, the opportunity will not present itself for a long while. I think that long while is another 100 years.

I have read with dismay the retarded thinking and sentiments displayed on my timeline by some and I worry that our sentimental and shortsighted approach to working through issues may be our very undoing, if we don’t do what is required.

The 30 Day Challenge will do just that – Challenge. Together, we will test assumptions and strongly held beliefs and dispassionately think through the issues as it relates to Nigeria. Today is January 14th, we decide Nigeria’s future in exactly 30 days.

Every morning, I will share a post with a clear call to action, all I ask is that you open up your mind to learn, to consider differing points of view, to ask the hard questions and arrive at the answers all by yourself.

If you will like to take the challenge, please like this post below or drop a comment. And please tag friends you believe should take it, especially those who don’t share your point of view.

Day 30: Today, Stop. Talking. Let your mind wander. Stay off social media. Think about love, life, the future and happiness. Be quiet and let your mind rest. You will need it in the coming days.

To be a part of this train, head to naomilucas.blogspot.com

Relationship Palavis: What Did God Say Now?

Across every sphere of life, the name of God is constantly used to support a cause, add validity to a statement or blatantly refute a claim. Politicians, clerics, business managers find it convenient to use the name of God frequently. You can’t blame them; God never slaps anyone directly for lying.

Within the Christian circle, the spiritually or scripturally versatile uses God’s name to exploit their naïve brethren. When a romantic relationship is involved, it is not strange to find out that only one person is actually ‘hearing from God’, while the other is busy enjoying the relationship.

Of course there’s nothing wrong with hearing from God if you are actually hearing correctly, but the thoughts of exploiting the other person is cruel. A romantic relationship turns to a cathedral communion, basic telephone discussion are conducted like regular church services, choking any chances of romantic connections. But this, isn’t even my primary grouse.

Hitherto, I have written an article similar to this “God told me”, addressing the issues surrounding deception and lies made in the name of God. Recently, I was personally compelled to take a microscopic look at an element of this evolving charade – Trust.

I spoke with a friend recently who shared a heart-troubling experience (I got her express permission before writing this) of her relationship with a young man she loved. He was convinced in his heart that she was God’s will for him. His words were salted with scriptures smoother than Apostle Paul. His confession of love to her would never be complete if he didn’t introduce God to the conversation. She is a Christian too, one I know and trust as a friend. Of course she did pray about it, and she had peace in her heart. As far as she was concerned, that was enough.

Though long-distanced, the relationship was smooth. At an instance Mr Pious as I have chosen to call him asked God for a sign to confirm that she was his ‘missing rib’, and he got his confirmation. Naturally and expectedly my friend fell in love with him even more. It wasn’t so much that she was naïve, rather she had peace about it and he appeared like someone who loved God. He was super caring, calling daily, promptly and consistently. She had no reasons to doubt him.

Alas, barely six months into the relationship he decided to call it off, on her special day. What an awful birthday surprise! To say her day was literarily ruined would be an understatement. They never had an issue before that morning; it was just his birthday present to her. He just wasn’t sure anymore, that was his reason.

Am I in a position to judge his actions? No! Certainly there are other variables I am not aware of. But what do we make of all that God had told him months ago. Did God suddenly change His mind? Why on her birthday? Why did he lead her on if he wasn’t deeply convinced? How do you think she’d deal with trust issues in her future relationship(s)? If there was an issue couldn’t they have first spoken about it? How does love turn cold overnight? Would she not assume that all men that come in the name of God can’t be trusted? Would God approve of Mr pious’ decision?

My thoughts on these are simple; don’t profess to love someone when you aren’t responsible enough to handle it. Never stir up love in the name of God only to trash it in the future. Clearly, you cannot trust anyone just because they have said “God said”, for all that matters, let God speak to you too. Love is beautiful, especially when it is genuine.

My controversial conclusion has always been; let him\her love you first as a person before introducing the name of God into the equation. Agape love is great, so is eros. I personally believe that both have a role to play and aren’t mutually exclusive. When we attempt to substitute the God kind of love for the natural love, untold heartaches are usually the consequences. Let’s desist from using the name of God as bait; you can genuinely love someone without unduly quoting God.

Author: Simmy Famutimi

Guest Blogger: From Zero To Hero! The Story Of A Former Academic Failure

I finished my senior secondary school 2004 and because I was young my parents didn’t want me to go to the university immediately so I had to wait at home for a year and by 2005, Redeemers University came up! I was a bit skeptical about going to a Christian, glorified private secondary school!!

Honestly I wanted to go to University of Ibadan to study medicine and surgery and with a jamb score of 250 I thought I would get admission but that didn’t happen as they wanted at least 270 which was unfair as some indigenes got admitted with lower marks. Anyway,

Redeemer’s University was the only option I had and it was better than staying at home for another year so I took it and got admission for Microbiology. My first year was crazy I tell you! I had a funny roommate…hehehe…let me narrate to you how our typical day went.

Myself and Jay (roommate) would wake up in the morning around 7.30am to the song “this na temptation” by p-square in our air-conditioned room, I tell you the air condition made it very hard for us to wake up and while other students went for morning devotion, Jay would lazily get up, switch off the A.C (because his bed was closer) and say “Mazi kay! Dem don dey go for devotion…nna men make baba porter no come disturb us for this room ooo” and honestly every time he said that, baba porter always came knocking on our door saying “kayode!!! Jay!!! I know you people are inside!!! Come out!! Go for devotion” hehehe…for where!

We would just be laughing on our beds and then go back to sleep only to wake up around 10am with our p-square still jammin**oga police eh watin be this eh** by this time we would have missed at least three classes. After we finally summon the strength to overcome the A.C and have our baths, we would then go to tantalizers to eat breakfast (while other responsible students were in class ooo) and by 1pm-2pm, we would stroll to class (as long as the ongoing class wasn’t Math, Chemistry or physics otherwise we would STAB IT!!!). By 3pm-4pm we were done for the day (classes ended by 6pm) we would stroll to Corn oil filling station at the gate of the Redemption Camp to eat pounded yam and egusi soup (oh just thinking about it brings good memories!!

Their pounded yam was intense!!! Chai!). After eating we would go back to our room where our “brothers in arms” would be waiting for us…you see our room was “the room” on our floor!

Boys would come to the room talk about all sorts especially the hot babes in their class, which ones they were “eyeing”, those that were forming, etc. and in the evening, we would freshen up and go meet the babes spending hours with them!!! And truthfully the pioneering set had fine babes ehn!! Anyway my 100L was pretty much like this and as expected, my first and second semester results had a lot of efe’s in them…lol asin E.F.E’s…still don’t get? Okay E’s, F’s and E’s. In 200L, Jay moved from physics to a social science course and he did very well there, I on the other hand, remained in Microbiology with my very low CGPA.

At this point, I had the desire to succeed academically so one day, I went for the Holy Ghost service (it was compulsory for RUN students but I usually stab it menh!!) and during the service, I kept on asking God to help me with my academics so you can imagine how I reacted when Pastor E.A Adeboye said “My Father said there is someone here that very soon you would be teaching your teachers”

Omo men I screamed my amen with soo much energy!!! My Microbiology and Biochemistry colleagues were looking at me like “what is wrong with this one” lol. That semester, God changed my friends, brought in new ones such as Ogo Anene and Charles Dairo (Charlie, Mike and I would later form a dance group L.O.V.E…we tried getting mayowa to join us but she joined a rival group!!! Still beefing her till today!!!), God also changed my attitude towards my studies, and worked on my attitude towards Him (I still stabbed some morning devotions and Sunday services but I was getting better).

That year my result improved from E, F, E as I had a lot of C’s and B’s and a few D’s and by 300L and 400L things were much better as I had a lot of A’s and B’s. My academic transformation was so obvious that my lecturers and classmates noticed the change and were shocked! I honestly thought to myself that that was it…God had made me a teacher to my teachers but oh how wrong I was!!! Little did I know that God was just getting started with me…

When I got to India for my masters in Microbiology, God made me stand out academically!!! I understood difficult concepts with sooo much ease and aced ALL my courses without having to repeat any (carry over). A prophesy that was said in my 200L became a reality in my masters (well I still intend to do my PhD and I believe God just entered gear one!).

You know, you may be reading this and relate to my story in one way or the other maybe not in academics but some other aspect of your life (finance, relationships etc). You desire to be the best but you’re just struggling, lagging behind or worse stagnant…I need you to understand that God desires same for you! He has amazing plans for you! To make you the best, the leader, always ahead of your peers and a point of reference for good things!!! But things wouldn’t change if you don’t have “a word” from God. For me, God gave me a word through Pastor E.A Adeboye in my 200L and that sparked the “change” I soo desired.

Now just like me, it may be your actions, activities or your friends that are counter- productive thus inhibiting you from succeeding but trust me all you need is a word from God!!! And that word would reset your life!! Your activities, actions, friends would all change to suit that word!!! Now unlike me, you don’t have to wait for a man of God to give you “that word” that may take forever and you just can’t wait…You need to go to the source, go to the word of God (the Bible) and get your word!!!

Finally, Philippians 4:13 (AMP) says “I have strength for ALL things in Christ who empowers me” and that has been my own “life word” I stick to it at all times…Go get your own word from the bible today (especially that which speaks to your present need or situation), confess (repeatedly) this word to yourself and believe it wholeheartedly, act on what you speak and things would change!!! I assure you!!!

I hope you enjoyed this week’s post!!! Have a great weekend…Shalom!!!

Guest Blogger: Love At Blind Sight

Oshiole

I went to the bank today and after my transaction, I took my leave. Just as I was about walking briskly down the stairs, I noticed a man and a woman holding hands: the man was blind, the lady, his guide.

Instinctively I slowed down to avoid sudden movements, which could trip this stranger who had suddenly grasped my attention. I was thus forced to walk behind them and for some reason, I couldn’t get my eyes off them. What could it have been? Compassion, wonder, or was it just curiousity? Thinking about it now, I think I was just curious to see what it means to be bereft of ones eyes.

I watched as they both gently descended step after step after step. I noticed a glint on his left hand; a ring – he was married! Then we got to the obstacles….the door which requires you to press a button for it to open, only admitting one occupant at a time. I saw the lady press the button for him and quite briskly ushered him into the cubicle. I heard him say “come now” but we all know that wouldn’t be the case.

At that point, I allowed her take my turn in going through the adjoining cubicle so she could quickly meet up with him on the other side. I noticed how he turned left and right on one spot seeking assistance, then her hands came to his. However, there was an even more complicated obstacle: the rotating door, which also admits one occupant. I personally hate these doors. They hit you if you do not move fast enough; they are ruthless.

Again I watched, this time with keener attention, that it was like I came back from another time zone or world when I caught myself looking at them; but I didn’t care. The guard at the bank held him saying “wait, wait”- allowing for the door to swing by twice, giving enough room for him to go into- then he said with anticipation, “Go! Go round!” I’m sure I heard another voice shout “fast! Fast!” Oh! That was the voice in my head cheering him on; it sounded quite loud.

Yipppeeeee!!! He made it through! I was amazed. However, in trying to steady himself he reached for the door and the door hit his hand. In my head I was like darn that door!!! I wish I could punch that door jor.

Anyway, his partner and guide (is she his wife? I didn’t notice any ring on her hand) came out and met him and they finally descended the almighty stairs that this bank used to design both sides of their head office. Just when I thought it was all over, he put a hand in his pocket and pulled out a phone, put the phone to his ear and just by the musical sounds of the buttons, he navigated through his phone and successfully made a call. I thought my brain would fry at that point. He uses his phone!!!!

As I walked on to the office where I work, I couldn’t get the whole thing out of my mind. Whether it was meditation or just thought, I replayed it through my mind and different points flashed in my head. I immediately remembered what my friend Ada told me on Sunday about some beggers when I was painfully narrating my ordeals to her: “it could have been you” I thought to myself, I’m not better than this visually impaired man. It also crossed my mind, even with this man blind, wearing tattered clothes, obviously can’t fend for himself or family I assume, I am still not better than him. The mercy of God has kept me from being blind, kept my limbs working, made me who I am today. If this man finds or knows Jesus, he goes to the same heaven I hope for.

I thought too, different situations, same world. Same air we breathe, same ground we walk on. Same car will knock down anyone in its way, and thus, everyone will find a way ti survive: just like using a telephone.

Challenges abound, it is part of this life, I’d better suck it in and move forward.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for EVERYTHING! It is in You I live and move and have my being. Please keep my eyes stayed on you and not on the storms. Teach me a better way to praise You than I do now. May my heart always be kept on You and may it always be at peace in Jesus’ name. AMEN!

 

Written By: Oshiole G. Imoesi-Aliu

Guest Blogger: “EARLY DAYS”

When I was little, I and my family lived in an Army barracks (Apapa Signal training School) because my dad was an officer in the Army. In the Army, there are two categories of military personnel; the senior officers (those who attended the Defense Academy which is like a University) and the other ranks (those that didn’t go to the Defense Academy but attended the Nigerian Military School which is like a secondary school) and accordingly, the senior officers had their own barracks which was neat, well designed and usually quiet while that of the other ranks was good but not as good as that of the officers’ barracks.

One day, when I was about 7 or 8 years old (I think), I decided to take a walk to the other ranks barracks and when I got there, I saw children (boys and girls) wearing only their underwear (pant) running up and down, playing on the street!!! It looked like fun!!! I saw some women selling fried plantain and fried yam, some selling Akara and bread, it was soo busy…Wow!!! All these activities weren’t done in the officers’ barracks!!! Too much restrictions and rules!!!(I thought to myself).

Anyway, what caught my attention were the children playing on the street… a game they were playing. These children were playing with tyres!!! They were “rolling the tyre” up and down the road!!! Laughing, jumping, screaming, one using his tyre to hit the others’ tyre!!! Wow!! Soo much fun I said!!!

I immediately ran home, got a tyre from the backyard of our flat and brought it out to the street of the officer’s barrack and started to “roll it” and wow!!! It was super fun!! Soon my friends saw me and went to get their own tyres and joined me!!! After having an amazing- bliss of tyre rolling activity for about 1 hour or so (no we were not tired ooo!!!) a senior officer (A Lieutenant Colonel or Major I think) came out and said “What are you children doing!!!” All of you come here!!”

We rushed down to the front of his flat… Who started this? He asked… and all my back stabbing friends immediately said “it was Yemi Sir!” He looked at me with soo much anger and disgust on his face…He said “Don’t you know the son of whom you are!!!” “Your fathers are not other ranked officers!! They are senior officers!!!” Why are you all bringing shame to your fathers’ names? “Only children of other rank officers do what you are doing…Don’t let me see you doing this ever again!!!” we said “YES SIR!!!” He finally said “If you want to play, go play football or ride your bicycles” He gave all my friends two knocks on their heads and gave me three because I was the initiator…hehehe wicked man!! And it was painful!!!

John 1:12 says “But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name (AMP). Like me in that story, who left the Officers’ barracks and went to the other ranks barracks, some Christians leave where they ought to be… where God has placed them, planted them and go into the world!! They say to themselves “omo…too many restrictions dey for Christianity abeggg…see people having better fun here na!!!”

They get carried away with the “fun” and “pleasures” of the world and take in a few (or most of) these worldly attributes!!! Funny thing is while doing these ungodly activities they still claim to be Christians and to be in right standing with God!!! They even go as far as displaying these activities in the midst of other Christians and in the house of God (like I did, rolling the tyre in the Officers’ barracks).

For some Christians who don’t know any better, joining the new of trend of ungodly activities brought into the church is the “raining” thing to do… It is cool! It is fun! It is fresh! I don’t see anything wrong in this!!…I mean if the Pastor’s wife, the head usher, some of the choir members are doing it…then it is not a sin na…that’s what they say to convince themselves and those people trying to correct them not knowing they are already leaving the path God had set for them.

People, you can’t claim to be children of God and your actions say otherwise… you say your ways are right with God and that grace covers all sins so you continue to dwell in that sin and you think that is right?…. Don’t get me wrong, we would sin from time to time..the only perfect man was Jesus and the bible says in Proverbs 24:16 “For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity” so it is not like we would sin, but to dwell in that sin and think you are “A. OK” with God is a pathway to overflowing calamity!!! God is not angry at a man who sins (no matter how often) and repents but a man who refuses to repent of those sins and continues to dwell in them.

So, today and for the rest of your life, let this saying “Know the son of whom you are” constantly play in your mind, letting it influence the decisions you take, the choices you make, the words you speak, the relationships you have with other people and the friends you keep… in fact let this saying influence your life as a whole!!!

Guest Blogger: Life Of A Non-typical Naija Guy In India (Part II)

The first part of this story began with Kay Show leaving Nigeria and arriving in India, 11 hours later. On arrival, he almost pays 500 dollars for a taxi-ride that cost less than 80 dollars… his roommate invites him to “share” his girlfriend and so on.

Here’s the concluding part of his story… enjoy.

Jalandhar, Punjab…

I told you the weather of Pune was wonderful yes? Well Punjab was HOT!!! Do not go to Punjab people!!! It’s like Sokoto, only worse!! I just couldn’t turn back!! And when it was winter, it was cold!! Very cold!! That place was just extreme in its weather!! Anyway, I got down to business right away, I stayed with friends for a while as I searched for my own place, got settled in a church (Ebenezer Assembly of God) and our pastor was a youth pastor of RCCG who was also schooling in the same university I was enrolled into. I joined the choir (yes I can sing *smiling*) and became a minister in that church and throughout my stay in India, my service to God was perhaps the most important thing to me and it was amazing!!!

University

And I’m sure some of you reading this and have watched some India movies would be like “surely not all Indian girls are fine”…”surely not all of them can sing and dance like Priyanka Chopra”…hehehe…YES!! All Indian girls are FIIIIINNNEEEE!!!! Okay most of them are…so much so that even the ugly boys have FINE BABES!!! Unlike Nigeria where all the fine babes are already taken and even those taken are still prime targets for awon boys!!! I even hear that married women with kids are not exempted from awon boys, hehehe… and when it comes to singing, honestly they all can sing!!!

One day, in my fourth semester, I was doing something for my Diagnostic Microbiology lecturer in the laboratory and I heard her sing!!! I was like…Mam!!! You can sing!!! With a big smile on my face…She smiled and said “Kay!! All Indian girls can sing…it’s nothing special” It is ooo!!!

Just ask a person who has endured listening to Tonto Dike (that “high” song ehn).

Anyway, back to the first semester and as soon as classes started I immediately knew I was in for it! My lecturers were teaching 80% of the lecture in Hindi!!! The other 20% were words like “okay’ and “do you understand?” Understand what!!! How was I to understand!! I complained and complained but they would say “Kay, most of the students don’t understand English, you have to understand” So? Me I should not now understand what you’re teaching abi?? It eventually got better as I learnt a few words in Hindi and made a few friends who taught me more Hindi.

Also, after a lot of complaining by the African students’ community, the management finally asked the lecturers to give their lectures in English and I was impressed as most of them could speak English fluently!!! I had thought they didn’t have a good command of the English language and as a result taught in Hindi.

After 4 weeks of class, it was time for mid-term exams and it was great…well, I thought it was until the scores came out!! I wanted to die!! One course in particular wanted to drive me insane! It was General Microbiology and one of the 5 questions asked was “LIST the contributions of Louis Pasteur to the field of Microbiology (15marks). So I said to myself, I will just list 15 contributions Pasteur made and that should be enough…1 mark for one contribution shey? Hehehe…I was in for a shock!!! When the exam sheet came back for scrutiny, I saw 5/15!!! I screamed!!

I said to the Professor Why? How? What is this?

Guess what he said? He said “Kay, it was a 15 marks question, you should have explained what you listed” I screamed!! The question said LIST!!! Not list and EXPLAIN for God’s sake!!! This is simple English!!! Don’t you guys understand English??? While the professor tried to explain, all I could do was remember one of my lecturers in Redeemers University (Dr. Efuntoye) who would subtract marks from students who did “over sabi” by explaining when he asked only to list. All the Indian students got 13 and above in that question. Apparently they all understood the “Indian English” and explained their points!!! Some even drew diagrams and colored it!!!

That day I learnt a valuable lesson…” Indians speak and understand the English Language differently”. Since that day, whenever they asked a question and said LIST, not only did I list, I drew diagrams, charts, tables, and explained with lengthy words (hehehe). “Once bitten twice shy”

Well, I wish I could say more about my stay in India, the friends I made, my fights and arguments with teachers, my funny project supervisor, church activities, their funny foods (chapatti and the rest) in this particular write up….but heyyy…I will do that in the next one!!! Hope you enjoyed this one….

Guest Blogger: Life Of A Non-typical Naija Guy In India

[Hey guys, give a warm welcome to Kayode Adeyemi, aka Kay Show, he’s an intelligent, good-looking, Christian fella and my first guest blogger. He has sent me an interesting account of his stay in Bollywood India. Totally hilarious. Hopefully, we would get posts from Kay Show every weekend.]

Enjoy…

Leaving Nigeria…

It was about 5am or so and I could hear my mom saying “Yemi, shey oo ni wa lo we ni? (won’t you go and have your bath)”

Arrrrggghh!!! I grumbled and grumbled some more before I eventually got up, had my bath, dressed up and came to the sitting room where my parents were waiting for me. As soon as I got there, my mom asked me to kneel down so they could pray for me and thank God they did!!! The heartfelt prayer of a mom or a dad over a child does wonders!!! It is like a spring board propelling one to greater heights!!!

After praying, we immediately left for the airport. During the journey to the airport, I kept on thinking of all the things I would miss…my mom’s amazing cooking, talking about football with my dad (we’re both die hard Chelsea fans), my church and my friends.

I was scared you know, I mean I was going to India to spend two solid years!!! How would I cope? What would I eat? I’d be all alone!! Then there was the issue of flying!! Flying scares me!!!

Anyway, we got to the airport, I did all the normal checking in stuff and “those people” wanted to take plenty money from me!! They said “aahhh!! You are taking Gari, Beans, Palm oil, Poundo yam, Indomie to India!!! Na business you wan go do for that side? You gast find us something ooo!!!”

After plenty begging and explanation they allowed me check in (after sorting them sha) and I said goodbye to my parents, went to the departure lounge where I remained for about 45minutes and during that time, all I could think of was how I was going to fly all the way to India in a plane!! I was really scared!!! I eventually boarded the plane.

I was finally on my way to India!!!

Arriving India

The journey took 11 hours!!! 11 long hours!!! Although, there was a stopover in Doha, flying 11 hours was just exhausting for me especially when I had never done it before (but I got used to it in my subsequent journeys).

“Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Qatar airways I will like to thank…blah blah blah” I wasn’t even listening to a single word the captain was saying!! All I was saying in my mind was “Ope ooo!!! Thank you Jesus!! This plane did not crash!! I was finally in Mumbai!! And it was just like Lagos!!! Like Ajegunle in fact!!! Seriously it was!!

It was dirty, it was smelly…and Nigerians plenty for that side ehn!!! Doing all sorts of business… trust your people na…I’m sure if you go even to the North Pole you will find Nigerians doing business there (hehehe).

Anyway, I called the person that was to come pick me from the airport and he told me he was having a class and wouldn’t be able to come and asked me to go get a bus or cab that would take me to Pune, Maharashtra.

I was so angry!! And as I was still trying to figure out where to get a cab, I saw a Nigerian (he was speaking Igbo) who had come to pick someone who came to India for medical reasons. In my mind I said thank God!! This guy would help me…oh how wrong I was!!

The guy said I should give him 500 dollars…I said hanhan bros 500 dollars just like that!! He said “no give me na…Sidon dai they wait” smh…like really I shook my head and left. Anyway I went to a cab stand just outside the airport and asked for a cab and the Indian man wanted to dupe me sha. A Nigerian!! See disrespect!!!

He said “Anji, You go to Pune 400 dollars only” while shaking his head left-right left-right like they always do! I just stood up and left. He screamed “Bayar!! You first time India? No? Okay pay 300 dollars only, good price bayar, good price” and gave me one funny smile… I did not even answer (I have had plenty experience with them Ikeja boys) I just walked back to the airport and spoke to a security guard who then directed me to the official airport cab stand (I wonder why I didn’t do this initially) and guess how much I paid? 3500 rupees!!! That’s like 60-70 dollars!!! Imagine!!

Bros Emeka (that’s not his name ooo!!) wanted to collect 500 dollars from me!! And that yeye Indian man, 300.

Pune, Maharashtra…

So I got to Pune and I loved it there!! It was beautiful!! Weather was great!! I made friends- Nigerians and Indians, attended Christ Embassy church there and it was super fun! I even had a Romanian flat mate who at one time, offered his “girlfriend” to me for the night for 100 dollars…hehe…I suffered ooo!!

I said “oh sorry I am a Christian I don’t do stuff like that” he said “common man! It’s nothing!! Just fun!! I said thank you ooo…dey no go put sand-sand inside your gari, I no want!! Okay I didn’t say that…hehehe…I just politely refused.

Later I discovered that he was practicing a religion called “Osho” and oh my God!! The things those people do ehn!!! Sodom and Gomorrah things I tell you!!! (I will give you guys the full gist later). Anyway, I spent 6 months here because I only came for my training in Clinical research and Data management and I had to go to Punjab for my Masters. But honestly Pune was fun and I didn’t want to leave!!! Oh by the way, Pune is close to Goa and Goa is amazing!!! You guys should go there!! You will love it.

[The story continues in part 2 <—- Read Here]

Relationship Palavis: The “God Told Me” Series

Author: Simmy Famutimi

 

Often times, especially more recently, I have been tempted to think that the Christianity we practice, particularly among young folks is evolving. Even though I know God doesn’t change, it seems that we are changing our mode of relating with Him.

Do you remember how we used to revere a lot anyone who could boldly say “God said…”, it was (still is) an awesome spiritual experience that most people cherish eternally. We considered those words sacrosanct and held whatever God might have said through them close to our hearts. Since we were sure that it was God that spoke through them, we knew whatever it is they said was a settled and done deal.

Unfortunately the rhythm has changed. Like never before, I have heard countless number of stories of God told me this, and God told me that. While I have a problem with the frequency at which people profess to hear from God, my greatest concern is the validity of the numerous “God said”. Isn’t it funny how a guy who hasn’t heard from God all is life can tell you boldly that “God says you are my wife.” And then at some other times it’s the lady saying “I have gotten a confirmation from God.” Guess what, when you say God has spoken to you, the most important personality in the universe has given His consent on that emerging matrimony. If God has spoken, who are we to say otherwise?!

But how come we are able to easily change our minds even though we claimed to have heard God clearly. How come you heard God yesterday, confirming the Bros has the chosen one, and today you say you are no longer interested? Has God changed His mind? Or maybe it wasn’t God you actually heard in the first place. See, I’m not Asst. God, so I might not be able to discern if it’s God speaking to you or not. But at least it is common scriptural knowledge that God is not an author of confusion. Many times, the problem is that we expect that if God gave His approval all must be smooth in the relationship. But that cannot be true. You expect the Bros or Sis to be perfect and the relationship hitch free because God said so. No! As a matter of fact if, you do not have issues to resolve in your relationship, however holy both of you claim to be, then you aren’t for marriage.

Do you understand that when you set out to date a guy or lady, you are dating someone who has lived at least twenty years of his life (on the average) without you? He has picked up habits, beliefs, has built value system and idiosyncrasies. Friction is bound to occur, and this doesn’t permit you to take a walk. I am not suggesting that you remain in an abusive relationship because you heard God, some things don’t make sense and you should be able to draw the line. But when the issues at hand aren’t fundamental character flaws, sit down to make the relationship work. If you truly understand God, you would know that His words doesn’t eliminate trouble, it only guarantees you of success at the end of it all.

Curiously I have asked my very pious friends who have shared their God told me story with me a salient question that almost none have been able to answer satisfactorily. Did you consult God before you called off the relationship? If you did, what did He say? The issue(s) you are complaining about, did you report it to God first before calling it off? Have you prayed for this person? And several other questions they still cannot provide an answer to. Christianity isn’t as complex and we shouldn’t attempt to make it so. If God has spoken to you, hold on to His word, but if he hasn’t, then don’t say He has spoken.

Young Christians, we cannot continue to drag God’s name in the mud because of our shallow understanding of how He operates. If we continue this unhealthy practice, very soon, no one would take us seriously.

There’s the other part of God told me about this person, and the person is in love with someone else. Also, sometimes, it’s our mind that is speaking to us and not God. And finally, I would be illustrating with a very familiar real life experience everything I would have written about, in subsequent episodes.

We can make our relationships less chaotic and reduce the number of heartaches caused by broken relationships if we would love genuinely and trust God completely.

Thank you for taking time to read this, I hope you would read the subsequent episodes.

 

MEANWHILE, here’s a video of a dear friend of mine, who got married recently. Enjoy.