Nigerian In Diaspora Breaks Charity Record
July 31, 2008 by 
Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
A 15 year old Nigerian in diaspora Miss Chierika Ukogu, studying in the USA, in a rare feat, donated 1,000 pairs of shoes to indigent Nigerians at home. According to this angel with a lioness heart, she felt to need to assist when 5 years ago she came home to her native town in Ukpor Anambra State and saw children walking without shoes. This backward state of her people, motivated her into collecting shoes from her friends in the USA to donate to her suffering people back home.
She gave out 7,00 in Abuja, while the rest have been reserved to be distributed in her town and her environs.
This lone ranger effort of Miss Ukogu, reminds of the ingratitude of some Nigerians at home towards Nigerians in economic exile in diaspora. The dollars they send no matter how small have been life savers in most rural areas where Nigerian government has abandoned. I salute the courage of these true sons in diaspora and dare solicit that they engage in direct developmental projects.
The Federal government policy of attracting back Nigerians in Diaspora, laudable as it is, is defective. There is no need for the FG to set aside a poll of funds for these Nigerians wishing to invest to poll from. The FG should provide an enabling environment, improve power and security. If these minor things are put in place, a good number of Nigerians will crowd home, with beautiful industrial plans that will not require governmental funding to flourish.
Their little gestures like Miss Ukogu’s sure will add more value to her people’s life than the moribund local government poverty alleviation programmes.
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Madiba Nelson Mandela: An African god Marks 90
July 18, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · Leave a Comment
Today a god of Africa, an enigma is marking 90 years of active struggle for the emancipation of Africans both from themselves (colonial mentality) and from external psychological aggression-globalism.
In the quest for salvation for the people of Africa, especially South Africa, Nelson Mandela paid with incineration of 27 years in Robben Island. With a rare courage in African political history, Mandela served his nation for only one tenure 1990-1994. By this feat, Mandela showed that it is possible to transform from trench tested activist to a statesman. In Africa, from Libya through Egypt to Zimbabwe, Congo to Cameroon, messiahs have turned demons and worst than the oppressors they overthrew.
During this rare feat, Mandela healed the wounds infested on the majority black by the minority unpopular white government. This singular act of Mandela and his forgiving spirit, not only enthroned him as a god, it elevated him to the pinnacle of hierarchy of African gods. He now competes favorably with Shaka Zulu, Oduduwa, and Pharaoh, just to mention but a few in the crowd of African gods.
What I find to be unique about Mandela is the method of his struggle. He is a violent man, who has tamed the violence in him in a bid to get maximum result. (He was a boxer and paneled his body rigorously). He has a clear understanding of Frantz Fanon, yet allowed the gentle spirit of Mahatma Gandhi to moderate his outburst.
Nelson Mandela, headed a terrorist group, fashioned in the toga of the Mau Mau rebels of Kenyia but when talks started with the racist white nationalist government, he never stuck to his gun, rather he was amiable, bending without compromising.
Mandela co-founded and headed Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation) Mandela led coordinated sabotage campaign against military and government targets. He was in advanced stages of plans for a possible guerrilla war if sabotage failed to end apartheid. ( It was the discovery of the advanced guerrilla plans that nailed him) Furtherance to guerrilla war fare, he also raised funds for Umkhonto abroad, and arranged for paramilitary training, visiting various African governments, of which Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, then in the jungle waging war of independence played a vital role.
These “terrorist” tendencies made the United States government to place Mandela under supervision. This potential danger status of Mandela was only reviewed this year by the United States home office.
The only stain on this god (is there any god that is perfect?) is the not too clear manner he handled his affairs with Winnie Mandela, who stood like a pillar during the long winter of Mandela’s imprisonment. While Mandela was out of circulation, Winnie with other active ANC activists, kept Nelson Mandela’s image alive.
We wish Madiba a happy Birthday and sincerely pray that he lives to witness the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup being hosted by South Africa.
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Arise O Compatriot
May 12, 2008 by Che Oyimnatumba · Comments Off
Being a text of a speech delivered by Che Oyinatumba at a lecture organised by the Abuja Socialist Collective to mark this year’s May Day.
I the president of the oppressed voiceless Nigerians, address you to live up to the creed and wordings of the Nigerian National Anthem, especially, ARISE O COMPATRIOT.
This is another May Day. A day to celebrate the toiling workers contributions to the Nigerian economy and the workers’ contributions to the betterment of those in power. It is a day of long speeches and empty promises from “invited guest” representing the government and other oppressors of the worker-the private sector. The greatest oppressor of workers in Nigeria, the multi-nationals, especially the Asian won factories, is regretting that the worker in the name of May Day will have a day off to relax/recreate and revaluate his unrewarded contributions to his Oga’s healthy bank account. Whether they like it or not, the labourer deserves his wages and rest.
But the toiling, impoverished and homeless workers of Nigeria have no rest to enjoy as the commonest basic needs cannot be met by the peanuts they receive as salary. Furthermore, the thieves of our mandate has started abracadabra called probe. From Power Sector to NNPC, all we hear is that OBJ and his gang of thieves looted Nigeria dry, leaving Nigeria worst than Abacha raped her. Nigerian workers should arise and demand from Yar’Adua’s administration what he intends to do after these probes. Will there be light? Those fingered by the probe report MUST be tried and jailed. Nigerian worker, arise and demand for the prosecution of Imoke, Agagu,Ezekwesili,Obasanjo, Abusalami Abubakar (MD of Energo) and others indicted. The wages of a worker is affected when the industrial wheels refuse to turn as a result of no electricity. It is the right of the worker to work and that of her employer to provide a conducive environment for the worker to produce his best with dignity.
Workers of all trades unite and march down National assembly to demand the arrest of all the companies who took our money without going to site and carrying out the job. Nigerians should know that the greatest defence of these thieves and looters of our national treasury is the non demand of their trial and jailing by the vast majority of the oppressed Nigerians. The ruling class can never try then, unless we the oppressed declare a fatwa on them. Arise now.
We also call on all progressive Nigerians, to task the presidency to disclose the illness Mr. Yar’Adua is suffering from. If he has AIDS, let us know and bear it. We want to know how much was spent on his latest trip to Germany to cure an allergy related infection and from which allocation was the deduction made. Mr. Yara’Adua cannot be shouting Rule of Law without being transparent to Nigerians. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. This unwarranted trip abroad is an indictment that his administration has failed, will not be any better that those before her and the 7 point agenda mantra, is carved out to deceive Nigerians. Why is there no “catarrh” treatment centre at the National hospital Abuja or any of the numerous University teaching hospitals sprinkled across the country? Nigerian doctors should be retrained to arrest this “catarrh” since it
| 2.5 |
Start Taking Control With Positive Thinking
March 30, 2008 by OCI · 2 Comments
Contributor: Linda Hampton
Are you ready to begin achieving your goals and living the life you want? I’m about to show you how simple positive thinking will improve your life tremendously.
Many of us develop negative thinking patterns because we become frustrated by our challenges and frequent feelings of being overwhelmed. This negative outlook then makes it even harder for us to manage those challenges and move forward.
Practicing positive thinking allows people to focus on our strengths and accomplishments, which increases happiness and motivation. This, in turn, allows us to spend more time making progress, and less time feeling down and stuck. The following tips provide practical suggestions that you can use to help you shift into more positive thinking patterns:
1. Take Good Care of Yourself
It’s much easier to be positive when you are eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest.
2. Remind Yourself of the Things You Are Grateful For
Stresses and challenges don’t seem quite as bad when you are constantly reminding yourself of the things that are right in life. Taking just 60 seconds a day to stop and appreciate the good things will make a huge difference.
3. Look for the Proof Instead of Making Assumptions
A fear of not being liked or accepted sometimes leads us to assume that we know what others are thinking, but our fears are usually not reality. If you have a fear that a friend or family member’s bad mood is due to something you did, or that your co-workers are secretly gossiping about you when you turn your back, speak up and ask them. Don’t waste time worrying that you did something wrong unless you have proof that there is something to worry about.
4. Refrain from Using Absolutes
Have you ever told a partner “You’re ALWAYS late!” or complained to a friend “You NEVER call me!”? Thinking and speaking in absolutes like ‘always’ and ‘never’ makes the situation seem worse than it is, and programs your brain into believing that certain people are incapable of delivering.
5. Detach From Negative Thoughts
Your thoughts can’t hold any power over you if you don’t judge them. If you notice yourself having a negative thought, detach from it, witness it, and don’t follow it.
6. Squash the “ANTs”
In his book “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life,” Dr. Daniel Amen talks about “ANTs” - Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are the bad thoughts that are usually reactionary, like “Those people are laughing, they must be talking about me,” or “The boss wants to see me? It must be bad!” When you notice these thoughts, realize that they are nothing more than ANTs and squash them!
7. Practice Lovin’, Touchin’ & Squeezin’ (Your Friends and Family)
You don’t have to be an expert to know the benefits of a good hug. Positive physical contact with friends, loved ones, and even pets, is an instant pick-me-up. One research study on this subject had a waitress touch some of her customers on the arm as she handed them their checks. She received higher tips from these customers than from the ones she didn’t touch!
8. Increase Your Social Activity
By increasing social activity, you decrease loneliness. Surround yourself with healthy, happy people, and their positive energy will affect you in a positive way!
9. Volunteer for an Organization, or Help another Person
Everyone feels good after helping. You can volunteer your time, your money, or your resources. The more positive energy you put out into the world, the more you will receive in return.
10. Use Pattern Interrupts to Combat Rumination
If you find yourself ruminating, a great way to stop it is to interrupt the pattern and force yourself to do something completely different. Rumination is like hyper-focus on something negative. It’s never productive, because it’s not rational or solution-oriented, it’s just excessive worry. Try changing your physical environment - go for a walk or sit outside. You could also call a friend, pick up a book, or turn on some music.
It does not matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results and situations, and circumstances will change accordingly. It may take some time for the changes to take place, but eventually they do. So begin by getting rid of those negative thoughts and negative beliefs, which serve you no purpose, except to make you miserable. Then you’ll be able to begin having a positive attitude and start enjoying.
About The Contributor: Linda Hampton, Life Style Mentor and Successful Entrepreneur, is helping many become the next success story. Whether you’re looking to create an extra few thousand dollars per month, be an ex-corporate executive, or the next millionaire Mom, Linda can assist you to create a second stream of income and greater peace of mind.
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Seasons of Pessimism and Optimism
February 27, 2008 by OCI · Leave a Comment
These states of the mind are perversive amongst Nigerians today, having emerged from the high’s and lo’s of the tribunal rulings both at the state and national levels recently. Indeed, one’s mind remain the last bastion that the law courts cannot rule for or against; at least its independence to an extent is still intact.
In this season, one can decide to be a pessimist or an optimist about the way forward for Nigeria; even both feeling/state of mind can exist depending on the issue and its perspective. Whatever your feelings are, we have got a country to rescue and your fatherland needs you. However, you may choose to feel is your right but you have a duty to transform that feeling into something positive for Nigeria.
Whether you are a pessimist or an optimist, here is a heath check for you:
- Characteristics of a Pessimist and an Optimist
“Two men look out through the same bars: One sees the mud, and one sees the stars.”- Frederick Langbridge, A Cluster of Quiet Thoughts
If you’ve placed second in a writing contest, will you jump for joy and push for better results the next time or will you be discouraged and find an excuse not to join again?
In life, you are always filled with choices. You may opt to have a pessimist’s view and live a self-defeated life or you may decide to take the optimist’s route and take a challenging and fulfilling life.
So why nurture an optimist’s point of view? And why now?
Well, optimism has been linked to positive mood and good morale; to academic, athletic, military, occupational and political success; to popularity; to good health and even to long life and freedom from trauma.
On the other hand, the rates of depression and pessimism have never been higher. It affects middle-aged adults the same way it hits younger people. The mean age of onset has gone from 30 to 15. It is no longer a middle-aged housewife’s disorder but also a teenager’s disorder’ as well.
Here’s how optimists are in action and researches that back up why it really pays to be an optimist:
Optimists expect the best
The defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe bad events, which will last a long time and undermine everything they do, are their own fault.
The truth is optimists are confronted with the same hard knocks of this world. What differs is the way they explain their misfortune—it’s the opposite way. They tend to believe defeat is just a temporary setback, that its causes are confined to this one case.
Optimists tend to focus on and plan for the ‘problem’ at hand. They use ‘positive reinterpretation.’ In other words, they most likely reinterpret a negative experience in a way that helps them learn and grow. Such people are unfazed by bad situation, they perceive it is a challenge and try harder.
They won’t say “things will never get better,” “If I failed once, it will happen again” and “If I experience misfortune in one part of my life, then it will happen in my whole life.”
Positive expectancies of optimists also predict better reactions during transitions to new environments, sudden tragedies and unlikely turn of events. If they fall, they will stand up. They see opportunities instead of obstacles.
People respond positively to optimists
Optimists are proactive and less dependent on others for their happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people. They usually draw people towards them. Their optimistic view of the world can be contagious and influence those they are with.
Optimism seems a socially desirable trait in all communities. Those who share optimism are generally accepted while those who spread gloom, panic and hysteria are treated unfavorably.
In life, these people often win elections; get voted most congenial and sought for advice.
When the going gets tough, optimists get tougher
Optimists typically maintain higher levels of subjective well-being during times of stress than do people who are less optimistic. In contrast, pessimists are likely to react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with problems. Pessimists are more likely to quit trying when difficulties arise.
They persevere. They just don’t give up easily, they are also known for their patience. Inching their way a step closer to that goal or elusive dream.
Optimists are healthier and live longer
Medical research has justified that simple pleasures and a positive outlook can cause a measurable increase in the body’s ability to fight disease.
Optimists’ health is unusually good. They age well, much freer than most people from the usual physical ills of middle age. And they get to outlive those prone to negative thoughts.
So why not be an optimist today? And think positively towards a more fulfilled life.
Why not look forward to success in all your endeavors? Why not be resilient? Like everybody else you are bound to hit lows sometimes but don’t just stay there. Carry yourself out of the mud and improve your chances of getting back on the right track. And why not inspire others to remove their dark-colored glasses and see life in the bright side?
Courtesy: Sulamita Berrezi
It is not just about your life, it is also about the life of Nigeria as a nation with a people. Let us all think positively for a better Nigeria; while looking forward to it success and greatness when this season passes-over.
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We Have Got Inspiration
February 22, 2008 by OCI · 2 Comments
In Response to Inspiration is What We Need by Grandiose Parlor
To the best of my ability Nigeria and Africa are not in short supply of such leaders.
The problem remain with such indidvials rising up to the challenges of the times.
First, they will have to present themselves and be ready to serve; then the crux is having the condusive environment to leader.
I think that is where we have problems.
A system where mediocrity rules, intellectual activisim is nether permissible nor tolerated; the case with Nigeria and Africa. We are not in short supply of the Bart Nnaji’s, Pat Utomi’s e.t.c but their foray into mainstream leadership(politics) have least been successful.
We need to put our houses in order first and have a process in place that will guarantee selection/election and identification of leaders; then the best of Nigeria nad Africa will be on Parade.
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The Magic of Thinking Big
February 3, 2008 by OCI · Leave a Comment
Written By: Pat Alva-Green
Our thoughts create our reality. Our thoughts determine who we are as individuals. From the time we get up in the morning until the time our heads hit the pillow at night, our thoughts are guiding us and determining our journey through life. As long as you are going about your day thinking anyway, you may as well choose to “think BIG”. Anyone can think small, and unfortunately, most people do. In fact, most people keep themselves in the same place in life, doing the exact same thing, without significant growth or change because of limited or conditioned thinking. What are you thinking? Do you even know? Start observing your thoughts.
When you think of “BIG thinkers”, who comes to mind? Some of you will think of Winfrey, Warren Buffet and even Donald Trump. There are many more very successful people who do not even approach the level of accomplishment of these people. But, there seems to be a common denominator that exists across the spectrum when studying successful people. The common denominator seems to be an extraordinary amount of self-belief and self-confidence.
Thinking BIG is about possibilities. It’s about knowing and trusting the potential for something great that is not only present, but also possible beyond your ability to picture or even comprehend it. Bottom line; thinking BIG goes beyond your particular situation.
Thinking BIG is about taking action. Below are some suggested ways to take action become a BIG THINKER:
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