THE DEFINITION

Although I tried to feign absence all through the conference, this folk could not but notice my presence. He said he was Clarence, and with a confidence-exuding smile he continued,

“Excuse me, Brother, I hope you don’t mind a question from me?”

Wow! I was so impressed by how he expressed himself that I got jolted out of my indifference. But then, I could hardly complete a sentence when he confessed,

“You see, I’m pressed between two definitions of success. They might not make much sense anyway- the first is that success is simply any form of progress and the other is that success is ultimately affluence. “

“I guess there’ll be some difference in your own definition, hence my question”

This initially greeted me with silence and a little suspense, but I commenced my definition anyway and do hope it will make some sense to you as well.

I admit that success is progress and sometimes affluence, but ultimately it is in its very essence a process and not just an occurrence; a journey and not just a destination. True success is consistent diligence, resilience and positive influence.

Success often defies ‘common sense’ when it’s not about how much we possess, our address, eloquence or even our intelligence but about how much happiness we bring to others and what positive difference we make around us.

Indeed success in the general sense is regarded as being of immense importance. How then can this journey be commenced? Of a truth, some people are merely obsessed with the desire to be successful, while many others just get depressed at its elusiveness, but none of this however can grant one access to this experience. Regardless the willingness and determination, it will all be definitely be worthless if one continues to transgress the rules.

One ought to first assess oneself without pretence to know one’s true status. Also, a sense of direction coupled with diligence and intense dedication to one’s course are indispensable. Nevertheless, nothing should be done merely to impress or oppress others.

Finally and above all, Providence must be sought and embraced as this is the foundation of every lasting success. Therein one can find a sure fortress in the midst of life’s turbulence.

Thus went my brief discussion with dear Clarence and it was indeed a worthwhile one. Afterwards, I retired to my residence, just across the fence.

Way Up

He blinks his eyes seemingly for a moment, looks to the skies, and what a surprise– the stars are already staring. Then he gets to realize all of a sudden that his dreams have not materialized and his goals are far from being actualized. “How time flies”, he cries. Then he tries to rationalize it, agonize and eventually gets demoralized.

When the above characterize our lives, it’s only wise for us to realize that it is time to arise. We no longer should fantasize or self-criticize, but mobilize for action. We ought to exercise the giant that lies within, refuse to remain acclimatized to the status quo and get determined to get our lives moving clockwise.

However, let me emphasize that our eyes must be fixed on the prize which has the capacity to continually energize and catalyze us in our pursuit. This invariably means that we have to organize our lives and be precise about what we want. The truth is that if we cannot visualize it, then we cannot actualize it.

We can tell that it is quite easy to ritualize an approach to problem solving, but if we analyze properly and constructively criticize, we get to maximize our chances.  We must dare to defy the norm and re-strategize; otherwise, we cannot rise above the lines.

Finally, it is also important to realize that there is a price for every prize which is equally proportionate to its size and we only jeopardize our chances of success when we fail to recognize this fact. We must also recognize the place of God whose grace amplifies our effort when He is involved. Of a truth, he that continually lies on the bed of roses and only cries over the demise of his dreams will soon find no place for his lazy head.

THE VAL STUFF

I perceive the frenzy in the air and it says that it’s time. It seems just cool to align, but first, let me make clear the boundary line.

It’s Valentine when love becomes really prime. Some wine and dine, while others whine and die to be loved. Whatever may be your own experience, I feel it will be just fine to watch me briefly draw this line around the bottom-line here- love.

Some opine that it is blind, but I still find that such love doesn’t mind borrowing an eye and revealing the other side when the chips are down. What love is there to wine, dine and smile with another, yet with an eye on their every dime?

What love would align with opponents to malign a friend? It promises to be behind you in good time and in bad time but is quick to consign you to the cold hands of misery at the slightest challenge.

Love in its real nature is divine and not merely a human design. It goes beyond that sublime feeling that tingles the spine and reaches our very essence. Love is kind and benign. It is refined and undefiled. In fact, true love moves a man to put even his life on the line for another.

Finally dear friends, now is time to make the Val Stuff real as a stitch in time saves nine. We should align with the truth instead of living a lie; not just for this season, but for a life time.

In this new spirit, I say Happy Valentine!

THE TABLE IS SAWN

They heeded the call
Both great and small.
We can now stand tall;
Thus it appeared to all.

But known to none,
The deed would be undone:
The cake has been withdrawn
And the table is sawn.

The anguish is undeniable
And the anger immeasurable.
The land is becoming unstable,
But who shall first mend the table?

Should pride and prejudice
Keep the table from coming in one piece,
Where then shall they broker peace?
Where shall the cake be done justice?

OKWUDILI

This Season

On the 12^th of December, as I dey come back from my business, na so I see Patience dey cry for the side of the shop where Princess dey sell dress. I come notice say she don cry sote her tears don wet her dress.

“Wetin dey make una vex, Patience? I must confess, this una cry don dey excess”, I talk.

“This life no make sense at all”, she talk, “everything na total mess– my business and even my relationship with Innocent”

O.K, make I cut the long tori short. My sister, wetin be una own experience? My brother wetin una don witness for this year? Una too don begin to think say life no make sense again like Patience? Abi una think say una stress don dey excess? Wahala don press una sote una don take offence and una no dey see any need for happiness again?

Make we use common-sense assess how the year take waka now. Una remember the number of people wey die for Lagos-Ibadan Express? The ones wey die for electoral violence nko? I know say una no go quick forget that accident wey happen for una presence?

Una don thank God for the small progress for una business and as He take deliver una from sickness? Infact, if una still dey process this my talk, that one dey show say una don enjoy protection from madness. If una breathing na express like my own, know say that one too na testimony.

Everything wey I don talk na evidence say God don bless una. No allow satan oppress una with sadness because say this na season for happiness. Whether una don hit una targets or una never hit am, make una thank God for His faithfulness.

Na true say Life go begin dey make sense as we begin dey meditate for God goodness and decide to serve Am with gladness. Make we celebrate the greatness of our Saviour wey them born for manger.

Great Man

It can be quite revealing when we separate ourselves and take time to contemplate the meaning of some of the words we use to relate our estimate of a person’s worth.

When do we say that a man is great? When do we celebrate him? When do we rate him as being successful? Is it when he has become the Head of State or a member of the Senate? Perhaps it’s when he has become a business magnate like Bill Gates or exceptionally literate with a doctorate. Alright, is it when he is late?

It is unfortunate how often we underestimate the weight of the good word, ‘great’. A man manipulates, intimidates and humiliates others; yet we call him great when he is late. How easily we fail to appreciate the contributions of that poor good man across the street simply because he has no academic certificate. We equate greatness with the amount of money a man is able to accumulate.

A man is not great because of his current state or status but because of his deliberate contribution to the emancipation of fellow men. It is because he is passionate about alleviating the plight of others. He appreciates the need to donate to charity and does so. His path is straight and his dealings indicate honesty.

Greatness is not a status conferred on man by fate, but a quality he consciously cultivates. Neither a seat in the Senate nor an academic certificate is mandatory. It is the virtue that we demonstrate as we relate with others.

It is only appropriate to say the greatness is a divine mandate that we should not hesitate to actualize. If we truly appreciate and perpetuate this quality, then we can be sure that the Great I Am will congratulate us on that last day.

 

My Community

It’s always exciting every time I have an opportunity to talk about my community. My community is not a geographical locality, but it sure cuts across the various strata of society. Its unconventionality and non-conformity to the generality of depraved human ideology underscores its peculiarity.

We have a King whose authority is matchless and whose credibility and integrity are unquestionable. His magnanimity is so great that His very subjects He makes His children. I tell you for surety and with all sincerity that He has made us all royalty. Having got such a privilege, our loyalty to our King is in totality, and keeping the bond of unity amidst our diversity, we make this great fraternity. No one else but our King Jehovah is Deity and to no one but Him we owe our piety.

Though the world is full of adversity and the multiplicity of the inhumanity of humanity holds sway, yet we stick to our priority– to be in conformity with our King. Therefore, our spirituality and morality is not over-taken by modernity and the secularity of society. We uphold integrity, purity and the authority of our King’s Word. We practice charity not for popularity but as an integral part of our personality. Posterity and eternity are in our hearts and we shun every impurity, perversity and profanity.

As we sojourn in this world, we are no liability but an epitome of the personality of our King. Our creativity, productivity and spiritual authority also give credibility to His divinity. We understand the futility of life outside our community and so make it a point of duty to invite the rest of humanity to seize this opportunity. Those that are willing are taken out of the captivity of iniquity as they accept the lordship our King.

Indeed, my mind is made up in totality never to trade my identity for popularity or any other triviality. This is my priority.

I love this community. Why not join us and secure a blissful eternity.

Distraction

I can remember quite vividly how the bright light that shone through the night made me feel right. Then I said to myself, “why don’t I take close look at this site.” On getting there, I discovered that the security was tight. Nevertheless, I headed to the right side of the building in front of me and just a few meters away sat a man dressed in white, who seemed to be having a bite if his piece of meat pie.

“Hello”, I said as I sat right opposite him, “you seem to be enjoying the night.”

Then he gave me a warm smile as replied, “of course you’re right.”

What a deep voice that nearly instilled fright in me. Anyway, I knew I had to sit tight.

For a moment, no one spoke. Then I decided to ignite a discussion to break the silence, no matter how trite. But before I could open my mouth to utter a word, he said, “Friend, do you mind a bottle of Sprite and probable a plate of rice?”

That seemed to excite my appetite, but all I said was, “thank you very much, I think I’m alright for the night.”

Now at the right side of his white shirt, I could notice a familiar badge.

“You seem to be a knight”, I said.

“Of course you’re right, and I pay my tithe”, he replied.

As the discussion went on, I heard right behind me an exploding sound almost like that of dynamite and a slight turn revealed that it was a fight. In a mite of seconds, a young man lay on the floor bleeding profusely.

“What a site! A real blight on this bright atmosphere”, I thought to myself, “this must have been borne out of spite”

Well, some security personnel came to help him out of his plight. That gave me more insight into life.

On turning to my new friend, I could see the fright well expressed on his plump face and right then, he got up and said, “Friend, it’s been a nice night with you and I have to take my leave right now. You see, I’ve been here since twilight. Besides, I expect my freight at the Apapa Port tomorrow and will have to take a 7a.m flight to Lagos the same day”

“Your freight”, I said, “you must have attained a great height”

“Of course you’re right”, he replied once more, “but it’s neither by power nor by might. Anyway, goodnight”

In a moment, he was out of sight and it wasn’t until then it dawned on me that I had only come to see the sight and not to spend the whole night. Then I knew I had to make it right home. On arriving home, I was set to write some of the things that make me feel right. In the process, my little cousin brought me a bowl of rice which quite satisfied my appetite to my delight.

Shortly afterwards, I got into bed and wrapped tightly in my white blanket. Then, it began to dawn on me once more that the night had been full of distractions: the site, the fight, the knight and even the bowl of rice. Anyway, I said to myself as I shot my eyelids, “goodnight.”

Not The Same

Sometimes it sounds insane when we say to old friends, “I’m born again”, because this seems to go against the grain.

But you know, when you’re not born again, you’re on the wrong lane. Though you may be popping champagne, enjoying fame, flying in your own plane, to make it plain, you may be likened to one playing in the way of a train waiting only to be slain. By then, the fame and all the things you once counted as gain will be vain.

Let me try to explain. I’m born again and not the same. I once acted insane, was profane, inhumane, full of disdain and detained in Satan’s chain. But my change came when I understood the pain of my Saviour that was slain. Jesus’ blood washed away my guilt stain and every shame. I’ve since then had to remain in the truth and refrain from my old ways and have equally regained all the things that had earlier gone down the drain.

Though sometimes my brain tells me that I’m drained of what it takes to stay, yet I hear in my spirit that this grace that does not wane will sustain me. Therefore, I desire all the more the rain of the Spirit even as I allow Him in every way to reign.

I’m born again and not the same.

The Debate

My people, abeg make una concentrate. I won talk straight because im get somethings wey we go begin eradicate before dem escalate. Whether you be graduate o, undergraduate o, you get only school certificate o or even say you be illiterate, no worry, we go still try relate.  Ok, I go tell una one tori.

Im get one day wey I dey travel go my state to moderate a debate and just as I dey for bus dey manage my space, dey meditate to build may faith, we come enter pothole and small time, the bus begin dey vibrate. Na so all the passengers too begin dey vibrate, dey agitate. Driver come stop say make we wait because say our tyre don deflate. As we dey wait, we just dey relate; gist dey generate; and small time, pure water begin dey circulate.

Now, im come get one bros like that wey begin educate; we come dey concentrate, but somehow, the thing come translate into a debate and I come see myself dey moderate. Wetin be the case now? My bros talk say Im don hate the state of our Nija and won go United States so Im go hama like Bill Gates. But another bros come say Im friend wey be expatriate for United States advise am say make Im no too dey exaggerate dey think say na there wey every suffer-suffer dey terminate.

Ok my people, make I talk as Im dey do me for mind. Whether na United States or na Nija States you won dey, make una know say na the state of our mind dey tell our fate. Person wey go dey great go educate im mind make im dey up to date, but person wey go stagnate too dey wait, dey procrastinate and na so im life too dey depreciate. Na true talk say life no get duplicate o because say no only one wey Baba God create. So therefore, make we separate from bad thing, carry our slate to educate so that tomorrow we go fit celebrate.

As I believe say this thing don penetrate, make God frustrate everything we dey talk say you no go elevate and make Im power terminate the things wey dey militate, in Jesus name. Amen.