Man Up, Son

Its Monday, March 14th and I have taken the day off to "update my goals". I sincerely think everyone needs to do this from time to time, especially if you someone like me who always seems to be confident about plans, rather than being confident in actions. I'd explain what I mean by that in a second.
I have an older brother and father, who always ensure they remind me that I have goals to achieve, under a specific time period. Many people do not have this advantage of a caring family. I have come to accept a flaw of mine, which is that I am always confident things would work my way without me even trying it. Trust me, its wrong. I really appreciate this fatherly figures in my life and start acting like them or atleast ensuring that Im acting on the message they trying to entrench in me.

So I have been doing research for Grad School and decided not to just focus all my energy in one place. With this in mind, I have narrowed down some schools in the UK. Ofcourse, I cant really share on here my exact plans(stalkers and non well wishers,aplenty). I really have to be moving fast.

I remember years ago, jus after secondary school, when I had planned that by now, I would be done all things school, be well entrenched in my career. Well today, that is not the case. I clearly have been side tracked by the way. Luckily, I have people have not given up on me and want me to succeed.

In all these realization though, I have been getting frustrated recently. I do not know if my frustation is brought on by my challenges or by the fact that I feel so unaccomplished. I do not at this time in my life want to be dependent on my father for anything, but his prayers, blessing and advice. What is a man to do at this point? I really should get my act together and drop my pride( actually, I have none), ask for help and strive to achieve what I want.

On a lighter note, I have been contacted to write for Nexus Africa, a site that is about all things Africa.At Nexus Africa, we strive to highlight the great facets of Africa; from culture, history, entertainment and tourism to politics, business and economics.
We also strive to bring Africans together as well as to connect with non-Africans through upbeat exchange, engaging dialogue, informative articles and presentations all centered around enjoyable topics and themes. "Seun's World" is the name of my column and I hope you become followers and readers. Here's my first post: http://www.nexusafrica.ca/fight-corruption-joke/

The fight against Corruption: A joke

"I charged our anti corruption agencies to speed up the war against corruption, and respect no sacred cows in the process"..."Let the ordinary Nigerian be assured that President Jonathan will have zero tolerance for corruption"..."We will fight corruption!"

These were the words of President Goodluck Jonathan,when he declared his candidacy for the PDP presidential primaries on 18th September, 2010. For many of us, Jonathan though not a saint, is better than what we've had in the past in terms of corruptible leaders. He has taken strides to move the country forward such as the reduction in fuel scarcities in the country, the improvement in the country's GDP that have been very impressive compared to the rest of the world(3rd best GDP increase behind China and India) and many other things.
I personally have started noticing cracks in this man's staunch position to be a credible leader since the PDP primaries but I will not delve on those issues now. What really grinds my gears now is the way the PDP and the presidency celebrated the end of Olabode George's time in jail for corruption.Mr. George was released from the Kirikiri Maximum Prison on Saturday after serving a two-year jail term for mismanaging funds of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) while he was chairman of its board. The 15-month-old court case between Mr. George and others involved fraudulent awards of about 29,000 contracts worth N84 billion by the NPA's board of directors between 2001 and 2003. While some thought Mr. George's release would be a subdued affair, the politician, who emerged from jail clad in a white agbada, was received by hundreds of political associates and supporters who turned the event into a carnival of sorts. The motley crowd later rode in a convoy of vehicles to the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos for a thanksgiving service.Present at the service were senior PDP members including former president, Olusegun Obasanjo; minister of defence, Adetokunbo Kayode and Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel. Others were southwest leader of the party, Tajudeen Oladipo; the party's governorship candidate for Lagos, Ade Dosunmu, and a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose.Mr. George, apparently buoyed by the effusive welcome by his supporters, some of whom wore T-shirts proclaiming him the ‘Joseph of our time,' said he was ready to lead his party to future electoral victories.
To celebrate a man who siphoned about 100 billion of the country's funds after what many already argue was a short jail term is quite sad. That the celebration was lead by a former president and major power in the country in Obasanjo and that the presidency was represented by cabinet members is a big shame to our fight against corruption. A fight which our beloved president says he wants to fight to a halt. This is quite sad and makes me wonder what the future holds for us.
Below are some excerpts from concerned Nigerians who also join me in seeing something massively wrong in this.

"There is nothing wrong in rehabilitating a prisoner," ACN's national publicity secretary, Lai Mohammed said. "But turning an occasion that calls for penitence and soberness to a carnival of sorts is a disservice to Nigeria. It also ridicules Nigeria in the eyes of the world." Mr. Mohammed said that despite the fact that Mr. George was jailed for stealing money meant for port management and development, "some clowns are now comparing him to Obafemi Awolowo or Nelson Mandela."Let us remind Nigerians that partly because of Bode George's grand larceny, it now takes five times the number of times it should take to clear a container; while the Apapa port can hardly handle some ocean-going vessels bringing in imported fuel, thus heightening the possibility of fuel scarcity," Mr. Mohammed said.

A leader of the Civil Liberties Organisation, Supo Ojo, said the kind of fanfare that followed Mr. George's release from prison was a revelation that Nigeria is in deep trouble. "It somehow makes Bode George the symbol of corruption in Nigeria and the extent to which corruption has eaten deeply into the system in Nigeria," he said. "We have been thinking that the situation is not so bad, but with what happened Saturday, it shows that even people in governmental position in this country are deeply corrupt and they eulogise corruption as part of their guiding principles, therefore we are really in trouble in this country."

Also condemning the revelry following Mr. George's release, the executive director of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Ibuchukwu Ezike, said the situation was a manifestation of the realities of Nigerian politics. "Instead of a person known to have stolen public funds and convicted of a crime to hide his face in shame, we see him rejoicing and people all around celebrating him. This is a manifestation of what is happening in the political class. We have a very corrupt political class in Nigeria, and it is this, the world should be fighting against," he said.

Mr President, I must say as a concerned Nigerian, I am higly disappointed in this and I pray you have a good enough explanation for your recent actions. You just recently went to the Ibadan and called the SouthWest governors "rascals", a term which sadly falls heavily on PDP governors in the state. An incumbent president should have more class, and be more careful with his words. Sadly, I still believe you have a lot to offer this country so please do not get distracted and let go of your virtues.

For Olabode, I hope he has plans to get rehabilitated and change his ways. Im friends with some of his kids and do not hate the man. I just hope he has learned and will become a better man.*

* Quotes where gotten from various Nigerian news sites.

formspring.me

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/seundazedfaze ....Guess whos back to formspring?

J.E.G.A

Ever since someone made me notice that J.E.G.A could translate for 'Jonathan Ebele Goodluck Azikwe, I have been questioning my undoubted faith in Jega. If you do not know who Jega or Jonathan is, this post might not be for you. But for the nice person that I am, I will tell you who they are quickly.

Jega Attahiru was the man summoned by the federal executive council to come fix arguably Nigeria's biggest problem- Unfair and rigged elections. Iwu, the former INEC boss was believed my many to be so corrupt, his continuous handling of the electoral body would bring the country to ruins. Jega, upon appointment has been able to show many that is a man to be trusted and believed to bring about the most credible and fairest election in Africa's history. I, can proudly say, I am one of the many. He has made sure he came out clean on many things- from whether he needed extended time to achieve his mandate, or how much he needs and many others.

Now Jonathan, is Nigeria's incumbent president, who is seeking reelection and for some election, since he is only finishing the time of his dead boss- Umaru Musa Yar'adua. Jonathan appointed Jega and we all fully supported the move upon the display of Jega's character.

Now I would not seat hear and tell you I'm impressed with all Jega has done till date- many I am not impressed with, which includes but is not limited to the non payment of ad-hoc staff, not sending observers to some primaries and so on. But I would say is that for the wrongs he has done, he has so far seem to be unbiased and incorruptible, at-least until now.

A big chance to test his resolve has propped up. INEC gave all parties a deadline to hold all primaries at all levels. The ruling party, which appointed Jega via its presidential candidate who is the incumbent president, has issues with some of its primaries and wants to hold reruns, which Attahiru has done well to say he wont accept the list of candidates from these primaries. If he sticks to his word, he would have the blessings and confidence of Nigerians at large, and you would see them reciprocate by turning out in large numbers to vote in the April elections.
If he gets it wrong and allows their candidates to run, then he would be seen as been a tool in the hand of the president to return the party to power in many positions in the country. This would be a failure for his much publicized self professed honesty.

Now the problem here is more complex. INEC currently is an arm of the federal government, funded by the government. Until the house and senate work on and pass a bill that makes INEC independent in the true sense of it, I mean work out a way to fund itself, then it would continue to be a tool for the incumbent government. Do you get it? I hope you do. If not and are still interested, please send me an email @ ookegbem@gmail.com.

What a coincidence with the name though. LOOOOLLLLLL
Thanks for reading. Your comments would be immensely appreciated.

Like An Angel

Like an angel, she came into my life
Like I was trapped in a jail, I needed to escape
Messages, subliminal
Beauty, unexplained
Love so strong, hate so far
Life so sweet, my heartbeat fast
Want her to be mine
I swear she is so fine
Fine from far, fine when near too
Her words so soothing
Therapeutic, her touch is
Eyes
Nose, perfectly shaped like a bicycle seat
Lips so soft, honeycombs drops
Neck so firm, a gazelle would fear
Hips curved, my grip so firm
Bosom intact, four wrappers won’t hide them
Even more striking is her smile,
So bright, night never came
With her, joy seems eternal

When we make love, heaven seemed so near
We lock lips, gaze fixed
Hair stands, sweat breaks
Her hands gripping the silk sheets
Mine holding her back
We made love, doves seated at the window
Feet clenched, she would scratch my back
Eyes closed, she calls my name
With neighbors’ screaming
Eyes open, she calls again, chuckling
We shared jokes, time seemed to pause
Passionate the love we made,
Sensual the feeling we share
Zesty, things became
Alas, I knew she was mine to have
And I, hers to keep
Watch, as we go lay on the sand
With the lake in front of us,
We bade goodbye to the sun
Looking forward to dinner, under the moonlight.

Her name is __________________