Sunday 13 January 2019

Fatberg and Sootberg


Sootberg
I was thinking this morning...... about the monsters we feed. During the week I read the Associated Press (AP) News where a British Official says a giant 'fatberg' measuring 64 meters (210 feet) long has been found blocking a sewer in southwestern England. 'Fatberg' is a term coined from 'Iceberg' to refer to a mass of hardened fat, oil and baby wipes. Andrew Roantree of South West Water says it will 'take our sewer team around eight weeks to dissect this monster in exceptionally challenging work conditions.' he urged the public not to pour grease down the drain or flush baby wipes down the toilet, adding; 'Don't feed the fatberg.'
 
As I reflected on this report, I was not interested in whether we have a similar challenge of blocked sewers in Nigeria because we do not have public sewers or underground drains in most cities. Everyone digs his own soak away pit and manages his 'shit.' Those who can't afford to have their own soak away pits, throw their wastes in open drains. yes, that is our lot. What however came to my mind was the parallel in our society, when I read his final statement, 'Don't feed the fatberg.' I recalled stepping out of the bathroom in my house in Port Harcourt and with wet bathroom slippers walked on the white tiles. When I looked behind me, with each step was a black patch on the floor. Wow! Black soot! Why do we still have this soot problem after so much protests to the government? What started as inconsequential effect of some youth engaging in illegal refinery (referred to as kpo-fire in the local parlance) have now become a major environmental challenge which I can now call a 'Sootberg.'
 
Now, because the NNPC-distributed kerosene and diesel don't get to a lot of communities in the riverine areas, whole communities get involved in 'kpo-fire' to run their lives and economy. They are feeding the sootberg. The community boys need to make fast money, so they damn the odds and move into the creeks to cook crude. They are feeding the sootberg. The security agents and politicians are involved. They collect 'tax' from the refiners, use them as political foot soldiers and turn the other way to allow them ply their illegal trade. They are feeding the sootberg. In all of these, the masses are the losers because in a few years the health effects of this pollution will be loud. I beg all those involved, save the lives of present generation and stop feeding the sootberg.
 
We feed the monster but know it not. Politics is here and it's been nothing but bitterness and intolerance. Rather than engaging in intellectual debate of their programmes, politicians are resorting to crude ways of winning. They believe, if they shut their opponents out from the public, their popularity will wane. So they violently resist their opponents from putting out their campaign posters or campaign in areas they control. You read reports like 'SDP agent stabbed in Kogi by suspected APC goons for pasting posters,' One killed in Rivers during fight over poster placement,' MC Oluomo stabbed, dozens injured as Lagos APC rally turns violent' and I am wondering, are we not feeding a monster here? In all of these, the disgruntled youths (scum of society) are the ones being used and I am saying, please don't feed the 'scumberg,' (not scumbag.)
 
Fatberg, sootberg and scumberg are modern day monsters that we must starve rather than feed. There may be many other monsters that are in your lives (lies, infidelity etc.) that I urge you to stop feeding but rather shatter their heads as was done in Psalms 74:13.
 
Happy Sunday.
 
......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey.
 
 

Sunday 6 January 2019

Witch Hunting: Na Our Work o!

Witch-hunting: Na Our Work O!
I was thinking this morning..... about the exploits of 'village people' and the burden of blame. Of a truth, 2018 was a great year. One of great breakthroughs for many, but also one of great disappointment for others. While I know that many have testimonies to share about how they are the architect of their success, what is not common is people taking responsibility for their failures. It has become trendy for people to point fingers at who they believe is responsible for the unfortunate turn of events in their lives.
 
I heard of a man that the Lord had blessed with a great job and a lovely family. Suddenly, he said the boss annoyed him and decided to resign. The wife begged him not to but out of pride, he turned down all sensible pleas and left the organization. Months later, he couldn't care for his wife or pay his children school fees and the family crumbled. hen he sat back in his loneliness to reflect on where he missed it, he heard his 'village people' (household wickedness) saying 'Na our work o.' We know of the work of the 'village people.' but this trend of blaming every misfortune on others and 'village people' is becoming sickening.
 
Imagine Donald Trump riding on the Blame Game wagon. He decided to tag every of his misfortune including the Russia investigation as a 'witch hunt.' According to CNN news, Trump is reported to have used the term 'witch hunt' more than 60 times on twitter and the witches in America are angry. The witches in America came out openly on CNN to say that Trump's repeated use of the term 'witch hunt' throughout his presidency and most recently to describe the Russia investigation is disgraceful because none of it is their handiwork. The witches are saying 'No be our work o.' Hmm!!!
 
Then the Nigerian politicians took it to the next level. In 2018, NBS says unemployment rate rose from 18% to 23.1%, while the number of unemployed Nigerians jumped to 20.9 million. Poverty level increased and the degraded Boko Haram charged back with renewed vigor. Even the President and his lovely wife were at each other's throat concerning the cabal running this government. When people asked what is happening, the ruling party responded, 'Na their work o.' They said the PDP possibly working with some 'village people' are responsible. On the other hand, the Police and Dino Melaye are playing 'Tom & Jerry.' When you tell Dino to go answer to his charge, PDP will tell you it is the work of APC, their detractors. They will say 'Na their work o.'
 
But why won't the witches and 'village people' carry placard with the bold inscription 'No be our work o?' Ehnn? When so many are hiding under 'village people' to excuse their failures and wickedness. Imagine kidnappers, yahoo boys and ritualists that have met their Waterloo after so much atrocities, blaming 'village people' and saying 'Na their work o.' Mtcheww!!! This blame game must stop. Thank God for the fresh opportunity provided by the New Year to make a difference. This January, many churches are embarking on fasting and prayers. I enjoin you to participate to start the year strong, but after the spiritual exercise, roll up your sleeves and work for your success. Just like Ecclesiastes 9:10 says 'whatever you hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.' Do not be lazy mentally or physically because whatever becomes of you tis 2019 'Na your work o.' Take responsibility for your actions because there is no room to blame 'village people' this year.
 
Happy Sunday.
 
......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey.