THERE'S ALWAYS A FIRST TIME

 

I was thinking this morning... Last Wednesday evening, I called to check if a friend who travelled to Abuja on a day trip had returned. He told me that on the flight to Abuja, he sat beside a young lady, in her thirties, who on arrival in Abuja did not know how to unfasten her seat belt. She struggled for a bit and looked to him to assist. He happily did without making her feel ashamed.

When they disembarked, he saw the lady standing by the foot of the aircraft, expecting her checked-in luggage to be handed to her. My friend understood what was going on and led her to the baggage carousel in the arrival hall. It was while they were waiting she confessed that it was her first time of flying. My friend smiled and said to her 'there is always a first time.'

There's always a first time at something for everyone. I remember my first time of sailing on a luxury cruise from Miami to Bahamas. My goodness! It was a wow experience for a Warri boy. My Nigerianess was on display from embarkation to disembarkation. The good news was everyone was willing to help without making me feel stupid or out-of-sort. I enjoyed every bit of my ignorant first experience.

In a just world, first experience should be fun and enjoyable. The problem is there are many who have made first timers look stupid. If a Warri man had observed me on my first cruise ride, he would’ve called me an Ogbori or a Jew-man or JJC (Johnny Just Come). There are all sorts of derogatory names for first timers out there which have not only discouraged people from asking questions but also from exploring new things.

When a first timer asks for help, give a warm response, whether he be a stranger, new employee or new member of your church. Do not put out the proud 'na we dey run things here' attitude. Always remember that you were once a first timer. Just make every first timer feel that it's okay to be a first timer. Leviticus 19:34 ESV. “You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey

WHO IS DRIVING YOUR BUS?

 

I was thinking this morning..... Tragedy struck in Lagos a few minutes before 8am last Thursday when a passenger train collided with a fully-loaded staff bus belonging to the Lagos State Government at the PWD rail crossing, off the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. Six persons died and 96 injured.

As investigation opened to unravel how and why the driver went into the train tracks when other vehicles had stopped, I recalled the idiom 'standing in front of a moving train,' which means to sacrifice one's own life for a noble or loyal cause. But what could be the cause the bus driver was going to die for? No one knows.

The interesting thing was that the bus driver was not among the dead. In the last part of the chorus of Fela Anikulapo Kuti's 1985 Army Arrangement song, he sang '...You go die for nothing (ghen-ghen); We go carry your body go police station, you die wrongfully.....' The dead workers in that bus hit by the train died wrongfully.

Truth is many are being driven by reckless drivers to their death. We have seen people pushed and provoked by their partners or spouses until they commit suicide. They died wrongfully. Who is driving your bus?

There are leaders that have led their nations to unnecessary wars. The 12 year Syrian civil war is a case in point where over 300,000 civilians have been killed because the driver, President Bashar al-Assad has decided to drive into a moving train. The people died wrongfully.

Who is driving your bus? Whether in private or public life, sometimes you really have no control about who drives your bus, but you can add your voice to other voices of reason to call a misbehaving driver to order. Where you have control, then it is important to examine the physical and mental state of the person that will be behind the steering of your life.

If you are the driver of some other persons bus, what's on your mind? Like we say in Warri 'wetin dey work you?' Stay focused and be clear headed so you don't drive the bus in front of a moving train. If you can't save others, at least do not lead them to a wrongful death (Proverbs 24: 11-12).

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey

SHITTY DIARRHEIC EVENT

 

I was thinking this morning...... Weeks ago, I suffered a bad case of diarrhoea. What started as a mere indigestion quickly turned into uncontrolled stooling. I was losing fluid and getting weak with each visit to the restroom.

While waiting for medical assistance to arrive, I needed to do something to reduce the rate of my running to the toilet. So, I quickly thought of applying my knowledge of science. I thought of the principle of gravity and assumed that if I laid down in a flat position or with my head slightly lower than my bowels, maybe the stool will remain in position, since it cannot flow upwards.

I was so wrong. With my head in a lower position, the stool moved in the opposite direction. I learnt something new in 'medical physics' that it doesn't matter the direction the head is facing, 'shit' goes in only one direction, down the intestine.

There are many people that have made themselves like shit. They have a good leader headed in the right direction but they have decided to go the wrong way. Knew a great and upright man who was a role model to many in the society, yet had a son that was a menace to society. The young man was like shit programmed to move in one direction, irrespective of where the head is facing.

In the run up to the February 25th election, the perception was that the President (the head) was poised to ensure a free, fair and credible election. What happened proved the theory of my medical physics that 'it doesn't matter the direction the head is facing, shit goes in only one direction, down the intestine.'

If there is anyone you are mentoring who is bent on going the wrong way, don't despair. Do not let the action of a few delinquents make you feel like you have failed or not doing enough. Don't allow one shitty diarrheic event spoil your day. Our efforts in doing right will not be in vain. Galatians 6:9 'And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.'

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey

THE FETUS IS INNOCENT

 

I was thinking this morning..... Last week, a 24 years old pregnant Florida woman, charged with murdering mom-of-three in an Uber ride says she should be released from jail because her fetus is innocent. Natalia Harrell was six weeks pregnant when she was arrested in July and charged with shooting dead Gladys Borcela. She argued that by putting her in jail, they are also jailing her innocent unborn child. She had said 'My fetus is innocent.'

As I stood in the queue yesterday, waiting for my turn to vote, I recognised that whatever decision we took, was not just going to affect us the adults older than 18 years of age but also millions of Nigerians who couldn't vote because they are below 18 years of age. We are like parents carrying the young and unborn in our wombs.

Those that sold their votes or knowingly made a bad choice based on ethnic or other selfish reasons are not just potentially putting themselves in jail for 4 years, they will also be putting their innocent young children. Synonymous with jailing the fetus while in the womb.

As the results start trickling in, I really do hope that we have made the right choice of who will steer the ship of this nation for the next 4 years. Truly, our wrong decisions should not affect our unborn children. The fetus is innocent. I take solace in the words of Ezekiel 18:20 'The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity'.

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey

STANDING IN MY HEART

 

I was thinking this morning.... A few Sundays ago, I was sitting at the Ministers corner in Church in a figure four crossed leg position. This is a position I have been used to all my life because it serves as a flat surface for my writing note and Bible. I was doing my thing when a minister in front turned around, smiled at me and tapped my crossed leg, telling me to drop it.

I smiled and reluctantly dropped my leg but as I did so, I recalled the story of the little boy that went with the mum to church. For some reason, the little boy kept standing up when everyone was seated. When the boy stands up, the mum will pull him to sit. This happened a number of times until the mother could take it no more. At which point, she threatened him with serious beating if he stood up one more time. At this point, the little boy sat down smiling.

A worshipper sitting close by and observing the drama wondered why the little boy was smiling after being threatened, and decided to find out. The little boy whispered in response, 'My mother doesn't know that even though I am sitting down physically, in my mind, I am standing up.' Defiance, you will say.

Physical posture may give an indication but heart posture matters the most. The truth is that, there are many who may be sitting and eating with you on the same table, but in their heart they are actually standing and fighting against you. They smile with you but in their heart, they celebrate at your misfortune. These people honor you with their lips, but their hearts are far from you (Matthew15:8).

Never fret over such persons because God will not give you as prey to their teeth. Just be true to yourself. Don't be like that little boy that was sitting physically but standing in his heart. Let your physical posture match your heart posture, otherwise, you are a pretender.

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey

OYIBO NIGERIA

 

I was thinking this morning...... While growing up in Warri, there were many things we became used to as native to the locality. Occasionally, we came across species or variety that are DIFFERENT FROM.... no, not Bala blu, but from the local ones and we simply prefixed the name with 'oyibo' which means white man but could also be translated to mean foreign.

That was what played in my head as I drove into Warri days ago and saw a variety of coconut (Cocos nucifera) tree different from the variety that grew every where. The tree of this variety had fruits that were softer on the inside and we called this variety of coconut, 'Oyibo coconut'.

If you grew up in the village anywhere in the south of Nigeria, then rabbit hunting would've been your game. The rabbit we knew were like giant rats but with longer tail. Suddenly, someone brought a white animal in a cage and told us it was rabbit. 'How can that be?' We wondered. Not in a position to argue, we called the white animal 'Oyibo rabbit.'

The list continues. We were used to Cabin biscuit and when we eventually tasted cookies or shortbread biscuit, we called it 'Oyibo biscuit.' Our waste bins were infested with rotten foods with nothing to scavenge for. And when some kids found broken toys and comic books in the waste bins in GRAs, they called the bins 'oyibo dirty.'

As I mused, I remembered this song from my childhood days 'Oh my home, o my home; when shall I see my home; when shall I see my native land; I will never forget my home!'

Oh God, when will our native land Nigeria become 'Oyibo Nigeria' where there is constant electricity, potable water, good roads and security? I never knew a day will come when Nigerians will queue at ATMs for Naira.

While I am not a believer of 'everything oyibo is good,' but with regards to the basic amenities of life, we have a chance to have an 'oyibo Nigeria' if only we make the right choice in the coming elections.

John 1:46 - Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Please, don't be a Nathanael. We have a chance to make Nigeria like the oyibo land people are japa'ing to today. Go out and vote wisely. Nigeria can be better than what it is today. Oyibo Nigeria is possible.

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey

THE CAR PUSHER

 

I was thinking this morning..... On my way to Warri two days ago, I observed two okadas (motorbikes) ahead along the expressway, riding very closely behind a black SUV. Immediately, my safety instinct kicked in, as I imagined how they can easily crash into the vehicle should the driver step on his brakes.

However, as I got closer, what I saw surprised me. The two okada riders each had one of their legs on the right and left back side of the SUV. They were not tailgating the car, rather, they were pushing the vehicle on. Warri!!! I have seen okada push okada and even okada push keke (tricycle) but not okada push an SUV.

In Nigeria, what okada cannot do does not exist. In addition to being the rescue means of transport when traffic 'tie wrapper,' we have seen Okada being used to transport almost anything including a large cow.

Nigeria is at a major intersection with very reckless drivers behind the wheels. We are stuck and can't move forward. Some will even say that the engine running Nigeria has knocked and the vehicle should be scrapped. My experience last weekend gave me hope about Nigeria. If two small motorbikes can push a dead SUV down the road, then we can join hands to make Nigeria work. You can either jump out of the car (japa) or like the two okada riders, help push Nigeria forward.

The very first decision God made on your behalf is that you should be born a Nigerian. Jumping ship and denying Nigeria is you saying God made a mistake.

Yes, it could be frustrating seeing the Nigerians you are fighting for, support the rotten candidates of the lot. Like a friend said, it is like setting yourself on fire to light a path for a blind man.

We must not give up on Nigeria. Jeremiah 33:7 says 'I will restore the fortunes of Nigeria and will rebuild them as they were at first. Be like the okada riders that is helping push the vehicle down the road. Join hands to make Nigeria great. Vote wisely to restore Nigeria.

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey

CARRY A TOWEL LIKE AN IBIBIO CHIEF

 

I was thinking this morning..... I attended the burial ceremony of the mother of a colleague last Friday. The venue was packed and looking like a political rally. Because it was humid, it didn't take long before we started sweating.

While some of us brought out our handkerchiefs to dry our sweat, I observed a chief sitting closeby had a large white bath towel, the size used for drying your whole body after a bath or shower, on his shoulder on top his traditional attire. I was amazed and asked my colleague if the chief came to the burial to have his bath? Surprisingly, I was told that it is the practice of Ibibio chiefs to have a large towel on one shoulder when they go out. Wow!

It was an aha moment for me because unlike most people that underestimate the efforts associated with an activity, Ibibio chiefs take no chances. They are ready for any volume of sweat, even if it pours like shower.

Some ladies before marriage, see red flags concerning the man they are to marry. Yet, they not only continue with the relationship, they get into the marriage with handkerchief. Error! Be like the Ibibio chiefs and come with a big towel in readiness to clean any volume of sweat the man may cause you.

Similarly, as we get into the final days of this election season, the work of rescuing Nigeria is not one that requires handkerchiefs. We need large towels. Go out to vote on February 25th and do not to go out with an handkerchief, go with a large towel, because we do not want a candidate whose votes have gone low low low to suddenly buga up.

As we enter February in a few days, are you ready for the work ahead? Life is warfare, so do not take things for granted. Just like you don't go to a gun fight with a knife, you also don't go to the bathroom with handkerchief. This year, there is real work to be done, so come with a large towel like an Ibibio chief. Proverbs 24:27 says 'Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.'

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey

IT'S TIME TO BE AN ENUGU MAN

 

I was thinking this morning..... I left my house last Friday for a little errand that should have lasted 15mins at most. As I drove out, I noticed very long fuel queues at most of the Fuel stations. A journey that was to last 15mins took almost an hour.

As we crawled along, I turned on the radio and heard the news of a Nigerian man in Enugu State that angrily took a lady to court after she collected N3k to visit him but she didn't show up. The court reportedly held that the lady's action was deceitful and directed her to pay him N150k in damages for going against an agreement.

It was a funny story to me, because I couldn't understand what damages the lady caused the man and was to pay for. But as I thought about it in the middle of criminal fuel queues causing severe traffic, It dawned on me that it's time for Nigerians to sue. Walk with me.

If only we knew earlier that we could sue for damages for being deceived, many would've been rich. Remember, being told as a child that if you swallow the seed of an orange, an orange tree will grow on your head? What about 'read your book o, so that you will have an easy life?' What about the gist that, 'if rain dey fall and sun dey shine means elephant dey born.' Chai! We grew up to know that all na bobo. If only I knew that I could've sued the purveyors of such lies, I sure would've been a billionaire.

On a national level, we have multiple grounds to sue. In 2015, Nigerians were promised uninterrupted electricity within 6 months, cheap and available fuel, security for all and naira equaling the value of the dollar amongst others. Seven plus years down the line, nothing has changed, rather it's become worse. It's time to sue. We must sue these politicians for damages like the Enugu man. Enough of this deceit.

It's another election cycle and the politicians are making promises again. If you sell your vote, you have been paid and have no grounds to sue if they don't deliver. Bank their promises and wait. If they fail, then it's time to be an Enugu man. It's time to sue. Matthew 5:37 'But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.'

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey

HAVE YOUR SPOON IN YOUR POCKET

 

I was thinking this morning...... I recently attended a funeral ceremony that took a lot of time. By the time we got to the reception, everyone was famished. It took another hour before the food started going round. When our table was eventually served, the food came without cutlery. My God! The annoyance on the faces of those around the table was obvious.

As we waited in hunger, I recalled the story of a man that went for a funeral service reception uninvited. When asked why he was there, he said he was there for nothing else but to mourn the dead. But as soon as food was served, even before cutlery arrived, he brought out a spoon from his pocket and dug into the steaming jollof rice. Talk about being prepared? Boy Scout!

You can accuse the man of everything but one thing you can't accuse him of is not being prepared. He came to mourn but when the opportunity to munch presented itself, he took it with dispatch.

There are many that are hungry and praying for food. When the food is served, they will be asking and wasting time waiting for the servers to bring cutlery. In this year and the days we are in, only the smart and prepared will survive. Please don't be like me and the others on my table that, despite our hunger, were waiting to be given cutlery before we can eat. If you must enjoy the jollof rice while it is hot, please carry a spoon in your pocket/bag.

You are a job seeker telling everyone you need a job. You went for a wedding or Church service and was introduced to a potential employer who asked for your CV. Instead of reaching into your bag or pocket and hand him a copy of your CV, you responded 'Please, can I send it to you tomorrow?' Like seriously? If you must enjoy the jollof rice while it is hot, please carry a spoon in your pocket.

Same with those looking for a business opportunity or a spouse. Do you have a spoon in your pocket? If the jollof rice is served now without cutlery, will you be able to eat it? Your blessings can come in unexpected places, so you must be prepared to take it. 1st Peter 3:15 says 'be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.'

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey

GROWING ON CONCRETE

 

I was thinking this morning... I recently came across a video of a very fruity pawpaw (papaya) tree which for many is no big deal. When you, however, look down to where it is growing on, then you will understand why I paused to think on this. It grew and was fruiting on top a stack of abandoned cement blocks, about 2m off the earth.

Of all places to grow, that for sure is one of the harshest environment for a pawpaw tree to grow on. According to elementary agriculture, the pawpaw tree require adequate soil moisture, especially in the first two years after planting, but in this instance there was no soil talk less of being adequate. It also said, Papaya trees are good feeders and therefore need to be fertilized regularly.

The question then is, how did this particular pawpaw tree survive on top a stack of cement blocks with no soil, fertilizer nor regular watering? How was it even able to hold firm and sturdy enough to carry the weight of its fruit on top of hollow blocks? All I can see is RESILIENCE or what we call a 'gree-die' spirit in Warri.

If this pawpaw seed can survive, grow and bear such succulent fruits in the worst environmental condition ever, what is your excuse this year? 'Bros, you don't understand. Things are tough in naija. Companies are not employing. I have no man to help me' Think again. The pawpaw tree had no man to help water and fertilize it, yet it grew and now producing fruits.

'Bros, you still don't gerrit. I was abandoned when I was a baby. No parents to support me through life.' Think again. Whoever threw that pawpaw seed on top the cement block, did not expect it to survive. Yet, it survived and now bearing fruits. What is your excuse?

As we go through 2023, be determined not only to survive but to thrive like this pawpaw tree. The interesting thing is when you start bearing fruits those who gave you no chance will be the first to line up to eat of your succulent fruits. Therefore, dig deep, spread your roots and hold firm, because at the scent of water, you will bud (Job 14:9).

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday. 

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey

ALONE ON THE PITCH

I was thinking this morning..... During a football match between Charlton Athletics and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in December 1937, the fog began to thicken soon after the kick-off. The game went unusually silent for the Charlton goalkeeper, Sam Bartram, who remained at his post, peering into the thickening fog from the edge of his penalty area, wondering why the play was not coming his way.

After a long time," he wrote, 'a figure loomed out of the curtain of fog in front of me. It was a policeman, and he gaped at me incredulously. "What on earth are you doing here?" he gasped. "The game was stopped a quarter of an hour ago. The field's completely empty". He hadn't heard the whistle. Wow!

The kick-off whistle for another year (2023) has just been blown and like Charlton goalkeeper, many are doubtful about the future because of the fog of challenges. Though you can't tell what is coming your way, I urge you to remain at your post and peer into the fog. The match is still on.

It might even be that for a period, you will see no action. Your life becomes quiet and you will wonder why the play is not coming your way. Your career, no action. Your marital life, no action. You will probably feel all alone on the pitch. Stay focused and connected. The match is not over.

The sad part of the experience of the Charlton goalkeeper was that none of his team mates cared enough to inform him that the match had ended. For many, because of the noise (trouble) around them they will not hear the prompt to change job or location. Do not depend on those around to tell you because most people care about themselves only. Such is life.

The game of life will not be called off on you. You will finish the game of 2023 and come out victorious. Only be focused because you never know when the ball will be kicked to you. Just keep your eyes on the ball while rejoicing that you've already won the match through Christ (Hebrews 12:2).

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy New Year!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey