The Offence of Cattle Herding in 1000BC

Cattle Herding in the City

I was thinking this morning.... about what constitutes an offence. I was updating myself on current affairs after a very busy week when I read this news report about Ryan Carney Williams, a man traveling from Iceland to England by British Airways (BA). On getting to the check-in counter, he was told he had excess luggage and has to pay for the excess. In order to avoid paying the fee, he opened his bag and wore all the excess clothes. He was arrested for wearing an excessive amount of clothing and of course prevented from flying. I laughed when I read the story and according to Spiff of The Johnsons comedy show, it was a classic example of BTD (Boys Thinking Deep.)

 

In my attempt to 'think deep,' I wondered, 'If wearing an excessive amount of clothes to avoid paying excess luggage fee could be classified as an offence by BA, how come the open grazing of someone's farm by the cattle of herdsmen, is not seen as one in Nigeria?' On my way to the office days ago, the cars ahead of me suddenly came to a stop. I immediately concluded that it must be another police check point. I was wrong. A young cattle herder was leading his cattle across the road in a location that is almost built up. Have you observed that these herders and their cattle don't obey traffic rules? Not Zebra (or even cattle) crossings, traffic lights nor pedestrian bridges, where they exist, yet none has been arrested for traffic offence. As I pondered on this, I recalled Exodus 22:5 that says, 'If an animal is grazing in a field or vineyard and the owner lets it stray into someone else's field to graze, then the animal owner must pay compensation from the best of his own grain or grapes.' Hmm!!!

 

Think about it, if open intrusive grazing was an offence hundreds of years before Christ (BC), it is shocking why some will consider it otherwise over 2000 years after the death of Christ (AD). When the rest of the world has gone ranching in line with biblical and best practice, Nigeria is debating cattle colonies. Na wa! This cattle colony debate reminds me of the dark past when lepers colony was common. Could it be Nigeria is operating in year 1000BC?

 

It seems logical that the compensation for destroying the crops of one man is replacing it with the best of your crops. Makes sense, right? But can someone please explain why human lives are taken in place of stolen cows. Because the only reason the umbrella body of the herders have given for the slaughtering of villagers is that their cattle were rustled. One would expect that the compensation should be the produce of the farmers and not the lives of the farmers, except of course in the estimation of the herders, cows are equal to human.

 

My take is, until we recognize that we are a nation with laws and enforce the law irrespective of who is involved, we are living in deception, because while the rest of the world is counting forward in AD, we are moving backward in BC.

 

Happy Sunday.

 

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

Snake Servant Vs Monitor Lizard

Monitor Lizard

I was thinking this morning... about how the beliefs of yesterday can affect the thinking of today. The other day as I stepped out of my house, I noticed a reptile by the fence. As I looked closely, my native mind identified what I was looking at to be 'Snake Servant.' And immediately, my eyes scanned the immediate vicinity for snakes. 'Wake up,' my educated mind raised its voice telling me that it is but a Monitor Lizard and not a servant of any snake.

 

When I got into the car I started thinking about why we refer to Monitor Lizard as 'Snake Servant' back then in Warri. I can understand if the name came about because someone once observed a snake going after the lizard and concluded that the lizard was the messenger of the snake, but can't understand why every one of us back then believed the story. Ignorance, they say, is a voluntary misfortune.

 

As I smiled at our ignorance back then, my native mind, refusing to accept defeat, asked my educated mind, 'if you are laughing at us for calling it 'Snake Servant,' can you explain why it is called Monitor Lizard? Are they class monitors or monitoring spirits?' My educated mind, lost for words, decided to consult Google. The search engine revealed that Monitor lizards, belonging to the genus Veranus, with the largest species being the Komodo dragon, derived its name from ancient Egypt.

 

In Egypt, in the early days of civilization, the Nile river was the life line of the Egyptians villages because they depended on it for cooking, washing, bathing and swimming. But the Nile had a problem. Crocodiles. How were the Egyptians to know when it was safe to enter the water, without risking being eaten? They devised a scheme. They would catch one of their large Veranus lizards and chain it by its front paws to a large boulder on the edge of the river. If the Lizard was lying peacefully sunning itself, the Egyptians knew it was safe to enter the water. If however it was thrashing about and struggling to get away, they knew that danger was lurking nearby. A crocodile was in the area. The lizard didn't want to be eaten so it would struggle to get loose of its chains. The Monitor Lizard monitored the crocodiles movement, hence its name.

 

'So how is that different from the story of the Snake Servant?' my native mind had asked. At this point, both of my minds agreed that there was no winner in this debate. But how was I drawn into this debate in the first place? It was my belief of the past affecting my thinking of today. I realized that if I don't put the beliefs that the events of 2017 had shaped in my mind under control, it will affect my thoughts in 2018.

 

 Think about it. Due to the failures of governance at all levels in Nigeria in 2017, many have entered 2018 believing all hope is lost. While many were trying to reprogram their memories from the negative beliefs, then entered fuel scarcity and killings by herdsmen. In describing what is happening, Wole Soyinka aptly captured it, 'We have been here before - now, 'before' is back with a vengeance.' Truly, 'before' is back with a vengeance, but I beg you to unravel 2018 with renewed hope for you and this nation. Do not let negative beliefs of the past affect your thinking of today. Romans 12:2 says, 'And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.'

 

Happy Sunday.

 

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

Your Strength is Your Weakness

Your strength is your weakness

I was thinking this morning... about how a strength is a weakness. This past weekend, I went with my children to watch the blockbuster adventure/comedy movie, 'Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.' After the quartet had been sublimated into the game and landed in Jumanji, they were each shown their strengths and weaknesses to aid them in playing the game successfully. While the weaknesses of others include venom, speed, endurance etc., that of Kevin Hart (who played the character, Moose Finbar) was listed as 'cake' and 'strength.' On seeing that, he exclaimed, 'how can strength be someone's weakness?' Even I was confused, saying, like we do in Warri, under my breath, 'I bow o. How can strength be someone's weakness?'

As I thought about it days after, I realized how true the statement is in a different light. I recalled the News headline this past week, 'California Legalizes Sales of Marijuana, Men and Women Queue up to Buy.' I wondered, how is it that marijuana has become iPhone X that people are queuing up to buy? Shameful! The strength of America is their freedom or liberty, but this has also become their weakness, as we watch a sizeable percent of the population become addicted to illicit drugs. Their strength has become their weakness.

 

Please dwell on that thought and come back home. It's a new year and many are wondering why the majority of Nigerians are detached from what is happening. Alberto Fujimori, the 79 years old former president of Peru was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for corruption. He spent 12 years in prison and was recently granted pardon on humanitarian ground due to the worsening of his medical condition. There was public outrage and protests across Peru with the people demanding that the current president resigns. That will never happen in Nigeria. Why? Remember, Nigerians were once judged the happiest people on earth, not because of the good life the government had created but because of our aloofness from the ills around us. Our strength (the 'odechi' to evil leaders and their actions) has become our weakness, the unchallenged raping of our commonwealth.

 

While there is a flip side that makes your strength your weakness, for many, they are like Moose Finbar, their lack of strength is their weakness. We will require strength of character if we must churn out success in 2018. Think about it, your greatest strength could be your weakness. If you are a great talker as a woman, you may be talking too much. Listen more, especially to your husband. If you are a great cook as a man, appreciate the food of your wife, even though it may taste awful.

 

Please do not let your strength be your weakness, otherwise you may not survive the game. But rather turn your weakness to strength. Thankfully, 2 Cor 12:10 says 'That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.'

 

Happy Sunday.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

New Year and New Life, the Transition

New Year Vs New Life

I was thinking this morning.... about expectant preparations for a new season. Yes, a few person expectantly prepare for the next day, many prepare for the next month (with Happy New Month now becoming a common saying), and almost everyone expectantly prepare for the next year. However, I am not sure many expectantly prepare for the next life, like we do for a new year.

I was on my way to the airport last Thursday heading to Lagos in preparation for the New Year holidays, when I got a message on Facebook asking me to check the Facebook page of a friend and former University classmate. Immediately I knew something was wrong. I checked but couldn't find him anymore amongst my friends. I reverted to our common classmate that sent the alert and he dropped the bombshell that our friend had passed on.

How could he have gone so suddenly? Was he sick? Was he in an accident? So many questions flooded my head in my confused state. I later confirmed that he had taken his son for a soccer match and decided to join the son for warm up exercise before the game begins. While they were on it, he fell to the ground and by the time the medic arrived, he was confirmed dead. What a life? There was no expectant preparation.

While I was saddened by the loss of my friend who usually ensured that I enjoyed my stay whenever I was in London, his sudden transition got me thinking. How come tonight, the last day in 2017, millions around the world will gather in churches for a crossover service that will usher in the new year, and billions more will gather around fire works at city centres and television sets for the count down to 2018, yet the most important transition from mortality to immortality is unheralded? In recent years many people close to me had made this transition without any idea of the crossover.

As we wake up tomorrow to a new day, new month and new year, everyone you meet will tell you 'Happy New Year,' but my heart skips a beat when I remember that no one is telling our loved ones that had transited, 'Happy New Life.' Yes the bible teaches that innumerable company of angels and saints are on hand to welcome saint that sleeps, but those of us on this side of the divide have hardly had the opportunity to wish them 'Happy New Life' like we do at the beginning of each year. I also understand that just like wishing someone a happy new year does not translate to the person being happy through the year, so also saying 'Happy New Life' is only but a prayer, believing that the person had done the right thing as a mortal to be happy in immortality.

Therefore, if you have lost a loved one this year 2017 and as we look forward to a new dawn in 2018, I encourage you to use this last day of the year to say a simple prayer for them by typing 'Happy New Life' after their names, before we all get drenched with the 'Happy New Year' rain. So, to Paul Idiaghe, Samson Adegboyega and family, V.O. Grant, Deaconess Omisore and Pastor Dittimi, to you I say 'Happy New Life.'

And to all of you reading my thoughts for today, I say an early 'Happy New Year.'

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

Burning Cash or Growing Cash?

Cash on fire

I was thinking this morning.... about what I have done with cash this year. It is common In Warri to hear someone tell a spendthrift, 'see how you dey burn cash!' That statement came alive a couple of Sundays back in church when a young lady came forward to give a testimony of how she and her colleagues were in the office during the week and they perceived the smell of something burning. On investigating the source of the smell, she found out the sixteen million naira (N16m) cash placed in her custody was on fire. She concluded by thanking God that only two hundred thousand naira got burnt. Don't ask me what ignited the cash because she didn't say, but the testimony got me thinking. How much cash have I burnt recently?

It occurred to me that when you are blessed with cash, you can either grow or burn the cash. When you invest your genuinely earned money sensibly and help the needy, you are growing cash, but when you misuse or mishandle money, you are burning cash. The year is ending and many cannot account for all the money that had come their way this year. While many had burnt their money on frivolities, a few had literally set theirs on fire by storing large amount of cash at home or in the office. But in any way you look at it, 'poor man no dey burn cash.' You must be rich to spend N10m clubbing in one night or keep N16m cash in a building that is not a bank.

Oh we really burn cash in this nation. Imagine Rochas Okorocha spending scarce cash to build statues in a State where salaries are owed civil servants. He is burning cash. Then, Governor Wike spent about N720m on 16 Land Cruisers for the State's representatives at the National Assembly, when salaries are owed pensioners. He is burning cash. The past government withdrew $2 billion to fight Boko Haram and this government has approved the withdrawal of another $1 billion to fight a Boko Haram that has supposedly been defeated. Remember that $1b of today (converted to naira) is equivalent to $2b of 2014. They are burning cash.

Cash is really on my mind this morning. When you grow crops for cash or profit, it is called cash crop and when a business generates so much cash it is called cash cow. What will the cash you grow for profit be called? Cash cash? As I thought about what we do with cash, I found out that in 2013, actor George Clooney invited 14 of his closest friends that had supported him early in his career, to his house for dinner and gave each one a million dollars cash in designer briefcases. He said he was giving back to them for being there for him. Hmm! I know I have been there for many of you, my friends, please do the needful. Lol....

It is that season when we part with lots of money, but I beg you to spend wisely and not burn cash. There are too many people around that you can help with a little cash rather than burn it all on your lust. Prov 22:9 says, 'Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.'

Happy Sunday.

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

It's a Season of Happiness

Season of Happiness

I was thinking this morning..... about the happiness of this season. Where I sat reflecting on my plans for the end of the year, my mind was inditing the reason why this season oozes the fragrance of happiness. Could it be because of the fog and harmattan haze we wake up to behold each morning or the almost synchronized sessions of year end appraisals going on in most organizations, giving the feeling of relief from the year long frenzy of tasks? I am suspecting that it is the sights and sounds of Christmas carols and season greetings that is softly dropping the happiness in the air like black soot in Port Harcourt. Whatever the origin of the happiness, it is sure a good feeling.

 

It was this smile I had on my lips when I read the news of Owelle Rochas Okorocha appointing his sister as 'Commissioner for Happiness and Couples' Fulfilment." My smile immediately exploded into laughter. What a joke! While I understand that happiness is a very important feeling, in the serious business of governance, methinks it cannot be a ministry for which you appoint a commissioner. Think about it. How can you measure the success of the Commissioner for Happiness and Couples' Fulfilment? Is it the number of citizens smiling daily or the number of couples blessed with the fruit of the womb that year? Since most couples will feel unfulfilled if they don't have children, will the commissioner be assisting them to make babies?

 

Following widespread criticism, the State has come out to blame printers devil, clarifying that the Ministry is that of 'Happiness and Purpose Fulfilment' and not 'Couples Fulfilment.' Dem try!

 

I am really thinking, assuming we have successfully dealt with tangible issues like roads, housing, finance, health care etc. and wish to move into the intangibles, I believe there are more important portfolios to assign like Commissioner for Joy and Gladness, Commissioner for Patriotism, Commissioner for Love and Commissioner for Freedom from Corruption. And if they really want to care end-to-end, they should also appoint a Commissioner for Burial Ceremonies.

 

Though the outcry against the governor was massive, a cursory review of recent happenings in Imo state seems to justify the move. With multiple buildings collapsing, several incidents of fire and explosions and a botched presentation of the 2018 budget, the people surely will not be in a happy mood this season. Hence, the Commissioner for Happiness to the rescue. Na wa o!

 

But do you know that happiness is a choice and that people are happier in the morning? Also, an evolutionary psychologist at Harvard, Nancy Etcoff, says it is a scientific fact that friends inspire more happiness than family members. Really, Nancy? She gave the order as friends, relatives, spouses and then children. While I won't argue with her, one thing is clear, your friends will inspire more happiness than the Commissioner for Happiness. While hoping that I have inspired happiness in you this morning, I beg you not to wait for a Commissioner for Happiness or anyone else before you choose to be happy because Philippians 4:4 says 'Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.'

 

Happy Sunday.

 

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

Snakes, Anti-venom and the Jungle we Live

Running away from Snakes

I was thinking this morning.... about the jungle we live in and snakes. I read the headline in The Guardian Newspaper titled '91 deaths in three weeks from snakebites, and unavailability of anti-snake venom annoy senators.' 'Like seriously? Why are they annoyed? Na today snake don dey bite Nigerians?' These and many other questions flushed through my mind as I read the news article.

 

Yes, I know that there are snakes in Nigeria and I know of one or two persons bitten by snakes while growing up, but have never heard of 91 people dying of snake bite in 21 days. No, not even in the Amazon forest where anaconda is king. It seems while we were busy chasing shadows, wild animals have overtaken our land. Anyone reading that headline outside of Nigeria, will surely conclude that we are living in the jungle. How sad!

 

Maybe we are truly living in a jungle in the midst of wild animals. I suspect there are anacondas, vipers and rattle snakes in this our jungle and it must be these venomous snakes that are scaring Nigerians to death within and outside the shores of the nation. Yes, it must have been snakes that scared those 26 Nigerians girls from their homes to make that perilous journey through the Mediterranean sea to Italy, but unfortunately died in the ship and were buried like savages in a strange land. It must be the fear of snakes at homes.

 

Snakes are creepy and scary animals. It must be the fear of snakes at home that will make able-bodied Nigerians to choose the indignity of being sold as slaves in Libya, rather than stay back and work for a living. They probably said, like a typical Waffarian, 'I rather die.' Imagine my horror watching the CNN investigative report, not Kunta Kinte movie, with a salesman in camouflage gear saying, 'Does anybody need a digger? This is a digger, a big strong man, he'll dig, what am I bid, what am I bid?' Oh it must be the fear of snakes at home that will make them prefer to be in cages in Libya.

 

How can our senators be angry about these venomous reptiles biting Nigerians and be blind to the thousands that have died from economic, political and religious snakebites? As I dwelt on the thought, I realized truly that Nigeria is a huge farm of snakes. If you have seen that movie, 'Snakes on a Plane,' then you will understand the jungle we live in.

 

Truth is there will always be snakes around us, so what we need do is wade them off and have snake anti-venom available. But where is the good governance that will keep the snakes at bay and the social security that will neutralize the poison should we be bitten? Not available in Nigeria. I will therefore not depend on these leaders to protect me from snakes, but will rather hold on to Luke 10:19 that says 'Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

 

May God deliver us from human and real snakes.

 

Happy Sunday.

 

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