What in the world?!

I believe that every human being has got strengths and weaknesses; no matter how good we are, the harsh reality is that our goodness is as filthy as the rags but should that deter us from speaking up when things are going wrong? Absolutely not. Something is terribly wrong and Im kind of lost for words, here's why....

US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has bought $100,000 of TV airtime to back gay marriage.

The 50-year-old will urge Californians to vote to save the right to gay marriage during the state ballot in November, campaign organisers said.

Same-sex unions were legalised in May, but Proposition 8 seeks to define marriage as between a man and a woman only under the state constitution.

DeGeneres married her partner, actress Portia de Rossi, in August.


'Compassion' her TV advert will be screened in the run-up to the state ballot on 4 November.

DeGeneres will tell viewers that opponents of gay marriage are "twisting the truth", and will appeal to people to vote for "compassion and fairness".

Recent opinion polls have shown a swing in the number of Californians who oppose same-sex marriage.

Opponents of the advert have stepped up their own TV advertising campaign, warning that children will be taught about gay marriage in primary schools.

Gay marriage supporters have called that argument misleading.

DeGeneres made broadcasting history in 1997 when her TV alter ego came out of the closet on her self-titled sitcom Ellen, becoming the first openly gay lead character on US prime-time network TV.

Source; BBC Entertainment

Do you have anything to say because I don't?!

Leadership

Its been a rather quiet weekend for me. I didn’t go out, well I rarely do unless I have a function to attend or I have to go to the hairdresser. There aren’t too many places one can go to so most times I stay in watching movies, listening to music and reading books. Sounds boring huh? Well it isn’t, it's actually been rewarding for me.

This weekend I started reading "The 21 Indispensable Qualities of Leadership" by John Maxwell and I found it pretty insightful. Well, here's an extract, hope you find it useful!!


FLESHING IT OUT

How a leader deals with the circumstances of life tells you many things about his character. Crisis doesn’t necessarily make character, but it certainly does reveal it. Adversity is a crossroads that makes a person choose one or two paths: charcter or compromise. Every time he chooses character, he becomes stronger, even if that choice brings negative consequences. The development of character is at the heart of our development not just as leaders, but as human beings.

What must every person know about character?

1. Character is more than talk

Anyone can say he has integrity, but action is the real indicator of character. Your character determines who you are. Who you are determines what you see. What you see determines what you do. That is why you can never separate a leader's character from his actions.

2.Talent is a gift, but character is a choice

We have no control over a lot of things in life. We don't get to get to pick our talents or IQ. But we do choose our character. In fact we create it, every time we make choices-to cop out or dig out of a hard situation, to bend the truth or stand under the weight if it, to take the easy money or pay the price. As you live your life and make choices today, you are continuing to create your character.

3. Character brings lasting success with people

As the leadership proverb says, if you think you're leading and no one is following you, then you're only taking a walk. Followers do not trust leaders whose character they know to be flawed, and they will not continue following them.

4. Leaders cannot rise above the limitations of their character

Have you ever seen highly talented people suddenly fall apart when they achieved a certain level of success? The key to that phenomenon is character.


I guess that's enough, I hope you didnt sleep as you read this, well if you did then you've got to work on yoooooooour character!!

Have a great week!!!

Homecoming

With less than 3 weeks to the US elections, a group of Kenyans seem to be getting a little too excited, check this out....

Kenyan MPs have called for an airport in the west of the country to be upgraded for Air Force One in case Barack Obama wins the US elections.

Mr Obama's father was born in Nyanza Province and the MPs say the local Kisumu airport should be expanded in case he wants to visit.

The Illinois senator is a local hero in his father's homeland, where a local beer has been named after him.

Mr Obama has never lived in Kenya and he has visited just three times.

The MPs from Nyanza Province said it was clear that Mr Obama was going to clinch the US presidency, the private Nairobi Star newspaper reported.

Mr Obama will face Republican John McCain in the 4 November elections.

Mr Obama's father was from Alego-Kogello village which is 60km (37 miles) from Kisumu.

Kisumu Town MP Aluoch Olago told parliament that the delay in the airport's expansion was a major concern, the Nairobi Star reported.

Transport Minister Chirau Mwakwere said the airport's expansion programme was behind schedule, and is expected to be complete by July 2010.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7674202.stm

Treasures in darkness

I have spent four days without electricity and my generators did not have fuel either so I have been in perpetual darkness since Tuesday. I know it could have been worse but man, somebody needs to do something about this situation. You know if I was living in a remote area, perhaps I would have been able to understand why the power supply is epipleptic, but I don't. I happen to live in one of Nigeria's richest states (Rivers State) but also most troubled. A lot of people particularly the indigenes of the state arent happy with the status quo. Unemployment rate is high, the roads though being worked on now, are still in poor shape, the cost of living is high and so many other problems. The result; militancy.

A lot of people have left this state for Lagos and Abuja and many others are still contemplating on whether they should move or not. Yours truly has given it serious consideration and I may leave but not before it is time for me to do so.

I'm a firm believer in timing. When I look back, I realise that if I had done the right things at the right time with the right people in the right place, I would have been a much greater achiever than I am today. I have squandered opportunities and its only by God's grace that I havent suffered severely for it.

Bottom line is walk with God; dont walk behind Him and dont walk ahead of Him, just move with Him. Its tough, sometimes it feel as if He isnt even there but He is all the time. Talk to Him, let Him how you feel, and He will respond, either through a friend, a sermon, a scripture or any other way.

I have faced a lot of challenges living and working in Nigeria but Im glad I have because I know that God loves me and loves you too much to leave us where we are. God takes us through wildernesses to prune us, to mould us and to tranform us into the kind of people He wants us to be. I know that one day I will be glad He has taken me through this process. In the meantime; I just need some staying power.....:)

Believe it or Not.......

A judge has thrown out a case against God - as the Almighty doesn't have an official address and legal papers can't be served.

Nebraska State Senator Ernie Chambers filed the lawsuit last year seeking a permanent injunction against God who he said made terrorist threats against him and his Omaha constituents.

Additionally, he said God inspired fear and caused "widespread death, destruction and terrorisation of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants".

The US politician said his case was over the fact that everyone should have access to the courts regardless of whether they have money or not.

However, Douglas County District Court Judge Marlon Polk ruled that under state law a plaintiff must have access to the defendant for a lawsuit to move forward - and this would be rather tricky under the circumstances.

Judge Polk said: "Given that this court finds that there can never be service effectuated on the named defendant this action will be dismissed with prejudice."

But Senator Chambers, a law school graduate, thinks he's found a hole in the judge's ruling. He said: "The court itself acknowledges the existence of God. A consequence of that acknowledgement is recognition of God's omniscience. Since God knows everything, God has notice of this lawsuit.

Senator Chambers, who has served a record 38 years in the Nebraska Legislature, has 30 days to decide whether to appeal.

Source :ITN

No wonder they say the world is about to end!! The fear of God is certainly not the beginning of his wisdom!

The Storm

I know its exactly a week since I have blogged and as usual I will attempt to explain why. I just couldnt pull myself together to do it; I had all kinds of fiery emotions competing for my attention and I had to slow down and deal with them.

Its been a rather interesting period for me; the activist part of me has taken deep root courtesy the injustice my colleagues and I have suffered in the hands of the "powers that be". I have never been part of a strike but this week, I felt i was ready to down my tools to grab somebody's attention. I had had it and I knew that if I didnt vent the anger that was building inside of me, I was just going to walk out for good.

You are probably wondering what really happened,well, I will summarise it in one word; money. There is nothing so disheartening like working for somebody who doesnt necessarily understand the intricacies of the work we do. There is nothing as disgusting as seeing the money you work for, being diverted to purposes, other than it was planned for.

I told my boss that I couldnt continue living on hope because I have bills to pay. I told him that my contract doesnt stipulate that Im a volunteer but it states that I will be paid a certain amount of money for the services I render and that as it is, the company owes me and I dont owe them anything.

I hadnt been this angry in a long time but I had to speak up. I told him that Im going to walk out one day and I will never return and I wouldnt be the only one who would do it, others would follow suit.

There is a problem with human resource management in most of the local companies here, with a lot of employers just simply ignoring the needs of their employees. Of course, I would understand a situation, where there isnt enough money, but when its there, and only a few individuals are benefiting, then there is a problem. Thats why most of these companies, never reach their full potential. You cant oppress the very people who are helping you build a company and expect super profits; it just wont happen.

Well, enough of my ranting; all I can say at this point in time is that "this too shall pass". Its a season and as each day goes by, its drawing closer to an end. There are lessons for me to learn and I must know what they are before I can get to the next level. I know God allows storms in our lives to build us and not destroy us. Its a painful process but I know someday I will look back and be grateful I went through it.

Till then....have a great day!!!

Sobering...

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate. Well just read this...

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

"Disturbing the peace"

South Sudan's president has shut down a police investigation that saw scores of young women arrested for "disturbing the peace" by wearing tight trousers.

The women were arrested over the past week by police who said they suspected them of belonging to youth gangs known for drinking, fighting and public nudity.

But government officials, including the south's gender minister, said they were angry at the way the women had been targeted and treated after arrest.

President Salva Kiir had ordered a "serious investigation" into the police crackdown, said a government minister.

Kiir also ordered the immediate release of any woman arrested under the operation in the south's capital Juba, and said there were questions over its legality, Southern Minister for Presidential Affairs Luka Biong added in a statement.

Police arrested more than 35 women Sunday night alone, angering bystanders by the way they pushed them into two trucks.

The deputy police commissioner of Juba County, Raiman Lege, said they were disturbing the peace by wearing trousers that were too tight. The group was freed Monday without charge after appearing in court.

Sudan's semi-autonomous south generally has a much more relaxed approach to women's dress than the country's Muslim north, with which it fought a two-decade war that was ended by a 2005 peace deal.

Source: Reuters

Looks like the police in many African countries have one thing in common; wrong priorities. A couple of months ago in some of the states in southern Nigeria, the police started cracking down on women wearing trousers...it was ridiculous because these states are not governed under the Sharia law. They claimed they were clamping down on women who were indecently dressed and if you ask me this country has a lot more problems to contend with.

I believe that a woman should be decently dressed; but is it necessary to have law on this? Presently there is a bill on indecent dressing awaiting debate in the House of Representatives and events have overtaken it. The oil prices have gone down and the President says this will affect the financing of the 2009 budget. Looks like we might be heading for some really tough economic times.

Frankly, with that on my mind, I dont think I would be bothered about whether women should wear trousers or not......looool.

Its been a while...

Yes, it has been ,since I published a post and its partly due to my rather hectic work schedule but also I have been trying to deal with some personal social issues, too. Been doing an analysis of some of these problems and I came to one conclusion; I need to get rid of excess baggage. There are a couple of people I have been hangin on to, probably because I have a history with them. I have known them for a long time and we have been friends over a long period of time but for some strange reason the friendship is no longer mutually beneficial. Do you know what its like talking to somebody and you actually feel that you are wasting time? You dont have anything in common anymore, values and interests have shifted too, at the end of it all, talking to that person becomes a daunting task.


In the meantime, I have been trying to make a couple of new friends; that hasn't been easy either. (Why does life get so hard............looool). Well, over the past threee years, I have made more male than female friends and apart from a couple of guys who wanted to take the relationship to another level, I didnt have any major issues.

But this year, I have had to explain myself, over and over and over and again. Im a free spirited person, I like talking and laughing a lot and unfortunetly this has been misunderstood by some, probably because they dont me well enough to make sound judgement. Its too much work trying to explain oneself. I have decided to let go and let God.

No more drama.....no more drama.......looool

Damage control

I read a really interesting article, a few days ago, that got me thinking....thinking about how I have spent a better part of my life doing damage control. I have made some really bad decisions in the past and some of them have had some really far reaching effects. I believe I have been working voluntarily for the Fire Brigade..,always trying to put out the fires in my own life, wasting precious time and energy I would have used in serving humanity...loool

Well, that particular article was written by Bishop T.D Jakes a couple of days ago. Here is an extract, Im sure it will get you thinking....


"Most people are always doing damage control with life. We work after the phone rings, after the cut off notice comes, after the marriage fails or after the child is in crisis.

But think a minute, aren't your tired of being on the back end of trouble? God wants to move you from MANAGING TROUBLE TO PREVENTION OF TROUBLE. You see most of what we face in some way tracks back to the decisions we made in the first place. No demon nor dark brooding figures- just you and I making fast decisions with limited information and then hoping against hope that all things will work out for good.

Sometimes things do work out, but sometimes they don't. How then do you increase the odds of winning more than losing?

The answer is in the choices you make.

Now most people don't wake up in the morning saying, "let me see how I can fail at something else today". But they might as well, if they keep making big decisions with little information about the person, the job, the choice or most importantly the particular outcome of the particular decision they have to make".

Well,thats that; NO MORE DRAMA!!

What a week!

Its been a crazy week for me...thats why I have been rather quiet. We have had three public holidays this week and I mean three in a row, sounds crazy huh? Well, I worked all three and to make it even worse, I had three shows in a row in one day, it wasn't funny at all.

I had two major interviews; one with a Senator who was basically focusing on labor and employment in Nigeria, the second was with a couple of guys organizing a conference on sustainable development in Rivers State, (its part of the southern region in Nigeria). Now these interviews included phone calls and text messages and they were 30 minutes each. When I was done with them, I had to start another show called the Lounge which is basically a show filled with music and gist. By the time I was done, I made it public that I needed a raise.....loool.


Truth be told, I kind of felt I was being taken for granted because Im often swamped with work on the pretext that we are short staffed. Well, I have learnt to take it all in my stride knowing very well that as each day passes by, this season draws closer to an end.

More importantly though, I know that I do not labor in vain, I know its only a question of time because the good book says that in God's own time He makes all things beautiful. In the meantime I just got to be diligent, for only then will my desires be fulfilled.

Romans8:28 says that all things work together for the good of all those He has called according to His purpose so no matter what it is I just have to be grateful that it will pay off eventually.

"Lord, just keep me sane in the midst of it all".....looool