“NO MATTER HOW SHE BE, MAMA NA MAMA”
Mothers are special gifts from God to humanity; hence a world without them could be described as incomplete, empty, and unfulfilled. This is not to say that women are perfect people, error-free or without ‘little folly’. Their dynamic nature is what makes them unique.
On the other hand, the attainment of motherhood is a joy and pride to women in every respect especially those who attain it gracefully and in good time. This no doubt is a very special experience women look forward to particularly becoming mothers of their own offspring.
The African culture permits one to refer to another woman (usually elderly) as “mama”. However, that does not displace the connection between a mother and her biological child.
A lot of people may not be proud of their mothers, while some others are just indifferent because in their own opinion she is not educated, rich, beautiful, or maybe she is short, slim, fat (orobo), unimpressive, unkempt, wicked, ungodly etc. Whatever the case, it is too late. One’s mother was not a choice, so desiring Michelle Obama, Dame Patience Jonathan, Dora Akunyili and other prominent women in society for a mother will be mere day dreaming.
It is imperative to know that no matter what short falls or inadequacies one’s mother may have, no one else can love a child more than their biological mother. So rather than criticizing her, celebrate and pray for her because she is God’s best for you. I am proud of my mother ‘Nma CHARITY’ as she’s popularly called. She is second to none, more valued than the oil wells of Iraq or gold mines of South Africa. “No matter who she be, mama na mama”
Finally to all AG Nigerian women I wish you all a happy mother’s day, you worth celebrating, you’re mothers indeed… no matter what.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?
Who is your friend?
by Emeka Anyaogu
“Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are”. The choice of your close friends or associates is one of the most important decision to be made in life. What you are today and what you are going to be in the near future is determined by the people you associate with and the kind of books you read. You are likely to become like those you closely associate with.
Do you know that a day away from the wrong association will improve your life. Little wonder why the book of psalm started with appreciating the man who does not keep bad company. The book of proverbs also added that: “putting confidence in an unreliable man is like chewing with a sore tooth, or trying to run on a broken foot.
Your best friends should be those who bring out the best in you. You are better not worse having been with them. Sometimes a single conversation with the right person can be more valuable than many years of study.
Take a little inventory of your friends and know how each has impacted your life; this will enable you to separate your true friends from your ‘enemy friends’.
by Emeka Anyaogu
“Show me your friend and I will tell you who you are”. The choice of your close friends or associates is one of the most important decision to be made in life. What you are today and what you are going to be in the near future is determined by the people you associate with and the kind of books you read. You are likely to become like those you closely associate with.
Do you know that a day away from the wrong association will improve your life. Little wonder why the book of psalm started with appreciating the man who does not keep bad company. The book of proverbs also added that: “putting confidence in an unreliable man is like chewing with a sore tooth, or trying to run on a broken foot.
Your best friends should be those who bring out the best in you. You are better not worse having been with them. Sometimes a single conversation with the right person can be more valuable than many years of study.
Take a little inventory of your friends and know how each has impacted your life; this will enable you to separate your true friends from your ‘enemy friends’.
THE POWER OF ATTITUDE
The power of attitude
by Angela Musa
As Christians we need to learn to manage and control the quality of our lives through positive attitude. Attitude has a powerful impact in everything we do. Taping into positive attitude is a key element in the process of controlling one’s destiny and gaining mastery in one’s personal life.
Having a positive attitude towards your life is the foundation to everything you do and this is the greatest asset you could ever have.
Attitude is not a hereditary or genetic trait, it is acquired and therefore can be amended. This is very essential because your attitude is the first thing people will notice where ever you go.
Steps to developing a positive Attitude
1. You need to understand the power of attitude, knowing that attitude being a powerful tool affects everything you do.
2. You have to monitor your internal dialogue in order to transform your attitude into positive one. Just as your choice in life determines your success and happiness, so does your attitude determine how you respond to whatever the world throws at you.
3. You need to do constant attitude assessment; you can always do this by carrying out a good analysis of your attitude to know your area of strength and weakness. This will enable you to know which attitude to hold on to and the ones to amend.
4. It is also very important that you to be proactive in your approach to issues of life. Being proactive makes you better prepared to handle challenges, threats, disappointments, setbacks and every other problem that can easily provoke a negative attitude.
5. Learn how to adapt to change. Change is constant; change of job, relationship, economics status etc has a way of affecting out attitude in life.
Another way of developing a good attitude is by associating with people of good attitude. Iron sharpens iron. When you associate with the right people, their attitude will influence your negative attitude to a positive attitude.
by Angela Musa
As Christians we need to learn to manage and control the quality of our lives through positive attitude. Attitude has a powerful impact in everything we do. Taping into positive attitude is a key element in the process of controlling one’s destiny and gaining mastery in one’s personal life.
Having a positive attitude towards your life is the foundation to everything you do and this is the greatest asset you could ever have.
Attitude is not a hereditary or genetic trait, it is acquired and therefore can be amended. This is very essential because your attitude is the first thing people will notice where ever you go.
Steps to developing a positive Attitude
1. You need to understand the power of attitude, knowing that attitude being a powerful tool affects everything you do.
2. You have to monitor your internal dialogue in order to transform your attitude into positive one. Just as your choice in life determines your success and happiness, so does your attitude determine how you respond to whatever the world throws at you.
3. You need to do constant attitude assessment; you can always do this by carrying out a good analysis of your attitude to know your area of strength and weakness. This will enable you to know which attitude to hold on to and the ones to amend.
4. It is also very important that you to be proactive in your approach to issues of life. Being proactive makes you better prepared to handle challenges, threats, disappointments, setbacks and every other problem that can easily provoke a negative attitude.
5. Learn how to adapt to change. Change is constant; change of job, relationship, economics status etc has a way of affecting out attitude in life.
Another way of developing a good attitude is by associating with people of good attitude. Iron sharpens iron. When you associate with the right people, their attitude will influence your negative attitude to a positive attitude.
THE MENACE OF AFRICAN TIME
THE MENACE OF AFRICAN TIME
By Okechi-Gospel Okereke
As a young boy in my early days, I often heard my father repeat this ancient proverb, “time waits for nobody, but man waits for time”. Inexperienced as I was a big puzzle. As Jesus disciples often did, I asked what it meant.
With the aid of a wall clock, he told me there is no situation that can stop the movement of time. As the sun goes round the equator the time ticks and nobody can slow down or fasten its movement, or even stretch it beyond 24hours. Science proves to us that irrespective of different time zone observed all over the globe, no day is greater or less than 24 hours.
Based on this fact, it is clear that it is man who struggles to meet up with time, and not the other way round. Any time lost cannot be recovered, though activities might be rescheduled but at the expense of another time.
The question here is, why do we always abuse our use of time? In both private and public organizations, including government establishments, sheer disregard for time is observed either in delay of job delivery, giving excuses that are not tenable or mere lassitude towards one’s duty. This comes in various styles and cuts across all tiers of the organization. People spend time waiting endlessly to see the MD or the Director of an establishment, only for them to see a man with a briefcase at the end of the day, rushing out like one being chased by a mad dog or someone wearing a strong face like one who misplaced his car keys all in a bid to cover up for the atrocities they committed in keeping people waiting and unattended to.
As if that is not enough, the worst of it all is the menace of ‘African time” so called, where extra thirty minutes or one hour is added to the stipulated time; so that when a meeting is scheduled for 7:00 am participants and attendees start arriving 30mins – 1hour later thereby slowing the tide of progress, accounting for lateness, amounting to disorganization, lack of seriousness, delay etc.
Even in the Church setting the story is not different, because when a preacher says ‘I will be brief’ it’s an indication that the service will be very lengthy and will not end anytime soon (laughs). What is the essence of preaching when perhaps everyone in the audience is fast asleep? Lou Cook, former president of the Alexandria Virginia school board uses this adage: “sometimes the mind can absorb only what the seat can endure”; Arch Lustberg adds, “even in conversation, it isn’t unusual for people to say too much”. Most speeches, presentations, and meeting go on beyond human endurance. I have attended conference where preachers were booed. “E don do, e don do”, was the response from the audience, because of long a sermon.
I disagree with people who believe that sermons should not be timed. Personally I think they’re making big mistake and should have a rethink. For those who are carried away by the spirit, they should remember that; “the spirit of the prophet is under the prophet”.
A lot of people have missed their flight, job interviews, contract signing, important appointments and memorable events all because of ‘African time’. This brings in most cases regrets, disappointments, frustration.
In the global world ‘African time’ is a menace, very irrelevant, and a threat to personal integrity. It’s for unserious people, those looking for excuses to cover up for their laziness. I found out that many times a leadership is forced to follow this ugly trend they delay and waste the time of time-conscious individuals in a bid to accommodate the ‘African- time-adhering superiors’. Statistics show that African-time mentality has been responsible for 95% lateness among individuals who hitherto were punctual in activities.
In this world system in which activities / businesses are strictly regulated by time, we must of necessity change our orientation towards time management. SO LET US RISE UP AGAINST THIS MENACE OF AFRICAN TIME, because the global village does not operate on African time neither does the African continent.
By Okechi-Gospel Okereke
As a young boy in my early days, I often heard my father repeat this ancient proverb, “time waits for nobody, but man waits for time”. Inexperienced as I was a big puzzle. As Jesus disciples often did, I asked what it meant.
With the aid of a wall clock, he told me there is no situation that can stop the movement of time. As the sun goes round the equator the time ticks and nobody can slow down or fasten its movement, or even stretch it beyond 24hours. Science proves to us that irrespective of different time zone observed all over the globe, no day is greater or less than 24 hours.
Based on this fact, it is clear that it is man who struggles to meet up with time, and not the other way round. Any time lost cannot be recovered, though activities might be rescheduled but at the expense of another time.
The question here is, why do we always abuse our use of time? In both private and public organizations, including government establishments, sheer disregard for time is observed either in delay of job delivery, giving excuses that are not tenable or mere lassitude towards one’s duty. This comes in various styles and cuts across all tiers of the organization. People spend time waiting endlessly to see the MD or the Director of an establishment, only for them to see a man with a briefcase at the end of the day, rushing out like one being chased by a mad dog or someone wearing a strong face like one who misplaced his car keys all in a bid to cover up for the atrocities they committed in keeping people waiting and unattended to.
As if that is not enough, the worst of it all is the menace of ‘African time” so called, where extra thirty minutes or one hour is added to the stipulated time; so that when a meeting is scheduled for 7:00 am participants and attendees start arriving 30mins – 1hour later thereby slowing the tide of progress, accounting for lateness, amounting to disorganization, lack of seriousness, delay etc.
Even in the Church setting the story is not different, because when a preacher says ‘I will be brief’ it’s an indication that the service will be very lengthy and will not end anytime soon (laughs). What is the essence of preaching when perhaps everyone in the audience is fast asleep? Lou Cook, former president of the Alexandria Virginia school board uses this adage: “sometimes the mind can absorb only what the seat can endure”; Arch Lustberg adds, “even in conversation, it isn’t unusual for people to say too much”. Most speeches, presentations, and meeting go on beyond human endurance. I have attended conference where preachers were booed. “E don do, e don do”, was the response from the audience, because of long a sermon.
I disagree with people who believe that sermons should not be timed. Personally I think they’re making big mistake and should have a rethink. For those who are carried away by the spirit, they should remember that; “the spirit of the prophet is under the prophet”.
A lot of people have missed their flight, job interviews, contract signing, important appointments and memorable events all because of ‘African time’. This brings in most cases regrets, disappointments, frustration.
In the global world ‘African time’ is a menace, very irrelevant, and a threat to personal integrity. It’s for unserious people, those looking for excuses to cover up for their laziness. I found out that many times a leadership is forced to follow this ugly trend they delay and waste the time of time-conscious individuals in a bid to accommodate the ‘African- time-adhering superiors’. Statistics show that African-time mentality has been responsible for 95% lateness among individuals who hitherto were punctual in activities.
In this world system in which activities / businesses are strictly regulated by time, we must of necessity change our orientation towards time management. SO LET US RISE UP AGAINST THIS MENACE OF AFRICAN TIME, because the global village does not operate on African time neither does the African continent.
OBESITY
OBESITY
by Nnamdi Bonny.
THE assessment of a person is basically aided by their physical appearance. This is not limited to one’s fashion idea, as regards to choice of clothes and accessories, but more essentially one’s physique. The physical appearance of an individual is one discrete disclosure about their eating habits, health conditions and some behavioural tendencies.
Ladies and men alike have a picture of what is socially acceptable as a good physique. However, some fall into categories which are classified as extreme weight conditions which may have very debilitating medical and social implications.
One of such extreme conditions is called OBESITY. Contrary to what many believe, a large size does not necessarily translate to an obese condition. A person is said to be obese basically when their B. M. I. (Body mass index) is greater than or equal to 29 kg/m2. The BMI can be calculated by dividing the weight of person in kilogram by the square of their height in metres.
This however does not completely indicate obesity because in some cases the weight of one’s bones may account for a larger proportion of one’s body mass. Scientifically an obese condition can be exactly determined by ascertaining the total body fat & total carbohydrate and carrying out comparative analysis based on the results gotten.
Obesity is a medical condition which can be treated either by chemotherapy (use of drugs), dietary practices, and physical exercise or in some cases surgical operations.
My candid advice is that we prevent this onset by observing hygienic eating patterns & regular physical exercise. Remember prevention is always better than cure.
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by Nnamdi Bonny.
THE assessment of a person is basically aided by their physical appearance. This is not limited to one’s fashion idea, as regards to choice of clothes and accessories, but more essentially one’s physique. The physical appearance of an individual is one discrete disclosure about their eating habits, health conditions and some behavioural tendencies.
Ladies and men alike have a picture of what is socially acceptable as a good physique. However, some fall into categories which are classified as extreme weight conditions which may have very debilitating medical and social implications.
One of such extreme conditions is called OBESITY. Contrary to what many believe, a large size does not necessarily translate to an obese condition. A person is said to be obese basically when their B. M. I. (Body mass index) is greater than or equal to 29 kg/m2. The BMI can be calculated by dividing the weight of person in kilogram by the square of their height in metres.
This however does not completely indicate obesity because in some cases the weight of one’s bones may account for a larger proportion of one’s body mass. Scientifically an obese condition can be exactly determined by ascertaining the total body fat & total carbohydrate and carrying out comparative analysis based on the results gotten.
Obesity is a medical condition which can be treated either by chemotherapy (use of drugs), dietary practices, and physical exercise or in some cases surgical operations.
My candid advice is that we prevent this onset by observing hygienic eating patterns & regular physical exercise. Remember prevention is always better than cure.
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