Lethargy

Odimegwu Onwumere

Gosh!

We now eat mixture of nuts,

dried fruits, baked tears,

wear calibrated hearts

between meals

to provide us extra energy

because of our hearts that camp on trips

for the gory tales that germinates

from the land making us

the prisoners of conscience

look gormless.


We now look like the very

fine thread made by Spider,

with very light delicate material,

like light wings of a dragonfly.



But there is still hope, there is future!

Hope is what that is not seen.



Where a runner reaches,

a walker shall reach too,

only if not discouraged by fear,

fear is a demon! Only focus.

Ogbonna Nwuke

Odimegwu Onwumere

Hero-worship!

Ogbonna has exhibited heroism

emitting from a humane heart

with talk and behaviour

too brave, too stoical

during the Amaechi’s situation.



Ogbonna grows, sells and uses courage

like herbalist uses HERBS

for medical purposes, for revival of lives.



Ogbonna completed the Herculean task

by challenging the autocratic powers

that was cooked and dished out from Otta,

just like from the Greek myth

in which Hercules proved

his courage and strength

by completing twelve very difficult tasks.



Ogbonna, faithful supporter of the dogged Amaechi,

was hepatitis in the liver of injustice;

but from this hermitage,

can the hermit’s voice be heard?

THE JOY AND PAIN OF CHILDHOOD

Joys of childhood!
I wish to be young forever
Many would assert and imagine
Hoping to lift back the hands of time
Innocent,discreet,gay,
Lavish,tender and ambitious
All describe the nature of a child.
Neglect,sodomy,forced labour,
Rape,grievous assault and manipulation,
Being the malice inflicted on children.
Why do we keep on disturbing the joys of childhood?
Why are men and women being so irresponsible?
How can a man be lured into having 'sex' with a toddler?
How can a woman be dejected to butcher her own child?
Where can children go if they are no longer safe and well fed at home?
Where is the love for children that elders always preach?
What is happening to our society which now so rotten?
What will the future bring if it is being destroyed?
Is it by nature that children have to be exploited?
Is it justified that having sex with a virgin can cure AIDS?
I am concerned about the nature of children.
I am concerned about the welfare and well being of children.
I am concerned about children regardless of anything.
Children are a rare resource,preserve their future.
Children have a voice and a choice whether girls or boys.
Children being an integral part of a family, give them their place.
The future can only be shaped by children, with children and through children.
The future was,is and will always be brighter, inclusive of children.
Redeem their status back because a child is no longer a child.
Give children wholesome love,care and devotion.
Lift them up the ladder of life by encouragement.
Say Yes for children and let them be free and joyful!

Best Regards
Chakanetsa Remember Ruzvidzo
Zimbabwe
chakanetsar@yahoo.com

PDP Chairmanship: Rochas Okorocha Is The Answer

By ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE

By December 8, this year, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be voting its new National Chairman into office. The winner is going to succeed Dr. Ali, the present chairman. For the post of chairmanship in the South-East geopolitical zone, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha has indicated interest among many aspirants. One enthusiastic thing about Okorocha is that wherever he finds himself, he expounds on his views, aspirations, synthesis and missions. He is a man whose interest is for the populace whether he is occupying a position in the political acme or not. Meanwhile, he has never been a governor or a president of our great country Nigeria. But to many people too numerous to be mentioned, he is a governor, a president and a role model through his 'first of its kind' philanthropic gestures. Since Okorocha could use his hard-earned resources to take care of the downtrodden in the society, he would do more than he has been doing if given the chance and someday be voted as the president of this great country. But before that time could come, here is a vote for him on the Peoples Democratic Party Chairmanship election come December 8.

Friday, 14 June, 2004 all through to Sunday, was an unprecedented weekend for the trio of Okorocha, Eze Ukandu and Sultan Maccido (now late) and a host of other numerous Nigerians who gathered to extol and further the cause of humanity, mainly towards achieving the Nigerian dream that would be suitable for peaceful coexistence.

The activities that brought them to gather was the twin celebrations of His Royal Highness, Eze Uzo Ukandu, the Chairman, Abia State Traditional Rulers Council who also doubled as the Chairman, Forum of Traditional Rulers of South East. The monarch was regarded as being affable and adorable and had proposed a double celebration of his 66th birthday and his 26th coronation anniversary.
The late Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido, Royal Fathers, and political leaders led the occasion: leaders of thought and various groups rejoiced with Eze Ukandu-including the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Alhaji Umar Ghali Na'aba who was absent, but was represented. The monarch used the occasion to confer chieftaincy titles on deserving personalities.

Among those that were present in the occasion, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha was doubly recognized. The Sultan of Sokoto presented him with a certificate of office as the Dan Jika of Sokoto, while the Forum of South East Traditional Rulers conferred on him the traditional title of Owelle Ndi-Igbo.

Though a native of Ogboko in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, Okorocha was born in Jos. It was indeed double honours for a prominent son of Ndi-Igbo. Because, the title, Owelle Ndigbo, is significant.

Owelle Okorocha, from rags to riches or from a humble beginning, had built Rochas Group of Companies’ into a great empire! The empire had pedigrees in Finance, Banking, Aviation, Real Estate, Pharmaceutical and Health Care Management.
And what did the title, Owelle Ndi-Igbo, means to him? He saw it as a merit because he had been variously conferred in many parts of Nigeria and by the Ndi-Igbo in the diaspora. He was conferred Owelle Ndi-Igbo Lagos and Owelle Ndi-Igbo Abuja. And the more appreciable aspect of it was that Lagos and Abuja were the major enterprising cities of Nigeria, Abuja being the capital.

Okorocha, as a bridge builder within the Nigerian nation, the Dan Jika title, was a confirmation of his status in the northern part of Nigeria. Only few people could be recognized with that honour; While the Forum of Southeast Traditional Rulers was conferring on him with the title, Owelle Ndi-Igbo, was to elaborate and explicate to the people that Rochas Okorocha was in the forefront for the emancipation, progress and well-being of the Ndi-Igbo. Symbolically, the honour was to recognize his efforts across the length and breadth of Nigeria, in his philanthropic nature, peacemaking and bridge building. Example of such philanthropic works of the dude were the Rochas Foundation Plaza and the Rochas Foundation College.

With his philanthropic and humanitarian efforts, these foundations had alleviated the sufferings of many hapless Nigerians: poverty alleviation schemes, from interest free loans to car awarding raffle draws, to medical bill assistance, to material and educational sponsorships.

When the Sultan visited the Foundations with fellow dignitaries, he cut what many people described as a Peace Cake. This act was symbolic; the Sultan was passing a message of peaceful coexistence among Nigerians. He even led others in lighting candles for peace.

The two actions occurred because Owelle Okorocha was involved—a man who meant the beginning of brotherliness, peaceful coexistence and togetherness in Nigeria. Even a chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a socio-cultural forum of the northerners, who was on the Sultan's entourage, embraced a traditional ruler from Owerri, a clan in Igboland. This act demonstrated the end of segregation, but opened a life of togetherness, love and peace.

In recognition of the Sultan's goodwill of love and peace, not only as the Dan Jika of Sokoto (chief of the Sokoto Caliphate), the patriot and nationalist, philanthropist Owelle Rochas Okorocha announced allocation of five admission slots annually to indigenes of Sokoto State, at the Rochas Foundation College.
When the Owelle addressed a World Press Conference on the occasion he spoke on so many issues that affected Nigeria as a state, the much-touted Igbo presidency was among.

“Ndi-Igbo are not only qualified and capable of leading the Nigerian nation”, he said.

Hear him again:”It is their right by the principles of equity and justice”.
And Owelle Okorocha described Ndi-Igbo as an industrious, enterprising and irrepressible people in Nigeria and in the diaspora. Okorocha saw that hunger and poverty were the two biggest problems confronting the Nigerian child.

There was a common saying that people used to mimic Okorocha. That was: “Ask one thing of my creator” people would say. And Okorocha would say: “To bless me, that I may bless others, to feed me, that I may feed others". And he God had been blessing him and he had been giving to people selflessly. In his other words, he believed that, "the just shall live by faith". Okorocha deserves to be the PDP Chairman come December 8, this year.

THE ATHEIST

BY OBINNA OLEWE

My love, I kneel beside you in this church
Seeming as though I'm praying with all such
Who to an unknown god rend up their hearts,
Singing and praying with them when it starts.
I do rant and cry out my penitence
And walk circumspectly with repentance;
I begrudgingly tithe up my offering.
But in all I'm to my conscience lying.
Than God I to your beauty bare my heart,
Than a contrite mind my heart and soul flirt,
Than Cherubim I see you, my angel.
These my tears are ones of joy, of revel
For the freedom that your religion gives
My soul, not from God but in you derives.

Contact the author: E-mail: obinnaolewe@yahoo.com

SIX YEARS AFTER 9/11:PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

BY HENRY CHUKWUEMEKA ONYEAMA

''Where were you when the world stopped turning?'' wailed the top American country music star, Alan Jackson, following the terrorist attacks on USA on September 11, 2001. The attacks shook USA to her boots. For the attacks revealed that Uncle Sam, in spite of her colossal might, was can even be vulnerable to a small and ostensibly weak group of people.

Six years have passed since 9/11. Although USA went on to triumph in Afghanistan and unseat Saddam Hussein of Iraq.It is necessary for every one on this planet to face these uncomfortable questions: have the seeds that sprouted 9/11 been uprooted from the soil of our skewered international system? USA and her allies may some day catch Osama bin Laden, even destroy Al Qaeida, but is there any assurance that even now, a much more terrible monster is not steadily and stealthily growing to take their place?

Must the aspirations of the Palestinians be sacrificed for the security of the Israelis? Are the Israelis undeserving of survival? How can the extremist forces on both sides - and their globally dispersed sympathizers, many who are eager to do battle against real and perceived foes - be contained when the voices of reason are drowned in seas of oil just to please USA and her friends? What of the disequilibrium that rocks Africa? May I be proved wrong, but unless the developed world addresses Africa' s woes in a spirit of enlightened self-interest, the continent might spawn something no smart bomb may stop.

Before 9/11, terrorism was no stranger to USA. But some pundits believe that the audacious challenge of 9/11 suggest that USA will soon join the league of ex-world powers. President George Bush Jr. ' s adventurism since that fateful day may only hasten the doomsday predictions.

Probably they have a point, but few sane people want USA to drag innocent and not so innocent bystanders along with her if she falls off the world stage. That is why the war on terror should matter to all countries. The war, by the way, is not the type spelt out by Bush in his infamous 'Axis of Evil' doctrine; the type defined by an American agenda. Bombs cannot blow off the human spirit, and it is what all who want to save our world from terrorism should focus on.But how?

Justice for the oppressed everywhere is part of the answer. Addressing the awful imbalances of our unipolar, globalized world will help. Vigorous efforts against chauvinisms and fundamentalisms of all evil kinds will help. So will an acceptance by USA that the world must not necessarily be forged in her image.

Not every one will accept these supposedly utopian suggestions. For quite a few folk, it is either USA or Israel join the extinct dinosaurs or their war goes on. Such groups deserve no appeasement or containment. However, the West, especially USA, must start redesigning their foreign policies. The inherent selfishness and myopia that guide their global conduct must be confronted with the cold realities of our world. Remember that Osama Bin Laden and Saddam used to be Uncle Sam' s beloved sons not too long ago.

For Africa, the crippled member of our unipolar world, both her governments and citizens should face up to her contradictions. Or else they just might spawn something that can turn the world on its head: the poverty, misgovernance, corruption, and external-controlled rape of human and material resources cannot go on ad infinitum. For example, Nigeria must address the madness in the Niger Delta decisively.

May the souls of the victims of 9/11 and every terrorist attack worldwide rest in peace.

Onyeama,is a Lagos-based writer and teacher.

Henry' s address:
PO BOX 3799,
Mushin, Lagos State.

Eulogy to Chika Unigwe

By Odimegwu Onwumere

Heuristic!
Once, the poet’s heart dampened and damaged.

Passing through literary whiskers,
descending to oblivion,
she came to the poet’s rescue.

She, who’s not associated with dishonest behaviour,
detained the poet in the litterateur’s dungeon,
feeding the poet with the author’s ‘cabalistic’ tendencies
cheerfully calibrated for mental consumption.

Making sure that the poet is destined,
she detached every of her activities
and detected and detailed for the poet
for a time so long like the season of poverty.

She’s impervious and imperturbable,
not impious and impish;
pride is not a member of her features
as many writers need exorcism
from the spirit of madness.

Copyright 2007 Odimegwu Onwumere