On the highways and paved roads which traverse the townships,dotted with hot spots which can be viewed as downtown areas, where shops and businesses cluster,with street merchants selling their wares by the roadside.The street merchants sell mostly food items and household needs. Intersections usually habour mini-markets and many street hawkers who sell a variety of wares. These intersections are usually congested.
It is not uncommon to drive by crowds standing around nervously, some people with arms folded across their chests,just standing, watching as accident scenes are cleared, or as victims are being removed and taken to hospitals or to the morgue. Innocent bystanders are sometimes involved in these accidents. A driver may loose control of their vehicle,or have the breaks fail,or may be overtaking (passing)another vehicle at the wrong time and place, and go plowing through everything in its way. Sometimes,vehicles or motorcycles end up in the open gutters, passengers and all.These humongous gutters are scary.
Sometimes, fires engulf the wreck, especially when fuel tankers are involved,and result in total devastation.
Witnesses and bystanders go to the rescue,helping in any way they can, handling injured people,removing the dead, and doing other heroic deeds to handle the situation. Ambulances,actually hearses, do exactly what hearses do. Ambulances which respond to emergencies are yet to start operating. If any operate,I did not see or hear of such. Accident victims remain at the mercy of good Samaritans to take them to the hospitals in pickup trucks, cars, motorcycles or any means possible,before the police arrive. Motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents are very common and waste many lives. Many of these accidents are avoidable. Many victims would survive if real emergency help was available. Some victims are further injured by wrong handling and many victims die from injuries which should not take their lives. Emergency help in the real sense of it is not really available.
It is a well known fact that some commercial drivers use a shot(of hot drink, like whisky), before starting their rounds in the morning, especially during the harmattan season. The shot is supposed to do what coffee does, but it is hard to understand how alcohol can become a stimulant or eye opener in the morning. It is no wonder some drivers, especially the motorcycle drivers, drive as if the devil is after them. At the end of the day, they do not even make that much money, as the owners get most of the money earned. Most of the commercial drivers lease the motorcycles and cars and pay flat rates to the owners on a weekly basis. Getting enough sleep before going to work will help a lot, chewing on kola nuts will beat using hot drinks, since coffee is not readily available. Most of the coffee on the market are the decaffeinated instant products.
Going back to gutters, I am still trying to understand why gutters are left uncovered after the completion of road projects. I have no idea who is expected to cover the gutters or why the contractors are paid for road projects if they leave the gutters uncovered. In this twenty first century, in an oil producing country, deep,wide gutters are left totally uncovered,as they border roads and highways, obviously for the purpose of carrying rain water to the proper channels for proper disposal. These open gutters can send a driver unfamiliar with them into a confused panic especially when a swerve is necessary to avoid a careless driver. Cars and motorcycles drive so close to the edge of the gutters, putting passengers at great risk. Pedestrians walk too close to the gutters.Pedestrians cross these gutters to get to their destinations.Wooden boards are strategically placed for people to cross the gutters and go into shops or places of business. Otherwise the gutters are open and people cross at their own risk. Watching the activities around gutters can cause serious anxiety for a person not used to such.
A glimpse into the gutters reveal improvised garbage dumps in some areas. All kinds of garbage can be found in these gutters. Plastic bags rank at the top, followed by bottles( plastic and glass),metal objects, disposed tools and gadgets, an occasional carcass can be seen in the gutters. A family of chickens, mother hen and chicks were sighted in a gutter clucking away while scavenging for food. How they got in there and how they would get out were questions on the mind.They probably live in there feeding on scraps of food thrown in the gutters until the chicks get old enough to leave on their own or fly out of the gutters. Other less friendly creatures also ply these gutters.
I can't see how flood water moves through these mostly clogged gutters, or maybe they get cleaned in the rainy season,I don't know.
It looks like the gutters are not even noticeable anymore to the people who see them or go by them daily. They walk and drive really close to these gutters with no qualm whatsoever.
The hustling for survival brings humans and even non humans to these roads and highways in these mini cities. At the peak of traffic one can see cars and trucks, motorcycles,lorries, occasional trailers dragging containers, pile up trying to pass through an intersection. With no working traffic lights, or police patrol directing traffic, it becomes a free-for-all struggle and usually everyone is in a big hurry and the resulting jam can last for a long time. Add pedestrians, both human and otherwise to the mix, and it becomes quite interesting to watch.
On one such day, as I tried to stay focused and not lose my spot to a clever driver,
or be maneuvered too close to the gutter, something very funny happened. At the jam with everything at a standstill,a goat,yes a goat,a white goat with black legs and face, abdomen bulging over the short sturdy legs , was pushing her way through the jam. She made her way through, crossed to the other side of the road,paused before deciding to head right. It was too funny,as the goat,unfazed by the confusion, hustled her way through the traffic in search of food. She was very focused.
The goats and their compatriots, the chickens,and others, work as unpaid sanitation workers, scavengers who eat any edible garbage with pleasure. In some araes, they roam unperturbed,seriously doing their jobs and they look quite well-fed and healthy. Which brings to mind a group,called sanitation workers in childhood days, who made sure that public health was not jeopardized. They inspected shops and surroundings for cleanliness, and made sure that no animals were roaming the markets. Those were the good old days.
The red flags of the PWD (Public Works Department) workers also come to mind. The PWD men patched potholes on the roads, removed debris from the roads, and cleaned gutters, and then there were policemen and women with white gloves who directed traffic at intersections. Where on earth did these government workers go? When will road contractors be made to cover their gutters or be responsible for injuries and death caused by these open gutters? Covering their gutters should be part and parcel of the contract. Open gutters, no deal!
Awka, in Anambra state is looking good. Being a new city being put together with some kind of planning may be the reason. I can't recall if the gutters are covered. I really hope they are.
To be continued---
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The Hero---adieu
Before continuing with writing about my experiences in the homeland, I will put out this poem,or rather my thoughts,about the departed noble son, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, a true hero,who gave his life,wealth and everything, for his people in their time of greatest need and danger, and for his country, Nigeria.
Coo for the hero
Finally free from strife,
from the trek, called life.
A life sacrificed for others,
as his lot was altered.
His work is done,
He fought the good fight,
finished his race,
and rode off the stage,
to the great beyond.
Throwing into deep sorrow
his friends of yore
and new friends alike,
from all walks of life.
Who come out in droves
for a last salute
for the General,
the people’s General.
His foes are not spared
all the hoopla,
the bustling of activity
surrounding the passing
of this great hero.
Coo for the legend
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Gone but very much around
traveling from coast to coast,
city to city,
pulling crowds at every stop.
Nostalgia holds sway
as Biafra is revisited.
The highways and byways.
Memories of
the war fronts, the armed forces,
boy soldiers,
refugee camps,
Kwashiorkor
Bonny legs, wavy hair,
abdominal girth
grossly exaggerated.
Lethargic youngsters
near the gates of death.
Biafra
Bombed hospitals, burning markets.
The relief centers,
research centers,
Churches
Of the Christian republic.
Biafra
The war songs sound again
as memories flood of
Biafrans
hanging in there,
encouraged by the assurance,
the leadership
and comforting words
of the bearded brother,
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Who had turned his back on wealth,
incredible wealth,
on comfort and fame.
inherited fame, but
threw himself in death’s path,
in defense of his people
marked for annihilation.
He stood firmly
despite the bleakness
and stark reality
of the uphill battle.
Trusting the Almighty,
he had seen the bigger picture
for his beloved country,
then oppressing his people.
He had seen a possible future
of stability, equity and peace.
A picture totally missed.
His idea was ridiculed,
trampled on, and rejected.
“Let my people go”
Was his response.
“Let my people go”
He asked of his country
and the world.
“Let my people go”
The hero insisted.
Biafra was born and
and was promptly attacked.
“Give us arms to fight back”
Was his people’s cry.
Biafra
Land of the rising sun.
A safe homeland at last.
A hope for life,peace,
possibilities unlimited.
Biafra
Some hope at last.
Biafra,attacked,
dug her heels in,
fought back with guns,clubs,
homemade arsenal,
guts and tenacity
against a gang up.
Thirty months of fighting,
Thirty months of striving
to survive
cruelty at its worst.
Brutal war
baring the worst in man.
Biafra
hung in there
by the skin of her teeth.
Bruised, blocked,
starved,
Biafra hung in there.
Bombed repeatedly.
Biafra hung in there.
With no end in sight
of the human suffering
and dying,
a truce at last.
Peace at last
for the unified nation.
Peace at last.
Over the years
nothing changed.
Biafra
of the mind?
History is coming home to roost
and generations to come
will know the price paid,
the path paved,
to give freedom a boost
for Nigeria,
or the nations therein.
Change is in the air
as the hero soars
over land and sea,
on this last outing
as all can see
of a great man.
Coo for the hero.
The departed hero.
The beloved hero,
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Adieu.
Onye Uwa Oma
February 23 2012.
Coo for the hero
Finally free from strife,
from the trek, called life.
A life sacrificed for others,
as his lot was altered.
His work is done,
He fought the good fight,
finished his race,
and rode off the stage,
to the great beyond.
Throwing into deep sorrow
his friends of yore
and new friends alike,
from all walks of life.
Who come out in droves
for a last salute
for the General,
the people’s General.
His foes are not spared
all the hoopla,
the bustling of activity
surrounding the passing
of this great hero.
Coo for the legend
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Gone but very much around
traveling from coast to coast,
city to city,
pulling crowds at every stop.
Nostalgia holds sway
as Biafra is revisited.
The highways and byways.
Memories of
the war fronts, the armed forces,
boy soldiers,
refugee camps,
Kwashiorkor
Bonny legs, wavy hair,
abdominal girth
grossly exaggerated.
Lethargic youngsters
near the gates of death.
Biafra
Bombed hospitals, burning markets.
The relief centers,
research centers,
Churches
Of the Christian republic.
Biafra
The war songs sound again
as memories flood of
Biafrans
hanging in there,
encouraged by the assurance,
the leadership
and comforting words
of the bearded brother,
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Who had turned his back on wealth,
incredible wealth,
on comfort and fame.
inherited fame, but
threw himself in death’s path,
in defense of his people
marked for annihilation.
He stood firmly
despite the bleakness
and stark reality
of the uphill battle.
Trusting the Almighty,
he had seen the bigger picture
for his beloved country,
then oppressing his people.
He had seen a possible future
of stability, equity and peace.
A picture totally missed.
His idea was ridiculed,
trampled on, and rejected.
“Let my people go”
Was his response.
“Let my people go”
He asked of his country
and the world.
“Let my people go”
The hero insisted.
Biafra was born and
and was promptly attacked.
“Give us arms to fight back”
Was his people’s cry.
Biafra
Land of the rising sun.
A safe homeland at last.
A hope for life,peace,
possibilities unlimited.
Biafra
Some hope at last.
Biafra,attacked,
dug her heels in,
fought back with guns,clubs,
homemade arsenal,
guts and tenacity
against a gang up.
Thirty months of fighting,
Thirty months of striving
to survive
cruelty at its worst.
Brutal war
baring the worst in man.
Biafra
hung in there
by the skin of her teeth.
Bruised, blocked,
starved,
Biafra hung in there.
Bombed repeatedly.
Biafra hung in there.
With no end in sight
of the human suffering
and dying,
a truce at last.
Peace at last
for the unified nation.
Peace at last.
Over the years
nothing changed.
Biafra
of the mind?
History is coming home to roost
and generations to come
will know the price paid,
the path paved,
to give freedom a boost
for Nigeria,
or the nations therein.
Change is in the air
as the hero soars
over land and sea,
on this last outing
as all can see
of a great man.
Coo for the hero.
The departed hero.
The beloved hero,
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Adieu.
Onye Uwa Oma
February 23 2012.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Nigeria on the move continued---3
It is natural to go from talking about women to talking about children. In Mrs Nneamaka Chikezie's upcoming book on African women, the plight of young mothers and their children feature very well.
Children are the most hit by the hydra-headed problems on the ground. I cannot start enumerating all the problems children face in the Nigerian society. There are just too many. I will focus on children five years and under, who are the most hard hit. These children face so much that I will describe being that age as a threat against survival. Everything is against them, so to speak. Watching children in that age group always left me very restless and sad. It was as if they were just steps away from death or some dreadful tragedy waiting to happen at any given time, and these deaths and tragedies happen quite often.
On schooldays, one can see these youngsters in their bright school uniforms, walking to school, in groups or alone, with their school bags, and food flasks for after school lesson. Some are as young as two years old. They stay at school until about four in the evening and then can be seen shuffling home,obviously exhausted, sharing the road with okada (commercail motorcyle riders)and vehicles all kinds,some of which travel at top speed, if the road is half decent. These children walk so close to the deep uncovered gutters that I catch myself praying under my breath that none of them ends up in the gutter, knocked down by a vehicle or by falling in. Such accidents happen all the time, of course and there's no 911 to call.
The lucky children whose parents have machines, (motorcycles), get rides to school and the sight of them each time sends me into a mini panic attack. It is common to see up to four children,or even more, probably all the children the okada driver has, ranging in age from two to maybe eight years, lined up, sitting on the motorcycle, behind mother or father or the commercial rider taking them to school. The motorcycle made for two, now carries up to five people with no helmet or straps holding them down. They weave through the madness, called traffic,avoiding potholes and trash on the road. There is dust from all the traffic going through the dusty parts of the tarred road. My heart goes out to people with asthma all the time. Real rough life. In these traffic jams, it is quite common to suddenly drive up to a forty foot container off-loading right there on the highway, or some other mind bugling activity, like the auctioning of used clothing, right on the road or a few feet off the road,causing an obstruction. At times like that I wonder where the police are or what they are in existence for. Through this mad rush young children walk or are transported to school, some stacked up like livestock on their way to the slaughter house. The same scenario plays again in the evening on the way home. I guess people are used to the sight and take it in stride when tragedies strike.
The mothers prepare food for after-school lessons which are transported to school in flasks. "Indomil" an instant noodle preparation features highly on the lesson menu. The children speak highly of it and sing the jingles of the indomil man, who comes to school once in a while to tell them about indomil. They love indomil which has become a household name. I hope the loving mothers augment it with some vegetables and occasional fish at least.
Through the community health centers, when they are open, more children are getting their shots and other services. One can hear the town crier in the quiet pre-dawn hours, announcing the coming of such services to the community health center or a selected venue. Free medical services from visiting Medical missionaries are also announced that way, like the the free eye checkups and very affordable surgeries for those who needed them were offered by the Anambra State government at the premises of the traditional ruler. Lines formed early and many people were helped.
The most disturbing of the problems facing very young children is maternal death at childbirth which has become very common. In the span of one week, one may hear of two or more women who died at or after childbirth. One roadside "maternity" may record more than two deaths in one month and pregnant women still continue going to these joints. These unnecessary dying has left a bunch little boys and girls who are scared to death and confused and are at the mercy of relatives. These children may get shuffled around for a while before any form of normalcy returns to their lives. The father may be too traumatized to function for a while. I was able to bring this subject up with a Commissioner for Health at a funeral. I had asked him what they were doing about the epidemic of women dying at childbirth and leaving babies and toddlers behind. He explained that some of these young women set themselves up by going to these so called maternity centers and also by getting little or no prenatal care. At delivery time, the slightest complication, like high blood pressure, high blood sugar or bleeding claims their lives.since they cannot get to the hospital to get help on time. He emphasized that his office is doing everything possible to change the picture by sending messages to people through the airwaves and through churches and community associations. The newborns left behind end up with relatives most of the time. Reports coming from motherless babies homes are not encouraging.
The older siblings of the newborns who understand a little bit of what happened to them are left to sort their nightmare out. After the celebration of their deceased mother's life, with the eating and singing and crowds and all the attention they get, the crowds leave and all they have left is a heap of red soil over the grave in full view in the courtyard, and an empty lost feeling. If the father fell apart, then the children also worry about the father dying, and some of the children act out their fears, talking non stop or doing everything possible to be the center of attention. Sometimes, their fear is so real that they ask questions about death, about heaven, why people die and if their father would die too. The sad thing is that more children join this club daily. Scary and pitiful. The main reason behind my strong desire to move back as soon as possible. To be continued.
Children are the most hit by the hydra-headed problems on the ground. I cannot start enumerating all the problems children face in the Nigerian society. There are just too many. I will focus on children five years and under, who are the most hard hit. These children face so much that I will describe being that age as a threat against survival. Everything is against them, so to speak. Watching children in that age group always left me very restless and sad. It was as if they were just steps away from death or some dreadful tragedy waiting to happen at any given time, and these deaths and tragedies happen quite often.
On schooldays, one can see these youngsters in their bright school uniforms, walking to school, in groups or alone, with their school bags, and food flasks for after school lesson. Some are as young as two years old. They stay at school until about four in the evening and then can be seen shuffling home,obviously exhausted, sharing the road with okada (commercail motorcyle riders)and vehicles all kinds,some of which travel at top speed, if the road is half decent. These children walk so close to the deep uncovered gutters that I catch myself praying under my breath that none of them ends up in the gutter, knocked down by a vehicle or by falling in. Such accidents happen all the time, of course and there's no 911 to call.
The lucky children whose parents have machines, (motorcycles), get rides to school and the sight of them each time sends me into a mini panic attack. It is common to see up to four children,or even more, probably all the children the okada driver has, ranging in age from two to maybe eight years, lined up, sitting on the motorcycle, behind mother or father or the commercial rider taking them to school. The motorcycle made for two, now carries up to five people with no helmet or straps holding them down. They weave through the madness, called traffic,avoiding potholes and trash on the road. There is dust from all the traffic going through the dusty parts of the tarred road. My heart goes out to people with asthma all the time. Real rough life. In these traffic jams, it is quite common to suddenly drive up to a forty foot container off-loading right there on the highway, or some other mind bugling activity, like the auctioning of used clothing, right on the road or a few feet off the road,causing an obstruction. At times like that I wonder where the police are or what they are in existence for. Through this mad rush young children walk or are transported to school, some stacked up like livestock on their way to the slaughter house. The same scenario plays again in the evening on the way home. I guess people are used to the sight and take it in stride when tragedies strike.
The mothers prepare food for after-school lessons which are transported to school in flasks. "Indomil" an instant noodle preparation features highly on the lesson menu. The children speak highly of it and sing the jingles of the indomil man, who comes to school once in a while to tell them about indomil. They love indomil which has become a household name. I hope the loving mothers augment it with some vegetables and occasional fish at least.
Through the community health centers, when they are open, more children are getting their shots and other services. One can hear the town crier in the quiet pre-dawn hours, announcing the coming of such services to the community health center or a selected venue. Free medical services from visiting Medical missionaries are also announced that way, like the the free eye checkups and very affordable surgeries for those who needed them were offered by the Anambra State government at the premises of the traditional ruler. Lines formed early and many people were helped.
The most disturbing of the problems facing very young children is maternal death at childbirth which has become very common. In the span of one week, one may hear of two or more women who died at or after childbirth. One roadside "maternity" may record more than two deaths in one month and pregnant women still continue going to these joints. These unnecessary dying has left a bunch little boys and girls who are scared to death and confused and are at the mercy of relatives. These children may get shuffled around for a while before any form of normalcy returns to their lives. The father may be too traumatized to function for a while. I was able to bring this subject up with a Commissioner for Health at a funeral. I had asked him what they were doing about the epidemic of women dying at childbirth and leaving babies and toddlers behind. He explained that some of these young women set themselves up by going to these so called maternity centers and also by getting little or no prenatal care. At delivery time, the slightest complication, like high blood pressure, high blood sugar or bleeding claims their lives.since they cannot get to the hospital to get help on time. He emphasized that his office is doing everything possible to change the picture by sending messages to people through the airwaves and through churches and community associations. The newborns left behind end up with relatives most of the time. Reports coming from motherless babies homes are not encouraging.
The older siblings of the newborns who understand a little bit of what happened to them are left to sort their nightmare out. After the celebration of their deceased mother's life, with the eating and singing and crowds and all the attention they get, the crowds leave and all they have left is a heap of red soil over the grave in full view in the courtyard, and an empty lost feeling. If the father fell apart, then the children also worry about the father dying, and some of the children act out their fears, talking non stop or doing everything possible to be the center of attention. Sometimes, their fear is so real that they ask questions about death, about heaven, why people die and if their father would die too. The sad thing is that more children join this club daily. Scary and pitiful. The main reason behind my strong desire to move back as soon as possible. To be continued.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Nigeria on the move continued---
Most of the young people mentioned from the beginning of this writing hold higher education diplomas or degrees. Some are still university students. One good thing I noticed is that holders of higher education certificates are no longer hanging unto the hope of finding jobs through the government or established large companies like the oil companies and banks. Many are now taking the bull by the horn and finding some gainful employment, no matter how lowly.
Izunna, a university student, comes home on weekends or every chance he gets to do odd jobs to generate income. In addition, he is an amateur photographer, covering occasions for people. He does a great job at it. His coverage of the cultural extravaganza following the Ofala festival celebrated by the Igwe of Nnewi, produced great pictures of the event. Some pictures will be shared later.
Onyinye, a graduate with a leaning towards ministry, carries out her calling by working with the elderly, a subject she studied extensively in the university.Elderly care is an area totally ignored in Igboland and Nigeria today. Most elderly, mostly women are forced to leave their homes and live with their children in the big cities where they can be cared for. Most are not thrilled with being away from their homes, but have no choice. If couples are involved, it is no problem since the elderly couple at least have each other. The problem arises when it involves a widow or widower. Coping with their loss and then the additional burden of being removed from their home becomes a burden.Finding reliable assistance for the elderly is an uphill task. That is why Onyinye's ministry is so unique.
The elderly have a lot of problems, ranging from finding dometic help to health issues and the worst, for retirees especially,getting to their pensions and their bank accounts are like pulling teeth. More to come on this subject.
Nnamdi, a young father of three married really young, which is the noticeable trend now. Young people are settling down, instead of waiting. They struggle together to make ends meet, it seems like. I do not have the details but it is clear that young people are getting married without waiting to be established in careers.It is a good trend and from personal experience, it is a good thing for many reasons. Ikwa-nkwu, as Ndi Nnewi call it or Igba-nkwu remains a regular source of socializing and entertainment.
Nnamdi and his wife, Chioma, work very hard to care for their young family,buzzing around on their machines (motorcycles) to take the children to school, and tend to their shops. A very busy young family.
I had a few books given to me to read by the authors. The four books, two written by Reverend Dr Fred Nwachukwuma, and two other titles by other authors,were mostly put aside because of my very busy schedule. Finally on my long flight back, I tried to finish reading the books. One written by Professor J.O.C Onyemelukwe, under his pen name Chike Onyemelukwe was also finished on the flight. Dr Nwachukwuma's "Wading Through the Storm" was quite inspiring to me.The other, I still have to read.
Professor Onyemelukwe's " Hope from Distant Lands" is quite an interesting reading,a good reading, especially with the arrival and spreading over the airwaves, radio especially, of the odinani movement. The odinani movement is off and going, with jingles on the radio and young people are joining. Some are trying to understand the theology behind the movement. There are now Christian funerals and Odinani funerals and celebrations of life. This brings me to celebrations of life and everything that comes with them.
The month of December being set aside and exempted from funerals and burials, leaves January rolling around with series of funerals and celebrations of life going on. One can hear in the cool harmatan evening, sounds of egbenduru or nkpo ana, as some call it, booming over and over again, bringing to mind the igbasu ozu of childhood days. Even women were receiving these loud gun salutes.Quite interesting.
The third book I was opportuned to briefly read is an upcoming book, not yet published. A well researched book on women issues in Africa and Nigeria,penned by a lawyer, Mrs Maoudline Nneamaka Chikezie, the book titled "African Woman, Sentenced by Tradition" will surely draw a lot of attention when published. She is working very hard towards publishing the book with the eye catching back cover.
To be continued--- Banking et.c
Izunna, a university student, comes home on weekends or every chance he gets to do odd jobs to generate income. In addition, he is an amateur photographer, covering occasions for people. He does a great job at it. His coverage of the cultural extravaganza following the Ofala festival celebrated by the Igwe of Nnewi, produced great pictures of the event. Some pictures will be shared later.
Onyinye, a graduate with a leaning towards ministry, carries out her calling by working with the elderly, a subject she studied extensively in the university.Elderly care is an area totally ignored in Igboland and Nigeria today. Most elderly, mostly women are forced to leave their homes and live with their children in the big cities where they can be cared for. Most are not thrilled with being away from their homes, but have no choice. If couples are involved, it is no problem since the elderly couple at least have each other. The problem arises when it involves a widow or widower. Coping with their loss and then the additional burden of being removed from their home becomes a burden.Finding reliable assistance for the elderly is an uphill task. That is why Onyinye's ministry is so unique.
The elderly have a lot of problems, ranging from finding dometic help to health issues and the worst, for retirees especially,getting to their pensions and their bank accounts are like pulling teeth. More to come on this subject.
Nnamdi, a young father of three married really young, which is the noticeable trend now. Young people are settling down, instead of waiting. They struggle together to make ends meet, it seems like. I do not have the details but it is clear that young people are getting married without waiting to be established in careers.It is a good trend and from personal experience, it is a good thing for many reasons. Ikwa-nkwu, as Ndi Nnewi call it or Igba-nkwu remains a regular source of socializing and entertainment.
Nnamdi and his wife, Chioma, work very hard to care for their young family,buzzing around on their machines (motorcycles) to take the children to school, and tend to their shops. A very busy young family.
I had a few books given to me to read by the authors. The four books, two written by Reverend Dr Fred Nwachukwuma, and two other titles by other authors,were mostly put aside because of my very busy schedule. Finally on my long flight back, I tried to finish reading the books. One written by Professor J.O.C Onyemelukwe, under his pen name Chike Onyemelukwe was also finished on the flight. Dr Nwachukwuma's "Wading Through the Storm" was quite inspiring to me.The other, I still have to read.
Professor Onyemelukwe's " Hope from Distant Lands" is quite an interesting reading,a good reading, especially with the arrival and spreading over the airwaves, radio especially, of the odinani movement. The odinani movement is off and going, with jingles on the radio and young people are joining. Some are trying to understand the theology behind the movement. There are now Christian funerals and Odinani funerals and celebrations of life. This brings me to celebrations of life and everything that comes with them.
The month of December being set aside and exempted from funerals and burials, leaves January rolling around with series of funerals and celebrations of life going on. One can hear in the cool harmatan evening, sounds of egbenduru or nkpo ana, as some call it, booming over and over again, bringing to mind the igbasu ozu of childhood days. Even women were receiving these loud gun salutes.Quite interesting.
The third book I was opportuned to briefly read is an upcoming book, not yet published. A well researched book on women issues in Africa and Nigeria,penned by a lawyer, Mrs Maoudline Nneamaka Chikezie, the book titled "African Woman, Sentenced by Tradition" will surely draw a lot of attention when published. She is working very hard towards publishing the book with the eye catching back cover.
To be continued--- Banking et.c
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Nigeria on the move
I came back from Nigeria last week, after a ten week visit. The nature of my visit made it possible for me to interact with many people in different settings, social, business,(banking, marketplace, business office)and religious. Although the time was not that long, but I had the opportunity to interact, participate and talk to people. The removal of the fuel subsidy and the strike which came with it helped a lot in gauging the pulse of the society.
In Anambra State, the vigilante groups are slowly acquiring the looks and functions of local city or town police here in the united States. They are dedicated, vigilante so far are not abusing the power or rather the authority they have. The Christmas season was quiet and safe and people moved around freely. I cannot say the same about other states since I did not visit those states or spend time in them. I did go through Lagos and the streets and highways were noticeably clean, which brings me to the sanitary conditions. I came across sanitation workers picking up garbage in Nnewi, but I am not sure how often they come around. The 24/7 burning garbage pile along ugwu-akpati-ozu in Nnewi remains, waxing stronger. The effect of the smoke is beginning to show in some trees, in my opinion. Papaya trees, for example are really affected by something I was told was a papaya plant disease, which I strongly suspect to be a result of burning plastics and metals daily all around town. The left over ash melted plastics and rusted metal cans and containers litter what used to be farmlands and garden, quite a nuisance in some areas. Another obvious hazard I noticed was the menace of broken tiles which are popular in home constructions. I recorded a few injuries from broken tiles which are razor sharp. A relative had a bad gash under his toe, which required serious treatment and dressing for a while.
My biggest source of joy came from the attitude of the young people. The young people have decided to roll up their sleeves and generate income through honest work, no matter how lowly, dignity of labor, I will call it. For example, Pastor Obinna who works on weekdays as ogbu akwu and he works very hard and is very reliable. Onyeka sells used clothing and other acesories, KC is a painting contractor and handles serious work. Nwakego works at the church school and helps people who need her help.
It was impressed by the change in attitude and the increased awareness of the happenings around them. Removal of the fuel subsidy was hotly discussed and debated.
People in general are more aware of what is happening in their world. There are private schools all over the place and who would be surprised after the track record of strikes by state schools. In the morning,a variety of school uniform calls dot the roads as children ride to school on okada, a story for another day. I just hope there is a standard or yardstick for checking these schools and their teachers and administrators. If well monitored, the results will be good, as more children are in school.
In Anambra State, the vigilante groups are slowly acquiring the looks and functions of local city or town police here in the united States. They are dedicated, vigilante so far are not abusing the power or rather the authority they have. The Christmas season was quiet and safe and people moved around freely. I cannot say the same about other states since I did not visit those states or spend time in them. I did go through Lagos and the streets and highways were noticeably clean, which brings me to the sanitary conditions. I came across sanitation workers picking up garbage in Nnewi, but I am not sure how often they come around. The 24/7 burning garbage pile along ugwu-akpati-ozu in Nnewi remains, waxing stronger. The effect of the smoke is beginning to show in some trees, in my opinion. Papaya trees, for example are really affected by something I was told was a papaya plant disease, which I strongly suspect to be a result of burning plastics and metals daily all around town. The left over ash melted plastics and rusted metal cans and containers litter what used to be farmlands and garden, quite a nuisance in some areas. Another obvious hazard I noticed was the menace of broken tiles which are popular in home constructions. I recorded a few injuries from broken tiles which are razor sharp. A relative had a bad gash under his toe, which required serious treatment and dressing for a while.
My biggest source of joy came from the attitude of the young people. The young people have decided to roll up their sleeves and generate income through honest work, no matter how lowly, dignity of labor, I will call it. For example, Pastor Obinna who works on weekdays as ogbu akwu and he works very hard and is very reliable. Onyeka sells used clothing and other acesories, KC is a painting contractor and handles serious work. Nwakego works at the church school and helps people who need her help.
It was impressed by the change in attitude and the increased awareness of the happenings around them. Removal of the fuel subsidy was hotly discussed and debated.
People in general are more aware of what is happening in their world. There are private schools all over the place and who would be surprised after the track record of strikes by state schools. In the morning,a variety of school uniform calls dot the roads as children ride to school on okada, a story for another day. I just hope there is a standard or yardstick for checking these schools and their teachers and administrators. If well monitored, the results will be good, as more children are in school.
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