By Okey Iwuji

Sometimes in life popularity and money try to veil nasty behaviours found in men and women of renown, especially in a capitalist generation where money is worshipped and achievements celebrated beyond measure. The possessor of money and fame automatically becomes a demigod or goddess of sort, who must be worshipped and sought after. It bothers no one anymore the immoral stains on the famous rob though decked with aura of fame, beauty and glory. Moreover, every attitudinal problem display by such one is gulped down as right, wonderful and worthy of emulation without a blink or pass on a moral crucibles. The famous becomes regrettably a pointer to our children as role model especially when a couple of kind gestures to the needy could be credited him either done in sincerity, to buy voice in order to cover shame or silence wagging tongues. No wonder, the society is raising more youth void of moral etiquette, godliness and riddled with confusion as to what is right in our generation. Our Fathers of old never accepted personalities of people based on fame to cover their weaknesses, shame and down side of lives rather reproved them. No, not in Africa of old should one who brazenly went against nature rules for moral conduct be cheered and eulogized in life. Such people would always keep heads low and were usually hushed down at when moral based issues were discussed at the village assemblies because of being considered as pacesetters of vices. Though this might be seen as primitive but Africa faired better and had moral control on the society than of divorce hanging on the neck of Elizabeth Taylor and many others is one of such recent unholy wedlock of evil through western kind of freedom.Africa’s feet now wobble on that which is right and of moral standing before God and man.

ELIZABETH ROSEMOND TAYLOR

Even God counseled that we mark those who walk disorderly in the society and avoid them, and the strings disorderliness the society must brace up to fight to a standstill. Disorderliness breeds confusion and changes the course of life when permitted to grow and the west through freedom pact has nurtured moral disorder which engulfs the world, especially in the area of marriage and divorce. While agreeing to the fact that increases in divorce rate has become a great task to contend with in that every rank and file of the society is filled with countless men and women with strings of broken marriages with America and Europe in the lead and Africa trailing behind. Yet it is possible if we say the right things to our children, that is, to hate divorce as much as God hates it.

Some people might disagree with this line of thought; notwithstanding, the truth must not be shy away from.

God who knows the benefit of unity in the family to the church and the role of the church in his programme for the World preached togetherness instead of separation or divorce and vehemently said NO to the question of divorce when raised before him. He stated categorically in Malachi that he hates divorce and asserted through Jesus that Moses gave permission to issue certificate of divorce to their wives because of hardness of their hearts but from the beginning it was not so. Moses, though a servant of God did not comprehend God’s entire will on marriage or too sympathetic at that material time went without recourse to God to exercise his own best of judgment based on  the circumstances on ground; the hardness of Israelites heart.

Humanly speaking the simplest advice to a life threatening marriage relationship would be to separate to save life that is endangered, therefore, Moses could not by man’s standard be blamed as much but God’s ways are not the ways of man nor his thoughts. They are higher as the heavens are higher than the earth we live in and more rational than human thinking.

God allowed all that permissive will to take place because someone with perfect knowledge of him has not come to show the people his perfect will for man. So from Jesus God preached forgiveness and tolerance one to another just as our Father in heaven forgives and tolerates our short comings when we ask of him. He said,”……forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ So a baseline for our forgiveness is a willingness and readiness to forgive another including our spouses.

Where a continual willingness to forgive and tolerance is lacking divorce is very much present. A mind bogging question was asked Jesus, ’how many times will my brother offend me and I will not forgive him, is it seven times? Seventy times seven was Jesus reply. So this is food for thought to the couples claiming irreconcilable differences as reasons for break up, whether your spouse’s offences against you has reached four hundred and ninety times. Beside this, Jesus was teaching readiness to forgive at all times as our father in heaven forgives us when we come in sincerity to him as a condition to obtain God’s own forgiveness. Oh! How many people are shutting themselves out from God’s mercy due to lack of forgiveness to spouses and others?

Men of this age delight in permissive will of Moses rather to submit to the corrective words of Christ, the restorer of all things because their hearts are still hardened like as of old. God further said except our hearts become like that of a little child, we will not enter into his kingdom. A child’s heart is tender, entreat able, ready to forgive every wrong and get along all the way.

 It was like a folktale or a fiction while reading about Ms Taylor’s seven times divorce as her death greeted the news stands on internet and other media on the 23^rd March last year, accompanied with lists of other life achievements, which included; an accomplished Hollywood actress of her time with too many awards, mother of four with ten grandchildren and many great grandchildren and an AID crusader. What baffled and wished that the story of her divorce habit remained an ancient tale than real in a modern society is that a woman has a privilege of entering into seven different marriages and five contract ones when a lot of women out there are sincerely asking for one time opportunity to be married and never kept the vows. This was a feel when ruminating on the tribute written in her favour on that day. Seven is a number of completeness biblically speaking which implies that Taylor unreservedly reached the climax of divorce game which the notorious Samaria woman at Jacob’s well in Sychar could not before her encounter with Jesus. It was not an accidental turnout of events but a chosen way of life that negates God’s word and moral code of conduct. The sorry aspect of this life which may have been unknown toTaylor is that the number of times a person remarried while the spouse lives by the same the individual became an adulterer together with all in marriage before God, therefore, by God’s word Taylor played adultery to the fullest. And in addition to this, were cases of infidelity while in marriage and after the death of Mike Todd.

Besides, a world where virtually every divorce case is viewed as men’s monstrous attitude to their wives for which the later receive a considerable treatment as a weakling and paid fabulously too, a woman with vantage of beauty treated men as disposable tissue paper. If she was at the receiving end tongues would have endlessly lashed on the men not knowing the bad attitudes she possessed that made stay-in-marriage difficult. Taylor and her friends (men and women) in divorce scandals set a terrible precedence in Hollywood that is today rocking a holy institution which God holds dear, throughout the world.

Actors like Robert Evan, famed producer, married seven times. Among his wives was Catherine Oxenberg. The shortest marriage was after nine days while none lasted more than three years. Larry King, a talk show host, nicknamed serial marrier for his notorious divorce acts married seven times. Zsa Zsa Gabor (Hungarian Actress) married nine times with seven divorces and one annulled. Actor Mickey Rooney divorced seven times among whom is Starlet Ava Gardner. Actress Lana Turner divorced eight times from seven husbands, among who was Artie Shaw. The shortest of the marriages was four months.

These later actors stepped into shoes of their predecessors; Actor and director, Billy Thornton divorced five times among whom is Angelina Jolie and Novelist Danielle Steel divorced five times among whom is Tom Perkins to say the least.

This horrible trend is holding the generation on the throat such that marriages as young as twenty three years are being lavishly celebrated for enduring so long a time. What a piteous doom? What a generation that blesses and celebrates notoriety with uncommon regard. Age thou that shamed!

Writing about Kyra Sedgwick and kevin bacon 23 years old marriage in April last year, it was said to be an impressive feat to attain even by non Hollywood standard, possibly America and Europe standard, when it is common to see couples celebrating golden and diamond jubilees of their weddings in Africa so long as both couples lives. Thanks to God who preserved the old Yeager’s lives to challenge this generation andAmericaandEuropein particular on how we should live with our spouses and how we ought not in a society were too many things are quickly falling apart. A jet and disposable age indeed!

Old couple Gordon (94) and Norma (90) of Iowa married for 72 years and stuck to each other even at death. They were indeed lovers and great companions of one another and were reported to die holding each other’s hand. What a pleasant marriage you may ask! This couple I believe had rough times like any other marriage but chose to hold on to each other through out the stormy years. They were not Angels but humans with their little shortcomings like us but decided to make heaven out of imperfect union. “They just loved being together. Everybody argues once in awhile, but they still, he said ‘I have to stick around. I can’t go until she does because I have to stay here for her and she would say the same thing,’” said Dennis Yeager.

Norma stock lived to her promise to spend forever her life together with her hubby when the couple wedded on May 26, 1939.

 Although in some traditions, it is a kind of taboo for spouses to remain in one marriage for life. Such people feel uncomfortable in their marriages as time goes on even when there exists nothing reasonable to be uncomfortable with in a lovely home. For them it is a test of beauty, man and womanhood to be married by different men and women in their life times, dropping children with every spouse as they go on their marriage expedition. At the end, the society is left with many children unknown to each other yet from the same parent living in incest.

Where men could not by law go into polygamy divorce became a way out. A demonic pressure comes on them to make their marriages uncomfortable so as to ease out. This old tradition holding sway in a modern world should be rejected with deep hatred because it is devilish opposing godliness. Who is that child that would not be happy to see both parents live and grow old together till the hour of death like Yeager’s children? “We were very blessed, honestly, that they went this way.” Said Donna Sheets, one of the daughters of the Yeager.

But Dennis maintained “They’re very old-fashioned. They believed in marriage till death do you part,” For Dennis it is old fashion to live together with ones spouse till death. May be you share his line of thinking but hear this;

Thus says the Lord, Stand you in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein.

Many people are still kicking against this injunction of God including bible based Christians in pursuit of modern trend lifestyles.

Elizabeth Rosemund Taylor, true to her middle name was a living rose at her prime, financially buoyant and gorgeous befitting her celebrity status, being a hot chase by film producers which combination strategically earned her a toast of all men. Her financial worth and gorgeousness is expressed in costly fashion and ornaments she adorned herself with, which 269 selected magnificent jewels out of her collections was estimated to fetch a whooping sum well in excess of $30 million dollars when placed for auction sales on December 13&14 2011 by Christie’s of New York, an Auction company. Certainly the auction sales came and went as expected fetching a whooping sum of $157 million dollars from 1,778 items placed for sell that included jewelries and fashion cloths. The sale was said to set a world record for the most valuable sale of jewelry in auction history and generated 57,000 bids from buyers from 36 countries present. Incredible you would say, fine but these are vanities of life that offer sensual happiness.

Taylor’s parade of charming beauty and gorgeousness gave her a reckless edge to climb the rungs of marriage with ease for eight good times with seven divorce and five contract ones with attendant rings to show. She tormented her spouses with sick behaviour rapped with brazen beauty hence a line up of suitors without knowledge readily take her hand for a walk down the aisles as soon as she ditched one man like a used handkerchief, only to discover that all that glitters are not gold. Are you after the outward beauty, gorgeousness and money and not the beauty of the inward man renewed and recreated in Christ image? That could be reason why your marriage is at the brink of collapse.

 Those who feverishly jostled to takeTaylor’s beauty home in disappointment included;

 Conrad Nicky Hilton (May6, 1950-Jan29, 1951) married for nine months and was said to given to gambling, drinking and abusive behaviour.

Michael Wilding (Feb2, 1952- Jan26, 1957) married for 5years. WhomTaylorwas said to have admitted that she gave rather a rough time, sort of henpecked him and probably wasn’t mature for him.

Michael Todd (Feb2, 1957-March22,1958) marriage ended with Todd’s death. Although their relationship was tumultuous too, she later acknowledged him one of the three loves of her life, along withBurton and Jewelry.

Eddie Fisher (May12,1959-March6,1964). They began affair while Fisher was still married to Debbie Reynolds causing a scandal.Taylor in outrage was quoted to have told columnist Hopper, well, Mike is dead and I’m alive….what do you expect me to do? Sleep alone?

Richard Burton (March15, 1964-June26,1974) and (Oct10,1975-July29,1976)- TheVatican condemnedBurton andTaylor’s affairs, which began when both were married to others as erotic vagrancy. It was said that the press closely followed their relationship before, during and after their ten years of marriage due to great public interest.Taylor remarriedBurton at later date and divorced again.

John Warner (Dec4,1976-Nov7,1982) Warner was a Republican senator. It was said thatTaylor sought to be known as the wife of her husband as it was withBurton and was unhappy with her life inWashington, became depressed and checked into Betty Ford clinic.

Larry Fortensky (1991-1996) Fortensky was a construction worker with a mullet, who was much younger thanTaylor.

Taylorpublicly acknowledged Michael Todd and Richard Burton as men she loved most of all men she dated and wedded, yet such professed love could not sustain the demands of marriage especially with Richard Burton whom she married twice. At least the first divorce experience with Richard was expected to make her second reunion with him stronger if all mistakes were considered and set aside. The wonder now is what kind of love could not bear and forgive all things? Any love that could not bear, forgive and sacrifice all things for sake of love, peace, unity and togetherness is not worth coming into marriage relationship in the first place. It is simply infatuation for when the heat of marriage comes it will melt away. Therefore, many marriages of our time have proven that they are built on fantasies instead of true love despite the widely proclaimed love we hear everyday. Men are enjoined to love their wives as Christ loves the church and gave himself for it. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies, for he that loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the Church. Secondly, Christ having loved his own (the church) he loved them to the end. In the same way, we are expected to love our spouses for no one can divorce his own body no matter what later went wrong in it and to love the same to the end. Love covers multitude of sins, forgives all sins, bears all things, believes all things and sacrifices all things. It is not selfish, seeks not its own comfort and convenience only but considerate too.

By OkeyIwuji

Over the years, the Nigerian people have been tagged toothless bull dog consciously or not by her leaders and citizens of other nations where people believed in forceful actions to effect changes. This was the position of one of my Indian friends around the year 2000 while considering the mal administrations of public office holders in this country. In fact, he took me on a trip of high profile corruptions in high places of power which were unknown to me as a citizen of this country and which have prevailed until now and concluded by saying that these cannot happen inIndia. He bereted Adams Oshiomhole, the Labour Union leader then, his inabilities to hold on to strike actions till there were concrete turn around of issues and demands met. 

My friend was right but the Labour’s willing compromise as I think could be viewed from different angles, namely;

- Unwilling to let this house (Nigeria) fall though a legitimate course is being pursued.

- Endless hope that dialogue could bring the needed change.

-Nigeria wrong interpretation of burning issues along religious and ethnic lines.

- Infiltration of labour union leadership with government bribed agents to oppose and counter labour moves thereby confusing the masses on who to believe.

- Nigerians inability to hold on to strike for too long when stuffs are running out.

- Some Nigerians habit of mortgaging their conscience for piece of government’s cake to betray and sabotage a genuine course.

- The brutal handling of protest by the Nigerian forces acting on orders, which also are not better than other members of the society.

- Insufficient interest on economic, social and political issues being discussed and their implications on the masses, being shown by the later in order to offer adequate support to the union.

- Poor sensitization of the public on issues being discussed.

- More importantly, the fact that an average African values this gift of God called life, and would compare the cost of risking his life and that of others to the course being pursued, especially when the arrow heads have their own children settled overseas.

These could evidently be some reasons why Labour Union, a rallying point for Nigerian masses has not been able to effectively mobilize the people for a protest march to turn events around in the system but how long the status quo will remain is uncertain because a lot of people are becoming disturbed by continued looting of the treasury by the people in power and government owned institutions while imposing more hardships on the poor masses by way of economic policies.

The debate whether to remove petroleum subsidy is very high now and it is like drawing the people’s interest more than ever as the government seriously lobby support from the lower and upper houses of national assembly to approve her intentions. The president has insisted that subsidy removal is in the interest of Nigerians and has no intention to draw back from that decision while acknowledging the additional pains the poor must have to bear in other to effect the desired economic change. On the other hand, Nigerians have pleaded earnestly that the subsidy be speared for now until the nation’s grounded refineries are fixed.

 And very recently it was learnt that some youth under the auspices of The Nigerian Youth Forum delegates numbering up to 500 people had a crucial meeting with President, Goodluck Jonathan expressing disappointments in the past administrations and warn categorically that revolution is imminent if the needed change and good governance expected from the present administration is not delivered to Nigerians this time. And the fact that Nigerian youth constituted about 70% of the entire population so as not to be taken for granted any more was sounded into the ears of the president by one of the speakers. Among those present at the Youth Lunch meeting that spoke were said to be, the National Associations of Nigerian Students president, National president of Nigeria Youths, Youth Activist group representative-Chude Jideonwo, Rita Dominic for the Nollywood, Audu Maikori for theNigeria entertainment & Music industry, Genevieve Nnaji as Guest Speaker and a representative for young women.

Nollywood Actress, Genevive Nnaji

This kind of meeting has never happened in the history of the country; at least, in the recent past that group of youths would seek the attention of Mr. President to bare their minds on some dislikes in the polity. It is a sign that some changes are taking place in the minds of Nigerians and something awkward may likely take place if grieves continued un addressed by the leaders. The lines that divide us seem to be diminishing in the face of prolonged oppressions of the poor of this country which the leaders have taken advantage of to misrule us. And we are getting mature, wiser and reasonable to allow the aforementioned factors to continue to sell us out to our hurts and detriments. Time is here for Nigerians to forge a common front without religious or ethnic bias to topple oppressive rule and mismanagement like other countries with similar antecedents.

Whether the meeting is of great significant to both parties is to be proven in a matter of time.

 The Nigerian masses are waiting to be educated properly on the facts about whether petroleum subsidy has ever existed inNigeriaor not because of contra claims of the past petroleum ministers inNigeriathat the country has never had subsidy on petroleum before. If the claims by Rtd General Buhari, a two time petroleum minister inNigeriaand Professor Tam David West are verifiable truths and not political propaganda then it means that the previous governments have fooled her subjects for more than two decades now.

Hear Professor David West on petroleum subsidy on June this year;

Prof. Tam David West, Former Petroluem Minister.

‘There had never been petroleum subsidy in Nigeria and that the term was only coined to deceive Nigerians into believing that government is subsidizing prices of petroleum products, which ought to be higher than what they are. David-West, who served under the military government of Major-General Muhammadu Buhari and Major-General Ibrahim Babangida respectively, as such cautioned President Goodluck Jonathan “never to contemplate increasing petroleum prices. “He should resist all pressure from all sides.

The mere thought of increasing petroleum prices is an irresponsible thought. There is no subsidy. The concept of petroleum subsidy is fraudulent. General Buhari was Petroleum Minister under Generals Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo respectively, before he later became Head of State. I was also Petroleum Minister under him. And both of us independently addressed the congress of the world that any form of petroleum subsidy is fraudulent.’

According to Mr. West, he is speaking for the masses because he can conveniently pay #150 should the price of fuel rise to that from #65. This is certain in every respect but he needs to do more by making Nigerians know that his position on the issue is not politically motivated rather a best of judgment based on insider’s knowledgeable facts.

The ministers are well positioned to give Nigerians a detailed account on what has generally been accepted as do exist which they are refuting not only calling a press conference to address this thorny issue but suing the government. Their ability to convincingly clear the doubts on petroleum subsidy will go a long way to determine the direction ofNigeriathis time. It is an act of patriotism to speak out against injustice of government on the subjects which late Gani Fawehmi (SAN) would not allow (obvious lies) to lie low. It is a patriotic responsibility of the two ministers, having been inner circle members to take the government to court to show Nigerians that petroleum has never been subsidized any time. Nigerians need them right now to save them from additional burden which the government wants to place on their shoulder. When Nigerians see them go this far doubts will be erased from the minds of people as which is to believe. Right now there is a government organized public hearing to hear from Nigerians their opinions on subsidy removal, only those with in-depth knowledge like the ministers can effectively argue in favour of the masses who have being deceived for years now. Besides, it is a nature designed platform for the Rtd General to shine for his 2015 presidential ambition which he must not loose sight of.

Civil Right Activist,Late Gani O Fawehinmi (SAN)

Going by the disparity in the claims of successive governments and the two past petroleum ministers on the subsidy, it implies that the subsidy has been another conduit through which billions of naira has been siphoned out of the country by our leaders. AndNigeriapeople would like to know whether funds were allocated for subsidy in various budgets and how the funds were spent or employed antics of government whenever she feels like increasing fuel pump prices inNigeriaand making more money for personal accounts. The ball is on the court of these men to demonstrate nobility to Nigerians by taking this awareness campaign to higher level because majority of the masses have been told over the years that subsidy existed. Let them based on the convictions identify with the plight of poor masses and spearhead a no increase of fuel price inNigeria. The poor will definitely rally behind them considering the fact that, it would mean a sacrifice on their part, if they who could afford to pay #150 for a liter of fuel will lead a passionate campaign against fuel increase because of the masses.

Nigerian masses had endured for long the scourge of previous fuel increases by successive governments without any positive impact on their lives except government executive and legislative arms and their cronies feeding fat on their blood. All the benefits derived from tight economic measures of the past ended in the accounts of past presidents, governors, ministers, senators, reps, heads of establishments etc.

 Removing a fake and ghost subsidy from the budget in another hand is a welcomed development, at least, to block that aspect of official fraud conduit but increasing the pump price thereafter  is to increase the hardship of a people already ridden by penury. Like as said by someone is to make the less privileged pay for government inefficiency and for well meaning Nigerians a show of compromise and inability on President Jonathan’s side to recover all the looted funds from looters to move the economy. Billions of dollars the president wants to source from increase in fuel price to transform a Nigeria of his dreams is in the hands of his colleagues and easily accessible to him with the help of already -willing foreign countries of the world who had got sympathy with corruption mess in the country. So, to look away from the looted funds to fuel increase is a sign of serious compromise, weakness and lack of audacity like his predecessors to pursue a corrupt-free society. Going by various statements made by the President, it is obvious that the subsidy is conduit through which few colossal cabals that bestrides this nation are settled through inflated price fuel imports while the nation’s refineries are allowed to rot.

The president’s insistent on removal of subsidy could mean to forestall a continued sucking of revenue by few to the disadvantage of the larger society in one hand and unwillingness to confront directly sources of the nation’s economic woes which he is familiar with. Should subsidy be removed without hike in pump price of petroleum products Nigerians will keep mute but to burden the people further while the nations wealth are fraudulently stashed in foreign accounts overseas is a height of injustice. As at this day, petroleum product dealers have started to horde products in anticipation of price increase when the budget will be read during the President’s New Year speech. Queue has returned to fueling stations even as Nigerians are preparing for Christmas celebration.

President Jonathan’s Federal Executive Council Team

The President will be playing the script of King Rehoboam of Israel who would not yield to the plea of his subjects to make the yoke which his Father did put upon them lighter rather answered that his little finger will be thicker than his father’s loins. And whereas his father laid them with a heavy yoke, he will add to their yoke; his father had chastised them with whips, but he will chastise them with scorpions.

And we know the end of that story;Israelrebelled before his face and broke into Northern and Southern kingdoms.

In like manner the past presidents, especially OBJ laid on Nigerian masses heavy economic burden which their families and closest cronies never experienced but not to the point of closing ears to the call of sparing petroleum subsidy (if there was one) and now President like Rehoboam wants to increase the economic burden in defiance to passionate plea to spare the subsidy. The Federal executive council like the peers of Rehoboam are encouraging the president to go ahead with subsidy removal as a condition to pay the minimum wage requested by Nigeria workers but the question begging for answer is whether the States governors have sincerely employed existing allocated resources to work without appreciable result? What is the assurance that the additional revenue to be generated from draining further blood from Nigerians through astronomical increase of prices of goods and services as subsidy is removed will not go down the way of other revenues of past years?

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

 The stage is being prepared by corrupt rulers for a mother of all revolutions which will shock the world. Rehoboam could not believe his hears whenIsraelqueried what portions have we in David? Neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse; to your tents, O Israel; now see to thine own house, David.

Ten tribes of Israelwent their own way because of his inability to listen to good counsel. The president might be fast tracking the disintegration of this country already predicted to happen by 2015 by American political analysts in his bid to please the shylocks in this country who care only for their families well being. Two possibilities are either Nigerian youth stand as an indivisible entity to overthrow oppression and tyranny for a better country we all are yearning for or go their separate ways into smaller nations.

 The world has entered into another phase of existence where a collective voice against injustice, oppression and victimization has become a trend to achieve quick result through mobilization of the less privileged instead of solitary cries. But the clarion call must come from someone who has the facts and burden to convince the audience to identify with the plight. Russian revolution and most recent Tunisian, Egyptian, Libyan and Wall Street occupation were brainchild of individuals and communicated to already disenchanted people towards existing systems. If the Western and North African youths can take to protest to effect a desired change then Nigerians can if bravery is to swallow cowardice and liberality selfishness. We have a more pitiable course than these people;

We are slaughtered everyday on highways in deplorable states after billions of naira was written off as spent, we die for lack of good health care systems, no employment opportunities for greater number of school leavers, ritual murder is in the increase, terrorism, starvation, lack of quality education with high cost of schooling while children of our leaders cruise in merriments with looted funds in already made countries with basic facilities their parents denied us here.

Mohammed Bouazizi, Tunisian revolutionist.

No one else changes Nigeria except by Nigerians neither will the favoured by faulty system willing to let go without a forceful push. Nigerians must stand up and fight for their rights. Little did President Hosni Mubarak of Egyptbelieve that a handful gathering of protesters demanding for a change which he wanted to suppress at all cost with his forces will snowball into a long drawn protest that will end his government and bring decisive change in the Country. Egyptian protesters grievances are focused on legal and political issues^[25] including police brutality,^[1] state of emergency laws,^[1] lack of free elections and freedom of speech,^[2] uncontrollable corruption,^[2] and economic issues including high unemployment,^[3] food price inflation,^[3] and low minimum wages.^[1][3] The primary demands from protest organizers were the end of the Hosni Mubarak regime and the end of emergency law; freedom, justice, a responsive non-military government, and a say in the management of Egypt’s resources.^[26] Strikes by labour unions added to the pressure on government officials.^[27]

^Similarly, the remote causes of Tunisian revolution of 2011 were high unemployment, food inflation, corruption,^[11] a lack of freedom of speech and other political freedoms^[12] and poor living conditions. The protests were sparked by the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi on 17 December^[15.  Mohammed (26) was a poor vegetable seller, who struggled with his truck on the street of Sidi Bouzid to ache a living daily, whose life was cut short in protest for a humiliation and insult on his dead father and assault received from a policewoman who seized his unlicensed cart and goods, not being satisfied with the 10 dinner ($7) fine the poor man tried to pay.

The above scenarios and many more are present in higher dimensions in this country; unemployment, inflation of goods and services, uncontrollable corruption, minimum wage, insecurity of lives and properties, poor living condition, molestation and outright killing of civilians by force men, lack of freedom of speech, multiple taxations, levies and rates, lack of justice and equity, quality education and medical care etc.

These have reached a fearful height that even the President concurred few weeks back at Lokoja that a revolution is imminent in the country if nothing urgent is done to provide employment unto the masses of this country. The president was not alone in his speculation of revolt from the masses; President Obasanjo whose administration relieved good number of Nigerians their jobs through his kangaroo privatization magic of government owned companies in similar statement expressed fear for an on coming revolution from the unemployed masses. Then if the Nigerian masses keep quiet means that they have equally disappointed their expectations from their leaders which spell doom for the future.

Nigerian Labour Union leader,Comrade Umar(middle) and his men boast a showdown with with President on Petroluem subsidy removal.

Jonathan repeated his firm decision to let subsidy go and accepted the option of mass revolt instead based on his knowledge that the economy will collapse in the next two years if subsidy should continue while talking with Civil right Organizations and some eminent Nigerians. In other words, dialogue which has been a usual approach the masses have adopted for years in dealing with the government will still be unfruitful in the days of Mr. President who claims not to be anything different from the masses. Now if the subsidy removal will not translate to increase in pump price of fuel and allied products then Nigerians will be happy.

Nigerians have borne for so long without our leaders feeling sincerely our pains rather maintained that it is good for us, for if they do, would have addressed the problems long ago, therefore, time is ripe to nip oppression to the bud once.

INGLORIOUS EXIT OF Col.Maummar Gaddafi

by Okey Iwuji

by Okey Iwuji (culled from souljah)

Frank Krause testimony is filled with touchy life experiences that can bless anyone’s soul eternally, that made republishing the same in this blog becomes compelling. I believe you too will be blessed if patience is exercised till the end. Have a nice time with Frank.

I’d like to tell you that what you’re about to read is really important and is going to impact your life. The truth is, I’m probably not going to tell you anything you haven’t heard before, but let me encourage you to read it anyway.

Raised in a Christian Home

I was raised on a dairy farm in the Fraser Valley along with five sisters and one brother. It was a beautiful, quiet place. As a preschooler, I often took our dog along the creek to fish over the hill at the back of our property. My parents always taught me about God and his Son Jesus, so as I walked, I would often think about God. Was He bigger than my dad? How long was forever – longer than a Sunday morning service?

I also did all the things that children do in a Christian home: Sunday school, choir practice, young people’s groups, and so forth. I did them all without complaining – until I was 15. It was Sunday morning and Dad and I had just finished chores. I was slow coming in from the barn and Dad told me to hurry up because I was going to be late for church. It was that morning that I told him I wouldn’t be going to church anymore. My dad was a big guy – very strong and with a fuse so short it couldn’t be measured – so, I was expecting the worst. Instead, he looked at me with the most hurtful look on his face. I had to leave the room. I just couldn’t look at him.

My Heart Was Hardened

Something happened to me that day. I started to get hard inside. Before long, I was drinking on weekends and dropped out of school. By the time I was seventeen, my behavior was such that Mom and Dad asked me to leave home. There is a lot of security in an orderly Christian home and when I was on my own, I was lost. I continued to drink heavily, and many nights I slept in my car in some gravel pit or behind somebody’s barn, because I was too drunk to drive home. I couldn’t find a job good enough to support myself, so, out of desperation, I joined the army.

After six months of basic training, I was posted to Germany. When you’re in your late teens or early twenties and you’re living in a place where anything goes, that’s how you live. Cheap booze and lots of pretty girls became my lifestyle. After three years, I came home. The first thing I did was visit my Dad, who happened to be clearing land with his bulldozer. When he saw me, he shut off the machine and came over. It was a long time before he could speak; he was so glad to see me.

 However, it didn’t take long before my life was right back where it had been before I left. About a year later, I met a gal whose father was also a heavy drinker, so my behavior didn’t surprise her. We were soon married and eventually had two daughters.

One of the things my Dad taught me was how to work hard. I started my first business when I was in my mid-twenties, and it went quite well. A few years later, I bought a large poultry farm, which also did well. Even with this success, though, my drinking was always a problem. It affected my marriage and family so much that I knew I had to do something. So I went to my first Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting. To my disappointment, all I heard that evening was these guys talking about God. What a disappointment. I thought they were actually going to teach me something about how to quit drinking.

A Brief Attempt at Change

Even so, I made up my mind I was not going to drink anymore and I actually started taking my kids to church. I got so religious I think even God couldn’t stand me! But two years later, I began drinking again.

I don’t know why, but the evening I started drinking, I stopped in to see my Dad, who was widowed by now (Mom had passed away ten years earlier). I told him I couldn’t keep up this lifestyle anymore and I was going back to drinking. Again, Dad had the wisdom not to say much, although I could tell he was very sad. He was a reactionary, so for him not to react to the things I was doing was a gift from God.

When I was in my mid-thirties, I had the chance to sell both of my businesses, so I did. By then I had built up enough equity that if I were wise with my money, I wouldn’t have to work any more. So I bought the big house on the hill. I had everything that was supposed to make me happy, but was the most miserable I had ever been.

 One Sunday morning I was in bed sick and hung over. For the first time in years I prayed: “God, I have everything I want, and I’m still unhappy. There has to be more to life than this. I ask that you do whatever it takes to get me right with you. If you have to take all of this away, then do it.”

I’m here to tell you – God answers prayer!

Everything Fell Apart

Not long after I prayed that prayer, I sold our big house on the hill and bought a large acreage, where I built a new house. It was just about that time that things started to come apart. Our marriage was a mess, and my finances were going down the drain. Even though lots of good deals came my way, I couldn’t seem to keep any of the money I made. Things got to the point, that for the first time in many years, I had to go to work for someone as an employee. That was very hard on my pride. I took a job as a heavy equipment operator in a road building camp. It was very much like the army: the tougher and cruder you were, the more respect you got from the other men. Let’s just say I had a lot of respect.

When I was home, I would stop in to see my Dad. He was always glad to see me, and I always knew he cared about me. I also knew he loved the Lord and that he had something I thought I would never have. You see, by this time I thought I was doomed to hell and there wasn’t anything I could do about it. One Sunday afternoon, I visited Dad prior to him going for some exploratory surgery. After our visit, I headed back to camp.

That Wednesday, I got a call telling me Dad had passed away. By this time I was so hard, I told my wife I wouldn’t be coming home. I didn’t want to see her or my Christian brothers and sisters. I knew going home wouldn’t bring back the one person I knew who loved me. But once again, God intervened.

Without my knowing, Dad had changed his will two days before he passed away, naming me executor of his estate. My sister Katherine had her son-in-law drive her out to the camp to tell me. In spite of how dirty I was, she gave me a big hug, and I nearly cried. And so, I had to go home.

My Father’s Legacy

It took me a week to take care of Dad’s business. When everything was completed, there were only two things left: his bedside Bible and a book by Hal Lindsey called The Late Great Planet Earth. I threw both of them in my bag, went on a two-day drunk, and then headed back to camp.

Over the next two weeks, I started to read some of the verses Dad had underlined in his Bible, more out of curiosity than anything. I also began to read Hal Lindsey’s book. I remember reading a particular passage where it said that when Jesus died on the cross, He died for all of my sins: past, present, and future. I stopped. I had never heard that before. It must be a misprint, I thought. I must have read it five or six times before the lights came on and I realized that Christianity had everything to do with Christ dying for me and very little to do with Frank being good enough.

Talk about excited! I got down on my knees and accepted Christ’s forgiveness for my past sins and asked him to be my Savior now and in the future. For the first time in my life I felt free. I got up off my knees and was jumping up and down on my bed yelling, I’m free! I’m free!

That was ten years ago. I’d like to tell you that since that time everything has been great. The truth is, my marriage still came apart, my kids still had to go through our divorce and I still lost all of my money. But for the first time I could turn to God and have peace through all of it.

I also faced the fact that I was an alcoholic. Through AA, I was able to clean up the wreckage of my past and become free to get on with the rest of my life. Nearly a year later, I met my childhood sweetheart, June, who had also given her life to Christ. We were married not long afterwards and God has continued to do great things in my life. My kids have learned to trust me again and I have two stepchildren that love me and four grandchildren who love to see me. Each one of our children and their spouse has made a commitment to Christ.

New Opportunities

One-and-a-half years ago, I prayed that God would give us opportunities to share what He has done for us. A month later, June and I found ourselves in the Amazon with a JESUS film project, where we saw hundreds of people come to know Jesus for the first time.Then, last October, my brother Don and I traveled to the Ukraine with Campus Crusade for Christ. We got to see the house where Dad and his family lived. We also shared Christ with many people including those living on a military base. Again, hundreds of people heard and responded to the good news of Jesus for the first time.

A Fatal Diagnosis

Before I left for the Ukraine, June and I knew there was something wrong with me physically. I had been very fatigued and was stumbling and tripping a lot. I went to see a specialist, and on December 16, 1994, I was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. People with ALS have a life expectancy of between two to five years after symptoms appear. I’ve probably had this for one-and-a-half years already, so I don’t know how much time I have left. I asked God to remove the fear of death, and he has done that. I also asked Him to make my life count for whatever time I have left.

Shortly after my diagnosis, a friend of mine at work died of cancer. He was a Christian, and he asked me to do his funeral service. I had the opportunity to share my faith with about 150 people, a number of them non-churched construction workers. I don’t know if any one of their lives were changed as a result of my story. My job is simply to share what God has done in my life and let Him use me where He can. When you know you haven’t got long to live, the fear of man is gone, because you have nothing to prove. But you’re all in my shoes, really, because whether we have a terminal illness or not, each day, we’re all one step closer to meeting Jesus than we were yesterday.

What Will it be Like?

I sometimes wonder what it will be like to be all alone with Jesus – to sit beside a quiet stream in the mountains and ask Him all the questions I have; to stand and look into the face of the One who died for me and tell Him how much I love Him. Isn’t it great that He isn’t some al being but rather a real and living God we all get to spend eternity with? Can you imagine touching the Christ who died on the cross and rose again? To never wonder again: Was that God talking or was it just me?

I know there have been very few changes in my life that Frank has made. Everything that has changed in my life has come about when I’ve surrendered to God by the power of His Holy Spirit. He has made the changes, and He’s still doing it. I’m so thankful for a Christian Mom and Dad that never gave up on me. When I want to judge my own children, I’m often reminded of my Dad and how he loved me unconditionally. The Bible says,

“If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him?” (Matthew 7:11, emphasis mine).

Where this journey leads me is truly in the hands of God. I just ask for His mercy and grace to accept all He has for me.

You Can Have it Too!

 If you’re reading this and have yet to invite Jesus to be your Savior, there will never be a better day than today. It’s just as easy and as free as it was for me back in that road camp. There’s no magic in any particular words, but if God is speaking to you, don’t wait. Don’t harden your heart one more time.

If there’s unforgiveness in your heart, deal with it. Don’t wait. You can walk in freedom and it’s wonderful. Ask God to show you if there’s anything you need to deal with and then ask Him for the courage to deal with it. He’ll give it to you. He is always faithful. ~~~~~~~~~~

 What about you? Are you wondering what life is all about? Do you, like Frank, feel that something is missing in your life? If so, you can find fulfilment and peace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 The Bible says (Jesus is speaking),

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3.20).

Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive us of our sins and to make us what He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of our will.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

If you prayed today and asked Jesus Christ to come into your life and take control, we would love to hear from you.

After four and a half years of having Lou Gherig’s disease, Frank Krause passed away peacefully in the early hours of December 23, 1998.

Frank’s wife June also wrote about her experience in facing ALS and about being Frank’s caregiver. Join again in the next publication.

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OKEY IWUJI

By Okey Iwuji

 Most of African nation’s streets are beautified with standing and sitting beggars instead of flowers. At the parks, airports, church gates and other public places where by calculations the probability of respondents are quite high, these brethren took positions yards away from each other like strewn flowers, leaves shaken by a gentle breeze as they wave hands in pity to draw sympathies from passersby to assist with alms. Only compassionate hearts that streams in and out of such public places look at the directions of the invalids to drop whatever their minds proposed to give out at that moment into their hands. These they received with thanks and without grudging invoke God’s blessings to rest upon the givers. Why? Because beggars have no contribution to the givers income to raise an eye brow no matter how wealthy and gorgeously dressed the later is assessed to be. So, this thought is behind the saying,’ a beggar has no choice”.

In all sincerity, the paltry sums people dole out to beggars are not as obligation to the beggars because they are not stakeholders in the goose that lays the golden eggs neither are they oxen that threads out the corn. And with that in mind, it will mean ingratitude to see one fume for little value of what is given but not so with the givers children, relations, wives and workers. Wives and children will complain loud, stubborn ones will make house uncomfortable for every one and workers will carry placards with murmuring  all the way because there is bona fide  right of relationship existing.

It is yet to be seen any beggar whose living condition improved better year after year with the proceeds of begging for which he is exposed to a lot of hazards; cold, rain, sun, long treks, robbers, name it. It is very rare, at least, in Nigerian setting to find a beggar in comfortable house, own a vehicle, have savings and access the basic good things of life. In fact, it is impossible, an aberration unless the one is a criminal covering up with begging. Things might be different in other countries where the governments are committed to the welfare of the people but not inNigeriaand some developing nations. Though Nigerians are said to be hospitable yet the little drops into the palms of beggars have not any way changed their fortunes, for if they have, no beggar would be coaxed to leave the streets of Nigeria nor make government to feel ashamed as they embark daily on their endurance trek within the States capitals, particularly Lagos and Abuja.

Similarly, the situation of an average worker inNigeriais not far from that of beggars on the streets ofNigeriaexcept that the former is not depending on the public for daily bread. Work remunerations in many places of employment inNigeriaare not meant for to promote the individual’s progress and financial freedom rather to keep body and soul so as to continue working as slaves to the slave masters called employers. In some Asian own companies, workers treatments are like that Israelites of old received at the hand of Egyptians task masters when the building of treasure cities of Pithom and Raamses were in progress. A day a television channel interviewed some workers working in one of the manufacturing companies in a remote area ofLagos; my eyes opened more on the plight of Nigerian workers in their own father land. The management banned any type of meeting or contact with any labour union. No safety gadgets were provided for people working in such a manufacturing company making use of chemicals. In another development, a worker was thrown out to his fate after a machine chopped off three fingers from his right hand. He was accused of sleeping on the machine but if not for calling in a Lawyer that was able to get a compensation for him, he would resign to faith.

Nigeriaworkers constitute about 60% of the entire population and out of this work force 70% are employed in private sector owned largely by Nigerians and Asian shylocks, who would draw every pint of blood in a worker in the name of service rendering. This group of workers is left at the mercy of their employers since the sector is unorganized and had no government intervention to regulate the activities therein. The employers helped by the economic woes of the nation became the alphas and omegas, thereby dictates what to pay, when to hire and fire their staffers. With the rate of unemployed school leavers soaring daily in a crawling economy, job seekers and workers are left with no choice than to accept what is available. Infact, employers make bold to inform the applicants or workers the numerous unemployed graduates out there. Some Indian companies have as a condition for employment, keeping in custody the original certificates of the employed, may be to hold them down from applying elsewhere.

So when government talks about minimum wage, it myopically concentrates on the remaining 30% workforce spread across Federal, States and Local governments, government owned establishments and some public companies excluding those in private sector because of lack of boldness to compel the employers to conform to a new wage arrangement having made economic environment unfriendly through mismanagement of resources. Yet, shamefully, it is the remaining percentage that government hesitates to pay minimum wage of N18,000.00 agreed several years ago. Each successive government wishes that no mention of minimum wage implementation be ever made. Worst of the Administrations is the eight years rule of General Olusegun Obasanjo when many Nigerians died at different striking periods of Nigeria Labour Congress with other affiliate unions to protest for either wage increase or increase in cost of petroleum products which had a negative multiple effects on the income of the workers. The leadership refused to be touched with the economic afflictions and complaints of the people. Whatever be the reasons advanced for the inability to pay the minimum wage then has overtime proved false, as those funds purported lacking have been traced cooling off in bank accounts of leaders and their cronies within and outside the shores of Nigeria. Nigeria is estimated to number about 150,000,000 people both working and non working groups of the population and her daily revenue runs in billions of dollars from crude oil only, so, it remained a pretentious falsehood to find reasons not to pay the workforce something better than the minimum wage being contested both at all levels of employment. Should effort be made to share revenues to Nigerian subjects as earned daily, every citizen and visitors in the country are sure to be greeted with millions of naira daily and still some balance will remain to undertake projects inNigeria. How much of N18,000.00 are contained in N75.7 billion naira stolen by Former Minister of works, Dr. Hassan Muhammed Lawal during his tenure in office, for which Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is dragging him around? And this is among the least of frauds committed by Government functionaries who would claim that government lacks fund to pay the required minimum wage. A person, who by right of birth is entitled to a million naira every day has sacrificed to the point of begging for some thousands of naira monthly which government has denied him and the eighteen thousand government has agreed to pay is being politicized. Haba!

Only a selfish and self centered government as seen inNigeriawill look away from the economic plight of her subjects grinding in penury while his families cruise in affluence. Her leadership from the executives to legislators has over the years exhibited nothing but cruelty and heartlessness by thinking for the generations unborn of immediate families while the people eyes can see die from neglect and irresponsibility of government. Recently the central bank governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi disclosed to the public that 25% of yearly budget of the nation is spent on remuneration of lawmakers only, which is said to be higher than some sitting presidents remuneration of other nations, and has defended it before the chambers, refusing to withdraw his word rather willing to make public the facts and figures, if the lawmakers threaten him further.

Government leadership which is a part of civil service has treated by action other workers as not joint stakeholders in the Nigerian project rather as beggars that must beg for crumbs of leftover from executive and legislative tables. For instance, apart from the monthly salaries and other embellished allowances of the immediate administration ending this May 28th, each member of the house of representative collects a quarterly allowance of N47million naira, while each member of Senate collects N56 million naira and this President Goodluck has announced to trim down to N12million and N17million respectively as he resumes office on the 29^th May, as a new president elect of Federal Republic of Nigeria. In one year of the dispensation, a house representative member went home with N188 million and a senate member smiles home with N224 million apart salaries and during Obasanjo leadership, almost every bill to be passed was accompanied with Ghana-must-go bags to lobby for a passage of bill while some school mates of these politicians who are not privileged are struggling to ache living with stipends.

The right to improved working conditions and emoluments the executive and legislators have, the same right other workers in their categories have because all are contributing to general well being of the country, therefore, should see wage increase as a right of workers and not alms to beggars. Constitution should be reviewed to make wage increase of workers a yearly, two or three years affairs since government refused to toll right path to economic stability. For why should a worker remain on the same salary or slight naira difference for three or five years in the face of continuous rise of prices of goods and services in the country, and with this, desperate to impact administration will rise up to the challenges in governance. Nigeria workers have sacrificed so much which past governments have deceitfully urged them to, with promise for a better living after the economy (which they were not willing to fix) is recovered, for if they were interested in the economic recovery, sacrifice would have as well be made by them and the treasury not looted by successive governments.

For over eight years workers have been calling for a consideration to improve wage of the workforce from N7,000 to N18,000 (which government agreed to pay the later amount after series of negotiations with labour Unions about a year and half ago) which fall on deaf ears. Bill forwarded to the National Assembly was politicized between the executive and the former while Labour watch helplessly with patience all the dribbling by past presidents. On the contrary, the two arms of government continue to bloat their emoluments through their drummer boy agent, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), such that Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua needed to persuade the three arms of government to cut down their take home packages in the face of world economic crisis of last two years. Now, what is N18,000 to a least paid worker in an unstable economy likeNigeria’s economy? This amount translates to N692.30 daily for workers working from Monday to Saturday and from 7.30 to 6.00 pm in a week, to which majority at this level belong to. In this amount is transport, medical, utility, food and any other expenses. InLagosfor instance, on a good day, transport could take on average N200.00 depending on the location of office and residence. Transport cost changes with weather condition in a day, rush hours, riots and any other unforeseen circumstances and these situations occur from time to time. High cost of transportation makes it difficult for some trading companies at Balogun, Idumota and some other places to employ job seekers from Surulere area, Ikeja and other axis far from the markets, for the employers truly considered that the little pay will end up on transportations.

A least manageable plate of food in work places ranges from N150.00 to N300 depending on location. For those who pay monthly house rent, the cheapest room inNigeriacity suburbs is about N2,000.00. So check what unmarried worker within this group is grappling with each month salary is paid and understands what an average family of four is passing through monthly. N18,000.00 when converted to dollar equivalent amounts to $120, pounds sterling 70 and Euro 80, that is what a worker takes home at the end of the month. In some places like restaurants, dry cleaning shops etc. people receives between N8,000 and N10,000 a month. A story is told of a hospital where auxiliary nurses working for a Medical Director of the Outfit are paid N10,000 every month. What is that amount for a lady that has a monthly sanitary to buy, let’s face realities.

Is it not possible that some beggars who are at vintage places make more than this in a month? No wonder sometimes one comes across neatly dressed and good English speaking folks framing stories of sympathy meant to stir a listener to financial help. These could be among the working-beggars judging by how they approach people with style so that the next person will not notice what is being discussed.

Besides, since the implementation of the minimum wage is belated, the purchasing power of the wage has further decreased by inflation with years of delay that the impact will not be felt except arrears will be paid by back dating an effective date of payment to compensate the workers.

Now, who among the ruling class (Commissioners, Governors, Senators, Ministers, House of Representatives and Assemblies) will declare that the monthly allowances for their children in primary, secondary and higher institutions are equal to or less than N18, 000.00 and be truthful? Let him reply with particulars so that verifications can be made. Children, who in no way have contributed to this nation in any capacity, cannot be given stipend but adults with families are meant to live with this every month. Is this not wickedness, oppression and injustice? Yet, in the national anthem,Nigeria asks God’s help to build a nation where no man is oppressed. The two tiers of government oppress the working class and by extension the Nigerian people because this cater for other dependant groups.

Before us, is a double standard in the distribution of economic resources comparable to a situation that snowballed into Russian Revolution of 1917 by Lenin and his colleagues depicted in the Animal Farms Literature by George Orwell, where the poor populace became discontent and revolted against the Czarist government in order to end the economic and social injustice at that time. Who is sure that the economically oppressed people will not rise against the oppressors if the trend continues unabated? Who can guaranty this when looters are left to walk home with their loots and a winner takes it all syndromes continues to play while the labour force receives a pay of sorrow?

And so long as, government refuses to sincerely address wage palaver, by increasing appreciably what is due to workers in the light of jumbo salaries and allowances Lawmakers and Executives take home monthly and economic realities, the economic system will still be distorted by strike actions in the future. Or, the government can reverse the lawmakers’ office to part time affairs and pay them sitting allowances only like in other countries; after all, no greater commitment to duty has been shown by the law making bodies.

Another essential aspect of minimum wage government must address is disparity in salaries structures in the system. Apart from Oil companies, banks and some multinational companies that have reasonable salary schemes that accommodate somehow the high inflation rate existing in the system, others would do nothing to cushion the effect of ever increasing price of goods and services. Such places will wait for workers to protest and pressure them to do something before an action is taken or even begin to resign.

The margin of disparity in what is paid to workers in the above companies mentioned and others down the line is wide that a policy is needed to bridge the gap because all the workers shop in the same market. For instance, cost of living in Oil cities of Port Harcourt, Warri is high, followed byAbuja, the nation’s capital city andLagos for it’s population as well. Workers with the same qualifications should be made to receive close to the same salary. Let the little gap be a factor of industry and location of work. Consider how appropriate this scenario; two classmates graduates, employed at the same time, one privileged to gain employment with any of the above mentioned industries, earning between N250,000-N800,000 monthly while the other either in government civil service or private sector earning between N30,000-N100,000 monthly, working in the same location, may be Port Harcourt, buying from the same market. Government pays ward councilors N120,000 monthly, and signs out from time to time money to execute identified projects in the wards which never accounted for nor executed and government is not bothered. Some of these councilors are not graduates but school certificate holders.

Is the margin not too much? But what obtains in some places is much more than these examples. There should be an enforced wage bracket expected to pay to new entrants into the workforce inNigeriadepending on their qualifications higher than the present contested wage anywhere whether in government sector, private, public, or religious sectors. An employer of labour was boasting to his graduate employees for over nine years as they press for increment that they should be grateful that he is paying them less than N50,000, when a new Law graduate student of last year is being paid in another private firm N30,000. Yet, a fortunate new Law graduate student could be paid up to N150,000 elsewhere in the same city of the same country. Is it not painful and pitiable that a graduate who has consistently worked for ten years inNigeria cannot afford a car of his own nor pay rent for a flat of two bedrooms in a country where previously these provisions were incentives for new graduates passing out of service? Another friend shared a story of how an employer told his staff (graduate) that not everybody will live in a flat, where as flats are what tradesmen and apprentices in buying and selling that gained freedom from their masters and worth their onions are renting with ease despite the high cost of accommodations in the cities. Work remuneration inNigeria among the private sectors has passed from treatment based on what is equitable and good conscience to what other people are doing since the law is silent.

Therefore, government will not fail to give guidelines to those in private sector with certain controlling capitals and turnovers on what to pay and those in religious sector with certain amount of monthly proceeds what to pay if they need the services of certain category of people. It has been discovered that many Nigerians are not liberal in terms of remuneration of workers, hiding under bad economy while carrying out personal gigantic projects gulping millions of naira with their children studying abroad while their workers live on advances month by month. Such people will readily boast that they pay what others are paying no matter the level of increase in profit or income or that government does not pay that much they are paying.

Government must take the issue of minimum wage seriously because it is a contributing factor for mass exodus to certain sectors while other sectors are suffering or exodus outside the country for greener pastures overseas or do or die politics, serving as political thugs and increase in robbery, bribery and corruption in hallowed places like the police. The lack of commitments to duty experienced in health and educational sectors are as a result of inability of government to pay commensurately the services of teachers and medical doctors, for instance, therefore, these workers get distracted with other personal engagements to overcome a lot of economic challenges of the families. Government should if possible establish a labour court that will try the cases of employment because of a lot of ill treatments workers are given by employers of labour inNigeria. Hopefully the President’s assent to the Minimum wage bill which others shied away from portends a new concern to the plight of Nigerian employees and a strong indication that Mr. President could be relied on to give workers sense of belonging inNigeria project, all things being equal.

By Okey Iwuji

He walked into my office about 4.25 pm on Tuesday 13^th of July, and asked,

Admin Manager; what are you doing? I mean the Admin Manager.

  Inspector; Pardon

Admin; Repeated his question.

 Inspector; I am tidying up for the day. The closing hour is here with us and today is Church service, I answered with suspicion.

(Yes for one who had sat tight for nine hours to be asked such question about this time in my work place means something).

 Inspector; Please, I need to reach home and change these wears,

Admin: Ok, but make haste not to miss the last flight, no driver to drop you at the Airport, beside the hold up is building by now.

 Inspector; that is true.

 In haste, few items were missed among the personal effects planned to pick; toothpaste and brush, shaving bic even a trouser to change.

The later was as a result of indecision. Since I was coming back the following morning would it be needful taking a trouser along? I queried my mind but before a conclusion was drawn, the fever of missing my flight was already on me. How will I beat the hold ups to get to the airport, what if the last flight has been fully booked?

My mission toAbujamust be first thing in the Morning. Mr. B needs my message in order to resume with the Host office by 8 am.

In haste, I dashed out to the street, picked the available bike to the bus stop (most times bike remains the best means for urgent errands like this so the temptation to go all through to airport by express with the bike was strong), but a gentle voice cautioned with reassurance that I will be in Abuja this night.

As the instructions regarding my trip toAbujareechoed intuitively my heart beat repeatedly looking at the stretched vehicles held up front and back and at this point on the road every bike going to the port has a passenger on. To get down from the bus would be a risk of being robbed because the tigers of the lonely axis readily discern who is going to the Airport judging by dressing and bag.

Night was closing in and from a distance one could see planes taking off, roaring as they go piercing the sky and my beat increased with discordant rhythm.

At the airport, the last flight was to leave by 8.15 pm, quickly one of the good securities helped me buy ticket while I sat down to calm from the panting shiver all over me.

What would have happened if I missed the flight because of my phobia plying the express on bike especially busy hours of the day or if in anxiousness jumped into one chance waiting bus?

(One chance is a slang use by robbers who operates with bus or taxi cab. They tell an unsuspecting victim that only one space is remaining in the vehicle to fill up).

I just thanked God for helping me so far. I dialed the Admin, who was desirous to hear that I made it to the Airport. He was happy and informed that Mr B was on his way toAbujafromPort Harcourtwhich implied we may likely meet at the Airport.

There was stress and fatigue on me as I was struggling to finish my #280 coke and a sausage.

Looking at the #50 bottle of coke sold for #280 at the airport I saw exploitation written all over the walls of the airport building, evil of Nigerian government and unholy business arrangement with Asian shylocks.

Conquered by this thought, suddenly my hand brushed on my jaw sending sharp feelings which reminded that this moustache will be due tomorrow morning. Then line up of the essential things for the journey which were forgotten strolled past one after another through the eyes of my heart as though on a television screen; a trouser, toothpaste, shaving bic, pomade, comb etc.

Well, there could be a purchase of these items in the town on landing was a consolation but this never happened as the flight delayed beyond the take off time. Mr. B and those detailed to pick us left having waited long at the Airport for our arrival in vain. The announcement for our boarding was made so every one raced to the bus taking passengers to the tarmac of Virgin Nigeria. By my side was Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross River State. A young vibrant handsome man who did his people a lot of good in his days of office and set pace for what will be called modern Calabar. He was enmeshed in a discussion with his colleague unaware of efforts some ladies opposite us were making to draw his attention. Some will whisper to those who never knew him that this is Donald Duke, and immediately you see their eyes focused on him with mouth open.

             Governor Donald Duke,Fmr GovernCross Rivers State,Nigeria.

In the Aircraft, the air hostess began announcement and demonstration on the use of the safety gadgets, one thing kept ringing in my mind, when will Nigerians know and appreciate that not all Nigerians using the aircraft understand English language, though it is a lingua franca.

When will this all important information on the use of safety gadgets for emergency exit translated into native languages to enable all to benefit in times of danger. Please the Airliners; we need this information translated into at least three major Nigerian native languages of Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba and pidgin English as well, so that those who could not understand English can benefit from native or pidgin English. Also, the information should be given with a minimal speed and a natural relaxed African tone except the information is considered a recitation where you don’t expect the audience to follow all through in order to beat time allotted for it.

Something again struck my mind as I watch helplessly time after time how people turn the aircraft a semi market place while this important information is been given. Endless discussions and phone calls make the entire place noisy that you hardly pick the information being given and make a fool of the air hostesses who take their time to demonstrate and inform on the use of the safety gadgets, to my conclusion.

People considered responsible should not settle for something less either because of being familiar with the instructions being given or that this information is not necessary or that an individual does not understand the English or follow the mimicking of white man accent which some Nigerian air hostess are importing into a local bound airline.

Now, one thing remains true despite the trillion dollar business deal which cannot wait till we alight from the craft, we should not in selfishness loose sight that some people could be entering the aircraft for the very first time and need that information being disregarded for their own safety. Aircraft should not be a market place where someone can hold a long stretch discussion unperturbed. No one does it in an office and escape query for engaging in idle discussion that encourages distractions no matter the level of excitement.

Others will be reluctant to put phones and light off even when instruction has been given. For such, it is time to read papers that cannot wait after forty fives minutes or an hour at most of the trip. I think people should learn to respect and encourage the air crews to serve us better.

Hmm, as our flight touched the ground, I called to know where Mr. B is, only to be informed how far their vehicle has gone from the Airport. I was persuaded to wait for them to come back. It was another waiting such that I was the last passenger to leave the arrival hall. Some airport workers at luggage clearing centre would ask, ’Oga, are you waiting someone? So, getting to the hotel where we checked in no more time remained for shops have closed for lateness. Even to get booked into a hotel that night was luck for it was as ifAbujawas hosting the all the political parties that night. We shuttled from place to place to get booked in vain; everywhere was fully booked to capacity. So a purchase was the least worry at this time. The same luck on our side enabled our meeting the canteen already closing for the day, which could not help but to attend to famished souls with remaining rice. Indeed it was a hectic trip for me.

Here is morning without my brush, paste and none were served by the hotel, so what do I do? In that dilemma a voice spoke again why not try a search on your traveling bag? I obeyed like a school boy in serious need to solve an algebraic equation, without argument unlike me.

Can you guess what happened next? I found a chewing stick hidden inside one of the inner pockets of my bag which only God knows how and when it entered there. However, the discovery offered me a relief; at least I will not make my companions uncomfortable as we get talking this morning. I began to delight in the bitter taste of the stick once more; the dirt is clearing with its foul dour, teeth getting dry, white and strong. A kind of flavour being tasted kept me wondering whether this stick is from dogon yaro, aboshi tree or some others I could not recall now having been long toothpaste robbed us our native cleanser. Around 70’s and 80’s when we were children, no one knew how far Mr. Jumbo advert will impact on our traditional use of chewing stick as villages were gathered by some salesmen in the Village squares to introduce this whiteman’s wonder that will wash off the dirt on your teeth in a matter of seconds. Mr. Jumbo, an actor I suppose in that cinema has dirty teeth full of plaques that turned brown-green will open his mouth wide in laughter to the discomfort of his colleagues, and every one watching will have hand on the nose as though he was in the square with all of us and just in a twinkling of an eye the dirt clears on application of a Mac cleans toothpaste. Later, pastes were shared to every one freely. With this and lovely jingles of those days our hearts were gradually stolen away from our native chewing stick to this chemical mix called toothpaste.

How canAfricarecover her value system? Improve our stick to the conviction of Oyibo man that it is better than toothpaste. Yes now, the sticks we chew are medicinal. The bitter taste fights stomach ache as one draws and swallows the squeezed water from the chaff. Bitter things like this drives malaria and stomach upset. Dogon yaro tree is widely known inNigeriafor its potency to fight malaria, therefore there are no doubt that the little liquids we swallow while chewing stick does some good work in our lives. While pondering on this, decision to surf the Net for possible information, it was amazing to discover that chewing stick is not just an African affair only, but nations like Babylon has known the use of chewing stick as early as 3,500 BC ago, Romans, Greek, Middle East, India and European fell out of love with chewing stick for about 300 years ago.

Dogon yaro tree,known for potency to cure malaria.

 The sticks were from different trees including, lime, orange, muthala, Miswak etc. according to what grows in a region which providence allowed for man.

Chinese were said to have officially developed chewing sticks in 1600BC made from Aromatic tree twig to freshen breath and invented the first natural bristle toothbrush made from pigs necks in the 15^th century, while Egyptians are believed to have started using a paste to clean their teeth around 5000BC, before toothbrushes were invented, and people in China and India first used toothpaste around 500BC.

Now from this findings, it is evident that the use of chewing stick might be strange to many of my readers especially those from Europe, China, America, India and many others, therefore, to include what it involves become necessary.

Simply put, when the stick is chewed…

1.) the fibers at the end become loose, thereby forming a rough “brush”

2.) continued chewing

a.) loosens and dislodges particles between the teeth

b.) stimulates blood circulation in the gums

c.) increases saliva production which in turns acts as a natural mouthwash that rinses away bacteria and creates an inhospitable environment for them to thrive and flourish.

   Man has come a long way UN end to ensure that he keeps teeth white, freshen breath without much difficulty by advancing further from electric toothbrush to invent lately Solar toothbrush to replace the use of toothpaste which has conquered the former (chewing stick) for decades now. The product Solar toothbrush which made first appearance in 1995 is still undergoing improvement touches from the Japanese manufacturing company, Shiken, manufacturing the world’s first high technology toothbrush called “Soladey -J3X”, relies on solar power and a chemical reaction to brush your teeth instead of hand power and toothpaste. A solar panel at the bottom of the toothbrush sends a series of electrons up into your mouth.

This brain child of Emeritus Professor, Dr. Kunio Komiyama and his colleague Dr. Gerry Uswak of University of Saskatchewan is to eliminate the use of paste, harness the power of the sun to kill bacteria, whiten and refreshing the teeth, but lacks the mint taste of a toothpaste, though the project cannot be said to have been concluded but it is another giant stride by man to shift dependence to solar based technology from petroleum and chemical based technology.

Emeritus Professor, Dr. Kunio Komiyama

Dr. Gerry Uswak ofUniversityofSaskatchewan.

However the applause from the two inventions in this regard, cannot compete nor effectively replace the nature given means of teeth cleansing, despite the fact that researchers that have carried out a good research work on chewing stick seem to shy away from giving it a befitting endorsement.  For instance, Department of Periodontics collegeof Dentistry, Universityof Illinoisat Chicago, American Chemical Society and The World Health Organisation encourages the use of chewing stick. The Year 2000 Consensus Report on oral Hygiene states that chewing sticks may have a role to play in the promotion of oral hygiene, and that evaluation of their effectiveness warrants. … The choice of the words ‘may have a role to play’ does not authenticate the use of chewing stick as a tool for teeth cleansing. But from the reports by other researchers and comments made by contributors who traditionally make use of  chewing sticks from various trees world wide, shows that the benefits in addition to the primary objective of cleansing include;

* Kills bacteria that causes gum-disease.
* Fights plaque effectively.
* Fights against cavities
* Removes bad breath and odors from the mouth
* Creates a pleasant fragrance in the mout
* Effectively cleans between teeth due to its bristles being parallel to the handle, rather than perpendicular, which results in effective cleaning between the teeth
* Increases salivation, thereby inhibiting dry mouth
* Miswak stick sharpens the memory
* Miswak eliminates slime
* Miswak creates a fragrance in the mouth
* Miswak is a cure for illness
* Miswak strengthens the gums and prevents tooth decay
* Miswak assists in eliminating toothaches and prevents further increase of decay which has already set in.

* Miswak is a cure for headaches
* Miswak creates lustre (noor) on the face of the one who continually uses it.
* Miswak causes teeth to glow
* Miswak strengthens the eyesight
* Miswak assists in digestion
* Miswak clears the voice

* It is an all natural source of fluoride.
* Leaves your mouth with a fresh flavor.
* The cost for one stick is less than a name brand toothbrush

Generally,

* Chewing stick does not contain chemical elements that create holes on the gum unlike some pastes.

* It does not eat the gum unlike the toothpaste.

* It cleansings the teeth white also like the paste and more when combined with ash from burnt fire wood greater wonder is performed. The ash in itself contains chemical substances that fights bacteria and cleansings white also.

* Chewing stick removes plaque on the teeth readily and strengthens the teeth and gum.  * In chewing the stick the gland secrets saliva which carries some enzymes back to the stomach when swallowed that helps to fight germs in the body. This is in contrast with the use of paste and brush which compels the user to spit out the foam together with the enzymes.  

Apart from the fact that the chemical used in paste eats and weakens the gum, the teeth chance of falling off at old age is quite high. Biting some foods especially hard once might send some shivers to the teeth at an old age.

Teeth breaking and other forms of damage are common these days which causes toothache and made teeth removals rampant equally. Some, the pains are so excruciating that someone said that the pains is greater than the pain during child delivery.

Recently, a research discovered that toothpaste causes kidney problems and the enlightenment campaign is seriously on right now.

So, chewing stick, a gift of nature, has a lot of merits over paste and toothbrush, electric toothbrush and solar toothbrush. When chewing stick the user is doing a multiple of things at the same time; taking care of teeth and other health therapies, therefore, this generation should not extinct this nature gift rather improve it to meet the need of the age.

Stick can only take time to chew unlike the toothbrush. For those who are always on the run the use of chewing stick might not be a delight but when the side effects of brush and paste calls the regret will be great. To strike a balance some people might choose to change intermittently the use of brush and stick.

Start today to practice the use of chewing stick at least on weekends, the pleasure will be untold.

Reference;

1. The Chewing Stick – Nature’s Nifty Little Toothbrush- Veronica Allen

 2.        Benefits of Miswak- ellenbrt

  3.      Chewing sticks: timeless natural toothbrushes for oral       cleansing-Wu CD, Darout IA, Skaug N. Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60612-7212, USA. chriswu@uic.edu

   4.    Chewing sticks versus toothbrushes in West Africa. A pilot  studyNorton MR, Addy M. 

       5.     The Chewing Stick: Better than a Toothbrush inAfrica?

                 -Dele Olawole of AfricaService

Tools ‹ THE INSPECTORS.

By Okey Iwuji

  He walked into my office about 4.25 pm on Tuesday 13^th of July, and asked,

 Admin Manager; what are you doing?

 Inspector; Pardon

 Admin; Repeated his question.

Inspector; I am tidying up for the day. The closing hour is here with us and today is Church service, I answered with suspicion.

(Yes for one who had sat tight for nine hours to be asked such question about this time in my work place means something).

Admin; Oga wants you leave for Abuja right now with any available flight for the business on hand. Mr B is on his way to Abuja too from Port harcourt.

 Inspector; Please, I need to reach home and change these wears,

 Admin: Ok, but make haste not to miss the last flight, no driver to drop you at the Airport, beside the hold up is building by now.

 Inspector; that is true.

 In haste, few items were missed among the personal effects planned to pick; toothpaste and brush, shaving bic even a trouser to change.

The later was as a result of indecision. Since I was coming back the following morning would it be needful taking a trouser along? I queried my mind but before a conclusion was drawn, the fever of missing my flight was already on me. How will I beat the hold ups to get to the airport, what if the last flight has been fully booked?

My mission to Abuja must be first thing in the Morning. Mr. B needs my message in order to resume with the Host office by 8 am.

In haste, I dashed out to the street, picked the available bike to the bus stop (most times bike remains the best means for urgent errands like this so the temptation to go all through to airport by express with the bike was strong), but a gentle voice cautioned with reassurance that I will be in Abuja this night.

As the instructions regarding my trip to Abuja reechoed intuitively, my heart beat repeatedly looking at the stretched vehicles held up front and back and at this point on the road every bike going to the port has a passenger on. To get down from the bus would be a risk of being robbed because the tigers of the lonely axis readily discern who is going to the Airport judging by dressing and bag.

Night was closing in and from a distance one could see planes taking off, roaring as they go piercing the sky and my beat increased with discordant rhythm.

At the airport, the last flight was to leave by 8.15 pm, quickly one of the good securities helped me buy ticket while I sat down to calm from the panting shiver all over me.

What would have happened if I missed the flight because of my phobia plying the express on bike especially busy hours of the day or if in anxiousness jumped into one chance waiting bus?

(One chance is a slang use by robbers who operates with bus or taxi cab. They tell an unsuspecting victim that only one space is remaining in the vehicle to fill up).

I just thanked God for helping me so far. I dialed the Admin, who was desirous to hear that I made it to the Airport. He was happy and informed that Mr B  stilll on his way to Abuja from Port Harcourt which implied we may likely meet at the Airport.

 There was stress and fatigue on me as I was struggling to finish my #280 coke and a sausage.

Looking at the #50 bottle of coke sold for #280 at the airport I saw exploitation written all over the walls of the airport building, evil of Nigerian government and unholy business arrangement with Asian shylocks.

Conquered by this thought, suddenly my hand brushed on my jaw sending sharp feelings which reminded that this moustache will be due tomorrow morning. Then line up of the essential things for the journey which were forgotten strolled past one after another through the eyes of my heart as though on a television screen; a trouser, toothpaste, shaving bic, pomade, comb etc.

Well, there could be a purchase of these items in the town on landing was a consolation but this never happened as the flight delayed beyond the take off time. Mr. B and those detailed to pick us left having waited long at the Airport for our arrival in vain. The announcement for our boarding was made so every one raced to the bus taking passengers to the tarmac of Virgin Nigeria. By my side was Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross River State. A young vibrant handsome man who did his people a lot of good in his days of office and set pace for what will be called modern Calabar. He was enmeshed in a discussion with his colleague unaware of efforts some ladies opposite us were making to draw his attention. Some will whisper to those who never knew him that this is Donald Duke, and immediately you see their eyes focused on him with mouth open.

             Governor Donald Duke,Fmr Govern Cross Rivers State,Nigeria.

In the Aircraft, the air hostess began announcement and demonstration on the use of the safety gadgets, one thing kept ringing in my mind, when will Nigerians know and appreciate that not all Nigerians using the aircraft understand English language, though it is a lingua franca.

When will this all important information on the use of safety gadgets for emergency exit translated into native languages to enable all to benefit in times of danger. Please the Airliners; we need this information translated into at least three major Nigerian native languages of Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba and pidgin English as well, so that those who could not understand English can benefit from native or pidgin English. Also, the information should be given with a minimal speed and a natural relaxed African tone except the information is considered a recitation where you don’t expect the audience to follow all through in order to beat time allotted for it.

 

Something again struck my mind as I watch helplessly time after time how people turn the aircraft a semi market place while this important information is been given. Endless discussions and phone calls make the entire place noisy that you hardly pick the information being given and make a fool of the air hostesses who take their time to demonstrate and inform on the use of the safety gadgets, to my conclusion.

People considered responsible should not settle for something less either because of being familiar with the instructions being given or that this information is not necessary or that an individual does not understand the English or follow the mimicking of white man accent which some Nigerian air hostess are importing into a local bound airline.

Now, one thing remains true despite the trillion dollar business deal which cannot wait till we alight from the craft, we should not in selfishness loose sight that some people could be entering the aircraft for the very first time and need that information being disregarded for their own safety. Aircraft should not be a market place where someone can hold a long stretch discussion unperturbed. No one does it in an office and escape query for engaging in idle discussion that encourages distractions no matter the level of excitement.

Others will be reluctant to put phones and light off even when instruction has been given. For such, it is time to read papers that cannot wait after forty fives minutes or an hour at most of the trip. I think people should learn to respect and encourage the air crews to serve us better.

Hmm, as our flight touched the ground, I called to know where Mr. B is, only to be informed how far their vehicle has gone from the Airport. I was persuaded to wait for them to come back. It was another waiting such that I was the last passenger to leave the arrival hall. Some airport workers at luggage clearing centre would ask, ’Oga, are you waiting someone? So, getting to the hotel where we checked in no more time remained for shops have closed for lateness. Even to get booked into a hotel that night was luck for it was as if Abuja was hosting the all the political parties that night. We shuttled from place to place to get booked in vain; everywhere was fully booked to capacity. So a purchase was the least worry at this time. The same luck on our side enabled our meeting the canteen already closing for the day, which could not help but to attend to famished souls with remaining rice. Indeed it was a hectic trip for me.

Here is morning without my brush, paste and none were served by the hotel, so what do I do? In that dilemma a voice spoke again why not try a search on your traveling bag? I obeyed like a school boy in serious need to solve an algebraic equation, without argument unlike me.

Can you guess what happened next? I found a chewing stick hidden inside one of the inner pockets of my bag which only God knows how and when it entered there. However, the discovery offered me a relief; at least I will not make my companions uncomfortable as we get talking this morning. I began to delight in the bitter taste of the stick once more; the dirt is clearing with its foul dour, teeth getting dry, white and strong. A kind of flavour being tasted kept me wondering whether this stick is from dogon yaro, aboshi tree or some others I could not recall now having been long toothpaste robbed us our native cleanser. Around 70’s and 80’s when we were children, no one knew how far Mr. Jumbo advert will impact on our traditional use of chewing stick as villages were gathered by some salesmen in the Village squares to introduce this whiteman’s wonder that will wash off the dirt on your teeth in a matter of seconds. Mr. Jumbo, an actor I suppose in that cinema has dirty teeth full of plaques that turned brown-green will open his mouth wide in laughter to the discomfort of his colleagues, and every one watching will have hand on the nose as though he was in the square with all of us and just in a twinkling of an eye the dirt clears on application of a Mac cleans toothpaste. Later, pastes were shared to every one freely. With this and lovely jingles of those days our hearts were gradually stolen away from our native chewing stick to this chemical mix called toothpaste.

How can Africa recover her value system? Improve our stick to the conviction of Oyibo man that it is better than toothpaste. Yes now, the sticks we chew are medicinal. The bitter taste fights stomach ache as one draws and swallows the squeezed water from the chaff. Bitter things like this drives malaria and stomach upset. Dogon yaro tree is widely known in Nigeria for its potency to fight malaria, therefore there are no doubt that the little liquids we swallow while chewing stick does some good work in our lives. While pondering on this, decision to surf the Net for possible information, it was amazing to discover that chewing stick is not just an African affair only, but nations like Babylon has known the use of chewing stick as early as 3,500 BC ago, Romans, Greek, Middle East, India and European fell out of love with chewing stick for about 300 years ago.

 The sticks were from different trees including, lime, orange, muthala, Miswak etc. according to what grows in a region which providence allowed for man.

Chinese were said to have officially developed chewing sticks in 1600BC made from Aromatic tree twig to freshen breath and invented the first natural bristle toothbrush made from pigs necks in the 15^th century, while Egyptians are believed to have started using a paste to clean their teeth around 5000BC, before toothbrushes were invented, and people in China and India first used toothpaste around 500BC.

Now from this findings, it is evident that the use of chewing stick might be strange to many of my readers especially those from Europe, China, America, India and many others, therefore, to include what it involves become necessary.

Simply put, when the stick is chewed…

1.) the fibers at the end become loose, thereby forming a rough “brush”

2.) continued chewing

a.) loosens and dislodges particles between the teeth

b.) stimulates blood circulation in the gums

c.) increases saliva production which in turns acts as a natural mouthwash that rinses away bacteria and creates an inhospitable environment for them to thrive and flourish.

Man has come a long way UN end to ensure that he keeps teeth white, freshen breath without much difficulty by advancing further from electric toothbrush to invent lately Solar toothbrush to replace the use of toothpaste which has conquered the former (chewing stick) for decades now. The product Solar toothbrush which made first appearance in 1995 is still undergoing improvement touches from the Japanese manufacturing company, Shiken, manufacturing the world’s first high technology toothbrush called “Soladey -J3X”,  relies on solar power and a chemical reaction to brush your teeth instead of hand power and toothpaste. A solar panel at the bottom of the toothbrush sends a series of electrons up into your mouth.

This brain child of Emeritus Professor, Dr. Kunio Komiyama and his colleague Dr. Gerry Uswak of University of Saskatchewan is to eliminate the use of paste, harness the power of the sun to kill bacteria, whiten and refreshing the teeth, but lacks the mint taste of a toothpaste, though the project cannot be said to have been concluded but it is another giant stride by man to shift dependence to solar based technology from petroleum and chemical based technology.

Emeritus Professor, Dr. Kunio Komiyama

Dr. Gerry Uswak of University of Saskatchewan.

However the applause from the two inventions in this regard, cannot compete nor effectively replace the nature given means of teeth cleansing, despite the fact that researchers that have carried out a good research work on chewing stick seem to shy away from giving it a befitting endorsement.  For instance, Department of Periodontics college of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, American Chemical Society and The World Health Organisation encourages the use of chewing stick. The Year 2000 Consensus Report on oral Hygiene states that chewing sticks may have a role to play in the promotion of oral hygiene, and that evaluation of their effectiveness warrants. … The choice of the words ‘may have a role to play’ does not authenticate the use of chewing stick as a tool for teeth cleansing. But from the reports by other researchers and comments made by contributors who traditionally make use of  chewing sticks from various trees world wide, shows that the benefits in addition to the primary objective of cleansing include; 

* Kills bacteria that causes gum-disease.
* Fights plaque effectively.
* Fights against cavities
* Removes bad breath and odors from the mouth
* Creates a pleasant fragrance in the mout
* Effectively cleans between teeth due to its bristles being parallel to the handle, rather than perpendicular, which results in effective cleaning between the teeth
* Increases salivation, thereby inhibiting dry mouth
* Miswak stick sharpens the memory
* Miswak eliminates slime
* Miswak creates a fragrance in the mouth
* Miswak is a cure for illness
* Miswak strengthens the gums and prevents tooth decay
* Miswak assists in eliminating toothaches and prevents further increase of decay which has already set in.

* Miswak is a cure for headaches
* Miswak creates lustre (noor) on the face of the one who continually uses it.
* Miswak causes teeth to glow
* Miswak strengthens the eyesight
* Miswak assists in digestion
* Miswak clears the voice

* It is an all natural source of fluoride.
* Leaves your mouth with a fresh flavor.
* The cost for one stick is less than a name brand toothbrush

Generally,

* Chewing stick does not contain chemical elements that create holes on the gum unlike some pastes.

* It does not eat the gum unlike the toothpaste.

* It cleansings the teeth white also like the paste and more when combined with ash from burnt fire wood greater wonder is performed. The ash in itself contains chemical substances that fights bacteria and cleansings white also.

* Chewing stick removes plaque on the teeth readily and strengthens the teeth and gum.  * In chewing the stick the gland secrets saliva which carries some enzymes back to the stomach when swallowed that helps to fight germs in the body. This is in contrast with the use of paste and brush which compels the user to spit out the foam together with the enzymes.  

Apart from the fact that the chemical used in paste eats and weakens the gum, the teeth chance of falling off at old age is quite high. Biting some foods especially hard once might send some shivers to the teeth at an old age.

Teeth breaking and other forms of damage are common these days which causes toothache and made teeth removals rampant equally. Some, the pains are so excruciating that someone said that the pains is greater than the pain during child delivery.

Recently, a research discovered that toothpaste causes kidney problems and the enlightenment campaign is seriously on right now.

So, chewing stick, a gift of nature, has a lot of merits over paste and toothbrush, electric toothbrush and solar toothbrush. When chewing stick the user is doing a multiple of things at the same time; taking care of teeth and other health therapies, therefore, this generation should not extinct this nature gift rather improve it to meet the need of the age.

Stick can only take time to chew unlike the toothbrush. For those who are always on the run the use of chewing stick might not be a delight but when the side effects of brush and paste calls the regret will be great. To strike a balance some people might choose to change intermittently the use of brush and stick.

Start today to practice the use of chewing stick at least on weekends, the pleasure will be untold.

Reference;

1. The Chewing Stick – Nature’s Nifty Little Toothbrush- Veronica Allen

 2.        Benefits of Miswak- ellenbrt

  3.      Chewing sticks: timeless natural toothbrushes for oral       cleansing-Wu CD, Darout IA, Skaug N. Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, 60612-7212, USA. chriswu@uic.edu

   4.    Chewing sticks versus toothbrushes in West Africa. A pilot  studyNorton MR, Addy M. 

       5.     The Chewing Stick: Better than a Toothbrush in Africa?

                 -Dele Olawole of AfricaService

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