The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: Opinion

  • Ways to Avoid Abusive Relationships

    A lot of reasons abound why people enter relationships, some to seek companionship, some others seek love and to be loved, some others still seek alliance and synergy on some level but no one ever enters a relationship anticipating abuse of any kind, be it physical, sexual or mental. It is therefore not a surprise that relationships begin on a high note of love and affection.

    The both parties are, under normal circumstances, running high on emotions and cannot seem to get enough of each other. They could talk all day and stay up all night because they are in love and nothing else seems to matter in the world besides the both of them.
    Many who are yet in the euphoria of this stage in the relationship have proceeded to co-habitation because they are under the assumption that they have found the missing rib. This phase of the relationship cycle is undoubtedly a beauty to behold and it looks like it will last forever, but sooner than later, the parties are brought into the harsh reality that romance and physical attraction no matter how strong and seemingly unending it looks, lacks in itself the capacity to cancel out bad character traits and base attitudes that must be addressed if any relationship will survive.
    Many forms of abuse abound. Some are physically violent in nature which involves beating and other forms of domestic violence. Some others are sexual where victims are sexually violated and taken advantage of against their wish. Some others are financial in nature where victim are compelled to produce money or properties against their wish. Whatever form an abuse assumes, the underlying intention is to control, unduly subdue, manipulate and control the victim against their wish.
    The percentage of physically abused women are daily increasing in Nigeria, so also is the number of sexually abused men and sadly some of these cases of abuse end in death of the victims and worse still, the system has not done enough in providing justice for these victims neither are sustainable structures put in place to ensure complete recovery of those who manage to make it out alive. Has this decreased the number of abused people? Sadly, NO! Many people are still enduring abusive and toxic relationships and cannot seem to find the courage to get out.
    Therefore, to ensure that one never enter into an abusive relationship and that every possibility for such an occurrence is prohibited, efforts should be made in various areas which include but not limited to the following;
    CONSTANT EVALUATION AND RE-EVALUATION OF ONE’S WORTH: Imagine going to a supermarket and seeing a wrist watch you like only to find out that there is no price tag. Buyers are allowed to pay whatever they feel is right to possess this wrist watch. Do you think this said wrist watch will ever have its true worth paid for? Your guess is as good as mine. Similarly, when people don’t place a tag on themselves, they become like an open cheque where anyone is allowed to make whatever withdrawals without restraint.
    Some people have evaluated and tagged themselves based on the plane at which their partners view them. Some have defined their self-worth based on the things that have happened to them while growing up; possibly a sexual or physical abuse. Some others have grown up being battered on a daily by parents and guardians and this has greatly crushed their self-worth that they think whoever they ever manage to enter into a relationship with is doing them a favor. This is a very destructive self-evaluative scale. Some other people have become so used to enduring physical abuse that it has become their new normal.
    Some others also are so dependent on their partners that they feel that they have to endure any form of abuse just to keep their flow of income. They consider the abuse a small price to pay as long as they retain that support system. They rather remain with that partner than to explore their possibilities alone.
    It is therefore your responsibility as a man or woman to evaluate and constantly re-evaluate your worth. Keep making adjustments that protect your physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing. The bible says in Proverbs 4:23 to guard the heart with all diligence for out of it comes the issues of life. You must consciously put in effort to protect and safeguard your space. You may appear tough on the outside the need to safeguard your space far outweighs people’s perceptions of your outer demeanor.
    FINANCIAL DEPENDENCE IN A RELATIONSHIP: This among other variables is a major factor why many people lack the courage to walk out of an abusive relationship. On one hand, they are enslaved by the seeming financial benefits which have furnished an understanding that without that partner of theirs, they cannot afford the luxury they are currently enjoying even if it comes with a regular slice of physical or sexual or mental abuse or all. The monetary benefit they enjoy has drained their motivation to go out and do something for themselves. Why work when you can get paid for free?
    It takes a lot of courage to be in a relationship with someone of higher financial strength and yet not lose your values in the process. It becomes imperative therefore to master how to harness your financial resources and stay within the boundaries of what you can afford. This does not rule out the possibility of being gifted with items above your financial capacity, the issue is not constantly placing demands above what you can afford.
    This takes a lot of discipline but it pays off in the long run. Not only does it preserve your self-worth, it proves you a non-materialistic fellow and gives you impetus to not only demand your respect but to courageously walk out of that relationship at any point you notice that your interests are no longer represented.
    This is not an easy feat to achieve considering the fact that we live in a generation where moral decadence is at its peak. People have normalized parasitic relationships where one partner has to bear the entire financial burden in the relationship. The outcome is the increasing percentage of abused people and broken people. So to actualize this feat of financial dependence, every individual intent upon entering a relationship should at least,
    Have a healthy source of income.
    Cultivate a lifestyle of contentment. This means to stay within the boundaries of your financial ability. Instead of trying to exploit your partner financially, seek grounds to expand your financial base. This usually inspires respect from the other party if they are reasonable.
    BE VIGILANT: The euphoria of the love stage has made a lot of people ignore vital signs in their partners that later turned out to be strongholds that could not be easily uprooted. During the period of dating and courtship, it is pertinent that extra care and diligence be put in checking the character traits of the other person, not just as it relates to you but as he or she relates to other people. Check how they treat their parents, their siblings, their colleagues, their superiors or subordinates as the case may be. Check how they treat their workers and those in their space. These are major places where they will most likely display their true character.
    Try as much as you can not to explain away his/her faults at this stage, rather be at alert so you are not taken unawares when they turn around and treat you in like manner.
    SET BOUNDARIES: In the book of Job 1:9-10, Satan told God that the reason Job was serving Him faithfully was because He had put a hedge around him and all that he had. It is important to set boundaries in your relationships, not just your romantic relationships but in every relationship there is. Boundaries are highly ignored and this has ushered in with it unnecessary abuse that could have been avoided if boundaries were set ab initio. In setting boundaries, one has to be,
    Vocal: that is say exactly what you want and your limits. For instance, if you don’t want pre-marital sex, you must verbally say that to your partner and set boundaries to that respect.
    Specific: identify areas that you want respected. For instance, if you don’t want to stay out late, give a time limit as to when you want the date to end.
    In setting boundaries, you protect your space and also make your partner know that you have values that are meaningful to you. Again, setting boundaries requires a lot of discipline because you must be able to bypass your own feelings and insist that those boundaries be respected. Try not to make excuses for your partner when they start exhibiting anger traits. Watch out for how they treat their colleagues, subordinates and workers as the case may be because eventually that is how they will treat you. At any point you start feeling marginalized or coarse, be vocal about it. If you are afraid to voice out your true feelings, that is an indication that you are not in the right environment.
    Abuse of any sort be it physical, sexual, financial or even mental always leaves a deep scar in the heart of the victim and if not properly addressed, these victims turn out to be abusers themselves and unconsciously sometimes. So to prevent that kind of experience, ensure
    That the person you’re entering a relationship with has people they are accountable to, maybe parents, a guardian or a mentor that they answer to. This will help you when they are out of line, you can always have recourse to someone they will listen to.
    Make sure you keep a good distance from the violent partner to prevent fatalities.
    For your own good, when matters are frequent, report to a law enforcement agency to protect your life.
    If there are threats to life, make sure the authorities are alerted and adequate security provided.
    Remember, if you have gone through any abuse that you are not the way your abuser sees you or the image they have painted of you. You are made in the image and after the very likeness of God. That is your identity and it is from that civilization that you should draw your meaning and realign with your purpose. You are not what you have been through. You are a child of God and the very nature of God is domiciled inside of you.
    Take time to heal by speaking to experienced counsellors who will help you navigate the path of healing. Remember that you are loved and special and the best of your days are still very much ahead of you.

    For personal questions and advice, please follow me on twitter @thevoiceofuche and privately send your questions and share your opinions on my dm. God bless you all.

  • ARE YOU READY FOR MARRIAGE?

    ARE YOU READY FOR MARRIAGE?

    1. By Uche Anosike

     

    Marriage is a widely discussed topic that many professionals and religious people have tried to demystify but it seems like the more we are shown, the more there is to be seen and with the alarming rate of divorce, and worse issues springing from the marriage institution, it is not out of place for anyone to ask him or herself the question, “AM I REALLY READY FOR MARRIAGE?”

     

    The above question is rarely asked, talk more of answers coming to young men and women who are taking this bold step into a new phase of life. Part of the reason been that majority of young people have defined readiness only in terms of age and other physical and natural attainments such as making money and getting educated. While these are necessary in their nature, being “ready” is more than that. It is a function of some degree of attainment of preparedness with a level of confidence that the challenge ahead can be surmounted.

     

    Take for example a student that has examinations coming up, he/she must prepare for the examinations in such a manner that some level of confidence that the examination will be attempted and surmounted is developed in him/her as a result of that preparation. It then suffices to say that without preparation, there is actually no readiness.

     

    So in asking the question “AM I READY FOR MARRIAGE?” is actually asking “Am I prepared for marriage?” Talking about preparedness, it is pertinent to note that it is actually the foundation for any successful venture in life. 2Chronicles 27:6 says, “So Jotham became mighty because he had prepared his ways before the Lord his God (NKJV)”. Every institution and phase of life demands a certain level of preparedness from whoever wishes to embark on it. Take for example those who want to gain admission to study in the University.

     

    You must have successfully passed your WAEC with at least 5 credits in your chosen subjects, not excluding English and Mathematics added to a high score of above 200 if you want your course of choice to be given. In the same way those seeking employment into some kind of offices must possess the key qualities needed to fill the desired position. Even weddings are heavily prepared for. Beginning with bridal clothes and showers and food and decorations, and photography. The list goes on and on but sadly the marriage for which the wedding is predicated is not adequately prepared for.

     

    Now there are certain predicates and measures for which an individual presuming to enter upon marriage should check him or herself to ascertain the level of readiness already attained. Let us begin with what I presume to be the most important cadre: THE VISION.

     

    Now what kind of marriage have you envisioned for yourself? A person without vision is a person without direction and how terrible is that. Anything goes, everything goes. That is not a way to enter upon marriage. What are your desires? What kind of woman/man do you see yourself spending the rest of your life with? Do you want a spiritual home with a partner that is completely yielded to Christ and is in constant communion with the Holy Spirit?

     

    Do you want an intellectual, someone who can author books and pursue knowledge? Do you want a party type, someone who is not ashamed to have fun? You must know what you want because it is along those lines that you prepare. The law of attraction states that you attract what you have prepared for. Now many people will come across to you on your path to finding The One but your vision and preparation makes the selection easy. You already have the vision of the kind of home you want and when The One comes, you are not confused in the least because both of you will align.

     

    Physical development is a very essential part of the preparation process that has been greatly overlooked and causing severe havoc. This centers mainly on the individual and the way he/she considers him/herself. Looking at the book of Numbers 13:33 when Moses sent out the Israelites to spy out the promise land. They came back with bad reports and concluded that before the giants of Anak, they seemed like grasshoppers. Proper evaluation and appreciation of the physical body goes long to portray how an individual views him/herself in the eyes of others. Someone who sees him/herself as not attractive will never be able to accept real compliments on beauty.

     

    They already have a fixed image and no matter what other people see as attractive in them, they will see it as flattering and on the basis of flattering, true and solid relationships cannot last. You must accept and appreciate the form and structure which you have, knowing that there is someone out there custom-tailored for you and will fit into your life without having to subject you to cuttings. If you’re fat, accept it. Are you slim, accept it. Now, this does not in any way invalidate self-improvement, it rather encourages it. If you feel a need to improve on yourself, please do. Do you need to add weight or shed some weight, please do and in other areas of your physical appearance where you feel the need to enhance, please do, provided the basis of this is not from an inferior view of your body structure.

     

    Having explained the above, there is yet another vital area of preparedness which is mental and intellectual in nature. People study to attain degrees and certificates that will ensure them a better position in life and yet belittle the fact that they need to acquire knowledge when it comes to the aspect of marriage. Marriage which is a life time engagement needs more study than any other aspect of life. Reason being that it is on this platform that those other certificates can find meaningful expression.

     

    Have you taken time to read and learn from men and women who has journeyed before you? Have you had time to identify the challenges that are inherent in marriage and how they have been handled before? Experience they say is the best teacher but learning from people’s experience is a better teacher. You can’t presume to ask for a certificate in a course you haven’t studied. Study to show yourself approved, Paul tells Timothy in 2Tim 2:15.

     

    Similar to this is a psycho-social analysis. This is very necessary because society and culture has given a bad premise on what marriage should be. A lot of stereotypes have been imbedded into the hearts of young people and the effect of this is that many young people are myopic and have refused to free themselves to the vast opportunities ahead of them even right in their very faces. If you intend to make a headway in your marital destiny, you must find the roots of these stereotypes and destroy it. These stereotypes are cultural in nature and applies to a specific people and community. You hear things like don’t marry from that tribe or marriage into such and such culture is deadly.

     

    These are all lies and must be rooted out. Then comes the social life of the intending individual. Are you friendly? Are you open to new opportunities? Have you limited yourself to only a certain group of people? Are you flexible? Can you adapt to changes? These are important questions to answer because marriage will change your life. Some people are so used to their space and so authoritarian in running their affairs and even though they presume to enter upon marriage, they have not made room for the possibility of letting someone else in on their space and decisions. You must prepare your mind and heart for these evident realities and be in a mood to submit to another person as Paul admonished in Ephesians 5:21.

    Emotional preparation is another very vital aspect that needs to be looked at. Emotions are feelings that are neither good nor bad in themselves but acting on emotions devoid of the mind and the will can be disastrous. Human beings are not meant to act based on their emotions only but emotions must be applied to thought and the will which decide how actions should be taken. You must train your will to be stronger than your emotions so you can act or react from a place of strength irrespective of how you feel. This gives you strength to say NO in situations that make you feel good in the interim but are harmful to your person, like yielding to sex and co-habitation before the actual marriage.

     

    Financial stability is another vital area of preparation. Anyone intending to get married should have a steady source of income, or a business project or a potential prospect. These are very vital and helps to give some stability to the relationship. This is greatly emphasized for the male folk who will be assuming the authority and responsibility of the head. Apart from making money, there is a need for financial transparency of both parties.

     

    Nakedness of finances must be implemented to build trust. The man and the woman were both naked and were not ashamed in Gen 2:25. If you are not prepared for absolute nakedness in declaring your assets to your partner, you’re not really ready for marriage. You are already building on a wrong foundation that is set up to fail and that has crushed many homes before.

     

    Finally but not conclusively, when you have assessed yourself and have come to a point where you see in yourself an ability to provide help to someone else, then you are ready. Marriage is not about receiving but about giving without any hope of being repaid. John 3:16 says that God loved the world so much that he gave His only begotten son. Marriage does not hold any hope for people who are not ready to give their all for the other person. You must build a mindset predicated on giving and not receiving, on spending and to be spent for the good and prosperity of the other person. If you are yet to come into this understanding, seek help from the promised Helper (John 14:26) He is willing to not just help but guide you into all the truth.

     

    For personal questions and advice, please follow me on twitter @thevoiceofuche and privately send your questions and share your opinions on my dm. God bless you all.

  • Some Highlights of Governor Ugwuanyi’s Developmental Strides in Enugu State Amidst Challenges

    On May 29, 2020, the people-oriented and visionary administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State marked its 5th Anniversary. On August 27, 2020, the Coal City State celebrated the 29th Anniversary of its creation. The epoch making events presented a veritable opportunity to reappraise the governor’s giant strides anchored on peace and good governance, despite the avalanche of challenges befalling the state and the country.

    The Economic Confidential in its 2019 Annual States Viability Index, released on July 26, 2020, listed Enugu among the six (6) economically viable states in Nigeria that can survive without federal allocations. Listed alongside Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Kwara and Kaduna as viable states, Enugu, which, according to the index report, generated N31 billion compared to Federation Account Allocation (FAA) of N103 billion representing 29 percent, was good enough to beat all oil producing states except Rivers.

    A few months ago, precisely on May 22, 2020, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) published its 2019 states’ ranking in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). One of the states which recorded impressive performances, according to the report, was Enugu.

    Enugu State, with no oil, was the 9th best performing state in terms of IGR. Its slightly over N31billion was also good enough to beat all oil producing states except Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom.

    Prior to these remarkable ratings, Enugu State was rated by the World Bank Group as the second most advanced state in Nigeria on the Ease of Doing Business and third on the Ease of Starting Business. The state was listed by BudgIT alongside Lagos and Rivers as the only three states out of the 36 states of the federation that have fulfilled obligations to their workers. It was also listed among the seven states that are solvent with impressive over 30 percent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund additional economic activities, by Economic Confidential. Equally of note is the report of the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria, which listed Enugu as the fifth most competitive state in Nigeria, and the third most debt sustainable state in Nigeria. It is also on record that Enugu was rated as the first state in Nigeria to publish its Audited State Final Account for three consecutive years; first in the South East geo-political zone and ninth in the country based on IGR as against federal allocation.

    What makes these records outstanding is that just four years earlier when Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State took over the mantle of leadership on May 29, 2015, the country was in recession, following the drastic drop in crude oil prices in the international market.

    Consequently, the state with its lean resources was confronted with paucity of funds, high inherited debt profile and other huge wage bills to be serviced. The economic realities were daunting that many were of the opinion that it was not the best time to be a governor.

    The country’s economic challenges adversely affected the states’ allocations from the federation account, to the extent that there were limited funds to attend to development issues and other sundry needs of the public.

    Enugu’s purse grew leaner as federal allocations dwindled to an all-time low – a source of worry the past governor of the state, Mr. Sullivan Chime acknowledged during a thanksgiving Mass to commemorate the end of his administration.

    This posed a serious threat to the speedy actualisation of the governor’s vision for the state as contained in his administration’s four-point agenda.

    The situation was so dire that 27 states, excluding Enugu, could not pay workers’ salaries, let alone embark on capital projects. One by one, governors resorted to bailout funds unlike their predecessors who had access to the excess crude oil funds which enabled them to execute capital projects.

    Despite all the challenges, Ugwuanyi remained undaunted and focused in his vision to build the Enugu State of the founding fathers’ dream, where everybody irrespective of class, religion or political association is given equal right and access to dividends of democracy, in a peaceful and secure environment.

    Consequently, his administration has been championing an unprecedented rural development drive which has made it possible for the rural dwellers and the long-neglected communities to enjoy democracy dividends in a way they have never experienced before.

    But five years down the line, Gov. Ugwuanyi through his sound vision, administrative ingenuity, peace and good governance initiatives, has turned the tide for the better. The results of his sheer dexterity and commitment are evident in his five-year stewardship, some of which are highlighted below:

    ROADS:
    *Constructed/rehabilitated over 600km of roads across the state, mostly in the rural areas.
    *Rehabilitated and remodeled the ancient, historic and undulating 11km Milliken Hill-Ngwo-9th Mile road.
    *Constructed the 12km Opi-Nsukka dual carriageway up to University of Nigeria (UNN) gate
    *Constructed the Ebonyi River Bridge, Ikem
    *Constructed the 31km Udenu Ring road with two high-tech bridges
    *Rehabilitated the Iva Valley roads in Enugu North LGA
    *Constructed the 8.8km Nkalagu-Eha Amufu road in Isi-Uzo LGA, neglected for over 35 years
    *The construction of the 26.66km Ukpabi-Nimbo-Ugbene Ajima-Eziani road in Uzo-Uwani LGA (RAMP-2)
    *The construction of the 22.443km Neke-Mbu-Ogbodu Aba-Obollo Etiti inter-community road linking Isi-Uzo and Udenu LGAs (RAMP-2)

    * The 16km erosion ravaged Eha-Ulo/Eha-Etiti/Eha-Ndiagu-Mbu road and 24km Premier Junction-Umabor-Mbu road (RAMP-2), covering 40km, being constructed across thick forests and difficult terrains.

    *The ongoing 8.580km road project linking Ihe with Ogbaku Town in Awgu Local Government Area (RAMP-2)
    *Constructed the 13km Nike Lake junction-Harmony Estate-Amorji Nike-Adoration Pilgrimage Centre-Orie Emene road linking the ever-busy Abakpa Nike with Emene satellite town in Enugu East LGA
    *Reconstructed the Nike Lake Road and Abakpa Nike Road in Enugu East LGA, which were marred by traffic gridlock in the past
    *Constructed the Amaeke-Ngwo-Nsude-9th Mile and Amankwo-Amaeke-Amah Brewery Junction-9th Mile bypasses in Udi LGA
    *Reconstructed the Airport Roundabout/Orie-Emene/St. Patrick’s College/Eke-Obinagu Road in Enugu East LGA
    *Reconstructed the Enugu Road (Nsukka) Junction-Umuezebi-Nru Junction-University Gate road, the Post Office Roundabout-Odenigbo Roundabout-Ogurugu Road-Ikenga road and the Obechara Road Junction-Umakashi-Mechanic Village-Ikenga Hotels Junction road, all in the University town of Nsukka.
    *Constructed the 8.2km Inyi-Akpugoeze road in Oji River LGA
    *Constructed the Ituku Road in Awgu LGA and the Amurri road in Nkanu West LGA
    *Simultaneously executed 35 grassroots development projects across the 17 LGAs
    *Rehabilitated urban and rural roads in Emene, Abakpa-Nike, 9th Mile Corner and the University town of Nsukka
    *Rehabilitated more internal roads in the University town of Nsukka, covering over 11km.
    *Rehabilitated the old UNTH-Bunker road, Enugu; constructed the Holy Trinity Street -Bishop Michael Eneje Street, Independence Layout; Mount Crescent, GRA; Orofia Street, off Nza Street, Independence Layout; Dental School-Tipper Garage road Trans Ekulu, Enugu; Ugwuaji-Loma Linda-Timber Shed road, Maryland, Enugu; Nwafia Street, Independence Layout; Mbanefo Street, New Haven; The Secretariat Road, G.R.A; Court Avenue by new State Secretariat; Ibuza Street at Independence Layout; Isi Uzo Street at Independence Layout; Owerri Road; Poly Clinic Road, Asata; Carter Street, off Ogui Road, etc.

    BUILDINGS:
    *Renovated the House of Assembly Complex
    *Rehabilitated and re-asphalted the popular Michael Okpara Square, Enugu
    *Completed the new Lion Building, Government House, Enugu, with additional works such as landscaping and installation of floodlights and security lights
    *Renovated the Deputy Governor’s office, Abuja Building, parking lots, and fuel Dump, within the premises of the Government House, Enugu, among others
    *Ongoing completion work on the International Conference Centre, Enugu
    *Construction of the first phase of the Enugu State Secretariat annex in Nsukka satellite town
    *Construction of the Nsukka Township Stadium
    *Fencing and massive works of arts at the Unity Park, formerly known as Forest Reserve, Enugu, to serve as a tourist attraction and a place for relaxation and recreation
    *Construction of 10 units of Executive Guest House at the old Governor’s Lodge, G.R.A, Enugu, for routine guests of the state government
    *Construction of first Christian Chapel of Worship at the Government House, Enugu
    *Remodeling of the Old Government Lodge and construction of Annex, GRA, Enugu
    *Construction of 24 units of Guest Flats at Old Government Lodge, GRA, Enugu

     

    RURAL DEVELOPMENT:
    *Uncommon rural development policy, concentrating more infrastructure in the rural and long-neglected communities, such as simultaneously executed 35 grassroots development projects across the 17 LGAs and the N10 million “one community, one project” scheme in each of the 471 autonomous communities in the state

    HEALTH SECTOR:
    *Completed the state-of-the-art Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre, Enugu
    *Construction and renovation of district hospitals and health centres in the state, especially in the rural areas under the primary healthcare programme
    *Upgraded Udi District Hospital and Poly Clinic, Asata to General Hospitals, after their rehabilitation
    *Constructed a Tertiary Hospital in Igbo-Eno, Enugu North Senatorial District, to serve as one of the facilities for the ESUT College of Medicine that has been relocated to Nsukka.

    *Massive construction/reconstruction of the Enugu State Infectious Disease Hospital, Enugu, formerly known as Colliery Hospital Enugu, for isolation and treatment of patients with infectious diseases.

    *Launch of the Universal Health Coverage
    *Intervened and integrated faith-based rural health facilities into the Free Maternal and Child Health Programme
    *Massive construction of 7 units of Type 3 Primary Health Care Centre in 7 LGAs, and upgrade and rehabilitation of the General Hospital Ogrute, Enugu Ezike, and Nsukka District Hospital, among others.

    * Ongoing massive construction of a Specialist Hospital for the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital, Igbo-Eno, in Enugu North Senatorial District.

    *Site clearing for the construction of 2 nos. 12-classroom faculty buildings, 2 nos. 10-classroom faculty buildings and 2 nos. 8-classroom faculty buildings, for the ESUT College of Medicine, in Igbo-Eno, adjacent to the Specialist Hospital, as well as the ongoing construction of industrial water borehole projects.

    *Construction of Cottage Hospital with isolation wing in Awgu, Oji River, Ogrute (Enugu Ezike) General Hospitals, and also in Orba, Udenu LGA

    RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
    *Released N350 million to the state’s COVID-19 Multi-Sectoral Rapid Response Team
    *Establishment of Isolation and Treatment Centres for COVID-19 in Nsukka and the ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu
    *Equipped the ultra-modern Enugu State Medical Diagnostic Centre and designated it as an isolation and treatment centre

    *Massive reconstruction and construction of new structures at the Colliery Hospital, Enugu, now an Infectious Disease Isolation and Treatment Centre
    *Approved welfare packages for all health workers in the state as incentive to battle COVID-19
    *Purchased two additional ambulances and one incident vehicle
    *Enforcement of the Presidential directives on nationwide curfew and inter-state movement restriction order.
    *Rehabilitation of facilities and provision of essential supplies in 34 health facilities across the 17 LGAs, to scale up delivery of linked services and preparedness against community spread of COVID-19 pandemic by the Enugu State Save One Million Lives (SOML) Project.

    *Life assurance policy for frontline workers

    *Distribution of palliatives to persons, vulnerable groups, poorest of the poor and religious groups.

    *Granted tax relief and incentives to taxpayers in the state to cushion the adverse economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on residents, especially ordinary masses.

    WORKERS’ WELFARE:
    *Enhancement of civil servants’ welfare
    *Among the first to implement the new Minimum Wage in Nigeria
    *Regular payment of workers’ salaries on the 23rd of every month and retirees’ pensions before the end of the month
    *Payment of the 13th month salary to workers as Christmas bonus
    *Payment of 54 percent equity contribution for 100 lucky civil servants who won the 100 units one bedroom apartments at Elim Estate, Enugu through open lottery.

    SECURITY:
    *Procured and donated 100 units of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) patrol vans with communication gadgets to the security agencies to aid their operations
    *Employed 1,700 Forest Guards, first in the South East geo-political zone
    *Repositioned the Vigilante/Neighbourhood Watch groups and purchased 260 security vehicles for their Community Policing operations.
    *Procured and distributed 260 motorcycles and 300 bicycles to the 260 electoral wards in the state, to complement and facilitate the operations of the Forest Guards
    *Construction of the 76 Police Mobile Force Squadron Facility at Ekwegbe, Igbo-Etiti LGA

    FIRE SERVICE:
    *Procured five (5) IVM fire-fighting trucks for the five ultra modern fire service stations across the three senatorial districts of the state, newly constructed by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration, after 56 years
    *Recruited 66 firefighters to the workforce of the state fire service and provided them with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for safety, etc.

    INTERVENTIONS IN THE STATE JUDICIARY:
    *Constructed the first Enugu State Customary Court of Appeal Headquarters complex in Enugu
    *Construction of 14 new court buildings and open registries in the judicial divisions and magisterial districts across the state
    *Construction of 34 modern Customary Courts across the state, two (2) per LGA
    *Massive renovation of the State Judiciary Headquarters complex, Enugu
    *Renovated the former DAD Building Enugu and converted same to the State Ministry of Justice Headquarters
    *Establishment of Multi-Door Court House in Enugu, among other interventions.

    EDUCATION:
    *Recruited over 5000 primary and secondary school teachers
    *Constructed, renovated and equipped 897 classroom blocks and other school projects under Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB).
    *Procured and distributed 22,150 lockers and 22,150 chairs for primary school children, 1,228 tables, 1,228 arm chairs and 2,456 armless chairs for the teachers, as well as 1130 marker boards for teaching and 1,960 ceiling fans, for conducive learning environment (under ENSUBEB)
    *Procured and distributed 12, 480 writing desks and chairs for primary school pupils in the state and 868 tables and chairs for teachers to improve the standard of learning (ENSUBEB).
    *Massive construction and reconstruction of classroom blocks, offices and hostels in the secondary schools across the six education zones of the Post Primary Schools Management Board (PPSMB)
    *Supplied Science equipment to 135 secondary schools (under PPSMB)
    *Supplied and installed computers to 200 secondary schools (under PPSMB)
    *Converted 1,000 volunteer teachers to permanent staff and release of all outstanding arrears of promotion to date (under PPSMB)
    *Initiated a process for the construction and renovation of more classroom blocks
    *Ongoing construction of the state-of-the-art administrative building of the first degree-awarding institution in Education in the South East zone, the Enugu State University of Education in Ihe, Awgu LGA, established by Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration to serve as a centre for training of teachers for primary, secondary and tertiary education.
    *Massive infrastructural development and upgrade of facilities in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu
    *Transition of IMT into a degree-awarding institution and the holding of its first convocation, after 11 years
    *Numerous education transformational interventions in other state-owned tertiary institutions, namely the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT); the Enugu State College of Education Technical (ESCET); and the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo.

    EMPOWERMENT:
    *Empowered 3,600 traders with N50,000 each under the Enugu State Traders Empowerment Scheme
    *Empowered 750 youths in skills acquisition under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programme
    *Offered scholarship to 680 indigent engineering students of Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, Ezeagu L.G.A. and the IMT, Enugu
    *Awarded scholarship to 22 post-secondary school indigent students presently studying at Mewar University, India
    *Engaged 1000 youths to clean up the state, under Enugu Clean Team Project, with additional 1000 workers underway

    * Granted Bursary allowance to 246 students of the state at the Nigeria Law School.

    * Waived the payment of Personal Income Tax as well as Market Tax, for all traders in the major markets of the state, since the inception of the administration, in May 2015, with a recent resolve to sustain the pro-poor policies till the end of the tenure.

    AGRICULTURE, WATER, HOUSING, INVESTMENT PROMOTION
    *Procured twenty (20) tractors for Mechanized Agriculture
    *Launched the Coal City Rice, Enugu – a highly sought-after staple in the South East and beyond
    *Approved the establishment of two World Bank projects, namely IFAD and APPEALS programme for women and youths agricultural empowerment and pays the state’s counterpart funds regularly.
    *Rehabilitated facilities at Ajali and Oji River Water Treatment Schemes which has consequentially improved the supply of water to Enugu metropolis and its environs
    *HELIU Residence project – a world class Residential Estate with infrastructure worth N25 billion embarked upon by the state government in partnership with Fit-Consult and China Shenyang International Economic and Technical Cooperation Limited, Shenyang, China through Public Private Partnership (PPP) to provide quality and affordable houses to address the accommodation deficit in Enugu because of high inflow of people into the state.
    *Site and services of Valley Estate, GRA, Enugu; WTC Estate; Victory Estate; Trinity Estate; Fidelity Estate adjacent to the popular Ebeano Tunnel with massive erosion /flood control work, Diamond Estate, Rangers Estate, among others.
    *The Enugu Industrial Park – FTZ (ENPOWER Free Trade Zone) at the 9thMile Corner, Enugu, to be known as Lion Business Park, modeled after the Dragon Market in Dubai.

    SPORTS:
    *Gov. Ugwuanyi’s love and support for sports saw Rangers International Football Club of Enugu lifting both the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title after 32 years and 2018 AITEO Cup after 35 years

    ECONOMIC RATINGS:

    *Rated among the six (6) economically viable states in Nigeria that can survive without federal allocations, by Economic Confidential.
    *Rated as the second most advanced state in Nigeria on the Ease of Doing Business by the World Bank Group.
    *9th best performing state in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the year 2019.
    *Best state in the judicious utilization of the bailout funds (Senate Verdict)
    *Enugu listed alongside Lagos and Rivers as the only three states out of the 36 states of the federation that have fulfilled obligations to their workers (BudgIT).
    *Listed among the seven states that are solvent with impressive over 30 per cent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund additional economic activities (Economic Confidential magazine verdict).
    *The fifth most competitive state in Nigeria, according to the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria
    *The third most debt sustainable State in Nigeria
    *The first state in Nigeria to publish its Audited State Final Account for consecutive three years.
    *First in the South East geo-political zone and ninth in the country based on IGR as against Federal Allocation.
    *One of the twelve states in Nigeria that can survive without federal allocations.

    *AND STILL COUNTING…

    Enugu State is in the hands of God!

  • Good Deeds Do Not Die; The Legend Yet Lives On

    Good Deeds Do Not Die; The Legend Yet Lives On

    By Onochie Jon-Igwesi

    Let us go back in time to the evening of June 9, 2020. While putting finishing editorial touches to the maiden Democracy Edition of Pacesetter Frontier Magazine which was planned to be released on June 12, 2020, I received a call from my father, H.R.H Eze Barr Igwesi O. Igwesi. My father, who had taken to farming as one of his ventures, had called to let me know that his car broke down around Obeagu community, as he made his way back to his palace in Omuoha, Obuoffia from the farm.

    My father’s inclination to always call me in times such as what was at hand wasn’t lost on me. Perhaps he had a strong belief in me to always, promptly step up to the matter and get it done, and although working on seeing the magazine released exactly on June 12, 2020 was a priority, I just couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him out there and not being the usual me. By the time he called back to tell me not to bother coming again since his mechanic was on the way, I was already some minutes close to where his car broke down.

    Fast forward to minutes later, I arrived at Obeagu-Amechi Road, precisely the junction leading to the palace of the Traditional Ruler of Obeagu Uno Autonomous community, HRH Igwe Linus Okafor, a fine gentleman. I got to know that he is a successful businessman based in Jos; Ah! the typical Igbo man and his pan-Nigerian mindset again. Let’s not wander too far joor; my father’s car, according to the mechanic’s diagnosis wasn’t going to be fixed that evening so the only available option was to push it into Igwe’s Palace so that the next day, the mechanic would fix it. The only problem was that the car was an SUV and the gate leading to Igwe Okafor’s Palace was up a slight hill.

    While thinking of what to do, we noticed a locked church compound across the road and a residential building with its gate slightly ajar, adjacent the church. I approached the compound to speak to the owner to permit us push in and park the car till the next day.

    “Cast your Bread upon waters, for after many days you will find it again”. Those were the words of King Solomon. As at the time I took decision to enter that compound, I didn’t know that I would see those words play out just as it was written.

    When I got into the compound and knocked, a woman, whom I guess was in her mid or late fifties answered and asked what I wanted. I thought it necessary to speak the beautiful Nkanu dialect to see if it would water the ground for the request I was about to make. I introduced myself as Onochie and recounted my father’s experience with his car and all that had happened till that moment but to my chagrin she said “No”. She said “Daddy”, referring to her husband, wasn’t around and as such she couldn’t decide alone. Thinking about it in hind sight, she displayed the nature of a well-bred, traditional Igbo woman who would never attempt to usurp her husband’s powers without getting a nod of approval (Exhales), Nwanyi bu Ife.

    I left to tell my father and he decided to speak to her by himself. He introduced himself as Obi Igwesi. The moment the woman heard “Igwesi”, she asked “Is it the Igwesi from Obuoffia?’’ My father nodded in the affirmative. She wasn’t satisfied, she asked again “Are you the son of the late John Igwesi?” My father nodded again and immediately, her face lit up and she said “My husband is Philip Ani. He always talks about John Igwesi. He said your father (John Igwesi) trained him back in the days at Umudike (I feel she was talking about the then School of Agriculture, Umudike which is presently known as Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu). He said that if it weren’t for your father, things would have become really hard for him. He said he wasn’t the only one your father was training at that time. He also talked about how your mother would always give him a very big portion of food because she and my husband were both from Amechi and she always called him her brother”.

    Onochie Igwesi
    HRH Eze John Egbo Igwesi

    She said so many other beautiful things about my Grandfather while I just watched and listened in awe and admiration of a man who was a Colossus while he lived. My father went ahead to make again, exactly the same plea I made and this time she quickly gave her nod of approval. While we left to push in the car, I overheard her say to her visitor who was there while all these went on: “Daddy wouldn’t have been happy if he came back and heard that I turned back the son of John Igwesi without rendering him the assistance he needed”.

    Yet again, she didn’t disappoint. I think she should be called Obidiya for she could tell what her husband would do at any given situation. Her approval of the request after she came to know whose seed my father was – wasn’t a usurpation of her husband’s powers, it was a strong and undisputable confirmation that good deeds do not die. If they did, how come we came to reap the benefits of the deeds of a man who died many years ago?

    His Royal Majesty, King John Egbo Igwesi (Eze Chinawaeze II of Obuoffia) was a civil servant with the then Nigerian Coal Corporation. He represented Udi Central Constituency in the then Eastern House of Assembly under NCNC. He was the Chairman, Nkanu County Council for 7 unbroken years, a record no other has held till date. He led the formation of Awkunanaw Welfare Association. He was a Scholar, seasoned Parliamentarian and a conscientious civil servant. He was the King of Obuoffia and the clan head of Awkunanaw. He will always be fondly remembered for moving the historic motion that bestowed autonomy on Nkanu Local Government from the old Udi Division.

    He trained and oversaw the establishment and rise of many sons and daughters of Awkunanw and Nkanu Land, some of whom are still alive till date. He personified Justice as a defiant and strong willed WAWA man, little wonder, a typical Nkanu man who had been denied justice will tell you “I will show you John Igwesi.” He was an Iroko and he came, saw, conquered and surpassed a lot of his contemporaries, a man whose political and historical records have been treasured at the Archives of the Enugu State Ministry of Information. This, in summary, was the man whose name at that moment opened onto us a door that was shut.

    King John Igwesi is dead and yet he lives on. Those who are vexed and envious of the great life and times of John Igwesi have at times turned the truth about him and his descendants, to make it stand on its head. Because that position is uncomfortable for the truth, the truth has always, against all odds, reverted to its normal position which is standing on its feet.

    Some days after the car incident, I got to know that Mr. Philip Ani died as a result of an illness he had been down with for some time. Ah! (Hisses) I felt so bad, but I still felt somehow happy, happy because fate was very kind to him. Fate kept him alive till he did a last act of kindness to the first son of the late John Igwesi. I’m sure that as he journeyed to the great beyond, he must have felt fulfilled because he was able to say “Thank you” in his own little way to the late John Igwesi for all the good deeds he did to him and many others in his life time.

    Like someone once said, carve your name on hearts because legacy is not just leaving something for people but leaving something in people.

    Before you die, if you haven’t, ensure that the world owe you a favour, a debt which they would pay to your children and descendants unborn. Leave the inheritance of a good name for your children in a world that will feel indebted to them because of the kindness, goodness and compassion of their parents. It was Jonathan’s kindness that caused his crippled son Mephibosheth to eat for the rest of his life at the table of the king, David.

    I have now learnt to at all times introduce myself as Onochie, without forgetting Jon-Igwesi, so that perhaps one would show me kindness because of the good deeds of Igwe John Egbo Igwesi.

    Shalom.

    Onochie Jon-Igwesi writes from Omuoha, Obuoffia, Awkunanaw. 

  • Non-Fiction: A Single Mum and the Staring Eyes

    Non-Fiction: A Single Mum and the Staring Eyes

    By Chinwe Ukairo

    I read somewhere that “Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.”

    I was only nineteen, and as the first daughter of an Igbo family I had a lot of responsibility, not on the basis of finance but character-wise and moral-wise. I grew up seeing my mum doing virtually everything; school fees, rent, food, spiritual growth, etc, and how she was able to balance work life and family was something I could not understand at that point. We were average in finance but could afford to eat more than three square meals and feed others without feeling it.

    There were times during discussions after school with my close friends, I mentioned asking my dad about a particular assignment and one of the girls’ reply was, “Is your dad alive?” I had a spin down my throat because at that point, unconsciously I had mentioned a lot about my mum on different occasions and my dad’s presence felt obscure.

    My mum taught me how to pray, read the Bible, teach and explain after morning prayers while she rushed to the office quite early. Everyone had high expectations of me. I had a few delays before I got into the higher institution. I got admitted to study Theater Arts in the University of Abuja after two years of applying. But I decided to take another JAMB and apply to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, which I eventually got, to study English and Literary Studies.

    Before I left for UNN, I was three months pregnant; a lot of people in their opinion would say I was foolish. Yes, I was.

    I was exposed to life, at least as a young girl. I met this young man through a friend and we got along. At some point he started insinuating we get married but we needed to start off dating at some point so I could get to know him better. At least he had a Masters and encouraged my education. He was so knowledgeable that he had the right answers to everything and I was willing to learn from an experienced figure.

    He made me feel like a queen around my friends; he spoilt me with money and gifts. I knew I was pretty young to settle down and my mum would not agree to the whole idea, so I had to put things on hold. At some point he was my friends’ spec, they all wanted him around. I traveled to Enugu to write PUTME, he came to visit me at my best friend’s place and as distance would have it, we both decided to make use of the opportunity before my friend’s arrival.

    When I came back from PUTME I was not comfortable in my skin, I decided to go to the hospital to carry out blood test. When the test result came out, I confirmed I was pregnant. I was shocked. I decided to carry out a scan to confirm how valid the test result was.

    When I told him about it, he felt okay about the idea and insisted I keep the child but I was scared of my family background, so I insisted I would take out the unborn child. He persisted. I thought about it; I planned to run out of the house a couple of times instead of rubbing off the shame on my parents. Each time I made the move, my mum would send me on an errand I needed to bring feedback on.

    I respected my mum so much; I could not disobey her. Two days before the day I planned to leave the house unnoticed, my name came out on the admission list. I felt at ease to leave the house, at least before my mum gets to find out about my pregnancy.

    Meanwhile, before I traveled, I went to a salon to wash my hair. While at the salon, the women were discussing about a lady who tried to take out a pregnancy and died in the process. At that point, I was shaking and sweating profusely. I felt like they were talking to me. I decided to call the young man and tell him I was ready to keep the child but he changed; he said I should remove it.

    I was taken aback because this was the same person who was trying to convince me to keep the child. He said he had spoken to my friend and they had both concluded that I was not ready to be a mother. He gave me ten thousand naira to go book an appointment with the doctor.

    I collected the money and bought folic acid and Preg-care. I decided to leave for school. While in Enugu, I visited my aunt and opened up about everything that was going on. She invited my mum to Enugu but she could not come because of work so my aunt then decided to tell her over the phone. She was so shocked that she fell ill. She was so disappointed that she cut off my monthly allowance.

    I was angry at myself because I thought I knew some stuff, but obviously I knew nothing. Being oblivious of the fact that I was pregnant for three months before I found out was a deep level of stupidity. I felt a bit relaxed, not completely relaxed but being away from an environment where I grew up and where everyone knew me helped a little to level with the anxiety.

    However, I wasn’t comfortable that a part of me was going down the shell. I had serious inferiority complex, timidity and feeling of being judged owing to the fact that the school environment where I was got lots of students staring at me, then I was often wondering if they already found out I was pregnant. It was a terrible feeling. Later in third year when one or two stories started passing around about my conception and all, it took me every morning looking at the mirror to convince myself that I could go to class and not feel bad or condemned.

    I didn’t blame my mum for stopping my allowance. I later learnt that such time is terrible for mothers too. I felt I needed to apologise to her and to myself for being weak, then build myself to be better. I worked on winning the default mother and daughter relationship we shared.

    I met good friends who helped me through the process in school and when I put to bed, it affected my second semester results. I spilled four courses due to no attendance and lack of continuous assessments. Financially, it was not easy for me but when I met Christ through a friend who introduced me to Dominion City, Nsukka, things began to fall in place. I found Christ, I forgave myself, and it gave me so much peace.

    During the long vacation, I had to work to make ends meet while my aunt took care of the baby. When school resumed, I’ll bathe him first, dress him up, then I would prepare and take him to school before going for lectures. People fell in love with him so much that I had to sometimes plead with them after school that it was time to go home.

    It was a difficult period for me because it felt like I had lost everything when I didn’t graduate with my mates, even when I made efforts to write all the courses I had carried over.  My family at some point saw me as a complete failure. When I followed up my file thinking something could be done and nothing came out of it, I left for Abuja. I applied for the post of a Secretary in a construction company and when my boss started making advances at me, I resigned. I decided to volunteer with an NGO that was into Mental Health and it helped me psychologically.

    After a year, my name came out for service. Meanwhile, my mum took the case to Women Affairs Commission and opened a file for me against the young man. They invited him but he flew to Germany. Investigations went on by the lawyers and they found out he had lied about his family. He was actually married, with kids and I was just a girl he wanted to take on a ride.

    When I gave birth to the young King, I fell in love with every bit of his cuteness. He is so adorable and peaceful. The young man called me sometime last year (2019) that he wanted his son and that I was not a single mother. Whatever he meant by that….

    It’s like the issues most ladies face in our contemporary society. A lot of girls find it very easy to take in for a man sometimes as a result of love, finance, assured marriage etc., but still regard themselves as single mothers. No, it’s not. There is a difference between being a baby mama and being a single mother.

    A baby mama is one who conceives for a man and he takes full responsibility of that child. On the other hand, single mothers are ladies who bore a child due to age, failed marriage, rape, drugs, adoption, out of wedlock, and single-handedly takes full responsibility of that child.

    Being a single mum in our society, due to religion, cultures and our general understanding of value system is, among other things, emotionally draining. Many will reject you, bully you, put you to the bottom. They look at you like you have feces stuck all over you. Some would even be bold to call you a prostitute, among other names to mock you, ride you into pain, anguish or worse, depression.

    The eyes on me most times made me feel the need to crawl away into myself. The eyes made me feel less of a worth about myself. The worst was the eyes and stare that came with burdensome pity. Some that come with care, also come with pity. It hurts deep, reminds me of another part of the story I work hard to forget; the fact that single mothers, especially my kind, are seen from the negative aspects in my society. I am trying not to remember “the pride of a woman is her husband” mantra of my people.

    However, no one remembers this line when it has to do with a baby mama, after all they are usually showered with necessary finance and all that. Ain’t some shame clouded by money and power? Well, for me, all I got is God and my spirit to keep being me, to keep moving.

    So, the crime is not having a kid(s) outside wedlock, but having the kid and not having so much money. A Baby mama is okay, but a single mum who is grinding on by herself for her kid is the one to be chastised with shame and bullying. The pain runs deeper than wells most times until emotional balance is achieved. This balance, for me, does not come easily and is not always stable. Relapses are bound to happen.

    Most young men run away from talking marriage with single mothers, even when the single mum is willing; makes it look like being a single mum is a taboo or something worse. For me, there are times people discuss marriage and settling down and I say nothing. Nowadays it feels like it is normal for me to say nothing because I won’t be accepted either ways. It sometimes hits me hard.

    I fell in love years later and we dated for eight months without sexual contact. When I opened up to him about my son because things were getting serious, he decided we end things because he could not come to terms with the fact that I already have a child. The stigmatization on single mothers has from time past been groomed from a negative perspective. This time it got deep into me like a needle.

    The young man is human and harmless. However, I felt that even if he should break the relationship, it should be on a good ground and not because of an innocent child who knows nothing. Maybe I was just overly emotional that’s why I reasoned that way. I didn’t blame him after all, it was a very difficult reality for him to assimilate, considering the corner the society we are in puts single mothers.

    I felt I was in a cold world with a stigma that cannot be erased, I felt unwanted for life and maybe it would always be so. I never thought of suicide though. But I was locked up in anger and bitterness with my past. I felt I would never be accepted by any prospective young man.

    On the light side, I’ve met a couple of persons who just loved my son regardless and wanted something serious but each time I feel like I want to take a bold step into a relationship there’s this cold chill that runs down my spine, and it feels like there’s a high wall that sets a bridge in my heart. It has really affected the people that loved me regardless. The past has left a scare in me, each time I take a step forward, I find myself taking three steps back. I feel like I’ve not completely come to terms with reality.

    As a single mum, I try every day to stay afloat all the state and feeling my society tries to soak me in; I try to paddle my mind away from it. Anytime I feel blue or maybe at the brinks of regret, I look at my son, my King, and I become immensely grateful for everything.

  • END POLICE BRUTALITY

  • Forty Shekels Of Silver

    Forty Shekels Of Silver

    By C.V.C Ozoaniamalu

    30th May, 1979, Charles Ilodiegwu’s Premises

    The night was cold and windy. Darkness was thickening in on earth, embellished with unfriendly knocks of thunder and accompanied by dazzling flashes of lightning, seemingly voicing out the anger of God and leaving His glories in the consciousness of men. The raindrops in contact with the roof produced incessant harsh sounds of two tambourine struck against each other in painful revolt. The force of the wind making the window shutters squeak.

    She was alone in her room upstairs, terrified. There seemed to be a naked vulnerability about her. She laid on the bed, neatly folded in the duvet. Her mind carefully replaying all that had happened in the past month. The more she thought about those, the more horrified she became.

    “Charles’ death was not an accident,” she thought.  She had had terrible nightmares, and in each of these nightmares, Charles had appeared to her. His face swollen, skin sallow and with a sober voice he would plead for immediate vengeance. She had tried asking him, in one of those nightmares, whom it was that killed him. But before he could speak up, she would be awoken back to reality. After that night, she had waited patiently for another nightmare, just like the watchman waits for dawn. Her waiting had the patience of a hunter. She would intentionally miss work and appointments to wait for Charles’ appearance but he never came. She had suddenly started suffering from insomnia. However, tonight she had made up her mind that Charles must come, if not, she would have no reason to wait anymore.

    Having swallowed three pills of benzodiazepine sedative hypnotic sleeping pills (Triazolam (Halcion), she was good to go. Prior to taking the drugs, she had performed some sort of stupid ritual which she strongly believed would summon the hallowed though broken spirit of Charles. She had placed his best suit, the blazers Charles had worn on their first date and spread it on the bed, his Emporio Armani designers shoes she also dropped beside the suit. Lastly, she sprayed the room with incense and Charles’ best perfume which she thought would quicken his arrival. With all these done, she slipped in beside the glorious idol of Charles she had made while she held in her hands the note he dropped for her on that doomsday; which read, “See you soon, my doppelganger.” Those words were resonating in her, bringing back old-buried memories. She became nostalgic.

    “I’m still waiting here for you, dear,” she cried, “make haste.” Closing her eyes, ready to meet Charles and have the secret which had been bottled for months open up. The drugs started taking effect, she suddenly became dizzy, her eyes too heavy to control. She heard footsteps climbing the stairs, moving towards her room.

    “It will sure be Charles,” she thought. She suddenly felt hungry but she dared not stand. His coming was a promised feast for the hunger that burnt within her.

    The door flew open by a hard push, she attempted opening her eyes but her eyes were too heavy. As the footsteps came nearer and nearer, she became curious and more curious. Suddenly, everything became quiet like a graveyard; no sound of the footsteps, no thunder, no window nor door squeaky sounds.

    “Eunice, say your last prayer,” a masculine voice whispered, breaking the silence. Recognizing the voice, she forced her eyes open. The picture of the man was blur with an iron rod in his left hand, she knew him very well by his voice.

    “So it had been you all these while,” she was barely heard. She gathered the remaining strength she had trying to stand and run but it was too late. The man struck her with the iron rod straight to her temple, the excruciating pain sent some pangs up her brain.

    The striking continued. He only stopped when she stiffened. He mounted her motionless body without conscience, his male hardness forced deep inside her, tearing her like a lion. He pounced and pounced on her dead body until he achieved orgasm.

    In a gentle weird voice, he whispered, “FORTY SHEKELS OF SILVER.”

    GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER FRONT PAGE READS: “Wife of Late Chief Charles Arinze Ilodiegwu gone missing with no trace of her whereabouts, barely two months after her husband’s mutilated body was found lying helpless in front of their house.”

    ****************************

    18th August, 2006, CISTERCIAN MONASTERY, MOUNT SAINT MARY’S ABBEY, OWERRI

    At the end of the Novitiate years, Sr. Anastasia and Sr. Mary-Cynthia were ready for their solemn profession and monastic consecration into the order of St. Benedict. After a significant number of years of living, praying and working in the community, growing in self-knowledge of God and others, being in continual prayer, service and understanding of God and fidelity to their vocation. The women were ready to throw their lot with this community and way of life as a means to Union with God.

    “By monastic profession, a sister is consecrated to God and joined with the monastic community that receives her. At this time, the consecration received in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation is renewed and given vitality. The sister binds herself in faithful stability to a sincere conversion of life through ready obedience until death.” OCSO Constitution 8.

    The evening before the final profession, Sr. Anastasia and Sr. Mary-Cynthia, the sisters to be professed and their abbess prostrate themselves before the Blessed Sacrament after Vespers as they make profession of the three Benedictine vows.

    First, the vow of stability of place, obliging themselves to make constant use of the means of the spiritual crafts in the community, and trusting in God’s Providence. Second was the vow of conversatio morum, that which binds a sister to follow the gospel and binding herself to the practice of Cistercian discipline. They were to retain nothing to themselves, not even authority over their own bodies, for their bodies are the temple of the most high. Vow of obedience seals the profession as final, by this vow they desire to live under a rule and an abbess promises to fulfil all that lawful superior’s command in accordance with these constitutions. The next day, they were professed and were clothed with the habit of Christ.

    The next day Sr. Anastasia was assigned to take care of the sick while Sr. Mary-cynthia was assigned to take care of the children with down syndrome. The sick were kept at Block B building while Block A housed the special children. The Block B was an old yet clean two storey building, with faded yellowish paintings, whistling pine trees and flowers which gave it a nice view. At the right side of the building was the statue of pieta and a large crucifix, an epitome of holy land. There’s a bold inscription on the front of the building which reads, “Jesus, the name that heals our diseases”.

    Sr. Anastasia was following an older Sister who was showing her around. There were 6 of them who were terribly sick. Almost every one of them, as she was told were picked up from where their families abandoned them. Out of all she saw that day, she had taken fancy to one, she was an old woman introduced by the older Sister as Mary.

    Mary was on her sick bed in room 69 of the monastery building for the sick. Her eyes were dull, body pale and sallow, her face still bore that remnants of beauty. On the foot of her bed was a chart which gave some details about her. Sr. Anastasia, whose new function was to replace the older sister started by reading out Mary’s chart, her face tightened as she read:

    Name: Mary

    Admitted:  4th June, 1980

    Location: Nil

    Family: Nil

    She stopped abruptly when her eyes caught the last words. She had not spoken since admitted, guessed to be deaf and dumb.

    “SHE’S CHRIST IMAGE, TREAT HER LIKE YOU WOULD TREAT CHRIST.”

    Sr. Anastasia was shocked by those words. She cast an eye of pity on her. “The book which keeps the detailed account of every Patient admitted into this place, has her as the oldest patient,” said the oldest sister. “Where can I get the book?” “At the Monastery library, shelf 18.” The next day she was at the Library reading Mary’s record. She felt bad for her. She made up her mind to care and pray for her, hoping she would recover soon.

    ***********************

    1978, VENICE LAW FIRM, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS

    Rex O.A Esq., owner of Venice Law Firm, a short, stern and undemonstrative man with an aristocratic face was heading a meeting at the third floor of the law firm house in Victoria Island. Gathered for the meeting also were three strong-headed men, each with his complex nature, tribe and background forced into an irretrievable brotherhood by a mere adoption by Victoria Robinsons.

    Rex, the company lawyer was about reading out the agreement of the company head in Britain to whom Victoria sent the name of her successor. Seated at Rex’s right hand was Charles Arinze Ilodiegwu, the swarthy dapper Igbo man, whose intelligence had gotten him into the family of Victoria and James Robinson, the pleasant British couple, who were the Managers of Shell D’archy, a British owned multi-billion oil dynasty that girded the globe. Charles had every sense of undercurrent that flows beneath the deceptively calmed surface. He knew the operations of the colonial rulers, how they drill out oils from his motherland, sent them back home and brought it back to be sold to them at a higher cost. He was waiting for the perfect time to debunk all those and the time had come.

    Seated after Charles was the famous Femi Ade. The handsome Yoruba man, with his full hair, charming eyes and an engaging smile that made women want to wear him like a badge. Someone had sometime said that he looked like a god. To add it up, he had become part of the Robinsons by mere adoption and the combination of all those was irresistible.

    The last man seated at the left side of Rex was Ahmed Musa Bello. The most concrete Hausa man, with gruff impatient manner and a temper that could melt an iron. He was always aloof from the other adopted children of the Robinsons. In fact, if there were any eerie little cult of young weirdos, Ahmed would definitely be made their leader.

    So many years ago, these three men had their mothers working at the Robinsons’ residence as cleaners. Bitterly enough, a gas explosion at the Robinsons took over their mothers’ lives at their tender age together with that of James Robinson. Leaving Victoria Robinson with no option than to adopt those three sons of her cleaners and raise them as hers. She loved them, and gave each of them the attention they needed. She was intelligent and a perfect mother. She knew the faintest details of any of them. Starting from their tribes and religions and running down to their favorite dishes and birthdays.  The three children were different in all things except in the color of their skin. Even though she had housed their bodies to unite them, the blood in them triggered behaviors which shouted loudly their differences. She was controlling three super minded nations.

    To Victoria, Charles was that child who asked a lot of questions. The questions came deeply rooted; questions which sometimes got Victoria wondering if he was a man in a child’s body. He was too curious for his age. In his innocence, he would ask; “Since you’re English, why are you here?” “Why are there so much whites at the company than blacks?” Thus, she began picking interest in him more than the other two. When he came of age after graduation, she made him her personal secretary, attending the company’s board meetings and events, writing minutes at meetings, drafting documents for customers, making out researches for new areas where oil may be found at commercial quantity, navigating midnight calls, and fixing schedules for their mothers to meet with partners. With time, Charles learned so well and faster too. His productivity was second to none. By the time Femi and Ahmed were through with schools and ready to join the company, Charles had chewed and diluted every bit of the company. And when the company was printing her success on the sands of time, Victoria Robinson died.

    Rex tore the parcel which contained the conclusion of the company on who takes after Victoria. “The company had deemed it fit to select as a replacement of Victoria…Eu-“ the name choked him “Eunice Ilodiegwu.” The mention of the name surprised everyone except Charles. Eunice was Charles’ wife, who had never been to any of the company’s meetings but knew more than anyone who sat on the board meetings. She was an enigma. Most of the brilliant works Charles had done for the company were all prompted by Eunice. At Victoria’s death bed months before, she was congratulating Charles for an agreement he reached with a Chinese company but Charles had told her that Eunice was the person to be thanked, not him. And he innocently told Victoria about Eunice’s creativity, and the details got Eunice the work. When the news got to Eunice, she was shocked, she became happy and afraid at the same time. Charles promised to be at her side.

    After One month, she was inaugurated into the board. Chairing a meeting of ten powerful men. They were all surprised at her intelligence, the way she tackled difficult situations. She was larger than life. Charles was proud of his wife, same as his brother Femi Adesina, but to Ahmed, she was a threat which had to be removed.

    Barely two months after the inauguration, Charles was leaving to catch a flight heading for Britain, he had woken earlier than normal at the wee hours of the morning. He surreptitiously dropped a note for her wife avoiding waking her up, then drove off. He noticed a car coming after him, the car was speeding up to catch with him. He sped up too but it was too late. He was double crossed by another car. The man in front fired five bullets into his skull. He was dead. The next three days, the mutilated body of Charles was seen lying in front of his residence. Charles’ funeral took place at his premises. Eunice was looking at the faces of all that came. She focused more on Ahmed who was weeping bitterly.  “He’s the wolf in a lamb’s clothing,” she thought. She was flanked by Femi Adesina and his wife, Ella Adesina. They were all she had. She was ready to avenge Charles’ death. After the funeral, the police headquarters in Ikeja had started an investigation into Charles’ death. After three weeks, the police reported that nothing was found. Eunice encouraged them to search deeper even if it meant increasing their pay.

    On 30th May the next year, she got a call from a stranger who asked her to meet him at 28 Omani Crescent, G.R.A, Lagos. On arriving that morning, people were gathered in front of the address the man had given her. She asked one of the persons standing what was happening, he told her the man was murdered and his corpse was found this morning in front of his house. She felt bad, “maybe if I had arrived earlier, I would have met him” she regretted. The next morning, Eunice was declared missing.

     

    CISTERCIAN MONASTERY

    1ST OCTOBER, 2007

    It was the first Sunday of the month of October, a day complacent with no promise of surprises. The Sisters of the Cistercian Monastery were having their recollection, a day graciously preserved for examination of one’s conscience. Not much work was done on such days, except prayers and wholesome recollection.

    As contemplatives, the Sisters gave themselves faithfully to Liturgy, prayers, vigils, sacred readings, fasting, solitude and silence according to the rule of St. Benedict and the constitutions of the order. The community lived by the labour of its hands. The 48th chapter of the rule of St. Benedict states, “For then, they are Nuns in truth, if they live by the works of their hands.” The main source of income was the making of Alter bread which is supplemented by a large yam and rice farm and garden palm and fruit tree plantations and some candle making. The community also maintains a spirit of generosity, care of sick and hospitality.

    The environment was serene and quiet until a scream was heard from Block B building which housed the sick.  It was terrifying. Sr. Anastasia and Sr. Mary-cynthia had to rush to the place the scream was coming from. Lo and behold, it was Mary shouting! She was saying things Sr. Anastasia couldn’t comprehend.

    “This is a miracle!” shouted Sr. Anastacia. It didn’t matter whether her words are incoherent, at least she talked after so many years. Within an hour, all the sisters were at the foot of Mary’s bed. Each wore on her face, a look of glory.

    “Where am I?” she asked, “And how many years have I been here?”

    “Mary, you’re at the Cistercian Monastery in Owerri,” the Mother Superior answered.

    “Who is Mary?” she asked in confusion. “Me?”

    “Yes, some of our Sisters picked…. sorry….” she paused, to search for the right word, “found you helpless in your pool of blood near our gate in 1979, we thought you were dead but at a close examination, we found out you were still breathing. After one week of care, you opened your eyes. We waited for you to speak but you didn’t, we thought maybe it would take some weeks, not knowing it will take years. So, we needed a name for you, Mother Superior gave you the name Mary, believing that the mother of Jesus would intercede for you and she sure did,” she said.

    “I’m Eunice Ilodiegwu,” she cried.

    She went down memory lane sharing her story with the sisters gathered around her. At the end of it, they were all crying. The next morning, an aged woman and a Nun were driving into the magnificent Robinsons residence.  “We have a very helpful information for your Boss,” said the Nun to the man at the entrance. “A nun and an aged woman said they have some information for you, should I allow them?” the man spoke through the phone. Minutes later, they were led into the hallway. They were ushered into the man’s office but only the Nun entered. Femi Adesina and Ahmed were seated waiting to hear from the religious woman who appeared from nowhere.

    “I have a privileged information for your company but I would like to address this to all the board of directors,” she politely said. The next minute, the board members were seated at the conference room. The Nun entered with the old woman. Seeing her, they recognized her. All stood on their feet in shock. “I’m alive and I’ve come to avenge my husband’s death,” she said. The room was in a frenzy. She looked at the direction where Ahmed was sitting. She nodded her head and said, “Appearances are deceptive, I’m sorry Ahmed for thinking you killed Charles, but I was wrong. It has always been the closest person to him. Femi Adesina can you tell the board how you did it or…”

    All face looked towards Femi Adesina. “They offered me forty shekels of silver,” he cried. “What’s forty shekels and who?” asked Ahmed furiously. He opened his mouth to talk but collapsed.

    Author’s note: All names are fictitious

  • Ebonyi at 24!

    Ebonyi at 24!

    Ebonyi State is one of the five eastern states in Nigeria. It was created on October 1st, in the year 1996 among six other states created by the then federal military government of General Sani Abacha.

    The state is occupied mainly by Igbos and has Abakaliki, the largest town, as its capital city. There are other towns which make up the state and they include, Onueke, Afikpo, Uburu, Aba Omege, Okposi, etc.

    Ebonyi State is well known for their salt and limestone production, with the latter situated at Nkalagu. They share a border with Benue State to the North, Enugu State to the west, Imo and Abia States to the south and Cross River State to the east.

    The state was generated from parts of Enugu State and Abia State, while Ohaozara was created from Abia State and Abakaliki was created from Enugu State. Ebonyi has thirteen Local Government Areas which will be listed later in this article. It also has three senatorial zones which are: Ebonyi North senatorial zone, Ebonyi Central senatorial zone and Ebonyi South senatorial zone.

    These senatorial zones are represented by a senator at the National Assembly. The state also has six federal constituencies, with each being represented by a member of the House of Representatives. Ebonyi North comprises of Abakaliki, Ebonyi, Ishielu, Ohaukwu and Izzi LGAs, Ebonyi Central comprises of Ikwo, Ezza North and Ezza South LGAs, while Ebonyi South comprises of Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ivo, Ohaozara and Onicha LGAs.

    The Local Government Areas in Ebonyi State

    1. Abakaliki
    2.  Ikwo
    3. Ohaukwu
    4. Onicha
    5. Ohaoazara
    6. Ivo
    7. Izzi
    8. Afikpo North
    9. Afikpo South
    10. Ezza North
    11. Ezza South
    12. Ishielu
    13. Ebonyi

    Narural Resources in Ebonyi State

    The state is richly blessed with numerous mineral resources such as limestone, as was mentioned earlier, lead, zinc and marble. It is called the Salt of the Nation because of its huge salt deposit in Okposi and Uburu.

    Agricultural Resources

    The state is mainly populated by farmers. And the major agricultural products in the state are: rice, palm oil, cocoa, maize, fruits, vegetables, yam, cassava, melon, etc.

    To make the citizens of the state more hardworking, the Governor banned the buying of foreign rice and has made sure that any other rice aside Abakalili rice cannot enter the state. Anyone caught smuggling such rice into the state or selling it is punished according to the rules and regulations guiding the state.

    Industries

    There are several industries in Ebonyi State, they include the food processing factories such as the rice mill, a fertilizer blending plant which is situated at Nkali poultry, many quarry factories and also cement factories located at Nkalagu.

    Culture

    The state has a very rich cultural heritage. This can be seen or expressed in the numerous cultural dances, artwork and folklore.

    The well-known Nkwa Umuagboho Dance Group of Afikpo has brought home to the state many national and international merit awards. There are other popular dance groups in the states such as the Ojianyalere of Amasiri and many others.

    Education

    Academically, the state has done specifically well and has done their best to produce exceptional students who have represented the state many times.

    The state has a university in the capital city of Abakaliki (Ebonyi State University), a federal university (Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo), a federal polytechnic (Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Uwana), a college of education in Ikwo, a college of agriculture in Ishiagu and several secondary and primary schools in various towns of the state.

    In order to show the love he has for education, the state Governor in 2019 promised to give any student who bagged a first class a scholarship to pursue their masters in any course of their choice from the state university.

    Health

    In the area of health, Ebonyi State was once ranked as the best in producing able doctors and nurses. This was acknowledged during the administration of the then State Governor, Chief Sam Ominyi Egwu. And Ebonyi State has kept this legacy on. There are two major hospitals in the state, which are: Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki and Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital.

    There is also the National Obstetric Fistula Centre which was built for the treatment of fistula cases, breast and cervical cancer, mammogram examinations, physiotherapy and family planning.

    There are also schools of health in the state which includes, School of Nursing, Uburu, Ebonyi State College of Medicine which is still under construction and which is specified to make the state a place of medical tourism. There are also general hospitals in the state and many private hospitals and clinics in different parts of the state.

    Ebonyi as of Today,

    when compared to the previous administrations of the past Governors of the state, there is a very huge difference. The previous administration led by His Excellency, Chief Martin Elechi was nothing compared to the present administration.

    Every of the previous Governors had the opportunity to mold the state into something worth presenting but only one seized that opportunity. This does not mean that the previous Governors didn’t try during their time but we can’t also deny we love what we are seeing now.

    Ebonyi today has become a major tourist attraction, thanks to the state Governor who has left no stone unturned since he gained power. He has made sure to lift up the appearance of the state and has reconstructed many areas of the state, making it unrecognizable to anyone who knew the state before.

    The wonderful transformation of the state which ranges from the roads and other infrastructures is one of the reasons of this article. He constructed flyovers at different major roads in the city and constructed bridges for easy transportation.

    At the Spera en Deo Junction, is a shopping mall still under construction and an Ecunimical Centre which was constructed for worship, this Ecunimical Centre will be a place of worship for Christians of all dominations and faith. The shopping mall, we hope would be finished soon and inaugurated.

    Chief (Engr) David Umahi was ranked as one of the best Governors in Nigeria, following the rate at which he has changed the appearance of the state and how fast he is in paying salaries, making sure that the needs of the state civil servants are met. He has made Ebonyians proud and given them the power to be bold wherever they find themselves.

    In his stay in office so far, no community clash has been recorded, this was one of the first things he did when he resumed office, to make sure that the different communities in the state were in peace and one accord with each other. And we are highly impressed with this strategy, for with peace comes different blessings.

    The different infrastructures constructed by the State Governor includes: the over head bridges at different areas of the state, the constructed roads connecting different towns and states, the street lights at every area of the state and many more.

    Other tourist attractions in the state include Ndibe Beach in Afikpo, the salt lakes in the towns of Okposi and Uburu, and Ishiagu pottery works. As Ebonyi State celebrate their 24th Anniversary, we celebrate with them and also congratulate the state Governor on his numerous achievements in office.

  • AS-SABR

    AS-SABR

    Sabr in Islam means patience. It means exercising patience during trials (little or big), and it also the act of remaining calm during anxiety. Many times in the Quran, Allah (S.W.T) speaks of the patient and the reward that they will receive for being patient. The Quran talks about beautiful patience as a mark of a true believer. Sabr is reliance upon, and trust in Allah (ta’ala). It is a firm belief that only He can remove your trials, and only he can bring you relief. Sabr is having hope for a greater reward. When a lady complained of her epilepsy condition to the Prophet (SAW), he advised her to be patient, in the hopes of a greater reward from her Lord.

    Sabr is obedience. It happens when Prophet Musa (AS) was leading his people away from Pharaoh even when he did not understand how their escape will happen. Sabr is accepting the decree of Allah (ta’ala) when he chooses to take your spouse, child or parents early. It is understanding that only Him has the knowledge of the unseen and knows what is best for us. When Prophet Muhammad (SAW) lost his son, Ibraaheem, he said, “The eye weeps and the heart grieves, but we say only what our Lord is pleased with, and we are grieved for you, Ibrahim.” (Sunan Abi Dawud)

    Also during the life of Prophet Ayyub (A.S) who was tested by shaytan in order for him to renounce his faith with everything gone and down with sickness still he has patience and still believe in Allah after the end of the whole turbulence he was victorious and Allah reward him in thousand folds . Why can’t we, you and I emulate this act by having patience and to keep believing in Him at the end we will not regret holding unto Allah (S.W.T).

    Sabr is a characteristic of a good believer. It is a sign that a person understands their Deen and it shows their belief in Allah (ta’ala). Shukr which means “Gratitude” is the form in which sabr can be Praticed. Gratitude is a form of sabr, and it is one of the best things we can do, especially at the first strike of calamity. If someone just died in your arms, put your head on the ground and make a Sajdah of gratitude to show Allah (ta’ala) that even though this hurts, you are grateful to be tested.

     

    As – sabr is a prophetic tradition. Quran is full of examples of the patience of Ibrahim, Ismaeel, Yaqoob, Yusuf, Ayyub, Younus, Nuh, Lut, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all). We must observe how they were struck by various adversities and how they remained patient. We can learn profound lessons from how they dealt with their challenges.

    In this world, we experience many negative situations. Every now and then we face provocations. When someone wrongs you instead of retaliating with provocation, you can respond with kindness and patience. How can one live amidst these negative experiences with positive thinking? How is it possible? There is a verse in the Quran which says that those who believe “forgive when they are angry.” (42: 37). This positive response of forgiveness in the face of provocation is a main source of cultivating a positive personality.

    Once, a man came to the Prophet and asked him for a master-advice by which he could manage all the affairs of his life. The Prophet replied, “Don’t be angry.” (Sahih al-Bukhari). What does this mean? It means that when one is provoked, one should be able to keep control over anger. If you become angry and react, it will become a distraction for you. Patience and avoidance save you from this distraction. In Surah Al-Maarij, Verse 5 which says, “Therefore endure with a goodly patience.” Also in Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 46 which says, “And obey Allah and His Apostle and do not quarrel for then you will be weak in hearts and your power will depart, and be patient; surely Allah is with the patient.”

    This verse teaches us to be patient, not just being patient alone, but we should be truthful to ourselves that we are patient. A lot of people may show the attribute of a patient person but within themselves, they still question Allah when sorrow and tribulations arises. Yet, they forget that Allah (SWT) tests the believing person most. We should watch the kind of utterances that comes out from us whenever we are in difficult situation rather than question Allah, we should see it as a trial, a phase that has come and will go, when you feed your mind with that kind of positivity, Allah (S.W.T) will grant all your wishes as a result of your being patient with Him.

     

    If we take time to really reflect on the Islamic teachings about sabr, it will be easier for us to practice it. When we believe that Quran is shifa (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual healing), we should be prepared and ready to follow everything that it entails.

    Sabr is patience, and there is no other way to practice it wholly than to be patient. It may seem like a trial is unending, but only patience can bring us through to a successful end. “Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Quran 8:46)

    Sabr in Islam is not about waiting for miracles to happen in our lives, and it is not about feeling hopeless and powerless with our situation. It is about being patient with reliance on Allah (ta’ala). “Whosoever would be patient, Allah will give him patience, and no one is granted a gift better and more comprehensive than patience”. (Riyad us-Saliheen)

    Let us be steadfast in our prayers and wait patiently for the outcome of our prayers because Allah (S.A.W) promises us in Surah Ash-Sharh, “So verily with hardship, there is relief. Verily with hardship, there is relief” (94:5-6). May Almighty Allah guide us, grant us the ability to be patient in term of difficulties no matter the circumstances. Ameen