| credits: File copy

Gumsu, one of the daughters of the late  Gen. Sani Abacha, has taken to Twitter to take swipes Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

She described the iconic writer as an “empty professor”, accusing him of assuming the role of a critic in the Nigerian polity because of financial gains.

Though the reason behind the Twitter rant could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, her earlier message in a tweet had stated, “Do the thing you fear the most. If there’s one thing that will change your thoughts quicker than anything else, it’s facing your fears.”

Patience's version of Ayo Osinlu's Reply to Professor Wole Soyinka

Patience Jonathan's version of Ayo Osinlu's Reply to Professor Wole Soyinka

The most important job of a spokes person is to put the mind of client, or the person he speaks for in words and relate it as originally as possible and without radical divergence.

This however wasn't the case for Mr Ayo Osinlu, who failed on all fronts to capture the mind of Madam Jonathan.

There is absolutely no way that Patience  would have meant those words he said, because she couldn't have thought of them in the first instance. You can't say what you can't think of!

Rather, what she must have had in mind is;....

 continue reading...

CHAOS IN CHRISTENDOM www.zeustelescope.blogspot.com

Randy bishop rapes, impregnates and aborts pregnancy for 15 years old girl. 

Pastor and Choir Mistress In The Act After Vigil. 

Two Nigerian pastors jailed ten years over one billion naira church scam.The list goes on...

It is often said that nothing intoxicates man more than love and religion. To buttress this point, Karl Marx once stated that religion is the opium of the people. For me however, the clearer picture is presented when its put this way; the best way to know a fool is through love and religion!

In the recent past, one aspect of human life that hasn't failed to take a dramatic turn and share a robust amount of strange happenings is the Religion. Ranging from mass murders, suicide bombings, violent attacks, Yobe and Woolwich kind of murders, robbery, Advance fee frauds (419), sexual offences, and adultery to blasphemy. The most striking part of all these is the fact that most of us who happen to be victims of the grand scale religious deceit either do not know what we are doing, or have simply shut our minds to reality and to reasoning.

The speed at which this publication would be termed a blasphemy by Nigerians is very well known, the truth as much as it stinks cannot continue to be hidden. More so, counter publications and reactions are welcomed.

The most pertinent question is; how long should we continue to condone the excesses of criminals in religious garbs? Or better still, why is it that today's criminals have evolved like the Nile crocodiles from using guns and machetes to the use of microphones and bibles with impunity?

Thiswork is unapologetically fashioned to address certain issues like conflicting doctrines,the rising scourge of pastor worship and the need for us to use our initiativesby putting certain personal checks in place to curb these menaces in the world at large and Nigeria in particular.

It is a known fact that there is no country in the world with a higher amount of people who shirk their responsibilities and duties all because they expect God to help them. For most Nigerians the mere fact that a man CLAIMS to be a servant of God is enough reason to totally revere him and completely shut their eyes to whatever dastardly acts he may perpetrate. This belief has steadily climaxed into the now prevalent pastor worship pandemic.

Talking doctrines and religious principles first, several religious denominations uphold different doctrines, mainly contradictory with those of others. For instance, churches like the Christ Chosen Church and Jehovah's witnesses sternly mandate compulsory pregnancy tests for members before marriage. On the other hand, the Roman Catholic church and a host of Pentecostal churches exist where such tests are deemed unnecessary and uncalled for so long as some "requirements" are met. Since both sides of the divide base their arguments on the bible and would defend their views to the death as "correct", one is forced to wonder if God's words in the bible are self contradictory.

For the first group, no doubt it is a welcome idea to so insist on medicals, at least for some very obvious reasons . The problem with such practice is that it inadvertently promotes the 'Don't get caught' rule. Thus, more premium is placed on concealing sins rather than going an extra mile to avoid them since the natural human tendency favours the simpler option.

Still on individual church beliefs, the advent of televisions and audio-visuals was met with great oppositions and condemnation by the Deeper Life group (a church which still earns the writer's love and admiration, and of course membership, (despite some evident frailties). According to them, TVs were one of Satan's main tools to draw man away from God. On that score, members were strongly prevented from owning or using them. But, in less than two decades, we've seen this same beloved group spend millions of naira for the installation of satellite gadgets, not for radio transmission as some might want to think, but for television. This is even worsened by the fact that television has never been as bad an influence on people as it is now. Is it that the holy bible has been edited, debugged or updated to reflect or accept modern day trends or it’s us humans that have changed? Certainly, the former isn’t the case. So, if it’s the latter, then it is also possible that some of the doctrines and principles they uphold today could in the near future be reviewed. Hence, a conduct which amounts to a sin today might turn out to be normal in the near future, depending on how fast the church laws against it is altered. If so, then why hold on to it tenaciously today as if it is God’s direct information to you like the tablet of the Ten Commandments or a biblical injunction rather than some personal interpretation and opinion of the same book we all read? In a nutshell, most of the principles we hold on to as doctrines are simply individual interpretations of what they read and how they perceived same a breach of which does not ordinarily offends God but annoys the makers.

Another example of the individual contradictions and misinterpretations of the bible is the disciplinary ban of Reverend W.F. Kumuyi’s son and his wife despite sincere apologies to the congregation. Another renowned preacher, Pastor Tunde Bakare has publicly opined that the ban on the young man is pointless and totally uncalled for because there was nothing, in his opinion , wrong with the celebration. So, in the end, it’s all about opinions, views, beliefs, and personal interpretations and nothing more pretentious because why one views it as offensive to God and sinful, another doesn’t. 

These days, the worst forms of corruption and frauds are been engineered and hashed by "men of God", yet, the common cliché; "judge not" is still ever present in the mouths of grossly naïve worshipers. The evil about such views when fully stretched is that as a ‘Man of God’, I could steal a goat, kill, rob a bank, abort a girl's pregnancy, covet another man's wife, swindle worshipers of their hard earned money in the name of tithes and seed sowing, make obnoxious rules and hinge it on the bible simply because it fits my beliefs and practice and completely get away with it because the holy book says "Judge not". Rubbish!

 To that extent, the trial and conviction of Reverend King for attempted murder and murder clearly violates injunctions of the bible, or maybe the prosecutors and Judges are booked for a first class Emirates Airline seat to hell, and God's judgment since the bible says “judge not so that you might not be judged". If not, then why do Nigerians shy away from confronting these religious ills simply because they fear to offend the Almighty? What happened to God’s gift of freewill and wisdom?

One simple thought which most Christians have failed or neglected to consider is the fact that a fraudulent and criminally minded ‘preacher’ will never tell you he is fake, or fraudulent or that he is a cheat. For instance, if I were to defraud an innocent worshiper  what better means would I employ but to feign righteousness and piety? I would simply claim to be God- called, and ordained and craftily arrange ways to effect what appears to be miracles and healings-especially since I know too well that there is a booming market out there, made of naïve individuals who would rather use their hearts with their eyes closed than their heads with eyes open.

Granted, it’s good to inspire people to chase their dreams and become successful, but placing so much premium on Success sermons and miracles- both financial and spiritual alike to the total expulsion of salvation, kindness to others, forgiveness, beatific qualities, peace and charity (to the poor, not to the pastor) in my opinion derails from the ' obey before sacrifice' tenets of the word. Nowadays, the bulk of Nigerian Christians believe wealth and affluence are the hallmarks of a blessed and Godly Christian. Need I emphasize that Mathew 19:24 state that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eyes of a needle than for a wealthy man to see heaven? No doubt it is a good thing to be prosperous and rich, but the notion must not be sold that riches evidences righteousness or that members of the church who are not so successful ought to 'step up' their religious life either by giving more to the church, sowing bigger seeds or fatter tithes and offerings. There should be some emphasis on “seeking first the kingdom of God, while other thing-riches inclusive naturally follows.

Turning now to the most common topics in modern day church, giving-to the pastor, and of course the “church” ,show me one person that has not complained about the monetization of Christianity and I will show you ten others who have. Preachers consistently blackmail their congregation and make them feel guilty about their inability to make corpulent donations to the pastor’s welfare, like the church is now an orphanage home with the pastor and his unproductive wife and kids as the only orphans in it. Nowadays, the fastest way to own landed properties is to tax members towards the acquisition of large expanse of land for the church’s “permanent site”. However those lands are bought in the pastors’ name rather than the Church’s. When Mr. Preacher dies, his wife and kids inherit same. Thus, he has succeeded in establishing a viable business empire for his family with the hard earned money of his members.

Let’s ask ourselves this question; how do religious outfits like the Jehovah’s Witness fund itself with voluntary contributions alone and with absolutely no teachings on tithes and offerings or fund raiser services like in Catholic churches?

Obviously, the Catholic, Anglican and many Pentecostal churches are by far bigger groups than the JWs, and with way richer members. Thus, if a group as small as the JWs survive comfortably without coaxing and taxing its members for money, I don’t see how other bigger churches can’t. Christianity as we know it is a sober subject and advocates moderation, modesty, and humility rather than affluence, flamboyance and opulence.

The trend now is for any hillbilly to come up with a tape to on how they died, saw heaven and how God ask them to go back and tell the world all sorts of blasphemous bollocks. Or to send crazy broadcasts about how God wants you to do a certain act and send to certain amount of people and see who calls. That is blackmail of the highest order because God never asked for such broadcasts or for you to place a condition precedent to his blessings. His ways are not always understandable by man. So he doesn’t require our acts for him to bless us as our heavenly father in his infinite mercies and unconditional love. He loves us not because we deserve it but because he does!

For pastors who require their victims to pay for services either through some expensive olive oil, holy water, handkerchief, pamphlet or even miracles, or require money to fast for members, our Lord Jesus Christ in Mathew 10:8-9 said;

…heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils; freely you have received, freely you must give. (9) Provide neither gold, nor silver nor brass in your purses.

With these words, I wonder why religious services and miracles, prayers and fasting would be monetized by those who claim to be men of God. Even more guilty and culpable are the worshipers who take everything hook, line and sinkers without putting their God-giving heads into use.

This is a warning shot; don’t feel hurt just yet, because blatant truth has to be said.

Till then, good morning, afternoon or night (delete as appropriate, depending on when you get this message).

NB; GOD GAVE US WISDOM AND FREEWILL SO WE USE IT CONSTRUCTIVELY, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANKIND. NOT TO KEEP IT FALLOW LIKE THE UNPRODUCTIVE SERVANT IN THE PARABLE OF THE 3 TALENTS. PEACE!!!

By Ehiwuogwu Onyeka for www.zeustelescope.blogspot.com

LAWYERS ONLY!

It is my first day at the University of Benin. With great trembling, veiled in  a facade of Dutch confidence and boldness I walked through the door of the Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, Complex, Faculty of Law, University of Benin.

Sparsely 20 minutes later, I walked back, out of that same gate, but this time with shame  and disappointment. The words "go get dressed like a lawyer and come back"  from Dr. Oyakhirome (now Oyakhirome J) trailed me, even though  it clearly made no sense to me, since I wasn't even a bona fide student yet, let alone a 'Lawyer'.

Still thinking of how to procure a pair of black pants, white long sleeve shirt and a dark tie (since that list never really featured in my fashion menu), I walked out of the bubbling complex. I overheard two law students-one actually, because he apparently subscribed to the ''You convince people better by shouting" school of thought. I could hear his shriek and feminine voice,'' A judge must not be loquacious. He's too loquacious to be a judge"  he cried. I could hear his voice fade away as I walked out of the complex, since I neither knew what "loquacious" meant nor had I ever heard it before. I had absolutely no interest-'What nonsense'!

Quitestrangely, those words (without the voice of course-It helped a great deal toforget the voice) stuck in my head and I quickly got to understand what they meant. It became a yardstick for assessing every Judge I met and even appeared before, moot Court Judges and real ones alike. As I got to know how important those words are in a Judge's nature, I discovered much to my utter chagrin that not many Judges, could pass for 'Not loquacious' or 'taciturn', in spite my largely lax standards.

One Judge whom effortlessly beat my erstwhile unsurpassed standards is Honourable KUDIRAT MOTOMORI OLATOKUNBO KEKERE-EKUN  JSC.

Then, as a youth corp member, still green at the bar, appearing before a trio of stern looking Court of Appeal Justices wasn't exactly far from the first time I took the leap of asking a girl out- one older than me since I was way too young to go for younger girls. Waiting to move a motion ( which of course I had never drafted before, besides the fake Kayuba Ada and Crown Kitchen ones at the Law School) in a case for which the facts were  almost  totally unknown or vague to you, save for some verbal briefings by an over expectant boss it felt like judgment day for a murder and Armed Robbery suspect- in Adams Oshiomole’s Edo State. Just as the final pint of confidence sipped out, in fast trickles, having heard your case mentioned, and the words "Appearances" hit the Courtroom, I could feel my lungs inflate with a sudden revamp.'Most respectfully My Lords....'

In 20 minutes the episode was over, but not thoughts of the raw, original and complete features of a judge filled my mind.

With priestly calmness, mastery of words, professional courtesy, polite firmness, charisma, objectivity and patience Justice Kekere-Ekun was simply of the most outstanding character and definitely an epitome of what every Judge should be. Having appeared before quite a few others, I'm forced to conviction that my assessment about His Lordship is hardly based on some random conclusion borne out of a hasty and uncomprehensive study.

Turning to judgments and delivery, His lordship's unique style of delivery is one to be applauded in no small measure.

Taking every fact and shredding it into tiny yarns and applying the most apt principle of law, His Lordship made a fine art of judgments. As she read out her rulings, the perfect sequence and harmony of the plot forced lawyers and litigants into an unavoidable feat of suspense as the courtroom would always be dead silent, waiting for the climax. Those judgments would surely fall nothing short of several PhD theses I have seen.

Correcting erring lawyers in the most courteous and professional manner, without deflating their effervescent, fragile and well polished egos, Justice Kekere-Ekun maintained the beauty of wearing a robe much to the admiration of the gallery.

With such qualities of a Judge, its hard to see why Your Lordship won't be promoted to grand level of a Supreme Court Justice not for any reason, but on the basis of merit. In the words of Senator David Mark, “It is a welcome development for the Supreme Court and I think emphasis should be on merit and not on gender". These few words no doubt says it all. Also, according to Professor Taiwo Osipitan SAN, “I entertain no doubt that the Bar, The Bench, lovers of Justice, fair play and transparency will benefit from the elevation of Justice Kekere-Ekun to the Apex Court”

As an advocate of substantial justice over technicality, His Lordship’s judgment in ALHAJA AYO OMIDIRAN V. ETTEH PATRICIA OLUBUNMI AND ORS (2010) LPELR-CA/I/EPT/NA/95/08 and, FATOKI V. BARUWA (2012)14 NWLR (PT.1319)P.3 amongst so many speaks loud.

I need not say anything else but to wish this stoic of an Amazon the fruits of her hard work, diligence, integrity, honesty and above all Justice. Your achievements are far from over. Keep waxing stronger and onto greater heights.

NB; THIS PIECE WAS SO CAPTIONED NOT TO RESTRICT THE READERSHIP OR AUDIENCE TO LAWYERS ALONE BUT TO  INNOCENTLY HARNESS THE BENEFITS OF REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY ON  THE INTELLIGENT MINDS OF MY READERS. BUT SINCE STOLEN WINE IS SWEETER, I'M SURE THEY WOULD WANT TO SATISFY THEIR CURIOSITY. SO, I GUESS IT WORKED!

BY EHIWUOGWU ONYEKA for Zeus Telescope^®

^{www.zeustelescope.blogspot.com}

Re Death Penalty; Adams Oshiomole; Guilty or not Guilty? By Onyeka Ehiwuogwu

Five armed men rob a family, brutally rape a 48 years old woman and her 3 daughters in the presence of the husband and brothers, kill the 12 years old girl who refuses to be raped, kill two dogs, and sticks a bottle into the private parts of one of the ladies. They go to the neighbour’s house and wreck a similar carnage but this time shoots the husband 5 times in the head and chest to ensure he's dead just because he says he'd rather die than watch his wife and daughters raped. Hmmm! Or even worst, a man shoots another in the bush dismembers his body parts and buries them in several places.

Religious fundamentalists attack a school; kill thirty innocent kids and teachers for no reason or provocation whatsoever. The only wrong those little angels committed was  going to school to learn how to help this nation out of its current doldrums.

In the past few weeks, the media, political and judicial world has been awash with news of the controversial signing by Governor Adams Oshiomole of death warrants and subsequent executions of some inmates on death row.

Without trying to hold brief for the Governor, I dare to state unequivocally that his act falls well within the bounds of the law and would hardly be proven to be unconstitutional.

Top on the list of blind critics is Amnesty Intentional. As a body whose stock in trade is "human right advocacy" and fighting against human right violations in the world over, I think I can relate to what they claim to stand for. But what I find quite disturbing about this group is their compulsive habit of delving, sometimes blindly into the smallest issues of perceived human right infringements without first appreciating the peculiar facts surrounding the case and distinguishing same. Such practice only reiterates the common practice of  most human right lawyers who like the proverbial hare, gets off the block first, but hardly makes it to the finish line due to poor appraisal of facts or better still  lack of 'feasibility study'.

The executions of Osaremwindia Aighuokhian ( whom the Supreme Court stated that he belonged to the Hades), Chima Ejifor, Richard Igagu and Daniel Nsofor were all legally founded and should not in any way be equated to the extra judicial killing of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni sons by a blood thirsty Abacha junta .

Section 33(1) Of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly states that

Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.

Other statutory provisions like Sections 49A, 319 and the Criminal Code Act and section 1(2) (a) and (b) of the Armed Robbery and Fire Arms Act still retains the legality of death sentences in Nigeria. Without prejudice to the campaign against capital punishments, it is apparent that until the much heralded call for the abolition of death penalty in Nigeria is heeded to by the legislature; it remains a valid and necessary part of our criminal law jurisprudence.

Let us now focus on the need or otherwise of retaining death penalty in Nigerian laws. The writer makes bold to state that he is firmly and most resolutely in support of capital punishment, but first let us consider certain factors; When a man becomes too vicious, deadly and extremely dangerous, to remain in the midst of other humans, what other treatment could there possibly be but to 'weed' the garden and completely extricate him from society? One would hastily suggest the life imprisonment and solitary confinement for such persons. But the truth still remains that things could change and such a convict could either be granted pardon or benefit from a jail break thus ‘returning the killer weed  back to the farm’- much to the detriment of innocent masses.

Moreso, the mere fact that America, UK and the Western world deems it fit to pass or abolish a law should not form a magical basis or reason why ours should follow suit. If we choose to change, it should be because Nigeria so desires and not   because she feels compelled in a bid to catch up with the rest of the world. Other factor should necessarily be considered before deciding on the need to so change. Factors such as poor prison conditions, shoddy security facilities, unreliable legal system, and an undemocratic setting where selections rather than elections hold sway must not be ignored.

For instance, after the embarrassing trial, conviction and shameful escape of ex Governor Diepreye Alamieseigha, he was seen as a national disgrace and one who should never hold any public office again. However, little had the dust settled after such shame when President Goodluck Jonathan controversially granted him pardon, thus preparing him for a relaunch back into the political arena of Nigeria. In the same vein, if he had been guilty of a capital offence, the President would still have had the powers to grant him pardon unless he had been made to serve the ultimate punishment- death!

The alarming increase in reported cases of jail breaks in Nigeria, clearly lays credence to the impracticability of merely imprisoning capital offenders, without completely putting a stop to their existence and totally checking the possibility of  their return to the society. One could only imagine how many murderers, armed robbers, and other deadly criminals on death row must have escaped from the recent jail break in Olokuta prisons, Akure, Ondo State.

It is not in dispute that the four 'executees'  in question were lawfully convicted by a competent Court. It is also not in dispute that each one of them appealed to the Supreme Court and their convictions were all upheld by the Apex Court. Having been so roundly convicted, the only legal option available to them is either the Governor's exercise of a prerogative of mercy or an endorsement of the death sentence by signing of the said death warrants. That said, it is hard to see how or where Governor Oshiomole erred in performing a duty conferred on him by law. Furthermore, rather than criticizing the Governor alone, other government officials ranging from the  legislators who enacted the laws , the President who consented to it, the Judge for sentencing them, the appellate Courts for upholding the sentences, the clergy who offered the last rites, to the hangman for carrying out his statutory duties should all be made to face the heat of a wolf cry . I wonder why the Governor alone would be singled out for so much vitriolic attack.

Come to think of it, why waste tax payers’ hard earned money on caring for and maintaining an inmate on death row for so many years when such funds could be put to more judicious use?!

In conclusion, as much as arguments against death penalty are welcome, it must be emphasized that it still remains a mere attempt and at best a campaign until it becomes part of our laws. Hence, any efforts towards condemning it should never be based on law, save for instances where there are clear violations. In the absence of such violations, anti- capital punishment crusaders should endeavor to base their arguments on sentiments, emotions and personal opinions but not on extant Nigerian laws. To that extent, the act of Governor Adams Oshiomole is legal, very legal and nothing else! 

PS: Let's not forget the fact that some inmates were also given the benefit of a prerogative of mercy and substantial funds to kick start themselves again.

SEE HOW CRAZY WE COULD BE?

v You break a girl's/ guy's heart  because you don't like her/him and brag about it before anyone who cares to listen like you are David Beckham or a Marilyn Monroe clone. Fine, they say ‘no Pity in love’! But why would you expect to be treated nicely like Romeo to

Juliet ( or vice versa) by another person you claim to love who doesn't give a pepper corn about you. When they don't reciprocate, you say they are heartless.

v v  You broke a peaceful home to become a second wife or a mistress. Fine! So why would you be overly sensitive to your husband seeing other women? Why not just SHARE the fun same way you got yours?

v  You convinced a man/woman to divorce or even kill his spouse and jump ship to you, why are you so confident she's now totally conviction-proof from other men?

v People try to establish an acquaintance, relationship or friendship with you and you scorn them for whatever reason like their life depends on how you see them. Okay! Just don’t fail to really win vision of how you are not such a vital or indispensable ingredient to their existence or successful life. There's a God; and you are not Him!

v You sleep with a girl and call her sick names, but end up  marrying a NON virgo intacta, you say its love. My dear, its a Merry go round world!Your dating a married man, and he stays out late nights with you, but each  day you fantasize and pray about having a happy home with 3 kids, a dog and loving husband that comes home from work by 5.30 pm. How can?

v You want a husband that stays in the kitchen with you, helps out with some chores, and thrills you with funny conversations, even if its at the cost of sacrificing some piece of fried meat and plantain. Yeah, that's lovely! You still want him to give you a black card to go shopping in Dubai, manicure in Honolulu....and pedicure in Milan. How possible is that? Its simple; Dangote, Bill Gates,  Jigga et al spend 25hrs per day on business and chasing the biggest( Milan and Dubai) money... NOT REALLY in the kitchen with their wives. So just decide what you want. Either a filthily rich husband with no kitchen hours or your dream kitchen companion with no Dubais, Milans and Paris...atleast settle for shop rite and Leventis, maybe Tejuosho or whatever!

v  You want a wife that's full, (because "as an African man, you like em Big") hot and sexy even after child birth. That's Nice. I mean, who wouldn't ? But  from her FULL physique you know its almost genetically impossible for her to remain as cute as you met her after four kids.....just adopt kids , cats and dogs and enjoy having hot Halle Berry for the rest of your life rather than making her feel bad that she's NOW not good enough.. Even worse, you've got a pouch too! Hmmm!

v You never want to see your kids play football because you feel its a rough sport and perhaps you want them to be Doctors and Astronauts. No thanks to JAMB they get stuck or derailed, now you wish Mikel Obi's dad were you. Heey, Common!

v A relationship breaks down, you swiftly and totally ascribe blames to your ex failing to see where you went wrong for a second. Your lack of conversation, nagging, over bearing attitude, dirtiness, selfishness, stupid pride, persistent youthful exuberance, immaturity and mummy’s boy syndrome, constant moodiness, rudeness, and compulsive over dependence. All that you fail to acknowledge. Just so you know, your ex feels the same way too...so whose fault is it?

v  Your friend, an aspiring artist chooses to present himself in a rough hip hopish outlook, he asks a decent girl out and she rejects his overtures, because she quite rightly sees him as irresponsible. A couple of years later, small luck winks at him and you go about drooling that she’s a hater or never believed in him. Simple question; would you have allowed your innocent little sister to date a 30 year old "Don't dull" Wizkidesque  junkie like your friend?

v You see a lady/man with well starched and ironed clothes walking close to a muddy pool and you speedily splash water with your car tires on her/him DELIBERATELY or maybe blindly. He/she loses his calm and civility- angrily picks up a stone and launches a missile at your windshield. Ask yourself; "Do I have a right to get angry or do I deserve it"? Loolzz....ofcourse you don't and you sure do deserve it!

v You know this guy/girl is a crack head, and a junkie with a proven track record of immorality and stupidity. You insist on your 'blind love' for him because his 'kind', tall , dark and 'handsome and got swag. Let's go! You proceed to burn the boat and cross the rubicon with him/ her because he promised to change! Now he/ she  beats and abuses you. You say Men/ Women are all the same and all wicked!  Just Sharaap and enjoy what you bought in peace. If a wife prepares a bad soup,she is left with no choice but to eat gluttonously . Or better still ask your neighbour if her 'not handsome, swagless' husband does a Floyd Mayweather with her if you think all men are the same.

Moral 1:Let's learn to detach ourselves from the picture when we make certain judgments and decisions. Life must not always revolve around us and what we feel or want. We are not always the perfect ones we think we are.

Moral 2: Learn to stick by your choices and decisions in life. Every choice we make has got its benefits and burdens since they go hand in hand. Its nice to chest both and move on.

Moral 3: Be objective and try occasionally to see from other people's perspective besides your sentiment- befogged one.

By Onyeka Ehiwuogwu (Lord Zeus) for Zeus TELESCOPE

Edited by Ekokowoicho May- Blessing Ujata.

###Hardstand!!!

Musa and Ideye at The Confederations Cup.

Its Tuesday, the 25th day of June, 2013. One of those days in which you find your table loaded with files but you're bereft of any drive to open one. Which you feel like dashing back home to listen to and maybe just do a  rehash of Bruno Mars's Lazy song. Apparently, I was still labouring under a hang-over from the Confederations Cup disappointment.  

Suddenly, it hit me; Confederations Cup!Yes, Musa and Ideye!

Its often said that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. This was undoubtedly proven to be true with regards to the Super Eagles outing at the Confederations Cup. Before I proceed to vilify, crucify or pour out vituperatives on anybody (as this write up might turn out to be) it is also pertinent to stack praises on those well deserving of it.

 Coach Keshi; Its easy to recall that the last time Nigeria stood still to watch a game with so much passion, unity and patriotism, evidencing the often hidden existence of our Unity as a nation was at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Ever since that spectacular performance, what we've seen in the past years are but flashes of individual brilliance from the likes of Okocha, Kanu, Martins, Aghahowa etc but never a well organized team set up. That said, its plainly undeniable that bringing back such long lost love for National team football is a magical feat to be achieved by only an infinitesimal few. For once in almost two decades, the streets of Nigeria were desolate and deserted and most TV stations were 'OSMIed' simply because the Eagles were flying. For a man whose composure, charisma, discipline, boldness, oozing self-confidence and 'man-in-charge' attitude has restored the spirit of love for National football in the nation, it would be deemed a treasonable felony not to appreciate him. Within months of his widely criticized appointment as head coach of the Super Eagles, Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi quickly re-ignited that sense of commitment and dedication that was conspicuously missing from the national team. Besides winning the AFCON trophy in a much dominant and admirable fashion, Coach Keshi also repackaged the beautiful style of Nigerian football which had always been midfield dominance, long range shots, an imposing back four, slow attacking build-up to wear off opponents, accompanied by a sudden bust of pace during counter-attacks. A style of play which greatly suited, and bolstered the flourish of the Chukwus, Taribos, Olisehs, Babayaros, Okochas, Amunikes, Babangidas, Yekinis and ofcourse my favourite Bull.

Watching Nigeria play star-studded elevens like Spain, and a fierce attacking line-up like Uruguay's, it became glaring how much improvement this man had brought to the National team. With a defence line that almost completely quelled all attacking forces of Suarez and Cavani (two of the most feared attackers in World football), I wondered if all other National team coaches we've had in recent past really took time out to select players or just did a random grab bag selection.

Mikel Obi and the Midfield: This man took over the sports headlines of sport newspapers all over the world with the historic tussle between Sir Ferguson and the now 'happy one' even whilst still relatively unknown. His performance at the Confederations Cup once again rekindled memories of the 2005 WYC midfield enforcer in action and why he was such a sort after commodity. His mastery of typical Nigerian style football remains overwhelming to me. With inch perfect passes and surgically precise distribution of the ball, he really did dominate. Too bad those sterling displays were barely ever utilized by the much inept duo of Musa and Ideye who deemed it more pragmatic to ALWAYS shoot before they think.

Obaobona and the Defence line; A home based player with 'limited experience'. That clearly wasn't the case for Oboabona who quite easily bullied the likes of Suarez, Cavani, Iniesta, Pedro to name a few on a regular basis. His partner, Kenneth Omeruo having displaced a towering figure like Joseph Yobo has continued to ooze the confidence of a world class centre back despite his surprisingly young age.

Musa, Ideye and the Attacking Third; Call it instincts, call it experience, but from the moment heard of Emenike and Moses's non participation in the tournament, I was convinced that our chances at the fiesta had been decimated. However, one man took it upon himself to prove me wrong-Nnamdi Oduamadi. Showing so much composure and confidence in the manner of a natural finisher seemed to be like an ember in a somewhat dark tunnel, albeit against the worst defence ever in a senior FIFA competition. Too bad his stellar performance was cut short by an arguably benign looking tackle.

Turning the the most dismal performers; Musa and Ideye. Yeah! they both swore to confirm my worst fears and prediction as to the lack of striking options. I'm forced to wonder how these two men having played in offensive positions all footballing lives, still find it difficult to maintain a certain level of calmness in front of goal, or understand the elementary football principle that goals win you matches, and chances must be converted to win games. As for Musa, I dare to argue that if not for the regular unscheduled drug tests involved in professional football, I would bet my full viscera that his nostrils are not clean. With a blistering pace, enough to outrun any defender in the world, this young man's abject naivety, poor decision making, thoughtlessness, befogged vision, consistent and unrealistic over ambitiousness and rashness, in the final third remains unbeatable...maybe only by a certain Bebe once over-valued by Sir Alex. Ideye on the other hand reminds me of the need to put ones brain in gear before attempting to make any move. Never seen a more profligate striker save for Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner. A total travesty of confidence and composure. On several occasions, when the over-head Cameras zoomed on him, he consistently revealed an expression on his face which read thus:"heeey!kai, too bad, I was supposed/ trying to do this. Okay I'll try out something else next time. Please just pass the ball to me again, I didn't know what to do then, but I'll score this time". That look appeared on his face a million times. Yet, he'd still repeat the same error. Having played football for many years, like every average Nigerian male, it is of elementary knowledge that striking opportunities must as much as possible be well utilized. Futhermore, when deployed in a 4:4:2 formation, you are being told to pair up/ play with an accompanying striker, rather than doing it all alone in a Didier Drogbalike style. What Ideye opted to do was attempt to play like a lone striker, then turn around to complain to his teammates that the opposing defenders didn't allow him get a good shot on goal like they were supposed to watch him play.

More so, like Torres showed in his goal against the Eagles, when he attacked the ball before Obaobona could make a clearance, the natural instinct of a striker is to get to the ball first before a defender does. Ideye saw himself doing the reverse and hoping a cross misses a defender or vice versa for him to score, rather than playing in front of his marker. Watching the grossly obtuse performance of Musa and Ideye, it brought to mind the fact that the greatest people in life were never really given the best opportunities per se, rather they made the best of the few opportunities they had.

Till next time, let's hope the block  doesn't come again, all we can do is hope for the return of Moses and Emenike as they shake of their injury woes to help the Eagles hit a home run and at least give Nigerians something to cheer for at the Grand finale in Brazil.

PS. Other good actors on the day worth appreciating are Enyeama, Uwa Echiejile, Efe Ambrose, Fegor Ogude, for improving on his tackles, and Sunday Mba, whom despite an obvious lax in form still managed to put up flashes of brilliant displays.