Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Always Appreciate What You Have

Always Appreciate What You Have!
The call to bar ceremony remains the best day of every lawyer's life. Indubitably so! The joy accompanied is hard to put in words. With the presence of family, friends, well wishers, the indifferent ones and of course enemies in friend clothing, an inductee lawyer really does feel like a King.
In the hall, I sat surrounded by four stunning ladies.Yea, just the way I like em! (I couldn't possibly wish for a better position).With the prettiest right opposite me. As expected, I broke the silence with a calm, boss like exchange of pleasantries and ushered in an suitable topic for conversation. With that, I sat back to listen while she took up the discussion. I listened or at least pretended to be listening. Suddenly she picked her phone and began to yell in Igbo language into the mouth piece. From my little understanding of Igbo language I could quickly tell she was furious with her dad for not making it into the hall before the doors were shut.
While her 'phoneversation' went on, I treated myself to a view of the full auditorium and the sea of heads of friends and family members of the the inductees. At that point, I could feel a cloud of emotion and maybe tears gathering in my head.
Just as it gained momentum I shook my head as if to reassure myself I had to be a man! She beckoned on me and informed me of the fact that her dad had come all the way from Enugu state but still could not make it into the hall. In her words, "he shouldn't have bothered at all"!
Almost angrily, I whipped out my phone and showed her a text message I had sent to my sister earlier when I felt cloudy with tears. It read;
'Just got into the hall now, about to start.
Wish daddy was alive to see this'
Abruptly, she dropped my phone with tears in her eyes and began to sob. So bad she made quite an embarrassing scene for me, as I parried several questions as to what I did to her. Sadly, I lost my white handkerchief in the event too! She picked her phone again and called her dad, saying in Igbo language "Daddy, biko ewe ne iwe o, nga kpo gi ayi puta na ebaa". Translation; "daddy, please, I'm sorry, do not be offended, I'll call you as soon as we leave this place". 
As she dropped her phone, she looked like at me remorsefully and mumbled, "I'm really sorry". I shrugged in acceptance.

Morale? Sorry, that's yours to deduce!
by Ehiwuogwu Onyeka for www.zeustelescope.blogspot.com

Friday, July 26, 2013

LAWYERS- AS THEY COME!


THE CHARGE AND BAIL LAWYER
Ø  His briefcase holds his library. His car (if he has one) is his annex
Ø  The police station is his office address
Ø  Prides himself in the fact that he knows all the officers in the
 police station by name
Ø  Operates with the lowest overhead cost of all lawyers
Ø  Sets out every work day in his bib and collar.
THE TRADING LAWYER –GOOD GARRI FOR SALE!!!
Ø  Has leaflets and information for the next big thing.
Ø A creative trader who avoids flouting rules concerning practice and trading.
Ø      He lives percentages and talks about a cut for every
business he brings to the table
Ø  He’s only phones call away from someone who knows
 someone who can fix a problem for you. 

THE RADICAL ACTIVIST LAWYER.
Ø  Flies towards controversy like a moth to flame.
Ø He’s loud and opinionated
Ø Has direct contact with all the pressmen and stringers
Ø He approaches a case like a proverbial hare of the blocks but rarely
 makes it to the finish line.
Ø Has perfected the art of soap-boxing
Ø Has an opinion on all matters 

The AMBULANCE CHASER
Ø  He makes you see the sunny side of your injury or accident.
Ø  He can turn those crutches for some cool cash
Ø  He believes that every pain can be soothed with a naira note
Ø  He believes in making important decisions, eg, whether
to sue or not, before your vitals have been
stabilized – no time like the present.

The “I AM A LAWYER LAWYER”
Ø  Insists on being called the “Law”, “Barrister”, “Learned Counsel”.
Ø  Sprinkles a healthy dose of latin maxims in every conversation
Ø  Starts out every sentence with ‘ As a Lawyer…’
Ø  Working hard for those important 3 letter ‘Es Ay En’.

THE BUSINESS LAWYER.
Ø  Always turns up in the latest designer suits
Ø  Has not seen the inside of a court room since his
    court attachment as a student.
Ø  Hates to lose any sweat for a case
Ø  Multi- million naira deals gets his heart pumping

Adapted from TAKAii Magazine.
Follow Zeus Telescope on twitter @zeuskachi

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

The Thing About Heartbreaks and Earthquakes;How To Not Die from Heartbreaks.

The Thing About Heartbreaks and Earthquakes;How To Not Die from Heartbreaks.
Did I tell you, yes, You reading now that I've been studying German and a bit of Russian as well? Well, never mind, since it has got nothing to do with heartbreaks or earthquakes after all.
Only a few sights could be more pathetic than that of a full grown man crying, or a young lady recoiling far into her shell because of the sudden slam of heartbreak.
Two months ago, I put up a post on facebook about how I've never suffered a heart break and wouldn't mind one. YES, I haven't! As expected a flurry of comments came in but non struck me like that from a friend whose view was that I had probably never suffered a heartbreak because I had never loved. His opinion was that love and heartbreaks are inseparable, 'mutually inclusive' of each other and that they go hand in like poverty and poor health, a bad car and greasy palms,  Jonathan and inactions/setting up adhoc committees or Arsene Wenger and detrimental frugality.
Its is for this reason that I now write- to strive towards  establishing that loving should not automatically expose one to heartbreak or its associate pitfalls.
One very disheartening sight is that of a heartbroken person, even worse when the victim is a lady.
The aim of this piece is to inform, equip as well as expose certain facts about emotions and how to avoid , handle or mitigate the effect of a heartbreak to its barest minimum.
 The overwhelming and stupefying power of love over us humans can never be overstated. Love at its full swing could be powerful, intoxicating, overpowering, confusing, inexplicable, and totally blinding! Love is such a good feeling that being deprived of it could be likened to slow painful murder. So when we fall face flat for Love, its totally normal and in line with the order of nature. It simply reveals the human in us and that we're not android tablets.
Like the law of diminishing marginal returns, however, love rises to it peak heights and embarks on a steady decline and the rate and manner at which it drops, depends largely on the parties involved as well as the surrounding circumstances. While in some, it drops totally till it vanishes, in others it only reduces its lustre but remains as efficacious as ever. That is the case with couples- I mean MARRIED COUPLES not lovers!
Back to our main issue, heartbreaks, the blunt truth about this is that no heartbreak ever comes without a warning.Like earthquakes, for each case of emotional crack up, several signs are shown, which unfortunately ends up undetected by the victims siesmometer; even when detected, failure to react accordingly. The failure to detect or act upon the detected signs has become the main reason why most people fail to handle the 'shock' involved and in not a few cases, they spiral way out of control.The outcome of this could be depression, starvation, drunkenness, compulsive disorders, violence and  suicides, passionate murders and even serial killings.
Let's consider a common, yet hypothetical scenario to buttress this point, and hope my readers get a lesson or two from it.
In a relationship,which has always been blissful and enviable- maybe not so blissful though, a partner suddenly begins to display certain tendencies that were totally alien to his/her personality and the relationship.  For instance, he becomes violent, sparsely, hardly or never calls, suddenly begins to keep late hours outside, take long late night calls, continues to give excuses why he could not take your call or call you back, now passwords his phones or laptops, leaves your presence to answer a call, or when he doesn't , he responds in monosyllabics; making a potpourri of illogical answers and incoherent words, chuckles and quick responses , then finally says "same here" or "me too" at the end of the call...probably because the caller/recipient says "I love you".
Having noticed this displays, most people are likely to become suspicious, but the the common thing is to shove the feelings aside, since "they haven't caught him pants down yet". Very Noble indeed!  No doubt, that's a good and civilised thought, but the ultimate end- self preservation-must not be left far astray. While we must all strive to display a certain level of maturity and civility, it does no harm to begin saving for the rainy day and reaffirming the fact that anything is possible.
Granted, confrontations at this stage might be way to early, premature and smack of immaturity on her part, and I would most vocally advice against that. However, it simply does more good than harm to begin to see a blurred picture of a looming end.
To liken the above to an earthquake or volcano warning, while the Nigerian government might not budge to relocate and protect its masses from an impending natural disaster, despite several warning signs, the US government as we know too well, would hastily take steps to ensure that its citizens are not caught up in the looming hardship.That is typically the case with dealing with an impending heartbreak!
Once those NEW traits are noticed, the prudent measure to take is to prepare one's mind for an impending heartbreak- and take steps towards emotional relocation or adjustment at the least. Begin to learn how to live without that person. The only inseparable human connection known to man is a siamese twin connected by brain other sensitive organs. Many cases abound where even siamese twin were separated-and they survived. So its VERY possible to survive without any human. Regardless of  how long it takes to come it is safer to prepare - like the US government. Need I tell you how badly those in the Nigerian divide suffer?If the end doesn't come, fine- You deserve to live happily ever after.
 Although, it is practically impossible to shake it off and continue like you only lost a tooth or without feeling deeply cut, the preparedness of mind towards the final event clearly equips the victim with what is needed to combat such heartbreak. Nothing burns  the heart more than a sudden logdment of bad news and prolonged thinking or dwelling on hurtful thoughts. So you might as well do your self the favour of taking the news in tiny, minuscule bits, until the job is done. Shock kills especially when it strikes suddenly!Be warned!!!
Ps: In answer to my good friend's comment, I dare to state that my not suffering a heartbreak has absolutely nothing to do with  'Lovelessness' because I sure do have a Love faculty. Rather it is hinged on the rule of notice, precaution, preparedness and ultimately, the duty of self preservation!
DasveedAnja! Auf wiedersehen! ,Tschuss! Sayanora...Goodbye for now.
Follow Zeus Telescope on twitter @zeuskachi

Saturday, July 20, 2013


Abacha’s daughter under fire for attacking Soyinka
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.”

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

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;....

Sunday, July 14, 2013

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

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

LAWYERS ONLY!

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