"Some Gets To Say Goodbye!"

"I have been in deep thoughts since yesterday after I received
a call telling me that a woman I knew had passed on to glory.
Am sure it's glory.
When her children waited for my condolence call to come
through for about 3weeks, the daughter decided to call me
yesterday believing that I must not have heard. But deep
inside me I knew she must have wondered why I did not call
sooner knowing how their mother held me in high esteem. I
was short of words as I listened to the daughter. Then my
mind started playing back.
Before the 18th day of Oct. 2013, 'Yar garin mu' (daughter of
our hometown) as I did call her and while she called me 'Dan
garin mu' (son of our hometown). She called me on phone and
told me she needed me to forgive every wrong she'd ever
wronged me. I told her that she has never wronged me, but
she insisted she needed to hear me say that. That she was
making peace with all men, and that she feel it's about time to
go home. I felt it in my heart too. We talked like a younger
brother to an older sister, just the way we were used to. I
could feel her peace radiating into me as we ended the
conversation. About a week or more later, she called that she
needed my assistance, confusingly for me, I just borrowed all
I had, but as I heard the voice of the Lord in my heart I had to
part with about half of it, but I could not send it that day
because it was a Friday and past banking time, so, I hoped for
Monday to come and it seemed like everlasting, but patience
helped me pulled through my anxiety. Miraculously, that same
Friday's night I earned more than I have purposed in my heart
to give her, but sadly, am sure it was greedily, for I did not
increase the amount I purposed seeing that I have made more.
God, am sorry. Though she needed the little I gave her, but I
should have done more. That was goodbye between me and
'Yar garin mu'. About two weeks and four days later she died,
as I was told.
I pondered on all the events as they clouded my mind. I
remembered the first time I met her at work for she was our
janitor and a colleague while we worked together, but most
importantly she was my friend. I remember all her wise
counsels. She believed in me when no one did. She was a
perfect big sister.
Now, I reason, looking at us in this life, our deeds, our
hardheartedness, our unkindness, our endless struggles daily
just to make ends meet which never does and in the process
letting the most important things in life slip by. What are the
races for? I asked myself over and over again, when in
actualization there is nothing we can hold unto in this life
forever. Can we hold unto a brother, a sister, a mother, a
father, a dear friend, a lover, a posh job, or a fine face forever?
I wonder! I still do. From this world, some gets to say
goodbye! While many never did. 'Yar garin mu' told me
something she was so certain about, she said: "I am going
home, till we meet in Heaven." When, she told me to pray for
her, all I found myself telling God was to forgive her all her
wrongs and accept her back home, for she was sore even in
her illness and spoke as one that was ready to cross over.
Be good to all. It might be the last act of kindness you may be
opportune to render. We can't hold anything forever, but we
can leave our memories written in gold, we can leave
footprints that can never disappear. We can leave our lives to
be told as bed times stories. Yes! We can. It starts with a
simple act of love and kindness. Goodbye! 'Yar garin mu', till
my time is done, when the Reaper shall find me homeward
bound."

KAI KA BANI – SOLOMON LANGE

KAI KA BANI – SOLOMON LANGE

Na sami nasara

Yabani nasara ye!

Yesu  dutsen ceto na

Na jingina gare ka

Yesu dutsen ceto na

Na dogara gare ka

                Kai ka bani rai

                Kai ka bani wakoki

                Kai ka tuna da ni

                Kai ka share hawaye

                Mai ceto, mai ceto na, mai ceto, kai ka dai

                Ni zan yabi sunnan ka

                Mai ceto, mai ceto na, mai ceto, kak ka dai

                Ni zan yabi sunnan ka

Said to cast my cares on you

Because you really care for me

Of all the people in the world

Lord you know me by my name,

Am not a servant in your house

You’re my father and am your son

You’re my glory, and the lifter of my head

(Lifter of my head)

You’re my shield, my exceedingly great reward

(Yes, you are the one)

                Mai ceto, mai ceto na, mai ceto, kai ka dai

                Ni zan yabi sunnan ka

                Mai ceto, mai ceto na, mai ceto, kai ka dai

                Ni zan yabi sunnan ka

You set a table before me

O! Yes! You did

You’ll never leave nor forsake me

No! No! You won’t

Nasara kai ka bani – nagode

Ceto kai ka bani – nagode

Lord, you are my help,

Lord, you are my strength

Lord no matter the cold I will never be afraid

Lord, you are my love,

Lord you are my Life,

You are my reward and forever am a winner

(Mai ceto, mai ceto na, mai ceto, kai ka dai

Ni zan yabi sunnan ka)

Am a winner 4x

Sarkin duniya

Sarkin runduna

Sarkin salama

Kai ne mai iko

Babu wani kamar ka

Almasihu, kai ne mai mulki

 Almasihu, kai ne mai ceto

Almasihu, kai ne mai mulki

kai ne mai iko 2x

kai ne mai mulki

Nagode!2x

Waiyo Allah na!

Waiyo Yesu na

Waiyo Allah na!

Put your hands in the air

You know Jesus cares – till fade

SERVICOM! (THE PLEDGE)

I am here today, for I chose
I am here today, for to serve
In strength, in faithfulness, in patriotism
In wisdom, in faith, in courage
If there be a hurricane, I will stand the tide
For all I believe; God first and Man trails
From this circuit streaming to the nation

Because I am SERVICOM
If I can see in the dark
A Lion I must be
If I can soar the skies
An Eagle I must be
If I can cross countries in the deep
A whale I must be

If you must fly, come to me
If you must see, take my sights
If you are drowning, hold on to my fins
Yet! I will be your voice
Yet! I will be your servant
Yet! We are entwined
This is me, I am ‘’SERVICOM’’. 

 AB/06A/238

A conversation between ‘Q’ and his ‘Blind Date’ (BD). From the movie: “If You Are the One.”

Q:           Pardon me
BD:         Hm!?
Q:           I’ve got two dates. Please don’t mind my efficiency
BD:         No problem. I’m a stock trader
                A real bear market lately
                Using my spare time to find a husband
                Once the market turns around, I won’t have time
                Do you play the stock market?
Q:           No
                Don’t understand it
BD:         Seeking a marriage partner is like trading stocks
                You have to make your decisions based on a rational analysis of performance
For instance, the candidate’s looks or body figure, or, his personality and education, or, his finances and family background or…
Q:           So,
                If I were a stock, how would I rate?
BD:         Judging from your age and looks
                You’ve sunk below your offer price
Q:           So, I’m in danger of being delisted?
BD:         Not necessarily
                In-experience traders often buy high
                But that’s very risky
                It’s very easy to get trapped
                More experienced traders buy low
                A stock like you with bad performance, most won’t touch you
                Few would show interest
                Thus, you’re a low risk
                You’re already at the bottom
                Can’t go any lower
Q:           So, for a stock like me bought low
                Would you invest long-term; or just ‘Pump-and-dump’?
BD:         Pump-and-dump?
                Do you have explosive potential?
                I’d buy long-term and hold it
Q:           what if you held it for a while, but found its performance lacking?
BD:         “Don’t worry
                I’m not stupid
                I’d diversify
                They can’t all underperform right?
                No one’s that unlucky”
‘Q’ got on the phone:
                “Hello!
                You’re here?
                I’m here
                I see you
                Wait for me
                Order whatever you like. It’s on me.”
‘Q” turned to ‘BD’.
Q:           I feel obligated to warn you
                I’m very risky
                Best to keep your distance
                If you get stuck with me
                I’d be useless and unsightly
                Might never be able to get rid of me
                As an investment
                I’d be subprime
                Only a criminal will sell me to you
                Let’s stop trading for today
BD:         I also have another stock to see at six O’clock
                Go ahead and chat with her
                The whole market is down right now
                But don’t jump in blindly
Q:           Don’t rush it
                Wait and see.

The Snake, Chameleon and the Camel:

     

    Once upon a time: There lived a man called Mezuzah that had a wonderful son named Ed.

Ed. was all Mezuzah had as in children. When he was about to die, he sent for his son

Now, Ed. was at the farm working while the father sent, but before he could arrive, the father died.

     Ed. was so grieved because the father had three things to tell him, and he couldn’t get to hear them. So he wondered back into the forest. While on his way, he met Mr. Snake.

    Mr. Snake had never seen him like that. So he asked: “What is wrong that you look so sad like this Ed.?” He answered and said: “My father sent for me, but before I could reach home he died, and he’d always told me that before he die, there are three things he was going to tell me. Now that he is dead and I don’t know these things I cannot rest.” Mr. Snake laughed, and said: “I know one of those three things he was going to tell you. Hear now; do you see how beautiful I am, how my skin glitters? Everybody would desire to touch and even cuddle me. But because of my mouth, no one will dear touch me, and thus avoid me or kill me. Your father meant to tell you about me.”

       Ed. thanked him and proceeded. Yet! Unsatisfied because of the two he knows not. As he pondered and walked, he met Mr. Chameleon.

Mr. Chameleon quickly noticed his mood too! Because they are not used to seeing Ed. like that, he asked the same questions and Ed. repeated all he told Mr. Snake. Mr. Chameleon now said: “I   know one of the things your father meant to tell you. You see; I am slow, my feet looks feeble, but I know where to place them as I walk, no matter how far I always get there unexhausted. When am around, you may not even notice because I take the color of my environment, and nobody seem to notice me, then I don’t get in anybody’s ways.”

      He thanked Mr. Chameleon and proceeded. Yet! Unsatisfied because of the last he knows not. As he pondered and walked, he met Mr. Camel.

Mr. Camel hailed him and they exchanged pleasantries. He went further and enquired why Ed. was gloomy. Ed. repeated all he told Mr. Snake and Chameleon. Mr. Camel looked at Ed. and smiled, and said: “I know one of the things your father meant to tell you. Do you see how tall I am? But even a child can take hold of my leash and I’d follow anywhere he cared to lead me. I really don’t fight it. I just follow.”

The Color of Truth:

Truth,
It reflects every other color
Black can not comprehend, she rejects her and flee
When forcefully mixed with another, will it remain?
Such a vesture she is
The color of truth is white

Men hate to wear upon them, for it reveals the dirt
When  they do, they hide it beneath the dark
Choking it with a rope
Stained, if washed with others
To fade by and by
The color of truth is white

She stands and works alone
Yet! Not sweet to the taste, nor pleasant to the ears
She needs no explaining
When vexed sore in your hiding, she burst open like a new wine in an old vessel
Hide her not, she can’t be hidden.
The color of truth is still white

WHO IS MAD?

   

  This morning as I was going to work, I saw this “mad” woman. She was so hungry that she walked up to a tea man (Mai Shayi) and gave him ten naira (#10) for a piece of bread. He looked at her at a glance and tried to shu! her away forever. She stood her ground with the money in her hand unshaken. When he could not bear the embarrassment any more, he gave her a piece of bread then. She received the bread and presented him the money, but he refused to take it. She got frustrated I guess and dropped the money on a concrete slab beside his service hut. Then his reasoning came alive to prompt his empathy…I couldn’t picture the rest of the drama because I advanced in my strides.

              As I walked on, I pondered deeply about the whole event that transpired. Then I asked myself: “Who is actually a mad man or woman?” Look at it; this “mad” woman knew that money is to be spent in the acquisition of needs and wants, if you should add, and instead of exhibiting the characteristics of a certified mad fella by going to the tea man and grab a loaf of bread from the table, she used some money she recognized as ten naira to get her need lawfully.

              I have come across ‘mad’ people in my life that truthfully did not sound mad at all. I conversed with them, and would swear they were not mad at all. I was giving one money some years back when I served in the east, at least once a month. One day I brought her the money like I was used to and she stopped and asked me, “Why do you give me money?” She said. I was like: Wow! This woman is not mad after all. So I said: “because I want you to buy things”. And she said: “Thank you” and I answered, “You are welcome”. I was moved to start helping them when one day still in the east, I went to the market to buy stuffs, and I saw this “mad” fella at the market buying stuffs too! I tell you, the trader took the cash without hesitation. Then I figured out how much right they have like we the “not mads”.  Countless experiences have I had with “mad” people that convinced me that it must have another definition of what they exhibit than be called madness. Thus, I have come to learn that as you see people in your eyes, so did you place them in your heart. Our actions stems from our hearts.

               Who is truly a mad fella then, is it not that fella that has lost his/her conscience? I am so sure that a mad fella is a thief; a robber, that one that divert funds put under his care to care for the masses; he that do no justice; he that has no truth upon his lips; he that curses; he that trouble others; he that does countless evil; he that’s got love for no one, and it is  also that man that does not fear and respect God – Yes, that is a mad fella.