Abortion

I have had arguments on abortion more times than I can remember. It all started when I offered philosophy 101 and we ‘philosophized’ about all sorts of things (who can remember the question “what happens when an irresistible object comes in contact with an immovable object?”... I pondered for hours). In my final year at the university, I offered Jurisprudence (which is the philosophy of law) and we were once again forced to talk about the morality or immorality of suicide, abortion, euthanasia...can’t remember them all. I wrote on abortion and I was almost crucified. I have to reiterate the fact that I am born again, tongue talking, Holy Spirit filled... you get the picture.

Abortion is a tricky topic. It has made some lose political offices, made others have a fatwa declared on them but the truth is that it happens and instead of being all so religious about it lets talk about it. I personally would not abort a child no matter the circumstances but then, why would I want to force my personal beliefs and morals down other people’s throats? I believe in legalizing abortion but with checks and balances. It is not as if the woman just swallows a pill and gets pregnant and I always argue that if bills are to be passed into laws making abortion illegal, maybe there should be a sex law also stating that before people have sex they should sign a document, supported by an affidavit, sworn on oath that they have agreed to engage in consensual sex and with birth control and in the event of the woman getting pregnant (if both adults are not married to each other), they would be liable to a fine of N 5,000,000 or five years imprisonment or both. Why do people see the absurdity in my proposed sex law and not the anti-abortion law?

I believe a law should be passed making abortion legal but also there should be a requirement that abortion counseling clinics should be created in every hospital where pregnant ladies who simply do not want the baby or whatever reason they have can consider giving the child up for adoption and sex education be taught in schools teaching students about abstinence or “safe sex” (which is a topic for another day).

Believe me, the effect would be that there would be a decline in abortion related deaths, people would become more responsible ( the view of a lay man like me)...but then again I ponder, how is it that we all are in one accord that stealing is bad but we are divided as to if abortion is? Was there a time when there was an argument on the morality of stealing? How was it resolved? Is it due to the fact that it was clearly stipulated in the bible “thou shall not steal” that we all concluded stealing was wrong?

I wonder.

Medical Report: Private document?

PREAMBLE:

Section 14 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides the following:

a. Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom the government through this constitution derives all its powers and authority;

b. The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government; and

c. The participation by their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.

Section 17 (2) (c) provides that governmental actions shall be humane.

BODY:

I am sure you are wondering where I am going with my preamble.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) told us, the Nigerian People, that we are not entitled access to the president’s medical report as it is a private document.

I am going to divorce sentiments from reality and tackle his misstatement head-on.

The above sections I have quoted show that even if there are no express provisions for the president to disclose his ‘private’ issues, he is bound to ensure that he is accountable to the people at all times as we possess sovereignty.

I wonder why section 140 of the same constitution provides for the declaration of the assets and liabilities of the president and there is nothing I can find on declaration of health status. (Remember the president is to show that he is of sound mind so I wonder how that would be shown without a medical report).

In my mind, if the government is to make sure that its actions toward the people who hold sovereign power are humane, I wonder if it is humane to say we are not entitled to his medical records of the president because they are ‘private documents’.

The president is a PUBLIC FIGURE!!! What has privacy got to do with being a public figure? He sacrificed his privacy on the altar of service to the nation. Now, I am taking it persona. Please forgive me.

I move on objectively.

The president is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, Head of State and Chief executive of the Federation. What an exalted position! He is accountable to the people because we voted him into power: he is our employee, we are the boss! See, the position does not seem so exalted after all because without us, he is not and without him, we are at best in chaos. It is supposed to be a symbiotic relationship.

For the A.G to tell us that we are not entitled to the medical records of our employee, the President and so-called servant leader, is at best mischievous. That would be akin to setting a dangerous precedent. He is indirectly stating that civil servants are not bound to disclose health issues or tender medical results because they are private documents; employers would not be able to study the medical reports of their employees...I can go on and on.

In my next article, I would adequately state what constitute public documents and what are classified as private documents.

CONCLUSION:

Until then the A.G has to view these issues in their right perspectives and take actions that are humane...or simply keep quiet.

My take on some issues in Nigeria.

People who read my blogs would wonder why I have not posted anything in a while. With all that is happening in Nigeria, I’ve had only scathing and rude remarks to make so I have waited this while to simmer down a bit.

Let me start from the top.

We woke up one morning to find that our president was not in the country. No announcement, no warning; he had gone to Saudi Arabia for medical check-up. We thought it was one of his usual “medical checkups” so we let it go. Then it became 10 days, 20 days and now 49 days! It is all our fault things deteriorated to this level in the sense that on previous occasions when he went for his medical check-up, we did not demand that a medical report certifying him to be fit and proper should be issued. Even in some secondary schools, you are denied the privilege of attending or being a boarder if you are found to have ailments like asthma, ulcer, diabetes and the like.

Alas, I deviate.

We did not take his absence seriously until the “crotch bomber” incident took place on the 25th of December. I did not realize on time that the man in question was a Nigerian and by the time I did, I marvelled...but that is another story. All that rings in my head after the incidence is Dora Akunliyi saying that Abdul-M “sneaked” in Nigeria, his own country oh. The little respect I had for her evaporated. How can a Nigerian citizen, no matter who he is or what he has done SNEAK into his own country? Did she even think through her statement before she made it? Does she know the meaning of the word SNEAK? I understand she was under some sort of pressure when she set up the press conference after the incidence but did she have to speak in that manner? I wonder.

The Vice-President just “fell my hand” (as we would say in Pidgin English). The least he would have done would have been to address us as a nation, the best he would have done would have been to contact Joe Biden or have a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria. In my view, it would have been better to err than to do nothing and further rub pepper in our wounds.
Then it hit us in the face: we were black listed...and rightly so.
Before I get crucified for my statements, hear me out. Put yourselves in the shoes of the USA. In 2009, Nigeria had the Boko Haram Crises, Jos crises, Niger Delta Crises; bombing of the Atlas Cove jetty, corruption issues, bank reforms...need I go on? And to crown it all, a Nigerian citizen was caught red handed (or should I say down to his pants?) trying to commit suicide and murder in the American jurisdiction (we all know the details, except of course you live under a rug). To make matters worse, the president was MIA, AWOL etc and no official diplomatic measures were taken within 48 hours!!!

Do you not think they are entitled to protect their nation from unwarranted attacks? Everybody is entitled to their opinions no matter how flawed.
We need to stop lying to ourselves; all the Americans saw was a nation without direction ripe for terrorist invasion or at least had tendencies to be a fertile ground for breeding terrorism. So we were placed on a watch list like any right thinking sovereign country concerned about its safety would do. I firmly believe the crotch bomb scare was not the cause; it was just the last straw which broke the camel’s back.

If Yar’Adua has any regard for this country, why did he not pick up the phone and call Obama? If he was well enough to sign a bill, surely he was well enough to have spoken to the nation. Has the president not heard of Skype? or Google Wave? I could send him an invitation you know. Video calls on Skype are free and he could install it on his laptop and speak to us from his bed. After all, I remember Fidel Castro speaking to the Cubans in his pyjamas. He said, and I quote, “it would be a betrayal to my conscience to accept a responsibility requiring more mobility and dedication than I am physically able to offer”. Gosh, I cannot believe I am comparing Yar’Adua to FIDEL CASTRO! When did this happen?

The A.G is not even helping matters at all. What does he think he is saying? The president can rule from anywhere? I won’t repeat the other insane and obnoxious words he has uttered these past few months for fear of sounding like him.
Ojo Maduekwe is someone I would speak of in passing...he has failed miserably like the rest of them...running his mouth when he should sit and ponder.
The church seems nonexistent at the moment. This issue is not so important to warrant a speech from them? Or a lawsuit like some sensible thinking Nigerians have started? No. They are concerned with building bigger churches, being Arch-Bishops, presidents of Christian associations and the like...any other thing than issues that concern the sanity of our land.

The rest of those making noise about how we should pray endlessly for the speedy recovery of a president who has insulted our intelligence and spat in our faces should keep quiet already. I hope he recovers soon, but that does not mean I would not critique his shoddy arrangements. Seriously, those in government saying rubbish should keep quiet and not let us think less of them daily. Have they not heard the adage that says: ‘it is better to keep quiet and be thought a fool than to speak and erase all doubt’? (Hmmm, maybe that is what Goodluck Jonathan is doing).

But who am I angry the most at? The Nigerian people. I’m angry at our annoying silence as a people, our laziness being depicted in not standing up for ourselves (they spit in our faces and we say thank you); at our ‘siddon look’ attitude; at thinking that as long as we eat and are not killed, we are ok; at not holding our leaders responsible for their actions and inactions; at condoning the corruption in our society; at waiting on each other to change Nigeria; at allowing miscreants, fools and thieves to rule us, govern our states and rob us blind while we applaud them for constructing roads that would not last two weeks (okay, I am exaggerating), providing bore hole water that does not flow, ‘keke napap’ (tricycle) that is an insult to our sensibilities...I can go on. We applaud them for doing what they are mandated by the constitution to do.

The truth is that nothing, and I mean NOTHING, would change if we do not stand up together as a people, let our voices be heard and get rid of the cancer that is eating deep into our nation.

Forgive me if this article is not coherent; the issues plaguing our land are not coherent thus, I find my thoughts darting from one area to another.

New Year!!!

I would start with the typical Happy New Year greeting. Today has been a restful and somewhat lazy Saturday. Although I am looking forward to work on Monday, nevertheless, I would enjoy the weekend to the fullest.

The new year brings opens doors for new possibilities, opportunities and more. Make the best of it. Explore the mind blowing ideas you have and write them all down. Read a lot...this is the key to enlightenment. Make no excuses, take responsibility and above all, be diligent in whatever you do.

I'm so excited about this year and I run the risk of boring you with my exciting ideas...I would not fall prey to that temptation :).

On a more serious note, no lazing around at work, seek to be the best wherever you are and learn lessons.

Happy New Year!

The end

So its finally the end of 2009!!! Wow! It was a very eventful year for me...I got qualified to practice Law in Nigeria amongst other things. The year was full of lessons of its own and I thank God I have fully learned them and moved on.

Any regrets? None! Yea, be surprised. I made awesome friends, concluded I did not need some others in my life, learned new skills, made up my mind about what i really wanted to do and I have the most adorable business partner!

Nothing like new year resolutions for me...that is so out dated. I now make 5 year plans. That makes more sense than a couple of "I promise not to do this or that"...I can't remember when last I had a new year's resolution but I'm glad I once did and I've realized the folly.

2010 is explosive for me, so many plans are in place; so many strategies and all of God with me. I am so excited. 2010 is the beginning of a new line of events in the world and I am the pacesetter. So many plans to change the ineptitude of the circumstances in which i find myself.

No more complaints, just change.

Change the World?

I seriously am not interested in changing the world...I have no interest whatsoever in pioneering world change. Where people are involved, it is absolutely difficult to change their mindset. I have resolved that the only person who needs positive change is ME!

I am often a lazy individual with no regard for people's feelings (sometimes) and I have a huge problem when it comes to meeting a deadline. My room looks like Katrina and Tsunami both paid it a visit and I would use up all the hot water in the house without considering the next person. I can go on and on about my faults but I have made a mental resolve to change my awful habits.

I have decided to wake up 3.30 a.m every morning, say my prayers, make breakfast for my family and read a chapter each day of John Maxwell's " The 21 indispensable qualities of a Leader". So far, I have been doing a great job of changing (even if I say so myself).

This has come with challenges and rewards of its own. I am more relaxed, I give way to traffic both on my left and on my right (even though i know fully well that the guy on the left is to make way but what does it matter?). I make out time to send texts of encouragements to people around me, I even visit "friends" who dont know where I live?!

My mantra now is "what can I give to the Institutions and Situations around me?. I have decided I need not go into any venture with ME on my mind first.

Once in a while, when I see a well dressed person littering the streets, I walk up to them with a smile and say "Please can you pick up your trash and but it in this bag? I would throw it away for you." I give them the benefit of the doubt...if they saw a trash bag somewhere, they might have put their dirt in it. Sometimes they don't find it funny and ask if I am paid by the Government to force them to pick up their dirt...I smile ever so sweetly and say no, then i just pick up the dirt myself (I surprise myself sometimes). Truth be told, that happened only once and I am not so sure I would do the same if it happened again.

I set out to change myself and what do you know...I am changing my world in the process.

Maybe you should do the same...list out your bad characters and work on them.

Integrity

It is amazing how we respect people from afar and they disappoint us sooner than expected with their lack of integrity. As John Maxwell rightly said : "Integrity is not a given factor in everyone’s life. It is a result of self-discipline, inner trust, and a decision to be relentlessly honest in all situations in our lives". Basically, integrity is carrying out actions based on who you are and not what people think.

When your boss is not at work, do you facebook all day? Is your room a pigsty until your friends or "someone special" comes visiting? Are you notorious for making promises you cannot keep? We all need to set standards for ourselves and surpass them.

I'll go on with the rhetoric. Are you a christian who is gets to church 2 hours before the service begins but gets 2 work an hour late? We certainly all need to examine our lives, actions and beliefs.

Do you for a second think all those people investigated by the EFCC were just mere thieves who deserved what they got? It most probably started from pilfering stationary, beverages, toiletries etc. from the office; then it became electronics, a bit of cash and the next thing they knew, they became kleptomaniacs! OK, i might be exaggerating but you catch my drift.

How can we talk about a new Nigeria when each of us have "petty" sins that have not been addressed? We talk about the politicians who steal money when we refuse to pay our taxes. We talk about the girl who slept her way to the top when we beat the traffic light only yesterday. We talk about the filth on the street when we threw a banana peel out the widow 5 seconds ago. Come on! Let us all practice the art of removing the "bench" from our eyes before removing the "particles" from other people's eyes.

We need to be conscious, ever second, about the need to be held accountable for our actions. Even when other people do not notice what you do at the moment, do good anyway because it would become a part of you and you would have no fear of slipping up anytime soon.

As the bible says, do not be men pleasers...men have short memory spans. You do good today and tomorrow, when you forget to do something for them, you become the bad guy.

Basically, this note is to make you ponder on what you do regularly that needs amendment or improvement. Its all up to you.