MARRIAGE IS ABOUT SACRIFICE AND UNDERSTANDING

Most people went into a marriage half hoping
for a lifetime of love with that one person and
half fearing that the marriage won't work out in
the end.
Well, there's more than enough reasons that
could be cited for a marriage that has gone
sourly wrong. Yet, is it possible that if we just
commit ourselves to making the marriage work
through all the ups and downs of life, that
somehow we would be able to sustain a long
and loving marriage? Instead of letting our fears
get to us, can we focus more on making the
marriage works and turning it into a success?
Instead of wanting to be right all the times and
expecting our loved one to fit into our
expectations, can we love that person enough to
see that being right and winning aren't the
ultimate goals in a relationship? Let us just concentrate and trust our loved one's , marriege is not a day pass job.

A need for a global law on Blasphemy by Abdulbaqi Jari

It was last week that about 12 people were assassinated in Paris in broad day light and the attackers went away from a satirical newspaper 'Charlie Habdo. A popular satirical newspaper "Charlie Habdo" was attacked after ridiculing a lot of religions and religious leaders of various religions excluding Judaism. Charlie Habdo was just a local newspaper looking for publicity through blasphemy and self-destructive styles. 

       Just about one will after the attack, Charlie Habdo yet again try to ridicule our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) in yet another condemnable cartoon that sparked a lot of anger, and of course, putting Charlie Habdo in a more dangerous situation as Charlie habdo wish to take the path of self destruction.  

     Free speech is often mistaken with right to blasphemy and intolerance. If one does not like any religion or its Prophet, why not he simple practice his own and do as he wish in his. The world must through the United Nation  enact anti-blasphemy law. That will go along way in preventing incident like that of the Charlie Habdo, Terry jones of US etc.

     Looking critically at the amateur videos of the Charlie Habdo attack, One will surely understand that the whole thing was  staged to blackmail Islam, Muslims in France - as France houses the largest population of Muslims in Europe                    (3 million). Also, the Charlie Habdo incident was aimed to force Jews to return to Israel from Europe. Israeli government has be carrying out violent campaigns against Jews in Europe so as to force them o return to Israel since its creation in    1940s. The Israeli government also staged that drama so as to try to make things difficult for Palestine as it is gaining support in Europe; from Sweden to U K and Germany.

      The hypocrisy of western countries free speech is manifest as up to today there is a law in Europe that was put to punish anybody who denies the occurrence  of holocaust against the Jews.  Why is there such a law existing? Are Jews different from other creations? This will tell you that the concept of free speech was design for blasphemous purposes not for any positive expression. Also, a Charlie Habdo staff was fired sometimes back for ridiculing Judaism. Likewsie Nafeez Ahmad that was fired from The Guardian newspaper for making a documentary against Israel. 

      Charlie Habdo and all other satirical newspapers from around the world must come to terms with the sacredness nature of religion and anything there associated with it -as that will go along way in ensuring the right to criticism, and also the right to religion for general peace, order , and intercontinental security.

Democracy was never Meant for the Poor. By Abdulbaqi Jari

Democracy is often defined as 'the government of the people, to the people, and by the people' among the major characteristics of democracy include; timely election, right to vote and be voted, campaigns, and parliament.  looking critically at democracy in Nigeria, the developing world, and indeed the whole world, one will tend to understand that ' democracy was not meant for the poor'.

     This  is because, from setting up of political parties, primary elections, campaigns, up to general election, it is all about money, power and what both can do.  from the registration of political parties,  buying of expression of interest forms, campaign and travels, democracy did not make any arrangement for the poor except voting which he has no another option. just recently, the APC presidential candidate complain about high price of forms at the cost of 27.5 million naira, that is to high, not for the poor, with the poor and not by the poor.

   According to media reports, the sum of 21 billion naira was "donated' to president Jonathan during the lunch of his campaign funds, that is nearly one third of the budget  of some states of the federation, those that look like that was meant for everybody. I wonder whether Nigeria's democracy was meant for the cabals. Why on earth will a rich country like Nigeria ever have  poverty of to about 50 percent of the population?

    Whether monarchy, socialism, military dictatorship, democracy, or another system of government, what is most important is that, the government should be able to protect the lives and properties of people, their welfare and their overall interest. If the government cannot do that, then anarchism may triumph over the interest of the nation.

therefore, 2015    must  be a different year for Nigeria. a year of hope, reflection, peace and centenary year for rekindling a better Nigeria. 

As Nigeria Decides by Fahad Aliyu.

On January 7 2014, the world sadly witnessed another barbaric and cowardly attack by terrorists on innocent people, killing 12 people, journalists and police officers. The world rightly came together to condemn this despicable act. On 11 January 2014, millions of people marched in Paris including 40 world leaders in a unity rally to honor the victims of the terrorist attack.

About 6000 km away from Paris, another horrendous act occurred few days earlier. An estimated 2000 people were slaughtered in Baga, a village in the Northeastern part of Nigeria. Lots of people have been wondering why the world ignored and didn’t give this massacre the attention and uproar it deserves. The simple explanation is that the President of our country doesn’t car; so why should the world care?

It is UNEXCUSEABLE that our President is yet to condemn the Baga massacre but he has condemned the Paris attack. He is busy campaigning for re-election while innocent Nigerians are being killed daily, with little to no response from the government. Our country has never been this divided; tension in the polity is so high and sharp that no one can predict what will happen post next month’s election. The president, in a desperate attempt to test waters for his re-election bid, finally visited Borno State under the guise of Remembrance Day. However, it’s too little too late to show you care Mr. President; we surely know the reason you’re visiting now is because you want to get the votes of Borno people.

Sadly, I was among the people that voted for the incumbent in 2011. I was among the people that were deceived by the famous “I have no shoes” speech. After 6 years of ineffective and weak leadership, he is now asking for an additional four years to do what? Finish killing the country? If he couldn’t move the country forward in 6 years at the realm of leadership, what more can he do with additional four years at the mantle of leadership but put us in more mess? Terrorism has become the norm in our country (don’t let me start about corruption under this administration).

When we think things cant get any worse, the presidency never fails to surprise us. The irresponsibility has tickled across to different agencies now; our police force is not only an enforcer of law but an interpreter as well. The State Security Service is not only the primary intelligence agency in the country but also is an avenue for witch-hunting opposition members. Whenever you criticize the government, the presidency or PDP calls you a member of the opposition or alleges that the opposition is sponsoring you. You are a good or patriotic person only when you praise or support them but unpatriotic and divisive when you disagree with them or give constructive criticism

As Nigeria Decides next month, it is imperative in the interest of our dear country that we vote for change on February 14, 2015. We can’t have another four years of this mess of a leadership, a directionless form of government. Here is to hoping for a violence free election.

Al Jazeera estimated around 10,000 deaths from Boko Haram attacks in all of 2014 but over 2,000 death already in the first two weeks of January. May the souls of all the innocent people we have lost in Baga (#I am Baga) and other villages rest in peace and May Almighty Allah give their families the fortitude to bear the loss. Amin

It’s my hope and wish Nigerians rally behind Buhari and elect him to the mantle of leadership in our country. I am more than convinced that in the persons of Gen. Buhari and Prof Osinbajo that Nigeria is in safe and able hands.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Fahad Garba Aliyu

@fahadaliyu

fahadaliyu@gmail.com

Fahad is a Hult Global Ambassador and a 2015 MBA candidate at Hult San Francisco Campus. He is a firm believer of the unity and oneness of Nigeria.

"A slaughtered child is being buried in their coffin" (reality of Nigeria) by Usman Zainab.

I write because it hurts, it pains me, it’s dark
I think of my problems and I lose that wonderful spark
A breakup, an argument, some threats from some fool
I sit and I cry wondering why life for me is so cruel

Whilst I waste the time just thinking about me
I start believing my life is an atrocity
I’ll call a friend make them listen so my problems are known
Lying comfortably in bed crying and talking with a dramatic tone

Whilst I’m crying over nothing, reality kicks in
A slaughtered child is being buried in their coffin

Whilst I lament over a missing opportunity

A mother cries over her family buried in a bomblast
Whilst I weep over heartbreak caused by rejection
A woman raped is ripped of her affection
Whilst I worry over money and add up my expenses;
A man is being tortured and loses his senses.

Whilst I cringe over the weather

A family flees from their invaded community
Whilst I stress over the harm that others do to me;
A policeman turns his back to a man on a killing spree.

You see we are selfish when we think that we have it bad
Imagine you were Syrian, Palestinian,Nigerian or even from Afghanistan
You know we are selfish when we worry about ourselves
Whilst a bomb made a woman bury her family of twelve.
You know we are selfish because we do not care;
We have our own issues to worry about so let’s try to be fair.

I kid you not my life has changed
You may call me weird, awkward or deranged.
I live for my generation and to help them is my dream
With like-minded people I’m part of a dream team.
Together we unite and stand by the people.
Follow my heart and reach out my hand.
For my sisters to hold when buried in sand
I will hold you tight and take your pain.
As long as I shall live ill work to make you smile again.

It breaks my heart to see people dying
Even worse when a child is no longer smiling
Our problems are nothing believe me its true
When you next think about it, remember the world’s problems too.

Chibok Girls: Day 270 by Abdul Jari .

Exactly by 9th of January 2015, it will marked 270 days, 9 months since the abduction of Chibok girls in Chibok town,  Borno state. With just about 37 days to election, it is becoming hopeless by the day that Chibok girls ill be released sooner nor later. Campaigns and election matters will soon over dominate the whole news in Nigeria and indeed the world. The much discussed 2015 is undoubtedly going to be a great test on Nigeria and indeed for Africa's democracy, and indeed security.

      The level of hopelessness in Nigerians is also increasing by the day. Nigerians must rise beyond the politics of tribal and religion. Uprightness,  capacity to deliver on the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians is a one good reason why Nigerians must converge even if it is for the first time to rescue this land once called Niger area.

      Under normal circumstances, Chibok girls should have graduated if that incident did not occurred. Some of them could have been in the university by now. Some of them could have been married with babies by now. Some of them could have started a legitimate business by now. But as God will have, all those dreams are gone now.

     Nigerians must remain in prayers for a better Nigeria, put all their commitment for a free, fair and credible elections come 2015.