Miss Ernie!

 

75-year-old Ernestine Shepherd, aka Miss Ernie, makes me feel lazy! And angry at myself too! Why, you ask? Click on this video and tell me how you feel after watching Miss Ernie doing her thaang! Inspired? Pissed at yourself? Angry? Motivated? Encouraged? Nothing? Something must gotta give, you bet! I do not like to swear, but today, after watching this powerhouse of a woman, I swore in my wrath: I must be fit come what may! No more excuses Nkiru! If Miss Ernie can do it, I can do it. And yes, y'all can do it too! Let's just do it!


By the way, thank you Miss Ernie for insipiring me and countless others who watched this and your other videos!


"Every patient carries her or his own doctor inside."---Albert Schweitzer, French philosopher & physician (1875-1965)

The Power of Love!

Nkiru Oh

Saw this somewhere. I was so touched. Just wanna share how awesome our God is, and how powerful and amazing Love can be!

Twin girls - Brielle and Kyrie - were born 12 weeks prematurely. Needing intensive care, they were placed in separate incubators. Kyrie began to gain weight and her health stabilized. But Brielle had trouble breathing; heart problems and other complications. She was not expected to live....

Their nurse did everything she could to make Brielle’s health better, but nothing she did was helping her. With nothing else to do, she went against hospital policy and placed both babies in the same incubator. She left the twin girls to sleep only to return and found a sight she could not have imagined! She called all the nurses and doctors to behold this amazing picture above!

As Brielle got closer to her sister, Kyrie put her small little arm around her, as if to hug and support her fragile sister. From that moment on, Brielle’s breathing and heart rate stabilized and her health became normal... Amazing Love! Therapeutic touch!

"Love works in miracles every day: such as weakening the strong, and stretching the weak; making fools of the wise, and wise men of fools; favouring the passions, destroying reason, and in a word, turning everything topsy-turvy"- Marguerite De Valois.   

Day One...

Nkiru Oh

I received my Nutrisystem order today. Got it at 12:23pm. One look at the meal packages and I really felt like throwing a tantrum! Jeez! Had I been younger, I would have just found any excuse, no matter how frivolous, to start crying, or weeping rather. I would have accused my older brother of stepping on my toes, or elbowing me as he walked past me, or giving me an evil look, and used that to cry bucketfuls! Oh how I wish I were a kid now! Would have gotten away with a whole lot today! But I am a full grown, matured woman so I am not allowed to do throw tantrums...mmmmmh...!

But seriously, I need me some wailing! Yes, it's like the loss of innocence. The portion size I mean! The discipline involved. What are they thinking? What really are they thinking? Yea, what are those Nutrisystem people thinking when they packaged those meals that look like they are meant for week-old babies? You know what, everybody should steer clear of me throughout this first week just in case I decide to throw some well-deserved, adult-tantrum any way! Yea! I mean, why not if that would make me feel good?

But I am determined to succeed! Can't afford to fail. Just cannot! So I weighed myself...recorded the weight in my journal...ate my special lunch, one of the littlest meal portion I've ever seen, to me though! One thing I must tell u is that the food tastes great. Yea, I like it! To avoid misbehaving, I got busy writing and blogging away. The experts say that it takes our brains twenty minutes to feel full. So while I was busy, twenty minutes lapsed. I forgot to think about the tiny portions anymore. And so, I saved me from having a 'weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth' episode this first day, and that's nice. But my journey just began...

"Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home."

--Matsuo Basho

Give Thanks

Nkiru Oh


For all that I have; for all that I am and will be; for all you have done, are doing, and will do; I am grateful Oh God! Help me to always be appreciative and thankful. Help me to see your glory and beauty in creation. Help me to love and worship you more, and to love others as myself. Help me to put a smile on the faces of people, the hurting, the needy, the sick, the less-privileged, the lonely, and the down-trodden. Help me Oh God to always reach for the highest good, amen!



Photo culled from Diggy Simmon's Wall

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there's love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."-Ella Fitzgerald

Picking Up the Pieces

Sometimes the cares and worries in life tend to weigh us down. Sometimes life throws too much at one, things get so bad and out of control that all one wants to do is give up. Many a time, one feels so exhausted and afraid of tomorrow and may wish that it never comes. These happened to one of my dear friends, Gene (not real name). He was down and almost out! Things spiralled so out of control that he contemplated lots of negative thoughts! But one day, in his sunken state, he opened up and poured out his hearts. We cried, then talked for about an hour and I shared this piece with him. Because he told me reading it, reluctantly at first, and meditating on it, worked like magic to uplift his spirits, I want to share it with you too. If this poem helps one person out there to get up, pick up the broken pieces, and grab life by the horns, or someone uses it to motivate another, my aim would have been achieved. Here we go:

Be not afraid!
Be not discouraged!
Do not lose hope!
You still can cope!
Keep on believing!
All doubts removing!
It is only but a while
You will break out in a smile!
The storms of life are raging!
Life has become nothing but caging!
Things are all crumbling to pieces!
You already are down and in many creases!
Loved ones desert you!
Friends all forsake you!
Disappointments, displeasures, deceptions;
Frustrations, fabrications, falsifications;
Depression, disillusion, despair;
Everything falls apart as if beyond repair!
Life stinks like feces!
You've become an object of teases!
Things are spinning out of control!
Worries and lack are exerting their toll!
Fears within, terrors without!
Bills mounting, children going aimlessly about!
These all can pass, it's only but a while!
If you lose not hope, soon you again will smile!
Be not afraid!
Be not discouraged!
Get up and start again!
Do not waver, your goal you must attain!
Get up and pick up the pieces!
Rise up and remove all the creases!

What Do You Have?

Nkiru Oh

This write-up came about from the sermon I heard during service yesterday. The pastor ministered with 2 Kings 4:1-7. I was so touched and blessed that I want to share what I learned with you. The summary of the passage goes like this: creditors were haunting a widow to pay up her late husband's debt or they would take her two sons as collateral to work for them until the debt was paid off. Mmmm...the word creditors, and their incessant, annoying phone calls sound familiar? Of course, you said! So the widow ran to prophet Elisha for help. When Elisha asked her what she had at home, she answered nothing ONLY a jar of oil! The prophet then instructed her to go and borrow as many empty pots as she could, pour the oil in those pots, sell the oil, pay off her creditors and then live on the rest with her kids! Wow! What touched me so deeply apart from the woman's faith, which will constitute another write-up, is the issue of using what one has, insignificant as it may seem, to achieve what one needs!

Often, human beings neglect what they have in their pursuit of the unattainable. Note how the widow disregarded her pot of oil! She had nothing, she said. Then probably as an after thought she added, ONLY a pot of oil! We have different skills, talents, gifts, endowments, call it whatever you like. Many neglect the substance and keep chasing after the shadow! Sometimes, what we call NOTHING or THRASH may be a hidden FORTUNE! What do you have that you can use to get out of debt, or to live better? It may be small initially, like the widow's pot of oil, but if you persevere, it will be something great. Think about it. Meditate on it!

Again, children of God often ask God for financial breakthroughs. What do you have in your house that God can use to bless you? What skill do you have? What talent do you have? Can you sing, dance, knit, cook, or bake? May be you have something unique to teach people! Any special recipe handed down from grandma, mom, auntie Liz, or a neighbor that you can modify and use? Can you write? May be those stories you tucked away in your closet will turn into a bestseller! What special skill do you have that you can utilize especially at this time of  global economic crisis? What differentiates you from others? What is your niche? Have you ever sat down to identify a need and analyze how you can be a solution to it? Have you ever thought of what you can do to excel apart from, or in addition to, what the government hands down. Are you out of work or in need? Is it very difficult to make ends meet? Have you ever explored you? Do you know you've been equipped for success? Ask God to show you what you have that he will use to bless you!

Do you observe that Elisha asked the widow to shut the door behind her while she poured the oil? Yes, you need to shut the door behind you too! Go on your knees and ask for direction. Shut the door against fear and doubt. These two will defeat you even before you start! How will you know if you will succeed if you did not try? Shut the door behind the pessimists, and all naysayers! Yes, they will try to discourage you and give you a million reasons why you will fail! Ignore the laggards too! Shut the door behind them all. They will come around after you have succeeded! 

The Power of the Spoken Word!

Nkiru Oh

One night during the Winter of 2010, I encountered what was to become one of the sweetest, most satisfying workdays in my career as a health care professional. I was with some co-workers when Viveen (not real name) wobbled in and sank in the remaining empty chair at the corner. Before I could ask any question, she said resignedly, "V (my middle initial)...I am now a diabetic! I was diagnosed three days ago! My doctor checked me and my blood sugar was more than 500...yes, I am now a diabetic V!" Before I could say a word, she continued, tears running down her face, "he even gave me insulin shot...yea...said he had to...my sugar was too high." Again she repeated like a chorus to a music stanza, "I am now a diabetic...V....I am a diabetic!" When I looked at her face, I saw not only fear but hopelessness. I saw helplessness. I saw dejection and despair. I saw  resignation and emptiness. I saw a woman who believed she had received a death sentence and was waiting for the executioner in the gallows! I did not bargain for what was unfolding in front of me. The sight of the once energy-filled, vivacious Viveen, sitting on that chair like a piece of rag, stretched me beyond my training and experience! I quickly said a silent prayer, "Lord, pls tell me what to say!"

 While we were at it, as she sat there breathing heavily and sweating profusely despite the cold night, two of her friends cum colleagues came to give her what I chose to call the 'last sacrament'. One brought her two packs of unsalted crackers, the other a bottle of water, both gifts she absent-mindedly accepted and mumbled her thanks. The one that brought the crackers instructed her like a matron, "you know this is what you should be eating from now on. Now eat before your sugar gets messed up!" And both left. My heart sank into the pit of my stomach! Here were two people with no clue about diabetes, already 'teaching' and messing her up for real! Lord have mercy!

Viveen was about to open the crackers when I spoke. I honestly do not remember my exact words but based on what Viveen told me again yesterday, and probably for the hundredth time, the words literally brought her back to life! I remember bringing my chair closer, sitting about 2 feet from her, putting both hands on her shoulders, with her permission, and engaging her eyes as I spoke. I remember telling her that diabetes does not define her or any who has it; that it is a disease which if managed properly especially at the early stage, minimizes one's chances of developing complications years later! I remember asking her to discard those 'special gifts' together with the mindset with which she accepted them, to face diabetes and fight it as if there was no tomorrow! I asked her to discuss with her doctor so she would start walking immediately to lose some weight; and to work with her health care team to put the disease in check! Yes, exercise helps the body to utilize nutrients, and working with the doctor and the team is very crucial! I remember seeing Viveen sitting up, lightening up and wiping her tears as we spoke, and finally breathing a deep sigh of relief by the end of our talk! We then hugged and went back to our various units.

I did not know the full impact of our talk until about three weeks later. I saw the new Viveen, happier and energetic as ever. When she hugged me and told me all that happened in the past few weeks, I cried for joy! Viveen, after discussing with her physician, started to walk in the park. In three weeks, she already lost about twelve pounds, and she gladly showed me her new girth! Within a few months, her doctor reduced her medications to the barest dose. Need I say she is not on insulin! And her blood sugar has remained within the desired range!

I cried again last Saturday when we met at a party. Almost everyone there has heard about my encounter with Viveen that Winter night two years ago! What made me cry again for joy and wanna share this incident with the world was what one elderly woman said to me at that party. She put her hands on my shoulders and said, "My child, Viveen already told us what you did. Our words can kill. They can also heal. God uses people to help people. Please do not ever change!" I felt on top the world knowing that through one person, Viveen, I have ended up positively impacting many more lives! Yes, words can kill! Words can also save and heal! We can start impacting the world one person at a time! If after reading this piece someone realizes the need to say some kind words to others especially those that are hurting, and or becomes mindful of the power of the spoken words, my aim for sharing the story would have been achieved!

"How Am I Driving?"

By Nkiru Oh

On several occasions, I have seen many commercial vehicles and school buses with this inscription at the back: "how am I driving?" Initially, I did not think about those words beyond their literal meaning: call the number at the back if the driver messes up on the road. I wonder whether anyone has the courtesy to call to commend a driver any way! Just musing though.

As time went on, I started thinking about those words beyond the surface meaning. I began to ask myself a lot of questions. How am I driving? Do I consider other road users or am I simply a selfish driver? Do I drive responsibly or recklessly like a maniac? Do I give myself time to get to my destination or do I wait until the last minute before I zoom off and want to fly and run all the red lights? Am I cognizant of the fact that my irresponsible driving can ruin me or other road users? Do I think of the consequences of any reckless behavior?

How am I driving? Do I pick up my cell phone as soon as I start my car? Do I drive and text at the same time? Yes, am I a 'car-talker' or 'car-texter' or both? Do I think about the thousands of lives that have been wasted due to addiction to 'car-talkng' and 'car-texting'?

At this stage of my life, that simple question, "how am I driving?" is not simple any more! The meaning now goes beyond operating a vehicle. It has become my daily assessment tool, a kind of mantra. How am I behaving in relation to my family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, strangers, in fact, other humans? Do not get me wrong please, I do not let people walk atop me. And I know about the creeps out there. But reminiscing on these words can broaden one's horizon for the better. Or don't you think so?

See, I have likened this tool to the golden rule, "do unto others as you would want them do unto you!" Yes, because, if I honestly and objectively analyze how I am driving, and the next person does the same, life will be better for all of us. There will be less road accidents, less careless deaths, less avoidable deaths, less wickedness, less violence in our society. How do I mean, you ask? By each of us being considerate, applying our freedom within control. It may not matter what others think of us. But we know when we deviate from the universal good.

So how well am I driving on this road of life? Do I know my purpose in life or am I clueless? If I know my purpose, am I fulfilling it or am I wasting time, wandering in darkness? Does my life have meaning? Is my life a blessing? Am I impacting positively or negatively? How well am I driving on this road of life?  It's impossible to satisfy everybody. But it's possible to aim for the highest good!  How am I driving? And how are you driving?

Depression: the Destroyer of Lives and Relationships

Depression is one of the most debilitating but least acknowledged diseases afflicting mankind. For years, scientists have been searching for origins, causes, and answers for the disease. It wrecks lives and relationships. At times, it operates subtly that the sufferer may not describe exactly what is wrong. It can also be wild and manifest in aggressive ways. In any manner it presents, depression afflicts without mercy. And it does not get the attention it deserves medically.

To the layman, depression is feeling sad. Often you hear people ascribe being depressed with any situation that does not go the way they wanted. For examples, "This rain this morning makes me depressed." "I was in traffic for 30 minutes and I was damned depressed!" "It snowed last night and I am now depressed." Really? That's all? Depression is more than feeling sad,  down or disappointed...

According to MediLexicon's Medical Dictionary, depression is "a mental state or chronic mental disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, loneliness, despair, low self-esteem, and self-reproach; accompanying signs include psychomotor retardation (or less frequently agitation), withdrawal from social contact, and vegetative states such as loss of appetite and insomnia."  Yes, depression does all those plus more.

Unfortunately, this debilitating disease is often ignored or treated with kid's gloves. Sometimes the sufferers, either due to ignorance, lack of access to healthcare, or fear of stigmatization in some cultures, do not seek help until it becomes a little too late. On the other hand, the sufferer may not get the aggressive treatment he/she needs. 

Bear in mind that I am neither a scientist nor an expert but I know what depression is. I know what it can do. I also have seen how dastardly it can be. I wish therefore to address depression the best way I deem fit. To do that effectively, please permit me to personify this malicious sickness. Here we go:

Depression!

Unexpressed anger! 

Suppressed emotions!

You thrive in darkness!

Sadness is your middle name!

Downward spiral!

Dejection!

Self-rejection!

Misery becomes you!
Depression!
Your nicknames are Gloominess!

Helplessness and Hopelessness!

Self-denigration is your last name!

You cause deprivation!

You crave hollowness!

You wallow in loneliness!

Depression!

Uncontrolled descent!

Despondency! Disillusionment!

You are oft called Despair!

Depression, you are a nuisance!
You destroy relationships!

You hold your victims captive!
You make them shadows of themselves!
You send them into penury!

You cause untold pain and anguish!

You hold in a grip and you squeeze so tight!

Depression, you entangle and never let go!

You enslave! You restrain! You possess!

You suppress! You repress! You oppress!

You have people on a choke-hold!
Depression, you smother! You destroy lives!

Depression, you are callous!

How stifling! How suffocating?

How painful, nasty and uncaring?

How cruel? How hurtful can you be?

Why do you flourish in malice?
Why are you so sneaky?
Why must you be a control freak?

Depression, I must expose you for what you are!
Depression, you are really devilish!

THE LETTER

By Nkiru Oh

(Disclaimer: all the names in this write-up are fictitious and not associated with anyone living or dead)

Otunba and Uduak had been married for 27 years. The couple were blessed with four children, twin boys, Miogbon and Mobolaji, and two girls, Ekaete and Takumi. Uduak, 48, was a 12th grade mathematics teacher in one of the high schools in New Jersey.

After twenty years as an accountant with a top notch firm in New York, Otunba retired and became self-employed. He exported fairly used cars to their native country Naija. His nature of business entailed a lot of traveling. He often went to Naija two weeks after the container had shipped. After selling the cars and whatever he shipped, he brought back ethnic foodstuffs which he resold to the ethnic food stores in the tri-state area (New Jersey, New York and Connecticut) with a high profit margin. On occasions when he did not sell everything during his trips, he supplied them to his customers who later paid the money into his domiciliary account.

Tall and handsome with broad shoulders, Otunba, at 58, looked ten years younger than his age. His smiles were disarming. His friends called him a 'ladies man'. More than twice Uduak had to forbid some of Takumi's female friends from coming over to their house because of their provocative dressings and the manner at which her husband stole glances at them. The children and their dad teased her for being too 'local' and weird. Otunba often commented that his wife left the village but the village never left her.

As time went on, Otunba started staying longer in Naija. Three weeks increased to four, five, six weeks, and then up to three months or more. Every subsequent trip lasted longer than the one before. His late-night phone calls increased too. He was getting too many customers who wanted him to buy cars for them. So why should he restrict their calls? 

"Otunba why do you now need to hide to answer your calls?" Uduak asked him one night when she woke up to use the bathroom at 2 o'clock in the morning and did not see him in bed. She became anxious but finally found him in the guest bathroom, with the lights out, talking on his cell phone.
"If you must know, Mrs. Curious Monkey, I do not want to disturb my wife's sleep! I mean, why should I?...here, take the phone and talk to Mr. Ibe, my agent cum major customer in Abuja...ask him why he is bringing many business deals to your husband? Go ahead, ask him...women and their troubles! You never satisfy them!" He walked past his wife and went back to bed. Uduak rejoined him, unconvinced by his feigned anger!

With time, Otunba started complaining about most things ranging from the food to sex. Every night he surfed the social networks for hours. Then he started chewing Viagra like candies and began asking for all kinds of sexual positions: the dog style, figure-8, figure-6, twist, humpy-hump, monkey style, and so on. Uduak's face-me-I-face-you (missionary) position no longer appealed to him. The fact that  she could not satisfy her husband's sexual appetite was alarming. She complained to the children who asked her to learn to live with the times!

Uduak went into a mild depression, started losing weight which turned her husband off the more. One day, after returning from one of his trips to Naija, Otunba did the unthinkable: he demanded a threesome and gave his wife one week to fulfil it! The tone of his voice when he said those words convinced her that he meant it! It was more like a monosyllabic whisper. One week passed, Uduak did nothing. She was confused. Then two weeks, nothing. On the third week came another bombshell: either Uduak gave him a threesome or he would file for divorce!

The chips were down! Uduak wept for three days! She did not want a divorce. Her religion and upbringing were against that. Her problem was consuming her. Her work started to suffer. Her colleagues noticed. The principal inquired but Uduak told everyone that everything was okay.

One day after Uduak had missed school again, her colleague, Twana, came to visit. Initially Uduak was reluctant to confide in Miss T, as students and staff called Twana. When Miss T told her the rumor circulating in school about her, Uduak broke down and cried her hearts out. 

" I will do it for you Uduak. If that's all he wants, common now, I will do it for you."

"You sure Miss T?"

"Of course, Uduak, and I swear with my life, no soul will hear about it unless you or Otunba spilled the beans!"
"You sure, Miss Twana Ivers? Look me in the eyes and promise me that I will not regret this!"
"Yes, I am sure, Mrs. Uduak Otunba! I have sworn with my life...and believe me, you will thank me for everything!" she reiterated.

Uduak got up, wiped her tears and embraced her new best friend and confidante, "after all a threesome is better than the rumor of me having HIV/AIDS!" Thus Uduak saved her marriage! Everyone was happy. Otunba reduced the duration of his trips. To him, "what was the point spending his hard earned cash on those undergrads in Naija when Miss T provided better services and for less?" He professed that life had gone back to normal or even better! He did not mind when Uduak started spending more time at Miss T's apartment or going places in her company.

Three months after the special affair began, Otunba came home to an almost empty house! Was he in a dream? Was he in his house or what? He pinched himself severally to make sure he was still alive. Where was his wife? What happened to her, her belongings, and the new living room set he bought the week before? He went "No...No...Noooo!" On the night stand in his bedroom was a letter in his wife's hand-writing. He took one look at it and collapsed on the bedroom floor and let out a shriek, "No...No...No...Noooooooooooooo! God forbid! God forbid! Nooooooooooooooo!"

After he summoned up enough courage, Otunba re-read the letter which began thus, "My beloved Otunba, Thank you very much for giving me one of the best gifts ever...!" He could not take it any more. He threw up and passed out  right there! When he came to, the reality hit him full force again. His beloved wife, Uduak, had left him and moved out of state with her new lover, Miss Twana Ivers.

NUMBER 8

By Nkiru Oh

(Disclaimer: all the names in this write-up are fictitious and have no association with anyone living or dead).

Emeka and Nene had been friends since high school. They attended the same college where both majored in Business Administration. They started dating in college and each professed to be head-over-heels with the other. Three years after college they got engaged. Emeka lived in Pennsylvania while Nene was based in New York. Both were working. Life was good. Three months to their wedding, Emeka eloped with an ex and got married in Alaska. Nene was crushed.

Ten years later, Nene ran into Emeka in a conference in Chicago. He knelt down in the hallway and asked for forgiveness. By the third day, it was a three-day conference, Nene soft-pedaled and they exchanged numbers. Within a short while, the relationship went into top gear. Emeka's friends tried to warn him against the union to no avail. His mind was made up. This time around, he wanted to do it right. Besides, Nene was SSS (single and still searching)! 

Shortly, Emeka started hearing rumors of Nene cheating on him. Each time he raised the topic, Nene would sound offended and threaten to end the relationship. She convinced Emeka that the rumors were being circulated by the 'enemies of progress'; people who were envious of them. He suggested that they should live together but Nene would not hear of it. She guarded her independence with a passion.

One beautiful summer evening, Emeka came to spend another weekend with his girl. The next day, Saturday, after they had come back from the movies, Emeka quickly freshened up and laid down on the queen-sized bed ready for some good time. While Nene was in the shower, her phone rang. Emeka reached for the receiver. What he saw on the caller Id was unbelievably hilarious. "Scumbag # 4", it said. "Wow", he chuckled, "this girl really knows how to take care of those bastards! Mmmm...no wonder all the stories they circulate about her! Fools! Damn them scumbags for sure!"

Emeka started whistling the "I Feel Good" tune. He was getting very excited. "I know what she will save my name as...'Honey', 'Sweetheart', 'Emmy', 'Mekus', or simply 'Darling'...or...or even 'The Man' as she calls me when we make love...lemme find out." Still grinning and almost bursting with pride, Emeka grabbed his cell phone and dialed his girl's number. "No way...this cannot be me!" He speed-dialed a second, third and fourth time, still the same word showed! "Jeez," he rubbed his eyes and put on his glasses, "does it mean Nene has been fooling me all this while?" He dialed a fith time, still the caller Id said, "Scumbag # 8"! Emeka started crying. "This girl is wicked o! So I, Emeka, am a Scumbag?...this witch has been calling me a scumbag all along? Chineke, I am number 8, not even number 1 or 2 or..or even 3 but number 8? God, how long has this been going on?" Emeka did not wait to find out...

"The Good Nigerians" By Nkiru Oh

The biblical story of the 'Good Samaritan' has always been enthralling. The single act of kindness shown by that man from Samaria thousands of years ago has been a source of inspiration to many.

For those not familiar with the story, it was one of Jesus' parables.  A traveler was mugged, beaten up mercilessly and left bleeding by the roadside. Many people passed by: the righteous, the religious, the wealthy....and no one cared. Then came  the Samaritan who showed compassion, took the bleeding man to the inn to be cleaned, treated and nourished.

What makes the story so unique and didactic is the nature of the man who stopped to help. He was a Samaritan! Simply put, he was a commoner, a nobody, according to the norms of his day! He was looked down upon; was probably poor and or wretched too. But he stopped, and showed compassion! How lovely!

Our nation is in shambles. The politicians have beaten the country so mercilessly and left it bleeding profusely. Alas, the nation would die if the bleeding is not stopped! The politicians, despots and some religious bigots have mugged the country for years! From planting the seeds of fear and distrust in the masses, instigating disturbances and violence, to sponsoring the militants, the list of Nigeria's wounds is endless! And while the wars rage, and the masses fight for crumbs thrown at them, those instigators are busy stashing their loots in foreign and local banks! They have shown the nation no compassion!

Again Nigerian politicians have choked the nation; thrashed her; smothered her; would not let her heal before inflicting more wounds on her. To ensure she continues hurting, the politicians continually add salt to her wounds! Nigeria has been milked to the bones and abandoned to die! And they have not shown her any mercy!

But wait, the tide is turning! The 'good Samaritans' of Nigeria have stopped by to help her. Ordinary men and women from every tribe and religion, and all the nooks and crannies of the land, have arisen with one voice to work to salvage the country. The voice of the people is said to be the voice of God! So with one accord, the great Nigerians, men and women who have compassion, are saying enough to the beatings; enough to endemic corruption; enough to religious and all senseless killings; enough to violence[ enough to bad governance; enough to lack of accountability and lawlessness; enough to deprivation and starvation, enough ...enough...oh...enough!

Because the wounds are deep to the bones, they will take time to heal. Patience is therefore needed. Since the country is already anemic and lethargic, tender loving care is also recommended. The good Nigerians, the good Samaritans of our day, who have compassion, have risen and are clamoring for change! They are ready to reclaim what is theirs, painstakingly pick up the shattered pieces, and give the country the nourishment she needs to help her to learn to sit, stand and walk again.

Yes, the great Nigerians, the patriots, ordinary men and women, taxi-drivers, the unemployed, teachers, laborers, messengers, clerks, students, civil servants, and all peace-lovers are joining hands to take care of Nigeria and stop her from bleeding to death! How awesome!

Give Love a Chance!

                                  By Nkiru Oh

Some embrace love.

Some shy away from it.

Some are favored by love.

Some scarred by it.

Some commit to love.

Some trivialize it.

Some nurture love.

Some stifle it.

Love illuminates your life.

Love unites and is stronger than strife.

Love makes you often wanna dance!

I wish you love, please give love a chance.

REJOICE!

By Nkiru Oh

You may not be the richest in the land.
And you are not the prettiest in the band.

You do not live at the coveted part of the city.

And do not have millions which cause you self-pity.

You cannot afford a cruise to the Islands

Neither can you pay for a weekend in the main lands.

The list of what you cannot do,

May fill all the scrolls in the world and the seas too.

But wait a minute! Think for a second!!

Those wasted moments can never be regained.

Take a trip to the inside of you.

Examine who you are, enjoy that you in you.

Your life is precious, celebrate it.

Waking up is a blessing, be thankful for it.

Those little things you take for granted:
Getting off the car when you have landed;

Bathing and grooming, putting on your shoes;

Holding up a spoon or a box of your tools;

Driving to the movies or the grocery stores;

Laughing and making merry with friends and loved ones;

Telling the time, your anniversaries and birthdays;

Distinguishing the seasons, the nights from the days;

Though very simple, basic and easy

Yet very complex and unattainable to the queasy!

Count your blessings, name them one by one.

Today is the time, tomorrow may be gone.

Rejoice and be glad, be thankful for now.

Rejoice and be glad, I believe you know how.

Do not wait to marry.                                                                            

There’s no more time to tarry.

Do no wait to have kids before you rejoice.

Or to get that new job before you make your choice.

Do not wait till those unfriendly colleagues all get fired.

Or the wicked bosses that troubled you are all retired.

Count your blessings, name them one by one.

Now is the time, tomorrow may be gone.

Be the best you can, be thankful for your life.

Rejoice and be glad! Celebrate you and end the strife!

The Time is Now!

By Nkiru Oh

Children are crying!
People are dying!
Bomb blasts here and there!
Gun shots adding their share!
Enemies are within!
Instigators are without!
Where do we run to?
Where is safe?
Neither the East nor the West;
Fear in the South;
Confusion in the North!
The world is watching!
What are we waiting for?
Another Rwanda?
Does Sudan ring a bell?
How about Somalia?
How about Kosovo?
Sierra Leone and Liberia still sound like yesterday!
Libya not yet recovered!
Egypt and Syria still in the woods!
Arise fellow Nigerians, our country is in shambles!
Gird your loins, Oh ye peace-lovers!
The task is hard, the journey is long!
Pick up the pieces, wipe your tears!
The odds are many
But united we prevail!
Distrust and disunity have hindered us for so long!
The time is now!
To say No to our detractors!
The time is now!
To reclaim what is ours!
Nigeria is ours!
Please let us not let Nigeria die!
The time is now...