Straight Talk with Chukwudi Obi

From to the cold breeze to the dew falls, it is obvious that Christmas is lurking around the corner. One will also observe that big corporations and companies have already beautified the front of their offices with the traditional red and green drapes; another pointer to the fact that Christmas is coming soon. Inside some of these offices, it is not out of place to see long Christmas lighting wired across the building. Already the Santa Claus red cap and other Christmas paraphernalia are in hot demand now. These only give one impression; we are counting down to Christmas. Christmas is not just a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but a time to relax, party, visit friends and go places. It is the twelfth month in the calendar and many people look forward to it. Apart from this fact, the month of December precedes the New Year. Thus people travel from the length and breadth of the earth to reunite with loved ones and family; only travelling back after the Christmas and

                     The thought came quickly as it went. I didn’t want to think about it at all, but it kept coming back. There is a twist in each tale concerning my dear country Nigeria.   The first is, take it or leave it, we are champions of Africa. The recently concluded African Cup of Nations proved that we have all it takes to compete and surpass achievements of countries like South Africa, Angola and step up to be like Australia, Finland, Switzerland, Iran etc. (I have intentionally omitted the USA not because I do not like the suave, smooth talking President Obama or his government but because when you hear one thing, another thing is happening. It is like the abracadabra kind of thing. The more you look, the less you see. I had to praise the team creative and graphic designers for that designed the Pepsi advertisement a day after we won the trophy. From a professional point of view, the picture showing the eagle clutching the trophy was simply classic! However, the t

--> Today is the fourth day of February, 2013. I can’t thank Good enough for His mercies and blessings on us. On three occasions, I started writing this article but the idea didn’t just flow as it used to so I dumped the idea. Someday, I thought, the idea will flow like an African spring and never stop. Many things have happened in the last 34 days; some good, some bad. So as I sit and reflect on the past happenings, I only recollect one thing; to be a man is not a day’s job. It is a process. Like an iron in fire, you are tested on many situations. Temptations come from left, right and centre. Even your endurance, maturity, sense of understanding and patience are tested. When you come out of it stronger and better, from within you, you know the sky is your starting point. I came back from work, took my bath and sat back in thought of what I would eat and I dozed off. When I woke up after a while, I saw that I had no fewer than 14 messages on my phone. I quickly checked

                                   I went...I saw...I... I have intentionally reserved this piece till this time. For one, I wanted to see how much news and hype the event will bring forth. Again, having traveled out of the state for one week, I had to relax and this goes also for my equipment. I also had to prepare for work which is in full swing. As I sat back on the bed reflecting on the question that my aunt asked me when I called on them on my way back to Lagos, it dawned on me that I did not have any opportunity to either see my grand parents or even have time for myself. I had taken a night bus on December 26 from Lagos to Owerri at a cut throat price. By 2 a.m on 27th, we had reached Owerri. I joined others in the Interdenominational Prayer and Worship session. As I thought, about the interdenominational worship, I smiled even more, for it was not just a success but an unprecedented success to be recorded in the annals of Umunumo history. While the event featured pr