WHY ARE WE AT WAR?

Ever since I was born, all I hear about is war. I turn on the TV to listen to news from all over the world and all I hear and see are reports of conflicts across the globe. Are we not tired of fighting each other? Is the human race that hell bent on dominating each other? I am beginning to think that the sole reason of our existence is to overshadow each other. War has been with us since the beginning of time, and does not look like stopping any time soon. My question is this, why do we risk our lives for something we do not understand?

            As a soldier, you signed up for the army in order to serve your country, and even lay down your life when it matters the most. You pick up a gun and go into battle against someone you have never met, and chances are you will not meet that person again. Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “why am I fighting this person, is war the only way to settle this?” These are questions that should be asked before picking up those arms.

            Most times, we go to war and kill innocent people over differences that exist between two leaders of which we know nothing about. You are just given orders and you obey without asking questions. Certainly we are not robots and neither are we programmed. We have minds to think, so let us use them. Rewind back to the days of the kings of Israel and look at the way they fought their battles. The kings led their armies into battles and fights, sometimes losing their lives in the process. Of course, they know that they may die, but they go to battle with the pride of leading their people. But in this generation, the president seats in his mansion, and sends citizens he or she claims to care about, into battle to fight over a course they know little to nothing about. Is this not madness? This is the definition of wickedness. Let us start asking questions before we take action. Why can’t these leader get into a boxing ring and fight it out man-to-man. Whoever loses bows to the wishes of the winner. This way we will end bloodshed among innocent people.

            The human nature is used to domination and elimination so my idea is quite laughable, but if people can wake up from their slumber, wars will be a thing of the past. The fate of a country at war lies in the hands of the soldier at the battlefield. If every soldier can stop and say NO to killing people, if they refuse to obey the words of their Generals, peace will reign. I cannot imagine the amount of people who have died in battle over what they do not understand, but we can stop it today. Let those who have problems settle it between themselves and not involving innocent lives. We have lost too many souls already. 

NIGERIAN TRADITION IN THE UNITED STATES

       

A bride in a traditional attire

           Tradition is a belief or behavior passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. In Africa, tradition is taken in high esteem and is even recognized by most governments in various countries around the continent. In eastern Nigeria, tradition is the identity of an individual. It defines who you are and where you come from. It is believed that a person without a culture or tradition is a lost person.

            Over the years, culture and tradition have continued to be practiced in Nigeria. Though the coming of the colonial masters revolutionized it, they nonetheless did not stop it from being practiced. It has continued to be passed down from generation to generation. However, there is this fear that the culture and tradition of the Nigerians may become extinct in the near future. This is because of people who have allowed the intrigues of modernity overshadow their acceptance of culture. Who or what is to blame for these developments?

            The search for greener pastures have contributed to the detriment of the Nigerian culture, because many people who now live in modernized cities have forgotten the traditions they left behind in their villages. Many of us even chose to forget our roots, and this is wrong because it impacts negatively on our children. Over here in the U.S., I have seen some second generation Nigerians (Nigerians who were born in the U.S.) who do not speak nor understand the language. I understand that it will be difficult to learn what, to them, is like a foreign language, but showing the zeal to learn the ways of your people is what is missing. Some do not even want to be recognized as Nigerians or Africans. I do not totally blame them because they were born here and the U.S. is the only country they have known. I instead blame the parents who have failed to teach them the culture and tradition of their people. To me, I do not consider them as Nigerians. Someone who says, “My parents are from Nigeria but I am from New York” is definitely not a Nigerian.

Traditional dancers from eastern Nigeria.

            Few Nigerian parents in the diaspora have actually thought their children the ways of their people. I was surprised to see the number of Nigerian children over here who speak their local language fluently like they were brought up in Nigeria. They know where they are from, what part, and information about Nigeria. This makes me feel that our local tradition is being encouraged even in foreign countries. Though this is encouraging, more is still needed to be done.

            How many of our parents would be happy to see our culture die? How many of our children will want to someday go back to Nigeria? We should realize that there is no other place we can call home. We should not allow the life of modernism cloud our sense of reasoning. We can either return to our roots, or sell ourselves to a foreign way of life. Parents should try to send their children home sometimes so they can understand where they come from. I have spoken to many Nigerians who were born here and most of them are actually interested in knowing about Nigeria. This is good news but it should not end there. Let us try to do what is right and not abandon our beliefs. We cannot run away from who we are. We are Nigerians, and we should remain Nigerians. God bless us all. 

WHO IS A GOOD FRIEND?

• A good friend is someone you can lean on in times of need
• A good friend is someone who cares for you regardless of what you are
• A good friend is someone who respects your religion or race
• A good friend is someone who sees you going astray, and draws you back
• A good friend is someone who says good things behind your back
• A good friend is someone who is not afraid to criticize you when you do wrong
• A good friend is someone who takes criticisms in good faith
• A good friend is someone who impacts your life positively
• A good friend is someone who believes in you, and encourages you
• A good friend is someone who is not ashamed of you
• A good friend is someone who will go out of his/her way to help you
• A good friend is someone who will go out of his/her way to put a smile of your face
• A good friend is someone who is always willing to help you out
• A good friend is someone who hits you up even when there is absolutely nothing to talk about
• A good friend is someone who gives without expecting something in return
• A good friend is someone who positively impacts your life
• A good friend is someone who is not envious of you
• A good friend is someone who comes to your aid in your time of need
• A good friend is someone who is always sincere to you, and tells you the truth all the time

• A good friend is someone who forces you to study, because he/she cares about you
• A good friend is someone who laughs and cries with you
• A good friend is someone who will be there when you are successful and when you are down
• A good friend is someone who gives you good advice
• A good friend is someone who calms you down when you are nervous
• A good friend is someone who can give his/her all just to see you happy
• A good friend is someone who respects your opinions
• A good friend is your confidant
• A good friend is your partner in crime and success
• A good friend will never betray your trust
• A good friend makes peace, not war
• A good friend is someone who has confidence in you
• A good friend is your second brother, your second sister, your second father or mother.
• Good friends do not keep malice, rather they straighten things out
• Good friends hold each other down
• Good friends fight and make up
• Good friends know when to joke around, and also know when to be serious
• Good friends do not hurt each other’s feelings
• Good friends see each other as family

You may have friends, but not everyone truly wishes you well. Friendship is a give-and-take situation. A good friend does not always look to receive, but rather looks to give. Become someone’s friend today. When you lend a helping hand to someone, you are showing the true essence of love and friendship.

WHAT DID WE CELEBRATE?

            It will be appropriate to start by wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR. Welcome to 2013 and I wish everyone the very best this year. It is that time of the year when the celebrations of the yuletide season comes to an end and everything else goes back to normal. Even as we discard our Christmas trees and get used to the numerous gifts handed out to us, let us ask ourselves one important question. “What did we celebrate?”

            Many of us would boldly say Christmas, but according to the true meaning of that word, many of us did not celebrate it. Christmas (25^th December) is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, according to the Christian religion. Many Christians go to church on this day to celebrate, while other can mark this day by simply praying and praising God. In the Catholic Church, it is a holy day of obligation, which means that all Catholics are obligated to be in church. But looking around us today, Christmas has moved on from Jesus Christ to Gifts and Santa Claus. Majority of people, especially here in the US take Christmas as a time to give and receive gifts, decorate trees, and put on costumes. Many people have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas.

            Don’t get me wrong, I am not against gifts and decorations, it is a good thing. But when the reason for Christmas is relegated to the background, it does not tell well of what we believe. If you do not celebrate Christmas the right way, why call it Christmas? Remember, it is “Christ”-“mas”. My main concern is with grown-ups who have young children. These children will grow up to think that Christmas is all about Santa and gifts. Let us try to change all these. Let us go back to where we came from. Christmas is a day to mark the birth of Christ, and not our merriment only. How would you feel being thrown out of your own birthday party? (laughs)

 Worshiping on Christmas day is the right way to celebrate Christmas, everything else can come later. If Christmas stops being divine and continues being about ourselves, then the name should be officially changed to something else. Let us not continue using a word we do not understand. How many of us can boldly say we celebrated Christmas, and not Santa?...... Just a few. It should not be hard celebrating true Christmas. Let us not take the “Christ” out of the “Christmas”.