JANUARY WILL NEVER HAVE MORE THAN 31 DAYS - Joseph O Ebirim

A few days ago, while speaking with a colleague, she jokingly added, “remember January has 101 days o.” We laughed over it and talked about other things. I have also heard a lot of things said about the month of January and generally about the yuletide as well – particularly how people break their heads over what to wear and how they can impress their supposed and actual admirers during the festive seasons simply to appear to be in vogue.

MARRIAGE, THE FAMILY AND OUR WORLD

Our world is in so much chaos today and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better from it as diplomatic rows abound and increase among nations seeking to outpace themselves politically and economically. Many other nations are drowning in the pool of corruption, plagued by terrorism, crippled by pandemics; natural disasters amidst myriads of controversies across the world. There is no doubt that our world is in dire need of healing and peace.

THE GOODS OF SOCIAL MEDIA (pt 1) - Joseph Ebirim

I have just read in the news (Punch News) the story of a female teacher who has received above half a million-Naira gift following her tweets of gratitude in honour of her husband, a security guard on contract who has not been paid since 2016, who bought her chicken for Christmas. What a heart-warming story on Christmas day! Surely, anyone thinking social media is of no good can have a rethink that there is something good about this invention.

In this beautiful story, I find a lot of take-homes to share:

SEX

By Joseph Ebirim

Sex, a play in the park of the spirits.

How often mortal man takes upon himself unprepared, 

the risk of sinking self in a pool of unfamiliar mystery;

But for the pleasure of its feel, 

for the food of his senses he doesn't mind;

Often prompted by the admittance of his thoughts 

the offerings brought by his eyes and ears;

And life proceeds with many eventualities 

unknown to him to be consequent of his misadventures. 

WHY I CALLED MY SON CHIDIEBUBE...

Birthing a son, which of course made me a father this year has been the most fantastic experience of 2020, a peculiar year with a lot of intrigues. It has not been a very smooth sail in any case but then again, there lies the purpose of this piece; a response to friends and family who have asked a very interesting question, why i chose CHIDIEBUBE, an Igbo name as my son's first name and a testimony of the goodness of God in my life and that of my family.

THE CNN REPORT ON LEKKI TOLL GATE KILLINGS: WHAT WILL THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT SAY NEXT?

Shortly after that cold and fateful night of October 20, 2020 when peaceful protesters at the Lekki area of Lagos state were attacked, some injured and some others killed, the Nigerian Army expressly denied the involvement of any of their soldiers at the Lekki shootings. The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu claimed that forces beyond the state’s control were responsible for the shootings and also denied seeing any scratch of blood at the scene.

LOOKING WITHIN AND NOT BEYOND – A MESSAGE TO THE NIGERIAN YOUTH

 by Joseph Ogadinma Ebirim

The year 2020 will go down in history as a very remarkably busy and dramatic year. Interestingly not much has been achieved economically for the nation as it seems it has been a year of many woes. Unarguably, to some others, it has been one of the best years of their lives. Such is life. One of the things I observed this year as we faced unprecedented turn out of events was the continuous call by country men and women for the international community to come to our aid in solving the problems facing us.