TIGblogs - Digital Parrot's TIGBlog

TODAY’S YOUTH : Condition Critical

Mon, 25 May 2009 08:16:00 EDT

For more than 100 years, distressing signals have been sent across the world by its greatest hope - the youths. These signals formerly negligible are becoming worse as conditions around the world become more harsh and critical. These signals, so dreadful, are becoming clearer as youths around the world are seen engaging in all kinds of obnoxious and abnormal activities.

As the new millennium unfolds itself, it is so obvious that the world's youth has now become humanity's pain. The recent spate of crime and killings across the world, the alarming number of jobless and homeless youths around the world, the rising number of deaths recorded as a result of starvation, deadly diseases, natural disasters, politically motivated wars etc. attests to the numerous crises facing today's youth.

It is estimated that over 70 million young people are unemployed throughout the world. In countries as diverse as Columbia, Egypt, Italy and Jamaica, more than one in three young persons are classified as "unemployed"- declaring themselves to be without work, to be searching for work and to be available for work. However, even more youth are struggling for survival in the informal economy.

Half of the world’s unemployed are between the ages of 15 and 24 and girls/women are particularly disadvantaged. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) estimates that approximately 96 million young women and 57 million young men are illiterate, most of them in developing countries. More so, of the 30 million people with HIV infection or AIDS, at least 10 million are aged between 10 and 24 years. According to the Joint United Nations program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), it is estimated that every day 7,000 young people worldwide acquire the virus. This means that there are around 2.6 million new infections a year among young people, including 1.7 million in Africa and 700,000 in Asia and the Pacific. Access to primary education is still a luxury in many parts of the world. The pitiful story goes on...

How have we, in the face of all this, responded to these decades of ever louder and distressing signals? Truly, we staged conferences and conventions, calling it World Youth Day, Children's Day etc. we formed youth organizations at every corner of the earth, passed laws governing youth, formed a few international bodies for youth/children etc., and all this while, the crises of the world's youth continues unabated.

What will it take for us to get serious about saving our youths? When will youth development and empowerment strategies move from being a mere philosophy promoted by a passionate minority to a way of life that governs the mainstream behaviour and policies of countries? When will we understand that the world's youth is but one delicate and major quota consisting of the uneducated youth, the unemployed youth, the abused and at-risk youth, the hungry and homeless youth, the terrorists, the racists, the fanatics, the internet scammers, the kidnappers, armed robbers etc. that will eventually threaten the well-being of towns and cities everywhere?

One crucial step globally admitted is a true accounting of the state of the world's youth. A thorough assessment of the educational system, the social, juvenile, justice, religious, recreational, political, economic systems etc. - that are involved in or contribute to the growth and well being of youth.

Only a comprehensive global survey can show how damage to one system affects other systems and can determine whether each country and the world as a whole is loosing its ability to nurture the full diversity and potentials of her youth and their oneness of purpose.

Only a comprehensive global database of talents can show the talents or potentials resident in youth and their ability to create positive changes in their society if given the necessary tools and resources.

Only a comprehensive global catalytic synergy can show that talented youth, youth activists and our world as a whole (Governmental and NGOs, for-profits and non-profits) can work together to re-orientate and empower today’s youth, to checkmate the crises facing today’s youth.

That was the thinking behind the launching of the Talents World project www.talentsworld.org A strategic project that seeks -

- TO DISCOVER AND RE-ORIENTATE: to help today’s youths discover their talents, understand the factors that contribute immensely to their crises or influence their style of life and their potential power to control these factors using their 3T’s (time, talent and treasure).

- TO EMPOWER: to develop and unlock the full potentials of youth. By pooling ideas and resources together in a network, by learning and empowering each other through that network, by creating multiple streams of income for each youth on that network, by showcasing the talents resident in today’s youth and mobilizing Individuals and Corporate Organizations to invest in today’s youth, to act faster in their plight of saving today’s youth.

- TO TRANSFORM to channel the creativity, talents and potentials of today’s youth towards societal transformation.

That was the motivation behind the writing of this article you are now reading.

The goal now is to answer the most important question of this century. "What is happening to the world's capacity to discover, develop, support and sustain youth development and empowerment strategies?

A call is made today as you read this article. An invitation is extended to all but sundry - all who have the interest of youth at heart. Answer this call today by answering the pertinent questions raised in this article. Answer this call today by sending in comments or suggestions that can be of help in understanding or alleviating the critical condition experienced by today's youth. Answer this call today by becoming a Global Volunteer(individuals), a Global Partner (organizations) or a Global Sponsor (individuals and organizations) of the Talents World project.

- To submit your comments or suggestions. send an email to savetheyouth@talentsworld.org

- To be constantly informed about the progress made in this cause, receiving facts / up-to-date information about the state of youths around the world, visit the Talents World website www.talentsworld.org and add your email to the Newsletter subscription form.

Don't close this page until you have taking one or more of the actions above because humanity is counting on you to help save her youths who are dying everyday.

A world for young Talents

Mon, 18 May 2009 15:35:00 EDT

New Page 1

A WORLD FOR YOUNG TALENTS

nbsp;

It all started like a dream several years ago. And who
could have imagined that this noble idea planted on a rough arid ground called
Nigeria would one day hatch itself, spread its wings, fly high and take its
place amongst the stars in the earth’s blue sky.

nbsp;

A dream comes true! A pregnancy is delivered! Creative
youths have carved out a world for themselves in Cyber space. It’s a hobby as
well as job! Whatever you choose to make out of it, you’ll find the tools you
need to carve your name on the sand of time.

nbsp;

Writers,
Artists, Actors, Musicians, Poets, Athletes,nbsp;
etc. it’s your world. The world of Young Talents.nbsp;
Visit it now!nbsp;nbsp; www.talentsworld.org

When Blogs and Bloggers unite

Mon, 18 May 2009 06:05:00 EDT

Blogging!
How and where did it start? Was it a mere Internet accident or a premeditated
idea and action in the minds of Scientists and Programmers? People say that blog
is a scientific tool or invention but artists and hobbyists seem to have
overshadowed all in the world of blogging. Whatever may have started this thing
called blog will be interesting to know but what is more spectacular for us
today is the way people create blogs to suit their needs.

nbsp;

Individual
artists and well meaning businesses or organizations have tapped into the power
of blogging by using it a tool to showcase their works or products online and
get feedback from a large community of online visitors and readers.

nbsp;

Before
blogging came to be, how did people keep their records? Wikipedia says
that ldquo;before blogging became popular, digital communities took many forms,
including Usenet,
commercial online services such as GEnie,
BiX and the early CompuServe,
e-mail
lists and Bulletin
Board Systems (BBS). In the 1990s, Internet
forum software, such as WebEx,
created running conversations with quot;threadsquot;. Threads are topical
connections between messages on a metaphorical quot;corkboardquot;. Some have
likened blogging to the Mass-Observation
project of the mid-20th century.rdquo;

nbsp;

It
is interesting to know that the word blog ldquo;was derived from the term quot;weblogquot;
coined by Jorn
Barger on 17 December 1997. The short
form, quot;blog,quot; was coined by Peter Merholz, who jokingly broke the word
weblog into the phrase we blog in the sidebar of his blog Peterme.com in April
or May 1999. Shortly thereafter, Evan
Williams at Pyra
Labs used quot;blogquot; as both a noun and verb (quot;to blog,quot;
meaning quot;to edit one's weblog or to post to one's weblogquot;) and devised
the term quot;bloggerquot; in connection with Pyra Labs' Blogger
product, leading to the popularization of the terms.

After
a slow start, blogging rapidly gained in popularity. Blog usage spread during
1999 and the years following, being further popularized by the near-simultaneous
arrival of the first hosted blog tools:

Open
Diary launched in
October 1998, soon growing to thousands of online diaries. Open Diary
innovated the reader comment, becoming the first blog community where
readers could add comments to other writers' blog entries.

Brad
Fitzpatrick, a well
known blogger started LiveJournal
in March 1999.

Andrew
Smales created Pitas.com in July 1999 as an easier alternative to
maintaining a quot;news pagequot; on a website, followed by Diaryland in
September 1999, focusing more on a personal diary community.

Evan
Williams and Meg
Hourihan (Pyra
Labs) launched blogger.com
in August 1999 (purchased by Google
in February 2003)

Blogging
combined the personal web page with tools to make linking to other pages easier
mdash; specifically permalinks,
blogrolls
and TrackBacks.
This, together with weblog
search engines enabled bloggers to track the threads that connected them to
others with similar interests.rdquo; The full history of blogging continues here.
You can also find out more on how artists and creatives are uniting with the
power of blogging at Talent Blogosphere.

nbsp;

With
the rate at which people create and use blogs today, it is hoped that in the nearest future, our
world will become a pretty blog.

nbsp;

Talents World pays youths for ideas and Creativity.

Mon, 18 May 2009 06:05:00 EDT

Have you heard? Talents World is paying youths for their
ideas and creativity through its new empowerment site called ldquo;Talents
Displayrdquo;.

nbsp;

How? Talent Display is the sum total of Talent and
Creativity. A mutual benefit site designed to aggregate and showcase the works
of Talents to many Publishers and Producers across the globe. Apart for being
noticed by Talent Agents and Producers browsing the Talents Display site,
yoursquo;ll receive monthly royalties from your Talent Portfolio showcased on the
Talents Display website. Based on the number of page views and attention /
comments your creative work attracts, Talents World pays you for showcasing your
great ideas and Talent Portfolio. You can login into your personal member area
anytime to see the amount your Talent Portfolio has generated and once your
account has reached the minimum payout amount, Talents World will send your
check to you or deposit your money in your paypal, e-gold or Liberty Reserve
account.

nbsp;

Find out more by visiting

Winning the Global war on Talent: The Strategy

Mon, 18 May 2009 02:05:00 EDT

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From
the earlier reports in the preceding articles on the Global Talent war quot;,
it is clear that a talent strategy is now as important as a marketing or finance
strategy for corporations operating in today's multi-polar world of Talent. Of
all the business issues to be addressed, talent is among the most difficult.

nbsp;

In
fact, the latest annual survey by Accenture (ACN)nbsp;
of more than 850 C-suite executives around the world reveals that ldquo;
attracting and retaining talent falls only behind competition as the top threat
to business success. Despite years of lip service, senior executives are only
now realizing that their talent strategy must entail more than just throwing
money at high-performers in hopes of recruiting and retaining them. Indeed,
talent must be redefined to include not just the best and brightest but the
entire workforcemdash;those who contribute all of the skills and capabilities that
an organization needs to sustain growth.rdquo;

nbsp;

To
assist those responsible for talent management in organizations, Talent Q issued
a four-point recovery plan:

1. Understand the implications of the recession (resources and budgets,
engagement of incumbent employees and increased external talent pool) and adapt
talent management strategy and practice accordingly

2. Develop a joined up talent strategy, reflecting best practice elements of
strategic human resource management

3. Implement talent management in an integrated and consistent manner, for
example ensuring that data captured in recruitment can be drawn on to support
other elements of the talent lifecycle

4. Measure HRrsquo;s contribution and articulate this in business language, thereby
ensuring continued investment in talent management.

ldquo;By way of example, the use of objective assessment data to inform decisions
about people has for a long time been regarded as a key to success. It helps
organisations to explicitly evaluate the value and return on investment (ROI) to
be gained from psychometrics and other talent management activities.rdquo;
concluded Dr. Bourne.

nbsp;

Five
strategic imperatives that companies should embrace to become talent-powered
organizations have also been identified at Accenture,

nbsp;

1.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;
Human capital strategy must be an intrinsic part of any business
strategy, but it requires the discipline of a long-distance runner.nbsp;
(Talent Capital)

nbsp;

2.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;
Diversity must be recognized and nurtured as the organization's greatest
asset, and the ability to attract and work with diverse talent must be seen as a
critical competitive advantage. (Talent Diversity)

nbsp;

3.
Learning and skills development are among one of the most important capabilities
for the talent-powered organization, but the best programsmdash;aimed at a global
workforcemdash;recognize that not everyone learns in the same way or at the same
pace. Increasingly, technological innovations are generating new and exciting
answers to these challenges.nbsp;

nbsp;

New
software tools and services are enabling companies to have their top performers
collaborate, share their ideas, and flesh out new products and processes over
distances and time zones from anywhere around the world. (Talent Development)

nbsp;

4.
Engagement is the mystery ingredient that can transform business performance,
but it can be elusive.nbsp; Engagement
drivers are as diverse as the talent pools we see across the globe, and they
need to be tailored to the local cultures as well as the corporate cultures of
organizations.

In
addition to offering employees a chance to be part of a community of people
doing meaningful work, companies must learn to treat family, leisure, and
personal well-being as important parts of employees' lives. (Talent Engagement)

nbsp;

5.
Talent is everyone's responsibility, not just HR's. The primary challenge is
retaining talent once you have itmdash;we see this with chemical companies in the
developed world, construction companies in India, or even in seeking qualified
program managers for our major projects in China or Africa. Every touch point in
the organization has an opportunity to make a difference, and I have seen that
talent can flee an organization because of factors as varied as a poor work
environment, unclear career models, or poor performance by management. (Talent
Management and Leadership)

nbsp;

With
once-familiar talent pools drying up and new ones rapidly coming upstream,
organizations have to move fast and act smart if they are to attract, motivate,
and keep the best people. Business leaders are quickly realizing the magnitude
of these issues and challenges, but at the same time they express a lot of
concern about their organizations' readiness to respond.

nbsp;

The Global war on Talent rages on

Mon, 18 May 2009 02:05:00 EDT

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It
is no longer news today that there is a raging war on Talent as executives in
every major market and across every major industry are struggling to adjust
corporate costs in line with declining revenues and miserable profits.

nbsp;

With
the prevailing global recession, the unpredictable state of national economies,
Corporate Organizations are beginning to rethink their strategy of attracting
and retaining the best of Talents. This no doubt will have serious adverse
effects on the society, as many more will be laid off in this decisive process,
which organizations must perform if they must remain in business.nbsp;

nbsp;

Results
from a survey polled from more than 300 senior business leaders and human
resource executives at large businesses worldwide reveal the gravity of current
Talent strategic issues.

nbsp;

This
survey of international executives carried out by Deloitte
in March 2009 reveals that austerity measures occupy an increasingly significant
portion of management time, outranking efforts to increase sales and serve
customers as top priorities now and in the coming months. Employee layoffs
remain widespread, as newspaper headlines attest. In addition, the survey
suggests headcount cuts are getting deeper and more difficult for executives and
talent managers to make. These managers are struggling with how best to align
their workforces with the reality of what many expect to be a prolonged
downturn.

nbsp;

The
hallmark of the issue at stake is that, ldquo;Talent is no longer just a human
resources issue. It is an urgent strategic issue that business leaders need to
address proactivelymdash;now.rdquo;nbsp; says
Mark Foster, Accenture's group chief executive.

nbsp;

Buy
why? ldquo;Corporations are now experiencing seismic shifts in demographics,
resulting in aging workforces but fewer, younger workers in some parts of the
world are promising sources of young talent in other parts; a rising demand for
new skills paired with growing deficits in basic skills; more diverse,
distributed, and mobile workforces; and, despite a global abundance of people,
local scarcities of talent exist. The shortages are particularly acute for
knowledge workers and managers.rdquo;

nbsp;

Examining
the issues at stake, he went ahead saying: ldquo;Realizing that a committed,
high-performance workforce is the heart and engine of any organization, the
facts about the global workforce challenges are undeniable:

nbsp;

bull;Companies
and countries will need more than 3.5 billion people by 2010 to fill knowledge
worker positions. By 2020, that number will exceed 4 billion. Projections
indicate that there will be shortages between 32 million and 39 million people
to fill these positions. The U.S. will have the biggest shortfallmdash;needing as
many as an additional 14 million people.

nbsp;

bull;
The shortage of talent is particularly acute at the management level. Two out of
five Chinese companies find it difficult to fill senior-management positions,
and turnover rates at the manager level in China are 25% higher than the global
average.

nbsp;

bull;
The balance of the global labor supply is shifting to developing economies.
Between 2005 and 2050, the working-age population of emerging economies will
increase by 1.7 billion, compared with a decline of 9 million in the developed
economies.

nbsp;

bull;
In the U.S., retirement of the baby boomers means that the 500 biggest companies
could lose half their senior managers in the next five years.

nbsp;

These
are just a few facts, but it's clear that talent has become a global commodity,
fiercely fought over by multiple competitors.

nbsp;

As
a result, many CEOs are eager to discuss the development of a quot;talent
mapquot; to help them think about the skills they require, for what purposes,
where in the world they should be located, and how they can secure those skills.
Many have devised innovative solutions, some more successful than others.rdquo;

nbsp;

At
the grass root level of this war on Talent, there is a particular crises
situation for those who are just entering the Talent market, as in the case of
India. There is great worry today about indiarsquo;s disturbing employment
scenario, says Vidyasagar. ldquo;Though Indiarsquo;s potential engineering talent pool
presents some dream figures for a hiring manager, the reality is that
employability in the IT sector is only about 25 per cent.rdquo;

nbsp;

The
country has 347 institutes of higher education and 16,885 colleges with a total
enrolment of over 99 lakh students. These institutes produce around 4.95 lakh
technical graduates, nearly 23 lakh other graduates and over 3 lakh
post-graduates every year. But when they arrive on the campus, recruitment
managers find that not even a lakh of graduates are employable.rdquo;

How
will students overcome the skill gap that becomes apparent when they enter the
industry?nbsp; How will the industry
work with all stakeholders to address the employability issue of these students
as they seek to enter the Talent Market? These are just some of the prevailing
questions.

nbsp;

As
the global war on Talent rages on, should companies today step up their focus on
Gen Y workers they employnbsp; ndash; and
cater to their needs? Or should they dismiss the issue as just another
generation gap that will eventually fade away? A publication Gen
Y ndash; or Gen Whine? by Deloitte examines this issue.

nbsp;

Whether
companies recruit young technicians from the developing world, retain valuable
experience from an aging generation of employees, or integrate Generation Y into
the workforce, it is so obvious that Talent managers or executives today
confront a maelstrom of talent issues.

nbsp;

Talent Management in a Global Crises Scenario

Mon, 18 May 2009 02:05:00 EDT

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How
are Talent Managers in Corporations responding to the perilous and often
unpredictable currents of todayrsquo;s economy? Find out by taking a look at this
longitudinal study, ldquo;Managing
Talent in a Turbulent Economy: Navigating a Course Through Rough Waters,rdquo;
carried out by Deloitte.
The report also examines how strategic priorities and talent tactics have
changed since their last survey.

nbsp;

Another
report ldquo;Talent Management: A Complete Guide to Strategies, Systems, and
Issuesrdquo; contains the answers organizations need to ensure that they find,
develop, and retain the most skilled individuals. Co-written by industry experts
Mark Albrecht and Janet Clarey, Senior Researcher and Writer at
Brandon Hall Research, this 211-page report provides the most in-depth
information available on the topic of talent management.

nbsp;

Using
talent management strategies and technology to build a great workforce is very
essential in todayrsquo;s competitive business environment. The term ldquo;talent
managementrdquo; refers to managing the entire employee lifecycle, from attracting
and hiring to promoting and finding a successor upon retirement.

nbsp;

Talent
management is increasingly a part of the corporate strategy for most
organizations. You donrsquo;t have to look very far to see articles about
attracting, developing, and retaining talent. Forecasts abound on retirements,
labor shortages, quality of new hires, and lack of future leaders. All point to
the need for organizations to act now or risk losing competitive advantage.

nbsp;

To
maintain a competitive advantage and to meet the demands of business,
organizations need to identify, select, and develop their employees in a way
that both supports the companyrsquo;s business goals and provides employees with a
clear career path. In other words, organizations must become deliberate and
strategic in their programs for managing their talent.

A
recent survey carried out by TalentQ www.talentqqroup.comnbsp;
reveals that

nbsp;

Two
thirds of organisations fail to apply talent management strategies in a
coordinated way

Two thirds of organisations havenrsquo;t adapted their talent management strategy
to respond to the recession

Over 70 per cent donrsquo;t measure overall relationships between talent management
and business performance

Over 80 per cent donrsquo;t measure return on investment of their talent management
activity

90 per cent donrsquo;t benchmark their talent management effectiveness against
external comparators.

The report, underpinned by data from organisations of different sizes and across
different sectors, paints a picture of human resources departments being
reactive to events rather than showing leadership within their organisation.

Dr. Bourne says: ldquo;What we found of most concern is that despite many HR
professionals admitting that their practices arenrsquo;t effective, nearly 40 per
cent said that their organisations had no plans to adapt their talent management
strategy in the coming year. Thatrsquo;s despite the fact that there are some very
simple steps that could be taken and tools they could employ.rdquo;

Industries today need skilled workers and they need to start developing their
new leaders now. But where are these skilled workers and leaders? Are leaders
born or can they be identified and developed? Can critical leadership skills be
taught? And if so, how?nbsp; Find out in this report The
Leading Edge: Best Practices for Learning and Talent Development

A world for Young Talents!

Sun, 17 May 2009 01:05:00 EDT

nbsp;

A dream comes true! A pregnancy is delivered! Creative
youths have carved out a world for themselves in Cyber space. Itrsquo;s a hobby as
well as job! Whatever you choose to make out of it, yoursquo;ll find the tools you
need to carve your name on the sand of time.

nbsp;

Writers,
Artists, Actors, Musicians, Poets, Athletes,nbsp;
etc. itrsquo;s your world. The world of Young Talents.nbsp; Visit it now!nbsp;nbsp; www.talentsworld.org

THE WAY TO WISDOM

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:33:00 EDT

Who has found where Wisdom lives?
Who has entered her treasure house?
All those who tried have vanished
And gone down to the world of the dead
Others came along and took their place
A later generation was born and lived
But they too did not discover her
They found not her path nor reached her home

Their children tried but also failed
Wisdom wasn't found by the Canaanites
Nor discovered by the Edomites
Who search greatly after knowledge
The way to wisdom was not found
By the merchants of Merran and Tema
Nor by those who relate fables
Nor by those who seek understanding

No man ever went up to the heavens
To discover her source or to capture her
And bring her down out of the clouds
No man has sailed accross the seas
To find Wisdom and bring her with gold
No man knows where Wisdom lives
Nor the path that leads to her home
None but the Wise One can tell where she lives

The only person who knows all things
Is the person who knows where Wisdom lives
Before time began, he had already found her
He used her to create the universe
'Light' trembled and obeyed when Wisdom called
She sent it forth and it appeared
She called the stars and they promptly answered
They took their place and shone for His glory

No one is like him - the Wise One
Who discovered the paths leading to wisdom
He gave Wisdom to his servant Isreal
Whom He loved beyond all measure
And from that time, Wisdom appeared
She came to earth to live among men
She came to her own, but her own rejected her
But for all who believed or trusted in her
She gave them the secrets of possessing Wisdom

Note: Most of the content of this poem comes from the books of BARUCH and SIRACH: Goodnews Bible (Catholic Edition)

However the style of presentation, comes fresh from the hands of the poet ......Samuel.....

MY QUEST FOR WISDOM

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:28:00 EDT

I said to myself, 'I will be wise'
I turned my mind to seek for wisdom
To understand the ways of the wise
And the path that leads to life

Considering 'Madness' 'Wisdom' and 'Folly'
I added one to another to find the sum
But in dismay, I slayed the search
Seeing what fate awaits them all

What befalls the fool, befalls the wise
For the taste of death both will share
So why stress myself acquiring all
When none on earth will escape her

I hated life because of this
Striving under the sun with nothing to show
I drowned in misery until I heard
That a kind of wisdom gives life eternal

And before now, I did discover
That Wisdom excells Folly with heights unknown
The wise man has eyes in front of his head
But the fool cannot tell the time or way

I also found more bitter than death
'Love' whose hands is snares and nests
The child of Virtue escapes her
But into her nest Vice's son will fall.

And so I returned to my quest for wisdom
Like a warrior in search of a precious pearl
I sold all the treasures life offered me
To buy the wisdom that gives life eternal

Note: Most of the content of this poem comes from the books of ECCLESIASTES: Goodnews Bible (Catholic Edition)

However the style of presentation, comes fresh from the hands of the poet ......Samuel.....

Where is my true love, .....?

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:12:00 EDT

(To understand this article better, substitute the name Anita with your name and read on)

ARE YOU THE ONE?

I raised my head up to see the shadow that walked past my room. The room in which I chained myself all these years, not wanting to know or meet any, except 'Anita' my love.

For several years now, I have seen only but a glimpse of her. For several years now, I have experienced her presence, but each time I stretch my hands to hold her, my hands shrink as though I just gripped a fume of smoke. Oh! What an unhappy man I am. Who will save me from these crises? Who will deliver me from the madness called ‘Anita’?

But only 'Anita' my love can rescue me. Only Anita my true love can save me. For her voice is all I hear when I wake in the morning. Her face is all I see all through the night. Her love is all I feel all through the day, that I now desire to know and speak of nothing except Anita my love.

Anita, so pretty that her beauty shines like the noonday sun. So gentle that her voice resounds like the cool evening breeze that blows and soothes my soul. Her patience and wisdom is one that thrills my entire being. Her kindness and compassion is like a pretty flower no one can resist. Her openness, trust, loyalty, simplicity and humility are one you could never buy even with all the treasures on earth.

Anita! The girl who has shaped my entire life. The girl who has shaped my entire being. The girl for whom I have totally reserved my sweet self, that I may present it wholly or entirely to her. For in pain and torment, I crushed my passions. The passions that made all girls seem like Anita to me. But no! They are not Anita. They are not the sun in my sky. For my Anita is the one specially chosen and prepared for me, even before the world was made. She is the mirror that reveals my entire goodness. She is a perfect compliment of me, my missing rib of whom I will never rest until I find.

Oh Anita! Your love is more than gold to me. Your beauty is more than precious silver. Your gentleness is so real that my heart will know no rest until I hold you tight in my hands. Until I experience the sweetness of your kiss, nothing on earth can fill my soul. So then, touch me with your love. Hold me as your own. Let my heart know nothing except the sweetness of your love. Let my heart cease to be if it fails to experience Anita's love.

Oh Anita! I have longed so dearly for you.I have waited so patiently to meet you. I have given up everything I ought to enjoy as a youth that I may enjoy it all in you. My friends, so dear have always told me that Anita will never come. That someone else will find her heart before I do and use her until she sags like the breasts of a 100 year old lady. That even when I do find her, she would have been as useless as the peels of a rotten banana.

Oh what a dilemma! Oh what a confusion! That with the present rate of immorality in our world today, I am forced to admit it as true. I am forced to heed their advice, to forget Anita and seek for another. But how could I? How could I forget Anita? My heart will not let me do it. My love for her is too strong.

Even so, deep down in my heart, I know that my Anita will still come, that the God who rewards patience and virtue will at the right time, send my Anita to me. What may be left of her I cannot say, but all I know is that my heart and hers will fuse together to produce but one perfect heart called ‘love’.

And so, as I lie in this boring room called ‘patience’, waiting for the day Anita my love will come. Waiting for the day the sun in my sky will appear to vanish no more. I can’t but keep observing every lady that passes by, with hope that I may one day find Anita, with hope that I may one day find the only sun in my blue sky.

With such great anxiety and torment I have lived for years. With such great pain and confusion in my heart, I can’t but ask, now and over again, ‘where is my love Anita?’ the girl who has always lived in my dreams. Where is my dream, 'Anita’? Are you the one?’

CSR - It begins with You

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:14:00 EST

This article below is subdivided into four parts

- My Personal Experience
- The Knowledge acquired
- Appreciation
- Recommendation to the Event Organizers

1. My Personal Experience

It was my first day at a TIG event / chat session and all was a bit strange to me. I made it a point of duty to be there on time and to prepare for it but no matter how much preparation one does you’ll still have to face some unforeseen scenerios. I was at the chat spot about an hour before the program began, having freed up my schedule for the day, but due to the place I was at that moment, the devices I needed to be fully involved were not at my reach. Anyway thanks to my early arrival and to the TIG Chat moderator who reminded me that I could still hear what the Invited Speakers were saying with just a speaker connected to my PC. Luckily the PC that was available for me to use had external speakers on it but whoops! The motherboard sound drivers had not been installed. Without wasting time, I was about searching for / installing the drivers as was my usual hobby, but since time was a critical factor now and the program had already started I had to burst it and resign to fate. I initially felt so bad and wished I were at home or a Café where all the facilities I needed were in place. But somehow I just had to cheer myself up.

Seeing a few bright, colourful and charming faces on the video/webcam sreen of the chat page (whom I guess were the speakers) gave me some ray of hope and so I quietly sat and watched the prgramme as though I were sitting in front of a TV set. I was trying to see the names behind the nice faces: moniquesk, Mango1982 etc. until the TIG moderator initiated an introductory session. Introductions were nicely done and we moved on to the business for day. Though I could not hear a single word due to the situation I found myself in but the text that was typed into the general chat box was fully digested. When the opportunity came I threw in a question which I had earlier prepared for the speaker from Microsoft. it was quite lengthy but justice was done to it as I became fully aware of Microsoft’s style in executing her CSR

My time was not wasted at all as I actually learnt so much within that short period of chat and wished it had lasted longer. After the program ended, I stayed back at the chat room trying to get to know the other participants better and make new connections. Somehow, I found myself being so helpful to some who came in later and felt so bad that they could not make it on time for the event. They thought they had missed out completely not until I told them that I had copied out what was typed into the general chat box for refference purposes. They too were able catch a glimpse of what happened at the event as they requested me to send them a copy.

For those who missed out completely you'll find below, neatly presented, the key points of what I learnt at the Event, And for the Organizers / Speakers, if there is any ommission / correction, don't hesitate to point it out. It will be much helpful

2. THE KNOWLEDGE I ACQUIRED

Organizations must take responsibility for their impact on society. Roles must be clearly defined, the advantages/disadvantages, their long-term sustainability must be clearly understood.

We must help organizations become more socially responsible. There is need to develop leadership in young people internationally. Developing learning networks around corporate responsibility as AIESEC strives to do. Membership in AIESEC provides training for young people, gives them the opportunity to lead teams take on leadership roles. It also provides a global environment - connecting them within all countries. The role of furthering sustainability of CSR is everyone's responsibility, even the non-corporate sector. There is really no disadvantages in CSR although it can be costly in the short-term, but cost effective in the long-term.

It ensures longevity as individuals prefer working with companies who have values that reflect their own. They are willing to work for these companies even for a lesser pay. As such we must encourage companies to meet these values.

It should be the role of everybody to have an approach to CSR. There are large business opportunities for companies who implement their CSR approach well. The current trend is that society doesn't understand what CSR is. They connect it with philanthropy, or investment. That is why it is viewed negatively by companies. People who benefit from CSR should in turn be in charge of the sustainability of the CSR ideas. If there is the right understanding - then more companies will become involved, not just multinationals.

We need our society to understand what CSR really means but the big question remains, how do we educate society about csr? Involving all players and not having corporations as the main entity in charge of csr. Most Nationals think that the big successful companies should be the ones involved in CSR. Many people see companies attempting to be more equitable, generous. Eg. Working with coffee growers in different parts of the world, encourages fair practices in coffee growing. Above all, CSR starts with YOU as an individual before you extend it to the wider and outer targets. Many do not really understand the company’s CSR initiatives; they just see a company trying to do something good. There is an understanding that companies are trying to play a leadership role in various issues but the question is : are they doing enough?
.
Microsoft’s approach to CSR is quite unique. Their programs, partnership perception. Answering the question I raised about Microsoft (with its greatness), taking the lead in CSR mobilization, execution, management, training and evaluation, I was made to understand that Microsoft only plays a supportive role. Your support and partner to achieve the goal.

Its worth examining the actual business practices of companies, when examining what csr is. We as individuals have to do something about it. Companies can write a cheque - but they need to make sure that their core business practices are fair. Two contrasting ideas are now emerging; people think corporations should lead csr, vs. individuals being responsible for understanding csr. Could the misconceptions be a result of pressure?

But why are there these two very different perspectives? And how can we bring these two perspectives together? i.e - are we as individuals responsible for educating ourselves about csr practices amongst different orgs, companies - or are the companies themselves responsible? Or how can we bring together these two ideas

What creates confusion in CSR is largely terminology particularly when coming from academics. Buzz words get filtered in through media that really aren't explained, creates confusion and leaves some people going home with the notion that CSR is philanthropy - donating money. In the real sense of it, CSR is what Allyson (Speaker from Microsoft) outlined, the actual day to day business practices. Business practices needs to have the positive social impact, an internal and external approach. The best way to avoid confusion is really bringing the right practices into the mainstream.

Rather than talking about the act, or green washing: businesses try and appear as though they are sustainable and responsible, when they really are not. Let’s push that aside and see true leadership. A typical example: one of the largest financial organizations in Manitoba, a member based cooperative credit union. (Assiniboine Credit Union). Everyone has right to vote in elections and choose representatives that guide the financial organization. But this org have strict csr policies and do not invest any money in unethical businesses and their members have agreed to this policy. This org has 44 branches in a province of 1 million people. When it comes to investments or community contributions they support different grass roots initiatives, they practice what they preach every day. Leadership is like that, and when you communicate those kinds of leadership that helps to show what CSR really is.

A few Helpful links

Microsoft Partners in Learning (program about partnership perception/progress report)
: http://www.microsoft.com/education/partnersinlearning.mspx

Career forward - helps students with career preparation
- http://course.careerforward.org/default.htm

Partners in Learning resources
http://www.microsoft.com/Education/PiLUSLeadership.mspx

Inspired Practice
http://www.inspiredpractice.com/home.html

AIESEC
http://www.aiesec.org/AI

3. APPRECIATION

I am greatful to the organizers of the event (TIG). This chat session really inspired and informed me on what CSR is and my role as an individual. And in response to the clarion call which the event poses to all I'll be involving myself in my own little way to help educate society on what CSR really is. I'll be making a further research into CSR and hopefully before the next three weeks expires I'll voluntarily design a dynamic website/blog that will provide society with a right view of what CSR really is.

Through a series of articles, photo, art, and multimedia resources made available at the site, (contributed, edited and updated by Volunteers) and by showcasing the best practices made by organizations, I hope to help the society understand CSR better and invite all part players to wake up to roles / responsibilities.

Suggestions are highly welcome as to the Site Name / url address of the new intended CSR website

Writings and Contributions are also welcome

And most especially, volunteers to help Edit / Moderate all content posted on the new website.

You can post any comment / contribution you have as regards this here at this blog, to my TIG email box (TIG User ID: talentsworld ) or to my personal email box : samuel@okechukwu.com

4. Recommendations to the Event Organizers

- To add a Pre - Checklist to the Reminder Email sent to attendees (A checklist of things attendees should have / do to fully prepare them for what they will encounter at the Chat Session

- To have a live recording of audio, text / video of all that took place at the Chat session, so that those who for some reason or the other could not make it can still view, dowload and learn from it.

- Enhance the chat software as it remains still after a period of time and one has to refresh the page loosing some of the earlier comments/text typed into the box

MOTHER EARTH MELTS AWAY

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 06:22:00 EST

Sitting by my window and gazing into space, I wondered what was becoming of the pretty maiden called earth, the sky for the past few days had cried like never before and its tears, so heavy, splashed relentlessly on the earth’s blue face. Gazing continuously into the flooded streets I thought I’d see a passerby, but the whole village, half asleep could not produce a staring soul.

Not being able to go out and play with friends, I was forced against my will to become a prisoner caged in a lonely cell, my room. My only companion and best friend, my internet connected PC had suddenly stopped working as the downpour became so heavy that signals could no longer be reached.

In the midst of great boredom and utter frustration, I found my self snoring away. I woke up the next morning and peeped at the window only to see water and fishes everywhere. I tried to get off my bed, to take a closer look at the strange occurrence but I noticed that there was no more floor to hold my feet, the floor of my room now filled with water was gradually sinking below. What's happening? Where am I? Who will save me?

These are just a few of the questions that would clog our mind the day we wake up from sleep to discover that our pretty Mother Earth has melted away. It sounds very strange but it's true, Mother Earth is melting away. Coming to terms with fact that Earth is melting away is not really the big problem, but that man has chosen to sit and watch Mother Earth melt away.

For over 18,000 years, man has tried to understand and predict his climate. The Scientists who laboured to understand the earth discovered that Man's Climate was influenced by many factors. The discovery of the ice ages in the distant past proved that climate could change all by itself and radically. But one would wonder what really caused these changes? Was it the variations in the heat of the sun or that volcano were erupting clouds of smoke? Could it be that the lowering of the mountain ranges diverted wind patterns and ocean currents? Or that there were changes in the composition of the air itself? The scientific research and answers to Climate change was shaped by many influences, from popular misconceptions to government funding, all happening at once. Traditional history would try to squeeze the story into a linear text, one event following another like beads on a string, and it is inevitable that some parts of it will be left out.

For a subject as crucial as this, what we need is total history, one that includes all the part players - mathematicians and biologists, lab technicians and government bureaucrats, industrialists and politicians, newspaper reporters and the ordinary citizen. This article in its entirety does not provide that history, neither does it expose fully the great discoveries made by great scientists in Climate Change. Other writers no doubt will deal squarely on it. Rather than our usual expectations, this article simply tries to evoke a reflective thought on what Climate Change means to you as a person and to us as a global community.

The bell of 'Global Warming' has been ringing for long as Earth gradually warmed its way out of 'the Pleistonic Ice Age'. And what the earth will warm into in the next couple of decades or centuries should beat our minds today. A short dive into the waters of history brings us to the realization that global warming actually saved us, at least temporarily, from an Icehouse Climate. Science is clear on what controls cycles of climate change. Global warming (and cooling) cycles are primarily controlled by:

1. Cyclical variations in the sun's energy output
2. Eccentricities in Earth's orbit
3. The influence of plate tectonics on the distribution of land in continents and oceans.
4. The so-called "greenhouse effect," caused by atmospheric gases such as gaseous water vapour (not droplets), carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides, which help to trap radiant heat which might otherwise escape in space.

Heavy research has been done on the issue of Climate change by scientists with many risking their lives. Conferences and Symposia have been organized; books, magazines and many other publications have been produced alongside with documentaries and videos. And whatever name we may choose to call it, we definitely are trying to express the idea or feeling that Mother Earth will one day become inhabitable for man.

The poor man on the streets (in the hot wind regions of our world) has more to think about than to keep wondering where to get money to purchase artificial climate for himself and his family that they may not go into extinction. His Vegetation is hit hard by harsh climate and the fruits borne on the land are clearly seen. Food scarcity and illness appears causing wreck to individuals, communities and governments, making them cry out to the world for charity. And for just how long will we continue to give out charity?

Religion tells us that man was created by God to dominate the earth. Having blessed man with such great gifts as intelligence, knowledge, creativity, wisdom etc. it becomes clear that man has all it takes to dominate his climate. But what has man been doing all this while? Has he chosen to limit himself to the words of 'Reid Bryson' who once said “the climatic world is one world even though politically we are not." How long then will it take for us to understand that the battle against climate cannot be won by a select group or political class, but by a team called Man?

More so, we consume our time and energy everyday in our individual struggle for money, fame and power. We struggle endlessly to amass wealth for ourselves and our children's children forgetting that if Mother earth melts away, all your sweat will turn to vanity.
Consequently wealthy nations are not making things easier for mother earth. We spend so much time fermenting trouble, fighting and supporting wars, building all kinds of atomic weapons when we ought to be looking for a way to save our dear mother earth before she vanishes away.

Oh! I weep for a world blessed with such great human and natural resources but has chosen to divert it to pursuing personal and political gains. When will blindfold covering our eyes be lifted away that we may realize that the whole human race (together with our little friends -the animal creatures whose species we must protect) are but one big family. We need each other to survive and attain our maximum potentials.

As the world takes a closer look at the collective fight against global warming and climate change, it will never have far reaching effects if each and every one of us does not take the battle as his own or take the battle home. The most important question now is "What will I as a human do to keep Mother Earth from melting away.

References:

“THE DISCOVERY OF GLOBAL WARMING” BY SPENCER
WEART, HTTP://WWW.AIP.ORG/HISTORY/CLIMATE. AUGUST 2007.

http://thetimetocare.blogspot.com/

A STAR CALLED ‘NIGERIA’

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:47:00 EST

Out of slavery, colonization and exploitation

Out of chaos, confusion and war

Out of corruption, political greed and mischief

A star called ‘Nigeria’ is born

‘Nigeria’, a man shouted. Who are you? What are you? Where did you come from? And where are you going? -

Surprisingly, from among the eggs scattered on the surface of the earth, a thick and loud voice called ‘Nigeria’ replies, “I am a natural accident of evolution and history. I am a blind product of the great and mysterious forces at war in the universe. I am a precious lily in the eyes of a Supra Mundane being named ‘God’ who carefully watches over me and keeps me from going into extinction. Who writes a straight line for me even on my crooked historic road.”

I am Nigeria, that precious jewel, blessed beyond all measure with human and natural resources but lying hopelessly in a pool of waste. I am a people suffering and smiling, waiting for their time of liberation. A warrior who has been unable to bring to an end, the woes of the dis-empowered cells in his body (ie. the common man) but satisfying earnestly the interests of the fat cells in his body (ie. the privileged few).

I am Nigeria, an eagle’s egg that was laid 47 years ago, about to hatch and fly up high above other eagles in the air. And even though I am still a dream in the heart of the true cells that make up my body, I have come a very long way in history and I know that the time of my total liberation is close at hand.

Behold! From the dark nights of slave trade, colonization, and man’s inhumanity to man, I came to be. Through the rigid and cruel hands of military oppression, I survived. From the forces of corruption, greed and unbridled political passions, I now struggle. Until that fateful day, when like other eagles, I will be free and fly up high above all eagles on the earth.

I am Nigeria, a land flowing with milk and honey, but of which only a privileged few can drink from it. I am a land where great dreams die, where billions are spent in promoting fruitless ideas, but the great ideas that solves the problems of the common man, are hidden under the cupboard or discarded as thrash.

I am Nigeria, of whom a young Nigerian poet once wrote,

“Behold the leaders of tomorrow
The hope of the great Nigeria
Lavishing and smiling on the streets
Immersed in the sea of hopelessness”

(From the poem “CRY OF HOPELESSNESS” in the E-book ‘THE AFRICAN YOUTH: Crises and Hope by: Samuel C. Okechukwu.)

I am Nigeria, a royal people, a chosen nation, a people set apart, who will become true salt for the earth and light for a darkened world. I am a city set on a hill, which cannot be hidden. A city that has within it all that it takes to become the greatest.

I am Nigeria, a product of many tribes and languages, united by the force and skills of the British colonial masters. A people who have tried endlessly in history to separate themselves, but could not, because the blood that binds them together is thicker than the water of tribal and personal desires.

Even so, amidst the numerous agitations due to irregularities faced in the past and current political dispensations, there is a deep and firm conviction in the heart of every true Nigerian, that a great and dynamic star called ‘Nigeria’ will soon be born. A star globally marked by knowledge, wisdom and virtue. Characterized or shaped by unity in diversity.

Lo! The pains and sufferings of the eagle in labour will soon be over. And when it does happen, the world will stand in awe to behold the radiant glory of a star called ‘Nigeria’. A star amongst stars.

But how and when will these happen? No human can tell. As it is now, we must strive to level the mountains and fill up the valleys in our lives. We must unleash our creative potentials and nation building skills, immerse ourselves in prayers to our common father, God, and keep our feet crossed, as we await that great day when the noble and resplendent star called ‘Nigeria’ will finally rise, to take her rightful place in the sky where the ‘Global Powers’ reside.

With expectation I shall wait for the birth of this noble star.

Written By: SAMUEL C. OKECHUKWU

THE CRY OF HOPELESSNESS

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:42:00 EST

Down the hill

A voice is heard

The cry of anguish

The cry of pain

And who shall comfort

The bleeding hearts

Lest they all sink

In the abyss of death

Down the valley

A noise is heard

The children are crying

The youths are dying

And who shall comfort

Their bleeding hearts

Their future un-promised

Their hope is blighted

Children on the streets

Children in agony

Crying for shirts and shelter

Crying for their daily bread

And who shall cast

A glance of pity

Where selfishness abounds

And self-centeredness prevails

Behold your precious pearl

Lying on the streets

Behold your pretty jewel

Wasting - under the sun

Behold the leaders of tomorrow

The hope of the great Nigeria

Lavishing and smiling on the streets

Immersed in the sea of hopelessness

Written By: Samuel C. Okechukwu

BEAUTIFUL BEAUTY

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:03:00 EST

Beneath the shadow of a glorious morning
Beneath the meadow of a gracious yawning
A light comes blazing from the rose's shell
Oh Beauty! Where have you hidden your face

And who was it that carved you whole
Who was it that painted your colour
Invain his work becomes if you keep not
Your body and soul, pure and whole

Smiling smiles that captures great princes
Uttering words so smooth and soothy
Driving men crazy for love or lust
Oh Beauty! Why have you not hiden your pearl?

Your creator's beauty is seen in you
Your creator's purity lives through you
If only beauty could beam from in and out
What glorious brightness would your beauty be

WHERE IS MY LOVE, 'ANITA' ?

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 03:49:00 EST

I raised my head up to see the shadow that walked past my room. The room in which I chained myself all these years, not wanting to know or meet any, except 'Anita' my love.

For several years now, I have seen only but a glimpse of her. For several years now, I have experienced her presence, but each time I stretch my hands to hold her, my hands shrink as though I just gripped a fume of smoke. Oh! What an unhappy man I am. Who will save me from these crises? Who will deliver me from the madness called ‘Anita’?

Yet only 'Anita' my love can rescue me. Only Anita my true love can save me. For her voice is all I hear when I wake in the morning. Her face is all I see all through the night. Her love is all I feel all through the day, that I now desire to know and speak of nothing except Anita my love. Anita, so pretty that her beauty shines like the noonday sun. So gentle that her voice resounds like the cool evening breeze that blows and soothes my soul. Her patience and wisdom is one that thrills my entire being. Her kindness and compassion is like a pretty flower no one can resist. Her openess, trust, loyalty, simplicity and humility are one you could never buy even with all the treasures on earth.

Anita! The girl who has shaped my entire life. The girl who has shaped my entire being. The girl for whom I have totally reserved my sweet self, that I may present it wholly or entirely to her alone. For in pain and torment, I crushed my passions. The passions that made all girls seem like Anita to me. But no! They are not Anita. They are not the sun in my sky. For my Anita is the one specially chosen and prepared for me, even before the world was made. She is the mirror that reveals my entire goodness. She is a perfect compliment of me, my missing rib of whom I will never rest until I find.

Oh Anita! Your love is more than gold to me. Your beauty is more than precious silver. Your gentleness is so real that my heart will know no rest until I hold you tight in my hands. Until I experience the sweetness of your kiss, nothing on earth can fill my soul. Oh Anita! Touch me with your love. Hold me as your own. Let my heart know nothing except the sweetness of your love. Let my heart cease to be if it fails to experience Anita's love.

Oh Anita! I have longed so dearly for you. I have waited so patiently to meet you. I have given up everything I ought to enjoy as a youth that I may enjoy it all in you. My friends, so dear have always told me that Anita will never come. That someone else will find her heart before I do and use her until she sags like the breasts of a 100 year old lady. That even when I do find her, she would have been as useless as the peels of a rotten banana.

Oh what a dilemma! Oh what a confusion! That with the present rate of immorality in our world today, I am forced to admit it as true. I am forced to heed their advice, to forget Anita and seek for another. But how could I? How could I forget Anita? My heart will not let me do it. My love for her is too strong.

Even so, deep down in my heart, I know that my Anita will still come, that the God who rewards patience and virtue will at the right time, send my Anita to me. What may be left of her I cannot say, but all I know is that my heart and hers will fuse together to produce but one perfect heart called ‘love’.

And so, as I lie in this boring room called ‘patience’, waiting for the day Anita my love will come. Waiting for the day the sun in my sky will appear to vanish no more. I can’t but keep observing every cheerful lady that passes by, with hope that I may one day find Anita, with hope that I may one day find the only sun in my sky.

With such great anxiety and torment I have lived for years. With such great pain and confusion in my heart, I can’t but ask you now and over again, ‘where is my love, Anita?’ the girl who has always lived in my dreams. Where is my dream, 'Anita’? Are you the one?’

THE MANY SIDED FACE OF GOD

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 07:47:00 EST

(Free verse - Philosophical)

Oh! God
If only you cared
What we think of you
If only you cared
How we worship you

If only you cared
That we call you God
If only you cared
That we call you Yahweh
If only you cared
The name we give to you

You stand far above our fancy reach
Revealing yourself to us in bits
The best imagination we have of you
Is but a grain of earth's boundless sand
The best revelation you give to us
Is but a side of your many sided face
The more we look - the less we see
You reveal only what our mind can grasp

And now God, tell me
Who sees you best?
I am a Christian!
I am a Muslim!
I am a Hindu!
I am a Budhist!
Where do I have to be
To see your face clearly
Where do I have to be
To feel your grace firmly

Should I climb the highest mountain
Or sail the deepest ocean
Should I drink from the sea of knowledge
To catch a full glimpse of your Holy Face

I have listened to the words of holy men
I have dined with great teachers of wisdom
And now I stand where I always stood
Wondering why others can't see what I see

May be a collection of all these truths
Would help unveil your face to men
As one thing I know is true for sure
Every creed on earth holds an element of Truth
But how do I accurately seive Truth
When You stand so near to confuse me the more

And so I resign to my own dear fate
Looking at you from where I always stood
Viewing your face from my little mirror
Your face of Goodness and Love I now behold
From the eyes of the mysterious man named Jesus
Who revealed you as GOODNESS and LOVE

I'll listen to what others have to say
And wish them well in their search for Truth
I devout myself to you like Nazareth's quiet Virgin
Who found unending favour in your sight
Who lived in "Total Submission To Your Holy Will"

I'll contemplate your mysteries of Truth
And seek your face in charity and prayer
I'll act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly before You
Until when at last it pleases You
To reward unworthy Me with your Holy Face
To bless me with the whole view of your many sided face

WHEN NIGERIA FALLS APART

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 07:15:00 EST

Gather the remnants while you may

Let tribes embrace each other

For this same Nigeria that smiles today

Tomorrow may be mourning

Tribalism stings like a deadly bee

Corruption feeds like a dirty pig

Dragging Nigeria into quick mud

Where there will be, no return.

The noble blood of Nigeria flows

Thicker than the water of personal desire

The many who strive to divide and conquer

Will only end in a futile game

Nigeria falls and breaks apart

The last man standing, who shall it be?

The pride and sweat of our noble ancestors

Will become a wasted vapour

Arise Nigeria, land of great warriors

Settle your discords, via for unity

United, you’ll stand and conquer the world

Divided you’ll only end in shambles

Written by: Samuel C. Okechukwu