THE KING IS NAKED!...

“Richard: And thus I clothe my naked villany

With odd old ends stol’n out of holy writ,

And seem a saint, when most I play the devil”…Shakespeare

The Emperor’s New Clothes

One of the most amazing books of all time for me is “The Emperor’s New Clothes” written by Hans Christian Anderson as way back as in the early nineteenth century. The obvious reason for this is because in addition to the fact that the book is quite easy to read, it like light that shines bright in the dark, unleashes the truth that still exists in this seemingly confused and exploited world in the form of the honesty, plainness and innocence of a little child, and his boldness to publicly acknowledge it.

I guess we all know the summary of the story; well apparently there was a proud king whose insecurity shines as bright as day to the bewilderment of his somewhat smarter followers, only they are afraid to reveal it due to the fact that their king was rather cruel. A couple of con men however summoned courage to play on the king’s intelligence which wasn't obviously present. He was shown luxurious apparel which could be seen only by the eyes of the "wise", the king constantly acclaimed himself wise, so he fell for the trick. On a fateful day that he chose to parade the land to show off his "wise" apparel, the people kept mute about what they actually saw and hypocritically cheered the pompous king, only for an innocent kid unaware of the adults’ pretense cried out, “The king is naked!”

"Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, it is destroyed when you are cruel"...King Solomon Quotes

In Reality

In the real world of today, many kings are stark naked, yet they stand proudly on the platform of public glare with absolutely no shame, and guess what, the public have out of old and negatively stereotyped and accepted culture failed to simply tell them as the innocent young lad did, that they are so stark naked that the whole world is feeding their eyes with the embarrassing dirt upon their bottoms, and yes it disgusts.

We live in a world where even villains tend to justify their evil acts and where their bunch of accomplices swarm along with them with blood of the innocent dripping off their mouths.

"Insanity is the only sane reaction to an insane society"...Thomas Szas

The New Age

Gone are the days when one had to travel several kilometers just to pass a message, and it is absolutely no longer fashionable and in some way somewhat unacceptable to remain in the doldrums of practically obscene mediocrity in terms of cooking, washing, travelling, building etc.

Of course it’s a new age where you can send and receive information with the speed of light, you can cook with heat burner, gas or microwave oven, you can wash with the washing machine, you can travel on a fast and convenient Jet liner and you can embark on a building project with a flawless design that is designed with great software and which is devoid of casualties with modern equipment, as opposed to as of old.

My point here basically is that, it is actually difficult to tell lies concerning matters of public interest or feed the public with fake “facts and figures”. All we have to do is check it up on the world’s number one search engine “Google”, after all “Partnership” is gaining a new meaning. Thinkers constantly highlight the imperatives of having the big picture in mind coupled with having a positive mental attitude, opening and freeing our minds to the subtlest possibilities, which encourages us to respect ourselves and in the event of affairs have no reason to be dishonest.

On a lighter mood

“I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me”…Mat. 25:36, Holy Bible

When a king is naked, it is in some sort of way our responsibility to help cover him up, although it was his folly that led to his embarrassing nudity, I think we should encourage little kids like the innocent young lad to shun timidity and speak up, perhaps then the king can swallow his pride and retrace his steps.

Thank you.

Akin Abimbola

SOURCES: Google

                    The Holy Bible

                    The Emperor’s New Clothes

                    I Clothe my naked villainy (William Shakespeare)

                    Think Exist

BEYOND #BRING(ING) BACK OUR GIRLS...

#Bring Back Our Girls

"Terrorism is a psychological warfare. Terrorists try to manipulate us and change our behaviour by creating fear, uncertainty, and division in society"...Patrick J. Kennedy

An international flash light has recently beamed upon the most populous black nation in the world, Nigeria, inciting an occurrence which presently persists therein to make it to the top trending topics in the world, unfortunately, it is terrorism.

Apparently, it is interesting that the cloud’s silver lining becomes conspicuous, as a ray of hope shines because the whole world has used the kidnapping of over two hundred (200) girls that took place in a boarding school in northern Nigeria by a dreaded terrorist group, as a unifying factor, creating a bond that allows us to jointly campaign for their safe and quickened release.

However, there is a lot we need to consider first, in order for the world not to make a mockery of this, and so that we do not unwittingly surrender our destinies to be altered forever.

The Background (About Nigeria)

"We first fought...in the name of religion, then Communism, and now in the name of drugs and terrorism. Our excuses for global domination always change"...Serj Tankian

Of course you will most probably get a lot more information about Nigeria on Google and encyclopedias. They’ll tell you she’s the most populous black nation, with about 170 million people, gained independence in 1960, was colonized by the British, she’s one of the top ten crude oil exporters, she greatly explores Agriculture,  she has a vibrant economy and not to make little.

All these are basically stereotyped cosmetic approach to beef up a lean resume. The truth is that Nigeria is a group of good and strong people that work very hard to make a positive impact and earn a great living, but unfortunately, they are constantly downtrodden by a handful of short-sighted and corrupt opportunists claiming justification on the premise of politics and religion, crippling the very fabric of worth of mankind.

CORRUPTION

"If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, i strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher"...A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Corruption is basically the will to act dishonestly in return for money or other reward, in the light of this, corruption is everywhere, but those with the knowledge and understanding of the principles that govern the earth try as much as possible to reduce it to the barest minimum through the effective use of the law. 

The corruption in Nigeria is rather unique, it cuts deeply across so much that even when foreigners step on the Nigerian soil to do any transaction, they are very liable to become victims of corruption.

Corruption in Nigeria is so daring and seemingly indispensable so much that it apparently looks like it has come to stay.

Corruption has remained unchecked for a very long time that it seems like the norm in the eyes of old and new generation.

Imagine a place where an employee earns peanuts as salary, yet he drives a brand new car that he purchased with full cash payment, without having an extra job or patented intellectual property and therefore no legitimate records of how he came by the money. People aspire to be politicians for the sole purpose of acquiring unbelievable wealth at the expense of the poor populace. Having a reputation of public holders misappropriating public funds, administering it in questionable ways such that there isn't adequate checks put in place to prevent fraud. Even when frauds are detected, and projects are not well executed or done at all, they are just swept underneath the carpet in exchange for money. And guess what, they are role models to the young and upcoming ones that aggressively aspire to emulate them.

Altering The Eco-System

"There is a deep interconnectedness of all life on earth, from the tiniest organisms, to the largest ecosystems, and absolutely between each person"...Bryant McGill

Whichever way you choose to look at it, there is a lot of salt added to injury from the corruption perspective. After enormous money belonging to the state is illegally exchanged while the people suffer, the money is then wasted on luxurious vanities. Nigerians have a reputation around the world of being mega spenders, acquiring material things that would make even the Arab guys mope, sadly we fail to realize that we're being laughed at due to our very conspicuous lack of financial intelligence. This is a country that has unstable power supply so much that big companies in the likes of Dunlop relocated to a neighbouring nation to survive. This is a country with inadequate hospitals, high unemployment rate, poor education, minimum security, restive youths and worst of all, terrorism.

There is no hiding it and there is no shame in admitting our weakness, perhaps we could find help if we are ready to help ourselves.

Bring Back Our Family

"I was amazed as people must be who are seized and kidnapped, and who realize that in the strange world of their captors they have a value absolutely unconnected with anything they know about themselves"...Alice Munro

Nigeria is a nation where most of the population there in hardly take risks without seeing someone take the dive first of all, meaning to say even if they did have their idea in the first place, they still need a guinea pig to take the leap in order to see if it will fail, but if it doesn't fail, they're open for business. 

Then there is a very large tendency that they'll probably do it better or more aggressively because it becomes a meal ticket. Although this could change if there were shock regulators like government participation.

My point is kidnapping started in Nigeria during the Niger-Delta uprising where youths demanded adequate compensation and privileges from the Federal Government and foreign oil explorers. Even after the Niger-Delta tension was doused, some copy cats picked up the trade and spread to other parts of the country.

The Government's Response

"Everyone is worried about stopping terrorism. Well, there is really an easy way: Stop participating in it"...Naom Chomsky

The Nigerian citizenry have constantly criticized government for being grossly irresponsible, sighting propaganda, conspiracies and bureaucracies. There have been evidences of the government officials being corrupt and nothing worthwhile done to allow justice prevail so that it doesn't repeat itself and give the citizens a sense of belonging,confidence and hope for a hitch free future of justice and predictable life trajectory.

The leaders fail to realize that if they get the best people to do the job without sentiments, politics or religious extremism, things will fall into the right places and virtually everyone will greatly benefit. Rather they have devised means of unworthy favoritism to downplay intelligence and shamelessly celebrate mediocrity, naturally home growing the rage of the oppressed and brainwashed ones into a full blown you know what.

Constantly, prices of goods and materials and even petrol are hiked, projects are over-priced, there are no thorough checks of consumables for the citizens, making everyone see Nigerian manufactured items as inferior, while the so called leaders import foreign items for their consumption, indirectly killing our industries and causing unemployment.

They say the boarders are porous, but we all know that the officials put in charge are only interested in the money they'll make over there.

Yes Nigerian citizenry can appear overzealous in the quest to bring back sanity in the quest to do what is right and justified, this because we are in the jet age where information flies at the speed of light. People have much more awareness about their environment, what is attainable and most of all, their rights. As education makes people easy to lead, but difficult to enslave.

So what are we saying, really?

If the over 200 girls that were kidnapped are finally found and returned to their parents, what next? What is going to happen to those that have died as result of terrorist bombings, Are the rest of us that are all still liable to kidnap free,are we going to be safe and secure, is corruption going to reduce, are our borders going to be secure, will fraudsters that wrecked the economy be brought to book, will there be employment, are the hospitals going to be well equipped and is there going to be constant power supply in a show that we are all important and precious to the government?

I salute and respect the advocates of #BBOG from all over the world, i know you also have your own problems, i'd just like to plead with government that while bringing back our girls, please also remember to bring back our hope, our sense of belonging, our dreams, our freedom and our future.

Thank you,

Akin Abimbola (akinzogee@gmail.com)

SOURCES: Google

                   Brainy Quote

                   Goodreads

                   Voice of Reason

                   Oxford Dictionary

                   Lives Of Girls & Women

THE VALUE OF ONE SOUL...

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved"... Helen Keller.

HOW PRECIOUS IS A SOUL?

Apparently, life is an embodiment of multiple and perhaps systematic mysteries. If we took time out to observe the environment and even our very selves, it might not add up to make much sense eventually, the truth is we just practically blend in. We create activities so that life does not become so much of a bore such that we become the devils workshop as we hang around idly.

Have you ever witnessed the birth of a child. or even an animal? see how tedious, hard and painful it is, some off-springs don't even make it past birth, psychologically forcing us to have the instincts of care and love, requiring us to cherish life, even one soul.

"Happiness resides not in possessions, and not in gold, happiness dwells in the soul"...Democritus.

IT GETS BETTER!

I remember watching a really intriguing comedy movie while i was much younger, "Problem child". There was this incorrigible little lad that was so much of a handful, so much that he could turn an entire house around with his unusual mischief.
My point really is, at some point after he had almost entirely frustrated his foster parents, his father still had enough good in him coupled with positive mental attitude to swallow his pride and muster the courage to say the following words; "He can be the President of the United States"...
Wow! Seriously? There can be only one President at a time, and how exalted the office is, and to wish it for a naughty little kid, that is really big, coming from a much bigger heart.

"Every moment and every event of every man's life on earth plants something in his soul"...Thomas Merton.

WHAT ARE YOU PLANTING?

I strongly salute the hidden and unsung heroes that quietly and secretly ignite the passions, dreams and aspirations of little ones, birthing their fantasies, enriching their lives and proving that every kid deserves a shot at greatness. I think that is the greatest seed of love and investment we'll ever sow, and magically, what goes around comes around.



"Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place"...Zora Neale Hurston.

LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR...

I have never seen anything as powerful as love, it truly conquers all. It is expressed through songs, friendship and sacrificial actions in different ways of course. But what is love really? Yes it has many a defination, i.e a very strong feeling of affection, a great interest and pleasure in something...bla bla bla, but one strikes me the most. I came across it in a drama movie whose name i cant quite remember, but it was about a conversation between a teenage girl and her somewhat gentle dad. Apparently her dad found out that she had a boyfriend and as every dad will do, criticize it of course.

"Love is the beauty of the soul"...Saint Augustine.

The teenage girl in her defense simply blurted out "But i love him!" her dad felt it was ridiculous for his little angel to say, then he asked her what love is, obviously curious to know what she understood by what love is...Interestingly, the little girl said "Love is an ability".

"Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies"...Aristotle.

LOVE IS AN ABILITY

Love is an ability to make sacrifice. Love should measure up, much higher than emotional attraction for people we know and intend to impress or benefit from, we can show love to even strangers that we have nothing in common with. It is also probably fair to say that if we cannot leave our comfort zones to make an effort in meeting a need, we really don't love the person in question.

"As a body everyone is single, as a soul never...Hermann Hesse.

As we unite in love to fight terrorism and avoid further slavery and massacre of innocent citizens, it will be wise to be truthful, faithful, loyal and not politicize the situation.
Even one soul means an entire lot.

(Dedicated to the abducted Nigerian girls) #BBOG

Thank you,

Akin Abimbola (akinzogee@gmail.com)

SOURCES;  Google
                     Brainy Quote
                     Problem Child (Movie)
                     Oxford Dictionary

WHAT'S YOUR SYSTEM?

"Everything must be made as simple as possible. But not simpler." - Albert Einstein.

SYSTEMS

Truth be told, sometimes perhaps due to the peculiar circumstances we all find ourselves, ranging from time to place etc. Life can be viewed simultaneously from both extremes i.e as complex, yet simple.

Have you ever taken time to think life through...how were inventions and discoveries made and well organized for the world to see, benefit and even suffer from? How were lovely cuisines brought together despite their very varied and rather contrasting and unlikely blend of ingredients? 

How do plans come together, what is the genesis of diagnosing problems, how do we amount to an unsure lot of enthusiastic hopefuls that have finally amassed the courage to confront our fears?

"When the number of factors coming into play in a phenomenological complex is too large scientific method in most cases fail. One need only think of the weather, in which case prediction even for a few days ahead is impossible." - Albert Einstein.

Well, Wikipedia puts it this way; A system is composed of interrelated parts or components (Structures) that cooperate in processes (behavior). Natural systems include biological entities, ocean currents, the climate, solar system and the ecosystem. Designed systems include airplanes, software systems, technologies and machines of all kinds, government agencies and business systems.

GOING FURTHER

Well, in the obvious advent of constantly unfolding events that apparently seem delusional and mysterious simultaneously, which of course also as a matter of fact makes life realities confront us with far contemporary issues, that keeps making us momentarily distracted from the basis of existence. It has however become imperative for the larger populace to not only understand the principles of systems thinking and approach, but to also and speedily in fact practice it.

Systems thinking has some roots in the General system theory that was advanced by Ludwid Von Bertalaniffy in the 1940s and further by Ross W Ashby in the 1950s.

Systems thinking is an approach to a problem solving, by viewing problems as part of an overall  system rather than reacting to specific parts, outcomes or events, and potentially contributing to further developments of unintended consequences. 

"The ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of the martyr" - Anonymous

In systems science, it is argued that the only way to fully understand why a problem or element occurs or persists is to understand the parts in relation to the whole. 

What I'd call a massive punch line in this context is the idea of multiple cause and effect which directly and in simplified terms means "Benefit of doubt". Giving an awkward situation a far deeper analysis, and by that I mean intense, and possibly through the eyes of like minded people with sound mind, coupled with a positive mental attitude will surely take humanity a long way. 

Understanding the underlying problems in a situation is as simple as listening to the two sides of the story of two kids that had a rough fight, you will not be hasty to judge, rather you will be more concerned with solving the conflict so as to let the child's play continue.

Basically, systems are all around us, and recognizing it may be the key to unleashing our potentials in exchange for gold in the future. It potentially helps us to recognize our weaknesses, and furthermore embrace them, helping us realize that we are not perfect, and that a massive synergy will explode into our faces limitless power.

So I ask, what's your system? you might actually have the perfect recipe.

Thanks,

Akin Abimbola (akinzogee@gmail.com)

SOURCE: Google

                 Goodreads

                 Brainyquotes

                 Wikipedia

                 RICS (Systems Approach)

            

EVERYDAY MIRACLES...

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Eintstein.

MIRACLES

Yes, miracles are a very welcome extraordinary events that is thought to be the work of God. Being the work of God, it is therefore a positive thing which most definitely comes in the nick of time, refreshing the soul, and how we all love and even anticipate it. But what are miracles really?

Of course majority of us are fully wrapped up in the stereotype that only when very obvious and extra-ordinary things do occur has a miracle been performed. For instance, we are aware of the Biblical chronicles which recorded the great deeds of Jesus, wherein he turned water into wine at an event, fed an amazing multitude of five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two fishes with an unbelievable twelve baskets of remnants, he helped the blind regain sight and blew our minds by raising the dead. I wouldn't necessarily say he did all that to get attention, rather we were made to understand that was just who he was.

A FINE STORY

I was privileged to come by an interesting story some years ago, and it's however a great honour having to share it with you;

There was this young lad who apparently was quite fashionable, having style and what young ones of this generation generally refer to as swag. One day when the lad was about to go out to an event, he discovered that he had no matching shoes. This made him feel very sad, eventually he reluctantly managed to put on a pair of shoes that he didn't quite like. On his way to the event, something interesting happened. As he walked briskly past the railway crossing, he incidentally glanced around, as if to be momentarily distracted from his worry, and behold, sitting on the ground were a large number of beggars, they were so impoverished and begging for alms so much that they failed to realize or take notice of the fact that they had no feet, talk less of shoes.


"Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see". - C.S.Lewis 




APPRECIATE THE LITTLE THINGS

I like the text which says that the best things in life are free. Common and think about it, all our lives we look for happiness and fulfillment in money and several other material things. But sadly, we forget to appreciate the sunlight, we fail to let fresh air clear our breath, we don't take notice of the kisses and hugs from family and friends, and most of all, we underestimate life itself. There are people who struggle to eat each day, health conditions have ridden people of joys so much that they can't help but brew jealousy for you and me. They actually don't long for fancy dresses and fast cars, rather they want to be loved, want to breathe easily, want to be assured they won't pass away tonight so that they can be taken for a walk by the park tomorrow in other to smell and feel the freshness of the rose.


Without prejudice; I feel worry and utter disappointment sometimes at the paradigm of various African settings when it comes to vital issues pertaining to life which they unequivocally take with obvious levity. Yes, if you spare the rod you'll eventually spoil the child, but that doesn't mean 'kill the child'. In a sheer quest to enthusiastically build up children, many a African publicly curse, beat and humiliate children in many ways possible, making them seem inhuman and allowing people to think the children are slaves that you don't appreciate from God, therefore blind to the miracles before their very eyes.

"I am realistic. I expect miracles." - Wayne. W. Dyer

RELAX, OBSERVE AND SEE

For instance, a young kid of fifteen years of age got pregnant, and as you'd expect, all hell was virtually let loose on her by her parents, naturally, by her father especially. Don't get me wrong, i'm not justifying her actions, but whichever way you look at it, pregnancy is a miracle that millions of people have yet to experience, its just the timing and the attitudes of the young girl's parents that'll determine if they'll be blind to it or not.
It gets better though, especially when you get to the hospital, perhaps to visit someone or to treat a minor ailment and you see people in much worse condition than you, especially those that find it hard to breathe, eat or even use the bathroom. So i hereby implore to please continually smile and have a positive mental attitude in every facet of your life, you never can tell, you might be the miracle someone anticipates. And again, trust me, you even reading this piece is one heaven of a miracle, go ask somebody.
  
Thank you,
Akin Abimbola (akinzogee@gmail.com)

SOURCES:  Google
                    Goodreads
                    Onekind
                    Holy Bible