MUCH ADO ABOUT UNIFORM

Just like most Lagosians, I was at the bus stop as early as 5:45am (to beat the normal rush hour traffic gridlock on Lagos roads) en route the office. Not long had we taken off that we encountered a scenario which though is normal in this part of the globe gave rise to this piece.
In their characteristic manner, an 'okada' rider was trying to wriggle his way through a narrow opening beside the road (off course you are greeted with this kind of situation every day on Lagos roads) and before we knew it, his 'okada' was in the gutter without my driver even knowing let alone touching him. Pronto, the 'okada' rider went on rampage as he sprang to his feet suing for a fight with my driver and before we could say Jack Robinson, he had pulled the mufti he was wearing (he needed to disguise with mufti which further proves that he is not proud of the uniform – except of course to use it as a means to an end) just to announce to all of us that he is a policeman of the federal republic of Nigeria. One event lead to the other and before you could spell G-O-D his kinsmen in the force started arriving the scene one after the other as if they had received a distress call, one of them dangling a thick belt in his hands to deal with our driver and whoever is bold enough to challenge them. Every explanation fell on deaf ears (as if most of them are not deaf – at least figuratively) and my driver was compelled to pull out the motorcycle from the gutter which he obediently obliged defying his passengers insistence not to since in all honesty he wasn’t at fault.
This brings to the fore the reckless abandon with which most of this uniformed guys intimidate ‘civilians’ turning them into ‘villains’ in their quest to prove that they are in charge. Needless to say that many evil is perpetuated in uniform and I ask should we continue to fold our hands and watch as these guys take the law into their hands? These are guys that will not pay their fares should they enter a commercial bus all in the name of ‘staff’ – excuse me, staff of which company. They have erected illegal toll gates on almost every street where your receipt is a tally of arbitrary numbers given to the driver once he has paid his toll fee. They have neglected their primary assignment of upholding the law cum maintaining order and have over the night metamorphosed into symbols of lawlessness. I am perplexed nay flabbergasted at the rate at which these guys bend the rules just to milk innocent citizens dry and the length to which they will go to lace their pockets with miserable naira notes that can’t solve a fraction of their problems (needless to say they have loads of problems which paradoxically money can’t solve) – these guys have perfected the act of sacrificing their ultimate on the altar of immediate. What else can i say (or write or type as the case may be), that occasion further accentuated the reason several Nigerians have no jot of respect for the Nigerian police - I am not their greatest fan either.
If only they can change for the best, would Nigerians be asking for too much? I guess not for we deserve a lot more than this...YES WE DO.

LESSONS FROM A LEGEND

Boxing Legend George Foreman
When he was a boy his sister taunted him, "You'll never be anything." He skipped classes and slept during the day. But that taunt hurt him. It angered him. It awakened the fighting spirit within him. He wanted to change but he didn't know how.George Foreman became heavy weight boxing champion of the world. Today he is a preacher, entrepreneur and the spokesperson for the George Foreman Grill with over 1 million units sold. And yes a motivational speaker.
What could George Foreman, a former boxer, say that might motivate you?
"Look at me."
That was his opening line at a seminar he presented in Toronto and one that he repeated like a refrain throughout his presentation.
What did that mean? "Look at me." Don't look at my scars, my color, education or obstacles. "Look at me." See the fighting spirit within me. See me for who I am and can be. Although Foreman shouted that to his fight manager - the phrase is one that he might have shouted at his sister, his teacher and at his own reflection in the mirror. His own self talk - to push himself to look at himself.
And maybe the best lesson he offered that day was for each of the participants to have the courage to look in the mirror and look at themselves. To see the possibilities and to fight for what they believe they can be.
I dare you, look in the mirror and shout, "Look at me."
George Foreman fits the role of motivational speaker exceptionally well. He told his own story - a poor black kid who did not fit in, who didn't want to go to school, who only wanted to use his physical advantage to intimidate and beat up other kids…
As a child, George Foreman did not have a future nor a direction. The only motivation he had might have been anger and a fighting spirit.
A guidance counselor told him - "If you only want to beat up people you might as well become a boxer."George Foreman pointed out that he was never a boxer - he was a fighter. The difference as he illustrated was that a boxer was one who took the perfect stance - hands and feet in the perfect position - looks pretty - almost like a dancer. A fighter was one who ignored the blood and pain and simply fought.As a true motivational speaker, George Foreman talked about his inner fears and doubts. He laughed at himself and encouraged his listeners to do the same. A true motivational speaker knows that it is not about appearing superior to his audience. You can only motivate people who can identify with you and your pain.When he started to fight, he confessed that he got scared, closed his eyes and swung his huge fists at his opponent. He was the surprised one when he opened his eyes to discover his opponent on the floor.That strategy worked until he met better boxers who danced out of the way of his blind-fury fists. The new surprise for him was that after he opened his eyes his opponent was still standing and grinning at him. That demanded a new strategy - time to keep his eyes open when he swung his massive fists.A motivational speaker must demonstrate the power of his opponent. No one is motivated by an easy victory.George Foreman talked about his fear of fighting "Smokin' Joe Frasier". George Foreman had to knock Joe Frasier down six times to win that fight. Six times! And each time that Foreman knocked Frasier to the mat Foreman prayed that Frasier would stay down this time. How many of us are willing to do the same thing six times just to win one fight? How many give up too soon?
Then it was time to face Mohamed Ali. Five rounds and Ali did not throw a punch. Ali simply danced. George thought he had Ali beat. In the fifth round as they embraced - Ali taunted him with "Is that all you got George?" That taunt chilled George and foreshadowed what was still to come.George was spent and Ali had made an accurate analysis of his opponent's endurance. Mohamed Ali won that fight, not because he was tougher, but because he fought smarter.George Foreman was defeated that day by more than a boxer; he was defeated by a smart fighter.In his presentation Foreman honored his opponent. George did not whine nor complain. A real motivational speaker tells life the way it is - not the way it should be.As he marched purposely off stage, motivational speaker George Foreman closed his presentation with this message: Fight - Fight - Fight! and i make bold to say to you my friends FIGHT.

THIS BOAT CANNOT SINK

Trying all you can to keep your boat afloat
The wind so boisterous against you blow
You want to sing but you can only sigh
It seems from the cradle you've thrown away the paddle
Vulnerable and defenseless you stand on the river of life
Hey fellow comrade before you throw in the towel
A second look i plead you take
The master is on board! oh what a relieve
With him be rest assured this boat cannot sink

The journey for you appears to be without direction
The compass seem to have been lost with your daily struggle
'It is finished' is the only lexicon left in your dictionary
Hard as you try the shore seems unreachable
Several questions all begging for answer
Cascade from your head to the crevices of your heart
Relax! The master is an occupant of the boat
Unequivocally I can hear him echo..."This boat cannot sink"

How I wish for a moment you will just pause to check
If by your labor you've not left him at the harbor
For no doubt in this all important journey of life
He remains an anchor both sure and steadfast
And if by chance he is not in the boat
Invite him I beg of you my friend
For without him a safe landing cannot be guaranteed
But with him I make bold to declare
Surely this boat cannot sink