RESPECT

RESPECT

Well,  I was born into a home where Respect for elders is paramount. I remember my mum spanking me seriously for not greeting a neighbor one morning. Respect for elders is very important, whether we like it or not.

But,  people have abused this In our church setting. I see people kneeling and lying down to talk to their leader In church. I am not against it atall.. Some cultures in Nigeria require that you postrate to greet an elder and I am in support of our cultural values. Some people have grown with that mentality and they kneel or even roll on the floor to greet their elders.
My problem is when you force me to lie down because some other persons are doing so. Is that not "onye iru abuo" (hypocrisy ). If I have respect and a good home training,  I don't have to lie down to greet you,  If I do, it might be for people to see and it's not from my heart. Just allow me to respect you in my own way,  it might be bending my neck or my knees but please don't say I have disrespected my pastor because I didn't lie down to greet him or her.
Respect should come from your heart and not because someone is watching. I respect the whites for this,  they can't do it because others are doing it and that is my kind of person.

 I know about respect and I respect people alot especially people that have gone ahead of me spiritually. Allow me to respect them the way I feel and not out of fear of people criticizing me.

Another concern is in the place of prayer(especially worship) . People, when they are in the spirit can do alot just to show humility to God.  I do kneel or even lie down when worshipping,  but it is always from my heart. My brothers and sisters, you don't have roll on the floor to worship God, it's not a criteria for God to accept your worship,  If you're always doing that because people are doing it then it's useless. When you worship,  don't even do what others are doing, do it the way you feel at the moment.  Don't look at the church and copy. Let it come from your heart.

Humility pays alot.  "God humbles the proud and lifts up the humble"

If your humility isn't from your heart then it's useless,  you cannot deceive God my dear. Better start asking for forgiveness.

My overall point:
Don't do it because people are looking at you.
Do it because you really want to do it.

Good morning everyone
>>Otihi Emmanuel
Otihi1.blogspot.com

On the Arrest of Judges

On the Arrest of Judges.

Well,  I am not in the Judicial arm of Government neither am I a Lawyer or Barrister or a judge.
But I am A Nigerian.

The arrest of these Judges by the Department of State Security have been the news for some time now and everyone has something to say.
The Federal Government is defending its action,  the Judges are angry and disappointed by this same action.
What has happened to us?

Is the Judicial system corrupt? I'll say Yes
Are they immune to Arrest?  No
Do I support the method of arrest? No

The DSS should've been more professional and would've followed the normal procedural processes. They got the arrest warrant (Ofcourse they did get it from the President who seriously wants to fight the corrupt judges) and they went ahead to make the arrest.
They shouldn't have broken into those houses and destroyed those stuffs and still Arrest away the judges.

But If due process was followed,  the judges would've had more time to hide the alleged money that was found and might even travel out of the country. Not that I support the process taken by the DSS but for a country that wants to rid itself of corruption,  some rules and protocols must be broken.

We are tired of the system in Nigeria.
We are tired of seeing innocent people being sent to prison and the real thieves lives in their mansion.
We're tired of the corrupt people being given freedom.

In Nigeria,  poor people are thrown into jail and we're all shouting that they deserve it because they steal one thousand naira. The real thieves are been probed and we are here saying that it wasn't the right thing to be done.

Let the judges be investigated properly so that others will learn. We must change this country by all means.

But my pain is that those that will replace them will still be as bad as the old ones. And the cycle continues.

But we will overcome one day

Long Live Nigeria
I am a Nigerian.

>>Otihi Emmanuel
Otihi1.blogspot.com

FRIENDS

A FRIEND

Makes you smile
Gives you Life

Brings happiness
Takes away sadness

Gives you the truth
Tells you from the Root

Makes you cry
and then you wonder why

Comes in as a stranger
Then walks around you as a Ranger

Teaches you how to Love
Tells you life isn't that Tough

Happy when you're happy
Cries with you when life becomes sloppy

Comes in when all is well
Stays when your life is like hell

Fights for you during your struggle
Defends you if you're in trouble

Brings out the best in you
believes in you when you're at your worst too

#Random Thoughts

The Unknown

Hidden yet Seen by everyone
True yet I don't believe it
Blind yet could see your heart
Numb yet inflicts the greatest pain

Great yet can be compressed into a small heart
Good yet it is turned into evil
Strong yet makes the greatest man weak
Gives Life yet makes People lifeless.

Costly yet can be bought with just a look
Precious yet is regarded as nothing
Beautiful yet can be found in the heart of the ugliest
Adored yet is treated without care

I don't know what is really is..

>> Otihi Emmanuel
Otihi1.blogspot.com

I AM A NIGERIAN

I AM A NIGERIAN.

Yes,  the country is messed up.
Yes,  corruption has eaten up the Nation even to its very fabric.
Yes,  the economic status of the country is a big shame.
Yes,  Elections cannot be won in a free and fair atmosphere in the Nation.
Yes,  our monies are being stolen and taken to Overseas.
Yes, we are suffering from Poverty in the country. The rich are getting richer and the poor,  poorer.
Yes the Niger Delta Region is not safe because of Militancy,  Niger Delta Avengers and Kidnappers.
Yes,  the NorthWest is very Unsafe because if Terrorists.
Yes,  it's like the Leaders are not listening to our cry.
Yes, it's like we are not being taken care of.
It's like the higher 0.1percent of the population have 90percent of the wealth.

I know that we really need Change, not a change in government but a change in Mindset.
Mindset of the Leaders.

But above all these issues,  there is always HOPE.

Let's shun Party patriotism
Let's shun Corruption
Let's shun Ethnic crises and tribalism.
Let's shun Militancy and Terrorism
Let's shun every form of Malpractice
Let's shun every form of stealing.

Let's embrace Peace
Let's embrace Patriotism
Let's embrace Truth and Fairness

Let's keep believing in the country.
Let's keep having FAITH in God.
Let's not give up too easily,  there is always hope.
Let's not condemn the country to death.
We can still make something happen.
We can still make a better NATION.
We can still be that COUNTRY we have always dream of.
We can still be a better NIGERIA.

I AM A NIGERIAN,  I AM A PATRIOTIC NIGERIAN.
I LOVE MY COUNTRY.
I BELIEVE IN NIGERIA
THERE IS HOPE FOR THIS NATION.

GOD BLESS NIGERIA
GOD BLESS NIGERIA
GOD BLESS NIGERIA.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO MY COUNTRY.

I'm Back

After going off for almost 4years, I'm glad to announce to my friends,  family and fans and to the general public that I am back.

I am committed to make this blog better and bigger by God's special grace. We will work together as one to make sure this blog doesn't go off again.

Special thanks to my very good friend and course mate,  Deborah. She is a big part of this.
Right now,  the site is going through some work and I urge everyone to have a little patience as my team will fix the blog and make it better for everyone.

Let's also expect good articles and write ups soon,  not just from me but from great minds all over the world.

Let's continue to live together in peace and fight anything that'll bring seperation to our dear country. We can do it together as a Nation

Thanks..

                                              Otihi Emmanuel 

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RCCG 2012 HOLY GHOST CONGRESS- Welcome Massage

Welcome MessageWe are delighted to, once again, welcome you to anther Congress. We thank the Almighty God, the God of Signs and Wonders, for sparing our lives over the 12 months to see this year’s Congress.

With the theme SIGNS AND WONDERS, we are in for some divine surprises. Nothing is too difficult for our God. He is the Almighty and sure to do as He has declared. Are you expectant? The expectations of the righteous shall not be cut off. As you seek Him prayerfully, He will surely answer you.

God has specially put this Congress together for you. There will be a time to teach from the word of God, a time to preach, a time to pray and a time for personal ministration during the morning and evening sessions. There will also be teachings on marriage, home management, business, career and related issues of day-to-day living by experts in various fields during the afternoon sessions. The programme opens with an evening session on Monday followed by the first afternoon session on Tuesday and the first Morning Session on Wednesday. The evening session will run on all six days while the other afternoon session will run on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The   other morning sessions will run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday in addition to Wednesday. You may go to the detailed daily programme page on this website.

‘’With the theme SIGNS AND WONDERS, We are in for some divine surprises. Nothing is too difficult for our God. He is Almighty and sure to do as has He declared.’’

As expected, there will be so many people at this Congress but God can reach you personally. Focus on Him and prayerfully part-take in all the programmes. Your miracles are around the corner. Just trust the Lord and diligently wait upon Him.  Happy Congress 2012. Welcome to awesome moments with the God of Signs and Wonders.

Stop Gaza Invasion, South Africa Warns Israel

South Africa has urged Israel not to invade the Gaza strip, while at the same time calling on Palestinian militants to immediately cease firing rockets into the Jewish state.South Africa wants peace in the region and has been in constant touch with Middle Eastern leaders, including the President of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi. Government will also be meeting South Africa's Jewish Board of Deputies this week.Israel and Hamas-linked fighters based in Gaza have been locked in hostilities for the past few days. According to reports at least 108 Palestinians have died in Israeli air strikes, while at least three Israelis have died in rocket attacks from Gaza.
At the weekend, Israeli called up at least 75 000 military reservists, with an invasion of Gaza seemingly imminent.
At a media conference on Tuesday, International Relations and Co-operation Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mshabane, described the call-ups as ominous.
She spoke out against an invasion of Gaza.
"The South African government accordingly appeals to the Government of Israel to refrain from such a fatal step which will not only result in the inevitable loss of a large number of both Palestinian and Israeli lives - but also further inflame sentiments in an already volatile situation," she said.
Referring to the death of Hamas member Ramez Harb, who, in violation of international law, was killed in a targeted Israeli air strike, Nkoana-Mshabane stressed that South Africa wanted to raise its concern about extra-judicial killings.
She also appealed to Hamas to scale down the bombings, which she said wasn't necessarily helpful.
Nkoana-Mshabane said that Israel's continued illegal occupation of Palestinian land, especially the continuing blockade of Gaza, was at the heart of the conflict.
"The South African Government therefore urges the Israeli Government to halt these policies as they are an obstacle to negotiations for peace and contrary to international law."
She added that a long-term solution to the problem was to go back to basics. Israel should stop illegal settlements. Palestinians were saying there would be no land to negotiate about if their settlements were not stopped.
With regards to Syria, which has been wracked by an insurrection against the government of President Bashar al-Assad, she said South Africa's position had not changed.
"South Africa does not agree with regime change."
South Africa condemned all forms of violence for political change and believed there was no justification for at least 30 000 people being slaughtered in the Syrian conflict.

Girl who Slept For 64 Days

A girl who slept for 64 days is being compared to a real-life sleeping beauty after appearing on “The Jeff Probst Show” to discuss a condition known as Kleine–Levin syndrome, KLS, or Sleeping Beauty syndrome, which causes her to sleep excessively. During her longest sleeping episode, 17-year-old Nicole Delien slept nearly non-stop from Thanksgiving until the following year and missed all the holiday festivities.
The girl who slept for 64 days has two younger siblings, a brother and a sister. Fortunately, they do not suffer from the condition.
The teen said she missed a family vacation to Disney World due to her condition and has slept through birthdays and Christmas. During her sleeping spells, she wakes up to eat and use the bathroom. However, she remains in a sleep-like state even when briefly awake.
Young males are the typical victims of the disorder, which is often characterized by “‘ … disorientation, hallucination, child-like behaviour, binge-eating and periods of hyper-sexuality when awake,’ according to an Oxford Journals report,” according to information made available by Daily Mail on Nov. 18, 2012. It is also marked by depression in female sufferers.
Medication has helped the girl who slept for 64 days improve her condition, but she has yet to discover a cure. The medication helps make her sleeping spells happen less frequently. The cause of Kleine–Levin syndrome, KLS, or Sleeping Beauty syndrome, is unknown. However, some believe it may be caused by an autoimmune disorder or a hereditary component.

World Tolerance Day

The International Day for Tolerance is an annual observance declared by UNESCO in 1995 to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance. It is observed on 16 November. The entire text of the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance^[1] is included below.

Preamble

Bearing in mind that the United Nations Charter states: 'We, the people of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, ... to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, ... and for these ends to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours',

Recalling that the Preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO, adopted on 16 November 1945, states that 'peace, if it is not to fail, must be founded on the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind',

Recalling also that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that 'Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion'  'of opinion and expression'  and that education 'should promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups'

Bearing in mind the objectives of the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, the World Decade for Human Rights Education, and the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People,

Taking into consideration the recommendations of regional conferences organized in the framework of the United Nations Year for Tolerance in accordance with UNESCO General Conference 27 C/Resolution 5.14, as well as the conclusions and recommendations of other conferences and meetings organized by Member States within the programme of the United Nations Year for Tolerance,

Alarmed by the current rise in acts of intolerance, violence, terrorism, xenophobia, aggressive nationalism, racism, anti-Semitism, exclusion, marginalization and discrimination directed against national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, refugees, migrant workers, immigrants and vulnerable groups within societies, as well as acts of violence and intimidation committed against individuals exercising their freedom of opinion and expression – all of which threaten the consolidation of peace and democracy, both nationally and internationally, and are obstacles to development,

Emphasizing the responsibilities of Member States to develop and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, gender, language, national origin, religion or disability, and to combat intolerance,

Adopt and solemnly proclaim this Declaration of Principles on Tolerance

Resolving to take all positive measures necessary to promote tolerance in our societies, because tolerance is not only a cherished principle, but also a necessity for peace and for the economic and social advancement of all peoples,

We declare the following:

Article 1 - The Meaning of Tolerance

1.1 Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. It is fostered by knowledge, openness, communication, and freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Tolerance is harmony in difference. It is not only a moral duty, it is also a political and legal requirement. Tolerance, the virtue that makes peace possible, contributes to the replacement of the culture of war by a culture of peace.

1.2 Tolerance is not concession, condescension or indulgence. Tolerance is, above all, an active attitude prompted by recognition of the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. In no circumstance can it be used to justify infringements of these fundamental values. Tolerance is to be exercised by individuals, groups and States.

1.3 Tolerance is the responsibility that upholds human rights, pluralism (including cultural pluralism), democracy and the rule of law. It involves the rejection of dogmatism and absolutism and affirms the standards set out in international human rights instruments.

1.4 Consistent with respect for human rights, the practice of tolerance does not mean toleration of social injustice or the abandonment or weakening of one's convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one's own convictions and accepts that others adhere to theirs. It means accepting the fact that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech, behaviour and values, have the right to live in peace and to be as they are. It also means that one’s views are not to be imposed on others.

Article 2 – State level

2.1 Tolerance at the State level requires just and impartial legislation, law enforcement and judicial and administrative process. It also requires that economic and social opportunities be made available to each person without any discrimination. Exclusion and marginalization can lead to frustration, hostility and fanaticism.

2.2 In order to achieve a more tolerant society, States should ratify existing international human rights conventions, and draft new legislation where necessary to ensure equality of treatment and of opportunity for all groups and individuals in society.

2.3 It is essential for international harmony that individuals, communities and nations accept and respect the multicultural character of the human family. Without tolerance there can be no peace, and without peace there can be no development or democracy.

2.4 Intolerance may take the form of marginalization of vulnerable groups and their exclusion from social and political participation, as well as violence and discrimination against them. As confirmed in the Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice, 'All individuals and groups have the right to be different'

Article 3 – Social dimensions

3.1 In the modern world, tolerance is more essential than ever before. It is an age marked by the globalization of the economy and by rapidly increasing mobility, communication, integration and interdependence, large-scale migrations and displacement of populations, urbanization and changing social patterns. Since every part of the world is characterized by diversity, escalating intolerance and strife potentially menaces every region. It is not confined to any country, but is a global threat.

3.2 Tolerance is necessary between individuals and at the family and community levels. Tolerance promotion and the shaping of attitudes of openness, mutual listening and solidarity should take place in schools and universities and through non-formal education, at home and in the workplace. The communication media are in a position to play a constructive role in facilitating free and open dialogue and discussion, disseminating the values of tolerance, and highlighting the dangers of indifference towards the rise in intolerant groups and ideologies.

3.3 As affirmed by the UNESCO Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice, measures must be taken to ensure equality in dignity and rights for individuals and groups wherever necessary. In this respect, particular attention should be paid to vulnerable groups which are socially or economically disadvantaged so as to afford them the protection of the laws and social measures in force, in particular with regard to housing, employment and health, to respect the authenticity of their culture and values, and to facilitate their social and occupational advancement and integration, especially through education.

3.4 Appropriate scientific studies and networking should be undertaken to co-ordinate the international community's response to this global challenge, including analysis by the social sciences of root causes and effective countermeasures, as well as research and monitoring in support of policy-making and standard-setting action by Member States.

Article 4 – Education

4.1 Education is the most effective means of preventing intolerance. The first step in tolerance education is to teach people what their shared rights and freedoms are, so that they may be respected, and to promote the will to protect those of others.

4.2 Education for tolerance should be considered an urgent imperative; that is why it is necessary to promote systematic and rational tolerance teaching methods that will address the cultural, social, economic, political and religious sources of intolerance – major roots of violence and exclusion. Education policies and programmes should contribute to development of understanding, solidarity and tolerance among individuals as well as among ethnic, social, cultural, religious and linguistic groups and nations.

4.3 Education for tolerance should aim at countering influences that lead to fear and exclusion of others, and should help young people to develop capacities for independent judgement, critical thinking and ethical reasoning.

4.4 We pledge to support and implement programmes of social science research and education for tolerance, human rights and non-violence. This means devoting special attention to improving teacher training, curricula, the content of textbooks and lessons, and other educational materials including new educational technologies, with a view to educating caring and responsible citizens open to other cultures, able to appreciate the value of freedom, respectful of human dignity and differences, and able to prevent conflicts or resolve them by non-violent means.

Article 5 – Commitment to action

We commit ourselves to promoting tolerance and non-violence through programmes and institutions in the fields of education, science, culture and communication.

Article 6 – International Day for Tolerance

In order to generate public awareness, emphasize the dangers of intolerance and react with renewed commitment and action in support of tolerance promotion and education, we solemnly proclaim 16 November the annual International Day for Tolerance. This day will start in 1996 on the 16th of November every year. Source: Wikipedia