Life | 'Wagbemiga

“I Want…”

“If you want something you never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.”

Unknown Author

Scarcity of want is impossible! Humanity, from time immemorial, has desired so many things ranging from what one needs to what one wants, and from the mundane to the ephemeral. However, knowing what one wants is the beginning of finding it with the attendant solace attached to having it. It is apposite, therefore, to inquire as to what modern man wants; because, unlike the early man who just wanted food, clothing and shelter, modern man has moved beyond the basic human wants.

This insatiable desire of modern man has thus far led us where humanity is at a crossroad. Tell a man “We need to see” or “I will tell you something when next we see”, et al, and he becomes disturbed, agitated, perturbed, worried, concern and sometimes unreasonably unstable. He just wants you to tell him immediately what you intended keeping till the next meeting. The element of surprise no longer holds water in and around us anymore. Where is our humanity?

Today, the Holy Mother Church asks all her children to commence the ‘40-Day Journeying with the Lord’; fasting, praying and doing charitable works. Every year, the Church calls on her children to recall their humanity with ashes (made out of our palm fronds from the Palm Sunday of the previous year) imposed on our foreheads to remind us that: “You are dust, and unto dust you shall return”; even, as she asks us to return to the Lord: “Repent and believe the Gospel”.

In his 2024 Message for Lent, titled “Through the Desert God Leads us to Freedom”, His Holiness, Pope Francis, brings us hope out of the present myriads of malaise and quagmire our beloved Nigeria is embroiled in. Despite the ceaseless skyrocketing prices of foodstuff and commodities in the markets, with attendant hysteria resulting from kidnappings and killings on a daily-constant basis; His Holiness invites us to “open our eyes to reality” if our Lenten observances is to be meaningful this year.

Recalling God’s call of Moses in the burning bush (Ex 3: 7-8), Pope Francis asks us to examine our consciences, to look deep into ourselves if our humanity still desires good and offers same to our neighbours. “Today too, the cry of so many of our oppressed brothers and sisters rises to heaven. Let us ask ourselves: Do we hear that cry? Does it trouble us? Does it move us? All too many things keep us apart from each other, denying the fraternity that, from the beginning, binds us to one another” (Message of His Holiness, Pope Francis for Lent 2024).

In the Gospel of Mark, a Leper approached Jesus and asked to be cleansed if Jesus wants to. “Moved with pity, He stretched out His hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mk 1:41)”. Pope Francis reminds us that, our God is the One Who brings freedom to His People, even when they would not ask for it: “In the Exodus account, there is a significant detail: it is God who sees, is moved and brings freedom; Israel does not ask for this” (ibid.).

“The globalisation of indifference makes us all “unnamed,” leaders without names and without faces” (Pope Francis, sermon at an open-air Mass during his visit to Lampedusa, Monday, 8^th July, 2023). Opening our eyes to reality, therefore, means for us to leave behind the globalisation of indifference which makes us turn lackadaisical towards the sufferings and pains of our brothers and sisters. “It is time to act, and in Lent, to act also means to pause. To pause in prayer, in order to receive the word of God, to pause like the Samaritan in the presence of a wounded brother or sister” (Message of His Holiness, Pope Francis for Lent 2024).

It is imperative, then, to understand that the Lenten Season offers us another opportunity to return to Bethel, our place of encounter (Gen 35:1). It affords us the opportunity to turn the globalisation of indifference into the globalisation of care and affection for our needy brothers and sisters. Like Jesus, let us reach out to those needy members of our families, communities and environs, and let them feel the touch of God through us: ‘I want to share this gift with you.’ ‘I want you to have this for your self and your family.’ ‘I want you to be happy always.’

A quick reminder for all Catholics: Penance: “The days and times of penance for the Universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.” Abstinence: “Abstinence from meat, or other food as determined by the Bishops’ Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a Solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.”

#Penance #Abstinence #Hope #AshWednesday #GoodFriday #Valentine #Confession #Penance #Globalisation #Want #Desire #Brotherhood #GlobalisationofIndifference #Desert #DesertExperience #Freedom #Love #Wagbemiga #God

‘Wagbemiga Mary-Peter Ònífáde

Chairman/CEO,

Wagbemiga Media Services (7150468)

+2347034573233

El Classico: The Mother of All Churches

Posted on November 9 by 'Wagbemiga

I was never a sports person, save only for physical exercises to stay fit. As such, I never shared the fanatism and passion of many Nigerians who end up at viewing centres just to hurl insults, assault one another, abuse each other’s parents and do all sorts just to catch fun while watching European football matches. Incidentally, what I was gaining in my physical fitness by burning calories, they were gaining much more by insulting each other with the energies they dissipate at the viewing centres.

Do not get me wrong at all. Because, curiosity as to what they were gaining (was not thinking of the health benefits) led me to subscribed to FC Barcelona in the early 2000s, before Lionel Messi gained prominence. Low and behold, I derived indescribable joy from the very first day at the viewing centre. And, I fell in love with my Team. Then came in Lionel Messi with his dribbling skills and was winning virtually every football match for Barcelona. My motivation increased alongside my physical fitness.

El Classico is a Spanish word literarily translated to mean ‘The Grandfather of them All’. This is the name of matches which takes place between Real Madrid FC, The Blaugrana and FC Barcelona, More than A Club. The football matches are testaments to the long political rivalry between the two largest cities of Spain. Since the President of Barcelona was executed without trial in 1936, the embers of rivalry between the clubs have continued to be fanned into flame.

The two clubs have the largest following on social media; they are among the most successful and the wealthiest global football clubs. According to Wikipedia:

“Real Madrid leads in head-to-head results in competitive matches with 103 wins to Barcelona’s 100 with 52 draws; Barcelona leads in exhibition matches with 24 victories to Madrid’s 6 with 12 draws and in total matches with 124 wins to Madrid’s 109 with 64 draws as of the match played on 28 October 2023. Along with Athletic Bilbao, they are the only clubs in La Liga to have never been relegated.”

The Arch-Basilica Cathedral of The Most Holy Saviour

In mid-July, 64AD, when Emperor Nero held sway as the Head of the Roman Empire, there was a fire outbreak which lasted for almost a week. Some historians blamed the fire outbreak on Nero himself, with the claim that Nero was to use it to pave way for the building of his planned palatial complex, the “Domus Aurea: Golden House” (Suetonius, 69-122AD). As posited by Emmanuel Rahm, a modern politician: “Never let a crisis go to waste”.

Nero took advantage of the fire outbreak, in a bid to escape being blamed for it, and blamed it in lieu on the budding Christians who refused to worship him. This led to the persecution and execution of Christians, chief among whom were the greatest Apostles Peter and Paul. And so began the more than two and half centuries of persecution and killings of Christians for sport. The following year, 65 AD, after a failed conspiracy to kill Nero, he executed his Counsel-designate Plautius Lateranus (Lateran); because, he was part of the conspiracy to kill Nero in 65AD.

Then came in Emperor Constantine of Western Roman Empire who was friendly to the unyielding and fastest growing group at the time –the Catholic Church. In union with his counterpart in Eastern Roman Empire, Emperor Licinius, Constantine signed and ratified the popular Edict of Milan in 313AD; allowing the Christians freedom of worship and making Catholicism official State religion, among others. He then donated the Lateran Palace to Pope Miltiades which Nero had confiscated from his executed Counsel-designate Plautius Lateranus (Lateran).

The Lateran’s first used was for a Synod of Bishops by Pope Miltiades before beginning the construction of Christianity’s first Basilica in Rome, opposite the Lateran Palace. Emperor Constantine ensured that the Arch-Basilica Cathedral was well decorated with gold and silver. It was completed in the year 324AD, and was dedicated on 9^th November by Pope Sylvester and given the name the “House of God,” with a special designation to Christ the Savior. With that, the first cathedral in the most important diocese was established.

According to mycatholic.life “Though the Basilica was first dedicated to Christ the Savior, in the tenth century Pope Sergius III added a new baptistry and rededicated the Basilica to Saint John the Baptist. In the twelfth century, Pope Lucius II dedicated the Basilica to Saint John the Evangelist. The Basilica, therefore, honours Christ the Savior first and the two Saint Johns as the co-Patrons. Though the Lateran Basilica has remained the Pope’s Cathedral from the time of its dedication, the Lateran Palace, next to the Basilica, was the Papal residence from 324–1305.”

When Pope Clement V who was elected Pope in 1305 decided to live outside Rome, “in 1309, he moved the entire Papal court to Avignon, France, where it remained until Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome from Avignon in 1377. Upon the Pope’s return to Rome, the Lateran Palace was in disrepair due to two fires, so the Pope eventually built a new Palace next to Saint Peter’s on Vatican Hill, where every subsequent Pope has resided until today” (ibid.).

St. Paul in 1 Cor. 3:16; 1 Cor. 6:19 tells all Christians that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit of God, Who dwells in us. In Jn. 2:17, Jesus reminds us all that zeal for His house must be constantly burning in us always. Because, the celebration of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica foreshadows the Heavenly Jerusalem wherein all of us, “washed clean from all defilements”, will be able to behold the beatific vision of God. This is why we must strive at all times to always keep our bodies holy. You Are The Most Grandeur Temple of God!

‘Wagbemiga Mary-Peter Ònífáde

Chairman/CEO,

Wagbemiga Media Services (7150468)

+2347034573233

Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa

Posted on October 20 by 'Wagbemiga

When Churches resumed paused activities in August 2020, after the Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown, I was the Scribe of the Covid-19 LOC in my local Church –Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Babaolosha-Mushin, Lagos. The LOC was charged with ensuring that the rules and regulations from both the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government were strictly adhered to; and, to collect detailed information of every person entering the Church for contact tracing; should there be covid detection.

As the Media Man for the Church as well, I doubled as the PRO of the LOC. I was then directed to broadcast this development across our social media platforms and ensure that each person is mandated to tell another person, knowing that not all our Parishioners have access to social media. Several messages to this effect were broadcasted on Twitter (now X), Instagram and Facebook; as well as shared on WhatsApp platforms of the Church Councils and societies. Just to ensure that Parishioners got the information prior to resumption in August.

Eventually, on resumption, some individuals came with open objection and rejection, questioning the rationale behind the government asking for their personal details. Some said it is only in Regina Mundi that we ask for their details, saying it is not a requirement elsewhere. Those who appeared calm gave silent consent to the voice of those who objected. In other words, they were tacitly in support of those who openly objected. No man is willing to accept a change of status quo, even if it is for the general good.

Confidently, I can aver that denial/rejection of inconvenience is most certainly second nature to man. No matter the difficulty in life, or the precarious economic situation around the world (Nigeria especially), no man wants his/her pleasure disrupted or his/her comfort zone invaded. Should that be the case, some employ violence, some just spark off, while others recoil in silence; as their own ‘defence mechanism.’

From the foregoing, it is noticeable what led to the war in Ukraine, by Russia. Putin knew that the scheme of USA is to control and have unhindered access to any country around the world; hence, why it championed Ukraine joining NATO. By this, the USA can then have unhindered access to Russia. That war is still raging unabated only for Hamas to begin another preventable war in Israel.

Unfortunately for many naysayers, particularly Nigerian so-called ‘men of God’, they thought that the God of the Christians will ensure that Israel wins this war by destroying the Palestinians; forgetting that Israelis are Jewish, and there are more Muslims than Christians in Israel. Particular Islamic leaders have pitched their tent with Hamas; while others have pitched theirs behind Israel. Yet, innocent citizens are the worst off of these barbaric killings. My prayer is that God, creator of all mankind, will put an end to the wars ravaging our planet.

I Am A Year Older Today

The Confiteor (I Confess) is as old as the Catholic celebrations of the Sacraments –Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony and Holy Order– particularly, the Holy Mass. The Priest was meant to pray it before the Mass in the Sacristy. Today, it is a general examination of conscience allowed all participating at the Table of the Lord, especially Communicants; to have the opportunity to be in a state of grace at receiving Christ in the Holy Eucharist, during the Mass.

“Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa: Ìjẹ̀bi Mí Ní, Ìjẹ̀bi Mí Ní, Ìjẹ̀bi Nlá Nlá Mí Ní” The mea culpa is not only an admission or a realisation of guilt, it is more of an acknowledgment of our unworthiness to partake at the Lord’s Table. It is appreciating the fact that the mercy of God, expressed in His love by Christ dying for us, surpasses and supersedes our unworthiness. It is our realisation that only the grace of God can make us stand in His presence, so as to be able to partake at His Table (Ps 130: 3).

Today, the Twentieth Day in the Tenth Month of the Year of Our Lord (2023), I realised is my birthday. After knowing and marking my birthday on 20^th February every year for about 40 years of my life, I have come to realise that I was born on this day; 2scores and 3 years ago on Monday, 20^th October, 1980. I must confess that I am as bewildered as anyone would over this realisation.

It was a rude shock to me finding out some years after the demise of my loving father, Pa Michael Akande Ònífáde. In fact, my siblings and I were dumbfounded coming across the document amongst our father’s documents, whilst we rummaged through his things. Unfortunately, I did not come to possess the birth certificate stating I was born earlier than 20^th February, 1981 until after the demise of my beloved mother, Mrs. Omobolanle Mary Adunni Ònífáde, too.

Incidentally, I have had a discussion with one of my many cousins who mentioned to me that he is surprised I celebrate 20^th February, 1981 as my date of birth when in actual fact I was born earlier. He claimed it was not up to a year, or just a little more than a year after my older brother was born that the news reached them in Ekiti that I was born. According to him, the thinking was that, my older brother’s christening ceremony was postponed till his 1^st birthday. The birth certificate confirmed his claims.

Therefore, I have chosen this day, the Twentieth Day in the Tenth Month of the Year of Our Lord 1980 as my BIRTHDAY. By this, I am putting the Catholic Church, the Premier and Prestigious University of Ibadan, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the general public on notice as regards my original date of birth. As such, I have kickstarted the process to swear an affidavit and formalise the date of birth. I wish I had known this before the death of my loving father.

‘Wagbemiga Mary-Peter Onifade

Chairman/CEO,

Wagbemiga Media Services

+2347034573233

What Is the Surname of Jesus?

Posted on October 1 by 'Wagbemiga

I know for a certainty that, ab initio, the basis of the relationship between God and man has been one of friendship and fellowship. In fact, after God created Adam and Eve and settled them in the Garden of Eden, oftentimes He would come down to fellowship and interact with them. This explains why the Bible accounts for it in Genesis 3: 8 that, on hearing the voice of God calling in the Garden, Adam and Eve went to hid themselves. Because, they have broken the code of friendship.

Friends dialogue. Friends fellowship and interact to enjoy each other’s company, plan together and act together. Friends celebrate one another. This was the relationship between God and man because, God’s intent was for man to share in the fullness of Himself: “Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,” (Gen. 1: 26a). Hence, Christ told His Disciples: “I know longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father,” (Jn 15: 15).

Today, Tuesday, 15th August, ’23, the Holy Mother Church Celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. What this Dogma (an irrevocable adherence of faith as regards truths contained in Divine Revelation (CCC, 88)) teaches is that: After Her earthly sojourn here on earth, the Blessed Virgin Mary had the singular honour of being assumed into Heaven body and soul; so that Her body will not know corruption.

I was on the road throughout the day; as such, I was only able to attend evening Mass in company of my two girls (Mary-Bernadette and Margaret-Mary). Suddenly, my first girl of just 5 and half years of age began her chitchat immediately the Priest began the homily. Trust their inquisitiveness, my daughter began with series of questions that I had to answer between listening to the homily and nursing her sleeping sibling.

Suddenly, Mary-Bernadette asked me: “Dad, is God the surname of Jesus?” I froze immediately and became bewildered. Being myself too (I must always answer her questions so as to build trust and confidence in our relationship), I looked puzzlingly at her. She must have sensed that I was lost as she immediately stated, by way of providing the answer herself, that: “God is the surname of Jesus!”

Really, I have never come across a question this puzzling in all my 42 years of earthly existence. But, come to think of it; could my daughter be right? What is the surname of God? Is God the surname of Jesus? Well, maybe God’s family name is God and we all are members of this family through our adoption by Jesus Who laid down His life for His friends (Jn 15: 14). As such, as co-Heirs with Jesus, we are all sons and daughters of God our heavenly Father.

One thing I took away from this experience with my daughter at Mass this evening is that, as a parent you must befriend your children right from the cradle. Mothers are usually their children’s best friend because the mothers breastfeed the children. However, I have chosen to establish a relationship with my girls that they are comfortable with me as their father and friend. As such, as young as they are, I talk with them and we take a stroll together.

Therefore, parents must be attentive while having a listening hear for their children. I was totally unprepared for my daughter tonight; yet, she needed a guide in her journey of relationship with God which she has begun at such a tender age. Since you cannot give what you do not have, parents must be willing to learn, unlearn and relearn in a bid to stay on top of every situation that the AI 21st Century presents to us all.

Then, one thing I have learnt to do is to never brush aside their queries whenever it appeals to them. Even when it is not convenient for me, I always make myself readily available to hear their plea and their complaints. Helping them to build a relationship with God at this stage of their lives occupies a pivotal place in my heart. By the time they will be taking decisions on their own, they can then decide, like I did, if they want to serve God or not.

Happy 63rd Independence Day, Nigeria!!!

‘Wagbemiga Mary-Peter Onifade

CEO,

Wagbemiga Media Services

+2347034573233

NB:

I wrote this article on the night of Tuesday, 15th August, ’23, after attending evening Mass with my children.

Lord, I Am Not Worthy

Posted on August 17 by 'Wagbemiga

One common mentality/denominator found amongst Christians, regardless of riches or poverty, is the ‘entitlement syndrome’. This mind-set oftentimes leads to a mindlessness of who we are as Christians, making us to resort to a comparism of ourselves and the other people ‘blessed by our God’. We forget in its entire that we “are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of His own, so that you may announce the praises” of Him Who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1Pet 2: 9).

This state of mind is how we end up questioning God and rationalise it by our worthiness and faithfulness in keeping the commandments of God. In fact, we end up saying to God that we are better off than the people He blesses while we suffer and languish in precarious situations as if our sins alone killed Jesus on Calvary. Understandably, forgetfulness is not only a mental disorder but also a psychological problem; because, “If You, Lord, mark our sins, Lord, who can stand?” (Ps 130: 3).

This ‘I deserve this/that’ or ‘I do not deserve this/that’ consciousness for us Christians is as an upshot of the fact that we fail, each time this thought presents itself, to realise that it is not ‘I’ but the Lord Who calls and sanctifies the call. It is God Himself Who chose to bless whomever He chooses to bless: “I will show mercy to whom I will, I will take pity on whom I will,” (Rom. 9: 15). That I am a Christian is not an antidote to problems; I am simply privileged to be called.

When Sarah laughed (Gen. 18: 11-12), it was not because she forgot about God but she thought of herself as an old woman who had gone pass menopause and could not ovulate again or have sexual pleasure; she was already 90 years of age at the material time of the promise by God (Gen. 18:10). Yet, God was determined to fulfil His promise to Abraham: “But the Lord said to Abraham: “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I really bear a child, old as I am?’ Is anything too marvellous for the Lord to do? At the appointed time, about this time next year, I will return to you, and Sarah will have a son” (Gen. 18: 13-14).

When Lot hesitated to depart from Sodom and Gomorrah, the two Angels who came to destroy the city grabbed him, his wife and his two daughters, and led them out of the city. This is because, God had promised Abraham that He would save Lot and his household from the impending doom of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:16). He is a covenant keeping God; there is no one like Him. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End; the Author and Finisher of our Faith.

Our unfaithfulness notwithstanding, He is faithful and He never fails His promises. Regardless of whether we keep faith, He never abandons us, rather He searches still for our return home like the prodigal son. Therefore, as faithful followers, we must never waiver in our reliance upon His grace to see us through whatever we may be going through; bearing in mind that He Who did not consider Sarah’s doubt but promised and kept His promise will meet us at the point of our needs.

Our dispositions as Christians, therefore, should be resignation to the will of God; bearing in mind “the Lord’s message to Zerubbabel: Not by an army, nor by might, but by my spirit, says the Lord of Hosts” (Zec. 4: 6). Like the Roman Centurion who approached Jesus as He entered Capernaum, supplicating on behalf of his servant, our prayer should be: “Lord, I am not worthy to have You enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed” (Mt. 8:8).

‘Wagbemiga Mary-Peter Onifade

CEO,

Wagbemiga Media Services

+2347034573233

The Nature of Muhammodu Buhari

Posted on March 12, 2023 by 'Wagbemiga

“Our life is what our thoughts make it” -Marcus Aurelius.

“The nature of God is mercy”, according to Rev. Fr. Paul Chukwuebuka Mbah, the Curate, Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Babalolsha-Mushin, Lagos State, Nigeria. Yet, I neither seek to explore the Person of God nor expose His nature herein; that, I cannot do (o ju ogbon ori mi lo). My goal in this article is to explore and explain nature in relation to human existential living; particularly, man’s day-to-day experiences which determines his daily living.

According to Wikipedia, “Human nature is a concept that denotes the fundamental dispositions and characteristics—including ways of thinking, feeling, and acting—that humans are said to have naturally (emphasis not mine).” It is often used to mean the essence/whole being of man or what it ‘means’ to be human. As such, one can talk about human nature and/or nuances particularly peculiar to each individual person or group of persons.

Since Tuesday, 31^st January, 2023 (when the initial deadline for spending the old N200/N500/N1,000 notes), if Nigerians never knew their President, Gen. Muhammodu Buhari; the Supreme Court judgement of Wednesday, 1^st March, 2023 has clearly shown the true nature of the man who has been governing them in the last seven years and seventy-one days. Most certainly, it is obvious that Gen. Muhammodu Buhari is a sadist who cares less if all Nigerians drop dead without battling an eyelid.

In my article “Humanity Will Always Prevail” (just google it),

“I have tried to no avail to understand the logic behind the needless deaths and the various forms of protests springing up spontaneously in and around the Southern part of the country over the new monetary policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). There is a video of a point-of-sales (POS) guy burnt alive for overcharging in Owerri. It was the death of a pregnant woman inside the banking hall that led to the first arson, because of the monetary policy, in Ibadan. An elderly man was said to have slumped and died inside a banking hall in Asaba. And the list goes on and on leading to arson, wrecking untold hardships on the people while leaving untraceable and uncountable number of deaths in its wake.”

My Late father, Michael Akande Onifade (may God rest his soul), on two different occasions, before his demise on Wednesday, 23^rd April, 2013 around 11:30p.m., had told me that: “Ti Buhari ba je President, iya a je awon ara ilu: Should Buhari become the President, Nigerians will suffer”; whatever his reason. I remember he mentioned to me that his (Buhari’s) first advent as military Head of State, was worst off. One can then understand the bewilderment some of us suffered when adults in 2014 chose to campaign and vote for Buhari.

Understandably, one can then wonder “as to whether the new notes introduction is based on good judgement. My reason is not far-fetched. I have stated above that nothing, for me, is wrong with the timing. Yet, whatever you do that does NOT have human face attached to it is annihilistic, fatalistic, sadistic, barbaric, archaic, and meant to introduce modern man into the pre-historic state of nature; in which life was ‘warre’, “warre of one man against another” Thomas Hobbes in “The Leviathan” (1651).

“It goes without saying that the unintended consequences of the monetary policy have far outweighed the originally intended consequences. In a saner clime, such a policy would have been withdrawn by now or the Supreme Court is obeyed that status quo be maintained. But, not in Nigeria will that be possible; may be in another lifetime. Future generations to take note. Because, both Gen. Muhammodu Buhari, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Mr. Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor, have made history with this inhuman monetary policy” (ibid).

Little wonder then that both Gen. Muhammodu Buhari and Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the CBN Governor have both kept mum since the Supreme Court passed the historic judgement that the old N200/N500/N1,000 notes should remain legal tender, concurrently with the new N200/N500/N1,000 notes till Sunday, 31^st December, 2023. If it is not a sadistic human nature, what else could be used to describe the dispositions or the “body language” of the duo?

‘Wagbemiga Mary-Peter Onifade

Writer: Biography/Memoir/Profile/Proposal et al

Voice Over Artist (VOA)

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“…THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY” (JOHN 10:10)

Posted on February 24, 2018 by 'Wagbemiga

A Communiqué issued at the End of the First Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja, 17-23 February 2018

PREAMBLE

We, the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, have held our First Plenary Meeting of the year at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja, from 17 to 23 February 2018. Having prayerfully reflected on the ways in which we, as a Church and a Nation, can fully enjoy the fullness of life promised us by our Lord Jesus Christ, we now issue this Communiqué.

PROMOTING THE CULTURE OF LIFE

Jesus Christ the eternal Word of the Father, through whom all was made, became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14) so that through him we might share in the life of the Blessed Trinity. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16). At a high point during his ministry on earth Jesus declared: “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). The seed of this abundant life was sown in us at creation and is brought to its fullness in and through Christ. Life is, therefore, sacred, a gift, a mystery and a challenge.

However, recent happenings in Nigeria give cause for grave concern and worry. The wave of political assassinations, killing for ritual purposes, frequent mass murder of harmless, innocent and defenceless citizens are instances. Very often our young people, the very symbols of life and vigour, are the victims and agents of this wastage of human life. In recognition of our divine mandate, may we remind all of the sacredness and inviolability of human life. No person, authority or institution has the right to terminate human life. We say NO to these senseless killings, and urge everybody to respect the sanctity of human life and end the flow of innocent blood in our land. We advocate a stronger collaboration between the government, the security agencies, and the entire population, for a more efficient protection of human life and property. We appeal to the consciences of every member of the Nigerian society to respect the eternal commandment of God: “Thou shall not kill” (Ex 20:13). May God grant eternal rest to all those who have lost their lives in all these unfortunate incidents. Read More

Happy New Year Nigeria: Happy New Peace World!!!

Posted on February 13, 2018 by 'Wagbemiga

“So, let us not be blind to our differences–but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.” –John Fitzgerald Kennedy in “A Strategy of Peace”; a Commencement Address delivered at The American University, Washington, D.C., 10 June, 1963

As the New Year 2018 gradually turns into a routine, like every other past year, this piece is wishing Nigeria a peaceful year devoid of all contraptions and wrenched away from the jugular clutches of her abductors, who prey and feast on her, mindful that she is the cash cow “abubutan”; whose source can never ever dry up. May she experience a brand New Year of New Beginnings; one in which she experiences abundant life away from all the quagmire and cauldron of problems besetting her.

“Jerusalem the holy city of God”, Jerusalem the capital city of Israel. Over the course of the last seven decades, the international community has tried, without lasting solution, to ensure, maintain and sustain ‘peace’, albeit elusively, in the Middle East. Successive American Presidents have not shy from the reality of a peaceful, collaborative, conflict free Middle East which is tantamount to “Pacem in Terris” Peace in the world. Yet, this novel, lofty and grandiose ideal has perpetually been out of reach for anyone, any government or international body to grasp.

America’s talking President and volatile twitter diplomat, Donald Trump, has spoken and the little known peace and the dual ownership and settlement arrangement of the “Holy Land” are shattered. He is moving America’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, thereby officially recognizing Jerusalem as the ‘Capital City’ of Israel. It is very obvious that the intended cause will outweigh the consequences as this has given rise to increased tension in the Middle East, aggravation of aggression between Israel and the Arabs/Palestinians, buoy ISIS and other extremist Islamic groups, and heighten hatred for the United States of America. Read More

“Oju Orun T’eye Fo Laifarakanra”

Posted on October 12, 2017 by 'Wagbemiga

Human nature can be complex but definitely not difficult. If it were to be difficult, there would not have been any available explanation which philosophers/scholars/theorists/proponents made use in exposing the generality of human beings to their believes. To this day, many schools of thought abound with peculiar submission and many abound, still, with for further research in a bid to finding lasting meanings to this complex nature of man.

In fact, from the beginning of human life on earth, this complexity assumed its nature as situated within the differing accounts of the genesis of human life on earth. Seriously, the differing accounts have remained at cross purposes with one another in giving meaning to human origin. Unfortunately, they as well differ on what happens at the end of human life. Funny enough, even the proponents of particular theory/school of thought differ on their theory/school of thought as it were.

Nevertheless, my focus in this article is not the complexity associated with human nature. Rather, my intention is to drop a hint on how we can live together, as human beings, in harmony and peace; without always being at daggers drawn/loggerheads with each other. I mean, what we can do to live the normal life that we are supposed to live to ensure happiness in an egalitarian atmosphere. This is why avoiding conflict (based on the Yoruba adage for the choice of topic) is the focus.

“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it” –Mahatma Ghandi Read More

The BVM and the International Literacy Day

Posted on September 8, 2017 by 'Wagbemiga

Today, 8 September, the Holy Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church celebrates the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary; the New Dawn of Human History: the Birth of the New Era of our Salvation. 8 September is the traditional fixed date of Her Birth on the Church’s Liturgical Calendar; this is nine months after the 8 December celebration of Her Immaculate Conception as the child of Saints Joachim and Anne.

After the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, man lost God’s blessedness, his very uniqueness and essence of being.

“In that sin man preferred himself to God and by that very act scorned Him. He chose himself over and against God, against the requirements of his creaturely status and therefore against his own good. Constituted in a state of holiness, man was destined to be fully “divinised” by God in glory. Seduced by the devil, he wanted to “be like God,” but “without God, before God, and not in accordance with God (CCC, 398).”

Despite this, God did not abandon man to himself. Through his due punishment, “God calls him and in a mysterious way heralds the coming victory over evil and his restoration from his fall (CCC, 410, cf. Gen 3:9, 15).” To regain his lost glory, God announced the “New Adam” Jesus Christ, our Saviour. The Blessed Virgin Mary, His Mother, became the “New Eve.” Thus heralding the New Era of Salvation, the New Dawn. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches further that: