Birthday temptations: Standing for the truth

Birthday temptations: Standing for the truth

Friday, 24 June 2016 /

Mr.Sopuruchukwu Egbodo

 Written by Sopuruchukwu Egbodo @SopuruEgbodo

Seeking greener pastures brought me to the city of endless opportunities, Lagos and I chose to stay with a relation who aside from his over-domineering attitude has been good to me in all ramifications. He and his kind-hearted wife made sure I had my three square meals daily. Being my first experience of Lagos they also provide tons of advice daily on how to safely traverse (As they put it) the evil side of Lagos.

22nd june, few hours away from my birthday, as I prepared for a scheduled meet with a Lagos business owner, she came around asking to borrow one of my phones and even went ahead to vividly explain in details what it was needed for. Her first son had to write mathematics in the ongoing National Examination Council Examination (NECO) that morning and she needed the phone to send him solved exam questions while he was inside the exam hall so he could write. I was never going to be a part of that

I stand: for God, for the truth and for good, but this time I was boxed into a corner by their requests, first from the woman, then her husband. A conjugal request to commit corruption and sin. The type that also came with what I call “Emotional bribery” (The food and shelter they have been providing). That temptation was strong! Agree to it and you have aided evil, reject the request and you are an ingrate. At the last the truth prevailed, I can’t be an accomplice.

Since corruption is now a culture in Nigeria, we are daily tempted to do evil, in our offices, places of work, places of worship, home, everywhere. But standing for the truth remains bae.

Whom do you choose to be? What are you known for? What will you be remembered for when you are gone? This is the time to decide and run with it.

Have a nice day.

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Lessons From The Dead

Lessons From The Dead

Friday, 10 June 2016 /

Dora with her numerous awards

Written by Sopuruchukwu Egbodo @SopuruEgbodo

“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act” – George Orwell

In a country where corruption is now a culture and where there is no permanently instituted reward system for the good guys, few good guys have damned the odds, putting their lives and comfort on the line to make sure things are done rightly. Today’s feature is meant to celebrate and present lessons from two extraordinary Nigerian personalities.

Dora Akunyili (July 14 1954 – June 7, 2014)
June 7th, this year made it exactly 2 years since the demise of the “Iron lady” of NAFDAC. It only took a “Drop” of Dora for Nigeria’s NAFDAC to become a responsible government agency serious in its business. She fought drug barons even in our (We both come from the same state in Nigeria) Anambra to a standstill. The fierce fight she put up to sanitize Nigeria nearly cost her her dear life when she was attacked by unknown assasins with the bullet targeted at her head missing target and piercing through her scarf.

Dora was just phenomenal, a type of wife many Nigerian men would wish to have (Well if you don’t, I do). She was an example not just because of her role at NAFDAC and other positions she handled in the Nigerian government, but also in her dressing. Dora was an epitome of good and a legend.

Late Mr.Stephen Keshi

                                     
Stephen Keshi (January 23, 1962 – June 8, 2016)
Also I woke up to news on Wednesday (June 8) of the death of Stephen Keshi, an erstwhile coach of the Nigerian men’s senior football team. Mr. Keshi would be remembered not just because of the nations’ cup he won with his crop of unknown players for Nigeria after 19 years, but also because of the mark he made while on the job.

Mr. Keshi had a charisma and magic which he rubs off on players that makes them produce magic on the pitch whenever they play, he has trust in the ability of even unknown players, Sunday Mba is an example. His leadership style was a major reason the wobbling super eagles team at the 2013 AFCON won the trophy for Nigeria in 2013.

He stood up to the corrupt leadership at the Nigerian Football Federation who were in the habit of owing and dis-respecting Nigerian coaches under their employ, this brought him into constant squabbles with his then employers. Rest in peace the big boss.

Today I celebrate you two.

Lessons
These two guys were not related to many of us, but I bet you cried at the time of their death; I did. The cries were not motivated by pity for anybody, but naturally flowed because of the far reaching effect of their various contributions to making our world better, what right are you doing to affect other people’s lives in your country?

Mr. Keshi was only 54, Dora was just 60 but their achievements speak volumes and are far reaching . Their death at those ages is a wakeup call to all slackers on the road to destiny. Time is a waiter of no man, and death is a respecter of no age. What right you want to do, do today.

I am doing mine here on The Truthden Blog, inspiring positive values..

See you next week.

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