RAIN OF TERROR

Under the eyrie of a dusky afternoon in September 2020, I saw something.

It was quite a sight in the sense that I had seen it many times before only that today it did not appear nearly the same. It looked like rain and I was brainstorming.

A rush of clouds had trespassed the boundaries of the brilliant Sun, casting a shadow of darkness across the neighborhood. Apparently, the coolness of the weather was starting to cause a pleasant feeling of goosebumps until the suddenness of the storm which brought fiery thoughts of Armageddon to mind.

Unlike the past days and every other day when the gush of rainfall began with dynamic droplets, the downpour descended in the extreme without a sprinkle as a sign.

Earth reverberated the harsh echoes of rain which broke out as though all the glasses in the world were being shattered.

And there I sat, spellbound while listening to the Heavens as it cried—no amount of sacrifice could have consoled it.

I was moved but I would not utter a word and I beheld the tears of the sky pour down with eyes full of emotion.

The Wind held the fury of God in a salutary reminder as to why He gave water to a sinful world to live and not die instead.

The manner in which it blew and the unthinkable things it carried away with it sent cold shivers running down my spine.

Out of fright which made me run almost out of puff, I gave each breath of mine constantly back to the wind.

In a vision which swept across my mind like a quick flash of apocalyptic lightning, I caught eerie images of houses awash with their inhabitants condemned to the flood.

In the heat of the moment, I flew off the edge of my seat in a hurry to escape from the balcony ahead of which reality and dream felt vaguely relatable and intense.

And as soon as I ran into the living room, I made sure the door was bolted shut behind me...

Concept@michiodegrey

The irony of fate

I was in the market that day to buy wedding cards for a client when this man walked in, alone. I greeted him and focused on what I was doing. He saw me selecting cards, smiled and parted my shoulder, "I love your courage."

I was surprised as I threw up my face at him. I couldn't get the reason behind such statement.

"I don't understand what you mean, sir"

"I hope the card you're buying is for yourself"

"No sir, it's for someone"

"Oh, sorry, I thought it's yours. But are you married?"

"Not really sir." I responded, smiling.

"If you have anyone you love and she loves you too, I'll advice you marry her as soon as you can provided you have something doing."

"Why did you say that?"

"This is my 8th year looking for a wife. I lost the love of my life because I was chasing money even when she was ready to start small with me, and when I feel I got the money, I couldn't find my spec again. And you know, you have to at least date someone before marriage to ascertain if she's the right one for you. I dated some for few months, some over a year and none ever worked out.

The ones I love only came for my money, the ones that love me have bad character. It has been a tough ride for the past 8 years. I'm 42 now and just planning my wedding ." He was still talking when another person entered and distracted us, he just picked a card and left without spending more time.

I felt for him because I could see a man with regrets in his eyes. I wish I heard his full story.

2 weeks ago, while I was on tricycle (Keke, marwa) going from Corner stone to Nowas when this young man joined us. While the rider was trying to overtake a trailer, he joked saying "Take it easy o, you won't train my kids for me" and we all laughed.

"Are you married?" I asked, smiling.

"Yes, with two kids"

I expressed surprise.

"You really married early."

"I had to, else I may live to regret it."

"how? why?"

"My wife, then girlfriend was under pressure from her parents and she was having many other suitors too.

I was scared of losing her so I had to do the needful. It wasn't easy but I'm really happy I did."

"That's lovely, I love your courage."

"Thank you"

****

I wouldn't want to say the first man was wrong and the second right, neither will I say otherwise. I'll only say that you should do the right thing when you feel the time is right for you and when you can. The advice is for all of us singles...

Credit: Chukwu Ebuka noble

CAMA ACT IS ILLITERATE

How can you pass a bill into law that has no respect for the law. What then is justice when judicial confidence is overruled.

You mean that CAMA supersedes even the law?

That's laughable because any law that opposes your right to seek redress is intentionally oppressive.

Why not get auditors to monitor the financial standing of the churches if that's your problem. How will you wake up one morning and change the board of trustees of a ministry that has been running for years.

Imagine a northern Muslim presiding over a church.. What nonsense!

Its yet Laughable how a nation whose ministry of works is not working want to manage church ministries that is flourishing!!!

Outside Nigeria where you could find these laws, grants are given to support the churches. During this covid crisis in London, the government released millions of dollars as a support grant to churches. Same in America. 

So there is no how such law would not thrive giving the church an exclusive judicial right too.

How many times have you heard that the government of Nigeria released money to churches.

How can a law be higher than the judiciary. That's an illiterate act. The CAMA act is indeed laughable.

Nigeria should focus on her ministries that are not functional rather than poke nosing over thriving religious bodies...

And if CAMA must be, it should be like the foreign system. Not an illiterate ACT that is superior to the law and the judiciary!!!