Fatherhood: A Heritage that must be Recovered

Father's Day at All Saint's Ang. Church, GRA, Enugu

I have read a lot of novels, magazines, articles, etc. You may call them fiction, but what I saw and still see on the pages of those books are realities of past events, which are also the illumination of what is written in the book of all books – The Bible. The pages of those books paint pictures of what family should be, what fathers represent in their families and society; their roles and responsibilities, etc. Please don’t crucify me yet; I am not being one-sided here; this is men’s corner, and so, I will talk about fathers. Consequently, what I see around me contradicts the knowledge I have acquired from my library of novels and magazines.

Is it that those virtues of fatherhood have been lost, or am I just living in the world of fantasy – the world of my own. Are those virtues in my book collection not records of the life people have lived? Should they remain a history just to be told? Are they not supposed to be habitual?

Father's Day at All Saint's Anglican Church, GRA, Enugu

Today, to be a man is to belong to dangerous cults, to frequent brothels and club houses, drink to stupor, have baby mamas, etc.  More so, there is a gradual shift from being the MAN to becoming weaker than woman; whom God referred to as the weaker vessel. Most men these days enjoy lazing around and shifting all their responsibilities to women, and when things doesn’t go their way, women in their lives become victims of domestic violence.

In the pages of my novels and magazines, when a husband and father is away for more than two days, the vacuum in the house is obvious, and the day he will return, he is received with great excitement by his wife/wives and children.

The few that still has fatherhood virtues today feel insecure because they are not sure if their friends will still consider them as friends, just because they are being the MAN they should be.

Father's Day at All Saint's Anglican Church, GRA, Enugu

Men have got much to recover, lest, fatherhood will be lost forever. Men should work hard to get back their respect. They should go back to innovative thinking, discoveries, creativity, and entrepreneurship. They should go back to godly leadership of humility and excellence. When a man speaks, there should be a difference. I am not asking them to be perfect, because it is impossible, but I am asking them to attain that height that God has given them the grace to attain as the Priests and leaders of their homes and society. Life only gives one chance of being a father. There is only one chance to get things right as a father, and men should stop gambling with it. Fatherhood is a wonderful thing. It is a lost heritage that must be recovered.

Ideal Olive says happy Father’s day to all fathers out there!

Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi

Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Enhancement Seekers have Crossed the Line

It started with changing the body colour, to damaging the natural hair in order to fix the artificial one; and then to fixing of eyelashes and nails; but then, it’s okay, manageable and tolerated. As if that was not enough, women started cosmetic foot surgery, breast and buttocks implant, fixing of a different eye ball, etc. ……..to think that men have joined the queue, (transgender things), makes it heart wrenching.  Aaw! I feel goose pimples all over. It is a story for another day. The rate at which people are taking to cosmetics surgery and artificial beauty these days is really alarming. Humans are really daring God!

What if we were not created with hair on our heads, eye lashes, nails, etc; how would we have known what they look like, to talk of imitating them? We know that spares are good, to replace damaged built-in parts and get our electronics, automobiles, etc working. We also know that artificial body make-ups are good; they are required after loss of some body parts or personal look after accident, to keep us functioning as much as possible. But do we really need to distort our appearance when we have no reason to? It is a free world, yes! But we do have common sense, right? Can we really justify the fake eye lashes, fake eye balls, fake nails, over floated breasts and buttocks, etc., all in the name of beauty?

The reasons for these cosmetics surgeries and artificial beauty are not surprising at all, knowing how crazy and beastly people are becoming recently. Researchers have revealed that fear of growing old is one of the major reasons why people opt for cosmetics surgery. Old age is associated with wisdom and I have noticed that these days, it is hard to see young people meeting the elderly ones for advice. I am afraid that time will come when there will be few old people to direct and guide the younger generation. What we see mostly these days are cosmetic and fun filled brain, with little or nothing to offer – posterity weeps.

Whether it is Cosmetic Foot Surgery; for a suitable feet that can fit into sophisticated high heel fashion shoes, Permanent Filler Injections; injected into the skin to plump up lips and fill up spaces in the face where a bit of extra volume is needed, the concept of using liposuction to remove unwanted fat from one's own thighs and buttocks, and then inject it into the breasts to make them larger and the use of “boob jab" artificial fillers to accomplish the same goal of bigger breasts by injecting through the armpit of a temporary filler called Macrolane directly into the breast, Buttock Implants; to get a rounder, more voluminous buttocks etc, the fact remains that the damage that comes with them far outweighs the benefits, that is, if there is any benefit, but just in case there is.

Ideal Olive gathered from experts in cosmetics surgery that people, especially women spend fortunes to get these surgeries performed on them. They went ahead to reveal that aside the high prize, there is a very significant rate of problems associated with plastic surgeries ranging from distorted appearance, infections, nerve injury, prolonged swelling of affected places, chronic pain, Cancer, etc., yet some people will rather be a shadow of themselves and have fun today and be gone tomorrow – it doesn’t matter. What a waste?

The picture we can paint from this mess on nature is ‘low esteem’. Many people don’t seem to believe in themselves. They don’t seem to understand that everyone is unique and has something unique to offer; be it from their looks, potentials or character. Most often, we see things from the negative perspective and not the positive. Whatever feature and gift that God has given us has a good value attached to it for His glory, and our assignment is to discover and use them. Any man who finds fault with the wonder called ‘MAN’ that God has created, and wishes to or goes all out to change it is daring God and will never find real happiness or peace that he or she is seeking. 

#BeYou! #LookYou! #BeReal! #LookReal! #AndShunTheCounterfeit!

Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi

ENTREPRENEURSHIP: THE REMEDY TO UNEMPLOYMENT MENACE IN NIGERIA AND YOUTH RESTIVENESS

Many great men and women we hear about today started building their lives as youths. Youth age is the best age to shape and establish one’s life. Youth of nowadays are opportune because information and knowledge flies through their cell phones, which was not so, few years back. There is high unemployment today in Nigeria. It may look like there is no hope, but there is high hope if we could embrace God and become professional in our dealings.

Life starts from school, which is a place of preparation. Young people should start thinking of what they will do with their lives from SS1 age. The mindset should be on: after school, what next, or what can I start doing now? Youth age is the age when talents are incubated and put to good use. God is counting on the youths for the rebuilding of the broken walls of Nigeria. Youths are not the leaders of tomorrow, they are the leaders of today, and that leadership starts with self sustenance and establishment, which only can be attained through dedication, hard work and fear of God. Isaiah 61:4 says that God is looking for men that can rebuild the old ruins. God is planting trees of righteousness, and you can be one of them.

Unemployment is a situation where somebody has no means of livelihood, has nowhere to earn any form of wages, even when he/she is able-bodied and willing to work; the spirit and body might be willing, the skill could be there, but no job vacancy for such person to deploy his or her abilities in order to earn some income and live.  Unemployment increases the risk of poverty, it causes loss of motivation and mental problems, it causes economic, cultural and social isolation, it has a negative effect on economic growth and productivity, etc.

According to reports from the National Bureau of Statistics (2017) 7.9 million Nigerian Youths aged 15 to 34 are unemployed and this figure increases after each academic year, as fresh graduates join to face reality. Unemployment has eaten deep into the fabrics of Nigeria with its numerous menaces like: armed robbery, kidnapping, prostitution, youths been hired as thugs to kill, youths being used as sugar boys and sugar girls by their so called sugar mummies and sugar daddies, etc. This is the level of bondage that unemployment has taken youths to and only entrepreneurship or gainful employment can take them out of it.

Entrepreneurship is taking a great idea and turning it into a business to earn a living and serve others.

To become a good entrepreneur, you need to possess the following characteristics or qualities:

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      Strong Values – Possessing great principles and Creating high standards

·        Determination – The desire never to give up, but to focus on the goal.

·        Resourcefulness – Ability to create or invent wealth making ideas

·  Sense of Responsibility – Exhibiting maturity in one’s lifestyle, and self discipline

·       Self-Confidence: The assurance of one’s capabilities and self motivation

We are usually faced with so many questions and excuses when it comes to setting up our own business. What will I do? How do I start? How will I raise the money? How will I get good workers and how will I manage them? These questions and many more shall be treated below. To run a successful business, one needs to acquire the skills and become empowered intellectually.

Steps to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur/Becoming an Employable Youth

One of our tasks today is to help you realize who you are, where you are and what you need to do to get to your next level. There is always a higher level.

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     First, you have to discover who you are; what you like to do, what you do better than others, what gives you joy and satisfaction, those services you need out there but don’t receive them at all or you receive them but not to your satisfaction.

·       Acquire skills like artistic/graphic designs, computer skills, etc.

·      After self discovery, focus on those things that give you much concern that you have taken note of and turn them into business ideas.

·        Do not procrastinate, start immediately

·    Every mistake or disappointment is an opportunity to learn something new in your business, so do not be discouraged. Failure is a learning strategy but only for those who get up after a fall.

·      Study and learn especially from:

The Word of God: It is a necessity for us to study and keep studying the WORD OF GOD and invite the Holy Spirit to give us insight. When we study God’s word, we equip ourselves for success and prosperity. See

(a)     2Tim. 2:15 – Study to show thyself approved…. the required knowledge to work for God and to run a successful business.

(b)     Josh. 1:8 – This book of law shall not depart from your mouth……good success and prosperity

 (c)    Hos. 4:6a – My people perish for lack of knowledge-be in or be out

Jesus was successful because He knew the Word of God and how to use it to resist the devil when it came to distract Him from focusing on His business.

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         Study and learn about the business of your interest

·        

     Study and learn from successful people

·        

     Study and learn from your environment and experiences

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     Be faithful to God and live righteously, God through the Holy Spirit gives the power to make wealth. It works for me, so it will work for you

·      Pay yourself, as a compensation for all your hard work, and the reason for more hard work

In a nutshell, here are the tips on Success in Entrepreneurship and becoming an employable youth

·        Love what you do

·        Surround yourself with people who share in your dream

·        Update yourself with technological trends

·        Identify and adopt customer friendly strategies

·        Insist on quality

·        Know the rules of the business and stick to it

·        Manage your time well

·        Always make provision for the unforeseen circumstances

·     See your business as your child; you sacrifice to raise your child to be above you. If you also do that for your business, when it grows, you will be fulfilled all your life. Money that comes from hard work is fulfilling.

Businesses Opportunities

There are so many business opportunities around us that youths can take advantage of with little or no capital, especially while still in school, which can guarantee their success after graduation. These opportunities are:

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      Soya bean business

·        Fashion designing

·        Car wash services

·        Bid/Hat making

·        Photography and video services

·        Creative painting/art gallery etc.

·        Tutoring services

·        Party promotion

·        Hair styling and grooming services

·        Housekeeping services

·        Social Media Marketing

·        Livestock management

·        Etc.

Graduates can equally take up some available job opportunities while searching and waiting for their dream job. Even when one finds his or her desired job, it is still possible to work efficiently as an employee and manage a personal business. Below are some of the businesses youths can venture into as graduates, without much capital:

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      Recycling of empty mineral cans, empty plastic containers, empty bottles, crown corks etc.,

·        Cassava processing

·        Cashew nut processing

·        Palm oil business

·        Horticulture

·        Corporate business/Marketing

·        Mechanic

·        Welding and soldering

·        Painting

·        Interior Decoration

·        Event Management

·        Wood works

·        Etc.

Conclusion

Jesus is telling us today in Luke 19:13 to occupy until He comes. Occupy means take charge, inhabit, take possession of, take care of, live in, make use of, put something to work. This is said in respect to the beginning of Jesus' parable of the ten minas. A master gives his servants ten minas before he leaves and tells them to occupy until he comes. New King James Version says ‘Do business till I come.’ That means we are here for a very serious business delegated to us by someone higher than us. As in Luke chapter 19, two out of the three servants traded their minas or money or talents, etc and raised extra income for their master, while the servant who received one mina hid it and brought it out as it is and gave his master on return. Youths, don’t waste your own mina, gift, talent, etc. because they all belong to God. Use your talent to serve God and man; by so doing, your reward is assured in Heaven and here on earth.

God bless you!

Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi

Wealth is Divine

Wealth is an abundance of valuable possessions or money; it is a plentiful supply of what we need, and desire. It goes with affluence, riches, substance, luxury, well-being, etc. All the promises of God to us here on earth are wrapped up in wealth and so, wealth is our inheritance as Children of God and therefore, is interwoven with Christianity. Over the years, many Christians have been living in falsehood, with an attitude that is repulsive to wealth, just for a weak self defense. No wonder, most of the celebrated scientists, entrepreneurs, leaders, celebrities, etc are either non Christians or non dedicated Christians.

In the bible, we read the account of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We saw how God blessed the works of their hands and made them the envy of the heathens. We also read the account of David and Solomon, chosen by God to become Kings in their time and how rich and favoured they were. Noah was a righteous man and favoured by God, yet, he built an ark that never sank during the event of a mighty flood. Bezalel was equipped and called by God; He possessed the Spirit of God and is filled with wisdom and knowledge in all manner of workmanship to design artistic works. (Exodus 35: 30-35). It was Prophet Nahum who saw the vision of motor cars we are driving today (Nahum 2:4). The list can go on and on.

Bible made us to understand that “The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). It is God who gives power to create wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). It is written in James 1:17 that “every good gift and every perfect gift (which includes money) is from above, and comes down from the father of lights (God) with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning”. It pleases God when His children use their God-given potentials to create wealth and manage it appropriately. What offends Him is when we acquire wealth through evil means or spend money carelessly. Did God not tell us that He will open the strong gates of heaven and rain down so many blessings, that there will not be room enough for us to gather them? He did promise us lots of blessings but only if we are willing and obedient (Isaiah 1:19).

When God said that His people perish for lack of knowledge (Hos. 4:6a) it is because He saw that we are so ignorant and myopic. The same bible that said “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim 6:10) also said, “Money answers all things” (Ecclesiastes 10:19). He instructed us in Genesis to multiply, to subdue the earth and replenish it. But we chose to fall for the deceit that separated riches from godliness and that is why we are suffering.

God is searching for those who will make Him proud in all fields of endeavour. God is in need of innovators who will invent and create new things to His glory. He needs sons and daughters who will create jobs and use same to evangelize for Him.

This is a wake up call for Christians to sit up, discover who they are in Christ Jesus and use it to serve God. God has set before us an open door that no man can shut (Rev. 3:8). We need to key into God’s blessings of open doors by discovering our areas of service and reaching out to achieve it. We need to work hard to multiply what God has put in our hands. Let us not disappoint God like the wicked servant in Jesus’ parable of talent who hid his money and gave same to his master on return. Our God is a business man and He has invested much in us and expects return. That is why the bible tells us that to whom much is given, much is expected.

Christians should channel their mindsets on how to create and transfer wealth. Man’s need is inexhaustible. There are so many problems yet to be solved and we need to discover and solve them, and by so doing, our God is glorified. To key into God’s open door covenant of wealth creation and transfer, we are required to make sacrifices. Nothing good comes easy. There are still many areas that are untapped and genuine effort should be made to learn new skills, so as to fit into the new areas and break new grounds.

Are you considering setting up a business or getting employed first, to get paid? Consider and work on the following:

     Discover yourself. What do I want to achieve? What can I do best or better and how can I do or achieve that? Where is my service needed?

Do a market survey, seek knowledge and raise capital; you can raise capital for your dream business by doing those petty businesses that require little or no cash.

Plan and execute, start with what you have.

If you are already in business, consider and work on the following:

Develop yourself constantly; always upgrade your knowledge on the new trends.

Review your location and announce your presence; make sure you are strategically located.

Review your budget from time to time; have a short, mid and long term budget.

Acquaint yourself in financial management and learn how to cut your coat according to your cloth.

Network among your business colleagues; advertise your business using social and electronic media, etc.

Work with God, study your bible

Consult experts when necessary

Study your environment and be security and safety conscious

The time to act is now!

Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi

HANGOUT WITH PRISON INMATES

Prison Entrance

It took time for me to decide whether prisoners actually deserve compassion and words of hope, knowing that some had actually raped the opposite sex, robbed people of their possessions, probably killed their fellow human beings or committed one crime or the other. However, I realized that there are more criminals who are not locked up like those in prisons, those who know how to cover up their crimes. They are all around us; in the market places buying and selling, in the schools, hospitals, government offices and houses, in work environments, even among the prison staff; stealing public funds and what do not belong to them. It just happened that those imprisoned are the unfortunate ones. But then, this has not changed the way I see rapists. I also realized that some of them in the prisons are paying for the crimes they did not commit.

The hangout with prison inmates organized by Success Step Network and sponsored by Hon. Pat Asadu Foundation was indeed an eye opener to the solution the society is searching for; which is to reduce crime and curb insecurity. What do I mean?

For the first time in my life I saw prisoners; they were looking so helpless. They were eagerly peeping through their window protectors to hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, to hear words of hope and transformation that can change their lives. We saw prison environment as a place where we can reach out to criminals and those locked up unjustly; to instill morals, principles, discipline and also inject in them sense of responsibility. Success Step Network did not just preach and empowered them with words, they presented foodstuffs and Daily Manna Devotional, and even made sure that those items went to the prison inmates.

Success Step Network Team with Hon. Pat Asadu

We noticed that majority of them are youths and males. Let us not watch and let this generation gradually waste away. It will even be great if skill acquisition will be introduced in the prison environment to ensure all round empowerment. With such, they will have something to fall back on when they are released, and it will help keep their minds busy while in prison.

Ideal Olive calls on well meaning Nigerians to make out time to visit prisoners and encourage them with foodstuffs and words of wisdom; just like what Success Step Network is doing. If we don’t have the time, but have the means, we can at least sponsor those who are willing to go; just as the likes of Hon Pat Asadu are doing.

I cannot forget Sunday, May 13^th 2018 in a hurry, a day with the prisoners. How can I forget the resounding “Auntie bye bye and Auntie bye” from the prison blocks, as we turned our back to go. We all have work to do.

Ideal Olive commends Mr. Eric Maduabuchi Asogwa of Success Step Network and Hon Pat Asadu for such a memorable and rewarding habitual programme; and encourage others to toe that path. Together, we can reduce crime in our society.

Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi

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ALL SAINTS NIGHT OF PRAISE WITH FRANK EDWARDS AND MERCY CHINWO

Frank Edwards on Stage

It was with great expectation that people trooped into All Saints Anglican Church Auditorium on Friday April 27, 2018 to worship the Almighty God. The All night of praise began as Rev. Chibuikem Amaefuna kindled the fire of praise in the lives of the expectant crowd. He made them to understand from the scriptures that the purpose of the gathering is to worship God. He led the worshipers through with some worship songs and declared the programme started after the opening prayers.

The host gospel band of All Saints took off from there, leading in praises and worship, and then prayers for families, Nigeria as a nation and the Nigerian Youths. Mr. Ogochukwu Ugwu, a youth member took his time to describe what worship is not and what exactly worship is. He said that worship is not a mood of seriousness and frowning of face to act sober or holy, as has been misinterpreted by many but it entails doing everything to the glory of God, with the consciousness that God is in us.

Mercy Chinwo on Stage

Gospel singer and actress, Chinwe Owoh was thereafter ushered to the podium and she really did justice to her time, as she led the worshippers to experience praise and worship to the Almighty God. The time spent with her was ecstatic.

The long awaited moment finally came and the gospel singer, Frank Edwards was ushered to the podium and everyone felt the atmosphere of worship. He encouraged the youths and told them not to believe anybody that tells them that they are the leaders of tomorrow because leadership is not by age. He advised them to be youths that are not ashamed of the bible and urged them to always dress as they would love to be addressed. He told the youths that Jesus is the only way to God’s blessings which last forever, and which makes rich and adds no sorrow.

Frank Edwards on Stage

Speaking further, he advised the youths not to copy evil people or things they see on screens, as they are mere fantasies and not realities. He further encouraged them not to join any secret cult and that if any of them has already joined, he or she should get out of it. He said that his mother usually calls him, to caution him not to join Illuminati or any secret cult and he had assured her that it will not happen.

He narrated his encounter with Barr Obienu, a member of the church, who was the reason behind the programme. He said that Barr Obienu approached him at the airport and asked if he was Frank Edwards, and thereafter told him how listening to his songs aided his recovery after brain surgery. He said that the reason for his coming was that Barr Obienu urged him to come and minister in All Saints Church, GRA, Enugu.

Frank Edwards on Stage

Frank Edwards went radical as he stepped down from the podium and danced gracefully round the pews, along with children and youths. His style of ministration was infectious and I think I contacted, and felt like waxing my own song. Mehn! He sang for a long time; Mercy Chinwo too, at her time of ministration, yet, not on influence of drugs. He has become a famous musician, yet, not a member of Illuminati or any secret cult. I wonder where many musicians got the idea that they need drugs to perform vigorously to thrill their audience. or where they got the idea that they must belong to Illuminati or any secret cult to become famous. Those were lies to deceive the cowards who do not believe in themselves, those who could not stay connected with their source; God their maker.

After ministration, the Vicar of All Saints Anglican Church, GRA, Ven. Arinze Egemba prayed for Frank Edwards and encouraged him to stay focused and connected to our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is not easy for people like him to overcome the distractions and remain focused.

Ideal Olive was at All Saints Anglican Church GRA, Enugu to experience the worship. It was an experience of rhapsody in a melodious atmosphere.

Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi

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