by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Jun 15, 2018 | Uncategorized |
The Zuma Rock is sad!
The zuma rock located in madalla town of Niger state is an amazing sight to behold. The rock which stands ostensibly along the Kaduna-abuja highway at a height of about 730 meters above the ground is a monolithic crystalline igneous rock with a very steepy slop that makes it inaccessible to unequipped mountain climbers.
Situated at the border town between Niger state and FCT and its location is being an object of contention as it is being used as the major symbol of the Abuja landscape owing to its proximity to Abuja. Although, located at the North of Abuja and surrounded by many other rocks at a considerable distance, the magnificence of this rocks makes it visible from any part of FCT.
As we drove past the gigantic rock I couldn’t help but gazed upon it with keen interest. As a member of the rock and hammer family, such natural phenomena always feeds my curiosity. My attention was especially drawn to the human face that looks somewhat like a man with a sad countenance.
I believe this shape was a result of weathering over a long period of years. However, having being concerned about the failure of our government to properly harness our abundant and economically viable natural resources, I seriously think Zuma rock is sad!
The battered and sad countenance of that portion of Zuma rock to me is a reflection of my mood and I believe also those of many innovative, patriotic and enterprising Nigerians who continue to lament the utter neglect of our potentially viable natural endowments, vis-a-vis the eco-tourism potentials.
The rock which derived its name from Zuma or “Zumwa”, which means “the place of catching Guinea-Fowls”, is believed to habor many strong evil spirits which are being worshipped and adorned by the people of Gwari, who had also relied on its defensive prowess in times of war.
Could it be that the speculations about the activities of evil spirits is the reason why there has been no visible and lasting development around this rock? Conspicuously so. The only visible developments around the rock are abandoned structures: a hotel and housing estate to be precise. Could this phenomenon be the reason why the government and private investors have not made zuma rock a tourist attraction center. Search me!
In spite of the historic diabolical stories told about this rock, I believe, more tourist attraction activities need to be promoted in order to attract more visitors, and investors, both local and foreign, and thus serve as a source of Internal generation revenue (IGR) for the state. I do believe that whatever the government decides to do, it certainly can be done as long as there’s the will to do it.
We are blessed with huge natural resources, many of which are not explored. The relevant authorities should promote, as well as create the enabling environment for private investors to develop the ecotourism potential of our beautiful country in order to reduce dependency on Crude oil.
We are a blessed nation. Let’s put Madalla and other tourist potential areas on the world map, and make our nation an endearing tourist destination.
You are winning! Yes, we are winning!
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | May 5, 2018 | Uncategorized |
His imperial majesty, the king, is enlightened, well educated, a lover of history. He is intelligent, curious, articulate, pragmatic and with a deep sense of humor; an entrepreneur and most importantly, an African to the core.
Two hours is more than magnanimous to spend with the King, His Imperial majesty, the Ooni of Ife Kingdom, Ojaja II, in his living room and wrapped in the ecstasy of insightful discussion on the rich history of the African race and with much emphasis on the Yoruba dynasty.
It was an amazing time with the zestful and visionary King, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Adewusi, who occupied the most powerful throne of the Yoruba tribe at the age of 41. He gave a vivid exposition about the origin of the human race, the significance and nobility of the black race, and especially the Ife Kingdom.
It was very interesting to have my Jewish colleague speak about the Jewish race, Judaism and its relevance to the plan of God for the end time. He mentioned that the jewish temple sacrifices are on hold now until the temple is re-built, and that the Jewish race is eagerly awaiting their final salvation when the Messiah returns. This wasn’t new to me but I was pleased to hear it from a Jew.
The King talked briefly about the powers of the throne, and the sovereignty of God. He spoke very convincingly and with enthusiasm the significance of the black race to the world, the uniqueness of the black color and the divine endowment on the black people.
In talking about Africa, he said, Black is the original color from which other colors are derived. Hence, black is a combination of all other colors. He further said that black is the only color with no shades; there’s neither light black or deep black, black is black. This unique feature of black makes the African race a unique race and the predecessor of nobility. This is proudly true!
In promoting the African continent, the king said that nature has so much endowed the black descent that tropical African can boast of the best of everything: The best and conducive weather, the best natural vegetation, the best crude oil and bitumen, the best human capital to mention a few. He also submitted that the biological organs of the blacks are the best.
Furthermore, he said that these natural blessings are reasons why we are not susceptible to natural disasters like earthquakes, Tsunamis, and all kinds of devastating natural phenomenon that plagues the western world.
Also, he alleged that the Yoruba kingdom has proven to be the location of the Garden of Eden. This he alluded to an ancient Yoruba name for the Yoruba kingdom, called “Edena”, meaning the origin of man, that is, where man was formed. The verity of these claims stands to be ascertained though, as my Jewish friend thinks more evidences are required to prove that Eden and Noah’s ark are in Africa and not Israel.
It was informative to hear that that the origin of the Ethiopians can be traced to the Ife Kingdom. He opined that the “Anu” people of Ethiopians and Egypt may may have originated from Ile-ife, and that the Garden of Eden can be traced to the Ife kingdom, which is the source of the Yoruba race. Although, he said there are ongoing researches to authenticate these submissions, however, these claims are worth a mention.
In my opinion, there’s so much powers, primarily traditional and of course mystical, that is associated with the throne, especially of such hereditary title and influential cultural position, I don’t doubt that the spiritual experiences and the powers at the disposal of the king could constantly conflict with his christian beliefs.
I agree that it is a difficult feat to be able to manage Christianity and the traditional beliefs especially of someone of his position. However, the truth cannot be changed. Every other powers must bow to the name of Jesus Christ, because God has exalted him so, and by virtue of his sacrificial death on the cross, in which he washed away our sins once and for all, he has supremacy over principalities and powers.
I pray for the king that he will have a deep revelation of the true God, and would continue to be a blessing to his kingdom and the world at large.
Long live the King! Kabiyesi ooo!!!
We are winning! Yes, we are winning!
You may like to read:
Why I think the queen of Sheba was from Ethiopia
GreatMark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Apr 28, 2018 | Uncategorized |
There is something interesting about the Sea of Galilee which I consider worthy of emulation. It would amaze you how this lesson can help open your life to happiness and vitality.
The River Jordan flows into both the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. The water simply passes through the Sea of Galilee in and then out always. This phenomenon keeps the sea healthy and vibrant, and teeming with marine life.
On the other hand, the Dead Sea takes water from the same River Jordan and holds it. It does not give and as such it has no life in it! Thus, it becomes a body of stagnant water devoid of marine life.
There’s no doubt that some people are like the Dead Sea which receives the good things of life but never give out. We all need to be a bit like the Sea of Galilee. If we are fortunate to get wealth, knowledge, love and respect, we must learn to give same, else we could all end up like the Dead Sea.
The love and respect, the wealth and knowledge we have could all evaporate like the water in the Dead Sea. True happiness is found in sacrificial giving of one’s life in the service of humanity. We brought nothing into this world and we will exit with nothing!
In the words of Ben Carson, “Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.” You need to quit the Dead Sea mentality and make sure that in the sea of your own life, you have outlets, many outlets for love and wealth, and everything else that you’ve got.
Make sure you don’t just get, give too! Open the taps of your life and you’ll open the floodgates to happiness and vitality. Even in your lack, there’s something you can give!
I am always spurred by the words of Winston Churchill on giving: he said, “We make living by what we get but we make a life by what we give. Start giving today, and start living.
As noted in my previous article titled: Mr. SOLO AND THE BLANK CHEQUE, every blessing God gives you must meet the needs of people,and cause an overflowing expression of thanks to God. Givers never lack!
You’re winning! Yes, we are winning!
GreatMark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Apr 22, 2018 | Uncategorized |
Blame it on a failed security apparatus, the incidence that led to the loss of the mace is not only embarrassing but also unfortunate and treasonable. By this act, Nigeria, again lost her democracy but found it within 24 hours because the caretakers are careless and many of them believe their personal interests supersedes the interest of the people.
The mace, the symbol of authority and democracy, forcefully hijacked and stolen by a 5-man thug at the upper chambers of the legislative arm during a session of the Senate on Wednesday 18th, 2018 has been found under an Abuja flyover and returned to the national assembly after 24 hours.
As at the time of filing this report, the perpetrators of this dastardly act have not been apprehended after they beat the porous security apparatus of the National Assembly, which is supposed to be one of the secured places in the country.
Let me mention that the hijacking of the mace is a re-occurrent phenomenon. A feat that seem to be the most appropriate weapon in the hands of aggrieved politicians to threaten our growing democracy anytime they deem fit.
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by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Apr 9, 2018 | Articles, Empowerement, Events |
If you haven’t seen a truly hopeless situation, I tell you what, you can find a few at an AUTISM center. Yet in the midst of this hopeless situation, a young autistic girl, by name Leah was conspicuously high-spirited, whether voluntarily or as a result of the intellectual derailment, I can’t tell but I know she was happy and yet hopeless.
Afflicted from the age of 6, a man remains a living corpse at the age of 67. For 61 years he’s not aware of his identity and he continues to exist as a senseless 2 year old boy. And then another woman, sapped of life and wellness. I bet, you won’t believe she’s 50 but she exists in a 5 year old paper-weight skeleton-like body.
As part of our social service, the Yes We Are Winning team made a visit to Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care & Treatment Home School, a government owned autistic centre in Lagos. Established in 1960, by Late Mrs. Modupe Cole, it has since 1980 been adopted and funded by the government, with supports and donations from NGOs, families and individuals.
Until I surfed the Internet to search for autism center in Lagos, I didn’t know about this home, so does many of my team members, and I believe many Lagosians do not know as well. Housing over 300 children and adults with over 150 day students, all categorized as totally dependent, trainable and educable, the school facility is definitely not sufficient to cater for this indigents. The Government and NGOs certainly need to do more in terms of support and creating awareness.
YWAW team with Some of the Autistic children
What you should know about Autism
1. World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day on 2 April every year, encouraging Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about people with autism throughout the world. http://www.un.org/en/events/autismday/
2. It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly resolution “62/139. World Autism Awareness Day”, passed in council on 1 November 2007, and adopted on 18 December 2007. It was proposed by the United Nations representative from Qatar.
3. World Autism Day is one of only four official health-specific UN Days.[5] The day itself brings individual autism organizations together all around the world to aid in things like research, diagnoses, treatment, and overall acceptance for those with this neurological variance.
4. World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) aims to put a spotlight on the hurdles that people with autism – and others living with autism – face every day. As a growing global health issue owing to its increasing exposure in the press and common knowledge, autism is an issue that is only gaining more understanding – and WAAD activities are planned every year to further increase and develop world knowledge of children and adults who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
5. World Autism Awareness Day goes one step further to celebrate the unique talents of those with autism, while putting a huge focus on the warm embrace and welcome that these skills deserve through community events around the globe. Gladly, some of the disabled children have been trained on skills acquisitions, and they made lovely beads, and beautiful art work.
The Government needs to do more in terms of funding and providing quality educational facilities, training equipments and professional care givers. Also, more awareness need to be created to enable more people to donate to the school.
Trust me, some situations look very hopeless, and looking at these intellectual impaired people, you will but thank God for who you where you. Some of them have been in this deplorable state for over for as much as 60 years and they can only wait for their death, that is if they even know if they are living.
If you are normal, and able, and have a sound reasoning capacity, you should be grateful even if you have don’t know where the next mean will come from. There’s certainly no hopeless situation with God because there is no impossibility with Him.
You should be thankful for the little things, and do render help to those who are needy. Everyone is precious in God’s sight, whether able or disable. Therefore, show some love to all men. You are winning! Yes, we are winning!
http://www.un.org/en/events/autismday/
https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/world-autism-awareness-day-2018/
For more read
https://www.google.com.ng/amp/s/doctor.ndtv.com/living-healthy/world-autism-awareness-day-2018-focuses-on-empowering-women-and-girls-with-autism-1831663%3famp=1
