THE DAWN OF PLANET HOBO

“The limit to your knowledge is boundless except that which you don’t want to know…”

It was the era of quantum, where time is immeasurable. It could be 88hrs for a day to lapse and 7hrs another time. A new world has presented itself to man. It was as if nature itself was in oblivion of its existence. The civilization was sophisticated yet they possess a similar morphology like man except for some other features. Their DNA structure was spiral with a complex internal structure. Brain cells multiply exponentially every hour and they seem smarter than themselves. The atmosphere is vacuum and the trees produce by process unfathomable to man. It seems far better than photosynthesis itself. Leaves that wither grow to form another tree and the community abhors leafless domain. The sky is seldom pink but occasionally blue when it rains.

Their automobile moves at a flash and in a sec, you are at your destination. The government work every day, making sure that everything is in order. Military, economic, social and scientific power was at the beck and call of the communist leader of the state. Partisans revere their leader like gods and they in turn make livelihood as easy as being born. As foods and fruits surface from the super-fertile land, so does natural resources bury themselves to the bottom of the land. No sooner had you dug five feet when you come across gold and diamonds. So, the world was flourishing and everybody was satiable.

Then one day, a portent dawned on them; their magnetosphere just disappeared and many space particles were heading towards their ecosystem. As if that wasn't enough, they observe that their gravitational attraction to the Sun was closing by and the planet is moving closer to the solar source every half a minute. Their world was initially several millions light years farther from the Sun and they are closing up on it. They had to use their initiative, they had to gather their intelligent teams; they had to save their lovely world from the scorch effect of the Sun before they got burnt to nothing. While some suggested that they leave their world and seek asylum in another planet, some couldn't imagine leaving their beautiful world for another place. How long will it take to adapt in the new place? Will they accommodate us? These questions rush out of their thought and thereby opining that they find a way to savour the situation or die a brave man.

In the house of resolute, King Azhiba, the leader of the era summoned all sectoral and regional leaders. Zulu, the head of military sector and Amanda, the head of scientific sector suggested that asylum shouldn’t be thought of. Zulu, a man who had trained many soldiers of the world, smart and seemingly ageless, boasted of their fortress made of steel that can withstand the heat of the Sun. The steel, which was forged out from a dying dwarf Sun, which landed at the southern region as a meteor several decades ago, was the best defence mechanism that is available. He assures the leader that the fortress was equipped to defend and attack any megaton or flare. Its mighty and gigantic size is spacious enough for a million people. The general was so certain of his theory and he couldn’t hide his ego and his gallant prowess on this. He was almost with no opposition because he has assured the colony of such victory before. About twenty centuries before, he had led a brave and supposedly deadly mission to fight a set of half-human half-beast giants, up to two thousand and he could get half a thousand brave warriors with the fortress and the war ended with a slim victory. It was the most unexpected victory as the enemy have advanced and maimed many soldiers. Hope was almost lost but after a heavy bullet loaded with viral infection, capable of incapacitating, find its way into his left shoulder twice and his right hand chopped off by one of the brutal enemy, he stood up and after days of unending and brutal fight, win the war. Memories of how dead bodies flung on air and the fortress falling twice before rising to defeat the enemy will forever be remembered.

      Amanda, on the other hand, a reputable scientist who designed and build up the fortress , who has her research work to stand as a proof of her competency, believed that by gathering her best scientist, she can generate an artificial magnetic shield that can shatter any meteor or flying objects in space moving co-planar with their planet Hobo. Amanda, a mother of two intelligent girls, Manya and Orby, and a loving wife to the fiercest but handsome soldier, Max values the necessity of survival that she worked all day to improve the world scientifically. Though, her smile usually radiate every morning and night as if she is an angel, she cannot but give a stern look and a gaze of fear as she look at her computational geo-device beeping and showing the countdown to total destruction . Time is running out, the beautiful world they had long lived in will soon be history. Winsbor, the minister of social and Barbelou, the leader of economic, out of their fear of loss of lives and property suggested an asylum with planet Earth, which is just five billion light years from them, is the best option. They had even tried to communicate with the other world for help but all to no avail.

      As the argument intensify in the house of resolute, it was necessary that a conclusion is to be made in earnest. Without much hesitation and listening to everyone’s opinion, King Azhiba thanked the opposing opinions and hybridized his decision. It is a time of trial and challenges and all hands are to be on deck as all heads are to be in thought of the best solution. He commanded the head of military to gather as many soldiers as possible to deploy the populace to the fortress when the time comes, while the chief scientist is instructed to produce more fortresses with more sophisticated features to accommodate people, shielding them from the ray. He also reminded them to work on the artificial magnetosphere. He told the information sector of the social to make sure that people are not informed about the situation to avoid mayhem and trembling. Effort to communicate with the planet Earth was also delegated to the same office.

      After hours of gathering soldiers and communicating with the other world, it still seems as if there is no headway. The planet is drastically moving towards the Sun. Amanda, with her best crew from around the planet, work tirelessly to meet the required target of the fortress quantity and quality. It is to be made to accommodate up to three million people and to be able to hover to another planet for safety if annihilation is nigh. It was to act as both a fortress and a space elevator. Movement of man and robots was almost inseparable as they engineer the making of new machines. Flashes of ember and steel mixed with computronium were the component of the make-up. As tension raises due to the increasing heat causing plants to burn and water evaporating to an unbearable gas, the king resort to informing the world and ordering the gathering of all possible being to occupy those fortresses that is ready.

      On planet Earth, deliberation on whether to accept the asylum of planet Hobo or not ensue in the United Nations meeting. The decision was bitter to make because of the dissension that has existed between the two worlds. Earth had once requested that Hobo allowed her to have a bilateral relationship but it was not fruitful. It was clear because they believed that Earth had the mission of overthrowing their government as a result of the natural resources they possess and the nature of the planet. Yet, knowing that many lives will be lost in the disaster that is about to happen, planet Earth was ready to accommodate half of planet Hobo’s population of a trillion, even though it was more than that of hers. But time had ran out before Earth could respond to the request

As Amanda and her team finished the last set of the fortress, the Sun gets nearer and the event begin. The heat dried up all their hydrosphere, generating a pungent gas that can shut your heart beat in a while, people roast like chicken and the quarter of the world was in total wreck. As the planet rotate infinitesimally, the ray gradually approaches other places, crowds climb on each other to enter the fortress that has been located at different strategic places of the planet. Some resorted to killing themselves, while some mutter some religious intonation, probably seeking for a better afterlife. Some even try to drive their car in the air trying to defy gravity but it was too late. The king and all his functionaries board their own executive fortress and prepare for the impact coming forth. In three seconds, the ray was at their spot and it burnt the fortress at will but the chemicals that make up the fortress were strong enough to hold on. After five days of continuous heating and no halt, a creaking sound of break and fall was heard and seen from one of the fortresses and it melted with the people in it. Plan B was to be made, hovering the fortress!. Its engine was ignited, a sideways wing-like arm protruded out, with a big chopper edge. It seem like a drone and as it was about flying, Amanda sensed a new development, her device which was reading all the space-time parameters showed that the planet is moving backward against the Sun. Answers to how it happened was not the matter. Everybody was happy and passionately holding each other. Some never believed they could survive the crisis. And after two days of recession, their world was normal again. Then, they evacuated the ship, the fortress, to live once again. Happy Independence Day! , a child whispers in her mother’s ear.

AFRICA IS DYING

If you traverse the world and peruse the history of man, it will be glaring that the progress that have occurred was manifested majorly by the youth, in an enabling environment, with the right resources and guidance. The fruit of youth’s mentality is borne as development and it always and never deviate from the source. The period for outstanding thought and innovation is when the cells are multiplied in diploid and the exuberance and eagerness of the youth to do something cannot be cocooned; it’s just natural.

All over the continents, each country has her intrinsic development with her own peculiar strides manifested by their youth. Record and history have made us realize that it was possible due to the serene and convenient environment that the past heroes find themselves; even a warrior will tend to understand his prowess and bravery when he experiences or undergo some systematic process, directed by his master in a conditioned environment. Youth by their natural way, are always curious as to what they see, hear, feel, and they process it into habit.

Africa as a continent, from past history, has experienced the greatest development and has catered for her youth in the most magnificent way. We were nurtured with ideal cultures and traditions that gradually transform a child to a youth with responsible and caring mind. Even in the so- called “dark ages”, Africa has survived and thrive more in terms of socio-economic development, military and trado-scientific field. Though, our fathers married many wives, their offspring were taught to be responsible. Men were sent to farm to sustain the family, making him see the need to make the family live, a naturally loving and self-dependent character. Women were taught to manage the house and put it in order, a managerial feature that is indispensable. Neighbours treat each other as if they are kin. Natural and nutritional foods, dug from the soil, were in abundant. Though their daily meal was not 1-1-1, they are strong, agile and live long due to the perfect nature of their environment. War was on the minimal as there is mutual love and harmony between families, crises were perfectly managed with its formidable institution and naturally peace reigned and children lived. Africa was thriving, Africa was alive.

But now, I am deafened and my heart is poisoned by the simultaneous event of environmental pollution, chemically-produced food products which affect the normal biochemical process in the body and brain, unresolved war, unending poverty and unreasonable fracas that reel itself out in the historical stories of Africa of nowadays. The most people suffering from this new event are the youth. Children are dying in millions; those that survived are channeled to be soldiers in the never ending war. Those that do not experience war are not well-fed, much less going to school. The present constitution of some African countries does not even cater for one-fifth of the necessity or basic need of the suffering African children. The future which seems brighten is now shadowed by a dark cloud of hunger, war, illiteracy and developmental setback.

War is currently going on in Mali, who are those suffering? It’s the youth. Parents can’t afford to send their children to primary school in Nigeria, who is suffering? It’s the youth. AIDS is devouring children and youth in South Africa, who is suffering? It’s the youth!!! Youths are dying, Africa is dying!!!

MY RHYMES

Your fate is bait,

To rate your faith,

And save you from what you hate,

On the date you always contemplate,

For you to graduate with a positive grade,

You have to abate the mate that grate,

Don’t let it be too late,

For you have to pass through the gate,

To a place where you’ll never depreciate.




My father is rather like a ladder,

Who shoulders me because he bothers,

My mother will never wither,

She is the leather that gathers,

For my body not to shiver,

In the unfriendly weather,

Even when situation becomes harder,

She is always there like a bladder,

Which never departs the urethra,

That’s why I love my father,

And yet I love my mother more.





You have no excuse to fail,

Because you are not born a tail,

And let your instinct to be bail,

From the element that makes you derail,

You can even try to sail,

Out of the seas of trouble that jails,

So that you can finally be hail.

I looked at him from afar,

And he seems to be barred,

From my believe to soar,

And become a star,

In the realm of the scholars,

Who am I aiming to grab,

But the knowledge of Allah,

And that of the world I am.

THE MAN

Hoity-toity he walks,

Having no sense of obloquy,

Demanding deference in bulk,

Though he’s full of parsimony,

Masses loathe him fervently,

Transcending supernatural intervention,

He never shows any compunction,

Ignoble and haughty is his volition,

But on the day of his retribution,

A voluptuous femme fatale approach him,

Promises to re-awaken his debauchery,

Lies she is a burgher,

And fabricate a spurious appellation,

He reciprocated with an amorous glance,

And dole out a flippy cash,

Her opinion was unequivocal,

They both headed for a hotel,

Room 5 was the arena,

For the battle to ignite their concupiscence,

She draws down her lingerie,

He undresses his undies,

He advanced towards her,

Fondling her excitedly,

The ecstasy can’t be stopped,

It was going to be unbridled show,

“Make love to me”, she purred,

She combed through his thick hair,

Expecting him to enter her,

He wanted it slow and steady,

Their heart were beating fast,

And heat of lust is recycled,

He then change his stance,

And go on with his action,

After their eyes were cleared,

And they were done with each other,

He said he enjoyed himself,

And she said she was looking forward to it,

Unsure about what she meant,

He asked confoundingly with askance,

And after apologizing she muttered…

I AM HIV POSITIVE!!!

He fainted and never to rise again.

ENUGU...the coal city.

Its noon here in the coal city, the luxurious eastern part of Nigeria and am enjoying every bit of it as the days move on. Though every moment is poised between lethargy and enthusiasm, I still want to linger on as if life was perfect. It is rather difficult sometimes to be capricious but I needed it this time. The environment is so different from where I come from; a state full of hustle and bustle. Even the wind lost its mild nature as man and machines roar here and there. Hardly had the dawn herald than the populace find their way to the street in search of their means of survival. But here in Enugu, everywhere seems so capacious that serenity pays you a visit. The song of the birds is what brings you back to life in the morn and economic activities begin three hours before noon.

After leaving the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Awgu, I decided to visit some friends and acquaintances in the capital of the state and there I found distinctive characteristics. The city was enclosed with mountains and hills and I cannot but open my mouth in amazement as I enjoy the wonderful view. The epileptic weather condition delivers calmness and harshness in the city. When it is raining, it is a heavy downpour. When it is sunny, its scorch and the wind are always cool like the ambient temperature in an efficacious refrigerator. I become a callow youth and was ready to experience new things. The dialect is hard at first but I was willing to learn so as to flow with the community.

In the morning, the first communication that spreads out is “Otutuoma!” meaning “Good morning”. When I was first greeted in this manner, my instinct suggested that it was a compliment and then I was taught to say “Daalu!” which means “Thank you”. One of those things that appeal to my appetite is their dishes. The day I devoured “Okpa”, I experimented it with hope of enjoyment and I never regretted taking it. Then it was “Abatcha”, a leafy nutritious meal that is loved by all. Nna ehn, the people of this city loathe seasoning their rice with salt which is contrary to the way we do in the western part of the country. It is believed generally that health wise, it is not good to have too much salt in the food, especially for hypertensive people. What even draws my love more to this place is their ethnical and religious tolerance.

Being a state popularly dense with Christians, you’ll probably think they will be hostile to other religious beliefs, due to the security threat going on in the country by some religious fanatics’ sect. But to my astonishment, I found a remote community at the extreme of the state where there are indigenous Muslims living peacefully with other theological group and they are practising their worship with ease. What national development can be better than that?

A community replete with no dissonance and obdurate youth will sooner or later engender an abode of peace and tranquillity and hence development. Enugu…the coal city! I love this state. “Aye no na coal city”.

Relaxation... the bedrock of success

A popular Yoruba cliché says “a hardworking and dedicated child requires a period of leisure and relaxation”. This is what led me to my renewed quest to the movie house. It will be my second time to this place; my first was through the support of my sister, who just felt like brushing my social realm because I never had one. It was interesting and I wanted to go again. I just finished offering my seasonal sacrificial fasting, which lasted for 4 weeks. So, this is an avenue for me to relax myself after hearkening to my Creator’s call. Many people always troop in here every day to relax and meet with friends. It has become an avenue for guys to prove to their ladies that they are responsible. Parents also bring their children to play games, watch cartoons, and buy interesting kiddie kits.

The reality about life is that you can’t subject yourself to every day psyche hoarding. You need to give the brain a break. But the best you can do is to utilize the leisure positively, while others prefer to use their spare time to read or sleep, some prefer to socialize and mingle with people, exchange contact with new people and network. It is this same period that some use to harness the negative factor in them. Indulging in acts like excessive dancing, drinking and smooching of all kind is another means of relaxation for themselves. Like I always do, my discussion is always towards the youth. There are many responsibilities of the youth in the society. A country with deformed or misinformed youths is a fruitless country and the country or society is vulnerable to war and chaos. This is because when there is underdevelopment as a result of the deformed youth, there is blasphemy and then war. But if the youth are determined and positively oriented, the outcome will forever be improving the world. So, to harness and ignite these untapped resources, he must work and also relax. Fantastic ideas even sprout out during the time of leisure because you are naturally relaxing your muscles and the work function of the heartbeat is to the minimal, thereby creating room for initiative and outstanding thoughts.

Health workers have even made us understand that man needs rest of nearly eight hours a day. It’s not about sleeping but it’s about relaxing. Relaxation is one of the bedrock of the fountain of success.

YOU WILL SURVIVE.

This part of my life is the period of thinking and achievement. I can’t explain how I felt when I watched the film “The Pursuit of Happiness” and understand that this life is a memoir of expressions; the time to laugh; the time to cry; the time to reflect. Many times you think that the situation you find yourself is so terrible that you cannot but release gallons of tears through your eyes either because you were not able to take your three-square meal or because you just had a rough day at workplace or you just lost loved ones or  the government just demanded for an outrageous tax from your financial reservoir. But out of these seas of emotional situation, you still have to move on because you’ll be surprised that some are in a more sophisticated situation than you. If I say that you are far better than a sick person, you’ll rather respond in affirmation without any surprise. But if I tell you that there are some people who are hale and hearty, have their meals as expected but are just frustrated out of life that they prefer to commit suicide, you’ll wonder why!

Imagine an economy devoid of grace and grant for the populace, let alone the masses. No matter how much you try, the status quo have been set in such a way that you’ll keep on running the race. While they call it excellence, I call it survival. Excellence is forever pursued by all from the period you start crawling till the period you start slowly dying. A child will always want to impress his parent by trying to crawl, even though he is not ready just because he wants to excel; a student will want to pass his exams whatever it takes just to achieve excellence; a man will want to be promoted and praised in all he does simply to excel; even an old man will want to be fit at his senile age all in the name of excellence, after all he deserves to live longer! We all subject ourselves to an arbitrary race to survive, to scale through the hurdles and be recognised. A person once told me that if you follow success, excellence will chase you, hands down. But a situation where the system is not giving you any chance to excel, making the medium seem so sleazy that you can’t find your way through; you can be frustrated that you begin to venerate failure. But I need to tell you that you can make it no matter what. All you need do is to get yourself prepared, expect the unexpected and move on with life and pray for better days ahead.

Portray positive thinking, do what you have to do when you have to do them, think big, equip yourself for the upcoming opportunities, smile, absorb and release magnificent energy, accept criticism and try to work on them, impact in your environment, eschew stress and don’t put too much pressure on yourself over what had happened to you. But in all, be sure that ALL IS WELL.