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Some memories never fade. And one that always leaves a bitter taste in my mouth is an encounter at the hands of my own people. I don’t know why it stuck, I had promised myself I would forget, but then I guess there are certain memories that simply wont go away.
It was the day my sisters’ wedding was called off. Not because of any shortcomings on her part, God knows she would make any man proud, rather that was the day her suitors told us that she or rather we were a little less human than they could bear. That we were not fit to be addressed or treated with respect and dignity that even the most primitive tribes affords its people. It was the day we were branded Osu- outcastes.
Such a despicable word I still cringe and the mere sound of it or of what the word connotes.
But then again I am amazed at my people. At the hypocrites who all the while associated us with such a barbaric custom but still besieged our house in the States to ask dad for one favour or the other. Or does this culture only exist at home?
I am amazed that people so blessed and who have fought so hard to exist can be their own greatest enemies. People who had produced great minds like the Azikiwe’s, Achebe’s? Is it not a folly that while they were fighting abroad for a united Nigeria, they failed to achieve the basics- A United Ibo Nation?
Anyway I guess that is a feat for another time and another generation as apparently ours has failed again to arrest this culture, a culture that breeds hate. One thing is certain though, when I do find my Mr. Right, he can be anything but Ibo!!!!!!!!!! (more…)

Not long ago I received a call from the wife of a friend of mine. She sounded very disturbed, the cause of her worry being my friends diminishing faith. She complained that ever since their migration to the United States (courtesy of a successful visa lottery application) her hitherto spiritual husband was becoming less prayerful.

At first I was inclined to share her fears that perhaps the allure and distractions abound in Gods own country may be responsible for his backsliding. However after a lengthy conversation with my friend my fears were put to rest. He reassured me that he was and is still the same spirit filled brother who left the shores of our dear country in search of greener pastures. However on getting to the States he met with a different scenario. He found out that to his surprise the countless prayer points and requests that he spent days and nights fasting and praying for while in Nigeria were actually things to be taken for granted. For whereas he found himself constantly praying for “little luxuries” such as power supply after a hard days work, his daily bread and against countless demons mandated to forestall his progress, and whom sometimes came disguised as one-chance operators, armed robbers, in-laws and envious co-workers, he realized for the most part these problems had taken a background role. Indeed my once prayerful or paranoid/frustrated Nigerian (depending on who is judging) had finally broken free of the endless onslaught of witches and wizards with a mandate to retard his progress. This same friend who at certain times in the past could always read the spiritual conations to life’s oddities such as a heavy downpour on the day of a job interview or the presence of moths in his living room, because he inadvertently forgot to shut his window, could now afford the luxury of a rational thinking.

He said rather than spend his days looking for real or imagined spiritual devils and occultist to attack with all forms of spiritual arsenal, he was content with observing his daily devotions and meditations with his family and had more time and energy in his pursuit of happiness.

Rev. Tom writes from Lagos.

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