Combatting the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Use IPP mnemonic (Part 1)

Novel Coronavirus. It’s a global pandemic ravaging the world. It started in December, 2019 in a city named Wuhan in China, and then the disease spreads rapidly across the globe. In order to avoid discrimination, the World Health Organization (WHO) named it Coronavirus Disease 2019, shortened as COVID-19. The disease is caused by a virus named SARS-CoV2. Currently, according to the worldometers.info (March 24, 2020, 21:30 GMT), total cases of Coronavirus worldwide is 417,663. Total deaths stand at 18,605, while the number of persons who have recovered is put at 108,312.

The disease has spread to Nigeria. The index case (first case) in Nigeria was a 44-year-old Italian man who was diagnosed of COVID-19 on the 27th of February, 2020. Since then, the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria has risen to 44 (latest tally released by ncdc.gov.ng as at 6:15pm, 24th March, 2020).

COVID-19 is a viral infection and viruses, unlike bacteria and fungi, are notoriously difficult to treat. For example, take HIV. It took years to get effective HIV medications. However, this virus has an important difference when compared to HIV. While HIV is spread by blood and bodily fluids, COVID-19 is spread mainly by respiratory droplets. That means an infected person spreads it by coughing or sneezing. This mode of transmission makes this Coronavirus spread quite rapidly. Currently, there is no effective or approved medicine or vaccine that can be used to combat COVID-19. The treatment of patients is largely supportive, meaning that you treat the symptoms: if the patient has fever, you treat the fever, if he/she has difficulty in breathing, you treat that, with the hope that the person can eventually make enough antibodies that can overcome the disease.

It most be noted that 80% of those who have the disease will experience no or mild symptoms. So, someone can have the infection without knowing he or she has it. Such an individual can transmit the virus to others, even though he/she feels just fine. However, most of the transmissions are caused by persons who are symptomatic. The commonest symptoms are fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Now, of the remaining 20% (remember we said 80% will do well even when infected), about 15% will require admission to the hospital, while 5% will be so sick that they have to be admitted for intensive case in ICUs (intensive care units). As at March 3, 2020, WHO put the case fatality rate at 3.4%. That means, if 100 persons were to get infected, about 3 to 4 persons may die from the disease.

Majority of deaths occur in the elderly, those aged 60 years or more. Also, many of those who die have what we call an underlying condition or comorbid illness. What that means is that many of the patients who succumbed to COVID-19 have other diseases, chronic illnesses, before they contracted the Coronavirus. Examples of these chronic illnesses include hypertension, diabetes, cancer, etc. These illnesses tend to weaken the immunity of these patients, and that makes them much more vulnerable to the devastating effects of the Coronavirus. That said, people younger than age 60 still get infected, still get sick and still die from the disease, just not as high as the rates seen in the elderly populations. More importantly, young persons are capable of transmitting it to others. So, if you are young, don’t think that you are scot-free and that you can do whatever you want. Don’t be selfish! Think of your health and that of others as well.

Interestingly, children younger than 19 years do quite well when infected. The number of children that die or get very ill with the Coronavirus is low. Some studies report no deaths amongst children who are infected. It is a fortunate development and researchers are intrigued by it. Research is been done to find out why children are largely spared. However, everyone is capable of transmitting the virus to others. Let’s always remember that.

Now, seeing that the best strategy we have in dealing with the Coronavirus is prevention, what can we do in this regard? I have coined the mnemonic IPP. It’s easy, catchy and effective in getting ready for the fast-spreading COVID-19.

IPP stands for Inform, Prepare, Protect. It can be used by individuals and heads of any organization or of a group of persons.

Individuals. Ask yourself these simple questions:

Am I Informed (well-informed) about COVID-19? (I)

Am I Prepared for COVID-19? (P)

How can I Protect myself? (P)

I

Information is key. Get yourself informed about the Coronavirus. There are lots of reliable sources of information online. For example, WHO has a link on WhatsApp. You can use that link and by typing ‘Hi’, you get automated responses with correct and authentic information. The link is http://bit.ly/who-covid-19-whatsapp. Other credible online sources include: ncdc.gov.ng, who.int, google.com/covid19, cdc.gov, etc. if you don’t have access to the internet, you can listen to news program on radio or television.

P

Preparation is important. A whole town, State or Country can be put on lockdown, as a way of mitigating or slowing down the rate of spread of COVID-19. That means no movement, except for essential services. So, ask yourself, if you are asked by the authorities to stay home for 2 weeks or 1 month, if not longer, do I have the basic essential items I need at home? Do I have food stuff that will last for 2 weeks or 1 month in case the marketplaces are closed? Do I have water, toiletries, alcohol-based hand sanitizers? Do I have some drugs at home, things like paracetamol, cough syrup, and other over-the-counter drugs? Am I hypertensive, diabetic, asthmatic, do I have medications that will last for at least a month? Preparation involves getting all these things, and keeping some money with you for emergencies. Remember, the banks, pharmacies, markets, and other business places may be shut in a quarantine.

P

How do I protect myself? What are those preventive measures I can take to protect myself from getting infected?

Thorough and regular handwashing with soap and water. If soap and water are not immediately available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as often as possible. Remember to also wash your hands with soap and water as soon as they are available to you. Handwashing kills the virus.

Stop touching your face with unclean hands.

Learn cough etiquette. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with tissue. Dispose off the tissue immediately, then wash your hands. If no tissue is available, don’t cough into your hand, rather, use your bent elbow.

Practice social distancing everywhere you go. Social distancing means keeping a distance of at least 1 metre (3 feet) between you and others, so that if the other person coughs or sneezes, the droplets won’t land on your body.

You can’t maintain social distance in a large gathering. So, avoid large gatherings. The COVID-19 has been spread widely by large gatherings. In Uruguay, an infected individual hosted a large party. Of those who attended that party, 44 persons ended up testing positive to the Coronavirus. In South Korea, an elderly lady, coded Patient 31, who had the disease attended a service in a secretive Church, Shincheonji, and ended up infecting so many people. More than 60% of the confirmed Coronavirus cases in South Korea can be traced to that Church.

Avoid handshakes, hugs, kisses, or personal contact, except with uninfected close family remembers. Don’t forget, some persons are asymptomatic, and yet transmit the virus.

If you can stay at home, please do. If you can work from home, please do. It helps to limit your contact with others.

Avoid the custom of visiting every sick person you know, except you are the direct caregiver. Call them, even video call them, instead.

Limit visitors and guests to your house or workplace.

Have a good night sleep of about 7 to 9 hours. Adequate night sleep helps your body to build immunity to viral illnesses in general.

Stay physically, spiritually and mentally fit. Do your exercise at home. Use your phone and social media to stay in touch with others. Read books and watch programs that will uplift your spirit. Take the time to develop your spirituality and other healthy personal practices. Pray. Meditate. Be gracious. Take the time to know your spouse and kids better. Please, keep your mind and body healthy even while at home.

Remember

I.        Be informed

P.       Be prepared

P.       Protect yourself

May God help us!

……To be continued….

@ Dr Eugene Ojirigho (just a concerned physician) eugeneojirigho@yahoo.com, dreugeneojirigho@gmail.com, @EugeneOjirigho (Twitter)

Joke: Log of Wood!

One man woke up one morning and realized he was sleeping naked on the floor of his room and all his properties were gone. He recalled that he slept on his mattress fully clothed the night before and his properties were intact. What went wrong?

The stories goes with some tweaking:

While he was asleep, thieves entered his room and took away all his properties. The thieves realized that even with all the noise, the owner of the items was still sound asleep. 'What the hell!' They decided to move the owner from the mattress to the bare floor and then carried out the mattress. Even then the man was still asleep. Then they noticed that the man was putting on an expensive shirt, belt and trouser. So, they decided to remove the man's clothes; yet, the man slept on. They even removed his boxes without stress. Finally, they left a note for the man:

'Hello, Sir! Are you a log of wood? Don't worry, we shall come back for you when we have a suitable buyer.'

Henceforth, this man was nicknamed LOW (log of wood).

©Dr Eugene’s Column (http://dreugeneojirigho.blogspot.com/)
©Dr Eugene’s Blogs (http://dreugeneoji.blogspot.com/)

Joke - Oga!

I once met a guy whose name was Orga. Some pronounce it like 'Oga' (which means master; used to address a worker or someone with more seniority). When Orga was in primary school, his teacher asked him, 'What's your name?' He replied: 'Orga.' The teacher thought he said 'Oga.' The teacher was so upset that he started flogging the student, 'Are you mad? Do you expect me to call you 'Oga'?' The student cried, 'Master, Master, that is my name ooo...'

Imagine Orga went to work as a driver to one rich man (original Oga). One day, the rich man was expecting some important guests he's not met before. When the guests arrived, the rich man called out to his driver, 'Orga, please come, the guests have arrived.' The visitors thought that Orga was the original Oga they came to see. Before long, they were paying homage to Orga. Orga shouted, 'No, no, no, I'm not the Oga. See my Oga.' Imagine the confusion. Anyway, the issue was clarified. After the guests left, original Oga told his driver, 'Orga, we have to change your name before you use your funny name to take over my business.'

©Dr Eugene’s Column (http://dreugeneojirigho.blogspot.com/)

©Dr Eugene’s Blogs (http://dreugeneoji.blogspot.com/)

Overqualified Applicant

One company advertised for cleaners. On the day of the interview, a number of persons showed up. There was this man who showed up with his credentials: B.Sc, M.Sc, etc. The interviewers were surprised and wondered why a man with such qualifications be applying for a cleaning job.

When it got to the man's turn, he was asked: 'Sir, why did you apply for this job? You have enough qualifications to get you a better job.'

The man replied, 'I'm intrigued about the art of cleaning. I often wonder about the simple pleasures of the cleaner. The cleaner does the job of wiping away the dirt, the ills, the wrongs of others.... Think about the science of cleaning. The use of antiseptics. Do you know the origin of the first antiseptic? Do you know the wealth of history behind that simple yet profound discovery?.....'

This man kept talking and talking and talking... After one and the half hour of lecture on the art and science of cleaning, the interviewers, who did not know the answers to his questions, knew what was going on here. All was not well.

©Dr Eugene’s Column (http://dreugeneojirigho.blogspot.com/)
©Dr Eugene’s Blogs (http://dreugeneoji.blogspot.com/)

Jokes: ‘ekoloma demba’ ‘malo nogede’, Timaya, na witch level?

Back in the days, I fell in love with Timaya’s music. Loved it, men! Inspirational Dem Mama soldier. Nowaways, Timaya’s music has taken a different turn. What is ‘malo nogede,’ ‘ekoloma demba’?

I decided to go online to find out what those words mean. I entered Google and I typed, ‘What’s the meaning of ‘ekoloma demba’, ‘malo nogede’?

Google Pidgin English replied:

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Hmmm…. My friend, such words do not exist in our current lexicography.

Abi, you don smoke igbo (Indian Hemp)?

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My reply: abeg, nor be quarrel! Lexi… gini? That na Pidgin English? (Mschew.........)

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Na joke ooooooooo!

Joke – Acute changes in physique!

There was this guy whose physique changes rapidly with the amount of money he has. If he gets much money today, by tomorrow he will grow noticeably fat. If he loses that money in the morning, by evening time, he’s lost all the weight. One day, he got a call that a huge amount of money was deposited in his account. As he was walking to a bank ATM Machine, this guy started adding weight along the way. When he got to the ATM, there was a queue. He waited for a while, adding more weight. When it got to his turn, to his surprise, there was no money in his account. Do you know what happened? This guy started shedding weight immediately. He kept checking and checking again. When he finally confirmed that there was no money in his account, this guy…….

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Disappeared in thin air to the great surprise of those waiting on the line!

#ASUUstrike

I went to the bank the other day and I saw many old pensioners on a long queue cursing and arguing. I thought about the pains these pensioners go through and I remember the many pension scams I read about. It made me wonder: Why do government officials find it easy to mess up pensioners and pension funds? The answer: They can’t go on strike. #ASUUstrike

Some say that going on strike is not the solution to problems and that there are other ways to resolve issues. Dialogue they say should be the only way. Well, let me ask, please, when was the last time the government made any changes in worker’s welfare without being been edged on by a strike? Give me one example. Check those sections of the government where people can’t go on strike; they suffer most: pensioners. Maybe #strikologue is better: dialoguing while on strike. #ASUUstrike

Some people oppose strike actions, but they don’t reject the dividends of those strikes. When doctors went on strike for CONMESS, some elders in the medical profession were opposed to the strike. But when the strike yielded increased pay, they did not reject the pay. ‘Who nor like better thing?’ #ASUUstrike

What’s on my mind? (Pidgin English included)

What’s on my mind?
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It’s written:
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"Let there be an encountering by a man of a bear bereaved of its cubs rather than anyone stupid in his foolishness." - Prov. 17:12
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Just a thought on my mind! Right now, instead of watching or listening to Naija news, I am in search of a mourning bear to hug because there is so much stupid foolishness in the news these days….. “Bear! Bear! Bear oooooooooooooooooooooo! Where you dey? Abeg come collect hug, I dey hurry, I nor fit shout oooooooooooooooooooo!”

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#rivershouseofassembly on my mind

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P-square sang:
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"So many times i wonder why tears dey for my eyes; for so long me i nor know o....... (tears flowing)
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.....No no no no, i nor fit take am anymore. Lie lie......
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This nor go happen again o. This na my biggest mistake o, (Naija) nor go see me again o and (Naija) nor go put me for shame..... Oremi eeeeeeeeee...."
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Thinking of why i'm a Nigerian... Of all countries, why Naija. Why? 'no no no no no no.... i nor fit take am anymore' (Right now, i'm jetting to Ethiopia to officially disown Naija, then i will fly to u know na....)

Perspective on social issues (1) – Reliving the dumping of toxic waste in Koko

Many years ago, toxic waste was dumped in Koko, Nigeria. It was said that the information came out when Nigerians abroad were being mocked because tons of toxic waste were dumped in our doorstep and yet we had no knowledge of it. I remember then that the Nigerian government and other patriotic Nigerians worked hard to restore Nigeria’s image and credibility. These days, a lot of toxic things are been dumped right in front of us too often that any efforts to repair Nigeria’s image is worthless. Those things are even more toxic than those waste dumped in Koko years ago. Are you wondering what they are? Just tune the news! I’m not talking about NTA. Tune in to BBC, CNN, Aljazeera, Channels, and AIT and then go online and browse Nigeria news on Google and YouTube. Please watch the Video of the River State Assembly mayhem on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI3wU4jZRCQ). Those Nigerians who fought tirelessly against the dumping of the toxic waste in Koko would find it hard to comprehend how those who swore to preserve and protect the image of this country only succeed in making it a laughing-stock on a daily basis. Gani Fawehinmi, Fela, and other late social crusaders would turn in their graves were they able to hear the toxic news from Nigeria. Pathetic garbage!

#Whonamedit/Whomadeit (Who deserves more credit?)

Camper’s fascia is ‘the fatty part of the superficial fascia of the lower anterior abdominal wall.’

Camper’s ligament is ‘the layer of fascia extending between the ischiopubic rami inferior to the sphincter urethrae and the deep transverse perineal muscle.’

(Sourced from http://www.whonamedit.com/search.php)

Named after Petrus Camper, ‘Dutch physician and anatomist, born May 11, 1722, Leiden; died April 7, 1789, The Hague.’

(Sourced from http://www.whonamedit.com/doctor.cfm/3231.html)

So much for whom it was named after, what about who made it? Who deserves more credit? Even Professor Camper recognized that:

“…he was even appointed to the chairs of anatomy and surgery, an office illness prevented him from entering until April 28, 1750. The topic of his inaugural address – De mundo optimo – was living in the best possible world created by an omnipotent and benevolent God. He points to the fact of the enormous variety, both in living and non-living nature, which demonstrates the ordering power of the Supreme Being.” -

http://www.whonamedit.com/doctor.cfm/3231.html

#Whonamedit/Whomadeit (Who deserves more credit?)

We learn ever always!

 

We learn ever always

Life filled with lessons

Stories of a world so big

And of a man so small

Times we feel we've seen it all

And life shows us how we are yet to start

Today a baby is born

Can’t see and hear everything

But yearns to know about the land

He’s been far off in a sea of ocean

Floating and swimming in a wealth of moisture

Suddenly, he comes to a world of dryness

Carried through space by strange and familiar voices

Suckles from a familiar body

As his eyes open and ears brighten,

‘O, there you are. There you are!’

Surprise, surprise: people walk, no swimming

‘How can I be like them?’

Learns to walk but stumbles

Crawls, stands, and waits

One day, he walks, ‘Ah ha! I've done it’

Learns to speak like others

Develops a vocabulary

‘I've known it all’

Surprise, off to school, he’s bundled

‘What!’

‘You need to learn more about the land’

So, from school to school he goes

Learning is now the way of life

He’s through with school

Off to the world he goes!

New tricks and skills to learn

‘Where does the learning stops?’

He’s been having friends and friends

Changing friends like the seasons

‘You need to be steady

‘You have to settle down

Raise a family; build an ocean for others to come’

‘Learn to do these things

They are so important.’

‘When will this learning stop?’

‘Till the end of your days’

An aged man said

‘When the bones get fragile again

You learn to walk again

Crawl on the ground again

Lose teeth again

Learn to speak again

Forget the length of days again

And you go back again

From whence you came!’

Short Fiction (3) – Cynthia and John!

When Cynthia was a young lady, she was approached by John. They became friends. In a few months, John told Cynthia:

‘Cynthia, you know I love you. Will you marry me?’

Cynthia started laughing: ‘John John, if na play, stop am. Marry you at this age? You know I’m still young. I want to experience the world first before I marry. If I marry now, I won’t have stories to tell my children when I grow old.’

After some persuasion, John left the matter to rest.

5 years later, John ran across Cynthia. She was still single. John asked: ‘Cynthia, how far na? Are you still experiencing the world?’

Cynthia: ‘I graduated last year. I’m serving now. I just started experiencing the world.’

John: ‘OK’

In another 5 years, John met Cynthia again. This time, John was married with children. John asked Cynthia: ‘Cynthia, how far? Are you still experiencing the world?’

Cynthia: ‘I just got my visa to travel out. In short, I’m just beginning to experience the world.’

John:  ‘OK’

In another 10 years, John came across one magazine. As he was going through it, he saw a column, ‘Relationships! By Cynthia ……’ Cynthia was still single and she was now using the wealth of her experience to write columns for well-known newspapers and magazine. Her audience is now ‘her children.’ Articles include: ‘How to start a relationship!’ ‘How to keep your relationship alive!’ ‘The secret to maintaining a new relationship!’

P.S. It's not a true story. Names and characters were made up.

The things I learnt about the Northern man! (Redacted!)

(I first wrote and posted this piece some years ago on my Facebook wall. I've made some revisions. A lot has happened since then but I still stand by the sentiments so here expressed. These are from my personal experiences. You may not agree with me and not every Northern man show these qualities so here outlined. The term ‘Northern man’ used in this article is meant to represent men and women who originates from and lives in the core Northern states of Nigeria)

Often time, when we hear news about the Northern part of Nigeria, it’s easy to conjure in our minds the images of savages whose preoccupation is to loot, burn and destroy. You may wonder how people live there! That’s understandable. Sadly, that is not a holistic picture of the North. There are positives in the Northern narrative. Permit me to itemize those good features of the Northern man whom I came to like. In doing this, I’ll draw some contrasts between him and the Southern man I know.

His honesty and trust! I was surprised to notice the honesty, trustfulness and trustworthiness of the Northern man. It's a sharp contrast to what I saw down Southern Nigeria where I grew up. When you go to the markets in the North, the prices the Northern trader would tell you are more likely to be correct. I felt more comfortable buying an item from him than a fellow Southern trader who sells same items nearby. In his place of business, he could afford to leave his goods to pray or have his meal without looking over his shoulders. He knows his things are safe. The carefreeness with which even household items are kept reflects his trust and often it is not betrayed. Many depend solely on what they earn instead of cutting corners to enrich themselves. You see this often in places of employment. Recent developments may make trust a challenge but that has not always been the case through my stay up North.

His simplicity! The hallmark of the Northern man is his simplicity. He is simple to a superlative degree. Thus, he is so approachable. This is not affected by whatever status or position he attains in the society. As a doctor who studied in the South, let me use the hospital settings as a case study. In the teaching hospital where I trained you can always tell who the Chief Medical Director (CMD) is because he is always with an entourage. So applies to other principal officers of the hospital. Amazingly, it's a contrast with what I saw in the North!  I did my internship in a teaching hospital in the North. I walked past the CMD a couple of times without knowing; until a colleague told me who he was. There is a renowned Consultant Urologist of class in the same hospital who oversees kidney transplants. Yet, he is such a simple and approachable individual.

His religion, His life!  In the South, you can easily see a disconnection between a man's life, business, job and his religion. Many in the South see religion as something you are reminded of on a Sunday but largely forgotten about for the rest of the week. There are traditional religions in the South and some people jostle between that and the mainstream religion as the need warrants. In contrast, to the Northern man, his religion is his life, his culture, his tradition and way of life. It's hard to see any disconnect between his religion and his life. The ways he relates with his family and others reflect a deep link with his belief systems. He holds his faith with such high regard that he would not tolerate any denigration of the icons and symbols that he so deeply reveres. Their zeal for what they believe is something of admiration. He has much regard for his religious leaders. He wants his religion to be respected. He believes whatever he achieves in his life is the wish of the Almighty. Like in other religions, there are those who do not uphold all the tenets of their faith; but by-and-large, the Northern man places his faith and beliefs on a high pedestal.

His contentment! Generally, the Northern man is contented with his lot in life! He is satisfied with what he has. No matter his socioeconomic class, he's at peace with himself. He is not berserk with the anxieties, stress and the hassles of 'I better pass my neighbour'. The Northern trader does not wake up early in the morning to open his store where he sells things. He does not have the rush-rush attitude we often see in the South. He doesn't stay so late so as to sell more except his trade is for late-night customers like in 'suya' spots. When he does not have an item for sale, he readily directs his customers to nearby stores where such goods can be obtained. He does not wish ill-luck for colleagues in the same trade and he can even help them sell their items when they are not around. The same is seen even among civil service workers. Unlike in the South where there's so much do-or-die, for the Northern man, it's do-and-live. He reckons that it is not by his power or might but by the will of the Almighty!

His hospitality! With the news of recurrent violence which is so often aired in the media, it would be difficult for some to agree that the Northern man is hospitable. If you've stayed in the East or West of Nigeria, you may conclude objectively that there is a level of hospitality in the North. If you are a stranger looking for direction or you've lost your way, the Northern man can afford to leave whatever he is doing and take you to the right place. If you are a new employee in a company and you are not familiar with the terrain of the place, they would lovingly help you. You are made to feel at home. That is my personal experience when I came to the North.

Let me at this point relate a personal story of my life. When I graduated from the university down South as a medical doctor, I spent about 8 months looking for a spot to do the mandatory one year housemanship. I scoured several hospitals in the South and attended so many interviews in the South; all without success. I did everything I could: got the recommendation letters, complementary cards and the likes, yet still, there was no job for me. I was getting dejected, depressed and frustrated about a system that appeared rigged against me. All along, I've heard from and about colleagues and classmates, who've gone up North and are working. I was scared of going to the North because of the threat of violence. But, after months and months of my fruitless search for job in the South, I picked up my bag and traveled up, up North. I promised not to come back to the South until I got a job. After about a month or two in the North, I got a job. Alhamdulillahi! (Praise be to Allah) With the help of the Almighty, that job saved my life. By God’s favour, I moved from job to job in the North. Since then, I did not spend a single month without a job and its four years and counting. I’m no longer in the core North, but I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunities I had in the North. No one cared much about who I was or where I came from; they were interested in my qualifications and what skills and knowledge I had. I was made to feel like somebody, like a human being. I will never ever forget that. By God’s grace, I’ll live to remember how the North saved my life. I did not have everything I wanted but I had enough to keep me going. It was not a bed of roses but at least I had a bed and much more.

In conclusion, here is the story of a Northern man who is honest and trustworthy, simple and approachable, deeply religious, contented with his lot in life and not the least, hospitable. Indeed, there are those who deviate from the above narrative. There are socioeconomic challenges and demographic variables which threaten the very values that I have espoused above. Nonetheless, everyday as I went about my civic duties up North, I saw the Northern man whom I have come to like, in action and I’m grateful to God for the privilege I had in knowing him. As-salaam alaykum! (Peace be upon you!)

Short story: If he/she were your child, how would you treat him/her?

A man has a child. This child did something wrong. The father noticed what the child did wrong, but he did not say anything. He did not call the child to correct him/her. The child was not told directly or indirectly that he/she did something wrong. Another time, the child repeated the wrong. The father also noticed what was wrong but did not say anything. The child did it the third time. The father felt he has had enough. Instead of calling the child to correct him or her, the father waited until there was a gathering of the entire family. It was at that point, in the presence of everybody, he now mentioned what the child did. The father now went down memory lane and mentioned all the times the child did wrong. He embarrassed the child in front of everybody in the name of teaching the child a vital moral lesson. The child was shocked and dumbfounded by what he/she held. The child was surprised beyond words and he did not know what to say. At a point the child got some courage and attempted speaking on his own defense. The father quickly shut him down saying, ‘Shut up. You have nothing to say. What in the world can you say to defend those stupid actions you took? Shut up and sit down.’ Reluctantly, the child was forced to see down. He was seething in anger, but he had no means of expressing it.

The child reasoned within, ‘Everybody deserves to be heard. No matter how terrible or stupid the offense is, everyone deserves to be heard. I’m your own child for God sake! Why can’t you just hear me out? There was a reason for what I did. I knew what I was doing. Even if what I did was wrong, why did you not call me in private to correct me? Even if I did wrong, how would I know if no one corrects me? I’m not perfect just like everyone else. You, my father, are not perfect. You must have done wrong before and someone corrected you. That’s how you learnt to be a better individual. Why can’t you show me the same courtesy as you did to everyone else? Why, dad? Why? (Sobbing……..)

Lesson: Sometimes, at home, places of work, school, we see people doing something wrong. If the person lives, works or schools under you and you are in a position to correct that person, would you act like this father? Won’t you rather act differently and call the person’s attention to the wrong in private before bringing it to the attention of others if that is even necessary in the first place? There are times we may feel threatened to approach the person alone. Why not go with someone else to serve as a witness or to provide some level of security; you don’t need to blow a trumpet when there is no specific threat to you! Yes, there are times we may be overzealous in correcting others and get carried away by that euphoria. But, think about this, if you were the one that did wrong, how would you want others to treat you? Would you want them to show you some respect by bring the issue to you in private before announcing it to the world? Why not do the same for others. Remember, the golden rule, ‘Do to others what you would have them do to you.’

Just a thought – Washing feet!

In the days of Jesus, there were no cars. Back then, most persons walk with their feet to their various destinations, however long it was. So, when you receive a visitor who must have trekked many kilometers to see you, one way of showing good hospitality and humility is by washing their feet and cleaning dust off their feet. But, in our days, there are cars everywhere both public and private. Now, imagine a man who dressed up at home, wore socks and shoes, entered his AC-tight car and drove to your place for a visit. No chance of encountering any dust whatsoever. Now, you want to show hospitality, you then went about removing his shoes and socks, bringing sponge, soap, water and towel to wash his feet because that was what Jesus did in his days. Aren't there other ways of showing hospitality and humility? Must you wash another man’s feet? If his body is so dirty, give him water to bath! Shuooooooooo (exclaims)!

Jokes in Pidgin English (51) – ‘Pray for us!’

In Naija, we dey claim say we be secular society but everywhere you go, any public meeting you attend, you go hear, ‘Before we start, can somebody lead us in prayers? … Before we close, can somebody lead us in prayers?’ Wetin dey pain me pass, dem go just call anybody wen dem like to pray. Dem nor dey ask whether the person na Christian, Muslim, pagan, or atheist. ‘Please, lead us in prayers.’ You go see a complete stranger wen you nor know from Adam, ‘Please, pray for us.’ Whether the person na murderer, robber, 419, ritualist, nobody wan know; all them want, ‘Pray for us.’

Listen to these stories:

1.    One day, for one secondary school. For assembly ground one morning, dem call one teacher come pray. The teacher shock. He be like say em ma nor dey pray for house. Na so the teacher start to pray, ‘…… Let there be light and there was light…’ O boy, na so people burst laugh. Dem tell am to come pray, instead my guy wan create heaven and earth o.

2.    One guy go drink, he come dey drunk. Na so he late go one meeting. Being that the guy late, dem come call am to say closing prayers. Dem nor know say the guy dey drunk. Na so drunkard stagger get up. ‘Hmmm… hmmm… Baba God, please, help us with another round… round of… bear, sorry, blessings…’

3.    One guy nor dey go church, dem ask the guy to pray for one public function, na so the guy stand up… ‘O God, good morning, sorry, good afternoon…’ people come dey laugh. Somebody say, ‘dem tell you say this time na afternoon for heaven?’

P.S. nor be everybody wen you see, you go tell, ‘pray for us’; abeg, make you nor collect bad thing wen nor be your own ooo…