Sunday 26 October 2014

AFRICA: OUR LEADERS AND THEIR TITLES, IF NOT WEAKNESS


'If you want to know them, check their titles not works' Musanda said, when we were talking about African leadership and its history and at this point, I totally agree with that statement because most of our pre and post colonialism leaders are title lovers but, due to lack of a better Greek term to categorize this type of loving, we shall fix a term and call it 'title-philia'. With the above already outlined, I would like to state that the purpose of  this article is to look at some of our leaders and other  famous personalities' titles that made both local and international headlines.

Therefore, before I go any further on this wonderful voyage, I believe it is of great significant to understand and define the term title and according to Wikipedia a title is 'a prefix or suffix added to someone's name in certain context. It may signify either veneration, an official position or a professional or academic qualification.’ In line with the definition by Wikipedia, I believe titles serves and shows great responsibility whether inherited or earned, but on the contrary, a certain section of African leadership has weakened the integrity of titles by not understanding them and I will prove proof as we continue.

 First on the list is His Excellency Sheikh Professor AL haji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Azziz Jemus Junkung Nasiru Deen Babili Mansa Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces and the Chief Custodian of the Sacred Constitution of the Gambia popularly known as Yahya Jammeh. He is known for his trademark prayer beads, all white clothing and a stick and Mr. Jammeh is renowned for his claim to cure HIV/AIDS and asthma with natural herbs, maybe thats why he is called a Dr or professor, but none of his claims has been scientifically proven, therefore some if not all of his qualification if not titles, that Mr. Jammeh claims to possess are fraud and carries no weight of responsibility in reality. And for some of us who are not familiar with Mr Jammeh, he is not only famous for his titles, but the wrongs reasons such as alleged human rights abuses, restrictions to press freedom to name a few.
            
Furthermore, I urge the readers to fasten your sitting belts and relax as we increase the speed of funny as we talk about Joseph-Desire Mobutu commonly known as Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga translated as ' The warrior who knows no defeat because of his endurance and inflexible will and is all powerful, leaving fire in his wake as he goes from conquest to conquest'. Outstanding title for Mobutu, but his titles had no weight because it was during his time that Zaire now Congo was moving backward economically, socially and spiritually that caused total poverty during his reign. Mobutu, was indeed a flamboyant corrupt leader of his time whose net worth was valued at US$4billion at time of death, while the majority of Congo were living in unimaginable poverty. Sad as it may seem, most of our leaders have never had a heart for the people they claim to represent and this can be observed through the expensive lifestyles and satisfying of huge appetites of personal needs and wants on taxpayers' money.

And I believe this article is incomplete without mentioning some of our leaders such as Idi Amin. Idi Amin indeed is a famous son of the continent, though he is famous for the wrong reasons.  It is believed that, his kind of leadership was characterized by corruption, nepotism, political oppression, tribal persecution and economic mismanagement. Despite his brutal attitude and lack of humor, at least Idi admin was once famous for his official state claim of being the uncrowned King of Scotland even though he was an African who knew less about his beloved kingdom of Scotland and  I will be considered a failure if I went ahead writing this article without mentioning his official title which is, 'His Excellency, President For Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Seas and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular', a beautiful title that signifies strengthen and maturity, but Mr. Dada lacked the responsibility of his many titles.     

At this point, I believe titles and leadership have no connection to what legacy our leaders build and leave behind. Even if, our leaders were given titles as 'men of action', 'fly ken', 'king Kong’, ‘shorty' or even 'cabbage', I believe as weak as ‘cabbage’ may sound as a title compared to mighty King Kong, cabbage can be remembered as a champion of his generation compared to the rest with powerful titles, but less power. And its hightime to focus on a new brand of leaders that serves its people through developmental projects and scientific breakthroughes for a better Africa.    

Wednesday 1 October 2014

HOLY SPIRIT: THE UNKNOWN MEMBER OF THE TRINITY


It is with greater pleasure that I greet my fellow Christians and readers in the name of our lord Jesus Christ. In this week’s addition, I would like to talk about the Holy Spirit as the third party that completes the trinity (father, son and Holy Spirit).

Therefore, it is the purpose of this piece of work to highlight the importance of the Holy Spirit since He is a member of the trinity that is not recognized and respected compared to the other two. And it is equally important to realize that the 3 members are equally and serve the purpose of testifying. Moreover, the Holy Spirit seems not to be given the credit that he deserves because many Christians out there either do not know him or doubt his existence making it incomplete for any believer to have true conviction without experiencing his presence.
            
For some believer, they consider the holy spirit as a spy, hence making it more difficult to acknowledge Him since the world is filled up with negative opinions and mixed emotions about spies and anything in relation to them, however, it is unfortunate for those that consider Him a ‘spy’ because it’s of no significance to acknowledge the 2 members of the trinity while substituting a member due to unbelief and ignorance.
      
It is common knowledge and biblically proven, that people perish due to lack of knowledge (Hosea 4vs6) and this can be physically proven by the rejection of the Holy Spirit by the majority but it’s important to knowledge that, God is not moved by majorities that uphold self-doctrines compared to a minority that dwells in the true word of God that He has inspired.  In line with the above, the Holy Spirit is ‘another counselor’ that Christ Jesus (John 14vs15-16) left for us in His absence not to condemn us or spy but to safeguard and teach us (John 14vs24). 

Furthermore, many confuse the presence of the Holy Spirit with emotions and hormones changes or environmental changes. However, the presence of the Holy Spirit can only be experienced by one’s ability to learn to dwell in an atmosphere filled with praise and worship and can further be experienced if we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us the way He wants to work, then He can produce what He wants in us. As for emotions, the can be defined as a mental state that arises spontaneously rather than conscious resulting into: joy, sorrow, hate and love hence with the above definitions one can distinguish that the Holy Spirit is inspired by God and experienced by born-again Christians while emotions are inspired by hormonal changes or maybe environmental factors and can be experienced by anybody so the difference is there without any relation between the two.   
 
So to demonstrate more on how to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit, an individual has to develop a ‘routine’ contact with Him by spending much time with Him and this can be seen through meditation, worship and prayer. To put it differently, one can only acknowledge and obey His presence and voice by spending time with Him and this will eliminate ‘FM station voices’ tuned in our minds that many tend to obey.

Generally, the fear by most Christians to recognize the Holy Spirit is based on personal feelings and believes nothing to do with scriptures, but in reality we cannot do without Him in our lives and He cannot force Himself on us since He is a gentlemen. As a matter of fact, it is more be hearten to see the culture of ignorance and pride prevail when our worship is affected by our own doctrine because at the end of the day, worship has nothing to do with our feelings.

In conclusion, the freedom of choice and obedience lies in our own hands and one’s choice is not subject to any debate but ignorance is a trap that limits growth in ministry. Remember, you are not too young to begin to experience and acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit because He is Real.