Merciful Mercy David

LITERAL-SPACE with Ekemini Ita

THE SONNET
From fairest creatures we desire increase
That thereby beauty's rose must never die
But as the riper should by time decease
His tender heir might bear his memory.
But thou contracted to thine own bright eyes
Feed'st thy light's flame with self-substantial fuel,
Making a famine where abundance lies.
Thy self thy foe, to thyy sweet self too cruel:
Thou that art now the world's fresh ornament.
And only herald to the gaudy spring,
With thine own bud buriest thy content.
And tender churl mak'st waste in niggarding
Pity the world, or else this glutton be,
To eat the world's due, by the grave and thee.

Better known as "a poem of fourteen(14) lines", yet
it's root is always forgotten. A SONNET is a poetic form
which originated in Italy, invented by the SICILIAN poet,
Giacomo Da Lentini, thereby opening the way for other
great "SONNETERS" like William Shakespeare, who
wrote 154 of them(above is an example).
An English or Shakespearean sonnet consists of
fourteen(14) lines written in iambic pentameter (a
pattern in which an unstressed syllable is followed by a
stressed syllable five times). The rhyme scheme in a
Shakespearean sonnet is "a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f, g-g"
the last two lines are a rhyming couplet (a poem of two
lines with same rhyme).
ITALIAN (petrarchen) SONNET
Created by Giacomo Da Lentini, who wrote almost
250 sonnets. The structure of a typical Italian sonnet of
this includes two parts that together forms a compact
form of "argument". First, the OCTAVE, (two quatrains),
forms the "proposition", which describes a "problem" or
"question", followed by a SESTET (two tercets), which
proposes a "resolution".
Typically, the ninth line initiates what is called "the
turn" or "volta", which signals the move from
proposition to resolution. Incidentally, not all sonnets
strictly follow the problem/resolution structure, though
the ninth line still often marks a "turn" by signaling a
change in the tone, mood or stance of the poem.
The standard pattern for Italian sonnets is "a-b-ba,
a-b-b-a". For the SESTET there are two different
possibilities, "c-d-e-c-d-e and c-d-c-c-d-c". In time, other
variants on this rhyme scheme were introduced, such as
"c-d-c-d-c-d".

BOOK OF THE WEEK-Oliver
Twist by Charles Dickens.
The Paris Progress, a book popularly known world
wide as OLIVER TWIST, authored by Charles Dickens,
published by Bentley's Miscel (serial) and Richard
Bentle(book), in 1837.
This is the story of a boy (Oliver) born in a
workhouse in the first half of the nineteenth century.
Unfortunately, his mother dies during his birth and he is
sent to an orphanage (where he is badly treated). Feeding
poorly each passing day forces him to ask for more ration
which is against the rules of the home, this singular act
forces Mr Bumble( the orphanage overseer) to lock him up
in a dark room with no food or water.
Oliver runs away from the workhouse to London in
search of a greater fortune, unluckily, he falls in with a boy
named Jack Darwins, who is part of a child gang of thieves,
run by Fagin. Oliver is brought into the gang, he trains and
graduates as a pickpocket. On his first mission, he runs away
and is nearly sent to prison. However, the kindness of the
person who was being robbed saves him from the terrors of
the city gaol (jail), and instead he is taken into his savior's
home and taken proper care of.
However, as soon as he feels he is settled, Bills Sikes
and Nancy(members of his former gang) takes him back to
Fagin. Oliver is sent once more on a mission, but this time,
he is to assist Sikes on a burglary. The job goes wrong and
Oliver is shot and left behind. Once more, he is taken in (this
times by the Maylies, the family he went to rob), and he
spends a wonderful time with them. Once more, Fagin goes
after him. Nancy, who is worried about Oliver, tells the
Maylies what is happening. When the gang finds out
Nancy's betrayal, they murder her.
Finally, Oliver is reunited with the gentleman who
helped him earlier and who eventually turns out to be his
uncle. Fagin is arrested, tried, found guilty and is sentenced
to death by hanging for his crimes; Oliver then settles down
to a pampered life(reunites with his real family).

world of sport with Charles Orok

 Keshi wont be forced on Osaze
------------------------------
 31 December 2013, 15:02

Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi has dropped the
strongest possible hint that Cardiff City striker, Peter Odemwingie will
not make his final squad for the 2014 Fifa World Cup just because he’s
wanted by the majority of the fans.

Odemwnigie has not played for Nigeria since February 29, 2012 when the
Super Eagles were held to an underwhelming 0-0 draw against Rawanda at the
Stade Régional de Nyamirambo in a 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifying game.

The 32-year-old has since expressed his desire to return to the national
team in time for the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil.

“I was in the Nigeria squad for the last World Cup finals in South Africa
and I would love the chance to go again,” Odemwingie told WalesOnline in
November.

“I believe I have a chance and when it comes I would be delighted. I
haven’t been selected lately because the coach is making changes to the
squad and it affected all the older players so the situation wasn’t
friendly.

“Playing for my country in Brazil would mean so much to me. No player will
be in the squad unless they do well for their various clubs. Brazil is even
more popular football-wise so it will be great if it happens,” he added.

Recently, there has been a clamour from a large section of Super Eagles’
supporters for the recall of the striker who believe his experience could
be invaluable for the team’s expedition to Brazil.

Keshi has however categorically stated that he will not invite Odemwingie
or any other individual based on the sentiments of the supporters.

“I will not invite Osaze (Odemwingie) or any other player just because
Nigerians want that player in the team. I cannot do that,” Keshi told
supersport

The gaffer then reaffirmed his earlier position on the situation explaining
that the former Lokomotiv Moscow attacker will have a fair crack to force
his way into the team.

“Right now, I can’t say categorically that he (Odemwingie) will be a part
of our final World Cup squad.

“He is one of the players we have listed (for inclusion into the
preliminary squad for Brazil 2014) but I don’t know if he’s going to come
back or not.

“We will see how it goes. If’s he’s playing good (for Cardiff City), we
will see how it goes,” he said.

Odemwingie made his Nigeria debut in 2002 and has scored nine goals in 55
appearances for the Super Eagles.



Football | Barclays Premier League
   David Luiz © Gallo Images
   Chelsea must shuffle pack at Southampton
------------------------------
 31 December 2013, 15:41

Chelsea will be without David Luiz and Frank Lampard for Wednesday's
Premier League trip to Southampton and are also likely to have Branislav
Ivanovic and Samuel Eto'o sidelined.

Brazilian Luiz is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the
season in Sunday's 2-1 win over Liverpool and midfield partner Lampard
suffered a muscle strain in the same match.

Ivanovic and Eto'o, like Lampard, also had to go off injured against
Liverpool.

Fernando Torres is likely to come in for Eto'o up front with Ashley Cole
replacing Ivanovic in defence.

Brazilian Ramires, suspended on Sunday, is set to return to the midfield
along with John Obi Mikel.

England defender Gary Cahill said third-placed Chelsea's performance at
Stamford Bridge at the weekend was one of their best of the season.

"The focus now is to play like we did against Liverpool every week because
we really moved the ball around quickly," he told the club website (
www.chelseafc.com) on Tuesday.

"In the big games this season we have turned up. We drew at Arsenal and
Manchester United and beat Manchester City and Liverpool here," said Cahill.

"Of course we can win the league, and that's what we're aiming to do, along
with some other fantastic teams. We know it's going to be tough but at the
moment we've put ourselves in a good position."

Chelsea conceded a hatful of goals earlier this month but have regained
their defensive meanness in recent matches.

"We've tightened it right back up again now," said Cahill. "Moving forward
it's important that we're in touching distance (at the top).

"Liverpool was a massive game because some of the teams played on Saturday
and then we saw Arsenal win before we went out so it put added pressure on
us to get a result."

Chelsea are one point behind Manchester City and two adrift of leaders
Arsenal. Southampton occupy ninth position after 19 games, the midway point
of the season.


*NEW YEAR DAY FIXTURES *
*01 January 2014*
*English Barclays Premier League*  
Swansea City vs Manchester
City Liberty Stadium17:00

Arsenal vs Cardiff City.  Emirates Stadium17:00

Crystal Palace vs Norwich City Selhurst Park  17:00

Fulham vs West Ham United Craven Cottage17:00

Liverpool vs Hull City Anfield17:00

Southampton vs Chelsea St. Mary's Stadium 17:00

Stoke City vs Everton Britannia Stadium17:00

Sunderland vs Aston Villa Stadium of Light 17:00

West Bromwich Albion vs Newcastle United The Hawthorns19:30

Manchester
United vs Tottenham Hotspur Old Trafford

WHY YOU DON'T NEED HELP by Emmanuel Ned

Don't pray for help in life because you don't need it,rather pray for
empowerment.
David said ''for the lord teaches my hands how to war'' because of the
empowerment he received,he never lose any battle in his life time.

Help inhibits potentials and capacity while empowerment escalates
dormant potentials and boost capacity.

Teaching a man how to fish equips him with the capacity for wealth
production and reproduction.Giving a man fish(es) only degrades and
deteriorate the capacity to produce and reproduce.

Help is a short term camouflage of temporary advancement,while
empowerment is a long termed and permanent fortification for not just
a nation but generations.

Empowerment is a long term investment in asset into the future,
Help is a long term investment in liability into the future

Here is a story of a butterfly.......

 A man was watching a butterfly struggling to break out of its
cocoon.After making some progress to work out its way through a small
hole,the butterfly appeared to simply stop it efforts.
For sometimes, it seems to make no headway.
The man concluded it was stucked and decided to lend a helping hand by
forming a larger opening in the cocoon with a scissor.Afterwards the
butterfly emerged easily but with small shriveled wings and a swollen
body.
It turned out that the struggle to emerge from the cocoon would have
forced the fluid from the butterfly's body into it wings,a necessary
process for enabling it to fly.
As a result of the man's intended ''HELP'', he had interfered with
nature's life-strengthening process.
The butterfly was doomed never to fly but to crawl around with it's
swollen body body and shriveled wings for the rest of it's life.

Pathetic one for the butterfly.

Help bereft one of process,instead it incarcerates one in slavery.
Empowerment puts one through the corridors of process..''SUCCESS IS A PROCESS''
Empowerment equips with skill;HELP truncates skills.

DON'T BE COAXED INTO ACCEPTING ALL THE HELP THAT COMES YOUR WAY..

SEEK EMPOWERMENT NOT HELP

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW: IKONO LAWMAKER DEBUNKS NEWSPAPER REPORT by HENSHAW NYONG

GOVERNOR GOD'SWILL AKPABIO

SENETOR ALOYSIUS ETOK

HON. VICTOR C. UDOFIA

In this interview conducted by HENSHAW NYONG, the state representative of Ikono in the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Charles Udofia, refuted claims about his alleged duplicity in the selection of Ikono political leader. He also talked on the NDDC leadership, constituency briefing and others.

 Excerpts:

Q: Sir, the report we have here is that there are some allegations on pages of newspapers in the state that upon the death of former political leader of Ikono and subsequent plan to replace him with Senator Aloysius Etok, the Governor has kicked against this move and has approached you and the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Engr. Iboro Ekanem, to work against it promising you a second term. The story also has it that you refused the Governor’s offer opting to pitch a tent with your kinsman, is this true?

A: Frankly, I have just seen the story on a newspaper called “THE INK”. Firstly, I must commend you for doing investigative journalism, I believe that this is the way forward, that is, hearing stories from both sides. I want to state that it is rather unfortunate for people to attempt using blackmail to get to the top or malign people.

Number one, the issue of political Leader of Ikono, yes there are moves to replace the political Leader of Ikono. I’m not holding brief for the Governor, however, as a man of integrity I must tell the truth, His Excellency, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, has not given any body one Naira to thwart any move in connection with Senator Aloysius Etok emerging the political Leader of Ikono. That allegation is not correct, it is totally false.

Two, His Excellency, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio,has not approached me the representative of Ikono, Mr. Victor Udofia, to go and thwart or not to support Senator Aloysius Etok as the political Leader of Ikono. I want to say that too is false. I still believe that the Governor has so many state matters to think about rather than get involved in the matter of a Local Government Area. I want to put it to you that the people decide who become their political leader and not the Governor. The Governor wouldn’t have any reason or need to go and get involved in such matter; I’m defending the Governor on that point. What happened was, just like a coup, (I was not there but in Abuja) a meeting was called; the Commissioner was not there, infact only two Board members were there.

 Precisely, one Dr. Tony Usoro and Mma Lovina Umoefa were there and one Jack Essien, SA to Governor on Project Monitoring, were there, but they all left when the issue of political leader was mentioned. So, simply few people rose up and moved a motion, according to report reaching me, that Senator Aloysius Etok, should be the political Leader of Ikono and Dr. Clement Bassey, should be the deputy political leader and it was moved and some body stood up and adopted the motion.

Now, when this thing happened, the same group of people went two weeks ago to bring out one former commissioner for Finance, Sir S. U. Akpan, to become the political Leader of Ikono, but unfortunately the same group of people went to the Paramount Ruler to report that I have brought Sir Akpan to be the political Leader of Ikono. The Paramount Ruler sent for me, where I told him he should leave those unserious people, appealing to him to face traditional issues and leave political matters. Today (Tuesday) by 2pm I had a meeting with that same group of people in the House of Assembly, where I told them they are trying to create confusion. The proper thing is that the day you decide to make a political Leader every party should be involved, every body should be part of it. How could they move motion to elect a new political Leader when the state representative is not there in the meeting, some of the Board Members where not there, Chief Etim Inyang, the chairman of the party was not in the meeting? So, how would that work? I advice them to go back since they said they came to consult me. You cannot consult me after going ahead to move a controversial motion and putting a date to install a political Leader on Friday being 20th of this month (December), why did you then come to me for advice or consultation? That is what I asked them, the man leading the committee was Sir Victor Etefia. I told them, you people went to remove some one from an axis, then the same youths turned back to make a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing 10 Local Government Areas, a political Leader? I told  them so and when they visited the Paramount Ruler three days ago, he told them that he is the King of Peace, adding that the House was not complete. He asked them to bring the said Political Leader, the state representative, the council Chairman and the commissioner. He told them until they speak with one voice then will he give them Blessing. He said that speaking with one voice will bring Peace to the Local Government. This was what the Paramount Ruler said because similar thing happened in Ini Local Government Area.         

And until now there is crisis there because proper consultation was not made, due process was not followed. There was neither election nor adoption and whether you like it or not I constitutionally represent the people of Ikono State Constituency, the Commissioner represents Ikono in the state executive cabinet and the Local Government Chairman is the Chief Security Officer while the Chapter Chairman is the father of the party, so when these people are not in the gathering it is not complete.

So, I was surprised when somebody called me and told me that we installed a political leader and I said there is nothing like that. My stand is that proper consultation should be made. I’m not against Ikono having a political leader, but the process is what I’m against.

I told the Sir Victor Etefia led committee that visited me that the house built on a wrong foundation cannot stand, it will certainly collapse. They started the journey wrongly so I said they should go back, make a wider consultation, re-convene the stakeholders of Ikono including the who-is-who in Ikono politics and there and then we take a decision and who will be our political leader will will emerge. I told  them, “if you don’t do so count me out, I’m not part of that deal. Since due process was not followed”. I told them to remove my name from any invitation that was printed for the event, if due process is not followed because they don’t have my consent.

I have a cordial relationship with the governor, but I’ve not even told the governor of my second term aspiration neither has he promised to give me second term ticket. I tell you that it is the people of Ikono that will vote me and not the governor. They that voted for me in 2011 are the same people who will vote me in 2015 election.

 The party executive will vote their candidates so whoever wrote that malicious story was paid to do so. As you are interviewing me, I can categorically tell you that what was written in ‘THE INK’ newspaper was purely false and paid for. Even the so called reporter did not put his/her name.

Qs:    Let’s get the fact right, who are these people that want to install

the political leader of Ikono. What is the name of their group?

A.       From the INEC registration, I’ m sure Ikono is over 68,000 people so if you  call a few 20 to 30 people to make a statement don’t you think that does not reflect the will of the entire people? That would be very insignificant few and secondly, if you are taking a decision for Ikono and the Stste House Representative, the Chairman, the Commissioner and sixty percent of the Board members are not there, even the Senator is not there have you taken a decision? It can not stand and if a decision is taken and only the Senator is in that meeting and other representatives are not there it can not be taken.

          Also, if the Chairman is there and others are not there it means the decision is not binding because the house is not complete.

          I tell you the truth that wider consultation was not made. Also, I told those who visited me in the House of Assembly that I don’t think the Senator has any problem with the Governor as of today. It’s all about interest, the governor wants to go for Senate and the Senator wants to go for third term, so it’s all about interest. But, that should not be a problem so why should the governor come and interfere in installation of a political leader in a local Government Area? Does the office have a constitutional backing? What is a political leader? So why would the governor want to descend so low to get into that?

 Again, the governor does not give any ticket and like he wants to aspire to the senate it is the people of Ikot Ekpene that will vote him to represent them.  Who ever want to go for election it is the people that will vote him.

Q:      Honorable Member, away from that issue, let’s talk about activities of the House Committee on NDDC, which you are the chairman. Recently, the president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, appointed people into that Commission with one of us as it’s Chairman. Kindly share with us your thoughts on this development.

A.   Well, Obong (Barrister) Dan Abia is the Chief Executive Officer of NDDC and not the chairman. The Chairman is from Cross River State. I want to honestly thank Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the president of the federal republic of Nigeria for showing the good people of Akwa Ibom State that he is a brother and friend. He has done very well for choosing a capable hand from among us. I want to say that the choice of Dan Abia was the best choice that Commission will ever have. The fact is that Dan Abia was the former acting Chairman of NDDC, he was former State representative of NDDC, he is a Barrister and a development oriented person. He is from the root of the commission and not an outsider, he knows every thing and is one man that is looked up to by the people. During his tenure as State representative of NDDC, the people witnessed a lot of execution of projects by the Commission and focused leadership and I can assure Akwa Ibom people and Nigerians that he will put in tremendous effort to actualize the objectives of the Commission.

I must say that the team at the Commission presently couldn’t have been better and I believe that as our son is the executive director he will at all times have the interest of Akwa Ibom people at heart.

Secondly, I must thank our governor, His Excellency, Chief Godswill Akpabio, for his transformation agenda and what he has done to make sure the slot came our way. He has done a lot and all the political running around to make sure the position was brought to the State. It would have been impossible without his efforts.

Q:      Recently, your committee went on fact finding tour of NDDC projects across the state. In summary, why is your report not published as you earlier promised?

A:      Well, you know in legislation you go through a process. We are not in hurry but diligently compiling the report. We toured over 65 projects situated in 27 Local Government Ares and sincerely the report we have is very indicting, however the details will come up later since we must be thorough. We are being careful to present a factual report.

Generally, what we saw on the field was very very bad, a situation whereby companies were awarded contracts and they absconded with the money, there were generally low quality jobs however like I said earlier, this will stop in Barrister Bassey Dan Abia’s tenure because I know he is a no nonsense man.

I thank God for that timely fact finding tour, we will send a copy to him as part of his working tools to enable him perform. Invariably, I want to tell you that the report will indict some contractors and companies, some of the staff of NDDC that covered up those poor jobs will be equally indicted. Even while on recess, the committee is still working on that report and once it is ready it will be sent to the presidency, the national assembly, the NDDC and the general public.
          We are the peoples’ assembly and through the leadership of Elder Samuel Ikon transparency will be brought to bear and people of Akwa Ibom State will be availed that report.

Q: Finally Sir, the Akwa State House of Assembly is on a very long recess and perhaps it is timely for sate representatives to visit their constituents. How do you intend to spend the yuletide with those who sent you to the State House of Assembly?

A: I owe them a duty to hold a constituency briefing to tell them all about what they sent me to do. I also owe them a duty to account for my stewardship by way of empowerment and I’m sure that will be done on before 30th of this month (December).

And when I do that I’ll call the press to come and witness it. You saw what my colleague; Barrister Onofiok Luke did in Nsit Ubium. He made them know that sending a young man to such a position is the best thing that can happen to any community.

Q: I must thank you for your time and frank explanation of issues.

A: You are welcome. I again commend your investigative touch to journalism. If all journalists were like you the state would be better for it. 

Darl writes . . .: Reverse Relay

Darl writes . . .: Reverse Relay

I was sleeping under the short Mango tree, when i heard the barking sound of dogs, i thought i was dreaming only to realize that it was reality when the dogs sniffed my legs. I woke up only to see two fierce looking dogs, i can't recall their breed, but they looked like wolves. They barked the sleep out of my eyes. I shivered like a pepper thief being fed with a basket full of red spicy pepper, i stood up to run, one of the dog got hold of my New School Nicka and it torned. I ran as fast as my legs could take me, fortunately, i ran straight into the school compound, i did not care to look back and see if they dogs were still chasing me; instead, i ran into the fragile hands of the compound master, behind him was a "crowd of slaves", as latecomers were called- a situation i disliked with passion- lateness. I would not have been late, if not for the incident that occured in school the previous day. I slept under the Mango tree in order to avoid being beaten by the principal as the assembly ground, but unfortunately, my punishment was still intact. I was directed to join the 'legions' my classmates that were perpetual latecomers. Visitors were always amused when they see the legions coming to school. They do not come in indian file, instead, they come like herds- full squad- both boys and girls. When i knelt down with them, hell broke loose, i was knocked simultaneously from unseen hands. All this while, i had forgotten my torned Nicka, my mind harboured in the jungle of thought, navigating through the sack finding the right punishment for me, untill i heard a hand go into the hole made by the teeth of the dog, i turned and found out that the class bully Abel Nwachucku whom we called "CAIN" because of his boisterous acts was the initiator of the embarrassment, i tried to release his noisy hands silently only to inflame the dirty rubbing from him. I thought of what to do in order for him to leave me alone but to no avail. When the compound master came closer, i shouted: " Abel! Abel, you've torned my new Nicka!" i started hitting him in order to make my allegations credible. "what is happening here?" Mr. Wazobiadi our compound master asked. "Nothing" Cain tried to cover up, but i disagreed. "Sir, he torned my Nicka" i lied in order to aviod the embarrassment. "But this is khaki, how can it tear easily?" the fierced looking compound master asked. "Sir, i heard a sharp piercing sound, i don't know what he used in tearing my nicka" i replied angrily. "Stand up" Mr. Wazobiadi ordered me. I stood up, my heart was beating faster than the flow of my blood, i did not know why it ran so fast, it almost came out of my skin if not for the support i gave it with my hands. "Young man, this looks like a bite..." he shouted out "That means Abel used his teeth to tear my nicka" i said immediately, looking briefly at Abel(Cain) Abel could not bear my wordings again, so he rose up and shouted "It is a lie sir, i saw the space on his nicka and i fitted my hands into it" He was slapped with the cane for fitting his hands into my yash. "No sir, he's lying, he torned my nicka and fitted his hands into it" i argued on. I would not have lied to that extent, if not for the sake that he was a bully. I had to put a trouble on his head so as to shut him up. I wanted someone to pay for my torned Nicka, it i wanted him to be the one. I was afraid of mama, she promised me that if i spoil my shoes she would me the welder on the next street to weld a shoe for me. How would it sound hearing 'bang, clang, bang, clang' when i walk to school?. The compound Master dragged us to the staff room, i was ridiculed by the lazy teachers hovering around grapevines or spreading rumours that had no foundation. We were flogged black and blue by the compound master and we left, i left with my torned Nicka, without getting money for a new one or money for amendment. I went home to get the wrath of mama. Excerpts from: My New School Nicka~ Ekemini Joseph