Do you think the Nigeria Police Force is reformable (2)


I posted the first article on this subject on the 10th of August 2006. That’s over a year ago. At the time, I did not know that I would post a second and maybe a third article on the same topic. This post was actually triggered by an incidence that occurred around the Christmas season.

I was traveling by road within the country (Naija) with my Husband and we met a lot of Police "check points" on the road (as usual). We got to a particular point where the policeman who was supposed to check the vehicle particulars, drivers license and the insurance stopped us to check all our documents, he checked all the papers, returned them to us except for the drivers license and then he said, "Oga, do Christmas for us now." Well, since "doing Christmas" for people should be an act of free will, we said we were not doing Christmas for him so, he held on to the driver's license and refused to release it. At this point, it was already getting a bit late and we still had some way to go. The "Police Officer" could not be bothered that the roads were bad and unsafe to be drive on particularly at night, he was just concerned about us "doing Christmas" for him. Unknown to us, he had told his "Oga" - Superior that the papers of the car were not complete. He stopped a lot of other cars after us and told them to do Christmas too. We found out that the Police Officer is still a student in a Higher Institution of learning (assuming he was telling the truth to one of the numerous people he stopped)

When we had spent the greater part of an hour at their check point and it was getting dark, the guy's superior told him to give us the driver's license and that we could go. His name? - "Ojo Olayinka"

The incidence reminded of occurrences that people had gisted me about, articles I had read in the newspapers and of the article I had written over a year ago. All these brought waves of doubt to my heart. It made me wonder if the Nigeria Police is reformable... It made me wonder if I am right to be a staunch believer in the new Nigeria. But then, I decided that it would not be wise to allow my faith to be shaken, I reiterated my believe in Nigeria. I still believe in a new Nigeria. I believe that in spite of the efforts of a lot of people in authority the Police, the Government and even the society at large to dash my hopes and beliefs, I believe that a time is coming when people in authority like Officer Ojo Olayinka will realize that doing Christmas for a fellow human is by choice and not by force. That it’s not to be done under duress. I believe that a time will come when Police officers will ride brand new cars and live in fantastic houses. I believe a time will come when the Police will be respected as an authority not because they have guns but because they are doing what they ought to do. I believe a time will come when it will be an insult to offer a Police Man in Nigeria bribe because he will be too well paid and his mentality will not be that of a poor man, his mentality will not be that of a needy person, his mentality will not be that of a victim of circumstance but his mentality will be that of an office holder who has being entrusted with authority and the safety of lives and property of the people of the nation within his jurisdiction. I am a firm believer in a New Nigeria and I believe that we will get there in my life time.

Ever heard of Seychelles (2)!!?

On one of the days, we visited a "boat house" - Nautica. A man and his crew makes boats(ships - as some will call them), the boats are actually made from the original designs, they are just smaller. They were so magnificient. You also get a history of whichever boat you purchase. We purchased a number of boats with fascinating histories. One of the boats discovered new land. - Got where no other boat had ever gotten. It history was really striking. If you go to Seychelles, its a place worth looking for. You wont regret it. - A picture of one of the magnificient boats is attached.

We also saw the works of great artists and sculptors. It was a very wonderful experience, if you are looking for a quiet, clean, beautiful place to go on a holiday, - try Seychelles. If you know how to snockle, it will be the mother of holidays.

I am looking forward to a holiday in another lovely place. Do you know of a lovely holiday location? Please leave a comment.

Ever heard of Seychelles (1)!!?

Thats where the honeymoon took place. Its a wonderful Island in the Indian Ocean, they say its in Africa but honestly, its just in the middle of the Ocean.

On arrival at the Airport, my husband and I were the only blacks there and we were singled out for due inspection of our passports, Monies and Accommodation arangements. On asking if we were singled out because we are black, we were promptly answered in the affirmative and to compound issues was the fact that we are "Nigerians". Nigerians are perceived as fraudulent people who seek to con anybody they come across/ who come across them. (I am glad to inform you that this is the era of a new Nigeria - I strongly beleive in a new Nigeria, A Nigeria where corruption is a thing of the past to be punished and looked down on, a Nigeria where all the ammenities work, a Nigeria where doing the right thing is not only in fashion/ vogue but where it has come to stay - More to come on the New Nigeria in my subsequent posts - "A digression")

On confirming that our papers and monies were real, we were allowed to book some cruises and plan things to do and places to go. We got onto the Island.
From the next day, we started looking round the Island and found out it was such a lovely place. The waters are blue, the skies are blue, some of the scenes were like things I could only have seen in a picture. I appreciated nature and the work of God's hands - A picture is attached

I saw an Octopus on one of the days we went to the beach :-)

Waoh!!!!!!! I got married!

I’ve not blogged in ages and I wonder where to start / continue from.
I have not posted anything since I got married.
Yeah!!! I got married to a wonderful, loving, adorable, God fearing man (All in one wrap). I could not have asked for more. I am truly blessed indeed.
I would continue my series on the battle of the sexes the last week of the year/ early next year. Meanwhile, I will share one wedding picture or two.