Happy Birthday Fab!

orn after him. While he was boasting about that in class, Fab asked him, "when were you born?" and he replied 14th January, Fab then told him, "you see, I was born before you because I was born on 12th!" So since that day, I don't forget 12th and 14h January.

I started knowing my friend Fabian from our days at our Church's Vocational Bible School which normally take place during Long Vacations. Later he disappeared from us and went to ASTEC for his Secondary Education. He later came back from ASTEC and joined us in our school where a big part of our childhood was shaped together. We used to see each other almost everyday of the week (weekdays in school, Saturday in Church and Sunday for Pathfinder Club Meetings) with so much visits to eache other and those memories are always there with me.

Fab was one of the best Football players we had in our set in those days, He and Kedy were among the highest Goal Scorers (I didn't score any Goals because I and my twin brother were the best sort after Goalkeepers then). During Utuaka days (General beating) Fab, Man and Chisom including Chinaka and some other guys were the biggest threats as they could make the entire JSS 3 class descend on you by just shouting and pointing at you. I'm laughing so hard as I write this now, those days, you just have to stay away from these guys after Devotion or during break period to avoid some general beating, my friend that will celebrate his birthday on 14th received a huge part of these beatings and he was so strong to carry it, I mean very strong because after passing through that experience once, I never prayed for such again, it was terrible, but those were some of the things that made our childhood days cool.

Fab was present at my Matriculation on 12th June 2004 and that created a huge impression for me. My Twin brother won't forget his presence during his Swearing-in too.

My friendship with Fab did not end in Church and School, it also got home. Our Mum and his Mum knew us as brothers rather than friends. Fab's Mum doesn't play with us. Whenever we visit, she would always take good care of us, during University days (since we didn't attend the same School), whenever she sees us (my twin brother and I), she'll ask us the last time we communicated with our brother and how he was doing. She never played with us, always took us as her own Children. The last time I saw her last year, while we were talking, she even told me it would be wonderful if we and our brother married the same time. I wept within and without when heard the news of her death last year, it was a painful feeling. While walking down to their place in the village a day before day burial, I was pained because I never visited their village when Fab's mum was alive, she would've been so happy to see me around. I'm sorry if this part will cause some pain to my friend, but I can't mention our friendship without mentioning his wonderful Mum who took me, my twin brother and our other friends as her own Children.

I've been to Babcock University just once (in 2007), and Fab's graduation was one of the things that took me there, I can remember sleeping in his room that Saturday night before the graduation and enjoying some granula served from their canteen the next morning.

For our class mates from Secondary school, don't be surprised when you meet Fab now, he's no more that Fab of Utuaka days, he's now cool, quite and the way he thinks and the things he says, you can only but see the glaring differences hehehe, I told him Babcock changed his life but he told me it was actually the religious books he has been reading and his close relationship with God in recent times.

Today, the Lord has added a year to Fab's life, Glory be to His name! May He continue to bless my friend with testimonies in Jesus name amen.

Happy Birthday Fab Man.

Meet Dr. Obinna Andy Ebere According to @Elexharry

Though we were actually from the same Fellowship, My first meeting with Andie was not in the Fellowship but in my room. He just got admitted then and I was in fourth year (06/07), he came to visit my room mate (Kaycee who was also in 100 level), they had a General Course together (Physics practical) and Andie was rallying from room to room to get guys together so they can confront and correct the lecturer who he believed was not making out time for them. This cause he was rallying for, defines a big part of him, he always wants to see things move in the direction he deemed right, he does anything possible within his powers to control things to his taste.

I've known Andie for close to 7 years now (2007-2014) and all through these years, I've come to admire this young man in so many ways, one of such is his pragmatic stance to issues; though he is a Christian who believes in faith in God, he will work as if it all depends on him and still pray knowing it depends on God. We've worked together at different times and in different positions; I can remember When I was the Fellowship P.R.O. and he was Sabbath School Superindent, I enjoyed working with him because he would always get his programs ready at the time I want it so I can produce the Fellowship bulletin without hitches. Also when I was the Fellowship President and he was the Chairman of the Evangelism Committee, not withstanding that he lost his Dad at that time, he also added his quota to the onward movement of God's work. There were other instances too that would be too much to be contained in this write up.

We also served in the same leadership catergories in the fellowship; I handed over to him as the The Fellowship President and as the Prayer Band Coodinator respectively.

I won't forget to add that He was also a HYPERJACKER! Andie can read for the whole of Africa! Yes! it's that serious! He's always in a hurry to rush back to class and continue with his books, yes he's a lover of knowledge, I can testify to that. From an angle too, if you misunderstand his pragmatic and realistic attitude, and his habit of saying it the way it is, you might see it that he is boasting because he's just plain with issues with no strings attached. Of course, we were once room mates for some weeks before I packed out of the Fellowship Secretariate after handing over to him. SDAH 537 (He Leadeth Me) was the hymn I heard him sing the most, he prefers singing it in Igbo.

I feel it would be incomplete for me to write about Andie without mentioning Armstrong Anonaba. Armstrong is one of his closest friends in school, they share a lot together...

I call him Andie! You can also call him "Andy Baba" as Chybez Ohiara and Armstrong always call him.

He's also an Evangelist and a Preacher. Andie loves working for God with his skills, talent, profession, and anything he could lay hold of. That could be seen from His involvement with Behold He Cometh Evangelistic Team, ALIVE Nigeria and other organisations that propagates the Gospel.

Few Wash Hands Properly, Study FindsHow Well Do You Wash Your Hands?

By NICHOLAS BAKALAR

Did you wash your hands properly after you used the toilet? Probably not, a new study suggests.

Researchers discreetly watched 3,749 people, 60 percent of them women, after they used public toilets in a Michigan college town. Over all, 10.3 percent did not wash their hands at all, and 22.8 percent used no soap. The remainder did use soap, but only 5.3 percent washed for longer than 15 seconds, soap or no soap. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, proper washing means rubbing vigorously with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Men did worse than women — almost 15 percent of them did not wash at all, compared with 7.1 percent of women. People were more likely to wash their hands properly if there were motion-detection faucets, a clean sink or a sign encouraging the practice.

The authors acknowledge that the presence of even discreet observers could have affected behavior, probably encouraging more hand washing. The study appeared in The Journal of Environmental Health.

“Forty-eight million people a year get sick from contaminated food,” said the lead author, Carl P. Borchgrevink, an associate professor at Michigan State University, “and the C.D.C. says 50 percent would not have gotten sick if people had washed their hands properly. Do as your mom said: Wash your hands.”

New York Times.

BEHIND THE SCENES-Lessons from the making. Dare to be a Job!

Whatever you do, don't forget that you may just be at the brighter side of an "Almaco" window pane; God could be at d darker side you know!...And you know what, to you inside, it looks like an opaque mirror but from the dark outside, it's a very clear transparent piece of Glass!

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The cameras were set, sound was ok, no editing no director, just as raw as it was!Remember if he fails, you'll loose your championship to the devil (and come to think of it, you've never lost a bet!) God must have thought! But hey, you don't dare touch his life were God's instruction to him!

Little did Job know he was in the raw scenes of a REALITY TV SHOW in a theatre in Heaven watched by God, host of Angels and probablly, the very deviltempting him!

God had a bet on Job's allegiance and faithfulness to Him with the devil! He was sooooo sure He wont loose!

That's the way he comes -Just eat the apple, just bow down a little, just curse God... You'll not surely die(meaning: it's not that you'll die just like He makes it look. ok I just took it, did I die?) Just, just, just, as if it were that negligible and insignificant!

I can imagine the standing ovation the theatre gave after the last scenes of the show! Of course, he left; I mean the devil- sooooo disappointed!

Can God have a bet on me with the devil or will He just say to the devil " Don't just stress yourself, I know he's yours, call out another christain" or "I don't wish to mess up my records; I've never lost before and don't wish to do now" or even "hey satan, I don't play no dice, no probabilities just certainty or nothing"

I hate it when devil says to God "I said it, didn't I? It's just because of the wealth and blessings you gave him/her!"

When I see Job upstairs, I'll kiss him strongly on the Face and I'll say "here is a Golden pen (given to me by God himself) and paper; could you please sign me your Autograph? And He'll say "hey buddy, we're all Celebrities up here! Do you really need this?"

I want to be like the Bible Job he was perfect and upright in the sight of God!

Its no fairy tale, it's real!

I can be like he was through Christ who strengthens me!

I believe in Perfectionism!

Now you've said all these, pray to God to help you Nothing could be more pleasurable for Him!

Dare to be a Job!

Elvis Chidi-Ezeama
@Elvischido

CHILDREN ARE WHAT THEY LIVE WITH

Nneoma Chuku (@duchess153)

As parents and adults who take care of children, we often might not realise how far our actions or inactions affect these little ones and even who they become in future. I hope you find this piece enlightening.

If a child lives with criticism,
He learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility,
He learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule,
He learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame,
He learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance,
He learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement,
He learns to have confidence.

If a child lives with praise,
He learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness,
He learns justice

If a child lives with security,
He learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval,
He learns to like himself

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
He learns to find love in the world.

You can follow the contributor on twitter - @duchess153

14th May!

Whenever I look at the Calender and see May, my heart always skip a bit. Whenever I see 14th May, my heart skips twice and I become excited. When I come to think about this, I remember that this is a day that stands out among other days in my life. I like this day so much that I look forward for it to come around. It only comes around once in every Twelve months.

This day holds many things in my life; It brings to my mind to a day, my mum went to the hospital around mid-day and gave birth to me and my twin brother. That day, when I came out, I cried(I'm sure I did) may be I did, it was not my fault, if it was now, I would have known how to control my self; I hope you got what i meant? After the crying, other things followed.

Another thing significant with this day is that whenever it comes around, I will be older than I was before. Can't you see, this was the day that told my parents that I'm old enough to start going to school, if not for God, this day wouldn't have been there and if not for this day I wouldn't have been in school(I'm I sure?). it is also this particular day I'm talking about that will tell me when I will graduate from being a teenager to an adult.

Buddie, 14th May has never disappointed me in life, it always come around for me once every year. There is never a year it doesn't come around because it is not 28th February which only comes around once in four years! It was on this day that I came into this world; You know without God, 14th May would not have been in existence and it wouldn't come around for me each passing year, that's the reason I say may all glory and hounour be to God in Jesus name Amen.

It is 14th May that will tell me when I should get married. By the grace of God, I will be alive to see this day come again in my life, the day is fast approaching like the seasons. This day is a day that makes much impact im my life, it is a day i will never forget.

Written in May 2002
@Elexharry

FROM THE ARCHIVES FOR THE PRESENT DAY

Nneoma Chuku ( @duchess153 )

Few weeks ago, I came across this write up in my archives. It was written on one of the frames we had at home growing up which I really can’t tell where it is at the moment. Anyway, I loved it so much as I child that I wrote it down in my book of poetry. Reading through the piece brought back such pleasant memories and nostalgia, that I thought to share it.

In a society, fast loosing so many values, either because they are not being taught or being ignored. This might serve as a reminder to us of values once cherished.

As a parent or older sibling, you might find this as interesting as I did. I hope u enjoy this piece.

LETTER FROM ABRAHAM LINCOLN TO HIS SON’S TEACHER

He will have to learn, I know; that all men are not just, all men are not true, but

Teach him that for every scoundrel, there’s a hero; that for every politician, there’s a dedicated leader

Teach him that for every enemy, there’s a friend

Teach him that a dollar earned is of far more value than five dollars found

Teach him to learn to lose and also enjoy winning; steer him away from envy if you can

Teach him the secret of quiet laughter

Teach him to enjoy the quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, flowers on a green hillside

In school, teach him that it is far honourable to fail than to cheat.

Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him that they are wrong

Teach him to be gentle with gentle people, tough with tough people

Try to give him the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the band wagon

Teach him to listen to all men but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through

Teach him how to laugh when he is sad

Teach him that there is no shame in tears

Teach him to close his ears to howling mob; and to stand nd fight if he thinks he is right

Teach him gently but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel

Let him have the courage to be impatient, let him have the patience to be brave

Teach him to always have faith in his creator and and faith in himself too because then he will always have faith in mankind

This is a big order, but please see what you can do. He is such a fine little fellow, my son

Abraham Lincoln