Up MAN U!

At least I can join the MAN U fans to say 'UP MAN U! 

The final match of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League, which was between CHELSEA FC and MANCHESTER UNITED FC was played last night. The match which lasted over 3 HOURS ended in penalty shoot outs in which Manchester United FC came out tops 6-5. This is very interesting! 

Although I am not a football fanatic, I can identify some players and or the teams they play for. I just watch the game (if I have to) for mere entertainment. However, when there is a National match I watch a little and then do something else, so as not to have a blood pressure. Watching a live football tournament is like watching a thriller because you are always at the edge of your chair (at least if you are sitting). 

Yesterday, there were several parades by the Nigerian chapter of the various fan clubs, particularly the fans of CHELSEA FC. While the match lasted I heard the shouts, the screams, the jeers and the cheers of the fan club members (Nigeria Chapter) from the nearby viewing center. They were even chanting fans songs. Talk about solidarity! 

The first 90 minutes of the match resulted in a draw. Thereafter the teams played again for another 30 minutes and still no winner! After 120 minutes and no winner, it was then a case of who will score the most goals during the penalty shoot out! At this point, hubby kept pacing between the sitting room and the bedroom. (Tension don grip am!). 

Both teams played VERY well. It was a great game!

Hide and Seek Game finally over!

. . . and Aunty Iyabo emerges!
Monday 19/05/08 marked the ‘official’ end to the ‘hide and seek’ drama between the embattled Senator, Dr. (Mrs.) Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello and the EFCC. She reappeared in order to avoid the issuance of a bench warrant for her arrest by the court. Smart move.

While dismissing an earlier application by Obasanjo-Bello challenging the competence of the charges against her Justice Salisu Garuba held thus:
"it is not right for an accused person to stay at home and ask her counsel to represent her in court. I dismiss the application by the 12th accused person that she should not be molested, abused or arrested by security agents. Accordingly, I hold that the preliminary objection by the 12th accused person is incompetent and it is hereby dismissed."

Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello had earlier filed an application asking the Court for an order that she should not be molested, abused and arrested by the EFCC. There was also a Preliminary Objection challenging the jurisdiction of the Court to try her! (If the Court lacks jurisdiction why then was she asking the Court to protect her from the security agents?)

In his Ruling, Justice Garba ruled that the application filed by Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello asking the Court to quash the charges against her on the grounds that the court lacked the jurisdiction to try her (Obasanjo-Bello), was incompetent. The judge said, “It is wrong for an accused person to stay at home and ask her counsel to represent her before the court. Consequently the preliminary objection was dismissed. The Court also dismissed her Preliminary Objection on the ground that it was incompetent.

The order for her to appear before the court on May 21 was however set aside when the court was informed of her presence in court.

Aunty Iyabo was put in the dock and her 2 count charge was read to her. Of course she pleaded not guilty to all charges. Having taken her plea, her Lawyer moved an oral application for her bail.

In his argument, Counsel for the 12th accused (Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello) prayed the Court to grant his client bail based on the fact that the other accused persons are already on bail, and as such the discretion of the court should also be extended to his client. He went on to add that the court should also take into cognisance, the fact that his client is a medical practitioner, a Senator and the first daughter of a former President of this country. Counsel for Obasanjo-Bello concluded his argument by urging the court to grant the 12th accused person bail on personal recognition.

The EFCC Counsel opposed the oral application for bail on the following grounds:

1. Given the ugly antecedents of this case, there are some facts that the complainant would want to bring in respect of the 12th accused person.
2. The court had earlier directed that the 11 other accused persons should come formally for bail, and they obeyed that order and today they are on bail.

The EFCC Counsel added that the fact that she is a medical practitioner, a senator and the first daughter of a former President are not relevant here. (Very correct!)

After hearing the arguments by both Counsels, the trial judge, Justice Salisu Garuba then adjourned the matter till 11am for ruling on the bail application.

… she wept
Just before the Judge came out of his chambers to deliver his ruling, Mr. Akomolafe told his Client that she was not likely to be admitted to bail. This made Senator Obasanjo-Bello cry!

The Ruling
In his ruling, the Judge refused the oral application for bail on the reasoning that to accede to the oral application after having refused those of the other 11 accused in the past would amount to "double standard." The Court then ordered that the application for bail should be in written form and on notice.

The EFCC counsel, asked the court to remand the Senator at Kuje Prison. Mr. Akomolafe opposed this and told the court not to remand her either at the prison or at EFCC custody because the operatives of the commission had already threatened to deal with her. This threat, according to Mr. Akomolafe was issued on the day the EFCC raided the Senator’s house.

After hearing Counsel for Obasanjo-Bello, Justice Garuba then ordered that the Senator should be remanded at the Maitama Police Station pending the hearing of the written application for bail which will be taken on Wednesday the 21st day of May 2008.

Aunty Iyabo would be a ‘guest’ in the Maitama Police Station for two nights. The medicine does taste bitter eh!

Counsel for the accused Senator told journalists after proceedings that the reason his client came out of hiding to present herself to the Court is because she thought of the other accused persons. Talk about ‘appropriate timing!’ Hello! Who are they deceiving? If she was really thinking about the other accused persons why did she go into hiding?

The Wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-yearold grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table.

But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."


So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl!

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you aking?"Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up."

The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive. They observe ALL with their eyes. They hear ALL with their ears. They are good listeners. Their minds are sponge . . . always ready to absorb ALL. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives.

Lets bring our Children up the RIGHT way.

Love

I was reading through my emails and I thought I should share the story below with every one through my blog. It is very possible that this story has been over circulated, but I would like to read your views on this.

After 21 years of marriage, John's wife (Mary) wanted him to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. Mary said "I love you but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you".

The other woman that Mary wanted John to visit was his MOTHER! John's mother had been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of his work and his three children had made it possible for him to visit her only occasionally.

That night John called to invite his Mother to go out for dinner and a movie. "What's wrong, are you well," his Mother asked? John's mother, (like most mothers) is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

"I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," John responded. "Just the two of us." She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much."

That Friday after work, as John drove over to pick her up he was a bit nervous. When he arrived at her house, he noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about their date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's.

"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed, "she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting". John took his mother to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. His mother took his arm as if she were the First Lady.

After they sat down, John had to read the menu. His mother could only read large print. Half way through the entries, John lifted his eyes and saw his Mom sitting there staring at him. A nostalgic smile was on her lips.

"It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said. "Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," John responded. During the dinner, they had an agreeable conversation - nothing extraordinary, but catching up on recent events of each other's life. They talked so much that they missed the movie. As they arrived at his mother's house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." He agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked John's wife when he got home."Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," he answered.

A few days later, John's mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that he didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, he received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place he and his mother had dined. An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."

At that moment, John understood the importance of saying in time: "I LOVE YOU!" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve.

Nothing in life is more important than God and your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time."