Nobody forced me into Islam, Charity Uzoechina

MINNA-MISS Charity Uzoechina, who still lives in the palace of Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, after converting to Islam, has finally broken her silence. She called on Nigerians to leave her alone to practice the religion of her choice. In a telephone conversation with Vanguard yesterday, Charity insisted that nobody forced her into the religion and that she should be left alone. She said: "I did it on my own. Nobody forced or enticed me to become a Muslim. I converted to Islam on my own. Am I the first to convert to Islam in Nigeria? So what is it?" Her father, Pastor Raymond Uzoechina, had earlier said that Charity was abducted and hypnotised to say and do what she was doing. He challenged the Nupe to produce Charity in court for cross-examination by his lawyer. However, Charity said: "I know people are influencing my father and I am praying for him and other members of my family to know that this is the right religion." On whether or not she would go home with her father if eventually the rift was settled, Charity, who has changed her name to Aisha, insisted that she was not interested in going back home with her father. She said: "I am not going back to my father because of his actions in recent times. He has been threatening me and at my age (25), I am free to practice any religion of my choice and so, I should be left to decide. "If I want to sue him to court, I can at this my age because it is my right to practice any religion I want." Niger CAN intervenes Meanwhile, Niger State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has waded into matter and hoped that the issue would be resolved out of court before the August 1 date for ruling on the appeal filed by Pastor Uzoechina on the earlier ruling of the Sharia, granting the palace custody of Charity. Niger State CAN Chairman, Rev. Musa Dada, told Vanguard that CAN had visited the Etsu Nupe's palace along with other CAN officials from Abuja officially on the matter and that plans were on to settle the case out of court. Rev. Dada, who was reluctant to discuss the issue in details, simply said: "We have met with the Etsu Nupe and other stake holders involved at the Etsu's palace and we have made progress. "I can assure you that probably before the August 1 (Thursday) date, when the case is expected to come up at the Sharia Court, Bida, something positive is likely to come out which will put an end to the rift."

2015: Politicians want to distract me - President Jonathan

The President Monday said politicians who are desperate about power want to distract him from delivering on the mandate given to him by Nigerians to move the country to a greater level because of their ambition in 2015. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati who state this while appearing on a Ray Power Radio Programme monitored in Abuja noted that the president has consistently state that he is determined to deliver on the mandate given to him by Nigerians and will not allow himself to be distracted the campaign for 2015. President Goodluck Jonathan According to Dr Abati, ' the President has never at any time discussed 2015. He has never at any time say this is his position on 2015. His position has been consistent and straight forward and that has been the president saying look let's focus on governance. 'If the Nigerian people have given you an assignment it is your assignment to deliver and move the country forward, that is what we want to focus on. And that was the statement about the mid term report that was publicly presented. Two years down the line the President presented to the Nigerian people scorecard of what he has been able to do. He said I took over and now two years down the line I have moved the country forward, this is the evidence. Nobody has been able to dispute the evidence.

A FATHER'S RULE FOR FINDING FULFILLMENT

1. Be courteous, be punctual, always say please and thank you, and be sure to hold your knife and fork properly. Others take their cue on how to treat you from your manners.

2. Be kind, considerate and compassionate when others are in trouble, even if you have problems of your own. Others will admire your selflessness and will help you in due course.

3. Show moral courage. Do what is right, even if that makes you unpopular. I always thought it important to be able to look at myself in the shaving mirror every morning and not feel guilty or remorse. I depart this world with a pretty clear conscience.

4. Show humility. Stand your ground and pause to reflection what the others are saying, and back off if you know that you are wrong. Never worry about losing face. That only happens if you are pig-headed.

5. Learn from your mistakes. You will make plenty so use them as a learning tool. If you keep making the same mistake or run into a problem, you're doing something wrong.

6. Avoid disparaging someone to a third party; it is only you who will look bad. If you have a problem with someone, tell them face to face.

7. Hold fire! if someone crosses you, don't react immediately. Once you say something it cannot be taken back, and most people deserve a second chance.

8. Have fun. If this involves taking risks, so be it. If you get caught hold your hands up.

9. Give to charity and help those who are less fortunate than you: It's easy and also rewarding.

10. Always look on the up-side! The glass is half full, never half empty. Every adversity has a silver lining if you seek it out.

11. Make it your instinct always to say 'yes'. Look for reasons to do something, not reasons to say 'no'. Your friends will cherish you for that.

12. Always accept a party invitation. You may not want to go, but they want you to be there. Show them courtesy and respect.

13. Be canny: you will get more of what you want if you can give someone more of what they desire. Compromise can be KING.

14. Never ever let a friend down. I will do 'ANYTHING' for my friends. This is why I have chosen them carefully.

15. Always tip for good service. It shows respect. But never reward bad service. Poor service is insulting.

16. Always treat those you meet as your social equal, whether they are above or below your station in life. For those above you show due respect, but be not a sycophant.

17. Always respect age, as age equals wisdom.

18. Be prepared to put the interest of your siblings first.

19. Be proud of who you are and where you come from, but open your mind to other cultures and languages. When you begin to travel you will learn that your place in the world is both vital and insignificant. Don't be too big for your breeches.

20. Be ambitious, but not nakedly so. Be prepared to back your assertions with craftsmanship and hard work.

21. Live everyday to it full: do something that makes you smile or laugh, and avoid procrastination.

22. Give of your best at school or work some teachers and employers forget to give incentives. If your teacher or employer doesn't give you one, devise your own.

23. Look after your body and it will look after you.

24. Learn never to give up. Winners never quit and quitters never win.

25. Always pay the most you can afford. You get what you pay for.

26. Never feel sorry for yourself, or at least don't do it for so long. Crying doesn't make things better.

27. Learn as many languages as you can. This goes a great way in helping you in strange lands.

28. Finally love and cherish your mother, and take good care of her.

DARE TO BE.............

“Dare to Be

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.

When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.

When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.

When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.

When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.

When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.

When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.

When times are tough, dare to be tougher.

When love hurts you, dare to love again.

When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.

When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.

When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.

When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.

When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.

When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.

Dare to be the best you can –

At all times, Dare to be!”

                                 KY. ENAIFOGHE