OBSERVER'S CORNER

We are the children of Easter; our song is Alleluia! As Christians around the world celebrated the birth of Christ at Christmas, we rejoiced in the passion and resurrection of our Savior at Easter. The joy that filled the earth on this special day was truly infectious. I was overwhelmed with joy during the Holy Saturday vigil. The happiness on the faces of the people around me reaffirmed my belief that salvation is found in Christ. The energy in the air was electric, unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I watched as people danced with abandon, something I had never seen at any other church. The atmosphere was so profound that I was tempted to join in, but my lack of dancing skills held me back. However, I couldn't help but feel the excitement and joy that filled the room. After forty days without singing Alleluia, I realized how much it meant to the Catholics in attendance. It was like going a week without your favorite meal - unimaginable. I understood their thirst for t...

One of the most important lessons I've learned from my older brother is the value of giving freely. Looking back, I can't help but cringe at all the trouble I caused him growing up, both at school and at home. Despite all that, he never stopped loving me and sharing what he had. I recently heard a story from a friend that stuck with me. She mentioned how a single act of kindness she did for someone in need ended up bringing her unexpected blessings. Even though she had forgotten about it, that good deed came back to her when she was struggling to find a job after finishing her MPhil program. She shared how she applied for a job and was about to go in for an interview when she ran into a senior manager who remembered her act of charity from years ago. He credited that moment with inspiring him to reach the success he had achieved. To her surprise, the interview was canceled, and she was offered the job on the spot. It just goes to show that being generous and kind can truly make...

Poem by: Stephen Henry Mawuena Quist Life fleeting towards night and every year is an Olympic of the mind I would have done right but wrong conquers every time I postponed with a heavy sigh  the restoration of my soul’s blind But procrastination abides as it puts my vision behind Go make a mirth but for me, I lack a reason to be buoyed up. Yet I am the happiest person (eudemenia) behind this forlorn. I have achieved nothing except that which I longed Even that the Lamb did which explains my broken horn Another wolf who follows a Lamb Caricatured in cream fur but refusing the lamb’s plan My stomach hurts if I stay carnivorous but if I don’t I feel numb Numb to a destination I thirst since for that place I am not a fan But from my experience anything I yearn, loving it after I can’t. I am fleeting toward yonder  Broken already from home so even a manager isn't a meager  To the city in my mind’s picture I don’t expect lights and fireworks on my arrival  Purge me with no...

There are so many people out there that I look up to, even though I've never actually met them in person. Their passion for what they do always motivates me to believe that there's still hope in the world. They put in so much effort to make a difference in the lives of those around them. And let me tell you, the people I follow online always give me that extra push to get back to school because of how amazing they are. One of these incredible individuals is a guy who goes by the name of the 21st-century teacher, Sir Don Francis. The few times I've chatted with him online, I could see that he truly believes in making a positive impact on society with love. He's a real go-getter who's dedicated to ensuring that the kids he interacts with, both in school and at home, have something to smile about. He covers everything from health to education. The 21st-century teacher has taught me that love should always be at the forefront, no matter what. He's shown me that if y...

While wandering the vibrant streets of Soweto, I unexpectedly ran into a dear friend from our humble beginnings at basic school. To my absolute amazement, he had achieved great success in life, and my heart swelled with joy. I vividly recalled the days when he was mocked by those more affluent than us. The immense happiness I felt that day was overwhelming, and I couldn't contain my excitement as I embraced him, showering him with words of encouragement and well wishes. Curious about the source of his newfound wealth, I discovered that he had invested in his education and used the little money he had to dabble in the stock market. He shared stories of the hardships he endured to keep his business afloat, and it dawned on me that the downfall of a man can be the catalyst for even greater things with unwavering determination. Our acquaintances were taken aback by his continued humility despite his success. Through our interactions, I learned a valuable lesson that I intend to carry w...

By: Paul Tengyang It was during the time she wanted to add intellectual substance to her Womanhood that the battle line was drawn. On her way to say hello to her family and friends during one of the days of her pursuit of knowledge and intellectual expeditions she had to fight the unwavering war. Surrendered by her opponents who have already devastated nations, she was unmoved by their intimidations. Upon series of torture and brutalities, she endured the pains and sufferings that blasted her bones and marrow like a bomb of fire in her brain. Without saying a word, she remained calm. Having been the first to be attacked among her co-preys, she received the hardest and strongest afflictions.  The only point she resisted was when her pride as a woman was to be tempered with. She preferred to die than to see herself being defiled. She begged her opponents to shoot her rather than sell her pride to save her life. With a gunpoint on her breast and with the opponent's finger on the trigg...

As my thoughts began to settle on the truth I had uncovered, a harsh reality dawned on me - it was far worse than I had initially believed. The sights before me elicited a deep, guttural exclamation of "Eii, Africa!" I bore witness to an Africa ravaged by civil wars, a sight that brought tears of anguish to my eyes. The Congo, once a land graced by Lumumba's vision, now lay in ruins, stripped of its beauty and agricultural abundance. The mere thought of exploring the potential of the Congo basin to nourish the world filled me with dread. Recollections of my visit to the majestic pyramids of Egypt flooded my mind, a time when I reveled in the wonders of Africa. Yet, the stark reality of the present loomed large - I couldn't even journey to Abuja and remain for 120 days without burdensome documentation. The pervasive corruption that plagues my homeland only served to deepen my despair. It pains me to acknowledge that I was born into a continent where the splendor of cre...