A MAN AND HIS SLAVES

A MAN AND HIS SLAVES

Bring the chains,

Bring the shackles,

Bring the whips

And bring the slave-masters.

Let them remind us we are slaves.

Slaves!

Not to the whites,

But to our own.

Not in another clime,

But in our own land.

With flutes we sing the song of freedom

But with their gentle whips,

They remind us we are slaves.

Slaves!

Not in deeds, but in policy.

Not in words, but in actions.

Alas!

Our backs are full of marks

Not from past labours

But for recent whips.

And the comrades we sent over the sea

To ease our pains

Have remained behind.

Hmmmmm…

Just when the sun decides to set @ mid-day,

With new Naira note, they whip our backs again

Just to remind us that we’re nothing

Nothing, but slaves.

I cry!

Not because I’m a slave

For being a slave is not new to me.

But because I’m a slave

In my motherland. Not only that,

I’m a slave to whom

We share the same blood.

Good news!!!

They said we are not slaves

But rather, they don’t want to spare the rod.

But go ask them…

Go ask them…

If that was how Mama Africa brought them up.

For a man and his slaves

Equals to a dog and his bone.

2012 (c) Austus Ofmat Nwanne{Mr. Tackle}

This poem is one of the poems in an anthology titled, SUNSET AT MID-DAY: An Anthology of Young Nigerian Poets.

DAD'S PRIVACY

Not that my dad was really after his privacy at all, on the opposite, he likes to have his children around him. But, one thing he doesn't take from any of his children is for us to enter his room without knocking. On different occasions he knocked my little head to ensure the instruction sinks. I can't forget the day he knocked my brother's head because he had entered his room three times that morning without knocking, and the third time, he was knocked really hard.

I also can't forget the day I entered his room without knocking and I didn't get punished for it. Have not been doing well academically, and over and over again he kept telling me I can do better. When my Uncle handed my report card to me, 1/30. I had taken the first position. I ran home to show my dad, and I didn't even care to knock, I just entered his room. Lolzzz...he didn't even remember his rules, he embraced me and kissed me. Another instance was when our dog chased my brother, he ran into my dad's room without knocking, and my dad didn't beat him for entering without knocking too.

The point I'm trying to make here is clear. There are times we enter our father's(GOD) presence with procedures. We knock the door of the Throne of Grace softly and gently. Believe me, that can only work when you are not troubled or over-joyed. But if you are bothered or being chased by whatever, run into God's presence without knocking joor. It's allowed!!!

See You in HIS Presence...

SCRIPT WRITER

Nobody would love to do it, not even you. I could never believe I would do it. Even when I was casted for the role, I just used my faith to believe I would cross the bridge when I get there. The point is, I was casted for a role that required me to cut myself (palm) right there with a blade on the stage (so as to portray how the devil make people inflict pains on themselves). Believe me, it was not an easy decision. Over and over and over again, I wondered who on earth wrote such a script, forgetting that someone would eventually take that role. But, lo and behold, I cut my palm, and it took like a week for it to heal.

Still that same day, there was also a scene that requires me to eat on the stage. Just me alone. And a well fried egg with boiled egg was set before me when we got to that scene. Hmmm mm...you need to see how I devoured the boiled egg with fried yam. Lolz... All I could say was, "God bless who wrote this script"

Funny. Isn't it? But my point here is clear. One actor, two scenes, two different things (Pain and Gain) and two different results. The point is, we are actors and actresses performing the script written by God, and in this script, there would be sometimes you'll get hurt, and there would be sometimes you'll enjoy. But, both makes the script complete. But, many of us only thank God when it gets to that scene we have to enjoy, but murmur when it gets to that scene we have to cut ourselves or get injured. Ooooo!!! That men would learn how to trust and rely on God in all situations.



SHALOM !!!

ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

I love American or British movies, especially those ones that are war movies. The one I love most is SNIPPERS. You need to watch that movie and see how the guy who happens to be the main character is very… Let me hit the nail on the head before you start thinking I want to tell you what the whole movie is all about. If you are familiar with war movies{especially American or British}, you'll agree with me that among the soldiers that go to war, we have people they call "medic". These are soldiers who are in charge of taking care of the wounded right there on the battlefield, and these soldiers are always equipped with both First Aid tools and warfare weapons .

The point is, these people are soldiers, and at the same time workers. Workers because they have the responsibility of taking care of others, and they are also soldiers because they still have to fight for their
survival on the battle ground.

Now, this is where I'm going. All Christians are "medic" soldiers, who are charged with the duty of laboring, working or building with one hand, while they fight with the other hand. This is the exact picture
Nehemiah 4:19 paints. Now, as writers, we are builders and labourers in His vineyard, and while we are writing{building} with one hand, lets equip our other hand with spiritual weapons, with which we would use to fight our way to victory.

SHALOM!!!

DELSU'S CAMPUS TIMES MAGAZINE GOES ONLINE

With what looks like lost hope for Delsuites as they've waited endlessly for a magazine of their own to match and compete with their contemporaries both home and abroad. Different departmental, faculty, and even personal magazines have tried to gain ground for the past few years, but not only were their legs not strong enough, they were not wide enough in terms of coverage and scope, around Delsu and beyond. 


Just recently, before the ongoing ASUU strike, the current Delsu SUG president thought it wise to give Delsu what it takes to compete with her equals - a magazine that covers the 3 campuses of Delsu(Oghara inclusive). Despite the ongoing ASUU strike, the editors charged with the responsibility of producing this magazine have been working round the clock to ensure that Delsuites' hope is not dashed over-board once again. 

With the SUG Information Director( Comr. Akon Fortune) doubling as the Edition Adviser for this unprecedented magazine, Randy Oigiangbe, a Pharmacy student is the Editor-In-Chief, along side other editors whose experiences in this field can not be measured. Not only that, these editors cut across all campuses of Delsu, Oghara campus, Oleh campus, Asaba campus, and the home campus itself, Abraka. 

The Editor-In-Chief, in person of Randy Oigiangbe advised all Delsuites to embrace this great and wonderful development by the present administration, saying in his words, "...join us in this mandate, to publish a world-class publication that we Delsuites would look back to and be proud of."

Click HERE to visit their blog

CAMPUS CELEBRITY

Campus Times Magazine

...an official publication of student union govt Delta State University.

PRESENTS...

Campus Celebrity

1. Are you a sensational singer; a hard core hip pop star; or simply an entertainer?

2. Are you a Super Model; a beauty queen; or simply having d right curves?

3. Are you Bold and confident; Smart and Classic; or simply having Swags?

4. Are you an Orator; a Political Personnel; a motivational speaker; or you are simply having the ability to command crowd?

5. Are you a skillful player of any musical instrument ; game (sport event); or simply Talented? 

or

You are having a special Quality or Character that we've never thought of, but worth writing about?...
... Then, you are a Campus Celebrity, and therefore qualified to Grace a special section in the magazine, " DELSU CELEBRITY ".

We tell the world about you. 

What you do, 

How you do it, 

where you've done it, 

and other relevant information, with sizzling photos of you.

NB: 
1. There'll be an evaluation phase before selection.
2. If you fall in category (no 2 & 3) above, you're also qualified to grace the model page.

For more information and for participation. Contact:

Randy 08038077393 Editor-in-Chief.
Akon 08064071829 Director of Information
Smith 08037888220 Director of Social

MEET THE EDITORS

The following are the editors of Campus Times Magazine selected from different campuses of Delta State University, Abraka.


1.

    Oigiangbe Randy {Editor-in-Chief}

 Oigiangbe Randy is a young Nigerian, a Delsuite and a Pharmacy student. He is the Editor-in-Chief of two different magazines in Delsu, 'Pharm World Magazine(An official publication of Basic Medication Science Student Association, Delta state University, Abraka)' and also 'Bamssa United(An official publication of Basic Medical Science Association}'. He is also the editor of a national magazine, Unity Life Magazine {a publication of inter-tertiary and peace concept}.

Oigiangbe Randy is a writer by passion, a speaker by calling, a pharmaist by profession{B. Pharm in view}, and a go getter by decision. He has featured in AM Express Nigeria Television Authority, ITV, The Guardians Newspaper and other print media houses in Nigeria. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief, Campus Times Magazine.


2.

Austus Ofmat Nwanne {Mr. Tackle}

With just 2 books to his name, and a handful of newspaper and online appearances, Austus Ofmat Nwanne's name has gone farther than his imagination. Coupled with his 2nd position in a national poetry contest last year and a live interview with Inspirational FM some months back, you won't be lying if you say Ofmat has tackled his obstacles. Take it or leave it, he is the CEO of a promising company, TYO Konsult Services, and also, he is a blogger whose blog just got nominated for the Nigeria Blog Award(NBA). Aside that, with his rhythmic style of poetry, he has left his contemporaries no other choice but to name him Master-Of-Rhyme-And-Rhythm. With Mr. Tackle as his cooperate name, Ofmat stands out among his equals as a motivational/inspirational speaker and life coach.


3.

Eruvwavwe Solomon {Doe Wright}

                                   

Eruvwavwe Solomon is a student of the English and Literary Studies department of the Delta State University, Abraka. As a poet, playwright, song writer, orator, he has numerous works to his name. With the pen name, DOE WRIGHT, Solomon, as a promising young writer is making wave among his contemporaries. He is also an activist of man's plight for knowledge, and a disciple of William Wordsworth, and Austus Ofmat Nwanne. Doe Wright has featured in various literary competitions/workshops at different levels and at different genres of literature. On a final note, he's a realist who takes every stride in life, with the blessings of God.




4.
                         Okarigbedi Enoh Judith

 If you call her Judy, you are not far from the truth, as Okarigbedi Enoh Judith hails from Orhoakpor town in Ethiope East Local Government area of Delta state. She is an undergraduate from the department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, Delta State University, Abraka. Also, as one of the authors of the book SUNSET AT MID-DAY: An Anthology of Young Nigerian Poets, her flare for writing has made her write several unpublished books in all the genres of literature; poetry being her major specialization. As a matter of fact, she is currently working on a poetry concert which would help restore literary creativity among her equals and beyond.




5.                                                Ogaga James Ejabefio

 A young Nigerian student of Delta State University who is currently in his final year studying Accounting under the faculty of Management Sciences of Delta State University (Asaba Campus). He is commonly known with corporate dressing, and at that, some people call him "Jtrust". As a young and optimistic undergraduate, he strives to develop himself widely in his field of study and even in other fields like computer technology and in sciences.

His Knowledge in these fields took him as far as becoming a tutor of computer science in a standard college though he was still an undergraduate. Due to his charisma, his mates gave him the title of M.C (Master of Computer). He started developing interest for Student Unionism and this earned him the post of the financial secretary in the Nigeria University Accounting Student Association (NUASA) where he was part of the editorial team to publicize the second edition of the accounting journal (Noble Accountant). The success of the publication made him to start developing interest for journals and magazine publication. Though there are hard and difficult times in life, but his diligence and hard work helped him scale through obstacles, due to this, his mates call him an intellectual and a guru.

He is currently the Secretary general of the council hall government of his campus, and currently working on the year book publication tagged "NAC Blast 13". When he's not found glued to his computer or book, he spends time working for his church, playing chess or scrabble game and trying very hard not to be the worst lawn tennis player in the sport complex.
You can reach him via ogagaonline_ogagareal@yahoo.com