Hold not to the regret of yesterday
Rather in steadfast measure,
Cling to the promise of tomorrow.
For what futility of purpose does it serve,
To descend immobile, into the abyss of remorse
Yearning for what was lost or has not been,
More despair, in the company of bleakness.
Shake off the miserable melancholy and reverse
That energy into earnest utility, and towards
The unbridled optimism within the sphere of hope.
Yemil Benjoy ©
Filed under Life, Uncategorized
While the very hapless existence of the populace is exacerbated, and
Continues to be enormously plagued by the consequences of inept
Governance, which the longsuffering citizens of an otherwise blessed country,
In this century confront and without remission endure, amid the overwrought plight
Of the absence of constant electricity and illusive dribble of portable water
Alongside with the demise of salaries for the long-forsaken government workers,
Necessities, most ordinary, for simple human existence within the shores of a “Giant”,
Compounded now, by the foreboding and alarming escalation of the cost of food
Resulting in the intensified pestilence of hunger insidiously ravaging the erstwhile
Promising fabric of a society, seemingly a distant memory, of a forgotten mirage.
And as the beleaguered hope of competent and available healthcare for all
Unfortunately eludes the weary grasp of most of the distressed citizenry…
Then in intemperate, ever conspicuous and excruciatingly painful irony
The chief executive of the nation, a public servant, sworn to serve, not only
Takes inopportune refuge from all that is ailing the country in a foreign land,
No less, than the former colonial power, from which the inalienable right for
Independent government was wrestled from decades ago, to seek treatment
For a simple malady, while his citizens are relegated to the gamble of imposed fate.
Thus, by the very blatant official acquiescence, it signifies in obvious measure his
Unreserved lack of confidence in the regime over which he presides, and confirms in
Tragic and regrettable dimension, the vacuous hope, residing within the bemoaned land.
Forsooth, which Nigerian citizen has the ability to deploy the national treasury,
The property of the people, for their personal use, to travel at full expense of the
Demoralized masses, in fleets of jets and with the ubiquitous “per-diem” entourage,
While the burdensome cloak of lamentation detrimentally covers his forlorn people,
Even to the point of an early shroud and untimely grave, due to the atrocious lack of
Access to life-saving and sadly often the most rudimentary of medical care. As the
People languish under the onerous and looming fear of such grievous impediment
And the laboured wails of the public crescendo in desperation, accountability in the utmost,
Is demanded from the highest office with a real commitment to stay within the land towards
Faithfully implementing the remedy for what assails the domain, as glaring example, for
Any that assumes office in the true service of the well-being of the Nigerian people.
By Dr. Yemisi Solanke Koya, Esq. ©
Filed under Life, Reflect Nigeria
Yet, public servants owe an unequivocal fiduciary duty
To serve, unreservedly as custodians faithful to the people.
But alas, some elected to serve to advance the nation
In diabolical measure violate the essence of stewardship, in
Blatant unabashed indifference to the canons of democracy.
For they, with and in wanton disregard contravene principles
Of oath of office, constitution they are sworn to uphold,
All concepts of morality and fundamental human decency.
When as albatross, on the neck of the populace, and as
Fettered chains, shackle Nigerians, to a legacy of the
Profundity of their ineptitude and voracious gluttony for
The wealth belonging to the masses and not to those who
By virtue of unfortunate circumstance, swarm the corridors
Of infamy, masquerading as an assembly of legislators.
For if it is not but malicious greed, how, when the citizens
Endure the harsh reality of increasing maternal and child mortality,
Diminishing optimism and five decades is the life expectancy;
Can some conjure up the unconscionable scheme of
Looting the national coffers in billions to buy 120 vehicles, in
A country, in 2016 where, citizens are condemned to the
Caricature of public transportation in flimsy contraptions with
No protection on the death traps camouflaging as roads,
The constancy of electricity is but a figment of a mirage,
Flowing portable water is as elusive as the illusion of progress
And education is at desperate and contemptible levels,
Causing the citizenry to lament the protracted despoliation
That has taken malignant root within the boundaries.
Forsooth, if the legislative contingent, in most despicable
Manner, embark upon an reprehensible conspiracy to
Deplete the community’s treasury while further subjugating
The masses under the scourge of oppression, ensuing from
Their seeming confusion, that contemptuous exploitation
Equates the proper discharge of their obligation, and that by
A mere outcome of an election, a custodian transforms into
An Illegal heir apparent, committed as vagabond to plunder
In discordant and unfathomable magnitude the funds of all.
Then the disconsolate and downtrodden masses should in
Concord, demand accountability with commensurate
Incarceration for those who breach the public trust through
Pernicious foolery and as pestilence foist a plague of despair
Upon those, who clutching to the promise within the veneer
Of a representative government, conclude disheartened
That the core assurance in the ideals of a democratic society
Has been violently decimated by the squandered fidelity.
Thus, the citizenry inherently vested with ownership of the
Collective resources and in whom the unabridged power
Of self-governance resides should with vigilance expose
In unwavering tenor, all the shameless decadence of officials
And every treacherous plot threatening the viability of the
Nation’s livelihood, until a crescendo peaks unabated, to revive
Uncontaminated justice, to rise as a refuge for the common people.
Dated this 24th day of January, 2016.
© Dr. Yemisi Solanke Koya, Esq.
Golden Poet
Filed under Uncategorized
So I sit and wonder why
Then I stand and contemplate how.
I take a walk, and consider what next
And, I wonder and wonder when
All things will align perfectly in my dream.
Yet, fail to take the steps forward to claim
That which is in the realm of all possibility…
Or even dare consider opportunities within the
Scope that appears daunting because of the unknown.
Then awakening becomes reality for alas ’tis I, myself,
In earnest, that must welcome my life anew and with
Warm embrace not as an occasional guest, but
As the very essence of my existence, with unyielding
Determination, to explore and surge forward indeed,
And to labour in hope towards that ever present dream.
For it is but true, that I must cultivate me, wholeheartedly.
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under Life, Uncategorized
Calling a spade a spade…
NBC did not respond to my e-mail and thus I share my opinion with you…
Dear NBC,
It was disheartening this morning while watching Meet the Press to see the distasteful and stereotypical approach regarding the portrayal of violence and use of firearms. NBC elected to broadcast the clip whether it was made on a staff person’s private time or not. Additionally, it was disturbing to watch the host try to explain without success, why the coverage about gun violence, his show aired, was totally biased. What does it have to do with whether he has never being pulled over in his car by the police.
Unfortunately, yet again, the coverage cast in a most prejudiced manner, showed only black men incarcerated speaking about their regrets concerning the use of guns during the commission of crimes. The most ironical aspect of the clip, is that it was aired in the wake of a white man killing nine black people.
Although at a societal level, it is laudable to cover the conversion of criminals, but the question that NBC must answer and communicate to its viewing public is whether that coverage was balanced or another occassion perpetuating the skewed societal view that only black men are violent, are in jail and use guns when that is an absolute departure from the truth. Are their other races other than blacks in jail, do other races use guns and do other races commit crimes. NBC, the incontrovertible answer is yes.
Why would NBC show that clip without making sure that it was balanced. NBC should evaluate the essence of its role in covering and broadcasting topical and all issues. What does the freedom of press allow the press on this specific and other matters, NBC. Is it the right to distort the news or to communicate the facts as they exist.
Furthermore, how does this type of disdainful coverage further the memory of Tim Russet. Would the unbalanced nature of the clip have evaded his scrutiny and when Eugene Robinson immediately brought it to his attention, would he in a nonchalant manner have dismissed the obvious without an unequivocal apology. The attempts of the current host afterwards during the show to handle the error were patronizing and failed abysmally.
An immediate apology from NBC is required, not in a week when the next episode of Meet The Press is broadcast. Also, NBC should evaluate its editorial processes.
June 21, 2015
If you are trying to shield yourself from what people
Will think or may say about your life’s journey…
Alas, it is nothing but an exercise in futility.
For we have no control over their actions or speech.
Rather expend that energy investing in you
And thrive and on the inherent possibilities.
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under General, Life, Uncategorized
Vicious is the apparatus of fear…
For it descends upon you with such awful might
Either in stealth manner or by insidious descent
Then in persistent measure seeks to erode, should one
Permit it to take permanent abode within one’s essence,
The body of hope that ought to propel each one
Into the absolute realm of possibility and beyond despair.
Reject the albatross!
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under Life, Uncategorized
The worth of one’s life is beyond the estimation of time
Live and embrace the full quantum of each moment.
YemilBenjoy ©
Time itself, is an enigma.
Sometimes, it is in the present
Sometimes, in the old past
Often, memories of distant times
Feel very vivid, while recollections
Of the recent, appear apt to fade
More rapidly into the recesses.
Though intangible it may seem
Yet, within that very aspect, most
Dreams must thereto hold fast and
Plans advanced to capitalize on the
Dividend of hope amid each moment.
YemilBenjoy ©
Filed under Life
Do not sacrifice the laurels you earned
Through hard work and sweat equity
For want of dreams that have not yet
Come to pass, rather treasure that
Which reflect the reward of your earnest
Effort, and use them without any reservation to
Motivate and propel you to the goal of enriching
Your gift of life and that of others, and therefrom
Find contentment, which in itself will supplant
The void of unrealized dreams with hope
Which in time will yield the bounty of peace.
YemilBenjoy ©
wordzbydesign 