Dear Watcher OF TIMES: WHY SPITE YOUR FACE?
The delegation sat at the negotiation table with the arrogance that comes when one assumes they have absolute power. This was not to be a meeting of equals, not in the wildest imagination, but was set up to show who was in charge, once and for all. They’d come to represent their community, one of the many oil bearing ones in the prolific heartland of the niger-delta. This was their god given, wealth bearing, natural resource and they would be damned if they didn’t make a bold statement on this day. afterall, they had stared down the white exploitationists and fought an armed struggle with the government of the day so who did these indigenous pretentionists think they were.
The room was tense as the company executives labored to explain the follies of the past, espousing the benefits of long term interventions. They promoted dialogue to deal with disputes and collaboration amongst the various communities with the stakeholders to create a more sustainable and viable business. at stake was 3km of an oil pipeline surveillance and bush clearing contract the community claimed was in their territory but was awarded to a neighbour. To prove their point of territorial stake, they excitedly informed the company that their ‘boys’ were at that very moment sabotaging the pipeline and spilling the crude oil into the creeks in their backyard. never had a case of cutting ones nose to spite the face been more clearly demonstrated in a boardroom.
The almighty god created the heavens and the earth following which he created man and handed over all of his creation to man to dominate, care and cultivate for generations to come. he specifically made man with the unique ability to gain understanding and grow in wisdom. in the search for knowledge, mans understanding of himself increased and the purpose for being clarified, enabling them cater for and love each other. That wisdom was intended to enable man relate daily with his Creator while nurturing the environment where he inhabits to produce its best for the glory of all. a lack of understanding and an absence of wisdom completely destroys man and robs him of the glory he was created to be.
may the lord help us educate our youth to be wise today. For your comments, contributions, connect with me here: @TonyeCole1 on Twitter. 21