Belize 2014 Day 1

April 10th, 2014

My day began like every other day, me trying to bat traffic and make it in time for my flight from IAH to Belize city. i arrived at about 0715  and was checked in and through security, and at my gate by 0740. I was elated and expectant. I was not sure about what to expect as i had joined the preparations quite late because i could not fathom taking that many days off from rotations. Boarding for BZE began without much ado, but we were a little frightened by the thought of spending one hour on the runway if we were not cleared to leave before 0900, because the President of the US was in the area and was scheduled to fly at 0900; at which time the air space has to be shut down for security reasons. the dread and uncertainty quickly paved way to awe and excitement as we took off for sunny Belize, Central America.

Upon arrival in Belize, i was like a kid in a candy store, camera in hand and curiosity at an all time high, i was however asked by the airport officials to put away my camera as i was not allowed to take pictures, what a dent to my rising excitement. The initial disappointment was further compounded by the almost hour and half wait on the immigration line. The wait was almost forgotten as i was stamped in and let through customs without any questioning or hassle. 

Im in Belize, fingers clicking, shutters fluttering, i am drinking in the sights and sounds but the reality of not having time to eat breakfast or being on a non-service flight hits hence our first point of call was a road side canteen which served us rice and beans and chicken in a styrofoam plate. few minutes later, i am excited and ready to hit the road. 

We embarked on our journey to the University of Belize(UB) Belmopan where we had a concert scheduled for 1600, in a huge express bus from the bus park in Belize city. the ride was  bumpy and thus there were shrieks of dread at bends negotiated at top speed, laughter from jokes shared in love, and great anticipation of the experience ahead. an hour and half later we disembark in Belmopan and had to await our next pickup while we chewed on plantain chips and sipped from Chrystal water bottles. A call made from a strangers phone, a taxi- ride later, we are at UB getting ready for an evening of great worship and fellowship.

The worship experience was unforced, unstaged and undiluted. hands were raised, hearts combined in one accord, voices lifted in sincerity as Christ was lifted up by all and sundry in the room. prayers were made, altar call made, prayer request attended to. The night ended with everyone eating a dinner of rice, beans, coleslaw, chicken and punch.

the drive to our cabins was uneventful after we topped up on gas. we were all satisfied with our living quarters and all made it to the bar to order late night snacks. for me and my roomies, we had chicken wings/strips and fries, others had nachos delicately laced with pico de gallo.

As i pondered upon the events of the day right before bed time, i could not help but pick out similarities between Belize and Nigeria. there were stray dogs every where, the police had checkpoints and were requesting money from motor vehicles, there was a band on the street at 2100. 

Day one was great and day 2 was promising to be even greater.

Pensive...

I am sitting here staring at my computer screen at a loss for what to say, more like how to say what i really feel like saying. I wont try too hard anymore, i would just say it as is.
In two days i embark on a journey, one that i have yearned for for many years, and as i head out with hopes and lots of anticipation, i hope to share a few thoughts on here. I know its been ages since i last wrote any thing tangible, but i am hoping that this experience of mine is liberating enough that the drought and dearth of inspiration and lack of desire to write would be a thing of the past.
So welcome to my world once more as i go on this journey of self discovery and liberation.
T minus 2 days...

Today My heart Remembers

Life as i know it has been full of many crevices, contours and colors. Some extremely arduous, others beautiful and breathtaking. But i would not be here if i had not had helpers in form of family, friends, buddies, mentors, etc. Although the tides rage and i am tossed in many directions, Today i remember these special people and i want to say Thank you. Thank you for believing in me, thank you for encouraging me, thank you for pushing me through the fire and rain, for extending your hand when i needed strength. For sitting with me through tears or intent for tears, for celebrating my upbeat moments and the times when i could not and would not get out of bed.
I am cos of you all, i carry a piece of everyone in my thoughts, my words, my actions, my living.
Thank you all for being a part of my life.

Nigeria my Nigeria

I was walking out of the Gym this evening, hurting from the incredible abdominal workout i had just finished, when i overheard a conversation between two men sitting at the foot of the stairs:

Man 1: Where are you from?

Man 2: I am from Liberia

Man 1: Isnt that where there has been lots of fighting?

Man 2: No thats Nigeria

Man 1: No its not Nigeria, Nigerians are all Con men and thieves

Me: No you cannot say that of Nigerians, I am Nigerian and a Proud one at that.

Man1: No you cannot be Nigerian.

Me : I am Nigerian and why would you say such a thing about Nigerians?

Man 1: oh i live in London, i am into properties and i have dealt with a lot of them

Me: Good for you, but Nigeria has over 160million people, you cannot cast such aspersions on the country as a whole because of your dealings with a few people...

Man 1: Nigerians are all con men and thieves except you

Me: I disagree, Nigerians are wonderful people and i walk away

On my way home and for the last two hours i have pondered the many facets of being Nigerian, from Visa denials to weird stares at various places, to inability to make plans and freely see the world cos of hate and distrust shown you by many cos of your passport, or just having to go through many levels of security at airports because of your Nationality. I like many other hardworking and level-headed Nigerians have had to prove myself time and time again because in the minds of many, Nigerians are terrible people. How can a nation with such talent,  wealth, potential affluence, and people with great hearts be treated as scum?

I grew up in that country, was taught to care for my fellow human in that country, i was taught to love irrespective of tribe,creed, race, religious affiliation, economic caste etc, i was brought up to Love everyone, a trait which i hold dear to my heart and have taken with me on my sojourn on this earth.

My accent may hide my nationality, and even when i have given people many opportunities to guess where i was from, unless i purposefully gave it away, i never have been called Nigerian, but am quick to exclaim with smiles on my face that of a truth, I am Nigerian. I bleed Green white Green, I LOVE THAT COUNTRY and though time and time again she has failed me, I cant stop Loving her. And on days like this although i have tons of very important things to do, im here brooding over the fate of my first love of a nation, i have said countless prayers for her but cant help wonder why her?Why is she being raped time and time again by the same folks who should protect her? why has her pride been take away by the same people who should validate her? where has her hope gone? Why cant she be respected for the Giant she is and treated like many other countries who hope to be like her someday?My Heart bleeds for Her!!!!!!!

To Everyone Reading this, please pray for My Nigeria( whether you're Nigerian or not), For every one who has lost hope in her, please give her another chance, For those who have abused her name, brought shame and futility to her dreams and aspiration, for those who have cast aspersions on her, disparaged her and left her for dead; Nigeria forgives you. And for all those die hard believers in the future of our Great and Awesome Country, Don't relent on the dreams you have for her, dont give up on her. Together we would make Nigeria a proud Nation, her name would be on the tongue of many for good.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria, God Bless Nigeria!!!!!!!!!!!

In Love,

Seleipiri Iboroma Seddon Akobo

Thoughts of Christ, the crucifixion and life for us instead of sin.
Isaiah 55:1-7
Emphasis:7
1 John 4:19


Our nature and actions sent him to the cross, yet he still gave us a choice; what manner of love? I'm lost in my thoughts, thinking about what I would do if I were he, especially if I possessed the ability to change destinies and life in general.  I am cos of him, my dreams, aspirations, abilities, its all because of Him.But all too soon i get distracted by the many vices that seem to compete for my attention. I heed to self,  the status quo seem all too easy, why give that up for hope, an idiosyncrasy that may never materialize. the thrills and frills of life, too much luxury i can enjoy, give it all up? sacrifice my flesh, you call that faith? 

lies I tell myself just before I go to sleep that everything I thought, Said and did was the best I could do. I exist in a mushed up reality , a labyrinth of idealisms that end up in a cul de sac.I refuse to be driven into a place of guilt or remorse that I'm falling into the same  proclivity, a slipping slope I repented for yesterday. 

So why did he choose to still Love me inspite of my mess and continuos nailing of his hands and feets to the cross. The times I blatantly refused his gestures and decide to dwell in my filth. He tore the veil so I have direct access, but I refuse to enter. I retreat and run farther away from the throne by my preferences In thoughts, attitude and  existence.


I have failed him, time and time again I refuse to trust; I rely on my seeming ability to solve the puzzles of my life. I underestimate the extent to which he cares and is willing to carry me. I spit on his face, trying to make a statement, screaming at the top of my voice that I do not need him. Oh how mistaken I was, my lungs burn for lack of oxygen, my body infested by the viruses of darkness, I am blinded by cataracts of doubt and disbelief, it's an abyss, it's all a blur, all I see are ground glass opacities.

How did I let him go? How did I give up my first love? What happened to the bond that was never meant to be broken?  I gave up too soon, unlike Job Who although his flesh perished and his life reduced to nothing,still trusted and praised, I cursed  at God and told him time and time again I could do life all by myself. I refused to see that his love surpassed my lowest estate. There seemed to be no exit for my human dilemma.


But there was Love, the kind that transcended my willingness to accept or refuse, the kind that saw past the blemishes of my filth, the kind that was remission and not just forgiveness. Love shown to me as grace, undeserved but sufficiently abundant. An answer to every question that lurked in the dark recesses of my mind. A light that illuminates the mysteries of life and living, I am reminded that despite my own actions to retreat, this love pulls me ever closer to my God.

Lord I'm grateful for everything, I'm so unworthy but yet you call me your own. Your arms constantly surround me and each time you whisper in that still, calm tone that I am yours, all my fears are melted and my life has a new direction. I thank you for the times I felt like I was drowning, and for the strong arms that rescued me, for the breathe of life you give every time I get cyanotic from my actions. i cant seem to shake off the feeling of just wanting to bask in your presence. i love it here, i love the warmth of your embrace, i love the certainty of your love, i like the feeling of assurance that you have me all figured out.

And like oil upon ur feet, like wine for you to drink, like water from my heart, i pour my love on u, if praise is like perfume, i lavish mine on u, till every drop is gone, i will pour my love on you.

Seleipiri Iboroma Akobo
November 2012

Choices!!!!!

Thoughts of Christ, the crucifixion and life for us instead of sin.

Isaiah 55:7

Our nature and actions sent him to the cross, yet he still gave us a choice; what manner of love? I'm lost in my thoughts, thinking about what I would do if I were he, especially if I possessed the ability to change destinies and life in general.

So why did he choose to still Love me inspite of my mess and continuos nailing of his hands and feet to the cross. The times I blatantly refuse his gestures and decide to dwell in my filth. He tore the veil so I have direct access, but I refuse to enter. I run farther away from the throne by my thoughts, my words , my actions...

 I have failed him, time and time again I refuse to trust; I rely on my seeming ability to solve the puzzles of life. I underestimate the extent to which he cares and is willing to carry me. I spit on his face, trying to make a statement, screaming at the top of my voice that I do not need him. Oh how mistaken I was, my lungs burn for lack of oxygen, my body infested by the viruses of darkness( by my doing), I am blinded by cataracts of doubt and disbelief.

How did I let him go? How did I give up my first love? What happened to the bond that was never meant to be broken?  I gave up too soon, unlike job I cursed at God and told him time and time again I could do life all by myself. I refused to see that his love surpasses my lowest estate. There seems to be exit for my human dilemma.

But there was Love, the kind that transcends my willingness to accept or refuse, the kind that saw past the blemishes of my filth, the kind that was remission and not just forgiveness. Love shown to me as grace, undeserved but sufficiently abundant. An answer to every question that lurks in the dark recess of my mind. A light that illuminates the mysteries of life and living, I am reminded that despite my own actions to retreat, this love pulls me ever closer to my Lord.

Lord I'm grateful for everything, I'm so unworthy but yet you call me your own. Your arms constantly surround me and each time you whisper in that still, calm tone that I am yours all my fears are melted and my life has a new direction. I thank you for the times I felt I was drowning, and for the strong arms that rescued me, for the breathe of life you give every time I get cyanotic from my actions I say thank You. 

 haven't written anything in a while but while underground enroute South Kensington this Am, I had this word on my heart; time and chance. The full meaning of this nugget began to unfold as I had flashbacks on my life and I could not help but be so grateful that tears almost trickled down my face.My life in the last year has been exciting but challenging: I have just completed my first year of medical school( a dream nineteen odd years in the making) lived in England for almost one year( lots of mixed feelings about this), and have a fun summer filled with adventure and excitement planned, this gets me reeling; it's almost impossible to hold back.

The reader might be wondering where I'm headed with this, well the crux of the gist rests in the fact that my dreaming mind could only have seen all of these as dreams when I look back at my life a decade ago. It took a lot of faith and not letting go even when I had reasons to,to get me to this point in my life. I have made tons of mistakes, i have had to question God sometimes, i have even caged myself from the world and pondered the many mishaps or near mishaps that i have narrowly escaped. But in all, i can emphatically say that I have been blessed and highly favored and while I sit here watching the unperturbed fellow train riders in this carriage, I can't help but be thankful for my life thus far.

For the fellow who doubts in his/ her heart about the events unfolding in their lives, I write in response to that doubt; you definitely are not treading life alone, there is a God who steps in right on time. When it seems like he is not listening, he only is prepping you for greater challenges and thus is working out patience in your life.  For the person who seems to have lost the strength and courage to move on, you sure are stronger than you think and believe at this time, you're a light that will give light to others so SHINE. For that child who is afraid to dream because of your present reality, that's all it is, your present, you have the power to change it and that power resides in your mind. For that person who thinks its too late, no its not, it never is; your own time is NOW! And for that person that has given up cos you have failed too many times, at least that's how you feel, Failure isn't the end of a thing, its just a means to create originality; it sends you back to the drawing board to re-evaluate your methods and tweak your goals as necessary. The world awaits the refined and pure you.

Living in self pity and degradation would not help your course...

We were all meant to shine like children do, it's not just in some of us, it's in all of us. The battle is not to the strong nor to the swift but Time and chance happens to them all... We all have our seasons, the question then should be: would you be ready for the "Time and Chance" ?

Seleipiri iboroma Akobo

May 17th, 2012