Spes Mandatum

09/06/2025

Grandpa: Sorry, Greg. Two issues you have to contend with or bear at Grandpa's corner are his slow talking pace and his his every two minutes stretching of legs.

Greg: Not a problem, really, Grandpa. Don't worry. So far it's not a sickness, I'm fine with that.

Grandpa: Thanks for your understanding, Greg.

Grandpa: We were about wrapping up the discussion when I left. And we were talking about the takeaways from the discussion.

Greg: Yes. And I was saying that only time will tell how long a structure with a bad foundation will live before it collapses.

Grandpa: Yes, that's correct. And my opinion is that when sane people identify a faulty foundation, they should weigh the possibility of a correction, depending on the nature of it, and the stage of it, and do some analysis, the result of which will determine whether they will knock it off or make some corrections or park out, depending on your relationship with the structure.

Greg: By relationship, you mean?

Grandpa: In building for instance, your relationship with it could be either as a tenant or an owner.

Greg: Okay.

Grandpa: And if you're the owner trying to make corrections, you must time it, and also monitor the progress of the 'curing' in stages. Well, I have to go now. Next time, we shall continue from what to do particularly where the foundation issue is that of bad learning, let me not call it bad character. Some don't know that character can be learnt... So let's just call it 'bad learning' so that it will cover both character and knowledge.

Greg: Okay.

Grandpa: So, we're taking away: For the bad foundations, only time will tell. For the good ones, time has nothing to tell cos they are standing like the Rock of Gibraltar. In fact, next time, I will begin with the story of a 'bad foundation that collapsed over time.' And it has to do with bad learning. Till then, keep fit. And always be faithful. God bless you.

Greg: Thanks and God bless you too, Grandpa.

09/06/2025

Grandpa: Sorry, Greg, I'm back. There's this interior alarm system that every now and then urges me to go and see and grandma and have a word or two with her. So, bear with me each time the push comes.

Greg: No problem, Grandpa. At least, it's not a bad urge.

Grandpa: Yes, it's not. I can actually control it. But I use the time to stretch my old legs.

Greg: No issues, Grandpa. I think it's also a sign of love for Grandma.

Grandpa: Greg, forget that love for now. Let's go on before the push comes again.

Greg: Okay, Grandpa.

Grandpa: I remember I was about to say something about 'curing' right?

Greg: Yes, Grandpa.

Grandpa: So, to cure is to ensure that the foundation is not 'sick' in any way. Being sick means falling short in quality... especially as it regards cracks, honeycombs, etc, and depending on the extent of whatever may be the issue, either a simple correction or a complete knockoff may be required. In this manner, every stage is got well before proceeding to the next.

Greg: Okay.

Grandpa: Foundational problems can be tragic.

Greg: How do you mean, Grandpa?

Grandpa: When you see a building with obvious foundation issues - cracked walls, misaligned walls, lopsided floor, what comes to your mind?

Greg: Collapse. Collapse may be happening any time!

Grandpa: Yes, collapse may be imminent. Only time will tell. And so, sane people would avoid such structures. It's a common sense thing to avoid a structure collapsing on top of you.

Greg: Indeed, only time will tell.

Grandpa: I have to leave you now. It's time to take an evening walk Would you like to come along?

Greg: Sorry, Grandpa, next time, please. Got something to do after now.

Grandpa: So, what's the takeaway from our discussions this evening?

Greg: Only time will tell how long a structure with a bad foundation will live before it collapses.

Grandpa: Yes, that's correct. But before, we conclude this discussion, permit me to stretch my legs again...

09/06/2025

Grandpa: Greg, welcome to my corner. As you know, it's a corner for value based discussions. There are so many things to talk about. But my mind is telling me today to talk about foundational values.

Greg: Interesting.

Grandpa: Foundational values are the support systems upon which anything stands: from a cubicle to an edifice. They determine whether a structure will last and stand the test of time or just exist with an air of uncertainty all over it.

Greg: Okay.

Grandpa: Most of time, when there's is a foundational problem, it is usually best solved by knocking over and getting it right. That is, building the foundation all over again.

Greg: Okay. That will be an expensive thing to do.

Grandpa: Yes. But interestingly, it is not always about physical structures. Value based issues like knowledge, character, etc are all built on intangible foundations and at times, there are issues with such intangible foundations.

Greg: So, how does one handle such intangible foundational issues?

Grandpa: You re-program. You un-learn and re-learn better.

Greg: Okay.

Grandpa: But I've come to realize that 'un-learning' in particular seems way too hard for many people.

Greg: They get so stuck to wrong methods, wrong knowledge, wrong ideologies. Is that what you mean?

Grandpa: Yes. They refuse to put their mind in what they are doing or saying. They hardly pay attention to finnese. Simply, their autopilot level is too high.

Greg: I understand you, Grandpa.

Grandpa: Let me tell you something, Greg. One good way to ENSURE a solid, dependable foundation is by carefully taking the building or construction step by step. You do one or two steps and you allow it to cure before going on.

Greg: Cure?

Grandpa: You can ask that again. But now, let me go and tell Grandma something. I'll be back...

09/06/2025

Good hopes should be sustained. And should be worked for. As you do, always be faithful.
. be positively intentional.

30/05/2025

In furtherance of our 'Planting the Good Seed in a Good Soil Campaign', a character, Grandpa, and his team, have been discovered. Greg is a prominent member of his team.

Grandpa will be giving us a space in his corner for discussions and tips that are value based, family based, society based, of course without the loss of humour.

So, going forward, we shall be having moments of truth treatment at Grandpa's corner.

Some of the truth 'pills' will be bitter, some will be sweet. But however a pill tastes, it's always better taken in good faith so far a positive change is the expected result.

Yes, at Grandpa's corner, liberation from ignorance is expected. Emancipation from mental slavery is the inspiration. Healing of 'monstrous' mentality is envisaged. Free humanity and reaping of merited good fruits are the hopes.

_Stay positively intentional. Keep the hope realistically assured._

30/03/2025

Happy Mothers' Sunday, Moms

30/03/2025

Our Father in Heaven, creator of the universe, in Your infinite wisdom, You put in place systems that ensure that the work of creation continues. The burden of that work, is resting, we feel, 98 percent on the systems called mothers. By Your grace, the mothers mould the body. Also after delivery, the all important work of character moulding essentially begins on their laps. Happy Mothers' Sunday, Moms.

May our Father in Heaven continue to equip you with wisdom as you share specially in the work of creation. May you never labor in vain. May you live to enjoy the fruits of your labor. May our Father in Heaven bless your children. May your children never be a cause of heartbeat to you. May our Father in Heaven bless your husbands and bless your families real good.

All the best, Moms💯

01/04/2024

Honored to meet Mr Michael!

After about two hours of morning exercise today, I made straight for the National Library situated less than half a kilometer from my residence. Having earlier made some online enquiries about the use of the library, and somehow still wanting to be sure by paying a visit personally, I took the post morning exercise opportunity to check out the library.

There, not much to my surprise, I found out a meaningful difference between the online information I got and the offline information.
And it was to the effect that the library is also open on weekends -for a few hours less than what's obtainable on weekdays. The online information had given that usage is strictly for weekdays. That difference makes a lot of sense to me.

Now, in the course of the enquiries, the Papa who was on duty, and who would later let me know that he's the CSO of the Federal Government Facility, got me captivated with his stories -stories based on life experiences. For instance, he gave me two real life experiences on the importance of writing attendance and the danger of not writing attendance where visitors are required to do so. He cited them when he was briefing me about some basic codes of conduct at the library which I should take seriously when I begin to use the facility.

But then, when he realized that I cycle a lot as a hobby and as a means of warming the heart, he quickly told me he was also a sportsman. He said he was a boxer. And to my surprise, he further narrated how he represented Nigeria at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow before losing out at the quarter finals stage. I would never have imagined that I was talking to a national icon. This is perhaps one of the reasons why no one should ever be looked down on or treated with disdain... not only because you don't know who is who but because ordinarily we are all humans, deserving dignity of treatment.

Well, a little more into the conversation, he made me know that a street was actually named after him in Isele Uku, Delta State, in recognition of his contribution to the development of Sports. The street is Michael Okafo Street.

At Spes Mandatum, our concern here is the 'base' conditions of many of our national icons in their old age. We, by concept, share the vision of legitimate hope for all. For instance, the legitimate hope of a national icon who at a time represented his country in that far away dead cold city must have been a far cry from what Mr Michael is having now. Indeed, worrisome realities like this naturally make Spes Mandatum wonder if there should or should not be a national fund for the welfare of such retired national sports icons as Mr Michael??

Dear friend, reader, please let us know your honest thoughts about putting in place such a measure for their welfare especially in old age!

Anyway, towards the end of our conversation, Mr Michael told me he celebrated his 84th birthday in February this year. That was great and amazing, considering how distinctly he still talked, and how strong he still is. In fact, he gave me, by way of demonstration, some punching moves. At this point, I jokingly told him that one of the reasons I exercise is to see if my bones could remain strong to carry to such an age as his. He laughed and encouraged me to keep it up.

After about an hour with him, I left him on a happy note, personally feeling enriched by his story, his experience and his patriotism. Above all, I felt honored being freely close to such an icon and chatting with him.

Dear friend, reader, when next you visit or come around the national library, please pay some tribute to Mr Michael. God bless you.

Ike Agwoye,

For Spes Mandatum.

01/04/2024

After about two hours of morning exercise today, I made straight for the National Library situated less than half a kilometer from my residence. Having earlier made some online enquiries about the use of the library, and somehow still wanting to be sure by paying a visit personally, I took the post morning exercise opportunity to check out the library.

There, not much to my surprise, I found out a meaningful difference between the online information I got and the offline information.
And it was to the effect that the library is also open on weekends -for a few hours less than what's obtainable on weekdays. The online information had given that usage is strictly for weekdays. That difference makes a lot of sense to me.

Now, in the course of the enquiries, the Papa who was on duty, and who would later let me know that he's the CSO of the Federal Government Facility, got me captivated with his stories -stories based on life experiences. For instance, he gave me two real life experiences on the importance of writing attendance and the danger of not writing attendance where visitors are required to do so. He cited them when he was briefing me about some basic codes of conduct at the library which I should take seriously when I begin to use the facility.

But then, when he realized that I cycle a lot as a hobby and as a means of warming the heart, he quickly told me he was also a sportsman. He said he was a boxer. And to my surprise, he further narrated how he represented Nigeria at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow before losing out at the quarter finals stage. I would never have imagined that I was talking to a national icon. This is perhaps one of the reasons why no one should ever be looked down on or treated with disdain... not only because you don't know who is who but because ordinarily we are all humans, deserving dignity of treatment.

Well, a little more into the conversation, he made me know that a street was actually named after him in Isele Uku, Delta State, in recognition of his contribution to the development of Sports. The street is Michael Okafo Street.

At Spes Mandatum, our concern here is the 'base' conditions of many of our national icons in their old age. We, by concept, share the vision of legitimate hope for all. For instance, the legitimate hope of a national icon who at a time represented his country in that far away dead cold city must have been a far cry from what Mr Michael is having now. Indeed, worrisome realities like this naturally make Spes Mandatum wonder if there should or should not be a national fund for the welfare of such retired national sports icons as Mr Michael??

Dear friend, reader, please let us know your honest thoughts about putting in place such a measure for their welfare especially in old age!

Anyway, towards the end of our conversation, Mr Michael told me he celebrated his 84th birthday in February this year. That was great and amazing, considering how distinctly he still talked, and how strong he still is. In fact, he gave me, by way of demonstration, some punching moves. At this point, I jokingly told him that one of the reasons I exercise is to see if my bones could remain strong to carry to such an age as his. He laughed and encouraged me to keep it up.

After about an hour with him, I left him on a happy note, personally feeling enriched by his story, his experience and his patriotism. Above all, I felt honored being freely close to such an icon and chatting with him.

Dear friend, reader, when next you visit or come around the national library, please pay some tribute to Mr Michael. God bless you.

Ike Agwoye,

For Spes Mandatum.

30/06/2023

At Spes Mandatum, when we see children, we see seedlings. We see special beings comparable to the seedlings in a farm or garden. When we them, we see the kind of hope a farmer nurtures for having a farm. We see in a special way something comparable to the tendril of a yam. The way care must be taken to ensure that the tendril starts climbing in a clockwise manner is comparable to the way care must be taken to see that children go the right way from day one.

The first half of this year will cross the FINISH LINE in a few minutes time! So, after a critical look at the last six months, we decided to centre our first half of year concluding piece on The Child. The International Day of the African Child is actually on the 16th day of June every year. And for the one of this year, which was two weeks ago, we made the following notes which we want to share now.

The notes went thus:

At Spes Mandatum, HOPE is our most treasured word, as we often stated -though the HOPE has to be a legitimate one. Yes, whether the HOPE is self inspired or given by someone else or an entity, it has to be a legitimate HOPE.

After HOPE, in order of importance to us, comes the word, DISCOVERY.

We try to use every opportunity to emphasise HOPE giving acts and acts of DISCOVERY.

And we HOPE we all will DISCOVER and realize all that will help us see our HOPES come to pass. Looking at the sentence just before this one, one can see that DISCOVERY is surrounded by HOPE. And so it is in real life.

Well. very importantly, we believe that for every legitimate HOPE, there should be at least a nice way to go. And that way must be DISCOVERED.

Now, after some study, we DISCOVERED the following HOPE giving ideas, with respect to children:

1. We discovered that we must make them believe in themselves.

2. We discovered that we must let them know that they can discover something good that has never been discovered if they pay sincere attention to their good thoughts and to the good things they're doing.

3. We discovered that we must do all necessary and within our reach for them to set off on a firm foundation and build and grow with confidence.

4. We discovered that we must help them nurture their discovered talents.

5. We discovered that we must help them discover how they can strive to be saints so that they can go HOME in the end.

6. We discovered that we must encourage them to discover a personal philosophy of life at about ten years old and ensure that they understand what it really means and calls for.

7. We discovered that we must encourage them to grow with a good sense of values, reverence for God, and to look out for and discover mentors in their chosen paths of life.

These seven points can be points for reflection, one for each day of the week.

Have you any discoveries you wish to share? What about your hopes regarding children? Please bare your mind.

May God's Grace never allow the good efforts of consciously hard working and well meaning parents go in vain🙏🏼.

Best wishes to parents everywhere🥂

Best wishes to children everywhere🥂.

21/05/2023

Please give heed and subscribe to this charitable cause!

20/05/2023

In this premier interview moderated by Spes Mandatum, Ike Agwoye of Spes Mandatum engages ChrisDavies Orchestra on an enlightenment cm awareness session regarding a planned musical concert.

INTRODUCTION:
We welcome you most warmly this evening to Spes Mandatum, a place where hope is the most appreciated word, a place where hope for a better future for all are the cornerstones of all our activities: writings, talks, conversations, etc. Simply put, we care about hope like nothing else. Welcome again to Spes Mandatum.

Agnes:
Thank you very much.

Q1:
Your’re welcome. Now, please let us know who you are?

Agnes:
I am Agnes Anosike. And I am here on behalf of ChrisDavies Orchestra -CDO. So, right now, technically, I am ChrisDavies Orchestra(smiles). I am by the way, the Operations Manager of CDO. Please permit me to state here that I am also by extension, representing two other top officials CDO who are meant to be here with me, as you know: One is Ada Chukwuneye, the Communications Manager of CDO. She is unavailable for this appointment due to some other very important engagements. The other is our founder, Mr Christopher Davies. He is right now at a crucial fund-raising meeting that is unfortunately taking longer than projected. For this, he can’t join us. So, I represent him, Ada and of course the CDO. They are here with me in the Spirit.

Q2:
Thank you very much. A very important personality we have in the house today. Agnes, CDO, Ada, Mr Christopher are all loaded in you today(smiles). That is 4-in-1. And who knows? -perhaps one day, you’ll have quadruplets! You are a VIP indeed. Now, what is ChrisDavies Orchestra?

Agnes:
ChrisDavies Orchestra is a premium group of musical instrument lovers and players who do not only see music as a way of life but most importantly who believe in what music can do for the well-being of the soul, and by extension for the well-being of the society, when very well applied. The group was founded by our visionary leader, Mr Christopher Davies in the year 2020 primarily because of his belief in the healing and loving powers of music.

Q3:
Very good, Agnes. The way you put it makes a lot of sense: well-being of the soul. I think we could interpret that as meaning that music can be hope-giving to the soul, the centre of life. Now, would you mind going ahead to tell us some of those things music can do for the soul?

Agnes:
In this world, you will agree with me, there is a lot of stress. I mean that in the course of daily activities and relationships, people get exposed to diverse forms of stresses: physical, financial, emotional, etc. But of all these stresses, we understand in a special way that emotional stress could be the worst or could we say deadliest, and it could happen to any class of citizen. But then, we also realize that the therapeutic functions of right words and sounds, particularly in musical forms, can go a long way in handling that. So, if the right music is chosen and delivered in terms of a good combination of words and sounds, every emotionally stressed soul benefits and heals sooner or later. As hands are used to massage the body for the pains of physical stress, and providing cash or money for massaging the pains of financial stress, music can actually do the work of direct massaging of the spirit- the soul. So music brings relief and healing to the soul, peace to the mind and even releases enzymes that enable the body function properly. Music is good for the body and soul.

Q4:
Wonderful analysis. Breath-taking, I’m tempted to say. Now, you mentioned if the right music is chosen. Can you throw more light on that. Ada perhaps would have taken that but since she’s not here, please go ahead?

Agnes:
Thank you very much for the question. It is not everything they churn out there in the name of music that is suitable for every purpose. Just the way a certain level of energy is applied in physiotherapy and physical massaging, otherwise much harm than good may be the result. The same way, one music may soothe even a common headache while another type of music can actually cause headache. So, at ChrisDavies Orchestra, we mind what we play and in what scenario we play what and what. Of course, we can play anything good, but we don’t just play for playing sake. We care about what we play. Type of music played can defeat a purpose if a wrong one is chosen and applied.

Q5:
Now, let’s get down to some questions with heavier marks(smiles.) The earlier ones were five marks each but this one is for ten marks. It is a simple question though and it is: Why are you reaching out to Spes Mandatum, today, 16th day of May, 2023.

Agnes:
Hmm(laughs) we have to be careful now because we need full credit loads. We need all the marks(smiles).

Q5.1:
(Laughs) Go ahead please. Good luck.

Agnes:
We are reaching out because we have heard of Spes Mandatum and what she stands for. We have read her messages of hope. We have heard of the publications she sponsors. Having said these, we are strategically here to use your platform as one of our publicity launch pads for an upcoming charity-driven concert we are planning in partnership with the The Palms Mall, Lekki. It is a children’s day musical concert slated for May 27, 2023. The objective is to raise funds for the Nigerian Red Cross orphanage home. We are here to publicise it so that charity minded individuals, firms, institutions may hear and consider to identify ‘indeed’ with the project.

Q6:
That’s awesome. The mention of 27th May reminded me of one of my friends whose birthday is 27th May. In those days, I used to tease her and tell her that she’ll always be a child for the fact that she arrived on the day set aside for the celebration of children. You know how ‘re-newing’ it could feel being associated with these wonderful beings called children. That’s by the way. Now, the next question is absolutely free. No marks attached, whether you skip it or not. But a good advice is: Attempt the question(smiles). The question would have been a good one for the Founder of CDO, but since he’s loaded in you today, please respond to the question. The question is: What actually is your motivation?

Agnes(smiles):
Thank you very much. I’m feeling pretty heavy now because of all the already heavy people loaded in me. Well, charity or if you like, love, is our motivation. That’s what our Founder used to say about his or rather our motivation. Now, a whole lot of people are suffering because of the failures of love. Our drive derives from the fact that we are aware that music and love have a meeting point in the soul. In fact, we don’t think there could be a better way to convey love than to do so in an ‘envelope’ of beautiful music. And that’s what we are set to do. Second motivation is the fact that music is one endeavour whereby the performer generates this feeling of peace ‘within’ and distributes same to people who watch or hear him or her sing or play. By so doing, we believe people will feel the love and peace in the air, get touched and then subscribe to the charity cause.

Q7:
Interesting indeed. Now, here is a 50 mark question. It is a must answer. If you miss it, sorry. The question is: How do you want or expect charity minded people and philanthropic fellows and organisations to engage you and be a part of the humanitarian project? Also, what is the venue of the concert?

Agnes:
(Laughs) It’s really worth fifty marks. For this purpose, we have established an engagement procedure with the Nigerian Red Cross Society. All the non-logistics supports go direct to the Nigerian Red Cross Society(NRCS). For financial transfers, the bank details to use are:

Bank –UBA, Account Number -1017159994, Account Name – Nigerian Red Cross Society, Lagos State Branch.

For more information, donors or intending donors can equally contact me, Agnes, on 07062385236 or the founder of CDO, Mr Christopher Davies on 08064263154. The transfers to the NRCS account constitute the prime support of the concert.

The other category of support is for logistics purposes. For this, material supports in terms buses for transportation, speakers, refreshment items, etc, will be very well appreciated from individuals and entities. For this purpose, my contact number and that of our founder are still available. Now, the venue is The Palms Mall, Lekki. Time is 12-4pm. For those who cannot come –though some can make the donations and still come around to feel the music, but those who just can’t make it to the event, the programme may be live streamed on youtube, facebook and Instagram social media platforms: chrisdaviesorchestra on facebook, chrisdaviesorchestra on Instagram, chrisdaviesorchestra on youtube’. We’re working towards getting it live-streamed.
For general reach out for enquiries via email, one can do so at chrisdaviesorchestra@gmail.com and of course our social media platforms.

Q8:
Thank you very much. Next question would have been a perfect one for Mr Davies but since he’s not here, you have no option than to take it. It is: How will the activities of the day roll out on that day?

Agnes:
The activities of the day will take the form of constant playing of songs, with donation boxes located at strategic locations at the Mall. Also videos of songs, Nigerian Red Cross Society bank account details, names of Companies who sponsoring this concert would be displayed on conspicuously positioned TV Screens at the Mall. Overall, it will be a straight fundraising concert.

Q9:
Thank you very much, Agnes. Sounds pretty cool. Now, what type or types of music will you be playing that day?

Agnes:
Songs to be played at the concert shall include Classical, Contemporary and Gospels.

Q10:
Okay. Now, is there any direct message you have for the people listening to this or that will read a script of this interview? If there is, please go ahead and tell them.

Agnes:
Yes, our direct message to people is actually from some quotes of Rihanna of CL Foundation(Clara Lionel Foundation), on the day Harvard honoured her, ‘for her compassion, for her philanthropy to help others in need and for her wonderful music’ as the child of below ten that presented her flowers on behalf of the children of Cambridge put it. Before the presentation of the flowers, she had in here speech remarked among other things that ‘you don’t have to be rich to be a humanitarian.’ And she also quoted her late grandma in whose honour the CL Foundation was established saying, “My grandma used to say, ‘if you have a dollar, then you have a lot to share’.” So, our message to the people is to never miss an opportunity to put a smile on the faces of the less privileged. An opportunity beckons now. It is a project of peace. It is a concert of love. It is actually themed ‘Today’s child, Tomorrow’s hope.’

CONCLUSION:
On that interesting and hopeful note, we, at Spes Mandatum, thank you ChrisDavies Orchestra for your humanitarian spirit. We will publicise this interview and pray that people will hearken and respond to your call. Good luck. May it be a day of success for you and your collaborators and partners. God bless you.

Agnes:
Thank you very much for having us.