The Lumine News

Author: News

  • Sandy Onor Thanks Cross Riverians, Describes Tribunal Judgement As Unfortunate And Surprising Verdict

     

    The Cross River State Gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, in the March 2023 general elections, Sen Sandy Onor, has described the judgement of the Governorship Election Tribunal as unfortunate and surprising.

    Sen Onor made the disclosure in a press statement he personally signed and obtained by TheLumineNews while reacting to the judgement of 26th September, 2023.

    The statement reads in full, “As you are now aware, the Cross River State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal, sitting in Calabar the Cross River State capital delivered an unfortunate and surprising verdict on the Cross River State Governorship election which took place on 26th September, 2023.

    “Whilst I am extremely dissatisfied with the Tribunal’s judgement on the matter, I have decided to take it with equanimity, for now. However, I am yet to receive a formal copy of the judgement, and the attendant briefing from my legal team.

    “I propose to meet with the members of my campaign organisation in the coming days to ruminate on the instant situation, and to decide on the appropriate way forward.

    “Permit me to use this medium to convey my heartfelt appreciation to the campaign organisation for their wonderful efforts which gave us a successful election, notwithstanding the situation as it has now been made to appear.

    “I also thank the people of Cross River State for their unalloyed, unstinting and unwavering support, and to the various prayer warriors, the numerous widows and other women, not forgetting the children, all of who took out time to fast and to pray for us, all through the period of the elections, and during the subsequent litigation at the tribunal.

    “Finally, I enjoin us all to remain calm in the face of the provocation and injustice to which we have been repeatedly subjected, and hereby assure you that your efforts and prayers shall not be in vain.

    “I pray that God will bless and reward you all for your efforts”.

  • C’River Governor Congratulates 2023 Naval War College Graduands

     

    By Ukongikwen Adie

    The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has congratulated the 22 graduates of the Naval Warfare Course 7 in Calabar, Cross River State.

    Senator Otu who was represented at the graduation ceremony by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Peter Odey, said the Nigerian Navy had been of great help to the State. He stated that apart from the Navy Reference Hospital which had become known as the best hospital in the South-South Region of Nigeria, the men of the Nigerian Navy had been proactive in carrying out their security duties with so much dedication. He cited an instance earlier this year when many students who were involved in a boat mishap around Marina were saved by the prompt intervention of men of the Nigerian Navy.

    On behalf of the Governor, Hon. Odey assured the Navy of the State’s determination to support them with land and any other thing that they might need from the State.

    Presenting the Warfare Course 7 Graduands for award, the Commandant of the Naval War College of Nigeria, Rear Admiral MB Hassan, assured participants in the ceremony that the graduands had been imbued with the same skills as their predecessors. Rear Admiral MB Hassan said the 22 officers represented the final crop among their contemporaries who were now capable of undertaking higher operational level command responsibilities and making meaningful contributions towards solving many of the nation’s security challenges. He charged the Course 7 graduands to showcase the defining character of the War College when they return to their respective services.

    The Special Guest of Honour and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral EI Ogalla, thanked the government of CRS for the provision of land and support for the Navy. He also commended the Commandant for accomplishing the mission of the College by not only producing well-trained operational level Commanders, but also by training foreign participants. This, according to the CNS, was an indication that the War College had attained international standards and recognition. While congratulating the graduands, the Special Guest of Honour thanked the Almighty God that the training did not record any adverse incident. Rear Admiral Ogalla drew attention to the global nature of security challenges that were destabilizing in nature, stating that these spates of challenges constituted a clarion call for militaries all over the world to embrace long-term and robust strategic postures to be able to combat such threats.

    While highlighting insurgency and banditry as some of the irregular challenges facing the nation, Rear Admiral Ogalla noted that the Nigerian Navy had changed its operations to meet up with such emerging irregular security challenges that were prevalent in Nigeria today

    The Naval War College is the highest Naval training institution in Nigeria. It was built to boost security in the maritime sector, as well as enhance the capability of Naval officers to make sound decisions both in command and management positions.

    Since the inception of the Naval War College in line with the Nigerian Naval Order 08/17 which promulgated its creation, it has continued to graduate intakes. The War College started on its temporary site at Ubima, Rivers State in 2017, before relocating to Calabar.

    Highlights of the event included the presentation of a souvenir to the State Governor by the Nigerian Navy.

  • Calabar Eleven Eleven Roundabout And The Politics Of Remodeling BY AGBA JALINGO 

     

    The Eleven-Eleven roundabout in Calabar, Cross River State was named after the Armistice Day when World War I (1914-1918) ended at the 11th hour on the morning of the 11th day in the 11th month of 1918.

    The Eleven Eleven Roundabout which was built by the Mr. Donald Duke administration and had on its sides, features which resemble Egyptian burials vaults, (mummies) was reworked in 2009 to remove those images which church leaders and most residents complained gave the impression that the State worships idols and replaced with a water fountain. But in November of 2012, it was torn apart again and reworked without much change to the previous one. Now Governor Otu has again, brought the roundabout down and replaced it with a statue carrying the Holy Bible with quotations from Psalms 27 and Psalms 127 with embedded fingers.

    This is worrying for me and I will express my worries. I have never lived in Calabar since I was born, but I know Calabar well enough to understand that the continued remodeling of this roundabout isn’t born out of a desire to give the State capital any enduring aesthetic value but to draw attention to the parochial convictions of the remodellers.

    The current statue now standing there, only depicts the religious persuasions and views of the current occupant of Peregrino House. No more, no less. But our people must be weary of governments that want to railroad religion as a State policy and there are historical reasons and empirical data to support this warning.

    A century ago, Durkheim proposed that technological and socioeconomic advances come to displace the functions of religion: (É Durkheim, (The Elementary Forms of Religious Life, K.E. Fields, Transl. (The Free Press, 1995). Whereas Weber contended the opposite, that monotheistic religion or the so-called ‘Protestant Ethic’, made the development of capitalism possible. (Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, T. Parsons, Transl. (Routledge Classics, 2001).

    But data generated from recent and continuing research is interestingly revealing that, the growth in irreligiousity in any country is linked to economic progress. There are several studies that espouse this conclusion. One such study comes from the University of Bristol, (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aar8680), where researchers studied the trends in secularization for 100 years and determined that growth in secularism came before economic development. The researchers sought to answer the question of whether a boost in a nation’s economic development leads to lesser religiosity or if it’s the other way around. They discovered that, secularization did account for 40% of global economic development in the 1990s. Additionally, they also disproved the commonly held belief that education also leads to secularism.

    Another research from Mississippi State University and West Virginia University, (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-institutional-economics/article/abs/religion-productive-or-unproductive/4E84A5F30B499BE751E478DFC1305B12), also looks at the link between irreligion and productive entrepreneurship. Stunningly, the researchers found that all metrics of religion that they had tracked ended up negatively correlating with productive entrepreneurship, while irreligious variables positively correlated with it.

    Further expanding on this, and taking a look at the correlation of daily prayers with a nation’s gross domestic product per capita (GDP per capita), the data reveals that, in nearly every country (except Middle Eastern states that were not part of the sample), with a GDP per capita higher than $30,000, adults pray less. For instance, the People’s Republic of China’s religiously unaffiliated population is 51.8% but China is the world’s largest economy in purchasing power parity terms.

    This brings us back to my warning. Let us all be mindful of the fact that, the use of religion as a political tool to hoodwink Nigerians is legendary amongst our leaders. In the absence of meaningful economic development, our leaders have successfully waved religion as a succor to numb our collective thinking faculties and this has worked for them in the past decades. The duty of the State is to give us security and economic empowerment. Religion can be left for those who are meant to handle it. And I will tell you for free that the next Governor of Cross River State after Governor Otu, will still dismantle Eleven Eleven roundabout and waste more money to espouse his/her own belief.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • Senate Committee Chairman On Gas, Jarigbe Agom Commends Tinubu’s CNG Project

     

    Barely 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu announced interventions to cushion the pains of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians in his speech to mark the country’s 63rd Independence, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas, Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, yesterday, urged the President to expeditiously mark his words with action by sending a 2023 Supplementary Budget to kick start the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project and other projects in the gas value chain, which are cheaper than the use of fossil fuel.

    According to a statement, the Senator also advised against extra budgetary expenditure through ‘Ways and Means,’ saying the legislature was ready to support and bring succour to the people.

    He was quoted to have said this after the Interdenominational Service on Independence Day.

    Jarigbe commended Tinubu on his CNG revolution to power vehicles. He said the noble initiative would ameliorate the hardship of the citizens.

    He also emphasised the need for the President to come up with a supplementary budget to enable the government fund the gas value chain, including the provision for CNG infrastructure and CNG vehicles, adding that the workshops and trainings would need to be funded.

    He advised the President not to embark on extra- budgetary expenditure because it would be inconsistent with the provisions of the law.

    He stated that the National Assembly, under the leadership of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was poised to support the lofty programs of his administration, adding that a 2023 supplementary budget would be most appropriate, instead of the ‘Ways and Means’ approach of the previous administration, which is currently a major issue of contention in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    In his Independence speech, the President had explained that,”At my inauguration, I made important promises about how I would govern this great nation. Among those promises, were pledges to reshape and modernise our economy and to secure the lives, liberty and property of the people.

    “I said that bold reforms were necessary to place our nation on the path of prosperity and growth. On that occasion, I announced the end of the fuel subsidy.”

    In announcing the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, the implementation of the policy came with severe hardship on the people and “I am attuned to the hardships that have come. I have a heart that feels and eyes that see. I wish to explain to you why we must endure this trying moment.

    Rationalising the fuel subsidy withdrawal policy, the president explained that, “Those who sought to perpetuate the fuel subsidy and broken foreign exchange policies are people who would build their family mansion in the middle of a swamp.

    “I am different. I am not a man to erect our national home on a foundation of mud. To endure, our home must be constructed on safe and pleasant ground,” he pointed out.

    He promised that though, “reform may be painful, but it is what greatness and the future require. We now carry the costs of reaching a future Nigeria where the abundance and fruits of the nation are fairly shared among all, not hoarded by a select and greedy few.

    “A Nigeria where hunger, poverty and hardship are pushed into the shadows of an ever fading past.

    “There is no joy in seeing the people of this nation shoulder burdens that should have been shed years ago. I wish today’s difficulties did not exist. But we must endure if we are to reach the good side of our future.

    “We have opened a new chapter in public transportation through the deployment of cheaper, safer CNG buses across the nation. These buses will operate at a fraction of current fuel prices, positively affecting transport fares.

    “New CNG conversions kits will start coming in very soon as all hands are on deck to fast track the usually lengthy procurement process.”

    He said his administration was also setting up training facilities and workshops across the nation to train and provide new opportunities for transport operators and entrepreneurs.

  • Thank You Is Not Enough Dear Agba Jalingo BY ELIJAH UGANI

    By Elijah Ugani 

    Today is not your birth anniversary, but I choose to use this day to celebrate what you’re and meant to me.

    You berthed CrossRiverWatch and gave many of us the opportunity to expand our horizon in the online media. You gave me the platform to build myself and the opportunity for further trainings.

    In addition to my dad of blessed memory who handed good moral teachings, laid the foundation of hard work, contentment, respect, humility, reverence for God and community service, you are among other persons who have had very positive impact in life.

    Having worked for CrossRiverWatch for some years, I approached my boss share my thoughts of starting my personal media platform, www.theluminenews.com.

    Without reservation, you gave me permission and encouraged me. You emphasized the need for more platforms to be operated in Cross River State, and maintained that when more online platforms, operates, no government can shut the online media out.

    Even when I left and withdrew my services for CrossRiverWatch, you rather increased your mentorship.

    You know I don’t intend to leave my farming anytime soon, I also do development and humanitarian work.
    But I can I assure you that, my online platform and publishing pay me more at the moment.

    Among the various people I have worked with, you are among the very few persons who know my true worth.
    The fact that you consistently speak highly of me, gives me the moral courage that I don’t have any reason to disappoint the trust you have in me.

    My brother, Inyali Peter recommended Frank Ulom to design my news platform, I thank them too

    Odey Alfred modified my platform, his is highly acknowledged

    All of those who have consistently supported TheLumineNews, Janet Ekpenyong Inyang Asibong Obi Joe Ability Sen Sandy Onor, Sen Jarigbe Agom Hon Peter Akpanke, Hon Martin Orim.

    Capt Dr Stephen Owai appointed me Chief Press Secretary in 2007, while he served as University of Calabar Student Union Government President.

    Emmanuel Umoh and Ogar Emmanuel Oko whoo served as President and Editor-In-Chief, Nigerian Union of Campus Journalists NUCJ, are not left out in this journey.

    Thank you all for your support.
    Like Oliver Twist, I look forward to a more robust support on the coming years.

    Note: This epistle is solely on my Media work
    If I don’t acknowledge you here, no that the space is not enough or that you have influenced me in a way other than the media.

    Citizen Agba Jalingo, you make very good recommendations of me at any given opportunity and I know you want the best for me. Just keep calm and see God manifest himself through you in my life. It can only delay.
    God willing, be rest assured that I will not disappoint the trust you have in me. So help me God, Amen.

    Thank you my boss among bosses

  • Nigeria @ 63rd: Gov Otu Calls On Labour Union To Give Govt A Chance For More Deliberation

     

    The Governor of Cross River State Sen. Prince Bassey Otu has called on the Nigerian Labour Union to sheath their sword and give government a chance for more deliberation.

    The Governor who spoke through his Deputy Rt. Hon.Peter Odey during the Thanksgiving service held today the 1st of October 2023 at The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Hope Waddle Parish, Calabar to celebrate Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary.

    Speaking at the event, the Governor said ” As a government,we have pledged to prioritize the welfare and well-being of our citizens. We have promised a ‘People- First’ approach to governance and today, I want to assure you that your commitment to the development of our state remains unwavering and we are determined to create an environment where businesses can thrive and create job opportunities for our people ”

    Earlier, the Prelate, His Eminence Ekpeyong Akpanika Ph.D said it is with mixed feelings of Joy and sadness that w celebrate the independence. According to him, the state of the nation calls for reflection as both the government and people are involved in building a legacy for the next generation.

    While reminiscing on the once organized state of the educational, transportation and vibrant middle class, he called on leaders at all levels to rise up and become generational thinkers and take actions to build a good legacy for the next generation.
    The Prelate called on all to remember that what imortalizes a man is not what he does for himself, but for others. Also that greatness is not a function of possession but a function of service to God and humanity. Further more, that the service you render today maybe the harvest of your child tomorrow.

    He commended the Sen. Bassey Otu’s led administration for their achievements in a few months particularly the noticeably frequent evacuation of waste in the metropolis, intervention in the area of Security and Her Excellency Rev. Eyoawan Otu’s welfare visits to the home of the aged, motherless and less privileged in the society, while encouraging them to do more.

    His Eminence appealed to the government to as a matter of urgency empower the youths by redirecting their energy into sports, revive the sports council. He called on the government to take advantage of the fertile land the state has to invest massively in agriculture while also encouraging technological know how to meet up with a competitive world.
    He wrapped up with a prayer for the success, guidance and sustianance of this administration and for the Lord to surround the Governor with men and women with vision to grow the state to the next level.

    The event was attended by the Speaker of the House of Assembly,Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, the Chief Judge of the state, His Lordship, Justice Akon Ikpeme, the Obong of Calabar and members of the Obong’s Council, members of the State Executive Council, the Secretary to the state Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, Service Chiefs, top government functionaries, elder statesmen and a host of other dignitaries.

  • Peter Odey Congratulates Speaker Elvert Ayambem, Describes Him As A Team Player

     

    Rt. Hon. Peter Odey has congratulated the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem while lauding him as a trustworthy and loyal team player fit for the position. The Deputy Governor who recently spoke at the Speaker’s Thanksgiving ceremony at Nde in Ikom Local Government disclosed that Hon. Elvert Ayambem’s elevation was an indication that anybody can become someone in life despite humble beginnings. He urged the people of Ikom to support their representative and let love for one another guide their interactions.

    Speaking variously at the event, the Chief of Staff, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, and the State Chairman of the APC urged the Speaker to remain focused, and to work with his colleagues who elected him. They urged him to strive to keep the goodwill of the huge crowd of supporters who were fanning him on as evidenced by the large turnout.

    In his response, Hon. Ayambem assured his community that he would remain the same accessible Elvert that they had always known while promising that he understood that he was only first among equals in the House. He said that he would remember this fact always as it is the key to holding the House together. The lawmaker thanked his colleagues for choosing him and supporting him as if the House was made up of only one party despite not being the finest, the tallest nor the most brilliant member in the House.

    The celebration was attended by Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly of Ekiti, Ondo and Adamawa, several former and serving Commissioners, members of the the CRSHA, etc

     

  • Labour Leaders Boycott Federal Government’s Last Minute Move To Avert Strike

    By Daniel Riwo

    The organised labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trace Union Congress, Nigeria, on Friday, boycotted an emergency meeting with the Federal Government that was scheduled for 3pm at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The Federal Government had called an emergency meeting with the leaders of the organised labour at the Conference Room of the Office of the President’s Chief of Staff.

    Among other goals, Friday’s meeting was meant to talk the labour movement out of its planned nationwide strike from Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

    On September 26, the NLC and TUC disclosed plans to commence an indefinite strike on October 3 to protest the cost of living crisis after the scrapping of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu during his inauguration on May 29, 2023.

    The unions also directed their state chapters and affiliates to mobilise for the shutdown of critical facilities and infrastructure such as airports, seaports, electricity grids and fuel supply nationwide.

    “It’s going to be a total shutdown…until the government meets the demand of Nigerian workers, and in fact, Nigerian masses,” the union leaders affirmed in a joint statement on Tuesday.

    They accused the Federal Government of refusing to “meaningfully engage and reach agreements with organised labour on critical issues of the consequences of the unfortunate hike in the price of petrol, which has unleashed massive suffering on Nigeria workers and masses.”

    Despite several deadlocked talks, the Federal Government, after Thursday’s National Economic Council meeting, appealed to the unions to continue negotiations, warning that an indefinite strike could devastate the economy at this time.

    Although the government fixed Friday’s meeting for noon, it postponed the gathering around 3pm to enable labour to contact its leaders outside Abuja.

    Saturday PUNCH reported that the government sent the invitation to the meeting through the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Friday morning.

    However, one of our correspondents observed that although light refreshment was positioned on the table, signalling an expected meeting, the Conference Room was empty by 4pm as the labour representatives had yet to arrive.

    It was also gathered that the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, was in the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

    A source, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH in confidence said, “They (representatives of labour) are supposed to be here by now. We have been expecting them since. The place is set and the Chief Of Staff and Labour minister are upstairs waiting.”

    Around 5pm, Gbajabiamila was seen exiting the Villa premises. He was said to be headed for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to await the arrival of President Tinubu from Paris.

  • Understanding The Long-term Psychological Effects Of Domestic Violence ii BY WAGWULA PRECIOUS AND AKPEGYOR AKPANKE

    NATIONAL TECHNICAL OFFICE ON GENDER -BASED VIOLENCE AND RELATED MATTERS, NIGERIAN MEDICAL STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (NiMSA- TOGBV)

    UNDERSTANDING THE LONG-TERM PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 11

    (By Wagwula Precious, Member, Research Team,NiMSA TOGBV).

    (Akpegyor Akpanke, National Technical Officer, NiMSA -TOGBV).

    Domestic violence also called intimate person violence(IPV) is a global public health issue affecting people globally regardless of sex, age, financial status, educational background, socioeconomic level, and sexual orientation. It can be defined as any behavior or behavioral patterns which may be; physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual, perpetuated by one’s intimate partner that poses harm to the victim.
    These behaviors may be sometimes subtle physical, coercive, controlling, and threatening actions. It is impossible to over-emphasize both the short and long-term sequela of domestic violence on survivors, their careers, family members, mental and social well-being.

    The physical effects of domestic violence range from injuries including but not limited to, bruises, cuts, bite marks, lacerations, contusions, dislocations, and fractures, which can be treated but may extend to more permanent and long-term problems and even lead to disabilities. Essentially, IPV significantly causes Ophthalmic injuries and may lead to preventable blindness. Studies have shown that 45% of IPV injuries involve the eyes(Malik et al). These injuries were more commonly orbital fractures and contusions. Domestic violence is one of the major causes of Ocular trauma and may progressively lead to visual impairment or blindness if not managed properly. Simultaneously the visually impaired also have a higher risk of being victims of IPV as compared to those who are not. Studies have shown that 1 in 12 visually impaired people is believed to be a victim of domestic violence in the UK and may suffer more damming consequences. The visually impaired are vulnerable and their partners can easily take advantage and control their movement, decisions, and even finance. Their dependence makes it even more difficult to report or leave the situation.

    Furthermore, there is overwhelming evidence to show that women who are victims of domestic violence are at a higher risk of mental disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. A five-year research study by the Institute of Health Research concluded that compared to women with no mental illness, women with depression are 2.5 times more likely to have suffered domestic violence, 3.5 times for anxiety disorder, and 7 times for women suffering from Post-traumatic Stress disorder. Survivors of IPV are also more likely to suffer from substance abuse. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was an increase in domestic violence due to the inability to call helplines and perpetrators using coercive behaviors, isolation, digital control, intimidation and dominance as tactics of abuse. In a conservative environment, there is profound stigmatization of both survivors of IPV and mental illness, this will drastically reduce the willingness to report and call for help.

    There are so many profound negative implications of IPV for sexual health. Sex is used as a weapon. It can be used in an exploitative and powerful way to exert control and obedience. Dynamically it can present as both verbal and physical abuse, marital rape, and some victims are even pushed into prostitution. In the long run, there is an increased risk of cervical cancer in survivors of IPV. According to the study conducted by Cooker et al(2009) It is also believed that 3.5% of women exposed to violence reported cervical cancer while only 1.9% of women with cervical cancer were not exposed to violence. More so, the study showed that women who smoked and were exposed to violence had the highest risk of cervical cancer further reiterating that substance abuse is a direct consequence of IPV and also predisposes victims to cervical cancer. Other sexual problems including, vaginismus, sexual dysfunction, and sexually transmitted infections are all part of the horrid outcomes.

    In addition, the relationship between IPV and HIV is bi-directional. Women who have experienced IPV are prone to be infected with HIV and HIV-positive women are at a higher risk of experiencing domestic violence (Olumide Abiodun et al.) HIV status disclosure to one’s partner also predisposes to IPV. Cultural stigma may contribute to nondisclosure to appropriate authorities and fuels abuse in various forms. Adherence to treatment of chronic illnesses is influenced by family dynamics, therefore this kind of environment may lead to the rapid progression of the disease.

    In conclusion, The effects of IPV, produce permanent scars that serve as a reminder, long term and into the future generations. The policies that are made to support survivors should impact both immediate and long-term consequences. Survivors would have to live with physical, emotional, mental and sexual cicatrix and the implementation of interventions should be multidisciplinary. Durable plans should go hand in hand with immediate supportive care. We should understand vulnerabilities and work with empathy.
    References

    Cooper A. Maher and Brittany E. Hayes. “Association Between Disabilities, Educational Attainment, Literacy, and Intimate Partner Violence: Findings from the Indian National Family Health Surveys.”

    Anne Barmettler, MD. “Domestic violence can be an unseen cause of ocular trauma.” Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Oculoplastics/Orbit. APR 26, 2023.

    Kavita Alejo. “Long-Term Physical and Mental Health Effects of Domestic Violence.” Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science, Volume 2, Spring 2014, Article 5. San Jose State University. Available at: https://schola.

    MS O Ezebuka, MSc • 1. N Sam-Agudu, MD • SErekaha, BSc • M Dairo, MSc. “Open Access.” Published: March, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(15)70142-7

  • Nobody Can Save You But Yourself BY CHARLES BUKOWSKI

    nobody can save you but
    yourself.
    you will be put again and again
    into nearly impossible
    situations.
    they will attempt again and again
    through subterfuge, guise and
    force
    to make you submit, quit and/or die quietly
    inside.

    nobody can save you but
    yourself
    and it will be easy enough to fail
    so very easily
    but don’t, don’t, don’t.
    just watch them.
    listen to them.
    do you want to be like that?
    a faceless, mindless, heartless
    being?
    do you want to experience
    death before death?

    nobody can save you but
    yourself
    and you’re worth saving.
    it’s a war not easily won
    but if anything is worth winning then
    this is it.

    think about it.
    think about saving your self.

    – Charles Bukowski