Quoting the book
“The file on the Odu App on the other hand contains information on how to develop an egalitarian society where you can all coexist peacefully and flourish. These are not new revelations. They are things that everyone should know but because many have lost contact with their conscience, these common sense ethics for successful communities have been ignored. The file on the Odu App provides an opportunity to re-start these conversations in the community.”
Every organization has it’s code of conduct, whether written down or otherwise. Kindly suggest core values, common sense ethics and norms to compiled as the code of conduct downloaded from the Odu App. I have some ideas which I will share below.
1. Fasting
It is beneficial to both the spirit and the body. It brings you to a place of humility and quiet. A place where you can receive inspiration. However, if you are cranky, irritable and badly behaved when you should be fasting, it is better to break the fast rather than to go on an unprofitable hunger strike. Pregnant women or those with medical conditions should refrain from fasting.
2. Dignity in Labor
There is dignity in labor. Do not look down on anyone earning a honest living, no matter how menial the job may be. A honest laborer is just as important to God as the CEO of a multinational organisation. God has no regard for a fraudster, irrespective of how much he tries to buy God’s approval through generous donations and gifts to spiritual leaders. Do not celebrate un-explainable wealth so that you don’t encourage others to follow such a pathway to “success”.
3. Faith
Never swallow everything hook, line and sinker. Always ask questions. Have an inquisitive mind. God has given you common sense, He expects you to make use of your reasoning faculty. Nevertheless have faith. Faith helps you stay the course even when things don’t appear to be working out according to plan.
4. Mode of Worship
Singing, clapping and dancing are beneficial modes of worship. These activities are good for the soul, spirit and body. Your mood gets lifted high, your body gets to exercise and release hormones that make you feel good (endorphins). By worshiping together, you are also able to lift the spirit of those downcast among you.
Good music is therapeutic, though bad music can be torture. Musicians and instrumentalists should strive for mastery in this regard. God is able to crown your efforts with success.
When worshiping, don’t be a nuisance in your neighborhood. Be considerate in all things. Remember not to damage your eardrums with excessively loud speakers.
5. Sexual Discipline
Sexual attraction is a strong force. Always endeavor to control inappropriate sexual urges. Avoid putting yourself in awkward and compromising situations. You will be held accountable for all forms of sexual abuse. It is wrong for you to pass the buck saying you were tempted by someone. Concerning rape, no means no, not maybe, not try harder. Never assume that you know what someone else is thinking. Going further after being told no is rape!
6. Group Interaction
The Novelette talked about the Daraagwa Club. A local group where people of like minds could interact and be of support to one another. A smile here, a hug there; a kind word here, a helping hand there; wise counsel here and prayer there etc. Spending time together provides a means for you to encourage each other as you try to uphold Omoluwabi and Ezigbo Mmadu standards in a self-centered world.
7. Group Administration
Leadership makes or breaks associations. It is important to have a clear path for local group administration. Everyone should be given an opportunity to aspire for group leadership. A leader could be chosen to stir the affairs of the group for two years supported by his deputy. After two years, the current leader will step aside and his deputy will take over for the next two years as the new leader, while a new deputy chosen via a transparent elective process.
The reason behind rotating leadership is to prevent power intoxication. A previous leader may be elected as deputy, after an interval of four years has passed since he last held an elective office. Others members that shall be elected with the deputy include the treasurer, financial secretary, etc, for accountability purposes.
Okay, I have put down some ideas! Other thoughts are welcome below.
8. Medical Science
God created all knowledge. He gave physicians knowledge on how to heal the sick. He gave pharmacists knowledge on drug development. Embrace medical science.
Whether you have a baby through normal sex or IVF, the baby remains a gift from God.
Concerning how the baby arrives the world, normal delivery or caesarian section, it really doesn’t matter. All that is important is a healthy baby and a healthy mother.
Celebrate with each other. Don’t guilt trip or condemn yourselves. Don’t lie to each other about how God answered your prayers.
Nice one! Thanks 👍
Here are other ideas
9. Living within your means
Aspire for greatness. Explore opportunities that come your way. Maximize the innate talents bestowed on you by God so that you can become self-sufficient and be able to help others. However, live within your means because as your purchasing power increases, so will your wants and perceived needs. Don’t stress yourself “keeping up with the Jones”. The Jones have their own insecurities too.
10. Self-mastery
Self-mastery is a continuous journey. Yesterday’s victory does not guarantee tomorrow’s victory. But just like an athlete who trains his muscles, you can build on the efforts put in today to make tomorrow’s victory easier.
11. Depression and Suicide
Life is precious, life is a gift. Don’t despair, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Light comes after the darkness. Even though everything seems hopeless right now, take a pause and breathe. Find one thing to be thankful for. Try to focus on that one thing. You’ll be surprised at how much the negatives will fade away. Seek help from professionals as required. God gave them the knowledge they will use to make you get better.
12. Marriage and Divorce
Marriage provides friendship and companionship. Marriage, like many successful business partnerships, thrives on trust and mutual respect. Why are you getting married? Is it because your partner will make a good companion, or because your kids will inherit good genes or is it for financial security? Is it the physical attraction? Be honest with yourself about your motives. Remember that your chosen partner could have an ancestor with bad genes, could lose their great job or fall ill and lose their physical assets.
It is better that you stick with your spouse, rather than longing for the greener grass on the other side. There is no perfect person anywhere. Try to water your own grass and watch it blossom. If things get strained, still try to treat each other with kindness and decency. If this is not achievable, it is better you separate as amicably as possible, rather than one person getting killed and the other becoming a convicted murderer due to continuous strife, resentment and bitterness.
13. Prayer
Prayer is communication with God. Talking with him as you will talk to someone right beside you. God hears you when you pray. He is not deaf, so you don’t need to shout at him. Prayer is therapeutic and refreshing. Speak to God and unburden your heart. As they say, a problem shared is a problem solved. God will give you insight as to how to solve the problem. Note that, you don’t need an intermediary to speak with him. You can hear from him by yourself.
Great effort! Full of so much wisdom.
I particularly liked the mode of Ascension to leadership in the daraagwa club. Just thinking that the years of understudy by the deputy would be wasted if s/he doesn’t automatically become leader. Also saves on needless effort and resources otherwise deployed to lobby or contest for the job. Do you think there’s something for INEC to learn from this?
Still looking for the full work. It’s looking interesting.
Thank you.
Yes o! Maybe INEC might find it useful. Lol!
File 1 & File 2 are still working in progress. The blog was created so that people could make suggestions on what should be included in the files.
Quite intrigued by the submissions here. Impressive. I noticed there are no mention of religious groups, sects or quotation.
I’m yet to explore the publication in it’s entirety but well done!
Thanks for your feedback. The aim is to focus less on religious groups, sects etc. Rather, the focus is to look at God through a southern Nigerian monotheistic cultural perspective using a common sense approach.
I’ll be glad to know your thoughts after reading the book., as per suggestions for the files. You can get the book on Amazon or read as a thread on twitter.