I do not quite know if this caption aptly describes what I want to write; neither do I know if it correlates with what you will find in the body of the writing. However, staying true to the new way of writing which I have discovered, the one without rules or objections, please let’s together see the few lines below and drop your comments.
For the past two weeks or thereabouts, I have taken some things into perspective. I have played different scenarios in my big coconut head. I have given myself reasons to think so deep. Thoughts that left me either wanting to turn back the hands of time, stop living and quitting the rat race or even wanting to live the more and do what I must to make the world I live in a better one. I have still learnt a few more things by virtue of my perspective thinking, hoping that will make me a better person.
The perspective thing gained more ground with some recent events. The Fabrice Muamba incident opened my eyes to how human beings relate in times of distress and challenges. First lesson I picked added to the one I already know about the sanctity of life. Fabrice just fell, and according to medical people, “he was technically dead for 78 minutes”. That would have been the end, I mean the end of Fabrice. I renewed my pledge to live as though every minute is the last, I chose to make peace always.
The outpouring of love and support shown Mr. Muamba, a guy I first heard of while honing his skills in the club I support, Arsenal FC, did not quite surprise me. I felt so concerned for him and saw the same on my Twitter timeline and Facebook feeds. It made me feel something I never was sure of how to explain again. The concern from all walks of life, even from non-soccer supporters, was overwhelming. Maybe just for once, everyone united irrespective of creed, colour, religion or other affliations.
Maybe, just maybe if we can daily support ourselves, our world will be a lot peaceful. Maybe if we can be regularly unite, we will together confront and defeat the evils which daily threaten our existence. Maybe if we offer folks shoulders to lean on, their lives will be a lot better. Imagine the number of people praying for Fabrice at the same time, does that tell you something about unity of purpose? Does that convey a message about oneness? Fabrice has pulled through and daily improves in his health.
See the show of support from Gary Cahill, Muamba’s former teammate. What with Andrea Pirlo getting his goal dedicated to Fab? See Real Madrid players wish Fabrice and an arch rival, Eric Abidal (of Barcelona, Madrid’s arch enemy) quick recovery in their respective health battles. I do not expect a world without rancor, I do not plead a perfect world, I only ask that we come together to make it a world in which we will stand firm by one another in our times of need.
While Fabrice Muamba’s condition was on, the campaign to #saveOke started here as well. Here was a young man who was bubbling with life before being confined to his bed due to diabetes. He needed a sum of five million naira to get to use his legs again. Calls were made for donations from folks. I saw one thing that I thought was not available again, many folks rallied round the young man, making donations out of the little they had on them too. Not wanting to sound immodest, I did something as well.
At the end of it all I felt a huge sense of relief and fulfillment. Of what use is the trouser and shoe I want to buy when someone’s life was at stake. Some of my friends on BBM responded, others ignored. At the end of the day, the Delta state government took over after our efforts yielded two million naira. Together we stood, as a unit, we contributed two million naira. Does that not tell you what we can achieve if we come together as a team?
Remove your five hundred naira and my two hundred naira from two million naira and you will have one million nine hundred and ninety nine thousand, three hundred naira; that is less than two million naira in any way. So whatever anyone did was important. Every penny, every contribution to a joint effort counts. It goes to say that we all are important in anything and everything, no matter how inconsequential you think you are.
A lot still on my mind, but I think we all should value ourselves and come together as a team to tackle challenges when needed. Words of encouragement alone are enough to spur people who are taking active part in any exercise. Every team needs you, you are of value. Team work will always win. This to me does not qualify as the best way to carry my message across, but I have tried to explain in a little way. You and I are important in a team…xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
AND THE NEW YEAR STARTS…
I have met many people in my life’s journey and I must say I consider myself extremely blessed to have met all. I want to say I appreciate you all. The best birthday blessing you can give me is to read and comment on this. It will go a long way to show how much you appreciate my March 28 this year.
A few hours ago, the calendar again turned for me, the year increased and the age changed yet again. I feel so blessed to be alive to add another year again with the different scenes in my eventful years playing all over again, allowing nostalgia to creep in quietly. I feel so lucky after treading so many paths – the illegal and legal, the good and bad, the ones that make me proud and the ones I regret. All in all, ope ni fun eleda mi to fun mi ni oore ofe lati wa laye (thanks to my maker for the grace to be alive).
I have had cause to be a student in many institutions while I was growing up steadily. However, we all remain students in the university of life. If you agree with me, that is where we live and school; the Boarding House where we only either make ourselves independent or enslaved as there are in my views no House Masters, Mistresses, Prefects or what have you. You report to the maker who has given you full control over your life to either make or mar it.
Without the input of many people in my past and present, I would have no chance to be here, neither will I be chanced to ink my mind. To the maker who yearly increases my age, experience, and maybe wisdom, I say thanks for giving me the chance to strut my stuff in the University of Life. It always is a privilege, never a right. It always will be a privilege I will appreciate till I return to the dust from where he molded me.
I can imagine how Momma felt seeing her first bundle of joy, the first result of her union with Dad. I’m trying to picture how Dad looked that beautiful Wednesday morning years ago. My Dad would sure have been grinning from ear to ear telling whoever cared that he did the ‘arrange’ that brought that baby over there into the world. To make matters funny, due to the fact that they place lots of premium on the male child, he would have been the proudest Adam in the whole wide world that morning.
The hen has finally hatched; the chick has become the cock now, going after Eves to also do his own thing his preferred way. Right from my nursery school days at Bodija International and Oritamefa Baptist Schools, I have always had this sense of responsibility, not wanting to disappoint anyone. That has stood me in good stead while I steadily grew ‘like a weed’. Having one of the best upbringings, modest but rich in values and love, I have been blessed every year of my life and I expect a lot more blessings as I add this to the years.
It is not as if birthdays are strange to me, this however is a special one for many who know the reason behind the ‘special’. I decided not to really look forward to it for a couple of reasons but common sense along with the thankful heart in me presently has overtaken that initial carefree attitude I had about my birthday celebration of this year. I have refused to get discouraged with some things which look as though they are not going my way now, I have decided to count my blessings.
I want to live after I die. Life after death is what people will say after I die, and I’m ready to be prayed for in death and my fruits, the seeds of my loins, be blessed for having a father that was and is a blessing to humanity. Nobody knows when he will exit this world. I therefore want to do all I must, the ‘dos’ and the ‘musts’ right on time so that it if I die today, it would be said that I was a blessing to all. I’m getting old and I’m trying to see what I’ve brought to the world. I want to be remembered for bringing love to the world and joy to the people.
Folks who are younger than me have achieved a lot more than what I’m currently boasting about. Contrastingly however, I have older folks who have not achieved a quarter of what I have achieved. I ask the creator for just one chance and that is to right all my wrongs and be the reason people celebrate and rejoice. Meanwhile, thanks for reading this, you have effectively wished me a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
A few hours ago, the calendar again turned for me, the year increased and the age changed yet again. I feel so blessed to be alive to add another year again with the different scenes in my eventful years playing all over again, allowing nostalgia to creep in quietly. I feel so lucky after treading so many paths – the illegal and legal, the good and bad, the ones that make me proud and the ones I regret. All in all, ope ni fun eleda mi to fun mi ni oore ofe lati wa laye (thanks to my maker for the grace to be alive).
I have had cause to be a student in many institutions while I was growing up steadily. However, we all remain students in the university of life. If you agree with me, that is where we live and school; the Boarding House where we only either make ourselves independent or enslaved as there are in my views no House Masters, Mistresses, Prefects or what have you. You report to the maker who has given you full control over your life to either make or mar it.
Without the input of many people in my past and present, I would have no chance to be here, neither will I be chanced to ink my mind. To the maker who yearly increases my age, experience, and maybe wisdom, I say thanks for giving me the chance to strut my stuff in the University of Life. It always is a privilege, never a right. It always will be a privilege I will appreciate till I return to the dust from where he molded me.
I can imagine how Momma felt seeing her first bundle of joy, the first result of her union with Dad. I’m trying to picture how Dad looked that beautiful Wednesday morning years ago. My Dad would sure have been grinning from ear to ear telling whoever cared that he did the ‘arrange’ that brought that baby over there into the world. To make matters funny, due to the fact that they place lots of premium on the male child, he would have been the proudest Adam in the whole wide world that morning.
The hen has finally hatched; the chick has become the cock now, going after Eves to also do his own thing his preferred way. Right from my nursery school days at Bodija International and Oritamefa Baptist Schools, I have always had this sense of responsibility, not wanting to disappoint anyone. That has stood me in good stead while I steadily grew ‘like a weed’. Having one of the best upbringings, modest but rich in values and love, I have been blessed every year of my life and I expect a lot more blessings as I add this to the years.
It is not as if birthdays are strange to me, this however is a special one for many who know the reason behind the ‘special’. I decided not to really look forward to it for a couple of reasons but common sense along with the thankful heart in me presently has overtaken that initial carefree attitude I had about my birthday celebration of this year. I have refused to get discouraged with some things which look as though they are not going my way now, I have decided to count my blessings.
I want to live after I die. Life after death is what people will say after I die, and I’m ready to be prayed for in death and my fruits, the seeds of my loins, be blessed for having a father that was and is a blessing to humanity. Nobody knows when he will exit this world. I therefore want to do all I must, the ‘dos’ and the ‘musts’ right on time so that it if I die today, it would be said that I was a blessing to all. I’m getting old and I’m trying to see what I’ve brought to the world. I want to be remembered for bringing love to the world and joy to the people.
Folks who are younger than me have achieved a lot more than what I’m currently boasting about. Contrastingly however, I have older folks who have not achieved a quarter of what I have achieved. I ask the creator for just one chance and that is to right all my wrongs and be the reason people celebrate and rejoice. Meanwhile, thanks for reading this, you have effectively wished me a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
ALL HAIL MOTHERS
No, I choose not to succumb to laziness. I was thinking of just recycling my Mothers’ Day article for 2011 but common sense has prevailed and here I am doing what gives me pleasure and fulfillment. I was getting so soaked in the kind of unnecessary busyness that has come to characterize my life of recent only to be jerked back to reality by a popular mart where I bought stuff that it would be Mothers’ Day on March 18.
There were conspiracies against this celebration of motherhood but I have weathered the storm to make sure this gets posted at all costs. PHCN did their best and my ever troublesome generator joined the conspiracy. Work did not allow the space and time but I am squeezing out the time and space to do this because mothers are one in a kind.
If I will forget everything, it definitely will not be one of my nursery school songs. “Who sat and watched my infant head, when sleeping on my cradle bed, and tears of sweet affection shed, MY MOTHER”. This was one song we all sang with devotion back then. We were actually oblivious of the important role of mothers back then. We just caught fun singing about Mummy.
There is always this bond, that ties the mother and the child. The kind of bond that nobody cannot explain. Ever seen a lunatic look admirably at her child? That is to tell you they also have a period of sanity after all. They are so aggressive when it comes to their children. Try everything and you will get away with it but don’t you ever mess with a made woman’s child. That’s the power of the mother-child bond; one of the mysteries of creation that is simply beyond human comprehension.
Make no mistake, you have a mother, but you have mothers as well. Your biological mother only brought you to the world. Mother figures get to emerge in one way or the other in our life’s journies. You say no? What about your primary school teacher? And for those privileged to attend playgroups, what about the Aunties then, the ones who changed your nappies?
What about that aunt that took care of you and your siblings? Or that neighbor that fed you and your siblings when Mother came late from work? Have you spared a little thought for the friends that your mother have, those ones who always cared for you all. They also are your mothers, they are the ones I call mother figures in our lives, they are indispensable.
In the Yoruba setting, there is a proverb that says “oju kan nii’bimo, igba oju lo n wo”, which easily translates as “one person gives birth, two hundred people train the child”. This goes to say that no one individual has one mother, we all have mothers and mother figures or whatever we choose to call them. They are the ones who have formed us into what we are.
Let me get a little explicit, without a mother, our fathers’ seeds would be very useless. It would be mere liquid as there would be no eggs to fertilize. Daddy’s only contribution was the semen and from there mother took over. She bore the pregnancy and took care from the moment the child arrived. Does father have enough time and emotion to care that much? Mother it is that can do all and more.
Therefore today, I say to my biological mother, Aunty Vic and all the mother figures in my life, HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY. Also to all potential mothers, I beseech you to be wonderful mothers who will make your children proud of you. The way I am proud of my mother and mothers. At the risk of over-emphasizing the celebration, HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY, tell her you love her and show it in a special way.
There were conspiracies against this celebration of motherhood but I have weathered the storm to make sure this gets posted at all costs. PHCN did their best and my ever troublesome generator joined the conspiracy. Work did not allow the space and time but I am squeezing out the time and space to do this because mothers are one in a kind.
If I will forget everything, it definitely will not be one of my nursery school songs. “Who sat and watched my infant head, when sleeping on my cradle bed, and tears of sweet affection shed, MY MOTHER”. This was one song we all sang with devotion back then. We were actually oblivious of the important role of mothers back then. We just caught fun singing about Mummy.
There is always this bond, that ties the mother and the child. The kind of bond that nobody cannot explain. Ever seen a lunatic look admirably at her child? That is to tell you they also have a period of sanity after all. They are so aggressive when it comes to their children. Try everything and you will get away with it but don’t you ever mess with a made woman’s child. That’s the power of the mother-child bond; one of the mysteries of creation that is simply beyond human comprehension.
Make no mistake, you have a mother, but you have mothers as well. Your biological mother only brought you to the world. Mother figures get to emerge in one way or the other in our life’s journies. You say no? What about your primary school teacher? And for those privileged to attend playgroups, what about the Aunties then, the ones who changed your nappies?
What about that aunt that took care of you and your siblings? Or that neighbor that fed you and your siblings when Mother came late from work? Have you spared a little thought for the friends that your mother have, those ones who always cared for you all. They also are your mothers, they are the ones I call mother figures in our lives, they are indispensable.
In the Yoruba setting, there is a proverb that says “oju kan nii’bimo, igba oju lo n wo”, which easily translates as “one person gives birth, two hundred people train the child”. This goes to say that no one individual has one mother, we all have mothers and mother figures or whatever we choose to call them. They are the ones who have formed us into what we are.
Let me get a little explicit, without a mother, our fathers’ seeds would be very useless. It would be mere liquid as there would be no eggs to fertilize. Daddy’s only contribution was the semen and from there mother took over. She bore the pregnancy and took care from the moment the child arrived. Does father have enough time and emotion to care that much? Mother it is that can do all and more.
Therefore today, I say to my biological mother, Aunty Vic and all the mother figures in my life, HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY. Also to all potential mothers, I beseech you to be wonderful mothers who will make your children proud of you. The way I am proud of my mother and mothers. At the risk of over-emphasizing the celebration, HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY, tell her you love her and show it in a special way.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
CELEBRATING ‘HER’
Waking up this morning, I tried as usual to remember whose birthday it is on March 8th so as to keep the reputation that I never forget birthdays. I racked my brain to no avail. Again I tried to remember what the exact thing happening today is. Of course after a few minutes, I remembered that it’s the day of our women, International Women’s Day. It’s the day set aside to celebrate womanhood starting from girlhood, 'ladyhood', spinsterhood, motherhood, 'grandmahood' and whatever-hood.
In our daily lives, I have noticed that we do not accord these ones the respect they deserve. That we choose to celebrate womanhood one day out of the many in a year is not too much. My favourite musician, the masked Lagbaja is one I will always refer to in celebrating women. He rhetorically asked in one of his songs “who is man without woman?”. We all are nothings, without them. In his exact word, Lagbaja said “nothing, nothing at all”.
We do not eulogize our women enough and it is a real shame. Think very deep and you will realize that without our women, life would be incomplete. Our semen would have nothing to do if there is no woman to shed the egg. In the procreation process, she does the bigger percentage of the work. Let us get real, the only thing the man does is the ‘love making’ aspect of the thing. Thereafter, the woman is left to do the rest. She carries the baby in her womb for nine months, nurtures it to growth.
The woman is a special creature, made by the creator to help the man. I seize every opportunity to celebrate them not minding their excesses. Now the whole stuff is not about paying lip service. It is time to actually change a lot of things pertaining to our Eves. Every woman is a girl and deserves to be treated as a chic. Every girl is a woman and should be treated just that way. We have to start showing them respect.
Methinks it is time to stop suppressing our women. Our culture relegates them to the background so much so they are not given enough chance to express themselves. Have you ever taken time to ponder on what the women of the olden days would have achieved if many of them had the opportunities we presently have? Most of them made their homes even when their husbands had little or no time for them. I may be wrong but I saw that in my now departed patrilineal grandmother.
I have seen girls grow into self-made women who are being celebrated today. The allure of making history is one too much ignore for many of them. They therefore succeed where some men dare not tread. If those ones are suppressed, they would not have been blessings to our world. Our grandparents humiliated women in their days, it is time to rise above that. Women are also human beings, ones to be treasured and respected; valued and adored. I hope we can do more of that.
Some women may hurt you with their actions; many others may get you depressed by their inactions. Like one of my twitter friends said today, they may even not reciprocate your good gestures, just manage to take them the way they are. Reject the temptation to generalize as it may rob you of the one woman that is your ‘own angel’. Accept them just the way they are, after all not all men are even half as good as them sometimes.
So much to say but I have to keep this short. Please learn to show some more respect, love and whatever positive you can, to the women in your life – wife, mother, sister(s), niece(s), cousins, as from today. Care for them the best way you can; Be the reason they smile, chuckle and even laugh hysterically. May we all find peace and love; and may our womenfolk be blessed. Happy International Women’s Day.
In our daily lives, I have noticed that we do not accord these ones the respect they deserve. That we choose to celebrate womanhood one day out of the many in a year is not too much. My favourite musician, the masked Lagbaja is one I will always refer to in celebrating women. He rhetorically asked in one of his songs “who is man without woman?”. We all are nothings, without them. In his exact word, Lagbaja said “nothing, nothing at all”.
We do not eulogize our women enough and it is a real shame. Think very deep and you will realize that without our women, life would be incomplete. Our semen would have nothing to do if there is no woman to shed the egg. In the procreation process, she does the bigger percentage of the work. Let us get real, the only thing the man does is the ‘love making’ aspect of the thing. Thereafter, the woman is left to do the rest. She carries the baby in her womb for nine months, nurtures it to growth.
The woman is a special creature, made by the creator to help the man. I seize every opportunity to celebrate them not minding their excesses. Now the whole stuff is not about paying lip service. It is time to actually change a lot of things pertaining to our Eves. Every woman is a girl and deserves to be treated as a chic. Every girl is a woman and should be treated just that way. We have to start showing them respect.
Methinks it is time to stop suppressing our women. Our culture relegates them to the background so much so they are not given enough chance to express themselves. Have you ever taken time to ponder on what the women of the olden days would have achieved if many of them had the opportunities we presently have? Most of them made their homes even when their husbands had little or no time for them. I may be wrong but I saw that in my now departed patrilineal grandmother.
I have seen girls grow into self-made women who are being celebrated today. The allure of making history is one too much ignore for many of them. They therefore succeed where some men dare not tread. If those ones are suppressed, they would not have been blessings to our world. Our grandparents humiliated women in their days, it is time to rise above that. Women are also human beings, ones to be treasured and respected; valued and adored. I hope we can do more of that.
Some women may hurt you with their actions; many others may get you depressed by their inactions. Like one of my twitter friends said today, they may even not reciprocate your good gestures, just manage to take them the way they are. Reject the temptation to generalize as it may rob you of the one woman that is your ‘own angel’. Accept them just the way they are, after all not all men are even half as good as them sometimes.
So much to say but I have to keep this short. Please learn to show some more respect, love and whatever positive you can, to the women in your life – wife, mother, sister(s), niece(s), cousins, as from today. Care for them the best way you can; Be the reason they smile, chuckle and even laugh hysterically. May we all find peace and love; and may our womenfolk be blessed. Happy International Women’s Day.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
FEBRUARY 4 REFLECTIONS
I have been intentionally quiet for the better part of this year because the prevailing situation in my country has activated a combination of sadness and anger in me. I am just finding my groove little by little. I had lots to write on in the first month of the year; I was buzzing, raring to go. I had my articles- motivationals, politics, every day living, and others as early as the tail end of 2011. However, the unfortunate fuel subsidy removal crisis put paid to all of that.
My head just went blank after that infamous announcement in the afternoon of New Year’s Day. Everything I was to write about ran away and anger seized the whole of my being, sadness took up companionship with the anger. I was no longer myself. The well of ideas dried up, setting me back momentarily, and threw me into the no man’s land of semi-writer’s block. I would not write anything with the level of anger I was feeling.
Lots of events have happened after that period. Events that have shaped the way this year may likely go in my dear mother Nigeria. Government came up with different techniques – blackmail, appeals, propaganda and other things in their black book. People rose for or against the ‘subsi-sh*t’ thing. Some stopped short of calling some of us names because they felt we were unnecessarily antagonizing the President and his team. We were to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Virtually every Minister became a guest of the NTA, the state owned TV station. Even those ones whose portfolio have little or no relevance to national development. The other members of the team started saying their own bit of jargons, to curry the favour of their inept boss. The most annoying misfiring tongues in the heat of the crises belong to the dishonorable Minister of Culture and the now retired Hafiz Ringim. Words I don’t want to remember again.
A few weeks after all the controversies, what do we have? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Where are the hurriedly commissioned mass transit buses? Has electricity improved one bit? Has government expenditure been cut? Has corruption reduced? Is it still not business as usual? Where in God’s name are all the promises? Instead of that, terrorists have permeated every aspect of our daily lives. Bombing at will, taking lives at will, with reckless abandon.
I have seen that this set of people we have as rulers as of now, are nothing but rulers. Nothing seems to be working on the national front. Some people have seized the country by the scruff of the neck and are blowing the hell out of the northern part of Nigeria with the government either not doing enough or having their efforts sabotaged. Things we have only seen on TV now stare us in the face, they have become reality. It sucks big time that nobody is actually taking enough responsibility for all these.
Fellow Nigerians daily die avoidable deaths in painful manners. Deaths that could make one cringe, the kind of death you don’t want to experience. Someone walks on and unsuspectingly a bomb goes off. You cannot imagine these things happening in Nigeria like ten years ago. We saw these on TV. Someone said these are signs of the end time. I totally agree with them but how come these things don’t happen in Ghana, Guinea, Mali and Benin Republic? Is it not end times there as well?
What I think is we have loads of problem and the ones saddled with that responsibility are not doing enough to get us out of the woods. While they are not doing what they should, we should stick together as one, rise beyond ethnicity and religion or whatever divides us and confront our challenges. Nigeria shall be great again, end time or not. Preach peace, act peace, live peace and we shall overcome. It is our turn to do something about Nigeria, let us act.
I’m outta here…xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
My head just went blank after that infamous announcement in the afternoon of New Year’s Day. Everything I was to write about ran away and anger seized the whole of my being, sadness took up companionship with the anger. I was no longer myself. The well of ideas dried up, setting me back momentarily, and threw me into the no man’s land of semi-writer’s block. I would not write anything with the level of anger I was feeling.
Lots of events have happened after that period. Events that have shaped the way this year may likely go in my dear mother Nigeria. Government came up with different techniques – blackmail, appeals, propaganda and other things in their black book. People rose for or against the ‘subsi-sh*t’ thing. Some stopped short of calling some of us names because they felt we were unnecessarily antagonizing the President and his team. We were to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Virtually every Minister became a guest of the NTA, the state owned TV station. Even those ones whose portfolio have little or no relevance to national development. The other members of the team started saying their own bit of jargons, to curry the favour of their inept boss. The most annoying misfiring tongues in the heat of the crises belong to the dishonorable Minister of Culture and the now retired Hafiz Ringim. Words I don’t want to remember again.
A few weeks after all the controversies, what do we have? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Where are the hurriedly commissioned mass transit buses? Has electricity improved one bit? Has government expenditure been cut? Has corruption reduced? Is it still not business as usual? Where in God’s name are all the promises? Instead of that, terrorists have permeated every aspect of our daily lives. Bombing at will, taking lives at will, with reckless abandon.
I have seen that this set of people we have as rulers as of now, are nothing but rulers. Nothing seems to be working on the national front. Some people have seized the country by the scruff of the neck and are blowing the hell out of the northern part of Nigeria with the government either not doing enough or having their efforts sabotaged. Things we have only seen on TV now stare us in the face, they have become reality. It sucks big time that nobody is actually taking enough responsibility for all these.
Fellow Nigerians daily die avoidable deaths in painful manners. Deaths that could make one cringe, the kind of death you don’t want to experience. Someone walks on and unsuspectingly a bomb goes off. You cannot imagine these things happening in Nigeria like ten years ago. We saw these on TV. Someone said these are signs of the end time. I totally agree with them but how come these things don’t happen in Ghana, Guinea, Mali and Benin Republic? Is it not end times there as well?
What I think is we have loads of problem and the ones saddled with that responsibility are not doing enough to get us out of the woods. While they are not doing what they should, we should stick together as one, rise beyond ethnicity and religion or whatever divides us and confront our challenges. Nigeria shall be great again, end time or not. Preach peace, act peace, live peace and we shall overcome. It is our turn to do something about Nigeria, let us act.
I’m outta here…xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Monday, January 16, 2012
THIS IS FOR YOU MOMMA, HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Another January 17 breezes in and despite the prevailing situation in Nigeria, it is time to celebrate my Mother. I feel blessed that a wonderful woman of unputdownable virtue and unquestionable character is the one I have as a mother, my biological one. Momma's birthday in itself is a reason to celebrate and forget whatever mixed feelings I've had Nigeria for now.
It is a fact that everyone says their mom or dad is the best in the world. I can however say without any contradiction whatsoever that in choosing the best mothers, Iya Seye stands right in front of the queue. I cannot start listing the virtues that make her qualify but I know I am very demanding and I have just been careful not to judge every other based on what Momma is to my Dad, myself and my brothers.
She is the epitome of loyalty, something very scarce in the womenfolk nowadays. Momma is a planner per excellence. When the resources are in excess quantity, she manages it so well that when scarcity comes, you'll never feel it. I know, and can say that about her. She's always ready to give a smile, I mean a big smile.
I have learnt a lot of things from her and every single thing I have learnt has put me in good stead so far. Lessons that I have picked up from her life of sacrifice have been the basis for my way of life. I know times that Momma has sacrificed her happiness to make some people happy. It is from her that I learnt what living for people means. She has always done that with her resources, no matter how little.
I can never explain the level of loyalty she has shown to folks around her. Very loyal to Dad and her friends. I have even had cause to disagree with her on the level of loyalty to folks who are utterly disloyal. She just looks me in the eye, and tells me its a form of investment that has a way of coming back to one. And to be honest, it happens that way in most cases.
I have a very demanding Dad. Momma however takes it on the chin and makes sure she does whatever it is that her husband wants. She never sits when she's not satisfied with things around. She always wants her house neat. She is always putting things in shape and doesn't want things scattered. I learnt from her that even the minute details count.
For example, Momma hates her pot black. I can say with all pride that her kitchen is neat in its own way. She will not rest until it is perfect enough for her. My mother still does her laundries and that of her husband, and if you're washing when she is, she will help you out, in most cases. I get to ask myself what she is made of. A very hardworking woman, even Mother Eve would be proud of her.
So much to say but where do I start? I have said I will celebrate this one-in-a-kind woman while she lives and beyond because she is a rare one-a mother, a sister, a friend. I am short of words Maami and I do not think I can ever say enough, how I feel about you. I'm proud of you Momma, and I love you big time.
My prayers? Not very many. That you'll live long enough to reap all that you have sown. For you to live long enough to see us achieve what you have always dreamt for us. That I will, Yinka will and Nifemi will, marry wives that have all your positive attributes and more. That everything due you, every of your rights, will be delivered to you this year.
You'll age gracefully and in happiness and sound health. All your sacrifices will not be in vain. Right in the very presence of everyone who has written you off shall you rise to heights hitherto unexpected. Iya Seye, Aunty Vic, Sister Sola, igba odun, odun kan o. Happy Birthday Momma. I love you big time; and I love you more everyday. Hugs and kisses Mommaxoxoxoxoxo
It is a fact that everyone says their mom or dad is the best in the world. I can however say without any contradiction whatsoever that in choosing the best mothers, Iya Seye stands right in front of the queue. I cannot start listing the virtues that make her qualify but I know I am very demanding and I have just been careful not to judge every other based on what Momma is to my Dad, myself and my brothers.
She is the epitome of loyalty, something very scarce in the womenfolk nowadays. Momma is a planner per excellence. When the resources are in excess quantity, she manages it so well that when scarcity comes, you'll never feel it. I know, and can say that about her. She's always ready to give a smile, I mean a big smile.
I have learnt a lot of things from her and every single thing I have learnt has put me in good stead so far. Lessons that I have picked up from her life of sacrifice have been the basis for my way of life. I know times that Momma has sacrificed her happiness to make some people happy. It is from her that I learnt what living for people means. She has always done that with her resources, no matter how little.
I can never explain the level of loyalty she has shown to folks around her. Very loyal to Dad and her friends. I have even had cause to disagree with her on the level of loyalty to folks who are utterly disloyal. She just looks me in the eye, and tells me its a form of investment that has a way of coming back to one. And to be honest, it happens that way in most cases.
I have a very demanding Dad. Momma however takes it on the chin and makes sure she does whatever it is that her husband wants. She never sits when she's not satisfied with things around. She always wants her house neat. She is always putting things in shape and doesn't want things scattered. I learnt from her that even the minute details count.
For example, Momma hates her pot black. I can say with all pride that her kitchen is neat in its own way. She will not rest until it is perfect enough for her. My mother still does her laundries and that of her husband, and if you're washing when she is, she will help you out, in most cases. I get to ask myself what she is made of. A very hardworking woman, even Mother Eve would be proud of her.
So much to say but where do I start? I have said I will celebrate this one-in-a-kind woman while she lives and beyond because she is a rare one-a mother, a sister, a friend. I am short of words Maami and I do not think I can ever say enough, how I feel about you. I'm proud of you Momma, and I love you big time.
My prayers? Not very many. That you'll live long enough to reap all that you have sown. For you to live long enough to see us achieve what you have always dreamt for us. That I will, Yinka will and Nifemi will, marry wives that have all your positive attributes and more. That everything due you, every of your rights, will be delivered to you this year.
You'll age gracefully and in happiness and sound health. All your sacrifices will not be in vain. Right in the very presence of everyone who has written you off shall you rise to heights hitherto unexpected. Iya Seye, Aunty Vic, Sister Sola, igba odun, odun kan o. Happy Birthday Momma. I love you big time; and I love you more everyday. Hugs and kisses Mommaxoxoxoxoxo
Thursday, November 10, 2011
ADIEU PASTOR SAMUEL ADETUNJI OWOYEMI (1930-2011)
I sat down in my office that fateful morning, playing with my phone because I had a little let-off from my normally busy schedule. I was trying to do many things at the same time play some music on my computer, playing game on my phone, doing a few chats with folks and a few other nothings. Impulsively, I scrolled to check the updates on my messenger and I saw a very close friend with sad emoticons, he was asking rhetorically, why do these things happen?
That was some minutes before ten in the morning of September 15. Going further down my contact list, I knew the inevitable had happened. The elephant has fallen; read a display. I knew I had to confirm something somehow. I picked up my phone and dialed and the voice at the other end said what I knew had already happened. The exact word I remember hearing was Baba don die o. I sighed, re-adjusted myself and took a deep breath.
That sums up how I knew about the passing unto glory of a father and an encourager. I have known Pastor Samuel Adetunji Owoyemi, whom we all called Baba Owoyemi right from my childhood. Permit me to get a little emotional with this piece. Baba Owoyemi deserves this and more, for he lived a life that was exemplary. I am struggling to find the right words that would tally with how emotional I feel. I do not feel sad at his exit, I only am going to celebrate this impactful life well-lived.
I have known Baba Owoyemi since my childhood. As a child, I remember he was calm and articulated his points whenever there was anything to discuss. His messages in our old SPAC, St. Pauls Apostolic Church, were not the speaker blaring, altar stamping, grammar blowing ones. Yet they had this way of sinking into ones system.
The Yoruba word kami kami kami is one I heard for the first time, from his mouth. It was in one of his wisdom-laden messages. I was nothing more than seven years old then but by the end of that Sunday service, I knew what kami kami kami meant. He carefully chose his words and had an illustration cum example for every situation he explained. Wisdom was never lacking in his words.
There were lots of situations in which his wisdom was brought to the fore. He was like a mentor to many up and coming young men back in the days. Shortly after his demise, I was talking to a father figure whom I hold in high esteem. This person said without mincing words that the fact that he has a roof over his head is down to Baba Owoyemis persistence, regular encouragement and advice.
Daddy Owoyemi always had a word for everyone. If you were doing good, he had a proverb to urge you on. If you were not doing something to be proud of, he had your kind of proverb. I vividly remember when there was a debate about indecent dressing. He simply said something which is translated as there is no dress code anywhere. Anyone who wants can walk around naked, and anyone who is ashamed can wear his or her undies around. It took me long before I knew the weight of that statement.
Baba and Mummy, both resting in the Lords bosom now, exemplify love and oneness. They together had this special interest in peoples lives and progress. I can count off my fingers, lives that have been touched by the simplicity of Daddy Owoyemi and the concern Mummy showed while they both were here with us. They personally touched me with their oneness. I saw only one thing with them both, love as of old. I know I am not the only one who saw that.
Getting closer, Baba had this way of encouraging my immediate family. There were tough times when my Dad faced a challenge in his career. He had this way of always asking after him; he was just so concerned. He would always want to know the most recent development in my Dads place of work. He had this way of asking my mum about us all. Iya Seye, e ma pele. Alagba nko? (Seyes mother, how are you? How is Elder?) He never looked down on anyone, instead he urged us all on.
My mom had a fracture on her leg in 2007. I remember Daddy Owoyemi came to visit my mom. He did not send anyone, he came himself. What made it so humbling was that it was shortly after Mummy passed on. For someone who was still mourning the passage of his other half to come on a visit to an ailing person was the height of it all. He said specifically that Mummy would have come to see you if she were to be alive and I owe her this visit.
Personally, I have heard only good words from him all my days. As a six or seven year old, Baba always said I had Akinkanju, it meant nothing to me then but I knew it was a good word. All through my university days, while some people scorned my choice of Animal Science, he always told me that the future of our country rests on agriculture and that I had taken the right step. He said that time and time again. He repeated it the last time I saw him before his passage.
At the end of my service year, I gave him a litre of wild honey, being what I brought for him from Taraba state. He looked at me and my mother and said Seye has brought me honey. He is saying my life should be sweet. Seye, may your life never know bitterness. I was moved by his appreciative spirit. He regularly asked about my job and told me to stay focused in my career. You are destined for the top, just stay focused, he always said. Baba, I remain focused Sir.
I will always remember a father figure, my adopted godfather and a great encourager and lover of all. Like we always say, we love you, but God loves you more. I will always miss your words while I hold on to the ones which drive me in my pursuit of excellence in life and destiny. You live on Baba; for life after death is what people speak of you after you are gone; and I have only good words about you.
Rest in the bosom of your God till we meet to part no more.
Adieu Baba, O daaro sir.
That was some minutes before ten in the morning of September 15. Going further down my contact list, I knew the inevitable had happened. The elephant has fallen; read a display. I knew I had to confirm something somehow. I picked up my phone and dialed and the voice at the other end said what I knew had already happened. The exact word I remember hearing was Baba don die o. I sighed, re-adjusted myself and took a deep breath.
That sums up how I knew about the passing unto glory of a father and an encourager. I have known Pastor Samuel Adetunji Owoyemi, whom we all called Baba Owoyemi right from my childhood. Permit me to get a little emotional with this piece. Baba Owoyemi deserves this and more, for he lived a life that was exemplary. I am struggling to find the right words that would tally with how emotional I feel. I do not feel sad at his exit, I only am going to celebrate this impactful life well-lived.
I have known Baba Owoyemi since my childhood. As a child, I remember he was calm and articulated his points whenever there was anything to discuss. His messages in our old SPAC, St. Pauls Apostolic Church, were not the speaker blaring, altar stamping, grammar blowing ones. Yet they had this way of sinking into ones system.
The Yoruba word kami kami kami is one I heard for the first time, from his mouth. It was in one of his wisdom-laden messages. I was nothing more than seven years old then but by the end of that Sunday service, I knew what kami kami kami meant. He carefully chose his words and had an illustration cum example for every situation he explained. Wisdom was never lacking in his words.
There were lots of situations in which his wisdom was brought to the fore. He was like a mentor to many up and coming young men back in the days. Shortly after his demise, I was talking to a father figure whom I hold in high esteem. This person said without mincing words that the fact that he has a roof over his head is down to Baba Owoyemis persistence, regular encouragement and advice.
Daddy Owoyemi always had a word for everyone. If you were doing good, he had a proverb to urge you on. If you were not doing something to be proud of, he had your kind of proverb. I vividly remember when there was a debate about indecent dressing. He simply said something which is translated as there is no dress code anywhere. Anyone who wants can walk around naked, and anyone who is ashamed can wear his or her undies around. It took me long before I knew the weight of that statement.
Baba and Mummy, both resting in the Lords bosom now, exemplify love and oneness. They together had this special interest in peoples lives and progress. I can count off my fingers, lives that have been touched by the simplicity of Daddy Owoyemi and the concern Mummy showed while they both were here with us. They personally touched me with their oneness. I saw only one thing with them both, love as of old. I know I am not the only one who saw that.
Getting closer, Baba had this way of encouraging my immediate family. There were tough times when my Dad faced a challenge in his career. He had this way of always asking after him; he was just so concerned. He would always want to know the most recent development in my Dads place of work. He had this way of asking my mum about us all. Iya Seye, e ma pele. Alagba nko? (Seyes mother, how are you? How is Elder?) He never looked down on anyone, instead he urged us all on.
My mom had a fracture on her leg in 2007. I remember Daddy Owoyemi came to visit my mom. He did not send anyone, he came himself. What made it so humbling was that it was shortly after Mummy passed on. For someone who was still mourning the passage of his other half to come on a visit to an ailing person was the height of it all. He said specifically that Mummy would have come to see you if she were to be alive and I owe her this visit.
Personally, I have heard only good words from him all my days. As a six or seven year old, Baba always said I had Akinkanju, it meant nothing to me then but I knew it was a good word. All through my university days, while some people scorned my choice of Animal Science, he always told me that the future of our country rests on agriculture and that I had taken the right step. He said that time and time again. He repeated it the last time I saw him before his passage.
At the end of my service year, I gave him a litre of wild honey, being what I brought for him from Taraba state. He looked at me and my mother and said Seye has brought me honey. He is saying my life should be sweet. Seye, may your life never know bitterness. I was moved by his appreciative spirit. He regularly asked about my job and told me to stay focused in my career. You are destined for the top, just stay focused, he always said. Baba, I remain focused Sir.
I will always remember a father figure, my adopted godfather and a great encourager and lover of all. Like we always say, we love you, but God loves you more. I will always miss your words while I hold on to the ones which drive me in my pursuit of excellence in life and destiny. You live on Baba; for life after death is what people speak of you after you are gone; and I have only good words about you.
Rest in the bosom of your God till we meet to part no more.
Adieu Baba, O daaro sir.
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