Ododo

Nigeria is ours, Nigeria we serve

2008-09-30T23:24:00.005+01:00

My great country is 48 years today! Some call her the sleeping giant, others say she's crawling but I disagree with the above. Nigeria's a giant, yes and one going places. Agreed, we are not there yet and it's easier to see all that's wrong with the country but if we all, especially the youth of this country choose to see the best in this country and work towards it, by the time we're celebrating our 50th, things would be considerably better.

God bless Nigeria, God bless her people, God bless her leaders, and make Her a great nation indeed.

Reminds me of the clarion call to the youth in the NYSC anthem. Goes thus:
Youths obey the clarion call
Let us lift our nation high
Under the sun or in the rain
With dedication and selflessness
Nigeria is ours Nigeria we serve

Would we all make this our watch?

Proud to be Nigerian anyday!

Eight lies of a mother

2008-09-20T09:34:00.003+01:00

~EIGHT LIES OF A MOTHER~

1.The story began when I was a child;
I was born as a son of a poor family.
Even for food, we lacked what to eat.
Whenever it was time for food, mother often gave me her portion of rice.
While she was removing her rice into my bowl,
she would say "Eat this rice, son. I'm not hungry".
That was Mother's First Lie

2.When I was growing,
my persevering mother gave her spare time for fishing in a river near our house,
she hoped that from the fish she got,
she could give me a little bit of nutritious food for my growth.
After fishing, she would cook the fish ,
which raised my appetite. While eating the soup,
mother would sit beside me and eat the rest of the fish,
which was still on the bone of the fish I ate.

I was touched when I saw it.
I then used my chopstick and gave the other fish to her.
But she immediately refused it and said "Eat this fish, son.
I don't really like fish."
That was Mother's Second Lie.

3.Then, when I was in Junior High School,
to fund my study,
mother went to an economic enterprise to bring some used-match boxes that would be stuck in.
It gave her some money for covering our needs.
As the winter came,
I woke up from my sleep and looked at my mother who was still awake,
supported by a little candlelight and with her perseverance she continued
the work of sticking some used-match boxes.
I said, "Mother, go to sleep, it's late,
tomorrow morning you still have to go to work.
" Mother smiled and said "Go to sleep,
dear. I'm not tired."
That was Mother's Third Lie.

4.At the time of final term,
mother asked for a leave from her work in order to accompany me.
While the daytime was coming and the heat of the sun was starting to shine,
my strong and persevering mother
waited for me under the heat of the sun shine for several hours.
As the bell rang, which indicated that the final exam had finished,
mother immediately welcomed me and poured me a glass of tea
that she had prepared before in a cold bottle.
The very thick tea was not as thick as my mother's love,
which was much thicker. Seeing my mother covered with perspiration,
I at once gave her my glass and asked her to drink too.
Mother said "Drink, son. I'm not thirsty!".
That was Mother's Fourth Lie.

5.After the death of my father because of illness,
my poor mother had to play her role as a single parent.
By holdinf on to her job, she had to fund our needs alone.
Our family's life was more complicated. No day without suffering.
Seeing our family's condition that was getting worse,
there was a nice uncle who lived near my house who came to help us,
either in a big problem or a small one.
Our other neighbors who lived next to us saw that our family's life was so unfortunate,
they often advised my mother to marry again. But mother,
who was stubborn, didn't listen to their advice,
she said "I don't need love."
That was Mother's Fifth Lie.

6.After I had finished my study and then got a job,
it was time for my old mother to retire.
But she didn't want to; she wanted to go to the marketplace every morning,
just to sell some vegetable for fulfilling her needs.
I, who worked in the other city, often sent her some money to help her in fulfilling her needs,
but she was stubborn by not accepting the money.
She even sent the money back to me.
She said "I have enough money."
That was Mother's Sixth Lie.

7.After I graduated with a Bachelor Degree,
I then continued my study up to Masters Degree.
I took the degree, which was funded by a company through a scholarship program,
from a famous University in America .
I finally worked in the company. With a quite high salary,
I intended to take my mother to enjoy her life in America .
But my lovely mother didn't want to bother her son,
she said to me "I'm not used to that life."
That was Mother's Seventh Lie.

8.After entering her old age,
mother got cancer and had to be hospitalized.
I, who lived miles away and across the ocean,
directly went home to visit my dearest mother.
She layed down in weakness on her bed after having an operation.
Mother, who looked so old, was staring at me deep in the eye.
She tried to spread her smile on her face;
even that looked so stiff because of the disease.
It was clear enough to see how the disease broke my mother's body,
thus she looked so weak and thin.
I stared at my mother with tears flowing on my face.
My heart was hurt, so hurt, seeing my mother in that condition.
But mother, with her strength, said "Don't cry, my dear.
I'm not in pain."
That was Mother's Eight Lie.

After saying her eighth lie, She closed her eyes forever!

The above was sent into my mail box and I thought to share it. Cherish your mom if you have a biological one and/or your mom by marriage. Mothers are wonderful people.

My mother. My friend?

2008-08-01T13:45:00.003+01:00

Funny how other things take up the time your primary passion should. Hmn. . .

How many of us ladies think of tomorrow? How many of us think about our children? How many of us desire to be mothers in the very near future? How many? Hmn... I've seen, read about and spoken to a lot of ladies who would rather not have mothers than have the one they have presently. Duh! What would make someone say that?

How many mothers are really friends to their daughters? How many of them can really say they know their girls? How many of them are really friends with them? How many mothers are the first lover, friend, companion, confidant, etc etc to their daughters? I'm of the opinion that if more mothers took care to nuture their daughters emotionally, physically, psychologically and all the 'allys', we'll have better girls and young ladies in our society who would not need any man lying to them and they being that gullible to accept just any 'validation' from any man.

2008-07-27T21:02:00.000+01:00

Take stock

2007-12-30T15:26:00.000+01:00

It's cool to have a last impute for this year. I'm not quite put together at the moment but I'll still drop my message briefly however. One thing that's worked for me at this period is taking stock of the year, where I failed and where I succeded. I have made plans for the coming year too. Not resolutions but guiding principles for the coming year. Try it, it would help you too.

Happy new year in advance!

Feeling left out?

2007-12-10T12:02:00.000+01:00

Do you have this strong feeling of being left out? Or do you feel like you don't belong? Or is yours a feeling of being useless? Like time's passing you by?

Aight, I'll share another true story with you. Mine as I said.

In the last post, I gave you a general overview of failure and my own experience with failure. Okay. In this field of being left out too, I've some story to tell.

I told you already how I missed out of the service year with my colleagues and twice, when I could have met up with them again, it just didnt happen. What comes out of this naturally? Depression. A sense of loss. You could feel a lil inferior to your mates. You might even want to give it all up. You might not want to try anything again. Self pity. The list is endless but this is not the solution.

The one year of waiting to proceed on my service has not been the best one year of my life. I've seen better years. This period feels like I'm just there, not in any employment, I hear news from friends and they share what they're doing. Naturally, I feel very useless and like time's just swooping past me. But I've come to learn one thing too. This is the best time to review my life plans. Oh, wait. Do you have a life plan? Something that kinda guides you as you go along? If you don't, draw one up today. It would really help you. And if you have, if there's an unexpected occurrence somewhere, it is time to review such an occurrence and you plan. Get better! Think better! Don't underestimate ourself. Change your thinking pattern. It isn't easy, yes I know. But you can do it if you set your mind to it.

Get out of that pity party and see the lag as an opportunity for you to avoid mistakes your peers might have made in the 'straight, smooth sailing'.

Starting with realities

2007-11-21T20:28:00.000+01:00

I promised to share my real experiences with you. Here they come.

I'll start with my first contact with failure. This came in my University years. I wasn't leading my class from the primary school through the secondary, but I wasn't lagging behind either. Infact, I somehow stood out in my class. Interesting to also note that I got into the university immediately I left the secondary school. All these combined to give me the confidence that I wasn't dumb.

So you can imagine my shock the first time I failed a course in the university. And though I didn't have to repeat the class, I had to take the course again. It was a whole new feeling for me. I had to attend classes with folks that were a class behind me. Okay, being the 'tough' girl that I am, I braved it and retook that course and passed it. But that looked like the gateway to other courses that I had to retake. Somewhere along the line, I kinda got used to it, it didn't bother me anymore but the big one was yet to come!

That was when I failed a course in my final year and I knew that translated into an extra semester. It shook me real hard. I realized my colleagues were leaving me and going off. I had gotten a lot toughened by this time and by the processes I had gone through that I really didn't 'react' to the situation but stood up to it with the hope that I'll meet up with my colleagues after four months at the National Youth Service program. But a bigger surprise was waiting for me. By some error (not on my part), I had to stay back again for another semester! That made it an extra session! I hadn't, in my wildest dreams, imagined this possible. Okay, so I had to face it. By the time I'm leaving school finally, my colleagues would have just 2months to complete the Youth service scheme. That meant that I was a full year behind them!

It's interesting to read this now. But I tell you, the process wasn't palatable at all. I didn't add that by the time I was taking the second semester extra, I was taking the course with my younger brother who had never at anytime met up with me academically till this time. You can only imagine the psychological effect. It was at this same university time that a lecturer told me I was topping my class. In essence, there was no logical reason for me to have failed at all.

I have taken time to share this with you because I don't know what failure you might have faced. It might not be academically, it might be financially, business wise, family wise (oh, do I have a story here), whatever. Just know that you may fail, but you're not a failure. When you give in to the thought or feeling of being a failure, that's when you've actually failed. I'll like to say this also, when your emotions are pent up at these low times, if you feel like crying, please do, if it's screaming, do it. Just let out the emotions, don't get them piled up. And one day, you'll be encouraging others with your story. Only when you dare and choose to live it out!

When life deals the lemons

2007-10-28T19:07:00.000+01:00

What do you do when you expect to be dealt oranges and you get lemons instead?

Brood?

Loose interest?

Cry?

Get into a foul mood?

Try to rally sympathy?

Drink yourself to stupor?

Eat impulsively?

Get addicted to stuff?

Get hung on drugs?

These and many more are options people take when they don't get what they expect from others, friends, life itself, family or someone they have looked up to for something. But I like to tell you that these options are the 'wrongest' (permit that grammatical use) options. When you get struck down, you shouldn't be downcast. The general thing we're told is 'Take the lemon life has thrown at you and make lemonade', that's very true.

When you get downcast, it becomes difficult for you to get up and rethink and get yourself together and back on your feet. Your vision gets blurred and bleary. Your passion is watered down and you could just move from worse to worst. Now, this isn't just theory, I'm adding something new to this page. Real life experiences. I'll share my experiences with you, starting from the next post. Who knows, could just meet your present need.

Would you find time for me?

2007-10-26T01:53:00.000+01:00

Whao! I heard this question and knew I had to run straight to my keyboard and strike some keys. My blog had to cry out "Would you find time for me?"

A lil while ago, a friend called, after almost one year that I hadn't heard from her, and went on telling me she loved me and had really missed me. I wondered how those things tallied with her long silence. I didn't see a link. She had missed me? And had to wait for a couple weeks to a year anniversary of silence to tell me that? I didn't believe that one bit. I just waited to hear what she needed from me.

That story of my friend tells me something about my blog. I always have it in mind to drop stuff here. Infact, many of them I have lost now but I never really got down to doing it. Now, agreed, the blog isn't like a friend,a loved one, family or even an acquaintance that can actually voice out or act out the need for attention, but doesn't it need attention? How long will we continue to postpone giving the attention needed to those around us who need it? How long more does a child have to get out of hand to attract the much needed attention of the parents? And will it take the infidelity of one partner for the other to realize he/she needs to create time?

If you have plants at home or pets, you'll understand that leaving them alone without creating time for them would turn your nice roses to a wild bush and your supposedly docile pup to a wild dog. Nothing, nothing at all loves neglect. Less of neglect would rid our environment of thugs and layabouts.

Think about this. If you direct all your energies to you work, career, business, whatever, and lose those very important fellas in your life, would it have been worth it?

Friends are Friends

2007-09-27T13:23:00.001+01:00

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

I came across this chorus from the song by Micheal W. Smith. Its' title is actually 'Friends are Friends' and then I got thinking. Who really is a friend? Yeah, friends should really be forever! But before they are forever, what constitutes their friendship?

Is friendship about convenience?
Is it about nice fronts?
Is it about faking realities?
Is it about not just wanting to appear heartless to the other?

Or,

Is it about being ourselves?
Is it about understanding our silences and noises?
Is it about speaking the truth in love?
Is it about . . .

What exactly is friendship about?
Do you choose your friends or are they stuck down your throat? Do you have to continue to stick a person you just aren't connecting with anymore?

I would love responses.

Friends are Friends

2007-09-27T13:23:00.000+01:00

Whispers

2007-09-14T21:29:00.000+01:00

Sad, I lost the grphics in this but the message's still clear. Think on this.

A man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a meadowlark sang.

But, the man did not hear.

So the man yelled, "God, speak to me" and the thunder rolled across the sky.

But, the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined brightly.

But the man did not see.

And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle." And, a life was born.

But, the man did not notice.
So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here." Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But, the man brushed the butterfly away .

and walked on.
I found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted ... even in our electronic age.

So I would like to add one more:

The man cried, "God, I need your help!" And an e-mail arrived reaching out with good news and encouragement.

But, the man deleted it and continued crying
Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.

My instructions were to send this to people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Won't you please pass this to people you want to be blessed.

Have A Happy Day!

How thankful are you?

2007-09-14T21:21:00.000+01:00

This isn't originally mine. Someone sent it to me and I want to share it. How well we pass everyday things that remind us how complete we are and how good God is. Add to the list.
NB: The original author is given the credit.

I am Thankful:

FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH..

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

It's another Sunday morning!

2007-09-09T08:47:00.000+01:00

Whao! It's another Sunday morning. Was it this time two Sundays ago I put something up last? Hard to believe. The first Sunday post was on God's creation, and this post too is...wait a minute, what isnt God's creation? Directly or indirectly?

Moving from the flowers, butterflies, grasses, animals, to humans. Of course, we all know that God created us. But somethings bothers me about us. Why do we just sit around and let who we really are (positive) decay off inside of us. I sampled two people. Both are not what you'll call extroverts. But while I watched over the years and one worked on the quater extrovert that was in him, the other just sat in the shadows, getting sad at himself, life, things and people around him. He just got sulky. Now I look at both guys. I see the first guy attaining his goal inspite of his weaknesses. He has realised that he could get very timid and has worked on it, not negatively though, to strengthen the 'weak positive' side of him. Actually, he has made a lot of headway ahead of the other guy. I can measure that cuz they both have very similar conditions. I fear for guy 2 cuz I see him continuing to blame others for his mistakes and continuing to sit right there on the same spot and never getting anything done.

Friend, God has put a lot into you. Look inward, polish yourself and attain you utmost. What's the essence if you 'horde' all that you ought to utilize for the betterment of mankind and to add value to yourself and die really smelly on the inside? The rot of what you have inside of you would really be stinky, don't you think? Stand up! Take the bull by the horns and face life. Be a better you. No one would hold it against you.

Whoever said you can't be better?

It's Sunday morning

2007-08-19T10:34:00.000+01:00

It's a beautiful Sunday morning. The weather's very fine here. Not sunny and not cloudy, just fine for a nice stroll ruminating on the works of God's hands.

That same serenity drew me to this page. I have to put something up, yeah, sure. What? I'll be back.

How long can you stand?

2007-08-08T09:16:00.000+01:00

This picture says something more to me than just a pair of chocks on rocks. It asks me a question; when things don't look the way I want them to, how long can I wait for a complete process? I got talking with a couple of my friends sometime last week and we can to the conclusion that we're in an instant world now. If not, how do we explain instant food, the ATMs, instant pictures, etc? No one wants to go to the banks to queue anymore, food must just get done faster than they naturally should and we don't want to wait again for pictures to go through the camera, film stage, the darkroom, etc.

These things look like making life easier but looking deep into it, we realize that something vital is being taken from our lives everyday. PATIENCE! That's something the average 21st century young person doesn't have. I walk into stores, banks, offices and see the way young people talk at the personell they meet in these places. They just want to have it ASAP! Let's give a thought to the values that are being taken from us with the 'technological advancements' and think of our children and the future generations. WHo'll teach them some of these things if we're losing them ourselves.

I agree that life's been easier but take out the ease, what are we left with? Take time to think today, I hope we won't have robots thinking for us soon.

Just some thoughts.

It's so good to be back!

2007-07-27T16:43:00.000+01:00

It feels so great to be back online. For the greater part of 12 weeks, events had so overtaken me that I just couldn't keep up with my cyber space. But today, I can flex my fingers and get back online. To all those who sent comments and messages while I was away, thank you. Your messages are greatly appreciated and to all who kept wondering what had happened to me, I'm glad to be back to allay your worries.

In those weeks, I have learnt new things which I'll share with you. I'm really bursting now to speak but one of the things I learnt during this time was patience and I'll just exercise that now. Yes, as much as I want to talk, I have to take a break, at least today. Tomorrow, we catch up again.

It really feels good too to return today when the black world and indeed the world at large, specifically the IT world celebrates a true and worthy ambassador. 'Gbenga Sesan, happy birthday. This is someone who's touched countless lives, mine inclusive in ways that posterity alone can attempt to recount and repay. Happy birthday Egbon mi.

Changes do occur

2007-05-03T11:19:00.000+01:00

I can't believe that I've been gone for over a month without any post. I didnt ever think it could happen but it did. I had to go through some changes that really kept me off the web. I'm not trying to make an excuse here, nah! Infact, I have lost touch with a lot of things online, and a lot of people too!

Now this gets me thinking. How do we adapt to changes in our lives, nations, places of work, families, etc? The elections in Nigeria have just been conducted. A change has occurred. Power is changing hands in 26days and some people are averse to it! There have been a lot of rancour and unnecessary clamour. Come to think of it, why is it so hard to adapt to change? But I think the problem we have is adapting to a change that we think we dont have an immediate benefit from. We want things done our way - selfish aint that? I'll continue on this but I just had to put something new on this page. I'll be back soon.

"SMSes" and Truths

2007-03-26T11:48:00.000+01:00

I have a habit of keeping sms that really touch me and I was recently going through some of them again. What struck me as I read those sms again was how true could they be? Some of them came from people I'm not so close to or who I just met once. Let me share some of them with you so you get a picture of what exactly I'm talking about.

Space seems like an empty word, but it's full of Special People Around Caring Endlessly. Thank you for being part of my space.

I do not think much, I do not think often but when I think, I think of you. I don't think anything to think about than you!

Some pictures are kept in the album, others in the haert. Those in the album are thought of when seen, those in the heart will never be forgotten. As long as my heart beats, you're in it.

In my life, I learnt how to love, to smile, to be happy, to be strong, to be faithful, to work hard and to be honest but I can't learn how to stop missing you.

Silence heals, secrets destroy but confessions heal heartache...my greatest confession to you is that... you are a wonderful friend I don't want to lose.

Okay, so I'll stop there. Those are five of my most treasured sms I posted for the world to see! However, as much as I may not wan tto doubt the heart behind them, I still find myself wondering, how much of the truth we tell ourselves in sms. Do you say something electronically and actually mean something less? As much as I'm for brightening up others' days, I'm also for sincerity. How much it'll hurt me to discover that these messages were just picked up from the net or elsewhere and just sent to momentarily make me feel good.

A word: Before you send that sms, check and be sure you're not giving someone false hopes.

A shoulder to lean on

2007-03-20T12:06:00.000+01:00

How many times do we suffer in silence and really wished there was someone around the corner who could just offer their shoulders for us to cry into or lean on? Are shoulders that scarce? Is it that difficult to get a willing shoulder?

Ever thought of being a shoulder, ready for someone to use? A willing support to someone in their trying times?

Short post but I was just thinking. I recently had a very willing and I dare say strong shoulder to lean on and was it great help? This is actually a dedication to a great friend. Do you have experiences to share of being a shoulder or gaining a shoulder? WHy don't you share so we can all learn from you. Waiting for you.

'Oju Aye'

2007-03-14T14:25:00.000+01:00

I just left the sixtieth birthday fete for Prof. Niyi Osundare. The 'eye of the earth' is 60 and we're rolling out the drums. As a great lover of the arts (poems, music, drama, stage, film, novel, all) I couldn't resist the urge to once again see this great oak. And in his characteristic style, Osundare turned out in his top. None of those shirts and ties (which could be very uncomfortable anyway) for him.

During the speeches and opening talks, a recurring point was the incident this lover of the earth was involved in running to 2 years now - the Katrina. Lives were lost but thank God He preserved the life of this 'youngman' and his wonderful wife. Documents, pictures and all were lost too but we're celebrating his life today. Really, he's a survivour of the earth.

A foundation of sorts was launched where people can send journals, pictures, motion materials, anything at all about, on and for Osundare. There's an effort at starting a virtual library and a physical one at that for this man so there an be better documentation and a kind or resourcing some of the lost memoirs. Visit www.osundare60fete.blogspot.com for more details or mail your materials to osundare60fete@gmail.com and osundare_at60@yahoo.com. Thanks for a being a part of collating great history. This is a time for celebrating our African beauties.

Baba @ 70

2007-03-12T15:06:00.000+01:00

On March 5, Baba (as he's fondly called in Nigeria) clocked 70. I watched with as he was celebrated at home and even outside our shores. The Ghana version was particularly touching. I watched as he stood and President John Kuffor of Ghana poured accolades on him. That was my idea of celebrating someone. Not when the person dies and people begin to talk about him. He'll not hear and appreciate those comments.

Now, anyone can say anything about baba, they can verbally 'run him down' as much as it pleases them but I appreciate his efforts on Nigeria. I appreciate where he has taken us to. No man is perfect and this great man admits that he's made mistakes in the past so, what else do we want? As he retires, we'll never, ever forget his footprints on the sand of time in Nigeria.

Congrats baba as you reach a milestone age in your life.

Take your destiny in your hands!

2007-03-12T13:27:00.000+01:00

I should have done this about a week ago but I just couldn't sign in to blogger. Now I get the chance, I'm blogging away!

It's no longer news that OAU Ife is presently under locks. Why? The answer is painfully real. Some hooligans were allowed to hijack the academic calendar. Less than 10 people disrupting the life of over 25,000 students! It's unthinkable! The school had started exams but these fellows wouldn't just allow it hold smoothly. And the generality of the students were being held hostage in their halls of residence. They were threatned and attacked with dangerous weapons. And like sheep, they ran helter skelter the university premises till things got of hand and management had to close the school not after mobile policemen had been deployed to help maintain peace.

The part of this all that annoys me is that a body of active, healthy students have resigne their destiny to thugs. Why? Why would we continue to keep quiet under oppression? Agreed, those guys had dangerous weapons but they are not as many as the unarmed! They didnt have guns. The best they could do was throw stones or bottles or sticks. Yes, they could wound people but when will we ever get what's right if we all continue to cow? I may be the only one who's following this line of thought but I believe oppression cannot be fought with silence. Neither can it be fought with violence but by the oppressed to reject it and be ready to sacrifice to attain their freedom. And I believe politics should be played with sense.

What do you think?

We are the World!

2007-02-25T03:03:00.000+01:00

I watch, have been watching with keen interest the events all culminating in the general elections in April in Nigeria. Really, it all looks like a drama or movie script. Old men who ought to sit back and hand over their 'good work' to the generation behind them are struggling and killing themselves over this 'national cake' that they have been eating and choking on for God knows how long ago.

And we, we, what have we been doing? Looking at them, watching them perform all their stunts now. Let them help sanitize the top, and exit it however they want to do it. We the youth are waiting, patiently, bidding our time and watching for the right time to launch into the mainstream.

Fearlessly we wait and watch, bravely we prepare and honestly we gird ourselves, ready to serve! We are the world!

St. Valentine

2007-02-17T16:46:00.000+01:00

This is really late. It should have been posted on Wednesday but it's okay sha. I want to share this story with you. Ii is St. Valentine's own story as told by him. Enjoy it.

St. Valentine's Story

Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the third century. That was long, long ago! At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. I didn't like Emperor Claudius, and I wasn't the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings.

Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened? He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn't going to support that law!

Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favorite activities was to marry couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course. It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers.

One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death.

I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love.

One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it, "Love from your Valentine."

I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh -- because they know that love can't be beaten!

Nollywood? Hollywood?

2007-02-06T01:16:00.000+01:00

Tonight, I was talking with a new acquaintance and we dwelt majorly on Nollywood in comparison to Hollywood and Bollywood and I was disheartened at the way the guy talked. He blamed the 'poor' quality of Nollywood films on different people. First he said it was the producers, then the script writers, then the viewers themselves and finally the government or leadership as he put it.

Wait na, why is it that we always blame other people when problems arise? WHy don't we look inwards? Why must someone or some institution always be responsible for our problems? This person in question watches more of Hollywood to Nollywood o and he complains about an industry he's lost touch with o. When will we begin to see the Nigerian situation as ours? By the way, this fellow says he believes in the New Nigeria, yet he stocks Hollywood films. I'm not against Hollywood but when someone praises it above Nollywood, a Nigerian for that matter, it touches my Nigerian heart.

Whether in politics, entertainment, religion, sports, whatever...let us all as Nigerians take respponsibility for our shortcomings and together lift up our country. Her success is our success and her failure is our failure.

Arise O compatriots!

Dorothy

2007-01-31T11:32:00.000+01:00

I got a comment on the Goldman Sachs post. It was interesting reading through it. I would have loved to publish that comment but I feel it's private. I saw it as someone sharing her life with me and I'm a strong addict for keep confidences. I use this medium to ask Dorothy to send another comment with her email address so I can get in touch with her.

Thanks to all those who sent birthday greetings, I appreciate it but the central time was kinda slow. I post that comment past 12 but it appeared as having been sent before 12. Thanks anyway.

When will the patriots rise?

2007-01-27T23:35:00.000+01:00

Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria's call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause
Guide our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign

I just got back from a concert of sorts where the glory of Nigeria was once again showcased. I felt proud to be a Nigerian. A prayer was sung for Nigeria in the second stanza of this great anthem and really that was when this idea came to me. I got out of that concert and straight, I got on the computer to blog!

The first stanza calls upon compatriots to rise and obey the call of their great nation, this is followed by a reminder of what their service to the nation should and would demand. The gone heros were not left out of this as their labour was remembered . This to me is a call to service but have we sat down to consider the second stanza? That really is prayer for Nigeria.

This is a challenge to all patriots of this great country. It might take you so much time to say a prayer for Nigeria everyday but can you sing a prayer for Nigeria? SIng that second stanza loud and clear and at the end of it, say 'AMEN'.

I wish myself a huge happy birthday. It's great to be a Nigerian! Black, Afrcan, NIGERIAN and PROUD!

If you can wait

2007-01-23T13:02:00.000+01:00

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

Many times we get to react to things that have happenend to us before or is/are happening to us. How do we explain this? Many times we give up a minute too early and wished we never tired of waiting. Just that second of making the decision to go, and we actually let go of our 'dreams'.

What about retaliating? Someone has caused me pain, therefore, I should cause another pain. Seriously hurt? Must the whole world bear the brunt? In all of this, do you brood and carry the world on your head? Do you pay attention to what you say? Do you take time to season your words with salt? Do you want to come out the wiser for all you might have been through?

Sayings

2007-01-21T22:30:00.000+01:00

These are some sayings about children. Spare a thought for each. Deep thought.

'You cannot teach a child to take care of himself unless you will let him try to take care of himself. He will make mistakes; and out of these mistakes will come his wisdom.'
- Henry Ward Beecher

'Perhaps we cannot prevent this world from being a world in which children are tortured. But we can reduce the number of tortured children.'
- Albert Camus

'When children sound silly, you will always find that it is in imitation of their elders.'
- Ernest Dimnet

'Respect the child. Be not too much his parent. Trespass not on his solitude.'
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

'To a father waxing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter. Sons have spirits of higher pitch, but less inclined to sweet, endearing fondness.'
- Euripides

'In praising or loving a child, we love and praise not that which is, but that which we hope for.'
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

'Children generally hate to be idle. All the care then should be, that their busy humor should be constantly employed in something that is of use to them.'
- John Locke

'Children have more need of models than of critics.'
- Joseph Joubert

'Give me a child for the first seven years, and you may do what you like with him afterwards.'
- Anon

'I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.'
- Harry S. Truman

'I do not love him because he is good, but because he is my little child.'
- Rabindranath Tagore

'A child tells in the street what his father and mother say at home.'
- The Talmud

'A babe in a house is a well-spring of pleasure.'
- Martin Farquhar Tupper

Who has the Son

2007-01-19T19:29:00.000+01:00

Think on this...

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.

They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael.
They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war.
He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.
The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door.
A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life.
He saved many lives that day,
andhe was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly.
He often talked about you, and your love for art."
The young man held out this package.
"I know this isn't much.
I'm not really a great artist,
butI think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package.
It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man.
He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting.
The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.
He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.
"Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me.
It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle.
Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son
beforehe showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later.
There was to be a great auction of his paintings.
Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings
andhaving an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son.
The auctioneer pounded his gavel.
"We will start the bidding with this picture of the son.
Who will bid for this picture?"

There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings.
Skip this one."

But the auctioneer persisted.
"Will somebody bid for this painting.
Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"

Another voice angrily."We didn't come to see this painting.
We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts.
Get on with the real bids!"

But still the auctioneer continued.
"The son!The son! Who'll take the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room.
It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son.
"I'll give $10 for the painting."
Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

"We have $10, who will bid $20?"

"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters."

"$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"

The crowd was becoming angry.
They didn't want the picture of the son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel.
"Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"

A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel.
"I'm sorry, the auction is over."

"What about the paintings?"

"I am sorry.
When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will.
I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time.
Only the painting of the son would be auctioned.
Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!"

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross.

The next two

2007-01-19T18:50:00.000+01:00

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:

How many times do we release our dreams go past us just because it looks like no one believes in us? There are times we could actually be sincerely wrong but there just has to be that element of trust in the self. YOU JUST GAT TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

Don't be tossed about like a flimsy film, stand your ground and make your mistakes, learn from them however and remember that no one got 'there' in a day. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, you'll just have learnt new ways not to do what you did wrong.

Goldman Sachs Spring Internship Program - The Africa Initiative

2007-01-08T00:16:00.000+01:00

This program is for undergraduate students studying in Ghana,
Nigeria and South Africa. If studying in a Ghanaian or Nigerian
university, you must currently be in the first year of a three year
course or the second year of a four year course. If studying in South
Africa, you will be in the second year of a three year course or third
year of a four year course.
In order to provide program participants with an insight into our
businesses and culture, program attendees will be flown to London to
spend up to 10 days in our offices during April 2007. The program
features seminars, divisional rotations, interesting assignments and a
range of social events. High-potential participants will be invited
back to the firm the following year for an 8-10 week fully-funded
internship during June/July 2008. The purpose of these internships are
to identify strong candidates to whom we may ultimately extend
fulltime Analyst offers in 2009.
There is a two-step application process - both stages must be completed:
Step 1: Apply online (www.gs.com/careers) and upload you CV and cover
letter. Select Internship = New Analyst.
Step 2: Visit the Upcoming Events in Europe page and register using
the "Goldman Sachs Africa Initiative" link where you will answer two
essays:
1. What are your key strengths? (300 words)
2. Why should you be selected for this program? (300 words)
The application deadline is 31 January 2007.
Please note that you must be studying at a university in South Africa,
Ghana or Nigeria to apply to participate in this initiative.

First two lines

2007-01-07T23:50:00.000+01:00

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

Let's take it from here. How many times do we blame others for our wrong actions? How many times do we blame the crowd for things we did? How long will teenagers continue to lose their heads and blame it on peer pressure? When will husbands stop gambling and squandering precious family money and blaming it on moods or such flimsy excuses? When will we all hold our heads and stop blaming others for the loss of ours?

If...

2007-01-07T15:08:00.000+01:00

I came across this poem and thought you should go through it too. Read, and let's talk about it later.
have a beautiful week ahead.

IF
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!
-Rudyard Kipling

Budding

2007-01-04T21:16:00.000+01:00

A happy new year to you. How was the past year? And plans for the new? Make good your plans.

Ever considered a plant bud? Have you looked at it closely? Do you see how unattractive and unpromising it looks at that stage? I rememeber that as a kid, my friends and I would pluck the bud off the plant and open it up. I guess we thought it was a kind of flower (which really it was) but were disappointed when we opened it up and it contained a couple of shrivelled petals. It just didnt look like a flower. But we would notice a new flower and wanted to be the first to pluck it and put in our hair. It never once crossed our minds that if we had allowed, left that bud to blossom, we wouldn't be scrambling for just one flower, there would have been at least one extra!

The meaning of my rantings? Look at it this way. Every child you see on the road is a bud waiting to blossom. Some are plucked away by death, bad company, family breakup, wars, epidemics, name them and others 'escape' these factors and blossom. After they open up their beauty (maybe graduating with a very beautiful class of grade), the very society that almost plucked them in their prime scramble for them, dangling enticing offers in their faces. Each company wants to show off the wealth they possess in human resources.

What brought about these? I happened to have watched the 'Change a life scheme show' on New Dawn (www.newdawnwithfunmi.com) and was so touched by the changes that have occurred in the lives of those kids whom Funmi Iyanda and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu have jointly helped to get out of choky situations and I almost cried. These kids appeared to me as buds which are being preserved by some people who have seen the potentials in them to turn out to be beautiful bunches. God bless Funmi and preserve her own 'Bud' for her to blossom well and beautifully.

Resolutions? Well, it's good to make them but instead of remaking resolutions that are over 5 years old, why not change your 'resolution' this year to include fighting for the rights of these buds and adding to the beauty of the society. Desist from child traffiking, abhor child labour and all such 'bud threatnening' acts. See the beauty in these ones and give them a chance to grow.

'I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let then lead the way
Show them all the beauty they posses inside
Give them a sense of pride, to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be'.

May your days be merry and bright

2006-12-20T20:06:00.000+01:00

I remember a carol that has this line 'May your days be merry and bright' and I smile. Not the kind of smile that comes from fond memories but one that actually comes from remembering some sad occurences.

On the 16th of this month, I lost a very dear friend. We practically grew up together. Same primary school, same secondary school and we were seat partners in class throughtout our junior days. It was a very bad blow. This christmas comes with a lil' shadow over it...

And my heart goes out to all, I remember one now - Gambo, who this season remind of their loss. May God, who alone can comfort the mourning and downcast, comfort our hearts and apply the balm that soothes all pain on our heart. I'm with you this period, accept my heartfelt sympathy.

The future will bring smiles to our faces and a new occurence that'll overshadow the past bitter one will come our way, Amen.

Once, not so long ago...

2006-12-20T19:55:00.000+01:00

In five days, it'll be christmas again. This picture reminds me of santa and my visits to him in those days. It looks so long ago but really it isn't that long. Reminiscence...the yuletide season brings about many memories:
- of santa and his grotto
- of new clothes and the enthusiasm to wear them
- of gifts and the delight they brought
- of the food and drinks that came with the season
- of the beautiful green, red and gold colour combination
- of the sweet smell of harmattan
The list is endless but really, not so long ago, there was this eager look out for the yuletide, now, it's more of reflections. Anyone share this sentiment?

Christmas is made!

2006-12-19T00:04:00.000+01:00

Tonight, something beautiful happened to me! And to this blog! I got my account information mixed up somehow and from the time of the last post till now, I've not been happy with myself. I just could not get into my dashboard but after a lot of trouble shooting tonight, I got in! Glad am I? That makes christmas for me and to you, I say, have a really swell time.

In the celebration of the season, I plead that you remember Nigeria in your prayers so that next year christmas, we'll have better and sweeter stories to share on our democracy - democracy transition.

God bless Naija!

Decoration? Food?

2006-12-07T01:10:00.000+01:00

You'll agree with me that these pictures really look like pictures and not what they really are - food! Many times I wonder if the plates we see or that are set before us are actually suppossed to be devoured or admired. Thinking of how long it must have taken the chef to prepare such a delicacy, I think it would be cruel to dig into them and consume them and on the other hand, I think we might just be breaking the chef's heart if we don't savour the nicely painstakingly prepared food.

What do you think?

Soar

2006-12-07T00:47:00.000+01:00

The way and precison an eagle glides over mountains and through the sky is enough reason for anyone to be determined to surpass all that may come along the journey of life. I watched a documentary on the eagle recently and discovered that there a quite a number of eagle species and each has its' own adaptation for the kind of region it can survive in, the kind of prey it hunts and the type of flight it engages in. None tries to stand in a place where it cannot survive and continue to strive there without success.

This reminds me of what some human beings do. We generally tend to envy those around us and manytimes wish we were where they were. Do we pause to ask ourselves if we are 'adapted' for that kind of position? Rather than sit, sulk and wish, why don't you decide, like the eagle, to soar above your limitation(s) and leave your mark there?

Add a smile

2006-12-05T21:58:00.000+01:00

I'm smiling all the way now. Really. What would have been a really dull and boring evening for me was turned around by a very wonderful soul who chose to respond to the call of a soul.

I had asked this friend of mine (sorry, I can't name him cuz I didn't ask for the permission to do so) if I could visit him to brighten up my evening. Instead of telling me to come over, he came over to my place and took me out.

Take a pause here, apart from the 'going out' and its' attendant pleasures, I thought how beautiful the world would be with such more wonderful souls out there adding a smile to someone's face and removing the blue from our days. Will you dare to be the answer to someone's prayer today?

On the plough

2006-11-27T23:27:00.000+01:00

This afternoon, I ran into a friend who told me he had seen my blog and he liked it. But he said I should upgrade more often. Now, that said a lot to me. It told me people look out for you when you set out to do something. It may not mean anything to you but people are watching and I dare say, waiting for you. They wait to see if you're improving or not and to criticize you either destructively or constructively. The choice is yours to pick the one you want. I didn't really have to time for a post today but remembering what my friend said, I had to do this. It was a big challenge and I hereby promise him, my visitors and myself that this blog will never grow cobwebs.

A little secret here. My friend has a blog too and I just checked date of his last post. Guess what, it is Monday, November 6! I hereby challenge you ... oops! I almost mentioned his name. Keep that page fresh and hot.

I stand rock solid

2006-11-21T00:04:00.001+01:00

Really, I wish I didn't have to do this. Well, I take that back. I wish I didn't have to do this under the present circumstances. I'm not happy. Sounds like 'er...that's your problem. You get on the world wide web and tell the world you're not happy? Well then, it's really your look out'. Yeah, I agree it's entirely my business and believe me, it's MINE! But I'll tell you why I'm not ahppy all the same.

It's a little difficult to accept some changes or circumstances in your life but when they become inevitable, you've just got to stand up to them, face them squarely and make the most of such situations. NEVER let any situation make you an object of sympathy. NEVER. Stand and look 'em all in da face.

I haven't gotten round to my story, have I? Well, I had to confront a 'mountain'. It wasn't easy, rather, it isn't easy but like the picture above shows, I've picked up a hand lens, scanned through the issue and unlike any other time, I'm poised to stare this 'fellow' right on in the face. I have to dissapoint IT and make IT realize IT doesn't have the power It seems to be weilding. I've picked up the loopholes and I'm forging ahead. Warning! Clear out, else you get cleared up!

I may not really get down to the details, infact, I don't intend to make this a dairy of sorts but I'll say this. Do not allow anything snatch your laughter from your face. Interestingly enough, I just read an interview with a woman who decided not to allow the 'odds' work against her and she rose beyond expectations. I walk on the street, watch the TV, hear news and even have as friends, folks who are much less advantaged than me and THEY ARE MAKIING THEIR LIVES COUNT. I sit down and ask myself, "wetin be your own sef? You see man wey no get cap, you wey get head con dey halla say you no get cap" (What's wrong with you? There are much more disadvantaged people who are making the best out of their situations). I then change the screen saver on my phone to a big laugh, actually, a comical laugh to remind me that life is not as difficult as it appears and that it is he who laughs that has the world.

I don't know what the situation with you may be but I know that while you can still see the sun and feel the freshness of the air, you are above that issue. Just brace up and stand rock solid. Refuse to be moved from your vantage position cuz the truth really is that you stand at a vantage position over that circumstance!

Aim at ...?

2006-11-20T22:53:00.000+01:00

I've heard it said time and over that if you aim at the sky, if you don't get there, you'll at least land among the galaxies. How true that is. I also thought, what if you're not aiming at all? Where might you land? Not aiming? Possible destination?

Many times, we walk around without a definite direction or aim of where we're going and what we're doing or even living for. This is most tragic especially where the 'focusless' person is the man of the house. I imagine someone who claims he's heading a whole household, a whole destiny and he doesn't know where he's headed.

Sit down. Talk with yourself. Talk to yourself. Scold where necessary and commend where you have to. Redefine your focus. I imagine if individuals in the Nigerian state sat down and really had a gist with themselves, what the nation would turn out to be. Dare to aim Aim high. Aim REAL high.

I cry for them

2006-11-16T20:01:00.000+01:00

Though I cry for them, yet I believe there is hope for them.

An experience I recently went through opened my eyes to a lot of realities. Realities, especially in the educational sector. Or, do I say in the attitude of people and how they feel? When someone neglects what he/she is suppossed to do, realizing it has long term effect on the recipient, yet would go ahead and remain unfeeling, I wonder if it was the same God that created us all.

My most recent involvement with some people made me wonder what would happen when kids in the secondary schools now get into the University. Some claim they went through the same thing in their days but I wonder who will stop this vicious cycle.

Who will have a heart?

Who will feel the emotions we feel when we can't help ourselves and need those in power to do what they should do to make life bearable and beautiful for us? Who will stop this vicious cycle?

Who would make our children see that the status quo is not necessarily the right status and work at making a positive change?

Who? Do you dare to be ONE?

We shall laugh again

2006-10-24T09:48:00.000+01:00

I can laugh. I know you will soon too. By the time I'm done with this, you'll join me to laugh.

Yesterday morning, I heard an advert on the radio that sought to draw attention to the pronunciation of children and was I glad? At least, someone somewhere has also realized the need to have our children pronounce correctly! Then later in the day, a friend told me how he had taken particular attention to correct pronunciation and I felt 'finally, there's hope for the future in the pronunciation of words'. Wasn't I glad? Coincidentally, my final year research project was on the effect of the mother tongue on the pronunciation of English words and the findings were revealing. Most of the respondents thought children between the ages of 1 and 5 are most affected by interference and the next group thought the ages 5 - 10 are most affected. Whatever group you chose to agree with, something struck me from the responses, children between ages 1 - 10 aquire the basics of their language and kinda perfect it at that age. They only build on what they already know as they grow. Now, don't you just want to be a part of the foundation laying and join me in peals of joyful laughter as we watch our children get proficient in their official language but also not lose their mother tongue!

We will surely be proud again!

2006-10-19T21:11:00.000+01:00

I see many Nigerian children in shirts that carry or bear NY, Calif., Bahamas and all sorts. And I get angry at that kind of mentality. I try to picture the youth of those countries carrying a t-shirt that boldly carry Nigeria and I can't seem to fix the picture straight. Why, just why won't we buy shirts that proudly spell and proclaim Nigeria? Why would mothers go to the market and look for shirts that carry the faces of American rapsters and stars for their children to don? Why won't we just...

Aight, an idea just struck me. I'll soon be out with t-shirts carrying my face and every Nigerian will scramble to buy one cuz soon, very soon, I'll represent Nigeria to the ends of the earth and you'll be proud to see what a home girl is doing with her green and white heart and brand. You'll sure want to proclaim that we were classmates, roommates, hallmates, blockmates, met me somewhere before, something to just relate us together. And then, we'll all be proud to be Nigerian.

I'll buy yours too if you'll rep Nigeria well.

Our Papa for Naija

2006-10-17T12:31:00.000+01:00

I got a comment on the last post which made my head swell well and like never before, I was proud to be Nigerian. the fellow started something on Nigeria and was looking for other related sites and he just stumbled on this. Men, ain't that cool? I then got more interested in looking more critically at Nigeria (I'm not abandoning my kids though) and as characteristic of me, to see how the children fit in.

I was at an Independence day celebration (October 1st) in one of the Nigerian campuses. It was a celebration that gave everyone present there, who is a Nigerian a sense of pride and belonging. I pitied all non Nigerians there. If you're not Green and White, you just can't be Nigerian. I never knew that colour combination was that beautiful.

That same day, I watched another celebration that took place in Abuja, the capital city and that took some 'uhs' and 'ahs' from me. It was really splendid. But the most captivating part was on Monday, which was a public holiday, when reporters went round Abuja to sample opinion on the celebration and they caught up with Papa Nigeria in one of the parks with some kids. They were so awed to have the president sit with them, play with them and laugh with them.

Reminds me of the childrens' party that he organized for them based on a letter he received from a little brave Nigerian girl! The kids had the fun of their lives. Now, I sat back and smiled. I'm finally seeing the Nigeria of my dreams. If kids have the opportunity to 'play' with their president, having close contact with him, how would they not want to be like him? That dream erases the thirst for crime in our youth. There is a model for them to look up to. For those who think that it will take Nigeria ages to get to the place of greatness, I tell y'all something, that future is closer to us than we think. This rising generation is the future of Nigeria. As you watch us grow, you see the future grow and the closer we are to you, the closer the future is to us.

Proudly Nigeria

2006-10-12T15:32:00.000+01:00

Arise O compatriots
Nigeria's call obey
To serve our Fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heros past shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity

O God of creation
Direct our nobel cause
Guide our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign

I pledge to Nigeria my country
To be faithful loyal and honest
To serve Nigeria with all my strength
To defend her unity
And uphold her honor and glory
SO HELP ME GOD

Who says Nigeria is not beautiful? Look at her flag and appreciate ingenuity. On that flag, there's no representation of violence or bloodshed. Rather we have growth, peace, productivity, fertlilty, purity, etc represented on that flag. A friend once told me "we didn't get our independence by bloodshed, we cannot maintain it with bloodshed". I believe that and I can proudly say anywhere that I am Nigerian.

Wait a minute, how beautiful would our country be if we can all hang a flag in our homes, cars, offices, shops, workshops, etc and let the green and white paint our nation beautiful.

Who bears the brunt?

2006-10-09T16:32:00.000+01:00

I've had a Monday that is so - so. From one not too cheering news to another till I'm wondering, just what is happening today? And just like me to extend my thinking a little more, I thought of myself being a mother and wife.

I can imagine coming home from work with all this load on my head, my mind not so settled and a not too cheerful expression. Who bears the brunt of the fallout of my day? My hubby? Nah, that would be unfair, considering that he would have had his share of a busy day too and dumping all that emotional burden on him would not augur well for us both. And the kids? Not at all. Such wonderful innocent gifts do not deserve to be laced with such load to carry. Now tell me, who bears the brunt?

I picture a situation where both mummy and daddy are trying to unburden on each other and neither is finding it pleasant to add more to what was brought home and then both unleash on the kids! Poor innocent things. Who is to blame?

Finding a solution, I decided that if I were a mummy, I would drive from work to a pool side or a recreation spot, take a cold drink, think over the day, sort issues out in my head and delete the bad memories and be ready to face my hubby and kids like I just woke up on a bright beautiful day! If more mummies and daddies did this, what a world of difference it would create for children. They would not have to scamper for safety when they her the beep of daddy's car horn neither would have have to stand mummy's constant nagging (they didnt cause the bad day, did they?). But they would have a beautiful environment to grow and express themselves in, passing the tradition to their children and children's children.

And the smiles pass on...

That career woman

2006-09-27T22:24:00.000+01:00

I had a chat with a friend some time ago and it gave me an idea of my next post. We were talking about a boss in an office. When the chat started initially, I smiled and thought how true the phrase 'women are the weaker sex' is. This particular boss was creating a 'slight' (if I'm permitted to water it down that much) inconvienience for my friend. I'm not a feminist, neither am I a sexist. I believe God has assigned roles to men and women which no amount of yelling or screaming 'equality' can alter.

I then tried to think back and wondered how it comes about that women acquire such power and I came up with quite a number of interesting sources. The girl child when growng up is saddled with the responsibilty of understudying mummy such that when mummy is not around, she convieniently steps into that position. While in school, she looks out for her male colleagues importing what she learnt at home to cater for them and see to their well being. When she eventually starts working, quite a lot of pressure is placed on her. As this development progresses, she begins to acquire that inner strenght to fight and withstand pressure.

This training comes from the male folk also. When eventually these girls get to a position of authority, they find it very easy to fall into the position of 'bossing' the same men who trained them. Interestng right? You really can't blame them. Many a woman has to assert her role to command the respect of men especially if she's the boss around there (counter opinion welcome). The girl child grows up learning to oversee, control and take charge of situations.

But as my friend and I concluded, the solution to this problem is the same MEN! How? Give a career girl a man and you divert her energy from the work to caring and taking charge where the man is concerned. What she deposits in the office automatically goes home. The men give the training, complain about the outcomes, yet are the solution needed!

Boys? Men?

2006-09-15T18:16:00.000+01:00

My friends say I like controversy. Well, I don't know but I sure like to deviate from the normal.

I really did not know the difference between these two till much later in my life. Don't laugh at me, I'm sure some of you still mix both up (what's the difference anyway?). I watched a nice debate a little while ago. An undergraduate male of roughly 22 years screaming it down the throat of a colleague that he's a man and not a boy. To me, he's neither of both, he's a kid.

Now, does age separate both? Candidly, I'll say no, you're free to think otherwise. For you to assert so noisily that you are a man simply means you are not one. I have no grudge with the ale folk, nah nah, but I have problems with them wanting to be both boys and men and most annoying, being boys when they ought to be men.

A boy doesn't just want to take revenge. A man's mature both in mind and body. He may be young but he thinks and talks deep. And a man, a true man cries. My pain with men crying? You can't blame me. I'm the only girl in the house and I hate to see my dear brothers stiffle issues when they could bury their heads in their pillows and have a good cry over it. I also have a great number of male friends too. I'm not asking you to go in the public and let the tears run loose but in your privacy, let off a little more heat. Infact, a true boy hollers off in public.

A true man releases the tears and comes out to face the world with a better determination to lead and take things in his own hands.

I pray my first child is a son so I can teach him to be a man indeed. I'll tell him never to be rude to the female folk, never raise his voice on her, neither his hand, watch his words with her and on her and be careful not to hurt her feelings. I'll teach him to be tender, yet firm, loving yet a disciplinarian. I'll teach him to take charge of his emotions and to be shield indeed for all ladies that come into his life. I'll teach him never to toy with a lady's emotions or heart and be true to one and only one. He would carefully assert his manliness, quietly, without force os harshness. He would be a MAN indeed.

My pride

2006-09-14T21:44:00.000+01:00

Several times I have seen daddies go out with their little girls all dressed up with ribbons in their hair and dresses that look like pictures themselves.

But there's also another picture I love to see! Daddy and boy with a fishing kit or a ball or even a cutlass and hoe on their way to the farm, gym, lake, whatever. The talks along the way are different from those with the girls. The dad prepares the girl to see herself as miss universe and to prepare for that time when she'll be a mummy like Mummy and have her own little girl. But for the lass, daddy teaches him survival tips right from such a tender age. What to and not to do in cases that arise and then, he is told 'men don't cry'. Imagine, a lil boy of barely 8 being told that! I have no problems with that as long as he grows up to a stage where he can correct put that last insruction in his mind. Men cry, but not the way women do! Many men die nowadays from issues they could have cried out. They lock them all up and burst in their secret and attimes openly sef. Who says men don't cry? Ask that one who just got jilted or the guy who lost his mum (no hard feelings).

Back to the talk along the way. The lass is prepared to face the future. He is trained to take responsiblilty for himself and for others. The building starts there on that road. Block by block is added until one day, that lass can hoist his own boy too on the neck and cradle a 'girlie' who's dad told her on the way that she'll marry a prince who'll take her to the end of the earth and tell him the same things he heard at his age. Hmn... wonder

Life is beautiful!

2006-09-14T21:20:00.000+01:00

It really feels good to be back after a break from posting. Didn't really feel good about that though.

There's this ad that says 'Life is beautiful'. Hmn... really it is. In the past couple of weeks, it looked like there was no truth in that saying. Everything looked too bleak and black and the world looked and felt so heavy. I actually lost what it was that was left as interest in everything around me. But thankfully, I have a hold on life again. You know, if you can just determine to, you can actually own the world! Big dream hun?

But, life sure is beautiful. The Yorubas say that the people around one are the clothes on one. I really found that true too in this past weeks. After strolling around the campus of Africa's most beautiful university for a while and trying to take in the beauty both in the world and in the campus, I settled for a spot and tried to get somethings straight in my head. Just at that time when it looked like the world was vacant, my cell rang. It was a new friend who wanted us to meet and see the faces behind the letters and then, I decided to flex my thumb a bit and send a few texts (graciously, I got some credit this morning). I did send them and one of them produced what snapped me out of that feeling for that moment. Another call! A friend too who I've been communicationg with for almost a year but who I've never seen before. He (you could guess it'ld be a 'he'. Guys have a way of popping up just at the nick of time. God bless the dear souls.) said he would be visiting during the weekend!

Ask me, I don't know how that did it but the clouds cleared. I just loved life again! I saw the beauty and then, the sun rose in its' glory! I could feel it and then I smiled. The sun itself was part of the beauty. I got up, returned to my room and have been bubbly ever since. I want to spread a lil' of that to you. Look up, look beyond the situation now. It cannot be worse than it is and even if it is worse, you'll always come out the best for it.

Nice enough, yet another friend sent me this text just as I was inputing this and I'll like to share it with you even as I wish you a smiles filled dreamy night.
"Reignite the light inside you. Banish indifference to sulk in the shadows. Don't dare settle for a life of 'survival'". He's been a blessing to me. Daniel, God bless you.

Poised to face the future

2006-09-03T21:17:00.000+01:00

I am poised to face the future
Really, poised to face my future
Enough of repeating the mistakes of my predecessors
I am taking my life in my hands
I am raising my head up in the midst of a crazy world
I refuse to look at my peers
I refuse to be negatively influenced
I refuse the normal excuses
I face the world with determination
Against all odds
Against all sneers
Against all limitations
I choose to be a model in my generation
I will rewrite history
I dream of the pride of feminity being restored
I see us taking our rightful place in the world
I see good mothers, caring wives and committed friends
I see beauty in the female body
I see her encaspulated in honour and grace
I see her smile and her touch healing wounded hearts
I see her creating a way for others to follow
She will get there... She will be great
Help me attain this greatness.

This is my dream
- Young African Female Teenager

Another Weekend

2006-09-03T20:35:00.000+01:00

This is another weekend gone past. It was busy for me as usual. I hardly have any weekend free of activities. I had the privilege of seeing an old friend and then he told me about the wedding of a well known 'friend' too. Then I got thinking and got a new post!

No weekend passes in Nigeria without at least fifty new couples signing the dotted lines. No weeekend passes without families shedding 'nostalgic tears'. Mummy sees her baby girl going away, though she's happy, yet she's sad that the girl is leaving (she had always dreamt of this day though). Daddy sees his 'little' angel being whsked away by another man and the bride or groom themselves can't really take it all in - so this is finally the new life I had been dreaming of. Me and my loved one, together, forever! The vows have been exchanged and the butterflies are really having it nice turning your tummy around.

Apart from the glitz of the ceremony, one other thing struck me. This union has the potential of producing the greatest leaders in the world. This union can also bring forth the best in their selected industries and very beautiful kids too who you'll love to cuddle. Something else. How many of these will stay, remain together, not because they have no choice though but because the original binding love is still there, fanning the embers of this love till their dying minutes, to take proper care of these kids and to help them imbibe the love the world needs. How many of them will not stiffle the existing love and throw into the society hurting children and deviant teens? How many of them will really stand by "I DO" till they see their own kids re- enact the same event that happened this last weekend?

I See

2006-08-31T09:33:00.000+01:00

I see a generation that wants to take its' future in its' hands. I see a generation that speaks out against injustice, corruption and misconduct. I see a generation that stands together a sone against societal ills. A generation where girls dress to cover their nakedness and guys dress respectfully. I see a generation where all speak out their mind without fear of victimization or loss of life. I see a generation of friendly mother and daughter in laws. I see a generation that does not shout down its' children, rather, one that takes time out to explain things to them so that they do not repeat generational mistakes. I see a generation that stands as ambassadors of her motherland, a generation that takes the lead in the world with its' peers following joyfully after. I see truth and beauty in this generation...

This generation will not just spring out of space. This generation is with you, with me, with us, closer than we think. This generation walks around on the street, this generation lives next door, this generation sits behind a desk in the schools, this generation just smiled at you a few minutes ago, this generation is crying out loud - 'Do you see us?'

When Sleep is Sweet

2006-08-27T22:28:00.000+01:00

Some weeks back, I had a little problem falling asleep. I tried all I could to sleep as I wanted but all failed. I read, had cold shower, changed my sleeping position, tried all, even prayed bt the result was not much different from the previous. Something then happened. I changed the sheet on my bed!

I changed to a blue background with large flower print sheet and somehow, the sleep just came. I'm not saying the change of sheet did the therapy but I sure noticed a difference.

How many times do we just feel refreshed simply because we changed the flowers in our vase? When new flowers spring up in the backyard, doesn't it just give you a sense of 'hmn... this is the feeling'? A floral background on your PC makes work more interesting to do and a large poster on the wall in your home can be very welcoming.

Give yourself a floral week. Just spread the flowers all around you and see the wonders. Most especially, add a tinge of flowers to your room and have that lovely sleep! Don't you just want to sleep away...? Not working hours anyway.

Together, Forever

2006-08-27T12:25:00.000+01:00

When people come together to do things, they end up doing it faster, and easier. The work is well distributed and everyone should be happier at the end of it all. I said should cuz the end is not always as interesting or as enjoyable as one intends.

But, I looked at a bunch of flowers (ODODO) and I learnt something. They are bound together whether they like it or not and they have to do the same work together - add beauty. If one decides to come out of the bunch, who loses? It does. People may not even notice! But if all sticks decide to fall out, then the beauty is diminished and the sweet scent that was to emanate becomes a stench of rotting flowers and all are sad.

Do we not learn something from the bunch of flowers? We can collectively work towards making things better in our world, exude beauty and a nice aroma and at the end of it, experience the refreshing cool feel of water that the bunch feels when it it is bought off the floral shelf and presented as a gift and the recipient loosens the ribbon and places them in a cool glass of water to do a better work of unity!

Working together can actually be fun. Try it this week.

How easy to laugh?

2006-08-26T13:54:00.000+01:00

How easy is it for you to laugh? Do you laugh heartily without 'forming' for those around you? Are you bothered who is watching and what they think about you? You think you're making a fool of yourself? You think it contributes to societal noise? Is it as therapeutic as it was when you were a child and had no cares?

Listen close, hear the ringing of that laughter. Look out of your window. Who is laughing? Kids! Without any care(s) in the world! Throw your cares away and laugh away the blueness this weekend. Really, you'ld get that glow you so admire on those kids.

I want to be a Queen

2006-08-24T23:15:00.000+01:00

'What would you like to be in future?' I'm sure you were asked that question several times as a growing kid. You probably said a doctor, lawyer, engineer, writer... anything. You just thought wide. Now, you ask the same question of some other kid and you expect them to answer.

For some of you, the dream has come to pass while for others, the dream changed and for some of us, the dream is in the making process. I heard this particular child say 'I want to be a queen'. Funny aint it? But that is what she wants to become. Come to think of it, as a queen, she can change so many things! She can change policies to suit other kids (she is one and knows how they think and what they wished adults were not doing), she could do something to stop dadies from running away from their mummies, she could just have the answer to the problem of run away kids! So much from the wish of a child. Don't you just want to be queen?

The beauty of a child

2006-08-24T22:46:00.000+01:00

Hmn... this picture reminds me how beautiful our world really is with the countless wonderful kids we see around. Do you think the same? No? Not that child with mucus dripping down his nostrils or that one who is dirty from playing in the sand or that particular one who as oil all over his body. Definitely, that aint beautiful I hear you say.

But pause a bit. What makes a woman cuddle that liitle pink or brown bundle that comes out of her even when he doesn't seem to have any form? There's a natural beauty attached to these dear souls.

Stumbling on this picture just brought together the three definitions I gave of ODODO. Truth, beauty and the child! Look around you, when next it looks like the world is crumbling down and appreciate the innocent look and play of that child, enjoy the richness of his laughter and let his cry pierce your conscience to come to his aid as that cry is actually one of HELP ME!

Would they read?

2006-08-24T17:31:00.000+01:00

We have this general saying that Nigerians do not read. I totally diagree with this though a visit to secondary schools recently further 'confirmed' this saying. Teachers were asked what the learning problems of students were and they responded that they do not read. How would they read? What would they read?

I discovered it isn't that they do not want to read, just that they are many times not motivated to. English language is their second language and many dread that language. Who would help them overcome this fear of starting out in a strange language? A nation that reads is empowered. A child that reads is on his way to being a world leader.

Many of them also do not have the books available. I was just thinking about this. When next that child (teenagers inclusive) is receiving a gift from you, why don't you get a book he can begin with instead of building his toy pool or adding more chocolate layers to his teeth? Buy him that book but also find the time to answer the questions that arise after the reading is completed.

Do you see the future?

2006-08-23T16:20:00.000+01:00

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them al the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

Everyone is looking for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone who fulfil my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learnt to depend on me

These are the first verses of Whitney Houston's Greatest love of all. This song tells me alot about these lil kids we see everyday and just pass as 'the kid next door'. Let me ask this question. Can you count how many 'kids next door' you know who have risen to be world figures? Even if they have grown to be international figures yet, at least folks who have become national figures? People you look at and you just remember those times you used to play together in the sand and on the street? And you wonder, what happened?

What happened was that someone saw a future in that kid and helped him get there. Even if the idea was conceived in his head, he had someone at least who helped him rise. Picture this, the president of Nigeria in a few years from now is reaing his appreciation speech and while mentioning names he cannot forget in his rise to what he is, your name is heard. How would you feel?

There is a 'little' star out there who is waiting for his hand to be pulled up. He wants to leave that sitting position and stand in that place where his peers have only dreamed about. He wants to read his speech on that day when his invention and effort is recognized internationally and proudly call your name for an international standing ovation. I'm almost tempted to put on a global page the names of those who have contributed to making me who I am today but I feel I would be cheating some people of adding their contribution. So, as strong as the temptation is, I refuse to fall for it. I'll do my 'thank yous' soon anyway.

You know what would add an eternal star to your name? Seeing the future in that little one who you see or pass or even know about. Do you see the future? I see it.

What is beautiful?

2006-08-22T10:55:00.000+01:00

Ododo in the Yoruba language, a tribe in Nigeria means many things. Three meanings readily come to mind. One, it means flower, two, it means truth and in the third place, another word is added to it to mean a child is a flower of honour.

This word to me with it's diverse meanings convey one meaning. There's truth in beauty and beauty in truth. Have you ever wondered what makes a flower what it is? How many people would not stop at one time or the other in their life to appreciate a flower? They are there all around you to appreciate always. The scent fills the earth with a lovely aroma and the colours add that special touch to our world.

Truth, hmn... that's something that seems to be diminishing fast in our society but who says it doesn't still exist? Is there someone out there who would stand for the truth even when it hurts?

And the children, oh, so pretty things. They are my passion. I love them and I see beauty in their innocent looks, questions and 'unguarded' play. How I wish time could be reversed so I could be like one of these again, no cares, no worries, plain innocence! Would you like to add positively to the lives of the future? Then, you're in the right place!

Starting Out Again

2006-08-22T10:31:00.000+01:00

Starting out is fun but starting out again is more fun. I tried before, made some mistakes and determined to try again. This tells me something. If you do not fail once, you cannot learn better. Really, this thrills me and I hope someone out there learns something from this. You cannot afford to sit still, fold your arms and accept defeat. Let's start this trip together and I'm sure you'll enjoy this just as I look forward to enjoying your company.

Welcome to my world.