Diary of a Nigerian youth.

Baba Obasanjo might just be right....We are Jinxed!!!

2013-08-17T22:11:00.001+01:00

Speaking at the 4th Annual Ibadan Sustainable Development Summit, organised by Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Ibadan, in collaboration with African Sustainable Development Network, Baba OBJ made a shocking but true statement.

“We had some people who were under 50 years in leadership positions,” he said. “One of them was James Ibori, where is he today? One of them was Alamieyeseigha, where is he today? Lucky Igbinedion, where is he today? The youngest was the Speaker, (Salisu) Buhari; you can still recall what happened to him. You said Bola Tinubu is your master. What Buhari did was not anything worse than what Bola Tinubu did.
We got them impeached. But in this part of the world, some people covered up the other man. The man claimed he went to Government College, Ibadan, but the governor (Oyo State) went to Government College and packed all the documents so that they would not know that he did not go there. I wanted someone who would succeed me so I took Atiku. Within a year, I started seeing the type of man Atiku is. And you want me to get him there?”
No matter the opinion you have about Obasanjo, there is no denying the fact that he was spot on. Most (not all) of the younger politicians have disappointed us politically and morally. With Fani-kayode's childish blabbings, El-rufai's double speak, Orji Kalu & Bankole's corruption cases etc.... Am scared Obasanjo might be right: we might actually be jinxed or cursed, leadership wise!!!

National stadium or National forest reserve

2012-09-13T00:19:00.001+01:00

BEFORE

AFTER

They say pictures tell a thousand story.....

Para-olympians...Thank you for making us proud

2012-09-07T00:18:00.000+01:00

Watching our weightlifters at the ongoing para-olympics game has been nothing but delight. These proverbial 'rejected stones' have not only brought joy and smiles to our faces but they have succeeded in restoring our pride as a sporting nation.

Six golds and still counting,including silver and bronze medals bring our total medal haul to 'twelve'-and still counting! I join other sport loving and proud NIGERIANS in saying 'THANK YOU' to these sporting heroes.

Cultural Technology

2012-09-01T01:39:00.000+01:00

Saw this beautiful process in motion and immediately knew I'd to capture the moment! Making beautiful craft with crude instrument is a sure sign that we are not from the 'backwaters of civilisation!' If only the Govt. through the various MDAs and LGAs will encourage and empower these women in other to preserve/pass this beautiful knowledge to future generations.

For a better Relationship...a must read

2012-08-27T22:34:00.000+01:00

A friend sent me this and I felt I should share it!

My name is Dayo. I’m a typical Nigerian guy and I cherish my Fridays a lot; I get to hang out with the sickest guys every Friday night and secondly, It’s another escape from my nagging and boring wife. I get confused sometimes on whether she’s my mother or my wife. Don’t get it twisted; I love her pieces. It just gets complicated; like I wish we never got married…marriage has turned her into something that doesn’t amuse me. I wish she was still the adventurous, charming, high spirited lady I dated for five years.

A lot of people say its unethical for married guys to be found in a club, but I wish everyone won’t be too quick to judge and understand that people look for fun to run away from their problems; they just want to breathe, like me.

I forgot to say that I work in Guarantee Trust Bank along Lekki, I love my job and my job loves me, maybe its because I’m the senior banking officer. Lol. This particular morning, a lady breezed into my office. My heart raced faster because I had not sighted anything this beautiful in a long while. She wasn’t the typical slender Barbie, in fact, she was a bit chubby but her smile, cuteness and…I was tripped.

“Hi Good morning! Your ATM has swallowed my card!” She laughed, unlike a typical customer that would ram you.

I just tried to form Boss laughter…

“Good morning, You know what? I’d personally make sure they get it out for you, but not today. Can you wait till Monday?” I smiled

“GTB shaaa! OK, can I just drop my number so you could call me up or just text when its ready so I don’t come twice? Please? My name is Nancy” She blinked her eyes in a funny way.

“Sure” I smiled

We exchanged numbers. What a lucky Friday!

So it was 10:00pm and I headed to the club…as usual my friends were chilling for me. My wife had called a couple of times, I just ignored it. She knows I’m never home Friday nights.

“Look at you!” I heard someone say. I raised my head and it was the ATM lady-Nancy.

“Wow, look at you too!” I was surprised to see her but I was happy I didn’t have to wait till Monday to see her again.

“Happy Friday!” She screamed because of the noise, “Wanna dance?”

I didn’t even have the chance to answer, she already pulled me to dance floor. I really suck at dancing but she helped me; she was a great dancer! I had fun! At some point we decided to go to a private area and we talked, ranging from work, business to personal life. I tried to hide my ring as much as possible, I certainly didn’t want this to end now.

“You are a really wonderful lady. You are so interesting…any guy would want to be with you all day” I said.

“I wasn’t always like this but I have learned the hard way that life is just too short to be sad” she sang

Then her phone rang…

“Hey baby! Yeah I’m at the private lounge, I’d like you to meet someone…alright boo” she talked excitedly as usual.

I was in shock until this tall handsome man walks up to her and kisses her.

“You were late. Meet Dayo; I met him this morning, he’s helping with your ATM I told you got swallowed and Dayo this is my B to the O-O,” she laughed “Meet my husband Kolade, we only come here to dance every fortnight Friday; away from work, stress and kids.”

“Wow, a pleasure” I managed to shake him

Then she stood now excitedly holding her husband’s arms.

“Why don’t we invite Dayo for Mimi’s 16th birthday tomorrow?” Her husband said

They have kids too? How long have they been married and they look like a couple just dating!

“Silly me, please come for my second daughter’s 16th tomorrow. It would be an honor” She brought out an I.V from her purse.

I began to feel so ashamed of myself…this was another guy like me, getting it right with one woman.

I collected the I.V and promised to be there.

“See you tomorrow! Have you had something to eat Kolade?” she talked and dragged her husband along.

They left and I kept staring at the thin air like I had seen a ghost. They come just to dance together every fortnight Fridays? Why didn’t I think of that! Temi loves to dance…she also likes long walks, she loves to talk…she loves jazz music, there’s this vivid picture I have of me putting her hand on my chest when we danced at a jazz club on our first year anniversary…I found myself typing all the things I knew Temi loved to do on my Ipad and I realized I had denied her of all…I had made her the old woman she acts.

What the hell was I doing here! I didn’t even tell my friends goodbye, I walked out of the club into my Jaguar. Temi’s call came through and I picked at first ring.

“Temi?” My heart raced

“I know you are not coming home…”

“I am, stay up so we can gist. Been a while” I decided to do everything on that list and to even add many more for the rest of my lifetime with her.

“Are you alright?” She was shocked I suppose

“And I’d like us to go for a birthday party tomorrow. I want you to meet this amazing couple”

“You sound different Dayo”

“Maybe I’m different”

“Don’t say it! don’t say it! when you come we will gist very well” she laughed

She laughed!!! In just that laughter that I hadn’t heard in a while, she sounded like the lady I married six years ago…

Dear reader,

I wrote this natural piece just to remind us that creating memorable moments with our partner matters. Do you know that little things are the sweetest things? Just creating time to gist and laugh with your partner, having a day in the week that’s exclusively for you both-No friends or kids allowed.

Lady, when last have you told your partner he is so darn hot? Guy! When last have you told your lady she is the sweetest thing? When last have you whispered ‘Thank you’? When last have you been quick to say ‘I’m sorry’?

Do you even have a clue on what your partner loves to do?

When you ignore little things, they are the little pieces of rocks that build up to become a mountain you can’t easily break down.

Pay attention to little things, believe that they work and experience new bliss!

The new 5000k note....CBN don't try it

2012-08-24T23:26:00.000+01:00

Theannoucement by the Central Bank of Nigeria's plan to introduce the 5000k note made my inside crawl. What on earth was Sanusi thinking? 5000k notes....He must be joking,as a matter-of-national-fact,He is JOKING!

If our politicians and their croonies could milk us dry with 1000k notes,no sane mind would want to

imagine what they will do with a 5000k note. I pray the National Assembly refuses to give him legislative approval,but will they?

National Labour Congress,Save Nigeria Group and other noisemaking activists over to you.

When NUPENG sneezes

2012-08-24T00:07:00.000+01:00

An African proverb says: when two elephant fights,the grass suffers.Its obvious that its the commuters that is suffering from this show of strenght between the Federal govt and NUPENG/OIL MARKETERS.
The federal government should please find a way of settling with 'almighty' NUPENG,who holds the economy to ransom(by going on strike) anytime they dim fit, and also make sure that the oil subsidy thieves do not blackmail them(govt) into paying for service not rendered.

This can't be happening!!!

2012-08-21T23:39:00.001+01:00

I was involved in a project in some rural communities without
basic infrastructures like portable water,primary healthcare and
schools-reason for my long 'sabastical'.
Its was indeed an eye opener. I had 1st hand experience of what
poverty and illiteracy was.The most shocking part was seeing children
learning in what is suppose to be a school(under a mango tree, with barely enough
chairs and desks).
Just one grade and a teacher for pupils of different age and the community seems so
grateful for just having a 'that' unlike their 'unlucky' neighbouring communities.
In this modern times,I couldn't believe that such thing still exist.Made me felt
like I was living in my great grandparents era.
This communities aren't asking for light,better security or welfare....all they want is
just water,primary healthcare and school-no matter how little!
In a country with jet flying billionaires,exotic cars riding millonaires and pot-bellied
politicians....lets us show a little kindness

Musing on Nigerian Olympic outing

2012-08-17T23:03:00.001+01:00

Kudo's to all the atlethes who represented us at the Olympics, and
knocks to the officials who went to see the 'Queen',got lost in majestic
presence and forgot their primary assignment at the games.
That we performed woefully is no longer news, but if we learnt from it is.
Its time went back to the drawing board-which is the grassroot, reorganise the
Miinistry of Sports and the National Sport Commission.Make election and re-election
into Sport associations performance based and re-invest massively in sporting infrastructures.
Only then can we show that we indeed learnt from our london olympics outing,
NB: feels good to be back!

ACN...The New Opposition Party in Nigeria.

2011-04-11T14:37:00.000+01:00

Last Saturday National Assembly election
has thrown up ACN to the frontfore as the
New leader in the pack of oppositions
to the PDP.
Their almost sweeping of the south-west
polls and Edo state,make them a very strong
contender-amidst many pretender- to
Aso Rock.
Tinubu,Osoba,Lam Adesina and a host of
others have done a good job in turning
ACN to the new AD.
Dispite their many short comings,the Presidential
election will determine how much they have grown
and how good the wheels of their political machinery
grinds...

Buhari/Bakare,the CPC & the Elections.

2011-03-17T00:34:00.000+01:00

Gen Buhari is a gentleman well known for
his discipline.A former head of state(military),
that came to power with the aid of the gun- in his
words-to end indiscipline.Contested president twice before
with the ANPP before being shoved out and forced to set-up
his own party.
Idolized in Northern Nigeria by the "talakawas"
(masses) & by many non-northerns for his humility
and financial discipline.He represent a real challenge
to the PDP in the race to Aso Rock though he is seen by
many as a religious fanatics(no thanks to his comments) &
an unrepentant sectionalist.This views may turn out to be
his undoings.
His running mate Pst. Tunde Bakare is a preacher & a fierce
social critics.
The CPC is a new party founded by Buhari after he was fustrated
out of the ANPP.With a green but strong-membered structure,it will
be difficult to judge its strenght against grounded parties like
the PDP,ANPP & ACN. The upcoming election will determine if the
CPC will last or fizzle out!

Ridadu/Adola, ACN & April 11

2011-03-09T00:04:00.000+01:00

Nuhu Ribadu is a household in Nigeria courtsy of
his prowess at the helm of the now infamous anti-
graft agency EFCC.He came,saw & conquuered - no
matter the technique used.
The fear of Ribadu & the EFCC- of then- was truelly
the begining of wisdom. Have said all that, its ironic
that the major players of his political platform were the
same men he referd to as criminal in the yore days of his
EFCC reign.Same men who accused him of doing his master's
(OBJ)bidding through selective justice.One of their principal
is still facing trial for the allegation of looting filed against
him by Ribadu
Fault his timing & platform,you can;t argue th fact that
Ribadu is young,brilliant and a real presidential material
(alongside his running mate- Adeola)who should give GEJ
a run for his money.
The ACN is gradually becoming a real threat to PDP's dominance,
given the fact that it managed successfully to steal some states
out of the PDP's nose.It can be argued that it is dominant in
the south-west and like the PDP,lacks internal democratic process
etc.With the political heavyweights in its kitty, April '11 will
prove how well grounded the party is or if its just another shadow
bidding its time to fade!

What makes us thick?

2011-03-06T23:25:00.000+01:00

What makes us thick? I ask myself:
We fight in the morning,at evening we cling glasses
Smile amidst so much suffering
Stark poverty,we were crowned the happiest people on earth
We disagree over everything excerpt football...

What makes us thick? I wonder aloud:
Abundance of crude oil,fuel & kerosene is scare and expensive
With leaders & politicians that strive to redefine the term "greed"
We move on,despite the lack of social amenities
Social institutions collapse,but not our faith...

What makes us thick? I search my mind:
With over 140+ million people,having few children is almost a taboo
3-4 hrs of traffic daily,we still think of owning atleast one car
Despite crises & strifes, we'll never support division
No good roads, still we make travelling fun
No steady electricity,instead we improvise and power on...

What makes us thick? I reason:
Blood may be thicker than water,
Our bond is thicker than BLOOD

Shekarau/oyegun, ANPP & April 11

2011-03-04T00:39:00.000+01:00

Gov Shekarau,a two time Governor of Kano state- a rare feat-
emergernce as the Presidential candidate for hte ANPP was no
surprise considering the fact that He had the ANPP machinery
almost to himself.
Its a well know fact that He is a protege(or former)of Gen. Buhari
whose is also gunning for Aso Rock(Nigeria's seat of power).His
insistence on contesting for the position with Gen. Buhari was seen
as a betrayal by the northern talakawas(masses) who are die-hard
supporters of Gen. Buhari.
If He could win Kano state then he would have establish himself as
a no pushover in northern national politics.His personality does not
sell much outside the northern voting bloc,it will therefore be difficult
for him to clinch the prize come April 11 unless a miracle takes place.
His running mate OYEGUN might make or mars his chances as well.

The new ANPP as its called is a shadow of its glorious former self.
It will take more than speeches to convince the electorate that the party
is united.Bickering & stick ups tore it apart.It once had almost all the
northern state in its hand until power mongers tore divided its house.
If it can win back the northern states then it might become a real challenger
to PDP's dominance.
I's chances in the Presidential election is very slim!

Goodluck/Sambo,PDP & their Chance in April '11

2011-03-01T01:45:00.002+01:00

Goodluck Jonathan(phd) personalized the saying "Good name is better than...."
from a classroom teacher to a deputy Governor,to Governor,to Vee-pee then
President in a space of app. 8yrs- its HISTORY!
Like he said in his campaign speech "if I can make it,the you too can"
He represent the new face of leadership in Nigeria-youth,education & being
gentlemanly.From the minority part of the country that never dreamt of being
in power, his divine thrust to power represent a fresh hope of equality in
the land.And like he said in his campaign speech "if I can make it then you
too can make it"
He has an amiable gentleman (an architect) as a running mate.

The PDP which pride itself as the biggest political party in African
is Nigeria's version of the GOP.It controls more than 20 out of the 36
states in the country.It has almost all major the power brokers(both at state &
National level),senators,reps,former Presidents, ministers and head of government ministries & agencies in its fold.
Suffice to say its the party with the biggest structure on ground.Though it lacks
internal democracy and amid crises after crises,its has manage to keep its house
in one piece! And with the power of incumbency,it remains the party to beat!

Presidential Candidates, their parties & my opinion

2011-02-26T00:23:00.000+01:00

Starting from tomorrow I'll be blogging about
Presidential aspirants, their political platforms,
their chances and their popularity.

While the Federal house of Representative has finnally
pass the Freedom Of Information (FOI) bill after months
and years of dillydallying.Whatever took them so long?

The Senate in their wisdom, passed the minimum wage(18,000)
bill into law bring to rest the clamors by the (dis)Organized
Labour & civil societies.

My worries....why are these bill,submitted ages ago,just
being passed by the National Assembly at the twilight of
tenure?
Your guess is good as mine....cheap popularity! We are not
fooled.We know those that performed and those to send to
political obscurity!

You are not Alone...

2011-02-23T00:02:00.000+01:00

The news about the devastating CHRISTCHURCH earthquake
in N.Zea-land was soul wrecking.Stirring up painful
memories that lay buried in out hearts and scars
that will forever remain fresh.

To all N.Zea-lander, we say take heart.The pain may seem
personal but we share in it.We pray, you come out
stronger and better.That you find comfort in these
lonely and painfully trying period.

To the lost HEROES, we say REST IN PEACE!

Role models

2011-02-22T01:22:00.000+01:00

Heads like sea sand
Lights up Rabat square
Unified for a purpose
The removal of the Whale
From the lake

With anger traveling in their vein
They defied power and authority
History will forever remember
Day, when men’s voice became
That of gods!

Adieu Israel...so long pal!!!

2010-11-30T19:04:00.000+01:00

Gentle as a smile, dat disarm the armless
A smile nibbed in its bud, its circumstances....odd
for this smile we wail, its reality is no tale

Why let a man labour, if he won't eat its fruit?
what good is a dream, if the bearer is lifeless?
Silence they say is golden, but this...isn't worth holden

Our hearts are heavy, our lips numb...
We share in this grief, but the pain is personal

Death comes to all men, Only time determines who goes when...

Adieu is all we can say
As JB lay buried in our memory
And engraved in our hearts...

Rauf Aregbesola declared winner...

2010-11-27T00:16:00.000+01:00

Breaking news: ACN governorship candidate in the 2007 elections,Rauf
Aregbesola declared winner by the court of appeal.
The above newsflash graced TV screen,some with mini documentary showing
the beginning of the legal battle to reclaim the Osun state no. 1 seat.
Expectedly,the papers will be agog today with congratulatory messages,
mainly from the oppositions,for Aregbesola praising him for his doggedness
and belief in the law while also praising the court for their forthrightness.
After this, we all go back to sleep. Electoral reforms will be amended on
newspapers and political TV shows.Politicians go back to politiking,INEC
focus on 2011 elections,civil right groups beats the street for free and
fair election.
Post election matters are left till after elections,so that the oyinlolas,
ngiges etc can stay illegally in power for 3yrs before being ejected by the
court of appeals.Enough is enough....lets do the right thing!
National assembly pass electoral reform laws and strenghten electoral
tribunals so that electoral matters can be concluded at most Six months after
election.
Congrats ACN! congrats Rauf!!!

Cold Northern Truf

2010-07-09T20:25:00.000+01:00

Religion,true believers know, is between God & Man
Not following hypocritical Religious lead-ass
Brainwashing Youths wif heresy and lies
Clones of biblical pharisees,All eyes dat don't see

Wheneva, if eva,crises shows up,the North blows up
Got us kung-fu-sed like young Mutallab
We destroy properties & lives dat help build us up
Religious bigots,wat are we? slaughter lamb?
Its a shame, social institutions won't act up
Are we in the stone age...its time to GROW UP.

Muslim vote Muslims,Buhari said in '02
Christains vice-versa,echoed narrow-minded men too
Its not political,truf be told
Any killing in God's name,is nuffin but cold

We are not Nigeria, Just christains & Muslims
Bunch of confusionist, Whats their Aims

Won't be peace in the North, till it Youths decides
Either to die together or kill each other
Join hands togetherand fight the Political & Religious class together...

Ibru,Akingbola and the CBN & EFCC

2009-08-25T14:24:00.000+01:00

The shakeup of the last few weeks in the banking sector,has left many bewildered! Some of the noticeable giants in our banking sector were all exposed.Huge debts and according to CBN they were about to go the LEMANN BROTHER's way.
We are carefully waiting for the 'diagnosis' report of the remaining Banks (wish it be extended to he MFBs).My fear actually is that most of our major Banks are sick.Come to think of it,if Union bank-one of the older banks-is sick,then the rest of the older bank needs serious 'medical check-up and medication and I smell foul play if First Bank is giving a clean 'financial' bill!
I personally think that the financial fraud allegation leveled against Ibru and Akingbola(dunno much about Nwosu,but I do know that he worked his sock off to get finbank to the enviable height it has attained) is a big JOKE!
Yes they gave out bad loans, yes they invested in wrongs business-no thanks to the capital market downturn and global recession,but they are certainly not frauds- No Sir! And if they are guilty of any crime,then their board of Directors are certainly as guilty as they are.

Hiphop and Nigerian Artists

2009-07-21T14:33:00.000+01:00

Hiphop is a popular type of music comprising of rap and beats/electronic backing.It originated among US blacks.Hiphop which many credited to Russell simons,was seen as an alterntive to other black music such as NegroSpiritual and Jazz by the youth.

It became an avenuewhereby black youths could talk about injustice and other abuses they suffer.Groups like Public Enemy(PE)turned hiphop into a movement/culture with lyrics that hits out at the government,security officials while demanding justice and equal rights.
Hiphop was an integral part of the Nation Of Islam(NOI) movement.Like every other form of activism,it derailed and became divided into to forms:keeping it real and keeping it right.

Keeping it real is staying 'loyal to the game' by speaking out againt societal ills,against drug abuse,HIV & AIDS,encouraging the youths to lead positive lives etc.Artists in this category are often labelled as 'CONSCIOUS RAPPERS'
Keeping it right is the 'commercial' aspect of it.Its rapping about anything else just to make money and gain cheap fame.

Nigerian Hiphop got off on the wrong foot,reason we are where we are:all beats and no lyrics(words that makes sense).Eederis tried 'keeping it real' with JAGAJAGA and it was a success proving that one can keep it real and still be commercially successful(e.g Nas,T.kwelib).Unfortunately,he got lost after that.
Basically,Hiphop is not in existence in Nigeria(it's not even dead 'cos it never was).Our Artists can claim to do Hiphop like legislators claim to represnt us.All the so-called Hiphop heads in Nigeria: Thoughbreds,Mode9,Eldee,Ruggedman,Eederis and the host them are just matter-of-factly 'keeping it right' and in real Hiphop sense-throwing tantrums(apologise to Ruggedman)-no matter how many copies they sell!

I stand to be CORRECTED!

Monetiazation Strike:shame on the National Assembly

2009-07-09T09:28:00.000+01:00

The National Assembly has continued to remind us that though we voted them,they do not care about us or our interest.All they care about is their pockets and their walfare alone.
They slashed the 2009 budget citing global meltdown only to allocate some unbelievable amount to themselves for 'contigencies'.RATAOW (radio & tv workers union) for instance,had their 2yrs monetization,reduced by the same National Assembly,from 88 billion to 44 billion.
The unions have been pushed to the wall and they are now fighting back,now they all looking for pallative options.As long as we(Nigerians) continue to vote 'rogues & thiefs' into the national Assembly,we will continue to suffer unless we follow the examples of this UNIONS and unitedly 'strike' them out in 2011

Tribute to King of Pop....Micheal Jackson

2009-07-03T15:24:00.000+01:00

A melodious voice was heard
From an afro haired,cheeky
olived skin youngster.
A member of the Jackson five
His voice captured our lives.

He moonwalked like Armstrong
Taking POP music to another level
Though frail,his dancesteps screams AM STRONG!
With videos that frightens,even the devil

Like all that walked the way of Fame
He courted different controversies
And life never became the same

Then He hated his own skin
And became a foreigner even to himself
A reject he became among his kin
He got lost & couldn't find himself

He found solace in the world of kids
Their fantasies became a part of him
A grown man with mind of kids
Begging for someone to understand him

For his death,millons mourned
For his voice,billions cried
Rest in peace,the world chorused
While praying He finds what eluded him most
PEACE!!!