Heritage Voice

Twenty Naira

2012-04-13T14:13:00.001-07:00

Now, I am well aware that police road blocks have been banned in Nigeria, however, this poem was written a long time ago. I got the inspiration to do a poem in pidgin English after coming across one by Wole Soyinka on the back page of either Tell or Newswatch.

I thought about this poem earlier today and decided to share it here.

TWENTY NAIRA

Stop! Stop!
Oga wetin na?
Wetin ai do?
Ai no de speed
Ai no de wrong lane
my seat belt sef, i tie am

Your papers nko?
Oga ai sabi dem
Driver's licence
Ai get am hia
All my particulars de kampe
Even sef, ai get insurance

Correct Sah! we see everything
What about kola for awon boys?
We sef sabi chop
Make you give us N20
Make we take hold our side
Abeg wet awie hand

Twenty naira wetin?
You sabi say ai de share money?
Na because of N20
Naim make una kill dat school pikin last week
N20 send tuke-tuke driver go grave

Oga wetin be your own sef?
Na N20 make you de preach like this?
Una like this wey go school
Na so una dey give us wahala
Na because say na you oo
Or else....

Anyway sef
You sure say this your car
Dey road worthy so?
I don see am sef
This your motor pass the 7 years limit
wey we president give

Oga ( with a very big smile)
You go follow us go station
You must come see we oga
This your car
Na menace for we roads
Na people like u dey cause accident with your akpangiri motor

Wetin you mean?
Ai no fit go station
Ai don de late for my meeting
Oya take the N20 make ai de go
My boss go fire me
If ai no de office in the next 20 minutes

Oga, na my turn now
N20 too small
If you go give me N100
I fit let you comot
Nothing more
Nothing less

Bros abeg, my oga
Ai no get N100
Make ai give you N40
Abeg, manage this N40
Make you remember say
Tomorrow na another day

Oya, bring am na
Na because na you sha
Hurry oo
Remember say you get meeting
But no too speed oo
My brothers de front

The road not traveled....

2012-04-12T16:39:00.000-07:00

THRESHOLD

The future spreads out before me
And I stand on the brink
Should I step out
Or fade into the past?

The future is shrouded in shadows
And the past seems all familiar
Warm and comforting
Laurels formerly won

The future is a leap
A leap to heights unknown
Strange places, stranger faces
Am I ready?

On this threshold of womanhood
I stand on the closing gates of girlhood
Aware of the expectations
Should I leap?

But if I leap?
Who is there to catch me
Will there be warm arms
Or cold stares?

And beyond the jump
Is that firm lands I see
Or sinking sands?
Ready to suck me in

Life is so uncertain
Full of sweetness and sadness
Plenty of laughter
But also barrels of tears

So I go into the future
Like the caterpillar
Praying that time
Will split my cocoon

So that this butterfly may be free.

I wrote this poem many years ago when I was just leaving university, I was 21, with plans to travel for more studies. Also there was NYSC, both meant leaving home and leaving behind all that was familiar. In some ways certain things seem so clear then, I had confidence even in the midst of my uncertainties. All these times later, I somewhat feel I am still on the brink and leaping has not got any easier.

In life, I guess, there would always be decisions, duties, obligations, pleasures, really choices that can take us down different roads. We should be careful to make the best ones so we would have no need to second guess ourselves, 'what ifs' can be draining but can also be educative. I saw a quote recently that I thought was quite profound "The road not traveled..." I found that it is from a poem by Robert Frost and I have taken the liberty to post it on here, enjoy.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

A headstone is all that is left....

2012-03-27T13:12:00.002-07:00

I woke up this morning to pictures of your headstone. Waenemi had posted them on your facebook memorial page. Your family have fitted a beautiful marble headstone and it hurt so much to see it. Those pictures broke my heart all over again Tari, a stone cannot be all that is left of you dearest. No, your voice, your laughter, your amazing friendship still lives with all of us who loved you.

I miss you so much still.......

Recent weeks.....

2012-03-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

There is always something happening in our world, events that makes us cry, laugh or even leaves us completely indifferent. I guess God made us thus; imagine if we constantly could absorb all the sorrows, the wars, the sadness. I think our hearts would simply burst from the pain. Or even if we could take on all the joys too, there has to be something otherworldly about being constantly happy. As they say, if one has never known sorrow, how can one appreciate joy?

In the last weeks, three stories struck me in the news, the near death experience of Fabrice Muamba, the tragedy of Trayvon Martin and ignominy of the actions of Robert Bales, a much decorated soldier turned villain.

There is a lot that is dark and frightening about the massacre of the Afghan 16 on March 11 by an American soldier who was supposed to be one of their liberators from the oppression and terror of the Taliban. The mental fitness of Robert Bales have been questioned by all and may likely play a major role in his defence, but what frightens me more is the sentiments expressed by some Americans on blogs and internet forums. There is much sympathy for the perpetuator but hardly any care for the victims. I know of course, that the opinion of some online respondents does not speak for an entire country but it worries me none the less. Nobody deserves to be murdered in their bed.

Another aspect of this is the media coverage; we know everything there is to know about Bales but next to nothing of his victims, not their names, their ages, their sexes or their dreams.

Trayvon Martin’s murder and the fact that is murderer is still walking free takes me back to pre civil rights America I have only read about before now. George Zimmerman, hunted Trayvon as you would an animal, he stalked him and shot him down like a dog, this 17 year old man child whose only crime was being black and being on the streets after dark.

I think that there is something very jungle like about Florida’s gun laws and the stand your ground legislation; the idea that I could commit murder and my ticket out of being arrested would be that I felt threatened, after all, who would contradict me? Dead men as we well know cannot defend themselves. The law might have been passed in good faith to protect victims but it has become obvious to all that it has only further empowered perpetuators and those who would take the law into their own hands. I hope something good comes out of all these, I hope that the laws are reviewed because that would be the ultimate justice for Trayvon.

The story of Fabrice Muamba countered the weeks of bad news. Here was reason to believe in our collective humanity. I don’t watch much football; however I couldn’t help but take notice when all the social media seemed awashed with ‘Pray for Muamba’ updates. I had to pay attention and the story I found greatly moved me. A young man struck in his prime by a terrible illness and the fight by all concerned to see him well. The prayers, the love, the good wishes, I can’t help but fancy that all of that set him on the path to recovery.

TILL WE MEET...........

2012-03-09T13:08:00.000-08:00

Life is like a passing ship
That stops in places
With new people
Tis so sad my ship is pulling anchor
So soon after I met you

I think of things
We could have done together
Places we could have seen
Through each other’s eyes
And i am sad

Perhaps at another port
In another sea
We’ll drop anchor
And catch up on old times

But i miss you
And wonder whether
Those times will ever come
Will i see you again?

THE TRUST BANK

2012-03-07T12:59:00.000-08:00

If you take a sample of people and ask them what quality they most value in a relationship, at least 50% are likely to say trust. However trust goes beyond believing I would not cheat on you when you are away or that you won’t cheat when I am absent. Trust is faith, hope, reliance, dependence, confidence, conviction, expectation, belief and a lot more.

Trust involves knowing that I believe in you, your dreams, aspirations, hopes and that I will be there for you whether you succeed or fail, stand or fall.
Trust is supporting you whether I understand your vision or not, it is that ability to say ‘do you want wings or a ticket?’ when you say you want to fly.

Trust is knowing I have got your back when you go facing your fears. It is relying on me to fan the flames of your fire when you need to catch some sleep.

Trust is confidence to tell me about all your business deals because you know I won’t sell you out. Trust is my absolute surety that you will succeed and make me proud. It is expecting nothing but your best from you.

Trust though is a bank. You must deposit to withdraw. This is the reason it is said that trust is earned. You cannot continue to overdraw you account and expect me not to close it or expect not to suffer some penalties for the breach of contract.

VETERAN ACTORS/ACTRESSES: WHERE ARE THEY NOW

2012-03-06T13:25:00.000-08:00

These actors and actresses were some of the pioneers of Nollywood but seem to have vanished from the silver screen. However, this research shows that they are still very relevant, from nursing to the clergy, these men and women are taking giant strides. Here is what they are up to these days.

PETE EDOCHIE

Pete Edochie is considered one of Africa’s foremost actors. We have all at one time or the other been thrilled by the presence and charisma he brings into his roles. Edochie came into acting limelight in the 80’s from an already successful career as a broadcaster and administrator. The actor has gifted Nollywood with his two sons Yul and Linc who are also terrific actors. Pete Edochie was kidnapped in 2009 but was released shortly after and has since then kept a low profile although he still acts intermittently.

LIZ BENSON

Liz Benson is regarded by most as one of the golden ladies of Nollywood. This actress who lost her husband before she was thirty had the strength of character to raise her children and combined it with a very active acting profile in her heyday. In 1996, Liz Benson became a born again Christian and is currently an evangelist.

KANAYO O KANAYO

Anayo Modestus Onyekwere aka Kanayo O kanayo can be safely referred to as Nollywood’s premier actor. He made his debut appearance in ‘living in bondage’ which is acknowledged as Nigeria’s first blockbuster movie and the pioneer of the home video industry. In 2006, KOK won the prestigious AMAA for best actor in a leading role. Kanayo O Kanayo has recently forayed into politics; he declared his intention to run for the house of representative elections in 2011 although he did not scale through.

REGINA ASKIA-WILLIAMS

This pretty former beauty queen and model started her acting career in the soap ‘fortunes’ in 1993 and went on to act in several Nollywood movies winning various awards including the ‘Best Actress in Nigeria’ in 2000. Regina Askia epitomises that cliché, beauty and brains, she graduated with a biology degree from Unilag and is currently a practising nurse in America.

EUCHARIA ANUNOBI

Eucharia Anunobi is probably the only Nigerian actress that is invariably described as sultry. This nollywood bad girl has come a long way from her famed rascality to the ordained pastor she is today. Although she vowed to continue acting, she has not been seen in any movies recently.

RICHARD MOFE DAMIJO

What is there not to love about our RMD? This screen god ruled the movie industry as leading man to go to long before the likes of Ramsey Nouah and Jim Iyke became popular. These days however, RMD is ruling in the corridors of political power. He is commissioner for culture and tourism in Delta state.

ST. OBI

This tall dreamboat graced our screens for many a movie until the shallowness of most nollywood scripts caused him to go behind the camera. Now, St. Obi plays actor, director and producer in his own movies.

BASORGE TARIAH JUNIOR

This actor has been compared to America’s Martin Lawrence for his ability to combine acting with comedy. Basorge is also well regarded for his elocution and impeccable eloquence. These days, he puts that to practice as public speaker and MC.

SEGUN ARINZE

Segun Arinze is perhaps best known for portraying villainous characters, roles which he perfects with great fanfare with his huge eyeballs. Last year Segun Arinze was embroiled in a court case with fellow actor Emeka Ike for the leadership of the Actors guild of Nigeria.

REBIRTH IN EDO

2012-03-06T13:22:00.001-08:00

Last week, one of the discussions I followed on Twitter was the #theworsegovernorinnigeria raised by @ekekeee and it was both informative and disheartening to say the least. The issues examined by contributing tweeps were not new, kleptomaniac rulers bankrupt of quality ideas and a longsuffering people with hardly any hope for political redemption. I was impressed though that with the dearth of inspiring leadership in Nigeria, there are some governors who have dared to be different, who for them it is not business as usual. The likes of Rochas Okorocha, Tunde Fashola and my own state Governor, Adams Oshiomhole. Now these men are not perfect, I’m sure some persons may be able to fill up pages with their errors. However, we cannot afford to lose sight of the progress they have made.

Someone said recently that there have only been three performing government in Edo State, the government of Ogbemudia which gave us such legacies as the Ogbe Stadium, the Benin museum and the University of Benin. The government of the late Ambrose Alli; which gave people like my mother, the chance to get an education. Governor Alli supplied free textbooks, gave Edo a state University, several colleges of education, as well as polytechnics. And finally, we have comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole went to court to fight for his mandate and since he assumed office, he has tackled his job with vigour. Most Edo roads that were virtually impassable are now transformed or undergoing transformation, from roads in Benin City to roads in the interior, the story is the same. One of the biggest problems for road maintenance in Edo state is the annual flooding which has led to severe erosion. Oshiomhole and his team have mapped out a flood control plan that involves linking the historical moat of Benin to the Ikpoba River. So far, work is going on in earnest and the prayer of everyone in Benin City is that this solution works.

Another aspect that the Oshiomhole Government has tackled is the fixing of dilapidated school buildings all over the state. I have always believed that an enabling environment for learning includes the facility where this knowledge is being impacted. How can children learn when they are exposed to the elements in school? Or when the child has to hide behind a bush and step on other people’s mess to answer nature’s call? These days, I am heartened when I come across these shining new school buildings everywhere in town. However, a fancy school building is not enough; these schools need books in a functioning library, quality teachers, more discipline, a crackdown on examination malpractices etc.

Beyond all of these is that Oshiomhole has given the people of Edo the ability to dream again, hope for the landlord who is now a tenant because erosion has taken over his property. Hope for the child who can now learn under a roof, sitting on a proper chair, writing on a proper desk. Hope for the everyday men and women who have access to the cheap mass transit buses aptly tagged comrade buses provided long before the term ‘palliatives’ became a buzzword in our polity.

SHOWGIRL

2012-02-08T21:00:00.000-08:00

Where do I start to tell the story of Showgirl? Is it the day she was born, the first daughter of her mother or the day when she first danced and earned that nickname showgirl that was to be her moniker for the rest of her short life? Is it the years of toil and grime? Or endless days in the farm outside of Benin, where her mother planted yams, melon, cassava and plantain to feed their ever increasing family. Or that shade in the market where her mother sold yards of clothes that Showgirl sometimes had to watch so her mother could run the various errands life sent her on?

Do I tell Showgirl’s story from the times she attempted to write the SSCE? Did she fail because she had no head for books or because she spent too many hours in the farm or the market store that she came home too tired for anything other than her bed? Still she attempted to make something of herself. She signed up for computer classes.

However, she soon was disillusioned with this. She saw no way out of the abiding poverty except an escape to Europe. After all, everyday all around her she saw young men and women return from Europe with great wealth. They built houses for their families, bought cars and generally screamed success. All they said was required was handwork and a determination to succeed and did Showgirl not have all of these in abundance?

So she sat her mother down and sold her the idea, her mother cried and begged but her plea fell on deaf ears. Showgirl’s mind was made up. Her mother went out and borrowed some money. It was an investment so that their future might be better.

Showgirl left on a fine day, she told her mother the trip would only take three days but it was to take her a lifetime. She never even saw Europe, only the lights of Italy and Spain as she stood on the Libyan shore.

For three years, she suffered through the Libyan experience as she searched for a sponsor to take her across the sea to the life she had sacrificed so much for. Her mother begged her to return home but she wouldn’t or couldn’t. The desert spirit had completely taken her over. It was Europe or bust.

Back home, her poor mother had not heard from her in six months and was almost frantic with worry until one day when a car pulled up outside their house. Out of it came a woman who said she knew Showgirl. She said she has moved to Morocco and that her son was willing to sponsor her. However, her mother had to go swear in a shrine that her daughter would definitely pay back the outrageous sum charged for ferrying her to Europe.

Swear in a shrine? It went against everything her mother believed, no, she wasn’t a Christian at the time, she served the gods of her forebears but an oath was not a dimension she had strode before. They wouldn’t let this woman speak to her child without this oath and what would a mother not do for her child?

So she swore and she did speak to Showgirl but it was one of the last times. Not too long after she was called away from her farm to say her daughter was sick. She ran to the phone booth and heard the dying voice of her first daughter. Mummy she said, I should have come home and now I die in a strange land.

For fear of death...

2012-01-04T07:32:00.001-08:00

Recent happenings in the country took me back to the Abacha years, the same anger, restlessness, hopelessness....I started to read again the poetry I wrote in those dark days...here are two that is as relevant now as then...

For fear of death
We commit suicide
Like the Ostrich
Our heads are in the sand

We are raped
We are chased
Yet we are mute
And everyday we die

When good men shut their mouths
Evil becomes a blabbermouth
It stands on the rooftop
And screams ownership
Of a house he did not build

Good has gone into hiding
Afraid to come out
From its burrow
To face the warships of evil

Evil walks the streets
Unmolested
Unafraid
For he knows
Good men have gone to sleep

Heritage Song

If I were to sing the song of my country
My song will be in tears
Tears of blood
In sympathy for the children of my country

My country people say
We only know dirge
We used to sing afrojuju
But now it is all dirge

We used to love to dance
Now our feet are heavy
Iron two left feet
And how we used to dance

Then they used to envy us
And came from afar to watch us
Now they come to scorn
And to mourn with us

Some say it is a curse
Punishment for what our fathers did
But who would curse us?
Who dares swear at us?

We together must break this curse
So we can sing again
Our heritage song
And our feet vibrate in harmony

It is a new year.....

2012-01-02T23:53:00.000-08:00

It is 2012, the year started as a new week, that is on a sunday, also, it is a leap year so i see new beginnings....and as a christian, I must acknowledge Jesus for keeping me and mine and bringing us into this realm of new possibilities.

Now that aside, you would note that over the last couple of weeks, a lot has been going on in Nigeria and it has caused me to comment on various social media. I decided to bring all my comments together for my first post of 2012.

joyness_247Idemudia Eseosa Joy

@BBC_WHYS I think I have moved beyond shocked to deeply angry. Still reeling from yesterday's #christmas day bombings in #Nigeria

26 DecFavoriteReplyDelete

joyness_247Idemudia Eseosa Joy

@BBC_WHYS I think beyond the shock is the constant fear. You hear of a blast and you call friends & family just to confirm their safety.

26 DecFavoriteReplyDelete

joyness_247Idemudia Eseosa Joy

@BBC_WHYS The govt's response to the crisis is what is shocking. They tell us we need to live with the bombings, It is not unique to us.

26 DecFavoriteReplyDelete

Eseosa Joie Idemudia

The president does not inspire confidence in his govt when he keeps telling us that terrorism is a burden we have to bear. We know government may not be able to close every gap but we expect to see that government is doing something. I was ...very disappointed when I saw in the news that christmas dinner went on as usual yesterday at aso rock. In a sane nation, the president will immediately call a security meeting not continue with his dinner and xmas cards swapping as though we weren't a nation in crisis.See More

December 26, 2011 at 10:16am · · 1

joyness_247Idemudia Eseosa Joy

@BBC_WHYS Nigerians see humour in all situations hence the jokes & pictures regarding #fuelsubsidy. Fela called it 'suffering & smiling'

joyness_247Idemudia Eseosa Joy

@BBC_WHYS The new kind of security for an already insecurity battered people. #fuelsubsidy humour http://yfrog.com/gz5r7wvj

19 hours agoFavoriteReplyDelete

Eseosa Joie Idemudia

As an economist, I know all the arguments for deregulation...fuel subsidy as a longterm plan is unsustainable. However, government do not exist in a vacuum, its policies must wear a human face and in situations were bitter pills must be swallowed, sweeteners should be put in place to mitigate it. In the case of the GEJ administration, it has passed a highly unpopular policy at the worse possible time. On the first day of the year in a traditionally dry january! And also let's not forget Nigerians are still reeling from the christmas day bombings; most of us think the apparatus of government should be concentrated on combating the menace of Boko Haram not increasing the burdens of an already battered people.

I thought MAY was just a month....

2011-11-07T10:45:00.000-08:00

Our maid had a fight with her neighbour and the police got involved in the francas. I spent most of yesterday and early today trying to post bail for her and her brother. To say the least it was hectic but informative. The Nigerian police force seem only to listen to the first complainant and do not bother with any investigation even with evidence staring right in their face.

What got me amused though was when we got to negotiating bail. The lady IPO insisted on N8000 and we wanted to pay N4000. So we called another police officer to plead with her. She agreed to take less and told the other officer..'tell them to make it may' We all look at each other in confusion until we figured it out...may is the fifth month...so she means she would take 5k....hilarious..make it may! police code....hehehehe

E Don Tay!

2011-11-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe it is almost three months since I last updated my blog! Being home again and waiting for something to happen by the way of a job has understandably distracted me.
A lot have happened though in the last weeks most worrying is the spates of bombings in the country. Boko Haram must cease and desist... Lord have mercy!
On a lighter note...the tragedy of the Baba Suwe 'shit' scandal has kept the country enthralled and created fodder for comedy. Yahoonews probably took the best caption award when the styled the saga like this
"Nigerian actor freed after 25 bowel movements" Hilarious this might have been but it does brings out the underlying weakness in our justice system where a person can be detained for over 25 days with no justifiable proof of a crime.
God have mercy!

Various sayings

2011-08-16T01:42:00.000-07:00

Many people are not born successful, they become successful. Many people are not born failures, they become failures.

How do people become successful and how do they become failures? The answer is through their habits.

"The secret of successful people is in their daily habits." Dr Mike Murdock

"The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the lazy man will be put to forced labour." Proverbs 12:24

What successful people do daily, failures do occasionally or never do at all.

Likewise what failures do daily the successful do occasionally or never do at all.

If I can see your habits, I can accurately predict your future. You gradually become what you do on a daily basis.

"Habits are first cobwebs, then they become cables." Spanish Proverb

My prayer is that you will cultivate successful habits and be delivered from every habit of failure.

Life is lived from inside out. What happens within determines what happens outside.

When an egg breaks from an outside force, a life ends. When an egg breaks from within, a life begins. Great things always begin from within.

It's not the things happening outside that affect most people; rather it's the things that happen within us.

"Above all else, guard your mind for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23

The premium shouldn't be on guarding your material possessions. The premium should be on guarding your mind because that is where life ie change starts from.

When people change, it first of all starts from within ie the mind. When you change the way you think, things will change for you.

If you are already defeated within, it will show outside. If you are successful within, it will show outside.

I believe you are long overdue for a change of story.

Make that change happen now. Change the way you think and every other thing will change for you.

No one will ever be criticised for making mistakes. Mistakes are part and parcel of life.

When you make a mistake and you learn from it, then you are on your way to success.

Mistakes for as long as they are learnt from, are steps on the staircase to success.

Every mistake is a stepping stone to the next level provided you learn from it.

Mistakes can also be the light that illuminate the darkness around you especially when you are treading new grounds.

In as much as mistakes have a positive side, you shouldn't turn making mistakes into a habit.

"Can a man scoop fire into his lap
without his clothes being burned?
Can a man walk on hot coals
without his feet being scorched?" Proverbs 6:27:28

"When you repeat the same mistake continuously; it is no longer a mistake, it is a choice." David Oyedepo

A choice is the right, power, or opportunity to choose; ie option. It is something that is preferred or preferable to others.

I see you making the right choices and every genuine mistake turns around in your favour from this day forward.

He's alive.

Embracing change: is there a better way?

2011-07-06T15:35:00.000-07:00

President Andrew Jackson

Andrew Van Buren

In 1829, Martin Van Buren, Governor of New York, wrote to President Andrew Jackson cautioning him about the future: 'President Jackson, the canal system of this country is being threatened by the spread of railroads. We must preserve the canals for the following reasons: 1) If canal boats are supplanted by railroads, serious unemployment will result. Captains, cooks, repairmen and lock tenders will be left without jobs, not to mention farmers now employed in growing hay for horses 2) Boat builders would suffer, whip and harness makers would be left destitute 3) Canal boats are absolutely essential to the defence of the United States. In the event of the expected trouble with England, the Erie Canal would be the only means by which we could ever move the supplies so vital to waging modern war. As you may well know, Mr. President, railroad carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 mph by engines, which, in addition to endangering life and limb, snort their way through the countryside belching out smoke, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening women and children. Surely the Almighty never intended people should travel at such breakneck speed.'

Poor Martin - what would he think if he knew we were flying 33,000 feet high, at 500 mph sipping coffee and typing on a notebook computer?

Mama Africa

2011-05-30T08:40:00.000-07:00

Mama Africa
Look down and see the fates
Of your beautiful virgin daughters
See what has become of chastity
Thrown to the four winds

Mama Africa

The Whiteman brought us civilization
But civilization has its price
Morality is confined to history books
Practiced only by prudes

Oh Mama Africa

Weep for your daughters
Who have become breadwinners
For their fathers
And sell themselves for dollars

Mama Africa

Our hands are stained with blood
Your land is filled with blood
The blood of your daughters
But they erect mansions

Mama oh Mama

Will Africa ever be clean again?
Free from this hunger
This corruption
That makes your daughters forget their shame.

2011-05-22T01:25:00.001-07:00

FOR TARI

You stole away at midnight
When non watched
We are bereft who loved you
Only memories comfort us now

Memories of you are a gold yarn
Linking together all who loved you
Our memories weave a living tapestry
Of how you were amongst us

So we know you will never be forgotten
Because we carry you with us
In our laughter and in our tears
We see you reflected back to us

That face that was so welcoming
Those hands so ready to soothe
The hug that always made better
That heart that never tired of helping

We will miss you sweetheart
And indeed we do already
But your voice will live on in our thoughts
And your laughter will echo forever in our hearts.

For Ebitari Tekenah

2011-05-19T17:45:00.001-07:00

I have tried to write something for you my friend. I think is perhaps more for me than you.

I know how much you would appreciate the love i have tried to convey if only again you could read it. I remember how you exclaimed over my blog, how proud you were of me. How you called chidi to say eseosa now has a blog, you must read it.

Hey Tari, how did this happen? How did you leave us your friends so early and with no warning whatsoever? You who held our circle of friendship together. You who always had news of everyone and who so willingly shared all our joys and hurdles. How could you go so soon?

Tari, i sit in my living room, it is gone past midnight and i keep replaying all the tokens of our friendship. Our shared laughter, our long conversations, me and you dancing, us walking down the streets singing songs from long ago. Though now in retrospect i feel i did not share enough of me with you. If only i could turn the hand of time.

I see on facebook condolences are already mounting on your wall. I cannot bring myself to write on there, no, that would make it too real. I still feel it is a bad nightmare and i might yet wake up.

Ebitari, you had so much heart and I am going to miss you very much.

Adieu.

Another Royal Wedding

2011-04-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

Williams, Prince of Wales married his Catherine today, almost thirty years after his parents embarked on what proved to be a disastrous union. I have heard a lot of comments from people afraid of history repeating itself. They talk of the fairytale wedding, the media hype, the glare of public scrutiny, all factors that helped in destroying what was themed the wedding of the century in 1981.

However, they forget some things that are essentially different about these two couples. First their ages, Charles was thirteen years older than Diana, by the time he married her, he had seen and done almost everything while she was a mere nineteen, naive and romantic. Their relationship had been likened to the romantic novels her step grand mother Barbara Cartland wrote, virginal girl, mysterious and handsome older man except for them, there was no happy ending. William and Kate on the other hand are agemates, they are from the same generation, they have common interests, they went to school together, infact, i would daresay they speak the same language.

Also, Princess Diana famously said they were three people in her marriage, with William and Kate, it has almost always been the two of them. They have known each other for a decade and have been a couple for almost nine out of the ten years. I would not be wrong when I say these two grew up together. These newlyweds paint a perfect picture and I do not see the ghosts of past lovers haunting this marriage.

Media hype and public scrutiny are issues Kate has had a long time to adjust to, she knows what is expected of her and has done admirably well so far. And also she can depend on the support of William who has shielded her through their difficult moments. This wedding might had looked like a fairytale but the two people intimately involved looked totally comfortable together as was evident from their frequent whispers of reassurance to each other during the ceremony.

Finally, British royalty is definitely more relaxed now than it was in 1981, protocols are not so strict as seen today from the various breaks in tradition. The one that amused me most was the Dukes and Duchesses in coaches! And the romantic in me was moved by William driving Kate back to Clarence house in his father's open top Aston Martin. The family as Prince William calls it has embraced modernity and has become more fun.

Here is to wishing Kate and Wills a blissful life.

Try your Luck

2011-03-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

I got infected with the lottery buying bug recently. I woke up one morning with the thought that the fastest and easiest way to get the kind of money I desire was to hit the Euromillion jackpot. No doubt, I was influenced by the number of lottery winners popping champagne featured in the local papers recently.

The first thing I did was to select my lucky numbers, then I registered online on the national lottery website. Knowing what lottery to play was a nightmare, I was spoilt for choice, Lotto, Euromillions, Thunderball, Gold riches and even retro riches. I at last settled for the Euromillion. Then I started to count the days till friday when the winning numbers are selected. Friday night finally dawned and I excitedly checked my account, alas, no win. £6 down the drain! But then, I have always said I wanted to try everything at least once in my life so why not?

If only I had stopped then, but you know how it came be with addictions. I fixated on the idea of the scratchcard. Hassle free lottery. You walk into a shop, hand in your money and you get a card. So I stopped of at a store on my way to work one day to purchase a ticket. Unfortunately, my first foray into the world of scratch cards was unproductive.

After spending £12 in all buying lottery tickets, i only won once and it was a meagre £2. However, I might try it again, who knows? I may just be the one in the papers popping champagne with a cheshire grin on my face.

A short story

2011-03-06T09:14:00.000-08:00

Anytime Sade looked at her arms, she saw the legacy her father bequeathed her, scars. Other fathers left their children sweet memories of advice, laughter, fun and courage. All Sade had were her tears and anguish both physical and emotional.

Every once in a while, she woke up from a nightmare, tears streaming down her face. She had just had one of those. In her dream, she was 10 years old again, her father was screaming for her
Folasade!
Come out right now because when I find you, it would be the worse for you!

Sade shivered where she was cowering behind the sofa tears running down her face. A shadow fell over her and she raised her fear striken face as the whip began its descent. She opened her month to scream and woke up still screaming.

All things Nigerian

2011-02-19T06:43:00.000-08:00

I have lived abroad going on four years now. Being away from home has heightened my appreciation of all things Nigerian. Before coming here, I could not wait to leave. I was tired of the heat, the stress, the bad roads, nosy neighbours, the joblessness of our youth, our broken down schools and most grating, our greedy leaders.

However, as much as these problems are still glaring today as they were 4 years ago, I miss the exuberance of Nigeria. To me Nigeria is like a youth, full of life, brash, know it all who has made and is still making several mistakes, refusing to listen to elders, preferring to learn from experience rather than example. One can can only hope that sooner than later, she will grow up and not regret in old age her misspent youth.

Anyway, I digress. I miss the in-your-face neighbour who knows what you had for dinner, knocks on your door anytime of the day or night just to chat or borrow the proverbial sugar. I miss the heat, but that is only during the winter and I am wearing three layers of clothing yet cannot keep warm.

The joblessness of our youth is an issue that breaks my heart. I know of people who left school ages ago and are still plodding through the streets of Nigeria trying to find employment, any employment at all that would allow them put food on the table, cloth on their backs and a roof over their heads. Over here in the west, there are even more of our youths, myself included who would like nothing better than to return home and to contribute their quota to nation building. However, the difficulty in securing jobs, the need to grease more than a few elbows to make any headway scares them.

I cannot say I miss the bad roads, I was in my hometown of Benin recently and the state governor needs to be commended on the work he is doing on our roads. Our schools and our leaders? well that is a topic for another day.

All in all, I miss home and when I get that feeling, I pick up my phone and call friends and through them vicariously reclaim everyday living in Nigeria. At other times, I go on youtube, watch a Nollywood movie or listen to some local artiste. This always leaves me nostalgic and never fail to relieve the pangs of homesickness.

Buggy or Piggyback?

2011-02-17T12:46:00.000-08:00

I saw a funny sight today in town. A Nigerian woman all dressed up for the winter, I mean coat, boots and scarf and the weird thing? she had her baby tied to her back with a colorful african wrapper. I could hear her husband complaining about the fact that he bought a buggy which she wanted at the time but is now sitting somewhere in the house gathering dust. The lady's response ? "the buggy is heavy"!

i think her husband was quite embarrased by the sight they made in the busy town centre. What do you think people? would you as an African woman carry your baby on your back in public? and would you as an african man be seen in public with your wife carrying your child on her back?

The female James Brown

2011-02-16T16:12:00.000-08:00

I am really grateful for the Grammys or else how would I have discovered Janelle Monae? She is amazing, check out those moves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwnefUaKCbc
And also thanks to the Brits for Laura Marling, I thought she was really colorless from her demeanor when she accepted her award...but her music set me right.

OVER 26 NEED NOT APPLY.

2011-02-14T12:24:00.000-08:00

There is something I have noticed with job advertisements in Nigeria that absolutely winds me up. It is the blatant age discrimination displayed by both National and Multinational firms.

In adverts placed on dailies and on these companies websites, you are likely to find "over 26 years need not apply". This is ironic in a country like Nigeria where the average student leaves secondary school aged 17, writes the university matriculation exams once or twice and if he is fortunate gets into university at 19. Now if he puts in for a four year course, he should graduate at 23 discounting any academic palaver.

Considering that on average, the Nigerian undergraduate loses one year to strikes and shutdowns due to cult violences. This mean our model student would graduate at 24 and then has to reckon with NYSC. There is a lot to be said for our NYSC, it is a national icon of which I am very proud. I benefited from it immersely by way of friends, travel, experience and community. However, the fact that the graduate is not guaranteed a place in the service corps as soon as he leaves school and has to wait for sometimes up to year to serve is ridiculous and time-wasting.

Now our model student is 25 years old and is just starting a year long service. Through no fault of his own, he does not arrive at the job market until he is 26. Imagine his frustration when NNPC, CHEVRON, Intercontinental Bank, First Bank, Zenith, TOTAL et al. tells him not to bother submitting his CV because he is over 26! And we wonder at the increase in armed robberies, kidnappings, internet scams, cult violence and the general malaise plaguing our youth. This article in no way justifies these behaviours but as a people, we need to identify the roots of our problem.

The aspect the bugs me the most is these multinationals would not dare place such adverts in the west with age as a criteria. They would be immediately slammed with a lawsuit.

I think it is about time we have legislation protecting this aspect of our worklife and maybe a lawsuit or two would not be a bad place to start.