The Priceless Price Of Beauty.

How far would you go in your quest for beauty? Of recent I have read about a lot of surgeries going wrong and ending fatally and it makes me wonder how far one would go to cover up a body hang up. Now, I'm not here to judge those who choose to do something about their appearances because it makes them unhappy. I happen to have some body hangups of mine which I may feel the need to "sort out" in future (Hehehehe, I can hear my hubby's blood pressure rising as he reads this. I say it mostly totorment him, hehehe) if given the opportunity. I know everybody's tastes and preferences are different but I cannot bring myself to fully understand why anyone would go as far as going under the knife to place implants in their buttocks. I appreciate the need to want to be a video vixen, succumb to bullies' taunts or have the assets to twerk with but come on. The least you can do is get it done right in a proper hospital with competent hands regardless of the cost. I think one undervalues ones life by visiting quack hospitals to undergo cosmetic surgery in order to save a buck or two.

Pretty but late Joy Williams. :(

 Last week I read another news about a Nigerian-British girl, Joy Williams (23 years old) who had undergone a botched surgery which eventually claimed her life. The operation took place in Thailand after the official surgery hours as stipulated by the clinic and the surgeon didn't have a license for it. He's been arrested but that's not going to bring back the poor dead girl, is it? I learnt the reason she opted for this operation was because she was being bullied in school. How terribly sad. I wished she had found another way of rising above the bullies or perhaps even chosen a more reputable hospital to carry out the operation. I saw a picture of the room she was found in and I am appalled at the basicness of the operating theatre. I don't care how many framed certificates were kept on display, this room reeks of sham.

I still recall another Nigerian-British girl, Claudia Aderotimi (20 years old)  who lost her life in Philadelphia a few years ago while trying to get bigger buttocks as well. She'd hoped a bigger bum would get her more roles in music videos. The sorrow of their loved ones whom they leave behind is often too harrowing to put into words.

Late Claudia Aderotimi. :(

It is always best to weigh and explore all possible options to effect transformation based on dissatisfaction with ones body before committing to going under the knife at all. It cannot be emphasized enough that if one is convinced about a cosmetic procedure, only the best and most reputable is worth putting your life in their hands. It doesn't matter how expensive it is, find the money and do it right or leave it be.

May their souls rest in peace.

The Most Passionate And Adorable Singer Ever :)

This is the cutest boy ever and I see raw passion in his performance. I have watched it over and over and he melts my heart and keeps me smiling, a real performer he is. :)

The translation of what he is singing is so simple and it is:

"an uncle is yours father brother... an uncle is your mother brother"

Simple but catchy. Enjoy. :)

T.G.I.F

Parenting Is A Tough Task.

 An American father, Kevin Jones,was shocked to find out that his 10-years-old daughter had been secretly posing on different social media accounts as an older teenager with a boyfriend. 

He was naturally furious but rather than go overboard like some of our regular African parents would have done or handled her with kids gloves, he gave her a punishment which most people think fits the offense. He dressed her up looking very girly in pinks and gave her a t-shirt showing her real age and her class. He then took her pictures and uploaded it online for all to see and learn that she is an under-aged child (ehn, shebi she likes online tinz already na).

While some people might feel he went overboard with this punishment and others believe it is apt, I think it is could go both ways for the girl. For those who think he took it too far, imagine some innocent young men thinking the girl is truly 17 or 18 years old and hitting on her, setting up a date and trying to have sex with her. If such a person if apprehended by the law, he would be jailed for statutory rape regardless of whether or not she misled him. Imagine also, she gets pregnant at the young age of 10 or 11 or even 12. The health implications on her and the effect on her family and their society would be devastating. Hopefully she has learnt from this episode that  our actions always bear consequences on others, either directly or indirectly.

  On the other hand, those of you who feel the punishment is apt, picture these scenarios. No doubt her self-esteem is bound to be affected especially amongst her peers. Parents would most likely warn their children to stay away from her because they wouldn't want her to be a negative influence on them. She would most likely be bullied and taunted in class by at least one person (usually the class bully). She would live a greater part of her life haunted by how her father's action could likely affect her future. Any ambition she has that might put her in the spotlight would be damped by the thoughts of these pictures her father has put on the internet and how she would be perceived by others.  She would have to learn how to forgive herself and her father as the years pass. She may blame her mother for not protecting her enough from being shamed like this. If she is not the strong type, she might self-harm out of shame and worry.

So you see, her father's action may either help straighten her out or damage her psyche. Parenthood is far harder than anyone outside it can imagine and unfortunately there are no adequate rule books to guide one because each family unit is different and so are our views towards life.We can only do our very best, seek good counsel, study and understand our children's different characters and follow our guts.

Be Inspired.

I found the piece below on the internet and I hope it will inspire someone to take that bold step they have been longing to take despite the challenges they might be facing. 

"A jobless man applied for the position of 'office boy' at Microsoft.

The HR manager interviewed him, then gave him a test: clean the floor. The man passed the test with flying colors.

"You are hired," HR manager informed the applicant, "give me your e-mail address, and I'll send you the application for employment, as well as the date you should report for work.

The man replied " I don't have a computer, or an email!"

"I'm sorry," said the HR manager. "If you don't have an email, that means you do not exist. And we cannot hire persons who do not exist."

The man was very disappointed.

He didn't know what to do. He only had $10 with him. Once that is spent, he won't have any money to buy any food.

He went to the supermarket and bought a crate of tomatoes with his $10.

He went from door to door and sold the tomatoes in less than two hours. He doubled his money.

He repeated the operation three times, and returned home with $60. He realized that he can survive
this way. He started to go everyday earlier, and return late.

He doubled or tripled his money every day. Soon, he bought a cart, then a truck. In a very short time, he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles.

Five years later, the man became one of the biggest food retailers in the U. S. He started to plan his family's future, and decided to have a life insurance.

He called an insurance broker, and chose a protection plan.

At the end of the conversation, the broker asked him for his email address.

The man replied: ' I don't have an email.'

The broker was dumbfounded. "You don't have an email, and yet have succeeded in building an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an email?," he exclaimed.

The man thought for a while, and replied, "an office boy at Microsoft!"

"If you just lost your Job or Just failed an Interview Don't worry be Optimistic..... Good days are on the way and something better is reserved for you."

Buki's Bits.....

How's your week coming along? Mine has been fifty shades of topsy-turvy, but hey I'm a Survivor and still I rise. :)

So let's get down to my bits and bobs... :)

Nigerian Drug Mule Dies In Madrid Airport 

In these times when Ebola is rife and dreaded, you really don't want to be found in certain situations that bear any form of semblance to the symptoms. It's disgraceful that people still smuggle drugs in this day and age. Why would anyone want to risk and jeopardize their lives like that? Unfortunately for this drug pusher, the stash burst inside his stomach and he fell down with the shakes. Naturally, everyone thought it was Ebola and left him to his fate, and a very sorry ending it was for him. The irony was that he hadn't even been to Nigeria in four years, yet upon learning he was a Nigerian, everyone steered clear of him. Lady Karma is getting more impatient these days, cross her and BAM you're gone. 

Governor Amaechi's Swaggy Dance Step

At his recent rally, Governor Amaechi didn't mince his words on how he feels about the President and his wife. There's presumably (because the cat fights might all be for show o. Naija!!!) bad blood between the First Lady and the governor, and it's been brewing for a long while now. Anyway, that is not why Governor Amaechi is featuring in this post. It's about his unique dance steps at rallies which I find very hilarious and warm(?). LOL

Could It Have Been Magun?

I came across a news last week about an Italian couple who decided to have sex in the sea at a partially deserted beach, and got stuck while at it. (Yikes!!) Of course I immediately recalled my post on Magun and thought perhaps some Nigerians would link this incident to magun. It turns out that as a result of suction, the man could not remove himself from inside of the woman. Such occurrences are referred to as 'penis captivus', which usually occurs when the muscles of the vagina grips the penis more tightly than normal. (Ouch) Could it be that this is what's been happening in Africa which we refer to as Magun, no? The couple had to be taken in to a hospital where an injection was given to the woman to help dilate her uterus and thus separate both of them. I cannot imagine how embarrassing it must have been for them but I'm glad I didn't list the sea as a likely location in my post on Sex Outside The Boudoir

Hehehe.

On Ebola Souvenirs

Sigh. I came across the images below on the internet. Clearly, somebody thinks this whole Ebola scare is a joke one could make some quick cash from. All I have to say to them is to "Kontinuu". *dials for Lady Karma*

Cuddly Ebola Toy For Sale. Hian.

Enjoy the rest of your week. :)

Pranks & Laffs: Crazy Grandma, Crazy Photos

 You have to watch this hilarious video and the expressions on the faces of the pranked. I often wonder what sort of people come up with these pranks, LOL. Enjoy.

Marriage: Do Or Die Mentality.

Yesterday evening, I came across a post on Facebook that left me mortified. A lady (went under the guise of anonymous in a FB group) wrote a post and was asking for advice. She just discovered that her sister's husband has been sleeping with their 14-year old niece who was living with the couple. She also discovered that he had done same with another 13-year old extended family member who lived with their mother. I guess the only reason they aren't pregnant yet is because they say he uses condoms, which further proves that he is a calculative and unrepentant pedophile. The lady expressed her shock and even said she fainted upon hearing the news, which was told to her in confidence by the victims, as she least expected it from the man being a deacon in church and all that razzmatazz. Her speaking out was to get advice on how to proceed with the case because she did not know how her sister would take it and what would become of the marriage. 

Sigh. If you thought that was bad, you should have read parts of the comments that flooded in afterwards. I was furious and disgusted by the reaction of some of the "advisers". Some of them went on and on about how she had to keep quiet to save her sister's marriage, others said she should first report to the pastor of the church he attends, still some asked that sleeping dogs should be left to lie, after all WWJD (what would Jesus do)? Oh, let's not forget the ones who felt it was a "spiritual attack on the man and he should go for deliverance". The one that slayed me the most were the 007 Jane Bonds, who felt a trap should be set to catch him in the act by using the same defiled victims as bait!!! Sigh.

At what point did we lose our senses of reasoning and judgement all in a bid to be religiously correct? How can any sane person NOT realize that a man who sleeps with a minor is a pedophile who deserves to be locked away forever? So what he's a deacon, Sunday school teacher and whatchamacallit, the fact remains that he raped two under-aged girls left in his care and those are the ones we know of yet. By virtue of his religious position, he has a wider access to more under-aged children, so covering this up is all shades of wrong. Such scum should be locked far away from the society rather than living in our midst, acting normal yet unleashing havoc upon our children.

I know the pressures to get married which our society puts on single ladies and I absolutely abhor it because it beclouds their judgement when they get into unfavorable and clearly dangerous unions. Why should anyone be forced to stay in a union with a pedophile or an ousted homosexual (who by the way also got married under pressure and to avoid the stigma of being gay) just to save face and be seen to be morally upright by the society? It isn't enough for us to sit back and condemn such abominable acts, rather it is up to us all to cry out in one voice and see to it that rape crimes are known to be just that, CRIMES.

If you are aware of anyone who is a victim of rape, especially a minor kept in the care of the molester, it is your civic and moral duty to report to the right authorities. It is our collective duties to protect our children and ourselves, so please do not think or condone the thought of act of shielding a rapist at the detriment of the victim. It is a cruel, unjustifiable and unacceptable act. 

I know the Nigerian Police are often not as responsive as we would want them, but I think they are getting better. There are also very dependable NGOs that are focused on rape cases to which you can report and they would ensure you get justice and also help rehabilitate the victims. One of such is Stand To End Rape Initiative and their contact details are:

STER Initiative

No. 9A Tinubu Road, Coker Extension, Ilupeju Lagos.

Mobile:  +2348095967000

Email: standtoendrape@gmail.com

Poetry: My Unshed Tears

For you my tears remain unshed
Even though my heart is weighty
As I lay deep in thoughts in bed
Thinking of the plans we made till eighty
All of which have gone up in smoke
As a result of the way you hurt me
There will be no eighty, for I choke
Tomorrow is not even sure, you see
Such is the depth of the abyss I'm in
A dark place where you put me
I loved you with my whole being
Yet, with others you choose to be

Another Monday....

Good morning dear readers and welcome into a brand new week. I'm so sorry I haven't written much properly in the past couple of weeks. I've been dealing with a whole lot but hey, I'm a Survivor and I always overcome whatever Lemons life throws at me. (Suck on that, life. Lol). Anyways, I promise to make it up to you all especially to the delectable Nubian lady doctor who gave me the wake up prod over the weekend.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who agrees that the weekends are wayyyyyyy to short, considering how hectic some weeks can get. Oh well, maybe if I run for presidency and get elected, I could slip an extra day into the calendar. (LOL) Only for my readers though, because you all deserve the very best. (Blows you plenty kisses). 

I wish you all a splendidly prosperous week ahead. Don't let anyone get you down and do not permit anyone to live rent-free inside your head. Life is too short to dwell on worries, hurt and pain. Stay strong and keep shining. Be #AllHeartsAlways 

BlogFeature: REJECTING HEALTH, PROCLAIMING IGNORANCE

Health status remains one of the determinants of well-being that is often underestimated, taken for granted and least appreciated; nevertheless it remains core to our continued existence on this side of the world. It should be clear to us that, not even our occupation, belief, social status, educational attainment on their own can bail us out when our health fails. A patient with serious debilitating disease will probably not go to work, neither will he attend functions, nor remember his beliefs but his only desire will be to get healed. Furthermore, quality of life of the citizens of a country is no longer dependent solely on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of such nation, but also on life expectancy at birth (which is a health status indicator) and literacy level of the populace. If not, how do you relate a country with the largest GDP in a continent yet majority of its citizen struggle daily to meet their basic physiological needs of food, shelter and clothing? A nation where achieving security needs is practically impossible. A land where meeting one's social need is considered out of place and aspiring to attain one's esteemed need would mean asking for too much. In this part of the world, the vicious cycle of poverty, ignorance and disease is inseparable!

Learning from the foregoing, health status is not only a determinant of an individual’s well-being but it is also an economic parameter that measures the well-being of a country. If our health status is so sacrosanct to our general well-being, why are some folks handling it with so much levity and triviality? Truth be told, if health is not lost there is no point trying to restore it. Staying healthy like I always say is cheaper than getting treated, it however requires some commitment like searching for correct health information, sustaining healthy lifestyle through discipline and psychological training and re-training. The recent “Ebola and salt water hoax” however shows how far we are lagging behind. Why do we discard sound health information and keep proclaiming ignorance despite the resources at our disposal? Here are some reasons:

Firstly, people are most times lazy and tend to respond only to easy solutions. Getting things done fast, easy and at practically no cost has blinded us to the most obvious facts of life. Sadly, this mindset has invaded not only the way we handle our health or information related to health but other facets of our lives has also suffered.If salt and water could cure Ebola why would United States be spending so much to manufacture a vaccine? Why would grants be given solely to develop a drug, if common table salt and water at any random concentration was equally effective? Health Information is everywhere, yes; on Google world, Twitter street, Facebook domain etc, but always check with a medical professional, you might just save yourself from a catastrophic health event! Information is power but negative information is paralysis in itself.

Moreover, terms like health risk, risky behavior and relative risk seems intangible and distant to most people. The notion that, if it is not happening to me now, it can never happen to me should be very well considered. Hypertension for example is primarily a hereditary disease; also men with hypertensive parents have over four-fold increase in risk (chances) of developing Hypertension after the age of 30-35years. This risk can be increased further by indulging in risky behaviors like smoking, drinking alcohol, increased stress and increased salt intake. In other to reduce the risk of hypertension in such people, we do advise them to quit smoking, stop drinking, reduce salt in diet, avoid too much stress, exercise more and take more fruits. These are scientific facts which holds true in most cases. My sincere appeal is that if you are at risk of hypertension, do not wait till stroke sets in and you can't move your limbs. Consult your physician for check up and begin those lifestyle modification stated above in earnest.

Lastly, people’s priority and problems also cloud their sense of judgment and affect their disposition towards sourcing or using health information at their disposal. Truly if one can’t figure where the next meal is coming from, one might probably not be bothered if the food one gets after waiting for two days or more was prepared in the toilet. This cycle of poverty, ignorance and disease has to broken at some point. The preponderance of poverty in this country is only a pointer that our government really needs to do more. Be that as it may, ignorance which is the next culprit is a choice we have to make. If we choose information we get good health in return but if we choose ignorance we get disease and as such perpetuate the vicious cycle. For so many people, health information is still regarded as intangible and should not compete with more tangible realities in their lives, but is that position safe? Remember if one's health falters, life may crumble. Maintaining healthy status is an end, getting sound health information and implementing it through a positive behavior change is a means to this end. Health they say is wealth, but shall we continue in ignorance and expect our health to blossom? 

Charles T. Olomofe (M.B.Ch.B)    

Health and Behavioral Change Advocate

charlesolomofe@yahoo.com 

@Chartol1 on twitter

Hope In Humanity...

Of recent, I've discovered that the world and those therein are getting more cruel by the day. My faith in humanity dwindles daily due to the things I see and hear. People keep betraying those who love, care for them and have invested in them. Frenemies are the order of the day and the worst of the lot, because they stab you and smile while they do it. They delight in any bad news you have to offer. Sometimes they don't even know they do it, as it is in their subconscious and only bubbles to the surface when you share your tales of woe with them.

Then you have the government who cannot be bothered by the plight and welfare of those they swore to protect and serve but rather relish in plundering the wealth of the land. There are also the religious fanatics to stress over as they are getting bolder and more brazen by the day. 

You know the good thing about life is how suddenly any situation can change for the better. Yesterday, while I was weighed down by a number of craziness surrounding my personal space and mind, I came across a tweet with a message so simple, yet so touching. It moved me to tears and gladdened my heart. Suddenly the world didn't seem like such a bad place after all and my faith in
humanity was restored. Read the tweet below and tell me it didn't move you a wee bit. ;) 

Have a lovely weekend ahead. I'm off house hunting today, wish me luck. 

BlogFeature: To Pay Or Not To Pay?

 The post below is written by a friend and twitter follower of mine. I had a good laugh reading it, even though his views and opinions are entirely his o! This is his official baptism into writing (hehehe). Enjoy.

A Cry For Help (3)

Still on the #DenroIshashi road matter, as you can see from the pictures I took this morning, NOTHING has been or is being done about it, yet.  I wrote previously on this issue here and here. It's incredible how resilient Nigerians can be, trudging on like there isn't a problem at all. I can't fault us entirely because one can see we've been beat down by the many challenges life throws at us and the truth is that the absolute absence of basic amenities will screw up any sane mind. 

One would at least expect the government to set up some sort of security for those in the area, alas nothing of such is being done. Instead, I found out that the "big dons" were chilling comfortably and observing things, while their "boys" collected (forcibly if provoked) "toll" from all users of the make-shift bridge. You could see people selling alcohol and also perceive the stench of smoking weed mixed with the disgusting smell of the stagnant water. I over heard some people conversing while also crossing the bridge and they were saying things like; 

"how can anyone put their feet in this water that looks worse than Ebola?"

"the stench of this axis is horrible and one would be cursed to have such filthy water touch one's skin". 

They didn't lie, the situation is awful and far worse than these pictures portrays. What a pity, what a shame. 

He Got Served!!!!

Yesterday, I came across this video on Facebook and even though I probably shouldn't, I couldn't hold back the laughter from what I was viewing. So this Chilean chaps thought it would be smart to rob a lady in a bus and jump off before the bus took off, but karma had bigger plans for one of them, LOL. He was apprehended in a smart way, beaten by the 007-like driver, who kept driving while whooping him, and handed over to the police.  He should be very glad this didn't happen in a country where jungle justice is the order of the day. Well I'll say, good on you Mr. Driver. LOL

Watch and see for yourself.

BlogFeature: REJECTING HEALTH, PROCLAIMING IGNORANCE

Health status remains one of the determinants of well-being that is often underestimated, taken for granted and least appreciated; nevertheless it remains core to our continued existence on this side of the world. It should be clear to us that, not even our occupation, belief, social status, educational attainment on their own can bail us out when our health fails. A patient with serious debilitating disease will probably not go to work, neither will he attend functions, nor remember his beliefs but his only desire will be to get healed. Furthermore, quality of life of the citizens of a country is no longer dependent solely on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of such nation, but also on life expectancy at birth (which is a health status indicator) and literacy level of the populace. If not, how do you relate a country with the largest GDP in a continent yet majority of its citizen struggle daily to meet their basic physiological needs of food, shelter and clothing? A nation where achieving security needs is practically impossible. A land where meeting one's social need is considered out of place and aspiring to attain one's esteemed need would mean asking for too much. In this part of the world, the vicious cycle of poverty, ignorance and disease is inseparable!

Learning from the foregoing, health status is not only a determinant of an individual’s well-being but it is also an economic parameter that measures the well-being of a country. If our health status is so sacrosanct to our general well-being, why are some folks handling it with so much levity and triviality? Truth be told, if health is not lost there is no point trying to restore it. Staying healthy like I always say is cheaper than getting treated, it however requires some commitment like searching for correct health information, sustaining healthy lifestyle through discipline and psychological training and re-training. The recent “Ebola and salt water hoax” however shows how far we are lagging behind. Why do we discard sound health information and keep proclaiming ignorance despite the resources at our disposal? Here are some reasons:

Firstly, people are most times lazy and tend to respond only to easy solutions. Getting things done fast, easy and at practically no cost has blinded us to the most obvious facts of life. Sadly, this mindset has invaded not only the way we handle our health or information related to health but other facets of our lives has also suffered.If salt and water could cure Ebola why would United States be spending so much to manufacture a vaccine? Why would grants be given solely to develop a drug, if common table salt and water at any random concentration was equally effective? Health Information is everywhere, yes; on Google world, Twitter street, Facebook domain etc, but always check with a medical professional, you might just save yourself from a catastrophic health event! Information is power but negative information is paralysis in itself.

Moreover, terms like health risk, risky behavior and relative risk seems intangible and distant to most people. The notion that, if it is not happening to me now, it can never happen to me should be very well considered. Hypertension for example is primarily a hereditary disease; also men with hypertensive parents have over four-fold increase in risk (chances) of developing Hypertension after the age of 30-35years. This risk can be increased further by indulging in risky behaviors like smoking, drinking alcohol, increased stress and increased salt intake. In other to reduce the risk of hypertension in such people, we do advise them to quit smoking, stop drinking, reduce salt in diet, avoid too much stress, exercise more and take more fruits. These are scientific facts which holds true in most cases. My sincere appeal is that if you are at risk of hypertension, do not wait till stroke sets in and you can't move your limbs. Consult your physician for check up and begin those lifestyle modification stated above in earnest.

Lastly, people’s priority and problems also cloud their sense of judgment and affect their disposition towards sourcing or using health information at their disposal. Truly if one can’t figure where the next meal is coming from, one might probably not be bothered if the food one gets after waiting for two days or more was prepared in the toilet. This cycle of poverty, ignorance and disease has to broken at some point. The preponderance of poverty in this country is only a pointer that our government really needs to do more. Be that as it may, ignorance which is the next culprit is a choice we have to make. If we choose information we get good health in return but if we choose ignorance we get disease and as such perpetuate the vicious cycle. For so many people, health information is still regarded as intangible and should not compete with more tangible realities in their lives, but is that position safe? Remember if one's health falters, life may crumble. Maintaining healthy status is an end, getting sound health information and implementing it through a positive behavior change is a means to this end. Health they say is wealth, but shall we continue in ignorance and expect our health to blossom? 

Charles T. Olomofe (M.B.Ch.B)    

Health and Behavioral Change Advocate

charlesolomofe@yahoo.com 

@Chartol1 on twitter

#AllHeartsAlways - Homeless Man Being Fed A Three Course Meal

I found this video online and I think everyone should watch it and ponder on how they can also give back to the needy in the society. Imagine how the world would be if every able person can go out of their way to be AllHeartsAlways to at least two people in need, every week. If you cannot go the length to which these young men went in helping this homeless old man, you can still do what you can within your capacity. Check your wardrobes for your old clothes, your kitchen for unused utensils and food items, etc. What you term as old might be gold to a person in need.

Coincidentally (to this post), Mayowa, the CEO of cakemayor.com gave a little back to the society last week. and while I wrote an unpublished draft about it, he beat me to it. Check this link out.

Keep being #AllHeartsAlways :)

P.s. Is it me or does this homeless man have a distinct Naija accent?

A Legit Cry For Help (2)

When I wrote this post yesterday, I thought I had it bad, but things spiraled downwards quickly. After work yesterday, we went house-hunting for a new place away from the horror on the #DenroIshashi road. I was not impressed with the ones I saw and as much as I am in a hurry to move out of my current place, I do not intend to get a house in haste and discover horrible flaws after payments. 

After the viewings, we headed home and decided to take the usual route that leads to the over flooded bridge rather than take the alternative longer traffic-fraught route, and see what improvements had been made. There was a huge crowd when we got there, we parked and got out to see what the fuss was about. I mean, I could literally see my house from where I stood but it was cut off by the water. I discovered that a wonky and very dangerous looking bridge had been hastily constructed over the rising waters from the river and there were rough looking area boys demanding payment from people before they could be allowed to cross. Those who expressed shock at being asked to pay before  crossing were cussed and briskly shoved aside. The area was dark and pedestrians had to make do with torch lights or reflections from their mobile phones. Hubby convinced me to try crossing the bridge so I could get home quicker rather than spend at least another hour taking the car home via the alternative route. 

After slight persuasion, I agreed and regretted it every step of the way. The bridge was so shaking and could only let a batch of people from one end across at a time. There was blatant regard for the health and safety of the hundreds of people crossing in a bid to get to their homes. The water beneath the wonky bridge was really murky, stinky and deep. falling over was not an option. I had nothing to even hold on to and I couldn't take any pictures because of balance and the dubious-looking people hanging around as well. :( I heaved a huge sigh of frustrated relief when I got off the bridge, even as I boiled in rage and a bit of trepidation. That mockery of a bridge is an accident waiting to happen if care is not taken as quickly as possible.

When I got home, I sent some tweets out to the handles of the governors of Ogun and Lagos States. I am yet to get a response from either of them. I do not think it is right that citizens of Nigeria have to be subjected to such dangers, especially the tax payers. I have been advised by some people to "just move out of the area and get on with life" rather than try to get the government to do right and fix things. I beg to differ, and those who truly know me know I won't. I will move out of the area (mostly for other reasons) but I do not intend to let up until something is done about that bridge, the roads leading up to it and the dam itself. Nigeria is over 50 years and by now certain basic amenities should be the norm and not luxuries to be hoarded and  dangled like carrots.

I took the pictures below this morning on my way to work. We actually risked driving the car through the flooded area (because my kids really wanted to go to school) and I was shocked to realize the water rose up to our windows! Once again, I am appealing to the government to take charge and stop the sufferings of the people in that axis. 

Young children had to climb this unsafe bridge to get to school. :(

People risking their lives to go to school and work. Sigh. :(

The water is so deep, it got up to the car windows. O.O

Breaking News: Notorious Oscar Pistorious Gets 5 Years For Culpable Homicide.

Oscar  Pistorious, the South African Double-amputee athlete, has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's day in 2013. The judge, Thokozile Masipa handed him a 5-year prison sentence for culpable homicide and a 3-year sentence, which would run concurrently, for a firearms charge. He's been taken into his cell.

I think the sentencing is a bit weak for the obviously intended crime he committed. A family has been robbed of their daughter and sister by the same person she genuinely loved and all he gets is 5 years. I think a slight addition should be added to his prison sentence as I made clear here.

A Legit Cry For Help!!!

Sigh. I honestly don't even know how to start this post. It is very disheartening and I sincerely hope this post and the other appeals to the Ogun State, from those affected, to come through will yield the desired results. Take a look at the pictures below:

Yes, that's an actual canoe you're seeing to help people cross. Sigh.

So many vehicles keep breaking down right in the waters. They are the brave ones for attempting.

No, you did not step back in time. These shockingly appalling pictures were taken by my hubby yesterday afternoon and it shows what used to be a road/bridge along the Denro/Ishashi (Ojodu-Abiodun) axis, which is now flooded and inaccessible to commuters. I moved into the neighbourhood late last year and even though I heard a few stories/rumours of how bad things could get on this axis, it did not quite sink in until last week. From what I gathered, some dams are opened every couple of years when the rains get too much. This is to stop the dams from bursting but the consequences of opening those dams are what you can see in the pictures above. Well, last week or so, the dams were opened and this is the result! We have been cut off from the rest of the town.

One would think the years in between the dams being opened would give any considerate government the time to fix things on a more permanent basis in order to stop such flooding from occurring. Alas, this is Nigeria a country well known for its anyhowness approach to situations. :(

As I write this post, my children are at home because there's no way I would have let their school bus pass through the depths of these waters. I had to leave my house as early as 4.30am and take an alternative route, which is as long as it is rugged and bumpy, in order to get to work on time. To top it off, we haven't had power supply in over a month! Not. Even. A. Blink!!!! I can tell you categorically that we have spent well over N60,000 on purchasing fuel for our generator during this period and that's not counting how much servicing the generator has cost. or other costs incurred from not having power supply from the source. I intend to move out of this area ASAP but moving won't fix things. We need the government to do right by the people residing in this area.

I wish I would get proper and adequate answers to the questions below and prompt solutions to them: as well.

*Why is nothing being done to help the residents of this area? 

*Why should people be stuck in their homes without help from the government as a result of a dam being opened? 

*How come there has been no lasting solution to these problems which clearly did not start today? *Why do the citizens keep getting deprived of basic amenities which are a part of our fundamental human rights? 

*Why should my family have to suffer and pay direly for the lapses of others whom we have put in charge of our societal affairs? 

*What then is the point of paying tax if I cannot have access to good roads, constant power and potable water in 2014?????

This was taken last week, before things got worse. And I thought we had it bad then. :(

This is an open plea to the concerned government and all bodies in charge of this road to kindly do the needful. It is a pitiable disgrace to the country as a whole that people have to exist like this, for this is not living at all.

Please send this to those you know can help. Thank you.