Learn To Say "No, Thank You".

A lot of people do not often realise that this an option on the table when it comes to resisting what is wrong. Some weeks ago, I reeled off some tweets about #BadIsBad because I felt a friend had been cheated. A national newspaper had used his cartoons, his intellectual property, without his permission or consent. I'm chipping this in because I want to use the hashtag #BadIsBad as I write this post. The more we realise that what is #BadIsBad, the better human beings we become as we resist the urge to do wrong but rather take up what is right at all times.

I've come to realise that temptations always comes in all forms most especially when we are down and in dire need of that particular thing. It is up to us to know how to say "no, thank you" in the face of these. No matter the pressure we are subjected to, we simply must not succumb to it such that we lose our reputation and possibly freedom as a result. I'm in a position where I get all manners of tempting offers thrown at me between it comes to my job, I'm professional and very ethical to the core. While a lot of people may think me weak and a tad foolish for rejecting such tantalising offers, I know better. You see, when you are dealing with contractors, the sensible and professional ones would know better than to offer you deals or cash or whatnot especially while the project is ongoing. I believe, from past experiences, that the incompetent ones use this as a tactic so that when they fail to meet their deadlines or set standard/quality, you would find it hard to chastise them because you have collected.

You cannot keep blaming politicians for all our national problems and woes when you collect, cut deals and do shady stuff in your own private life. Chances are, these politicians did same too before they got to where they are and they just carried on, without regards for the lives of the citizens they are meant to serve and care for. The fact that "that's how it's always been done", doesn't mean that it should carry on like that when you know that what is being done is absolutely wrong, i.e #BadIsBad When dodgy offers get offered to you, always bear in mind that there's a price to pay and more often that not, that price to pay comes right back around to you.

If 9 people out of 10 are doing something wrong persistently, it still doesn't make it right. Remember to say "No, thank you" in the face of adversities and trials and you will be the better for it. Rebuilding this dear nation of ours lies in our very own hands. We can do this.

Enjoy your week ahead.

The Runaway Blogger And Some Music

Hello my good people and a happy new week to you. I know I've been away from my blog for so long but you know why, yes? "Work work work work work" like Riri sang, got me held in a chokehold, but I ain't complaining. I never realised how much of a workaholic and near-perfectionist I am until I took up this role. It's all good though.

I miss writing and blogging a lot but we've all agreed that these gaps in my blogging is only for a while until my workload reduces soon, right? Thank you for understanding and bearing with me. Sometimes in life, one must take up bigger challenges to see hoe far one can push oneself in becoming more exposed and versatile. I'm always up for a challenge so here I am.

So I just came across this music mashup Alex Aiono and Conor Maynard, two absolutely talented artists, and I loved it to teeny weeny bits and I thought to share. 

Enjoy it. :)

Hope, Persistence, Tears And Happy Endings

Last week, 21 of the abducted #ChibokGirls were released by Boko Haram terrorists after 913 days in captivity. I cried, tears of joy.  I am glad we all remained hopeful that they would, one day, return and the day has finally come. I cannot imagine what they have been subjected to while in captivity but I am glad they held on, as did their parents, to see this day. 

Tears of joy. "I will never let you go again my princess".

You will always be my baby"...

Sheer delight. 

The Vice President and his wife welcomes and comforts the girls.

Freedom

As happy, relieved and excited as I am about their return, I think it is very imperative and crucial that they are rehabilitated as professionally and as soon as possible. I hope the teams involved in bringing them back home have made provisions for sessions of therapy for them and for their families as well. 

My heart breaks for the parents whose hearts could not take the trauma of losing their kids to Boko Haram and who passed away in anguish and despair. May their souls keep resting in peace. My heart also guest to those still held in captivity. We will not give up on you but we will remain hopeful and persistent as we believe that so, you will be with us and out of the clutches Boko Haram.

As for those nefarious thoughtless terrorists, karma is waiting for you. You'll get yours.

Some Good News.....

Thankfully, the kidnapped adults and students from Lagos State Model College Igbonla, Epe that I wrote about here a few days ago, were released by their abductors safe and sound. I'm glad that ended well and not in bloodshed or death. The trauma of having a loved one kidnapped and being unsure about if/when they would come back home cannot be aptly put into words. It is better imagined than experienced, I know this firsthand. I am really pleased for their families and I pray those affected would recover from the trauma speedily.

I'm also hopeful that someday pretty soon, our country would be safe, across states, to live in. Until then, stay woke.

Never Give Up On Your Dreams

Yay! This is long overdue but I have a such a busy week. My friend Adebayo Osikomaiya won the Local Government Chairmanship election he ran for last week. Bayo is a smart and considerate young man so I have no doubt that his people are in for such phenomenally developmental changes as they have never imagined.

His passion and drive for this position makes me ascertain the fact that truly, "if at first you don't succeed, dust yourself up and try again". This is his second attempt at this position, having invested time, money and power into each election. Never give up on your dreams, ever. I'm glad it all worked out right for him.

Let's watch him propel his people to greater heights.

Cheers mate.

Where Then, Is Safe In Nigeria?

Last week, when news broke about the kidnapping of a principal, a teacher and some students of Lagos State Model College Igbonla, Epe, I went numb with shock. 

You see, this school was home for me for about five years as I went to boarding house there. My body shivered as I imagined the trauma and ordeal of the students, who were suddenly besieged by armed bandits while having their early morning assembly gathering. I imagined them trying to figure out where and how best to avoid the gunshots ringing around them and wondering where best they would have thought to hide from the wrath of the crooks or from their bullets, as they fled shelter skelter.

It is a crying shame that kidnappings are now the order of the day here in Lagos State and in Nigeria as a whole. It's rather painful and disappointing knowing that we are not secure in our homes and our kids aren't secure at school. I cannot bear the thought of the level of anguish the parents and families of the students, principal and teacher must be passing through. Not so long ago, my hubby's uncle and his son were kidnapped and it was one of the most traumatising things I've ever had to go through. I wouldn't wish such an ordeal on anyone. The feeling of helplessness and lack of assurance that they would return alive really messed up my mind and head. Thankfully, we got them back safe and sound after three harrowing days.

I guess the only thing to do now is to pray for the safe arrival of these innocent people whose only crimes are of being citizens of a country where poverty has driven people to madness and cruel acts.

Join me as we #PrayForLASMOCOLEpe

Bayo Lo Le Se - Ijebu East Central LCDA Elections

My good friend and brother, Adebayo Osikomaiya is contesting for the Local Government Chairmanship in AC Ijebu East Centra, Ogun State under the APC political party. I've known Bayo for several years now and I can assure you all that he is #AllHeartsAlways. He is a keen strategist who has only good intentions towards Nigeria and making things work here.

Even though Adebayo is a seasoned banker and a lawyer, his passion is politics and making the world right and I sincerely hope he wins today. I know he will transform the lives of his people and his local government area as a whole. Prior to today, a handful of us have had series of strategy sessions to prepare for his tenure 'when' he wins the ticket today. 

I think the more educated, exposed, intellectually qualified and passionate Nigerians take active parts in politics, rather than leave it to those who are only into it for selfish purposes with no good intentions for the people, the better we would all be for it.

I wish him all the very best today.

Bayo lo le se. 

Learn How To Make Fruity Music

Happy new week everyone, yes the week starts today for most people because yesterday was a national public holiday. For those of us who worked through the holidays, let me wish us a happy new week as well. 

These days, it appears everyday is a Monday for me, even Sundays. The intriguing thing is that as exhausting and hectic as my work schedule is in recent times, I actually thrive on the pressure. Yes, it is official that I am a workaholic. I just cannot help it but I'm learning to slow down a bit because health is wealth, right? 

Take a look at this awesomely creative video I came across on TEDx and be prepared to get blown away by Linsey Pollak, 'an Australian musician, instrument maker, composer, musical director and community music facilitator', making a clarinet and beautiful music from a CARROT. Peep his ankara shirt as well. :)

How An 8 Year Old Inspired Me Today.

I know I haven't blogged properly in weeks and I miss it so so much but you all know why, work work work work work's got me super tied up that I really do not have much time left to do much else.    This morning, I came across a Facebook post which inspired me greatly and has got me thinking about ways to blog better and more frequently. You see, a Facebook friend of mine wrote a post about how her 8 year old daughter has started blogging with the aim of INSPIRING others. 

Yes, you read that right, she's EIGHT years old, she's all about inspiring others and God knows how much we all need inspiration these days given the state of the world, bless her heart. I sought her mother's permission to write about her in this post and also share the link to her blog in order to inspire others too. :) 

If an 8 year old can think deeply enough to want to do such a great feat, what's holding you and I back? Going through her blog posts made me recall how book-smart I was at her age. I would read everything and anything my little hands came across. At her age, I'd read about 10 Shakespeare books, my parents stash of James Hardly Chase, Pacesetters, lots of books from other authors such as Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, etc. My young mind was like a sponge and soaked all, it did. I took up writing briefly then but I don't even have a clue where all those notes are right now (thank God for computers and internet now, hehehehe). Back then, if I had nothing new to read, I'd read cereal cartons, cough medicine packs, etc. I just kept reading and reading as I grew up which also explains why I love the English language so much. Motherhood is the one thing that I can attribute my decline in reading to and of course Lagos life. 

The good thing is that this little girl has inspired me to be better at quite a number of things such as writing, reading, being #AllHeartsAlways, being an inspiration to others and inspiring others, to mention a few. I hope she inspires you to be better too as you head on over to her blog to get some inspiration.

Visit ----> https://8inspire.wordpress.com 

Have a lovely week ahead.

Are You Smarter Than An Animal?

I came across the video below and I have to ask, what's your excuse for not obeying simple traffic laws if a PUSSY CAT can be 'smart' enough to know when a pedestrian sign comes on thus knowing when to cross the road? It was pretty shocking and amazing to me, seeing how much caution that cat applied before crossing the road when I know and I've seen humans apply far less caution at obeying traffic rules and even at valuing their lives. 

The other morning, on my way to work, I had to yell at a pedestrian flagging down my car to let him run across the road RIGHT BENEATH A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE!!!!! Who does that? He was middle age too, so you'd think he'd have more sense than a cat, yes? No, zero sense was applied by him and others like him. Craziness.

While the government might not have gotten the feel and impact of the #ChangeStartsWithMe campaign right enough to impart the sheer realisation and knowledge of it into the minds of Nigerians, the truth is that Change really does start with each and everyone of us. Do right, correct those who do wrong and watch this beautiful nation of ours blossom into something phenomenal.

Happy Independence Day Nigeria

Yup! Today is 56 years since Nigeria got her independence. I've got mixed feelings about all this at the moment but hy, a celebration is a celebration, right? It's a crying shame that we are not as developed as we could have been since then but hey, where there's life there's hope, right?

I believe we can all make the country great together if we really want to. It's up to you and I to achieve this.

Here's wishing all Nigerians at home and abroad a Happy Independence Day celebration and wishing us all far better days and years ahead.