Season's Greetings To You All

Here's wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year in advance. I wish you all the goodness of the season and then some. 

Man To Man Is So Unjust

I wonder if Bob Marley had Nigerians in mind when he wrote the song "Who The Cap Fit" because indeed, man to man is so unjust. I watched a horrific video this morning and it has traumatised me so badly that I have cried and I have been unable to eat anything. 

On Thursday, 15th December 2016, suspected Okada riders and miscreants along Point Road in Apapa, lynched Mr. Tunji Bakare to death in the worst possible way. Mr Bakare, who was the Apapa Zonal Head, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), was on duty controlling and regulating traffic when he was attacked by these angry savages.

The video showed Mr. Bakare, beaten and battered,  inside a filthy gutter and despite him being so weak and in agony, those savages kept pelting him with heavy stones and tires aimed at his head. Sources say after the video, Bakare was subjected to worse treatment as he was stabbed and had both eyes gouged out. How can humans treat their fellow human in such an ungodly animalistic manner? Even animals do not torture themselves to death, talk less of humans with feelings, emotions, sense and blood running through their veins. Man to man is so unjust and evil.

Some witnesses at the scene say that some trucks were parked illegally along the road and upon sighting Bakare, the truck drivers rushed into their trucks in a bid to speed off and escape penalties for flouting traffic laws. Apparently, one of the drivers did not know that there was young bus boy sleeping underneath his truck and so he ran over the sleeping lad, killing him instantly. This angered the Hausa okada riders, who felt that Bakare was to be blamed for the lad's death since the truck drivers were fleeing LASTMA and the long arm of the law. They set on him, beating him up, stoning him, stabbing him and removing his eyes. 

No one deserves to die in such a gruesome manner, least of all a government official on duty. This nefarious act went on for quite a while and I find it really disturbing that the police, who were initially at the scene but said to have fled as soon as the lynching began, were not able to mobilise  and reinforce themselves and return to the scene to rescue poor Mr. Bakare. I am very angry and upset that his death could have been totally avoided if only we take security and human lives seriously in this country. If a government official could be murdered in broad daylight and in cold blood like that, what hope is there for us mere mortals?

This post is an appeal to Governor Ambode to wade in and address the issue of security in Lagos State. It is our fundamental human right to be kept safe and to feel safe in a town where we live, work and pay our taxes. I had an accident some weeks ago and as bad and near fatal as the accident was, most of those who gathered to peep the wreckage were there to rob us. My iPhone was nicked at the scene as they swarmed around our wrecked vehicle, while trying to steal more stuff. The trauma I have been going through has more to do with the attempted robbery rather than the accident itself. No one called for help, all they wanted was a piece of our belongings. Does it mean if my colleague and I had not survived the accident, they would have left our bodies in the vehicle while stealing our stuff? 

This man's demise is similar to my experience and the only difference was that I got myself away from the scene as quickly as we could. Bakare was not so lucky, no one came to his rescue. Not even the ones who kept recording rather than placating the bloodthirsty murderers. Yes, that's whether they are. Anyone who participates in jungle justice is a MURDERER, plain and simple.

Bakara's family as distraught, as I type, but even though I know nothing is going to bring him back from the dead, I sincerely hope the family would get justice and compensation from the government whom their beloved served until his demise. If you as a Nigerian who has had unpleasant experience with LASTMA think for a second that his death was justifiable, then you are part of what is wrong with our country. We cannot continue to take laws into our hands because we feel the government would not follow through in getting justice for those who do wrong and run foul of the laws. Every life matters.  

Rest In Peace Tunji Bakare

#MusicIsEverything - It Will Rain

This song always gets me all mushy and gooey on the inside and I doubt if anyone could have sung it better than Bruno Mars himself. He's an incredible bundle of talent and his vocals are everything. This song is lyrically gripping.

I'm dedicating this to everyone currently working hard despite this ongoing heatwave and also to all the good hearts in love. :)

Enjoy.

Seven-Year-Old Suicide Bombers Let Loose

Yesterday morning, there were two explosions at the Monday Market in Maiduguri, Borno State and they were carried out by two seven-year-olds who had had bombs strapped around them. These suicide attacks killed three, including both bombers while it left about 17 people seriously injured and presently hospitalised. 

According to a member of the Maiduguri militia who witnessed the attack, he said he watched the girls get out of a keke and they showed no signs of any emotions. He tried to speak with one of them in Hausa and English but she totally ignored him. So he assumed they were looking for their mother. Shortly after, their bombs were detonated, killing them instantly and killing another person while injuring several. Even though Boko Haram terrorists have not yet claimed this bombing as part of their 'achievement', it is assumed they are behind the dastard and inhumane act.

What is the world turning into? How can anyone conceive the idea of using 7-year-olds as suicide bombers? What do they aim to achieve by such cruel and nefarious acts? When does it all end?

Tragedy As Church Collapses In Akwa-Ibom

A few days ago, a church in Akwa-Ibom state collapsed killed way over 100 people, with many more severely hurt and hospitalised. The Reigners Bible Church International was clearly still under construction when worshippers and visitors gathered last Saturday to ordain its founder Akan Weeks as a Bishop. Witnesses say that the workers had been rushing to finish the building in time for the ceremony.

Alas, it's all ended a horrific tragedy for all concerned as the metal girders crashed and the iron roof caved in on top of the people inside. Governor Udom Emmanuel was apparently inside the church when it collapsed and he barely escaped with his life. The Akwa-Ibom government have said they will investigate to see if building standards were compromised as it is not news that some building contractors in Nigeria often cut corners, thereby jeopardising the lives of others.

I recall writing this post in 2014 when a building of the Synagogue Church of All Nations building collapsed killing 116 people as well. I'm not sure anyone has been convicted for that fiasco yet even when it has been established that the building had structural faults.

Sigh. Staying alive in Nigeria is a full time job it appears.

A Living Legend Truly, KSA Is.

There's an event ongoing as I type this post and it's a 70th birthday party and also a celebration of 50 years on stage for Nigeria's legendary musician, King Sunny Ade (KSA). I like the fact that he is being celebrated this way because he has indeed paid his dues over the years and inspired/birthed many musicians over the years. 

During the celebration, his beloved historical guitar given to him by Fender and designed by @victorsozaboy was put up for auction and sold to the highest bidder for the hefty sum of N52.1 million naira only. What recession? LOL

While some people might find the bid obscene and outrageous, I actually think it is a good investment choice for the bidder because I'm pretty sure that guitar would be worth much more in a few years, given the history behind it. 

This guitar has produced many beautiful tunes and I hope the winner of the bid cherishes it and passes it down from generation to generation. Long live KSA.

Images Sourced from Google, Twitter. 

Nigeria Preps For First Winter Olympics Appearance

For the first time ever, Nigerians are hoping to enter the bobsled team at the South Korea Winter Olympics Games in 2018. Three beautiful and smart ladies, Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga, based in the United States of America are looking to break this record and they are in it for the win.

What might be a snag to achieving this dream is the lack of funding, as the trio hopes to raise funds for their gear, training, transportation, etc. They have thus set up a GoFundMe page and are hoping to raise $150,000 to cover their expenses ahead of the Olympics.

A bobsleigh

Seun Adigun said, 'Together, we can demonstrate that nothing is impossible with a little faith, support, and willingness to persevere", and she is so right. I really hope they can raise the funds they need and go  ahead to win and bring home the gold. Please let's support them as best as we can. #TeamNigeria

One For All And All For One

After watching this lovely and profound Amazon Prime's Christmas advert, all I can say is that truly, united we stand and divided we fall. 

If only we can all put our racial, tribal and religious differences and biases aside and see ourselves as humans first and foremost, indeed the world would be a better place.

#DearBuki: Did Hubby Lie About His Fertility?

Hello dear blog readers, how has your day been? I started a column tagged #DearBuki where you can send whatever issues weighing on your minds and I would do my best to proffer solutions to them by giving my opinion and showing other perspectives to them. I do a lot of these guidance and counselling offline so I felt the need to bring it on my blog. I know it's been a while since I shared some but I have been responding to them offline and not had time to post them on here. Do send me an email on bukiotuyemi@gmail.com to share your burdens and we will put heads together. Check out the other posts here.

As they say, a problem shared, is a problem half solved................ :)

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Dear Buki,

My husband has hurt me in the worst possible way and I don't know what to do about it. We got married 4 years ago and we were so much in love. I told him all about myself before I committed to the relationship from the onset. I told him I'd had  a child prior and he did not mind at all. He's shown my son so much love that it is hard to believe he is not the real father. He also told me he had been married briefly in the past but the marriage didn't produce any children.

Well, as soon as we got married, we started trying for a baby immediately. I have been subjected to all sorts of ridicule and mockery from his side of the family and from our society as a whole but I stayed strong and endured, assured that one day I would get pregnant again. I have gone through all sorts of tests so imagine my shock when I bumped into my husband's ex-wife and she spilled, out of pity, that my husband is infertile and can never have kids from his loins. She went ahead to let me know that all his family members are aware and they still 'persecuted' her for it while they were married. 

I was shocked to my bone marrow and I could not believe it so I got home and confronted him. He denied it and so I insisted we call a family meeting and also go for tests, both of which he has refused to get involved in. Buki, I am broken and angry at the deceit especially as I have been treated so unfairly. I don't trust him anymore and I am not sure if I can ever love him as I used to.

Please I need to hear/read your thoughts on my dilemma.

Thanks you.

Gullible Gloria

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Dear Gullible Gloria,

I am so sorry for your pain and anguish, as I felt the emotions from the tone of your email. I think you need to take deep breaths, step back and reassess the situation. It appears to me like you've already given your verdict and concluded based on hearsay. Yes, it's hearsay from his ex-wife until the test results prove otherwise or you get a proper confirmation from him or his family members, so you need to calm down and don't weigh yourself down with this just yet, if at all. You need a clear head and an open mind to deal with this situation.

Appeal to him softly but assertively about going for further fertility tests together and let him know how this is affecting your relationship, feelings and marriage. If he still insists then I think you should get someone from his side of the family, someone elderly and honest, to share this with and see if you can get clarity from them. 

Even though they say there's no smoke without a fire, I have seen a fair share of vindictive ex-es to know that you cannot place your entire marriage on a scale set up by an ex-spouse. Don't be gullible by believing and reacting based on hearsay. Dig deeper for the truth of the matter before you take decisions.

I wish you all the best Gloria.

Cheers.

Buki O.

When A Positive Turnaround Happens

Wow, I just read this heartwarming story about a Bangladeshi cleaner currently working in Saudi Arabia whose picture was taken as he longingly starred into a jewellery shop. The sillybilly who snapped Nazar al-Islam Abdul Karim, posted his picture online and mocked him, saying "this man deserves to only look at rubbish". 

Unfortunately for the geezer, a positive turnaround occurred which turned Nazar's story around. That picture went viral and Abdullah Al-Qahtani, a humanitarian, took up the cause and began a search for Nazar. He sent out a tweet and Twitter users assisted in narrowing Nazar's location and kept at the search until he was found. Ever since then, there has been outpouring of gifts for Nazar and the gifts keep rolling in. From being a cleaner earning just $187 (700 Saudi Riyal), AL-Qahtani has said that money is still being sent to Nazar in addition to receiving two mobile phones (iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy), bags of rice and honey, return tickets to Bangladesh, gold trinkets, amongst other things.

I like how Nazar's story has progressed and I know that things will definitely get better for him. This just goes to prove that if no one else does anything right, YOU should. It takes ONE person, who does the right thing, to bring about positive changes. 

Be #AllHeartsAlways

Little Drummer Boy (African Tribal Version)

I'm pretty sure I posted this video around this time (I'm really too lazy to check and confirm this right now, lol) last year but I felt the need to put it up again because it is an absolutely beautiful rendition and cover of the Little Drummer Boy by Alex Boye featuring the Genesis Choir.  

Also, I can smell Christmas in the air already and 'tis the season to be merry, yes? ;) Have you started your [reparations for the Christmas festivities? I haven't even put my tree up yet *groans in Spanish* but I will get around to it, lol.

Enjoy.

Much Ado About Personal Silence

So, it has been ages since I wrote due to my busy schedule in recent times. Don't get me wrong, I love my new job to bits, it has made me discover parts of myself which I never really got and I've also met amazingly fantastic people on the job. It is what it is though, that I have less times for myself in the meantime.

Also, a week ago, I had an accident which could have ended up fatally but for the ultimate grace of God. The episode scarred and traumatised me so much, even more so because we were almost robbed by hungry-mean-looking-poverty-driven-miscreants, and it has taken a lot of unburdening myself to get to this point of healing and thus writing about it.

At some point, I thought I was going to lose my mind but thankfully I am overcoming the seemingly relentless flashbacks that appear to be pulling me back into the abyss of darkness that shrouded me after the accident.

The entire incidence and events leading up to now makes me realise and affirm that a lot of people are battling depression and a host of other unidentified dark emotions due to the fact that our society does not encourage speaking out. The simple truth, cure and way out of these is often to unburden oneself ti listening ears and loving arms of the right people who have encouraging words to share.

When you bottle up certain feelings and dark incidences, they tend to keep you mentally locked up and unable to move forward with your life. Speaking up and out is a good way to get it out of one's system and overcome the challenges that comes with. so don't let anyone tell you that silence means healing, let it out and let it all go. You will be the better for it.

There was a lot of hullabaloo last week when celebrity and on-air-personality Toke Makinwa released  her autobiography and it got a lot of people talking and some even blaming her for "airing her dirty laundry in public". I haven't read the book but I have read excerpts and if she went through all of that, then methinks writing a book and letting it all out of her head is a good step towards healing and facing a better life ahead.

Our society is obsessed with keeping up appearance at the detriment of the victims involved and this is all shades of wrong. How can I overcome a trauma if I cannot speak about or share my ordeal as I want? You aren't in the minds or heads of people, so let them express themselves as they deem fit for them to get over the trauma. If you cannot ease the burdens of others, by all means, do not add to it. Leave them as they are.

A Funny Kind Of Sad

She held back her tears as she watched her beloved's tears pour down.
She felt helpless but hopeful, she remained.
She reached down one more time, pulling her beloved back from the brink of fear and trepidation.
She held on firmly, though feeling jaded but never letting go.
Her beloved suddenly felt her aura, faith and strength.
Her beloved finally saw the light through the darkness and crawled back.
Her beloved blinked once, then twice, then smiled.
She was giddy with excitement as we watched the restoration.
She was ecstatic that her beloved was back.
She was sad, a funny kind of sad as she got the bills with joy and a frown.

#RandomMusings The Power To Be Free.

Hi good people, how have you been? I know it's been a long while since I posted anything but I have been here daily almost daily. The fact is that between my workload and a threatening writers block, my absence can be explained quite unclearly. Bear with me please. 

I was on Twitter yesterday (If you aren't following me, you're on a long thing o. Lol. Oya ff @survivor17) and I saw a tweet that reminded me about an incident which occurred a short time ago after a hectic day at work, when I went to the new mall at Maryland. I'd walked past a phone store with sweet music coming out of it and naturally, I started dancing to the beat. If you know me, you would know that I'm big on music and dancing. Music soothes me and so does dancing, once the music is good. 

Anyway, I peeped into the store and saw two of the staff dancing without a care in the world, so I beckoned and asked if I could join them and they nodded and so I jumped right into the groove, lol. Very random, but you must know I'm very random like that. It felt great and free to be able to just let loose and allow good music wash over me and in such a public place as the mall. 

After dancing for several minutes, I suddenly realised the dancing duo had been recording their steps on a camcorder set up on a tripod, I fled shortly afterwards, leaving satisfied and much calmer and happier than before I walked into the mall. 

After I shared my "random dancing" experience on Twitter yesterday, I had a lot of people commenting and wishing they could do the same. So many people really wished they could do random things freely without inhibitions or the fear of being judged but because they care so much about the opinions of others and how they would be seen, they end up not doing anything at all. It made me sad to realise that people could be doing so much to make themselves happy and content yet they hold back. I said and I will reiterate that the only person stopping you from living life as you want is YOU! Yes, YOU! Not others or their opinions or their thoughts and assumptions, which you should not care about, but you.

See, half the time, the people whom you think would label, judge and mock you are actually wishing they could do just that which you want to do and the other half of the time, they really do not care enough to even notice. So there you are, depriving yourself of joy, fun and laughter based on the assumptions of others who could care less.

STOP!!! Do you and not others, always. Be happy, live, love, laugh, dance, make merry and live happily. Don't place your happiness in the hands of others, but make yourself happy and spread the positivity around you. You can do anything and be anything you so desire to be. Only YOU can stop YOU. Just be yourself.

Have a fabulously prosperous week ahead. 

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.