The Good Life

*NEW CURRENCY PALAVA*   It's amazing how we look for the shortest possible excuse to exploit our fellow citizens. So I was on and about my way and stopped on a bike. “oga, good afternoon, drop me for that T-junction for yonder” “Ok, enter, na 200 naira e be” “Haba, oga, no be 100 Naira we dey take go there? Na you even carry me yesterday sef” “Ah, you no know wetin dey sup for we country now? Dem don change currency o” “How e take affect me?!” I exclaimed, “why e go be 200 Naira?” “Kai! No be me be Buhari walahi… ask am if you see am” And with that, he zoomed off angrily. The funny part is, just before the fuel scarcity, the same distance used to be 50 Naira. When the scarcity started and fuel stations changed their pump prices to 350/liter, we “understood” the transporters and immediately adjusted to their own prices. So imagine my surprise when they decided to use the excuse of “New currency” to inflate the price again. Worse still we are expected to make payments wit...

'Chiiioooommmaaaa! Chiiiooooommmaaaa!! Come and eat' That was perhaps, the 5th time Mum was calling me to come have my dinner. Of course I was hungry, but I needed to prove a point. If I didn't stick to this method they wouldn't know I'm serious besides, it has always worked for me. I refused to respond as I knew that certainly Mum would come petting, begging and pampering. So I sat in my room, fingers crossed and waiting for my door to open any minute now and my Mum would be standing there with my dinner. 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 45minutes gone and yet Mum was nowhere in sight. I could hear everyone's laughter ringing from the dinning room , filtering into my room. Is that how these people have suddenly forgotten about ? Didn't even sound like anyone was making any effort to come for me. An hour later and I realized, 'this people no send you oh' I made my way downstairs to find that they were done eating and were all comfortably sitted, w...

Decided to do a little shopping today after church service and on my drive around there was literally no ATM that was free. POS nkor? Banks looked liked market place. The same is applicable to PVCs. Come today, come tomorrow. Cancelation and extension of deadline upon deadline. Why do we like doing things at the very last minute in this country? Why is our government lazy to take time in carrying out strategic plans that would help ease the execution of whatever decisions they wish to implement? Just the other day, it was currency change. A little while after, we hear deadline to phase out old currencies, ok, That's alright. Submit your old currencies at the bank, turn around to use the ATM only to still withdraw old currencies. You give deadline for collection of old currencies and except on phone, some people haven't set their eyes on the new notes. The rush since government declared this month as deadline for the use and collection of the old notes is something e...

There's a song that has been making waves now by Moses Bliss. That song is truly anointed oh because, it  struck a chord in my soul today. Today being January 65th, I looked up down, East and West, there was no where I could think of to access help. Mind you hubby gave me good money at the beginning of this month but you know how the thing goes. January's like two months merged in one so here I was and couldn't explain how my money take disappear. Calling hubby of course was out of the question.  What in the attempt to frustrate a Princess is this? A whole Chi-Chi having a zero account balance? What an abnormally! I didn't know what to do with my life again so I decided to finally use this Saturday to take care of my home and as a good wife material, do some of hubby's laundry at least to butter him up a little just in case. You gerrit? People of God, first trouser, I found 1k Third trouser#700 Fourth trouser #1500 Another 1k Then #500 Darris how I was p...

I don't know how my son got into my phone, straight to YouTube and downloaded a cartoon. Next thing I knew I was hearing funny songs that were sounding almost German or Arabic, I couldn't say. What caught my eyes however, was the rapt attention my kids were giving to the cartoon and the fun they were having.   They tried to sing and dance along in very funny ways. Watching them, I was struck be how Irrespective of the fact that they barely understood a word from the cartoon, they were having fun. We all came into this world as those innocent kids and our minds were clean slates until society started writing on it. The way we've learnt to judge, tribalism, nepotism, favouritism, religious segregation and sentiments, racism and more. At the base of it all, we're the same. Skin colour don't define us, our level of education, money, creed, class, culture, don't define us either. We are first human before all these therefore look at your neighbour beyond ...

A lady was caught who stole #200,000 from a store. She claimed she was hungry when she was caught and of course some of us helped blame the devil . A man was caught and handed over to the Police for defiling his underage daughter. Blamed it on the devil. Chinasa caught Olivia with her wig after she came to spend the weekend with her; devil Armed robbers were caught by Police, most of them were shot dead, one claimed it was his first hit, begged he had a wife and new born baby and blamed the act on the devil. Africans have so bastardized everything. Instead of accepting responsibilities for our mistakes or find how to right our wrongs, we make up excuses and we'll, when we can't seem to find a way out, we dorn our cloak of religion and blame the devil. It sure is the easiest excuse that comes to mind and the most convenient way to wiggle out of any fault and attract sympathy instead of take responsibility. We must come to the understanding that our actions, good or b...

Dressing up to go for a friend's wedding and hubby had already asked me too many times within an hour what time I'd be returning home. Growing up, I had always wondered why women stay home and never or barely go anywhere. My Dad did and still does travel allllooooot but I grew up to see my Mum always home. If she'd travel it would be with the whole family during the festivities, with my Dad and then alone in exceptional cases which one could count. If for whatever reason Mum was to embark on any journey alone, it would've been planned for months, sometimes the trip ends up been cancelled. Now, as a mother, I know better. Can't remember when I last took off from home without a million thoughts and considerations. Women stay home not because they can't travel around but in this world of parenting, one has to be present to serve as anchor for the family. 90% of the time it's mothers who take of this role. The sacrifices of fathers cannot be said to ...

My eyelids flew open as my nose was assaulted by the fresh smell of coffee and  toasted bread.  Ohhhhhhh my goodness! Right before me was every woman's dream 'BREAKFAST IN BED!' Hubby has always and is still is a helpless romantic. He'd always find every little opportunity to surprise me just like he has done right now. I was sound asleep after a long day yesterday. I indeed slept like a log. So much so that I didn't know when it was daybreak or when he crawled out of bed. What can I say? I just smiled, lifted my eyes to the heavens and thanked Baba God. Sometimes it's not in the big things wrapped with a red ribbon and all. Imagine marriage that's till death, how many times would one be bouyant enough to be buying the designers? It's in the little things Standing in for your partner where he can't, helping to be their strength when they're weak, Running a warm bath Helping out with chores, the kids... Our intentions, those big ones? ...

Madam Bridgette was at it again 'Just simple chores Ekaete you can't do. I wonder what your use is. I don't even know what i've gained by bringing you to my house. Ordinary babysitting Junior and a few house chores, yet I come to find the house untidy and in disarray whenever I return from work?' Madam Bridgette kept tongue lashing her housekeeper Ekaete. This was a normal routine for her and never stops until her housekeeper ends up  in tears. Well, December 2022, another time to eat and drink and celebrate. Housekeeper told Madam she'd love to go visit her family for the festivities. Of course, Madam was reluctant but then, she finally gave her consent and off Ekaete went. 23 days into the new year and Ekaete is yet to return. Madam Bridgette the last time she was seen was at the brink of tears as she explained 'I don't know what I did to my help, I took care of her and treated her right and yet, this is how she repays me? The issue of help...

I never imagined this was what it would be like.  I  had always thought I'd have it with ease and smoothly whenever I wanted it so I put no thought to it and wasn't prepared for the rude shock that awaited me. With hubby, everything was always smooth and I had no cause to worry so why was it this tough now? Hubby made everything seem so effortless 😭😭😭😭😭 I actually hurried left home with the believe that I'd be back in a jiffy. First petrol station, I was by the gate when they stopped selling. Second petrol station, same thing. Ahhhhhhhhh my father! Well, I decided to shunt, so I abandoned my car, and carried gallon. Almost my turn, witches came again and they said they were closed for the day.  That's how pump attendant looked at me like she was holding the key to heaven as she spoke through her nose 'Madam we've closed for the day, come tomorrow' Why meeeeeeeeeee? Ahhhhhhhhh as a first timer I had experienced all stages of emotions from hur...

Saturdays they say are for? WEDDINGS of course and today happens to be the wedding of a friend of mine. Unfortunately I didn't attend and here's why. About four years ago, Bolanle joyfully came to us her friends and presented this beautiful Ashoebi material to us. Of course who will say no to buying Asoebi as a way of supporting one's friend on her big day? So we all parted with our 15k each. Well, the wedding didn't hold for whatever reason. No details, no apologies, no communications, nothing. Four years later, it's another Ashoebi and this time it's for 45k. In four years, this is the third Ashoebi I'd be buying. I just couldn't deal so I turned her down and as such my invite was cancelled as she claimed I didn't care or support her. Some days back, I looked at the groups I've been added to and couldn't help but wonder how I found myself in this many kk groups. Guess what? Everybody wants to set up a committee for one thing or ...

Secondary school was one of the highlights of our teenage years. That was the stage where adult personalities were formed, shaped and refined. It was even more interesting as a boarding school student for so many reasons, one of which is the show of seniority and punishments which we get to laugh about later in life.  So many wonderful stories come to mind about my experience in school but then here goes one. I arrived school with the conception that school mothers were witches. Am elderly neighbour brainwashed me into believing so. I got noticed by many seniors because at the time such a pretty little girl with a beautiful singing voice and very long hair. Everybody wanted to be my school mother. Unfortunately for me, one of the seniors I turned down didn't find it funny so that faithful day she decided to punish me for it. How was I to know? Senior Taiwo called me and asked me to go collect her novel 'My journey has just begun' from her friend in Red House.  A...

The blows were coming in hard torrents and the screaming? That's how we all rushed to our neighbour's house to separate two fighting. Root cause: Husbandman is a perpetual gambler oh. Today, Wifey came back with her salary. Husband moved salary to go play bet and my brethren, he lost. Few days ago, hubby's friend called crying over the phone. So far in this month of January he has lost over 200k to betting. He just lost another 80k and was looking for who would give him words of comfort and ended up calling hubby. Remember the story that made waves on the internet? A guy gave his friend his ATM to withdraw some cash so he could make payment for the things they ate in their evening hangout. Friend vamoosed with the card, withdrew 6mil and used it to play BET! Finally somebody will tell me he won blablabla. How much have you lost so far? All these get rich quick schemes are laughable.  Everyone who got rich through lottery and it's likes, ended up loosing it b...

Early morning Seyi landed in my house asking for a loan. He was looking quite different and I couldn't place my hand on what it was until my eyes caught the tattoo and the anklets. Omor, my babe was glowing oh and after much hailings, yours truly decided to go get hers. In all honesty I had always loved these things oh but then with how conservative my parents, who born the maga?  That's how I jejely respected myself and even forgot about it until Seyi's visit. Her visit ignited the spark in me so I decided to go get myself the butterfly or Angel tattoo I always wanted. It's been 2years since I started living on my own so, I can do bad all by myself. This life, we get to live once oh. Got to the Tattoo Saloon and after much my people, I found myself exiting the same way I entered the saloon. I didn't know living a bad life was this expensive oh Just small bad life that I want to test they're asking me for money that would buy me plot of land? Seeeee ...

There's everything fascinating about mothers and their children. From infancy until death, they do everything within their power to protect, comfort, shield and care for their kids. This special bond has nothing to do with age.  A woman could have an 80years child but she would still  want to cater to his/here every need. Most of all it seems they've been also endowed with the special gift of exaggerations or blowing things out of proportion. A funny incidence comes to mind. In my early teenage years, one day my immediate younger brother came running home and crying. He had cut his leg badly when he tried jumping over our neighbour's fence while plucking oranges. Well, Mum almost passed out when she saw his injury. She screamed and cried all through his treatment, fussed over and almost pampered him to death. Guess what? This happened over 15 years ago but Mum would always have tears in her eyes whenever she recounts this incident. And she might spend all of tha...

'Excuse me, Mummy what did you say again?' 'Hmmmmmmm, my daughter, they said Andrew is dead oh. He had been posted to fight in Sambisa and was due to be posted out and promoted the next week. Few weeks prior, he celebrated his birthday going to orphanages, helping people in need, giving out and lot's more. However, he and his team were ambushed and attacked leading to scores dead including him. To say that this news was devastating would be an understatement as he was the only son of his parents. How about a classmate of mine who just got married and by the end of the same month her husband was posted out to fight. Another had her husband kidnapped by bandits. Yesterday was set aside to celebrate our gallant soldiers and all the sacrifices they've made and are still making for the good old for the good and wellbeing of her people. We celebrate you for all your concern, loving, protection as well as the ultimate sacifice of giving your life in the course ...

I just couldn't wait for when we'd be called in. I remember how excited I was and most especially, how I had declared and bragged to hubby about the dance steps I was going to display. In short I was going to be the talk of the town for awhile. Ohhhhhh of course hubby humourously laughed. 'It's time to call in the bride and the groom, Mr and Mrs....' the DJ began blasting hot and trendy jams, cheers, shouts and in the split seconds the screams were going higher. Look around to realize hubby was literally tearing the dance floor and here I was giving baby girl moves. Ohhhhhhh Lord! This man really did me dirty. I consoled myself with the fact that I was still the centre of attraction for the day and besides, why sweat when all the money they're spraying him would still come to me?🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪😜😜😜🤪🤪🤪 Well, many years later and here we were watching this lovely couple. Once again the man was digging it out in style. Anyway, Princesses weren't mea...

' One more prayer point, one more. This time around you're going to scream it like thunder. Let the devil hear your voice, let heaven hear your shout, cry aloud with all your might...' As I watched Brother Tunde marshal out prayer point after prayer point and the unmatched energy with which he powered through the prayer section, I couldn't help but be amazed. Jumping, shouting, shaking and almost throwing backflips. Seeing him and how prayerfully he prayed, I was challenged to be stronger in the prayers and in my faith. The church was on a 30days prayer and fasting. The fast had been quite challenging so far. For the past 15days, I could barely wait for the stroke of 12 pm so I could rush to the restaurant as I literally would be shaking. So I couldn't imagine fasting 6am-6pm and be so energized to be screaming all through a two hours prayer. Well, I decided to greet Brother Tunde after prayers and ask what his secret was. Exchanging pleasantries as I go...

Here we were at the pharmacy and my son was literally screaming his head off. The auxiliary Nurses, sales reps as well as patients and customers all had a go staring at us or making a comment. All these were just for the fact that he was being given injection. I went from being mad to embarrassed until my childhood behaviour began to come to mind. I've always had crazy phobia for needles as well as tablets so whenever I got ill it was always a showdown for my parents and myself. One of such occasion comes to mind. Malaria had gotten me so down and I refused to go to the school pharmacy to get treated. Until I fainted on the assembly ground. As a pupil in a boarding house, I was immediately given security pass and was taken home for better treatment. Therein began my everyday nightmare with injections and by the third day, I had began getting better. The pharmacist came as usual to give me my dosage for that day. The minute I heard his voice, I snuck out through our back...

For everything in life, there are set of principles or guidelines that surrounds it. These instructions help in getting things done effectively, efficiently, timeously with less risks or mistakes. Everything is guided by a set(s) of rules. The same goes with life. To come out tops in life, we don't just bulldoze our way through because if we do, we may get injured, may hurt others, may not even get to that place we have set as target. One of the principles guiding easy growth is the 'Honour code' . How do you treat those who have attained that position you dream to achieve? How do you treat those who you know are knowledgeable in the thing you want? How do you treat people in general?  Well, the story goes of a young man who had graduated for years without a job. He got wind of a job opportunity in an oil company and he began frequenting the company with the hopes of getting the job. One day, he came to the company as usual. This time he stumbled upon an elderly...

Ever been in such a hilariously awkward situation? So here's my son with another new scheme. Whenever he's angry at me or unhappy I didn't yield to his demands or I made him do something against his will, he begins to sing for me            Mummy shark dodododo           Mummy shark dodododo... At first I thought it was sweet and I'd smile at him for singing for me. Little did I know that the young man was making jest of me.  So Mummy is a shark and Daddy is the cool guy who always buys them icecream. A little while ago before adopting the 'Mummy shark', he used to say 'Mummy I won't play with you anymore, you're no longer my friend. In my days, you'd even apologize to parents for annoying you and how dare you give them names? Well, yours truly in all her beauty has now been dubbed 'Mummy shark'. Welcome to the world of the 21st century kids.

So I just read that the G5 who have christened their crew The Integrity Group have finally endorsed Atiku Abubakar, the flag bearer of their party after many months of globetrotting and rigmaroling and cajoling other aspirants to the assumption that they are available to work for any other party in the guise of 'maintaining Integrity' one can't help but wonder if the meaning of the word Integrity has not been lost on them. Meanwhile, in another breath, the Labour Party gubernatorial candidate for Lagos state has been discovered to be a mole for the APC.... wonders, they say can never end. And whilst we were ruminating on that, the Independent Nigerian Electoral Commission (INEC) released a statement insinuating that elections may be postponed. one cannot help but wonder if they do not understand the security terrain of Nigeria when they assured the country that they were prepared to conduct elections as at December. And while we were trying to figure out the gam...

Yesterday, a man was apprehended for killing his wife over a fight for bread. Today it was another man who killed his wife over pure water. Pure water oh! How about the gay guy who was murdered by his partner? For the past few weeks it's been one relationship saga after another. Husband and wife divorcing, those in relationships breaking up. It's been a crazy season relationship wise on the internet. How else can we scream LEAVE  to  LIVE ? How else can we talk about violence in relationships? There's just so much going on. In the midst of all these craze, there are still beautiful, working and healthy relationships and marriages out there.  Do not be swayed by what's going on. True happiness is possible True love does exist Believe and trust that it will also come to you. However, if you're in a relationship and you begin to see red flags, go. Go your way! It's better you both part ways and even be open to find your happily ever after again than to ...

Was enjoying a relaxed evening with Dad when his phone rang             'Good evening Sir, it's... speaking. My                 Mum was in the hospital since                           December last year. Thankfully she's                 fine now and is to be discharged but                 we're to an outstanding balance of                      #80,000 and for over a week my                        Mum has been detained at the                           hospital until we pay up'. The man who called is the Nephew to a very prominent and wealthy politician in my state...

School resumes on Monday so I took out today to begin locating and rearranging the kids stuffs for school and that's where the nightmare began. Mid-day and I'm still looking for the second pair of my Son's shoe. And his sister's, well one leg has got a cut so here I am torn between sewing it up or getting a new pair. To think hubby bought these black shoes after he was convinced they were super strong. What's with these kids sef? Seems they have razor on their toes. How about their white sports sneaker? Praise God, both pairs found! Now unto the school bags, lunch boxes, plates, cutleries, Ah haaaaaa, water bottles! Me Chioma Ada Amadi buy another water bottle for this boy? Hmmmmm they better get used to the idea of Eva water bottle until Daddy decides to buy another. Ohhhhhhh Dear Lord, we have uniforms to check. Rolling my eyes and practically sewing back almost button on their uniforms. Do these kids fight with Tigers in school?🤔🤔🤔 Just when I was ...

Hubby and I once lodged in an hotel and for the first two days a woman lodged beside and we began hearing screams at intervals, all day and worst at night. The screaming was quite scary and more intense at night that we lost our sleep. It was at the point of inquiry at the reception that we got to know the woman who lodged besides us was with her son who was mentally unstable. It wasn't a funny experience and I couldn't help but wonder the emotional toll this situation was having on this woman and her family. How it's affecting the woman in question and her sanity as the primary care giver, her husband, her marriage, her job, her other kids if she has any. As a mother my heart went out to her, imagine watching your child in such a helpless state. Going by what I heard for those two days, it was very clear that there was no way that woman could handle that boy alone without professional help. The place of professional help cannot be over-emphasized in cases of ch...

I have been reeling with laughter over the many comedic episodes of the APC presidential aspirant. Each time he appears in any state for a rally there is something for comedians and content creators to have a field day. But then, a critical look at his style will reveal an underlying strategy which is to keep people talking about you. Research has shown that when one is frequently on the news it makes it easier for people to vote for them on election day. Donald Trump used this strategy very well and he won the elections in 2016. Hence, while having a laugh reflect on the strategy he is using… they call him a master strategist for a reason. Whether it’s about Agbado or maize or whether he is telling short people to look at the sky or whether he tells students that they will have a four year job after a four year course and a seven year job after a seven year course, we need to pay a deeper attention to this man. Meanwhile, Peter Obi keeps doing the right things always, keep...

Hubby decided that we deserved some time out, so he booked for a four days getaway for us from the kids. Can't tell you how much of a refreshing time it was for us as a couple. It was a time of bonding again. And all thanks to hubby we took the time to plan and strategize for the year. Every couple deserves to experience this. It's one healthy practice to rekindle the sparks, to give you both time out to focus on yourselves without the constant background screaming of kids, house chores, one activity or the other. I sure did enjoy my time and can't te you how much I look forward to us doing this again. Thanks to this experience, it's more like we just started dating again, creating fun memories for ourselves, from the sight-seeing to the eating, dancing, drinking, talking, evaluating our relationship... You may not have the funds to go all out but you can get something organized. Have the kids spend time with your parents or visit a friend or two for a few d...

Driving round the city of Abuja this evening and everywhere seemed deserted for most part. Where's everyone? Inspite of the spike in prices of everything? Can't say if they traveled or simply all decided to take a break from the rat race. Besides, what has most people got to show for all the struggles from last month? But then again, why not? This is the best time to take a break and regroup. How did you handle last year? What do you believe you should do differently this year? You've been given the opportunity to start on a clean slate, so what's it going to be? Yes, we all know last year was a tough year but then again some persons broken through and broke even. This right here is another way to get things kicking in the right direction for you this year. Taking out time to study people who have successfully done what you're aspiring to accomplish is a big short cut to your desired goal. Whatever you do, make this year count. If it's a break you ne...

Yesterday someone posted on Facebook 'What has January taught you so far? I was amazed at the post. Who would make such a post when the year has just began? The year just began and the pressure is on already? Last year people saw shege. Only to lift their hands in thanksgiving for making it into the new year and next thing you're being asked silly questions. Don't let anyone pressure you oh Don't let people's standards and lofty goals or talks make you begin to doubt yourself and go into thinking that you're not enough. This year, you have fresh opportunities. You have all it takes to make beautiful things out of your life. Forget pressure, forget what others are doing,draw up for plans for the year, month or week. Start working on them step by step, little bits by bits and before you know it, you would've achieved alot.

I was watching with keen interest as the countdown began.. 8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1... Happy New Year!!! People were rolling on the floor in church... who can blame them? the type of shege that happened in 2022 can best be described as Shege ProMax Plus. But through it all we emerged successfully.  The pains, the heartaches, the tensions and all that came with them, the last 6 months of 2022 were abnormal, but through it all, while looking at everyone I was recounting the blessings of the year, lost in thoughts. I'm a passionate optimist and that is why I look through the storm and find reasons to express my gratitude in every circumstances and I've always emerged successfully through every trial. As we go through the journey of 2023 let us always look out for reasons to be grateful and celebrate the small wins with the hope that the big wins will follow, as they always do. Happy New Year lovelies. Thank you for being on this  site and reading through... I am indeed ...