The Good Life

Last week, we were debating Doctors on strike for which the government signed #25,000, This week it's the Labour Congress. It's laughable hearing the postulation of some persons that Labour party is the brain behind the proposed strike. Nobody needs telling as even the blind can see that our nation is falling apart. Well, today, my grouse isn't with the government but with the organization. The last time the Congress proposed a strike, how did it end? I remember 2019/2020 ASUU STRIKE vividly. The lecturers were cut off salary, COVID was in town, hence they could barely go out to make money for themselves. The leadership of ASUU kept talking tough and the lecturers  believing their leaders kept up with the stance not to give in. Well, we woke up one beautiful morning to hear that the strike was called off overnight after an indoor meeting with the ASUU leadership and the government. How about the recent ASUU strike? How about other strikes? The masses would be ch...

What a great service! I had so much fun in church; the word, the singing and dancing,  Service was full of celebration. Got home full of life and in very high spirit Whistling and singing to my maker, Went online and began viewing status of friends and their service. See pictures everywhere; beautiful pictures. That's when yours truly remembered she did it again. It's another Sunday gone without taking pictures. To think today was a Thanksgiving service and I went all out to sew a new dress, made my hair, and finished it up with a beautiful makeup. Only to completely forget to take pictures? Something I've been prepping for oh. I refuse to believe I'm alone in this. Taking pictures is like a herculean task. I'm either dragged, cajoled into one or taken unawares. My kids have long given up and have taken up the task of taking selfies. In the comfort of my bed I love to watch them and smile at their memories but how do I go about taking the pictures? Espec...

Ever lost a loved one? The tears you shed because you know as regards this life, it's all done. One minute there was life, the next we're writing tributes. I was told of a friend's death this morning and the weight of it has seemed to follow me all day. If he had just died, then just maybe... But no, spent over two weeks in the hospital from an accident, then life support and death. The pains he went through, the emotional torture of loved ones, ohhhh let's not talk about the financial aspect or our health system. Life is crazy! In the twinkle of an eye and your loved one is gone Then we begin to hear stories, good, bad, ugly Those who'd mourn with you Those who'd laugh at you. There's a saying that 'when it's another person's dead body, it's firewood until it's your loved one'. A void that can't be filled A pain, everlasting A life cut short and all we have is memories and stories, wishes and more. The loss of a loved...

So the Ministerial list has been finally transmitted to the Senate and the persons that made the list can tell us more about how the administration of BAT will look like.... Just as Nigerians expected in 2015 when Buhari was appointed... the expectations were dashed and scattered.  Just like 2015 when we expected the ministers to be purely persons who are gurus and experts in their field, we were disappointed to find that it was business as usual. The then president, took forever in his ministerial appointment because he wanted to choose people of good repute and standing but his government ended up being one of theost corrupt afterall. And the administration which was supposed to be for "Renewed Hope" What was submitted was the usual- politicians who helped to rig elections and ensured that the ruling APC was declared winners against the wishes of the people. Persons who fought tooth and nail to nail democracy to the cross were "rewarded" for their poli...

We talk about racism and throw stones while shouting and crying but today I met a situation that still has got me thinking. What do parents want for or from their children? Parents will say All THESE THINGS DON'T MATTER but wait until you're ready to settle down. When my hubby went to ask for my hand in marriage, my Uncle's insisted that hubby must buy two cows or else no wedding. Today I spoke with a lady whom a guy I know was truly in love with and was ready to settle down. Parents rejected him but accepted a guy who they weren't sure of his status yet citing that they didn't like the city he was living in, or how busy his work schedule is and some more flimpsy reasons without care as to the happiness and protection of the future of their daughter. Most parents live vicariously through their children. My Mummy doesn't like this. My Daddy said ABC ... A friend recently filed for divorce because his wife left due to serious parental interference. Is ...

She picked up the call and the first sentence was 'You, you, so it's over two months now and you can't even call somebody'. Yet I was the one who just initiated a call with her. Shade was a girl I met in one of those vacation camps and we decided to hang around each other and we're becoming close. We talked very often until I noticed I was the one initiating most of the calls so I took a few steps back to properly observe the relationship. Two months, and no call, then I call and she tries to flip the script? Laughable! There are so many stages to friendship and there are so many kinds of people in friendships that are yet to understand who they're friends with. I have this female friend who when we first became friends she'd always expect that I call her everyday. I tried for a few days and stopped. I simply couldn't keep up with it as it was entirely outside my person. She began complaining and nagging about calls and my Dear, I just decide...

'I see, I saw, your mother-in-law is the problem in your marriage' the prophet said Before the prophet was done speaking, Sarah was already rolling on the floor in a pool of tears. This was the 6th prayer house she was visiting and 5 out of the 6 told her the same thing. What other confirmation was there to seek? Flashback: she remembered vividly that lovely day when her eyes began to open to see. She went to make her hair in the saloon and the topic for discussion that day, was in-laws. Everyone was trading stories and the more she heard, the more she saw the root of the problems in her home. No child after 7 years of marriage Whenever hubby's siblings came around, he'd withdraw huge amounts of money for them. Money he should be saving for when their kids will come.  How about Mama always showing up? And whenever she's visiting, the atmosphere just doesn't feel right. That's how Sarah connected with Mummy Olisa who began taking her to these pray...

I thought my daughter had an encounter with a wild animal in the children section of the church. Clothes in disarray as the buttons were funnily matched up, several hair ribbons displaced, so many strands out of place, how about her overall look? Dear heavens! So you could imagine the shock on my face as I saw her calling out my name and running into my arms. I'm yet to understand how to manage the transformation that happens once kids step out the door. You get the perfect outfit, hairstyles, every little detail is watched, dress her up just like you imagine and then they're off to school, only to return few hours later looking like wild wild west. Kids loooovvvveeee to play Having them looking all dressed up like a million dollars doesn't bother them. They just want to play! So, in case you see your kids looking crazy, just know they had a swell time! And of course, no mother wants to hear that.

Take me back to the good old days where life was free and happy Where everybody knew his neighbour, all their kids and almost everything about the family. Times where adults were parents to every child on the street Adults didn't look the other way whenever they saw a child misbehaving just because he or she isn't theirs Where everyone lived a communal life No hidden thoughts, no hidden agenda, no show off You could easily run to your neighbour when you ran out of anything. I remember once watching tv in a neighbour's house, although my bumbum got hot thrashing I remember eating in a large tray with so many kids either neighbours or from church I remember trekking back home from school or church with other kids I remember running in the rain and screaming so wild, loud and carefree. It's raining today and as I sit at the varrenda to my parent's house, I see my childhood and all the fellas on my street Life has happened, everyone is all grown and facing a...

So many people hide under the guise of religion, reform or some kinda change to believe that they'd avoid the consequences of their actions. A person stole, was caught and is being charged to court and says because he's now changed so he shouldn't be sentenced. Another lived in promiscuity, and contracts  HIV or gets her womb damaged in the course of abortion, who's to blame? Yes, God forgives and some persons are somewhat blessed to escape payback but most are not that fortunate because, what do you do with a damaged womb? This automatically affects your choice of a spouse. Will you blame it on God if it becomes a herculean task finding someone to accept you that way?   In life, every action has got consequences. Negative actions and decisions, negative results Positive actions and decisions, positive results. Give it a thought: for that action you're about to take, what would be the end result?

'Babe, I just got another rejection mail. It feels like my own is different. I don't know what else to do'. That was hubby many months back. He has always had his eyes on this job and has been working towards it. Applications upon applications in different organizations, facilities, corporations. Friends would send links. How about countless job links he sourced out himself? And suddenly it would be like a back to back rejection, from one mail to another. Bottom line is, hubby never gave up. He'd go back, read up, re-strategize, rewrite his CV, Cover letter and the likes, study the organizations and the operational system in the country he was applying to. No no no, never delude yourself into thinking it was a days job. The reading that went into it, the sacrifices of time studying, time away from family, depriving himself of lots, resources that went in as well. It was no walk in the park. One day, in the midst of the Nos a 'YES' mail came in. All t...

Was reading online as Angela Okoye was supposedly dropping receipts on her ex-friends who she claimed dis her dirty in her low time. From one dirty secret, to another and I couldn't understand how they ever claimed to be friends. How does one build friendship without sharing parts of herself, secrets, dreams, goals. Every friendship devoid of this isn't even to be termed a friendship to begin with. So what happens when you fall out? How do you go around spreading informations you were entrusted with as a 'suppposed friend!'  Be the bigger person Extend the olive branch. Where it fails, how about having a clean break?. The actions we take in the heat of the moment, tell alot of your character. If they say goodbye, let them be . The worst kind of betrayal comes from those who close to us, those who we've opened up to, those we have shown and shared ourselves with. Thus such betrayal is always the killer. DO NOT BECOME SUCH A FRIEND! That you part ways does...

By this evening, I believe I've had enough talks about marriage cos I was hearing of the 4th person I know who's talking divorce. EVERYBODY IS STRESSED!  I can't emphasize this enough. The economy is stressing people Life in general is stressing everyone People are doing their best to just get by. Nobody has a definite answer for anything now. You've got to put in triple efforts to produce the exact same result you used to have just few months ago. Added stress is when you have kids that are demanding your attention Especially toddlers. It's work, home, the system and you're trying to find a balance. A crazy merry go round. Imagine topping all these madness with allowing family members or some force of third party, some religious leader, friends or mentor influence what goes on in your home. A marriage that is successful is one where the couple works things out for themselves. 90 if not 95% of those externally influenced end up crazy. No two marriage...

As a clergyman's daughter, one would assume that I should be used to seeing or meeting people with needs and as such, have developed a thick skin. That definitely is not the case. Last week I went home deeply sorrowful as a woman ran into church with her son and her properties all tied up like rags. She didn't even have a single bag to put her things into. From nursing her father who died after a long period of illness, to loosing her husband and in between all these, she lost her job, no more job means no more money, next thing landlord evicts her. Imagine how bad the state of things had become for her that a very sound and learned woman ended sleeping in front of people's stores, shops, any available space and the likes. Under this heavy rainy season and all. Today, I watched a grown man crying helplessly because he was frustrated and was walking towards depression. Yes, he has a job but can no longer provide enough for his family's upkeep. We had to do al...

It's such a beautiful thing to be with someone who's in love with you. Me:The sky is green Hubby: Yes. Me: Everyone seems to be going crazy Hubby: Yes Love Me: This chicken tastes funny ( meanwhile it's perfectly cooked) Hubby: Very true. You know best Honey. When you're loved, everything ends with a yes, you're endulged and humoured to wallow in your mirage of thoughts.🤣🤣🤣 Many years down the line after saying the vows, hubby seems to still be high strung on this. Happy wife, happy life right? I think that mantra was coined because of my hubby. If you think it's a joke check out coyples around. Ever met people who just got into a relationship? The arrows of love would just be flying off left, right and centre. Being in love is a wonderful thing, most especially when you've got 'THE ONE' in your corner, it's like God planted a chip in everyone's body that automatically becomes activated the minute you fall in love, that makes y...

Almost every Nigerian on social media must've come across the video of the father who was chasing an NDLEA van carrying it's officers. NDLEA officers came to raid a supposed drug joint and in the course of their raid, stray bullets hit two brothers, the eldest, 2years old Evan died while his younger brother survived. The kids returned from school and were in their mother's store when the officers came to carry out the raid. The statement released by NDLEA was that in the course of the raid, a Camry ran over one of their officers and ran off and it was in the bid to pursue the Camry that the officers released fire. Whatever the scenario, the officers were aware of the effect of their shooting but chose to runaway instead of coming to the aid of the parents and owning up to their action. The father of the boys could be heard sobbing profusely as he chased the NDLEA officers. The only reason for the halfhearted and insensitive response we got was because the video ...

 Remember: The duller the ax the harder the work; Use your head: The more brains, the less muscle.                                       Ecclesiastes 10:10 Was really excited to pitch a business idea to hubby and after the excitement and presentation, hubby said 'Baby, this idea is very beautiful but how about thinking of something that would involve less physical labour?' You know from the mindset of our parents back in the day, a man is hardworking when he 'puts his back into it'. He can be seeing going hard with work, exerting physical energy and back then it was all farming or better coined 'manual labour'. Times have changed. Today, a person can be lying on his bank and business are running online for him and producing thousands and millions. Anyone who's still of the opinion that hardwork is measured by physical labour has been left behind. As said by the scriptural prov...

One think that has been greatly undermined but has a huge role to play in the choice of a partner is the opinions, beliefs and thought pattern of one's love interest. I heard a man once saying while he was having a row with his wife 'You have a good heart but you see, my greatest problem with you is the way you reason. Our biggest difference is that we don't reason on the same wavelength'. Wait until you're trying to explain the importance of something very serious to that your secondary school certificate hubby or wife and then listen to their crazy thought patterns. Imagine an SSCE holder, married to a Doctor. Many persons have pretended to be who they're not Only to find out later that they're faux. See the reason why communication is very important before marriage? I remember a man came crying to my Mum that his wife was about leaving him because he didn't go to school. She was a Master's degree holder , while het hubby just had WAEC ...

I keep wondering what the alternative would've been if I hadn't decided to just call Bekky. Bekky is a very carefree, jovial, loving and caring soul. She's that one friend you could count on to be there anytime anyday. I gave her a call and she sounded not her usual self of being all upbeat and bubbly. Not much was said but I decided to go to her house. Bekky didn't look the part and since my visit caught her unawares, I found her living like a shadow.  She could only sleep with the help of drugs She had other drugs for anxiety, headaches and the likes... For the past two to three months, she somehow found herself being the sounding board for so many persons around her. One friend lost the spouse Another was downsized Another was duped The other failed in her professional exam One was into fish farming but for some reasons she lost a great majority of her fish. How about the one who just suffered her 5th miscarriage. Bekky kept soaking it in, and by the time...

What informs people's decisions to keep wild animals as pets? A man was just killed as he stepped into where he kept his pet crocodiles and mistakenly slipped into the area they slept. Imagine keeping over 40 crocodiles as pet. How about the man who kept snakes? Next thing we were reading about his death. Snake wrapped him up and had began swallowing him when family members showed up at his residence. Pets in general are cute and loving to have around but why keep animals you can't control? This won't be the first time we'd be hearing of pets killing their owners yet so many still go ahead to subscribe to keeping animals that can attack at any point. How about those whose pets go about attacking people? How about zoos that keep animals and can barely feed them? Why keep them? Let the wild animals go be wild! Let the wild animals breatheeeeeeeeeee!

I was shocked when I saw my younger brother walk into the hangout venue looking all dope and handsome. The greatest thing that caught my attention was his outfit.  Hubby gifted him that outfit about 2 years ago and looking at him, it still looked as new and we'll kept as ever that one might be tempted into thinking he just got it. This is exactly why I love giving to him, because although it's a gift, he places great value on whatever you give to him and treats it with care. Some persons have zero maintenance culture!!! Gift them a white shirt and by the following week you'd be questioning yourself to be sure it wasn't a milk or brown shirt you gave them. Sometime ago my brother got someone in our church a shoe. Infact, he got the same kind of shoe for this guy and himself. In less than a year, the guy's show was looking like an outfit for farming. My brother went ahead to use same shoe for three years plus before gifting it out. The next time we were ha...

We have gotten to a point in this country where it appears like nothing seems to make any sense.  However through it all there is an institution that has stood tall and has consistently borne the conscience of the nation at such a time where all hope seems to be lost and.... You guessed it? NYSC!!! The first time was when a serving Minister for Finance was called out for having  forged her NYSC and The highest echelon came out with incontrovertible evidence - in an administration where everyone was either silent or had a smeared conscience. NYSC had the effrontery and boldness to speak truth to power and she was gotten by the law. Yet again, amidst the movie being played out in the various election petition tribunals, NYSC has stood tall by rejecting all the bribe offers by the Mr. Mbah, the embattled governor of Enugu state who appears to have forged his NYSC certificate. Amidst the ex parte order from the governor and the shenanigans,  NYSC is standing tall ...

A 16 years old forged her jamb result,  Went ahead to play the victim card,  Was immediately granted multiple scholarships. Was granted press interviews where she said it seemed jamb was just trying to victimize her. Her Dad threw his weight around her and walked the road of everything with her just so his daughter wouldn't be alone in the fight. The media houses made this story their number one news. Everyday the news finds it's way out there, A panel was set up to determine the truth of this case of forging a certificate. Panel reportedly finds out the girl did actually forge the certificate and confessed to it. Jamb put a 3 years ban on her, She lost her sponsors Put her family on the media for the wrong reasons and there was her Dad who had to come back in shame to publicly own up to his daughter's act, and to apologize for his as well. I'm still to understand the rationale behind her forging her certificate. A student whose original score was above 250 ...

Right now everything and everyone seems to be on the verge of loosing it. The economy is a mess Our leaders all think self Income remains the same. There's pressure everywhere To meet the needs of the family To have something to show for all of your labour To show to peers as well that you're up and doing It's everything and more. So, the fear sets in Fear of the cycle Fear that you won't break even Fear that you might crash and burn . Yes, everything is tough right now but fear does nothing than destroy what's left of you Creeping in day by day until it's all gone. It may be dark and gloomy Not really certain of the next steps to take? That's okay But no matter what you do, NEVER EVER GIVE IN TO FEAR!

'Mummy, mummy, when will we have our own baby?' My daughter asked Whhhhhaaaatttt!!! Another child in this economy? How about all the crazy emotional upsidedown associated with pregnancy? The inconveniences... I couldn't even begin to imagine having a baby in one hand, with two under 6years old on my other hand. Funny enough I probably would have had one child like hubby suggested if I was fully aware of how crazy parenting life could be, but I'm grateful I have them two and I'm glad child birthing is over, so I say, NEVER AGAIN!!! The society however doesn't care that much about how one feels or thinks. Last Sunday, my daughter was throwing tantrum and crying as is normal with kids and an elderly woman walked up to me and said 'It's time you give this girl another baby. That way, all these her disturbance and tantrums will end'. Really Madam? Who will carry the pregnancy? I thought. Who will nurse the child? Will you sponsor and supply al...

The place of rest can not be overemphasized. Hubby laid in bed shivering, with a running temperature and saying loads of gibberish. Hmmmmm, well, as a good wife what can I say or do other than to help my beloveth husband recover. The past one month has had hubby going from one end of the country to another. Jobs, meetings and the likes, working hard to make the lives of his family a better one. He was neck deep in chasing this business that he neglected his health until he eventually broke down. One of the reasons why working abroad is attractive is that the job provides that you take breaks. The system provides for it. The system here however wants to work you as much as they can. Why not reward yourself and that body that has been carrying you around to make that money, attend those meetings and move around to achieve those goals you're chasing? Why wait until the body decides to take the much needed rest by itself? Which never really ends well. Ohhhh yeah, I'm no...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh finally, hubby and I could heave a sigh of relief from the constant 'mummy and daddy' cries. We decided to take a break and planned for it and took well over two months to prepare all the parties involved; our parents, the kids and ourselves. We bought everything we deemed fit to distract the kids from thinking or noticing our absence. It was a kinda funny departure we had, we told the kids we were leaving, put on their tabs and gave them some snacks and they absent mindedly waived us goodbye. Of course we were joyful and snuck out without their notice. Day 1: Of our absence, no call from home. Wonderful!!! Day 2: Evening, no call yet hmmmmm this children sef! (How was I to know hubby sneaker out to call home and was assured they were alright when I was forming jagaban) . Day 3: I called Daddy's number, Oga Boss wasnt picking. Lai Lai, I sharply began calling Mum. What if my girl has fallen down and injured herself and they're hiding it? How ...

The sound of running water was persistent so my curiosity got the better part of me and I went to check out the source. That's how I met my 5years old boy bathing his sister of 3years+. My son has gotten used to hubby and I bathing and dressing them up and generally cater to their needs, whatever the occasion. He took to trying same for his sister. Bathing her, dressing her up, feeding her, petting her and alot more. These kids see us. They watch what we do and emulate. It's works better t han talking or spanking. They see how you treat your spouse, neighbours,friends,family and even yourself. Tomorrow they'll reproduce these things. How about hearing us? You laugh at people inside the house,and tell yourself nobody's hearing you. You say mean things about them, you give people names or just have funny conversations. How about the positives? They hear you appreciate those around you They hear you tease and compliment... Hubby traveled today and in the course...

Hmmmmmmmm 'there is fire on the mountain' 🎧🎧🎧🎧. Asa sang this song as a prophesy oh because right now naija dey burn up and down. My people, today is supposed to be our marriage anniversary.  How this anniversary landed on a Sunday is another cause for discussion. Typical of a pastor's child, we practically spend the whole day in church. Got home so late in the evening and totally forgot it was supposed to be a day of loving. Hubby as well had engagements for the reminder of the day, got home by past 9pm. We managed to put the kids to sleep and just sat there laughing at each other. Prior to today, we had great plans of how we'd spend the day, flexing and loving. Well the joke was on us but the beautiful thing is that I've been blessed with a rich life because I have a partner who loves me, rides with me and we'l, here we are tonight laughing our asses off each other. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US BABY, WE PARTY TOMORROW!!!

It was such a joyful time for my family when they heard about the safe delivery of my first child.  By the end of that day, Mum was already in the hospital with me. As expected, Dad called regularly to check up on his girls, which was cute.  Four days post CS, we were discharged and home. And then the main omugwor began. Two weeks in and it was safe to say my Dad was now residing with us through his incessant phone calls. He called so much it began looking like Mum went away with his oxygen. For a couple who spent all their time throwing jabs at each other, this was very funny to watch. Mum began making excuses for him, stating how sure she was that something was wrong hence the frequency of his calls. Story, story, Mum left me to omugwor myself   and ran back to her beloveth husband. Same circle it was again when i had my second child. Dad tried all the tricks in the book but Mum wasn't budging. Before we could say 'jack', Dad was standing in front of ou...