The Good Life

It started off as a joke, Burkina Faso, Mali and then thegovernment of Niger Republic was toppled by it's Military and the Nigerian led ECOWAS organization began spitting fire and an invasion, claiming it was fighting for democracy. We just heard of another coup. This time, in Gabon and the citizens took to the street in celebration. The family of the President had been in power for 56years. That is way before I was even born and had badly rigged the just concluded elections, declaring itself the winner. A classmate of mine was kidnapped yesterday, while returning home from the just concluded NBA conference in Abuja. His only crime was leaving his home. These days staying in your house isn't even a guarantee for safety as many have been kidnapped from their homes. Travelers leave home after days of fasting, with bottles of holy water, anointing oil and different kinds of protection because you never know what the road may bring. This goes to show the security state ...

So many crazy things happen under the guise of religion. It's almost like these false religious leaders hide under their positions to twist the minds of people and exploit them. Did you hear about the people who starved themselves to death cos their spiritual leader said so? How about those who willingly gave themselves to be burnt by their prophet? Heard of the ones who sleep around with the women, homes they've broken, relationshis destroyed? Let's not go into the numerous properties they've amassed for themselves exploiting the people under them. Hubby and I had a pleasant encounter with one of such. He began by telling hubby how great he was and how he was on the verge of  his breakthrough but some persons we're fighting it so he should do some spiritual things to clear his path and went on the hive us a crazy list of things to buy. Then he said hubby was great and was his tide was about changing and if I didn't stay humble he won't take me a...

It was indeed a fun outing. Of course it's been one thing or the other. There always was a reason why it wasn't convenient for me to go hang out. This time it was a family outing. Everyone insisted on it and so here we are. You know how it is with our generation. You go out to mix and meet friends but end up pressing your phone throughout. That was the setting when my younger brother leaned over to show me a throwback picture of myself. A slay Queen, all dolled up, dressed and sparkling, perfectly put together with nothing out of place. That was the Chi-Chi I had in mind when I was saying 'i do'. Fast-forward to few years down the line. You're no more dressing to kill but to be comfortable You're no more the classy bad bitch, you're just that overworked mother juggling things And if business comes down the line, it's not from me. All them 6inches heels, crazy lashes, fixed pointed nails... Turns into another person taking the kids for tutoria...

Sunday! And as the Jesus Baby that I am, I was more than excited to be in church Service was 🔥🔥🔥 The choir sang out their heart It was worthy of note that after four Sunday of being absent, Mama Helen showed up in church. Mama Helen is the Mummy General The commander and entertainer  The very life of the church The only time she's not taking centre stage to dance and display is when the music is not playing. Mama Helen surely took on the biblical king, David, who danced for God until he fell naked. Mama Helen was in church today. We were all excited and expectant and guess what? She didn't disappoint! Everyone was singing and dancing while hailing her until we heard a loud noise! Mama Helen don Push down church new keyboard!

Some people live life so carefree and then go on to justify it with the 'it's my life and I can choose to live how I please' or 'this is me, you either accept me the way I am or leave me be'.   They forget that life operates on principles and that life runs smoother when we obey them.   Well here's one or two of such principles; Respect/honour Every person is deserving of it. Young, old, big, small, male, female, tall, short, rich or poor. No category applies when it comes to giving honour or respect. Some persons pick and choose who they think is deserving of it. They try to play smart, giving respect and honour only if they believe they stand to gain something. You never know if that man walking down the street casually dressed is the key to the job you've been looking for all these years. You never know if your smile and the way you're well mannered is the reason that quiet woman at the corner of the street recommended you to her nice abro...

We live in a society where lawlessness prevails. Nigeria happens to be one big circus The wealthy are above the law The government, above the law The man who knows somebody that knows somebody that also knows somebody, above the law Your long legs and deep pocket or both, is the guarantee to go above and beyond, doing anything you please. The court gives a ruling or judgment and the 'powers that be' will pick and choose whether to do it or not and if they finally decide on obeying, the choose which judgment to obey and to what extent. Obeying only to the point to which it suits them and their purposes. Well, a wonderful one happened to a colleague of mine today. He won a case and the defendant's son went and mobilized the police to manhandle and assault my colleague while people stood around taking pictures and making videos. He was only rescued by soldiers who were passing by who stopped to intervene. Imagine going about your job as a lawyer and somebody beats ...

Times are getting tougher. People have little or no time for anything. Everyone is on a fast lane and have no time to spare for anyone. Yet there are those whom people wait on for endless hours just to see their face Almost everyone is looking for a job but there are those companies and institutions are begging with job offers The value you place on yourself is what others will follow in treating you. It's not everywhere you go It's not every invite you accept It's not everything or everywhere you eat It's not every suggestion or advice you accept It's not every proposal you accept It's not everywhere you talk or everyone who's qualified to know your thoughts. Place a censor on your thoughts, your words and actions. No true treasure is found on the surface. Make yourself scarce Make yourself to be sought after!

Life is in stages and as we grow older, so does our responsibilities. One day your life is carefree, the next you're waking up to the role of breadwinner, father, mother, husband, wife or major/sole dependant of your family or job. The amount of responsibilities you shoulder they say is what shows that one has truly come into maturity. These responsibilities however has no end. We could be so caught up in them that ultimately we don't stop to smell the coffee or the flowers. We find ourselves fixing one thing or the other, from one place to another. We forget that providing ourself with care, love, rest, respect is also an important if not the most important responsibility of all. It's only a person who is well and sound that can handle any responsibility. Do not take yourself,health wise and overall well-being as a trivial matter. Many just slump and died, others have gotten themselves sacked, because of lack of care for themselves. They're taking care of e...

Becky looked Chizzy up and down and told her she wasn't up to her standard, before walking away. Becky was having troubles and with nothing but pure intentions, Chizzy decided to give some advice which Becky didn't take. Four weeks later, everything Chizzy adviced will happen did happen and Becky learnt the hard way.  Not everyone deserves to hear your voice Not everyone loves to be advised Some persons love to learn on their own without asking questions  While some want to experience everything for themselves. Advise is a great way to retrace one's step where he's missing it, Learn new things, you don't have to go spending money or scaring your life just to experience things for yourself.

It was so much commotion in our neighbour's house that one couldn't pretend not to hear them. It was a normal routine to hear them fight and argue but this time around it sounded really dangerous and chaotic. We ran out of course to know what was going on and it was a crazy sight. The woman had broken her man's windscreen tv, anything her hands could find. She was like a person possessed and even with intervention from neighbours, at some point she picked up a knife to stab her man. He promptly ran away and no one heard from him again. Long story short, they began dating and few months into the relationship, she got pregnant. He decided to do the honourable thing by going to collect the marriage list. Just few months in and she began to display crazy. The young developed cold feet. Their baby arrived and she became even more aggressive. Who would get married to such? Few weeks after running for his life, the lady took to Facebook to sell off his properties. I...

Today was the dedication ceremony of a dearly beloved brother in church. Desmond the chief choir solo had given enough perspire to acquire motivation to the choir, alongside a thorough rehearsal the night preceding the dedication Sunday and so it was readily assumed that they were ready to shut down the service with great singing . See crowd! Thought Brother Victor as he took to the stage to give hot offering praises. The instrumentalists had played their intro, only for Brother Victor to fly out the window with a powerfully earthshaking off key. It was a serious one such that the congregation couldn't help but burst into laughter. By the divine mercies of God Brother Victor found away to bring the congregation back into a great time of singing. With the number of churches at every corner you turn in Nigeria, If we could visit all churches, somebody is somewhere begging okada to drive faster so they can meet up with service time to lead in song. Another person somewhere...

Familiarity they say breeds contempt! So, a classmate of hubby came visiting his place of work and after much 'catching up on old times', he asked what brought her there and she literally and bluntly told him it was above his pay grade. Long story short, he was the one in charge of what she wanted. Let's just say she's still aplying for it till date. The story above is how so many people have lost out on great opportunities, favour, businesses and many more. You look at the person and say Is it not my gateman? Is it not my course mate John that we all contributed to pay his school fees you're saying I should ask for help? We go on and on to look down on the people around us. We could be praying forever and the answer to our prayers would be right in front of us and we won't even recognize it just because it's in a package we don't like or have regard for. No person is small. That area boy might just be the reason your life is spared That supp...

Sleepless nights Submission of applications, so many that I've lost count Payment for several conferences and workshops to brush up for better qualifications, Written loads of exams Writing, modifying and remodifying of my CV Same way my mailbox has been filled with countless rejection mails. Sometimes you do all the research Make strategic planning and consultations Made the perfect presentation And you're sure this time everything is fireproof Only to get the 'We're sorry' or 'Unfortunately' mail. Sometimes even after we've given our very best, things are just beyond us. The open but hidden secret that ALWAYS gives one the edge The only solution that never fails 24/7? TRUSTING GOD! As a man, we're frail and no matter our best efforts, we can only do so much. So, whenever you find yourself at that point where you don't understand what's happening, where you don't know what the next step to take is, where you're all tangle...

This surely was the longest night of my life. I couldn't lie down or sit, it felt like there was fire slowly burning on my head. Why me? My head ohhh My head! It's been awhile i made my head I had an event to attend that weekend and decided to step up my looks so I went and got my hair braided. That decision was my greatest mistake. 'Madam, the way you're parting and holding this hair is quite painful' I told the stylist but she assured me she was only doing it to have a clean braid and before evening I'd have forgotten I made a new hair. Beautiful hair, I got compliments and smiled all the way home. I endured the pains, believing what the stylist said. Began popping Panadol the minute I got home. Past midnight and I couldn't even attempt winking not to talk of smiling or dream of bending my neck. If I were to be light skinned, I surely would've been all red by this time. Nothing was making sense anymore. Next thing I knew, my Mum was using s...

I kept praying in my heart 'God  help me oh, God help me' Of course other people were obviously calling on God for help as well cos I got to the bus stop to find so many people waiting for cab as well. The hustle wasn't a joke.  The sky kept roaring fiercely, announcing how heavy it was going to offload any minute. Rumbling, lightning, thunder  How fast could I walk given I was on my work shoe? And this had to be the day I wasn't with a palm slippers in my handbag. The heavens couldn't hold the rain and in the twinkle of an eye I was drenched. The able Barrister, decked up in her black suit, corporate shoe, briefcase in hand, all looking game ready, only to be baptized . I was still battling with the heavens when a car drove past me and gave me another special kind of baptism, this time from the potholes on the road. How I wept! Fine girl no pimples but here I was collecting baptism left, right and centre. Well, here I was several years later just done w...

We underestimate the power of an apology. A simple 'I am sorry' can turn a deadly situation around. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.                                 Proverbs 15:1(NKJV) Went for a function today and two friends met who haven't been in talking terms for months due to an offence quashed their differences with a simple I'm sorry. Some persons have been blinded by so much pride that they'll rather have their whole world crumble than apologize. Parents who'd rather go around things than apologize to their kids, Spouses who'd rather buy gifts than saying sorry, Friends who'd cover up with other events, hoping the other will forget rather than addressing the elephant in the room and apologizing. Other times, saying sorry does not necessarily mean you're in the wrong. It rather means you choose peace of mind and place great importance/value on the existi...

Gbrigidi gbrigidi gbrigidi gbrigidi One could hear the sound of footsteps, table turning and all That was us as kids running into the room whenever we caught glimpse of any one coming to visit with our parents. Since our parents are both pastors and we lived quite close to the church, it was only natural to know that our house WOD always be busy. We'd always have visitor. Those who just came for greetings, those who came with prayer requests, those who came with problems and required mediation and those who just decided to stumble into our home. Even as far as late at night. We the kids decided to help ourselves have a life of our own We began locking ourselves up in the room. If peradventure we're in the sitting room and see any visitor show up, before they'd knock on the door, we're gone. However whoever happens to be the last person to run in would have to stay back in the sitting room, arrange whatever is out of place, wait on the guests and finally cove...

In the presence of God is what? FULLNESS OF JOY! That was it for me this Sunday as I called back the goodness of God and with that in mind, I decided to give the Lord a worthy praise with my dancing. First praise I was moving from side to side, singing aloud, and of course as a music lover, I knew the lyrics to almost all the songs and sang out my heart with the choir. OFFERING TIMEEEE! Yours truly was ready to dance like David danced. Immediately the intro to the praise began, my voice was the loudest screaming for joy. I began putting in a show stopping dance, I'm sure the heavenly bodies were mesmerized. By the time it got to my roll my feet were already doing happy dancing. The way I so danced,the Angels would be wondering if there was some kinda after party or maybe I won some leisure. I was so lost in giving hot steps until I began to feel the cool air blowing my dark behind. My zipper went bad in the middle of my crazy Jesus dance! Well, what funny experience hav...

Weeks ago the rave swept over the country. It's been one form of hardship to another.  Minimum wage is yet to change, there has been no remuneration or any form of compensation to the masses for the untold and highly unnecessary hardship they're all experiencing meanwhile the members of the Senate were credited days ago in millions just for their break. Break from what exactly? The masses are going more hungry by the day, while the members of the National Assembly keep devicing means to enrich themselves. As coping mechanism, people learnt to turn their generator plants from running with fuel to gas due to the high cost of fuel. Well, here we are, greeted with the news that not only is the price of fuel going to still increase, the cost of gas is increasing as well. Naira is selling against Dollar at almost #940 and the explanation is 'the forces of the market is deciding the price'. So the forces will keep determining the price until a litre of fuel, 1kg of...

Right now it's been cartoon to the rescue! The holiday has been holidaying me oh. One minute I'm shouting, next it's the kids shouting and at other times it's all of us shouting. Kids will naturally always keep you on your toes, how much more this holiday period when they're home all the time? In order not to die young, after one beautiful day of doing battle with them, the fantastic idea for peace came; DISTRACTIONS! I began digging on how best to engage the kids and we'd all have rest. We moved from giving them access the my phone, their tablets, to watching cartoons. With tv time, I get to do my chores in peace without anyone running all over the place or giving me headache. On the educative part, I speedly signed them up for holiday lessons and outings. Platforms to not just read, buy interact with other kids. Finally, I equally signed them up to learn the keyboard! This one, I love the most. The kids are super excited and act all animated once i...

You must be acquainted with the old adage that says 'silencevis golden'. This is indeed true as keeping quiet saves a person from alot of 'Them say, she say' It makes you out to be and appear in control, more in charge, to know more, you're more respected and revered and there's an air of mystery around you. People cannot box you in or limit you to a certain type of way, place or thing. Some other times, silence might just be that saving grace that helps you escape landing in deep or deeper waters. I'm the midst of silence, one can also get clarification to problems, new ideas on how to go about issues or better ways to respond. Do not be in haste to talk,  Do not always be the first to talk Letting others talk the lead will help you guage them and how you'd respond and even help make your presentation better. Finally, don't forget the adage that says silence is the best answer for a fool. Right? Silence can save you meaningless arguments...

It was a wonderful day, like any other in our house. Mum was going out to run some errand so she asked me to kill, pluck and fry the chicken. It wasn't my first time frying, so she didn't foresee any problem . First things first, if you're close to me you'll know it scares me to kill a chicken. God being so kind, my cousin sister was around and we undertook the task together. After the killing, instead of using the regular hot water method to remove the feathers, I remembered seeing Mum use fire and I decided to use that. Well I successfully made a mess of everything and we had to peel out the whole skin of the chicken before we could cook it. This same thing goes for alot of persons. You see something you have no idea about but you claim to know it. I'm not talking about people enthusiastic to learn. In your job description you said you've been baking for years, hustled hard and you got that wedding gig. Wedding day you delivered fufu covered in sug...

Have you ever gone out of your way to help a person? To just show kindness out of empathy and the goodness of your heart? BUT  , Instead of a thank you, you're repaid with evil? Short story, this homeless woman and her son came severally begging my parents for assistance. My Dad said his spirit didn't accept her. She looked so lost and haggard with her son. It was such a sorry sight.  My siblings, Mum and I prevailed on my Dad so he gave her an accomodation for free in a building we had, helped them set up, gave them money and food stuffs. Weeks later a tenant was to move into another room, same building. Madam blatantly refused and said she can't share the building with anyone. Started off as a joke, she put locks in all the remaining rooms in the building. Our caretaker went over after much pressure from the tenant to talk to this woman but she instead ran out clad in only a wrapper, asked her son to begin recording and started crying, screaming, claiming the ...

I have this motto about life that I don't do to others, what I wouldn't want anyone to do to me.   In other words,I don't dish out whatever I can't take. So I read online about a woman whose mother in law slapped and she retaliated by slapping her back. What will your child do that will make you slap her?  And what will your mother do, that will make you slap her? Why does everything that has to do in-laws in our African setting, be about fighting and fighting? Fight for superiority of wills and decisions, Fight over property Fight over custody of kids Fight over nothing but bruised ego To mention but a few. There are however homes that you walk in and unless you're told, you'd never know who the biological children of those families are. The love is so palpable and infectious. Love of family cannot be bought, coerced, forced but comes naturally. Let's assume all these are happening because of the upbringing and/or experiences of our parents. The...

You'll not always be at your high point. There's gonna be beautiful days, there's gonna be dark days. They'll be days when everyone is dancing around you, they'll be days when you'll be all alone but in those dark days, remember who and whose you are. A royal diadem, a peculiar people, the apple of God's eyes, his very masterpiece and he said the sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night because he shall preserve your soul even forever more and the most important part? He never sleep nor slumber! Life will test you Situations will try to squeeze you Your faith will be tried Everything will want to make you believe the opposite of the embodiment of wonders that you are and the beautiful life that you've been gifted by God but don't you ever believe it. Walk with your head held high Knowing that no matter how strong things might seem, you'll always overcome!

This afternoon, a man rushed to my parents to cry about the business he wanted to start.  He bought equipments and stuffs to start a block industry but didn't have a land yet to begin. He kept the equipments somewhere pending when he got the site for business. Months past, he still hasn't gotten a site and he has started paying huge amounts for storing his equipments where he did. So many of us have made great financial mistakes and most times it's because we didn't really take our time to make research before investing our money. We're quick to spend either for emotional reasons or just because we have it. Nothing beats proper research.  That it's working in point A and for A, doesn't meant it will work at point B for B. From MMM, to Agrofarming, to forex, to importation, to storage or purchasing cars or motorcycle and giving out to drivers, to opening up businesses and handing it over to be run by people. I learnt a very good financial lesson f...

Stop stop stop Do not be in a hurry to take actions or make decisions Do not be quick to pour out your problems and challenges That listening ear may not be the shoulder to lean on as you think, it might be the next broadcaster of your affairs. A Lady came to my Mum to talk about a major family challenge she heard heard from her friends outside. It was all advice of different shades mixed with curses and what she would've done and more. Of course she says she's a friend of the family, claimed to have come to our defence when the issue was discussed, but her choice of words and actions in our house, said otherwise. Not everyone giving advice or running to you when you have problems really care. Some are coming to see the truth of the story for themselves Some are coming to get better information to pass on. Some are there to comfort and support you Some others are thinking of how to finish you completely and even take what you have. It doesn't matter how long a p...

Love is a big deal oh It doesn't see all the million differences when it catches you Tribe, religion, class, age, shape Love doesn't see those difference. One of such is that of profession. As a Lawyer who's married to a Medical Laboratory Scientist/Lecturer, I've experienced this alot. Hubby loves to read alot and of course I do too But then, imagine hubby reading and I try to join him in love. Very laughable because I see the words, all written in English language, I read them, but don't ask about my understanding them. How about having those cool times of chilling and chatting with hubby and he begins to show me some test results, trying to explain. I just end up doubling over every damn time but thankfully, hubby is patient enough to explain in lay man's terms. The same applies when I begin to dish out legal terms and maxims. At least I get the opportunity to shine as well, and also teach him something new. Imagine each spouse trying to explain s...

I'm lying on the bed shivering, but here I am still giving my younger brothers bombastic side eye. Yesterday I got knocked down by malaria, such that I've been on the bed. You know how it is in African homes; you're only given the royal treatment when you're ill and that's what I've been receiving. Trust your siblings to always hang around at these times not necessarily because they love you so deeply, although that might account for a fraction of reasons but trust me, siblings mostly hang around to help the supposed ill person eat up all the goodies he gets. This afternoon, Mum made fried rice with some tasty  😋 protein but as is common to illness, I had no appetite. Mum was barely out of sight when my siblings bounced on the bowl of deliciousness. My eyes were doing alot of shooting but even if I could manage to mutter the strength to get up, my mouth wouldn't have supported me. Well, I can't wait to be on my feet again and have these guys...

I woke up to loads of new month messages and like deja Vu, I recalled we were shouting 'Happy new year' days ago. Alot has happened and is still happening and the most amazing is how fast time is flying. Some are already beating themselves up as to what they've been able to achieve so far, dreading the ember months already. Remember however that some are yet to find their bearing, some have caved in business wise and in everyway possible, some are even outrightly dead! You have breath, you've been making efforts, you still are making efforts. It's a new month to celebrate your little wins. Those things you consider little are serious prayer points to so many who would give anything to have those accomplishments. Applaud yourself today. YOU DON TOO TRY!