The Good Life

Mummy AB was such a bubbling life force, always smiling, cheeful and kind. Never has a fight with anyone or an unkind word to say to or about another. Woke up one morning, exchanged pleasantries with neighbours, opened her shop for business and said she was going home for a quick breakfast. She never returned. She died of cardiac arrest. Her death was quite a shocker cos one minute she was walking about her shop and the next the doctor was confirming her dead. Her husband died two years before and so her two teenage sons were by her death, orphaned. Two weeks later, I'm sitting at her wake keep and listening to her son and loved ones talk about how wonderful a woman she was. A few tears here and there . The clergyman crowned it by giving a heart rending sermon. And as they sang hymns, prayer was made for refreshments. In the next instant the atmosphere moved from solemn to 'fastest fingers first' Bottles were moving left right Plates of food were exchanged Trays...

'For God so loved the world,that he gave...' God loved =  God gave If a man also loves = man will give. I once dated a guy who all through the duration of that relationship, I couldn't point to one thing I got out of it. The day I knew I had entered one chance was the day he came asking me to help lie to his Mum about the money in his possession because she was asking him for some money and he didn't want to part with his money. A person who lies to his Mum just so he won't give her, what hope was there for me? Some will say be what you want him to be first. Relax, I can't count the things I did for this person, from getting him a face, to wristwatch, countless clothes, got him to start building himself a house, got him to begin his masters degree program... And then I met my husband! He redefined love with his selflessness Always giving, so much so that I began doubting if I understood what it meant to really give. He gave and taught me again to giv...

This year, Christmas came early! See the lights going up Colours everywhere The stores are already filled with beautiful dresses The streets are already glowing up with lightings. The jingle bells are already ringing. Christmas is indeed coming early for us. For a people whom the system seems to be harassing at every given turn From the minute you open your eyes for the day till you close them, and even in your sleep you still fear the unknown . Christmas therefore affords the people the opportunity to hope, to dream and believe for a better tomorrow To have they can still pull through no matter what To celebrate the today they have and the things they also have. To some it might be the routine ritual To others it's a season to make money To the vast majority, it's an opportunity to celebrate and keep hope alive. Merry Christmas in advance!

What's the reason behind the tacky behaviour on display in our time? You're good friends with a person, you both are practically everywhere together and then, there's some falling out; next thing you're online ranting. How about those in relationships or marriage? One minute you're both dancing to Celine Dion and Ed Sheeran,next minute is fight and the blogs would begin to have a field day on informations or negative and hard words that get exchanged. Is there a problem with just staying cordial with people when the 'ships' sail? You mustn't continue being in each other's business if you choose, but you could at least be civil about your interactions. If for any little misunderstanding your mouth becomes the outlet for every detailed news about the other party, then this is some serious character flaw. Not all relationships must end the way we want it to and if for whatever reason the relationships we're in fades, then know that it ha...

God had done so much miraculous things for my family, so hubby decided we do a family thanksgiving. And so we went to church, singing, dancing, bearing fruits of appreciation and to cap it all we gave our testimonies to the glory of God. It was such a joyful time in God's presence. Fortunately and unfortunately, a staff in my kids school attends our church and after the thanksgiving, hubby and I became marked people. By the end of service that day, she called me aside to tell me of her million woes and financial assistance. That day onwards, it seemed she'd always wait at the school gate for whenever we're dropping off or picking the kids; trying to make conversations, pleasantries, random crazy hugs, chatty chatty chatty... Well, today after service, she walked up to me with a smile and told me to go home and teach the kids well cos exam starts tomorrow and she wouldn't want her special students failing. This lady who barely said hi to hubby and I before, s...

Maturity has taught one alot. It's maturity that makes one keep a straight face, nod in agreement to whatever is said, or say nothing completely. Was with an aunty's party today and as the conversation progressed, some persons around kept saying so many wonderful things about themselves, maybe to make people believe they had attained some form of societal class or influence. It's all laughable, watching people lie Or try to impose their opinions on you. How about those who try to control what you do? The younger version of myself always wanted to know what and why and how. I wanted to reason it out or talk it out and if I wasn't comfortable, I debated it. Maturity has however made me realize not every conversation is worth that energy or effort.  Simply nodding and smiling can save you two hours of trying to prove a point. You also don't go about saying everything you hear, see or know. So when the lies start flying to inflate their ego or for whatever r...

Not everyone is in your corner No everyone wants you succeeding. That smile on your face, might be the reason someone's having serious headache. I just read a lady's post of using a friend as referee for a job application, only for the company to call the so called friend and she started pitching her own self for the position. I had a similar experience. Someone I grew up together. Same church. Infact his Mum was a deaconess in my Dad's church and I was very close friends with his immediate younger sister. I was applying for something abroad, used him and my Boss as my referees. He swore he had filled in the form and submitted. Turned out he didn't but kept lying he did. Trust oyibo people, I requested and they showed me my referees. Only one person filled it; my Boss. Thankfully, one referee was enough for the application. Here's another example; Hubby and two of his friends were applying for jobs in a state. Friend A, first got the job in a company. Fr...

 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.                         1 Corinthians 15:33 This Bible passage is so profound, it didn't lie. It's truth has been tested and stands firm. So many circumstances and situations have proven this, and here's another one. We had a childhood friend growing up, his name was Actor. Not really at very young age but our paths crossed around the end of High school to our college days and then afterwards, life happened and everyone went their separate ways. We weren't so close as to frequent each other's homes but we were cool in church. Actor wasn't privileged to go to school, but he was always hustling, doing his best to make ends meet for himself. We never got to meet his family but he was such a lovely soul. Quick to help, always in church and he never came late Always smiling, as I have no memory of him frowning or sad. Actor had it rough, but he was always w...

Na now I come dey actually understand the pains of people wey no dey gree believe online shopping. As you see me so, the mood wey I dey, if anybody mention online shopping near me, I no trust my reaction oh. Oya make I carry gist give una. So my friend Clara birthday dey come up. Plans bin no dey oh but last minute alert enter, so babe come declare birthday bash this kind, two weeks to the day. Na so ladies begin prepare na, nobody won fall hand. I no even know wetin carry me go dey check clothes online oh. Shebi I for jejely enter market as usual? But that spirit wey won try mess up just carry me dey scroll Gbagammmmmm, I sight one mini silver dress like this! I try dodge the temptation oh but by the time I dey wake for next morning na that dress I use speed go order. Dey tell me delivery na 3 days. My people, 3 days delivery, turn one week. E finally reach my hand, dispatch rider say I must pay for delivery. Something wey I include inside payment for the dress? That one n...

You see, truth be told, not everyone needs help. Some are crying out for clout, To be noticed and given attention. Some cry out because they believe there's a bigger market to 'help them'. A woman decided to help another woman who has goitre and has been crying on social media for help. Lady A took it upon herself to get lady B and so they went, from government house to individuals, from one parastatal to another. Finally this lady's case caught the attention of some doctors abroad who decided to perform the surgery to remove the goiter at no cost. After tests upon tests, minor expenses on Lady A. Lady B turned down the free surgery and opted to take #300,000 some person contributed towards her surgery. It's the same routine. This time around, it was a mother with tripplet, always begging around with terrible clothing. Lady B met her, was moved and so, she got the beggar lady a house, stocked and furnished the house and gave her some money to start off a...

A lady told the story of how she lost her younger brother to suicide.  Why? How? A boy from the average Nigerian home, with retired parents, managed to scale through his WAEC and then the battle for admission began with JAMB.  First year, second, third and by the fourth, his parents suggested him learning s trade which he humbly accepted. And off he went to Lagos. His family heard very little of him, they communicated once in a long while. Some years down the line, he came home to complain about his Boss and how he was being unfairly treated. Family encouraged him to just conclude his few months of apprenticeship left. Time to be settled, Boss began finding faults, claiming missing goods, further maltreated him. Anything to avoid settling him. Family woke up one money to hear the young man just took his life. I've seen videos circulating online of some Principals, who treat their apprentices like crab just because they want to learn from you. Those meet out physica...

My Grandma always had a slogan that says 'What makes one a man is not the thing in between his legs'. She'd always throw the phrase around whenever my brothers misbehaved. I remember clearly how involved my Dad always was in our growing up and still is as grown ups. He sat with me severally, teaching me handwriting, would always go all out whenever I had a problem and called for his help and even when I don't and somehow he finds out, he'd do his best to smoothen things out. My Dad would wake up every night walk into every room praying for all of us. And of course, my brothers today are walking in his footprints of kindness. Many years later, I'm blessed to be married to another wonderful, kind, hardworking, loving and intentional man. The sacrifices he makes on a daily to make his family and friends happy can only be better described. Today, we do not just acknowledge the men in our lives for the roles they play but we celebrate them and wish to say...

'I do' responded the bribe with shyness and you needed to hear how melodious and angelic she sounded. Ahhhhhhhh The priest now asked the couple to read the vow they wrote for each other. That's where they finished everything. I heard lines and verses that seemed like the heavenly cherubs helped compose And I thought I knew how to butter my hubby up with words! When they even vowed to follow each other into the afterlife, I quickly turned to give my husband the look of  'Ehen, what about you Sir?' How about when they began the slow couple dance with that smoky misty thing they do nowadays? And to song selections? Just know I shed a tear or two here and there. Magical! That's the word always to be used in describing weddings. The people who said Saturdays are for weddings deserve a place at the right hand of God. Wedding is a time to share love,  To be reminded of how it began, for the married ones And an opportunity to dream up your own fairy tale for...

There are some people who have serious aversion for insects especially some those ones in the house that feels we're co-tenants or they decide to take an evening walk and end up making their way into your house. I'm one of the members of the fear fear committee oh, unfortunately for me, so are my younger brothes. 'See cockroach! See cockroach!!' I screamed at my immediate younger brother. The natural course of action I was expecting was for this young man to lift up something and kill it My beloved people, oga took off oh abandoning me and then the possessed insect decided to start flying around the room at that point in time. The way I ran out of that room!!! In my university days, I once had a male friend come visit and my door was ajar. That was how this unfortunate rat ran into my room and I reciprocated by flying out. I immediately bolted the door from outside and told my friend I wasn't opening the door to let him out until he found that rat AND HE...

Relaxxxxx Will you allow one problem frustrate you? You want to kill yourself cos of the challenges you're facing? Or you're owing so much debts? My Dear, na who die, lose oh. As long as life exists problems will never end Same way you'd never run out of solutions. When one idea fauls, another springs forth One door closes, a window of opportunity opens. One friend leaves, a spouse abandons you, the business goes south Close your eyes and tell yourself everything's gonna be alright. You already know nature abhors vacuum So for everything that left you tell yourself you're getting double and getting better. If it's not going according to your timeline Relax because 'All things are working for your good'. When it all falls in place, you'd forget the heartaches of today. SMILE, EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT!

Hehehe, My kids returned home from school today with a list of things needed for their cultural day in school next week. Looking at this list, I believe it was meant for the whole class not just my two kids. The economy has surely gotten to everyone oh. School said my kids are part of the Igbo cultural group so they're to pay #20,000 for isi-agu, #5,000 for bead amongst other things. Excuse me Sir/Ma, are you sure it's cultural day we're paying for or the kids school fees? Cultural day billings almost #50,000 then how much will we be asked to pay for end of the year party? And to think parents were still asked to bring things for entertainment and refreshments. Abi principal won use us do stock up for Christmas? After perusing the list, I told my kids not to worry cos mummy's got them. I say make I ask simple question oh, shebi no be everybody dey participate for the dancing? Some people need to stay and watch the presentation abi? Principal shouldn't wo...

University days, I had a friend that always wanted to 'look the part'. She was always seen as hot. Same way she was always in my room asking 'Babe what did you cook?' This Babe countless times has spent her last on clothes, perfumes and all that, only to be looking out for how to beg to eat. GenZ, nothing concerns them You borrow shoe You borrow wig from friends You borrow makeup Clothes nkor, borrow. Even the body that is yours, you've found a way to talk like or walk like A or B Where does our real priority lie? When all those things we use in covering up is removed, what will people really see? Is there a depth to our person? Is there a life outside the smoke screen we project? Is there substance to us? What makes us thick? The walk is full of the plastics now You can barely differentiate the real from the fake But time proves all The smoke will be gone and the real will outshine the fake Wear the real you so that when everything fades, we can still f...

It's my life and I'd live it to the fullest. I live my life the way I want and anyone who isn't cool with it should get out of my space. I don't owe anyone, anything... Those are statements made by people who choose not to listen when cautioned. Most times they despice the advice and the adviser. Their pride or stubbornness goes before them, preventing them from listening to the words being said. And then, they fall... We just lost a lady here Two kids and lost her husband almost two years ago. Before the demise of her husband, he wouldn't stop complaining of her drinking habit. She always drank herself to stupor. Well, few days ago, her second son had his birthday and she took to the bottles again. This time around, she didn't make it! It might be a lifestyle advice It might be some business advice Whatever the case, do not be quick to disperse with the counsel of elders or those better experienced than you are.

You see this guy called Brother Justice? He has always been like that oh. Today, God decided to give him a taste of his own medicine. He deals in foodstuff. So as a church, Pastor always asks us members to patronize the business of other members and we only bought from outsiders if we didn't have any member who could deliver on what we wanted. That's how members started buying from him. Guess what? Brother Justice always shortchanged the people. If he wasn't overpricing, he'd selling with faulty measuring cups or reduce the quantities one way or the other. People have complained for so long but pastor allowed everyone to still patronize him. Well, today he brought his craftiness to church. The Pastor blessed the church and when it was time for offering, Brother Justice brought out bundles of cash and searched for the least currency before putting the rest in his pocket and danced to the altar. Close of service and Brother Justice was in tears. What happened?...

You see some people, they're nothing but cunning and crafty. They treat you bad, they try to manipulate you, do so much to hurt you and act as though it's nothing. Manipulative to the core, and when you react, they announce your reaction to the world and play victim. How about those who know you, know where and what's hurting, but go ahead to do those things anyways, then comeback with the crocodile tears asking for forgiveness. Some even mobilize family and friends to join in the apologizing and claim alot of things wrong. Some think that the 'i'm sorry' they casually throw around will cover for powerful scars they've caused in the lives of many. Sometimes, I'm sorry doesn't quite cut it. I had some friends who hurt me so bad in my university days, I literally moved out from living together with them, without their notice. I also forgave them deeply even before they asked and they tried getting our relationship on track, back to what it ...

Everything that has a beginning, has an end Everything hot, must get cold Every problem, has a solution There are situations in life that come and knock us down such that we never believe we'd see the sun again Sometimes hope is so lost you want it all to end Friends who you thought should stand by you, disappoint you The strangers became family while family became strangers. Life throws crazy curves at you Bitter experiences with the sweet ones Sometimes we keep hoping for miracles, wishing and praying Then all if a sudden, the light shines for us. This simply tells us that no matter what's happening, we'll Always win!

Two ladies were fighting yesterday and in a fit of anger, one took aknife and slashed the other ladies. She subsequently bleed to death, however, the most annoying part of it all was that there were other persons present in the room. Let's assume they were scared to come in to separate the ladies fighting because of the weapon one was holding, how about after the lady's hand was cut and they could all see her bleeding profusely as the blood was pumping out of her hand? These people rather than help or call for help, took out their phones and began making videos and posted it online. Of course the lady in question died and this brings me to the point of asking 'where has our humanity gone?' You see accident victims, instead of people helping, they're making videos You see a property burning, instead of helping, they're making videos. You make an honest mistake, instead of corrections, they're making videos Family issues, videos Going out, or just ...

'Baby, you must finish this food oh' That was my husband singing in my ears. Ordinary food, that's what this man won't want me to have peace? I had been telling hubby about my craving for fried rice. Over and over again, I mentioned it but he'd say nothing. Never knew he silently took note of my endless request. Got home from close of work today to find myself face to face with a table of feasting. I was elated to know hubby had been hearing me and acted on it. I wasted no time as I quickly showered, changed up, came downstairs and dove into the meal. It was mad fun And then I was happy at him kind thoughts Moved on to being full, Next thing I was struggling to breath and giving the food bombastic side eyes. I had eaten way past my limit, yet the food was looking like I hadn't even began. Then hubby came with his no wastage of food slogan As I'm typing this, I'm looking for how to escape from the house oh. My people, is it a crime to crave fo...

Ingratitude! Someone gives you 2k after you said you were hungry You look down at it and say 'Ordinary 2k'. Same 2k you didn't have. Someone offers you something, Does a kind gesture for you or to you And you have no thank you to say. You bombarded you Aunt/Uncle with calls and sms  He finally did you that favour The minute you got the mail, you automatically developed amnesia. It's become such a pattern  Such that whenever they see your call coming in, they already know you're calling because you want something. The bad attitude from others that have been helped are the reasons why some persons have stopped helping. Do not be the reason why a channel of help would become shut.

'How dare you? Disrespecting your husband like that on your big day. Just see the way she left her husband standing there blablabla... Here's this young couple who just got married and as a reception gift, the wife's friend brings two of her favourite artists to come perform. Now out of excitement, she goes down on her knees hugging the second artist. For days the internet has been on this couple for that singular act of 'kneeling down'. Well, well, the young husband came online  asking people to leave his wife alone. You see, the internet space left the whole activity of the day, how beautiful the couple looked, how cool the reception was, and the most little everything, became the talk of the day. Generally, this is one of the reasons to marry your friend and a matured mind. 90% of what was written online was a seed of discord. Mind the voices you give a listening ear to if you want to succeed! With everything said online, what was the intention? The h...

It's another Sunday oh This time around it's not shoe disgracing me, Or my son pulling my wig. This time it's my wrapper! The 'Able mothers' in church decided to tie wrapper today with the usual white blouse and gele in celebration of our Daddy G.O's birthday. I told this women that this was a wrong idea from the start but they wouldn't listen. Most especially for us young mothers. They insisted we had to learn and accept wearing wrapper as it was a culture that has been passed down from our mothers to us. Here I was almost lying facedown if not for Brother Benard who was passing by at the time and saved me from the embarrassing fall. Instantly I knew I should've listened to my spirit not to join the women in this hullabaloo. Now see,I paid the hard way. From the glances I'm getting and returning, I'm very certain the women already know there will not be a repeat performance til they kingdom come. On behalf of myself and I, I drink th...

I love love love to cook and everyone around me knows this fact. Based on this love, I always wanna try out new recipe and so, I'm always cooking watching videos or surfing the net for these  new recipe to make . I found out that most videos and even pictures posted online are edited. I've seen some food videos and when I decide to try them I get nothing. I used to wonder at the beauty of some cooked meals until I found out some were that beautiful looking because of how much they were edited. Same is applicable to life. Some persons are literally living in heaven online They have fleet of cars on social media They're walking with the high and mightys of the society Online, it looks like everything they touch turns to gold. After watching this, some persons become pressured and as such, they begin to put themselves into place they shouldn't, do things they also shouldn't just to also look like they're happening. If most people can be privileged to se...

That it's trending doesn't mean it will work for you. Everybody's wearing it doesn't mean it will fit you That they're all doing it doesn't mean that lifestyle will suit you. There's something for everybody Have you found yours? Why are you forcing and squeezing yourself to fit into a certain narrative when you were created and blessed to be exceptional? What works for A, may not work for B Everybody's buying a Benz, so you buy it. Can you maintain it? Everyone is going abroad. So you sell the only land you have, begin the process without knowing the ins and outs. Everybody's having boyfriend, so you join. Now you're pregnant and Baby Daddy's saying he's not interested. Find what suits you, do it Pursue it and diligently follow through You'd find yourself standing out and shinning bright, yo the administration of all.

Everybody wants to be associated with the happy, beautiful and colourful moments,where it's all dancing and all kinds of merriment. However, we forget the other side of the coin. The dark side The low points The times people lose jobs Loosing loved ones The heartbreaks Miscarriage Illness Failures... What do you do at those points? Associate or distance yourself under the guise of 'let the dead bury the dead?' How do you break such news if you're to do the telling? Where's the empathy you're to show? Some persons just disappear from your life at such times. Some others show up to choke you with their words by claiming to give advice or sympathetic words laced with fault finding, accusations or pointing fingers. You may not have all the words but show up and just be that shoulder to lean on. That in itself is enough soothing to any hurting heart.

Social media today has become so vile. Go through the comment section on any post and you'd find someone hurling hurtful words at another because he or she is not of the same opinion. People sit on their invisible thrones of judgement and begin to castigate or write ill about what they have little or no knowledge about. Someone dies they write that they were careless or it's their fault in some type of way, Someone is ill, why spare him when they've lambasted the dead? How much more you're going through some form of misfortune or you unfortunately have bad press about you; it's over! Some days back people were literally writing very insensitive things about Paris Hilton's son, making fun of his head, which is a medical condition that cannot be helped. If it was a thing money could sure, you and I both know she would've long taken care of it, but that's not the case. Even in conditions were people are physically challenged or have some form of...