I SAW PRESIDENT JONATHAN

I saw President GEJ today.

I learnt he’s from a minority group in Nigeria

And that his presidency was prophesied by Chief Obafemi Awolowo

Some people say he’s the best thing that ever happened to Nigeria; Others say otherwise

One thing I know... Leadership is a lot of work

MY PARENTS 24TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY+ TIMI DAKOLO'S PROPHECY

Today is a great day in my life. Maybe it’s because mum decided to walk down the aisle with Dad, this time- exactly 24 years ago. Honestly, Love, much more than a feeling is a decision. I also look forward to ‘deciding’ soon sha but lemme focus on my BSc. Computer Science for now.

Gambia knows Nigeria

He is the exact definition of the word ‘black’. His sharp white eyes, thick lips and funny accent reminded me of the Ibadan kind of 'sikin' yoruba, I always looked forward to hearing him speak and honestly, each time he did, I was reminded of home.

IYA ALAGBADO (…the corn seller)

Buy Corn, Buy Corn, Sweet Corn, Buy Corn…I was passing by her shop when I heard her voice. It was very hot in the afternoon; she was frying fish at one side of her shop and cooking corn at the other side. If you’re like me, you’ll wonder what relationship exists between fried fish and cooked corn.

Work Hard. Live Hard. Love Hard (…the past 10.5 months of my life)

Really, words fail to express the exact way I feel right now. This is that moment when you look back and safely conclude the essence of ‘Work’ is to ‘Live’ and the essence of living is to ‘Love’.

ON BOKO HARAM ACTIVITES…

*Opinions expressed in this post are personal and the stories represent the fictitious imaginations of the writer

Amina had to go back to school for her exams. She was a SSS3 science student, like I was some 5 years ago. She went back to write a core science subject, Physics. There was so much insecurity where her school was located but since they had not written Physics, they were called back to write it by the local officials. She looked forward to writing it too, in preparation of Ahmadu Bello University’s October admission exercise. Aisha, another science student was back in the dormitory on Tuesday morning in preparation for her Physics WASSCE, she convinced her skeptical parents to allow her to write it. Sofia, was in her room all through Tuesday morning and afternoon, she had very serious menstrual pains and she just had to stay still on her bed. I hear her telling her mother on the phone not to worry about her health, she was determined to write the exam despite the sharp uterine pain. Mr Kangi, the guard had left his wife at home with Abubakar, his 1-month baby and Kaffy, his 3yr old daughter-he had worked in the school as the guard for 5 years and he collected N15, 000 per month, though very small, it was enough to take care of his family’s hospital bills in a government hospital and put food on their table.

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They were all at one location, Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Bornu State when suddenly, a loud gunshot was heard, Mr Kangi, the guard jumped on his feet and went out to see what was happening. A masked guy placed a bullet right through his chest, he fell and died immediately. Well, we know the remaining story, about 240 girls were kidnapped from the school dorm by a terrorist group and rumor has it that some of them have been taken to Cameroon and others Chad, some say a number of the girls have been married while others think they’re hidden in a forest. Just when I was pouring out my anger about the present Nigerian State on my poor roommate who had no answers to my “why” questions, I heard of the Nyanya bombing that killed about 20 people....yes, the same Nyanya station that was bombed and took 80 lives some 3 weeks ago.

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My questions: What is wrong with Nigeria?... Or rather, What is not wrong with Nigeria? Where are the girls? Is it a crime to be Nigerian?

These are girls, like me…. these are young women who, despite the insecurity  and shootings in Bornu decided to still write their exams, these are children of some parents… and yes, they are sisters too. Why is this happening? Why are we still looking for them 2 weeks after? All I can hear is that the acts are condemned by Senator whatever and President GEJ and that investigation is going on…before nko? So is condemnation  of  the act what we want to eat? Bring back our girls jare! Excuse me, can’t we for once just get results in this country.  Almost all the sectors of this country are very highly densely flawed. Please what does the IG of police have to say? At least, he’s the chief security officer of his nation, I suppose.  The Nigerian State has thrown many into wailings and cries….why exactly is Nigeria not working? Why? Ki lo de?

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Well, I’ll open the almost-closed arms of optimism and hope for a better Nigeria. Somewhere in my mind, I see a better Nigeria, I see a Nigeria where the nations of the world flock into, I see the green passport becoming the most-desirable passport in the whole world, I see results-driven people in Leadership, I see men and women stand up and take their place, I see small businesses sprout and bloom, I see improved health care, I see transparency in our political system, I see our economy bloom like the morning glory. I see it, I see it

A man I respect a lot once told me that for things to work, it takes God and determined conscious efforts. I think God is a constant, He will do his part, but it is left for us to take our places and do our part. I think with a made-up mind, with election of capable people into government (not by how good their name sounds), with reduced complaining and lamenting and with DETERMINED CONSCIOUS EFFORTS by EVERY NIGERIAN, we will get to the promised land.

We owe our children, the next generation, a Nigeria that works...Honestly, we do.

May God help us all.

HIV TEST: IF I TEST POSITIVE (Ending Part)

(I should start by apologizing that this part is coming late.  I have been occupied with a lot of things, work, deadlines, etc. etc and I have been doing more of talking than writing… I’m sorry I kept you waiting this long. You can check below to read the first part of this story. Apologies accepted, right? Thank you. Plenty love!)

Well, I knew I was going to face my fear.

I stood up and a surge of determination rose up in me. It was time to test for HIV. I walked up to the local testing centre (NACA) at Obafemi Awolowo University, my heart skipping beats at regular intervals.

I entered the building and was directed to a young man who was going to do HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) for me; I smiled widely at him, though behind the smile, I was thinking “God, it won’t be funny if I have HIV oh”.

HIV TEST: IF I TEST POSITIVE…

Thank God it was a dream. I wiped sweat off my forehead; my heartbeat had increased to twice its normal rate; I was very afraid. I had dreamt that my neighbor tested for HIV and she was positive. I saw myself consoling her and asking her to go to another testing center to confirm the result. I was really sweating when I woke up, my pillow was soaked. Well, I know the dream came as a result of my subconscious activities. I had meditated and thought and pondered on HIV till I dreamt of it. Mind you, that was the second dream I had about HIV.

Since my eyes were open, it was time for my morning devotion. I muttered words to God in my morning prayer, but the fear of the dream and the fear of HIV was still there. I decided to jump off my bed to talk loudly and audibly to God, such that my cries will not only drive the fear but beg for some grace from God. I walked to and fro, and shouted at fear, praying and telling God I didn’t want to test for HIV out of fear, but out of the understanding that I should know what my status is.

Before that judgmental part of you comes out, unprotected sex is not the only way to contract HIV, other ways could include sharing of sharp needles (which a lot of ladies do at the hair salons),  among others. My mind did well to remind me of times when my hair stylist pricked my scalp with needles (though they were majorly mine) and times when I had minor cuts from cooking knives that were not mine. My risk factors were few, but trust me, they could have been more than this  (I know what I speakest :)).

After the high-toned, fear-binding, tongue-strolling prayer, I waited to hear God; I was thinking He’ll tell me to forget about HIV jare and face other spiritual and academic things, but instead the thought came to me: ‘Simi, why don’t you go for your HIV test?’. Immediately, I remembered the saying that: ‘One way to combat fear is by doing that exact thing you are afraid of’.

*Whew*- The characteristic big sigh that precedes every major decision.

Was I ready to face this fear?

(Part 2 in a bit! *winks*)

FOOTPRINTS- Margaret Fishback Powers

There are times when things go hard; times when things get tough; times when giving up looks like the best option. I came across this poem at a 'tough time' and it was just what I needed at that time. I hope you draw some strength from it.

One night I dreamed a dream.

I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I notice two sets of footprints in the sand,

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me

I looked back at the footprints in the sand

And to my surprise,

I noticed that many times along the path of my life

There was only one set of footprints.

I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life.

This always bothered me

And I questioned the Lord

about my dilemma

‘Lord, you told me when I decided to follow You,

You would walk and talk with me all the way.

But I’m aware that during the most troublesome

Times of my life there is only one set of footprints.

I just don’t understand why, when I needed you most, You leave me.’

He whispered, ‘My precious child,

I love you and will never leave you

Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints

It was then that I carried you.’

God is always there -in the good times, the bad times and the ugly times. He doesn’t leave when things get tough, He stays and carries us right in His arms. Oh! What a caring Father!

ABORTION: IS IT REALLY MURDER?

I was at home with mum and my brothers one cool evening when we decided to check through the new materials and books that had arrived the previous day from the United Kingdom.

TALL, DARK, HANDSOME AND RICH! (3)

And that was it, we just needed a spark.

We had sex, sex and more sex till I missed my period.

I was pregnant.

Whose baby? Biodun asked. “Yours, of course” I blurted out. That was the biggest shock of my life! Can you imagine? We had been sleeping  together and he still opened his mouth to ask me that dumb question.

TALL, DARK, HANDSOME AND RICH! (2)

The day to see Biodun finally came. I woke up that morning with my heart pounding. I dreamt that he got married to me and another woman on the same day, but I wore a red gown while the other woman wore  a white gown. “What could this dream mean?” I wondered. Well, I shoved away the lingering thoughts of the dream and prepared breakfast with Westlife’s Flying without wings playing from my laptop.

TALL, DARK, HANDSOME AND RICH! (1)

*sobbing*

He looked into my eyes that evening at the hospital and said “Mide, I’ll never let you go”. At that, I smiled widely, showing my gap tooth, with my lips giving way to a full spread, not knowing what lay ahead of me.

Let’s do a quick rewind.

Similolu's Blog : NIGERIA 4-3 MOROCCO

Similolu's Blog : NIGERIA 4-3 MOROCCO: I grew up among males, … My Pastor Dad watches ball as if he were in the stadium and he includes match details in his sermon if need be. ...

NIGERIA 4-3 MOROCCO

I grew up among males,…My Pastor Dad watches ball as if he were in the stadium and he includes match details in his sermon if need be. The passion with which he analyses ball can be compared to Keshi’s technical crew and I pray someday he coaches Nigeria to win the world cup…(I hope he doesn’t see this, I love you dad). My brothers like ball too and yes…I like football. My favorite club is Chelsea FC and my favourite team is erm….yes!…the Super Eagles of Nigeria (feeling patriotic).

So what happened on Saturday between Nigeria and Morocco?

Morocco had beaten Nigeria, it was 3-0.

Psychology experts tell us that continued/repeated success boosts morale and continued/repeated failure dampens morale. If we go by this analogy, at the end of the first half, the morale of the Nigerian team should have been so dampened such that Morocco would have scored even more goals in the second half….but the reverse happened. Nigeria’s Uzochukwu slot in the ball into the net, Rabiu Ali came around at the right time and put the ball where it was supposed to be at that time, Ejike Uzoenyi did his thing on the dot of the 90^th minute…and just at the extra time, Abubakar Ibrahim’s strike into the net made all the difference.

I learnt something from all this: NEVER GIVE UP!

There are times truly in one’s life where it looks like all hope is gone. That moment when you’re in your finals and you check your result to see a 1.2CGPA; That moment when the doctor hands you the pink slip and you discover it’s a cancer afterall; That moment when the guy/lady you planned to spend your entire life with walks away; That moment when you miscarry that baby whom you had started to love with all your heart; That moment when you wished you were  dead….such moments come in life but if there’s one lesson we should take through life, it is this: Don’t ever give up. We’ve got to learn to fight and not to take flight. Honestly, I’ve had times when I took flight but had to come back to fight. I’m still learning how to fight, I’m learning that true strength is born in those times of weakness. I’m learning not to run from issues, but to face and deal with them; I’m learning how to give ”one more push”. Who knows? The baby may come out at that push. Who knows? The fight may be a triumphant fight against cancer, Who knows?...who, who knows?

So, I’ll face life head on and stay on the battlefield. I’ll pick up the fragments of courage that kept me till this present time and with God, the source of my strength, I’ll be the last man standing!

SEX...AND SO F****** WHAT?

I stared at him in unbelief.” No, this cannot be true”, I said to myself. He continued talking “yes, that’s where grace comes in, after committing a sin; you ask God to  forgive you and you move on; Simi, do you think sexual sins are so grievous that God won't forgive? Each time I have sex with a lady, I ask for forgiveness and I move on with life”. I was shocked at the statement. This was a discussion with a ”Christian” friend who told me about how grace will always cover his sins.

Just when I left him, wondering the manner of men we have in this world, I met another “church” guy who asked me out and promised to give me the deepest kiss of my life the day I give him a yes, all the while I was talking to him, he was busy paying attention to my lips and it was obvious that he got attracted to what he could see only and not the woman in me. Shock was an understatement this time around; I was shaken to my foundations. I left that day promising myself never to even mistakenly mention the word “Yes” to him even in our subsequent casual conversations.

This morning, a friend, Favour Omoruyi posted something on Facebook. He said “if there is one thing the church has always done, it is to keep quiet on some sensitive and important issues... I feel the time of silence is long over”. We don’t really talk much about Sex in church; some people even feel that the word “Sex” should not be mentioned in the Church because the Church is a “holy ground” but wait… who created Sex? Who made it an act of worship to Him between a man and a woman within the sacred confines of marriage? Is it not God? So why do we act as though sex is so unholy and dirty?

Well, I've learned not to argue scriptures... it's a waste of time to do so, but I am of the opinion that grace is not a license to sin; grace is a teacher. The bible says the grace of God that brought salvation has appeared to all men,TEACHING us that having denied impiety and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, and justly, and piously in the present course of things. Grace does not tolerate sin, grace teaches us to live right. So, if I would answer the first guy, I would say God is not a fool; we cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound.  God forgives truly… but God should not be taken as a fool

And to the second guy, I’ll doff my hat to the guy who looks beyond a lady’s curves, hip, lips and fingertips and looks into her heart and her soul to discover the woman she is. I’ll respect a guy who is not only attracted to the way I look, but to my potentials, my abilities, a guy who will sow seeds to see me grow, a guy who will look into my eyes when my dark long hair has turned gray and my smooth chocolate African skin has wrinkled and still see the beauty in me.

Enough of these panting after a woman’s body like it is oxygen, enough of these Sex craziness in our culture… we need men and women to rise, people that despite the decadence in our society will stick to God’s word and wait for sex till marriage. We need men that will make up their minds to stay faithful to God and their spouses despite the raging hormones and nude ladies all over the place and women that will stand firm in decency and never compromise their stand.

 May God help us all.