Pot of wisdom
Wisdom is one quality that everyone finds attractive. I mean who doesn't love too see people who are epitomes of wisdom. If we so love wisdom and want the acquire it, then I think it is right that we look at the African folklore of how wisdom came to be. There are different versions to this story but they all tell thesame thing. I'll just tell the version told to me by my beautiful grandma
In the beginning of creation, there was nothing like wisdom. Both man and animal lived anyhow they wished without thinking things through. No one had the art of philosophising because the wisdom to do so wasn't there. God looked upon the earth and it's inhabitants and decided that it would be good to spice it up with the gift of wisdom. So he gave his messenger a pot filled with wisdom with an instruction to take the pot to earth and spread it's content on the man.
The angel on getting to earth got distracted by the beauty of God's creation. He decided to keep the pot along a lonely pathway and survey the beautiful earth after which he would continue his journey. The pathway was used by both man and animal. On returning to complete his mission, the angel discovered that the pot was missing.
The pot was picked by Mr. Turtle who was on his way to the farm. He was attracted to the elegant beauty of the pot and so decided to take it home. When he got home, he peered into the pot and his eye was opened to wisdom.
Mr. Turtle decided to use the pot as a tool to make wealth. He began to give wisdom to the rich in exchange for their riches.
He soon became the most sought after wealthy animal in the world. He would always carry the pot of wisdom on his back anywhere he went. No one had access to the pot except him.
It did not take long Mr Turtle started making enemies. The poor men and animals that could not afford to buy wisdom began to hold meetings on ways to steal the pot of wisdom from Mr Turtle. Their mission to steal the pot always turned abortive because the wise Turtle took the pot every where it went. They soon gave up on the dreams of getting wisdom.
One day Mr Turtle embarked on a long-distance journey. As usual he had the pot of wisdom with him. He met a monkey on the way. The monkey had heard so much about Mr Turtle and the pot of wisdom, so he decided to attack Mr Turtle and obtain the pot from him.
In a bid to prevent the pot of wisdom from being stolen by Mr monkey, Mr Turtle climbed up a tree but was unlucky followed by the monkey. They soon began to struggle over the pot. Amid their struggle, the pot fell from the tree and broke into pieces. The contents of the pot spilled out and spread throughout the world. Mr turtle lost his only means of income and in exchange, wisdom became available to everyone in the world.
Because Mr Turtle has refused to reconcile himself with the truth that his source of income had vanished, he bought an ordinary pot from the market and paraded it about to people as the pot of wisdom. Mr Turtle still has the pot on his back till today.
Because both man and animal did not know that the pot of wisdom has broken, they still go about seeking wisdom. This is the end of our story.
Well let me ask us all a question. Are you among those who still go about looking for wisdom? If the answer is yes, then seek no more for wisdom is already there with you. You just have to start making use of it.
I hope you did enjoy this story of how wisdom came to be. If you would like to hear more African folklores, comments below and I will gladly be of service in bringing to you more tales.
Thanks for reading 💖
`All images are from Google`
My grevious mistake
Have you ever done something before an later comes back to regret your actions? If yes, then you can certainly guess how I feel now.
Today I decided to rearrange the house and maybe get rid of old or unwanted stuff when I came across one of my old art book. I was instantly filled with regrets the moment I started flipping through the pages of that book.
I had the drawing book when I was still in high school. My school was not one that taught fine arts. I just had a natural talent for drawing. I remember having lots of drawing books at my disposal because I literally made sure to draw something everyday. I was obsessed other maybe in love with art. Not to be boastful but I always thought myself a good artist. I just needed a little training to perfect my use of the pallette. It's so sad I gave up on the dream.
I wanted to study fine arts after I left high school but the dream was vehemently kicked against by my loved ones. I was told it was a going to be a waste being an artist in a country where art is not even appreciated. I would be a pauper. I was encouraged to pick something better to do. In the long run, I chose to study Law. Well I'm in love with my career choice but I just wish I hadn't given up on drawing. Maybe I could become a lawyer artist.
My worst mistake was listening to these excuses. Not listening to myself to not abort such beautiful dream. But I still try to see positivity in my giving up artwork. Maybe if I had pursued fine arts, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to study Law. I mean it is such an interesting thing to do as well. At least in the near future I can boast of the number of skills I'm able to pull off. How many lawyers can draw, sew clothes and still practice at the same time. This is just me trying to reduce the level of regret in me. Perhaps I will pick up my artwork again. Only then will I be at peace with myself.
I know I must have been lucky enough to be blessed with a crafty mind. All the skills I have today were products of my curiosity. Nobody taught me. I can sew different things like clothes and bags, and I'm also a beadmaker. I only had to watch one or two DIY YouTube videos to perfect those skills. It's helped my financial life. Now imagine if I had diligently included being a fine artist to the list. If I had just perfected that art, maybe I would also have had another source of income. This is exactly where my regret comes from. The money might even be enough to finish Law school.
Even though I did give up on my dream of being an artist, the spirit never left me. I still find myself drawing in my notebooks. I'm still good in it. Maybe I just need to start again. I will try and perfect my skills but I just regret not doing it earlier.
I know that there is absolutely no need crying over spilt milk, so I'm going to be as fast as a flash of lightening in reviving this old dream of mine. I'm still young enough to kick some ass in the drawing world. Almost all the pictures in the drawing book was still in progress when I gave up. I will strive to bring them to perfection.
My candid advice to everyone of this readland family is to never give up on a dream you have. Or maybe of you really want to give up, look towards the future and see what your dreams would look like if accomplished. Maybe then you'll never give up. Only give up if the dream have nothing to offer you in the future.
Light at the end of the tunnel
`This is a fictional story`
The people were filled with delight. Election would be in a few days. Everyone had their voters card ready to vote in Chief Kosa as their leader. He had been their light at the end of the tunnel. Ever since he came back from abroad, he had strived to better the lives of the people.
The people who had been scarred by the previous governments of the country found hope in Chief Kosa. When he declared interest in being the leader, the people were more than delighted. Even though he was not yet instated as a leader, he set up a scholarship program for the children who could not afford to attend school because of lack. Farmers and business owners were offered enough capital to ensure increase in production and sales.
During the campaign period, everyone joyfully campaigned for Chief Kosa. He shared various food items as well as money to the people with the promise to do more if he emerges as a leader.
Since the people had known him as a philanthropist, they believed that he would deliver them from the evil claws of the previous government that has drained them completely.
When the election results were announced, Chief Kosa had the leading votes. He was soon sworn in as the leader. The people were overjoyed.
The first tenure of Chief Kosa's leadership was used in bettering the people's lives. Youths were empowered, job opportunities were created, roads were rebuilt and the cost of living made better. The people were happy to be finally blessed with good leadership.
Chief Kosa's second tenure in office opened the people's eye to their reality. He became engrossed in gaining back all that he had spent on the people. Life became harder on the people. Governmental corruption thrived, taxes were multiplied and the national cake looted by Chief Kosa. He practically turned away from the people.
The people were hit with the late realization that all glitters was not gold. Chief Kosa just like every other politicians had used their weak point against them. He gave them what they craved most so he wouldn't get what he wanted. Now he was better at making promises than fulfilling them. Filling his pocket with the country wealth was his major concern. Chief Kosa had played them and they could do nothing but regret.
One could say that the politicians who are represented in this fictional story by Chief Kosa are infested by the incurrabel bad disease of politics after they must have ascended office or that they already have their personal motives but first cash in on the the people's weakness. When these people come to solicit our votes, they present their most innocent sides to us. We begin to see the good in them and probably start to hope that they would better our lives if we vote them into the government.
Corruption has eaten so deep into the political system that we have begun to pray for God's intervention in helping is choose effective leaders.
The only hope people have is that one day, a God fearing leader who cares about the people's plight and who would not be influenced or infected by the evil disease of power, will emerge. One day such a person will emerge and wipe the national of it's corruption. He would be the poor masses' light at the end of the tunnel.
There is no way such a person would come into power if he is not elected. It is the same election that brings corrupt people into power that also brings righteous people into power. It is better to never loose hope. Keep participating actively in election and never loose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel but as you vote, think about the people you are exercising your franchise. Make sure they are worth that vote
`All images are copyright of unsplash.com`
Teach them while they are young
Are you in a position of authority? A position where you are privileged to impact knowledge on people especially small children. Then you really need to teach them the importance of being kind and giving to people who are in lack.
As a parent or care giver, you give yours toddler an edible and asks him or her to share with you but they refuse. They also refuse to share anything with others. Do you think it is right for you to always laugh it off. It may not matter to you at that moment but you need to realise that they would think they are doing the right thing if not coreected. They are kids and whatever you teach them at that stage sticks with them. They will not learn to give when they are already older no matter how hard you try because the foundation was not laid for them.
Sometimes you bargain with your child to perform house chores in exchange for money. You ask your child to wash plates for a dollar note. Who do you think will perform those house works for you in the future if you have no money to pay for the services? You might as well pay them salaries for performing their duties as your kids.
It is at a younger age that people are moulded on the right attitudes to possess. When do not teach these children the right way to behave, they might turn out to be thorns on your flesh in the future or maybe thorns on the flesh of others. You begin to show regret for not moulding them into better responsible people.
A popular story is always told around my locality about a woman who spoiled her son to a fault. When her son was younger, she paid him for every task he performed in the house and when she did not, he would take the money from her purse without informing her. She knew he takes her money but never bothered to correct it. Soon she began to get reports from neighbors that whenever they send the boy on errands, he would demand for money and if they refused to give him any, he would make sure to destroy any of their properties that he laid his hands on. His mother would always laugh it off and say, "he is being childish, he will outgrown the behaviour".
The boy never outgrew this attitude. He grew up to become a menace to the society. He stole from everyone including his mother and soon became an armed robber. He was eventually shot dead by the police. It was only then that his mother realized that her son will never be able to change for the better.
Just like the boy in this story, there are lots of people who show different levels of unmannered behaviors most of which are occasioned by their upbringings. I'm not saying that all unruly behaved individuals are products of bad parenting but most of them are. Sometimes they may not end up as menace to the society. Some of them show uncultured behaviours like being rude to people especially their elders and treating the people they consider beneath them as trash. This attitude can also be exhibited towards their parents
Imagine having a child who lacks simple respect for you. Isn't everything wrong with that especially when you are the one who has taught your child to be rude. If your child has grown up in such a way that he or she thinks it is right not to give, do you think that when you are old and lacking, you can depend on them? Even if they give you, it will be considered by them as a debt you owe which you must eventually pay back or earn their wrath.
It is better to train your child to be an embodiment of good values and behaviour so that even if they derail from the right path you have set for them. It will be known that you tried your best but they chose their own path. Your conscience will be at ease that you tried everything you could to see that you raised a responsible person.
Thanks for reading💖
Some silly Nigerian superstitions
Every society is filled with superstitious beliefs most of which makes absolutely no sense when thought about. Well that's why they are called superstition, because they defy normal occurrence and are most times not proven to be true. Today, I've decided to be sharing some of these superstitious beliefs that I grew up with. A typical Nigerian child must have grown up with these belief. As one grows up, he can't help but feel that most of these childhood superstitions were meant as educational instruments. I would go ahead to list some of these superstitions.
1. Passing between people on the road
It is said that when you are walking on the road and pass between two or more people walking in the opposite direction, you will be charmed. This superstition arose in a bid to make people conscious of being kidnapped. Till today, most of us have developed it as a habit not to pass between people.
2. Itchy palms
It is believed that when your palm begins to feel itchy, someone is about to give you money. Most people claim this superstition to work for them. We all would have been billionaires if it worked for everyone.
3. Crossing leg.
This comes in two versions. It is said that if you cross over a pregnant woman's legs, you will give birth to a child that looks like the person. The second version of that it is a bad thing to let others cross over your leg. If you let them, you will give birth to a child with no limbs. If someone crosses over your leg, the remedy is to have them cross back
4. Seeing ghosts
It is said that when you bend down and peep at people through your legs, you will be able to tell if they are humans or spirits. The spirits would walk with their head upside-down. There is a common warning is not to so it though. You could get knocked by a spirit and probably turn into one
5. Sore throat
If you have a sore throat, it is probably because you spit on the floor and someone stepped on it or you spat on your toilet waste. Also to stop a sore throat, spit on your urine and step on it.
6. Eating in the dark
This is forbidden. It is believed that if you eat in the dark, you are giving an opportunity to spirits to eat with you and this could lead to your death or grave sickness
7. Eating from the ground
When your food falls to the ground, you should not pick it as the devil or your ancestors have eaten it.
8. Whistling at night
Whistling at night is believed to attract evil spirits and snakes. The evil spirits would follow you till daybreak
9. Answering to call without seeing the person calling
If you hear your name and answer to it without seeing the person that called, you have just answered a ghost's call and will eventually die unless you repeat the statement 'i reject your call' three times
10. Sneezing
It is believed that when you sneeze uncontrollably, it means someone is calling your name somewhere or probably gossiping about you
11. Using a mirror at night
It is also said that when you look at yourself in the mirror at night, you attract an evil spirit that reside in mirrors. The evil spirit is said to always posses mirrors at night in hopes of finding an unfortunate human to possess.
12. New borns seeing themselves in mirrors
It is believed that when you make a newborn to look at him/herself in the mirror, the child would eventually die after a few days. Stories are always told of babies who died because of this but no one has ever seen them happen.
13. Adults spitting on the ground
When an adult sends you on an errand and spits on the ground, the belief that that you have to be back before that spit dries up else your belly button will dry and wither away. This was in a bid to make kids to be fast while running errands.
I'm sure there are lots of other superstitious beliefs that you had as a child. I would be glad to see you drop them in the comments section
Thanks for reading 💖
All images are subject to Google
Sociatal challenges in Nigeria
According to Wikipedia, 'social issue is a problem that affects many people within a society. It is a group of common problems in present-day society and ones that many people strive to solve. It is often the consequence of factors extending beyond an individual's control'. They are usually issues viewed by some part of the society as right and by other parts the society as morally wrong and detrimental.
Many countries of the world or rather every country in one way or the other face social issues some of which are great threat to the sovereignty of that country. Nigeria as a country made of people in diversity faces a lot of social challenges and issues most of which has led to clamours for Independence by most aggrieved ethnic groups. Some of these issues that have threatened and are still threatening the existence of the country includes:
FULANI HERDSMEN ATTACK
These are constituted by herdsmen from the northern part of the country. They were once peaceful cattle rearers who move from place to place in search of pasture for their cattle. Their menance first started as aclash with farmers of the Eastern Nigeria who were aggrieved by the fact that the herdsmen's cattle were grazing off their farms. Soon they began to carry deadly weapons around, threatening and killing easterners. Their activities still persists today as they have taken over various forests in the east where they retreat to after each killing spree. They usually carry out their activities at night when the unsuspecting farmers must have gone to bed. People wake up in the morning to the news of killings and burning of houses at night occasioned by them. A lot of farmers and innocent villagers has been displaced because of their activities.
Nothing meaningful has been done to stop this menace as their weapons keep upgrading yearly.
UNKNOWN GUNMEN ATTACKS
Nobody knows what these people are constituted of. They operate like smoke and their activities is spread all over Nigeria. One moment you are walking peacefully on the road and the next moment they strike. They leave tons of dead bodies in their wake. Nobody knows how they operate. Nigerians have turned to know them as the 'un-gun known men'. Sometimes they engage in kidnapping, killing and cutting of body parts for sale. They are the most brutal set of havoc we know appart from the Boko Haram group which is now becoming an old case.
People out there do hope that something can be done about these killers who appear and disappear as phantom smokes. They have remained a hard nut for the country to crack
I.P.O.B
The Indigenous People Of Biafra(IPOB) group which has been declared by the federal government as a terrorist group and a threat to Nigerian unity also constitute a social issue in Nigeria. The group clamors for secession from Nigeria. Their mission is fuelled by the fact that the Eastern part of the country are greatly marginalised and are on the receiving end of most of the social injustice carried out in the country. Because the government has refused to heed their clamor for Independence and had arrested their leader, they enforced mandatory Monday sit-at-homes in the east. People avoid going out on Mondays for fear of being shot dead by these people. They also compel sit at home orders on easterners each day their leader is to be taken to court. This they have promised not to stop until he is released.
A lot of rascals have cashed in on these sit at home dates to cause havoc. They engage in heavy shootouts on citizens who dares to go out on such days. Mondays and any other day declared as sit at home in the east are ruled by anarchy. These thugs cannot be controlled anymore, not even by the securities. Though the IPOB group has denied involvement in the violence, it still persists.
RITUAL KILLINGS
The rate of ritual killing had increased recently especially as elections os fast approaching. People get missing virtually everyday and the ones that are found are found dead with missing vital body parts. These ritual killers now make videos of themselves performing these activities and post online. The anthem in our country now is to beware of every stranger you see on the road.
RELIGION
Over a long time now, there had been clash between the Christian and the Islamic religious groups in Nigeria. Christians live with their hearts in their mouth for fear of being wounded by the Muslims. Christian churches located in the Muslim part of Nigeria are burnt regularly. People are attacked during church activities. Proclaiming your faith in front of an Islamic could lead to death. Recently a Christian lady was stoned to death and her dead body burnt by angry Islamic boys after she made a statement about the religion on a group chat.
The Nigerian government had tried their best to resolve all these social issues among Nigerians but their best is just not enough. Citizens live in fear everyday as though there is a world war going on in the country. People are afraid of speaking up in a democratic country because of the fear of what would happen to them or their families.
People keep hoping and dreaming that one day peace will once again find it's root in Nigeria. Some believe that the only way this can be achieved is by separating the country hence the maximum support given to the IPOB group.
I believe that dividing the country wouldn't not really solve the country problem. We need leaders who understand the plight of the people. Those who would put the people they govern before themselves. Those who know the affliction that we face and would be willing to not show a nonchalant attitude towards it.
Thanks for reading 💖
`All images are subject to Google`
Girl child education
Today was the most dreaded day for Ria. She had prayed and hoped that this day would never come but here it was staring at her. Today the dreaded village drunkard would be coming to take her hand in marriage. She had kicked vehemently against this marriage but her authoritarian father had the final say. She wanted to further her education, become successful and maybe contribute to the well being of the family before she contemplates the idea of marriage. She was too young to get married. She remembered her father's words after she had persuaded him to let her further her studies before marriage. He had said to her, "Rita my child, this is for your own good. Who do you think will marry an educated woman. A woman's world should be in her husband's home as cook. It is right that you end up in the kitchen and I'll see to it that it happens". She had begged and pleaded with him to change his mind but he refused.
Her mother had also wanted her to go to school. She did not want her daughter to suffer what she herself had suffered as an illiterate. She had saved a lot of money from her little business of selling fries in the local market. She had planned to use the money in educating her only daughter. She could not sit and watch her child be pushed into an unwanted marriage, especially with a drunkard. She called her daughter aside, "Rita" she said. "I know your dreams of going to school. I would be a bad mother if I watched you get into this trap of a marriage. So take this money and leave now. I have always saved it for your education. I have a relative in the city who would be able to house you. This is her address. She is educated and successful so i want you to be like her". Rita took the money and with tears in her eyes ran away through the back door.
Her father was furious when he discovered that his daughter had disappeared. Even his wife claimed not to have known her whereabouts. This was because she was afraid of what he might do to her. He was antagonistic to education.
Rita got to the city and made good use of her time there. She was able to get her desired education. Her mother's distant relative was very helpful to her. Soon she finished her education but since it was hard to get a job, she created one for herself. She soon became an owner of a fast rising boutique in the city.
After Rita had stabilized herself in the business world, she began to sponsor campaigns on importance of female child education. Many of the parents in her community began to see the importance of sending their daughters to school instead of sending them to a man's house where they might end up suffering. She made impact in the lives of many females in her community. She soon became the prided daughter of her father.
Her father who was antagonistic to female child education began to live a better life through his prided daughter. He regretted making the decision of marrying her off to a man at a young age. He joined his daughters movement of campaigning for female child education.
Thanks for reading 💖
Death penalty should be abolished
Death penalty, also known as capital punishment is the execution of an offender sentenced to death after conviction by a court of law. Simply put, killing a person as a punishment for an offence is death sentence. This is different from extrajudicial killing which is otherwise known as jungle justice. Death sentence can be executed in various ways. They include; electrocution, hanging, lethal injection and firing squad.
Depending on the country, death sentence can be punishment for certain offences such as; serious crimes against the person, such as murder, aggravated cases of rape, terrorism, war crimes and so on. There are also crimes against the state such as, treason, sedition, among others.
Death penalty as a punishment for crime does not sit well with a lot of people. It doesn't sit well with me as well. It is true that a person who is sentenced to death has committed a grievous offence but even the worst of criminals have rights. There are other punishments that should be suffered by these offenders instead of being taken to the gallow. Life imprisonment should be a better and more effective punishment.
Methods of execution and death row conditions have been condemned as cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment and even torture. This is considered a derogation of human right.
A person who is sentenced to death suffers emotional torture in the sense that he knows he is to be killed but does not know when. What more if the person is an innocent who has been convicted of a crime he didn't commit. The feeling of waiting everyday in prison for death but not knowing when it will come can be degrading. Being stripped off your life is the worst thing that will ever happen to a person. Have you ever imagined that a person who is sentenced to death can stay in prison for years waiting for execution but yet it is not forthcoming.
Most people think that the death penalty serves as a deterrence to people who commit crimes like murder. But the truth is that it has no achievement in dettering crime committers. There is no credible evidence that the death penalty deters crime more effectively than long terms of imprisonment. Country's that have not about he'd death penalty has shown no decrease in crime rate neither has countries that have abolished it show any decrease in crime rate. It is therefore evident that the death penalty has no deterrent effect. According to social science research, most of the people that commit murder do it under the influence of alcohol or drugs, because they are mentally ill, or in the heat of passion. They are emotionally unstable at the moment so they give little or no thought to the consequences of their acts. Those who plan to commit murder do it in the hope of not getting caught. In other words, death penalty has absolutely no effect in protecting people from criminals.
Some people may argue that murderers deserve to die but that is not true. No one deserves to be killed. If you do to criminals what they have done to others like killing them for committing murder, then a rapist ought to be raped. This is a rejected societal principle. Let's not also forget that at least 40 percent of people are convicted of crimes they did not commit. Imagine killing an innocent man as punishment for a crime he did not commit.
People who have committed capital offences should be given a chance at repentance. The person should be allowed to reconcile with his past and choose how to live afterwards knowing that the crime cannot be undone. Death sentence does not offer this opportunity to convicts.
The best punishment for them should be INCAPACITATION. Sentencing the person to life imprisonment and if the offence is too severe, limiting or eliminating the possibility of parole.
Smartphones make people stupid
Since the inception of smartphones into our world, a lot of things have been made easier for people. The advantage of communication with people all over the world is not to be underrated. You can make money by just operating your smartphone the right way. There are other loads of advantages. One cannot deny that smartphones has made life easier for everyone
Just as there are perks of using a smartphone, there are also dangers or rather disadvantages associated with it. The addictiveness to the smartphone gadget is something almost everyone experience. I hope you understand it when I say that smartphones tend make people stupid.
The best time to see how stupid smartphones has made people is when driving or walking along the road. You begin to see different kinds of smartphone stupidity. There is always that person whose focus while walking will be on his phone. Even when crossing the road, he does not take time off that phone to check for oncoming vehicles. This has contributed to lots of pedestrian-driver accidents. Isn't that another height of stupidity leading to harm?
Let's not forget those people who get carried away by the so-called music they are playing and thus begin to shout while walking on the road. Isn't that upcoming madness? Why on earth will you be walking and screaming. The weird looks of "isn't he stupid?" that you will get.
There is also bound to be a driver that would either be pressing phone in his vehicle and claim not to have seen other road users after hitting them. The last time I almost got hit by a vehicle was due to this negligence. I just crossed the road on my way to school. There was a car parked behind me. The next I looked back, the driver was already reversing with speed. I was lucky enough to have noticed in time and jumped out of the way. He still did not stop. Other passersby had to stop and tell him that he almost killed someone's daughter. He was like, "sorry I was on my phone. I couldn't look back". How ridiculous.
Some people have even graduated to the school of dancing on the road, swaying from one side to the other.
These are the things that we undeniably see on our roads today. Even the accidents that occur as a result of this stupidity has not taught smartphone users any lesson.
Take a look at your neighborhood as well. Even inside our homes. I'm sure that 90% of us have siblings that are over addicted to their phones. You can sell them in their very presence but the will not know because they are too busy with their phones. Most times they end up playing addictive games.
Isn't it better to use our smartphones in a way that would benefit everyone around you. While walking on the road, put it in your pocket or bag. Your phone is not running away. Allot a specific time for it so as not to end up among those who use it stupidly. Do not let your smartphone control you. Control your smartphone.
Thanks for reading 💖
Justice for Deborah
Yesterday was a very sad day. The news spread all over social media about the sad killing anf burning of a lady in a College of Education because she was alleged to have blasphemed be Prophet Mohammed. The sad occurrence happened yesterday 12th may, 2022 at a Sokoto State College of Education. The young lady identified as Deborah had sent a voice note on her class Whatsapp group chat. The voice note was alleged to contain blasphemous comment against prophet Mohammed of Islam. No one knows what the blasphemous comment is. She allegedly refused to apologise for the blasphemous comment. This led to conflict between her and other students. The matter escalated and she was allegedly taken to the school security where a group of angry Islamic students came to drag her out and beat her to death after which she was set ablaze. These mob also made a video praising themselves for defending the Prophet as well as brandishing the matches with which the girl was burnt.
The #blasphemy and #deborah had been trending on Twitter as Nigerians asks for justice for Deborah.
I do not understand the Islamic religion but why will you fight for your God? Shouldn't it be the other way round? All I see in this Deborah case is murder justified by religion. Even if she had committed blasphemy, aren't there other humane punishments for such. Why must people resort to such barbarian practice all in the defense of their religion.
Today everyone cries justice for Deborah but will justice truly be served? It is disheartening that most people have come out publicly to defend the killing and praise the perpetrators of the heartbreaking act.
It is not a bag thing that one should defend his religion but why do it in a way that will cost others their lives. Shouldn't every religion put emphasis on importance of preserving human life. It is so sad that people hide under the pretense of religion to perpetrate all forms of evil. To even think that people are proclaiming blessings on the evil perpetrators
The fact that these people made videos of themselves beating the lady to death and then burning her is disheartening. It shows lack of consciousness. The school has been closed down for the time being and students told to vacate the premises and the school authority promised to investigate the matter. The question now is, "will the school authority really do something about Deborah's death? The perpetrators have been arrested but I hope they will really be made to face the punishment for their actions.
May it be seen that justice is done for Deborah. The whole country cries, 'justice for Deborah✊'
What makes you feel your best self
Hey guys. What's up. I hope you are having a nice fun filled day. Today I came across some random questions on Google and decided to give my personal answers to them. Enjoy
What is a language you love to listen to even if you don’t speak or understand it?
Spanish. Oh how I love that language. I do not even know what attracts me to it but I recently signed up to learn it on my language learning app. By the way, if you speak Spanish, just know that I'm already in love with you.
Oceans or mountains? Why?
I would always go for mountains. I've never been a fan of ocean. I mean what if I drown. I can't swim. Besides I think it is more adventurous climbing mountains. I find the most fulfillment when I'm already at the peak of the mountain. From there I can see the whole landscape. There is no feeling like seeing the beautiful artwork of nature from a mountain top.
Describe the most captivating painting or artwork you’ve ever seen.
The most captivating painting I've seen is Negritude by Ben Enwonwu.
The female silhouetted figure with other figural units in the background. The painting was a message to Africans during the colonial era that blacks matter. It was named after an anti-colonial cultural and political movement founded by a group of African and Caribbean students in Paris in 1930s who sought to reclaim the value of blackness.
Do you remember the first novel you ever read? If so, what was it?
I don't remember. It was way back in elementary school when my mum used to buy novels for me. Even if I cracked my brain from now till tomorrow, I wouldn't remember the exact one but I'm sure it is from the Naniboi series. His novels were more of teenage education about abortions, procrastination and the likes.
What is your favorite thing about your personality?
The fact that I hardly give up. Before I engage myself in anything, I think of the possible future gains ad no matter the hurdles, I must see to it that I succeed. This has helped me a lot in life. Most of the things I have today are products of my yesteryear's hardwork. It doesn't matter to me what people says. I try to see success where others see failure and I strive hard to the that the success is accomplished.
If you could have a fictional superhero for a best friend, who would it be?
Princess Moana. Who wouldn't love her. She is a try hard. Her persistency is what I admire the most. I also admire her courage. If everyone can have the attributes that led her to success, the world would be a better place.
What tasks make you feel like your best self?
Sewing. When I'm sitting in front of the machine, I feel in control of my world. Most especially I feel fulfilled
Thanks for reading💖
No to abuse
Jane sat motionlessly staring at the cloud. The bruises she got from yesterday's beating had turned purple. She could hardly see with one eye as it was swollen. The deep untreated cut on her chin was evident. Her whole body was plastered with purple bruises.
She had been living in an abusive marriage for years. Everyone told her to hold on. She was told that her husband would change. She just needed to exercise a little patience. She was also afraid of being tagged a divorcee. The society would not look nicely at her if she left the marriage. She was also afraid of the bad image that would follow her daughter. People would treat her child as a product of a broken home. The society she lived in saw a divorcee as a plague especially if it were a woman.
She looked at her daughter who was playing in the compound. Her child had been through a lot of trauma. At the little age of five, she had watched her father beat her mother countless times. Most nights, she was awaken by the cries of her mother being battered by her drunk father. Jane knew the psychological trauma her child was going through. She was also growingtired of going to the chapel everyday to say prayers for her abusive husband to change. She began to rethink her life.
What was she teaching her daughter. That violence is good? That she is meant to be abused? No. For her sake and for the sake of her child, she had to leave. It doesn't matter if accusing fingers are pointed at her. It doesn't matter what people would say. Isn't it better for her to be criticized for leaving her marriage than people to cry justice over her dead body?
It was time to be her own person. To be happy for once in her life. A time of realisation that one cannot fix an abuser. A time to put her mental health as well as that of her daughter first. It shouldn't matter what people would say. After all, the people that kept telling her to stay were never there to comfort her. Marriage is not meant for suffering and no amount of sugarcoating should justify abuse.
She called out to her daughter, "sweetie, go inside and pack your bags. We are traveling".
Who are your friends?
There is a popular saying that a friend in need is a friend indeed. The dictionary recognises this when it says that a friend is a person
A friend is supposed to be someone who stand by your side in times of trouble as well as in times of good. True friends stay by each other's sides during tough times and lift each other up. It is not a one sided duty. You do not owe it as a duty to act as a friend to others when they do nothing for you. People who add no value to your life but still cling to you as friends to gain benefits are nothing but parasites. They are freeloaders who will eventually go away after you must have been sucked dry.
Most times we keep fake friend around us not because we do not know their true colors but because we are afraid of being alone. The fear that we will walk alone without these people by our side had made a lot of people to keep fake friends around us. The truth still remains that it is better to walk alone than to be with fake people.
Many people have met with untimely death and others live in regret due to what had been done to them by the people they call friends. If you watch TV's or even read news, you would have seen stories of tragedies suffered by people because of the friends that they kept. Most of them were sucked dry by these so called friends before being pushed to their early grave. Some people's lives has been rendered useless by friends.
Do not be with toxic from because you feel others will laugh at you if you have no friends. It is better to lonely and happy than to be surrounded by people who will eventually make you miserable.
When you let go of toxic friends, you do not end up being alone. There are always people who have your interest at heart. You just need to be able to notice and appreciate them. Take your time to study the people you call friends. If they have made no effort whatsoever towards your good, cut ties with them. If all the efforts in the relationship is coming from you, cut ties with them.
Generally, a friend is supposed to make you feel better not worse. Anyone that makes you feel burdened and worse is not deserving of your friendship. It is better to make that decision now to cut out toxic people from your life. Don't forget people who genuinely care about you are out there.
Thanks for reading💖
Control that tongue
The tongue is one of the biggest weapons in the world. It can be used for destructive purposes as well as for good. Without tongue, man cannot communicate with his fellow man. As much as it is an essential tool for man's communication with others, it can also lead to a man's downfall.
It is always said that what comes out of a man's mouth defines him. When you are known as a person who uses his tongue to speak positively, you will always be identified as a positive person. When you use your tongue in a vulgar way, people will always identify you as vulgar. So it is important the way we use our tongue. That is why it is always adviseable for one to always think before making statements.
There are people who have really underestimated the destructive ability of the tongue. Most of them are not even alive to witness the repercussion of what they have said with their mouth. This will lead me to a tragic story told to me by my dear friend about a man who saw armed rascals destroying government owned properties. The man threw a comment about these rascals. One of the rascals overheard his unpleasant statement about them. This led to the man being dragged to a secluded area where he was shot dead. This man did not live to see justice served on these miscreants. If only he had held his opinion to himself and not voiced it out at that moment, such disheartening misfortune wouldn't have befallen him. It is not and has never been an offence to criticize evil when we see or witness it, but learn to know when and where to voice your criticisms. Sometimes before you make certain statements, think of the place you are making such statement as well as the effect of such statement at that point in time.
Do not always let your tongue run loose. It is an undisputed fact that you own your person and can utter any word you want, but do it at the appropriate time and place. You don't always end up hurting yourself when you let your tongue loose, you might bring unnecessary harm to your neighbor. Imagine living your life knowing that your tongue has caused another person sorry. Pathetic, right?
Many people have lost lifetime opportunities because they couldn't control their tongues. Most people live in regret of what they must have said while most did not even have the opportunity to grieve over the harm they caused with their uncontrolled tongues. Instead of letting your tongue loose and causing yourself and others harm, isn't it better to think things through and save everyone the harm occasioning from what you may have said. Your tongue is only but a part of your body so take control of it instead of the other way round
Thanks for reading 💖
old hut of memories
The old lady was spotted standing at the train station. She was on her way to that one most important place. She bad forgotten her path in the world. She had lost her way. She was on her way to that one place where she would never forget. HOME.
After a long ride, the train came to that familiar station. Memories of her playing tag with her childhood friends flooded her head. The young mahogany that stood at the side of the road had now matured into a giant. The tiny road path that led to her village was still there.
With each step she took, she was flooded with childhood memories of herself playing with other kids. Soon she got to the ever familiar bamboo fence. The changes were visible. The gate had already been eaten by termites. She remembered when she and her mother erected the fence. The memories were ever fresh.
She pushed the gate open to be greeted by the old hut house. The roof had been blown off by the wind. The empty hut still stood even after years of fighting with rainy storms and the storm.
The hut was the only place she remembered as home. It held all the memories of her youthful years. She took her first steps as a baby in that house. She learnt to do virtually everything here.
The image of her mother's smile was deeply etched in the old hut. She still remembered when she left the hut to build her own home. How her mother cried, how she herself cried. That was the last she ever saw of her mother. The last she ever saw of the old little hut where she grew up.
She made to push open the wooden door of the old hut, it came crashing on the dusty ground. It had had its fair share of termite attacks. Looking into the hut, she was flooded again with the memories of her late mother. She couldn't help but say, "mother, I'm back home".
Someone always has it better_and worse_than you.
There is always that time when you begin to feel that life has dished us the biggest plate of sourness. the moment when we begin to feel that all misfortunes on Earth has befallen us. This is the moment when we should remember that there is always someone else out there who has it worse than us.
Just like there are people out there who think that the world has prepared the worst things for them, there also exists people who think that there is no one else to whom the world has been better to except themselves. These people feel on top of the world and to them, no other person has a better life than them. They tend to forget that there are people out there whose lives are better than theirs.
When you feel so down that you begin to think that the world has given up on you, you should always remember that there are people out there that when you hear their pathetic stories, you'll realize that you have one of the best lives in the world. Always remember that just as there are people who you wish to live as, there are also people who wish to experience the same life that you think you are tired of.
I remember watching a short video clip of people thinking that they had the worst lives. A private jet flew past and a man in a Lamborghini began to wish his life was good enough for him to afford a jet. After his sad thinking, he drove past a an old truck. The truck driver began to wish he could drive such expensive vehicle like a Lamborghini. After his wishful thinking, he drove past a moto cyclist who also had his own episode of wishful thinking. He also drove past a crippled man and guess what the cripple wished for.
We all have our episodes of thinking that other people are better than us. But have we seem to forget that books should not be judged by their covers. What if that rich guy you are comparing yourself with does not even sleep at night? Have you heard and thought about the phrase "big man big trouble" or do you think it is just another meaningless statement? Do you also know that there are people who wish that life will place them in the same level as you?
That old leaking roof that you have over your head is a treasure you should be thankful for. There is always that homeless person out there who sleeps and does everything under the rain. Always consider the life you live as a blessing. Be grateful for that little thing you have. There are always people who wish they can eat that food you call trash. Learn to be appreciative and thankful for the little you have.
There are people who have lost everything because they were not content. Many people have died in the Sahara because they seek greener pastures. I'm not saying that you should not seek to better yourself. Just don't do more than yourself.
Let the thought that in your present situation, you are still better than many keep you going. Don't you ever give up because you think you have it worse than others. Do not also look down on others because you feel you are better than they are. They might be better than you.
Dispute Resolution Methods
Because we live in a society, there is bound to be disputes. Opinions tend to clash and might sometimes lead to violence if not efficiently handled or managed. There are two ways of handling disputes. They are *adjudicatory* and *non adjudicatory* methods of dispute resolution. Adjudication involves going to court while non adjudication involves every other process of resolving disputes that does not involve going to court.
Adjudicatory method
Adjudication popularly known as litigation is settlement of disputes in law courts. The litigants who filed an action in the court of law initiates the process of litigation against the other party who is then called open to defend the suit and a third party called the judge or adjudicator is called upon to preside over the matter and resolve it in favour of one of the parties. The decision of the court is binding on the parties. The judge adopt two methods in finding out the facts of the dispute.
The most popular one is adversarial method which involves the parties in the dispute calling on witnesses and presenting their evidence in man is most favourable to themselves. The judge has no right to ask the witnesses questions except to clear the vagueness or ambiguity of the answer given by the witnesses. At the end, the judge is expected to make up his mind based on the evidence that has been presented to him by both parties. The party with the most convincing argument wins the case.
The second method that the court can adopt in resolving the disputes is inquisitorial method. here the court is actively involved in proving the facts of the dispute by investigating the case on its own. This method is usually used in countries with civil legal systems such as France and Italy.
Going to court to resolve disputes has its perks.
It reduces the elements of bias in adjudication. This is because the adjudicator only works with the evidence provided and arguments canvassed by the parties. So when he tends to pervert Justice, it will be easily detected by both parties or even by a third party.
The parties to the dispute are given chances to prove their cases. They are presented with a 50/50 chance of winning or losing their case. Their loss or gain depends on the weight of their argument.
The parties also have the opportunity to discredit the case of the other party to the best of his ability.
Dispute resolution in law courts also has its disadvantages.
The party with the best lawyer always wins the case. A party without an experienced lawyer will definitely have no case against the party whose lawyer is well-versed and experienced. An experienced lawyer would go to any length to produce admissible evidence such as forging documents to ensure that they win the case. These at most times sees that justice is not done.
Cases in courts take longer times to be determined. This is mainly because most lawyers see it as a way of continuing legal fights instead of resolving disputes. This makes dispute resolution sometimes acrimonious in character.
Non adjudicatory method of dispute resolution
This method is popularly known as Aternative Dispute Resolution(ADR). parties to a dispute and not required to appear before formal institutions or authorities. This is the oldest method of dispute resolution. Disputes are resolved through bargains between the parties or through a third party's nterference. The court recognises this form of dispute resolution and has laid down rules and regulations for it. Non adjudicatory method of dispute resolution are; *reconciliation, conciliation, mediation and arbitration.*
*Reconciliation:* This involves both parties in a dispute conferring together and reaching an agreement on how to restore peace. No third party is involved in settling disputes between the disputing parties. The agreement reached between the parties are not usually binding. They are only binding by honor. a party might choose to go against their terms of settlement but this is not usually the best form of approach.
*Conciliation*: In this form of resolving disputes a neutral party to the dispute who is known as a conciliator brings the disputing parties together and acts as an intermediary or middle man in their dispute settlement. The conciliator is merely a guide and so the parties to the dispute are not bound to follow his advice or decisions. If the parties are not happy with the way the conciliator had settled their dispute, they are free to find another person to serve as a conciliator between them. A conciliator can abortion blames to the parties and make them see where they had gone wrong. This helps in effective resolution of the dispute.
*Mediation*: a third-party known as a mediator is invited to serve as a middleman between the two disputing parties. He does not try to apportion blame but rather he seeks to provide an acceptable solution so that there will be peace and harmony between the disputing parties. His or her decision is not binding on the parties.
*Arbitration*: An arbitrator is a person who is qualified in law to resolve disputes. the arbitrator probes into the facts of the dispute in a fair detail and renders a decision on merits. The arbitrator has the final say. he determines who is wrong and who is right in a dispute. The parties are bound by the decision of the arbitrator. The decision made by an arbitrator is recognised and strongly enforced on the both parties by law.
The non adjudicatory methods of dispute resolution decongest the courts. It saves time as it avoid delays associated with adjudicatory trials. Resolving disputes through this method is better than going to court because both parties to the dispute has control over their own fate and both decides on the terms on which their disputes will be settled thereby preventing against future clashes as regards the matter adjudicated upon. Itt is sad that the decisions reached through this method of not going to court is not binding. Parties to the dispute can decide to go back on the terms of settlement when they see that those terms do not favour them.
It is pertinent to say that the best way of resolving disputes is by not getting into disputes at all. it is better to save ourselves the struggle and stress of fighting other people or disputing with them over matters that would eventually cost us time and money. It is better to learn to tolerate each other as individuals in a society. We should only get into disputes when it becomes unavoidable.
Prompt: unpopular opinion
People tend to avoid talking about certain things, not that those things do not matter but because talking about them creates fear or tension in them. We are all guilty of this.
I saw a prompt from @Jumper-01 and so I decided to write about that one thing which I am sure almost everyone detests to talk about. DEATH. Death is an inevitable end that we must all face. There is no denying the fact that one day, we will be wiped away from the surface of the earth. People have the avoidance approach to the topic of death but that will never make death to go away. There is this fear in everybody that once they are dead everything they have all there achievements on Earth we'll all go to waste. Other people will enjoy their wealth when they are no longer there.
The panic of death spreads its fluttering wings. Once the topic of death is raised, you begin to hear words like; "God forbid", "I shall never die". The truth is that all these things will never stop them from coming to us. That is an inevitable end to human life. It is something that must occur.
When people fall seriously sick, the fear of death begin to seep deep into their bone marrow. They begin to experience the fear that they will soon die and nobody will remember them after they are gone. All their life achievements will be gone and their unaccomplished achievements will be flushed down the drain.
I also fear death. When I hear stories of people's death or when I see the people around me die, I begin to rethink my life. Thoughts like; will I be the next to die? who will be the next to die? begins to flood into my brain. I am sure that all of us usually develop these thoughts when people around them die or when they hear stories of death. The answer to those questions remains unknown because death is a no respecter of person. It has no respect for your title or even your achievements. It comes like a thief.
One time I was with my colleagues at work. One thing led to another and the topic of death came up. I remember one of them who got disgusted by the topic saying that death was never for him. He strongly admonished us for bringing up the abhorred topic of death. According to him,death only came to people who talked about it. I saw in him the fear of leaving this world.
one of the things that also create in us the fear of death is that we do not know what would happen to us after we are gone. The fear of what the afterlife will have for us. Christians would have the fear of the uncertainty of whether they are going to heaven or hell while traditionalists or those who believe going back to their ancestors would have the fear of whether they would be accepted by their sisters or not.
Many people have done a lot of things to avoid death but because it is an inevitable occurrence, they still ended up losing their lives. I remember seeing an article online about a rich old man who had promised his doctor a fortune if the doctor will ensure that he lives up to hundred years. I saw the article some years ago so I do not know if the man was able to live up to 100 years or death was able to snatch up his dream of living up to 100 years.
most time when people experience occurrences that are life-threatening they begin to have a change of heart and a change of behaviour. The fear of death has made most of them change for the better. Though it is undeniable that after sometimes when the life-threatening event has been forgotten people tend to go back to their normal lifestyles. the fear of death has truly been a tool of repentance in the lives of meaning.
Both the rich and the poor lives everyday in fear of death. The only people I believe that do not fear death and those who are already frustrated with life. Maybe because they were heartbroken or because they were too poor or because life had been too hard on them. These are the only people I know that will do wish for death. I'm not saying that that is the best option but this is just my opinion.
I believe that our fear of death has a cure. That is working hard enough to make sure that when we leave enough footprint so that when we are gone he will be remembered by the good deeds we are done or by the achievements we have made. When will live our lives in a way that makes impact on people's life, we begin to live forever in their memories even after we are dead.
There are lots of people in my community, in your community and in the world that are dead physically but I live to the whole world simply because the things they have done for the world or the things they have done for the people around them has made them to be forever I live in the hearts of many. So my friends, because death is inevitable it is better to begin now to make impact in the life of many so that long after we are gone from the surface of the Earth our names will never be forgotten.
***Comment below if you have any unpopular opinion that you think people avoid talking about but I really bound to occur.***
Down memory lane: times with Bee
Have you ever had that one friend whose memory puts a wide smile on your face? If no, then you are missing out a lot in friendship. I'm always filled with the joyful memories of Bee. It is sad that I lost her but her memories makes her seem near.
Her name was not actually Bee, it was a fun name I gave her which slowly overshadowed her real name. She was my best friend in secondary school. I refer to her in the past tense because she is now late.
Times spent with her were the most special moments of my life. Though our first meeting wasn't pleasant, we ended up as best of friends. I remember we fought over a locker in school. Since then, we began looking for ways to get back at each other, but this further drew us together as friends. I remember applying glue on her chair so that she was unable to stand or even walk around the school through out the day. That landed a heavy punishment from our head teacher. Bee retaliated with the same trick. We played silly pranks on each other.
There was also a time when she pranked me by sticking a note which read "I am a fowl" to the back of my school shirt. It was an embarrassing day for me. Even my school crush had to see it.
Besides playing bad pranks and embarrassing each other, we cared a lot for each other. Bee would always motivate me in my down moments. She was my motivational speaker. She made sure I always had a smile on my face at all times.
She had a different outlook on life. To her, the best moments are the ones we create for ourselves. She taught me to always put myself first. She was the queen of talking me out of stupid ideas and decisions. Bee was just the best.
The day that I lost Bee left a huge scar in me. The memory remind ever fresh. That afternoon, Bee and I went out to unwind. We went to our favorite spot. It was in an open space. There, we saw a group of guys in a heated argument. We minded our business. Soon we began to hear gunshot sounds. The guys were engaged in a fight. Bee and I ran for our dear lives. Soon Bee began to lag behind. She got hit by a stay bullet. There was no one who had the courage to convey her to the hospital amid the heavy shootout. I can still remember the pain in her eyes. With her mouth opened wide and eyes looking at me,she gave up the ghost. That was the last time I ever spent with Bee.
Till today, I still stand vehemently against violence. I lost a valued friend because of the activities of some group of insane boys who attache no value to human life.
I hope that one day, they will face the consequences of their crimes.
Imitation is limitation
The word imitation is from the Latin word "imitatio" and it means copying someone else's action. It is an advanced behaviour where by somebody looks at another person and replicate that persons behaviour. The world today is filled with people who tried to follow the trend and there by end of living the so called fake social media life.
When we imitate other people we end up putting a limitation to what we can do and what we are.
Imitation makes us abandon our real life style there by not giving us the chance to develop on what we truly are. People who imitate others fail to realise that no two persons are the same no matter how identical. They do not appreciate what nature has given them. Instead of working hard to improve that which they have, that which is theirs, the end of improving on the lifestyle of another person.
Imitation makes people see you in a light different from the original you. When you live a life of imitation, you are already living a borrowed life. People who want to add value to your life will not see the real you but a fake you.
A story is always told of a young lady who lived a life of imitation. How social media handles we are filled with pictures and posts of a person who lives in luxury but her reality was far different from her social media life. People always made reference to her as that rich young lady who lacked nothing. She was used as an example of enterpreneurship and wealth. Nobody knew that in reality she was just a girl who struggled to make ends meet. she even liked capital to add to the little business that she was doing. One day she had about a prominent young man who had decided to give out free capital to young enterpreneurs who were in need of money. She decided to give it a try. When she got to the venue, most of the people who had come to get the capital were people who knew and believed in her social media lifestyle. Because she had to maintain the life she had created for herself through imitation, she ended up losing out on the opportunity to expand her business. She was unable to change her life to the better because she was obsessed with living a fake life.
A lot of people in our world today have destroyed their lives due to imitation occasioned by lack of contentment for what they have. Most of them go under the knife to change their god-given body. They want to have that sexy look, they want to look better than the are. Lots of lives have been lost due to some of these dangerous body alterations that people mostly women engage in.
Sometimes, trying to appeal to the crowd or trying to follow with recent trends is not the answer. The answer to being a better person lies in acknowledging the fact that there is no one like you and in always appreciating your uniqueness. A wise person is never misled by what he or she has seen. It is better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for what you are not.
There is absolutely no gain in living fake life. All there is to it is self limitation which eventually leads 2 regrets in the future. Thanks for reading. Remain phenomenal💖
My little DIY purse
Hello guys. How are you doing. So today I decided to share with you all what I've been up to during the weekend. I'm always obsessed with watching DIY videos on YouTube, particularly sewing crafts. Today I saw the video on bag making. I decided to give it a try today by making my own little purse.
Sewing has always been my passion. I was still a kid when I started fiddling with my mom's sewing machine. I remembered she always beat me up for spoiling the machine, but I always end up going back to the same sewing machine. Today I can proudly say that I can sew any clothing accessory for myself. It doesn't really matter to me whether my work is perfect or not.
Today I decided to sew for myself a little purse. I knew I did not have enough capital to go to market and buy the basic things required for sewing a bag, so I had to make do with an old Gucci clothing. All I used for sewing the purse were basically things that I found around my surrounding. I used my mum's old sewing machine for the projects.
I wasn't really sure what this my little project would come out looking like. It it's not really the first time that I'm making a bag. I always get commended by my family members after they have seen my little do-it-yourself works. I always do my little projects for myself. This is because I have never had the intention of pursuing sewing as a business.
Whenever I pick something to sew, I feel like I'm in a different world. An abstract world where anything is possible. I am the creator in my world. I choose how my creations would look. Sewing gives me control in my world. I see beauty in the process of bringing pieces of clothing together to form another perfect piece.
I am elated when I see my work being brought to perfection. The finishing part of my sewing is always the hardest. It reminds me that even bringing one's life to perfection is always filled with lots of hardships. What brings us to perfection is the fact that we push through all the hardships life throws our way and make the best out of them.
My end product was not really the best but I'm proud of it.
Thanks for reading 💖
Papa: The pillar
There is nobody on this earth who is not the product of a father. fathers play a lot of roles in our life some of which we consider to be insignificant. sometimes we never know how significant those rules are until they are out of our life.
The roles that Fathers play in the lives of children as well as the lives of their spouse has remains underappreciated and underrated. Fathers are hardly celebrated or commended for their works in the lives of wives and children.
Recently I was in a conversation with a group of friends about how underappreciated fathers are in the society all in the family. A child would come home from a long distance journey and gift the mother with a lot of goodies why the father would be left with nothing all probably bottle of schnapps.
That's kind of reminded me of a man in my community who would always complain about how his children and wife treated him. One time his wife went to one of their daughters home to take care of her and her newborn baby. On returning back the woman brought back sacks of salt, truck full of new clothes most rappers and a pair of men's shoes. The shoes we are gifted to the man while the other goodies belonged to the woman. The story of this man who was gifted with only a pair of shoes can be compared with the stories of other fathers out there.
Not withstanding the fact that we do not really appreciate our Fathers the way we should for what they do for us, they still go extra miles to make sure that we are comfortable.
A father would go that extra mile to see that his household is not intimidated. They protect the family like a hen would protect its chicks from a hawks attack. A father would always try to ensure that his wife and children are not harmed by the outside world.
Fathers are also providers. It is always said that a man brings home the bacon. Fathers do a lot of things to ensure that their family is provided with everything they might need. They do all sorts of works to see that our needs are provided for. You see them working in the mines, factories, even in the woods also ensure that they make enough to cater for their family. A father will do all sorts of menial jobs to ensure that the child is living a fine Life.
A father is also a trainer and an enforcer. He prepares his child for Life in the outside world. he knows that the world out there is filled with vipers and a lot of bad things, so he shapes us in a way that would enable us to live in the outside world without being swallowed. A mother would teach her child to be protected from the dangers of the world but a father will teach the child not just to be protected from the world but to face that dangers of the world on his own.
Fathers are also the biggest disciplinarians. They give the biggest beatings and they scold us they most. All these they do because they care about our well-being and they want us to be the best wherever we find ourself in the future.
One of my saddest memories
Life I've learnt is not a bed of roses. I've seen my fair share of it. Even people around me witness their own share of heartbreaking events. Not that I wish anyone to be plagued with bad memories, but it just can't be helped.
I visited quora and saw people give answers to their saddest memory. Some we're childhood memories while most were teenage memories.
This inspired me to share my sad memory and hopefully get the fear and anger off my system.
It happened during my freshman year in school. I and a good friend of mine decided to visit a local market far from school to get some food stuff. This was because we heard that things were sold at a cheaper rate there. We boarded a bus to the market. The transportation fare was much. The ride was smooth and we also had a good time in the market.
When it was time to leave, we saw a mini bus that promised to transport us back to school at a cheaper rate. He made us believe that the transportation fare we paid while coming to the market was too much.
We naively followed him to his vehicles. We were the only passengers. He took a different route from the one we took while going to the market. When we complained, he told us he was taking the shorter route to our school. We were new to the environment so we had to believe him.
The drive soon began to take longer than expected and all our complaints were met with an "we are almost there".
When the driver got to a lonely path, he stopped the vehicle and threatened us with a gun to surrender all we had or get kidnapped. We could not even scream. He took all our foodstuffs as well as the little money in our possesses. We were thrown out of the vehicle after he had robbed us.
He told us to run or he would shoot. We had to start running. We had no clue where we were running to. We had no phone or money on us, so we couldn't contact anybody neither could we transport ourselves back to school.
We were lucky enough to see a lady who decided to help us. She gave us enough money and transported us back to school. She was a godsent and I'm forever thankful to her.
After that sad event, I began to do all my shoppings in school. I promise my self never to approach free things in my life again. I almost lost my life because of a cheaper transport back to school.
Being robbed at a gun point is something I do not wish for anyone to experience. I do not also wish to experience it ever again. So take care out there and do not let yourself be deceived into an event that will only bring you bad memories
Thanks for reading 💖💖
Momma's Love❤️
Sometimes I ask myself where would I be without my Mama's love. What would I have been today without her loving care? The answer to my questions still remains, "Nothing".
I think back to the time when I was learning how to feed myself (not like I remember anyway), how she would sit me on that little baby chair and watch me fight with the food. How she cleaned up the mess I had made after hours of trying to feed myself. Now I can hold my spoon and eat without much mess (she still scold me for messing up the dining table😍)
She always had me do things by myself as a kid. She would say, "learn it now or it would be hard when you become older". Today, I can proudly say that I can do a lot of things perfectly for myself both careerwise and otherwise.
You never believed in sparing the rod. I tasted of the spanking from those shoes. It taught me never to approach the meat in the pot without thinking twice. I learnt to stay away from fighting with that neighbors child. The fear of not taking what does not belong to me was all instigated with the wave of a slippers. The fear of Mama's spanking was the beginning of all wisdom😂
Mother would never let me go hungry. Of what use was the pretty wrappers in the market when her baby was there. I came first to mama. Was it my health? The sleepless nights she kept nursing me when I suddenly fall ill in the middle of the night. She would rather stay by her baby's side to show love and attention than be out with her friends.
All you went through for me as a kid will never be forgotten. Even now as an adult, you still go that extra mile to show your affection. A thank you would never be enough to express my gratitude. To thank you for your prayers and support would never be enough.
What makes you happy is seeing that your labor was not in vain. That the spankings, scoldings, and prayers for me and my siblings were not in vain. One thing I promise you is that your efforts will never be and can never be in vain.
I pray to God everyday to keep that beautiful smile on your face. That smile I always see on your face whenever we have done something to make you proud. May he continue to keep you for me and my siblings.
You will live long enough to reap the fruits of your labor in our lives. May you live to see is train our own kids. You will never know the joy you will bring to me when I watch you hold your great grand children.
Thank you for being the world best mum. Happy Mother's Sunday love💖💖
A prompt: things I did in school
Hi guys. How is your day going? Beautiful right. Well I saw a post from @Itsfarah giving answers about school addictions. I was inspired to answer this questions myself and thus give an insight on what my elementary and secondary school life was like.
**Skipped class**
I was an overly obedient kid in elementary school, so skipping classes was a no no for me. But in my secondary school days, I skipped a lot of classes that I lost count. I hated math class so I always had behind the staircase to avoid it. I also skipped classes whenever I was unable to do my assignments.
**Bullied anyone on school**
I was a low k byey bully in elementary school. As I grew older, I began to realise the dangers associated with it, so I stopped. In my secondary school, I began to protect the bullied.
**Been suspended from school**
I never had the mind to do anything that would land me in suspension. My father would have skinned me alive😩
**Hit someone with chalk**
I feel anyone who never did this missed a lot of school fun o. We even had to use chalk as powder in class. The spirit of hitting people with chalk left me during my senior year
**Make fake excuses for being late**
The teacher in charge of late comers even grew tired of my excuses. My school had this funny practice of giving late comer award at the end of every session. I remember winning the award twice.
**Been home schooled**
My parents believed in letting the school do that job.
**Had a crush on someone in my class**
I crushed on a lot of guys in my class. I mean those guys were all cute and handsome. Who wouldn't?
**Played in sports team**
I was in the female football team as well as other clubs. Anywhere there is sports, there I was.
Thanks for reading 💖
My Life during this school strike
I never knew the perks of life as a student until this academic strike hit us. The only thing I had to worry myself with is my books. I did not have to work very hard for my pocket as a girl. I only needed to make that one call to my family and my account would be funded. I began to know and see the struggles of life after I went home for the strike.
There was no more pocket money to spend, so I had to find something doing. First I got a temporary research job which lasted for a month. I was paid weekly. We were three students in the work. We had to visit houses and collect data on their family genealogy. It was a fun and eye opening activity to me.
After that job, I decided to engage myself in something academic in nature. I signed up for practice with a law firm pending when school will resume. As a law student, it is always advisable that one engages in legal internship to gain more knowledge in procedural law.
My legal internship has opened my eye to a lot of happenings in the world. At first I thought that people would hardly go to court but now I've seen that there is a floodgate of litigation in the law courts. I've also learnt the procedures involved in court proceedings. These knowledge I believe would be of great help to me when school eventually resumes.
Even in my legal internship, I still had to make money. So I opted for online businesses which I know can not disrupt other activities I would want to engage in. I began to render online data and airtime services to people. I also started my own online boutique where clothing and other accessories can be bought.
I'm still combining my legal internship with my online businesses. Life has become better for me and I do not intend to stop when academic activities resume in my school.
Tomorrow will be better
He approached the woman. He had noticed her at about an hour ago. She seemed to be crying. "What is wrong with you?" he asked. "I don't know what to do. My baby is so sick and I have no money for the hospital bill. Life is so tough that I'm giving up". He looked at her again, "your baby will not die". "How sure are you? Are you a healer?" she asked.
He smiled at her, "I'm no healer but I feel the pin of what you are going through. I'll give you enough money for your baby's hospital fee. You will also have enough to last your family for a while". He fumbled through his pocket and brought out some cash. "Take this", he said. She was grateful. At least she would be able to fend for her child for the next couple of days. The old man had put a smile on her face.
As she turned to go, he called her back. She did not expect what he said next. "I was once like you. Me and my son roamed the street begging for alms. I had rags for clothes but I never gave up because I knew that one day I would have a better life. Now I do. So never give up".
"How did it happen?" she asked. "How did what happen?" "Your life. How did it change. Did someone help you because I've asked for help but no one was willing to look at me nor my baby". He smiled and said "my life actually changed a few years ago. No one helped and I depended on no one because I knew it would be worthless depending on them. It was all my sweat". He continued, "there were times when I thought of giving up but the thought that my life would be better in the future if I trained my son well. Today my son has graduated from school and has a well paying job. He gives me everything I ask for and my old age has been crowned with happiness"
"I wish I'm as strong as you" she said. He laughed again "you can be stronger. So it for yourself and for your baby. No matter how hard things are today, trust me when I say that your life will be better tomorrow. Just work hard and never give up". "Thank you old man" she said and left to take her baby to the hospital.
Teen years later, they met again in the hospital. The old man was bed ridden. He was already too old. She had gone there on hospital visitation. She recognized him when she entered his hospital ward. "I remember you", she said. She then explained herself to him. "What are you doing here in the hospital?" he asked. "Is your child sick again?". "No" she replied. "I'm only here to visit and encourage the sick. You see after that encounter with you, I got a new perspective on life. I began to work hard persistently. Today my child has won a scholarship and I'm doing very well in my business".
The old man was happy to hear this. His words of encouragement had saved the life and future of a woman and her baby. How wonderful to die a peaceful old death knowing the impact he made on a mother's life.
A life of freedom
She ran as fast as her feet could carry. She had to escape from him. All her life, he made her think that she was nothing but his slave and had to be treated as one. She did not know where she was running to but the most important thing was to stay away, far away, very very far away from him and his mansion
His mansion was the only place she knew. She was brought there as a baby and so I knew nothing about herself. All she knew was her name Grace. he had told her that there was nothing out there in the world. She believed that out there was nothing but a large Forest that would swallow her if she tried to escape. She was made to live in misery every day. She had no freedom and was rather roped in the imaginary chains of slavery
She did all the works in the mansion and was punished whenever she erred in her actions. She was reminded everyday that she had nothing to do but to serve the people in the mansion. She had no freedom to move not the freedom to say or do whatever she wanted. She lives her life by the dictates of her master and his family.
She longed to know the feeling of freedom but never got any. she wanted to know what lies out there in the world but was always discouraged with the thought that has it was dangerous and filled with wild animals that would devour her. She just never had the courage to escape. She only wished.
On the day ran away, she had received another beating for breaking a porcelain pot. She ran off on a whim and found herself in the forest. She could not bear the thought of what they would do to her if she returned so she had to run as fast as her legs could carry her away from the mansion and away from her misery. She preferred to be pricked by the thorns in the forest than be beaten by her master.
After running for a long time, she began the to hear the playful voice of adults. She was frightened at first. She never expected that she would see any sign of life apart from in the mansion. Soon she was able to make out the image of the people laughing. She saw two young ladies her size playing by the riverside.
This young ladies were her saviours from the forest. They took our home cared for her and made her realise that she could live a life free of control from others. She learnt to live the life of a free man. A life where she would never be a slave to anybody. A life where she had her choices to make with no influence or control.
In her new life of freedom she realised that no one should be made to live as a slave so she made the decision that the man what have made that live the life of a slave will suffer the consequences of his actions. Such men who made others live by their dictates were not supposed to walk free. She would make sure of that and she would never forget to live the best of her freedom. He would never be there to control her nor to punish her nor to make her do things a free man shouldn't. Not anymore. Her life was hers to live and hers alone.
My life and ASUU
Strike action is one of the worst nightmares of a Nigerian university student. As students we have no say on our academic lies or on how long of academic activities last. This is because of the incessant Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike that has plagued the country. It is no new occurrence that students who get admission into federal universities to study for a period of four or five years end up spending extra years in school not necessarily because they had outstanding cases in school but because of the incessant strike action plaguing Nigerian federal universities.
I got admission to study in one of the prestigious federal universities in Nigeria in the year 2020. It was supposed to be a 5-year university course but I'm not sure how long it is going to be any more. I know it was not a pleasant experience but I spent two years in first year. This was caused by strike action. the most appalling thing was that the strike action had to take place when we were about to write our first semester examination. After we came back from the strike, the percentage of the student in me had already depleted. Trust me when I say that the struggle to study and write exams under two weeks was one of the hardest or the worst pressure you could put on a student.
When we first went home on strike, I thought it would be a team of two to three weeks but we had to stay for over a year at home before the strike was called off in school activities resumed. like I said the students percentage in you was depleted. My results was on God.
I would call it a thing of luck that I was able to push through my second semester without another strike action from the academic staff Union.
2 years as a fresher was not fun at all. they putting all the blame on ASUU would be doing injustice to them as the 2020 locked down was also a contributory factor.
I was enjoying my second year as a student in peace before this present strike hit us. First it came as a one month warning strike. It's later graduated 2 months warning strike and now they are on indefinite strike action.
As a law student I had to use this strike as an opportunity to practice under a legal practitioner. I used to the period of the last strike to learn a trade. Now that the student in me has not officially depleted, I am more of a hustler and an intern in a law firm. My special prayer to God every morning is that the students in me does not totally deplete because if that happens I would not know how to cope in school when the strike is eventually called off. As a Nigerian student the fear of strike is the beginning of all wisdom.
The Dream
Fiction:
Before we went to bed we made jokes of talking skeletons. my brother said it will be fun to see a skeleton walk and speak at the same time.
That night as I closed my eyes to sleep, I saw the image of a dancing skeleton in my room. I was amazed at first but I soon began to scream after it made its way to my bed. The skeleton spoke to me saying, "where is it?" "Where have you kept it?" It went straight to the cupboard by the right corner of my room and started searching for what I had no idea of. I tried to escape using the opportunity but to my utmost surprise I could not move.
The skeleton took out a box from my cupboard and said in excitement "yes, I found it". Then it turns to me and said scornfully, "you I shall teach you a lesson never to meddle in other people's business". I have always been a quiet girl and I hated meddling with other people's business so what was the skeleton talking about I tried to speak but I could not. It approached me and took me out of the bed. That was one of the most frightful moments of my life. It's locked me away in a tiny box with no room for movement.
After what seemed like forever the box was opened and I could breathe again. The scenery had changed to that of Riverside. I did not see the skeleton anymore. What I saw was the image of a strange man who dragged me out of the box. He began to argue with the skeleton. After sometime he handed something over to the skeleton and said, "this is your property now leave and never return". Soon the skeleton was went away and the man wrapped me up and carried me like a baby back home.
As we approached the compound where I lived, I felt someone tapped me on the shoulder. I opened my eye to discover that I was lying on the bed and my brother towering over me and saying, "sister wake up we are late for school". Only then did I realise that I had been dreaming all along.
After that frightening dream that I had, I began to stay away from strangers making sure that I never collect anything from people and that I returned everything I collected from them before they even asked for it. Seeing skeleton in my dream again was off the record book for me and it is something I would never want to repeat itself again. Skeletons became an abhored topic for me
@Immaculata
