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Before I shut my eyes to my minds wanderings

And enjoy the visions of a new year

Let me once again pen down words of gratitude

And frame my heart in letters that can be shared

To my God, Father, Love and Satisfaction – in You I exist in total bliss

To my Parents and siblings, my first partners – in you I receive love unconditionally

To my friends, my mentors and protégés  – in you I see self-affirmation

To all who say a prayer for me – in you I have confidence

Thank you

I am grateful

I still have many more years to prove you right

I will say the prayers of replenishing for you

For the blessings I will enjoy from your goodwill

May my hearts joy at this moment be your reality.


Amen

Who put the sour in sweet November???!

Who put the sour in sweet November???!

I watched my friend writhe in pain cause by the happenings of this month. He had lost his dad earlier this month just around the time someone he respected greatly passed on in a plane crash as well.

So we thought after the death of Myles Monroe we would get a breather. Of course, we can’t have anyone else die after such a great man? He was like hundred men in one. He lived such a purposeful life and touched so many people, institutions and nations. A friend pinged me a day after Myles Monroe’s passing and ask who he was, I was shocked and slightly offended that he didn't know who he was that the only answer I could come up with was “Ask Google”. Maybe I was over reacting but I believe just like Steve Job’s passing and Madiba’s passing would leave a dent in this world so would Myle Monroe’s.

And then I wake up to a message from a dear friend saying ChazB a fantastic On Air Personality and child of God had passed on too. I went numb for a moment and then I mumbled in the comfort of my room “nooooo, not you too”. Why couldn't some of these wicked and malicious politicians and religious bigots die instead I asked no one in particular.

What on earth was happening to sweet November?

I looked at the beeping red light from my phone and knew the news had gone viral. I wasn't ready to face my grief so I ignored them and curled back to sleep. But just like these precious lives, the sour that had been poured into my November had rid me of sleep too.

I didn't cry. I didn't laugh. I just went on with my life until when I chatted with my friend again and I realised three important people had been taken from him in such a short time and my heart broke finally. I felt sad and happy at the same time. Myles Monroe and ChazB had lived full lives even though to us it was short. They had such influence on people, we mourn them like we were kit and kin.

Life goes on right? And once again we have to pick up the pieces and move on. But this time, we MUST “find our place and fill our space” like Fela Durotoye would say. 

We do not plan to die but we must plan to leave behind a living legacy.

So it’s a sweet and sour November but we would hold on to the sweet and let the sour slowly slip away.

Star Struck with Nosa "Always"

So I met Nosa Omoregie again!

A few years ago a friend of mine sent me a message saying he just heard a song I will absolutely love and of course I replied “send it now” and he sent me “Always Pray for You” by Nosa.

This was my first exposure to the guy and I was super excited, “you mean this kind of music could come out of Nigeria?” I asked my friend after listening and he laughed as I followed it with “if you give me this kind of song you have to introduce me to this guy oh”.

Finally Nosa released an album and ChazB kept playing it on his program “Sharing Life Issues with ChazB” as his favourite album of the year and so I decided to get the album. I bought it in traffic, yes I confess because I was in a hurry to listen to what the rave was about. Oh and was it a satisfying buy! I played the cd over and over and over again until my friends could sing along and one of them finally took it off me since I had learnt all the songs and she was yet to buy hers (in traffic).

In July, my organisation was hosting this grand event and we needed someone to sing the national anthem. We went through a few names and struck a few out for various reasons, I watched as they deliberated and waited for the appropriate time to give my own option. It never presented itself so I took to campaigning among the deliberators. From “have you heard ‘Always Pray for You’” by Nosa, Isn’t it a great song?” to “Do you remember that cd I always play in the car? I think he has the persona we’re looking for” to out rightly saying, “Just take Nosa”. We did and it was an awesome choice.

We met that day for the first time by the elevator and my friend who knew about my dedication to that cd told him the story. Of course he’s a gentleman so he smiled a lot and we took pictures and my famzing became official.

And then yesterday another friend of mine who I went to hang out with calls Nosa to join us and we have a good time chatting for a few hours. I guess my friend brought out his “razer” side as I got to discover that he is absolutely hilarious and really down to earth.

Now my famzing has gone from official to familiar.


Join we the Nosa fans and get your own copy of “Open Doors” the album.

20 Minutes

I stood by my car waiting for a friend who was finishing up at a saloon and watched 4 little boys play with a ball they had made by stuffing pieces of cloth wrapped around little stones into an old deflated football.

I was intrigued by the raw intelligence the refurbished ball presented but wondered about how easy it was to kick against a ball that probably weighed almost half as much as the smallest of the boys.

They seemed happy and content in their little game and my friend was taking her precious time so I watched. I could have gone into the saloon but the last time I was there I had a little falling out with the hair dresser who made me look more like I was going for a ritual ceremony and not the wedding I had planned. So I swore never to set foot in that saloon again and waiting under the blistering sun was me proving my point.

The boys had stopped playing and were looking intently in anticipation as one of them ran towards a lady who had just alighted from a motorbike. He bent towards her bag of groceries and she snapped at him. I couldn’t hear what she said but I could feel her anxiety at having a 10 year old tattered looking boy touch her bag. I strained to hear their conversation but I was too far away so I tried to read their lips but all I see from the boy was “please. . . .” and after a pause the lady nodded and he carried the grocery bag and followed behind her into the gate of an estate right behind them.

A few minutes later, my “boys” and I were still craning our necks in anticipation for the boys’ return when he ran out of the estates gate in full speed waving a 50naira note. They all jumped around in circles and chatted excitedly, pointing in the direction of “Mallam Biscuits” stand.

I smiled as I remembered myself so many years ago excited at any currency given to me by uncles and aunties who came to visit.

I had entered my car and turned on the AC, the heat outside had become unbearable and I had decided to leave my friend behind, after all she was an adult and could find her way home easily. And well, I wasn’t paid to turn 2 shades darker for being her chauffer.

As I simmered, a lady walked by my car and caught my attention because she was wearing exactly the same top I had bought a few days ago and I smiled to myself and shrugged, “London shoppers in Lagos malls”. She was rummaging furiously through her bag like I did when I couldn’t find my keys and a 200naira note fell out right in front of my boy who carried the grocery bag.

He immediately picked it up and ran after her calling out and handed it to her as she turned around. She stared at his hand, then his face and smiled then she bent slightly, said something to him just as his friends got to where they were standing and turned away waving.

What?! Had she just given a 200naira note to my boy? Oh my! What a day this boy had had.

As if on cue, all 4 boys jumped and screamed and this time I could hear them distinctly as they ran towards “Mallam Biscuit”. I laughed despite myself and wished someone else would come and maybe throw a good life at them, changing their clothes, giving them a home and a possible future.

My heart felt heavy and my eyes teared up as I wondered if spending 5 more minutes playing a rugged football will bring more goodness to the already happy boys.

As they half-ran, half-walked chatting excitedly and eating the combos or biscuits, wafers, sweets and sharing a bottle of a drink that looked like Viju milk, I decided my waiting time was up and started my car.

As I pushed the gear into drive, from the corner of my eye I saw my friend running hysterically towards my car, waving both hands and bags. She looked angry and I could see why, the hairdresser had transformed her into a lion with locks. I smiled and she said, “I don’t want to hear it”

It had been an eventful 20minutes with a grand finish!

I drove away with a sense of fulfilment.

My Sunday Prayer

                                       

                                          Lord You Know the mess we make of our lives, 

                                      let Your word today renew our minds that our hearts 

     

                                         may be restored to love you as purely and simply

                                                              as is possible to man. 

                               And to love our neighbours past our present hurts and discord. 

                                      And to be as You intended, a people of worship and

                                      

                                                                love and character,

                   

                                               showing the world the way to you by these. 

                                                                         Amen

A LETTER FROM GOD TO WOMEN

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity. From one bone I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects his heart and his lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do.

Around this one bone I shaped you. I modelled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully.

A Single Lady’s Prayer

Lord give me my own man
Who is not confused by the multiple relationships he has had
And knows your will is lost in his refusal to wait and receive from you
And his confidence is seared because it has been one mistake after another
And now he doesn't know who is right for him for he has forgotten to ask you and be led by you