27TH JANUARY: WE STILL REMEMBER

I remember, just like yesterday, the day had started like any other. It was a Sunday, so the quietness in the neighbourhood was understandable. And then suddenly, I felt it. The vibrations and quaking of the ground. The noise of the windows slamming shut.

For a minute I thought Nigeria was experiencing her first earthquake. Running out, I noticed the bright lights in the distance. No... these weren't fireworks.

As I stood there watching, the man-induced evil was taking its course.

Lives of the innocent - men, women, children of all ages - were wasted, all because a few people, whom unfortunately have been mandated to safeguard lives and properties, had failed at their duty.

We may never know what really happened on that 'Black Sunday', but we would forever remember the future leaders, bread winners, benefactors and dependants, who for fear of the unknown, made unscheduled journeys to the land of no return.

It’s been 9 years, while many do not remember; those who lost loved ones continually say their prayers while others who have been rendered homeless count their losses. 

The question is, are the armouries safe now? Or have the bombs changed hands and locations for explosion?

Aren’t we all, as residents in Lagos and indeed Nigeria sitting on bombs that can explode at any moment?

Award for Stylish and Versatile Bloggers

I am indeed overgasted and flabberwhelmed (ok you can switch the words before you tear the dictionary apart) at this nominations. Special thanks to NAIJAMUM, WILD BOY , PRISM and TEGA for finding me worthy; this for me, is a challenge to be more committed to blogging.

So back to the awards, the rules are as follows:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
2. Tell us 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 other bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and let them know they have won

Here are 7 random things about me:

1.    I play the Cello and hope to learn to play saxophone and clarinet soon.

2.    I've never suffered stage fright in my entire life, I had my first stage performance at age 5, in fact, I think I was born for public speaking.

However, Acute Shy Mode is activated when I'm on a date (especially first dates). I don’t know how or why it happens, I just feel so uncomfortable when I have to eat with someone staring.

3.    I’d rather stay home gisting with my family and watching movies than move about in the blazing sun. Hence, I try to plan my itinerary well so I can clear out all outings in one day.

4.    I really do not know which I love more – politics or sports. I’m almost sure that at some point in future, I’ll venture into politics, most probably by appointment.

5.    I plan on visiting all the continents. Deep down inside, I’m an aspiring globe-trotter.

6.    My favourite food is plantain (does that even make sense?) Plantain is the only thing I can eat and not get tired. And yes, I eat it with virtually any and everything – rice, beans, porridge, eba, bread... yes Bread!

I eat it boiled, fried, roasted as well as mashed and baked( you’ll need pepper, eggs, etc). My mum has given up, trying to change me is a waste of time... I love me some plantain. Yummy!

7.    I totally believe in love...yes LOVE! It’s soooo simple, there’s someone out there for everyone, you just need to find him/her to know what I’m talking about. Did I mention that I like them tall? Ahhh... I'm about 5'8

in my stilettos and thus far I've attracted only 5'10 or taller brothers... but somehow I keep having this feeling I'm going to end up with a dude my height or inches shorter. Weird hehn?!

I hereby tag:

1. Ladyguide

2. Tamunoibifiri Mobolaji - Kamson

3. Gbemisoke

4. Mbabezi

5. Iani

6. Lara

7. 2cute4u

8. Fluffycutething

9. Af

10. Doll

11. Qmoney

12. T notes

13.Notmadblackwoman

14. Miss A

15. Omoteedlaw

Phew...! Okay, so now that you've been tagged, please prepare your acceptance speech and follow the instructions. QED

AWAY FROM SERIOUS BUSINESS

Hi people, as you all may have noticed already, its politics, politics and more politics in Nigeria at the moment. Political parties are holding their primaries to determine who will represent them during the presidential polls in April. Yesterday, (January 13th) delegates of the ruling party - PDP - voted President (Dr.) Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as their flag bearer. I'm sure you all have overdosed on the details already.

To take our minds off the PDP comedy primaries, here's a selection of 'political cartoons' (sorry its politics again but hey, they are just cartoons... Enjoy!

1. Jona and friends 

2. 'To hell with the cabal' says Dora Akunyili

3. Did IBB step aside or did he get 'flung aside'?

4. Sanusi catches the lawmakers redhanded

5.Epileptic power supply

6.Yerima marries 13year old

7.The masses suffer while the elites say AYE to enjoyment.

8.Corruption in high places

9.Is Goodluck enough? ... Guess we're yet to find out

10.Consensus express

 11.Corrupt Governors and the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission

 12. In sickness and in health... till God do us part

13.Corrupt Nigerian legislators

14.Octopus PDP grabs its all... RIP Octopus Paul

  
15.Blame it on AbdulMuttalab

16.Like a thief in the night...

17.LDR - Long Distant Regime

18.Politicians on rampage

19.All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others - Napoleon

20. What You See Is What 'We' Get

These cartoons are the brain child of Etim Bassey Asukwo, a journalist with Business Day Newspapers. He's also a retired blogger, check out www.asukwo.blogspot.com for more hilarious and thought provoking sketches.

*Pictures courtesy www.cp-africa.com and www.asukwo.blogspot.com.

R. S. V. P. 2011

As Nigerians, we are at that point again, in the making of our political history, where we have to take our fate in our hands and decide how we want to be led into the future which unfortunately many have already written off as bleak.

It is time to begin the ever worrisome process of choosing those who would on our behalf, think, promulgate and execute laws that should take us to 'the promise land' or at least guide us in the path towards it.

Come April 2011, Nigerians aged 18 and above, would file out to vote-in another crop of political leaders. Many have concluded that it would be business as usual - stolen ballot boxes, mass thumb printing and poll-centre hijacking etc - however, I'll like to ask that we all do our best to ensure it isn’t.

The future we all talk about will someday be our present. When that day comes, we don’t want to be full of regrets.

We have blamed our fathers long enough forgetting our children will blame us even more if we fail. It is time to practice what we've preached, let's do our part and leave the rest. Be the face of the change you seek.

REGISTER: Come January 15th, the registers would be officially opened for eligible electorates, do make out time and register in the area where you intend to cast your votes. Observe the process with keen interest, check the slip and ensure your name is correctly spelt. Keep your slip for verification thereafter.

SELECT: The primary purpose of every election is to identify the people's choice of leader through their votes. There are quite a number of candidates veering for various positions, endeavour to identify them all. Gather as much information as you can on each of them, let your fact finding include, their past, records of achievements and misdemeanours and most importantly their manifesto. Do this before Election Day (April) and decide whom you will be casting your votes for.

Politics of rice, beans, recharge cards and tee shirts would only produce 'Ghana must go' hugging leaders. Choose wisely.

VOTE: The elections have been slated to hold in April. It is tempting to sit back at home and watch movies all day - please don't! Make your way back to the registration centre or designated polling points and CAST YOUR VOTE. It is important because if you don't, you'll be helping some undeserving candidate get into office. Remember, political thugs find it easier to carry out mass thumb printing on empty/unused ballot papers. Don’t give them the chance.

PROTECT: When you're done casting your vote. Monitor it, ensure it is counted, keep the records and compare with the ones INEC releases later.

Remember, your Smartphones are not only entertainment gizmos; they can help create the future we hope for as Nigerians. Monitor proceedings and share pictures, text messages, reports, videos and other forms of data on social networks (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube etc).

While you're at it, be careful, only the living can tell a story.

LONG LIVE NIGERIA,

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

For more information, visit:

www.inecnigeria.org

www.enoughisenoughnigeria.com.

INEC = Independent National Electoral Commission

Exit 2010 -----> Enter 2011

The Year 2011 is finally here. As usual, the crossover was amidst jubilations and colourful displays, at least for most people. I'm happy to be here, living unaided... I mean unaided by technology (remember Late President Yar' Adua this time last year) but definitely by my creator's grace.

The year 2010 was highly anticipated many years before the millennium started, I remember Vision 2010 and the likes from as far back as 1999. One doesn’t need a statistician to know Nigeria failed in realising the goals so widely publicised in the dailies.

I am not one to make New Year resolutions, I write prayer points instead, it’s a reflection of my faith and how I continually wish to live my life. Each of these prayer points represent goals I work smart to achieve.

Its 100% of 50 – 50 for me... for each item on the list, I pray earnestly for what I want (the first 50) and then, I work towards achieving them (the other 50). While praying, I study the scriptures and sometimes fast (that is, if my body, workload and energy level permits, make person no go *kpeme)... that to me, is 100%.

In working smart, I make a *SMART plans and try all available alternatives so that in the end, even if I do not hit the mark, I would have satisfied my conscience that I did all I could.

Year 2010 was not exactly how I hoped it would be, I lived a lot on HOPE... on COURAGE and then with DETERMINATION.

I had called it year two thousand and thanks... as I look back at the various moments... I am indeed thankful.

Thankful for the lifestyle changes I finally made

Thankful for now, more than ever, I know who I am... and who I want to be

Thankful for the disappointments... they helped me become more determined

Thankful for my family, friends and foes...

Thankful for every minute I spent making someone else happy

During the Christmas celebrations, I wasn’t even sure what to expect or look forward to in 2011, but now I know...

I remember the *Yoruba adage...

Apé kó tó jeun kii je bajé

Direct translation: He who eats late, would not eat spoilt food.

Actual translation: The patient dog eats the fattest bone.

(It is more profitable to exercise patience while seeking a durable solution, in difficult situations than to hastily accept an ill-conceived solution)

Ení bá dami sí wájú, á te ile tútu

 Direct translation: He who pours water on the floor would walk on a wet/cool ground.

Actual translation: You shall reap what you sow

Subsequently, I have concluded that all I did in 2010 was SOW... the seeds of kindness, love, hard work and plenty of sacrifice.

As expected, after SOWING comes REAPING... and considering the many seeds I have sown, the HARVEST must be BOUNTIFUL. So much that there will be enough to go around for me to INVEST in other people...

It is with this in mind that I say...

 Welcome To Year Two Thousand and ELEVATE!

Note

*Kpeme = pidgin word for die

**SMART plan = acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-based

***Yoruba= a language spoken predominantly in the South West of Nigeria