2018 in Retrospect

in front of University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

Yesterday was our Annual Thanksgiving Service at church and it was a perfect time to reflect on the year 2018 and how it's unfolded into many parts with the attendant surprises.

Considering my position at the onset of the year, I'm still amazed at the blessing that 2018 has come to signify in my life.

One of the most significant impressions this year has made on me

My Highs and Lows for November || 30DWC || Day 30

November!

It's been a crazyyyyy month. There have been highs and lows and some in-betweens.
I'm however grateful that the month has finally ended.
And it's 25 days to Christmas. There's definitely more to be excited about.
So, to the business of the day - the highs and lows of the month.


Highs

• Doing this writing challenge for the whole month
• When I chose to undertake this writing challenge for this month, I really couldn't trust myself to stay on schedule not to talk of completing it. Yet, here we are today. I intend to keep up with my writing for a long time to come.
• My finances were better managed this month compared with previous months. I won't tell you the secret.😉

Lows

• A nagging headache for the whole month
• It started right from the first day of the month and really affected my productivity all through the month.I only summoned courage to properly treat it at the end of the month.

1 Thing I'm excited for ||| 30DWC ||| Day 30

On this last day of November, I'm excited for so many things.
However, like I keep saying over and over again, I'm excited for the future.
I have no regrets about the past. It has contributed in shaping me and bringing out the best in me.
I can look towards the future with utmost enthusiasm and courage.
I have direction for the future. I cannot be confused.
My dreams will not be cut shot. I will live a long and full life.

Goals for the next 30 Days ||| 30DWC ||| Day 29

1. Do some extra reading to catch up on my book-goals for the year.
2. Try to avoid the end-of-the-year spending rush
3. Catch up with some friends who have become distant during the year.
4. Try to continue my daily blogging

The Night of my 21st birthday ||| 30DWC ||| Day 29

I'm struggling to remember full details of my 21st birthday but I think it went this way

• A small get together for my closest friends on campus (still have pictures of that)
• Went visiting to my younger brother's who couldn't make the get together because he was indisposed
• Spent sometime praying for the new year's plans and visions.

Things that make me laugh out loud || 30DWC || Day 28

1. When I achieve my stated goals
2. A good comic or skit
3. When someone errs grammatically
4. A quirky reply
5. 
   

Phrase I use regularly ||| 30DWC ||| Day 28

I use different phrases for different situations.

E.g.

• It is well
• Man's tired (my wife completes this for me)
• Bring your head here
• Bush girl (when someone does something in a "local" way)
• Talk to me
• Etc

What I wore today ||| 30DWC ||| Day 27

An orange patterned shirt on a black trouser with a black monkey jacket.

Something I would like to improve upon || 30DWC || Day 26

Time Management.

I do tend to procrastinate sometimes and this tells on my convenience as vital work tends to pile up.

Things I'd say to an Ex ||| 30DWC ||| Day 26

Dear Ex,

If you had not left, I won't have found something better. Thank you.

My Thoughts on Thanksgiving || 30DWC || Day 25

Thanksgiving was last week Thursday and while it is not so much part of the culture around here, I still consider it a worthwhile custom that is worth emulating.
Thanksgiving has a way of bringing positive vibes and improving our overall well-being as it helps us to focus on what we have, however little it may be.

4 Weird Traits I have ||| 30DWC ||| Day 25

I don't know whether they are weird but...

1. I have very strange food preferences. I am not a fan of milk and egg. Apples nauseates me. I threw up the first time I had strawberries; among many other food idiosyncrasies.
2. I have a strange way I stare at people when they speak with me that unsettles them. Some have described it as "seeing into the soul".
3. I can go 2 - 3 days without sleeping or batting an eyelid, especially if I'm working on a project
4. I could be very emotional. I'm easily moved to tears 

A Lesson I've learned the hard way || 30DWC || Day 24

A written contract is better than a verbal one.

Replace "contract" with promise, result, will, document, etc.

I would not go into specifics so as to protect the identities of some of the actors involved.

So...a few years ago, I needed a certain certification to move to the next level at the time and I thought I had satisfied all the conditions needed and had even extracted a "verbal" commitment that I had been given already.

To cut the long story short, I had to go through considerable strain and traumatic episodes due to a lack of a written evidence of the commitment made by the parties involved.

This singular incident has left me with one of my sternest lessons.

A letter to my wife || 30DWC || Day 23

Dear Oluwagbotemi,

Whenever I count my blessings, I count you twice. Making the decision to marry you would go down as one of my best decisions ever. I'm confident of the future, and I know, with God, we will not have a better yesterday.
This is your boo saying "I love you".

Oluwamuyiwa

A Family Member I dislike ||| 30DWC ||| Day 23

None.

I consider myself privileged to be a part of my family. I am blessed and surrounded with incredibly great people all around and would not exchange them for anything.

My Nuclear Family

First 10 Songs on my Music Shuffle || 30DWC || Day 22

1. Aka Jehovah - Gabriel Eziashi
2. Alpha and Omega - Israel Houghton
3. Heaven on Earth - Micah Stampley
4. Gbotemi - Kemi Olaitan
5. Akodaiye - Philipage
6. Intentional - Travis Greene
7. Imela - Nathaniel Bassey ft. Enitan Adaba
8. We Ose - Benita Iyere Okojie
9. Made a Way - Travis Greene
10. When I call on Jesus - Nicole Mullen

My Morning Routine ||| 30DWC ||| Day 22

My morning routine is not so interesting.

I usually wake up between 4.30 am - 5.30 am.

My first chore is to do some light reading and catching up on current events till sometime around 6.30 - 7.

Devotion with my wife follows, after which I would go prepare for the day, which might include getting the car prepped up, eating breakfast and having my bath.

3 Lessons I want my children to learn from me || 30DWC || Day 21

1. Don't despise relationships. Have those friends that you can always call on when in need. If you don't have them, be them.
2. Only the bread gotten through hard work, integrity and honesty would be eaten with peace of mind.
3. Your word is your bond. Be a man who keeps to his word even when it is not convenient for you.

3 Celebrity Crushes || 30DWC || Day 20

• Nse Ikpe Etim - by far my favourite Nigerian screen goddess. There is something about her that gets me captivated when I see her movies.

• Kerry Washington - my favourite foreign actress; and then she is married to a Nigerian too...so sweet. I've not seen Scandal yet, though.

• Kiefer Sutherland - I've seen 24 Season 1 - 8 twice, in addition to the sequels. I've also seen Designated Survivor to the last episode shown on screen.

First 3 Songs on my Music Shuffle ||| 30DWC ||| Day 20

1. William McDowell - Withholding Nothing
• A song of deep consecration to God. Probably the most important stage of our consecration - Surrendering all.
2. Frank Edward - Oghene Doh
• Frank Edward is an "Epa". He keeps churning out such magnificent tunes that gets one lost in worship.
3. Enrique Inglesias - Hero
• The love song that played on our wedding website.

5 Fears that I have ||| 30DWC ||| Day 19

1. The Fear of walking and crawling insects 😀😀
2. Claustrophobia - fear of enclosed spaces or being confined; especially by people
3. Money Anxiety Disorder
4. I also sometimes harbour a fear that honesty and integrity would not pay in the long run
5. That's all 😐

My First Love || 30DWC || Day 19

Let's call her A.

A was that girl most guys had a crush on in our class then.

I wasn't one easily fazed by beauty but everyone kept talking about A's beauty.

It was in JSS 3 when circumstances brought us together and we started out as friends.

As the days went on, we grew closer and closer, and I naturally fell in love.

To cut the long story short, I got to know about 4 years later, that I was in love with her, but she wasn't in love with me. That was the end of my first love situation.

N.B. Did I forget to mention that A is 4 years older than me?

30 Facts about me || 30DWC || Day 18

I had a 10 Interesting facts about me write-up on a previous day in this writing challenge.

I would prefer to stick to that article. Find it here.

My Favourite Colour and Why ||| 30DWC ||| Day 18

The boy is blue.

I cannot specifically remember when I adopted blue as a favourite colour.
What I do remember is how as a kid, my mum would always buy blue products for me so as to help distinguish from my brother's belongings. It helped to reduce the "fights" at home as the colour determined who owned it.

I recently checked the meaning of the blue colour and I am hugely impressed.
You can see it here

My Zodiac Sign || 30DWC || Day 17

I was born on July 22 and that puts me in the Cancer Zodiac.

I tried to read up on the horoscope some time ago and it seemed to be true. I have however kept away for a while now as the whole astrology thing significantly contrasts with my religious beliefs.

A Quote I try to live by ||| 30DWC ||| Day 17

1.

2.

Something that I miss || 30DWC || Day 16

The days of no cares;

the days when the little things were all I cared for;

the days when the world seemed to be without problems.

My Whole Day || 30DWC || Day 15

My day usually goes thus:

• Wake up between 4.30 a.m. and 5.30 a.m.
• Do some reading online between 5.30 a.m. and 7.00 a.m. 
• Have devotion with my wife just before going to prepare for work which includes having my bath and having breakfast
• Kiss my wife goodbye at 8.15 a.m.
• Arrive work at 8.30 a.m.
• Make my patients happy till 3 - 4 p.m.
• Arrive home some minutes after 4.00 p.m.
• Do some light reading till 6.30 p.m.
• Watch serials on t.v. between 7.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m.
• Retire to bed to catch up on news and happenings of the day
• Sleep off at 11.00 p.m.

3 Pet Peeves ||| 30DWC ||| Day 15

I've written about this already

See it here

Favourite Movies I never get tired of watching || 30DWC || Day 14

3 Idiots

• I did a twitter thread on this movie a while ago
• Find it here

My Life in 7 Years ||| 30DWC ||| Day 14

It would be easy for me to speak in generic terms that I would be in the center of God's will fulfilling purpose and destiny.
I'm however not going to speak in such terms. I'm however just going to speak about my hopes for career. Other aspects of my life, I would rather not prospect here as they are more private.

What do I hope to be (do) in 7 years?

Career wise, I should have made a switch from my present line of work, or more likely a tweak to my present line to accommodate the talents I am endowed with. I intend to take a few development courses that would better position me for my preferred position of work.

What I am excited about || 30DWC || Day 13

The future.
I can see clearly and I recognise that the victories of the past is the least I can achieve.
I'm excited about the oncoming mountains I would surmount in the future.

My Commute to and from Work ||| 30DWC ||| Day 13

My daily commute is somewhat rigid.
My drive to and from work takes about 15 minutes for a distance of about 4 miles; the time partly occassioned by the uneven (bad) roads that takes up about 10 minutes of the journey.

5 Blessings in my life || 30DWC || Day 12

1. My Family
• First on my list of blessings is my family. I am privileged to have been born into my family as this has formed the unique blend of life experiences I have been fortunate to encounter so far
2. My wife
• I got married exactly 100 days ago and I'm fortunate to be married to Oluwagbotemi, God's own answer to my prayers.
3. I'm born again
• I  got born again some 18 years ago and this is one of my most defining life experiences because this has marked the difference between what I am and what I could have been. Jesus truly makes the difference.
4. The gifts and talents I possess
• I count myself blessed by the unique talents and gifts I posses. My uniqueness, versatility and intelligence are some of my greatest strengths.
5. My friends
• I make great friendships and have been privileged to have been of impact to quite a number. I count it a rare joy to have these people around me.

Two words/Phrases that make me laugh ||| 30DWC ||| Day 12

Frankly, I cannot remember any for now.
I  get a hearty laugh from a good comic movie or skit.
I also get comic relief from witty comebacks and stand-up comedians.

What if... || 30DWC || Day 11

What if all our life so far is all but a dream?
...that I would wake up one day and discover I'm still just a 2 year old who's been dreaming about the future?
What if...! What if...!! What if...!!!

My Current Relationship ||| 30DWC ||| Day 11

Of course, I'm married

To an amazing woman

Something I feel strongly || 30DWC || Day 10

I feel so strongly about the future and what it holds.

In the midst of all the seeming chaos and uncertainties, I know my future is secured and I can look forward to it without fear.

A Fruit I dislike and why ||| 30DWC ||| Day 10

Strawberry.

I had the fruit for the first time about 20 years ago and I straight away threw up all my stomach contents. I still cannot explain why that happened.

By the way, strawberry flavour still remains my favourite biscuit flavour.

Some words of wisdom that speak to me || 30DWC || Day 9

One of the most important ways to manifest integrity is to be loyal to those who are not present. In doing so, we build the trust of those who are present.  - Stephen R. Covey

My feelings on Ageism ||| 30DWC ||| Day 9

According to the WHO, Ageism is the stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against people on the basis of their age. Ageism is widespread and an insidious practice which has harmful effects on the health of older adults.

In my line of work, elderly people constitute a large percentage of patients I encounter and I find them exciting and stimulating; their life experiences and mannerisms serve as invaluable lessons that should not be discounted by the newer generation.

I also do not think it is right to discriminate against elderly people on the basis of their age. What they need is understanding and empathy as they go through the inevitable changes that come with their age.

Something I struggle with || 30DWC || Day 8

I sometimes struggle with self acceptance.
This is an irony as I am sometimes very self confident, have a tendency to be full of myself and could be very very expressive.
I however struggle to own some of my strengths and weaknesses. This sometimes makes me reclusive and unwilling to reach out for my desires.

This I have been working on for a while now.

A book I love and another I didn't ||| 30DWC ||| Day 8

I count myself an avid reader as I am wont to read or skim through any book I read.
However, one book I really would read over and over again is that masterpiece from Stephen R. Covey - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

At the moment, I cannot exactly place a book I did not like.

10 Songs I'm loving right now || 30DWC || Day 7

1. Nara by Tim Godfrey ft. Travis Greene
2. You deserve it by J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise
3. Alpha & Omega by Israel Houghton
4. Onise Iyanu  by Nathaniel Bassey ft. Micah Stampley
5. I know who I am by Sinach
6. Made a way by Travis Greene
7. Turning around for me by VaShawn Mitchell
8. Redeemer by Nicole Mullen
9. Aka Jehovah by Gabriel Eziashi
10. Heaven on Earth by Micah Stampley

Tattoos I have ||| 30DWC ||| Day 7

I no get.

What did you expect before?

Five ways to win my heart || 30DWC || Day 6

1. A kind demeanor
• Don't we all enjoy a little bit of kindness here and there. It warms the heart and makes the world a very better place
2. Gala and Coca-Cola
• This should have been the first but who puts this as the first. Those who know me well know this gladdens my heart well.
3. Intelligence
• I am attracted to people who are knowledgeable and who are eloquent. Knowing how to communicate is a winner any day any time.
4. A Good Read
• Books. Journals. Articles. Any good read wins my heart irrespective of theme.
5. Honesty
• Honesty is charming! 

Someone who fascinates me ||| 30DWC ||| Day 6

Donald Trump!

I'm still fascinated by how the most unlikely and the most "unqualified" candidate for the office of the President of The United States of America in spite of his past, braved all the odds and surprised the bookmakers to win an election to that office.
It will probably be a puzzle that would take centuries to unravel.

5 Places I want to visit || 30DWC || Day 5

1. Accra, Ghana

Been there once and would definitely

A Place I would live but have never visited ||| 30DWC ||| Day 5

The City of Love and Romance - Paris, France.

Someone who Inspires me || 30DWC || Day 4

I am privileged to have so many people around me who inspire me and give me the confidence to face life with full assurance.
Top of this list is

My Father.

Words fail me to talk about a man who has literally given all (and is still giving) to make sure his children become the best they are meant to be.
He is my hero and I'm proud to say so.
Thank you, Sir.

10 Interesting Facts about Me ||| 30DWC ||| Day 4

1. I'm a millennial
• probably the most interesting fact about me because most people cannot accurately predict my age. I actually look older than I actually am, a trait I inherited from my father, I think. I also get accorded a lot of respect on that basis.
2. I am multi-lingual
• English, Pidgin English, Yoruba, Ondo, Hausa, French
• I understand and speak the 6 languages in varying proficiencies.
3. I was always the youngest in my class, even till my early university days.
• My body size and demeanor almost never gave me out.
4. My favourite food combo is

My Top 3 Pet Peeve || 30DWC || Day 3

According to the Urban Dictionary, A Pet Peeve is Something that is maybe a bit annoying to most people but is very annoying or upsetting to a particular person.

My top 3 Pet Peeves are:

1. Dishonesty + Pretense
2. Shabbiness at point of duty + Lackadaisical attitudes 
3. Ignorance

My first love and first kiss ||| 30DWC ||| Day 3

Hmmm...I wold rather not write anything about this subject - in total regard for the persons involved. 😉😛

So...seeya

Something someone told me that I never forgot || 30DWC || Day 2

A dear friend who was also a classmate once sent me an e-mail during a forced break at school about how she appreciates my person and my ability to relate so well with people in spite of differences in age, status and religious affiliations. Her exact words were "You are just like Jesus".

That's one experience I've not forgotten 11 years later.

My Earliest Memory ||| 30DWC ||| Day 2

I attended Early Life Kiddies College at Yaba, Ondo in Ondo State and this formed my earliest memories.

• My earliest memory would be

10 Things that make me really happy || 30DWC || Day 1

I'm quite a happy person and these are just a few of the reasons why I'm happy today.

1. That I'm born again
2. My wife, Oluwagbotemi

Five Problems with Social Media ||| 30DWC ||| Day 1

Social Media has come to be known as an effective tool for communication, community relations, news dissemination, business outreaches, social networking and all what not and all what not.

In spite of the very commendable positives that social media has brought to our lives, there are some attendant negatives which we cannot ignore. 
I enumerate them below.

1. Fake News

My 30 - Day Writing Challenge ||| Muyiwa Olasehinde

So...The Desert Flood!

It's been a while I posted anything on this blog.
My write-ups have become as "regular" as rainfall in a desert land. I guess that's why the blog is named The Desert Flood...lol.

However, to put life into this blog, I am subscribing to a 30 - Day Writing Challenge for the month of November in which I would be writing on a variety of subjects everyday of the month. My intent is to motivate myself to write since I will have a daily structure that I have to keep up with.

I am however committing myself to put up 2 posts per day as per the different topic-schedule I came across. By the way, the schedule is shown above.

You can follow on all social media networks using the hashtags #30DWC  #TheDesertFlood

So...Let the Challenge begin.



N.B. I recognise I'm starting a little late already but I'm definitely going to catch up beginning from tonight.

theGMwedding

So...

In a few days time, I would be taking a major step in life and destiny as I take the walk down the aisle with the lovely Miss Oluwagbotemi Fadiora.

The scheduled date is August 3rd and 4th, 2018.

More details can be found at 

http://www.theGMwedding.com 

I write to specifically invite you to join us in prayers as we march towards these date.

I desire your prayers towards the success of the big day and the establishment of our home on the right foundation.

I am deeply grateful for your care and support over the years.

Thank you in advance for obliging this request.

The hashtag for the wedding is #theGMwedding

Commentary on the State of the Nation ||| Muyiwa Olasehinde

Read Here

THE YEAR OF GRATEFULNESS

Today being January 1st, I'm grateful for the year 2015 - 

- for the good times and the not so good times

- for the successes and the failures

- for the challenges I faced in all spheres

- for progress made in all facets of my life

2015 was indeed a great year; and a strategic one indeed.

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

As TK takes the stage...

I love weddings!

So, you can understand my palpable joy when Tinuke called me 5 weeks ago that she would be walking down the aisle very soon.

I was indeed overjoyed with the news not just because it’s another wedding, but because it’s Tinuke’s. I mean, TINUKE IS GETTING MARRIED, and to Dahun.

Some four plus years ago, I was privileged to work at close quarters with Tinuke under the auspices of our Students’ Fellowship*, she being the Assistant General Secretary, while I was the General Secretary. And within that one year of our service together, a deep friendship blossomed which has remained strong and memories of the great times keep resonating till this day.

...Gen Sec twice...the two AGSs I served with - Amanda and Tinuke

I cannot easily disremember that hyperactive, intelligent, ever-smiling, loving

Musings from the Desert (1) │ Muyiwa Olasehinde

So!

It's been a lo…ong while since I have blogged here and it is not unconnected with the myriad of events happening to and around me. Barely do I have time for introspection, as things just seem to be happening so fast and almost going out of control.

However, I have recently being doing some musings and I have decided to pen them down.

My Birthday…

July 22 was the day

HER Majesty; HIS Majesty...A constellation of 2 poems.

HIS COMING...to HIS Majesty

Calm and cool I was seated, Waiting for His Majesty;
Full of beauty, I became the center of attraction;
Never knew how 'exposed' I was; Till men from afar began to take turns...
Turns admiring me.
I was exposed, open to every detriment.

Despite all, I  remained calm and seated...
My gaze fixed in a direction.
Waiting for His Majesty,
...as I would Jesus' Second Coming.

Then I saw a figure!
Distinct and elegant from the crowd,
Amazingly standing tall and straight,
Fear gripped my heart, at his gaze...His gaze was fixed on me.

Chai!
How can these things be!
It's toooo good to be true,
But I have come to lay hold...

I then fixed my gaze on him
Admiring my "His Majesty", my Saviour
Laying aside every weight of fear...

Looking unto him and him alone.

HERE SHE COMES...to HER Majesty

Here she comes...

Making giant strides, breaking new grounds

The cynosure of all eyes; envy of her peers

A little here, a little there...

Here she comes...
Our African Princess, Omolewa mi
Finely crafted like the potter's handiwork
Yahweh, The greatest; She, His best.

Here she comes...
Her Majesty; the bearer of life...
Mother of two; Mother of three
Her womb is the progenitor of blessings
The tiny feeted call her Blessed.

Here she comes...
Drooling mouths ajar; Words indescribable
Blessed is the day I found you,
God's gift to moi - Her Majesty.

Goodbye 2014; Welcome 2015

I really wanted to do a long post about the lessons I have learnt from the year 2014, how we all need to do a big introspection as we begin a new year and how much prospects the year 2015 holds for us individually and as a nation.

However, I have decided to just keep it simple.

So,
Welcome to the Year 2015.

Have a Prosperous Year ahead.

...from all of us at THE DESERT FLOOD.

Good Night, Dr Myles Munroe! │ Muyiwa Olasehinde

I want to challenge every Kenyan to go to the cemetery and disappoint the graveyard. Die like the Apostle Paul who said I have finished my course, I have kept the faith and I have been poured out like a drink offering. There is nothing left. I am ready to die... When you die, die like I am planning to die. Empty. It's finished.

- Dr Myles Munroe, speaking with a journalist on a visit to Kenya, just 3 weeks ago.

I looked for words to pen down all day but the words just did not form. For the first hour after reading the news, the only two words I could mutter were "God" and "Jesus Christ".

The moment my phone's alarm rang today's morning, I noticed I had an unread message on the WhatsApp Application, and that message just seemed to blow apart the beginning of a new week for me.

It read "Pls o. What am I hearing about Dr. Myles and family?"

Saturday Morning Rantings │ Muyiwa Olasehinde

Well, basically, it is Saturday Morning and, with no fixed schedule for the day, I am in a mood to rant.

I recently began another phase in my academic verve and in the pursuit of purpose in the "Hippocraticean" order and while it might be too premature to begin my doxologies and eulogies, I want to jump the gun.

Though it might be more convenient to be grateful for the various victories, successes and good-times that I have been privy to over the years, I am more grateful for the challenging times, the seemingly intractable days, the gloominess that envelopes my heart each time I failed, that despair I feel each time when I seemed so helpless, the pain of purpose and the sorrow of a determined skin.

I am most grateful, however, for the lessons I have picked over the years, the thick skin I have grown, the seemingly painless way I always seemed to bounce back, even if just for a moment, and the person I have grown to be today.

I can look back and say with all sense of assurance that my dreams have not been shattered. I have not lost a bit of courage than I had five, 10 or 20 years ago. I have gotten better at life and stronger at fights (and maybe bigger in size?)

Today, I look forward to the future with much assurance and dignity knowing that whatever encounters I have is only a chapter in the book that will surely pass. The visions and dreams for the future are still as intact as when I began seeing them fourteen (14) years ago and I am propelled on by the little part that I have seen materialise before me.

P.S. I know this does not exactly qualify as a "rant" but I just couldn't find another vocabulary to depict what I was doing.

My Thoughts on "Half of a Yellow Sun - The Movie" │ Muyiwa Olasehinde

I just finished seeing the movie adaptation of Half of a Yellow Sun, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's award winning novel and smacking in the euphoria of such great production and heart rending story, I want to share a few thoughts.

I have not read the novel and I hear that the movie isn't totally a 'sceneric' representation of the book but the viewer is captivated in the story flow and the professionalism with which the cast interpreted their roles, albeit unfamiliar.

Heart wrenching is the only way I can describe the emotion I felt while watching the scenes of war - the anguish of losing a loved one, the despair of a lost hope for survival, the massive destruction and desolation associated with war, shattered dreams...

...how some politicians still

GOD’S ACCOUNT IS BLANK: HE HAS GOT NO MONEY │ Banji Odurombi

I won’t beg you to read on. Such staggering statements are not popular in this part of the world. Well, it is why we have remained where we are. Staggering statements said to me are as ghosts sealed up in their wooden home. I do not let them go and you had better not.

  To the subject at hand! 

Certain questions ran through my mind as I shared a thought with a brother. I said to him ‘Whatever you do, do it with a global mindset’. Jesus walked the face of the earth in the relatively unknown town called Nazareth, yet everybody that must have come in contact with the Christian faith must have been acquainted with the name just by keeping the account of Jesus’ earthly walk in Israel. And if Judas, had known that his act of stealing from the disciples treasury would have been read all around the world, perhaps he would have had a re-think. When I read ‘Judas…, not Iscariot…’ in the Bible, I came to realize that those little actions in your mind, done in school, room, etc. can have a global impact, either inspiring people to imitate or as a form of instruction not to follow.

CUNNINGLY DEVISED FABLES │ Banji Odurombi

When the Apostle Peter wrote that the declaration of the coming of the Lord to believers isn’t a fable, he was saying that against the background of fables that were being told in their time; cooked up, refined and falsified stories that overtime have come to be accepted as the truth. In our time, there are such fables that their origins seem improbable but their contents can be challenged. Let’s consider some of them.

One fateful day in football history that Nigerians will not forget in a hurry, according to them, is the Nigeria/India football match. It was said that India was leading by 99 goals with none to Nigeria and because it was so obvious that the India national team was using juju to play against our national team, the national team players were told that if they could score just a lone goal, the match would be decided in our favour. Was the goal scored and who scored the goal?

Birthday Post: 10 Lessons Life has taught me │ Muyiwa Olasehinde

1. Age is just a number.

Nobody should be limited because they are young. You are not too young to begin. You are not too old to embark on your achievements. Brace the odds and set on the path to success.

2. The best life centre is God

There will be a lot of factors appealing to you - money, fame, possessions, friends family...But trust me, if your life is centred on God, the storm will only blow, you will have peace.

3. How you react to life and 'lifers' is entirely under your control.

No one will tread on you without your consent.

4. Take the relationships (people) in your life seriously.

HEARD OF DYNAMITE?│Banji Odurombi

When my good friend asked me to write on his blog, I never did consider it a difficult task but what was more difficult for me was what was going to be my first. People usually talk of their first ‘date’, ‘kiss’, ‘car’, ‘phone’,… I leave you to supply the other firsts. Of all that struggled for relevance, I finally arrived that this should be my first.
A story was once told of a man who had planned to go on vacation with his wife but unfortunately the wife couldn’t make the trip probably because she had to urgently attend to some other things, leaving the man to go on the vacation alone. In the euphoria of the vacation, the man decided to send a telegram to his wife. He approached the telegrapher at the reception and dictated the following words to the telegrapher: "Having a nice time wish you were here". But the telegrapher typed and sent: "Having a nice time wish you were her", omitting the last letter in the sentence ‘e’ and by implication giving the sentence another meaning entirely. Can you imagine the havoc this could wreak on their marriage?

Little wonder the preacher ‘preached’ “Take up the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vine: for our vines have tender grapes”

12 Personal Lessons from Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"

1.  No shortcuts. The law of sowing and reaping is non-negotiable.
2. What we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do.
3. The way we see a problem is the problem.
4. It is not what happens to us, but our response to what happens to us that hurt us. We are free to choose our response in any situation, but in doing so, we choose the attendant consequences.
5. Effectiveness does not depend solely on how much effort we expend , but on whether or not the effort is in the right jungle.
6. We accomplish all that we do through delegation. If we delegate to time, we think efficiency. If we delegate to other people, we think effectiveness. Transferring responsibility to other skilled and trained people enables you to give your energies to other high-leverage activities.
7. The more genuine your character,

...in praise of Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"

Have you ever read a book and you wondered what your life could have been if you had read that book at a younger age?

I recently had that WOW moment.

I was on my way to Akure to do a surprise birthday for my mum last week. Out of boredom, I opened the "Books to Read" folder on my tablet and selected Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" which happened to be the first book on the list.

I finished reading the book yesterday afternoon and

Should a Woman be allowed to abort a child conceived through Rape?

In response to commentary on social media earlier this week made by a well known and popular clergyman, I'm throwing my hat in the fray and making my submissions on this subject matter hoping this would stimulate a larger discourse for the benefit of society.

I am going to base my submission on two premises.

First, Rape is sacrilegious.

THE CRESCENDO

Wasteland before, Wilderness behind,
Hear the thunderous silence of rejection;
Basking in an euphoric despair of abandonment,
The desiccating ground collects no clemency.

Birds tweeting,

BEFORE I JOIN POLITICS: a message to all NIGERIAN CHRISTIANS.

I have two confessions.

I love Politics. I am not exactly sure about the time when I took a keen interest in the Nigerian Political field, considering however that I cannot exactly remember when Dr Chuba Okadigbo was Senate President or when he was impeached but I am more familiar with Rt. Hon. Anyim Pius Anyim's tenure as Nigeria's Senate President, it would be accurate to estimate that I probably took a salient interest and became a keen observer of Nigerian politics around the year 2002/2003. I however have very fond memories of my brother and I on the pretext of going to read at the hospital library very close to our house, spending more than a half of our supposed reading time leafing through newspapers (Ok! Please don't tell Mrs O). Initially the rear sports pages of the newspapers (Vanguard, Daily Trust) were our specialty until I began to go beyond the back pages to stuff that were more political. Sometime later, the NTA Network News @ 9pm becoming a fixed schedule of my daily life, a disposition I inherited albeit by example from my father. More recently, I can still picture myself "arguing", discussing and heatedly debating with my roommates and friends on current affairs in Nigeria. So much is my love for these rigorous debates that I have had not a small number of folks tell me I should have put in to study Law or Political Sciences instead of the medical career,

THE PARABLE OF THE MONKEYS AND A LADDER

A group of scientists placed 5 monkeys in a cage and in the middle, a ladder with bananas on top.
Everytime a monkey went up the ladder, the scientists soaked the rest of the monkeys with cold water. After a while,

Voyage to Kano Series 2: LAMENTATION FOR NIGERIA

I still remembered the first time I travelled by air in my entire life. It was March 2006. I was not anymore fresh out of Secondary School (it was almost 2 years already). However, the admission into the university just seemed not to be coming forth. A door seemed to be opening at the University of Ibadan but I was required to appear at the university in less than 24 hours. The only alternative then was to take the first flight out of Kano the next day.

Voyage to Kano Series 1: UNPATRIOTIC ME

It’s 4:30 pm Sunday and I had just dropped from the bus that conveyed me to the tarmac for my Arik Air flight to Kano. I was particularly glad considering my flight had been rescheduled twice on that day already and I could have missed the flight but for my Uncle’s insistence on dropping me earlier at the airport. I was more ecstatic that I was making a trip back to my “Home” after 8 months. I was clearly in Cloud 9.

As we proceeded for the final security screening before boarding the plane, I noticed the overwhelming presence of some officials and players of the Kano Pillars Football Club also waiting to board. The man just in front of me on the queue turned to a man on a Kano Pillars jacket saying @ “Congratulations”. I cut into the conversation that, “what are you congratulating them for?” The fellow with the massive build, who probably is the coach, chipped in, “We won”. I enquired from him on what they won. “The league”, he replied, albeit uninterestingly. Unknown to me, the Kano Pillars had just won the Nigerian Premier League for the 2011/2012 Season.

He must have felt embarrassed that after a momentous feat as winning the Nigerian Premier League, a fellow Nigerian man could still ask, “Won what?”

For the rest of my flight to Kano, which was routed through Jos,

THE TRAVESTY OF A NAME: UNILAG, MAULAG et al

On the 13^th year commemoration of the return of Nigeria back to democratic rule, precisely on the 29^th May, 2012, Nigerians woke up to the jolting announcement by their Commander-in-Chief that the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been renamed the Moshood Abiola University, Lagos (MAULAG). The manner of presidential (or is it monarchical?) fiat with which the christening was done brought back to mind, alas with bitter nostalgia, the days of the uniformed men and goggled faces when orders were given and decrees were carried out with utmost alacrity without due recourse to existing laws nor to the prevailing mood and circumstances. It was a phase in our history, where unpredictability was the order of the day and we basked in the fear of the unknown.

All that seemed to change with the advent of the 4^th Republic on the 29^th of May, 1999. We rejoiced merely in the fact that our ‘head of state’ from then on would no more subject us to the harrowing and traumatic experiences of ‘pleasant’ surprises, albeit the guiding arms of the rule ensured that all our policies, decisions and proceedings are done in a responsible, respectable and responsive manner. The presence of our 3 arms of government was meant to function as a check and balance system that would not allow any arm of the government to arbitrarily overrule the law and take decisions it considers best in whoever’s interest and in the prevailing circumstances.

Alas, all that seemed to reverse with the manner President Jonathan renamed the University of Lagos which coincidentally would be celebrating the Golden Jubilee of her existence this year. The University of Lagos, I am told is Nigeria’s first Federal University, considering that others before her were established by Regional Governments.

Immediately the announcement was made, the Akokites, as the UNILAG students are famously known, sprung out in protests against the name change of which the protests have led to the institution being shut down for a 2 week forced leave. Many notable Nigerians have commended the President for the noble gesture of honouring President Moshood Abiola, owing more to the refusal of the greatest beneficiary of the ultimate price that MKO paid, President Obasanjo, to accord him the honour in the 8 years he headed the State. This commendation has however, attracted not a few knocks here and there, especially for the choice of UNILAG as the sacrificial lamb.

While for most students of MAULAG, their reason for protests is not farfetched as they are finding it unusually hard being called Moshoodites, MAULAGites, MAUites