The prize

I wish you would let me go
to chase my childish quests and fantasies
sow my oats and then some more
see my path and then divert,
zig zagging like the fool I am
yet, you watch me do these things and smile
ever patient with your calm presence
you still my racing heart with your hand
and lead me from a path filled with thorns
you are never afraid to take my hand
and show me the way

I already know I won
For you were my prize a long time ago.

The local champion

Tega walked faster, like he was wont to do when he had so many things on his mind. He could not believe that Okiemute that small boy, had challenged him to a wrestling match. The atmosphere in the village had reached fever pitch and it was said that Owofasa was even collecting bets. It had been 5 years since his last match and his muscles were not as strong as they used to be. His small hut was already filled with his friends and family when he got there.

"I told you, you should have been practising!" that was his Uncle, Uvie.

"Now, that small boy, have you seen the muscles on him? they said he lifted Robo the other day." Robo was the heaviest women in the village, and it was said that she weighed more that a wheel barrow full of yams.

"They say he trains from morning till night, and he eats only cassava, he is as strong as an ox" chirped in his aunt.

"I saw his thighs, hard like yams...."

"And you, you are almost 40, Okiemute has not even marked his 20th birthday"

Tega, ignored their comments and sat at this usual chair in the corner, he took his pipe out, and began to stuff it.

"Is that really wise, at this time?

"I think you should not wrestle, you are too old"

"Should you be smoking? Okiemute does not smoke, they say his lungs are as clear as the Odewe river"

Tega looked around the room, he could have been vexed with their comments but he knew that they only said these things because they were worried for him.

"Go home, good people, all you have heard are tales, let not the appearance of Okiemute fool you, did anybody actually see him lift Robo?"

"No, we did not but he said he did it, and I believe him, why would he lie?" replied his aunt.

To be continued....

I just can't get it right!

You know how you want to do the right thing and then somehow it goes all wrong? You want someone's attention so you say something and yep, you got the attention alright, but for saying the wrong thing? You want to help, but you do more harm than good? You want someone to laugh, so u say a joke, and it back fires? Now, you are standing there like a fool...you want to explain that its not really like that, but then you realize...it's one of those days, you just can't seem to get it right.

ASHAWO!!!!!!!

When a female fires back
suddenly target don't know how to act
So he does what any little boy would do
Makin' up a few false rumors or two
That for sure is not a man to me
Slanderin' names for popularity
It's sad you only get your fame through controversy
But now it's time for me to come and give you more to say


- From Christina Aguilera's "can't hold us down"


A lot of things happened last week that brought up a topic that I have thought about ever so often. I am sure we have all read by now the slimy details of the obj divorce. When I read all the accusations being pelted out by her husband, to say the truth, I was not shocked. Why? Well, I have come to the conclusion that a lot of Nigerian men are petty: PETTY.

Let me explain. I remember even back then in secondary school, I was always baffled by the fact about how easy a young boy would confidently call an ex girlfriend "a prostitute". I have an older brother, so my teenage years were spent hanging out in his room listening to their escapades. Many times, I listened with annoyance as the so called ex boyfriend would tell his guys intimate details of his relationship and ofcourse reveal secrets the once "love of his life" told him in confidence. I have watched that scenario unfold many times as a teenager and I have always thought it was because they were young and did not know any better. Since then, I now have reasons to believe that a lot of Nigerian men act like immature fools the moment things do not go the way they want. Here are some examples I have witnessed, no be say anybody tell me oh!

Case 1: Boy and girl had been going out for a while, guy decides to break it off, girl agrees, they go their seperate ways. A couple of months later, boy decides he has made a mistake and wants girl back, but by then, girl has moved on and she tells him that. One day, Boy sees girl taking a walk with another man, he is enraged. He confronts her at her home and immediately opens his mouth where words like "ashawo" and "prostitute" flowed abundantly from. He shouted on the streets of London like an agbero, and if I was not there to witness this firsthand, I would never have believed that this gentleman, who was always so well dressed in suits and ties could have such a market behavior. He has since apologized, but it is too late to erase that image from my head.

Case 2: Guy and girl have a relationship, I saw the love unfold before my very eyes. Girl catches boy cheating. Relationship ends. I met the guy a couple of months later, when I asked why the relationship had ended; he began to disclose a lot of personal details about the woman. He never told me the real reason i.e. that he was caught cheating, but instead spent more than an hour insulting the woman. He had become an agbero over night.

Case 3: Boy and girl meet, have a relationship, things do not go well, they have different morals and principles in life. Relationship ends amicably, (or so she thought). Fast forward a couple of months and the city is ripe with all sorts of rumors. In this case, the guy came up with the most unbelievable lies and stories. I was embarrassed for his sake.


These are just three examples, but over the last couple of days, I have been discussing this topic with many of my friends in Nigeria and abroad. They have all had at least one boyfriend that either insulted them or made up stories after the relationship ended.

Blogville Ladies:

Have you ever had an ex that turned to an agbero after the relationship ended?

Do you think "being petty" is a common trait in Nigerian men?

Notice: This post does not in anyway support Moji, this is just a general observation that her case brought to light.

Chinyere Udoma - Dalu maka idi nma gi

I dey try cultivate habit to dey grateful every morning when I wake up, with whatever, a few words of prayer, a song, a poem, anything that gives out a positive energy and ofcourse, being grateful. This is what I am listening to this morning, and she sure has put me in a great mood! Have a good day people!

Na my mama birthday!

Happy birthday, I can only wish to be like you. Your love, compassion for others, unbelievable strength, your courage...you are the best mummy in the world! You inspire us all.

The blanket

She was freezing. The cold was getting to her lungs and there was still four hours to go. Her mind slowly drifted to warm blankets and other times....she remembered the dark figure of her mother, silently doing her rounds, room to room, she would peek in, and put extra blankets on them. Sometimes, her father had come in; to do just that, put a blanket on her. She remembered her teenage years, sharing the room with her sister, she would wake up and feel the extra weight of her sister's blanket on her. She remembered those years at the university, those wild and drunken nights when names were forgotten and friendships insecure...yet, even then, she could sleep on floors or beds knowing that the warm comfort of a blanket would come, covered by a friend or stranger....

It was human. To react like that. It was an act of love, but most importantly, it was human. That was why she was so sure at this moment about the person sleeping beside her. She recalled with embarrassment the conversation.....

"It is cold"

"Ah! This one is my blanket oh!"

"Maybe we can share...it is really cold"

"Ah! I cannot share oh, this one is my own"

He had tucked himself in the blanket and said "I love you".