Up and About Nigeria

Have you ever travelled around Nigeria with the motive of appreciating the diversity in the different cultures, ethnicities and complexities that make up the country? These are things worth celebrating.

Nigeria has so much that is yet to be tapped, Nigeria has so much potential, Jim O'Neil's MINT theory states that the concerned countries economies have the potential to grow rapidly in the next three decades. This has been said about Nigeria over and over though. Nigeria has been called the giant of Africa, it is the most populous black nation. But does a country not need to appreciate what it has and its past to move forward?

Nigeria celebrated the centenary of its amalgamation this year, but I have to say that there was no real impact on Nigeria despite the series of events that were held for certain people in Abuja. I would have thought that this would be a time to dwell on the things that haven't worked, and what makes Nigeria the country it is, then come up with ideas to make the nation stronger.

Goals

Precise steps,

no distractions,

attentive,

speaking when necessary,

bold decisions…

Open to learning,

networking,

set goals to achieve,

sleepless nights,

blood and tears…

Courage and self confidence,

Belief and accountability,

Failure and enthusiam,

Creativity and planning,

Curiousity and hard work,

Living in the moment…

Anxiety and patience,

Accomplishment,

Humbling,

Springboard for more…

Chasing dreams…

Unsure

I have been unsure about many things lately…

About what to write, about how to add value, about where the world is heading.

Too many bad things are happening, too much hatred and anger is tearing our world apart.

My beloved country has been thrust in the spotlight for horrible things lately,it is frightening.

There are wars all over the world and for those who are students of the bible, I am unsure if these are those times when there would be wars and rumours of wars that the bible talked about...

I am unsure of even some of the people around me,

unsure of what to expect, unsure that I can be the change I want to see,

unsure that the little things I do to make a difference matter,

unsure about my future, my career, my plans...

I am unsure that in the near future we will have a world where children would play freely with other children,

unsure that a child could walk into a neighbours' house with no fear of harm,

unsure that the future generation will understand the value of hard work,

unsure that a child will be taught not to take advantage of people, or that a child will know to use things and not people,

unsure that a child will ever know a world of no discrimination...

I am unsure why I am even writing this post but I will publish it all the same…

I have unfinished stories but I am unsure if it alright to work on them or if it is alright to carry on with life like nothing affects me because everything that happens, does. 

In this short life of mine, I have had some bad experiences, I have been robbed at gun point and I was a witness of a bomb blast.

I am unsure if some people may be bothered by some of these events,

unsure if the #BringBackOurGirls campaign matters to some as it has been called a hoax,

unsure if the #NyanyaBomblasts or the #JosTwinBombings have moved certain people

unsure that any value is placed on human lives,

unsure if the #StateofEmergency and the #MultipleBombings that happen in the North Eastern region of #Nigeria, or the #EthnicViolence in the #MiddleBelt, or the #Pollution in the #NigerDelta has pushed the relevant authorities to take bold and decisive steps to curb it all.

I am unsure but glad that despite all these calamities, Nigeria has managed to remain one country.

Unsure and wondering, one step at a time, living everyday like it is golden.

La raison d’être

2014 started not so long ago and as always, so many people started the year with New Year resolutions and high expectations but these do not last very long, do they? It is MAY already!

Loved ones may have passed on but we are still here. It cannot just be a fluke; there is a reason for your being alive still.

Do good

We come across different people in our life time. A group of these people could have particular missions in our lives and once that is done, they leave. Others come to remain in our lives forever and of course there are those who may not have our best interest at heart. But be good to all despite the kind of people you may come across.

It is also worth knowing when to let go. I remember this one time when I found myself in a situation where I refused to let go but held onto this friend. I was asked a question by another friend who is much older than I am. “If you have a dog that you love so much but despite your love for it, it bites you all the time, will you keep it?”

NYANYA BOMB BLAST, ABUJA-NIGERIA, 14042014

On Monday, 14th April 2014, my sister and I set out to work in the city centre of Abuja. We live about 15km away from the city centre so we have to pass daily by Nyanya which is about 12km away from the city centre. We were heading out as usual and at that time of the morning being the rush hour, many were heading out too. It could take up to 40 minutes to get to the city centre with the traffic (this is normally a 20 minute drive from where I live without traffic) and this day was no different.

We left home earlier, at 6:50am, as we had a stop to make before going to work at 8:30am. Thankfully, we both start at the same time. At about 7:05am, right ahead of us, we saw this biggest flame of fire we had both ever seen, my sister was calling my name and gripping my arm so tightly, the fire exploded which caused the entire area to shake and there was such a loud bang!

Constantly reminded...

I am constantly reminded of the little things that we take for granted,

I am constantly reminded of the gift of friendship and how I have a part in making these relationships work,

I am constantly reminded of how my thoughts set a pattern for the things that eventually turn out to be my actions,

I am constantly reminded of how perfection is a word that no one will ever attain,

I am constantly reminded of how many may do the same thing but that each person is talented in their own unique way,

I am constantly reminded of so much strife and hatred in the world and reminded to live peaceably with all. Despite culture, ethnicity, race or religion, we all bleed red,

I am constantly reminded of how fleeting life is, as a few loved ones are no more,

And I hope that someday when I am gone, my life would have counted for something meaningful to many...

Mount Cameroon

For those of you who have asked in recent times about my next adventure, I did the most daring thing I have done in a very long time.

Away from stress, sorrow and everything I did a climb of 4,090m (about ten times the height of Aso rock). It was brutal!

"The mountain is part of the area of volcanic activity known as the Cameroon Volcanic Line, it is said to be the highest mountain in West and Central Africa". Every year, the race of hope takes place with people running up and down this mountain as a challenge. It is amazing how people are motivated to do different things.

A group of 13 of us decided to brave the odds and climb Mount Cameroon. This group was a variation from different walks of life and ages. There were two in their sixties who happened to be more fit than I am by the way.