Wanted: More Listeners

Essay, Stories6 Comments

“The older I get, the more I see reasons to speak less and listen more”– Ololade Ajekigbe

One of the major ways through which I conserve energy is by saying very little. The day I divulged this piece of information to my friend, she laughed and shook her head in that Lolade-and-some-of-her-unconventional-ways-again manner. Yet it was true, and is likely to remain true for a very long time. Sometimes, I would have some “hot gist” for a close friend, but when I remember the amount of time and energy it would require to give them a detailed account of what happened, I would put off recounting my story till a later time. I just find that I am one who would rather listen than talk, unless of course I am in a really chatty mood, or have something absolutely important to contribute to a discourse.

I’ll Buy Nigeria, But…

Essay, Stories6 Comments

In the past couple of days, there has been some clamour for Nigerians to patronise made-in-Nigeria products. The hashtag “Buy Naija To Grow The Naira” was even created to drive its awareness on Twitter. The aim is simple – Buy locally made goods to save the naira from its current alarming slope downhill. For all intents and purposes this campaign has become imperative especially in the light of the dwindling fortune of the naira against the dollar. Since the price of crude oil has been on a steady decline for a while now, oil producing countries have had to turn their attention to other sectors of their economy to ensure that their gross domestic product does not plummet. In a mono-economy like Nigeria there were no such options.

Much Ado About Valentine’s Day

Essay, Stories4 Comments

The Feast of Saint Valentine, a liturgical celebration of early Christian saints has since evolved into a yearly expression of love among lovers and loved ones. In a couple of hours, it will be yet another Valentine’s Day, celebrated on the 14th of February in many parts of the world. The euphoria heightens as the day draws closer, especially among the younger generation.

Football Is Still Not Mathematics

Guest Blogger, Stories4 Comments

 

 

This week, Ope Adediran features as a guest writer on Lolo’s Thoughts. He weighs in on the age- long discourse about the unpredictability of the beautiful game of football.

Ope resides in Ibadan, Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor and Masters degree in Animal Science from the University of Ibadan. He has interests in reading, trivia/quizzing, social critiquing, and writing occasionally.

 

 

 

“Football is not mathematics” is a cliché among sports journalists and fans in Nigeria. The maxim attempts to clarify the fact the game of football and many of its outcomes are not things one can calculate with absolute precision like one would in mathematics.

How To Survive And Enjoy Nigerian Twitter

Satire, Stories8 Comments

Mudslinging. Witty comments. Slander. Egotistic Overlords. Muckraking. And downright gutter fighting. Welcome to Nigerian Twitter, the home of drama, melodrama and more drama. This is not to suggest that there are no upsides to this fascinating social media platform. I tell anyone who cares to listen that Twitter is by far my favourite online social networking site. There’s just something about it that never fails to entertain or inform at any given time. For one, it projects far less pretentiousness and fake life compared to its Facebook and Instagram counterparts. Its uniqueness is also seen in the bench mark of 140 character messages that one is limited to in expressing a thought. As a writer, the brevity of words one is confined to on Twitter appeals to my creative side. A characteristic that stands it out from other social media platforms.

I Want To Be Like Tuface

Essay, Stories22 Comments

    “Humility will take nothing from you, it can only add.”- Debola Williams

The first thing that may come to some people’s mind is…”Is she saying she wants to have kids with different men?” Why I wouldn’t owe anyone an explanation if I chose to live my life that way, for the sake of clarity, no, that’s not what I am referring to when I say I want to be like Nigeria’s music legend, Innocent Ujah Idibia, whose stage name is Tuface. I’ll pass on the happenings in Mr Idibia’s private life. But, I’ll also admit any day that this icon of the music industry is one man I have always found intriguing. Unarguably the greatest artiste of this generation not just because of his brand and unique style of music, but because of one attribute he possesses and which has become almost as legendary as his music. Humility.

A Nation Of Absurdities

Politics/Governance6 Comments

When you are born, bred and have lived all your life in this country called Nigeria, there’s always a tendency to assume or even believe beyond any reasonable doubt that you have seen it all – the good, the bad and the ugly. And one can hardly blame you. In a country where we have seen all sorts, especially among the political class; ranging from a former military Head of State who allegedly died in the hands of prostitutes to a former civilian Governor disguising himself as a woman in order to flee from the long arms of the law in the United Kingdom to another former Governor and Senator who staunchly defended his decision to find marital bliss in the arms of a yet-to-be-fully-physically-developed 13 year old to an entire Senate that makes a show of suggestion boxes in the 21st century and appears to be in love with setting up committees for the flimsiest of reasons. Yes, it is difficult to argue with the one who believes they have seen it all in Nigeria.

Oshodi: Between Sentiment And Progress

Politics/Governance8 Comments

The demolition of Owonifari market in the popular Oshodi metropolis of Lagos State on Wednesday has understandably resulted in plenty of uproar among Lagos residents and observers alike. The market which has been in existence for over 40 years undoubtedly holds some form of attachment to it by residents and the traders who have plied their trade there for decades. Many of those affected by the pulling down of the market have accused the Ambode led government of being insensitive, elitist and further trampling on the already down trodden of the society by depriving them of their daily bread. 

Back To The Roots With My Piggy Bank

Lifestyle12 Comments

We are almost a week into 2016 already. What are you doing differently?

Happy new year people! Here’s hoping everyone had a good start to the year. So, one of the major challenges I faced last year was in the area of personal finance. Like the average person out there, I get cash strapped from time to time. However, the year just gone by was particularly financially challenging for me for many reasons. And so, one of the things I have resolved to do this year is to ensure that I reduce the chances of that happening again to the barest minimum. I intend to achieve this by going back to something my siblings and I were encouraged to do as kids – save the traditional way in a money box!

2015 Taught Me…

Essay, Stories34 Comments

  “It is a crime to remain stagnant in a constantly evolving world.” – Ololade Ajekigbe

In less than 48 hours, the year 2015 will be history, and we will be ushering in a brand new year. As usual, there is plenty of euphoria and optimism about the new year…and rightly too. What better time to start afresh, and anticipate a better fortune than the dawn of a new season. However, it’s always important to look back and take stock of the last 365 days or thereabout in order to avoid the mistakes of the past and chart a better course for the future.