5 Lessons I Learnt From 5 Years Of Blogging

Essay, Stories4 Comments

I am in a state of wavering disbelief right now. I am having a hard time believing I have actually blogged for five whole years! Every week, every Wednesday, I have shared my thoughts, feelings and opinion on wide-ranging subjects—when I was excited—and when the last thing I wanted to do was write. I have battled the imposter syndrome; written essays that barely got a hundred views and been misunderstood for my blogging intentions. But I have also enjoyed unbelievable goodwill from strangers: people who overestimated my talent and called me a genius.

Between Independent Thinkers And Clout Chasers

Essay2 Comments

I find the bandwagonism that pervades the virtual space annoying. It only takes one influential social media personality to say something and their horde of followers are quick to lap it up. The dearth of independent thinking—the ability to analyse an issue dispassionately—and put forward a personal opinion is a reality of these times. Whether it pertains to more serious issues like police brutality, ethnic or racial profiling, gender discrimination, or matters of less importance such as the debate regarding who’s the greater legend between Michael Jackson and Beyonce, people are often inclined to pitch their tent where the greater population leans. But things have begun to change.

The World Won’t Leave You Alone

LifestyleLeave a comment

Time was when I assumed a lifestyle of staying in one’s lane and doing one’s thing in their little corner of the world would exempt them from the lens of critics and haters. When anyone was enmeshed in controversy, I believed they must have courted it. I mean, mind your business, do the right things and be a good person, and conflict would steer clear of you, right?

Wrong.

Double Wrong.

The Art of Surviving of Nigeria

Lifestyle4 Comments

The month of March has been a difficult one for many people. The number of deaths recorded from a tragic combination of natural disasters, negligence and terrorism is enough to leave anyone in a disconcerting loop of light-headedness and despondency. Every day, there seems to be some terrible news; something that makes one shudder and…

Dear Third Force Apologist, Stay Strong

Politics/Governance8 Comments

 

Dear Third Force Apologist,

How are you?

In particular, how are you holding up in the midst of all the electioneering shenanigans?

I know you probably feel overwhelmed these days.

Everywhere you turn, the odds appear to be stacked against your candidate.

And not just that, you are jeered and maligned for your “unreasonable choice”.

“Your political leanings make no sense. You are about to waste your vote and you know it. Your candidates have no political antecedents. They are hardly known beyond their neighbourhoods and are painfully lacking structure, yet, like a stubborn fly, you insist on following the corpse to its grave,” they say.

Revelation

Flash Fiction7 Comments

“I have decided to resign, that man is an Ogre,” said Chike.

Some months ago, he was a frustrated unemployed young man. His second class upper degree in Economics had had little impact on his job search. He remembered the last of the many interviews he had attended.

“Mr Onuche, I usually do not disclose this to applicants, but I have been really impressed by your performance. You performed excellently in the test and my colleagues also spoke of how well your interview went. Well done. We will definitely get back to you soon.” The words of the HR Manager of the prestigious Base Oil were music to Chike’s ears.

A Trip to the Past

Essay2 Comments

 

Time was when jumping buses was normal. One took bikes, tricycles and weather-beaten yellow buses to every destination. Engaging the services of taxis was a luxury because pockets were shallow, every kobo had to be accounted for. But time…time soon took care of the transition and the Danfo-hopping plebeian could get her own private means of transportation. Nothing fancy, just something decent enough to signify progress and put a permanent end to contending with sweaty bodies and aggressive commuters for limited spaces in public transportation. Now, she could have her privacy; play the kind of music she wanted and not have to endure the cacophony that bus drivers mistook for good music.

This Need For Control

Opinion Pieces, Stories9 Comments

I was having a conversation with some friends when the topic drifted to the issue of cheating. It was no surprise; just recently the news got out that another celebrity marriage had hit the rocks. Before this revelation, cheating had been a hot topic. Famous comedian, Kevin Hart had been enmeshed in a cheating scandal, and social media had gone wild with the news and how men, (in particular), could hardly be faithful in relationships. One of my friends had expressed her concern about the spate of cheating, especially among married couples and had asked me what my thoughts were on the disturbing trend.