Compliments, False Flattery, And Reality

The magical powers of a well-timed compliment from the right person at the right time cannot be overemphasized. Sometimes, it is all you need to be the ray of sunshine on another person’s cloudy day. However, I have learnt to be suspicious of people who "over compliment".

Should passing compliments be a tradition or a rule of etiquette? Nope! Personally, I feel a compliment is unnecessary unless it’s genuinely meant. Why say, “Aww…. your makeup is beautiful” when your original thought is “This girl’s makeup is horrible!”? Hey, no one is asking you

Nigerians And The Fight Against Cognitive Dissonance

By Paul Olarewaju.

A psychological conflict resulting from simultaneously held contradictory beliefs and attitudes is something every human being experiences, irrespective of their nationality or race. This implies that humans have the tendency of acting contrary to what they know is right due to various reasons.

Usually, when we act or behave contrary to what we know is right, we experience discomfort and anxiety, but when it becomes a norm, the person involved might feel little or no discomfort, irrespective of the consequence(s). Unfortunately, this is the case of many Nigerians today.

Let’s start from the bottom up.

Hauwa closes from school in her neighborhood. On her way home, she decides to get herself some snacks from Oga Chinedu’s store on the street before hers. While chatting away with friends, the young student who had been taught the importance of keeping her environment clean, unwrapped her snacks and threw the wraps behind her like it would disappear into thin air and do the environment no harm, but she knew quite well the consequences of her action. It was only a few wraps, right? Well, every little dirt that is poorly disposed contributes to the heap of eyesore we see on some of our streets. Just like many of us, Hauwa isn’t allergic to clean streets, as a matter of fact, she adores the “Hollywood kind of streets” she sees on the television, and dreams to live on one of them soonest, but it seems she can’t help but get her present street dirty.

Well, let’s cut Hauwa some slack, right? After all she is just a child, but how about uncle Tunde who

People of Colour and The Supremacy Battle

Inquisitive little Abike walked up to me and asked, “uncle, who are those referred to as people of colour?” I replied, blacks, people like you and I who are dark skinned - Africans to be precise.

Not a bad response I guess, but I noticed a surprise brow held in place for a few seconds on her forehead, with the rest of her face uninvolved. As typical of Abike it was an emblem of doubt, which means more questions awaits me.

As expected of a curious mind such a hers, Abike wasted no time before hitting me with another question. “But I was told that those people we call ‘Oyinbos’ are white people, is white not a colour too?” I paused for some seconds and responded, yes white is a colour.

Few minutes later, I thought to myself, is little Abike trying to pick my brains? O well, she is right after all. Black, brown and white are all colours, so all humans are people of colour, our true

Government for The People or Government for The Government?

As if the recession, hike in fuel price and all that money can buy, lack of Job opportunities, underemployment, lack of basic amenities and infrastructure are not dealing enough with Nigerians. Our ‘people-oriented government’ seem to be thinking of other ways to make things more difficult for the common man who voted them into power.

According to reports, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on the orders of the Federal Government has issued a directive to telecommunication companies to increase their mobile data tariffs with effect from December 1, 2016.

What this means is that MTN, Airtel, Etisalat and Globacom will increase their data rates as from the

Raw Talent Still Rules Over Sex Appeal

“I did a Kim Kardashian. Thank God it wasn't with my ass…”. Those were the words of Adele in a recent interview after she smashed the internet with the visuals of her latest single “Hello”. Her music

Skiibii, Now We Know You But Not Your Songs!

How sick, demeaning and totally unprofessional it is to fake your own death just to promote a damn track! Of course just like the popular saying goes, you can only take a horse to the stream but you can't force it to drink from it.

Truth be told, I never knew you existed not until now. But the fact is this, you got the much desired attention but you’ve also lost the rational part of your fan base and prospective fans.

A true talent does not need such a sick stunt to get noticed and celebrated. The last time I checked, your famous and rich label mates (K cee and Harry Song) never pulled such a sick stunt before

The Pathetic Bandwagon Of Nigerian Trekkers

Hunger is indeed not the worst feature of unemployment, idleness is! Idleness plays tricks on the human mind, as it convinces one to turn boredom to pathetic pleasure most times.

Little wonder in a country like Nigeria where about 70 per cent of our 80 million youths are either pitiably unemployed or underemployed, idleness has gotten the better part of some people who now see trekking form one state to another as a ‘full time job’.

   

Simply because a man identified as Suleiman Hashimu, got the attention and recognition he desired when he trekked from Lagos to Abuja for thirteen days to celebrate the victory of Nigeria’s president elect, so many feeble minds now see long distance trekking as a short cut to fame and fortune.

A couple of days ago, I read an annoying story of a heartless and selfish woman, who decided to embark on a trek from Minna to Abuja with her 40-day-old baby, all in the name of honouring the president elect whom I am very sure will be extremely disappointed at such stunt.

Another desperate young man, Oladele Nihi obviously decided to embark on a trek from Abuja to Otuoke for the outgoing president, after seeing how Suleiman Hashimu was celebrated in Abuja. He evidently must have thought trekking for the outgoing president will fetch him more goodies and attention since he is the first to do such in ‘honour’ of his deeds. As if that wasn’t enough, in the chase for better media buzz and attention, a lady identified as Gloria squeezed her way into the trek. And ever since, lots of inept minds have been joining the chase for that which is not missing.

Is it worth it? Are there no better logical and reasonable ways to celebrate an achievement, success or heroic deed of a political leader without wasting precious days or weeks of your life? It is a common saying in this part of the world that time is money. Since time is equal to money, and money is essential to life, this simply implies that some un-calculative, less privileged Nigerians are just pathetically wasting a precious part of their lives and opportunities to better their world and that of others.

If 9yr old Nicole Eniiyi Benson could understand and put into practice the power of proper time and financial investment, by donating N10, 000 out of her savings to the political party she celebrates and the candidate of her choice, while still chasing her precious dreams and aspirations, I think adults should know and do better!

Why pause your life because of the achievement(s) of another person and contribute nuisance to the society? I’m pretty sure majority of these feeble and desperate minds didn’t even exercise their civic responsibility of voting during the election.

I am almost certain that NO political leader in present Nigeria will trek just one local government to another for your sake even if your life depends on it! Wisdom is highly profitable Naija trekkers, don’t trek away your future in exchange for peanuts and a few moment of fame.

To aspiring trekkers, avoid the beaten path and save yourself from the traps of a futile journey.

Our Breasts Or The Public’s Breasts?

It often times beat my weird imagination, and I must confess, I am so not a fan of it for personal reasons. Okay, I guess you are already asking the question, what? O well, it is something our society has come to accept as normal, but to me, it is a little big deal.

Few days ago, I boarded a transit bus from Ajah heading to Lekki, I couldn’t but notice this cute little toddler fiddling with my shirt playfully, I smiled at the little boy and thought to myself, Awww….what a cutie! When I looked up above the baby’s head, I couldn't but notice his pretty mum seated right next to me, then I said to myself, it would be a taboo for this baby not to be as adorable as he is. O well, let’s fast forward, that is not the major focus.

The happy little boy kept playing and started fiddling with his mother’s breasts, before anyone could say Jack Robinson, she had swung out her breast to feed him, of course its normal and highly commendable to breast feed ones child. As a matter of fact I used to be a big fan of breast sucking as a kid (winks).

After about ten minutes, I decided to look out for my cute little friend. Oops! I had to quickly swing my head back to the opposite direction because virtually the whole of his mum’s bosom was carelessly on full display in a 16 sitter bus which had just about 3 females, and as a matter of fact other females were seated far behind.

I guess other men on the bus must have felt uncomfortable as well. The usual questions I ask myself in such scenarios popped up in my mind again:

       

       1.   What has changed about that pretty lady who used to cover it all up from the sight of men? (Even when she flashed only her cleavage, accidents dey happen).

       2.  Isn't this supposed to be one man’s (and his children) full access property and a mystery to other men?

       3.  Would this public display not affect the psychology of her husband and possibly irritate her older children, if she’s got any.

On the other hand, I ask just like everyone would: won’t she feed her hungry baby?

Of-course, she definitely have to! But are there no possible ways to eliminate or limit public breast feeding while ensuring babies are well fed? I think one possible way to archive that is by ensuring babies are well fed by their mums in their private before setting out. Another thing is this, some African mums actually feel irrespective of what a child’s need might be, the breast serves as the perfect bribe to pacify the baby. 

It is a baby’s right to nurse whenever and for whatever reason. But I really feel mothers can still be

An Open Letter To Wizkid And Davido

Dear Wizkid/ Davido,

         Wizzy, Just like you sang “if you see me pass by…holla at your boy” hmmmm….! I must say i can see you passing by a degrading path, as such you leave me with little or no option than to holla at you and air my unreserved opinion as regards your probable beef with Davido.

         Life they say is turn by turn. The emergence of another hit maker like you does not necessarily translate to the emergence of an enemy or competitor,  just like they say “the only competition worthy of a wise man is with himself”. Do not allow fans and the media make enemies out of a flourishing “pair” who could possibly pull a joint stunt of bringing home the Grammy.

       Though you are WizKID, I must remind you that you ain’t  a kid no more as such leave the beef  thing for kids and act like a matured man you should be now.

        When you’ve got issues with someone who appears ready to bury the hatchet, simply let bygones be bygones, after all we all break up to make up shey? So just like your bro Davido rightly pointed out, remember you both are not going to sing forever, as such  I would advise both of you try and see beyond your nose and do the needful.

        On the other hand, Davido, just like you sang “….won fe da mi duro….”  I must point out to you that the beef game/hate will do you no good than to stop the enviable pace at which you are moving if you allow it, so why give it a chance? Throwing shades back at Wizzy about pulling of crowd and other stuffs only made you sound lesser than your very self because such should be heard of rookies and not young bosses like you both. Remember, two wrongs don’t make a right dude.

        The ability to ignore shades thrown at you, most especially when your name can’t be boldly mentioned goes a long way to prove your level of maturity and save you lots of distractions. Must you respond to statements not boldly addressed to you?

         Common guys….keep being headliners for good reasons just like you used to do and put negativity behind you.

          I want you both to simply pretend not to have read this, squash the beef and in one accord produce a Grammy winning track for your fans.

          Lastly, I must remind you both that crazy love from fans, awards, record and endorsement deals ain’t made in abattoirs, as such “BEEF” can’t get you any of them, so squash the beef and resume the cruise on progress lane.

Yours Truthfully,

Paul Olarewaju.