I'VE GOT A QUESTION ON MY MIND

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. I woke up with a question on my mind. It has been quite a crazy month. Swamped with delivering stories of the abducted girls and bombings in various parts of the north, hit with news of deaths of dear ones. I would say the world is not getting any better. We are in a crisis period and like Nigerians are popularly known to do, we can only call on God. When it becomes too uncomfortable to handle, where can we run to? Many have eloped for a better life in other developed countries, even sane of mind in African countries. Here, we deal with so many things. We are already providing our own water, security and power. A neighbor of mine has a generator, an inverter and has sworn never to pay NEPA bills again. Now, where does that leave the rest of us who want to do our due diligence and pay monthly for NEPA bills. Or rather PHCN. Oh, I'm sorry, I think there's a newly privatised company. Most of our hospitals cannot even deal with emergency situations. I remember being involved in an accident few years ago and in the state of slipping into unconsciousness as a result of the smoke in the trapped vehicle, I had to jolt myself awake and struggle to escape before the vehicle exploded. 3 people died. Probably cos they did not get out on time. I saw a woman resign herself to fate. That happened on a Saturday and I recall resuming work two days after. Life goes on.... but where do we go from here? Can we pause for a moment and reflect. There is God, there is hope, we keep praying. We try to make sense of it all. My question is this: Where is God when it hurts? Cos obviously and surely, salvation won't come from our leaders. And it might not come from restless youths. No one is willing to lay down their lives for a cause. Many who fought years past have gone unsung.
I fear for our future, for our generation and generations to come. Lives wasted as a result of heartless actions but the world has always been full of desperately wicked people. I do want to know, where God is in the midst of it all cos I do know he is there. He is the only one who can help us make sense of all the nonsense. I read a book some years ago titled "Where Is God When It hurts?" (someone did run away with that book and never returned it). It had no perfect answer to the question but it did have something else. Love. Showing love to those who have asked that question a million times as they cried themselves to sleep at night. Showing love to those who have searched for ways to deal with the emptiness they feel at the loss of a dear one. A son having been told his father had been shot to death by armed robbers. A husband who thought his wife would grow old with him but she dies having complained days before of a headache. A young and hopeful woman looking forward to her marriage unexpectedly dies in her sleep. Parents shocked with the news that their children have been kidnapped. Students looking forward to the future. Dreams cut short, hopes dashed, leaving in its wake deep pain and sorrow it will take years to forget.

Please, let us show them love today. In our words and actions.

Cheers!

Click on links below to watch videos of recent blasts in Jos/Abducted girls

As mothers weep, Nigeria's president pledges to free kidnapped girls

Death toll of Nigeria blasts passes 100

Double blasts in Nigeria kill at least 118

Anxious mother in Nigeria appeals for daughter's return

BLOODY DAY IN NIGERIA

I thought it was going to be a quiet day.

I had planned what shape my day will take as soon as I hit the office. First agenda was to complete the edit of the movie premiere that had been filmed over the weekend and then blah blah blah...... That plan flew out the window after just one phone call from my Bureau chief around 7am. Funny how things can suddenly take a dramatic twist.
It was not their usual style. I was accustomed to my weekends being ruined by violence. But not a Monday! Jeez. The next time I looked at my watch it was already 2pm and I was still drowning in work. By 5pm. My head was burning hot.
At last the day was over and I could breathe easy. But what about over 70 people that died on same day?
The blast last Monday came as a shock to many.
A bloody April 14 it was in Nigeria.
RIP to those who lost their lives. Strength to family and friends still grappling to make a sense of it all. I am speechless. Today is gone and with it so many dreams and hopes. I fear for our tomorrow!

Please click on link below to watch the video.

A Bloody Day In Nigeria

I HAVE A NEW CRUSH

This past weekend was nice, like really nice. I met two great people. Chiwetel Ejiofor, British star and Biyi Bandele, director of the film, "Half of a Yellow Sun". One of them is my new crush...... shhhhhh. Don't tell : ) I'll leave you to figure out which one of the two celebrities I'm crushing on...lol.
The movie, an adaptation of Nigerian author, Chimamanda's book premiered over the weekend and we got slots to have a one on one interview with some members of the cast and the director. That went really well.
I don't want to bore you with details of the drama involved in us covering the film premiere in Lagos, Nigeria. First, it was no media could cover the premiere, and then, you're restricted to the red carpet downstairs. But, thankfully (Bobo at work), we found our way up and I even got to see the final 20 minutes (thanks to JSO) of the movie. I mean, how would one write the script without absorbing everything that it entails?
Great movie, the cinema hall had audio issues which just kinda ruined it for some people. Nevertheless, I guess they understood the Nigerian factor at work.
This movie highlights the fact that we need many more movies like this. We need a more functional industry that allows for funding of such huge projects.
I know we had a really terrible start to the week caused by the blast in Abuja yesterday but I had to relieve the weekend before it all just becomes a memory.

Chiwetel Ejiofor being interviewed

Journalists at press briefing

Biyi Bandele, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Andrea Calderwood 

O.C Ukeje

Kemi Lala Akindoju

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and daughter

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Wale Ojo, Genevieve Nnaji and OC Ukeje

Genevieve Nnaji

Some members of the cast

Stars posing for photographs

Onyeka Onwenu

"DON'T GIVE UP, DON'T GIVE IN, DON'T LET GO"

This is different from my usual posts but I thought to write something encouraging.

I recently travelled to Abuja and the return flight was turbulent. I said my final prayers while reminding God of our deal at the same time encouraging the lady beside me who was so scared. So, please do not mind this short article I have written. 

In life we get several opportunities to do things right, but how many of us recognise them when they are right in front of us. Even when we do, are we prepared enough to maximise the opportunities?
It could be little actions on your part that you think is insignificant. Actions like giving a smile as someone approaches you, helping a friend in need of a shoulder to cry on who has just lost a dear one, letting your family and friends know how much they mean to you. Or other actions that you think will change your life, like being called up for a job interview unexpectedly or venturing into a new business line that someone has offered to fund. How prepared are we when faced with such situations? An issue that makes us settle into our comfort zone is fear. So many of us are ridden with fear. Fear that we will fail. Fear that the role we play will matter little. Remember we only live once. We get one chance at making a difference. How we choose to use the opportunities given is up to us. From now on, we can re-write the story.

Here are few tips that will help:
- Choose to be happy
I know life throws you some difficult and challenging situations but decide that while going through your present circumstances, not to let it affect your inner joy. Cry if you have to but hold your held high with a smile on your face because you have been here before and you know that you will pull through. You will survive.

- Show love
Help a friend in need if it is in your power to, speak encouraging words, it won't kill you. Spread love wherever you go as it might just save a soul.

- Venture into your dream
Do not procrastinate, no need to wait for tomorrow to take that step to fulfilling your dream. You have waited long enough. Summon courage, take a deep breath, prepare and launch out. Remember, someone, somewhere else in the world will probably have same idea. Act now so you do not regret. Refuse to be discouraged by friends who do not mean well, do not give in to those fears. You are more than this. Explore your potentials and let the world benefit from what you have to offer. And if you do fail, do not give up. Keep trying as you have only learnt how to do things differently.

Cheers!

SOCIAL MEDIA WEEK IN LAGOS - INTELLECTUALLY REFRESHING

Been quite a crazy news period with Boko Haram really busy in the north and Sanusi's suspension. But that didn't stop me from creating time to participate in the recently concluded Social Media Week which took place in the buzzing city of Lagos, Nigeria.. No regrets as it brought to light the amazing talents we have in developers who are taking the online market by storm. It's currently booming with Konga and Jumia, to list a few and new ideas springing up. I have used quite a few like DealDey and Quickteller; few hitches though but I have forgiven them and will still use their services.

Myself and colleague had to get the story done in time to go out the next day, which we did thank God! Crazy day it was. Not forgetting I got knocked down same week by a bikeman taking oneway on Tinubu's famous Bourdillon road. Lagos and drama, huh....

---On the last day of the event, it was a great opportunity to unwind, socialise, hook up with friends I hadn't seen in ages and watch 7 developers compete for the 20,000 US dollars which was the prize for the winner. 

Seeing how it has grown in the second edition was amazing. Listening to the owner of Konga was inspiring. He spoke on how he was able to survive the challenging years. And look at his company now. 

It was worth it.

Please hang in there, your dream will come true; just keep at it. 

P.S - Four Points By Sheraton: You guys need to work on your AC issues. Using industrial fans doesn't cut it.

Click on link below to watch the story:

Global Gathering In Lagos Seeks To Leverage Social Media Phenomenon.

Pictures from the Battlefield event:

Participants at Battlefield Social Media Week event

Developer making his presentation

Participants at Battlefield Social Media Week event

Developer making his presentation

Participants at Battlefield Social Media Week event

BLACK DOLLS

I never had a doll while growing up or maybe I did.  I just cannot remember playing with one. I have no idea why. Looking at Nigerian entrepreneur, Taofick Okoya's collection of black dolls got me thinking it would have been nice if I had them to play with as a toddler. Unfortunately, black dolls were scarce years ago.
Taofick was motivated to set up his company when he could not find any black dolls to buy for his niece.
He is making a difference by investing so much into his business in order to promote our African identity.
We recently did a story on him and it was exciting to see kids go for the Queen of Africa dolls and not the Barbie dolls. The dolls are dressed in colourful traditional attires representing the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups. Hopefully, he would grow to include other ethnic groups. The dolls are skinny though and Okoya plans to make the plus size ones. That will be really nice to see.
His business also highlights the fact that Nigeria needs to improve its local manufacturing industry. So things like this can be produced here and not in China. Getting to assemble them here is a relief as it creates employment for jobless youths.
Hopefully, this year, we will witness a growth of entrepreneurial Nigerians who will make a difference for their country.
Happy new year all!

Black Dolls

Taofick Okoya holding a Queen of Africa doll - Courtesy Reuters Akintunde Akinleye

Queen of Africa dolls - Courtesy Reuters Akintunde Akinleye

ENENCHE, YOU'RE GONE BUT STILL IN MY HEART

It is two years already! How time flies. It feels just like yesterday. I did not forget last year. I wanted to write something but I developed cold feet. Maybe I was still in shock.The thoughts just would not flow. I was still trying to make sense of it all. Death, a dreadful incident when young ones die. We all wonder why the good ones. You were just too good.
Memories, memories. I still hear your voice on the phone. I remember what you used to call me. I remember the day you said, "Sharon keep calling as I travel.... it will keep me company if I hear your voice from time to time, it will motivate me to be focused on my task." You travelled a lot then. I wondered why you did not stop by the office on your last trip to Lagos. I guess you were in a hurry to return back to Kano to continue your assignments of covering breaking news stories in the north. I recall the last time I dialled your number and it kept ringing. I did not know at that point you were no longer with us. My first thought when I heard of the Kano blasts two years ago was call Enenche. I did. And then my second thought was send a text asking if he is okay. I mean the need to know what is going on at that point should not make me forget that you could have been caught in the violent drama. And you were.
I still do not know the right version of what actually happened. Too many stories from different people.
I admire your passion for the job. You had a kind heart....... words fail me....
You were perfect. I miss you Enenche. Sleep on dear friend. I know you're in a better place.