The CJ Factor

I wrote this article in June last year. I don't know why I never bothered to share it publicly but I feel that this is as good a time as any for the young Nigerian to read this. Enjoy!  2015 is almost upon us, the year when the future of the greatest black nation on the planet will be decided for better or for the much dreaded worst, which most major players on the nation's political scene don't seem too eager to avert. Today on the streets of Nigeria, the common notion is that this is a country either on the brink of war or a great divide. This is despite the thin, very thin efforts of the current administration to alleviate these fears at a time like this. Most educated Nigerians, especially the youth harbour a great deal of fear over what the next year or so holds for the 100 year old entity, Nigeria. I think the current circumstances couldn't come at a worse time because a centenary is an appropriate time for a nation that was united to form one household...

Let me start by saying that I am at a point in my life as a citizen, actor and critic of the Nigerian Case where I cannot help but feel pity for some of us who have allowed themselves to be the voice of disunity, irrationality, violence, fanaticism, hate and downright stupidity. At a time when Nigeria needs as many reasonable men as she can manage, a  lot of us have failed her. Today started off with a protest following a rumor which of course turned out to be true. While I cannot stick my neck out in defense of anybody, I have to say that the sheer lack of reasoning that greeted the announcement of the postponement of elections, is a clear indication of all that is wrong with the country today. It is that stubborn refusal to entertain any view contrary to the ones we hold. But It is impossible for any group of people to move forward or even stick together if they absolutely refuse to UNDERSTAND one another. The reactions from some people in both camps makes one who is not convers...

The illusion of happiness is a costly one to sustain. In fact, the longer you are trapped in that illusion, the more costly it becomes. Pain is the surest way to come out of that illusion, to appreciate life for the cluster fuck it is most of the time and to rebuild ourselves on the foundation of a perhaps stronger illusion until we muster enough pain to shatter it. It's a vicious cycle you see. You can spend a phenomenal amount of time trying to sustain your illusion of happiness, to make it real. In the end there's one outcome that you can almost always expect. Pain. So what does it profit anyone to submit themselves to such a betraying cycle of life? The thrill of living in a moment that feels for the while it lasts, like true, genuine happiness. To share a moment with another person, to share in who they are and to relish in their illusion as well. It could last days, years even. It could be the most comforting feeling but be warned, it is only an illusion. Those who unders...

How long till the future? Like most people, I am scared of the future and what it holds for me. I came to the realisation today that I am more worried about my "future" than about anything else, even death. I think modern day man has found a way to circumvent that bit of worry. Isn't it odd that we stay worrying about a time we are not certain to see? while trying so hard to ignore the cold fact of life which is that at some point between now and some distant "future" we are all going to die.  The subject of death is a very touchy one, nobody wants to dwell on the thought of the most unavoidable stage in all our lives, because it'll just bring everyone down and what's the sense in that right? It is totally out of our control so leave it alone. But I find that coming face to face with that bit of reality goes a long way in putting life into perspective if one is in need of that. Death makes us think about an even more important subject that we tend to be ...

I like it when it rains. There is just something about a downpour, it gives me a sense of renewal and freshness. In the past, I would spend several minutes playing in the rain until my mother would come home and give me a severe toungue lashing "do you want to catch pneumonia?!" She would ask incredulously. I didn't care. I often felt like her scolding was a small price to pay for the exhilaration I got from being in the rain. Now I don't play in the rain anymore, I find myself wishing I could but I have to accept that the chapter in my life is closed and settle for appreciating the beauty of rainfall from my window pane. The thought of old age is distressing. I will never be fourteen again, I will never know that kind of freedom ever again. I am closer now to being a parent who would reprimand my child if I ever caught him in the rain. I can imagine myself giving him or her a lecture on the dangers of playing in the rain but I sure hope he defies me and does it anywa...

A very strange thought has just popped into my mind. Imagine the deplorable state of the education system in our country. The primary schools are a shadow of what they were as recently as the year 2000 when I was a pupil, the standard of teaching and the performance of students in secondary schools continues to plummet and is at an all time low, Universities in the country are no where near what qualifies as tertiary institutions, yet and this is the strange part; it is not the worst part of the situation. For every 3000 half-baked graduates out of a Nigerian university every year, there are about 7000 more who are struggling to get in. As a matter of fact, only a mere 30% of Nigerian youths are even fortunate enough to stand a chance of being a part of this decaying system. The rest are unable to get basic education let alone, go to the university. That is a whopping 70% of young men and women who cannot read, write or even afford three square meals. That is seven in every ten people ...

The collection of songs by this talented young lady is surely one of the better works I have heard from by an upcoming artist in Nigeria. The single Shekere is the one that stands out for me and has gotten some great reviews on social media. We hope to hear more from her in the coming months. Credit also has to go to the producer, Maffy Beats for the song, great collaboration from the two talented young Nigerians! http://soundcloud.com/becky-o/control?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=mshare&utm_medium=twitter&utm_content=http://soundcloud.com/becky-o/control