Taking Turns

The sort of thought that ran in her mind, nobody knew. She would just sit there observing the people talking; the vigorous movement of their lips and the loud guffaws from the mouth of the men and the women alike. She liked watching them from a distance in different scenes, at the bar, at the market, at an event. For days now she has meant to revenge on a girl in class. That one that ran her mouth about something she didn't do but could have done.

"You're a liar! That's how you go about pretending. We know what you are what you do. We know you are nothing but dirt. Slut! Tufia!"

 She spat on her face. She watched her gesticulations and how she squinted her face and how it changed from rage to disgust. 

"Say something na Tamara!"  a classmate had said. She carried her head and her face from the position it was facing before to that of her classmate. She stared at him, started and sighed. She readjusted her school skirt and tucked in in the full glare of people. 

"You don't know what you have just done" she told the girl who had insulted her and walked gently away from the canteen to her class. It was 3minutes before the end of the break time...

Dementia (Before the last)

You would fill that thought in. No you would barge in like thousands of locusts that you are; feasting and singing and churning accurately into your head. They would eat up like langoliers until there is nothing left. 

" you are weird" it said after they had been in silence for months. It echoed in like a resonator. You were unsure whether they were words or some little mutterings you make here and there on tiny nights devoid of sleep. 

"What?" you asked

"Whatever...  it started

... didn't you hear them say whence you were out of hearing? They called you different and opaque classified glorious name for weird. Glorified weird? 

" I do not understand"

"Understand you do not!"

The both of you were panting staring sternly, hardened. 

"Perhaps we can like to enlighten each other".

 It guffawed and clapped your hands. You stare at everyone in the small room filled with robbers waiting on their death toll. They stared back hard at you incessantly.

" what are you looking at?" one of the robbers asked. He was the one everybody knew as the black axe. His red eyes dripping with sweat as he stared straight- stoned at you. 

"Nothing ". You mumbled with a curious smile. 

" you will still die" you continued. 

"What did he just say?" came the perplexed and astonished reply.  

" I will help you fast forward your death" he continued as he bounced closer to you‎

 You were sane in insanity.

Tonight you would be free.

Nobody knew the beginning

NIGERIA: THE EAGLE'S PERSPECTIVE

Another week has rolled by and new events have unfolded. Lots of people and event made the news this week. I’m going to start with Senator Buruji Kashamu!!! You dey fear? The fact that Senator Buruji Kashamu said Obasanjo isn’t a surprise. Their rivalry says it all. It should be noted that Kashamu sued Obasanjo on Feb, 6, 2014 for “maliciously and recklessly” publishing a letter titled,” Before it is too late, addressed to former President Goodluck Jonathan in December 2013.I can smell a rat here. After Kashamu claimed that OBJ leveled ‘baseless accusations’ against him that destroyed years of business relationship between them. The question is how baseless were the accusations? Recently, the NDLEA placed Kashamu under house arrest on over him alleged drug-related offences. Also, the US and UK have decided to seek the extradition of Kashamu over drug-related offences. The question is how soon will soon will justice catch up with him? Basically, I think Kashamu dropping charges against OBJ is politically-motivated. He wants to seek for forgiveness from Baba. He knows that OBJ is highly influential and he needs the backing of influential people at this time. It should be recalled that Kashamu and 14 others were arrested in the US in 1998. The truth is if Kashamu truly committed those crimes, no one would stop his extradition. The independence of the judiciary ensures that the other arms of the Government won’t interfere in its operations. F Anyone who errs must be caught brought to book. Kashamu shouldn’t be an exception too.
The National Assembly has been synonymous with bumper pay. Right from the start of democracy in Nigeria, our lawmakers have received bumper salaries and allowances. They virtually receive allowances for every basic needs ranging from house allowance, vehicle allowance, wardrobe allowance etc. The 8th National Assembly was inaugurated last week and their allowances have been announced. They are to get N9 billion jumbo pay. Sounds ridiculous right? In a country where the average
 Nigerian child lives below 2 dollars a day,this highlights how our so-called leaders are insensitive to the penurious state of the Country, I can’t fathom why a lawmaker should be given wardrobe allowance. Were they naked before they were elected? There are lots of destitute people who roam about the streets naked. These needless allowances should be diverted to create shelter, clothing and food for them. Through this medium, the crime rate in the country would reduce drastically. Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki recently said the claim that the National Assembly members would  earn ₦8.6 billion as wardrobe allowances was inaccurate and exaggerated. Whatever the case may be, they would be given allowances. It’s high time we got out priorities right in Nigeria.
Hahaha, APC!!! CHANGE……. It is shameful that in the early stages of the APC-controlled Government, the party has been divided by rancour. There is a rumour been spread that all is not well between Senator Bola Tinubu and former Vice-president, Atiku Abubakar over the control of the party. More recently, another divison occurred over the emergence of Dr. Saraki and Honourable Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives respectively against the wish of the party. The party had adopted Senator Ahmad Lawan and Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila as its candidates. While Saraki won unopposed, Dogara defeated Gbajabiamila in a fiercely-contested election. It was obvious that PDP lawmakers supported them. It should be recalled that Saraki and Dogara defected from PDP. The bone of contention is that both lawmakers are not faithful to the party. However, it should be noted that the same APC welcomed both men into their party. Members of the APC are paranoid because they think both leaders would favour the PDP. This is a bad start to the new National Assembly and concerted efforts should be made to ensure unity in the upper and lower houses.
“I wish I became Head of State when I was a governor, just a few years as a young man. Now at 72, there is a limit to what I can do.” – Muhammadu Buhari. (Culled from The Punch). These were the words of the President at the 25th Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Johannesburg. The words can be interpreted in various ways. He could be described as weak and ineffective. The opposition party, PDP have released statements portraying Buhari in bad light. However, the Presidency
as said that like good wine, Buhari gets better with age. Whatever the case may be, the president has no excuse not to perform his duties effectively. He canvassed for votes in his old age and got them so he has obligations and responsibilities to attend to. He really has to perform exceptionally well. The Masses have high hopes in him and he cannot afford to let us down. Muhammadu!!! Please don’t fail us.
Finally, Ramadan has started. It is the season in which the Islamic faithfuls abstain from eating, drinking or smoking anything from dawn to sunset, However, this year’s Ramadan coincides with the summer heat in the Middle East where the fast could reach 15 hours a day. It is widely known that the Ramadan fast is one of Islam’s five pillars. The other four include praying five times a day, declaration of faith, alms-giving and the pilgrimage to mecca located in Saudi Arabia. However, it is important to note that this period isn’t the only time for Muslims to be holy. They need to adhere strictly to every Islamic tenet. Above all, I wish every muslim faithful a blissful and hassle-free fasting period.
 
                                                                                     Kunle Okenla

NIGERIA:THE COLUMN ON MY HOME COUNTRY

Hey guys, introducing you to a new angle that will be taking place in this blog.

Asides my writeups, I welcome you to articles on Nigeria.

Above is what it shall be called. Looking forward to awesome months to end the year. Qui! Qui!

MAY SAY ( OBLIVION)

Myidlepen had been really idle now for months and finally, I remembered it while meditating. I may say that this May may be a beautiful one after all with new write ups and writing techniques. Here's a little something for May and you.

"Are you in it now? In that world"

"What world?"

"The little world that forms specks of lights before your very eyes"

"You dream again don't  you?"

"How do you define a dream when right now we are not real and our real selves have been enclosed in this body, this mortality"

"What body?"

"Your body"

"My body?"

"Our body"

"I do not understand."

"Oh its only you that do not. I do"

"Why?"

"Because I am your mind and you're a mortal" 

"Shut up"

" I would... Only if you desire for me to kill myself"

"But you cannot die without me dying first"

"And then we would be immortals"

"Shut up"

This time he said it loudly in the board meeting and all eyes flashed at him in anger, in surprise, in wonder, and in confusion.

"Did you just demand that the CEO should shut it?" The assistant asked with cold stoned eyes.

He stared in disbelief and excitement

"Yes I just did" he replied

There was silence again and the members stared at his mouth, eyes, face. He listened to himself in horror. It couldn't have been his mouth but it transformed into a smile and then a frown and then a pause. His forehead sweating he stood and said

"Yes. I said it because I do not see sense in what he is saying. I do not believe this plan would work and I do not understand why we do not focus on one thing rather you make us focus on so many things that we do not focus anymore... We just float"

" You float eh?" The CEO said as he sat up and all 10 fingers touched the table.

"Again?"

"What again?"

"I do not agree with what you just did but I concur"

" Seriously... Not right now"

" I understand. You have been promoted"

Into what? The imaginary immortality being code land?"

"What does that mean?"

"I should be asking you... You're the mind"

"Oh... I mean you have been promoted"

"Shut up"

"I thought about what you said and I realized how true it is. For that you would be my chief Adviser". The CEO said.

He smiled. He just did get promoted in the real world...  and the other.

Imagine a world of endless opportunities and greater prospects...

...There you have it.

THE PERFECT COINCIDENCE

I would not have expected so much as to say that I would be 419ed into a conversation I had felt had existed long before we met on that Saturday. My eyes had blurred with despair and disappointment when I encountered the mass of people that had arrived at the expected venue that morning; the 7:30 morning. I saw the eyes stare at me from my front, back and side eyes. ‘ Oh! A lady with a guitar’. But my eyes and facial expressions may have failed me, because I remembered looking at the mirror when I was once angry and my face had been emotionless. My disinterest and non-commitment to comply with their ‘play for me’ might not have been noticed. But this was not what had really bothered me enough to create a lingering memory in my head. It was you with the glasses that came looking scared, holding a capo, like the one I had once bought. It was spoiled in the same manner as mine had spoiled and you looked unto my capo as if your life depended on it. You might have cried eventually if I had said No because you were to me but a stranger requesting to make use of my capo which will be given back in a few minute. I had resigned to the fact that I would be compelled to give you a resounding No because my greatest fear was not because I did not know you, it was because I did not remember faces. Your face might melt away immediately you left.” ‘I saw you with Dotun; please can I have your capo? Okay let me give you my phone so I can call my number when I am done” You said to assure my dumbfounded, perplexed and extremely wondering face or my intended dumbfounded, perplexed and extremely wondering face. I softened a little. ‘Of course I knew who Dotun was! He was the guy I had met last semester and had seen him only once’. I also think I remember seeing you, with that same glasses and same haircut. You were seated beside me. You were with Dotun. Although you were taller and more outspoken, I remembered you had chased me away with your ever domineering quietness and I had shrunk to my thoughts. And there you were all talking at the phase of a want; the capo. I must confess I was shocked that you also sing, with your entire introverted prowess you could afford music and strangely, perhaps, have a great voice. You called me soon enough and thanked me relaying your ordeal and that you do not think you were chosen. You told me you were going because Dotun was waiting for you and I wondered aloud ‘is Dotun here too?’ You did not wait to reply, you trotted off without forgetting to have my number.  After we had spoken on the phone for countless number of times, you were still able to maintain my surprise. You were friendlier and conversed better than the person I had met earlier who had been rather cold.’ How little things change so many things I had thought. But you would surprise me even more when you told me of a Dotun I never formed an acquaintance with. Your Dotun was not my Dotun and I had been talking to a stranger who I thought was familiar. But you were really a stranger and that was the first time I would meet you. You were not the quiet guy I had met the other day, you were someone else. But in all of your strangeness, we connected. I felt I had known you longer than that Saturday. You were the friendly stranger; the perfect coincidence. Happy belated valentine.