It's 2016!!!!

Happy new year readers and viewers!! Wishing you the very best 2016 can offer,long life, prosperity, joy, peace, happiness, love and all the good things of life!! Forget the hardship and mistakes of 2015, move on. 2016 is right here and it has a lot of untapped resources waiting just for you! Let go of the hurt and pain of 2015 and move with a renewed energy to be better and greater in 2016!!! Lots of love.
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                             Ademola-aliu Funke.

THESE DAYS.

These days i stare at the sun by day
And howl at the moon by night
I listen to what the animals have to say
I watch the birds take flight
I see the waters flow
And marvel as the fish swim
I watch the fireflies glow
How peaceful this seems
Nature in all her splendour
Is amazing to behold
The sweet scent of the air I savour
And await the mysteries foretold.

These days I no longer sit in the dark
But thirst to see the world
I long to make tea from tree barks
And watch time unfold.


These days I have found peace and merry
But I still long for one friend
I await the day I marry
But for now this is the end.

By Naga Avan-Nomayo

YOUNG GIRLS!
you truly look PRETTY, but i have
to warn you not to loose your VIRGINITY.
Don't allow what you see in your VICINITY to
break your wall of SECURITY... Your VIRGINITY
is your DIGNITY,
Protect it and make it your number one
PRIORITY. Don't allow error of PROXIMITY to
lead you into IMMORALITY...
Your friends call you MINORITY because you
don't follow their PARTY OF MAJORITY.
They show off their body for money and also
committing different ATROCITY.
Now you are feeling PITY, thinking of
embracing their INSANITY.
But listen to me! In Jesus you have a true
IDENTITY and you are covered by divine
IMMUNITY.
Leave them to PARTY in their IRASCIBILITY
because in REALITY the end is CALAMITY.
In fact, they will soon become HIV CASUALTY.
"
If you have lost your VIRGINITY already,
don't worry, Jesus can still give u a new IDENTITY...
HIS DIVINITY will help your HUMANITY but you
have to stop all IMMORALITY,
So that you can get access into the beautiful
CITY prepared by the Almighty TRINITY !
—Kindly SHARE this to everyone in your COMMUNITY.

By Anonymous.

My precious jewel.

My dear,
Anytime I see you, I see your sparkling beauty in your eyes.

My darling,
Meeting you is like the rare opportunity, I had, to meet the former governor of Lagos State.

My sweetheart,
You are the only asset, I have, that tingles my heart.

My honey,
You are the sweetest condiment of my life!

My boo,
You are the only person that soothes my fledging personality.

My help,
You are the greatest ornament I have!

My soulmate,
You are the best cardiac arrest support I have ever used.

Finally,
My bestie, you are the only drug that can cure my raging insomnia.

Written by: Anonymous

Worst Christmas day...

I slept rather late
And woke up very late
Church starts by eight
But no one woke up after eight
Dad came in and was angry
Saying we are too lazy
Told me to take responsibility
And let my seniors be resting
I woke up with this annoying feeling
And I was feeling angry
Because it was like every other day
Where everyone will be angry
 I managed to keep it real
And we all were getting ready
I was the last person
And he started shouting
I told him I was dressing
That he should not come in
He got angry and slapped me
And said how dare me
I had no choice but to speak
Because i respect my dignity
I told him he didn't respect
He asked  what had  come over me
And started beating me
I would not cry over anything
Because it was Christmas day
It just spoilt everything
And I miss what I said I would be doing:
Taking selfies and eating
I wasn't even hungry
Everything was boring
And I was just wondering
What kind of Christmas is this
When it ended I was happy
And  it was the worst Christmas day!!

By Adebiyi Oluwatemilorun P.

REFLECTION

I see a man
Staring back at me
Every time in look into the water
Or I look at a mirror
This man
This figure
The entity
Appears to be my reflection
But how can that be?
When this man is a stranger to me.
He has my hair and my face
My eyes
One would say he is a perfect copy of me
Yet I do not recognize him
This mirage
This REFLECTION
He must be fake
A mere figment of my mind
Manifesting itself as my reflection
I find myself in a paradox of some sorts
I call him unreal
But the longer I look at him
The less authentic I feel
I look deep into his mind
And I see myself
As boy
Playing blissfully in the morning sun
I look deep into the my mind
I do not see this
I do not remember it
Or do i?
And I do not know?
As I contemplate these things
He speaks
The man in the mirror
Who are you?
What have you become?
These questions hit me with force
And I have no answer.
He vanishes from my sight
Whilst I stand in front of the mirror
I am confused
For a moment
I consider the thoughts
Am I real?
Am I fake?
AM I JUST A REFLECTION IN THE MIRROR?

By Naga Avan-Nomayo

VISION.

Gen 37:5-8, Daniel 2:19.
Your vision may align with your talent but your talent may not align with your vision.

Your vision is your goal, what you're aiming for, what you wanna achieve. But your talent is what you're good at what you can do with ease.
For example: David's talent was music, he was good with the harp but he had a vision (1 Sam 17) he was gonna be King.God  wanted that for him.  You'd agree with me that Kingship doesn't align with singing or music. But music afforded him the opportunity to learn kingship.
You might have a talent BUT you might be vision less.

The purpose of Vision.
1) it expands your horizon. When you don't have vision you tag along but when you have vision it expands your horizon. Prov.29:18. A man without vision lives just to exist but a man with vision lives to impact. Dan. 2:19-24. Daniel had a vision, his horizon was expanded and he interpreted the dream of Nebuchadnezzar.

2) Vision accelerates your capacity. It was one of the reasons why David could defeat Goliath. When you have a vision, when others get tired you keep going.

3) Vision inhibits your challenges. When you have a vision challenges are like hurdles you cross over them.

Don't listen to what people say, stick with your vision. Don't get depressed.

 it drives you. It motivates you, it propels you. When you have a vision you run against the wind. It might look unrealizable,unachievable but it's still a vision that can be achieved.

By Pastor Tobe Nnadozie.

Ten Years down the line :Remembering the Sosoliso Angels.

OH! That day they planned with smiles and hopes
To meet their families and life's of glows
One hundred and ten people on board
 But deaths cruel hand grabbed them without a call
In its cruel manner it called them
Through man's weakness called neglect
That day their fate was decided
This sixty one angels with bright dreams..
It could Have been avoided
Their loss, the tears and shattered years.
That Sosoliso DC-9-32,
Who are we to blame?
Is It death's Cullen stream?
Or man's avoidable mistake
Heavenly Father,console the ones
That this has caused great grief
May they souls find mercy at your feet
And their souls rest in eternal victory
And their cries not end in defeat
For our nation to get back to its feet.

By Adebiyi Oluwatemilorun.

Tara's journal 4

J darling! How are you?? Well I'm good, My day was awesome spent the whole day at home on my bed, in my room with my laptop. Oh yeah about yesterday... Cleaning the garage wasn't that bad after all, it was looking beautiful after almost a whole day's work. My girlfriend came over (her name is Justina but I call her Tina) and she helped with the cleaning, around 3:30pm we finished all the household chores and mind you we started at 9:30am o! After freshening up, I prepared breakfast (more like lunch, cos it was our first meal as Tina and I decided that we weren't gonna eat until we were done with our chores)  for the both of us, we ate washed our used dishes and went straight to bed. We were so tired but it was worth it tho as the house looked so beautiful after we had cleaned up. A phone call from Airtel interrupted my dream and brought me back to reality. (when would Airtel ever stop calling me, they call me at least twice a day, na wa o!) I woke Tina up, it was 6:50pm and from Tina's call log, she had missed calls from her parents,apparently she had told them she'd be back by 3:00pm. I saw her off and on my way back I bought some chocolates at the supermarket. My parents were so pleased with the state in which they met the house and my mum started yet another lecture on how cleanliness was next to godliness.... 

Overall  yesterday was spent cleaning and sleeping... I spent the whole of today watching Korean movies... J! I almost forgot to tell you, my parents decided to go on a couple retreat and so they'd be away from the house for 3days..they left yesterday after mum's lecture on cleanliness.. (Hurray!! I have the house to myself) back to my day... I was with the laptop all through, the only time I left the laptop was when I had to help myself to food and drinks and when I had to make use of the restroom (yeah right after yesterday's clean up, relaxing today wasn't a bad idea, was it??)  And right after now I'm going to say my night prayers, read the next two chapters of the novel o told you about and then I'll sleep. Goodnight J! 💋

Tara's journal 3.

Hii J. Good morning. How was your night??  Mine was fabulous. My day started on the right note.. Woke up, morning devotion and then I went to prepare  breakfast BUT while  preparing breakfast my mum came down stairs and was mumbling some words, (Oh yeah, I live with my parents (for now cos once school starts I'm running off to the hostel) they can be a handful atimes and today was one of those days) then my dad came and was like none of you must go out today, you'd just be going out without permission, (perfectly my mum's handiwork; so this was what the mumbling was about?? She had always complained to my dad that we were tooo independent) this house needs cleaning bla bla bla.. Next thing I heard was Tara you'd clean up the garage.. (say what?? That garage is more like a dump. We dump all the dresses, shoes, bags etc that we don't want any more there, all our old school books reside there! It was a total mess agreed but I shouldn't be the one cleaning it up, should I?? (Automatic mood swing.) I had plans for today; hang out with closie, go to the library, watch my Korean movie (I love Korean movies) but now my plans had become a fairy tale because cleaning the garage would take a whole day..) And my Father issues commands not requests.. *sigh*
Ttyl J, I've got some cleaning  to do. Might not be able to gist you tonight but we'd talk about the aftermath of cleaning the garage and any thing else that happens tomorrow. Love you J. 💞

Anti-corruption in Nigeria: tackling from the roots.

        This corruption that is on everyone's lips seems so enormous to not to be handled. It is the biggest challenge in Nigeria. It  has eaten deep into the marrow from the mechanics and artisans who repair our cars to the lawmakers  who seem to be locked in the system are corrupt. Even the youths now sell their morality for money;this is to show that corruption is encroaching into the future. Corruption is a dishonest and fraudulent conduct. It is not only the huge amount of money being stolen but also the dishonest mechanic who doesn't tell the truth because he wants to collect more money is equally corrupt. In a society where the moral values have collapsed then, a problem needs to be fixed. This present government has given us hope of tackling corruption tooth and nail but I believe it is a call to duty for all. The society should begin to tackle this menace from it self by ensuring that moral values are restored back to the society. From the likes of artisans, salesmen, mechanics to the secretary in an office, honesty and truthfulness should be found. There is the  need to teach and sensitize the children in schools on corruption. A teacher who sells handouts and collects tips from parents is also corrupt also a child who uses his school fees to pay for marks is as corrupt as a judge who collects bribe and perverts justice. We all need to change. Corruption has done more havoc than we can imagine. Schools should mark the day Anti-corruption day and in that day the students/pupils should be enlightened on the dangers of corruption. Also organizations should organize campaigns and initiatives to sensitize people on corruption.  We need to act fast in other to save the future.
    The anti-graft agencies and law enforcement agencies should be given autonomy to perform,  there is the need for  sanitization of these agencies themselves as truthfulness and honesty has lost its taste. In 2014,the transparency international conducted a survey and Nigeria ranked 136 out of 174 surveyed countries. This simply implies that there is no transparency in the government. The government needs to ensure transparency of their activities and there is need to ensure honesty and patriotism  in the society.  The change we desire would have to start from the roots because that's where the tree grows from.

Adebiyi Oluwatemilorun
Isolo, Lagos state

   

Love: The biblical Perspective.

There are different definitions of love. But I'd define love as the affection God showed towards us by sending his son (Jesus) to die for us.. (funke's definition tho)
There are 4 different kinds of love.
Storge, Eros,Phileo and agape love.

Storge - it's the kind of love you have towards your family and relations. Eg the love a mother has towards her child.
Eros- the love between couples. It isn't permitted outside marriage.
Phileo - it's the kind of love that exists between friends.
Agape- God's love towards us.

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Love is God.  And you cannot love God's way without experiencing his love.
Love is obedient jn 14:15
Love is a choice. It's a choice you have to make everyday of you life. Either to follow the way of the flesh or the spirit

Reasons why we should love;
1)Because it's God's command- we are to love everyone irrespective of who they are.
2)Because it's a weapon of war: it can quench any kind of hatred.
3)Love is a destiny changer..  What you do for others comes back to you. If you sow love you'd get favour and love in return.
4)its the fulfillment of the law.

By Oyinye Etoniru
#NYP2015

Tara's journal 2

Hey J! How have you been??  My day was pretty good. The usual morning routine;woke up, morning devotion, chores,breakfast.. There's this novel I'm reading; hehe the suspense is amazing!! It has to do with this fbi guy who's trying to unravel a mystery... My day was kinda packed up..  Went to my closie's mum's shop(she just opened it) she gave me a few stuffs tho;bags,clothes and a pair of  flip-flops. (I'm so loved😍) there's really no gist..
 On my way to my closie's mummy's shop... I met this guy more like man..  He had this "beautiful igbo accent" and he was like "baby you're very beautiful, I'd like to make you mine..  Where are you going to, lemme give you a ride." With uttermost disgust I walked past him and his dirty looking car. Mstcheeeeeeeew being a pretty lady attracts both the "good, bad and the ugly". I spent most of the day in closie's mummy's shop, arranging, cleaning and setting the whole place up, it was fun though..  Excluding the ingb guy episode, my day was awesome. I did all I had listed on my schedule and right now once I'm done gisting you, I'd read the next three chapters of the novel I earlier told you about, do a bit of exercise, reminisce on the day's event(s), say my prayers and catch some sleep. Goodnight J..  Kisses. 😘

Self-esteem.

        Definition.                                                
           This reflects a person's overall evaluation of his or her own worth. It is a perception or judgement of oneself as well as attitude towards oneself. This attitude determines the outlook and behaviour of one towards others. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs, emotions and thoughts about oneself. According to Smith and Mackie (2007),self-esteem is what we think and feel about ourselves, be it positive or negative evaluation. It is an essential tool in social Interaction which will make the interaction  to either be evaluative or diminishing. It is a core-self evaluating tool because it is the overall value one feels about oneself as a person. There are different types of Self-esteem  which is developed from the experiences in a person's life. Self-esteem develops from the early years of a child. A child's parents have a strong influence on the child's self-esteem and can be considered a main source of positive and negative experiences the child will have.    
        Types.            
           There are various types of  Self-esteem but I'd be focusing on three: The high self-esteem, the defensive Self-esteem and the low Self-esteem. They'd be discussed briefly below:
The high self-esteem: This describes people with a healthy view of themselves, they belive in  themselves, they don't feel guilty when others do not like their choice, they feel secure, trust their own judgement, they do not worry excessively about the past nor mistakes or the future they live in the present intensely and learn from the mistakes In the past. They consider themselves equal in dignity to others.   A person who has a high self-esteem is confident and does not need reassurance from others to maintain a positive outlook. They are not defensive.
Defensive self-esteem: It internalizes sub-conscious self doubt and insecurities. Causing those who have a defensive Self-esteem to react very negatively to criticism. There Is need for positive feedback from others for these individuals to maintain their feelings of self-worth.
Low self-esteem: This is another, which can result from various factors eg peer pressure,  bullying and societal influence. People with low Self-esteem show heavy self criticism, dissatisfaction, hypersensitivity to criticism with resentment against critics and feelings of being attacked. Chronic in decisions, exaggerated fear of mistakes and willingness to please people. They also try to be perfect which leads to frustration when not attained. They also show general defensiveness without any proximate cause. I can go on and on on the characteristics of low Self-esteem , they depend on people for approval and self worth.
          In conclusion, Self-esteem is important in life and we should learn to develop a high and healthy Self-esteem . It is the essential core of a person to be fundamentally accepted, loved and respected by himself and others.it enables people to face life and challenges with confidence and optimism. It is important to develop a healthy Self-esteem for a better self outlook and social interaction.

By Adebiyi Oluwatemilorun P.

Tara's journal 1

Hi J! I'm Tara  and you're my new journal. Just a little about myself. I'm  Tara. , a gorgeous,smart and head-turning teenager (I'm beautiful and I know it) a fresher in a renowned University and I love reading.. Have had previous journals and they are all safely locked up(just like you'd be when you're old and wrinkled) lol.. So that's my little intro. I'd be updating you daily (hopefully) about my daily activities and everything that goes on in my life, I know  you'd be a good listener. Xoxo 💋

Notice!!

Hiiii Guys, there's a new series coming soon on the blog and it's titled......  TARA'S JOURNAL!!!!!! watch out. Trust me you do not wanna miss this!!!

Nigeria.

A land flowing with milk and honey.
Whose citizens are poor and hungry.
Due to the efforts of some people who are cunny,
Nigerians sweat and toil even when it's sunny.
They say we practice democracy
But we are unable to vote out those who still our money.

By Ademola-aliu Funke
#AAF
#pre-electionpoem.
#prayingforabetterNigeria.

Bring back our girls.

Our girls have been abducted
Their parents depressed and dejected.
Corruption and politicians are united.
Gradually Nigerians are becoming separated
And if nothing is done we might end up being divided.

Those abductors might have been naughty
And might have made some of those girls dirty.
When we try to speak with concerned officials they're always haughty!
We must do something to save those girls from these insurgents who are trying to become our almighty!

Seems like they've been forgotten,
and some of them might have been smitten,
while others might have begotten.
Looks like they might end up being rotten.
And yet they make empty promises about rescuing them often.

By Ademola-aliu Funke
#AAF

My Madam.

       Ma!

I screeched as I ran

to heed the call of my madam.

If I wasn't fast enough I might get a slap

Or worse still be sent to sleep in the barn

   Deaf thing!

She yelled,didn't you hear me call you??

I trembled as I gave my excuse.

She stared at me like an owl would at it's prey,

as she gave her orders.

  Wash my clothes,wash the dishes,

Peel the mangoes,boil the fishes

Fry the turkies,dust my jewellries 

And pick the kids at Winnies

  As she strolled out like a lion

I cried out my eyes like a new born.

Why?? Why?? Why??

Why was life like this??

Why are some people rich and others poor??

   I wiped my tears 

And forgot my worries and fears

As I became engrossed in the chores.

I had to finish them before madam returns,

If not she'd call me that name I detest; a whore.

I emptied the bins and wiped my eyelids.

I had picked them from Winnies,those kids

or better put spoil things!

Who are only good at gossiping,

murmuring,scattering and eating.

After removing the clothes from the line

I cleared the table since it was about time to dine. 

From the corner of my eye, I watched her sip her wine.

Oh how I hate her,her mouth's sharper than a spine!

How I wish all she had were mine.

As I dusted I became lost in thoughts...

She's so fat and so useless,

She doesn't even file her nails herself!

What type of life is she living?

She must be going crazy. No!! Nuts.

All she does is to eat, party,

drink,smoke,gist,gossip,

talk and play with those snobbish kids,

shout,yell and give orders!

Yet she has a handsome husband.

As I wondered in my own world,

little did I know that I was asleep

on my madam's beautiful sofa...

Until my madam brought me back to reality....

 With a thunderous slap!!

By Ademola-Aliu Funke

#AAF

Poverty...

Poverty.

No,I want chicken and chips as the main meal,then ice cream and cup cakes as dessert. Yes ma, the chef replied as he hurriedly returned to the kitchen. I continued sipping my apple juice. I was bored and so I strolled around my house.. Something caught my attention, it was a blue sweet  looking butterfly, it perched lazily on the purple hibiscus in my well mowed garden,I brought out my latest Nikon camera and took a picture of it, I'd add it to my nature collection.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *'* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * 

Farida! Farida! Farida! Yess,I answered sleepily as I drifted off into another round of sleep. Some consistent drops of water succeeded in waking me up. Alas it was raining. What are we gonna do,my twin sister fatima asked. I don't know Fati I replied with a dejected look on my face. Let's walk into that shed the owner isn't around we could stay there till the rain stops. But I'm hungry Fari she replied, so am I Fati, I answered back.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * ** * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * *. * * * * * * * 

The shed we walked into was just a little bit better than our tattered house which stood gingerly by the canal on the outskirts of Makoko. It was another rainy morning,another day in which we had to endure the odor oozing out of the canal, another day of almost an endless sweeping out of water from our tired wooden house, another day to be devoured by mosquitoes...... Why was life so unfair,why did our parents have to die,why did our secondary school education have to stop,why were treated as outcasts!! At 16 we live and fend for ourselves. What would happen to Fatima's dream of becoming a model and a t.v presenter?? What would happen to my dream of becoming a world class photographer?? Oh yess, my dream let me share it with Fatima.

* ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ******* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Oh please save it Farida!! I'm tired of your dreams! Yet another dream of me being a model and you a photographer?? Of us living a comfortable life, with chefs,house helps,gardeners and drivers?? Of us living in a mansion at Ikoyi or was it Banana Island this time?? Spare me of your daydreams or whatever you call them cos for the past 3years they haven't been of any profit!! they haven't changed the fact that we are hungry orphans whose habitat is a slum and whose job is to sweep,mop and wash plates at a canteen!! Instead of daydreaming Farida I'll suggest we look for a way to get to Mama faith fast food joint otherwise you know how mean Mama faith is,don't you?? Just in case you've forgotten let me remind you of the consequences of going late; no breakfast,little lunch and a reduced wage for the day, see you know we went to bed on an empty stomach,me I can't afford to miss breakfast o, ehen! Oya take this nylon cover your hair and let's start trekking.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ***** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

With tears in my already swollen eyes (due to lack of sleep), I obediently followed my twin sister on the long walk to Mama Faith fast food joint.

No Farida! You and your sister will make it, you'd survive it! Don't give up just work harder,there's a bright light at the end of every tunnel remember?? With a greater conviction and determination to overcome this phase of life,I walked hopefully and with a smile on my face to the Canteen.

Broken Hearted.

The good beautiful old days, 
we spent at the beach, right beneath the sun,
Where we made barbecues and buns,
Claiming to love each other forever.

Then she came!
Cunningly like a tortoise.
Told you stories and tales,
And dumb you! You believed.

You called it quits,
without listening to what I had to say.
You left me broken Hearted.
But I don't blame you, I blame it all on her seduction.

I've gotten over it and forgotten about it,
just like I would with a beautiful but tattered dress.
Yeah, you might be together
But you'd never have a happy ever after.

By Ademola-aliu Funke
#AAF

My wonderful neighbors...

          Good afternoon ma, I greeted iya Bisi as I walked towards my apartment. She muttered something in reply, I couldn't care less what it was she said, I had a horrible day and the last thing I needed was a lecture from the troublesome Iya Bisi.  She complained about everything I did. I was either wearing too much make up or too less make up, my gown was either too short or my blouse too revealing. (mstcheeeeeeeew) As if she was any better, considering the fact that despite her decent dressing Akin her last son wasn't Baba Bisis' he's the product of her ongoing love affair with Titus the  care taker. (mstcheeeeeeeew) Thinking of Iya Bisi made me hungry, I wore a dress and a pair of flip-flops after which I went out of my apartment to buy dinner.
          On my way out, I saw Iya Bisi and her partner Mama Oyinye doing what they knew how to do best;gossiping. As I walked past Iya Bisi beckoned to me, I retreated and gave heed to her call. Then this dialogue began...
    Iya Bisi -  Sisi Ronke where are you going at this time of the night??
(I took a look at my watch before I replied) 
   Ronke -  To buy chicken and chips at iloki Junction. 
   Iya Bisi - But it's late now, 
   Ronke -  it's just 7:30pm,that's not too late, 
   Iya Bisi -  really?? Okay o. But why can't you eat good food?? 
(the last time I checked chicken and chips was good food) 
   Ronke -  Errrrm, chicken and chips is good food too... 
   Iya Bisi -  Noo o, when talking about good food you talk about; pounded yam, fufu, amala, eba , semovita, wheat with tasty soups like Ogbono, edi kaikan, okro, bitterleaf, gbegiri,   egusi, ewedu...those ones contain good nutrients ehn! Shey you hear?? That's why you're thinner than a broomstick, when you won't eat good food... 
(when Iya Bisi and her assistant; Iya Oyinye who chipped in a thing or two were done with their evening lecture It was past 9pm, I had been standing for about 2hrs,wow!!)
   Ronke -  Thank you very much mas. 
(too tired to walk to iloki Junction, I decided I'd have to make do with the little cornflakes I had left and so I walked back to my apartment) 
   Iya Bisi - Ahan Sisi Ronke, aren't you buying your Shiken and Ships again?? 
   Ronke - No ma, it's late... I'd make do with what I have. 
   Iya Oyinye & Iya Bisi - Okay o. But don't forget all that we told you o. Start eating good food ehn!  Goodnight.

(How'd I forget your "advice" considering the fact that it's the reason why my stomach is singing and churning. Biko lemme go get my cornflakes.)

By Ademola-aliu Funke
#AAF

A note to my tenants.

    Dear rats, how are you guys and how are you faring?? It's quite obvious that you all are very healthy considering the amount of eggs you've broken and items you've been eating in my beloved kitchen.
    I'm writing this note in order to warn you sternly. What is your problem sef ehn?? Before your mother died she was a very good and loyal tenant who ate her meals decently and took great great care of my kitchen at night. During the day she stayed invisibly in her corner of the kitchen, but you her offsprings are her exact opposite destroying all the items in my kitchen, running all over my beautiful kitchen while you're busy playing hide and seek both day and night!!!!
   If you continue in this annoying manner, death which is presently waiting at your door would be warmly ushered in by me, so be warned and change before it is too late.
                                                                                                      Your pissed landlady.

By Ademola-aliu Funke
#AAF

Talk Talk.

Just like me, most of us say whatever comes to our head(s) without considering the aftermath or effect of what we are about to say. This isn't very goods as words kill faster than bullets. Our choice of words or what we say is very important as our words can make or mar a person. We have to be extremely careful with our choice of words and what we say. We should also try to minimize the rate at which we talk.(I really need to do that)

Here's at tip to help (us) you;
Before you talk T.H.I.N.K.

T- TRUE.  Is it true?? How true is what you're about to say?? Have you confirmed it?? What if it's just a rumor?? (you don't wanna be seen as a rumor monger, do you??)

H- HELPFUL. Is it helpful?? Of what profit is it gonna be to the hearer?? E.G, (let's imagine you as the person saying this) "hehehe, guess what?? Hmm, I just heard that Dan's dad was having an affair with our chemistry teacher, they were caught yesterday in Dan's dad's office..." Of what benefit is what you've just said?? Haven't you just helped in tarnishing the images of Dan's dad and the chemistry teacher?? Haven't you just succeeded in making Dan an object of mockery and discrimination??

I- INSPIRING. Is it inspiring?? By saying what you're about to say are you gonna inspire or discourage the listener?? Still using Dan's story, what would  your listener gain from it?? Would it inspire him the way the story of Ben Carson would??

N- NEEDFUL. Is it needful?? Is it necessary?? Do you have to say it, what's gonna happen if you don't?? (Dan's story is still the lab rat here.) Is broadcasting the story about the affair between Dan's dad and the chemistry teacher a necessity?? Why do you need to be the broadcaster?? Is the information you're giving out about the affair needful?? If not,  you might wanna keep your mouth shut.

K-KIND. Is it kind?? Is it negative?? Is it gonna put a smile or a frown on someone's face.  Still considering the story of Dan. Do you think broadcasting it would be a kind thing to do??

Dearest friends, we all should learn to T.H.I.N.K before we talk (I sincerely need to) because we can't take back our words after uttering them.
So before letting it out,before gisting our goons, before we give that person a piece of our mind(s)... We should T.H.I.N.K!

By Ademola-aliu Funke
#AAF

My dream guy.

6ft5,
My dream height.

3-5 years older,
My dream age difference.

Not too fair,
My dream complexion.

Nice and understanding,
My dream character.

T-shirt, jean and sneakers,
My dream cool dress sense.

Someone who loves God, a Christian.
My dream religion.

Righteous, pure and loving,
My dream heart.

Great insight and knowledge,
My dream potential.

Would love and curtail my excesses,
That's my dream guy!!

By Ademola-aliu Funke
#AAF

Borno.

Borno!
A handsome state
Now turned caliphate
Woe has befallen that beautiful place
Pregnant??  Oh no!  My mates!
Tell me, what could be their fate??

With the high killing's rate
I wonder if they would have food on their plates
No, they can't even dream of trying to skate
No sunshine, No harvest, even the rains are late!
They are so sad, they don't even remember their birth dates!
Oh poor pitiful Borno..

By Ademola-aliu Funke
#AAF

Five reasons why women are more awesome than men.

1.  WOMEN GROW HUMAN BEINGS
Women grow other human beings inside their bodies this is the most obvious way in which women are stronger than men so we'll just get it out of the way first. Women have the capability to grow an entirely new human being inside their bodies. What do men do??

2.  TOLERANCE FOR PAIN
Obviously after growing that new human it has to get out somehow. Child birth is basically like that scene from the alien movie where the creature burst out of the women's stomach, except in most cases it bursts through an even more sensitive area. It sounds horrific (and it is) but the cool thing about women is that most of them do it again. Yeah that's right if you jammed a screw driver into your eyeball would you be willing and happy to repeat the process?? Probably not. But women are just that cool.

3.  MULTI-TASKING
The female brain is able to process different types of information all at once. While a woman is cooking dinner, helping a child with homework, listening to the news on T.v, answering emails on her smart phone, she's also writing out tomorrow's shopping list.

4.  WALKING IN HEELS
If you've never seen a man attempt to walk in heels, you should. It's like watching a bear attempt to walk on high heels, most women do this naturally  or can learn this with minimal efforts. Now on the surface this is not just a big deal but it signals balance and superior balance and muscle coordination. And do you know where balance and coordinate originate?? In the brain. So this is a piece of evidence supporting the facts that female brains are superior to male brains.

5.  HIGHEST IQ RECORD HOLDER IS A WOMAN!!
MARLYN VOS SAVANT, a woman holds the post of the highest IQ In the Guinnes book of records.

Rat. 😱😱

In like manner,
We were all having dinner
Or should I say super??
Whatever, whichever!

It was a candle-lit dinner,
On a Wednesday evening,
My girlfriends and I were gisting,
Forgetting our table manners.

When Nifemi screamed!
OMG!!  She shivered!
What's the problem,we all asked.
It's just a rat and she giggled.
Simultaneously we all hissed.
       Mstcheeeeeeeew!

By Ademola-aliu Funke
#AAF

The woman Sambisa.

She was a friend to all,
Both humans and animals
dwelt under her beautiful shade.
She provided fruits without discriminating.

She was peaceful and calm.
Beneath her disputes were settled,
and important matters discussed.
The children played hide-and-seek under her loving arms.

The Rabbits raced all over her,
The birds built their nest in her,
The spiders spun their webs around her,
And the bee hives were safe with her.

Then suddenly they came,
They spoon-fed her with poison,
And made her swallow over 250 girls.
She became a dread to all.

She was abandoned,feared and loathed;
Because she housed those insurgents.
There was a lot of bloodshed inside of her
As her occupants were frequent suicide bombers.

Her path became lonely and deserted,
Her arms started to whither,
Her fruits turned sour and bitter,
She had become another.

Her periods became heavier ;
Kudos to the daily bloodshed.
She developed wrinkles all over.
She became distraught, old and ugly.

A lot of horrible things were said about her,
As everyone forgot her good deeds,
And rained pretty curses on her.
She had now become sad, forgotten and desolate.

Oh, poor lonely Sambisa!
Who'd make her fruits tasty like they once were ??
Who'd drive away the heartless invaders??
Who'd make her the young pretty woman she once was??

Who'd revive her dying soul??
Who'd make her throw up the girls she was coerced to swallow??
Who'd stop the bloodshed inside of her??
Who'd bring back our once gorgeous Sambisa??

By Ademola-aliu Funke
#AAF

Could this be love??

My heart jumps when I see you.
My heart leaps for joy when I look in your direction.
My heart skips a beat when you smile at me.
My heart flutters when you call my name.
My heart dances when we talk.
And thinking about you, I discover my heart is gone....
Could this be love??

My head spins when we take long night walks.
My head swells when you complement me.
My head does a 360 u-turn when I hear your voice.
And the thought of you makes my head float.
Could this be love??

My thoughts revolve around you.
Your scent makes me lose total concentration.
My mind has been blown away.
Seems like I've lost my mind....
Could this be love???

By Ademola-aliu Funke
#AAF

My Offence

I had been caught playing the game.
I bowed my head in shame,
as the Principal called my name.
They were all gone now; my Fame!
My Offence burnt them to flames.

Yeah, she tried to make me tame
but gambling kept calling so I came.
I tried to change but I always remained the same,
Obviously my excuses were too lame.
So I alone am responsible, I've got to take the blame.

By Ademola-aliu Funke.
#AAF