Why I Write- Fakiya Victoria

A walk through…

I wrote a book when I was in Class 8. The inspiration  was from one of the Lantern books I read, Whiskers, the Brave Cat. It was a great read but my parents were disappointed and discouraged me from writing.You might have faced a lot of discouragements as a writer, however, that shouldn’t stop you. People are mostly driven by results– what they see. Only few believe in you, your abilities and dreams, hence, don’t be discouraged when people talk ill of your writings.

I stopped writing in class 8. I faced my books and read a lot of Lantern and Bedtime stories until I was in Class 10. Then, I knew there was more to reading. I got tired of consuming without spilling. It was evident in my essays and stories. I mean I could express myself expressively in writing. I didn’t struggle for free flow of words. I didn’t know why. In fact, I didn’t know writing was a gift, talent or skill.

You might not know why you write but if you write and find it as a tool to express yourself or empty a burden within you, please, don’t quit. It might not be all rosy now. Your friends might laugh at you or your writings. However, that is not enough reason to quit.

When I got to the university, writing consumed me! It was the best way I could express myself loudly, clearly and freely. The point is, before you can be heard, you have to own your voice! That is, you have to be consistent in writing. It’s fine if you write everything and don’t have a niche now. However, it’s not okay if you are not consistent because consistency sharpens your skill and gives you a direction.

Why I write

Consistency is a key which opens the door of clarity. I believe that writing is a means to an end. Therefore, I write because I know whoever reads my post would be enlightened and impacted as well. Knowing why you write would help you push through even if you are being criticised for it.

I am not moved by what I see because if I am, I would have stopped writing a long time ago. I am goal-driven and believe that writing is a means to reaching lives, hence, I can’t stop. Why do you write?

Achievements
Editor-in-chief, Foursquare Student Fellowship,  UI — 2017
Editor-in-chief, ASSAN Press,  UI — 2018
Content Curator,  Leadership Clinic — 2019

Blogger at latoriaa.wordpress.com
Instagram @lato.ria
Twitter @latoria_ria

Why I am a dope Model and Volunteer- Queen Nwodo Precious

A walk through…
By way of introduction, my name is Queen Precious Nwodo. I  am a Final year Medical Student at the University of Nigeria(UNN).  Of course I am an Ex-Beauty Queen who tries to venture into wide variety of places to be the diamond lady I want  to be and that’s why I want to share my little experience with you.

I am the founder of QPN Foundation, a model, a Pageant coach, humanitarian, mentor and brand ambassador.

Let’s flash back a little, I was the Miss Charming Nigeria 2017, Face of diagnozit 2016, Unec Finest 2015, Miss Humble 2014 and the list   goes on and on like that. Hmmm…Like I said earlier , that is not even all, I have so many titles in this life but all these titles  doesn’t matter, what matters is what do you create with your crown or sash? What’s the next thing after all the glamour, the fame, being the judge at pageantry competition,  going for events as special guest or special appearance and so on. What happens???

Drive…Basically, why I am a dope model and volunteer

I haven’t reach the zenith of my life, I’m yet to experience some certain things to pad me up, nobody is perfect but once in a while we need eye openers and factors to challenge us and push us out of the cubicles we are hiding in. I have always wanted to impact positively to the society from a very tender age through different platforms and that’s why I am who I am today, in addition, some of these qualities of a true beauty queen or model like Confidence, Self-love, humility, intelligence, positive -mindedness, patience and the likes has helped in
building me up because I have understood that one’s personality speaks louder.

My motivating factor has been my set goals.After being announced as the new beauty queen in a beauty contest,  you can’t just seat down and watch things unfold at the same spot or you keep snapping and posting pictures all around the world so that people can see the tales of your glamour clearly. The truth is that  it doesn’t end there.  Don’t quote me wrong, taking picture are not bad at all. I take lots of pictures too but when necessary for instance, when my portfolio needs update not just for posting on IG, Snapchat and so on.  But do you even engage yourself in any major projects that goes beyond the whole glamour thing? That’s me, that’s what I do. I always have all this planned out. So, those set goals drive me to do what I do. We have to start helping ourselves because self discovery is very important. Once you start doing all this,  Your reign as a queen wouldn’t be a one-time thing, it  remains forever.

You need to hear about this…

Fortunately, I broke a record of appearing on the Daily Trust newspaper as the Youth Ville of the newspaper where I  shared my thoughts about Nigeria youths and Nation building same as The Sun Newspaper. I also have embarked on so many projects in the past involving different eminent speakers in the society who spoke and inspired youths around Nigeria. Other achievements include some newspaper presentation, lots of recognition awards from different organizations and companies, the pioneer president of the EFCC club back then in my alma mater to mention but a few….

Furthermore, If you have the zeal for a volunteer foundation like myself, think of your goals and objectives and establish one but remember if you plan all these without the G factor which is God it’s not gonna go well o. God is the only way I must always say to my fellows. Sometimes, I don’t  blame those people that always look at models or queens as prostitute, it is  the way the models present themselves. It is only natural that your name or your personality will speak for you.

Dear budding beauty queens and volunteers,  determination and hard work really pays, try as much as possible to connect with friends, improve on your communication skills  but know that this will only be complete with a good prayer life.

Thank you.

Social media handle
Instagram- nwodo.precious

Facebook- Precious Nwodo

Miss. Nwodo Precious has walked you through her beautiful journey. I am sure it is already hitting the right spot in your heart right now. On your mark.. Set! Go! start hitting your modelling and volunteering spot right now. The drive is badass!

Why I am a Poet- Moses Sibanda

My name is Moses Sibanda aka Mc’Jones.  I am 22. I am a South African.In my wildest dreams, I had never thought that I would become a poet. My neighbour opened my eyes to the poetic thing. The Grandpa writes the poem for me, I cram it and know it by heart. While I was at it, one thing leads to the other. I was exposed to lot of anthologies and books. Somehow, the Grandpa kicked the bucket.

Every moment I grab a pen to shred a page, the thoughts of that  Grandpa licks my mind. This is what I wanted but without intensifying that burning desire and changing myself to what I’m now, I couldn’t have done it this far.

So to all the writers and wannabes, I urge you to apply that burning desire. Everybody has something to say, we all have our different ways to do it but the world is impatiently waiting for your “exquisite, quizzical and quixotic” words. Trust me they want them, to learn, healed, touched and uplifted by them. Let’s grow the Poetry Uni-verse together.

Poem title: Don’t
Don’t
–
Don’t let go!
For you’re not a loser,
Don’t lose it!
For you were born to win it all,
Don’t quit!
For you were born to conquer,
For you were designed to create as a creater
Ssshhh!!!
Don’t cry!
For you were born for a reason,
Let rain soften the grains of the earth,
This world can change for the sake of your presence,
This world can learn something from you
Don’t retreat!
Cause you were born to fight,
These hands of yours can shield defeat to retreat,
These hands can shape the world to a better place,
Cause they were made for a reason,
To make a living,
Let these words sink within you,
Till you find rejoice,
Cause you deserve glory.
–
© Mc’Jones

Brand Ambassador of Asara Wines
Moses Sibanda a.k.a Mc’Jones

Expectation vs Reality

You’re doing everything really right..you couldn’t have been any successful. You now see yourself as icing on top of an expensive cake. It is your work that is speaking for you. It doesn’t surprise you anyway. You only hunger for more. It is ideal to crave for more. So it is time to start to step out in your icing shoes and wow the whole world, your cake begins to disappoint you. Gradually, it starts to breed ants and the icing seems to feel like its rent is due too. So, what’s gone wrong? You don’t know. You really do not know. You start to search google for answers to your missing puzzles. Google alleges you of the wrong question. No answer. Possible online jail. You start to feel like a criminal already. You ask human googles too. They have no idea. Someone tells you that Wikipedia can do better. You carry your hand and enter your problem in there. Your phone starts to act anyhow. So, you finally lose your head.

Hello?

When you feel that you’ve put in everything maybe give up many things over something and your everything is just halfway, not halfway or even to no avail. It is no wonder you’re left feeling frustrated and searching for clues from anywhere or anyone. And then, it follows that your determination becomes emptiness. You have the answer right in your hand. So, why the worry?

Suck this like apple

Nobody wants to be a wheelbarrow when there is a car. Nobody wants to take a single step back to where they already left so that they do not feel progressively awkward. But sometimes, you need to feast on these realities. Life isn’t a fixed staircase. Most times, you need ugly tar to become a star. Other times, you need a mess to mend your relationship with people. If you can’t admit it to yourself now, there are possibilities that it is going to drag you down from heights unimaginable in the long run. This is expectation vs reality. Learn to understand that when expectations and realities are at close quarters, expectations will always be defeated by realities. This is your answer.Are you thinking what I am thinking?

Ajayi Mary

Bicycle Riders

Even if you choose to disagree with my bicycling concept and claim that you ride better stuff, it is understandable.But one thing that would arch my eyebrows is the fact that you’ve got nothing that keeps you moving.It doesn’t reflect reality.Your life comes with a ride whether you like it or not.

Ajayi Mary.A

Why Bicycle?

You are wondering too? I am not that dogmatic.I am just using a bicycle to drive home my point. I like bicycles. Even if i can’t ride one in practical, I can control the wheels with my words in theory. Of course,that isn’t the cogent reason why I feel bicycles wandering through my mind.Of course, it is just like a baked cake without icing though.Well,the icing on the cake is that a bicycle is a very sensitive stuff.It could be very slow and yet fast depending on your dexterity or its mechanical state.It can hurt you yet stimulate you.Cars e.t.c can do all this but you know,anyone can ride a bicycle except babies.It is a plane of comfort for almost all ages.So,it is little more than an enjoyable specimen in the laboratory of my thoughts. That says it all.

Will bicycles ride our lives?

uh.oh..It is not everyone’s life ride that is exactly molded like a bicycle.Some have got lorries,pickup lol, tricycle, Micra car,hummer Jeep,rocket and the likes.You wouldn’t argue the fact that on the face of it,we may have a twin purpose,something like oh,that guy is going to be a strong leader and that lady is going to be a strong leader too.But you know grammar is what makes the execution of our purpose the same, common sense and divinity draws the line. Yeah,they have the same purpose and can operate in the same plane but can they execute it the same way? That is to say,a car and a jet serves the same purpose but can they transport people to their various destinations in the same manner? So,Bicycle is just an illustrating image that paints the motion pictures of you on the move and vice versa.You have that unique ride in you that I may not know of.

Is there anything in one’s life that befriends a bicycle?

Of course,the very reason I deliberately immerse my veins in bicycling concept.Both the good and bad in your life befriends the motion of a bicycle.Sometimes, what seems good in your life can be a perfect sly,it might be slow in operation; it might be fast; sometimes, the wheels might rumble down and go beyond repair; sometimes,it might be repairable.So is a bicycle.It can be a cool partner all day and crush your leg in the next day.

Hey? Is that all the business I have got with a bicycle?

Mellow now,my mouth is paining me already.We are not into bicycle trade but keep this at the back of your mind,whatever state your bicycle might be,just keep moving. You have immeasurable miles to cover,you can’t afford to get yourself distracted.If your bicycle is beyond repair,use your leg.You are not in a Competition with anybody; the race does not belong to the swift anymore,the steady and smart ones are the kingpins now.If your bicycle crush your leg; Rest for a while,it is not a deadly wound,it might just be a sensitive signal for you to slow down a little so that you don’t get beyond yourself.You can’t be wiser than your Creator.Never.Every man to his season.

All in All…Keep moving no matter where you are, where you have been and where you are going.That’s the most effective way to make progress and success gel.

Is it Independence Essence Or Dependence Flavour?

Man shall not……

Man shall not live by theoretical Independence alone but by every pragmatism that flows from the riverbank of Independence_ Ajayi Mary.A

Get it right?

Getting it right is not usually the issue,the issue is doing it right.That’s exactly the kind of Independence syndrome that man has caused all by themselves.We only get Independence right,we do not drill it aright. Getting right – Doing it right= Dependence

Notwithstanding…

Empty Wine bottles are constantly trashed and green clothes always embrace our body. Even the scent of icing sugar sings softly to us on this special day.This and that happens all in the name of Independence celebration.Of course,it is natural and sensational to relish what needs to be relished.Have you ever thought of this? Am I being fictional or realistic in the fictional sense?

Getting away with the scary questions…

Well…If there is a concept that should have been the brand ambassador of cliche company, it is independence. Ignore the fact that your country deserves to celebrate Independence or not,let’s start from you.Could you tell me about several decisions you made on your own or even things that took root out of the abundance of your ideas? I guess 50% maybe 40% will come out with a spicy ‘no’ and if I had to proceed with few other questions,it will be a resounding ‘no-no’.Here, we are not talking about the independence that stems from living outside your parents’ harem. It is not the one that happens when you get married.All these are cliches in the broad sense of the word. You can be a married man or woman and still be lacking in the realm of Independence.You can be earning a fat salary and living in a robust house while your sense of Independence is a dustbin package. Independence is not a general thing,it is a personal cliche that can only be converted to a fact by your psyche.

My Resolve….

The true concept of Independence should stem from your personal sense.When the concept passes the test of your mind,then it becomes general and liberal.It begins to be flavoured by whatever celebration that comes from the society.Then it stands the test of time.It refuses to dwell on the grandeur of the past but head towards the glory lying ahead.As far as societies are concerned, I don’t think that the essence that comes with Independence has in fact been achieved,we are only relishing the flavour that comes with dependence.Until we start to do it right,we would only remain fictional all through our lives.Remember that our purpose on earth is to be realistic.Not just realistic, to be realistic with whatever unique abilities that God has instilled in us.

Have any Suggestions?

Please register it in the comment box

Time Waits For Everyone

Time is not a thoughtless Racer

It is just a fast Walker that waits for everyone that can read its pace.

Marie™

If wishes were horses,beggars would ride. Like time capsules, I have always had time stocked up in my mind.Like a desperado, I wish time could be one of the most significant courses in the world.At least, I won’t have my body and mind crowded and suffocated with some scary dreams and realities anymore.

Of course,there are many things in this world that are in fact normal, I mean just normal in the realm of what your initiative tells you.The very thing that makes normalcy graduates to bizarre circumstances is time.Have you ever conducted a cursory survey through your mind? Why did Keeton got the right answer? Why did I get the wrong answer? What made their relationship worked out? What made our sweetened friendship turned sour? Curious? It is the notorious time.You are neither a dullard nor a relationship breaker.It is just the way you combine time and opportunity that sucks.You were just knocked down by an hit and run time and then you fell and could not get a perfect hold of yourself.

But strangely enough,time is in fact good at waiting.Just that, many people aren’t aware of that fact because they are usually faster than time.Imagine the tears and sweat that permeates around Peterson’s face because it is about five minutes to submit his half blank Answer sheet.He is already preparing for the funeral of his failure when the seconds hand of his wristwatch keep hammering away ‘hope’ to his ears.Hence, making the history of the swiftness of time repeats itself because of impatience and insensitivity.

Yesterday, I was with you

Just that, you didn’t notice me

And you fell and fell abruptly because of your ignorance

Tomorrow,i will stay by your side

Just be strong enough to do it again

That very thing you could not do yesterday

You can make it right today

Time™

Love from Marie sparkle™

The Chronicles Of A Legal Penguin

The car is slow anyway.It slows down some more because of the bumps in the road .The owner of the car is Pelumi; the steering wheel seems grouchy,grouchy like its owner.Then he stops at the antartic,the grouchy fellow is fortunate as his fellow Penguins is right there.Tossing their heads up and down as they run their black and white skin through the tip of his hands -seems like their emperor penguin is around,so no dull moment.Already he has taken out an apple pie from his pocket; he shares it among them to show that he admires their condescension and affability.

Even if Malia had not seen Pelumi and his fellow Penguins in her dreams, no one would have doubted the fact that she wet her ink and have her dreamy adventure posted on some American Billboard.Like the way those Penguins spend half of their lives both on land and in the sea,Victor has his hands on every Lawyering pie.Appears quiet but can sift through minds like some yam flour sieve.

He hops in his car; it seems the car is not going to go any slower as before.The Penguinic liquor has replaced the petrol in the car’s petrol tank, so what else? He stops at the Faculty of Law,University of Ibadan.The car is already out of sight, some Penguinic wind hide it under that refreshing tree at the back of the general office.As if he cares, the grouchy fellow dashes to the large classroom that everyone would kiss first before seeing the faculty of law in reality… Eyes down,glasses hanging on his eyes down too as he settles for the back seat in the classroom.Of course,it is time to feast on Law textbooks – Everybody! Stand back.His countenance tells that reddest tale.

Malia Williams; for fifteen hours a day, she would work like a countenance detector that navigates through the outward and inward actions of people.she gets paid well to cover all the basics; knowing the right persons that fits in with her values through navigation,that’s her precious pay.Unfortunately,that navigation fails her umpteen times because of deformation; she discerns the outward actions accurately but camouflage pours yam flour in her cassava flakes in uncountable times.That is what you get when you try to read everyone’s mind; such gross impossibility.

The Penguin dream flashes in her memory when a middle sized paper surfaces on her right hand; it has ‘TeamPenguin’ written boldly on it,some political fireworks.Who is TeamPenguin? So she thought.Her own thoughts fades into the background as Willy screams ‘Penguin’ from the back of the class. I heard Pelumi screams ‘ Donkey’ to Willy, some eatable catchphrase that Pelumi makes his naughty course mates chew when they misbehave. Is Pelumi actually TeamPenguin? Pelumi meets Malia’s gaze,he is not being patronising but it is her moment to shine.She mutters Penguin faintly and twists her index finger to some Penguin taste,like a thought-provoking caricature.I know it is a cliche to say he smiles with the hollow space in his teeth but he did smile with his teeth when he drowns himself in Malia’s mimics.

Law101 is not going to hold anymore; One hour and fifty minutes is far spent and the lecturer is no where to be found.Every road leads to Law Library.Pelumi clenches his teeth as he feels the class slide,he catches Law fever somehow.He takes a deep breath, relaxes his jaw and packs his Law textbooks cum jotter in his middle aged backpack. Actually,he packs the textbooks in his bag but in reality,it is nearly arranged in his brain.Malia’s jotter and Law textbooks is laid out along with fresh black and red pens, all ready for her in the library.The grouchy fellow heads for the upper library, the one that harbours those aged English Law reports.The air seems coolest at this time,you would think it promises tranquility but some bird – like people is already chattering away right beside her.The rustle of papers from behind grabs her attention.Hence the rustle comes from the masculine hands of Pelumi.Does someone inflicted with Law fever rebels that much ? Law fever rebels to the extent of dragging Pelumi from upstairs to litter Malia’s ears.Her intention: Clasp the Nigerian Law reports in Pelumi’s hands and question his cat-like actions; Logical meowing that disturbs her peace.The scenic structure of the Library reflects at her and he does not care.His ladened backpack hangs over his back,black ear piece blocks his ears on behalf of him and he walks out of the library; those accessories knows their position already,how funny.

Pelumi is in fact a Judge in the students’ world.The day he becomes a Judge or probably a great Lawyer in the outside world is really going to count.The day he takes an oath to value our legal system and believe it with the core of his being.The day he starts paying due regard to our legal system but in a different twist,a Penguinic twist.Independent, bright, unique and committed twist; attributes you would find in Penguins.

From The Depth Of Your Heart

Dear _

There are  circumstances in life that would make you sift through a number of emotions.Emotions that would tell one stories about moving on to  a faster pace of life.Emotions that would make your head deflate so that you can figure out the right persons.Emotions that would twist your hair around your index finger to tell you that the Sky is not as blue as you think.They are really a hard nut to crack.Maybe or Maybe not, you would have to face any of these emotions, all of them or probably you are not a good observer.The thing is,you need strategies so that your heart would not turn out to be a mere yam flour sifter but a solver.

Have you ever thought of it? Brushing Off your important emotions with Mechanical Analysers? You know, these circumstances really shimmers and dances in my heart. I know it is crazy but the more I try to retreat from it, the more it edges me closer and closer. Someone who could not even get his head straight , map out quality time and fix his emotions without any radiation, how do you think such person could get on with people with the whole of his/her heart? It is not possible to drag your feet to Puzzles and finds answers to it with an half heart;missing Puzzles/emotions that proves too hard to solve in your life. You need  to think straight,lie doggo in the realm of your thoughts and have your whole heart clenched together in order to fix your life. Do you think you are fortunate to Scream out your needs to God like a saint in a minute and the next minute, you are twerking and dancing to sin because the Lord has answered your prayers? Even though you were able to get it, you did not get it.Why? You didn’t request for it having the sender in your mind totally. If I have a time capsule, I would just bury these words in it  ‘Maybe you were just fortunate that time, you may be unlucky in future. Guide your heart.Love with your whole heart so that you can have it all’

Maybe or Maybe not,it is not a strategy to you but whatever it is, do things from your heart.Like and Love people from the depth of your heart(If you can’t love or like,don’t hate; It is really crazy to smile at your friend/family whenever you are with him/her and smirk after they leave) and Work from the depth of your heart.Only then can you find answers and pathways to that confused road/emotions.

Yours Sincerely,

MarieSparkle©

The Hour Between Dog And Wolf

In life,everyone battles with dark hours.Of course,no one can tell me that their darkest hour has been sold off or they are too special to witness it.You wrestle with one and I pally with one,the only thing that edges me out from you is that our vision can not become unclear at once .Take it or leave it, no one would be there for you at that point. 

The  hour is going to hit your head very hard.Please do not run into the deep blue sea,you are not going to some crazy exile.I am very sure that there has been a time in your life when you had to challenge yourself to stupor,as though you were the main speaker in a public speaking event, ‘what is my purpose in life?’ ,’is she really my friend?, ‘am I really walking through the right path?’…..They say,Life is a crazy ride.Of course,you have to be really crazy at one time or even umpteen times in your life before you can ride the crest of life.

Trust me,you can only have two lifelines,that is your shadow and your creator.The best lifeline one can ever have is One’s Creator.Why? Shadows has no authority to change anything about one,it is just a powerless replica of one.You kill,it kills too.You bang your head repeatedly against the door,it does that too.It follows you around like a fool without any initiative to carve remedies.Your Creator is the only trusted ally that can be your searchlight in the darkest hour.

Trust you had the time of your life?

Marietta sparkles™