What, to a Nigerian, is the 1st of October?

What, to a Nigerian, is the 1^st of October? 

I answer; a day that reveals to her, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which she is the constant victim. To her, the celebration is a sham; the boasted liberty, an unholy licence; the famed title giant of Africa, mere swelling vanity; the sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; its denunciations of tyrants, brass-fronted impudence; the shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; the independence service, prayers and hymns, the sermons and thanksgivings, with all the religious parade, and solemnity, are, to her, mere bombast, Fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy-  a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.

There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than in this very nation, at this very hour.

Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the old world, travel through the Apartheid of South Africa, search out every abuse, and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me, that for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, Nigeria reigns without a rival.

Our distress comes from no failure of substance, neither are we stricken by a plague of locusts. In fact, plenty is at our doorstep, but the right use of it languishes in the very sight of supply. Yet we occupy ourselves with divisive and hateful narratives sold by selfish politicians who profiteer therefrom, while the evils of poverty, disease and insecurity have become our eternal compatriots, which do not discriminate against tribe nor religion.

At the time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. O! had I the ability, and could I reach the nation’s ear, I would, today, pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke.

For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crime against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced.

Oh that we will arise and collectively tackle the challenges that bedevil this nation and liberate our country from mental laziness and the incestuous relationship we have formed between mineral resource and corruption.

Happy Independence Nigeria, the comatose giant!

NOTES

1.      President Franklin Roosevelt 1933 Inaugural Speech

2.      Niran Adedokun, “How Nigeria bred Hausa, Igbo, & Yoruba Miscreants” August 2019

3.      The Frederick Douglass Papers. Monday July 5, 1852

Photo credit: Alamy Photo Stock

‎Contact her via email: jtjemimah98@yahoo.com

Twitter/Instagram: @nikkyjates

NIGERIA, 58 YEARS LATER: DIFFERENT PEOPLE, ONE HOPE

So, the festivities of the independence holiday have died down. The long holidays with its partying, Cookouts, spending quality time with family and not forgetting the unfortunate mix of the Labour Strike, have given way to a new work week.

Drawing on the reactions of many people, I can tell that quite a number feel there is very little to be happy about in this 58^th year celebration of Nigeria’s independence. In fact, the pessimism of social media pundits who have become chief campaigners of this naysaying has permeated into the minds of their followers and you can see from the long line of retweets and comments that indeed they are not alone in their opinion.

They may be right in their own thinking that 58 years later, the country seems to have been in more upheavals than necessary and at best has been in a state of stagnation and for that they have nothing to be jubilant for. As easy as it is to be pessimistic, I choose not to jump onto that bandwagon.

I believe that our founding fathers had bigger dreams about Nigeria compared to what we have today. Healthy competition amongst the old regions created a surge in literacy, a stronger civil service, a vibrant economy, and a more unified Nigeria regardless of ethnic differences.

Things may be bad right now, but they aren’t going to remain so forever. Not if I have anything to do about it, and not if everyone also chips in to give our children a nation worthy of respect.

The typical Nigerian is filled with hope for a better nation. But again, the typical Nigerian prays for this utopia while hoping that someone else solves the problem for them. We have done this repeatedly and it is certainly not working so we need to change things up a bit.

John F. Kennedy in his famed inaugural speech said, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you will do for your country’. Well, I put it to you, what are you, Jemimah, Usman, Jamil, Chukwuemeka, Adebayo, James, Akpan, Dooshima, willing to do for Nigeria?

‘A worthy cause’ it has been said by one of Nigeria’s visionary leaders, ‘chooses you. You do not always get to choose how a cause worth dying for comes about, because it finds you and then demands the sacrifice of you’.

Chinua Achebe said in 1967 "Being a Nigerian is abysmally frustrating and unbelievably exciting", and I almost feel the same way every other day. One moment I want to yank my hair out from the roots, and then the very next, I throw myself with reckless abandon at its mirth, joie de vivre and endlessly can-do attitude to everything.

I do not claim to have it figured out yet, but I am willing to advocate and to hope that a worthy cause, one that would demand everything for the benefit of the larger majority finds me, and that I am willing to avail myself when it does. 

Now I ask you, what are you (myself included) willing to give up for Nigeria’s development?

Happy Independence to Nigeria, the most resilient people to ever walk this earth! We deserve a thousand accolades.

About Jemimah-Nikky Jates

Jemimah-Nikky Jates is a Public Relations Consultant- specializing in Strategic Communications planning and management. She is interested in Development Communications and is an aspiring broadcaster and presenter of a radio programme Abuja Social Mixx. She writes short stories and feature articles and runs a Human interest Blog.

Blog site : http:// jemimah-nikky.blogspot.com

‎Contact her via email: jtjemimah98@yahoo.com

Twitter/Instagram: @nikkyjates @abujasociamixx

BURNING EMBERS

Peter sat beside me on the Chaise lounge in his tastefully furnished living room, my head resting in the nook of his shoulder as he absently rubbed his fingers over collarbone. It made me remember why spending time with him, just the two of us, was one of my favorite moments.

All was quiet except for the soft rock music coming from the Cable radio station. I tilted slightly to the side and glimpsed at his eye lashes and I thought to myself, ‘oh how many women would kill to have their natural lashes so full and long’. His chest was bare as usual covered with a carpet of straight velvety hair. I could never understand why he always preferred being shirtless, despite the cool breeze from the fan and AC combined.

As I stared intently at the tiny specks of hair that lined all the way from his chest, downwards and disappeared into the band of his trousers, I had to swallow before I returned to his face. I half expected him to catch me ogling him but interestingly I realized that his mind had indeed traveled far.

While I got a slight sense of relief, I also found it quite weird because we never had such awkward silences. In fact, if there’s anything I know about this relationship “scratch that, let’s call it situationship” is the fact that we never lacked what to talk about. So even thought I felt something unsettling about the silence, I quickly dismissed it, just so grateful to have escaped the teasing that would have been sure to come.

I reassured myself in the fact that Peter was big into communication and so I felt fairly confident that he would sooner or later tell me what was on his mind. So I settled back into the sofa and began absent mindedly stroking the back of his hand.

A few minutes later, in an almost inaudible voice he asked “Tinuke, can we be friends?”. With eyes glued on the screen of my phone catching up on a certain celebrity fight that was ongoing on popular blogs, I answered with an amused smile on my face “friends? Aren’t we that already”? But as no response came, I turned to look at him and I noticed the seriousness in his eyes. “what I mean is” he said, “I want us to be good friends”. At that, I sidled closer to him and climbed onto his lap and began rubbing my palm across his cheek, just how I knew he liked it as I quipped, “Oh, you mean like girlfriend and boyfriend?”. But he stilled my wandering hands and gave me a puzzled look that made me immediately think “oh wait is he trying to dump me?”

Well ‘dump’ isn’t the best word to be used here because we weren’t technically in a relationship. We hung out, we made out a couple of times but we were never decisive as to what we were doing. “I haven’t been entirely honest with you T”, he said “and I will come to dislike myself if I continue being dishonest” he continued. I eyes stared intently at his misty eyes as he plowed on “I wasn’t truthful with you and even though I know you never quite asked, I hid it from you the fact that I was seeing someone else”

“W-what are you saying Peter, you are seeing who? Since when?” I stammered as I withdrew my hand from under his. At this point, I could feel the sound of my pounding heart in my ears, so much it seemed to be buzzing. Then he responded, “She and I have been dating on and off for 5 years, but we grew closer in the past 5 months and last week we found out we were expecting a child together and we intend to keep it and do it right.

I felt my body start to shake with anger so I got up, and ran a hand through my hair as I paced the cool tiled floor pondering on a response. I could feel the anger rushing in as I turned back to him and screamed, “And you just decided to tell me now? After all these weeks? What am I to you? A pastime?” All of a sudden it seemed like my throat was closing up and my breath was coming in short gasps, so I walked into the guest bathroom, shut the door and slid to the cold floor as the tears that had filled my eyes began to pour in torrents. I wept in silence until I heard him rise from the leather seat and walk towards me as his footsteps grew louder. He tapped at the door twice and called out “T, please open the door” but I refused to respond. Instead I got up and sat on the toilet bowl. My butt was freezing and I didn’t want to add pneumonia to the heart break.

I desperately wanted to turn the knob brush pass him and flee the uncomfortable situation, but at that same time I heard him lean heavily on the thin flush door that separated us. I immediately felt trapped because knowing the kind of resolute man he was, if I didn’t come out to talk to him, then I would have to stay inside the bathroom for ages. So I decided to get up on unsteady feet, reached for the door and unlocked it. As soon as the bolts released,

Peter pushed open the door and I beheld those dark brown eyes misty and I had to resist the urge to run into his broad chest and sinewy long arms, where I had always felt safe.
I kept waiting for him to say it was all a joke, but deep down I knew it wasn’t because I had never seen him more serious. It was then he spoke softly “I will totally understand if you hate me, but I’m hoping you don’t. I can’t stand knowing you hate me. I value your friendship and I have come to care a lot about you”. For a brief moment, all I could dwell on was how ticklish it would feel if I only pressed my cheek against his broad chest. So instead of giving in to those instincts, I leaned all my weight on the door to prevent myself from swooning and pouring myself all over him begging him to take me back.

I forced myself to speak but words failed me. While seating on the bathroom floor, I had crafted the worst comebacks that hurt him as bad as he was hurting me, but staring at him like that, so vulnerable, every well crafted rejoinder disappeared. I swallowed what felt like a thousand times before I could find the words to croak out “Peter, I really can’t do this right now, please step out of the way so I can leave”. He reached out to touch my chin and I flinched and side stepped him, I saw him recoil his hands as though he had been burned and I thought to myself ‘that serves your right, heartbreaker!’ he stared at me through dark painful eyes for a few seconds and then he stepped aside just a little to let me pass through the crack between him and the door. I left him standing there while I picked up her purse and car keys from the centre table and left.
***

Here’s what you need to know, Peter and I’s meeting was very dramatic. We met at a yard party organized by mutual friends during the summer holidays. It was one of those who-is-who parties where everyone had a clique and gathered around in small circles, eating and having a good time. I loved those scenes because I have a trusted clique that always brought the fun everyday without fail. Janet,

Perpetua and Grace have been my friends since University and we had remained tight through the years. We were having a good time, chatting away, pointing at guys we knew and sharing jokes about who was dating who and who had just had a dramatic breakup.
Somehow I kept feeling like someone was boring a hole into my back, but whenever I turned around, I wouldn’t find anyone. At some point I began to feel that I must be hallucinating. Anyway, our friend who organized the party came over to ask if we were having a good time and I informed him that I wanted more chicken so he asked me to come with him to the grill so he could hook me up with some wings.

When we got the grill, I noticed a tall, dark and mysterious looking young man whom I had never seen standing right in front of me waiting to be served. His shoulders were so broad that I couldn’t even see the grill, so I thought it would be fun to make faces at his back mimicking his movements. I stood on tip toes, stuck out my tongue and spread out my wiry hands to appear as big as him and was hopping left and right. All of a sudden he turned back and looking at my ridiculous charade, his face broke out in a wry grin. Soon his pearly white teeth came out to play and he busted out laughing. I was mortified and turned to walk away with what little dignity I had only for him to wrap his long fingers around my wrist and pull me back.

He had gotten the last serving of the BBQ chicken and he was kind to offer me some which I graciously accepted because I might as well get some recompense after making a fool of myself, lol. We talked for a bit and he mentioned that he had been watching me with my friends for a while and was hoping for an opportunity to talk to me. Aha! I finally knew I wasn’t going crazy. He also mentioned he had just gotten back to Nigeria a few weeks before and immediately my fences went up as I quickly filed him under “I Just Got Back demon” and decided it wasn’t going to be me he’ll use to while away time. But then he told me he had actually returned to Nigeria with most of his belongings as he was hoping to settle here having gotten a contract to run trainings for a multinational firm. Immediately my antenna sprang up and I quickly placed him in the “prospect” file. We had an amazing time talking and then exchanged numbers and from then on, became inseparable.
****

Weeks have gone by since that day in December when he dashed all hopes of happily after with him but I still couldn’t bring myself to hate him. As I stare at the pre-wedding photo of him and his fiancé showcased on a popular social blog, I realize that as hard as I have tried, there lingers a small torch still burning for him. But with any luck, time will quench whatever ember remains, even as I make an effort to stop torturing myself with thoughts of what could have been.

About Jemimah-Nikky Jates
Jemimah-Nikky Jates is a Public and Media Relations Consultant- specializing in Strategic Communications and Reputation Management. She is an aspiring broadcaster and presenter of the radio programme “Abuja Social Mixx”. She writes short stories and feature articles and runs a Human interest Blog.

Blog site : http:// jemimah-nikky.blogspot.com
‎Contact her via email: jtjemimah98@yahoo.com
Twitter/Instagram: @nikkyjates @abujasociamixx

YOUR PVC, YOUR POWER TO TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR DESTINY

All Rise... Distinguished Citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Oh how exhilarating it will be to be recognized for who we are and what roles we play in Nigeria's polity!

As a child growing up at the onset of the political dispensation as we have it today, I remember my mother was an election officer. Being a School Teacher, she was assigned to one of the polling units in Wuse District, Abuja. It was from her tiny wooden desk and table where she perched that she dutifully marked the thumbs of voters to signify that they had casted their votes in the secret ballot box hidden behind a curtain.

I knew this for sure because at about midday, I was sent over by my aunt with food in a flask to trek a few 100 meters to serve my mother her lunch. Half walking and jogging in the scorching sun, flask bouncing encased in the polythene bag, I hurried on my way. I remember being amazed by the large crowd huddled around the shade provided by a big Gmelina tree, under which her royal majesty, my mother and her colleagues sat.

The crowd was civil, calm and patient, though I could tell most were hungry because their eyes ogled when they saw my mother open her flask to dig in. Yet, they waited to perform their civic duties.

That was the year 1999, and I remember a few of the presidential candidates vividly. There was talk about Chief Olu Falae being the preferred candidate for a large section of the Yoruba nation, while Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (who later won as substantive  Head of State), was the choice of the core North and other parts of Nigeria. The latter gained such popularity mostly because of his famed fight against Abacha's authoritarian government and as a result his being thrown into jail, from where he after his acquittal, ran for office.

All through the years and elections that followed, one thing remained a constant; Nigerians always demanded that their rights be upheld. They demanded to be given equal opportunities to operate their businesses, to go to school, to aspire for political positions, to receive the right wages for work done, to have access to equity and justice and the right to freely choose who to elect into office without coercion, whether through force, bribes or empty manifestos and promises.

But as the elections for 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 swung in, I found two things to be true. Half of the population of voters were more interested in the handouts of rice, wrappers, umbrellas, brooms, a paltry sum of N2,000 and face caps to sway their votes than they were about actually exercising their duties. The other half were more interested in sitting back at their houses unperturbed, watching the events unfold via the Media.

I remember in 2007, the crowd that gathered beneath the trees in the green area that surrounded my street. There was a horde of voters lining up to receive gifts from campaign organizers to vote certain people into office. What amazed me was that on the day of election, less than half of that crowd showed up to cast their votes. And those who did, consistently bragged about their choice because they received a bigger gift from the party than the other contesting parties- how sad.

Permit me to paraphrase from a speech given by USA's former First Lady Michelle Obama in the follow up of the 2016 presidential campaigns “As I have said before, the presidency [Power] doesn’t change who you are, it reveals who you are. And the same thing is true of a Presidential [National Assembly, Governorship, State Assembly] campaign. So, if a candidate is erratic and threatening, if a candidate traffics in prejudice, fears and lies on the trail, if a candidate has no clear plans to implement their goals, if they disrespect their fellow citizens, including folks who make extraordinary sacrifices for our country – let me tell you, that is who they are. That is the kind of president [Leader] they will be. Trust me”.

I absolutely believe her, and so must everyone. After all, haven't we in this nation been consistently blindsided with past campaign promises that do not hold water? Or of deafening silences or ill-timed and insensitive comments that rouse tensions instead of douse them?

Do you realize that without we the voters, the whole process of Democracy is null and void? We are left with no other option than to get involved or at the very least throw our collective weight behind those who are brave enough to stand up for equity and justice, youth and female inclusiveness! If not for any altruistic reason, then to put an end to the hopelessness, poverty, unemployment, brazen killings, strike actions and the likes.

I have registered to vote. I wield my power come 2019. Do you?

Visit: http://www.inecnigeria.org/?page_id=3085

for information on the continuous voter registration and the Registration Area Centres Nation Wide.

#QuiteFranklyOurMumuDonDo

#OnwardNigeia

#Youth

#We'reTakingOver2019

I endorse #NotTooYoungToRun

Non-DIVA ATTITUDE

At some point (and by that I mean at every given opportunity) in your life I am sure irrespective of your sex, you’ve heard that women are a basket full of issues. Top among on the list being 1.) They absolutely hate each other and 2.) They make absolutely cruel and demanding bosses.

Good Ol’ Google gives several definitions of a Diva of which I will take two. One defines a diva as “a self-important person who is temperamental and difficult to please (typically used of a woman)”. The second one defines the term as “a bitchy woman that must have her way exactly, or no way at all. Often rude and belittles people, believes that everyone is beneath her and thinks that she is so much more loved than what she really is. She is selfish, spoiled and overly dramatic”.

I am not writing to analyze women who are textbook cases of these qualities stated above, but to cheer on those who are anything but! Because you see, to not do so would mean that ladies who ought to be a celebrated as Proverbs 31 women will instead be badmouthed as divas.

The earlier definitions are what a Diva shouldn’t be. So let’s go ahead and define who a diva should be. To me a diva is a principles woman.

·         She has good grooming

·         She is Poised, with no hair out of place

·         Her words are seasoned with salt

·         She is kind to other women

·         She comports herself with decorum

·         She is purposeful and focused in her chosen career or field

·         She holds a crowd spell bound in rapt attention

·         She commands respect

·         She is one who doesn’t beat traffic rules

·         And finally, one who gives way to other people- especially other women at a busy road

I am delighted to say I had the privilege to meet one of those women, albeit briefly. My friends and I were heading out to a function and we got to this really busy road at the heart of town and there was just no way to get through. Many cars sped past, staring straight ahead and wouldn’t budge nor let us slide through.

In fact, those who dared to look our way only did so condescendingly. And then came this Diva who without a fuss slowed to a halt, flashed her light at us and gave us access through. Now that singular act showed me that there was indeed some hope of saving the woman to woman friendship dynamics.

I agree that typically one incident cannot change the world’s perception about how women treat one another, but one act can cause a rippling effect until there’s a change that can be felt the world over. I intend to do better, do you?

Let’s Make a Difference One Woman at a Time

Photo credit
brookeobie.com

A WANDERER FINDS HER WAY BACK HOME

Boy! Has it been so long since I picked up my pen from the basket of love to write you this love letter... Lol! I am full of jokes, if I do say so myself.

But really though, it has been over a year since I last published a blog. I must say, I am quite embarrassed to admit that I have left my first love to suffer, while I have been busy chasing other interests. But as the saying goes, the first step to repentance is acceptance, and so, I accept that I have been less than faithful to my dutiful followers who saw the writer in me when I didn’t and who put up with my musings and comical posts. I am sorry if I do not say “I love You” often, because I really do.

As some of you may know, I have been busy trying to be a matchmaker and I have had a few successes under my belt, so yaasss, I am super proud of myself.

The Professional Singles Meet Platform was born out of a desire to see busy, single professionals -young and old alike- married according to God’s desire. This has kept me busy, physically, intellectually and even spiritually, (because people on my platform must network and connect for a worthwhile relationship by fire and by force, LOL!). Afterall, the holy Bible says, ‘the weapons of our warfare are not carnal’, so therefore some mighty Rabababa eh must take place.

Well, now that we are all caught up, be it quite briefly, I will like for you all to take a peep at the platform’s site and social media accounts to see the work I and my team have done and to encourage and drop suggestions where you can.

Thanks and God bless…

Yours (un) faithful blogger,

Jemimah-Nikky Jates

Website: www.singlesmeet.com.ng

Facebook: Professional Singles Meet

Instagram: Singlesmeetng

YOUR LAST GOOD DAY

There are several stages to grief we are told

Roused out of sleep with the news ‘Alhe is dead fa’

Oh no, that cannot be true, I thought

You had just dropped me a line a few days ago

You were going to inspire me to keep fit, nope, that couldn’t be

I hurriedly made my way to your house

Whether it was to confirm or dispel it I wouldn’t know

‘Baby, Alhe ta rige ki (she has beat you to death)

That was the first thing your mother said to me

It wasn't strange for her to say that for we competed fiercely as kids

Whether at the game of mortal combat or hula hoop

I sat outside, beside the swing set

It looks eerily like the one we both played on as kids

On it today sat swinging a little 4 year old girl dressed in pale pink

It could easily have been you

With an urge so strong I wanted to ask her to get down

Could she not see that I was mourning?

Instead I sent a weak smile in her direction

As her chirpy voice rang out in squeals of excitement

Those were always your exact reactions

You loved to swing so high till your head went past the poll

While you would scream with glee

You were always such a burst of sunshine

And I thought, Lord, why not wake her up

So we can share this reminisce?

But silence met my request

Then the flood of tears I had been holding back began a downward torrent

Oh, this pain. Why must you demand to be felt?

It was an ordinary day

You have plied that road countless times

But that was your last day, never to return home

Indeed, there's no way of knowing

That your last good day is indeed

Your Last Good Day

At the time, it is just another good day

But I have one reassurance

Heaven is all the more joyous with you there

Your beautiful soul was so rare…

And because of it, my childhood was memorable