If you can connect with this, you had your Primary Sch. in the Eighties...

Remember this? I was taught some twenty something years ago. I strongly believe it is still relevant and should be taught to every child, (call me old school...whatever!) I remember reciting this every morning in school, even though I had to mumble some words i didn't understand then. Forgive me if i goofed in the translation but you get the gist.

ISE (WORK)

Ise Logun ise
(Work is poverty's antidote)

Mura si se re, ore mi
(My friend, its time to work hard)

Ise la fi ndeni giga
(Hard work brings greatness)

Bi a ko ba reni fehin ti
(if we dont' have anyone as support)

Bi ole la ri
(we'll be like lazy people)

Bi a ko ba reni gbekele,
(if there's nobody to depend on)

A te ra mo se ni.
(We need to work hard)

Iya re le lowo lowoh
(Your mother may be rich)

Baba re le lesin lekan
(and your Dad too may be loaded)

Ti o ba gbojule won
(if you depend on them)

O te tan ni mo so fun o
(you are done for, i assure you)

Apa lara igupa ni ye kan
(Put your hand and arm to work)

B'aiye ba fe o loni
(If the world loves you today)

Ti o ba lowo lowoh,
(because you have money)

won a tun fe o lola
(they will still be after you tomorrow)

Abi ko wa nipo atata
(Or if you are in a place of authority)

Aiye a ye o si terin terin
(the world will cheer you up)

Je ki o deni ti ra ngo
(You just become a pauper)

Ko ri bi won ti nyin mu si o
(Then you'll see how they really hate you)

Iya mbe fomo ti ko gbon
(there's punishment for the disobedient ones)

Ekun mbe fomo ti nsare kiri
(and anguish for the scoundrel)

Mafowuro sere ore mi
(dont joke with your youth my friend)

Mura sise ojo nlo.
(Roll your sleeves, Time waits for no one!)

DEDICATED TO YOU

She woke up with a jolt. Though she wasn’t too sure what woke her up, but she had had the feeling before. It was a sweet and joyous sensation that has been bubbling within her for weeks. As her eyes got used to the light, she saw well around her and the first thing that caught her attention was the beautifully designed white dress that spread lavishly across the bed. She smiled as it all came back to her; she wondered what he’s doing at the same time…

He checked his watch, it was just quarter past five, he tossed to the other side of the bed. He’d been trying to sleep since he woke up but he couldn’t because his mind is full of activities. Mentally, he had gone over the day’s program several times with a mixed reaction of excitement and anxiety. He smiled as he recalls what has happened in the past few days. He got up his bed and toed his way into the bathroom, crossing his friends scattered all over the floor of the room. Last night was a great night he still couldn’t believe his friends can be that much fun…


“Hurry up or we’ll be late”! Someone called out downstairs. Surprisingly, she was calm as she told the hairdresser adjusting her hair to take her time. The lady was having difficulties fixing the last hairpin. “Today is my day, everything will have to wait for me” she assured the lady. She had so much faith in her GOD; she trusted so much nothing would go wrong. She could not wait to see him again it was just some hours ago since she saw him. She muttered to herself “I can’t wait to see you darling...”

His friends watched him in surprise as he got behind the wheels, he asked them to get inside or they’ll be late. He started the engine and was about moving. It was then his friends realized he was really bent on driving the car. One after the other, they climbed into the posh car and he drove off….

She looked out the car window into the clear and beautiful sky. The same feeling she had in the morning was now growing bigger within her. She wished the driver would drive faster. She saw a little girl waved at her from the street, she waved back, it reminded her of when she was also a little girl, she and her friends had always dreamt of this day. Before she realized it, tears welled up her eyes and rolled down her smooth cheeks. The dear old man sitting by her side asked “is everything alright?” Embarrassed, she nodded, as she quickly reached for her handkerchief….

His heart missed a beat when he saw the beautifully dressed lady escorted towards him. He had seen this several times before - in movies, but for real it’s happening to him…

She watched the handsome young man through her veil as she moved towards him. She knows what he’s thinking; they’ve both talked about it days before. “I will never regret marrying you my love” she said in heart this time she could not hold back the tears…

He reached out for her hands as she put hers into his, he whispered to her ears, “let’s do it” to which she nodded. Together they stepped before their Creator; the one who called them to be joined as ONE...

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife and they shall become one flesh” Gen 2: 24

Reluctant husband-to-be!

Some months to my wedding, i sent out customized I.Vs to few friends of mine. I couldn't help but being blunt in my approach. happy reading..

With gratitude and total submission to God Almighty

I joyfully announce the conjugal union; the instituted

communion between man and woman (some people call it marriage)

of my girlfriend and I come Thursday, 27th of April, 200-.

(Yeah, you read right).

With all the authority vested in me by age, social obligation

and personal desire, I will, gladly yet reluctantly

(sometimes we want to remain single 4ever),

be shedding off the garment of bachelorhood to

become entrap… sorry, enraptured

in the marital bliss as i become a band wearing,

responsible looking, aso ebi wearing

(you know you have to dress like your wife),

in-law-pleasing jolly good husband.

I hereby invite you all to see me off to the point of no return

as I crossover the river of singlehood. Even as I covet

your money, gifts and presence, I earnestly covet your

prayers and blessings. (2 minutes a day is o.k. as-a-matter

-of-fact you can start right after reading this.) I must confess

I use to be scared of marriage but when I remember some

of my old friends enjoy being married, all my worries disappear!

A word of warning to all ye singles out there, you’d better

enjoy your single hood now o, cos you’d be married longer than

you are single and like they say it won’t be all about you again o!

I’ll communicate the details to you soon.

(NB: Just in case you are anxious to bless me before

the day, i'll gladly await your call)

Cheers.

Know thyself 1

This is probably the first time i will write this much at a sitting, well, apart from lecture notes. I often wonder if everybody will live understanding their purpose in life and be original people rather than playing second fiddle. I hope my thoughts below are same as yours. Enjoy.

Many go through life without knowing who they are.
They live their lives
as dictated by their environment;
they never know what it means to be
original
to be whom God made them to be.
They never discover the treasures
in them,
let alone the purpose of their existence.

What a
difference would have been if only they’d
discovered their real
purpose?
Many problems would be solved; many issues wouldn’t
have
occurred if only one becomes who he’s meant
to be and not what others want
him to be.
It’s about time to ‘know thyself’.

Think of who you
can be become, a cook, a king, or a teacher,
what ever; you’ll be great
because its what you’re designed to be
and no one can do it much better
than you.

Uncover the mysteries within,
discover the gift
and treasures, harness
the power and strength hidden all these
years.
It’s about time we know what you are made up of!

-2006