L-R Olamitayo, wife, Mrs Nike Monica Okudaye, professional Textile Artist and the author

The author and Pa Tunji Oyelana, renowned Nigerian folklore musician

The author and Gbenga Adeyinka, Grand Comedian of the Federal Republic

The Author With Marcus Sorour, General Manager, Waggener Edstrom Communications, South Africa

The Author With Jahman Anikulapo, Program Chair, Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA)

19 Feb 2014

TOKEN VS BULKY

Eyin temi,

This is the Yoruba saying that means, My Own People. It is with joy that I am dropping these few lines again today. I hope we had a nice weekend? Hopeful of a great week! I wish you the very best and it shall be a blessed week for us all.

Let’s look at today’s title, token of appreciation vs bulky appreciation.

Token of appreciation is when one gives in bit to the society, to the parents especially and to the needy. This is this saying in Yoruba, “ko to nkan niso ni dahun” meaning it is not sufficient that turns one to a tightfisted person. In the little, we have, we have to know how to share. People assume that they cannot help because they do not earn what is sufficient for them, friends do not help friends financially because they assert that their pay is meagre and children consider that their parents are comfortable enough to take care of themselves.

Bulky appreciation is the assumption that one day; one would pay back all that one owes his parents, friends, colleagues, and in fact, to one’s religious affiliation. We are encouraged to think big everyday but this thought do not materialize immediately. There would be a need to sacrifice greatly till one gets to such point. This quote from Kevin Heath says, "Small and Random acts of kindness can make the world of difference in someone's life".

In that little, learn to share with others with a token regularly; that token makes a lot of sense; that little might be remembered forever if given at that time. Who knows the span of life to determine if that person would still be alive till you become very great for the person to enjoy your benevolence. I have often seen many people who became great and wished their parents could enjoy the wealth they have made but alas, they are dead. Let’s learn to appreciate with token and not keep waiting endlessly for the days when we would appreciate in bulk.

I will appreciate you always with my token.

Enjoy your week.

Best regards,

17 Feb 2014

BEGINNING VS END

Ewe so,

This is the way Ijebu people of Western Nigeria ask, how do you do? I am asking as well, how do you do? How was the weekend? Hope you enjoyed it.

Today, we would be considering what we have always known with little or no difference but just as a reminder so that we would guard our lives, our thoughts and actions.

The beginning is when you are starting something, a career, a marriage, an academic program. The beginning is usually very humble and simple. Many people spite those who are either beginning or attempting to begin. The beginning requires a lot of sacrifice, one must be resolved to start.

11 Feb 2014

CAREFUL vs CAREFREE



Country People,

Let me come in the Nigerian parlance of greeting people in pidgin “country People”. I welcome you to another week. I hope everything is fine with you, work, school, family and loved ones? I am good and I give all glory to God. I want us to consider something fundamental this week, I hope you will find it interesting, are you careful or carefree?

Careful is when you are systematic in your approach, being careful is when you exercise caution; carefulness is when you don’t want to miss anything out. A careful person could be tagged a perfectionist by some people, a careful person does not commit mistakes anyhow. When something goes wrong with a careful person, a lot of people would sympathize with him or her because they are sure they really went out of hand.

Carefree on the other side is when you hardly care, you do all spontaneously. Nothing matters to a carefree person; just getting solutions when things go wrong is the mindset of a carefree person. I remember going to a hall of residence in a University and I found out that majority of the windows close to the door had broken nets. Basically, many of these boys are carefree as such they prefer to break the net, open the door and gain access to the room than keeping the key to the room carefully.

Being carefree is a challenge for many families; men burden their wives; women turn their husbands to nagging people. Let’s train our children right from the beginning. Let us not turn caution to the wind, being careful does not mean there would be no accident but it guarantees it’s reduction and being carefree does not equally mean everything would be mistakes.

Being careful is cheaper and safer while being carefree is expensive and wasteful. Being careful can prevent geriatric medical treatment as a result of what we eat and drink while being carefree opens the door to many terminal diseases.

Join me in creating a careful world where we cherish orderliness.

Best regards

3 Feb 2014

On Your Feet vs On Your Seat

Hello Chaps,


It is an opportunity reaching you through this medium. I hope you will find this few lines helpful as we advance in our lives.

Since, we are youths, it will be relevant for us to do a discussion around this, today, let’s consider being on your feet and on your seat.

“On your mark, set go” is a phrase for those who are ready and willing to partake in a race. For them to be able to do this, they are on their feet! When we look at those who want to learn something from someone more knowledgeable, in our computer days, we go to the person who would be seated while we remain on our feet! Something keeps us restless at night, we would stand up on our feet, attempting to figure the way out of it.

On your seat is usually associated with old people: grandpa armchair tells a parable about the man who had labour when he had the strength and he is now relaxed. It could also connote being comfortable, complacent etc.

For someone who is on his seat, he could also be busy, doing some productive things but when you are on your feet, you will definitely be at alert. Now that we have strength, let us be on our feet, let’s be ready to move and attain heights, an age is coming wherein compulsorily, we would stick to our seats.  An old person once said, “I used all my strength when I was young and now I am not doing anything again. She was once on her feet and now on her seat.

There are heights to conquer, let’s go conquer, remember, we are more than conquerors (dependent on many factors resident within us)

Advancingly yours,