TATTOO vs LALI

Ior Av,

It’s a wet Thursday in Lagos, Nigeria and I am glad it rained. People have been enduring the high weather temperature in the last few days. It is the day of relieve and we look forward to more relieve as the rainy season sets in fully. I have come in the similitude of a Tiv from Benue State, Nigeria saying, 'My People'.

As a lad, there are names on my Grandmother’s arm, she told me it is called “Soju” and why she had different names written on her skin. When I got to Ilorin for my tertiary education; I came in contact with another intricate patterns drawn on women in the market and some corporate environment, I asked questions about it and I got to know this as one of the traditional fashion style called “Lali”. By the time, I got to Maiduguri, Borno State, before the Boko Haram days; I was used to seeing it on women. Interestingly, when I returned to Lagos, I came in touch with another set of patterns called tattoo. Let’s reflect on today’s Versus Series as we consider Tattoo vs Lali.

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OUTER MOTIVATION vs INNER CONVICTION

Ior Av,

Despite all that is happening in Benue State, not political though, I have decided to associate with them today. I just said my people in Tiv language from North-Central, Nigeria. How it has been a great day for you? Am trying to try (one of the phrases that I learnt from my lecturers)

There are certain children that are seen tilting towards a particular skill early in life, for example Olumide Oresegun, the painter whose work went viral online recently had started drawing since the age of 4. Interestingly, his parents did not deter them from pursuing his dream while some parents want children who would be 'learned' professionals. Do you have an inner conviction or you need outer motivation alone as you pursue your dreams? Let’s reason together.

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WEAKENED NORMALCY vs STRENGHTENED STRETCH

Iniebinotu,

There is nobody who does not want to associate with people who can speak their language and this is one of the ways of being favoured. Interestingly, some people understand other’s language more than their mother tongue because they are resident in those areas. I am saying ‘My People’ in Izon (Ijaw) language of the people of the riverine communities in South-South, Nigeria.

Children are the most encouraged set of people on earth. You are being encouraged by your parents; pampered by your grannies (apologies to those who never had that experience); got gifts from uncles and aunties. However, when you get to certain heights in life; you are being encouraged in a way that looks chastising; you are encouraged to break some limited to set new records. Eventually, when one grows out of that age, one starts to appreciate the efforts invested into one at that time.

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BUS DRIVER vs CAR DRIVER

Mutane,

‘People’ that is my greetings today in Hausa language. Hope it has been a great day thus far? Most especially at this time, for those in Nigeria, when there is fuel scarcity! It has been a great challenge commuting from one place to another. Imagine, Third Mainland Bridge has been free lately because many people have stopped driving. Hopefully, traffic will return next week when the scarcity is over.

Have you ever noticed the difference in the driving of a bus driver and a car driver in Lagos? You will be amazed at the roughness and the carefulness of both drivers. Let’s think together as we draw some inferences on both driving styles.

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