Allow me let you in on a little secret. Most of the time I get ready to write a piece, I usually have the idea right before I start. On some great days, I get the idea hours before I put he piece together. And yet, at other times, I just start with a potential idea and will it to make sense. On special (odd) days; ideas linger in my head for days and maybe weeks before I truly can find the words to express them to the fullest. This piece you are about to read was born of these enduring, unshaken ideas. I remember writing about my word for 2020 really early last year ; how it would pay to move with all form of intention in the course of the year. The idea of being intentional was just it for me. Just like this article, the opening post for 2020 was born of an enduring idea. It felt as if the word was playing in a loop in my head; going on for days. Here I am again (in November), not consciously thinking about but having thoughts of 2021 popping in my head ever so often. I am sure many d...

(Sometimes you need to rub your shoulders, hug yourself and assure yourself that you would be alright) This is for the over-thinker, and unrepentant go-getter—and just about any other person. On some days, we get so involved chasing goals that we forget to rest or commend ourselves for the distance we have come. The year has been a wild one. I’m certain most did not expect most of the events that went down in the course of the year. For some, 2020 was supposed to be  the year . The year to get things in order. The year to realign life. The year to effect certain changes and hit some milestones. Yes, these and many more were the expectations for this year. Most of us would have kicked off the year with goals well mapped and thought out, and hopes of where the days would take us. Unfortunately, the year doesn’t seem to have lived up to the initial expectations. Plans got derailed—inevitably—while come came to a stop altogether. That has been 2020. As the year slowly winds t...

Despite how at some point in the year, we wished we could start all over one way or another, we are fast coming to the end of 2020. And while some might still be stuck in previous months, time is moving and our “meters” have read the past months in our favour. Essentially, everyone has become older in the course of 2020 (although in varying degrees and aspects, aging is aging nonetheless).  On some days—maybe one too many—the phenomenon of aging fascinates me. I am in awe at how one can stay seemingly different. Inasmuch as we would like to think that a majority experience aging in the same dimension, each passing moment finds me picking flaws in the notion. We age in different dimensions and on different levels, with the most obvious being physical. Nevertheless, we age mentally, emotionally and spiritually as well as a host of other areas. From our careers and ambitions to taste. At first thought, most of us tend to shy away from the idea of aging—’cos everyone wants t...

  (I wrote this on the 27th of October and even though I no longer feel exhausted, I still find the need to share. Nigeria seems to keep one in a steady state of exhaustion, hence this piece should still be  timely   even though it is a month old) Stock Photo by  Elijah O'Donnell  from  Pexels October was a hell of a month. Events fit for 5 years transpired in the space of 14 days. For the year 2020, that says a lot, considering that all sorts have gone down in the course of the year. There certainly have been days that found me the least bit uncomfortable and days that have left me disconcerted. October however left me exhausted. Exhausted might seem like an overkill but this is me putting it lightly. Exhausted from head to toe. Exhausted inside-out. Absolute exhaustion. On some days, I tend to hover around the edge of tiredness but, complete exhaustion has hardly ever been it for me. I am certain I was not the only one tangled in the web of exhaustio...

It has been well over a month since y’all saw me here. Trust me, I never forgot this space but, I found the need to take a step back. Over the past couple months, I have been caught in the to-be or not-to-be loop. Wondering; should I or should I not? Although I have spent a good part of the time away writing the best possible content, I have spent even more time thinking. Thinking, about what you might ask. . . Shutting down this space permanently. Yup, I have chewed on that thought for the time I was away these past months.  Stock Photo by  Olya Kobruseva  from  Pexels Why?  Late in the month of June, I began uploading content on Medium, based on recommendation. In case you don’t know, medium is essentially a community for writers—and readers of course. For the longest time, I have kept an eye out for possible ways to widen my reach. Getting my content before a larger (and more diverse) audience. Medium certainly fits the bill and it subtly eli...

I’m certain by now you are well acquainted with my love-hate relationship with Lagos. In previous times, my posts in this series have been based entirely on experiences and perspectives on Lagos; from traffic that has come to be synonymous with Lagos to the daily ordeals of commuting and other times, outright rants . Photo credit Of course, you are in the loop of plans to begin easing the 5 weeks long lockdown in Lagos and while many are giddying up to be out in the streets again, hustling, there are still nagging concerns in most minds including mine. Unlike other installments in this series, I just have questions today. No rants, no personal narratives, just questions. It still feels like a false reality to most, how things were normal this minute and in the next breath, we were mandated to stay indoors more often than we are used to and basically grind to a halt. Lagos is ever so busy and I’m certain in the course of the lockdown, the roads have felt much relief. You migh...

  It's no news that the lockdown has been extended and even if the lockdown isn't charting it's full course in certain cities and places, movement and activities that we've grown used to are restricted. While the isolation may not be much of a big deal for some, I'm sure it has some bored to the wits and maybe at the brink of insanity (who knows?) While the lockdown persists, I have made another list. (Remember the last one? ) Limit the amount of news you take in: social media sure has its ways of bringing enlightenment and I'm certain you have been at the receiving end of a plethora of BCs here and there. Whilst some of these might be valid, there is always room for false news. Staying in the loop with what is going on shouldn't mean wolfing down every little bit of news that swings your way (especially without making your own findings). Photo credit/unsplash Catch up on your reading list: maybe you've seen a book you fancied reading...

PC:  Lumigraphy Whilst quite a number of countries are in partial or total lockdown, it has come to my realization how life has become compulsorily simple. You find tiktok and triller videos of families or couples dancing (because what else is there to be done), parents are getting to know their kids better as most can’t leave early for work and return late while the kids sleep. For some of us, this lockdown isn’t so much of a hassle as we are homebodies but for those on the other end of the divide, they might be finding it rather difficult to adapt for just a while. Before I go on; if you are reading this and aren’t on your favourite chair indoor, GO HOME and STAY THERE. A week ago, tertiary institutions were shut for the safety of the students, many I’m sure are back home and might be finding it difficult to be home at this time of the year being that a number were either in the middle of a semester or just about to write exams and a few lucky to be on break already. You...

   From the yellow buses with black stripes, BRT buses alternating between blue and red to tricycles, motorbikes, franchise cabs and regular cabs, and then personal vehicles, Lagos is definitely not short on transport choices in the grand scheme of things. Transport is a crucial aspect of living in Lagos--any big city actually--as it improves networking, communication between people and then the economy cos people need to move around to make money yo!! After moving from the centre of Lagos to one of the ends, I unavoidably ended up having more commuting experiences than i did prior to that. And more commuting experience invariably translates to more hours on the road. Did I make you think I would be documenting actual experiences with people in buses? Well, not today. So, yeah I'd be talking about the buses today, the ones i know and have had "dealings" with at least: image BRT buses: were introduced by ex-governor Fashola in some year i can'...

  For a number of posts now, we've been on about the lunacy that is Lagos and how much this city has to do to become a megacity.      A few days back as many know, the Lagos state govt placed a ban on motorcycles popularly called “okada” and tricycles more commonly known as “keke napep” in a number of commercial areas in Lagos. In light of this, a number of Lagos residents have registered their displeasure at this new regulation by the government.      Government sources have cited the supposed high rate of crime perpetuated by the operators of these light automobile as one of the cardinal reasons for the ban. It has also been mentioned that a high rate of accidents caused by the operators is another reason for the ban.      However, a lot of Lagos residents view this new policy as a poorly thought out initiative that will eventually end up being counterproductive. One key question that has been raised is:   What will happen...

 As with the previous parts of this series, I doubt I can extensively talk about this in one post so, expect a follow up some time later. I talked earlier about what informs my perspective on this series as a whole and how you may find it a bit tainted, once again bear with me, the dust on the road has coated my glasses. Still on the perspective thing, I’d be starting with the roads that I ply often and are somehow meant to be important to Lagos as a city….….  Drum roll!!!! The Lagos-Badagry road: This road is touted to be of economic importance (well, before the borders were shut) but I just can’t fathom how with the said importance, repairs are going at snail pace on the road. I recall some 12/13 years back--the road may not have been exceptionally good but it wasn’t this bad either--we would spend not more than an hour-thirty minutes (that’s even maximum) from our side of the mainland to the town itself (not by public transport). Four-five years later, the road wa...

  As promised in my previous post , I’m back and we are still talking being intentional. Being intentional takes a lot of intent and commitment in the long run. Honestly, being intentional is not enough without being consistent regarding your intentions. Living intentionally may not be the easiest thing to do but it's worth giving a shot.   The year is still going and you probably are wondering: "How the heck do I jumpstart this being intentional thing?" Well, you aren't alone and I have curated some tips that I believe would aid our intentional living this year. Have the big picture in view: where do you want to be by the end of 2020? how much progress and growth do you expect to have experienced? Create a big picture stemming from your answers to these questions and let them inform your goals. For a wholesome big picture, answer the above questions concerning your life in the following categories: Spiritual Physical (health and fitness etc) Emotional...

   Ever heard the saying: "if one could survive in Lagos, one could survive anywhere"? Some days, I feel this was coined with Lagos traffic in mind. Truth be told, Lagos is a real busy place with millions of people and, traffic is one of the craziest things one would encounter in Lagos. Unlike some other places that could have the traffic concentrated in certain areas, in my mind's eye, there's traffic in every area of Lagos (mostly the major routes) from the mainland to the island and the "other places". That is not to say the city is ridden with traffic all day long however, one could spend precious productive hours in the legendary Lagos traffic. The traffic situation ranges from standstills to slow but seemingly steady movement stemming from varying things like bad roads, absence of traffic control at notable points (and the impatience of commuters), not that many alternate routes, diversions due to road repairs and ultimately, RUSH HOUR. ...

 Lagos is well known as one of the most populous cities in Nigeria and is definitely one of the top 20 mega-cities in the world. Taking into account the increasing population of Lagos, the city is bound to have some crazies. I don't necessarily mean actual crazy but i believe you'd get a hang of what i mean as i continue this series. I was born in Lagos and no matter how much I may have been conditioned to love Lagos, there are certain days all I want to scream is " I HATE LAGOS ". Trust me, Lagos is as much fun as it is annoying or is it the other way round? Anyways, this series is just me writing about my experience in Lagos, past and present and Lagos on a whole. I earnestly hope you enjoy this recurring feature on here. DISCLAIMER : This is essentially just for the kicks but it's needless to say that the articles for this new feature would hold mostly truth no matter how much i try to make light of things.    Now that the intro is over, I guess you dese...