KiKi's LAIR

We had begun the journey about six hours earlier and the bus broke down somewhere at Nsukka, Enugu. It was almost 10 pm and everywhere was quiet. Just a few shops were open in what looked like a minipark and we hurried to go see what we could buy to snack on for the long night ahead. About 30 minutes later, we were on the move again and I went back to sleep. At about 1: 00 am, Stephen tapped me to consciousness. The bus had broken down again. This time we were heading towards Kogi. Everywhere still smelt the same, of sweat and so many other things I couldn’t even comprehend. It was suffocating. I had earlier engaged in an argument with one of the 'attachees' (people who paid to stand on the aisle because they couldn’t afford a sit) who insisted on sitting on the arm of my chair and leaning unto me. "Oga, you dey rest on my body nah" He responded in his native tongue and I immediately knew arguing with him was pointless as he could not even understand what I was sayin...

Kebbi state!  I was posted to Kebbi state, as in the last state in the northwestern part of Nigeria! I know I was a drama queen but I never imagined I would be queen of the north someday. All the excitement I had built about NYSC and camp life quickly vanished. Hot premium tears filled my eyes and began running down my face as  I called my parents. They didn't even know how to react, my dad said to look on the brighter side, at least I was born there. but then, how was that even supposed to make me feel better? I had prayed so earnestly for months about my posting and now this? I was so disappointed, to say the least.  The next day, I began trying to make contact with other prospective corps members that had been posted to the north via Telegram. At this point, I just have to say, thank God for social media because what would I have done? I eventually joined a group of people in Southeastern Nigeria who had been posted to Kebbi. I was able to link up with about three othe...

I wanted to document my experience as a youth corp member. My NYSC year was filled with a lot of twists and turns, with happy, sad, and really scary moments sandwiched within. The challenges I encountered and the experiences I had were just too unique for me not to document, so this would be the first of the series. Enjoy!  I went to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri where I studied Science Laboratory Technology. After my final project in November, I went back to Lagos to go and rest and eat my mommy's food. I used to be among those “first to finish" groups, so once I heard clearance had started, I rushed back to school. This was in April, and I wanted to be called up with Batch B, which was to go in July.  After all the wahala that comes with final year clearance in a federal school, I went for the final process that would qualify me for NYSC only to find out I didn't have a major document - my admission letter from JAMB. I actually did have the document but i...

I know that Anthony Joshua got nothing on you when you get into your work mode like this, Oga of productivity, slugging it out 5 hours nonstop. Well, let me tell you something, it's yourself you're doing o, no one else. Taking breaks is a nonnegotiable aspect of working. Even God took breaks when He was creating the world. Which project are you now working on that you'll not rest? Rest is important and necessary to improve the quality of your output.  Here are five reasons why you should take breaks in between work Taking breaks relieves stress and helps your mental health and well-being. While hard work is important, your brain can get saturated at some point if you work for long hours without taking a break and this could trigger the release of negative emotions. Taking breaks will help you relieve stress and improve your general well-being.  Increases productivity  Rest increases your productivity and helps your mind refocus.  It also increases creativity and rest...

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14 -16 This is definitely one of my favorite scriptures but unfortunately, I don't think I have lived up to it that much. You know how they say "some things are easier said than done"? That is probably the case with the Matthew 5:14 scripture for me and many other people too. Working through doubts, fear of failure, and self-esteem to shine your light whether literally or figuratively could be quite hard.  Earlier during the month, I was...

If anything, I have started to understand why our emotions cannot be trusted. You know something or someone is not good for you but, your cravings and coconut head emotions are clamoring for it, so bad that you eventually give in. Now, when you give in to their demands, those same emotions turn on you and taunt you for not being strong enough to resist them. Traitors, I tell you!  Fear not, no boy has broken my heart.😆 I have just been having deep thoughts on how powerful or powerless my emotions can be based on the level of power I give them. If you read my previous post , you would be aware of the internal battles I've been dealing with since my mom passed. It will be four months in a few days, how time flies, although it still feels like yesterday.  I found it amazing how I could be on an emotional high for days, living my best life and feeling good, and then without warning the dark gloomy blanket of sad emotions would rest on me, plunging me into days of depression and i...