Tag: nigeria

Wetin…?

Daily writing prompt
What is one question you hate to be asked? Explain.
View all responses

Hello! And if you haven’t experienced it yet, welcome to a quick intro to Nigerian Pidgin language! 🙂

The word “Wetin” is a Nigerian Pidgin word that means “what.” For example, “Wetin dey happen?” means “What is going on?”

Now, my mom—who also happens to be my housemate (Love you, Mama!)—is the absolute worst at minding her own business. Don’t get me wrong, she’s not a gossip… who am I fooling? Aren’t we all, to a certain degree? 😉 In these parts, people who have a knack for giving the best updates on other people’s business are called “Gist masters” or “Amebos.” But I digress!

In my 20s and even my 30s, it was cool when Mommy dearest wanted to know what I was up to or what I was wearing out. But these days? COME ON, MAMA!

I walk out of the kitchen, and if I so much as make a fist as I leave, she goes, “Wetin you dey carry for hand?” If I’m chewing, “Wetin you dey chop?” Even right now, as I’m typing this message, she could probably walk into my room and ask, “Wetin you dey do?” And in my head, I’m thinking, “Woman, I don’t owe you an explanation!” But, of course, as a good old-fashioned Nigerian daughter, I have to give an answer—even if it’s not always the full truth—just so we can MOVE ON.

Now, the word “Wetin” has even more cool variations, like “Wetin dey happen?” or “Wetin dey shele?” Or just plain and simple “Wetin dey?!” So never look down on that term, ’cause it’s cool! 🙂

An anticipation of “March’s madness”…

On February 20th, Nigerians witnessed the launch of A Journey in Service, a memoir detailing the life of a former military ruler. Now 83, he recounts his role in what can only be summarized as the country’s downward spiral—from senseless coups and executions that ignited a civil war to an election annulment that led to further bloodshed. And yet, on that day, he and his book were celebrated by the President and former Heads of State. The gall—the insult to the common Nigerian, past and present.

February also delivered a Hollywood tragedy straight out of The X-Files—a renowned actor, his wife, and their dog, all found dead in different parts of their home. No signs of forced entry. No carbon monoxide poisoning. No definitive time of death. A mystery worthy of the strangest conspiracy theories. Oh boy – February couldn’t get any crazier could it? Well Helz Yezzz!.

February 28th! The world witnessed what can only be described as the political equivalent of The Jerry Springer Show. Leader versus world leader. Or perhaps, world leader and his team going at leader – take your pick. No fists were thrown, but the number of jaws hitting the floor that day—including mine—was staggering. A day of pride for some, a day of disgrace for others. A moment in history remembered for ????… I’ll leave you to fill in the blanks.

Now, standing in the month of Martius, I can’t help but reflect on the sheer audacity of the past few weeks—from political theater to ongoing freakishly hot Lagos weather. And so, I ask: What more could you have in store for us, O month of March named after the Roman god offf … war?!

Pantheon smiles down,

From Fields of Mars spectating

His month unfolding

Its Haibun Monday on dVerse and its all about how you interpret “March Madness”. This piece was fun for me! Based on my view of the term “March madness” I got the chance to unclog all the frustration that came with previous month of February 😁.

March is here and I personally choose to be positive and prayerful about what’s ahead.

Cheers! 🙂

Batik Nation

Ogun and Osun

Cradles of fashion, harboring wax and dye baths

Inked designs on fabric that tell the children of Oduduwa apart

Products born of gifted hands, heritage, ancestry

The artisan’s toil births Nigerian high-fashion

Indigo stained hands are all in a days work

inspired by:
https://dversepoets.com/2025/02/24/its-quadrille-monday-3/

OTARU

I and the Land of the rising sun, for where lies our connection?
 Simple me, Nigerian born-
 Daughter to the dark continent-
 From the Kukuruku hills-
 Descendant of a sovereign's son
I am "King" in this kingdom
 speak my name and interpret-
 this inheritance one day for marriage I'll forfeit
 Last name will be gone, set sail like the many ships from Otaru's
shores
Yes I am also she, in the Land of the rising Sun,
 "River running through the sandy beaches",
 Sweet sea breeze-
 Waters filled with God's creatures
 Land centuries old, growing population,
 Economy booming from water import-exportation
In the Land of the rising Sun.
 
upsy j
Home to the known cherry blossom,
 Immovable I sit within Hokkaido's bosom
So I and the Land of the rising sun... Where lies our connection?
 Only a matter of English-
 I am "King" and still "River running through the sandy Beaches"-
 To Asia's East- time and space, To Africa's West- title graced
 I am Lord, I am Earth and Sky
 I am "OTARU"
Its happening at the dVerse ˜ Poets pub: Its all about Asia tonight! You’re more than welcome to join in the fun!

Thanks Kevin for the Challenge! 🙂

 
 
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Untitled: In reaction to the World Toilet Day report

google image

Worlds Toilet Day
making known my country’s shame…
The tally,
34 million taking a dump on the streets!
Where then do we put our feet?!
… In fear of stepping on shit

How can the leaders deny
development? Still a far cry…
Citizens watch with eyes blood shot as
state wealth streams amongst lesser gods

These lesser dogs,
Tearing away at the meat
Won’t even invite us beggars to the feast
So we lay out on the streets
Watching for scarps from their tables to eat
I even hear a spiritual leader’s got a gold toilet seat!
Probably passes out holy shit

O well,
The whole world’s gone to hell
so why am I bemused?
…Totally confused!

Country surrounded by water,
A hydroelectric dam,
yet my people defaecate in gutters
hardly any power in town

I swear, I can’t stop babbling
The whole thing makes me pissed
I can feel them defecating on me, these
thieves for Politicians filling their
already full pot-bellies,  no plans of recompense…

A shout out to the lesser gods  dogs
“HAVE SOME F*@!ING COMMON SENSE!!!!“

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Toilet Day, a joint UNICEF and World Health Organisation 2012 report has revealed that estimated 34 million Nigerians practice open defecation.

According to the report, Nigeria is amongst top five countries in the world with largest number of people defecating in the open… 😦 #Coveringmyfaceinshame (VANGUARD Newspaper: World Toilet Day – 34 Million Practice Open Defecation #Nigeria)

Still Bemused! 😦

A likely conversation in the Niger-Delta between Mother and Child

When do we go home mama?

Very soon my pikin (child)
once the rivers stops leaking
when the earth is done drinking
and our home is no longer  sinking

~~~

What about Papa, when is he coming back?

He’s long gone my love
and won’t be coming home,
swept away with all else we own,
He now lays buried in a watery tomb

~~~

Who are these people mama, are they my new family?

You might say that in a way
to all, the river has done damage
belongings and love ones, vanished,
And now families by design, we manage

~~~

When do we go home mama?

When the freak rains finally halt
and the rivers shut their vault
…Have patience child,
We’ll soon be okay

~~~~~~~~~~~~

**** Inspired by the flood situation presently devastating communities within my Country (click for information—> RAGE OF NATURE: Flood ravages communities across Nigeria)

(Pictures provided by google)

…to my Motherland (incl. Haiku #17)

Outrage Trails Killing Of Three UNIPORT Students Over Alleged Theft http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100848:outrage-trails-killing-of-three-uniport-students-over-alleged-theft&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

She's growing older
  Her children growing colder
  Where did she go wrong?!

This Haiku was inspired by the recent killing of three University students in my country. According to the Nigerian Guardian (Outrage Trails Killing Of Three UNIPORT Students Over Alleged Theft) they where mercilessly beaten and burnt alive by the villagers of the community for allegedly stealing Blackberry mobile phones and laptops in an off-campus hostel of their institution. There was even a video  capture of the event that went viral (VERY GRUESOME STUFF! Please be warned!) …  its been sent to me a couple of times, but have refused to see it 😦

Taken off facebook.com

Came across this picture yesterday while on facebook and laughed at how frightened it made me at first glance; I laughed even more when I read its title “Uncle Carnage wants YOU!” but today it takes on a new meaning as I consider the gruesome act of jungle justice that has taken place within my country’s shores.

To My Motherland

Turn the Stars on his hat to Green and White  stripes and wonder if Uncle Carnage hasn’t already claimed  “US”

When did it become so bad 9ja?!

Dealing with the level of corruption and mayhem within your shores is bad enough …but THIS??!!

Yet I am still in love with your Green, White, Green!

Our Meat by Odebala Irene Ese

On an empty stomach they expect us to smile
We open all thirty two like zombies
They throw crumbs at us from our own pot and we smile
Just for that moment all our troubles seem ages away
Then we realize we are hungry again
We run to them, they laugh at us
They dangle our meat before own eyes
Our eyeballs enlarge with greed
Our mouth water with expectation for that sweet taste
Our Adams apple gurgle

They tell us how they want the game played
We nod our heads like agama lizards
Ready to seal the deal with the blood of our unborn children
Just so they can give us a piece of our own meat
From our own pot
They tease us some more, dangling our meat before our eyes
Our eyeballs enlarge
They ask us to curse our fathers
We curse and even denounced them
So they know how serious we are
Just to get a piece of our meat from our own pot

They cut off our manhood, we are flat down there
We go about like an old feeble woman
A tired feeble woman
They ask us to give them our daughters
We oblige, happy that they found our daughters worthy
They dangle our own meat in front of us
And toss it at us, we eat it greedily
Not thinking about tomorrow
When the mirage is swallowed up
And everywhere is clear
We realize too late, we’ve eaten
Our future, there is nothing left for tomorrow.

By: Odebala Irene Ese

Meet Odebala Irene Ese!

TV content developer and screen writer here in Nigeria.

A wonderfully powerful political piece she wrote wouldn’t you say… It makes you think doesn’t it? 😐 … I received this poem a couple of days ago, but I decided to post it today, which marks the 52nd year of my dear country’s Independence.

I LOVE Nigeria with all my heart, but at some-point we her citizens with one voice, need to ask our leaders where THE HECK they are taking us! … AM I TALKING TO SOMEBODY???… 😐

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 9JA!!!! 🙂

Till next time pips! 😉

A Fela Kuti Inspired Word To The Leaders

Authority stealing expensive shit
Colonial Mentality breeding Mr. Follow Follow

Opposite people, power show
Shakara plus no agreement equals Go slow

Leaders, quit the Roforofo Fight!
The sorrow, tears and blood!

We don’t need another Army arrangement
or to become beasts of no nation… unless…

Hi guys! 🙂

I just wrote a cento thanks to Samuel Peralta over at dVerse.

A cento is a poem composed entirely of lines emanating from other sources. The sources for the cento may come from many authors – a line each from different poets, the titles of different novels, quotations from different politicians.

For my piece I chose titles of songs by the great Fela Kuti and made of it … well you decide 🙂 … I just hope I made the Abami Eda proud though 😉

(For Titles of Fela’s Songs please click on the link—-> FELA KUTI LYRICS)

… Continue to rest in Peace Fela!

WOW! it just occurred to me that we bear the same initials! F.K! How cool  is that?! 😀

I’ve got a new Blog!!!! …. “What My Preacher Taught Me”

Hi people! 🙂

I’m writing to introduce a new blog of mine. Its called  “What My Preacher Taught Me“

For a while now I have been making notes of  Sunday sermons from my church, which I have either been able to attend or listen in on. Up until yesterday I had sent some of these notes to friends after church, through texts and other forms of messengers.

Today however, I decided “why not just create a site where you can post these wonderful teachings, in order to bless the minds of not just the familiar but the unfamiliar alike?”. So here it is! I pray that you will be spiritually moved in some small way by these abstracts of mine, courtesy of sermons from Daystar Christian Centre, Lagos, Nigeria.

PS- This blog was inspired by fellow bloggers such as Deb Feller, Paulette’s Blog  and Ben Nelson who have knowingly or unknowingly challenged me to becoming a tool in the hands of THE ONE whom I serve, not just in my being but with the little talent I possess.

I thank God for this blog; I thank Him for you all and I pray that this post makes Him smile just a little wider 😀

Thanks for reading and please feel free to stop by at “What My Preacher Taught Me“  🙂

Blessed week! 🙂

(O yeah! PLEASE give me till the end of the week! I should have my previous notes up by then, and from there the journey continues with other Sundays to come… God willing)