Young and In Charge: Christiana Essie Amissah

With a message of love and hard work, our Young Person of the Week promises to be a very inspirational read. A combination of hard work and focus has gotten this young entrepreneur to where she is today. Meet our very inspirational Young Person of the Week, Christiana Essie Amissah.

Tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Christiana Essie Amissah, born Ghanaian, raised Nigerian, though my mom is a Nigerian too. Last of two children. I have a loving elder brother. I am presently an Undergraduate at the University of Benin where I am studying law. I also own and run Christy’s Confectionery.

Young and In Charge: Ginika Catherine Okolie

Its been a long time since we had a YIC on the blog and we apologize, it has be difficult finding young people whose stories we could share. It only fitting that we give you an interesting YIC for today.

Our Young Person Of the week, is a young woman who was not afraid to follow her dreams despite the stress of combining it with school. She didn't stop at just loving it she decided to share her dreams with other young ladies and in her own little way, empowering these young ladies. Meet our Young Person of the Week, Ginika Okoli. Happy reading.

 Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Ginika Catherine Okolie, I hail from Uli in Ihiala local government in Anambra state. I'm the last child in a family of six. I'm a makeup artist, who has a lot of passion for the art. I love beauty and creativity. This was my biggest source of inspiration and motivation towards becoming a makeup artist.

Just My 2 Kobo: Looking Beyond The ASUU Strike

A while ago, the ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) Chairman, said in an interview that students didn't want them to call off the strike. In his words “Our students have come out to say they don't want us to call off the strike until the Federal Government answers us, because they don't want us to call off now and later we go back to strike again. So, we are heeding the advice of our students”. 

I wasn't present when the student conferred this message to him, so I have no clue if it is true or not. But one thing I know for sure is that the students just want to get done with school and be sure its over. I was a student once, I was lucky enough to experience a serious strike just once in my final year (2009) for three months. All I thought of after the first month of being happy to be away from school was, 'can ASUU call off the strike already so I can make it to law school in October', well I got to go to law school in April 2010.

The statement got me thinking about the whole strike, were the striking lecturers any different from the government they were striking against, were they even considerate of the feelings of the students who they had left sitting at home for months. I was listening to a programme called 'If Wishes Were Horses' while driving home a while back, the wish of more than half of the people that texted or called in was that ASUU should call the strike off, they complained that they were tired of sitting down at home doing nothing. Students begging to go back to school, now that’s a first!!! I really can't reconcile the reaction on this programme with the statement made by the ASUU chairman.

I am not going to go into the details of the strike or the politics surrounding it, I just want to look at our striking lecturers and see if they really have the interests of their students at heart or just the interest of their pockets. I remember numerous stories in school of female students who were failed repeatedly because they refused to sleep with the male lecturers. Stories of students who felt terrible after having to sleep with their lecturers just to pass, some of them go ahead to loose their sense of self worth. Stories of students who had to pay to get the pass that they ordinarily were entitled after working hard for it. Stories of students whose hard work were thrown into the dustbin, because the lecturer had to balance his sheet out, he would change marks of deserving students to lower grades to ensure he gave higher grades to the students he had slept with or collected money from. Stories of lecturers failing their students because they did not buy their hand outs. There are numerous stories of the atrocities of these lecturers, acts that left their students and ex-students lacking in both confidence and knowledge required to compete outside the four walls of the university.

The government not sticking to its part of the agreement is inexcusable, but the reports show that House of Assembly is willing to sign a supplementary budget if that would end the strike. I think they should try to come to a compromise with the government, that’s the essence of living in a civilised society, we should be willing to meet the other person half way. If really the lectures were interested in moving our education sector forward, they would be more interested in cleaning up the sector first from the inside, they would think about the students whose lives they destroy every day with their actions. Its probably because they know they students can't decide to strike against them that they keep on perpetrating these evil deeds.

The strike gets you thinking about the reason why we do what we do, for the love of it or just for the financial gains attached to it. For a position as serious as moulding the minds a nation, shouldn't it be a little more than the financial benefits. Nobody is saying the teachers should teach just for the love of it, but if they really loved what they have been opportuned to to be doing, they should be willing to come to a compromise with the government, not necessarily because of the government, but because of the minds they have been gifted with moulding. The minds they are moulding today are the minds of our future leaders, if they do their jobs right, the strikes would be a thing of the past, because when these minds get into power, they remember what they have been taught. But this strike only shows that a lot of our teachers went into teaching because all other career paths failed, not for the love of it. There are very few like my late Jurisprudence lecturer, Professor Oye Cukwurah, who I think went into teaching for the love of it.

The members of ASUU should be very aware that the patience of the general public is gradually wearing thin, if this strike drags on for too long they would loose the support of the general public, which they have had from the beginning.

But then again, what do I know; I just think the change we want to see in the educational sector should come from both the government and the lecturers, all the billions in the world would not change the education sector if the lecturers remain dirty.

Just my 2kobo: CHOICES by Adesuwa

CHOICES

By Adesuwa 

"I had to slap her joor! She was talking too much and I was boiling with anger...I didn't have a choice!"

"Doing runs was the only way I saw I could survive. I didn't have a choice.."

"I couldn’t have that child! Not while I was in school...I did what I had to do...I didn't see any other way..."

"I knew he had violent tendencies, but after six heartbreaks, I saw no other choice but to accept to marry him when he proposed!"

"I needed the job so badly; I knew the harassment would get out of hand. But how I for do?"

Dear reader, are these scenarios familiar? When it seems the only way out is the very way you would not advise your enemy to follow? And you just sigh and say, "Do I have a choice?"

We always have choices. Not to do something about an issue is a choice in  itself. The fact is not that there are no choices, but that we do not like the choices left in some situations.

Looking at the instances above, you could have walked away shaking with anger, because that slap could mar a friendship that meant so much...but if you don't stop to think, that choice wouldn’t surface.
You could have decided not to do runs, and probably not go to school, or do the high-class things, or lose a loved-one.
You could have that child and become a dropout or a single mum or face social stigma.
You could have refused to marry a man with anger issues; the worst that could happen is you marry late.
You could have stayed broke a little longer, and not take that job where your boss harasses you sexually everyday.

As ugly as these choices seem, they are choices. So we always have a choice.

We are always going to be faced with choices as long as we live, and the good thing is, you are solely responsible for the consequences...so whether good or bad its on you.

Can we try to choose our root choices wisely? Some would be painful no doubt...but soon enough you would face them in the nearest future.

Don't get me wrong; I am not trying to judge anyone. This goes out to all of us faced with one choice or the other or who have felt defeated as a result of bad choices we may have made. Rise up, dust yourself, review things and make good choices. Try all you can not to be conditioned by circumstances, stand apart from them and weigh things realistically and yes! For some you would need to have unshakeable faith. It is true that good choices take a lot of hard work and perseverance, but not to worry...no one loses for doing the right things, don't be deceived.

These are my thoughts this beautiful day. Be encouraged!

Young and In Charge: Adesuwa Iluobe

Today's interview is one that is really special to the blog, our young person of the week is one half of the blogging duo that bring you the lovely articles and interviews. If I am Abj loving, she is definitely Abuja living, Lol. She is a a bundle of talent, who decided to chase her dreams and cannot be deterred by the headaches that come with following her dream. A true child of the 90s, her family's support means everything to her and they are very important to her success as a lawyer, fashion designer, writer and blogger. Meet our young person of the week, Adesuwa Iluobe, lawyer, fashion designer, writer and blogger.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Iluobe Adesuwa Ehinome Maryanne. I am a Nigerian from Esan, Esan central local government. I am a legal practitioner who has a passion for fashion, literature and writing.

What was growing up like?

I have fond memories of my childhood. I had a sheltered childhood. I was born in Lagos and attented kindergarten, nursery and Primary school there. My parents are caring, loving and strict I must add. They ensured we were brought up properly and never compromised good morals. I fell in love with Literature in my childhood courtesy of my Father, and it has stuck since. By the time I was six years old I was reading Enid Blyton’s books, Malory towers, St Clares. Books books books, that’s all I was about. I would do my assignments at school, so I could read from the time Mum came to pick us up in the car till late at night….I remember Yvonne Ifode, my Primary two class mate she used to lend me these books, so I read them and return the next day. Reading was a huge part of my childhood..,no regrets. I graduated to drawing comics (yes! I can draw quite well) and stories with short chapters, I would draw over 20leaves of comics with dialogues and then give my school mates to read , they almost never returned them, if only I knew that those were priceless works, I would not have let them go that easily. Then I spared time to cook sand and ride around the compound with my siblings, of course you dare not cross the gate, else you get caned. I remember tales by moon light, waiting for the television stations to start around 4pm and all that…weekend outings with family, Lagos was not as jam packed as it is today and yet we complained then. So child hood was a bliss, there were games to play, educative programmes to watch, pranks to pull and all that, the world was not so digitalised like it is now, so much most kids nowadays are no longer creative, most cannot make paper guns or buy dolls any more or draw ninja turtle, cook sand…. Instead they want phones and gadgets! …it is just so pathetic.


Tell us a little about your educational background.

I started school when I was just one and half. Spent a year at Dammyville Kindergaten at Surulere, then started Nursery and primary School at the Fountain school Adelabu Surulere as well. I left in Primary five and proceeded to Federal Government College Benin City for six years. My future ambition as a child was to be a writer, so I really wanted to study English Language and Literature my first love, but my dad felt it was better to read something professional. You see then, once you read Law, medicine and so on you just flew, but no one knew that Nigeria would get to that point that what you studied wouldn't matter if you have no initiative, innovation or common sense. Yes! So I studied Law and I have no regrets anyway, but I still yearn to study English and literature. Then, I went to Law school, Bwari campus, got called to the prestigious Nigerian Bar. During NYSC I did a six months  course in Spanish…si!

Do you regret giving up on studying English? Do you see yourself returning to school to pursue that dream?

For me, Law is a great background any individual could have. It has exposed me to a lot of knowledge and I cannot trade that for anything,
But yes! I used to regret then. I mean! I slaved for law. Not like English, which would have been easier but then, I loved and still love English and Literature (I like to add).  So yes of course, any opportunity I get to go back to school to study it, I will embrace it.

Where did you draw the courage to from, going ahead to pursue your dream despite your parents’ wish for you to pursue a career in law?

Seams wasn't so much of a longstanding dream. I didn’t have sewing skills as a child, though I was quite good with needle and thread…(laughs). Well, I love fashion and I got tired of just admiring them on magazines, I knew there was more in me about fashion than just wearing it. Then one day I learnt Wuraola Obiegbu a lady in my class in the University had learnt to make clothes! Oh wow! I was like oh so it is possible to be a lawyer and do such stuff. That was it…my mind was made up, I was going to learn to make pretty dresses. Along the way, this dream began to dwindle, I had school work to battle with, but I kept dreaming…I saw myself on runways with models strutting about in my designs made with my hands. I shared this dream with some people but no one believed in it. Someone even said that it was impossible to pursue a career and handiwork...that didn't deter me anyway.

So it continued and I started NYSC and my first allowee got me thinking…the way the money went I could not even explain. I knew I had to invest. I thought and thought and of course, that little voice reminded me about fashion. Eureka! I would invest in me, So, I started asking around for fashion schools and one my friends Tobe Chiezie, directed me to EllaBernard School of Fashion, Area 1 Abuja.  So there you have it….there went my allowee. (laughs).

So from all I have said,  the fact that someone did something I was afraid of doing gave me the courage to pursue my dream.

Has following your dreams been worth it?

Oh yes! It has been worth it. It has been very trying too and still very difficult. I have learnt to go for what I want and believe in…after I giving English up, I knew that could never happen to me again.

So what is S.e.A.m.S all about? What does it mean and how did the name come about?

S.e.A.m.S is not an initial for something else as most people think, I just liked writing ‘seams’ with the dots and it is as the name implies. A seam is the joining where two or more layers of fabric, leather or other materials are held together with stitches. So look at your clothes, those very lines are seams. Making straight seams were my most challenging times at sewing school…without seams you have no sewed clothes…so I glued to d name. S.e.A.m.S Clothiers.

How did you go from reading law to tailoring?

I didn’t go from law to tailoring. I finished studying law and diverted a little (laughs). Seriously, that is how I put it. Education is very important you know…our parents invest so much so we can be educated. Even if your parents are the most 'uncaring parents in the world' as some people like to think, so far as they are sweating it out to give you education, they care. Just grab it and make the most of it. That you do not like a course is not enough reason to fail. Try hard and when you are convinced it is really not for you, seek counselling, identify what you want and go for it. Do not rest on your oars because you didn’t get what you wanted, even you would blame yourself in the nearest future for that. Maximize what you have at hand.


Do you see yourself mixing the both of them?

I am already mixing them. I am into corporate practice. I am the Company Secretary of Compliance Professionals Plc, a consulting firm and if you know about consulting, you know it is work! Then having to be the Admin personnel in charge, I scuttle between CAC and my office just so to make sure we are in order, especially because we are still in our start up stage. I work daytime and sew while everyone is asleep. What do you call that? Mixing of course!

How has the experience been like?

Hectic! But rewarding. I get to be screamed at for mistakes on people’s clothes and as we all know, ladies always make you remember your wrongs. I would cry a times, make a solid promise to give up sewing but hey! I have sewn for a year and half, and 75% has been good. I am sorry if your clothes were part of the 25%, there are risks in every business. So yes, it has been difficult, annoying, brain tasking…but fulfilling. I would rather be doing this knowing am getting closer to that runway with all the lights and models in my designs. I would take the heat, all it does is make me remember where my passion lies.


You recently added blogger to your portfolio, what inspired that move and what has the experience been like?

Blogging! It has been a wonderful experience with Ify Obiechina. She first introduced me to blogging. Funny how we were in the same school and never imagined that we would work together. I love to write, that’s where the love to blog about issues came up. The passion for change for Nigeria too spurred it..and am using writing to do my bit to make that change happen.

What is your typical day like?

I wake up at 5am,  pray with my family, go to work. Close between 5pm-7pm. I get home, eat, gist with my family and then get on my machine till say 12/1am or more. It is consuming.

What do you love the most about what you do?

Seeing my work on my clients is a priceless feeling...I hardly believe myself a times. I am also happy that as a woman am equipped with something I can do with my hands, it breeds confidence.

What has been your best work ever?
My best work ever is the wedding gown featured on this page. I did it one fateful saturday...by 1pm I was done. I made it for a photo shoot, am gaming to major in bridals

What are the difficulties involved?

Customers who do not know what they want. They tell you make this, and yet have another style in their mind's eye. Also, at first I tried to please everyone to finish as they want it, but it caused issues for me, I was always tired and made mistakes. So now I take my time to deliver good and neat work. Also I work with moods, I have learnt never to sew when not in the mood for it, when I do I keep loosening and re-stiching... its all about the mind and where it is. Then another issue is pricing. People just see you as a road side tailor and would expect the world for almost nothing...its disheartening considering the stress. Another issue is the economic situation, every entrepreneur is groaning. There is more you need to spend for than to save...let's not even go into the power failure aspect. I would overcome!

If you weren’t doing this, what would you have been doing?

I am doing everything I want to do. I am a dressmaker, I write, I am planning on doing something in English and Lit, I am pursuing a career with an aim to becoming a professional company secretary in Nigeria...even Bill gates leans heavily on his company secretary. We are the live wire of any company. I am still birthing dreams and ideas.

Have you ever felt like giving up on your dreams? If you have, what motivated you to carry on.

Yes, loads of times..loads! But when I remember the goal, I just get back up and continue..I feel am no where near, but am on track.

Who or what inspires you?
GOD fore mostly. Seriously HE is awesome. By what power would I have done all these? Or by what magic do these initiatives come? Its from HIM and only HIM! Then HE used great people like my family, my siblings help a lot to help get supplies for sewing. Also, friends like Tony, Leo, Sophie, Eniola, to ensure ma dream never died. I cannot forget Aisha! You are S.e.A.m.S best client ever! She encourages me a lot! Thank you all!

Considering the level of success you have attained, youths out there would be itching to know how old you are.

Am just young enough...lol!

Asides work, what do you do for fun?
I read fiction...and sleeep! Learn new things, then hang out with friends.

Advice for youths that wish to follow in your footsteps, especially young Nigerians that want to follow their dreams despite their parents’ wishes, any advice on how to handle it?

We need the blessings of our parents in everything. No matter. How nice your idea is, if you go about it by rebelling with them, you may never achieve it in time. If your parents are stuck to their notions, pray about it, and prove to them that what you want to do is going to be worth the while. For me I simply just multi-task (laughs)..so everyone is at peace.

Be prayerful, be good when people are not watching, your good deeds always speak for you when you least expect..so also bad deeds..so choose.

Lastly please, cast away this fast-money making syndrome from your minds! Its foolishness. Work hard! Let GOD see your work and zeal and add grace that would shoot you up! Stop the shortcuts!... Our little cut-corners is killing Nigeria and now we all want to run away, meanwhile what we seek in other parts of the world is right here.  Let's be good in our little ways. Nigeria would be better for it.

Where do you see yourself and S.e.A.m.S five years from now?

I see an outfit with proper management structure whose only goal is to clothe our client with the best...nationally and internationally! To do this I see me employing more hands in the nearest future, its about time.

Watch out for me as a writer too and for positive projects.

Then I would give back to society,  many people are in need. I plan to own an institute where people could acquire skills that could sustain them, skills that could make them soar, depending on how focused they are. This would be free of charge.

Time for some pictures

Adesuwa can be reached through the following means:

Email- adesuwailuobe@gmail.com

Facebook- Adesuwa Iluobe

Twitter- @ehinome

Phone number- 08036333687

Better Nigeria: Are we really ready for a cashless economy?Nigeria:

By Iphie Obiechina

Most of the articles I write are inspired either by personal experience or from the experience of the people around me. Today’s article is personal.
I was at the F.C.T High Court, Maitama division recently, they had erected a new parking complex since the last time I was there. This is a welcome development, with the introduction of the new parking fees in Abuja, with your car in the parking complex, you are sure your car would not get clamped and impounded no matter how long you spend in court since you pay for parking on your way out. If you live in Abuja, you would understand and appreciate what I mean, it’s such a blessing and a relief. 

I digress! Back to the matter. When I was done with what I came for in court, I opened my wallet to get some money out to pay for my ticket and I realised I had no money in it. I headed to the ATM point located within the court premises, only to find it ‘out of service’. I headed towards the payment center, hoping to catch my colleagues or at least someone I knew but I wasn’t so lucky. I tried calling my colleagues, but you know how the network in this our beautiful country behaves. While standing trying to weigh my options, I noticed a sign on the window of the payment center that boldly read, ‘POS PAYMENT AVAILABLE’. My joy knew no bound, I sighed with relief and proceeded to get my card out to pay, I was both shocked and disappointed when I was told ‘we only accept cash payment’. Really!!! So whats up with the bold POS sign on your window?
Now from my little knowledge on POS payments prior to this experience, I understood POS to mean that I could pay for goods and services rendered with my card, there really wasn’t any need to carry cash around. On getting to the office, I decided to do a little research on POS payments. So here is what my skilful search on Google produced 'Point of sale (also called as POS or Checkout) is the place where a retail transaction is completed. It is the point at which a customer makes a payment to the merchant in exchange for goods or services. At the point of sale the retailer would calculate the amount owed by the customer and provide options for the customer to make payment. The merchant will also normally issue a receipt for the transaction'. In summary it basically meant that POS was a means of on the spot payment, whether by cash, card or electronic payment. My bad I guess, but then again I was partially right too, payment by card is one of the various methods of POS payment. I guess like me, most Nigerians are ignorant to this fact too, because the two guys there with me went ‘then why do you have POS payment boldly written on your window?’. Anyway I was lucky enough and one of the guys paid for what I owed.

But it got me thinking hard about the cashless policy that was introduced by the CBN, it had finally made its way down to Abuja after a successful take off in Lagos. I wouldn’t go into details about the cashless policy, I am sure your bankers have bombarded you with emails about it, mine sure have. When I first heard about the cashless policy in 2011, I was really glad because it meant I didn’t have to carry cash around, which in turn meant that I didn’t have excess cash on me to make unbudgeted spending. For example if I buy a pair of shoe for 5200 Naira, it means that the 800 Naira change I would have if I had withdrawn 6000 Naira would be saved instead of using it to get a plate of rice and drink. On and on it goes, save save save until I become a super rich millionaire (wide grin). And so you can understand why I was anxious for the cashless policy to make its way to Abuja. 

This court situation reminded me of the numerous times I had tried to use an ATM machine, only to find out the machine was either not dispensing cash or that the service was ‘unavailable at the moment’. Or when I tried to pay for a service with my card only to be told ‘we accept cash payments only’, or ‘the POS machine is not available at the moment’. I remember trying to pay for something once with my card, the process went smoothly until it was about to be completed, when the cashier said the network was down. Luckily I was with some cash with me and so I paid cash. Lo and behold the card payment already went through, I was lucky to still be standing there when the alert came in on my phone so it was promptly resolved. 
It got me thinking about how ready we are for a cashless economy!! Proper and sufficient infrastructure had not been put in place for the policy to be a success yet we jump right into implementing the policy. It reminds me of the ban on araba buses by the F.C.T minister, I must admit that it is a welcome development one that most Abuja motorists are happy about, but one that we are not ready for. It is a policy that is not well though out, one that leaves thousands of ‘ Abujans’ stranded everyday at the start and close of work, I digress, that is an article for another day.

No matter how beautiful a policy is, it would be a complete failure if no proper and sufficient structure has been put in place for its success, there is no way it can magically become a success without the necessary structure being put in place. I lived in Cambridge for a year and I can count the number of times I had to go into the bank, once when I lost my ATM card and the other time when I needed to pay in some cash I got when my parents visited, the cashless economy made life easy. You wouldn’t believe that some Britons have never set eye on a £50 note, you need to see the way they scrutinise it when you use it to pay, they know you are Nigerian the moment you use a £50 note to pay for something. I paid all my bills online, I remember making my hair once with a fellow Nigerian, I had no cash on me so I simply asked for her bank details and transferred the money. We laughed about how it wouldn’t have been the case if we were back home. I am glad we are getting to that point gradually.

Before throwing Nigerians into hardship, CBN should be sure it has put in place the necessary structure for the success of the policy with the 150,000 Naira a day withdrawal limit, most people would become room owners within the banks. To avert the hardship that this cashless economy would cause, I suggest the following be done before it is implemented.

1. Get the banks to make sure their ATMs work properly and are up most of the time. There is this ATM I have tried to use in Wuse 2 at least five times, it has never paid out any cash either to me or anybody I know.
2. Get business owners to install POS payment machines at their check out. Especially for businesses to make huge sales daily and where a transaction can go as high as 100,000 Naira. It is even in their own interest, as thieves would have nothing to steal.
3. Make it mandatory for all bank account holders to have an ATM card. It should be automatically the moment an account is opened, no need to make a separate request for it, as is the case with most banks. Where the customer is an old customer, get him to come and request one, make it easy to access ATM request forms online or by phone.
4. Make the online banking procedure easy. I requested the online facility at my bank, over a month ago, nothing has been done about my request and I am still waiting to hear from them. I recently had to purchase a ticket online, a ticket I would have paid £735 for online, I ended up paying £830 at the bank. If I had my internet banking up and running I would have easily save almost a hundred pounds.
The internet has a role to play in the success of internet banking, so the state of the internet coverage in the country should be taken into consideration.

In a situation where each of these parties have failed to comply, nobody would complain when the CBN attaches a monetary penalty for failure to comply, that is only after it has provide the necessary structure for the policy to succeed. 

Just My 2Kobo: Should She Own A Car Before Marriage?

By Iphie Obiechina

Hey guys, hope you are enjoying the long weekend courtesy of the Sallah celebrations. We wish all our Muslim readers a blessed celebration.

Today I would like to talk about something that has been bothering me, I would also like to know what your opinion is on the issue.
On Monday as I was about heading out to work, I went to say good bye to my Dad and he said something that got me thinking and seeking other people's opinion on the issue. He asked me to stop taking my Mum's car to work instead I should start driving the Corolla that my brother usually drives. Fair enough, my Mum's car was a Jeep, so I exchanged with my brother. His reason for saying this was simple, he had had a conversation with my uncle the previous day. In the course of their conversation, my uncle told him of how a friend ask him to stop giving my cousin his Honda Accord to drive if he wanted her to find a husband. My father thought it was something to be considered, I mean, no father wants his daughter to remain single, since that was what society perceived, he told me same the next day, funny thing is that my brother had said exactly the same thing the previous week.

I decided to bring it up in the office and hear what my male colleagues had to say about it. They were both of the opinion that what my uncle's friend had said was true. In their opinion it had a way of intimidating and driving away potential suitors. The guy would either start questioning how you got the car you were driving or he would start doubting his ability to maintain you. But one of them went ahead to say that for him it was not a problem, he would chase any girl he wanted, he understood that it was normal for parents to buy cars for their children these days, he wasn't going to be intimidated by cars.

Coincidentally I went to visit a male friend and my brother happened to be there, in the course of our conversation he asked if I drove down and I said yes, he jokingly asked how someone would employ me seeing as I was already driving, it would be difficult to meet my expected pay grade. I brought up the conversation with my dad and he shared the same views. He told a story of how when his sister wanted to buy herself a car, his dad asked her if she was not going to be driving away suitors by doing that. My friend went ahead to add his own opinion on the issue, seeing as we live in Abuja, he said that when he sees a young unmarried girl driving a car, two things come to his mind either her parents got it for her or she got it through means that most Abuja girls have been known to get whatever they want, sleeping with whosoever can provide it for them. According to him more often than not, his conclusion was that she slept with whosoever bought the car for her.

The three of us argued for a while and my question to them was simple, 'so because I came into the world female and I was yet to be married, I had to live out my unmarried days riding in the back of a taxi, because some guy's confidence would suffer if he sees me behind the wheels of a car, and so i would live out the rest of my life an angry, lonely old maid if i kept driving'? I really didn't get the logic behind the argument that if I am driving a car, my future husband would lack the confidence to approach me. In my opinion, it good riddance to bad rubbish, I really don't want to end up with a man that is not confident in himself, someone that can be defeated by a mere car. Imagine spending the rest of your life with some that lacks confidence in himself or his abilities, be prepared for a life time of been talked down on, all your ideas being pulled down, no encouragement from the one whose encouragement should be automatic. I am not even going to go into the myopic view that every girl that drives a car probably slept with the person that gave it to her. If you are going to jump to such nasty conclusions about people you don't know, is there really any point having you as my man, who knows what you thought of me the first time you saw me. I agree that there are some cars that are extravagant for a young adult to be driving whether male or female,  that is why I agreed with my father when he said it to me, sometimes we overdo it. But come on, me driving a simple car can't chase my potential suitors away.

What are your views on this? Do you agree with them? Do you think unmarried young ladies should live out their unmarried days at the back of taxis, even though their parents can afford any car they want, even though she has worked hard to buy a car by herself, just because a possible suitor would lack the confidence to walk up to them because they are behind the wheels of a car?

Picture From The Pink Tarah

Just My 2Kobo:…AS I WAS THINKING... THE IROKO HAS FALLEN

By Kema Ufelle-Smith

His failing sense of historical recollections has once again caught up with him on this piece. But keeping touch with continence, he’d avoid an attempt into the stories-past of the subject of thought – the fore-bears of ancient civilisation, Egypt. 

Although snooper finds Egyptian tales a bit over-exaggerated, our common proclivity for Egyptian folklores is by no means disputed. Much to snooper’s chagrin, they have succeeded in deeply ingraining their history in the age of modern-day scholastic elites, where men of straw are known by their uncanny ignorance of both pre and post human civilisation lores.

Growing up in a family of an intellectual extraction ordinarily inundated snooper with a daily load of unsolicited data dose on their impavid conquests, fulgent innovations, crass resilience and crude intelligence. The wealth of pride stocked on their shores was simply beyond inundating. They rightly laid claims to the very cradle of civilisation itself: a feat insurmountable by the most dazzling present age inventions.

History, it seems, becomes juxtaposed by the present day realities of the then seemingly fecund crop. Their boastful swords have come home to shelve, and in an ostensible bid to feed our lustful ear-drums with fresh history, have turned against each other. 

The once peaceful shores have now morphed into a geos steeped in a self destructive spree. The aura of discontent, uncertainty and brooding miffs have pervaded the very landscapes in which historical recollections once took pride. Their collective patrimonial largesse have been coalesced and indeed reduced into a fast crumbling system of wanton greed, partisan bickering, din of insatiable political appetites and lack of probity often associated with post-colonial African states.

Isolating a middle-eastern state with the same indices as does have the present day Egypt, might not beat the ear as an oddity. However, given their hegemony of yester years, a stark paradox of sorts stares an un-officious bystander in the face. A state adorned by the peace often associated with a dreamlike touch with deep historical wealth has been transformed into an unstable hapless contraption laden with an endless streak of social upheavals. 

As snooper sat over a hot keg of freshly tapped palm wine, a deluge of unanswered questions found their way in: is the Egyptian mêlée an archetypal African problem? Is there in fact a force majeure to be blamed for post-colonial African snail paced and often retrogressively patterned growth? Wherein may lie our hope as our dear iroko has fallen? 

Kema Ufelle-Smith is a lawyer and is based in Abuja

Kema.ufellesmith@yahoo.com

Young and In Charge: Temi Odutokun

Walking in the footsteps of a parent or parents who are seen as legends in the industry cannot be an easy decision to make. You are constantly being held up to a certain standard, kept on a pedestal, expected to be either as good as them or even better than they are. Our young person of the week made the difficult decision to follow in her father's footstep and has adopted a philosophy that I hope most of our youths adopt. Meet our Young Person of the week, Temi Odutokun, I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I did.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born the second of four daughters to Gani and Elizabeth Odutokun in Zaria, Nigeria. I am essentially a happy person and almost everything I do and love is geared towards keeping it that way. My family is my world and I am thankful for them every moment that I live. If I were to have a choice a second time what family I’ll want to be born into, I’ll beg for things to stay the same.

What was growing up like? What was it like growing up with a renowned Nigerian painter, Gani Odulokun, as your father?

I had a very stable and beautiful life growing up. My dad and my mum tried to give us their very best upbringing in ways of free spiritedness and moral rightness at the same time. My sisters and I were the best of friends and I remember lots of laughter growing up. Even though I was only 8 when my dad passed, I remember much of my time with him. He was a really gentle man and as much as he was mostly busy working, he gave time and attention to family. There used to be a lot of students and colleagues of his coming by the house to who had to talk with him or listen to him, watch him work or work with him. That was the norm for me growing up. My sisters and I however, all had exceptional talent in art compared to other children our age and my dad encouraged us every time.

I didn’t know how well known and respected my father was until he died. I observed the level of attention the event of his passing caused and listened to things people said and read what people had written. I had always been interested in everything to do with him even before I knew I was to follow in the same line professionally.

Tell us a little about your educational background.

I grew up and studied entirely in the environment of the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. I attended the University Staff Children’s School, the University Secondary School – Demonstration Secondary School, A.B.U Zaria and I studied Fine Arts in the same University, specialised in painting and graduated in 2009. I am currently pursuing a Masters degree in Art History in the same institution. I have been… quite stable, I like to call it. (Lol)

What inspired you to start painting, a passion for painting or was it a desire to follow in your dad’s footstep?

The truth is I only knew my father was an artist, I didn’t know details about all he had going on. I used to watch him paint and draw. The smell of gouache, paper, wood and oil paint will always be pleasant reminders of the times when I would literally look up at him while he worked. Not studying what he was doing, mostly playing with his work items- pencils, cutters, pins papers and things of the sort. He never complained or found my presence distracting and if he did, well he obviously never showed it. I’d been encouraged to study fine arts when I was thirteen by a young man who was a student of fine arts at the time. He saw my potential and encouraged me. He is a brilliant artist himself, Femi Kinrin.

You recently added photographer to your portfolio, what inspired the move? Are you giving up on painting?

I certainly am not giving up on painting because I now also love to take pictures. I still get the urge to paint a lot and although I don’t paint as much as I would if I didn’t have an equally demanding passion, I still do so when I can. I was encouraged by a friend who saw potential in my pictures, to nurture the talent he thought I had. I had feelings of guilt about giving attention to photography while I could have been painting and he let me know there was absolutely nothing wrong with that. I’m thankful for his intervention. I have a strong love for both.

How did your love for photography grow?

I had always loved pictures. My dad took several photos of us and after he passed my mum continued the culture. She got me a camera when I was in 300 level. I just loved to take pictures. To me they are beautiful ways of recording moments with loved ones. Moments that never come back but which one could relive while looking at photos. This is possibly the reason for my preference of photographing people to other subjects, the same way that I’m more inclined to representing human figures in my paintings or drawings. Photography has always been in the family.

Do you see yourself mixing painting and photography? If you mix them presently, how has the experience been like?

Painting is what I am fortunate to do both as a profession and as a hobby. And while photography is still a thing I do mostly as a hobby for now, they certainly complement each other. My knowledge of composition, colour and a deeper level of observation certainly enhance the looks of photos that I take. It has been exciting on the whole.

It is rare to see curators in Nigeria, what has the experience been like? From your experience, would you say Nigerians appreciate arts?

There actually are a lot of curators of contemporary visual arts in Nigeria presently. It isn’t rare. A curator is essentially one who is involved in taking care of works of art, maintaining their quality and looks, restoring them where they happen to get damaged, documenting them and ensuring the safety and appropriateness of the conditions they are stored or displayed in. Exhibition planning and mounting are also major responsibilities of a curator. There are as many curators as there are professional art galleries in the country- private or government owned, even more as every one such institution or organization may have several curators working there. However like in every profession, there are people who are outstanding in the delivery of their services or knowledge so, there are some exceptionally renowned curators in the country. Appreciation for arts in Nigeria is better than I knew it to be in time not so far back. The reason for this I think is largely due to the increased access to the internet and the many windows it avails people to possibilities and new intrigues in various fields. People perceive it from their visual experiences and then have better appreciation for it. There have always been patrons of the arts in Nigeria but I think the level of appreciation for it among most people here is better than was the case before.

What is your typical day like?

I’ll just describe my typical weekend. When I’m not at work, I spend time with my family and friends, I take photos when I feel the urge to or when there is an event and I watch a lot of television and do some research on the internet as well as do some social networking.

What do you love most about what you do (curating, painting and photography)?

That I get to do the few things that I will much rather be doing above all things else; that I get to meet people and share in moments of their joys and sometimes pain; that I see the world in beautiful images through the lens of a camera or that I get to represent it in strokes of whatever medium I choose, just the way I perceive it; that I get to recreate or record nature and that even with all these priceless rewards, I still get monetary gains. It’s an absolute blessing.

What has been your best work ever?

I’d like to think I haven’t made that yet.

What are the difficulties involved?

I like to think of challenges as chances to figure out solutions. I’ve always gained a level of satisfaction from fixing things, so where there are difficulties in my profession, I dwell on the means to the solution. I really can’t think of anything particularly difficult about my practice for now. I can say though that I long for better equipment for my photography. (Lol) But it will all come in time.

If you weren’t doing this what would you have been doing?

Probably practicing architecture if I ever overcame my apparent inability to comprehend mathematics.

Have you ever felt like giving up on following any of your dreams? If you have, what motivated you to carry on?

Not ever. I have always had all the right kinds of encouragement- the most important of which has come from home and I have had wonderful friends and mentors. I have it good and I know it. ☺

Being the daughter of a renowned painter must come with its unique set of difficulties. People automatically put you on pedestal, expecting your work to be exceptional, expecting it to be as good as or even better than your dad’s, how do you cope with all these expectations?

I used to feel a lot of pressure when I got into the same university where he studied and taught and with which he is associated. I constantly had people telling me I had to do better than he did if I wanted to follow in same line and I still get people telling me things like that. I decided at an early stage that the fact was that I respect everything my father stood for and admire his art very much, but I am not the man. I am Temi his daughter with similar interests and inclinations but different ideas for actualising them and different passions and so I figured that I already was great by sheer virtue of being a product of him and an amazing woman. I didn’t have to try. I never compare myself with my dad. Things, I found, are just the way they are and are beautiful without effort.

Who or what inspires you?

Mostly people- the human body, the human spirit, but I get inspiration from any experience from my everyday life that leaves an exceptional imprint on my mind.

Considering the level of success you have attained, youths out there would be itching to know how old you are.

I’ll turn 27 on the 8th of November 2013.

Asides work, what do you do for fun?

I spend time with family and friends, take walks, drives, listen to music and watch television and find things to make me laugh a lot.

How do you intend to make a difference in Nigeria with what you do?

I believe that the essence of a person is aware of certain truths like beauty, morality, freedom and other such natural gifts. I hope that in my efforts to stay true to my beliefs in these things of nature, it will show in the art that I create. I hope that by virtue of the innate knowledge people have of these gifts of nature, they will see in my works, the message of love or pain or absurdity or pleasantness or laughter or morality or spirituality and relate to them in whatever way they can. I hope my work makes a difference not just in my home country but in the wider world.

Advice to young people that wish to follow in your footstep?

Don’t hold back on any of your passions though they may be a hundred. Make out time for all, but once any doesn’t feel as exciting anymore take a break from it. Listen to older people talk, form your own opinions, read good books, watch the news, have an open heart, laugh, and take time out for yourself often enough.

Where do you see yourself  in five years?

It is unclear in my mind. I hope to still be doing the things that make me happy but on a wider scale so I can share that with more people. Hopefully I’ll have a family of my own. I’ll just like to still have reasons to laugh a lot- tomorrow, five years, ten years from now; to be fulfilled.

Time for some pictures.