APC releases names of cleared governorship aspirants across Nigeria (FULL LIST)

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has released the full list of candidates screened for governorship elections across Nigeria next year.

The full list does below:

http://www.myaceworld.org/2018/09/apc-releases-names-of-cleared.html

Participate in The Read Me First Literary Campaign | Cash Prize & Blog Feature

This is Read Me First Literary Campaign 1, focused on engaging as many people as possible involved with the situation of our dear country (including you), making them realize why and how the revolution we have always clamored for is in the hands of the youths. It's been the aged leaders for decades & we are tired. Let the vibrant do it. There isn't going to be any tomorrow; we are the leaders of TODAY!

Theme: Why Nigeria Needs Young Leaders

Eligibility/­Guidelines/Rules:
1. Participants must be active Facebook users.
2. Write according to theme (word length: 150-200)
3. Submit to readmefirst08@gmail.co­m
4. Submit by pasting in the body of the mail; 'RMFLC' as subject.
5. Make sure you include your facebook profile link. E.g www.facebook.com/­adeyemijoe
6. Deadline: 31th August, 2018.

Prize: #1,000 (cash/airtime) & Blog feature (more than 10,000 readers per week)

NB: This is not a contest so winner will be decided based on post engagement (Reactions & comments). Other details will be forwarded to participants on Facebook, after submission.

Diary Of A Nigerian Hustler 3

If your money or phone goes missing on the street of Ibadan, it’s either you are careless or your purse is damaged. If that happens on the street of Lagos, don’t even think about it. Lasgidi boys have taken their offering. Lagos is a city of hustlers. They say the blessings of the street end on the street, that’s exactly how and what Lagos is.

 My first time in Lagos since I became a grown man was May 2, 2012. Everyone at some point in their lives leaves their father’s house, or let me say comfort zone and search for a green pasture. Only a foolish full grown man lives by his mother’s meal every day without having anything to call his. They won’t tell you you’re becoming a burden, at least not directly. They won’t tell you it’s time you find yourself a life somehow somewhere and fulfil that which you call a dream, but if you’re very observant, you’ll notice almost every of your actions displeases them. They have invested in you so far, there comes the time when you need to pay back in folds.

It’s normal.

I arrived at Ikeja some minutes to twelve in the night. It was the first time I realised Ibadan people were a bunch of lazy bums. At 10 pm, you can’t find any shop still open. All doors closed and even the street as silent as though there were no lives around. It surprised me to see food vendors on duty, even the bus stops were loaded with buses waiting to transport passengers. Lagos life is beautiful. You will keep saying that until you experience the trauma that comes with it. I called my uncle and informed him I had arrived. I decided to sit and wait on one of the benches beside a paraga woman. There is nothing as interesting as listening to drunk men argue. You laugh and pick points whenever they stumble on sanity.

I was lost in this adventure. How could I not be engaged when full-grown men who probably fathered children attacked themselves verbally over issues that didn’t warrant discourse? The scene was entertaining enough that I forgot I had waited for more than an hour. It came to a time one of those men threatened to stab the other over calling him a drunkard. They lost control and finally began to throw fists at themselves. I watched until I received my brother’s call. It was then I realised I’ve been robbed. I was perplexed, I still saw the small bag a few minutes ago. I never knew I was alone until everyone ignored me despite my cries and pleas. I looked at them and I felt hate grow strong in me.

I hated Lagos that very moment.

The very first day I arrived in Lagos, I paid my tithe. I was robbed of a bag which contained my wallet, earpiece, charger, hard disk and some of my precious belongings and I didn’t even know how it happened. I thought I was smart but I wasn’t. To live and hustle in Lagos, you have to sacrifice your conscience and grow guts. That I wasn’t ready to do. I left Lagos a few days later and never returned.

And I will never return!



Written by Micheal Ace

Diary Of A Nigerian Hustler 2

They say in Nigeria, if you want to walk fast, take a bike; if you want to walk far, walk with your earpiece.

It was a sunny Monday afternoon. The only thing special about that Monday was the less busy road. I didn’t need to jack someone off or squeeze my body through the crowd before I had my way. I was coming from a job interview in one big IT firm around Iwo road, Ibadan when I felt the need to use the ATM. The two thousand in my account would last me the whole week if I spent judiciously: no forming big brother and no miscellaneous spending.

I walked to a nearby bank and Immediately I saw there was no queue on the ATM stand, I knew it was either not dispensing or ‘service unavailable’ so I moved up a bit to the next bank and to the next bank and to the next before I finally found one. The queue was long and horrible but I decided to wait. After about two hours standing, it got to my turn. I slotted in my card only to read on the screen ‘Hardware Error’. I tried two more times and later called the attention of a security guard. He said it might be that my card chip has damaged and advised me to visit my bank to make a complaint. That would be a job for another day, so I plugged in my earpiece and embarked on the long journey home.

On my way home, I passed through an estate and did actually saw heaven on earth: beautiful set of houses and flowers, well tarred and clean road, silent atmosphere and a very cool environment. I was busy seeing this when a gate opened and I peeped inside. I saw a very young man I supposed would be in his late 20s climbed up a very new and sparkling Lexus. I saw his face so happy and relaxed with a gentle smile labelled on his lips. I saw his skin so smooth and stretched like the surface of a still water. I saw his shoes, clothes and the wrist chain he wore which was definitely much more expensive than everything I put on. His neck chain was pure gold and I would say his wrist watch was one of those new expensive Rolex.

After the gate was closed, I thought about my life for a bit and then continued my journey. I would not let depression throw me into a roadside river. Even if one will die by water, the mainland bridge is more fitting. I plugged back in my earpiece and on it went…

“I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky. I dream about it every night and day, spread my wings and fly away. I believe I can soar…”



Written by Micheal Ace

You woke up and realised you had slept off leaving the Bob Marley’s mixtape beating from your phone. It’s 2 am and in few hours time, some fellas from your WhatsApp group would start sending ‘happy Sunday’ wishes and messages. Your bae would call. Your church brothers too. 

Everything bored you. 

“What exactly is special about this God?” You asked with fear written on your face. You are not sure about the myth that Holy Spirit doesn’t
forgive sins. Silence heals. 

You wanted to stop the music to save your battery when you noticed even your phone AIMP player read your mind. It knew what you needed.
It’s three little birds by the Jamaican reggae god. You sat still, letting the lyrics sink. 

“Don’t worry about these things. Cos every little thing is gonna be alright. I say don’t…” 

You realised further listening would keep you awake and you had to sleep. You had to run. But what are you running from? Something mean, dark and voiceless asked you. What else but the reality. The fact that soon enough the sun would shine and teach your stomach the easiest way to get what it wants. Sometimes light is violence. 

The reality that Airtel NG sent a message the previous night that your #100 for 30mb data was almost finished. 

The reality that the usher will look at you in church with the kind of eyes that reflect how filthy and blur your life is. 

The reality that your project supervisor doesn’t understand ‘God bless you, sir’. Something must drop. 

The reality that Poly will not accept ‘letter for teller’ like you always did in secondary schools. 

A lot of realities kept coming and coming, and they won’t stop coming until sleep eluded you. 

“Hey Bob, nothing is going to be alright as long as a Congo of garri (a food that once belonged to the poor) sells for #500. Maybe not today, and perhaps not tomorrow. Though some symbols on your palm still stood firm with the inklings of hope. 

You didn’t need what you actually needed. You needed what you wanted. So you scrolled through your playlist and hit Special by Akon. Just one line made you love the song… 

“Don’t try to wake me up I’m happy in my dreams”. 

But you didn’t succeed. You know why? Because if you hadn’t woken up, you won’t be thinking about how this week has ended again without a reason to smile in your pocket. 

They say alcohol is a good antidote for reality. Maybe not for a lifetime, but a few moments of peace and no-worry do count. 

You still have #300 in your pocket. 

” Barman, give me a chilled bottle of Goldberg. God will understand.” 



Written by Micheal Ace

Brigitte Poirson Poetry Contest 2018 [August] | Enter Now

Words Rhymes & Rhythm Publishers invites poets from Nigeria, Africa and all over the world to enter their poems for the July 2018 edition of the BRIGITTE POIRSON POETRY CONTEST (BPPC). This month’s theme is ‘JOURNEYING’.

Participants should note that Judges will consider ORIGINALITY, WORD ECONOMY, adherence to THEME, CREATIVITY in LANGUAGE and STYLE as well as the use of LITERARY DEVICES in the poems.

Prize to be won:

The winning poem will be awarded a cash prize of N8000, a certificate of award and a copy of the BPPC 2018 anthology
All top 10 poems will be automatically entered for the Albert Jungers Poetry Prize (AJPP) 2018
All top 10 poems will be published in the annual BPPC 2018 anthology
All top 10 poets will receive a free copy of the BPPC 2018 anthology

Guidelines:

Contestants are invited to submit one poem on the theme
Submissions should be sent to SUBMISSIONS@WRR.NG
All entries must be the original work of the poet submitting it
No ATTACHMENTS. Please submit the poem and other details as the body of the mail

The CONTESTANT NAME, CONTEST MONTH, & POEM TITLE must be mentioned clearly, as the subject of the e-mail. For example: ‘Abubakar Nnamdi Adekunle, BPPC July 2018, ‘MY VISION’

The maximum length of the poem should be 28 lines (plus the title). Poems exceeding this length, or having excessively long lines, will be disqualified.

Authors must provide their full names and Facebook ID [for identification]and a 50-100 word biography in the body of the e-mail
Submission deadline is 11:59 PM Friday, August 24, 2018.

Note that:

Poems containing profanity, racism or vulgarity will be automatically disqualified
The poems will be judged based on their artistic quality and creativity
The judges’ decision is final and under no circumstances will they enter into any correspondence with entrants regarding their decisions
The copyright of each submission remains with its owner but we retain the right to publish ALL and ANY entry in the annual BPPC anthology
Poets resident in any part of the world are eligible

No entry fee required

Past winners may enter for the competition, but a poet can only one once in a calendar year (Season). If a past winner makes the TOP 10, the poems will ONLY be awarded a certificate and be featured in the anthology.

Read more about the theme and contest from the organizer here
http://www.myaceworld.org/2018/08/brigitte-poirson-poetry-contest-2018.html

Win a copy of Other People's Love Affairs, by D. Wystan Owen

Now’s your chance to win a copy of Other People's Love Affairs, the debut story collection from D. Wystan Owen.

In these ten luminous stories, the people of a picturesque village on the rugged English coast are haunted by longings and deeply held secrets. Each story takes us into the lives of characters reaching for connections to the people they have loved. Surprising and powerful, Owen’s interconnected stories strike a deep and resounding emotional chord.

“Owen writes exquisite stories that lodge somewhere in my chest and keep detonating—loudly, devastatingly—again and again.”—Garth Greenwell, author of What Belongs to You

Enter to win here
http://www.myaceworld.org/2018/08/win-copy-of-other-peoples-love-affairs.html

Less Than 10 Days To Go | Gemini Magazine $1000 Annual Flash Fiction Contest

Less than 10 days left to enter for the 10th annual Flash Fiction Contest featuring a $1,000 prize and a low entry fee of $5. The deadline is Friday, August 31. Except for the 1,000 word limit, no rules! We are open to any subject, genre or writing style.

Second prize wins $100 and four honorable mentions each receive $25. All six finalists will be published online in our October 2018 issue.

Read more on how to submit here.
https://www.myaceworld.org/2018/08/less-than-10-days-to-go-gemini-magazine.html

Ten Powerful Lines From Toby Abiodun’s ‘The revolution’ That Will Make you Moonwalk On Water Undrowned

I see things from the other side, because Toby’s words are too experimental to define. His dictions are more than source of inspiration to the deafness of our sense. So, when we pick some literary devices that are mainly to check the ills of the society, this piece is a vital instrument for such advancement.

Below are the ten powerful lines:

1. You would think murder was fine art, our boys have learnt to draw guns.

2. I have come of age to understand that the promised Messiah is a Revolution.

3. They take maximum salaries and argue minimum wage like it was a market commodity.

4. A hundred banks hold nothing in safe.

5. Change is now a scary word, like Bob Marley’s hair we dread it.

6. In place of agriculture we have learnt to export loots. And the only things we seem to import effortlessly are the naked foreign girls in music videos.

7.They make you work 9 to 5 and get 5 to 9 but the take home pay never takes you home.

Read full post here:https://myaceworld.net/2018/03/28/editorial-ten-powerful-lines-from-toby-abioduns-the-revolution-that-will-make-you-moonwalk-on-water-undrowned/

No Bad Blood- Naijaloaded Audience Are Lunatics In The Making.

Believe me, there definitely exists no form of hate here but without being sentimental, you'll agree with me that a larger faction of the mad Nigerians who aren't roaming the streets are on naijaloaded comment box. Take it or leave it, this claim remains valid as long as naijaloaded insists on not reviewing comments before publishing.

Have you ever read an engaging post on the blog? Have you ever taken time to go through the comment section of their engaging posts? If not, you won't understand how loose, abusive and disrespectful Nigerians can be to one another, but to be candid, there is no more antidote to boringness than this. Read the comments on most of their engaging posts and you will end up with an aching stomach due to laughter.

It takes originality, courage and a sense of liberty to allow audience a free licence to publish in the comment box. Most blogs review comments made on their sites before deciding if they worth being made public or not but on naijaloaded, it's a different case as you'll see audience counter themselves and most times include dirty languages and curse. If you need to see the original Nigerian mentality when it comes to matters of discourse, just take a glance at naijaloaded comment section.

Sincerely, I love the system. You cannot drop a hate comment and expect not to have your head on spike by those who hold a different view from yours, but personally, I love the genuineness and the liveliness even though that doesn't in anyway make the blog's audience less than lunatics.


By Micheal Ace
A poet, writer and long time fan of Naijaloaded who isn't a lunatic. He tweets @lordace32.

There is power in every little thing; one reason why rats destroyed the president's office

I will keep this article as short and as simple as I can. You know why? Because Nigeria is currently a joke and writing epistles to address her issues is like using a sniper to get rid of mosquitoes. The government didn’t take us for fools. They know their cooked up story won’t get well on us but I guess their primary aim is to get Nigerians lively and busy. You know, we having something to ruminate upon is something at least.

They said the President’s absence from office for 103 days caused rats to mess up his office. Before I proceed, I’ll take a liberty to apologize to every single rat I have poisoned or massacre in my room. I thought it’s belittling to find rats in rooms of persons of my caliber. Yes I am a star, a celebrity and hearing rats squeak in my room is a stigma. I never knew even the presidency deals with these battalions we call rats. It’s high time I accepted the fact that these guys are my roommates and there is love in sharing.

Yes! They actually knew their story won’t go down well with Nigerians, especially those lucky enough to have their senses not yet choked out by hunger and homelessness. They knew people won’t but talk about it. They knew it. You know when you’re in a nightclub and the DJ is playing ‘Mad over you’ by Runtown, it might get to a point when you’ll need him to hype things up. And if he comes down on you with ‘WO’ by Olamide, you know how you will end up loosing every part of your body to the jam. Exactly! The president is back and they need him to work from home. He is not fully recovered I guess and even if he is, old age. So they wanted to get us busy with something they call reason.

Rats messed the President’s office. First, I was flabbergasted to know there are rats in aso rock too. Second, I was unsure if the
President’s office was left locked and closed throughout his absence. I doubt it that the office did not undergo any cleaning throughout those periods. I’m also disturbed to think that nothing in the office was touched or referred to which left the place idle. But what do I know when the authorities said rats have taken over. I think there is no other way to abuse these set of animals than this; just because they can’t talk their side of the story or perhaps sue the federal government.

I did promise to keep this short right? I guess it’s getting too long now. I’m not an advocate for rats but I think we’re becoming a
laughing stock gradually all over the world. And believe me, there is power in every little thing.

Next time you find rats in your room, don’t kill or poison. Relate well with them. Those guys are superb.


On Olamide's Wo and Federal ministry of health

I have said it countless times and I will repeat it. Nigeria has lost the moon while counting the stars. The federal ministry of health recently took to their twitter account that Olamide has violated the Tobacco control Act of 2015 in his new music video Wo by advertising and promoting second hand smoking. I have earlier read their displeasure over the video and now they have come with another threat of a jail term and one million naira fine.

Sometimes you just have to step out and cause trouble for people to know you actually exist. That is exactly what the Federal ministry of health has done. At the slightest itch, the president has to be flown abroad for medical attention just because of the inadequacy and inefficiency of Nigerian hospitals. The ministry has done nothing to address this medical issues so far but definitely finds the time to cut out a 'less than a second' video scene of a man holding a cigar in his hood and term it a violation of its law and a public health hazard.

This government plays too much. This same rapper has given out a sum of three million naira in the Wo challenge to encourage Nigerian youth and as well support their hustle. He drove back to his hometown, Bariga Lagos state, to shoot this video in an attempt to give back to his hood and the street at large from what he has received over the years. It's evident from the way people rose and turned up to dance in the video that Nigerians are tired of everything concerning the government and Olamide has just given them exactly what they want.

Nigerians are angry and it will come to a time when the masses will run out of patience and storm their government. This move by the Federal ministry of health has just shown how confused and clueless the government is about what is really happening in the country. Why can't they ban the production and sales of the product finally if they are really concerned about Nigerians's health. I still see people smoke by the road side, in joints and even at clubs and nothing has been done to curb this so far. The best they can do is to jail a musician for his video that contains a scene of a man holding cigarette.

I think the Federal ministry of health has taken more bottles than they can handle. They are drunk.

By Micheal Ace
A poet and writer from Ibadan, Nigeria.

Wo! Welcome back to the street, Olamide.

What do you think needs to be done to a prodigal son if he refuses to repent? Trash him or write him off? Exactly what the public has done to Olamide this year. The class rep of 'awon omo wobe' started this year with singles that wasn't well received by the audience. Talk about Wavy Level which didn't even garner up to a million view on YouTube. Summer body barely passed that bound. Why? Because he was experimenting some new brands of music that isn't really street-like. He failed his hood.

Seeing the likes of Wizkid, Davido and even Tekno making waves this years isn't really a good thing on Olamide who has been struggling to achieve a notable feat. Talk about 'If' and 'Fall'; back to back bangers. Talk about 'Come closer' and even the SFTOS mixtape from the Starboy. I had thought we have seen it all this year until my phone rang and I read the alert of Wo!. Something told me even before I downloaded that the song is going to be a redemption for the YBNL boss. I downloaded and I was glad I did.

What do you even expect when you hear 'it's young John the wicked producer'? A banger right? Exactly. The song begins with a grooving beat which sweeps the listener off his cool. Sending him to the dance floor. 'Won na n wa wa nigboro, won na ti miss wa nigboro' is enough proof that King Baddo himself knows it's been quite a long time. Now I felt great when he assures the street of sending another hot tune down their spines with the 'a de shi ma fa gobe, wo' line.

Olamide Baddo is the symbol of everything that denotes the streets. That's why you need to listen to his songs if you want to stay In touch with the new and latest slangs on the street. Wo! This track has no other choice than to level King Baddo up to his counterparts in the music industry. He has just gotten the ticket to stay aloft on charts, airplays and in clubs. Wo! I just believed what the 'Who you epp' crooner said some months back that he never runs out of inspirations. He never runs out of razzness too and that's exactly what makes him the street ambassador.

We know Olamide for his uniqueness in the mode he turns up his audience and makes everyone forgets their 'porshness' and come down raw. This mega hit will definitely change everything. The year has just taken a redeeming turn. A big thanks to the wicked producer on this. Wo! Welcome back to the street, Olamide.

By Micheal Ace
Tweets @lordace32



daniel@yabaleftonline .com


If your money or phone goes missing on the street of Ibadan, it's either you are careless or your purse is damaged. If that happens on the street of Lagos, don't even think about it. Lasgidi boys have taken their offering. Lagos is a city of hustlers. They say the blessings of the street end on the street, that's exactly how and what Lagos is.

My first time in Lagos since i became a grown man was May 2, 2012. Everyone at some point in their lives leave their father's house, or let me say comfort zone and search for a green pasture. Only a foolish full grown man lives by his mother's meal everyday without having anything to call his. They won't tell you you're becoming a burden, at least not directly. They won't tell you it's time you find yourself a life somehow somewhere and fulfill that which you call dream, but if you're very observant, you'll notice almost every of your actions displeases them. They have invested in you so far, there comes the time when you need to pay back in folds. It's normal.

I arrived at Ikeja some minutes to twelve in the night. It was the first time I realised Ibadan people were bunch of lazy bums. At 10pm, you can't find any shop still open. All doors closed and even the street as silent as though there were no lives around. It surprised me to see food vendors on duty, even the bus stops were loaded with buses waiting to transport passengers. Lagos life is beautiful. You will keep saying that until you experience the trauma that comes with it. I called my uncle and informed him i had arrived. I decided to sit and wait on one of the benches beside a paraga woman. There is nothing as interesting as listening to drunk men argue. You laugh and pick points whenever they stumble on sanity.

I was lost in this adventure. How could I not be engaged when full grown men who probably fathered children attacked themselves verbally over issues that didn't warrant discourse? The scene was entertaining enough that I forgot I had waited for more than an hour. It came to a time one of those men threatened to stab the other over calling him a drunkard. They lost control and finally began to throw fists at themselves. I watched until I received my brother's call. It was then I realised I've been robbed. I was perplexed, i still saw the small bag few minutes ago. I never knew I was alone until everyone ignored me despite my cries and pleas. I looked at them and I felt hate grew strong in me. I hated Lagos that very moment.

The very first day I arrived at Lagos, I paid my tithe. I was robbed of a bag which contained my wallet, earpiece, charger, hard disk and some of my precious belongings and I didn't even know how it happened. I thought I was smart but I wasn't. To live and hustle in Lagos, you have to sacrifice your conscience and grow guts. That I wasn't ready to do. I left Lagos few days later and never returned.

And i will never return!

By Micheal Ace
A Poet and writer from Ibadan, Nigeria. He tweets @lordace32. You can follow his series "Diary of a Nigerian hustler" on ynaija.com

They say if devil wants to finish you, he comes in the form of something beautiful and also uses what you like. So devil came to me using one fine girl as vessel yesterday.

I received a call around 9am. It was a very sweet and romantic voice that I even forgot to ask who she was before asking about her welfare. She later explained she's a polyte and also one of my Facebook friends. She said she read my poem 'If I call you an African woman' and she really loved it. She said she would like us to meet and perhaps become good friends.

Huh? Isn't this a style of toasting? There is nothing else I have ever wanted from poetry than this: to become a superstar and have beautiful ladies all around me. My dream is becoming a reality small small.

I was to write a test that afternoon at 3pm but we weren't sure if the lecturer would be around, so I stayed online to receive updates from the class whatsapp group. Immediately I dropped her call, i stopped reading and dressed up. Who book epp.

I was with fine girl throughout. Strolling around her department, chatting, laughing, we were having fun. We even talked about poetry. Chai, I love that. She went for lecture around 2pm and I followed her. We sat at the back and continued our discussion. All this while, i didn't have time to check my phone until she released me around 4pm when she finished lecture and wanted to go home.

I unlocked my phone and checked my whatsapp messages only to find out the lecturer was already in class. I rushed down immediately. Fortunately, they were just about to start the test. Unfortunately, the lecturer did not allow me in. I pleaded the best way I could (I sha cannot be crying and prostrating when he is not God, and imagine, as old as I am). I left knowing 20marks is automatically gone.

I deleted fine girl's number immediately. I didn't get the chance to ask for her Facebook name so I have been checking every of my friend's profile picture since yesterday's evening. I'm tired of searching but I won't give up. I must block her.

Ko ju ma ribi, gbogbo ara loogun e (for your eyes not to see bad thing, every part of your body is the medicine).

©Micheal Ace
#Me_And_Fine_Girl_Series.

So after hyping and hyping both offline and online, I later sent my roommate to buy me Game of thrones season 1 while coming back from Bet9ja. I always felt like an alien anytime my friends talked about the film like it's a one-way ticket out of Nigeria. I bought the first season like I said, placed the disk on my laptop's DVD plate, and as I reached the scene where they were knacking, serious doggy-style knacking I mean, light went off. My system was actually a television in disguise. Once light goes, it switches off.

That was Saturday night. On Sunday morning, I woke and immediately took my bath, getting set for church. You don't do anything on a Sunday morning until you come back from church. You don't even eat. That was how I was raised. So upon getting to church, I sat behind my latest crush and new friend who happened to be the most beautiful and admired member. I just got the chance to speak with her the previous Sunday. She's always escorted by the rich and spiritual brothers in the church.

After service, I made my way to her and luckily, she agreed to stop by at my place before leaving for home. My house is just a stone throw from church. She entered my small boyish abode and sat on the bed. As courtesy demands, I bought her a cold soft drink and to add more to my hospitality, I switched on the laptop and the film continued playing. Lo and behold, fine girl was taken aback watching two full grown adults naked and teaching themselves the lessons of their lives.

Fine girl just carried her bag and left. She thought It was deliberate, like I really wanted to get her on. I couldn't stop her, my heart was broken and the last and first time she picked my call since the incidence, it was as if thunder fell on me. I never wanted to watch Game of thrones, na temptation forced me.

Just in case you want to know, fine girl has been hissing at me in church and has even reported me to some certain people. I know because that was what pastor preached about last Sunday. Young men who cannot control their pricks and lustful desires. One stupid ugly old woman like that too didn't respond when I greeted her. How I wish she listens and finds out I'm innocent. How I wish...!

I was going to school this morning when I spotted fine girl from a distance. Poets no dey carry last na. I approached.

Me: Hi, good morning. I have been staring at you for quite a while now. Please don't mind my saying you are an excellent and distinctive work of God. Every strand of hair on your head glows like polished diamond. Your skin radiates like a blushing sun and your shape is a testimony that the earth is round.

(Fine girl just dey look like someone in haste but I no mind, I continued...)

I'm Micheal by name and I'm addicted to being friend with angels like you. Would you please give me your contact at least because I see you are in haste.

(Fine girl's phone rang and she picked...)
Fine girl (to the caller): Hello dear. I'll be there in a jiffy. Just wait a bit more. Love you dear.

Na so fine girl flagged down a cab, entered and looked at me with one horror face.

It's opposite a bank and the people at the ATM stand were just looking at me. Some of them laughing. I just carry my leg waka, make I go bathe again for house.

This world is really a wicked place to be.

©Micheal Ace

Welcome to Nigeria; the animal kingdom

Perhaps you might want to remind me I am as well a Nigerian. The dirt I smell every time I breathe tells me that. What about the hunger in my belly? The news of my witty president who knows his own country isn't suitable for rest? Or do I have to lament how hard it is to survive as a writer for you to understand quite well that I know my blood flows in greens and white.

It gets to a time that you feel governance shouldn't be in the hands of the elite because they actually lack the understanding of little lives. So there is a revolution and a slave is freed and coronated. He has been there, he knows how it feels to be a subject. He would make a better reign. But I would ask you, what other way of life does the slave know other than slavery? You cannot cage a new hatched eagle, free it after years and expect it to soar beyond the cloud at instant. That is to say every living thing is a product of programming. We are exactly what makes us, and in Nigeria, we are engineered to be animals.

In a Nigerian school, the authority needed a certain amount of money for a project and students were to contribute. Three hundred naira (#300) was required of each student according to calculation. The principal told the class teachers their respective students were to pay a sum of five hundred naira (#500) each. The teachers went to their classes and ordered each student to bring six hundred naira (#600). A boy got home, informed his mother who was close by about the fee, he had inflated it to seven hundred naira (#700). The father who was to give the money was asked for one thousand naira (#1000) by the mother. Now tell me who among them is fit to accuse the other of corruption. They are all guilty in their respective offices and responsibilities.

And that is exactly what happens in Nigeria. The little man loots in his little ways. The boss cheats his workers. The big brother rakes money from his younger one's shares, and then when the nation's economy melts to solidify in some statesmen purse, when a huge amount of money goes missing, everyone starts pointing fingers. We talk about corruption like it doesn't rise with our sun everyday. We address the leaders like they are aliens. We forget that most of them are once led with such harshness and meanness. We are all products of the same programming.

An African man is programmed to cheat is fellow man, take more than his shares and satisfy his own belly and his family's first. As long as others won't find out or don't have the power to fight back. A wise and strategic thinker once said Nigeria is the microcosm of Africa's problems. That is every notable fault of Africa as a race is found in a Nigerian. I can tell how right he is.
Only an animal takes pride in killing its fellows unlawfully. Only an animal watches its mate dies of hunger and won't be moved an inch. Only an animal behaves the way a Nigerian does.

If you see a stranger crossing our borders tomorrow, do welcome him, into the animal kingdom.


By Micheal Ace
A poet and writer who believes Nigeria is sick, and needs healing.
Poetmichealace@gmail.com

Three differences between "make love" and "Bleep"

This is not in a bid to discourage vulgarity but an attempt to enlighten people on sexual issues. It's just a proper approach at teaching people how to use the right word for the right kind of situation and as well curb offensiveness when communicating sexually. The two words or phrase have their different meaning though they may have some certain similarities. (I am not a grammarian, I just wish to share something I've learnt of recent)

1. Origin and lexical content:
I would love to say that the world 'Bleep' is American. The first time I heard people use it for romance and sexual intercourse was in Black American movies until I discovered it's backed up by the dictionary. It is vulgar so to say but that's not what I'm here for. We cannot do without vulgarity in our day to day lives. That's exactly what we seen in movies, watch on TV and also listen to on the radio. But "make love" is more British and the phrase can only be used when addressing sexual issues. "Bleep" has different meanings even though the first impression the word gives is about sex.

2. General understanding and usage:
I talked about curbing offensiveness right? Yes. Unless they understand the level of your intimacy or they are actually 'bad' or 'raw' so to say, using the word 'Bleep' to make amorous approach to your partner is wrong and I would consider it dirty'. Telling your spouse you want to make love to them sounds more respective than 'Bleep', the latter is mostly used in extramarital sexual relationships and often among young men and women who aren't ready to take responsibility for their sexual lives and only want to savour the pleasure. Ladies, when your boyfriend tells you he wants to 'Bleep' you, to him, it may have a different meaning but I'll say he doesn't really love you. Like he prioritises your body much more than your heart. I may be wrong but that how it sounds anyway.

3. Sexual approach and implication:
When you tell me you bleeped someone, you are telling me you had sexual intercourse with them but you are not telling me on which ground. You can Bleep someone against their will and without their consent, you can Bleep an underage, you can Bleep a stranger, you can also Bleep someone who is not in any sort sexually related to you and that is where it doesn't really make sense. Saying you Bleep someone has a very high tendency at implicating you on sexual abuse except if you're saying it among your peers or friends. Instead of 'I bleeped him', I think the phrase 'I had sex with him' is much more pleasing. You only make love to your sexual partner and its safer considering every aspect of it.

I'm not discouraging vulgarity as I said but I'm not promoting it either. The world 'Bleep' doesn't sound well and responsible to an African man. It's offensive and vulgar to someone who's ignorant of your impressions.

I don't think there is any post or article that deserves being rated 18 anymore. Even the kids know more than you do sexually. Educating them is quite better. Use the right word at the right time, in the right place and for addressing the right issues.

Good morning.

©Micheal Ace


They say, in Nigeria, if you want to walk fast, take bike; if you want to walk far, walk with your earpiece.

It was a sunny monday afternoon. The only thing special about that Monday was the less busy road. I didn't need to jack someone off or squeeze my body through the crowd before I had my way. I was coming from a job interview in one big IT firm around Iwo road, Ibadan when I felt the need to use the ATM. The two thousand in my account would last me the whole week if I spent judiciously: no forming big brother and no miscellaneous spending.

I walked to a nearby bank and Immediately I saw there was no queue on the ATM stand, I knew it was either not dispensing or 'service unavailable' so I moved up a bit to the next bank and to the next bank and to the next before I finally found one. The queue was long and horrible but I decided to wait. After about two hours standing, it got to my turn. I slotted in my card only to read on the screen 'Hardware Error'. I tried two more times and later called the attention of a security guard. He said it might be that my card chip has damaged and advised me to visit my bank to make complaint. That would be a job for another day, so I plugged in my earpiece and embarked on the long journey home.

On my way home, I passed through an estate and did actually saw heaven on earth: beautiful set of houses and flowers, well tarred and clean road, silent atmosphere and a very cool environment. I was busy seeing this when a gate opened and I peeeped inside. I saw a very young man I supposed would be in his late 20s climbed up a very new and sparkling Lexus. I saw his face so happy and relaxed with a gentle smile labeled on his lips. I saw his skin so smooth and stretched like the surface of a still water. I saw his shoes, clothes and the wrist chain he wore which was definity much more expensive than everything I put on. His neck chain was pure gold and I would say his wrist watch was one of those new expensive Rolex.

After the gate was closed, I thought about my life for a bit and then continued my journey. I would not let depression throw me into a roadside river. Even if one will die by water, the mainland bridge is more fitting. I plugged back in my earpiece and on it went...

"I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky. I dream about it every night and day, spread my wings and fly away. I beleive I can soar..."


Micheal Ace

You woke, and realised you had slept off leaving the Bob Marley's mixtape beating from your phone. It's 2am and in few hours time, some fellas from your WhatsApp group would start sending 'happy sunday' wishes and messages. Your bae would call. Your church brothers too. Everything bored you.

"What exactly is special about this God?" You asked with fear written on your face. You are not sure about the myth that holy spirit doesn't forgive sins. Silence heals.

You wanted to stop the music to save your battery when you noticed even your phone AIMP player read your mind. It knew what you needed. It's three little birds by the Jamaican raggae god. You sat still letting the lyrics sink.
"Don't worry about these things. Cos every little thing is gonna be alright. I say don't..."
You realised further listening would keep you awake and you had to sleep. You had to run.

But what are you running from? Something mean, dark and voiceless asked you.

What else but the reality. The fact that soon enough the sun would shine and teach your stomach the easiest way to get what it wants. Sometimes light is violence.

The reality that Airtel NG sent a message the previous night that your #100 for 30mb data was almost finished.

The reality that the usher will look at you in church with the kind of eyes that reflect how filthy and blur your life is.

The reality that your project supervisor doesn't understand 'God bless you sir'. Something must drop.

The reality that Poly will not accept 'letter for teller' like you always did in secondary schools.

A lot of realities kept coming and coming, and they won't stop coming until sleep eluded you.

"Hey Bob, nothing is going to be alright as long as a Congo of garri (a food that once belonged to the poor) sells for #500.
Maybe not today, and perhaps not tomorrow. Though some symbols on your palm still stood firm with the inkings of hope.

You didn't need what you actually needed. You needed what you wanted. So you scrolled through your playlist and hit Special by Akon. Just one line made you love the song...

"Don't try to wake me up I'm happy in my dreams".

But you didn't succeed. You know why?
Because if you hadn't woken up, you won't be thinking about how this week has ended again without a reason to smile in your pocket.
.
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Thay say alcohol is a good antidote for reality. Maybe not for a lifetime, but a few moments of peace and no-worry do count.

You still have #300 in your pocket.
" Barman, give me a chilled bottle of Goldberg. God will understand."
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©Micheal Ace

Education is no longer the best legacy in Nigeria



Few days ago, I was listening to the news when the reporter said something that made me lose my voice. I was dumbfounded. I logged on to Facebook immediately only to find people post tributes with hashtag #Ozubulu. Some gunmen just walked into a church during service and shot people dead, leaving many injured. If you heard about this and you understand the level of insanity that could be, you would agree with me that in Nigeria, something is wrong with everything.

That's by the way. Imagine the recent BBNaija reality show that lasted not up to three months and had no positive effect in the lives of it's audience, it was supposed to be an entertainment show but the only happenings that got my attention were the housemates that made love on camera, another housemate who went nude baring her breasts on screen and those who engaged in romantic affairs not minding the public presence. The winner, Efe, received a whooping sum of 25million naira (#25,000,000) plus a brand new car, with other gifts from external bodies. And the best medical graduating student of UNN who has spent more than seven years in the university with hard labour was given a sum of Ten thousand naira (#10,000) by GTBank.

You'll say the moral of this is that 'Education is no longer the best legacy' right? Well, you're right! That is exactly how it seems. The Not Too Young To Run bill that was recently passed is an achievement and a plus on the side of Nigerian youths but what about effecting it? How do you think a youth can run for presidency and win when the whales in the country already have their choice? Atiku Abubakar was reported to be interested and permitted to contest for presidency in 2019. Now what chance do the youth stand? Something is wrong with everything in Nigeria, I repeat.

I have read about creative and talented students in Nigeria who made exceptional inventions. I only smiled and wished they weren't born here. Nigeria is no longer home for the sane. How do Nigerians leave to study abroad and excel even surpassing the whites? Is it not the same brain they had when they were in Nigeria? It is. But the environment differs. The curriculum, practical classes, encouraging economy are quite different. Graduants end up doing odd jobs and the frustrated ones go about the street pickpocketing. You can always find them in Lagos, and you will only recognize them by their Spoken English and accent.

A child spends six years in the secondary school, reads all day and night burning candles, sits for O'level exams and makes it with excellence. He goes to hell and back to find enough money to obtain jamb form, writes the paper and scores 300+. He spends three years seeking admission. He later settles for a course which he never dreamt of, and after years of assignments, tests, examinations, practicals, he ends up a graduant and the only thing the government can offer is joblessness. Something is indeed wrong with everything.

If you know where to find tears and how to cry, please start now. There is so much to shed for Nigeria".


Written by Micheal Ace

One big mistake that may deter Lil kesh's greatness in Nigerian music industry.
Just like tossing a coin, and you get neither head nor tail. It lands wheeling on its side. Strange? It is. We cannot say Olamide is an opportunist, yet we cannot disregard the fact that he took the chances of Dagrin's demise to roughen his way up into limelight. Only few artists could make it up his way. I remember his lyrics in 'Ghost mode' by Phyno where he said "One man mopol mi o ni record label, awon tan sign yin ibi ti mo de won o le de be". A hit line that says he doesn't have a record label and as well lauding his great achievements.
Yes! He is not an opportunist. The YBNL nation that comes into realisation today and as well has produced quite a number of hip hop acts isn't a day job. I know how long it took Olamide to register that name in our minds, I know how many tracks he made chanting that 'yahoo boy no laptop', before he eventually made it an album and then launch it as his label name.
We don't stop a child from being a leper, only if he can live by himself in the woods. I knew it wasn't Olamide's intention to let go of Lil kesh when his contract ended but the 'Skibo robo skibo' ambassador already had fame and the whooing street love he had received over time with Shoki, Efejoku and other hit tracks in his head that he forgot he still needed much to learn. It's not all about the punchline, nor the vulgarity, nor the way one trends with the beat. It's more about understanding your audience and knowing how to blend your ways with their demands. It's more about tailoring your moves to remain relevant in the industry.
I have not said Lil kesh is no more relevant in the music industry and my point isn't about his still-smooth relationship with the ybnl boss. I'm saying in a nutshell that YAGI has come some years too early. The record label might not be really functioning but that does not erase it's existence. To be candid, my love for Lil kesh as an artist came from Olamide's influence. The street accepted him that early and loud because he was backed up by King Baddo himself. The big mistake he made was not waiting for the time when he would have grown too rooted in the minds of his lovers that his detachment from ybnl wouldn't have effect on his career.
Lil kesh is not mature enough to own a record label. He still has much more to learn. One reason he has not really received any major award so far. He makes his tracks and has his fans but arguably small doctor is currently more respected and adored on the street than he is. You can dream big but you need to start small if and only if you don't want to crumble and leave on yourself lasting scars.
By Micheal Ace

One big mistake that may deter Lil kesh's greatness in Nigerian music industry.






Just like tossing a coin, and you get neither head nor tail. It lands wheeling on its side. Strange? It is. We cannot say Olamide is an opportunist, yet we cannot disregard the fact that he took the chances of Dagrin's demise to roughen his way up into limelight. Only few artists could make it up his way. I remember his lyrics in 'Ghost mode' by Phyno where he said "One man mopol mi o ni record label, awon tan sign yin ibi ti mo de won o le de be". A hit line that says he doesn't have a record label and as well lauding his great achievements.

Yes! He is not an opportunist. The YBNL nation that comes into realisation today and as well has produced quite a number of hip hop acts isn't a day job. I know how long it took Olamide to register that name in our minds, I know how many tracks he made chanting that 'yahoo boy no laptop', before he eventually made it an album and then launch it as his label name.

We don't stop a child from being a leper, only if he can live by himself in the woods. I knew it wasn't Olamide's intention to let go of Lil kesh when his contract ended but the 'Skibo robo skibo' ambassador already had fame and the whooing street love he had received over time with Shoki, Efejoku and other hit tracks in his head that he forgot he still needed much to learn. It's not all about the punchline, nor the vulgarity, nor the way one trends with the beat. It's more about understanding your audience and knowing how to blend your ways with their demands. It's more about tailoring your moves to remain relevant in the industry.

I have not said Lil kesh is no more relevant in the music industry and my point isn't about his still-smooth relationship with the ybnl boss. I'm saying in a nutshell that YAGI has come some years too early. The record label might not be really functioning but that does not erase it's existence. To be candid, my love for Lil kesh as an artist came from Olamide's influence. The street accepted him that early and loud because he was backed up by King Baddo himself. The big mistake he made was not waiting for the time when he would have grown too rooted in the minds of his lovers that his detachment from ybnl wouldn't have effect on his career.

Lil kesh is not mature enough to own a record label. He still has much more to learn. One reason he has not really received any major award so far. He makes his tracks and has his fans but arguably small doctor is currently more respected and adored on the street than he is. You can dream big but you need to start small if and only if you don't want to crumble and leave on yourself lasting scars.

By Micheal Ace

I see Nigeria on the edges of a crucifix: the bad, the good and the ugly

A northerner died in the west by the hands of a man who said his fathers taught the sun how to rise, no one cared to know why- they believed it was an attribute of a country with more than one tongue. They said afterall, he was a stranger, a man who leaves his father's house to ally elsewhere must find what he seeks; the judge said he was way too far from home. Death was that cheap in a foreign land.

On September 30, 1960, we made a dust of every white man's misdeed and swept it under the carpet. No one speaks ill of the hand that gives him what he desires; especially when it comes along with a revolution. Afterall, they are those created in the image of God. Tribalism lay deep in my brother's skin, it was a written program by these same men who said the blacks are not yet human.

There was something we weren't so deep and keen to understand even though it was quite audible and clear in our national anthem and painted in the colours of out national flag. That which is...
"It's easier to exist in slavery than to live in freedom, for the latter comes with a greater responsibility"

But if peradventure you cross the border tomorrow into the land of the white man, tell him black is the colour of God. Move closer so he can see the beauty on your skin. Tell him black is the heart of an American who sees you not as black but as a fellow human. Don't forget to tell him that black is everything that sees a white light beaming laudably in a full-moon of vivid and diverse differences. Black is beautiful and so is everything that shares in it's pride.

A crucifix is a symbol of sacrifice, love, grace, peace and true nationalism. I first saw it on the back of a man who lost his breath to save the whole of mankind. Yesterday, a soldier walked by my window. I didn't see his gun or his cloth that smelled the remains of war even from the distance, I only read from his eyes an epistle to all men- the symbol of patriotism and sacrifice.

I see my nation on the edges of a crucifix: the bad, the good and the ugly. Though different tongues but believes in one voice.

I believe in One Nigeria


By Michael Ace

I remember asking a girl out the year I got admission. I met her at a cafe where I had gone to pay my acceptance fee. She was beautiful so to say and you know all works without play makes Julius a dull boy.
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I approached Bae.
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She gave me her contact and the day we met at her department, I decided to pour my mind. I went straight to the point, who love poem epp?
Her response was...
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"The only way I can be sure you love me is to take good care of me"
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I was like 'are you an orphan?' I didn't talk but my expression said it all. I just deleted her number, be like say that one na destiny destroyer.
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Dear sister, if he buys you cloth, pays your rent, gives you money, and takes care of some other things, it's because he has and he cares. Those things are not his responsibilities but your parent's. At least you are not yet engaged talkless of married.
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So stop living like an orphan, have some shame and integrity. Your being a woman doesn't make you less human, or isn't that what your feminist sisters say?
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If he is rich or have a nice stable income, remember he has siblings and parents who are probably too old to work. Please take it lightly on him till you tie the knot. You can advice him to invest too.
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Don't be a glutton. Thank you.
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©Micheal Ace