₦airaland Forum

“Oops” as I climbed to join the other passenger in the front seat. It had being a tug of war trying to get that seat. The only one you know you would feel comfortable and enjoy your fare. To a good extent, it’s comfy and you seem to be in your own world not the constricted back seats, everyone packs themselves like sardine fish. It does depend on the journey though cos I prefer the front seat while journeying a far distance for good ventilation sake.

As a regular danfo boarder big chicks know diaselves most danfo buses usually try to have two seat beside the driver to accomplish a ‘14 passenger more money things’. They create an additional seat to the manufacturer’s standard seat. This second seat ehh, there are two things involved (in Basket Mouth’s voice). Some danfo owners are nice, they rebuild the whole seat having a two joined seats while some are very stingy and cruel, they will place a small stool (like apoti- ugly looking Yoruba small stool made from wood) or a sizeable box. I swear I would rather join the conductor ‘hanging’ than to pay to sit on such.

Thank God, I got what I wanted. You might think what is special about this but seriously if you are in the league of people that jump buses every day, you will understand berra.

Ok sha, back to my discussion. I hopped in feeling like a superstar then I started browsing through my phone already enjoying my money (t-fare). Not later than few minutes that I heard the driver called out to me with a husky voice badly tainted with combination of paraga and indian hemp. The picture of his teeth is still alive on my head, I see it every moment I remember that scene, and nothing in this world can describe the jaggedness.

“Sister… abeg use the seat belt” he croaked

Little me had never remembered the necessity of a seat belt in a Lagos danfo. I’m often not reminded if it wasn’t a danfo. Maybe that name ‘danfo’ never conveys right attitudes.

“Eh… seat belt!” I exclaimed from my shock “Ok!”

Following my instinct, I stretched my hands to draw the belt towards me. “Phew…” the dirty looking rope answered my call without much effort. The energy I gave out got wasted in the air because I wasn’t supposed to ‘pull it’ but to ‘take it’.

“Er…” I gently moved it across my body inspecting it constantly so as not to touch my dress (the dress I could behead anyone who tried to stain it). One hand was trying to fasten it to a clamp, my other hand was holding it away from my dress.

The biggest trouble was now the clamp. Trying to find it was like looking for stars during the day. I was combing the seat with my hand and my other co- front boarder who seemed to be nice had to raise his butt for easy scrutinizing.

“Chai…” It was as if I had never used a seat belt before. I was even confused. What was echoing on my head was the opinion of the other passengers that “shey this fine girl wey dey do like one Americana nefa use seat bet before”.

I kept swallowing my saliva. This thing should not fall my hand. Even if I didn’t have a bicycle at least my papa tries small na… This time around, my head was very close to the raised butt allowing me to search what never existed. In my mind I was just reciting psalm 21 as any “phuuu” would just pieces my brain.

When the driver was almost knocked by the other passenger, he realized the trouble he had put us through.

“Sista, you no see am” he asked as if he was indeed concerned. But how could I see something that was never there. It’s only Jesus that could be sure of getting money inside fish mouth.

Then he continued “sista, just hold am like that…don’t worry all join”.

“Chou” I should hold the belt with one hand, then the other hand to protect my fine dress and shine teeth to passersby.

See, to cut story short that was how I became locked down with the seat belt. I held it from Yaba to my final destination (Iyana-Ipaja). This torture was to fulfill all righteousness in the eyes of the law enforcement people (LASTMA, FRSC, Police, VIO). And the actual reason for a seat belt? I immediately threw away the rope to assist myself from knocking my head whenever the driver suddenly applied the brake.

Seat belt nkwa nu…What I bargained for was not what I got instead I worked for the danfo driver not my fare working for me. I only wished I had sat at the back.

Extracted from livelifeng.com

http://www.livelifeng.com/seat-belt-in-danfo-be-like

Yesterday, General Buhari wrote an article on NewYork Times on how he would combat Boko Haram when he resumes office. You can check the article HERE.

April 14 marked a year that the Chibok girls had being abducted by the notorious Boko Haram group. General Buhari then gave a piece on how he intends to rescue the abducted girls though he was not promising but assuring the girls' parents and the world that he would bring forth strict measures to deal with the Boko Haram sect.

The article was a very thought-full one and very promising.

Commenters all over the world gave their own view of General Buhari's opinion and intended panacea for Nigeria. There was a particular commenter (named Mark Thomason) who saw things in a rather different way. He instead condemned the country and gave a malicious views about what he saw Nigeria to be.

The most interesting part was that, every other commenters shifted grounds and gave this man a good hot chase. Though the responses were articulating and very intellectual but it was a big lash out at the Michigan based commenter (Michigan is a state in US). The man was given a PhD education on what Nigeria is and I'm sure he will never forget it in a hurry. Lol...

This is the response I loved so much. It was from a US citizen living in Abuja. For the first time, I wholeheartedly appreciate being called a Nigerian.

jeff verkouille

Abuja Yesterday

I live in Nigeria and the recent elections just went off without violence, and with a smooth promise of democracy, the first transfer of power from one democratic party to another. Nigeria has its issues, but it is nothing like you describe.

Come visit and we'll have a cold Star beer or a non-alcoholic malt in a beautifully landscaped bush bar wherever you'd like in Abuja (one is seldom more than a few blocks away). You can chat with neatly dressed Nigerians browsing Facebook on their iphones, say hello to well mannered school children (I'm a teacher), and sample some fresh cuisine raised locally (perhaps catfish roasted with peppers and potatoes, or ripe tropical fruit).

Nigeria is many things, not all perfect, but it isn't Hobbesian. On the whole Nigerians are among the kindest, most polite, and friendliest people I've meet in a lifetime of travel. As for living here, I'm American and have a life I could only dream of back in the states.



Here is an excerpt of the comments;

The man who stirred the debate

Mark Thomason

Clawson, MI Yesterday

The creation, maintenance, and meaning of Boko Haram begins and ends with Nigeria. It is a profounding dysfunctional country, and Boko Haram is a symptom more than the problem itself.

That is not to minimize Boko Haram, or justify it, or excuse it. It is to explain that if there was no Boko Haram, there would be something else much like it in its place, because Nigeria is such a mess that there is a place for this in it.

Nigeria barely has a "political life" in the normal meaning of that. It is wild violence, group against group. It is very near a state of nature, the one described by Hobbes as "warre as is of every man against every man" in which life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

Nigeria is life of mankind "red in tooth and claw" not because of Boko Haram. Boko Haram exists because Nigeria is red in tooth and claw, existing so near Hobbes' state of nature.

The cure for Boko Haram? Build something civilized in Nigeria, instead of the looting and murder that governs across the whole place now.

Continue reading here; http:///1DjC2TH
www.livelifeng.com

Barack Obama is touring Jamaica and some states in South America.

This man is just full of life

I attached the pictures here but you can check more; here http:///1H4ByDr

On my way to church yesterday, I was thrown into deep thought. My head was badly aching as I engaged in a turbulent self-analysis.

The more the soprano-pitched voice get heightened relaying words that were like burning spear storming every part of my body, the more my head spinned almost at the verge of cutting loose.

Mobile pulpit is not an unknown thing especially in Lagos. Everywhere on the road, in the market, in the public transport (danfo, molue) etc. Except you have a deafening aid, your pinna have no choice than to absorb their words into your ears. You mind can choose to process it or not.

My concern is actually the content of their sermon. I have encountered some whose sermon was really off-the-hook and right there I got blessed like really got touched by the words. Whereas some are just very cruel and puncturing. Like the one I experienced yesterday, this woman with her thin pitch voice sounding as high as the heavens, she was just leaching out different stuffs. If you do this or do that or this, this, this, it is straight to hell. And I was like just like that!

She even went deeper to analyze types of lies whether white or black or yellow, the end is HELL! She said if you lie to someone that you are in Lagos whereas you are in Enugu, it is a sin. But what if I really do have a genuine explanation for that. I have always thought that the intention behind something is what matters. Because my own bible tells me that it is inside the heart of man that all evil things come from so it is why I do something that influences my actions. What if I meant good by telling this lies but this woman gave no pardon oooo.

The crazy thing was that I had 100 naira on me but I gave out 500 naira note instead for a 100 naira fare. And the conductor was screaming out “pls bring out change ooo”. But my reason was that my next bus would charge me 50 naira so should I have given my last 100 naira and trying to give 500 naria note for a 50 naira journey. If as the woman was saying it and it was happening, I might not be here to tell the story because to her I have sinned. This is to show how she described all the normal activities of an individual’s life painting almost 98% as sins.

My brain nearly popped out. How possible is it to live then with all these listed rules? Maybe I would have to write them boldly on my walls (I’m sure no space will be left in between) so as to keep reminding myself. This Jesus this woman was saying is really hard to please oo. Everyone in the bus was just adjusting and trying hard to breathe. The sermon kept going even louder.

As I sat looking like one bereaved soul not capable of standing right with God because I failed almost all the rules she mentioned, I kept struggling with my mind. Can this woman at least tell me how Jesus loves me cos I love that part very much? The condemnation was too much (though she later said she was not here to criticize us). My head got heated up. I felt ashamed of myself. Life bored me instantly. I wished I wasn’t even created at all.

Besides, I took a surreptitious look at the highly righteous woman (she never made me believe otherwise). At some point I didn’t want to believe she was a human. I have never felt such intimidation in my life. I looked like a complete sinner. How I wish it is only Christ I could look up to like that and see myself as a sinner not with a human like myself.

Everything said was all about my ways, my life, my attitudes. How is it easy to lead such perfect life as she described. I don’t intend to challenge all her statements because that is how far she knew. She might be upright and very perfect, thank God for her life but myself and several other people nko.



I have dealt with emotional torture caused by religious values and supposed conditions for upright living and the more I compelled myself to follow them the more I fell apart. I kept doing things that were contrary to what I intended. These were things I didn’t have proper understanding of why I don’t have to do them. Sorry to say, that’s why so many people have different life, school life is different from life in church and so others.

I believe in God, I believe in Jesus Christ and I believe in Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ has always say He didn’t come to the world for the righteous people but for sinners and as far as I allow Him, He will lead me through the journey of my life. He promised to send the Holy Spirit which is our comforter who will abide with us and be our guide. It is a known thing that Holy Spirit does not stay in a messy environment. What keeps Him to stay is if the heart is clean and without blemish. Jesus Christ has reduced the commandments into two with LOVE being the paramount thing. This was how I was able to liberate myself.

When God’s love occupies one’s heart, you genuinely allow God into your heart and you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, the heart becomes His abode. That heart is so much welcomed by the Holy Spirit. And interestingly, the Holy Spirit leads you to do good at all time. The bible says we’ve got no power of our own; the GRACE of God is what we should continually seek. Our own effort cannot save us. That is why human will promise and fail but God is not human who will lie or son of man who will repent.

This life is made tough itself, but working with Christ soothes it because he has said “come all ye that labour and heavily laden and I will give you rest”. It is sure He will. Accepting Him and walking with Him is the best option a man can go for. As far you stay committed with Him, and you continually fellowship with Him through His words which is the Bible, He will lead you and guide you through the journey of your life.

It is never a burden being with Christ, it is eternal happiness and even if the world rejects you, your crown is in heaven. Though you might say, you haven’t gotten all you need, have you forgotten that being rich is not a guarantee for fulfilled living. Even at the lowest of ranks, if you are with God, you will be fulfilled everyday of your life. It is that feeling that you don’t even know how it is happening, all your needs are being meant and you have a peaceful heart.

All what is required is “come the way you are to Him”. Cry out and confess all what you’ve being doing that your conscience has termed as sin (because even those that did not hear of Christ will be judged by their conscience). Be heartbroken and be remorseful, say them out and pray for Him to forgive you and lead you. Let the Bible be you constant guide. We are no more under laws and rules as Apostle Paul stated so let your mind be at rest and gradually you will become transformed for His glory.

Read though the book of Romans (chapter 1-16), it was written to deeply explain how we can be made acceptable to God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins.

Know that eternal life with Christ is not an inter-race but an intra-race. It is a race with only YOU being the contestant. Learn from people but know that nobody is perfect, even Apostle Paul said he wasn’t there yet, he is still running the race.

Pray that God will give us the grace to continually work with Him.

P.S. I stand for evangelism of any right sort and also the spread of the word of God.

Read more: www.livelifeng.com[http://www.livelifeng.com/sermon-on-mount-danfo]

It’s no assumption that the demand for ‘relaxer’ in the US is really falling. Black women are now allowing the hair that grows out from their head to have a life. I grew up to know that a combination of chemicals mixed together in a container with a sharp pungent smell is the savior to the beautiful keratin structures my DNA naturally produces .

I didn’t have any basic explanation to this than the fear built in my mind that my hair is a total sh*t that could only make sense until I apply a relaxer . A relaxer, with that pungent smell capable of destroying my organs? I just stayed glue to the chair feeling the spread of this white looking chemical on my head. The feeling was only soothing during application assisted by the romantic touch of the hair dresser . Sooner, the keratin bonds once clumped together to achieve a kinky extremely curled look now began to break obeying the rules of these chemicals. My hair would be screaming for help, begging me not to amputate the defined kinky structure God has bestowed it but I declined and I was like “please obey; I need to look as pretty as the girls I see on TV.” Though I was feeling very uncomfortable and it was as if a furnace was built on my head . If the relaxer stayed longer than expected, throughout the week or even weeks, I might be nursing my injured head full of scares from burnt hair.

Again and again, in the next 3 months or less I would go through the same harsh process . I believe some parts of my brain might even be cooked enough to be eaten because of the constant frying of my head with relaxer products.

Until in my 400 level (2014), I said to myself “no girl, you are a girl with the melanin coloured skin, your DNA produces melanin and hard structured keratin for your hair”. “Why then do you want to live as a fake being, being unrealistic to yourself and indirectly telling God He didn’t create you well?” So I succumbed and trimmed off the relaxed hair. The most surprising thing was that the constant fear that kinky hair is as hard as what you can’t find on this earth was actually false.

What we lacked was that we never took time to study our hair and that’s because we never appreciated it. Kinky hair needs a lot of moisture. Regular application of water and conditioner are what our hair typically needs. Also it’s good to know that taking care of natural hair is not as expensive as relaxed hair and a product as cheap as coconut oil or Shea butter (ori) but rich in hair nutrients are enough to give you that healthy beautiful look.

How funny that we have to constantly explain to people on the beauty of our kinky hair. An article I read identified that people either largely criticize or disturbingly defend it. It’s crazy, having to defend what naturally spur out of my head. Just like maybe I have to be defending my colour “I’m sorry but I happen to be a black, it wasn’t my fault. Wish I could see God now and blame him…” You are definitely on your own!

I’m not advising you but I am happily rocking mine. People often ask me how I comb it and I’m always like “it’s very easy… just moisturize it and comb or brush it out.”

America has been told to adapt to the changes by African American women about their interest on their own hair cos they are finding it really hard. Two celebs had gone on the social media last week or so to alarm their concern about the criticism they get because they are wearing their hair. But please, is that not crazy to hear? You being criticized because you are wearing your hair maybe it will soon be because one refuses to bleach her skin.

Zendaya of Disney rocked long dreads at the Oscars and the garrulous fashion police crew really descended on hair though Giuliana Rancic, the lead contributor during the racism perceived debate had rendered an open apology. Likewise, Solange Knowles who had been constantly attacked because of her hair gave the ‘I don’t give a damn’ footage on her Twitter page telling all who needs to hear frankly that “I am rocking my beautiful hair and you can go to hell.”

I also love Beyoncé’s parenting style by allowing her daughter live as normal as possible though people termed it abnormal but maybe they are the ones who need to be checked. Cos I don’t know why I will be called ‘abnormal’ because I refused to throw down my own image and wear someone else’s.

If they don’t know I am an African with black skin, I’m not European or so with a white skin. My hair is kinky, it grows up, it is not straight nor grows down. I wear my 4s natural hair which grows from my skull and I love it. You can decide to commit suicide on my behalf if you find it offensive.

Peace out!

Read more on http://www.livelifeng.com/[http://www.livelifeng.com/the-more-they-criticize-the-more-our-afro-gets-bigger]

Hostel can be a very interesting place to be and seriously you don’t get to lack anything except you have a problem expressing yourself . Some people particularly wouldn’t just get those things they need because their Bunkie will give them without effort . I can be so nice to some extent but I don’t joke with my makeup kits. Sharing makeup tool is never an advisable thing to do.

Practically, everything that has direct contact with your body should be solely used. Your health should not be traded for friendship. The main matter is that not everyone has the same level of immunity as each other so your friend can look healthy on the outside but please don’t wish to be like her cos you don’t know the despicable amount of bacteria she’s got .

Most makeup products contain preservatives to help slow the growth of bacteria or fungi but sometimes it is not enough to prevent contamination. It is being said that anytime you touch your lipstick or mascara for example, some amount of these microbes get deposited on the makeup and can serve as a medium for microbial growth. So therefore, these commodities have to be protected well especially because they touch your skin directly.

I was even able to find out in this site that bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and E.coli are commonly found in makeup stores. So the more people use a makeup kit, the more these microbes are spread.

This week, it was learnt that a lady landed on wheelchair because of an infection caused by an antibiotic-resistant form of staph which damaged her spine. Analysis showed that she got this infection from a friend’s makeup brush. It was a narrow-escape for her not to have died.

Likewise, one potential, and particularly pesky, result of sharing eye makeup is getting pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis. This infection of the lining of the eyelid results in red, itchy, watery eyes and can last for up to two weeks (source: Mayo Clinic)

What do we do about commercial makeup artist that tend to use the same kit for every customer? It’s simple as you can take your kit with you especially very sensitive kits like mascara, brushes, lipstick, wedge etc. As well, makeup artists are to be familiar with the health precautions and they are to carry out healthy routines as they work. There are some suggestions like; the use of disposable applicator and disposable sponges, sharpening an eye pencil before and after use, use of alcohol as a disinfectant for lipstick and brushes.

It is important you ask your makeup artist all these before just sitting down and relaxing for an application. Also always get a face wash when the makeup day is over.

Read more on http://www.livelifeng.com/[http://www.livelifeng.com/when-makeup-turns-ugly]

For the first time in 2006, I was hospitalized. I can remember with all clarity the hall several of us stayed, with just little spaces in between, our beds were arranged horizontally like what it always seems to be, an overcrowded public hospital.

What I found surprising there was that I was the youngest amidst the other patients. Also was another lady quite older than I was but was still far younger compared to other women in that wing. Flanked beside and opposite me where women with several ‘issues’. Several of them had problems with their urinary tracts and some other kinds of illnesses that ravage women in their older age.

As young as I was, I was sure these women were not older than 60 years. The hall had to be constantly cleaned and mopped with disinfectant because of the uncontrolled pooing and vomiting of these bedridden poor women. I forgot my condition and had to intercede in prayers for my co-patients. One did not even have any choice because they neither let anyone sleep at night with their loud writhing nor allow good fresh air to hover in the room.

I wondered if this was what every woman must go through because of ‘old age’. “Nay”, I objected “there is something that needs to be done”. So what exactly? Both for men and women, as one grows older than 45 years, one’s lifestyle needs to be changed.

It’s best to start earlier at this youthful age but nevertheless at 45 years, change your lifestyle and starts healthier regimes. The causes of these illnesses are actually accumulated trashes the body had been fed with. From diet to unhealthy habits and even lackadaisical approach to healthy routines, this unhealthiness gets bigger and for sure affect several organs of the body thereafter.

The most necessary healthy routines are exercising, healthy dieting and constant body examination by a medical doctor.

It’s not a crime to be old but we can live a graceful old age with no sickness but with good health. We do pray about this often but we need to take our health in our hands.

Read more on www.livelifeng.com[http://www.livelifeng.com/what-i-tell-my-mom-at-54][/http://www.livelifeng.com/what-i-tell-my-mom-at-54]

Couldnt paste the image here . But click on any of the links to read it

http://www.livelifeng.com/emotional-words-from-nikki-minaj/
http://lindaikeji..com/2015/01/and-nicki-minaj-writes.html

Selma the movie which staged the unforgettable true story of the three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a risky campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The release date for the anticipated historical movie is today, January 9th, 2015 exactly ten days away from Martin Luther King’s day.

http://www.livelifeng.com/today-is-the-release-of-most-anticipated-historic-movie-selma-in-2015/

At first he seemed like the perfect guy, his sweet words, tenderness and both of you almost loved the same thing. He opens the door for you, he offers you coffee, his words are dead convincing that there is no better person on the face of the earth. After you gave in and become intimate for a while, you start seeing stuffs you never once imagined. It’s normal to act like a monkey so as to get one but the acting can not be forever. These are based on experience and so I wrote an article on it at livelifeng.com

He requested for sex just when you’ve started dating
He keeps telling you ladies die for him
He brags about how he is in charge of the women’s world (that one is a pure player)
He keeps telling you he doesn’t have problem with ladies
He is only interested in what you do that will fetch money not in your dreams
He thinks below you
He hardly says “I’m sorry”
Whenever you don’t turn in to his request, irrespective of your reason, he shuts you down for that day.
He doesn’t open up on how much he makes
He always shut you down when you don’t give him anything he asks
He only talks to you when he is in the mood
He has mood swing all the time (he can kill you some day)
He doesn’t want to pray with you
You only kiss when you are having sex not anytime outside
He doesn’t bother to meet any of your family or friends.
He still keeps pictures of his crushers or ex-girlfriends
He always prefers to roam with his friends than with you
He doesn’t listen to any thing you tell him including personal advice, he does things his own way.
He faces the wall after he’s done having sex with you
He is lazy and dirty contrary to the personalty he first potrayed
None of your pictures are on his phone
He is too demanding
He hardly commends you
He commends other girls in your presence even girls on the television
He ignores you during discussions in the presence of others
The only two languages he knows is ‘sex’ and ‘money’
He is so parasitic
He finds it stressful for both of you to sit and talk
He is full of frivolities and does not take anything important
It’s difficult for both of you to understand each other
He lies for his friends
He tells you to lie to your parents for most things

Excerpt from http://www.livelifeng.com/early-signs-that-a-guy-is-not-the-one-for-you/