Eid has always been a celebration I look forward to. It’s always fulfilling to have families and friends fill the house, eating, drinking, and reminiscing on old times giving thanks to God for his protection.

However, this year’s Eid, which I have tagged the sober Eid is one that reminds me how alone we are in this world no matter the number of friends, family, or acquaintances we gather during our lifetime on earth, it still remains a LONE TRAVEL.

Although, I’m intentionally stuck in Ibadan due to the Corona Virus pandemic. I can’t host family nor friends and even the moon-sighting decided to respect social distancing by delaying its appearance. So, who am I not to practice the social distancing rule? Well, that’s on a lighter note.

The world is still battling a ferocious enemy that has killed hundreds of thousands of people, infected more than five million, and devastated the global economy in a way the world has never seen. The coronavirus crisis is unprecedented in scale and impact. And the painful truth is that we have yet to get a credible scientific study on when this vicious virus will be beaten, or when its spread will decline.

I’ve also reflected so much more on death and the fragility of life as I reflect on those who have recently passed away. I lost two of my family members – Alhaja Adijat Lawal and, Prof. Lasun Emiola during this lockdown. Death is the ultimate reminder, and we should reflect deeply on death to center life’s purpose.  God takes those we love away as a reminder to us to live in this life/world as if we are passing by.

Well, my point is we are born alone and we will report to our Maker on that day alone. Be accountable for your life and actions and avoid being a people pleaser. Be responsible for your happiness, so far you do not sink another’s boat because at the end, IT’S YOU ALONE!

Missing the Eid customs this year is a small price to pay to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and the society safe. Despite the temptation, I will be staying home. The spirit of the Eid comes from our willingness to share its joy with our families and friends. Let’s share the happiness with the poor and the needy. That is the real spirit of the Eid!

A Breath of Fresh Air – As contradicting as it sounds, the pictures above prove that you do not judge a book by its cover.

My mini time with these young and vibrant nomadic farm boys was truly a moment of peace, laughter and pure happiness. I know what comes to mind when you see this picture (some people might even tell me to watch my pockets) but it’s a total opposite because in these young men, I find people who take their nomadic farm work diligently, people who care for their animals like they are humans, leaders who tend to their flock and would anything to make sure they are safe.

Sometimes, we misinterpreted the love and loyalty they profess to their flock that we tag them “nomadic freaks” meanwhile they are really no different from “fanatics” who also worship their pastors and Imams rather than the message in the religion.

Anyways, we are not here to argue who is good or bad but to appreciate one another and respect our differences. These men are open to learning and get really excited to learn new things and meet new people. All they really do care about is peace for them and their flocks. A good number of them are almost totally harmless and are children at heart.

Let’s share love rather than hate and stereotype. ♥️

Chronicles of one of my numerous visits. This time, it was to the beautiful town of Igbeti, located in the Northern part of Oyo state noted for its richness in mineral resources especially marbles. Unfortunately, these resources are not well tapped /undermined. However, I had a great time in the company of one of the sons of the soil, Honourable Abiodun Oni, the Chairman, Oyo State Mineral Development Agency who wasted no time in exploring and admiring the large deposit of the precious stones found beneath the land surface in Igbeti. 

It was a state of awe for me as I found out there were lots of unscripted and under-recognized nature gifts in Oyo State using Igbeti (Marble City) as a reference. And often times, other developed countries streamline us to “the ones blessed with oil” meanwhile there are almost endless list of rocks, minerals, and gems available everywhere.

The amazing fun facts surrounding these rocks are that geologists look at a rock in detail, understand how it formed and what it is made from to give the rock a name just synonymous with how parents name their children to conditions and situations around their birth. Nature is really beautiful.

By knowing how a rock formed, some of us can tell a lot about the environment, the tectonic process, the history and the relationship of rock to other rocks in the area.

We are a land blessed with a lot of natural resources and we should be interested in developing and harnessing these numerous nature gifts before someone else does. I advise you to start with your immediate environment and expand your horizon through visiting places in Nigeria. It doesn’t have to be the other way round all the time if you know what I mean 😊

Random thoughts…

In my life, it has unconsciously turned into a routine that most of my mornings start with randomly thinking of how I can live a happier life, do more fulfilling work, make an impact, etc, that I start talking to people about it.

Most times, we get so engulfed in navigating through challenges, struggles, meeting up deadlines, getting to work in time, disappointments and setbacks, that we fail to ask ourselves the most important questions that have the power to unlock so much fulfillment, joy, and peace in our lives, if we only take a minute to answer them.

Today, let’s take a break from our challenges, all our striving, working and committing and answer this simple (but not easy) question:

In a few words, what do you long for the most in your life today?

When I was a kid growing up in Ibadan, any time I left the house, my father said the same thing, “Remember you’re IYIOLA.” His meaning was clear. “As you go, so goes our family’s reputation. Guard it!”

Any time I stepped out through the door to school, to a friend’s house, or even Amala joint, that one sentence would remind me that my father expects me to remember who I am – and whose I am – and to act accordingly. To remember that everything I did, every decision I made, every word I uttered was a reflection of him, my mother, and the rest of the family. For me, it was a point well taken.

More than once in my adult life, when I was tempted to do something reckless (and worry about the consequences later), I’d hear my daddy’s words, “Remember you’re IYIOLA.” It was like having him there, looking over my shoulder, not waiting to reprimand me if I made the wrong choice, but expecting to be proud of me when I made the right one.

These days, as I walk out into the world to go to work, go to the grocery store, to volunteer at community events, or to head somewhere else, I need to remember that the things I say and do, the decisions I make, and the words I utter represent or harmonize with what my father would have liked or wanted. Pretty big responsibility, abi?

Though I lost my dad 26 years ago, I still love my dad even in death. I had a great time with him. But make no mistake, I had a proper respect for (Dad didn’t bring us up to fear him but to respect him) him when I needed to. He gave me a good start in life; the values that have driven me, and the confidence to believe in myself. At my age now (don’t ask me… lol), with two active and adorable kids of my own, I still need a dad I can both love and respect as much as I ever have.

Now, I have the privilege to have my mum living with me… She prays for me every morning and every evening as most Yoruba mothers would do. They are all Iya Aladuras… lol. She eulogizes me, chanting my family panegyrics (ORIKI) every morning and that always gets my head to swell. May God keep my mama safe, alive and healthier for me (Amin).

The crux of this epistle? Parents gave you life. No matter what has happened between you and your parents, you have to appreciate them. Show that you love them and spend more time with them while you still have this chance. Ask yourself: Do you appreciate your parents? What do you do to show them your love and appreciation? Tell your parents about your job and relationship. Share your happiness with them and ask something you can’t understand as they are more experienced and maybe they can help you where you don`t know what to do.

So, let’s make a prayer that God blesses all parents, past and present with Paradise, because no one deserves it more than they do. May God grant us the patience to deal patiently with them in their old age as they dealt patiently with us when we were small and young. May God always bless them and reward them for loving and protecting us (Amin).

Thank you for reading my epistle…

September 2nd: Labor Day in America…

I’ve been working hard all year. Through the bitter cold of winter and the blistering heat of summer, I’ve kept my nose to the grindstone and my eye on the prize.

I certainly believe, as many others do, that hard work and luck go hand-in-hand. But most of all, I’m a believer in working smarter, not harder. We must put our energies to good use and use our time efficiently.

Whatever your work style, now it’s time to take a rest too… a few days off won’t hurt. Your work will still be there when you get back. Take a breather. Give yourself a pat on the back for all you’ve accomplished. Go on vacation, travel, eat plenty of Amala and orisirisi…You’ve earned it!

Ending my ejo wewe with this beautiful quote; “I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.” – John D. Rockefeller

It is true that when you travel abroad, you tend to pray less as a Nigerian. Well, the reason for this is not farfetched as the chief cause of our lengthy prayer points and aggressive rendition of holy Quran and Bible verses, reminding God of the “promise He made to the Arabs and the Isrealites” is infrastructural decay caused also by stark inefficiencies of our leaders. Nigeria as a country is obviously besetted by demons of irreversible backwardness, though the Nigerian demons are not spirits; they are corrupt men and women at the helms who keep mismanaging and looting our commonwealth to satisfy their inordinate desires for personal wealth.

Yesterday, I left Ibadan at 9am, driving through Ibadan-Lagos expressway to Lekki Phase 1 (a distance of 100km) and I didn’t arrive at my destination until 2pm. That’s a whole 5hours wasted on a journey that should have lasted an hour or thereabouts! I kept praying and giving alms (money) to the beggars so that my prayers could be answered quickly. What a way to survive iniquity in my country!

I left Lekki at 5pm to go catch my evening flight to US and I arrived at the airport at 8:26pm. A journey of a distance of about 30km that shouldn’t have taken more than 40 minutes, I ended up spending 3:28 hours! It’s pointless to recount here the energy-sapping stress occasioned by avoidable artificial traffic jams I underwent. I arrived at the airport when the airline check-in-counter was almost closing. Again, I was praying the whole time to the airport because I could not afford to miss my flight because my ticket class is ‘no show, no refund’; 😜 you would have to buy a new ticket, kind of. It was the cheapest I could afford. Lol! I nearly missed my flight.

Arriving at Houston, I drove about 78 miles home without any traffic hold-up or snail’s speed movement. It would blow your minds to learn that there are four different routes to take home and each of the roads has a minimum of four lanes unlike the only one route I took from Ibadan to Lekki and Lekki to the airport!

After arriving home safely, I drove another 1 hour on the road, with no potholes, to get to this beautiful beach to chill out with my family. It’s not an exaggeration to say that living in advanced countries is tantamount to living in mini-paradise. You will discover the true meaning of living and quality of life there!

It is good to take all of your issues to God in prayers. However, it is also good that we question structural and infrastructural inadequacies that continue to hinder the manifestations of our testimonies. We bother God too much in Africa over conditions that we have been mentally empowered by the same God to be able to take care of. Many of the circumstances we pray over can be helped by our sincerity of purpose backed by intellectual and creative abilities to do things right.

May Nigeria succeed!

The New Year…the 1st working Monday!

There is every reason to be happy and excited about the new year! It’s a new phase, people mark strong beginnings and record great achievements in the new year. But it’s never a reason to choke yourself with millions of new year resolutions which you might never achieve.

Life is in stages. It’s only safe to pick up one or two goals, kickstart them and believe in the process. Bad behaviours and lifestyle were not adopted in a twinkle of an eye, it was a process and should be stopped through a process too. Also choose better friends, so you won’t end up in the bandwagon of “cutting people off every year”.

The new year is a time to evaluate one’s strength and weaknesses and make personal improvements in private without the hypocrisy on the internet.

New is the year, new are the hopes, new is the resolution, new are the spirits, and new are my warm wishes just for you.

May this year bring new happiness, newgoals, new achievements and a lot of newinspirations on your life. Wishing you a yearfully loaded with happiness, success and prosperity. May God give thee whatsoever thou art setting thy heart upon, and accomplish all thy desires!

And on the lighter note…Enjoy all the AMALA moments…?