Courtesy of my brother, I’ve always had this Sarah McLachlan’s “Fallen” on my laptop. I have always liked the song but unlike my usual self, I never did listen to the words until Ikechi Oguike updated the words on her twitter profile and I listened to it on my phone and it moved me to tears.
“Heaven beg to take my hand lead me through the fire
Lead me through the fire with a long awaited answer
To a long and painful fight, truth be told I tried my best
But somewhere along the way I got caught up in all the world’s to offer
And it’s cost me so much more than I could bear
Though I’ve tried, fallen, I have sunk so low
I’ve messed uo better than I should know
So don’t come around here telling me I told you so”
That’s the first verse and the chorus.
As a child I’d always been a voracious reader, it was a passion my immediate younger brother and I shared. We’d read everything that came across our way from newspapers to novels and the like.
I have always been a Christian; I always knew that I had to also live my faith in addition to believing it but as time went on and I grew older I discovered it is easier to talk the faith than to live it. I discovered it’s easier to say I love God than to love that person that hurt me, I discovered that it is easier to quote the part of the Bible that says “love your neighbor as yourself” than to give my next door neighbor some food to eat when they have none to eat. I discovered it is easier to point out the speck in someone’s eyes than to remove the very big log in ours. I hope I do not sound preachy but I’m trying to say exactly what I feel right now.
As a child, we had this house help and when she came to Lagos, she really did not have enough clothes to wear and one day we were going out as a family and my mum asked her to wear one of my dresses and when I saw her in it, I threw a fit, I started crying because I did not want her to wear my clothes and she had to wear one of my mother’s. As I think back to that day, I am ashamed of my action and I hope she has forgiven me if she still remembers it. I really cannot remember how old I was then but being a child doesn’t excuse the fact that what I did was wrong. You see why we should never judge our fellow humans? You really never know do you?
So as I kept listening to the track that was on repeat mode, these lines just stuck and would not go away “though I’ve tried fallen, I’ve sunk so low, I ‘ve messed up better I should know…” and you know what came to my mind? The many times I looked into the mirror and could not recognize myself because I sinned, because I did what I wasn’t supposed to do, because I took God for granted, because I did not let him handle a situation because I felt I could do it on my own, because I can count the many times I messed up, the times I got caught up in what the world could offer and of course paid more than I could bear. And you know what? He kept loving me through it all; he kept giving me His grace to pull through somehow; even with how many times I rejected him, he was there patiently waiting for me to come back home. I don’t know about you but it humbles me from time to time. The singer isn’t even a gospel singer but her song touched chords deep in my soul that I can’t begin to explain.
I could console myself that I am human but I also know that some things can be avoided and temptation will always come. How can our faith be tested if we are not tempted? It is okay to fall into temptation for we aint super humans but after falling what next? Ever wonder why God was so taken with David? Even after he killed and committed adultery? A remorseful and repentant heart is what God wants. He doesn’t care if you go to church on Sundays to “show” yourself, he cares about what happens in your life in between Sundays because it is those days that matter the most. It is not being nice in church that counts because you feel a sense of God there but being nice on Monday at work, on Tuesday at school, on Wednesday to your family, on Thursday to that guy that needs your forgiveness, on Friday to your boss that has made life a living hell for you, on Saturday to that still small voice in your head that says “don’t” and then on Sunday again. I don’t know what your vice is, neither do I know what your struggle is but one thing I do know is that God uses struggle, pain and even tears to build character. After all, He never did promise a smooth sail but he did say he’ll always be there.
Nobody is perfect because if we were, I don’t think we’d be here on earth really. Recently someone posted something on facebook praying that “2012” remains nothing but a movie but what if it isn’t? What if the world does end even before you finish reading this? Most times, we don’t want to think about it, we like to think about here and now and not the life after and say God forbid each time the topic of death is brought up but people are dying all around us everyday what with the increased man-made and natural disasters world over. In a world that that is so ruled by pleasure and the “me” factor, it is even difficult to hear your very own voice, how much more the still small voice? But those that want to hear will hear even with all the noise in our world.
Remember that your salvation is a personal journey and I don’t know if you believe in Heaven and Hell but one thing I’m sure is that if there is, I don’t want to be left out.
Life on earth is transient.
“though I’ve tried, fallen, I have sunk so low, I’ve messed up …”
Funny what a well written song does to the soul.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The Dating Game
If you are a lady and you haven't read the rule book, I must say that you are missing out. If I read it earlier in my life, I'm sure I wouldn't have made some mistakes I've made in the past. I won't include the name of the author because guys are not supposed to ever lay eyes on it but google has made it so much easier @ d click of a button. The book closest to the rule book and from a Christian perspective is "Secrets of an Irresistible Woman" by Michelle Mckinney Hammond. It is a must read for every Christian woman - my opinion. You may be asking 'Chichi, what is your point?'
My point is I met a TDH guy recently. If you don't know d meaning of TDH, I won't help you. Back to my story. I was @ a recording recently and there he was and somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind, I knew he was gonna spell drama but yours sincerely lives for drama don't I? But as a 'rules' girl I knew better than to talk to him first. Some will call it forming but it isn't. If a guy knows what he wants he should go for it and not the other way round. Forget the 21st century crap about a woman taking the bold step. Only works well in d movies or some really mature guy. Eeerm, I've derailed again haven't I? So where was I? So he came over and we made small talk. Talked about high school, college and post college days, turns out he's a good talker and we connected. While we were talking, my mind was already working like a clock...ladies, you know what it is like when we meet a guy we like, so I was already ahead of myself looking into the big picture. If you have a mother like my mum who constantly breathes down my neck about bringing a guy home, you'll understand and although I know she'll frown if I bring home a yoruba guy but I was past caring cos really, if he matches me spiritually, emotionally and mentally, why would tribe be a deterring factor? So after the recording he dropped me off @ home and gave me butterflies with the way his eyes stared after me.
Okay, he did meet all the physical requirements and I discovered I could talk 2 him (very important factor for me) and before my heart started spiralling out of control I knew I had to apply the rule book. On our 'first date', he asked me to come meet him @ some bar not far from my house but we know the first rule of dating is never to show up on early on the first date. I made up stuff about how tied up I was somewhere and all, suffice to say that bi showed up LATE. He made a face but I apologised as sweetly as I coukd and it was forgotten. We talked some more and I had undiluted fun. There's nothing like having a TDH guy give you his undidvided attention. The night was full of laughter and chemistry and deep down I was hoping that he would be the one. While he passed the first part of the rules/test, he did not pass the most important one for me. Or maybe I was in a hurry but when a guy kisses or tries to kiss you withoutlaying his cards on the table, you have to be careful. 'What do you want from me?' I asked and he said "I want us to be friends and some". That could mean a whole lot of things which in my dictionary means 'I want to play' and in the end I had to choose. I mean I'm not some 22 year old who could still decide to test the waters. I am looking to settle down in the nearest future and he wasn't speaking the language I wanted to hear. Then he stops buzzing me as frequently and in order not to lose my sanity I delist him from my bb just so I don't start doing the chasing. I know what you're thinking "but you could still be friends". Well, I'm not ready to be friends with him yet. I mean with all the chemistry and bonding we share, I just can't toss them or ignore them and be friends. When I'm ready to be friends I'll add him and then we can chat like nothing happened but I'm just not ready for that. For now I choose to let sleeping dogs lie.
Ladies usually apply the rules unconsciously to guys they don't send when in actual fact it should be applied to those we really like and want to have a future with. In order to know how much a guy values you, you have to pull back sometimes and see if he'll come after you. I wish TDH will show up on my doorstep and apologise and tell me how much he's missed me and how he aint sure about the future but is willing to take a bold step with me by his side. But that only happens in the movies doesn't it? I won't say its been easy but I'd rather hurt now than wait until he's decided he's played enough with me and wants to get serious with someone else. Some may not understand when I say I miss him... It's been a while I've felt like this about a guy besides I'm human and I have blood flowing through my veins.
My point is I met a TDH guy recently. If you don't know d meaning of TDH, I won't help you. Back to my story. I was @ a recording recently and there he was and somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind, I knew he was gonna spell drama but yours sincerely lives for drama don't I? But as a 'rules' girl I knew better than to talk to him first. Some will call it forming but it isn't. If a guy knows what he wants he should go for it and not the other way round. Forget the 21st century crap about a woman taking the bold step. Only works well in d movies or some really mature guy. Eeerm, I've derailed again haven't I? So where was I? So he came over and we made small talk. Talked about high school, college and post college days, turns out he's a good talker and we connected. While we were talking, my mind was already working like a clock...ladies, you know what it is like when we meet a guy we like, so I was already ahead of myself looking into the big picture. If you have a mother like my mum who constantly breathes down my neck about bringing a guy home, you'll understand and although I know she'll frown if I bring home a yoruba guy but I was past caring cos really, if he matches me spiritually, emotionally and mentally, why would tribe be a deterring factor? So after the recording he dropped me off @ home and gave me butterflies with the way his eyes stared after me.
Okay, he did meet all the physical requirements and I discovered I could talk 2 him (very important factor for me) and before my heart started spiralling out of control I knew I had to apply the rule book. On our 'first date', he asked me to come meet him @ some bar not far from my house but we know the first rule of dating is never to show up on early on the first date. I made up stuff about how tied up I was somewhere and all, suffice to say that bi showed up LATE. He made a face but I apologised as sweetly as I coukd and it was forgotten. We talked some more and I had undiluted fun. There's nothing like having a TDH guy give you his undidvided attention. The night was full of laughter and chemistry and deep down I was hoping that he would be the one. While he passed the first part of the rules/test, he did not pass the most important one for me. Or maybe I was in a hurry but when a guy kisses or tries to kiss you withoutlaying his cards on the table, you have to be careful. 'What do you want from me?' I asked and he said "I want us to be friends and some". That could mean a whole lot of things which in my dictionary means 'I want to play' and in the end I had to choose. I mean I'm not some 22 year old who could still decide to test the waters. I am looking to settle down in the nearest future and he wasn't speaking the language I wanted to hear. Then he stops buzzing me as frequently and in order not to lose my sanity I delist him from my bb just so I don't start doing the chasing. I know what you're thinking "but you could still be friends". Well, I'm not ready to be friends with him yet. I mean with all the chemistry and bonding we share, I just can't toss them or ignore them and be friends. When I'm ready to be friends I'll add him and then we can chat like nothing happened but I'm just not ready for that. For now I choose to let sleeping dogs lie.
Ladies usually apply the rules unconsciously to guys they don't send when in actual fact it should be applied to those we really like and want to have a future with. In order to know how much a guy values you, you have to pull back sometimes and see if he'll come after you. I wish TDH will show up on my doorstep and apologise and tell me how much he's missed me and how he aint sure about the future but is willing to take a bold step with me by his side. But that only happens in the movies doesn't it? I won't say its been easy but I'd rather hurt now than wait until he's decided he's played enough with me and wants to get serious with someone else. Some may not understand when I say I miss him... It's been a while I've felt like this about a guy besides I'm human and I have blood flowing through my veins.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Customer Service at its best
By now I’m quite sure that you are tired of hearing my mantra “I hate banking”. But after my failed attempt at MBGN, I’ve decided to make do with being a “Zenbie” and not complain about it. I’ve decided to continue to put in my best just because of God really cos if I wanted to be selfish, I would probably just give as much or as little as I’m being paid because come to think of it, to whom much is given much is expected right? If I did not have God in my life…
Hmmn! Where do I start? Don’t get me wrong the banking profession is not so bad, that is, if u love it and don’t mind the terminally long hours and all but it took me to get there to realize that it aint for me but enough of that already.
There are good days though. Trust me, like the day D’banj came in, Stephanie Okereke is like pure water in the branch and she usually shows up with this guy she’s dating (no names as I cannot afford a lawsuit…lol). Thank God for democracy. At that customer service desk, I have met people from Djinee to Olisah to Julius Agwu to Orits Wiliki (remember him?) to some other top shot men and women in the society whose names I cannot remember. Then there are days we get tipped and it is at that desk that I discovered that there are tips and there are tips. One customer has paid my salary at that desk as a tip, in fact, he spent like four hundred thousand bucks on just tips that day and all I and my colleagues could do was stare speechlessly. Yes there are days like that but they don’t come every day.
Then there are the men – married, single and all sorts. The funny part is the really old married men, calling your phone at night telling you that you could reach them at any time. I mean what could I possibly want with my dad’s mate? Attention? Money? What? Then there are the cute married ones, they have money, are rarely in town and know how to play the game and it takes the grace of God to resist them after all, “body no be wood”. Some of them have consciences and actually start with lines like “I’m a responsible man, I’ve never done this before, but I like you and have been trying to ignore it but it’s choking me” and if you are not careful, you could be lured by the lines and tell yourself “he is a good man” . then there are the men that see all female bankers as whores and would go from girl to girl trying to see where they can score and then there are the single ones who sometimes you pray notices you and for some others you just ignore their advances. In all, you must never be rude or condescending because you really don’t know who is who and before you know it, someone could be reporting you to one AGM or DM or ED and the rest will be history.
Then there are those customers who expect you to do everything for them, some will not even read before they append their signature and it makes one wonder how careless customers could be with their funds. Then there are those who you would go out of your way to please not because they have tipped you but because they are just pleasant people.
In my life’s journey, I have worked in three organizations and the most hostile place is the bank and I really do not know why. Maybe you could explain it to me because I’m yet to understand why. A senior colleague just picks on you for no apparent reason and it gets so bad that while you’re thinking of meeting whatever crazy target you’ve been given, you’re trying to deliver excellent customer service and then you are trying so hard not to step on your senior colleagues toes. That is without the hassles of my personal life which are countless. It’s crazy and sometimes I just want to scream but i no fit at least not within the office premises.
Sometimes I wonder how those in top management positions withstood all the antagonism and rose to the top and how they met their target because God knows I don’t want to get to top management level in the banking industry. They say there is money in the banking industry but I am yet to see it so or maybe it is until I get to a certain level. Some of my friends ask “do you think other places are any easier?” I know every environment has its peculiarity but what makes the difference is if you are passionate about it.
I’m not ungrateful that I have a job because trust me, I am able to help around the house, , send recharge cards to my brothers once in a while and basically take care of myself but I also know that I am bored and need to be mentally challenged. Or do all jobs become routine eventually and lose the ability to challenge the individual? But I have made up my mind to see it as a learning period, gold is not made beautiful until it goes through some serious heating right? That’s the attitude I’ve chosen to adopt and so should you if you are in the same position.
Hmmn! Where do I start? Don’t get me wrong the banking profession is not so bad, that is, if u love it and don’t mind the terminally long hours and all but it took me to get there to realize that it aint for me but enough of that already.
There are good days though. Trust me, like the day D’banj came in, Stephanie Okereke is like pure water in the branch and she usually shows up with this guy she’s dating (no names as I cannot afford a lawsuit…lol). Thank God for democracy. At that customer service desk, I have met people from Djinee to Olisah to Julius Agwu to Orits Wiliki (remember him?) to some other top shot men and women in the society whose names I cannot remember. Then there are days we get tipped and it is at that desk that I discovered that there are tips and there are tips. One customer has paid my salary at that desk as a tip, in fact, he spent like four hundred thousand bucks on just tips that day and all I and my colleagues could do was stare speechlessly. Yes there are days like that but they don’t come every day.
Then there are the men – married, single and all sorts. The funny part is the really old married men, calling your phone at night telling you that you could reach them at any time. I mean what could I possibly want with my dad’s mate? Attention? Money? What? Then there are the cute married ones, they have money, are rarely in town and know how to play the game and it takes the grace of God to resist them after all, “body no be wood”. Some of them have consciences and actually start with lines like “I’m a responsible man, I’ve never done this before, but I like you and have been trying to ignore it but it’s choking me” and if you are not careful, you could be lured by the lines and tell yourself “he is a good man” . then there are the men that see all female bankers as whores and would go from girl to girl trying to see where they can score and then there are the single ones who sometimes you pray notices you and for some others you just ignore their advances. In all, you must never be rude or condescending because you really don’t know who is who and before you know it, someone could be reporting you to one AGM or DM or ED and the rest will be history.
Then there are those customers who expect you to do everything for them, some will not even read before they append their signature and it makes one wonder how careless customers could be with their funds. Then there are those who you would go out of your way to please not because they have tipped you but because they are just pleasant people.
In my life’s journey, I have worked in three organizations and the most hostile place is the bank and I really do not know why. Maybe you could explain it to me because I’m yet to understand why. A senior colleague just picks on you for no apparent reason and it gets so bad that while you’re thinking of meeting whatever crazy target you’ve been given, you’re trying to deliver excellent customer service and then you are trying so hard not to step on your senior colleagues toes. That is without the hassles of my personal life which are countless. It’s crazy and sometimes I just want to scream but i no fit at least not within the office premises.
Sometimes I wonder how those in top management positions withstood all the antagonism and rose to the top and how they met their target because God knows I don’t want to get to top management level in the banking industry. They say there is money in the banking industry but I am yet to see it so or maybe it is until I get to a certain level. Some of my friends ask “do you think other places are any easier?” I know every environment has its peculiarity but what makes the difference is if you are passionate about it.
I’m not ungrateful that I have a job because trust me, I am able to help around the house, , send recharge cards to my brothers once in a while and basically take care of myself but I also know that I am bored and need to be mentally challenged. Or do all jobs become routine eventually and lose the ability to challenge the individual? But I have made up my mind to see it as a learning period, gold is not made beautiful until it goes through some serious heating right? That’s the attitude I’ve chosen to adopt and so should you if you are in the same position.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
My Hometown
The red earth on which we tread
The untarred roads which we ply
The women riding bicycles and motorcycles
The market women selling “ugba” , “oka”and “ube”
The young ladies in their long skirts and scarves at mass on Sunday
The catechism that is taught in igbo
The constant hisses when a young lady is sighted wearing a pair of jeans
The clean breeze in the villages
The fresh water by the riverside
The rowdiness at upper iweka
The incessant kidnaps of any well fed person
The fear in going home for Christmas that was once upon a time the highlight of the year
The continuous political upheaval
From Ngige to Andy Uba to Peter Obi to Soludo?
Who next? Maybe me
My Anambra! My hometown!
Light of the Nation!
What a contrast!
The untarred roads which we ply
The women riding bicycles and motorcycles
The market women selling “ugba” , “oka”and “ube”
The young ladies in their long skirts and scarves at mass on Sunday
The catechism that is taught in igbo
The constant hisses when a young lady is sighted wearing a pair of jeans
The clean breeze in the villages
The fresh water by the riverside
The rowdiness at upper iweka
The incessant kidnaps of any well fed person
The fear in going home for Christmas that was once upon a time the highlight of the year
The continuous political upheaval
From Ngige to Andy Uba to Peter Obi to Soludo?
Who next? Maybe me
My Anambra! My hometown!
Light of the Nation!
What a contrast!
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Day I Met Him
It started like any other day only that it was a different day. Ash Wednesday! Naturally, I woke up earlier than normal just to meet up with the mass and proceed to work. After listening to the Priest talk about abstinence, prayer and fasting, I made a mental note of things to abstain from.
On getting to work with the ash on my forehead, business was as usual; it was quite slow and I was so hungry but tried to hold myself to wait until at least 12noon; I mean it was the least I could do on Ash Wednesday.
When it was some minutes past 12noon, I went to feed my hunger at the staff canteen. Upon leaving and entering into the office, I saw his back view and I asked one of our security men “Baba is that him?” Baba responded in the affirmative but I doubted because I felt Baba, who is quite elderly wouldn’t know him and since I was going back to the banking I figured I would see for myself. It was him alright, the multiple award winning Kokomaster sitting right in front of my desk and I said to him “Dbanj, I want an autograph” and he said no problem. Immediately I got on the intercom to tell my “back office” colleagues that Dbanj was indeed in the branch. For some reason he would not just stop fiddling with his blackberry and then it hit me that he is a shy person. He kept on fiddling with his blackberry and according to a senior colleague; my unit head who is a celebrity wife herself (Dan Foster’s wife), he just kept scrolling up and down his piece.
My colleagues came out and greeted him with “File”, “O…..se” and all his normal diatribes and of course we took pictures individually with him. When it was my turn to take a picture with him, my colleagues chose that time to say “chichi, we’re in lent” but I ignored them. It was Kevwe’s birthday that day and after getting two pecks and a hug from him as a birthday treat, she asked him to sing for her but Dbanj aka Kokomaster was too shy to sing in the banking hall. I do not have the liver for that kind of request besides, it wasn’t my birthday but I prolly wouldn’t have minded the peck… ohh baby!!! He had his signature shades on, a nice t-shirt, a pair of jeans and a very nice pair of shoes which I missed but my other observant colleagues took note of. I mean the last thing on my mind at the time were his shoes. He came in with some guy who came for a transaction and thankfully it wasn’t the usual Zenith 5 minutes transaction, this particular transaction took a while and he was sitting right in front of me. I was in Heaven on Ash Wednesday. His friend was also warm, funny and friendly but it is Dbanj we see on television right?
Because of the warm reception he received, he did loosen up and we got talking; not about his music or anything bordering on his career, but just making interesting funny conversation. By Jove! I was so excited and I had quite a laugh. At some point, he said something funny and for a second, I forgot where I was and hit him on the shoulder. Immediately I pinched myself as a reminder that at that point in time he was a customer and I was still in the office environment. It ain’t like I haven’t seen a celebrity before but Dbanj? Apart from on stage, I’d never been “up close and personal”. Did I mention that he has a hot body? Yes he does. Trim, taut and exactly what we saw in “suddenly” video. Hey! Before your imagination starts running wild, I took a picture with him and held him and my fingers know when they touch a great body trust me. Banking sure has its good days.
I must confess that I was over the moon with excitement and thankfully my Branch Head wasn’t in the office so I could let loose but even if she was, I’m sure that even she would have understood. I mean it isn’t everyday that Dbanj makes an appearance now is it. Even my colleagues that were outside the branch kept calling in to ask “is it true that Dbanj is in the branch?” one of them insisted she wanted to speak with him via the telephone and being the obliging person he is, he acquiesced.
I sincerely hope I have not left any detail out. He did call me a fine “kokolet” and he used terms like “babylet” and “mamalet”. I must say that apart from the shyness about him, he is down to earth and funny, he is not a “former” if you know what I mean and from what I saw, he is quite humble.
Trust that I have been telling everyone who cares to listen about the day I met him and I must say that it’s the most fun day in my life this year. After that is the day I saw “Valentine’s Day”.
Oh yes and he did tip me some…if you want to know how much, inbox or call me.
And no he did not call me later. But the fact that I was opportune to talk with him is enough for me.
On getting to work with the ash on my forehead, business was as usual; it was quite slow and I was so hungry but tried to hold myself to wait until at least 12noon; I mean it was the least I could do on Ash Wednesday.
When it was some minutes past 12noon, I went to feed my hunger at the staff canteen. Upon leaving and entering into the office, I saw his back view and I asked one of our security men “Baba is that him?” Baba responded in the affirmative but I doubted because I felt Baba, who is quite elderly wouldn’t know him and since I was going back to the banking I figured I would see for myself. It was him alright, the multiple award winning Kokomaster sitting right in front of my desk and I said to him “Dbanj, I want an autograph” and he said no problem. Immediately I got on the intercom to tell my “back office” colleagues that Dbanj was indeed in the branch. For some reason he would not just stop fiddling with his blackberry and then it hit me that he is a shy person. He kept on fiddling with his blackberry and according to a senior colleague; my unit head who is a celebrity wife herself (Dan Foster’s wife), he just kept scrolling up and down his piece.
My colleagues came out and greeted him with “File”, “O…..se” and all his normal diatribes and of course we took pictures individually with him. When it was my turn to take a picture with him, my colleagues chose that time to say “chichi, we’re in lent” but I ignored them. It was Kevwe’s birthday that day and after getting two pecks and a hug from him as a birthday treat, she asked him to sing for her but Dbanj aka Kokomaster was too shy to sing in the banking hall. I do not have the liver for that kind of request besides, it wasn’t my birthday but I prolly wouldn’t have minded the peck… ohh baby!!! He had his signature shades on, a nice t-shirt, a pair of jeans and a very nice pair of shoes which I missed but my other observant colleagues took note of. I mean the last thing on my mind at the time were his shoes. He came in with some guy who came for a transaction and thankfully it wasn’t the usual Zenith 5 minutes transaction, this particular transaction took a while and he was sitting right in front of me. I was in Heaven on Ash Wednesday. His friend was also warm, funny and friendly but it is Dbanj we see on television right?
Because of the warm reception he received, he did loosen up and we got talking; not about his music or anything bordering on his career, but just making interesting funny conversation. By Jove! I was so excited and I had quite a laugh. At some point, he said something funny and for a second, I forgot where I was and hit him on the shoulder. Immediately I pinched myself as a reminder that at that point in time he was a customer and I was still in the office environment. It ain’t like I haven’t seen a celebrity before but Dbanj? Apart from on stage, I’d never been “up close and personal”. Did I mention that he has a hot body? Yes he does. Trim, taut and exactly what we saw in “suddenly” video. Hey! Before your imagination starts running wild, I took a picture with him and held him and my fingers know when they touch a great body trust me. Banking sure has its good days.
I must confess that I was over the moon with excitement and thankfully my Branch Head wasn’t in the office so I could let loose but even if she was, I’m sure that even she would have understood. I mean it isn’t everyday that Dbanj makes an appearance now is it. Even my colleagues that were outside the branch kept calling in to ask “is it true that Dbanj is in the branch?” one of them insisted she wanted to speak with him via the telephone and being the obliging person he is, he acquiesced.
I sincerely hope I have not left any detail out. He did call me a fine “kokolet” and he used terms like “babylet” and “mamalet”. I must say that apart from the shyness about him, he is down to earth and funny, he is not a “former” if you know what I mean and from what I saw, he is quite humble.
Trust that I have been telling everyone who cares to listen about the day I met him and I must say that it’s the most fun day in my life this year. After that is the day I saw “Valentine’s Day”.
Oh yes and he did tip me some…if you want to know how much, inbox or call me.
And no he did not call me later. But the fact that I was opportune to talk with him is enough for me.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
A Man Died ...or Almost
The day of reckoning finally came for me today but little did I know that it would also be a day of reckoning for a man I have never met in my entire life. Or maybe I have met him somewhere, someplace before but his face did not register because he is one of the many faces I come across on the busy streets of Lagos. A man that set out today to earn a living but whose life would be changed forever. It is crazy how the little things we take for granted turn around and change our lives.
I left my house around 7:30am for my exam venue somewhere in Ikeja. Naturally I hopped on a bike to take me to the bus stop without giving it a second thought. On getting to the bus stop I paid the bike guy and crossed to the other side of the road to board a bus. The bus was empty so I sat in front. I noticed an id card hanging and I compared it to the faces of both the driver and the conductor but there was no semblance so I assumed it was the id card of the bus owner who leased it to the driver and expecting to be settled at the end of the day depending on their arrangement. I sat back, got out my study pack and tried to glance through but my mind kept wandering to something I will talk about later which brought a smile to my face.
While I was still in Wonderland, I was jeered back to reality by a sudden clash of metal against metal. My bus took such a great hit that I exclaimed “Jesus!” Impulsively I got down from the bus as did other passengers to see what the fuss and clash was about. Lo and behold, there he was… a hausa bike rider in such a mangled position, his right leg was at a very odd angle and his bone was jutting out. And there he lay writhing in pain with his helmet still on his head which protected that area from any injury. the bike however, was bashed beyond repair. And for some strange reason, it occurred to me that I had not said a prayer this morning. Strange that I would think that right?
However protected his head was, it did not save the rest of his body and he was bleeding. Lagosians gathered and were standing there transfixed by the sights and I heard things like “thank God he had no passenger”; “where are they always rushing to?” “instead of looking, why not take him to the hospital?” to say that my blood ran cold would be an understatement as I was in shock but aware of the on goings in my environment. I wondered if he had a wife at home or somewhere up North, I wondered if he had kids, I wondered if he had aged parents or if he was just fending for himself and I also wondered if he could feel any pain but I had no answers. Cars kept passing with no one offering to take him to the hospital and I wondered what I would have done if I had a car and happened to pass by. Honestly, I had no answer to that either.
The guy was still bleeding and in a matter of minutes, a blue uniformed police officer got some young men to move him off the road to the curb. The accident victim’s mouth was moving but I’m not sure any words came out and that was when the tears came. I wondered if he could see the “light” that people that have seen death talk about, I wondered if his whole life flashed before him and I wondered why I was there at the exact time this accident happened, I mean I could have left my house earlier and not have boarded the bus or I could have been late too but as usual, I had no answers.
Eventually I got myself to move as I was running late for my exam and offered a prayer for his soul because I knew not if he would survive the ordeal. He could lose so much blood before a vehicle came. Since I had no idea where my venue was, I approached a bike guy who was at the scene and told him where I was going especially since my bus driver had since disappeared. I demanded a helmet and told him to drive slowly and he said “aunty, after what I just saw, I would be crazy not to take it easy”. I kept praying on the way that no accident would befall me. I got to the venue and while my mates were revising, I was writing my ordeal in my book.
I left my house around 7:30am for my exam venue somewhere in Ikeja. Naturally I hopped on a bike to take me to the bus stop without giving it a second thought. On getting to the bus stop I paid the bike guy and crossed to the other side of the road to board a bus. The bus was empty so I sat in front. I noticed an id card hanging and I compared it to the faces of both the driver and the conductor but there was no semblance so I assumed it was the id card of the bus owner who leased it to the driver and expecting to be settled at the end of the day depending on their arrangement. I sat back, got out my study pack and tried to glance through but my mind kept wandering to something I will talk about later which brought a smile to my face.
While I was still in Wonderland, I was jeered back to reality by a sudden clash of metal against metal. My bus took such a great hit that I exclaimed “Jesus!” Impulsively I got down from the bus as did other passengers to see what the fuss and clash was about. Lo and behold, there he was… a hausa bike rider in such a mangled position, his right leg was at a very odd angle and his bone was jutting out. And there he lay writhing in pain with his helmet still on his head which protected that area from any injury. the bike however, was bashed beyond repair. And for some strange reason, it occurred to me that I had not said a prayer this morning. Strange that I would think that right?
However protected his head was, it did not save the rest of his body and he was bleeding. Lagosians gathered and were standing there transfixed by the sights and I heard things like “thank God he had no passenger”; “where are they always rushing to?” “instead of looking, why not take him to the hospital?” to say that my blood ran cold would be an understatement as I was in shock but aware of the on goings in my environment. I wondered if he had a wife at home or somewhere up North, I wondered if he had kids, I wondered if he had aged parents or if he was just fending for himself and I also wondered if he could feel any pain but I had no answers. Cars kept passing with no one offering to take him to the hospital and I wondered what I would have done if I had a car and happened to pass by. Honestly, I had no answer to that either.
The guy was still bleeding and in a matter of minutes, a blue uniformed police officer got some young men to move him off the road to the curb. The accident victim’s mouth was moving but I’m not sure any words came out and that was when the tears came. I wondered if he could see the “light” that people that have seen death talk about, I wondered if his whole life flashed before him and I wondered why I was there at the exact time this accident happened, I mean I could have left my house earlier and not have boarded the bus or I could have been late too but as usual, I had no answers.
Eventually I got myself to move as I was running late for my exam and offered a prayer for his soul because I knew not if he would survive the ordeal. He could lose so much blood before a vehicle came. Since I had no idea where my venue was, I approached a bike guy who was at the scene and told him where I was going especially since my bus driver had since disappeared. I demanded a helmet and told him to drive slowly and he said “aunty, after what I just saw, I would be crazy not to take it easy”. I kept praying on the way that no accident would befall me. I got to the venue and while my mates were revising, I was writing my ordeal in my book.
The Day I Met Him
It started like any other day only that it was a different day. Ash Wednesday! Naturally, I woke up earlier than normal just to meet up with the mass and proceed to work. After listening to the Priest talk about abstinence, prayer and fasting, I made a mental note of things to abstain from.
On getting to work with the ash on my forehead, business was as usual; it was quite slow and I was so hungry but tried to hold myself to wait until at least 12noon; I mean it was the least I could do on Ash Wednesday.
When it was some minutes past 12noon, I went to feed my hunger at the staff canteen. Upon leaving and entering into the office, I saw his back view and I asked one of our security men “Baba is that him?” Baba responded in the affirmative but I doubted because I felt Baba, who is quite elderly wouldn’t know him and since I was going back to the banking I figured I would see for myself. It was him alright, the multiple award winning Kokomaster sitting right in front of my desk and I said to him “Dbanj, I want an autograph” and he said no problem. Immediately I got on the intercom to tell my “back office” colleagues that Dbanj was indeed in the branch. For some reason he would not just stop fiddling with his blackberry and then it hit me that he is a shy person. He kept on fiddling with his blackberry and according to a senior colleague; my unit head who is a celebrity wife herself (Dan Foster’s wife), he just kept scrolling up and down his piece.
My colleagues came out and greeted him with “File”, “O…..se” and all his normal diatribes and of course we took pictures individually with him. When it was my turn to take a picture with him, my colleagues chose that time to say “chichi, we’re in lent” but I ignored them. It was Kevwe’s birthday that day and after getting two pecks and a hug from him as a birthday treat, she asked him to sing for her but Dbanj aka Kokomaster was too shy to sing in the banking hall. I do not have the liver for that kind of request besides, it wasn’t my birthday but I prolly wouldn’t have minded the peck… ohh baby!!! He had his signature shades on, a nice t-shirt, a pair of jeans and a very nice pair of shoes which I missed but my other observant colleagues took note of. I mean the last thing on my mind at the time were his shoes. He came in with some guy who came for a transaction and thankfully it wasn’t the usual Zenith 5 minutes transaction, this particular transaction took a while and he was sitting right in front of me. I was in Heaven on Ash Wednesday. His friend was also warm, funny and friendly but it is Dbanj we see on television right?
Because of the warm reception he received, he did loosen up and we got talking; not about his music or anything bordering on his career, but just making interesting funny conversation. By Jove! I was so excited and I had quite a laugh. At some point, he said something funny and for a second, I forgot where I was and hit him on the shoulder. Immediately I pinched myself as a reminder that at that point in time he was a customer and I was still in the office environment. It ain’t like I haven’t seen a celebrity before but Dbanj? Apart from on stage, I’d never been “up close and personal”. Did I mention that he has a hot body? Yes he does. Trim, taut and exactly what we saw in “suddenly” video. Hey! Before your imagination starts running wild, I took a picture with him and held him and my fingers know when they touch a great body trust me. Banking sure has its good days.
I must confess that I was over the moon with excitement and thankfully my Branch Head wasn’t in the office so I could let loose but even if she was, I’m sure that even she would have understood. I mean it isn’t everyday that Dbanj makes an appearance now is it. Even my colleagues that were outside the branch kept calling in to ask “is it true that Dbanj is in the branch?” one of them insisted she wanted to speak with him via the telephone and being the obliging person he is, he acquiesced.
I sincerely hope I have not left any detail out. He did call me a fine “kokolet” and he used terms like “babylet” and “mamalet”. I must say that apart from the shyness about him, he is down to earth and funny, he is not a “former” if you know what I mean and from what I saw, he is quite humble.
Trust that I have been telling everyone who cares to listen about the day I met him and I must say that it’s the most fun day in my life this year. After that is the day I saw “Valentine’s Day”.
Oh yes and he did tip me some…if you want to know how much, inbox or call me.
And no he did not call me later. But the fact that I was opportune to talk with him is enough for me.
On getting to work with the ash on my forehead, business was as usual; it was quite slow and I was so hungry but tried to hold myself to wait until at least 12noon; I mean it was the least I could do on Ash Wednesday.
When it was some minutes past 12noon, I went to feed my hunger at the staff canteen. Upon leaving and entering into the office, I saw his back view and I asked one of our security men “Baba is that him?” Baba responded in the affirmative but I doubted because I felt Baba, who is quite elderly wouldn’t know him and since I was going back to the banking I figured I would see for myself. It was him alright, the multiple award winning Kokomaster sitting right in front of my desk and I said to him “Dbanj, I want an autograph” and he said no problem. Immediately I got on the intercom to tell my “back office” colleagues that Dbanj was indeed in the branch. For some reason he would not just stop fiddling with his blackberry and then it hit me that he is a shy person. He kept on fiddling with his blackberry and according to a senior colleague; my unit head who is a celebrity wife herself (Dan Foster’s wife), he just kept scrolling up and down his piece.
My colleagues came out and greeted him with “File”, “O…..se” and all his normal diatribes and of course we took pictures individually with him. When it was my turn to take a picture with him, my colleagues chose that time to say “chichi, we’re in lent” but I ignored them. It was Kevwe’s birthday that day and after getting two pecks and a hug from him as a birthday treat, she asked him to sing for her but Dbanj aka Kokomaster was too shy to sing in the banking hall. I do not have the liver for that kind of request besides, it wasn’t my birthday but I prolly wouldn’t have minded the peck… ohh baby!!! He had his signature shades on, a nice t-shirt, a pair of jeans and a very nice pair of shoes which I missed but my other observant colleagues took note of. I mean the last thing on my mind at the time were his shoes. He came in with some guy who came for a transaction and thankfully it wasn’t the usual Zenith 5 minutes transaction, this particular transaction took a while and he was sitting right in front of me. I was in Heaven on Ash Wednesday. His friend was also warm, funny and friendly but it is Dbanj we see on television right?
Because of the warm reception he received, he did loosen up and we got talking; not about his music or anything bordering on his career, but just making interesting funny conversation. By Jove! I was so excited and I had quite a laugh. At some point, he said something funny and for a second, I forgot where I was and hit him on the shoulder. Immediately I pinched myself as a reminder that at that point in time he was a customer and I was still in the office environment. It ain’t like I haven’t seen a celebrity before but Dbanj? Apart from on stage, I’d never been “up close and personal”. Did I mention that he has a hot body? Yes he does. Trim, taut and exactly what we saw in “suddenly” video. Hey! Before your imagination starts running wild, I took a picture with him and held him and my fingers know when they touch a great body trust me. Banking sure has its good days.
I must confess that I was over the moon with excitement and thankfully my Branch Head wasn’t in the office so I could let loose but even if she was, I’m sure that even she would have understood. I mean it isn’t everyday that Dbanj makes an appearance now is it. Even my colleagues that were outside the branch kept calling in to ask “is it true that Dbanj is in the branch?” one of them insisted she wanted to speak with him via the telephone and being the obliging person he is, he acquiesced.
I sincerely hope I have not left any detail out. He did call me a fine “kokolet” and he used terms like “babylet” and “mamalet”. I must say that apart from the shyness about him, he is down to earth and funny, he is not a “former” if you know what I mean and from what I saw, he is quite humble.
Trust that I have been telling everyone who cares to listen about the day I met him and I must say that it’s the most fun day in my life this year. After that is the day I saw “Valentine’s Day”.
Oh yes and he did tip me some…if you want to know how much, inbox or call me.
And no he did not call me later. But the fact that I was opportune to talk with him is enough for me.
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