Impacting Positively

"Hit me, curse me, bring it all on, but leave my mother out of it." Most likely, the first thoughts on your mind when someone references your mother in an argument. For many, the words "Ìyálàyá ẹ" is an invocation of the wrath of mother, the greatest 'god' in a child's life. Ìyá is much more than the Yoruba translation of the word "mother" which may at first use, refer to a biological relationship. Ìyá is a child's first friend and protector. Before a child becomes aware of a supernatural being responsible for his or her existence, the child knows his mother first. The one who feeds, protects, entertains and showers love unending. Ìyálàyá ẹ ! Is more than an insult to a child. It is an insult to the sacredness of life itself, it is an insult to the soil of the earth, whose fertility is linked to that of a mother. For many average Yoruba people,  Ìyálàyá ẹ goes deeper and hurts more than other insults, even those which reference the fat...

There are certain people you really should not look in the eye. If you are Nigerian, you're probably thinking of older people, especially your parents. If you're not Nigerian, well, you may picture quite a wide range of people. For one, a liar. People often believe that liars or dishonest people find it difficult to maintain eye contact during conversations. Thus, when a person tries to avoid the gaze of another, it's very likely that the person is a crook! But here I am, at Oshodi Bus Park, Waiting for the vehicle to move quick. I am completely in my right, paid my fare, occupying just the right passenger space and not playing a song from any unusually loud 'chinko'  phone. Then, somebody moves me into the wrong. "Aunty, buy bread. Sweet sweet bread. Aunty, buy bread na, " a seller insists. First things first, I stiffen my neck. I ensure that it does not turn in any direction. You see, there's a kind of commitment you make to these people, when y...

I always wondered what it would feel like for heaven to come down on earth. Would there be food, would angels roam the streets? Would there be nonstop electricity? Would I see God? Several questions! Until that day, when it happened. Like every other day, I was ready for the day's activities. I took my bowl full of the day's sales and went in search of iceblock. Honestly, with the way the day started, I would never have imagined that I would feel God's presence that day. I had to go to about six shops in search of iceblock to cool my drinks. They were all sold-out! Finally, I got two pieces at the price of #200 each. I was pissed already. Selling a packet of Coca-Cola came with a profit of 320 which meant that I had to sell 3 packs or more to make good profit. As I carried my bowls and cooler to the expressway, I remembered the food I bought in school earlier that day. I had bought it on credit because Aunty had made me go to school without breakfast and money. On regular...

#Saynotodomesticviolence Hi, I am Binogun Winifred Omagbenenuyi and I join millions of people all over the world in saying no to domestic violence. I believe that no human should be subject to such inhumane conditions. I believe that at best violence is only beneficial as a form of self defense or security,  in the hands of those who have being trained to protect the lives and properties of citizens. Thanks. GLORIFICATION OF FEMALE ABUSERS For years, people have come out to speak against domestic violence in society. Conferences have been held, organizations have been set up and activists have risen up. However, society has decided to sit on the fence in more ways than one. When we talk of domestic violence, the stereotype is of a woman in an abusive relationship. Why? Do people not believe that a man can be abused? Or they assume that a man only allows himself to be abused? I recognize that women are often the subjects of abuse more than men according to statistics and news. ...