Seasons Greetings

Wishing my blog family a very Merry Christmas and a Beautiful New year ahead.



Here's a toast to YOU!!!!

• The best of Health
• Long life
• A very fat purse
• Evidence of the Blessing of God in your life
• Promotion at your work place
• Increased business opportunities
• Most important, People to always REJOICE with you at all times!!!

Have a happy holiday!!!

Gr8 Packages...Your smile is our Pride!

Do you like to have everything organized to the last letter? Like attending well planned events? Do you need souvenirs for that wedding, party, kiddies’ event coming up soon? Having issues with what to buy?

Look no further, Gr8 Packages has a solution for you!!!

Gr8 Packages has a success story of customer satisfaction at all events and we specialize in the following services:

• Catering at wedding, birthdays and other events
• party planning (surprise birthdays, hen parties, get together)
•  kiddies events (indoors and out door)
• party favors         
• souvenirs, gift items, corporate gift items and bags, hampers, Christmas hampers
• cakes and delicious pastries
• deserts and mouth watering ice creams
• themed events (bridal showers, baby showers, kiddies parties)

We take pride in providing you with the best buy for your budget. We also assure you of fantastic quality, on-time delivery and a satisfied smile on your face during your event. In other words, “we do the running, you do the smiling”.

The yuletide season is here and we sincerely wish to cater to the need of your organizations concerning its end of year party, corporate gifts items and/or event and assure you of the best service yet.

  

For further information or booking, please call Gr8 Packages on 08012345678 or send us an email meetmonik@yahoo.ca

At Gr8 Packages…your smile is our pride!

Money Tree

There is this driver in my office that sees me as a money bag. Everytime he sees me, all he thinks of is "i have to get something" from her, no matter what time of the month it is.

It started when I needed to go out of the office for  a meeting and I asked him to take me there. We were there well after closing hours, so when he took me back to the office, I gave him some money as he had missed the staff bus. That's where I made the mistake. The next day the same thing happened.

Not long after, he said he wanted to see me, so I gave him audience. He said I should please borrow him N200 and that he would pay me back at the end of the month. I gave him N1,000 and at the end of the month, he returned the money, but I asked him to keep it.

Two weeks later, he came again and I snapped at him and told him I didn't have anything to give him. The next day this guy came again. Na wa oh!

We had an event at the end of November and he drove me and a few colleagues to the event and said he wanted to see me. I said what for and he said later (he probably didn't want to say anything in front of them) So when I was alone, He came again with one story and I told him I was more broke than him. I thought that was the end of the matter. On our way back to the office, he saw me giving one of my colleagues some money (na message dem send me) and this "impossible driver" started having ideas. Before I could say jack, I saw him in my office and he had the same request to make. This time, I lost my patience and told him that I did not have any money to give him now or later.

Yesterday, as I was going home, this SAME MAN stopped me and said, I will come to your floor tomorrow, and I said what for? He said I want all of you there to do Christmas for me. 

Some people just don't get it shaaa!!!! What can I tell this man?

Categories

Now, this post is a private joke between my sister and I.

Every year, she gets hampers from her office (vendors, friends and all) and we get to laugh over what we see. Its unfortunate that some people spend so much buying a hamper and they never get to see the nonsense that people have packed inside. Talk of expired products and useless things.

Last year, we finally categorized the hampers into 4:

1. Pampered Hampers- These are hampers that contain "luxurious" items. Real products that you can use and will be reluctant to share with others. 
2. Hampers- They are good products in these baskets as well. You find a mix of good foreign and local products. Can give some of the goodies out and not feel too bad.
3. Tampers - When you see these baskets, you are not really happy. Don't get me wrong, you are grateful for the gift, but not happy because you know that so much has been sent and yet they sellers have laced the bottom with "soaked cartons", "rice sacks" and what have you to make the basket heavy and look full.
4. Dampers- If you are sad when you get Tampers, you are ashamed when you see a damper. In these baskets, you find expired products, you find and plenty funny looking canned goods with only Chinese instructions. Did you get a hamper? oh, yes. Lol!!!

Have fun categorizing all the hampers you find!!!

Where will you categorize this one? 

Cheers! 

After 5 Till Now

Morning everyone!

Yesterday, I wrote about how I was scared of the traffic and commuting from the mainland to the Island everyday. My good friend in the office, Didi, had warned me to make sure I leave the office at exactly 5 minutes to 5 if I wanted a seat in the staff bus. Believe me, I tried. At 5 minutes to 5, my tummy started rumbling and feeling really funny. It was screaming restroom!!!. I just ignored the message. I went downstairs at 2 minutes to 5 and behold the staff bus was filled to capacity. They were just waiting for it to be 5 on the dot for them to leave the premise. Na wa ooo!

I went back into the office to pee and found my way home myself. Luckily, I sat beside an acquaintance from Saggy, who has become a friend. Of course, we caught up on old times and had a blast. I got home 5 minutes to 8 and had to start unpacking my stuff.

Source

Just before I went to bed, I realized that I didn't "see" my toothbrush and paste, but I couldn't be bothered. I reset all my alarms and went to bed.

This morning

My alarm woke me up at 4:30, and of course I hit the snooze button and went right back to sleep. Next thing I knew my brother nudging my foot and asking me if I wasn't going to work today. I stood up faster than Bolt and asked him for the time, he said it was past 5. I ran straight to the bathroom and started searching for my toothbrush. I didn't find it and remembered that I had looked for it last night. I started panicking and when after 5 minutes I still hadn't found it, I just used my finger to brush my teeth with my brother's tooth paste. I turned on the tap and "water no gree commot". Ahhhhh! This is the work of HENEMIES!I freaked out. I remembered a drum I had seen earlier in the hall and went to get water. 

After having a bath, I took down my undies bag and lo and behold my tooth brush was smiling at me. (Shame on you for thinking I didn't brush my teeth). 

Leaving the House

Usually, I would leave my house for work wearing my shoes, all made up and set for the day. Today, I wore a pair of slippers, ran a comb through my hair and picked up my bag, thanking God that it was still dark. It took me exactly 20 minutes to get a bike out of the area to the main road and that's how I proceeded from there. Lets just say that by the time I do this for 2 weeks, I know I would have lost weight. No be small waka oh!

I never knew how important seconds where until this morning when I watched it run away.

I got to the office an hour after I left my house and I am grateful to God for making my first experience a good one.

WIP

Today, I will be going home to the mainland after work and shuttling from there for a bit. I know some of you are asking "big deal"? but its a very big deal for me ooo. All my working life, I have lived on the Island where going to work only took me maximum of 30 minutes. Now, I have to commute all the way. I am not looking forward to it one bit, but I know it is inevitable for now.

On another note, Someone special to me is "avoiding me" and it hurts a lot. But, I am so tired (physically, mentally and emotionally) that I will just be patient and let things run their course. 

My friend showed me her level of maturity the other day and I really felt like a child. My excuse is that I'm tired. Come to think of it, I have been saying that (I'm tired) a lot lately. Is this not a sign that people should listen to me? Why isn't anyone paying attention? Someone should care for me oooo.

My nephew's christening was yesterday, and it was a beautiful ceremony. I love all his names and have saved one for my son :D. I am proud of my family and our bond, and grateful to all our friends and well wishers that made it, and those who couldn't but sent good wishes.

I am also grateful for friends who have stood by me through all my "crazy" phases. I am weird that way, but grateful. God bless you.

The politics in my office is getting crazier and crazier...God will help us all.

I guess I should stop here. I'm beginning to ramble...

Hey, before I go, what would you do if your boss has just finished eating and calls out to you from the next office to come and clear the dishes?

Cheers!

Who really cares?

I saw a girl today, she didn't look normal.

She looked to me to be about 13 years of age. She had on a yellow robe. It was semi-transparent, and I could tell she wore nothing under. She is a child on the verge of womanhood.

The girl in yellow did not look normal.

She had beach sand in her hair and a dazed look in her eyes. She probably smelled too.

She came to the passenger side of the bus I sat in and smiled at the man seated there. She didn't say anything. The man looked uneasy, I do not blame him, he was a "senior citizen". (He actually had no business sitting in the bus if you ask me).

The lady selling food at the bus stop picked up a broom and shooed the girl away, so she moved up a bit to where the Okada riders were. Some men were ogling at her, sizing her up. From where I was seated, I could "read" their minds. I was ashamed at their thoughts. I remember asking in a post what people prefer, and I was amazed at the answer I saw today.

Before we left the Bus park, someone gave her N10 and she proudly added it to her collection which consisted of a N10 and N50 note.

I didn't give her anything. I pitied her and wondered what will become of her at night...

I pitied her, but did my pity add food to her table stomach? Did it give her a warmer dress to wear in this harmattan season? Did it keep her safe from predators? Did it keep her from begging? Give her a place to lay her head at night? Send her to school like normal kids her age?

Where do we start from? How do we move on from here? Where are her parents? Where are the old man's children? Who takes care of him? What is our government saying? What are we saying?

Who really cares?

The Versatile Blogger Award!!!

Wow!!!
What can I say???

I am honoured!!!


Thanks Naija Bank Girl for the "Versatile Blogger Award". I know you mentioned it a long while back to me, but I just haven't had time. (One reason or the other.) But I resolved recently that even with the "limited time" I will still make out time to do what I love...blogging!!!

Now, I have to share 7 things about myself...

1. I love God do much (cliché, i know, but I really do)
2. Listening to people is something I really like to do
3. I have learned a lot from all the blogs I follow. I am actually getting less shy...more like my pen found my voice for me...
4. I love to observe people without them knowing. It usually makes my day when I find out that " I was right about my observations".
5. I really don't like noisy places...or people.
6. working in calm places with music playing in the background is my forte...talk about creative juices
7. Its not easy sharing 7 things about yourself

Also, I have to pass the Torch to 15 recently discovered blogs. My list may not be up to 15, as most of them have either received the award before, or are not exactly new, and mostly due to the fact that i have been AWOL (*covering my face in shame*)... here goes:

1. Olamsy
2. Nene
3. Slimsiren
4. Angela's Beauty Blog
5. A 9ja's Great
6. As smooth as Granite
7. Nina
8. Love Heartbreaks and other wars
9. Didi's Zone

The rules are as follows:

• Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your past
• Share 7 things about yourself
• Pass this award along to 15 recently discovered and let them know about it.

Shalom!

Note to Naija Bank Girl... I would have given the award to you... in sincerity, I love the way you write about  your office...you actually give me "liver" lol!

A Pang of Jealousy?

Jealousy is really a bad thing.

I have always sworn that I can never be jealous of a man... Aramide, this is not saying I was jealous...I  just  came very close to it.

Here's what happened...

We were "gisting" normally, and a text message came in. I passed his phone over. Not long after, another "text" message. Then another. AND ANOTHER! I had to ask, haba, who is this? Is this work related, and he goes, no, its my friend xyz, remember, I told you about the person before. I go "ok"

Later on, I picked up the phone and was going through my own messages to him ( I am weird that way, read just my messages to him and his to me) and another message comes in from him, so I tell him and I proceed to read the message. At this stage, I was curious.

I read it and the message is "funny". I have this look on my face and start going over all other recent messages by the same sender. Mehn, they were funny too sha...at a point I had to ask, who did you say this person is to you again? Is that all you are, friends?

Na so trouble start ooo... 

His view was that I was questioning his commitment to us. My view was, yeah, i know you are friends, but can you like caution xyz a bit...

Unresolved differences. Anger. Escalation. Frustration. (Thankfully) Resolution and Drawing the line...

Should you read someone else's text message? Email? BB messages? Tweets? IM's? Where do you think the line should be drawn?

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks!!!

Baby Amanyi

I want you to join me in thanking God for sending a parcel our way.

Yesterday, my nephew was born, and God held my sister's hand all through.

It came as a hard surprise to us all.

My sister woke up jejely and said she was feeling funny and needed to just "breeze" past the hospital on her way to work. Being pregnant and all, she dressed up as corporately as she could bearing in mind that it was a Monday.

After a series of calls and all, I heard the cry of my Nephew.
I know I sound like a mushy aunty and all..but I cant help gushing.

Here's a picture of him...

This is the clearest picture I could get as some "Margaret Thatcher" Nurses wanted to "dampen" our joy with their so strict rules. I know they were doing their job, but...whatever!!!

Welcome Baby Amanyi, The God who kept you all this while surely keep on keeping you. May you live to fulfil your destiny. Every single day, May you walk in the paths laid down for you and may you be a source of blessing to your parents. I decree that it will be well with your life and God's Blessings will never leave nor forsake you. Your Parents will never sorrow over your birth. And as people have rejoiced at your coming, may they always rejoice everyday of your life.

May God bless you with His peace.
OK, let me stop here... *continue praying in my heart*

He just said that "2011 mustn't pass him by" and popped out!!!

Congrats to the latest mum and pop!!!! :)

Everything!

Hello everyone
Its been so long...

I have so much to write about.
My abandoned 30 days challenge...*I jest havta finish it.*
My experience at "work"
A pang of Jealousy
The birth of My latest nephew (very cute one) yesterday- I think I will start with this one being the freshest of them all.

I will not rush ooo, will take it one at a time.
Happy Reading!!!!

Physically or sexually fit?

Hey everyone...

I know its been a long while, and I know I keep saying I will be back soon and more frequent.

*sigh*..I just cant help it. Now I have turned to one of all the bloggers who starts a post with an apology for the long silence....I hope i leave this category soon though (wink)

This will be a very quick one because my boss is in a meeting and she thinks I am working on a report...

Anyway, I was compiling a report the other day (I work in the Healthcare Industry) and I noticed that while working on the Immunization part, there was still a high rate of deficiencies caused by lack of immunization. I called the attention of my colleague to it and we started discussing. We had both heard (and I need to clarify) how some people in the Northern part of Nigeria (Please, don't finish me ooo, Its what I heard) , lets say the uneducated ones, refuse to immunize their babies because they believe that "the immunization will make them sterile". Now this is quite laughable.

You will rather have a "not-sterile-but-physically-deformed-child"? I asked my colleague, Emeka, a question, who will follow a person who is physically deformed, just because he is able to perform? and he started educating me, and regaled me with tales of his secondary school and exploits performed by people he know. Emeka told me that if given a choice, men will prefer to be sexually fit, after all, that is what makes a man. He really tried to convince me, but I found it hard to believe (and still do), that a physically fit girl will chase a not-so-fit person just because of "sex" (you don't even know for certain if he can or can't "perform" for real). No doubt, being sexually fit is very important to any man and even woman too, but what happens to Science? Anyway, If they don't believe in immunization, how will they believe in science...

Please let me sound a not of warning at this point. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with being  physically deformed because I know there are different reasons- mistakes by hospitals, genuine ignorance by parents and all- and I never will, as I can't even form or create a strand of hair, not to talk of a person. What I am saying is that we really need to sit down and think before we make unfounded excuses

If you look out on the streets of Lagos (and other states as well), you will see that there is a rise in the number of beggars, who have one physical deformity or the other. It makes you wonder how many parents refused to do the right thing at the right time for their children. These children have become adults and the only way to survive is to live off the mercy of others who are also struggling to make or earn a living themselves. Our society has no welfare mechanism for anyone, and if you do not know how to survive on your own, then...

May God save us.

Now my questions are- 

Will you "follow" someone who is physically deformed just for his (or her) sexual prowess? 

How do you even know?

Have a beautiful day.

The egg that never hatched

Today, I want to tell you all a story. My story.

It happened not so long ago, and when it did, it wasn't funny at all. It was only on Sunday that I told my sister the truth about what happened that evening...and I was able to laugh about it. We laughed so hard that she sent me out of her house because her tummy had started to hurt...

This is my story- I had actually written a little bit about it here

I was called for an interview with a company. A Legal firm. The position I was being interviewed for was one I had told God I wasn't going to do any more. But I went for it. You know why? Because of the money. My goodness, it was a lot of money. I was so excited that I did the following:

1. I asked God to please block other people's chances and make me get the job. (Selfish, I know, but I needed to wrap my hands around the money)
2. I told a few friends and asked them to pray for me that I get it.
3. I had already travelled out for my vacation, paid for a new car, paid my school fees and even renewed my house rent (Story for another day)

My fiancée kept telling me to stop dreaming about it and focus on God. I tried to, but it was kinda hard...I obviously told God to have His way, that if He didn't want me there then He shouldn't let me get it. I also told Him that He had to give me the job because it would make me happy (talk about a self-willed person!)

Well, I left the office at a few minutes to 5:00pm because the interview was for 5, and it wasn't far from my office. I got there and my first thought was- I hate this neighbourhood. It was in the heart of Lagos Island, (if you have ever been to Lagos Island, you will probably understand! So many cramped houses, too many people helping you mind your business and all). Any way, I got into the building, (very nice one, by the way) and could already imagine myself in my office there!

To cut the long story short, I waited until 8:00pm to enter into the CEO's office. I waited another 45 minutes to finally meet with him. His first statement to me after perusing my CV was that I was a "baby". "No I am not", was my reply, and He said "I said you are a baby" I refused to be bullied so I replied him again in the negative  then the lady sitting beside him said "he means it in terms of your years of experience. (By the way, I have four years of experience; its not much, but it means a lot to me.) The man terrorized me. Asking me all sorts of questions that he had no business knowing the answer to. But it was an interview, and I had to answer the questions. I felt stupid with myself...at some point, my answers to his questions were so dumb that I couldn't believe such statements were being made by me. (e.g. why do you think you want to be a PA here...my dumb-Guinness-Book-of-Records-answer: So I can meet people. Now, that answer made me realize that I did not want the job after all). I was annoyed with myself for thinking about ever working as a PA again...

Anyway, as I finally left the office at past nine, I knew I would not get the job. The tears came as soon as I stepped out of the building, and they did not stop flowing. I cried my heart out for the following reasons:

I had never been so humiliated in my entire life by answering questions as stupidly as I had done

I cried for the car I wouldn't be able to buy in the next 3 months debt free.

I cried for the vacation I would still have to save a lot for

I cried for the school fees I would still pay piece-meal

I cried for thinking that I would get a job I had earlier said I never wanted to do again.

I cried at God for making me go for the interview in the first place...(Oh, yes...after all, I had asked Him specifically not to let me even reach the venue if it wasn't His will)

I cried because Tony was right all along...and I did not want to face him. (for the records, He just made me feel better and was so sweet)

Most of all I cried because all my dreams had just evaporated within hours...that's not a very nice feeling, trust me.

It took me a long time to get over it...so when I saw myself laughing over it on Sunday with Eky, I knew I had gotten over it finally.

This, my people, is the story of the egg that was laid but never hatched.

It wasn't me!

How often do we cast blame on someone else because we do not want to put our own neck on the block?
Whenever a situation turns out unfavourable, it always has to be someone else...This has been since creation (Adam & Eve), still is (just look around you at your place of work) and will forever be (I know you know that this will be the case when its your own neck too). Lol!

Even when we are caught red-handed, we always find someone else to blame...(Ask the devil, even when he was busy on another mission, it just had to be him).
I am guilty of this too. When things do not go according to plan, its so easy to blame it on someone else, especially if such a person is:

1. not present
2. subordinate to you
3. can't defend himself (herself) 

Someone blamed me at work for something I had no control over sometime back. I was seething, but there was not a thing I could do about it because the person was "my senior"...I could only get mad, but that was the most I could do...

Then it got me thinking. If the person had taken the heat, he/she would not have died, but he/she decided to look good in front of his superior and make me the "bad person" I felt bad, but I somehow learnt a very big lesson. I hope I never do that to someone else.

I saw this picture and thought I would share it... I guess it says it all!!! If you really look at it, you will just shake your head and call the man names, but...(check yourself well)

Besides, the time you spend casting blame can be used to make right the situation...do something about it!!!

Have a beautiful week people!!!

Happy Birthday Audu... 

I love you to pieces, and I wish you the very best in your life.

May your life be a very sweet aroma to all that know you.

You are indeed a superstar!!! 

Just because I can

Just so you know that I still exist...(insert silly smiley)

But seriously, I have missed blogging and all that happens here!

So many things have been going on in my life...especially work. But I want to know exactly what I want to do before I come out here to write about anything.

Hope you are all doing good too?

Cheers!

The 30 Day Challenge; Day 5 - Things you want to say to an ex

I have just 2 questions, and I hope I get answers...

•  Why did you lie to me?
• I thought we were friends, what changed that???

The things I want to say, and know I can never have the guts to say to your face:

I really hope you have "grown up" cuz you were such a baby back then! Could it have been because we were the same age, and women tend to need a more mature person? Or was it just the way it was meant to be? There were little things you should have done and things you should never have done or said. I wanted to call it quits by the end of the first month, but I was convinced otherwise by "she" and heaven knows I tried! I know I am not perfect, and that you have a few things to say to me about "who I was" back then. (I wish you would).

Your lie is something I pray to get over. (I hate lies). I am really glad it was already over when I discovered you had lied, because, truth be told, I do not know what I would have done...

I am no longer angry, bitter - maybe a little - but I learned a lot of things from you  - good and bad - in the brief 5 months we shared...and I am wiser, because I firmly believe know that no knowledge gained is ever wasted.

I am also glad we didn't put up a fight and we parted "amicably". It just wasn't meant to be, I see that now...

Have a nice life!

The 30 Day Challenge: Day 4 - Bullet your whole day

Ha, now everyone will get to know how "busy" I was today! OK, here goes:

• Woke up and lazed in bed for 30 minutes doing the usual - Me and God daily RUNZ.
• Had my bath and got dressed for work
• Hitched a ride with my sister to a certain point and continued on my own to the office
• Was very nice to everyone I saw this morning. * I am nice that way* :)
• Made a to-do list for the day and cancelled a meeting instantly, as I did not feel like going "out of the office" for the meeting (May God forgive me!)
• Got so busy (Reading all the posts on my reader)
• Got pissed off by a "friend" on bbm and wondered why we were friends in the first place. No be by force ooo!
• Worked very hard and juggled work between my 3 "Departments"
• Went for lunch with my friends and discussed marital issues and how some "men" change after marriage (Even though there was only one married person and the rest of us are single- we "singlets" had the most to say! Lol)
• Got back to my office and had a meeting with 2 potential vendors. ( OK, one was personal and the other was official).
• Decided to put up this post.
• Battled with someone over a "not-so-clear communication" that was - in the words of my boss - "Tacky".

 Of course, work will still continue, and I do not want to get into trouble.    

source

So I will let it end here.

Naturally!

The 30 Day Challenge:Day 3- A Book I Love

This is very hard for me because I love to read and have read quite a few books. I have mulled over this for a while now, and I must confess, I still can not choose "one" book. I will however leave you with my favorite authors and a promise to make the next challenge more interesting!

• Dee Henderson  (Actually, you should try the entire O'Malley Series!!!
• Francine Rivers  
• Frank Perretti
• Jeffery Archer
• John Grisham - No space for all of them ooo!
• Robert Withlow -  
• Ted Dekker  - Virtually all of his books!

 You really shoud try these books! :)

The 30 Day Challenge: Day 2 - What I feel Strongly About

I think this just says it all. It has always been my dream to study Development Studies - Many reasons for that actually, just take a look around you (If you are in Nigeria, or in any part of Underdeveloped Africa).
I haven't achieved this yet, but i know that I will, one day.
This is something i feel strongly about- Humanitarianism- What better way to express it than through the day set aside by the world to do so? Although the set day is 19th of August, I will go ahead and do this now.
Maybe YOU will join me in saving the world a jigsaw peice at a time.

Cheers:

I think my humanitarian side has just "clicked" finally. Be warned: This post has a lot of links and twists...please try to read it all - I know its a lot, but I guess we all need the information :-) -

The 30 Day Challenge: Day 1 - Five ways to win my heart

Ok, I guess I really have to do this!

I am not really a difficult person to please, so the 5 ways will be relatively easy. Here goes:

1. Be straight forward and honest - I tend to take people by their words, so I appreciate people who say what they mean and mean what they say.
2. DON'T BE SLOW - I really do not know (yet) if this is a blessing or a curse, but i really hate it when people are slow (In speech, thinking, whatever). I know I am impatient, and working very hard on this by God's grace (please forgive me if i have been short with you) , but i like it when people move on the same frequency with me.
3. Be fair and impartial - I love when people are fair to others, just because! 
4. Don't lie to me - This is one thing I find hard to forget. I prefer to be told the truth always. Its hard, painful and all, but it prepares you instantly. Just tell me the truth and let me find a way to deal with it.
5. Be kind  - Enough said!

What in the World???

I didn't even see him dance and this is seriously pathetic!

Alternative / Neo Soul / Soft Rock Singer - Kafayat Quadri

Isn't it funny how you think you know someone so well, but you later find out that you just knew a "little bit" about the person? I  am saying this because of my friend, Kafayat. 

We were in secondary school together (no, I am not claiming friendship ooo) although she was a year my senior. Back then we categorized ourselves by our classes not our age, so even if you were like 19 and you were just a year above me in class and I was 14, yes, you were just "a year my senior". lol. 

Well, she played at a music concert we had in School, it was Redemption Song by Bob Marley and I remember wondering  how she learnt how to play one, and if I could ask her to teach me. I even went up to her one day, but didn't have the nerve to ask her. Gosh, I used to be so timid back then.

Anyway, after I left Saggy, I hardly kept in touch with anyone. (Maybe because I was shy, I really do not know, or do not want to know). It took another 8 or maybe 9 years before I stumbled upon Kafayat again. We happened to be neighbors (Everybody who lives on your street and the next street is a neighbor) in the same Estate. We got talking and she used to come visit me and my sisters. We exchanged information about ourselves, what we had done since leaving Saggy, where we worked, and all that normal stuff. In between she said "I also Sing" but being a doubting Thomas, I probably thought, "yeah, me too" and got rid of the information.

Until I read an article about her.

Then it hit me that she wasn't joking after all.

Here's a brief on her:

Kafayat Quadri was introduced to the Guitar at 6 years by her dad, a Land surveyor, who also taught her how to play a mouth organ. (He played tunes from famous musicians as well as used the talking drum).

She officially started playing the guitar at age 13, and her very fist performance was at FGGC Sagamu in 1996 at the school's Annual Musical Concert.

See what some people have to say about Kafayat:

“The Ultimate Face -Off’ . . . under the auspices of Wole Oguntokun’s Theatre@Terra . . . . It seemed only proper that the opening song was Kafayat Quadri’s ‘Asiko Tito’, a song on forgiveness.”

Ireyimika Oyegbami - 234NEXT

“Quadri is already becoming with her deviant attire and music that gives throwbacks to Tracy Chapman. For those who follow her performances at Theatre at Terra you would attest to her moving voice fitted over diverse themes and the notes from her guitar.”

Nigerian Entertainment Today - MUSON Jazz Festival 2009

“Kafayat Quadri is gaining the attention of Nigerian social media lovers. Listening to her grooves, I found myself nodding my head in approval. It is always great to see young people who are willing to stretch their wings, check out/learn and use alternative forms of music expressions rather than the regular over used ones. Her voice is simply great. Two thumbs up!”

Pamela Stitch - The Pamela Stitch Webazine

“Kafayat Quadri rawks! Her voice goes through a room, straight to you. ”

Temitayo Olofinula - Independent Writer

 Please visit her page for more - http://www.reverbnation.com/kafayatquadri

Way to go kafayat, I hope you also get to see this blog post!