New Year's Special Edition

COMPLIMENTS OF DA SEASON!!!

Let me get focused for a second….  New Year’s is fast approaching; man I can’t believe it’s actually here already!  What is a brother to do???? Where did 2010 GO???

You know New Year’s Eve celebrations just are not the same anymore in my eyes.  Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and have way too much to occupy my mind or is it that I’m loosing my “Swagger” to the point that I’m starting to treat it like any other day on the calendar?  This is a problem!!!

New Year’s Eve customs are richly celebrated across the globe – resolutions, fireworks, ball dropping in Times Square New York City, champagne toasting, parties (OVER PRICED), noise makers and any other excuse you can find to act a fool, I think almost all of us have done at least one of these, RIGHT???

Speaking of Resolution's, this is the one thing that many of us dread or look forward to at the start of a New Year.  Ladies/Gentlemen, I know you already have plans to go to a place of worship more often, eat healthier and/or lose weight, drink less alcohol, spend more time with family and the kids and save money. Kudos to you all, these are all great things to work on and improve upon. I know it’s all with the intention of developing the new “You”.

As for me, I’m taking a different approach. This year I’ve developed MY TOP 11 LIST of the THINGS I WON’T DO IN 2011.  This list represents many of the everyday things I take part in and the behaviors of complete strangers that have me Shaking My Damn Head (SMDH)…Drum roll please...

#11    419 - I wont take it personal when non-Nigerians crack jokes about soliciting emails as a part of some ponzi scheme to get rich, all the while these same people are going online looking to marry a mail ordered bride to train for their household.

#10    MOVE IT CABBY - Have a mental lapse and commit “Road Rage” en route to work during GO-SLOW i.e. (RUSH HOUR) all because one of my Afrikan taxi-cab driving uncles are oblivious to their surroundings…Woooow!

#9      ORANGE, LIME GREEN, YELLOW - Limit my loud and bright colored shirt wearing to just one day a week. NEVA!!!

#8      COME ON MANE - Fight the urge to suck my teeth when someone around me is reporting senseless or unmerited information in my presence.

#7      MY BELLY FULL - Avoid eating Plantain, Beans and Rice (Dodo Ati Rice) as part of my morning breakfast routine.

#6      IPHONE, BLACKBERRY, AND DROID – Reduce my mobile phone inventory to ONE…  An average “Omo Najia” can carry or use up to three mobile phones. I no Know O!!!!

#5      BROOKS BROTHER ON A SCOOTER – Wonder how my fellow "Omo Naija" can where a wool three piece suit in that heat riding in the back of an Okada (motor bike). You never get a second chance to make a first impression. MONEY POWER and RESPECT… really???

#4      IT’S ALMOST BEEN 20 YEARS - Go into watching any “Super Eagles” match and expecting the national team to get thrashed by 3 GOALS!!!

#3      I AIN’T GOT NUFFIN FOR YA - When I see a call from an unregistered or a blocked number on my mobile phone, I will not assume that its someone calling to ask for money or a favor…SIKE!!!

 #2     NO COMMENT - Discuss politics or religion; especially politics as we head towards the next election in April 2011 in Naija – unless I have all day and/or want to create a new enemy for life.

AND THE #1 THING I WON’T DO IN 2011 IS…

          SUITCASES TO NAIJA - Take EIGHT full size suite cases to the airport on my next visit home to Naija and look baffled or start fighting with the airline staff when I’m told that I must pay for excess baggage AND I’m over the weight specifications.

          HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL

My Coming 2 America Story...

Let me get focus for a second; this is Part I of a Two Part series to be featured on my blog.

For many of us, a drive to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in my home state of Lagos represents many things. Some of us look at it as the prospect of new beginnings filled with endless opportunities and optimism.  Others embrace it as a return to their roots, culture and their purposeful meaningful selves.  Which ever spectrum you may fall on is unique in itself and I for one find myself fortunate to have experienced both over the years.

However, “My Coming 2 America” experience was nothing like the one depicted in the widely popular comedy film with Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall with the exception of a few African jokes and the ignorance depicted at times i.e. “what type of games you boys in Africa used to? Chase the monkey”... Or when the landlord is showing Akeem/Semi a vacant space in his apartment building and a rat comes crawling by and he says; “you boys from Africa are used to that”.  True, the actors and the storylines represented some of the euphoria and barriers we all as foreigners encounter when we exit our native homelands but its sole and ultimate purpose was to entertain. Make no mistake; attempting to start life over in the western world is neither amusing nor laughable when you are forced to function in survival mode in hopes of not getting bogged down by the everyday grind. 

My brother told me many years ago that Nigerians are regarded as one of the most traveled groups of people in the world.  I have been also told by others, find a dot on the world atlas and you find a Nigerian who has set foot in it.  What too many people over the years have repeatedly failed to do in preparing those that leave “Naija” in hopes for a better tomorrow is that not everything in Europe and the western world is paved with Gold!!!  More importantly, a life in Nigeria does not necessarily constitute despair, poverty and lack of forward thinking.     

So as we embark on the eve of the Murtalab nightmare and disaster a year ago, as this is the season of holiday travels and my fellow “Omo Naijas” crowd every international airport known to man here are some pointers or shall I say tips for making your experience and travels a safe and purposeful one wherever your journey leads you.  Happy Holidays…  

Below you will find my quick traveling guides & tips to prepare you for what is ahead when leaving Naija.  I hope this helps and guides some of your decision making;

Visas: Attempting to get visas in comparison to others who come from more affluent parts of the world is an up hill climb.  The biggest scams out there are visa fees you do not get back when your application is denied.  Please read for clarity and ask questions whenever in doubt when attempting to process your passports for visas.  

Upon Arrival (Destination): Do not lose site or get carried away all you see in your new environment (study your new environment).

 

Culture/Language: Remember “Who You Are”, these are the things that separate you form others and make you special.  People will comment on your accent and say you sound funny but don’t shy away from it.

Education/Employment: Before leaving for Nigeria, learn a trade or a vocational skill (they make money quicker in today’s economy).  Remember it is about survival so don’t feel slighted and disrespected when you are told that your education is essential worthless.  The opportunity to further your education will present itself at the appropriate time.  Make good use of the public libraries to read, use the internet and learn how to enroll in academic institution

Credit/Banking: Unlike in Nigeria where it’s “Cash & Carry”, without credit you are limited in the western world.  Good Credit is highly valued in almost all business transaction.  Bill payments are not conducted by using cash as a payment method.  One must be the holder of a checking account in order to perform many essential financial duties.

Housing/Shelter: If you stay with a family member or friend make sure you help out

By which ever means you have available.  This goes a long way; also please (don’t over stay your welcome).

Taxes: You must pay them. This is how things such as (roads, water, electricity, health care, etc…) are provided.

Work Like a Slave Eat Like a King!!!

MY SUPA EAGLES

My Beloved “Supa Eagles”

I chose today’s topic primarily in pursuit of spotlighting my all time favorite “Omo Naija” footballer Peter Osaze Odeminwingie.  But after much consideration and careful thinking, I recognized what a sinful act I was committing by losing sight on the great heroes the once striking, unconquerable and dominating force that made up the Nigerian national team.  Yes, it is true that Odemwingie embodies core values dear to us all such as heart, passion, commitment, perseverance and an unwavering love for his father’s homeland.  Funny thing is I have never met the footballer to engage in a conversation with him before, but since the moment I saw him take the pitch in the 2004 African Nations Cup something about watching him on the pitch resonated with me immediately.   

In recent years I have engaged in countless debates with my older siblings about who is the greatest Nigerian footballer?  They all have there favorites; Nwankwo “Papilo” Kanu, Austin “JJ” Okacha, Segun Odegbami, Rashidi Yekini, Daniel “The Bull” Amokachi, Finidi George, Emmanuel Amunike, Peter Rufai, Etim Esin, Taribo West and the list continues. 

What has been missing in recent years is the fervor, enthusiasm, obsessive, and fanatical appeal a national team football match use to create for myself and the people of my homeland.  I recall as a youth, growing up in Nigeria attempting to keep myself awake or going to sleep during daylight in order to watch Etim Esin captain the under 17 team in an international match at 3:00am and loved every minute of it despite a heart breaking loss.  Gone are the days of watching Rashidi Yekini captivate an entire nation with his heart felt goal celebration in the 1994 World Cup announcing that Naija has arrived on the world’s biggest stage.  Or shall I remind you of the electrifying talents and display of one J.J. Okacha that mesmerized and baffled all of Europe during his professional and international career. 

So here I stand pleading to today’s generation of “Omo Naija” footballers that take on the responsibility of representing my homeland.  To the Obafemi Martins, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Jon Obi Mikel, Taye Taiwo, Joseph Yobo, “Big” Danny Shittu, Obina Nsofor, Vincent Enyemas of the world it is no longer acceptable to be labeled and considered “Joy Killers” and not exhibit a level of pride that will lift up your play when representing the Green/White/Green.  My support for you all and the national team is everlasting.

 However, recognize and understand the burden you sign up for like many of your predecessors before you that appeared on that world stage knowing that the weight of their fellow countrymen/women fell on their shoulders.  More importantly embrace it; play the games like you did on the dirt fields of your local playgrounds, remember that you are playing a child’s game, loosen up and relax.  But never forget that when you take that pitch after the singing of our national anthem, you are prepared to die for the shirt… 

Up Naija/Up Supa Eagles