Our Independence

What’s up people?

The DMV has officially turned into Afrika east coast and we just getting started. (NWO)! It was so HOT outside that I saw two things that reminded me of back home this week. On Wednesday evening as I was approaching the main road to get home, out of nowhere came this dude (I will keep his race/ethnicity undisclosed) jumping onto the middle of a four way intersection BUTTER-BALL NAKED doing JUMPING JACKS in the middle of the street like everything was kosher. I mean WTF? Man it looked like something you only see on the internet. It quickly took me back to my childhood in Nigeria when we would see those crazed people high on something chasing after little kids butt-a** NAKED from smoking the wrong kind of Bob Marley if you know what I mean. But what toped all of that was today just a few hours ago as am pulling up onto my driveway, I caught a deer on my front lawn straight up chilling in the shade and staring at me like what you want Dogg? All I could think of was seeing those stray dogs in Nigeria too tired and exhausted from the heat to even cause any type of hysteria or commotion in the villages. They would look so pitiful and sad at times and that Deer had that look today like man I am not going NOWHERE, you see how hot it is out this b***h today? Loooooool.

Ok people; let me get focused…

It is 4^th of July week and this is when America celebrates its Independence and rightfully so it is always a big deal. The word INDEPENDENCE means freedom from control or influence of another or others. In America history it refers to the ending of the American Revolution as freedom was gained from the British. Our freedom is something we must value, cherish and work to savor at all times.

It is from these casualties of war that many a nations gain their freedom and independence. As it was well put in one of my favorite movies Troy; “War is young men dying and old men living to talk about”. There is nothing Hollywood or romantic about young men/women dying for the liberties we enjoy everyday.

One thing I respect about the United States more than anything is its strong patriotic history and traditions. As f**ked up as America is at times in its hypocrisy, its very ugly dark past in its dealings with the Native Americans and its practice of enslaving and profiting off Africans from the gold coast, Americans generally stand together and embrace and celebrate their INDEPENDENCE together.

This is something Nigeria should and must learn from as an example. Rather than plotting on the next gruesome Boko Haram massacre on innocent lives for our next Independence Day celebration, how about we put our differences aside and stand united before the rest of the world for a change. 

How cool would it be to have an Independence Day in Nigeria in which our stressors only consist of where to view the fireworks, how much jollof rice and meat we going to stuff our faces in and partying away at a musical festival with some of our country’s greats new and old and celebrating our great nation.

Anything is Possible.

Become A CHAMPION in Life

What’s good people?

Lebron James finally got his ring huh? (NWO)! Good for him, once I heard the G.O.A.T. my favorite athlete of all-time Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon had been putting in work and helping him with his game after the epic fail last spring in the NBA playoffs I had no other choice but to start rooting for him again. All Lebron has to do now is “Give the Dream his Change” (inside joke). And just like the Miami Heat at the moment, the only other thing hotter than the weather outside is my new favorite rapper 2 Chaaaaaainz! I have to get together and do a 2 Chainz & “P” Collaboration at some point and am going to title it REAL Recognize REAL. Man I think his on like every hot record out today, that boy spits HOT FIRE. No Lie No Lie No Lie…

Ok people; Let me get focused…

As many of you all know by now I am a total sports junkie. I eat, sleep, drink and think sports 24/7. And the one thing from following sports all my life and being a fan of so many great athletes often shows you us is their journey and road to becoming a CHAMPION. Becoming the BEST at what you do is not easy. There are no short-cuts, cheat codes to play with nor excuses built in for your failures. It is even more trying when you have to do in front of millions on the world’s biggest stage.

The Olympics are right around the corner in just a matter of weeks.  I am once again looking forward to all the great stories of personal triumph, resilience, and sacrifices made by the world’s greatest athletes. I think the Olympics are possibly the only time I actually root for the United States as much as I cheer for Nigeria. Now the embarrassing part is seeing all the talented Nigerian and African athletes representing countries like Great Britain, Spain and United States. I guess when it comes to sports and athletics, being Nigerian or African is tolerated better and deemed acceptable in the eyes of those who de-humanize us often.  

Now unlike the Olympics that come around every four years, the game of life is an EVERYDAY GRIND. We all are born with a talent or a gift; it is up to each individual to find out what makes him/her special. Those fortunate enough at a very early stage in their development are able to formulate a plan and work towards their goal. Some of us aren’t so lucky and just stay in the fight and strive to survive.  

It is common knowledge that one can only attain success by minimizing distractions. Ever noticed how the world’s greatest athletes are able to lock-in and stay focused on the task at hand be it on the track, in the pool or boxing ring or on the football pitch. It requires a high level of mental toughness from many of these men/women we grow to idolize as youngsters.

My favorite trait personified in these coming Olympics and the game of life itself is the ability and the persistence to get up after a defeat and over coming adversity. Nothing in life worth having is easy; we have to learn how to hit a curve ball every once in a while and be able to take constructive criticism from those that want the best out of us. And in the words of the famous hockey great Wayne Gretzky “We miss 100% of the shots we never take”.

Get in the Game.

Remember The Fathers

What’s good people?

Last week on the blogspot I begged for Nigeria to get a “NEW START” after the very sad news of the recent Dana Airlines crash. So as my luck would have it, this week Nigeria made the news for the wrong reasons once again, this time for the kidnapping of Nigerian football International Christian Obodo (NWO)! I mean Com’on Son WTF! WHY/HOW in the world do you go and endanger the life of the people that represent you before the rest of the world in international competition? And then we the people get upset with the lack of effort and passion put on the pitch by our footballers when representing Nigeria. If I were a footballer I would not want to play for Nigeria at the moment seriously, the risk is too HIGH and the reward is very MINIMAL. I know one thing though; that Christian Obodo is one heck of a player on my Fifa Soccer game on my PS3 console.  

Ok people; Let me get focused…

This Father’s Day I want pay tribute to all the MEN out there; in particular the MEN in my life. I was told a very long time ago the easiest thing to write about are things you know, eat, sleep and think. So in simple basketball terms this week’s post is a LAY-UP!

In all my years, I have had men like my father, brothers, uncles, cousins, friends, mentors, coaches all play a big/small role in helping to mold me into the adult I am today. I would like to think that their hard-work and time spent on and with me over the years did not go to waste. Do I have things I can improve upon? ABSOLUTELY. But you know for all of my short-comings and weaknesses, I think I am doing IRITE and only getting better with age. 

Now, today I heard a speaker share with the audience this CRAZY statistic. Over 60% of children in America today grow up without their FATHERS and here in the DMV the number is increasingly higher than the national average. Now aside from President Obama, it is my belief and opinion that the next biggest scrutinized group in America is “BLACK” fathers. Obviously, many of us have a difference in opinion on this topic and to each is own.   

This is how I feel; boys are better-off when raised by MEN and little girls’ are suppose to blossom under the guidance and nurturing of their MOTHERS. It is that SIMPLE. NO woman can teach a boy how to be a MAN and I sure know ain’t no dudes out there trying to argue the fact that they can raise little girls better than their mothers.

These are some simple understated qualities FATHERS help to shape in the lives of young people when present and active in their development over the years;

Spiritual Foundation – Be it in practice or taught, father’s are suppose to help shape and play an active role in the lives of the little ones that there is a Higher Being out there and to always fear and respect our almighty creator.

Role Models – Like I have said my previous posts; the most Interesting Man in the World is should only be the one that helped bring you into this world.

Work Ethic – Boys that grow into men that have this trait typically can trace it back to the DNA of their fathers. It is the “Art of Hustling & Grinding” to put food on the table.

SWAG Game – Who else is suppose to kick knowledge to young boys on how to MAC a female? The MOTHERS? From how to dress, groom or carry yourself, fathers set the example for boys on what to aspire to.

Competition – It is the Fathers who should pass on this trait and the importance of never GIVING UP. It is the Father’s that help shape our competitive spirit in life.

We Talking FATHERS not Daddy.

Give Nigeria a NEW Start

What’s up people?

So let me tell you all about my NIGGER moment this week. I was on my morning commute, in the middle of heavy rush hour traffic and out of nowhere came this chemically unbalanced person that almost rear-ended my car. Obviously, my immediate reaction would be to lash out and express myself the way I would deem fit and keep it moving. But would you believe this CRAZY woman, (I am not going to disclose her race) had the nerve to then speed past my vehicle and shout-out “F**k U NIGGER” and drive away like a GUTLESS COWARD!

But God don’t like ugly, so as my luck would have it, I was able to speed up myself and catch up to her car at the next light and did I ever give her one Good a** tongue lashing and it felt GREAT! I first approached her by talking to her like a 3 year-old, then at the following light I caught up to her again and undressed her like a $2 hooker and finally for good measures; I took the liberty to pull up to her for a third  time and confronted her type of passive aggressive bigotry. The lesson behind all of this is never let someone get you out of your character but once they do, you might as well go all the way.

 
Ok people; let me get focused...

What a sad and tragic week for Nigeria with the news of the devastating plane crash this past Sunday June 3^rd. As if times were not bad enough, I was in the mixed of painfully following online the Nigeria Super Eagles match versus Namibia in which they struggled mightily and out of nowhere the horrific news starts to circulates on every major news outlet. Not only was I already frustrated and disappointed about the national teams performance but I became numb to the announcement of the plane crash in disbelief as things went from bad to CATOSTROPHIC.

As I thought about the pain and agony many of us Nigerians continue to experience worldwide in recent years over the state of affairs back home, I was in search of what will return us back to GREATNESS. Somehow, we need to exercise all the remaining demons plaguing us before we start our much needed reformation project. It all starts with each and every one of us acknowledging our faults, poor decision-making and subsequent finger pointing. Too many Nigerians are quick to aim and direct their arrows and bullets onto the so called “corrupt or disingenuous” government officials or social elite for all the countries problems.

We have used these same tired and lame EXCUSES for the past 30 years, as far back as my days in primary school in Nigeria. So after three decades of dormant outcomes and ruins can we all agree that we need to shift our focus and energy towards something CONSTRUCTIVE and INNOVATIVE? I will always believe in Nigeria and its people, subsequently I will remain hopeful for bigger and better days ahead. I have always lived my life as the eternal OPTIMIST and will continue to lend my support to stories that depict the rise of the UNDERDOG. This is why Nigeria I believe as a country has that Cinderella quality and the people will always continue to remain dear to me as I look forward to that day when we climb that mountain top together. Let us stop the self inflicted wounds and identify tangible solutions to our problems. I see a HOLLYWOOD ending in our future. It is time to make it happen.

Stay up Nigeria.

Nigeria - $2 A Day Country

What’s up people?

Took off the week of Memorial Day weekend but still felt the LOVE from my peoples who ride and check-in with me on the Blogspot. Hope everybody had a GREAT holiday weekend, enjoyed all the cookouts and the quality time spent with family and friends. So what happened last week anyway? Anybody remember?

Ok people; let me get focused...

I was sent a good read recently that chronicled the looting of Nigerian oil in the upwards of $140 billion a year. But what stuck with me more than the theft many of you know of is the fact that two thirds of the country’s 100 million people live on less than $2 a day. $2 a Day? Earlier today, I went to get a friend a cup of coffee and that was in the upwards of $4. And now that they are charging folks 5cents a bag at retail shops by the check-out counter, I fear the day a nylon bag will carry more monetary value than a job available to Nigerians.   

In America, you can purchase the following for a meager $2 at the local dollar store; stuffed animal, deck of playing cards, roll of paper towel, non-scented candles and a salt or pepper shaker, etc…

Now across the globe here is what $2 can get you;

Japan - 10 Days of Electricity

South Korea - 1 Hour of PC use

Singapore - Plain Yogurt

Kenya - 8 Cups of Milk

Russia - 2lbs of Spaghetti

Brazil - 1 Slice of Pizza

So how do my peoples back home do it? How do they survive off $2 a DAY? You know for all the stereotypes and negative images portrayed or conjured up of Nigerians worldwide people often under estimate a very common trait many of us share, the ability to SURVIVE and Go-FORWARD. For what we lack in structure and organization, we make up for it in CREATIVITY and GRIT. The innate teachings and understanding at a very young age that God is in CONTROL and does not make MISTAKES regardless of religious beliefs and tribal customs is where the strength and courage comes from to NEVER give up.    

However, the vast imbalance in our economic worth as Nigerians is what cripples the country and its people. There is no middle class phenomenon in existence to speak off so its “Get Rich or Die Trying”. But this is no Rap album, this is no drug dealer turn rapper saga that sells millions of records, this is the “Naija Mentality” and has remained in our core for over half a century.  

We Find a way…