WHAT ABOUT DEPRESSION?

In the past couple of weeks, the awkwardness of news trending has been more on suicide asides the general economic issues. It is also amazing that since the news of the Doctor that lost his life by committing suicide on the 3rd mainland, subsequent victims have been matured individuals(as told by the news from the rescued victims). Well, that is not to say that there are not hundreds of thousands who may have attempted it on daily basis either successfully or otherwise.

Incidentally, I was having a conversation at work a few days ago and had to write something similar regarding this scary 10-letter words. There are too many reasons why people slip into depression. I am not a psychologist but there are some basic elements one must take into consideration and apply caution to when you notice such. The person right next to you is beside you but may be far away lost in thoughts, in pain, in grief, in fear who knows if your words are the 'healing balm' needed to soothe such person or a 'venom' that is poisonous enough to kill instantly or slowly.

The state of the country causes for worry and statistics have it that the dependents are more than an individual can carry; picture this- you are an adult with aged parents, perhaps children then you also have close or distant relatives, friends or even in-laws who depend on you from the peanuts or stipends you earn in total. Atimes I really wish i can just be a child again with zero worries about what life does;if you will also be truthful to yourself atimes you wish for that too but hey, Life is fun and beautiful for only those alive to enjoy it and fight for the positive. No one can be happy for you except you.

In the face of depression it is important you:-
* find a confidant, counselor, psychologist or someone you can be sure to trust wholeheartedly.
* listen to lots of music depending on your preference
* mingle, network, have fun with your buddies and likes. I have been in some groups on social media lately and I can attest to the fact that those groups are divine. I call it my worry medicine. You can go out on picnics, girl dates, boys hangout and the likes
* always PLACE YOURSELF in the midst of the people that truly make you happy and give you the positive vibe that make you want to never give up
* get busy. 'things are rough', 'people are broke', 'business is dropping' etc. the likes of such stories every day can be pretty discouraging and can make one lose hope but there is a saying that "the ideal mind is the devil's workshop". It is important to occupy your mind and feed your soul even when it does not seem to interests you, it saves us from depression thoughts running through our minds.
*never stay alone: try to have company even at night. Yes! In the face of loneliness, we carry a burden from the thoughts we create and when these comes in, the manifestation of it results in the urge to commit suicide.

Your breaking forth may just be in front of you but the troubles and burden we carry limit us from seeing it because even when we see it we may have given up. Like I early said, I am not a pro in justifying depression because I have also silently escaped it from the silliest worries. This is my open letter to you, DO NOT GIVE YOU. LIFE CAN ONLY BE ENJOYED BY THOSE ALIVE.

I will expatiate on this topic in the near future and I hope you will be as eager as I am writing it ,to read it. Thank you for reading. Please comment and share.



Photo credit: GOOGLE

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL- 2

.......After several years of self discovery, also realizing that my days were counting. Yoruba will say “ojo ale obirin kin pe su” meaning the night fall of a woman’s age quickly gets dark once not maritally settled. I heard that a lot and I think I am not bothered but truthfully, it worries me too much.

On this rainy day on my way from work I had a problem with my car that was how I met him. Of course I could not give an assessment because I was paranoid-trying to fix my car-after a hectic day from work-under the rain. Dear lord!!! was all I constantly said. In split seconds he did the magic and I was set to leave. With joy in my heart I did not hesitate to give him my digits when he asked, If not that he was the guardian angel destined to help I will have been more stuck or even gotten walleyed by touts. “Eko for show!” 

Swamped in work as usual, I forgot the encounter since he didn’t call till a week later. His voice was deep yet calm, matured yet subtle, had pride yet so sweet. “Hello Inioluwa”, good day to you; speaking please I said, my name is Gbolahan he said....and the introduction/flash back ensued for a minute. He requested to have a date with me later that day thank God I looked radiant as usual.

 I walked into the agreed restaurant; I was trembling as I was swept off with the complete package of what I saw. It was a night of fun and it seemed like we had known for ages. This time I didn’t bother discussing with my friends because I was threading the path slowly till he popped the question to ask me out. My mum knew something was brewing, acting like she was deliberately avoiding me but on the other hand she was waiting for an evidence to know what exactly has been stirring in me delightfully lately.

The year went fast but slowly, 20 months after we progressed the relationship it looked like nothing was happening so I gradually started focusing on other productive things. On day he called me sounding distressed and requested I meet him at the office but surprised he called to change plans requesting I came to where we first had our date. I was worried and eager to know he was just safe. Reaching the venue it dawned on me it was even Valentine’s Day, my bad I didn’t remember probably due to all I have allowed to take over my reality.

Gbolahan you frightened me, what is wrong? work, home, you? I had endless thoughts and his actions made me more nervous. On realizing that it seemed nothing serious happened after all I made my way to leave, as I turned back all I saw startled me. In shock I looked back at the table but couldn’t find him, only for me to bend my head and I saw my prince charming on one knee. WHAT!!! He asked the question and popped the ring out, “INI WILL YOU BE MY FRIEND, LOVER AND WIFE” my joy knew no bound as I jumped right into his arms saying yes with a deep appreciative kiss am sure was my best so far. I looked straight towards the door in which I walked in through, so I will be walking back as a changed person I thought to myself. I was extremely happy, and then I realized that truly there is light just right after the tunnel. So much for a happy ending, the rest they say is history. So finally I will be bearing my Gbolahan’s last name.

THANK YOU FOR READING. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT. PLEASE READ, READ AND READ AGAIN. DO NOT FORGET TO COMMENT AS WELL AS SHARE. THANK YOU.......

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL- 1

            

Picking up my purse as I made my way out I met my mum at the doorway, with the grin she gave me I could figure out that something was wrong. All these relatives that keep barging into our house and middling into our affairs giving my mum all sort of reasons to worry will not let us rest. “Where to” she asked “I see your own duty is to be going for weddings every weekend even if it’s a Monday you will go. You better hurry and get married before all your friends children start calling you aunty abi you think you are still a kid”. Mummy!!! I screamed haha why today again, I hurriedly left and zoomed off within split seconds.

When mum comes up with such drama I always find the best reason to leave the house and this time I was not ready to ruin my fun at my friends’ wedding as it was a grand one and a mini reunion. I partied myself away and when the event was almost over the MC called all the single ladies out to catch the bouquet. I stayed back but after lots of pressure I joined the train and caught yet another one. Deep down I was angry, yet again why can’t I just meet the man other than catching bouquets.

“Welcome o! you have brought another bouquet, you want to turn my house to a florist shop or start donating them?” Well, I was not expecting anything less I imagined she was yet to get over the dramatic conversation that ensued between her and my aunty earlier this afternoon. I have a good job, at least if it’s not paying a million box, I am comfortable having fun doing what I love to do and also coming from an averagely rich family who will stop at nothing to see me smile which unfortunately gets spoilt with times like this from my mother.

I remember I had my first boyfriend while in secondary school. Many of my mates had boyfriends as students but when I saw a big catch I grabbed it wanting to feel like a ‘big girl’ that I was. There was no intimacy and it made the relationship complicated for a few years with me always having to beg him to be patient if he really took me serious. Fast forward to a few more years while in higher institution I fell in love and was happy it was worth it. Our friends and family knew us as a pair till one incident changed everything. He broke the news of impregnating a random girl out of 5-minutes pleasure. My whole life changed, it almost crumbled, I was heartbroken, betrayed, weak and almost gave up on love because he was indeed my first true love. It got more complicated as he just relocated barely a year before this incident happened. I forgave him but we drifted apart slowly and gradually even with his footprints of love still mapped on the footpaths of my heart.

I am pretty, loving, calm, I have so much fun and energy. Infact despite praises of compliments from people occasionally shown on me I know I am physically and sexually attractive; but I keep asking myself this question difficult enough to answer- “Ini’ what then is the problem”? I began the journey of self discovery even though I did not completely open up to love as everything all felt complicated at different point. As an African girl, I know the risk involved when people especially your family see you with different guys at close intervals. I trust my mother, mama Inioluwa will ask me “madam, this one you are changing boyfriends every time are they clothes that you keep in your wardrobe”. Oh no! I was trying everything possible to avoid a relationship issue clash with my mum. It didn’t make me feel any better but I knew there was every reason not to give up.....

THANK YOU FOR READING, KINDLY STAY GLUED FOR THE CONCLUDING PART OF THIS AWESOME PIECE. PLEASE READ, AND READ AGAIN, SHARE AND COMMENT.

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THAT JOURNEY I MADE IN LAGOS-2

......She moved closer smiling at me in her black on black uniform and the man who used his nasty smile to charm me continued using that device to get other culprits like me into the "animals den". One of the senior officers said "madam do you know your offence?" I was taken aback, "offence ke?" Cant you see I am stressed already, I said to him; at that point he pointed across and said "you did not use the pedestrian bridge". I was lost with my mouth wide open, "but I did not see it, but this officer urged me to come over".....so many BUTs fell on their deaf ears. The only woman there then decided to play her part telling me how I see the other people there too and they will soon "sort them". She threatened me with calling the Van to come take us to the station which will attract more charges. I honestly laughed and wondered "did I just become a prey?"

I was confident because I know I know people especially If I have to use my mum's influence as an "omo mummy" (mummy's child). I remembered mum was down,dear Lord will I have to disturb her now,unfortunately for me all my dials did not connect then I knew there was trouble. They requested for #30,000 naira else it will become a station matter but I stood my ground on not having any money. After delaying me for such a while ,I even gave them my bag to search of course as an IJEBU GIRL I already tucked my physical cash and ATM where eyes could not see except for loose change as I will call it.All the while I kept trying to call my closest contacts but to no avail so I stopped and hoped I d carry this cross safely. They waited for all the culprits to bribe them and left before facing me squarely, at last I was freed but on this note the six matured men and woman were now begging to drop something after I told them I am new in Lagos and did not see the sign let alone the bridge and for a fact that i was deceived I had every reason to fight for my right.

Many months later, a similar thing happened in the evening but to my amazement I noticed every person passing crossed over to the other side of the road freely with some of these officials being present. It pained me as a lot of things crossed my mind. While aching, I was analyzing a lot too. Many questions of WHYs. I knew for one I had being  thoroughly accessed before taking me to the road shed I will once again call their den. Thank Goodness I did not spare more than 500 naira for all to share.

The rate at which officials extort and take advantage of citizens is quite alarming and getting more rampant as well as nonchalant. Drivers do not use seat belts until they see officials and to make it worse some of their so called seat belts are disguised as 'ropes' and yet they go scoot free simply because they still feel the need to be lawless forgetting that decency starts from your attitude to life not just in what you wear.  Why then did these officials "cheat" people when they know they would not exercise their duties diligently.

We know the beautiful ones may not be born but we can be a re-birth before their birth. If you stay in LAGOS and you do not " shine your eyes" , other people will help you shine it for bad either as an "agberu" (tout) or a uniformed para-military person.



THANK YOU FOR READING!!!

THAT JOURNEY I MADE IN LAGOS -1

No doubt living in Lagos is a roller-coaster of experiences. In my opinion I think one appreciates and enjoys the ups-and-downs of Lagos outside the confines of your vehicle. If you want to Enjoy the city to its fullest asides using a lot of public routes, you need to have guts so as not to be taken for granted.
Every time I paraded some streets of Lagos on some daily tasks and activities I always cannot help but ponder on the different beings that exist here and what I look forward to writing some day on this beautiful city; to that effect I am starting with this......

I grew up as a "butty" that lived on the mainland as a matter of fact a military setting but even after I gained my independence to having control over my own movement I literally did not know that public transport runs on the island. If myself and my friends did not use our private cars to come around, we certainly would take taxis or bikes "okada" as popularly called. Infact using "okadas" was so much fun amidst the fear.

Fast forward to many years after I left the axis out of the state and our former Governor had transformed Lagos to the beautiful mega city which is still ongoing by the current Governor, Gov. Ambode. I came to "the island" for an interview. I was tensed, tired, optimistic and anxious as well as angry as I had to travel down after receiving the call the previous night. In the middle of all the caught up emotions on my way back, every body minding their own business and going about their daily activities I saw a dark average height man looking at me with a smile I will call wicked while working to the bus stop. Did I mention that will be my first time of actually taking a public transport on the island? It actually was!!!

Deep down inside of me, I though how nice of this uniformed man, I though what I was nursing inside was pretty obvious but little did I know I was just about to get into the lion's den without entering the jungle, he walked half way towards me in between the coming vehicles and led me towards the shed having his colleagues and two other preys like myself wait. There were about 6 of them from 2 different para-military groups including a woman. I lost it for a second giving my opinion about this people another thought well positively, little did I know that I should not have reversed it at all. That woman was a SHE-demon and master minder of the executed act. I would never have thought it was part of the tricky plan....


Thanks for reading. Please comment and share as you wait on the concluding part of this post. Thank you.

PHOTO CREDIT; GOOGLE , GUARDIAN.NG

LIMITED EDITION, ALL FOR NIGERIA

HELLO READER!!! WHEN I STUMBLED UNTO THIS EARLIER THIS MORNING,I WAS ONCE AGAIN PROUD OF MY HERITAGE AND COUNTRY NIGERIA. THE SERMON "BUY NIGERIAN" , "BUY HOME BRANDS", "PROUDLY NIGERIAN" HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE A LONG WHILE NOW. I AM SURE THIS IS A GOOD TAKE FOR WRIST WATCH LOVERS. THIS LIMITED EDITION LOOKS LIKE A GOOD WAY TO KNOCK FASHIONISTAS OFF THEIR FEET. DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT? 






MAKING THE PROUD NIGERIA LIMITED EDITION

A masterfully crafted timepiece, the PROUD NIGERIA edition epitomizes a rare fusion of patriotism, master watchmaking and luxury. In the spirit of creating a fine timepiece that goes beyond exquisite craftsmanship and materials, Zakaa partnered with renowned Swiss Watchmaker CVSTOS, to create a truly luxurious masterpiece that embodies the Nigerian identity.

When Aderemi Ajidahun, Zakaa’s founder and mentor, approached CVSTOS to develop this exclusive timepiece it was clear to him that his search for a mean of honouring his beloved Nigeria, one that would celebrate how PROUD NIGERIA is indeed, was finally over. After all, when understanding that Zakaa is an anagram of his daughter’s, it becomes perfectly clear the passion that moves Aderemi Ajidahun is one that celebrates Nigeria in its whole, what it is and what it will be.

The CVSTOS PROUD NIGERIA represents national pride, fine Swiss watch making with the finest materials, all combined in an absolutely stunning timepiece. The ever present Nigerian green is placed in the second’s hand, animating the dial as time passes and inviting the eye to follow the mesmerizing colour.

The Nigerian National Emblem serves as a unique inspiration for the sculpted dial which is laid on the open-work movement fitted in a tonneau-shaped case. Its self winding automatic movement is result of the finest of Swiss watchmaking historical tradition refined and redesigned by CVSTOS and hand assembled in its workshops in Geneva.

Inspired by Nigeria’s National Emblem, CVSTOS and Zakaa sharing the same philosophy and values of quality and excellence now presents this exclusive edition rightly entitled PROUD NIGERIA.

PROUD NIGERIA LIMITED EDITION

The JETLINER SL II PROUD NIGERIA EDITION is presented in a 41 x 53.7mm tonneau-shaped case in four different versions: Steel, Steel with Red Gold components, Blue Steel with Red Gold components and Red Gold 5N with Black Titanium components.

The dial inspired in the Nigeria National Emblem - a Y placed on a black shield sided by two horses and crowned by an eagle - represent Nigeria’s most treasured current and historical values and symbols. The open-work dial not only allows the viewing of the movement works as well as highlighting the sculptured dial sublimated by contrasting polished and sandblasted finishing.

The automatic winding movement is powered by CVSTOS 350 calibre offering the functions of hour, minute and seconds alongside a date window placed at 6 o’clock. All movements’ components are designed by CVSTOS specifications and assembled by hand in Geneva by the brand’s knowledgeable watchmakers. The screw down-crown sporting a Nitril (Nitril-NBR®) ring allows the timepiece to be water resistant to 100M/10ATM.

On the case back, each version of the PROUD NIGERIA edition is engraved with its limited and serial number and sapphire glass allows the eye to gaze directly into the heart of the movement.

The PROUD NIGERIA is complemented with a genuine handmade and stitched crocodile strap.

ABOUT ZAKAA

Zakaa, a contemporary Nigerian retailer of leading luxury brands has proven a remarkable player in the Nigerian luxury industry. Opening in quick succession seven luxury emporiums in the cities of Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Uyo, purveying leading watch, jewellery and fashion brands, Zakaa has steadily increased sales while simultaneously acquiring within its portfolio a wider range of world renowned brands.

Showcasing a range of both contemporary and traditional luxury, Zakaa lifestyle aims to present customers with brands that exude the style and class that reflects each individual’s values and status.

CVSTOS PROUD NIGERIA edition can be seen in Zakaa’s Concept Boutique in Abuja and as well in different Zakaa’s venues in Nigeria: Transcorp Hilton in Abuja: Radisson blu: Victoria Island, Lagos, Le Meridien Ogeyi Place in Port Harcourt, Le Meridien Ibom Golf Resort in Uyo.

ABOUT CVSTOS THE TIME KEEPER

CVSTOS, whose name is taken directly from Latin for "Guardian", embraces a particularly modern approach to design manifesting itself in a perfect balance between traditional watchmaking and state-of-the-art innovation. Founded in 2005, by CEO Sassoun Sirmakes and Chief Designer Antonio Terranova, to represent a new way of preserving time while being always one step ahead of time, focusing on a distinctive cutting edge approach to high-end watchmaking.

Sassoun Sirmakes, of Armenian ascendancy and born in Geneva (1983), has since his childhood been immersed in high watchmaking, as the son of Franck Muller Watchland Group co-owner and chairman Vartan Sirmakes; he dominates every aspect of the watchmaking industry and from early age was set to create his own independent brand – a brand that could exude an avant-garde definition of the traditional art of watchmaking through ultracontemporary technique and aesthetics.

Antonio Terranova provided the look that has been defining CVSTOS since the inception of the brand; born in 1967 in the very heart of the Swiss watchmaking industry (La Chaux-de-Fonds), he has embraced watch design and worked for several top-notch brands such as Cartier, Piaget, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Ebel and Zenith – until moving on to fulfil the dream of launching his own company with Sassoun Sirmakes, inspired by the innovative aerospace and automotive industries.

CVSTOS timepieces are hand assembled and finished using in-house modified and manufactured movements, in their workshop and head offices in Downtown Geneva in the historical watchmaking quarter of Saint-Gervais, while its cases and movement parts are produced in its industrial facility in Prevessin.

Always a step ahead of time, CVSTOS, the avant-garde benchmark in high-end watchmaking, anticipates current trends, relentlessly pursuing excellence