Month: February 2012

We are the future

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You can see me hawking in the streets

In my tattered uniform i trek long distances to school

When I get back i have housework to do

Tired i struggle through my homework

………………………………………………………..

This is the way of life for many children across the globe.

Child trafficking, being forced into slavery ,prostitution, and unpaid labour; millions of children have been stripped of their innocence.

It’s past time to stop this terrible treatment of the child. Don’t we realize that the children of today are the citizens,leaders, decision makers, doctors ,lawyers,teachers,engineers… of tomorrow. If we do not invest in them today,showing them love and care, what kind of future are looking at?

Let me help you, it’s a very bleak future.Protect the rights of the child today, and the world will be better for it.

Proudly Nigerian

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Right now it may not be so fresh to be a Nigerian.

From the Boko Haram-induced insecurity to the grinding poverty and all that is in between, many Nigerians simply wish they had been born in some other country. But the truth is no one can propel Nigeria to greatness apart from her people.Our current situation will not change until we stop complaining and begin to hope for a better Nigeria. Even though I’m rushing this piece before PHCN  withholds the gift of light and my internet connection is more of turbulent flow than laminar, I still stand tall and say to the world,

“I’M PROUD TO BE NIGERIAN!!!!!”

Before we get started

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Whether you are Muslim or not , I think it’s very important to note some basic facts about the most misunderstood religion in the world.

1. It was sent down by Allah (God) to the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). It literally means peace. It is complete submission to the will of Allah(S.W.T)

2. There are five pillars in Islam

*First is Iman(faith).To be Muslim, you have to believe that Allah is One and that there is no other deity worthy of worship except Him

And that Muhammad (s.a.w.) is His Messenger

*Muslims   pray five times a day.This is Salah

* Muslims fast one whole month in a year- in the holy month of Ramadan

*Muslims give a 2.5% of their annual wealth to the poor. This is called Zakah

*For those who can afford it, it’s compulsory to perform Hajj( pilgrimage) to Makkah at least once in a lifetime.

3.The Qur’an was sent down to guide mankind and is the Holy Book.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Next time, we’ll learn more about Islam.

The Hungry Lion

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Like a lion devouring its prey

You treat me with just as much savagery

Taking what you have no right to

Stealing from me in the worst way

            ~ * ~

No care for what I feel about this

All that matters is your transient glee

It’s a fleeting moment for you

Life’s just been taken from me

            ~ * ~

At first it was a struggle

I scratch and bite as much as i can

With each rough shove I panic

Each moment that passes, I grow frantic

            ~ * ~

At last, the  painful truth dawned on me

My life has just been changed forever

Waiting for it all to end

Seems like eternity

           ~ * ~

I try not to think of the mess

I try not to cry

I try not to blame myself

But all these I did

           ~ * ~

I watch all my dreams shatter

All fantasies crumble before my very eyes

The pain growing intense

I wonder if you know you are hurting me

           ~ * ~

Ounce by ounce, you kill me slowly

Dignity and self-worth gone with the wind

I hear you grunt as i writhe in pain

It happens so fast I do not understand in time

           ~ * ~

It seems like it’s over

More for you of course

I feel bashed, beaten, battered and abused

Crushed,betrayed,discarded and used

           ~ * ~

I ponder as you disappear

If I could be worse than

Something the cat sicked up

I can’t find the strength to stand

          ~ * ~

All my essence wasted

A hole has been dug in my soul

Bitterness and hatred fills it

How will the pieces of my life fit?

          ~ * ~

Walk about like one in a trance

Can’t find the words

Tears fill in for me

Hear the questions,see their faces

          ~ * ~

Why weren’t they around

When I needed them the most?

I honestly can not explain it all

As I only just began to understand

          ~ * ~

I feel like running away from

What I have become

No revenge do I want

To die is all that will suffice

          ~ * ~

Can’t bring my eyes to the mirror

Everyone steals looks at me

Wish I could tell them not to bother

I’m not worth a kobo

          ~ * ~

Too weak to hurt myself

My head is down under too

And so I have to keep moving

Through life like a ghost

         ~ * ~

Filled with regret and sorrow

Something has simply stopped

Never to continue again

        ~ * ~

It’s no use running to the law

It wasn’t made for girls like me

I’ve got to suffer and bear the brunt alone

      ~ * ~

Being examined by another man

Makes it seem like

It’s happening all over again

But by now, I’ve gone past caring

     ~ * ~

How did I fall into this trap?

Could I have avoided it?

Why did it have to be me?

What’s there to talk about?

    ~ * ~

No shrink can help me forget

The ugly episode is stuck in my memory

     ~ * ~

If I could turn back the clock,

I would never have accepted the ride.

                                                                                                   …………………………………………………..

As you all read it,remember that women and girls are being violated around the world, in your locality,even right this minute.As against the stereotype where the rapist hunts down his prey,sometimes the victim unwittingly exposes  herself to danger.I tried to illustrate this in the poem.Girls please think twice before you accept that free ride!