Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Diary of an Ibadan corper 7

In this episode, another guest author, Anifowose Mariam a fresh Ibadan corper shares some of her experience as a serving Ibadan corper ..

All i wanted was to serve my country, but I was disappointed when I didn’t go with the stream 1 . To make matters worse stream 2 couldn’t go to camp on the scheduled date due to ‘logistic reasons’ as NYSC had said then.

Eventually June 13 came, I travelled to the NYSC orientation camp at iseyin oyo state. Hmmm, my first experience that day I just won't forget it. I was told to carry my box on my head and walk to the main entrance of the camp. The man o war people didn’t pity my petite stature, thank God I didn’t go with much load. I did as I was instructed, did my registration and collected my kit.

To my greatest surprise I was given a giant sized khaki uniform , to add salt to my injury I was given a jungle boot of size 45 whereas my real size is 36. I ended up swapping with other corp members four times until I eventually ended up with a size 39 which was just manageable.

Everything in camp was regimented starting from the early morning exercise that is always spiced up with lovely music. I always find myself dancing instead of doing exercise. Anyway dancing is a form of exercise.

17days later, I was discharged to my place of primary assignment, ministry of health Ibadan, Ibadan north local government area.
Serving in Ibadan has its sweet funny and bitter experience.

The taxi drivers and okada riders are always ready to swindle corps members, once they see us in khaki. I almost spent all my money on transportation to the local government for cds my first time. Transportation fare of ₦50 I ended up paying ₦150. One has to been very smart with the market women too. They tend to sell their products at exorbitant prices once they see corps member in khaki.

PV signing in Ibadan north local government is another experience worth sharing. For my first PV signing, I got to the LG around 8am in the morning only to end up being number 42 on the list. Was it that some corps members didn’t sleep in their houses? Even at number 42 I still didn’t sign PV that day instead my white t-shirt got stained with brown powder, different shapes and colours of lip stick by other female corps member. To be sincere I think I stained other corps members's t-shirt with my lipstick too. Don’t blame us o, the female corps members in Ibadan north are fashion talented.

Ibadan is really a big city, it has quite a number of tall buildings like cocoa house, shopping malls like shoprite, cinemas , recreational centres like agodi gardens eatries like foodco, tantalizers, dominos pizza , KFC, food companies like sweetco, sumal foods etc. Allawee of 19800 hasn’t given me the opportunity to visit all those places I mentioned.

Ibadan people can be very funny when it comes to pronunciations. Omo Ibadan ki ni so re? there is this word I always hear from the taxi drivers ‘kin cenma’, on one faithful day I told my friend I will like to take a tour around Ibadan we were sitting down in the micra waiting patiently for the micra to get filled up. Suddenly I just heard that word again ‘kin cenma’ I decided to ask my friend where kin cenma is. Oh lord of mercy the driver was trying to pronounce queen cinema!



Anifowose Maryam, is a nutritionist. She loves writing and reading novels. A picky eater but skilled in cooking. she cherishes her sleep a lot and doesn't joke with it. maryamanifowose@yahoo.com

Friday, September 23, 2016

Pride of London


The rivalry this weekend will wholly prove the long-lasting antagonism between Arsenal and Chelsea. On Saturday at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal and Chelsea fans will be taunting each other when both teams meet this weekend. The first meeting between both teams was in November 1907, a match in which Chelsea FC won; 2-1. The total meeting between them is 187; with Arsenal being victorious in 72 games, drawing 54 games and losing 61 times to Chelsea.

The home supporters (Arsenal fans) are claiming to be the pride of London based on their numbers of trophies and history. Arsenal have won 12 FA cups, 13 league titles, two league cups, 14 FA community shields, and 1 UEFA cup winner’s cup. Their fans are like: “Chelsea, you have no history.” Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger reinvented football. He led his team to an unbeaten season in 2003-04; “The invincible.”

Chelsea believes they are the pride of London, asking Arsenal fans: “Have you won the champions league?” Chelsea have won 7 FA cups, 5 league cups, 4 FA community shields, 1 UEFA champions league, two UEFA cup winner’s cups, 1 UEFA Europa league and 1 UEFA Super cup. Chelsea are the only London team to have won the UEFA champions league.

Chelsea FC bringing in Jose Mourinho in 2004 as their manager, added toxicity between both clubs. It started when Henry of Arsenal scored a free kick while Chelsea’s goal keeper was still arranging his players.

After this, Mourinho has been feeding media with words to strike at Arsenal and their manager, Wenger. There is always an intense-feeling between the players and supporters whenever they meet. The 2007 Carling Cup final is an example: Chelsea’s captain, John Terry was made unconscious after Abou Diaby accidentally kicked him in the face. After Didier Drogba, the higest scoring player in a match between both teams, scored an 84th minute goal, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor and John Mikel Obi were given red cards for fighting. Last season’s first encounter saw Chelsea claim a 2-0 victory against Arsenal. Arsenal were reduced to ten men after Diego Costa pretends led to the sending off of Gabriel.

Later, they got another red card, which reduced them to nine. During that same game, Gary Cahill’s harsh challenge on Alexis Sanchez vexed Wenger. Arsene Wenger and Mourinho were physically involved. Wenger pushes Mourinho on the chest, knocking Mourinho off balance. Wenger and Arsenal fans believe Chelsea are boring and defensive.
Mourinho believes Arsenal’s manager, Wenger, is a “specialist in failure and that Arsenal have a “tradition of crying.” With Mourinho gone, the rivalry between both teams continue. From 1996 till date Arsene Wenger of Arsenal have coached against 13 different managers in charge of Chelsea. With Antonio Conte presently involved as Chelsea’s manager the atmosphere this Saturday won’t be different. The new

Chelsea boss is very tactical and defensively minded. Arsenal fans won’t hesitate to boo their former midfielder, Cesc Fabregas and the player who they dislike most, Diego Costa.

Still no derby has grown like that of these two teams in England. Arsenal and Chelsea match have been competitive over the years, longer than that of Manchester derby. Which team will claim bragging right this weekend? Which team will be the pride of London, Arsenal or Chelsea?

Yemi Onayemi a biochemistry graduate who has found his path into Film writing and make up artistry.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Pretence


Being around people who pretend as much as they breathe lately got me wondering, why do people pretend? Why has it become so rampant? I looked further into what they stood to gain or lose. You will agree with me that pretence is an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true. Pretence is falsification of situations and reality, putting up a false show. Now we all know that nothing good can come out of anything false. So I can say that the disadvantages outweighs the advantages.

In the first place, pretence is a phenomenon which has to do with personality. The personality of the pretender and the one on the receiving end.

The pretender
Most times people pretend to be what they are not because they want to fit into the society, because they want to be accepted or in most cases they want to get over a feeling of low self esteem they have which is as a result of something.

A pretender has everything to hide. Either about situations or about his/her person, hiding who they really are. Having fake relationships, fake friends, unrelaxed nature and way of life isn't left behind. A pretender forgets that by pretending, he/she is alienating his/herself, no one can reach out to a pretender's soul, pretenders engage in covering up their true needs thereby living an unfulfilled life.

The receiving end
As an individual at the receiving end you must ask yourself several questions to ascertain what exactly the situation is. Why should you be deceived? Have you in anyway through your body language shown that you are not a trustworthy or friendly person? Have you been wicked? On the other hand are you a threat to someone or people? Are you being threatened? Are you being envied or ganged up against? Someone pretending around you might actually be a sign that you need to watch your back or watch your ways.

How to stop pretending
Stop trying to please others, learn to say no when you should.

Create your own path and walk in it, do not try to be someoneelse

Do not be selfish, remember the whole world does not revolve around you alone

Pray and ask for help.

Friday, September 9, 2016

Manchester Derby

Here is a guest article from a guest author on brownysays blog, Yemi Onayemi's maiden article on the blog is on the always discussed EPL. Enjoy....

This weekend, English Premier League (EPL) is about to get even harder as Manchester United faces Manchester City at Old Trafford Stadium. This will be the mother of derby matches in England; two teams with the two best managers in the world, fighting for pride and the EPL title. With history between these two teams, meeting 171 times; Manchester United have won 71, they’ve drawn 51, Manchester City have won 49 times. Saturday being the first meeting between the two managers on England shores. So much is at stake when these two teams face each other:

On Both Teams This Season:
This season, Jose Mourinho has wasted no time in spending 145 million pounds at Manchester United, bringing in; Eric Baily, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Harikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba. Interestingly, Man-UTD didn’t sell any player. The Portuguese boss, Mourinho is trying to build a squad capable of winning the Premier League. After playing three matches Man UTD are third on table, winning three matches to get 9 points, scored 6goals and have a +5 goals difference.

On the other hand, Manchester City has spent the total of 136.4 million pounds this season, bringing in; Bravo, Gundogan, Nolito, Sane, and Stones. For Man-City, Joe Hart, Nasri and Bony have been loaned out. Man-City tops the table with 9points, 9goals advantage and +6 goals difference. As expected from Guardiola’s team, they have played fascinating football and have been in control of all their games scoring goals.

On Both Managers:
On touchlines and in press conferences both managers have become best of enemies. This weekend is the opening of new rivalry between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. The pair have met 16 times: Mourinho have won 3, drawn 6 and Guardiola have won 7.
On their performance this season, Mourinho and Guardiola were both nominated for the EPL manager of the month, August 2016. Mourinho edged Guardiola to win the manager of the month award.

MOURINHO’S PRESS CONFERENCES:
“I prefer to be more aggressive and say we want to win…”
Mourinho on his model of football: “What is playing well? It is scoring more goals than the opponent, conceding less, making your fans proud because you give everything and win.”
GUARDIOLA ON MOURINHO: We’re both here, Jose and I. He wants to win, I want to win. We know each other pretty well.
Guardiola on his model of football: “I need to adapt my ideas to the quality of the players. We are going to train to win. It’s better to be with that pressure.
KEYS PLAYERS:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has well proven himself to us that truly: “age is a number.” The 34 year old striker has scored 3 goals in 3 EPL games for Manchester United.
Antonio Valencia, the right back seems to be enjoying a good spell under his new manager. His performance has gained him recognition this season as he was nominated for the player of the month award.
Sergio Aguero has also scored 3 goals for his team, Manchester City but won’t feature in the match on Saturday due to suspension. How do Man-City cope without their star man, Aguero?
It’s a complete turnaround for in form man, Raheem Sterling, who struggled in the second half of last season. The 22-year old is brimming with confidence since the arrival of his boss Pep Guardiola. He also scored twice in their last EPL game against West Ham. Raheem Sterling has been credited for his transformation as he was deservedly nominated for the EPL player of the month, August 2016.
With either teams having 100 percent record so far, continuing with this record is filled with uncertainty; it’s either one loss or the other wins or they draw. Two big teams with everything to fight for; what colour will Manchester be tomorrow? Red or Sky blue?

yemi Onayemi is a biochemistry graduate who has found his path into film writing, article writing and make up artistry.follow him @yemhigh

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

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