Goodbye 2019

Goodbye to a decade of learning
Goodbye to a year of continuous tests
Goodbye to looking back at the past
Goodbye to trying to be somebody whom i don't recognize
Goodbye to crying and frustrations
Goodbye to heartbreaks and back stabs
Goodbye to feelings of hopelessness
Goodbye to being a support to ingrates
Goodbye to staying stuck in situations
Goodbye to feelings of hatred
Goodbye to all the known comfort zones
Goodbye to sadness and loneliness
Goodbye to friends and family who don't resonate with the real person within
Goodbye to lost loves and overachieved goals
Goodbye to negativity and sarcasm
Goodbye to that which no longer serves my growth
Goodbye to old enslaving mindsets
Goodbye to old skins and masks

Saying goodbyes is never easy
However the pleasure of saying "Hello" to new beginnings makes those goodbyes much more pleasant.

Wishing you all a very happy new year filled with love, peace, good health and landslide achievements.

Credit:

Punamjyoti Dessai

Spitting in public: A menace on the rise

                                           Google Image

The act of spitting is common place all over the world. At one point or the other, people feel the urge to eject saliva or other substances from their mouth. But while this act is discreetly done by cultured individuals, others throw caution to the winds, spitting carelessly in public.

In Nigeria, especially in Lagos, spitting in public has become a worrisome trend. The streets of Lagos is today not only filled with garbage but also messed up with spit which can be visibly seen on the road, sidewalks, pedestrian bridge etc.

Ikeja which is one of the commercial nerve of Lagos state ranks high in this disgusting act. Hardly can you walk through Allen Avenue, Toyin Street, Adeniyi Jones, Alausa to mention a few without seeing human saliva in open space.

The rate at which Lagosians spit with reckless abandon leaves much to be desired. Many may not know that diseases such as tuberculosis, flu virus,bacteria etc.can be contracted through this disgusting, repulsive, unhygienic, and anti-social behaviour.

I foresee a time when people will start altering their stride to avoid stepping in other peoples spit.

Lagos at this point in time may have to emulate countries like China and Singapore who imposed heavy fine on individuals who spit in public.

Health conditions may necessitate that people eject saliva from their mouth but doing so in public is not the way to go. This is what tissues and hankies are meant for.

The Lagos State Government is presently doing all it can to get rid of garbage on the highways, streets and slum, but spitting in public is another menace that demands urgent attention before it gets out of hand.

Mercy Eke: Banishing the ghost of past BBN winners

Mercy Eke

The dust has settled since Mercy Eke emerged winner of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality television show tagged 'Pepper Dem' but expectations are high of the Imo State born video vixen.

It would be recalled that Mercy carted home a total of N60 million, including N30 million cash, N25 million worth of Innoson Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), a trip to Dubai among other prizes after beating off competition from 25 other contestants.

But beyond the money and prizes won, she is now a celebrity and endorsement deals have started rolling in from every side.

However, will Mercy name still ring a bell when the next winner of BBNaija season 5 emerge?

Fears are rife that she may sink into oblivion just as past winners of the reality TV show.

Katung Aduwak, Efe Ejeba and Miracle Igbokwe who won season 1 to 3 respectively are names we no longer hear about considering the high expectation that greeted their triumph.

Mercy though looks like a different proposition going by her deeds since she was crowned winner.
She has set up her clothing line, signed endorsement deals with Innoson Vehicle, Just Furniture and paid partnership deal with Ciroc Codka.

This is a good start bearing in mind that it's just over 3 months since she was crowned winner but more is expected of her to remain relevant.

She has all it takes to make her mark especially in the entertainment industry if she wants to toe that line. Her physical attributes and personality which endeared many to her during the show can be leveraged on for better acceptance. 

It is however imperative for her to stay of scandal, honour her endorsement deals, properly manage her love interest and get involved in charitable works through setting up a foundation. 

Over the years, winners of the show have always fallen short of expectations. In their stead, runners  up have hold sway. Ebuka and Bisola are shining examples in  this light. Can Mercy banish the ghost that has haunted past winners into oblivion? Time will tell.