Kayode Ogundamisi: The Brave Women of Northern Nigeria

POSTCARD: "Daughter Here is a Photo of The Brave Women of Northern Nigeria. Kayode Ogundamisi".

If you have daughters like I do, please frame the attached photos and let your girls know WOMENS LIBERATION is beyond big "grammar" on TV, long winded articles or witty social media battles, it is beyond a rapid visit to crisis prone North East Nigeria.

In African societies, when the chips are down the women do rise up. Actually they always stand up. We just don't give credit. This is what the traumatized mothers, sisters, aunties or Northern Nigeria did on March 28th 2015.

They defied Boko Harram Terrorists; they ignored the insults from Nigeria's first lady who described them as ‘born troway women’, they discounted the neglect from their Government and refused being NGO and international news report statistics, they braved Boko Harram and held hands in comradeship to vote on March 28, 2015.

The Women came out to enforce their fundamental human rights, these women who spent the last 6 years burying husbands, children, sisters, aunties. These women whose children, whose little girls go to school or can't because of the threat of kidnap and murder. They decided to vote even after Boko haram warnings not to. If they were to be from other parts of the world CNN AND BBC Panorama would be celebrating them, Sky News and Aljazeera News would be dedicating a programme to them. Perhaps Black, African, Nigerian women from Northern Nigeria are expected to be unbending, brave and resilient, they may never be celebrated, they are expected to be strong. Rosa Park refused to stand up for the racists in the United States of America, she sat, she resisted. 

The Women of Northern Nigeria did not seat, they have witnessed over 17 Thousand Nigerians murdered in 6 years, they refused to seat at home, and they stood. The emerging government cannot afford to disappoint these brave women and we have them across Nigeria. In the Niger Delta we witness Nigerian women in the hinterlands affected by environmental degradation and they still stand, in the South West we witness women who are yet to feel the impact of the so called women empowerment, girls still get harassed every single day, abused and neglected, yet they still stand, they still brave and hope. I celebrate them unaided. I am framing the photos so my daughters can learn one or two lessons from the VERY BRAVE WOMEN OF NIGERIA.

Photo Credit 

Facebook :Kayode Ogundamisi

Pastor Mrs: I think I am ready for marriage..... By Funmi Shittu

I hear a lot of people saying marriage isn't for everyone Yes, very true but it's also a very important decision if you are ever going to make it. So at least if you do, make sure you get it right!

No matter where you are now in your life? Be it single, dating, mingling or searching?? Whatever the case maybe, what should you be doing while you are waiting, looking or expectant. As much as many books would have told you to get busy with your career, chasing your dream, purpose and all of that (which is so vital).

However, what we forget to do sometimes is finding ourselves and developing who we are as an individual. I remember so clearly before I got married, I would always ask myself this question 'Can I live with myself" or can I tolerate myself. This is a tough and sincere question you must ask yourself each day. For example can I tolerate my behaviour and attitude? Am I tidy enough for my spouse? What of my hygiene, do I take it seriously? Yes I know we’re not perfect but its wisdom to know that as a man and as a woman tidiness is important and taking care of your looks matters (i.e. your breath and so much more)...Never get so spiritual and ignore these aspects of your lives. Perhaps, in your case it could just be the way you talk to people around you.

Addressing My Insecurities

Are you are the kind of person always checking your partners’ phone or always monitoring or policing his or her every movement? A lot of people have ended their relationships or walked out of an engagement because they are turned off by the unnecessary insecurities. Understanding where you stand in a relationship is key, whether dating, friendship or courting and not jumping the gun. Can I just slip this through; personally I don't understand when a brother tells a lady "let's just see how it goes". That statement doesn't sit well with me. Many people have got their hearts broken because of that, always remember your heart is not a rehearsal ground if they cannot prove it they do not deserve that space! Please let them define the relationship.

Who Are You on the Inside?

Deal or better still, start dealing with those negatives aspect of you, so when he or she finally sees you exhibiting some hidden characters down the line in your relationship or marriage he doesn’t become a shocker! Or maybe you’ve been pretending to be the person you are not? What are your true colours, because this will eventually get exposed? The truth is ignoring our bad habits consistently can lead to serious issues in marriages. It must be addressed, dealt with and consistently worked on to avoid disaster. 

Finances/Money

This is a topic a lot of couples shy away from before getting married, have you discussed the state of your finances, who is the stronger party? Savings, Investments and what are you bringing into the marriage. This sounds forward abi, my dear it is not o! It is imperative you both discuss who is going to be doing what when you eventually get married? "Some people are like he or she will think am with him or her for money". No honey! Although, I believe before you start discussing finances you must have reached a level in your relationship, not the part where you are not sure where you stand.

Family: Family! Family! Family! This is one of the major aspects of a marriage that you do not want to ignore. You are going to be seeing them every now and then. Are you friends with them, do they love you? Do you love them, I can hear someone saying, “If we love each other that’s what count” No! Eventually it can be a problem in the long term if either of you have unresolved issues with your family members. For clarity purposes, family here means (mother, father, literally close family members).

Basically, addressing these key aspects in a relationship before embarking on a marriage will do you a lot of good and help prepare your mind spiritually, financially and also physically.

You really do not want to ignore all this and carelessly make decisions solely on how you feel, because you will have to address them in the future regardless!

Photo Credit: Bassey Peters

Mother’s Day Tribute!

You are the strongest of them all. Your strength is incredible. Even when things look impossible your faith makes it possible. You always see the best in your children and you never stop praying for them!

May your labour of work speak for you in the future and may every tears you shed over your seeds be tears of joy! May your children children surround your table. 

To the mother that feels unloved by your husband or your children, or maybe you've been abandoned, may God restore everything broken! 

Happy Mother’s Day to that man that plays the role of a single father, out of your rib God made a woman... 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful women that plays an enormous role in the lives of every child! 

Happy Mother’s Day to that woman that prays night and day for the fruit of the womb! God hears your every word of prayer…..The world couldn't be better without you, your strength and your support! 

Happy Mother’s day to the woman that protects us in the war zone...We celebrate your bravery! Your courage is second to none!

Happy Mother Day to the departed souls, your influence did not go unnoticed. 

To you Mothers no words can describe you! 

You are simply indescribable.. 


HMD!!!! 

The Osasu Show! Presented by Osasu Igbinedion...#TOS

Funmi Shittu: Who is Osasu Igbinedion?

TOS: Osasu Igbinedion is a God fearing, outgoing and vibrant young lady from Edo State. She was born in London, grew up in Lagos for a bit then moved to Benin when her dad became Governor in '99. Osasu later relocated to the United States to further her education and this is where she received her bachelors and masters degree in communications and a certificate from New York Film Academy in TV and Film Producing. She worked for prestigious organizations such as MGM studios in Beverly Hills, California, Ocean Spray cranberries inc. and MEGA International. 

Funmi Shittu: How did the show come about and what is the core essence of The Osasu Show?

TOS: I've always been passionate about reforming Nigeria. My friends back in the states would ask me what my plans were post- graduation and I would tell them my intentions for moving back home to Nigeria to leverage on the potential our country has. The Osasu Show stems from a passion of mine to meet the needs of the masses; to provide an escape route for those going through trying times, those who have never left the country, those who are passionate about Nigeria like myself and willing to explore their capabilities regardless of their physical restrictions. This is what TOS is all about; teaching, learning and bridging the gap (not solely economically wise but intellectually as well.)

Also, I want to broaden the horizon of the average Nigerian and elite in our country.. I want an average Nigerian who has never left the country before to travel the world mentally and visually via The Osasu Show on their television screens. I want to raise awareness amongst the elite, I want them to be conscious -not just vaguely knowledgeable- of the struggles and possibilities the masses embody. My goal for this show is to create a platform that brings us, Nigerians, together in a more unified and systematic way. More so, a platform that would enable us tap into the potentials and capabilities of each other irrespective of tribe, race, creed, gender or religion.

This is what TOS is about and I know for a fact that we can accomplish more in Nigeria as a collective society than we can individually. 

Funmi Shittu: What gap are you trying to fill in relation to the media and politics in general?

TOS: Well, when you tell politicians that you are in the media industry they do one of two things 1) they run away from you like the plague or 2) they use you as their personal spin-doctor. The relationship between journalists and politicians do not have to be so sinister. We can both respect each-others fields while sticking to our integrity and doing the work the public has entrusted us to do. 

To personalize this question a little bit, TOS will provide our viewers an opportunity to get their questions answered by the politicians who want to rule our country. The Towards 2015 Elections Edition (which we are currently featuring at 9am every Tuesday on AIT and Sundays on Ben TV London) will specialize in revealing the true intentions of these politicians and why they want us to vote for them. 

Funmi Shittu: What are the viewer’s expectations of TOS?

TOS: The viewers should expect nothing short of an amazing and impactful 30-minutes of non-stop awesomeness delivered by the very sophisticated and professional Osasu Igbinedion. Seriously, I get to the bottom of the subject matter in every episode. I know for a fact the viewers would be taken aback, I definitely was after watching my pilot episode with Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, Chairman TAN and Capital Oil (you can watch this on our YouTube channel: The Osasu Show or watch it here if you haven't done so already.) 

Just to wrap up, I must mention for those who are totally uninterested in politics (shame on you! Just kidding.. It's totally understandable) after the presidential elections are over on March 28th 2015 we will expand the scope of TOS and have entrepreneurs, public servants, philanthropists, social activists and professionals in various spheres of life feature on TOS! 

I truly hope you tune in for the launch tomorrow at 9am on AIT (Nigeria) and Sunday (time TBA) on Ben TV London. 

For updates and participation:

Follow us: 

TWITTER: @Theosasushow

INSTAGRAM: @Theosasushow

WEBSITE: http://www.theosasushow.com/?cat=1

Like our page: www.facebook.com/theosasushow

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: The Osasu Show 

Be an insider, let us know your views via email: Theosasushow@gmail.com

International Women’s Day 2015: Ode to The Woman by Funmi Shittu

She's beautiful and strong
No one sees her tears because she possesses an inner strength!
She works day and night to make sure there is food on the table.
She's forever looking for ways to be an inspiration to others...
She's been bruised, abused, broken but yet she stands strong...
She survived a broken marriage and had the courage to start all over again. She forgives her past and was able to embrace her future. She’s a threat to her past and an asset to her future...

Read More on Bella Naija

Happy International Women's Day

Funmi