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PRIDE BREEDS IGNORANCE.

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So, yesterday I had a history lesson with my dad. Using storytelling as a time machine, my father literally teleported me decades into the past, and trust me, it was absolutely fun. As I often say, to move forward, we must understand what preceded us. Therefore, our past is an essential part of what makes us who we are. When asked why my surname isn’t Urhobo, even though I claim to be Urhobo, I usually say that I’m half Urhobo and half Ukwani. However, the scales fell from my eyes yesterday, and just like Apostle Paul, I could finally see clearly why. Here’s what I learned: ignorance is pride. I have lived 18 years of my life and never once questioned why my surname wasn’t Urhobo or why my town was different from other Urhobo towns, even though I was repeatedly asked this question. We often go through life oblivious because we lack the humility to seek the truth for ourselves. I could have lived with my father for the next 100 years and still not known this vital part of ou...
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A Brief History of the Orogun People

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Story time!!. Let's dive into a bit of history, shall we? So, I had an enlightening conversation with my father, Mr. Okwanyionu (a true genius), about our origins. You see, I've often been asked why my surname is Ukwani even though I’m Urhobo. I didn’t have a solid answer, until now. Here's what I learned: The Origin of the Orogun People The Orogun people are Urhobo by implication of their local government (Ughelli North). However, history links them to Kwale. Here's the story: The Ughelli, Ogor, Agbarha, and Orogun people (among others in Ughelli North) are all descendants of Ohwha, who was a Benin prince. Ohwha migrated from Benin to what is now Ughelli North. During their migration, Ohwha and his children settled at Ogo-Oviri, near the present-day Ogor Technical College. Over time, his descendants moved to different locations, forming the Ughelli, Ogor, Agbarha, and Orogun kingdoms. The Role of Oriara and Orogun Orogun was the son of Ughelli's younger...
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AT MY OLD SECONDARY SCHOOL

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I was at my old secondary school today, And it felt surreal, Like I’m almost surprised that I once walked these walls, Once sat on these broken chairs, And witnessed everything, torn roofs, doors, and even buildings. I could recall the familiar sound of Uncle Obi’s stern warning Not to be seen near the dilapidated buildings at the back, As though the whole school wasn’t a sprawling estate Of crumbling walls barely holding up. I was at my old secondary school today, And it felt like a decade had passed Since I last wore one of those neatly pressed uniforms, With my head held high, Dreaming and believing I was a goddamn genius. I could still recall the Wednesday assemblies, Where we chanted half-heartedly the national anthem Translated into French as though it was our father’s tongue Singing absolute nonsense but oblivious. We used to call it "French Day." I was at my old secondary school today, And the trees seemed thinner, the field's grass—grey. It’s been onl...
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Proverbs 4:18 CEV

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[18] The lifestyle of good people is like sunlight at dawn that keeps getting brighter until broad daylight. It's not enough to confess that you're good, does your lifestyle support and confirms that confession?  From the above Proverb we can see that "good people" have a lifestyle, one that sponsors goodness. Like my coach would say, 'everything has a lifestyle'. Now, the lifestyle of whatsoever thing determines the borders of what it can do, and experience.  I believe king Solomon here was trying to pass across a point, which is, because of the lifestyle of good people, they experience goodness. Therefore, if we desire goodness, we ought to life the lifestyle of good people and in extension we enjoy the reward.  Dearest reader, what does you current lifestyle sponsor? With your current lifestyle, are you able to get the life you desire?  At the higher echelon of life, it's not about what you can do, but what your lifestyle (habitual way of l...
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UNDERSTANDING BACKWARDS.

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"If you don’t tackle the issue from the source, it will keep reoccurring." – X Guess who's finally done watching the movie "Seven Doors" after so many years? Yes, meee! This movie took forever for me to complete because it was downloaded on my sister's phone. But today, I was finally able to watch it. I learned a lot from it, so let me share some of my insights with you. **** For me, the highlight of the movie was the part where he was told the story of the past. It shows how valuable the past is. There was even a moment when the chief priest told him that before ascending the throne, his family was supposed to take him to the House of Storytelling. I believe that would have prepared him for what was to come. The past is a weapon, one you cannot afford to be oblivious of because it could destroy you. What happened before is so important because it can explain why things are currently happening. So imagine forgetting something that makes you you. ...
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If You're Wrong, You're Wrong!

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"We often lean towards the things that have a negative connotation." – X. Who else has experienced doing something wrong and getting upset because of how you were scolded for it? It’s that situation where you know you’re obviously in the wrong, but you still take offense at how the other person points it out. Now, it’s possible the person is being unreasonably harsh or blowing the situation out of proportion. However, if you’re wrong, you’re wrong, there’s no two ways about it. By focusing on the person’s tone or the way they address the issue, rather than reflecting on your actions, you risk downplaying your offense, which isn’t right. As the saying goes, "Two wrongs don’t make a right." So, when you mess up, own up to it and learn to take responsibility. I’m not writing this from a place of superiority but from experience. I’ve been in this situation too many times, messing up and then getting upset over how the issue was addressed. This reaction often...
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CHRONICLES OF LADY AVA: The Heart Wants What It Wants

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Call it stupid, silly, or unreasonable, at the end of the day, the heart wants what it wants, and there's nothing you can do about it. But there’s this thing about tough, ambitious ladies that makes them feel incapable of certain levels of vulnerability and "stupidity." Lady Ava, being one of the most goal-driven teenagers I know, always seemed superhuman to me. Madam is so tough that when we have those girly gossip sessions about the guys we have crushes on, she just sits there looking at us with those judgy eyes, as though we are the greatest sinners that ever existed. Now, being goal-driven and career- or success-oriented doesn’t make one any less human. But I’ve come to realize that an extreme fear and avoidance of vulnerability can lead one right into the trap of senselessly succumbing to it. Sometimes I just want to ask her, “What are you fighting? And what’s fighting you?” You know those people whose defense walls are so high that getting to truly know ...
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