Thanksgiving.

It's thanksgiving week. Yay!
If you come at me with the "Nigerians don't celebrate thanksgiving" line, I will...nvm.

This picture is so unrelated to this post, but oh well...

A Lighthouse

"A lighthouse doesn't save the ships; it doesn't go out and rescue them, it's just this pillar that helps to guide people home"
- Lea Michele

A lighthouse is a tower or a building designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses and used as a navigational aid for sailors at sea or on inland waterways.
For sailors navigating the water ways, Lighthouses helps them identify:
#Dangerous coastlines
#Hazardous shoals 
#Reefs
#Safe entries to harbors
#And also assists in aerial navigation

As I studied about lighthouses, I discovered something interesting, regardless of how big or tall as a light house is, it is powered by a  simple "lamp", in the pre-modern era, the  lamps were fueled with Whale oil and kerosene but in recent times, most lamps are powered by electricity or gas.

I read the quote from Lea Michele  (Racheal Berry of "Glee") and I remembered a portion of scripture. The scripture likened Christians to lights and cities set hills. Do you know that  before the development of proper sea ports, sailors were guided by fires built on hilltops? Since raising the fire would improve the visibility, placing the fire on an elevated platform became a practice that led to the development of the lighthouse.

Dear Christian, do you know that to quite a number of people you are like a light house? You may not know it, you may not feel like a "Super-Christian" but...remember that friend that called you after she had an overdose of drugs and thought she would die? Remember that you were the first person your sister called after she had an abortion and she felt like God hated her? Remember how a colleague wept uncontrollable in the bathroom after telling you that he was confused about his sexuality and he couldn't tell anybody else?

When you profess Christ openly, people take note of you and in a weirdly funny way, they look up to you, they may make fun of your beliefs and values but trust me, they look up to you. An assignment every Christian has, is to be a light WHEREVER we find ourselves. Yes, it might be inappropriate to talk about our religious beliefs in some places but we can stand for integrity, we can show kindness, we can speak words of encouragement to people. I have never been to a place where such things are inappropriate.

Remember that the source of light for a light house is a simple "lamp"? However, there is this thing called a lens, it magnifies the light from the lamp and makes it visible to Sailors at a far distance. We are humans with flaws, how can we stand out? We have the Holy-Spirit (our lens) he magnifies whatever effort we put (no matter how little) at standing out and being lights. Like Lea said, lighthouses don't necessarily save ships or Sailors as the case may be, they are just pillars that guide people home, home to Jesus.

One last thing, have you ever noticed that a lighthouse stands alone? Or have you ever seen a cluster or Lighthouses? It might get lonely being a Christian, but I'd rather hear God say "Weldone my good and faithful servant" than have a bunch of friends that will takeep me away from Jesus.

I pray this meets you where you are and that you have the strength to stand for God no matter the consequences. 

Matt 5:14 "YOU are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden"


Love and Light,
xoxo. 

10 things I love about Nigeria

Happy independence Nigeria!

I thought about all the things I love about Nigeria and Nigerians and I came up with this list. When I started, I thought it'd be hard to get to ten but it was so easy and I even got more than ten!

1. Nigerian music: I am not referring to Nigerian  music that sounds foreign, I'm referring to "afro-pop, fuji, high-life, etc - Nigerian music that sounds indigenous. One of our greatest exports as a country in recent times is our music! I love Nigerian music, there's something special about it, something happy, something unique! 

(I said music not lyrics because I can't for the life of me understand what "ske ske robo ske" means)

2. Food: I love Nigerian cuisine!  This might seem ironic because  I don’t eat much but that’s because I have small stomach. 😆 Nigerian food is the best in the world!  Do you want to argue about that? Then you haven’t tasted ewa agayin, pounded yam, egusi,  efo riro, moin moin, ogbonno,  suya, ikokore, banga,  ofe onugbu, afang,  suya, black-soup, owo, asun, (insert any thing)  peppersoup, akara, puff - puff, dodo...abeg leave matter for Mathias.

**Picture by Dooney of dooney's kitchen

3. Attire: my favourite Nigerian attire is the edo attire, (not because I'm from edo state 😊). Then I love that of the Yoruba people. I love the way geles look on women but that thing is STRESSSSSS! 

Former Miss Osas Ighodaro

4. Movies: gone are the days when watching Nigerian movies would make your IQ drop by 30%, Nollywood is doing a great job and I commend them for it.

5. Nigerian churches: I just had to go there! No one does "church" better than Nigerians.  If you're a christian you must have the Nigerian church experience. During prayer sessions there is always that one Bro. Paul that is sweating profusely, and spitting on people because Pastor told everyone to shout at the top of their voices and command the east wind to blow blessings their way. Sister Patience is always slain in the spirit even before "laying of hands" start and Sister Nkiru the choir mistress will always sing through her nose. What of the "Wassup Jesus" (as someone put it on social media) churches? Ha, everything is always on fleek! #ChurchFlow #Onfleek. What about the Sunday-Sunday daraprim people? It is only on  Sundays they remember to be Christians. Posting scriptures and motivational quotes on social media. Making statements like "today is Sunday, let's all be truthful, don't get me angry, I don't want to fight". So it's okay to fight every other day of the week. Ok.

"Today is Sunday, I don't want to use the "f" word"

On a serious note, a lot of Nigerian Christians are DEVOUT! Regardless of how we go about it, we love God and will not hesitate to shove it down the throats of whoever cares to listen.

6. Weddings! : Oh my gosh, how could I forget! I'm so sorry Aunty Bella. This should be at the top of the list. Nigerian weddings are sooooo colourful! Lord! The party scene (weddings et al) in Nigeria is "turnt" (forgive me for using that word Esther). Shalla to all the Yoruba people, no tribe does it better when it comes to owanbe.

7. Language: About 510 languages are spoken in Nigeria but my favourite are Esan (beacuse I'm Esan) Yoruba and Igbo. I love the way those languages sound. They sound...special. I'm always awed by the fact that within a one hour driving distance, you will find groups of people that speak different languages and there are no similarities in the languages whatsoever! Case in point Edo state. Nigerian languages are beautiful, forget the fact that some sound like a stainless steel plate bouncing off the floor several times.

8. Our sense of humour: who remembers "political twitter?" I died from laughter that time. Nigerians are not just the happiest set of people in the world we have the best sense of humour...ever!

9. Our "political activism": have you ever seen a newspaper stand in Nigeria? Those stands news paper vendors display the dailies to sell or allow people read any paper they want for a certain amount? Ha! If you see the way people gather round to argue about news headlines? They won't but any newspaper o, they won't even pay to read it, they'll just peep at the headlines and start arguing. Serious arguments for that matter before you know what's happening, people will start hurling insults at each other. I remember one particlar scene, a man was shouting at the top of his lungs and the veins in his temples wanted to pop out! His eyes were so red, as if someone put hausa pepper in it. There's one close to the building I work and the only time you won't see them there is when it rains. Every Nigerian is a political analyst and activist and I love that, it is our "activism" (however misguided it may seem) that got us to this point as a country. 

10. Nigerians are fighters: Nigerians are the most resilient set of people in the world. No electricity? we find a way to generate it ourselves. Bad roads, we find a way to navigate or find alternate routes. Another angle to this is that Nigerians are everywhere in the world! This is a fact. A friend recently relocated to "one county like that", a very remote place that you hardly hear about the country and I thought he'd be the only Nigerian there. Story! 

If I hadn't set the limit at ten, I would have said more. I didn't get to mention that I love the way Nigerians dance and our dance styles, I love the fact that Nigeriansa are beautiful people or that we have very beautiful places in this country.

I love Nigeria!

Nigeria is beautiful and blessed!

God bless Nigeria.

Please share to every Nigerian you know and add to this list in the comments section!

xoxo.

Dawn



Dawn will come...the night can only last for so long.

Those that wait on the Lord...
We wait, because it is dark and we don’t know which way to go.
We wait on you because we are weak and our strength has failed us.
We wait because we tried to do it on our own and in our own wisdom but we failed.
We wait because all hope is lost, we had put our trust in chariots and horses but we lost our way.
We wait because there’s nothing left to do, we have tried everything we know, we diligently applied every knowledge we gained but it failed us.
We wait because there seems to be no way out of this tunnel because we are stuck.
We wait on you because we’ve made so many mistakes already and we do not desire to make more.
We wait on you for your word, instructions, directions. ..anything.
We wait because we know dawn will come,
The night can only last for so long.

They shall renew their strength...
You have exalted my horn like that of a unicorn, fine oils have been poured on me.
You have taken my sorrow and shame away,
You have put a new song in my mouth.
You have given me strength,
You have made me smile again,
You have mended the pieces of my broken heart,
You have healed my body, like the balm that you are, you have soothed my aching bones.
You have done what no man can do because you have strengthened me from within.

They shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary,  they shall run and not faint...
I can run against a troop with the help of my God.
I can leap over a wall with the help of my God.
I can do all things because my God has given me strength from within
I am a bright and shinning light because from within me burns the brightest fire.

This piece is dedicated to my friend Esther, dawn has come and it is time for you to soar. You went through the night and your light only burned brighter, it never dimmed. Soar baby, soar, nobody can stop you because God himself set you on this path.
To whoever is reading this, always remember that no matter what you’re going through, dawn will come, night can only last for so long. Never compare your journey with that of others because we are all on different paths, we all have different stories to tell. If people are getting breakthroughs that you desire for yourself, never  despair, never give up hope because when hope is lost, what then do we have left? Always remember “anytime you wake up is your morning”.
Dawn will come.

Isa:4 vs 31 
“those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they will mount up with wings as eagles, they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint”

xoxo.

Wherever you are...

Hello everyone,

August was such a blur, I can't believe 30 days went by so fast!

I have a serious case of "writers block" and I can't seem to get anything out no matter how much I try but anytime I think of writing this picture pops up in my head

Have you ever found yourself "wandering" at times? You know you're in familiar surroundings but deep inside you feel lost, you wonder how you got to a particular point and you can't even remember the steps that brought you to the wilderness you find yourself presently.
I think at some point, some people go through this phase. I have and only God knows if I'll have to go through it again. 
I don't know everything, but I'm sure of this - no matter where you are, God is with you. 
Some people are on the right path but still feel like they're wandering, I think it's fine. Let's say where you are/were is point A and where you want to get to is point Z. There are 24 points between A&Z and even if you feel like you're wandering at points G, T & X, you're not lost, you're just in unfamiliar territory and that's fine because the end point - Z is nothing short of beautiful and glorious. 
Some others are on the wrong path and they know it! Some don't. But if you feel/know that you're on a path that leads to neverland,  God is still interested in you and can redirect your footsteps from where you are to where you ought to be if you let him.

The words of David comforts me

"Where can I go from your Spirit? 
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens you are there
If I make my bed in hell you are there
If I rise on the wings of the dawn 
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there your hand will guide me
And your right hand will hold me fast"

Never forget that no matter where you are, God is with you and will lead you. You are never lost or alone!

Have a blessed September and please pray that this writers block leaves. I'm tired! Arghhhhhhhh!


"And surely I am with you always, even to the end of time" Matthew 28:20


Love and Light, 
xoxo

The Princess And The Frog

"Kissing every Frog because you don't know which one would be your prince"

The most random thoughts pop into my head at odd times!

Grace abounds much more.

Hello there!

How was June? Hope you've all done your BVN? Trust Nigerians to wait till the last minute to do everything! Anyway, the Central Bank of Nigeria has extended the closing date to October 31st 2015. Shout out to everyone that spent the whole day queuing at the bank, don't procrastinate next time. *Hugs*

I listened to Swoope's Sinema album for the first time today and that album is deep! I had goosebumps at some point! The last two tracks on that album was spot on! The album was an audio movie if there's anything like that and carries a message about our struggle as Christians with sinful desires. The lyrics had so much depth and this made me think. Recently, I have seen a lot of young people do amazing things. From music, to fashion, to business, to arts,to rendering services and any other thing you can think of. This reminds me of the scripture that says "where sin abounds, grace abounds much more". Let me explain further.

It is very common to hear things like "I fear for this generation" "this is a wasted and lawless generation" "this generation is doomed for destruction" yadah, yadah, yadah.
Statements like these annoy me.

I am not ignorant of the fact that moral decadence is prevalent in this generation but I am of the opinion that we have two extremes.
On one end of the pole, there is decadence, immorality, the whole nine yards.
On the other end, there is good, so much talent and creativity. I'm amazed at the things young people do. I am particularly amazed at the wonderful things a lot of young Christians are doing. I get engaged in conversations with other young people and I am blown away because the world hasn't seen half of what this generation has to offer.

I am very wary of older that people that are quick to judge young people. Especially some "agbalagbas" in Nigeria. I always wonder; Which generation put Nigeria in the mess we're in now? Which generation looted and bled this country dry? Which generation produced the Sugar Daddies that "arisotos" follow?
Anyway, I am not here to start a "war of generations", I respect and value the opinions of those older than I am. My point is this, never let anyone, look down on you, yes you, because of your age. If God has placed a dream in your heart, follow it, because that is what will give you fulfilment. Never be afraid to say the truth. I believe that as much as there it is getting harder to stand for the truth, more grace is available for us.
I don't believe in the condemnation rhetoric about this generation. I believe in the grace of God that is available for us.


"Romans:5vs20 But where sin increased, grace increased all the more"

P.S. Speaking of young people doing amazing things, a lil birdie told me about a young woman that started her own make up and event management company! You can find out more about her company and the services she offers here.

Love and Light,
xoxo.

Life lately II

I wrote a post like this last year and went through it recently and I had a good laugh. I can only thank God for everything he has done for me since then.

So...I'm basically ranting and goofing around in this post, feel free to come along!

Yes! First gist of the day! I had a moment on Sunday evening when I was preparing for an open mic. I met one on my blog readers! It was an aww moment and it was so random! I felt like a celeb. Like I was sitting at a restaurant and she just walked up to me and said "Ilo" and I'm like 'er...hello' because I'm actually shy and she said ' I follow your blog, and you're a really good writer' writer aiye.

I'm not even going to be modest, I was so happy and funny enough she we attended the same secondary school! This world is a really small place. Her name is Lizzy and she blogs here.

About that open mic I talked about, it was organized by SU4C and it was the closing event for the Love Walk 2015. It was awesometastic and so much fun! Check out more about SU4C here . Before I forget, I was the MC of the day and I had so much fun doing it. I was standing in place for a friend and professional compere Elgee, who couldn't make it to the event on time. It was so much fun that I got a manager that would sort out bookings for me! I kid you not. Elgee, watch your back!

Speaking of events, I have been to so many weddings this year! Why did everyone wait till 2015 to get married? Did you guys get some kind of memo that the world would end by 2016 and all weddings have to take place before then? It's not even funny again. It got so annoying that one of my friends tagged me this picture on instagram! 

In other words, I am a canopy in the making

I was just rolling when I saw it! Who remembers the movie "27 Dresses"? I do, and I will do a post about all the weddings I have been to this year and all the dresses too! Who knows, I might get to 27 dresses very soon with the way things are going.

Did I forget to mention that I did a bit of professional singing too? Oh yes I did some studio sessions as a back up singer for Kunle Kenny. His first EP was released last month and you can stalk him here to place your orders. The sessions were fun but a lot of work too. Mhen, all you people in the music industry are really trying oh, from the producers to the vocalists. It takes soo much work to produce just one song and much more work to produce one of really good quality.

Speaking of music, Michael W. Smith was in Nigeria for the first time and I was there! The concert was at Covenant Christian Centre and the sound was out of this world! Now I know I just have to go for a rock music concert soon. Like a proper concert with a live band and crazy sound system. Not all this lip-syncing shenanigans most Nigerian artists do.

On a serious note, I wrote this post last year, from a place of frustration. I was really frustrated about where I was. Now, I'm in a much better place but the journey to this place was not easy. The road was tarred with sweat, tears and blood I must say. I had to make some difficult decisions, cut off ties with certain people and basically learn to stand on my own. I have learnt a few lessons through my experiences:

• Trust God and trust the process he's taking you through. God never fails, never, ever.
• When you have a dream, an idea or a plan, tell God about it first, commit it to him. Even if you have forgotten about it or abandoned that dream because you have to face the harsh realities of life, God will direct your steps back if that dream will give you joy and fulfilment
• No matter how much you want some people to be a part of your life, you might have to let them go if you are on different paths in life. Can two walk together except they agree?
• "Ambition has a price tag" - Leke Alder. Everything you want in life has a price. Consider what is worth fighting for and be ready to pay the sacrifice for it.
• Be careful for what you wish for because you just might get it!
• Family is everything. No matter how dysfunctional you think your family is, they are all you have when all is said and done.
• Gratitude. Gratitude. Gratitude. I cannot over emphasise the importance of always thanking God no matter what is happening in our lives.
• With God, you can move mountains. That is not a Christian rhetoric, that is an actual fact.

Alright people, what have you been up to?

Psa 34 vs 1
" I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth."


With Love,
Ilo.
xoxo

A prayer for you

I pray for you,
I pray that this month will be beautiful for you,
I pray that you have happiness and joy in abundance.
I pray that whatever you lay your hands on will prosper.
I pray that you experience peace,
the kind that surpasses your understanding.
I pray that you will receive pleasant surprises this month,
the kind that will make you forget the heartaches and disappointments of the past.
I pray that you will not lack any good thing this month,
God will meet you at the point of your needs.
I pray that you will be in sound health.
I pray for Gods protection over you and yours,
I pray that you receive direction and clarity this month.
I pray for grace, the grace to keep standing against all odds,
I pray for strength, that you'll be strengthened from within,
I pray that you receive the courage to go after the dream in your heart.

Above all, I pray that you experience the love of God like never before this month.

In Jesus name.



PS: Shala to the corps members resuming orientation camp tomorrow. I pray for you too oh! May you soar and excel during your service year!



Love and Light,
xoxo

The place called Rest

I would like to describe rest as a place, a house. A big white house with chandelier, large rooms and gold candle sticks. A house surrounded with flowers, trees and lush green grasses with a flowing river that glimmers as a result sun rays.

Alternatively, I can describe rest as a lighthouse, in the middle of the deep blue ocean, as high as can be with a window at the top and a yellow light shinning

A time to let go

Disclaimer: This write up is me venting so I decided not to share the link to this post on social media. Pardon any typo and grammatical errors

Monday 23, March 2015.

I got the news about the death of a friend. He passed on the day before.

My first reaction was denial, I laughed and called it a joke and I raised my voice at my friends that called to tell me the news. "I refuse to believe it, I don't accept it" those were the words I woul utter and I would end the call abruptly. Till I got home that night and I wept, I couldn't eat. He died in a car accident, the same accident that God that saved me from on the 29th of December.

After the denial phase, came anger.

I was angry.

I was angry at God, angry that he would take him away at his prime, that he would just die 'like that', without having a chance to fight for his life.

Then I was angry at myself, angry that I did not keep in touch often, angry that I wasn't a good friend, angry  that if I had kept in  touch I would have had a premonition about his death and would have averted it with prayers.

I was angry at everyone. People just went about their lives as if nothing happened. I went on twitter and instagram people were still tweeting and posting random stuff and I got angry at them. Never mind that they never knew him, they weren't supposed to be this happy because this world had lost a gem.

I was angry at the Nigerian Government for leaving the roads in deplorable conditions. I thought it was unfair that he would pass on serving his nation. I wanted them to stop NYSC if they were not ready to pay for the flight tickets for all youth corpers or have the roads in good conditions.

With the anger came tears, hot uncontrollable tears. I was at work and I kept weeping, I just couldn't help myself. I went through his facebook and instagram profiles and my heart broke. Again. Evans? Gone. Just like that! The news of his death was everywhere, facebook, instagram, bbm, Linda Ikeji, blogs and what have you, so no matter how much I tried to stop thinking about it, I couldn't. I would see his pictures pop up online and the tears would well up.

I don't even know why I have this post I just need a place to vent without hearing any condolence message. This is the first time I will lose someone close to me, nobody told me losing someone would sting like this. 

I have made my peace with his death. A friend told me to read Ecl:3 and as cliche as that may sound, the 'a time tos' was balm to my wounded heart. Evans has gone and it is time for me to let him go. I have made peace with his death.

I can still remember your days in HP, you were willing to learn, committed to any task you were given, creative and helpful. We had our issues, days we didn't see eye to eye on certain things, thinking about it now, those things never really mattered. I will look at your pictures, watch all the videos I have of you and listen to your voice, because that's how I choose to remember you, as a living, breathing being. I will tuck those memories somewhere in my heart and cherish them.

I can bring myself to say this now... Rest in peace Evans Eboka. I have made peace with your death.

Ilo Unuigbe

All things bright and beautiful!

I remember hymn 444.

In primary school, we had this little blue book called "songs of praise" (SOP) and we would sing hymns from it every morning at the assembly ground.

I have forgotten all other hymns and their numbers but one I still remember is hymn 444 - "All things bright and beautiful". We would always rush through that hymn and sing it with so much glee, unlike the other hymns. Most of us could sing it off hand because the lyrics were easy to remember or maybe there was/is something just different about the lyrics of that hymn. Perhaps, something about the 'purple headed mountains', 'ripe fruits in the garden',  'meadows where we play' appealed to our senses as children.

The Rod and The Staff

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me"

I recently discovered that the rod and staff in psalm 23 signifies the word of God. Gods word is the only source of true and lasting comfort for our souls in trying times. This has been evident in my life for a while now.

I love the book of Psalms as a whole.

I love Psalm 23. 

Like the Phoenix

Happy new year beautiful people!! May this year be the year that we all come into our own by the grace of God. I have many reasons to be thankful to God, and I want to share one of them in this post.

Even though I am a private person, I just had to put up this story because this is my way of saying thank you to Jesus. I have no better way of appreciating God for my life than telling everyone how good and merciful God is. God is a VERY PRESENT help in times of trouble. I can only wonder how people without Jesus cope when the storms blow...I can only imagine.