Author: Oke Iroegbu

Happiness

A saying goes that for every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. Also, there’s nothing like deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons. I learned that contentment grows happiness and joy bears no grudge, considers not mistakes or failures. Consider… Continue reading Happiness

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Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 3 (Headhunters 1)

The next Eke day, I was sent to buy provisions for the family. Dada gave me £2 for food and medicine. The money was enough to buy things that will last for a week. The Eke market sold once in two weeks, and many people, traders, artisans, and technicians came from far and near to… Continue reading Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 3 (Headhunters 1)

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Herd of Elephants

A group of Elephants is called a herd. Elephants are herbivores and peaceful animals. Sometimes writers call them “Gentle Giants.” They are found all over Africa and are territorial. Elephants are social animals and love mud bathing. Most of their day is spent grazing. Their diet include barks, tree leaves and roots. Here’s an advice:… Continue reading Herd of Elephants

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Granny’s Compound by ‘Jindu Iroegbu

Here’s another painting from ‘Jindu, my little brother. He’s amateur but I see talent. This one is named “Granny’s Compound.” He explains why: “Whenever we were at Granny’s place, we had fun and played under the trees. Granny’s place is small but her heart is big, she accepted everyone.” Granny’s Compound was a melting pot,… Continue reading Granny’s Compound by ‘Jindu Iroegbu

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Nature: Best Vacation

Nothing heals faster than Nature and this healing feeling is unexplainable. It’s something everyone should experience. Most vacations should include moving away from hustle bustle and noisy streets of familiarity and town. I can’t say what works for everyone but if you need inspiration or thinking space, I recommend travelling to the countryside, where serenity… Continue reading Nature: Best Vacation

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The Spotted Hyena

I was awed the first time I saw this animal. That was during an excursion organised by my secondary school to Songhai Redemption Centre, near Owerri, Nigeria. The spotted Hyena, (Crocuta crocuta) is Africa’s most common large carnivore. They have excellent night time vision and hearing and usually bear litters of two to four cubs.… Continue reading The Spotted Hyena

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Sound of Water

My poems are like sounds of flowing water, It tells of no serious things in particular; But little of people that wash others’ feet And the wild that call green forests home It talks of fauns that hide in crevices And dreamy waterfalls, happy to fall with currents, Rushing, flowing in streams and rivers, Out… Continue reading Sound of Water

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Australia Awards Africa

The Australia Awards is the cornerstone of the Australian Government’s development assistance program for Africa. It provides access to postgraduate education, training and professional development opportunities for suitably qualified Africans from eligible countries. On their return to the workplace, Australia Awards alumni are expected to contribute to the development of their home countries. If you… Continue reading Australia Awards Africa

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World Cities Day: Gaborone on CGTN Africa

On World Cities Day, correspondents of CGTN Africa traveled to Gaborone, capital of Bostwana to find out what makes the city special and how governments can make improvements to increase accessibility for persons with disabilities.

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Worrying

Like strong surging water worrying Seeks to drive Joy and Peace away, It throws parties for Depression and Self-pity, And gladly the duo fix what should or should not be Worrying clenches open palms, It crashes great resolutions, Reconfigures good dreams, And creates for the mind, fatal walls Like calm and still waters, Mindfulness pays… Continue reading Worrying

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Significance of Breaking the Kola nut

Onye wetara oji wetara ndu (Igbo) He who brings Kola brings life… Kola nut is a symbol of hospitality and friendship in Nigeria. While other food can be cooked, the Kola nut needs no special preparation before presentation. It’s a bitter fruit of the Kola tree¶, grown all over tropical Africa. In Igbo land, Kola… Continue reading Significance of Breaking the Kola nut

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Health benefits of Tiger Nuts

January this year, I visited a friend in Abuja, Nigeria and she welcomed me with a juice. This juice was nourishing. I learned that it was Tiger nut milk mixed with coconut milk and crushed dates! It was quite tasty for a traditional drug! Permit me to introduce the Tiger nut AKA Chufa and yellow… Continue reading Health benefits of Tiger Nuts

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AWF: Manyara Ranch Conservancy

From a mismanaged cattle ranch to a prime wildlife area. When African Wildlife Foundation began operating Manyara Ranch Conservancy, poaching was rampant in the area. Now, the 45,000 acre ranch is a well maintained wildlife corridor between Tanzania’s Tarangire and Manyara National Parks. Video from African Wildlife Foundation.

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November 1/11/19

November, 2019 is finally here and the year is almost done! There might be setbacks on our way but note that it’s not over yet. Jackson Brown penned, “In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins – not through strength but by perseverance.” Remember that the greatest Oak was once… Continue reading November 1/11/19

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Why you should visit Africa 3

From Nature reserves to rivers/lakes and from beautiful valleys to exotic wildlife, Africa has a lot to offer. Welcome to this edition of Why You Should Visit Africa brought to you by Oiroegbu.com 1. Adventure: If you really love nature and adventure, then you should visit Africa. There’s so much to do and participate in.… Continue reading Why you should visit Africa 3

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Sow Love

It was Israel More who said: “You should either be like the candle that produces light or like a mirror which reflects it. Pray for love; sow love, show love and share love.” “…By this shall all men know that you are my disciples – if you love one another.” Jesus Christ (John 13.35) “Ignite… Continue reading Sow Love

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When Beauty Fades by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

I can feel comfortable with flowers, What a beauty! What an aroma!! I can’t resist the gentle, Pure and, how sacred they are, What else can life be proud of? I’m really proud of life’s many beauty, And many lies. But here beauty fades, Like addiction, It becomes uninteresting, With time, It loses its value,… Continue reading When Beauty Fades by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

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Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 2 (Spirit Animal)

It was evening when I reached Mazi Kenem’s house. Father had asked me to return a basket borrowed from the old man during the new yam festival. It was an old basket, most of the raffia used to weave it was damaged. The evening breeze and cloudy skies painted a vague but hopeful imagery in… Continue reading Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 2 (Spirit Animal)

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Legend of Wawadomea: First Wave of sails

There are dreams I like to forget. These dreams came, went and when I wake I find myself still wallowing in my own reverie. These dreams gave me illusions and changed the way I perceived the pirates. After the quick fight with the cannibals of Juren, a small island off the coast of the bigger… Continue reading Legend of Wawadomea: First Wave of sails

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Humble Home by ‘Jindu Iroegbu

I came home to see my little brother’s drawing. He tries his hands on drawing and painting, and the least I can do is to encourage him. His work is littered all around the house, mostly in the living room. As you can see he had included his name in this drawing. 😀 This is… Continue reading Humble Home by ‘Jindu Iroegbu

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Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit (Dibia Ndem)

When Dibia Ndem left our home that evening, I wanted to follow him outside my father’s compound. I wanted answers, I wanted to ask how he knew it was my Leopard that destroyed the Boar that almost wrecked my Uncle’s farm. Yesterdays nightmare was the worst I ever had. I dreamt of a long brawl… Continue reading Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit (Dibia Ndem)

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Wild Colors

Sweet and wonderful are smell of dry air in the breezy and solitary open LIke that of bread soaked in margarine, quasi burned in the oven The taste is remindful of romantic acquaintances hewn to fields of Roses Stretched afar, to where the lands open to other lands of colors and scents The fineness of… Continue reading Wild Colors

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Sunset in Ovim

Yesterday I trekked to the market square. During my lonely trek I met old friends and distant relatives. As noted before, in Africa we place much value on family and friends. My trek was short, because the market was just around the corner. I bought two pieces of dried meat from a vendor, one for… Continue reading Sunset in Ovim

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A poem for Ovim, Isuikwuato

Morning wakes with the sun Windy clouds, happy yawns Quiet town, down the hill Misty paths, birds sing With the forest’s inhabitantsTall palm trees stand guard From their branches, birds tweet Squirrels look down in fright or excitement Dropping oily snacks on trespassers Forest pathways are hijacked by monkeys Protesting when a group of boys… Continue reading A poem for Ovim, Isuikwuato

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Shameless Love by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

They say I love you, Yeah I do, I’m shameless about it, I’m weak to confront you, Your very appetites, As I find no alternative. I’m shamelessly in love, The disease is not new, Probably there’s a dew, We only had but a few, I’m the Judas in the twelve. Some probably won’t get it,… Continue reading Shameless Love by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

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Weirdest Snacks in Africa

Here are some of the weirdest snacks you can find in Africa. Palm Grubs: Yuck, I know right? Some of the grubs can grow big enough to fit in one mouthful. The grubs are found in dead and decaying palm and raffia trees. Some people eat the grubs alive but to be on a safer… Continue reading Weirdest Snacks in Africa

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Anunebe: The Masquerade as reported by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

The moment is almost here as people in the village are all dressed to watch the great Anunebe perform in the village square, one occasion that is performed once in a year, and this makes the event one of the greatest anticipated events in Ibeme, Isiala-Mbano, a small village in Imo State, Eastern part of… Continue reading Anunebe: The Masquerade as reported by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

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Initiated Relationship by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

I was drunk last night, Thinking about your very words, How this our love is an initiation, And not a relationship, What I call, inspired spirituality. You accosted the actions, While prolonging your decisions, You never truly loved me, Will it be best I say; You rather used me, I have heard men are scum,… Continue reading Initiated Relationship by Okoroji Chidiebere Alexander

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Don’t Cry

Now listen dear child, listen attentively To the forested hills, for they are your ancient brothers To the birds, they carry gossip and might have answers Watch the sunrise and sunset from tree branches Search the valleys too, let your eyes behold our land Feel the flowers with your finger tips Smell the caking dust… Continue reading Don’t Cry

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Three Poems: The Waterfalls, Peace and Your Love

The Waterfalls: I tell the trees of your sounds and they are jealous When you fall, birds and the wild stop to listen, To hear Nature sing while she wash her garment in your mist Peace: Bird songs, butterflies, sun rays and peace, All are fruits from the green forest, Nature’s providence to mankind Your… Continue reading Three Poems: The Waterfalls, Peace and Your Love

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