Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Category: Africa

  • By Still Waters

    By still waters, happiness is found

  • Self Reflection 26: Be Kind

    Be generous with kind words and deeds.

  • The sun may hide

    The sun may hide for a while But faith is our fortitude and citadel

  • Update on CoronaVirus in Africa

    This is heart wrenching, what began as a joke is gradually escalating. Nobody is laughing anymore. When I got the updates I knew that we still have a long way before calm. Closing state borders is not enough. African countries are finding it extremely difficult to handle the scourge with their poor economic status. Now…

  • Self Reflection 24: Be Strong, Be Yourself

    “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment”_Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • Nostalgia: Traveling memories

    I remember my first attempt at hunting. I was a little boy then and just arrived my hometown for holidays. It was fun and I was glad I went home. As a town boy I had little experience in hunting and general country life. Traveling home was a great way to get in touch with…

  • A kind poem

    I sit in my little space To watch the world spin, I watch kindness show How joy and hope is sown I consider the wind And her benevolent ways, How she spreads fertile seeds To lands far and unknown And realise as I strive to find happiness That other people’s joy matter too So when…

  • Smile for me

    Smile for me beautiful child Show me your happy face Let me find inner peace Because of your beautiful smile Do not be shy Let those lips part, Let your joy fill me with hope Let me see those little dimples And the lines of your face Smile for me pretty African child Let go…

  • Information on Covid-19 in Local Languages

    This is Umukwu, Amune Ovim in Isuikwuato. An uncle sent this video to me yesterday. I’m happy to see this happen. Now that information about the virus is spread through local languages, I expect to see some change in attitude and willingness to observe social distancing. The video is in Igbo language. I think the…

  • Self Reflection 23: Generosity

    Spare a coat, clothe the naked Spare a spoon, feed the hungry

  • Movie: The Ghost and the Darkness

    As we observe our social distancing, I started seeing old favourite movies. I remember this historic film back in the days. Trust me, this is a thriller you will enjoy. Plot from Wikipedia. **** Plot: In 1898, Sir Robert Beaumont, the primary financier of a railroad project in Tsavo, Kenya, is furious because the project…

  • Rain!

    Guess what! Heaven’s tummy is rumbling! There’s some comfort from Heaven finally! It’s been hot since weekend, coupled with the Covid-19 issue, life has been solitary. Now it’s raining heavily outside! I’m seconds away from dancing in it but the lightning is frightening. I smell the wet dust. I’m sure mushrooms will visit tomorrow, haha.…

  • Leadership and Nigeria’s Covid-19 situation

    As of March 29, confirmed Covid-19 cases in Nigeria rose to 111 and counting. The sad reality is that African leaders are not doing enough to prevent the virus from spreading further. Also, the testing equipment and medical personnel are NOT enough should the disease escalate. Even so, some people doubt the existence of Covid-19.…

  • Need for an Afrocentric response to Covid-19

    I received this thoughtful anonymous write up and like to share it with everyone. **** Dear Writers, can you help share this to get to the top before it is too late? Is self-Isolation the best for Nigeria and Africa at the moment? Let’s look at its end result. When I listen to young people…

  • Self Reflection 22: Get Knowledge 2

    A lack of knowledge creates fear, seeking knowledge creates courage. NB: To reject something you know nothing about is ignorance.

  • I hear you whisper

    I hear you whisper in the morning, Waking to your tweet and joyful song, Lonely morning, seeds spread to the rising sun, Fields of tropical wheat sing with the mountain, And with you, beautiful birds; choir made in Heaven

  • Self Reflection 21: Faith 2

    Believing is seeing, not the other way round.

  • I choose Faith over Fear

    Just a few months ago, the world celebrated the new year. People, companies and countries nurtured aspirations and dreams, hoping for a happy year. But the advent of the virus brought fear and uncertainty. With what is going on, this pandemic may cause economic stress across the globe, particularly in Africa. I’m happy it’s Friday…

  • Modern Chaos

    Untarred dusty roads, free wind beat Ancient hills hanging in the smog, While heaps of trash greet travelers Airy morning now, cheerful birds sing Smell of gutted fruits and vegetables, Markets swam with strange faces Human stench overwhelm the breeze At the distance, grasslands burn Hawks descend upon thick smoke As the fire lick the…

  • Stars Glitter for you

    Stars glitter for you When you look up the skies

  • Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 7 (Crocodile at the Stream)

    Dada said I had to be strong to attend the next Tales by Moonlight night. He also promised I could play and hunt with other children if I got well fast. So I took my medication and exercise seriously. The moonlight night tales come once in a fortnight, sometimes it may be delayed especially during…

  • Self Reflection 19: Get Knowledge

    Not to know is bad, not to wish to know is worse. African proverb.

  • Just In: Jack Ma’s donation arrives

    Medical supplies to fight Coronavirus donated by Chinese billionaire, Jack Ma, arrives Nigeria The shipment, which came in via an Ethiopian Airlines flight, carried 5.4 million face masks, 1.08 million detection tests, 40,000 sets of protective clothing and 60,000 sets of protective face shields. I hope this will help curb the spreading of the virus.…

  • Creative Baking: Senocreme

    Maya Angelou opined that one can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. Join me to welcome my guest, Seno Ukpe, a friend from Akwa Ibom state and CEO Senocreme. Meeting Seno, some years back in University of Uyo, I didn’t observe she had an enterprising mindset. Smart and taciturn, I…

  • Covid-19 Update in Nigeria

    The virus is still at large, and people move about freely as usual. Some news agencies reveal frightening figures. I can’t confirm these figures yet. Most public places; markets, schools and religious sites are open. Please keep us in your prayers. For those without Africa, we have you in our thoughts too. Stay safe, everyone.

  • Mother

    Love is a beautiful journey in your eyes, You cook all day to feed our hungry selves And you eat only when we’re satisfied, Our first teacher, lover and my citadel You are a hero, you are my hero! Your love is restraint and inspiration Like the hen, sheltering chicks with her wings, You teach…

  • Beautiful Spring

    Rainfall or shine, flowers and bird calls Squirrels and trees, spring brightens all Dwell in tree houses, sit out in beaches, Live in the beauty within and without you

  • To my First Grays

    You make me look old Like the folktales I told I wish away old age But they say gray is sage I feel happy warmth, When I muse over it

  • Update on Covid19

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) asked African leaders and health institutions to prepare for the worst. I’m afraid, African leaders are doing little or NOTHING to prevent the spread of the virus. Moreover, health institutions in Africa is in shambles, so I don’t know how we will be preparing to prevent the spread of Covid19…

  • My Friend, the Free Wind

    I like that I soak in the rain, Catching water drops That melt before my eyes I play with Nature’s gifts, Dancing with the wind, My free, worthy friend! Rejoicing when our pots fill To embrace mother Nature’s bliss

  • Thoughts on Africa and Covid19

    I follow recent global events with keen interest. I’m worried and hope that this scourge end soon. I’m aware that the growing pandemic is leading lesser economic activities across the globe, and this may cause hard times for African economies in particular. Most African nations depend solely on exports for survival. Nigeria, like many other…

  • Update: Covid19 in Africa

    This image from CGTN Africa show African countries with confirmed Covid19 cases. Stay safe everyone. #coronakindness

  • Wait on the Stars

    Night is falling, I wait on the stars To tell a tale or two

  • Thoughts: Friends Vs Foes 2

    After watching this funny video, I concluded that people are not always what they seem. Friends, colleagues and even family members may sabotage someone’s effort, thereby becoming a hindrance to that person’s progress. Keep in mind that we can achieve progress when everyone in our boat is rowing with and not against us. ***

  • Self Reflection 13: Happiness

    Fill yourself with joy. Let your inner self radiate true happiness.

  • Stay Safe

    News of the spreading virus makes the headline each day. I think everyone can play a role to stop it. I’m impressed and grateful for the effort, resources and time our health and medical workers employ to contain the virus. I think bloggers should help by talking about it and sharing information about the virus…

  • Homeland

    I love you homeland

  • Another visit to Ovim’s Hills

    If you encounter tablelands and rocks, hills and valleys, waterfalls and streams, abundant trees and virgin forests, all set in one quiet countryside, you will agree that Ovim is really blessed. Ovim is situated on ancient hills, a beautiful place for camping and outdoor fun. Each time I visit I get healed by her beautiful…

  • Self Reflection 12: Patience

    The law of sowing and reaping may take time to manifest sometimes, but it will surely come to pass.

  • Cling to Hope

    I cling to hope She woke slowly But I must wait

  • Self Reflection 11: Feed your Faith

    Feed your faith, starve your doubts.

  • Happy birds

    Take flight happy birds See where the world ends Take no note of your stress Just live for another fine day

  • Lullaby: Breezy Night

    Breezy nights are fun, Soft air descend, Caressing the happy curtains, Flirting with the candle light And casting a strange shadow From the pool, the frog choir began Preparing for their procession Yet this night is very young So I wait for the coming rain And her wonderful lullabic songs

  • Self Reflection 10: Don’t worry

    Worry gives a small thing a bigger shadow. Feed your faith and don’t be anxious!

  • International Women’s Day

    I wish everyone a happy International Women’s Day! Remember, education is still the best empowerment.

  • Two Poems: True Happiness & Sun Ride

    1. True happiness come from the inside By accepting and treating yourself right, Teach people love by loving yourself And seeds of peace and joy will grow 2. I drift away towards the sun ride Watching pretty clouds ride fast, My hills slowly sink – farther off Back at town, I smell gutted tomatoes

  • Dealing with Anger and Frustration

    I compiled what worked for me in dealing with anger and frustration, I hope they work for others too. The first thing I do when I’m angry is to walk away. I hold back the urge to argue, reply or fight back even when I’m clearly right. When I’m angry I ignore the offender and…

  • Memories

    You remind me of home, far away, Fine memories I cherish each day

  • Homecoming

    Mama is waiting The hills too! The road is slow I hear her call… I’m coming mother, I’m coming home!

  • Self Reflection 5: Be contented

    There’s nothing wrong in helping, giving away roses, gifts and love. People may take these for granted, be contented to being the good person you are.