Oke’s Musings: Poetry, People and Places

Tag: Nigeria

  • What This Blog Is Turning Toward This Year

    New Year Rigmarole You know, there’s just something about having to witness the New Year in California. We’re always one of the last places on Earth to welcome the new year. I have to celebrate “Happy New Year” with everyone, and even take a nap before I get to mine. Sometimes I tell my friends…

  • Lagos, Nigeria

    Where ocean waves rise and fall,And shadows full of skyscrapers

  • Poem: The Brook

    Pollution to the Human Mind I do think that living in large towns for a long time can constitute pollution to the simple human mind. Each time I return to the countryside, I feel a mix of vibrant and enthusiastic energy. Living in dry cities drains me fast. I could try to live in one…

  • A Grateful African Poem

    Now gather by the fireside While we wait on yams to roast, Drying our hands in the warmth This quiet evening, cold and mild We wait to dream A fluffy pillow beckoning, The day tales also waiting, A joyful evening it seems The sweet fellowship Of Nature’s trick and craft Upon the retreat fell, to…

  • Opinion: Leadership and Hypocrisy

    No change at all Nothing changes here. Even the nationwide protest that took many young lives didn’t solve much. I wonder what can change the mind of our leaders if the death of protesters won’t. Each time I travel through this blessed state – I see nothing new; it’s heartbreaking that amid plenty, we can…

  • Opinion: Leadership Woes

    Admitting imperfections are great ways to becoming a better person, people and leaders. City of Talents and Resilient people I was born and raised in Ogbor hill, a suburb of Aba, a city in Southern Nigeria. Aba is known for its industry and export of labour to many Nigerian cities and overseas. The city is…

  • Sunset in Ovim

    I stand by these rocks and hills, ancient To enjoy again a beautiful moment of sunset I’ve a new song to sing each time I behold the sun set A song sang by my father and his father’s father A song that echo through the hills, Like smoke dispersing from mills, Ancient like mud where…

  • Poetale: The Nomad

    When twilight came I took a walk, for some air And down the roadside I went. There a young man stood Bearded heavily unlike myself Throwing corn seeds into his mouth And grinding them with such relish That his brown teeth showed off He stood a little close to my fence And I decided to…

  • Amnesty Int’l Letter: Children’s Day 2020

    Dear Okechukwu, I wish a happy Children’s Day to all the children in your life. But as I write to you today, my heart goes out to all the children detained in Northeast Nigeria and caught up in endless violence at the hands of Boko Haram and the Nigerian military. They were taken away from…

  • Ramadan Kareem

    Ramadan Kareem my Muslim friends. Remember love is central to human co-existence. Salam W’alaykum. Start blogging today.

  • Back home

    Well, the morning bus was fast enough. Now, I’m here again, Ovim my beautiful home! I noticed new additions to the garden, date palms, groundnuts, turmeric, plantains, cane sugar, grapes, pawpaw, oranges, guava, coconut, sour sops, tomatoes, mangoes, yams, cocoyams and more. My aunt had turned this small garden to a demonstration farm. My fluffy…

  • Worries on the relaxed Lockdown in Nigeria

    Now that the government relaxed the sit-at-home order, I may travel home to see my loved ones and pick some supplies. My movement is within my state; I’ll go no further than that. Everyone has been worried and could only connect via phone. But I’m worried that this relaxed lockdown may allow for interstate traveling.…

  • Niger River

    Have you seen the snake river That flow through the Savannah? The sun ray may fall on it, And her whiteness woo the eyes Hippos and crocs love it, River pythons dwell on it A beckoning waterfall up the rocks Where Mother Nature sing loudly, Always as she wash her garments On the clean waters…

  • Internet Fraud and Leadership

    Short Intro: To be a Nigerian is hard enough; apart from the ravaging poverty, a lot of factors had contributed to this. I’m aware that many youth are involved in internet fraud which gives the nation and her people a bad name. I and my family members fell victim several times to them. The aim…

  • Good morning Africa

    Thank you for reminding me of your beauty Africa. #Africanimages Start a stunning WordPress blog here.

  • Lagos during Lockdown

    This is Lagos during the Lockdown. Roads that once flow with heavy traffic is now empty. Stay safe everyone.

  • Update on Covid-19: Abia State

    Just got news that there are confirmed cases of the virus in my state. People has not responded well to the call to sit at home. Businesses, parties, and social gatherings go on secretly. Starting from today, the police will be arresting anyone without a face mask in Abia State. I’m not sure if this…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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.

  • 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…

  • All about Coronavirus

    Nigeria recorded her first case of Coronavirus 2 days ago. I received this video from a friend in Italy. Please share this video with loved ones.

  • Ide Stream

    We took a walk through Ovim. I decided to show my friends around. Just after Ugwu Uwaoma, we saw the table mountain. From the distance, it looked magnificent. Further ahead, we came across the stream Ide, with her tide gliding smoothly through the green forest. The stream is deep and some fish trapping go on.…

  • Golden Savannah images

  • Welcome to Akara

    When I was growing up I was fascinated each time we traveled to the countryside. It was fun as I could query the roads with my eyes and count palm trees as we went. Welcome to Akara, the biggest town in Isuikwuato. The name may sound familiar to Nigerians as it shares same pronunciation with…

  • In Ovim 2

    Good morning. I promised to take some shots during my morning walk. I’m not a good photographer though.There’s a thick fog this morning. These kind of buildings are common in the village. It hasn’t been long since the mud house went out of fashion. With high rate of poverty, it’s hard to afford good housing…

  • In Ovim

    I’m back to Ovim Isuikwuato, my hometown. It has been a long week for me, marking and grading students’ math exam. Coupled with the noisy neighbourhood, the stress nearly overwhelmed me. Thank God it’s Friday. Now far away from work and town’s hustle bustle, I can feel myself heal. The surrounding hills – notably Ugwu…

  • 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…

  • 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.…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Muse: Homecoming

    Nada o! O nada o! Nada o! I’m back o! Kuje kusanar, go and tell them! Bring my jug, bring me kola, bring a mat, For justice will be done to Mama’s soup pot I must lay under the mango tree tonight To watch the stars glitter and hear the crickets sing Ah… I’m glad!…

  • Nigeria

    In the morning, the sun rises Above the horizons and cliffs And on the smiling faces on the farms Hope rises with the sun, As the children roll out their bicycles To the tanned fields of the hamlet Followed by their pets, puppies and kittens A proud cloud draws a huge smile And on the…

  • Unabhangigkeit Nigeria!

    Today is October 1, 2019, doubling as the beginning of October and Nigeria’s Independence Day. This day in 1960 we became self governing when the Brits left. So †Unabhangigkeit Nigeria! From the coasts of West Africa, I wish a Happy New Month to all my followers and to Nigerians I say Happy Independence Day! As…

  • Celebrating Talent: Damilola Ajayi

    I thought about celebrating good and talented people. Here we go, the first person in the series! Permit me to introduce this pretty, humble, enterprising young lady. She is Damilola Ajayi, from Ekiti state in Nigeria. When I first met Dami in 2017, I wasn’t so sure of what to expect from her. As I…

  • Musing: The Hills top

    I stand at the top, savoring this freedom Oh hear me, hear me sweet Freedom! I see the happy white clouds sail away, I see the black hawks circle above me, I hear the sound of talking, of machines, of the wild, altogether! I see mother Natures great painting tablet, I see the town and…

  • Lafia

    Lafia when I looked up I saw you, I saw life I saw tomatoes squashed and gutted by the roadside And some tall mallams washing their legs and hands,  With their faces to the sun, preparing for the evening prayers,  I raised my eyes further, towards the East And lo, the route to home was trooping…

  • The Hamlets’ songs

    Tonight I write of a beautiful countryside Nested in the forests, at the foot of hills in the East, A quiet place that taught me the songs of Nature And fed me with fruits fresh from all blooming trees! * In the morning, fine birds gather to build nests Their strong choral concert disturb the…

  • Ina murna (I’m excited) 

    The snaky road twisted, here and there Passing pockets of forests tucked away, And when it ended at the foot of Ugwu Uwaoma I saw the palm trees lead a welcome song At the foot of the hill a banner hung Bearing Mama’s poster and details… *** Now I stand before thee, oh great hill…

  • December Tides

    1 Tasty for the spoils of the dry month, we are Dry air, dry waterhole, dry lips, dry paper Moisture lost to the heat of the traveling sun But our feet has got many options, wait or run And today the breeze drives the wind to us We savor, we enjoy, to you emissary we…

  • Sunrise in Enugu

    Alas the sun rise above the clouds Without the mild weather all seem hot Above the hills, greened with vegetation And roof tops, which brown is tanned The clouds blue upon the long firmament Draw very friendly and smiling apparitions One that will definitely see the sun set Birds fly, trees swoosh, the airs sing…

  • Tudun Amba, Lafia

    1 Sprawled across a fertile land, On a hill overlooking a quiet river Where the rains come once in a while And when it does, it is a fine luxury Trees stand, here and there Occurring once upon a place Grasses are seldom seen, the sand most often The palmwine* taste absolutely sweet But in…

  • Ina Murna

    The song on my lips are ones of rejoicing and dancing Come don’t mind the sand storm that bother our gathering My voice is not enough to sing, come join me make merry See the green fields and fine birds have no sorrow, no worries Smile the whole world waits to hear your tale Do…

  • I am Nigeria

    You have smiles on your face Reminds me of my beloved siblings No need to see you thru your race You are you; one, unique and winning Igbo kwenu! Kedu, olee, how do you do? Come in, have a sit, taste this dish You come in peace, we surely know To you, all good things…

  • Note: Nature as an African

      Mother Nature is an African. I say this because I have seen why. Africa is unrivaled in wildlife species and variety. I have had an Ostrich tower over me back then in Ondo state of Nigeria and I have met the Hyena which could have passed for a demon with her red eyes and…

  • A muse: Heavy evening rain

      And now it rains with thunder The hand of Cold had come for her asunder, Come let us see the rains fall by the window Let us dance in the rain and have fun while we can Surely, the heavy rain has come to sow And her many seeds are spread across the land…

  • Ogbor Hill

    She sprawled across the breadth of the land. She lay humbly Like someone listening to the Ocarina of time Wasting away to carefree and careless governments Losing the charm it was once known for And settling for lesser things and lesser people Ogbor hills abbatoirs lay with blood of sheep, pigs and cattle The river…

  • Cold Rain in Uyo

    There was a rush of rainfall on the window side Accompanied by a burst of cold wind Which ate deep into the flesh of careless people And caught people in between the crossfire Of the cold wind and the torrential rain There was no ceasefire, whatsoever. No peace, no victor Just calm disaster. One accustomed…