November 2017

Ogechi Precious Francis🔔
An undergraduate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) studying English and Literature.
Ogechi is a young lady who had an intimate relationship with poetry, but along the line, the passion and love in the relationship was lost somewhere in the high weeds that grew between life and time.
Gratefully, beyond all odds- the lost is now found, as Ogechi and Poetry are now back together. Her love, passion and muse (for not just poetry but writing in general) keep burning, never to get cold again. 🔥🔥
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Today on Express~Shun from the very depth of her heart, Ogechi writes a

Letter To Her Art~~~Here’s the beautifully written piece~

I had it all worked out,
My vibrant pen
Colourful imaginations
Aesthetic romance
Ever responsive note pad

Where did it all go to?
How can i think i could do without you
You the brain behind the …….
The eyes i see through
You write faster than my head,
I’d think of a thousand things undone without you
I had you all burning up like fire with no match
Wood without smoke

The world would be nothing without you
You are the life penned down
You express words unspoken loudly
In the hearts of your lovers
I’d never leave you again
My Dear Art.

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This week we have an extra piece to share (by the same author)
~U N T I T L E D
TO avoid the pressure of youthful age
And savour the sweetness of creation,
In the image and likeness of an eternal king
I whirl in my bubbling gown
Laughter stricken my heart ,
As i stare at nature’s best
So engrossed in myself
I disengage/forget the bitterness of earthquake
The unorthodox craving of sickness
Disheartening beauty of break up
I take all the time to love myself.♥
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Indeed! The muse is back!
Keep writing dear!!
We look forward to seeing you leave a positive mark on the shores of this literary field.
Glow on!!!

Cofie Grace🔔
Here’s an undergraduate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta with a burning passion fuelled by the will and zeal to create a positive impact, especially in the lives of teenagers.
Grace stands as a voice against sexual abuse; creating platforms where the untold stories are told, as words caged like slaves in the head of victims are released, restoring hope and self dignity at the long run.
She is an up and coming writer and spoken word artist whose art gets better daily.
Many of her works have been published via her social media platforms (which includes Instagram and whatsapp).
As an avid reader, she also loves teaching and impacting the knowledge acquired. I see this as an invaluable trait, as mental liberation is the beginning of true freedom.
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Today on Express~Shun  Grace tells us her story (as a young writer) through a piece she titled- Writing: A passion That Cannot Be Hidden

Here’s her story~

My name is Cofie Grace Oluwabusayo. A 200 level student of the department of Economics of the Federal University Of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
As a young girl, I had always loved reading books, stories, novels and even anything that got my curiosity. So in the process of reading, I started writing. Writing stories then was always what I loved to do. I had lots of them then. I remember telling my younger sister that I was going to author and publish a storybook by the time I was in primary six (6) now known as Basic 6. Actually I did not get to publish the story book, (laughs). Sure you asking why? I lost interest at a point, I lost interest in writing and reading. I saw them as a burden to pick a pen, a book and write. My words didn’t just make sense to me anymore. Prior to this time, I wasn’t getting encouragements from anybody so I felt whatever I did then was useless. My interest was waning gradually until I became a total stranger to the art of writing. I carried this mind-set with me that whatever I did, whatever I wrote was not needed but deep within me, I knew I couldn’t just stop writing like that. There was a space inside of me that needed to be filled through writing alone but I didn’t do anything about it because I feared rejection, I feared my own words, I feared criticisms from people so I intentionally hid my talent.
“Fast forward”~~~ to my admission into the university.I had become pregnant with words which I knew I had to be birthed through any medium and the only way I could labour was to pick a pen, a book and WRITE. I did!!!! I STARTED WRITING but I did not make it known. One of the challenges I faced as a person was that I was scared to showcase my talent, I didn’t believe in myself as a person that I could do a lot of things without necessarily having encouragements from people. When I realised there were lots I could do with my write-ups, I fought my fears and started writing for the whole world to see. I am my No1 fan, my encourager, my motivator. I became everything I needed to get myself going.
One of the lesson I have learnt is that waiting on people and waiting for people to give their comments will only bring you a step farther away from dreams. I waited too long for people to give me a go-ahead or tell me what is right and wrong which delayed me but now I know better. People shouldn’t be the basis for you starting something. You have all it takes in you to start something to pursue your career, to fulfil your dreams.
Writing has become the voice through which I express myself without any restrictions. I love writing and I don’t think I will ever stop writing again. It is what I love doing.

Thanks to Eden Benibo for this platform.
I am Cofie Grace Busayo. I choose to STAND UP, SPEAK UP and DO THE RIGHT THING!!!!!!!

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More thanks to you for sharing your story♥
You can find more works by Grace on Instagram @graycee_3
Or join her whatsapp group basically for female teenagers @09095951370
We look forward to seeing Grace shine brighter,
Illuminating the darkness in the lives of many.
Glow on dear!

You are a soul struggling to be heard, to be seen and to be whole. You are a soul craving for your own reflection through people’s eyes. Through their eyes, you had wanted to see yourself and find yourself but you had never thought of being a lifeguard who could save yourself in yourself. You forgot, you are your own salvation.

You are a bird being trapped and caged in a cage of societal conformities. You are their norms. You are their trends. You had always wanted to be in the clique because being alone is what kills you, is what drains you because their pointed fingers had countless time murdered you but you had always wanted to save yourself, then, you joined because you could not beat them because you could not outshine them but someone should have told you, that being among the crowd doesn’t guarantee company. It doesn’t bring wholeness.

You are a voice bent to silence. You had wanted to sing like the lizard and nod in appraisal to its tune like the lizard but these days, you wish, you could say something and do something even with silence. You wish, you could built walls from silence. You wish but like the snail, you crawled into your shell because you are being careful of societal expectations: of what many would say but you have known that, in this track of yours, you are alone. You are made to sing. You are met to trigger a will. You are met to spoil yourself. Adore yourself. Present yourself gifts.

Love is your fear. The inevitable, you had taught yourself to run. Every now and then, you ran because, to love is to surrender. Most times, you question, the ‘whys’ in love: you question the need for surrendering. But in this geyser of yours, you envy the other side, you wanted love. You crave for it with passion. But you forgot.. Love is a plant planted in your garden. A plant, which you are accountable to because self love is the pyramidal peak of all love. It begins from one first before spreading it to the world. You should have birthed yourself in this mystery that love emanates when you begin to love the loveless. When you begin to love beyond human. Love pets. Love books… LOVE! JUST LOVE!!

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Uche Blessing🔔
A writer, perpetually engulfed in fresh muse untold.
Blessing is currently an undergraduate studying Mass Communications at the University of Benin.
She stands amongst the few who sit on truth unshakably.
I describe her as a voice growing in the depths of love and sincerity for humanity. Yet a again, we found another Hueman; who paints words with colours of truth…

Glow on Blessing🥂
We look forward to seeing you soar higher!

Mercy Ololade🔔
Here’s a young lady whose heart is plunged in a selfless determination to thrive. She is a graduate of Food Technology from Yaba College of Technology.
Beyond the whirlwind of life, Mercy has stood strong~ with zeal rooted in passion untold. Without lingering on the borders of defeat, she has grown to become a source of strength; motivating herself and others. To this end, she is also known as – Team Touching Lives. I see her as a light burning bright; illuminating the dark paths in the lives of others.
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Yes! Mercy writes too..
Today on Express~Shun
She tells us an intriguing story of her Life As A Writer~~~~~~~~
Here’s her story🍃

My Life As A Writer

Music was and is still part of what makes me breathe, especially when it comes to writing lyrics. As a kid I used to write short songs, I wrote my longest song at eight.
Writing songs wasn’t difficult cause I’d find a rhythm to the lyrics afterwards but I had problems with my English Language. I could speak well, I could spell even the longest word but I couldn’t put what I knew together into a piece. I slept with my Oxford Advanced Leaners dictionary and The Punch Newspaper was my closest friend.
When I started feeling lonely – I was not close to anyone and I needed to share my burdens and feelings but no one cared, because they felt I was too young to have anything to say – I opted for the only solution I could think of, I started putting my thoughts, feelings and ideas into writing.
Sometimes I’ll write articles, some times poems, other times it could be stories. At first it was tiring but I enjoyed it more after someone read one of my articles some twelve years ago and he was whaoed. He didn’t know how to express his excitement, he just gave me some money. I can’t remember what I wrote exactly cause I was way very young but I remember it was something about MY FATHER.
Since I started enjoying the feeling to write, it became interesting. In fact I started writing quotes which I used to share and it brought me an opportunity to meet different people who don’t mind how young I was but were Keen to know what quote I’ll drop at any time.
The Challenges
Sometimes I go blank. Nothing is popping up in my head especially lately when I have to think about a lot of things at the same time.
Laziness too. Like I’ve been procrastinating this article since I was informed about it.
~Environment.

My environment doesn’t appreciate writers. Some people even think I am daft for being a writer.
Another very heartbreaking challenge I’ve had is people trying to take advantage of me. Since they know it’s my passion, they tend to want to suffocate me into their plan (the act of using people).
Another one is selling my idea out for stipends(it’s devastating)
I KEEP GOING
I know who and what I am.
I am my own motivator and I won’t stop till I become a Global voice that touch lives. That is what keeps me going.
I can proudly say that I’m a writer who though started writing because she was lonely and frustrated but today I’m a writer who’s a victor and who is stronger than she used to be.
My voice cries wisdom
My ink speaks knowledge
My paper gives understanding (when read)
But only to those who are wise enough…
I’m a writer~ This Is Me.

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Awesome Dear!!
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Now here’s what I didn’t add earlier~ Mercy volunteers for a couple of Foundations to reach out to people. She is a member of YALI Network , an advocate against emotional abuse and a lead partner at Jola Couture
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Glow on Mercy🥂
We look forward to seeing you shine brighter🍃