Today
I gave a slice of kindness
Buttered in love
To the old woman on my street,
Who sat on roads
Half as dusty as the sound of her laughter
Silence,
Made me see the pain
Screaming in my neighbors eyes.
It took just a meaningful stare –
Of one and half seconds,
To realize death was nearby
Beautiful
Was all I said to the artist
Whose works went unnoticed
By a world too busy
Carried away by the things,
That should be carried.
-Eden Benibo
Our burning passion,
leaves a tribal mark
printed on our smiles
We,
are a beautiful a capella
of selfless goals and dreams.
Our heartbeats
make sweet melodies of loud strength
in silent places
We are the Stories
of sunshine
glowing on rainy days.
We are the Colours
of the rainbow
smiling through the clouds
We are the twinkling stars
dancing bravely
on dark heights
We are the beautiful flames
that burn and light
in duality.
To all we are
And all we’ve been
Cheers!
Written and Dedicated to all the Nominees of the Super Woman Under 30 Awards 2019
Growing up, (during my primary school days) I became a ‘little’ addicted to the cartoon, Justice League. I could skip any other cartoon, but I never missed this one on Thursdays, 3pm; not even when I was flogged or scolded for always watching this cartoon with my school uniform still on, or at least my school bag. I felt these super heroes all had a peculiar uniform, so, even when I was ‘dragged’ out of my school uniform, I would still hold on tight to my school bag. Holding on to the two hands of my bag, gave me so much positive vibes. It made me feel I would fly like the animations I was so engrossed with.
The next day in school, my friends and I would gather during our break time, talking about how the last episode went, and screaming which of the super heroes we were.
“I am Batman!” One would say.
“Me, I am Wonder Woman! Another would shout.
And I would scream with all the life in me:
” I am Superman!!!! ”
He seemed to be the leader of the pack, was he? I loved a lot about him, from the storyline of how he became who he was, to his intelligence. How he would stand, hold his head to think, and formulate strategies for challenges. How he would literally break the grounds with his bare hands. Fling a huge car on a ‘bad guy’. Hold back a gigantic building, from falling on a little child, and to crown it all, how he flew blew my mind.
He didn’t need to ‘over stretch’, disfigure himself, use a web or anything. He was among the super heroes who just did what seemed to me as an effortless soar.
And for a long time in my life, I insisted that I was “Superman”.
Until gradually, life began to teach me about life:
I began to understand:
-one needed no uniform to fight the battles of life. You just fight!
-challenges may not come with the large scary faces in cartoons, but they would come. They came.
-Speaking about soaring: Sometimes, the pain from the sores beneath our feet, will help us find our wings. A test we can pass in flying colours.
And most all, I finally realized:
– One doesn’t have to be a man to be super.
So, when I hear a woman call herself King, I wonder if she feels being a Queen makes her less. Superwomen like Queen Ngozi of the Benibos, Queen Elizabeth of England, Queen Adichie of Literature, Queen Michelle of Obama and Queen Serena Francis of the Super Women Awards Tribe, are picture perfect proves to this…
However, this is the beauty of life, in the end, we all need each other (male or female), regardless of our ‘super powers’, talents or intelligence.
It’s left for us to discover these super powers and use them while we still can, on earth. I discovered mine quite early. Writing.
Although I didn’t know how to use it initially. As a little girl I would write on everything I saw. Including walls, calendars, just any paper! I became a terror in the house, writing jargons o! On any book, including important documents. I finally got the beating of my life, when one fateful day, I wrote on my mother’s Bible!!! To be contd.
..so that was how it started for me, till I began to write words that made meaning. Mome said, some of the words were just too much for my age, in both meaning and the context they triggered.
Initially, I just wrote for myself. The art was a healing process to me. I would write, feel better and hide what I wrote. But you can’t hide light, you know. Especially one quite bright.
My works were found by friends, shared, and that was how the spread began.
Today, I may not fling a huge car on a ‘bad guy’ or hold a gigantic building from falling on a child (like it fell on me) but I am glad I can break grounds with my hands (writing) and somehow lift a weight from a heavy heart. This and more are the joys my super powers bring.
Here are some clues to how my ‘super journey’ began:
At three
I was grown.
Grown enough to be Mome’s shock absorber,
Life electrocuted too
At five
I learnt to fly
My heart had lumps of dreams too thick to dissolve,
Solid enough for take off
At ten
I had become the sky
A reflection of boundlessness untapped,
The dwelling of twinkling stars awake
At fourteen
I found myself trapped in me,
Beneath golden diamonds in poetry shapes.
The stones were rolled away
At sixteen
I began to live
Unafraid of the deaths I had died
A discovery of the undiscovered.
…and my story goes on and on with me left with the beautiful responsibility of carrying my Father’s legacies along.
Many times I just like to be in a corner, unnoticed. Quiet. But I guess the super powers will always push me out, somehow into a leadership position or a kind of fame or just one height from nowhere. The awards started coming, the recognitions and most of all the fulfilment in knowing your words have a positive impact in the lives of others.
Particularly, the Superwoman Under 30 Awards 2019 means a lot to me. The name alone is a reflection of my childhood fantasies.
Gradually,
I am becoming
The wishes of my yesterday
And the goals of my today for tomorrow.
Ngozi Justina Benibo
Ngozi Benibo
My sister, brother (sometimes), friend (always), father (in between) being a mother. No, she’s not an Angel, she’s the god sent by God to guide and guard His Garden, Eden. How much more Super can a human be?
Serena Francis
Serena Francis
“Here’s To Strong Women,
May we raise them
May we know them
May we be them.”
Stars need not announce themselves, they simply shine. Neither does light, it glows, even from afar and so does she.
But most of all, I am in awe at the level of empathy she commands, effortlessly. How much more super can a woman be?
Oke Iwhewhe
Oke Iwhewhe
Some years back, I got to know I was nominated for an award, just a week to the event. An error made that happen though. So, when I was finally contacted, I was told to send in a lot of details via phone calls for easier access (due to the timeframe). But this wasn’t the issue, the issue was that, I had to always give a rather lengthy ‘explanation’ whenever I called…
But this wasn’t Oke.
She would even call you by your name and the rest is history..
Giving each person a personalized feeling is no small feat. This, was one of the most beautiful and unique attributes of the awards.
Indeed, some are blessed with jara superpowers! How much more super can a group manager be?
Mercy Olufunmi Sunshine
Mercy Olufunmi Sunshine
I call her Melzy!! I knew her long before the awards. She was one of my very first roommates and big sisters in Uniben.
Now among others, here’s a short story about what Melzy did to me.
It was few days to my matriculation and my mum promised to bring along the the gown for the event, when coming. In all Melzy kept insisting she doesn’t disturb herself to bring any gown. I agreed with her, but in a different direction. I felt I could wear any old gown in my box, to save Mome the stress of getting a new one.
Meanwhile, I nor know say na different plan Melzy get for mind.
Hey! That was how Melzy told me to escort her to go get a gown for her younger sister, who was about my size. I innocently followed her.
And when we got to the market, we finally saw one that fit perfectly.
For my mind, I like the gown erreh
But no be my own na. Na just testing..
Suddenly, Melzy started asking- “are you sure you like this one?” I nodded.
But I was still wondering why she wasn’t asking “do you think my sister would like it.”
..and that was how Melzy told me the gown was mine! For my matriculation!!
It’s more than four years after that day already, but how do you forget people like this?
How much more super can a heart be?
Ofon Emmanuel
Ofon Emmanuel
Thanks a lot for reaching out to me, even in my ‘hidden’ corner. Knowing you is a blessing too❤
Justina Anurika Godwin aka Gist with Tina
Justina Anurika Godwin
My Mome’s namesake! Thanks for the laughter your words triggered, and thanks for the happiness shared. How much more super can sisters be?
Elizabeth Benibo
Elizabeth Benibo
Sadly I couldn’t go for the awards. (You know my stories are always long) make we leave that wan.
So, it was just a day to the awards and the news struck! The person who was to stand in for me, couldn’t do so anymore. (It’s fine, she had her reasons though)
Then we started to brainstorm! Until my Super Aunty Lizzy flew into our minds. Like why on earth did I skip telling her in the first place. She is that brave, jovial, ‘no dull moment’ kind of person, always. And I heard she did justice standing in for her girl, Eden.
How much more super can an aunt be?
Finally, I must ‘say’ this one!
Maybe I wouldn’t have travelled to Port Harcourt this Christmas, but thanks to the Super Woman Under 39 Awards 2019. I had to travel to go thank my aunt and see my cousins who insisted I come take my crown, myself
And seeing them after two years was one of the most beautiful moments of my 2019.
“The things that make us different –
those are our Super Powers.”
–LENA Waithe
First Black Woman
To Win The Emmy For Comedy Writing.
With this, I salute everyone out there, being super in their own unique way.
May we continue to shine the light that we are, now and always!
Much Love
Eden Benibo
The aroma of an anticipated holiday. The sweet melodies of Christmas in the air. The tingly feeling of a 12- months ride, rapidly gliding towards an end. And the beautiful uncertainty of welcoming a new phase, in the forth coming year 2020. These and more are the triggers of the usual exciting calmness that comes with the month of December.
However, like the saying goes- “It’s not over, until it’s over.” Thus, before the year runs out, below are ‘5 Possible Things’ you should add to your to do list-
Rest: Yes, create time to rest. True, the month of December is one cab best be classified as a festive season, with so many ‘Parte After Parte’ to attend. Hence, one can be easily carried away by the groove of the season, with little or no time to relax during this ‘sweet but swift’ holiday. Therefore, regardless of the many invites or tempting events here and there, one must consciously map out time to rest, at different intervals within the month. It could be a deep sleep, or a quiet time listening to that favorite song of yours. Whichever way that seems best for you to relax, simply note that these moments for priceless.
Spend Quality Time With Family & Loved Ones: Imagine a world of all the hustle and bustle, from January to December, with no family, true friends and loved ones to keep the exciting bubbles of life going. These are the people that matter in our lives, and spending quality time with them should never be an option. The beauty of this is that, it doesn’t necessarily require you to spend much cash or energy. All it may require is the quality time spent together, the laughters shared, the memories made and a quick reminder of our love for the people we value. True, work can be hectic all year long, but the little quality time spent with family and loved ones will go a long way. And there’s no better time to keep the love fire burning than this holiday. Please, do not postpone to next year.
Reflection: This is the time to spend quality time with yourself. Not to rest, or sleep now, but gently reminisce on the year 2019. A pen and paper may come in handy here, for quick jottings. Let’s just call it, “counting our blessings and naming them one by one.” Beyond our wildest imaginations, this will reveal more than what we thought we achieved in the course of the year. This will leave us with nothing but a grateful heart. And this no doubt is one of the best frames of mind in approaching the coming year. Regardless of the ups and downs that may have come with the year 2019, we all deserve a pat on the back, for pulling through till this moment.
Show Some Kindness: Beyond being a season of celebration, most importantly, we are in the season of love, care and sharing happiness. To that person who probably may not be able to repay you. To your grandparents in the village, the very ones you probably never called throughout the year. To that nanny or housekeeper who has been faithfully carrying out her duties. To the gateman at the entrance of the estate where you live, who blesses you with a broad smile each morning. It’s time to dig out all those unlikely places and show just a little love and kindness in our various capacities. Being the source of another’s joy and happiness is golden!
Merry Christmas Beautiful People
Do Have A Most Prosperous and Fruitful New Decade in 2020
From Mome & I
Blessings!
To some, it’s holiday already! While to some others, the work still goes on and on, nonstop. However, the two categories notwithstanding, it’s the year 2019 gradually gliding to an end and we cannot deny the fact that music, in it’s own unique way, played a paramount role in our lives as individuals. Whether during just our time for relaxation, or giving us the right vibes during one “parte” or another in the course of the year; the colours that music add to life cannot be overemphasized and the sweetness it brings is beyond words.
There is this heartwarming connection it creates beyond language differences, tribal sentiments and all other sort of boundaries.
Well, they say music is a universal language, and we all have that special genre that gives us the liberty of fluent expression in diverse music forms.
From the peace that comes with listening to a song, to the joy and excitement another song triggers, these all reflect that music is indeed food to the soul.
With this, I’ve dug out 7 Amazing Scientific Benefits of Music
(Whispers: You probably didn’t know) Just so you add up to your knowledge bank, before the year runs out.
Here:
Music Helps One Eat Less
If you’re watching your weight this Christmas, and you knoe you may be tempted to ‘eaaaat wild’, then this is for you! What???? You may ask! But yeah! It has been discovered that listening to soft music while eating can help one slow down with meals, consuming less food at a time. Let’s just say it kind of creates a divided attention that makes for a diminishing return in consumption.
Music Helps Premature Babies Stay Calm and Alert in Duality
Scientific research shows that sweet lullabies and live music has a way of impacting suckling patterns and feeding behaviors in premature infants, this in turn helps their calmness and alertness.
Music Reduces Depression
From top celebrities down to our neighborhood, the rate of suicide recorded in this year 2019, which ultimately generated from depression is alarming. With the dwindling economy, emotional struggles and various negative vibes choking survival, the reasons for depression are not farfetched.
However, we must consciously guard our inner peace and fight for our happiness at all cost. Music is one veritable weapon we can use to reach the goal of fighting depression. “Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between notes and my back to loneliness”- Maya Angelou
Feeling down or just overwhelmed? Kindly shut the ears of your heart to the noise of this world and find your way to that favorite song that sets your soul on fire!
Music Improves Memory and Learning
Although there is currently no cure for the Alzheimer’s disease, music therapy has been used to help people with the disease recall seemingly lost memories. Experts has shown that repetitive elements of rhythm and melody aid the brain pattern that enhance memory. In a study of stroke survivors, listening to music helped them experience less confusion and better focused attention.
Music Can Improve Our Relationships
Vanessa Van Edwards, a behavioral investigator with Science of People revealed that “hearing music alters the neuro chemicals in our brains and triggers the release of dopamine and endorphins. These neurotransmitters boost our mood and allow us to share that positive chemical rush with people we are with.”
Music Helps Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Yet another studies on children with spectrum disorder who received musical therapy showed improvement in social responses, communication and attention skills.
Music Lessen Anxiety
Time and again, music have been seen to help relax patients before and after surgery. It is also an inexpensive and widely available stress management tool.
So yes! Beyond even entertainment and the general vibes it brings, music goes a long way in facilitating our mental health and wholeness as individuals.
Indeed, Music is Life!
And Yipppeee
It’s just two days to Christmas
Do Have A Most Fulfilling Holiday Ahead!!
Much love!!!
With the above picture, you probably can tell the end of this story, even before a glimpse of the beginning.
Yes, I know today is Monday, and double yes!! I insist on ‘doing’ my own throwback today. Cheers! To everyone that sticks to the Tuesday and Thursday throwback tingly. As for me, I enjoy breaking all these tiny rules here and there.
So, here’s a throwback to Felabration 2019, when I met one of the very queens of my heart.
Like I earlier mentioned on social media (Facebook), I’ve always known somewhere deep deep down in my heart, that I would meet the Queen, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie someday. However, I never knew the day would be this close.
As a Content Writer at Etu Odi Communications, I was assigned alongside a colleague turned sister, Nifemi, to cover selected events and make reports for the company’s blog posts. So, when I spotted that the legendary Adichie would be coming for the Felabration Symposium, my spirit, soul and body, and all the hosts of Heaven knew, I must be there. Perhaps, with the joy and excitement of seeing a name that rings a loud bell in my head, I noted an incorrect date of the event. A date rather closer than the actual day.
When the assumed day came, Nifemi and I were just about booking a taxi, before we discovered we actually had three more days to the D-day.
Fast Forward
Nifemi & Eden
The day finally landed!
Well, I’m one person who is hardly starstruck, but for this case, with the fire and excitement burning in my eyes, even Nifemi could tell that aside just seeing Chimamanda, if I didn’t stand or sit to talk to her, I would have left that hall as sad as sad can be.
Well, I’m glad my heart desires were met though. Lately, I have noticed the swiftness to which my thoughts transcend into reality. (Story for another day)
Brethren, like play like play I spoke to the Prose Queen, discussing personal stuffs about certain ‘self-limitations’, breakaways and breakthroughs for my writing career.
Meeting her made me love her more, and made me understand the gospel she shared even better.
Most of all, beneath that daring and strong woman, I saw a beautiful, tranquil and kind soul beyond words.
Now to the official assignment that made me attend the event.
Below is my cover story of Felabration 2019,
As published by Etu Odi Communications:
The song ‘Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense’ released in 1986 by the great Nigerian music icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is one that can best be described as evergreen. With over 30 years of impact, its conscious lyrics on various social issues remain a didactic guide many generations later.
The song title was chosen as the theme for the recent Felabration symposium held in Ikeja, Lagos. The event kicked off the one-week annual festival of music and arts in honour of the musical legend, Fela. Graced by four outstanding speakers: Prof. Akin Oyebode, Chimamanda Adichie, Bobi Wine from Uganda and Akala from the United Kingdom. All the speakers gave various insights to the theme beyond its literal meaning.
“Music remains one of the
most powerful tools of communication”. – Felabration 2019
Cross-section of the audience
One of the most prominent attributes of Fela was his passion for creating songs that go beyond entertainment. Songs that challenge various inhumane norms, well highlighted during the speech of the Veteran Prof. Oyebode, who channeled the theme towards the capacity of music as a tool to educate and positively influence.
Eden & Yeni Kuti👑
This, in turn, served as a wake-up call to musicians in Nigeria and Africa in general. Musicians were urged to use their songs as a tool for retelling our stories and showing the world a better perspective of Africa.
Using the theme of the event as a basis, Akala, a British rapper, journalist, political activist and poet, related his experience while growing up as a schoolboy in London. Akala shared a lot on how Africa was falsely portrayed to him as a student back in the day.
No doubt, this is one of the many reasons for the dilapidating image of Africa, created in the minds of so many Westerners and Nigerians in the diaspora.
In support, Bobi Wine revealed how these wrong teachings are prevalent in even Africa, by Africans.
There is a dire need for restructuring in our Education system. It is no wonder that among African youth of today, seeing Whites as superior remains prevalent.
“Where I come from,
Children are told that a man from England discovered the river right behind”. – Bobi
Eden, Akala and Nifemi
This and many others are examples that further buttress how the stories of Africa have been wrongly told. Bobi Wine disclosed that all these underlying factors led to him changing his music from entertainment to edutainment.
“In this country, we need to know history.
If we start to teach our children civics and history…
They know that despite the flaws we have,
Every nation has flaws and every nation has greatness.
They know that Northern Nigeria, Eastern Nigeria,
Western Nigeria and Southern Nigeria were once
very interesting and vibrant places where people traded. – Adichie
Eden & Jumoke👑
Giving the final speech was the award-winning Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who emphasized the need for constant learning, unlearning and relearning; the need to teach the younger generations history, as this will help us to become long term thinkers as a nation.
Adichie further discussed how we confuse fear for respect and also, how we so much confidence channeled in the wrong direction.
“We channel our energy to the wrong things.
We are people known for ‘overconfidence’,
At the same time, it’s almost as if we have forgotten how to be ashamed.”
For instance: Jumping queues at the airport and still claiming to be right. However, we do not display such guts when we should. The writer, therefore, urged Nigerians to have such courage and confidence in retelling our stories and teaching the world our values.
“They think China will matter
They think India will matter, not us.
We don’t really matter. But it’s up to us to make that change.
We can react to this, and it starts with self-confidence. It’s the most we can do.
Self-confidence comes from you knowing who we are.”
This brings us back to knowing our roots and our history, as a good knowledge of where we are coming from will always be of great help in leading us to where we ought to be.
Undoubtedly, the theme ‘teacher don’t teach me nonsense’ was explored from different angles that caused a stir within participants just as the song itself does, decades after its release. Indeed, content is King and this should guide us in the kind of music we produce, the things we do or say, as these carry messages that portray who we are to the world at large.
In all, it was an event where knowledge freely flowed from intellectuals of all calibre.
I look forward to meeting all the speakers time and again, most especially Queen Adichie. I believe the next time we’ll meet will be a perfection of her words to me, in display!
Cheers!!!