Ladi Says

Hair Regimen ...10 steps

2012-01-10T22:33:00.000-06:00

This is my typical Friday night/ Saturday morning regimen. You'd find a similar regimen on every other hair blog but this I modified to fit my laziness level.

1.Apply warmed coconut oil on scalp and hair and cover with plastic or heating cap and a scarf towel (will steam in the future) and run errands: vacuuming/ sweeping, laundry and cooking or just watch a movie, read my bible, etc. I wash after two hours or leave overnight depending on the evening. Coconut oil get easily absorbed into hair shaft more than other natural oils. When I shampoo, I am tempted not to apply conditioner cuz my hair feels so soft.

2. I shampoo with any cheap moisturizing shampoo. Suave Almond-Shea butter and Pantene relaxed and Natural have been my go-to shampoos.

3. I either do an apple-cider vinegar rinse (bi-weekly) or tea rinse (once a month), massage in hair, leave for a few minutes then rinse out.

4. deep condition under heating cap for an hour and workout or watch tv to kill time (I don't have a hood dryer or steamer here...they're too bulky, but I will deep condition in a salon when I get to Nigeria). I mix up hair mayo/cholesterol with a grapeseed oil.

5. apply leave-in conditioner and detangle with wide tooth comb.

6. air dry (usually overnight if staying in or blow dry and style), flat iron if necessary (with heat protectant CHI serum and grapeseed oil). I only use heat on my hair once a month.

7. moisturize hair strands focusing on the dryer and older ends

8. lightly apply castor oil on scalp, and seal ends with grapeseed oil.

9. Pony tail or bun (not with a rubber band which can cause breakage and reduce length) or get a weave, wig, cornrows, braids to protect the hair from the 'elements.'

10. wrap under a satin or silk scarf or bonnet or use a silk pillow to sleep.

Pretty generic regimen

Happy New Year

2012-01-04T22:20:00.002-06:00

I stopped blogging here 2 years ago.

Lets see if I can resume.

Ladi

HAIR CARE BLOG

2010-07-05T10:29:00.002-05:00

Check my new blog out.

Learn about regimen, tips, products for healthy long and strong hair....

http://westafricanhair.blogspot.com/

Leave your comments and tips too.

Happy new year

2010-01-05T04:24:00.002-06:00

I'm ending this blog to start a new one: http://laditoabuja.blogspot.com/

Thanks for reading my rants and random thoughts even though I slacked big time. The blog is about 2 years old and I'm too old to continue in this direction (huh?).

The new one is about my gradual preparations to leave America and head to Abuja equipped with 'first-class' education and 'first-world' exposure. I'm a firm believer in returning of Nigerians and Africans in general back home. If we self-centardly all leave, who's gonna develop our 'dark' continent while we improve the lives of colonialists descendants?

hehehe, I dey craze small!

Ladi

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-27T23:04:00.000-06:00

AND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

RIP Caroline Johnson

2009-12-17T19:43:00.002-06:00

She lost her battle with leukemia. I just cried my eyes out.

Read her story here: http://www.bellanaija.com/2009/08/11/caroline-johnson-bravely-fights-for-her-life-lets-help/ and here: http://lindaikeji.blogspot.com/2009/08/save-caroline-johnson.html

I pray for comfort for her family especially her husband and children.

p.s. also pray for the Nigerian healthcare system, for hospitals, for equipment, for proper health insurance and for doctors.

Abuja and Fusion

2009-12-13T21:33:00.005-06:00

Its been a while since I blogged about positive stuff (the original purpose of the blog). Anyway, Abuja (the renowned ever boring city) is now catching the fashion buzz. The vacancy for socialites is filling up I guess, now you can get recognition in bellanaija, Thisday, etc (I kid but Lagos is not alone in this madness). This is because of Fusion.

FUSION is a one day fashion and beauty exhibition in the Asokoro district of Abuja featuring outfits by designers - D'zyN couture, Reedas, Kazelos amongst more popular names (who I will do another related post later). Anyway, the pictures are on Bellanaija. You can totally see the Northern vibe in the attendance. Stayed true to its Abuja-ness. I like that new brands are coming up in the capital city and already logs-based ones are spreading around.

A few fav items:

D'zyn tops: (N5,500)
shop 1 asokoro shopping mall. T.y danjuma street, asokoro. Call 07040418777

Kazelos pearls: Call 08055588784

-Ladi

Seasons Greeting!!! Merry Christmas!!!

10/12- 60angels

2009-12-13T21:20:00.003-06:00

It has been four years since the Sosoliso plane crash took the lives of over 100 Nigerians, 60 of which were students from my secondary school, arguably the best in Nigeria (yes oh!, lol). 60 bright, intelligent, hadworking children with the gift of contributing immensely to Nigeria's future.

I had graduated a few months before and had the opportunity of knowing over 40 of them: friends, gossip mates, crushes (not mine biko), errand runners (ironers, washers, and water fetchers, lol!), family friends, dorm-room mates, etc.

I cry almost every time I'm in a plane.

Nigeria failed us, but God let it happen and has a reason. We have 60 angels watching over us.

To live in the hearts of people who love you is not dying. My devotion for the 10th was that death is a departure but eventually we will all meet at the destination.

-Ladi
(now I just sold myself out)

Nigeria and our super healthcare system.

2009-11-08T00:00:00.001-06:00

I always wondered why I could never give valuable input in my Policy class on the healthcare system in America. Ihave to write a paper talking about how messed up Healthcare in America is

Nigeria has the fourth worse health system in the world (out of 190 countries). We ranked 187. I know people will say, they inflate and exagerrate statistics but when last did ANY of our relatives have major

And on of the few doctors in my village of a campus is Nigerian.

And the thousands of nurses of Doctors in America are Nigerian.

And millions more lining up at the Embassy trying for F-1 visas to study 'Public Health.'

Or my mum and sisters went on a health vacation to India for cheaper, more efficient health care in a hotel-style hospital FULL of Nigerians.

Travel Agents are beginning to branch out into the area of Health, no more hotels, cabins and best beaches to surf. Its now hospitals and doctors. Even to Sudan, Ghana (RIP, my aunt-in-law who died before heart surgery in Ghana)

And we waste so much time on Independence carnivals, I-rep Naija t-shirts, and cultural awareness celebrations (GOOD, I'm mama Africa Week/ anti-charity on my campus, so I'm guilty oh!) without realizing the reality of the situation on ground or figuring solutions out.

And My parents and their siblings have to send my Grandma to India to get a knee cap replacement for over $10,000 (cheaper than $30,000 to go to Israel which was top on preference for pilgrimage advantage).

Or my sister that could have been blind from piercing her eye (think graphic) but can see thanks to Mother's fringe benefits that paid millions for trips to london and india for laser surgery and subsequent maintenance.

So if they never went to school, my Grandma can't dream of walking thanks to illiterate children.

Anyway, if you ever want to be my friend, don't let me hear the word GREEN CARD!!! I'm kidding, but RELOCATION sounds sweeter to my ears.

Our government can never reform the system without people, I mean exposed, learned, intelligent people to do the job.

I vent!!!!

Thank God for his mercies.

-Ladi

Hiatus

2009-11-02T22:51:00.002-06:00

Writers block. Or I have found a new way to vent my frustrations: facebook profile. I can't do Twitter, there are too many distractions in my life already. I am a double major with a ton load of work and papers, book reviews, two thesis/ projects, presentations, job applications and networking to do.

I actually want to start a new blog next year. It will be centered on my post-graduation plans, internships, working, graduate school, expanding my business, and perhaps relocating to Nigeria.

Ladi.

Why Nigerians??? (Visa wahala)

2009-06-03T21:00:00.007-05:00

I haven't had access to my laptop and the internet for 2 weeks and so happy that my frustrations of days past can be typed out in this post. I went to China for about 10days and as much as I loved the place, the people, the desire to develop and overtake the West, the fact that without democracy they have made the most economic growth of any 3rd world country and honestly, the China I stayed in was 1st world, more developed than the London, I've been to.

And to think that we Nigerians abroad brag about Lagos and Abuja being developed. I concluded that both ciies are slums (another post to come!) in comparison to what I saw. All the ASA (African Students Association) African week is just an ttempt to hide the truth. I started African week in my school and returned from Asia wondering what it is about being African that I love: mostly (though not totally) corrupt govts, rigged election, poor healthcare, NEPA (never had 24hrs power before), desperate attempt to be everything Western (Nollywood, Koko mansion and Ashionye's accent, lol!) and the long list of BS.

China made me curse my citizenship. I am extremely pro-Nigerian, carry my visa-filled green passport with pride(2 passports and even for 4hrs in frankfurt airport, I had to apply two weeks in advance for a visa) , and struggle with maintaining my accent: Hausa preferably. I intern in Nigeria not Rockefella centre, NY, addicted to Bellanaija, Thisday online, and Mimi magazine (for the sake of knowing what progress is being made on our continent), and unlike most of my friends, I wear traditional ankara pretty often to class.

Everyone in my school who was going to China just had to fill a form and send their passport to the travel agent who did all the runs. I did the same but got an email asking me to send my bank statement as well as two letters from China. Wait oh, this was a study abroad program and out of a group of 21 students, only one had to look for Chinese people to write a letter plus bank statement loaded with Naira and dollars. My father is just an honest civil servant and I am on a full schorlarship. Honest money doesn't mean loaded bank accounts.

My professor went through the trouble of getting the letters with the help of my Chinese friend, while I had to send a statement that had a decent amount of money BEFORE I paid for the trip. Note, NOBODY ELSE went through the extra jara.

I had to call and text all my relatives to join hands in prayer for my visa. At this point all, I needed those London churches I used to make fun of for praying for 'papers.' Trust my mother, she shared the issue in church and Elders added to the prayer dose.

Nothing made me sadder, when my professor handed everybody else's passport on the first day of the summer program. ALL but mine. The second Asian country that we were heading to after China didn't require visas for everyone oh wait, EXCEPT ME! The Nigerian. I was too embarassed and sometimes sat in my corner in the bus just to cry while forgetting the lyrics to our national anthem.

Lemme just say I got my passport two days before the trip and I couldn't even finish the trip because the agent forgot that I needed a visa for the 3rd country that the group was visiting. I stayed in China alone for two days which I didn't mind: it was Radisson, a five-star so I was being a diva/ African princess but sad that I was forced to be there because I was and am NIGERIAN.

I ran out of excuses to be patriotic. One black guy even joked about my getting a US Passport (that was like insult upon injury to my green passport, plus I have issues with being an immigrant in America). I could have slapped him but he was right, after three years of trying to prove to Americans that I rock, and 'Naija for Life,' 'Naija until I die,' tshirts, music, African week, and facebook profiles of patriotism, I broke down and cried on the 500thread count sheets of our five star hotel while everyone went to GT Banana Club, Beijing to party it out American style.

Democracy day (May 29th) was during my trip and I was in a Communist country, mesmerized by the awesomeness/ advancement of the place and wondering why the heck people overate democracy. 10 years with nothing to show, and my passport need a visa and its wahala plus public prayers every time I want to fulfill my wishes of travelling the world.

I love my country but it could really need some UNSUCKING!

KANNYWOOD: The unknown Nollywood

2009-05-09T21:56:00.000-05:00

So, my last rant about tribalism o youtube with regards to Hausa movies led to my discovery that Nigeria is two different countries: The Lagos based, Southern Nigeria and the Northern one. One is Englich and the other Hausa.

Remember when Ali Nuhu won the AMAA (Africa's most prestigious movie award) and the Future Award for best actor and people were ranting about how they didn't know him. Check this old post.

Ali Nuhu is the Brad Pitt of Hausa movies, or the Jim Iyke. He was an idol up North for years and made his debut to the 'other' Nigeria when he stared in Sitanda, the AMAA award winner and relatively high budget Nigerian movie of 2007.

Kannywood is the movie industry based in Kano, Northern Nigeria's Lagos and centuries old 'business hub.' I've never been a Hausa movie addict, I watch more English Nollywood films and when I'm with my hardcore relatives that don't live in Abuja or when I visit very traditional hausa (malo) family friends, I get my sneek peek.Two summers ago aftre missing everything Ngerian, I went to a Hausa movie store in Abuja and bought a couple of movies. Most are romance and a lot have social issues like polygamy, reigion, culture and usualy incorporate other sultures in the north not only Hausa but Fulani and others from Chad and Niger Republic which border.

So I'll start a Kannywood series introducing Blogville to the world of Hausa movies.

Here is one clip of a Hausa movie. Note: It might remind you of Bollywood but don't forget cultures are similar. P.s. From the singing and dancing actresses you know that Hausa girls aren't all locked down with no rights.

Wasan Maza
I apologize on behalf of movie makers for bad quality. lOl!

Nigerians and Hausa Movies

2009-04-30T23:44:00.000-05:00

Step on my toes. Ok, I don't mean all of y'all Southern Nigerians before someone start shooting Igbo, Calabar and Yoruba insults towards my e--direction.

I suddenly had a craving for Hausa Movies this week and decided to Youtube a few.

For the uninitiated, Hausa movies are greatly influenced by Indian-Bollywood movies. Because Northern Nigerians are generally more conservative due to Islam, we lean toward Bollywood movies (and Arab world stuff)while those in the South lean toward Hollywood (and Western stuff).

There is always singing and dancing between both sexes in hausa films. The choreography is usually upbeat, not all have girls wrapped in bedsheets, and the music synthesizing is what sells it ou as being Bollywood but its all Hausa culture with a twist. Story lines are mostly romance (nothing sleezy but relatable) and comedies.

I noticed the comments by Hausa speakers (written in Hausa mostly) was that of nostalgia, appreciation, and pride while the bad-belle people made comments like

"Sani Abacha dancing."
"Why do you copy Indians?"
"WTF?"
"They are spending Oil money from the South"

I can't recall calling all the Nollywood movies with actors and their fake-ass accents as copy-copy. Nollywood is influenced by the West in terms of language (Queen's English), clothing, plot, script, etc somethimes in unrealistic ways that are totally Western and unapplicable to Nigerian everyday life.

Hausa movies have Hausa actors speaking Hausa, singing in Hausa wearing ethnic clothes THROUGOUT, dancing the Hausa way and because they is a similarity to Bollywood, you start ranting and calling late dictator Sani Abacha (that has no relationship with a Hausa romance movie)????

I have neither based my comments off the Igbo trader that tried to rip me off in Wuse market or Clifford Orji (so-called cannibal from decades past). Those are stupid reasons to profile Igbo actors/ movies which I do like anyway Igbo Kwenu (love me some Mike Ezerounye)!

It's just plain tribalism that exists in Nigeria even amongst so called educated people. Don't complain if some white dude does some racist crap to you. Racism is the same as tribalism only that in one case, we just look the same and predjudice is still there (worse that looking differently I say).

Seriously, you watch a Hausa film and the first thing one says is Abacha or Oil money?

R_E_S_P_E_C_T is earned!

On Koko Mansion...slap me!

2009-04-26T23:58:00.000-05:00

Everyone should know about this show which is the most anticipated since Linda Ikeji, Niyi Tabiti and Bellanaija put the news on their blogs.

This show guides DBanj to finding a Kokolette, one year companion who will win 5million for being Dbanj's groupie will "reinforce the unique role of an African woman in the development of our society."

I am particularly disturbed because of my feminist, neo-conservative views and my attempt to break away from traditional degrading feminine-roles (being a Northern Nigerian young woman with cultural/religous crap of women's inferiority being thrown at us daily). I like Dbanj's beats but I am peeved by his videos and lyrics which I think are disrespectful to progressive/ educated/ modern women in many ways.

The potential Kokolette:

"must be able to emulate notable women in society such as Honourable Abike Dabiri, Nike Osinowo among others even as she shows the ability to impress D’banj, under all circumstances in order to win the public’s votes to be in the house among others."

"the ability of the Kokolette to cook scrumptious meals for D’banj and his friends, especially during impromptu visits; her ability to furnish and maintain the mansion."

"also be industrious while being able to take care of the home front"

Cook for impromtu visits and maintain the mansion? take care of homefront? be a one year companion? Impress Dbanj at all times?

Based on the articles I've been reading, I now know what Kokolette means= Housegirl or Stepford Wife (if you've seen the movie(s)) with 5million paycheck and Chris Aires diamond ring. Plus she gets to represent HiTv like a model or something.

Does anyone know both Abike Dabiri. She's a legislator, former journalist with one fabulous career after the other and none of the other 'kokolette traits' of being subservient to a man will make anyone the next Abike Dabiri I'm sure about that.

How will our society develop when women sit at home waiting for their husbands and their friends to arrive at impromptu times and still expect food on the table? Unless the women just sits at home sha.

I'm an Economics major so I get the money making aspect of the show (Kudos to HiTv) but talk about perpetuating stereotypes through 12 groupies at Dbanj's beck and call in the name of being 'African women'? And that talk about developing the society is just BS. Y'all are trying to make 'Flavor of Love' classier by adding the words 'African woman' and 'development' and 'Abike Dabiri.'

Admit it, HiTv is trying to make money. SIMPLE!!!!! Else they should have just given the prizes to a women's rehabilitation charity if they were trying to 'develop' women and gone to my village to look for a Stepford wife to cook for Dbanj and furnish his mansion and then be the face of the company.

I don't get the vision of the show. I though they were looking for a Kokolette, abi Wife, abi Dbanj Excorter, abi Role model? abi supermodel, abi housegirl?

Slap me, I'm confused. I'll be in Nigeria in June so I'll see the show and see if it adds more pepper to my wounds.

- Ladi

Courtesy: Niyi Tabiti

More Mary Mary

2009-04-14T22:32:00.000-05:00

(re-posted but updated) I love the gospel sister duo though I'm not one of those fans that can sing every song they've sang courtesy of pirated cds in 9ja (true but lol!). But they're recent release "Get up" is one of those songs that have been shacking my senses plus with good/powerful lyrics I don't feel like some rapper's byatch and all.

Its like 'Shackles' that was one of those gospel songs that hit the secular genres hard.

Their album was out October as well as a new website but for now check-

Mary Mary's myspace: http://www.myspace.com/therealmarymary

Videos
God In Me!

Get Up!

"Get up" and "God in me" are my favs.

Soup for your soul.

Happy Easter Season!!!!!

Max Azria, the African Designer

2009-04-09T19:20:00.004-05:00

So many of you probably know Max Azria, a fashion designer of Tunisian descent who founded the popular women's clothing line BCBG.

Originally from Tunisia, Max Azria was born in Sfax (Tunisia); he entered the fashion industry in PARIS. Moving to California in the 1980s, he created BCBG, an acronym for the French saying bon chic, bon genre, which in English means "good style, good class."

Max Azria's wife Lubov Azria runs all aspects of the company with him, she decides on the style influences for each season and the store decor.

His company owns Herve Ledger, which I'm currently obsessed with if only I could actually afford..lol! When the wearers include Kate Winslet, Sophia Bush, Victoria Becks, Miriah, Kim Kardashian, and Beyonce then Me keh? (Sha when dady becomes governor, hehehe)

Courtesy: Wikipedia

http://www.net-a-porter.com/Shop/Designers/Herve_Leger/All

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/search/results.ognc?sortOption=*&Keyword=herve&resultsPerPage=24&Action=sd&attrs=Department:Department:Dresses

Madonna's Adoption

2009-04-01T12:02:00.002-05:00

Many of you have heard about Madonna's pending adoption case: Like if the first one, David Banda, who doesn't remember his real father and can't speak any Malawian language didn't gather enough press.

"A Malawian court has delayed its decision on whether to allow the pop star Madonna to adopt a four-year-old girl after an hour-long hearing in a closed court. If granted permission, little Chifundo James will be the second Malawian child to be adopted by Madonna. The girl, four-year-old Chifundo "Mercy" James, has been in an orphanage because her family cannot afford to take care of her. The organisation Save the Children is opposed to the child's removal from an orphanage in Malawi." -BBC

I think the best place for a child is in their home. Have you seen those black ashy kids whose oyibo parents don't know the right hair and skin products or understand the concept of Sickle-cell? I don't want my kid having identity crises joh! Imagine I adopted a poor kid from an orphanage in london and took him to Nigeria? The kid might grow up as an oyibo agbero and be unable to gain acceptance from fellow Abuja agberos.....lol!

Other opinions are here: http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6288&edition=2&ttl=20090401180406

Should celebrities adopt kids from abroad/ kids from other races and ethnicities? Is it fair on the child's future or better for them?

Can black celebrities adopt poor white children from Eastern Europe for example?

Beauty school????

2009-03-23T20:10:00.000-05:00

So in my last post I talked about reading ELLE for academic reasons. And there seemed to be an interest in what my major was and how much fun it is to read fashion magazines for intellectual purposes.

I'm not in a beauty school. I'm in a university, a top liberal arts one which means my curriculum is very broad and 'all over the place' (in a good way I get to learn a bit of everything while concentrating on my major). I'm an Economics and International studies major but I need an 'arts/theatre/music' requirement so I picked Stage Makeup which is not exactly easy (facial sex-changes, corrective makeup, aging, creating wrinkles/ folds and injuries, sci-fi stuff...etc). I even had a written midterm test last week.

I'm currently making my 'morgue' which is a scrap book of interesting makeup inspiration. I have categories like 'fake lashes,' 'freckles,' 'full red lipstick,' and 'tribal makeup.' That's why I've been flipping through magazines to get cut-outs to add to my scrap book. I need 5 more categories oh! IDEAS???

I know the way Nigerians reason, and errr, I have a shelf full of History, Polysci, Math, and Economics textbooks....and a few Vogues, Seventeen and Essence magazines for 'makeup inspiration.'

I wonder what my parents would think if all I did was only beauty stuff? Hmmmmm.

Any Liberal Arts goers? Spelman, Amherst, Sewanee, Colgate, Mt. Holyoke?

Happy Mother's Day

2009-03-22T21:03:00.002-05:00

I always forget Mother's day because US Mother's day is not the same as the European/African/ Rest of the world's.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MUMMY!!!!!! LOVE YOU LOADS!!!!!!

Fake eye lashes

2009-03-16T23:29:00.003-05:00

I apologize, my priorities are creeping up on my blog life.... that's not bad shey?

I'm taking a class on theatre makeup and have to make a 'Makeup Morgue' which is a scrap book of different magazines cutouts for makeup ideas. Now I'm reading Essence, Elle, and Vogue for academic reasons...hehe

One of my morgue's chapters is one 'bold and outrageous eyelashes'. I'm drawn to lashes since I lack them and constantly experiment with mascaras to find the perfect volumizing, lenghtening one. I think Maybelline define-a-lash is my best so far plus I saw a pack of 2 for $5 (when one tube is usually $8) and even though I didn't need any, I bought anyway, No one know tomorrow, now I have mascara to last till....

Now, I've decided to cheat on my mascara love and go for false eye lashes. I've only had fake lashes for fashions show I've modeled in. Now, I'm just plain, obsessed.
I found this helpful video:

Now, I have a reason to spend hours in the makeup corner of walmart. Hope finding good lashes won't be as bad as finding mascara...help!!!!

BTW, I can't use liquid eye liner, the ajebo in me....hehehehe I need to learn because I've been using eye pencil since I was in nursery school (Northern Nigerian thing).

Nigerian Men (tality) 7

2009-03-13T17:12:00.000-05:00

Seventh (re)post of reminiscing the Men (tality) that haunts me.

Okay....sometime when I was 16 years old, my mum had to be away oversees a lot..actually doing a masters program so I had to assume duty as the market goer...lol

I hated markets. At least even though my parents raised us like ajebos. Deep inside we knew we weren't really..okay just a little but I could go to Wuse market and buy groceries (groceries??? who in 9ja says that...you mean foodstuff??? ha, YES!)

I started going to the market with our maid. She'll buy the fresh stuff meat (beef, goat, kpomo, chicken) and all (when the ajebo monster enters me) and I'll buy the canned, tinned and packaged stuff.

Sha, there was this cheaper Alhaji my mum used to go to and told me to go (9ja system of customers and getting 10naira discounts). So I used to go to him with my shopping list and his boys will get the stuff on a wheel barrow and I'll pay, catch up with Aunty Dorcas and head home.

This Alhaji knew my mum was always abroad and then evil spirits posses ed him. He started asking for my number (I was 16) and he was not 16, 17, 18 or 19 (my limit). You can guess his age but old enough to be arrested and presented before the Kano Sharia courts. He was actually fine though like those fair Fulani boys-ish (Not complexion conscious oh before I get whacked!)

He continued this whole thing "Ki ba ni numban ki!" ("give me your number") until as I was trying to pay one day, he decided to take his flirting to a physical level. I exaggerate, but as I was counting the notes his finger was almost-basically-disgustingly tracing mine (hand raping I call it). I'm bad at description but you can picture the old man with an innocent 16 year old.

I realized the only way to go was to run...run fast. Not really, just find another place to shop. I went to the more expensive Alhaji's store which ended up being the 'bestest' place to shop. I talked to him last month.

(My mum made me talk to him on the phone when SHE went to the market= Very respectable man.) Don't get me wrong abeg. Its like commending my dads friend oh.

I'm going to Abuja this summer and I need to hire a body guard...applications anyone?

Kidding y'all!

I'm well equipped for nonsense!

Ladi

Valentines day Massacre, 'Hausas' and Jimmy Choos

2009-02-19T11:04:00.000-06:00

VALENTINES DAY ROASTING AND 'PUPPY LOVE' IN SECONDARY SCHOOL, AND USING JIMMY CHOOS SLIPPERS TO 'BAFF' (not literarily..Lol!)

REALIZED I POSTED A LOT IN THE EARLIER STAGES OF THIS BLOG HENCE REPOSTING SOME "LADI SAYS" ENTRIES. CLICK AND READ ON....

THE MONSTER (THEN IN SEC. SCHOOL) CALLED VALENTINES DAY: http://missladidi.blogspot.com/2008/02/valentinesroastingpuppy-love.html

NIGERIANS ROCKING "JIMMY CHOOS" LIKE BATHROOM SLIPPERS AND HITTING HARRODS LIKE TEJUOSO MKT:
http://missladidi.blogspot.com/2008/01/jimmy-choo-vs-nigeria.html

Cheers!

Nollywood: Letters to a Stranger

2009-02-03T21:59:00.001-06:00

I ignored the buzz about this movie but in my continuous search for a QUALITY Nigerian movie, I came across Letters to a Stranger. It was co-sponsored by ECObank which meant better quality with more funds. Genevieve Nnaji, Elvina Ibru (whose hilarious character rocked reminds me of someone in my secondary school class), Fred Amata (Genevieve's boyfriend), Joke Silva (Fred's mum), Yemi Blaq (I love this actor..he's the guy in MTN dance/long distance love Advert), Ibinabo Fiberesima, and the kokomaster, Dbanj (Elvina's crush who makes an appearance in the movie).

I wish I could buy the DVD and watch it legally but OnlineNigeria.com has the movie and check Youtube (its in 10 clips) hopefully the crew made its money in 2007 when the movie was released.

First part: http://premiumvideos.onlinenigeria.com/ad11.asp?blurb=2178

Second part: http://premiumvideos.onlinenigeria.com/ad11.asp?blurb=2179

Third Part: http://premiumvideos.onlinenigeria.com/ad11.asp?blurb=2180

Enjoy!

If you've seen the movie what do you think?

RIP Mrs Alaere Alaibe

2009-02-01T01:46:00.001-06:00

"Mrs Alaere Alaibe, wife of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Develo-pment Commission (NDDC) is dead.Late (Mrs) Alaibe died in a London Hospital where she has been receiving treatment for what sources close to her family called “life threatening ailment”. She was in her 40s., wife of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Develo-pment Commission (NDDC) is dead.Late (Mrs) Alaibe died in a London Hospital where she has been receiving treatment for what sources close to her family called “life threatening ailment”. She was in her 40s."

"She is survived by her husband and five children."

May her soul rest in Peace and may God grant her family and loved ones comfort.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=134456

Hausa weddings...Married Away 2

2009-01-25T13:30:00.000-06:00

I have previously done a post about Northern weddings and the many 'commas' and 'question marks' generally associated with them. My last post was Married Away: Read here. Religion (Islam here) permits polygamy so I have not right to criticize since half of my extended family is Muslim so I hope anyone can understand where I'm coming from. I'm talking about politicized weddings with ridiculous dowries, asoebi, henna, and jewelry using money that should have been spent building schools and roads ( instead of weddings that will crash as soon as hubby loses his seat in power).

Today, I read Ebuka Obi-Uchendu's Thisday newspaper column, Contrast, which I absolutely love. I wasn't a huge fan when he was on Big Brother Nigeria (reality show) but since he started writing, I've been hooked to the Glitterati section of the newspaper every Sunday. Now being abroad, with no access to the hard copies, I read his articles online.

The last he wrote was about Yar Adua and Babangida's daughters marrying one governor after the other (two of the ladies left their first husbands to be second or third wives to the polygamous governors and one is currently the fourth wife). He started with Malia and Sasha Obama and went on to make a comparison to Nigeria's version of those cuties. Sorry, only Governors past the age of 45 years stand a chance with our President's daughters. Imagine me marrying my Dad's age mate in the name of politics. Religion is just an excuse- I might be your fourth wife but not with a 25 year age difference.

Ebuka writes, "Still talking about Presidents and their daughters, it seems like there has never been a better time to be a daughter of Nigeria’s first family; the Yar’Adua’s. Or if you are looking at things from a political angle then it might also be a wonderful time to be a Nigerian governor. I am almost certain that there has never been a similar case anywhere else in the world, of a sitting President of a country giving out two of his daughters in marriage to serving governors or premiers or mayors in that country.In 2007, just a couple of months after the new president and governors were sworn in, Nigerians got the news that one of our new president’s daughters would be getting married to Governor Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari of Kebbi State. It was a special occasion as far as most people were concerned and Nigerians were watching to see if she would become the official First Lady of the State. All that was settled when just about a month after the wedding that held on the 30th of June 2007, Hajiya Zainab Yar’Adua-Dakingari, received her mother, the Nigerian First Lady, Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua as she came on a one day visit to Birnin Kebbi to flag off the 2007 polio immunization ceremony. It was definitely a unique occasion as Nigerians were definitely witnessing a mother-daughter relationship on a political front for the first time.About a year later, another daughter of an ex Nigerian military president, Ms Aisha Babangida, followed Zainab Yar’Adua’s lead as she got married to Governor Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi of Zamfara State. It came as a bit of a surprise to many people at the time because she was going into a polygamous marriage at a time when her brother was also about to take a second wife; mostly because they grew up in a monogamous home. But their religion allowed for it and if the parties were okay with it, then no one had the right to question.But if 2007 and 2008 had their own versions of presidential daughter weddings, then 2009 was not about to be left out. Another high profile wedding just held in Katsina State where Bauchi State Governor Malam Isa Yuguda got married to another daughter of Nigeria’s first family; Hajiya Nafisa Yar’Adua. While a lot of people have gone on to do a research on how many more daughters the Yar’Adua’s have, and the probability of them marrying other State governors, I am reflecting more on the idea of marriage as a whole and what it really means to me in particular.... I may not get my chance with either Sasha or Malia Obama seeing that the age difference is a lot; plus there is no guarantee that President Obama would want any of his daughters to come back to his ancestral continent. Neither do I think I have a chance with any of the Yar’Adua’s since judging by precedence, I would have to be a governor to get there."

Read the full article on http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=133831

Courtesy: Thisday Online.

Problem with MTV Africa (Late post)

2009-01-06T13:08:00.004-06:00

Africa is a frigging huge diverse continent is just wrong (as argued by my Afro History Prof) to even use the term "Africa."

This post is inspired by the MAMA- MTV Africa Music Awards. The nominees were mostly Nigerian and South African with random artists thrown into the nomination list. What ever happened to music from the Francophone world. Given, they don't speak English but we all enjoy their music and the world enjoys theirs even more than Anglophone music.

I know that viewers voted with Nigeria's mega populations, Nigerian artists were bound to win but some artists shouldn't have been nominated in the first place. I love 9ice but I've NEVER heard a Hip-hop song from his mouth. I suggest that D'banj be nominated for best Rock-Metal artist, Tuface for best Jazz singer and Jeremiah Gyang for best rapper.

What of Angelique Kidjo, Youssou N'dour, and other classics who have Grammy nominations and wins (and Africans aren't even acknowledging them) shouldn't there at least be a serious category that isn't all about young musicians? Even Tina Turner and Chaka Khan are still getting awards and presenting at awards. Maybe MAMA will on time realize how to make their awards more serious (give them next year!) Add some class and less 'ghettoness' and 'confusion' to make it watchable to other foreign audiences after all we watch AMAs, VMAs and European MTV awards don't we? Why don't we make them watch our without them saying "Damn these Africans didn't learn well after we gave them independence?"

Read more on
Jeremy Weate's Naija Blog: Why it was Aweful Read the comments too!
Cheta's blog: MTV and Zain Debacle

Everyone knows Gaou (Premier Gaou)- and with the long list of remixes (including Church praise songs), many don't even know the real musicians behind this old song that remains new every time it blasts out of the radio. They are:

Magic System. These guys have been in the business for a while and are not only popular in African but Europe (especially France) as well. You'd notice the use of oyibos in their videos to connect with their diverse fans (unlike Dare's controversial videos that only black Nigerians are watching). Magic System's videos each have more than 1 million hits while so-called MTV Africa's Best acts: Ikechucku, Naeto C, Tuface and Dbanj are still struggling with a few thousand hits on youtube.

Granted, they are new musicians and in the next 10years their videos (shot in South Africa) will finally reach the million viewer mark but the MAMAs should give awards were they are due. Either make the MTV Africa awards about ALL of Africa and be MORE inclusive of ALL of Africa, split the damn awards to Francophone, Luso- and Anglo- Or Nigeria should just have its own MTV awards because other African countries might soon believe we are 419ing the wards to have more than 70% of the nominations. And there are more than 50 other countries in Africa.

I'm posting not as a Nigerian but as an African. I've listened to too much music from outside Nigeria and damn is there some good music. Every time I tell a well-travelled American I'm Nigerian they ask about Fela Kuti and other original 9ja legends not hip-hop Akata wannabe musicians. That's why as soon as Asa came out I heard her songs on a European Blog weeks before any of my 9ja friends heard it. Now my friend in Jamaica is asking me if I know Asa. Imagine?

I've decided to take a break from Storm and Kennis Records and board a musical plane round Africa.

Magic System- Premier Gaou

Longombas from Kenya- Chukua (I love the song and the Kenyan makossa steps)

More Magic System- Ki Dit Mie

Can anyone broaden my African Music Horizon?

Thoughts on MAMA awards?

Seasons greetings

2008-12-30T12:01:00.001-06:00

I'm still in the process of outlining New Year resolutions.

Academic, spiritual, family, friends, finances... I hope to travel to a new continent this summer, I'm excited, I hope I can.

It's awesome to be able to spend the holidays with family (Mum and sister). I've spent most of the break on retail therapy, buying shoes and bags (ordered from Abuja) and watching Ghanaian movies and Real Housewives of Orange County.

I crave Nigerian food and hopefully we'll find our way to the African restaurant around. I've had enough ramen, cereal, campbell soup and subway. Mum is here so Manna should be taking off from heaven.

My sister just walked in (to tell me something) and scared me and by reflex, I shut my laptop only for her to give me some facebook gist. You owe me dear...

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! May 2009 be wonderful for us all!

Ladi

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T20:19:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas to everyone and have a Happy New Year!!!!!

God Bless!!!!

Ladi.

Hausa Children should read!

2008-12-01T20:47:00.004-06:00

Most of you should have heard or read about the Jos crises over the weekend. More 200 people killed. Muslims killing Christians and vice versa.after a local council election with supposed rigging. Some folks burnt churches, others burnt mosques and people's homes.

Read on BBC and Thisday

I promise you, its not successful business owners, bankers, civil servants, teachers, lawyers, engineers, musicians, any educated person or students with a correct brains upstairs.

Its restless children, teenagers, young men...and maybe women. It starts with Almajirai (young male beggars) they don't go to school (or manage Islamiya evening education) and learn the street hustle, start carrying knives (typical local hausa guys) and when they grow up the good ones sell suya or open kiosks, become drivers, Mai-guardi (gatemen)or do some decent hustle. I mean the uneducated ones.

Lack of education leads lack of exposure, idleness, low IQ, and 'demon' possession (Lol!) can make anyone wake up and because of election results go on a burning spree. Thats why the north continues to have a bad reputation or stereotype for dumb-ass-ness...lol!

Suppose, McCain's rallied some young white guys to go around burning down folks houses because Obama won?

That's exactly what happened in Jos.

And Jos was the las-gidi of the North way back then. Sprezatura did a post on Jos when he was growing up(Home of Nasco Cornflakes and biscuits, Wamco Dairies etc). And on the road to my precious Northern state, we drove past Jos everytime. Since so-called democracy, Joshua Dariye, the place has deteriorating. Theres still some nice places (Rayfield) but with one religious clash or the other,.... Somebody help!

And the chain of useless politicians in the Local government.....

Back to the point, I think the children of the north need quality public school education. Jos private schools are very good: Bethany, Baptist High are like the Olasore/Adesoye/A-hall/Loyola of the North.

Then they can be reading their books instead of looking for houses to burn down. They should even be selling suya and kilishi or sitting in a damn office. Iliteracy and Idleness na winsh factory (devil's workshop)

We can't change people's religious beliefs but you can get then off the streets.

I think I want to do something.... Look what some did (CNN Heroes award finalist) did in with children Ethiopia: http://www.ethiopiareads.org/

Cidersweet is our blogger from Jos...Pray you're okay oh!

I'm becoming more political huh? Tiwa, thanks for reminding me to update!

Uzoma Okere...Assaulted by Naval Officers

2008-11-07T02:24:00.005-06:00

Y'all should have heard how this dear lady was brutally beaten by Naval Officers in Lagos in front of Price WaterHouse Coopers accounting firm.

"On the third of November 2008 on Muhri Okunola Street, Victoria Island Lagos, the traffic was chaotic. A young lady (Uzoma Okere) driving home from work didn't move her vehicle out of the way of a military convoy on time, resulting severe beatings by armed Nigerian Navy men. The convoy consisted of Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade's personal Navy saloon car and his pilot truck, consisting of 6 armed bodyguards."

It's unfortunate that this has topped the level of non-democratic events occurring lately.

Watch the video:
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-134234

Read:
Punch Newspaper: http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20081107184896
http://www.nigeriancuriosity.com/2008/11/when-nigerias-military-attack-citizens.html

Join the facebook petition groups:
Petition for Justice: Uzoma Okere
Uzoma Okere Foundation Against Armed Forces Brutality (Nig.)

It's unfortunate that people are saying about Uzoma Okere's status (her father is a Sergeant-At-Arms). No matter how rude she could have been (i read a comment saying she was stuck up...bad belle na bitch!), nobody, no woman should be beaten with her clothes taken off on the streets.

I'm happy she has a prominent relative who took it to the senate at least laws can be passed to protect the 'masses.' Especially in democracy because Abacha can as well raise from the dead lets return to military rule.

I wish her recovery and mental stability. I can't imagine that happening to myself.

Ladi

Tribalism in Nigerian Music

2008-10-31T11:07:00.003-05:00

Whats wrong with some Nigerian southerners????

I saw this video a few minutes ago and the comments suggested CNN was an idiot for doing a report on Hip Hop up north. Some one said Kano wasn't even in Nigeria but the middle east. Some said it was irrelevant and decided included religion (Islam) in it. When did a report on Hausa Hip hop rather than southern hip hop become not appreciating the things of Africa. That's why so called southern artists won't go any where because we don't appreciate other cultures bo one will appreciate ours. Others complained about his accent what of y'all with janded/ Ibo and h-factor Yoruba accents?

I wish CNN actually did something on D'banj, Tuface, Psquare, Asa and co...but the reaction this video received just show how backward, ignorant and tribalistic Nigerians are. If oyibo gives you crap, you probably deserved it.

I paste some comments:

-wetin consine mallam wid hip-hop?

-this northern pple are still way back from the real world.

-They moved away from 419 and is now focused on the North of Nigeria. (419 is the same as Hausa Hiphop??????)

-if na arab or koran music I for gree,but Naija hip-hop (in the north),na lie!!!!!

-bulls***! f***CNN

The video:

See why there is No progress in Nigeria??????

I'm a northerner but a christian and its sickening to see so called born again folks talk they way they do. Where is the love?

That's why we face racial prejudice. If we don't think our fellow citizens are human beings. As in I'm freaking pissed.

Talk about justifying ethnic and religious violence!

AFRICA OPEN FOR BUSINESS

2008-10-19T23:09:00.000-05:00

DUH! As many of y'all have noticed many businesses are being run by foreigners look at restuarants, supermarkets, boutiques, bakeries, cinemas. Anyone heard of the Chinese bakery OCEANIC in Abuja that was basically making a sweatshop out of the oven (the best grammer I could use). They were locking their Nigerian employees in cages (i suspect the term was exagerrated) but anyone heard of slavery some centuries ago being repeated this time with our new "colonialists." One of many examples not that Nigerian employers ain't bad but seriously you get visa to come and maltreat me in my own 9ja?

Not that I'm xenophobe. AH! I'm on another man's land but its about time WE start investing in OUR resources especially since we're still termed THIRD WORLD then we can open the ground for foreigners to make money off our SOIL. But, till then it should be OUR calling.

See MTN- GLO

NuMetro- Silverbird

MTVbase-Soundcity

Imported Kiddies clothing-RuffnTumble

MaryKay- House of Tara, BMPro

Pere Hilton- NiyiTabiti and Ayeni (LOL!)

Hollywood-Nollywood and Hausaland's Kannywood

Amigo, 411 etc in Abuja (Indian and Lebanese)- SAHAD Mehn (the luxury market I love Hausa people!)

(The big examples I could manufacture in 3 seconds)

The video-trailer below (AFRICA OPEN FOR BUSINESS BBC'S BEST DOCUMENTARY OF 2006) is about Indigenous African entrepreneurs in fashion, agriculture, ANIMATION (people didn't believe it was 100% Africa) floristry (dunno the term), telecommunications et cetera. I was so touched!

The second video is about Ruff n Tumble store in Lagos. Any of those business owners would have run to the west to do menial-odd jobs or even corporate world jobs that seriously if you don't have that blue or burgundy passport you're as bad with the fat paycheck and the term ALIEN, the nastiest term for foreigners that I've heard. Alien again? AH!

If I've preached enough I hope you've been converted. AFRICA IS OPENED FOR BUSINESS. There's no closing time yet.

Courtesy: http://africaopenforbusiness.com/linkchangenotice.html, National Black Programming Consortium and Youtube.

Ladi.

'Aristo' cracy, 'Agbero' cracy, ... ARCHIVES

2008-09-26T00:44:00.000-05:00

ARISTOS!!! Aristocracy, dealing with lame-assness of some Nigerian Men in my Men(tality) series, my being confused for a little kid (Am surely a kid but a littler kid I mean), Agberocracy in Abuja markets, dissatisfaction with the stereotypical notions of northerners as dumb-asses, the economic class divide and exploitation of poorer masses....

Northern and Nigerian treatment of young women in general (forced or arranged marriages) and my personal rants and frustrations concerning them being a young northernwoman myself. (Those posts got the most hits and comments kinda!)

I decided to put links on the posts that really spoke my mind and re-reading them lighten the weight on my shoulders. If you're new on this blog. You can 'peruse' achives below:

YOUNG 'HAUSA' GIRLS FOR MARRIAGE: http://missladidi.blogspot.com/2008/06/married-away.html

HAUSA/NORTHERN STEREOTYPING:
http://missladidi.blogspot.com/2008/01/hausa-arewa-stereotypes.html

BABANGIDA'S SON'S SECOND MARRIAGE TO 'TRUE' LOVE OF TEN YEARS (Most Hit Post):
http://missladidi.blogspot.com/2008/04/sorry-as-usual.html

OLD MEN AFTER YOUNG TEENAGE GIRLS (ADVANCED ARISTOS): http://missladidi.blogspot.com/2008/04/nigerian-men-tality-6.html

AGBEROS AFTER EVEN YOUNGER/ SMALL GIRLS (HOW MY MUM SLAPPED HIM): http://missladidi.blogspot.com/2008/03/nigerian-men-tality-part-1.html

CLASS, WEALTH AND POVERTY IN LAGOS AND ABUJA: http://missladidi.blogspot.com/2008/08/lagos-and-lies-abujas-guilt.htmlMASCARA

HOLA WITH A COMMENT!!!!!

Handbags!! by House of Nodza (Gidan Nodza)

2008-09-19T20:39:00.008-05:00

Quoted "Gidan Nodza(Hausa for House of Nodza) is a proudly Nigerian company that offers the best handmade luxury items of its kind. Products from Gidan Nodza are different and unique because all items are 100% handmade. Fabrics used are all dyed using the age old methods of; batik, tie & dye & other wax relief techniques. The leather used is locally sourced. So, to be in possession of a Gidan Nodza item is to be in possession of a rare work of Art. Visit to see what's new at Gidan Nodza from fabric(s) pieces to final product. "

She (the owner, Amina Hassan) was featured in UrbanKit's blog: http://urbanknit.blogspot.com/2008/08/gidan-nodza.html#links

I'm impressed!!!

Way to go Gidan Nodza (in na samu kudi zan yi sayyaya amma kunyi kokari. Ubangiji ya ba ku sa'a!)

Whatever Prada, Michael Kors, Coach, LV... with 100% Handmade? I'm Nodza babyeee!!!

Blogspot: http://www.houseofnodza.blogspot.com/

The Facebook group: http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9691492518

Shop!: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5465974

What do y'all think?

Future Awards Nomination for Amina Hassan anyone? Hell yea!

Ladi.

The sickness called Nigerian Hospitals

2008-09-17T21:50:00.001-05:00

If you didn't read my older post on the wide gab between the rich and poor and the level of poverty that exist in our so-called posh, classy and elegant Nigerian cities, here: http://missladidi.blogspot.com/2008/08/lagos-and-lies-abujas-guilt.html

Simon Kolawole of Thisday Newspaper wrote the following touching article on Nigerian (Lagos) Hospitals both public and private. PLEASE READ THE WHOLE THING:

I’m ever very desperate to be positive about my country. I’m ever eager to celebrate the smallest of achievements and the tiniest of gestures, all in an attempt to catch a glimpse of a silver lining in the dark cloud hanging over the alleged Giant of Africa. But then one thing happens and the whole enthusiasm just comes crumbling, like biscuits in the mouth. Today, I’ll like to briefly discuss what has been bothering most Nigerians – the state of our hospitals. President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s medical pilgrimage seems to have re-ignited Nigerians’ anger on the state of healthcare in the country. We should all be worried. We should all be angry. I am ready to concede that some things have changed, but obviously not enough has changed to make us shout Uhuru. In fact, most of the stories you hear from our hospitals are heart-breaking. I like to illustrate the rot in this society with personal experience. I will do so again today.

Two weeks ago, my driver called me to say his father was ill. He suspected typhoid. Take him to a general hospital, I told him, because I don’t really trust many of the private clinics which often lack the expertise but would eagerly wave huge bills in the face of unfortunate Nigerians. He took the man to Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos. This was in the evening. The person who was supposed to issue registration cards had taken a stroll. The lady in sight, whose duties my driver couldn't’t really define, advised them to sit down and wait because “issuing cards is not my duty”. After waiting for an hour, with his father in pains, my driver finally sighted the card issuer. Card issued, they waited for another one hour to see the doctor. The lady, who said she was not a card issuer, was obviously the one who would grant them access to the doctor, but she was busy talking and gisting on “MTN Xtra Cool” (as my driver put it). “I could not believe my eyes,” my driver said. “She must have been on the phone for 50 minutes. In the process, the doctor had resumed work. I didn’t know. It was another nurse who came to advise me that I had to keep troubling the lady before we could see the doctor.” Reluctantly, the “MTN” nurse allowed them to see the doctor who did a good job of informing my driver that his father would need a surgery. There was a little problem though: there was no bed space, so he would refer them to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, which I understood the Tinubu administration had turned into one of the best in the country today. Midnight, they set out for LASUTH. On getting there, they were told once again that there was no bed space, so they headed for General Hospital in Surulere. Early in the morning the following day, I called him to find out what the situation was. The same story: no bed space.“Go to LUTH immediately,” I ordered him, and then joked seriously: “You see now, if you were a big man you would just take your father to St. Nicholas Hospital or Reddington and deposit N5 million. The operation would have been done by now. Better still, if you were a governor or a minister, you would have flown your daddy to Germany or London by air ambulance for operation.” He got my point easily because I always use him as a sounding board anytime we are going to office. I normally pour out my frustrations about the contradictions in this country on him.LUTH was the final straw. When I called him to get the situation report, he gave me a very sad picture. “LUTH is the worst so far,” he said. “The lady who attended to us was so merciless. She said we should take our father out of the reception area, that five people had died there while waiting for bed space. We begged her and said that was the fourth place we were being rejected. She shouted on us and told us to go away, asking if we expected her to become a bed. We begged and begged but she got angrier, saying what she hated most in her life was being begged. While we were still begging, one lady brought her father who was obviously in need of urgent attention. The nurse shouted on her. Right before our eyes, the man gasped and died. No first aid. Nothing. The nurse became more agitated and told the confused lady to take the corpse out of the reception immediately.

I decided there and then I had seen enough.”He moved his father to a private clinic across the road where he was asked to deposit N150,000 before treatment would commence. Please don’t ask me how much he earns that he would have saved N150,000 to attend to the health of his father. The doctor wanted the money deposited before he could start any form of work. My driver deposited N50,000 later in the day. For the two nights the man spent there, he only received drips and a few tablets before the doctor advised them to go to one specialist centre at Ikeja. At this stage, I told my driver to move his father to a reputable private hospital on Lagos Island (I wish to withhold the name). The life of the man was in serious danger and everything must be done to save him now.The hospital first turned them back, saying there was no bed space. But eventually, the man was admitted. My driver got a very strong hint, unofficially, that the man was in serious danger and might not survive. Surprisingly, perhaps because of the money the hospital was going to make from this case, they said they wanted to conduct their own tests before operating on the man. “Before we knew what was happening, they said they had done a scan that would cost us N60,000. They said they were going to do another scan. That’s another N60,000, not counting the other charges,” my driver told me. At this stage, he decided to withdraw his father from the hospital, but for inexplicable reasons, the doctor was never available for him to discuss with. He became desperate to withdraw his father, at least to cut his losses, but the hospital would not play ball yet the man’s condition was getting worse. Last Wednesday, early in the morning, he received a call informing him that his father had died. Don’t ask me how much the hospital told him to pay for the five days of “treatment”. Don’t ask me how the poor boy mourned the two losses – one of his father and the other of the monumental resources that went down the drain. Sadly, the story I have just told today can represent the experiences of thousands of Nigerians everyday. Nigeria. What a country.

Courtesy: THISDAY NEWSPAPER http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=122446&printer_friendly=1

What can we do to make a change instead of being satisfied with our individual well beings alone?

OPINIONS??? HIT ME!!!

xo,

Ladi

Fine babe, no pimples! Ladi stepping to gorgeousness

2008-09-10T00:14:00.001-05:00

So more recently, more people are rushing to every and any spa: moroccan, chinese, brazilian, calabar fattenening-room spa, all of them. Me na Hausa spa I go start with those Hausa pregnant-just gave birth-women's hot water and herb bath. Kai! I have recipes already!

The makeup industry is booming (BM Pro, Toni Payne, House of Tara's line with the yoruba name) as well as couture, designers are lending and giving celebs clothes anyhow (Rukkies and Linka Ikeji: I'm jealous!) and we Nigerians are watching and taking cue. Perfection is the goal whichever one you can afford.

After spending an hour on reading blogs and fashion magazines, viewing air brushed pictures, many of us ask ourselves How can I look, dress and feel like her?

And hair, Bobby Eke's salon amongst others in Lagos (I heard you have to book two weeks ahead to an appointment...Beverly Hills 9ja style) and Cotonou Boys in Wuse 11, Abuja. A fellow intern at work told me those Benin-Republic natives charge N10,000 for million braids (when its like N2,000 or less in kaduna and Jos and N4,000 what my Mum pays in Abuja usually) and once some lady had to pay N15,000 for God knows what they placed on that head of her. She got the fat bill (which could be someones month's salary) and with a cutesy-spoilt-ajebo tone said "O kay!" CHEIII!!!!! Anyway, if I can afford it why not allow someone feed himself but seriously HAIR again?

(Now hair is becoming pricey like UK and US oh!)I have braids which I'll keep for three months and relax DIY in front of the mirror with instrustions and style again myself if not I'll either be broke or EFCC'll arrest my Dad if I can afford those luxuries regularly. Nah!

In this material world, you'll need to first get gym membership either to join the Joneses or truly get fit and firm, take dance classes- Salsa to be precise like if the dancing in Church doesn't burn enough clories and our traditional owambe steps are not enough we've moved to Salsa? Cool sha but it just sounds like some move to fake jandedness when I hear some folks say they take salsa lessons. I learnt tap dance from PE in school but I'm gonna open a fulani dance club or something (hmm, lame!).

My school's gym is mega awsome and free so I hit the jackpot there.

Me, am a victim of working out now! I started this work out plan created by Jessica Alba's trainer, Ramona Braganza, that I got from an old Seventeen Magazine. She alternates (daily) 40minute cardio with 10 minute cardios along with 'strenght moves' she calls them (Squats, leg and biceps curls) . The workout plan is for two weeks but I'm modifying and doing mine for a month and see if it firms me up if not na sue I go sue. I don't need to lose weight lai lai! if not I'll keep looking 12years old. Instead of watching TV, exercise is better than couch potato-ing right?
Start saving up for it bags: Prada, LV or Gucci and that classic-square cuboid shaped Chanel with the chain straps to take attention from everything else if not, get a skincare regimen and ka-ching we're ready.

So next, either invade Sephora version: House of Tara or the nearest passing-by makeup selling mallams (true or false?), Thats why I love-like-hate 9ja, see babes in Abuja patronising those mallams which is great 'cause you're feeding him but to go out and be shouting lies that you shopped on Oxford street( I digress but Hiss!)

If you've been reading my past blog entries you'll know I'm a 'condition bend crayfish' Mascara junky (started with Rimmel London, then Covergirl Lashblast, and now Maybelline Define-a-Lash). Eye pencil is like a Northern woman prerequisite so I've been wearing it since nursery school see my baby, kiddie pictures have me with navy blue eye pencil. Omo fine girl no pimples!!!

Now adolescence (what my buddies call it, I call it stress-induced breakouts) wants to deal with my face but the Devil is a Liar!!! so I'm taking my cleanse-moisturise-conceal regimen seriously. As per foundation, too much TV and magazine adverts have convinced me that mineral powder is better for the skin so I switched to Covergirl Pressed Mineral Foundation for my oily skin. Yea and Neutrogena's wash and tone cleanser and Clean and Clear's SPF15 moisturiser in the beginning and middle of the routine. On weekend I use peel-off mask and apricot srub if my face start manufacturing dry, dead, skin.

Three of those products we're in Cosmogirl's Beauty Hall of Fame so I'm on track!

Don't need any anti-aging stuff Biko, not yet!

What else? Exfoliation. I alternate disinfectant/ anti-bacterial bath wash with exfoliating-scrub bathwash only God knows if they actually take away the dead skin. I guess! Since I cannot afford spas plus I should be studying Economics and doing homework so I could as well get over dead skin while I bathe. Ko? But is like sand all over my body (Damn am sounding like a bushgirl now!)

Teeth, whitening oh! I'm not taking this aspect too seriously. I just switched my mouth wash and tooth paste to whitening ones and yes, the chewing gum I chew too is stain preventing and whitening. I switched from basic anti bad-breath ones. I'm not spending time on whitening strips yet maybe during my next break or holiday or something.

Last, I have to sign an oath to eat fruit and drink V8 and Fuze drinks on my school ID flex so its kinda free so I got my Vitaminerals babyeee!. That Barney's song Apples and Bananas ain't child's play.

Oh, and WATER, I started drinking so much (its healthy duh!) that I started spending '5million' hours in the rest room which is kinda embarassing so I just drink a lot when I'm in the confines of my room and can run to my personal bathroom without warranting reactions from people (What the hell does that chic in the next toilet cubicle drink? Lol!)

Workout, check!

Face, check!

Skin, check!

Teeth, check!

To accommodate all these changes, being a student and not having time for excess ephizzy I just exchanged my former lifestyle with something better, cheaper/economical, and healthier alternatives. I'm in a village in Yankee and don't quite socialize in Abuja so there's no one to put my picture in Purefoto for any reason so for self satisfaction I guess.

"If you look good you feel good. If you feel good, you sell/cook/work good" Deion Sanders (sportsman) says for everything.

If I look close to Jessica Alba or Chalya Shagaya (Another Northern QBee) seriously I'll inform y'all. Ha ha!

But that's not the point though. If I feel better and more confident and less conscious then I conquered. This is for myself and me alone.

Let me not forget what matters most is the inside soul so I'm picking my Bible up now. Been on the one-year Bible plan so I can finish the scripture in 12 months. God, please forgive me I slacked a bit and have to take a year and a half instead. But by His grace, I will.

xo

Ladi

Thoughts anyone?

The Futuristic: Careers and all

2008-08-27T16:03:00.012-05:00

I have been stuck with my laptop, no classes, no papers, no homework, no group work or class presentations. Students' Paradise I guess but not really I'm wasting right in front of that screen.

Laptop= Unlimited Internet= Yahoo+Facebook+OnlineNigeria+Search engines......

And there's always something to do, if its not chatting on messenger or facebook (that so called networking winch!), so perusing email archives and YES, blogging, watching MTV's The hills, My super sweet sixteen and Exiled, America's Best Dance crew (Chei see stepping) and ofcourse http://www.video.onlinenigeria.com/ for free Nigerian and Ghanaian movies (The Beyonce and Rihanna movie had a scene shot near my house!!!!), exploring music and movie reviews on http://www.pluggedinonline.com/, there always something do can't wait to get busy with classes.

And I survived without constant internet in Abuja oh! Now I'm back and forgetting my roots.

So, in the mean time I'm making grand plans for the future. There is this fun business I've been dreaming of for months now. I read in Cosmogirl or Seventeen magazine that it made a teenage chic a millionaire in $$$.

Only for me to go home this summer and read that the idea was also just borne and realized by someone. I figured that I better start planning my competition (shey its healthy in economics?). The product/service in question is kinda expensive so I better figure out walmart-style how to cut costs so mine is actually a success/ good competition and we can build that industry together..lol!.

Whenever this pet project of mine becomes a reality, I'll expatiate further.

This is what I've been thinking about, doing research online, reading 'how to' websites and checking my school class schedule if classes/courses are offered in that field, looking on http://www.amazon.com/ to find books related to that field, I even have a folder and notebook on my bed as trusty companions.

Thanks to my ijebu-igbo northern family, any small change/naira from christmas and sallah since I was younger was collected and converted to shares now from yankee if I read the news and see a company is offering I call home and "Please, can you buy so-so companies shares?" Most of my business (yes, I sell stuff when I travel back) goes to NSE. Thats future collateral oh!

So, this Maryland based company that does web design, logos, corporate identity (Omotola's website and Skye Bank's ads amongst many): http://www.nextdaysite.com/ came to my Dad's office and left a thick fancy brochure, he brought it home and was like "Ladi, you see what young Nigerians who schooled in America are doing? I hope you come back with some innovation like these people." Getting value for the dosh spent thus far.

Yea right as in now I'm shining my eye anywhere I go to find innovative stuff and damn there's a lot. Its how to start that gives me headache. But what is the point to chartering a plane across the Atlantic ocean and coming back home with no proof of exposure to the developed world? I could have as well gone to my state university in the Northeast and remained well, unexposed. Thats another reason foreign degrees are a biggie in Nigeria. Not only is the educational standard and system better (YES, argue!), technological advancement as well as development but exposure to how things work in the G-8 joints.

Back to my project, I'm 19 and feel to old to just be laying strategies. I should have started when I was 16 huh? Kidding but I feel like time is not enough. I will graduate at 21 then work in Yankee legally for a year (OPT for international students in Yankee), do NYSC in Nigeria, attend Graduate school, get a job and continue growing this business of mine by the time I've gotten my masters, I might be like 23 or 24 (Chei!!!!) My mother has warned me to be independent before even thinking of marriage so we can brush that side a bit.

Hmm, anyway, I guess I have time. I spend so much time thinking about the future (good or bad?) Lemme finish this phase first but meanwhile I'll be drawing a business plan courtesy of my ECON textbook.

Some alums from Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and co are coming next week to give sessions, mock interviews and hopefully hook students up. I quickly signed up since its limited. My school is in a village/rural area/ very fairytale fantasy place in the South so companies hardly come all the way to recruit us though we are ranked very high and all (Location, Location, Location) this is an opportunity so I'm spending that time hearing Banking, Finance and Consulting gist.

Seek ye first the kingdom and everything else will be added. I believe!

Can I get a witness?

xo

Ladi

T.W.O Clothing Line

2008-08-27T14:13:00.010-05:00

I stayed away from fashion for a while now because either Tigerbites, Bella or Nigerianfashionfreak's blogs address that field.

Just in case you haven't yet heard about this line.

Anyway, there is this new line called T.W.O (Tolu, Wendi, Odiri) which I totally adore plus kinda knew the designers from way back then in school and facebook. Lol!

It's so far not like any Nigerian 'clothing' line that designs like ten dresses and thats it! I'm overwhelmed by their collection since I'm used to seeing so little. I wish the young business women tremendous success!

http://two-chic.blogspot.com/

The Facebook group to join is: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22309252609

Make sure you check them out, cash and carry: t.w.o@live.co.uk

T.W.O Fabulous!

Thoughts anyone?

Michelle Williams: Unexpected

2008-08-16T14:50:00.014-05:00

She was my absolute favorite in Destiny's Child. I had both her gospel albums and now she's doing something different in her album UNEXPECTED. I LOVE HER and her new singles are awesomeness: We break Dawn, Hello heartbreak, Stop this car and The greatest.

Check her website and Myspace to listen:

http://www.michellewilliamsonline.com/

http://www.myspace.com/michellewilliams

Hello Heartbreak and We Break Dawn are my absolute favs!

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeJJkiJ6-Q0

I'm banging my head- hola if it actually has an effect on your senses!

Viva DC-Michelle!!

Lagos and Lies: Abuja's guilt

2008-08-15T09:22:00.006-05:00

I went on Bella Naija a while ago and saw her post on Gossip Girl LIVE IN LAGOS, fake accents and all and The New York Times' article on opulence in Lagos.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/world/africa/13lagos.html?ref=world

Yippie! was my first reaction, now the world can see there is more to us than AIDS, Malaria, Hunger and all that rubbish. Then I realized that with majority of our country's population living on less than $1 a day (N120 imagine) we really are a wicked bunch of people.

I am the thriftiest, stingiest (in a good way), economical Ijebu-Igbo girl I've met without being to hustler-down to earth ish. Lol! At Here's my average weekly expense at least for this summer in Abuja during my internship:

N1200 Taxi cab (I try for safety and all)

N800 Half plate of jollof, coconut or fried rice

N150 Maltina or Fanta twice a week

N1300 Credit that's like N500 for 3 days

N350 randoms acts of kindness/treats

In all that's N3800 almost N4000 if i did the math well. I had shawarma indulgence but have avoided cinemas, bowling alleys, concerts and (popular ajebutter hangout spots) and I'm supposed to be thrifty middle class???? With majority of my people (wayyy older than 19yr old me) living on N900 a week, dunno how I'll survive.

Thank God, my family can eat in an expensive Chinese restaurant not every month but a few times in a year. What of those who will never eat more that once a day?

It makes me think of how privileged I am that even though I don't have a car but can afford a cab.

My hustler cousin who wasn't raised as 'aje' as me took me to the market. She made me enter Abuja 'Danfo'- green and white buses instead of a cab. It was squashed up with people, no seat belts Duh cause of overcrowding, the 'scent' and 'odour' of what truly defined Nigeria: The masses. I couldn't complain.

That experience made me smile as a certified Nigerian. What 70% of the population goes through everyday.

We paid N60 for the ride saving us N200 if we had used a taxi. If God didn't bless me small this uncomfortable danfo would be my pimped up ride every blessed day.

At least I can afford a cab.

The worse is the so called rich who still have the guts to exploit. Cows of Bashan! (Secondary school CRS class..lol). We went to my villa this summer and on the way back we went to this place where fresh fish is sold. The Hausa guy was complaining that a woman came in a 'BIG' car to buy fish of N2,150 (N150 probably being his profit again change that to dollars). She gave him N2,000 and zoomed of in her SUV. If she could afford that ride as much as to show it off in Abuja why couldn't she just pay the full price. Later, she'll eat the fish with her children. What if that Hausa guy decided to quit selling fish and be cheated by rich folks instead to join armed robbery and pick a couple of millions every week. That lady will be first hit as well as many of us who hiss and say to ourselves "why the heck does a low class Hausa man need N150?"

If you believe in juju, the fish bone might choke someone to the nearest clinic too. Abi?

I'm not justifying crime but it starts from somewhere so I vowed to try and give tips when I can afford, not bargain uneccesarily. Simon Kolawole of Thisday newspaper wrote an article, "one day the people will rebel" basically saying the housemaid, driver, washer man, cook/chef and staff of the wealthy can see the Ghana-must-goes of cash, designer items, the restaurants and joints you hangout, the mall you shop in, which they would never have/afford and one day will rebel. We pray armed robbers won't come near our houses but we can't give a little donation.

Though the article was directed towards corrupt government officials, it applies to all the privileged who ignore whats happening in our poor, backward, 3rd world continent.

Think of that guy that sells credit making maybe N200 a day and pray he doesn't decide to channel his frustration elsewhere.

I keep asking my self what the point is. Why do we have to eat Portuguese, Thai or Chinese, Shawarma DAILY!!!!, go to pricey concerts, visit the cinema DAILY, be spotted carrying Louis Vuitton?

That's if you don't have the dosh for it which levels are you tryna prove?

Thank God for luxury but as we enjoy them lets not forget those who don't have the opportunity to every be like me, you or us.

At least I can afford a cab.

If money if about to leave your wallet, purse of account think of what you can do to help someone. As long as 70% of Africa is poor, no one gives a HOOT if you spend summers abroad, live the glam life and have a fabulous job. You'll only bee seen as the wicked bourgeoisie too who can't even give crumbs to Lazarus.

Thank God for his mercies.

Again I'm from a middle class family, 19 years old, want to enjoy all the luxuries of life and hoping I don't become a Cow of Bashan. Simplemente!!!!!

Ladi is back in US and can resume blogging and releasing her inner frustrations.

Ladi lives

2008-08-05T05:57:00.003-05:00

She does!

I've finally finished my internship so time to breath and blog.

In the midst of the stress two of my closest buddies went through tough period one lost the dad (RIP) and the other was hospitalised for weeks.

Instead of relying on them to be there for me all the time it was my turn to try and be there for them. My biggest fear was saying and doing the wrong things in an attempt to show some Ladi love.

Sometimes silence is better thats if powerful prayers are backing it up which I tried to not stop doing.

I learnt that God does everything for a reason. Though we say it all the time we hardly believe it but eventually its as true as truth could ever be.

I thank God for the strength he has given you. I pray for lasting comfort for you and your whole family. May God fill every void and supply every need of y'alls according to his will. 2008 is still promising so goodluck with everything can't till you graduate (Lol!).

Babe, I wish and pray for complete recovery. I wish you could come back to yankee so we can have our cheap/free 2 hour long conversations. Who will I 'gossip' stock markets, business, and politics with. Sha, shey you get credit for phone? We'll yarn joh!

Time and prayer heals so I'll keep kneeling and keep living....

Ladi

Married Away.......

2008-06-21T09:35:00.004-05:00

So this girl I knew since childhood is getting married. She is seventeenyears and her well-educated economist-banker father flogged the crap outof her to force her to accept some older dude's hand in marriage.

"An raba goro" (shared the kolanut) a.k.a traditional wedding invitationin form of kolanut distribution. So its one step taken already. I feel for the girl 'cause I'll rather she stupidly marry some highschool darling than be forced to marry an older dude obviously for some business or some other lame religious or traditional reasons. Kai, the thing is paining me because she'll either be like hardened wayyy to early or taken advantage of and divorsed in a matter of finger snaps with a baby or two to her belt.

(SCREAMS!!!!)

The trend is now is "saki" (divorse) as per one hausa chic will be divorsed and remarried in a matter of weeks. An average northern woman I know has been married twice, thrice-ish because the marriages have hardly been about love. I'm not tripping.

This single mother who lived near us and was sort of a family friend moved out of the area into her second hubbys house but is now back doing renovations 'cause the second round didn't work out. Another one's husband woke up one day and said "You are fired" (like in The Apprentice Africa's version specifically). She later remarried as number 3 so we'll see how stuff works out as the third.

I know Babangida's daughter left the first husband andjust married a northern governor as the third. The first lady of that state has since collapsed and has high blood pressure (Daily Trust Newspaper of a few days ago). Actually the third wife instead of the third was introduced as the first lady without prior agreement or something.

(FUNNY!!! May she get better Amen!)

I get religion permits some things bu when we start palying soccer with it, it kinda sucks.

One rich relative's wedding that milions were spent on asoebi's, gold jewellery ("gwal") and all glitz and glam. I think the son from that marriage is in his grandparents house 'cause the business transaction came to wraps and the return on investment might have been low. Was there love sef?

And this kind of stuff didn't happen in the earlier generation oh! I think we're getting greedier, thirstier, hungrier and more desirous of wealth, power, connection, alliance like we're in the 10th century of African chiefs and stuff.

I've rakked!!!!

Ladi

Thisday Style and Vanity

2008-06-06T05:44:00.003-05:00

So sorry for lack of updating. Ofcourse I'm in Nigeria right now and too lazy to drag myself to and internet serving computer.

So thanks for the "have a great summer: messages but Delabique (thanks mucho!), I'm not done with school yet though I wish I was done so I coulsd do my masters and NYSC by the time I turn 21.

So to my topic.

The issue of pictures as a means of satisfying out vain desires. I read an article by Helen Ajayi (Thisday Style..She's awesome cause only her articles stick to my head. The fashion tips change so often that leopard print is the -ish for the month only to hear next week that purple is the new LBD- little black dress and next week its actually green that is timeless. Ah! another fashionista will now declare its Greek inspired outfits now I'm confused so I only rip styles for my tailor off Thisday Style's weekly magazine and read Helen Ajayi and a little Tiger Bites.)

Kai, I diverted.

So Helen Ajayi talked about the "Fine art of boasting." The topic was too sweet she had I, II and III of the article. Everything from flaunting handbags to PDA- public displays of affection and faked phone conversations as current means of boasting or proving levels by women, men and young kiddos.

I'm not sure she belongs to any of those new online networking stuff- Facebook, Hi5, Tickle, Friendster and the likes. But I wish she had included them in a better way than I'm about to.

So Facebook, the one that succeeded in getting human beings to add 20 something albums and 5million pictures leading to the Facebook-addiction phenomenon of logging on to view a message your friend sent you only to end up spending 2 hours looking at young people shopping at UK's Primark and standing in front of Harrods, eating in Abuja's Ceddi Plaza, lining up to enter Silverbird's or Nu Metro's Cinema or the KING OF VANITY- taking pictures of yourself by simply experimenting in your privacy the perfect smile, lifting your hands up and click-flash-taken.

Oh and the "i have a new boo" or "snog, snog We're in love"- a rising phenomenon. I only pity those who wrap up shortly after. Ladi is not jealous but there is an extent so I'm officially immune. If you can't makeout on the streets of Lagos then don't post em on facebook or I'll print it or email it to...

AMEBO THIS LADI EH?

One of my girlfriend's boo 'banned' her from posting any pictures of him on the internet. She even has to crop pictures that happened to include him leaving everyone who is ignorant about the relationship suspicious asking"who's shadow is that in the picture?" Lol!

And they are the most perfect couple every-one is soooo jealous they don't have to fake photoshoots to make everyone green.

I smell vanity.

Just Ladi's thoughts.

I'll be starting working soon so if the demon of Nigerian Men(tality) strikes blogville will hear sharp sharp!!!!!

Snog Snog!!!!

I'll be posting my own pcitures soon..just kidding! maybe!!!!

Naija

2008-05-23T04:38:00.000-05:00

I'm in 9ja now. Nepa and mosquitoes are an awesome combo.....

Ciao!

Tired

2008-05-11T22:13:00.002-05:00

I saw Bishop Tutu and took pictures with him so thats awesome.

Been working so hard with graduation at my school for the past three days so my legs are killing.

I'm sooo sleepy right now and packing up all the junk from my room to move out.

Countingdown to going to 9ja. I called home and they told me NEPA had just taken light.

I guess I'm counting down to less electricity supply.

Kai!!!

I have gotten all my online orders so good for me.

What is Naija Chickito's latest blog entry talking about. Is any one worried or is it me?

Later mutane (people).

Ladilicious Damage..more Splurging..Nobel prizes

2008-05-08T01:01:00.007-05:00

There's nothing better the home calling to say I'm going shopping. So I did earlier yesterday and went to the mall later. As per, "buy this, buy that, for your cousin, e heh, your aunty," okay oh! Instructions heard remaining to damage the kudi.

I ended up buying like 3 cotton dresses and one blazer for myself and A LOT for my family. I went to GAP kids to shop for my sisters and I looked like one small baby mama buying clothes for her kids. LOL! I ended up clearing myself by gisting with a store assistant about how I couldn't return the clothes because I lived across the atlantic, and I was an african princess who came shopping all the wayyy to SHOP (okay I didn't tell her I was a princess oh biko!)

Anyway, I call my shopping trip damage to my debit card and being the end of the semester there's not quite much in there so to be shopping like that, its DAMAGE!!!!

So my I-Pod has arrived I need to pick it up from the post office..Yei!

Ladi is done with final exams and packing. MADNESS! My room is the hottest mess and I'll go to sleep like that and continue for the remaining few days I have here.

Secret: I'm gonna see (hopefully meet and take a picture, AMEN) with Bishop Desmond TuTu before I head out of this country so before the month ends. He's going around and will be at my yankee village of a school so oya pray for me 'cuz na hustle, I dey hustle.

Actually, they have MILO, the chocolate drink in South Africa and they are trying to impress him so guess who's supplying Milo for the Nobel Prize winner? Ladilious mehn (not confirmed yet) but I am theo only human being with Milo so imagine cooking Indomie for Mandela?

Is anyone feeling me here????? eh eh eh?????

This Arewa (northern) chic is going places.

Toh, Sai anjima mutane,

(Later people)

Ladi.

My Splurging Habits. My ruffles, I-pod, and Me

2008-05-04T18:11:00.005-05:00

I have taken three finals in three courses, one more left to do on Tuesday so my study break is to well, blog!

So my awesomeness of a closest friend got me a Forever21 gift card for my birthday and I bought the ruffled tops I've been making noise about..lol!

I bought an I-Pod, it took three seconds to order it online so I got a 1GB shuffle in red. The AIDS in AFRICA one..lol. I actually like red and its a good cause so I dropped a 'whooping' $49 and $3.88 in tax.

I ordered an engraving on it too. Way to immortalise oneself= story for another day.

Its my birthday present for myself.

1GB is 240 songs kinda so that enough for me. I can't be slaving myself to music. And I don't want to watch videos on my I-Pod. TV addiction is bad enough. Now you tube and free-episodes online...Kai, this generation eh?

Plus, In 9ja you can't be carrying an I-Pod the size of a remote control cause those area folks will just do you jazzy so the smaller, the less noticeable, the better.

See how I'm giving reasons for cheapness? Lol, But I think I made a smart choice.

Till I see ya in my mail box.

Is it me or has anyone also gotten addicted to Kini Big deal by Naeto C? I was even singing it during my spanish exam. Stil love Lagimo by Rooftop MCs still.

Ladi.

Lagimo by Rooftop MCs

2008-04-30T03:45:00.002-05:00

Is it me or is anyone feeling this song. Not the beat but the message is so powerful if more people thought less of themselves and worked more to God's glory and less to public opinion....

private jet at 35, mansion by the lake, ladies screaming...etc (that's the lyrics....)

I have been preached too today.

Thank BellaNaija for bring to my attention.

Oya y'all listen and watch the video. I'm officially off youtube.

Ladi.

Nigerian Men (tality) 6

2008-04-08T12:26:00.005-05:00

I want to do something in the banking-finance sector but my experience and been endless everyday encounters with dudes with the mentality in question.

Everyone has their hit-on encounters but for someone with my personality, I have to rant and rave. I've had an unhealthy dose of unintelligent folks.

So, the next story

I was sent to run errands to numerous banks so I had to walk in and out from one bank to the other. I went into an old-generation bank to perform my task when the errand-takers asked me to write my name, number, signature and all that stuff. I thought it was totally unnecessary to the errand but I did anyway. As soon as I was done and stepped out of the building, my phone started ringing.

I was like "ah ah!" to the unknown number. I could only think of my boss calling. I answered the unknown number only to hear a guy's voice. An older guy definitely... or too old for me.

"Eh, Eh, Eh You just stepped out of my bank now and Eh, Eh"

He was stammering "eh, eh" = nonsense talk in my interpretation

I hung up. Trouble don start be dat.

I was walking into my next stop- another bank so I had to switch off my phone.

When I got back home in the night of course, that number I had now stored as "bank dude" kept calling. What the heck? It was not business by the way I'm confident I didn't screw up my responsibility plus he would be stammering nervous so why was he calling?

I didn't answer. Omo-fronting for a stranger (duh!) I got a text saying "I know good things when I see them. Please pick up."

Lust eh?

Sorry that made it worse for me. I was disgusted by this stranger. For all I knew he could have been ....something-someone-somebody creepy or maybe I was just plain paranoid.

He finally gave up but wait I'm supposed to look 12yrs old right?

I almost picked up to tell him I was the MD's daughter sent on an errand because I was too SPLOIT to handle the real world.

I went back to the bank for the same errand and put my female boss's number there. Let them call her and say they know good things when they see them.

I'm still complaining because the very next second someone is appalled that I look to young too work in a bank and someone else in taking advantage of my 'naivete' ????

Paedophiles!!!!!!

the Men (tality) in Nigeria.

Ubangiji Allah ya taimake mu! (God help us!)

Ladi

Nigerian Men (tality) 5

2008-04-01T00:56:00.004-05:00

I've not updated in forever..students oh!

Sha, Nigerian Men (tality) where did I stop?

The Mallam B where I worked. I was filing as usual when a customer, a man aged 50yrs or more came to my unit transfer money to his son in university up north.

Okay, being the intern and him the big man (can't stand in queues), I went and did the whole transfer thing. When I came back with his tracking number, he started whispering "foot ya number" (the Hausa accent wasn't that bad I'm just exaggerating) I thought he meant the tracking number so I dropped the card that had the number on it. Then he turned the card around to the blank side and stylishly slid it towards me and repeated his request. He was talkinge made sure my boss (northern female) didn't see him or suspect his 'naughtiness.' I ignored him and continued filing.

I opened a drawer beside him to take out some slips and before I knew it his expensive phone had landed in the drawer along side his whispering "put your number."

"Chei!!!" (melodramatic shock)

His son is in University (my age-group) so how will the father be asking for my number unless to do matchmaking. Someone that 'fishy-ish' is not okay upstairs. Which kin matchmaking? You and your son will be competeing?

My Dad is not up to 50 so "Granpa,...I hate this Nigerian Men (tality)."

Wait I'm supposed to look 12 right?

He never came back during my internship there so thank God but I would have gathered more guts to handle the situation.

Two Mallams down, one 'hood boy stalker, one market agboro...our country eh?

More reminiscing to come....and check out the older Men (tality) posts.

Ladi.

What website could I find tickets to Abuja?

Ladilicious

2008-03-28T01:13:00.003-05:00

I've have personally been complaining about how bloggers have not been updating. Then I realized I also blogged too. kai! Its been some helluva past few days. My Uncle left after easter monday and one thing with Nigerian uncles is they always leave some 'canji' (Hausa for change as per money) so 'godiya' (thanksgiving).

I'm seriously searching for a plane ticket to go home. The only good ticket I've found is a Lufthansa that takes me to Germany then Equatorial Guinea? That makes me 'na wa' in my head but I want to fly British Airways. last year I got a mega-cheap ticket from BA under $1400 return ticket to Abuja for more than 2months duration I dunno why this year is proving difficult.

Anyway, Niyi Tabiti has been stealing blog ville show for the past few weeks with gist from Nollywood and LA (as per Lagos..lol!). I'm personally addicted a Perez meets E!news..I Like!

I saw the Most Beautiful girl in Nigeria contestants and the fact that 7o% of them came from one ethnic group bothered me. I love Igbos but kai whats up with Igbo girls represented ALL of the northern states. Even the ones with full-fledged Sharia had some hoochy looking photos.

Here, I know a true Alabama girl will rep Alabama with her southern-country accent the way a Hawaiian will and Rhode Islander....I don't like the lack of diversity but since they've accused us of having 'high morals' according to a comment on BellaNaija, Za mu huta (we'll rest).

I'll catch up small on blogging soon.

Take care!

Ruffles...finally

2008-03-22T21:47:00.003-05:00

This was my final pick. The one I loved the most went out of syock so these two. I find it hard choosing between the sleeves?

Which color?

I'm so undecisive but I might end up with the secong one though the sleeves don't seem timeless to me.

Happy Easter weekend.

I had an argument with one of my best-est buddies (dudes eh?)

My weekend has been rough I need to go counselling next week (Kolo alert?)

Please pray for me.

My uncle is coming from Abuja to visit so thats one good thing this weekend.

The lala oh!.

God's blessing y'all!!!!!

Nigerian Folktale: ANANSI AND TURTLE

2008-03-19T00:03:00.001-05:00

ANANSI AND TURTLE
Author: unknown
Courtesy of MotherLand Nigeria's website.

One day Anansi the spider picked some very fat and tasty yams from his garden. He baked them with much care and they came out smelling quite delicious. He could not wait to sit down and eat them.

Just then there was a knock at his door. It was Turtle, who had been traveling all day and was very tired and hungry.

"Hello, Anansi," said Turtle. "I have been walking for so long, and I smelled the most delicious yams I've ever smelled. Would you be so kind as to share your meal with me?"

Anansi could not refuse, as it was the custom in his country to share your meal with visitors at mealtime. But he was not very happy, for Anansi was a little too greedy and wanted the delicious yams all to himself. So Anansi thought to himself and came up with a scheme.

"Please do come in, Turtle. I would be honored to have you as my guest this evening. Sit down, have a chair and help yourself."

Turtle came inside and sat down, but just as he reached for a yam, Anansi yelled, "Turtle, don't you know better than to come to the table with dirty hands?"

Turtle looked down at his hands and saw that they were filthy. He had been crawling all day and had not had a chance to clean up. Turtle got up and went to the river to clean his feet. He walked all the way back up to the house and Anansi had already begun to eat.

"I didn't want these tasty yams to get cold, so I had to begin," said Anansi. "But please do join me now, Turtle."

Turtle sat down again and reached for a yam, but again Anansi yelled at him.

"Turtle, did you not hear me before? It is not polite to come to the table with dirty hands!"

He looked down and saw that his clean hands had turned dirty once more, since he had to crawl on them to get back to the house. So he walked down to the river once more to wash himself off. And when he returned this time, he was careful to walk on the grass so his hands would stay clean. But by the time he sat down at the table, Anansi had finished up the last bit of the tasty yams and not so much as a morsel was left.

Turtle looked at Anansi for a moment and then said, "Thank you for sharing your meal with me. If you ever find yourself near my house, please let me return the favor." And then he slowly walked out the door and continued on his way. The days went by and Anansi thought more and more of that meal that Turtle had offered. He got more and more interested in a free dinner and finally could not stand it anymore. He set off one day to find Turtle's house.

He found Turtle sunning himself on a riverbank just around dinnertime.

Turtle looked up and saw him and said, "Hello, Anansi, have you come to share evening meal with me?"

"Oh yes, yes!" said Anansi, who was growing hungrier and hungrier by the minute. Turtle went underwater to his house to set up the dinner table for the two of them. Soon he came back to the bank and said, "Your place is waiting and the food is ready. Please join me, Anansi."

And then he dived underwater and began to slowly eat his meal.

Anansi jumped into the water, but could not get down to the bottom of the river. He tried to swim down, but he was so light that he kept popping back up to the surface.

He tried diving. He tried belly flops. He tried a running jump, but nothing would help him get down to the river bottom.

In the meantime, Turtle was slowly eating his meal.

Anansi was not about to give up a free meal, and was running around wondering what he would do. Finally he had an idea. He started grabbing stones and rocks and stuffed them into his jacket pockets.

Now when he jumped into the water he sank right down to the bottom and was able to take his place at the table.

The table was so beautiful and full of delicious foods. Anansi could hardly believe how many tasty foods were before him and could not wait to start his meal.

But just as he reached for the first morsel, Turtle stopped eating and spoke. "In my country, we do not wear our jackets to the table." Anansi noticed that Turtle had removed his own jacket before sitting down. Anansi started to remove his jacket, and as soon as it was off of his shoulders, he went zooming back up to the surface and popped out onto the riverbank. He stuck his head down into the water and saw Turtle slowly enjoying that wonderful banquet.

Moral of the story: When you try to outsmart someone, you may find that you're the one outsmarted.

The LaLa for today: I couldn't stop but giggle for a lil' thinking of my frequent experience with 9ja fellows trying to pull stunts on me. Anyway, forget Nigerian stereotypes and lets stop ripping each other off 'cause you'll be ripped off too. Lol!

Ladi.

Soul E and Queen Ure

2008-03-13T22:00:00.005-05:00

Everyone in Nigeria has probably heard about this couple and their 12.5 years age gap with former banker, Queen Ure being the older one or 'couger' as Hollywood calls Demi Moore and co. Check the gossip sections for the full gist.

Blogger Niyi Tabiti did a post on them: http://niyitabiti.blogspot.com/2008/02/nigerias-most-controversial-hip-hop.html

Recently, Funmi Iyanda's talk show, New Dawn, featured Soul E and Queen Ure to talk about their 'controversial' marriage and rising Church ministry. Honestly, the interview has altered my thinking a bit.

Here:

Great vids!

The Lala today... and I finally went to the mall and got one white ruffled top but still pick one of the ruffled tops from my last post so I can order one or two more online.

Have a blessed weekend!

Ladi

Ruffled and Tumbled.....

2008-03-12T00:58:00.009-05:00

I have my spring break so its lazying around for me...TV, blogging, Facebooking, Window Shopping online, Calling, Daydreaming of ..., cooking, reading and sleeping.

I need office wear even though I don't have an internship yet. So I've been exploring online but I seriously need a 'serious' trip to the mall ASAP!

So ruffles are my new addiction. I spend hours looking for ruffled tops online. The only problem is I can't find my size (XS) Extra Small in my fav stores or in superb good quality. If you read my Polyester Debate post, you'll know that I'm trying to give up polyester and 'unknown' fabrics and going more natural and quality- Cotton, Linen and Silk unless otherwise not mentioned on the clothes tag.

Here's my fav ruffled blouses. They are all either cotton or cotton-silk blends. So please help me.

Which are your picks?

#1 kinda my least fav...but I lack blue in my closet so its an option

#2 this is tres fabulosa y muy bonita (very chic)

#3 I absolutely love the 'subtle' ruffling (grammar chei!)

#4 (same as #3 just different color.)

#5 I love this one but lunch time stew stains can't ruin a fashionista's reputation in Cashmere Mafia mode...Naaa! I still love it (mega LOL!)

#6 this one will prevent palm oil stains.

Courtesy: Forever 21 website http://www.forever21.com/

Alternatively, my tailor in Abuja can imitate these and sew me new ruffled tops to perfect fit (Kai, these Nigerian people!!!) Even those Mallams in y'all work/internship (check last post-Nigerian Men (tality) case 4) will be submitting their CVs and Resumes (Hiss and LOL)

Shebi the Tailor can nail the job? All I need is fabrics (Walmart fabric section, here I come).

What do y'all think? The best? Suggest any websites too please.

Now I need blazers (I saw Tigerbites' post. Damn this material world????)

The LaLa sha,

Ladi.

BTW,
Nigerian Men (tality) series will be continued...Cases 1, 2 and 3 so far http://missladidi.blogspot.com/2008/03/nigerian-men-tality-part-1.html http://missladidi.blogspot.com/2008/03/nigerian-men-tality-2.html More 'Cases' and ranting of an under 21 yarinya (girl) to come....

Nigerian Men (tality) 3

2008-03-11T05:58:00.002-05:00

Just in case you're wondering, I'm trying to recall and narrate awkward hit-on encounters from the perspective of an under 21yr old. This is the fourth case against our my 9ja fellas, mallams and brodas.

CASE 4:

Last summer, when I was interning at a financial institution, I met 2 Mallam-Alhaji dudes (my papa figures right? coming from the same region). Wait before I get there, Everyone claimed I looked 12 or 14 age wise (I did a post about those who looked younger than their real ages in AGELESS BEAUTIES) and I've heard I don't look 'northern' so keep that in mind for the continuing story (Did a post on HAUSA Stereotypes).

Anyway, despite being seen as a kiddo at work, these two mallams decided I was old, vacant and fit enough. (HISS!) Mallam A. came to get a loan or something that had nothing to do with my department but somehow, he was always lurking around talking to one of my unit's bosses (a Hausa man too). So after two days of coming to the bank, He finally caught me while I was filing documents. Stylishly, swiftly, and sharply, he asked,

"whats your name?"

For the sake of customer service and of course respect for elders I told him my English first name. Then he said

"So,...I am interested can I apply?"

In my mind, I'm like " apply for a job, or a loan?"

HELL NO, HE'S APPLIED FOR THE LOAN ALREADY!

In reality it hit me "honey, he just hit on you, a 14yr old look-alike. Paedo-!!!"

I don't know what he was thinking and the benefits attached to a sucessful application but I left the filing to find work else where. He spent the next 2 or 3 hours chilling in the visitors room sending another intern to call me. Unfortunately, I had errands in that area so I did 'matrix' back and forth.

Anyway, I eventually had to face him and started intentionally started speaking hausa. He was shocked to his bones. Sorry, I'm going to be stereotypical but did he think I was some loose-ass omoge tryna sip Alhaji- Sugar daddy's liquidity (economics joke. Lol! byw, liquidity means cash availability). The Hausa was good shocker already so I'll be calling my Baba to ship him to 'Kano courts' if he continues submitting 'applications.'

Finally, the chica he sent to call me (for the tenth time or something) delivered his 'application' message in front of one of my bosses (the hausa man I mentioned earlier). He asked "whatsup?" and I told him. See vexing oh! Anyway, the news kinda spread and people tried to protect me from the dude without spoiling any show.

Imagine, somebody everyone thought was 14yrs old getting 'applications' from grown ass obviously married mallams? Thats my problem- the age factor. So in his eyes (without asking me) I looked like a 23yr old vacancy? I don't understand. Trying to find he's daughter's agemate to add to his harem. He better hit reset button and find legitimate vacancy 'cause qualifications are lacking.

May God forgive his intentions.

More on Mallam B.

The LaLa so far,...

Ladi.

Nigerian Men (tality) 2

2008-03-06T09:46:00.006-06:00

CASE 3:

One night, in summer, I got a missed call from a some random number. Thinking it was 'someone' I knew I called back only to find out that it was a payphone (like the roadside ones). I was expecting a phone call that night so I was kinda pissed.

(hiss)

Later, I received a call from another number I still couldn't recognize. Only to pick and hear some husky girly voice. It sounded like a tomboy I knew in school( but why in the world was she calling me at 11pm?) I couldn't really hear what she was saying and hung up. Later that night, I got this text from the number asking to "be my friend."

(wahala dey!)

I was like "who is this? do I know you?"I was just wasting my credit. Lol! Before I knew, the person sent a text saying "the sun is shining why don't you come out a and talk to me a little." I found out that it was a dude. A total stranger and I was confident that this wasn't a prank His husky-girly voice was already a turn-off so page closed zero-chances for solar reactions (get the joke?)

I don't go out a lot. At least folks don't see me when I do. Clearly this guy lived near my house and knew someone who knows me very well. Through my investigative-detector runs, I found out the pay phone he use to call me. His personal phone number got the personalized british accented "an idiot is calling" ringtone. For the first time, I could actually use the insulting ringtone for a contact on my phone. He used to alternate between payphone and personal cell phone but I insisted on cracking down this dude. I even sent the our maid to lurk around the payphone area any time I knew he was calling with that particular phone.

(peeve)

Anyway, the guy will sit near my house, call me to say that I should come out the house to see him. Someone I don't know? Biko! He even knew when my dad drove in and out of the house. He said he was "new in the 'hood and trying to make friends." Na by force? I could either be raped, kidnapped or something scary 'cause this is a COMPLETE stranger I don't know and have never seen before. For real! I didn't think like that back then but what if???

(stalker alert !!!)

One day when my phone was blasting "an idiot is calling" and I was sure he was at that payphone place, I went there to "buy credit/top=up card." For one pimpled guy (4/10) to walk up to me and say that he was the dude that has been calling. He wasn't even fine Its not that 'fineness' is the most important feature but with a stalker attitude, the brit "idiot" ringtone was warranted. I gave him one red eye and one sentence and then crossed the road.

(Mission accomplished)

He hardly called in the next few days. Not like I picked when he did but one day, he called and said "babygyalll, why haven't you been picking my calls!" Thats when I lost it completely. I hate those words 'baby girl.' I hung up and Precious never called again.

"Sorry Patience, no vacancy. This yarinya is unavailable" no I didn't say that though.

Did I mention his name was Precious?

How did he even get my number?

I found out a year after that he knew my neighbour whom I suspect gave him the digits. I also saw him when I went to buy 'credit' last summer. I forgot his face and recognized him as soon as I heard his voice. He was asking for the 'school' fees in universities in London. That was the end of the conversation.

I don't even go to school in london. Can't he google search instead of making up some lame question?

(hiss)

Nigerian Men (tality)!

The LaLa for today.

Ladi.

Nigerian Men (tality)- Part 1

2008-03-01T23:22:00.008-06:00

I have issues with typical Nigerian men-boys-guys. I'm feminist in a Nigerian sense and believe me I don't hate them oh. I'm talking about the ones that fit the stereotype of the overpowering, exploitative, and the disrespectful toward women.

"listen to me woman!!!!,"

"I can't marry you, you can't cook, wash plates or mop floors"

"baby gyallll, my wife!!!" (to a five, ten, or sixteen year old)

I'll pass out quoting those irritating statements.

In addition, fingers in sinful motions, dilated pupils, lips getting moisturized by tongue licking = one word, "Eiiiwwww"

CASE 1:
After graduation from secondary school (when every teenage girl thinks its her time to become a big chic), I met this girl from my graduating class. She was looking posh, a little older but she was only sixteen after enduring the ugliness we we're subjected to in boarding school, it was easy to conclude that she was smoking or whatever adjectives you can use.

Anyway, we talked for a bit and the issue of guys hitting on her came up. This 'wayyyy' older guy was chatting her up and she made it claer that she was only SIXTEEN years old and too young for him. His response?

"The younger the better."

The dude wasn't a teeneger but a grown ass man, thats my problem.PAEDOPHILE! What were his motives with my dear girlfriend?

"The younger the better??" WTHell????

See my problem.

CASE 2:
Or in the market. Wuse market in abuja for example. I only wear huge bou-bous to go there now. No makeup and if possible, no earrings and a headtie. 'Cause those agboro boys will touch the 'ish' out of you with the aim of "come and buy my fine tops."

HELLO? I'm in a boubou honey, I don't need your tops. At least talk to me DON'T touch me.

So last summer, I was in the market with my mum to buy some stuff. I was lagging behind because some "boys" we're freaking the crap out of me. This one dude was pulling my arm trying to get me to buy a handbag telling me how 'fine' I was and if I was 'vacant'. I can't write everything here but I considered what was going on to be verbal and physical molestation of a mild sort though (BTW, I react to unwanted and unwarranted touch so at this point in time, I'm feeling abused).

Anyway, I got a full dose of nonsense and called out my mum, who was walking straight ahead of me doing her thing. In hausa I said "Mummy, ga dan iskan nan fa?" (see this crazy guy). She stepped back and by reflex, used her handbag to hit the guy. It lasted 3 seconds. The guy got the point. All the other market guys started scolding the dude since clearly, he's the one at fault.

I love my Mum.

More gist from the marketplace, church, locality and workplace.

See 9ja guys-boys-men oh! Not all though but can't anyone step away from being defined by stereotypes? I'm only writing this because I only go through those wierd hit-on encounters in 9ja.

More bashing to come. No, I adore my buddies so I'll call it criticism. Not all fit in this bracket I'll be placing folks in the next few days.

Ladi.

Stressing and Lipgloss popping

2008-02-29T13:35:00.004-06:00

Damn! I've been so stressed out this week obviously 'cuz I'm a student but planning events, doing PR, writing essays and memos, taking mid-term tests (plus spring break coming up), I actually thought I was gonna breakdown. Two of my best buddies lost their loved ones(RIP) so that was more trauma. May God give them comfort.

Thank God, my problems are almost solved though with two events today and one mega one tomorrow evening, a history test on monday, I'm getting there slowing.

Updates with my lipgloss and mascara: so last week I felt like makeup, so I kajaled my eyes (extreme black pencil), did the mascara thing and lipglossed up. Afterwards, I went to the cafeteria only to hear my friend sing "its popping, its popping" RING A BELL? Lil Mama's Lipgloss song. As per, my lipgloss was serious popping I couldn't help but crack up and rubb it away to normalcy.

Anyway, I haven't stopped biting my lips unfortunately. My lips finally cracked. Literarily. CRACKED in the middle. Really painful but thanks to an overdose of Carmex chapped lips remedy, the lippys are back to normal ready to compete with lil mama.

That wasn't the end. I started breaking out on my face. I heard stress makes you break out with acne and pimples but I never thought it made sense but now it does. I have like 6 enemies sticking out of my fuska (face) which never happens. Sha, with good punishment from Clean and Clear and St. Ives, I'll be taking them down pretty soon.

Whats the 9ja 411? Check Funmi Iyanda, Linda Ikeji and Bella Naija.

Whats with Riyanna and Chris Brown? Hmmmm!

Jordin Sparks song with Chris Brown "No Air" is awesome. I love the video too.

Still hangin' there,

Ladi.

NIGERIAN FOLKTALE: THE LEOPARD MAN and Nigerian Bill against indecency

2008-02-23T21:19:00.009-06:00

Hey y'all. I'm extremely busy with work and planning the first ever African Week celebration in my school so I hope y'all feel me. Here is a folktale courtesy of Motherland Nigeria's website.

Enjoy the tale preferably under the moonlight. Lol!

THE LEOPARD MAN

A handsome stranger once came into a certain village and strolled about among the people in mysterious silence. All the maidens admired him and wished that he would choose one of them for his bride. But he said nothing, and at last walked away into the forest and disappeared from sight.

A month later the stranger came again, and this time one of the maidens fell so much in love with him that she resolved to follow him into the forest, as she could not bear to be separated from him.

When the stranger looked back and saw her coming behind him, he stopped, and begged her to return home; but she would not, and exclaimed, "I will never leave you, and wherever you go, I will follow."

"Beautiful maiden, you will regret it," replied the stranger sadly, as he hurried on.

After a while he stopped again, and once more begged her to retrace her steps. But she made the same reply, and again the handsome stranger said in sorrowful tones, "You will regret it, beautiful maiden!"

They went far into the depths of the forest, and at length reached a tree at the foot of which there lay a leopard skin.

Standing under the tree, the stranger began to sing a melancholy song, in which he told her that though he was allowed once a month to wander about in villages and towns like a man, he was in reality a savage leopard and would rend her in pieces as soon as he regained his natural form.

With these words he flung himself upon the ground, and immediately become a snarling leopard and began to pursue the terrified girl.

But fear gave such speed to her feet that he could not overtake her. As he pursued her he sang that he would tear her in small pieces, and she in another song replied that he would never overtake her.

For a great distance they ran, and then the maiden suddenly came to a deep but narrow river, which she could not cross. It seemed as if the leopard would catch her after all. But a tree, which stood on the riverbank, took pity on her and fell across the river, so that she was able to cross.

At last, nearly exhausted, she came to the edge of the forest and reached the village in safety. The leopard, disappointed of its prey, slunk back into the forest, and the handsome stranger was never seen again.

Source: M. I. Ogumefu, Yoruba Legends
(London: The Sheldon Press, 1929), no. 12, pp. 18-20.
From Folklore and Mythology site

NIGERIA'S IMPENDING BILL

Have y'all heard of the proposed Nigerian bill against indecency, nudity and all. Check out Funmi Iyanda'S BLOG which has the full gist.

Read the Comments on her blog too. https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=35104533&postID=4689063881587616088

My opinion is that girls and women should have access to education, employment, and infrastructure, non-discrimination, no forced marriage or genital mutilation, maltreatment (especially of widows). There should be justice for rapists and sex offenders rather than placing blame on a beautiful girl (God-given beauty who happens to be wearing a long skirt, long-sleeved shirt, head tie and flip flops....Did her dressing have anything to do with being a victim? Yet she was.)

When all of these issues are settled, the government can choose to tackle moral issues. In fact, morals are for the society, family, Churches and Mosques to handle because decency is subject to numerous definitions interpretations.

Pray for Nigeria this weekend.

Take care and have a blessed one.

Ladi

Polyester debate

2008-02-19T23:22:00.004-06:00

I love watching What not to Wear (Clinton and Stacy's US version). Usually I catch it every friday evening and Saturday mornings. I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready to give out all the clothes and shoes in my closet for $5000 spree to be spent according to their "rules." Oh well, they'll definitely do a good job getting quality, fitting pieces but until then,...

The show's hosts repeatedly condemn polyester. Me, I decided to follow suit/ take their advice of not buying polyester items. Their motive behind it, I dunno. I mean, cotton is comfortable, silk fancy and all but sometimes we just need to cover our heavenly temples abi thats the point of clothes in the first place? What if its 30% polyester, 20% rayon, 35%cotton and 15% spandex all bleneded together?

So I went through my favorite items in the closet. This top I got from Wetseal, Japanese-styled print. I thought it was silk oh! I LOVE IT SHA!!!

No, I'm not that daft to not recognize sik but when I was buying it, It looked good enough plus it was kinda pricey compared to the other stuff in the store. As of then,these television people were not dictating what kinds to fabrics were deadly fashion sins.

The top ended up being polyester. I'll still be rocking the top 'cuz at least the 4 times I've worn it, compliments showered.

Next item: My 'fleece' jacket.

For some reason fleece blazers seem to be in fashion (preppy winter fashion). In my oyibo joint sha. I almost screamed when I realized the jacket was polyester. So what? I came back to my right senses when I realized that I wasn't Paris Hilton. I really am not bothered; it is too much TV getting to me.

Next: 'Satin' dress

Even this 'satin' dress I lurrvve ended up being polyester.

Actually, not of the above items look cheap. Sometimes the price per yard of the materials sings to your face others know how to fake-it.

"Made in China" has suceeded. Kudos???? Maybe

Well, I'm not trashing the polyester stuff yet. I shall hold on till size, and trend do us part.

New shopping rules for me: Cotton, Linen, Silk .

Not really!

I decided to follow What not to Wear show's rules and purchase more natural fabrics though.

Oya scrutinize your closets for those polyester items. Apparently, its not only style/design. The fashion police will also be arresting for improper use of fabric- even if it looks expensive.

Ladi.

Nigerian Folk Tales 2...Ladi Recommends

2008-02-17T17:36:00.003-06:00

The Dancing Palm tree and otherNigerian Tales:
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/601-3899151-6376151?asin=0896722163&afid=yahoosspplp_bmvd&lnm=0896722163The_Dancing_Palm_Tree_and_Other_Nigerian_Folktales_:_Books&ref=tgt_adv_XSNG1060

Individual tales include:

Hippo and tortoise
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/hippo.html

Cannibal Story
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/sacrifice.html#cannibals
The Twin Brothers
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0780.html#nigeria

Why Cats kill Rats
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/cat.html#nigeria

Suggested Link/ source:
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/folktexts2.html#nigeria

This one has gazillion stories: http://www.motherlandnigeria.com/stories.html

Oya, story-telling time under the village tree!

I have a spanish test tomorrow so pray for me...I gotta go read now!!

Cheers and Ciao!!!

Ladi

Nigerian Fairy Tales

2008-02-16T15:19:00.003-06:00

Yesterday was my school's showing of Vagina Monologues to raise money for a charity. I was in it last year but lemme brag by saying I was too good I didn't wanna look like 'purewater' this year. Lol! I'm kidding oh! Anyway, the actor's outfits were balck with a touch of red (accessories) so I've kinda been feeling that colour in the past 24hours.

Today, I decided to be the princess of a foreign inspired fairy tale today after stepping out to talk a long walk through the woods. Like in TigerinSanFran, I have this red jacket. The wahala is that this jacket isn't the cutest winter coat in terms of trend, fit, and poshness level. Its a kilted, paded jacket and honestly, it does its job well. When I go alone to the dining/cafeteria, I'll drop my jacket over my chair and go get food. By the time I'm back theres all my 'people' seated there like they were spying on my choice location. I found out that that all they had to do was look for my RED clothing and they knew I was there. CREEPY!!!! Anyway so like Little Red Riding hood, I wore my jacket and stepped out into a nice, lil' chilly sunny day.

Red jacket.

Then, hunger struck. My tummy eh!!! I didn't even tell y'all why I was taking this walk through the 'woods.' I had dance practice and the theatre studio is a long walk from my dorm. Hunger should not make me faint on the road abeg! Sha, to take care of my hunger, I grabbed me an apple, a RED one from the kichen (another yankee level, my dorm serves dorm breakfast on saturday mornings). Does that ring a bell? Snow white.

Red apple.

As I was strotting, I walked by my history professors house, checking our her red toyota hybrid. You know us northerners, only Honda (pronounces hAnda) and Toyota seem to trip us. Maybe peugout (PEE-JOTE..Kai, when we used to forget the word was french and be 9ja-nizing the pronounciation.) Hybrids are supposed to reduce the petrol/gas that your car uses so, when I actually become a 'Cashmere mafian', 9ja and I will be feeling this ride.So, as your guessing, the ride was red = My carriage. Get it? Cinderella.

Red car.

Why isn't there buzz on any African princesses. We 'ajes' (mega..LoL!) in 9ja grew up liking Pocahontas, Sleeping beauty, Snow White, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast and the other characters.

Who knows Queen Amina, ancient queen in Kano (Hausaland)? Not even 9ja folks do unless you took history class which only the 'not smart' took.

I now know that ther's a doll company based in Lagos making barbie-inspired African dolls with the name 'QUEENS OF AFRICA'. I think thats awesome. The dolls wear ase-oke, ankara, beads and all those great cultural/traditional outfits. Way to go.

But na oyibo princess we dey do yanga with? Not anymore.

Maybe, when our own fairy tales get popular, non-Nigerians/Africans can feel like Princess Hauwa today, Chioma tomorrow , Tolu the next and proudly blog about it.

Anyway, have a great weekend everyone.

Ladi.

Happy Valentines Day!

2008-02-14T16:33:00.004-06:00

Thank God for family and friends and my awesome dorm matron who sneaked a brownie into my room with a cute pressie (Yankee levels eh!!)

Anyway, its concluded that I didn't roast.

For lovey dovey gist, check out www.tonipayne.blogspot.com. She inspires me!

Sha, I'm about to drown in a pool of applications due tomorrow.

Pray for me!

Ladi.

Dance-a-holic and Techno-Makossa

2008-02-10T00:35:00.001-06:00

Have you seen the techno style-Makossa video on youtube called Decale Gwada??

The Cheoreography is fab!

Its awesome. I love it. Check out the oyibo chic there. When I saw her, I put on my dancing shoes and began to imitate. Sha, I'm choreographing a contemporary african dance for my school's mega dance production that shows three consecutive days so its a lot of energy and work. I'm also in a tap dance piece (9ja don turn to oyibo. Yes I like tap dance with tap shoes and I learnt last semester in a compulsory PE class. I'm on beginner level!). Anyway, I have been watching a lot of music videos and choreographed stuff on youtube. Check African students Association in madison.

Sha, as I was talking about those Decale Gwada song guys, I had to research and investigate the musicians and thanks to technology, I found out that they are La Selesao, based in France from Ivory Coast originally. I love 'em

Their website: http://selesao.skyrock.com/

Enjoy some makossa meets western style.

Ladi

Lip Gloss mafian

2008-02-09T22:58:00.000-06:00

So i'm elevating my makeup status. From my routine Kajal eye-pencil (since I was a toodler), eye shadow and chapstick. I decided to add mascara the reason being my not-too-full-thick or long lashes. Last weekend I decide to add lipgloss. I have this nasty lip-biting habit which really does suck. My mum and other "good" friends hate and I use it as an excuse to not pass as a girly-girl (perhaps to impress guys..I'm a mumu shey?)

So I went to walmart (oh yes, I don't do sephora, macys, fenwick-type shops) and spent an hour in the makeup section looking for LIPGLOSS. Too many brands in the market and aisles for any normal being to handle. Lip pumpers and plumper ect. Who needs to double the size of their African lips? Na wa oh!

Sha, Lipgloss happens to dis-allow me from biting my lips plus its looks great on everyone so why not take my time exploring the millions of brands. I don't pay attention to commercials, I look out for brand names, then most importantly, the price tag.

I ended up taking 4 different brands to the counter- maybelline ($5), marykate and ashley($4), l'oreal($8) and covergirl wetslicks($5).

STUDENT ALERT!!! Incase you're about to brand me a cheapo. Ijedu-igbo in hausa skin..Yes oh!

I ended up with maybelline cuz it had more mililitres (ml) than covergirl even though they were the same price.

Now your thinking I'm such a freak but I check everything from Ounces, ML and stuff. the cashier lady was probably think I was some broke-ass student but...Me zan yi? (Wettin I go do?)

I needed to show financial prudence and not pretend I'm a Cashmere Mafian (in a few years AMEN!!). Okay, my mum thinks I'm an awesome economist allocating scarse resources to my unlimited wants and needs while my sister thinks I'm plain STINGY. Issshhh! thats brutal sis!

I'm loving my lipgloss though I'm currently licking and biting my lips at the moment. Okay lemme find the nearest mirror any apply my Maybelline"shiny-licious banana pudding flavored" gloss.

A huge "mwuah" kisses and besas to y'all!

Inna hauka ko? (I'm mad right?) LOL...Thats the LaLa!!

Ladi

Valentines..Roasting..Puppy Love

2008-02-09T22:31:00.000-06:00

Am I the only one who has issues with February 14th?

Anyway thank God I'm done with secondary school and roasting days (Roasting being the slang for not getting any presents that day excluding the ones from family menbers. It had to come from a macho). Mehn! Kai! Those were some brutal days oh! I suspect some type of competition amongst the guys. Okay, I went to one of those smart kids-rich kids(according to public opinion)- schools. As per see 13, 14 and 15yr olds giving Dolce and Gabbana, Burberry and Gucci Rush. See me at my age then I was a perfume expect because of these teenagers.

Anyway, in my school, provisions, perfume, sometimes expensive brand were consfiscated to prevent class/ hierachy/ "rep" and discrimination. So the less you roasted the more some dude risked suspension to show his undying puppy-love for you or prove "levels"/ prop his "rep"utation.

When omoges opened their lockers of wardrobes, a moment of "I woder whats in there?" rushed through their veins. Anything from Ferrero Roche chocolate to Coco Chanels # to a smuggled frosted cake to a life Chicken. YES! a roaming campus CHICKEN from the pranksters. I used to form immunity and resistance to roasting heat and I fortunately never had a breakdown moment.

Kai, teenage guys are evil jo!

I was a professional roaster, I'm yet to figure out why, but I had a great support group- my clique of friends who well, weren't too different from me.

DOZ unite...y'all know yourselves!

Anyway, the night of the 14th, see girls screaming oh!

QUESTIONS:

"What did John give Jane?"

"You mean she roasted?"

STRATEGIES:

"I need to brush up my catwalking skills"

"I better quit eating akara, garri and those razz dishes. Its time to jump outta the roasting grill"

JEALOUSY, ENVY AND MERE PRAISES:

"See levels, 25 bars of chocolate, 2 burberrys, 6 teddy bears, one huge cake, a bouquet of 2 dozen roses, champayne (i stress again this is 12-16 years olds champayne? wudda?)...scattered all over her wardrobe/bed/locker"

By the way, these were ALL contraband items. I thinkonly cards, teddies and roses were allowed thanks to Oyibo intervention. See smart-nerdy hustlers oh! Only God spared them.

Some even planned to lie- like the girls (including me) in my house let out a loud scream (the louder the screams, the more romantic the youngman was to his chica). It was false alarm. LOL! The whole girls hostel ran towards our house to see the goodies only to feel the heat of roasting girls. We almost got punished for noise. "but Matron, can't we have some fun?"

Sha, I miss secondary school and whatever awaits me this Vals, only God will decide but either way roasting is out of the question. I'm in university now and there's currently no slang for the condition!

Have a great week!

Ladi

New Template???

2008-02-08T23:08:00.000-06:00

I love my new template background. Tell me what you think.

I just got back from a Neo-soul/ Jazz concert. Soothing.

I got Accounting homework to do.

Ciao and a bueno fin de semana! (good weekend)

Ladi

Bag-a-holic 2 ...the better deal

2008-02-08T12:09:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know many were disappointed with the last bag-a-holic post but, there's better news today. Why? Cuz its Michael Kors (Project runway judge and fab American designer) real leather (tired of the expensive faux) and mostly under $400 (still a lot for me, I'm a student under 21, but I can actually look forward to buying his handbag(s) when I land a smoking internship or job in the future).

My absolute Michael Kors Favs:

I won't buy this though but it's tres cute...

Simplemente!!! I love..Inna So..Me gusta..how do you say I love in yoruba?

I think of Mummy when I see this.

Gist: I bought a similar immitation for 3 pounds from Peacock's in london last year...lol

This duffel makes me wanna travel (to compensate for economy class though)

Now I can wear a Zebra-Giraffe hybrid!!!

Who doesn't like this?

Courtesy: http://www.michaelkors.com/store/catalog/catalogPage.jhtml?tid=F7&itemId=cat8501&parentId=cat101&masterId=cat000000&cmCat=

Shey I tried today? Abeg grade this post from a scale of 1 to 10 so I can go to fashion appreciation school if I flunk.

Random question: Did anyone at some phase of their life time use a nylon-plastic (leda) bag in place of a handbag? To carry your wallet, makeup, BOOKS and stuff? Confess!!!

I think I have....lol

Oya lemme go and read so I can begin to plan for future splurging- Kors bag + Madden shoes (Louboutin instead????)

Take care y'all!

Ladi.

Bag-a-holic..Alek Wek

2008-02-07T12:08:00.000-06:00

I love Alek Wek. Like Iman and Tyra, she's proven herself to be "Jane of all trades." Her new business, a handbag line (anyone blogged about that yet?) is Wek 1933. 1933 is the birth year of her father (aww, I'm loving that Daddy's girl thing) and Wek, of course is her.....The prices are on the HIGH END!!!! Like I though $200 was too much but Wek1933 is $600 and above

Here's a peek:

I'm not sure the designs are "uber" but since its only a new company, years in......

Ladi

Wedge-a-holic

2008-02-06T14:32:00.000-06:00

The BASHA: Croc embossed. For the first time the greek-multiple strap slipper style is working for me. I like! (Steve Madden)

The CANDYCE Stacked Python embossed (Wait why am I wearing a snake?). Fab though! (Steve Madden)

(Macys) by Michael Kors...I love! Me gusta mucho! Ina so sosai! (its making me speak languages oh!)

(Macys )by Steve Madden..I like that its simple.

It even looks like Beyonce. This is by Dereon, Bey and mum, Tina's line.

I love the wedge! My latest catch at the mall during Christmas sale happen to be a pair of suede black peep-toe wedges complete with a bow (I love bows..tastes like childhood to me). Kai, I've still not launched the shoes but I try them on all the time!

Thanks to Tiger Bites newest post on shoes, I got inspired to come out clean with my addiction.

Steve Madden is my new crush!

Ladi.

Hummers and 9ja celebs 2

2008-02-03T18:20:00.000-06:00

Continuation of my Jimmy Choo- Hummer attack on our Celebs-Musicians-dem. I got this gist from blogville. I don't spread rumours so don't attack me oh 'cuz I borrowed the gist.

P-Square just bought a Hummer Jeep painted "red" with the sole aim of spoiling themselves and painting lagos "red." I have no qualms apart from the red-paint. Does the whole town have to turn to a bull to recognize the achievements? Thumbs to their new baby though.

THE LINK: http://niyitabiti.blogspot.com/2008/02/psquare-orders-for-hummer-h2-jeep.html

Olu-Maintain "yahozee mallam" has returned his own Hummer for lack of payment. Wait isn't a Hummer like N20million? Well, according to my source, he dropped the "elephant project." Anyway, he's settled my argument.

Case closed!

THE LINK: http://lindaikeji.blogspot.com/2008/01/naija-entertainment-news_29.html

Courtesy: Linda Ikeji and Niyi Tabiti's blogs

KAI! GAYU SAI MUTANEN ALLAH!

Ladi.

Ashionye and Beyonce

2008-02-01T12:06:00.000-06:00

I did a post on this topic last month. Check out the upper pleated-ish neck area detail on both dresses. Ashionye's dress is from the Future Awards. Beyonce's I 'fapped' from SET'S BLOG

Anyway, it seems like the controversial comparison between both women might not end soon. I thought Niyi Tabiti said the dress was couture and designed by Muyiwa-Clothes Sense (lagosians help me out here!). Clearly, a tailor got some Beyonce-inspiration.

Anyway, this was my observation today. I feel like papparazi!!!

http://missladidi.blogspot.com/2008/01/ashionye.html

Cheers!

TONI PAYNE

2008-01-30T12:01:00.000-06:00

SHE'S BACK. FINALLY!!! ALTHOUGH HER FIRST POST WAS RANTING (See what 9ja does to people)

http://tonipayne.blogspot.com

SHE'S ALSO ENGAGED TO 9ICE. CONGRATS TO THEM!!!

Aure na da dadi!! (Marriage is beautiful)- hausa thingy

Lemme run to class!

Ageless Beauties...Mutanen Allah

2008-01-29T19:04:00.000-06:00

Ya kuke? (How are y'all?)

I've been too busy like its hard to keep up with the real world and blogville at the same time. Oh well! Today's gist is beauty oh!

Kinda! So a I had lunch with a lady (professor) who is interviewing for a position at my university. As we we're yarning on the table in the cafeteria, one of my people comes up to ask if she's a prospective (high-school student visiting to taste the college climate). The lady laughs and mentions that she's trying out for a post to be OUR professor.

The point is, she looks very young. Not cool to be confused for an teenager alongside the disrespect that comes with being young, especially when you have all those qualifications. Good thing is, beauty-wise, she's ageless.

Dinner time, I am in the cafeteria again with my usual clique members when a girl on the table talks about getting extra pampering and treatment for being a kid at the hair salon. As per the salon folks thought she was 12. Apparently, they switched the digits aroung cuz she's 21. Omo-ageless.

My story: So I interned at this bank in 9ja last summer. Kai, they thought I was 12years old. Okay I'm not up to the legal US drinking age (guess my age..naa) but HEY I'm not 12. So bank customers would STARE at me (You know 9ja people and staring at fine girls). LOL! Nope, I just looked too young to be handling their financial business. I doubt if they mind the fine-ness part. The age was actually the problem.

It's fun to be walking down the hall in pointed stilettoes, pinstripes, pencils (lemme confess, even bad clothes sometimes! we can't all be perfect everyday.) and getting stares shey? I felt like a Cashmere Mafian (for some good and bad reasons). The only qualms is when the glances are followed by whispering

"See this small girl oh!",

"So this banks have started recruiting from secondary school?",

"Cradle Snatching Chei!"

"I better send my 6month old baby to primary school NOW!" (the overambitious ones, yes!)

Anyway, I would cringe and my female boss would convince me that the complaints and comments were future compliments. "You would love to look 20 when you're 35!"

AMEN!

I hope I fall in that category!

By the Way, there's Anti-ageing, Age-defying products in the cosmetic market- Olay Regenerist/Definity (I get for mi Madre), Avon's Anew, L'oreal's Revitalift/Derma-Genesis and even store brands Equate (US Walmart equivalent of TESCO&ASDA value) are making these.

I guess we could be ageless either way. Yea, don't forget to drink water!

RANDOM!

"Gayu, Mutanen Allah. Ba mutuwa sei transfer/ sei shining"- Hausa proverb thingy

"Hotness/Sexiness, God's people. No death only continuous glowiing/transfer of levels"
- You get? I can't translate it well!

Mwuah!

-Ladi

The Future Nigeria Awards.....news update on the North

2008-01-24T14:29:00.000-06:00

From their website:

North Sweeps the Future Awards 2008

Very unusually for any major Nigerian award in recent times, a good percentage of the Awards won at Nigeria’s biggest youth event, The Future.. Awards 2008 went to young people of Northern descent. The winners were Abdulkareem Baba Aminu, editor with the Daily Trust who grabbed Journalist of the Year, Sitanda star, Ali Nuhu who grabbed Actor of the Year, and ‘Mak Kusare of the BBC’s Wetin Dey who received the award for the Screen Producer of the Year.

These wins, while not surprising to discerning observers, immediately dismisses the remainder of the myth that there is paucity of achieving young minds from any part of the Nigerian nation, as well as being testimony to the rigour and research that the organisers and judges of the Awards attach to the process.

As usual, the Awards didn’t always go to the ‘most popular’ candidates, pulling off surprises and upsets. And whilst with the majority of the guests at the venue this remains a welcome development, there are others who feel otherwise. The event’s PR Director, Emilia Asim-Ita, explains. “The problem is that we are not used to a system of rigour and transparency in awards processes in Nigeria, But we are the future, we don’t do the things the way others do. We don’t sit and dark rooms and decide winners amongst ourselves.

“People must strive for it. We call for nominations, we research the nominations, we send questionnaires to each nominee, we scrutinise all of these via the judges. When someone like Ali Nuhu wins, people wonder because he is not Lagos-based and he is not a celebrity like the rest. But this is not a celebrity Actor of the Year award; our judges are not moved by hype and celebrity. This was the lead actor in Sitanda, which won more than 7 awards at AMAA, and this is a guy who has been in major Hausa movies almost always in lead role in the North – the judges have seen his profile; they know more about all the nominees than what you read ion the newspapers and magazines; we have researched all the claims made in the papers and filtered out the substance. That is what the judges decide on.”

Courtesy: The Future Nigeria's Website

Heres my last post on this issue

Ali Nuhu and Jennifer Hudson

Sai anjima! (later!)

Ladi.

Heath Ledger

2008-01-23T19:09:00.001-06:00

RIP

Mascara..don't clump 'em

2008-01-22T20:33:00.002-06:00

Rimmel Eye Magnifier in ExtremeBlack(003)

Thats one of my new loves, aside football/ soccer (patriotic to the Africa Cup of Nations) and basketball (it's college Basketball season!).

Okay, so Mascara, recently, I can't get enough of the new brands coming out on an almost DAILY basis

Covergirl Lash exact- The one in Queen Latifah's collection was supposedly a hit and top priority on my spending lisy until I saw the latest one with Drew Barrymore in the commercial. Wait a minute, this a business stategy, from long to full lashes. Then, longer and fuller. Afterwards it's even longer and even fuller. FAKE LASHES please, I need thou!

So, I don't do brand names and since ALL of them pay gazillions to get me to LOOK at their adverts and COVET the almost UNREALISTIC eyelashes that everyone CRAVES, I trust that there shouldn't be much of a difference- MAC-Clinique-L'oreal.

Truth is my latest mascara-baby is Rimmel London. Honestly, it was the cheapest on the aisle- $5 and it came with free black Kajal eye pencil (a Hausa chica's MUSThave). I call that a shopping steal. It's supposed to make my lashes 70% longer or something and DAMN! It works. I've seen a few complaints on Rimmel's website so we'll see what the future holds for this tool of mine. I love it though and I've till today NEVER seen an advert for that exact brand.

The otras brands I actually trust 'cause I've over seen them in magazines and TV are Maybelline and Covergirl:

Covergirl: LashExact

Covergirl: VolumeExact
Thats Queen Latifah's "Plump 'em, don't clump 'em!"

Maybelline XXL : This is like almost the pure water one...

Maybelline: Define a Lash

If I showed y'all everything on the market, I won't study so...check 'em out yourselves and believe it might just boil down to the price tag. Or maybe not!..lol!

I might consider starting my line maybe? Toni Payne, Tara and Banke..Ladi's coming to town!

Just Kidding!!

Ladi "in an Extreme Black Mascara-licious" mode

Sitanda the Movie

2008-01-19T21:08:00.000-06:00

Here's the Thisday Newspaper's critic, Onoshe's review:

Sitanda on the Scales

Please tell me about it whenever you watch it.

Thanks!

Breaking Up is Hard

2008-01-19T20:26:00.000-06:00

I'm sooo addicted to love songs and about this time last year, I came across the station "Breaking up is Hard" on Yahoo Music. The station kinda disappeared but now its back! I dunno why it waits for January-February to have a playlist of sad songs. Wait till March of something so it's less painful!

Anyway, include it in your first aid kit if your not sure what might await you this cupid season. I'm very optimistic so I'm guessing no one will listen to it in search of comfort. That was my ear-buddy sometime ago.

I was just listening to Ne-yo's So Sick and then Aly& AJ's Potential breakup came up.

Which kind wahala be this!!! Jojo's A little too late came immediately after and I'm like wudda?

By the way, I'm not listening to the Breakup station oh! Not yet though maybe when I'm depressed.

I just back from a jazz concert and I'm kinda sleepy. Have to go worship God tomorrow!

Mwuah!

Ladi

In the same footsteps....

2008-01-19T00:12:00.001-06:00

The topic is continuation of Jimmy Choos relationship with Nigeria.

I've had my full dose of news-gist about our musicians following footsteps of foreign "contemporaries." From Black face to P square to Ruggedman, the trend has been, make it big in the industry, get some buzz (short or long term), then....BUY A 10 MILLION NAIRA CAR!!!! Na wa oh! see levels! The yahoozee video, for example, fills younger folks with materialism as ultimate sources of "landing".

Una don land! Where? I can't tell.

Anyway, it's the same thing with Hip-Hop artists in the US (the ones we're trying to imitate). They are getting serious lashing from the public for unneccesary extravagance while majority of the black communities are living in poverty, drugs and all those vices. If in yankee, they are getting this "anti-bling" criticism, what of NIGERIA??? A third world country???

Blogger, Ababoy, commented on Mandy Brown Ojugbana's blog saying "it’s better to be a poor original rather than a poor imitation."

He added, "There is something no quite right with some of our ‘top’ hip-hop groups. While most of them show contempt for other people’s intellectual property, others go to such alarming lengths to actually ‘look’ like the people they ‘nick’ from. ... the videos, accents and mannerisms still represent poor imitations of their more illustrious American siblings."

POINT MADE.

The funniest was an artiste who got about 15m paid to him and immediately bought like 2 SUVs and well, I suppose the money is finished. Why can't you drive comething else, invest the cash, start a business, clothing line (more jist about clothing lines soon). The "hummer" madness is insane as per you must buy jeep to have landed. Then comes the extra ephizzzy- bling, chuck taylors (the Timberland successor), and the jara things on ephizzy's list.

"Aje-pako don wan reach butter levels!"

Few days ago, I talked about women and the "I wear Dolce, shop Zara, clutch Chanel" madness. Same thing goes to 9ja guys, at least my tongue-lashing victims are the musicians and some nollywood folks. Not all of them, but some. Every week on Thisday online newspaper, one rising celebrity had bought an insanely new ride or pad.

Be yourselves dearies, cut on the blinging ice you don't need, create your "own" style and look 9ja not wannabe Flava Flav.

P.S.
P square upgraded their parents Jos bakery and claim several investments and Emeka Ike built a school according to Linda Ikeji, and Ruggedman, I think, has a clothing line.
Smart men! Kudos!

For hip-hop inspiration- see Diddy and JayZ. If you know what I mean.

Have a great weekend!

Ladi.

Jimmy Choo and Nigeria

2008-01-16T17:56:00.001-06:00

It's the post below my last one on Ali Nuhu. I can't get it to be above..lol computer whiz!!!

Ali Nuhu and Jennifer Hudson

2008-01-15T04:39:00.000-06:00

Wierd comparison you think? Nope!

Anyway the Future Nigeria Awards was sunday evening and Linda Ikeji's blog has the winner's names.

One observation: the winner of the best actor award- Ali Nuhu. So I saw someone ranting about him and why he won being a only local Hausa actor. Is it being local or Hausa that bothers people, I dunno but he's definitely popular for those who watch Hausa movies and believe me many up North don't watch Genevieve, Omotola or Dakore movies and would say the same about being a local Igbo actress if Genevieve won (Just the tribalistic folks though). I am sure the award is not to recognize celebrities but hardworkers. Ko ba haka ba?

Bad argument???

No lemme finish! Ofcourse The Future Nigeria is a southern based thing as per Lagos and all so it was only natural to have Lagosians claim they didn't know who Ali Nuhu was. The fact is that he is a good actor and whether we know him or not, he's been doing a damn good job far up north in Hausa's Nollywood.

Btw, he won last year's AMAA award which is African Movie Academy Awards that Vivica Fox and Lou Gossett, from Hollywood, have attended in the past. He won because of his acting and directing role in the movie Sitanda, which even beat Amazing Grace. AMAA is the most credible Movie Award, well recognised beyond Africa.

Eheh!!

Well, we could as well tell Jennifer Hudson to return her Oscar and Golden Globe awards immediately for being best actress in her FIRST movie EVER! Point is, she did a great job and Beyonce who had MORE acting experience haven't gotten that Oscar recognition yet.

Well Congrats Ali Nuhu. I'm not sure I even know him since I watch only a few Hausa movies but I trust Future Nigeria so Thumbs up!!

I have to watch the movie SITANDA (nominated in 10 AMAA categories).

The Future Nigeria not The Future Lagos!!!

Still wanna argue? I start classes today so hopefully blogging won't distract me.

Peace!

Jimmy Choo Vs. Nigeria

2008-01-13T09:18:00.000-06:00

This is not big fashion gist o! Just an observation. Anyway, I've read countless interviews with Nigerian "models" and well, other women- I mean the hussling beginning ones o, not Oluchi, high-powered career women or socialites, you know what I mean!. The dialogue is usually:

Interviewer(I): So who are your favorite designers?

Madam(M): Gucci, sometimes Chanel, and maybe Dolce & Gabbana.

I: Oh really? What about shoes? Whose do you wear?

M: Jimmy Choo. I absolutely love 'his' shoes.

I: Where do you shop usually?

M: Well, I love Harrods! Sometimes Zara,

Okay, my problem is WHY DO WE LIE ???? Gucci? Who buys Gucci in Nigeria? Very few folks we know them chicas. At least if you could afford a $25,000 dress, (more than Nigeria's average income) you won't be hussling to win a pageant that pays a $5,000 equivalent.

Thing is, if not for Thisday Style magazine and articles like Tiger Bites that educate us, the masses, on foreign designers who can tell Dolce's signature from Coco's? Still very few.

Just admit that you like their designs from the FTV, pictures or something. Those interviews crack me up and are very embarrassing like in secondary school when people say they went London by Chachangi Airlines and shopped in Harrods with not even a Harrods nylon bag to prove for it. as for Harrods nylon bags, I have more gist in the future.

I've been to Harrods once to buy 2 very affordable items but it doesn't mean I shop there. I shop at Primark though and Wuse Market (Yes Oh!!! nuttin dey happen!)

I also came across a blog comparing Ashionye's the Future award's dress as comparable to JLo's and Beyonce's. WHAT???? The dress was okay( I won't complain) and as much as Ashionye is a Nigerian celebrity, Jennifer Lopez is worth a whooping $110 million (11,000,000 dollars) thats about N14 billion (14,000,000,000 Naira)...Seriously, let's not start causing trouble that this First world folks make fun of our wannabe-ness comparing in the wrong ways. I love Niyi's blog anyway but that post????

I'll rather we take pride in ourselves and not try to be forming levels. Shey?

Anyway, let's stop lying and be true. We can't all be fashionistas. Everyone has their time and I'm waiting to buy my own Choos though and a Tiger Goldfinger bag.

Have a great "rest of the" week!

God Bless!

MTN's adverts

2008-01-12T23:34:00.000-06:00

Enjoy, reminisce, fascinate yourself!

I love this one from South Africa!

Dance with me!! sweet!

Oh Jerry !!! Sunshine!!! lol!

Tug o' War!!! The whole universe oh!

Send me links if you find anymore

Hugs,

Ladi

Weekend Loving...Food for Thought

2008-01-12T22:45:00.000-06:00

I found this great song called Ololufe by NoMoreloss, a nigerian musician and damn is it sweet and soothing I should add. Great track!!!

Food for thought:

E don do me by SixfootPlus, Abuja based musician (I've seen him a few times!). I love the lyrics, which raises awareness about violence against children and women. Think about what you can do to change the negative things.

Mwuah!!!

Craig David...Unbelievable

2008-01-11T00:59:00.000-06:00

For a some reasons this song has its hooks on me. I'm a victim of its melody and words. Okay, I love, like, adore it. Anyway, I read that Craig David was originally from Somalia. I decided to confirm myself, lo and behold, I found out that he's from far away from Africa- Grenada/Mother is English to be exact. Sha, Africans, we like claiming folks ah ah now! There's tonnes of great talent from our continent but we can't always be claiming people and be telling lies jo!

Well, Rihanna is my grandfather's uncle's sister'in-law's cousin's nephew's bestfriend's daughther's grandniece's ......oops, I forgot!!!

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Hausa-Arewa Stereotypes

2008-01-10T19:20:00.000-06:00

Sannunku!
(Hi in Hausa)

Okay, I'm in mallam mode today but really I came came across this blog: http://zahratique.blogspot.com/ Its by a Hausa lady and damn does she write intelligently. I was so impressed but thats by the way. Her last post was about tribalism, including stereotyping, got me thinking "why don't I express my view on the topic?" So, I will.

I am a core Northerner ('yar Arewa) and speak hausa fluently with a waec A1 to prove (Did I have to say that?) Anyway, I don't wear a veil all the time (sometimes though) because I am christian. Most people equate northerners with a certain religion and look/fashion. I hardly wear the veil (I'm Christian) but when I do wear traditional "hausa-ish" clothes, only then do people realize I'm northern. So what? It's the stereotyping that I am leading to.

Thing is, I went to a Catholic secondary school in Nigeria which consisted of mostly Igbo, Yoruba and other "southern" ethnic groups. So, I more or less "act" southern and when Hausa language comes out of my mouth, it's like "Did she just say that????". Yea, i'm confused for yoruba for some reason. Some even say I'm igbo or ijebu in hausa skin (Lol!).

My whiz-kid sister won a national competition a few years ago and the press/ people found it hard to believe she was from the North-East (aka, "Northerners aren't that smart"-stereotype wudda?). But does it matter where your from? Because of the profiling, this becomes an issue because some people don't want to be called Igbo well everyone know "Igbos" for certain things. Same goes to the other 250 ethnic groups.

Let me confess though, some of the stereotyping is true for a majority but when we become defined by them, 'akwai wahala ke nan' (there's a problem).

The song by Mode9- "Nigerian girls" is funny especiallly when you watch it with the video. But don't run away from a Fulani, Yoruba, Gwari, Edo or Calabar lady because of what Mode9 said. Just laugh it off.

It's all about an individual's personality, so lets start with that first.

Ni ce (me),

Ladi

Angelique Kidjo...

2008-01-10T18:30:00.000-06:00

I wrote about her in my first post. She's a true African Music Legend. Here's a song from her new album which features Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana, Ziggy Marley, and Joss Stone, etc...This one is a remix of Rollings Stones' Gimme Shelter. I think I hear yoruba in the song oh!:

It sounds better if you just hear the audio on her website:

www.kidjo.com

I LOVE THIS SONG!!!!

Mwuah!

BELLA NAIJA IS BACK!!!!

2008-01-10T17:26:00.001-06:00

So Bellanaija is finally back from her 'oh so long break'...anyway thats some good news for us blogaholics so do check out her 'Nigeria's hot list' post for today.

https://bellanaija.blogspot.com

-Ladi

Dakou

2008-01-08T11:48:00.000-06:00

I've never written about a Nigerian designer so its about time. DAKOU is a great clothing line by Dumebi Agbakoba, who also started Do Sumthing Positive Africa, a youth inclined NGO. She is also the daughter of the Nigerian lawyer Olisa Agbakoba.

Dakou Collections Website: http://www.dakouonline.com/

DSPA-Do Something Positive Africa: http://dosumthing.org/

Dakou Collections had two exhibit-shows in Lagos this Christmas season in Tiger Tem and Waka Restuarant &Lounge. Although I didn't attend (I'm also an Abuja chica). I grabbed some pictures from facebook. One of the models also went to Secondary School with me (see me forming connections oh!). The Spring/Summer collection is cute, classy, chic= FAB!

Anyway, I owe Tiger Tem, another Lagos fashion joint, a post pretty soon. I love the accessories but still trying to figure out if they are all made in Nigeria by Temi O.

Here are my Dakou favs:

Courtesy of Facebook Dakou group and Dakouonline.com

The Africa Channel

2008-01-08T11:02:00.000-06:00

So everyone in the United States, THE AFRICA CHANNEL is here!!! Okay it's been here for a while now like almost 2 years however, not very popular in my locality.

http://www.theafricachannel.com/

Though, I can't seem to find many Nigerian hands in this new development, It's a new channel that promotes urban Africa- politics, enterntainment (movies, soaps, music etc), cultural and historical programs and a lot more. I can't wait to start viewing. But it sure sounds like a great idea. Check the website and the schedule below:

http://www.theafricachannel.com/schedule.php

It even airs Project Fame, Studio 53, Isidingo and Generations (could someone scream MNET Africa!!!)

Thus far, this is the best news I've heard so if you are in the states, they've brought our continent to the developed world. Let them see that we have more than poverty, disease, jungles and wahala.

still waiting for Jamaica....

Ashionye

2008-01-07T05:42:00.000-06:00

I've been reading so much about her on blogs from bellanaija and others and decided to check on her, ASHIONYE.

Called Nigerian Beyonce (yea), the American-accented (case of accents I'll talk about soon)radio and TV personality and actress is getting quite some buzz and her CV-resume would include a role in Doctor's Quaters MNET series, the new face of PEPSI light, presenter of the Future Nigeria Awards and being on the cover of true love magazine. I also saw her on Funmi Iyanda's New Dawn on youtube and she does have some confidence and belief in herself (I mean like too much. good or bad? I ask you) Her "American" accent is from her few months stay in the US when she was 9 and it stuck since then. Hmmm, that might be possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHQ8RhF9LIs&eurl=http://bellanaija.blogspot.com/2007/11/hey-everyone-happy-friday-lol.html

http://bellanaija.blogspot.com/2007/03/nigerias-musical-divas.html

http://bellanaija.blogspot.com/2007/04/ashionye-in-true-love-wa.html

listened to some of her songs and watched one video and she kinda sounds like Omotola (when Omo-sexy decided to sing). Well, I not a huge fan of her music though if majority of Nigerians like her then, KPOM, case closed.

Ladi

Jamaica and Isaac Mizrahi

2008-01-07T00:30:00.000-06:00

So I am currently supposed to be in Jamaica but unfortunately I made the biggest mistake of not having a visa (long story but I can't really blame anyone). There was a lot of miscommunication with my university was involved and even though I am from a CommonWealth country, Nigeria is an exception to former British colonies that can go to the Island. At this time, my citizenship is a disadvantage. Anyway, being very spiritual, I believe in God's will and hoping to get my visa, which I applied for yesterday and still catch up with my school mates in Kingston, Jamaica.

Pray for me!

To make things light, I was checking out ISAAC MIZRAHI's handbag line with TARGET STORES. Mizrahi is a New Yorkan with Egyptian-Jewish roots. Obviously his 'real' designs are not for the masses so he collaborated with TARGET to make a more affordable "Design for all" line of clothing, luggage, accessories and home decor. Stella Mccarthy did the same last year (Thank God I found out a lot later). Even Rober Cavalli's collection hit H&M (thats right for an eighth of the original prices). Pigs might start flying anytime soon (nah!).

Being part of the masses, I love Isaac Mizrahi's here's a few bags including metallics:

http://www.target.com/b/ref=sc_fe_l_1_3666961_30/602-4533708-6934212?ie=UTF8&node=13826871

Take care!!!!

Girlie crossing her fingers, eyes closed, keeping faith, dreaming of her flight in Air Jamaica...

Handbag 'goofery'

2008-01-03T07:55:00.000-06:00

I was checking out handbags yesterday on this website http://target.com/ where I get 'em from. I'm a shopaholic but cheapo so I love discounts (yea, I can't become bankrupt at a young age...naaa!).

So I saw this tote bag that I bought three months ago for a lil' over $20 now selling for $7 (YEI!!!! I screamed). Ok, its from Target but its Isaac Mizrahi's more affordable line for the masses so I even thought I had accomplished something when I bought the bag now see my mistake.

At least, I've learnt a lesson. Wait, not really, I thinks its more of luck. Phew! Hiss! Sobs!

Later y'all!

Consumerism and Valentines day

2008-01-03T01:44:00.000-06:00

So today I went to Walmart to buy the usual stuff and lo and behold, three huge "Valentines day" aisles where set up with pressies fron chocolate and its buddies (flowers and we know).

My first reaction "Chimoooo" (hopefully I'm not blaspheming). But the level of commercialization of personal-family-spiritual-historical holidays have become money makers playing with consumer psycology.

Hmm, I'm starting to sound intellectual hopefully the diction and jargons I'm merging to gether are cohesive. Kai!!! I was annoyed sha why in the world will I buy roses more than one month before February 14th (Thats if I'm buying oh). Temptation from seeing cute red boxes of cookies and candy continuosly in the aisles would prompt me to keep buying. (Mumu people using my sense!!!!!)

Christmas products/presents were out for sale in October with the trees and decorations in full. Halloween which is end of October was already in the air when August semester started. I could as well buy my wedding aso-ebi. Ideas?

Marketers and sons ltd, biko, slow down.

Based on my career plans, I might be a culprit some time though.

Such is life!

Funmi Iyanda and Mo Abudu

2008-01-02T08:24:00.000-06:00

Okay, I got a comment yesterday comparing Mo Abudu to Funmi Iyanda. There even a blog dedicated to that though it has only one post so far. Whoever started that blog has bad belle for one of the women oh ah ah! I don't fancy online drama sha!

I have not seen the show Moments with Mo yet but I've heard its like Oprah meets Tyra though Nigerian. As compared with Funmi's the audience is larger, gifts like cars, trips, salon appointments and dinners are given to the audience(I dey come o!) and the setting is kinda different.

Anyway, it's no big deal comparing them, abi competition na good tin? I love New Dawn by Funmi though. Unlike Oprah and the likes, its really personal, women;s panel, small audience though I wish NTA has a lil' better job. Moments with Mo though is MNET and since am yet to see the show(tickets to Nigeria for me to finally see it are highly accepted), I won't judge but from the website it sure has some good quality.

Its fun to have different variety so I guess both women have done just that.
http://www.newdawnwithfunmi.com/

http://www.momentswithmo.tv/index.asp

You can check out their websites above! Ciao and keep hitting my blog.

Ladi

New Year Couch Potato

2008-01-01T22:22:00.000-06:00

Okay, I entered the new year with a terrible headache. I had my dose of medicine and woke up feeling better but basically I did nothing major today; owre pajamas all day. Now I'm wishing I was in 9ja. To top if off, I got a call from home in the middle of a new year party.

I'm embracing the couch potato thingy and getting ready for my trip to Jamaica. I think I'm going to change my calender and have my new year postponed (complex huh?)

Right now, I'm watching Funmi Iyanda on youtube. Her show is very personal, motivative, informational and she's very intelligent and gets great people on the show. Here's her Music Life Class. She features Sasha who just released her album. I am in love with her music- Emi le gan, and Adara though I'm yet to hear her other tracks
http://youtube.com/watch?v=keURzoOSms4&feature=related

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7mfjtLTIdZE&feature=related

Heres Sasha's Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/sashaonline

Take care and keep reading...

Ladi

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2008-01-01T00:31:00.000-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!

WISHING Y'ALL THE BEST OF THE YEAR FULL OF GODS BLESSINGS IN YOUR LIFE!

CHEERS!

LADI

The Future Awards and Arewa folks

2007-12-31T03:36:00.000-06:00

Okay, its 3:30am and I can't sleep and decided instead to start gearing myself for the future with some motivation fron Nigeria's most prestigious young people's award, THE FUTURE AWARDS. Anyway I noticed two Hausa Mallams on the nominee list so let me say: "That excites me."
They are Mubarak Muhammed Abdulai (Nominated for Young Person of the Year) and Ali Nuhu (Best Actor)

Seriously, Northerners aren't taken seriously in 9ja or we're kinda silent in our own different way so its good that theres some diversity going on the list of young people making an impact in Nigeria. Whats left is an Arewa Chica there and pretty soon we should be reaching that aim.

Till then, keep praying for the New Year, close your eyes...

Ladi

Heres Zee Puture Nizeriya Link (accented!)

http://www.thefuturenigeria.com