RANDOM POST: BE CAREFUL, BE VERY CAREFUL Part 1.

The unemployment rate is disturbing in Nigeria and this leads to so much idleness, idleness leads to so much empty hours, empty hours leads to desperation, desperation leads to deep thinking, deep thinking leads to either a positive or negative solution. In most cases, jobless people who need quick money abide with the negative solution. Hence, we have so many people committing criminal acts just to get money quickly; so much thought is not put into the process of doing something illegal, especially the consequences. The most popular criminal act of getting quick money is “cyber crime” popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo” in Nigeria. A friend of mine was a victim and I decided to write about her experience to warn my lovely readers. I have changed the real names but the story is non- fiction.

My friend “Remi” is down to earth and friendly, she has over 1000 contacts on her blackberry messenger, people add her every day, if you use BBM, you will know that people who don’t know you often add you randomly to either increase their contacts or to genuinely socialize. Remi got a BBM request on one Saturday, this new contact did not introduce herself, she just remained a silent contact on Remi’s list.

A week later, Remi receives a broadcast about Human Hair Sales, she decides to help the seller rebroadcast. After an hour, her newest contact pings her to ask her questions about the broadcast. This is the first time her newest contact has sent her a message since she added this person. Remi decides to ask her “how she got her pin? why has she been silent? And other general questions like “what’s your name? where are you based?, Remi’s new contact says her name is “ADA” and goes further to tell Remi more about herself. She says she is half ibo, half Indian, she was born in Nigeria, she lives in Lagos, her Father who is the Indian parent works with Chivita, she is the last girl in the family, she is a doctor with an oil company that has a hospital in Lagos, her family is really wealthy but she prefers to be independent, she is 30 years old and single. Remi feels the information is too much and Ada is over sharing especially since she doesn’t know her in person but later concludes that Ada is just a very open person.

Over time, Ada and Remi become very close chat buddies, Remi doesn’t say much about herself other than basic gist, Ada keeps confiding in Remi every day. One day, Ada tells Remi she is bothered about her life, Remi asks her “what the problem is” Ada says she is already 30 years old and still unmarried, she feels lonely and her work as a doctor doesn’t let her socialize or avails her the opportunity of meeting the opposite sex in a neutral environment.

Remi feels sorry for her and decides to play “the match maker”. Deji is one of Remi’s friends on BBM, who has been her friend for over two years and always confides in her about settling down soon. Deji wants to get married but tells Remi that it is hard to find a wife material in Lagos. Since Ada is based in Lagos, Remi feels it won’t be a bad idea for Deji to meet Ada. So she introduces Ada to Deji via BBM, after a while Ada stops chatting with Remi. Remi decides to tease her friend Deji and tells him he has stolen Ada from her. Deji sends an “eye rolling” and “lips sealed” smiley, Remi curiously asks him if everything is okay? Deji says he is yet to meet Ada because she is always busy and he is not interested in someone who asks him to send 250,000 naira to her account on the second day of chatting. Remi is surprised and calls Deji a liar, that is impossible, Ada is not that kind of lady besides she comes from a wealthy family and her job pays well.

Deji believes Ada is a fake person and also believes Ada is probably not a female, Remi becomes disturbed by his suspicions.
To be continued.

Noon Inspiration: The "Leader" in "You"

The cliché definition of a leader is someone who leads others; this definition is correct but too basic. I prefer the definition by Wikipedia, Wikipedia defines leadership as a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task. Leaders are everywhere, in our homes, churches, mosques, private and public organizations. They say “some were born to lead and others were born to follow”, I think this saying has built the foundation for a lot of ills society faces. People tend to mind their business and always leave the responsibilities for leaders. I see this attitude in my everyday life; I used to be that way. If the issue does not affect us directly, then we should just remain pessimistic and careless.

There is a leader in everyone, we say the Government is not good, the Government is corrupt and they are supposed to be our leaders. I cannot defend people in power but there are little things that we can do as citizens to make our immediate community a better place. A common ill that we face in Nigeria as a result of the “carefree attitude” is flood caused by blocked drainage systems. We tend to litter the environment with our petty wastes like pure water sachets, snack wrappers, plastic bottles e.t.c, when the rainy season comes; we are faced with floods or high level of water on the ground.

Once, while I was still in school, I entered a public taxi headed for Uniport, I was thirsty, so I bought a bottle of lacasera from one of the hawkers on the road, when I was done drinking it, I threw the empty bottle out on the street, next thing I hear is the voice of a handsome man saying “You look intelligent, I am disappointed that you just did that”, I apologized. At that second, I knew the apology meant nothing to him but would mean so much to the environment, so I repented. My hand bag is usually a mini waste bag until I find a public bin; I neatly wrap my waste and keep it in my bag. If every citizen was responsible enough to show a little bit of leadership, we would have clean and free gutters; rainy seasons will come and go without any issue. Once, I told my friend to stop throwing his petty wastes on the streets, He said “he needed a reason to be patriotic and be different”, my reply? Every action starts with an individual. Your actions can affect one person and that individual can affect more people. I admire my street, the gutters are clean, and residents on my street make a constant effort to clean the gutters, when it rains in Port Harcourt, we have no issues but I can’t say the same thing for the city as a whole.

Leaders don’t have to be just the people at the helm of affairs handling critical issues concerning the economy. We could all be leaders in our own little way, assisting and playing our parts as responsible citizens. The man or woman who leaves his or her car during a bad traffic situation and controls the traffic is a good leader, I have seen a lot of people do this; they don’t sit back in their car and start blaming the Police or cursing the Federal government. Truth be told, most times when we complain, we end up getting a headache, every problem we face is simply calling for your attention.

Many a times, we see the young people who break stones to fill the “potholes” on our roads, these are leaders, they may not be wearing suits, or getting ready to head into a board room to address employees but they have managed to help a lot of people by the simple act of leadership. Sometimes, people say they do it because they are unemployed but they also could decide to be blind on purpose and say “it’s the Government’s responsibility’’.

What change are you bringing to your immediate community, country, and the world? Are you going to keep blaming every single bad thing happening on Political Leaders or will you ignite the “Leader in you” and start a revolution that will contribute immensely to the society and the world? Ponder a little.

Our world is constantly affected by a lot vices, the people who rule us are not enough to bring change to our door steps. We have seen a lot of young people leading with excellent projects that help others, one of such projects is “SLUM TO SCHOOL”, the founder of this project saw a societal problem, He saw slums with children who had no access to quality education, he decided to solve the problem and that gave birth to “Slum to School” and there are other inspiring stories of people standing up and impacting their society directly or indirectly.

Leading your country is unrealistic when you have no intention of becoming a political leader but you can be a leader in own little world called “your mind” and then change the world positively. Wake up, love your country genuinely, be inspired and realize it’s your responsibility to create the world that you want to see and be part of. Activate the “Leader” in “You”.

…Chioma Olamide Udom…

RANDOM POST: EBOLA PALAVA (MY TALE)

If you keep up with my blog posts, you would know I didn’t have a very pleasant experience during my youth service. Service ended and a month later, malaria and typhoid hits me, I hate being sick, it’s just annoying to see food and I can’t eat, to see water and dislike it because of the bitter taste it leaves in my mouth after drinking. So month after month, malaria and typhoid kept visiting me, then typhoid vanished, but malaria kept attacking me each month.

People who know well said it’s all the mosquito bites I received during service, some say it’s spiritual and the doctors say it’s because my genotype is AA, they say people with genotype AA are prone to have malaria every month and that is why it’s advisable to treat malaria every month. I took different anti malaria drugs and I think my system got used to them, so my body stopped responding to drugs, I was advised to start taking local herbs and that’s how my journey with the popular Yoruba herb “agbo” started.

So October came and malaria paid a visit, this time, it was painful, my joints ached badly. I was given anti malaria drugs but by the next day, there was no sign of improvement, My parents decided it was time to take me to the hospital. As we drove to the hospital, I sobbed at the back seat; my parents kept saying “I will be fine”. We got to the hospital 30 minutes later, the security person at the entrance points her infrared thermometer to check our temperatures, my parents had normal temperatures but mine was high. My dad turns to her and says “She’s down with malaria”, she smiles and lets us in.

At the reception, my parents gave the hospital attendants my card and they wait to get my file. After my file was found, as usual I was directed to the nurse on duty, whose job is to check my temperature and BP, she wears her gloves and before touching me, asks me “what is wrong with you?”, I reply weakly “I think it’s malaria”. She stands up and says to me “You can’t be inside the hospital, who let you in?”, then tells me in a tone to go outside. At that point, I just wanted to sit down because my joints ached so badly but I listened to her and went outside as instructed. As I walked out, my dad was curious to find out why she didn’t attend to me, she asked him “ did you bring her here?” and my dad says “Yes!, I am her father”, she turns to my parents and say “Ma! Sir! Please follow her, you all will have to wait outside to see the doctor”.

The doctor shows up 25 minutes later, stands at a distance to ask his questions. It was becoming very funny to my parents, My dad then suggested that he checks my file, he will see a history of malaria even before the ebola saga. The doctor excuses himself and doesn’t show up again. I was in a terrible state and started thinking “so everyone who falls sick during this period is an ebola patient, people could actually die because no doctor wants to treat a patient with high fever”. We regretted coming to the hospital but had to wait for the doctor, some minutes later, the same angry nurse who asked me to step out of the hospital shows up and ask us to enter the hospital through a back door. When we got into the hospital, they cleaned the chair I sat on with Jik bleach. Then we waited for some minutes, as we waited, my father entertained us with his jokes, it was funny, the whole experience was funny but I was in serious pain and couldn’t laugh. The doctor shows up again, still maintaining his distance to ask if I had taken any drugs, I said “Yes”, He smiles and says “Just finish the dose, you will be fine”. As we stood up to leave, my parents were so happy that they were not taking us somewhere to be quarantined.

If a private hospital could be so rational, I wondered how patients were treated in government hospitals. Even though the World Health Organization declared us “ebola free”, everyone still acts like WHO lied to us.

Foreign Countries asking Nigeria to teach them how to get rid of ebola should learn to be selfish and love life more than anything. A typical Nigerian loves life, whether life is comfortable or uncomfortable in Nigeria, we stick to Hope, In my own opinion, that is why we were able to get rid of the deadly disease, there was no sympathy for any kind of sickness that shares similar symptoms with ebola.

Happy New Month lovelies, feeling thankful and glad that I am healthy and I have a family that helps me get through good and bad times. Enjoy the rest of November.

Food for thought: Ten Rules Of Respect to Live By.

My best friend loves books, He loves books that can inspire him, books that can aid him, books that can improve his knowledge beyond everything he currently knows, I used to be like him, I love words and gaining new knowledge, that's the only sane reason behind me reading the oxford dictionary during my spare hours in secondary school and reading the newspaper often when I was in primary school.

After Jamb and year 2 in the University, I think I became a lazy reader but I am trying to repent and restore my relationship with books. Since my best friend is a book lover, he has a mini library, I recently borrowed a book titled "There's no such thing as Business Ethics" by John .C. Maxwell. He talks about ethics, how it's difficult to find companies and individuals who apply the Golden Rule and how the Golden Rule applies to business decisions and our personal lives. He also features real stories as examples. It's so educative, I love this book so much that I might have to re-read it. A part in chapter 3 captivated me and though I dropped New Year Resolutions two years ago, this part in the book has to be my 2015 resolution. They are ten rules for respect to live by, I will try living by them and expect others in my life to do the same. Here I go......

1. If you have a problem with me, come to me privately.
2. If I have a problem with you, I will come to you privately.
3. If someone has a problem with me and comes to you, send them to me (I'll do the same for you).
4. If someone consistently will not come to me, say, "Let's go see her together. I am sure she will see us about this." I will so the same for you.
5. Be careful how you interpret me, I'd rather do that. on matters that are unclear, do not feel pressured to interpret my feelings or thoughts. It is easy to misinterpret intentions.
6. I'll be careful how I interpret you.
7. If it's confidential, don't tell. If you or anyone else comes to me in confidence. I won't tell unless
     a) the person is going to harm himself/herself
     b) the person is going to physically harm someone else
     c) a child has been physically or sexually abused. I expect the same from you.
8. I do not read unsigned letters or notes.
9. I do not manipulate; I will not be manipulated; do not let others manipulate you. Do not let others try to manipulate me through you.
10. When in doubt, just say it. If I can answer it without misrepresenting something or breaking a confidence, I will.

Looking for a new book to read? If you have not read "There's no such thing as business ethics", I recommend it. You will learn a lot.

DISCLAIMER: Information worthy of note to all current and potential clients.

There is a "Gospelc Anucha" on facebook who claims to be a Designer/Model with Mi'De Fashion County.
https://m.facebook.com/gospelca?v=timeline&refid=17

Gospelc Anucha is an imposter who claims to be a staff of Mi'De Fashion County.

We have no dealing whatsoever with this Gospelc Anucha and we have never had any dealing with him either as a model or as a staff.

He is misleading the public and also claiming to be responsible for most of our fashion designs.

He shares photos of our designs, claims it as his and asks his friends to rate him, This is intellectual theft.

We have one creative director and her name is "Chioma Olamide Udom" (Yours Sincerely), I am currently in charge of all sketches and designs of Mi'De Fashion County.

Anyone who patronizes him does so at your own risk.

Enjoy your Friday sweet Fashion Counts and Countesses, And I pray no lazy human takes credit for your work or craft.

A glimpse of the Nigerian Fashion Industry in 2014.

It’s no longer news to the world that the Nigerian Fashion Industry thrives every day with more fashion designers creating trends and fashion stylists spicing up these trends for fashionistas. We have more Nigerians and foreigners buying and wearing made in Nigeria pieces. Like the previous years, 2014 has been another good year for the industry. A lot of beautiful SS14 collections by Nigerian designers have been seen on the bodies of people from all works of life attending red carpet and random events.

More designers are taking the spot light in the international fashion scenes. Deola Sagoe and Clan presented their SS15 collection at the Mercedes Benz fashion week New York. Opening the show, Clan debuted elevated street wear designs that complimented the high end couture ideology of Deola Sagoe. Deola Sagoe featured garments of detailed cut outs and appliques. The LVMH Young Designer Prize also gave the industry a widespread attention as two of our own creative geniuses Amaka Osakwe of the fashion brand “Maki Oh” and Adebayo Oke Lawal of “Orange Culture” were part of the shortlisted candidates for the 2014 international competition. Another major high light for the industry so far is the Native and Vogue International Fashion Week Port Harcourt which featured top international and local designers and models.

As the year draws to an end, both established and emerging designers, fashion bloggers, fashion stylists, celebrities, socialites and in general fashion lovers are counting down to the Nigerian renowned fashion shows such as Lagos Fashion and Design Week and Music Meets Runway. The Lagos Fashion and Design Week is already which slated to take place on October 29th to November 1st.

This year, Lagos Fashion and Design Week has expanded to include other designers from across Africa, also it has added an edge to reach out to up and coming talents, this is called “Fashion Focus” which features British Council Fashion DNA Project. This ties in with British Council’s on going work to develop innovative, high quality events and collaborations that link artists and cultural institutions in Nigeria with their counterparts in the United Kingdom. As part of the partnership, LFDW is also working with Frallain Inc, a luxury brand group and Istituto Marangoni which is one of the best fashion schools in the world to offer 15 up and coming designers opportunities to be participants at targeted workshops and networking sessions between 2014 and 2015

The British Council collaboration on the project with LFDW will provide a wide raft of benefits including mentorship, designer support and opportunity to showcase at the international fashion showcase at London Fashion Week. It will also provide a chance for the young designers to show their collection to an audience of international buyers and fashion experts.

If you are fashion conscious, African and Nigerian, You can’t help it but bask in the glory of the progress happening in the Nigerian Fashion Industry. The growth tells us “We can achieve more and have Nigeria become a fashion hub for the world.



...Chioma Olamide Udom...

Facing the STORM

Have you ever been so consumed with your problems and personal concerns that it seemed there was no immediate relief in sight? For example, Sandra is a faithful member of her church who has a loving relationship with her family and friends and is successful in almost everything she does. Recently, however, things have taken a negative turn financially and because the pressures of the challenges seem so great, the usually positive and proactive Sandra is struggling with bouts of depression and stress. She has tried to involve friends to help her resolve her issues, only to find that few have time or desire to listen to her problems.

While it may be hard to believe that a person can go from being a “got it all together Christian” to feeling down in dumps, it does happen. All of us have experienced this at some point in our walk with God; but instead of worrying or tracking down someone to join what could easily become a “pity party”, Use the source you know will never fail-God.

Everyone should understand the value of being prepared mentally and spiritually for attacks on our lives because they will come. In John 16:33, Jesus said “In the world, ye shall have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. God has equipped you to handle the storms of life by trusting Jesus. Similar to Job in the Bible, there are times when challenges hit us on all sides and we don’t always feel like responding with the Word of God but be rest assured that God’s word is the solution to any problem. When you allow your responses and decisions to be founded on God’s word, you open the door for God to come in and turn your situation around.

Job was a man who faced some terrible situations. His children were killed, his livestock were destroyed and he was struck with painful boils on his entire body. Job had lost everything and I am sure he was tempted to completely give up and turn his back on God. Even his wife told him to just curse God and die because he was in such a pitiful state. But Job didn’t do that. While he did go through a time of complaining and questioning, he never gave up on God. As a result, God restored everything he lost.

When the storm of life hits you, what will you do? Will you become overwhelmed and lose your heart in the midst of worrying, obsessing and attempting to fix every problem yourself? Or will you pass the trust test and employ His help by calling on Him first? There is no challenge too great for Him to handle. He can cause all things to work out for your good when you pray and seek him. What you find difficult to do, God can perform effortlessly.

In the midst of trusting God, know that He may not use your preferred method to solve your issues. God has numerous ways to get things done and He will change situations in order to fulfill his purposes and promises.

You must be willing to get out of God’s way in order for Him to work. That means refraining from worrying, complaining and trying to fix things in your natural ability. When you worry, you hinder God’s promises from being able to work in your life. Instead, meditate on the scriptures, seek understanding and believe in what the word will do for you. Everything you need to survive the storms of life is in your Bible; so put it to use during the times you need it most.

Don’t forget that God is a prayer away. No, there is no quick fix for every obstacle you will face in life but if you are a believer, you have the very thing that will bring peace in times of trouble (John 14:27). Pray to God and He will answer. He promised to never leave or abandon you.

Develop a closer relationship with God by finding out more about Him and His promises.

GOD BLESS YOU.