Home...I Guess...

Can I let y’all in on a little secret?

I never really know how to start my blog posts. Why? Because when I start writing, I usually don’t have a specific topic in mind. I kinda just let my fingers tickle the keys and see what comes out.

That’s the mark of a true genius. I make magic without even trying.

Just kidding (...but not really).

So, let’s see what type of literary masterpiece I shall be penning today. Allons-y.

                                                                          ~

It’s been almost a month since I’ve returned to the States, and I’ve been putting off writing a blog post because to be honest, I don’t really know how I feel about it yet.

I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying home is where the heart is. Well, my problem is that my heart now seems to be in more than one place. Before my sojourn in Nigeria, I had spent the majority of my life in America. Life in America has definitely been good to me, and the majority of the people that I know and love are here. So while I was in the Motherland, although I had a fabulous time, I just couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something missing. However, now that I'm back, in the very place that should be the most familiar and comfortable to me, there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t wish I was still in Lagos.

So when people ask me if I’m glad to be home, I never know how to respond because it feels as if regardless of how I answer the question, part of me is lying.

The funny thing is, around this time two years ago, I experienced nearly the exact same sentiments upon my return to America after living in Paris for a while, although not quite to this extent. My time in Europe helped me realize that even though America is indeed a wonderful place to grow up, there was no way that I could live here my entire life.

Now, allow me to digress a little.

Y’all already know that I think I’m extraordinary. Actually, I know I’m extraordinary. God has truly blessed me with innumerable gifts and talents, and I believe that as a Christian, I have a responsibility to share these gifts with the world (which is part of the reason why I started this blog last year). And now that I have finally discovered my professional calling (I plan to do economic development work for African countries), I’ve realized that I can’t be as effective and successful in my career as I strive to be if I choose to remain in America. Although I liked my time in Nigeria because I partied hard and fell in love; I truly loved my time there because my job experience allowed me to see just how much help my country needed and what exactly I could do to fix it. I’ve been blessed with many more opportunities than the average Nigerian, and I truly believe that with all I’ve been given, it would be highly irresponsible of me to not want to help alleviate the plight of my people.

I guess my point is that I can’t fully enjoy being in America when I know that there are roughly 160 million people across the ocean that could be benefitting from my greatness. J

However, I also believe that wherever you find yourself in life, it is important to make a positive impact on those around you. So although I’ll only be in America for two more months before heading off to Europe, I still plan on doing something meaningful with my time here. I’m not sure exactly what that will be yet, but stay tuned, because I’m sure it’ll be phenomenal.

So, dear friends, as I depart from this e-space, I leave you with two little gems to ponder:

a)    One of my favorite quotes: “It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.” – Albert Einstein

b)   My wonderful linesister, Willie, wrote an amazingly inspirational blog post entitled “God Can Use Me NOW.” Check it out here.

Well…that’s about it.

Go forth and prosper, y'all.

The End of the Road

Well hello there! Did y’all miss me?

Don’t worry, I know y’all did.

J

Anywho…

I’ve been postponing writing this post because I just couldn’t come to terms with the fact that my time here in Lagos is finally coming to an end.

As of today, I only have 11 days left of my sojourn in Gidi, and I must say, I am DISTRAUGHT.

Literally, NO PARTS of me want to go back to America.

Well, maybe a small part of me wants to go home…but only the part of me that misses grande White Chocolate Mochas and cinnamon scones from Starbucks.

I have thoroughly enjoyed myself here, especially in the last month or so. Once I realized how little time left I had here, I frankly started YOLO-ing like my life depended on it. In fact, I’m pretty sure I lost all types of sense for approximately 3-5 days. But you know what they say; the best stories always start with the worst decisions ;)

All in all, I’ve met some really great people and made even greater memories that I’ll look back on fondly for years to come. My experience here has certainly changed me for the better, and I can definitively say that I’m tougher, wiser, and (surprisingly) nicer than I was in January. Now that I’ve survived Nigeria, I know I can survive pretty much anything.

As I round up this chapter of my life and begin writing the next, I know that the experiences I’ve had here will help me navigate through the turbulent waters ahead. Although I’m more than sad about leaving, I’m really excited to see what my future holds and take comfort in knowing that Lagos will certainly play a recurring role in the story.

So to the wonderful city I’ve called home for the last few months, I say thank you. This isn’t a goodbye, it’s more like a “catch ya on the flipside, homie.” Because now that I’ve experienced the greatness that is Las Gidi, there’s no way I’ll be able to stay away for too long.

Deuces.

It’s been real. 

My Country, 'Tis Of Thee...

I love my country.

I really do.

The funny thing is, I didn’t always feel this way about Nigeria. When I was younger, I positively dreaded our biennial trips to the Motherland. The oppressive heat, lack of constant electricity, and general non-American-ness of this place irked every fiber of my being. From the minute I stepped off the plane, I would start counting down the days until I could make my joyous return to the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

However, as I grew older, I cultivated a deep love for this country as I began to realize that there truly is no other place on Earth quite like Nigeria.

What caused this sudden burst of patriotism that has sprung forth from the depths of my soul, you ask?

Have a seat and I’ll tell you all about it.

So, for those who know me well, or even know me in passing, you have probably surmised that I tend to be slightly egotistical at times. Many of you might have even wondered where or how my love of self originated. Well, if you have ever been to Nigeria, the answer should be pretty obvious.

Nigerians are quite possibly the most narcissistic people in the solar system.

It continues to amaze me how almost everyone here thinks they are somebody important. In a country where, “Do you know who I am?!?” is a valid excuse to break approximately 94.62% of constitutional laws and social courtesies, it’s a wonder that this country hasn’t fallen to total ruin already.

…But to be honest, we have ample reason to be so haughty.

Because, despite what our vast number of haters/enemies of progress/Ghanaians may say about us, we are genuinely better than all other Africans.

Nigerians are by far the most talented Africans. There is not one country on the continent that doesn’t watch Nigerian movies or listen to our music. Not to mention our literary giants like Chinua Achebe and Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka have made us a force to be reckoned with in the intellectual world. Although other countries have tried to mimic the success of Nollywood and our music scene (i.e. Ghanaians, the biggest swagger-jackers of the century), their sub-par attempts often pale in comparison. But I don’t fault them for trying; it is only natural to want what we have.

In recent years, Nigeria has also begun to make a large impact on the world’s economy. Since our country alone boasts one-fifth of the total African population, many foreign investors have realized the wealth of opportunity that lies within our shores. And as the 12^th largest oil producer in the world, Nigeria is scheduled to surpass South Africa as the continent’s largest economy by 2018. Once we take over Africa, there will be no limit to what we can achieve.

But the one thing I love the most about Nigerians is that we are also some of the most resilient people alive. According to The Guardian newspaper, Nigeria was found to be the happiest place on Earth in 2011. Even though our government is a joke and the majority of the population lives in poverty, we are continuously optimistic in the face of hardship simply because we know we are a blessed nation. Regardless of the fact that so many look on us with disdain, we will always believe in ourselves and the greatness that lies within us for we are certain that the future of our country is even brighter than we could ever imagine.

So, to all my fellow countrymen, I salute you. Isn’t it great to be on the winning side?

And to everyone else…well, better luck next time!

Get Right or Get Left

I know, it’s been a minute. My bad.

As of today, I have been in Nigeria for a month and six days, and I must say that to my utter surprise, I’m loving every minute of it.

Despite the few difficulties that come with living in a developing country, Nigeria is actually one of the most vibrant and opportunity-rich nations on earth. Never have I met so many successful and driven young people in one place, which has really spurred me to also be proactive about my own future.

In fact, I’m lowkey mad that I didn’t come here sooner.

When I think about all the time and money I wasted in America on getting a so-called education, when I’ve met a bunch of millionaires here who are also in their early twenties with little to no type of degree, I truly pity my life. People are out here making serious dough off things as simple as chocolate fountains and t-shirts! Clearly I got the game ALL the way wrong. 

But not to worry, I’ve got a few ideas brewing in the pipeline that if executed properly, could potentially make me set for life. My goal is to make my first million in the next six months (Naira though, not dollars. But that’s still one million more of ANYTHING than I have right now).

So for the next month or so, I shall be focused on getting my net worth up. My network here in Lagos is way too extraordinary for me to let an opportunity like this pass me by. My inner businesswoman has emerged in full force and is here to stay.  

Therefore, I would like to apologize in advance for how absent I’m about to be on these e-streets. I know y’all are gonna miss me, but greatness is calling my name, and I’ve gotta answer!

To be honest, if all goes well, y’all might not ever see me back in America.

DEUCES J