The Ojo Files: It's been 10 years and we're almost 30!

My Internet connection has been down for the last couple of days, the least i can say is that i was an emotional wreck during this period. It occoured to me how much of my life i have put into youtube, google, facebook, wiki, and you know the whole clique and the i ask myself is it worth being a geek, putting my work, studies and relationships on the line? i can't say.

Well, being online once again, Odunayo Kupolokun caught me on facebook and we chatted. Odunayo is a technologist working in Paris and an ex-Nigerian Navy Secondary School student. We gisted about general issues, IT, career, life. Then Odunayo said something that got me thinking so much i wrote this blog. it's been 10years (We left secondary school 10 years ago) and we're almost 30 ( most of us are within the range of 26-30 years). Age is really a measurement of how much we achieve in life, at least in african societies. We should at this time be catering for our own immediate family, mayhaps the nigerian economy is a bit harsh but I'm sure with a little focus and determination we will be able to achieve whatever our goals may be in life..

The epiphany of Odunayo's words is scaring me like crazy because if age is truly a measurement of how much we have achieved in life then i seem to be on the last bus.

Can you hear me now? Complex & Communication.

We share an age where our confidence-level is being sapped by the circumstance around us. The challenges of criticism and critics who analyse our actions and looks leave us with uncertainty in our thoughts. At this we become judges of who we are, giving our critics the necessary support and telling ourselves " I'm no good, I've got a big nose and my teeth are not so white". This leaves enough room for self-pity to build a mansion in our pathetic thoughts and mind. Sadly, a great number of share such similar fate.

When i was in secondary school, the fastest sprinter in our house was a tall dark hairy guy with a slight hunchback. His name was Adelawal Olugbese, school being a mischievious environment; he later got to be called "Ademonkey Olugorilla". We all found it amusing because of the match between the name and certain physical features that he possessed. Well, Olugbese only got closer to each of us, the closer he got to us, the harder it became for any of us to address him as olumonkey or adegorrila, and by the time he started representing our house in the Inter-House sports competition, no one called him Ademonkey Olugorrila.

Lawal was able to communicate his true nature to us notwithstanding the names he has been called due to his physical looks. Communicating who we really are has been a challenge for a lot of us. People all over the world hide their fears and insecurities behind a false mask.

I feel that blogs have brought about a new generation of complex-busters, with blogs we are able to share our opinions freely, communicate our doubts openly and even support our belief firmly without fear of harrasment.

Blogs have supported us but we need to help ourselves overcome whatever insecurity we have about ourselves. Oh oh, my laptop battery is down, it's NEPA again. We'll continue this conversation in subsequent post..

The Ojo Files: The Facebook Affair.

I left Nigerian Navy Secondary School,Ojo, lagos 13 years ago. I did not complete my study there, i left when i was supposed to get into SS 1. It was family issues and stuff that prompted this. We relocated to Port Harcourt, where I have been until now. Starting life new etc etc, one, twice in PH i met old friends from Navy. These moments were usually very glorious, I met Azuka Ugboh and fidel Porbeni who were studying in the University of Port Harcourt, though they left almost as soon as i got in. I also met Emmanuel Etim and Ovie Kpokpogiri, Ibiere Martyns and Sophia Lawson actually lived in PH and were kinda related to me. Apart from these folks, my life in Ojo was an abstract and painful memory i missed.

Ibiere often told me about reunion events that usually took place but it turns out that the opportunity to attend evades me. whenever i go to lagos, i try to make effort to see my mates but there was always a contact wall. I managed to see Howell Alusi (Yokozuna) and Opeyemi Owoade (My 1st Crush) on one of my visits to lagos, I wanted to also see Yemi Morafa but he stood me up. Seeing Howell and Opeyemi was refreshing to me, though we did not spend much time together.

I recently created a profile on facebook (Ibiere's advice) and wops! I met (at least almost) EVERYBODY there, I am still so excited about this that i feel life has just begun. Seeing Dipo Odumosu (who never really struck me as someone who would have beards), Kunle Awolowo ( who turns out to be so sleek and creamy for a bloke), Adewunmi Adeola (who is still Dope, crazy influence, WARNING!!! this guy is off da hook for chezzy), Idy Akpan ( my classmate, all the way from primary school which was Nigerian Navy Primary School, Ojo), Tayo Sode ( my true mate for life), Ife Jonathan ( He gave me his elder brother's black "MAX" jean to wear for socials, you're a true mate) Ile Oke ( who used to have a crush on Nnanna), Nnanna Uche ( Our class captain) The Mofunanyas' ( Vice-Principal's boys) the olly moores' ( Del and his Sister who hurt me once, stupidly, a calico incident) Taiwo Abolarin (my brother(Aduwo) who we depended on in school), Ibrahim Mamman ( generous funky doctor and brother(Aduwo)). Abdul-Malik Ogohi, Elochukwu Onyia (Damisa guys), and others have not yet added me and who I am yet to add.

But for now i'll still be connecting to each one of my old friends because in their diverse and unique ways, they touched my life... see you on my next post