What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten?
It is AMALA with EWEDU and GBEGIRI. The AMALA is made from yam flour, EWEDU is a type of leaf called jute leaf – highly medicinal and GBEGIRI is called bean soup . Do well to eat with stew and assorted cow/goat meat and preferably fish
My late grandfather would tell us to wash the food down with a cup of original palm wine.
The dish is common among the Yoruba Oyo indigenes most especially Ibadan in the Western part of Nigeria.
Deliciously prepared. If you are visiting Nigeria anytime soon, ensure you have a taste of this dish. It is heavenly!
In the darkest hours of my troubled soul, When sorrow’s tempests fiercely took their toll, There stood a figure with grace untold, My guardian angel, Aniel, I behold.
Tall and majestic, he reached the celestial skies, His presence a beacon, a comforting guise, With every step, he treaded light and free, A soothing gait, as if walking on the sea.
His smile, a crescent moon, radiant and bright, Bathing my heart in its celestial light, Eyes like stars, reflecting eternal grace, Guiding me through life’s intricate maze.
Oh, Aniel, you have been my rock, my guide, Through every storm, you stayed right by my side, In moments of despair, you lifted me high, Your love, a shelter from every tear I cry.
Guardian angel, oh, never depart, Let your wings enfold, protect my fragile heart, Through the trials of life, let your presence be near, Aniel, dear angel, forever stay here.
In this symphony of life, you are my song, In your embrace, I eternally belong, With gratitude, my heart forever swells, For you, Aniel, my guardian angel, compels.
So, I sing this hymn, with love and praise, To the one who guided me through life’s maze, May your light forever illuminate my way, Aniel, dear angel, forever here to stay.
VERY! With Fire element, I create inferno wherever I go. My dreams are so vivid, ninety percent come true. I am always in awe of anything spiritual and I hold spiritual gurus in high esteem.
Let me take you to where anguish dwells, And share a tale no heart repels, A haunting echo from my past, A cruel practice that scars so fast.
I, a vessel of untamed dreams, Trapped in the web of silent screams, A girl, innocent, young and pure, With future’s light, yet unsure.
Within my land, tradition ruled, A custom born in customs’ cruel, Female Genital Mutilation’s grasp, A nightmare’s touch, an endless clasp.
They led me forth, to a darkened room, With trembling heart, I faced my doom, Surrounded by faces, stern and cold, Their hands, instruments, stories untold.
I watched in terror, the blade’s descent, My fragile body, its innocence rent, Sharp as sorrow, it tore through flesh, Life’s essence stolen, dreams crushed afresh.
Oh, the searing pain, a relentless fire, A whispered prayer, my soul’s lone desire, My cries drowned in the deafening hush, My spirit broken, turned to ashes and dust.
The bleeding wounds, a never-ending ache, Bound by secrets, my voice too weak, A stolen woman, in silent despair, Scarred by the touch of hands unfair.
But know, dear reader, I am not alone, Countless sisters, their anguish unknown, Their bodies altered, their spirits marred, Innocence shattered, forever scarred.
For FGM’s grip extends its reach, Across continents, cultures, and speech, Yet hope resides within our hearts, A battle fought, where healing starts.
Together we rise, our voices reclaim, Breaking the chains of silence and shame, With love and knowledge, we shall ignite, A world where darkness gives way to light.
So let this tale be a plea to all, To stand united, to hear the call, To end this practice, to break the chain, And let each girl’s dreams forever reign.
In a humble village nestled deep, Lived Ajoke, whose soul did weep, A maiden fair, with dreams untold, But her tale, in darkness, would unfold.
A foreigner came with eyes so bright, To witness our world, bathed in light, A tourist’s delight, he wandered near, Unaware of the chaos he would soon bring here.
With innocence pure, I walked that morn, Adorned in garments, my spirit reborn, Little did I know, my steps to trace, A heart-wrenching tale, my soul would face.
He charmed with words, a foreign tongue, Like a spider’s web, his trap was spun, His smiles deceived, his gestures kind, But lurking beneath, a sinister mind.
Under moonlit sky, he took my hand, Promising beauty, across distant land, With wicked intentions, he led me astray, To a place where my innocence would be betrayed.
In that desolate room, my world turned gray, As the foreigner’s lust led me astray, My cries unheard, my pleas in vain, In that moment, my dreams were slain.
Each touch, a dagger, pierced my heart, As he tore my world, and tore me apart, My spirit shattered, my soul crushed, In the depths of despair, my innocence hushed.
Days turned to nights, but my scars remain, A burden I carry, a never-ending pain, Through tear-soaked nights, I seek solace, But the memories haunt, forever in place.
Oh, how I long for the world to see, The agony and sorrow that consumes me, But trapped in silence, my voice suppressed, My tale lost in whispers, like a heart oppressed.
I cry for justice, for the wrongs I have endured, For the countless others whose voices obscured, May their stories be heard, their pain unveiled, So no more young souls by monsters be assailed.
In this verses of tragedy and despair, I share my tale, a burden I bear, For Ajoke, a symbol of countless souls, Whose spirits were shattered, their lives left in holes.
I am a young lady, with fire in my eyes, With dreams that soar, reaching the skies. I stand here tall, with confidence and might, Ready to conquer, to shine forth my light.
Obstacles, beware! Hear my fervent plea, Make way for the giant that resides within me. I am not afraid of your menacing stare, For I carry within, a spirit that won’t scare.
Doubt, step aside, let my courage prevail, I have faith in my abilities, they shall not fail. Fear, be gone, your grip I shall break, I am determined, and nothing can shake.
Society’s expectations, I won’t let you bind, I will carve my own path, leaving norms behind. Prejudices and judgments, you hold no sway, I will rise above, in my own unique way.
Naysayers and critics, your words won’t weigh, I will drown them out with my passion’s display. I will strive for success, I will reach for the stars, No matter the odds, I will break down the bars.
For within me lies strength, unyielding and vast, A reservoir of power, waiting to be unmasked. I will embrace the challenges, with a fearless soul, Each hurdle I conquer, will make me whole.
So step aside, obstacles, make way for me, I am the giant, waiting to be set free. Success is my destiny, failure no longer near, I will rise above, banishing doubt and fear.
With every step forward, I will leave my mark, A young lady, fierce and strong, lighting up the dark. Obstacles, you may try, but I shall prevail, For the giant in me, there is no way to curtail.
Make way, make way, for the giant in me, Success is my mantra, and greatness I decree. No more shall I falter, no more shall I sway, Obstacles, make way, it is my time to display.
In the sacred place of my soul, a tale I will share, A ballad of torment, my heart laid bare. I stand here before you, with a heavy heart, A victim of abuse, torn apart.
Dilemma, my prison, love’s cruel game, In the shadows of fear, I bear the shame. Blood stains my spirit, each ordeal anew, Haunted by humiliations, I thought I knew.
He, my spouse, in whom I once believed, Now a source of pain, where love’s reprieved. With each strike, the crimson river flows, Yet love’s shackles bind me, and no one knows.
My foes and loved ones, voices raised high, “Leave him behind,” they would fervently cry. But love’s stronghold grips my every thought, Hope lingers within, that change will be brought.
Society’s whispers, judgment’s cruel embrace, Divorcee’s label, my heart fears to face. The church’s gaze, with condemning eyes, Leaving me to ponder, trapped in love’s guise.
For the sake of our children, I chose to stay, To shield them from darkness, come what may. Caged by endless pains and beatings, I silently bear, A prisoner of love, lost in despair.
This ballad I sing, a plea to be heard, For those trapped in love, their voices unheard. May compassion and understanding light their way, And bring an end to the torment, one fateful day.
Ifedolapo Ogunniyi 