BRAZIL 2014

Dear diary,

A photoblog has been long overdue on this space. I present to you the 2014 world cup, in pictures!!!

This tournament is one that won't be forgotten in a long time. History was made again and again. Little wonder why it's celebrated every 4 years. 

You could feel the excitement in the air. Every match left you breathless, wanting more and more. We saw the good, the bad and the ugly. 

The teams (32 in number) arrived in style for the tournament. Each team hoping to take the trophy home but alas! There can only be one winner.

The fans came prepared... 

The goalkeepers??? Phenomenal! 

Only goalkeeper to have 19 saves in one match; Tim Howard, won my heart after that match. Others like Ochoa and even our very own Enyeama were quite exceptional. 

There is very little you can do as a goal keeper when your team is not corroborating your effort.

Surely, you do not expect the young black woman not to be partial about her own country. The boys played a goalless draw against Iran, defeated Bosnia Herzigovinia by 1-0, were beaten by Argentina by one goal before they proceeded to the knock out stage. 

At the knock out stage, France knocked us out of the competition. Yeah we didn't get to the semi's like we hoped (dodges slippers and bucket) but at least we didn't go down without a fight. Thumbs up Super Eagles, we await Russia 2018.

There was a particular stage of the competition where matches kept moving into extra time and then penalty kicks. I couldn't even watch, I was just holding my chest like... 

While some goalkeepers stood like this in front of a goal post... 

Underdogs? Surely they did not come for this tournament. Every country was a potential winner. Infact, it was the "bigger boys" that chickened out at the group stage. Countries like Italy, England et Spain (the defending champions) were shown the way out in the most embarrassing way.

Talk about Spain's defeat and all I can do is shake my head.

  

World Cup revelation?James Rodriguez!!! I did not even know that he existed before the World Cup but now that I know, he has got himself a fan for life (until he Suarez's somebody)

The Suarez moment...

Some players went down with serious injuries and they had to watch the rest of the tournament from the bench or in some cases, their home countries. Players like Neymar, Onazi, Babatunde, Dimaria e.t.c. We wish them safe recovery.

There were a lot of tears at this World Cup... 

Never have I seen a player so determined to succeed. Schweinsteiger actually bled for his country in the process...

Germany played Brazil and scored the 2000th World Cup goal. Miroslav Klose became the all time goal scorer of the World Cup with 16 goals to his cap.  Brazil was humiliated in a 7-1 defeat by the German machines. 

It is without doubt, the most humiliating World Cup match of all time. We really missed these guys at the tournament... 

Germany played Argentina at the World Cup finals and truth be told, any of the two teams deserved to win it. The German machines won the competition by a goal margin in extra time...

Congratulations to the 2014 champions, GERMANY!!! 

A few lessons from the tournament:

1. Never, ever underestimate anybody!

2. Don't miss an opportunity to showcase yourself (imagine if J.Rodriguez did not come for the competition, who would have known he had potentials?)

3. Learn to control yourself even in your subconscious (Suarez made a mistake at the world stage and he'll be paying for it for a long time)

4. Every player in a team needs to work cohesively with the other player. A team should play together and not depend on one or two key players.

5. In all situations, give thanks! 

I had fun following this tournament, I can't wait for the next one. Russia 2018, here we come!

*Picture credit: Instagram (Fifaworldcup2014live), twitter, google, my TV :) 

THE SPECIAL ONE

Dear diary, 

How are you enjoying the weather? Since the rains have decided to take residence in this side of the world, we might as well relax and enjoy it while it lasts. Meanwhile, I have something important  to discuss with you, do read.

They kept shouting her name but she just wouldn't turn. Obviously a 7 year old child like her should be able to answer her own name, what was wrong? She was unscrewing the handle of the tap and someone had to stop her before it would burst open. I was the closest to her so I walked up to her and tapped her but she wouldn't budge. I had to force her hand off the tap before she finally let go.

Her hair was cut low like some of her peers that came with her. She had 2 legs, 2 eyes, 2 hands, 2 ears, 2 nostrils and other normal features of the human body. One peculiar thing I noticed is that she smiled more than the others did, revealing some missing teeth. She had a flat face and she opened her mouth more often revealing her tongue which was larger than normal and she salivated a lot. As she walked back to her seat, I noticed that she couldn't walk in a straight line, she walked like she just started learning how to. She looked restless and really enjoyed playing and running about the place. I didn't hear her talk much, but she kept making incoherent sounds. 

There was something special about this child because everybody kept looking at her. 

Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) is a genetic disorder involving an extra chromosome. This extra chromosome is responsible for the physical growth delays, manual dexterity problems, certain facial characteristics we see in special people. The incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother. They are also called special needs people because they require more attention and care than the average human being.

The society looks at the birth of a child with Down syndrome as a curse upon the family. This alone is one of the many reasons why some mothers abandon such children in the hospitals and bushes. Others do so out of fear of the challenges that may come in the long run. Some parents hide the special child at home and carry the other children to the beach to have fun. Socio-developmentally speaking, that child gets worse. Special people may have issues with making friends therefore the family is the most important unit in that child's life and as such they should not be segregated.

They usually have an intelligence quotient of about 50 meaning they'll usually function like kids half their age. These special people may not be able to compete intellectually with their age mates, but they can be  very creative. They usually have an inkling for the arts and athletics.

Have you recently discovered that your child is a special child? Don't fret. There would be challenges and moments of frustration but they will pass. Early intervention programes with speech therapists, occupational therapists e.t.c should be implemented by the parents. The cost of bringing up such a child can be nerve wrecking, time-wise and financially speaking, but it's important to do so with love and hope.You have been given the responsibility of bringing up a child that the society may frown upon, you might as well do the job beautifully and prove them wrong. No, you are not being punished by God for your sins in the past, You are only being used as an instrument of grace in that child's life. He will not give you more than you can take, so you better believe that you are more than equal to task ahead.

Dear 'society', in your moments of stigmatization and unjust dislike towards these special people, try and put yourself in their shoes and try to see the world through their eyes. Maybe, just maybe, you'll have a changed heart. Show love to them, they are people too. There are ignorant ones amongst us, people that don't know that special children are people like us and not witches or wizards, it's our duty to shed more light and correct these ideologies on the spot.

Dear parents, please don't hide  your child at home, expecting a miracle to happen. Take them out to see things, let them go to school and see children like them. Don't be afraid to take them to the hospital when you discover something you are not comfortable with. Discuss with other parents and find out how they are coping. Education, quality health care and a caring society would give a special child the much needed happiness and strength to cruise through life's journey. You as a parent should strive to make these requirements available. 

At the moment, it seems frustrating and tiring, taking care of the special one but one day you will look back and smile, forever grateful that you raised a special child.

Are you living with a special child? Do you know one? How has the journey been so far? Please share your stories and encourage others.

*Photo credit: Google

JUNE: A pretty pass

Dear Diary,

It has been a while we interacted on this space, how are you doing?

Every month of the year holds different memories for different people. Birthdays and anniversaries are being celebrated. Another month has come to end. The month of June ended well for some, while for others, it is a month they would gladly wish away. What rocked and sucked in the month of June? Find out.

His eminence, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi emerged as the new emir of Kano, following the death of Ado Bayero who was on the throne for about 51 years. Mixed reactions have continued to trail the investiture, still the diary wishes him a peaceful reign.

Former Director General of NAFDAC and one time Minister of Information,  Prof. Dora Akunyili died on the 7th of June after about 2 years battle with cancer. Branama crooner (Kefee Don momoh) passed away on Friday the 13th. May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace and may our dear Lord comfort the bereaved. 

The MTV MAMA awards took place on Saturday 7 June with Nigerians carting away most of the award. Also, the BET (Black Entertainment Television) awards took place this month too. Congrats to the nominees, you are all winners.

Ekiti governorship elections took place on the 21st of June with PDP's Peter Fayose coming out victorious. The incumbent governor, Kayode Fayemi was voted out. I must commend INEC for the free and fair election conducted. Another reminder that 2015 is around the corner.

Is the ongoing 2014 World Cup the  mother of all world cups yet? Defending champions Spain, were humiliated in a 5-1 loss to Netherlands. Phenomenal Goalkeeper, Iker Cassilas was not in his best of forms at this tournament. The mighty are fallen is my preferred theme for this tournament. Top countries like Spain, England, Portugal and Italy are being shown the way out by the "underdogs". Our very own Super eagles fought a good fight for the better part of the tournament. Even though they were knocked out in the round of 16, we are proud of them. Coach Stephen Keshi has bowed out from the super Eagles camp and the Captain, Joseph Yobo has hung the boots for the national team. With their various achievements for the country, they will not be forgotten. We wish them success in their endeavors. As for Vincent Enyeama, the elastic band that held the team together regardless of the manner in which they played, God bless you.

Did I forget to talk about the bombings and unjust killings in the country? No I didn't. It's quite sad having to recount such ugly incidents In a once peaceful nation like ours. The last week in June was a very sad one for Nigeria. Virtually every day of that week has the blood of innocent Nigerians killed in the most gruesome manner hanging on it. Bomb blast at Banex Plaza, Wuse, Abuja. 21 dead, several others injured. Killing of about 48 people in a church near Chibok, The genocide in Kano. Explosion at Apapa, Lagos. Conflicting reports on whether it was a tanker explosion or a failed suicide bomb attempt. Too many stories, Lord help us.

The Chibok girls are still missing, it's over 70 days and nobody is talking about it anymore. The countries that offered to help us have not been able to yield any tangible result. The Malaysian plane MH370 is still missing and not a clue in site. It is a different thing knowing the fate of a loved one but when you don't know where they are, what has happened to them or what they may be going through, it can be nerve wrecking.

The first half of the year is over and it has been a rough one. Remember when you were in church on the 31st of December, 2013, praying for more blessings and favor in the new year? Well that new near is fast coming to an end. You had a lot of resolutions written down on January 1, 2014, how is that faring? Have you been consistent with them or did you do away with them in the 2nd month of the year? Whatever the case may be don't fret, you still  have 6 months to go. You have to sit up if you desire to achieve those set goals. Diligence, hard work and principles would guide you to achieve them. You have been motivated, please cast off the spirit of procrastination within you and set to work. It's your life and you are responsible for the choices you make. Make smart choices and reap the fruits by the end of the year.

HAPPY NEW MONTH.