PINK OCTOBER

Dear Diary,

The 10th month of the year 2014 is gradually coming to an end. A lot went underwater this month and it affected different people in different ways. It was also Breast cancer awareness month all over the world. What do you know about breast cancer? Do you know how to examine yourself? Have you examined yourself lately? Early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer, examine yourself today. Let's look back at all the events that made October pink.

October 1st! Nigeria celebrated her 54th Independence anniversary as a nation this month. Where we are now as a country is a far cry from where we ought to be but not to worry, we'll get there someday. To  commemorate this day, one of Nollywoods finest (i do mean that literally) Kunle Afolayan, released his new movie titled October 1st. This movie has raised the bar of movie production in Nigeria and no matter how much I hype it, it won't do it justice. If you haven't seen it, please do so.

Nigeria was declared Ebola-free this month by the World Health Organization (W.H.O). One of the few stories in the news that has put a smile on the faces of Nigerians in recent times. We really appreciate the efforts of those that helped in the fight against this disease. Ebola viral disease has been recorded in 8 countries so far; Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Senegal, United States of America, Mali and Spain. Over 4000 people have died from this disease and 8.997 cases have been recorded so far. This too shall pass. To all the bereaved families, those that have been affected in one way or the other, I pray that you'll be comforted.

The #Almostabride series is still running on this blog. The question on everybody's lip is "When will Ihuoma find this her brother Shola sef?" Wanna find out? Join the series today, every Monday at noon. Don't forget to tell a friend, to tell a friend to subscribe to it.

After months of trial, South African Athlete, Oscar Pistorius, has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for shooting his girlfriend Reeva SteenKamp last year. Even though this sentence did not go down well with a lot of people, let's be happy that the law has served it's course.

Malala Yousafzai became the youngest person ever to be awarded the Nobel Peace prize. According to the Nobel Committee, the 17 year old was awarded for her fight for the right of girls to education and for being an example that children and young people, too, can contribute to improving their own situations.

Our ever energetic Super Falcons of Nigeria have won the 9th edition of the African Women Championship. The champions defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the final match of the competition to cling their 7th AWC title. They've always made us proud and yours truly feels they aren't appreciated as much as they should be. Unlike some certain birds that go to competitions and don't even fly. Congrats ladies, it's a victory well deserved.

Forbes Africa has released the list of nominees for their 2014 person of the year award. Three Nigerians are on the list- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Aliko Dangote and the Director-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Arunma Oteh. Congratulations to all the nominees, the fact that they've been nominated makes them all winners.

Celebrity photographer and singer TY Bello, welcomed her twin boys, Christian and Christopher this month. The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton is pregnant with her second child. Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson Okojie has given birth to her second child named Henry. Congratulations to these beautiful women.

Veteran fashion designer, Oscar de la Renta died this month. The legendary designer who made fabulous dresses for women across the world, died from cancer complications at the age of 82 in Kent, Connecticut. Captain of the Bafana Bafana, Senzo Meyiwa is dead. The keeper of the South African national football team who never conceded a goal for the national team, was shot dead at his home near Johannesburg by a 7-man gang of robbers. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

The bomb blasts returned this month  in the north and our peace as a nation is being threatened once again. Men and women are being kidnapped daily and insecurity is on the rise. The 2015 general elections are almost here and campaigns are in full gear. As a citizen, it is your right to vote and be voted for. Please register on time so you can vote and make a change. Refuse to be cajoled against your will, the temporary gifts you receive now in secret may cause a permanent scar. A lot of mistakes have been made in the past and the time to correct them is now. Our girls are still missing and so is the Malaysian plane (#MH370)

Did you celebrate your birthday this month? Let me use this opportunity to wish you a happy belated birthday. Did you get married to your rib this month? I wish you a happy married life with beautiful babies. This is the beginning of the best years of your life.

Ladies and gentlemen of The Diary, 2014 is almost over. How has the year been for you so far? Did you achieve your set goals? Did you go farther than you expected? Are you feeling underachieved? Not to worry, we have 2 months to the end of the year. Get back on track and run this race to the end, it's not over until YOU say so. 

In the spirit of a beautiful November ahead, let me be the first to wish you a HAPPY NEW MONTH.


*picture credit: Google, Twitter, My phone :)