LIBYA - A Home of...

(To Motherland)

By Abiola Inioluwa Oluwaseun

Dear Baami,

I want to remind you

Of how we lost our way on a night

Where Libya slit our future with daggers of horror

And we became a poem on slavery's archive

I saw voices sinking like a fallen dream,

I saw bodies, dropping like fading sighs

Tears- tatooed on scalp of naive sands

Noices, slay silence on a night of wounded memories.

It was a night where our smiles limped off our jaded faces

And fear cracked our soul with claws of brutality

Dreams buried- we became the sad song of a barren night

My brother's blood crawled to kiss my scar for the last time

And to give her blessing on my quest with my newly found buddy- slavery.

The cry of our sisters would spank my bald conscience-

Whenever their undefiled thighs appease fuming fangs:

In their eyes, I could see a young girl whose dignity is stolen

Chains, whips, punches, kicks:

Like a father would say to his child

"Do not die until you have made a mark on the pages of life"

The quote is fulfilled, but our backs became the pages of life,

And the whips made their mark on us.

We died papa, even before death rescued us

But papa, do not forget this:

We are silhouettes that won't feel the face of a new dawn,

And  remember that when dream falls, actuality becomes a mirage

I go papa, never to return to you.

02-12-2017

#Libya

#NoToSlavery

#NigerianPoet

#Poetry

NB: 'Baami' literally means 'my father' in Yoruba (one of Nigeria's major language)

Editor's Note
This piece paints very deep pictures of the trending slavery problem in Libya (Africa). The poet Abiola Inioluwa is a poet/singer and a spoken word artiste based in Lagos-Nigeria.

THEY ARE CHILDREN (A REVIEW BY BANKOLE KOLAWOLE)

In 2 minutes 39 seconds, SunSamPaul De Philosopher with mesmerizing play on words brings a message against child marriage. For the girl-child, It's a dwelling of hope.

"They are the leaders of tomorrow, yet we place them with different 'arrows'. Let's give them a pen, not a penis, ask for their books, not their boobs", these catch-phrases will linger longer in the minds of listeners and/or viewers.

Quite impressive, judging by the length of this. Afterall, brevity is the soul of poetry!
Succinctly, the biggest room in the world remains that of improvement, though the graphic representation of those characters mentioned can be better shown, and the 'elder sisters...' line needs a second touch, for safer landing.

Keep burning Paul, no solvent will derail you!

Bankole Kolawole

Poet/Essayist, Spoken Word Artiste

Lagos-Nigeria.

SOS PRODUCES IBUKUN AJAGBE'S SPOKEN WORD VIDEO!

Spoken word poetry is gradually becoming household 'art' in the home of Nigerian entertainment industry, very educating, inspiring and entertaining.

Here DeMasquerMedia decides to shoot Ibukun Ajagbe (IBK)'s first ever spoken word video, "WHO HE REALLY IS" having found her GCGT winning performance published on SoundOfSages (SOS) facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/soslams/videos/1218768394842723/)

 We bring you a preview copy of IBK's WHO HE REALLY IS...

WHO IS HE?

In this Godly relationship 
He doesn't just test you like a test tube with no use
He doesn't twist words like a tongue twister but tutors you without confusing you so don't just test the technique of my tenses 
Better yet tap into the testament of my testimony without tapping out from the tent of the Almighty 
He is the Alpha that takes us far
The Mighty God in battle who does not wrestle but settles 
He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He can never be bribed like Judas 
Even at the sight of the state of the economy he can never betray use for pieces of silver like Judas Iscariot
He is the King who forgives and told us to forgive 70 x 7 times that even when the dock crowed twice and Peter denied Jesus thrice. He didn't revenge despite
He is a God of commitment
He won't come to you with signs of retreat or run his way away like sonic cause he would fit perfectly in your heart without being claustrophobic 
And he would fix your brokenness like an orthopedics
Don't just search for him in Lagos when He is wider than the expanse of Eti-Osa
Stop seeking for a sign of lightening when He is not the god of Sango neither does He reside in Oyo 
He is not a surgeon but touches every part of our sick bones as our saviour for his spirit to swim and sink deep for an atmosphere to sit in 
Now let's watch as he purposely plucks out pain piercing out skin to its peak giving us a place of peace to heal

There is no healing without God's touch so romantic it soothes my heart
He is a God of free and fair and doesn't judge you based on what you wear, right jeans, ripped jeans but a trace of his genes when he created US right from genesis
He is the Prince of peace who has made us his masterpiece 
I is the eternal rock of ages who does not age nor change
He is the lile of the valley who gives blessing to the belly
He is a God who doesn't work with time yet he never delays like Nigerian time
He is a God of oxygen who exhaled so I can inhale the breath of the maker because U is the way maker. Romantic lover, compassionate father out contender
He is a lot of things that my head cannot comprehend
HE is not a shooter without aim but arrests the enemy without nail
HE is the trinity, the three in 1 unity. The father the son and the Holy Spirit
Our superhero unit who saves us from all out enemy so we could live for eternity without a penalty

We need to embrace his sovereignty 

We shouldn't stand still when he hasn't made us a mannequin
Let's boast in His glory cause he has given us a perfect story 
Our History is now a direct opposite of His Story
So if you ever feel worried terrified horrified depressed rejected confused scared and doubt his goodness
He needs you to remember that He is the I am that i am
And I am has sent me to tell you 
It is okay 
Cause he is God

TOBI NERI ON ACTORSUNLEASHED TV REALITY SHOW

Hello!

Here on LinesNLYrics, our true identity lies in the beauty of arts. And supporting a brilliant, hard-working communicator isn't far from our thing. We bring you Abodunrin Oluwatobi Neri.

Tobi Neri is that wonderful Tiwantiwa Entertainment TV Host, on African Magic Yoruba (Tiwantiwa tnt TV). She's currently in ACTORS UNLEASHED TV Reality show and needs your votes to get out of that 'shell' with a brand new car, One Million Naira, movie contract with Cross Rivers State Government (Nigeria) and many more..

Show starts today with 35 other wonderful contestants .. streaming link will be available soon

She is contestant No 2! AS IN TWO. THAT TWO THAT IT TAKES TO TANGLE ,,YES FIGURE 2

To get more updates on voting et al. Kindly follow her on instagram
@abiodunoluwatobineri or @teamtobineri or follow Bankole Kolawole @bankolekolawole ..

Also follow @actorsunleashed instagram account for pictures and videos of what's and what's not in the house..

Watch this space!

There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra by Chinua Achebe – Review by Noo Saro-Wiwa. (2011)

No writer is better placed than Chinua Achebe to tell the story of the Nigerian Biafran war from a
cultural and political perspective. Yet, apart from an interview with Transition magazine in 1968
and a book of Biafran poems, Nigeria's most eminent novelist has kept a literary silence about
the civil war in which he played a prominent role – until now. In his engrossing new memoir,
There Was A Country, Achebe, now 81, finally speaks about his life during the conflict that
nearly tore Nigeria apart in the late 60s.

In many ways, the early part of Achebe's life mirrors the story of early Nigeria. Nicknamed "Dictionary", Achebe was a gifted Igbo student and enthusiastic reader, a member of the "Lucky Generation" of young students who rubbed shoulders at top institutions under the tutelage of Oxbridge colonials. They were effortlessly absorbed into the media, industry and civil service, serving a Nigeria driven by optimism on its way to freedom from British rule.

By independence in 1960, Igbo people dominated commerce and the public sector in a land where the three biggest ethnic groups (the Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo) were jostling for supremacy. Achebe attributes Igbo domination to their self-confidence, inherent democratic values and adaptability, which were suited to Nigeria's modernising economy. But many Nigerians resented it, and Achebe admits that the Igbo could be cocky, brash and materialistic, though he rejects the popular suspicion that there was a pan-Igbo agenda to control Nigeria – his people have too strong an "individualistic ethic".

Six years after independence, corruption and electoral rigging preceded a military coup that overthrew Nigeria's first prime minister, the Muslim northerner, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Although most of the coup-plotters were Igbo, Achebe disputes that it was an "Igbo" coup, partly on the basis that its leader, Major Nzeogwu, had grown up in the north and was Igbo in name only. Nevertheless, the murder of Nigeria's northern leaders led to pogroms in which 30,000 Igbos living in the north were killed. The bloodshed culminated in General Emeka Ojukwu's declaration in 1967 that the Igbos' south-eastern region would secede from a country in which his people "felt unwanted".

Fearing the disintegration of Nigeria, the government blocked the secession with military force, backed by a UK government keen to protect its oil interests. Profoundly disappointed by this turn of events, Achebe left his job at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation in Lagos and returned with his family to the south-east, now calling itself the Republic of Biafra. The Nigerian army launched a three-pronged attack to subdue the Biafrans, who fought back assiduously despite being out-resourced. Achebe describes a wartime spirit that inspired Biafran engineers to build army tanks out of reinforced Range Rovers and to invent the infamous ogbunigwe (bucket bomb) with devastating effect. Though he abhors violence, Achebe cites these as evidence of the quality of the Nigerian people, and he laments the corruption that strangled such ingenuity.

In the middle chapters, memoir gives way to largely neutral historical analysis, with Achebe citing a range of voices, media reports and books. There are interesting insights into the war's two central players: Biafra's leader Ojukwu and Nigerian president, General Yakubu Gowon, both Sandhurst-trained young men. Rivalries between them and within their teams "confounded political science models". Possessing little administrative experience, the two men pursued ego-driven policies, and missed opportunities to end the conflict sooner. Achebe cites Biafran diplomat Raph Uwechue, who accused Ojukwu of choosing ideology over pragmatism when he rejected relief supplies from the British.

In the following chapters, Achebe's personal story re-emerges. Despite the war, he lived a remarkably productive life. Driven by his belief in the political obligations of the writer, he became Biafra's international envoy, promoting the cause in Canada, Europe and Senegal. He set up a publishing company with his close friend Chris Okigbo, and became Biafra's communications minister, writing a manifesto for the republic. He describes being part of an intellectual elite that came together to recreate a Biafran microcosm of Nigeria's early spirit, their ideals drawn from a mix of traditional Igbo philosophy, US-style liberalism and socialism.

As the federal army closed in, Achebe and his family moved from town to town before settling in his father's village. The atrocities proved inescapable: at a market, Achebe's wife Christie saw a bomb split a pregnant woman in two. Achebe relays such horrors – including the deaths of his mother and friend Okigbo – with stoic brevity; his strongest expressions of sorrow are his poems, such as the famous "Refugee Mother and Child". Reproduced from his 1971 Biafran poetry book Beware, Soul Brother, these verses are scattered between chapters, offering affecting interludes.

As the conflict dragged on, Biafra buckled under a blockade so brutal it provoked an international outcry: mass starvation, kwashiorkor and mental illness devastated the Igbo landscape, where vultures, those "avian prognosticators of death", circled overhead. Biafra was the world's first properly televised conflict, and millions across the world were appalled by the horrors flickering on their screens. Such people as Joan Baez, John Lennon, Martin Luther King and Karl Vonnegut galvanised international responses to the tragedy, in an age before "Africa fatigue" had set in.

By the time hostilities ended in 1970, three million Biafrans had died, in contrast to 100,000 casualties on the federal side. Igbos weren't mere casualties of war, Achebe insists, but victims of calculated genocide. Ojukwu, meanwhile, escaped to live in exile in Côte d'Ivoire, inviting accusations of cowardice. Achebe rationalises this move on the basis that if the Biafran leader had stayed in Nigeria, Gowon would have been less magnanimous and conciliatory towards Igbos after the war.

Igbos were reintegrated into Nigerian society, but still faced economic discrimination. Achebe offers an excerpt of an interview in which Gowon tries to justify the crippling £20 flat fee given to every Biafran wanting to convert their Biafran currency back to the Nigerian naira. This sense of persecution still persists today: Achebe believes that Igbo people are the engine of Nigeria's advancement, stifled by a corrupt elite that prefers power and mediocrity to meritocracy. Igbo ostracisation, he says, is "one of the main reasons for the country's continued backwardness".

Some might call this supremacism, but Achebe is ultimately a Nigerian patriot who sympathises

with ordinary Igbos, rather than any broad Igbo power structure.

The final chapter is an exhortation to better governance, in which he examines corruption, ethnic bigotry, state failure and the steps Nigeria must take to rehabilitate itself. This prescriptive wish list reminds us of the gap between theory and practice in Nigerian politics; it makes you pine for the likes of Achebe to govern. But sadly, he's not writing a manifesto; instead, we have in There Was A Country an elegy from a master storyteller who has witnessed the undulating fortunes of a nation, which – unlike young "Dictionary" – has yet to fulfill its potential.

SOS POETRY SLAM IS HERE #AUGUST19

If you haven't heard rhymes that clap like drums, here is SOS Poetry Slam 2.0 #August19

TO BE WON!

Winner                         N25,000.00 (plus other exciting gift items)

1st Runner-Up              N15,000.0  (plus other exciting gift items)

2nd Runner-Up             N10,000.00 (plus other exciting gift items)

To enter for the slam, send “SOS POETRY SLAM 2.0” with the below information to soundofsages@gmail.com

Stage Name

Instagram/Twitter Handle

Facebook Name

Location

Account Name

Account Number

Please, ensure your account details is correctly written, as it is the only means you get your cash prize, should you emerge any of our finalists.

Lots of prizes to be won by both competitors and the attendees

BREAK THE SILENCE!

SOUL ERRAND
By : Busy Brain

Behold, the gentle soul on the tour
to  the world beyond
It's wrapped in a white gown
with a rope tied around
like a mad man in chains.

What has come over the hand
that failed to bade us the last farewell ?
What has come over the legs
that refused to maintain the stand on the feet ?
What has come over the ears
that harked not to moans and tears of the household ?
What has come over the eyes
that sees not the crowded street in the dark ?

Will the legs stand to walk
and park some properties along ?
Will the hands be placed on akimbo
To pose a smile before the camera once more ?
Alas! Not anymore on earth
for the eyes to see the sightseeing
Not any longer in the world
to hear the calls from the household

Alas, farewell to the world
For the soul is now on  errand.
Here is my condolence piece
May the gentle souls rest in perfect peace.


(*RIP to our fallen heroes and martyrs who weren't proselytes)



OLABANJI ISSA USMAN (BUSYBRAIN) is a prolific writer from Kwara State who have written many articles published on newspapers and magazines. A Journalist-in-training and a Poet with a handful of poems that touches many aspects of human life. Olabanji is also a one-time Best Grammarian at the department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State (2014) with academic excellence. His pen name is tagged BUSY BRAIN. He is a novelist, playwright and a candid writer. He is the editor-in-chief for the Academic Global View Newspaper. He is likewise a Public Relations Practitioner.

WHY FIGURES OF SPEECH (FOS) WILL WIN WAROFWORDS6 - 2017

War of Words Poetry Slam may not be a group-by-group contest, but has always shown a traceable origin of its past winners and runner-ups to the Figures Of Speech Movement (FOS).

When it comes to slam poetry competitions in Nigeria, many enthusiasts would agree that Figures of Speech Movement- one of the fastest rising literary platforms in sub-saharan Africa has produced more champions and runner-ups than any other literary platform. Doubt this? Well, let's take a cursory look at these:


SLAM CHAMPIONS FROM FOS MOVEMENT

*War of words 3(2014) - Graciano Enwerem
*War of Words 4(2014)- Paul Word (#WOW6 contestant)
*Be Blessed (BB)10 (2015)- Prestige Ifeanyi Bernard
*Abuja Literary Slam (2015) - Kemistree Bakare
*Eko Poetry Slam (2015) - Joy Nnebuogo Nwanokwai (JYC) (#WOW6 contestant)
*SOS Poetry Slam 1.0 -‘16 Toby Abiodun (#WOW6 contestant)
*Be Blessed (BB)12 (2016)   Ajijola Habeeb Da Beloved (#WOW6 contestant)
*Eriata Oribhabor Spoken Call '15- BlueFlames Echebiri Gabriella
*Eriata Oribhabor Spoken Call '16- Paul Word
*Abuja Literary Slam 1st Quarter (2017) - Falade Kolawole (PariOlodo)



POETRY SLAM RUNNER-UPS FROM FOS ALUMNI*

*War of words 3(2014)
*1st Runner-Up – Aquila McRansom Kalagbor (Co-Founder, FOS)
*2nd Runner-Up – I Am Rage

*War of words 4 (2014)
1st Runner-Up - Olayinka Samson Aremu
2nd Runner-Up - Igbor Clemency Green (#WOW6 contestant)
*War Of Words 5 (2015)
1st Runner-Up - Adigun Olusola Clinton - (#WOW6 contestant)
2nd Runner-Up - Bankole Kolawole (#WOW6 contestant)


*Abuja Literary Slam (2015)
2nd Runner-Up - Olayinka Samson Aremu
*Abuja Literary Slam (2016)
1st Runner-Up - Olayinka Samson Aremu
*Abuja Literary Slam (2016) 3rd Quarter
2nd Runner-Up - Graciano Enwerem
*Abuja Literary Slam (2017) 1st Quarter
2nd Runner-Up - Gracely (Grace Abayo)
*Abuja Literary Slam (2017) 2nd Quarter
3rd Runner-Up - Celina Kile


*Be Blessed 10 (2015)
Be Blessed 13 (2016)
*1st Runner up - Njoku Henry Fr33zinPaul
2nd Runner-Up - Abiola Inioluwa Oluwaseun

*Eriata Oribhabor Spoken (Poetry) Call (2015)
1st Runner-Up - Prestige Ifeanyi Bernard
2nd Runner-Up - Njoku Henry Fr33zinPaul (#WOW6 contestant)
*Eriata Oribhabor Spoken (Poetry) Call (2016)
2nd Runner-Up – Oyeyiola-Ourias Oyinkansola Adesewa


*Onkowe TalkTheWord Poetry Slam 2015
1st Runner-Up - Adeola Adegoke (#WOW6 contestant)


All the above are currently members of FOS, most of whom have become key pillars, actively learning, teaching, mentoring and training one another, in  this trending art of spoken word poetry recitation and performance. Hence, it would be totally unnecessary to argue with facts and figures. These words were not written to fan the ego centres of the founders of FOS or anything near, but to remind contestants of what the slam would likely be. Just like Basket-Mouth, one of Nigeria's foremost stand-up Comedian says, "there are only two things involved."  So, the winner is either a Figure or a Figurehead.

Most times, the most poetic poets do not win, but the smartest ones having the calmest attention for details with the ability to follow rules and regulations guiding the slam.

So far, out of a total of 40 entrants for this year's War Of Words 6 Slam Poetry Competition, FOS has 16 out of which 10 are either multiple slam champions or runner-ups at major slams in Nigeria, sure to make the final cut of 15 for the grand finale. This can be gathered from critically examining the videos submitted so far, without any sentimental attachment.

So, if you're a contestant and do not belong to FOS, then there are two things involved: It's either you're entering "based on logistics" or you fell in love with Figures. I'm sure  "the rest can rest in the skulls of  'bonafide'  vagabonds" , in the words of Poet Ademuyiwa James.

Let me add that, seeing through these pompous facts and figures, you don't have to be a Figure to figure how things would turn out at the grand finale!


©BankHALL™ (May.10.2017)
Poet/Essayist, Spoken Word Artiste based in Lagos-Nigeria.

THE INSANITY OF HAKEEM ONILOGBO

Here on Lines N Lyrics we have always brought to your view, mind-blowing creators of art and the likes. This time it's the ingenuity and insane creativity of Hakeem Onilogbo that struck our attention. This young MAD Make-up Artiste is arguably the most outstanding make-up artist in Africa currently. To say that he's the best ever Nigerian make-up/

artiste isn't a gain statement, neither will that blow up any hyperbole you may think of.

Without any formal training, Hakeem does bizarre, unthinkable make-ups/costumes for movie makers, artistes, dancers, multinational artwork companies etc.  Words will fail woefully in attempting to write out the genius in Hakeem. Pictures speak  far better...

a little brief from the words of Hakeem... (from an interview he granted http://www.misykona.com/)

I started my trade 8 years ago with the Yoruba film making genre of Nollywood. Initially, I had wanted to be an actor, I did not have any formal training nor mentors but I invested in my make-up art talents. I realized that I could do replica of anything I see without being taught. It was quite challenging because no one was ready to accept me and those that did gave me a lowly pay. Afterwards, I met a Nollywood actor, Ernest obi, who gave me a chance to work on his set,he gave me an opportunity to showcase my work to other Nollywood film makers. I am also currently working on several cinema projects now across Africa, God Choose me and trained me and sent me forth to start special effect. The brand slogan: “I am nothing but just a pencil in the hand of my creator” continually gives me a reason to work harder to achieve more progress.

 I don’t have any formal training whatsoever but like I said earlier God gave me power to replicate.

Hakeem Onilogbo recently bagged "Best Make-Up Artiste" at the prestigious African Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (2016) .


Born Hakeem Onilogbo Ajibola on Sunday, March 5, 1978.

See more of his works at
Instagram: @hakeemeffect
https://www.facebook.com/HakeemEffect/

Bankole KolawoleCurator; Lines&Lyrics, SoundOfSages Poetry Enclave.
poet/essayist, spoken-word artiste based in Lagos-Nigeria.WhatsApp:08127745061

Instagram: @bankolekolawole

Facebook.com/bankole.kolawole.7