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LFMD, Abuja (2025)

02/06/2021

BBQ
‘God is not just going to start working on your request/prayers. It’s already provided for!’

CIRCA Jan 2020
One of the very many little pleasures of life I seem to be very fond of is barbecuing and having family and friends around to enjoy some burnt offerings with!
Nothing beats a few animals giving their lives for the just cause of entertaining our palette on the way to filling our tummies.
I love having barbeques, seriously, I could cook up any reason to have one weekly if not that my COO; Mrs. B, had to place an embargo on barbeques (rightly so) after we had a security breach that ended with some disappearing by awon boys.

So, it was with great joy, when she agreed (after serious lobbying, subtle blackmail and did I mention more lobbying and begging) to having a barbeque cm end of year Thanksgiving last December, it’s been almost 4 years since we had the last one.
If you've ever had friends over for a barbeque , one very obvious fact is that regardless of the number of animals that gave their lives, people can never have enough, especially with Mrs. B's special marinade and accompanying side dishes. So, the smart thing to do is reserve some flesh, so that the relevant ‘stakeholders’ (those who made everything come together for a fantastic evening; those that helped fan the barbeque fire, served guests with drinks, those that clean up after everyone's gone, the in-house DJ etc.), would partake of the goodness that is the barbeque! This is an insider secret (note if you come asking for more after you've been told it's finished, IT IS FINISHED!)

Anyways back to that December, we had friends, family and loved ones over for a special Christmas Carol get together. There was a lot of singing, reading of scriptures, laughing, dancing and all manner of fun and eating.
After a few hours of attending to guests, MissI approached yours truly at the barbeque corner and the following conversation ensued
"Hmmm..... Daddy how many of the chicken is remaining in the bucket?“ Referring to the bowls used to hold prepared chicken in transit to the grill.
I responded "just half a bucket remains o!"
"Whaaaaat! Out of 3 buckets, Daddy I have not eaten o. Please grill some chicken for me” she concluded and sauntered off to attend to another guest.

For the next three quarters of an hour, she kept popping by intermittently to remind me of her chicken!
Unknown to her, the stakeholders' portions of chicken were the first set I grilled and reserved. As I rounded up the last set of protein on the grill and handed them out to newly arrived guests, she accosted me with a deep frown that made her even look cuter (she doesn't like been called cute, I don't know why! says cute is for puppies)
"Where is my chicken daddy?" Her frown turned to a beautiful smile as I brought out a serving of grilled chicken and numerous accompaniments for her. “God saved you! Thanks Daddy” she said as she snatched the tray from me and hopped away!

I smiled inwardly as I tidied up the grill area. A thought just rang strong within me. You know that as I had prepared a portion ahead for MissI (even before she asked), our Father has prepared every good thing for us, He is not unaware of our needs and He is never caught unprepared for our requests. It is not when we were about to accept salvation that He asked Jesus to go and die for our sins, It was done before the foundations of the earth (Rev13:8) and everything you can EVER ask for,
He has ALREADY provided (Eph3:20), ours is to ASK, BELIEVE and APPROPRIATE!

SELAH!!!
(Had to add that, makes the write-up feel DEEP! 😜😜😜!)

23/05/2021

LONG READ ALERT!!!

THE INTERVIEW
Dateline: A few decades ago.

Woke up after a rather restless night during which I had little sleep. Looked at the clock on the wall, it read a few minutes past 4AM. I dragged myself off the bed. A splash of water on the face and I was alert! Today was the D day gan gan! I was scheduled for a panel interview with my then dream bank (my dream changed at least once more afterwards); CITIZENS BANK! For anyone who was aware of the financial sector then, CITIZENS was one of them COOL banks led by the impressive Chika Mbonu (God, where is that man?)
I was enthralled or should I say infatuated by the thought of the young leading such an entity, after all we were used to old men being bank MDs of the big 4 then (First, UBA, IBWA, UNION) and the fact that the guy, Chika, was a committed worker in Freedom Hall (an urbane outreach branch of RCCG led by the suave but deeply spiritual; Dr. Tony Rapu).

Anyways, back to my story, not only did I have an interview, I also had a wedding to attend with my then fiancée now wifey; Mrs. B. The coolest thing about attending the wedding with her, (the bride was of one of her sisters’ friends, can't remember who specifically now), was that it was an acceptance into inner caucus of the 'sisthren' (if you know you know, almost equal to being accepted in the beloved, na joke o!)

Both events were slated for Victoria Island. I’d promised to meet up with them at the wedding after my interview (abi how man go do, he no fit follow babe forgo gainful employment na, Mrs B, if you're reading this you know you are worth more than a trillion US$)

Jumped into the bathroom (not even sure I said a word of prayer), did my do and came out. Looked at my ever faithful, ever reliable, bottom box, 4-button COAT (note I didn’t say SUIT, the coat get history). it was made by one of my guys then Henry, been sporting custom made couture a la Savile row from way back, no be today! The shoulder pad no get part 2! Gawd! I was dressed to impress (in my mind!), mehnnnn... I was brimming with utmost confidence!

Said my byes to the people at home and embarked on my journey for my 8AM interview. Had to jump a few Molues; can you imagine entering molue at 5 in the morning with all manner of people; fish sellers, pepper sellers, fellow applicants like yourself. Had to pay for an extra seat for some part of the journey, (make dem no use fish basket smell spoil this fine boy’s coat!!)

Finally arrived at the imposing (it seemed then) head office of the bank on Ahmadu Bello Way in Victoria Island a little after 7AM!
Fast forward a few hours, I finally sat before some executive management staff at around 10ish.
After a rather series of questions, one of my interviewers asked a seemingly innocuous question "What is you greatest aspiration?"
If you are familiar with job interviews, you know that at this point, you are expected to paint a picture of a serious sounding and ambitious professional in that field of endeavour.

You were expected to say something like "I hope to be a great banker, after reaching branch manager position in 5-6 years, I hope reach the peak of my banking career as MD of so so and so bank, etc..." I had mastered that line having attended one or two interviews prior.

As I opened my mouth in response, it was the look of shock on their faces that made me listen to what I had just spat out,
"I would love to be the best Dad I can ever be to my family"
Eewwwooo! Even me sef confuse small, suddenly the panel seemed rather animated, all speaking simultaneously.
"Is you father late?
Did he abandon you and your siblings?
Did you have an absentee father scenario?
Were some of the questions asked. I used the ensuing drama to search my head and heart for where my response came from. I had to do this in a few short seconds and come up with a reasonable answer that should sound convincing to them.

To the questions raised, I answered in the negative, So why “your best Dad response” my interviewers asked.

I responded thus; "The family is the bedrock of the society and if anything good was to come out of any family or any community, each member of the family MUST play their part well. In being a good father, I will be responsible for the upkeep emotionally, economically and spiritually for my family. In order to do that I must be the best husband to my wife, the best dad to my kids, the best son to my parents and the best brother to my siblings. For me to be the best in all that, I must be the best at my job and aspire for excellence in delivering for my employers’ utmost value for them to in turn reward me with increased earnings and promotions”

For a few seconds, I thought I had ‘misyarned’ as they were very quiet until a smile broke out on the face of the lead interviewer, I realised that I had aced the interview, na to meet Chika remain(that will be gist for another day!)

Back to the present, I am blessed with an awesome family; my very beautiful Mrs. B and two wonderful teenage daughters; MizLu and MissI ! I find it a great priviledge to be called daddy and it's been a most educating, enlightening and humbling journey.
It’s a new day a new lesson with these kids (How fast they seem to grow)! When you thought you had them deciphered, they will just pull out a rabbit from the hat! Can I get an Amen from somebody?

Every day, I pray earnestly to be able to live up to my greatest aspirations, it's not been easy, I know say i dey fall hand sometimes, but God always dey my back!

One of my favourite experiences being a dad, is time spent with my daughters at different stages of their growth. From infancy, to playing horsey and bouncing castle, to school runs (I loved them but not the stress!), to arguing and trying to make them see your point as young adults, it's been one ongoing learning experience.
It has been an avenue to experience what my heavenly Father feels when he looks at us; the love, the anger, the disappointment, the pride and everlasting love for your own regardless. It has helped me appreciate my relationship with God a bit more!

So come on this journey with me as I share a few of my experiences and learn from yours too in LESSONS FROM MY DAUGHTERS!

NB
Not to worry I was able to still meet up with the wedding, had a nice time (one of the many weddings I attended that are still thriving till date)

DISCLAIMER:
While I cannot verify all that I write here are accurate accounts, I can assure you that it is the best I can recollect. Some writings might be factional!

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