For my girl… and yours!

Every year since the year 2011, the world has celebrated the Girl Child and every year has had its unique theme.

Basically, this day was created to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.  I will not go into the history of this and all and if you want to know, google is ya friend…😁

This year, the 11th of October was the day for the girl child and the theme was ‘Invest in the Girls’ rights: Our leadership, Our wellbeing.’ Straight to the point abi? So I do not need to say anything more about this. The theme says it all. 

What amazes me though is the fact that even now, there are people who do not think the girl child needs or deserves to the ‘invested’ in. It is funny because when I look around me, I see the girl child doing great things, I see girls breaking all kinds of records, I see girls achieving so much, I see girls making their parents proud in every aspect of life. 

I do not understand it as everyday when I look at  my child, I am always in awe! 

My girl.The past week, I got emotional whenever I looked at her; thinking about how she was about to turn one already. 

I know right? No be yesterday I born am?

*wipes lone tear*

See ehn, one thing this momma knows for sure is that I am going to invest in her rights, in her well-being and in everything that concern her and I know I have to start this investment now. I have to start sowing seeds in her life, I have to start calling forth things that are not as though they were. I know I have to ‘speak’ the kind of life I want her to have in future. 

My first choice of investment in her life is prayer. 

My Pwavira… my little feisty munchkin with the sloppiest kisses, as your mother, I bless you! 

As your mother, I speak grace, grace, grace, grace upon your life.

As your mother, I pray the fruits of the Spirit grow and manifest in you. 

I speak the blessings of a mother over you.

My girl. 

My gift from God, the favored of God… amen to your aunt TBK prayer; you will surely run, overtake and win always!

I stand upon The Word as I declare no weapon fashioned against you shall prosper; the Lord shall contend with anyone who contends with you… 

Pwavira, you will excel in all you do. You will reach the peak of any mountain you choose to climb.

Your name will be heard and you will be known in your generation for greatness. 

You will be humble even as you excel, you will know empathy, you will love and I pray you be loved the way you want to be loved and the way you deserve to be loved.

May laughter never cease in your life… 

May your beauty within surpass your physical beauty.

Mamah, as you turn one today, I do not have the words to express my gratitude to God for these 365 days shared with you. I have felt all kinds of emotions, I have discovered emotions I did not know existed… 

All I can say for now is Usoko Homumpwa!

And to every ‘girl child’ in my life, I pray same for you. I look forward to seeing you all grow and become the bests and greatests in your generations.  My Keeks, my Ro, Zee & Mimi, Jayda & Tehila, Ace, Isabel, Eneyi, Kidada, Lentapwa, Sophia, Kamila, Zara, Carla &Casey, Mitchel & Maya, Pearl, Ruby, Zoe, Aafreen & Salma, Lolu, Beulah, Tabitha, Vira & Pwamoreino, Finyi, Yasmin & Nadine, Abby, Kayla, Jayda, Cordelia, Khadija, Jahzeerah & Jacqlin, Jaleesah, Petra & Epiphany, Sheila & Janelle, Michelle, Latisha & Tehila, Aurelia, Aisha & Sa’adatu, Kiiva & Talia, Diane, Ellen and my brand new babies, Esther and Elizabeth… 

I pray your worth is seen, I pray for the grace and strength and provision for us parents to invest in your lives, I really can’t wait to see who you all grow up to become, I however know that you will make us proud, I know you will break and shatter whatever glass ceiling you choose to aim. Stay loved, babies!

To our dear angel baby, Kasinma, you were dearly loved.  You are still loved and sorely missed. 🕊

Today, I celebrate mine and every amazing little girl in our worlds.

xoxo

Ps: Inzei and Lu, you too… 😁

So this is how they ‘use’ to do true true?

People of God! Let me gist you about the first time I got invited to a birthday dinner at a restaurant. 

You’re wondering why this is worth writing about abi? Well, it is because it is one of those birthday parties that I have been hearing about where you attend and you pay for what you eat! 

Ehen, now you see why it is something to write about abi? Especially for someone who the Naija is still very very strong in. The way I know it is you get invited, you dress up on the day of and go, you chop plenty food and come back home very happy… so as not to feel bad that you’ve chop awoof, you buy gift. Abi that’s the point of buying ‘present’, no?

Anyways, though I had initially planned not to stay for the dinner party as I did not have a babysitter, but had to ‘show face’, the plan was to go there, sit and make small talk for about 10 mins, drop the celebrant’s birthday gift, apologize and leave. But as I was sitting and waiting for my 10 mins oh… just because I am polite na… that is how the server came to ask how the payment was going to be.

Now, tell me why this server decided to stand in my very before to ask ‘are you paying individually or as a group?’ I was trying to unlook and brother man was looking straight at me. 

In my head I was thinking ‘Oga, did they send you to me?

Did you see me eat anything?

Can’t you see I am trying to unlook?

Honestly, it felt very very uncomfortable especially as I wasn’t even sure what their plan was as it was a surprise birthday dinner for the celebrant. So there I was sitting uncomfortably not sure what the plan even was! 

Anyways, someone eventually answered and said ‘we’ll pay individually’ and the Naija in me sha thought ‘ah! So this is how you people use to do true true true’ so what if I had come in my true Naija ‘come chop’ mode without money to pay? That’s how I would have been drinking water and eating the free bread rolls,  smiling and nodding? Abi I would have rolled sleeves and washed plates after the parry?

Is it good? 

Ko da now! 

See this cultural differences? Though not all of them are shocking they will always be a thing. Some still amaze me and I just shrug at some and I don’t give some second thoughts anymore. But one thing I know for sure is that I am and will still be a Naija girl and a strong arewa one always. I just have to get used to how they do things here. But please, I like free food, lets be guided!

Till next time…

xoxo