Please see below 4 trusted ways to make fun in the work place either as an employee or a business owner:

Have a Game Area/ Create a Game for Yourself

If you want to stay happy and motivated, it is highly recommended that you take regular breaks. When there is a fun and relaxing breakout area outside the usual work desk with games like Snooker, Scramble or just a nice background blues, it helps to clear the mind. Imagine having a chit-chat about projects over the Snooker table, giving everyone a fresh new perspective to take back to their various desks. If your work environment does not support this kind of fun. make one for yourself!

 Have a Regular Team Bonding Session to Encourage Friendship

The best way to form collaborative culture is not to pay huge sum for team building training but to socialise more with your colleagues. This could be achieved by going on regular day/night (weekends) time out with your team. Going out together as a team is a great way to get everyone having fun and forming relationships outside of work that could inspire collaboration back in the office. A popular writer once said “‘best friend’ at work are up to 7 times more engaged than those who aren’t”.

 Decorate Your Work Space

You spend a huge proportion of your time at work so it’s important not to hate your office. If you want to enjoy being at work, make sure your work space looks attractive and interesting like you have your house. This is a key point for productivity.

Sought for Feedback

Getting feedback is an important way to improve performance at work. But sometimes, it can be hard to seek out, and even harder to hear. So always seek feedback from your colleagues or even subordinate at the end of the work-day. Remember, getting feedback is about improving your performance, not turning it into a “you versus them” mentality. Your reaction is critical. Do not rationalise the feedback or explain it away. Do not blame others or get angry. If you react in any of those ways, you are less apt to get accurate feedback from that person again.

Finally, Regardless of your situation and the demands on your time, with a little bit of creativity and careful planning, you can carve out time for the things that matter most; things that brings you happiness. Use these stated strategies and start seeing improvement in your productivity.

Photo Credit: Google Image

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Susan almost lost her mind when she answered the door bell to her apartment, seeing her mother-in-law at the door post with her luggage. Mama, this time around, came with Nkiru a far distance relative. Mama just left Susan’s home 2 weeks ago after staying for a month. Susan in her shocked state flashed a smile welcoming her mother-in-law and Nkiru with a warm reception.

“Obi, did mama tell you she will be coming to Lagos” Susan asked her husband over the phone. Apparently mama decided to stop by without prior notice again, her last stay was a living hell for Susan, Mama complains about everything “Too much salt in the food, too much Maggi, too much pepper, why are you wasting my son’s money buying gas can’t you cook with fire wood” who does that in the city, cook with fire wood!

Susan had made up her mind to opt out of her 18 months marriage, if her husband continues to keep mute concerning his mother`s monstrous attitude.

So many marriages have ended within a short period of exchanging marital vows due to the mother-in-laws inability to limit their interference in the children’s marriage. This has made their daughter in-laws see them as a “monster-in-law” instead of a mother-in law.

Below are steps on how to deal with a “monster- in -law” in the name of a mother-in-law.

Tell Your Spouse to Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries in relationships are very important. Both parents should have their bounds and not wholly interfere in the affairs of their married children except it is highly essential/ their attention is needed.

Sometimes an unscheduled visits by parents/relatives of either spouses may be allowed. However, it is important to set the boundaries to prevent this from being an everyday occurrence.

Good Cop and Bad Cop

The perception you create about your spouse determines how your family/relatives will perceive him/her. Never talk down about your spouse whether to your mother or siblings. It indirectly creates an impression and affects the relationship between them. Irrespective of the character, attitude, issues and differences you may be going through, portray your spouse in a good way, it ensure they get along very well. However, there are cases where the family intervention will be needed, you would need to apply discretion and deal with this in a matured way. 

Appreciate Their Advice Whether You Heed To It or Not

When your mother-in-law offers unsolicited advice either you are interested or not, Ensure you listen attentively, acknowledge that she’s your mother-in-law and thus she is well experienced. Do not in anyway show that you are the tiniest bit disinterested in whatever she says. After the conversation, thank her, let her know that you would make sure to apply the pieces of advice. As a matured married lady who wants to sustain her home, you should be able to sieve through messages, select those which is best applicable and will work for your home then discard the rest. If you go the route of challenging your mother-in-law and showing that you care less about what she says you would be on a journey of creating a rift between you both.

Avoid Escalating Conflict

Visualize scenarios which gets you irritated when your in laws are around come up with a solution before having physical contact with them. In all you do, try avoid those scenarios so as to prevent conflict. Whenever conflicts arise try talk it out with your mother-in-law and respond honestly. Avoid being rude, be firm and polite.

Get Friendly

This comes up when you are left alone with your in law in the house, once you feel the atmosphere is becoming awkward try come up with chit chats, gists and warm up to your in-laws, this will make her know you both can have a cordial relationship.

Recognize Progress When You See It

No one is perfect, always remember your mother-in-law is a human with faults. It is at times difficult for a parent to bond with her new son-or daughter-in-law. They sometime see as if they are being replaced. As soon as you notice progress in your relationship with your mother –in-law make sure you embrace it.

Try Understand Common Problems Between You And Your Mother-In-Law

Are you tired of having a strained relationship with your mother-in-law? It is safe to notice the common problems , scenarios and situations that cause conflicts between you both, try to avoid them and create an atmosphere conducive to enable that you get along.

The post Monster-In-Law Or Mother-In-Law? 7 Steps to Having a Blissful Marriage appeared first on Hermaze | Relationship, Beauty, Fashion, Family Articles for Women.

Genotypes are divided into six- AA, AC, AS, CC, SC and SS. People commonly know about the 4 basic divisions, actually, there are 6 of them; though AC and CC are rare. SS and AC are the sickle cells.

It is important to know that for as many people that know their genotype, there are even yet many more that do not know theirs. Below are reasons why it is important to know your genotype.

1. Marriage Purpose
2. Ignorance
3. Health Purpose

The need for partners to be aware of their genotype before marriage is highly essential to avoid a deadly health implication in marriage. Intending couples should know both their own genotype and their partner’s at the early stage of their relationship before they are deeply rooted in love and emotions. Emotions and time spent in the relationship can affect people’s decision to break up if they are not medically compatible; giving birth to sickle cell children and putting themselves and their children through pain, torture and agony. Parents should check the genotype of their children during pregnancy or immediately after birth. This will help to know the health status of the child and what they have to do to sustain and maintain the child’s health.

“AA” genotype can marry anybody. It is safe for someone with AS to marry someone with AA genotype. The combinations of AS and AS, AS and AC should not be risked. There is probability of having a SS. Although. Two sickle cells should not even have a relationship or get married.

The outcomes of a genetic combination are-

SS & SS: SS, SS, SS, SS

AC & AC: AA, AC, AC, SS

AS & AC: AA, AC, AS, SS

AC &SS: AS, AS, SS, SS

AS & AS: AA, AS, AS, SS

AS & SS: AS, SS, SS, SS

AA & SS: AS, AS, AS, AS

AA & AC: AA, AA, AA, AC

AA & AS: AA, AS, AA, AS

AA &AA: AA, AA, AA, AA

History of Nigeria dates back to the era when the “abikus” were very prominent. Children who died prematurely or right after their births were called “Abikus” This was as a result of Ignorance and lack of proper knowledge on blood group or genotype. If these people were proper fully informed these may have never happened. Thankfully, the advent of modern medicine has provided basic explanation and education hence ignorance no longer is an excuse.

Genotype “AA” carriers are susceptible to malaria sickness in their early ages. Sickle cell “SS” arises when there is a faulty gene that affects how red blood cells develop. When the red blood cells do not have the required oxygen, there will be changes in its original disc shape to a “crescent-like” or”Sickle-like” shape resulting in the name “sickle cell”. Sickle cell patients experience severe pains in body organs that lack oxygen flow. Their bone marrow fails to produce red blood cells and this result to anaemia. Blood transfusion usually saves this anaemic crisis.

You should visit a certified hospital to get your genotype test done because the consequence of not knowing your genotype can be quite fatal and ignorance is not an excuse.

‘Lamide Olajide

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An experienced driver could easily detect when a car is faulty, either from the sound of the car to the colour of the fumes that runs through the exhaust pipe. There are always signs given to ascertain when a car is faulty. The same can be said about a relationship. The good news is that you can be your own mechanic.

Before we waltz through the 4 indicating factors of a failing relationship, remember that conflict itself is not a problem. Conflict is ideally meant to arise when two people with different background, beliefs and upbringing come. This should have no bearing on the success of the relationship if handled properly. Follow each of the strategies provided to overcoming each of the deadly sign-posts.

1. Criticism: Criticism is the expression of disapproval of someone or something on the basis of perceived faults or mistakes. It should not be mistaken for “giving constructive feedback” or a way to seek improvement or change in your partner. Your intention becomes criticism when you focus on your partner’s personality, character, or interests rather than the specific action or behaviour you would like to see changed – “you are terrible at writing, you are so disorganised, you are a big fat liar”…

2. Contempt: Contempt is the feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration. It could be in the form of demeaning comments about your partner to another or direct insults. It could also be in the form of rolling of the eyes and coaching insults within the context of humour.

3. Defensiveness: Denying refers to generally making excuses for your mistakes or the inability to admit one’s wrongs. Being defensive has a tendency of aggravating even a calm person and prevents an issue from resolution. It will make it even difficult to concentrate on larger issues.

4. Stonewalling: Stonewalling can refer to delay or obstruct of your partner’s request by refusing to answer questions or by being evasive. Examples can be: being emotionally far, or lack of emotions. Stonewalling is problematic. It is capable of causing an unresolved divide between two partners – where they both would not be able to constructively explain the reason for their relationship failure.

The post 4 Relationship Problems You Have Not Considered appeared first on Hermaze | Relationship, Beauty, Fashion, Family Articles for Women.

Heinrich Boll Scholarships in Germany for International Students

https://www.boell.de/en/scholarships-application

Deadline: 1 Mar (annual)

Opportunity to study in Germany

DAAD Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance

https://www.daad.de/miniwebs/icostjerusalem/en/24639/index.html

Deadline: 31 July (annual)

Opportunity to study in Germany

DAAD Scholarships in Germany for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses

https://www.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?detail=10000008

Deadline: Aug-Oct (annual)

Opportunity to study in Netherlands

Foundation Rainbow Bridge MBA Scholarships for African and Asian Women

http://www.mba.hec.edu/Fees-Funding/Scholarships/Fondation-Rainbow-Bridge

Deadline: 15 Jun/26 Nov (annual)

Opportunity to study in Paris, France

Leiden University Excellence Scholarships (LexS)

http://prospectivestudents.leiden.edu/scholarships/scholarship/lexs.html

Deadline: 1 Feb/1 Oct 2017 (annual)

Opportunity to study in Netherlands

DRD Scholarships for Sub-Saharan Africans

http://www.drd-sa.org/index.php/scholarships-in-development-studies.html

Deadline: 31 July (annual)

Opportunity to study in Germany

Denmark Government Scholarships for Non-EU Students

http://studyindenmark.dk/study-options/tuition-fees-scholarships

Deadline: varies, Mar-Apr/Sep-Oct

Opportunity to study in Denmark

Curtin University International Research Scholarships

https://scholarships.curtin.edu.au/scholarships/scholarship.cfm?id=2687.0

Deadline: varies

Opportunity to study in Australia

NYU Wagner Public Service Fellowships for African Women

http://wagner.nyu.edu/admissions/financial-aid/fellowships

Deadline: Jan-May (annual)

Opportunity to study in New York, USA

ANGUS-SAWISE Scholarships in Science and Engineering for African Women

http://www.advance-africa.com/Angus-Sawise-Scholarships-for-Women.html

Deadline: 30 November (annual)

Opportunity to study in any African country of your choice

GraçaMachel Scholarships for South African Women

http://www.canoncollins.org.uk/apply/scholarship/grac%CC%A7a-machel-scholarships

Deadline: 28 July (annual)

Opportunity to study in South Africa

Full Distance Learning Scholarships for East and South African Students at London South Bank University

http://www.advance-africa.com/Fully-Funded-Distance-Learning-Scholarships.html

Deadline: 4 May (annual)

Opportunity to pursue your masters online through scholarship

DRD PhD Scholarships in International Development Studies for Sub-Saharan Africans

http://www.drd-sa.org/index.php/scholarships-in-development-studies.html

Deadline: 2 May (annual)

Opportunity to study in Germany

Postgraduate Fellowships for Women Scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa and Least Developed Countries

http://www.owsd.net/career-development/phd-fellowship

Deadline: 31 July (annual)

Access to funding to study in any developed country.

Campbell Fellowship in Social Sciences for Women from Developing Countries

http://www.owsd.net/resources/opportunities

Research Fellowship

Deadline: 1 November (annual)

Opportunity to study in the USA

Leadership and Advocacy Fellowship Program for Women in Africa

https://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/centers-institutes/wlppfp/lawa/

Deadline: Sept (annual)

Opportunity to study in the USA

MMMF Educational Grants in South Africa for Women from Developing Countries

http://www.mmmf-grants.org/home/south-africa-program

Deadline: 30 Aug (annual)

Opportunity to study in South Africa

In the course of the year, we would be expanding on each of these opportunities and discussing tips for a successful application. In the meantime, click on each of the aforementioned website, subscribe for its newsletter and never again will opportunities evade you.

Tomiwa Adeleye

The post Annual Scholarship Opportunities for African Women Overseas appeared first on Hermaze | Relationship, Beauty, Fashion, Family Articles for Women.

How am I expected to live in the same house with him? A man who already calls me an evil child and accuses me of the death of my parents, why has life decided to take its toll on me as I watched uncle Kunle assure Barrister Jide and Aunty Bimpe of how responsible he has become and how he will take care of me like his own, I knew he was bluffing. Surprisingly everybody in the room seemed happy but I knew better.

All I could see was betrayal in his eyes as he flashed his teeth at me across the room, he suddenly stood up  I felt he was stepping out ,which was just a perfect time for me to air my fears about this arrangement, then he stopped right in front of me , he gave me a hug and said to me I will take good care of you , you need not worry he also reminded me as a graduate of business administration he claims he has the necessary requirement to grow the company into an Empire before I clock age 18.

1:00pm

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, we were on our way from church we had a wonderful Sunday service, Aunty Bimpe had left for the states to meet her family, uncle Kunle was living up to his promise of taking care of me as his own in fact we had become buddies going by initials became our thing. I am loving my life right now and I’m enjoying every bit of it, a life of freedom and happiness. Uncle K no longer talks down on me, he no longer calls me names ,we go to the office together when he has meetings with the head of department he was always around unlike my father who travels every time, this gave us more time to bond.

Immediately after Aunty Bimpe travelled to the states we got a house help and gate man so as to help out with domestic activities in the house despite the fact that Uncle K and I ate out most times he claims the house help was not a good cook but who cares we are enjoying our life and we are in good terms, that is all that matters.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

I found it difficult to sleep, I kept opening my eyes at intervals all through the night I was excited about resuming school that morning as it was going to be my first day back in school after my parent demise. I was also excited about seeing Amina in school,Amina got adopted by Alhaji Mohammed Isa the biggest Hausa Philanthropist in Festac town, and she was transferred to my school due to the fact that it was close to her new residence. I was so happy to have Amina close to me because she had become my best friend.

I decided to stand to polish my shoe again since I could not sleep then I heard little sounds in my parent’s room, i decided to check what was making the sound, i thought to myself.

I didn’t know when I let out a sound of help , I  was scared we were being robbed ,uncle Kunle rushed out like a criminal that was being chased , I was surprised to see him rush out my parents room, he was so angry as he found no intruder in the house.

Omolola where is the thief you saw in this house he asked me.

`I heard noise coming from my parent’s room,I was worried and I called for help`. I stammered as I replied him.

`Why do you like raising false alarm`, you evil child Uncle K said to me as he gave me a cold look.

It’s been 4 months he had called me an evil child so I wondered how I had wronged him to have called me evil child. Instead of telling me why he was in my parent’s room he instructed me to go to my room without giving me a second look.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

I left for school very early in the morning I had called and sent Amina a text message to inform her I was going to join her to school that morning I just wanted to avoid Uncle K`s trouble . I had fears of us going back to the very beginning of our hateful relationship, all through our drive to the school I was moody and quiet. Amina tried cheering me up but I just wouldn’t budge.We had a lot to do in school being our first day in school, class to class registration and getting Amina acquainted with the school premises,it was time for the first class we went our separate ways .

“I thought he was a changed person after the will reading, I mean he became so supportive ,I was so comfortable having him around me  I don’t know what came over him today” I told Amina during our break time in school.

Trust me Omolola I am surprised hearing this from you , at least am a witness of how loving he has become am sure he was in a bad mood last night just give him some time and do not disrespect him. Amina said to me. The time keeper rang the bell, lunch time was over, we had to go in for our separate classes.

11:20pm

It was a cold night, it had rained all through the day, I met the absence of uncle Kunle when I got back from school I was a little bit relieved when I didn’t meet him at home I went straight into my room. I met flowers on my bed with a card boldly written I AM SORRY DEAR.

I was surprised to see this to me I felt he must have forgotten it in my room ,I was so tired from the day activities so I decided to observe my siesta , I had not slept for 10 minutes I heard the sound of his car pull into the compound, I immediately crept under my Duvet, to pretend as if I were asleep, the sound of the door made me pop up my head from under the Duvet suddenly there was an eye contact between us I caught him smiling due to curiosity and the fear of what to expect I asked him why he was smiling

“Is it a crime for me to smile” he answered?

“No it is not” I replied him as I got down from the bed went straight into my closet and gave him the flowers and card. I was surprised as he told me they were meant for me ,I was still trying to understand what was going on here as he pulled me to sit on the bed . He apologized about last night with the excuse of being in a bad mood I believed him because that was the first time he would snap at me since we became close. We went out for dinner and shopping, he bought me new sets of shoes and dress I told him how my day went and he talked about his as well.

2:00pm

I was fast asleep, and I felt a warm hand walking through my body I opened my eyes slowly but the room was dark, I can’t remember putting off the light before going to bed I could not place whose face it was .

Who is that I enquired but I didn’t get any reply from who it was, I tried struggling with the masculine figure on top of me as he worked his hands underneath my night gown, he was strong for me to struggle with the more I tried to scream the more I got pinned on the bed, I gave him a blow he gave out a scream which got the attention of house maid I suppose,

The sound of my door interrupted his act and the light came up, I was surprised to see uncle Kunle step in into the room as I raised my head up to look at who was on me, who I saw gave me the shock of my life . O my God Emeka.

Serah Aina

The post Tale of a teenager: The Omolola’s experience appeared first on Hermaze | Relationship, Beauty, Fashion, Family Articles for Women.

I just can’t do this, I think It Is time I tell you what is going on, Omolola I am so sorry I have been lying to you all these while, your parents died Instantly In the car accident, you and Kunle are the only ones who survived the accident that afternoon, I just could not bring myself to tell you am so sorry dear.

These words I found so difficult to believe while standing at the grave side of my parents watching the under takers lower their bodies Into the ground , I searched for tears I could not find It, I was so weak from crying . I had cried out my eyes for days.

Who will take care of me? Where do I start from?I feel so lost and I need to be found right now, Death why have you decided to be so cruel and wicked? Why have you decided to take my parents away from me this tender age?  Why did you leave me behind? All these and a lot more were running through my head; questions I had no answers to.

I had imagined myself jumping into the grave before it Is being covered, but Aunty Bimpe never let go of my hands, as I was about to take a leap forward she pulled me back and whispered into my ears, “Omolola you will be okay”.  I began wondering how…

The tears just wouldn’t stop. I was devastated. I became really depressed, losing my parents got the better part of me. Gradually, I began to develop a terrible temper; any little thing got me angry just for no reason. I was always at the verge of crying. I became so emotional and very sensitive. I found it difficult to cope in school, I picked up the habit of fighting in school,

I had a lot of anger and resentment towards God for allowing death take my parents away at such a tender age, I wanted him to explain his Injustice towards my parent. I felt it was not fair for him to allow this happen to me.

Their death changed the way my life worked. It changed the way I think, I started having night mare of how the accident happened , the way the car went straight into the tree ,rolled over several times, the screams ,the call for help I heard while my eyes were closed, each time I have these nightmares I cry out from my sleep, Aunty Bimpe would come to my rescue to calm me down , she was left with no choice than to sleep with in my room , because I couldn’t sleep alone.

It became clear to Aunty Bimpe that I needed psychological help, I became worse by the day.She couldn’t help it, she became tired of my attitudes and mood swings, no matter how much she tried to reach out to me I just could not let her into my thoughts.

Uncle Kunle refused talking to me, somehow he had blamed me for my parents death, he came up with the theory of me being an evil child that anything I touch and anything I am involved in turns out evil , all of this added to my grief but there’s nothing I could do .

“Itis obvious she is having a hard time facing the reality of her parent’s demise”.Sharon I need your help with Omolola. No matter how much I try to reach out to her she blocks me out, I had to beg my husband to let me stay a month extra before coming to the states but all this is getting out of hand. Please I need your help my Niece is suffering. I overheard her talking on phone, she did not realize I was standing right behind her as she made the call.

02th of April 08:00

It was a beautiful Monday morning. Aunty Bimpe had ensured I stepped out of my room early enough, had my breakfast and we were ready to leave. She told me we were going to the cinema that morning to watch a movie and I was rather shocked at the time we would be doing this, but I remembered she had asked me a night before what was going to make me leave my room, I told her to go watch a movie at the cinema, I never knew she took me serious. Since it was my Idea I didn’t have a choice than to go with her that day.

We made a quick stop at Dr Sharon office, with the excuse of wanting to get something from her and she advised I say hello to Aunty Sharon of cause there was nothing wrong with me saying a quick hello to her I thought to myself.

`Omolola It is nice seeing you after the passing away of your parent, you look beautiful and well that is a good development` she said to me. I gave a little smile in acceptance of her compliments.

Truth be told I was not feeling well at all,I had realized I needed someone to talk to but I guess I wasn’t ready to talk so I had decided to bottle up all my emotions.

Aunty Bimpe and her friend talked for a while, it was obvious I was the topic of their discussion but I was not bothered all I wanted was just to get out of the hospital and go back to my room,which had become a sacred haven for me. I was rudely interrupted with the mention of my name, they both realized I was lost in thoughts within the few minutes we had arrived the hospital before I could realize what was happening I was admitted to Tender care health centre.

At the Tender health centre all the children were made to sit in a circle, kids of my age group who are facing the same challenge as I was,they had been at the health centre before me and they were all willing to share what was going through their mind, but each time it got to my turn I just kept mute and listened to all they had to say.

`Hi Omolola, my name Is Amina Ali and I will like to be your friend`, A girl as tall as I am said to me as I sat down alone at the playing ground health Centre where I like to have my own time  to reflect and think about the demise of my parent.

I gave out a faint smile and told her no problem we could be friends, Amina lost her mother to a fire accident a two months before lost my parents, she was outside playing while her mother was in the kitchen cooking, unknown to her mother the gas she was using had a leakage which caused a big fire outbreak. It was then the dry season, before her neighbours could get to her mother the inferno got pretty much and the house burnt down with her mother inside.

03th of July 12:00pm

I and Amina became close friends, we share secrets and our thoughts with each other and that helped me a lot, I was set to be discharged from the Health centre as soon as I started sharing my stories with my peers at the centre, I found out I was not the only child going through suicidal thoughts as a child, by this time I had spent 3 months at the centre and It was beginning to feel like home to me again

I said my goodbyes to Amina and other children at the Centre, I got into the car with Aunty Bimpe I was surprised to see Uncle Kunle in the car, for  3 months I was out of the house I didn’t hear from him, he did not even bother paying me a visit , I wasn’t surprised that Is so typical of him, always a selfish person, the only time he proved me wrong was after his episode at the police station , he became a new person totally, we all felt he had changed for the best, I guess we all felt wrong; a leopard can never change Its spot.

Straight from the health centre, we went to Jide& solicitors chambers to hear the reading of my father’swill, Aunty Bimpe will be leaving for the states tomorrow to meet her family she had spared 7 months of her life nursing me, It was time to release her to her family.

Barrister Jide said my father made some changes to his will a week before he died, I was not bothered with what the lawyer was saying I just wanted the will reading to be over so I could go back to my life. A VCD played and I saw my father on the television he had done a recording for the will reading.

I Chief Tade Omoyeni wills all my properties to my child Omolola Omoyeni and my wife Mrs Bimbo Omoyeni, should in case my wife leaves this world before me and my daughter is not yet a university graduate, my younger brother Kunle Omoyeni is to help manage my properties on behalf of Omolola until she graduates from the university when all my properties will be handed over to her.

Kunle you have shown me that you are a changed man but because I want you to work and make a name for yourself I will 5 million naira to you and the rest of my money goes to my daughter all this until she clocks 18 years of age.

After watching my father say all he said, I literally died and came back to life. Surely Dad doesn’t know the consequences of all these. He left me at the mercy of Kunle until I come of age, this is the beginning of death itself.

Serah Aina

The post Tale of a teenager: The Omolola’s experience- At his Mercy appeared first on Hermaze | Relationship, Beauty, Fashion, Family Articles for Women.

It was a long and quiet drive from Zone B Okota police station where Chief Williams had filed a report on the account of rape against Uncle Kunle.

Uncle Kunle was beaten and tortured for one week at the police station, his face was swollen, his body was bruised all over, he was so much dealt with that even my father’s connection could not save him this time around.

Immediately he stepped out of the holding cell with my father I felt guilt  inside me ,If I had not gone Into the kitchen that day he would not have ended up in the police station and my father wouldn’t have lost his friendship with chief Williams.

Amidst all this I tried getting a peek at his face through the rear mirror, each time I tried this he caught me staring and returned a look that sent shivers down my spine.

My father decided to break the horrible silence-`Kunle I hope you have learnt your lesson, It is not everything you see in skirt you lay with, how can you sleep with a 16 year old girl, a girl who Is 5 years older than Omolola your niece’

`But Uncle Tade you keep scolding me as If I am a little child, how was I supposed to know she was a minor, she has a big stature, talks in a mature manner. I mean she was practically the one leading me on, I could not resist such offer’ Uncle Kunle said in defense.

That statement, caused a heated argument between him and my father which lasted until  we got home.

23 of March 8:00 am

It has been a few months since Uncle Kunle was released from police custody and everything seemed back to normal, my mother was giggling like a young girl who just found true love.

You needed to have seen her fold her clothes carefully into the travelling bag, while also checking my father’s bag  for all the basic things he might need for the next weeks.

24^th March is a Getaway season for my parents, It is their wedding anniversary celebration; my parents’ marriage will clock 13 years tomorrow and they decided to go for a vacation to Suncity for their anniversary.

On our way to drop my parents at the airport I looked out the window, the sky was tar-black and the large clouds were moving towards the car. I heard a tapping on the window and then it became a pitter-patter. I could see people running for shelter, puddles began blinking as the rain became heavier. The roofs of the cars danced with spray and I could hear the murmuring of the rain through the window. It sounded like the buzzing of angry bees.

`I believe you can put on the hat of a responsible Uncle for these few weeks,won’t be a problem for you ,Kunle I do not want to hear any funny stories about the house with a stick of cigarettes  like the almost burning episode last year, please do take of your nephew as we go to south Africa,my father said to Uncle Kunle as he drove us to the Muritala Mohammed Airport In Lagos, that was when the funny sound came from the engine of the car ,my father tried pulling over the brakes wouldn’t respond ,the  car rolled over several times, breaking glasses and Inflating the safety bag. My head made contact with the cement ground not a moment later. Currently, blood Is pouring out of my head ,I became dizzy everything around me became dark ,I couldn’t feel my legs nor hands.

I began wondering what was happening to me, where is my father and my mother?What is happening to me? I called out for help but I could barely hear myself.

I heard a siren and saw myself on a stretcher like one in the popular movies, I saw Uncle Kunle on another stretcher we were both moved in the same truck and were admitted in hospital.

14^th of April 12:00pm

Few weeks passed and I was still on admission in the hospital with Aunty Bimpe attending to me and Uncle Kunle. I asked after my parents from, she replied that they were away on their vacation.

I kept asking after my parents since it was already 4 weeks they embarked on the trip. I wanted to know why they would not come visit me at the hospital. So I asked again when my parents will be back.

Suddenly, Aunty Bimpe started crying. I thought about what I had said and if I said anything wrong. I asked Aunty Bimpe why she was crying, Then she looked at me and the next words that came out of her mouth made my world crumble

Ooo No! This can’t be happening to me right now.Did Aunty Bimpe just say dead.

Serah Aina

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A deity deserving of worship yet worships those she loves wholly. She is quite sacrificial; if she so desires and can go all out to give satisfaction and happiness. She can be all encompassing:  a wife, a mother, a teacher, a mentor, a counsellor, a cook, a cleaner, a prayer warrior, a protector, a sponsor, a listening ear, a mouthpiece, an escort and many more, most importantly she is a Woman.

She can be all these and yet remain unbreakable. A very emotional being that cannot afford to be heart broken by the ones she loves and can break down into tears at any slight provocation. She cannot afford to see her children go hungry; she will rather go to bed with nothing than to see her crown and her children sing the solemn song of hunger. Her words are her own little weapon, she loves to receive attention by the ones she loves and cannot hide her hurt when she is being ignored by them.

She expresses all forms of feelings with tears in her eyes which leaves men worrisome as to why a woman loves to cry at any point in time. It is expected that when you receive good news, you jubilate but an average woman will tune into tears of joys before thinking of dancing. She is strong; she can go through series of torture, hurt and pain yet remain unmoved.

She fights her way to the top of her career, she is always ready to make a difference wherever she finds herself, she is full of wisdom and creativity, she is tactical in her field, and wise in her home in fact she is top notch. Irrespective of what she has, she still gives honour to her husband and never let down her family.

Oh what an awesome being the woman is! To all the women out there, I want to remind you that you a rare gem, doesn’t matter the rough time when you feel you have lost it, if you will you have the power to rise again, you are Gold!

Happy Gold’s day to all women out there!

‘Tayo Ejikunle

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