“My Little Book of Christian Poems” is the third published book written by Tony Tokunbo Eteka Fernandez .
It is an inspirational book of Poetry for people of all faiths around the world .
The themes in this short collection are on Love, Faith, Hope, Perseverance, Grace, Patience and values that are essential in a changing world.
Get your copy today by contacting Tony
Desmond John Yao Beddy is a Hamburg-based Ghanaian community consultant and social entrepreneur, who left Ghana on the 31st of December 1992 to study in Germany. Even though he got an admission into the University of Siegen, he wasn’t granted a student visa, nonetheless because of his perseverance, he came to Germany. Upon arrival, he discovered that gaining admission to a university in Germany is not the same as obtaining a student visa, neither does it grant you the right to stay in Germany legally. The dream of becoming a great lawyer thus evaporated.
He began his earnest strivings in Kiel, where he gradually rose to become the President of what was then the “African Union“, after he had managed to better his residential status.
Though he came to Germany in 1993, it was not until 1999 that he was able to participate in his first German language course. This experience is something he doesn’t want others to live through, and is the basis for his firm conviction that new-comers must be allowed to start learning the language as soon as they enter Germany. The positive consequences outweigh the costs involved by far.
He is the author of The History of Ghanians in Germany
Copies can be ordered @ http://www.beddy.de
Olútáyọ̀ Ìrántíọlá wears various caps at different points in time. He was the host of a youth magazine program on Radio Kwara; he was a Customer Care Representative at a telco company and he currently is a Consummate Public Relations Consultant, a voice-over artiste, a compere, translator for brands and religious organizations (Yoruba and English languages), a Creative Writer (poetry, plays and short stories), biographer and blogger.
He was a member of the NYSC dance and drama troupe that performed in Abuja in 2007.
He is the convener of the Literary Reading Group, a charity organization dedicated to encouraging children in correctional homes to read literature and develop their creative skills. He has also several public affairs articles online and in major national dailies in Nigeria since 2003. His two published books are a biography of his Maternal Grandfather and an anthology of poetry in English and Yoruba languages.
He is the Atọ́kùn of Yorùbá Lákò̩tun, a staged quarterly cultural renaissance show in Lagos where he hosts Yoruba creatives, some of the guests on this show include Tunde Kelani, Chief Mrs Nike Okudaye, Prof Taiwo Olunlade amongst others. The Noble Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, stopped by to appreciate this effort last year during the Lagos Books and Arts Festival where the show held a Colloquium.
Recently, his play titled, “With Our Uniform” was performed in both Lagos and the United States at the Lagos Fringe Festival and the SOS Theatre Festival International respectively.
He is a pioneer Fellow of the NESG Bridge Fellowship.
Some of his articles are available on his blog- www.peodavies.com
Herein are some of the videos of Yoruba Lakotun on YouTube-
https://youtu.be/CfSa5MkN5G8
https://youtu.be/Yv5Tqa9_blM
His poetry (in Yoruba and English) also on Youtube-
https://youtu.be/ScZebcwxCCw
https://youtu.be/30otgvtfwUQ
https://youtu.be/jNrhxE5wpC4
It was a pleasure to interview one of most unique and original artists from Nigeria on Thursday the 17th of June.
The legendary Chief Dr Bongos Ikwue is a source of pride to Nigerians around the world. His music is profound, polished and filled with a soulful style that creates happy memories.
The link to the short interview can be found here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiSr-_0-TkM
ABOUT BONGOS IKWUE
Bongos Ikwue, the music legend was born in Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria, on the 6th of June 1942. In 1956, he attended St, Paul’s Secondary school in Zaria, Nigeria, where his friends called him “Forge” because he was always making up (forging) and singing his own songs. In 1962, While at Okene Comprehensive Secondary School, he formed a group called Cubana Boys with two other young boys, after which he headed off to the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), also in Zaria, Kaduna State, where he studied Business Administration.
While in ABU, he created his own band, called UniBello Brothers and also sang in a folk group, which was made up of university lecturers during which time, a chemistry lecturer, Mrs. Harmony taught him some Irish songs. In 1967 he founded and headed the Groovies band, which became extremely popular in the 1970’s through to the 80’s.
Many love him for his soulful, folksy songs, the most popular of which includes: Cockcrow At Dawn, Still Searching, Amen, Otachikpokpo and a host of others. His dedication to his music was obvious due to the high quality of the albums he churned out, and due to the sheer elegance and the electrifying energy of his live performances, where the band was always on key, and the musician himself was always true to every note. His ability to stay on the right note is an indicator of his hard work as a musician.
Apart from the raw beauty of his finely honed voice, another thing that set the musical genius apart is his dedication to the promotion of Africa and African values, by his continuous use of his native Idoma language in his songs. He is well loved by a vast majority of Nigerians with a fan base that cuts across language barriers and ethnic tension; he also has an international fan base. This is mainly because Bongos’ music genre is not easily deciphered. He is also a master of the African ideals he chooses to express.
Bongos Ikwue was always original; he never tried to imitate any artist, local or international and focused on perfecting his chosen genre. He takes his time in the studio in order to affect the perfect melody for his songs, often rewriting his music until it was exactly right. The icon never rushed to produce any song and it is this conscientiousness that ensured that he produced hit after hit without fail.
Jayne Nelson-Uzuegbu
Jayne was born in the northern state of Kano in Nigeria where she completed her primary and secondary education. She graduated from Igbinedion university with a degree in law. She is an aspiring writer and a lover of pasta and poetry. She lives in Lagos, Nigeria.
SHE IS THE WINNER OF THE TONY TOKUNBO FERNANDEZ ONLINE POETRY COMPETITION 2021
THE DAY OF RAIN
By Livy-Elcon Emereonye
Early. It’s bright and early
That none can rightly guess the offer
But like the transience of things
The weather a new form, look take
And everywhere’s cloudy!
Cloudy. It’s indeed cloudy
When heaven’s begging for answer
Cloudy indeed it’s that serenity’s the answer
Then comes a cure for somnolence –
And heavy sleepers’re not left out!
There’s rest for the workaholics for some minutes
As ponderability over the magnitude sedates
Cool. It’s cool and darker as early sun’s aborted
Then in its drizzly manner, there’s visitor without a knock –
The rain started, raining cats and dogs.
Cat and dog run for cover, humans lie with much cover
May be to take a nap or even to steal rest
But for truant it’s enough excuse for addiction
Or how inconsiderate can the boss be to ask why?
Yet there’re more whys than anticipated!
There’s the why for occurrence of repeated morning rain
And the why of the ceaseless distortion,
disturbances it brings about!
Like a frivolous wave, laughter on many employees’ faces exists
And this can easily be explained, as the employers will but count
losses – As the workforce at home stay to rest!
And like the wind that goes where it chooses,
the ceaseless drops of water form mighty erosion.
Erosion here and there leaves many uncomfortable, homeless:
The continuation of the rain brings more continuum of pain
Those with leaking roofs have everything dampened and soaked
While inhabitants of swampy area move but with boats!
Like thieves that come to steal and destroy
The rain takes more hours than anticipated
That sleepers after the rest wake up to meet the peak:
After seven hours of heavy downpour, there’s a change of gear
That one can on top most voice shout without a notice
Leaving only but frustration –
This complex’s worsened by the criss-cross movement of worms
That protest in search of something to eat!
The eyes after swelling swell again…
This time not by sleep but hunger
The hunger that suffocates even hope’s all that’s left
As soup’s soured and stove watered
Yet there’s no way to get out of the room
where discomfort’s sole partner.
The boss whose duplex’s filled with foodstuff
experiences no pain at all
But the workforce suffers…
As things get out of hand,
he that laughed first also cried first –
When you think you’re cheating others,
You may actually be punishing yourself.
So make no caricature and
Burn not your emotions in trashcan!
ONE SMALL STEP
At some point, place or time
When doors are slammed in your face
When your lover has taken you apart
And turned you into a thousand piece puzzle
Let your tears make a puddle
But keep moving
When the sun violently blinds
When its heat mercilessly drains
When there is no relief in sight
Let your sweat run to the ground
But keep trekking
When you till and thistles grow
when progress seems far flung
And the thorn filled field your only road
When broken glass is laid out for you
Let your blood leave a trail
But keep marching
When fire is set to your dreams
Intending to run you aground
When the smoke rises from your skin
Leaving you hot and pale
Let your body shed the ashes
But keep walking
May you reap tenfold from the earth
May the fire refine you
May the sun light your path
And as it sets
Let the fiery promise
Of the auburn sun
Wrap its warm arms around you
Fill you with hope and longing
For the better days ahead
Jayne Nelson-Uzuegbu
Jayne was born in the northern state of Kano in Nigeria where she completed her primary and secondary education. She graduated from Igbinedion university with a degree in law. She is an aspiring writer and a lover of pasta and poetry. She lives in Lagos, Nigeria.
Anna Mbachu originates from Mbachu Family (Umuduruebo) Okwelle in Imo State. She is married to Dozie Ogbuebile of Irete in Owerri West LGA of Imo State. Councillor Anna Mbachu was first elected into office in May 2006 representing Grove Green Ward in London Borough of Waltham Forest in United Kingdom. She represents a new style of Black leaders that are diplomatic, methodical with a can do attitude, which has set her apart from the rest. These qualities have earned her a place in history as the first black elected female branch chair of the Labour Party, the first black female Mayor of London Borough of Waltham Forest, first female Mayor of Igbo descent in London, and also the first black elected member of the Cabinet and leadership team. In addition, Councillor Mbachu is a Senior Practicing Clinician/Manager with the National Health Service (NHS) Trust, the Deputy Leader of Waltham Forest Group, Chair of the Boroughs’ Housing Scrutiny. She is also the Chair of Association of British Nigeria Councilors and President of Imo State Daughters Association amongst other organisations too many to mention.
Councillor Mbachu has been listed among other female world leaders and legislators as a role model. In recognition of these, the Nigeria High Commission during the 54th Independence Day celebration which took place on the 4th of October 2014, for the first time in its history, recognised 26 Nigerians from all works of life with an award, to which Cllr. Mbachu was one of the recipients.
She supports a number of charities both locally and internationally. The Councilors is also a recipient of numerous awards and accolades from around the globe. She is married with children one of whom as a teenager became the youngest Councillor in United Kingdom, whilst still pursuing a medical degree.
Anna Mbachu-Ogbuebile
TONY TOKUNBO ETEKA FERNANDEZ 