OFFICIAL VIDEO: We Ose - Benita Iyere-Okojie


Benita Iyere-Okojie is a Nigerian gospel artiste who started singing from a very young age.  She is possibly best known for her popular single, Osemudiamen, released when she was just 12 years old.

This Friday's Free Downloads | Featuring Protek (Rooftop Clan), Okey Sokay, Propane (CIA)

This Friday, the following artistes' songs are available as free downloads (see what I did there):

  1. Protek - Ayaya Featuring Okey Sokay
  2. Propane of CIA (Christ I Abide) - Ekwulekwu 


1. PROTEK - AYAYA 
FEATURING OKEY SOKAY



Ayaya is an Ibibio word, not a Yoruba word, but I would like to classify this as "jelenke" (easy motion) music.  You just want to sway, nod your head, and even komole to this song.  Yes, I just confessed what I did when I heard the song.  Can you blame me?

Protek is a rapper who recently joined the Rooftop Clan (formerly Rooftop MCs). Ayaya is his latest single, released earlier this month.

You can read more about him in the press release:

MUSIC: Diya (Godiya Jabila Mamza) - Can't Have Enough

Diya // ReverbNation

Remember the trip to ReverbNation I made last week? Well, Diya was one of the new artistes I discovered.  I got really excited about her for many reasons, but especially these two: 

(1) She is a woman (Yes, I get excited when I discover female Nigerian gospel artistes)

(2) She is based in Sokoto (according to her ReverbNation profile), which in case you did not know is in Northwestern Nigeria.  How often do you come across gospel artistes based in the Northwest? In my case, rarely.  Let's just say I won't forget Diya in a hurry.  :-)

And neither will you after listening to "Can't have enough." It's a high-powered contemporary praise and worship song (what a mouthful!), rendered mostly in English, but beautifully garnished with Hausa in just the right places. By the way, if you know the translation to that part of the lyrics, please share.

Okay, I will stop yarning and let you listen to the song. You're welcome.

Visiting Day: The Day When Students' Secrets Are Revealed


Visiting Day is the one day in the term that boarding house (or boarding school as it's called in some parts) students look forward to.  It is the day when parents, guardians, relatives come to visit their children or wards.  Teachers, matrons, school masters and the general boarding school staff usually want the students to appear like they are well taken care of, even if that is far from the truth.

If you've ever been to boarding school in Nigeria, especially if it was in a federal or state government college (private schools were better, generally) then you know the tricks school staff can play just to put up a good front for that very special day.

Specifically, here are some secrets that are revealed on visiting day:

1. The Teacher (or Matron or School Master) has been spending your child's pocket money 

Yes, this is true and possibly more common than we might think.  Parents (especially those not familiar with the boarding school setting) sometimes leave their children in care of teachers or matrons or school masters or school mistresses (or even seniors) to "take care" of their children.

By "take care," I mean checking up on the child and giving them money for expenses like food, school projects, personal hygiene items, etc. In short, the teacher is the child's trustee.

MUSIC: Faith Yebo - Na God



Don't you just love that cover art? I do! Faith looks so radiant in it.  Plus it has the right amount of color too.

But we're not here to discuss the cover art. Only. ;-)

Faith Yebo's new single is titled "Na God" and was produced by Don Sam. Her collabo with Nikki Laoye (So Beautiful) was the debut Soundtrack for the Week, featured here.  She has generously made "Na God" available to download for free!

You can read more about this new single in her press release:

God is at Work in Your Life


16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:16-17 (NIV)

In 2 Kings 6, the Bible records the story of Elisha and his servant, Gehazi.  The King of Aram had sent his soldiers to capture Elisha for warning the King of Israel of going to places the Arameans planned to attack.  It was like having a spy in the Aramean camp, revealing their secrets and telling it to the Israelites, during a time when both parties were at war with each other.

The interesting part of the story concerns Gehazi who began to panic when the Aramean soldiers arrived to capture Elisha.  They surrounded the city with an army of horses and chariots just to capture one man!

Now you can understand Gehazi's fear.  Yet, Elisha told him not to be afraid.  Why? Because those who were with them far surpassed those who were against them.  Once Elisha prayed for God to open Gehazi's eyes, Gehazi saw what Elisha saw and knew then that God was at work.

Soundtrack for the Week: Rise Again - Stage One

Stage One via Facebook

.... And just like that we are at the cusp of another new week.  Time for sober reflection ....

As you step into this brand new week, I want you to meditate on the lyrics to this song by Stage One.  It is called Rise Again.

Stage One is a Christian rock band based in Jos, Plateau and I have shared some of their songs here in the past.  Rise Again is by far my favorite, and I believe there is someone reading this (including myself) who needs to hear these words:

Viral Video: Okey Sokay - Aka (Clap)

I just love this cover.  It shines in all its illustrated glory.
Now, if there was just a little animation to go with it ...

Aka (meaning "Clap" in Igbo) is the title of Okey Sokay's latest single. I had previously shared it as one of the free downloads on Friday, and guess what? He made a video to go with it.

Well, what do they do in the video? They make people clap and dance to the song, including a barber and beans seller. Yes, I saw ewa agunyin in this video. Can you beat that?

This Friday's Free Downloads | Featuring: Obioma Madu, Vocal Reunion Concert Team (Varena)

This week, I went back to ReverbNation to look for new music.  I discovered these artistes during my visit.  Of course, I will share them with you.  Three songs from two different artistes. Listen and enjoy.  Have a blessed week!


1. Obioma Madu - Higher Higher



Put on your dancing shoes for this one.  Obioma is not playing at all.  You shouldn't either.  You should be dancing. :-)

Direct Link: Higher Higher

No Beer Sold on Sundays at this Alabama Gas Station

Can you spot me in my yellow t-shirt?
I saw this sign taped onto a fridge when I was driving through Alabama this year:

SORRY!! NO BEER SOLD ON SUNDAY!!!

It was right on the section of the fridge where the beer was chilling.  I happened to be there on a Sunday, so I just had to take this picture.  No beer sold on Sundays.  Really?

I don't drink alcohol, so even if it was a Monday, I wouldn't care.  But it got me thinking: what's so special about Sundays that a gas station in a small town would not sell beer on that day?