School's Prospectus: Who Reads it Anyway?



When you gain admission to a secondary school in Nigeria, the school authorities tend to load parents and students with a lot of information.  The school's prospectus is one of the books they hand to you that's literally loaded with tons of information.

The official definition of the prospectus is "a book or document that provides information about a school, business, etc."  Of course in our case, it's for a school.

So, what sort of information is written in a prospectus? Well, I'm glad you asked.  Here's a little list:

First University Graduate in the Family: Blessing or Curse?


Nigerians place a very high premium on education. Translation: they like to acquire degrees.  A lot.

If you enter the sitting room (parlor) of a typical Nigerian family, in addition to family pictures, you are likely to see one or more school certificates prominently displayed for the whole world to know that Baba Bisi too went to school.  And graduated.

At the most basic level, I would say that you are not considered truly educated unless you have a Bachelor's degree.  In fact, some people will argue with you and say that a Master's degree is the minimum requirement to be considered truly educated.  I am sure if there were more advanced degrees than PhDs, Nigerians would pursue them too.  But until then ....

The One Thing No Girl Misses About Braiding Hair in the Market



I think that picture just gave it away, but I'll still spell it out.

You see, if you ever had the  misfortune privilege of going to the market in Nigeria (or elsewhere for that matter) to get your hair braided as a child, then you're familiar with the scene I am about to describe.

No, it doesn't matter what hairstyle you actually ended up doing or whether you chose to do didi (french braids) or weaving.  The process was the same.  I already hinted at it here, but here it is in its full glory:

Your mother or father or relative dropped you off at the market and told the hairstylist what style to braid your hair into.  Or maybe you got to decide.  Or maybe your school already called the hairstyle for you for that week.  Doesn't matter.  Same result, i.e. you have to get your hair done.

The hair stylist, who was a market woman, not just because she was literally in the market, but also because she probably also sold other items at her stall in addition to braiding hair, agreed, and if there was no one there before you, she would point to an apoti (small stool).

Now, I shall rant about the apoti.  Don't worry, I'll still rant about the one thing nobody misses in a bit.  But let's dwell on the apoti for a bit, shall we? Good.

OFFICIAL VIDEO: EndyFizzy - I See



EndyFizzy wrote a song of praise to God for all He has done.  And then, he released the music video.  So, here is the video, followed by more information on this artiste:

MUSIC: Glowreeyah Braimah - Miracle Worker Featuring Nathaniel Bassey



I first heard this song about a week ago and since then I have been singing it regularly.  The beauty of this song is its simplicity.  It's the type of song you can sing to God during your quiet time and "every other" time.

In Glowreeyah (Gloria)'s words, "some songs are written and then some songs are given." I guess by now, you must have figured out that this song was given.  Even more touching is the story behind the song, courtesy of DaKingdomXploit:

This Friday's Free Downloads | Featuring: Dr. She Tu, Emmykokz, Seyi Alesh

Happy Friday!!! Or is it TGIF? Either way sha, welcome to another friday of free music! Yay! These artistes have generously made their music available for free, and I in turn have decided to share them with you.  Listen and enjoy!

Oh, wait, the press releases.  I almost forgot. ;-)

Learn more about each song in the artiste's own words:

1. Dr. She Tu - Jesus Disco



FREE ALBUM: Ty Bello's 'The Morning Songbook'



Ty Bello (formerly of Kush) released her new album, The Morning Songbook, on October 10, 2014 (10.10.14).

Interesting title, ba?

Well, here's some background information on the album in her own words:

Give a Child His Own Name, Not the Name of his Father or Grandfather





The title pretty much sums up what I'm about to start ranting about.  But I will still rant sha.  In detail.

One common practice which I believe needs to be scrapped with immediacy and alacrity (yes, the occasion warrants using English words which Nigerians overuse and abuse well well) is giving children the names of their fathers, grandfathers and in fact, their ancestors.

Boys (not girls) are overwhelmingly affected by this practice.  I mean, how often do you hear a girl being called Mary, Junior, for example?  Or Florence, Junior?  Or even Mulikat the third?  Not common, if at all.  I know in Yoruba culture, for example, because of our strong belief in reincarnation, we have names for children based on relatives who have passed on, e.g.:

Who Eats the Head of the Chicken in Your Family?


I remember those trips to the market.  Walking to the section where the chicken sellers converged.  But before we even got there, you could smell them.  And hear them too.  The chickens, I mean ... not the sell--

Oh, never mind!

OFFICIAL VIDEO: Glowreeyah Braimah - Turn Around



As promised, here is the official video for Glowreeyah Braimah's single, Turn Around.

Here is the story behind the song, in Glowreeyah's words:

OFFICIAL VIDEO: Glowreeyah Braimah - God Alone




Glowreeyah (Gloria) Braimah, who describes herself as a "kaleidoscope of colors" is a Contemporary Nigerian Gospel artiste.  She was first featured on this blog when I reviewed her single, Turn Around. The video for Turn Around was released in 2013, and I will be sharing it in the next post.

OFFICIAL VIDEO: Gold Help Owen - Little Things

Gold Help Owen | Facebook

Gold Help Owen is a Nigerian gospel artiste based in Jos, Plateau State.  His song, Little Things, was one of the first songs I discovered on ReverbNation back in 2011 when I started blogging.

I actually wrote a song review for "Little Things" back in 2011 when I started blogging.  So, you can imagine my surprise when some months ago, I discovered on Gold's Facebook page that he was actually making a video for the song.

This Friday's Free Downloads | Featuring: Chiwendu, Beauty Obodo, GiftBerries, Toeyoursea (Toyosi)

Thank God for another Friday! I hope your week was awesome.  If it wasn't, cheer up.  Next week will be better. :-)

To jumpstart your weekend, here are a few singles for your gbadunment.  Is that even a word? Oh well ....

Did I mention that all of these artistes are ladies? *grinning*

In no particular order, let me introduce you to these artistes. Learn a little about them via the included  press releases and finally their music.  Have a blessed weekend!


1. Chiwendu Featuring Omolayo 
(Project Fame) - Yowee



Chiwendu Chiekezi is a teenage minister of the gospel with burning passion to reach out to souls through her God given voice.

She's signed to Platform Records and delivers her first ever official single titled 'Yowee' which she featured Omolayo of the project fame on this one.

MUSIC: Anu Osilesi - Blessed



Anu Osilesi, who is simply known as Anu, shared her new single, "Blessed" with me.  She is a Nigerian gospel artiste based in Maryland, USA.

My introduction to Anu's music was the video for her song, Iwo lo mo featuring PSean, in 2012.  Her latest single was produced by Osinachi.

Here is some more information on Anu and her music courtesy of her press release:

OFFICIAL VIDEO: Charly-C - Bended Knees Featuring Obiora Obiwon



Remember the single, Bended Knees by Charly-C featuring Obiora Obiwon? What?! You never listened to it? Unacceptable.  Mend your ways by listening to it here.

Now, you've listened to it, ba? I assume you're nodding.  Well, they made a video to go with the song and here it is.  Well, after the press release:

MUSIC: Mairo Ese - Ole Hallelujah Featuring Nathaniel Bassey



Mairo Ese, otherwise known as Mairo, is a gospel artiste whose "passion is worship and [whose] underlying objective is to ‘lift up the name of Yahweh and bring people closer to their Creator.' " [Source]

He recently released a single titled "Ole Hallelujah," which means "Hallelujah Song," and which he sings in his native Isoko language.  Produced by Rotimi Akinfenwa, Mairo teams up with Nathaniel Bassey to produce a soulful worship song.

Here is some more information on Mairo and this particular song, courtesy of Praiseworld Radio:

Drinking Coconut Water Will Turn a Child into an Olodo (Dunce)



Raise your hand if you've ever heard this before
:

"Don't eat that _______________ (fill in the blank with seemingly harmless food or fruit).  It will make you ___________________________." (fill in the blank with completely unnatural and very negative, undesirable bodily or mental functions).

What?! I'm the only one raising my hand?

Sacre bleu! I refuse to believe this.

Seriously, growing up I heard all sorts of myths and taboos surrounding food.  It just so happens that one of those myths has to do with a certain fruit.

Take a wild guess ....

MUSIC: Efe B'Liv (Believe) - Oghene Tega



As we step into a brand new week, I pray that God will surround each and every one of us with his favor as a shield in Jesus name.  I hope you said Amen.  I did.

Efe B'liv is a gospel artiste from the Niger Delta, and he shared his single, Oghene Tega with me a while back.

Here's some more information on this artiste courtesy of the press release:

Gospel Music Should Not Be "Plan B"


Ask a group of children this question, on any given day:

What do you want to be when you grow up?

If the said kids are Nigerians (and truthfully, even if they aren't), you'll hear answers like:

"Doctor!"

"Lawyer!"

"Engineer!"

"Architect!"

"Banker!"

"Businessman!"

"Kuli-kuli seller!"

Okay, maybe not that last one.

Did I leave any of the major ones out? You decide.

This Friday's Free Downloads | Featuring: Gold Help Owen, Victor Atenaga, Ola Praise

How did I ever forget to say "Happy New Month?" Pardon me, please.  I wish every single one of you a fantabulous October!

The following artistes have made their singles available for free:


  1. Gold Help Owen - Where I for dey?
  2. Victor Atenaga - Oghene Do
  3. Ola Praise - Thank You Lord (Ese Baba)


Now, let's learn a bit about these artistes before grabbing the free music ... Or you can just grab the music and begin your weekend.  :D

1. Gold Help Owen - Where I For Dey?


If you were the only one on earth, Jesus would still have come to the earth to die for your sins. This is the message Gold Owen shares on this track titled “Where I For Dey”, expressing how dead we would have been without Jesus.

Cover Art Candy: The Illustrated Edition | Featuring Okey Sokay, Tonicode, Gameman, Nolly CIA

Over the past months, I have noticed an interesting trend with cover art for gospel artistes.  No, I am not referring to the overly photoshopped images and plastic postures.  Nope! I am referring to illustrations.  It seems gospel artistes finally got the memo: try something new and different.  Let's just say I am gbadun-ing this "something new."

So, I decided to share a couple of those illustrations with you.  Believe me, if I come across more of them, I will share them with you.  In case you beat me to it, you can send the link(s) to cover art you think should be featured to music@therelentlessbuilder.com.

And now for some cover art candy (yes, I just repeated the title):

1. Aka (Clap) - Okey Sokay


Comment: I love the color and the details in this cover.  Looks like the background is a photograph and Okey is sort of "painted on" to it. And he's wearing trads too.  Two thumbs up!

Nigeria is 54, Happy Independence Day!


Happy Independence Day, Nigerians! If Nigeria was a person, at age 54 s/he would be ....

Okay, let's not go there today.

For those who have the day off, enjoy yourselves o! And for those who will be celebrating over the weekend, same thing: enjoy yourselves o!