Make Your Life A Lagos | The Lagos Series, Week 4
The Lagos Series is on the fourth week and it keeps getting better and better. Our entry today, Make Your Life A Lagos, is a video by Adewunmi Up’stairs Oke that is very much inspiring. You will absolutely enjoy. It’s the most inspiring thing written about Lagos that you will have seen.
Missed the previous episodes of The Lagos Series? Read them here:
Being Broke In Lagos | The Lagos Series, Week 3
What Lagos Means | The Lagos Series, Week 2
Lagos Yoruba Demons | The Lagos Series, Week 1
He says, “Developing your Life is the most rewarding gift you can give to yourself; it doesn’t matter how menial or huge the task is, how rough or smooth the road is.
To enjoy today’s episode, click on the video below.
Missed the previous episodes of The Lagos Series? Read them here:
What Lagos Means | The Lagos Series, Week 2
Lagos Yoruba Demons | The Lagos Series, Week 1
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The Lagos Series is a project which aims at sharing an enlightening, entertaining and inspiring narrative of Lagos in both written and visual media.
Have a story to share?
Join the Facebook community here: The Lagos Series Community
Follow us on Instagram: @thelagosseries
Like on Facebook: The Lagos Series
FOR PARTNERSHIP or SPONSORSHIP: [email protected]
(Kindly comment and share before you leave)
Tunde TNT On #FreshGradTales, Talks About Journey As A Studentpreneur
Our guest for today’s episode of #FreshGradTales is Morolari Babatunde Oluwaseyi (popularly known as Tunde TNT), a graduate of Psychology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He is a Fashion and Graphics Designer. He is also the CEO of Tunde TNT INC, a brand he started in 2012 and which has gotten him a couple of nominations and recognition. He has won awards including the Ace Awards Entrepreneur of the Year and OYA Awards 2015 Outstanding Fashion Designer of the year.
How would you describe your journey through the university?
My journey through school was a beautiful experience. Most especially, I learnt a great deal on every level academically, socially etc. I met great people while in school and made connections that would surely affect the future positively, I started a number of brands and businesses and helped people in my own capacity to grow and achieve their dreams.
Why OAU of all schools? Why not some other school?
Well, typically, I had my secondary education in Ogun State, and we mostly had desires to go to the great citadel of learning, OAU. lol
Talking about being a fashion designer, at what point in your life did you start? What inspired you to go into fashion designing?
Well I started off as a graphics designer when I was as young as 10, and I practised all through till I got into uni and then getting into university, I designed one of the most popular shirts around, tagged “IREP Oba Awon University”. I decided to print the shirts and sell and that’s how it all started. My mom actually is a fashion designer, so I started to learn sewing and designing from her before I got proper training later on.
On your IG, you mentioned that you spent six years in OAU, is this a story you would like to tell us? What happened? How did it feel?
Hmmmm, it’s a long story which I would still write about in a blog or so. But basically, I got into school to study Bsc Food engineering and along the line, after almost 3 years, I had to cross to psychology, because food engineering didn’t permit me the time to live my fashion x graphics dream. Inclusive of all the time spent on strikes and all of that.
How were you able to merge being an excellent fashion designer with your academics? Was there a point where you felt that school wasn’t important, after all?
Merging for me was quite difficult when I was in Tech, mixing food engineering and being a Fashion x Graphics designer was way difficult. But I usually tell people, if you want to be a successful student entrepreneur, your career choice has to sync with your course of choice, trust me it makes it way easier.
What were the greatest mistakes you made as a student?
My greatest mistake for me would be accepting to study food engineering in the first place, I actually put in for Computer Science with Economics. I really didn’t want to go to a university, always wanted a creative school, but we don’t do that around here and going abroad wasn’t coming through for me at that time.
What particular moment did you have as a student that you will never forget all your life?
Hmmmm, well, I really cherish moments a lot and I have a lot of cherished moments like when I first got a major class shirt to design and produce, my first award moments, moments with close friends and all of that.
Tell us about your relationships, maybe?
In a relationship. Been in it for almost four years, I won’t really say I was heartbroken or broke anyone’s heart.
What challenges did you have as a student who was an entrepreneur?
Major challenges were when my brand started gaining grounds outside Ife so I had to do a lot of travelling. There was this particular day I had to travel to Lagos and come back the same day. Because I had a test the next day, this was kind of challenging. Balancing school work and career work too was another challenge, doing business with students sometimes too can be funny, especially in a community like OAU where they want the best quality for the cheapest amount ever.
What advice do you have for those who are still students in higher institutions and those who are looking at going to school soon?
My advice is, study a course that makes you happy, when you are in school, be focused, have fun, met people, keep the right relationships and live life to the fullest, enjoy every bit of it.
Now that you’re a graduate, what’s next for you?
Well, I would first be getting a job with an ad agency or media firm and freelancing for fashion brands while still running my brand (Tunde TNT INC) after which I would be doing short courses in fashion & graphic designing in a creative institution abroad and when I am back, would run my brand fully.
Any final words?
I believe that creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun, cherish the right relationships, go out, travel if you can, learn new stuff, help everyone you can and love God!
Credit: Google
More About Tunde TNT:
In the university, Tunde became a brand ambassador for Nokia. He had previously worked at Neo-2 & Next Generation Image as a Graphic artist where he was involved with high-end graphics and multimedia for brands like MTN, Etisalat, and Banner Gas among others. He has participated in fashion shows like; Mr Ideal Nigeria Style Show, Unveiled Fashion Show, Miss Omolewa, Asabi Style Show, The Lagos Wardrobe and Exhibition, The Royal Fashion Show among others. He was on the graphics team for the 14th edition of Y! Magazine, also designed BlacknBold’s Falz edition magazine.
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DID YOU ENJOY TUNDE’S INTERVIEW? READ INTERVIEWS OF OTHER FRESH GRADUATES HERE >>>> #FreshGradTales
#FreshGradTales is a series of interviews for fresh graduates from ALL universities in Nigeria. This initiative aims at hearing and sharing the stories, struggles, achievements and experiences of fresh Nigerian graduates. We do believe everyone has a unique story that someone somewhere would love to read and benefit from reading as well.
If you are a fresh university graduate and would love to share your #FreshGradTales, Orifunke would be glad to hear from you on [email protected]
Being Broke In Lagos | The Lagos Series, Week 3
Ever heard of antonyms? That’s what ‘Gidi’ and ‘broke’ sound like to any correct Lagosian. You can’t be afford being broke in Lagos, it is a disaster! A tornado! A hurricane!!! I kid, but seriously, you do not want to be broke in Lagos.
Missed the previous episodes of The Lagos Series? Read them here:
What Lagos Means | The Lagos Series, Week 2
Lagos Yoruba Demons | The Lagos Series, Week 1
Unfortunately at some point, ‘broke’ would glitter in your ‘Gidi’ diaries. The real test of your ‘gidiness’ is in how well you manage your brokenness amidst the daily chaos and how smart you cover up your tracks while doing that.
But please let me warn you!! Don’t be broke in Lagos!!! Do not be broke in Lagos!!! If you ever get broke, BE SMART!!! Here’s a helpful list of what you shouldn’t do when you’re broke by the way.
That’s how this fine, fresh boy I call friend left his house that day o, starch-ironed shirt, crisp trousers, and well-polished shoes. Now, lemme epp your imagination; imagine that ‘tush’ guy with clean punk cut, highly professional look- ehn ehn.
The guy enter eatery order food, only to discover that money flew from his pocket – whether he forgot his purse at home or ‘the owners’ obtained it, he wasn’t sure. But bottom line, no cash!
The babe attending to him was already microwaving food and smiling like my guy will give her the “keep the change’ line.
My guy did a few pocket checks; you know the movie part where suddenly your pocket flies under your shoe. Film trick was becoming real, na so my guy carry phone, dey form…
“Eeerrrmmmm, where are you now? I am already at the eatery. Have you entered, can you see me? Okay, lemme come out so you can see me. I am wearing a white shirt…” blah, blah, blah…
As hin dey talk, hin dey comot the place, na so smart child waka comot before slap and hot stew land hin head…
In Lagos when you are broke, being cute cannot save your ass, RUN!!
Don’t judge us mehn, anyway na way in Lagos. The hustle is real.
And one quick piece of advice, if you are broke and you know it, don’t mess with the conductors of those yellow buses, some in white buses can still reason with you (don’t ever quote me, abeg) but most of the yellow buses are “Eru Iku” (slaves of death). Those guys don’t send you one bit. They spit on you, squeeze you, sit on you if care is not taken and eventually get you intoxicated on residual ‘omi gutter’ stenches. Beht if you joke with their ten naira, you are in for it.
That day, one of my guys, Yinka, had used his last card to get to Ogba from Gbagada and was hoping there would be a miracle when he got to his destination so he could get back home. But on this day, his miracle was on sabbatical leave, didn’t show or appear o and worse still, he didn’t know anyone where he went.
Being the proud, well-groomed child that he is, baba carry face, went to Koko Bus-stop, entered a bus and got down at Anthony and started to do pity-face for the conductor and speak incoherent Yoruba and pidgin mixed in one – just call it ‘yorubapigin’.
After many pleas from the impatient commuters, the conductor freed my guy but not without a huge chunk of curses. Oh! I have not told you about the first grade ‘Isale-Eko’ curses that can make you rethink if your destiny was aligned sef. Chai!!! These curses come with blows and slaps as bodyguards. Don’t mess with these guys o.
Sometimes I can’t even blame Lagosians for the constant rush, straight faces and inhumane behaviours. One has to be really strong to survive on these streets. Your ‘shepeterian’ level needs intermittent shots of adrenaline. You can’t afford to be underdosed on “ginga” and ‘hustle’. If you are, you will crack and once you crack it is just a matter of time before you split open.
The thought of being cashless in a land where money exchanges hands without sighting the faces of men is devastating enough; the drama that follows when caught by unforeseen circumstances can lead to depression. And you know what is funny,
Lagos owes you nothing but you owe it being tough, after which ‘Gidi owes you everything!! Yes o everything, including association with men who think you are forever indebted to them – they swindle you at the slightest opportunity, stay with you through hard times only to walk away with things you fought for. And the corporate thieves that hunt a broke life.
My dear, being broke in Lagos isn’t an ailment, it’s just in the moment, it usually passes as quickly as it comes. However, don’t be surprised when you find some people whose constant way of life has become being broke. Being broke is how they make a living; they are the ones you would meet at Agege bus stop today, Iyana-Ipaja tomorrow, Berger next tomorrow at bus stops and strategic people-crowded places. They have, over time, perfected the art of retelling their stories and perfecting their acts to gain your pity. See, we would come back to this gist; this is just a forewarning. For you, the Sane, Prim and Proper, being broke is a disaster, for a select Gidi few, it’s a way of life. Deal with it!
My friend, before they come for my head, abeg, let me recline from the day’s hustle and travel back to somewhere other than Lagos where smiling faces tell the tales of the quests which we have travailed. Meanwhile, have you ever been broke in Lagos? Biko share, lemme laugh…
Glossary
Gidi – Lagos
Gidiness – How much of a tough Lagosian you are.
Shepeterian – Well, Let’s just say an unruly fellow
Omo dada – Good child
Ginga – High level of excitement
Hustle – Intense hustle
Yorubapidgin – A barbaric mix of Yoruba and pidgin languages
Isale –Eko – A popular suburb of Lagos city
Eru Iku – Slaves of death
Omi gutter – A concoction of alcohol and hard drugs
WRITTEN BY: WEMIMO ADEJUWON, A pharmacist and a Writer.
ALL GIFs gotten from GIPHY.
Missed the previous episodes of The Lagos Series? Read them here:
What Lagos Means | The Lagos Series, Week 2
Lagos Yoruba Demons | The Lagos Series, Week 1
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The Lagos Series is a project which aims at sharing an enlightening, entertaining and inspiring narrative of Lagos in both written and visual media.
Have a story to share?
Join the Facebook community here: The Lagos Series Community
Follow us on Instagram: @thelagosseries
Like on Facebook: The Lagos Series
FOR PARTNERSHIP or SPONSORSHIP: [email protected]
(Kindly comment and share before you leave)
What I Hate Most About Being A Woman
What do you think every lady hates most about being a woman? No, sit down and imagine this if you are a guy.
Let me guess your guess (pun intended). You’ll probably say it’s having to do house chores or cooking. Or being hit on by guys she has no interest in. Whatever-
You want to know what I hate most about being a woman? No, it’s not house chores (of course, I hate house chores with a beautiful passion except for washing plates. I can wash plates for Africa)
No, it’s not cooking. Even though I have not cooked in a very long while as I hardly have the time to cook, I really really love cooking.
Oh, I do hate being hit on by guys I do not like in any way, especially by those Yaba vendors who always pull you to buy stuff when you’re passing by. But, no, I can still deal with that.
So what is it that I hate most about being a woman?
MENSTRUAL PERIODS!!! (insert crying smiley here)
Every time when it’s that time of the month for me, I always ask myself why on earth I have to go through the stress of having blood ooze from my body because I didn’t get pregnant. I mean… I can’t imagine bringing out blood from me for five days every month. (Actually, I can imagine because I do. Lol)
And you know what? I have a short menstrual cycle so most times, I have my cycle TWICE A MONTH. Imagine that? Imagine that!
I hate the pain that comes with it. But that’s not all…
I hate my emotional moodswings; how I can suddenly feel like crying for no reason ever or feel so sad.
I hate the feeling of hopelessness I usually have towards the start of my cycle and through it.
I have crazy and unusual cravings and I don’t even feel like eating that much when I’m on.
I hate the edgy feeling that comes and how every thing or everyone can be annoying.
And finally, I hate how big my cheeks get when it’s close to my period! I mean, people see me around this period and think I am gaining weight. (I just wonder what I would like when I am pregnant.)
The menstrual cycle is just a crazy cycle. I will never be able to understand what on earth I did to deserve it.
I know someone who is reading this would probably think it not right to write a post about menstruation but before you tell me anything, just know that I am currently on my period. You know what that means? It means I can be very edgy right now. So, don’t step on my toes. Thanks.
Which brings me to ask… why do people feel uncomfortable about talking about or listening to any talk about menstrual cycles? I strongly think that a lady shouldn’t be shy and uncomfortable about her period. And sensible guys should know that having a menstrual cycle is just normal and you should treat it just as it is- normal.
If you have a girlfriend, one of the things that you will need to know is when your girlfriend is on her period and also to know the different feelings that come along with it for her. It would help you to handle her better and not feel awkward if she does something you don’t particularly like during this period.
Just saying, anyway.
I should snap out of how I feel in two or three days. I’ve not stopped taking sugary stuff anyway. I have found out that taking sugary things gives me the sugar rush that I need or else, I’d just be so so dull.
Thank you for reading.
See you again, soon.
P.S: ALL GIFs gotten from GIPHY
What Lagos Means In Five Verses | The Lagos Series | Week 2
This poem by Mosobalaje Abimbola (King Abimbola) is one that perfectly and effortlessly describes what Lagos means. It encapsulates the daily life that most people in Lagos can relate to. This is the second entry in The Lagos Series and we have twenty-eight weeks to go. Last week, we had a post on Lagos Yoruba Demons. Read it here: Lagos Yoruba Demons | The Lagos Series, Week 1
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Lagos
There are many names which Lagos can be called;
A whore who welcomes everybody into her bosom
Without discrimination,
A restless soul –because she never sleeps,
even when darkness bites into the soul of the day.
If like me, you love music, you’ll listen
To the unrhythmic rhythms of Molues, BRTs, hawkers,
You will hear the silent, but heavy thumps of hearts
Imperfectly held in figurines with faces soaked with sweat.
You can say Lagos is that disrespectful child,
But not the spoilt brat like a fermented meal.
It bears no respect for anyone; you could be in a suit,
Sitting on the step of a BRT, while a boy in shorts
Sits comfortably in a chair with his ears plugged with a phone.
No one is allowed
The luxury of nothingness;
Somehow, the sojourners get rods to play
their drums, It is how they remind themselves of living.
Here, since the sun shone, it has never set
It will never set.
For those who have chosen to suckle life’s milk
From the sagging breasts of the many-breasted woman,
I hope we never choke on its fluid.
King Abimbola
What Lagos Means
Missed the last episode of The Lagos Series? Read it here:
Lagos Yoruba Demons | The Lagos Series, Week 1
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The Lagos Series is a project which aims at sharing an enlightening, entertaining and inspiring narrative of Lagos in both written and visual media.
Have a story to share?
Join the Facebook community here: The Lagos Series Community
Follow us on Instagram: @thelagosseries
Like on Facebook: The Lagos Series
(Kindly comment and share before you leave)
Lagos Yoruba Demons | The Lagos Series, Week 1
If you’re Nigerian and especially live in Lagos, then the idea of Yoruba demons is not novel to you. I, for one, have had an interesting number of experiences with them.
My freshest memory of one was a dude (in his early thirties) who was working in the same organization as I was and was seriously making passes at me every good day. For the naïve person I was, I was quite fascinated about how or why he wasn’t married yet even though he looked like he had everything he needed to start a family.
Well, I didn’t say yes to him. One, which was the most important, I was in a relationship. And two, I just felt he was too old and unintelligent for me. I endured him for many weeks until he got into some trouble in the company and was fired.
As usual, he was the talk of the company for a while after he left. One beautiful day, a colleague of mine was talking about him and he said, “I don’t know how John will cater for his pregnant wife now.”
I shook. What? Pregnant wife? You mean, John has a wife, a pregnant wife? I found it really hard to believe. I had asked him if he was single and he had affirmed it. I’d also asked him why he was single and he said something about not finding the right person yet.
So this guy that had been making passes at me was married and his wife was pregnant! I was mad. No, really, I was so mad. Not because I cared about him or would have said yes to him but because I couldn’t just think about how he could be so cruel and unfaithful!
Now, this was the most infuriating thing- I called him after to let him know that I knew he was married and how I was disappointed with him. Do you know this guy absolutely denied it? He absofuckinglutely denied it. In fact, he still denies it.
That was one of the Yoruba demon experiences I first had.
Who is a Yoruba Demon?
A “Yoruba demon” is a guy who is a specialist at cheating on his lovers or breaking the hearts of innocent girls. And it is important to note that the term “Yoruba demon” although is mostly made to refer to Yoruba guys who break hearts, any guy of any tribe can be a Yoruba demon, even if he is white.
How to know a “Yoruba Demon”?
To be honest, I don’t know. I have a list of things in my head that I’d advise any lady to be aware of before saying yes to a guy or while dating him. For example, I can’t trust a guy who’s 28 and above not to be married or at least, have someone he’s dating. I’m not saying it’s impossible o but until I am convinced, I don’t believe.
Sometimes there are warning signs which are really obvious unless you’re too blinded by love to see. However, there are demons and there are demons. And some of them have so perfected the art of looking and acting innocent. The only way you can find them out is-
Allow the Holy Spirit lead you ???
Because, to be honest, only God can show you who is who. So before you say yes to a guy who lives in Lagos, has a car, has a house, looks like he’s ready for marriage, better pray in tongues well (If you’re a Christian) so you have enough information about him from the Spirit. ???
P.S: This is from a personal opinion. You might not agree with it.
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The Lagos Series is a project which aims at sharing an enlightening, entertaining and inspiring narrative of Lagos in both written and visual media.
Have a story to share?
Join the Facebook community here: The Lagos Series Community
Follow us on Instagram: @thelagosseries
Like on Facebook: The Lagos Series
Also, Visit The Lagos Series’ website
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