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Like flowers that bloom in unexpected places, every story unfolds with beauty and resilience, revealing hidden wonders.

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Writing is a gift.
Only the initiated gets to feel the pulse of the muse.
Like adrenaline pumping up your spine
So is the flow of a new story in your guts.

Do not stop the pen.
It must discharge its points.
Let that message flow.
Out of your soul.
```
‘Up NEPA’ – even now?

Yes, I know for some of my readers, this is a strange title for a blog post. However, for my Nigerian readers, it is a familiar expression. So, come, let me tell you the story of an adult that is still using baby feeding bottle at almost 60 years. What! Did you just say what? Don’t worry, I will be glad to fill you in. Maybe you will be able to help that overgrown baby to grow up.

As a youngster, we love to play outside. And in those days, we really could. The only way you could fall prey of the bad guy is by collecting something to eat from a stranger. So, your parents warn you never to accept candy or sweet, depending on the side of the Atlantic Ocean you are from, from strangers. But the only scary thing for me personally is the dark. I hated darkness like ‘kilode‘. I must confess that it is actually fear I had for darkness. So, I would go to bed very early before lights out so that I would not see it when the lights get turned off. However, my dad could not understand that fear. Talk of the old, clueless way of bringing up children – those hard parents, uhn. It did us a lot of good, sha. We learnt discipline and respect for the elders.

Anyway, back to my story; my dad would insist on putting the lights out once it was time to go to bed. I too would close my eyes tightly and hope the darkness would go away. However, once I could not sleep off through this strategy, I would be forced to open my eyes and start seeing all kinds of figures climbing up and down the mosquito net on our room window. At a point, I would start sobbing in self pity, but my dad would insist my mom should let me to stick out the darkness as he was watching over me to see what I was afraid of. I must add that this style did not solve the problem as I never out grew my fear of darkness until this my old age o.

Anyway, this is to give you a background to my ‘Up NEPA’ story for today. So, your sensible next question is: what is NEPA, right? Don’t worry, I will give you an answer soon.

NEPA is Never Expect Power Always, right? Yeah, I am just joking. Hahaha. I got you there. Anyway, by the reason of their operations, that appellation fits the acronym so well. If you always expect power in Nigeria, you are either staying in a bourgeois environment or you simply have become your own Local Government Area by providing your own power supply by yourself. If you are connected to the National Grid, you should know the full weight of NEPA in your life.

So, the secret is out now. Yes, NEPA is the National Electric Power Authority! Yes, it was the agency that was saddled with the duty of providing electricity for Nigerians. However, you have to be living in a dreamland or have ‘long leg’ (privileged) in order to have power always.

After some time, the organisation or government, whoever – thought the problem of the agency was in its name and changed the name to PHCN: Power Holding Company of Nigeria. And trust Nigerians, they found a way to cause the name to fit into the operations of the agency. It became, yes, your guess is as good as mine: Please Help light Candle Now because the Company is now truly holding on to power! Ingenuous Nigerians! I sincerely wish we can harness this our high wire intelligence to solve all our problems. Anyway, that is a topic for another day.

Further down the road, the government decided to unbundle the organisation, citing high level corruption. People got the sack and this time, there were many names such as AEDC, BEDC, EKDC, IKDC, etc. that grew out of the PHCN. However, the problem remains the same. So, are you surprised that the original name has refused to go away?

Nigerians love that name. But much more, they hate the darkness. So, involuntarily, whenever the power gets cut, everyone is downcast. Power generator boomed – its business took on a life of its own. And a cabal seemed to have taken over the soul of electricity supply in Nigeria. So, the terror of the generator noise every evening seems to be the beginning of wisdom. Anyway. let’s go back to Up NEPA.

The involuntary dip in mood that Nigerians experience when there is power cut also leads to an involuntary response when it gets restored. Yes, you are right. The response is always the same: Up NEPA! Hahaha!! Crazy, right? Yes, it is really crazy because from one end of the street to the other, from a toddler to the ancient centenarian, the response involuntarily is always a scream of ‘Up NEPA’. You can imagine the whole frustration experienced by Nigerians to involuntarily release such a seeming admiration of dead NEPA when wanting to express their excitement about the restoration of power. This is what is taken for granted in sane societies. But in Nigeria, you have to be watching out with one part of your mind if power would be available to do all you plan to do or if you will get thrown into sudden darkness due to ‘Down NEPA’. So, NEPA has remained because it is a problem that has refused to go away.

Up NEPA is thus not a compliment but a cry for a persistent problem to be solved in the life of a giant neonate, even in this 21st century when people are talking of 5G network in other climes. Who is going to help her? Do you have any idea? Please, post in the comments section your take on how to solve this 20th century problem lingering into the 21st century.

Do remember to follow me on my social media handles so you can be the first to get updates on our posts!

Thank you in advance!

@LaraNwabueze.

24/09/2020
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Writing is a gift.
Only the initiated gets to feel the pulse of the muse.
Like adrenaline pumping up your spine
So is the flow of a new story in your guts.

Do not stop the pen.
It must discharge its points.
Let that message flow.
Out of your soul.
```
TRUST and QUENCH

“I said I can’t go on with the relationship,” reiterated the boy, trying not to look at the girl sniffing and sobbing. “Is it by force?” His voice was now firmer and more decisive.

          The girl looked up at his stiff figure, which was moving jerkily and restlessly about the room. Now he was beside the table rearranging the books on it and the next time he was sitting on the arm or at the edge of a chair. Big diamond drops of tears rolled down her face.

          “Laide,” she mumbled, “so now you can’t…you can’t…go on with…with the relationship?” Her voice was very small.

          “No, Tade, I can’t,” Laide answered, still not looking at her.

          Tade cried some more, harder. The more she cried the more uncomfortable Laide became and the guiltier still. He knew he was the one causing her all this heart-rending sorrow with the type of decision he had just informed her of. But he had to stick by this decision if he didn’t want his programme for his life to be disrupted. Tade spoke again, pathetically:

“So, it’s now…now that you realized I… I… am pregnant…that you… can’t go…on with the…relationship, ehn … Laide?” Her voice ended on a broken note. Her shoulders were heaving with the heaviness of her sad burden as she sobbed uncontrollably.

          But she got control of herself. She sniffed and rubbed the tears off her face, trying to steady her voice. “Laide I need your help now more…more than ever before,” her voice was almost breaking. Then, she took a grip of herself once more. “Please, don’t make me beg you for it. Just remember the good times we had together,” she pleaded, her voice virtually inaudible as she makes to go down on her knees.

          “And please, don’t let me be harsh on you, Tade,” Laide told her brusquely, his face contorted into an angry mask. “I’ve been trying to think of what this may mean for you but you should also realize that if my father ever hears about … (pausing meaningfully) … this I am not likely to finish my SSS cert. I can’t take such responsibilities on right now. I must consider myself first. Moreover, you are not a baby so you should have known how to prevent getting yourself into this mess in the first place,” he finished on a contemptuous note. His eyes were spitting fire, telling her she can’t drag him down with her.

          Tade’s kneeling movement was arrested. She was shocked by this self-righteous speech to say the least. Her tears were now almost dried as she looked at him with new eyes.

          “I’m surprised at you too, Laide.” Her voice was shocked and much steadier. “I’m surprised you can vomit those sorts of blasphemous things out of your mouth to me. I thought…I thought the only way I could prove my love for you was…was by giving myself to you.” She almost choked on the last bit.

He had the grace to look sheepish at this.

          “And Gullible of Gulliverland that I was too,” Tade resumed, “I took your words at face value. I gave you my innocence…” her voice ended on a sob, breaking her resolve. Then she shook her head and took hold of herself. She angrily brushed at her wet eyes as she continued accusingly, “…trusting my life into your hands and my future – my life, Laide, and my trust. That night you took me, you promised me both heaven and earth while you took me.” Her accusing eyes really pricked his conscience.

          “Well, what would you have had me say that night?” he returned defensively. “That should you be stupid enough not to be able to take care of yourself, I would not be held responsible?” he continued. His voice was also rising. “Well, you were not likely to have given yourself to me so gladly. So, don’t try putting on that act on me. I loved you but I can’t help you now. My life is at stake here…” he started on a self-righteous note.

          “And mine is not,” Tade cut him short. Her voice was very curt, a cutting whiplash. Laide winced at the razor-sharp, cutting tone of her voice. “My own father is not likely to kill me and my schooling not disturbed, abi?” She got up and stood at her full, just budding height. Her face was a study in determination.

She was quite a pretty girl. Her shoulders were no longer drooping. She realized she had to be strong to face the consequence of her rash loving and trusting. “Thank you very much, Laide, I’m not likely to ever be this stupid again; trusting and loving wantonly. Thanks very much for being a very impressionable teacher.” She walked out of the room, her head held high. She was ready for anything.

          Laide stood transfixed in the same semi-standing position, looking, staring at the aperture through which she just vanished, his stance as if to follow her. Then he shook his head. He couldn’t risk what his father might do if he ever discovered this secret in his life. She had to find a way of solving the problem on her own. He couldn’t risk his future for anything. He sighed deeply and admitted to himself that he was not strong enough; he was not man enough. He had let Tade down. Anyway, he shrugged; a man is allowed to be weak sometimes after all.

This is the tip of the iceberg. The full story is on http://www.amazon.com and http://www.selar.co. You can order for your copy on Amazon.com, using this link. It will also be available through other channels. Don’t hold your breath too much. Join the conversation on our SM channels, using the hashtag #TrustandQuench.

Follow us on IG @akewoauthe for more information. And to join the conversation, remember to use the #TrustandQuench.

Trust and Quench

22/09/2020

Writing is a gift.
Only the initiated gets to feel the pulse of the muse.
Like adrenaline pumping up your spine
So is the flow of a new story in your guts.

Do not stop the pen.
It must discharge its points.
Let that message flow.
Out of your soul.

How to defeat insomnia and overcome sleeplessness with ease!

posts.gle/yeVFM

22/09/2020

```
Writing is a gift.
Only the initiated gets to feel the pulse of the muse.
Like adrenaline pumping up your spine
So is the flow of a new story in your guts.

Do not stop the pen.
It must discharge its points.
Let that message flow.
Out of your soul.
```
Set ulcer aside and get your relief

Many of us have had to deal with ulcerous discomfort within our system at one time or the other. More often than not, we experience this unfortunate situation due to stress or our eating habits. Nonetheless. We can get over this situation if we will carefully follow the steps outlined below.

I offer you some easy to apply home remedies that have helped a lot of people. You may wish to get hold of some readily available products that can help you obtain the total closing of the ulcer in your stomach.

You will also need to use them regularly until the source of pain ceases. The products are listed below. I know that some of us will claim that we are quite familiar with many trial and error designs. However, these products have proven to have helped a lot of people. These people have overcome the pains of ulcer discomfort.

Personal Testimony:

I assure you that my personal experience will also help you. I overcame stomach ache every time I use these products, especially, the Longrich Pi Cup. I have also used it to help others suffering from stomach discomfort at one time or the other. The speed at which it gives relief is beyond imagination.

So, there it is:

I am introducing to you the Longrich Pi Cup and Longrich Berry oil as your go to products to relieve you of stomach ulcer, among other things they do with your consistent use, of course.

The Ulcer Kit for you!

Use this link to shop for yours.

17/08/2020
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Writing is a gift.
Only the initiated gets to feel the pulse of the muse.
Like adrenaline pumping up your spine
So is the flow of a new story in your guts.

Do not stop the pen.
It must discharge its points.
Let that message flow.
Out of your soul.
```
Freebies from Longrich High Flyers

Good morning, everyone!

Yes, it is always morning in Longrich. It does not matter which time zone you are in. In Longrich, we are always in the morning because the moment you understand your business and decide to work it, it is your morning.

So, I have a little juicy gossip o! Yes, very juicy. You know what? My team of entrepreneurs that I am mentoring have decided to help people start their own business on a great note. We are giving out freebies to those that are serious to start their business now.

I am attaching below the promo flyer that shows the products we are giving away at this time. All you need to do is to simply change your brand of every day grocery. We will formalise this process for you by giving you a loyalty code. Every time you come back to purchase your grocery from us, we add points to your code; these points can eventually earn you rank advancement and more freebies on a larger scale.

When you also refer other people to make purchases from us and you also help them get their own loyalty code under the unbrella of your code, we share the profit with you. In other words, you not only get points accumulated to your code to earn some benefits as they grow, you also earn points from the purchases of those that you refer to change their brand to ours and we also share our profit from their purchases with you.

I imagine that this is a fair deal you will like to take a look at. And the icing on the cake being that you can do this from home if your city is still locked down or as a side kick for that extra cash that come handy if you already have a career or a business.

In addition to this fair deal, we are also offering you some free products you can use personally; this is in addition to those you will get with your sign up purchases. So, you should take this great advantage and come on board immediately.

Do not procrastinate; procrastination is a thief of time. Take action NOW and enjoy this promo before it fades away by this weekend.

@longrichprof @readywriter01 @princeofpeacepublications #longrichprof #PPP #readywriter01

04/06/2020