ARTISTIC TRIBE

What Not to Try in Your Marriage: Avoiding Common Pitfalls Let’s be honest: marriage is far from the perfect picture we sometimes see on TV. It’s more like trying to cook a pot of amala—things can get messy, and you’ve got to stir carefully or risk burning the whole pot. I may not be married yet (still in the 'finding my person' phase, you know), but trust me, I’ve witnessed enough love stories to know that marriage is both sweet and challenging. It’s a lot like juggling; sometimes you're on point, and other times, you end up dropping all the balls. But that’s what makes it real. In the beginning, it’s all smiles and love letters—those moments when your partner can do no wrong. But as time passes, the reality of everyday life sets in, and suddenly, you’re having a full-blown debate about whether the fan should be on or off in the middle of the night. Marriage isn’t just about grand declarations of love; it’s about navigating the small, everyday moments that either keep th...

Odetta: Voice of the Soul In the distant past, where songs are born, A voice rose steady, both soft and worn. Odetta, beacon of melody's might, A flame that blazed through the longest night. Her chords carried burdens, stories untold, Of fields once shackled, of dreams turned cold. With each strum of her guitar’s embrace, She gave the silenced a sacred space. Oh, mother of folk, with wisdom vast, A bridge to the future, a hymn to the past. Your songs were rivers, deep and wide, Healing the scars of a wounded tide. In every lyric, a call to rise, To seek the truth beneath weary skies. Your voice, a thunder, a tender plea, A whisper of hope, of what could be. Through marches and struggle, your spirit led, Singing of justice where courage tread. From Selma's streets to freedom's fight, You carried the dream into the light. Odetta, the soul of folk, still you sing, In hearts that rise, in freedom’s ring. Your legacy shines, a guiding star, Forever reminding us who w...

The Empty Tomb A stone rolled back, the dawn breaks bright, The tomb stands empty, a wondrous sight. Linen folded, death dethroned, Victory claimed, the grave disowned. Three crosses linger on the hill, A story of love fulfilled by will. The darkest hour, the cruelest pain, Now eclipsed by life’s refrain. Oh, death, where is your sting today? The risen King has paved the way. Hope restored, hearts set free, Grace flows wide, eternally. The earth may quake, the sky may cry, But heaven rejoices, lifting high The name of One who conquered all— Redeemer, Savior, on Him we call. From an empty tomb to hearts reborn, In Him, the veil of sin is torn. Let nations sing, let voices soar, He lives! He reigns forevermore.

Après Minuit Beneath the moon’s soft, steady glow, We find a place where secrets flow. The world is still, but hearts ignite, A love concealed in the quiet night. The clock ticks on, the hours fade, As passion stirs in silence. No need for words, just fleeting touch, A stolen moment, sweet and much. After midnight, hearts are free, No rules to bind, no eyes to see. In this brief hour, we belong, Where love is pure, yet feels so wrong. The world outside, untouched by fear, We linger close, but none are near. In stolen glances, lips will meet, A love that blooms in hearts discreetly. No promises, no vows exchanged, Just moments fleeting, hearts unchained. After midnight, love is wild, Like an untamed, forbidden child. And when the hour fades to dawn, We parted as if it had not gone. Yet in our hearts, a fire remains, Till midnight calls us back again.

The Essence of Supportive Partnerships: A Modern Reflection Supportive partnerships are the backbone of healthy, fulfilling relationships. They go beyond mere cooperation, requiring deep emotional intelligence, a shared commitment to each other's well-being, and the active participation of both partners in building a life together. True partnership isn't about completing tasks or filling roles based on tradition but about creating a dynamic where both partners feel heard, understood, and empowered. In a world that often celebrates independence and individualism, the power of support in a relationship lies in its ability to nurture personal growth while strengthening the collective bond between two people. Growing up, I was fortunate to witness this dynamic firsthand in the relationship between my parents. Their partnership was the epitome of mutual support. My father, deeply engaged in the traditional masculine responsibilities around the house, also encouraged us, his sons, ...

The Power of Sharing Knowledge: Building Bridges, Empowering Circles Last Sunday, during a heartwarming moment of reflection with one of my closest friends, we revisited our journey together—how far we’ve come and the growth we’ve experienced along the way. As we shared memories and ideas that had shaped our paths, the conversation took a contemplative turn. We spoke of friends from our elementary days who seem to have found success but haven’t considered reaching back to share the insights that could help others in their circle grow. While this realization was sobering, it also highlighted the value of the connections and wisdom we’ve gathered from others over time. We agreed that sharing knowledge and initiatives within our circle—and beyond—is the way forward. Sharing Knowledge: A Key to Growth and Connection The reflections from that Sunday have only deepened my conviction about the power of knowledge-sharing. As we discussed, knowledge is a tool not meant to be hoarded...

The Core Values of a Responsible Man: A Tribute to Everyday Resilience International Men's Day is an opportunity to reflect on the quiet strength and resilience of men worldwide. For most men, this day often goes unnoticed—no grand speeches, no widespread well-wishes. And yet, their struggles and sacrifices remain the backbone of families, communities, and societies. Men face daily battles, from the pressures of providing for loved ones to the pursuit of self-improvement and career growth. This day is not just about celebrating manhood but about recognizing the qualities that define a responsible and impactful man. As we celebrate, let’s remember: “Happy International Men’s Day” is not by mouth—it’s by action. The Values That Define a Responsible Man True recognition comes from living out core values that build strength of character and inspire others. These values are not merely ideals—they are the compass by which men navigate life’s challenges. 1. Accountability: Own...

The Dynamism of Mondays: A Tale of Opportunity, Anxiety, and the Ibadan Spirit Mondays, the unofficial beginning of the week, carry a weight that’s both daunting and invigorating. For some, it marks the end of leisure and the start of grinding routines. For others, it is a clean slate—a promise of new beginnings, fresh opportunities, and possibilities. In Ibadan, Nigeria’s sprawling city with its blend of ancient charm and modern hustle, Mondays have their own unique flavor, marked by steady rhythms and bursts of energy.   What makes this day so dynamic, so polarizing? Let’s explore the psychology, the Ibadan experience, and strategies to turn this often-dreaded day into one of empowerment and productivity. The Psychological Impact of Mondays The phrase "Monday Blues" is universally recognized, evoking feelings of dread, lethargy, and reluctance to return to the structured demands of life. Psychologists attribute this to a sudden shift from the freedom of the weekend to the r...

The Unyielding Nature of Time: A Reflection on Life’s Greatest Constant Time—unseen, intangible, and indifferent—is one of life’s most fascinating constants. It marches forward with a resolute pace, unencumbered by human desires or intervention. You cannot save time for later, lose it irretrievably, or manipulate it to your will. It remains impartial, unfeeling, and unyielding—a silent companion to all of existence. Time’s Indifference Consider the global tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic. For months, the world came to a standstill, economies froze, and people paused their daily routines. Yet, time didn’t stop. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and the calendar moved forward, oblivious to human suffering. Even as millions stayed indoors, the hands of the clock continued their ceaseless march. Similarly, history shows how time diminishes the mightiest of empires. Ancient civilizations such as the Roman Empire once believed themselves eternal. Today, their ruins stand as silent r...

Matters of the Heart: Navigating Romance in the Workplace Workplace romances have always been a topic of fascination and controversy. For some, the office serves as a natural place to meet potential partners, considering the amount of time spent there. But what happens when the attraction is undeniable, yet impossible to act on? Here’s my story. Not long ago, I met a candidate who came to apply for the role of Social Media Manager at Smart Chance Lottery. As the CEO and I conducted the interview, I couldn’t help but notice how this woman perfectly embodied the traits I’ve always desired in a partner—confident, intelligent, light-skinned, and undeniably beautiful. To my surprise, she was a familiar face from my undergraduate days in Ile-Ife. In another world, this could have been the beginning of something wonderful. But in the professional realm, company policies and ethics are clear: relationships between management and employees are strictly off-limits. The dilemma was real: should I...