Hello guys!

I hope your week is looking good? Mine is looking like the story I'm about to tell. Last week in this post, I mentioned something about starting my coding journey and putting it in another post. Well, here it is! Before I go on and on about myself, have you registered for the Concatenate Conference? If you are a developer looking for amazing programming plugs, this is it! I wrote about it here last week as well.

Now to our story:

After 2 years of "thinking about coding", I finally started learning. My very good friend Tope (whom I already told has a permanent spot in my vote of thanks) (@topriddy) sent me a DM, following a frustrated tweet I had sent out about coding being very hard. It is definitely hard, but it's pretty interesting and is something you can learn if you want. Tope encouraged me to go learn HTML and CSS first before learning JavaScript; which was the best advice really, because things started falling in place after this.

For two to three months from December 2017, I changed my routine. After my morning prayers, I would open my laptop to code. I followed a few programmers/developer communities on Twitter and would check out every software development article I found (mostly the ones on Medium, which were packed with rich programming nutrients). I started courses on Udacity, then went back to Codeacademy, then freeCodeCamp, then W3schools. In January 2018, I attended my first developer meetup (organized by Figma) and it was eye opening. I met people that tried their best to steer me in the right direction, considering I was a level zero beginner.

Speaking of Figma, were you at the Hackhaton in collaboration with Github? Let me know in the comments! How did you find it? Should I do a separate post on my experience?

Fast forward to March 2018, an ever awesome newsletter I'm subscribed to (forLoopAfrica) sent in one of their many awesome newsletters, which allowed me to apply for the Google Africa Scholarship. It was sponsored by Google, Udacity and Andela. I applied with little or no knowledge and went on with my learning routine. I even went back to my application a few times before the deadline to indicate I had now learned new basic concepts.

Deadline came and on the day we were to get a response, and it turns out I had been given a scholarship! I couldn't contain my excitement, guys. It felt really good to have that.

We were to finish the 3-month course in 8 weeks and participate in helping each other on Slack. After the course period elapsed, 500 participants were to be chosen from the 15,000 scholars to go on another scholarship for the Nanodegree Course, still on Udacity. Sadly, I didn't make this part.

However, I had a fun time especially at Andela. Every two weeks, we were to be at meetups which were held in different cities all over Nigeria, with volunteers on standby who were always ready to help with our numerous questions. Trust me, when it came to questions, we had tons of them! I'm so glad I was a part of this program, it has really contributed to a greater percentage of my progress so far.

(Photo by Émile Perron on Unsplash)

Being the "almost - maybe - a - tiny bit - before - perfectionist" that I am, I'm still learning the same concepts elsewhere, so that I can have a well polished junior developer portfolio. This scholarship and its experience has been the major highlight of my year so far. 2018 has been feeling like I'm getting up and acting on stuff. Have you ever felt so alive about something before? Of course you have, why not share it with me in the comments?

I'm working hard towards and looking forward to becoming a fierce Front-End Web Developer. I also just found out about one Lynda Chiwetelu lady on Twitter that's just the amount of fierce I need. Working on being her friend (this might take a while considering I don't know how to make friends *wails*).

Stay winning,
See you in my next post!

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You probably saw this title and went "huh?" but hear me out first.

Photo: homelife

Hello guys!

How's your weekend looking? I hope you're getting the rest you need!

So, let's get to the matter.

I have constantly found that myself and a few other people I've had conversations with, had the same issues with washing plates. If you conducted a poll today, this chore will probably have the highest or second highest percentage of chores that people hate. Don't get me wrong, I still hate washing plates, but seeing as they have to be washed and it would be totally wasteful for me to use my plates once and break them, I decided to create my own structure.

Speaking of polls, I think I should conduct one on Twitter and write the next blog post on that. What do you think?

I'm sure that others like me have also been able to devise a means to deal with washing plates, but I'll just share mine and you guys can let me know what methods you use for yours in the comments.

I simply sing any song.

Gif: pypnyc

I don't think my voice is that great, but that's not the point. There's a special place I travel to when I'm washing plates. Being a very forgetful person, I suddenly remember other things I'm supposed to do that I must have neglected before and start to take note of doing them. I do a lot of things oh! I talk to myself, wonder how I'm now at a certain point in my life or laugh at the innocent goals I used to have and how I hadn't achieved them.

This will probably sound weird, but you can go the most places and experience a different type of peace while doing the dishes. Just try it and tell me how it feels. Being a Saturday, I wanted to touch on home care and I hope you have been able to take a thing or two away from this.

Most importantly, how do you feel about doing the dishes, and what technique do you apply when dealing with the fact that you have to do the dishes? 

Did you read yesterday's review? If you haven't, what are you doing? Please go and read it, plis dear.

Stay winning,
See you in my next post!

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Photo: latestnollywoodmovies

Hello guys!

It's another Friyay and I am as excited as your definition of excitement! I feel like Friday is naturally programmed with excitement just because it's next to Saturday (for people that don't work on weekends). So as has been custom in a few of my previous posts like this one and this one; it's another beautiful *sipping cold latte* style day for a movie review.

This one is Nigerian though.

I subscribed to irokotv this year and have watched a lot of movies on the app. I found myself asking questions, rolling my eyes, laughing my head off, even struggling to finish some movies, so I said to myself: "Lola?", myself said "Yes, beautiful?"; then I blushed back at myself and responded "Why not just write about it on the blog?". And here we are!

Note: I know the kind of hard work that goes into making a movie and I recognize it. However, I'm sharing my views so that we can have meaningful conversations about how amazing a movie was or how it could be better. I hope we can do that.


My own version of a background

A celebrity chef reconnects with his long-time love when she found herself on his cooking show, following a change to his routine by the TV network hosting his show. Their re-connection came with a shipload of unanswered questions and anger they had harbored in the past. Like every other story, they start really rough and end really smoothly.

This is me trying not to spoil the movie for you, you owe me a gift for this.

Review

While I really loved the movie, I had a few issues that kept bugging me throughout. Molade's (Enado Odigie) sister (Bimbo Ademoye) seemed to have a different costuming from her sister because, they were just really wrong. Maybe that also contributed to her acting because Bimbo is one actress I really admire (especially for her stellar acting in Backup Wife which made me scream when she nominated for the same role).Maybe it's just me, but I think she struggled with that role a bit.

I loved Labake's (Fehintola Olulana) interpretation of the role. We all need a Labake in our lives and trust me, I know because I have one in my life. She made me remember my great friendships and I would have "named names", but I won't like to embarrass my friends so I'll just pim. The Lead character Abbey (Jimmy Odukoya) though, I felt he could have done more with the role and be more believable. It seemed like he was better at being a celebrity chef than being Abbey himself. I felt like his supporting characters helped to carry him well, which was good.

And that towards-the-end scene, where Molade recounts the reason why she left - was off the charts! I felt every word she spoke and it was as if I could see the picture she was painting for me. I haven't really seen Enado in a lot of movies but in this one, she was everything.

Highlights

1. Of course, towards-the-end scene. Every bit of it.
2. Then there was the first time she came on the cooking show and while Abbey was trying to make egg sauce, she takes over the show by saying "That was not how I taught you". I felt every bit of that! 
3. Where Abbey and Molade had this hilarious argument about the correct pronunciation of scotch bonnet.

Gifer

Rate

6/10

Recommend?


I would definitely recommend you saw it. You might like it better than I did or not. Whichever way, let me know!

Have you seen this movie? What did you think? You know what to do: take a seat in the comments and let's have a chat!

Stay winning.
See you in my next post!

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Guys, I'm howling!!!

Okay I'll calm down for the purpose of this post, so that I can explain the reason for my sudden "wolf gang" behavior. A month ago or so, Christian Nwamba (@codebeast) lamented on twitter about how amazing developers were always denied visas to international events, even when they had clearly been invited to speak on it and were honest, hardworking people. Though I'm new to the developer scene, I have been following Christian for a while and have only heard amazing things about him. I think he even released two books this year. Two! Guys!

See the whole thread here.

Moving on, I was scrolling through Twitter yesterday (as has become my habit for a while now because, why not?), retweeting developer stuff that I sometimes don't even understand and I stumbled upon a new thread from Christian. Get this, guys: for the first time ever, Nigeria is going to be having a (an international themed) developer conference. Lemme give you a minute to take that in.

Welcome back! I remember some amazing people responding to the initial thread, saying they were going to help out and see to it that more Nigerian/African developers got full access (visa included) to events that definitely would help their career development in a huge way. These people have come through on their promises are bringing international conferences to Nigeria instead.

(giphy)

Did I hear something about Mohammed and the Mountain? This sure sounds like it.

So for the first time, there will be a convergence of developers on all levels with speakers from all over the world. Now, doesn't that sound so cool?! We're getting to another interesting part: They named it Concatenate. As in Concatenate Conference. In JavaScript and Python (as far as I know), the word "concatenate" means to join something/ variables together into something meaningful. So it's like people from all over the world coming together. Such a simple name with great meaning! This melts my heart so much, you have no idea.

It's probably not enough to write a whole post about, but I had to share my feelings with you and that's why we're here, right? If you are a developer reading this - maybe budding or already established; you can register as a participant here. There will be 23 speakers and I hear Prosper Otemuyiwa (@unicodedeveloper) is gonna be MC'ing. See the full thread here and also visit the Concatenate Conference website for more details about sponsors and freebies that are to come with the event.

Side note: while I was reading the new thread in my "uncalm" state, I stumbled upon the list of speakers and found myself asking "where is Prosper?" till I saw that he was the MC! I cannot wait for August 10th/11th and I have registered. I also hear seats are limited, so make sure you register early if interested!

Even got my ID done and everything :)

Speaking of upcoming events, there's a Figma x Github Hackathon in Lagos next week, have you heard? It's themed "Design, Develop and Collaborate" and will hold from the 21st - 22nd of July. If you are not in Lagos, not to worry! There's an Accra version coming up on the 28th, to end on the 29th of July. You don't wanna miss this. Register here for Lagos and Accra.

Did you see yesterday's post about choosing careers? Your interests might be gearing towards being a developer. Go read and leave a comment or two if you haven't x

Stay winning,
See you in my next post!

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Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

Hello guys!

It definitely has been a long time since you last saw read me and I sure have missed you! I apologize for being away for so long and will try everything to stay this time. Now to the topic I'm sure you're here for: we certainly have varying methods and reactions to life especially when it comes to career choices, but I don't think there's anything that says you shouldn't check out guides, is there?

You sure need a little push from time to time (I know I do too), so I'm writing this as a way for us to all help each other reach that potential we have been yearning to reach for so long, maybe even just start! Let these guide you:

Who are you?

Making a career choice is a big deal. As such, one thing you always have to do is start from the source - yourself. Make a genuine report on yourself: what are you mostly drawn to? What kinds of environment do you like to work in? Are they usually noisy or serene? This is the very first stage, so even if you are employed or unemployed - take your time to find out who you really are.

(Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash)

An important thing about this question is being able to make forecasts. Think about interesting stuff you like to do that will definitely pop up in your future. It's also very fine to write down things that are temporary for you. Don't forget your strengths and weaknesses, guys! Explore every corner of yourself in a question and answer style.

Make a list

What do we do when we need to make our chaotic thoughts and ideas clear? We make a list! From the first step, I'm pretty sure some things would've have been coming up as potential career choices already. This step is where you pick them out from the noise and make them into a list.

(Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash)

Write them out on paper, in bullet points, on a spreadsheet, whatever you are comfortable in! Next, you want to look through this list and pick out the ones that genuinely interest you and match your traits and possible goals well. Then you want to go on and research them: what are the job descriptions particular to these career choices?

Be careful here: If you find a career that you think is interesting and might be likely to explore later, you could keep it and save somewhere. After making extensive research on what your chosen career(s) is/are like in the real market, try and seek out professionals maybe on LinkedIn to get more information about exceling in the field(s).

Choosing still begins with you

Because, what doesn't? When taking charge of your ship and steering it, you make the choice about where it turns. It helps to have more than one career choice for a fall back plan, but it isn't totally necessary. So whether you are one for choosing one path or more than one, make sure you don't forget structure!

(Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash)

Choosing comes with identifying material and immaterial costs that will come with your career and how to navigate different stages and challenges. You could also take your time or go back a step if you need to just take a breather. However, if you have made your choice, follow me to the next step!

Go for the win!

(Insert your name here); for the win!

(Photo by Amy Shamblen on Unsplash)

Here, you identify your action plan. This is where you set long and short term targets for yourself. This is also where the different paths that lead to success in your new career are clearly outlined in steps. Also remember: take the first step, it leads to the second. And the third, and...you know where I'm going with this.

Speaking of actions, I finally started my coding journey in December 2017 and it has been a hell of a ride. I'm going to write about it in a separate post and how getting a scholarship made me feel

.

One last thing: making a career choice is a continuous process, so don't be scared when you have to come back to this guide. Life in itself is continuous, so what makes careers different?

Stay winning,
See you in my next post!

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WanaWana aims to make poems accessible with album, “In Memory Of Forgetting”

Nigerian poet hosts listening party for sophomore poetry album at Rele Gallery

LAGOS, NIGERIA: On Sunday, August 27, Wana Udobang, popularly known as WanaWana, collaborated with Rele Gallery for an intimate listening of her sophomore poetry album, “In Memory of Forgetting”.

During the listening, WanaWana’s audience stayed in a trancelike quietness for over thirty minutes, as track after track interlaced to tell a story of personal struggles, brokenness and triumph. After the listening, Efe Paul Azino, founder of the Lagos Poetry Festival, facilitated a Q and A. In explaining her motivations for the album, WanaWana stated, “I want my work to be accessible … I am continually experimenting with new ways of making my work available to people who would not normally listen to poetry”. As for her creative approach to the album, Udobang explains, “I want connection . . . I don’t want just teach or preach, I want people to connect with the work in a very personal way for themselves”.

WanaWana might just be on her way to achieving her goal as one critic remarked, “… as a critic and [a listener], I couldn’t help but see the album for what it was - honest”. Other critics at the event noted the inventive use of music to guide the listener’s mood through the collection.

“In Memory of Forgetting” is a 10-track album made up of aesthetics including, music, wordplay, intonation and vocal variety. The album features Cat Mayel, renowned poet Titilope, as well as music by Femi Leye, Echo and Lanre ‘Sabre’ Oladimeji. The collection is an unapologetic introspective into the sharp, sometimes dark, corners of Udobang’s life, and a piercing mirror for the listener to see the same in theirs. At its heart, it is a seminal work by an artist who wants her listener to remember to turn the page and never go back.

The album is digitally available worldwide on iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon and Deezer. Lagos residents can pick up a CD copy at Terra Kulture and Rele Gallery. It is also available at the Salamander Café in Abuja.

Download the album here: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/wanawana.

About Wana Udobang: Wana Udobang, popularly known as WanaWana, is a journalist, poet and filmmaker whose work probes women’s rights, social justice, personal narratives, culture and the arts. As a performance poet she has graced the stages of festivals across Africa.  Her first spoken word album, ‘Dirty Laundry’, was released in 2013. Her poems have been featured at the British Library’s Word, Symbol and Song exhibition. “In Memory of Forgetting” is her second spoken word poetry album.

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WanaWana aims to make poems accessible with album, “In Memory Of Forgetting”

Nigerian poet hosts listening party for sophomore poetry album at Rele Gallery

On Sunday, August 27, Wana Udobang, popularly known as WanaWana, collaborated with Rele Gallery for an intimate listening of her sophomore poetry album, “In Memory of Forgetting”.

During the listening, WanaWana’s audience stayed in a trancelike quietness for over thirty minutes, as track after track interlaced to tell a story of personal struggles, brokenness and triumph. After the listening, Efe Paul Azino, founder of the Lagos Poetry Festival, facilitated a Q and A. In explaining her motivations for the album, WanaWana stated, “I want my work to be accessible … I am continually experimenting with new ways of making my work available to people who would not normally listen to poetry”. As for her creative approach to the album, Udobang explains, “I want connection . . . I don’t want just teach or preach, I want people to connect with the work in a very personal way for themselves”.

Wana Udobang

Wana Udobang and Efe Paul Azino

“In Memory of Forgetting” is a 10-track album made up of aesthetics including, music, wordplay, intonation and vocal variety. The album features Cat Mayel, renowned poet Titilope, as well as music by Femi Leye, Echo and Lanre ‘Sabre’ Oladimeji. The collection is an unapologetic introspective into the sharp, sometimes dark, corners of Udobang’s life, and a piercing mirror for the listener to see the same in theirs. At its heart, it is a seminal work by an artist who wants her listener to remember to turn the page and never go back.

WanaWana might just be on her way to achieving her goal as one critic remarked, “… as a critic and [a listener], I couldn’t help but see the album for what it was - honest”. Other critics at the event noted the inventive use of music to guide the listener’s mood through the collection.

The album is digitally available worldwide on iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon and Deezer. Lagos residents can pick up a CD copy at Terra Kulture and Rele Gallery. It is also available at the Salamander Café in Abuja.

Click here to download the album

Iquo Basi, Wana, Arit 

Yup, I was there! With Wana and Nneka Ezealor

Enajite Efemuaye

Ndukwe Onuoha, Dami Ajayi

Bantu, Ndukwe Onuoha

Denrele Sonariwo, owner - Rele Gallery, Wana Udobang and Efe Paul Azino

Lade Tawak

About Wana Udobang: Wana Udobang, popularly known as WanaWana, is a journalist, poet and filmmaker whose work probes women’s rights, social justice, personal narratives, culture and the arts. As a performance poet she has graced the stages of festivals across Africa.  Her first spoken word album, ‘Dirty Laundry’, was released in 2013. Her poems have been featured at the British Library’s Word, Symbol and Song exhibition. “In Memory of Forgetting” is her second spoken word poetry album.

I had so much fun!

See y'all in the next one!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

15^th April, 2017

THE ANNUAL CRITIC CHALLENGE 2017

SET TO REWARD MAINSTREAM CRITICISM

IN NIGERIA AND AFRICA

The annual Critic Challenge is a call for critics and critical writers in the culture scenes in Africa. It is organized for the first time by CREETIQ, the foremost review aggregator of African films, music and literature. The spotlight for this maiden edition is focused on critical commentary on works of art in films, music and literature, produced or released between 2016 and 2017 that embodies this year’s theme “rewriting the African narrative”.

The Critic Challenge aims to encourage and reward talented critical writers to awaken a seeming latent and fast declining reviewing culture in the creative industry in Africa. Beyond the economics of art, this sets a standard for the quality of creative and cultural output that is recognized globally and helps consumers of art and other creative works make informed decisions.

The winning entries would be rewarded with monetary prizes of up to N500, 000.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

To enter for The Critic Challenge 2017, participants are required to go to https://creetiq.com/tcc2017 to submit a critique of 2 out of 5 subjects from the film, music or books category of no more than 850 words.

The subjects for review in each category are listed below;

Movies:

·         Omugwo - Kunle Afolayan

·         Ojukokoro - Dare Olaitan

·         Okafor's Law - Omoni Oboli

·         Bariga Sugar - Ifeoma Chukwuogo

·         Lotanna - Toka McBaror

Music:

·         Signature EP – Iyanya

·         For You - Cobhams Asuquo

·         The Last Time I Tried – Daramola

·         Life Is Eazi Vol. 1 - Mr Eazi

·         The First Wave - Ycee

Books:

·         Season of Crimson Blossoms – Abubakar Adam Ibrahim

·         Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun - Sarah Ladipo Manyika

·         A Conspiracy of Ravens - Othuke Ominiabohs

·         And After Many Days - Jowhor Ile

·         Guardians of the Seal - Tunde Leye‎

GUIDELINES

Entries would be judged based on the following criteria;

o   Clarity with regards to understanding the universe of the subjects.

o   Constructive criticism with regards to social political, cultural and economic discourse of the subjects.

o   Originality. Plagiarized entries would be disqualified.

o   Accuracy of language, historical references and facts.

o   Narrative flow.

o   Relevance of thematic expressions.

Submission of entries closes at 12 midnight on May 15th 2017.

PRIZES

The top 3 entries would be rewarded with cash prizes up to N500, 000. Winner would get N300, 000, first and second runners up would win N150, 000 and N50, 000 respectively.

JUDGES

Entries for The Critic Challenge 2017 would be assessed and appraised by 6 renowned critics and industry professionals.

Writer and critic, Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, whose writings on film, music and the literary scenes has appeared in the Guardian UK, The Africa Report, Chimurenga and who has mentored film critics at the Durban International Film Festival in 2015, is one of the judges of The Critic Challenge (TCC) 2017.

Also among the judges is Chiagoziem Onyekwena, who has had a passion for music and tech in the past 10 years. He was the pioneering online editor of TheNET.ng and a former senior writer at the HipHop World Magazine.

Other judges include Dr. Wilfred Okiche, a medic, reader, writer and film critic who has provided editorial assistance to the UK Guardian and whose writings has also appeared on various media nationwide; Salamatu Sule, the secretary, Board of Trustees, Orpheus Literary Foundation and the founder of Fahimta Literary Discourse (FLD); Joey Akan, music editor at Pulse Nigeria is a poet, author, and multi award winning writer and music journalist; and, Isabella Akinseye, founder of Yellow Tamarind Production, an African media company that creates, develops and monetizes contents for television, radio, online and prints.

KEY DATES FOR TCC 2017  

·         Entry deadline: May 15, 2017

·         Evaluation by the competition judges: May 16 – May 30, 2017

·         Shortlisted entries would be announced and published: June 1, 2017

·         Evaluation and voting by users: June 1 – June 12, 2017

·         Announcement of The Critic Challenge 2017 winner: June 15, 2017

The Critic Challenge 2017 is proudly supported by Roving Heights, Bagus Mutendi, Lunaris Reviews, True Nollywood Stories, Nollywood REinvented, Tripican.com, Homeland Reviews, Lola Ogunnupebi, Media Guide and Bookaholics Club.

For further information and participation details, visit https://creetiq.com/tcc2017

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @creetiqafrica and Facebook @CREETIQ. Use the hashtags #TheCriticChallenge2017 to follow the updates. Visit our website at https://creetiq.com

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