GRLife

Not every mad man is mad

Published

6 years ago

July 19, 2018

grassroots

By Chisom Winifred

‘Sia is such a soulful singer’ I thought, the way she puts her emotions in her songs is just amazing.

My headphone was jamming away my favourite song and I took my time cat walking home from work. I got to the keke park and boarded the one headed my direction.

Few minutes later, a raggedly dressed man joined me and in a matter of seconds the keke was filled to its usual capacity and the driver wasted no time and zoomed off.

If I had a minute to make a decision, I would have alighted. I felt so uncomfortable with the poorly dressed man sitting beside me. I tried as much as possible to put space between us and avoid body contact.

He had weird luggage, brooms, iron rods all jammed into an old cement bag, I prayed for an uneventful trip, I didn’t have energy for drama. I even wondered if he was 100% okay. I gently greeted him;

‘Good evening Sir’

I wanted to be on his good side in case he decided to flog someone with a broom; at least he’ll know I’m his friend. My greeting was unanswered.

Hmmm, I gently unplugged my headphones, put them in my hand bag and zipped it, ready to jump down at any given moment. I was still lost in my world of over exaggerating things when his phone rang. He picked.

I turned sharply to stare at him the moment I heard his voice. He spoke such polished and sound English. More so the person on the phone addressed him as ‘Sir’ and was asking science related questions.

The eloquence and ease at which he answered the questions was utterly amazing. This man had to be well read to be able to talk about DNA structure confidently and freely use incomprehensible science terms.

He even referred the person on the phone to his textbook page this and that. This wasn’t making much sense, such an intelligent man but raggedly dressed, could even be mistaken for a mad person.

He listened quietly and took his time to answer questions and explain. Afterwards, he gently tapped the driver and asked to alight. He paid his fare, dragged out his cement bag luggage and walked away. I was shook.

That didn’t add up. That was the first time I knew the literal meaning of the saying, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’. Who would have thought? Rough on the outside and filled with depth and knowledge on the inside.

I realized I simply translated the situation according to what I saw upfront. I wondered how many times I’ve made similar decisions and how wrong I must have been.

The first thought that comes to mind when a well dressed gentleman passes by is; “He must be well educated or intelligent. Well, I just made a discovery; these are bold faced institutional lies.

Not every mad man is mad.

Entertainment

Celebrities Turn Up For The Dedication Of Ali Baba’s Triplets In Lagos

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Alice Ginika Simon

Comedians such as AY Makun, Seyi Law, and MC Lively and many other celebrities were in attendance at the child dedication ceremony of ace comedian Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba.

Recall that the comedian announced the birth of his triplets, born two months earlier, on his Instagram account on Monday, April 1, 2024. However, some netizens thought it was a prank which Ali Baba didn’t bother clarifying.

Here are pictures from the dedication ceremony.

We congratulate him and his wife once more.

Education

Federal Government Sets To Commence School-To-Work Scheme

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2024

Alice Ginika Simon

The Federal Government says plans are underway to launch a school-to-work scheme to enable youths to become productive and self-employed.

The Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi disclosed this in Abuja during a meeting with Commissioners of Education, Executive State and FCT Universal Basic Chairmen, Education Boards and UBEC on the School-to-Work Scheme.

Bobboyi in his keynote address, disclosed that the target group for the scheme are learners in the junior secondary schools. He added that it will provide them the opportunity to detect early in life where their talents and potential lie, between academic pursuit and vocational skills development.

Explaining how the Scheme will run, the UBEC Boss stated that it is structured to provide at least six months training, broken into two months per year of study in the junior secondary school.

Also speaking, the Director Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Folake Davies, stated that the Scheme which is inline with the road map policy of the ministry, is designed to provide youths with the requisite experience necessary to excel whenever they find themselves in the working environment.

The Director, who was represented by Rose Onoja stated that only collaborative effort from the Federal, State, and Local Government levels and active involvement from the private sector will make the implementation of the program successful. Liberate actions to mitigate the living conditions of their constituents.

Entertainment

Big Congratulations To BBNaija Star, Miracle Igbokwe Who Graduated With Distinction From Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University In Florida USA

Published

1 week ago

April 27, 2024

Alice Ginika Simon

The reality TV star disclosed this on his Instagram story on Friday, sharing a video of the moment he climbed the stage to receive his certificate.

Over the years, He has carried us along his Journey of becoming a trained pilot. In July 2018, Ikechukwu obtained his Private Pilot License and Flight Dispatcher License.

In March 2019, he further disclosed that he obtained his certification as an “Instrument Rated” pilot.

He was also reported to have celebrated passing his Flight Instructor exam in 2023, as he completed his aviation training and earned pilot certification from US aviation authorities in 2024.

Miracle was in aviation school before the BBNaija show and returned to complete his training immediately after clinching the grand prize.