WELCOME TO EJIRO EMENIKE UKAUMUNE STORY BLOG(E PLUS The Storyteller)✍

 E PLUS The Storyteller✍🏿: Welcome to E PLUS The Storyteller Exclusive Chat Column tagged MEET THE GUEST with E PLUS The Storyteller. UDUAK AKPAN: It's my pleasure. E PLUS The Storyteller✍🏿: Can we meet you, officially ? UDUAK AKPAN: My name is Uduak Rosemary Akpan, I am a graduate of Computer Science from the University of Calabar, International diploma in Broadcast Journalism from African University, Accra and Institute of Commercial Management, UK. Presently I run a vocational skills training academy and the CEO of Udy Treasure Brooks Concept. E PLUS The Storyteller✍🏿: Impressive👏🏽 So what's the experience like, operating in different hats? UDUAK AKPAN: Hmmm, it's been very interesting especially when you love what you are doing. When I got back to Nigeria after school I worked as an on air personality but after few years of working I felt my passion and zeal is in training people on how to be their own boss so I left work and set up my own company that specializes ...

  MY NEW NEIGHBOUR   Written by E PLUS The Storyteller It was just like every other day, safe for the light thunderstorm, so I decided to take a brief walk . I had not gone too far when I saw a van drive into the neighborhood and a young dark guy stepped out! He headed straight for the vacant house and unlocked the door. For a moment, I just stood still and stared, looked like he had just moved in. Within seconds, he stepped out of the house with some empty cartons and stood still while he looked around, seemed like he was indecisive about where he wanted to drop them. " Good day! Looking for where to dispose, those ?" I quickly jumped in to offer some help.  " Oh! Well, yes! I.. I am not sure where." He replied as our eyes met. " Okay, just let me have them, and I will take it from there. " I said. " Very well...thank you so much ." He responded as he handed the cartons to me.  " Do you stay around ?" He asked, almost immediately.  ...

  Na help I wun help o! ( Part 2) Written by E PLUS The Storyteller. The only crime wey I commit be say I try to be my brother's keeper o! See me see gbege! Shey to say I know, I for put my eye and mouth for my corner? Ah! I dun suffer! No be small tin. Una doh o! I dun show again o! Yes! Na me, madam aproco! So, last week Saturday, I say make I cruise small, make I spoil myself with small snacks and drinks for one eatery like dat (I no go mention their name because Dem no pay me for advert, anybody wey want make me, madam aproco dey mention dier brand for my gist, make  dem dey pay!) So, as I siddon dey cruise my Meat pie and Chapman, na im I see dis woman and man enter the eatery, I com look the woman well well, she be like person wey I know we'll well. Make e no be like say my eye dey deceive me, na in I look her well we'll again, dis time I dun dey sure say na one of my neighbour wife! Ah!  Come see how dis man(wey no be her husband) just dey touch her for different ...

  THE SHOELESS ONES  (An adaptation of the story of a world football Champion- Pele). Commentary by E PLUS The Storyteller ✍️ In the early hours of the day, at 6.00am, I was already up, and after I had said a word of prayer, a lot was on my mind- from all the creative contents and stories that were brewing in my head to the situation in the country, after a while, I decided to join my hubby in the sitting room.  That was when I bumped into this phenomenal movie about a world football champion- Pele, I had to rename it: 'THE SHOELESS ONES' (A line in the movie) because for me, this is where the message of the story lies. Imagine a group of young lads with so much strength of passion for the round leather game (Football) that never allowed anything to deter their focus, not even when they did not have shoes to play, during football competitions. They were mocked, and given the name: 'The Shoeless Ones' yet chose to convert this mockery into their motivation, particularly...

  E PLUS The Storyteller: Congratulations on the anniversary of your amazing initiative, The SmartKidz Club👍🏽 It's one year already, and I'm guessing this means a lot to you, yes?  Abiola Okunaiya Alifa: Absolutely! It has been a phenomenal one year, and I am so grateful to, (first and foremost) God, our super supportive community, our volunteers, the parents for always connecting their kids to participate with our activities, we do not take their trust for granted and we are more than committed to ensuring we deliver our mandate with excellence! And yes, to your question, this means a lot to me for so so many reasons! E PLUS The Storyteller: Great👍🏽 So what's the story behind  Smartkidz?  Abiola Okunaiya Alifa: Hmmm!  The idea behind smartkidz was conceived when the lock-down began in March 2020, we were all locked / 'stuck' at home and I found myself constantly looking for activities to engage my kids at home, and also ensuring that they were educative act...

         Coming  Out Of Monday Blues. "Ohhh!!!! Monday is here again!!! It just looks like the weekend should never end! Hmmm!  Work! Work! Work!" Sam lamented as he tossed and turned on his bed, with his right hand stretched forth to put off the alarm clock. "I just wish this weekend will continue! Oh!!! Monday is here again!" Susan lamented.    I guess there are so many people  like Sam😁 and Susan. Monday is that day that seems to take a toll on virtually everyone especially when the weekend is such a bliss; given a choice most of us would rather have more days added to the weekend. Oh well! The narrative doesn't have to be the same. Let's look at certain ways we can switch on the vibe and step out of the Monday Blues. Every change begins with a mental attitude thus it is expedient to see the possibility of having a great Monday irrespective. WHAT KEEPS YOUR MIND ACTIVE?      You can still enjoy what you love doing ever...

        My PEJOWEB Experience: Yes! You can earn money while Writing on PEJOWEB... (Written by E PLUS The Storyteller) Nothing prepares you for the kind of experience that would eventually be a defining moment in your life, trust me!    One beautiful sunny day, I had just started preparing for another Creative Content, and as soon as I was done, I decided to rest a bit, suddenly I received a notification on my phone with regards to an online Writing Site, it was actually a chat.   After several minutes of an engaging interaction, I found out all about the online site named PEJOWEB! It looked like a site I had be a part of, besides I considered that there is no harm in giving it a go, thus I made my first post and the response was amazing, and  has remained so ever since. PEJOWEB gives one a leveled and fair space to leverage whilst extending your exposure.  On PEJOWEB SITE you can create content about anything and your viewers can locate it i...

  My Palm Oil Stew and Rice... Written by E PLUS The Storyteller Sunday was quite a significant day in my house owing to the regular visits by our family friend, the Oyenekes. So my parents always ensured that by Saturday, the fridge is stocked to the brim. Mummy had a way of really making Sundays, very special! However, on this particular Sunday, I wanted something extra special for lunch, thus I had arranged my own ingredients to cook my 'Special Palm oil Stew and Rice"😋.  As soon as we had all returned from Church Service, I dashed to the kitchen before mummy would occupy everywhere😆       No one had an idea of my plans but before I could say 'Jack', our visitors had arrived and I could hear steps heading for the kitchen door. "Ah Ahn! Onome! How are you? So it is you that is harassing our nose with this mesmerizing aroma! Chai! Looks like you want to give us a special treat today?" Mrs Oyeneke exclaimed as soon as she walked into the kitchen. ...

  Dear Parents/Guardians Wherever you are, these are times that call for caution and being more deliberate about raising our children/wards. More than ever before, the materials and information at the disposal of these children have taken a different turn and what these children eventually do with these information could make or mar them🙇🏽‍♀️ Within a week, I received these three troubling video clips of children exhibiting various 'risky behaviors'  which have equally gone viral and so much is being said. When asked about my opinion, especially as a Creative Content Writing Coach for both adults and Children, I had taken time to think through and this is my thought👇🏽 No child is born with an opinion, a child is born into a system and grows through the process- Give or take, by omission or commission, a child would adapt to what he or she is exposed to, so what the child manifest eventually is a holistic interplay of these factors. Hence you cannot isolate a child's beh...

  Being able to continue writing in the midst of grief/anxiety... Written by E PLUS The Storyteller . Still looking outside the window, Brenda could see people walking down the pathway, and whilst she couldn't come to terms with her reality, she wondered why life had become so cruel to her, as tears ran down her cheek, she held on firmly to her head and shook uncontrollably, turning away and heading for the couch. And as soon as Brenda settled down, slowly she laid her back on the couch, closed her eyes and began to reflect.  Suddenly, a voice called out... "Brenda! We have so much to write about, let's be on our way!" Brenda shook her head in dismay. "I'm not sure... definitely not today." Brenda whispered, her eyes still closed. ____________________________ So, your world is spinning and looks like you are losing grip of everything, including yourself! Nothing seem to make any sense as your heart continues to pound and you are constantly swamped by the...

 GREEN LAND (Part 4)  Written by E PLUS The Storyteller.  "This is our leader's Palace." Emini said to the driver of the convoy as soon as she successfully led the to their destination. Everyone stepped out of the vehicle, all smiles. "You have really done well. At this point, let me introduce myself and the rest of my team properly. I am Lawson, and these are my team members, we are about to change GREEN LAND for good. As soon as we finish talks with your leader, then work begins. Take this for your lunch There's more to come." One of the men said as he handed Emini, an envelope. Quickly, she jumped up with excitement. "Ah! Owo!(Money!) Thank you o! Thank you so much! Ah! This is huge ooo! Eh!" Emini exclaimed, as she ran off, and immediately the entire team headed for the Leader's palace. __________________________________ "Chef! Chief! Where are you o? The visitors have arrived! I just saw them! They are at our leader's Palace now!...

    GREEN LAND(Part 3) ... Written by E PLUS The Storyteller . "Ekabo.." Moju managed to greet her dad. Chief stood, and stared at her scornfully, for a while. "You better warn this your daughter o! I can see signs of rebellion sprouting up in her! Emi O se Baba yeye o!(I'm not a foolish father!) I am a titled Chief, and you know what that means? Hmmmm!!!!" Chief exclaimed with a note of warning. "Ah! Oko mi! Jor, edariji mi (Forgive me), I will talk to her, se o mo pe, omode ni(You know, she's just a little girl)." Olori pleaded with Chief. "Eyin le mo (You know) by the time I unleash my other side..ehn!!! It's alright! Mo Fe jeun o! (I want to it!)" Chief said as headed for the inner room. "Yes, Chief. Mo ti mu wa (I am bringing it)" Olori responded, and as soon as Chief was out of sight, she pulled Moju closer.  "Jor o! Ema ko bami o! What was all that attitude about? Ehn?" Olori interrogated. "Maami! I...

  IF THE PEOPLE STAND ... Written by E PLUS The Storyteller. The more I stare at this picture, the more it dawns on me, that indeed, pictures speak more volumes than a thousand words, and it's the precision for me! Yes! The precision! This picture is a metaphor of Oppression, Suppression and Subjection!  It's a narative that connects with the reality that exist. The Dicotomy in the social and political structure is an interplay of what 'we' allow or disallow, either way there are consequences- Those who stand or sit on others have been given the license to, thus they seem justified to act likewise! Indeed, We are victims of our own choices, our compromises and our decisions, give or take the ball is usually in our court, how you play it will determine alot. There's a thin line between those who are free and those still in captivity- it's about the mindset.  What do you see?    How far do you see?  What's your resolution?  What the mind conceives, contr...

  GREEN LAND (Part 2)  Written by E PLUS The Storyteller. "Moju! Where is the maize nau? You know your father will soon be here! Emi O Fe Wahala O! (I don't want trouble) " Olori called out to her daughter. "Maami! Mo n bo! (I am on my way)" Moju responded as she appeared with a bowl of corn. "Ese Oko mi. Oya! Let's begin to sieve it." Olori said as she began to spread them. Moju heaved a heavy sigh of discontent. "Ah ahn! Moju, kilode? (Moju, what is it?)" Olori asked curiously. "Hmmm.. it's the way you are being treated in this house! Ah! Maami, to be honest, I will never get married in this Green land!" Moju lamented. "Ah! Don't say that o! In fact don't let people here you say that o! How can you be uttering such a statement?" Olori reacted. "Why not, Maami? I see the way my father treats you, and the way the rest of the men in this community treat their wives.. I'm telling you it's quite d...