2021 in Review: God came through for me

At midnight on January 1st, 2021 there were exchanges of "Happy New year!" with different prayers and prophesies. It was going to be my year of new beginnings. Personally, it was my year of all-round rest. I think this year ran pretty fast. Fresh from village runs in December, I entered the new year refreshed and reinvigorated for all that was to come. January is my birth month. I received tonnes of birthday messages and in my usual manner, responded to all. My siblings did well to make the occasion more memorable with gifts and prayers. How did I feel with my new age? Not an inch older but wiser. It felt good to still be attractive and wooed. On my birthday I went window shopping for an item, and I got compliments of my looks and I was rocking natural beauty. That was an indication that I was still "hot" in my new age. A special birthday gift from God was getting a new job paying me in Euros. I would not lie, it was quite demanding but I got new skills, met new people, and grew my professionalism.

February came with mixed feelings knowing that Valentine's day was around the corner and boo was nowhere near at that time. I began to take my TikTok videos seriously this year as I published content occasionally. I got some high views on the content on Val's day at least that made me smile and be satisfied. The highlight of February was going for a hangout at a beach with Voice Over Geng at Westside Resort Beach. It was a thrilling experience knowing that it has been a long I did beach waka. I made new friends and trust me as a foodie, got nice food to take away. The unplanned videos with another geng member made my day, I refer to them to date and they fill me with so much pleasure. The dance concert organised by Rock Extreme Crew of David Christian's Centre ended February for me. I enjoyed my time in God's presence learning and relearning new dance moves and music.

I witnessed a setback in March. The job I got on a platter of gold. They gave me a second chance to reapply and I scaled through but because I was distracted I lost the job. Uncertain of how I was going to pull through now that my means of livelihood was taken away, I kept hope alive regardless. March brought pleasant surprises still. A friend came visiting and I got a lift after church service from another friend. That was a good feeling. I was in and out of relationships or was in situationships. Being invited to The International Women's Day held by WIMBIZ was an experience I would like to relive in the future. I did not just attend the event to eat( though that was on my mind)), I gave value and made myself unforgettable before I left the event.

I got invited for a press conference in April at a tush hotel in Ikeja, Lagos. This month was devoted to volunteer work in Lagos Food Bank. It is not easy doing things for free but there is satisfaction in putting smiles on people's faces. I also got invited to speak on the " The art of personal branding" by Africa Youths Awards, it was a great platform to share knowledge and expand my visibility. Thanks to the organiser, Tersey Adamu for the platform.

The month of May was ushered in by attending a summit at Fountain of Life Church. It was my first time in that gathering and place. The word for me through that event was timely, it was embedded in Zechariah 10 verse 15. I won a free business registration through ImpactHer. Though it was slow, I finally got registered and got my TIN which deprived me of an opportunity with Sparkle business, another venture I was involved in. How would I forget the 21 days challenge organised by MIPAD that was sponsored for me by another candidate? It was the best 21 days of the year for me, getting to know myself and finishing with a better version and understanding of "Who I am". Thankfully, we had the Yes! She Can 2.) conference, a WomenWill Festac initiative. Though it was the only programme we had for the year, it brought in seasoned speakers in the person of Amaka Chibuzo Obi, presenter of Radio Programme- Wives Round Table then Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom Governor on Entrepreneurship, MeFlyn Anwanna, Blockchain expert, Pretty Kubyane and Global Speaker/Mental Health Advocate, Christable Ikpen, who shared their experience and learnings as women professionals and entrepreneurs having it all.

As much as possible, I try to go out and gather nice memories. I attended the Olurombi The Musical in July courtesy Live Lagos Theatre. The lessons from the musical play are something I hold dear to my heart. In summary, do not bite more than you can chew ( Do not do pass yourself). This implies that you should not make promises when you are emotional. August was activity-filled, I got invited to my coursemate's wedding. I was among the bridal train. My co-lead came around though he is based in Ibadan. I had mentioned I went kayaking. This was a risky venture. It is another story of all that happened preceding this adventure.

In September, I got a speaking engagement at a church to speak to the youths on "How to make money from the internet". The summary of what I shared included:

1. Staying visible by not hiding one's talent

2. Leveraging on one's connections and social media

3. Diligence

4. Creativity

For the first time, I mounted a church stage to participate in a Karaoke competition singing BlackEyed peas' Where is the love to an excited crowd at the Bridge's annual singles' hangout. This was an audacious move. If I know myself well, I am shy in things like this.

Another audacious move was tinting my hair gold. This was in the following month. Sometime in October, the world shut down because WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram shut down. Everybody was fretting. I thought something was wrong with my phone and network but it was a general problem. It was only LinkedIn that turned out to be the saviour. I got the opportunity to attend the Women In Marketing and Communications Award at the Muson Centre. Speaking of some low moments, my laptop developed a fault and ever since I have been unable to fix it because the part to be replaced is not available in the market. This month I had a last-minute miracle. Imagine, getting money when you least expected it. This is a testament that God answers prayers and this was through my blog.

November was event-packed. From ELOY conference to FINTECH festival to WISCAR. I got an offer to be a WISCAR mentee after a rigorous application process. It was the beginning of a new ending. I also started with supporting source of income as a social media manager. But then, this month I can't forget the 10000km run or was it walk? It was much easier in the company of Sarah, a friend I made during the marathon race. I made sure I snapped pictures with the winner, it was not an easy feat as she carted away a million naira ...wow!

Do you know what it feels like to be deprived of freedom? In November, I learnt a bitter lesson of not allowing anger to get the better part of you. Spending 24 hours in captivity, I thought it was the end but I knew God was not through with me because He came through for me as He always did. Thank God for freedom, there is nothing like it. Good showed that He has so much in store for me.

It was great reconnecting with my Uni. I went back to serve as a moderator for the Small Farmers' Conference. My lecturer had called me to participate in the event. Two days in Unilag took me away from home but it was after I was in captivity. Imagine, if I was not released, I would have not participated but God is good all the time. Of course, I would not forget and give thanks to African Women in technology for the feature, find the link here.

There were highs and lows moments in 2022. The rate of inflation was not funny. Ordinary bread, a good one for that matter, became a luxury to eat. There was no time I went to the market that the commodities did not continue to witness an increase and more demands. This year, I am still in shock of losing two people though not close but I do see them in church regularly. I learnt to cherish every moment with people, life could be fickle, we are here today, nowhere tomorrow.  I am still battling with some setbacks but it was not such a bad year- I grew, I learnt more about myself, I fought the good fight of faith, and more importantly, I relied on God and that was why He failed me not when I needed Him most! I believe 2022 would be grander by God's grace ....for us...