Pearls Magazine November December 2014

C

O

N

T

E

N

T

1. Pearls Team 2. Album Review 3. Gospel Ministers @ the Experience Lagos 2013 4. Yolanda Adams 5. Gloweeya Braimah 6. Don Moen 7. Cece Winans 8. Frank Edwards 9. Tye Tribett 10. Planting the Mustard Seed 13. Poetry 15. Book Review 16. Caring for your teeth 18. Poetry 21. Tools for speeding up your goals 24. Book Review 25. Values of a successful relationship 27. What the heart is saying 30. Fashion 32. Cover: Darryn Zewalk 34. Photography from Afe Studios 36. Living a happy married life 39. Social Media and social media marketing 40. Photo-Tourism: Owerri, Eastern Nigeria 42. Entreprenuership 45. Interview with Bishop Fernandez 48. Short Story 51. Interview: Soonest Nathaniel 54. Wedding: Jide weds Lorriane

S

Dike Dyke Williams Publisher @ddykewilliams

Toni Osai Editor

Simon Christopher Art / Graphics Director

Ebiagbe Michael Social Media Marketing

Solomon Elohor Abe Cover Design

Oma Pearl Israel Columnist / Publicity

Contributors Anthony Udoka Odunze Blessing Ehigiator Mord McGhee Dwayne Rankin Dike Alphonsus Adedamola Ogunbanwo Antonia Valeria Onome Prince Tafade

Pearls Magazine is published quaterly by Dyke International Limited (RC:56389). No Article on this publication should be reproduced in any form, without the permission of the publisher. For advert placement on this magazine, contact us on +2347030763182. Email: magazinepearls@gmail.com twitter.com/pearlsmagazineN, facebook.com/pearlsmagazine

www.magazinepearls.wordpress.com www.pearlsmagazineng.blogspot.com Š 2014. Dyke International Limited Pearls Magazine

ALBUM REVIEW:

by NOSA

Doors

I

t's been a long time coming for this gospel minister. One thing I share with him in 2014 is that, while he basks in the euphoria of his new Chocolate City album titled: 'OPEN DOORS', I held my published poetry book in my hand.

Nosa began singing before the age of eight, and has been consistent in this God-given ministry.

He is an inspiration to aspiring gospel music ministers who want to reach the peak that the likes of Don Moen, Kirk Franklin, JMoss, CeCe Winans, Panam Percy Paul, Sammie Okposo and many others have reached.

This debut album, 'OPEN DOORS,' has made him one of the fresh new voices not just in gospel music, but in the Nigerian music industry in general. When he signed with Chocolate City, we were watching from a distance, not knowing what waited in front. The reason was that, I know that record label for promoting talents that are not really from the gospel background, although they have affiliation with some gospel talents. So when he was signed, I was one of those watching to see how things would go. . . . . .

This debut album, 'OPEN DOORS,' has made him one of the fresh new voices not just in gospel music, but in the Nigerian music industry in general.

Amazingly, Chocolate City has taken the University of Benin graduate from a campus star, to a world star! The investment in his brand-name has been tremendous. The album still remains one of the trending . albums right now in Nigeria.

. . . . . .

Nosa has been able to make everyone who knows him realize he has something great to offer the world. From the hit-track 'Always Pray .

For You' to his 'Why You Love Me' single, the songs speak of a music minister who came to the industry fully made. Chocolate City should be commended for bringing this underground star, to an above-the-ground minister of Jesus Christ.

. . . .. ..

And, we are expecting Choc City to do more for the gospel music industry, especially for new talents, because Nosa has opened . doors for others to dream, aspire and move, so that the world will listen to messages that will heal the perilous times that we now live in.

Pearls Magazine

SOME GOSPEL MUSIC MINISTERS @

THE

LAGOS 2013...

Pearls Magazine

YOLANDA ADAMS.

Y

olanda is a great gospel minister with the heart of a worshiper. Listening to a song like 'Fragile Heart' will make you understand this woman of God knows how to sing! A Dove award winner, producer and radio show host, she was the lead singer for the Southeast Inspirational Choir, and was on Billboard Magazine's list of number one Gospel Artistes of the decade. She has been ministering for quite some time. One of her best duets was done with Donnie McClurkin on his 'AGAIN' album.

When she got on the stage at the Lagos Experience 2013, not many people may have known much about her great songs. Tried to imagine her do that duet with Donnie on stage, so that the Experience family could be introduced to her powerful music.

She did confess though, that it was her first time singing at the Lagos Experience, but that introduction set in motion the unveiling of Yolanda Adams and her gracious personality to the greatest gathering of worshipers that Africa has ever seen!

Pearls Magazine

GLOWREEYA BRAIMAH

G

lowreeya is a Lawyer and script-writer, a worshiper with a heart for God. Although she is new to some fans of the Lagos Experience, she is lead singer with the Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Choir, a choir much respected in Lagos for producing the likes of Sammie Okposo, Mike Aremu, Timi Dakolo and more.

She is one of the Nigerian gospel artistes to look out for in 2015, because of her glorious voice and the spirit of worship that she possesses. At the Expereince, she lighted the stage with that naija confidence, and I think I noticed some people around me with expressions on their faces like: “who is she?� but Glowreeya sang great songs long into the night, introducing one of her hittracks 'TURN AROUND'.

The song is off from her coming album to be launched, with other songs like: 'To My Knees', 'Overcome', and 'Izoputam'. You all should watch out for great features and collaborations with artistes like Nathaniel Bassey and awardwinning producer and vocalist Cobhams Asuquo.

In Glowreeyah, African gospel music has a new voice!

Pearls Magazine

DON MOEN.

H

e is one of the fathers of contemporary gospel music in the world. And, the leadership of the Lagos Experience has connected with this great gospel music ambassador, making sure Don is always on the list of invited artistes every

year.

Talk about the awards he has garnered, or his leadership role at Integrity Music, Don Moen has been consistent and very motivational!

He came as usual in his calm and humble manner to the stage as the crowd welcomed him with a shout. He took the piano and began what we know him so well for: singing and gracefully handling the piano with such confidence of a master of the strings.

He sang songs from his available albums. "Crucified" was sang by his team, as the song took us back to ponder once again on the love of the Messiah-King, JESUS CHRIST the king of kings. Don has always made it known that he loves visiting Nigeria, and he knows we have a place for him always in our hearts, and in our dear country.

Don took time to minister that night, and it was such a delight when he took the violin.

He played with his usual passion and precision, the crowd applauding the wondrous melody of the violin, handled by one of the best hands.

We have never grown tired of seeing Don Moen, or hearing his anointed songs. The leadership of the Lagos Experience knows that secret. We expect to see Don back at the Experience 2014 by GOD's grace, because in Don Moen, we have a veteran gospel minister who will always teach us that the ministry is for a life time!

Pearls Magazine

CECE

WINANS. C

ece is not new to the community of the Lagos Experience. An inspiration in gospel music all over the world, she has been missed in previous experiences, but this year, thank God she made it to the biggest gathering in African music fiestas.

Cece has won Grammies, Stellar and Dove awards and she is a gold and platinum-certified album winner, who has featured on the covers of world class magazines.

When she came that night, the crowd welcomed her with a great shout, showing her the warmth of Nigerian hospitality. We expected her to sing some songs from her long available albums of the years gone, and she did not disappoint.

'Hallelujah in the Highest Praise' seized the air, as the people followed. Her great smile also connected with the people, as she felt obviously comfortable expressing the spirit of worship.

Although we look forward to Cece doing a duet one day at subsequent Experiences, the people who worshiped God with her that night will still bask in the euphoria of having Cece sing her songs before more than half a million worshipers, who came to give God their Hallelujah in the highest praise.

Pearls Magazine

FRANK

EDWARDS.

W

hen it comes to African gospel music, you cannot take it away from Frank Edwards. From releasing 'YOU TOO DEY BLESS ME', to the songs that have made this gospel artiste printed on the hearts of gospel music lovers, to 'OGENE DO', Frank has been outstanding, consistent and revolutionary!

He came on stage at the EXPERIENCE night simply, and then followed Don Moen by playing softly on the piano. Of course, he knew the crowd wanted to hear him sing 'OGENE DO', so he began with that as everyone sang along.

He was very confident as usual, and showed mastery of the piano, playing it with such majesty that we were proud that Nigeria too got talent. Frank RICHBOY, as he is fondly called, is also the president of Rocktown, a gospel music record label in Nigeria.

He has featured the best of Nigerian gospel music artistes from JoePraize, Eben, Tim Godfrey, Kingsley Ike to Bela and more. He later sang YOU TOO DEY BLESS ME, knowing that the crowd would go wild when it comes on.

And everyone loved it, including me.

The greatest moment for us that night, was when Frank sang HOLY with Pastor Donnie McClurkin live on stage. They both worshipped beautifully as Frank sang in both Igbo and Yoruba. Surprisingly, Donnie sang the song also in Yoruba.

Confidently, we can note here on Pearls Magazine that Frank Edwards is one of the gospel artistes to look out for in 2015.

Pearls Magazine

T

he gospel artistes that have the spirit of worship know how to carry the crowd along. He came like an airplane about to take off when he was introduced at the Experience 2013. He began casually, in my opinion, but showed that he carries the spirit of David.

His mix of rock and pop gospel music hit the crowd that day. I would say he carries the same spirit as Deitrick Haddon, one who was missed at the concert too. People kept asking if D.H, as he is popularly called, will be ministering, but Tye covered for everyone we missed at the Experience 2013.

As Tye began ministering with his madness for JESUS, everyone got the fire and the crowd finally went wild! He knows how to seize the crowd with his dance, and introduce the spirit of worship. People must realize that when you dance it to God in the way you know how to do best, you are worshiping!

Tye took it to the zenith when he introduced his hit-track: 'SAME GOD: If He Did It Before.' The song re-introduced a Tye Tribbett we have never seen on stage like that before. With this, we look forward to having him and the likes of Deitrick in subsequent Lagos Experiences.

Pearls Magazine

PLANTING

THE MUSTARD SEED

“…Then Isaac sowed in the land, and received in the same year an hundredfold…”

-------------Genesis 26:12 Planting seeds is the same as sowing seeds, especially when it comes to farming.

Isaac, the son of Abraham almost left the land of Gerar where he lived with his household, because there was famine. But God instructed him to remain in the same land, because He saw what Isaac did not see: the fruitfulness that waited in the future, even in that barren land.

Just like the farmer sow seeds, a man with ideas or a vision must take action by sowing his ideas that could bring abundance in the future.

The mustard seed is a tiny seed, almost like a grain of sand. Despite its size, after it has been planted, its tree becomes the biggest among other trees. There are some seeds thirty times bigger than the mustard's, but the tree of the mustard seed hides all of them when it's fully grown. This is the kind of potential a good business idea may carry.

Unfortunately, many ideas that should have blossomed died without existing.

Some of them are ideas that would have helped humanity a lot, but their carriers didn't give it that strength that was needed, by introducing action. “Ideas without action are worthless,” says Harvey Mackay.

Unfortunately, many ideas that should have blossomed died without existing.

To make sure that a life-saving and multi-billion dollar idea does not die, below are some of the principles aspiring entrepreneurs must consider:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

START THE MUSTARD SEED IDEA. VISION AND THE MUSTARD SEED IDEA. WRITE THE VISION. STOP DREAMING. BEGIN THE VISION. CHOOSE A VISION.

Pearls Magazine

THEMUSTARD SEED

PLANTING

START THE MUSTARD SEED IDEA

Ideas come in small packages sometimes. Some of the big companies in the world today started with the small idea they had. It's when the dreamer begins to see how far his/her idea can go, that he or she begins to understand that the dream or idea will make an empire.

The mustard seed idea is conceived first and the carrier begin to do little things as if they are great, and in a great way. They are simple ideas that come to the mind on a good day, when walking alone, watching the ocean on a beach, washing dishes in the house etc.

Simple things like packaging ground cassava and calling it Cassavita. Or, seeing you are good with clothing materials and thinking of following the road great designers followed. Again is seeing you are good at taking shots as a local photographer, and trying to take it to a higher level like T.Y.Bello and Kelechi Amadi Obi…the list is endless.

These are some of the ideas that easily come to mind, as you do the activities of the day. One of the best designers in Nigeria once narrated how he learnt sewing from a road-side tailor. With time, he saw that he could do something much more with the skill he had gotten, so, he started trying simple unique designs, until he grew with time. Today, he is known in Nigeria and beyond.

Someone who had an idea developed that idea through vision and action, and today has gone beyond the person who taught him how to use the needle and thread.

The difference is this: ideas cannot reach where vision cannot see them! It's in the mind that vision takes us to the dream, and brings it forth after we have included action. Oscar Wilde attests to that by stating this: “The person who has more illusions than the dreamer is the man of action.”

Ideas cannot reach where vision cannot see them!

VISION AND THE MUSTARD SEED IDEA Vision is simply the ability to see an idea happening on the mind, and keeping that idea through the power of focus. It's also the possibility of an idea coming from the unreal to the real.

Vision brings an idea that is far inside the mind too close to reality. When a mustard seed idea comes, vision and action are the soil and fertilizer that will grow that idea.

Vision is like the calculator on the mind, there you calculate how to meet, who to meet, where to meet people who will help that small idea become reality.

Sometimes we think we need too much money and powerful connections to power that mustard seed idea. All we need is to get the right people who believe in that vision and your ability. With God all things are possible. Pleading with the right people will be of great help.

Pearls Magazine

THEMUSTARD SEED

PLANTING

M

any times they are people very close to us, who have resources, but because we don't ask for that help, they may end up giving another person the help; probably we thought they should understand or sense we needed help. God instructs us to ask, and we shall receive. That exercise requires us asking with our mouths, not trying to make others sense we need help.

Anyone who is trying to take advantage of your need by asking for unholy things is not the right person, and not sent to help that vision come to pass. Vision is like an alarm, it keeps reminding you not to get rest until that dream or idea gets to where it should be.

Vision is like an alarm, it keeps reminding you not to get rest until that dream or idea gets to where it should be.

George Bernard Shaw noted this: “As long as I can conceive something better than myself, I cannot be easy unless I am striving to bring it into existence or clearing the way for it.” It's the person who conceives that mustard seed idea, and refuses to be easy or be at rest until that idea begins to happen, that has matched ideas with vision and action!

WRITE THE VISION

The Bible makes us know in Habakkuk 2:2 “And the LORD answered me, and said, write the vision, and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it.” Now, if God commands that the vision should be written down, there is a reason for that.

One of the reasons for writing the vision is to run with it into the future we have not seen, and to run with a purpose. And, we must always remind ourselves of that written vision by reading and going through it again and again. Apart from writing it down, it should be plain or easy to understand, so that we have a clear picture of what we want to do with that mustard seed idea.

One of the reasons for writing the vision is to run with it into the future we have not seen, and to run with a purpose…

Also, when the vision is written and understandable, it makes those who want to give help know the power that the vision carries, the seriousness of the carrier of that vision, and where you the idea-owner is heading to. So, a vision or idea that is clearly written down will be like a map in the hands of the captain of a ship. He knows how to use his map (vision) if he is getting confused.

To be continued…

BIO: Dike Dyke Williams is an Author, Publisher, Gospel Music Ambassador, Inspirational Speaker, Award-Winning Poet and Writer who is one of the contemporary poets in Nigeria. He is also an Executive at Dyke International Limited, a publishing and advertising company in Nigeria.

Dyke has collaborated with poets from different countries of the world; most recently is the Nelson Mandela Poetry Collaboration by King Star Digital Publishing, one of Africa's fast-rising digital publishing companies.

He is an e-magazine publishing consultant, and the Publisher of Pearls Magazine.

This article is an excerpt from his forth-coming motivational-business book: PLANTING THE MUSTARD SEED. Pearls Magazine

POETRY The Lion's Roar Deafening was the Lions roar.

In strength and pride he stands.

Terror was the way he rules.

As King through out the lands.

The Wolf Packs On The Prowl.

In the darkened forest deep, In silence now they run.

Like shadowed ghosts through forest, sweep.

Their hunting's now begun.

For miles around he could be heard, Letting known his wrath.

Roaring out his challenge, To all who crossed his path.

Gray shapes seen there moving fast, With yellow eyes aglow.

T'ward that scent they've caught at last, Through all those woods they flow.

Majestic was his stature.

And fear he did instill.

Waiting for the time to come When he'd make his kill.

Lying hidden on the grassy plains.

Silently he stalks his prey.

Patiently waiting for his chance To claim his feast this day.

Sated now he sleeps the day, Lying in the shade of trees.

Waiting for the night to come, To then do as he please.

Once again he makes his way, In his throat a growl.

Letting all around the Plain Know he's on the prowl.

All creatures know that fearsome sound, Knows death is at the door.

They know the King is getting close, When they hear the Lions Roar!

Pearls Magazine

On they run all through the night, With stamina they go.

Hunger gnaws their bellies tight, But never do they slow.

Saliva drips from hanging tongues, As they pick up speed.

Gasping forth from burning lungs, But still in strength proceed.

Then in their sight their prey is found, A bit more speed they find.

With slashing fangs their prey is down, To death it's now resigned.

With bellies full they howl aloud, At that full moon there.

Sitting beneath the moon light's shroud, Their mournful howls share.

Soon they are off to hunt again, In joy they go out.

Hunting through dark wooded glen, Their strength and speed they tout.

In the village there is no doubt, They hear that mournful howl.

They all know now whose about, The wolf pack's on the prowl.

POETRY Touch the Sky

The Hidden Vale

Reach on up and touch the sky And feel the warm sun passing by.

Grasping firm the joys of life, Your spirit then will soar on high.

I took a walk alone one day Upon a mountain trail.

On past the creek, across the woods, Into a hidden vale.

A place where all the winds blew soft Heard whisp'ring through the trees.

A place where all the song-birds sang Their songs of joy and peace.

Bask within those radiant rays, All throughout those warm spring days.

Let your eyes then linger long; Upon those dewy flowers gaze.

Fragrant was the air I breathed From all the flowers, fair.

With petals soft and delicate, In colors rich and rare.

Breathe in deep the fresh clean air And see what God has made so fair.

Looking then from high you'll see Beauty found beyond compare.

I walked upon the soft green grass, 'Midst streams found pure and cold I found contentment there for me With worries put on hold.

Listen to the soft winds sigh And hear the bird's soft cooing cry.

Reach on up your hands so high; Reach on up and touch the sky.

I ate the fruit from off the trees And washed them in a stream.

I wandered far into the night, As if within a dream.

I spent the night beneath the stars Upon a bed of grass.

And in the morn I drank my fill From pools clear as glass.

In sorrow then I knew t'was time I left that hidden vale.

I took that lonely walk back home Upon that mountain trail.

Back to my house where I then lived Within a mundane place.

But then at night I'd dream of this; That vale filled with grace.

BIO:

Dwayne Rankin was born in Yakima, Washington USA on September 9, 1954 and grew up in Cashmere, Washington, the center of the Wenatchee River Valley.

Surrounded by the North Cascade Mountain Range with its many scenic creeks, rivers and high mountain lakes, he grew up loving the outdoors spending much time hiking and walking through the forests of pines and cedars that grew all around there.

Married now with 2 teenage children, a boy of 17 and a daughter of 14, he is kept busy working to provide for their physical as well as their spiritual needs bringing them up in a Christian home.

He started writing poetry in high school for some assignments for class but never pursued it much until about 7 years ago when a friend of his turned 50 years old. And in penning the poem "Turning Fifty", he rediscovered his enjoyment of writing and has been busy since that time.

He joined the Voicesnet.com web site poetry family in 2010 and has been writing steadily since that time.

He has one book published: "Walking" which is available via the internet at such places as Amazon.com and many other internet book stores. It is also available at the place where it was published, Publish American via the internet as well.

He is currently working on collecting enough poems for a second book of seasonal poem of nature. He does this in between the time he is working in the fruit industry at Blue Star Growers, a fruit packing house that packs pears and apples of various kinds.

Pearls Magazine

BOOK REVIEW:

Ghost of

San Francisco by

Mord McGhee

M

ord McGhee's Ghosts of San Francisco is an action-packed, terrifying thriller of what very well could be our own technological future. Death dealing gang members with implants and enhancements that make them nigh impossible to kill, complete takeovers of the private sector by large companies, murder, betrayal…Ghosts of San Francisco has it all.

It has a unique tone in that some of the story is told through recorded transcripts, and then takes you on a wild ride through what actually happened with brilliant character development. Just enough of the world is given to you through the story, and then leaves much to the imagination—which helps create a more horrific image than what you are actually given.

The best part for me? The fact that the main characters were a male/female team, but there was no romantic subplot detracting from the constant action of the novel. Nor is there any overt emphasis on the fact that the female lead is “something special because she's such-and-such kind of woman.” Not even a tiny bit, which was amazing.

If you want to get a glimpse into where our technologically-based future where no one is safe, then Ghosts of San Francisco is definitely for you. (And it's the first in a series!)

Pearls Magazine

ORAL HEALTH

TH CARING FOR YOUR TEE

A

recent advert on television clearly showed how our teeth do so much work, from morning to night. But, we neglect to take care of our teeth after we have done so much with it. Worse still, we eat sugar and sweet food in the day without trying to clean the mouth before going to sleep.

So with time, we find out that our teeth begin to decay, mouth odor follows, bleeding gums and other problems attack the teeth.

The mouth is too important, because that is the door that leads to the stomach. Anything that affects the teeth may cause pains. Some of us have lost our teeth to the dentist's tools, because we carelessly overlooked the importance of the teeth.

Then, we pay attention to it when we have toothache. Maybe toothache is a painful alarm that reminds us how careless we have handled our teeth. So many people have suffered toothache, and the experience it left remains indelible because of the pain we went through!

The mouth is too important, because that is the door that leads to the stomach.

When we avoid taking care of our teeth, we are simply inviting germs to build their houses on our teeth. Some people's teeth are so decay that you dare not go close to them, because it has reached a level where it has become an embarrassment. Even your spouse is finding it unromantic to come close to you, because of the offensive smell that emanates from your teeth.

Leaving our teeth unattended to, is like leaving a car for a very long time and hoping to come back from where we went after months to find it in good shape. That's impossible. Just like cars need continuous care to stay useful, so do our teeth need care to stay healthy.

Below are some things we must put into consideration always to keep our teeth healthy and strong: 1. Brush your teeth frequently. Brushing morning and night is advisable. Because it will not give space for germs and bacteria to sink holes on our teeth.

2. If you have soft gums, it's good you buy a toothbrush with soft bristles. Going for a strong toothbrush will be risky because it will get you injured in the gum.

3. Your toothpaste should contain fluoride. Fluoride contains chemicals that fights germs, and will not allow them operate or make a hole in the teeth.

4. Change your toothbrush after three months of using it. Dentists have always advised that the toothbrush be changed every three months.

5. Buy technologically advanced toothbrushes. These toothbrushes are made uniquely to enter every part of your mouth, and remove the dirt and germs in the mouth. Ordinary brushes may not clean the mouth properly. A good example of such toothbrush is OralB+ 6. If you are finding strange pains in your gum, it is necessary to get a dentist to check it, but that should be early enough.

Pearls Magazine

CARING FOR

YOUR

TEETH

7. If you already have tiny holes in your teeth, it is advisable to change your toothpaste to the herbal one, so that the power of that herbal toothpaste could help fight the germs. Already, some toothpaste in Nigeria contains herbal products. Like Dabur Toothpaste, Close Up and Maclean.

But going to see a dentist early will help a lot.

8. Harmful substances, chemicals and dangerous objects should not be put in the mouth. Some of those objects contain germs which will be harmful to the teeth.

If you are finding strange pains in your gum, it is necessary to get a dentist to check it, but that should be early enough.

9. Medical checkup for the teeth is necessary once in five months at least. This makes you know the state of your teeth, and how to care for it, so that they don't get pulled out.

10. Avoid too much sweet food, especially at nights. Germs like to feed on such, and cause a hole to be dug on the teeth.

Or, cause tooth decay.

Pearls Magazine.

Pearls Magazine

POETRY Talented Artist I do not want to be locked up I want to explore Explore the streets and observe the architectural designs Create my words beyond anyone's imagination Write poems that are out of space Bring joy and humbleness to ones face Read my words with such tranquility and grace I want to paint with letters, words, poetic devices, To create a masterpiece that Would be recorded in history.

Some say I dream the evitable but who are they to determine possible And impossible Being famous is eating air One minute it's there the other gone But I dream to be remembered, A memory no man can erase I wish to be an inspiration, feather of wings on a hopeless sparrow.

I wish to illuminate character and grace Paddle up the strength to see my evitable Which I know really is an Inevitable dream as I am destined.

While every kid on the block Dreamt of fairy tales and dolls I was dreaming of greatness.

I was dreaming of being a talented artist But not just any However, being one that reflects God's beauty and perfection.

Pearls Magazine

I Drank poetry Bartender Pour me some more Let me stumble through the back door Let the police Smell the poignant aroma of rhythm and blues Collide with my Genius creative expression Handcuff me for resisting being silent Check my breath for the bubbles of a drunken poet Spitting up words and rhymes Expressively with profanity of poetry Charge me with intoxication Verbal sensation Before the judge I plea guilty Poetic confinement recommended On the walls, I write art Painting out the graffiti of the prisoner's thoughts And coloring with poetic expressions Bartender Pour me some more Until my cup overflows I just cannot get enough Let this liquor become embedded in my arteries and lungs Let it be in my very DNA Let it flow through my blood and veins Through my heart and mind Let it be hypnosis for my dreams I drank poetry and it tasted delicious.

POETRY Revolutionary minds I want you to think positive today Speak up when you have something to say Stand up and let your voice be heard Whenever injustice knocks at your door Do not be afraid to cry out for mercy Do not be afraid to cry so the world may be at your knees.

Do not be afraid to be vocal Whether foreign or local Do not be afraid to challenge the stagnant system Whether by voice or by the written work Let our hearts beat as one with the Congo rhythm Sing out The great reggae legend philosophy, Bob Marley One Love, One hearts lets get together and feel all right I and I is a woman of righteousness Everywhere me step Jah bless.

Me radical Every vagabond has to scatter as the power Under which is dwell is internalized Out of me the Almighty specialized and Their wicked cult cannot suffice So open up your eyes Please do realize Take away the cobwebs and remove the mask of disguise See I prophecy Paint away the graffiti of one's mind Remove the zinc fences and cardboard boxes That tries to manipulate See God and See the devil when he masquerades Realize his plan and his advocates and be aware.

It is a physical A spiritual warfare Soldiers Put on your armor Prepare for war Keep your mind open Keep it secure The gateways to your soul Protect it with spiritual intervention If you do not Illusion Delusion Difficult situation Under the system's manipulation Hold an herbal, spiritual meditation And revolutionized Modernized this ya mind.

Pearls Magazine

The Morning of blessings Each day is a renew of spirit I am excited with exuberance I am a piano played beautifully I like the sun that brightens I love the wind that flows spiritual The morning bless by God is awesome It is a day when one give thanks Each day life is treasured.

BIO:

Christena AV Williams is a Young Jamaican poet, Youth Ambassador in arts and Culture and Author of 2013 collection of poetry, “Pearls among stones� By Brian Wrixon books. She is a lover of poetry, peace, love, justice, country she aspires to become an emblem and revolutionist who will become a force to reckon with in regards to transformation of lives and country, and to do so is accompanied by her works of inspiration.

This poet writes from the heart and soul spilling over inked by her lips and God's gift manifested. She is lover of oldies, classics, Bob Marley, Gospel, old school rap and country music and she is a radical thinker and writer and is not afraid to speak her mind.

She is in international anthologies, Magazines online, Anthologies for charities, blogs, blog talk radios, literary sites and the local newspaper Gleaner. She can be contacted via email williams.christena@yahoo.com

Pearls Magazine

CAREER TOOLS FOR SPEEDING UP YOUR GOALS

A

lmost everybody set goals. We all, especially in our youthful age, aspire to be one thing or another; athletes, musicians, footballers, bankers, astronauts, farmers etc. Many even make elaborate plans to achieve these feats.

However, you would observe that not many people turn out to be what they wanted to be; this is because they lacked certain important tools and timeless principles which would guide them safely to their goals.

Here I would provide you with these tools and explain them as best as I can. By carefully and systematically applying these tools in your career plan, you'd notice a rapid progress in the achievement of your goals. They are: EDUCATION This word usually brings to mind the formal system of gaining knowledge through schools and institutions of learning. However, by 'education' I mean the acquisition of information through any means, formal or informal.

We live in the information age where knowledge rules the world; where the highest paid people are those who have great deal of information in certain areas of expertise. Not necessarily formally educated people but people who are more knowledgeable in what they do than others in the same profession.

Before you go into any career, ask yourself: how much do I know about this career? Because without knowledge you will not go very far, you will always be surpassed by those whose have more information than you do.

As the timeless saying goes, “knowledge is power�. Always remember this: education (acquisition of knowledge) saves time, resources, energy, effort, expenditure. The more knowledge you have in an area the faster and easier and more certain it is that you can get the result that is expected of you in that area.

Before you go into any career, ask yourself: how much do I know about this career?

Seek out time to read, browse the internet, ask questions and ponder about your desired career path. The rule is: if you want to earn more you must learn more.

Pearls Magazine

SKILL This is another important tool you need to achieve your goals. I define skill as ability or set of abilities involved or required to carry out a particular task creatively. It is imperative that you seek and acquire whatever skill that is required in your career of interest. Skills help you achieve good results in your area of interest; greater level of skill, however, will produce even better results.

Also, once you have acquired a skill, you should look for opportunities to put it to use. The more you apply your skill, the better you get at it and the more experienced you become in your area of interest, and the more results you would be able to achieve in less and less time.

If you want to be a writer for instance, you must write at least fifty lines every day; you must read other articles; you must learn how to use words, phrases, idioms, etc. you must seek out opportunities to apply your writing skill so as to boost your confidence. Doing this will no doubt make you an expert writer with time.

Once you have acquired a skill, you should look for opportunities to put it to use.

CONTACTS AND PEOPLE Who do you know and who knows you? Having a large contact consisting of important people in your career of interest goes a long way to bringing your skill to lime-light. Whatever you do in life involves people; somebody somewhere, somehow; directly or indirectly must use or benefit from your abilities.

The more people you know and who know your skill greatly improves your chances of success in a particular field, unless all the people you know are dead. When you are good at what you do and people know you, they will talk about you and your abilities.

Before you rise to a new level in an industry or profession you need someone to help you.

Take time to go out and meet people that matter in your career of interest. Attend meetings, social gatherings, symposiums, join clubs and interact with people; ask questions, talk about yourself and your skills.

Put yourself in the minds of people by keeping in touch; through writing, calling or emailing them but do not pester them, unless they ask you to. When you do this, people will always have you in mind and whenever they need someone in your line of work, guess who they will call?

Take time to go out and meet people that matter in your career of interest There are other tools that are also important in your quest to achieve your goals but these three, plus a positive mental attitude, will greatly accelerate and improve your chances of success. Remember also that each of these tools require time and effort for you to acquire them, so be patient.

By Anthony Udoka Odunze.

BIO: Odunze Udoka is a writer, blogger, business person and a blog-designer. He writes hilarious articles on his blog derrygiggles on wordpress, and has been a contributor on Pearls Magazine.

Odunze is also a lover of animals, including the animals you may hate. He has been studying animal science to help his passion Pearls Magazine

Pearls Magazine

BOOK REVIEW TWO GONE…STILL COUNTING

by Oyindamola Affinnih

T

ime and change have contributed to the gradual extinction of some beliefs that the African cultures held strongly. But some still hang on the thread,

while others have persisted and stood insurmountable by foreign cultures, especially the taboos. Two Gone…Still Counting remains in the latter,

because such beliefs and superstitions, as seen in the novel, have endured to this time. Amani, the heroine of the novel, struggles with fate far

beyond her reach to conquer!

Despite the faith that moves her to conquer her fate, her effort ends in futility! And the jinx that troubles her seems to hide on the horizon of life. Her story throughout the novel can best be captured in stanza four of Karen Connelly's poem “The Darkness above Mandalay,” from her collection, “THE BORDERS SURROUNDS US,” (2OOO); the first and second lines of that stanza read thus: “…She wants to say love but the word is spoiled…”

Amani's journey to get love returns the dark side of falling in love! 'Mother is supreme,' is a fact that Africans do not compromise. Mrs. Bashorun, Amani's mother tries to see the end of the curse, by going to perform the ritual that breaks the jinx, which is going naked to the market to placate for her mistake.

She dies later, and, Amani is alone to find answers to her own puzzle. But Mrs. Bashorun's persistence to see that the curse is broken shows a mother's love for her child. It shows there are mothers who will go anywhere to secure the future of their children! But the encouragement is to do this right before God…

Amani's journey to get love returns the dark side of falling in love!

Again, the betrayal by uncle Kolade and his wife Mama Ibeji, is an eye-opener once again to the fact that, we should not give pass-marks to anyone until they prove they deserve to be trusted.

This why it's so risky to leave one's children to others, without confirming the angel or beast that resides in them. The culture of taking over the properties that should go to the bereft, is brought to fore by the Writer. And, I believe this is what literature should correct! It's in the society, and this inhumane culture is seen as normal, but this one is left to the government to debate what is just!

Furthermore, beliefs one holds sternly could happen, since life itself is spiritual, and man is a spirit person. Mr. Bashorun, Amani's father, cautions his wife not to believe the myth and its consequence, but it's too late, because Amani begins to have nightmares that suggests her believe in the myth has taken root.

In the same collection by Karen Connelly, “THE BORDERS SURROUNDS US,” in the poem titled “The Dancer,” the first two lines on the fourth stanza reads thus: “…In our becoming we are broken…”

After the death of their parents, Areef (Amani's only brother), and Amani, follows the path life chooses for them. They struggle to exist and adjust to a life now too strange for them. I almost thought the two gone were their parents, because those two (Mr. and Mrs. Bashorun) does not make it into the future of the story! But Areef and Amani are still counting through broken times, and hoping with long-suffering, and they adjust to survive.

Conclusively, although the myth and its curse persists, and takes Amani's husbands, Oyindamola has weaved a prose that reveals another part life brings…Especially a mystery that surrounds one's existence; and a myth a people may have not compromised, but with this project, she has given the world a reason to keep counting on her, to bring more stories that will release memories that will not be gone!

Pearls Magazine

Relationship

VALUES OF A SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP

I

n life, there are some very important words, teachings or messages that cannot be overemphasized, and so, they must continually be projected into the hearts of people to help and keep them on the right path so they enjoy the blessings and riches that they carry. One of such is the role of love in relationships. Whether we are speaking of the relationship between spouses, people preparing to get married, family members or friends.

For the next couple of weeks (editions) I will be talking about values that bring out the best in any relationship. If you want a beautiful, love filled and sweet relationship, then you don't want to miss any of these teachings. The very first we shall look at presently is the foundation and the bedrock. If only we all can embrace it, then we have a good chance of seeing that splendid picture of the relationship which we say from the beginning fulfilled.

Pearls Magazine

Relationship SPIRITUAL FERVENCY By this I mean the continuous passionate dependence on the finished work of Christ Jesus and His loving grace to keep and see you through life's journey. Without this, your relationship won't enjoy the joy and bliss that God wants you to enjoy the way He wants you to.

Our relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, what I call the vertical connection, is the very first kind of relationship we should give priority to. This Vertical Connection with our Creator is what makes the horizontal connection with the people around us worthwhile. Two examples I'd love to give from scriptures that drive this home are the relationships between Adam and Eve, as well as that between Isaac and Rebecca.

For Adam, before Eve came into his life he had already had an existing sweet fellowship with The Father which didn't slack even after Eve became his wife. Also, taking a look at Rebecca, scripture says she was attractive in appearance and of course, in character evidenced by the interaction she had with Abraham's servant which only could have been as a result of her personal relationship with the God of her fathers.

So, we see here that rather than put the cart before the horse as some do today by wanting to run into a relationship, its imperative we do it right by first running after an intimate relationship with Christ Jesus.

This way we can enjoy our relationship especially that which has to do with us spending the rest of our lives with one special person. If peradventure, reading through this you realize it has spoken to you and you have not come to accept Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please contact me today through my profile so I pray with you, lead you to Christ and always be here to counsel you so you can enjoy the best out of your relationships. Next edition, God willing I'll share another very helpful tip in making your relationship wonderful.

By Blessing Ehigiator.

“Our relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, what I call the vertical connection, is the very first kind of relationship we should give priority to.�

Pearls Magazine

Relationship WHAT HIS HEART IS SAYING

O

f course I am not a

psychologist neither do I claim to know the thoughts of people's hearts. But we can understand a lot about what godly men think about their woman from what the Bible shows us. Having been with two godly men in her lifetime, just to make sure he was thinking right, Solomon's mum sat him down to teach him what the heart of a godly man craves for in a woman.

I hope the things I share with you today can help everyone who reads this article, men and women alike.

Here are some of the major things his heart is saying:

HELP ME MANAGE MY ESTATE Pearls Magazine

Relationship

Every godly man seeks more of this virtue in his woman. A man sees a woman as a manager, as one who takes care of what belongs to him, and so, wants to know that whatever he has and/or brings in won't be wasted. He loves to see that things are well catered for, properly preserved and that there's no wastage.

This gives him a sense of fulfillment in the relationship. It's true that with good management things get bigger and better. Even seemingly insufficient things can be multiplied into surplus with good management. On the other hand, poor management crumbles and reduces things. It's no more news in our day and age that poor management has destroyed even the biggest of organizations.

He loves to see that things are well catered for, properly preserved and that there's no wastage.

I WANT TO ALWAYS KNOW I CAN TRUST YOU

Every godly man wants to know he can trust his woman to be true to him. It gives him delight to know his woman is reliable. This matters even in little things. Some women are faithful in discharging their duties as wives but their words are full of lies.

Being secretive and dishonest wears out a man's love. It breaks a man to know he may not be able to hold on to what he has been told. The cry in his heart is that he wants to know he can trust his woman. The more a man can trust a woman, the more fulfilled he feels. To a very large extent, in matters of character, he wants to know his woman is predictable.

Being secretive and dishonest wears out a man's love.

I LOVE IT WHEN YOU'RE KIND TO ME Though funny it remains true that a man is sometimes like a baby who craves to be treated nicely and kindly. Most men would deny this. Some men do not know how to respond when they are being loved and so you may think he doesn't care about it but that's not true.

A man wants to always receive that kindness and goodness that comes from a woman. In every relationship/marriage the woman's goodness does something that makes the man better. He may not say it verbally but his heart is always in need of your kindness.

A man wants to always receive that kindness and goodness that comes from a woman I APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK Lazy women lose out on their husband's favor. Femininity isn't the same as weakness. He likes you feminine but not weak. The man may not appear to be concerned initially about your laziness (if he married you because he was blinded by other things) but eventually your laziness will affect his attitude toward you.

For the woman however who has an attitude of diligence to work, her man is encouraged and inspired by the way she runs the home and her personal business (es). This boosts his love for her. Even if your husband is totally responsible for all the family's income, he wants to know that on the home front you're hardworking and diligent.

That does something to his heart and to his love for you.

He likes you feminine but not weak YOUR FORESIGHT THRILLS ME When a godly unmarried man sees a woman who lives her life in such a way that she takes care of tomorrow's challenges well ahead of time, he has found a woman that he'll hardly take his mind off.

This continues even in relationships and marriages. One of the unique graces God has given the woman is the ability to anticipate tomorrow's needs today and to prepare herself and her family to overcome them. That ability to see tomorrow's challenge before time, to plan and organize stuff today, putting things in place to Pearls Magazine

Relationship guarantee a beautiful tomorrow, is one of the things that make a man's heart cling to his woman. It's true the man is the leader of the home but the Creator gave you to him as a helper.

BE THE BEST AT WHAT YOU DO Godly men are not scared or intimidated to see their women excel in their ministries, careers, businesses, professions etc. It actually gives them joy to know that their women are standing out. Truth is, as a lady; do not settle for less because you assume your man/husband will not be happy about your progress and success in your chosen field.

If he's a godly man, then he actually wants you to be the best that you can possibly be.

He wants to know his woman is the one being celebrated. Your pursuit of excellence in your field gives him pleasure.

If he's a godly man, then he actually wants you to be the best that you can possibly be.

READ Every godly man loves to hear his wife speak wisely as she contributes to issues and delivers counsel. But the things that come out of us cannot be better than what goes in.

Hence, the need to keep reading and exposing ourselves to healthy and quality information. Education does not stop in school. As long as you're open to learning, education is still taking place.

Through staying with the scriptures you can get the wisdom of God within you stirred to the point where it flows out of you whenever you open your mouth to speak. Read other helpful books and materials too. Men love wise women.

Men love wise women.

BIO: Blessing Ehigiator is a love junkie for Jesus Christ. She is a love person. And believes in true love and its tremendous power to effect positive changes in the world. You can reach her via these emails: fynbibi@yahoo.com and lovejunkiebibi@gmail.com

Pearls Magazine

FASHION & STYLE BE THE STYLE

E

ver imagined checking out that trendy lady or picture perfect gentleman standing out, amidst the multitude of people

all clustered up. I know my fashion enthusiasts may say: 'I need to take a picture‌' 'I need to get this', 'I surely need to get that', 'did you just see that?'

You can be that gentleman or the lady in beautiful dress. Follow my lead: 1. Dress according to the mood, but be in tune with the diary. Meeting? After work cocktail? Be perfect for the occasion.

2. Stay on top of the trends and stay informed on styling by reading good fashion magazines.

3. Know your body and assets. Dress moderately.

4. Invest in the classics: a jacket, black or brown leather bag, a crisp shirt, well tailored trouser or jeans that complement your body structure.

Know your body and assets. Dress moderately 5. The fragrance of your perfume will always put you ahead. Never forget this part.

6. Allocate a monthly allowance to your wardrobe, but spend wisely. Be innovative, creative with your unique style.

7. Always have the weather check. Plan your outfit with the weather on your mind. Rainy days should have its own fashion that doesn't spoil your dress. For the ladies, rubber slippers with charming colors will be good for a rainy day.

BIO: Adedamola Ogunbamwo is a writer and a style columnist. An IT, Media and Entertainment Consultant. He is the CEO of Gladiator Music Group (GMG), and GMG Clothing. He can be reached on these social media platforms: Facebook: Adedamola Ogunbamwo Twitter:BigdreamersGMG LinkedIn:Adedamola Ogunbamwo Email:adedamolaogunbamwo@gmail.com +234 80342 880 27 Pearls Magazine

Facebook: Adedamola Ogunbamwo Twitter:BigdreamersGMG LinkedIn:Adedamola Ogunbamwo Email:adedamolaogunbamwo@gmail.com +234 80342 880 27

Pearls Magazine

COVER

A

Darryn Zewalk

fan simply commented on Darryn Zewalk's Reverbnation page with just this powerful expression: forevermore-nice! The gospel music industry in the U.S.A. has produced legends and giants for other countries to follow.

Nigeria is a huge fan of the gospel music industry of America; the reason is that, it looks like they got it right from the beginning. This is why at The Experience Lagos; there is tremendous love for the gospel ministers from the U.S., to the extent that Don Moen has become so familiar with the Experience family!

It's because of this love that Pearls Magazine has decided to go beyond Nigeria and Africa when the vision came. And, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, we got Darryn Zewalk, one of the prides of American contemporary gospel music.

Darryn Zewalk has been Music Minister at the Mount Olive Baptist Church for eleven years.

He worked in the church as Organist for the Inspirational Choir.

Darryn received a Bachelor's Degree in Voice with a minor in piano, from the Oklahoma Baptist University. A contemporary gospel songwriter, Singer and Arranger. His love for God is evident in his music and expressions. His simplicity and care for God's people can be felt in his daily posts on the social media. He has produced great singles through the record label: Sounds Like Z Productions. His recent album 'Situations' is available online on Amazon and iTunes. He is also working on two album projects.

Darryn has influences from Michael .W. Smith, John. P. Kee, Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond and other great ministers. Pearls Magazine interviewed Darryn on his ministry, relationship with God, Influences and more.

Pearls Magazine

COVER

Darryn Zewalk

“I overcome challenges by putting God first and focusing on my goals and what He has blessed me to do.�

ZEWALK: My current project titled Situations can be

PM: Can you please tell us about yourself briefly?

ZEWALK: I am a Gospel singer/songwriter of Gospel/Pop Soul Music. I have been the music minister for the Mount Olive Baptist Church for the past 15 years.

PM: Most gospel music ministers started from the choir, was it the same for you?

ZEWALK: Yes PM: How have you been able to overcome the challenges that come with the ministry?

ZEWALK: I overcome challenges by putting God first and focusing on my goals and what He has blessed me to do.

PM: Why did you choose gospel music?

ZEWALK: Because the Lord gave me this gift and He deserves the praise.

I overcome challenges by putting God first and focusing on my goals and what He has blessed me to do.

PM: Some young people think following gospel music may not be financially rewarding, do you buy that myth?

ZEWALK: Anytime you work for the Lord it is rewarding, spiritually and financially. The goal in spreading the Gospel is to win souls for the Lord. I am truly blessed that God gave me a tool to do that. Through my music I will do my best to bring him glory and encourage others in the Lord.

PM: Obviously, choosing gospel music means choosing GOD, how has your walk with him been?

ZEWALK: My walk with God has been an awesome one. He has blessed me beyond measure and I will always Praise Him. PM: How would you rate the American gospel music industry recently, and in the last decades?

ZEWALK: I would rate it high. I believe the Lord is doing great things in the industry. I am looking forward to what is to come.

PM: In Nigeria and Africa, a lot of gospel ministers have been inspired by gospel legends like Don Moen, Ron Kenoly, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin and more, was it the same for you?

ZEWALK: Yes, I am inspired by many artistes and I am blessed the Lord has placed them here to not only minister to me but to others as well.

PM: Tell us about your album(s), and where they can be purchased.

Pearls Magazine

purchased on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, and many other online stores.

PM: How have you been able to manage the ministry and other responsibilities?

ZEWALK: So far I have been able to manage so far, but I am truly looking forward to what's ahead with my ministry.

My current project titled Situations can be purchased on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, and many other online stores.

PM: Are you planning a new album or single(s), and when should we expect it?

ZEWALK: Yes I actually have 2 projects in the works: "Forevermore" and "Favor" I expect them to be out sometime this summer. There is no release date yet. The single Forevermore is now on iTunes, Amazon and other online stores.

I actually have 2 projects in the works: "Forevermore" and "Favor" I expect them to be out sometime this summer.

PM: Your songs are life-changing as confessed by fans, how do you feel about that?

ZEWALK: I am blessed that the Lord can use me in any way to further the growth of His kingdom. All praises and glory goes to Him. PM: What legacies do want to leave in the gospel music hall of fame?

ZEWALK: I want to leave a legacy of touching people through my personal experiences to bring praises to God. PM: Do you have young aspiring gospel music ministers you may be mentoring?

ZEWALK: No not at this time but that could be changing in the near future.

PM: Lastly, are you happy with the state of the church right now?

ZEWALK: Yes. I want to leave a legacy of touching people through my personal experiences to bring praises to God.

Art

Pearls Magazine

Photography

Art

Afe Studios www.afestudios.com

Pearls Magazine

Photography

Relationship

LIVING A HAPPY MARRIED LIFE (CONTINUED‌

A HAPPY

MARRIED LIFE

A

fter giving our readers a rundown of living a happy married life in the first article, this second one further expatiates on these factors that lead to a happy married life. We are going into the nitty- gritty of the issue, riding step by step on this topic for your consumption. This time we are enumerating the factors that will guide us successfully to achieve a happy married life.

Getting married is one thing, to live happily with your spouse is another thing entirely, and the most important. The quality of life you enjoy together has to do with the way you relate with your spouse.

This topic has a very broad spectrum in terms of definition. When we look at the word factor, it is defined as one of the things that causes or influences something; environmental/economic factors. In this case both environmental and economic factors are involved in a happy married life.

The spiritual factor is the most fundamental. Although most dictionaries do not mention this spiritual factor, it is the basic and the pivot which other factors revolve around. Below are the factors that will guide us to live a happy married life as subtitled.

Pearls Magazine

Relationship

LIVING A HAPPY MARRIED LIFE (CONTINUED…

First factor -LOVE With reference to the Holy Bible, in the book of Ephesians-Chapter 5 Verse 25, it says interalia “Husbands do love your wife just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it”. We must relate with our spouses with a higher degree of love. We must strive hard to achieve this in all cases if we have to live a happy married life. Love is the summary of all the factors put together, just as it is the summary of the Ten Commandments of God our Almighty Father.

Although, human beings are imperfect beings in the order of creation, we may not achieve this all round degree of Love; which is three hundred and sixty degrees- according to Geometric theory in Mathematics. This Love I am talking about has been demonstrated only by our creator God in John 3:6 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Our Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for our redemption. He laid down his own life for us all, so that we may live. This is Agape love –unconditional Love for mankind.

In the Bible as well, Stephen showed a deep sense of love as he was stoned to death on the orders of Saul, who was renamed Paul. He, Stephen, prayed before he died to the Lord not to hold his killers to account for his death.

We must love our neighbors as we love ourselves says the word of God. So, we must love our spouses and others as well, in order to achieve huge success in our life and in our marriage. Love does not record wrong- doings.

The simple arithmetic of 1+1 in marriage =1 is based on Love. If you love your spouse as you love yourself both of you become one body in Christ which is the proof of this arithmetic formula in marriage. The two souls become one body in Christ.

Second Factor TRUST: In any good relationship existing between a man and a woman trust is the “salt” that spices up other ingredients in marriage. Quote me! If trust is not inclusive in the marital arrangement, it is just like building a house on sand without solid foundation. It will collapse when the storms of life (challenges) come. It is like a heap of salt which will crumble under rainfall. Trust is one of the pillars sustaining marriage and making it solid enough to stand the test of time. We have to trust each other in marriage in order to live together solidly as one indivisible entity.

We say love is blind in relationships, we can also say trust is blind as well. We have to trust our spouse at all times to keep our marriage 'afloat'. Try to trust her always, rather than doubting her.

Each time we trust, we don't doubt. But when we start to doubt we do not trust again. Each time you doubt your spouse intentionally or unintentionally, you are sowing the seed of uncertainty – distrust in your marriage.

Subsequently, this will create an unhealthy relationship with your spouse and will surely rob you of happiness in your marriage. Avoid creating an atmosphere of uncertainty by not trusting your spouse.

Pearls Magazine

Relationship

LIVING A HAPPY MARRIED LIFE (CONTINUED…

Some men and women act like 'Sniffer Dogs' in their marriage. No matter the answers their spouses give them in reply to their questions, they will never be satisfied with such answers. Even if the answers are genuine or not. They are not moved by any explanation.

They will continue to dig deeper and deeper until the situation gets out of hand. One or both of them start nagging until the whole atmosphere becomes charged, and explodes. In the Holy Scriptures, it says -A quiet man living with a nagging wife is like an old man climbing up a sandy hill. You never get there. So peace and happiness cannot be achieved in marriage through nagging.

Let me narrate here an experience I have had in the past .I know of a man who is now late called Foster by then. The wife was a banker in one of the failed banks in my country Nigeria. As a banker the wife most of the time came home late from work.

The husband was a very temperamental human being. He would ask so many questions at the same time. “Why are you coming now, where are you coming from, what are you doing up till this time in the office?” So many whys, where, what, were the order of the day.

He would become wild and uncontrollable. Both of them would start quarreling and exchange words, calling each other names. He would batter the wife to a pitiable state and leave the house to cool off with some bottles of beer. The next day, they will continue to quarrel. The result was that they separated before his death. This is what distrust can do in marriage.

To be continued...

BIO: Alphons Ify Dike is a prolific writer. He is versatile owing to his years of experience. He has wealth of experience in advertising, marketing and publishing spanning over thirty years. He worked with Prestrum Advertising Limited in Lagos Nigeria as Client Services Director.

He also worked with the first Marketing Magazine in Nigeria-Nigerian Market Magazine as Advert Manager, and rose to Advert Director. Later, he became marketing consultant to both Marketing in West Africa published in Munich Germany and Pulse Health Magazine in Nigeria published by Joyland Publications Limited.

A former Executive Director of Highpoint Communications Ltd that pioneered Transit Advertising in Nigeria, and serviced clients like: First Bank, Nestle Plc, Friesland Campina. He was Editor-in-Chief of Wedding Guide Magazine, and Director for Ophir Outsourcing-the publisher of Wedding Guide Magazine.

Pearls Magazine

Social Media

SOCIAL MEDIA AND SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

In the nineties, marketing was traditional, and marketing firms made a lot of fortune from marketing goods and services. But as the world advanced into a social media age, the face of marketing changed. The World Wide Web brought a revolution that shared the fortunes of marketing firms. That revolution matured in the social media time.

Social marketing has been taken as the fastest way to publicize or market goods and services. It is simply publicizing and promoting your services through the social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest) and others.

There are billions of people using the social media; this has made it necessary for business owners to look the way of social marketing.

It is simply publicizing and promoting your services through the social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest) and others‌ The last world cup that was held in Brazil was a perfect example. The twitter-space went wild with tweets and retweets of brands that got engaged in the sport. The strategy was to get more followers, expose the brand and logo, and let the people try to know what the brand is all about and the services it renders. And this worked.

These multinationals were only trying to take advantage of the rush of social media to plug their brands, and not be left out. This also is part of social branding.

Another example of the power of social media is the contributions it has given to the publishing world. Gone are the days when writers and young writers waited for publishers to publish their manuscripts, because they are not established writers.

Now, the phase has turned. Writers now make fortune from self-publishing. Also, one of the ways publishers get new writers is by visiting blogs and following the writers on social media. So, a wise writer will get himself exposed by owning a blog, and supporting it with social media strength. This is part of the social marketing.

In fact, when it comes to online publishing a book or magazine can be published, marketed, publicized, and sold online. The facility for this is available, especially on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Nobles and Issuu. These days, authors open pages for their new books on Facebook and Blogger, to get them exposed to readers. And even add links where those books can be purchased online, while the money goes to the author's online account on PayPal. Previously, this looked impossible. But the introduction of the internet has changed the face of publishing, and the way services are rendered.

Social media has changed the way publicity used to be. With social media engagements, someone could market his services, sell on eBay, publish on Amazon, and shop on Konga or Jumia in Nigeria without going outside the door.

Brands and People who want to keep their businesses floating in a competitive environment, should overlook the power that social media carries in the time of the internet.

Social media has changed the way publicity used to be‌ Pearls Magazine.

Pearls Magazine

Photo Tourism

Pearls Magazine

OWERRI, NIGERIA

Photo Tourism

Pearls Magazine

OWERRI, NIGERIA

ENTREPRENUERSHIP

Interview with the C.E.O of New Wave Barbers' Shop

Interview with the

C.E.O of

New Wave Barbers' Shop

T

here are many jobsites littered on the internet these days, especially in the Nigerian internet space. The reason is this: there are many

Nigerian graduates who have been pushed to believe that getting a job is the only way to survive after school. But in the same Nigeria where many graduates have been frustrated, some people have risen from the frustration to do something outside the box, despite their little beginnings.

One of such people is Olushola. He runs barbing shops in Ogun state, western Nigeria. He started small, but now has an ultra-modern Barber's shop close to where he began.

Pearls Magazine

ENTREPRENUERSHIP

Interview with the C.E.O of New Wave Barbers' Shop

His ultra-modern shop renders services from outdoor, wedding packages for the groom, executive cuts to other services. Shola has trained more than seventy people, graduates and undergraduates, including young people that prefer learning a trade to formal education.

Today, he runs more than three shops, and according to him, more are still coming. He testifies that the business has been rewarding. Pearls Magazine interviewed Shola, as he reveals his little beginning and the impact he has made. Below are excerpts: PM: Can you tell us your experience from when you started this business?

Shola: I started in 2003, when I was in the senior classes in secondary school. I became serious with the business after I left school. I taught in a school before I started the business, and even worked in a hotel, did some other jobs.

All those times I earned little salaries, until one day when I had to speak to myself. I asked myself: for how long will I continue with this? Later, I went to see a neighbor of mine who knows the business of barbing, and told him my intention of learning the barbing business.

I kept disturbing him with my persistency, until he saw how serious I was. He agreed and charged me a fee, which I paid. He taught me everything about the business until I graduated and was certified. After graduating, I had to start trying to raise money to go on my own. I sold agricultural products to raise money to start, it worked.

At a time in my life I thought I was going to be a panel-beater, because I was good with steel and was creative.

Pearls Magazine

ENTREPRENUERSHIP

Interview with the C.E.O of New Wave Barbers' Shop

PM: How have you been able to keep the success?

Shola: It's been tough, but I have persisted. Sometimes it's tough and at times rosy.

But glory to God for the triumphs.

PM: Many people have worked under you, how did you manage to impact into these guys?

Shola: I am always mindful of the fact that, I want to succeed and allow others succeed. I even sponsor my siblings as the first child of my parents. I taught them the business and they learnt it, now they are on their own and doing fine.

I am always mindful of the fact that, I want to succeed and allow others succeed.

PM: You manage barbing shops, how have you been able to manage all of them?

Shola: It's not easy. When you learn a business in the right place, you will learn so much. I have my own personal shops, and even manage shops for a relative; I thank God for the grace.

PM: What do you plan to achieve more beyond where you now are?

Shola: The plan is to take the business beyond its present environment. I look forward to establishing in Lagos, Abuja and other places by God's grace.

PM: Do you think of leaving the business in the future?

Shola: I cannot leave the business. It took me a lot of hard work to get here! Even when I am aging I will not leave it. You can't leave a business you learnt with so much passion. This is like my testimony. In fact, I was thinking about the boys I had trained, they are over seventy two!

They are scattered from this environment to places in Lagos. Some have even received their certificates and have become free.

You can't leave a business you learnt with so much passion‌ PM: What is your message to people, especially graduates who are unemployed?

Shola: Handwork cannot be overlooked. Going to school doesn't mean one should not learn a trade. I have trained students who are now in the higher institutions. I do this to help people, because where one is now, he may not be tomorrow. So, they can help themselves with this.

Going to school doesn't mean one should not learn a trade‌ PM: How lucrative is this business?

Shola: I can say I made barbing look good in this my environment! People thought me unserious when I began. We have become more successful than many businesses around. But it depends on the character of the person who runs this kind of business.

The good thing about this business is that, it brings daily profits. Being focused and committed will help you bring out so much from the business, until you do something great with it in life!

Pearls Magazine

INTERVIEW

Interview with Nigeria's new gospel voice: Bishop Fernandez.

Interview with

Nigeria's new gospel voice:

T

he Nigerian gospel music industry is coming on too fast. Never

has the industry in Nigeria witnessed this overflow of new

gospel ministers, and still counting. Gradually the industry is

moving toward where it should be, although a lot needs to be done.

Despite this, there are new voices that should be heard, and one of such voices is Bishop Fernandez. He is a graduate of Literature from the University of Benin, in Nigeria. Bishop started singing almost professionally back in the university, and was known as a vocalist and songwriter.

He has recorded singles, and one of his hits is his recent single titled: 'Beyond the Curse'. He is an On-Air Personality (OAP), at Vibes Radio in Nigeria

Pearls Magazine

“In the midst of this confusion I found that little light I needed for my life...�

Pearls Magazine

INTERVIEW

Interview with Nigeria's new gospel voice: Bishop Fernandez.

PM: How do you see the responsibility of being a gospel minister?

BISHOP: It's like carrying the cross of Christ, so very heavy but this time you should always smile. As event rolls you just find out that you are what you carry because you never dropped it. It is not easy to follow Christ but it is just too amazing when you follow...

PM: You have been in the secular music industry; do you think gospel music is worth it?

BISHOP: Amazingly, yes. The secular gives you a platform that is so artificial, untrue, artistic but not sincere. It can even bring down your reputation especially when you know how good you are and not treated properly, probably for reasons best known to them...the secular world has been branded with the ideology of "competitive," but trust me, it's just a platform for a lifestyle that cannot and will never please God. After the fun, excitement, temporal joy it brings, you still get to seek God the Giver of joy. So tell me, is that a world to belong to?

PM: What is your vision for the ministry you now have?

BISHOP: Raising an army that will be mad for Christ, a generation of JESUS FRI'KS that their sole aim is just to understand that they are FOOLS FOR CHRIST. PM: Gospel music in Nigeria is growing too fast, do you see it going bigger?

BISHOP: Of course, I do. It may not grow at the pace one wants it but that does not mean it is not growing. Truth is this, very soon there is going to be a SHIFT in music and the soul, then you would see how Jesus succeeded in making a fool of the devil through music.

PM: Fame or soul-winning, which do you prefer?

BISHOP: The bible said "seek first the kingdom and every other thing will come." Soul winning is kingdom business; fame is just a passive addition.

PM: There choir members leaving for secular, what do you think is the cause?

BISHOP: This question is like a man who left his doors open and traveled for months but in his mind he is saying "my house is very safe." Trust me any choir member that leaves the house of pruning for the den of ruin is gone. I blame people's mindset and this mindset is short of understanding and knowledge, that is why they die spiritually but feel alive physically.

PM: What sacrifices have you made to reach where you now are?

BISHOP: A lot, really. I can't mention them all but the truth is, I am still making sacrifices. It's a continuous process that won't end. The paramount one is the decision to stand firm for Christ no matter the pressure I am under, even from Christians.

PM: What legacy are you leaving for others coming?

BISHOP: Just like we hear the names of great gospel artistes around the world, FERNANDEZ MUSIK is set to live an indelible mark about JESUS AND HIS GRACE. In the future, my style of music would be seen as iconic, and above all containing the GOD FACTOR that will help heal not just sick people, but heal our land, government, nation and continent‌ The secular gives you a platform that is so artificial, untrue, artistic but not sincere‌

Pearls Magazine

SHORT STORY

ENEMY

ENEMY CLOSER by Onome Prince Tadafe by

CLOSER

Onome Prince Tadafe

May 11th 2011 I am writing this story from a place where I am not by circumstance but by choice. You don't know what freedom is until you lose it, but really, I care less because what is freedom when you think you know a lot about yourself but you just discover you have been in dark? What is freedom? When the last twenty-five years, have been years of living with torment and trauma that came with that dreadful day. I can't sleep well at night, because I live in fear and disgust.

I thought I had been free of the pain and hurt, until I laid my eyes on him again. Until yesterday my hatred for him had been latent but it erupted with little warning like a volcano. Like a demon possessed soul I was enveloped with hate; the urge and will to end his life was so strong.

I was deaf to everything around me. I was blind to the joy and happiness my daughter was feeling that very moment. I was either now or never. I couldn't hold myself. The images of that day came back forcefully into my mind's eye like a vision, so clear. And so explicit. It was a nightmare that was real and vivid as imagination can be. As I pointed the gun at him, only one thing was left for me to do; pull the trigger. My name is Sofia George and this is my story.

Jan 29th 1964 My name is Sofia George and I am the only child of. Dr. Oyinlola George, a native of Ogun state. I don't know my father. My mum said he left when I was about a year old.

She doesn't talk about him at all, so I never try to ask about him. I always wanted to be a lawyer and my dream came through when I was granted admission to study law at one of the prestigious universities in the country.

Three weeks later, I was in full swing with academic activities and I found university life stressful and at the same time interesting. Due to my vivaciousness and being a BWB (Beauty With Brains) that I was, I made a lot of friends, but my real friends were Brenda, Naomi and Onomeh.

We were practically inseparable. We took our studies seriously and didn't have much of a social life during the first two years of our academic life. But that changed during the third year. Unlike my friends, I went out occasionally but my friends were everywhere around campus, though they knew when to slow down and get serious; one of the things that I admired about them.

We were great together and we looked out for each other, most especially Onomeh.

She acted like a mother to us. I remember when I was ill; she practically took care of me. To her, it must have seemed like an obligation, something she just had to do, and we always listened to her because she was more mature than us in age and in many other regards.

During the fourth year in school we went for a seminar in Ghana which was to last for a month. It was part of our learning process as law students. I was happy that I would be travelling to another country and at the same time I didn't want to leave my mother all alone. Three were times when she would just have these mood swings and she would just drift into another life, another world as if she was running away from something.

Pearls Magazine

SHORT STORY

ENEMY CLOSER by Onome Prince Tadafe

On the eve of my departure I found her in one of such moods. She looked lost as I entered her room to check on her, even though I had done that already. My grandma and I still treated her as if she were a child sometimes. She was holding a picture of two babies and they looked like twins; in fact, if I recall correctly, they were twins. I asked who they were and she hesitated.

As she was about telling me something held her back; it was as if she was trying to forget something and she was just protecting me from it. "This is you and your twin sister" she said.

I was shocked because she had never mentioned it to me before. "Where is she?" I asked.

"She died on the day she was born" she said with so much pain and hurt.

"But why did you keep it from me?"

"What would knowing about such do for you?" she asked.

I paused and said nothing. It was as if she was blaming herself for something that I couldn't really place my hand on.

I left for Ghana and the flight was wonderful, because that was the first time that I was travelling by air. We settled in and one thing I didn't plan on doing was to meet a guy. Though my friends were looking forward to hooking up with a Ghanaian dude I was not up for that, but how so wrong I was. It was on the second day I met Jeff, though he was not a Ghanaian but a Nigerian.

He was a funny guy, a good talker, though he was not a total knock out if you catch my drift but all in all he was okay and we had one thing in common; we both loved poetry. We got to know each other and by the end of the second week we had started hanging out a lot.

My friends met him and fell in love (not the other way around), except Onomeh. Though I paid Onomeh no mind concerning it, I just felt she was just being protective. As time went on I became so free with him, though I didn't tell him much about myself.

On the eve of our departure, Jeff invited me to a party, and I did not decline this offer. That evening and the day before Onomeh had a fit about it. Come to think of it ever since I met Jeff we had been having arguments concerning it, though not very heated. That day she tried her best to dissuade me from going but I ignored her.

"Soffy , I am not comfortable with this outing of yours."

"Why?� I asked off handedly.

"I have a bad feeling about your going out tonight" she said.

"I'll be fine. Jeff will be with me" I said gaily.

She snorted "Jeff, I don't know why but I don't... " "‌trust him" I said, completing her sentence for her.

She sighed.

I respect Onomeh and I'm glad that I had and still have her as a friend and also as a sister that I never had.

"Don't worry I'll be fine" I said holding her hands affectionately.

"Why don't I come along with you?" she suggested.

"You've forgotten that it's by invitation that you get in" I said sadly.

Her shoulders just sagged and I felt sad because my relationship with Jeff was causing her to hurt.

"Just be careful, please."

"I'll be. Just don't you worry," we hugged each other and left.

Thirty minutes later we were at the venue. The venue was a grandiose house; I stared in awe when I saw it. While I kept admiring the structure I had this impulse to turn around and I did.

Two guys were staring at us and they diverted their eyes when our gazes met. Their faces looked familiar, and come to think of it, I had seen those faces before and it was whenever I was with Jeff. I didn't bother about it before because I felt it was just pure coincidence.

Pearls Magazine

SHORT STORY

ENEMY CLOSER by Onome Prince Tadafe

Could it still be coincidence? I wondered. Suddenly this creepy feeling washed over me and I felt this unrest. I wanted to tell Jeff but I waved it aside. I just concluded that it was plain coincidence. Suddenly I thought of Onomeh.

He seemed to have noticed my state and he then he asked me what was wrong but I just gave him an excuse which he accepted without prodding me.

"Be free. Just be at ease," he said and took me by the hands into the house where the gig was in full swing.

Abruptly my phone rang. It was Onomeh, obviously playing her motherly role. I answered the call, and went to the dance floor to do my thing. Jeff was no match for me. He couldn't keep up. From the corner of my eyes, I saw the two guys in dark shades staring at us intently. There was this hastiness about them. It was as if they were being delayed. I started to get worried.

"Do you know those guys?" I asked Jeff.

"Nope!" he said without hesitation. I sighed.

"Why are you asking?"

"They've been staring at us all night" I said worriedly.

"You really surprise me. Who won't stare at you? Don't you know you are a total knockout?" he said touching my cheeks.

"But I am not the only one here," I protested.

"Forget them," he said "If you say so," I replied.

Some few minutes later, Jeff left me in the company of some female companions that he introduced me to. I chatted freely with them. Thirty minutes had gone and Jeff was nowhere in sight. I became worried. I searched for him and was about giving up when I saw him somewhere on the balcony talking, with the two guys he said he didn't know. They were in an intense conversation and I became apprehensive.

"Hey!" I looked back.

"Where have you been?" it was Cynthia, one of the girls that I was chatting with a while ago.

"Nowhere. Was just looking for Jeff", I said absentmindedly.

"Well, there he is," she said.

"Yeah! I've found him."

Questions started to race through my mind. Like, why did he deny not knowing them? Or did they just meet here? Or is it just plain coincidence that they were chit chatting? I kept asking unanswered questions.

"Here, have drinks," Cynthia offered. I took it and drank without any suspicion. Had I followed my instinct, what happened next wouldn't have occurred.

I noticed later that my vision became blurred. I began to wonder why, because it was just a sip that I took and by my reckoning it wasn't enough to make me high not to talk of me being tipsy. I became scared and uncomfortable - started to wish Onomeh was here. I tried to move and it felt as if I was moving down a mountain.

Suddenly I looked at Cynthia and she had this smirk on her face. And then something told me that the drink was spiked and then my alarm bells went off. I started to recall all the fears that Onomeh had concerning my going out and I so wished that she was wrong because if she was then it meant I was in no kind of danger, but if she was right, so help me God, I thought to myself.

When I tried to move I, I lost my balance.

Suddenly, I heard his voice "babe what's wrong with you?"

"Why did you lie?" my speech was slurred.

"What did you say?" he asked.

I took a deep breath and I yelled, "Why did you lie to me?"

"About what?" he asked, and then I pointed towards the guys in shades because talking coherently had become a task.

He didn't reply but just stared stonily at me. I became panic stricken. I fondled with my bag so as to get my phone to dial Onomeh's number but the phone fell from my hand. When I tried to pick it up I doubled over.

Jeff signaled to the guys in shades and they came over and took me both by the hands. I protested and tried to yell but I don't think anybody would have heard me. I was moving but didn't know where they were taking me to but I was sure that I was ascending somewhere. My legs became so wobbly and weak.

Pearls Magazine

Interview with Nigeria's Award-winning

Spoken Word Artist and Poet, Soonest Nathaniel “I was not taught poetry, I had the poet in me and I used personal study to bring him out.�

S

oonest Iheanyi Nathaniel (aka SIN-Da-Poet) is a graduate of Mathematics and Computer science from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo state, eastern Nigeria. He is a scientist that believes Albert Einstein would have done better as an artist. He is a renowned page and spoken-word poet who has become a household name in the corridors of poetry in Nigeria.

He currently holds the title of Poet of the Year from the just concluded KoreaNigeria Poetry Festival; one of many such titles and awards bagged over the years.

He has been published in Kalahari Review, Sentinel Nigeria, Ilume and many other international journals of art. His first collection of both written and spoken poetry is billed for publication in the 3rd quarter of the year. You can catch him playing soccer or acting when he's not weaving words.

He currently holds the title of Poet of the Year from the just concluded KoreaNigeria Poetry Festival.

First, we want to congratulate you Soonest for your recent award. How has the journey been for you poetically?

Thanks for the felicity. The journey has been rough, tough, tasking, demanding; but above all rewarding. We bless God. When did you start writing poetry?

I hope I won't sound cocky if I say I was born with poetry.

Were you taught to write poetry, or you just started to write words until you found the poet you now are?

I was not taught poetry, I had the poet in me and I used personal study to bring him out. The muse was put in my heart divinely and my passion proclaimed it forth from my mouth.

Pearls Magazine

Interview with Nigeria's Award-winning

Spoken Word Artist and Poet, Soonest Nathaniel I was not taught poetry, I had the poet in me and I used personal study to bring him out.

Do you think that African and Nigerian poets have inspired this generation of poets?

A lot of poets from this generation do not have proper acquaintance with the older generation; at best what they know of them is just shallow. This generation has been acculturated, but even the poetic culture imbibed was not digested properly.

A lot of the fledgling poets do not read, and if they read they do not study; a proper mentor-ship is lacking, hence the emergence of many non-grounded poets and watery poetry.

A lot of the fledgling poets do not read, and if they read they do not study‌ Have you published any of your collections?

I don't have a personal anthology published yet, but I have been published in different magazines and journals within the country, continent and across the borders. In as much as I desire to have a collection of my own, I must say that I don't want to rush, I want whatever I offer to be befitting, up to standard anywhere in the world.

You are seen as one of Nigeria's biggest poets, how have you been able to make this happen?

Wow! That is a big one; I am yet another emerging poet, still honing my craft. I guess with God and handwork, one can get to the peak. Ardent study and continuous practice is the key, one must thrive to be enshrined in this art; like I say always, to me poetry is a religion and I serve in spirit and in truth.

Where do you see poetry and the spoken word in Nigeria in years to come?

Poetry and spoken-word will thrive, in fact it's already thriving but I fear that it will be bastardized in the sense that every Tom, Dick and Harry will parade himself as poet and offer anything in the name of poetry.

How challenging is it to be a spoken-word artist?

Spoken-word is quite challenging, for me, I always want to ensure that the word spoken will still read as poetry when it appears on paper, I always want to keep my identity as a crusader of good poetry. I fear that the commercialization of spokenword might cause many to play to the gallery thereby losing the essence and potency of poetry.

Committing the poems to memory is another trouble with spoken-word, but when you can do by heart you have the key to your audience's heart. You pass the message clearly with finesse and that is the beauty of the art.

Pearls Magazine

Interview with Nigeria's Award-winning

Spoken Word Artist and Poet, Soonest Nathaniel How many awards have you won, and how do feel getting such rewards?

By His grace, I have many accolades, many awards and many notable mentions. It feels really great to be rewarded for your works. We artists love rewards; winning spurs you to do more and more. I am prepared to do to achieve greater success.

By His grace, I have many accolades, many awards and many notable mentions.

Do you deliberately make use of poetic devices when writing your poetry, or do they come naturally as you write?

Poetic devices make up poetry, sometimes I employ them deliberately, other times the muse speaks and I write what the voice in my head is saying.

Where do you plan to see Soonest Nathaniel the poet, in the coming years?

In the coming years I hope to see myself as a voice to reckon with, published, well read, with works that would impact this world and cause even the addle bones of old brigadiers to wriggle in their earthen beds. I want to be remembered!

What is your message for aspiring poets that want to get to where you now are?

Eat verbs, drink metaphors; digest the muse. Sleep in meters, dream in rhymes; bask in the rhythm. Let it flow, imageries cascading down in the symbols. Breathe it! Live it! Be it!

Pearls Magazine

WEDDING

JIDE weds LORRIANE.

Uyi Grand International Event Centre in G.R.A at the heart of Benin City, Nigeria, seemed to have been custom-built for this occasion.

The glamorous adorned venue that afternoon of Saturday 23rd August, 2014, for the superlative church service, was at Church of God Mission International (Church Unsual), JBS Estate off Sapele rd., GRA Benin city. While the reception was held at Uyi Grand International Centre, G.R.A., Benin City, Edo state.

The traditional wedding was held in the beautiful and nd serene compound of the Bride's parents on Friday 22 August 2014.

Meet Jide and Lorriane Onabanjo, a couple so in love‌ We wish them a blissful union with lots of blessing forever. We present to you in pictures, highlights of the ceremony as captured by Adedamola Ogunbanwo(adedamolaogunbanwo@gmail.com) Pearls Magazine

WEDDING

Pearls Magazine

JIDE weds LORRIANE.

DIL

RC: 56389

Dyke International Limited ‌make it happen

*Publishing *E-Magazine Consultancy *Advertising *Quality Printing *Social Marketing Consultancy *Publishing and Advertising Consultancy We have worked with clients and multinationals like Friesland Campina, Nestle Nigeria, startups and blue chip companies on advertising, publishing and superb printing. Be the next on our list, you will have a beautiful story to tell‌ TEL:(+234) 0803 9160 388, 0703 0763 182 Email: dykeinternationalltd@yahoo.co.uk

Pearls Magazine