Emeka Otoba: insured to win #WarOfWords

Emeka Otoba is a freelance writer and novelist. 
He spends his free time as an internet marketer and maintains a blog at  www.autopilotincomeng.blogspot.com. 

Emeka is also a part time student of the Writers' Bureau where he's studying Creative Writing. 

He currently works with an insurance company in Lagos.

Watch his video entry after the break

He is Bionic with "wordly" habit #WarOfWords

We will be bringing to you the profiles of all the 15 finalists for WAR OF WORDS - Slam Poetry Competition. The event comes up on Sunday June 30th 2013 from 3pm at Bogobiri House, Ikoyi, Lagos.

First up...................BIONIC!!!!

Bionic is a veteran wordsmith that is wanted in over five states of the country for rhyme-related crimes.

He plans to cross seas with this ''wordly habit'' of his. He works as a Copywriter.

He's been writing words for as long as he can remember.

He carries a pen and a pad everywhere he goes...even to bed.

On very rare occasions that one of the two items is absent, he writes on any surface; his open palm, the back of his hand, lay-away flyers, even on the flipside of the golden paper on the inside of an empty, ripped cigarette pack. Hence his line, ''The pen is my weapon/Lyrical or physical/...''

He draws inspiration from reading the bible and all kinds of stuff, flyers, magazines, newspapers, books; encyclopedias, dictionaries (Trying to do a page a day). Lol. 

He likes to work-out, swim, loves to play scrabble with his prettiful wife and chess.

Bionic feels the future of Spoken word in Nigeria is yet surprising to all. Keyword, all.

Catch more of his pieces on his youtube channel; www.youtube.com/hilltownbionic

Below is his entry for War Of Words -Slam Poetry Competition

The 15 finalists for War Of Words (Slam Poetry Competition).

For this maiden edition of War Of Words, we had a total of 23 video entries/ submission from Spoken Word Poets in different parts of Nigeria using the theme "In it to win."  

We even had entries from 10 and 16 year old females poets. However, only 15 poets can be selected to compete on stage at the main event on Sunday June 30, 2013. 

So after plenty argument and disagreement, our in-house judges finally reached a consensus.  Though we must mention that picking the 15 finalists was no easy task. We know and appreciate the efforts put into all the video submissions. 

We know each poet is unique in his or her own right and trying to say a poet is better than the other can be perceived as an injustice to creativity. Thus, we say a big THANK YOU to the poets who entered for the competition. But the rules of the competition limits us to 15 poets, so we have to choose, and this we did.

The 15 finalists for the maiden War Of Words -Slam Poetry Competition in no particular order, are as follows:

1. K-Mex
2. Alexandra Zion 
3. Titilayo Mabogunje
4. D Ray
5. Felix D Great
6. Seye La Poet
7. Osowe Olugbenga
8. Clementina
9. Neofloetry
10. Bionic
11. Uzbek
12. Emeka Otoba
13. Kemistry
14. Dare Dan
15. Saint Rhymes

Wild Cards (in case one of the chosen 15 poets does not show up). To be chosen as listed:

1. Momodu Ehiz 
2. El-Karis
3. Mac Dave

Thank you all, and you are cordially invited to  "War Of Words.” 

Venue is Bogobiri House, No. 9, Maitama Sule Street, off Awolowo Road, South West Ikoyi, Lagos.

Date is Sunday June 30th 2013

Time is 3 pm.

Gate is Free (but do buy a WORD UP DVD at the gate to support us, and buy yourself a drink when inside).

Word War aka War Of Words (Slam Poetry Competition) holds on June 30, 2013 from 3pm

You are cordially invited to our maiden Slam Poetry Competition tagged "War Of Words.” 

Venue is Bogobiri House, No. 9, Maitama Sule Street, off Awolowo Road, South West Ikoyi, Lagos.

Date is Sunday June 30th 2013

Time is 3 pm.

Gate is Free (but do buy a WORD UP DVD at the gate to support us, and buy yourself a drink when inside).

War Of Words (Slam Poetry Competition) is an event to discover and bring to limelight new, exciting and talented Spoken Word Poets based in Nigeria. It is an avenue to view and promote the performances of new poets and also, a selection process of new poets that will get to step up and perform at the biggest Spoken Word Poetry event in Nigeria, WORD UP.

For this maiden edition of War Of Words, we had a total of 23 video entries/ submission from Spoken Word Poets in different parts of Nigeria using the theme "In it to win."  We even had entries from 10 and 16 year old females poets. However, only 15 poets will be selected by our in-house panel to compete on stage at the main event on Sunday June 30, 2013. 

Below are links to some of the video entries  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5h6osUUTuc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caJv_XZfcnI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BligQSD94i4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb6jWPK65jU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccvjovEUk6A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_BmyK92dsk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9uTzyDpEJ0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsNn5OpcI0s

For all the video entries and the "words" of the poems, check out our previous posts. 

Come and be part of history as we slowly but surely create an industry for Spoken Word Poetry in Nigeria.

This entry came in at a few seconds to 12 am last night.
Thus it is officially the last entry for War Of Words Slam Poetry Competition.
We have 23 videos in all,
and we are going to watch them all, over and over again,
before we pick the best 15 poets.
Who gets in?
Who gets axed?
Its unfortunately that we can't feature all the poets that put in their entry.
But it is good to know we have ready backup for the older and more established poets.
It is good to know that Spoken Word Poetry is growing in Nigeria,
and it is good to know, that this is just the beginning of something greater than we ever imagined.

War Of Words - Tug of War by Moses Ukam aka Young Flashy

In the history of existence no man,
I mean no man has ever won life nor
Defeat death; except him.
Him who lives in it,
Every particle that sustains man
To win it.did I say the devil? no!
Earth?...there are 52 equal percentage
Alphabetically cross-checked
Life-line  like a candle waxing wasting
Perhaps like a light up cigarette
Burning waiting for no smoker owner

With my finger I clutch my pen
I find myself traveling distance miles
Like a troubadour as i trounced
Yet ensuring words-war
Like wordsworth a word to word
Tug of war erupted as stray words
Fly-by sluts snatcher whore.....
What have you?the rest you know

Amidst this,she smiled
Like the scroll of the annals,
The archives inscribe with a secret
Of seduction such evolve the
Quest to a decipher the allegory yet
Unveiled shattering the iron-bars
Of my primitive inhibitions,with a
Nonsensical sense and incessant punch
Of a congealed feelings,
She smiled

In my heart she owns no space but
She's in it to win it.
Many a times she turns me into crime
To the almighty "yes"am guilty
But trust me she's always alibi
And mirth less. Like....(Laugh)
She brought me nothing but misery
And she made stress called a joy that Last for just few seconds but to
Behold all painful sweetness of Nothing.

I choose to make my words become
My swords and my lines as sharp as Oddesys arrow,so my sword arrow Crossed pierced into her
And she will loose her total strength
On the last day,when he will come
He will restore all the lost hopes
I saw on the eyes of late okon's
Children. I choose life in it,
I choose life in it to win my
Soul to Christ.


Watch the video on this link
#WarOfWords - Tug Of War by Moses ukam aka Young Flashy

http://youtu.be/6srK3ESga-A

#WarOfWords -IN IT TO WIN by K-meks Otuya

This is not a valid video entry.
Why?
Well, He came all the way from Delta and got an automatic slot during the last WORD UP Volume 4.
There was a preview of War Of Words during WORD UP Volume 4,
and he stepped up to the mic and rocked it.
So with or without this submission,
he is already part of the poets to compete on War Of Words stage come this June 30th 2013.
Meaning?
There are just 14 slots left :).

IN IT TO WIN by K-meks Otuya

Each time I cast a gaze at the state of my fatherland
A confused countenance appears before me
It causes a sense of phobia that erupts from the mess, we stand upon
Finding its way through my knee caps and into my thighs
And gradually, settles like a digested food in my bowels
Generating an awful sensation that keeps me awake each night-Pondering and Thinking
Where did we miss the path shown to us by our fathers?
How did we get to Herod's Palace, seeking the death of Christ-Us?
From whence did we attract this destructive spell?
I asked! I thought!! I wept!!!
In my wallowing and sorrowing state
I recalled the story, as it was told in our History class
Great Compatriots who envisaged a great Nigeria
Lifting up their banners
Standing against the plague of colonialism
Dogged men who were armed to the teeth
For they were armed with Courage, Strength and Might
Fighting but for a just cause
Heroes who laid aside Greed and Selfish interests
Complementing one another
Engaging the colonial masters in constructive dialogue
Giving their all and best-They obliged
'Cos they were in it to win
Oh! Yes they won
They won in their quest for freedom
Gaining Independence from the hands of the Queen's men
Upholding the element of continuity
Teaching us the pledge
Oh! How they envisaged
A Nation where food will be available to all
A Nation whose wealth will be evenly distributed
A Nation of Peace and Tranquility
Where normalcy and decency would exude from all sectors of the economy
In these-they lived for..laboured..and died for
But right from the tombs where they lay-I hear their crys
Crying for a generation seeking direction
A Nation of people with no defined purpose for living
Burdened by these anomalies-I make this clarion call
Arise! Fellow Countrymen
The race to prominence isn't easy-No doubt
But we must Brace-Up ourselves
Holding on to the truth
Binding us together
That we are Africa's Giant
Transforming Nigeria from this pitiable state, 
to a state-of-the-Art Nation
I dare to say, If we believe truly in this
The world ain't seen nothing yet,
Cos we're in it to win.


Watch the video via this link

#WarOfWords-"IN IT TO WIN"....by K-meks Otuya

http://youtu.be/r5h6osUUTuc

#WarofWords - Who is like thee by Amodu Segun

Nice piece,
very nice.
Got me thinking,
there can only be One Supreme Being.
Before and after Him, there is no one else.
And you know what,
Spoken Word Poets are not supreme being,
but they are a special breed,
and come June 30th, 2013,
only one poet will standing be at the end of War Of Words.



Who is like thee by Amodu Segun 

i was in search for the Greatest, this a great test
i know i'll find then eventually rest
will put distractions behind even if i hunger or thirst.
will look at the world's geniuses that have done the unthinkable, 
those that have made life in 1 way or the other comfortable.
then, select who has the best stunts among them,
1 who no scientist or critic can condemn.
Time to talk of great works,
follow me as i think outside the box
Are you ready? I'm on the quest to find who is like thee.

Who is like thee?
is it the great builder that sees a flat land, then explores his Creativity?
from the land, he makes the house with the sand, and then the City.
could it be the intelligent author that converts 1 sentence to the best selling book?
trust me, you can't say any of these has an element of luck or you are smelling fluke.
1 of these guys has to be the greatest, but i stop to ask myself this.
i wish i could write boldly on a vest; "did they make their creativity? please.
i know it's not easy to write down, or keep a building steady
so i look left, up, right, down - still searching for who's like thee

who is like thee?
is it the inventor of the plane that got the idea by studying a Bird?
or the maker of the lie detector to help reduce Fraud?
could it be the physicist that performed the 1st experiment on Elasticity?
or the scientist that from nowhere discovered Electricity. 
see, these guys works are fabulous, and out of this Earth
but which 1 made for us, a machine to prevent Death?
i know its not easy to be extremely intelligent and Nerdy
here i am still busy asking; 'who is like thee?'

who is like thee?
is it the herbalist that empowers others with his charm?
or the magician that also walked on water despite weighing over a 100 kilogram?
could it be the head of cult with a name like "skulls", that is as vital as the Suture?
is it the spiritualist that throws some balls, looks at the palm and tells you about the future?
see, these guys superpowers are firm, let's be honest
but who will they spit on and reply with "father, forgive them", answer, be my guest.
i know it's not easy to be powerful, and not be a bit randy.
i can no longer keep this cool, for the last time i ask; "who's like thee?"

who is like thee?
"who is like thee?" has been the question.
which inventor can invent inventions that will invent inventions
if you need me define invention, then you need divine intervention.
who made the galaxy, and the whole universe?
who the poets that from a-z, write every verse?
who made every creature; the righteous, the sinner and the herbalist?
who made the pope and the priests that we respect their nature, i can go on till i make a full list.
see, he was the one that was beaten, and still prayed for his enemies
he is right there in heaven sitting
he in powerful, can use a little kitten to defeat large armies
he is mighty in battle
on a thousand hills, owns all the cattle.
he is the master of time that doesn't need a watch on his wrist
he never fails, changes or lies.
he is the one who even Einstein; the greatest scientist says doesn't play dice
as mighty as he is, he wants to be our daddy.
he is the only 1 that can give you peace, thank you God, cos there is None like thee!



Watch the video here:

#WarofWords - Who is like thee by Amodu Segun

http://youtu.be/caJv_XZfcnI

#WarOfWords - Deep Words for a Brother by Ifeanyi Bernard

There is so much I can say about this piece,
but there is so little I want to say.
Read on and you might understand why.


War Of Words - Deep Words for a Brother by Ifeanyi Bernard 

I lost a friend
And now I have a torn heart to mend.
Of course not by a shoemaker 
but by a true maker, 
God almighty and he is doing it

I need a miracle
Olorunfemi Banjoko
An Iroko, 
gone too soon like the vapour from monsoon
He was young, tender and kind hearted.
Brave, strong, intelligent
Smart, not belligerent
 He made himself an asset before he parted.


Femi, Femi,
When you became a medical doctor, you smiled with the thought that you would take care of your family--- Health wise
And when you joined the Nigerian Army, you also did smile with the thought that you would protect your family and nation at large--- Security wise
But where was the Nigerian army when you were delivered into the hands of death?
Perhaps, they were busy chasing the northern group who were formerly selling coco and ram but are now popularly known as Boko Haram.

Who knows the size of death?
It could be a giant or it could be a dwarf
It could be as large as a whale or it could be as slim as a figure like a stick of macaroni
A sound of warning!
Death is powerful!
Death is no respecter of health or wealth
The mere thought of it changes the mood
But hang on, the truth has to be told for good
The say the truth is bitter
So, I wouldn’t be surprised if you cry me a litre
Or better still, a river

You can’t bribe death with millions or billions or trillions of pounds and shillings
Or else, you would be chilling in the mortar where death would pound you at once
And reduce your weight to an ounce.
You can’t bribe death with food, if I could, I would prepare it a delicious indomie with fried eggs or fufu with ofe Egusi.
In order to be physically and mentally stable, we sit on tables to eat good food like fruits and vegetables such as carrots-carrots
But sometimes we fail to realize that when we die we all rot and only get enriched with maggots-maggots
If death were to be a handsome man like Olulu, 
the king not from Zulu, 
you can’t possibly seduce him with body hogs and mini-skirts

And if death were to be a beautiful woman like Atilola, you can’t possibly seduce her with 6 packs or 1 pack like mine.

This is my very first piece so I will sign off in peace but before I leave in peace, may the soul of Olorunfemi Banjoko and the soul of your most loved lost ones and the soul of the faithful departed rest in perfect peace. Amen

Watch the piece here

#WarOfWords - Deep Words for a Brother

http://youtu.be/EMB3UxBAwY8

Another babe in the house,
Seems the ladies are ready to give the guys a run for their money.
Passion, hmm, where do I start from?
Passion is like sweet rum.
Passion is like the sweet melody of a drum.
Passion breeds inspiration.
Passion breaks through limitation.
Passion creates history.
Passion is poetry.

War Of Words- Passion by Alexandra Zion

I was born innocent, 
And I sat peacefully as one, 
When SUDDENLY,like a rushing WIND, 
You came to me from afar off. 
You saw to it that I fell in love with you! 
You strengthened my muscles, 
And put on my armour, 
Encouraging me to wrestle with mine enemies. 

Oh Literature! 
You are my passion. 
Years have gone by, 
Years are still counting, 
Yet I grow deeper in thy bosom! 
Oh my paradise of happiness, 
Breakage to my walls of gloom, 
Source of joyful rivulets from my human lake. 

Ubuntu became history, 
When I expressed my passion for poetry. 
I was likened to a lunatic, 
By same friends who eased my panic. 

One night, 
As the moon danced in the sky, 
I reviewed my love, 
And questioned my life's decisions, 
But it became more wood to the fire in me. 
It made me stronger, 
Because you came like thunder, 
Provoking my sweet laughter. 
I brace up to see beyond the lines, 
And rise above their guns of whines, 
To make those waiting headlines. 

The Creator believes in my authenticity, 
Of what use is my abode in mediocrity? 
Life! 
A competition in itself, 
But here is a prevailing warrior. 
Like the sun I'm shining, 
For the top I'm reaching, 
Alive comes my moxie, 
For I'm in this war to win!!!


#Ubuntu(a word used in the poem) is South African for "humanity to others"

Watch the video via this link

War of Words-Passion by Alexandra Zion

http://youtu.be/BligQSD94i4

#WarOfWords - They were all lies by Titilayo Mabogunje

This babe dey flow o,
and no be small yarn she yarn.
Guess what,
she is just sixteen,
but flows way past her age.
Deep words from a young mind,
words that can give sight to the blind.
She is definitely one for the future.



War Of Words - They were all lies by Titilayo Mabogunje 

Let me tell you a story
Of a girl I once knew
About fifty or sixty years ago,
She was just born and literally brand new.

So men came to take advantage of her
They said "Lean on me,"
They said "Trust me, believe me,
" 'Cause you can be free with me."

Now, indirectly what happened was,
They found another way to say
"Hmm, this girl is beautiful,
"Why don't you give all your money to me?"

Naïve she was, she believed them.
She unfortunately lost control.
And one by one they left her.
And bit by bit she lost what made her renown.

Now if she only opened her eyes
She would realize
She was no bride,
That there was no prize,
'Cause they were all lies,
She had been taken for a ride
So tears filled her eyes
Every day and every night
Like a thorn in her side,
Everything that had been right,
She threw away to the night
But now, she tries to fight.

Now she is thinking "How can I right my wrong?
How can I fill up a cup that is already gone?
How can I think of a melody when there is no song?
Why did I stray from the path I started on?
She closed her eyes
If just for a while.
She thought back into the past
Of the people who were most vile.

It was her own family,
Her very own friends
The ones she held close
Are the ones that held her fate in their hands.

The ones who now mock her, tease her,
They used to treat her, pet her,
But now they are sick, tired and fed up of her.

They'll say nothing good can ever come out of her
Her own people will be the first to shame her.
But when they need oil to fuel their cars,
That's when you'll see them going to her.

However, my story isn't over.
When they eat and are full,
That's when they forget her.

They'll say "She's not my sister,
"I'm not related to her."
They'll say "Why are you asking me?
"It's not as if I know her."

What a wicked family
That throw rubbish all over her bruised body.
Look at the streets around you, they aren't clean.
That shows how wicked we can be.

So to answer the questions
Who is her family? Who are her friends?
You needn't search any further than
Who you see through your glass lens.

Because the culprits here are you and me.
It's the truth, or don't you see?
We are the ones bad mouthing Nigeria.
We are the ones who litter the area.

We are the ones who give her a bad name,
Ruin her fame, Put her to shame.
When someone asks us where we are from,
We don't even want to call her name.

You think you're helping your country
But you're really just setting her up.
When you say all these negative things about her,
How can it bring anything but bad luck?

Honesty stands and knocks at the door,
But bribery enters in.
When there is no noble man,
How won't corruption win?

When tribes keep on fighting;
Igbos against Yorubas against Hausas
We all claim to love one another
But if there were unity, why are we not together?

So if you really want a country
For your children and their children to see,
Let us come together to stop hypocrisy
Start love and charity,
Be proud of our nationality
And endeavor to practice transparency.

So next time you have a problem,
Don't say "Watin Jonathan de do?"
Let's stop looking up there
And start looking at me and at you.

We have been given this fertile land,
A land flowing with milk and honey
And it isn't for one man alone;
It's not for only you or only me
Lets not forget that whether you like it or not,
This is and always will be our country.


Watch the video here

#WarofWords - They were all lies by Titilayo Mabogunje

http://youtu.be/QFZJMV2rcXE