A New Beginning

It was during my youth service at Owo Local Government Area. I was posted to the office of the Director of Personnel Management as they were called then (I hear the new nomenclature is Director of Local Government Administration). Honestly, looking back, I wonder how to articulate my job description in that office. Sorry! That is not the essence of this write up. Ola Orimoloye Esq it is who first advised me to take up writing more seriously. He was the DPM and I had written some articles and given to him to read and vet. Of course, I did not take him too seriously. Me, write? What about? How and for whom? These were the questions I placed before myself as limitations. Yes; I did that. And that was in 2005. Seven solid years ago. Of recent, the call for me to take writing more seriously and to reach a wider audience reached its crescendo. It cannot get louder than this; never! Family, friends and associates have inundated my mail box and Facebook wall, all for this purpose. Today, more than ever, the voice is loud, so loud it resonates in my head, in this room; and no, it isn’t just one voice – it’s a cacophony of voices all saying the same thing at different intervals – “write, Petra write; start a blog; do something about this talent”. Okay! Okay!! Okay!!! I am not good. I have told myself that over and again. But if you say, I should write and blog, then I will. After all, you are the readers and judge. So, you want me to blog, I will create one. Oh no! I remember I created a blog space on Google since 2007, I will just activate it. Keep your part of the bargain- read and critique; help me get better.

Forgive my manners. I was taught that when you go an unfamiliar terrain, you introduce yourself. I am sure my teachers would winch should they read the way I started this write up. But how come I am so confident that with you, my dear friends, I could never do wrong? May be because even without meeting some of you, I feel some connection already. A string holding my words to your thoughts on this space. I know we are going to have fun. Oops! I did it again. I am supposed to introduce myself. Okay, here we go. I was christened “Iyabo” right on the day I was born. There was no need to wait for the eighth day as such names were traditional names for specific people based on some mythical or customary beliefs and traditions. Daughter of Robert Akinti, I chose “Petra” for baptism and became known as Iyabo Petra Akinti. I am married and my official name is Petra Akinti Onyegbule. But everywhere, I prefer to be known and addressed simply as Petra. I am a very passionate young lady, perhaps too passionate for my own good. I love God, I love my family and friends; I love myself. I am driven by a passion to help babies born premature (preemies) cope well in their fight to survive. I am ME and I have got many flaws!

This space promises to be fun as I will be blogging about everything and anything. Fasten your seat belts friends; this young lady is going to take you on a cruise 37,000 feet above sea level. Let’s live and learn together. So long and be kind. xo