Debby Jones: The Person I go love be
BlankPaperz Short Piece Contest longlist ‘Na money be fine bobo’, a popular saying that got me into this mess. Now, this fine bobo don get moni e no con dey funny. You know while growing up, everyone had a profession they admired and seemingly pursued, even though it might have changed at one point or another whether willfully or painfully, somehow it changed. But I was part of the ‘unfortunate’ dullards with no ambition. While our mates were singing ”standard livingstandard living…” We made a mockery of them and called them ‘sandal Jelili’ (Jelili’s sandals) which makes no sense right? But, now I know the difference. The strive of being a ‘fine bobo’, the struggle for cash, the battle of fitting into a social space I didn’t keep has stolen my prized possessions; Purpose which I never pursued, the love of a mother who struggled to give me the education…
Toyosi Falese: The person I go love be
BlankPaperz Short Piece Contest longlist The kind world wey I dey, nobody wants to be true to anybody. Imagine my roommate wey be confirm Christian for house come school come become runs girl and she still dey post church programmes for WhatsApp. The world just full with fake people. Person wey soak garri yesterday go dey talk say na shawarma hin chop. Person wey no get shishi for account go dey talk say hin get millions. Person wey borrow clothes wear go dey shakara for the person wey wear hin poor clothes. Even the person wey never make any dime from copywriting sef go dey gather people, collect their money say hin wan teach them how to make billions as copywriters. Make person tell me, where we dey go sef? The person I go love be na the person wey true. The person wey no dey ashame of hin present…
Winners and long list of BlankPaperz Short Piece Contest announced
Congratulations to the winners of the BlankPaperz Short Piece Contest. We shared the prompt: “In 100-200 words only, write a short piece on ‘the person I go love be‘,” and in just over 2 weeks we received 602 entries! The contest was open to any young person living in Nigeria, as we hoped to see how creative young people can be in coming up with provocative writing of 200 words or less, while also putting thoughts into their own lives and future aspirations. Following this, all participants are invited to an exclusive morning session on the 2nd of April, 10 AM GMT+1 with renowned author and changemaker, Hammed Kayode Alabi, who is featured in Z’axis Magazine and will be sharing the lessons life has taught him in 5 years. The session will be facilitated by the inspiring young changemaker, Jemimah Jones, and is supported by Teens Going for Gold Network. Meet…
Thelma Ideozu: How the Nigerian educational system doesn’t breed confident graduates
He had smiled at me, as one might smile at a toddler, and said quite frankly, “A is for God and B is for me” ⏤ which was his witty way of saying that I’d be lucky to even get a C in the exam.
22 lessons from being 22
In 22 years I’ve lost friends, done some awesome things, been afraid to negotiate, hated that I had imposter syndrome, won awards, but indeed I would’ve missed 100% of the shots I was afraid to take, if I hadn’t taken them. Here are my 22 lessons from being 22.
Our Z’axis Creation Story: BlankPaperz Media Launches Z’axis Magazine
The road might be long and hard, you might fail somewhere but at Z’axis Magazine, we are here to remind you that you are not alone in your changemaking journey!
Check out Etudaye Musa Abdulazeez who won the Z’axis + Bridge Connect Giveaway Contest
Etudaye Musa Abdulazeez is a social activist, writer, public speaker, and a social development worker who won the Z’axis + Bridge Connect Africa Giveaway Contest
She almost lost without first trying! | Meet Emmanuel Chika Z’axis + Bridge Connect Contest Winner
“Last year, I contested in so many writing competitions, shortlisted for some, but didn’t win any. I felt like I wasn’t doing enough.” Meet Emmanuel Chika who won the Z’axis + Bridge Connect Africa Giveaway Contest
iKapture 25 Under 25 Awards: “It’s time we end boardroom meetings for women and go to the villages and see the inequality there” – Haji
Pretty weird in my community for a man to look up to a woman but who cares, I’m on a journey to get rid of patriarchy and toxic masculinity. I look up to and I’m always inspired by Ilwad Elman.
iKapture 25 Under 25 Awards: Failure is an event not a person – Hellena Sailas
I understand that it’s okay to fail but it’s the only way to learn that failure is an event, not a person.
iKapture 25 Under 25 Awards: Mumbe Mwangangi
I may not have everything figured out right now. One thing I am sure of right now is that I am happy helping children achieve their dreams through improving their literacy
iKapture 25 Under 25 Awards: Do more with care and love – Aloyce Paul Urassa
As a Christian, I believe in God who directs me in all. He shows me the way to live by serving his people
iKapture 25 Under 25 Awards: Remember the value humility brings, says Alli Ajagbe
I have always known you’d do great. Remember the value humility brings. I want you to reflect on this day and be happy you wrote this advice.