Her Sides

I love and cherish creativity and like to encourage budding talents. Enjoy these animations from the next Walt disney :) Visit Dara O'Toba YouTube Channel and Subscribe.

I can’t count how many times my children have said “Mummy, I want to be a super hero”. Most kids between the ages of 4 and 11 want to be super heroes. Almost every young boy wants a super hero themed cake for his birthday. From t-shirts, birthday parties to lunchboxes, super heroes reign supreme. Children have this never-ending fascination with super heroes. To them, superheroes are “protectors of the universe” who fight villains or bad guys and save the world. Jeff Greenberg a social psychology professor at the University of Arizona, says that the reason kids love superheroes is because they believe that superheroes are strong and powerful.   In the early part of their lives, children look up to their parents for love and protection. But as they grow up, they start seeking for role models (real and virtual) who embody the same power and positivity. Their belief in super heroes helps: Kids to dare to be themselves, they believe they are born to be brave ...

Although I had had some publishing experience with tracts, books were a whole new world to me. And as fate would have it I met a fantastic graphic artist by the name Ajam Sunnie de Great, who has now become a long time friend and without whom a lot of my publishing success would never see the light of day. Working with Sunnie I understood the process required to successfully publish a book. From editing to typesetting, proofing, cover design, printing everything, he worked with me through every step and connected me with some of the best hands in the industry at the time. Together with a group of remarkable friends we published Debbie’s Diary in November of 2003 with 1000 copies in the initial print run. I remember that night at the printing press, I remember very well picking up a copy of my book and exhaling with gratitude that I decided to do this. In that moment I didn’t think about the sleepless night I had trying to finish the manuscript or the rejection letters from other...

By 2001 I had become fairly organized in my writing and tract publishing and I felt it was time to put some structure into the whole creativity business. I established Splendour Communication Network – an organization focused on publishing God’s love, mercy and grace through print. I had a group of friend join me as distribution partners and I committed myself to send monthly newsletters to show progress on what we were doing at the time as well as share a word of encouragement.  First Newsletter to distribution partners (2001 ) Sometime that year, my dad brought home a Christian novel series – The appromattox saga by Gilbert Morris. I remember literally having loads of quarrels with my siblings – each one of us trying to read the books at the same time. It was ridiculous. We had different book marks to show where the other person stopped- simply ridiculous what impatience can make you do.  Anyway, somehow between all that buhaha I finished reading the first book...

In 2000 while continuing to do the art plus scripture for the church notice board, I expanded my scope into writing poems and short stories for the church bulletin. I attended Foursquare Gospel Church Orogun, Ibadan at the time and that was where I was taught how to put my creativity on a schedule. Before then, I could write whenever I wanted and print whenever I wanted. Now being a contributor of the bulletin meant I had to turn in a new creative work every week and at a certain time to meet the production schedule. That was a new experience for me, I had to learn to push through the blank pages and come up with something good – a lesson that I have used in many other areas of my life till this day.  Whether you feel like it or not when you are responsible for something you just do it... click to continue reading.

After the feedback I got from friends and family that had read my hand written tracts I was inspired to write more stories and take my creativity to another level. I scouted around for a good printing press and eventually found the University of Ibadan printing press, in Ibadan. I remember my first conversation with the Manager of the press at the time (whose name I can’t remember). He was so impressed that a young lady was actually following her dreams that he decided to give me a quick lesson on printing. He thought me a lot about the basics of printing – paper types, weight, colour separation techniques, plate development and other tips on how to print on a budget. He gave me a tour of the facility to see how it all worked. I’m really grateful for that lesson because over the years they came in very handy. First published tract - God's Love ( 1999 ) My first printed tract was God’s love – ended up printing 500 copies (not the most economical I know but was what my b...

Everyone has a day in their lives when something changes and turns your life in a whole new direction. Well, if you haven’t experienced it yet, I assure you, sometime during your stay on this planet you will. Today, I look back on that day in history and I’m so happy I decided to act on my instinct, on what I believed, and on my dreams. Over the next five weeks, I’m going to take you down memory lane, back to that day in history when it all began. The very first day I decided I’m going to write something and get it published. Late 1998 One of the first hand written tracts in 1998 I remember that night so vividly. The memory still lingers in my mind. It was the evening my friend came to visit me after we had graduated from secondary school. We were sitting in my parents’ living room and talking about our plans for the future —what schools we wanted to go to, what exams we had written, and what course options were now available for us to pursue. As I listened to him, my...

Name: Olayinka Johnson Age : 9 School: Primary two student at Model Nursery and Primary School, Lagos Yinka loves to dance and She started dancing at age 5. In 2014 she entered God’s Children Got Talent Competition and got to the finals. And today we are spotlighting her for her dancing. Watch her perform below. Keep shining Yinka, the sky is your limit.  And as a thank you for sending in your entry please enjoy this autographed copy of my new book - Sleeping Bags , for little dreamers like you :)

Name: Oyinkansola Oluwatodimu Praise Osinubi Age: 8 years School: Toddly Tots Int. school. Ibadan. Talent : Writing stories, dancing, ballet, riding her scooter, recitation and eating pizza! Oyinkan, is an amazing little girl with an extremely imaginative mind and a gift for bringing her stories to life on paper. Her age notwithstanding, Oyinkan has successfully written several stories, though yet unpublished.  Among her first include "My favorite stories" a collection of bedtime stories written in 2013 that will tickle your mind and always invoke a smile. Oyinkan loves the colour red and dressing up in style. Although undecided about what she wants to be in the future, she is already the young philanthropist with a heart for helping sad children, giving money to the church and buying a "Dubai castle" for her mommy.   Oyinkan's personal mantra is "I can do anything I set my mind to do!"   And today we are spotlighting her for her writ...

Name :Ms. Yeatoe Soukouna Dennis Age : 14 School : Lagos Preparatory School, ikoyi.  Yeatoe is always dancing and singing or reading and/or writing. She loves the Arts. Yeatoe won the LPS talent hunt for best vocals this school year, played the leading role as Sandy in the Play Grease in 2012 and is also in the gifted and tal‎ented program at LPS for her creative writing.  And today we are spotlighting her for her incredible voice. Keep shining Yeatoe, the sky is your limit. Watch her perform.   And as a thank you for sending in your entry please enjoy this autographed copy of my new book - Sleeping Bags , for little dreamers like you :)

Most kids born outside a home have a disadvantage – they lack the support family gives. Which is why sometimes they grow up with little health care and educational training except well meaning individuals or organizations take up that responsibility to be their support. One of such organizations is OrphansCorp. OrphansCorp is an NGO dedicated to being the support kids without families need. They provide free medical care and vocational training for homeless kids to ensure they have a fair chance at a decent life when they grow up. Since 2014 OrphansCorp has helped 200 beneficiaries of their projects which mainly focused on:  Education: Teach computer appreciation, first aid, arts and crafts, & other subjects  Life Skills: Educate them in areas of personal hygiene and fundamental life skills  Food: Assist in cooking meals in the orphanage  Love: Play with the children and provide them with the love and care they deserve  Sanitation: Help clean and ...

Every year we celebrate kids all around the world on a special day, in Nigeria that day is the 27th of May. This year, Her Sides will be spotlighting creative kids with amazing talents from the 20th to the 27th of May 2015.  Each day during the that period, I will put up a post to showcase a child’s creative side either in writing, singing, drawing, dancing or any other special thing your child is gifted in. If you want to spotlight your child’s gift send your entry to hersides@gmail.com before the 15th of May 2015.  Entries can include a short story, poem, one minute recoding of a song, drama, dance or creative activity. Let’s help our kids’ creative spirit come to life this year as we celebrate Children’s day. Entries are open to kids from 1 to 16years, one entry per child. Email your entry to hersides@gmail.com along with a picture of your child, name, age, school and short description of the talent you are showcasing.  Most creative entries will be spot...

To celebrate my birthday with you my dear readers, I am giving away free copies of my new book - Barrow Boy on Goodreads. Enter below  to win. Offer ends 7th April 2015, terms and conditions apply. Goodreads Book Giveaway Barrow Boy by Seye Oke Giveaway ends April 07, 2015. See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter to win

Since I was young and now I am older I have never seen the righteous forsaken by God or their children begging for food... celebrating 34 years of amazing grace. Happy to me. #grateful

George is 4 and he has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and global developmental delays. He has one birthday wish please click   to make a donation and make his wish come true. Thanks

"For this has been decreed by the messengers; it is commanded by the holy ones, so that everyone may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. He gives them to anyone he chooses--even to the lowliest of people." Daniel 4: 17 The Presidential election for Nigeria comes up on the 14th of February 2015. Please join Nigerians all over the world to pray for the peace and prosperity of this Nation as we go to the polls. We pray that God's chosen leader will emerge from this election and bring joy to the hearts of the citizens. Amen.

If you have even seen Nigerian meals prepared and presented in an unconventional way it was probably done by Chef Fregz...so meet the genius behind this creativity- Gbubemi Fregene. I saw the picture of the Plantain and fish canapés on Instagram and it got me all wondering ‘how did he get here’. So how did you? Thank you first of all for following. I got ‘here’ by being intrigued about how good tasting food was made as a young boy. I moved on to actually trying to make it for myself. And then I realized it was a passion and something I was ready to do every day of life for the rest of my life. So pretty much how I got here. What was the most trying part of becoming a Chef? Well nothing other than trying itself. Long hours in a kitchen, excessive pressure from your head chef and clients that want you to perform magic. How can we run a healthy dietary plan on just Nigerian food We can cook with less oil to start with. Don't overcook your vegetables and actually t...

I heard the heart breaking news of Myles Munroe’s death this morning and couldn’t help but wonder at why he had such a quick demise. My heart goes out to his family and members of the ministry as I trust God to uphold and comfort them during this time of grief.  When I think about his life, I am consoled by how much his ministry affected people around the world positively. I am particularly grateful for his messages on purpose and how much it shaped my mindset during my undergraduate studies. I attribute a lot of my beliefs around fulfilling God’s plan for me to his books that I read and his messages that I listened to. This is my tribute to a great man that dedicated his life to helping others find their purpose in God. Rest in peace Myles and may God bless your generation. Please share your Tribute to Myles Munroe in the comments below. 

"You can only find true fulfillment in what you were created to do" I am sure we have all heard this in one form or the other. You try to live it until the reality of life kicks in. Kids, bills, disappointments and we toss the dancing shoes, writing pads, the microphones, and creative ideas in a corner. My name is Shayo and I was born with a beautiful mind. My core is creativity, so I am guessing investment banking wouldn't be what you'll pick for me as a career. Well that was the career I chose, with bachelors in Economics and a Masters, yes a Masters, in Financial Management where else will I have ended up? I was good at it, most of my friends were in the field and if I continued I will probably one day be able to afford that house in Lekki or the G wagon. But the truth is I have always known I was called for more. It all started when by accident. I started serving in my church as the head of the drama group and I say by accident because I asked to jo...

I went to school with Lola and I remember some of those days she described in her testimony but had totally forgotten about the testimony until I read it on her Facebook page. My faith was so strengthened that I asked her to share it with you guys again through the blog. I hope you find some courage to believe God again as you read Lola’s Testimony. Lola’s testimony… “A few weeks into my undergrad programme in 1997, I had to go back home because I was terribly ill. I went straight to the hospital where I was admitted. Some days later, my right leg, just above my ankle started swelling up. The doctors decided to puncture it and puss started coming out. I was in so much terrible pains...