Radiant's blog

I anticipated a white Christmas, but didn't witness one because it didn't snow. In fact, it hasn't snowed in Nottingham in recent years. #globalwarming However I had a colourful Christmas though I was away from my own family. I spent it first in church, then with a very lovely family, amidst turkey, rice, chats and lung-bursting laughter. The children department performing a Christmas drama Singing in the choir Enjoyment galore with the Ifesemens Selfie time #colourfulchristmas ©Radiant ~ December 2016  

Hi everyone. I am happy to announce to you that the well, not-so-long-awaited new song by me, Superman is going to be available on the day after New year day, January 2, 2017. It will be on various stores and streaming sites including radiant.ng/music , Apple music, itunes, Spotify, e.t.c Good news is, "you have a chance of getting it free if you subscribe to my blog on radiant.ng ". So subscribe NOW! ©Radiant~ December 2016

Hi guys. So this weekend I would like you to meet three of my wonderful classmates: Tawonga, Cheryl and Rosa.   My name is Tawonga Mwase-Vuma from Malawi. I have worked with Malawi’s Ministry of Health as a Nurse/Midwife before doing my undergraduate degree in Public Health. I chose to study MPH so that I can gain a wider understanding of other health contexts and ways of working so that I will be able to apply world-class healthcare solutions to the developing (health) systems in Malawi. I want to plan and manage health programmes that will improve lives and prevent tragedy. I want to see my country realise a reduction in the burden of diseases through prevention rather than cure. I like watching football,  playing volleyball and making new friends. Me, Tawonga Savina & friend at the Cineworld cinema on Friday. We went to see "A United Kingdom". By the way, y'all should see it. It's dope. Hi. I’m Cheryll Smith! I’m a Japanese-American student from the US and

Wow. I can't believe I just devoured a plate of my most loved Nigerian meal: Rice and Ofe akwu (Banga soup as some call it) here in Nottingham and that prepared by yours truly. The wonderful thing about it is that I didn't have to break my back to get any of the materials I used. Actually, I've been preparing Nigerian meals (Semolina with Egusi or Ogbono soup, plantain porridge, beans and yam, e.t.c) since I came to the UK with ingredients I brought from Nigeria (crayfish, Egusi , Ogbono & Cameroon pepper) using spinach as my ugu , but I never envisaged that it was possible to prepare Ofe akwu here. Where was I to get palm kernel nuts? Even in Nigeria Ofe akwu cooking process is really tedious. Now you can imagine how surprised and elated I was three weeks ago to see already processed akwu (palm kernel) sold at a shop where I had stopped to buy meat. So I decided to try it out today and I am very excited at what I made out of it. I'm so happy I didn'

I have wonderful people in my class. Today, I'd love to introduce some of them to you. This is Manuel. He is a very jovial and lively person and always has something to contribute in class. He is currently running for Medical and health sciences rep for the post graduate sounding board. Hi, I’m Jose Manuel Besares Lopez, and I'm an international student from Mexico. I'm studying MPH Public Health (International Health). Back in Mexico, I got a Bachelor Sc. degree in Genome Biotechnology and I really enjoyed getting engaged in looking for answers to social issues through the application of biological sciences. I consider myself  a young and enthusiastic person, committed to the wellbeing of my community and I love to use the power of my voice to create changes in my environment through a constructive, inspiring, and transformational leadership. This year I received the Chevening Award, the UK Government Scholarship that provides me the opportunity of meeting

              I had my first week of lectures last week from Monday to Friday. (Henceforth, it will be only 3 days per week). A variety of teaching methods were employed including lecture slides, short videos, group exercises, class interactions and an excursion. I had thought that I would find it difficult to grasp the British accent on the first week, but for one or two lecturers, their speeches were lucid enough. On introducing ourselves the first day, it was interesting to discover that we came from diverse countries and backgrounds viz Ghana, UK, Mexico, USA, India, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Nigeria, e.t.c. I was the only one from Nigeria until Friday. We are 2 now. Me and some of my classmates Visit to Thackray Medical Museum On Thursday, we had an excursion to the Thackray medical museum in Leeds. During our 2 hour drive from Nottingham, I sat beside Shamiya from Bangladesh and we talked throughout the journey. I noticed a transient change in my accent at the end

By now, you guys know I'm in the UK for a Masters programme at the University of Nottingham. For my previous post on my journey to UoN click here . Arriving at Nottingham First thing I noticed on arrival at Nottingham was the culture of hospitality. Everyone I asked for direction went out of their way to guide me. One saw me at the top of a staircase oneday and rushed up the stairs to help me carry my small box down the stairs. Another didn't know the way to where I had asked her but instead of dismissing me, she asked for my map and helped me to interpret it. How nice! It's a gross contrariety compared to what I experienced when I arrived Lagos in 2014. Everyone was so impatient. I  wouldn't have finished saying "excuse me" before they walked out on me.  They were all on their guard, reacting as if I were a beggar or a swindler. Lagosians were so hostile especially the bus conductors. In contrast, the customer service here is topnotch.  Next

Hi guys. Radiant's Blog is back here. I needed some time to fix some technical issues. However, my official website still remains www.radiant.ng  where you can find my songs, social media links, and other info. Blog posts will be on both sites. So really nothing's changed. See you. Radiant

This time last year, I was broke, busted and disgusted. I had no job (had resigned the one I had to attend the YALI programme in Ghana which became a blessing as it contributed to my qualification for a scholarship). One year is gone. I'm in the UK for a Masters programme at the University of Nottingham on a 100% tuition scholarship. God is faithful.  Shopping List  My shopping list consisted majorly of foodstuff. I haven't forgotten how McDonald burgers dealt with me in 2002 when I visited the U.S.A. This time I would be staying no shorter than one year. I had to have a plan to maintain my belly line. I made sure I got the things I would be missing most (Cabin biscuits) and ground crayfish, pepper, Egusi, and Ogbono since I heard those are neither easy nor cheap finds over here.   I hadn't weighed my bags at home. I was too busy packing. Getting to Murtala Muhammad Airport, my box weighed 38kg, travel bag 14kg, hand luggage was 12kg and bag pack about 10kg. Now

Ifesi  was seated across Emeka at a table in Barcelos. She had ordered chicken and chips with ketchup and Chinese sauce just the way he liked it, but he sat facedown barely noticing his best meal as the waiter lowered it before them. They looked like a couple who'd just had a fight. Ifesi broke the ice. "You look distraught. What's the matter?" her eyes combing for clues. Emeka tried to lift his head, his eyes bleary. He bowed immediately evading her piercing gaze. Ifesi grasped his hand and squeezed it gently. But deep inside her she wanted to hold him, comfort and console him for his blues but she held back. Emeka had become her best friend over the twelve weeks they spent together at the medical volunteer programme in Congo. They were the only Nigerians in the programme and they hit it off immediately. She was aware of the gold band on his fourth digit - Emeka would lose his finger than take it off. She admired that about him. And he was not silent abo

"Jibowu wa!" and I was thrown out of the bus, sprawling on the tarmac, with my hands bearing my weight and my bag toppling over. Gapers gathered. Sorries mounted. They helped me up, dusted my side and scolded the driver who had not let me fully alight before hitting his accelerator. The driver couldn't care less. He zoomed off as soon as he saw me get back to my feet. I got into a Maruwa going to Ojuelegba. I had a date. I had promised to be there on time, but traffic was terrible. I knew I was never going to make it to Shoprite in time. In order to keep my word, I flagged down a commercial Power Bike. It was drizzling but I thought I could pull it off. As soon as we'd hit the road, the rain came down in buckets. I wanted to ask the biker to stop but he was ambitious, meandering his way through the traffic jam. I got off the bike with my chiffon dress gummed to my body, eyes red from tears and hair damp and scruffy. I knew I looked awful. As I entered the mall, I ma