Welcome to the first edition of the First Bus! Before we set off, please fasten your seatbelt as we're about to embark on a journey that may get a little bumpy. As you may know, the roads in Nigeria are not always the smoothest, and we won't pretend otherwise. However, we can guarantee that your ride on the First Bus will be an enlightening experience. We're dedicated to being your daily partner and will take you on an engaging and thought-provoking journey that will help you start your day on a positive note. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

Well, well, well, would you look at that! It's a magical Monday morning. Let's be honest, most of us are just happy to have the day off. And who can blame us? After all, we work hard all year long, and we deserve a break. But let's not forget the reason why we have this day off in the first place. Workers Day is a tribute to the workers who fought for the rights and benefits that we enjoy today. They rallied, organised, and protested for better working conditions, fair wages, and reasonable hours.

They risked their jobs, their safety, and even their lives to stand up for what they believed in. Despite their efforts, workers are still underpaid and undervalued in many industries, and the gig economy has further eroded job security, leaving workers with little stability or benefits. Income inequality remains rampant, with CEOs making hundreds of times more than their workers.

As we enjoy this day off, let's not forget the true meaning of Workers Day. It's not just a day to relax and unwind, but a reminder of the ongoing struggle for workers' rights and dignity. This is why our first stop will be to help you have the most of your Holiday.

First up, it's important to set the right tone for your day. That means staying in your pyjamas all day, no matter what. Who cares if you have to run to the store for a quick errand? Just throw on some sweatpants and call it good. And if anyone asks why you're still in your pyjamas at 3pm, just tell them you're trying out a new fashion trend.

Next, you'll want to avoid any household tasks that might suck you in and ruin your day of relaxation. That means no cleaning, no laundry, and absolutely no dishes. In fact, why not just eat everything straight out of the package? It's not like you're trying to impress anyone. Make sure you have all your snacks and drinks within arm's reach. You don't want to have to get up and interrupt your lazy day just because you ran out of chips or soda. And if you're feeling extra lazy, you could always invest in a long straw so you can drink your favourite beverages without having to move your head.

Practice the art of "horizontal living". This means lying down as much as possible, whether it's on the couch, in bed, or on a pile of pillows on the floor. Bonus points if you can find a way to eat, watch TV, and nap all at the same time. And finally, there's always the classic option of binge-watching your favourite TV shows. But why stop at just one or two? Why not try to break a world record for most hours spent watching Netflix in a single day? It's not like you have anything better to do.

Take the concept of "slow living" to a whole new level. That means doing everything at a snail's pace – from getting out of bed to walking to the kitchen. It might drive anyone around you insane, but who cares? You're in chill mode.

Experiment with different relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing. Or, you know, just take a really long nap. No judgment here.Use your imagination and create a whole alternate reality for yourself. Maybe you're a pirate sailing the seven seas, or a superhero saving the world. The possibilities are endless, and it's a great way to escape reality for a little while.

In conclusion, resting is an art form that requires practice and dedication. But with these additional hilarious tips, you'll be able to truly master the art of doing nothing.

Just remember to stay in your pyjamas, avoid any and all chores, your body horizontal, and your mind in a state of total relaxation. And if all else fails, there's always Netflix.

Binge-Time Watchlist

Alright, folks, we're committed to making your day off as stress-free as possible. So, we've taken it upon ourselves to handpick some of the finest movies out there, sparing you the agony of having to choose yourself. Yes, you read that right - we're doing the hard work so you don't have to. Settle in and unwind because we have a curated list of movies that we can confidently vouch for as excellent viewing options.

Ghanian Original Drama The Billionaire wife

Gripping Nollywood Crime Drama The Trade

Netflix Most Popular TV The Night agent

Netflix's Oscar winning All quiet on the West Front

Working, Life, Unbalance

Today is a day of rest, but tomorrow we'll be back to the same old cycle of trying to balance everything in our lives. Society constantly tells us that we need to strive for balance in all aspects of our lives - work, relationships, personal growth, and self-care. However, this is often easier said than done, and it can feel like an impossible feat. It's like trying to balance a beach ball on your nose while riding a unicycle - nearly impossible. So, the question remains: can we truly achieve a balanced life?

Do you ever feel like you're constantly falling short? Like you're not doing enough in life? Well, join the club! It's like no matter how hard you try, there's always something else you should be doing. Eating healthy enough? Exercising enough? Making enough money? Spending enough time with loved ones? Ugh, the list goes on and on. But hey, if you can relate to any of this, don't worry, you're not alone. Sometimes I just want to throw in the towel and binge-watch Netflix for a week straight. Embrace the chaos, am I right?

Speaking of chaos, do you remember when Naira fell to a new low of 750 per dollar? I mean, what the heck? Your savings were split in half in seconds! And if you were like most of us, saving and spending in Naira, you had to immediately save more just to spend more. It was like all our goals and plans had to adjust to the new reality overnight.

Life is full of surprises and challenges that we have to face every day. Yet society tells us to pursue a certain kind of life and promises us happiness and fulfilment, no matter what. You know the drill: get an education, get a job, get married, have kids, and live happily ever after. Easy peasy, right?

But here's the thing: this standard of life doesn't take into account the fluidity of life itself. The unforeseen occurrences, the unique passions, and necessary dreams that provide fulfilment exist outside of societal milestones and are inevitable.

So what does balance even mean in this context? It's not just about having a stable career, love life, family, personal development, physical health, and lifestyle. It's about finding fulfilment in the chaos of life, pursuing our passions and dreams, and accepting the inevitable twists and turns that come our way. In other words, life is one big rollercoaster ride, so buckle up and enjoy the chaos! Right? When you think of a balanced life, what do you envision?

To delve into the philosophical aspect of "Balance," we need to examine the lives of relatable individuals and characters.

Say hello to Uche, a young Nigerian man who hopped on the JAPA bandwagon early and is now living the Canadian dream as a software developer.He is earning a good wage and things are finally looking up. But deep down, Uche was struggling with an overwhelming sense of guilt and helplessness. You see, Uche's family was still back in Nigeria, living in abject poverty. Uche is the only one who can help them, and he does everything in his power to support them financially

Every day, Uche (fictional) would wake up and pour his heart and soul into his work, but the guilt and sadness he carried with him made it difficult to find joy in his success. He was torn between his love for his family and his desire to explore his potential and achieve his goals. Although it takes balance to support his family, we cannot say Uche is living a balanced life. His economic situation won’t allow him to pursue his potential or achieve any goals without doing so in an unbalanced fashion.

How about we hop on a time machine and pay a visit to the 1960's?

Meet Fredrick Allen Hampton Sr. , a legendary American activist. He was the deputy chairman of the national Black Panther Party. His life was tragically cut short at the tender age of 21, when he was brutally murdered during a police raid. But his legacy continues to inspire countless individuals to this day.

Fred Hampton was a young man with an exceptional mind, excelling in both academics and athletics. He dreamed of playing professional baseball with the New York Yankees, but he was also passionate about humanitarian activities from a young age. Unfortunately, his dreams were hindered by the harsh reality of injustice and racism in his society. This meant that Fred could not achieve his aspirations in a balanced fashion.

Whether he chose to become an athlete or a humanitarian, it would require an unbalanced sacrifice and a risk for passion and change. Fred decided to become a humanitarian and an activist, because his burning desire for justice overrode all other ambitions.

Despite the challenges he faced, Fred's natural leadership abilities and remarkable communication skills enabled him to mobilise a youth group of 500 members. Together, they carried out numerous humanitarian efforts, including improving education for impoverished black communities. Did Fred achieve all this while living a balanced lifestyle? The answer is no.

But in the face of injustice, he knew that balance was a luxury he couldn't afford. He poured his heart and soul into his work, and the results speak for themselves. His fearless commitment to justice, and his unwavering courage in the face of adversity, make him a true inspiration to this day. It is my belief that he lived his life in pursuit of a noble goal, living in dedication and sacrifice, willing to commit overwhelmingly to enact change on a global scale.

Finally, let’s take a closer look at the story of Amy Lau in Lee Sung Jin’s Netflix black comedy titled BEEF.

In the Netflix comedy, Ali Wong portrays a woman who appears to have it all figured out, juggling the roles of a mother, wife, and successful businesswoman with ease - the epitome of a modern superwoman. However, a close call in a parking lot proves to be the tipping point that sends her down a rabbit hole of despair. Despite her brave front in both her personal and professional spheres, Amy is plagued by a deep-seated sadness borne out of years of subtle put-downs, being silenced or overlooked, and feeling unfulfilled in certain areas of her life. To spice things up and find a sense of gratification, she engages in a series of vengeful stunts with her male adversary, Steven Yeun.

Throughout the movie, Ali expresses her exhaustion and complains about how she has to lose herself to have it all. In one of the scenes, she says “It takes a lot more than good intentions. I have busted my ass for years. I’ve sacrificed my well-being and the well-being of my family. It’s not a millionaire in no time”

Our Take

​​The societal standard for a balanced life seems outdated, and can lead to a life of mediocrity. The universal idea of balance, forces people to play it safe and makes them not explore their full potential.

What culture wants from you and what is intrinsically interesting to you will be in conflict. Culture wants you to do what a good cultural entity should do which is; 'to do what you are told to do'. But you are not a robot. So part of the existential problem we all have in life is trying to figure out some compromise between what we find personally engaging that develops and supports us and what the culture will provide resources for us to pursue.

Trading your ability to participate in fulfilling activities or connections for the sake of conforming to a societal role can lead to a life devoid of soul and meaning. This can result in feelings of boredom and resentment, as seen in the case of Amy Lau who sacrificed everything to meet the societal expectations of an ideal woman. The transition from this state to a dangerous one is a gradual process that comes at a high cost.

There are many talents history will never know or remember a little bit too late, many musicians who never made their break, artists whose arts are buried until after their deaths, athletes dedicating everything only to get injured and never earn the fruit of their labor. Many of these people lived unbalanced unfulfilled lives sacrificing for but never releasing even a portion of their dreams. Many would not be able to build and commit themselves to their talent.

In conclusion, do not let people or societal expectations mess around with what you find compelling any more than it is absolutely necessary, because it is very dangerous to do that. Even if it leads to an unbalanced time in your life, go for your team and take care of those you can.

Whether or not we are in agreement, feel free to express your opinions in the comments section.

This is our final stop for today. Thank you for making it the end of our first edition.

See you tomorrow.

XXX