Sunday, December 28, 2014

HUNTUROO IN SIBERIA

...by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip"

Seasons come, seasons go
To them, none dare say "No."
I use to try, but better now I know.


Hunturoo's here cold, "O brrr" so chilly
Making many dress up, looking real silly
10 different colors, many a makeshift gypsy.

A pant, boxer short, trouser, style hacket
With countless, unreachable inner pockets
Vest, shirts, cardigan, sweater, shawl and jacket.

Heads in turban, mimicking middle-east Taliban
Ears frozen begging to outlast raging cold span
Many get hooded mindless there's a hijab ban.

Days go by devoid of sweet, warm sunshine
Itchy cracked skin, discomforting to the spine
Hot, steamy drinks, fires and a self-hug combine.

Harmattan roars, bearing fangs dripping icy spikes
Solaris cringes, intimidated, as a frozen wind strikes
Bones bristle, teeth clattering, voices exclaim "Yike!"s.

None feels the bite like the chaste and singles
To their lot, add the homeless, old, post-mingles
Who can't afford a warm blanket under shingles.

A breath from hell, icy winds, singing deadly tunes
Even devils dare not make them their caller-tunes
From its sizzling whip are made humorless cartoons.

Who's bold enough in you to go naked, stark
Surely not the lean, hungry, hunched in the dark
Except those in love, making love, igniting a spark.

Once in a while, oiling makes one look refined
How long the chills will last isn't clearly defined
Who dares a suntan in Siberia? A dumb, deaf and blind.

In cold of nights, many snuggle in-depth for warmth
Sleepless devils prowl streets, evil schemes thinketh
Light fills some hearts, as darkness hugs mother earth.

(c)2014 Tijjani M. M.
All Rights Reserved

CHRISMAS DAY BUFFET ‪#‎Cinquain‬

...by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip"

Home
Eating food
Sent by neighbours
Celebrating birth of Christ
Jesus.


(c)2014 tijjani m. m.
all rights reserved

WALKING ON LIGHT ‪#‎Haiku‬

...by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip"

Who walks on light?
Steps taken are on shadows
So dark force' get cursed.


(c)2014 tijjani m. m.
all rights reserved

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Fiona Lovatt’s RANDA



(As found by Poetic Tee, “Here, take a sip”)

I have a “randa”
with a lid
outside
under the tree.

Some nights
when the moon
floats
directly overhead

I delight in
lifting that lid
for the cool
pure tonic within

I find the moon
in there, bright
the eye of a child
winking back.

©2014 Fiona Lovatt
All Rights Reserved

Aminu Aliyu’s SKY HEAD

Aminu Aliyu’s SKY HEAD
(As found by Poetic Tee, “Here, take a sip”)

Where is he?
Who men are waiting
To fill their guards,
Quench their thirst?

Where is he?
Men are waiting here
With hearts touching
The head of the sky.

Where is he?
Men are here
Ready to divulge at
The ping of his sword...

Where are you?
Poetic Tee
Teejay
Tee...

©2014 Yantagwaye A. A.
All Rights Reserved (As found by Poetic Tee, “Here, take a sip”)

Where is he?
Who men are waiting
To fill their guards,
Quench their thirst?


Where is he?
Men are waiting here
With hearts touching
The head of the sky.

Where is he?
Men are here
Ready to divulge at
The ping of his sword...

Where are you?
Poetic Tee
Teejay
Tee...

Addendum to above #FoundPoetry:

WELCOME
(As found by Fiona Lovatt)


The water will trickle

And here he is
My rain in marble.

The high tide seas
Hide behind this man
With the sword.


©2014 Yantagwaye A. A.
All Rights Reserved

LIVING IN ATLANTIS #11Haiku

LIVING IN ATLANTIS
...by Poetic Tee, "Here, take a sip"

One sees her type, light
In midst of lesser damsels
A pomp step ahead.

Passing glance, in hope
Annoys her, when she's ignored
Her temper on edge.

Snaps like a tigress
At slightest provocation
Tears tear tainted cheeks.

Beautiful she was
That was then, one sees traces
Of age vanquished grace.

Attention she craves
Showered on her, way back when
Morning dews refresh.

Dined, danced in 5 stars
She once flew on fortune wings
Hand in hand, prince, kings.

Bonn, Paris, New york
Sphinx, Eiffel, Burj Khalifah
Touring all earth's crèmé.

Just passed her zenith
So, desperate to get hooked
Before twilight shows

Many came whom you shun
Don't take it on any now
Bees sniff-suck flowers.

Too much for the poor
Too poor for the rich, she knows
A dream lost to pride.

Could have had it all
Man, wealth, kids, home and prestige
Missed her chance, she did.

(c)2014 Tijjani M. M.
All Rights Reserved ...by Poetic Tee, "Here, take a sip"

One sees her type, light
In midst of lesser damsels
A pomp step ahead.


Passing glance, in hope
Annoys her, when she's ignored
Her temper on edge.

Snaps like a tigress
At slightest provocation
Tears tear tainted cheeks.

Beautiful she was
That was then, one sees traces
Of age vanquished grace.

Attention she craves
Showered on her, way back when
Morning dews refresh.

Dined, danced in 5 stars
She once flew on fortune wings
Hand in hand, prince, kings.

Bonn, Paris, New york
Sphinx, Eiffel, Burj Khalifah
Touring all earth's crèmé.

Just passed her zenith
So, desperate to get hooked
Before twilight shows.

Many came whom you shun
Don't take it on any now
Bees sniff-suck flowers.

Too much for the poor
Too poor for the rich, she knows
A dream lost to pride.

Could have had it all
Man, wealth, kids, home and prestige
Missed her chance, she did.

(c)2014 Tijjani M. M.
All Rights Reserved

Monday, December 15, 2014

WHAT CAN WORDS DO? (Celebrating Buhar's Winning Words)

...by Poetic Tee, "Here, take a sip"

 WHAT CAN WORDS DO?
...by Poetic Tee, "Here, take a sip"

"Story, story o!" often start their tellers
Ancient in origin, of heroes and villains
Juicy, tasty, delicious to a child hearing
The legendary tales of "Gizo da 'Ko'ki"*

Have you heard, read about a speech
That made a nation turn sober, reflect
Moving many citizens' hearts to tears
But not before first tumbling off edges?

Words of a man that crashes for real
The of old, now stable gold market and 
Make cowries exchange a laughing stock 
Among the gathered, casting choices?

One befitting millions, a moving speech
White, wise words that move mountains
Resurrecting cold, comatose conscience
Revamping dilute, watered-down courage.

Uttered, utterly, un-tainted rain, sweeping
Dirt, within, without, a mad muddled flood
Aforetime, witchdoctors did stop the storm
Chanting, dancing, calling on their ill gods.

Drums beaten, summoning all dark forces
Impressing upon us, spells borne by winds
Making artworks from blood, flesh splatters 
Bones of innocents, blown up into minces

Unabated, more fly home as the gory stories
A river of red begins to form, starting to flow
Many wonder if God is aware of painful cries
From deep inside the dungeons of emotions.

Someone asked "What can words do?"
Giggle not to sip that broth, but rather 
Struggle to know ”What words can do"
And discover simple, but unique results.

Much more than the conscience that thinks it
What words start, a single powerful one can end
When the time fixed is come, the words will come
And when they do come, this story'll surely be overcome.

*Spider and Mantis, his wife (characters in Hausa folklore)

(c)2014 Tijjani M. M.
All Rights Reserved

"Story, story o!" often start their tellers
Ancient in origin, of heroes and villains
Juicy, tasty, delicious to a child hearing
The legendary tales of "Gizo da 'Ko'ki"*


Have you heard, read about a speech
That made a nation turn sober, reflect
Moving many citizens' hearts to tears
But not before first tumbling off edges?

Words of a man that crashes for real
The of old, now stable gold market and
Make cowries exchange a laughing stock
Among the gathered, casting choices?

One befitting millions, a moving speech
White, wise words that move mountains
Resurrecting cold, comatose conscience
Revamping dilute, watered-down courage.

Uttered, utterly, un-tainted rain, sweeping
Dirt, within, without, a mad muddled flood
Aforetime, witchdoctors did stop the storm
Chanting, dancing, calling on their ill gods.

Drums beaten, summoning all dark forces
Impressing upon us, spells borne by winds
Making artworks from blood, flesh splatters
Bones of innocents, blown up into minces.

Unabated, more fly home as the gory stories
A river of red begins to form, starting to flow
Many wonder if God is aware of painful cries
From deep inside the dungeons of emotions.

Someone asked "What can words do?"
Giggle not to sip that broth, but rather
Struggle to know ”What words can do"
And discover simple, but unique results.

Much more than the conscience that thinks it
What words start, a single powerful one can end
When the time fixed is come, the words will come
And when they do come, this story'll surely be overcome.

*Spider and Mantis, his wife (characters in Hausa folklore)

(c)2014 Tijjani M. M.
All Rights Reserved

AaEMENOLIS SMILE ~ Shakespearean Sonnet

...by Poetic Tee, "Here, take a sip"

I dive down into a dingy, dark, dismal abyss
Emerging, an image of imaginative aurora light
I burrow further in-depth to find the accursed Ibliss
Upon my brilliance, on wings of lies, he takes flight.


Standing guard, huge as tongues of hell, lean hounds
Embers of fire for eyes, with canines dripping of souls
I stand a colossal fury, unsheathing death, spell-bound
Laid to waste a thousand, to rest another, in soil bowls.

By my side, Aaemenolis smiles, knowing their unknown
For tourists scheduled for the hereafter, issued free visas
Feeble the spider's spun spew, as one wears a false crown
It gleams as it peaks into heaven, kissing the sky tasers.

Of me, invincible I am, yet am nothing except as Thy Will
Affording for me immortality in Your Name, so live on I will.

(c)2014 Tijjani M. M.
All Rights Reserved

TIJJANI'S QUOTE 19

Ignorance is not an excuse. Displaying it is definitely not intelligence. - Tijjani Muhammad Musa

TIJJANI'S QUOTE 18

"The power of consistency against the power of resistance (incumbency). Which will win through?" - Tijjani Muhammad Musa"The power of consistency against the power of resistance (incumbency). Which will win through?" - Tijjani Muhammad Musa

Sunday, December 14, 2014

GENERAL MUHAMMAD BUHARI'S APC PRESIDENTIAL TICKET WINNING SPEECH.

Have you read the speech that by Allah's Supreme Will won General Muhammad Buhari the delegates' votes at the just concluded APC National Delelegates Convention which took place in Lagos yet? No? Well, here it is;

GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI'S APC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION WINNING SPEECH.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress
National leaders of the APC
Members of the National Executive Council of the APC
Your Excellencies, State Governors
Distinguished Senators
Honourable Members of the House of Representatives and
Assemblies
The Chairman and Members of the Convention Committee
State and Local Government Chairmen of the APC
Distinguished Delegates
Members of the Press
Invited Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen



My Dear Delegates,

As you gather for our convention, please remember that history, change and the hopes of Nigeria are there with you. They are there to ask you to perform according to your best judgment and patriotic conscience. I also ask you to do the same.

We seek a new Nigeria. It starts with us. It starts today. I have placed myself before you seeking your help to nominate me as your standard bearer for our progressive party, APC.

Personal ambition does not drive me in this regard. I seek to be the next president of our beloved nation because I believe I have something to offer Nigeria at this time of multiple crises.

Insecurity, corruption, and economic collapse have brought the nation low. Time is past due that we work together to lift Nigeria up. I am ready to lead Nigeria to its rightful future.

I have always served Nigeria to the best of my ability. I have always tried to give more to the nation than it has given me. This is the principle of service that has guided my public life.

Thus, I am not a rich person. I can’t give you a fistful of dollars or naira to purchase your support. Even if I could, I would not do so. The fate of this nation is not up for sale. What I will give you, and this nation is all of my strength, commitment, sweat and toil in the service of the people. What I can give you is my all.

The PDP has been in power much too long for the little good it has done. For the past six years, Nigeria has walked backwards carrying the weight of PDP’s incompetence on its shoulders.

Due to its broken leadership, Nigeria has been afflicted by a strange illness. We are a great nation riddled by endless crises. Instead of resolving problems, this government multiplies and manufactures them.

PDP cannot stand before us and say things have gotten better under its direction. It has only gotten worse and it’s now time for change. PDP’s government may say that it needs more time – that what we need now is continuity - but we do not.

What we need now is change!

I know what it takes to achieve real change - I have led our nation before – in times almost as unhappy as these. I know that to solve our problems we need real leadership, not warm words and empty promises. A leader needs integrity and strength – and an unbending commitment to do what is right.

I know that leaders must not just mouth words about change – they must embody it in their lives and their values. My love for Nigeria is writ large across my heart and I have spent a lifetime in the service of its people.

Through a long career trying to build a better country for my fellow Nigerians in offices both high and low I have always tried to place my country before myself. While some who have occupied those same positions have grown mysteriously rich, I still live on my army pension. I own no foreign bank accounts, I own no companies profiting from government contracts.

Why then do I seek office, if not for myself? While others might prefer to stay at home watching their grandchildren grow and live the battle to others I still see injustices that need to be righted and I still dream of a New Nigeria.

I am what you see before you – a simple man who believes in serving both God and his country. A man who is impatient for change, who loves Nigeria and seeks to serve it once again.

When I last led this nation I launched a War against Indiscipline – today, I pledge a Battle for Hope.

A battle against the dark forces of corruption and despair that have held our nation hostage to their greed for too long. We simply cannot afford four more years of PDP’s corruption and the corrosive cynicism that it has bred.

The time for hope, the time for belief, is now.

You cannot trust the corrupt to end corruption. You cannot trust the selfish and self interested to rule in the best interests of the people. You cannot trust those who believe hope is a tool of government rather than a human right to plant the seed of belief.

Let’s be clear. This is not a time for continuity. Failure does not deserve continuity. Incompetence does not deserve continuity. It deserves change; that is what the nation deserves and that is what we will bring.

Make no mistake - as is always the case for those who seek to bring change, it will not come easy. And today I ask for your votes and support as I make these five pledges to the nation:

I will honestly govern Nigeria in accord with the constitution and rule of law.

I will bring all resources necessary to end poverty through ending corruption, promoting broadly-shared economic growth, investing in our country and creating jobs.

I will tolerate no religious, regional, ethnic or gender bias.

I will return Nigeria to a position of international respectnthrough active and wise foreign policy.

I will select the best Nigerians for posts in my government.

I do not intend to rule Nigeria. I want to democratically govern it with your help. I seek a Nigeria where Christians and Muslims may practice their faiths in peace and security; a Nigeria that is just and where corruption no longer trespasses into our institutions and national behavior and a Nigeria where our diversity could be used for our national prosperity.

Nigeria is our home. Let us now turn it into the great nation we know it can and should be.

I thank you all

General Muhammad Buhari.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

O BUHARI, MY CHAMPION. ‪#‎21Haiku‬



...by Poetic Tee, "Here, take a sip"




Once upon a time

By a coconut tree stood you
O disciplined one.


Weeds, pests in our farm
Nip in the bud, commenced you
Paused. Left for one day.

A winner you are
Upright, corrupt-free that's you
Sound qualities, apt.

They detest your rise
The guilty's afraid of you
Time for crimes ensured!

A race you ran once
Against a strong tide and you
Won, but was denied.

Amalinze stood
My Okonkwo, his champ, you
The villagers shun.

A rematch confirmed
To the gods they stoop, but you
Posterity judge.

A boat hit by storms
Ravaged, infested, then you
Cried for its pains. Sad.

Quitters never win
Many drum those beats for you
Winners never quit.

Come, O Sure-footed
Goliath vanquisher, you
David of old, now.

Ask Obasanjo
*Yar'Adua, floor each did you
That list, add Jo too.

Taste both Shekarau
Ribadu defeat by you
12 million votes!

Kwankwaso, Rochas
Ndah, Atiku and you
Penta-democrats.

They gathered to choose
One from amongst five and you
God Has Seen through. True.

In a fair contest
Here, anywhere with you
Truth will always win.

Nigeria will
Learn democracy in you
APC, the civil.

A land distressed
By a cruel monster, yet you
A giant killer, slew.

I slept hugging hope
Afraid for myself and you
I woke, reassured.

PVCard or none
My vote is strictly for you
Mr. President Sir.

I will kiss the moon
Touch the scorching sun if you
Become king again.

For I dreamt of it
Brilliant light shines over you
Smiles dance to sweet sounds.

(c)2014 tijjani m. m.
all rights reserved

SIMPLE MATHEMATICS 4+1=1 ~ The Story Of Apex Aspirations

...by Poetic Tee, "Here, take a sip"



One raw, came with big ideas, big imagination
A political "New kid on the block" of our nation.

Another splashed dollars on his "Nigeria for all"
He, of old made a first impression, rated small.

A come-back gee with confidence in concrete
That he has capabilities for the job is no secret.

Finally the philanthropist of aye, touching lives
"Age is nothing, but a number", wisely archives.

Sat all four with integrity, humility, consistency
And went back home, each a historic celebrity.

For he who swags with "Oyemburu" will smell of shit
And any who sits with perfume sellers will scent of it.

(c)2014 Tijjani M. M.
All Rights Reserved

FOOTPRINTS & PHOTOGRAPHS ‪#‎Limerick‬

…by Poetic Tee “Here, take a sip”

In garden of Azien, sprawling endlessly, a waterfall glints
Walk easy as birds serenade, watch as a cheetah sprints
Smile at nature’s beauty, laugh once overwhelmed
Let your mind be a memoriam, storing details filmed
Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints.


©2014 Tijjani M. M.
All Rights Reserved

POETIC TEE IS NOMINATED FOR IROKO FUN AWARDS' 'ONIGEGEARA OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA'

IROKO FUN AWARDS 2014

POETIC TEE IS NOMINATED FOR IROKO FUN AWARDS' 'ONIGEGEARA' OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (OFRN)

Adelaja Ridwan Olayiwola wrote:

"He dubbed himself POETIC ''TEA'', but I feel that by the volume of words he discharges, he should be called POETIC SEA.

He is a poet and has a published collection already - THE FIRST CUP, POETIC TEE

He is the eloquent type of a poet, who expresses himself as simple as possible.

He is usually concern about his message and so he employ words without any ambiguity for this reason.
Tijjani Muhammad Musa is his name and has been nominated for the 2014 ''Onigegeara of the Federal Republic of Nigeria''

IFA 2014 - FOURTH CATEGORY
–Onigegeara of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
A killer writer, a resurrect-or of words, a wake-r of the sleeping quill whose artistic beauty and prominence sends others behind bar –a very brilliant and sagacious word merchant.

This is a fellow who seems to see a song in everything. And I am forced to submit that:

**there is a song in all we do, even wars are songs of unrest.*

#34 of ...
https://hopefieldnetwork.wordpress.com/iroko-fun-awards-20…/

***** ***** *****
OGBENI ADELAJA RIDWAN O.
Founder and Moderator,
IFA-NIGERIA.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

RUN OFF THE EARTH

Image result for earth ...by Poetic Tee, ”Here, take a sip"

Where are you running to?
Always in a hurry
Can anyone truly run
Faster than his legs
Without artificializing it
Or could your destination be
Beyond mother earth.


A waterfall in a rush
Of known source
Or uknown origin
Heading to sea
Its final destination
The ocean
And where does it run to?

Wherever are you off to
Can it be beyond earth?
Even if you take flight
Or get hauled in air
Like a stone thrown
Or a dislodged free fall
A shuttle launched, perhaps?

You always desire
A safe return home
In a hard thud
Or a wet splash
Pleased with the touch
Of silt sandy soil
Caressing your skin.

Ask the angels
And creatures
Who venture
Back and forth
between the twain
Seven heavens
And mother earth.

Ask those set forth
Cast afloat in space
In a stranded swim
Never to return
How sad, how lonely
How much they miss
Of the Blue Star.

(c)2014 Tijjani M. M.
All Rights Reserved

ONE MORE FOR MAMA

ONE MORE FOR MAMA
...by Poetic Tee, "Here, take a sip"

She deserves the very best 
Of everything money can't buy.

Subtle matter, made finest
Colorful, scentful, exotically rare.

I wish she could live perpetually
Young, lustrous, beautiful forever.

Such soothing comfort, her bosom
I would give my breath to honor her.

From my fountain of life, I will pour
On her what she filled me with first.

The Queen of Queens of all hearts
Regal in romantic red roses regalia.

O God, show me where my days are
That I may take of it, adding to hers.

Bubbling drink, that satisfies hunger
Selfless, restless in quenching thirst.

Choking me with love, touching me so
Floating flutter, a transparent butterfly.

Relief from distress, source of zamzam
Cry not a single tear, nor even half of it.

Defense shield, dispenser of love
For you now, for you from beyond.

(c)2014 Tijjani M. M.
All Rights Reserved ...by Poetic Tee, "Here, take a sip"

She deserves the very best
Of everything money can't buy.

Subtle matter, made finest
Colorful, scentful, exotically rare.

I wish she could live perpetually
Young, lustrous, beautiful forever.

Such soothing comfort, her bosom
I would give my breath to honor her.

From my fountain of life, I will pour
On her what she filled me with first.

The Queen of Queens of all hearts
Regal in romantic red roses regalia.

O God, show me where my days are
That I may take of it, adding to hers.

Bubbling drink, that satisfies hunger
Selfless, restless in quenching thirst.

Choking me with love, touching me so
Floating flutter, a transparent butterfly.

Relief from distress, source of zamzam
Cry not a single tear, nor even half of it.

Defense shield, dispenser of love
For you now, for you from beyond.

(c)2014 Tijjani M. M.
All Rights Reserved

CONTINUITY ‪#‎Haiku‬

CONTINUITY #Haiku
...by Poetic Tee, "Here, take a sip"

Father plays with child
Soon grows up, he births a copy
Child plays with father.

(c)2014 tijjani m. m.
all rights reserved...by Poetic Tee, "Here, take a sip"

Father plays with child
Soon grows up, he births a copy
Child plays with father.


(c)2014 tijjani m. m.
all rights reserved

MOTHERS TOLERANCE. ‪#‎Haiku‬

MOTHERS TOLERANCE.    #Haiku
...by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip"

I don't know where
Mothers get their tolerance
For annoying kids.

(c)2014 tijjani m. m.
all rights reserved...by Poetic Tee "Here, take a sip"

I don't know where
Mothers get their tolerance
For annoying kids.


(c)2014 tijjani m. m.
all rights reserved

Sunday, December 7, 2014

ONE FOR ARCHITECTURAL JOURNALISM


...by Arc. Tijjani Muhammad Musa

Arc. Tijjani Muhammad Musa in the studio.

Ever since I was young, I can remember I could draw things to the delight of my playmates. At primary school, our art teachers would find my drawings impressive and would encourage me towards getting formal training about it. I was so good at it that I would make pencil and other medium artworks that soon started getting me little commissions from individuals or couples, who would request that I draw their silhouettes, busts or other artworks to decorate their homes and offices.

When I finished secondary (high) school, I was admitted into Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria to do a pre-degree course, at the end of which I applied to read architecture, but having the wrong A-Level combination, I could not be given the course. Instead, I was offered another course, different from what I had chosen. Young, enthusiastic and optimistic, with the whole future ahead of me, I bluntly rejected it. So, I returned back home to Kano.

My Plan B was to pursue a National Diploma in architecture from Kano State Polytechnic, then go back to ABU Zaria for the architecture degree, so as to graduate and exploit my creative ability in designs and arts. It was while I was undergoing my diploma course, that a big brother of mine suggested, since I was gifted with a good command of English language, I should go and do a stint as a radio presenter cum dj at Radio Kano II 89.3 FM, a new radio station then which was being test-transmitted, soon to commence operation.

And that was how I got introduced to the world of broadcasting journalism. A small stint ended up becoming a full blown engagement and the media bug bit and infected me for life, never to be cured. When the academic year returned for me to apply for my degree course, instead of applying to read my original passion, I applied into 2 different institutions. One for architecture and the other for... mass communications. I was that infected.


Gustavo Penna’s Lincoln Residence

That year I got admitted to read the diploma in architecture at the polytechnic, at the same time got another admission to read a degree in mass communications at Bayero University Kano, only for this latter to be changed by the university admission committee, once again, to another course, a degree in Economics. Since I had intended to become a professional media person, I could not accept to read something else. So I refused, once again too, to read a course I did not apply for. 

Instead, I indulged in studying my architecture with zeal, excelling at the end of it to be admitted to earn a bachelor of sciences and later a master of sciences degrees at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a course of my choice, Architecture. Next, what did I do with my journalistic abilities?

Well, I continued my engagement as a broadcaster throughout my architectural education pursuit. I continued my radio programs production and presentations under the watchful eyes of professional broadcasters at the said FM station, thus learning-on-the-job to become a household name in my home city of Kano and environs.

And by the time I graduated and came back a fully trained architect, my radio colleagues, some formally trained too as graduates of mass communications, wanted me to come and start a communication company with them. This we did and thus SoundWord & Sight Communications, a fully incorporated multi-media outfit, with which we rendered media services to private as well as corporate clients, was born.

And that is what eventually brings up the title of this piece One For Architectural Journalism. When we first started, it was strange to the journalists that an architect wanted to operate in the media terrain. They kept wondering how designs and construction of buildings could be merged with dissemination of information using mass media. "What is Architectural Journalism?" one or two of them would often ask me.

Standing the mic. Teejay 1 smiles

It was only after I clearly explained to them what it was all about that they understood what it all meant. Little did I know most people know nothing about this exciting, but relatively unknown profession. Till this day, many are still asking me the same question, how can an architect be a journalist all at the same time?

Traditionally, you are either an architect who designs and supervises construction of buildings and built external areas surrounding it or you are a journalist, who engages in gathering and dissemination of information to the public through a mass medium. But you can definitely not be both. So many, even in both professions, ignorantly think and some even believe this notion.

Most people have never heard of the term architectural journalism. Now, to demonstrate in practical terms what I meant and thus prove my claim of being an architectural journalist to my media colleagues, I re-launch a radio production I earlier conceived, developed, produced and presented titled 'Paradise Earth', which first got aired on Radio Kano II 89.3 FM in 2001.

It was a production that dwelt on educating, informing and enlightening the listeners about architecture, designs and the built environment where man lives, works and plays. It informed about some of the basic things involved with good designs and aesthetics in a building, both internally and externally. It aimed at teach people how to take advantage of their internal and external environment, based on information and knowledge, thus maximizing to the fullest the benefits of living environment, thereby simulating a piece of paradise here on earth as the program's name implied

Just when the twice weekly episode was beginning to gather momentum on the airwaves, I got employed by M. T. Waziri & Partners, an architectural firm belonging to Arc. Musa T. Waziri (late) of the former Ella & Waziri Associates fame and so had to move from Kano to the biggest construction site in Africa then, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, the city of Abuja as a resident architect on some multi-billion naira projects, which included Nigeria Re-Insurance Headquarters, Ministry of Justice building and the Military of Defense Cenotaph for the architectural company.

Hotel Burj Al Arab Dubai

While in Abuja, words got around that the popular radio presenter cum architect, yours truly was then living in the city and offers were made by some media outfits for me to come and start a program or two about architecture and buildings generally on their airwaves. But in order not to excite my employers, as well as be able to concentrate on my scheduled responsibilities, I unceremoniously declined.

It was only after I returned back to Kano in 2003, that I finally resigned my appointment to eventually continue practicing my chosen career of interest, in what is now formally called architectural journalism.

Sadly, like I said earlier many do not know anything about this exciting, specialized field of communication. It is usually studied as a post-graduate program by persons with one form of architectural training or another. Often qualified architects, with the talent and passion for writing, instead of following convention, that is, sit in a studio, design buildings and structures, manage construction sites and supervise building projects, would choose to write about architecture and buildings, landscape and the environment, telling their stories in a manner and technicality only architects can express to the reading, listening or watching public.

So, what do they do? Architectural journalists, sometimes referred to as Design Journalists (DJs) usually engage in reporting, documenting, making technical analysis, critiquing, writing articles etc about all aspects of the design profession, buildings construction, landscapes and the environment for both print (newspapers, magazines, newsletters, advertorials etc) and electronic (radio, television and now internet programs) media houses.

Carren Jao
Carren Jao art, architecture & design journalist
Architectural journalists contribute immensely in disseminating information about a developmental project and its short and long term impact on the community. They partake in introduction and institution of very important governmental policies as regard buildings in the media. These journalists enlighten the populace about building codes and ethics and also document for history and posterity, matters that affect the built environment.


Architectural journalists inform about new designs, means of designing, digital software and packages, while educating the society about innovative approaches and modern techniques of construction. They also write about happening at architectural events, both locally and internationally, the building material participants, the architects and design practices in attendance etc. The papers presented at colloquiums, seminars, conferences and so on are also given publicity via these architectural journalists.

These architects tell others about existing as well as new technological advancements as it relates to new building materials and building methods etc. Thus, this is clearly a niche in the field of journalism, only people with special background knowledge on the subject matter can best deliver.

Specialized publications on architecture, interior decorations, landscapes and gardening, building accessories, properties etc such as Architectural Digest, Architectural Records, The Architect and many other homes, houses and offices related local, national and international magazines are owned, edited, produced and published by formally trained architects, who train further as journalists, with a passion for writing and informing about designs and the built environment.

In some instances, non-architect journalists, who have never had any training with regards to architecture, but have keen interest in writing about buildings and environmental projects, are usually assigned on bits by editors in various media houses. Such ordinary journalists could decide to acquire the necessary qualifications, such as a post-graduate diploma or a master degree in architectural journalism, so as to sound professional and highly technical in their reporting.
So, the next time you hear about the term architectural journalism or you meet someone introduced to you as an architectural journalist, do not find it amusing or even funny. You might just be exposing your ignorance about a profession that is highly recognized in advanced countries, so much so, presidential award ceremonies are organized to honor these special breeds of architects cum journalists. For, there are architects and there are journalists and in-between the two divides, there are hybrids, the architectural journalists.

(c)2014 Tijjani M. M.
mmtijjani@swscomms.com
mmtijjani@designworldinternational.com
writes from SoundWord & Sight Communications Ltd Kano, Nigeria.