It was my first time leaving the northern part of Nigeria. All it took was a random call from a childhood friend. “What’s up, bro?” he said. “The lady I work for needs extra hands at her store, and I couldn’t think of a better partner than you. Are you game?” Although I had always wanted to visit Lagos, my idea of the city was shaped mainly by Nigerian movies—flashy scenes, fast lives, endless...
A while ago, I was having one of those casual phone chats with a colleague when she dropped a statement that stopped me in my tracks. She said, “I don’t think I’m ready for this whole marriage-and-motherhood thing. Being a mother just halts your life goals—you don’t get to achieve anything.” Normally, I’ll just listen. After all, I’m a guy; how could I possibly relate to the incredible sacrifices...
It was a Monday morning, and my dad was taking me for registration in the most prestigious primary school in Zaria, Kaduna State. I was excited because I had new uniforms, new white socks, a new school bag, new books and pencils, you know the feeling that comes with having new things. I was being registered to begin nursery one. My first encounter with anxiety was a few weeks into the...
I still remember my university days as a young singer in the Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS). Our Thursday evening prayer and worship sessions were a highlight of my week. Although I wasn’t always given the opportunity to lead, when I did, my performances were always met with enthusiasm and appreciation. People would approach me after the sessions, acknowledging my gift and...
It was a chilled day at work and all of a sudden, here comes the lingering debate on who the biggest afro-beat artist is. At the heart of this are my work colleagues; Belema, a sworn member of the Wizkid’s FC nation, and Sayo a loyal daughter of the 30BG family. Who wins an argument against a Nigerian??? Good thing both are… Amidst all these, their fantasies didn’t fascinate...
It’s 1 am and I’m up on my bed, sleep has disappeared from my eyes again. This is the third time in a row that I’m up at midnight and can’t seem to go back to sleep. I started having flashbacks of my life as a kid, the first memory that came to my mind was an exciting one, it was when my mum got me a bicycle as a surprise gift. She had just returned from a long journey and I was at home helping...
Life is a journey filled with peaks and valleys, triumphs and tribulations. Some days, the sun shines brightly, and everything falls into place seamlessly. Other days, however, seem to be shrouded in darkness, with challenges lurking around every corner. During these darker moments, we may find ourselves questioning the trajectory of our lives, wondering if a series of bad days signifies a bad...
In a world where talent comes in many shapes and forms, it’s easy to feel overshadowed by those who seem to possess natural gifts beyond our reach. From striking looks and exceptional intellect to dulcet voices and magnetic personalities, it’s tempting to believe that success is reserved for the chosen few who are blessed with innate talent. But what if I told you that everyone has a...
In the realm of neuroscience, few neurotransmitters have garnered as much attention and fascination as dopamine. Often dubbed the “feel-good” chemical. Dopamine plays a central role in our brain’s reward system, influencing our moods, behaviors, and motivations. But is dopamine truly a harbinger of pleasure and happiness, or does its influence extend into darker territories of...
THIS ARTICLE WAS CO-WRITTEN BY E.S. & PAUL I and a female friend of mine were casually chatting when she suddenly typed, “Why do people lie?” I asked what she meant and she said “One time they say they love you and will give up the whole world for you and later they act like you don’t mean anything”. I tried my best to give a befitting answer but what she said...