In a moment of misguided coolness at eleven(11), I wished for acne, not realising the power my words held. Acne used to be a sign of body development but what began as a flippant desire soon spiralled into a lifelong battle with acne and eventually, Body Dysmorphia. It was not until much later that I understood the truth in Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

Our words are compelling and capable of both harm and healing. Just like God’s creative power in the Bible, this was something I did not understand back then. I would say one of the reasons most people are suffering from any form of Body Image Issue is the negative words they say based on their circumstances. This brings about the symptoms and effects of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), which ultimately eats into our confidence and self-esteem.

Fear of Rejection 

Constantly thinking that people would make fun of me or talk about the rash-like pimples on my face consumed my thoughts. The irony about this is that, at university, there was a friend who seemed confident and comfortable in her skin despite having more severe acne. This made me wonder what she was doing differently, as I constantly battled self-hatred and a longing for clear skin. But then I understood that it required much deeper work on my inside than dealing with it on the outside with skin care products. Before I knew what was happening, I realised I was already avoiding people socially, interacting less with people and making fewer friends.

Spending lots of money on skincare products

One other thing I know I did a lot then was spend a lot of money constantly switching skincare products, chasing after whatever seemed to be working for someone else. But nothing ever provided lasting results. It would seem effective for a short time, then, after a while, I’d be back to square one. This cycle of buying products, picking at my skin and hoping for a miracle overwhelmed me. I was unaware of the damage it was doing to my confidence and self-esteem. In focusing solely on my acne, I neglected to appreciate the other aspects of my body I liked. All of this never really brought me joy or the result I desired.

Anxiety and constant worrying

I experienced anxiety and constant worry almost every time I had to go to class or an event in my university days. The inconsistency of the acne on my face occupied my mind so significantly that it sometimes dictated my mood. I declined to go out because I was thinking about people seeing my face without makeup. I hated makeup. At some point I began to avoid the mirror, but also continued to check my appearance from afar obsessively, hoping to love my face again. Looking back now, it was a lot of work.

I spent a lot of time grooming myself and practising ways to hide my face. I selected hairstyles to shield my face. Sometimes it would be extremely hot, but I’d still wear the fringe hairstyle like that. I became strategic and calculative in everything I wore. Ironically though, after a while, I developed a compulsive habit of checking the mirror in the morning for any signs of improvement in my acne.

Constantly Comparing Self with others

Growing up, I loved fashion and clothes, and all those fashion magazines were my way of feeding my love for them. As a result, I was constantly fixated on magazines and idealised images of celebrities, yearning for a flawless face like theirs. I believed that achieving this goal was essential for finding peace, loving my face and acceptance.

I also remember constantly comparing myself to a good friend in school with clear, radiant skin. I naively believed that clearing the acne would grant me the same level of beauty and popularity she possessed. I was always asking people what they felt about my face. Most of them always said they could see the acne, but it was not as bad as I always painted it to be. I never really believed compliments about me being beautiful, because I thought I had to look a certain way and be perfect. This fueled my lack of self-love.

One day, I will talk about the ultimate solution of my journey.

***

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The post Titilade Ilesanmi: How My Face Acne Affected My Self Esteem  appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Around the world, the arrival of the New Year is celebrated with diverse traditions that embrace the spirit of new beginnings—whether through fireworks, countdowns, prayers, or resolutions. In Nigeria, it is infused with even deeper cultural significance. Families gather for watch-night services, offering prayers of gratitude and seeking divine guidance for the year ahead. The streets come alive with the joyful noise of music and celebrations that embody the hope and excitement of a fresh start.

Meanwhile, amid the celebrations, there are five important ideologies that you must leave behind as you enter 2025. This will allow you to begin the New Year unburdened and focused on what lies ahead.

Idolised success

What you’ve achieved in 2024 is just a stepping stone compared to the endless possibilities of 2025. Think of it like an athlete who has won medals—if they want to win more, they must let go of their past achievements. Today’s success can be the very thing that limits tomorrow’s growth. Don’t get stuck building monuments to your past; instead, keep looking ahead. If you’ve written a bestselling book, there’s always room for another one. In business, I focus on the next project and constantly ask myself, “What’s next?” I don’t dwell on milestones for too long; I treat them as brief stopping points on my journey forward.

Kodak, once the leader in the photography industry, is a classic example of a brand that struggled to evolve due to idolised success. The company built its empire on film and cameras, dominating the market for decades. In 1975, Kodak developed the first digital camera but refused to fully embrace digital technology, fearing it would hurt their lucrative film business. This reluctance stemmed from their deep belief in the continued dominance of film products. As digital photography grew in popularity, Kodak clung to its traditional business model, continuing to prioritise film. This delay in adapting to the digital age led to a slow decline, and by 2012, Kodak filed for bankruptcy. Kodak’s story informs us about the dangers of idolising past success and neglecting necessary innovation, which ultimately resulted in the loss of market leadership and a significant brand collapse.

Misery from the past

The pains and traumas of the past, whether from failed relationships, career disappointments, or personal challenges should not be carried into the New Year. Continuing to dwell on past misery prevents you from fully embracing the present and planning for the future. Take the time to heal, let go, and release emotional baggage so that you can continue 2025 with a sense of peace and clarity. Don’t live in 2025 with your operating system of 2024

Past pains and misery can hinder progress, especially for Nigerian entrepreneurs who face setbacks like financial losses or failed launches. This mental paralysis stops them from innovating and making bold decisions, limiting their potential to succeed in the New Year. Letting go of past trauma is crucial for growth.

Mindset of limitation

Limiting beliefs often manifest in thoughts like “I can’t do this” or “I’m not capable.” These self-imposed barriers hold you back from realising your true potential. To thrive fully in 2025, adopting a growth mindset is important. Believe that you can develop your skills, overcome obstacles, and achieve your goals with effort and determination. Remind yourself that challenges are opportunities for growth, not limitations.

A negative mindset can severely limit progress in career, business and personal life in the New Year. In a career, it can lead to self-sabotage, missed opportunities, and an inability to take on new challenges, as one may feel incapable or unqualified. In business, a negative outlook can prevent innovation, stifle creativity, and lead to poor decision-making, as the fear of failure overrides the willingness to experiment. On a personal level, negativity can cause stress, and strained relationships, and hinder personal growth, making it difficult to embrace change and reach goals. It holds people back from seeing the New Year’s possibilities and diminishes their potential for success and happiness.

Man-made habits

Now that we are in 2025, your habits will be a major determining factor in your success. Positive habits like effective time management, setting clear goals, and maintaining focus can significantly boost your productivity, helping you stay on course and achieve milestones in both your career and personal life. When you make these habits part of your routine, you create a foundation for sustained success.

However, bad habits like procrastination, poor decision-making or distractions can derail your progress in 2025. These habits rob you of precious time, causing you to miss out on opportunities and reducing your ability to perform at your best. The key to achieving success in 2025 is to recognise which habits need to be broken and replace them with ones that enhance your productivity and goal achievement.

Mediocre associations

The company you keep plays a significant role in shaping your mindset and energy. If you surround yourself with individuals who discourage your dreams or encourage negative behaviour, it’s time to reassess those relationships.

Being in the wrong association can have significant psychological impacts that affect an individual’s overall performance in the New Year. Negative associations, whether in personal relationships or business partnerships, can lead to feelings of insecurity, self-doubt, and low self-esteem. If toxic or unsupportive people surround you, they may inadvertently instil a defeatist mentality, diminish your self-worth, and hinder your ability to take positive actions toward your goals.

Psychologically, constant exposure to negativity or pessimism in your circle can increase stress and anxiety, leading to burnout and lack of motivation. This mental drain can cause indecision, self-sabotage and hesitation to seize opportunities in the New Year.

Let go of idealised success tied to the past and release the negativity from past failures. Focus on positive habits that enhance your productivity this year, while discarding ones that limit your potential. Reevaluate your relationships; surround yourself with people who support your aspirations and inspire your growth.

***

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The post Kehinde Ajose: Five Things You Shouldn’t Take Into 2025 appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

To my dearest 40-year-old self,

It’s the brink of a new year, I am enveloped by a tumult of emotions—anticipation, apprehension and a hint of uncertainty. Yet, through it all, an enduring sense of hope emerges. This letter serves as a communication from your current self, a reminder of the aspirations we have cultivated and the person we are endeavouring to become.

I am reflecting on the burdens of our past, the haunting memories of trauma that almost shaped our identity. I encourage you to recall the bravery you discovered within to embark on your healing journey. It was no simple task. There were days filled with shadows, and times of hopelessness when you doubted your resilience. Yet, you carried on. You turned to therapy for support, found warmth in the presence of those who empathised, and gradually, with great effort, you started to reconstruct your sense of self. You came out stronger, more resilient and with a deeper connection to who you are.

Remember that vision you had about uplifting women entrepreneurs? You put your heart into building a fund that didn’t just offer financial help but also provided mentorship, guidance, and a community of support. It was amazing to see how your hard work paid off as so many women transformed into thriving business owners, their confidence skyrocketing and their dreams taking off.

Your entrepreneurial spirit took off like a rocket. What started as a personal journey into natural haircare turned into a booming business. You created innovative products that honoured the beauty of all hair types, offering nourishment and empowerment. Your brand became a beacon of self-love, individuality, and a challenge to the status quo. You built a community around your brand, creating a space where everyone felt they belonged and celebrated their unique beauty. You emerged as a leader and an inspiration, proving just how powerful it is to chase your dreams with relentless passion.

Amidst the triumphs and the grind, you never forget the importance of love. You opened your heart again, allowing yourself to experience the joy of companionship, the warmth of intimacy, and the comfort of a loving embrace. You learned to trust again, to cherish the beauty of vulnerability, and to find solace in the arms of someone who cherished your soul as deeply as you cherished theirs.

The woman you are becoming is a testament to your strength, resilience, and your unwavering spirit. You are a survivor, a creator, a leader and a lover. You are a beacon of hope, a component of evidence of the extraordinary power of the human spirit. Most importantly, you are not a fool at 40, like you feared.

As we continue this sojourn, never lose sight of your dreams. Embrace the challenges, learn from the setbacks and never stop believing in yourself. You are capable of achieving greatness beyond your wildest imagination. We are only just getting started. Wear this age with grace, and let your light shine.

With unwavering love and belief,

Your present self.

***

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The post Farida Yahya: A Letter To My 40-Year-Old Self appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Every morning, Tade woke up to her phone by her side, but she never touched it. She would remember to pick up the phone until she washed her face, had her morning prayer, cooked breakfast, bathed and ate. Unless a call came in, the phone would be set by the side of her desk as she began work. The routine was always this and it helped her relationship with her phone – she only used social media to unwind after she had considerably gotten a lot of work done.

One day, though, she was on leave and didn’t have to rise from bed early to cook, bathe or wash her face. When she finished her morning prayers, she crawled back into bed to sleep. She tried to sleep but the sleep didn’t come so she reached out to her phone. Instagram. She scrolled through the page of her favourite bag store and from one scroll to another, she went from staring at bags to shoes to books to outfits, some funny reels here, Pinterest there, and it was almost noon. It became almost difficult to get out of bed so she slept anyway. It wasn’t until evening that she remembered an application she wanted to apply for. She couldn’t finish it that night.

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Tobe had been eyeing a pair of New Balance since the middle of the month and he promised to buy it once he received his salary. Salary came and he headed to the store, already fantasising about the swag of the new pair to add to the collection. He got to the store, bought a pair of shoes and left. But he didn’t just left. When he got home and started unpacking, he brought out the pair of shoes, sunglasses, a shirt and a face cap. He left home with the intention of just buying a pair of New Balance, but he was captivated by the sight of other accessories he found at the store. And since it was his payday, he decided to dip a little more into his salary.

Has this ever happened to you—visiting a store to buy something, only to end up spending more than you intended?

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In his 2013 Tedx speech, Cobhams Asuquo narrated how he and his wife walked into a duty-free shop at an airport to get a bottle of water. However, before he knew it, his wife had started browsing through some magazines, books and gummy worms. Asuquo is visually impaired, so unlike his wife, he was unable to browse through other things. All he wanted was a bottle of water. He said, “We went in to buy an item. But ended up browsing for other stuff. And that was when it hit me; sight sometimes, is a distraction.”

Although Asuquo did not mean literal blindness, his metaphor of sight as a distraction tells us how easily people can lose focus on their goals. Sight, in this sense, represents the endless temptations that compete for our attention, pulling us away from our intended path. While the other temptations might actually be part of what we need, what Asuquo means is that what people see sometimes diverts them from what truly matters or determination. His inability to see allowed him to remain fixed on his purpose: to buy water. This shows that being blind—figuratively—is sometimes what people need to remain steadfast in their goals. Blindness in this context is not about sight deprivation but about purposeful exclusion. It is the deliberate narrowing of focus, tuning out distractions and staying committed to the original objective.

And this idea applies to many areas of life. Our world is filled with endless options, opportunities and distractions, which informs us that focus requires a conscious effort to ignore the noise. The ability to be blind to certain things—whether they are material temptations or the pull of momentary pleasures—is essential for maintaining clarity and purpose.

Tade’s productive mornings became disrupted the moment she deviated from her routine and gave in to scrolling through Instagram. It wasn’t her intention to spend the day scrolling, but the vast array of content presented itself as irresistible, delaying her plans. Similarly, Tobe had the intention of buying only a pair of shoes, but the visual appeal of other items in the store persuaded him to spend more than planned. In both cases, sight played a distracting role, shifting focus and priorities.

“Now, don’t get me wrong. Sight is a precious gift. Sight is a very precious gift. But, on your way to your destination, what you see can also be a big distraction from your goal. So, I have learned that you have to be blind in order to be focused. Focus is blindness in a sense,” Asuquo said.

Now, what distractions do you need to be blind to in order to truly see your goals?

***

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The sound of snipping is audible some way before reaching the fishing settlement of Tezo. It’s an unfamiliar sound in a community usually full of household hustle-bustle interrupted only by the occasional boda-boda (motorbike taxi) or the honking of far-off traffic. It’s extra-loud because the the material being cut is not cloth, but plastic.

The snipping comes from a large pair of scissors in the hands of Raymond Katana, a local artisan, as he wields them to expertly reshape plastic bottles.

“Cutting the plastic into shapes is just the start,” explained Raymond as he used the scissors to fashion flower petals and leaves from discarded bottles. The snipping of bottles is just one step in an elaborate process, he explained.

“The most labour-intensive step is making the vase out of cement, which, depending on the weather, can take a long time to dry. Before adding the cut plastic flowers and bottles to the finished sculpture, I normally let it sit for at least a day,” he continued, seated outside his home in the fishing community situated in Kenya’s coastal region of Kilifi.

Kilifi is known for its tranquil beaches, coral reefs, and pleasant climate. However, the scenic area has been grappling with a significant plastic waste issue that threatens its environment.

Kenya consumes more than 500 million bottles a day, part of a 500 billion bottles a year global problem, according to UK organisation Greenmatch.

Kilifi is no different. Some 56 kilometres north of Mombasa, the county is host to a number of fishing settlements. One of these is Tezo, a peaceful ward where locals cultivate crops to make a living. This is where Raymond, 35, started his flower trade in 2021 after noticing how bad the plastic waste issue had become.

Everywhere he looked, there was plastic litter — bottles, bags, and other trash left unattended with no one to pick them up or dispose of them properly, he explained. But back then, even with his new awareness, it would never have occurred to him that he would end up dedicating his life to repurposing old bottles.

“If someone had asked me about plastics or flowers on a deeper level back then, I wouldn’t have had the slightest idea what to say.”

Raymond had taken on several jobs between 2015 and 2020 in search of one that worked for him. He had toyed with plastic art but abandoned the project since it was not profitable at the time. He then moved on to jobs as a mechanic and a security guard, but neither worked out for him.

“I tried so many jobs, including fishing, but nothing seemed to work,” he said.

Raymond decided to return to his earlier endeavour of turning plastic into art, determined this time to make a difference. Having learned from past attempts, he resolved to do better and create something more meaningful and long-lasting.

“I began visiting local hotels, restaurants, and people’s doorsteps to gather as many plastic bottles as I could. People started to realise what I was doing over time,” he said.

Over time, people began making things easier for him by bringing discarded plastic right to his yard. He also earned a new nickname: The Plastic Man.

He started off working on a very small scale because he didn’t have the right instruments to make plastic flowers. Despite this, he found it easy to design his masterpieces because of his innate artistic talent. The flowers that grew all around him served as his inspiration, and he tried to capture their appearance in his artwork.

It was not an easy or quick process, however.

“It would take me at least three days to finish a piece because there are so many steps involved,” he stated.

After the plastics are gathered, the next step inRaymond’s method is choosing the right plastics from his stash near his house. The colour of the plastics doesn’t matter because he paints all of his flowers in beautiful, eye-catching hues. After sorting, he gives them a good wash.

Katana emphasises the importance of properly cleaning plastics, given the conditions under which they are collected.

He spends a considerable amount of time making sure they are clean and prepared for conversion into new creations.

“I don’t want them to look the same way I found them.”

Tools like wires, scissors, staplers, paints, and glue are used in this step of the process to assist him to turn the materials into imaginative and useful objects.

Raymond meticulously cuts the cleaned plastic into elaborate shapes in his makeshift factory and connects them with wire, slowly bringing his creations to life.

The final pieces show a definite vision and expertise, even though it may appear that he is chopping randomly.

After the cement vases are dry, Raymond delivers his work to nearby eateries, charging them a fee.

He frequently encounters doubt and criticism, he said. The fact that the products are composed of recycled plastic is not widely accepted. Others even think that since he gathers the plastic, the pieces ought to be distributed for free.

“I have to explain the entire process in some places because people think it’s garbage and shouldn’t be sold,” Katana said.

“It’s not always simple to get them to change their minds, even when I explain the work required to clean, repurpose, and reuse the plastic,” he said.

On the plus side, a number of establishments in Tezo have begun embracing Raymond’s art and have used his plastic flowers to give their interior design a distinctive look. John Nasyali, who works as a chef at Loshac Restaurant, met Raymond when he was advertising his flowers. Seeing these, John persuaded his boss to purchase ten pieces — which shocked Raymond.

“The location truly stands out thanks to these flowers. I am always pleased to inform customers that they are made of plastic when they inquire about the material used. I just need to use a piece of cloth to wipe them clean,” John said.

Residents in Tezo have also bought Raymond’s plastic flowers to adorn their houses. Mary Kabadu, who can’t imagine going back to perishable flowers that require so much care.

“Twice a week, I used to spend between 300 and 500 shillings on natural flowers. But I haven’t turned back since I first saw Katana’s masterpieces. They endure a lifetime and give my house a lovely appearance,” Mary said.

Jimmy Kahindi, an environmentalist with the county government, is also thrilled with the initiative.

“As a county government, we have changed how we are trying to manage our waste by involving community members through community groups through the circular economy scheme… so as a county government we are supporting community groups to take different initiatives,” Jimmy said.

While the income from the flowers remains modest, Raymond has been able to use his artistic abilities to educate some of his children.

“My son has just finished high school. My two kids in form 2 and 3 are also cared for, and I am confident they will not be disappointed.”

Katana’s efforts may be modes, but they have had a big influence on Tezo, and Raymond intends to continue with his efforts.

“I think I’ll be able to train more young people in my area, boost output, and reach many more regions in the years to come,” he said.

Story credit: Velma Pamela bird story agency

The post In Coastal Kenya, Raymond Katana Turns Plastic Waste into Lasting Beauty appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

2024 was definitely a year and a half. For Nigeria and Nigerians, it followed the overarching theme of being a country of contradictions – even though those polarisations have been further exacerbated largely by abominable leadership. On a lighter note, I know someone who said he didn’t believe in God. I was shocked to see him share his Spotify Wrapped for 2024 and Nathaniel Bassey topped the list of his most listened to music artists – e get the way the country touch am, my guy unlock Yeshua Hamashiach. Mine was no different, big shout to Jehovah El Aguero – pulling that clutch in the fourth as always. Anyway, here are some thoughts you may find useful during the year. I curated some major keys from my journal and here are selected ones I wish to expand on.

Double Down On Your Identity

One of the things you have to own is who you are, what you represent and how you move. This sounds like nothing but the more you come into the arena of your destiny, you will realise something like Russell Crowe in the original Gladiator film that your opps are not just those that physically fight you but also the voices in your head. Paul gives a powerful piece of advice to his protégé: “Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are young.” When I used to read this, it never dawned on me until recently that I could be part of that “anyone” – in other words, we could inadvertently self-sabotage our own dreams. Thankfully, over the years, I have developed quite a tough skin – I can shut down the noise and reinforce my convictions. You should listen to Gaisebaba on that insightful podcast with Femi Lazarus, some of you don’t fix traditional boxes and if you’re waiting for validation from a status quo that won’t acknowledge you – you will wait for a very long time. Some people love dead heroes, they only give flowers to people on the ground.

A lot of the challenges we face today can simply be traced to an identity crisis. People will cast aspersions on your name, and undermine you by suggesting you are a fraud or that the feat you achieved was a fluke. Don’t let anyone under the guise of being your mentor end up being your tormentor. To borrow Eleanor Roosevelt’s words, “Don’t let anyone make you feel inferior without your consent”. It usually doesn’t mean much when such talk comes from random folks but when it comes from those you imagine should know better, it will hurt. Don’t follow people blindly, yes, including yours truly. The best of us are still human, everyone has their own biases and agendas. For example, if someone you respect becomes a brand ambassador for sugar, don’t start consuming sugar as a diabetic simply because you want to show how loyal you are – that’s being stupid. Use your akonuche and pursue your own strategic interests.

Systems Over Goals, Discipline Over Motivation, Team Over Talent

Every New Year, most people ceremonially set new goals for the year to be achieved on the most significant scale possible – nothing is wrong with that. However, a new year comes along every 365 days – you may not have the luxury of such a period to make drastic changes to your life. What that means is that you need a system that overlaps one goal into the next or another. For example, if your goal for this year is to buy a car, that should be an outcome. One system you can set up to ensure that outcome is a sales or revenue system – not necessarily a savings or car acquisition fund. The natural consequence of a successful sales system is that you will have the required funds to buy a car and even other things that you may consider important to you.

Similar to this is motivation: motivation is great but I will be lying to you that it is sufficient to reach your objectives. There will be days when you don’t feel like doing anything; discipline is the difference between how you respond to that feeling and the person next door who chooses to indulge in inertia. If I only write when I am in a great mood, I will end up a failure because as much as I enjoy writing – I don’t always feel like opening up my laptop and scribbling my thoughts. It therefore means that I cannot depend on aspire-to-Maguire vibes to get things done because maturity means mastering how to maintain momentum. Adults are not necessarily people who have grown older but people who have developed the discipline to do things that might appear boring but are productive.

It’s great to master your skills but 2025 is not the year to brag about it because as we have seen, people who are not half as talented as you are securing the bag. Your team are your enablers, refiners, amplifiers and monetisers. It doesn’t necessarily mean you must hire a slew of staff members, it just means that after you successfully identify what your minimum viable product is and you have developed it – it’s time you learn how to deploy it. Your social media pages should be a part of your marketing team, YouTube can be part research and development team, a record label or talent management firm can be a part of your monetisation team – friends and family can be a part of your advisory team for starters. However, when you come into the big league, you hire experts and professionals. Alone you can go fast but with an effective team, you can go further – you need teamwork to make the dream work.

Bet On Yourself

A lot of people are waking up to the huge popularity of podcasts and OTT platforms over legacy media. Thankfully, I have been ahead of the curve, particularly since the pandemic. There is one guy I will gladly recommend, Patrick Bet-David, the host of the PBD Podcast. I love listening to smart people talk and he intermittently drops odd pearls. There are four points he mentioned one time that can help you take your game to the next level; these are traits the 1% of the 1% who dominate their spheres of influence deploy:

• Out-Work: It’s hard to defeat a person who is willing to outwork everybody else. It’s not a guarantee of success but the more a person is willing to take chances, the higher the probability of their winning. You must be willing to do what the 99% aren’t ready to do; put in a shift and a half. If your contemporaries are putting out content twice a week, you can decide to make yours five times a week. Let people know that you are the gold standard on what it means to be a workhorse.

• Out-Improve: It’s hard to defeat a person who is constantly evolving, innovating and developing new paradigms of doing something. The CEO of one famous phone manufacturer had this to say after it lost its dominant market share to new players and was acquired by another company, “We didn’t do anything wrong, but somehow, we lost”. They got comfortable with their products simply being durable when the market was willing to sacrifice a little bit of durability for a product that had multiple utilities and complex functions. Another word for improvement is innovation.

• Out-Strategise: It’s hard to defeat a person who can think ahead of the curve, knows what chess moves to make and understands how to plot a counter-offensive. It’s like a protagonist in most movies, after a while his or her opps will simply give up because the main character somehow always finds a way to manoeuvre or navigate the booby traps. Being a strategist doesn’t in any way mean that you will not get blindsided here and there but it shows to anyone and anything coming against you that you will not just lie down and let them run over you.

• Out-Last: It’s hard to defeat a person who is playing the long game. Some organisations are still in existence today after many decades simply because they weren’t thinking of only short-term wins. That’s why one of the dumbest things a start-up can do is engage in price wars with a legacy business; it is better you out-innovate them because owing to their economies of scale, they can absorb huge interim shocks to their bottom line. The same applies to personal circumstances; sometimes the storm is not yours to fix – it’s yours to survive. Bonus: history is always written by those who survived. If you want to control your narrative, just outlast everything and everyone who is out to stop you.

The Excellence Of Execution

Yes, ideas rule the world but it is also true that ideas are a dime a dozen. Think of execution in terms of photographic resolution or cinematographic definition, the same picture can either be low resolution or high resolution – the difference is a combination of the grade of the camera itself and the skill of the photographer. One of the many reasons the English Premier League is dubbed “the most exciting league in the world” is owing to the excellence of its production. The storytelling, commentary, production value and public relations when combined with the football itself make the league stand out. Bidemi Olaoba is a great recording artiste but the high-resolution nature of his live performances stands him out. The examples are endless.

It’s really a roundabout way of saying you should be the best at whatever you do because excellence is a universal language. Be so good at what you do that your name comes up in important conversations. Someone I respect so much once told me he enjoys my political commentary and asked if I ever have intentions of running for public office, I told him I am just being an active citizen – I have such desires. Another person also said she loves my commentary on faith, she was also shocked when I told her I have no intentions of starting ‘anything’ along those lines. My point is this, excellence is your way of communicating to people that you can operate at a much higher level if the opportunity presents itself. The first time I ever heard the phrase, “the excellence of execution” was from WWE Hall of Famer, Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart. He described himself as “the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be.” Now that’s an idea worth sharing.

Patriot FC

I can’t end without a note about Nigeria. The handwriting is on the wall, 2025 will be a wild year – events that will fundamentally shape our existence as a collective will occur and those in power won’t see it coming. This is not smoke and mirrors, I am laying it out in plain terms. If you know anyone in the political class; from the federal, state and local governments – tell them to do right by the people. If the rubber hits the road, the old antics won’t be enough this time. To every patriot, you must take ownership of saving Nigeria – stop outsourcing your responsibility to some influencer or popular figure. Some of our faves will sell out and become confidential human sources and assets, don’t let that surprise you. Some people have become too ashamed to defend the indefensible owing to the reputational damage that comes with it, so the new strategy is to recruit by hook or crook, those that have decent social capital for psyops and social engineering. Also, Nigeria is bigger than any one person, if salvation comes from an unlikely source or alliance – brace yourselves to discern and be open to it. Remember to put country over personality even when you are emotionally invested in certain people. Nigeria is all we have, we have to fight for it. Selah.

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It is a new year and we are coming from a long week of highlight reels and end-of-year reflections. You, my dear reader, are one of two persons: You are either the creator who sat down and created the perfect reel capturing the wins of 2024 or you are the wishful viewer who wished they could summarise the memories of the past year in one video.

This article is for you, my dear reader, who struggled to remember all your emotions in the first half of 2024. I am writing to you, who found it super difficult to complete a reflection journal for the year; your wins felt so distant and your happy memories were so fleeting.

Now, 2024 is all wrapped up and if you are up for it, this can guide your retrospection into the past year. If you are all for making the most of the new year, this is how you can ensure that your end-of-year reflections come together nicely in December. In the wise words of John Dewey, “We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience.”

The two quick tips on reflection through visual storytelling are taking more pictures and doing monthly reviews/highlight reels.

It took me days to complete my 2024 month-on-month review but the major reason I could get through it was because of my photo gallery. My pictures saved me. To fully remember the first half of the year (which truly by December is a blur), I had to check the photos I saved per month and identify the themes for the month. Apart from taking photos and monthly reels, there’s also an idea you consider when doing the monthly reviews.

Take more pictures

You do not have to share these pictures on your social media. They might be events you do not want to make public (yet) but just to save memories. Take random photos of things, places and people that made you smile. Your major goal is to document your life in pictures, so you can easily refer to the events that make up your year. This way, when it is December, the earlier months of the year are not a blur and you can reflect on them. As Karl Lagerfeld puts it, “What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”

By following this, you can easily create end-of-year highlight reels if you want.

Do monthly reviews

According to author and researcher Brené Brown, “Journaling is a powerful tool for reflection, growth, and development.” It can be overwhelming to do a proper review of 12 months in one weekend (let’s say you even dedicate that much time to the activity). What would probably happen is that you start getting tired and maybe bored, so you begin to rush over important things. You will probably not get the most value from that activity because you are too tired.

For better results, set aside time towards the end of every month to do a proper review of the month so that when you get to December, you already have the reviews of the past 11 months done and you can then do reviews of reviews to extract key information needed for the new year.

When you’ve taken pictures of key moments from the month, the next thing is to get the best out of your reviews.

Step one: Go over the pictures you took this month and create a collage of pictures capturing your key moments. As you pick the pictures to use, you will realise that some memories will begin to flood back into your mind. Pay attention to the emotions that each memory evokes.

Step two: From the collage you have created, identify the themes for the month. What words define the experiences you had this month? They could be family, work trips, school lectures or friends. When you think about the month, these are the words that easily come to mind.

Step three: Having identified your key moments and defining words for the month, it is time to document your reflections. What were the highlights? What would you like to carry on? What were the new experiences? What were the low moments? Are there things you could do to avoid those moments or do better when they happen? And finally, what are you thankful for? In summary, document the Highlights, Lessons, and your Gratitude.

This is why you should take more pictures in 2025. It will make it easier for you to reflect on the year. It was Maya Angelou who said, “If you don’t know where you’ve come from, you don’t know where you’re going.” Reflection exercises help you move through life consciously, helping you to grow in the direction of your goals. With these tips my dear reader, you are on your way to living a truly satisfying life.

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We have all heard the heroic story of a blind person who sang his way to millions and the Grammys. Or the college dropout who pursued an idea and became a billionaire. But we know these feats often feel impossible for most people with similar disadvantages. While these stories are inspiring, they don’t always help people in seemingly disadvantaged circumstances over the long term. Perhaps it’s because we miss the secret of turning our disadvantages into advantages and overlook everyday stories happening around us.

Let’s consider the story of Aishat Farooq, who became pregnant while at university, dropped out, and had to start over. Despite facing stigma, she emerged as the best-graduating student, outperforming people who seemed to have every advantage. While some might say she’s an exception, Ezinne Anieto achieved something similar. As a mother of three and the wife of an Anglican priest, she also became the best-graduating student. Similarly, Edafe Dogo, a mother of two, excelled as the best-graduating student despite her responsibilities. These women, deemed disadvantaged by society, overcame tremendous challenges and emerged as the best.

Some might argue that poverty and poor living conditions set people up for academic failure. But the story of Aminat Yusuf proves otherwise. She became the best-graduating student even though she lived in extremely poor conditions. Being poor, getting pregnant as a teenager, or living with a disability are often seen as disadvantages. Yet, these circumstances also bring unique benefits: zero external pressure. When society expects you to fail, you are free from the weight of high expectations.

It’s often said, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” But for those with disadvantages, little is expected. This lack of pressure allows for persistence. Failure is unnoticed or expected, so there’s no shock or judgment when it happens. This gives room to try again.

Children with abundant resources are often reminded of how lucky they are and are pressured to excel. In contrast, a disadvantaged child isn’t expected to exceed ordinary accomplishments. This creates an atmosphere where they can dream freely, unburdened by others’ expectations. Every impossibility they turn into a possibility is celebrated because they achieved greatness against the odds.

So, what is the secret to succeeding as a disadvantaged person? Your disadvantage forces you to focus. For example, as a young parent juggling school, you don’t have the luxury of distractions like video games, dating, or leisure activities. Your responsibility drives you to prioritise what truly matters. If you’re poor, the lack of distractions from things only money can buy leaves you with time to study and learn. Pain, hunger, and responsibility become forces that redirect you to your goals, even when life’s glamour tempts you.

This principle applies not only to academics but also to various life challenges such as job loss, receiving a difficult medical diagnosis, or going through a painful divorce. You can leverage the absence of societal expectations and pressure as an opportunity to rebuild your life. Allow your feelings of pain, hunger, stigma, shame, and responsibility to drive you toward creating the best life possible. As many inspiring stories demonstrate, disadvantages can often turn into hidden advantages. Ultimately, you may find yourself questioning whether these experiences were truly disadvantages at all.

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In an interview with Channels TV, the Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa announced that History would be restored as a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools starting from 2025. He noted that this directive was given by President Bola Tinubu. While this marks a commendable step towards enhancing the standard and quality of education in Nigeria, several areas deserve our attention to ensure the subject’s successful reintegration and relevance.

Although History was removed from the curriculum in 2009 under the administration of late President Umar Yar’Adua, it is worth noting that the subject had its shortcomings even before its removal. Unfortunately, I am one of the many students who missed out on learning History during senior secondary school. My limited understanding of the country’s history came from reading notes borrowed from my older siblings and exploring online resources. However, as I read through those materials, it became glaringly obvious that the curriculum was heavily leaning towards one dimension: political history. While the political evolution of Nigeria is undoubtedly important, this narrow focus left significant gaps in students’ knowledge, particularly in areas such as culture, literature, and regional histories.

In my secondary school days, I often questioned why a subject like Government, which touches on civic and political systems, was only compulsory for Arts students. The history of a nation is a fundamental component of civic education and should be accessible to students across all academic disciplines. Understanding history allows people to juxtapose and draw parallels between the past, present, and future. It fosters critical thinking, helps students appreciate the roots of societal issues, and enables them to envision solutions grounded in historical context. For these reasons, I believe the government’s decision to reintroduce History is a step in the right direction. However, to truly maximise its impact, I believe the following recommendations should be considered:

Incorporate Women’s History

Women have played pivotal roles in shaping Nigeria’s history, yet their contributions are often overlooked in historical narratives. Women such as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Queen Amina of Zazzau, and Ladi Kwali deserve to be prominently featured in the curriculum. Including women’s history will provide a more holistic view of the nation’s past and inspire young girls to see themselves as capable of making history. As I wrote here, “there seems to be an obliteration of women’s contribution to society, despite making up nearly half of the population” and extremely contributing to the history of Nigeria. Restoring the history subject is an important avenue to let the coming generations to learn the contribution of our women heroes.

Diversify Beyond Political History

Nigeria’s history is rich and multifaceted, encompassing cultural traditions, technological advancements, economic systems, and intellectual achievements across various regions and ethnic groups. While political history is significant, the curriculum should also delve into other areas that showcase the diversity and ingenuity of Nigeria’s people. Lessons could explore pre-colonial governance systems, culture, artistic traditions, and the histories of economic systems. This will expose that Nigeria’s identity is multicultural.

Evaluate and Update the Curriculum

The curriculum for History should undergo a comprehensive evaluation to identify its previous gaps and areas for improvement. Input from historians, educators, and cultural experts should guide this process to ensure the content is accurate, inclusive, and relevant to contemporary challenges. For example, integrating lessons on the Nigerian Civil War and the role of diasporic communities could help students connect historical events to modern realities.

Ensure Accessibility Across Disciplines

History should not be confined to specific streams of study. Making it a core subject for all students, regardless of their academic focus, will ensure that everyone has a foundational understanding of Nigeria’s past. This inclusivity will also promote national unity, as students from diverse backgrounds learn about shared histories and collective struggles.

The reintroduction of History into the school curriculum offers an opportunity to correct past oversights and reshape how Nigerian students engage with their heritage. By broadening the scope of the subject, incorporating diverse perspectives, and adopting innovative teaching methods, the government can ensure that History becomes not just a subject, but a way of national development. This effort, if implemented thoughtfully, has the potential to create a generation of informed citizens who are proud of their roots and equipped to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s future.

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It’s the festive season in Lagos, and as I drive through an upscale street in Lekki, a cosmopolitan part of Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital, I see a small crowd of young people gathered in animated clusters. Their excitement is palpable, their energy infectious. From a distance, what appears to be a street altercation draws my attention–two young men in Santa hats throwing punches with animated and deliberate movements. As I edge closer, the scene transforms into something entirely different: it wasn’t a fight but a carefully choreographed holiday skit, a digital content creation in progress.

My Uber driver, noticing my fascination, casually mentioned that such scenes have become as common as street vendors selling Christmas fireworks and decorations. “These young people,” he says with a knowing smile, “are creating what they call content. Their Christmas-themed videos will go viral tonight.” Despite the sweltering heat and soft harmattan haze, the cast and crew remain undaunted, their smartphones and cameras capturing every detail of their production.

This scene encapsulates a broader transformation sweeping across Africa’s digital landscape. In bustling cities and quiet towns alike, a new generation of creators is emerging, armed not with traditional tools of trade but with smartphones, ring lights, and boundless creativity. They are making and sharing short-form content that becomes viral hits. The continent’s digital renaissance is in full swing, challenging long-held narratives about career paths and success.

The numbers paint a picture of extraordinary potential. With over 60% of Africa’s population under 25, the continent represents one of the world’s most dynamic digital marketplaces. This youth-driven renaissance is powered by the perfect storm of affordable smartphones, increasing internet penetration, and a generation native to digital technology. While they record and create content year-round, it peaks during the festive seasons, as creators tap into the celebratory spirit, producing everything from comedy skits to cooking tutorials and collaborating with foreign-based celebrities who have returned home for the year-end festivities.

The financial implications of this transformation are reshaping traditional economic models. Through diverse monetisation strategies, creators are turning their digital presence into sustainable businesses. Holiday seasons mainly witness a surge in brand partnerships and sponsored content, creating additional income streams that bypass traditional employment structures. In countries where youth unemployment remains a pressing challenge, the creator economy offers a pathway to financial independence that doesn’t require conventional credentials.

However, this digital gold rush isn’t without its challenges. African content creators navigate a complex landscape of obstacles that their counterparts in developed markets rarely face like stable electricity and internet access. Yet, these challenges haven’t dampened the spirit of innovation. Recently, a top Nigerian content creator announced his decision to relocate to Europe, citing his many frustrations, especially infrastructure and other social issues that come with living as a young creator in the country.

Looking ahead, the future of Africa’s creator economy holds immense promise. The key to sustainable growth lies in developing ecosystems that support creative and technical capabilities, including building robust digital infrastructure, creating favourable policies for digital entrepreneurs, and establishing support systems that nurture creative and traditional professional paths.

As we drive away from the content creators in Lekki, their laughter mixing with distant Christmas carols, I reflect on how this scene represents more than just young people making festive videos–it’s a symbol of Africa’s digital awakening. In this new renaissance, the continent’s youth are not just participating in the global digital economy; they’re actively reshaping it, one piece of content at a time, proving that the future of digital creativity has a distinctly African flavour.

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Pain is inevitable in life. Everybody is dealing with different kinds of pain; from losses in business to losing someone we love, even being heartbroken or betrayed by people we trust. Sometimes, it might be physical pain from an illness or accident. Whatever the kind of pain, one thing is sure: nobody wants to experience it. Pain is often overlooked when we think about growth and progress because no one wants to talk about it, let alone embrace it. But since we’ve all been through some kind of pain at some point, the real question is: how can we use that pain as leverage for growth and progress?

Pain is proof that something is wrong. It’s like a warning light in the vehicle of life telling us to stop and get it checked. At first, the problem might not be obvious, but ignoring it won’t solve anything. The first step to fixing it is reflection. Ray Dalio, one of the most successful investment minds, said it best: “Pain plus reflection equals progress.” But let’s be honest, reflection is not easy. It forces us to revisit what caused the pain, to unwrap it layer by layer. And as we all know, pain isn’t beautiful. It’s ugly, it’s tough, it hurts.

Because reflection is hard, most people prefer to jump to quick conclusions to protect themselves from the pain. If a business fails, they vow never to try that kind of business again. If it’s a bad breakup, they conclude that love is rubbish. If it’s an accident, they swear off that mode of transportation. While these quick decisions may give temporary relief, they rob us of the lessons hidden in the pain. Let’s call it what it is—wasting the pain. Pain is already bad enough, why let it waste?

Reflection, no matter how difficult it may feel, allows us to honestly examine the layers of what caused our pain. This process is not something that happens overnight; it can take days, weeks, or even months. However, it ultimately helps us understand what went wrong and what we can do differently in the future.

Take heartbreak, for example. Experiencing heartbreak doesn’t mean that love itself is bad. It might simply mean that you chose the wrong partner, or perhaps you didn’t behave well in the relationship. It could also be a matter of bad timing, or even a combination of these factors. Without honest reflection, though, you risk repeating the same mistakes and continually finding yourself in similar pain.

Consider a business owner whose employee has stolen goods worth millions. The pain they feel is very real; they might be heartbroken and tempted to avoid hiring staff altogether. However, that would be the easy way out. Reflection will reveal some real lessons which might be a lack of checks and balances. Maybe you trusted too much, or maybe your systems weren’t tight enough. The pain is a call to tighten up, not give up. Some of the best workplace systems today, like security cameras, audits, and background checks, came from the pain businesses experienced.

The same applies to friendships. Some people have been betrayed by friends and decide to cut off all friendships, thinking, “No more friends.” However, the issue isn’t with friendship itself—there are plenty of examples of loyal and genuine friends out there. Perhaps you didn’t choose your friends wisely, overlooked certain red flags, or maybe you weren’t the best friend yourself. Taking time for reflection can help you understand what went wrong and how to improve in the future.

Sometimes, even after deep reflection, you’ll realise that you did everything right and just encountered a bad apple. That’s life. But you wouldn’t recognise this without taking the time to reflect.

Indeed, Ray Dalio is right; pain plus reflection equals progress. Pain invites us to reflect honestly, rather than jumping to quick conclusions. As we move through 2025, let’s embrace our pain, reflect on it, and use it as a stepping stone for growth. Don’t let your pain go to waste.

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Dear BellaNaijarians, 2024 has been that year!

Remember when we began the year and everyone was chanting ‘no gree for anybody’? Well, turns out that this year, no gree for anybody meant not giving our setbacks any chance. It was about pushing forward, taking charge, and thriving in the face of challenges. And this is exactly what we did. At BellaNaija, we created, innovated, built, and achieved our dreams and beyond. When we wrote to you last year, we promised to stay true to our core values; telling stories that matter and amplifying the best and most positive voices coming out of Africa. We are very proud to say we delivered this and more in 2024.

From the United States to Dubai, Kigali, South Africa, Abu Dhabi, Ghana and many more countries, we travelled across Africa and the world to bring you authentic and inspiring African stories.

Like every other year, Africans continued to show how talented and impactful they are. This year, we  we witnessed a surge of innovation and creativity from Africans across tech, fashion, entertainment, and sport to digital creation, education, literature, politics and so on.

Needless to say, 2024 was also a year of love. Many celebrity weddings got us glued to social platforms for updates and all the fun moments. Remember how Kunle Remi broke the internet with the news of his engagement on the 1st of January? Well, single people have not gotten a moment since then, haha. At BellaNaija, we know how important these stories are to you and we’re proud to have brought you all the unforgettable moments. We take pride in the trust you place in us for authentic and valuable news, and we have utilised our resources to promote African creatives and values. Our team has exceeded expectations in numerous ways, and we are incredibly proud of both our individual and collective achievements.

We know you enjoy reading from us. So, once again, we invite you to share in our notable wins, our joy, our success stories, and major highlights from the year 2024.

Our wins

• For the second year, Uche was selected among the 2024 leaders of #Choiseul100Africa.

 

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• Uche was with French-African Foundation to attend Nigeria’s state visit to Paris, the first since 2000.

 

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• BellaNaija, in collaboration with The She Tank, held the 2024 most-talked-about campaign in Nigeria: the #HerMoneyHerPower campaign. This campaign garnered millions of impressions and sparked conversations about women’s economic power across the country, and the impact has been immeasurable.

 

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• Uche features in Chude Jideonwo’s “The Joy 150” list for 2024, which celebrates individuals who have significantly influenced Nigerian culture through their work in music, business, fashion, and film.

 

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• Mary was nominated for the Future Awards Africa Prize for Intrapreneurship.
• BellaNaija Weddings won the Best Wedding Digital Platform in Abu Dhabi.

 

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• Osas was in Abu Dhabi for the Abu Dhabi Wedding Show.

 

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• Oluwadunsin and Dami were in Accra, Ghana for the 2024 EMY Africa Awards.

• In October, Motunde was in Maryland to attend AWCAA’s 20th anniversary where she also moderated a fireside chat with the President and Founder, Ify Anne Nwabukwu, on how to “Leverage Digital Media To Fight Breast Cancer.”

 

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•  Dorcas was in Algeria to attend the 2024 CANEX Weekend.

 

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• Collette was in Morocco to explore the country and bring us all the luxurious views and jaw-dropping moments.

 

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• Oluwadunsin graduated from the School of Media and Communications through the MTN MIP fellowship!

 

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• Oluwadunsin was in South Africa for the premiere of Bridgerton Season 3.

 

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• Damilola attended the Africa Soft Power Summit in Kigali.

 

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Editorial

If you have been reading the most interesting news and entertainment stories on BellaNaija, then doff your hats to the editorial team; they went over and beyond.

• The Editorial team, alongside support from other team members, delivered another yet successful Big Brother Naija Season 9 coverage. The coverage also included “The Dip” and “TikTalk in 60,” which garnered millions of impressions across all platforms.

 

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• The coverage of the AMVCA was simply spectacular – from GRWM (Get Ready With Me) videos to all the looks of the night, essays and winners’ spotlight.
• The team had several interviews throughout the year which included: interviewing the producers of Aya Care (Nigerian period care brand), the producers of “Iwaju” animation, the cast of “Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre”, Ramsey Nouah and Gideon Okeke for “Tokunbo”, the producer and Nigerian cast of Supacell and interviewing the cast of “Everybody Loves Jenifa.”

 

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• This year, the team covered monumental events like The Ojude Obe Festival.

 

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BN Features

Let’s start by giving a shout-out to our amazing contributors. Thank you for being a part of our 2024. We cannot wait to read from you come 2025! From Nimi Akinkugbe of Money Matters with Nimi, to Mfonobong Inyang, Chaste Inegbedion, Tobi Eyinade, Roseline Mgbodichimma, Rita Chidinma, Dennis Isong, and many more contributors we haven’t mentioned, we say a mighty thank you. We can’t wait to read from you in 2025.

• In 2024, the BN Features’ Doing Life With… series clocked one year, expanding its reach across several African countries including Zimbabwe, Uganda, Congo and many more, and different creative industries.

• In December, the Features team launched a Christmas campaign tagged the #FeelLikeAChildAgain campaign in collaboration with BreatherNG. We received several letters and winners were selected.

• In 2024, we covered different angles of japa (relocation). We explored the effect of japa on people at home, and how relocation reflects in the dynamics of couples’ lifestyles and others.
• We created articles and interviews around specific days such as International Women’s Day, International Day of the Girl Child, International Men’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine, World Disability Day, Christmas and others.

 

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• We had some exciting and exclusive interviews and cover stories with people doing exceptionally different things in their charted fields, such as Ife Agoro, Flo Ngala, Peace Akinwale, Gloria Odukoya, and Victor Bello.
• BellaNaija Features had an exclusive interview with Adjoa Andoh on playing Lady Danbury in Bridgerton.

• We had another edition of #BNEpilogues, and we want to thank everyone who shared their 2024 stories with us.

• In collaboration with Mayowa Adegoke, we launched the Work and Life in Dubai series which explores the lifestyle of Africans living in Dubai.

Social Media

We garnered massive impressions, likes and followers across all our social platforms.

• BellaNaijaWeddings joined TikTok and gained 7k+ followers and 186k+ likes.
• BellaNaija Style grew from about 612,000 to 685,000 followers on Instagram.
• BellaNaija Beauty grew from about 117,000 to 132,000 followers on Instagram.
• BellaNaija grew from 2.3 million to 2.6 million followers on Instagram.
• Major kudos to our social media guru, Kwubei, for boosting our Instagram presence this year. Well done!

BN Weddings

Holla, single pringles, how was 2024 for you?

It is indisputable that 2024 was the year of lovers. From one celebrity wedding to another, the Weddings team pressed our necks and tensioned us with love stories. Kudos to the team for incredible wedding coverage, further sealing our platform as the leading wedding platform in Nigeria and beyond.

• The Weddings team had a Valentine’s Week Special.

 

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• The team covered Kunle Remi and Tiwi‘s Wedding in Ibadan.

 

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• We covered Moses Bliss and Marie‘s wedding in Ghana.

 

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• We were present at Veekee James and Femi Atere‘s wedding coverage in Lagos.

 

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• In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Weddings team launched a vendors program for BNers to tag their favourite female wedding vendor who is creating magic in her field.

 

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• The Weddings team had another episode of The Fun Thing About Love.

 

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• Other weddings covered by the team are Davido‘s virtual wedding coverage, Sharon Ooja and Ugo‘s wedding in Abuja, Tolu and Yhemo Lee‘s Virtual Wedding Coverage and Chidera and Yinka Ash Lux’s wedding coverage in Lagos.
• For Mother’s Day, the weddings team a mini-campaign for brides and mothers-in-law

 

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HR & Operations

What’s a car without an engine? Nothing! Haha. So major shout-out to the team saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the day-to-day activities of BellaNaija run smoothly.

The operations team made sure our movements and travels were seamless. The team coordinated several trips within and outside Nigeria – ensuring that logistics, accommodation, feeding are top notch and the team are super comfortable.

If you got the merch from the Her Money Her Power campaign, come give the operations team a shout-out. From coordinating the Her Money Her Power Merch sorting and delivery to team members, influencers and organisers to coordinating vendors and team for The BNS High Tea, to providing general welfare – including hotels and logistics – for team members, the operations team deserve a raise! HR, take note, hahaha.

Partnerships

Thanks to Motunde, we secured local and international collaborations and partnerships with several clients, including the most-talked-about campaign in Nigeria, the #HerMoneyHerPower campaign. From getting partners for the BNS High Tea event to International Women’s Month, to being a part of activations for AMVCA, Africa Soft Power, and so on, the Partnerships department brought their A-game.

Ads

From running campaigns to live and virtual coverages, and managing clients, Rashidat, Layomi, Collette, Onyinye, Allen and Damilola kept it together in the business department. The Ads team successfully introduced the new rate card to clients, featuring new packages like pinned posts for 12 hours or 24 hours, song spotlight and physical wedding coverage reports. Our partnerships with clients yielded several bulk buy deals, making a good amount of revenue.

They also promoted campaigns and causes like the BNS Vendors program, Lagos Fashion Week, Astra Fellowship Campaign by Casava, TedX Lagos, The BNS High Tea, The Clout Africa campaign and many more.

BN Style

You know that at BellaNaija Style, every year is no ordinary year. Take our 2024 High Tea event, for example, simply spectacular!

From beauty looks to red carpet looks and fashion week shows, the style team has got you covered on everything style and beauty.

• The team covered the Global Fashion Weeks Men’s, AW24, and SS25 (Copenhagen, New York, London, Milan, Paris).

 

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• The team had a real-time coverage of Copenhagen Fashion Week: InstaStories Takeover with Isoken & Ivie Ogiemwonyi.
• The team had another episode of the BN Travel Style Diary series.
• There were style spotlights from events in Africa like the AMVCA, Miss SA, movie premieres, celebrity weddings like Kunle Remi and Tiwi’s wedding, CHIVIDO, #CrazyAboutUS and others.

 

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• The team covered and shared style spotlights from sensational global events like the Lagos Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, MET Gala, BoF500, CFDA Fashion Awards, Grammys, Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, Ambani Wedding and others.
• As a wrap-up to the BellaNaija Style Women’s Month, the team invited everyone to a one-of-a-kind High Tea bash – the perfect finale to our month-long celebration of phenomenal women.

 

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• BellaNaija Style advanced their cause towards fashion sustainability by educating our audience through fashion looks and styles.

 

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• A major shoutout to Oke, who has been responsible for all the fire and lovely designs all through the year!

The BN Team

Okay, now is the time to meet the incredible BN team and see how 2024 has been for them. Are you ready…

Uche

2024 was a movie at BN. A blockbuster. An award-winning one, and I can only express my gratitude to everyone who made this happen. Thank God. The best team! The best partners! The best clients! And, very importantly, the best community—BellaNaijarians. We move in 2025.

Mary

2024 was a whirlwind year for the BN team, filled with exciting projects, strong partnerships, and incredible collaborations. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities and the amazing people we’ve worked with this year. We’re excited to carry this momentum into 2025 and create even more impactful work. Here’s to an incredible 2025!

Pamela

This year was one of capacity building—marked by mistakes that became my greatest teachers. Every challenge stretched me, every victory strengthened me, and every lesson learned shaped a better, wiser, and more unstoppable version of myself, ready to rise above and redefine what’s possible. Let’s go, 2025!

Motunde 

2024 was the year of ‘doings’ at BN and most importantly, the year that stretched me personally and positively. From remarkable revenue increase, executing partnerships valuably and most importantly, being a part of an excellent team that birthed the most talked-about campaign in Nigeria. All these in 12 months. I’m pumped up for 2025. We move!!!!

Oluwadunsin

Like I say every year, 2024 was my best year yet. I’m grateful for the opportunities that came my way, the amazing people I met and the beautiful moments I’ll forever hold dear. Here’s to making exploits in 2025. 

Osas

I started 2024 with a strong conviction that it was going to be great. Though that optimism thinned at different times, it was indeed an absolutely fabulous year. I charted new territories as envisaged, and stretched myself beyond what I initially thought possible. Found the most beautiful dynamic between my work at BN and my passion, unlocking a sweet balance. Now, I truly believe that I can do anything. I’m truly grateful for 2024 and can’t wait for all the blessings that 2025 has in store.

Collette

2024 was a wild rollercoaster of growth and opportunities! From participating in groundbreaking campaigns to excelling 1000% beyond last year, I was stretched, challenged, and inspired. It was tough, but every twist taught me something new and I am grateful for the ride. Cheers to a wonderful year.

Rashidat

Through every challenge and milestone, this year has been a testament to our resilience, teamwork, and relentless drive. Together, we’ve turned obstacles into opportunities, and we’ve built a foundation for even greater successes ahead. Here’s to the hard work, the growth, and the spirit that brought us here.

Rebekah

‘No gree for anybody.’ This was the mindset all through 2024. It was a year of pushing myself to grow despite different challenges that showed up on the way…and I sure did grow! Grateful for lessons learned and achievements made. I look forward to a more fulfilling 2025. You’ve got this, Rebekah!

Layomi

Always bet on yourself. Against all odds, bet on yourself. There’s no downside—you either learn or you win.

Lade

The year began with a lot of unprecedented changes, coupled with a very challenging economic climate, but I’m glad that I can boldly say we made the most of what we had. With dedication and focused work, we’ve arrived at a much better place than where we began. I am grateful for a fantastic team of go-getters who have pressed on with the Spirit of Excellence to ensure progressive impact on this journey and I am excited to see us do more of that in the coming year.

Oke

The year started with little or nothing for me. But seeing what I have become, it can only be God. This year, had no plans for it. I just let God cook. And omo, the food is too sweet!

Damilola

2024 was my best year yet. I’m filled with gratitude for the incredible opportunities and experiences that helped build my resilience. I’m excited and pumped for  2025!

Ahmad

I learned in 2024 that success has many appearances. My work goal at the beginning of the year was simple: to become better. And I have become better, in many astonishing ways. There were challenges, but I also became successful in different endeavours. I wish to build on this for 2025 and I look forward to challenging myself even more.

Funmilola

2024 gave me the chance to do what I love most—write—and for that, I’m so grateful. This year, I got to speak with and write about so many creatives doing amazing things, and it’s been such a fulfilling experience.

The year wasn’t without its challenges. I mean, who would’ve thought buying chocolate would feel like a whole financial decision? But through it all, optimism kept me going. Like my favourite quote says, ‘Everything good will come,’ and it truly did this year. Here’s to even more good things in 2025.  

Onyinye

Reflecting on the year as it draws to a close, I am proud to have been a part of the collective effort, dedication, and innovation that have propelled us forward as a team in BN. Navigating challenges, celebrating victories, and through a relentless pursuit of excellence. 2024 was absolutely an exciting and beautiful year, God remains King and 2025 is about to be even better.

Allen

2024 was a year of lessons—each win, each setback, and every challenge sharpened the vision. In 2025, I’m not just showing up; I’m levelling up. The next chapter is mine to write, and it starts with ambition fueled by growth!

Kwubei

My goal for this year was to improve, and I have come across so many things that have helped me grow this year. I had the opportunity to do important work for BN and also made some progress in my life. There were challenges, but it’s all part of the journey, and I can only be thankful for the opportunity to continue to grow. I hope to go into 2025 with a better and stronger desire to learn and improve. 

Deborah

If you say yes with enough force, your chi will say yes too.

Dorcas

This year has been a beautiful journey, full of highs and lows, and I’m eagerly looking forward to what 2025 will bring.

Esther

2024 was a journey of highs and lows—career shifts, family moments, and personal challenges. But as the saying goes, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. I found my footing midway through the year and closed it stronger than I started, in every sense.

Looking ahead to 2025, I feel a mix of excitement and jitters. It’s a fresh slate, full of promise, and I’m ready to embrace the opportunities, tackle challenges, and make it count.

The post We Achieved Giant Strides in 2024 | Thank You, BellaNaijarians, For Being a Part of Our Journey appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

By rights, Abdullahi Bulle should be in a banking hall making financial transactions and providing financial advice to banking clients. Instead, he’s seated at his desk at Nuria Books, in Nairobi’s Central Business District, advising would-be authors and book buyers, many of whom are buying Nuria’s books online, for the first time.

Abdullahi guides each customer, asking for a preferred delivery location or sharing a mobile money platform where the customer can make their purchase. As one call ends, another begins, with clients placing orders or asking about specific titles. Some calls are from would-be authors, asking advice on how to self-publish their books with support from Nuria’s online store.

Meanwhile, walk-in clients stream into the down-town store. Visiting authors, too, eager to market their books or see them in print, can be found here. They take photos with their books and share them on their social media accounts and those of the store, while the hard copies remain on the shelves for walk-in customers to browse. Nuria Books has become a highly instragrammable location.

This is the life Abdullahi chose when he left his eight-and-a-half year-old banking career to follow his passion.

In 2015, Abdullahi launched Nuria Stores as an online bookstore, initially as a Facebook page. It has since grown to become known as the “Home of African Books.”

Within a year of starting the online bookshop, the former banker realised that ordinary Kenyan authors were often overlooked by traditional bookstores, which typically favour politicians or well-known figures. The gap in the market inspired him to create a solution that continues to thrive today.

“I saw an opportunity there. Since then, we have been onboarding both Kenyan authors and those from other African countries. Now, we have 1,800 self-published authors,” Abdullahi explains.

Almost 80% of these authors, approximately 1,500, come from East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan.

The remaining 300 authors hail from Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Nigeria, and some Africans currently residing outside the continent.

Abdullahi’s mission goes beyond selling books; he aims to give African authors a voice. He provides them with a platform to take control of their work, empowering them to sell their content and showcase their talents to the world.

Nuria Store has developed a decentralised system allowing individuals with a manuscript or digital book to bypass mainstream publishers for publishing and marketing. The platform connects authors with independent editors, book designers, and printers, enabling writing enthusiasts to explore self-publishing, which is rapidly becoming a multi-billion-dollar industry.

Abdullahi began by supporting five authors, providing them with a platform to sell their books online and in physical spaces.

“I believe we have made a significant impact in this area by giving a voice to self-published authors. Many of them have struggled with traditional publishing or selling to bookstores,” he says.

Empress Ciku Kimani Mwaniki, a four-time self-published author of the Cocktail series, confirmed the notable rise in self-publishing since 2014.

More authors, she affirmed are joining the movement both in Kenya and across Africa, and the quality of self-published books has significantly improved over the period, even rivaling traditional publishers.

“When I started self-publishing in 2014, I only knew one other person who had done it. I think I was the second. But now, there are so many; you can’t even count them,” Empress said, while taking pictures of herself and her book at the store.

“There’s a strong push for quality because the quantity is overwhelming. Readers are spoiled for choice and won’t settle for just anything. Additionally, there’s much more exposure now. People are more informed about self-publishing. When I was starting, there were hardly any resources available,” she explained.

A report from the British Council, called Publishing Futures: A Study of the Publishing Landscapes in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, reveals a growing market for non-traditional publishing methods, including digital books and self-publishing, in these countries.

Self-publishing, the report says, is rapidly expanding and becoming an accessible option for many writers, thanks to widespread access to computers and the internet.

“Across the six countries studied, the opportunities for authors seeking to invest in publishing their work without relying on established publishing houses have grown tremendously, as publishing consultants enter the market,” according to the report.

In addition to Nuria Stores, the report highlights several entities that support self-publishing. These include ZAAZ Press, an East African-based creative and general writing business registered in Uganda and Kenya, which offers writing, editorial, and publishing consultancy services to authors and businesses.

In Zimbabwe, Ngano Hub Consultants assists authors looking to self-publish by providing personalized services to help them achieve their publishing goals.

In South Africa, Boutique Books also facilitates self-publishing for both new and established authors.

Book lovers in Nairobi also highlighted the growth of self-published African authors, who are helping to showcase local histories and narratives that resonate with Kenyans, providing practical solutions and insights.

“It’s very rare to find African books, especially those authored by Kenyans, in the country. Since Nuria opened, we’ve been discovering more Kenyan-authored books, which is a significant change. The market was previously dominated by European titles, so this is a breath of fresh air as we can promote our own,” said Lulu Mandi.

Jane Wambui, who is beginning to embrace a reading culture focused on financial literacy, is taking advantage of works by Kenyan authors to share local and practical knowledge with her children and relatives.

“I want my six-year-old son to start learning about money as early as possible. I am thrilled that we now have African authors, especially Kenyan writers, who are emerging to share their wisdom with us,” said Jane.

In the conventional publishing system, authors must go through a publisher who serves as the main distributor. In this arrangement, the publisher collects the money and pays the authors annually or semi-annually. In contrast, self-publishing allows authors to receive payments monthly or weekly based on their book sales.

Most self-published authors are writing a variety of books, including political works, autobiographies, cultural pieces, fiction, self-help, business, children’s literature, spiritual texts, and religious books, many of which are topping sales charts.

There is also a growing trend of authors focusing on real estate, law, engineering, and theories of circular structure. Books on construction have gained traction as well.

“There are now more authors who have the courage to write since they have platforms where they can sell their books. Anyone with an idea, story, or expertise in a particular field can now write and publish their work. Initially, many didn’t know how to start,” explains a source.

Nuria Stores operates on a pay-as-you-sell model. Today, when a shop sells a book, authors can access their earnings in an hour or less. The store takes a 30% commission and pays the remaining 70% directly to the authors’ bank accounts or mobile money accounts, enabling real-time transactions.

“We are even faster than Amazon when it comes to payment. Actually, we are the fastest paymaster in Kenya for our suppliers,” says Abdullahi.

The self-publishing initiative has also revolutionised the book publishing and printing industry, with many printers now welcoming self-published authors for printing agreements.

Previously, most printers focused on brochures and billboards, and did not cater to book printing. With the rise of many authors, printers are now offering print-on-demand services, which address the challenges faced by authors who only want to publish a small number of copies due to costs.

Many printers used to require a minimum order of 500, 1,000, or more copies, making it prohibitively expensive.

“Nowadays, print-on-demand means you can print as few as 10, 20, or 50 copies. With US$ 387.30 or US$ 154.92 (Ksh 50,000, or Ksh 20,000), you can get your book out there,” Abdullahi explains.

The cost of self-publishing has become more affordable, depending on the size of the book, the number of pages, and whether the book is ready for publication or still a manuscript.

“It’s essential to have someone skilled in editing review your work. You need a second set of eyes to provide guidance, correct errors, and ensure the story flows well. Once you have your draft, engaging an expert editor is critical. Editors in Kenya typically charge between US$0.0039 to US$0.023 (Ksh 0.5 to Ksh 3) per page. This is an initial cost, and some may have friends who can assist without charge,” says Abdullahi.

However, he stresses that it’s important to work with a qualified editor who understands the craft. The other significant cost is book design, which includes the layout. While there are AI technologies available for design, it is generally not expensive. The printing cost can be higher because of economies of scale; printing larger quantities generally reduces the cost per unit. Depending on the book’s size, it might cost between US$1.94(Ksh.250) to US$3.10 (Ksh 400) per copy.

“I believe that in the coming years, printing will continue to become cheaper, and the quality of paper and printing will significantly improve. Many changes are taking place in this industry, and we take pride in our contributions to this progress,” Abdullahi says.

As Nuria Store aims to place more African books on the global stage, it seeks to foster a strong reading culture in Kenya and other African countries, ensuring that local authors receive a return on their investments in self-publishing.

“Our goal is to help more authors, sell more stories, encourage more Kenyans to write books, and inspire more readers to engage with literature. While readership is increasing year by year, the numbers are still not sufficient,” said Abdullahi.

Currently, Nuria Store has a monthly readership of over 5,000.

“For a country of 50 million, achieving a monthly readership of 50,000 or 100,000 would make a significant difference in the lives of authors, as well as motivate us to write more.”

Nuria has partnered with major publishers like Oxford to distribute their books and is also distributing works from other publishers under a distributorship arrangement, including Spotlight, Moran, Mountain View, and Queenex.

“We assist many publishers in selling general books because our strength lies in that area, rather than academic books. We are exploring how we can breathe life into the titles they offer,” says Abdullahi.

Story Credit: Conrad Onyango for Bird Story Agency

The post Meet Abdullahi Bulle, the Visonary Helping Kenyan Writers Tell Their Stories & Succeed in Self-Publishing appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

At the beginning of the year, I didn’t have a job. My finances were such a mess that I couldn’t afford to buy the most basic things for myself. I had just ended a relationship that lasted barely a year and feelings of loneliness had started to creep up on me. Worst of all, I was still reeling from the shock of my father’s death. 

Yet, I chose to be positive about 2024 and started it in high spirits, believing that things would change. Of course, I wasn’t going to invent the next big thing in tech or science, break some record in the Guinness Book or travel the world. But I was convinced that I would have a good year. 

My optimism was soon rewarded, and in February, I got a teaching job in a private primary school in Ibadan. Since it had been years since I taught in a school, I doubted my teaching abilities for a moment. But like fish to water, I was immediately drawn to the pupils and classrooms, and I did my job almost like an experienced teacher. Shortly after, I was appointed headmistress of one of the school’s branches. Although I don’t earn half as much as I did in the past, I am grateful for the job. It’s been such a beautiful ride; one I wouldn’t trade for anything. 

I also met someone new. It was not just the undeniable, palpable chemistry that I shared with this person that I loved, but the way we talked, how we talked. We talked any chance we got, sharing the most intimate or random things about ourselves, our experiences, life, the arts and everything else. It made me keenly aware of the void in my previous relationship, where we hardly talked except for a few perfunctory messages or voice notes we exchanged in the mornings. My love language is quality time, and the fact that the ex-boyfriend didn’t make an effort to spend time with me over the phone or physically was extremely frustrating, to say the least. I couldn’t get through to him no matter how hard I tried. This new relationship reminded me of all the things that my previous relationship was not, and even though it ended within months, just as quickly as it started, I would fondly remember it as one of the most exciting times I’ve had this year.

The feeling of loneliness returned, as soon as the relationship ended. I felt utterly alone and dejected in a way I had never felt before in all my years. It wasn’t just about the relationship ending, but it was really because it finally dawned on me that I didn’t have any friends, not even one, to confide in or find solace in after the relationship ended. I missed talking to somebody and wanted attention desperately. So, when I met yet another person, I dived headlong into what I cannot even begin to describe as a relationship, and with such dire consequences that I was left with big regrets. 

I didn’t let this get in my way, though. I enrolled for my PhD at the University of Ibadan, without as much as a word to anyone. It was something I had been mulling over for years, but when I finally made the bold move to start, I did it spontaneously. I know I am still a long way from obtaining that PhD but I am glad I have taken the first step towards it.

This year, I worked on my loungewear business, named That Awesome Brand. I started with the designs and moved on to manufacturing. It’s been a long process, but totally worth it. I haven’t launched it yet, although it’s now been two years since I had my first idea for the brand. It’s one of the things I look forward to launching in 2025. I also checked motorcycling off my list of things to learn this year. For someone who has remained nonchalant about driving, I think it’s a huge leap. I cannot afford to buy a motorcycle just yet, but I am content with knowing that I can ride. I also got back together with the ex-boyfriend I mentioned at the beginning of this epilogue, and we’re learning to move past stumbling blocks. Also, a friend I’ve known since 2018, Tomilola, became a strong pillar at a point when I needed support. Shout out to her.

There were some health challenges, too, which attempted to steal my joy this year. But I wouldn’t let them, and I pray that I start 2025 with a clean bill of health. I am also hoping for a miracle with my finances. With the new job, my finances began to take shape little by little. But for some reason I couldn’t explain, I saw myself making the same mistakes that I had made in 2021, borrowing from loan apps, and then borrowing to repay that which I owed, and the cycle continued until I realised too late that I was burying myself into a deep financial hole. It is bad this time, really bad, and it would indeed take a miracle to get out of it.

In all, I wouldn’t call it a bad year. I would say I lost some and gained some, made mistakes and did some things right.

My greatest wishes for 2025 are: financial breakthrough and independence, good health, genuine friendships and perhaps even a loving marriage. It would be nice to have a family of my own. From my lips to God’s ears.

The post #BN2024Epilogues: A New Job, Enrolling for Her PhD, and Exploring Relationships—Titilayo Olurin’s 2024 Was Eventful appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

I know, the moment you saw the title, you said to yourself, “Another motivational speaker don come.” But I promise you, this is no motivation. They are simply life realities that, when you apply them to your daily life, you will notice an immense upskill in yourself. There were a lot of goals we set for ourselves in 2024, but the year also taught me that goals are unrealistic when the preceding steps before the goal are not attained yet. I read somewhere that when you wish to achieve something, do not aspire for that thing exactly. Rather, aspire for the things that will lead you to that something. If you wish to have children, the first thing is to get married—if you wish to follow the conventional path anyway. Before you can get married, you need to have a partner you trust enough that they won’t squeeze your neck while you’re asleep. The design of life is in chains and steps; each knot of the chain stretches us towards an end.

As we emerge into a new year, the year 2025, I would like to share some of the things I find useful from reading and consuming a lot of videos on YouTube. These are not scientific speculations but psychological adaptations that yield results. Like anything in life, you don’t have to adhere to everything or any of it. All I need is for you to see the reason I felt they are important to share.

Workout

By working out, I do not mean hitting the gym. That can be expensive. What I mean by working out is to create some exercise routine that gets your body prepared for the day. There is a certain kind of fatigue that settles in our body when we sleep, and it needs to be pushed out to get the best out of the day. Besides, working out is like a routine of “doing it despite no interest.” Working out can be stressful, but the determination to continue despite the stress can be transferred into our daily lives—work, relationships, applications, and others. For example, working out gives one a sense of “my back hurts, but I have to finish these pushups.” This mindset can also be applied to “I am tired of my job, but I need to get the best out of myself” or “This application is too tedious, but I need to finish it because I really need it.”

Read

Every year, bibliophiles share the volume of books they read, and sometimes they receive scornful comments from people who think it is impossible to read that much in a year. However, it is surprising how brilliant they are when you engage in a conversation with someone who reads a lot because they have experienced multiple narrations and stories in books. While I do not mean to push you to read 40 or 50 books in a year, try to stay informed as much as you can. Reading anything—books, websites, news—prepares us for a day that hasn’t come yet. Meanwhile, the process of reading helps with cognitive brilliance and creativity. For instance, when reading a narrative story or book, you go through the mental process of creating an image out of the text description. This increases creativity in many endeavours. In 2025, read a lot. Be versatile.

Create Achievable Goals

Online, I see people comment on experiences they might not even share. 2024 taught me that although we all exist on earth, we are on different lanes. It taught me that my friend using or doing something doesn’t mean it also belongs to me, even if we’re in the same age cycle. It is unfair to ourselves when we create goals and dreams based on what others achieve. I mean, it is good to compare yourself with others sometimes, just for evaluation’s sake, but you need to remain in the reality that your background, privilege, and environment are not the same.

Instead, create your dreams according to your reality. Now, I do not mean you shouldn’t aspire for the highest of highs, but life and 2024 taught me that your high is someone else’s low. As we aspire to grow and get to the top, reaching the top will often reveal that there is another top after the current one. This reality underscores the importance of setting goals that align with where you are and what you can achieve realistically.

In 2025, dream big, but also dream accordingly. Don’t dream of buying a car when your earning capability (the current economic situation has snubbed this anyway) doesn’t match it yet. Instead, dream of earning more; then you can dream of a car afterwards. It can be depressing when a dream feels too high to reach.

Let’s make 2025 a year of attainable, meaningful progress.

***

Feature Image by August De Richelieu for Pexels

The post Three Things to Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

As the year draws to a close, reflecting on how it unfolded can feel overwhelming—especially if the memories feel blurry or tinged with pain. For some, trauma makes it hard to take stock. For others, the absence of significant milestones can leave them wondering where the time went. If you’re struggling to summarise the year, let me assure you that this is entirely natural.

Not every year demands a neatly packaged conclusion. Life isn’t an itemised ledger, and we owe no one an account of how we’ve spent our days—except, perhaps, our Creator and even that reckoning is meant for the end of life, not the end of a year. If you’re finding it hard to reflect on 2024, you’re not alone. Many of us have faced challenges that make looking back feel more like a burden than a celebration.

There can be many reasons why it is hard to summarise the year.

It could be the economy. Economic hardship has been a defining struggle for many this year. In Nigeria, the economy hit rock bottom, creating unbearable conditions for citizens. The toll has been both collective and personal, leaving many exhausted and traumatised.

It could be personal challenges. For me, the highs of 2024 were often accompanied by lows, creating a confusing emotional landscape. I faced mental and emotional battles I hadn’t anticipated, and the hardest blow was losing my unborn child. Reflecting on the year inevitably stirs up these painful memories, making it difficult to process or find closure.

These two factors—the state of the economy and personal hardships—are why many, myself included, find it easier to look forward to a fresh start in 2025 than to make sense of the year gone by.

If you find yourself unable to put the year into words, there are some steps I’ve taken to navigate the difficulty.

Acknowledge your feelings

It’s okay if you can’t summarise the year. Some experiences are too complex to categorise, and there’s no rule saying you must tie everything together neatly. Accept the feelings—whether they’re sadness, confusion, or frustration—and don’t force yourself to unpack them all at once.

Focus on the present

Instead of dwelling on the past, try to make the most of the remaining days of the year. For instance, I approached Christmas differently this year. I recognised the emotions that could have dampened my mood and instead chose to enjoy simple pleasures: sharing food and movies with loved ones. It wasn’t extravagant, but it was meaningful.

Create intentional moments

The last days of the year don’t need to be perfect. They simply need to come and go, and you can make them worthwhile by being mindful. Engage in small activities that bring you joy, whether it’s journaling, taking a walk, or connecting with someone you care about.

This year has been a confusing one for many people, myself included. I’ve read countless posts online where others share their heartbreaks, losses, and setbacks. 2024 has been universally difficult, reminding me not to take my struggles too personally. The year was full of contradictions for me. Things that should have made me happy left me sad. Opportunities that seemed like breakthroughs became sources of stagnation. This duality—where joy and pain coexist—has made it challenging to look back without feeling overwhelmed.

But I’ve realised that I don’t need to have all the answers right now. Instead, I’m choosing to end the year with intention, however small.

Moving Forward

It’s okay if 2024 feels like a blur or a mess. Not every year will have a clear story or a satisfying conclusion. What matters is how we choose to move forward.

As the final days of the year unfold, allow yourself grace. Be present, engage in activities that bring peace, and know that you’ve done your best to navigate this chapter. There’s no need to force closure; sometimes, it’s enough to simply let the year come to an end and trust that the new one will bring fresh opportunities to grow, heal and thrive.

***

Feature Image by Polina Tankilevitch for Pexels

The post Comet Nwosu: What To Do When It Becomes Difficult to Summarise The Year appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Gone are the days when instant messaging meant physically delivering a note, and planning a Christmas celebration required military-like precision. Back then, before Santa Claus, Christmas was less about commercial sparkle and more about new clothes, church celebrations and an epic buffet that could floor any modern food cuisine to shame. As children, Christmas was special in a way that it felt like our personal growth chart—every year, Christmas levelled up just like we did. The biggest highlight was having the entire family squeeze into our village home.

Suddenly, one would discover they had new cousins they’d never met, courtesy of the covert family expansion plan. And then came the most terrifying part of the day: greetings. My siblings and I, and our militaristic mother, lined up like foot soldiers, ready to greet every uncle, and auntie, some of whom were semi-conscious due to continuous shorts of the local brew, tonto. All families were often in attendance. Forget Christmas joy—our job was to kneel, shake hands and hope that they would still recall our names. We had to repeat the same questions with the same answers over and over again: What is your name? Who is your mother and father? Which class are you in? At some point, I felt like referring one uncle to another to reshare my responses or, it would have been easier if a platform had been opened for us to do a one–time self-introduction. Greeting felt like a punishment.

But the crowning jewel of the day was the movies. Oh yes, in the few homes blessed with electricity (a.k.a. the village elite), Christmas wasn’t complete without watching at least one Hollywood gem like “Baby’s Day Out” or “Blank Check,” sometimes on a borrowed Video Cassette Recorder (VCR). There was no need for any form of official invitation to watch the movies. For the rest of us, stuck in the stone age, entertainment meant the local soccer match after the loaded lunch meals. Now, a soccer match might conjure images of green fields and proper goals. Forget that. Our stadium was a bumpy patch of grass shaped like an Irish potato, dotted with anthills that could swallow a player’s foot whole.

Getting to this field was an adventure straight out of an Indian Bollywood thriller. You’d have to trek a whole 200 kilometres. Slight exaggeration, but it felt like it, navigating muddy paths, dodging cows, and occasionally rerouting thanks to some strategically placed cow dung. The match itself? Total chaos. The best way we’d distinguish teams was by one simple rule: skins (shirts off) versus shirts. The biggest highlight? Watching the referee get chased off the field for daring to enforce the rules. Democracy was always in full action.

Fast-forward to today and the Christmas spirit has been held hostage by Wi-Fi and social media. Instead of gathering for family meals or village soccer showdowns, everyone’s glued to their phone screens, not withholding the toddlers. Back in the day, we cried over a desire for an additional piece of chicken or potato; now, it’s tearing over misplaced iPads and cell phones. The irony is that the more social social media gets, the more antisocial Christmas feels.

Even the soccer games have lost their crowds and humour to online gaming. Who needs to trek through anthills when you can play online FIFA in pyjamas? Christmas used to mean laughter, chaos, and togetherness. Now? It’s emojis, endless TikTok scrolls, and everyone acting as if they’re social influencers or brand ambassadors. Even with our elderly, tonto has been replaced with TikTok. Indeed, how the mighty Christmas has fallen. The days when Christmas was about real moments feel like they are gone, never to return. Christmas for real people, moments—chaotic family dinners, mismatched decorations, and undercooked chicken—feels like a distant memory. Now, it’s all about curating the perfect holiday aesthetic for Instagram with unique meals, decorations, and dress codes. The mess and mayhem which are the real Christmas beauty are cropped out of the frame, of course.

Before social media, Christmas meals were all about eating till your pants dropped. Now it’s a runway for food photography. Every plate is meticulously arranged, filtered, and posted before anyone dares to take a bite. And woe unto the family member who sneaks a bite before the photo shoot concludes—they might as well be condemned off the main table. Christmas used to be about sitting together and sharing stories—sometimes exaggerated tales of village tales and rumours. Now, family time involves everyone in the same room, silently staring at their phones. With everyone showcasing their perfect Christmas, the pressure to match up on social media is real. Scrolling through picture-perfect posts of others’ celebrations can make even the happiest among us feel like our Christmas is imperfect. Social media has undeniably redefined Christmas, trading communal chaos and authentic traditions for curated perfection and likes. But deep down, maybe all it takes is one Wi-Fi blackout for us to rediscover the messy, joyful spirit of Christmas past.

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The smallest things, like a song, a photograph, a joke, a book, or a smell could remind you of your lost loved one. Each time this happens, you either smile in recollection of the sweet, happy moments you shared with this person, or you let tears flow freely down your cheeks. More often than not, though, you find that it’s the latter that happens. When you miss someone whose voice you can no longer hear, whose laughter can no longer ring in your ears or who you cannot call or text to tell that you love them, you feel an overwhelming sense of sadness that threatens to eat you up. You are, after all, human.

I’ve been there. I’ve felt such grief that I feared I would be consumed by it. It’s been two years since my father died, but I still miss him as though it happened yesterday. The thing is, loss and grief never go away. It does not matter how long you’ve grieved. Whether it’s a year, two, three or even 10, 15, or 20 years, the thought that you can no longer spend time with a loved one will always make you sad.

The holiday season is usually the toughest. It’s the period when family and friends get together to create new memories and relive past ones, celebrate and share the excitement of the holidays, spend time with one another after probably a year of being apart, and share stories, adventures, experiences, and wins of the past year. But your holiday won’t quite feel like one when you’ve lost someone very dear to you – a parent, a child, a sibling, an uncle or aunt, a spouse or a friend. It’s heartbreaking, I know, but I have learnt ways to find my joy despite my loss during a holiday season such as this. And you can find yours too.

Don’t Dwell On The Loss, Cherish The Beautiful Memories

It’s easy to dwell on your loss when you realise that someone is missing from the dinner table where you all gist and laugh over a meal, or you notice that the sitting room where you gather with family to share jokes and anecdotes feels empty, or the bedroom – your father’s, mother’s, sibling’s – that has become a meeting point of sorts for family is now bereft of the energy it once possessed. Everywhere you turn, you are reminded of your loss. But rather than dwell on the fact that your loved one is no longer here and you will never get to spend time with them again, think about those beautiful moments you spent with them. Do not dwell on the loss of your loved one, but rather, cherish the sweet memories you created together. That way, you can find moments of happiness this season.

Create New Memories

While cherishing memories of your lost loved one, be careful not to fall into a rut of dwelling on the past. Nothing good ever comes of dwelling on the past. You’ll feel sadness all over again, and as with other aspects of life, dwelling on the past will only leave you with feelings of guilt or regret, and you’d begin to think: “Maybe I could have done more.” “Maybe I could have prevented it.” “If only I had…” Then it all starts to chip away at your joy and you are left emotionally and mentally drained. I miss my father, and I love to remember the memories we shared, but I must not let this get in the way of creating new memories with my mum and sisters. Don’t dwell on memories of your lost loved ones so much that you forget to create new memories with those who are here. The point is, be present for your loved ones who are alive and reassure them that you love them.

Focus On The Season

All your life, you’ve spent the holiday season with your loved ones. You have never had to spend the season without a loved one. But now, you watch others spend time with their loved ones and wish you could have what they have. Perhaps you even find yourself envying them. My cousin got married recently, and when I watched her father-daughter dance on social media, it hit me yet again that I was never going to have this dance with my father, that he would never see me get married, or walk me down the aisle, and I was filled with so much envy that I was alarmed. During the holiday season, there’s so much that reminds you of your lost loved one, but you must never let feelings of sadness, envy, or grief swallow you up. Focus on the reason for the season instead. Be thankful, be joyful, be full of praises to God, and most of all, remember why you are celebrating.

Ask Yourself: What Would My Lost Loved One Want For Me?

Happiness is what my father would want for me, and it’s what your lost loved one would want for you too if they were still here. True, there would be moments of sadness and grief, especially at a time like this. Going the entire year without a loved one is hard as it is, but spending the holiday season without them is excruciating. Sometimes, when I am happy or excited about something, I start to feel guilty when I think about my father’s death. But then I ask myself, “Would my father want me to be sad? What would he want for me?” Whenever next you are overcome by sadness over the death of your loved one or guilt about being happy, stop and ask yourself the same question.

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The post Titilayo Olurin: How I’m Celebrating the Holiday Season Despite The Loss of a Loved One appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

This year has been nothing short of a whirlwind—a mix of highs, lows, and downright ugly moments that shaped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

After seven long years of hard work, perseverance, and countless sleepless nights, I finally graduated. Completing this chapter was a dream come true and a testament to the resilience I’ve built over the years. Unfortunately, I didn’t graduate with the grade I had envisioned. That realisation stung. It was a tough pill to swallow, especially considering how much effort I poured into my studies.

The hardest part of my year was the sudden onset of a stroke in my dad. It felt like my world crumbled overnight. Watching him suffer and navigating the series of events that followed brought on a storm of emotions—sadness, anxiety, anger and even depression. There were days when the weight of it all felt unbearable.

Amidst all this, I also decided to end my relationship with my boyfriend. It wasn’t easy, and I still question whether it was the right choice. But as they say, “we move.”

These stressors, coupled with the emotional toll, took a visible toll on my skin—a part of me I’ve always taken pride in. Looking in the mirror and not liking what I saw was a nerve-wracking experience for someone who cherishes her appearance. No matter what I tried, nothing seemed to work, which only increased my frustration.

Through it all, I’ve had to show up for myself every single day, even when it felt impossible. The absence of a solid support system made it even harder. However, this loneliness taught me a lot about self-reliance, clarity, and the kind of support I want in my life moving forward.

Despite the challenges, this year wasn’t all doom and gloom. I attended several industry events that were not only insightful but also allowed me to meet some truly wonderful people. Each connection felt like a small reminder of why I love what I do.
I’m also ending the year on a high note, securing my dream internship at my desired organisation. For that, I am incredibly grateful. It feels like a fresh start, and I’m hopeful this experience will be worthwhile and transformative.

As I close the chapter on 2024, I can’t wait to step into the new year with hope, determination and a renewed sense of purpose. If this year has taught me anything, it’s that life is unpredictable—it can knock you down in ways you never expected. But I’ve learned to take the punches, find my footing and keep going.

Here’s to brighter days, better decisions, and a year of healing and happiness. 2025, I’m ready for you.

The post #BN2024Epilogues: Graduation, Heartbreak and Hope — Seyie’s 2024 in Summary appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

“However long the night, the dawn will break.” – African Proverb.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9

As I reflect on 2024, the themes of resilience and persistence resonate deeply with me. This year has been one of remarkable growth and learning, underscored by challenges that demanded tenacity and an unwavering commitment to making a difference. It began with uncertainty but blossomed into a chapter filled with purpose and impact.

The year unfolded with the launch of several film projects through Eddie Watson’s production company. Producing every film for his YouTube channel was both an honour and a steep learning curve. Collaborating with a new team brought equal measures of excitement and education, allowing me to refine my management skills while nurturing a group of incredibly talented individuals. These experiences reminded me that growth often requires stepping out of one’s comfort zone and embracing new opportunities with an open mind.

In parallel, my work with the Clare Cares Foundation continued to fuel my passion for social impact. Our projects this year were diverse and far-reaching, addressing some of society’s most pressing issues. Early in the year, we facilitated the purchase of JAMB forms for underprivileged students, ensuring financial barriers did not hinder their access to higher education. Partnering with orphanages and launching skills acquisition programs provided opportunities for empowerment and self-sufficiency, while our back-to-school initiative ensured that children could return to classrooms equipped and ready to learn.

We also addressed menstrual hygiene, an often-overlooked area critical to the well-being and dignity of women and girls. Through campaigns that distributed sanitary products and provided education, we helped countless individuals maintain their confidence and health. Our food distribution projects reached correctional centres, homes for individuals with Down syndrome, and elder care facilities, where we witnessed firsthand the transformative power of compassion and shared humanity.

The pinnacle of the year for the foundation was undoubtedly the “Feed 1000” initiative. Initially aimed at serving 1,000 meals, the event exceeded all expectations, providing nourishment to over 2,500 people. The immense turnout was both humbling and inspiring. The event became much more than a feeding program—it included a medical outreach for seniors, health pep talks for children, a bouncy castle, popcorn stands, and games designed to bring joy and connection to the community. Witnessing the smiles of those we served was a powerful reminder that small acts of kindness often create ripple effects beyond our expectations.

Amid these endeavours, I experienced a deeply meaningful personal milestone: a nomination for an honorary degree in philosophy from the African American University. This recognition affirmed the value of my work and reinforced my belief in the importance of persistence, even when the path is unclear. It was a moment to reflect on the journey that has brought me here—a journey fueled by purpose, hard work, and the grace of God.

Despite these triumphs, this year also came with its share of challenges. Managing the Clare Cares Foundation taught me invaluable lessons in resilience. Some volunteers left, prompting me to adapt quickly and recruit others who share our mission and vision. These experiences reinforced the importance of being firm in decision-making and knowing when to say “no”—a skill as necessary as saying “yes.” As we grow, I’ve learned to balance compassion with boundaries, ensuring our efforts remain sustainable and impactful.

Looking back, 2024 was not without its obstacles. Yet, these hurdles reminded me that every problem is an invitation to innovate and stay focused on solutions. The successes we achieved were not the result of smooth sailing but of perseverance, collaboration, and an unwavering belief that our efforts matter. Whether through filmmaking or social entrepreneurship, I’ve seen how dedication and resilience can transform dreams into reality.

As the year concludes, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. To every partner, volunteer, and member of the Clare Cares Foundation, your contributions have been invaluable. To the communities we serve, your resilience inspires me daily. And to God, who has guided me through every twist and turn, my gratitude knows no bounds. Together, we have shown that the darkest nights often lead to the brightest dawns.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Anonymous

As we step into 2025, I carry with me the lessons and blessings of 2024. I hope to continue building, learning, and serving with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit ready to embrace the challenges ahead. Here’s to resilience, persistence, and the unwavering belief in the power of doing good.

The post #BN2024Epilogues: From Uncertainty to Triumph; 2024 Was A Year of Impact for Clare Ezeakacha appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

As a child, I loved travelling. But I hated waking up as early as 5 am to catch an early bus. Childhood travels were traumatic; the normal routine involved my mom waking us up early to get ready. We’d stumble out of bed with disgruntled muffled sounds, eyes half-closed, and saliva running across our cheeks. Afterwards, when we were finally awake after taking our bath, we’d excitedly dance around and announce the news of our travel when we knew we’d be travelling to visit family members we hadn’t seen in a long time. “Eh! Afe lo ri Aunty Lagbaja,” we’d say in our Yoruba dialect.

Now that I’m older, aside from the trauma of waking up early and cutting my sleep short, I still enjoy travelling.

Then an experience happened that almost threatened that interest. Years ago, I went to live with my aunt in another state. The offer of relocating was what I couldn’t pass on; seeing new places, meeting new faces, tasting new dishes, and learning different languages caught my fancy. During my stay, I got to travel again to a remote local government area in that state. My aunt’s friend had secured a contract to cater a burial ceremony event in that area.

The journey wasn’t very long, but it took a while on the road. When we arrived, we rested a bit before getting started. The village was remote and our first greetings were met with aggressive and non-apologetic sand flies. Next were two dark Rastafarian guys who looked at us like we were intruders. Before we got on the road, my aunt had told me to wear more protective clothing, but because I was a blockhead, I didn’t listen. I wore a soft, comfortable top. I thought I’d be eaten alive. I couldn’t recognise my skin anymore. I wished I had listened.

I slept in the open parlour on one side of my body all night, competing for the territory with non-friendly mosquitoes. It was a terrible experience. My aunties didn’t sleep for long. Before dawn, they were up and about, cooking tirelessly till daybreak. After cooking, we packaged the food, got ready, and headed to the event location.

The crowd that greeted us at the event was unexpected. Their eyes were fixed on the sacks of hot semovita, eba, and the delicious coolers of soup. My aunt’s friend tried to maintain order, saying, “Stay arranged, and I’ll give everyone some food.” However, her words fell on deaf ears. The crowd surged forward, making it impossible to maintain a queue. Suddenly, an old woman appeared with a torn nylon bag to collect food, chanting in her dialect, “Noor mi,” which means “give me.” The hunger in the air was palpable.

It quickly escalated, as people became aggressive, dragging sacks of eba and coolers of soup into the bushes while calling out to one another. The number of people increased astonishingly, and we could do very little to help. They fought over the food, and it struck me then that hunger is a real issue in some parts of the world. The food my aunts had worked tirelessly to prepare was squandered by the locals.

We managed to salvage some of the remaining food and headed back to the lodge to gather our belongings. However, we were confronted by two dark-skinned Rastafarians who took the remaining foodstuffs from us. We returned home with only a few coolers of food and sand fly bites that required care.

Although this experience threatened my fondness for travelling, it is one of the things that make travelling memorable. I happily admit that travelling remains one of my best interests.

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Being labelled weird due to my unconventional decisions has often made me struggle to maintain my sanity while navigating life’s complexities. I often find myself lost in thought, interpreting things differently than others—a trait people frequently point out to me. Despite this, I consistently try to articulate my unique viewpoint on various aspects of life as I understand them.

Life should not be taken delicately; it encompasses our past, present, and future. We must value the essential elements that foster growth and contribute meaningfully to our lives. I often ruminate about my future achievements, only to hastily return to the present, where my aspirations remain unattained. Over time, I’ve realised that the future I long for can only be prepared for in the present.

One behaviour I deeply resent is the blind judgment of others. Everyone has legitimate reasons for their preferences, and the complexity behind our decisions—whether right or wrong—is immense. It is biased to condemn others based solely on their actions. Each individual possesses flaws, and our imperfections are what make us human. I once encountered a lesson that stated, “When you shine a light on another person in darkness, you see all their stains and faults. Yet, when the light is turned on you, you become aware of your own imperfections.” This serves as a profound reminder that we all bear inadequacies.

Change begins with small actions and decisions that shape our destinies. The choices we make and how we present ourselves significantly impact who supports us in reaching our goals. However, as we focus on destiny, we must also recognise the importance of balance in all dimensions of our lives. Our relationships and engagements with others often reveal who might be willing to assist us in times of necessity. I aspire to maintain a jovial demeanour with those around me because I detest the concept of snubbing others. I strive to understand the paths they take to achieve their aspirations, reflecting on the significance they might add to my life if we forge meaningful friendships.

While public concerns like crime and corruption abound, some individuals turn to destructive actions due to a lack of proper mentorship and love from their surroundings. One potent means of mitigating such behaviour is through education, particularly for minors who will grow into responsible citizens. Providing them with fundamental needs—love, care, food, clothing, and shelter—greatly reduces the odds of their resorting to harmful behaviours. Families also play a pivotal role in shaping individuals, influencing whether they contribute positively or negatively to society. Governments need to ensure that families are well-educated and cared for, fostering harmony within communities. Families must also counsel their children by instilling values that prevent deviant behaviour.

We must refrain from meddling in others’ affairs unless invited; everyone has motives for their conduct. However, this does not excuse criminal behaviour, which should be met with justice.

Reflecting on my journey, I’ve come to understand the importance of cultivating the right relationships and conduct today. Lessons learned from past relationships have rekindled my passion for writing, which had been dormant due to familial obstacles. Through connections with others, I’ve acquired skills that have enriched my academic pursuits and personal growth. These experiences have taught me the value of making thoughtful decisions in interactions and actions with people.

After experiencing a catastrophic event that plunged me into depression, I emerged with a clearer perspective on life. I penned a poem titled “The Conceptions of a Desolate Human,” encapsulating my inner struggles and desire for peace and understanding. Although I’ve managed to regain control of my life, I occasionally reflect on those dark moments, knowing that some readers may resonate with similar experiences.

We must have alternatives ready to navigate life’s unpredictability. Surrounding ourselves with positive influences and dedicating ourselves to hard work can pave the way toward the peaceful and fulfilling life we desire. We should always reflect on these questions: What do I envision for my future? How am I actively working toward my goals? In what ways do my current pursuits affect my future—positively or negatively?

Our future is in our hands. While work is important, it should not overshadow the need for leisure and relaxation. As the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Striking a balance between professional and personal life ensures a well-rounded and satisfying existence.

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The post Stephanie Inakoju: How I’m Navigating Imperfections and Embracing Change appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Last week, we had a conversation with Omolewa Adesuyi. Did you miss it? Read it here.

For our Christmas edition, we are doing life with Pastor Emmanuel Iren, the founder of Celebration Church International who talks about his pastoral journey and everything Christmas. Enjoy the conversation!

Hello Pastor Iren, compliments of this season. How are you today?

I’m doing well, thank you. Compliments of the season to you too.

Thank you. Tell us a bit about your childhood and what part prepared you for who you are today

I was born into a Christian home with seven children. My upbringing was, in many respects, basic and seemingly uneventful. Parenting, for example, was the typical blend of a strict, no-nonsense Dad and a gentle, rational Mum. In retrospect, that in itself shaped my approach to leadership. My drive and daredevil attitude come from my Dad, while my calculated and empathetic nature comes from my Mum.

Growing up, the rules were simple: give education your best, remain a good moral ambassador for the family, and get to know God for yourself. In a few small ways, my family was unique. For a brief season, we even formed an a cappella group. Never mind that we only ever had two public outings. The point is, in some shape or form, most of us had a thing or two to do with music during our upbringing.

Interesting. Give us a glimpse into what inspired you to go into the ministry, and your pastoral journey so far

Ministry is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Take this from someone who executive-produced one of the highest-grossing movies in Nollywood this year and who has released two gospel albums, both of which made Apple Music’s top ten albums in Nigeria.

A true Pastor, for instance, is only ever happy by choice. No matter what celebratory season you are enjoying, there is always one church member somewhere trusting God for healing or deliverance from some trouble or another. I said that to highlight that it takes more than “inspiration” to go into ministry. I am in ministry because, through several simple but notable encounters, I knew the Lord had called me to evangelise, disciple, and deploy people into His work.

Could you talk about a significant moment or experience in your life that deepened your faith?

For many people, healing is something they merely read about in the Bible or books. Unfortunately, fake Pastors don’t make it any easier to believe. But long before I was even a Pastor, something happened that touched me deeply.

I like to tell the story of how what seemed like an ordinary joint pain in my mum steadily deteriorated until she was practically bedridden. The diagnosis was arthritis. This was twenty years ago, and it didn’t make sense, at least not for her age at the time. But one night, my Dad had had enough.

He called my siblings and me into the bedroom, pointed at my mum as she groaned in bed, and said, “This woman must be healed today.” We prayed as fervently as we could, and that night was the last time she experienced the pain. To date, she has been fine. This is one of many personal stories that deepened my faith in God early.

Wow! We have those moments in our lives that test our faith. How have you been able to navigate through times like this?

I think God truly blessed me by helping me understand early that challenges are a part of life. It must be very depressing for people who expect life to be a bed of roses simply because they are Christians. The resounding words of Christ, “…in the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world,” guide how I navigate challenges.

Today is Christmas. What, in your view, is the essence of celebrating this holiday for Christians? How can the message of Christmas be relevant and impactful in today’s world?

The Christmas story is truly one that, if practised, could make the world a better place. The idea of Christmas is revolutionary: the Son of God, instead of holding on to the comfort of the deity, took on flesh to sacrifice His life for humanity.

Just when you think this is a one-off story, the Bible urges us to emulate that sacrificial lifestyle: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, … made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men… He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)

Imagine the rich catering to the poor rather than simply pleasing themselves. Imagine a society where the strong help the vulnerable. This, in addition to preaching the message of the gospel, is the way to celebrate Christmas.

Christmas is associated with joy, love, and giving. How would you encourage Christians to spread these values beyond the holiday season, and make a positive impact in their communities?

It could be that gateman who is always courteous and professional or the cleaner. No matter how small, a thoughtful gift can put a smile on someone’s face

As the year comes to an end, are there specific reflections or lessons you’d like to share with people?

The present state of the economy has reinforced the need for the strong to help the weak and vulnerable, as the Scriptures teach. While we pray for the nation to get better, we must help as many people as we can.

As Christians unwind this season, what are some fun but faith-observing activities people can indulge in?

Thankfully, there are more options for this than ever before. With concerts hosted by Energise Music, Street Church, or the more traditional Faaji Friday by EmmaoMG, there are great options these days if you look in the right places.

What is your all-time favourite Christmas carol, and why does it resonate with you?

Honestly, any carol that captures the essence of the season and has decent music renditions does it for me.

What’s a typical day in your life like – from when you wake up until you go back to bed?

Typically, after my devotion, my personal fitness coach comes to my house to lead me in a workout session. After that, I have my breakfast, take a shower, and head to the office.

If you’re asked to play a biblical role/character this Christmas, what character would you be and why?

Jesus, for sure. Who else? He is the reason for the season.

Haha, we agree. Thank you for being a part of Doing Life With…, Pastor Iren

Thank you for having me, BellaNaija.

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Many thanks to Pastor Iren for having this conversation with us and answering all our questions – and swiftly too, we must add.

Do you love this content, have any feedback for us or want to be a BellaNaija Features contributor? We’d love to read from you. Shoot us an email: features@bellanaija.com. Join us on Saturday for the next episode!

The post Let’s Talk Everything Christmas and Faith with Pastor Emmanuel Iren in Today’s Edition of “Doing Life With…” appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

This is obviously one of my favourite times of the year for many reasons. Principally, the commemoration of the convergence of divinity and humanity in the person of Jesus. It’s also, interestingly, a season where unfruitful narratives would be flying around. You will hear things like: Christianity is a white man’s religion. Is Christmas a pagan celebration? Was Jesus dark-skinned or Caucasian? Was Jesus really born on December 25th?

Like clockwork, these psyops emerge just in time in an attempt to sway and conflate issues for the uninitiated. I have been around long enough to know what constitutes a culture war and what doesn’t. When a narrative is not self-existent or built on its own merits but almost solely on discrediting another narrative; such narrative feeds off its ability to degrade others. In other words, that type of narrative tells you what it is against more than what it is for. These are constructs created to serve as pseudo parallels to an actual culture.

For example, if someone says that a lion is a cat, that statement isn’t totally incorrect – it’s incomplete because it suggests a lion is a regular pet that can be domesticated. Yes, the lion belongs to the Felidae or the cat family but more specifically, the lion belongs to the Panthera genus, which has big cats like tigers, leopards and jaguars. So when some people say certain things that are clearly misleading, it’s mostly intentional – designed to rile up the audience. It’s amusing to see how folks try to be more catholic than the Pope. On the matter of Christmas, I took the liberty to share some insights with a sprinkle of exegesis on FAQs that folks have been splitting hairs over. You’re welcome.

Jesus Is God

The concept of the trinity quite honestly isn’t something that can be taught, it’s a revelation that has to be caught because it transcends the human mind and natural logic. No matter the level of elocution and erudition anyone may possess, it will never do justice in terms of a proper rendition. When Jesus told Peter that flesh and blood (a metaphor for human or earthly intelligence) had not revealed him as the Christ, he was effectively saying that grasping the deity of Jesus is not derived from human logic, natural understanding or generic science because it’s a metaphysical truth. The natural mind can only discern natural things; it’s on brand for those who are operating by flesh and blood to perceive Jesus incorrectly. So such a narrative about Jesus being just another figure in the pantheon of prophets isn’t a new one, Jesus debunked it himself – it’s almost a waste of energy on my part to litigate the matter. We observe, we don’t judge.

Solomon was the wisest man of his day but his wisdom was limited to things “under the sun” – a metaphor for natural intelligence. Jesus would boldly declare, “A greater than Solomon is here (in wisdom)!” As he was intercepted on the road to Damascus for religious terrorism, Paul of Tarsus would submit that he encountered a light brighter than the sun at midday (a metaphor for the height of natural intelligence). As Jesus was revealed to him on that trip, his natural eyes were closed as a symbol for the opening of his spiritual eyes. So when you hear Paul, an intellectual in his own rights, an astute scholar and a protégé of the great Gamaliel, say something like, “that I may know him” – he clearly wasn’t referring to knowledge from books but revelatory insights. No surprise that the Pauline Epistles are considered in certain circles as the constitution of the ecclesia.

The triune God simply means one God with three distinct manifestations, not a three-headed God or three beings fused into one as erroneously posited in certain circles. God manifests as Father in creation, Son in redemption and Holy Spirit in regeneration. A lot of the misconceptions about Jesus come from that appellation of being “the Son of God”. Denotatively it may suggest a valid argument but connotatively, it in no way means that Jesus is the offspring of God. The Son of God means that Jesus is God manifested in human form, it also means that he speaks and acts in the capacity or authority of God. That’s why Jesus would say things like, “he that has seen me, has seen the Father”. Moses documented in Genesis that “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”. John’s gospel, which thematically speaks to the divinity of Jesus, lets us know that the beginning was the Word that created everything and who ultimately became flesh in the person of Jesus.

This is an imperfect example but it sheds some light. Think of God as water; water has three distinct forms – liquid, gas and solid. All three forms have the same properties: each molecule of water contains two atoms of hydrogen joined to a single atom of oxygen (H20). Water in liquid form isn’t considered less water than water in solid (ice) or gaseous forms. At the beginning of documented history, God introduces himself as a creator in Genesis. The first Adam fumbled the bag so another Adam had to come into play and take care of business, so Jesus entered the chat and did what only he could do. Jesus is God introducing himself as the redeemer. After the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus – there was a need for the Christos (the anointed one) that was contained in Jesus’ physical or earthly body to be democratised or distributed to everyone who believed in him. So, Jesus tells his disciples, “It is expedient for you that I go away” and “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth”. That spirit is known in the Greek language as the Allos Parakletos – loosely translated as another helper of the same kind or source. In order words, it was time for God to introduce himself as the regenerator. So Jesus is not junior God; Jesus himself did say that if anyone who didn’t believe in him didn’t believe in God. Even doubting Thomas, the notorious sceptic, couldn’t help himself when he interacted with Jesus in his glorified body – he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” I hope this helps.

Immaculate Conception

The Bible was not originally documented in the English Language, so most of the meanings of words were lost in translation. For example, the word, ‘birth’ doesn’t apply to Jesus but for ease of understanding, it is used in communicating the nativity story. The more apposite word is incarnation. If Jesus is God, then it means that his origin story couldn’t have been in Mary’s womb or in a manger. Isaiah in his famous prophecy uttered some things that flew over many heads. Yes, he did say, “unto us a child is born” but in the latter part of that verse that is usually ignored, Isaiah gave us some important footnotes which serve as context: “his name shall be called…The mighty God, The everlasting Father”. Isaiah said the child that would be ‘born’ is actually God. Micah would co-sign that in his own prophecy of Jesus when he said, “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting”. In order words, Jesus’ existence predated the circumstances of his earthly emergence.

I also shared this in a previous essay: the wise men didn’t come to pay obeisance to a kid, they came to see a king – that’s why they brought gold which alluded to the royalty or deity of Jesus. The incarnation of Jesus is critical because he couldn’t have been fathered by a human being, or else his mission to Earth would have been null and void. Mary was just his surrogate mother because he had to operate on the earth as a human being, not a spirit. Physically, it may look like it was Mary carrying Jesus but it was really Jesus as God carrying Mary; it was the humility of God as creator to subject himself to his creation and take up an earth-suit for salvation. God had to become a man to save mankind because he couldn’t redeem what he wasn’t relative to; Jesus as the redeemer is God manifested as a man. This is why Paul of Tarsus would say, “the man Christ Jesus”. Just like Jesus was slain before the foundations of the word but was physically crucified some two thousand years ago, the same logic applies to his immaculate conception.

Jesus Is NOT One of The Prophets

Jesus is the main character of the bible; everything points to him because he is the ultimate prophecy. In the Old Testament Jesus is classified and in the New Testament, especially in the Pauline Epistles, he is declassified. Every prophet had a message; In Jesus’ case – he is the message. It is why the prophets would preface their speech with the phrase, “Thus says the Lord” – a phrase Jesus never used but would say, “verily, verily I say unto you”. All the prophets pointed to Jesus; Jesus himself reiterated this in his homilies: “Search the scriptures… they testify of me”. I shared recently how Isaac wasn’t the promise of God to Abraham, it was ultimately Jesus. Isaac was just a shadow, archetype or metaphor to communicate a truth that was classified at the time. The same argument applies to all the characters in the bible.

Jesus conducted a vox pop on his disciples by asking them, “Who do men say I am?” The disciples to their credit, accurately responded with what was a pervasive yet erroneous narrative about Jesus: “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” When Peter responded that Jesus was the Christ, Jesus would then say something very instructive: “Upon this rock (the revelation of Jesus as the Christos) I will build my ecclesia”. In order words, the ability to distinguish Jesus from others who walked the earth before him is critical. Even John the Baptist, a great prophet in his own right, who was referenced in those responses would himself point to Jesus as, “the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”. On the mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah, two of the greatest prophets that walked God’s green earth appeared alongside Jesus. Peter, still moving in his religious thinking, tried to set up three tabernacles – effectively equating Jesus with Moses and Elijah. No surprise that both prophets are immediately taken out of play, leaving Jesus standing alone, followed by a voice from heaven saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Translation: don’t ever equate Jesus with any other prophet because Jesus is HIM.

Christ Is The Centre-Piece Of Christmas

Culture is a very powerful thing because it not only describes the way of life of a people but more importantly, it is the ability to effect social engineering. One underpinning for culture is its soft power, its ability to define what is acceptable or not. That’s a critical point because a synonym for culture is normal, thus to be counter-cultural then means to challenge the norms. One thing the media, a virile subset and driver of culture is exceptionally great at is labelling certain narratives they don’t agree with as not being politically correct or worse, controversial. Over time, certain narratives have tried to shape what Christmas is and should be, a lot of such narratives appear innocuous but fundamentally Christmas is what it is – the mass celebration of Christ as a gift to the world. There’s nothing controversial about that; every other thing such as holidays, festivities or commercial activities that are commonly associated with it are at best ancillary. If you walk into a restaurant and you’re served pounded yam but are told that it was prepared without using any slice of yam, just know you’re eating something else – it’s definitely not pounded yam.

Merry Christmas!

The post Mfonobong Inyang: Critical Contexts On Christ, Christmas and Culture appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

For this campaign, we invited people to write a letter to Santa, reflecting on their fondest childhood Christmas memories and sharing what they miss about Christmas as adults. We asked them to make a wish to Santa to help them feel like a child again.

Our aim with the #FeelLikeAChildAgain campaign is to present the perfect opportunity to let go of adulthood and enjoy experiences that’ll make you feel alive, even if it’s just for a day. Within 2 weeks, we received lots of interesting letters from participants. It was a tough one but we eventually selected five (5) winners.

See the winners here

 

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On Sunday, we treated them to a day of fun curated by BreatherNG. They explored the art of pottery; making items with clay and participating in the pottery on a wheel activity. After that, they were treated to yummy meals courtesy of BellaNaija.

Watch the videos below:

 

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We thank everyone who participated in the campaign and we look forward to doing more next year!

The post We Treated the Winners of the #FeelLikeAChildAgain Campaign to A Day of Fun | Watch Videos appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Hello Flo, how are you doing today?

I’m fine. I hope you’re well too.

I’m alright. Thank you. Let’s start here, what are you currently working on?

I’m developing projects through my new creative venture “Flo In Focus.” Some of those projects include a sports documentary, a photography book, and other culturally unique projects that bring creativity and storytelling to life through art mediums.

That’s exciting, and we look forward to that. Speaking of photography, how did photography begin for you?

It started when I was around 13 after I signed up for a school photo class. I was inspired to see life in stills, to freeze moments and revisit them later was a power I discovered. My first camera was a 35mm old school film camera and I only photographed black and white film for the first 4 years, like photo of my high school teacher, Ms. Karen Johnson. My first shots were of my family and neighbourhood. I also photographed me going to and from school.

Obviously, over the years, you’ve explored different forms of photography. But I’m curious, what is the first thing you want people to see in your photos as a photographer?

I want a Flo Ngala photo always to hold that “aha” moment or the “it factor.” Within an image, that’s what’s dynamic or captivating to the viewer’s attention. When I make selections, I use this thought to decide whether or not to include an image. I want the image to strike through your attention, make you say, “Wow, that’s a great shot,” and skip a beat. I want it to take you somewhere for a moment.

Tell me about a moment from your journey that particularly stood out for you so far

So, it was rare to see Black and Hispanic girls doing ice skating. I however grew up doing this thanks to a program in NYC. In 2019, I pitched the New York Times on the story of Black ice skaters. It was my first New York Times assignment, and it made it to the front page of the paper. The New York Times is the most respected newspaper. As an adult, it’s a privilege to go back to take pictures of the next generation of girls for NYTimes. Nothing go top this. It was too special, full circle. The organisation gained a TV broadcast from the original piece, “When I Skate It Just Feels Free”. I encourage people to check it out.

You grew up in Harlem and built yourself from there. How has that shaped your mentality in what you strive for in life, especially in your career and also in finding your roots?

Growing up in Harlem profoundly shaped my mentality, exposing me to a concept I call “triple consciousness.” This idea is inspired by the famous sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois, who described “double consciousness” as the struggle African Americans face in remaining true to their Black culture while also conforming to the dominant White society. Being of African descent and living the American experience taught me that life is all about perspective.

I was raised with strong African values and witnessed the struggles of my community. My experiences in Harlem instilled in me a deep sense of Black pride and appreciation for Black culture. At the same time, I attended schools where White privilege was prevalent, absorbing White history. However, I always returned to my family’s African hair braiding shop, surrounded by talented female braiders and beauticians. Through these diverse experiences, I have developed a multifaceted approach to life. I’ve learned that it’s okay to be different and to embrace all parts of who I am.

You said you were raised with African values. Can you tell me about your background and any aspects of your childhood that shaped you into who you are today?

I was born in a neighbourhood in Harlem. My parents came to Harlem in 1992, a historic community in North Manhattan known for its culture and civil rights history. My mom was born in Taraba State, Nigeria and my dad in Northwest Cameroon. They had all 4 of their kids in Harlem. Focus and faith were the foundation of my background. They were resourceful and built community through their braiding business. I grew up watching them be entrepreneurs on 125th St and 126th St, the centre of Harlem like nowhere else in the late 1990s and 2000s. I grew up learning to hold my own weight, be bold, and do right by others.

I love that

Thank you.

So, you recently took your mum to meet Vice President Kamala Harris and you must have particularly felt good. Tell us about the expression you could see on your mum’s face throughout that day

Yes! I got an e-vite to a holiday event from her team after photographing her early this year. The invitation said I could bring one guest so I called my mom, and we started plans to meet up in D.C. The night before, we got to tour the White House, saw historic rooms, and portraits and took many photos. The next morning, we went to VP Harris’ residence and got our makeup done. Walking with her through the home, and introducing her to a few aides was so cool. In the end, we found a place to stand once it was time for Kamala’s speech and stayed put. In a crowd of about 200 people, a few stood up waiting patiently as she walked and said hello. When she got to our side my mom was a bit speechless and went for a hug. We then took a quick photo, and Vice President Harris touched her shoulder and said “Welcome”.

This shows that your mum has been with you all through the journey. How important do you think relatives, parents especially, are in shaping who we eventually become?

Family and community serve as foundations in two ways: they can be supportive or combative. They can give us our greatest values or greatest fears. A relative’s only true job is to love unconditionally and give grace. As the first reference of judgment, it’s important for parents not to judge mistakes unfairly or release unfair expectations because this can change a child’s life and mindset forever.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about human nature through your photography?

People want to be seen—genuinely. They want to feel represented in the best or realest way, and as a photographer, I strive to reflect what I see in my subjects’ truest selves. There’s something magical about that exchange when done right.

What are the three things in your everyday life that get you excited or make you happy?

A good snack. Putting together presentations with big ideas. Looking in the mirror and feeling my best.

What’s a typical day for you?

I enjoy waking up around 4 or 5 a.m. and often engage in some form of wellness routine several times a week. There are also days when I go straight to my computer or phone, as I have been coordinating with time zones in London, Nigeria, and Egypt recently. Last month, I moved to a quieter neighbourhood and I love my apartment, which allows me to work from home frequently. I also take walks around the area. When I’m not at home, I spend time outdoors in the sun, exercise outside, or head to the airport, which is conveniently only 15 minutes away.

If you weren’t a photographer, what do you think you’d be doing right now?

For work, I’d be a creative director or writer. If it was academics, I’d be learning new skills, maybe taking a class. If I could do anything at all, I’d be a pro athlete or model; maybe next year in my 30s. Who knows?

The post Through the Lens of Legacy; Explore Flo Ngala’s Artistry, Roots and Vision appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Christmas is here again, and for many couples, it’s a time filled with joy, love, and family. However, we must be honest: it can also be extremely stressful. Between planning gatherings, shopping, and handling family dynamics, couples often find themselves feeling disconnected when they should be celebrating together. As a relationship coach, I’ve worked with couples who want to make their holidays meaningful while deepening their bond. There are five actionable tips to help you reconnect with your partner and truly make this Christmas one to remember.

Prioritise “Us Time” Over Everything Else

My husband, Coach Harrison Tito, and I started our Christmas holiday early. As I was about to clean the house, he said, “Let’s hang out.” So, we saw a movie and ate takeout. Even though I needed to clean the house, prioritising us was very important. Amidst the hustle and bustle of Christmas, it’s easy to get drowned in everyone else’s needs—kids, relatives, work parties. But what about your relationship?

Plan a Christmas date night. Whether it’s decorating the tree together with some wine, cooking together, or going to see a movie, carve out moments just for the two of you. Practice micro-moments of connection throughout the day: share a kiss in the kitchen, hold hands while running errands, or offer a simple “I love you” before bed. These small gestures help keep the spark alive.

Set Boundaries with Extended Family

Christmas often involves balancing traditions and expectations from extended family, which can lead to stress and arguments. Consider creating your own traditions with your partner. If you both feel overwhelmed, choose a few traditions that are just for the two of you. This could be watching a favourite Christmas movie together or enjoying breakfast in bed on Christmas morning. Utilise communication as your superpower by kindly and firmly setting boundaries with family members. For example, you might say, “We’d love to see everyone, but we’re prioritising some downtime this year.“

Make Intimacy a Priority

Is your holiday feeling more like a business transaction—planning, organising, and checking things off a list? Then it’s time to write one thing at the top of your list. Sex! Because intimacy is crucial for maintaining closeness and a balanced relationship with your partner.

Schedule time for physical intimacy. While it may seem unromantic, busy schedules necessitate intentional effort. A quick encounter in the kitchen or car can be a good idea. Play some soft music to create a relaxing atmosphere, and take the time to connect. Build emotional intimacy. Share your hopes for the coming year or express gratitude for the small things your partner does. Fostering emotional closeness enhances physical bonding.

Avoid the “Perfect Holiday Hole”

One of the biggest sources of stress in relationships during Christmas is the pursuit of perfection—perfect photos for Instagram, perfect gifts, perfect meals, and everything else. It’s important to shift your mindset. The goal should not be to create an Instagram-perfect, indulgent Christmas, but rather to have a joyful one. If the Jollof rice burns or the kids make a mess, laugh about it together. Work as a team. Instead of assigning blame or getting stressed, face challenges as a united front.

Reflect and Reset, New Year is coming

Christmas is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and plan for your relationship. Take a moment to ask each other some thoughtful questions: What worked well in our relationship this year? What is one area we would like to improve? It’s also a great opportunity to set relationship goals. Consider focusing on areas such as spiritual growth, scheduling more date nights, improving communication, or simply being more present with each other. Don’t forget to set personal goals as well. It’s important to share your individual aspirations since you are both unique individuals working together as a team.

This Christmas, decide to not let stress or distractions pull you and your partner apart. Instead, use this time to bond, grow closer, laugh more, and set the stage for a beautiful year ahead. Your relationship is the best gift you can give each other, so make it count.

***

Feature Image by Ekaterina Bolovtsova for Pexels

The post Nosa Aigbe: Seven Ways to Reignite Love and Intimacy This Christmas appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Que Sera Sera is leaving things to chance. I know it’s a comforting notion for some, but I’ve come to realise that leaving things to chance isn’t for me which is why I had a solid plan for 2024.

The new year began, as most years do, with high hopes and careful planning. At 23, I felt equipped to navigate my year with purpose and precision. I had one major goal that stood tall above the rest. One dream so big that everything else I planned revolved around it. If that dream came to pass, the rest would fall seamlessly into place. At least, that’s what I thought. 

I remember sitting with my mum on the 3rd of January, sharing my plans for the year. She listened, then asked, “Is that all?” That question stayed with me all through, though I brushed it off at the time.

For nine months, I lived in the shadow of that singular goal. I was so convinced it would happen that I let it dictate my life. Every time I thought I was close, it slipped further away. And in waiting for that dream to materialise, I forgot to live. I stalled projects like filming my first documentary, something I had been excited about since graduating from film school with a screenwriting certificate. But I told myself, “What’s the point in starting if I’ll have to stop when the dream comes true?”

What I failed to see was that life doesn’t pause for us. While I waited, opportunities to create, grow, and thrive passed me by. I told myself I was being strategic, but in truth, I was holding myself back.

There were long nights of quiet reflection, often tinged with self-pity. I spoke to God occasionally, but I complained more than I prayed. Complaints have a way of blinding us to what’s good in our lives, and I became fixated on what wasn’t working. Gratitude slipped through my fingers.

When I stopped and counted my blessings, I realised just how much 2024 has given me. This year wasn’t all disappointment after all. I diversified my work across various industries and earned more than I had before. I graduated from film school, a feat that boosted my confidence and enriched my creative skillset.

My mother, who had faced health challenges in previous years, celebrated a landmark age which is honestly a living proof of grace and resilience.

I experienced quiet victories, moments when I made an impact despite my self-doubt. The supportive people in my life stood by me, helping me navigate the challenges that life threw my way. Above all, I cherish the simple gift of still being able to smile. It’s a win.

Many things seem funny now as I reflect but the first nine months were filled with so much hope and so many lessons. I’ve come to realise that there’s only so much you can control in the pursuit of a dream. In the end, losing yourself in the process isn’t worth it. Sometimes the journey isn’t what you expected, but it’s always what you need. It wasn’t a perfect year but it was mine; messy and rich with growth.

As I step into 2025, I carry this question with me: What if your dream isn’t just about reaching a destination, but about discovering who you become along the way?

The post #BN2024Epilogues: 2024 Was a Year of Dreams, Disappointments & Discovery for Oluwadamilola Fisayo appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

“AD 2024: Our year of…”

Those were the words my pastor declared in my home church as the clock struck midnight. It was proclaimed a year of All-Round Blessings! (Hi, Foursquarians!) When I got back to school, my church there declared it a year of Victory! At church, we always pick a promissory note for the year, and mine was: “God will help me this year.” Did He? Absolutely. My God showed up in remarkable ways.

Every year comes with its peculiarities, and 2024 was no different. It unfolded with episodes, drama, good moments, epic endings, opportunities, and countless blessings.

My Year in a Nutshell

I always begin my year with prayers. It’s a sacred moment for me—a time to connect deeply with Abba. The end of each year feels like a time of renewal in my relationship with God. This year was no exception. It deepened my resolve to walk more intentionally with Him in 2025. The Holy Spirit guided me in making wise decisions, and I feel a transformation emerging within me. I’m glad about it.

2024 was a year of truth. I confronted the truths about life, relationships, and the Scriptures. I made mistakes and learned from them. My new year starts a bit earlier than most because my birthday, December 19, marks a personal new beginning. This year was also a whirlwind—how am I already in 400 level, 2nd semester? It’s all happening so fast!

Growth and Opportunities

2024 was a year of maturity, responsibility, and incredible opportunities. I was blessed with amazing friends and mentors and had the chance to maximise some opportunities while forfeiting others. I also explored new paths: LinkedIn, Substack, Blogger. While I hoped to write a book, I did something close to it.

This year, I ventured into businesses and learned valuable lessons. I became a voracious learner, diving into content writing, photography, video editing, podcasting, spoken word, and content creation. I even took up a new hobby: waste management. I did audacious things—volunteering, exploring new grounds, and collaborating on projects as part of various teams.

I found myself in spaces I hadn’t prepared for and places I never imagined. I did many things afraid, but stepping out of my comfort zone was worth it. One conversation I had revealed how essential preparation is in life.

Reflection and Resilience

There were moments of pause this year—breaks in relationships and life—where I just needed to ensure I was on the right track. Some days, I wanted nothing more than to rest and reflect. These moments allowed me to reconnect with myself, silence the noise, and heal. I’ve learned to start over without fear, breaking down walls that once held me back.

Writing down my goals for 2024 was one of the best decisions I made. Revisiting those goals now fills me with gratitude for all I accomplished. I’ve learned to let go of worrying about people’s opinions. I choose to love genuinely, extend grace, and expect less from others while focusing on my own growth.

New Year

God writes the most beautiful stories. He is the author of times and seasons, and my part is to prepare and align with His plans. I’ve come to realise that God’s timing is perfect. He is never in a hurry but always on time, working everything out for my good.

I’m grateful for the lessons, experiences, and growth 2024 brought. My life is a testimony to faith and transformation. I look forward to 2025 with anticipation and determination.

As a friend said, we are taking over in 2025: Hitting records and targets. Breaking new ground. Raising the bar. Soaring high and fulfilling purpose. Impacting lives and taking the lead.

2025, get ready for Salau Eniola.

The post #BN2024Epilogues: 2024 Was A Year of Blessings and Lessons for Salau Eniola appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

At the time of writing this, I did a little research and found out that Fisayo Soyombo was detained by the Nigerian Army this week. Because I didn’t read the news, I didn’t know. I didn’t know the man who, two weeks ago, I had selected as my Culture Icon for 2024, had been detained by the Nigerian Army for the crime of doing journalism.

It all stems from the two-year investigation he published in the first half of this year, exposing monumental corruption at the Nigerian Customs Service – putting the spotlight through a documentary and online media reportage on a syndicate conniving with customs officers to smuggle items such as foreign parboiled rice, poultry products and guns into the country through Ogun State’s border communities. It shook the entire country because of the level of detail and the amount of corroboration.

This is not even the biggest story Soyombo has broken in a career of big stories that have spanned The Cable, Sahara Reporters, freelance journalism and his platform, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism.

This is a man who has gone undercover in Nigeria’s largest psychiatric hospital to expose corruption that endangers the most vulnerable, driven a “stolen vehicle” from Abuja to Lagos, passing through almost 90 police checkpoints to provide copious evidence of bribery, exposed abandonment of soldiers injured in battle with Boko Haram, revealed corruption in government-run mortuaries and who has gone undercover in the most dangerous place to be in Nigeria – maximum security prison – to expose corruption in that institution.

People often say to me because of the kind of documentaries we do – tackling police brutality, high-level corruption or organ trafficking – that I am brave and take risks and they fear for my safety. I smile, because they probably have not heard of Soyombo, or do not understand the scale and significance of his work. Whatever risks I take, he takes in multiples. Whatever dangers I face are dwarfed in the face of his, and they come from multiple directions – in this year’s trending case for instance, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Customs, smugglers, networked and influential businessmen and an assortment of characters whose ongoing livelihood he threatens.

What makes his journalism so powerful in addition to his rare bravery is the extent of his research, the depth of his discoveries and the transparency of his passion. He is not distracted by petty concerns; he is careful in navigating bias, and he is meticulous in focusing on the problems he is trying to solve. This is not a man seeking to score cheap points, This is a man determined to do his bit to change his country, even if just a little.

And he has achieved more than a little – enabling the release of the wrongly imprisoned, ensuring the treatment of neglected soldiers and directly triggering the arrest of corrupt police officers. He is easily the most important investigative journalist alive in Nigeria today.

And Nigeria, as it stands, doesn’t deserve Soyombo. It has coopted, corrupted and silenced enough voices to make it clear there is very little reward in fighting for it, even the people you fight for might end up attacking you.

But Soyombo doesn’t care. There is something deep inside him that drives him to fight and slay giants, even at the cost of his life, liberty and livelihood. He won’t back down.

When the central figure in the smuggling expose took him to court, slamming him with a N500 million lawsuit, he showed up and gave a robust defence of himself, confident in the work he has done and the spirit of that work. And when confronted by his resolve, the figure sought to back out and have the case dismissed, Soyombo said no. He must finish what he started. Perhaps in proving this case, some justice would be served and some truth revealed. When last did you meet a person with such chutzpah?

As I write, Soyombo has been released by the army, and guess what he is doing this minute? Tweeting about more corruption he has discovered at the Nigerian Customs Service. Nigeria doesn’t yet deserve a hero like him. We have eaten too many of our heroes alive. And because of that, we must count ourselves lucky, blessed, exceedingly fortunate, that amid darkness, we have light like him, shining bright, blazing forth, and giving us true hope.

Soyombo provides hope that Nigeria and Nigerians desperately need today. And for that, he is the Culture Icon for 2024.

The post Chude Jideonwo: Why Fisayo Soyombo is My Culture Icon for 2024 appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Did you miss our last conversation with Kelly Praise? You can catch up here.

This week, we are doing life with Omolewa Adesuyi, a female biker who has travelled across Nigeria and driven to ride across Africa. Enjoy the conversations!

Hey Omolewa, how do you feel today?

Hello. I feel fabulous today, thank you.

What are the three things in your life that you are grateful for right now?

I’m grateful for the gift of good health, and having the strength and energy to take on daily challenges. I am grateful for supportive relationships, the love and encouragement of my family and friends keep me going. And I am grateful for my Mamaspade Community.

Share a bit about your background—your upbringing and any key moments from your childhood that shaped you into what you are today

I was born in Ibadan and I moved to Lagos when I was 3 years old. I grew up in Dodan Barracks, Obalende because my father was a soldier. I attended Command Children School, Bonny Camp and Command Secondary School, Ipaja. If there was a Command University, I probably would have attended, haha. I graduated from the University of Ibadan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in European Studies, German. Growing up, my mother was very strict. Looking back, I realise that her discipline played a significant role in shaping the person I am today as I’ve grown to become a disciplined woman.

Tell us how you became a biker and what influenced you to start

When I was in the university, I mingled with bikers and I’d travel interstate with them as a “Pillion” (a bike passenger). I always looked forward to those rides and I promised myself that one day I’ll own a motorcycle, and experience the thrill and power for myself. When I could finally afford the biking lifestyle, I enrolled in a riding school, usually the training takes 4 weeks but I was there for 5 months. I struggled to learn but I was determined to see it through. I graduated and it has been an incredible journey ever since.

Well done!

Thank you.

You’ve travelled on the bike to many states and places. Can you tell us one exciting moment from one of these travels?

After riding for a few months, I knew I wanted to be a tourer. I enjoy riding long distances and every journey has its own excitement. One of my most exciting journeys was my trip to Yamoussoukro in Ivory Coast. Going that far was super exciting for me, I remember getting to the border between Ghana and Ivory Coast, my joy knew no bounds, and I felt a sense of fulfilment and pride. This Ekiti girl was breaking barriers and inspiring people.

Tell us one thing people don’t know about riding bikes or a popular misconception you’ve often encountered since you started riding

A lot of people are always quick to talk about the dangers of riding a motorcycle. I would say people are more dangerous than bikes. We put a lot of safety measures into riding. You see us wearing big gears and helmets; those are not just for fancy; they are protective gears. Riding a motorcycle is far from dangerous; it is freedom and it is therapeutic. You’ll hardly see a sad person riding a bike; riding gives joy, and everyone should try it.

What makes bike riding exciting and what advice would you give to anyone willing to start bike riding?

Riding a motorcycle is exciting for so many reasons. It gives you a sense of freedom. Riding helps you connect with others. There’s a strong sense of community and camaraderie among bikers. Riding helps you to escape from the norm. Riding requires intense concentration, which helps you clear your mind and just enjoy the moment.

My advice for anyone looking to start will be to ride for the right reasons because riding a motorcycle requires discipline, making sure you learn how to ride correctly and invest quality gears. When you finally start riding, remember to always ride within your limits and skill set. Resist the urge to copy or keep up. In essence, ride your ride.

Is there any particular challenge you’re currently experiencing and how are you navigating it?

One of the challenges I encounter as a tourer is the condition of the roads. At times, it can take away from the enjoyment of the journey. But it is all part of the adventure and adds to the overall experience. I’m in awe of my current bike, a Yamaha Tenere 700. It’s a tall bike and I tiptoe on it. At first, it was quite challenging but now, I’m bonding with it and learning to ride it better.

Given what you do, what’s a typical day in your life?

I am the Creative Director at Xobylewa, a print and craft store based in Lagos. My days are hands-on and dynamic, typically starting with a 35-minute workout followed by house chores. Once I dive into work, time seems to fly as I juggle my roles as a graphics designer and crafter. My job is highly demanding, but riding my motorcycle to and from work provides the perfect way to unwind and recharge each day.

If you could remove three things from your life right now, what would they be and why?

If I could remove three things from my life right now, they might be stress, unnecessary distraction and negative energy. I believe that will improve my productivity, and foster a healthier environment that aligns with my personal and professional goals. It will help me enjoy more quality time with myself and my loved ones.

Thank you for being on Doing Life With…, Omolewa

Thank you for having me.

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Many thanks to Omolewa Adesuyi for having this conversation with us and answering all our questions – and swiftly too, we must add.

Do you love this content, have any feedback for us or want to be a BellaNaija Features contributor? We’d love to read from you. Shoot us an email: features@bellanaija.com. Join us on Saturday for the next episode!

The post Omolewa Adesuyi Talks the Joy of Being a Biker in Today’s “Doing Life With…” appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

If someone had told me at the beginning of the year that 2024 would be one of the most transformative years of my life, I might have shrugged in cautious disbelief. But now, as I write this reflection, I am grateful for all the growth, joy, and lessons this year brought my way.

In 2020, I learned to accept life as it came—to surrender to the chaos, let go of expectations, and find grace in survival. It was a year that taught me resilience, even in moments when everything felt uncertain. Four years later, I see how those lessons became the foundation for the abundance I’m celebrating today.

2024 was a big year for me, not just because of the wins but because I turned 30. And I must say, I’ve never felt more confident, hot, or sexy. Stepping into this new decade of life came with a sense of freedom and self-assurance. It’s true what they say: life does get better as you grow into yourself. I embraced this version of myself wholeheartedly, and the world seemed to notice too.

This year, I stepped into my power financially. Opportunities came my way, and I was bold enough to take them. From professional wins to side hustles, my income grew, allowing me to live more comfortably and generously. Money no longer felt like something to chase but like something I attracted by showing up fully in my gifts.

Love also found me in the most unexpected way. I learnt that love doesn’t complete you—it complements you. In loving and being loved, I’ve become more patient, kinder, and even more committed to living a life of joy.

Perhaps one of my most profound lessons this year was the courage to let go—of people, friendships, and situations that no longer served me or drained my spirit. In 2020, I learned to let go of control, but this year, I learned to release what didn’t align with my growth. 2024 taught me that holding on to what no longer serves you creates space for resentment, not fulfilment. By choosing to let go, I made room for deeper connections and opportunities that truly nurtured me.

Growth wasn’t limited to money or love. I grew spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I learned to trust my intuition more, set better boundaries, and give myself permission to rest. For someone who used to overthink her every move, I now know that peace often comes from simply letting go.

Of course, it wasn’t a year without challenges. Some days were hard, and some nights were heavy. But through it all, I found strength in my faith, my community, and myself. Every storm this year taught me resilience, and every rainbow reminded me to hope.

As I close this chapter, I do so with immense gratitude. 2024 showed me that life is a balance of grace and grit, giving and receiving, dreaming and doing. It reminded me that I deserve the abundance life has to offer—a truth I started to understand in 2020 and now fully embrace.

Here’s to 2025. May it bring even greater love, joy, and success. And to you reading this, may your journey be filled with light and lessons as beautiful as the ones I found this year.

– Adebimpe

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Did you miss other #BN2024Epilogues entries? Read them here.

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My first crime thriller in 2024 was Vanessa Walters‘ The Niger Wife. The novel revolves around the mysterious disappearance of the wealthy protagonist, Nicole, and a careful narration of events leading up to and after she vanishes. What makes it thrilling is inherent in the drama around this puzzling disappearance and the endless ties connected to it. The genre of the book presents itself immediately to us and we are somewhat prepared for the ultimate shocker at the end: while reading, we can try to connect the dots–although they most probably lead us to the wrong conclusion. But these dots are nonexistent in Edify Yakusak’s On A Day Like This. The book ambushes unsuspecting readers at the very end and does a slow unboxing to reveal its true genre– a psychological thriller. The impact of this last-minute reveal becomes too shocking for readers to immediately snap out of.  You are ensnared by the seeming simplicity of the book that when you realise it’s all a facade, it’s too late to avoid the avalanche. 

The novel presents itself firstly like a contemporary fiction fraught with the nuances of family issues–tension, jealousy, siblings’ war, et cetera. It begins with a prologue between the protagonist, Diekara alias Kara, who has just travelled to Paris, and her dad. The latter gives hints about a worrisome situation back in Nigeria which Kara guesses involves her mom. Her suspicion is confirmed some hours later when a text from her boyfriend, Nonso, informs her of her mother’s death. But the storytelling begins two years after the death of Sayo Dosunmu, the late wife of Demola and mother to Kara, Junior, and Deji. it becomes evident that time has not healed the family’s grief. Rather, each character tries to suppress their memories as aptly described in Kara’s perspective:

Anything concerning the circumstances of her mother’s death, no matter how unfounded, would torpedo the shaky peace that was just beginning to settle in her family.

Kara tries to move on, but a text from an anonymous sender claiming to have information about the death, and threatening to expose it to the media unless they meet is all it takes to ruin this. She remembers getting previous texts from this sender but something about the recent one sets her ill at ease. After serious consideration, she decides to see this anon person but nothing prepares her for what is unearthed. First, the stranger insists that her late mother had not died accidentally but was murdered. He also reveals that she was in a relationship with him which her father was aware of. But what Kara finds hard to accept is the possibility of her father having a hand in the death out of sheer jealousy. So she is determined to find out the truth for herself. In retrospect, this meeting becomes an offshoot of a sequence of secrets unearthed in the novel that would make Kara question her knowledge of those she calls family. 

The upper echelons of society are often elevated to an almost superhuman status, a phenomenon that occurs subtly, without conscious realisation. They are burdened with expectations to transcend the complexities and idiosyncrasies that define the human condition. This becomes glaringly evident in the severe backlash they face when these lofty expectations are unmet. For instance, celebrities often become the targets of public scrutiny, with their actions inviting widespread condemnation.Yakusak explores this nuanced reality in her novel, where the Dosunmu family embodies the pressure of preserving their reputation and image. They live as if walking on eggshells, their every action scrutinised. Yet, we are reminded that they are just humans with flaws and vulnerabilities. Junior, the middle child, personifies the archetypal black sheep, yet the book refrains from casting judgment. Through his insecurities and struggles, we see not only his shortcomings but also his humanity. Familial tensions also surface as the novel peels back layers of Demola’s strained relationship with his late wife, Sayo, and even the seemingly idyllic marriage between Demola and his new wife, Victoria reveals cracks beneath its polished exterior.

Yakusak beguiles her readers with the apparent simplicity of her novel. The everydayness of the diction, the brevity of each character’s narrative perspective, the sparse structure of the sentences, and the limited cast of characters all lend a deceptive air of ordinariness. But the fog begins to lift during the dinner mandated by Demola’s new wife, Victoria. In fact, it is the day following this dinner that the novel fully reveals itself as a psychological thriller. Victoria, introduced in the opening chapters as a loving and mellow spouse, stands in stark contrast to the version of her we later encounter. Demola, too, is burdened by an ugly past that relentlessly threatens to disrupt his carefully constructed present. Yet, the most staggering revelation comes with Deji, the youngest son in the family. As the supposedly naive and overlooked last born, Deji’s role is relegated to the background—until it isn’t. Nothing prepares the reader for the revelations tied to him. 

In the five gripping hours I spent with this novel, my emotions moved from interest, to intrigue, then to shock, and finally to horror. Not even my inner Sherlock Holmes could anticipate the twists that unfolded in the book. It takes  narrative mastery to achieve such deliberate concealment, and On A Day Like This deserves high praise for its sheer unpredictability. Yet, I find myself wrestling with questions about the author’s ultimate intentions. The ending left gaps too vast to ignore, and this hopeless reader cannot wait for a sequel to tie up the loose ends.

The post BN Book Review: On A Day Like This by Edify Yakusak | Review by Evidence Egwuono appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

If any words encapsulate the spirit of my 2024, it would be this powerful statement by Bishop T.D. Jakes: A setback is a setup for a comeback. The year began in uncertainty, with trepidation lurking at every corner. As a PR and media strategist, the prevailing economic hardship in Nigeria made January painstakingly slow; business opportunities seemed elusive. Yet, in the face of these challenges, the year unfolded as a transformative journey—one marked by faith, resilience, and unexpected productivity.

These past twelve months have taught me the power of perseverance and the beauty of seeking out light in the darkest moments. Reflecting on 2024 brings to life not only the battles I faced but also the heights I conquered. Let’s explore this remarkable epilogue of a year that turned setbacks into comebacks and scarcity into abundance.

A Slow Beginning

2024 tiptoed in, tentative and sluggish. My PR and media relations agency, Visibility Solutions Media, started the year battling a lack of patronage. Projects from old clients dried up, and potential new partnerships seemed lost in the haze of Nigeria’s struggling economy. As many entrepreneurs often learn, the unpredictability of running a business can sometimes feel like trying to carry water in your hands.

A client threatened legal action due to a perceived misunderstanding of the contract. This threat, combined with a limited client pipeline, raises concerns about our ability to succeed this year.

Rather than surrender to despair, I turned to innovation. “There is always room for reinvention,” I reminded myself during those quiet moments of prayer and reflection. Faced with a weakened economy and dwindling resources, my team and I brainstormed creative strategies to attract clients while offering immense value despite tightened budgets.

Social media became a haven of visibility, and I embraced new forms of storytelling to connect with potential clients. I revived my podcast, Conversations with Kenni, launching a sub-show tailored for entrepreneurs called Get Visible with Kenni. After a six-month hiatus, the decision to restart wasn’t easy, but every conversation proved to be a new bridge to the world, highlighting my wisdom, connections, and passion.

I concentrated on strengthening relationships with our retained clients by prioritising delivery excellence. With each successful campaign, word started to spread: our agency became the preferred choice for strong, creative PR and media relations. Gradually, the sense of scarcity diminished, replaced by a series of incremental successes.

The High Points: Celebrating Victory

Though 2024 had a slow beginning, it crescendoed into moments of triumph that I could only have dreamed about. One milestone came when I won an award at the prestigious Global Education Awards for contributions to education through effective public relations campaigns. The recognition validated years of diligence and reaffirmed my commitment to using media to make a tangible impact.

One of the year’s highlights included an unexpected invitation. I was among a select few media personalities invited to attend a luxurious boat cruise with Nigerian superstar D’banj. The celebration marked the release of D’banj’s much-anticipated album, “The Entertainer D’Sequel.” For me, the cruise wasn’t just about glamour. It was a reminder that my work as a publicist and media personality mattered in the wider world of entertainment.

The year also brought features on international platforms like Tech Bullion, a London-based fintech news platform. My ideas about the intersection of PR, entrepreneurship, and innovation reached a global audience, expanding Visibility Solutions Media beyond Nigeria’s borders.

Despite the 2024 challenges, my impact within the Nigerian entertainment landscape grew notably as my agency expertly managed media relations for high-profile events. These included the premieres of What About Us and Anathema: The White Garment Experience, a thought-provoking docu-film. Additionally, we ensured our clients gained visibility through features on major television and news platforms. These efforts underscored my ability to bridge the divide between mainstream media and the arts, leveraging strategic campaigns to amplify voices and showcase creativity across influential channels.

A Balancing Act of Challenges

Amid these remarkable achievements lay moments of humbling difficulty. A fragile economic climate in Nigeria forced my team and me to pivot constantly, tailoring our services to align with tighter client budgets.

It wasn’t just external challenges that tested my resolve. Internally, doubts occasionally crept in. What if the setbacks lingered longer? What if new opportunities didn’t arise? Each time, I reminded myself of T.D. Jakes’ words: setbacks are merely setups for comebacks. My spiritual foundation became the anchor of my persistence.

The Spirit of Innovation: Lessons Learned

My biggest takeaway from 2024 was the undeniable power of innovation. It wasn’t just about navigating external obstacles but reinventing oneself from within. I embraced technology, used data to design campaigns, and introduced fresh strategies to ensure that our agency remained competitive.

Entrepreneurship, I realised, is as much about survival as it is about scaling new heights. Each challenge had the potential to either break me or inspire new levels of creativity. In my case, the latter prevailed.

Rewriting Stories

As I reflect on 2024, what stands out most to me is how deeply connected every high and low point was to my story’s theme: turning scarcity into productivity. Whether it was relaunching Conversations with Kenni, creating breakthroughs with new clients, or receiving the education award, the year became an evolving tapestry of perseverance.

With faith at the centre, I anchored my efforts not only on professional aspirations but also on a more personal hope: to inspire those who witnessed my journey. My resilience became a quiet rallying cry for young Nigerian entrepreneurs facing challenges of their own.

As 2024 transitions into memory, I look toward 2025 with optimism that can only emerge from having navigated turbulent waters. “The goal isn’t just to survive anymore; it’s to thrive in ways I never thought possible,” I muse.

As the pages of 2024 close, my journey offers an inspiring blueprint for finding triumph in adversity. In my own words, “2024 didn’t break me; it built me. Scarcity taught me discipline, challenges sharpened my creativity, and every moment demanded that I show up as my best self. I wouldn’t trade these lessons for anything.”

From the quiet beginnings of the year to its breathtaking crescendo of awards, media appearances, and meaningful campaigns, my story reminds us all that the valleys of scarcity are often the crucibles where productivity is born. This epilogue is both a celebration of the year gone by and a clarion call to face the next chapter with unshakeable hope.

As I move into 2025, I am armed with the faith that greater things lie ahead. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

The post #BN2024Epilogues: With Faith and Innovation, Kehinde Ajose Turned His Slow 2024 Start Into a Year of Milestones appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Dear Santa,

My fondest Christmas memory is when I was ten years old. My dad took our family on a boat cruise. There are five of us in my family: my dad, my mum, my two siblings, and me.

The boat cruise was a five-kilometre ride on an engine-powered boat with a roof. I had never been in a boat before, so I was a bit scared. However, my dad reassured me that there was nothing to worry about. We were all given life jackets, and then the boat set off. We enjoyed music and delicious food during the ride. I loved the experience, and when it was time to leave, I wished we could stay longer. I hoped we could come back the next day for another cruise. It was a truly entertaining and refreshing experience.

Yours,

Paul Ogar.

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The BellaNaija #FeelLikeAChild campaign, in collaboration with BreatherNG, presents the perfect opportunity for people to let go of adulthood, let their hair down and ‘play’ like a child for a day. Together with BreatherNG, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for 5 winners and their plus one this December. 

The post #FeelLikeAChildAgain: Paul Ogar Remembers the Magic of His First Boat Cruise One Christmas appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Dear Santa,

Life isn’t perfect but I know for sure childhood days felt perfect, especially during Christmas. I have never gotten over family reunions and having to eat, eat, eat till you are too tired to continue eating. Our favourite meat/protein was always chicken and what is Christmas without it anyway? Every Christmas eve, my family and I would go to church in our neighbourhood and also join everyone to sing carols and study the bible. Then, as we head home, we stop at the shops on our street to buy knockout (bangers). Then we lit them up and enjoyed the sound that accompanies it.

The following day (Christmas), we rush for the early morning Mass in our Catholic church and return home at 9 a.m. to do our cooking. Then we share meals with our neighbours and wait eagerly for visitors to come around. Oh, we never forget to watch our favourite Christmas movie, “Home Alone”, because it ended the way we love. While watching a movie, we enjoy our rice, stew and chicken with a bottle of soft drinks. We live in Calabar, so we wait till 4 p.m. to go to the Christmas village and watch masquerades, buy toys and play some fun games to win prizes. We never forget to look for the ice cream man and his truck because what’s Christmas without the kids having ice creams?

Well, those memories never go away but now as an adult, I mostly miss my mother’s cooking on Christmas day because she passed away some years ago. She was always our chef on Christmas day, making us all what we wanted because she wanted us to be happy. I think about her every Christmas; I don’t buy Christmas clothes, make Christmas hair as an adult or spend Christmas with her anymore. I miss having her around and I also miss having not to spend anything as a child while enjoying Christmas. And then, Santa Claus comes bearing gifts of great joy. I miss the fact that I didn’t know Santa was someone we may know and see every day. We are always careful not to make Santa angry, as we fear he will not give us gifts. Now, as an adult, I know it’s someone’s brother, uncle, son or father putting on those clothes to make ends meet. He’s working for his money but I still love him because he makes the children happy.

I want to feel like a child again, like when my mum was here, and when Santa had gifts for us all without discriminating or making any child feel bad. Those memories are so dear to me and I know I won’t forget them anytime soon.

From Margaret.

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The BellaNaija #FeelLikeAChild campaign, in collaboration with BreatherNG, presents the perfect opportunity for people to let go of adulthood, let their hair down and ‘play’ like a child for a day. Together with BreatherNG, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for 5 winners and their plus one this December. 

The post #FeelLikeAChildAgain: Margaret Reflects on the Magic of Childhood Christmas, Missing Mum and Santa appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Hey Santa,

I think of my fondest holiday memory and I remember vividly the smells, sights, feels and all the emotions.

I wasn’t always very excited for the holiday period as a child, because the weather triggered a lot of allergies, but that didn’t stop me from having a good time. I remember the smell of food filling the house, and my cousins coming over. Before the end of November, Grandpa had brought out the Christmas tree, Mummy brought out the decorations and we decorated; my siblings and I putting our own unique spins. I remember all the Christmas parties I attended that year; there were a lot, and the party packs, bouncing castles and mascots still bring a smile to my face.

I’ll never forget the preparations for the Christmas party in school. As always, Mum cut a piece of broom to know my shoe size. My legs have always been long since I was a kid (justice for we long-legged girlies!), and there were funky sunglasses. As always, I was part of the school choir. On Christmas day, I remember baking a fruit cake and excited it turned out well.

Once it was the 25th of November, the streets would be filled with the brightest Christmas decorations, and businesses trying to outdo each other. Only a week ago, I was walking down the street with Mum and we talked about how many businesses hadn’t decorated, possibly choosing to let go to cut costs.

And that’s only one of the many things that seems different from that Christmas. It was simple like many other Christmases, but so beautiful. Now, it seems all the beauty is lost in the day-to-day hustle of trying to build a life, immense workload and inflation. My family and friends are scattered around the world.

A lot of times, I forget that joy isn’t defined by my circumstances, and that’s what I wish to feel even now: joy. I want to feel the joy I did back then. I want people to keep hope alive because a lot of people are losing hope. There’s plenty of reason to celebrate, and I wish that we all get to see and experience it, despite all of these current unpleasant realities.

Love,

Adebisi.

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The BellaNaija #FeelLikeAChild campaign, in collaboration with BreatherNG, presents the perfect opportunity for people to let go of adulthood, let their hair down and ‘play’ like a child for a day. Together with BreatherNG, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for 5 winners and their plus one this December. 

The post #FeelLikeAChildAgain: Funky Sunglasses, Parties & Gifts – Adebisi Amori Remembers a Simpler and Joyful Christmas appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Dear Santa,

I hope this letter finds you well at the North Pole. As Christmas approaches, I’ve been thinking about the magical memories I made during the yuletide season as a child.

I remember waking up early one Christmas morning, feeling like it was the most special day of the year. The tree lights twinkled, the room filled with the sweet scent of my Mom’s special Christmas stew and fried chicken, and the sound of carols playing softly in the background. It was pure magic.

I recall spending hours helping my parents decorate the house, dust the window curtains, and singing along to festive tunes. The excitement of going to Church for carols and vigil on the eve of Christmas. The excitement of dressing up in a new dress and shoes, visiting our neighbours in the company of my siblings and getting monetary gifts and snacks.

As I grew older, the magic of Christmas never faded. Instead, it evolved, and I began to appreciate the joy of giving and sharing the holiday spirit with loved ones.

This year, I’d love it if you could bring some of that childhood magic back into my life. I’ve been trying my best to be good, despite various challenges and I’d be ever so grateful if you could make my Christmas wish come true.

Thank you for all that you do, Santa. You bring joy and happiness to children of all ages, and I feel lucky to have grown up with the magic of Christmas.

With love and appreciation,

Ene Agada.

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The BellaNaija #FeelLikeAChild campaign, in collaboration with BreatherNG, presents the perfect opportunity for people to let go of adulthood, let their hair down and ‘play’ like a child for a day. Together with BreatherNG, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for 5 winners and their plus one this December. 

The post #FeelLikeAChildAgain: Ene Agada Reflects on the Christmas Morning Cleaning Rituals of Her Childhood appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Epilogues typically resolve unanswered questions. They offer closure to a multi-chapter story, revealing the fate of the characters whose stories have been told. As it turns out, my 2024 story doesn’t end with a closure. If anything, I am ending the year with more questions than I started with. Even so, I can write this epilogue with beautiful highlights of a year that has given me far more than I could have imagined.

I spent the first three months of the year living in Spain. I do not exaggerate when I say they were the best three months of this year. In February, I travelled to two more European countries. In April, at 30, I started learning to cycle – I could do it on my own in a week. May, I became an African Liberty Writing Fellow. And in September, I finally completed my master’s degree program. These achievements were mere wishful thoughts last year. I’d hoped to travel the world and get a postgraduate degree, but I was never sure that would happen. 2024 proved to be the year of longings fulfilled.

Yet for all the wins the year brought, 2024 scarred me. I have spent better parts of this year in confusion as I dealt with rejection after rejection – even after hundreds of applications, I’m still without a job. They say rejection makes you stronger, but just as likely, it’ll leave you with self-doubt as you confront your inadequacy. 2024 might have given me the best months, but it also shook my esteem. I write this epilogue with contradiction: ecstatic about the year’s adventures yet mournful for what I lost in self-assurance.

After interrogating why I am writing this, I decided I am writing it for people like me who are ending the year with ambivalence. We might think people fit into neat categories: those ending the year with joy and those ending it with sadness. It turns out there’s another category of people: those with mixed feelings about the year.

Your ambivalence might be confusing, but it’s just life. There are seasons of clear positives and seasons of clear negatives. Equally, there are seasons of ambiguity – it doesn’t diminish the joys and losses you experienced this year. If anything, it can strengthen your resilience as you experience life’s unpredictability.

As I write this epilogue, I realise that life rarely offers neat resolutions, and sometimes, the questions that linger are the seeds of growth for the future. The joy, pain, clarity, and confusion are threads of the same beautiful story you’re telling with your existence. If you’re ending the year with mixed feelings, let this season of ambiguity remind you that growth often happens because of life’s unpredictability, not in spite of it.

The post #BN2024Epilogues: 2024 Started Off Great for Kehinde Egbanubi But She’s Ending it With Mixed Feelings appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Dear Santa,

As I write this letter, I’m filled with nostalgia and excitement, reminiscing about my fondest childhood Christmas memories. One of my most cherished memories is cooking a special Christmas meal with my mother, surrounded by laughter, love, and delicious food.

As I grew older, I realised that the true magic of Christmas lies in the time spent with loved ones and the joy of sharing special moments. However, as an adult, I miss family gatherings, sharing stories, and continuing family customs that bring warmth and comfort.

I also miss the sense of community that comes with Christmas, where neighbours, friends, and strangers come together to spread cheer and kindness. This sense of connection and love is what truly makes Christmas special.

To recapture the magic of Christmas, I want to feel like a child again. I want to engage in activities that spark excitement, entertainment, and creativity, such as decorating and writing letters to Santa. I want to rekindle the happiness and joy that Christmas brings.

Thank you, Santa, for being a part of so many special childhood memories. I appreciate your kindness and generosity in bringing happiness to children worldwide.

As I sign off, I’m reminded of the true meaning of Christmas: love, connection, and joy. I hope to recapture some of that magic this year and create new memories with my loved ones.

Yours Sincerely,

Dr Fix Big Moves.

_ _ _ _

The BellaNaija #FeelLikeAChild campaign, in collaboration with BreatherNG, presents the perfect opportunity for people to let go of adulthood, let their hair down and ‘play’ like a child for a day. Together with BreatherNG, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for 5 winners and their plus one this December. 

The post #FeelLikeAChildAgain: Fix Big Moves Misses The Sense of Community That Comes With Christmas appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

As the year comes to a close, I find it valuable to pause and reflect on the lessons 2024 has offered. Each year brings its share of challenges and triumphs, and this year has been no exception. From significant transitions to moments of personal growth, here are some key takeaways from my career journey that I hope will inspire and guide you as you step into 2025:

You Are One Try Away from Your Next Level

This year reaffirmed the power of persistence. Often, the breakthrough we seek is just one attempt beyond where we want to stop. Whether it was preparing for a new opportunity or navigating complex projects, I’ve learned to keep trying despite initial setbacks. Success is often closer than it seems—remember, you miss 100% of the chances you don’t take.

Exits Are Necessary – Know When to Leave

One of the most significant lessons I learned this year was the importance of knowing when to exit. Leaving my previous employer for a new role was a defining moment. Mastering the art of a timely and graceful exit is a critical skill. Leaving when the ovation is still loud ensures a smoother transition and preserves your professional legacy. Staying too long, even with good intentions, can have lasting consequences that are hard to recover from. Someone once said to me, that the day you start a role, you should start planning how and when you want to leave.

Prepare Before the Exit

Exiting isn’t just about leaving—it’s about preparing for what comes next. This year, I realised how crucial it is to plan transitions well in advance. Preparation means upskilling, building connections in your desired field, and mentally bracing for uncertainty. The process often involves hard questions: What do I truly want? Is this path still serving me? Where do I see myself in 2–5 years? It’s not just about financial readiness; it’s about achieving mental clarity and focus. The more intentional your preparation, the smoother your transition will be.

Every Experience Adds Value

No experience is ever wasted. This year, stretching beyond my job description in previous roles proved invaluable. These efforts equipped me with skills that transcend titles and positions. Even when circumstances take away a job or role, your experience remains a powerful asset. These moments taught me the value of adaptability and using past lessons to create future opportunities. As Ibukun Awosika says, every part of your journey has value.

Reading the Room is a Superpower

As you grow in your career, emotional intelligence and situational awareness become indispensable. This year, I leaned heavily on the ability to “read the room”—whether in meetings, negotiations, or stakeholder interactions. It’s a skill that has set me apart. To master it, you must become an attentive listener—not just to what is said, but also to what is left unsaid.

Invest in Your Personal Brand Early

Your personal brand is one of your most valuable career assets. Start building it long before you need it. Consistently showcasing your expertise and values creates opportunities and establishes credibility. This year, I benefited significantly from the social capital tied to my brand—not just what I do, but the value I bring as Wunmi. Personal branding is about presenting your authentic self to the world, and the value you add. Opportunities have come my way simply because of my presence and engagement on platforms like LinkedIn.

Do It Afraid

Courage has been a recurring theme in my journey this year. Transitioning into the development finance space and organising a women-centred event, Forge Forward, were both exhilarating and intimidating. I’ve learned that fear often signals growth. Taking bold steps, even when you’re unsure of the outcome, can unlock new possibilities. The path becomes clearer as you move forward.

Find the Growth in Waiting

Periods of waiting can feel stagnant, but they hold immense growth potential. During times when I felt stuck professionally, I chose to focus on development—enrolling in courses, building relationships, and refining my skills. Waiting can be an opportunity to prepare for the next big step. Professional development is always a good idea—it gives me options and a sense of progress, even in uncertain times.

What lessons has 2024 taught you? I’d love to hear your reflections.

The post Wunmi Adelusi: Reflecting on My Career Lessons from 2024 appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Dear Santa,

I hope this letter finds you well, settled in the warmth of the North Pole, surrounded by the hum of busy elves and the jingling of bells. I have always imagined it to be a magical place.

As I write this, a memory of my favourite childhood Christmas floods my mind. It was a chilly Christmas Eve in the village. I was very happy, not only because of Christmas day but because of the event I was going to attend. At that time, there was a woman who always hosted a celebration for children at her residence every Christmas day. Presents were given to children who performed well in their various schools.

I woke up early on Christmas day, with my heart racing with excitement. One of the best parts of that Christmas was coming home from church to meet different delicacies prepared. Around noon, I dressed up and rushed to the event. I brought my result slip with me and handed it over to the official. My heart raced for joy as my name was called. I  hurriedly stepped out to receive my gift with ecstasy and couldn’t wait to show my family. 

At about 4:00 pm, the event came to an end. Unfortunately, that was the last event I attended because the host passed away.

It wasn’t just the gift that made that Christmas unforgettable. It was the sense of wonder, and the realisation that Christmas is about more than the presents – it is about Christ, love, joy and the magic of believing. 

What I miss about Christmas as a young adult is the joy it brought me as a child. I remember spending time with my extended family in the village and creating wonderful memories. I loved running away from firecrackers, which we called “knockouts.” The sky lit up with various colours of fireworks, and I cherish the many gifts I received from my family.

Santa, my wish for this Christmas is to be among the winners of BellaNaija’s ‘Feel Like A Child Again’ campaign. I have a lot of things to write but I don’t want to bore you with my long story because I know you have other letters to read and other wishes to grant. 

Wishing you a peaceful and joyous holiday season. May your sleigh always find its way and your heart remain as big as it has always been.

With love and gratitude,

Blessing.

_ _ _ _

The BellaNaija #FeelLikeAChild campaign, in collaboration with BreatherNG, presents the perfect opportunity for people to let go of adulthood, let their hair down and ‘play’ like a child for a day. Today with BreatherNG, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for 5 winners and their plus one this December. 

The post #FeelLikeAChildAgain: Blessing’s Favourite Christmas Memory Was Receiving a Gift She’d Never Forget appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Dear Santa,

Thank you for always making the holidays magical. I’ll never forget how you left presents under the Christmas tree every year until I became a teenager—it felt like a little miracle each time. Those visits to the post office to deliver my letters to you were always a highlight of the season. And guess what? Everything I wished for somehow always appeared the next morning. You’re the best.

One of my fondest childhood memories was visiting the Amusement Park in Apapa when I was seven. It was a dream come true. My parents, friends, and I had the time of our lives. I ate everything I could lay my hands on—cotton candy, popcorn, ice cream. And the rides? Oh, they were unforgettable. I loved them, even the scary ones that had me screaming my lungs out but laughing right after.

The fun didn’t end there. The very next day, my friends and I joined my parents for an event at Ikoyi Country Club, and it was an absolute blast. I proudly showed off my swimming skills, enjoyed thrilling horse rides, and played fun games in the sand. The highlight of the day? The music, the delicious food (especially the suya), and the competitions. I even won a prize for being the best dancer. It was such a thrilling experience, and I couldn’t stop smiling the entire time.

Christmas as a child was so thrilling. I got to see my cousins and friends, attend the most amazing events, and eat to my heart’s content without a single worry about planning or paying for anything. Every day during the holidays felt like a new adventure, and I’ll forever cherish those memories.

Now, as an adult, all I want for Christmas is the chance to relive those carefree moments—to relax, have fun, and enjoy all those activities I loved as a child without the stress or cost. Recently, I went through a breakup, and I require cheering up. I would really love to have childlike fun again—to laugh, play, and feel that pure joy I once did. That would truly make my holiday magical again.

Thank you, Santa, for always making Christmas so special. Here’s to more magical moments.

With love,
[Seyie]

_ _ _ _

The BellaNaija #FeelLikeAChild campaign, in collaboration with BreatherNG, presents the perfect opportunity for people to let go of adulthood, let their hair down and ‘play’ like a child for a day. Today with BreatherNG, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for 5 winners and their plus one this December. 

The post #FeelLikeAChildAgain: Seyi Olaniyan’s Fondest Childhood Christmas Memory was Visiting the Amusement Park appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Literature

My spiritual curiosity began to take root during pivotal moments of reflection. The night before turning 18, I was reading Wole Soyinka‘s “You Must Set Forth at Dawn” when I encountered his description of a man praying beside the pyramids in Egypt. For a moment, I felt a sense of peace, timeless history, and a desire to understand deeply the connections between spirituality, humanity, and the universal experiences that bind us.

I had been reading Ahmadou Kourouma‘s “Allah is not Obliged”, finding profound parallels between the small soldier’s life and my own journey. The Qur’an itself seemed to echo these sentiments, with verses that resonated deeply: ‘Do not back down from attack. O ye who believe! When ye meet a force, be firm and call Allah in remembrance much (and often); that ye may prosper.’ — Surah Al-Anfal, verse 45.

Death

Death became a lens through which I explored connections. Tombstones fascinated me—a life reduced to a paragraph, sometimes just three words. My fascination began with our family house in the village, situated opposite an Anglican Church’s gravesite. During a camping trip in Itasin forest, Ogun State, the Catholic church we camped in housed tombstones that seemed to whisper stories of lives lived and lost.

Since moving to Belfast on September 3, 2024, I’ve discovered a cemetery where I can walk, watch the trees, read the tombstones, and bask in sacred silence. The cemeteries here use salt containers—practical vessels strategically placed at the entrance. They remove odours that might attract animals, while local spiritual traditions believe salt helps the dead find solace in the afterlife.

My exploration of spiritual traditions deepened as I learned about death and ancestral rituals from various cultures. The practices of Egypt’s pyramids and Sulawesi’s Toraja people fascinated me. In Nigeria, I’d observed how death could fracture families, with relatives storing bodies in mortuaries while impoverishing themselves for “befitting” burials.

The Islamic practice of burial within 72 hours struck me as both practical and profound. It allowed families to celebrate a worthy life rather than get lost in elaborate mourning rituals.

Mentors

While attending Federal Government College, Odogbolu, my friend Hakeem Lawal, the Imam’s son, became an unexpected guide in my spiritual journey. We frequently discussed Islam, exploring its signs, the Arabic language, and the faith’s miraculous aspects. His gifts of ram meat during Sallah were more than gestures of friendship—they were invitations to understand a deeper spiritual tradition.

Malcolm X’s journey deeply inspired me. His conversion from a troubled past to becoming a powerful voice for social justice through Islam was transformative. Reading about his pilgrimage to Mecca, where he experienced a profound spiritual awakening that transcended racial boundaries, showed me the true depth of religious transformation.

Traditions and Practices

I noticed how Muslim daily practices seemed to cultivate valuable life skills. The five daily prayers, early rising, ablution, and Arabic memorisation were more than religious rituals. They were lessons in repetition, understanding arcane concepts, and maintaining personal hygiene—skills that could be applied to academics, personal development, and professional success.

“Islam is a perfect system,” became a phrase I heard often. As I read the Qur’an, with its comprehensive views on reproduction, agriculture, land use, wealth, profit sharing, and marriage, I became increasingly convinced of its holistic approach to human life.

My Conversion

When it came in June 2024, my conversion felt both sudden and inevitable. It happened at Yankari Game Reserve, a place that had always felt like my sanctuary. A chance encounter at the warm pool led to an impromptu visit to the central mosque. That Friday, surrounded by the faithful, I took my vows, had the ritual bath, and began classes with Chief Imam Mallam Naziru Zakari Muhammad.

Now, standing with my brothers at the Belfast Islamic Centre, hearing the muezzin’s call to prayer, I am amazed and grateful for my incredible journey. The path that began with a reading of an autographed copy of Wole Soyinka’s text in Akure has led me here—certain of joy, peace, and the profound happiness that comes from finding one’s spiritual home.

The post Osisiye Tafa: The Many Reasons Why I Converted to Islam appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Hi, Santa,

How are you doing today? I know you always come bearing good gifts, so what’s up? Christmas is close and it’s giving me shivers knowing that I won’t be spending it with my family. I’m in school working on my project.

As a child, I always looked forward to Christmas – the only day I was allowed to wake up later than 7 a.m., eat to my full and enjoy the whole of the day. I’d wake up to the smell of harmattan in the air, the aroma of food in the kitchen and the sleepy faces of my sisters on the bed.

Santa, am I the only one who thinks that Christmas has a smell? There’s this aura that Christmas mornings have and it envelops the whole house and environment. The smell of jollof rice, fried chicken and prawn crackers jerks me up from the bed. It’s a day of celebration, so my mum is up early cooking and making sure that everything is set for the family and visitors. Such a sweet feeling. Having a mum who is generous hits differently.

As the lastborn, I always had errands waiting for me. With a basket of food and drinks, I began my journey under the hot sun to deliver Christmas goodies to neighbours.

Christmas was characterised as a day of food as my siblings and I would compete on how many rounds of plates or variety of food you could devour. Christmas was always an indoor celebration for me and my family. But at the end of the day, there would be lots of plates, coolers, pots and pans to wash. I dread those moments but all thanks to a sweet mum who helps me with some of the workload. I miss those free moments of just enjoying family time, genuine conversations and freedom in the air. I miss the love that comes with Christmas.

Santa, my friend asked me today how I would be celebrating Christmas, and I told them that I would be in my hostel. I’m not sure how this year’s Christmas will turn out, but I really hope it will be filled with love and joy, along with plenty of food.

_ _ _ _

The BellaNaija #FeelLikeAChild campaign, in collaboration with BreatherNG, presents the perfect opportunity for people to let go of adulthood, let their hair down and ‘play’ like a child for a day. Together with BreatherNG, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for 5 winners and their plus one this December. 

The post #FeelLikeAChildAgain: Eniola Salau Dreaded Washing Plates and Pots During Christmas appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Credit: CAF/Instagram

For many footballers who go on to dominate global football stages, the beginning of their journeys often hints at the stars they will become. This is evident in how European football clubs scout and nurture young talents. Already at 17, Lamine Yamal, the 2024 Golden Boy winner, is sparking speculations about a future Ballon d’Or win. Before Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi became legendary faces of football, the early signs of their brilliance were already apparent. While the speculations around them then might not have been as massive as they are now, their talent was undeniable—a talent that allowed them to shine at Manchester United and Barcelona respectively.

However, with Ademola Lookman, the 2024 CAF Player of the Year, the journey did not start as smoothly. For many, the lasting memory of Lookman was his infamous penalty miss against West Ham United in 2020 as a Fulham FC player. Fulham’s main striker, Aleksandar Mitrović, had missed a penalty earlier in the game, so Lookman stepped up in the 95th minute to secure at least a draw. He attempted a panenka—a delicate chip—but the execution was poor, allowing the goalkeeper an easy save.

It was Lookman’s first major moment in the spotlight, and it did not go as planned. Yet, that miss did not define his footballing ability. Lookman was, and always has been, an exceptional player. He began his Premier League career in 2017 with Everton. In 2018, when he was set to be loaned to Derby County in the Championship, Lookman chose instead to join RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. On his debut for Leipzig, he scored the winning goal as a late substitute.

In 2019, Lookman signed a five-year contract with RB Leipzig. He was later loaned to Fulham FC for the 2020 season and joined Leicester City on another season-long loan in 2021. Across 35 appearances for Fulham, he scored just 4 goals, and in 42 appearances for Leicester City, he netted 8 goals in all competitions. These were not statistics to push him toward accolades like Player of the Year or even Africa’s best.

As the saying goes, it’s not how far or how long but how well. In August 2022, Lookman made a pivotal move to Atalanta FC in Italy’s Serie A. He became an instant sensation, scoring on his debut. By January 2023, he had delivered three consecutive braces in three matches, signalling a resurgence.

In May 2024, Ademola Lookman reached a historic milestone by scoring his first career hat-trick on an international stage. He netted all three goals in the Europa League final at Dublin Arena, leading Atalanta to a commanding 3–0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. This triumph secured Atalanta’s first-ever European trophy. Lookman’s feat etched his name in history as the first player to score a hat-trick in a one-legged men’s European final since Pierino Prati in 1969, the first-ever hat-trick in a Europa League final, and the first African player to achieve this remarkable record.

The record-breaking performance earned him a Ballon d’Or nomination, ranking 14th, and made him the only African player on the list. Tonight, December 16, 2024, Ademola Lookman was named African Player of the Year, becoming one of the Nigerians to win the award. Though he initially played for England, switching to represent Nigeria proved to be one of the best decisions of his career.

Lookman’s journey encapsulates the idea of finding where you truly belong. From struggling to make an impact in the Premier League and enduring the heartbreak of a missed penalty to becoming a European champion and Africa’s finest, his story inspires anyone facing challenges to redefine their narrative and embrace their unique path. Lookman should be proud of how far he’s come and how far he could go. After his impressive run in the previous season, he continues to prove he’s not a one-season wonder; he currently has 12 goal contributions in 13 matches.

Be proud, Ademola Lookman. You have not allowed the journey to define you, but you have defined a journey for yourself.

The post Ademola Lookman, Be Proud appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Dear Santa,

My name is Jennifer. I’m twenty-one years old. When I was young, every Christmas, my dad would take us out to the park and we would always have so much fun playing, taking nice family photographs and exchanging gifts with one another. I got so many toys and gifts from my dad but all that ended when we lost him. After my dad’s death, no one ever took me to the park or bought me gifts.

Santa, Christmas used to always feel special but not anymore. People always tell me I’m an adult now, so these things shouldn’t matter but honestly I wish I could go back in time when Christmas was special. 

I’m not asking for much Santa; just one day to feel like a child again.

Thank you, Santa.

Yours Lovely,

Jennifer.

_ _ _ _

The BellaNaija #FeelLikeAChild campaign, in collaboration with BreatherNG, presents the perfect opportunity for people to let go of adulthood, let their hair down and ‘play’ like a child for a day. Today with BreatherNG, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for 5 winners and their plus one this December. 

The post #FeelLikeAChildAgain: Jennifer’s Christmas Used to Be Filled with Gifts from Her Dad appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Nancy Chiuri steadies herself, her youngest son perched playfully on her shoulders as she lowers into a deep squat. His laughter bubbles over as she counts her reps.

For Nancy, fitness isn’t confined to a gym; it’s woven into everyday life. She believes in working with what’s at hand — whether that’s a park bench, a pair of water bottles, or, in her case, her kids, who are often part of her routine.

“Motherhood gives you enough weight to carry—sometimes literally,” she joked. “Why not turn it into something that builds you up?”

This down-to-earth ethos underpins the wellness initiative Nancy founded to help women and mothers integrate fitness into their everyday lives.

Called Mama Fitness Kenya, Nancy’s initiative has sought to inspire women to embrace wellness no matter their circumstances, showing them that transformation starts right where they are, with what they have.

Nancy, an IT expert with a Master’s in Project Planning Management, is also a motivational speaker who emphasises that while fitness can be an important way for women to regain strength after childbirth, it is also about reclaiming confidence, balance and building a sense of self. She has been doing it one squat, one stretch, and one empowered woman at a time.

Her programmes and improvisations are designed to meet women where they are — be that in a bustling household or even, as in a previous programme at women’s prisons in Nairobi, in the most challenging of circumstances.

Her programmes don’t just focus on physical health but also incorporate mental and emotional well-being, grounded in the belief that a strong mother builds a strong family and, ultimately, a strong community.

Mama Fitness Kenya began with a simple idea: make fitness accessible and practical for women, especially mothers. Nancy noticed that traditional gyms and workout spaces often felt exclusionary to women juggling family responsibilities, financial constraints, or the physical changes brought by motherhood.

“Not everyone can afford a gym membership, and even if they can, many mothers don’t have the time or flexibility to go regularly,” Nancy explained.

Her solution was to design workouts that could be done at home or in shared community spaces, using everyday items. From water bottles for weights to furniture for stability, her programs quickly gained traction.

Her slogan, “Healthy body, healthy mind, healthy community,” became the cornerstone of her movement.

“Fitness isn’t just about looking good,” she said. “It’s about feeling good, being present, and staying ready to handle whatever life throws your way.”

One of her most significant projects took place at Langata Women’s Prison in Nairobi, Kenya, where she worked with incarcerated women. Many of them were mothers themselves, separated from their children but still carrying the emotional weight of parenthood.

“In prison, fitness became a way for these women to reclaim a sense of control and purpose,” she said.

Her sessions focused not only on physical exercise but also on mental wellness, incorporating techniques to manage stress, build confidence, and foster resilience. For these women, who often faced societal stigma upon release, Nancy’s programme became a lifeline.

Her work in Langata was a springboard for more initiatives. Nancy expanded her reach to other marginalised communities, conducting wellness workshops in rural areas and underfunded urban neighbourhoods. Her adaptability and hands-on approach quickly earned her respect and admiration.

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted lives worldwide, Nancy pivoted to online platforms, ensuring her followers could stay active and connected despite lockdowns. Through Zoom, she hosted virtual fitness sessions and panel discussions, inviting experts to speak on topics ranging from maternal health to mental resilience.

“Women needed more than just exercises,” Nancy recalled. “They needed support, a community, and practical advice for navigating a very uncertain time.”

Her digital series attracted participants from across Africa, solidifying Mama Fitness Kenya as a trusted resource for holistic well-being.

The mother of five’s work has taken her across Africa, from Ethiopia to South Africa, where her expertise is sought after by health organisations and community leaders. In Ethiopia, she collaborated with local groups to provide postpartum fitness programmes tailored to cultural norms and available resources.

Now based in Pretoria, she connects with her family through prayer, a ritual that she says strengthens their bond and provides balance amid her busy schedule. She also gives back to her community by supporting orphanages and schools not only through fitness programmes but also professionally as an IT specialist, helping improve their systems and operations.

Raising five boys while running a growing movement is no small feat, but Nancy approaches parenting with the same holistic philosophy she brings to her fitness programmes.

Her household is a lively but structured environment. Mornings begin with physical activity, whether it’s a walk, a game of football, or a quick workout together. Meals are homemade and focused on nutrition, and evenings often include conversations around books, school projects, or life lessons.

Mama Fitness Kenya has grown into a recognisable brand with a loyal following. Nancy’s social media platforms, where she shares workout routines, tips for healthy living, and glimpses into her family life, have attracted thousands of followers.

Looking ahead, she hopes to see Mama Fitness Kenya become a global movement. Her plans include developing fitness curriculums for schools, launching a line of affordable fitness gear, and expanding her online platform to include multilingual content for broader accessibility.

As she sets her youngest son down, her movements fluid and unhurried, she is already thinking about her next steps.

Story Credit: Seth Onyango for Bird Story Agency

The post How Nancy Chiuri is Helping Women Transform Their lives Through Fitness & Community appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Lagos is loud. It sings, talks, and shouts all at once. From the neighbour playing a specific classic at 5:30 a.m. to the mosque’s muezzin and the preacher’s crackling loudspeakers, the sounds are ever-present. It continues with the competitive bombardment of music coming out of every shop front—Afrobeats, Gospel, Fuji, highlife, and the theatrical performances of the bus conductor hanging on molue and yellow busses, shouting “Ikeja! Ikeja!” 

That loudness is the beginning and the conclusion of every conversation. This city is noisy, yet I don’t hate it. Before relocating to Abeokuta, I spent too much time in this city to hate it. I am back this time for my second visit to the Aké Arts and Book Festival, where over a thousand writers, poets, singers, actors, filmmakers, artists, and intellectuals gathered to celebrate creativity. The 12th annual festival, themed “Finding Freedom,” captured Lagos’s unique spirit, turning challenging discussions into open dialogue. 

The last time I was here, I came as a participant with no expectations other than to be immersed in Aké’s jam-packed schedule of creative activities, including panel talks, book discussions, poetry, music, games, and a little palm wine. This year, I’m going with a press pass.

While Aké has long highlighted books, festival director Lola Shoneyin emphasised the festival’s greater mission: “We want people to walk away with more than just books and networking. They should feel better informed and more receptive to fresh ideas.” This majorly manifests in the panel discussion titled “Demystifying Cancer,” which featured Wole Soyinka, Gloria Okwu, and host Ruona Mayer.

In Nigeria, many crucial health discussions are often held in whispers or not addressed at all. Conditions like cancer and HIV/AIDS carry a stigma, making it difficult for those affected to speak openly about their experiences. Despite the availability of modern medical facilities, many people choose spiritual healing over conventional healthcare. This decision leads to a worsening of preventable conditions, complications, and sometimes even death. According to the World Health Organisation, cancer alone claims more than 72,000 lives annually in Nigeria, making it the second deadliest disease worldwide, responsible for 9.6 million deaths in 2018.

Gloria Okwu spoke on how her careful nature could not save her from the grip of cancer.”It slows you down somehow,” she said. She called cancer the “most toxic thing that can happen to anyone.” Her voice grew firmer as she continued. “It is financially toxic. It takes your money, it takes your time.” She and Ruona shared their cancer journeys through projected images, documenting their medications and physical transformations while the audience watched intently.

Gloria described her initial horror as being shaped by other people’s stories. “The first survivor I spoke to made it look like living was worse than dying,” she said, highlighting the lack of open, honest discourse regarding cancer patients’ experiences. Her story illustrated the festival’s belief in the transformative power of narrative to address complicated social challenges such as health stigma.

This year, the Ake Festival’s strategy emphasises the transformative power of storytelling, particularly in addressing the complex social issue of health-related stigma. Jesimiel Williams, a first-time attendee, highlighted that storytelling can significantly influence beliefs about cancer and other illnesses. “For many readers, literature serves as their first meaningful encounter with specific health conditions,” he noted. “Authors have the power to shape how people understand this information.” His insight illustrates how authentic and nuanced portrayals of health issues can evoke empathy and challenge stereotypes.

Like Lagos, the festival openly addresses difficult conversations instead of shying away from them. It embraces the city’s tradition of speaking boldly, turning personal stories into powerful tools for change. This highlights how storytelling is a crucial catalyst for societal transformation, especially in healthcare, where well-crafted narratives can challenge long-held beliefs and promote true understanding.

The post Muhammed Bello: How Aké Festival Inspires Bold Conversations That Challenge Societal Norms appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.

Dear Santa,

Writing to you feels like opening a time capsule back to my childhood, a simpler time when the world felt less complicated, and Christmas was the purest form of magic. Growing up in Nigeria, December was a season of unbridled joy. I still remember how the streets would transform, lit up with strings of flickering lights, children running around with knockouts, and the sweet aroma of jollof rice and fried chicken filling the air.

This year has been one for the books, a mix of tears, growth, and quiet triumphs. It’s the first Christmas I’ll spend without my father, and the ache of his absence feels sharper as the holidays draw near. He was the heartbeat of our celebrations, the man who made Christmas mornings come alive with his laughter and generosity. Growing up, he was Santa himself. Or so I believed, as he always seemed to know exactly what I wanted.

Christmas mornings back then were pure magic. My siblings and I would wake up to the smell of freshly fried puff-puff wafting from the kitchen, its aroma mingling with the sound of carols playing on the radio. After devouring the rice and fried chicken and leaving our lips glistening with oil, we’d race outside to join other kids in the compound, our excitement boundless. Visiting neighbours was a ritual—we’d go from house to house, collecting crisp N20 notes and sometimes, if we were lucky, cold minerals to quench our thirst. By the end of the day, our pockets jingled with coins, and our hearts were full from the joy of simply being kids. It was a time of innocence, laughter, and love. Those moments I hold onto dearly, especially now.

But this year, adulthood seems heavier than ever. It’s been a year of loss; losing my father, parts of my life I thought were solid, and even my own footing at times. Yet, if there’s one thing we Nigerians are known for, it’s resilience. Somehow, I’ve found the strength to rebuild, to keep going, and to dream again.

So, Santa, this is my wish: bring back that childlike joy. Let me feel the thrill of Christmas again. The giddy excitement, the carefree laughter, and the pure delight of simple pleasures. I want to dance without a care, unwrap a gift like it holds the world, and remember what it means to truly celebrate.

And while I’m here, I’ll take a moment to say thank you, for the memories, the lessons, and the strength I’ve found this year. Because even though it’s been tough, I’ve come out stronger, and for that, I’m grateful.

With hope and a heart full of nostalgia,

Tolulope Ekundayo.

_ _ _ _

The BellaNaija #FeelLikeAChild campaign, in collaboration with BreatherNG, presents the perfect opportunity for people to let go of adulthood, let their hair down and ‘play’ like a child for a day. Today with BreatherNG, we’re creating an unforgettable experience for 5 winners and their plus one this December. 

The post #FeelLikeAChildAgain: Christmas Was A Season of Unbridled Joy for Tolulope Ekundayo  appeared first on BellaNaija - Showcasing Africa to the world. Read today!.