Since you're open-minded, let's begin.

I came from a very disciplined family, the kind where you were expected to return home within 20 minutes after school closed. The kind where no one stayed outside once it was 6:00 p.m. Sounds strict, right?

One interesting thing was that we hardly kept friends. If a lady visited my sister wearing tight trousers or a revealing dress, that could easily be the end of their friendship. People rarely visited us, and we rarely visited others.

As a result, I grew up with only two to four friends. Looking back, I believe that's one of the reasons I became extremely timid and shy, especially around ladies.

When it was time for secondary school, I was sent to a highly disciplined boarding school. During my stay there, I entered a completely different world; the kind where you had to speak up and stay alert just to survive.

Being tough wasn't an option; it was a necessity. The level of discipline was intense. One senior would send you on an errand, and before you got there, another senior would send you somewhere else. If you chose to satisfy one before the other, you were in for serious trouble.

Long story short, after graduation I began asking myself difficult questions: What's the next step? What should I do with my life?

Like many young people, I concluded that I should either learn a skill or get a job as a salesperson.

So I reached out to my dad for his approval.

His response was simple:

"No. I can't allow my son to go out there and work as someone's slave."

I suggested working as a salesperson instead, but he rejected that too. He wanted us to join him in his new business.

Please stay with me.

Fast forward to my university days.

Things became difficult financially, and I needed support. I reached out to my dad again.

This time, his response shocked me.

"I can't help you all the time. Your mates are out there doing things to support themselves. You should figure out something to help yourself too."

Those words felt like a dagger in my heart.

The same person who had refused to let me work or learn a skill was now telling me to find a way to survive.

At that point, I had several options before me.

Yahoo was at my doorstep.

Betting was there.

Even exploiting organizations where I worked while on campus crossed my mind.

The pressure was real.

But somehow, I couldn't bring myself to choose any of those paths.

After graduation, I struggled with the feeling that I wasn't doing well because many of my major decisions had been influenced by my father's choices. I felt he was the reason why I couldn't meet up with the expectations I placed on myself.

Then, a few months later, I came across a message that changed my perspective.

It reminded me that no one else was responsible for my future.

Yes, mistakes may have happened years ago, but dwelling on blame wouldn't change anything cause complains and blames has no futility. What mattered was waking up, taking responsibility, and building a better future from where I stood.

So, to every parent and to everyone who hopes to become one someday:

Don't pressure your children.

Don't compare them with others.

Give them a solid foundation.

Guide them.

Support them.

Then step back and watch them soar.

To everyone who has been dwelling on pain from the past:

Forgive.

Heal.

Make new steps. &

Move on.

I hope this helps someone out there.

Gracias. 🙌

Every single day, about 2,000 people die by suicide around the world. That adds up to more than 720,000 lives lost every year.

2,000. 720,000 lives. Isn't that concerning?

Global data consistently shows that men and boys die by suicide at higher rates than women. In Nigeria, men account for nearly 79% of suicide deaths, while women are more likely to report suicidal thoughts or make non-fatal attempts. This pattern exists in most countries, although the size of the gap varies.

Why does this happen?

There is rarely a single cause. It is often the result of several burdens piling up over time:

• Untreated mental illness, especially depression.

• Financial hardship, unemployment, and hopelessness.

• Relationship breakdown or the loss of a loved one.

• Social isolation and loneliness.

• Limited access to mental health care.

• Substance misuse.

• Stigma that prevents people from asking for help.

• For many young people, academic pressure, bullying, and cyberbullying.

Perhaps the saddest part is that many of these situations could have been addressed before they reached a crisis.

The person who cries alone often goes unnoticed.

The employee who lost a job before the weekend may go days without anyone checking in.

The struggling student is expected to "be strong."

The person asking for help is sometimes labeled as a weakling instead of being heard.

Then we ask, "Why are so many people dying?"

While suicide is complex and cannot always be prevented, one thing can make a significant difference: genuine concern for one another.

Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is simply “LISTEN”.

Listen without judging.

Listen without rushing to give answers.

Listen without making someone feel like a burden.

When we are willing to hear the voices of those who are hurting, we take a step toward building a kinder and healthier world.

And if you are reading this while carrying thoughts of giving up, I want you to know this: You matter. Your life has value. Your story is not over.

Please don't fight the battle alone. Speak to someone you trust. Allow someone to stand with you. There is hope, even if you cannot see it today. God is listening, he hears and he still speaks today.

The world needs more people who care enough to listen. Perhaps that person can be you.

We learned to stay silent when we witnessed wrong. We saw things that troubled us, experienced different forms of abuse, and were often told that our role was simply to endure. We were taught not to go out except for school, church, or errands. Over time, I became timid, shy, withdrawn, and afraid of speaking up. I had only a few friends and constantly worried about saying the wrong thing.

For years, I accepted things I knew were wrong because I thought I had no voice.

Then I realized something: if I continued living that way, I would never become the person God created me to be.

So I began to speak up. It wasn't easy. There were threats, insults, and accusations that I was becoming disrespectful. People called it rudeness when I refused to remain silent. But through the help of the Holy Spirit, I found freedom.

Don't die in silence.

Who said you cannot speak when you are wronged? Who said you must watch evil flourish and pretend not to see it?

The evil you refuse to confront today may confront you tomorrow. The evil you fail to tame today may tame you tomorrow.

You are a son of a lion. You were not created to live in fear, silence, or mediocrity.

Find your voice. Speak the truth. Stand for what is right.

Sheol.

Lust.

Desire.

These things are never satisfied. The more they take, the hungrier they become.

The moment they begin, they do not intend to stop. Sometimes, we feel convicted and decide there is a need to change. We pray. We fast. We study the Bible. We cry for a day or two. Then, the next day, the desire returns like a flood, leaving no part of the heart untouched. Suddenly, the appetite feels strong and fresh again.

We try to let go, but somehow, we find ourselves tangled again.

At this point, we begin to understand that Sheol and Abaddon truly represent destruction.

“Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the place of destruction) are never satisfied; so [the lust of] the eyes of man is never satisfied”. Proverbs 27:20 (AMP). This thing did not come merely to slow your growth, it came to destroy, and it will not rest until its mission is accomplished.

That is why sin prospers in secrecy. Hiddenness protects destructive patterns from accountability, healing, and freedom.

It's normal to get the urge for sex but what makes it a problem lies wholly on our actions and inactions.

So, how do we escape this deadly snare?

• First, we must admit that we are entangled and that we genuinely need help.

• We must acknowledge that we cannot save ourselves. Self-discipline may help to an extent, but it is not the first thing we need.

• We must believe that God can help us. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

• We must stay sincere before God — not trying to ACT strong before Him.

• We must call sin what it is, while also admitting our weakness and need for mercy. “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17

• Surround yourself with genuine believers. “Not neglecting the gathering together of believers… but encouraging one another.” Hebrews 10:25

• Read and study God's Word genuinely. You may choose to begin with Proverbs. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” — Psalm 119:11

• Pray sincerely. “Building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” — Jude 20

• Set boundaries — both online and offline. “Flee youthful lusts…” — 2 Timothy 2:22

• Guard what enters your eyes(Your eye is a gate). Through your phone, your media consumption, your environment, and your daily choices.

• Carry the consciousness of God's saving grace. When this truth settles in your heart, it strengthens you to fight lust with the knowledge of His Word.

If you are in this category of people and you are genuinely seeking help, you can pray this prayer of faith:

Dear Lord,

I come before You just as I am. I ask for Your help and mercy. I have struggled, and I have tried to help myself, but I cannot do this alone. Please heal me, strengthen me, and deliver me.

Give me the grace to guard my heart, walk in truth, and remain faithful until Your return.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

These people wake up every day carrying different kinds of burdens, yet they still show up with the thought:

“What are we doing today?”

And with the question:

“How do I help these children become better today?”

They show up even when no one applauds them.

Some come with personal questions life itself has not answered for them.

At the point of exhaustion and emotional breakage, they still stand before students, not to show off, but to add value.

In the midst of chaos, they look at a student and say,

“Everything will be fine.”

At moments when life becomes overwhelming for them, they still smile and say,

“I’m fine.”

Not because they are immune to pain, but because they believe the children deserve a reason to smile too.

They leave school carrying frustrations, disappointments, and silent struggles, only to pour their exhaustion onto their beds at night.

Some endure insults and disrespect from students, yet they swallow the pain and continue teaching.

To every educator out there:

You are seen.

You are loved.

Keep staying strong.

Keep making impact.

And when it gets too hard, speak up to someone.

You are not alone.

You are appreciated.

You are shaping lives in ways history may never fully record.

But someday, history will tell your story.

Don’t assume that the kids around you fully understand adolescence, puberty, and the emotions that come with them.

I used to think they did.

I remember taking time to explain the concept of puberty to my younger sister. In my mind, that was enough, like I had handed her a complete map for a journey I believed she now understood. But I’ve come to realize something important: information is not the same as understanding, and understanding is not the same as wisdom.

Recently, she started receiving a male friend. At first, it seemed harmless. Just visits, conversations, laughter, the kind of thing you don’t want to overreact to. But then the visits became frequent. Almost everyday.

Something in me felt uneasy.

I thought about speaking to him, but I kept postponing it. Not because I didn’t care, but because I wasn’t sure how to say what needed to be said. I didn’t feel I had the right words, and sometimes that uncertainty can make silence feel like the easier option.

But silence can be costly.

Over time, I noticed a shift. The atmosphere began to feel different—more emotionally charged, less innocent. Then one day, I saw something that confirmed what I had been sensing: he was touching her leg.

In that moment, everything became clear. There was more going on beneath the surface than I had allowed myself to admit.

That was the turning point.

I finally called him, and we had a long conversation. It wasn’t just a warning, it was a teaching moment. I spoke honestly, but gently. Firmly, but with care. Not from a place of anger, but from a place of responsibility and love.

And I’m grateful I did.

Because sometimes, young people aren’t intentionally crossing boundaries—they simply don’t understand them. No one has clearly defined those lines for them, or helped them see the weight of their actions.

That conversation mattered.

I truly believe the Holy Spirit helped guide my words. There was a calmness, a clarity, and a compassion in that moment that I know didn’t come from me alone.

Now, I’m committed to something more than just correction, I’m committed to covering them in prayer. Because guidance doesn’t end with one conversation. Growth is a process, and they will need wisdom, restraint, and understanding as they continue to navigate this stage of life.

This experience taught me something I won’t forget:

• Don’t assume they know.

• Don’t delay the hard conversations.

• And don’t underestimate the power of speaking the truth in love.

Sometimes, the intervention you hesitate to make is the very one that can make all the difference.