OBSERVER'S CORNER

I was overjoyed when I checked the school placement portal and discovered that I had been accepted into one of the nation's most prestigious Senior High Schools. It wasn't just about the school, but also the opportunity to go home for the first time in my life. I had always longed to visit my village, but the chance never arose until after Junior Secondary School (J.S.S), when I was given the opportunity to study in my village and continue my family's legacy at that school. Before then, I had experienced a series of disappointments from family members who had promised to take me there. However, the chance finally came, and what was once joy turned sour because my expectations were not met. Nevertheless, as time passed, I came to enjoy every aspect of home, from the local dishes to the local beer and the culture. Watching my people dance and sing traditional tunes was always a delight, so I never missed the annual festival throughout my five-year stay at home. I made friends

After graduating high school, I made the decision to work for a specific company in order to support my parents and save up for higher education. Although it wasn't a smooth journey, I was able to save enough money to purchase an admission form and pay for half of my first year's tuition. I was ecstatic when I received acceptance to one of the most prestigious universities in the country. It was a dream come true, as I had always aspired to attend this institution. During my second year, I decided to start a side hustle. I considered vlogging, but I didn't have a camera and my phone's camera quality was subpar. I questioned how I could pursue this business venture without the necessary equipment. However, I reminded myself that there is a first time for everything and decided to give it a try. To make it work, I borrowed my friends' phones with high-quality cameras and a laptop from another friend to edit the videos. I was more focused on the end result than the mea

As a child, like many others, I dreamed of becoming a medical doctor. However, as I progressed through junior high school, my aspirations shifted towards becoming an air hostess, and then later, a nurse. I was captivated by the crisp, white uniforms of nurses and the air of professionalism that surrounded them. Despite my initial dreams, fate had other plans for me. Upon entering senior high school, I dedicated myself to my studies, while also excelling in extracurricular activities such as football, drama, and church activities. My commitment did not go unnoticed, and I was beloved by both my peers and teachers. The chaplain of the school recognized my potential and introduced me to some religious sisters who visited our school every first and third Sunday of each month. I cherished these moments with them and began to discern my vocation. After much discussion with my parents, I decided to pursue my calling and become a postulant for a year and six months. Following this, I spent ano

In the early months of 1994, the Aklama family experienced a moment of pure joy when Mrs. Aklama gave birth to a baby boy. The couple had been trying to conceive for years, and their prayers had finally been answered. The news of the birth spread like wildfire, and friends and family members flocked to the hospital to congratulate the new parents. Mr. Aklama, who had been too scared to stay at the hospital during the delivery, was over the moon with happiness. He threw a small party to celebrate the arrival of his son, and everyone who came to visit was treated to a feast fit for a king. The Aklamas were well-off financially, so the party was nothing out of the ordinary for them. However, their joy was short-lived. Shortly after Mrs. Aklama had breastfed her newborn son, he was taken from the hospital under mysterious circumstances. The CCTV cameras at the hospital failed to capture any footage of the incident, and many people suspected foul play on the part of the hospital staff. The

On the day of their mother's funeral, tensions ran high among the siblings as they argued over who would lay the last wreath. Zerrubabel, the eldest child, claimed that as the one who opened their mother's womb, he deserved the honor. However, his siblings argued that since Zerrubabel would receive the first share of their mother's property, it was only fair for the youngest child to lay the wreath. The argument dragged on for hours, and even the family head's intervention failed to resolve the issue. The siblings began to suspect Zerrubabel of foul play, as he had been reluctant to visit their mother in the hospital before her death and had suddenly experienced a surge in business after her passing. Finally, the siblings took a firm stance and refused to let Zerrubabel lay the wreath. In response, Zerrubabel threatened to withdraw his contribution to the funeral. The siblings, however, were determined to see the funeral through to the end and told Zerrubabel to keep hi

Love has been the greatest blessing in my life. It has given me a sense of security and comfort that I never thought possible. My wife, Emerald, has been my rock through the toughest times, including when I lost my job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She stood by me and supported me when I needed it most, and I am forever grateful for her unwavering love and devotion. Together, we have built a beautiful family that I never could have imagined. Despite struggling to conceive for the first few years of our marriage, Emerald's faith and prayerful nature never wavered. And to our surprise and joy, we were blessed with two beautiful daughters. Living with Emerald has been a dream come true. Her kind and loving nature, coupled with her strong faith in God, has made every day a joy. I often feel as though I am in the presence of angels when I am with her. Our family has grown over the years, and we now have three wonderful children who are all devoted to serving the Lord. Seeing them follow

I was scared at when I was visiting her in the presence of her parents for the first time. Taking a swipe at my past I least expected to be accepted in the family. On the way I become so nervous and tensed and asked a lot of questions like what could be the surprising questions they would ask me among others. But my "Oka" kept assuring me that all is well because the are nice people and won't stress me. When we got there I was given a well-deserving welcome that surprised me but I kept my cool not wanting to disgrace myself or show my nervousness. They spoke to me like their own son and I felt so much at home. Her dad asked me my aim in life if I should marry Emerald and the first thing that came to mind was to love her above her things. I voluntarily narrated my past life and he assured me that people change and that he hope and pray that I would become a better version of myself. Unknown to me, her parents had been observing everything of me at the church and had seen m