OBSERVER'S CORNER

Oh, how delightful it was to witness the pitiful state of the cemeteries in my neighborhood. I couldn't help but shed a tear or two at the sight of their neglect. It truly warmed my heart to think that this could potentially be my final resting place. The thought lingered in my mind for days, oh how I relished in the idea of being buried in a place that scares people away. As I strolled by, I couldn't help but notice a broken grave. How thrilling! I couldn't resist the urge to walk carefully, with my heart in my mouth, wondering what fate would befall me if I were to slip into one of those broken graves. The dejected and bushy surroundings only added to the excitement. When I shared my experience with a friend, they dared to suggest that our cemeteries were not up to par compared to those in Europe and the States. How dare they! Who needs to make money off of cemeteries and funeral homes when we can just let them rot away? In our further conversation, I came to understand t

As a child, I had a female friend who was my sweetheart. Everyone in our neighborhood knew it. We were inseparable, and things were going well for us until senior high. That's when the unfortunate happened. I was hurt, but I had to let it go. For a while, I thought my world was crashing down, but as they say, when one door closes, another opens. My childhood sweetheart and I broke up because of a friend we lived in the same neighborhood and went to the same high school. This friend cooked up false stories that she believed instead of asking me about what transpired. It was a shock to me, but what was even more surprising was that this friend did it only to get an advantage to be with me. We got along for almost five years, and then she jilted me for someone whom she married barely six months after our break up. But God was good to me. I found someone ready to help me heal from my broken heart. She showed me love beyond comprehension. Probably because of her profession, which makes

I cannot express how much this woman means to me! She is the one who gave me everything I needed, even when I was a troublesome youth. Despite the struggles she faced, she and my amazing father made sure that I had a comfortable life and the opportunities to become who I am today. I remember seeing her sacrifice her food for us, and even though she was on the verge of collapsing, she never gave up. She worked all kinds of jobs, switching between them just to make sure we had food on the table. As a child, I didn't fully understand the sacrifices she was making for us. I had my fantasies and sometimes even squandered the school fees she had worked so hard to gather for me. But now, as an adult, I see the incredible strength and love that she has always had for me. She has been my inspiration to do more and see the world through a different lens. Even in her old age, she still washes my clothes with a smile on her face. I know that I have not fully paid my dues to her, but I will spe

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