Zoeken

Stay FOCUSED and SHARP #Discipline #Resilience #Stephenjesse #nakupenda

To My Beloved People, In times of challenge or triumph, remember this: we are stronger together. Our history is rich with resilience, our present is full of potential, and our future is bright with promise. Do not grow weary in doing good. Keep pressing forward, keep lifting one another up, and never lose sight of the greatness within you. You are capable, courageous, and called to shine. Let’s continue to walk in unity, faith, and love—knowing that the best is yet to come.

Failure is a stepping stone to success Many successful people, like Thomas Edison, J.K. Rowling, and Walt Disney, experienced significant failures before achieving their goals. Edison famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Lesson: Failure is an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. It can be a valuable teacher, helping us refine our approach, develop resilience, and ultimately achieve success. #Ngo_123 #grace

PUNCH Newspaper *The unseen crisis facing Nigerian men (moment Otunba Kunle Akinyele collapsed)* *Message not just for Men alone, but for everyone* 5th May 2025. Ganiyu Olowu *When Otunba Kunle Akinyele, a respected hotelier in Lagos, slumped and died at his wife’s 60th birthday thanksgiving, the nation gasped in disbelief. One moment, he was celebrating life and love; the next, he lay lifeless at the altar of joy*. The video is haunting — *a man gesturing, gasping, reaching for help in a sacred space, surrounded by those he loved but alone in his final battle.* This was not just a death. It was a metaphor of silent suffering, buried exhaustion, and what men have come to normalise in the name of strength. Akinyele’s case is not isolated. It is one of many chilling examples of how Nigerian men, particularly in their mid- to late years, are collapsing under the weight of responsibilities, unspoken pain, and undiagnosed illnesses. According to the World Health Organisation, men in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, are 2.4 times more likely to die prematurely from preventable causes than women. This alarming disparity is fuelled by cultural and behavioural factors: men are less likely to seek medical help, more likely to suppress emotional turmoil, and often glorify suffering in silence. In Nigeria, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and untreated mental health conditions are among the leading causes of sudden deaths in men. So This Happened (215) Reviews Death Of Lagos... In 2019, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya—admired for his strength and spiritual leadership—passed away quietly after years of enduring deep emotional losses and reportedly ongoing health complications. His resilience was legendary, but it masked what many now see as untreated grief, intense stress, and likely silent medical conditions. Then came the sudden death of veteran broadcaster Ayo Oduleye, better known as MC Loyo, who slumped while compering an event in Ibadan. His charm and humour lit up stages, but in the blink of an eye, the microphone fell silent. Just like that. Similarly, the passing of Mr Ibu (John Okafor) in early 2024, after months of battling illness, reminded the country of how many male entertainers struggle financially and physically behind the scenes, putting on a show while their bodies deteriorate. Masculinity, when warped, can become a silent weapon—not just against others, but against oneself. *ENDEAVOUR TO TAKE GOOD REST PLEASE* Globally, the story remains the same. In 2014, beloved comedian Robin Williams died by suicide, a victim of masked depression. And in 2022, cricket legend Shane Warne died suddenly of a heart attack, a casualty of silent coronary disease and an overstretched lifestyle. Yet while statistics shock and headlines haunt, the everyday grind of the average Nigerian man tells an even sadder tale. Take Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital—the city that never sleeps, and where many men now barely do. A significant number of working-class men reside on the mainland or in Ogun border towns like Mowe, Ikorodu, Sango Ota, or Ibafo but must commute to the Island for work—a journey that often begins by 4:00 a.m. and ends by 9:00 p.m. on return. This is no exaggeration. Studies from the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority reveal that Lagosians spend an average of four to six hours daily in traffic—with many men doing these five to six times a week. That is over 1,400 hours a year lost in gridlock—time stolen from rest, from family, from reflection. For these men, the day begins before the rooster crows. They rush into overcrowded buses, endure fumes of frustration, only to return home when their children are already asleep. There is no room for hobbies, hardly any time for checkups, no outlet for pain. Sleep is a luxury. Rest is a myth. And joy is rationed, like fuel in a scarcity season. This modern man is constantly running on empty—physically present but emotionally absent, financially committed but spiritually depleted. And society applauds his hustle, without asking at what cost. The idiom says, “Heavy is the head that wears the crown,” but what if the crown is invisible, made not of gold but of expectations, bills, unspoken grief, and sacrificial silence? Men are praised for providing, for showing up, for being “rocks”. But even rocks erode—silently, slowly, and then all at once. The greatest tragedy is not that they die, but that they are dying unseen. Consider the tragic case of a 42 year old engineer in Port Harcourt who collapsed at his workstation after weeks of working overtime to meet project deadlines. His colleagues described him as “dedicated to a fault”, but his sudden death revealed the dangers of ignoring signs of burnout and hypertension. Another heartbreaking example is the story of a young entrepreneur in Enugu who passed away in his sleep after complaining of chest pains for weeks. Despite his family’s pleas, he refused to visit a doctor, citing his busy schedule and financial obligations. His autopsy later revealed undiagnosed cardiovascular disease—a silent killer that could have been managed with timely intervention. One unforgettable story is that of Samuel Okwaraji, the gifted footballer and patriot who gave everything to his country on the football pitch. In 1989, during a World Cup qualifier against Angola in Lagos, Okwaraji collapsed and tragically died of congestive heart failure at just 25 years old. His life, so full of promises, was cut short under the intense demands of national expectation. The harsh conditions of the game that day, combined with the immense physical and psychological pressures he faced, ultimately proved too much. These stories compel us to ask: What are we doing to ourselves in the name of strength? Why does the world celebrate silent suffering but frown upon seeking help? Dr Salawu Abiola, a psychiatrist at the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba, offers critical advice for men navigating these pressures. He emphasises the importance of prioritising rest, adequate sleep, and regular health checkups. “If you work and die today, someone will replace you at the workplace, but no one replaces you in the family,” he warns. Abiola advocates setting realistic goals, managing time effectively, and creating moments of joy and relaxation amid life’s challenges. He also highlights the need for men to engage in positive activities, such as exercise, hobbies, and socialising with supportive people, to release built-up tension and foster mental well-being. Check your vitals before you check your wallet. Monthly profit means nothing if your heart gives out unexpectedly. Your strength is not in how much you carry but in how well you manage your load. Therapy is not weakness. It is a repair. Just like a car needs servicing, your mind and soul need realignment. Build relationships where you are more than a provider—where you are allowed to cry, collapse, confess. A good name is better than riches, but good health is the foundation of both. As Chinua Achebe once said, “When the drumbeat changes, the dance must also change.” The drumbeat of life today is faster, louder, and less forgiving. Men must adjust their rhythm. Health is the new wealth. Silence is no longer golden; it is dangerous. *Ganiyu Olowu, a public affairs analyst, writes from Lagos*. punchng.com ©️ 1971- 2025 Punch Nigeria Limited *MAY WE ALL LIVE LONG IN JESUS NAME* 🙏 CULLED #olufaderomi #grace

#FAVOUR #GODSUNSHINE13 Perseverance and Resilience 1. *"Fall seven times, stand up eight."* - Japanese proverb 2. *"Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going."* - Sam Levenson 3. *"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."* - Franklin D. Roosevelt HOW WELL DO U KEEP PUSHING TO THE TOP??

She was just a cleaner trying to get to work. One splash of mud changed all her life! The rich woman behind the wheel had no idea – someone powerful was watching...😲😲😲 The city woke in silence, cloaked in early mist and leftover rain. Streetlights blinked against the morning haze, and the air still carried the chill of night. Along Crownville Avenue, a young woman moved with quiet purpose. She wasn’t in a rush, but her pace was steady—like someone used to walking the long road. Her uniform was clean, her shoes worn from use. A small bag hung from her shoulder, packed with her breakfast and cleaning gloves. No makeup, no umbrella, no shield from what life might bring that day. At the next corner, a sleek white SUV waited for the light. Its engine hummed with soft power. Inside sat a well-dressed woman in large sunglasses, sipping something green from a straw and scrolling her phone. And then— A splash. A sharp burst of water from a puddle. And the young woman stopped, soaked from head to toe. There was no time to react. The SUV rolled past, slowing just enough for a voice to call out from the window—cheerful, distant, maybe even amused. Then it sped off, disappearing into the traffic like nothing had happened. She stood still for a moment. No screams. No anger. She just adjusted her bag, blinked a few times, and kept walking. But someone else saw. From across the street, a dark sedan sat quietly. Behind its tinted windows, a man watched the entire moment unfold. His eyes followed the woman, then shifted to the SUV fading into the distance. He didn’t smile. He didn’t speak. But his fingers tapped the steering wheel once—then again. He picked up his phone. “Can you find out who she is?” he asked, voice calm but firm. “The girl who just got splashed.” A short pause. “Yes, sir,” came the reply. The line clicked off. The young woman never looked back. She didn’t know anyone had noticed. She didn’t know her morning had been quietly recorded in someone else’s mind—and that her quiet resilience had just shifted something unexpected. Because sometimes, the smallest moments leave the biggest impressions. And not all acts of kindness are random. Sometimes, someone sees more than we think. And sometimes, it all begins with a splash..... #DISCIPLINE #NAKUPENDA

Happy International Men's Day to the men who embody strength, kindness, and resilience. To the men who lead with humility and make a positive impact, Happy International Men's Day! We love you so, so much

THE IGBO ENTREPRENEURSHIP SYSTEM - The Strategy That Built Obi Cubana Have you ever wondered … How did the Igbo people rise from losing everything after the war, to becoming one of the most entrepreneurial tribes in Africa? Let me tell you a story. So After the Nigerian civil war, the Igbos were left with nothing. According to history, people who had thousands in their accounts were only given £20. Businesses destroyed. Hope shattered. That’s how the new system treated them; broke, broken, and abandoned. They didn’t sit down and complain. They started again. From scratch. From the ground up. That's the spirit of the Igbo Chi. But they didn’t do it alone. They used a system, one powerful principle: “Never Leave Your Brother.” If you’re selling biscuits and need to buy Lipton, you go to your brother’s shop. Even if his price is a bit higher ; you still buy from him. That’s how Igbos built their own economy from inside. They called it “Onye Aghala Nwanne Ya ” - "Don’t leave your brother behind." This was more than business. It was survival. It was loyalty. It was strategy. They built communities. They trained one another through apprenticeship (Igba Boi). They lifted each other from trenches to triumph. They created chains of value - and chains of trust. And no one represents this model today better than Obi Cubana He started small - one nightclub in Abuja. But he didn’t rise alone. He surrounded himself with people he empowered , and they, in turn, empowered him. Today, many of his “boys” are millionaires, and they’re all still connected. That’s what made his mum’s burial a historic moment it wasn’t about showing off, it was about community wealth. Now His 50th birthday was a blast. From Business Men to superstars to sports players they all gathered to pay homage . You might wondering what a popular pastor was doing at the event ? He is Igbo right ? He came to pay homage to his brother who built from scratch. That’s the Igbo system. Build. Empower. Don’t leave your brother. That's why Anywhere you see an Igbo person there must be a community. That's how the Igbos grow ❤️ That's how they were able to bounce back and become the most proporous ethnic group in Africa As Obi Cubana celebrates his 50th birthday, I see more than a successful man. I see a case study of Igbo resilience, strategy, and communal growth. If you're building something today, I want you to ask yourself: Are you lifting others as you rise? Are you creating value or just chasing money? Are you building a system, or are you walking alone? Because wealth built alone is fragile. But wealth built in brotherhood is eternal. Obi Cubana didn’t just make money. He made men. He made systems. He made history. And that, my friend, is the secret of Igbo entrepreneurship. Start now to build men. #Utom58 #De_NextVerYou

IT IS ALWAYS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN It's a reminder that: 1. Challenges are temporary - Difficult times will pass. 2. Hope is on the horizon - Better days are ahead. 3. Resilience is key - Stay strong and persevere. #Ngo_123 #grace

Good morning, let's make today count once more, never give up your dreams with a little push, commitment and resilience we will get there. #Waskydone, #SpreadTheLove