Imagine a world where no one goes to bed hungry. A world where food is abundant, affordable, and accessible to all.  That’s exactly what the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2 Zero Hunger, aims to achieve.  But here’s the big question: Is it possible to achieve this without everyone going back to farming? We hear it all the time: "Go back to agriculture!" It makes sense, food comes from farms, right?  But let’s be honest, not everyone is cut out to be a farmer. Not everyone enjoys digging the soil or waking up before dawn to tend to crops.  And with urbanization and modernization, many people simply don’t have the space, time, or interest to farm. So, does that mean we have no hope of ending hunger if we don’t all become farmers?  Not at all. There are several ways we can contribute to food security without necessarily picking up a hoe or planting maize in our backyard. 1. Reducing Food Waste:  Did you know that about one-third of all foo...

Imagine a world where no one goes to bed hungry, where every child gets an education, and where clean water is available to all. A world where industries grow without harming the planet, where cities are safe and sustainable, and where justice and equality are not just ideals but realities. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, that’s exactly what the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to achieve by 2030. In 2015, world leaders at the United Nations came together and adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals, a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all. These goals are interconnected, meaning that progress in one can influence progress in another.  But how exactly do these goals shape our world? Let’s break them down. The 17 SDGs and Why They Matter No Poverty Ending the Struggle for Survival for over 700 million people worldwide who still live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $1.90 a day. The goal is to create e...

You’ve probably met that one person who always seems to make the right decisions in life, even though they aren’t exactly a genius.  And then there’s the one who is super intelligent, big vocabulary, straight-A student, but somehow, they still make the silliest life choices. This brings us to today’s topic: What’s the difference between having sense and being smart? When we say someone has sense, we’re talking about good judgment and practical intelligence. It’s the ability to read situations, avoid unnecessary wahala, and navigate life with wisdom. A person with sense knows when to talk and when to keep quiet. They don’t argue about pointless things because they understand that peace is better than being "right." They have a natural instinct for survival, they know when a deal sounds too good to be true, when someone is trying to scam them, or when to just jejely walk away from trouble. You don’t need to be book-smart to have sense. In fact, many “uneducated” peo...

Have you ever walked past a field that’s been set on fire and struggled to breathe? The thick smoke chokes you, your chest feels tight, and your lungs scream for fresh air.  I remember vividly how something similar happened during my secondary school days. One sunny afternoon, we were in class when the air suddenly changed. Thick smoke began to seep through the windows, filling the classroom. A bush was being burned just behind the school building, and nobody had prepared for the chaos it caused.  Ijeoma, a classmate of mine who had asthma, suddenly clutched her chest. She gasped for air, her breathing quick and shallow. Panic broke out as we tried to help her while struggling ourselves to breathe.  The smoke was unbearable, our throats burned, our eyes watered, and we couldn’t concentrate on anything except escaping the contaminated air. It was terrifying. Thankfully, Ijeoma received immediate attention, but that incident left a lasting impression on me about...

  In Owerri, the streets are bustling with small and medium-sized businesses ranging from fashion boutiques to customer service companies, Media houses, eateries, tech hubs, etc. Yet, many of these businesses struggle to reach their full potential compared to their counterparts in other cities like Lagos, Abuja, or even Port Harcourt. While environmental factors such as infrastructure and market saturation play a role, deeper systemic issues lie within how businesses in Owerri are run. This article explores some of these patterns and challenges that hinder business growth in Owerri. One major issue plaguing businesses in Owerri is their hiring approach. Many employers prioritize hiring individuals they can afford to pay over those qualified for the job. For instance, a role requiring a professional is often filled by someone less skilled simply because the employer wants to save costs. Qualified individuals, unwilling to compromise on fair pay, often decline these offers....

Let’s talk about family today 🤗 Have you ever paused to think about why family is so important? Or better yet, have you ever wondered if family starts and ends with the people you share DNA with? These are questions we often overlook, but they shape the way we see relationships, belonging, and even ourselves. Here’s the thing, no man is an island. It’s a popular saying, but it holds so much truth.  Life is full of challenges, joys, ups, and downs and trying to navigate it all alone is nearly impossible. That’s where family comes in.  But wait, before we get too far, let’s define what family truly is. At its core, family is more than just those related to you by blood.  Sure, your biological family is significant they’re often your first experience of love and support. They’re the ones who guide your early steps, cheer you on, and hold you up when you stumble. But family is not just limited to who you’re born to or who you share a last name with. Sometimes, th...

As I sit to pen down these words, my heart is heavy with grief and outrage. The media space in Nigeria is awash with tales that should never exist. Husbands burning their wives alive. Beating them to death. Viral videos showing women being brutalized by the very men who once vowed to protect them. This is not just news, it’s a horror story that reflects how deeply flawed our society has become. In one of the most recent and shocking incidents, a man set his wife ablaze, reducing her to ashes over mere suspicions. ( Viewers Discretion) This isn’t just an act of violence, it’s the ultimate betrayal of humanity. How did we get here? How did we create a society where a man could even conceive of such cruelty against the person he once called his partner? This is not just another story of domestic violence, this is a call to action. It’s a cry for every woman who has been silenced, every mother who has been beaten, and every daughter who fears becoming a victim tomor...

Have you ever paused to think about how your environment influences almost every aspect of your life?  Take a moment to reflect on your surroundings, your home, workplace, friends, family, and even the places you worship. Each of these elements plays a role in shaping who you are, how you think, and how you respond to the world around you. It’s easy to underestimate the power of our environment. We often think success or failure depends solely on individual effort, but the truth is, your environment can either be a stepping stone or a stumbling block.  Think about it, do you feel energized and inspired when you walk into your home, or does it feel like a burden?  Do you leave your workplace feeling accomplished or drained? These are subtle indicators of how much influence your surroundings wield over your mental and emotional state. Your environment can either push you to be a dreamer, someone who constantly thinks of possibilities but lacks the drive to act o...

When you hear the word “agriculture,” what comes to mind? For many, it conjures up images of sweaty farmers toiling away in the sun, with barely enough to make ends meet. Some even think farming is only for those who didn’t get an education. But let me tell you something , that notion is outdated and completely wrong!  Agriculture isn’t just a noble profession; it’s also one of the most diverse, innovative, and essential fields for our survival. As we face a world with increasing population and food insecurity, there’s a clarion call for young people, especially here in Nigeria, to embrace agriculture. And no, it’s not about dropping your dream of becoming a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or tech genius. You can still chase those ambitions while owning a farm or starting an agribusiness. First, let’s address the elephant in the room, the belief that agriculture is for the uneducated.  Agriculture today is driven by technology, science, and business strategies. Have you ...

In conversations about nurturing the next generation, the spotlight often shines brightly on the girl child and rightly so, considering the historical and ongoing inequalities she faces. Yet, in this focus, the boy child seems to have been left in the shadows, his development and moral upbringing relegated to secondary importance. This neglect has quietly but significantly contributed to the moral and social decay we witness today. The societal narrative surrounding the boy child is one that demands examination. From a young age, boys are often taught implicitly or explicitly that their primary value lies in their ability to provide financially.  "A man's beauty is in his money," we say, sidelining essential virtues such as kindness, integrity, and respect. This narrow definition of masculinity has led to a generation of young men willing to do anything to secure wealth, often at the expense of their humanity. Take a moment to consider some of the recent trage...

  Good morning, dear readers.   Let’s have an honest conversation about something that touches the very foundation of our future, “education”.   Have you ever walked into a school and wondered how the pupils manage to learn under such dire conditions? Well, that’s exactly what I experienced in some public schools I visited in Imo State recently. Let me paint the picture for you. The classrooms have no windows or doors, leaving the pupils at the mercy of rain, dust, and even wandering animals. Inside, there are no desks or chairs.   Imagine this children sitting on the cold, hard floor, trying to balance their exercise books on their knees as they copy notes or do their assignments. When I visited Azaraegbelu Central School in Owerri North LGA, Imo State, I spoke with Favor, a bright-eyed girl in Primary 4, and her words struck a chord deep within me. When I asked how she and her classmates manage to study under such conditions, she smiled, a bittersweet smi...

  Climate change stands as one of the most pressing challenges of our time, threatening ecosystems, economies, and communities across the globe. As nations, organizations, and individuals work to mitigate its effects and adapt to its realities, technology has emerged as a pivotal tool in the fight against climate change. Among these technological advancements, OpenAI, an organization at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) has been making significant contributions to the global effort to combat this existential threat. 1. Allowing the leverage of Data for Climate Modeling  Understanding climate change and predicting its effects require analyzing vast amounts of complex data. AI tools developed by OpenAI can process and analyze this data at an unprecedented scale and speed.   By identifying patterns and trends, these tools improve climate models, enabling scientists to predict weather extremes, rising sea levels, and other climate phenomena with greater accu...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is like that friend who knows everything, smart, quick, and always ready to help. But just like relying too much on a know-it-all friend, over-depending on AI can get you into trouble. Recently, I decided to carry out a local study on AI, how people in my community use it, its benefits, and its disadvantages. While I heard stories about how AI has made life easier for so many, one story stood out. It was Dorathy’s, a young lady whose career took an unfortunate turn because of her over-reliance on AI. Dorathy had big dreams. She wanted to land a prestigious job in a tech firm, and she believed AI was her golden ticket. Armed with AI tools, she created a CV that was nothing short of spectacular. It was polished, professional, and screamed, “Hire me!” And it worked! She got the job. But here’s where things went south. When Dorathy started the job, reality hit her like a ton of bricks. The tasks were complex, requiring skills and knowled...

  In a local community in Imo State, I met Chidera, a bright young girl whose story painted a vivid picture of the challenges faced by many girls in Nigeria. Chidera shared a painful reality, one that is rarely discussed but affects millions of young girls across the country. "Sanitary pads are no longer affordable," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. According to her, the prices of sanitary pads have skyrocketed, leaving many young girls unable to afford this basic necessity. “Before now,” she explained, “sanitary pads used to cost between ₦200 and ₦300, and we could manage to buy them. Then, the price went up to ₦500, which was still manageable. But now, a pack costs more than ₦3,000!” For young girls like Chidera, who come from low-income households, this price increase is devastating. She revealed that only 2 out of every 10 girls in her community can afford sanitary pads. The others resort to using unsafe alternatives like tissue paper, rags, or pieces ...

Imagine walking down the street, feeling the weight of stares, whispers, and judgmental comments because of something you have no control over.  For women living with gigantomastia, this is their reality. Let’s take a moment to break it down and understand what gigantomastia really is, the toll it takes on those who suffer from it, and how we, as a society, can step in with compassion rather than condemnation. Gigantomastia is a rare medical condition characterized by the excessive and abnormal growth of breast tissue. It goes way beyond what is considered "normal" breast size and can cause immense physical, emotional, and social challenges. This condition doesn’t mean a woman “ate too much,” "Did nasty things at a you age" “did something wrong,” or is “seeking attention.” No, gigantomastia can occur suddenly or gradually and isn’t something anyone can control. It’s rare, but for those who experience it, the impact is profound. What Causes Gigantomastia?...

Business leaders, this one’s for you, written with care and a genuine desire to see your companies thrive in 2025 and beyond.  Let’s have an honest conversation about a common issue that can stunt your growth, the neglect of human welfare in the workplace. Many organizations excel at investing in tools, technology, and operations. They pour resources into state-of-the-art facilities, marketing campaigns, and product innovations. Yet, they often neglect the most critical ingredient for success, their employees. Without a motivated, trained, and valued workforce, even the best equipment or strategies can't take your business so far. When employees feel overworked and underappreciated, the results are predictable ÷ disengagement, decreased productivity, and, ultimately, an exodus of top talent. One significant issue is the tendency to undervalue employees’ contributions.   Many businesses overload their staff with responsibilities far beyond their job descriptions whi...

Hey there! Let’s talk about something that’s often overlooked but incredibly important "misogyny". What is Misogyny? Have you ever heard someone say something like, “Women don’t know how to lead,” or seen someone roll their eyes when a woman speaks her mind? That’s misogyny in action. Misogyny is basically a dislike, prejudice, or even outright hatred of women. Sometimes it’s loud and obvious, but other times, it’s sneaky, hiding in jokes, traditions, or even advice that sounds harmless at first but cuts women down. Now, think about it, What happens when someone like this becomes a husband, a friend, a brother, or even your coworker? Let’s unpack that. How Does Misogyny Affect Women? Imagine being married to someone who thinks their word is law simply because they’re a man. They might dismiss your dreams, criticize you constantly, or make you feel like you’re “less than.” That’s what happens when misogyny creeps into marriage, it can feel suffocating and isolating...