By Sultan Lawal

In a village nestled amidst lush greenery and winding streams, lived a young girl named Temitope.

She was known for her kindness and quick wit, always dreaming of a life beyond the village boundaries. Temitope’s days were filled with helping her family tend to their farm and taking care of her younger siblings.

One fateful day, a travelling merchant passing through the village told tales of the bustling city of Lagos, where opportunities awaited those bold enough to seize them.

Temitope’s heart raced with excitement as she listened to stories of city lights and endless possibilities. Determined to carve out a future different from the predictable rhythms of village life, she made a resolute decision to journey to Lagos.

With the blessings and tearful farewells of her family, Temitope embarked on a journey to the bustling metropolis. Lagos greeted her with a cacophony of sounds and a whirlwind of activities unlike anything she had ever experienced.

Overwhelmed yet determined, she found humble accommodations in a crowded part of the city and sought work wherever opportunities arose.

It was during this time that Temitope crossed paths with Ade, a young man struggling to make ends meet in the vast city.

Ade worked odd jobs and dreamed of starting his own business someday. Temitope and Ade bonded over their shared dreams and the challenges they faced in adapting to city life.

Their companionship grew into a deep and supportive relationship, where they found solace in each other’s company amidst the chaos of Lagos.

However, fate had other plans for Temitope when she encountered John, a wealthy and charismatic businessman who seemed to embody all the glamour and sophistication of city life. John was captivated by Temitope’s charm and innocence, showering her with attention and luxurious gifts that dazzled her.

Temitope, caught up in the allure of John’s world, began to drift away from Ade, drawn to the promise of a life far removed from their modest beginnings.

As Temitope immersed herself in John’s affluent circles, Ade watched helplessly as the distance between them grew. Despite his efforts to hold onto her,

Temitope was increasingly swayed by the material comforts and social status that John offered. Eventually, she made the heartbreaking decision to leave Ade, breaking his heart as she chose a life of opulence over their simple love.

For a while, Temitope revelled in her newfound life with John, enjoying the finer things and the admiration that came with being by his side. Yet, as time passed, cracks began to appear in their relationship.

John’s initial charm gave way to possessiveness and a controlling nature that suffocated Temitope. She realised too late that the lavish lifestyle came at the cost of her freedom and genuine happiness.

In a sudden twist of fate, John abruptly ended their relationship, leaving Temitope shattered and alone. Stripped of the comforts and security she had grown accustomed to, she found herself adrift in a city that no longer felt welcoming.

Regret gnawed at her as she remembered Ade, the one who had loved her unconditionally and whose heart she had callously broken.

Returning to her humble beginnings, Temitope faced the consequences of her choices with humility and a newfound wisdom.

She sought out Ade, hoping for forgiveness and a chance to rebuild what she had once cherished. Though Ade’s wounds were deep, he saw in Temitope a remorseful soul who had learned from her mistakes.

Together, they embarked on a journey of reconciliation and renewal, rebuilding their bond on a foundation of mutual understanding and forgiveness.

And so, Temitope and Ade found their way back to each other, their love tempered by the trials they had endured. They learned that true happiness lies not in material wealth or societal status, but in the strength of a love that withstands the tests of time and adversity.

As they walked hand in hand through the bustling streets of Lagos, they knew that their love story, though marked by pain and regret, had ultimately led them to a place of genuine happiness and fulfilment.

By Suliah Lawal

Fareedah, the last child born into a family of four (two males and two females), has never experienced the love of a father since birth. It has always been her mother who has been there for her and her siblings.

Life wasn’t easy being brought up by a single mother; her mum was married to her father out of deceit. She wasn’t aware her husband had another wife, and the wife was also aware of the plan; she pretended to be the younger sister of the man.

Ever since Fareedah’s mother got pregnant with her first child, that was when their motives were revealed to her. She couldn’t believe that the man she married had deceived her; she fainted and was ready to die.

Then she remembered she had a little baby on the way. She continued staying with her husband’s first wife; things continued getting complicated for Fareedah’s mother even after giving birth.

She wanted to leave for her parents’ house, but she got sent back to her husband’s house, being told she should bear whatever she faced for the sake of her child.

Her husband started pressuring her to get pregnant again so she could bear him more children. She had no choice but to give him what he wanted. There is a difference between wanting to become a father and becoming a responsible father; he only wanted children but wasn’t ready to take their responsibilities.

Fareedah’s mother couldn’t just sit back and watch her children suffer; she couldn’t leave them to suffer because she also suffered growing up. She couldn’t get herself a decent job because she wasn’t educated; she could only start up a small business with the little money she got from her mother. She continued like that until she could send her children to school.

Her husband finally built a house for her because the fight between her and his first wife was unbearable. She moved to her own place far from her husband’s first wife.

There, she began to live happily; she got pregnant with Fareedah, and then things started to turn better.

Her business started to expand, and then she moved to her husband’s shop where she couldn’t worry about paying shop rent.

She could now eat any type of food she wanted; she was able to afford her children’s fees and sort out little bills. In no time, she gave birth to Fareedah, and her husband still hasn’t changed a bit — still that same man who doesn’t care about his children going to school or staying at home.

Fareedah grew up knowing her mother as both her father and mother. She was sent to school only by her mother. It looks very awkward seeing other people having a father figure in their lives; her friends are always talking about how caring their dads are to them, but she has nothing to say about her dad — someone who comes home three times a week and doesn’t even give room for communication.

She finished her secondary school at a very early age; she was already exposed to things her elder sister was not even exposed to. To her mum, she was the only perfect daughter she had; she was the smartest, the only one who always had this vision of someday taking good care of her mother. She was her mother’s favourite, so her mum never saw anything wrong in the things she did or decisions she made.

Fareedah has always had it that her mum has suffered a lot for them, so it’s time for her to enjoy the fruit of her labour. So, she started doing things with all sorts of men, and started having numerous boys around her. On the other hand, her mum would always defend her anywhere, saying that her daughter is the best; she doesn’t engage in any dirty thing that would tarnish her mother’s name.

She became a very beautiful woman with her certificate in no time. She was preparing for her youth services but still didn’t stop the work she was doing; she was using the money she was seeing to take care of herself and her mother. Would Fareedah be able to make her mother proud? Or would she meet her end? It is still unknown.

Esther Ademola was born in the early 1990s in the ancient city of Ibadan, Nigeria.

She was the first child of three children born to Chief and Mrs. Ademola, who were respected leaders in their community and valued education highly.

Growing up in a loving and supportive family, Esther was an excellent student and always showed a keen interest in science and technology.

She attended the University of Ibadan, where she studied Computer Science and graduated with honors.

After completing her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, Esther secured a job at a reputable tech firm in Lagos.

She worked hard and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a lead software engineer within a few years.

However, Esther’s life took an unexpected turn when she was involved in a devastating car accident that left her with a spinal cord injury and paralysed from the waist down.

Despite the challenges she faced, she remained determined and resilient, refusing to let her disability define her.

Instead, she turned her experience into an opportunity to help others, starting a non-profit organization that provides support and resources for people living with disabilities.

Her inspiring story and advocacy work soon gained recognition, and she became a sought-after speaker and mentor.

Today, Esther is a successful tech entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and disability rights advocate who continues to inspire countless people around the world with her courage, faith, and determination.

Despite the challenges she has faced, she remains a shining example of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning.

In a surprising turn of events, Esther recently met the love of her life, a talented artist who shares her passion for advocacy and social impact.

They met at a disability rights conference, where Esther was the keynote speaker.

They are now engaged and planning a beautiful wedding that will celebrate their love and commitment to each other and to making a difference in the world.