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Lafia: A Place That Felt Like Home
What’s a place you visited that felt like home? Where have I visited that felt like home? For now, I’ll answer this question by taking you to Northern Nigeria. One place that has stayed with me is Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State. The Hausa word lafiya means “good.” Say hello to a Hausa speaker,…
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Avoid Drama
What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you? Stay true to yourself. Avoid drama at all costs; focus on your own life; always work hard; stay humble so you can be teachable; keep learning–no knowledge is a waste—help others when you can; be gentle with yourself and others; don’t listen to naysayers;…
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Shelter
What’s one thing that would instantly improve your city? One effective way to quickly improve Los Angeles and Albuquerque is by providing more shelters and support services for people experiencing homelessness. Beyond offering a safe place to stay, city leaders should also create part-time job opportunities that help people earn income, stay productive, and regain…
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Rwanda
What’s the longest trip you’ve ever taken? The longest trip I have ever taken was to Kigali, Rwanda, when I was a master’s student at the University of California, Berkeley. In January 2024, I traveled to Rwanda as the UC Berkeley Mastercard Foundation Scholars Representative to represent scholars at a global meeting with Scholar Representatives…
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SquarePants
Who is your favorite cartoon character? My favorite cartoon character is SpongeBob SquarePants. I genuinely can’t understand how he can be so cheerful, diligent, and full of silliness all at once. His best friend, Patrick—a starfish—somehow makes SpongeBob seem like the brightest mind in Bikini Bottom. When they are together, you can count on nothing…
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Cringe
Have you ever regretted reading a book — which one and why? I thought carefully about whether I’ve ever truly disliked a book, and honestly, I couldn’t think of one. The prompt above asks about books, but I chose to write about a movie I nearly regretted watching instead. Sometimes, you finish a movie and…
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Petrichor: rain in LA
Preamble I’m genuinely envious of my friends and relatives in southern Nigeria every time they complain about the daily rain. I understand what that feels like, and I miss the rain so much. I grew up experiencing both rain and sunshine. When I talk about rainfall or sunshine, I mean the weather conditions that can…
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Triangles
What’s the most annoying trope in books or movies? The most annoying trope for me is the unnecessary love triangle. I understand that romance can add tension to a story, but sometimes it feels like the entire plot becomes about choosing between two people. Even worse, the characters often spend more time going back and…
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Possibility
What’s something you do completely differently from how you were raised? One thing I do differently from how I was raised is how I see life. I don’t dwell too long on negativity or let difficult moments define my view of people or situations. Even when something goes wrong, I try to find the lesson,…
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Look what I found!
What’s the best thing you’ve ever found randomly on the street? This blog responds to the prompt above and is also a condensed version of a longer blog I wrote a few months ago. The best thing I have ever found randomly on the streets of LA—or rather, during an ordinary morning commute—was an unexpected…
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The Gift of Time
What’s the kindest thing someone has ever done for you? I think about the people who have been genuine with me—the ones whose honesty, laughter, and authentic presence made me feel comfortable enough to be myself as well. I am also thankful for those who challenged me to improve, because sometimes believing in someone means…
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Serendipity
What’s the weirdest coincidence you’ve ever experienced? What a word serendipity is! This post is in response to the prompt above. I’ve often wondered whether some coincidences are truly coincidences. Reflecting on my life, I’ve been fortunate to encounter opportunities, people, institutions, and moments that I could never have intentionally planned or orchestrated. One opportunity…
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Diary of a Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 15 (Big Cat on the Prowl 1)
The sudden, strange news of a prowling big cat changed the atmosphere in the village for the following days. Mornings were unusually quiet and peaceful, except for the constant noise of insects, birds, and noisy groups of monkeys living in the trees near the forests on the outskirts of the village. Noontime was warmer, but…
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Jurassic
If you could go back and witness any historical event, which one would you pick? If I could go back and witness any historical event, I would choose to see dinosaurs in their natural environment. I’d want to quietly observe these incredible creatures as they move through forests, hunt for food, and interact with each…
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Labels
The image above contains human language; that’s why we can understand these labels. But animals don’t recognize themselves as ‘dirty,’ ‘stupid,’ or ‘dangerous.’ Those are meanings we create and assign to them. Now, think beyond labels; think beyond humans, think beyond societies, think beyond ourselves.
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Diary of A Village Boy: The Leopard Spirit 14 (Tales by Moonlight 4)
Before asking everyone to leave, the messenger made sure the little children were gathered first to prevent any commotion. The evening wind rolled out, like a sudden whiff, embracing the entire village. The suddenness added drama to the already vulnerable situation. I saw the younger men whisper into each other’s ears, with some frightful, calming…
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Uncertainty
How do you deal with uncertainty? I manage uncertainty by reminding myself that I don’t want to live my life in fear of what might or might not happen. I choose courage—to try new things, like pursuing a doctorate, embracing the unknown, like starting a business, and being fully myself—unapologetically, even in the face of…
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Kindness & Kingmakers
What’s a moment when a stranger completely restored your faith in people? Great men maketh great men Many people have impacted my life in meaningful ways. Still, when I think about moments when strangers became more than strangers and completely restored my faith in people, three individuals immediately come to mind. The first is a…
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Pets
Share a photo of your pet and tell us one thing that makes them uniquely them. Fun fact: Frankie, the goldfish, and Angel, the angelfish, appear to enjoy watching TV when it’s on. Their favorite show seems to be SpongeBob SquarePants. I have caught them several times hovering near the front of the tank, completely focused…
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Presence
What’s something you used to worry about but don’t anymore? I used to go above and beyond for people and water myself down to make everyone feel seen or appreciated. However, this often led to disrespect and, at times, entitlement because people thought I couldn’t stand up for myself. Now, that’s not sustainable, is it?…
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Respect is Reciprocal
What’s a skill you consider basic, that most people don’t actually know how to do? One of the most overlooked basic skills is respect. Many people mistake kindness for weakness and think that someone patient, generous, or forgiving can be taken for granted. True respect involves valuing others regardless of what they can do for…
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Rain or Reason
Do you think everything happens for a reason? Some moments come like gentle rain; others hit like lightning. We celebrate victories, mourn losses, and often ask ourselves the same quiet question: Did this happen for a reason? I want to think about this through a simple example: rain. When rain falls, it may seem like…
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Traveling with Sunsets
What’s your biggest dream? My biggest dream is simple enough to fit inside a sentence, yet vast enough to outlive me: to travel the world and watch the sun set in every climate and nation. I don’t want to collect countries like stamps, but to gather evenings. To learn how the same sun speaks different…
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Los Angeles Nights
“Los Angeles Nights” I’ve encountered Los Angeles long before I lived in it. After high school, during my National Diploma days in Nigeria, I spent far too many hours playing a mobile phone game called Los Angeles Nights. It was one of those interactive games where you created a character trying to survive in Los…
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Around the World in Eighty Days & Passport of Mallam Ilia
What’s a movie or book that inspired you to travel? Around the World in Eighty Days made me believe the world was one giant invitation waiting to be accepted. Phileas Fogg hilariously raced across continents with his French valet as if delayed trains and missed connections were merely suggestions. Long before that, though, I had…
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Nature & Nurture
Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are? My answer: yes. I’ve always been curious, which is why I keep stumbling into adventures. My life has also gone through a lot of remodeling. Growing up in Nigeria taught me resilience. Moving across continents helped me develop adaptability. Graduate school…
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The Go-Giver by Burg and Mann
Which book have you read more than any other? One book I often revisit is The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. Its main message is simple but powerful: meaningful relationships are formed when we focus on what we can give rather than what we can get. Whether in friendships, family, or romantic…
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Cactuses and Roadrunners
Are you a lifelong learner? Strange New Mexicans: Cactuses and Roadrunners Before I left for New Mexico, I feared I would be among the only a few people there. I imagined stretches of arid desert land, barren and dying of thirst. However, there were more people than I could count, along with wildlife encounters and…
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Green Spaces
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? If I could live anywhere, I’d choose a city where gardens are woven into daily life—where green spaces invite slow walks, quiet reflection, and a stronger connection with nature. But in the end, my heart hopes to return to Africa, where I’d love…
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Bloom Again (America)
What’s a lesson you’ve learned recently that shifted your perspective? I thoughtonce something stopped blooming,its story was over. Then a wildflowersmiled from dry, stubborn ground,and now my certainty softened. Tell meof the orchid on my windowsill—bare stems, silent months,nothing to admireexcept the patience, water,of care unrelenting. One morning,I saw a green promise. And today, it…
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Anchored
What’s the best way to deal with negative thoughts? This poetic piece below is a response to the blog prompt above. Good night. I do not wrestle every shadow. Some thoughts arrive like uninvited birds, landing briefly before taking flight. I have learned that not every visitor deserves a home. When fear whispers, I answer…
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Four Languages: The Good, the Better, the Bad, and the Ugly
Which languages do you speak and how did that impact your life? When people ask me how many languages I speak, I usually say four: English, Igbo, Nigerian Pidgin, and French. Before any French speakers get offended, let me clarify: I speak English reasonably well, Igbo proudly, Nigerian Pidgin enthusiastically, and French courageously. By “courageously,”…
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A Soul’s Garden
What’s a common misconception people have about happiness? They said happiness was somewhere out there—waiting in the distance,hidden behind achievements,recognition,and the things we hoped to one day possess. But I discovered a different truth: Happiness was a seedalready planted within me. A garden of the soul,watered by gratitude,nourished by love,and growing through purpose and faith.…
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Listening: The Skill I Wish I Could Instantly Master
If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why? If I could instantly learn any skill, it wouldn’t be speaking another language, writing a bestseller, or mastering an instrument. While those skills are valuable, I believe the skill I would choose is the ability to listen truly—to listen deeply, compassionately, and…
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What I’m Passionate About
What are you passionate about? “Your real education starts now, with friends you’ve made and friends you get to meet, with stunning successes and miserable defeats, and with a humble acceptance that your greatness comes from the mess around you, not despite it.” Conan O’Brien. People often ask what motivates my work. Central to my…
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Unmoved
If humans had taglines, what would yours be? It doesn’t matter what others think as long as you are doing the right thing and are at peace with yourself. Talking about peace: I was nominated for the Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Prize, administered by the University of New Mexico Foundation. I’m very grateful to the…
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Names and Identities
Names have long influenced how others perceive people and places. At a conference I once attended, I had the opportunity to discuss naming and power. One example that stood out was the term “Middle East.” For many residents of the region, the name itself carries little meaning because it is defined from an outside perspective.…
