Who Will Cry When You Die?

The fall of a yellow leaf is a warning to the green ones. Truth is always in plain sight, yet many people remain unaware of it.

Over time, we have seen and heard of people we know passing on to the next life. Somehow, the cause of their death often gives people a strange sense of comfort instead of deep reflection. Thanks to the ego’s defense mechanism of denial, many convince themselves that such a fate is “not their portion.”

In this era of social media and publicity, it has become difficult to know who genuinely cares for us. We often mistake fans for friends, altering our values to meet the standards of people we know nothing about simply because we want fame, validation, or financial success. On the other hand, some people have built communities based on ideology, passion, and principles.

So, if one day you cease to breathe, who will truly cry for you?

As you reflect on this question, ask yourself: What am I doing to keep those people close and cherish every moment with them?

Often, we only appreciate people after they are gone — our parents, siblings, friends, and even our favorite superstars. There is a popular Igbo song that says:

“I mara ihe ga emere m na nwuo, mere m ya na ndu, nwanne m, nwee ekene ka m kene.”

Meaning: If you know what you would give me or say about me when I am gone, do it now while I am alive so I can appreciate it.

It is a call for appreciation, love, and recognition while people are still alive.

What Is Your Purpose and Priority in Life?

As you delay showing appreciation or only speak well of people in their absence, have you ever wondered: What if you did not wake up from your sleep today?

This question is not meant to scare you, but to help you set your priorities right. Everyone has their appointed time and season, but the quality of your life depends greatly on how well you manage your time.

Have you found your purpose in life? Are you making an impact, even in your own little way?

There are two types of local palm wine often used to illustrate the importance of being intentional about life’s purpose.

One is called Ngwo Palmwine. It rushes quickly and fills the keg fast, but its lifespan is short and so is its quality.

The other is Nkwu Palmwine. It trickles one drop at a time, requiring patience and endurance. However, once obtained, it is more valuable, lasts longer, and has the highest quality.

Therefore, stay true to your nature. If you are Ngwo, do not compare yourself to Nkwu. In the end, quality will always be chosen over quantity.

Prioritize your life according to your purpose and work on it daily and consistently, for no one truly knows their last goodbye.

What’s the Point After All?

Some may wonder: What is the point, since everyone will eventually die someday?

There is an Igbo saying that one should not avoid war simply because death is possible, because a coward fails to understand that there is value in battle.

A land without value attracts no contenders.

My point is this: we were not created to remain in one state forever, but to transform from one level to another. Death is not the end of life, but the cessation of the physical and biological aspects of it.

Therefore, our mission is to manifest the potentials placed within us through this physical body for the benefit of humanity and the glory of the Almighty.

Additionally, it is not how long you live that matters, but how impactful and fulfilled your life was while you lived it. Many people reject family, keep malice, and create enemies, forgetting that one day both they and their so-called enemies will cease to exist.

It is my sincere intention to urge you to reflect on how you are living today — the choices you make, the decisions you take, and the circles you build.

Most importantly, enjoy every moment with your family, wife, husband, children, and friends. Call your parents. Appreciate people. Respect people. Everyone is simply a memory waiting to manifest.

Let your actions make people better. Live in such a way that you remain in the hearts of many. Create value. Solve problems. Enjoy every day you wake up.

Remember: when you cry for someone, you are also crying for yourself, because they have experienced what you are yet to experience.

So live while you are alive, because you are not here forever.

I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi

THE FAMILY VALUES WE MUST NOT LOSE

There is no person more dangerous than someone who expects to live a life they were unable to build for themselves. Such people expect others to meet standards they themselves could not meet.

Once you are in the same space with them, you begin to notice a mindset driven by grandiosity and distorted perceptions, often rooted in a sense of lack. In such situations, you become merely a means to an end for their preconceived intentions.

Recently, I watched a podcast where people discussed gender roles in relation to family, relationships, and marriage. Listening to the conversation, one could only wonder what kind of society we are gradually drifting into with all these conflicts of interest in relationships today.

Now, some people demand “payment” for conceiving and bearing children, simply because they believe children belong only to the husband. Just imagine such a thought process. Is it not troubling that someone would emotionally distance themselves from their own family?

What could be more disturbing than a mother seeing her husband and children as separate entities from herself and proudly expressing such ideas on social media?

I am not against appreciating one’s partner. However, I am against entitlement and the false perception of being separate from your family.

There is nothing wrong with desiring a better life for oneself. The problem begins when people fail to appreciate that someone is giving them opportunities or support they could not provide for themselves. In many cases, it is this sense of entitlement and the belief that privilege is a right that creates the internal and external conflicts we see in relationships today.

Sadly, it is becoming increasingly common among African men and women to tear each other down publicly. We are gradually operating like people without culture or tradition.

Some women want a traditional African man who provides and cares for the family, yet reject the important role African mothers traditionally played in holding the family together. They want to work and earn money, which is good, but some also believe their income should never contribute to the family because “the man is meant to provide.”

The truth is that many people on social media who claim to teach others about relationships are speaking from places of pain and personal hurt rather than from wisdom, culture, or balanced understanding. Today, people discuss marriage and relationships based only on feelings, rights, and social trends while neglecting cultural values and even spiritual principles.

Some time ago, I spoke about emotional detachment and bias, where I highlighted the importance of building your immediate family without neglecting where you come from.

I want to say this clearly: once the meaning of family, marriage, and relationships is destroyed, society itself will begin to collapse.

Many people think the growing fear of commitment among responsible men and women does not concern them, until their own children grow up in a society filled with broken homes and emotionally wounded people raised by broken parents.

This is not an attempt to blame anyone. Rather, it is a plea for people to seek professional help when they are hurt instead of constantly attacking one another.

As a woman, a man who truly cares for and values you will teach you, guide you, listen to you, and stand by you willingly. It is a mistake to believe that constant drama or emotional instability will make a man stay loyal or committed. Everyone, especially men, needs peace of mind.

As a woman, you have the ability to create peace and emotional safety in your home. You may not always know how to love perfectly, but you can create an environment where your man feels safe enough to think, grow, and build.

Reinvent yourself. Build values. Be careful who you listen to. The painful truth is that many people who constantly speak about independence and rights often end up lonely because they neglect the importance of emotional connection, understanding, and family.

And to the men: let us value and protect our women. We owe it to our children and families to be responsible and productive. Most importantly, learn to choose what you need over what you merely want when selecting a wife and mother for your children.

My submission, therefore, is that we should return to our traditional family values while also embracing the good values from other cultures. However, we must eliminate the mentality that everything foreign is automatically superior or authentic.

Many people grow old lonely and full of regret because of poor choices they made when they were younger. As our people wisely say, “It is the firewood you gather during the dry season that will sustain you during the rainy season.”

Finally, to those who have genuinely been good to their partners and children yet received hurt, insults, blame, and rejection in return, keep your head up. Remember, it is often worse for those who lack self-love and appreciation for others.

Move on and find happiness, because we all deserve to love and be loved. However, let us build relationships intentionally and remain true to the values we desired before entering them.

Whatever you expect from another person, strive to offer it yourself.

Stop the entitlement mentality. Invest in yourself. Build a family you will be proud of, and do it with a committed partner. Refuse to be swayed by the false narratives surrounding unhealthy independence and selfish freedom.

I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi

Freedom, Values, and Self-Accountability

Which is more important: being free to do whatever you want, or being guided to choose your needs over your wants?

Any wise person would choose to live intentionally and be guided by principles and values. Today, conversations about relationships have become dominant across many social media platforms. Unfortunately, much of the discussion is centered on avoiding a man’s controlling nature or a woman’s manipulative behavior.

Women accuse men of being the villains, while men blame women in return. The people who suffer the most are often the kind-hearted individuals who genuinely believe in supporting their partners and helping them grow. Sadly, these people frequently become victims of the bitterness and anger spreading from one platform to another.

A dangerous mindset is gradually becoming common in society: many people no longer want to endure challenges in relationships. Everything is quickly labeled toxic, and many enter relationships already leaving a window open for separation or divorce.

In some extreme cases, even ending a relationship has become risky because entitlement and emotional instability have consumed many people. However, that is a discussion for another day.

The issue I want us to reflect on today is self-accountability. People must learn to hold themselves accountable for the decisions that bring them pain and disappointment because that is the only way growth and wisdom can come.

Instead of living recklessly in your younger years and later blaming society or others, invest in yourself. Learn a skill, study, develop yourself, and build personal values that will guide your life.

Today, sexualized content and the promotion of nudity are booming, but what many people fail to realize is that tomorrow, their children may have access to the life they publicly displayed today because the internet never forgets.

Rather than hiding behind the phrase “young and dumb,” live your life according to meaningful values and principles.

Purity and chastity have been so watered down that people hardly speak about them anymore. Yet, self-discipline helps build self-control, self-worth, self-love, dignity, and confidence.

When a person gives themselves carelessly to anyone at any time, it often reflects how they value themselves and what they believe they deserve.

The point I am making is simple: any freedom without boundaries eventually leads to destruction. Pleasure and enjoyment are not wrong, but they should be guided by personal principles and values.

Many people have been deeply hurt, and as a result, they now despise anyone who appears genuinely good. Some have suffered so much that they have become like the very people who hurt them. I recently saw a lady on TikTok teaching women how to hurt men, while another man was teaching men how to hurt women.

Ironically, these same people still hope to get married someday and raise children.

I believe we all need healing, and we need to give love a chance again. There is so much hidden pain behind fake smiles, luxurious lifestyles, and attractive appearances.

As I conclude, whether you are a man or a woman, make sure you are living your life according to principles and values that align with your purpose.

Let us place personality, character, and personal development above fleeting fantasies and unhealthy societal trends. People should focus on creating value, building strong character, and preserving themselves for meaningful relationships.

The constant promotion of bodily exposure and unhealthy enticement, especially among young people, should be carefully addressed.

Many people who truly understand what is happening in society today are deeply concerned about the level of unhappiness that may emerge in the near future. We are gradually losing the culture of shame, accountability, and honest self-reflection.

Finally, being an adult does not mean being reckless or making destructive decisions simply because you have the freedom to do so. Let us stop transferring pain and hurt to others. Let us heal, rebuild our values, and live lives that help us fulfill our purpose.

“O ma akwa asa ahu mara onwe ya.”

I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi.

🌍 Honouring Nurses: The Unsung Heroes of Humanity

In the spirit of Nurses Week, I want to sincerely appreciate nurses all around the world for their priceless contributions to global health and humanity.

Nurses are the heartbeat of medicine and healthcare. They are the lifeline of every medical profession. Whenever I reflect on the origin and essence of nursing, I cannot help but believe that nursing is more than just a profession , it is truly a divine calling to serve humanity.

Nurses work tirelessly alongside doctors, pharmacists, medical laboratory scientists, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals. Most importantly, they remain the closest to patients, providing care, comfort, advocacy, and hope during vulnerable moments.

In nursing school, nurses are trained across various areas of medicine, acquiring broad and significant knowledge that enables them to support, assist, and collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals. Nursing requires intelligence, resilience, compassion, discipline, and sacrifice.

Nurses are caring, selfless, and deeply committed to service. To be a nurse is not ordinary; it is a special calling, and every nurse should be proud of the profession.

However, while nurses are called to save lives, they are also human beings who deserve to earn a decent living. Sadly, in many parts of the world, despite their enormous contributions to healthcare, nurses remain among the least appreciated and underpaid professionals. The situation is even worse in parts of Africa, particularly Nigeria, where many nurses are not given the respect they truly deserve.

In some private hospitals, nurses are forced to perform duties far outside their profession , acting as gatekeepers, generator operators, and assistants under poor working conditions, while being poorly paid. Some are treated unfairly and denied the dignity their profession deserves.

It is painful that a profession as noble as nursing continues to suffer neglect in Nigeria. Nigerian nurses excel anywhere in the world, proving clearly that the issue is not incompetence or lack of skill, but rather the absence of adequate support, proper healthcare policies, and political will to create opportunities and improve their welfare.

Another growing concern is quackery within the profession. Today, some unqualified individuals parade themselves as nurses simply because they wear white uniforms, despite lacking proper training and certification. This continues to damage the integrity of the profession and places patients at risk.

Qualified nurses in Nigeria face many challenges — poor remuneration, difficult working environments, lack of government support for nursing education, and constant competition with untrained individuals. Many nurses struggle greatly to finance their education, yet there are little or no educational support systems available for them.

I therefore call on every nurse, especially in Nigeria, to remain proud of themselves and never stop demanding what they truly deserves. Despite the poor environment, inadequate support, and countless frustrations, nurses continue to show resilience, professionalism, compassion, and dedication to patient safety and recovery.

Another serious issue is the way some patients and relatives treat nurses. It is unfortunate that some people believe nurses are slaves or people who should be spoken to rudely. There have even been cases where nurses were assaulted while carrying out their duties, yet little or nothing was done to protect them.

Let us remember that nurses and healthcare workers are human beings too. They get exhausted, emotionally drained, and overwhelmed. They also have personal and family struggles, yet they continue to show up every day with courage and compassion to care for others.

If you ever need the attention of a nurse or healthcare worker, please approach them with respect and kindness. A little empathy can go a long way.

Nursing has never been only about the salary. It is deeply rooted in compassion, passion, sacrifice, kindness, and the intentional decision to care for humanity.

May God bless all nurses around the world and strengthen them in every area of their lives.

To those who have lost their lives in the line of duty through infections, accidents, violence, or patient assaults — you are true heroes. Your sacrifices will never be forgotten, and may the Almighty reward you abundantly.

Happy Nurses Week to all our amazing nurses worldwide. ❤️

I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi

Healing Beyond the Silence

Fred was raised by his mother after his father died of tuberculosis when he was just four months old. Despite this early loss, he grew up in a warm and loving home with his stepfather and siblings.

Although his childhood was happy, Fred always felt the absence of a biological father. He often wondered what that kind of love would have felt like. Determined to build a better future, he committed himself to a healthy lifestyle and worked hard to secure a stable job. More than anything, he longed for a family of his own. If his stepfather could love him so deeply, he imagined how extraordinary a biological father’s love might have been.

Fred had heard stories about his late father and believed he would have been a wonderful man. Rather than dwell on regret, Fred chose to see life differently, the responsibility was now his. He would become the kind of father he had always wished for.

Over the years, Fred met several women, but none of them matched his vision of a wife and the mother of his children. Eventually, he decided to leave everything in God’s hands. Time was no longer on his side, but he was willing to wait.

People say love can be found in the most unexpected places. One day, while on his way to visit his maternal grandmother, Fred met Cynthia. She was a medical student, intelligent, poised, and strikingly beautiful. Fred didn’t hesitate to approach her. What began as a simple conversation quickly blossomed into friendship, and before long, Fred made his intentions clear.

Friends advised him to take things slowly, but Fred was certain. Cynthia was everything he had hoped for, tall, graceful, articulate, and responsible. Some joked that he had been enchanted by her dimple and the slight gap between her teeth, which framed one of the most beautiful smiles anyone had ever seen. Fred would become Cynthia’s first love, and, he hoped, her last.

Their wedding was a joyous celebration, and married life began with promise. They learned each other’s ways, growing and evolving together. Fred supported Cynthia through her education until she graduated as a pediatrician. Soon, they built a beautiful family with four children. Like any couple, they faced challenges, but they always found a way to resolve them.

Everything began to change when Cynthia started working. With financial independence came new friendships and a different lifestyle. Contrary to what many might expect, Fred wasn’t bothered by how much she earned. What troubled him were the late nights, frequent outings, and constant work trips.

Cynthia, on the other hand, felt restrained. She began to blame Fred, claiming he had taken away her chance to enjoy her youth by marrying her early. She wanted to experience the life she felt she had missed.

The situation became even more complicated when Nancy, Fred’s ex-girlfriend, joined Cynthia’s workplace. Nancy was unusually friendly toward Cynthia, and since she appeared happily married, Cynthia thought nothing of it. Instead, she began to see Fred as the problem, often saying, “That’s how men treat women, pathetic.”

Gradually, things fell apart. The tension at home became impossible to ignore, even for the children. Cynthia seemed distant, not only from Fred but also from her family.

One evening, when Fred returned from work, Cynthia confronted him.

“Mr. Fred Okeke,” she said firmly, “I want out. I want a divorce, and that’s final.”

Fred was stunned. He buried his face in his hands, caught between laughter and tears.
This is not my wife, he thought. Even if she no longer loves me, what about the children? What about everything we’ve built?

He suggested therapy, hoping they could salvage their marriage, but Cynthia refused. She had made up her mind.

Though heartbroken, Fred respected her decision. “This isn’t the family I imagined when I came to you,” he said quietly, “but if this is what you want, then so be it.”

In silence, Cynthia fought back her emotions.

Fred took the children to his mother’s house and contacted a lawyer to begin divorce proceedings. Exhausted and confused, he visited his close friend Kelvin, who was equally shocked. Reflecting on his own experiences, Kelvin offered his perspective, though it did little to ease Fred’s pain.

With no clear answers, Fred turned to his stepfather for advice. The older man urged him to be patient, to pray, and not to make decisions in anger.

While they were still talking, Fred’s phone rang. It was Nancy—though he didn’t realize it at first. Her voice was panicked. Cynthia had collapsed at work and had been rushed to the hospital.

Fred drove there immediately.

It was there that the truth came out: Cynthia had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Everything suddenly made sense.

Cynthia’s behavior, her distance, her insistence on leaving, it had all been driven by fear. She believed she was going to die and didn’t want her family to suffer the pain of losing her. By pushing them away, she thought she was protecting them.

Fred broke down in tears. Cynthia, equally emotional, begged him to take care of the children and reminded him how much she loved them.

But Fred refused to accept defeat. He insisted on treatment. The cancer had been detected early, and there was hope. They began the process, chemotherapy first, with the possibility of surgery if necessary.

Marriage, like life, is unpredictable. It demands patience, understanding, and constant communication. Sometimes, the behaviors we resent most are silent cries for help.

Cynthia eventually underwent surgery and made a full recovery. Their family, once on the brink of collapse, was restored.

In a quiet moment, she reassured Fred that she had remained faithful throughout their storm. The doctor later confirmed that if they had delayed any longer, the outcome might have been very different.

Love is not always easy. Sometimes, it is painful. But it is also enduring.

Take care of your partner. Listen deeply. Stand firm in difficult times, because family is strength.

I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi.

Obodo emebi go, our land is in agony.

There is nothing as dangerous as a powerful slave. Wearing a crown does not change a person’s mind, it only exposes it. Though the colonial masters have physically left the African continent, they remain with us psychologically and emotionally. This is evident in how we relate to one another. Africans continue to enslave themselves by refusing to learn, unlearn, and grow.

The sycophants among us interfere in the affairs of leadership while the elite sit back and watch. The mentality of master and servant still exists today, you see it in classrooms, workplaces, and even among government officials. Once someone is given a position within an institution, they often become authoritarian, viewing colleagues as subjects rather than equals.

This problem extends even to primary school classrooms, where a simple prefect role can be misused. It raises important questions about the kind of leadership model we have accepted as a people, and it helps explain why many of our so-called leaders continue to please outsiders at the expense of their own citizens.

Today, many government-created task forces and unions exist to enforce policies and maintain order. However, these policies are often implemented without meaningful public participation. More concerning is how these task forces operate, their original purpose frequently shifts toward revenue generation rather than service. They are less about creating lasting change and more about punishing defaulters and extracting compliance.

We hear of people dying in police detention without proper investigation. In some cases, individuals are killed publicly without consequences. Justice is no longer about the law but about who you know.

In South Africa, we see Africans turning against fellow Africans, labeling them as foreigners, while the real economic powers remain largely untouched. And even if someone is a foreigner, does that justify taking a life you cannot create?

Gradually, we seem to be drifting toward barbarism. The pain a tree feels when struck by an axe is deeper because the handle is made from the same tree. In the Southeast, armed groups operate where there is no declared war, and innocent traders and businesspeople fall victim in the name of security.

It saddens me each time I read or hear about these events happening in a continent so richly blessed with natural resources. Sometimes I wonder if we might have been better off without them. Yet the real problem is not the resources, it is the selfishness and greed of leaders, and the unquenchable desire to please outsiders.

Woe to the land when a slave becomes king… Aru mere ha.

Villages, communities, and states must rethink the path we are taking. Today, one can hardly step out with confidence of returning safely. It may be fake police officers or unknown task forces accusing you of crimes you did not commit, only to detain or extort you.

Everyone must remain watchful—maka agwo di na akirika ooo. Protect yourself and stay alert. Together, we will get through this phase, but we must stay alive to see it.

Isee!!

I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi.

The Danger of Comforting Illusions

The shift toward comfort-driven validation is not healthy.

Over time, the yardstick for measuring love and beauty has moved from intangible values to fleeting physical qualities. While these physical traits may satisfy temporary desires, they often fail to meet our deeper, lasting needs. Recently, I listened to a podcast discussing the merits and risks of plastic surgery, particularly BBL procedures. Many of the reasons shared by guests centered on external pressure: what others said, how others reacted, and the fear of rejection. One woman shared that her partner left her and she lost her job after childbirth changed her body.

These stories highlight a painful truth: people are often judged, rejected, or even bullied because of changes in their appearance. Plastic surgery itself is not the core issue, many individuals who have suffered accidents regain confidence through corrective procedures. The deeper problem lies in how we treat one another and how much we allow external opinions to shape our self-worth.

While everyone has the right to make personal choices about their appearance, those decisions should be grounded in informed understanding and personal conviction, not merely a desire for acceptance.

So, I write to you, the one who feels “not enough” because you are not tall enough, slim enough, or “perfect” enough.

You are an intentional creation. There is no exact copy of you anywhere in the world. That alone makes you valuable. Self-love and self-acceptance are not optional, they are essential. People are different because their needs and desires are different. The right people will value you for who you truly are.

Many of these cosmetic procedures are not worth the risks people take just to please others, people who may still not accept them afterward. We must return to a time when character, attitude, skills, discipline, and values were the true measures of beauty.

Today, the more revealing an outfit is, the more attention it gets. Yet, those who design these trends often present themselves with dignity and modesty. Somewhere along the line, we were convinced that exposure equals value.

Let me share a simple illustration. In my hometown, we have a local food called okpa. When it is sold, one piece is cut open and displayed to show buyers what the others look like inside. Interestingly, that displayed piece is rarely chosen, it is valued only for what it reveals about the rest.

Some people live their lives like that displayed okpa, constantly revealing themselves for attention. They may attract interest, but when it comes to commitment, they are often overlooked for those who have quietly invested in their personal growth and values.

If you are overweight, it does not mean you are unworthy of love or acceptance. But it does mean you should prioritize your health. Self-acceptance is the foundation for self-improvement. When you accept yourself, you can begin to grow into your best version.

Always remember: you can control what you think, say, do, and accept, but you cannot control others. Conformity is not always healthy. Sometimes, you must take responsibility for your life by prioritizing your health, happiness, and purpose. Surround yourself with people who tell you the truth with the intention of helping you grow.

Your value does not lie in how appealing you are to others, but in how much you respect yourself. Understand why people are drawn to you, is it for your appearance or your substance? One is temporary; the other is lasting.

Do not make life-altering decisions because of insecurity or fear of what others might say. If you struggle with body image concerns, seek guidance and support. True confidence grows from within.

Whatever your insecurity may be, build value that strengthens you. If people mock your height, do not try to create illusions, develop skills, knowledge, and character that elevate your life in meaningful ways.

Life is too short to live under the weight of other people’s opinions. Take charge of your life. Happiness is a decision you make ahead of time. Focus on what truly matters, the intangible values that define who you are.

You are enough.

I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi.

Chi’s Crossroads

The sun beat down on the earth with scorching intensity, so much so that even the fans blew hot air. People gathered on their balconies in search of fresh air, hoping for some relief as the water they had poured on their bodies slowly evaporated. Everyone felt the heat—except Chika.

Chika sat in her bedroom, lost in thought, contemplating her next move.

“Should I do this with Amadi? After all, Ogechi and the other girls have done it,” she asked herself. “What’s the big deal? I love him, and I don’t want to lose him.”

She was still wrestling with her thoughts when her mother walked in. Unaware that her mother had been standing there for several minutes, she was startled by the sound of her voice.

“What is it, Chi?” her mother asked gently. She sat beside her, placing an arm around her shoulders. “Tell me what is troubling you.”

Chika forced a faint smile, her tone casual but heavy. “Mummy, I’m fine. I’m just thinking about starting at my new school. I don’t want to lose all my friends. Must I go? Why can’t I just finish school with them?”

She continued to deflect, trying to make her mother believe that her distress was only about transferring to a new school just twenty minutes away.

This girl must think I am a fool, her mother thought to herself before switching into her firm, no-nonsense mode.

“Bia, Nwada, look at me. Do I look like a fool to you?”

Chika was not surprised by the sudden change in tone, but she was not prepared for the next question.

“Chikadibia, are you pregnant?”

The use of her full name made it clear that something was wrong.

“No, Mummy!” she exclaimed. “I am only trying to tell you that—”

“That what?” her mother interrupted.

It was difficult for Chika to say anything under such pressure. Fear gripped her, and her words failed her. Now she was both scared and worried.

Meanwhile, her boyfriend Vincent was waiting for her at her best friend Ogechi’s house. They were supposed to seal their love with a blood covenant.

Chika’s mother, unaware of her daughter’s plan, would later be grateful for her intervention, as it saved her daughter from making a grievous mistake, one that had become increasingly common among teenagers in the Ezite community. Rumour had it that many secondary school students had been exposed to risky behaviors, including the early use of contraceptive pills with little or no understanding of their effects.

Eventually, Chika was cleared by a negative pregnancy test. However, shaken and frustrated, her mother searched her bag and found a note titled “Mine.”

It was a love letter that revealed what Chika had been planning to accept.

Dear Chi,
I want nothing more than to be with you for the rest of my life. If you truly love me the way I love you, let us make a blood covenant so that we can be inseparable and never betray each other. Meet me at Ogechi’s house on Saturday so we can immortalize our love.
—Vincent

Chika’s mother, Grace, broke down in tears, blaming herself for not being fully present in her daughter’s adolescent life.

It was at this moment that Chika finally opened up and told her everything.

Her father’s early death was not the reason for her decision. She still had uncles who were actively involved in her life. Rather, it was peer pressure, the desire to belong.

Chika’s relationship with Vincent came to an end. Both of them were made aware of the dangers of such a covenant. Life is unpredictable, and decisions involving life and death should not be made solely based on feelings.

In the end, our lives must reflect our core values. The fact that many people are doing something does not make it right said Mrs Ofordile. Chika thanked the guidance counselor, Mrs. Ofordile, as she left her office.

Her mother continued to admonish her as they find their way home “blood covenants are not a dance one performs lightly…..(Light fades)

Be part of your children’s lives, be present. Ndewonu!

I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi

The Immortality We Choose: Justice, Legacy, and the Cost of Silence

Life is often understood and viewed from perspectives that favor the observer. When you ask the grass in the field, the goat is the monster and the lion is the protector. However, I am very sure a goat will not see a lion as a protector, but as a predator. It was Wole Soyinka who said, “A man dies in all who keep silent in the face of injustice.”

There is one thing everyone must experience, and that is death. Death is inevitable; how and why you die is what matters. In Ernest Becker’s best-selling book, “Denial of Death” written while he was battling colon cancer, he explains how humanity’s attempt to preserve immortality has led to the creation of many civilizations.

He called it the “immortality project,” an attempt by the physical self to soothe the anxious mind about death by creating the idea of an immortal self. The need to still exist even after the physical body has died is what makes the idea of death less painful. He maintained that this is why people become parents, governors, warlords, and anything else that ensures they leave a legacy.

Some people left ideas behind and paid dearly for daring to achieve their own immortality project. People like Steven Biko, Thomas Sankara, Kwame Nkrumah, and the list goes on. All these men wanted not just to be remembered, but to liberate their people.

The sad reality of this immortality project is that while some channel their efforts into creating lasting value, others are bent on causing destabilization in the world. The goal is the same to be immortalized, however, the impact on the living varies greatly.

Additionally, when you ask someone in America, the UK, or China about police officers, you are likely to get a response associated with hope, protection, and justice. However, when you ask a Nigerian the same question, I believe you already know the answer.

On the 28th of April 2026, in Delta State, Nigeria, a police officer allegedly shot and killed an unarmed citizen who was willing to comply with an investigation. The painful part is that other officers and bystanders were present, yet no one could prevent the injustice. He was 28 years old, with ambitions and dreams, yet his life was cut short by the very force meant to protect him.

If such a barbaric act can happen in broad daylight, imagine what happens when no one is watching.

Many have suggested different solutions to the challenges faced by Nigerian youths. Some believe that leaving the country is the best option, but I doubt that Nigerians in South Africa would agree, given the hostility they sometimes face there.

The only solution that seems viable is to stay and confront this injustice. We cannot continue to run, because either way, lives are being lost. There is an urgent need for unity. From my observation, vast lands in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kwara, and other states rich in mineral resources such as gold seem to matter more to the elites than the people who live on them, people who are often unaware of the wealth beneath their feet.

However, a troubling question remains: why is the elites’ immortality project centered on eradicating their own people instead of preserving them? Why are Africans so willing to lose their sons and daughters instead of protecting them? Sadly, those who are brave and conscious are often avoided or even rejected by the very people they seek to defend.

Recently, in Mali, reports indicated that thousands of armed insurgents entered the capital in an attempt to destabilize a functioning government. One cannot help but ask: who is sponsoring them? Where did they come from? And why are other African nations not uniting to confront such threats?

There is so much happening, but my message remains the same: let us all get involved and develop genuine love for our country and continent. Since we are all going to die someday, let us commit to building a legacy that benefits our people.

There is enough space for everyone, if only we can let go of entitlement and the superiority mindset. The idea that all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others remains one of our greatest problems. Like the mushroom syndrome, growing bigger than others, only to be plucked too soon.

Our youths must understand that oppressors will not suddenly change and begin to care for you, unless you demand it and stand firm. It does not have to be violent, but it must be resolute: a decision to stand against injustice whenever it arises.

I will conclude with the words of Steven Biko: “It is better to die for an idea that will live forever than to live for an idea that will die.” Therefore, decide today what and how you want to be remembered.

Nigerian lives matter.

I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi.

Hope Has Come Home.

Aku ruo uno amara onye kpatara ya

Bethrand had just returned from the United States of America after spending nearly five decades abroad. He came home with a single mission, to liberate his people and uplift his community.

At the time he decided to return, a great deal was happening in his village. A powerful group of men had conspired to sell off community land. They were influential and deeply connected to the government. Any youth who dared to speak against them were either thrown into cells or forced to flee the village.

Igwe Odoziobodo had been weakened, surrounded by men of questionable character placed in positions of authority by this same Ikenga group. They had long sworn to take over the kinship. Yet His Royal Highness, Igwe Osita Odoziobodo, remained resolute, standing his ground for years.

But as the elders say, the only way to eat an elephant is piece by piece.

The Igwe was growing old. His only son had died in a tragic road accident, leaving no heir to the throne. It seemed only a matter of time before the Ikenga group achieved their aim.

However, there was one obstacle Bethrand, popularly known as Obiajulu. He had returned home to confront these men. But as expected, they were waiting for him.

What made Bethrand’s return unusual was that he came without escorts, without police, without weapons. Many expected him to arrive armed and ready for battle. But Bethrand understood something deeper, you do not catch a fish in the water; you draw it out onto land.

He first visited the Igwe, seeing the state of affairs for himself. Then, he sounded the Ikoro.

Gbom! Gbom!! Gbom gbom gbom!!!

It had been years since the Ikoro had echoed through the land with such force and urgency.

The people gathered at the Igwe’s palace. Upon seeing Bethrand, many were excited, assuming he had returned with gifts from America.

The Igwe began:

“Odoziobodo: Cha chaa! Umuogbodo, kwenu!”
The people responded: “Iyaa!”
“Kwenu!”
“Iyaa!”
“Kwezunu ooo!!”
“Iyooo!!… Igwe!!”

He spoke of how things had fallen apart and warned of the consequences if the village continued on that path. Then he invited Bethrand to speak.

To the astonishment of the Ikenga group, Bethrand did not confront them directly. Instead, he spoke of building clinics, schools, and roads. He promised development and hope. Yet he issued a quiet warning: anyone who interfered with his work would awaken the soldier within him.

He organized the Umuogbodo neighborhood watch. He provided a grating machine for communal use. He initiated road construction and installed pipe-borne water.

Even as he worked, the Ikenga group continued their disruptions. But what they did not realize was that Bethrand was quietly gathering evidence.

Believing he had no intention to fight, they decided to strike.

What they failed to understand was this an old woman never forgets the dance steps she has mastered.

Bethrand anticipated their move. Acting on intelligence, he laid a trap that led them straight into the hands of the armed forces.

The village rejoiced as the men were arrested.

Bethrand, though wounded by a gunshot, was the happiest of them all. A man at the twilight of his life could ask for nothing more than to see his people free and to have his legacy stand at the entrance of his village.

In his closing speech, His Royal Highness, Igwe Osita Odoziobodo I of Umuogbodo, reminded the people:

“The Ikoro calls a man twice in his lifetime once when he is alive, and again on his deathbed.

It is not what your community will do for you that matters most, but what you will do for your community. We must love our land, protect it, and make it safe for all.

Charity begins at home. Our land is always there for us, yet too often we lose our way and risk surrendering it to oppressors.”

He concluded with a proverb:

“O ma akwa asa ahu mara onwe” He who bathes with his clothes on must be mindful of his actions, for the head that attracts bees must also endure their stings.

Let your wealth benefit your people, no matter how small it may be.

Everyone echoed: Igwee !!!

I remain your friend and brother,
Maazi Onuora Obodoechi