“My son doesn’t help me in the shop; he acts as if he is ashamed to be seen here. He doesn't even know how much I sell anything and would rather stay in the house from morning till night watching movies.
I remember how hard it was for my wife to conceive again after we had our daughter, we had to wait for 15 years after that first issue before we were finally blessed again, 15 tough years of going from one church to the other looking for a solution.
He is my only son and I want the best for him, I did not go to school but I want him to go to university, everything I’m doing I’m doing it for him but I don’t think he understands this.
He has been staying at home from morning till night since he finished his WAEC exam, I’m not even sure he has a friend, he is always by himself. I’m really worried about him and I just need someone to help me talk some sense into him. Please help me talk to him maybe he will listen to you. “

"I feel really happy when people tell me they like my my physique , they might not be giving me money but the happiness that makes me feel is worth more to me than money.
I actually started bodybuilding because I wanted to be a powerlifter. I went as far as representing Nigeria in the all Africa games but here if it's not football then you are on your own. No form of support from the Government. I opened a small backyard gym so I can help mentor boys who want to become power lifters."

MarvellousGod:
Chaaiii, RIP Vivian. . It's well...




So the money, over 2mil will go to Vivian's family? Have you asked those that donated what they wish the money to be used for? Asides your instagram followers. .

60 out of the 80 donors contacted so far agree to that while some want refunds and others want it to be giving to another child with similiar condition. still remaining about 290 donors to be contacted.

"My dad doesn't like my choice of career, he thinks nothing good can come out of modeling. I don't let that bother me instead it motivates me to work extra hard, become successful and prove him wrong."

Pukka36:
When U talk about selfless service,U talk about HOL by Tochi...


May God's blessings overwhelm U!!!

Thanks

"My favourite pass time as a kid was to disassemble and rebuild toy cars so when I finished my O’level I naturally wanted to become an engineer but due to some setbacks I couldn’t start uni with my peers. After months of staying at home, I went to a nearby mechanic’s shop and told him I want to be his apprentice, he agreed and I started working with him. It’s been 3 years and I’m getting better each day. The first car I fixed was a Toyota Camry and it was the best day of my life even though it led to me spoiling other cars cos I thought I was now good enough to fix anything.
Been a mechanic in this Nigeria is not is easy at all, people look down on you and see it as a ‘dirty’ job but I don’t even let that bother me. I started this work for a reason and I know my plans and where I’m headed to and I believe I will get there one day. In the next 5 years, I want to have learnt enough to actualise my childhood dream of building cars."

sexydivaomalich:
@TochiPhotos,good work and kudos to you.

Rip Vivian...

Thanks.

Last week, we asked our instagram and Facebook followers to advise on what HOL should do with the money raised for the late Vivian’s surgery so we can curate the responses and make a decision. Majority suggested the money be given to her family while some others wanted the money be used to save other kids with similar conditions. Keiskwerd’s comment made lot of sense and we totally agree with her but the idea was to go with what the majority of our followers advised. Before we put up the post, we met her parents and told them the decision would be based on what of our followers suggested and now that they want the money given to the family, we can’t go back and tell them our followers want the money to go to you guys but we can’t give it to you. We agree with all the other suggestions but can only let the family in on them and leave it to them to decide if they want to donate it to others but it has to be their decision now.

In the past few days, we received lots of messages from people that need help with various medical conditions and we are really sorry we cannot do much for them now. We hope they understand the page is not primarily about raising funds and if we start doing that daily, it would defeat the whole purpose. The page is about telling people’s stories and once in a while we might run into cases like this but it’s supposed to be a random act of kindness and not pre-arranged. We hope as the page continues to evolve, we would be able to help and change as many lives as possible. Thanks for your understanding and thanks to everyone that contributed.

We are deeply saddened to inform you that Vivian has passed away. She died Saturday evening after complaining of severe stomach pain. Her death came as a shock to her family and everyone involved, she has been feeling a lot better recently and was strong enough to attend school on Friday.
Before her untimely death, arrangements were still going on to find a hospital that would agree to do the surgery as all the others reached out before said it was rather too late to perform a curative surgery.
She was strong till the end and always excitedly talked about how she can't wait to 'enter' a plane and see white people. Her teary mum told us how she kept asking when they would go to Church for her testimony and thanks giving. Her 'Mummy when are we going for testimony?' became more frequent this past week and like Vivian, we all looked forward to that special day we would put up a post, her surgery success story and gladly tell ourselves we did it, gladly tell ourselves we rallied around and helped save little Vivian.
It's been so hard to accept that she is gone but knowing that she is now in a better place and would never know pain again makes it easier. May God be with her family and give them the strength to bear. May Vivian's gentle soul rest in peace Amen.


The $12,113 raised for her surgery was not used and we will leave our followers to suggest what should be done with the money, we will also send an email to the 315 people that donated, inform them about this development and ask if they would like a refund or let the money be used for what our followers suggest.
Thanks to each and everyone that contributed in one way or the other.. God bless you all.

We are deeply saddened to inform you that Vivian has passed away. She died Saturday evening after complaining of severe stomach pain. Her death came as a shock to her family and everyone involved, she has been feeling a lot better recently and was strong enough to attend school on Friday.
Before her untimely death, arrangements were still going on to find a hospital that would agree to do the surgery as all the others reached out before said it was rather too late to perform a curative surgery.
She was strong till the end and always excitedly talked about how she can't wait to 'enter' a plane and see white people. Her teary mum told us how she kept asking when they would go to Church for her testimony and thanks giving. Her 'Mummy when are we going for testimony?' became more frequent this past week and like Vivian, we all looked forward to that special day we would put up a post, her surgery success story and gladly tell ourselves we did it, gladly tell ourselves we rallied around and helped save little Vivian.
It's been so hard to accept that she is gone but knowing that she is now in a better place and would never know pain again makes it easier. May God be with her family and give them the strength to bear. May Vivian's gentle soul rest in peace Amen.


The $12,113 raised for her surgery was not used and we will leave our followers to suggest what should be done with the money, we will also send an email to the 315 people that donated, inform them about this development and ask if they would like a refund or let the money be used for what our followers suggest.
Thanks to each and everyone that contributed in one way or the other. God bless you all.

"I think it's pride that stops so many people from getting rich, lots of people don't want to get their hands dirty and work or the fear of what people will say stops them from doing things that will better their life. It's even in the Bible that pride goes before a fall. During my school days, I survived by packing sand from gutters whenever it rains and sold them from that I went into diving. I would go to Onne and join the stockfish divers. It wasn't an easy job but I was making my money and payed my way through school from that. If I didn't get my hand dirty and did these things, I wouldn't have been where I am today."

"The name of our dance is Atilogwu, we didn't do the acrobatic and lifting routine but we did every other thing."

"*HOL* Why did you choose this costume?
It's not me that picked it, our big Aunty(school Teacher) gave it to me but I like it cos my Grand Pa was a policeman and each time I go to his house, he shows me his police pictures and tells me stories."

"*Girl* We performed well but I was the only one that tried, he doesn't know how to dance. *Boy* She is Fulani and I'm not that's why she knows how to do the routine, I only know how to dance hip hop."

"I remembered all the dance steps our Aunty(Teacher) taught us but I forgot to prostate at the end but she said I still did well".

"Years back while working for the British high commission, a youth corper came to us looking for how to get aids for the community she was posted to. I set out to Yola to verify and find ways to help, I was shocked when I got to Koma, the people still wore leaves and walked around naked. There was no form of civilization there.
I went back and called up the German and Canadian high commissions and they joined hands with the British high commission and built a hospital, a school and provided clean drinking water for the community. It's the most significant thing I've done in my life and nothing felt better than seeing the joy on their face when we finished the project."

Joboms:


I love this
U doin a great work Tochi

Thanks bro.

"I want to be a footballer and a musician when I grow up. My favorite song is shoki and I also know how to dance it, let me show you.."

"I want to be a footballer and a musician when I grow up. My favorite song is shoki and I also know how to dance it, let me show you."

"I came third in my class last term, my daddy didn't buy me anything but he said he will buy me something if I take first position this term. My daddy doesn't beat me because I'm a good girl and also because I'm like his mother. I'm named after my Grandmother and when she died my dad said I'm now his mother."

"My favorite super heroes are Swifty and Big boy, my son loves comic books and super heroes and he is the one that introduced me to comics. He is also the reason I'm here today, he is a beneficiary of UKFs scholarship. When he first told me about the UKF library and him been shortlisted for a scholarship exam, I was skeptical I thought it would end with us been asked to pay but they did not. He came tops in the exam and has been on full scholarship since then.
One day I went to visit the library, he has said so much about the library and I wasn't disappointed when I got there. I was captivated with what I saw, I loved the whole idea and I immediately volunteered and I'm now part of the team helping in my own little way to give these kids a better tomorrow.
I'm arranging comic books inside the goody bags that will be given to the school kids here for the UKF worldreader eBook launch and I'm sure they can't wait to open it"

I came back in the early 2000s after spending 25 years in America, I came home to start a basketball academy. Basketball changed my life and I wanted to help change the lives of tall lanky boys who are called stupid and lazy because of their height. It's not just tall lanky boys but anyone out there who dreams to become a basketball superstar. I did not have this kind of opportunity when I was young and I'm glad I'm able to help others live their dream.
We are about boarding a bus to Abuja, my team is participating in a basketball clinic, their will be many NBA scouts there and I hope my players perform well, get picked and join the over 100 players Raptors basketball academy has sent to the US since it was founded.

donsmall94:

Thanks bro.

As a child I got taunted a lot for my height. Back then there was this general belief people as tall as I was were stupid. I was called all sorts of names, I often laughed it off but it got to me. I hated myself, I hated going out in public, honestly, if there was anything I could have done then to reduce my height, I would have done it, it was that bad.
I got tired of everything and the only thing I thought about was leaving this country and going to America. Then in CKC I started playing football, I was lanky then and was barely used but the thought of getting better and stronger gave me a reason to look forward to each day. After secondary school I went to Lagos, worked in factories for some time and finally got the opportunity to travel to America.
In America, things were different, basketball was the no one sports, I was quickly switched from football to basketball and also given a scholarship. I was loved because of my height, I was treated like a king and that's how the story changed."

I've been in this business for close to 12 years, it doesn't move as it used to when I started but I still have my customers. My selling point is my good taste in music, I personally select the songs myself and I've never given someone a song and they complain.
I don't think I would have lasted long in this business if I wasn't a music lover. In the beginning before I got used to walking long distance each day, it was playing my favorite songs that kept me moving.
I don't see myself stopping anytime soon but if I have to, it's either to become a dj or open a big shop and become a marketer.

"People act surprised when I tell them I do music and even more when I tell them it's hip hop, they think I'm too quiet and shy for that.
I started doing music in my teens, it was always music or nothing.The big breakthrough did not come and after school I had to go and get a job to put food on the table. The job was too demanding and I quit after sometime and learnt how to cut hair. I've been a barber for years now, it's more peaceful and gives me enough time to do other things. I still do my music on the side and hope to become a star one day.
I have two teenage daughters, I haven't met them yet and I honestly don't know how I would react when I meet them but I know I won't feel good if I meet them in my present situation. I want to be able to provide for and take care of them. I want them to be proud of me when we meet, I don't want them to feel they were better off not having me in their life."

I have two daughters(twins) I didn't know existed till recently. I wouldn't have known if someone had not told me they saw a picture of my 'ex' with 2 girls who looked exactly like me.
I got a girl pregnant14 years ago when I went to Abuja to spend the holiday with my Sister. We were both teenagers and inexperienced, we spent so much time together and one day one thing led to the other and we had sex. It was both our first time and we didn't know what we were doing.
When her parents found out, her senator father threatened to kill me if they ever see me, they said they would rather abort the pregnancy than let their daughter have a baby for someone from a poor home with no background. Some days later she came and told me her mum took her to a hospital and the pregnancy was terminated, I cried so much that day. She also told me her dad was seriously looking for me to arrest me and they asked her to say I raped her but she refused.
Apparently, they lied to me about the abortion, there was no abortion. She was sent abroad and she had the babies there. They are still abroad and I don't know if they even know about me.

"My Ram's name is Badoo, he is not really as strong as the other fighting Rams but I decided to train him and see if he can be as strong as the others. The other option was to sell him and buy a stronger one but I like him too much to sell him. He likes listening to music and if you see him listening to a song you'd think he understands what they are saying."

'I'm building my Ram's strength, we walk and run for a few hours each day. He fought against a bigger Ram on Sunday and it ended in a draw. His last 2 friendly fights ended in draws but I'm happy cos it was against bigger Rams. I will buy him a chain weighing a few kilos, it will help make his neck stronger. He needs to get strong enough before the fight season starts during Ileya."

"This was our room, the day it was demolished we couldn't pack all our things. We came the following day and found out all the things we left has been stolen."

"I was with my friend sympathizing with him when I saw some of my tenants moving their things. They were not supposed to move, the demolition was only supposed to affect the 2 rooms near the road, I don't know what made them decide to bring down everything. I built this house in 1974 it took me years of hard work to finish and in less than 5 minutes it was gone. This room is the only thing still standing and they said they will still come back to level it."

"By this time I'm supposed to be preparing breakfast but I cannot even tell where the kitchen was before. I have not eaten, no one has eaten since morning even my baby. Our major concern now is not even the house but Grand Ma. She left in tears when the house was been brought down and nobody has seen her since yesterday."


There is an ongoing demolition by the govt along Mile2-Lagos-Badagry Expressway which has affected over 200 houses making thousands homeless. I spent sometime taking pictures and talking to the people affected but was harassed by the officials and forced to delete the pictures I took. The pictures are an important part of the story and sadly I cannot share most of the stories because of the deletion but I will share the stories of the few whose pictures I managed to skip when I was been forced to delete the images.
All the Landlord's I talked to agreed they were notified years ago and were sent constant reminders to vacate, the last reminder came 2 weeks ago but they've received so many of that over the years and thought it would pass like the other times. Some also said they believe someone influential bribed the contractors and they are going beyond the marked spots and even bringing down houses that were not meant to be brought down.