"My Grandmother owns this house. We were all crying together yesterday when the bulldozers were bringing down the house then some minutes later someone noticed Grand Ma was not with us again. Till this morning nobody has seen her, we just pray she is fine."

"Before the final, our coach brought some of our Alumni to talk to us. He told us how they all started, how difficult it was in the beginning for the girls team. How some of the parents chased their children out and told him to keep them cos they were playing football and the parents believed girls are not supposed to play football. He told us about Yetunde Adebajo and Opeyemi Ayeonibre they started from our school and have gone ahead to represent Nigeria in the women's youth world cup and so many others that are playing professional football now. He said we shouldn't let anyone discourage from us from following our dreams and one day we will become stars and he will tell others about us. I dedicate my medal to him."

"My best friend is inside the pitch, he is the one sitting near the center circle. I am here crying, I could not control myself when our team missed the final kick and I can not even imagine what Kamal is going through. This was supposed to be the best moment of his life, all week he kept telling me how he can't wait to show his dad his winners medal, his dad thinks football is a waste of time. They won't allow us enter inside the pitch now but I will go and console him later."

Pukka36:
Yeah


Sports truly unifies!!!


Ur thread is so fine TOCHI.

Thanks.

"In 2009 the school proprietor called all the Teachers together to find a solution to the increasing rate of truancy and hooliganism in the school. Some of the Teachers were suggesting the same old methods flogging, suspensions etc most of the students have gotten used to the punishments and would boastfully 'chest' the cane as if it's nothing. I played football back then in school and I knew the kind of positive impact it would bring.
I suggested we introduce sports and make it part of the school curricula , try using sports to engage their minds and see how it would go. The proprietor agreed and asked me to be the coach. The first challenge was trying to bring them together in unity. They had factions and some wouldn't even want to be in the same place with the others but after our first official match, I saw them all walking home together and discussing the match, it was beautiful. The unity did not end there it spread through the whole school, their was this new found togetherness and peace. Things started changing and in 6 years Ikotun senior high school has turned from one of the most notorious schools to one of the best. It has changed a lot of lives and coaching the team has been the best thing I've ever done. Our female team just won the GTBank Lagos state Principals cup 1 of the many things we've achieved in the past 6 years."

"Once in a while we dress like ladies, go round the street and make people laugh. We enter bars and shops, do stand up comedy and a bit of drama. It's a way of promoting our comedy group and we've gotten lots of gigs this way."

"Me and my friends do this thing were we dress like girls once in a while and walk round our streets to make people laugh and also promote our comedy group. We were bored today and decided to do it again.
HOL* How were you able to pull off this feminine look effortlessly? Your friends look funny but one can almost mistake you for a lady.
As a kid I found myself spending more time with the girls than my fellow boys. I would sometimes put on my Sister 's dress and ask them to refer to me as a girl. I stopped behaving like that as I got older and with lots of beating but when I got into comedy acting like a girl came natural to me and I decided to resurrect that. I get taunted once in a while and people call me all sorts but I laugh it off. It's work now and as long as it puts food on the table."

"I want to be a banker when I grow up, I don't know if they will allow me carry my hair inside the bank. I've told my mummy and she said I can cut it if I want to she also said they will buy me anything I want.
HOL* what will you tell them to buy for you?
A bicycle.

"My classmates always look for my trouble and if I beat them they will report me to our Aunty(Teacher) and she will flog me even after I tell her I wasn't the one that started it, she will tell me I'm stubborn. I don't even like fighting but my classmates are the ones 'finding' my trouble all the time."

"I feel invincible when I'm on my bike, I feel like I can do anything, just anything. At times, I even get the urge to attempt something crazy like jumping over a trailer maybe not exactly that but that's the kind of ginger I get when I'm on my bike.
HOL* Are you not afraid of injuries or getting hurt?
Injuries are part of the game, you've not started riding till you have your first fall/injury. You have to stop thinking about getting injured if you want to enjoy this, you need a strong mind and the fun part is in doing crazy/risky tricks, the feeling you get when you successful pull off a difficult trick is the best thing ever, I don't think there is something else that feels better than that."

shawnfamous:
taekwon! If u started taekwondo dis year u will not make any medal, I particapated in d competition 2! At surelere teslim balogun, bt wch. dressing room did u stay? I'm nt sure thrs any dressing room thr! Cos its was done indoor! And next time u see us we athlete seating/waiting wen its our category fighting! Sorry better luck next time! Hope 2 c u in panamai or ccsf so wch weight do u fight?

Hahaha no be me oo.

"Before my match in my first ever competition, I prayed and asked God to remove anything that will cause me injury during my fight. After praying, I stayed back in the dressing room waiting to be called out for my fight but some minutes later I was told I've been disqualified for not showing up. I did not understand how I could possibly miss that, that kind of thing rarely happens. I was sad for sometime, I do not know if I could have won the fight and go all the way but then I remember my prayer and I choose to believe it was God that made me miss the fight, maybe God was preventing from sustaining an injury that would have ended my career."

One day I witnessed a girl beat up some guys that tried to rob her. After the incident I overhead someone say the girl knows Taekwondo and I immediately picked up interest. There is always one incident or another in Uniben and with my new Taekwondo skills I can defend myself. I'm in Lagos for the national Taekwondo classic, it's my first competition, I've been training hard since February and I hope to do well."

"I felt really sad when we were dropped last year, I admit we were not not at our best, we came directly from another show and we didn't put enough energy into it. Still it was hard not winning the first price. *HOL* What's the prize for coming first?
Around 3 million naira... I'm not really sure about the figures but what ever it is, we are taking the prize home this year."

"This is my first time at the carnival, I've heard so much about it and I wanted to experience it. It's been fun so far and I'm having the time for my life."

"I wanted to be unique, something different from all the crazy costumes. Anything goes today.
HOL*How did your neighbors react when you left the house with this hair?
I'm a comedian, I've done crazier things before.

"I'm starting an NGO that will provide basic formal education for young girls in the north and also educate them and their parents on the dangers of early/childhood marriage. I did my NYSC in the north and witnessed these issues first hand. Girls are not allowed to go to school or get any form of formal education. Some of them want to go to school, they have dreams and aspirations just like the rest of us and someone is denying them that."

"I was posted to Adamawa for my NYSC in 2010. One afternoon during my CDS, a young girl of about 11 or 12 came to me and asked that I take her to Lagos or anywhere I was going to. Her dad wanted to marry her off to a man 5 x her age and she told me she'd rather run away than marry the man. I was a visitor and I couldn't do much,I wanted to help her, I tried all I could but it amounted to nothing. I still think of her and each time it still pains me that I wasn't able to help her."

GIYAZZ:

What do you mean by this Tochiphotos?

A curative surgery which would have made her normal again won't be possible again. The doctors said it should have been detected immediately she was given birth to and taken care of that's how it's done abroad but sadly it was in Nigeria and they overlooked it. Now, only a palliative procedure can be performed to make her live to 30 or more but the procedure is risky and after that she has to avoid so many things. I can't mention all here. The parents are willing to take the risk and we will pray for the best.

*Update on Vivian* We haven't been able to raise the complete amount required for her trip and surgery in India or able to get a hospital to give a special discount and carry out the surgery with the amount raised so far ($9,887). We've also sent out emails to the hospitals suggested by our followers that carry out such surgeries for free but none of them has been positive so far.
We were referred to the newly built Gbagada Cardiac and Renal center which we were told can now perform heart surgeries. Last month, Vivian, her parents, hol alongside a rep from UKF went to see Dr. Tosin Majekodunmi of Gbagada Cardiac and Renal center for further tests and to know if they can be able to perform the surgery. After the Echocardiogram, the doctor found out Vivian has developed severe  pulmonary  hypertension  and  Eisenmenger’s  syndrome  and  can  no  longer  be  offered  curative  surgery  in  the  form  of  an  arterial  switch  procedure.  Given  the  severity  of  her  pulmonary  hypertension,  palliative  procedures  such  as  an  atrial  switch  or  arterial  switch  procedure  could  be  performed  to  improve  her  oxygen  saturations  but  would  be  at  very  high  risk and with  good  medical  care  Vivian  although  limited  should  reach  adult  age  and  may  achieve  30  –  40yrs  of  life. Dr. Majekodunmi has explained the diagnosis in detail to Vivian's parents and they are willing to take the risk and go ahead with the surgery.
The challenge now is still getting the complete funds, you can still donate through gofundme http://www.gofundme.com/ojv9zs and please don't hesitate to send an email to Thehumansoflagos@gmail.com if you have any suggestions or useful information on we can make this happen for Vivian.
God bless the 257 who donated so far and each and everyone helping out in one way or the other. Big thank you to Tope Fajingbesi, Ameenah Yunus-Ali, Ololade O, Janae M., Dr. Kikelomo B., Dr. Majekodunmi T. and all the wonderful people working tirelessly to make sure Vivian gets the help she needs. The end is near and we can't wait to share in Vivian's success story.

I would have loved to attend University with my mates but there wasn't money when I finished my WAEC and I had to go and learn something, that's how I found myself in Computer village. I wasn't angry with my dad or anyone, he works really hard and I know if he had the money he would have sent me to school. That was his dream for all of us.
Some of my friends have graduated but I don't envy them or try to compare my life to there's, we all have different paths. I'm done with my training, I can confidently say I can repair any laptop or computer they bring to me for repairs. I'm still attaching in my boss's shop and my focus now is getting my own shop, becoming better in this and providing for my family."

"Few days ago we shared the story of Julianna, the woman with 2 kids who was sent away by her husband. We asked if any of our wonderful followers could provide accommodation and a job for her, the response was amazing. A lady offered her a job and accommodation which she initially accepted but on the day they were supposed to be moved, she said she'd prefer to go to her village instead and stay close to her people.
They boarded a bus to her hometown this morning and should have arrived now (called her around 6pm and she said they were almost home... Called again now but she didn't answer so I guess they are home now.) The lady also gave her some money to start a business when she gets home.
God bless our Instagram follower Oghenekaro she is the wonderful lady that made this happen. She took their problem as hers and treated them like family. She is one of the most selfless person I've met, was inspiring listening to her talk so passionately about the things she cares about, helping others and trying to make the world a better place in her own little way. God bless you Oghenekaro and all the best to Julianna and her kids."

"I've always wanted to attend University of Lagos but I couldn't get in in my first 3 attempts. The first one was more painful, I was so confident I'd get in, I had already started telling people. Then came the second and third, at a point I got fed up and enrolled in a polytechnic but each time I passed Unilag, I'd keep staring at the Logo, students etc I felt this was where I belonged, I needed to be here. I kept trying and was finally admitted.
The distractions were there but I wasn't there for that, I had a goal, I wanted a first class and I started working towards it from day 1. It was tough, faced a lot of challenges but to the Glory of God I finished with a first class."

"We were about 200 in my department when we entered University of Maiduguri, out of the 200, only a few of us graduated. One day you'd come to class and you won't find some people. The number kept reducing day by day, you don't know if they had managed to escape Borno or if they were among those that died in the last bombing or if their village had been among those attacked. We were losing our friends and we didn't know whether to be happy they escaped or mourn their death.
It was really scary, you go out in the morning and you don't know if you'd come back alive. I saw people die in my presence. There is one that still hunts me, I was in the market buying some things with my friends when Boko haram attacked, We ran into a shop to take cover. The owner of the shop let us in then said he was going outside to bring some of his things in and he was hit by a bullet. I stood there shaking and screaming. This was someone that was alive few seconds ago.
The whole experience in the north changed how I see life and most Importantly, it drew me closer to God."

"One of my best moments this year was when someone complimented my intelligence. We had finished talking about something, she was surprised at how intelligent the conversation was and told me she never knew I had something upstairs.
That's one misconception people always have about me, when they see me, they assume all I have to offer is a fine face and nothing else, I feel bad about that and I try as much as possible to prove them wrong. I'm a hardworking guy and I would want to be remembered for my work and achievements not just as that 'fine boy'."

"I met my 'husband' while working as a sales girl in Idumota. He always frequented our shop because of me and each time he came he would always tell me how much he loves me and wants to marry me. I liked him too and we started dating. I got pregnant for him and moved in with him and he promised to marry me and pay my bride price.
He kept postponing the marriage and each time I ask him, he would say there is no money for that now and once money comes we would get married. We kept living together peaceful till he suddenly changed, abuses me any opportunity he gets, he told me he will never marry someone as ugly as me. He got married to another woman and brought her home and they made life unbearable for me and my kids, I kept enduring hoping things would get better but he just threw us out from his house. We've been sleeping outside since then. The only thing I was able to pack was the clothes I spread on the grass over there and the ones inside the white nylon.
Sometimes I start laughing at myself then I begin to cry. I'm so ashamed I never thought this was how my life would end up. I'm an NCE holder, I had plans and now I'm sitting here not knowing where the next meal will come from." #HumansOfLagos.


Hey wonderful people, let's see if there is something we can do for this woman and her kids. She needs 3 things, accommodation, a job and getting her kids back to school. Please if there is anyone that can accommodate them temporary or has a job for her. She said she can do any work she gets; domestic work, cleaner etc Please send an email to Thehumansoflagos@gmail.com and God bless you as you help change someone's life.

shilling:
What is their address?

It's in Kakawa, off broadstreet. It's inside the car park opposite Fcmb head office or that Anglican church in Tinubu round about just ask around when you get there.

shilling:
Any updates on this?

Arrangements are been made to fly her out. We haven't been able to get the complete funds and it's holding it back. A few NGOs have gotten involved and once it's finalized I will update the page about her progress.

"My parents separated 2 years ago, I wasn't at home when he left, I went to school and when I came back I noticed the big TV and some other things were missing and I knew my dad had moved out. I don't think my presence would have made any difference, I kinda saw it coming.
I stay with my mum, my dad still worships in our Church and I see him on Sundays. I think they are both happier since they separated.
I did well in my SAT and I hope to get a scholarship from any of the schools I applied to. Tuition fees are expensive and I want to make things easier for my mum."

"I'm a pediatric intensivist; a doctor who takes care of seriously ill infants and children needing high-level care and monitoring in an ICU. Children who have trauma/ severe injuries, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, overwhelming infections, organ failure etc. We use mechanical ventilators and other advanced technologies to help children stay alive and recover from severe illness. It’s a relatively new specialty and, as far as I know, there are no other pediatric intensivists in Nigeria. Pediatric intensivists around the world tend to practice in places with advanced health systems.
In the ten years I spent in the US, I always felt homesick. I thought the feeling would go away but it never did.
When I was done training in the US and started working as a pediatric intensivist, I didn’t feel fulfilled at my job, it just didn’t feel like I was doing my life’s work. I was always looking for ways to take care of Nigerian children. Moving back home to Nigeria and working here seemed like a solution to both longings.
HOL: What's the most meaningful thing you've done since you moved back?
A few weeks after I arrived, I got a phone call from a pediatric heart surgeon who also moved back to Nigeria from the US. He told me about a 2 year old boy in Abuja who had undergone open-heart surgery to repair a very complex heart defect. The child remained in ICU for about 10 days, unconscious and on a ventilator and wasn’t getting better; he wondered if I could help. This was my specialty. I was very happy to help. I went out to Abuja and worked with the team to help take care of the child. He got better and is fine now, home with his family. It was very moving for me to be able to provide this sort of care to a child in Nigeria knowing that it’s a very specialized service that is not otherwise available in the country. It gave meaning to my move back home."

"I think I got my first drum when I was 5, my father made it for me. He too was a drummer and he told me his dad made him his first drum when he was about my age. It's a family tradition.
I remember always sitting on the foot of his chair, listening attentively and trying to recreate the sounds he made.
HOL: What's the biggest event you've played in?
My troupe played in the Oba of Lagos's coronation. It was a privilege to play in such an occasion. I remember when we were in the bus from Oyo to the coronation, we always joked and laughed whenever we are going for an event but everybody was just silent that day it was a big day for all us."

MarvellousGod:
Hi Tochi,

So because the previous account didn't work, no more donations for her? You want her case dumped or what?

Not at all. I gave her number to some people who wanted to take it up personally after the donations failed. I will try and check up on her soon to know if they later did something for her. And if they didn't, after Vivian's case we would go back to her own.. .. Hopefully.