Angelus Blog

I am 28 years old and recently had my traditional marriage three months ago. I am planning to have my church wedding in March 2024. My fiancée lives abroad but will be in Nigeria three weeks before the wedding. However, I am facing a serious problem and need advice. Last year, I impregnated a woman I met at my workplace. She is now two months pregnant. I love my fiancée deeply and would never want to hurt her. The woman who is pregnant does not know that I am already engaged, and my fiancée is unaware that someone else is carrying my child. I am now caught in a difficult dilemma and need guidance on what to do. Both families have finalized all the marriage arrangements, and they already consider each other as in-laws. My fear is that if I tell my fiancée about the pregnancy, she might call off the wedding. At the same time, I worry that the woman who is pregnant will not forgive me if she finds out I am engaged. I feel trapped between two impossible choices—between the devil and the...

A true life story. My husband works as an unskilled laborer in a manufacturing company in Lagos, earning a monthly salary of thirty thousand Naira. I am a petty trader in our community, selling fruits like groundnuts and popcorn, and my monthly income is less than ten thousand Naira. Together, we have two young children—a boy aged four and a girl aged two. Two years ago, we made the difficult decision not to have any more children because our limited income would not allow us to adequately provide for more than two kids. We visited the hospital for family planning, and I have been consistently taking contraceptive pills without any issues. However, a few weeks ago, I missed my period. Curious, I went to the hospital to confirm, and to my surprise, I found out I am pregnant. Given our financial constraints, my husband and I feel we cannot support more than two children. I am torn between the thought of terminating the pregnancy while it is still at an early stage and the moral hesita...

Courtesy. Treasure Vine School. Ota Private primary and secondary school owners in Nigeria have recently introduced a puzzling policy: students are now required to wear different uniforms each day of the week, instead of the traditional two—regular attire and sportswear. Attempts to uncover the rationale behind this unusual practice have yielded little clarity. More than 85 percent of school proprietors could not provide convincing explanations. Of those who responded, about 80 percent claimed the policy was intended to promote neatness among students. This reasoning appears weak and unconvincing. Neatness is a personal habit, not something enforced by a rotating wardrobe. A child accustomed to wearing clean uniforms will continue to do so, while one prone to wearing dirty clothes will not suddenly change because of multiple uniforms. True discipline in neatness is cultivated gradually, not imposed through excessive regulation. The central question remains: why compel student...

The Girl Child And Her Father From the outset, I want to focus on a specific case study: a 16-year-old girl I’ll refer to as Loveth. I have witnessed Loveth grow up in my neighborhood, observing the strong emotional bond she developed with her father. Starting from the age of two, Loveth was often seen playing and sharing meals with him. She insisted that her father take her to school and pick her up, maintaining this routine until she completed secondary school. Due to their close relationship, neighbors affectionately teased her with nicknames such as "daddy's wife," "daddy's girlfriend," or simply "daddy's girl." Following her secondary education, many assumed that Loveth's attachment to her father would lessen, but instead, it intensified. Her mother often humorously referred to Loveth as her rival, and the couple would laugh about it, while she pondered why her daughter preferred to discuss her intimate feelings with her fathe...

Artist's Impression of Husband and Wife. Courtesy, Shutterstock A 78-year-old man has been struggling with loneliness since his wife, aged 65, traveled abroad three months ago to care for their daughter who recently had a baby. She is expected to return after this period. During her absence, the only people living with him are a maid, a driver, and a cook, all residing in the boys’ quarters behind his bungalow. The elderly man expresses deep discomfort and emotional coldness without his wife’s presence. He now contemplates marrying a second wife because his wife has indicated she might extend her stay abroad to four months. Despite his Christian faith, which forbids polygamy, he insists that if she does not return within the agreed three months, he will disregard these religious constraints and find another woman to keep him company. He explains that the maid and cook cannot fulfill the emotional and personal care his wife provides, emphasizing that the unique bond and affection ...

When noise hits your ear drum NOISE POLLUTION IN NIGERIA: AN URGENT CALL TO ACTION Noise pollution in Nigeria has escalated to alarming levels, demanding immediate attention before it inflicts further harm on the population. Across streets, shops, markets, motor parks, and even religious centers, people generate excessive noise with little regard for its impact on human health.   The human ear is designed to tolerate sound only up to a certain threshold. Once that limit is exceeded, sound becomes uncomfortable, unpleasant, and potentially damaging.   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that everyday loud activities can permanently damage hearing. Similarly, the Decibel Pro dB Sound Level Meter explains that humans can typically hear sounds ranging from 0 to 130 decibels (dB). At 0 dB lies the auditory threshold—the faintest sound we can perceive—while 130 dB marks the pain threshold, beyond which sound causes intense discomfort and immediate ha...

On Sunday, August 27, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in the Izzi community of Ebonyi State. A 20-year-old young woman, Nwaedoka Chidimma, allegedly abandoned her newborn son in a pit toilet shortly after delivery. Two days later, on August 29, residents heard the baby’s cries and rescued him. The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, immediately intervened, ensuring the child was taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku Awka, for urgent treatment. Sadly, despite efforts to save him, the baby passed away the following day.   A resident, Esther, recounted that Chidimma had secured a farm job in the community while pregnant. During work, she excused herself to use the toilet and returned bleeding heavily—an ominous sign of what had transpired.   This heartbreaking case highlights the devastating consequences of pregnancies outside marriage. While it is difficult to imagine a married woman committing such an act...

Video: Sharing of Palliatives at Madara Ward of FCE Kontagora Nige State    During his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, Nigeria’s newly elected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy. He explained that the subsidy had already been quietly removed by former President Muhammadu Buhari early in his second term, and as such, the 2023 budget made no provision for it. Nigerians appeared largely indifferent to this covert removal, focusing instead on price stability and product availability. The previous administration had repeatedly explained that the high cost of subsidizing petrol was a major cause of frequent fuel shortages in the country. They accused a few wealthy importers—who held licenses to bring in petrol—of benefiting disproportionately from the subsidy, while the poor, the intended beneficiaries, saw little advantage. The government alleged that these so-called “subsidy thieves” inflated importation costs and diverted petrol to neighbori...

An old man in  a pensive mood  I take life in stride, Answering every "How are you?" With a simple, "Fine, thank you." Even when I'm far from fine, I hide my troubles deep within, And still respond, "Thank you, and you?" I wear a smile most of the time, Especially when things fall apart. My bank balance may not reach four digits, Yet my positive spirit makes others see A person of ten digits instead. I smile when accused of being stingy, Simply because I cannot afford The sums they ask of me. They don’t know the battles I face, Because I never show my tears, Nor let my pain surface. They think I’m cold and distant, But would they understand If I shared my true story? Would they believe me? I doubt it. Am I deceiving them with my cheerful mask, One that few have truly understood? Am I right to keep this happy facade, To stay upbeat most of the time? If I revealed my financial truth, Would anyone believe it? I fear they would not. Yet, the r...

Infidelity among married men remains one of the most hotly debated issues in contemporary society. Counselors, psychologists, motivational speakers, sociologists, and other experts have all weighed in, offering strategies to curb the trend. Yet, despite these efforts, cheating persists. Even as this piece is being written, somewhere in the world, a man is likely betraying his marital vows. It is important to note that women also engage in infidelity, though their case will be addressed another time. Defining Cheating According to the Oxford English Dictionary, to cheat means “to violate rules in order to gain, or attempt to gain, advantage from a situation; or to break a promise made to someone, such as one’s spouse, by having sex with another person.” Both Christianity and Islam strictly forbid such acts, emphasizing chastity and fidelity. A man, whether single or married, is expected to remain faithful to his partner. Yet, many men disregard this principle, engaging in ca...

A father Advises his Son MY FATHER’S ADVICE After completing my Master’s degree in Sociology at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, I was offered a position as a lecturer at the same institution. Although I was grateful for the opportunity, the salary was modest, and commuting to work quickly became a challenge. To ease the burden, I asked my neighbor—who also worked at the university—for a ride. He agreed, but only on the condition that I arrived at his house at least thirty minutes before his 7:00 a.m. departure. I adjusted my routine accordingly, and for a while, the arrangement was a huge relief. Three months into this free ride, however, problems began to surface. Some days, he told me to find my own way home because he would be working late. While that was true occasionally, I later discovered that on other days he was simply spending time with his mistress. To avoid exposing his affair, he used the excuse of late hours. Over time, his excuses became frequent, and I realized h...

Recently, an anonymous caller phoned into a radio programme in Lagos, Nigeria, to share a deeply personal dilemma. She explained that she was struggling with how to tell her fiancé that she could not go through with their marriage because of his physical inadequacy. The woman revealed that she had been engaged to him for over two years. She described him as kind-hearted, well-educated, and gainfully employed—qualities that would ordinarily make him an ideal partner. Yet, she confessed that she feared he would not be able to satisfy her sexually, lamenting that his manhood appeared underdeveloped. Her candid admission about a man she had once envisioned spending her life with may sound humorous to some, but it reflects a serious truth: she chose honesty over compromise. Rather than entering a marriage where she would feel unfulfilled, she bravely spoke out about her concerns. This story highlights a broader lesson. Many men and women ignore their inner convictions, pretending...

Judas Iscariot The name Judas has become a byword for betrayal, treason, and treachery. Most people know the biblical story of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus Christ. To non-Christians, this may appear as just another tale of the trials faced by the Son of God. However, for Christians, the story of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal leaves a bitter impression every time it is told. In today’s world, the spirit of Judas Iscariot is present in nearly every sphere of life, often disguised so cleverly that uncovering him requires great effort—some even say it takes divine grace to recognize him in time. He lurks in homes, workplaces, relationships, and especially in political arenas. Within families, whether nuclear or extended, many Judases operate covertly, stabbing you in the back while pretending to offer comfort. In workplaces, Judas betrays colleagues before superiors and works tirelessly to undermine anyone trying to break free from his control, often succeeding in causing damage befor...

The movement of people from rural communities to urban centers in search of a better life is as old as human history. Cities, with their abundance of opportunities, continue to attract individuals from villages and countryside areas, fueling a steady stream of migration.   In this article, we will explore the frequency of rural-to-urban migration and suggest possible measures to address the trend. Our concern is that if this movement continues unchecked, rural areas may eventually be abandoned, placing immense pressure on already crowded cities.     Factors Driving Migration We shall examine the motivations behind this migration from both social and economic perspectives.   S ocial Factors   Rural dwellers often remain confined to their immediate environments, with limited exposure to the wider world. Their primary connection to life beyond their communities is through traditional media such as radio, television, newspapers, or telephones. When th...

Never before in Nigeria’s history have the youths—particularly those from the Southern and Eastern regions—demonstrated such remarkable enthusiasm and active participation in the election process as witnessed during the 2023 general elections. This election cycle served as a powerful wake-up call, almost like a magic wand, stirring them from political apathy into vibrant engagement. It was as if they suddenly realized the crucial role they play in choosing their leaders, a shift that is commendable by any measure. A pressing question among many Nigerians has been: Why were the youths from these regions so disengaged from politics until now? One plausible explanation is that many young people felt their votes had little impact in previous elections, leading them to view voting as a futile exercise—a waste of time and resources. Along similar lines, some youths believed that political outcomes were predetermined by manipulative politicians before any votes were cast, making participation...

The primary purpose of sexual intercourse among humans and animals is procreation. For humans who wish to have children biologically, sexual intercourse is essential. Similarly, animals engage in it to reproduce their offspring. A secondary purpose, particularly among humans, is for pleasure or to relieve sexual tension. Whether animals also engage in sexual activity to reduce tension remains a subject of debate. In humans, sexual intercourse intended for procreation must occur during specific times—namely, when a woman is ovulating—to achieve conception. In animals, the female must be in heat to conceive. Instinctively, males recognize when females are in heat, and mating occurs during this period. A key difference between animals and humans in copulation is that animals can mate anywhere and at any time, provided the female is in heat. Humans, on the other hand, generally preserve their dignity by engaging in sexual activity at chosen times and in private settings. Additionally, ...

For the first time in many years, Nigerians are facing severe fuel scarcity nationwide in January 2023. While fuel shortages have been a recurring issue, it has never persisted for such an extended period—from November through January—until now. Historically, fuel scarcity in Nigeria has often been preceded by strikes from tanker drivers, particularly those affiliated with the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). These strikes were usually coordinated with the Nigerian Labour Congress, which would present demands to the government. Failure to meet these demands within a set timeframe typically led to indefinite strike actions, triggering fuel shortages. However, this time, no such warnings or strikes occurred, catching everyone off guard. Adding to the surprise is the fact that Nigeria is currently in an election period, with the presidential election scheduled for January 25, 2023. During such times, economic activities are generally expected to be stable or...

According to a recent survey conducted in Nigeria, over four thousand couples filed for divorce in 2022. This represents a dramatic rise compared to previous years. Interestingly, not all marriages even reached the stage of legal arbitration. Some collapsed immediately after the Native Law and Custom (traditional) marriage, while others ended after the religious stage—Church or Islamic weddings—without progressing to court marriage. Even those that attained legal recognition often broke down within a few years. Surprisingly, many of these failed unions involved celebrities, particularly in the entertainment industry. A significant number also included highly educated couples—those with university degrees and beyond. This trend raises troubling questions: why do marriages today crumble so quickly, when in earlier decades couples often sustained their unions for 50 years or more? What are we failing to do that our parents did right? This article examines key factors that contribute...