Angelus Blog

Do parents truly know what’s best for your love life? From teething to teenage awkwardness, they’ve watched you grow and believe they hold the ultimate “data set” on who you are. Naturally, they assume they’re qualified to vet your future partner.   But while their intentions may stem from love—or a not-so-subtle desire for grandchildren—parental matchmaking often causes more harm than good.   The Illusion of the Perfect Candidate Someone can look flawless on paper—a “10/10” in your parents’ eyes—yet feel lifeless in conversation. Parents tend to emphasize background, education, and cultural or religious compatibility. These matter, but they don’t create chemistry. Stability may be their priority, but connection is yours. And no spark can be forced just because two résumés align.   The Burden of Obligation When matchmaking involves family friends or community ties, a casual date can feel like a diplomatic summit. If things go badly, relationships with famil...

Why should a man wait to be told to work with his wife before he takes responsibility for the home? Bathing the children, putting them to bed, or cooking a meal are not “women’s duties”—they are family duties. A wise man understands that stepping into the kitchen or helping with chores does not strip him of his masculinity. On the contrary, it shows maturity, love, and leadership. Even a titled man is not diminished by service to his family; he is elevated by it. Yet, some men cling to outdated beliefs. One man famously declared he would never enter the kitchen because “that is not a married man’s place.” He believed that as long as he provided money, the kitchen belonged solely to his wife. He even burdened her with impossible standards, warning that food must be prepared with “utmost precision” or else disaster would follow. His wife lived in constant fear, punished whenever she failed to meet his rigid expectations. This is not strength—it is oppression disguised as tradition. The s...

Toll Gate is a well-known landmark in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. The area got its name from the toll gate that once existed there during the democratic presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007. It is strategically located at the boundary between Lagos State and Ogun State along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway. In addition to generating revenue for road maintenance and infrastructure development, the toll gate also helped regulate and monitor traffic moving between the two states. In 2012, during the administration of Ibikunle Amosun, the construction of the Ilo Awela Road was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria. The project was aimed at linking Ota with inner parts of the city, including Oju Ore, Osi, Command, Ogba Ayo, AIT, and Iyana Iyesi. The road was rehabilitated and expanded into a dual carriageway to ease movement and improve connectivity within the city. However, the topography of the area presents a serious safety challenge. The road was constructed in such a way that it sl...

At their father’s burial, James—the youngest of five siblings—shouldered most of the financial responsibility, contributing ₦8 million out of the ₦10 million budget. His elder brother, Cletus, 50 years old and financially strained, managed only ₦300,000. Samson, the 47-year-old teacher, gave ₦1 million, while Veronica, their divorced sister, offered ₦300,000. Jacob, a taxi driver, added ₦400,000.   Despite the uneven contributions, the burial was unexpectedly harmonious. But the fragile peace dissolved when the time came to divide their father’s estate. Custom dictated that the firstborn son, Cletus, should inherit the family house, along with a share of the remaining assets—five plots of land, six houses, clothes, and furniture.   Veronica, however, challenged this tradition. She argued that Cletus’s meager contribution to the burial should disqualify him from receiving the largest share. Aligning with Samson, she petitioned the village head. James stood firmly by t...

It’s funny how an eighteen‑year‑old boy can look at his sixty‑five‑year‑old father and think, “I’m smarter than him.” He forgets that his father was once eighteen too, with the same energy, the same boldness, and probably the same mistakes.   The same goes for the eleven‑year‑old girl who tries every trick in the book, convinced she’s outsmarting her fifty‑eight‑year‑old mother. What she doesn’t realize is that her mother once played those same games—and knows them better than anyone.   Sometimes it feels like kids today believe their parents just fell from the sky, instantly becoming “Mom” and “Dad.” They don’t see that every lie, every little scheme, is something their parents have already lived through.   Take the fourteen‑year‑old who tells her mother she’s off to see a girlfriend, but ends up under a mango tree with a boy, pretending to play house. She thinks she’s clever, but her mother knows exactly what’s going on—because she’s been there before....

  Parent-child relationships are traditionally built on respect. Parents devote themselves to providing for their children’s basic needs—food, clothing, and shelter—while children, in turn, support their parents in whatever ways they can.   African parents, in particular, are known for their diligence in raising children, ensuring they are not spoiled and correcting inappropriate behaviour, especially when it involves disrespect.   Recently, an online video sparked debate: a boy, estimated to be between 12 and 14 years old, openly disrespected his mother. Many questioned why she chose to record and share the incident instead of disciplining him, as is customary in African households.   In Western cultures, such behaviour may be tolerated or explained away, but in Africa—especially Nigeria—it is far less acceptable. Physical discipline remains common, rooted in the biblical principle, “spare the rod, spoil the child” (Proverbs 13:24).   Observ...

In certain regions of Africa, notably Nigeria, there exists a cultural belief that a man may suffer illness as a consequence of his wife’s wrongdoing. For example, if a married woman commits adultery, it is believed that her husband may fall ill. To restore the man’s health, the community often requires the woman to publicly confess her infidelity. This confession is seen as a necessary act to alleviate the husband’s sickness. Once she admits her fault, the man is believed to recover. This longstanding tradition is widely accepted and practiced, with many asserting that it plays a crucial role in promoting faithfulness within marriages and maintaining social order. Another traditional practice involves the suspicion cast upon a wife when her prominent husband dies under mysterious circumstances. In such cases, the wife may be subjected to spiritual trials to prove her innocence. These tests might include drinking the deceased husband’s bath water or performing ritualistic movements aro...

Photo Credit: Plateau Watch   Dialogue is often hailed as the most effective path to conflict resolution. Yet, the idea of negotiating peace with bandits in a sovereign nation remains deeply controversial.   Since the Boko Haram sect—formally known as Jama'at Ahl al-Sunna Li al-Da'wa wa al-Jihad—emerged in northeastern Nigeria in 2003, the country has suffered the loss of thousands of lives to their violent campaigns, particularly in the northern regions. Despite repeated efforts by federal, state, and local governments to suppress the group, military offensives have yielded little success. In fact, the harder the military pushes, the more destruction these insurgents unleash. They raid military bases, seize vehicles and weapons, and turn those same resources against the nation.   Beyond direct assaults, the bandits frequently bomb government facilities, kidnap citizens and foreigners, and extort massive ransoms—sometimes killing their victims even after payment...

Photo credit: freepik.com In Africa, particularly in Nigeria, the color black is often negatively associated with witchcraft. Despite black symbolizing power, authority, and elegance, many Nigerians—especially in rural areas—frequently label elderly, dark-skinned women as witches. This perception is unjust and harmful. It is rare to find a fair-skinned woman suspected or accused of witchcraft in Africa. This is largely because fair complexions are often associated with innocence and harmlessness. I recall an incident years ago when a spirit was consulted to identify the witch or wizard responsible for the death of a two-month-old baby boy. To the surprise of many, a fair-skinned woman was accused of being behind the tragedy. In many African cultures, colors carry profound symbolic meanings connected to nature, spirituality, and societal values. The symbolism of black and white is far more complex than a simple good-versus-evil contrast often seen in Western cultures. Black frequently r...

The daily conversations with a loved one   become cherished memories that never fade.   Each morning, the first instinct is to reach for the phone,   to hear the voice of that one dear soul.   And before night falls, you cannot rest   without sharing words with the same beloved presence.   That person may be a spouse, a close friend, a child,   or a member of your family near or far.   Whoever they are, once your thoughts remain fixed on them,   their absence reshapes your emotions,   leaving your very being unsettled when they suddenly vanish from your world.   No matter how hard one tries to silence the thoughts of the departed,   they linger stubbornly, refusing to leave.   Yet somehow, we must learn to release them,   lest our minds suffer endlessly under their weight.   Oh, my dear one—why could you not resist nature’s cal...

https://fb.watch/z34DrR81HB/?mibextid=Nif5oz Watch the Good Friday Passion Play performed at St. Peter's Parish Ota Ogun State Abeokuta Diocese .

In Nigeria and across many parts of Africa, the phrase Village People immediately evokes thoughts of sinister acts believed to be driven by mystical or supernatural powers. These so‑called Village People are often blamed for a wide range of misfortunes—failed businesses, broken marriages, financial hardship, academic struggles, and more. How they supposedly carry out these acts remains shrouded in mystery to outsiders, yet those who claim to have suffered their influence insist on their existence. According to such accounts, jealousy over someone’s success or progress in life can provoke their wrath, leading them to inflict harm. This belief is especially common among city dwellers, who often suspect relatives in rural communities of orchestrating their setbacks from afar. Village People are thought to operate remotely, wielding powerful forms of magic that rarely miss their intended target. Popular opinion holds that these forces monitor their victims from their own domain, striking...

Man Accuses Pastor of Adultery  Recently in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, Nigeria, a pastor was accused of engaging in an affair with a married female member of his congregation. Following the allegation, he was paraded through the streets, while some aggrieved individuals vandalized chairs and equipment in his church. Public reactions have been divided. Many online commentators condemned the pastor’s alleged conduct as irresponsible, while others criticized the actions of his accusers, describing their behavior as equally reckless. A short video circulating online shows a young man gripping the pastor by the trousers and, in his local dialect, accusing him of the alleged affair. The pastor remained silent, looking away, as though dismissing both the accusation and the suspicions of onlookers. Drawing a parallel with the biblical account where Jesus refused to condemn a woman accused of adultery without the man being presented alongside her, this case highlights ...

Artist's impression of an alcoholi c   People consume alcohol for a variety of reasons. Some drink to celebrate, to socialize, or simply to relax their bodies, while others claim they drink to supplement their nutritional needs. In itself, alcohol is not inherently harmful when taken in moderation. The real danger lies in its misuse. This article explores why some individuals drink excessively and end up intoxicated. As the title suggests, we will examine this issue from two main perspectives: habit and genetics. From these angles, two important questions arise: 1. Do people develop the habit of drinking and find it difficult to stop over time? (Habitual) 2. Do people drink because they observe family members, friends, or acquaintances doing so? (Genetic) It is clear that social influence plays a significant role. Many individuals begin drinking because of the company they keep. Over time, they become deeply engrossed in the habit, making it difficult to quit—after all,...

Light At The End Of The Tunnel   According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a light at the end of the tunnel refers to “signs of improvement in a situation that has been bad for a long time, or signs that a long and difficult piece of work is almost finished.” In the image above, the light appears distant from the tunnel’s entrance. It shines brightly, drawing attention with its allure and symbolizing hope, faith, endurance, and perseverance. Yet, because the tunnel stretches long and far, reaching that light requires effort and determination. Sadly, this expression is often misunderstood. Some interpret it as though blessings simply fall from the sky—like manna from heaven—or as if success arrives by sheer luck. But that is not the case. No one reaches the light at the end of the tunnel without deliberate effort. Success demands purposeful action; otherwise, any achievement will be fleeting, lacking the foundation of sincere work. You cannot move left while aiming for something ...

Dangote Refinery, Lagos Nigeria   With the Dangote Refinery poised to start selling fuel directly to consumers—especially Nigerians—the pressing question is whether the government should simply relax and depend solely on this refinery to satisfy the country’s fuel demands. If the answer is no, what strategic steps should follow? Before exploring the path forward, it is essential to acknowledge the widespread dissatisfaction among Nigerians regarding both petrol pricing and the distribution framework currently in place. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has effectively established a monopoly over the purchase and distribution of Dangote Refinery’s products. Under this system, independent marketers and private oil sector operators are barred from buying directly from the refinery. Instead, they must procure fuel through NNPCL at a fixed price and then resell it to consumers with their own margins. This arrangement has eliminated the price uniformity Nigerians ...

Dangote Refinery   It is no longer news that the highly anticipated Dangote Refinery has been completed and is now ready to supply products to the market. Given the current fuel scarcity and rising petrol prices in Nigeria, many expected the refinery to start operations immediately after completion. However, this has not happened due to bureaucratic hurdles. Reports indicate that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), currently the sole importer of refined petroleum products in Nigeria, is restricting Dangote from selling petrol to independent marketers or other petrol merchants, allowing only NNPCL and its affiliates to distribute the products. While some sources deny that NNPCL plans to monopolize Dangote’s products, conflicting reports continue to emerge, creating uncertainty and instability that is detrimental to the country. If there is no conflict between NNPCL and Dangote Refinery, why has petrol sales not commenced days after the refinery’s completion? Alik...

Nigeria Labour Congress protesting fuel price increase   On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) announced a significant increase in the price of Petroleum Motor Spirit (petrol). The new price now ranges between N897 and N930 per litre nationwide, marking approximately a 50% rise from the previous price of N617 per litre. This development has sparked widespread concern and criticism among Nigerians, who fear the negative repercussions on their daily lives. One of the most immediate impacts of the fuel price hike will be on transportation costs. Commercial vehicle operators are expected to raise their fares to offset the increased fuel expenses, placing additional financial burdens on the average Nigerian worker. Fuel is a critical input for many sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, banking, and the informal sector—such as vulcanizers, barbers, and small business centers—largely because electricity supply remains unreliable, m...

  A typical Lagos Motor Park  In Lagos, motor park touts, commonly known as Agberos or Alayees, are predominantly men—and occasionally women—who have taken it upon themselves to act as informal managers of motor parks. Some operate under the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), while others are affiliated with the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN). The Agberos linked to the NURTW generally represent the lower tier of touts, whereas those associated with RTEAN occupy senior positions. Beyond these two groups, there exists a third category of touts who are unaffiliated with any union. These operate mainly at night, do not issue receipts for the levies they collect, and are notorious for their aggressive enforcement tactics. Motorists who resist their demands often face severe consequences. For years, the activities of these touts have been a source of distress for commercial drivers, motorists, and private vehicle owners in Lagos. Instead of co...

Picture: protesters in Lagos, Nigeria . Between August 1 and 10, 2024, during the #ENDBADGOVERNANCE and Hunger Protests in Nigeria, an online campaign emerged in Lagos State calling for Igbos to vacate the city. The campaign, tagged #IgbosMustGo, was driven by unidentified individuals who announced that their efforts would be “intensified” between August 20 and 30, 2024. The use of the word intensified suggests that the campaign had been quietly ongoing but was now being openly promoted. Its message was clear: Igbos from the Eastern region residing in Lagos should leave the state. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu strongly condemned the campaign, describing it as reckless and senseless. He urged law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those behind it. At the time of writing, however, there has been no official statement confirming whether the perpetrators have been apprehended. Yet, the focus here is not on arrests or prosecutions, but on how diverse groups within a geopolitical ...