Angelus Blog

The growing divide between Northern and Southern Nigeria is fueled by escalating tensions rooted in agricultural conflicts involving individuals and groups across the country. This dangerous trend must be halted to preserve the fragile peace that has existed among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups since independence in 1960. Cattle rearing, a significant aspect of animal husbandry, is predominantly practiced by peasant farmers and businesspeople in Northern Nigeria. While cattle rearing occurs in other regions, the scale of the trade is far greater in the North. The Fulani nomads, primarily among the Hausa, dominate this sector, moving their herds across the country in search of quality grazing land. Unfortunately, as these animals roam, they often stray into farmlands, consuming and destroying crops. This destruction has frequently sparked violent clashes between farmers and herdsmen, sometimes resulting in fatalities among those directly or indirectly involved. Some have proposed desig...

Success undeniably stems from hard work. However, when a family member achieves notable success in their career, they often face unique and intense pressures from relatives. How this individual manages such pressures can either strengthen or weaken their position within the family. In many African families, whether nuclear or extended, when one member attains greater wealth than others, there is a common expectation that this person will provide material and financial support to the rest. This expectation persists regardless of whether the family head—often the father—is still alive. The successful individual frequently assumes the role of family provider, even while managing their own household responsibilities. In families grounded in love and trust, this dynamic tends to function smoothly. The successful member’s support encourages others to strive for their own success, fostering motivation rather than dependence. This cycle helps break the chains of reliance on the prosperous indi...

I recorded these events     at the Toll gate, Ota in Ogun State today, June 22, 2021. The area  is presently flooded due to the heavy downpour . Traders in the area are running after their wares, which the flood swept away. It's a black  Tuesday evening for  the traders! Road rehabilitation is currently going on around the area. One can only hope that the rehabilitation work will be an opportunity to address the  issue of perennial flooding there.

Jealousy, often rooted in envy of another’s possessions or success, is one of the most common causes of hatred. Many victims of jealousy are caught off guard, unknowingly falling into a vicious cycle of intense animosity. They may even mistakenly believe that their so-called enemies—often strangers to them—are acting in their favour, unaware that they are being trapped in harmful schemes. A defining trait of jealous individuals is their perpetual dissatisfaction with their own possessions, no matter how abundant they may be. They covet what others have achieved without making the necessary effort to attain similar success themselves. Driven by this insatiable desire, they may go to great lengths—even resorting to unethical or harmful actions—to dispossess their targets and satisfy their envy. Jealousy is often easy to detect, as those who harbor it tend to reveal their feelings, sometimes unintentionally. They are rarely pleased by the accomplishments or actions of their perceived ri...

Man and woman share a common human dignity. In many traditions, both are seen as created with the capacity to know, serve, and contribute to something greater than themselves. At the same time, men and women often bring different strengths to family and community life, including in areas like caregiving, collaboration, and the practical demands of building a home. In everyday life, many people find partnership meaningful. A woman may choose a man as her husband, and a man may choose a woman as his wife, each complementing the other through companionship, support, and shared responsibility. Some people also choose to live independently for a season or permanently; others form families in diverse ways. What matters most is mutual respect, honesty about needs and limits, and a commitment to the wellbeing of any children involved. Financial independence can be a source of confidence and stability for women and men alike. It does not preclude healthy partnership; rather, it can strengthen...

The characteristics of the  girl are different from those of the boy child in many ways. Apart from the biological and physical attributes, there are other attributes of the female child which requires her to be given special attention as she grows up. In this piece, we shall analyze those traits and suggest how they should be utilized for the optimal development of the girl child.   Relating with the Opposite Sex. The girl child in her usual way is the shy type. She consciously or unconsciously chooses her play mate(s) be it her fellow girls or  boys of her age that she can easily relate with. Parents should watch their girl child as she goes through this developmental stage, which is usually around the age range of eight and ten years.   Education .  During her formative years in school,  special attention should be given to her to ensure that she remains focused on her intended career because the dangerous and wrong notion that the female child is ofte...

Picture Credit: Oriental Times  When traveling across Nigeria’s major highways, one cannot help but notice government officials stopping vehicles to check their roadworthiness. Yet, a pressing question arises: which should be prioritized—safe roads or safe vehicles? Sadly, both remain in deplorable condition. Vehicle Safety Ideally, vehicles should be in proper working condition before being allowed on the road, whether for private or commercial use. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Many passengers have been stranded because vehicles lacked spare tyres, or carried ones that were unusable. Road Safety Officers and Vehicle Inspection Officers, tasked with enforcing these standards, often neglect their duty—choosing instead to collect bribes and allow unsafe vehicles to continue operating.   Equally troubling is the issue of missing or fake vehicle documents. Officials routinely stop cars to check particulars, yet passengers frequently witness them accep...