Angelus Blog

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...