The Silent Struggle: Mental Health in Nigerian Schools
Across classrooms in Nigeria, from crowded urban schools to remote rural communities, an invisible crisis is unfolding. It rarely makes headlines, yet its impact is profound. Behind school uniforms, morning assemblies, and examination scripts are children and adolescents quietly battling anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and emotional distress, often without recognition or support. This is not […]
From Survival to Growth: How Young People Can Break Free from the Survival Mindset
Many young people today, especially those from low-income backgrounds, grow up with one primary goal: survive. This mindset is not a choice. It is shaped by real-life struggles—limited finances, lack of opportunities, and daily stress. When your focus is simply making it through the day, thinking about next week, next month, or next year can […]
THE 4IDS IN THE BLINDFOLD GAME
The classroom was filled with laughter and excitement as two children stood blindfolded, hands stretched forward, ready for the next challenge. I had placed everyday items like a pen, a book, and a biscuit on the table. As I called out the name of an object, the blindfolded players had to feel around and find […]
River Rescue in Ondo: Youth Leading the Fight Against Plastic Pollution
In Ondo State, Nigeria, a youth-led initiative is making waves by tackling one of the region’s most persistent environmental threats: plastic pollution in rivers. The “Plastic-Free Waters: River Rescue in Ondo State” campaign is mobilizing young people to clean polluted rivers, raise environmental awareness, and drive sustainable change in local communities. With over 50 volunteers, […]
Sweet Enough Already: Choosing Health Over Harm
Time to Rethink Our Sugar for Our Health and Our Planet For generations, sugar has been a staple in our kitchens, sweetening our tea, coffee, desserts, and even our emotions. But behind its sweetness lies a bitter truth. Refined sugar is taking a toll on both our health and the health of our planet. The […]
Jane Goodall: The Woman Who Helped Humanity Rediscover Itself in Nature
There are very few lives that feel larger than life itself. Jane Goodall was one of them. Today, as the world mourns her passing at the age of 91, we are not just grieving a scientist, an activist, or even a legend; we are mourning one of the rarest of human beings. She redefined how […]
THE WEIGHT OF WATER: A UNIVERSITY STUDENT’S EXPERIENCE Pt. 2
When the discussion of water scarcity comes to the forefront, conversations often focus on the insufficiency of natural water resources. Climate activists and advocates highlight the depletion of natural water reserves, the impact of climate change, and rising levels of pollution. Online campaigns frequently criticise the actions of individuals, governments, and corporations whose activities threaten […]
THE WEIGHT OF WATER: A UNIVERSITY STUDENT’S EXPERIENCE Pt. 1
Neck deep in the emergence of artificial intelligence, the rise of electric cars, the debate between originally written personal statements and those drafted by ChatGPT, and decades after man first landed on the moon with another mission already set to return there, I, along with the rest of the students in my school, find myself […]
The Power of Clubs in Shaping Growth and Community
Since the dawn of time, humans have thrived in groups. From small tribes to modern organisations, our natural instinct has always been to seek connection, belonging, and shared purpose. These associations often arise from similarities, whether in age, interests, values, or life stages, and they give us a platform to learn, grow, and express ourselves. […]
A Ticking Bomb: Ending Girl Child Begging in Northern Nigeria
My name is Adamu Sulaiman Bawa, and I am proud to be a UPG Champion and an author who writes to inspire change. One of the most important books I have written is called: “Girl Child Begging: A Ticking Bomb in Northern Nigeria.” This book was born from what I saw around me, young girls […]