Segun Ozique

SCENE:  A Bar at Ikeja. The sun is setting. Jide looks disturbed as he holds his glass. ​ JIDE (Voice low, looking at the others): ​Something happened last night that made me cold. I was at a bar in Ikeja around 8:30 PM. Two young girls—they couldn’t be more than 15 years old - walked up to me. They were selling health supplements for a company. ​ NNE (Eyes wide): ​At 8:30 PM? In a bar full of drinking men? That is wild. That’s not even a "side hustle" anymore. That’s straight-up danger. ​ OLA:  ​Where are their parents?! That is the first question. How can you let your female child wander into bars at night to sell things to strangers? Some parents are just wicked, using their kids like ATM machines because they are lazy. ​ AMARA (Angry): ​It’s not just the parents, Ola. Where is the Lagos State Government? Where is the Employment Regulatory Agency ? It is illegal for a company to hire children, especially for night work in bars! These companies are using these ...

SCENE: A Friday afternoon. Ada is showing the group a viral "What I Eat in a Day" video of a very thin influencer. ​ ADA (Looking at her phone, then at her own waist): ​Omo, see this girl’s stomach. It’s flat like a board! She says she only drinks green juice and water for breakfast. I feel like a bag of rice just sitting here. Should I start this "cleanse" too? ​ NNE (Snatches the phone): ​Ada, stop it. That’s not a "cleanse," that’s starvation . This "thinspiration" content is toxic. They use filters to make their waists look tiny, then sell you tea that just makes you run to the toilet. It’s a scam, and it’s making girls hate their real bodies. ​ JENNIFER (Nods, adjusted her glasses): ​There is a term for this in psychology. It’s called Social Comparison Theory . Studies show that when women are constantly exposed to these unrealistic images, their self-esteem drops significantly. Many influencers promote diet culture and "w...

SCENE: The outer seating area of the "Work n Play Bar." A man (in his sixties) just left with a girl who looks very young (maybe 19-20). ​ OLA (Watching them go, shaking his head): ​Na waa o. See that? A grandpa with his grandchild maybe leaving here to go straight to hotel room for sex. That is the end result of what's happening online. The internet, TikTok, Face Book, Badoo, etc all these apps - they have made it normal for people to look for kids. They sexualize young girls before they even finish secondary school. ​ NNE (Sighs, looks annoyed): ​Ola, stop blaming social media for old men being predators. That man would have found a young girl in the village market twenty ir fifty years ago. But I agree, the apps make it faster . True. We see the videos. The AI-generated stuff of young girls? It’s dark. It teaches men and boys that minors are just objects for for use. This is a massive safety fail by the big tech companies. ​ JENNIFER (Holds up her phone, poi...

SCENE: A busy WnP Bar, everyone waiting for for a football match. ​ OLA (Looking at one of the bar service boy buying multiple lottery tickets): ​It's an indictment on our society. People who can barely afford their next meal are queuing to buy pure-water sachets, betting on sports, or paying for worthless 'miracles' instead of saving. They complain about poverty, then actively drain their meager resources on needless items . I find it less about a lack of money and more a lack of financial discipline. ​ JIDE (Shaking his head gently): ​Ola, you're treating the symptom, not the sickness. When a life is defined by constant scarcity -  the lack of food, light, security - the brain works differently. Psychologists at Princeton found that poverty impedes cognitive function . The mental load of daily survival leaves little 'brain power' for long-term planning. Those lottery tickets aren't financial waste; they're a tiny, desperate, and sadly predicta...

SCENE: A corner table at the lively WorknPlay, bar, Ikeja on a Friday evening. ​ JIDE (Scrolling through a friend’s dating profile): ​Look at this profile. It’s a curated museum of a life he doesn't actually live. The hiking photo, the dog photo he borrowed, the one photo where he's vaguely leaning near a yacht. This isn't relationship seeking; it’s an application for social approval , filtered and optimized. We’re all just looking for digital dopamine hits. ​ OLA (Not looking up from his drink): ​Why separate them? Approval is the relationship currency these days. You meet someone, you immediately assess their social capital - follower count, aesthetic quality of their feed, and who follows them. It's just market efficiency . If your profile is garbage, you signal low value, regardless of your actual personality. The motivation is success, and success is defined by approval. ​ JENNIFER (Reading a post on her phone, stopped): ​I disagree that. Profile are not...

SCENE: A casual makeshift meeting discussing regional insecurity. ​ OLA (Pacing, visibly frustrated): ​The government says it will 'investigate abuses' and 'protect people.' They've been saying that for years. That's not a plan; that's a press release. Protection is what happens before the bodies pile up, not an empty promise after. ​ JIDE (Sighing): ​True, Ola. The promise to investigate in Nigeria is like a magician's act: the government waves a big, flowery statement, and accountability vanishes . The security forces that are supposed to protect are often, simultaneously, the ones being investigated. It's a closed-loop system of perpetual injustice. ​ AMARA (Checking her phone for supportive documents): ​Jide is satirizing, but he hits the point. The lack of accountability is systematic. For instance, Amnesty International and other credible bodies have documented over 1,844 deaths in the South-East between January 2021 and June 2023, a...

SCENE: A casual gathering at Work n Play restaurant. Late Evening. ​OLA (Sipping his beer, eyes fixed on his laptop): ​I saw the price of a small basket of tomatoes this morning. It's truly mind-boggling. We're effectively in an era where basic sustenance is a luxury. But the worst part is the acceptance. ​JENNIFER (Looking unimpressed): ​Acceptance is perhaps an inaccurate term, Ola. People are not accepting; they are coping with a state of hyper-inflation. As the economist John Maynard Keynes noted, "The market can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent." The masses are simply enduring the irrationality of the cost of living. ​NNE (Typing rapidly on her phone, not looking up): ​Naah. It’s definitely acceptance. We complain on Twitter, yet, still buy the overpriced stuff, and then make a TikTok content about our struggle meal. The practical action is to either revolt or switch our diets to something cheaper, but we do neither. We just rebrand suffering....

She was thirteen... But her story AGED a nation. Her laughter, snatched. Her innocence blongioned She bled into tradition where truth Was cross-examined and silenced. The parents named her Ochanya Elizabeth Ogbanje - In the court world, she was just anither case file. An evidence. Mere exhibit. Story of another girl-child turned a whispers. She was only eight… When monsters wore the mask of family. A home meant as learning safe haven Became a laboratory of distraught Each night, another lesson in assault. Each dawn, a new chapter of shame. As a cousin turned sexual predator. His father sooner joined as accomplice. While his mother, her aunt, looked away. Warned to maintain silence like everyone A noisy silence, more hurtful than the rape. And the system? Ah—Nigeria’s justice system— They dressed in wigs white as innocence, but their hands dripped red with neglect. Gavel pounding on her grave instead of her rapists. Law turned to lullaby— singing the monsters to sleep. They said, “No pr...

The world of physiotherapy is evolving fast. In Nigeria, modern clinics are embracing telehealth, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) to make care more effective, accessible, and engaging for every patient. These innovations are transforming rehabilitation - helping patients recover faster, stay motivated, and enjoy a better quality of life. 1. Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) in Physiotherapy: VR and AR are redefining recovery. By creating immersive, game-like experiences, patients can practice real-life movements in a safe, controlled environment. Motivation through gamification: Therapy becomes fun and engaging, increasing consistency. Personalised tracking: Data from each session helps therapists tailor programs in real time. Pain management: Immersive environments distract from pain, making exercise more tolerable. VR and AR are especially effective for stroke rehabilitation, spinal injuries, and neurological recovery. 2. Artificial ...

You are a rarity with a heart of  light With soul soft as dawn, pure as dew,   Untouched by evil shadows,   Unshaken despite the world’s weight.   How could anyone *not* love you?   Even your mischief is spun from kindness,   Your laughter a melody that disarms,   Your spirit too bright for bitterness to touch.   With your gentle defiance of cynicism,   Displaying goodness, like a child’s wonder,   With laughter that never dims but glows brighter,   Even when life tries to teach it caution.   So keep your shenanigans, and playful storms,   For they too are part of your magic:   You are an unguarded joy of a soul   That needs no armour to be brave.

It's been nearly twenty-five years, a journey begun, With a visit to your friend, my sis - then we walked beneath moonlit skies and under sun. Through laughter and tears, joy and strife, You’ve remained the heart and grace of my life. With every sunrise, I count myself blessed, To walk this path with you-my soul’s rest. You’ve shaped my world with love and light, Made wrongs seem fewer, and burdens light. Your strength is silent, your kindness deep, In your arms, even storms go to sleep. You’ve lifted me higher, helped me stand tall, With a quiet resolve that carries it all. Your beauty endures, both inside and out, A radiant smile that casts away doubt. And oh, your stern gaze—so firm, yet true, Still has the power to pull me through. I still see us walking, side by side, On quiet Abuja evenings, in gentle stride. Those moments linger, soft and bright, Memories wrapped in golden light. You’ve met life’s trials with hope on your lips, With steady grace and whis...

When you ask her to call or text when she’s home safe,   I ask you to pause a tad bit to let the weight of that request unravel.   For this is a she, who has walked alone through the years,   who has carved her path through storms and silence,   Who does not need your vigilance to prove her place or ability to take care of herself  She is no fragile helpless thing, not a damsel in distress.   Her independence is not a void for you to fill,   But a testament to the life over the years she has built A life where she learned to stand tall,   To navigate the world with her compass.   Yet here you are, offering care wrapped in assumption,   As if her safety were yours to oversee.   Ask yourself: how many nights and streets as she walk alone,   Unshielded, unafraid, before you came into her life?   How many thoroughfares has she conquered,   Her resolve unbrok...

Dear Val, when I say "I love you" on the 14th, Those words will rise from the depths of my soul. As my heart insists on reinforcing them in yours, Unwavering, unending, boundless. Know too, the cast may happen in a special way To freeze the words, imprinting them in a magical moment, pure, It is so so that you know, my "I love you," stays locked in your heart To linger, eternally and stay frozen in time When then the day marked so gloriously fades to silence, I’ll ask that you put back the batteries to restart the clock To let the regular love life take over as it ought,  While the 14th remains, a memorial, a lyrical song in your heart. For I am certain, in the days of the 15th and beyond, when that tune is replayed, When memories whisper it through time’s embrace, They will bring warmth, a gentle smile to your face, For in love, such magical moments committed to memory never truly fade.

Oh, those sweet thoughts of you, they come again,   Invading my mind like a gentle, whirling wind.   They carry me to places where memories bloom,   To where I meet the light to dispel my gloom.   In the ebb and flow of life’s relentless tide,   You’ve been my anchor and a constant supportive guide.   Thanks for agreeing that love isn’t measured in time,   But in moments that make the ordinary sublime.   When I asked if distance could weaken our bond,   You laughed and said, “No, our hearts are beyond space," you said.”   When I worried if you’d ever need more,   You assured me, “I’m strong, but you’re my core.”   Your words are a balm, your love a steady flame,   A beacon of hope helping a lost lover in life’s game.   You’ve shown that even in the darkest nights,   You can make available your love lamp to lead me to light. ...

Eva Ebube Okafor is what she is named,   But that is the least of her angelic qualities.   In her, you truly will find an eternal muse,   Hers is love so profound, it transforms every vibe.   She is nice, kind, and beautiful, as each letter in her name represents,   In each letter, a symphony of grace and loveliness.   E - is for her elegance, a vision so rare,    V - is for her vitality, a spark so divine,   A - is for her allure, a charm so complete,   E - again for her empathy, a heart so pure,   B - is for her brilliance, a mind so bright,   U - is for her uniqueness, one-of-a-kind,   B - again for her bravery, a survivor E - once more for her essence, her soul so free,   O - is for her optimism, hope she is working hard at K - is for her kindness, a heart warm and pure A - is for her affectionate heart; tender yet tough F - is for her faithfulness, stead...

In truth, the path to your growth is clear and bright,   Moving forward resides in you, in your might.   No outsider, affirmations, books, or spiritual creeds,   Can truly resolve challenges to meet all your needs. Ultimately, the power lies in your own hands,   To shape your life, to make your plans.   What sacrifices are required, the needed mindset shifts,   All will be set in motion when your courage lifts. If in your path peace and growth eludes your way,   Then to ask that you chat a new course needs no sway.   As the journey is yours, so too is the choice as true,   For the key to the required changes is within you.

Is your love, like an ancient tree, that stands tall,  Its roots deep-set, enduring through it all With patience like the river’s gentle flow,  Yet, like diamond overflowing with a delightful glow? Is your love, like mountain strong, yet soft as rain,  Love that sees with a heart that feels others' pain Such love, a pure gift, like sunlight’s warm embrace, Not love selfish, but for all others' grace? Such love that expects nothing, like the silent stars, Love like divine flame, guiding from afar.  Beyond the grasp of mere comprehension,  Love so vast, it defies convention. Love that is present in every act, like petals in breeze, Such love revelling in power with ease.  A beacon bright, like moonlight in the night, Guiding all through life’s intricate flight.

In all affairs, take time to play,  Let joy and laughter light your way.  For freedom, health, and grace we find,  Are treasures often taken for granted. Be grateful for each breath you take,  For every dawn, for each mistake.  When accidents and age are far,  Embrace the moments as they are. Do not let others dim your light,  With tales of fear or endless nights.  Life’s precious gift, you live but once,  So dance and sing, in 2025, and take your chance. Mistakes will come, they’re part of life,  They teach us through both joy and strife.  For freedom’s price is paid in full,  By living bold, by being whole. So cherish every fleeting day,  And let no sorrow lead astray.  For in this life, so brief and grand,  The key to joy is in your hand.

As the year 2024 draws to a close,  I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve shared.  These past few days, as you nurse me back to full recovery, Have given me the time to truly appreciate the depth of you being irreplaceable. To the realization that the key to our 24 years of enduring love lies in the treasure you are.  In the realisation that when you have someone as wonderful as you, there’s no need to search further.  Realising the allure of greener pastures is merely an illusion, a pale imitation of the richness you possess. Gratitude: I am grateful for the divine gift that you are. Grateful knowing love isn’t about perfection; but about choosing each other, day after day.  About standing by one another through thick and thin, even when times are tough and the temptation to give up is strong. True love isn’t always smooth and sweet.  It’s messy and challenging, but also about two people refusing to quit.  About weathering the storm...

2024, a year of trials, not to mend,  But to strip illusions, to comprehend.  Life’s not easy, it’s clear to see,  It woke us up, demanded we be free. Will 2025 be the year we mend?  Are we ready, lessons learned to the end?  Will we stay dreaming, hoping in vain,  Or awake and doing, embracing the pain? The clock never pauses, it ticks away,  After midnight tomorrow, another day.  Despite our choices, time marches on,  In the dawn of 2025, we must be strong.