“With these curves and beautiful skin you have, you are telling me you want to be a mechanic?” My blood boiled as aunty Freda queried. It had always been the constant attitude whenever others heard about my passion for fixing cars. “Of course." I replied. "That’s what I love. I find purpose and fulfillment in it.” I clenched my jaw in order to keep myself from saying more. “You would be better off getting married than being a mechanic. Who would marry a mechanic, let alone a female mechanic? With your beauty, you can get any man of your choice.” Tears threatened to spill out because it hurt every time I got reduced to just a pretty face. "I am more than my face!" I snapped. "You can marry them.” I mumbled, storming out.  “Come back here! What did you say?” Aunty Freda thundered. As a young girl, it had always been my dream to serve in the capacity of a mechanic. My parents ensured they supported whatever I was interested in. My joy kne...

 For a long time, most advocacy was channeled at the girl child. This caused a tilt in the balance of things as women were being empowered but men were not. At first, it felt like men were all right and didn’t need empowerment. But as time went on, we realized that some of the toxic traits and destructive behaviors like suicide were as a result of the dysfunctional upbringing many men have been exposed to. Hence, the need to reorient them and advocate for them to be wholesome people. Despite the growing need for boy-child advocacy, not many people are involved yet. So, every once in a while, I like to highlight some exceptional people picking up the gauntlet and making a huge difference in the world of boys and men. Today, we’ll be chatting with Noel Ifeanyi Alumona. Noel is an amazing educator passionate about ending gender-based violence. Grab a glass of juice and enjoy our conversation below: Can we meet you, please? I am Noel Ifeanyi Alumona, born on Nigeria's Indep...

 From an early age, boys are strongly discouraged from showing vulnerability. They are told to bear things “like a man”. In some cultures, people go as far as punishing them when they express pain. For instance, it’s common practice for boys to be beaten or chided for acting “like a girl” when they cry. In other climes, the ability to withstand tremendous amounts of pain without showing signs of discomfort qualifies you as a bride. Yet, bridled emotions aren’t healthy for boys’ mental health. Experts have shown that these habits are toxic for men and human existence because they encourage violence and cruelty in men. It causes some of them to channel that emotional energy destructively. Could this be one reason why we all complain about toxic masculinity? Yet it seems we have not pinpointed a key root cause. This toxicity starts from the cradle with the way we raise our boys. We discourage them from showing their feelings or expressing how things really are. They are always sc...

As I celebrate yet another birthday, I find myself reflecting upon the incredible journey I have embarked upon thus far. It is a time to acknowledge the blessings that have shaped me into the person I am today. In this reflection, I express my profound gratitude for the grace of leadership that has guided my path, the supportive community that has surrounded me, the numerous opportunities and recognitions I have received, and above all, the unwavering presence of God's grace in my life. With utmost humility, I share my thoughts, on the remarkable milestones that have marked my existence. Leadership: Guiding the Way Leadership, a responsibility I once viewed with trepidation, has become an integral part of my journey. It is through the grace of leadership that I have grown, transformed, and inspired those around me. I am grateful for the opportunities that have allowed me to lead and make a positive impact on people's lives. Whether it was leading a team in the professional real...