Counsellors Desk.

Focus isn’t loud. It doesn’t announce itself. It’s that quiet grind when nobody’s watching, that choice to scroll past distractions, that moment you say no to everything that doesn’t serve the goal.

In a world addicted to noise, focus is rebellion.
It’s discipline disguised as simplicity.
It’s what separates the dreamers from the doers.

You don’t need more time you need more direction.
Every time your attention drifts, your progress pauses. So guard your focus like your future depends on it… because it actually does.

Stay locked in. Tune out the fluff.
Remember: What you water grows. What you neglect fades.

20th October 2020 — a date forever etched in Nigeria’s collective memory.

On that day, Nigerian youths poured into the streets with one simple demand:
End SARS. End police brutality.
But instead of justice, the State answered with live bullets.

We raised the Green-White-Green as a symbol of hope —
they drenched it in the blood of the innocent.
Those who fell that night were not just citizens;
they were heroes and heroines —
young Nigerians who paid the ultimate price for a country that still refuses to hear their cries.

Today, we remember.
Today, we refuse silence.
Today, their sacrifice still speaks.

And even now, the struggle for justice continues.
Across the nation, voices are rising again — this time calling for the freedom of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,
a man held in detention while the government negotiates and dines with bandits.

The contradiction is glaring: Those who terrorize are embraced;
Those who speak are caged.

With one voice we say: Free Nnamdi Kanu.
Free every innocent voice held in chains.
Nigeria belongs to all of us — not a few.

The dream did not die at Lekki.
The blood did not dry in vain.
A new Nigeria is still possible — and it begins with justice.

WHEN SURVIVAL MEETS THE CLASSROOM: A CRISIS IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM

It began like any other school day Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at Emem Nursery and Primary School in Abakpa Nike, Enugu State. The sun was mild, children’s laughter filled the compound, and parents trusted that their little ones were in safe hands. But that calm was shattered when a video surfaced online a young lady, reportedly a teacher, was seen flogging a three-year-old pupil mercilessly. The internet erupted in outrage. Anger, disbelief, and grief rippled across Nigeria.
Now, let’s pause. While we all demand justice for the child as we should the question that no one seems to be asking is: Who really deserves the blame?
Don’t get me wrong the young lady’s action was cruel, unacceptable, and inexcusable. But beneath her wrongdoing lies a deeper wound in our education system, one that we’ve ignored for too long. The sad truth is that teaching in Nigeria has become a survival strategy rather than a sacred calling. Classrooms that should be sanctuaries of growth are now filled with individuals who stumbled into teaching because life left them with no other option.
Many of these so-called “teachers” are not educators at all. They are job seekers, S.S.C.E. holders, and JAMB hopefuls, handed chalk and children without training, mentorship, or certification. They think teaching is just about “knowing the subject.” But teaching is far more than that. It is an art that blends knowledge with empathy, patience, and psychological understanding.
This is precisely why education courses include subjects like Educational Psychology, Child Development, and Philosophy of Education. These aren’t fillers — they exist to remind teachers that their work shapes hearts and minds, not just report cards. A real teacher studies the child, not just the curriculum. They know when silence is louder than disobedience, when a mistake is really a cry for help, and when discipline turns into damage.
So yes, we demand justice for the child that’s non-negotiable. But let justice be complete. If the lady involved is a certified teacher, then her TRCN license should be withdrawn immediately. If she isn’t — as many suspect — then the school must face the law for employing unqualified staff. The state must also intensify the enforcement of teacher registration, because every time an untrained hand holds a cane, another child’s future bleeds quietly.
This tragedy is more than a single act of cruelty; it’s a reflection of a failing system. The day that little girl was flogged, it wasn’t just her body that was bruised — it was the dignity of teaching itself.
Until we restore respect to the teaching profession, until we make it a home for the trained and the passionate — not a refuge for the desperate — such stories will keep repeating. And the victims will always be our children. 💔

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© Egwim Ekele Daniel

🇳🇬 WHEN LEADERS CAN’T STAND QUESTIONS, THE NATION SUFFERS 🇳🇬

Watching Minister David Umahi tell journalist Rufai Oseni to “keep quiet, you’re too small for me” on live TV says everything about the current state of governance in Nigeria.

How did we get to a point where public servants—yes, servants—feel insulted when asked to give account to the very people they swore to serve? When truth becomes an inconvenience and accountability becomes an insult, leadership has lost its moral compass.

Journalists are not enemies. They are the mirrors through which the nation sees its leaders. Break the mirror if you want—but the cracks in the system won’t disappear.

Our politicians love to remind us of their “achievements,” yet they get defensive when asked about the costs, contracts, or results. Leadership isn’t about ceremony—it’s about stewardship.

Until leaders learn to answer questions with humility and govern with transparency, the cycle of mistrust, corruption, and underdevelopment will continue. Nigeria deserves better.

Let’s stop clapping for arrogance and start demanding accountability. ✊🏽

Plateau: Soldier Sentenced to Death by Hanging for Killing Keke Rider

A General Court Martial sitting at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, Plateau State, has sentenced a Nigerian soldier, Private Lukman Musa of the 3 Division, to death by hanging for the murder of a Keke (tricycle) rider, Abdulrahman Isa, in Azere town, Bauchi State.

Presided over by Brigadier General Liafis Bello on Thursday, September 18, 2025, the court found Musa guilty of murder, culpable homicide, and unlawful possession of 34 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Musa, alongside an accomplice identified as Oba, lured the victim under the guise of assisting him move personal belongings. He then struck Isa on the head with a wooden object and strangled him to death before dumping the body between Shira and Yala villages. The victim’s tricycle was later sold.

In his ruling, Brig. Gen. Bello described Musa’s conduct as “barbaric and heartless,” adding that it was a grave violation of military values and a betrayal of the Army’s constitutional duty to protect citizens.

“You mercilessly metamorphosed from a defender of citizens to a killer. Your action is an embarrassment and disgrace to the Nigerian Army,” Bello stated while delivering the verdict.

Sparked on August 19, 2025, the Yoruba world turned tense when the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, issued a dramatic 48-hour ultimatum to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi insisting he revoke the “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” title conferred on Chief Dotun Sanusi. Claiming exclusive rights that he says are backed by a Supreme Court ruling, the Alaafin accused the Ooni of overreaching on both tradition and law .

But the Ooni’s camp wasn’t having it. His spokesperson dismissed the ultimatum as an “empty threat from a dead empire,” likening the drama to a stand-up routine unworthy of formal response. "48 hours my foot," he scoffed .

Soon, Yorubaland’s watchful eyes spoke up. Ibadan elders called the Alaafin’s move provocative; Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon, on August 23, urged Yoruba sons and daughters to stop pitting Obas against each other, reminding all that the Ooni is the spiritual father of us all .

Even politicians joined in. APC chieftain Abayomi Nurain Mumuni called for calm, unity, and elder-led mediation . The Yoruba Heritage Forum weighed in too calling the ultimatum historically unsound and affirming the Ooni’s heritage-rooted spiritual authority .

This moment isn’t just drama; it's an opportunity a reminder that our culture should be anchored in our history, heritage, and shared values, not colonial-era rivalry or external validation.

THE ABOLITION OF PRIMARY 6: A SHIFT IN NIGERIAN EDUCATION

In a move that's sending shockwaves through the Nigerian education system, many private schools are abolishing Primary 6, allowing students to sit for common entrance exams as early as Basic 4. This decision has sparked heated debates among parents, educators, and stakeholders. But what's driving this change, and what are the implications for our children's future?

The Reasons Behind the Shift

According to reports, parents are increasingly opting out of the traditional six-year primary school cycle, instead choosing to fast-track their children's education. Some schools are even allowing students to skip SS3 and sit for WAEC exams directly. But what's behind this trend?

- Parents want their children to get a head start in life, to beat the competition and secure a spot in top secondary schools and universities.
- The desire to avoid the rigors and pressures of the traditional primary school system, which some see as outdated and ineffective.

The Implications: A Cause for Concern?

While the intention behind this shift may be to give students an edge, the long-term implications are far-reaching and potentially damaging. Here are a few concerns:

- Lack of foundational knowledge: By skipping crucial years in primary school, students may miss out on essential foundational knowledge and skills that are vital for future academic success.
- *Increased pressure on young minds*: Fast-tracking students can lead to undue stress and pressure, potentially affecting their mental health and well-being.
- Gaps in socialization and development: Primary school is not just about academics; it's also a critical period for socialization, emotional development, and character building. By abbreviating this period, students may miss out on these essential life skills.

As we navigate this changing educational landscape, it's essential to consider the potential consequences of our actions.

Life is just full of surprises!

Dear Parents...
Your Son is Not a Superhero
We raise our boys to “man up.”
We tell them, “Don’t cry, be strong.”
But when do we stop and ask… “How are you really, son?”
Your male child yes, that same little guy who runs around the house like a whirlwind of energy is also going through a lot. He’s navigating pressure. He’s dealing with expectations. He’s figuring out how to be “a man” before even understanding who he is.
And yet, society often treats his emotions like an inconvenience. He falls? “Get up, boys don’t cry.” He’s overwhelmed? “You’re the man of the house, act like it.” He’s scared? “Don’t be weak.”
But what if he just needs a hug? A listening ear? A safe place to cry without being judged?
Do you know if;
That quiet boy who always looks “composed” might be battling anxiety every night.
The funny, loud one? Maybe he’s using humor to mask how invisible he feels.
Your teenage son who now prefers silence? Maybe life is shouting too loud in his head.
Male children are not made of stone. They’re not born warriors. They are children—first.
They need affection, not just lectures.
They need rest, not just responsibility.
They need someone who listens, not just commands.
They need permission to feel. To cry. To express.
Your son shouldn’t have to wait until adulthood to unlearn the idea that love must be earned and emotions must be hidden.
Pamper him. Hug him.
Dish him the biggest piece of meat, just because.
Ask about school and mean it.
Sit with him. Hear his music. Know his world.
A well-loved boy becomes a healthy, emotionally stable man. And the world needs more of those.
So today, take a moment and check in on your son. Not the usual “how was school” kind of check-in. I mean a real heart-to-heart. Ask him about his thoughts, his fears, his dreams… and then hold space for the answers.
Because behind every boy trying to be a man too soon, is a child silently whispering, “Can someone see me too?”

© Egwim Ekele Daniel
Proud Educator