GRLife
GrassRoots.ng brings to you ‘Life Lessons’ by Cleopas Enwongo


One of my greatest fear as a teenager was having disagreements with my parents because I always assumed they had to have the overriding influence and final decision in my life but as I grew older, I realized that I had to assert myself and take responsibility for my life, whether or not my parents approved of my decisions.
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Maybe it’s a parenting method in this society that makes us think otherwise, but there is absolutely nothing wrong in doing things your parents don’t agree with. It’s unhealthy to live life always tailored to their demands.
This is not only dangerous but immature. Conflicts should be embraced. Congratulations! You are your own person. It is human.
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I have made my parents understand my boundaries and when they can interfere. It was not easy, sincerely, but I had to do that or I was always going to be under their control. First major fight was and is still my hair. Second fight was jewelries, adornments and clothing style.
Third fight was curfew and an unhealthy monitoring of my movements. If your parents are pastors, then this is a full time war.
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I have had to sit down and talk with my mom, especially, on why she needs to understand and maybe accept my decisions as an adult without their influence. I put into perspective her worries and cares but I also don’t tow her line always. I also make allowances for their influence, sometimes we meet halfway or I go all the way to them or they come all the way to me. And sometimes no one moves. Fine.
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One of the conversations we have also had is my choice of a partner. A little while ago, my mom started talking about tribal expectations etc.
I told her this, “if I feel convinced about a person and he loves me and brings me peace and happiness, I will not be asking for approval from anybody, just your acknowledgment and acceptance.
My kids will need a grandma and it’s only you I have. You need to trust my decision”. I understand bias and prejudices especially those influenced by religion, culture and tribe and how hard those can be to let go. But I also understand that the bulk of decision lies with me. I will never outsource this role.
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My home church frowns at trousers and uncovering hair to worship, my mother holds on to those teachings dearly but we have both come to the point where she understands that these are superficial requirements, bearing no real effect on a relationship with God.
She covers her hair. I open mine. Life continues. I don’t run away from clashing interest with them. I feel happy saying this. Our love doesn’t diminish because we disagree or ‘fight’.
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Interestingly, when I decided to branch out from my home church six years ago and find my own place of worship, my mother was alarmed. I simply told her, “when we get to heaven, attendance won’t be based on our denominations or tags”.
That settled everything. Yes, she was concerned but I also needed to come to my own spiritual growth as a person. Where I was, did not feed my journey.
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I have friends of all shapes, sizes, ideologies, religious divide, and inclinations. I make my parents meet my friends as they are.
They don’t have to change their minds to accommodate their excesses, but they also accord me my dues in forging for myself people I draw near to. When I get burnt, they wait for me to learn my lesson.
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Today is not about our parents but about me and you. Sometimes, you will need to be tough with your parents.
Their love and care can sometimes be overbearing and intrusive, but you can decide what to accept, what to negotiate and what to do away with it. Appeasing them always is to your detriment as an individual.
You are not their shadow or echo. You don’t have to inherit their bias or prejudice. Be your person. Start early.
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If I bring a man who uses nose ring or wears dreadlocs to the house, my parents will shake their head first and maybe groan but they will understand that my decision is not light because I have brought us to the point where we can hold a conversation about my choice of a partner and what they look like without undermining my partner.
Regularly, I tell my folks, ‘your generation is not mine o’. We laugh about it but we understand the importance of that reminder.
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Yes, seek approval from your parents where necessary, but draw the line or it will become so blurred and you end up living miserably or missing out on beautiful things because you wanted to appease their every expectation. Start early again.
Be loving and polite but be firm. They will over time accommodate your many differences. And if you make your mistakes, congratulations, you are human. Welcome to Earth.
Submitted by Cleopas Enwongo
Spotlight
MTN’s Dr. Goodluck Named Among Nigeria’s Top PR Changemakers
Nigerian PR Must Adopt Customer Service Principles Says MTN’s PR Manager | Reporter: SANDRA ANI


Dr. Lakinbofa Goodluck, MTN Nigeria’s Public Relations Manager, has been recognised in the ‘Changemakers’ category as one of the leading voices advocating for a shift in how Nigerian PR professionals approach their craft.
Speaking at the recent 2025 PR Power List event at the Alliance Français, Ikoyi, Lagos, he drew compelling parallels between customer service excellence and effective public relations strategy.
“PR has progressed from that period when the speech was one company to everyone, now we do one company-to-one person engagement. It’s the same principle that is applied in customer relations,” Dr. Goodluck explained during a panel session. His approach centres on the principle that successful brands speak to one customer at a time, designing products and messages for individual satisfaction, knowing that others within similar demographics will naturally follow suit.
At the corporate level, managing communications for Africa’s largest telecommunications company requires a delicate balance between authenticity and appropriateness. Goodluck emphasised the critical importance of understanding media consumption behaviour as part of audience analysis, a component he believes many PR professionals overlook. “If you understand the media consumption behaviour, then you’ll be able to tailor your message to the audience properly,” he stated.
The communications expert referenced Marshall McLuhan’s famous theory that “the medium is the message,” explaining how platforms dictate communication formats and styles. This insight becomes particularly crucial for Nigerian brands navigating diverse media landscapes, from traditional outlets to rapidly evolving social media platforms like TikTok, where content format fundamentally shapes message delivery.
His customer service-inspired approach to PR represents a strategic evolution for Nigeria’s communications industry, moving away from broad, generic messaging toward precision-targeted, individually-focused communication that creates ripple effects across larger audience segments.
Others present on the panel session titled “The PR Hustle: Breaking In, Staying In, and Standing Out” were Segun McMedal, Lead Partner at Upticomm Marketing Company and Former Chairman of the Lagos NIPR; Jimmie Akinsola, TV host and Actor, and Founder of Lagos Athletics; and Dr. Olubukola George-Taylor, Managing Director of Robert Taylor Media.
Sports
MTN Nigeria Awards 150 million Naira to Super Falcons after Historic WAFCON 2024 Win
Reporter: Sandra Ani


MTN Nigeria has rewarded the Nigerian Super Falcons with 150 million naira following their remarkable victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The announcement was made at a celebratory breakfast reception hosted by the technology company in Lagos, in the presence of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) leadership and female executives across key sectors, alongside a host of MTN executives who came out to celebrate the champions and reaffirm the company’s commitment to football, inclusion and youth empowerment.
The Super Falcons’ win goes down as one of the most thrilling in tournament history. Facing Morocco on their home soil, Nigeria came back from 2-0 down to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory, clinching their 10th WAFCON title and reinforcing their status as Africa’s most decorated women’s team.
Delivering the opening remarks, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, highlighted the Super Falcons’ win as an inspiration for Nigerian women. “The Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is a championship that has been held 13 times and Nigeria has won 10 times. This is no small feat. It is a testament to how determined Nigerian women can be when they set out to achieve something. What you have achieved not only makes Nigeria proud, but it makes us, even we women, proud. Here at MTN, we believe, and one of our values is ‘Can Do’, can do with integrity. Your final match exemplifies that.”
As the official telecommunications partner of the NFF, MTN presented the 150 million naira reward to celebrate the team’s resilience and achievement. MTN director, Ifueko Okauru explained that 115 million naira would go to the players and 35 million to the technical team.
“At MTN we believe in the power of connection, not just through technology, but through our soul, through our spirits, what we share and what unifies us,” said Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria.
Toriola described the company’s investment in the NFF as fruitful. “As proud sponsors of the Nigerian Football Federation, this long-term significantly financially-heavy investment in supporting the NFF has borne so many fruits. We followed you through every match, every challenge, every trial and some of them losses. We followed you and we continue to support you and today we are so proud to say our efforts have not been in vain. We followed you for the big things, we followed you for the smaller things.
He added, “To the Super Falcons, you are more than athletes, you are inspirations. You are an inspiration for everyone in Nigeria, every young lady to go out there and make a difference. You are role models, you are ambassadors, and you are proof that when Nigerian women rise, the world will take notice.”
Captain of the Super Falcons, Rashidat Ajibade, thanked MTN and its board members for their warm reception and support. “We appreciate you a lot. We feel valued, we feel honoured, we feel respected, and this only inspires us to do better, and keep inspiring the next generation.”
“This win is for all of us,” she said, dedicating the 10th title not just to the current Super Falcons squad but to all the players who came before. While grateful for the milestone, she made it clear they were not content. “We want to take this to the next level. We want to be global contenders. We don’t want to be just local champions. It’s time to take it to the next level. We understand the huge responsibility on us, and we hope that we can all work together, the Federation, the federal government, and also private bodies to keep investing and keep supporting the Super Falcons Council so we can all achieve this objective.”
The breakfast reception featured a classical string quartet, stirring soul-Afrobeats choir rendition that had the Falcons on their feet, dancing joyfully in celebration of their hard-won victory. Singer Praiz also delivered a performance that drew cheers from the audience and added to the festive energy in the room.
As the nation continues to celebrate their victory, this moment stands as both a reward and a reminder of what Nigerian women can achieve when backed by belief, investment and opportunity. The celebration was especially timely as it fell on Pan African Women’s Day, a fitting moment to honour the strength, resilience and achievements of Nigerian women on and off the pitch.


It was a moment of heartfelt tributes and celebration on Friday, as family, friends, political allies, and well-wishers gathered at the Abuja residence of former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Engr. Gerald Irona, to mark his 59th birthday.
Speakers hailed Irona as a principled, dependable, and courageous leader whose legacy continues to inspire trust and admiration.
The atmosphere brimmed with admiration as speaker after speaker paid glowing tributes to Engr. Irona, describing him as a dependable, courageous, and principled leader whose legacy continues to inspire across political and social divides.


In their separate remarks, three former members of the House of Representatives – Hon. Ikenga Mayor Eze, Hon. Jeff Ojinika, and Hon. ThankGod Ezeani, praised Irona’s unwavering commitment to justice and fairness, describing him as a relentless crusader for equity and good governance.
“Irona is dependable. He does not tolerate injustice in any form,” they affirmed. “He is steadfast and upright, always willing to stand for what is right, even in the face of adversity.”
Echoing similar sentiments, former Secretary to the Government of Imo State and ex-federal lawmaker, Hon. Uche Onyeagucha, hailed Irona as “a man of truth who consistently chooses the path of justice, regardless of whose ox is gored.”
Also lending his voice, former Director of Public Affairs at the Nigeria Agip Oil Company, Barry Nwibani, reflected on over two decades of personal friendship and professional admiration. “Engr. Irona’s consistency, integrity, and lifestyle remain exemplary. He represents the kind of leadership Nigeria yearns for – credible, courageous, and selfless.”
In a heartfelt tribute posted on his verified Facebook page, former Governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, described Irona as “a trusted pillar of steadfast loyalty.” The former Governor used the opportunity to also celebrate the Director General of the Rebuild Imo Movement, Dr. Vin Udokwu, who marked his 68th birthday on the same day.


The message, titled “Honouring Two Steadfast Allies,” read in part:
“To the glory of God, I celebrate two exceptional men – Rt. Hon. Gerald Irona, my trusted Deputy in Imo, as he turns 59, and Dr. Vin Udokwu, our devoted Director General of the Rebuild Imo Movement, marking 68 remarkable years.
Over time, these two gentlemen have proven to be trusted pillars of steadfast loyalty, exemplary character, and resolute commitment. Their dedication to service and the shared vision for Imo has inspired confidence and hope across the state and beyond.”
In his remarks during a virtual chat, former lawmaker representing Oguta State Constituency at the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Ugboma stressed that
“His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Gerald A. Irona is not just a leader but an inspiration to many of us who look up to his courage and commitment to service. Celebrating him at 59 is celebrating excellence, resilience, and uncommon grace.”
Irona’s wife, Ogbuefi Vivian Irona, in a special birthday message, described Irona as a selfless leader. Her message reads in part – “today, I celebrate not just your birth, but the man you are- strong, yet gentle, visionary, yet humble, courageous, yet compassionate.”
“Your life of service, both to your family and to the people of Imo State speaks volumes of your character – selfless, noble, and deeply inspiring.”
Adding his voice, former Chairman of Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, Ken Akunnakwe stressed that “in Hon. Gerald Irona, I found a humble, loyal, consistent, and practical politician. He is a man of few words who leads by example. Beyond his kindness, Irona is deeply grateful to those who have contributed to his journey.


Beyond Abuja, the 59th birthday of Engr. Irona was also celebrated by associates and supporters at various locations in Imo State, including the ‘Rebuild Imo movement’, reflecting the wide-reaching admiration he enjoys for his leadership, integrity, and principled politics.
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