I have been a Christian for 35 years, and it remains one of the best and most defining decisions of my life. Yet it saddens me that so many young people feel confused and disillusioned by the divisions within Christianity—something Paul himself warns against in Romans 16:17.
Christianity has given me true freedom, countless testimonies, and values that continue to shape my life. I have sought to live by the truth of 1 Corinthians 13:13, which reminds us that three things remain: faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. Faith can waver, hope can be shaken, but love is unchanging and eternal.
Scripture defines love so beautifully:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
In times like these—marked by political strife, division, and moral confusion—it is easy for Christians to feel angry, disoriented, or overwhelmed with questions. But we must never forget that love is the ultimate control mechanism. Anything short of love is a distortion of the gospel. No matter the rhetoric, no matter the agenda, love must always win.
In a world filled with cynicism, prejudice, and competing ideologies, we must teach our children to lead with love—especially toward those who are different from us: those who look different, believe differently, or think differently. This is how we draw people in, not push them away. Love is persuasive where arguments are not.
When our children are tempted to judge others based on stereotypes or societal bias, let us be quick to correct them and guide them back to truth. This is not a time for Christians to retreat into hostility or join in the chorus of condemnation. Rather, it is a time to be like the Bereans, who listened eagerly yet verified all teachings against Scripture. Our upbringing, culture, and leaders may influence our thinking, but we have a responsibility to test every idea and hold fast only to what is true.
We must resist the urge to antagonize or exclude those who do not share our values. These are the moments when true Christianity shines brightest—when we demonstrate Christ’s love in action while sharing the gospel that has transformed our lives. If we fail to do this, we risk pushing the next generation further from a faith rooted in love.
This is a wake-up call: to live out the eternal love of Christ, to share it boldly, and to embody it daily. Love is the truest evidence of our faith—and it is the only way we will heal a broken and divided world.
—Clara Taiwo Og LoveWins #LoveNeverFails #LoveIsEternal
This past year, I had the privilege of working for Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre as a Student blog writer. The Blog project is a pro-bono initiative of the center, which promotes Public Legal education through published articles targeted at under-represented and marginalised communities. I acquired legal and non-legal skills through clinical based teaching and workshops, while honing legal research skills. Check out my article on “Health, Financial and End of Life Matters – Three Peas in a Pod in Estate Planning basics at https://www.qmul.ac.uk/lac/our-legal-blog/blogs/health-financial-and-end-of-life-matters—three-peas-in-a-pod-in-estate-planning-basics.html or below
Kate Garraway, former presenter at Good Morning Britain, and popular English broadcaster and journalist, lost her husband, Derek Draper, in January 2024. Derek died after fighting a long battle with symptoms of Coronavirus, which he contracted in March 2020. She shared, during a no-holds barred interview on her show, “One of the practical problems – which a lot of people would’ve experienced…like many things, the car is entirely in Derek’s name; the insurance is in Derek’s name, a lot of our bank accounts…. Because legally, I haven’t got power of attorney. And all this other stuff that goes on when you’re dealing with a situation where someone’s been sick for a long time.” It became increasingly difficult for her to access her husband’s bank accounts and she regretted the absence of a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) that would have made the burden easier on her and the children in caring for him during his ill health. An LPA is one of the three important components in Estate Planning, the two others being a ‘will’ and a ‘trust.’
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
An LPA is a legal document that allows someone (you can appoint your spouse, child, relative, or a professional, such as a solicitor) to act on your behalf if you become unable to make decisions due to an illness or accident. This is especially important if you have persistent health issues and as you progress and advance in age. An LPA can only be made while the person making it has full capacity to do so. Due to the absence of an LPA made in advance, Kate Garraway could not access the bank accounts that were set up solely in her husband’s name as his health deteriorated and he became incapacitated. The Office of the Public Guardian in 2022 reported a growing number of UK residents now obtaining and registering their LPA, but that number only represents about 10% of the UK’s population. While an increase has been reported, a lot more UK residents still need to take proactive steps with planning their estates or making proactive health and financial decisions.
The two main types of LPA are:
Property & Financial: the appointee makes property, banking, or financial decisions when you become mentally incapacitated.
Health & Welfare: the appointee makes decisions on the type of medical care or the welfare arrangements you will have, such as when or how you will receive it, if you become incapacitated.
When you are selecting an appointee, make sure to select someone that you trust. You can also select more than one person and decide the scope of authority that you wish to give to each appointee. Your LPA can be reviewed periodically and can be revoked, and must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Will
A Will is a legal document that details how your estate or assets should be distributed when you die. A Will should be updated regularly to reflect your estate/assets as they change over time and following any significant life events. The absence of a Will means your assets will be distributed via the Rules of Intestacy, which may not represent your personal wishes. 51% of UK adults don’t have a will or plan to have one. Reasons cited for not having a will include not having sufficient assets or wealth to necessitate creating one (26%), or the belief that they still have enough time left to write one later (23%). Some stated they don’t want to be pessimistic or think of death (15%) while others don’t want to deal with solicitors (8%) or pay for a Will (14%).
Although there is no legal requirement for your Will to be written by a lawyer, you should be cautioned against writing it yourself to ensure it is properly executed and therefore valid. There is more guidance on how to ensure a will is valid on the GOV.UK website here, but ensuring your Will is valid and enforceable could be complex and you will benefit from seeking legal advice prior to doing so. Furthermore, if you are 55 years old and over, ‘Free Wills Month’ allows you to make or update your basic Will for free.
Trusts
A Trust is a legal arrangement where you appoint a trustee or trustees to manage your assets while you are alive and/or upon your death. Trusts have been known to serve a valuable purpose for controlling what happens to your assets especially when you die.
The general rules of inheritance tax, which is levied on a deceased person’s estate, are summarised below (correct as at the date of publication of this blog):
Normally, there is no Inheritance Tax to pay if either the value of your estate is below the £325,000 threshold or you leave everything above the £325,000 threshold to your spouse, civil partner, or a registered charity.
Inheritance Tax is due at 40% on anything above the £325,000 threshold- but there’s a reduced rate of 36% on some assets if the person leaves more than 10% of their estate to a registered charity (or a community amateur sports club).
Placing assets into a Trust during your lifetime may avoid the long probate process for those assets on your death, which can otherwise involve a lengthy and protracted process. It does not eliminate your inheritance tax obligations but aims to ensure that your assets are properly managed and distributed to your beneficiaries in the most cost effective and tax efficient manner. Trusts can include anything of value including cash, property, fine art, shares, boats, etc.
The type of Trust you set up will depend on the value of your assets and your objectives. Three important components of a trust include: settlor, trustee, and beneficiary. You are the settlor when you set up and put assets into the Trust; the trustee(s) manage(s) the Trust, and the beneficiary benefits or receives the asset(s) from the Trust.
There are three common types of Trusts:
Bare Trust: Trustee holds assets for the beneficiary, who has the right to claim the assets and benefits of the trust when they reach the age of 18.
Life Interest Trust, also known as an ‘Interest in Possession’ Trust, passes on Trust income to the beneficiaries. There are two types of beneficiaries that can benefit in this type of Trust:
Life Tenant: income made from the Trust, after fees are deducted, such as rents, dividends, etc. is paid to the beneficiary (also known as life tenant) for a period (usually until the death of the life tenant), however, the beneficiary here does not have access to the capital.
Remainderman: receives the actual ownership of the asset when the life tenant passes away, or the Trust is terminated. The beneficiary is also known as the “remainderman”.
Discretionary Trust: gives full discretion to the trustee to decide how and when the assets are distributed, particularly where the beneficiary is still a child.
Conclusion
Estate planning and the use of LPAs, wills and trusts protect your health, wellbeing, and finances when life takes an unexpected turn. It also takes care of your family upon your death and ensures your hard-earned estate and assets are distributed to your beneficiaries in accordance with your wishes while maximizing your estate in the most cost-effective and tax-efficient manner.
The information provided here does not replace professional guidance, for which you should consult an estate planning specialist.
This blog is for information only and does not constitute legal advice on any matter.While we always aim to ensure that information is correct at the date of posting, the legal position can change, and the blogs will not ordinarily be updated to reflect any subsequent relevant changes. Anyone seeking legal advice on the subject matter should contact a specialist legal representative.
Further support:
Free legal services available in England, Wales, and Scotland are available through: Law Works: www.lawworks.org.uk/legal-advice/individuals/access-law-clinic
Free Estate Planning Guides are available through: www.willassociates.co.uk/forms/information-pack www.ageuk.org.uk/siteassets/documents/information-guides/ageukig31_wills_and_estate_planning_inf.pdf www.gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-will/y/england-and-wales/yes/after-jul-2023/yes www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/family-and-care/death-and-bereavement/when-to-use-a-probate-specialist
I couldn’t resist sharing this inspiring photo of a ‘great-grandmother,’ who is bravely protesting against bad governance and hunger in Nigeria, a country that holds a special place in my heart. Since the new administration took office last year, Nigeria has been grappling with hyperinflation, leaving many citizens unable to afford basic necessities. This widespread hardship has sparked nationwide protests, beginning on August 1, 2024.
While not everyone agrees with the protests, particularly in light of the tragic events during the #EndSARS movement in 2020, which resulted in numerous casualties, there’s a powerful lesson to learn from the great-grandmother in this video. Despite her frail appearance, she embodies strength and determination, channeling her energy into a cause she believes in, hoping to change the narrative for future generations.
Regardless of where you stand on the #HungerProtests and #EndBadGovernance movement in Nigeria, let’s not forget the courage of this great-grandmother. She has lived through multiple political administrations, both pre- and post-independence, and has chosen to play her part in shaping her country’s future. So, I ask you: what role are you playing in making your country better? #hungerprotests #endbadgovernance #nigeriapolitics
Video: protesters in Abraka, Delta State, South Eastern region of Nigeria, Instagram @temilolasobola
Travel is a necessary activity to maintain a balanced mental state. For me, It is a time of reflection, introspection and solitude. My typical flight lasts at least 6 hours and provides ample time for reading , research and planning the next steps in my life’s journey. Travel acts as therapy for me, rejuvenates my mind and allows me time to analyze and critique past activities. The ‘me’ time I get while reading or simply relaxing in my plane seat is invaluable. Travel doesn’t have to be expensive- it is simply time away from your regular environment to relax, sightsee, shop, meet friends or take a drive out of town. Travel=reflection =therapy= balanced mental state
This week, I made my first intercontinental travel since February 2024, four months ago. I am excited to meet up with husband and travel alone. Despite getting to the airport somewhat late due to work demands, I was still able to check in within the the ‘one hour before take off’ window. I prefer to travel light and typically will check in a bag or at most two bags with a carry-on for my laptop and essentials. The day of travel went well, as planned, and allowed me the opportunity to write. Pre-boarding time is when I observe the world around me go by, a time for reflection and introspection
During this trip, I witnessed and experienced two events that inspired the title of this write-up: “Why Every Request Shouldn’t Be Granted.”
The first event occurred as I boarded the plane. Noticing many young children, I reflected on my experiences as a young mother two decades ago. One little girl, likely 7 or 8 years old, ahead of her mother, asked a flight crew member for a hug. The man respectfully declined, and smiled at her. His response was appropriate, given the inappropriateness of a stranger hugging a young girl. I hoped her mother observed this innocent gesture, helped her understand the situation, and used the opportunity to explain to her why her request for a hug was not granted.
Happy to be on the plane, I reached for my carry-on when the passenger next to me immediately asked if I wanted the window seat, as he didn’t care for it. I was busy with a work message and didn’t respond right away. Although I didn’t feel obligated to answer immediately and because my designated seat was the aisle seat, I gestured that I was finishing a task. He waited but seemed to demand a response. In a good mood, I agreed to switch seats, provided the seat was functioning properly. However, I found that the seat belt lock wasn’t closing properly. A flight attendant confirmed this issue, though it wouldn’t affect comfort. My seat partner then offered to return to his seat, and I agreed. Later, he realized his seat had more issues and was unhappy. This experience made me reflect on balancing kindness with dignity . Although I tried to grant someone’s wish, there was a line I wasn’t going to cross. This experience reaffirmed my belief in the values that I hold dear and knowing when they need to be reassessed.
In life, there are no right or wrong answers to how we should act in a given situation. As we journey through life, we must continually learn about ourselves, hold on to values that are authentic and true, be selfless and kind, but also know why we hold on to our values and be ready to defend them when necessary. By now, you should have an understanding of why every request shouldn’t be granted. If you know, I am glad you took away one or two learnings from my writeup.
Till next time, when I get a chance to write again, Hasta La vista!!! Hasta Luego
Parenting can become even more overwhelming for those who are germaphobes, perfectionists, or overachievers. The drive to clean incessantly or pursue perfection can be seen as unusual by some, but it’s important to recognize that being a perfectionist or overachiever while parenting is quite common. These qualities are inherent for some and learned for others. However, what truly matters is prioritizing your mental health and well-being.
The next time you have the urge to overexert yourself, take a moment to pause and consider your well-being. Remember that it’s okay to have high standards, but finding a balance between striving for perfection and taking care of your mental health is crucial, especially when parenting. Taking breaks, seeking support, and practicing self-care can help you navigate the challenges more effectively.
Finding a balance between high standards and self-care is a common challenge for many parents. Here are some tips to consider:
1. Set Realistic Expectations: understand that no one is perfect, and mistakes are a part of parenting. Avoid setting unrealistic standards, which can lead to unnecessary stress.
2. Prioritize Tasks: Identify the most important tasks and focus your perfectionism on those, while allowing flexibility for less critical areas.
3. Delegate and Share Responsibilities: don’t shy way from asking for help from your partner, family, or friends. Sharing responsibilities can ease the burden and allow you to take breaks.
4. Time Management: plan your tasks and allocate specific time slots for both parenting duties and self-care activities.
5. Practice Self-Compassion: treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d offer to a friend. Acknowledge that it’s okay not to be perfect all the time.
6. Embrace Imperfection: tell your children that it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Lead by example and show that striving for improvement is valuable.
7. Mindfulness and Relaxation: incorporate mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to help manage stress and anxiety
8. Scheduled Breaks: set aside regular breaks during the day to recharge. Even short moments of relaxation can make a significant difference.
9. Healthy Boundaries: it is perfectly okay to say ‘no’ when you’re overwhelmed and need time for self-care. Boundaries are key for maintaining balance.
10. Seek Support: join parenting groups, forums, or connect with other parents who might be facing similar challenges. Sharing experiences and advice can be incredibly helpful.
Finding the right balance between striving for excellence and taking care of yourself is an ongoing journey, so be sure to adapt these tips to your unique situation and personality… written by Clara Og, a consultant, coach, sponsor, writer and soon to become author that is passionate about ‘all things’ wholesome food, fashion, and family
Yesterday, on May 29, 2023, a new group of political leaders, including candidates from the All Progressives Congress, assumed office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, both at the federal and state levels. While some individuals celebrated, particularly during the presidential and Lagos state inaugurations, many young people were disheartened due to witnessing elections marred by thuggery, voter marginalization, and the unconstitutional collation of voting results. The opposing political parties, primarily represented by the People’s Democratic Party and Labor Party candidates who enjoyed significant support from the youth, have taken their grievances to court. Nigerian citizens are attentively following the proceedings at the election tribunal and patiently awaiting the outcome.
Rather than delving into the intricate details of the ongoing petitions, it is crucial to highlight the remarkable resilience exhibited by the Nigerian populace. If you have the opportunity to interact with Nigerians, you will witness their unwavering spirit. “Nigerians face challenges from all sides, yet they refuse to be distressed; they encounter perplexity but refuse to succumb to despair; they may be persecuted but are not forsaken; they may be cast down but are never destroyed.”
Regardless of the verdict from the tribunal, I firmly believe that Nigerians will transcend their current sadness and strive for greatness once again. A “New Nigeria” is not only a possibility but a necessity that must come to fruition…. #newnigeria
25 years ago, I stepped out in faith and honored an invitation from this man (pictured). I was young, naive and had no idea what the future held but had faith- I had prayed specifically for the kind of man I wanted to date and marry and simply trusted God to honor it. I believed that God will bring it to pass. It was our first date and even though I had a great dinner that night at Olive Garden Italian Restaurant in Chicago, he had the worst date he could have imagined. He was nervous, had just gotten his drivers license and bumped his car against road curbs not one time but (I kid you not) three times, from my apartment to the restaurant. He apologized every time he did this and couldn’t not eat at the restaurant. According to him, he was enamored and spellbound and ‘food’ was the last thing on his mind… I listened with rapt attention as he told me more about himself and I tried to fill in the gaps from our very 1st conversation eight days earlier. I had checked off the boxes from the list of requirements that I wanted in a man but I still wasn’t sure of a commitment yet to a relationship (i mean, I was a college student and my studies was 1st priority). Even though he was just been his authentic self (thank me later, you’d rather date an authentic person than someone who puts up a fake persona) he thought he had messed up terribly after he dropped me off at home that evening. I reciprocated with a surprise call, hours later, when I called to check on him and he was deeply touched. Yeah, 😝 I was the kind hearted girl, who wanted to make sure he got home safe. The next couple of months were spent with me dilly dallying about whether to accept his request for us to become a couple. For him, he knew that I was the ‘one’ the first day he set his eyes on me. For me, I wanted to be sure (yep, don’t let anyone else confirm for you; trust me, when you know, YOU KNOW). Less than two months from our first date, on May 12, 1998, this man successfully won me over and we became a couple; 3 years 9 months after, we sealed our relationship formally with three 😂 ceremonies and they say the rest is history.
The real reason I wanted to share this story is to emphasize that faith without works is fruitless. Besides our faith in God, his continuous mercy, favor and grace, which have continually sustained and brought us to where we are today- and being so blessed with a man that I prayed for and more than I bargained… a special gift from God- kind hearted, loving, responsible, humble, godly, and the adjectives go on…, and I would rather not toot my own horn, I will say that our ‘works-‘ our commitment, perseverance, persistence, resolve to work at our relationship and keep it going, also has had a role in bringing us to where we are today, despite the ‘ups’ and ‘downs,’ and triumphs and challenges that we have experienced and are prevalent in every relationship.
Faith is great but your ‘works’ is also key. Truly, to whom much is given, much is expected. ‘Works’ must always accompany ‘Faith,’ in the long run. Shout out to everyone out there doing the ‘works’ to keep their relationship going. It is not easy but the Lord will continually be our help. Happy 25th years of dating you AOGJO. Thanks for loving me and pouring so much of yourself to our relationship. I love you so much and cheers to many more celebrations 🙏🏿 🎉🎈🍾 ❤️
You know many of us were raised to be courteous i.e. use magic words like ‘please,’ ‘sorry,’ ‘thank you,’ but I have observed that as children eventually become adults, these words appear to loose meaning or become inconsequential to these same individuals. Why does saying ‘thank you’ to someone that does something minor, like opening the door for you or major, like one going out of his/her way to do something that he/she didn’t necessarily have to do in the first place become difficult or almost impossible for many more adults? I am not sure but our busy world today disenables us sometimes from focusing on the little things that matter.
‘When someone hears you say ‘thank you,’ it tells a lot about who you are. It shows that person that you are humble, grateful, appreciative, and deserve to be shown kindness again. ‘Thank you’ is powerful!!! It is just two words but these two say a lot.
‘Thank you’ encapsulates what you can’t fully convey in words. It comes from deep within and expresses how you feel inwardly. It is a heartfelt expression that can open many doors. It shows humility, and what humanity should look like.
‘Thank you’ is not always a response to a good act towards you. It is also said as an affirmation or after an introspection of your life journey- when you feel an appreciation of the growth that you have made and the thought of the wonderful people that God has placed in your path to make your journey easier
‘Thank you’ should never go out of style. Please remind the person next to you to say ‘thank you’ when someone does something big or small for them.
This question is worth pondering in the wake of the recent lynching of a young woman by her university classmates in Sokoto, Northern area of Nigeria, West Africa. Listen to the full video at @adeolafayehun instagram page or at https://www.instagram.com/tv/CdoW5BQgAmC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Is religious radicalism/extremism the underlying problem in Northern Nigeria?
People that are eccentric will totally get this. It isn’t a bad thing to be enccentric and I really enjoyed listen to this podcast- How we hustle with Cuppy. I also believe that “to whom much is given, much is expected.” Video credit @cuppymusic • Catch the full podcast at Instagram @bbcsounds bio https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0c64spg
