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How Childhood Flogging Cost Me My Left Eye — Undergraduate

Published

2 months ago

May 10, 2026

How Childhood Flogging Cost Me My Left Eye — Undergraduate

Twenty-year-old Esther Oriyomi has shared the heartbreaking story of how a childhood injury caused by her father’s belt left her permanently blind in one eye after years of delayed treatment and medical complications.

Esther, a 100-level student of English and Literary Studies at Federal University Oye-Ekiti, said the incident happened when she was six years old during the Christmas period at their family home in Lagos.

According to her, she and other children were playing noisily in the sitting room when her father, who had returned from work and was trying to sleep, became angry and came out to discipline them.

“I was about six years old when it happened. My dad flogged me with a belt, and the iron part hit my left eye. It started bleeding immediately,” she recalled.

The eye injury reportedly caused severe bleeding and swelling, but instead of taking her to an eye specialist immediately, the family initially treated the wound at home with ice packs before later visiting a general doctor.

Esther said she was given eye drops and pain relievers, and after about two months, the pain reduced. However, months later, she began experiencing blurry vision.

The problem became obvious in school when her teachers noticed she struggled to read and write properly.

“My teacher complained to my mum that I was not writing correctly. They had to move me to the front of the class because I could no longer see clearly,” she said.

As the condition worsened, Esther said she frequently tripped, bumped into objects, and struggled with unbalanced vision.

Despite her repeated complaints, she claimed proper medical attention was delayed for years until she developed strabismus — a visible eye misalignment — while in junior secondary school.

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According to her, the first eye clinic she visited allegedly misdiagnosed her condition and prescribed glasses instead of recommending urgent corrective treatment.

“They told us surgery could not happen until I turned 14, so I continued using glasses, but the eye was not improving,” she explained.

Esther later attended Federal Government College, Idoani, where her mother eventually withdrew her temporarily from school to seek further treatment in Lagos after noticing the condition was getting worse.

At another hospital, doctors reportedly discovered that the earlier diagnosis had been wrong and expressed concern that she had not been brought for specialist treatment earlier.

“The doctors kept asking why I didn’t come earlier because the condition had already become very serious,” she said.

Although surgery was later scheduled, Esther disclosed that it never happened for reasons she said were known only to her parents.

Years later, another ophthalmologist reportedly informed the family that the damage to the eye had become too severe and that surgery had only a 50-50 chance of success.

The tragedy worsened after her mother died of cancer in 2023 at the age of 47.

According to Esther, she later began suffering from severe headaches and intense pain in the damaged eye.

“The pain feels like needles stabbing into my eye. Sometimes, I cannot even open the eye because of the pain,” she said.

Further medical examinations reportedly revealed retinal detachment in the affected eye, with doctors warning that surgery might not restore her sight.

She said specialists also warned that there was an 80 per cent chance the condition could spread to the healthy eye if not properly monitored.

“They told me there was no guarantee I would regain sight in the left eye and that surgery might end up being a waste of money,” she added.

Today, Esther said she manages the recurring pain with painkillers while hoping for future medical opportunities abroad.

Despite the trauma and years of emotional pain, the undergraduate said she has chosen to forgive her parents.

“Growing up, I carried a lot of hatred in my heart. But recently, I decided to let everything go. I have forgiven them,” she said.

She also recounted the emotional impact of growing up with visibly misaligned eyes, saying she was frequently mocked by other children.

“People used to ask me, ‘Are you looking at me?’ It affected my confidence a lot,” she recalled.

Using her experience as a lesson, Esther urged parents to take children’s health seriously and seek immediate treatment whenever injuries occur.

She also appealed to parents to reconsider harsh physical punishment as a method of discipline.

“Hitting children is not the only way to discipline them. Parents should learn patience, understanding, and observation,” she advised.

Despite losing sight in one eye, Esther remains determined to achieve her academic dreams.

She said she hopes to become a lecturer after earning her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, adding that she also hopes to teach internationally someday.

The student disclosed that her elder sister currently provides most of the financial support for her education.

How Childhood Flogging Cost Me My Left Eye — Undergraduate

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Senate Erupts as Lawmakers Initially Block Govs, Gbajabiamila, AGF From Historic State Police Session

Published

2 minutes ago

June 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Senate Erupts as Lawmakers Initially Block Govs, Gbajabiamila, AGF From Historic State Police Session

A dramatic showdown unfolded at the National Assembly on Wednesday after senators initially rejected a move by the Senate leadership to admit governors and top government officials into the Red Chamber during deliberations on the proposed State Police Bill, one of the most significant constitutional reforms before the 10th National Assembly.

The high-profile delegation included Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, as well as the Attorneys-General and Commissioners for Justice of Ondo, Anambra and Akwa Ibom states.

The dignitaries had arrived at the Senate to observe deliberations and voting on the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police Services, a proposal widely regarded as a major step toward overhauling Nigeria’s security architecture.

Tension rose shortly after plenary began when Senate President Godswill Akpabio appealed to lawmakers to permit what he described as “strangers” into the chamber. Acting on the request, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved a motion under Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Rules, which allows non-members to be admitted under special circumstances.

In an unexpected twist, senators overwhelmingly rejected the motion through a voice vote, leaving the visitors waiting outside the chamber and briefly stalling proceedings. The rejection exposed an unusual display of independence by lawmakers during one of the Senate’s most closely watched constitutional sessions.

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Determined to secure access for the visitors, Akpabio made a fresh appeal, urging senators to consider the national importance of the constitutional amendment process. He directed Bamidele to present the motion again, with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin seconding the request.

When the motion was put to a second voice vote, Akpabio called only for the “Ayes,” which appeared noticeably fewer than the number of senators present. As louder dissenting voices echoed through the chamber, the Senate President did not call for the “Nays” before ruling that the motion had been carried and bringing down the gavel.

His decision cleared the way for the governors, ministers and other senior officials to enter the Red Chamber and witness proceedings on the landmark constitutional amendment.

The brief standoff also highlighted growing political tensions between some governors and the senators representing their states. Sources within the National Assembly said several lawmakers remain aggrieved after allegedly losing their chances of securing party tickets for the 2027 general elections due to the influence of incumbent governors within their state political structures.

At the centre of the day’s proceedings is the proposed State Police Bill, a constitutional amendment strongly backed by the Tinubu administration as part of broader efforts to address insecurity across the country.

Supporters argue that creating state police will strengthen intelligence gathering and enable quicker responses to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence by bringing law enforcement closer to local communities. Opponents, however, have warned that without adequate constitutional safeguards, state police could be exploited for political purposes.

Beyond the state police proposal, senators are also considering several far-reaching constitutional amendments, including the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission, the introduction of independent candidacy for elections, constitutional recognition of traditional institutions, and guaranteed funding for the Armed Forces through a first-line charge.

Adding to the significance of the exercise, the Senate is deploying electronic voting for the constitutional amendment process, replacing the traditional voice vote system with a digital platform that records, displays and preserves each senator’s vote for greater transparency and accountability.

With proceedings still underway, attention remains fixed on the Red Chamber as lawmakers deliberate on reforms that could fundamentally reshape Nigeria’s policing system, governance structure and democratic institutions, making Wednesday’s session one of the most consequential in the country’s Fourth Republic.

Senate Erupts as Lawmakers Initially Block Govs, Gbajabiamila, AGF From Historic State Police Session

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Being Married to the Same Woman for 48 Years Can Become ‘Boring’ – Charly Boy

Published

5 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Veteran Nigerian entertainer and activist Charly Boy real name Charles Oputa and his wife, Lady Diane Oputa

Being Married to the Same Woman for 48 Years Can Become ‘Boring’ – Charly Boy

Veteran Nigerian entertainer and activist Charly Boy has stirred conversations about marriage, love, and long-term relationships after candidly admitting that being married to the same woman for 48 years can become “boring.”

The outspoken media personality, whose real name is Charles Oputa, made the remark during an interview on Yanga FM, where he reflected on nearly five decades of married life with his wife, Lady Diane Oputa.

Using a humorous analogy, Charly Boy compared his marriage to eating the same meal every day, saying routine is inevitable in long-lasting relationships.

“I’ve been married to one woman for 48 years. It is very boring. Imagine eating the same egusi for years, it’s boring now,” he said.

Veteran Nigerian entertainer and activist Charly Boy real name Charles Oputa and his wife, Lady Diane Oputa

Although the comment quickly generated reactions on social media, the entertainer clarified that successful marriages are not built on excitement alone but on commitment, understanding and the willingness to work through challenges together.

According to him, every marriage requires continuous effort, patience and effective management, regardless of how long the couple has been together.

Charly Boy disclosed that despite spending nearly five decades together, he and his wife still argue almost every day, but they have developed a culture of resolving disagreements instead of allowing them to create lasting divisions.

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“All marriages are management, including my own. Me and my wife be like Tom and Jerry. We dey quarrel every day and we will continue to dey quarrel and settle am.

“No day we no dey quarrel. No day we no dey settle the quarrel. We go dey fix the quarrel dey go because, as oyinbo people talk say, the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know.”

The veteran entertainer explained that conflicts should not be interpreted as signs of a failing relationship, stressing that disagreements are natural when two individuals with different personalities and perspectives choose to build a life together.

Rather than avoiding arguments, he believes couples should focus on communication, forgiveness and finding common ground whenever misunderstandings arise.

The Area Fada, known for his unconventional lifestyle and outspoken opinions, has long been regarded as one of Nigeria’s most enduring public figures. Ironically, despite his rebellious image, his marriage to Lady Diane has remained one of the country’s longest-lasting celebrity unions.

Over the years, Charly Boy has consistently credited mutual respect, friendship, loyalty and acceptance as the pillars that have sustained their relationship through life’s ups and downs.

His latest comments have reignited discussions about the realities of long-term marriage, with many social media users interpreting his use of the word “boring” as a reference to routine rather than dissatisfaction.

Relationship experts often note that marriages naturally evolve beyond the excitement of the early years and are sustained by shared experiences, trust, compromise and emotional maturity.

Reflecting on his own journey, Charly Boy suggested that accepting a partner’s imperfections and choosing to stay committed despite daily challenges remain some of the biggest secrets to a lasting relationship.

His remarks have once again sparked debate online, with many praising his honesty and others arguing that routine is an unavoidable part of enduring love.

Being Married to the Same Woman for 48 Years Can Become ‘Boring’ – Charly Boy

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Why LPG Prices Won’t Drop Anytime Soon: NMDPRA Explains

Published

5 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Why LPG Prices Won’t Drop Anytime Soon: NMDPRA Explains

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has attributed the rising cost of cooking gas to high landing costs, even as the Federal Government convenes an emergency meeting with security agencies including the DSS, EFCC, and the Nigeria Police Force to tackle hoarding and illegal diversion of Liquefied Petroleum Gas across the country.

The Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mallam Rabiu Abdullahi Umar, has blamed high landing costs for the rising cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), otherwise called ‘cooking gas’ in the country. Umar stated this during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources to address the recent increase in LPG prices and develop coordinated measures to improve supply, affordability, and market stability. “High landing costs continue to influence LPG prices, but the ongoing measures across the value chain would begin to ease market pressures in the coming weeks,” Umar said. He added that the authority is working with producers and other stakeholders to increase domestic supply, strengthen market oversight, and support interventions that will improve availability.

The Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources convened an emergency stakeholders’ engagement involving the Department of State Services (DSS) , the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) , and the Nigeria Police Force to address LPG hoarding and illegal diversion to neighbouring countries. The meeting brought together key government officials, regulators, producers, marketers, terminal operators, and industry associations to examine factors contributing to rising LPG prices and agree on practical interventions to strengthen the value chain. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Honourable Ekperikpe Ekpo, directed security agencies to support regulators in preventing diversion, hoarding, illegal storage, and disruption of legitimate supply movement along key LPG corridors. He warned that the government would not allow market forces to thwart its efforts in ensuring availability and affordability of LPG.

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In a presentation, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure (DSSRI), Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, identified several major factors affecting LPG pricing, including infrastructure gaps, domestic supply constraints, logistics challenges, market distortions, and global supply disruptions. The NMDPRA also attributed the supply challenges to continued exports of locally produced LPG, global supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East, inadequate import volumes, and what it described as non-cost-reflective pricing practices. The regulator maintained that the full domestication of locally produced LPG would significantly improve availability and reduce pressure on prices.

Despite the challenges, the NMDPRA reported improvements following recent engagements with producers, suppliers, and terminal operators. National LPG supply sufficiency increased from 11 days to 22 days, while average daily supply rose from 4,262 metric tonnes in May 2026 to 5,040 metric tonnes in June 2026. However, the regulator projected that there could be a supply gap of 165,000 metric tonnes in the third quarter of 2026 if corrective measures were not urgently implemented. To address this, the NMDPRA announced it would issue additional import permits to bridge the projected shortfall. According to data presented at the meeting, four imported LPG cargoes were discharged in Lagos within the first 19 days of June 2026, totalling about 16,000 metric tonnes. The imports were made by marketers including Algasco LPG and Rainoil Limited. An additional 44,100 metric tonnes of locally produced LPG is expected to enter the market before the end of June.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Honourable Ekperikpe Ekpo, stated that President Bola Tinubu is concerned about the rising LPG prices for Nigerians and has directed relevant agencies to take proactive steps to address the situation. Ekpo emphasised that increased supply should be supported by efficient logistics, improved infrastructure, and transparent pricing mechanisms to ensure consumers benefit from interventions across the sector. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Patience Oyekunle, described LPG as a critical energy source for households and an important component of Nigeria’s energy transition agenda. She noted that rising LPG prices are putting additional pressure on household budgets and increasing the cost of essential goods, stressing the need for collective action to improve access to affordable cooking gas.

Stakeholders across the LPG value chain pledged their support for government efforts while highlighting challenges affecting storage, transportation, distribution, and market efficiency. The measures agreed on include intensified market monitoring, improved enforcement against malpractice, expansion of storage and distribution infrastructure, increased domestic production, enhanced product tracking systems, improved access to market data, and stronger collaboration among industry players. The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) expressed concern over what it described as profiteering by middlemen in the LPG value chain, insisting that market distortions rather than supply shortages were increasingly contributing to high consumer prices. Former Chairman of the association, Oladapo Olatunbosun, urged regulators to ensure that the benefits of improved domestic supply reached end-users and were not captured by intermediaries through excessive mark-ups and speculative trading.