2025 in review: E shock me both ways

57, 58, 59... The second hand was ticking in unison with my heartbeat before it struck 12 a.m. on the dot, and there were shouts of 'Happy New Year.' That night, I was enveloped in the atmosphere of praise and prayer in the house of God. Where else would I rather be? 

Amidst the jubilation, fireworks and hugs, I wondered what 2025 had in store for me. The word for the year had come forth from the man of God, and I had to run with it to see it manifest. Little did I know that 2025 would have mixed surprises that would change my life forever. However, the wins overpowered the losses; yet, I will never forget this year, as my life was about to take a new course.

January is my birth month. I thought of doing a photoshoot, but my bank account was saying otherwise. Honestly, I considered squeezing out funds for the birthday celebration and making it grand.  The first disappointment was from my tailor, who did a terrible job with my supposed birthday outfit. Saying it was manageable was not the case. 

To add to the disappointment, my phone developed a fault, so the money I would have spent on the birthday photoshoot had to go for phone repairs. It appeared like all hell was let loose so I wouldn't have a happy birthday celebration. Thankfully, I did my hair and was satisfied and decided to use another phone to take selfies. My birthday was on a working day; most organisations reopened on my birthday, which was a Monday. ( Interesting fact: I was actually born on a Monday in the 1980s). 

It was not a bad day after all, I got tonnes of messages, a call or two and well wishes. Nobody at my workplace knew that it was my birthday, I was that coded. I didn't want all the attention and paparazzi. I didn't want people to do mathematics on how old I was.

I was this close to getting a voice-over gig via LinkedIn, but they selected someone else, probably because I was not professional enough with my rates. This was a wake-up call to take my voice-over talent seriously because people found me worthy and were willing to pay for it.

February was the memorial service of my late grandparents. All family members and relatives converge at my hometown for this joyful occasion. Yours truly was unavoidably absent because of the nature of my demanding job at that time; it was not easy to take leave or excuse, given that the organisation was understaffed and undergoing structuralisation. It appeared I was the only one absent, sadly, but thank God it was a success. The pictures were lovely and ignited the legacy of the Uyeh clan.

It was a nice feeling winning a ticket to the cinema close to me to watch Summer Rain, which was about the rekindling of old flames....hmm, but I enjoyed the movie ambience and lessons from the movie, primarily on giving love a chance. At least I know love is a beautiful thing. I also attended Lagos Tech Fest 2025 with my colleagues then. I was grateful that my boss then gave me her VIP tag to represent her, and that came with benefits.

Also hung out with the voice-over clan and got to mingle with connections in the same field. I had been part of the voice-over geng since inception. It was good to witness the 5th edition, and I got some professional photos taken. Also saw the voice-over geng master who took me to the venue. That day was a training for the social media department unit, which I belong but I left for the voice-over geng event. Still representing my boss then at events, I attended the YAPPI event with colleagues and saw my student, whom I had seen at Lagos Tech Fest, and quickly snapped a picture with him.

March kicked off with sporting activities for workers in my church. I had the opportunity to mingle with other co-workers. On my way home on a bike, a policeman stopped me and checked my bag, probably because my face cap covered my face and I was showing fear. In the end, he let me go....Phew!

March is incomplete without the Experiencing PR Conference for which I served as a volunteer, leading the Publication unit. I felt good seeing my name and photo on the programme. I was also overjoyed seeing one of my team members and other volunteer,s and associates at the event.

Yes, then came the WIN and DevAfrique International Women's Day 2025, of which I served as the host. I think I did fairly and was able to carry the Yoruba-speaking audience along with an amiable interpreter.  The happenings of this program are a story for another day, but eventually, the 50 women got their cash to support their business. That same day, I wrote a test for the Women Techsters' fellowship. I was unsettled, but I did it before the deadline and thank God I passed and made it to the next stage, though not among the eventual finalists.

April was about the Gridron Gems event. All the planning eventually paid out. I got nice souvenirs and a lovely branded shirt. Imagine waking up in April to see that my Omote Ro Dhe blog has been recognised as a top blog by Feedspot. This showed that consistency pays off and people are watching.

I also attended an award ceremony on behalf of my boss then though she didn't choose me to play the recipient on her behalf. As the Communications manager, I carried on with my role uncovered.

I did something risky. I went to the Next Titans auditions. It was a new, exhilarating experience of being screened by judges.  I enjoyed every aspect of it, though I was not selected, but I made a friend or two. I came back home fulfilled and willing to give it another try next year.

April was about congratulations as my cousins abroad graduated with flying colours.

May was Papa's birthday. Unlike last year, we travelled for a party; this year was low-key. I called him and sent birthday prayers. He appeared contented and happy, which made me glad.

There were other events in  May that I represented my organisation. I didn't quite like the way I looked in one, and that day a man accosted me, though he didn't pay my transport, but he was just happy talking to me. Anyway, that same man  does not even recognise me when I saw him again....lol

I got a book from a friend, Nita I featured on my blog all the way from the US, free of charge. It was so nice of her after months and months of trying to get the delivery to Nigeria sorted out.

One of my major highlights of 2025 happened in May, when I represented my boss at a speaking event. For the first time, I spoke to a large crowd offline and online. Thankfully, I didn't do badly based on the aftermath of the session. I got people asking for my contacts and short interviews. I overcame my fear of stage fright. That was a major win.

June was Mum's and Sister's birthday month. Mummie has been sick and rarely takes her calls, so I composed birthday messages and celebrated her the way I could. 

I worked with a career coach for three months. We kicked off like we knew each other and all our virtual meetings were convenient, enlightening and empowering. Shout out to Coach Samuel Balogun.

Towards the last week of June, I travelled to Idheze, my hometown, but I was not happy seeing my sickly parents. I did my best to make them comfortable and cared for. The question is, who will take care of them in their children's absence? I didn't like the way I departed from them but we made up in the coming days.

I started taking my TikTok account and content creation seriously.

July was about the Africa Social Impact Summit. I saw Adaobi, my classmate at MCO, there and also made a new friend.

On July 31st, I sent my resignation letter after threats via email about reaching unrealistic targets.I just had to leave.  Thankfully,  I had another job waiting for me to resume.

August...

Can I rewind August? It was a black August

The month I lost my father

I never for one day thought he would go. Up till now,  I am still in shock

Papa, you mean you are gone???

No one to answer my calls with his hearty laughter and calming voice.

August was messy, and I had to put myself together for a webinar where I was the speaker, organised by Code for Africa. This same August, I became an Ife Institute of Advanced Studies fellow. I graduated from the Custodian Mentorship programme. I was putting up smiles, but behind, I was sad after losing my father and a sickly mom. I was going through a lot and at the verge of breaking down.

I rounded up August at the Nigeria e-governance summit, where my boss then was a speaker. She was the only female in the midst of seven men. It was my last days in TAI Corp and WIN.

September was for Papa. I started a new job. I had to take permission to go and bury my father.  Thank God it was granted, though the days absent were deducted from my salary.  Papa's burial was a success. To all the donors, the supporters, relatives and all manner of helpers - God bless you richly and keep you and yours.

Some people in the village used my father's burial to enrich themselves. But God pass them, it went well. Even the weather had nothing on us. Shortly after Papa's burial, another strike abi calamity...(I need to pause and clear my head)....It is not easy battling double tragedy....

How I was able to pull off speaking at a webinar organised by the Club of Rome Fellowship remains a mystery, but I delivered. I got feedback on areas of improvement, which I am working on, but the most important thing is that I left the audience with an experience.

In October, I resumed work fully and was tasked with organising Customer Service Week. I did the buying of items and the cake. It was painful that our contents did not fly. 

This month, I sharpened my AI skills. Do you know October almost swallowed me with the debts unpaid? The creditors were on my case. I didn't have peace of mind. Lesson here: He who goes borrowing, goes sorrowing. 

In November, I could breathe and sleep well. I had settled part of my debts, and how the funds came can only be traced to God.

I officially attended my first event in my new job and got a purple T-shirt I always wanted. 

I was working on visibility this November, and though no lead was generated, people knew about personal branding and my personal brand.

In December, I attended an owambe after a long while, courtesy my friend.  December was also for Bros. He reached a milestone. It was not loud because we were planning for my mum's burial. Oh, I didn't mention it....I lost my mom a month after my Dad. (Remember the part I mentioned, double tragedy)

Two parents gone with the speed of lightning. 

I have turned philosophical all of a sudden, questioning everything.

What does it feel like to be orphaned? With the happenings this year, I have become apprehensive about the future now that my parents( my pillars) are no more....

So when I say E shock me both ways, I experienced but sad and happy surprises this year.

But my faith in God has proved stronger because I can't recount the number of times he never left me stranded.

I look at my parents' pictures, and I wish they had stayed a bit longer. 

I have every reason to be angry with God, but at the same time, I have more reasons to thank God because He is good.

God's word is clear that we move from glory to glory, so better days are always ahead...so be rest-assured, 2026 is settled by God's grace and goodness. Happy New Year in advance,