Celestine Omin

Lee at 9.

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dear Lee,

Happy 9th Birthday, my amazing boy! 🎉💙.

Every year, I write you a letter on this day—part birthday tradition, part love note, part record of all the incredible ways you’re growing. And every year, I wonder how it’s possible for one little boy to pack so much brilliance, humor, and determination into just twelve short months.

But here you are again, outdoing yourself.

This past year has been a burst of progress—some big, some small, some loud enough to make me shout “THAT’S MY BOY!”, and others quiet enough to make me smile when no one is looking. All of them matter. All of them tell your story.

Academics: The Brain That Does Not Switch Off (Even When I Ask It To)

Let’s start with school. When you were awarded the All Round Best Student for your class and then Second Best Student in your entire grade, I stood there pretending to be calm, but inside I was basically doing cartwheels. You worked hard for it—not just with homework, but with your curiosity.

You ask the kind of questions that make adults reconsider their life choices:

“Dad, what kind of toys did you play with growing up?”
“If the Earth is round, why don’t we slide off?”
“Dad, why are you always working?”

But your curiosity is a gift. And your achievements this year? Fully earned. Don’t lose that hunger for knowledge, Lee. It will take you places.

Art: Watching Your Creativity Bloom

Your artwork this year has taken such beautiful steps forward. You paint with intention and emotion now. Your crayon strokes are confident, your colors are thoughtful, and your drawings tell stories only you can see.

And the way you sign your name at the bottom—like a little artist preparing for an exhibition—always makes me laugh. But deep down, I believe it. One day, people will look at your art and see the world through your eyes.

Swimming: From Fear to Silver Medalist

A year ago, swimming scared you. You’d stand at the edge of the pool like someone negotiating peace with the water.

But you kept trying.

Step by step.
Breath by breath.
Kick by kick.

And then the day came when you weren’t just swimming—you were racing.

And you won the silver medal for your entire grade.

Seeing you touch the wall, look up, and realize you had won… that smile could have powered Lagos. It wasn’t about the medal—it was about courage.

You showed yourself what happens when fear meets determination. I am proud beyond words.

Cycling: The Great Bike Breakthrough

Your bicycle journey was another highlight. You started off wobbly, with me running behind you like an overworked backup dancer. But one day, with enough courage, you encouraged me to take off the training wheels, I hesitated, but you assured me you will be fine. I gave in and took them off. Then came that magical afternoon when I let go… and you kept going.

You didn’t even notice.

And when you finally realized you were riding alone, you shouted, “DAD, LOOK! I’M DOING IT!”

Freedom found you in that moment—and you embraced it with speed, joy, and slightly dangerous confidence (please brake earlier, my son).

Watching you cycle alone from our home to the estate gate and back was a proud dad moment I’ll never forget.

Sports: Your Football Era Has Officially Begun

This year, you really fell in love with sports—especially football. You kick, dribble, sprint, and shoot with a passion - both at home and in school - that makes me think you’re training for the World Cup.

And of course, nothing brings more comedy to our home than your endless arguments with Livy about football greatness.

The eternal debate:

“Cristiano Ronaldo is the GOAT!” — Lee

“Messi is the GOAT!” — Livy

The two of you go back and forth with the seriousness of seasoned football analysts—gestures, imaginary statistics, emotional speeches, everything. Sometimes I want to grab popcorn and watch the show.

I love these moments. They show your passion, your sense of humor, and your growing bond with your sister—even when you’re determined to win the debate.

Technology: The Young Engineer in the House

One of the things that amazed me most this year is your curiosity for technology.

You have this incredible ability to explore, experiment, and figure things out on your own. You investigate gadgets like a tiny engineer, poking around gently, pressing buttons, and testing ideas until you get the result you want.

The perfect example?

The day you figured out how to turn your tablet—and Livy’s—into a game controller so both of you could play football games on the television.

No adult help.
Probably YouTube

Just your brain, your curiosity, and your determination.

You connected the devices, synced them properly, set up the game, paired everything, and announced proudly:

“Dad, we made our tablets into gamepads.”

I stood there thinking, “How…? When…? Who taught you this?” But that’s the magic of you, Lee—you don’t wait for someone to show you how. You explore until the answer reveals itself.

It’s a rare trait.
A powerful one.
And something that will shape your future in beautiful ways.

Kindness, Curiosity, Bravery… and the Right Amount of Sass

Of all the things you’ve achieved, what makes me most proud is who you are becoming:

Kind, thoughtful, gentle.
Curious, always exploring, always learning.
Brave, ready to face challenges and try new things.

These qualities make you special. These qualities will guide your steps.

As You Turn 9

As you begin your ninth year, my wish for you is simple:

Keep shining.
Keep learning.
Keep trying.
Keep being the best version of yourself; kind, curious, brave, and full of heart.

You are loved more than you can ever imagine.

A Blessing for Your Journey Ahead

I want to end with a verse that I pray guides you as you grow into a good, strong, loving human:

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted…” — Ephesians 4:32

Kindness is a superpower.
Carry it with you everywhere.

Happy 9th Birthday, Lee.
With all my love, always,
Dad 💙🌟

Let It Go: A Lesson from the Holy Spirit

Sat, 14 Jun 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Now, let me tell you a quick story. One night, the Holy Spirit pulled me aside and gave me a serious heart check.

See, I used to get really worked up over little things in my relationship. I’d major on the minors. One of those “minors” Nene (a.k.a. Management), and her habit of leaving her devices; phone and watch, plugged in overnight.

Drives me crazy.

Why? Because I’ve always believed charging stuff overnight damages the battery. Plus, there’s the risk of power surges. It’s just been my thing. I’ve carried that mindset for as long as I can remember.

Anyway, back to this one Friday night. I was going to bed around 2AM (yes, I’m a night owl on Fridays), and I saw her devices plugged in. Again.

I was furious. Not just mildly annoyed, fuming. Because:

We’d talked about this.
These were gifts I got her. In my mind, I started telling myself stories: “She doesn’t care.” “She didn’t buy them, so she’s not bothered.” “She’s ignoring my input.”

I wanted to wake her up. Right there. I had a full speech ready. But something in me whispered, “Let her sleep. You can talk in the morning.”

So I unplugged her devices, grumbled to myself, and went to bed.

Fast forward to the next morning. I wake up late (my regular Saturday thing), and I come downstairs to a scene straight out of a family magazine.

The kids were clean, fed, and watching TV. The house was spotless. Nene had made breakfast. Everyone was happy.

And as I walked in, she smiled at me and said: “Babe, you’re awake! I asked the kids to stay downstairs so they wouldn’t wake you. I know you slept late. Breakfast is ready, go freshen up, I’ve got everything covered.”

Whew.

As I turned around and walked back upstairs, the Holy Spirit hit me with this question, clear as day: “Imagine if you had woken that woman up last night. Would you be walking into this peaceful home right now? Was all that joy worth sacrificing over two charging devices?”

That was the day I truly learned something: Not everything needs to become a “thing.” Not every irritation needs to become an argument.

Now? I don’t care if Nene plugs in the whole house. I just unplug everything before bed. In fact, it’s now part of my nightly to-do list. Why?

Because it takes 60 seconds to unplug a charger. But those same 60 seconds, spent ranting or arguing, could ruin a whole Saturday. Could hurt the woman I love. Could disrupt the peace in our home. And for what?

Sometimes, we get so caught up in the one thing that bugs us that we forget the 99 things we absolutely love about someone. Their kindness, their laughter, their heart, the way they hold our world together without even trying.

So no, it’s not about the charger. It never really was.

Maybe for you, it’s the toilet seat. Or shoes on the floor. Or dishes in the sink.

Whatever it is, just breathe. Fix it. Let it go.

Your peace is worth more. Your relationship is worth more. They are worth more.

Happy Saturday. ✨

Lee at 8.

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 06:51:00 +0000

Dear Lee,

Happy 8th birthday, my wonderful son! As I sit down to write this letter, I’m filled with pride and joy thinking about the incredible year you’ve had and the amazing person you’re becoming.

What an exciting year it’s been! I remember how nervous you were when you first joined the school choir, and now look at you – singing with confidence and bringing such beautiful music to life. Your piano lessons have been another incredible journey. Watching your tiny fingers learn to dance across the keys has been such a proud moment for our family. Keep practicing, and soon, you’ll be playing even more beautiful music that touches hearts.

Your commitment at church has been truly inspiring. The way you’ve been participating and showing dedication to your faith is something special. I’m so proud of how you’re growing not just in age, but in character and spirit.

I know the swimming competition didn’t go exactly as you hoped, but I want you to know that setbacks are just opportunities for growth. That’s why we’re going to get you a swimming instructor to help you build your skills and confidence. Remember, success isn’t about never falling, but about getting back up and trying again.

Being a big brother is a special responsibility, and you’ve been absolutely amazing with your little sister. The way you look out for her, play with her, and protect her shows what a kind and caring heart you have. Continue to be patient, loving, and supportive – these are the qualities that make a true leader.

As you grow, always remember the importance of respect. Respect for your elders, respect for the law, and respect for others. These values will guide you through life and help you become the best version of yourself.

Hard work is the key to success, my son. Nothing worth achieving comes easy. When you face challenges, remember that fear is just a feeling – and feelings can be overcome. Every time you push through something that scares you, you become stronger and more confident.

Your academic performance this year has been stellar! You’ve shown incredible intelligence and dedication to your studies. I’m so proud of your achievements, but I also want to challenge you to keep pushing yourself. Don’t just meet your previous records – aim to surpass them. Your potential is limitless.

And when it comes to fear? Face it head-on, Lee. Every time you conquer your fears, you grow stronger and more confident.

Most importantly, keep God close to your heart. Build a strong relationship with Him, and let your faith guide you. And as you grow, remember that building healthy relationships with others is one of life’s most precious gifts. Be kind, be compassionate, and always treat others the way you would like to be treated.

Lee, you are an extraordinary boy, and I am so blessed to be your parent. You bring so much joy, love, and light into our lives. Happy 8th birthday, my dear son! May this year be filled with even more learning, growth, and wonderful memories.

Now, let’s talk about the number 8, your new age. Did you know that the number 8 is often seen as a symbol of balance and strength? Its shape, with no beginning and no end, also represents infinity. It’s a reminder that life is full of endless possibilities, and with faith, hard work, and love, you can achieve anything.

Enjoy your special day, my boy. We love you more than words can say and are so grateful to have you as our son. Here’s to another year of growth, adventure, and happiness!

With all my love, Dad.

Lee at 7.

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 06:51:00 +0000

My Dearest Lee,

I typically write you these open letters every year on your birthday, but this year, I wasn’t up to it. I wanted to write this when I have my head is a good space, but Uncle OO said I should maintain the streak. So, I will try and scribble something

Happy, happy birthday, my sweet boy! Today marks the incredible milestone of seven wonderful years since you came into our lives, bringing immeasurable joy, laughter, and love. As I sit down to write this letter, my heart swells with pride and gratitude for the amazing person you are becoming.

It feels like just yesterday that I held you in my arms for the first time, marveling at your tiny fingers and delicate features. Now, here you are, a vibrant 7-year-old with a personality as bright as the sun. Watching you grow has been the greatest privilege of my life, and I cherish every moment we’ve shared.

Lee, your kindness and compassion shine through in everything you do. You have a heart that’s big enough to embrace the world, and I’m continually inspired by your ability to show empathy and understanding. Your kindness towards others, be it friends, family, or even furry friends, makes me incredibly proud to be your parent.

I’ve watched you overcome challenges and celebrate triumphs, each one shaping you into the remarkable person you are today. Your resilience is admirable, and I have no doubt that you will continue to face life’s adventures with the same determination and spirit that you’ve shown so far.

This year has been full of exciting adventures, new discoveries, and countless expressions of your unique spirit. Your curiosity knows no bounds(from getting into Marvel comics to explorinig the wonderful world of Justice League), and it fills my heart with joy to see your eyes light up with wonder at the world around you. Whether it’s exploring the outdoors, learning new things at school, or playing with your friends, your enthusiasm is contagious.

As always, let’s recount the milestones;

Growth.

You are a lot more capable and daring than you were last year. From active participation in your swimming lessons to gaining some good mastery on your drawing skills. I am constantly impressed by the art work you churn out. Well done son, well done.

This year, you got finally got a room of your own, and watching you take care of your belongings makes my heart glow. It’s a testament to the fact that you’re watching me and learning incredibly fast.

Your cycling skill is a 100x better. Which brings me to my next point; you need a new bike.

It’s also beautiful to see you play big brother to your sister; Livy. I honestly admire the relationship you two share and I can only pray that the bond wax stronger.

Education

You are in year 2, and you are learning a lot. You are learning how to play the clarinet, how to draw better and master your strokes while in the swimming pool. For reasons best known to you, you decided to join the cultural group in school. It fills my heart with so much joy each time I see you play the talking drum.

I like that you can now blend with other kids, express yourself and your interpersonal relationship skills are a lot better. I like that you’re super observant and you don’t shy away from subjects that are beyond your comprehension.

Boy, you ask a LOOOOT of questions. You question everything. You favourite word is WHY? You are always tinkering with things and always questioning the WHY behind them. I really love that about you. And unbeknownst to you, you challenge me too to ask WHY?

This year, you won the 3rd all round best for your class and level. This is a major improvement from winning best in a particular subject. Congratulations. But before you get carried away, I want you to aim for ALL ROUND BEST student for your class and level. You can do it. You just need to apply yourself.

Health.

God has been faithful. You have enjoyed sound health all year round, aside a few cold here and there and needle pricks, you have been doing super well healthwise.

Spiritual growth.

I like that you love the church and everything that concerns God. I like how you lead our daily devotion on our morning drive to school. You have been an incredible role model to your sister. It’s always amusing to watch both of you argue out who should pray first. I really love that.

My prayer is that God grants me wisdom to continue to lead you down this path.

Lee, a ton has been written about child care and honestly, I am still figuring out parenting. Your mum and I will keep doing what we can to raise and your sister right. We will provide you both with all the opportunities to be the best versions of yourselves. Hello there

Closing

I have spent a few years on this place called earth, I will try and share with you what I have learned during this time:

Work hard. There is absolutely no substitute for this. While there is such a thing as luck, but the harder you work, the luckier you will get. Put in the work.
God. Keep God at the centre of all you do. It’s impossible to go through life without God.
Relationship. This is one of life’s best gifts to us. Keep and maintain a healthy relationship with people. And when you get into one, don’t abuse it. Don’t take undue advantage of it. Seek to contribute more than you take. Don’t become a parasite.
Fairness and Equity. Treat people first as humans, irrespective of their social standing. Be fair and just in all your dealings. Do unto them, what you will like to be done to you. I can’t stress this enough, respect everyone.
Mistakes. There will always be mistakes. You will make them, consciously and unconsciously. But when you make them, learn from the experience and move on. Don’t dwell too much on it. Never accept a pity party. NEVER.
Peer pressure. We will do our best to show you the right way, don’t deviate from it. Don’t let anyone make you do what you know doesn’t align with your values as a person. Be your own man.
Finances. Keep an eye on your finances. Always SAVE. You will always need it.
Emotions. Watch your temperament. I haven’t done much of a great job here myself, but thanks to your mum, I am learning a lot from her. When you get angry, watch what you say. Never let anger get the best of you. There are always consequences when you can’t put your emotions in check.
Passion. Follow your passion, this will be your one true source of happiness.

As you blow out the candles on your cake this year, know that each flame represents a wish for your happiness, health, and success in the years to come. May your journey be filled with laughter, love, and all the dreams your heart desires.

Thank you for being the incredible, unique, and utterly lovable individual you are, Lee. You have brought immeasurable joy to our lives, and I feel privileged to be your parent. I look forward to watching you grow, learn, and achieve great things in the years ahead.

Happy 7th birthday, my darling Lee. Here’s to another year of adventure, growth, and countless precious moments together.

With all my love, dad

Livy at 3.

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 06:30:00 +0000

Dear Livy,

By the time you read this and can make good sense of it, I imagine you will be at least 8 years old. Every year, I try to write to you on your birthday, and on today wouldn’t be an exception. First and foremost, Happy birthday and welcome to age 3. How does it feel?

Girl, I love you with every fibre of my being. I count it a privilege to be your father and most importantly, I am glad I have a court side seat in your life.

So, what has the last 1 year been like? Let’s talk about age two to 3.

Growth.

First, you completed your immunisation shots. Congratulation, we now wait for the last and final one that will come at age 9. We moved to a new home. You now have a room to yourself, albeit, it will be easier to get a camel through the eye of a needle than to get you to sleep in that room and we finally wrapped up potty training. This means, you don’t get to use diapers again during the day, you only use it at night. Let’s hope by age 4, you will do away with diapers completely.

Your nutrition changed too; as the African girl that you are, you now demolish garri ye Afang effortlessly. Your dentition are strong enough to cut into meat and girl, you really like chicken. You have outgrown all your onesies. All of them. Your shoe size is different and you wear pop socks almost on a daily basis. Oh, you don’t need a bib now when you eat.

You can now speak properly and I really like that because we can now have beautiful conversations. Your gait is stronger now to the point where you stomp on the stairs when you walk. You enjoy cycling and scooting too. And your stuttering is beautiful!!!!.

Education

September, you got enrolled in pre-school and girl, was I nervous on your first day? I was worried how you will fair, but to my greatest surprise, you blended in quite well and quickly. This is the part of your life that gives me the greatest joy. You went from a blank slate to recognizing and reading alphabets, differentiating shapes and colour, but most importantly, writing. You can write down the alphabets and numbers from 1 through 30. This, my darling, is amazing. We still need to work on your pencil grip though.

I like that you can now blend with other kids, express yourself and you’re learning interpersonal relationship. Until recently, I always thought your best friend, Detola was a girl. Don’t blame me, parental instinct.

The flip side of schooling is that we don’t have a clean wall again. Every wall is a canvas and a white board. You draw, paint and scribble with reckless abandon. I am not mad, but what would be cool is still allowing dad enjoy a pristine wall for a few more months.

A few weeks ago, I watched you take part in your first school play. Watching you and your brother on that stage doing your thing has been my highlight of the year thus far. Proud daddy moments.

Health.

One night In February/March of last year, we went to bed like every other night, but by 10PM, you experienced your first sign of distress. Your mum tried rocking you to sleep, but nothing worked. Frankly, I thought you were just being mischievous, but by 6AM it was clear you needed medical attention. We tried out 3 different hospitals that day and finally got recommended a good one around 8PM. The trip between the 3rd and 4th hospital is one that has been etched into my memory and will remain there forever. Seeing you in that ambulance with oxygen and drip broke me. Until that day, the last time I cried that hard was when your maternal great grand mum was being laid to rest.

From that night, we spent the next 8 - 9 months in and out of the hospitals. We spent as much as 2 weeks in some months and even more in other months. Grateful to all the medical professionals that attended to you, grateful to the Ntui’s, Obi’s, your uncles and aunties for all their love, prayer and care. Age 2 was one rough year, but glad you’re still here with us.

Spiritual growth.

I like that at an early age, you like to pray. You pray for any and everything. I like how you pray before meal time. I like how you pray on our way to school and before you eat your snacks. I like the fact that you enjoy bible bed time stories and you enjoy Sunday school too. I also like that you’re learning classic bible stories at an early age. Your favourite seems to be the story of Abraham sacrificing his only son, Isaac.

A ton has been written about child care and raising a child, while those materials are good, there are no silver bullets to these things. I guess what I am trying to say is that there is no template for raising a child. Your mum and I will hack this as we go along. We will make mistakes, but I promise you, we will course correct immediately.

I have spent a few years on this place called earth, I will try and share with you what I have learned during this time:

Work hard. There is absolutely no substitute for this. While there is such a thing as luck, but the harder you work, the luckier you will get. Put in the work.
God. Keep God at the centre of all you do. It’s impossible to go through life without God.
Relationship. This is one of life’s best gifts to us. Keep and maintain a healthy relationship with people. And when you get into one, don’t abuse it. Don’t take undue advantage of it. Seek to contribute more than you take. Don’t become a parasite.
Fairness and Equity. Treat people first as humans, irrespective of their social standing. Be fair and just in all your dealings. Do unto them, what you will like to be done to you. I can’t stress this enough, respect everyone.
Mistakes. There will always be mistakes. You will make them, consciously and unconsciously. But when you make them, learn from the experience and move on. Don’t dwell too much on it. Never accept a pity party. NEVER.
Peer pressure. We will do our best to show you the right way, don’t deviate from it. Don’t let anyone make you do what you know doesn’t align with your values as a person. Be your own man.
Finances. Keep an eye on your finances. Always SAVE. You will always need it.
Emotions. Watch your temperament. I haven’t done much of a great job here myself, but thanks to your mum, I am learning a lot from her. When you get angry, watch what you say. Never let anger get the best of you. There are always consequences when you can’t put your emotions in check.
Passion. Follow your passion, this will be your one true source of happiness.

Livy, you know I love and I don’t have any plans of stopping. You’re an amazing girl, your smile is infectious and I am incredibly proud of the little lady that you’re becoming. As you grow older, I want you to learn a few things;

Until next year, happy birthday, darling.

Love, dad.

This Is Klump

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 22:30:00 +0000

I mentioned a while ago that I was going into early retirement so that I could spend the rest of my life with my family, “Baby boying” on Nneka’s budget, but she shut me down, saying, “Not on my watch! Get off your behind and do something useful with yourself.”

Okay, she didn’t exactly say that, but you get the idea. My long-term goal, however, is to retire early and become a full-time househusband. Wish me luck!

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s get to the meat of this post.

For the longest time, I would typically write about my professional journey, sharing my experiences when I left a company and when I joined a new one. But after my last company, Paystack, I broke with tradition.

I ended up taking a self-imposed sabbatical once I left Paystack. It was also much-needed. I couldn’t remember a time when I had an extended period of time to myself to eat, watch movies, sleep, and do something unrelated to work and this was a much-needed break. During that time, I did some soul-searching: what do I want to do with the rest of my life? What do I like to do? What is the next step in my career? I started journaling my ideas and matching them to my strengths. It was clear that I still enjoyed developing software, leading engineering teams and building products, and getting my hands dirty with code.This was really all I wanted to do.

The more I thought about it, the more I learned and the more I saw the demand in the market; there was and still is a dearth of strong technical talent. Every strong talent I knew was leaving the country to work for other companies, leaving a void in the market with founders struggling to build and ship products. With this in mind, I decided to start Alta Labs, a technology consulting firm.

I had spent the last 3 years breathing, sleeping, talking, and dreaming about Alta Labs and nothing else. It was no surprise that the company consumed my every waking moment. Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I’m an “all-in” kind of guy; there’s no middle ground for me and I’ve had the best time managing a small but driven group of young individuals who wanted to make a difference in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.

I’m proud to say we’ve been able to help a few founders ship products, we contributed to product teams and founders gaining clarity on their ideas and product roadmap, and through training and hiring scaled the engineering organization of quite a few companies. And we’ve loved every minute of it.

Unfortunately, every good thing must come to an end and this is no exception. The Alta Labs journey has reached its end, and it’s a bittersweet moment for me and the team. The exhilarating feeling of seeing your creation in the wild, the frustration when things didn’t go as planned, and that last-minute adrenaline rush you get as you’re about to ship is something I will always cherish. Alta Labs reshaped me and helped me grow faster than I ever imagined. For me, the last 3 years became a period of learning. That opportunity allowed me to wear many hats; not only was I a technological leader, but I also had to learn how to become a business leader, and I will be forever grateful for that experience. We had a great time, made mistakes, and learned from them. I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone who put their faith in us and to those who were there when I needed counsel, thank you!

What Next?

I am beginning a new journey with my co-founder Olufunbi Falayi, a journey that is a culmination of the last 11 years of my life. It’s beautiful and terrifying and it’s in an industry that I’m passionate about. Today, I’m the co-founder, CEO and CTO of Klump along side my co-founder, ‘Funbi who is our COO and CPO.

What is Klump?

Klump is a Buy Now, Pay Later technology company with the mission to enhance the online and in-store checkout experience for customers by providing flexible payments on your purchases. Klump’s initial focus is on marketplaces with higher-margin, discretionary-spend categories, such as apparel and footwear, fitness, accessories, and beauty. Klump will also focus on the education, travels and healthcare industry verticals.

So, Why Klump?

We had gone to bed like any other night in March of last year. Livy became restless by 11 p.m. or so. We did everything to soothe her, from singing to dancing, but nothing helped. She was gasping by 5 a.m., and it was clear that she required medical attention immediately. That day, we visited four different hospitals before finding a pediatric centre that could treat her. All of this occurred between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. On the way to the last hospital, I watched as my baby was strapped to a stretcher with a drip in one hand and oxygen to breathe well. That sight broke me. A billion thoughts ran through my head. She’s still with us, still standing, still my gorgeous little princess, after 8 months of in and out hospital visits. God, I LOVE THIS GIRL.

Why am I telling you all this? Our health insurance had run out on the day she needed it the most, and I was out of money. I’m not referring to the type of ‘broke’ where you have some money but no cash in your utility account. I mean, I was completely drained. To put things in perspective, one of the hospitals required a Covid-19 test before admitting her, but I couldn’t afford the N35,000 ($60) test charge. That was how bad it was. That evening, I had to call her uncle, who came to my rescue.

What does this have to do with Klump? Klump, though not starting with healthcare(but we will eventually cover this sector), is a company near and dear to me, if a service like Klump had existed that allowed me to pay Livy’s medical expenses over time, it would have been a God-send. I would have used their service without hesitation. Hundreds more parents, like me, will be able to pay for our family’s medical insurance without having to put a 100 per cent down payment. Klump will only require a 25% down payment and will let you spread the remaining 75% over three months. In addition to medical insurance, Klump will allow parents to pay for their children’s education in instalments.

Livy was able to receive medical care because I contacted Reliance HMO, asked them to activate our account, and assured them that I would pay them at a later date. They did and turned on our plan solely on my words. I had never met the company’s founders, and they had never met me, but they had been serving my family for the past 3 years. Dr Femi, Ope and Mayaki, my God will bless you all and the entire crew.

Klump is special to me. I know it’s cliche to hear founders talk about how they started companies to solve their own problems, while this sounds exactly like my case, it’s much more. My hope is that no other parent will have to go through what I went through that day. I don’t wish that on anyone and I am trying to avoid that with Klump.

Our goal at Klump is simple:

1) Build a strong culture that we(my colleagues, myself and our shareholders) all will be proud of.

2) Excellent product that delights the end-user

3) Customer obsession

4) A fun work environment

And generally try to have fun while at it.

So if I haven’t replied to your email or returned your call, I apologize. I am going to get to them now. The last few weeks have been crazy.

This is new territory to me, my co-founder and a lot of our team members. We don’t pretend to know everything, but one thing is certain, we will do our very best to provide best-in-class service.

This is by no means an easy task. There will be many good days and many bad days, but our hope is that we will have more good days than bad days.

Thank you and God bless,

Selah.

Livy at 2.

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Hey sweetheart,

Happy birthday first and foremost. You are now a full-blown 2 years old and I will stop counting your age in months. It’s been a whole year since I last wrote to you. So let’s do a quick recap of what has happened in the last year.

A global pandemic.

As we all waited with bated breath and watched the clock tick away, we all had our eyes glued on our different screens, 11:59 PM couldn’t come any faster, then suddenly, it was midnight and a brand new day. Not just a new day, it was the beginning of a new year, new opportunities and an opportunity to start again, this time, on a clean slate.

When we screamed “Happy New Year” at the top of our lungs, no one had a clue that 2020 wouldn’t be a typical year. The soothsayers, the “futurist” and “experts” missed this one by a long shot. The world was struck with plague; a once in a lifetime kind of problem. Hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives and millions lost their jobs. It was sad. The euphoria of the fireworks and happy cheers was quickly awash with fear, anxiety and uncertainty.

Life, as we knew it, changed forever. The whole world was shut down — churches and other places of worship, markets only stocked essentials and were allowed on some days, airports(global travel and tourism grounded to a halt), schools, offices, everything. It was almost as if someone pressed pause and we were all frozen in time — while scientists raced to find a cure for this strange ailment. Thankfully, through the miracle of science, we have a couple of vaccine that are currently being administered and the world is gradually opening up.

Development and Milestones

When you started walking and getting up and down the stairs, I was super worried. Your gait wasn’t strong enough, you walked everywhere while you crawled on the stairs. Today, the story is different, you don’t just walk up and down the stairs without any support, you match through the stairs. I am no longer worried like I used to. Girl, you have come a long way.

Thanks to your big brother, you have taken a huge liking to cartoons. Your favourite today is Peppa Pig. The soundtrack of this cartoon will wake you from a deep sleep. When you sit to watch this thing, nothing else matters. Your attention and focus are like a laser beam.

Your diaper size has also changed. You now wear size 5. A remarkable difference from size 4. Your clothes from last year don’t fit again. I have long converted your dresses to tops. Aunty Lola said it’s a dress, not a gown. Be patient with me, I am learning these things.

The hair on the back of your head finally connected. I think we have shea butter to thank here. A long way from the Afro I want it to grow into, but a lot better from where we were last year.

You can now eat regular adult meals with ease, consequently, this has had a dramatic effect on your human waste.

Health

So, this hasn’t been a great year. To put things in context, you have done more hospital trips/admission in the last 3 months than all of the previous 21 months put together. It’s been a rough one, but we give God the glory.

Your last immunization is in a few days and we will say goodbye to immunization till age 9.

Education.

Thanks to your brother, you have taken a special interest in spelling, even though you can barely pronounce the alphabet. You can read from one through five and you have no idea how my heart flutters every time I watch you do these things. I have caught myself a few times smiling way too hard.

You are learning nursery rhymes quite well too, even though you can barely say the words. You hum the rhymes quite well and I love it.

And girl, you’re quite the artist. When you hold a crayon, you come alive. Nothing in sight is spared, you are like a bulldozer, colouring everything on your path. And you have a nice grip on the pencil. All that’s left now is for me to look for your MIT and Stanford University fees.

Speaking of fees, I was at your brother’s school the other day to gather information about your admission. Girl, I don’t think I have recovered from that experience. I think I am in the wrong career because that fee is something. What do they teach again in pre-school? Anyways, we will figure something.

Livy, you’re growing into this fine, smart and graceful young woman and I count it a privilege to guide you through life. I sincerely admire your bravery. Nothing scares you and I pray you don’t lose this spirit.

I usually leave your brother with a few words. Call it a guiding principle and today, I will share those same words with you.

Work hard. There is no substitute for this. While there is such a thing as luck, but the harder you work, the luckier you will get. Put in the work.
God. Keep God at the centre of all you do. It’s impossible to go through life without God.
Relationship. This is one of life’s best gifts to us. Keep and maintain a healthy relationship with people. And when you get into one, don’t abuse it. Don’t take undue advantage of it. Seek to contribute more than you take. Don’t become a parasite.
Fairness and Equity. Treat people first as humans, irrespective of their social standing. Be fair and just in all your dealings. Do unto them, what you will like to be done to you. I can’t stress this enough, respect everyone.
Mistakes. There will always be mistakes. You will make them, consciously and unconsciously. But when you make them, learn from the experience and move on. Don’t dwell too much on it. Never accept a pity party. NEVER.
Peer pressure. We will do our best to show you the right way, don’t deviate from it. Don’t let anyone make you do what you know doesn’t align with your values as a person. Be your own woman.
Finances. Keep an eye on your finances. Always SAVE. You will always need it.
Emotions. Watch your temperament. I haven’t done much of a great job here myself, but thanks to your mum, I am learning a lot from her. When you get angry, watch what you say. Never let anger get the best of you. There are always consequences when you can’t put your emotions in check.
Passion. Follow your passion, this will be your one true source of happiness.

Happy birthday Livy, live long and fulfil your purpose.

Love always, Dad.

Social media is a lie, but you already know this.

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 20:00:00 +0000

Social media is an illusion, I bet I don’t have to tell you that. You either already know about this or must have seen it play out in more than one way. It’s the one place where humans can shape other people’s perception of their realities. People let you see what they want you to see and lockout the not so pretty side.

Ever wondered why everyone on Instagram and Tik Tok seems to have a perfect life? From where they live to how they dress, dine, how they vacation and what they wear. It’s all curated and humans will let you in on only the things they want you in on — and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Last week Tuesday, like every other night, I tucked in Lee and Livy and said their evening devotion and all was well until it wasn’t. A few hours later, Livy threw up(nothing surprising here as kids throw up all the time), we cleaned her up, try to put her back to sleep and things went South from there.

She started from a minor cry, then restlessness set in and no one could sleep again. We tried everything; take off her clothes, shower her, try to feed her again in case she was hungry, but nothing seems to work. By daybreak, it was obvious we needed to seek medical help. Got to the first hospital, and they didn’t have a nebuliser. The second hospital is a relatively new place and their processes are all over the place — teething issue, I guess.

We then decided to do the long 1hr+ drive to Victoria Island. Thankfully, when we got there, she got started with a nebuliser and drip. A few hours later, it was obvious she needed Oxygen as she was gasping. Blood samples collected and the test was conducted. While this was on-going, the hospital informed us that she was going to be admitted, to be honest, we saw this coming and had mentally prepared for it. But before any admission can happen, she needed a Covid 19 test. In my head, I am thinking “a 19 months old and a Covid test?” But this is hospital policy and there isn’t much we could do about it.

When the results for the blood tests were out, it turned out, we needed a proper paediatric hospital with ICU. In the midst of this, I had training to conduct and a school pick up.

Then came the transfer to the 4th and final hospital. I watched as my baby was hurled into the back of an ambulance, still under Oxygen and drip. The whole experience felt like a dream. 24hours ago, I had a daughter that was running around, jumping, screaming and just generally being a happy baby. 24hrs later, I watched as she was being taken to ICU. I honestly couldn’t hold back the tears.

Got to the last hospital and another round of test was conducted, this time around, we had to do an Xray. Results came back, she had pneumonia, bronchopneumonia and foreign bodies in her lungs.

Then we started another round of treatment. Six days, later, we are back home. But here’s an interesting thing. Apart from family, very few persons knew about this. If you followed only my Tweets and Facebook status, you probably would think I was having the most amazing time of my life those 6 days.

Don’t feel bad when you think the other person is living a far better life than you are just because of their social media feed. Everyone is struggling one way the other. Humans just let you see the part they want public.

On Faith - What I learnt from my son.

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 14:00:00 +0000

One of the things I enjoy most is picking Lee from school. I love the 10 minutes conversation that ensues on our drive back home. I love it.

It’s an opportunity to get to learn about his day; who fell on the playground, who didn’t wear their masks or face shield properly, or who was generally naughty in class.

As I drive, I try to turn around to watch him speak. He speaks with so much enthusiasm and honesty. His eyes grow wide and his smile would swallow a banana. The best part, he loves showing off his daily reward from performing well in class; a sticker. He gets one of these daily.

Last Friday, I was late for pick up, this wasn’t a usual thing. When he saw me, his eyes widen and he let out a big smile. Then he walked close to me, hugged me and said “you came.” I think I had a teary eye. Yes, I answered. And then I told him, “I will always come get you.”

Even though I was late, Lee had faith and believed that I will come get him. It didn’t matter if I showed up too late or too early, bottom line was that I was going to come. That was his belief and he held firm to it.

As Christians, that waiting period between asking God, hearing His promises and its physical manifestation can seem like eternity. To be honest, it will get anyone anxious.

For a few weeks/months now, I have been dealing with a private issue. I have asked God to step in, I have seen His promise and assurance from His word and I believe it. But every so often, I can’t help but ask “when will this happen?”

But, through my son, I have come to trust God wholeheartedly on this issue. I am not worried about it again, because He has promised He will do it. My worrying wouldn’t change that fact. He’s given his words and He is too faithful to go back on His words.

As you begin your week, understand that God will do what He says He will. If I, an earthly father, can honour my words to my son, how much more our Father in heaven?

Hang in there, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Selah.

Happy Birthday King & Queen

Sat, 05 Dec 2020 13:00:00 +0000

Every year, I try to write a letter to Lee, this year, I am writing to Livy too. If you want to read the previous ones, here are the links 1, 2, 3.

The King is 4 and the Queen is 1.5. I can’t believe it’s been this long. The memories are still fresh, and it all feels like everything happened just yesterday.

Lee, I remember that Sunday morning when your mum went into labour, I still remember rushing to gather the box with the hospital content. Everything happened so fast. I had prayed it happened on a weekend. I honestly didn’t want to imagine what it will feel like driving a woman in labour through Lagos’s traffic.

Livy, you, on the other hand, your arrival was well planned. The doctors gave us a date and we practically “checked into” the hospital. Yours was a smooth one. I remember our(your brother and I) drive home that night after I had dropped off your mum at the hospital. I was stopped by the police, but thankfully, they let me go. I guess because they saw your brother at the backseat. We both got home and I could barely sleep that night. We rushed off the following the day at 6AM, but unfortunately, missed when the Doctors wheeled your mum into the theatre. Nonetheless, I was super excited when I saw you. It was love at first sight. You’re an amazing young woman, you’re a blessing.

Lee and Livy, being your parent is the single most important achievement of mine. Way more important than any other thing; academic, career, etc. I love the responsibility that comes with it. It’s a blessing.

You kids may not understand this, but having you in my life has made me a better man, I am more patient, more tolerant, more observant, I catch myself weighing all my options before making a decision these days and my reflexes have gone up 300%. More than you helping me become a better man, I am working hard on myself to become a better man too. It’s a journey and I don’t think there’s a destination to this particular journey, but I am excited about this. The one thing I owe you both more than anything is a good name.

Being your parent this past 5.5yrs cumulatively has been humbling. I now have renewed respect for your grandparents. How they managed/raised me and your uncles and aunts is still a feat in itself. Kudos to them.

The Last One Year

So, let me tell you both what the last year has been like. It’s been both beautiful and stressful, we got the opportunity of seeing the whole family; grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, the whole nine yards(man, you both come from a really large family).

Lee, you made it into a new class(reception), you lost your first class teacher, this wasn’t an easy one for all of us. She was an all-round good woman. Thank you, Mrs Ishua. God bless her soul and continue to strengthen her family.

Your speech is becoming a lot clearer, I particularly enjoy all the after school stories you tell me every single day; from who fell on the playground to what you ate and who you are building a strong bond with. I love the fact you’re building these bonds and making memories as you go. Most importantly, I love that you’re building your circle(tribe.)

Your handwriting is 100 times better than it was last year. You’re writing legibly now. You’re learning to spell pretty well too. And I can’t wait to get your emails. Lord knows I will print the first one and frame it. I honestly can’t wait. You can now ride your bicycle pretty well too. I’m still worried about taking off your training wheels, but let’s see, I will take them off this Christmas. And you love your scooter too. Man, it’s always beautiful watching you glide effortlessly on that two-wheelers. You get lost in the process momentarily and for a split second, it feels as though you’re in a different world. Man, the smile on your face when that happens always fills my heart. It’s worth its weight in gold.

Livy, you are now a big girl, breastmilk is out of the way now. But what’s more surprising is the fact that you weaned yourself with almost no help from anyone. By your 10th month, you were already walking. And today, your gait is so strong now I almost don’t have to worry about you stumbling. You’re always a delight to be with. Your smile, your laughter always fills my heart. On a few occasion, I must have teared up. And you’re growing up into a fine young lady. I am super proud of you and all your future accomplishment. I can’t wait to scream from the crowd when you’re giving your valedictory speech. I have a feeling I will be chased out of that crowd. Well, don’t blame the “African dad” in me.

2020

Lee & Livy, this has been an interesting year. One that I think the world hasn’t seen in a long while and one that we were not prepared for. It started like every other year and by March this year, things quickly went downhill. The world hasn’t recovered yet and I think it will take a while before it does. But one thing is certain, life, as we knew it will never be the same again. Ever. Depending on how you look at it, this might be a good or a bad thing. But through it all, we are grateful for God’s faithfulness.

This year has been challenging for us all, for me, it’s stretched me and pretty much uncovered a part of me I never knew existed. I have been stretched professionally, physically, tested my relationship with a couple of people, and yes, health-wise, it has stretched me too. There have been nights I went to bed and couldn’t close my eyes for 10min. For the nights that I could sleep well, I have been woken up to a not so nice dream more than once, covered in sweat, even though the room was pretty cold. Someday, I will sit you two down and we will talk about 2020.

This year too, I became intentional about my health after the Doctors told me I needed to make some personal adjustment. I have started walking and running as a form of exercising. I try to do about 5,000 steps daily, but my personal best so far is about 20,000 steps. I still have the blister scar.

The Road Ahead.

Lee, 4 is a big milestone and Livy, 1.5 is a big one too, you both are getting to know a lot about yourselves. Your traits are beginning to show forth. I can already see your personalities too. You both will do great things.

Finally, I will love to leave you both with these few life lessons, there are not different from what I said to you(Lee) last year;

Work hard. There is no substitute for this. While there is such a thing as luck, but the harder you work, the luckier you will get. Put in the work.

God. Keep God at the centre of all you do. It’s impossible to go through life without God.

Relationship. This is one of life’s best gifts to us. Keep and maintain a healthy relationship with people. And when you get into one, don’t abuse it. Don’t take undue advantage of it. Seek to contribute more than you take. Don’t become a parasite.

Fairness and Equity. Treat people first as humans, irrespective of their social standing. Be fair and just in all your dealings. Do unto them, what you will like to be done to you. I can’t stress this enough, respect everyone.

Mistakes. There will always be mistakes. You will make them, consciously and unconsciously. But when you make them, learn from the experience and move on. Don’t dwell too much on it. Never accept a pity party. NEVER.

Peer pressure. We will do our best to show you the right way, don’t deviate from it. Don’t let anyone make you do what you know doesn’t align with your values as a person. Be your own man.

Finances. Keep an eye on your finances. Always SAVE. You will always need it.

Emotions. Watch your temperament. I haven’t done much of a great job here myself, but thanks to your mum, I am learning a lot from her. When you get angry, watch what you say. Never let anger get the best of you. There are always consequences when you can’t put your emotions in check.

Passion. Follow your passion, this will be your one true source of happiness.

These last 5.5 years has been super amazing, I feel incredibly honoured to be called your father, you both make fatherhood fun and thank you for being amazing kids. I love you.

Happy birthday, King and Queen. Love, Dad.