Afise Mercy

Today is Nigeria’s Independence Day, but for many Nigerians the question remains: what exactly are we celebrating?

Hardship continues to increase. Millions still live in poverty, and poverty is not only about money. In the 21st century, many Nigerians still struggle to access reliable electricity, quality education, good roads, clean water, functional hospitals, and security.

Meanwhile, some public officials entrusted with serving the people send their children abroad to enjoy the quality of life, education, healthcare, and security that many Nigerians cannot access at home.

So I ask again: what exactly are we celebrating?

What does independence mean to a citizen who cannot afford three square meals a day? What does it mean when insecurity has become a daily reality and people continue to lose their lives, particularly in Benue State?

After decades of independence, we must honestly ask: what has fundamentally changed for the ordinary Nigerian?

Independence should mean more than a flag, speeches, and celebrations. It should mean dignity, opportunity, security, functional public services, and a better quality of life for the people.

We should celebrate Nigeria, but we must also have the courage to demand better for Nigerians.

Our independence must eventually translate into freedom from poverty, insecurity, poor governance, and the absence of basic necessities.

Happy Independence Day, Nigeria. 🇳🇬
May we build the Nigeria our people deserve.

Mercy Won 🏆 🥇 !!

HI LOVELIES… TODAY, I HAVE EVERY REASON TO SHOUT: GOD DID IT! 😭❤️🏆

Today marks one of the best days of my life on earth.

After almost three years of court battles, tears, sacrifices, uncertainty, and moments when I wondered how everything would end, I can finally say:

I WON. 🥹🏆❤️

Today, the court officially granted me custody of my two beautiful daughters.

But this victory is much bigger than a court judgment.

It is a victory for a mother who refused to give up on her children.

It is a victory for a woman who stood her ground when things became difficult.

It is a victory for every night I cried but still woke up the next morning and kept going.

Back in 2021, I went through an extremely difficult period trying to get my daughters back, including being directed to what turned out to be a fake NGO.

Then, in 2023, my ex-husband took me to court seeking custody of our daughters.

The case continued for almost three years.

During that period, despite everything that was happening, I continued to take responsibility for my children. I paid their school fees, feeding, clothing, medical expenses and other needs.

There were moments I was tired.

There were moments I questioned everything.

There were moments I could have given up.

But I didn't.

I stood my ground.

And I thank God for giving me the strength to keep fighting.

I also thank God for giving me a good lawyer who stood by me and defended my case diligently. 🙏❤️

And today…

THE COURT GRANTED ME CUSTODY.🥹🏆

The same situation that was meant to break me became part of my testimony.

What the enemy intended for evil, God turned around for my good.

😭😭😭

This experience has taught me something I will never forget:

A woman must build herself.

Get educated.

Get a job.

Build your business.

Learn a skill.

Have your own income.

Become financially independent.

Because when a woman has the means to stand on her own feet, she can make difficult decisions without being trapped by desperation.

And to every woman reading this:

Please don't lose yourself.

Build yourself so strongly that when life throws you into an unexpected battle, you have the courage, knowledge, resources and confidence to stand.

Be that educated woman.

Be that working-class woman.

Be that businesswoman.

Be that woman who knows her worth.

Be that woman who can say NO when something is wrong.

Be that woman who can walk away from nonsense.

And above everything else, put God first. 🙏

Because sometimes, when you think your story is ending, God is only preparing the greatest chapter.

Today, I am not celebrating because I defeated another person.

I am celebrating because after almost three years, I can finally breathe.

I am celebrating because my daughters are worth every fight.

I am celebrating because I did not give up.

I am celebrating because GOD ANSWERED ME.❤️

To every woman fighting a battle silently, please remember:

Your current situation is not the end of your story.

Keep going.

Keep praying.

Keep building yourself.

Keep believing.

One day, you will look back and say:

“God, now I understand why You didn't let me give up.”😭❤️

Today, I have only one thing to say:

MERCY WON! 🥇🏆😂❤️

And yes… GOD DID IT! 🙏😭❤️

.

📑 My Published Research Paper

I’m pleased to share my published research paper titled:

“Early Childhood Education and Long-Term Labour Market Outcomes in Nigeria.”

This study examines the relationship between early childhood education and later labour-market outcomes in Nigeria, highlighting the importance of investing in early education as part of long-term human capital development.

I encourage researchers, policymakers, educators, students, and everyone interested in education, economics, human capital development, and Nigeria’s labour market to take a look at the paper.

📖 I would love to hear your thoughts and perspectives.

Thank you for supporting my research journey. 🙏

Thank you, Google! 🙏 This is who I am!

I am gradually moving forward, growing, and making an impact—one step at a time. The journey may be gradual, but the progress is real. 🌱✨

I’m grateful for how far I’ve come and excited about where I’m going.

Thank you, God. 🙏❤️

A 4-Year-Old Child Cannot Protect Herself—We Must Do Better

Last Friday, I was at a police station and witnessed something that I am still struggling to comprehend.

A man in his 20s was accused of sexually abusing a 4-year-old child. What shocked me even more was hearing the suspect confirm what he had done.

I saw the little girl and her mother, and I kept asking myself: How does a mother process something this devastating?

I am not here to judge the mother’s emotions. People react to trauma differently, and poverty, shock, fear, or helplessness can affect how someone responds to such a situation.

But one thing is clear: children need adults who will protect them.

Parents—especially mothers and fathers—must take the safety of their children seriously. We must know who has access to our children, where they go, who they spend time with, and what happens around them.

A 4-year-old cannot protect herself. She depends entirely on the adults around her.

And when an adult sexually abuses a child, the response must be firm: protect the child, provide medical and psychological support, investigate properly, and ensure the perpetrator faces justice under the law.

We also need stronger awareness and support systems for parents, particularly vulnerable families, so poverty does not leave children exposed to abuse.

Our children deserve protection, not silence.
Our girls deserve safety, not excuses.
And perpetrators deserve justice, not protection.

Let us do better for the children who depend on us. 🧒🏽💔

Nigeria: Federalism or Dependency? 🇳🇬

Let’s have an honest conversation about fiscal federalism in Nigeria.

If Nigeria is truly practicing fiscal federalism, why do many states and local governments depend so heavily on monthly federal allocations to function?

Why should a government that is constitutionally responsible for delivering services to its people be unable to finance those responsibilities without waiting for allocations from Abuja?

And then we have the local government question.

Local governments are closest to the people, yet their financial and administrative autonomy remains one of the biggest governance debates in Nigeria.

How can we expect meaningful grassroots development when the government closest to the people has limited control over its resources?

Perhaps the bigger question is:

Are we practicing federalism in principle, but centralisation in practice?

A stronger federation should encourage states and local governments to:

• Develop sustainable internally generated revenue
• Build competitive local economies
• Control resources necessary for their responsibilities
• Be accountable directly to their citizens
• Compete through better policies, infrastructure and service delivery

Federal allocations should support development—not become the primary survival mechanism of subnational governments.

And this conversation should not stop at “more autonomy for the states.”

We should equally ask:

What about autonomy and financial accountability for local governments?

Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable grassroots development if the level of government closest to the people remains financially and administratively constrained.

So, what are we really operating—fiscal federalism, or a highly centralised federation?

I would genuinely like to hear different perspectives, especially from economists, public finance experts, policymakers and students of governance.

What should Nigeria change? 🇳🇬

Strangers can sometimes support your dreams more easily than people within your immediate circle. That’s why you must learn to network beyond your community, state, and even your country. 🌍

More importantly, build relationships with people who are ahead of you. Learn from their experiences, study the strategies they used to succeed, and position yourself to grow.

Your network can expose you to opportunities your environment may never provide.

Don’t limit your dreams to the people you already know. Expand your network, expand your knowledge, and expand your possibilities.
✨

My Sincere Apologies to His Excellency, Peter Obi

Sir, I sincerely apologize to you for the embarrassment you experienced in Benue State today.

What happened today is deeply painful and embarrassing for many of us who call Benue home.

Our youths, who should be the strength and future of our state, have unfortunately become vulnerable to manipulation because of poverty, unemployment, hunger, and hopelessness. Sadly, this appears to be one of the few times their value is recognized—when they are needed for political activities.

Our people are being killed in their homes and communities every day. The true number of casualties is far beyond the figures circulating on social media. At the same time, many of our young people are unemployed and struggling to survive.

Benue, once proudly known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” is today facing a devastating security and humanitarian crisis. Yet, instead of mobilizing our young people to protect their communities, create opportunities, and fight poverty and insecurity, we witnessed youths being mobilized to prevent you from visiting internally displaced persons (IDPs).

It is unfortunate that some young people willingly participated in such an embarrassing act. But beyond condemnation, we must ask ourselves: what has pushed our youths to this point?

Poverty makes people vulnerable. Unemployment creates desperation. Lack of education and opportunities can make young people susceptible to manipulation.

Sir, please pardon our youths. Many are poor, hungry, frustrated, and unfortunately vulnerable to political manipulation. What happened today does not represent the aspirations of every Benue youth.

Benue deserves better.

We deserve a government that prioritizes security, education, employment, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and human dignity. Our young people should be empowered to build the state—not used as instruments against one another.

The backwardness we see today is a painful reflection of years of misplaced priorities and poor leadership. Our state and its people deserve far more than what we are experiencing.

To His Excellency Peter Obi, please accept my sincere apology on behalf of those of us who believe Benue can and should do better.

May peace return to Benue.
May our people be safe in their homes.
May our youths find meaningful opportunities.
And may Benue rise again. 🙏🏽

Afise Mercy,
Women & Girl child empowerment Advocate.

Mr. Peter Obi