Ifeanyichukwu Mbah

Day 2. Borno state, Maidugiri. Teaching the girls the basic arrangement of the chess pieces with a simple song.

And when the day comes when you finally get that medical degree, I’ll be right beside you as well🎉❤️

Fame is such a strange thing. One minute you're immersed in your quiet passion, then all of a sudden your face is out there and you really just can't put the genie back in the box anymore. You'll always be a recognizable face on the world's canvas for the rest of your life(Even when your 15 seconds of fame is over). And now you really can't go anywhere anymore without people walking up to you for a conversation, a selfie or even a shout out to someone they care about who would have given anything to see you as well. They call you by name and tell how they deeply admire who you have become. But sometimes you're flustered,to you, they're still strangers but they know intimate details of your life and pieces of your journey you've laid bare with a courage many lack, fearing judgement. The children love and look up to you because you have become a symbol worth emulating. A new role model for their parents to brag about. Even the grandmas and grandpas with their wisdom etched in time adore you because you found the courage to live above yourself and it pleases them to see a young person do the things they only discovered in the twilight of their lives, but you have purposefully found in the dawn of yours- Legacy. So they get to live vicariously through you again. The people's champ is afterall everything the people can't be. Now you're elevated on a pedestal but must remain grounded as you no longer have the grace to make difficult mistakes without getting the axe. Your misteps are no longer forgiven lightly and you quickly discover that the love is very fickle and the vitriol very swift. You're no longer the underdog. Fame is indeed strange. But perhaps it's not just fame, what you represent goes much deeper. It's influence, one that come with power to affect people's thoughts and actions in very profound ways. This influence is a gift and a responsibility to inspire change, foster hope and give us all something new to believe in. But you must pay the price for having such power. I hope you don't get famous, but if you do I hope you embrace the spotlight and never let it destroy you. I hope you find ways to wield the power it bestows to illuminate the path for others. This is the path I have chosen, and it is perhaps the only way Fame gives meaning to my life. Tunde Onakoya

Yesterday, I flew with @flyairpeace from London to Lagos. As I was making my way down the aisle to economy, the pilot, Captain Nwando, spotted me and insisted on upgrading me to first class. For the first time , I slept comfortably on a flight and the service was excellent!