MOVE OVER, GENTLEMEN! THE FLAMINGOS HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY! 🏆🇳🇬

Well, well, well! Look who brought home the World Cup!

Nigeria's U-17 women's national football team, the Flamingos, have just made history, and I think we should give these girls the applause they deserve. On 7 November 2026, Nigeria defeated Japan 2–1 in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final, becoming the first African nation to win a women's FIFA World Cup title.

Now, that's something worth celebrating!

I didn't watch the final. In fact, I didn't even know they were playing.😕 That's how much attention I sometimes give women's football. I follow men's football much more closely, and I won't pretend otherwise. But seeing this achievement has made me realise just how much I might be missing.

The Flamingos did not simply turn up for a tournament and collect a trophy. They fought their way to the final, overcame some tough opponents and finished the job. After losing their opening match, they bounced back and went on to win six consecutive games. That's the kind of determination we love to see!

Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scored Nigeria's goals in the final. Japan managed to pull one back, but the Flamingos held their ground. Girls, you did that!

And although this victory belongs to Nigeria, I cannot help feeling that the whole continent has a reason to celebrate. You did it for yourselves, but you also gave African football another historic moment.

And speaking of African sporting moments, what on earth has 2026 been?!

We watched ten African countries compete at the men's FIFA World Cup, with nine progressing to the knockout stages. Cabo Verde made its first-ever appearance, Dora the Explorer reached the quarter-finals again, and Egypt made it to the Round of 16. In women's football, Cameroon lifted its first-ever WAFCON trophy in August, while Malawi made history by reaching its first final. And now Nigeria's Flamingos have added a FIFA World Cup trophy to the continent's achievements. I'm telling you, Africa has been busy! 🎉

But I also hope this victory encourages more people to pay attention to women's sports. These girls deserve sponsorships, proper investment, media coverage and supporters who follow their journeys long before they reach a World Cup final. We cannot keep waiting for historic victories before we remember that women's sports exist.

As for me, perhaps it's time to start paying more attention. And yes, I am saying this as a woman who somehow managed to miss the entire final. Haibo!

To the Flamingos, congratulations! You have made Nigeria proud, and you have given the rest of Africa another reason to celebrate. 2026 has been quite a year for this continent. And if this is what we're achieving now, I am genuinely excited about what 2027 has waiting for us.

Move over, gentlemen. The girls have something to say! ❤️🌍

© 2026 The Dreamer’s Pause. All rights reserved.

MISS GRAND INTERNATIONAL, WHERE IS THE MANAGEMENT?! YOUR FIRST RUNNER-UP IS AT THE AIRPORT FIGHTING FOR HER SUITCASES! 😭

I don't know whether to shout, get angry or personally request a meeting with whoever was responsible for this woman's travel arrangements. Because WHAT ON EARTH DID I JUST WATCH?!

A woman has just competed in an international beauty pageant, secured the first runner-up position, and instead of enjoying the excitement of her achievement, she's at an airport trying to figure out how she's getting her luggage home. Hello! Is this part of the competition package?!

I'm talking about Shyare Andrade, Ecuador's stunning representative at Miss Grand International 2026 in Thailand. First of all, that woman is BEAUTIFUL. Congratulations to her! But the airport footage? My goodness.

[Shyare Andrade~instagram account ] 

Imagine having to contact your management team while dealing with luggage fees, flight arrangements and payment complications. The reported additional luggage bill was around ฿50,000 (approximately R24,600). And to make matters even more uncomfortable, Shyare explained that she had to use part of her prize money towards the expenses.

YOUR PRIZE MONEY, MA'AM?! 🤨

Meanwhile, Thai supporters were stepping in to help her. People who came to support the competition were suddenly helping a first runner-up sort out her journey home. And I genuinely appreciate them. Those fans deserve their flowers because their kindness was something else.

But excuse me, where does the organisation come into all this?

Now, Shyare later clarified that her organisation had covered two checked bags and eventually assisted with the additional expenses. So I'm not going to pretend that nobody helped her. However, I still want to understand why these arrangements became such a headache in the first place. Are we sending contestants internationally with properly planned travel arrangements, or are we just hoping everything will somehow work itself out Because these women don't travel with one handbag and a toothbrush. They have gowns, shoes, accessories, personal belongings and all the other things that come with participating in an international pageant. Surely somebody should be thinking about these things BEFORE the contestant gets to the airport?

And imagine if those Thai supporters hadn't stepped in. What would have happened?

I am genuinely happy Shyare received support, but I don't want us to become so distracted by the kindness of strangers that we forget to question the people responsible for organising these trips.

To every pageant organisation preparing contestants for Miss Universe and other international competitions: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE get your arrangements in order.

We want to see these women collecting crowns, not calculating luggage fees at the airport!

May every contestant travel safely, enjoy her experience and return home without an unexpected financial episode at the departure gate. 😭

[Shyare Andrade~ Facebook account]

© 2026 The Dreamer’s Pause. All rights reserved.

NEVER ALLOW YOUR SON TO MARRY A WOMAN WHO CAN'T COOK!

WHAT IF I NEVER BECOME A WIFE BECAUSE I CAN'T COOK?

The uncomfortable reality of growing up in an African household where a woman's cooking abilities can determine whether she's considered marriage material.

I never thought I'd find myself questioning marriage because of something as ordinary as cooking. Yet here I am, almost 21, wondering whether I'll ever feel ready to become someone's wife. And no, it's not because I don't want love. It's because I've started associating marriage with expectations that I haven't even managed to escape in my own family home.

Growing up in an African household, there's an unspoken examination that girls are expected to pass. Can you cook? Can you clean? Can you wash clothes? Can you look after a household? And heaven forbid you don't know how to prepare certain meals. Suddenly, your future as a wife becomes a family discussion. You can be doing so many other things right, but not knowing how to cook seems to cancel out everything else. It's almost as if there's a marriage application somewhere, and the cooking section is compulsory. Unfortunately, I think I've been failing that section for years.

The thing is, I wasn't always someone who avoided the kitchen. I remember being younger and wanting to spend time with my mother while she cooked. I wanted to participate, observe and learn how she prepared different meals. I even remember one particular day when I brought a notebook and pencil into the kitchen because I thought writing down the instructions would help me remember the recipes. I wanted to document the process, almost like I was attending a cooking lesson. But instead of being encouraged, I was shouted at and told that a woman should use her brain to remember things. That was probably the last time I genuinely felt comfortable trying to learn alongside my mother. Something that could have been a lovely mother-daughter experience became something I still struggle to revisit. Even today, when she's in the kitchen, there are moments when I genuinely wish I could stand beside her and learn. But then I remember how those experiences usually end, and I retreat to my room. It's a strange feeling, wanting to learn something but dreading the environment in which you're expected to learn it.

And the comments haven't exactly made things easier. There's always something about how I don't spend enough time with my mother, how other girls are always helping their mothers, how I'll suffer when I eventually have my own home, and how I need to learn because I'm a woman. Sometimes I wonder whether anyone actually understands how much those comments have contributed to my relationship with cooking. I know I'm grown, and I cannot blame my mother for everything. I also recognise that I have responsibilities and need to improve. But I wish someone would understand that constantly making someone feel inadequate doesn't necessarily make them better at what they're struggling with.

Unfortunately, the judgement doesn't stay within the family. I remember my first job, where I was mopping the store floor and apparently doing it differently from how my colleagues expected. They started laughing and explaining to one another how I was doing it wrong. A customer who was buying food noticed the commotion, asked what was happening, and after hearing their explanation, looked at me and made a comment along the lines of, "Who's going to marry someone like her?" The ladies burst into even louder laughter. I remember walking to the storeroom trying so hard not to shed, because I was genuinely hurt. This was my first job, and I still had to return to the shop floor and behave professionally. What makes this story almost ridiculous is that I eventually became one of the employees praised for cleaning the store properly. But imagine having your marriage prospects questioned because of the way you mop a floor. Apparently, even the mop has a say in whether you'll get married!

Perhaps these experiences are why I've started looking at marriage differently. I think about the person I'll eventually be with, his family, their expectations and what happens when they discover that cooking isn't exactly my strongest ability. Will I be judged? Will I constantly hear comments about what I should know by now? Will I spend my marriage feeling like I'm being examined every time I enter the kitchen? And there's another uncomfortable reality: in some of the communities and families I know, a woman admitting that she doesn't enjoy cooking or household duties can attract some very interesting looks. It's almost a taboo. Meanwhile, not knowing how to cook is often treated quite differently when it's a man. But I don't want to make this about men. I'm talking about what I've personally experienced as a woman, and how deeply these expectations have affected me.

The truth is, I'm now seriously considering cooking classes. I want to learn how to prepare different meals, improve my skills and become someone who is comfortable in the kitchen. And I'll be honest: most of the reason is that I want to feel worthy of marriage. I want to enter that chapter of my life without constantly worrying that I'm missing one of the most important things expected of me as a wife. I know how that sounds, but it's genuinely where my mind has gone. Sometimes I even joke that marrying a chef would be the biggest blessing of my life. Imagine having a husband who knows his way around the kitchen! At least dinner wouldn't be another examination. But jokes aside, I am genuinely scared of marrying someone who recreates the same environment I've experienced at home. I don't think I could handle years of criticism in my own matrimonial home after growing up with it already.

I still don't know whether I'll ever look at marriage the way I used to or ever get... I want to believe that I can become a wife without feeling that I have to prove myself every single day. I want to become a better cook, but I also wish cooking hadn't become such an emotionally difficult subject for me. Perhaps someone reading this will think I'm making a big deal out of something so simple. After all, it's just cooking. But sometimes the things people repeatedly say to you become the very things you start believing about yourself. And that's what hurts.

© 2026 The Dreamer’s Pause. All rights reserved.

YOU CAN'T EAT A CAMPAIGN HAMPER: NIGERIA, ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO VOTE FOR THIS AGAIN?

Dear Nigerians,

Let me ask you something. After everything Nigeria has experienced, everything its citizens have complained about and everything ordinary people have had to endure, are you genuinely considering giving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu another four years?

Because 2027 is approaching, and Nigerians will once again have the responsibility of deciding who gets to lead their country. On 16 January 2027, voters will head to the polls for the presidential and National Assembly elections, with governorship and State Assembly elections following on 6 February. And this time, the decision deserves more than political excitement, party loyalty and the usual arguments about whose turn it is to occupy the presidential seat.

[INEC – Correct Thumbprinting of Ballot Paper⁠. ]

There are 19 presidential candidates on INEC's updated list, including Tinubu of the APC, Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, Peter Obi of the NDC, Omoyele Sowore of the AAC and Sandy Ojang Onor of the PDP, among others. In other words, Nigerians have choices to consider. But what concerns me is not simply who is contesting. It is how some people are deciding who deserves their vote in the first place.

I've been watching street interviews circulating on social media, where Nigerians are asked who they intend to vote for and why. And some of the answers genuinely leave me wondering whether we are choosing someone to govern a country or selecting a family representative for a traditional wedding. "Bola Tinubu. He's Yoruba, just like me." "He's my brother. I have to support him."

Really? That's the qualification? Not his leadership, not his policies, not his performance or what he has achieved for the country. Just the fact that you share the same tribe?

Nigeria, are we serious?

[Unknown]

 Yes, representation matters. But surely, being from the same ethnic group cannot be the only qualification you need when deciding who should govern millions of people. Your tribesman can still make poor decisions. Your brother can still disappoint you. And somebody from a different ethnic group might actually have better ideas for the country. A president is elected to serve an entire nation. Your shared ethnicity with a politician will not automatically pay your electricity bill, put food on your table, create employment for your children or protect your family from kidnappers. And this is one of the things I find particularly dangerous about African politics. We sometimes become so invested in seeing someone from our own ethnic group succeed politically that we forget to ask whether the country itself is succeeding.

You celebrate their victory, defend them online, wear their faces on your shirts and argue with anybody who questions them. But when ordinary citizens start complaining about the economy, unemployment and insecurity, suddenly everybody has something to say. What exactly are you celebrating if your own life and the lives of people around you are not improving?

Let's talk about the economy.

[Unknown]

People are struggling with food prices, petrol, rent, transport, electricity and the everyday expenses of running a household. People are working but still struggling to make ends meet. Young people are searching for employment, businesses are dealing with difficult operating conditions and families are constantly having to reconsider what they can afford. And whenever these concerns are raised, there is always someone ready to defend the government.

"Tinubu is doing a lot of good things behind the scenes."

Behind what scenes?

At this point, I would genuinely like to know when ordinary Nigerians are getting an invitation to watch this wonderful production. Because if all these impressive things are happening underground, when exactly are citizens going to experience the results above ground? There is a saying that you reap what you sow. If good things are being planted, surely people should eventually see a harvest. You cannot keep telling hungry people that an excellent harvest is coming while they are standing in front of an empty cupboard. A president is not a content creator whose responsibility is to keep posting photographs, travelling internationally and releasing updates to convince people that everything is wonderful. Governing a country is not a social-media campaign. Citizens need more than speeches, promises and carefully arranged photographs.

They need results.

And while we are discussing people influencing political decisions, let's talk about celebrities and public figures.

I sometimes wonder whether some of the enthusiastic political endorsements we see are genuinely about believing in a candidate or whether there are financial and political benefits attached to that support. I am not accusing particular celebrities of receiving money or favours. I have no evidence to make such allegations. But I do think public figures should remember that their audiences are not all living the same lives. A celebrity might have access to private healthcare, comfortable accommodation, security and financial opportunities that ordinary citizens can only dream about. The people watching them might be struggling to afford groceries. So, before you use your platform to encourage millions of people to support a politician, perhaps consider the circumstances of the people who will have to live with the consequences.

Now, let's talk about healthcare, because this is where the conversation becomes particularly uncomfortable.

[Unknown ]

What do you mean someone is experiencing a medical emergency, is rushed to a hospital and is expected to produce money before receiving assistance? What do you mean somebody's life is at risk, but the first conversation is about a deposit?

This should not be normalised.

Nigeria's National Health Act of 2014 provides that emergency medical treatment must not be refused for any reason. Yet reports of patients being asked for deposits before receiving emergency treatment continue to raise serious concerns.

I recently came across the heartbreaking story of gospel singer Toluwanisings, whose real name was Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji. According to his personal assistant, after the singer suddenly slumped, efforts to get him medical attention took them to between seven and eight hospitals in Ibadan. Some reportedly cited doctors being unavailable or on strike, while others did not admit him. He died on 14 October 2026, leaving behind his wife and two children.

Think about that. Seven to eight hospitals.

A family is desperately trying to save someone's life, moving from one medical facility to another, looking for somewhere that can provide the necessary assistance. The full circumstances surrounding his death have not been independently established, but the account raises serious questions about emergency healthcare, hospital preparedness and the availability of medical professionals. To be fair, many medical professionals are also working under extremely difficult conditions. They need adequate facilities, equipment, supplies and support. But how many families must experience such desperation before healthcare becomes a genuine priority. People should not have to depend on luck when their lives are at stake.

And this brings me to another institution that should be protecting Nigerians: the police.

There are accounts of people going to report crimes and being asked to provide money for petrol before officers can respond. Imagine escaping a dangerous situation, making your way to a police station because you need protection, only to be told that you must contribute towards fuel before somebody can assist you.

I remember hearing about a woman who narrowly escaped sexual assault, went to report the incident and was allegedly asked for petrol money. In January 2026, Premium Times also reported allegations that police officers demanded ₦100,000 from the family of a 15-year-old rape victim before taking her statement. The officers were subsequently summoned for questioning following the complaint.

Imagine being a family member trying to get justice for a child who has experienced sexual violence, only to face an alleged financial demand at the police station. Where is the protection? Where is the compassion? And what about the kidnappings? Families are left desperately trying to raise millions in ransom money, negotiating with criminals and praying that their loved ones return home alive. Some families lose everything trying to secure the release of someone they love. These are not small inconveniences. These are people's lives.

There are also serious concerns about attacks affecting Christian communities. People should be able to practise their faith, attend their places of worship and go about their daily lives without fearing for their safety. I find it heartbreaking when the suffering of one community becomes a political argument rather than a reason for collective concern.

And while we are talking about accountability, what about freedom of expression?

There have been cases involving citizens facing arrest or criminal proceedings over social-media posts and criticism. The EFCC, for example, brought defamation-related charges against two university students over social-media posts before later withdrawing them. Of course, genuine crimes should be investigated. But citizens must be able to question public officials and institutions. Criticism should not automatically become something to fear. If people are increasingly worried about speaking openly about the conditions in their country, while those responsible for protecting them are not delivering the necessary results, then we have a serious problem.

And then we have the famous campaign hampers! Bags of rice, groceries and food packages suddenly appearing everywhere, with cameras ready to capture every generous moment.

[ Unknown ]

Let's be honest, many of these people know that a politician handing them groceries is not securing their future. They know that bag of rice won't change their circumstances. But when you're hungry, what are you going to do? You take the groceries because you need to eat. Some may even be willing to exchange their vote for a few days of food. And that's the sad part: a vote that should help shape the next four years is being traded for groceries that might not last four days.

Imagine if that same effort went into helping people become financially independent, so they could afford their own groceries without waiting for election season to arrive.

And speaking of political gifts, let's talk about the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and the announcement of vehicles for APC women leaders in five opposition-governed states: Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Osun and Oyo.

Cars? Wonderful.

But have we considered the roads those cars will be driving on? What about the infrastructure? What about communities that need better roads, functioning public services and basic facilities? Nigerians need more than political gestures and photographs. They need improvements that affect their everyday lives. A beautiful vehicle is lovely, but it would be even better to have roads that allow people to drive without constantly worrying about the condition of the infrastructure.

[Unknown]

And what about education, electricity, clean water and employment? These are not extravagant demands. They are basic requirements of a functioning society. Imagine a Nigeria where young people can finish their education and find meaningful employment. Where businesses can grow without constantly battling unreliable electricity and difficult operating conditions. Where public hospitals are properly equipped, schools are maintained and communities are safe. Imagine Nigerians living abroad genuinely wanting to return because there are opportunities waiting for them. Imagine people from other parts of the world looking at Nigeria and saying, "There are opportunities here. I want to establish a business, invest and build something."

That is the kind of Nigeria I would definitely love to see.

I would genuinely love to visit Nigeria. I see its culture, creativity, talented people, resources and enormous potential. I don't look at Nigeria and see a country without possibilities. I see a country that could be doing so much more. And that is precisely why I find some of these political conversations frustrating.

Why should a country with so much potential have so many people desperate to leave? Why should families constantly worry about their safety, healthcare and ability to afford basic necessities? Yes, every other African nations have their own problems. But that does not mean citizens should lower their expectations. A government should be judged by what it delivers, not simply by what it promises.

And I would love to see Nigerian leaders held to the same standards as the ordinary citizens they govern. Are the public schools good enough for the children of those making decisions about education? Are the public hospitals good enough for the families of those making decisions about healthcare? Would those closest to power willingly depend on the same public services ordinary Nigerians are expected to use?

These are perfectly reasonable questions.

You cannot expect citizens to be satisfied with public hospitals while those making decisions about healthcare have access to private medical facilities. You cannot tell young people to believe in the education system while public schools continue to struggle. Public services should be good enough for everybody.

As the 2027 elections approach, I hope Nigerians will look beyond party colours, ethnic identities, campaign posters and celebrity endorsements.

Ask yourself whether your family is better off with Bola Tinubu, whether your community is safer and moving in a direction that gives you hope.

Do not vote for President Tinubu simply because is from your tribe. Do not vote because the party or any other parties distributed groceries at a rally or promised your community a few vehicles. You are not choosing a brother to represent your family at a gathering.

I am expressing these concerns as one African to another. I want to see Nigeria succeed. I want to see its people prosper. I want to see a country where people can afford to live, where children have opportunities, where hospitals save lives and where citizens feel protected.

Nigeria deserves more than another round of promises.

And to every Nigerian preparing to vote, I have one final thing to say:

VOTE WISELY!

With concern, from one African to another.

— Lilo Phedra

Disclaimer: Images used on this blog are for illustrative purposes only and remain the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.

© 2026 The Dreamer’s Pause. All rights reserved.

WHO IS SO UNHAPPY WITH THE WAY GOD MADE FOOD THAT WE'RE NOW GROWING MEAT IN MACHINES?

I don't know whether to laugh or worry anymore. Honestly, what is happening to humanity? Every day somebody wakes up with a new idea, and somehow we are
expected to clap, celebrate and move on as though everything makes sense.

Now they are growing meat in machines. Yes, meat. The same meat we have been eating for generations. Apparently, ordinary farming is no longer enough. We must now take animal cells, put them in specialised machines, feed them nutrients and wait for them to multiply until we have something that can be processed and sold as meat.

WHO ASKED FOR THIS?

I am genuinely trying to understand why we are making life so complicated. I want my chicken. I want my beef, pork, goat and lamb. I want them traditionally raised, slaughtered and prepared. I don't want to have to explain why I prefer my meat to come from an actual animal rather than a manufacturing facility.

 In 2013, a Dutch scientist presented the first publicly unveiled laboratory-grown beef burger. Singapore became the first country to approve cultivated chicken for commercial sale in 2020, produced by an American company called GOOD Meat. The United States followed in 2023, after its own regulatory process. And the reasons? Apparently, they want to reduce animal slaughter, use less land and water, and reduce environmental damage. Now, I don't know about you, but I find some of these arguments rather interesting. We have land, we have water, we have farmers and we have animals. Why has the solution suddenly become manufacturing our food? Is everything now about saving resources, reducing costs and finding another way to commercialise something?

For me, this is starting to look less like innovation and more like an obsession with controlling production. What happens to the land? What happens to the farmers? Who owns these factories? Who benefits financially? And why must we automatically accept that this is a better future? Let animals be animals, please! Let chickens grow, let cows graze and let farmers do what farmers have been doing. Obviously, we need better farming practices. Animal cruelty is real, and I am not defending it. But we can address cruelty without turning our food into another industrial experiment. And speaking of animal cruelty, I already know some people are celebrating this development. Particularly some of the vegans and vegetarians who have spent years arguing with meat-eaters on social media. Now, before anyone misunderstands me, I respect people's dietary choices. You want to be vegan? Be vegan. You want to be vegetarian? That's your business. But some of you really need to learn to respect people who enjoy meat too!

We've seen the comments, the videos and the constant lectures whenever somebody posts a plate of chicken. Suddenly, everyone eating meat must explain themselves. Now that there's an alternative being developed, some people seem particularly pleased. But who said the rest of us were waiting for somebody to manufacture our chicken?

I love my protein, thank you very much!

Traditional meat provides protein, iron, zinc and vitamin B12. Protein helps build and repair muscles and body tissues, while these other nutrients support important functions in the body. Of course, there are other sources of protein, and eating a balanced diet matters. But there is nothing wrong with enjoying traditionally produced meat. What worries me is what happens when this industry grows. Today, cultivated meat is presented as another choice. But what if manufacturing becomes cheaper and traditional meat becomes increasingly expensive? What if ordinary families eventually buy these products simply because they cannot afford what they actually prefer?

And what about farmers? Large companies with expensive technology could eventually become serious competitors. We cannot ignore the possibility that small-scale farmers and traditional agricultural businesses could be affected. I also want to know what we actually know about the long-term effects of regularly consuming these products. They have undergone food-safety assessments, but that doesn't mean we have decades of evidence from people eating them throughout their lives. Consumers deserve clear information, not just marketing promises. I am not saying that every new technology is bad. I am saying that not everything needs to be reinvented. Sometimes, improving what we already have is enough. I want my future children, grandchildren and generations after them to enjoy traditional meals. I want them to have a choice. I don't want traditional food to become a luxury while manufactured alternatives become the cheaper option for ordinary people.

And to those making these decisions, whatever your intentions are, please understand that people have every right to question you. We are talking about what goes into our bodies. This is not a small conversation.

I LOVE MY MEAT. And I don't need a machine to convince me that it has found a better way to give me what I already have.

© 2026 The Dreamer’s Pause. All rights reserved.