Happy Birthday, Koye

Mrs. Ko and the gang. No bonus points for spotting me.

I did not feel like writing a post for this birthday, but I have written one every year for six years and I like the idea of starting my own traditions, so I had to.

I don’t take it for granted that I am marking another birthday today. I am grateful for life and the many opportunities I have had to learn and grow in the past year. I am also grateful that I am blessed with Busola, loving friends, and family. The past year has been incredible! I am grateful to be living many of my long-held dreams and excited to be charging ahead with new ambitions.

I am especially grateful for the life I have. There is no way I could have imagined as a young child that I would have this life and these opportunities someday. And I'm just getting started. I will always be thankful for my parents, their vision, and their unrelenting belief in our potential. (“Our”, because I’ve got two amazing siblings!) I am also thankful for my friends. Like KO recently said to me, “it takes a village”. I’m grateful for my ‘village’. Thank you.

Part of our village. Missing a few babies and their Mamas...

We are that we are.

When people text me to say I inspire them, it leaves me feeling weird. I feel privileged that I can inspire some young Nigerians to reach for more just by living my life and sharing parts of my story. It also leaves me feeling pressured sometimes, like I should be reaching for even more myself. Thankfully, my year at INSEAD has taught me to think bigger than I have previously.

There is a lot to look forward to. This year resembles my final year in OAU in more ways than one. That year, like now, I stood at the cusp of a new phase, anxious to see how things would work out and whether my plans would come together. They did, and nicely so; God came through. Now, like then, I forge ahead, singing “My heart will trust”.

As always, my thoughts are with the good people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the wars that followed. May their families be comforted.

I’ll wrap up with some pictures from the year and my longstanding commitment: to live, to execute the ambitious plans I make so well, to help others rise above their limitations and achieve their potential, and to step out in faith.

Happy birthday, Koye.

First of my name

Finally went to a Jay Z concert. On The Run II in Paris. Screamed my lungs out!

Dreaaaaaaaaams come true, they do; dreeeeaaaams come true!

Fontainebleau. Berlin. Vienna. San Francisco.
My photography got so much better this year, and I am grateful to have seen many new places.

I really, really, really, like this one! It's one of my first good long exposures...

Wanted to visit the Stanford Memorial Church since I read about it in When Breath Becomes Air.
Went back a few days after this picture and spent a few hours in stillness and silence.

Disturbing Paris with Busola

The gorgeous St. Peter's Cathedral in Vienna

Some of my favorite 17/18 books...

Some of my favorite 17/18 books...