Adanma (@Adanma_N) profile picture
Nigeria
Joined August 2010
Photo by Adanma (@Adanma_N)
My parents died suddenly in a car accident 25 years ago this year. I was 21, and became a guardian for my little brother and sister (10 and 12 at the time). I've spoken about the accident and its impact on a couple of podcasts, but it's fresh on my mind as my brother just shared with me a handwritten letter I sent to him at his school. He's kept it with him ever since. I've transcribed it below; he told me last night that it's helped him many times over the past two decades. Sharing it here in case what I said back then in an attempt to help a little lost boy is of assistance to anyone else. 23 July 2002 To Harry, From Freddie. 1. Don't panic. 2. You have many people watching your back. I am one of them and I am watching it very closely. 3. The accident was nobody's fault. Therefore we cannot legitimately blame anyone for it. We call it an accident for this reason. 4. We cannot bring Mummy and Daddy back – but this has important consequences: – We need to remember what they taught us. – We need to behave as they would have wanted us to. – Because they are not alive, but we are, we owe both ourselves and their memory a duty to live as well and as fully as we possibly can, not to give in, not to give up. Because of the accident we have been given a very special insight into what it means to be alive – to live as fully as we can, to consider others, to work at what we are good at, and work even harder at what is difficult. Something has been wasted, something has been lost. We must make sure that our lives are not. We shall always regret that Mummy and Daddy are not here – let us not regret anything we do, or know that we had a chance and threw it away. Whatever happens, I have got your back. Even if I do sometimes hit you with cricket balls. Run straight, look your foe in the eye, and never back down. Strength and honour! I love you very much.
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Mary has helped us, Mary wants to help us, Mary can help us. Mary will help us.
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Everyday you’re closer to being ordinary than to being spectacular and that’s why you must rage against the dying of the light daily. You must not spare even a moment being mediocre. You must pursue excellence.
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Girl to girl, tell us one skincare product that took your skin from 0 to 100.
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BREAKING ✝️ Pope Leo XIV PROSTRATES before altar in Saint Peter's Basilica on Good Friday
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Never leave your loved one alone in the hospital. Every hour you are allowed to be there, if you are able to, I highly recommend being there. Be perfectly cordial with staff. But watch over everything like a hawk. Trust me on this.
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jenny posting this was diabolical lmaoooo
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On Father’s Day, 200 Catholic moms in Texas surprised their husbands as they arrived for Mass by dressing them all in matching polos—a gift the dads only realized they had in common when they showed up at church. Video: Kristen Combo
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Pope Leo XIV giving his oldest brother Louis Prevost a big hug in St. Peter’s Basilica after he celebrated Mass for the Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry.
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From the AP: The Pope tried calling his brother for two hours after his election. When his brother finally called back, the Pope said, “Why don’t you answer your phone?” Popes: They’re just like us.
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Pope Leo XIV, while serving as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, walked through the city streets with the Blessed Sacrament during the COVID-19 lockdown, offering a profound gesture of faith and consolation to the people. Info: Canal N
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The Prince of Wales is visiting Mentivity in south London, which empowers young people by ensuring they have access to high-quality youth services and safe spaces. His appearance caused a bit of a stir - and he stopped for selfies 🤳🏾
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Residents of all ages in a small Michigan community helped a local bookshop move each of its 9,100 books — one by one — to a new storefront about a block away.
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Adanma retweeted
Story Time I graduated top of my class, all my lecturers wanted me to start my master’s right away, I even got an assistantship role in the department, but I just couldn’t see myself teaching biochemistry. Then came my first job offer at Mr. Biggs as a restaurant supervisor.
Too many young people get stuck 2-5 years after graduation because they started in jobs they don’t like or feel are beneath them. I get it. I changed careers three times before I found my path. But here’s the truth: your way out starts with mastering where you are. Your current job pays your bills (unless you have legacy money). Like it or not, be excellent at it. The better you are, the more leverage you have. If you want to switch to a role you actually like, start by making yourself a star where you are. No company will move a struggling employee to a different role. Learn the skills for your desired role. Find mentors. Volunteer for projects in that function. Prove your value before you ask for a switch. And please, don’t be the office complainer. No one cares how much you hate your job. What they will remember is the energy you brought every day. Make sure it’s a good one. Excellence opens doors. Be so good, they have no choice but to notice.
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Travis hunter’s dad reacting to his son shoutout is absolutely amazing to watch ❤️
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Liz’s Photography Bucket List Update - Can you help her finish the list by sharing, commenting, liking or tagging anyone who might help? Liz is 17 and has Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour. She was diagnosed in January. In September she was told she only had around 12 weeks left to live. Photography is her passion - so many of you have helped her to realise so many dreams that we thought you might like an update. Still to achieve: Help film a movie - No offers at all for this one - if you are filming a movie we would love to hear from you! Photograph a music festival - Liz had offers for this in the summer but sadly was too unwell - she is now hoping that maybe she could photograph a music concert/ gig instead Take photos of the Christmas markets at Tivoli Gardens - this one won’t be possible now but we hope Liz will be well enough to photograph some UK Christmas markets when they start to appear Take photos in a fashion shoot at a major fashion house - No offers at all for this one - if you are a fashion house Liz would love to hear from you! Ticked off the list ✅: Photograph the rehearsal of a major musical @sixthemusical did one better and let her photograph a live show from the wings last week - we are so grateful to them! Watch the filming of Would I Lie To You @RobBrydon was the first one to get in touch and say let’s make this happen! Less than a week after the original list was published Liz went to watch it be filmed. She had the most incredible time and still wishes she had taken his photograph! Have photographs published in as many magazines as possible - magazines have been a tough nut to crack but Liz has had her photographs published in so many national newspapers. We are grateful to @guardian @thetimes @DailyMailUK @DailyMirror @TheSun - All of whom reached out to us directly to publish more of Liz’s photos as well as all of those who have published them. Her photos taken with @rankinphoto will also be in his Hunger magazine which Liz is so grateful for. Take photographs of the catwalk at London Fashion Week @_charlesjeffrey very kindly invited her to do this. The photos she took there remain some of her favourites. We could not be more grateful. Photograph circus performers practicing their act - this is planned for next week - watch this space! Do a photo shoot with professional models: @StormModels very kindly invited her along last week and this was followed by her day with @rankinphoto shooting another brilliant model. On top of her original bucket list Liz has had so many incredible experiences that she could never have dreamt of adding. From photographing an investiture at Windsor Castle and meeting the Prince and Princess ( @KensingtonRoyal ), to being looked after by incredible photographers who have treated her as their own ( @rheathcote , @GarethGetty ). @dragraceukbbc have also been amazing with her! We are also extremely grateful to Andrew Hepburn at The Times and @jimpowell2002 at The Guardian for giving her official photographer status and to @RE_DailyMail and Edwina for the incredible opportunities they created for us as a family. Liz is also excited to be photographing the @LondonAirAmb next week. Special thanks also to those who have donated to Liz’s GoFundMe (link in bio) which has allowed us to say yes to every opportunity she has been well enough to take. You have all taken Liz into your hearts and every single one of you has had a part in making her dreams come true, by liking, sharing and commenting and by giving your love and support. Although we couldn’t name you all, please know how thankful we are to each and every one of you.
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The search for the 2025 Earthshot Prize Finalists has officially begun. From today, our Official Nominators are scouring the Earth looking for organisations united by a common aim: repairing and regenerating our planet. Head to our website for more: bit.ly/3TMfXvC
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I spoke with PN Okeke this morning and have gotten approval from him to accept donations from people here who have been asking for it. We created a special account for this purpose and it's captured in one of the attached picture. We will be hosting a very big 83rd birthday and massive book launch event for him on the 30th of October in Enugu. Details will be shared in the coming days! On that day, he will be launching 5 new books on Physics that are well simplified and addresses the 21st century needs. All the co-authors will be present. This current generation are lucky. Next is Osei Yaw Ababio!
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🕘 It's time for the #EarthshotInnovationSummit! WATCH NOW as the 2024 @EarthshotPrize Finalists are revealed and learn more about their innovative climate solutions leading us into the future: bloombg.org/4eAl4qI
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