When I was a teenager, my mother used to threaten me whenever I hunched over at the dining table. “If you don’t sit up and finish up your food,’ she’d say, ‘I’m going to have to buy you a therapeutic back brace from Bola Chemist.” Honestly, I don’t even know if Bola Chemist make or sell back braces back then, but it sounded like a pretty good threat to me. Just the thought of passing through St Nicholas hospital or General Hospital all next door to Bola Chemist gave me nightmares! So I decided to cultivate a habit of always sitting up straight even when my mother’s prying eyes are not following me. And it worked out well, even until now as I’ve had to deal with some of life’s deep slumping experiences. And still ongoing.
So, I recently just returned from one of the greatest and fulfilling trips of my life! I was very blessed for encountering such beautiful and dedicated people back in Nigeria who deeply shared my passion for creating and making success stories happen. Not because the society requests it for status quo or cheap publicity, but because their love for humanity and community service is genuine.
Talking about CANCER AWARENESS.
I’d learnt that carrying a banner to display a passion is not the same as connecting one-on-one with real life people, dealing with real life issues. Sometimes, creating a platform of awareness for our passion or a desired cause goes beyond media or social network. Connecting with the soul-carrier is deeper.
For the great opportunity given to me by Samson @TREK magazine who met with me at my parent’s house on the Island for the one-on-one interview on AUTISM AWARENESS IN NIGERIA and my proposal on establishing a support group/Autism school in Lagos. I am very grateful! For connecting me with various NGOs and Healthcare Administrators in Lagos. Thank you.
ON AIR with KBABALOVEDOCTOR of WAZOBIA 95.1 FM, Lagos.
With K Baba, Host of WAZOBIA FM’S “Love Clinic”
My midnight ON AIR radio show host connector! Ogunleke Kayode Clement aka. KBABA THE LOVE DOCTOR of WAZOBIA 95.1 FM on Etim Inyang Street, V/Island. DR. Love! I hail! I salute! I am so thrilled and still excited about our ON AIR show. Thanks for giving me the platform to discuss more on #Moving Forward With Yinka! For giving me the opportunity to be your special guest on ‘Love Issues – relationships and marriage segments. Thanks for allowing me to be part of the panel for taking on calls from concerned and confused callers who needed help pertaining their love lives! Thanks for embracing my optimism on CANCER AWARENESS in Nigeria and allowing me to talk ON AIR to numerous 
listeners all over the world about my own personal journey as a 5year-cancer survivor. Oops! (Thanks for bringing out the best Pidgin English in me! Lol). You are truly appreciated. God bless you plenty my broda! – “As u don do for me dis good so! Na only better go dey come ya way o! (Lol).
Autism Awareness Interview with Olori 60 Minutes TV in Lagos.
Special thanks to my team at 60 Minutes TV, Lagos! Olori 60 minutes! My PA and favorite niece! My personal graphics and studio manager, LeeGrapher! And everyone at 60 minutes TV. For the interview on Autism Awareness and support group in Nigeria, for connecting me with all the different families dealing with the challenges that come with caring for a special needs child in Nigeria. For every family who showed up and have embraced
the need for Autism awareness, and were more interested in finding a common ground for intervention! Because of you all, my journey to Lagos was successful! I pray that God continues to strengthen you all, emotionally and physically.
FGGC Sagamu class of 1990 reunion @ Lekki.
A girly-shout out to my Almer Mater, Federal Government Girls College Sagamu class of ’90, for organizing a reunion luncheon at Lekki on OCT 1st! Love you all great shagamites! So good to see/hear from you all. Special thanks to Oby Ejekam-Ekekwe for creating what’s App Class of 1990 “P” Girls chat room! Babes, even after 25 years! You all still look smashing in your 40s! God’s hands’ is surely on us.
So, if you are reading this, ask yourself, what does it take to stand up straight and tall in your life? What is it that hinders my growth? Am I failing to thrive? Do I know my purpose for life? How can I package my idealism or confidence? Talk to me! Hmmm…
To be continued next week…
Yours in HOPE
Yinka.
Moving Forward With Yinka 
pretty cool dear yinka
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Yinka I have read this over and over again. I am so proud of you and absolutely agree on the need to stand up straight.
I am glad you were able to put smiles on the faces of the various families you interacted with.
From your alma matter; FGGC Sagamu ’90 set, we are proud of you. Ride on girl!
You have challenged me and I will definitely stand up straight.
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Coming from my class captain and school head-girl! I am honored! Awesome!!! lol.
Thanks Tayo! So good to be in touch with everyone again after over 25 years!! WOW!
I will surely keep our Pro-Unitate and Watchword torch burning!
Love you all ‘P” Class of ’90. We Rock!
God’s hands is surely on us.
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It’s a good feeling being right in the midst of our purpose. And A little scary when God elevates us to places we never thought we would reach bu we shd never forget how far He has brought us and that He still has higher heights for us all
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It can also be overwhelming and less humbling if we take it for granted. But really, it is just another test of our faith and belief. Thanks Okey.
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The good book says “arise and shine for your time is come”, (please don’t ask me which book/chapter). Through all the awareness campaigns and walks I have gone on with you, be it the autism walk or the cancer awareness walks; the only thing apart from the Grace of God that kept me going was that ever present spark in your eyes and your indefatigable spirit. The mornings were cold and I still wanted to sleep a little longer and though you did not fuss or compel me to walk, you actually convicted me. At times it may seem that I am not fully engaged be rest assured I am in this for the long run-I ain’t going nowhere with you. My prayer is that as you shed light on these two very important causes those that are affected or have been touched in one way or the other by your spirit will continue to propagate the message, spreading as far and wide as possible.
Remember once you put your hands on the plough there is no turning back. I’ve got your back and the good Lord has mine- Let’s keep it moving.
God’s peace.
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The good book says “arise and shine for your time is come”, (please don’t ask me which book/chapter). Through all the awareness campaigns and walks I have gone on with you, be it the autism walk or the cancer awareness walks; the only thing apart from the Grace of God that kept me going was that ever present spark in your eyes and your indefatigable spirit. The mornings were cold and I still wanted to sleep a little longer and though you did not fuss or compel me to walk, you actually convicted me. At times it may seem that i am not fully engaged be rest assured I am in this for the log run-I ain’t going no where with you. My prayer is that as you shed light on these two very important causes those that are affected or have been touched in one way or the other by your spirit will continue to proapgate the message, spreading as afr and wide as possible.
Remember once you put your hands on the plough there is no turning back. I’ve got your back and the good Lord has mine- Lets keep it moving.
God’s peace.
Kaylaw.
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Well said, Prof. Lawrence! lol.
‘Much love
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My dear sister, thank you, thank you and thank you. When I heard about your support group on both cancer and autism awareness, I wasn’t sure what exactly you needed from me, not until I realized your effort was to be able to hold on to the hands of those dealing with it, then I realized that God was surely using you, and also brought you down to Lagos just for me!
I have 2 boys who are autistic. We never discuss them. We never take them out to social gathering. Even though we live in VGC, we try to keep them away from curious onlookers. But you met with me and gave me hope! We’ve never met before, but immediately you met me you hugged me so tight and assured me all was well.
You specifically asked for my boys and went straight to work with them! !
Sitting next to them, and leisurely having a good conversation with them.
You didn’t treat them like they were special or autistic. I thank God for all that you’re doing, especially in a place like Lagos where society frowns at disabilities.
Thanks for the correction too, that my children disability is their ability to be the best.
I look forward to seeing and hearing from you.
I fully support all your plans, and I am available financially to support the cause.
Good job my sister.
Mrs. Lawani @ VGC. Lagos.
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Dear Mrs Lawani, I just want to let you know that not all hope is lost.My 3 year old was diagnosed with autism spectrum earlier this year, though we live in the States where there are therapies available to manage these cases, the principles about dealing with disabilities are the same across board.By God’s grace, with prayers, positive confessions,support from close family and friends, we are seeing a lot of improvements in my son, also the therapists are giving us a lot of positive feedback.
Another thing is, I drew strength from testimonies of friends whose children were diagnosed with autism earlier in their lives but now have their diagnosis dropped and the children are doing very well socially, academically.
What I mean is, we as parents are the role players in helping our children pull through this phase of their lives. We need to communicate with our children like we do other children. We need say confess and say the positive regardless of what we are seeing.
I look forward to reading your testimonies about your children soon.
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Dear Kemi,
I applaud your confidence in talking about your child’s ASD DX. Not every parent is bold enough to discuss their experience or even render coping strategy. Thanks for accepting and embracing the need to support each other, especially when handling a special need child. Thank you for comforting and inspiring Mrs. Lawani. Thank you for reaching out to me by telephone to discuss how we can make an impact with this diagnosis. I pray God’s protection over you and your family. Mrs. Lawani will surely connect with you.
God Bless.
#Moving Forward With Yinka
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Thank you more Mrs. Lawani. Thank you for allowing me into your home and meeting your family. Thanks for your support and intent to support the group. God bless.
#Moving Forward With Yinka
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You always deliver, Yinka.
Thanks for starting this support group and bringing in that topic most of us dreaded threading on.
I’m fully in support of it and available to support your ngo all the way.
God’s surely using you.
God bless.
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Thanks for engaging your whole PH Team. Thanks for your support.
Yinka
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Well done Yinka, we are all so proud of you. Keep it up.
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Thanks Hajia, looking forward to 2016, by God’s grace.
Yinka
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Nice!!!! It’s good to see you walking in your purpose. All you went through was to bring you to your destiny.
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Thanks Miggie.
Yinka
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Beautiful piece!
Thanks for sharing.
I am asking myself those same questions…hmmmmm
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Even though we don’t in way get what we want from the society but i believe we all got little from it and i guess its time to give back to the society,we give in a way that touches life we don’t need to give to the high and might,rich and famous but lets give to the low man,that man who needs it but couldnt voice out.which means we need visit them and make them talk.#movingforwardwithyinka #circleofkindness…Not just autism and cancer but we are ready to give education,food,book amd more.
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Thanks Nivon, so proud of you and all you are doing in the community! You rock!
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