Lifestyle

PHOTOS: Old Residency, Calabar – “Colonial Nigeria’s Aso Rock”

Published

1 year ago

August 16, 2025

Perched high on Consular Hill in Calabar, Cross River State, the Old Residency stands as one of Nigeria’s most significant surviving relics of the colonial era. Built in 1884 from Scandinavian red-pine wood—shipped in knock-down form from Britain and assembled in Old Calabar—it served as the official seat of government for the Niger Coast Protectorate, later the Southern Nigeria Protectorate.

In its day, the Residency was the Aso Rock of colonial Nigeria—home to the British governor and the nerve centre of administration in the region. From its commanding height, it offered sweeping views of the Calabar River, not for scenery alone, but to monitor incoming and outgoing ships. These included merchant vessels carrying palm oil, ivory, and other valuable goods, as well as the slave ships that once departed from these waters before the abolition of the British slave trade in 1807.

Calabar was one of Britain’s busiest West African ports. Between the late 17th century and 1807, nearly one-third of all enslaved Africans trafficked by Britain were shipped from this area. Long before the Residency’s construction, the Efik people had developed distinctive architectural traditions, crafting homes and palaces from wood, bamboo, and thatch. Duke Town, one of the earliest Efik settlements, was already a thriving hub of political, cultural, and commercial life when Europeans arrived.

Today, the Old Residency houses the National Museum, Calabar, safeguarding artefacts and stories that speak to both the elegance of its architecture and the complex, often painful legacy of colonial rule.

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Lifestyle

WHAT YOU DO TODAY WILL BECOME A STORY TOMORROW

Published

12 minutes ago

August 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Every day, you are writing a chapter of your life.

The decisions you make today, the people you help, the words you speak, the sacrifices you make, and the way you treat others may become the stories people tell about you tomorrow.

Today may look ordinary, but tomorrow it may become a testimony.

The Bible says:

“For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
— Galatians 6:7 (KJV)

What are you planting today?
🌱 Kindness or hatred?
🌱 Wisdom or foolishness?
🌱 Hard work or laziness?
🌱 Love or bitterness?
🌱 Faith or fear?

Remember, every seed eventually produces a harvest.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
— Galatians 6:7 (KJV)

Joseph’s faithfulness in difficult times became part of his testimony. David’s courage became part of his story. Ruth’s loyalty became part of her legacy.

Your present actions are also shaping your future story.

You may not see the reward today. You may not receive appreciation today. You may even feel that nobody notices your sacrifices. But keep doing what is right. God sees the seeds you are planting.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
— Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

One day, people may not remember what you owned, but they will remember how you lived, how you treated people, and the impact you made.

So live today in a way that gives tomorrow a beautiful story to tell.

MAKE TODAY COUNT. YOUR ACTIONS TODAY ARE WRITING TOMORROW’S STORY. ❤️🙏

💬 QUESTION: If your life story were written today, what would you want people to say about you?

👇 Share your thoughts in the comments. Someone may be inspired by your answer.

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Lifestyle

CHILDREN WHO REFUSE HOME TRAINING MAY BE TRAINED BY THE WORLD OUTSIDE

Published

32 minutes ago

August 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Parents, never underestimate the importance of home training.

The home is the first school where a child learns respect, honesty, discipline, responsibility, kindness, and the fear of God. When children refuse correction and parents stop providing proper guidance, the world will gladly teach them—but the lessons outside may come with painful consequences.

The Bible says:

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
— Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

A child who refuses good advice at home may eventually learn from friends, society, social media, and the streets. Unfortunately, some of those lessons may not teach love and wisdom—they may teach pride, rebellion, bad habits, and wrong choices.

“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”
— Proverbs 22:15 (KJV)

Parents, don’t wait until your child learns life the hard way before you take responsibility. Correct with love. Teach with patience. Discipline with wisdom. Pray for your children. Be the example you want them to follow.

And children, understand this: Correction from a loving parent is not always rejection. Sometimes correction is protection.

“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction.”
— Proverbs 3:11 (KJV)

🌱 A child who receives good training today has a better foundation for tomorrow.

Parents, what do you think?

👉 Is lack of home training one of the major reasons some children are easily influenced by the wrong people outside?

💬 Share your honest opinion in the comments.
❤️ Like and share this message with a parent. Someone may need to read it today.

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Lifestyle

DO GOOD: THE SEED YOU PLANT TODAY WILL GROW AND FLOURISH TOMORROW

Published

1 hour ago

August 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Never underestimate the power of one good deed.

A kind word, a helping hand, a prayer, a sacrifice, forgiveness, or showing love to someone who cannot repay you may seem small today—but every good seed has the potential to produce a beautiful harvest tomorrow.

The Bible says:

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
— Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

You may not see the reward immediately. You may help someone today and receive nothing in return. You may show kindness and be forgotten. But God sees every seed you plant.

“For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
— Galatians 6:7 (KJV)

🌱 Plant kindness.
🌱 Plant love.
🌱 Plant honesty.
🌱 Plant generosity.
🌱 Plant peace.
🌱 Plant encouragement.
🌱 Plant good character.

One day, those seeds may return to you in ways you never expected.

Remember: A farmer does not plant today and demand a harvest tomorrow. He plants, waters, waits, and trusts the process.

“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.”
— Ecclesiastes 11:1 (KJV)

So, keep doing good—even when nobody is watching. Keep helping—even when nobody says thank you. Keep being kind—even when others are not kind to you.

Your good seed may become someone else’s breakthrough tomorrow.

💬 QUESTION FOR YOU:

What is one good thing someone did for you that you have never forgotten?

👇 Share it in the comments. Your story may inspire someone else to do good today.

❤️ Do good. Plant good seeds. Trust God for the harvest.

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