On the first of January 2025, we learned that my friend had just welcomed a baby. Excitement greeted the news that day, followed by a series of conference calls with other close friends as we talked about the new baby boy.
A couple of months later, Nathan had grown from the tiny baby he was into a bigger version of himself. He progressed from sitting to crawling, and as I write this, first of January baby can now walk unassisted 😄.
Some time ago, very early in my adult life (“very early”? omor… am I that old?! 😅), I posted that a new year is just another breaking of the day. I maintained that it was not all that special. I guess I wanted to tone down the hype around the new year thing. However, as much as that position may be factually correct, a new year is indeed a new one. Another 12 months.
A helpless newborn, born on the first of January, can conveniently start walking even before twelve months. 365 days is a journey. It is worth the hype (maybe!). A valid time frame to reflect, and find things to be grateful for. Alot can happen in a year.
2025?
I have often procrastinated on my year in review; the last time I wrote one was in 2022. 2025 was a wonderful year. This post is not a rundown of my achievements in 2025, but a recollection of some beautiful highlights my future self will appreciate and for ‘safe-keeping’.
A memorable part of early 2025 included brief stints of reckoning with a failed attempt at securing an international scholarship, alongside the need to reposition myself to face work more fully. Really though, the outcome of the application did not weigh heavily on me (I did hurt a little 😅). I only needed to refocus on the reality before me, work, and navigate my way toward making the best off it.
Thank God for 2025. I joined a new company!
I learned some new tools in the Laravel ecosystem, even though I have been writing Laravel since 2020, tools like Filament and Livewire. I added these tools to my arsenal.
In September 2025, I resumed posting again on my youtube channel–Currently at 148 Subs ( Get me to 1k 👀 ).
Apart from two posts still sitting in my drafts, I hit publish on seven articles in 2025. Personally, that feels like a fair number, better than not writing at all, to be honest.
Speaking Engagement and Community Empowerment:
Every year since 2023, I have organized a virtual community focused program to promote open source, centered around Google Summer of Code (GSoC), where we expose open source beginners and first time contributors to GSoC and share tips for the upcoming batch.
For example, the feedback from the last event (picture above) was encouraging and refueled my resolve to do it again. Also, a big shoutout to Ndubuisi Onyemenam for making it a date with us.
In November and December, I had the privilege of speaking at two DevFest programs, one in Umuahia (virtual) and DevFest Lagos (physical).
‘Gymed’ for just one month in 2025 😭 ?
Life so private, few people knew that I hit the gym. Lol 😆 I genuinely giggled as I started this part of the post about the gym because hitting the gym for just one month (October) wasn’t the plan. The plan was to be consistent. Hold up, let me show you a picture before you doubt me 🤣 (why do I feel like hollering 🤣).
Well, why did I stop? Not entirely my fault. I was down health-wise towards the end of October, so the first week of November was spent recuperating and getting myself together. Thank God for healing and medication.
Family and Friends?
Man, I am grateful to my Parents, Siblings, Mentors, Amigos Fam and my close friends. Whatsapp was indeed a favourite app for keeping up with friends and family. We go again next year.
Travel?
I’m highlighting some spectacular travels to states I rarely visit: Abuja, Kogi (attended an inaugural lecture), Ogun (attended a wedding), and Ibadan (attended another wedding).
Music?
Can’t talk about the year wrap-up without a honourable mention of some of the gospel songs and playlists that stuck with me through every turn of the year. That said, I’m not too proud of my listening hours which is 15k. 15k ? 15k is weak compared to the 31k+ I did in 2024. Still, my favorite song remains number 1, No me without you. Great Song!
Sub Music: Piano?
I revived my Piano skills eventhough I am still rusty. Posted my first collab with Engr Onwenuka Ebuka here. Please subscribe!!!!!!!!.
Lessons ?
Career wise, I have learned that you have a treasure that no one can take away from you, OPTIMISIM. Be positive about what ever you endeavour to do especially with your career. That is the best position you can put yourself in, regardless.
In Conclusion?
In the beginning God! I am really really super grateful to God. His mercies, provision and faithfulness. I’m not just saying this as it is the norm to be, offcoure, grateful to God; my gratitude goes far beyound that. I remember the first week of January and what followed the next month. I recall my fears towards the end of the year and how God obliterated them. Indeed, God is faithful. Oh! the grace and merices of God. I pray I don’t take them for granted. Lets goooooo….
Goals for 2026?
I sent myself an email; scheduled to arrive in December 2026. I will update.
See you in 2026. Cheers.
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