Thisisfolu.co.uk

Category: News

The Evil You Do Does Not Retire With You
There’s a hard truth many people only learn too late, what you do in private does not stay private forever. What you excuse in youth does not dissolve with age.
And what you normalise in your circle can return decades later, when you least expect it.

We often think consequences are immediate. They are not.
Sometimes they wait patiently.

Sometimes they mature.

Sometimes they arrive at the very moment you hoped to enjoy peace.

History has shown us that status, wealth and royal privilege do not shield anyone from scrutiny. The public life of Prince Andrew is often cited as a cautionary tale about association, judgment and long shadows.

A Privileged Beginning

Born into one of the most powerful families in the world, Andrew had access to elite education, global influence, and immense protection.

He had:
- Wealth
- Security
- Status
- Opportunity
But one thing wealth cannot purchase is moral discipline. Character is not inherited. It is formed. And association reveals character more loudly than titles ever could.

The Power of Association

Andrew’s long-standing association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein became the defining stain on his public life.

Regardless of legal outcomes, the reputational damage was immense. He stepped back from royal duties following widespread criticism after a 2019 interview with BBC News.

Here is the lesson:

Sometimes it is not what you directly do, it is who you stand beside. Who you defend. Who you refuse to distance yourself from. Association is endorsement in the public eye.

And in today’s digital age, nothing truly disappears. Photos resurface. Interviews replay. Questions return. Time does not erase poor judgment.

Youth Is Not a Shield

Many young people believe:

“I’m just enjoying life.”
“Everyone does it.”
“It won’t matter later.”

But later always comes.

The world is different now. Screenshots live forever. Group chats can leak. Business partners can turn witnesses. Friends can become liabilities.

The problem with careless youth is not the fun, it is the assumption of immunity. You can recover from mistakes.

But repeated patterns of poor association become identity.

Retirement Is Not Automatic Peace

We imagine old age as reward:
- Golf courses
- Family gatherings
- Legacy
- Respect
But legacy is cumulative.

If you spend decades ignoring moral red flags, retirement does not protect you from reckoning. Reputation compounds just like interest. So does damage.

My Advice to the Youth of Today

If I could give young people one serious warning, it would be this:

1. Choose friends who respect boundaries.

If someone laughs at wrongdoing, they will laugh when you fall.

2. Avoid circles that normalise exploitation.

Just because it is glamorous does not mean it is clean.

3. Protect your name.

Your name will outlive your salary.

4. Ask yourself: would I want this association exposed publicly?

If the answer is no, reconsider immediately.

5. Build character when no one is watching.

That is what protects you when everyone is watching.

Final Reflection

You can inherit privilege.
You can inherit connections.
You can inherit opportunity.

But you cannot inherit integrity. Integrity is chosen daily.

And the evil you tolerate, excuse, or associate with does not disappear. It waits. Sometimes quietly. Sometimes for decades. Then one day, when you hoped to rest, it may knock.

Choose wisely, not just what you do, but who you stand beside. Because legacy is not built at retirement. It is built in youth.

The world rewards talent quickly. It rewards charm instantly. It rewards connections strategically. But it tests character eventually.

No one plans to ruin their reputation. It happens gradually — through overlooked red flags, tolerated behaviour, and friendships chosen for status instead of substance.

The question is not whether you will be successful.

The question is: when your name is mentioned 30 years from now, what will it represent?

Build a life that ages well. Build associations you are proud to defend publicly.
Build integrity that does not expire with time.

Because success may impress people for a season. But character determines how history remembers you.

About the Author

Folu is a tech leader, leadership thinker, governance advisor, and entrepreneur who writes at the intersection of power, character, and consequence. With experience advising organisations on tech, risk, integrity, and responsible decision-making, she brings a sharp lens to public life and private choices. Her work explores how influence, privilege, and association shape legacy and why character remains the ultimate asset in any generation.

Through her writing, she challenges both leaders and young people to think long-term: not just about success, but about significance.

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20th February 2026
Why My Childhood Friend, Engineer Dideolu Falobi, Should Be the Next Governor of Osun State
I rarely write about politics, but sometimes life compels you to speak from the heart. Today, I want to tell you a story, my story with a childhood friend who has remained one of the most brilliant, disciplined, and principled individuals I have ever known: Engineer Dideolu Falobi.

We met in primary school in Nigeria, where both of us quickly earned reputations as “the cerebral ones.” Our biggest rivalry wasn’t in sports or mischief, it was in academics. If he came first in class and I came second, I would cry. If I came first and he came second, he would cry. Our friendship was forged in that mutual hunger for excellence, the kind of bond that only true respect can sustain.

Life soon took us to separate paths. I went to an academic girls’ grammar boarding school, while he attended a top-tier academic day school. Dideolu later gained admission to the University of Lagos, one of the most prestigious universities in Nigeria, where he graduated in Engineering, a feat that speaks volumes about his intelligence, discipline, and determination.

His professional journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Today, he is a Fellow of Engineering in Nigeria and the Managing Director of Kresta Laurel Lift Company, arguably one of the finest lift companies in the nation. Over the years, he has won multiple awards in the engineering field and has also been honored as the Bobajiroro of Ijesa land, a recognition of both his professional excellence and community leadership.

When Dideolu told me he wanted to go into politics and contest for the governorship of Osun State, I must admit, I was apprehensive. Nigerian politics is not for the faint-hearted. It can be dirty, dangerous, and unforgiving. From my vantage point in the diaspora, I’ve often worried about what it does to even the best of men.

But true to form, Dideolu challenged me with clarity and conviction. He told me: “If credible, competent, and accountable people stay away from leadership, then who will rebuild Nigeria for the sake of our children and the generations to come?”

And in that moment, I could not disagree.

You see, Dideolu is one of the few people I can say without hesitation that I trust in Nigeria. He is loyal, intelligent, accountable, and exceptionally organised. He is a born leader, a man whose life has been a blueprint of integrity and competence.

Nigeria and Osun State in particular needs leaders who are not driven by personal greed but by a genuine desire to build. Leaders who understand the weight of responsibility. Leaders who can merge technical brilliance with human empathy. That is who Engineer Dideolu Falobi is.

I believe strongly that there are countless reasons why Dideolu should be the next Governor of Osun State:
- His proven track record in leadership and engineering excellence.
- His discipline and organisational ability, tested in both corporate and community spaces.
- His deep sense of accountability and loyalty.
- His vision for a better Nigeria, grounded not in empty promises but in decades of lived excellence.
As Osun State looks toward its future, I can think of no better steward of its destiny. If you love Nigeria, if you believe Osun deserves a leader of integrity and vision, then you will support my dear childhood friend, Engineer Dideolu Falobi, alongside his amiable wife and children.

This is not just about politics. It’s about the kind of Nigeria we want our children to inherit. And if men like Dideolu are not given the chance to lead, then we forfeit the hope of true progress.

Written by: Folu

http://www.thisisfolu.uk

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19th August 2025
Nigeria at 64: The Back and Forth Dance of Independence

Today I write about my motherland Nigeria @ 64. On October 1st, 1960, Nigeria stood tall and proud, waving its green and white flag to the world as it declared itself free from the colonial chains of the British Empire. The country’s leaders beamed with optimism, painting a vision of a nation brimming with untapped potential—rich in natural resources, diverse in culture, and robust in its people’s resolve. The independence journey was hard-fought, marked by fierce debates, protests, and a collective desire to govern our own destiny. The world believed Nigeria was poised to become the shining beacon of Africa.

But here we are, 64 years later, and that glimmer of hope has dimmed significantly. The same Nigeria that was once called the “Giant of Africa” seems stuck in an endless loop of back and forth. Progress is promised, but stagnation remains the reality.

The Nigerian economy, once poised to flourish, has been battered by decades of mismanagement, corruption, and inconsistent policies. It’s a tale as old as time: oil booms have been squandered, agricultural potential left untapped, and opportunities for industrial growth missed. The country struggles under the weight of bad governance, where leaders are more focused on self-enrichment than national development. With rising inflation, unemployment, and a weak currency, it’s no wonder that millions of Nigerians find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

This bleak situation has sparked an exodus—what we now refer to as brain drain. Our brightest minds, who once believed in the Nigerian dream, are now packing their bags and leaving for greener pastures. Doctors, engineers, teachers, tech experts, creatives—professionals who could have helped steer the nation towards greatness are finding solace abroad. The impact is devastating. Hospitals are understaffed, schools are ill-equipped, and innovation is stunted. The tech experts who could revolutionize industries are now building empires in Silicon Valley, London, or Dubai, while Nigeria is left to grapple with inadequate infrastructure and a stalling economy.

The brain drain isn’t just a loss of talent; it’s a loss of hope. Every Nigerian that leaves represents another crack in the foundation of what could have been. The aftermath of bad governance is felt in the streets—young people unemployed, industries crippled, and the collective spirit of the nation worn down by the weight of broken promises.

But what’s the way forward?

First, we must tackle bad governance head-on. It starts with accountability. Leaders should be held to higher standards, and citizens must demand transparency. Economic policies need to be long-term, stable, and designed to empower local businesses, create jobs, and foster innovation. We need to diversify away from oil dependency and instead focus on agriculture, manufacturing, and tech. Nigeria should be a hub for startups, innovation, and industrial growth.

Next, we must create an environment that makes it attractive for Nigerians in the diaspora to return home—what I call the “Japada Movement.” This isn’t just about patriotism; it’s about providing incentives. We need better infrastructure, access to capital for startups, and policies that favor job creation and innovation. The diaspora is a wellspring of talent, and by opening the doors wide enough, we can welcome back doctors, engineers, and innovators with the skills and experience necessary to drive the country forward.

Lastly, the youth must be empowered. They are the future of Nigeria, and investing in education, skills training, and entrepreneurship is essential. By nurturing the next generation, we lay the groundwork for sustainable growth.

Nigeria, despite its back-and-forth struggles, has not lost its potential. The road may be long and winding, but with collective effort and leadership that places the people’s interest above all else, we can reclaim our position as the true Giant of Africa.

So, as we celebrate another Independence Day, let’s remember our journey—the highs, the lows, the steps forward, and the stumbles backward. Let’s reflect on where we are and what we can become. Together, we can make Nigeria great again.

Happy Independence Day, Nigeria! May we rise above our challenges and soar higher than ever before.

Share your memories!
How did you celebrate past Independence Days? How are you spending today? Share your favorite moments from Independence Day in the comments! 🇳🇬💚

#NigeriaAt64 #IndependenceDay #GiantOfAfrica #MakeNigeriaGreatAgain #BrainDrain #Japada #NigerianDiaspora #BadGovernance #Accountability #YouthEmpowerment #NaijaForLife

For further discussion on how to improve the situation in Nigeria, subscribe to my blog, email me on folu@thisisfolu.uk ; follow me on Instagram @iamfolupreneur ; TikTok @mumandsonakintade

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1st October 2024