This is the greatest comeback story in history: At 12, This Man witnessed his father’s murder. Later Lost his life savings on 3 failed startups. Bet everything on one last idea. Today, his company is worth $3 billion. This is the story of Tope Awotona, the Nigerian-born tech. entrepreneur, founder of Calendly and the 3 lessons his journey teaches us about failure, resilience, and success: At just 12 years old, young Tope witnessed his father’s murder during a carjacking in Lagos. That moment shattered his world. But little did he know, this tragedy would ignite a fire within him, a drive to build something extraordinary. After his father’s death, Tope moved to America as a teenager. He studied computer science at the University of Georgia but found himself drawn to sales roles. Yet, something was missing. He wanted to create something that mattered. So, he took the leap into entrepreneurship. His first venture? An e-commerce site selling projectors. It failed His second startup? A garden tools business. It failed too His third attempt? A dating website. That also crashed and burned Each failure cost him time, money, and confidence. But each one also taught him something invaluable: His first failure exposed the importance of supply chain management. His second failure showed him the value of operational efficiency. His third failure taught him about market timing and the need for proper funding. By 2013, Tope was out of money, out of ideas, and out of options. But he wasn’t out of the fight. He had one last idea, and he went all in. Invested his entire life savings, $200,000, into a scheduling tool called Calendly . Friends thought he was crazy. Investors called the idea "boring" and "unscalable." But Tope had discovered a universal pain point: the endless back-and-forth emails just to schedule a single meeting. He knew this wasn’t just an annoyance, it was a productivity killer. With no external funding, Tope hired Ukrainian contractors to build the first version of Calendly. He kept it simple: A clean interface. Easy functionality. One core problem solved perfectly. And it worked. Calendly spread like wildfire. Freelancers loved its simplicity. Sales teams appreciated its efficiency. Recruiters shared it with their networks. By 2020, Calendly was generating over $70 million in annual recurring revenue. Then, COVID hit. The world shifted to remote work, and virtual meetings became the norm. Calendly became essential. In 2021, investors who once dismissed Tope’s idea poured in $350 million. Calendly’s valuation skyrocketed to $3 billion. Today, Tope Awotona is worth over $1 Billion dollars become the few Nigerian-born Entrepreneurs who has crossed the billionaire line The boy who witnessed tragedy in Lagos had built a tech empire. But His journey revealed three profound truths about success to Us: - Rejection is redirection Every failed startup taught Tope something critical. The lessons from those failures became the foundation for Calendly’s success. - Solve real problems Calendly didn’t chase trends, it solved a pain point Tope experienced firsthand. The best ideas come from personal frustration. - Constraints breed creativity With no funding, Tope focused on simplicity. That constraint became Calendly’s greatest strength. Tope Awotona’s story is proof that success isn’t about avoiding failure it’s about learning from it. So, the next time you face rejection, remember Tope Awotona’’s journey. Your greatest comeback could be just one idea away. #TechStories #calendly #tope

Nearly 4,000 People Evacuated Safely As Massive Fire Breaks Out In Dubai High-rise

‎Nigeria Government Condemns Israeli Strike on Iran, Calls for Immediate Ceasefire ‎ ‎The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly criticized Israel’s recent preemptive strike on Iranian territory, which led to a retaliatory missile attack from Iran, further escalating tensions in the Middle East. ‎ ‎In a statement released on Saturday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria expressed deep concern over the rising conflict and called on both countries to stop further military actions and resume diplomatic dialogue. ‎ ‎The government condemned Israel’s aggressive move, which it said had sparked dangerous exchanges of missiles and airstrikes between the two nations. The violence intensified after Israel carried out its most extensive military strike on Iran, claiming to have targeted nuclear and military facilities in Tehran and Natanz. ‎ ‎Iran responded by launching multiple missiles at major Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, causing widespread panic and forcing civilians into shelters. ‎ ‎Nigeria warned that the ongoing cycle of retaliation poses serious risks to civilian lives and could further destabilize the already fragile Middle East region. The conflict, the government noted, could have dire implications for global peace, security, and economic development. ‎

"You feel because you married a grandpa you can talk to me?" - Actress Angela Okorie fires back at Regina Daniels.

Fresh fire. Fearless craft. This #AMVCA11 Trailblazer is shaking the table and flipping the script. Tonight, Kayode Kasum shines where new school meets next level. Brought to you by Legend Nigeria #AMVCA

The first war of 2025 has officially begun. India vs. Pakistan. It started with a sudden exchange of gunfire between soldiers at the Kashmir border. Now, here’s what that means. Kashmir is a region both India and Pakistan claim as theirs. It has been a point of serious tension for over 70 years. Sometimes things go quiet, and other times, like now, it explodes. The border area called the Line of Control is heavily guarded. But a few days ago, shots were fired. Soldiers died. But this is not just a small fight. This is war. India recently removed a law that gave Kashmir special treatment. That decision angered many people, especially in Pakistan. The Pakistani government saw it as a direct threat and responded fast. Now, both countries have sent more troops to the border. Fighter jets, missiles, and the world is paying attention. Why does this matter? Because India and Pakistan both have nuclear weapons. If this escalates, it could affect not just South Asia but the entire world. And there's more. China supports Pakistan. The U.S. supports India. Russia is staying quiet. If these bigger powers get involved, it could turn into something even more dangerous. Also, India is a major player in the world’s tech and trade industries. If war continues, prices may rise. Global markets could feel the shock. And millions of people could be affected, even outside Asia. 2025 is just getting started. And already, the world is standing on the edge of something serious.

Starting something new is hard. Really hard. Not because we lack skills or passion—but because fear shows up, loudly and often. When I think back to every new beginning in my life, one thing was always present: fear. I felt it when I got accepted to study Nursing—what if I wasn't good enough? I felt it when I wrote my first book—what if no one read it? I felt it when I launched my businesses—what if they failed? Even running a Facebook ad made me pause—what if it flopped? And when I finally decided to show up online, to build my personal brand and speak up? That took me over two years of wrestling with doubt. I was scared people wouldn’t listen. That my content would flop. That I’d run out of ideas. That I’d start strong but fizzle out. That fear didn’t whisper. It shouted. And worst of all, I didn’t have much encouragement from others when I was just starting. So I had to push myself, dig deep, and find the fire within. Here’s the thing no one tells you: the fear doesn’t vanish before you start. It fades after you begin. With each step forward, confidence grows. You find your rhythm. Your voice gets clearer. It all starts to make more sense. No, things might not go perfectly at first—but they start moving. And movement is what makes the difference. So if you’re scared? That’s okay. Start anyway. Fear is just an emotion. It’s not the truth. You don’t have to wait for it to disappear before you act. You’ve got what it takes. I’m cheering you on. – Miss Fantastic

Fireboy & Pheelz (2025)

What you probably do not know is that Asake and Fireboy👇 ~Both attended the same university ~Both got signed on the same Record Label ~Both performed on the same stage together at 02 Arena. And are both doing well for themselves.

A commercial bus caught fire while in motion at the Tejuosho area of Yaba, Lagos, on Friday, February 21, sparking panic among passengers and bystanders. The incident occurred at approximately 5:24pm, forcing passengers to evacuate the vehicle in a desperate scramble for safety. A striking image shows a soldier leaping from the burning bus through a window. Thanks to the swift intervention of onlookers, the fire was contained before spreading further. No casualties were reported. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire. Photo Credit: Megwara Favour #Lagos #Fire #Nigeria

Power Mike: The Nigerian Giant Who Took on the World In the heart of Neni, Anambra State, a boy named Michael Okpara was born in August 1939. No one knew then that he would grow into one of Africa’s most celebrated wrestlers, earning the name Power Mike—a man whose strength and skill would bring pride to Nigeria and awe to the world. Like many young men of his time, Power Mike left his village in 1952 for Onitsha, hoping to learn the ropes of business. But fate had a different plan. While in Onitsha, he stumbled upon the Dick Tiger Boxing Club, where he trained as a middleweight boxer under the legendary Dick Ihetu Tiger, a man who would become his role model. That was where the fire of combat sports was lit in his heart. The Journey to Greatness By 1961, Power Mike had begun touring Nigeria, showcasing his strength and fighting skills in places like Onitsha, Enugu, Aba, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Jos, and Kaduna. The crowds loved him. His name spread like wildfire, and his reputation as a fierce fighter grew. But he wasn’t done. In 1964, he took his talent to Ghana, defeating several opponents and earning the respect of wrestling fans across West Africa. Three years later, in 1967, he expanded his conquest to Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal, before finally setting his sights on Europe, where the competition was tougher, the stage bigger, and the stakes higher. It was in Sweden that he signed his first major contract in 1967, proving himself against some of the world's best fighters. From there, he moved to Greece, becoming a professional wrestler and taking down every opponent who stepped into the ring with him. The Champion of Africa Power Mike’s biggest moment came in 1970, when he returned to Africa and defeated Gambia’s Massambula, becoming the African Heavyweight Wrestling Champion. The whole continent celebrated him—he was a Nigerian hero, an African warrior, a champion who had made his people proud. His victories didn’t stop there. In 1973, he took down Ali Baba of Lebanon and later humbled Johnny Kwango in Lagos, cementing his place as one of the greatest wrestlers Africa had ever produced. Beyond the Ring By 1976, Power Mike knew it was time to leave the ring, but he wasn’t walking away from wrestling entirely. Instead, he turned to promoting the sport internationally, helping other young African fighters find a place on the world stage. Even though he left the ring, the legend of Power Mike never faded. His name echoed in songs, like the hit track by Okonkwo Asaa, which praised his strength and accomplishments. A Legacy That Lives On In 2004, at the age of 64, Power Mike passed away. But legends don’t die—they live on in stories, in memories, and in the hearts of those they inspired. Power Mike wasn’t just a wrestler; he was a symbol of strength, resilience, and African pride. He showed the world that a boy from Neni could rise to global fame with sheer determination and unbreakable spirit. He remains one of Nigeria’s greatest sports icons, a true warrior who took on the world—and won.