Welcome to May!

Every May 1^st, we celebrate May Day. Consequently, in some regions of the United States, it is a holiday that marks the beginning of spring. Traditionally, May Day was the halfway point between the spring equinox and summer solstices. Hence, it was a day marked by celebrations, with songs, dances, bonfires, and doors adorned with yellow May flowers. Therefore, if you live in regions of the United States that observe this holiday, we wish you a happy holiday on behalf of the Nigerian Parents Magazine (NPM)!

Also, in May, are great things to celebrate. For example, Mothers’ Day in the United States is May 8, Eid al-Fitr, Teachers Day, World Press Freedom Day, International Day of Families, Cinco de Mayo, Drinking Water Week, etc. In addition, the month of May is also Brain Cancer Awareness month, Arthritis Awareness Month, and National Teen Awareness month. With all these events and engagements, I am sure that you must have a reason to be happy this month.        

I also have a particular reason to be excited about May. So, let me offer full disclosure. May is the birth month of significant historical figures who have influenced humanity. For example, Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist, zoologist, and physician who formalized binomial – the modern system of naming organisms.

Although John F. Kennedy, Pope John Paul 11, Pope Pius 1X, Bertrand Russell, Karl Max, Sigmund Freud, Harry S. Truman, and many more were born in May, historians argue that Carl Linnaeus is the most famous person born in May. Therefore, I want to use the opportunity of this editorial to give a big shout-out to all the May children. On behalf of NPM, may this month bring you all happiness and prosperity. Guess who belongs to this group – Me!

As I have done in the past, I never finish my editorial without reiterating our goal and mission at NPM. From the onset, we made it clear that our goal is to facilitate essential conversations and tell the stories of Nigerians to the world. So far, I am convinced that we are achieving that goal because of the outpouring of support that we have received from Nigerians and non-Nigerians worldwide.

This outpouring of support led us to the halls of Harvard University to interview one of Nigeria’s and Africa’s brightest minds – Professor Jacob Kehinde Olupona. I must confess that I have never been starstruck as one who writes and talks for a living, until I met Professor Olupona. He is Africa’s and the world’s leading scholar in African Religious traditions. We will publish the NPM interview with Professor in three parts because he had a lot to say – from the current political situation of things in Nigeria to religious traditions.        

In addition, when a renowned global scholar such as Professor Olupona gives you the thumbs up for your work, it is worth it to keep going. On this note, let me say that if you have not introduced NPM to your family, friends, and contact, the truth is that you have isolated them from some of the best-written materials.

Lastly, we have continued to expand your opportunities to support NPM. For example, since my last editorial, we have added a new page on our website – the Small Business Spotlight page, aimed at helping Nigerian owned small businesses expand. Our first Small Business Spotlight was the Destiny African Market in Randolph, Massachusetts. Our ad for Destiny received over a thousand clicks within the first few days of being published. We have also received word of the influx of new customers seeking to patronize the shop. NPM Small Business Spotlight pays. I urge you to take advantage of this page to promote and highlight your business to Nigerians and non-Nigerians worldwide. You can email editor@nigerianparents.com to discuss terms. In addition, you still have the opportunity to advertise, donate or buy from the NPM store with secure online payments. So, until my following editorial, let us KEEP THE FAITH and always remember NAIJA NO DE CARRY LAST.