Love Beyond Stereotypes: Why Unconventional Marriages Still Spark Conversation | Thinking Out Loud | New Beginnings Impact Journal

Love Beyond Stereotypes: Why Unconventional Marriages Still Spark Conversation | Thinking Out Loud 

By Yinka Dixon, PhD | 

Queen of New Beginnings 

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A short wedding video circulating online has reignited conversations about unconventional marriages and how society reacts to difference. 

The clip shows a woman of average height marrying a man significantly shorter, bow-legged and visibly of a different physical stature.. 

Those details, some online captions have turned into jokes about “husbands being everywhere if you’re not looking for Mr Right.”

While many laughed, others paused to reflect on what love and commitment really mean. 

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The couple’s church wedding was projected to have been well attended, with bridesmaids, groomsmen and congregants visibly supportive and celebratory. Purportedly proof that, for those involved, love clearly outweighs societal expectations.

Yet the wider reaction raises questions: 

1. Why do physical differences, disabilities or perceived social mismatches still attract ridicule in 2025? 

2. How do media captions amplify bias, even unintentionally? 

3. And what does this say about inclusion, respect and the right to private choices in public spaces?

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Disability and inclusion advocates stress that marriage, like love itself, transcends body image and stereotypes. 

The fact that people still feel entitled to mock or diminish couples who don’t “fit the picture” shows how much work remains to be done around representation and respect.

This wedding, rather than being a subject of mockery, could be seen as a celebration of resilience and an example of choosing love on one’s own terms. 

In a world obsessed with appearances, it reminds us that compassion, respect and the freedom to choose remain critical values.

By Dr. Yinka Dixon

Public Interest Journalist & Chief Editor – NB Impact Journal

Digital Skills Trainer | BookPreneur | Speaker | Transitions Coach

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Spotlight on Influence: The Story of Rotarian Victor Ojelabi

 

 Spotlight on Influence: The Story of Rotarian Victor Ojelabi

by Dr. Yinka Dixon | 31 Aug 2025

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Introduction

In every generation, a few voices rise above the noise. Those are voices that do more than comment. They shape the conversations that matter.

Rotarian Victor Ojelabi is one of those voices. His journey into media began not with privilege, but with passion.

Victor is a trained mass communicator and graduate of Lagos State Polytechnic, with a commanding voice in pop culture, religion, politics, business, and entertainment. Renowned for his fearless writing and unapologetic honesty, he is never afraid to speak truth to power.

He cut his professional media teeth as a creative executive and professional writer at Fortune&Class Magazine under the tutelage of respected veteran journalist, Dr. Niyi Akinsiju. That early foundational mentorship blossomed into more than a decade-long career of impact in Nigerian media, business, and social advocacy.

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A Creative Force in Media

Over the years, Victor has contributed to numerous high-profile and influential publications in Nigeria’s media space, including Marketing Edge, Brand Communicator, Global Excellence, M2, and Metronews.

His work is defined by fearless honesty and creative depth - the kind of storytelling that doesn’t just inform but transforms public opinion.

In recognition of his impact, he was named Media Personality of the Year (2024) and emerged as first runner-up at the 2025 ADVAN Africa Awards.

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Leadership at Iretura & Freelanews

As the head of Iretura Limited, a Lagos-based creative and media consultancy, Victor has redefined brand storytelling and positioned Iretura as a trusted ally for businesses seeking not just publicity, but influence.

He is also the visionary founder of TheFLEA Awards and publisher of Freelanews.com, a digital platform that has steadily grown since its 2011 launch. 

By 2019, Freelanews secured its permanent domain, and in 2024, it was honoured with a Special Appreciation Award by the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) for its contribution to impactful journalism.

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A Heart for Service

But Victor’s story isn’t just about media.  It is also about humanity. 

His path led him into the global network of Rotary International, where he has served in multiple leadership roles, leaving his mark at both the club and district levels.

From chairing the acclaimed “Brush Strokes of Hope” art exhibition at Radisson Blu Ikeja GRA, to co-chartering the Rotary Club of Ikeja Township, Victor has consistently used his creativity to advance Rotary’s mission of service.

He currently serves as Vice President and President-Elect of the club, as well as Secretary of the Public Image Committee at the District 9112 level. 

His editorial contributions also extend continent-wide as Assistant Editor of the Rotary Africa Zone 22 Region 27 Magazine.

Olukemi’s Gift: How to Un-Nigerian Yourself Without A Name Change - Thinking Out Loud

Olukemi’s Gift: How to Un-Nigerian Yourself Without A Name Change
(A Kemi Kakistocracy of Identity)

Thinking Out Loud Series - Satire, Questions, Culture & Commentary

Dr. Yinka Dixon  | 9th August 2025
Image Credit: Tori.NG

Kemi Badenoch’s recent declaration that she no longer identifies as Nigerian sparked a wave of reactions across the diaspora. 

For me, it was a case study in identity, heritage, and the curious ways politics tries to rewrite personal history.... and the humour writes itself.

Once upon a time, in the curious kingdom of Westminster, there lived a woman called Olukemi - Gift of God.

Not just any gift, mind you. This was the kind of gift that comes wrapped in Yoruba vowels, sealed with ancestral stamps, and delivered with a history, longer than the River Niger.

But one sunny political morning, Olukemi - now Kemi Badenoch - told the world she had resigned from being Nigerian.

Yes, resigned. No resignation letter to the Nigerian High Commission. No press conference in Lagos. Just an elegant announcement on a British medium: “I no longer identify as Nigerian.”

She has not renewed her Nigerian passport for (plus or minus) 20 years. So, to be fair, in Nigerian immigration terms, that’s practically, a little over, two entire administrations, three airport renovations, and a handful of “Japa” waves.)

And yet… she remains KEMI.

A name so unapologetically Nigerian, it carries its own praise poetry: - like an Adekemi  (my crown’s gift), or an Oluwakemisola (the Lord pampers me with wealth), and, if we’re being linguistically playful, we might say... Kemi-Can’t-Delete-Her-Roots.

Colonial Passport Exchange

It’s the political equivalent of strolling casually into Heathrow’s imaginary Identity Duty-Free Shop: “Turn in your Nigerian passport here, collect your British self over there, mind the gap between ancestry and reality.” 

Some even picture her browsing the Identity Duty-Free shop... trading jollof rice for fish and chips, and Yoruba proverbs for Westminster politeness and Parliamentary procedure, but still unable to hide the accent when annoyed.

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The Name That Refused to Leave

Her new British identity is immaculate, crisp accent, a Cabinet seat, and a political posture so upright it could balance the Crown Jewels.
But every roll call, every headline, every campaign poster whispers: “Kemi… Kemi… Kemi…”

It’s the kind of name that instantly makes every Nigerian auntie reach for jollof rice and ask, “Who are your people?”

The "Name Amnesty" Proposal

Since she’s ‘renounced’ Nigeria, here's a proposal: 

Perhaps the UK Home Office should create a Name Amnesty Scheme for such cases...  anyone wishing to fully un-Nigerian themselves must also return their Yoruba name to the Federal Name Registry in Lagos.“Please place your ‘Kemi’ in the collection tray, alongside your middle name and any unclaimed pepper soup recipes.”

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This "DNA vs. Passport" Paradox

Science presents us with this stubborn truth: you can cancel a passport, but not your chromosomes. Even if you burn the flag, your melanin won’t care and won't obey Brexit. 

As one fictional scientist put it: “We ran her ancestry test twice. It still says 'Yoruba'." Very stubborn DNA.”

Identity as a "Performance Art"

Kemi says she had a rough time at boarding school in Sagamu, likening it to prison. 

(Many Nigerians will tell you that’s just standard hostel living - with mosquitoes (not as matron) but as the wardens. She recounts this as part of the reason she doesn’t feel connected anymore. Tough baloney!!

The "Sagamu Prison Break"

Kemi’s Great Escape: starring mosquito wardens, water-fetching sentences, and the daily roll call of boiled yam.

It could almost be a Nollywood prison drama: Kemi’s Great Escape. Complete with mosquito wardens, bucket-fetching punishments, and boiled yam served as both breakfast and emotional resilience training. 

Nigerians would laugh knowingly, because for many students, that is "boarding school" life. The kind of life many students even look forward to.... 

Moving On... (very simple to do)

Kemi claims she's "moved on".. yet Nigeria remains in her speeches like a supporting actor she didn’t want to cast but can’t quite replace. 

Her critiques keep Nigeria in the room.... even if she swears she’s moved to another house.

The "Diaspora’s Split-Screen" Reaction

In the grand amphitheatre of social media, the Nigerian diaspora had a field day:

• Some applauded: “She’s just being real... claim the passport you use.”

• Others sipped palm wine and muttered: “It’s not by passport. You can’t just ‘log out’ of DNA.”

The "Ghost of the WhatsApp" Auntie

Kemi is seen in the inescapable diaspora family group chat even after her public renunciation...

Somewhere, Auntie Bisi in Abeokuta is still sending her “Good Morning” GIFs, church flyers, and wedding invites. 

“Aunty, please stop forwarding me ‘Nigerian Women Are the Best Wives’ videos ---- I’m British now.”

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Political Spin Master’s Playbook

The ultimate identity politics rebrand... Political commentators noted the paradox:

She’s like a Nollywood star announcing retirement, then still showing up in every sequel.

Kemi didn’t just cross the floor ---- she crossed the continent, cut the ancestral cord, and kept the name for brand recognition.

Some observers think it’s less about renunciation and more about rebranding...  a clever identity politics move. She’s playing 4D chess: Nigeria becomes her go-to contrast tool when rallying the Tory base.

Kemi has made Nigeria her perfect contrast tool: the foil she needs to shine brighter in the Tory theatre. Not bad at all... Do we mind? Do we care?

Closing Scene

So here she is... Minister Kemi Badenoch. Nigerian by heritage, British by declaration, and globally trending by provocation.
She may have left Nigeria on paper, but Nigeria, like a persistent auntie, still keeps calling her name at the family meeting.

And somewhere.... somewhere in the Yoruba dictionary, under Olukemi, the definition remains: A gift... whether claimed, returned, or rebranded for the British market. 

You Can’t Rename Melanin

Kemi can wear pearls instead of her ancestral coral beads, trade our nutritious Nigerian zobo for British tea, and embrace Big Ben souvenirs in place of her Zuma Rock fridge magnets, but beneath that winter coat, the sun of West Africa still sits quietly in her skin.

Dr. Yinka Dixon

THINKING OUT LOUD SERIES

Queen of New Beginnings | BookPreneur | Public Interest Journalist 
(c) New Beginnings Impact Journal ~ Real stories. Fresh starts.
New Beginnings Publishing and Career Soultions Ltd.
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"For The Lack of Laura" – An Evening of Magic and Music at London’s Shaw Theatre

By Yinka Dixon 

Wednesday 30th July 2025

Launch Thinking Out Loud With Dr. Yinka Dixon Series

 ✍🏾 Thinking Out Loud With Dr. Yinka Dixon

Because some thoughts won’t wait for perfect grammar, polished hair, or political approval.

Because truth often hides in plain sight.

And life?
It’s lived on the margins of systems too neat to notice our tears.

I write because some stories won’t sit quietly.

• Because sometimes, policy can bruise deeper than fists.
• Because borders are not just fences!!  - Sometimes, they are funeral announcements dressed as paperwork.
• And because someone has to whisper the headlines behind the headlines… before the whispers disappears.

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🌍 Welcome to my new public interest series

(c) Thinking Out Loud With Dr. Yinka Dixon

No shouting. No panic. Just truth.
Maybe a sigh. Sometimes a scream.
But always, dignity.

• Because silence is too expensive.
• Because someone, somewhere, needs to read this before it’s their turn.
• Because when I think, I don’t just think… I write.

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🖋️ What to expect

This is not just opinion!!  It is observation, disruption, and dignity… out loud.

• Sometimes calm.
• Sometimes fiery.
• Always honest.

Truth. Grit. Grace. All in one breath.

Fake Online Ads Target Micheál Martin and Other Irish Leaders in Deepfake Investment Scam Again

Image Credit: [Michael Martin-AI curated public image]

Beware: Scam Ads Using Micheál Martin's Image to Promote Fake Investments

Yinka Dixon ~ 15 July 2025

A concerning trend is resurfacing online!! Scam advertisements falsely claiming that the Irish Prime Minister, Micheál Martin is endorsing a so-called "lucrative" investment scheme.

This is entirely false.

In recent days, I came across one of these ads on social media. It was hosted on an obscure website with an image-heavy layout. 

It featured headlines like “Martin’s latest move shocks the banks!” or “Ireland's Prime Minister urges citizens to invest now!”

This is a common scam tactic aimed at luring people into parting with their money. DON'T FALL FOR IT.

The ad linked to a page that mimicked legitimate news sites but pushed users to deposit funds into what appeared to be a crypto-based platform.

‼️ What is Really Happening?

These ads are part of a growing wave of deepfake and impersonation scams that exploit the names and images of high-profile figures.

They’re not endorsed by any government, politician, or legitimate financial institution. 

Similar scams have misused other Irish leaders like Leo Varadkar, and even international public figures, to promote fake investment platforms.

🔎 The Facts

Micheál Martin has publicly disavowed any connection to these scams.

In 2023, he took legal action against Google to uncover those responsible for the fraudulent ads.

These scam ads have been viewed millions of times according to The Irish Times and Independent.ie.

The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau continues to warn the public about AI-generated scams.

🛡 How to Protect Yourself

Never trust investment ads with sensational headlines using celebrity or political endorsements.

If an ad urges urgency or guaranteed profits... it is a red flag.!!

Always check the domain name. Example: floridatwirling.com is not a credible news source.

Report scams to platforms like Facebook or via FraudSmart.ie.

💬 Final Thoughts

In our fast-moving digital age, scammers have learned to weaponize trust. But we can fight back with awareness, critical thinking, and community vigilance.

Let’s stay alert, share this information, and protect one another, especially our seniors, newcomers, and digital beginners.

🙌 And on a Final Note...

Micheál Martin is the current Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) since January 2025. He is a Fianna Fáil party politician who previously served as Taoiseach from 2020 to 2022, then as Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence from 2022 to 2025. He has led the Fianna Fáil party since 2011 and was Opposition Leader from 2011 to 2020. (Wikipedia).

Written by

Dr. Yinka Dixon, PhD (hc), CIPM, MPM, PME

Member – National Union of Journalists (UK and Ireland)

Public Interest Journalist | Digital Educator | Publisher.

BookPreneur | Seniors Transitions Coach | Migration & Scholarship Advocate

Designated Safeguarding Lead | Mental Health & Suicide Prevention 1st Responder.

Higher Diploma – Women in Leadership & Politics

Vocational Education Management

Founder – New Beginnings Impact Journal

Publisher – New Beginnings Publications Ltd

📩 Contact: https://t.me/NBPCSTelegram

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🔖 #ScamAlert #FakeNews #AIScams #MicheálMartin #InvestmentScam #DigitalSafety #Deepfake #OnlineFraud #NewBeginningsJournal #IrelandNews #PublicAwareness