Controversial Nigerian journalist and writer, Kemi Olunloyo, recently marked her son, Olukayode Joshua Taiwo’s 24th birthday with touching messages and heartfelt photos to commemorate his special day.
While Kemi expressed pride in her son’s journey and aspirations, Olukayode used the occasion to open up about the personal struggles he has been facing, offering a raw and honest glimpse into the challenges that have shaped his life since he moved to the United States a year ago.
In a deeply personal social media post, Olukayode shared the obstacles he has encountered, including feelings of isolation and mistreatment from extended family members, as well as the difficulty of adjusting to a new life away from his home country.
He expressed that while his mother has remained a constant source of support, his experiences in the United States have often been lonely and challenging, shedding light on the realities of starting over in a foreign country with little family support nearby.
The young man’s post quickly gained attention, sparking discussions around the complexities of family dynamics, the cultural challenges immigrants often face, and the toll of mental health struggles that can arise in the face of such challenges.
In his message, Olukayode detailed some of the most difficult moments he has experienced, saying; “Happy Birthday to me and to being in America for 1 year already. I’m getting closer to my mid-20s and it’s haunting me because I feel alone in this world and I feel like time is running out. Coming back to a country I haven’t lived in for 11 years all by myself to restart my life from all the abuse and depression I went through in Nigeria from my extended family and only having my mom while I was there.”
He continued, “Being here alone with no support system has been hard. No parents, friends, or family to support, but I’ve made the most of it myself. I’ve been homeless countless times, losing countless jobs, having accidents, and people stealing from me at my lowest.”
Olukayode went on to recount his experience with a serious car accident that led him to lose his first car to a reckless driver, legal battles as a new driver, and numerous other hardships, explaining how these incidents challenged his faith and forced him to fend for himself in ways he had never anticipated.
“I’ve been kicked out, slept outside, slept in my car while working three jobs, and trying to pursue a career in modelling. Everything I went through made me stray a bit from God, but I’m writing this as something to look back on when everything eventually gets better, and also because people don’t see the struggle off social media; they just see the good moments,” he added.
Olukayode concluded his post by expressing his hope that one day he could turn these experiences into a book, aiming to inspire others who may be facing similar struggles, and thanking everyone for their birthday wishes.
