Laylah Ali Othman

The killings in Plateau State have gone on for far too long, and it breaks my heart to see that nothing seems to change. I remember as far back as 2004 when my own parents were caught in one of the crises in Jos. By the grace of God, they made it out alive, but the fear, the trauma, and the memories of that time never truly leave. Now, twenty-two years later, the same violence continues, as though human lives mean so little. How many more lives must be lost before this ends? How many more families must be torn apart, leaving behind widows, orphans, and unimaginable grief? So many brave service men and women have paid the ultimate price, and still, peace feels out of reach. Jos is not just a place on the map. It is a city full of beauty, warmth, and incredible people who deserve to live without fear. Yet, time and again, that peace is shattered. It is painful, deeply painful, to watch such a remarkable place be defined by recurring tragedy. Honestly, it feels like we have normalized suffering in this country, and that is one of the most painful parts. We mourn for a moment, we speak out, and then everything goes quiet until the next tragedy. It should never be normal to wake up to news of killings. It should never be acceptable to move on without real accountability, without real change. I strongly believe that beyond government intervention, there has to be a genuine shift in mindset. We must start seeing each other as human beings first, not as tribes, religions, or differences. Division has cost us too much already. Silence, indifference, and delayed action have only allowed this cycle to continue. We cannot keep going in circles. There must be stronger community engagement, sincere dialogue, and decisive action from those in power. Enough is enough. My heart goes out to every grieving family, every child left without a parent, every home left in ruins. May we find the strength to rise above division, beyond religion and ethnicity, and choose humanity first. Because at the end of the day, every life lost is a story cut short… and that should matter to all of us. Amb.(Dr) Laylah Ali Othman.

These are the habits that shaped me daily. Prayer to stay grounded. Exercise to stay disciplined. Giving to stay human. Accountability to stay responsible. Learning to keep growing. This is the lifestyle, not just a phase.

Eid Mubarak, everyone. May Allah accept every sincere act of worship. May He forgive what fell short. May He bring relief to every struggling heart, provide for every home in need, and fill our lives with peace that remains long after this day. May this Eid not be an end, but the beginning of a better version of us. Barka da Sallah. Allah ya sa mu dace, ya karɓi ibadunmu, ya sa mu zama masu alheri da juna. Eid Mubarak.

Outgrowing yourself is a different kind of strength. It means choosing growth over comfort, even when it feels unfamiliar. You don’t look like what you’ve been through anymore and that’s the point.

What does it really mean to give? Allah granted the opportunity to host 76 Almajiri for iftar at L&N Kitchen, Abuja. This is a quiet reminder that what we have is never truly ours; it is entrusted to us, and the real blessing is being able to share it. Alhamdulillah for moments like this. May Allah accept every sincere act of giving, place barakah in it, and reward all who give for His sake. May He provide for those in need, ease their struggles, and make us all witnesses to more acts of charity in our communities. Ameen.

You are more than a little bit of what you think of yourself. Your thoughts shape your confidence, your courage, and the life you choose to build. So think bigger about yourself. Believe deeper. Speak kinder words over your own life. Because the moment you start seeing your worth clearly, everything about the way you live begins to change.

Ramadan is a season that reminds the heart of what truly matters. My husband and I had the privilege of welcoming about 1500 people to break their fast with us in Jos. Watching so many people gather, share a meal, and leave with full hearts was a moment of deep gratitude and reflection. There is a special kind of joy in serving others for the sake of Allah. Seeing smiles, hearing prayers, and knowing that everyone ate well and returned home with a little gift made the experience even more meaningful. Moments like this remind us that true wealth is not in what we keep, but in what we are able to give. May Allah accept our little effort, place barakah in every act of kindness, and allow us to continue feeding hearts and homes during this blessed month.

Alhamdulillah for the opportunity to serve. During Ramadan, we traveled to Dengi in Jos where we shared a beautiful moment of unity and compassion with the community. We hosted an Iftar with about 3,000 people, coming together in gratitude to Allah for His mercy and blessings. The following day, we continued the outreach by distributing clothes to children and women to 400 recipients. Seeing the smiles, joy, and gratitude from everyone who received these gifts was truly humbling. We are deeply grateful to Allah for giving us the strength and resources to support others. Our prayer is that Allah continues to bless every recipient, bring ease to their homes, and reward everyone who made this act of kindness possible. May our small acts of generosity continue to spread hope, love, and unity in our communities.

Women are builders of homes, leaders of change, nurturers of dreams, and voices of courage. Today we celebrate every woman making the world better. Happy International Women’s Day.

Yesterday’s iftar at the Oasis was a moment my heart will never forget. Surrounded by my children, my siblings, their spouses, and our beautiful little ones, the evening was filled with warmth, laughter, and gratitude. There was plenty of food for everyone, even the amazing staff who helped make the moment smooth and joyful. Watching these children grow, seeing how far they have come and how beautifully they are becoming, humbles me deeply. Moments like this remind me that true wealth is found in family, love, and shared blessings. My husband stood by me in support, and I took my time serving the children their meals. It may seem simple, but to me it is one of the most fulfilling roles in the world. This is what mothers do, and I enjoyed every second of it. My heart is full, and my gratitude to Allah is endless. May Allah continue to bless our families, protect our children, and fill our homes with love, barakah, and unity. Ameen.

Being a supportive partner means more than saying “I love you.” It means showing up, listening without judgment, encouraging growth, and standing together through challenges. Real love is built on trust, respect, and consistency. When you support each other, you don’t compete you build. Strong relationships thrive when both people choose to be each other’s safe place and biggest cheerleader.

Today at The Oasis, we witnessed the true spirit of the Ummah. The Muslim Community Ummah, an organization that oversees and supports the Muslim community in Gwarinpa, visited us today. They are known for organizing outreaches and consistently extending help to those in need within their capacity. Today, they chose The Oasis as part of their outreach, blessing us with food items and cash gifts. We are sincerely grateful for your generosity and compassion. May Allah reward you abundantly, place barakah in your wealth and families, expand your impact, and make this act of kindness a source of continuous reward for you. Ameen. We also celebrated Usman and Fawzan’s birthday with songs and joy. A special thank you to Cakes by Sophie for the beautiful cake that made their day even more memorable. May Allah bless your business and grant you greater success for consistently supplying cake on the kids' special days. Ameen.

A woman should never put her life on pause waiting for anyone. Take ownership. Earn your own money. Buy the things you want. Build the life you deserve. Your financial power matters.

Legacy is not what you leave behind, but what you build into people while you are here.

As Ramadan begins today, I started the season on a very fulfilling note in Kano. I had a productive and insightful meeting with the amazing L&N Kitchen team to align goals, strengthen teamwork, and set the tone for excellence in this blessed month. I also took time to do some suya tasting, and yes, it was absolutely delicious! As we step into this sacred month, I wish everyone a peaceful, reflective, and rewarding Ramadan. May it bring us renewed strength, clarity, and countless blessings. 🌙✨

A woman who knows her worth does not dim her light to make others comfortable. She shines fully, because the world needs her brilliance exactly as it is.

When I don’t understand the plan, I hold onto the promise.

A thankful heart sees doors where others see walls. Gratitude changes perspective before it changes circumstances.

Change reshapes people before it ever reshapes their circumstances; it exposes strengths, challenges beliefs, and forces growth, whether one resists it or embraces it.

Which of the favors of the lord would you deny… Alhamdulillah @yusufadamugagdl Thank you, my love.