My son sucked his fingers to stave off hunger - Nigerian man recalls the darkest year of his life

A Nigerian man, Vincent Aluu, has opened up about the darkest year of his life, facing hardship and financial struggles.   According to Vincent, he was pursuing his MSc programme in 2017 when life took a turn for the worse, leaving him unable to feed his family and pay his children's school fees.   The father of three said he had to park his car for 10 months due to inability to afford fuel or repairs and resorted to selling some properties to make ends meet.   He recalled trekking a long distance to the University of Uyo to save transport fare for my wife's meals and their newborn's nourishment.   Reflecting on his journey from deprivation to abundance, Vincent encouraged those going through difficult times to never give up.  He expressed appreciation for his wife, spirited individuals, close friends and associates for their support.  2017 was the darkest year of my life. I recall trekking from Udo Udoma Avenue to the University of Uyo, Ikpa Road, for lectures to save transport fare for my wife's meals and our newborn's nourishment. I was pursuing my MSc programme then, he wrote in a Facebook post on Monday, September 8, 2025. Whenever friends offered me snacks, I'd ask for cash instead to take home to my kids. Okro soup became our staple. My second son, now 7, sucked his fingers to stave off hunger, a habit that persisted until last year. I trekked shege to and fro Ewet Housing and Shelter Afrique to keep appointments that sometimes were not fruitful. Truth is, we do not resemble our challenges in most cases. Na why plenty people no know weti i don suffer. I withdrew my kids from Kings and Queens School Ewet Housing. They were home for one term. Later moved them to a lower rate school. Today, that chaoter is different. I had to park my car for 10 months due to inability to afford fuel or repairs. I resorted to selling some properties to make ends meet. Thank God for Rep. Unyime Idem who provided a lifeline that restored my hope.  You now know why Boss Idem is Boss for life. Several spirited individuals, close friends and associates lent a helping hand, while my in-laws were pillars of support. Others, however, turned a blind eye. I witnessed the depths of hardship, but by God's grace, our story has changed today. I wouldn't wish that harrowing experience on anyone. Thank God for the kind of wife I got married to. She stood by and with me to the very end. Today, na she dey collect alert, spend the money while I proudly do the work. Let this story encourage someone out there who wants to give up. Like Aniekeme Finbarr would say DO IT DARW IT.   The post My son sucked his fingers to stave off hunger - Nigerian man recalls the darkest year of his life appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.