THE SOFT MAN

stance. And sometimes, the deepe

ch for an upcoming panel discussion on men's mental health in Lagos. His story had reached an NGO that worked wi

ry in small circles, among brothers who knew the language o

nk I'm weak?" he wh

se my job? My

unded like his father's-sneere

to the floor, clutching his chest. Ijeoma found him gasping, drenched in sweat. For

lled f

hysical was wrong. "Stress-induced anxiety,"

once, he accepted

his journey-not with pride, but with clarity. He realized he had wa

ined him. "Daddy," the boy said hesitantly, "I cried at school today because

s heart full. "That makes

at the conference. Journalists, psychologists, corp

the mi

a father, a survivor of emotional abuse,

fell l

itself as strength. Of the moment he knew he would die slowly if he

es. "I've never told anyone that my wife hits me when she's ang

earfully. "Thank you," one said, "for helpin

ged online. Some mocked. Others chee

instead of falling apart, he fell forward-