Writing a yearly review is a habit I picked up from Oluwarufus. Most years, my reflections remain private, but 2024 has been so remarkable that I feel compelled to share the goodness and blessings I’ve experienced.

A Dramatic Start to the Year

2024 started with a life-changing event that I’ll never forget. After attending WOFBEC, I decided to be a supportive husband and accompany my wife to her antenatal appointment on January 8th. What began as a routine day quickly turned into a dramatic one when the doctor informed us that our baby needed to be delivered immediately.

Our daughter was born that day without even having our hospital bag packed! It was a whirlwind experience filled with overwhelming joy and gratitude. Becoming a father has been the highlight of my year—a blessing I’ll forever cherish.

Discovering a New Passion

I’ve always had diverse interests—electronics, architecture, music, badminton, chess, programming—but photography has remained an unfulfilled passion.

This year, I finally took a bold step by investing in a Sony ZV-E10 mirrorless camera, despite the challenges posed by the naira's depreciation. To further immerse myself in this newfound passion, I joined the Photography (Focus) department at my church in September—a decision that has turned out to be one of the best I’ve made this year.

Initially, I doubted my skills and hesitated to join, but the experience has pushed me to grow quickly. Just last week, I had the privilege of covering a two-day event: my dad’s 70th birthday celebration. It was a success, and now I’m considering turning this passion into a side hustle in 2025.

Career Growth Under Pressure

When I left First Bank in 2022, I knew my journey in banking wasn’t over, but I needed a break for my mental well-being. I planned to stay at my new job for just a year, but one year turned into two.

When the opportunity arose to return to one of my previous employers, I took it, despite concerns about increased workload and only a marginal salary bump. What drew me back was the chance to grow my leadership skills.

Since resuming, I’ve gained invaluable experience in leadership, communication, appraisals, and recruitment. I’ve led both straightforward and complex teams, and while pressure isn’t always comfortable, I embrace it because it drives growth.

That said, I recognize areas for improvement, such as leading teams in domains where I’m not an expert. I’m determined to become a better leader in 2025.

Technologies

This year, I worked with a variety of programming languages and technologies. From my areas of expertise, such as ASP.NET and SQL, to big data technologies where I had little prior experience, I’ve had to adapt and grow quickly to meet the demands of being a middle manager.

2024 also marked a significant milestone in my career: 10 years of industry experience as a programmer. I still vividly remember my first day at Ecobank on June 2, 2014. Reflecting on the journey since then fills me with gratitude and determination for the future.

Blogging and YouTube

This year, I published seven technical blog posts on TechWithYomi.com and created two YouTube videos. Although it’s a modest start, I’m proud of the effort I’ve made to share my knowledge.

In 2025, I plan to take this aspect of my life more seriously by publishing 50+ videos (both short and long-form) and writing extensive technical posts—enough to compile into a book. Feel free to hold me accountable!

Volunteering

This year, I actively participated in mentoring through an NGO I’m involved with. Odeyemi Seun and I hosted a six-week SQL class, the recordings of which are available on YouTube. These sessions were enriching, and I look forward to more opportunities to mentor and share knowledge in the coming year.

SQL Training

Looking Ahead to 2025

In 2025, I hope to expand my presence on YouTube and social media, create more technical content, and continue mentoring others. There’s so much to share, and I’m excited to connect with a broader audience.

What would you like to see from me in 2025? Videos? Articles? Mentorship sessions? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!