At the exclusive launch of her memoir, Joan Yakubu Ifeoluwa unveiled a powerful story of emotional growth and resilience, rooted in a deeply personal chapter of her life. The book, born from raw jottings in an 80-leaf notebook, has become a beacon for those navigating the complexities of family, love, and broken homes.
Joan spoke candidly to attendees about a turning point that reshaped her worldview: how her time living with her father, after years of being raised solely by her mother, became a turning point. “At some point in life, we all go through experiences that redefine how we see the world,” Joan said. “For me, living with my father was one of those moments.”
“It was more than just a father-daughter experience-it was a lesson in relationships, in love, in loss, and in understanding what it truly means to build a home,” she explained at the event.
Joan noted that prior to living with her father – the only male figure she had ever lived with – she had little understanding of the unspoken struggles within marriages. “I saw firsthand why so many relationships crumble, and how deeply these fractures affect children and society,” she said. The memoir captures these revelations that she explains can guide others, especially the youth, into making wiser emotional decisions.
A key figure in the book’s journey, Joan’s mother played a pivotal role in its creation. After reading the notebook’s reflections, she told Joan, “This is something young people need to read before marriage.” Beyond endorsing its message, she edited the memoir, helping transform her daughter’s insights into a timeless resource for emotional education.
Throughout the launch, Joan expressed the belief that her parents’ and other marriages might have had a better outcome if there are more intentional communication and emotional awareness. “They could have settled it better if both parties give it more sittings or saw the red flags in their relationship,” she said. The memoir, therefore, stands as both a personal healing process and a public call for emotional education.
The launch also featured a review and had the award-winning journalist Juliana Francis, who reviewed it. Francis praised the memoir for its emotional depth and relevance, calling it “a brave, honest account that speaks to the heart of intergenerational trauma, resilience, and the urgent need for emotional intelligence in our homes.”
Closing the event, Joan encouraged attendees to see the book not just as a story, but as a shared journey. “If you’ve ever found yourself in the midst of uncertainty-about love, about family, about your place in the world-then this book is for you,” she said. “It is a voice in the storm, a light in the dark, and a reminder that even in brokenness, wholeness is possible.” The book is now available to the public, and Joan urges everyone to join in the movement: Let’s heal. Let’s grow. Let’s rise – together.