Media personality and actress Nancy Isime has once again taken fans down memory lane, sharing a heartwarming story of struggle, sisterhood, and the silent kindness that shaped her journey.
In a touching Instagram post, the award-winning host reflected on her early hustle days, revealing that between the ages of 17 and 19, she often had no place to sleep after long days working as an usher and model. With her family living far away in Ikorodu, and most of her jobs taking place in town, Nancy said getting home at night was sometimes impossible. She wrote:
“The ages 17–19 was basically me struggling for a place to sleep when I worked too late to go home.
Sometimes I’d brave it back home to Ikorodu at 2 or 3am in my koin-koin shoe, with my dad calling every 3 minutes and my brothers trying to meet up with me on the road.”
She described nights spent sleeping on chairs joined together or directly on rugs, and sometimes having to crash with coworkers who were kind enough to host her till morning.
Nancy then recounted how, years ago, she called Yemi Alade, who at the time was just an acquaintance, to ask if she could stay at her off-campus apartment for a bit. Yemi didn’t hesitate. Nancy Isime narrated:
“Fam, I stayed for weeks and this woman NEVER EVER complained! In fact, the peace was too much, I had to leave when I wasn’t ready to.”
She eventually got her own place in the same building after gaining admission to university, but the friendship and kindness she received from Yemi remained a permanent bookmark in her life. The actress cum media personality shared;
“It wasn’t just that she let me squat. I squatted with other people too. It was the attitude, the consideration, the peace. That’s what stood out.”
She wrapped up the post with a powerful tribute to Yemi:
“My Padi @yemialade, I dey for you for life!!”
Nancy’s story has since touched fans and colleagues alike, with many praising her vulnerability, while applauding Yemi Alade for being a quiet hero during Nancy’s humble beginnings.