“When Life Got Hard, My Mum Left… Came Back Seven Years Later”, BBNaija’s Hermes Opens Up
In a heartfelt moment on the With Chude podcast, former Big Brother Naija star Hermes Iyele revealed a deeply personal chapter of his early life. He shared how his family’s circumstances changed dramatically when his father, once employed by UNICEF, lost his job. Struggling to make ends meet, his father resorted to driving a commercial bus to support the family, culminating in their move into an unfinished building. It was a scene too much for his mother to bear, she left in the middle of the night and didn’t come back for seven long years.
Though young and grappling with the void left by her absence, Hermes emphasized that he doesn’t resent his mother. Instead, he cherishes the unwavering love of his father, who raised him and his siblings with resilience and tenderness. Hermes credits this love for his capacity to still hold affection for his mother despite the challenges between them, noting that their marriage was far from perfect, and suggesting her actions were driven by necessity, not malice.
He also revealed a somber chapter: his mother passed away in November 2024. While their relationship could never fully heal, Hermes has embraced the lessons of empathy, patience, and self-awareness.