Johnnywriter's Early Life and Formative Experiences in Etinan

Long before he became known as Johnnywriter—the relationship therapist, entrepreneur, and founder of Hisparadise Group—he was Ukeme Johnny Nsekpong, a young boy from Etinan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. His early life experiences would shape not only his worldview but also plant the seeds for his future mission of helping others heal from emotional wounds.

Birth and Family Background

Born on June 15, 1996, in Etinan, Akwa Ibom State, Ukeme Johnny Nsekpong entered the world as the first child and only son in a family of four children. From his earliest days, his life would be marked by both challenge and resilience. Raised primarily by his mother alongside his three sisters, young Ukeme grew up without the presence of a loving marital relationship to model healthy dynamics.

"The absence of that foundational relationship example in my home created both a void and a question in me from an early age," Johnnywriter has shared. "I was constantly observing other families, wondering what healthy love looked like, and trying to piece together what I was missing."

This absence became a significant factor in developing his extraordinary empathy and emotional intelligence. Without realizing it, the young boy was already training himself to be acutely aware of relationship dynamics, emotional cues, and the unspoken needs of others.

When you grow up without something essential, you develop a heightened awareness of its importance. I could sense the impact of broken relationships everywhere—in my own heart, in my family, and in my community. That sensitivity became both my wound and, eventually, my gift.

Childhood in Etinan

Etinan, a local government area in the southern region of Nigeria, provided the backdrop for Johnnywriter's formative years. The community was tight-knit but faced the economic challenges common across much of Nigeria in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Resources were limited, and many families, including his own, navigated financial struggles while trying to provide education and opportunities for their children.

Despite these challenges, young Ukeme displayed an early intelligence and curiosity about the world around him. Friends and teachers from his primary school years recall a thoughtful, somewhat introspective child who asked deep questions and showed unusual concern for others' feelings.

"Even as a young boy, I was drawn to people's stories," Johnnywriter remembers. "I wanted to understand why some people seemed happy while others carried visible pain in their eyes. I became a listener early—sometimes because I was shy, but mostly because I was genuinely fascinated by what made people who they were."

Educational Journey

Johnnywriter's formal education began in Etinan, where he attended both primary and secondary school. Even in these early academic environments, he showed an aptitude for subjects that involved understanding human behavior and communication, though at the time, his path toward becoming a relationship therapist was not yet clear.

After completing his secondary education, Ukeme made the significant step of attending Madonna University in Okija, where he studied Banking and Finance. This choice of study, while seemingly disconnected from his eventual career path, provided him with valuable knowledge of business structures, financial management, and organizational leadership—skills that would later prove invaluable in building the Hisparadise Group conglomerate.

Johnnywriter graduated from Madonna University in the 2016/2017 academic session, completing his degree despite periods of internal struggle and uncertainty about his true calling. Following graduation, he fulfilled his mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program at the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in Ibusa, Delta State, in 2018.

While his academic training was rooted in finance, Johnnywriter's personal interests increasingly pulled him toward psychology, emotional healing, and understanding relationship dynamics. He began independently studying these subjects, reading extensively about trauma, attachment theory, and therapeutic approaches—laying the groundwork for his later professional training.

Personal Struggles and Inner Battles

Behind the scenes of his educational achievements, Johnnywriter was fighting significant personal battles that would later inform his therapeutic approach and deepen his empathy for others. During his late teens and early twenties, he experienced periods of depression, suicidal thoughts, and emotional trauma.

"There were times when the pain felt overwhelming," he has revealed in interviews. "I struggled with feelings of worthlessness, identity confusion, and a deep sense of disconnection—both from others and from myself. These were dark seasons that taught me the depth of human suffering but also the possibility of transformation."

Like many young men, Johnnywriter also faced addiction struggles, particularly with pornography—an experience that would later inspire his book "Freedom from Porn and Masturbation" and shape his approach to helping others overcome similar challenges.

These personal battles, while painful, gave him firsthand insight into the internal world of those dealing with emotional wounds, relationship dysfunction, and addiction cycles. They also fueled his determination to find healing pathways not just for himself but eventually for others.

My pain became my classroom. Every struggle taught me something about the human heart that no textbook could have explained. I learned that healing isn't theoretical—it's deeply personal, often messy, and requires both compassion and courage.

Early Signs of Purpose

Despite the challenges of his early life, there were glimmers of Johnnywriter's future calling that appeared even before he formally established Hisparadise Therapy. Friends from his university days recall how he naturally became the person others would seek out for advice, comfort, and perspective during difficult times.

"I didn't have formal training yet, but I had lived experience," Johnnywriter explains. "I knew what it felt like to be trapped in emotional pain and to search desperately for a way out. That created a natural bridge of understanding between myself and others who were suffering."

During his NYSC year in Ibusa, Delta State, Johnnywriter began informally counseling peers and community members, drawing on his personal healing journey and growing knowledge base. These early experiences of guiding others toward emotional healing confirmed his sense that despite his finance degree, his true calling lay in the realm of therapy and emotional wellness.

The Seeds of Hisparadise

As Johnnywriter's NYSC service concluded in 2018, he faced the pivotal decision that many Nigerian graduates encounter: follow the conventional path aligned with his degree or pursue the calling that had been taking shape through his personal experiences and informal helping relationships.

Choosing the less certain but more authentic path, he began taking specific courses and certifications in therapy, mental health, and relationship dynamics. His growing expertise in these areas, combined with his lived experience of overcoming personal struggles, formed the foundation for what would soon become Hisparadise Therapy.

In 2017, with minimal resources but extraordinary determination, Johnnywriter established Hisparadise Therapy—a small practice dedicated to supporting individuals and couples through emotional and relational challenges. What began as a modest endeavor in Asaba would eventually grow into a trusted institution and the cornerstone of the multi-industry Hisparadise Group.

From Ukeme Johnny to "Johnnywriter"

As his professional identity took shape, Ukeme Johnny Nsekpong became known by his now-familiar moniker: Johnnywriter. This name reflected both his family name and his growing passion for writing as a vehicle for healing and transformation.

"Writing became a crucial part of my own healing journey," he shares. "Putting words to my experiences helped me make sense of them and eventually transform them into wisdom that could serve others. The name 'Johnnywriter' captures that aspect of my identity and mission."

Through his writing—which would eventually include contributions to over 100 online publications—Johnnywriter began addressing topics like depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, and personal development. His authentic voice and willingness to draw from his own journey resonated with readers and helped reduce the stigma around mental health and therapy in Nigerian contexts.

Legacy of Early Experiences

Today, as the founder of Hisparadise Group and a respected relationship therapist, Johnnywriter's early life experiences continue to inform his work, his leadership style, and his vision for the future. The sensitivity, resilience, and empathy developed during his childhood in Etinan have become the foundation for his ability to connect with clients and guide his growing business ventures.

"I don't see my difficult beginnings as something to overcome or forget," Johnnywriter reflects. "They are an essential part of my story and a source of the wisdom I now offer others. Every aspect of Hisparadise—from our therapy approaches to our business ethics—is shaped by lessons that began in those early years."

The journey from a thoughtful boy in Etinan to the founder of multiple companies stands as testimony to the transformative power that Johnnywriter now helps others discover: that our deepest wounds can become the soil from which our greatest purpose grows.

Everyone is born with a purpose, but pain often reveals it. The challenges of my early life weren't random obstacles—they were preparation for the work I do today. This is the message I share with everyone who comes to Hisparadise seeking healing: your struggles are not meaningless. They are often the very path to your purpose.