By Abukar Osman - Reporter
Mogadishu, 10 September 2026 - Sometimes, a single day divides a person's life into two parts.
Asad Mohamed Haji, known by Somalis as Asad Hagio, was born and raised in Marka, the capital of Lower Shabelle region. He began his education there, where his life was later changed by an event that would not be easy to forget.
The day everything changed
August 27, 2012, began like an ordinary and joyful day. Asad said he was in good condition during the hours before the incident, but everything suddenly changed.
While he was at his workplace, a group of armed men opened fire on him, causing him to lose consciousness and suffer serious injuries.
After the injury, he remained unconscious for some time. When he regained consciousness, he found himself being rushed to a hospital.
One of the most difficult pieces of news he received was that he might never be able to stand or walk again.
Yet, hope did not disappear.
"I still have hope," he said, expressing his belief that he would walk again.
While recovering, he said it was discovered that people were searching for him and that there were others who wanted to harm him.
"While I was in that condition, it was discovered that people were looking for me," he said during an interview on the Barbaarta program broadcast by Dawan, hosted by Abukar Osman.
He was later taken to Madina Hospital in Mogadishu, where he said he stayed for nearly two weeks. His relatives, family and friends stood by him during that difficult period.
Recovery in Mogadishu
Photographs and footage taken during his recovery now serve as memories for Asad of the difficult period he went through.
He specifically mentioned Abdullahi Haji and his family, whom he said stood by him during the difficult time.
But Asad's story does not end with the injury.
How he got into YouTube
Before YouTube, Asad relied on his skills. He was active on Instagram and Facebook, and he had previously worked in photography and printing-related jobs.
YouTube was not part of his original plan.
He initially appeared in videos made by his brother and published on a channel called Arimaheena. Viewers began encouraging him to create a channel of his own.
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When he first tried it, a video in which he appeared went viral.
"People made me love it," he said.
That support eventually led him to make YouTube his full-time work.
Today, Asad considers YouTube a job, but he said he does not want to depend on one source alone. He believes people should develop other skills they can rely on in the future.
He also advised young people not to rush for results, but to learn digital skills and invest time in building their knowledge.
According to him, someone who spends five or six years developing a skill can gain experience that changes their life.
He warned against focusing only on view counts, saying that audience trust is more important than quick views. A misleading title might bring views today, but it can damage trust in the future.
A message to people with disabilities
The injury he experienced has also influenced the message he shares today with people with disabilities.
Asad encouraged them to make use of their skills, participate in society and take advantage of available opportunities.
He also advised families of children with disabilities not to keep their children confined to the home, but to allow them to go outside and interact with the community.
Do not lose hope
When asked what he would say today to himself on the first day he spent in the hospital, his answer was hope.
He said he would tell himself not to give up, because circumstances can change.
"Do not lose hope," he said.
Perhaps this is the greatest message in his story: the place a person is seen today is sometimes the result of having passed through a place where no path seemed visible.
Asad Hagio's story is not only a story about YouTube and social media.
It is a story about a person born and raised in Marka, where he also began his education. It is the story of someone who experienced injury and fear, but never lost hope.