I graduated from secondary school in 2003 with high hopes, higher than Everest, it all got higher when my lovely Aunty wanted to send me to Canada to continue my studies, I was happy, I was walking tall and telling it to anyone who wanted to listen, even to some who didn't.I started imagining that I had grown wings when my Aunty even sent my admission letter right from Canada to me. This was in 2005, I was 19, I was sure I was going to celebrate my 20th Birthday in Canada since I was to start school there on the 3rd of Jan. 2006.
But things happen, things I don't want to remember, though I do remember, I don't want to say them. So I had to stay in Ngieria and go through the horrorful ordeal of seeking for admission in Nigerian Universities, which has to take one at least 3 or more years to gain, except one belongs to one of those high and mighties.
I thought the world was closing down on me, I thought I was at the wrong hand side of God when my 20th Birthday came and I was still in Nigeria. I was disappointed, weighed down, felt rejected, ejected and dejected, worst of all, I felt like a box full of food ruins.
But now at 23, and in a Nigerian University (private with a difference), I feel different, I feel God had it all planned for me. I now thank God I didn't move a step out of Nigeria. If I did, I wouldn't have known about Nigeria and Nigerians the way I know about them now. I wouldn't have known that Nigerians are suffering because of bad leadership, I wouldn't have known about suffering myself, it would have sounded strange when I hear about people suffering in Nigeria. Now I am glad I stayed, I am greatful to God I know my people; I know their problems as well as its sources.
Its now left for me (and any other young man who cares) to study hard, make out make out my own way (create a job if there isn't one out there), to help my people (Nigerians) the little I can. I have to do something; I believe everyone was born to do something.
If I can train just five poor students in school, if I can give shelter to only five people, if I can feed just five people, if I can solve a hunger problem in five little towns, if I can give justice to five people, if I can save five lives before I die, Ishall die knowing that I have done something.
If I can do more, wow! I really have lived the way a human being should live. But if I do less, well, I think I shouldn't have lived at all! Oh yes, I shouldn't have, because I would be useless.
Staying back in Nigeria was just the will of God, I can always travel out of the country (when I have worked my way, legally, into money and I have started doing something). I can do a post graduate degree or something outside Nigeria, I can go on a vacation, I can go on a business trip, I can pay a visit but I can never reside in any country outside Nigeria. I love Nigeria, I love Africa, its a good continent spoilt by bad leadership, greed, bribery and corruption but I believe we (the young and studying) can make things right, yes, we can, we can make a change soonest!
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