Everyone has an excuse – I am not always strong

Everyone has an excuse—I am not always strong 

 

I was 17 when I left for University because my dad was already posted from Ogun State to a place called Ikare Akoko in Ondo State. One of my dad’s friends was working on the admission for both myself and his son so it was a forgone conclusion because based on my scores, I should ordinarily get into school but you know what we call the Nigerian factor. 

 

The then registrar had assured us we were in but our names would come out with the supplementary lists so I parked my luggage and headed for school. Nobody followed me to school and I'm not sure anyone ever stepped a foot on my school. I got into school and paid for my hostel and settled in only to discover my name wasn’t out. 

 

I was 17 and was bent on pursuing my degree. I did all I could to reach the man after seeing my friends name come out, only for his secretary to hint me that my friend’s dad had tipped him and that the man had said I would need 5k to get my name out. I was 17 and started having panic attacks. I was desperate to get into Uni and would do anything to make it happen. 

 

I took the next bus with my last money on me, not to my house, because my dad would never tip anyone. I went straight to my uncle in Ibadan and begged him to help. He graciously had me the money and once I paid the man, my name was out the following day. This was 1995. 

Every time people call me strong, I smile because that I don’t wear my pain on my sleeves because I believe I could give more hope to others and I make it a point of duty never to blame anyone or make excuses for a weakness. 

 

Who are you blaming for your pain or trauma? 

 

When I see folks who went to private schools in Lagos blame everyone else for their outcome, I smile because I consider their position much more fortunate than the state I was because the towns I lived in growing up are spaces many of them would never wish they found themselves, but I had to because my dad was a priest and had to follow him everywhere, so imagine my life with 3 primary schools, 3 secondary schools and one University. 

 

What is your excuse? 

 

I have come today to challenge you to quit talking about what nobody did for you and start standing up to become the savior for others. How long are you going to keep repeating the same story that you should be tired of? For whatever excuse you want to give for your present state, you must remember people in worse situation have made a beautiful future of their lives by rising above it. 

 

I took some decisions at age 18 when my mum said to me, ‘ A child without a mother must never have a back injury.'

 

1. Never to blame anyone for my outcomes 

2. To always take responsibility and do all I can to conquer every mountain in front of me

3. To do all I can to lift others up 

4. Never expect a thank you for whatever I need to do to help others. 

 

What is your excuse and what decisions have you taken? 

 

If you have anyone who has provided support and you feel they have not done enough,. Always remember they don’t owe you. You are the only one that owes yourself the future you truly desire, and today is the time to take a decision and break free from this story that has made people constantly pity you and start taking steps that will make people seriously envious of you. 

 

I was not born strong; I only learnt how to turn my adversities into gym sessions to build the 6 packs of resilience and success. 

 

What is your excuse?