From Trials To Triumph: My Story Of Resilience.

There was a time in my secondary school days I was almost sent home. I was in SS2 then, and my school was a very strict one at that. In my school you can't fail in private. Back then, if you were in SS1 and you did not do well, you could not repeat; you would be sent back home, except if you were a science student, you are either sent to commercial or art class. In SS2 going to SS3, you can repeat...only once. But guess what? I had a very terrible result at the end of my SS2; I was given a promotion on trial. That means I had to do well in my first term of SS3, or else I am going back to repeating SS2. I held my results, my hands trembling. I don't even know how to show them at home.

But then, I can't give up. I have been a fighter since my early days, never settling for less. So, I made changes, I started reading more, I asked questions, and I asked a very intelligent neighbor of mine to please tutor me all through the holiday period. I won't allow one bad result to define me. I reduced hanging out with friends; I stopped the usual even football matches. People murmured and gossiped. I was less concerned; this is my life, and no one would live it for me. At the end of the day, if things go bad...they would still talk.

By the time we resumed, I was already a changed person. Also, in my school then, the last five students and best five students were always called to the front of the assembly at the end of every session. Yea, that's how bad and good it was. I had never heard my name, not until SS3. During my own set, they expanded it to the top and last ten. That morning, when my name was called out among the top ten, I couldn't believe it. They repeated the names again, and my heart leapt. This was unbelievable; I had gone from nearly being sent home to being among the best. I celebrated it the little way I could. I bought a phone around that time, and my dad didn't object to it. In my house, until your WAEC result is out, you are not allowed to own a phone. I was so happy; it felt like attaining something that was impossible.

After some years, higher institution brought its own challenges too. Health issues slowed me down, almost derailing me. Even with all the inconvenience I had health-wise, I was still having some issues with one of our top lecturers; he even told me to my face that I would not graduate. But as a fighter that I am, I wouldn't give in. I made sure to do all that was needed to be done—tests, assignments, seminars, projects, group work, and the like—while still taking good care of my health.

After years of struggle, I graduated with a top credit. I was happy and grateful. I had faced all sorts of obstacles...health, doubt, and even verbal discouragement from people who thought my health wouldn't allow me to finish. But still, I came out on top.

But I never knew something was awaiting me; it was later I found out that what I had was different from what was in my departmental record.

I had already done a printout on my portal since. So, I have that, but the certificate is not yet ready. Also, what was in my record was a low credit. How come? The same thing was sent to NYSC for mobilization. But God took control. I went back to the school, met with the right authorities, they checked my record, transcript, and all, and it was rectified. I regained my spot. The top regardless. My celebration was simple: I gave all the glory to God, treated myself to a very good meal, and hung out with friends.

These wins taught me that to succeed, you must refuse to give up on a daily basis. When you fall, you don't stay there...on the floor; you rise up back. You must always learn from failure, and even if it's little, make sure to celebrate your wins/victories along the way. With faith, determination, and discipline, you will always triumph... no matter what.

Images are mine.