IT’S UP TO YOU - by Emetekefe Akpovwovwo

Yesterday, at the SHE Creates event, Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede , a seasoned journalist, remarked in her opening speech that “It’s up to you! If ever there was a reality check, that was it.” This statement tugged at my heartstrings. She was speaking on the topic The Audacity of the Magic Within. The words resonated deeply, reminding me of a truth that the responsibility for our lives and growth ultimately lies within us. Reflecting on her words, I became fully aware how much they align with my own experiences. All my life, I have lived both consciously and unconsciously with the perception that it’s up to me to continue ahead, be diligent in my work, and grow into the person I aspire to be. Our progress is entirely our own responsibility. While we all navigate life with different dreams and aspirations, the common thread is that it’s up to us to put in the work. Everybody is busy pursuing their own aspirations, which vary greatly. For some, it's about living and putting food on the table, while for others, it's about establishing empires and aiming high. No matter what your ambition is, big or small, the principle remains the same: it’s up to you to put in the work to make it happen. No one is coming to save you. It's your effort, your dedication, and your actions that will influence your results.Just to switch things lightly, I am thankful to God for creating hunger. Really. In Amma Darko’s Faceless, Fofo, the protagonist described poverty as “an ugly square head” with “fat big toes.” Her ‘knowledge’ of ‘hunger’s physical form’ influenced her decision to get the best out of life regardless of her background. Imagine a world where there’s no hunger, no need to work or labour for anything. People will most likely get overly comfortable and live stagnant lives. Hunger is an incessant reminder that we must keep moving, working, and striving. Lade’s anthem Adulthood Na Scam also stretches this incontestable truth. The lyrics “You gat to hustle, make a living 24/7. Nobody go ask if you don chop, nobody go send you free money. If you no get, na you sabi” totally summarizes the idea that when you become an adult, life no longer gives you everything or anything on a shiny tray. It’s a hustle, you have to work for it and it’s entirely up to you to figure out how to navigate it. You have to be accountable by taking responsibility for your life. Seek out accountability partners or mentors that can help you stay on track and push you to achieve what you might otherwise put off. Nonetheless, with accountability partners and mentors, it’s still ultimately up to you to show commitment and a sense of purpose because no one can do the work for you, no one can make the decisions for you, and no one can live your life for you. No matter how you try to look at it, at the end of the day, IT’S UP TO YOU.By the way, I couldn’t believe it when I was told I was the first attendee to arrive at the event, especially because I came all the way from Ojo. Quite a distance from the location of the event. To my surprise, I got a gift. My gift was a 1.7kg pack of Viva Gold Plus detergent powder and I love it.

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