FOUR YEARS IN THE SAVANNAH IX

CHAPTER 9: BECOMING MYSELF Time flies. Time waited for no one The boy who arrived in Kashere, frightened, slowly disappeared. Stood in his place a different being. Someone stronger. The university changed me in many ways I never imagined. University taught me how to survive when the resources are limited. It taught me to appreciate genuine people. It taught me that family is not determined by blood. Sometimes, family are those who stood by you when the going gets tough. Every semester came with its own challenges. Assignments would become <a class="tc-blue external-link external-link" href="https://difficult.Examinations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">difficult.Examinations </a> became more demanding. There were days I felt like to give up Days I questioned myself if I had made the right decision. Days I wondered if I was truly good enough. But every obstacle reminded me why l left Ogbomoso. I remembered Àdùní I remembered how hot water was sliding down her cheeks the morning I left Ogbomoso. Giving up was a no go area for me. It was never an option. Slowly, I began to discover myself beyond the classroom. My confidence grew and found my voice. I realised that education was not only about passing examinations. It was about becoming a better version of oneself Flashing back, I smile and appreciate God whenever I remember John, who welcomed a stranger into his room without expecting anything in return. Tepasay and Joy who treated me like a brother from the very first day. I remember Gift and his family, who took me as their own and gave me another home whenever I needed one. I remember every member of School Bloodies, who made university life colourful. And then there was Gloria. She walked into my life and left a foot print that can never be erased, even If things go south( God forbid) As I came to the end of the journey, I realised something. The greatest achievement of my university journey was not merely reaching the finish line. It was the person I had become along the way. The boy who once doubted his future had grown into a man who believed that hope, faith, and perseverance could overcome even the trial and darkest seasons. Kashere did not simply give me a degree. It gave me a new version of myself. Also, somewhere along the journey, I discovered another part of myself. WRITING Words became my voice. Whenever life became overwhelming, I wrote. In fact most of my experiences are in words. Through words, I had preserved a ton of memories. Gradually what started as a quiet passion grew into purpose. I joined literary community and creative club on campus, where I met fellow writers who challenged me to improve my craft. I wrote to correct vices among students. To expose decadence and shenanigans in student associations on the campus I hid behind a pseudo name and sometimes I revealed my identity, depending on the weight of my writing. From there, my writings began to receive recognition and I was nominated for four different awards.I was nominated as the Writer of the Year, Student Activist of the Year, Poet of the Year. Being nominated alone was an honour to me. It reminded me of everything about my journey. From the young barber apprentice who didn't know if he would ever attend a university. Then the journey approached another milestone when I won the NASELS Writer of the Year. Standing there to receive the award, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. My mind went back to Ogbomoso again. To Àdùní and the sacrifices she made To the barber's shop where I once stood to learn. To the countless moments of uncertainty. The images claimed my eyes. My mind was engulfed and I started shivering. At that moment, I realised that delay is not a denial. And perhaps, all those years, life had not been saying “No.” It had simply been saying: “Not yet.” TO BE CONTINUED….. @Àdùní

Four Years In The Savannah

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