Twice As Old: Two Decades Don Waka

I started writing this article because I felt the need to share this part of my journey. It is a long one, so I'd advise you to get a cup of water or drink.

The month of October is always the start of a new year for me. My mother said I came into this world on a Thursday at midnight.

Like everyone, I have experienced the good, bad, and ugly sides of life, and I am still sharing them, but today, I will be talking about some of the privileges I had.

Growing up, I attended a catholic convent school in Ibadan; the school shaped my values. Every morning on the school’s assembly ground, we would pledge to be humble, to work with diligence, we promise to be our best in all that we do.

This pledge had a way of bringing the best in us, so I knew what my values were and what I would never compromise at an early stage.

The moment I finished convent school, my parents enrolled me in a science school where I learned that my purpose was to live for myself and society. Every morning the principal would remind us that our primary job in life was to impact ourselves and the community.

I learned that my society wasn't far from me and all that mattered was how I made life easier for the next person.

Out of curiosity, my friend and I created a local automated alarm system in the school to increase efficiency and reduce the school's timekeeper's stress.

I enjoyed every moment of the project, and we later won a grant from the then commissioner of science and technology.

I knew the importance of knowledge, so I spent a lot of time in my father's library. I read books on development, politics, science, business, and history.

Spending enough time in my father's library made me value education and problem-solving. I became knowledgeable enough that I was appointed the special adviser in school. I was just that guy that knew many things and was always eager to share.

At 14, I realised that some children in my community had never been to school or were partially enrolled in school. The realisation dawned on me, and I began to organise classes for these children in my house. I enjoyed teaching these children elementary mathematics and the English language.

I relocated to Lagos, but I could not quench that thirst to improve my community's education. Hence, I became a lead tutor and a team member who organised one of the most significant free tutorial classes for standard entrance students in Mushin Local Government.

This project impacted the mushin community because a lot of students had the hope of continuing their education hence reducing the number of miscreants, child abuse, and social vices that illiteracy could cause. I volunteered my teaching and project management skills for two years at Mushin, working with various tutorials and various education projects.

If you have read this, I must commend you for taking your time, and I don't take it for granted.

My love for education, managing projects, and providing clarity to people and institutions grow every day, and this has been evident in my engagement with the community.

I have volunteered, managed, and worked on over 100 social change and peacemaking projects in my two decades on earth. I have spoken at various local, national, and international education conferences, I have written articles and produced diverse educational content.

I am grateful for every opportunity I have received; I am thankful to my mentors and teachers. I would not have made it this far without them.

In this new decade, I have one mission: to impact myself, everyone I come in contact with, and the world at large. I know this new phase will come with challenges and opportunities, but I will learn from every unique experience.

I want you to know that "2 decades don waka we still dey carry go."