EMBRACE POSSITIVITY- STRONGER TOGETHER

I was waiting for the right time to share my personal experience with you but since an opportunity like this has come up, I think, now; is the right time to share my story- my life journey with you and I will try my possible best to make it brief and interesting.

I have always been a girl of great dreams, to the extent that I ask myself most times: are you sure you can achieve this?

I finished my primary and secondary school education at an early age. Before writing my first JAMB (Joint Admission And Matriculation Board), I wrote my dreams on an A4 sheet- hoping that at age 25 I should have been done with my first degree in Law (LLB), masters in Admiralty Law and maybe PHD. Married already and starting my own family. But, it didn't go as planned.

My struggle started when I got my admission letter to study a different course (theatre Art) with the hope of transferring to faculty of Law in my 200Level. The reason for this change of course was because my West African Examination Council (W.A.E.C) result grade especially in Government and Christian Religious Studies (C.R.S.) wasn't good enough. Moreover, my father insisted I must study in either of this three (3) Universities or nothing more. They include: University of Benin (UNIBEN), Delta State University (Abraka), or Ambrose Ali University (Ekpoma). I wanted a different Federal Institution but since I wasn't the one sponsoring myself I decided to concord to his desire.

It was time for my clearance,  I paid my acceptance fees for the admission and proceeded for clearance. After standing on the long queue, it finally got to my turn and I was attended to by a white lady. She said:

 "my dear, you don't have the requirements to complete your clearance due to your grade in your arts subjects". 

I did everything possible to retain the admission but it was futile. I was advised to rewrite my W.A.E.C.

I felt bittered, I cried- how I wish the crying will do the magic. Even though I was comforted by friends and family, I still felt robbed of my dreams of being a graduate.

I summoned courage and waited for General Certificate Examination (G.C E), that normally takes place November/December. I paid major focus on Government and CRS since that's what I needed to scale through.

To the Glory of God, I passed very well though, not a distinction but with grade B. I decided to learn a skill, and also attended lecture awaiting the next JAMB registration.

I applied for my dream course (Law) this time around, wrote the Jamb, scored 220 and proceeded for my aptitude test in Uniben, passed the cut-off mark for law but I wasn't given, instead, I was given foreign languages.

I felt shattered and kept on wondering; why is life unfair to me, is it because I don't know anyone or have a social network?

I was advised to accept the course and either choosing the option of writing JAMB again or transfer to Law in my 200Level. I accepted the advise of transferring from Foreign Languages departments to Law department.

It was in my era that the option of transferring from Arts to Law ended. The new rule was that- "anyone that wants to transfer to Law must take JAMB again". I felt frustrated because, I didn't register for the next JAMB and it was already too late. Secondly, I wasn't enjoying my present course, I was always angry, and sometimes, I cry during lectures because we were being taught in foreign languages (French and German). I had no other option but to wait for the next JAMB.

In my 200 Level in Foreign Languages, I took the next JAMB, passed, but this time around, Uniben wasn't writing aptitude test, we were told to submit our qualifications. I wasn't given admission at the end.

My father got tired of the whole outcome and said: "why are you bent on studying Law, focus on your present course, what you read doesn't matter anymore to get a good job anywhere".

In my 300Level, it was time to travel to any of the francophone speaking country (Badagry and Togo)  inother to get more insight concerning the course but I  refused to make preparation and payment for the trip. I sat down, had a rethink of my life and I took a decision that changed my life forever.

I decided not to travel but withdrew secretly from school without my parents knowing. I started working, paid for my 4th JAMB, changed my institution to University of Calabar, Calabar (Unical). Guess what happened! I passed. I scored 251 even though I wasn't feeling too well when I wrote the examination.

Since it requires traveling from Benin City down to Calabar for my aptitude test, I had no option but to disclose my little secret to my dad and the rest of my family members. They were shocked at my decision and zeal just to study Law. My dad had no option than to let me go for the aptitude test; He never wanted me to live his sight.

With hardwork and the Grace of God, I was able to gain admission into Unical to study my dream course (Law). This is where my next phase started.

I broke the goodnews to them. At first, my dad was shocked and had a bitter sweet feeling because he wasn't having the funds to fund my education. He advised me to use my learnt skill to work and forget about school.

I felt rejected,  but I didn't blame him because of the past support he gave me. Everyone I talked to felt pity for me because they couldn't help. I kept on wondering if this is how my long awaited dream will be lost forever.

Then, I remembered my father's close friend- Mr. Samson E. Eghwerehe. I called and narrated my story to him. He told me to forward my admission letter to him via email of which I did. He gave me a call and promised to support me. Do you know that he paid my tuition fee from my year 1 down to Law school?

I also got support from friends and families. Do you know I stayed in a free accommodation in a land I have no family or extended family members from my year 1 down to final year. Things were going smoothly; that I knew this was nothing but the hand work of God.

My story is not yet complete because I know something big is coming. I finished my law school program this year (February 28, 2025), awaiting my call to bar ceremony.

I look forward to my masters, PHD and starting my own family as I dreamt of.

I sincerely want to use this opportunity to thank the following persons that came to my rescue: Mr. Samson E. Eghwerehe, Mr. Mac-William Omoigui, Mr. Akolly Sunday, my Parents and Siblings, and so many others.

I hope I didn't take your time,  or bore you. I want you to learn something from my story- "if you dream it, you can achieve it". Don't let your situation weigh you down. There are a lot of persons out there waiting to hear your story and lend a helping hand. Just keep believing and praying. Your breakthrough will definitely come.

I don't have the money right now to futher my masters abroad but I know I will achieve it, when the time comes.