Someone asked me respectfully, "Why did it take you so long before starting your Masters programme?"
It's a long story and it would be worth sharing someday. I was inspired by some of my lecturers because of how versatile they've been in their field. I once aspired to be as intelligent as Professor Olaitan, because of how easy he made Anatomy and Physiology seem to me while he teaches. I had developed a strong interest in the course even before we had his first class. We printed and made photocopies of several materials we could lay our hands on before the session started. At some point, I began to aspire to become a professional Public Health Educator, with a specialization in "Reproductive Health". During our NYSC service year, myself and a few close colleagues applied for M.Sc. in UNILORIN, we wrote our exams– with a strong feeling that we had definitely passed. Hmm, I traveled from Jos to Ilorin.
Unfortunately, some policy changed, and we were informed that "Our application will no longer be considered because we do not have our NYSC certificate at the point of application". That was 2016. We waited for a reconsideration but to no avail. So we had to move on. Many plans and aspirations became shattered for me. I also tried doing something like this while in Jos, but it didn't work out. I went further to try University of Ibadan, 2016 or so. Unfortunately, I didn't conclude on time. So, I lost it. Man proposes but God disposes
Life took a new turn, and man must live with whatever good that is available. The closest and healthiest choice I had was to go back to the classroom as a teacher. Which I did. But again, I felt there is a need for me to do more than just being a classroom teacher. After some time, I joined KLCI to keep up with my teaching in a different way. I began to learn about the SDGs, and felt this is a big platform to "Serve Humanity". A way to give myself to help other young people even with little, even if it's just to share knowledge. In 2018, while attending some conferences, seminars, and volunteering without the hope that tomorrow will be better– I asked myself, "Afeez, which one do you really want to do?" Is it to major in Health and Minor in Education, or vice versa? It took me time to reflect deeply about myself. I did an introspection and I decided to work with my strength while I build on my weakness. I needed to be better with my communication skills, both online and offline. I needed to be more emotionally sound than ever before. I needed to understand what a system means and how it works. I needed to build my leadership skills and all. All these were things I started working on. I realized that the only support I had was to work with young people, and I became more persistent. I was showing up for myself and others. Every volunteering opportunity was an eye opener. I would always tell myself "CLARITY comes with DOING than HOPING". My experiences and challenges have become a resourceful for my professional development in a field that I found more strength in. I chose Quality Education, Literacy, EdTech, Student Leadership, Community Development alike. I am still on the journey, and I still remind myself that "Clarity comes with doing more than hoping".
It's been 7 years since my NYSC and my first trials to start my M.Sc. What I am studying today is a reflection of what I've been doing over the years, and I am proud to have taken enough time to work, while building capacity for the better future I envision. Thanks for having good friends like Hammed Kayode, whose story inspired me out of the corner I hid myself in. Thanks for giving me a hand without hesitation. A friendship worth keeping and a story worth sharing.
Afeez Olalekan SAKA ©2023
#Sakaspeaks
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