It was one of those days you feel like escaping engagements because you have to speak in another more important programme later in the day. I was supposed to make a powerful political move in OAU but before then I was to speak in a secondary school in Ifewara. Ifewara is one of those towns you know of its name after years of passing by it in fast moving cars. The school was Florin Model College. Apart from the fact that the network on my phones were fluctuating, I also had to contend with the environment. The place was located deep and far away from the road. It was a career seminar and I was just supposed to tell them what they needed to stay ahead in life. I was excited within because it’s been a long time since I had the chance to speak with the only edge we have to shape tomorrow- the young students. We were three, and I was supposed to set the tone for that program. This was not the first time that I’m getting into a situation where I have to speak to people who were far below my level of understanding. 5 years ago I was told to speak about sex education and responsibility to a bunch of JSS2 students! Having faced such challenges and excelled beautifully, I was excited, more importantly it was my chance to sow and contribute my quota to the leaders of tomorrow-today.
I started by telling them that there is a power in a dream. I took time giving an analogy of the “town thug” and the governor, of which less than 10 years ago, they were in the same class. Less than ten years ago, they sat beside each other listening to me speak. How come two people will listen to the same words and some will become governors and the others; thugs? Vision , action and responsibility. Some acted on what they heard, they actively engaged reality, took certain steps that the others were not willing to take. Today they are reaping the seeds they planted/refused to plant yesterday. I charged them to look around as they went home, they will see old men and women begging on the streets, and they should let one question tickle their minds; what were these people doing at 13? 16? 18? 20?. then they should choose whon they want their life to be modelled after.
I began to tell them the need to choose their friends. If you do not choose your friends you’ll lose. It is highly important. Well because of my time I really had to stop. Questions were asked after the other speakers had spoken. Though it did not look like the typical high profile seminar, it was however fulfilling. It was an oppourtunity for us to interrupt the story of their lives. It was an opportunity to prevent the imminent crises in a life and to propel a well structured one further.
I left there fulfilled, ‘cos the job was done.
