By Femi Ademola
Due to my performance in my junior class, Atunrase Boys High School, Lagos, my friends and I automatically moved to science class.
Then, it was believed that only the ‘best students’ go to science classes; the ‘average students’ go to commercial classes, while the ‘unserious students’ go to art classes – what a belief!
As future engineers, doctors, pharmacists’ et al, we were already forming cliques, stroking minds on how to get necessary textbooks, the likes of Ababio, Okeke and the rest. We were ready for the tasks ahead.
Then, I asked myself a simple question, “Femi, what exactly do you want to become in future?”
The answers staring at me had nothing relating to science stuff. But on the other hand, “only the best students go to science class”, so I shrouded that part whispering to myself that I don’t belong to science class.
Beloved, two weeks into classes, I seemed not to have grabbed one singular lesson our teachers were trying to impart in us. Worst of, each time any class was going on, I saw my colleagues nodding their heads in affirmation to the teachers’ lessons. Everyone except me understood what was been taught. Sincerely, I felt very miserable.
One of the days, I got home, approached my mum, and told her what I was going through in class. She asked me what I wanted to be in life, told her I had always loved business even though I was not Igbo!
She then asked which class fitted my dream, I told her commercial class. She promptly told me to switch immediately.
The following day, I went to our then ‘Year Tutor’, requested her attention to discuss something important. When she inquired, I told her I wanted to change class. She did not bother inquire why I wanted to change class; she just told me “Femi, you want to join bad gang abi? You want to become a bad boy. I will not allow it”, then she walked me out of her office.
I went back to the class, thinking, probably her rejection might actually be a blessing in disguise. Lo and behold, after attending a series of classes, I still didn’t understand a thing!
Again, the following week, I went to meet her. This time, she was angrier, saying I was disturbing her.
I’m sure you know how these public schools’ staffrooms are, where there are no secret issues, especially regarding students.
My ‘Year Tutor’ opened up my matter right in the staffroom, and I became the subject of discuss, with every teacher present weighing their opinions about my decision. I won’t forget the many negative comments that greeted my decision.
See, sometimes, you need to stand your ground, even if it means standing alone; then wait for God and time to vindicate you.
Reluctantly, she removed my name from science class and added it to commercial. The joy I felt that day was indescribable.
Thank God it was still early, some of my ‘average friends’ accepted me to the ‘average class’.
After only attending very few lectures, I was like a fish in water. I was able to comprehend every single thing being taught. At last I truly felt at home.
When you are in a wrong place, you will experience continuous discomfort. You can’t be at peace. The best you would be at the wrong place is ‘second best’ or better still, ‘photocopy’. You can’t be you. Find your place and stay there.
To cut a long story short, I won’t forget the day my name was announced at the assembly ground as the Assistant Senior Prefect (2003 set). And it was the first time in the history of Atunrase Boys High School, (at least so I was told), that an ‘average’ student’ was holding such a post.
Ironically, the same woman (my ‘Year Tutor’) was the one who placed the badge on me. As I approached her, she was full of smiles. The moment I got closer, she whispered the following words in to my ears: “Femi, I am so proud of you!” Boy, I felt so proud!
It was the same zeal I took to the tertiary institution; read Business Administration and passed out with 2.1 (Second class upper) degree.
I imagined that perhaps if I had not forced my way out of the science class then, I could have been prescribing malaria drugs for pregnancy patients, or suggesting a 40-day dry fasting for an ulcer patient.
You can only thrive in ‘Your place’. Find your place, stay there. Find your lane and run your race.
It’s a great pity so many people don’t know why they exist. They live life anyhow. No plans, no goals, no focus. Just to eat, sleep, bath, work etc. It has become a life without purpose.
When purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.
Know why you are here. Discover who you are. God did not just create you to complete population. He had a purpose before creating you. Become who and what God has created you to be. Don’t go everywhere. Don’t be everything to everyone. Be yourself. Run your race, stay on your lane.
When you try to play the role of Elshaddai, you shall die. (Anonymous).
This new week, may God help you discover why you are existing? Enjoy your week.
My name is Femi Ademola. I celebrate you!
Femi Ademola is the Personal Assistant (PA) to the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mrs Funke Egbemode of the New Telegraph Newspapers in Nigeria.
First Published 2018
