| From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by rheether(f): 12:08pm On Dec 20, 2015 |
Once upon a time in 2006, the inadvertent situation I was compelled to
accept by circumstances was that I would be settled as a Motor spare parts
trader in December 2015 after some years of apprenticeship. Dramatically, I
am ending 2015 not with the intention to receive a few thousand naira from
my master but proudly emerging as a graduate of law from the prestigious
University of Nigeria. That is to tell you how significant this year is to me
and to my family.
I considered a long time ago to share this story to the public then I grew
reluctant at danger of any perception that I have “made it” but on a second
thought, I evaluated why I should allow this significant year to pass by
without revealing it, besides, I don’t know whose life my story has been
destined to change in 2016.Given the growing frustrations most people
especially our youths encounter in our society which plunge them into
depression, I feel bound in conscience to narrate it.
It was in the year 2006 when I graduated from secondary school. I was so
enthusiastic and desperate to enter the university the following year. I was
so passionate about it that I wrote all the O’ level examinations available. I
never wanted any result encumbrances in what so ever form to hinder me
from writing JAMB the following year. Unknown to me, nature had made its
own arrangements. As I learnt from my principal in the secondary school,
“Man proposes, God disposes”. That same year, while I was in the village
with my family for Christmas, I could remember walking into my parent’s
room on the 31st of December. I had the intention of discussing with them
what would be my fate in the following year as regards pursuing further
studies in the university. To my greatest shock and amazement, my mother
said in tears, “Chukwunonso, I don’t think you would be going to the
university anymore, we don’t have enough money to sponsor you for now”.
Jesus! I shouted in frantic mood. Although I was thrown off balance with
that statement, I quickly understood though with some explanations from
them that the financial burden would adversely affect my siblings’ education
if they insist on sending me to the university. Things were very difficult for
my family then. Being the first child, I saw it as one those sacrifices one has
to make for the family to survive. After several dialogue on what to do next,
it was resolved that I would go on apprenticeship in Lagos. Sincerely, on that
spot, my feet became cold. I saw my dream to enter the university vanish
from my sight. My mother cried throughout the night. My poor dad, a brave
one at that was also in pain but as the head of the family, he would not cry.
He had to be strong for the family. How he wished he could save the
helpless situation. But every effort was futile. I quickly made up my mind
and got ready for the adventure, the journey to the mysterious island.
On January 3rd, 2007, I set out for Lagos to serve as an apprentice with a
relative of mine who then was very wealthy and doing very well in the
importation of motor and motorcycle spare parts. At about 8:30pm on that
same day, I found myself at 23 road, C’ close, festac town, Lagos. That was
my master’s residence before we moved down to 6th Avenue, same festac
town in the later part of the year were he built his own admirable house. It
was very obvious I was uncomfortable that night, a feeling which never for
once ceased throughout my stay as an apprentice ,obviously because I never
for one dreamt to become one. I love education and that has always been my
dream. I had little or no sleep that night and the following day, 4th of
January, 2007, I found myself in ASPAMDA, Trade fair complex, along
Badagry Express way. The complex is so big and you find thousands of people
moving up and down with goods and performing various kind of business
transactions. The place is a citadel for automobile spare parts dealers. See,
don’t dare the deep pockets of the ” big boys” over there. 90 percent of them
never saw the four walls of secondary school let alone the university but are
business “gurus” with fat bank accounts. Their business skills are quite
brilliant that you marvel at their ingenuity. No wonder wealth is not
measured by the litany of one’s certificates. Some of them would tell you
they only need education just for the certificate , for archive purposes for
they’ve already achieved all they perceive going to the university would
fetch them which in their view is all summarized in monetary terms.
Day one was one in a million days. I saw a good number of apprentices who
out of similar situation like mine were also in the market. Only a few chose
from the onset to go into business. For those who never desired to be there,
you would always find them reading their old secondary school note and text
books at every given break. They would always be keen to share their stories
to whoever cares to listen. Soon some of them eventually became my close
friends and discovered that the little distinction between us was that I grew
up in the city and probably may have gathered better educational
background and exposure more than they have (for almost all of them were
taken from their respective villages and attended community secondary
schools), they quickly saw me as a respite to their depressed world. They
imagined that if someone like me who attended one of the best secondary
schools in my state (Saint Teresa’s College Nsukka) could be there, why
would they complain much? I automatically became an amateur evening
tutor and a “mentor” to them, lol. This actually made adaptation very easy
and fast for me for they put me through all the basic skills I needed to know
to enhance speedy learning. I started liking business. I was doing very well
and making good money for my master. My little educational background
was helpful that my master quickly made me his personal assistant. With
due respect, he only attended primary school those days in the village before
he was equally recruited by a wealthy man from Anambra State for
apprenticeship. My master was well informed of the ordeals that led me to
his house. He knew I never loved to be an apprentice, that I have good
educational background that would have taken me straight to the university.
He took advantage of the situation and put me in charge of all his shipping
documents. I was technically the secretary of his small company. Things were
going on smoothly in the first year that my master quickly opened a
subsidiary company that deals in the importation of motorcycle spare parts
and appointed me to head same. I was really doing great in the subsidiary,
making every effort to satisfy my master but the truth is, I was always
praying for the miracle that would take me to school before the expiration of
my apprenticeship duration. I was to serve for not less than eight (  years.
C’mon! Every thought of that duration sends me to bed in tears ever night.
Notwithstanding the tremendous success I have led my master’s business to,
I never for once felt like I belonged to that environment at that particular
point. My master and his family were aware of this but he wouldn’t care.
After all, he was not losing anything. But unknown to me, God saw my
heart, listened to my prayers and fixed an appointed day.
As the year went by, things started changing. I don’t know what came over
my master and his wife and all of a sudden, they became insecure with the
way I was advancing in the subsidiary. They assumed I was too smart for the
normal timid apprentice they recruit from the village whom they intimidate
to the extent of insulting their parents for being too retched to send them to
school. My master and the wife do not share this view alone. Ninety (90) %
of all the masters in that business premises see their apprentices as slaves.
They treated us as one and never held back in reminding us of how our poor
parents begged them to take us in other to alleviate their poverty. I can still
recall one of us then by name Emeka who was from Anambra State. Emeka
died carelessly in a shabby hospital near their house in Satellite town, Lagos
because his master refused to deposit money for his treatment. After all, he
was not his child and not worth proper medical care. Emeka always told me
how he dreamt to go to school but since poverty could not allow him, he
would work hard to become an importer of motor spare parts after
settlement. Do you know the most painful part of his death? When he saw
that his illness was getting too critical, he was crying and saying; “I don’t
want to die, I don’t want to die” till he gave up the ghost. God forbid that
any of my generation would be an apprentice again and I reject it on your
behalf too. Apprenticeship is modern day slavery. Fundamental human right
is an illusion in that world. How many of us even knew what fundamental
human right was when we never went to school.
As tension grew in the minds of my ‘Oga’ and ‘Madam’ that I may one day
become too smart for their control in business and may probably grow
stronger in business than them someday ,a fear which without their
knowledge was the least of my worries (all I needed was to go back to
school), they started plotting on how to subdue me. Just like most masters
who were everyday issue in the lives of most apprentices, all they could
come up with was to accuse me of stealing and saving their money. They
accompanied it with other accusations to embellish their story and I tell you,
till this day, my master and the wife could not mention the goods they said I
stole let alone the money they purported I have in my savings. They knew
and were convinced I had nothing but the idea was to cage my conscience
and chastise my liberty. After all, I am nobody and should not command
such freedom and strength in business. They maltreated me so brutally that I
lost my patience. At that point, I saw the situation as the time I have waited
for all long. Then, I had spent two year and three months. One early
morning, 12th of April, 2009, I went to his room and told him sir; “I want to
go home”. He never believed it because my departure was not within his
unfair plan. To me, it was then or never. It was the appointed time to go and
chase my dream. Still skeptical about my intention to leave, he agreed I
would come down to the village for my family to talk sense into my head .
Thank God, even the devil does not know the heart of a man. On 16th of
April, I was set to go home. Coming home was like someone who was
deported from another country. He made sure I left with nothing. All my
contacts were seized. Even the international passport he got for me when I
was meant to travel to India with him for his medical treatment but was
frustrated by the wife who couldn’t imagine a servant traveling out of the
country. They told me that I came to Lagos with nothing and if I decide not
to come back, I would leave with nothing. They stuffed my cloths in a dirty
disposable mosquito net bag and fling it at me. They “cursed” me while
leaving their house. They told me that I would never achieve my dream of
going to the university. That I would never in my lifetime attain their level
of financial status. They made sure that, not only was I denied material
benefit, they wanted to reduce my morale to zero level. This is a family I
sacrificed my life for. Amidst their maltreatment, I give my best to them, a
measure of commitment till which this day, I have not given to my own
parents. I was the home tutor for their lovely children and other apprentices
in the house.
When I got home and after several dialogue with families, it became obvious
to him that I wasn’t going back to Lagos with him anymore. He invited the
police to arrest me and I was detained in the charge room for more than
seven hours before one other prominent relative learnt of my situation and
quickly came to the police station and ordered for my immediate release. I
was scared to the marrow that day. As young as I was then, I was forced to
seat in-between two huge police men who squeezed me like sardine in the
vehicle. You may not relate to the psychological damage the whole police
episode gave me. My master connived with the two police men who were
playing hide and seek in the station to prevent other higher officers from
understanding what was going on. Their intention was to instill fear in me
so that I would accept to return to Lagos with my master. But you know,
when you are determined to reach your dreams, nothing becomes an
obstacle. You can die for it and that is one of the major reasons for writing
this. My master knew that he needed me in his business and was desperate
to have me return. But his egocentric approach to the whole situation was
wrong. Unfortunately, the subsidiary was shut down a few months after I
left. My beloved parents were battered emotionally during this trial period
their son was facing but what could the poor man and woman do to a rich
man like my “Oga”. Finally his efforts failed him and I was a free man
without any form of settlement for my labour years. It was time to pursue my
dreams.
To save you the intricate details of what happened immediately after my
freedom for my autobiography which would come in detail in the future, I
did lots of minor jobs to raise money for my educational dreams. I applied to
study law and wrote JAMB in 2010. The day my name came out on UNN
website that I have been admitted to study law was one of the best days in
my live and that of my family. I collapsed in our sitting room in shock and it
took some minutes to get me back to consciousness. I was extremely happy
for I worked hard and prayed for that admission and at one attempt, it
"clicked". That was the greatest miracle and sign that studying law was my
true desire and God willed it. During the time I got my admission, most of
my mates in secondary school were already in final year in various
universities but you know, life is never a competition for God designed our
parts differently.
Life in the university was a great experience and it totally shaped me into
what God has set for me to become in the future. Every encounter for that
five years was an opportunity to learn. That is why you should always try to
see the good side of every situation no matter how bad they may be. See, I
was really destined to be in the university and as a law student. My
influence grew among my contemporaries right from my first day in school
till the day I left. A humiliated apprentice not only got to the university, he
became the leader of the largest Christian association on campus and
immediately after that became the president of law student association which
I held till I graduated. I was not just a student, I was considered a model and
a worthy student leader by most students in the school. This is a boy who
should have languished in frustration and misery but I was determined to
reach my goals. But you know my fame in the school was without some
misguided antagonisms. Some students saw me as one who always
commanded all the attention and weren’t happy about it. Some saw me as a
competition and set their plot every minute to pull me down. Some even took
me to be a hindrance to their individual quests and sort to crush my person.
The funny one happened when some waged "war" against me and accused
me of embezzlement of our association fund and just like my master, they
could not provide any evidence. Thinking they would destroy me, they
increased my popularity and raised my friends from nothing to above four
thousand (4,000) on Facebook after I gave my reply to them. There is nothing
like bad publicity, *wink*. Thanks to my faculty and friends who stood
solidly behind me. I never blamed the naivety of the individuals who fall
within the above mentioned categories, they may not have gone through the
furnaces of life like I did. Life is not a competition, nobody whatsoever
except God willed so can bring you down. Focus on the part which nature
has designed for you.
In this amazing year, 2015, I am a graduate of law. Currently waiting for law
school by October next year which was delayed due to an inadvertent
mistake on my result by one of my lecturers (thank God it has been taken
care of). I may not have made the best result in my class, I was neither
among the most brilliant students. But I am happy today because my passion
paid off. Not only am I a law graduate, but the first in my clan, lol! Even my
master who is in the same clan is obliged to accept it and accord me that
respect. He finds it difficult to look me in the face now and always wished
he never made those mistakes for I have long forgiven him. I forgave him
because I am not perfect as well. I forgave him for he was the tunnel that
built me today. I forgave him because he taught me business skill which I
still have today. He is a man gifted with an amazing business intellect. The
opportunity of serving him was the foundation of the obsession I have for
cars and made me a freak for everything on wheels. I am going to launch a
car blog by next year, a freelance and pleasure one though, to share with
you the beautiful world of automobile which you may not be aware of. You
will like it…lol.
Finally dear reader, my story is not out of leisure writing but a motivation if
you find it interesting. Every event in our life is a preparation for something
greater if you give it a second thought. That things are bad today do not
mean your world has collapsed. Stay strong and fight that stubborn obstacle.
We are destined for greatness in our own different ways if you choose to
embrace your own cross. God is always watching and he knows what you
would be right from birth and no human being who chooses to be used by
the devil can ever bring you down. Make a firm resolution in 2016 and ask
God to be with you. Your destiny is in your hands. I really long to see the
day all of us would celebrate our collective and individual successes and
achievements. Life is indeed cruel and brutal but only the courageous ones
triumph.
I thank my beloved parents who believed so much in me and have stood
solidly behind me throughout my journey in life so far. I thank my siblings
for putting my sacrifices for their sake to good use. They are all in the
university as you read this and my immediate younger sister, the first
daughter is wedding this Xs, I invite you. All my friends and colleagues
especially Omeye Emenike. (Being my best friend is worth a million
blessings) I thank you all. I also forgive my "enemies" and pray they forgive
me too. The world is too sweet and interesting to bear grudges and kee
malice.
I wish you all merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Ugwuodo Edwin. 20 Likes 5 Shares |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by dhummystecah(f): 12:40pm On Dec 20, 2015 |
Oh! Sad story with a nice ending. |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by medoyin(m): 12:53pm On Dec 20, 2015 |
Congratulations D- law. Come June 2016 , I will also write my story here on NL, from grass to grace. Amen
Yours is inspiring but mine will be more inspiring and emotional.#watchout 1 Like |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by Laird(m): 2:51pm On Dec 20, 2015 |
THATS THE SPIRIT...THATS LIFE....KEEP HUSTLING |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by etiosa97(m): 2:06am On Dec 21, 2015 |
bros if i nor comment enh, i be ungratfull person.. am still hoping for God to do mine nxt year.. stay blessed man |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by citydove(m): 8:40am On Dec 22, 2015 |
Am happy for you congrats Ada. Your story is so inspiring. And i can tell you the sky is just the beginning, success all the way... |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by Emmaesty(f): 8:47am On Dec 22, 2015 |
Please edit your work. Paragraph and spacing will make it easier to read 2 Likes |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by calculator123(m): 2:52pm On Dec 22, 2015 |
nice one at least u educated with a degree as well business sense.may good lord guide u.amen |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by 53cur3m0d3(m): 4:17pm On Dec 22, 2015 |
The wound is where the light enters into us. |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by spicyuzo(m): 5:28pm On Dec 22, 2015 |
Great lessons from the libraries of Life. |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by sageb: 8:47pm On Dec 23, 2015 |
Nice story#inspiring#God's grace supercedes human disgrace. |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by Soteriahascome: 11:35pm On Dec 23, 2015 |
Yes! God Bless You For Forgiving Your Offenders. God Bless Your Hard Work. God Bless Your Career In Jesus' Name......... |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by RoastedCorn(m): 8:00am On Dec 24, 2015 |
one word
Inspiring |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by Nobody: 7:14pm On Dec 25, 2015 |
Do you know the author Edwin? rheether:
Once upon a time in 2006, the inadvertent situation I was compelled to
accept by circumstances was that I would be settled as a Motor spare parts
trader in December 2015 after some years of apprenticeship. Dramatically, I
am ending 2015 not with the intention to receive a few thousand naira from
my master but proudly emerging as a graduate of law from the prestigious
University of Nigeria. That is to tell you how significant this year is to me
and to my family.
I considered a long time ago to share this story to the public then I grew
reluctant at danger of any perception that I have “made it” but on a second
thought, I evaluated why I should allow this significant year to pass by
without revealing it, besides, I don’t know whose life my story has been
destined to change in 2016.Given the growing frustrations most people
especially our youths encounter in our society which plunge them into
depression, I feel bound in conscience to narrate it.
It was in the year 2006 when I graduated from secondary school. I was so
enthusiastic and desperate to enter the university the following year. I was
so passionate about it that I wrote all the O’ level examinations available. I
never wanted any result encumbrances in what so ever form to hinder me
from writing JAMB the following year. Unknown to me, nature had made its
own arrangements. As I learnt from my principal in the secondary school,
“Man proposes, God disposes”. That same year, while I was in the village
with my family for Christmas, I could remember walking into my parent’s
room on the 31st of December. I had the intention of discussing with them
what would be my fate in the following year as regards pursuing further
studies in the university. To my greatest shock and amazement, my mother
said in tears, “Chukwunonso, I don’t think you would be going to the
university anymore, we don’t have enough money to sponsor you for now”.
Jesus! I shouted in frantic mood. Although I was thrown off balance with
that statement, I quickly understood though with some explanations from
them that the financial burden would adversely affect my siblings’ education
if they insist on sending me to the university. Things were very difficult for
my family then. Being the first child, I saw it as one those sacrifices one has
to make for the family to survive. After several dialogue on what to do next,
it was resolved that I would go on apprenticeship in Lagos. Sincerely, on that
spot, my feet became cold. I saw my dream to enter the university vanish
from my sight. My mother cried throughout the night. My poor dad, a brave
one at that was also in pain but as the head of the family, he would not cry.
He had to be strong for the family. How he wished he could save the
helpless situation. But every effort was futile. I quickly made up my mind
and got ready for the adventure, the journey to the mysterious island.
On January 3rd, 2007, I set out for Lagos to serve as an apprentice with a
relative of mine who then was very wealthy and doing very well in the
importation of motor and motorcycle spare parts. At about 8:30pm on that
same day, I found myself at 23 road, C’ close, festac town, Lagos. That was
my master’s residence before we moved down to 6th Avenue, same festac
town in the later part of the year were he built his own admirable house. It
was very obvious I was uncomfortable that night, a feeling which never for
once ceased throughout my stay as an apprentice ,obviously because I never
for one dreamt to become one. I love education and that has always been my
dream. I had little or no sleep that night and the following day, 4th of
January, 2007, I found myself in ASPAMDA, Trade fair complex, along
Badagry Express way. The complex is so big and you find thousands of people
moving up and down with goods and performing various kind of business
transactions. The place is a citadel for automobile spare parts dealers. See,
don’t dare the deep pockets of the ” big boys” over there. 90 percent of them
never saw the four walls of secondary school let alone the university but are
business “gurus” with fat bank accounts. Their business skills are quite
brilliant that you marvel at their ingenuity. No wonder wealth is not
measured by the litany of one’s certificates. Some of them would tell you
they only need education just for the certificate , for archive purposes for
they’ve already achieved all they perceive going to the university would
fetch them which in their view is all summarized in monetary terms.
Day one was one in a million days. I saw a good number of apprentices who
out of similar situation like mine were also in the market. Only a few chose
from the onset to go into business. For those who never desired to be there,
you would always find them reading their old secondary school note and text
books at every given break. They would always be keen to share their stories
to whoever cares to listen. Soon some of them eventually became my close
friends and discovered that the little distinction between us was that I grew
up in the city and probably may have gathered better educational
background and exposure more than they have (for almost all of them were
taken from their respective villages and attended community secondary
schools), they quickly saw me as a respite to their depressed world. They
imagined that if someone like me who attended one of the best secondary
schools in my state (Saint Teresa’s College Nsukka) could be there, why
would they complain much? I automatically became an amateur evening
tutor and a “mentor” to them, lol. This actually made adaptation very easy
and fast for me for they put me through all the basic skills I needed to know
to enhance speedy learning. I started liking business. I was doing very well
and making good money for my master. My little educational background
was helpful that my master quickly made me his personal assistant. With
due respect, he only attended primary school those days in the village before
he was equally recruited by a wealthy man from Anambra State for
apprenticeship. My master was well informed of the ordeals that led me to
his house. He knew I never loved to be an apprentice, that I have good
educational background that would have taken me straight to the university.
He took advantage of the situation and put me in charge of all his shipping
documents. I was technically the secretary of his small company. Things were
going on smoothly in the first year that my master quickly opened a
subsidiary company that deals in the importation of motorcycle spare parts
and appointed me to head same. I was really doing great in the subsidiary,
making every effort to satisfy my master but the truth is, I was always
praying for the miracle that would take me to school before the expiration of
my apprenticeship duration. I was to serve for not less than eight ( years.
C’mon! Every thought of that duration sends me to bed in tears ever night.
Notwithstanding the tremendous success I have led my master’s business to,
I never for once felt like I belonged to that environment at that particular
point. My master and his family were aware of this but he wouldn’t care.
After all, he was not losing anything. But unknown to me, God saw my
heart, listened to my prayers and fixed an appointed day.
As the year went by, things started changing. I don’t know what came over
my master and his wife and all of a sudden, they became insecure with the
way I was advancing in the subsidiary. They assumed I was too smart for the
normal timid apprentice they recruit from the village whom they intimidate
to the extent of insulting their parents for being too retched to send them to
school. My master and the wife do not share this view alone. Ninety (90) %
of all the masters in that business premises see their apprentices as slaves.
They treated us as one and never held back in reminding us of how our poor
parents begged them to take us in other to alleviate their poverty. I can still
recall one of us then by name Emeka who was from Anambra State. Emeka
died carelessly in a shabby hospital near their house in Satellite town, Lagos
because his master refused to deposit money for his treatment. After all, he
was not his child and not worth proper medical care. Emeka always told me
how he dreamt to go to school but since poverty could not allow him, he
would work hard to become an importer of motor spare parts after
settlement. Do you know the most painful part of his death? When he saw
that his illness was getting too critical, he was crying and saying; “I don’t
want to die, I don’t want to die” till he gave up the ghost. God forbid that
any of my generation would be an apprentice again and I reject it on your
behalf too. Apprenticeship is modern day slavery. Fundamental human right
is an illusion in that world. How many of us even knew what fundamental
human right was when we never went to school.
As tension grew in the minds of my ‘Oga’ and ‘Madam’ that I may one day
become too smart for their control in business and may probably grow
stronger in business than them someday ,a fear which without their
knowledge was the least of my worries (all I needed was to go back to
school), they started plotting on how to subdue me. Just like most masters
who were everyday issue in the lives of most apprentices, all they could
come up with was to accuse me of stealing and saving their money. They
accompanied it with other accusations to embellish their story and I tell you,
till this day, my master and the wife could not mention the goods they said I
stole let alone the money they purported I have in my savings. They knew
and were convinced I had nothing but the idea was to cage my conscience
and chastise my liberty. After all, I am nobody and should not command
such freedom and strength in business. They maltreated me so brutally that I
lost my patience. At that point, I saw the situation as the time I have waited
for all long. Then, I had spent two year and three months. One early
morning, 12th of April, 2009, I went to his room and told him sir; “I want to
go home”. He never believed it because my departure was not within his
unfair plan. To me, it was then or never. It was the appointed time to go and
chase my dream. Still skeptical about my intention to leave, he agreed I
would come down to the village for my family to talk sense into my head .
Thank God, even the devil does not know the heart of a man. On 16th of
April, I was set to go home. Coming home was like someone who was
deported from another country. He made sure I left with nothing. All my
contacts were seized. Even the international passport he got for me when I
was meant to travel to India with him for his medical treatment but was
frustrated by the wife who couldn’t imagine a servant traveling out of the
country. They told me that I came to Lagos with nothing and if I decide not
to come back, I would leave with nothing. They stuffed my cloths in a dirty
disposable mosquito net bag and fling it at me. They “cursed” me while
leaving their house. They told me that I would never achieve my dream of
going to the university. That I would never in my lifetime attain their level
of financial status. They made sure that, not only was I denied material
benefit, they wanted to reduce my morale to zero level. This is a family I
sacrificed my life for. Amidst their maltreatment, I give my best to them, a
measure of commitment till which this day, I have not given to my own
parents. I was the home tutor for their lovely children and other apprentices
in the house.
When I got home and after several dialogue with families, it became obvious
to him that I wasn’t going back to Lagos with him anymore. He invited the
police to arrest me and I was detained in the charge room for more than
seven hours before one other prominent relative learnt of my situation and
quickly came to the police station and ordered for my immediate release. I
was scared to the marrow that day. As young as I was then, I was forced to
seat in-between two huge police men who squeezed me like sardine in the
vehicle. You may not relate to the psychological damage the whole police
episode gave me. My master connived with the two police men who were
playing hide and seek in the station to prevent other higher officers from
understanding what was going on. Their intention was to instill fear in me
so that I would accept to return to Lagos with my master. But you know,
when you are determined to reach your dreams, nothing becomes an
obstacle. You can die for it and that is one of the major reasons for writing
this. My master knew that he needed me in his business and was desperate
to have me return. But his egocentric approach to the whole situation was
wrong. Unfortunately, the subsidiary was shut down a few months after I
left. My beloved parents were battered emotionally during this trial period
their son was facing but what could the poor man and woman do to a rich
man like my “Oga”. Finally his efforts failed him and I was a free man
without any form of settlement for my labour years. It was time to pursue my
dreams.
To save you the intricate details of what happened immediately after my
freedom for my autobiography which would come in detail in the future, I
did lots of minor jobs to raise money for my educational dreams. I applied to
study law and wrote JAMB in 2010. The day my name came out on UNN
website that I have been admitted to study law was one of the best days in
my live and that of my family. I collapsed in our sitting room in shock and it
took some minutes to get me back to consciousness. I was extremely happy
for I worked hard and prayed for that admission and at one attempt, it
"clicked". That was the greatest miracle and sign that studying law was my
true desire and God willed it. During the time I got my admission, most of
my mates in secondary school were already in final year in various
universities but you know, life is never a competition for God designed our
parts differently.
Life in the university was a great experience and it totally shaped me into
what God has set for me to become in the future. Every encounter for that
five years was an opportunity to learn. That is why you should always try to
see the good side of every situation no matter how bad they may be. See, I
was really destined to be in the university and as a law student. My
influence grew among my contemporaries right from my first day in school
till the day I left. A humiliated apprentice not only got to the university, he
became the leader of the largest Christian association on campus and
immediately after that became the president of law student association which
I held till I graduated. I was not just a student, I was considered a model and
a worthy student leader by most students in the school. This is a boy who
should have languished in frustration and misery but I was determined to
reach my goals. But you know my fame in the school was without some
misguided antagonisms. Some students saw me as one who always
commanded all the attention and weren’t happy about it. Some saw me as a
competition and set their plot every minute to pull me down. Some even took
me to be a hindrance to their individual quests and sort to crush my person.
The funny one happened when some waged "war" against me and accused
me of embezzlement of our association fund and just like my master, they
could not provide any evidence. Thinking they would destroy me, they
increased my popularity and raised my friends from nothing to above four
thousand (4,000) on Facebook after I gave my reply to them. There is nothing
like bad publicity, *wink*. Thanks to my faculty and friends who stood
solidly behind me. I never blamed the naivety of the individuals who fall
within the above mentioned categories, they may not have gone through the
furnaces of life like I did. Life is not a competition, nobody whatsoever
except God willed so can bring you down. Focus on the part which nature
has designed for you.
In this amazing year, 2015, I am a graduate of law. Currently waiting for law
school by October next year which was delayed due to an inadvertent
mistake on my result by one of my lecturers (thank God it has been taken
care of). I may not have made the best result in my class, I was neither
among the most brilliant students. But I am happy today because my passion
paid off. Not only am I a law graduate, but the first in my clan, lol! Even my
master who is in the same clan is obliged to accept it and accord me that
respect. He finds it difficult to look me in the face now and always wished
he never made those mistakes for I have long forgiven him. I forgave him
because I am not perfect as well. I forgave him for he was the tunnel that
built me today. I forgave him because he taught me business skill which I
still have today. He is a man gifted with an amazing business intellect. The
opportunity of serving him was the foundation of the obsession I have for
cars and made me a freak for everything on wheels. I am going to launch a
car blog by next year, a freelance and pleasure one though, to share with
you the beautiful world of automobile which you may not be aware of. You
will like it…lol.
Finally dear reader, my story is not out of leisure writing but a motivation if
you find it interesting. Every event in our life is a preparation for something
greater if you give it a second thought. That things are bad today do not
mean your world has collapsed. Stay strong and fight that stubborn obstacle.
We are destined for greatness in our own different ways if you choose to
embrace your own cross. God is always watching and he knows what you
would be right from birth and no human being who chooses to be used by
the devil can ever bring you down. Make a firm resolution in 2016 and ask
God to be with you. Your destiny is in your hands. I really long to see the
day all of us would celebrate our collective and individual successes and
achievements. Life is indeed cruel and brutal but only the courageous ones
triumph.
I thank my beloved parents who believed so much in me and have stood
solidly behind me throughout my journey in life so far. I thank my siblings
for putting my sacrifices for their sake to good use. They are all in the
university as you read this and my immediate younger sister, the first
daughter is wedding this Xs, I invite you. All my friends and colleagues
especially Omeye Emenike. (Being my best friend is worth a million
blessings) I thank you all. I also forgive my "enemies" and pray they forgive
me too. The world is too sweet and interesting to bear grudges and kee
malice.
I wish you all merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Ugwuodo Edwin.
|
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by citydove(m): 3:42pm On Dec 29, 2015 |
Hi reether, am sola from lag,u dnt knw me but i i seemed to b inspired by some of ur post. To cut d long story short,i want to get to knw u if possible, i'm unique in dt i will not waste tym wt shallow interactions. Its hard to get to knw someone by just a few photos & a couple of paragraphs. Wud luv to get to knw u more cos most pple dnt get ds far,wud luv to get a reply irrespective of whateva decision u make. Ok |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by 3rdlegxxx(m): 10:05am On Apr 04, 2016 |
wow, wow, wow, i had goose bumps along the line while reading through this story, i wished you dedicated this story also to your dead friend 'Emeka" who with his last breadth cried of not wanting to die but of going to the university, his part of your story really touched and i almost had tears in my eye at some point but had to fight it off, i guess i can relate to your story, a lot of people are suffering in this country and if we really want things to change, it starts with us telling our story, THIS is the type of story that should make FRONT PAGE but won't, it's wizkid and linda, guys and sex, ladies and cheating, money this money that that would make it, this is what Nairaland should have in front, to inspiring and motivate people.
Wish you success and to the lady who posted this, nice one and God bless. |
| Re: From A Battered Apprentice To A Law Graduate by 3rdlegxxx(m): 10:07am On Apr 04, 2016 |
rheether:
Once upon a time in 2006, the inadvertent situation I was compelled to
accept by circumstances was that I would be settled as a Motor spare parts
trader in December 2015 after some years of apprenticeship. Dramatically, I
am ending 2015 not with the intention to receive a few thousand naira from
my master but proudly emerging as a graduate of law from the prestigious
University of Nigeria. That is to tell you how significant this year is to me
and to my family.
I considered a long time ago to share this story to the public then I grew
reluctant at danger of any perception that I have “made it” but on a second
thought, I evaluated why I should allow this significant year to pass by
without revealing it, besides, I don’t know whose life my story has been
destined to change in 2016.Given the growing frustrations most people
especially our youths encounter in our society which plunge them into
depression, I feel bound in conscience to narrate it.
It was in the year 2006 when I graduated from secondary school. I was so
enthusiastic and desperate to enter the university the following year. I was
so passionate about it that I wrote all the O’ level examinations available. I
never wanted any result encumbrances in what so ever form to hinder me
from writing JAMB the following year. Unknown to me, nature had made its
own arrangements. As I learnt from my principal in the secondary school,
“Man proposes, God disposes”. That same year, while I was in the village
with my family for Christmas, I could remember walking into my parent’s
room on the 31st of December. I had the intention of discussing with them
what would be my fate in the following year as regards pursuing further
studies in the university. To my greatest shock and amazement, my mother
said in tears, “Chukwunonso, I don’t think you would be going to the
university anymore, we don’t have enough money to sponsor you for now”.
Jesus! I shouted in frantic mood. Although I was thrown off balance with
that statement, I quickly understood though with some explanations from
them that the financial burden would adversely affect my siblings’ education
if they insist on sending me to the university. Things were very difficult for
my family then. Being the first child, I saw it as one those sacrifices one has
to make for the family to survive. After several dialogue on what to do next,
it was resolved that I would go on apprenticeship in Lagos. Sincerely, on that
spot, my feet became cold. I saw my dream to enter the university vanish
from my sight. My mother cried throughout the night. My poor dad, a brave
one at that was also in pain but as the head of the family, he would not cry.
He had to be strong for the family. How he wished he could save the
helpless situation. But every effort was futile. I quickly made up my mind
and got ready for the adventure, the journey to the mysterious island.
On January 3rd, 2007, I set out for Lagos to serve as an apprentice with a
relative of mine who then was very wealthy and doing very well in the
importation of motor and motorcycle spare parts. At about 8:30pm on that
same day, I found myself at 23 road, C’ close, festac town, Lagos. That was
my master’s residence before we moved down to 6th Avenue, same festac
town in the later part of the year were he built his own admirable house. It
was very obvious I was uncomfortable that night, a feeling which never for
once ceased throughout my stay as an apprentice ,obviously because I never
for one dreamt to become one. I love education and that has always been my
dream. I had little or no sleep that night and the following day, 4th of
January, 2007, I found myself in ASPAMDA, Trade fair complex, along
Badagry Express way. The complex is so big and you find thousands of people
moving up and down with goods and performing various kind of business
transactions. The place is a citadel for automobile spare parts dealers. See,
don’t dare the deep pockets of the ” big boys” over there. 90 percent of them
never saw the four walls of secondary school let alone the university but are
business “gurus” with fat bank accounts. Their business skills are quite
brilliant that you marvel at their ingenuity. No wonder wealth is not
measured by the litany of one’s certificates. Some of them would tell you
they only need education just for the certificate , for archive purposes for
they’ve already achieved all they perceive going to the university would
fetch them which in their view is all summarized in monetary terms.
Day one was one in a million days. I saw a good number of apprentices who
out of similar situation like mine were also in the market. Only a few chose
from the onset to go into business. For those who never desired to be there,
you would always find them reading their old secondary school note and text
books at every given break. They would always be keen to share their stories
to whoever cares to listen. Soon some of them eventually became my close
friends and discovered that the little distinction between us was that I grew
up in the city and probably may have gathered better educational
background and exposure more than they have (for almost all of them were
taken from their respective villages and attended community secondary
schools), they quickly saw me as a respite to their depressed world. They
imagined that if someone like me who attended one of the best secondary
schools in my state (Saint Teresa’s College Nsukka) could be there, why
would they complain much? I automatically became an amateur evening
tutor and a “mentor” to them, lol. This actually made adaptation very easy
and fast for me for they put me through all the basic skills I needed to know
to enhance speedy learning. I started liking business. I was doing very well
and making good money for my master. My little educational background
was helpful that my master quickly made me his personal assistant. With
due respect, he only attended primary school those days in the village before
he was equally recruited by a wealthy man from Anambra State for
apprenticeship. My master was well informed of the ordeals that led me to
his house. He knew I never loved to be an apprentice, that I have good
educational background that would have taken me straight to the university.
He took advantage of the situation and put me in charge of all his shipping
documents. I was technically the secretary of his small company. Things were
going on smoothly in the first year that my master quickly opened a
subsidiary company that deals in the importation of motorcycle spare parts
and appointed me to head same. I was really doing great in the subsidiary,
making every effort to satisfy my master but the truth is, I was always
praying for the miracle that would take me to school before the expiration of
my apprenticeship duration. I was to serve for not less than eight ( years.
C’mon! Every thought of that duration sends me to bed in tears ever night.
Notwithstanding the tremendous success I have led my master’s business to,
I never for once felt like I belonged to that environment at that particular
point. My master and his family were aware of this but he wouldn’t care.
After all, he was not losing anything. But unknown to me, God saw my
heart, listened to my prayers and fixed an appointed day.
As the year went by, things started changing. I don’t know what came over
my master and his wife and all of a sudden, they became insecure with the
way I was advancing in the subsidiary. They assumed I was too smart for the
normal timid apprentice they recruit from the village whom they intimidate
to the extent of insulting their parents for being too retched to send them to
school. My master and the wife do not share this view alone. Ninety (90) %
of all the masters in that business premises see their apprentices as slaves.
They treated us as one and never held back in reminding us of how our poor
parents begged them to take us in other to alleviate their poverty. I can still
recall one of us then by name Emeka who was from Anambra State. Emeka
died carelessly in a shabby hospital near their house in Satellite town, Lagos
because his master refused to deposit money for his treatment. After all, he
was not his child and not worth proper medical care. Emeka always told me
how he dreamt to go to school but since poverty could not allow him, he
would work hard to become an importer of motor spare parts after
settlement. Do you know the most painful part of his death? When he saw
that his illness was getting too critical, he was crying and saying; “I don’t
want to die, I don’t want to die” till he gave up the ghost. God forbid that
any of my generation would be an apprentice again and I reject it on your
behalf too. Apprenticeship is modern day slavery. Fundamental human right
is an illusion in that world. How many of us even knew what fundamental
human right was when we never went to school.
As tension grew in the minds of my ‘Oga’ and ‘Madam’ that I may one day
become too smart for their control in business and may probably grow
stronger in business than them someday ,a fear which without their
knowledge was the least of my worries (all I needed was to go back to
school), they started plotting on how to subdue me. Just like most masters
who were everyday issue in the lives of most apprentices, all they could
come up with was to accuse me of stealing and saving their money. They
accompanied it with other accusations to embellish their story and I tell you,
till this day, my master and the wife could not mention the goods they said I
stole let alone the money they purported I have in my savings. They knew
and were convinced I had nothing but the idea was to cage my conscience
and chastise my liberty. After all, I am nobody and should not command
such freedom and strength in business. They maltreated me so brutally that I
lost my patience. At that point, I saw the situation as the time I have waited
for all long. Then, I had spent two year and three months. One early
morning, 12th of April, 2009, I went to his room and told him sir; “I want to
go home”. He never believed it because my departure was not within his
unfair plan. To me, it was then or never. It was the appointed time to go and
chase my dream. Still skeptical about my intention to leave, he agreed I
would come down to the village for my family to talk sense into my head .
Thank God, even the devil does not know the heart of a man. On 16th of
April, I was set to go home. Coming home was like someone who was
deported from another country. He made sure I left with nothing. All my
contacts were seized. Even the international passport he got for me when I
was meant to travel to India with him for his medical treatment but was
frustrated by the wife who couldn’t imagine a servant traveling out of the
country. They told me that I came to Lagos with nothing and if I decide not
to come back, I would leave with nothing. They stuffed my cloths in a dirty
disposable mosquito net bag and fling it at me. They “cursed” me while
leaving their house. They told me that I would never achieve my dream of
going to the university. That I would never in my lifetime attain their level
of financial status. They made sure that, not only was I denied material
benefit, they wanted to reduce my morale to zero level. This is a family I
sacrificed my life for. Amidst their maltreatment, I give my best to them, a
measure of commitment till which this day, I have not given to my own
parents. I was the home tutor for their lovely children and other apprentices
in the house.
When I got home and after several dialogue with families, it became obvious
to him that I wasn’t going back to Lagos with him anymore. He invited the
police to arrest me and I was detained in the charge room for more than
seven hours before one other prominent relative learnt of my situation and
quickly came to the police station and ordered for my immediate release. I
was scared to the marrow that day. As young as I was then, I was forced to
seat in-between two huge police men who squeezed me like sardine in the
vehicle. You may not relate to the psychological damage the whole police
episode gave me. My master connived with the two police men who were
playing hide and seek in the station to prevent other higher officers from
understanding what was going on. Their intention was to instill fear in me
so that I would accept to return to Lagos with my master. But you know,
when you are determined to reach your dreams, nothing becomes an
obstacle. You can die for it and that is one of the major reasons for writing
this. My master knew that he needed me in his business and was desperate
to have me return. But his egocentric approach to the whole situation was
wrong. Unfortunately, the subsidiary was shut down a few months after I
left. My beloved parents were battered emotionally during this trial period
their son was facing but what could the poor man and woman do to a rich
man like my “Oga”. Finally his efforts failed him and I was a free man
without any form of settlement for my labour years. It was time to pursue my
dreams.
To save you the intricate details of what happened immediately after my
freedom for my autobiography which would come in detail in the future, I
did lots of minor jobs to raise money for my educational dreams. I applied to
study law and wrote JAMB in 2010. The day my name came out on UNN
website that I have been admitted to study law was one of the best days in
my live and that of my family. I collapsed in our sitting room in shock and it
took some minutes to get me back to consciousness. I was extremely happy
for I worked hard and prayed for that admission and at one attempt, it
"clicked". That was the greatest miracle and sign that studying law was my
true desire and God willed it. During the time I got my admission, most of
my mates in secondary school were already in final year in various
universities but you know, life is never a competition for God designed our
parts differently.
Life in the university was a great experience and it totally shaped me into
what God has set for me to become in the future. Every encounter for that
five years was an opportunity to learn. That is why you should always try to
see the good side of every situation no matter how bad they may be. See, I
was really destined to be in the university and as a law student. My
influence grew among my contemporaries right from my first day in school
till the day I left. A humiliated apprentice not only got to the university, he
became the leader of the largest Christian association on campus and
immediately after that became the president of law student association which
I held till I graduated. I was not just a student, I was considered a model and
a worthy student leader by most students in the school. This is a boy who
should have languished in frustration and misery but I was determined to
reach my goals. But you know my fame in the school was without some
misguided antagonisms. Some students saw me as one who always
commanded all the attention and weren’t happy about it. Some saw me as a
competition and set their plot every minute to pull me down. Some even took
me to be a hindrance to their individual quests and sort to crush my person.
The funny one happened when some waged "war" against me and accused
me of embezzlement of our association fund and just like my master, they
could not provide any evidence. Thinking they would destroy me, they
increased my popularity and raised my friends from nothing to above four
thousand (4,000) on Facebook after I gave my reply to them. There is nothing
like bad publicity, *wink*. Thanks to my faculty and friends who stood
solidly behind me. I never blamed the naivety of the individuals who fall
within the above mentioned categories, they may not have gone through the
furnaces of life like I did. Life is not a competition, nobody whatsoever
except God willed so can bring you down. Focus on the part which nature
has designed for you.
In this amazing year, 2015, I am a graduate of law. Currently waiting for law
school by October next year which was delayed due to an inadvertent
mistake on my result by one of my lecturers (thank God it has been taken
care of). I may not have made the best result in my class, I was neither
among the most brilliant students. But I am happy today because my passion
paid off. Not only am I a law graduate, but the first in my clan, lol! Even my
master who is in the same clan is obliged to accept it and accord me that
respect. He finds it difficult to look me in the face now and always wished
he never made those mistakes for I have long forgiven him. I forgave him
because I am not perfect as well. I forgave him for he was the tunnel that
built me today. I forgave him because he taught me business skill which I
still have today. He is a man gifted with an amazing business intellect. The
opportunity of serving him was the foundation of the obsession I have for
cars and made me a freak for everything on wheels. I am going to launch a
car blog by next year, a freelance and pleasure one though, to share with
you the beautiful world of automobile which you may not be aware of. You
will like it…lol.
Finally dear reader, my story is not out of leisure writing but a motivation if
you find it interesting. Every event in our life is a preparation for something
greater if you give it a second thought. That things are bad today do not
mean your world has collapsed. Stay strong and fight that stubborn obstacle.
We are destined for greatness in our own different ways if you choose to
embrace your own cross. God is always watching and he knows what you
would be right from birth and no human being who chooses to be used by
the devil can ever bring you down. Make a firm resolution in 2016 and ask
God to be with you. Your destiny is in your hands. I really long to see the
day all of us would celebrate our collective and individual successes and
achievements. Life is indeed cruel and brutal but only the courageous ones
triumph.
I thank my beloved parents who believed so much in me and have stood
solidly behind me throughout my journey in life so far. I thank my siblings
for putting my sacrifices for their sake to good use. They are all in the
university as you read this and my immediate younger sister, the first
daughter is wedding this Xs, I invite you. All my friends and colleagues
especially Omeye Emenike. (Being my best friend is worth a million
blessings) I thank you all. I also forgive my "enemies" and pray they forgive
me too. The world is too sweet and interesting to bear grudges and kee
malice.
I wish you all merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Ugwuodo Edwin.
Edwin should also dedicate this story to 'Emeka ' who gave up the ghost while stuggling for better days. really inspiring piece, really loved it and hope to make it a reference point anytime i have issues to remember someone went through worse and someone died along the line, this is really touching.. |
