Seun Kilanko

This is a speech I gave at a speaking outing lately. It might be somewhat lengthy but it sure worth the reading.

I am from a family of five-my father, mother and two brothers. We are a small happy family of dreamers and achievers. I am a native of Ibadan, grew up in Ibadan and got tired of Ibadan. I promised myself that I was not going to have my university education in Ibadan.

I got admitted into Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to study Sociology and Anthropology after I finished my secondary education at Amazing Grace International College, Ibadan.

I am in my final year in the university.

My growing up was quite boring but impactful. I was not exposed to a lot of things. I can’t remember playing games or having toys. Not that my parents couldn’t afford what I wanted then but they believed their children should be more focused academically and be the best in their classes.

We were not deprived of books and whatever they felt will make us grow academically. We grew up reading academic books and watching the family television only when we were told to do. Sometimes we sneaked out to play football or roll tires (and if you were caught you would receive the beating of your live).

While in School, I made a lot of friends and did not bother to concentrate on my studies. This influenced my poor performance in my academics because I was not concentrating in class.

I was so unserious and it didn’t take too long before I realized what life really meant.

An event happened that caused a great turn-around in my life. I was in a public secondary school and about to get promoted from SS 2 (Senior Secondary School 2) to SS 3, but guess what? I wasn’t promoted because I failed.

The thought of my parents knowing about my failure was unimaginable. I thought death was going to be the result not because the wages of sin is death but because my father beats like you can never imagine.

I went to my father’s friend who was a teacher in the school and I tried to beg my way out of the mess but it just didn’t work.

Then the unimaginable happened, my father later discovered that I failed and he did what I least expected (Am sure you want to know?)

I can’t remember myself.

All I can remember is that, I was not beaten. He withdrew me from my school and he enrolled me in his own school, he owned a school at that time (Because it was my father’s school I was sure I would be put in SS3.)

Ladies and Gentle Men, I was admitted into SSI.

What a great demotion!

I cried my eyes out. I thought of my mates who were going to be far ahead of me.

I thought that was all until the result of the GCE exam I sat for was released and I earned for myself a head-bowing F9 parallel. So, sad!

This event had a great impact in my life and I had to take responsibility for my life. I dropped all science subjects and went to the commercial department (The thought of all those science subjects made me shiver).

My academic performance started to improve and I became more disciplined and mature. I was confident in myself.

I rose to the top of my class and I cleared my Senior School Certificate Examination at the end.

Life is good once you are ready to make a good out of it. Life is good once you are ready to invest into it. Life is good once you are ready to take charge.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 9:48 pm and is filed under Attitude, Choice, Dreams, Encouragement, Entrepreneurship, Failure, Gists, Insight, Life, Nigeria, Purpose, Self Development, Success Principles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.