Story Of A Mechanic Who Got First Class From UNILAG
At 16, he dropped out of secondary school in his final year because his parents could not pay his registration fee for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
When his mates were writing the exam, he found himself in an automobile workshop as a motor mechanic, where he spent two years learning the black-collar job. Undeterred by this setback, he returned to school, gained admission in 2008 and graduated with a First Class degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
At the convocation ceremony, held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the university recently, Aina, 25, was listed among the 89 graduating students that finished in First Class Division for the 2012/2013 session. He had a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.71.
When the school door closed against him for lack of fund, he saw the mechanic workshop in his neighbourhood as his only lifeline. Sadly, his hope of quick return to school suffered further setback with his inability to raise the N3000 needed for the GCE form. Days ran into weeks, months and he spent two years in the mechanic workshop as an apprentice. It was at this darkest hour of his youthful life that he sought the light of heaven.
Hear his testimony: “Like Jonah in my family’s ship, our finance was wrecked, I voluntarily chose to drop out of school in my final year because of my parents’ inability to pay the WASSCE examination fees, besides feeding had become a huge problem.
I returned to my parents, leaving the family I had stayed with almost all through my senior secondary school days. Seeing that there was nothing to rely on and since I wouldn’t want to drive my parents into debts, I opted for “Feyingbole Grammar School”- so I jokingly referred to it. It was the mechanic’s workshop, situated in our crude locality, there I served as an apprentice for two years. Nobody would have noticed me as a bright student.
They were indeed shameful years. I was however undeterred, hoping against all hope in self-belief that someday, things would work out fine. Instead, things became tight, there was nothing anybody in the family could do, not even to get me a GCE form that would cost no more than ₦3000.
However, the difficulty broke me and opened my understanding to seeing that except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that builds it. I understand now that it is not every poor man on the street that has been lazy, not every student that gets poor grades is dull; time and chance dictate the turn of life.”
Aina recalled that his cry for help shattered the peace of heaven and an answer came in few weeks. A benefactor, whom he declined to recognise publicly, volunteered to purchase the GCE form, where he cleared all the science subjects he registered at one sitting.
His words: “I understand now, that though one must work, yet work alone does not account for success; a life without God whatever might be its attainment, is headed for crisis. I got more committed and devoted to God, and in the space of a month, God raised a helper to whom I shall remain indelibly grateful and strongly do believe that God’s grace would never run dry in her life. I took my GCE exams, made my papers in one sitting, though not without the fierce trial of my faith.
I remembered being in the exam hall and writing my Mathematics paper for barely 20 minutes, as I was strongly compelled to bow before the graven idol of examination malpractice, richly sponsored by the invigilators themselves.
So, when I didn’t succumb to the pressure, I was able to solve 18 out of 60 questions and yet I had an “A”. I took my UTME exams shortly and had 296/400, but yet unsatisfied as I had hoped for more.
God was so merciful that the gates of university admissions were opened for me in two prestigious institutions: FUTA and UNILAG, without any link to a “higher power” but God. That was how I became a student of University of Lagos.”
While on campus, he devoted his life to God, constantly reminding himself that his admission was a God-guided long walk through the wilderness. Sadly, his faith was put to test by the enchanting vibes of campus life.
I love academic brilliance and I saw it as what I must work around the clock for, if I must by chance get it; however after the first semester exams as a fresher, fear gripped me, I knew I hadn’t cut mustard, I ran back to the God, who hitherto, I had sidelined, pleading for at least, all B’s in my courses, “A” was unthinkable. But God was yet again greatly merciful, I had all A’s, I couldn’t fathom it.
Thus, I stayed glued to Him but with much fears, fears of failure, fears of being put to shame. All these fears, I knew would not allow me grow in faith, I felt bad with the fact that, I had been running to God not because I really do love or know Him but only for curative purposes. This I know, would never make me pass the ‘Abrahamic’ test of sacrificing Isaac, which is the only thing that is capable of launching one on the platform of ‘Abrahamic’ blessings.”
One of the challenges he faced was time management. Sometimes, he was at a loss where to draw the line between onerous classwork and enriching campus fellowship.
Looking back at his academic sojourn, Aina said he stood on the shoulders of giants to see the world. According to him, he would remain greatly indebted to his dad for bringing him up the way he did, though he detested his sternness then, he came to understand better that it was done out of love for him. His mum, according to him, was a cushion against the stern treatment of his dad. Not to be forgotten are Funmilayo and her husband, including his siblings for their encouragement and support.
From SunNewspaper.
Who says life is unfair? No matter were you find yourself, take the positives and move ahead. God always has a bigger plan for you.
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