HER STORY
Their chants repeat in strong rhythmical manners to my hearing; a vocal praise full of commendation and love. In admiration to an exemplar, a mother, a sister, a wife and more. There was an explosive sound of striking of palms of hands together as Mrs. Ofordebe Judith Eberechukwu stood up as the MC welcomed her to the stage at Youth empowerment and skill acquisition convention held in Nnamdi Azikiwe University,Awka auditorium.
It is an event which was geared toward empowering the youths, bringing useful ideas and procurement of skills to students and youths as a whole. I almost backed out from attending due to my introverted nature but Amaka, my roommate, had to literally drag me to the convention. At first I wasn't feeling it because everyone had one thing to talk about with the person near them but I was there all by myself and starting a conversation with people I wasn't familiar with, was a struggle for me. Amaka had already run off with another friend of hers.
And yes, I planned to sneak out of the event as the audience rained hands of applause as Mrs. Ofordebe walked to the stage but I had to stay back as I saw one of the ushers coming my way. Funny right?. Let's not dwell on my mischievous behaviors.
So, she adjusted the microphone and started by saying “Good day to everyone of us and thank you for being at this event. It's indeed an honor to be before you all”
The chants from the audience continued as they chorused WE LOVE YOU MA. I thought of who this woman could be, that made so many students happy. Was it the refreshments to be shared after the event or was there some more to this event.
The chants from the audience continued as they chorused WE LOVE YOU MA. I thought of who this woman could be, that made so many students happy. Was it the refreshments to be shared after the event or was there some more to this event.
“I love you all too” she said with so many smiles on her cheeks. She continued— “Before we dive in, I would like to share my story with you all. I am an orphan. I lost my parents at a tender age. Yes, at the age of seven. I had to go live with my aunt, who was a widow with five children to cater for and adding me to that number was something she couldn't cope with. The only option left was for me to live with people as their housemaid. Ahh! It was not easy. I was exposed to different kinds of maltreatment; was the constant beating or starvation I had to endure or the sexual harassment. I had to ran back to aunt ifeoma's house at some point and thank God that I never thought of suicide because what I went through was too much for a child of my age. I hawked for a year before my aunt could afford my school uniform. Even when I was schooling, I never stopped hawking but I didn't also limit myself; I was the first at every end of the school session. It continued and when I thought that secondary school was the highest height I could ascertain, God created an opportunity where I was offered a scholarship to university as far as I made my WAEC(West African Examination Certificate) and JAMB( Joint Admission Matriculation Board). The rest is history, though challenges came by, but my determination for success kept me going and today, I am grateful I didn't stop on the way. I'm thankful I didn't let the burning flame of success quench rather I ignited it. You too can fight those battles victorious. The road to those dreams of yours may seem narrow and thorny, the pains unbearable, your legs can't carry on and bulging to its demand of giving up seems right. Just hold on a little more because that very moment is the breakthrough you ever wanted. That most unbearable moment holds your success story. And truth be told, you are almost there. Your winning moments are here”.
I was so amazed with her words of encouragement, it was a little while but I saw her passion and I felt her love for youths. Surprisingly I found myself clapping and chanting with other audiences because I was totally refilled with power. It felt like I could overcome any struggle single heartedly and I sure will. The new me emerged and I am still grateful till today for staying back; sometimes it's good not to let the way we are, make decisions for us. Hey, people are eagerly waiting for our own story, their ears itching to hear and I promise to let the world hear mine. WHAT OF YOU?