In early 2011, one major decision I needed to make was the choice of university. Well, I didn’t think deep about it just like any typical teenager who wants to explore ‘freedom’ or call it enjoyment from home. I was already dreaming of a place very far away from home. I chose University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu. What a distant place for a young boy who had lived all his life in Lagos and had never left home.
It sounded quite awkward for me when my Mom decided Crawford University was the school I should choose. According to her, she prayed about it and was convinced by God. I derided Crawford for every reason. I never liked the idea of private universities and a missionary school was a no-brainer for me.
After moments of wailing and grumble, I reluctantly opt in for the school. Just before I resumed my first year, I read a book centred on goal settings. It spurred me to set the goals I wanted for myself in the university:
1.To graduate as best student 2. To serve in the fellowship 3. To be a shining light in the school.
During the fresher’s orientation, I learnt more on developing plans to achieving goals. I immediately started to implement the plans. I had a target of 18-30 studying hours each week. I committed myself to rising early each day. Every morning I join the prayer meeting in the church by 5:30am before setting out for the day. I also associated with the right folks by joining the AFCF family ( Apostolic Faith Campus Fellowship). I had a triangular life then: church, library and hostel. I met very wonderful mentors in the fellowship who nurtured and paved the way for me both with my academics and spiritual life.
My lifestyle in 100level was really not what any typical freedom seeking teenager would desire. Charles Adebayo inspired me to live it even unknowingly to him. He told me “if you get it right in your 100level, you would have less to worry in subsequent years”. After my first semester, my results announced me. My name became a household name in my faculty. Lecturers were interested in knowing the student who had scored 90,95, 85 in supposed 3unit courses.
For each semesters, I set realistic goals for the marks I wanted per course. As in Habakkuk 2:2 ” Write the vision and make it plain upon tables, that they may run that readeth it”. I had a short slip of paper pasted by my bedside. When I wake each morning, I measured how close or far I was to achieving the scores. I strategized and re-strategized till I saw it through.
I was quite an introvert, not so many knew me even within my hostel. My results made me famous round the circle, but I kept my head down.
As I resumed for the second year, I got the biggest shock of my life. I was literally in tears when I was named the next co-ordinator of the fellowship. I was very close to my predecessor (Daniel Asaya). I thought I had a fair idea of what it entailed. Oh! It’s really true that you cannot know a thing except you’ve gone through the experience of it.
My dedication and commitment to my academics were still intact. I remembered scoring all As and a B in my first semester. I had an academic secret then. I read after each lecture, each day. On weekends, I read all my lectures notes from the beginning of the week . The weekend following I studied from the 1st week and that cycle goes on till the weekend before exams. By this logic, I end up reading some topics 15 or more times. This helped me gain great understanding as well as to further research and build on the knowledge. Repetition, they say begets retention.
I became very social in my class because I needed to connect to more people. I had to unlearn my introvert ‘me’. I used to be so shy facing the crowd. But I gained steel and confidence by the day. I must confess that the coordinator position drew me even closer to God. There were days I had to spend 5 or more hours praying for the success of each programmes held, for the worker, executives and members of the fellowship and generally for God’s spirit manifestation in the university.
I sacrificed my nights for counseling, moulding time. I am so proud today of the many children God has given me and those I trained. In the meanwhile, activities started to consume much of my time. I rarely had time for myself. It required me to put others interest ahead of mine.
While I barely had time to even study my books, I entered into an agreement with God that when I read 20mins, it should equate to 2hours of reading time. In fact, as soon as I read my favourite scripture (Romans 8:32) before I read my books, my understanding rate rose high. It worked like magic!!
I was blessed with very experienced executive members in AFCF, over 20 of them. The people reciprocated the love, care and pacifism I showered on them.
My third year in school was that weird year. First of all, I made a major wrong decision in the fellowship that took a toll on me. I learnt in the hardest way, that good intentions was not enough but how you executed it was equally important. I wanted the best for the fellowship. I wanted more righteousness within the workforce but I guess I went about it the wrong way. I didn’t consult with my executive members. It’s a lesson I’m glad I learnt.
I had a stray relationship with God in those moments. I drifted away far from him. I eventually tried out a relationship with a girl. That furthered sever my walk with God and the devil got hold of my dedication to God. I stopped attending prayer meetings in church. Infact, my presence in the fellowship was just for the sake of being the leader. I honestly “gave up on God”. One good thing the LORD did in those troubled times was his constant reminder of how much he loved me, and how he had not given up on me.
I stayed in the miry of sins for a while. However, I thank God that he found me again. He used my second semester results to speak sense to me. My results deteriorated really bad that I thought I was out of first class. I broke up the relationship, which was like the idol in my heart. I gave up all completely to God that I withheld from him. I pleaded with God for His saving grace and he did just that. I renewed my stand with God.
Yes, my fourth year was my best year. I went all out for God. Those low moments made me wax stronger in my trust, commitment and love for God. I was able to live up a lasting legacy in the school. I built virtues in the members of the fellowship. I started a Bible school for workers, where we learnt so much about the bible. In addition, our prayer lives were geared up. We had a prayer night on Thursdays between12am -3am which saw us conquered a lot of battles, gave us numerous victories for the school, fellowship and in our individual lives.
I graduated top of my class with an honorary first class degree. I bless God that the fellowship grew in strength during my time as co-ordinator. I also learnt quite a lot of life lessons throughout my campus life. I’m happy today for the leadership experience, exposure and insights I gained in Crawford University. It did set out blueprint for the many success I have achieved in my workplace and in my life generally.
I will conclude by quoting my favourite scripture Romans 8:32 “He that spared not his own son but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely give us all things”. It sums up my campus life.
Thanks and God bless you.
EGC 2021
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