Employ your time in improving yourself by other men's writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for. Socrates.
I am a man blessed by the writings and wisdom of other writers.
On this day and around this time, my darling wife had just presented Palm wine to me to drink, signaling her choosing me as her husband before our families and friends right there in her father's compound in Aguluezechukwu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra state.
It was the concluding part of an hour long negotiation on the bride's list and I remember my friends saying that I have used my "grammar" to marry my bride.
I have shared several stories of how I met my wife through my University Alumni Association. You see, If there was ever one venture that helped me ignore the many stones that were hurled at me in all my years of living in God's planet earth, it was reading. I have repeatedly said that I took to reading as a way to get back at the world for its consistent discrimination on my skin colour. It is a project I don't intend ending until God calls me into His beatific Vision.
The journey of life cannot be measured in miles and kilometers, it is one which we must strive at all times to avoid the pitfalls, dodging the stones and making the best of obstacles and difficult situations. Sachin Tendulkar best captures this wholly when he said , "people throw stones at you and you convert them into milestones."
In 2010 during my project defense for my Bachelor's degree in Political Science at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
I am proud to have been supervised by the highly cerebral Nkolika Obianyo. My project focused on the African Union and Conflict Resolution in Africa: A Case study of Darfur. This topic spurred me to further pursue an Msc in Peace and Conflict Resolution and, to be an active participant in Model United Nations.
September 2009 - June 2010 was one of the most engaging moments of my life. Months of research, reading and writing. Then it was my turn to appear before the panel and after the preliminary questions, I was waiting for the main *gbim* of the session. My supervisor was also waiting, my heart was racing... Then Dr. Frank Collins Nnamdi now Professor of Political Science at Nnamdi Azikiwe University asked the question that almost ripped my heart apart.
In his words
"So tell us Chimezie, did you go to Sudan?"
I almost died!
It wasn't the kind of question you would expect at an Academic Defense at least not at that stage. I had reviewed my work cover to cover in anticipation of any question but definitely not this. But God put an answer in my heart and after the momentary 10 Seconds freeze, I gave a reply that shocked the entire panel and even me.
My response
"Sir, physically I did not go to Sudan; but technologically and textually I did."
They all looked at me, shook their heads in amazement and told me that would be all. I got a B in the venture.
It was the same "grammar" that made my wife notice me in September 2017 during the Anti Depression organized by the Lagos Chapter of my University Alumni Association. She was impressed by how this "onyeocha" handled the microphone, moderating the sesiso with finesse. Someone noticed her admiration and came to inform me.
During lunch, I walked up to her, asked her three questions, she answered and I concluded there and then she was the woman I wanted to marry even though she laughed at me for "daring", the rest as they say is now history.
In 2026 my dear friends, travel to other climes, learn new cultures, embrace new learnings; you can achieve this more when you read!
It is a strategic approach to attaining that quantum leap!
To know more about me, Babe had to go read the entire #dearfuturewife series. It was worth her while. Can't believe it's been five year already.
In your journey towards success, focus is key; and in as much as there is virtue in orderliness, there is wisdom in acting swift when the need calls for it. While the Blacksmith must patiently wait for his designs to cool off and produce his beautiful work, he must be swift if he wants perfect malleability. Hence, focus on your focus.
Dear friends, as you walk the path of success in 2026, you must attract yourself to the stones that life will throw at you. Oh yes it must come for there is no Crown without a Cross, no pain no gain. Let the pains of the stones steer you towards the beauty of cornerstones and, the pleasures of milestones.
Person wey dey cry dey see road, after all, tears cleanses the soul. So while the stones hurt, after the pains, take them and set them up to become your stepping stones to greatness.
That's the attitude of Champions.
Embrace your stones, step unto greatness!
Study to show thyself approved!
If you see Ìyàwó Oga, tell her "taaaaaaaaaaanchu" for choosing me.
Stay Jiggy
Jisi
