HOW MY FATHER TOOK AWAY MANY LIFE OPPORTUNITIES FROM ME

By Isaac Peter Azige

My mother passed on when I was barely 11-years old, leaving me with my younger brother in the care of our grandmother. My father left us very shortly after her death and started a new family in another state. During the time He was in our lives, I knew my father as a very strict and controlling man. Despite abandoning us but He still was in control of our decisions from where ever he was, it was a tough experience with him. 

When growing up, working from farmlands to farmlands, working after school just to cater for my grandmother and younger brother, being the eldest son. My only dream as a child living in a very remote village in Nasarawa State, was to one day go to Lagos State and make money. Because, growing up, we heard stories that made us think and believe that Lagos state was the land of Canaan where people go there to make money.

Luckily for me, my uncle called immediately I graduated from secondary school. He called to tell me about a job opportunity in Lagos State, that a naval officer needed to hire a Mathematician he could train in school, while he (the Mathematician) in turn, will tutor his only son, Mathematics. 

I was very good at mathematics and had represented my school twice in the famous Cowbell Mathematics Competition, so it was a dream come true for me. While we were on our way to Lagos, my Uncle thought to call my father and notify him, my father was so angry and threatened that he would report my uncle for kidnapping. My Uncle got scared and returned me to the village.

God! I felt my life crumbling and it felt like the end for me. I remember also, how my father forced me to enroll in a government school instead of the scholarship opportunity I got to learn in a private school. He forced me to go to a government school, yet he never contributed for anything.

Then one day, I made up my mind never to allow my father take charge of my life any more. At that time, I was already a Barber managing in our village in Nasarawa State. My business was stagnant, I became restless cause I wanted more. I was the only one supporting my grandmother and younger brother. “I need to step up” I thought to myself. So, I picked myself up one day, I had just my transport with me and I took off to Lagos State. 

I got a job as a security guard on arrival, luckily for me and I was charging and repairing phones as a means for extra income. I started gathering little money I used to send home. Shortly after, I started getting news that my father was ill and I'm expected to take care of him. I was upset with my father but he was still my father, so I forgave him and started taking responsibility of him. As a matter of fact, my father apologized for his wrongs and was making efforts to be a better person before He died along the line, sadly. 

Some days, I would go hungry without a penny, some days I fall sick without proper medical care, but in the midst of it all, I remained positive. 

God came through for me. I was opportuned to meet with great leaders and legends. Late Sir Ubong King was my mentor, he trained me personally. I worked with Mallam Ibrahim, NPA Chairman and that was how my life took a big, positive turn through God's mercy. Today, I am miles from the pain and struggles. I own an NGO now 'Bold Ideas Scholarship Foundation 'and by Gods grace, we are extending God's kindness back into the society. 

I believe whatever the situation may be for you now, as long as you are not considering giving up soon, a time of uplifting will come and we will all jubilate as we tell the story of our struggles. 

Stay strong!