My name is Chukwu Chigozie, born in the
80s. I was born into a family were education flows in the family but was faced
with a challenging and difficult childhood were I had to write WAEC nine (9)
times and JAMB seven (7) times. Now people gave up on me, I was used to hearing
negative and abusive words about me. Words like Nothing good can come out from
him, Olodo Rapata, Useless boy, was
even tagged the black sheep of the family.
The highest position I ever attained before I gained admission into the
university was 29 out of 30, I think my consolation was I was better than one
person (humour).
I found myself doing menial jobs in Lagos
to make ends meet but I have come to realize in life that “there is no such
thing as menial jobs but menial minds”. At this point in my life, I had no
friend and that is life for you nobody wants to be associated with failure; I
had lost my self-esteem and self-confidence as a youth but what kept me going
was “HOPE”.
I passed WAEC finally after the ninth
attempt and JAMB after the seventh attempt. I gained admission into the
University of Abuja to study Economics in 2007 and for me that was the end of a
season and the beginning of a new season in my life. I saw myself doing things
I could not do in the past effortlessly; I got my self-esteem and confidence
back. I started tutoring my classmates back in school, was part of the tutorial
team even established a tutorial center in Gwagwalada (that was how the
entrepreneurial spirit in me arose).
In 2008/2009, I was the Image maker/PRO
of Economics department after a keenly contested departmental election. In
2010, I was an SUG presidential candidate in the University Student Union
election which was later cancelled indefinitely, I went back to my department
and contested for the presidential election and I loss.
By 2011 December, I was a graduate of
Economics, graduating with a Second Class Upper honours (2.1) in a class of
over 270 students. By this time, my passion for human capacity building was
burning and unquenchable.
In 2012, I wrote my first textbook in
Econometrics titled “Econometrics Simplified, Volume 1 and in 2013, I followed
in up with Econometrics Simplified, Volume 2. These textbooks are used by
students in the universities.
For me so far, the high point in my life
was in 2013 when over 700 students in University of Abuja were using my
textbook to prepare for their Econometrics examination. I remember I was in a
bus around September period going to gwags when a group of students were
reading my textbook and got stuck at a point, one of them recognized me and I
helped put them through right in the bus. It was a great joy and fulfillment
for me.
Currently, I run a facility management
company called “IZZY CLEANERS”. We clean, fumigate, landscape and beautify
homes, offices, industrial and event arenas etc. Be it a one-off or retainership
services, you can count on us for class, excellence and panache. Also we do
Event Management, Protocol Security and Profiling.
In all I have gone through in life, I
have come to realize that “Do not give up until you make your last attempt and
do not make your last attempt until you succeed”. If I can go through all this
life challenges and didn’t give up, you have no reason to give up on yourself.
Your generation will never forgive you if you give up on yourself and on your
future.
I leave you with this parting words “Life
does not reward the good of the majority”.
Giving up defeats the purpose of starting. Good read Chigozie! Keep pushing through.
ReplyDeleteWow...extremely touching story. I can only imagine how you were able to endure all these and still come out of it strong. You are indeed an inspiration to others especially the young individuals who are just facing the reality of life. When life gives you lemons,make a lemonade out of it...that's exactly what you did. Your life is indeed a testimony to others. I am glad to know someone like you. keep uo the good spirit, the Lord is your strength.
ReplyDeleteI give God all the glory.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt can only be GOD. I give him all the Glory for all he has done in my life.
ReplyDeleteInspiring true life story. Thank God for your life.
ReplyDeleteSuccess is like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired. You quit when the gorilla is tired.
Amazing story of sheer determination against all odds and negatives to achieve victory.The lessons you have learnt therefrom means that you have established your steps positively and can reach any height in life to live your dreams.
ReplyDeleteA great inspiration to those who are forlorn with life experiences, who feel deeply dejected that life has passed them by, that they can still push on and come out with great testimonies of what the Lord has done in their lives.
One excellent thing that I believe helped you to continue in the face of extreme adverse circumstances was that you caught on, quite fast and early on HOPE which is only in Christ. Hope never fails or disappoints and you are a testimony to that fact and truth.
Thanks for sharing and may God continue to pave your path with greater successes and guide your footsteps in righteousness. Shalom!
Proud of you Chigozie..Thank you for the tutors in School..You are still one of my memorable classmates.
ReplyDeleteOut of my 8semesters in school, I read and consulted Chikezie for 7semester, the exception being my first semester before we became friends. Through thick and thin, this young (older than I am) man doesn't give up. May the wings of the Al. Ighty constantly protect u.
ReplyDeleteFor your next article consult your very own editors to avoid minute errors. Good read, nice correlation. Bless
Wow!, If you know Chizgozie now... You would never know he went through such. Now I see... Proud of Chizzy.... I have learnt just one sentence. "there are no such things as menial jobs but menial minds"....
ReplyDeleteThank God you made it through life and all its obstacles,truely inspiring.
ReplyDeleteChizzy dude! This is a master piece, very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteAlways proud of you. I recommend you for minister of Youth( he smiles) match on bro! I got your back.
Mr President must read this...
So Proud of You. Chigozie, u defeated life struggles & obstacles to get to where you are today. There is no Limit to what you will achieve. Thank you for not giving up
ReplyDeleteSo Proud of You. Chigozie, u defeated life struggles & obstacles to get to where you are today. There is no Limit to what you will achieve. Thank you for not giving up
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you bro. Keep up the good job
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you bro. Keep up the good job
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletei am so glad to have discovered your rhythm against all the odds. you amazed me by your confidence during your first day in our tutorial class. i recalled every bits of event....my joy today is that God has answered ur long awaited prayer. i know what it feels like having weathered the storms.
ReplyDeleteU’RE AN OVERCOMER bro.
stay blessed
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletei am so glad to have discovered your rhythm against all the odds. you amazed me by your confidence during your first day in our tutorial class. i recalled every bits of events....my joy today is that God has answered ur long awaited prayer. i know what it feels like having weathered the storms.
ReplyDeleteU’RE AN OVERCOMER bro.
stay blessed
BENDO
Amazing testimony of a 'non quitter'. You have an indomitable spirit, most to be admired. This is just, but a stepping stone, look beyond the sky and fly higher and higher. If God could take you through all these, then he can take you to greater heights. Keep hanging on Jesus and loving it.
ReplyDeleteI luv ur story n I didn't even knw u went thru dese tins bt u succeeded in all dese. God ll continue to bless u n ur biz IJN, Amen.
ReplyDeleteLife is indeed what you make of it and failure is a mindset. Hmmmm! Your resilience and doggedness paid off after all and am glad you didn't give up on yourself even when everybody gave up on you. Having read through I understand your person a lot more than ever and trust me the world will hear about you and you'll dine with kings. Don't stop keep moving there is more so much more in the inside of you waiting to be unlocked. God keep, bless and strengthen you. Amen!
ReplyDeleteNKALARI..
Gozie this is awesome! I'm so proud of you. I'm happy for what you've become. Keep it up my dear, the sky is just your starting point. Failure, they say, is just a stepping stone to success, you've proven that statement to be right.
ReplyDeleteKudos my dear!