a success story

The story of a boy God helped to break limit because he did not give up.

Good day dear;

Are you thinking of giving up on a goal that you set or a vision that God has given to you. Just before you do so, why not go through my story, I believe it will encourage you.

I grew up to discover that my name is Adebayo Ademola, I love the name because of the word “ade” that is in the two names. Ade is a Yoruba word that means crown and basically used to qualify those that from the royal family. I gave myself the name, ‘’Michael’’ to fulfill all righteousness of having a third name. I choose the archangel name because of my then, favourite footballer, John Mikel Obi, when he was in Chelsea football club. I grew up to know just my mother and my grandmother, the woman who brought me up from age seven to fourteen. I have never seen my father, except once, on Facebook. (This is a story for another time).

I want to share with you my story as an undergraduate student. I waited at home for one year after my secondary school graduation before gaining an admission to study political science and international relations in the University of Abuja, Abuja (UNIABUJA), the University of National Unity, one of the best universities in Africa. Actually, I wanted to study Law in the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU). At the end, I think (with emphasis) that (UNIABUJA) is better that OAU. It was a night of great joy, when I saw the admission notification from JAMB.

After two months, I resumed school, taking a very journey from the northern part of Oyo State to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. I decided I will try my best to be the best I can be as a student in the university. However, the first challenge came when we (the JJC) got to know that nobody had ever graduated with a first class in the department before, and it seems that nobody  can ever made it because of many factors that sound genuine. Learning from my seniors in various tutorials and through personal encounters, I discovered that they were very good, brilliant and bright but there were strongholds- mental and spiritual that made them not to cross the limit to get full potentials in term of result. There were also some lecturers that have determined in their mind not to allow many students to pass their courses and the ones that pass cannot pass well than ‘’C’’ or ‘’B’’ because ‘’A’’ belongs to God, and ‘’B’’ is theirs.

Although, I didn’t have the vision graduating with a first class or breaking any limit, I believe, some of my mates had. I just want to finish get the certificate, do well and probably be among the best students. But, I love the course or let me say, I created a deep passion for the course that I was ready to give it my best. However, my whole mindset changed when we collected the first semester and God helped me to get a 4.59 GPA out the 5.0 achievable CGPA. That spurred me and made me to think that with God, I can finish with a first class; though that time I don’t really know how to maintain the result till the end. 

I got encouragement from many persons; seniors, lecturers, and friends. But there is set of individuals who were so pessimistic about the whole stuff, saying, it is not achievable as no one ever got it or finish with this kind of result. Their reasons were genuine. Sadly, I believed them. They told m that the result cannot get better since the course get more difficult as I progress in levels. I believed their lies, instead of having faith in God and His ability in me. I paid badly for my lack of faith, I began to slack in some areas, I felt satisfied, at least, I had tasted ‘’first class’’. The next result was so bad that I wept and became so depressed. I had a carry over, and literally failed some courses if not for the mercy of God that made me to get D and poor C. In this state of depression and disappointment which are believe persons are now. The situation where we feel like a fallen champion. I thought, maybe that’s where I truly belong; maybe I am not very good enough to make head way and become successful. I almost give up. I was like Elijah, I thought to myself, “God, let me just be here, finish here at least, nobody ever passed here”. I could not even pray, as many are now.

However, in the deep of that sad and miserable situation, I got up, encouraged myself, ran to people; friends like Iyanuoluwa Oketoyin, Paul Awugo Shadrach, also to some seniors like Bro. Yinka Olorede, Adebayo Nathaniel, etc, who led me to pray, and also prayed with and for me. Then, I was restored; my faith in the power of God was renewed.  Then, I decided that since I love the course I am doing, I am going to give it the best I could without considering if there is any limit that exist or not. As, I was very proud because of the first result, I was feeling very comfortable and so I believe that the failure that followed was a blessing in disguise because God used it to draw me to himself. He can use anything to draw our attention.

Through the mercy of God, the result was restored, although, it was not up to the first one. But, I was motivated. This same situation came in 200level and 300level, I even gave up in 300level, until one I went to the departmental fellowship and the song minister a song, “I  will never settle for less, because I kniow that there is more that is found in God’’. My academic journey a complete roller-coaster condition until in 400 levels when God, made everything to work in order to make the dream comes through and helped me to get a 5.0 GPA and m last result was 4.71. 

However, despite all the obstacles I was also determined not give any more and I held on to God and His ability in me to do all things. At last, I graduate with a First Class Degree (4.60). I was not the only one, but Okafor Chukwuma also made it, we started together, we faced the same challenges but we were resolute that there is nothing that is possible especially when God is with a man.

 This is my success story as an undergraduate who God used to break a limitation and barrier of about 26 years in the department of political science and international relations of the University of Abuja, Abuja. I believe you can make your choice now, either to give up on what you are doing, give up on the ministry, your academics, your career or to hold on to God and his promises and also believe if you continue tenaciously, you can become anything you want to be according to the will and purpose of God.

I want to conclude by telling you that the decision and determination not to give up and achieve your goal is not enough but you must add to it;

a.       GOD: only God, Jesus Christ can make rich and add no sorrow. Only he can lift a man beyond his (man’s) expectations. He promised to give us good success and prosper us if we draw closer to him be his own, offering ourselves to him, believing in him and serving him,

b.      Positive mentality or mindset: success is what we think, and how will lead our lives. The mind is the place where success and failure emerge from, so guide it and always be positive to everything.

c.       Right companies: keep the right friends, move close to the right people, people of like passion, people who are going where you are going or close to it and are ready to help you. Be close to people that are positive, passionate about excellence, people who can pray for you and even correct you when you make mistakes,

d.      Joy: be happy; be full of joy, even when things are not going well. Rejoice always.

Thank you for reading.

Always visit this blog; Drive and Success