May I have your attention, please? Yes. Welcome and thank you. If you don't have a seat, please find one. This is going to take a bit of time.
Quick question: if you were to choose between people and money, which would you go for? The former or the latter? Write down your answer. We will come back to this question.
I will tell one story in full and share snippets of others to answer this question from my end.
In 2015 I was 18, fresh out of secondary school. I had written my West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, the National Examination Council, NECO exams, and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB exams.
Smart girl! With no form of malpractice, my results were clean, white as a dove. An A in CRK because I’m a Jesus baby, a C in Maths because the only thing I can calculate is money and a B3 in the 7 subjects. I scored 273 in my JAMB.
I wrote my exam at a mission school, St Theresa’s Secondary School Abakaliki, where malpractice in exams was not tolerated. We were only 35 who dared to write our final secondary school exams, WASSCE and NECO in the school.
No, I am not bragging. I want you to understand my desperation to enter the university. How would I let my good scores go to waste? I was also feeling late to the party as some of my classmates were graduating at 16, and I was 18.
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK was my school of choice. I had previously made arrangements with a senior in my secondary school who was at 100 level then. She agreed that I could spend two days at her place to write the exam. I stay in Abakaliki where I grew up with my parents.
Two days before the exam, I called and got a shocking response. It was September and Unizik was on holiday, so she had come home to Abakaliki.
“Is there no one who is in school that you can help me tell so I can stay at her place?” I asked. My heart was on a marathon and sank to my stomach at her response.
She said, “My friend who is in school won't let you stay at her place unless I bring you myself.” That's ridiculous, the voice in my head said.
“And I can’t leave what I am doing in Abakaliki to take you. Just go to Unizik. Ask people about the hostel. Meet anybody there and beg them for you to stay.”
I thanked her and ended the call. I had never left Abakaliki on my own before. When my father asked, I said everything was okay and the girl agreed.
A day later, I packed my bag and went to Peace Motor Park Abakaliki to board a vehicle to Awka, a three-hour drive. The exam was scheduled the next day for 8:00 am so I needed to go a day before.
Several aspirants were also making the trip to write the post-UTME exam. The first girl I talked to at the park while we were waiting for the bus was going to Onitsha.
She was travelling with her mother and they would come to Awka the next day from Onitsha, an hour's drive.
The second girl had a similar story. I decided not to ask again. I continued praying in my heart.
I was a church girl (no be now wey una don corrupt me. Lol). Soon after, a girl joined us and asked me why we were waiting.
“There is no available vehicle” From there, we clicked and started gisting. Oluwatobi was also going to write the same exam.
We got different seat numbers but exchanged with someone to sit together. Her company made the trip better.
It was around 4 PM when we got to Awka. Tobi asked which side I was going to so we could meet up tomorrow and go for the exams together.
I bared my heart to her. She moved her shoulders back and peered into my face wondering if I forgot to laugh.
Then realisation dawned, “are you serious?” she asked.
“Yes, I honestly don't have someone to stay with,” I answered. What was I thinking, leaving my house with no place in mind to stay in a town I had never been to before?
Without hesitation, she asked that I follow her to her friend's house. It was there that I stayed to write the exam.
The friend also accommodated me when I got admitted and needed a place to put my head on for a few weeks to settle down.
Later, Tobi told me that she stayed at Ezzamgbo (which is the route you pass if you are going to Enugu_Awka). The gist is that she could have gotten a vehicle from there but something led her to come to town to board a vehicle. Miracles are real.
My second story will not wear long robes like the first. It's 2024 and I have just rented my place, a single room with a kitchen, and a bathroom/toilet.
For the first few weeks of moving in, a bedsheet served as my only saviour from the cold hard tile floor.
I am aware that a lot of young people from poor or average homes started like this. I would be patient until I saved enough to get a mattress.
However, on January 17th I started receiving unexplained credit alerts in my First Bank account. Abeg who dey share money?
I reached out to my friend whose name was in the description of one of the alerts and got some surprising news.
Kola sent me screenshots from his Whatsapp status as he had exempted me from seeing it. It was his birthday and he used it to crowdfund for me and one other of his friends who needed help.
He didn't like that I was sleeping on the floor even though it was temporary. In the few days after his birthday, I continued to receive money from his friends as his birthday gift.
My money for the mattress was completed soon after. I got the mattress by the end of that week.
On the other hand, When I needed a loan to pay my rent in December, I didn't need to go to Jericho to find help.
One chat on WhatsApp and I got the amount I needed from a friend with no conditions. This same friend supported me during the third term of law school.
Let's take a step back, In 2021 November, the posting for Law school came out and I was distraught. The previous plans to get the fees failed woefully.
I didn't want to miss the chance to go with my mates. We have already lost one year due to Covid-19. Study law for eight years? God forbid!
I reached out to my friends and contacts for help. The fee was two hundred and ninety-six thousand naira (296,000). The posting came out on Wednesday and registration was starting on Monday.
By Sunday night my account went from zero naira to two hundred and ninety-eight thousand naira aside from contributions from my family. I had my fees and enough to process a remita and pay bank charges. I would have called names but the list is too long.
Onye nwere mmadu ka onye nwe ego __ a person that has kinsmen s better than one that has money
Earlier in 2021, I packed my bags and went to Abuja to intern with a media organisation.
We had just graduated from Unizik and had 3 months of law school. I didn't want to spend those months pinning away in Abakaliki.
I was already considering law practice as a short-term plan; the zeal and desire were gone. So I wanted to acquire as much knowledge as I could in communication to give myself options.
Since I stayed on the outskirts of Abuja, my salary was almost spent on transportation. I survived by urgent 2k here and there from family and friends.
There were days I had enough transport to work but not to return. But before the day ends, a miracle happens.
Looking back, I have made several silly decisions but each time I came out unscathed. God did it but through men.
Throughout the university, I had roommates who put up with me even when the goings were tough. They shared what they had with me and exercised patience when I delayed things like bringing my part of the rent.
People like Chidi had squatted me when I didn't have a place. Uju and Dera made sure my stomach never cried out of hunger.
It is someone who taught me content writing skills for free. Even when I wrote nonsense as a beginner, he encouraged me and still paid for the work. Boss, I dey loyal.
Kemi recently gave me free access to Accelerates Workshop for Changemakers, a 100 per cent scholarship for a program others are paying for. Kindness lives in humans.
I started a 366 video challenge and Osy, my friend, recently paid for a mic to help me create better videos. She didn't have to do it but she did.
To get to this stage, people, especially those I have volunteered with at Unizik and my mentors have recommended me for jobs and opportunities.
All the “Hey Nonye, I think you will be a fit for this. This course will be good for you. Check out this and apply.”
I am an overthinker and a human. It is people that I run to when I need some emotional support or professional or personal advice.
I rant and cry and talk and laugh…it is to a human being, flesh and blood, not money, not wealth. It is people who listen, lend support and have a shoulder to lean on.
People have stood up for me and defended me even in my absence.
People have entertained my shenanigans and consoled me when I grieved. In my confusion and uncertainties, I found my clarity when talking to people.
People have laughed with me, celebrated with me, rejoiced with me, and prayed with me.
I turned 27 today, I have had my fair share of miracles all done by God through people, family, friends, and strangers.
This birthday, I am not confused like last year. I am sure of the journey, the dream is clear, and the path is defined. Though they may be detours I see where I am heading.
Of course, I still have bad days but I believe that I will always have people who will support me. People who care about me and will never let me fall.
I am learning every day how fickle life can be so I am giving people their flowers while they are here.
I do not want to wait till I can bring the whole world to them, I will express my gratitude for the daily little miracles of life.
Yes, God will always put people in our paths. However, it is also a great thing that the people let God use them. Not everyone will agree to be that vessel.
Many have helped me on this journey. Some I cannot remember at this moment, others would prefer to be anonymous.
So, if you are reading this and have ever helped me in any way; financially, emotionally, academically, professionally, with words or prayers, job opportunities and recommendations, or in any other form, Thank you. Your girl is grateful.
I am privileged to call you my friend. Thank you for loving me. And on this birthday I celebrate you for your kindness and for being a blessing to me. I always remember and I pray for you every day.
I will reciprocate and pass it on.
Finally back to my question in the beginning. If you were to choose between people and money, which would you go for?
I like money, Igbo girl has to represent. But I will choose people every day, any time, any moment, because people bring all the beautiful things including money opportunities.
Thank you for reading till the end. Care to share your answer and why? I am open to reading your opinions.
Cheers to your continued growth and a fulfilled life,
With love and everything beautiful,
Chinonyelum.
PS: This is a birthday special. If my writing interests you, do share it with friends and visit my profile to read more of my work. Do subscribe to get my letters in your inbox every Sunday.
You're amazing and your life will continually be a testimony of God's goodness❤️
I’d pick people too. Contrary to popular opinion, it’s people that make the world go round.. not money. Nice piece ❤️