With my attention on my phone while I took a seat on the farm ridge that I was making, I was preoccupied with the thought of the statement that Ben just made to me on phone.
"If you come to this world without the silver spoon you need to chin up and face the numerous obstacles that would come your way."
Ben had informed me over the phone of an opportunity to register for the Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examinations which was closing 24 hours later.
"If you write this examination and score above 300 the Nongovernmental Organization would give you this scholarship to cover all the expenses for your studies," he had told me.
"Where would I get the transportation fare to the city in less than 10 hours," I asked myself.
I had collected the money for the work that I was doing for the upfront of three days. I collected the money to buy drugs for my mother who was treating malaria.
"How would I present it to Kunle that I do not just need to collect another money upfront but tell him that I won't be coming to continue the work tomorrow?" I asked Ben with all hope lost within me.
"This may be a one time opportunity, tell him everything about what you need the money for, he is a parent. I am sure that he would be compassionate with you," he had concluded before ending the call.
A few minutes later, Kunle came around to see the level of work done.
"This is impressive. Tomorrow and the day after should be enough for you to finish the work," his eyes scanned through the piece of land left to be cultivated.
From my seating position, I fell to my knees to present my case. "I need your assistance Sir," I began. I went on to explain everything to him regarding the UTME registration.
"That's a nice opportunity. Don't allow it to pass you by," he responded.
"Do you have your transportation fare?" He asked me before I could muster the courage to ask him for financial assistance.
"No, Sir. I spent all that I had on me to purchase drugs for my mom yesterday," I responded.
"You are such a hardworking boy with a zeal to actualize your dream against all odds. I will give you 2000 naira to cover your transportation and lunch."
I was short of comments. My mouth was wide open for a few seconds.
"Thank you for this opportunity," I finally composed myself to appreciate him.
When I arrived home and told my mother about what transpired, she spent minutes praying for Kunle from her sick bed.
The following morning, I left for the city very early.
At the point of entering the organization's gate, I sighted a paper pasted on the fence in which the criteria for the scholarship was boldly written. I went closer to read it. "To be eligible, you must have distinction in at least five subjects in your senior secondary school certificate."
I have seven distinctions.
I talked to the security personnel manning the gate.
"Hello, Sir, I am Lekan Obi by name. I have come to apply for the UTME registration."
"Upon your entrance, take your first turn by the right and look out for the ICT department. That's where you would get registered."
I located the ICT department in another few minutes.
"Good morning madam," I greeted the middle-aged woman that I met in the computer room.
"How may I help you?"
"I have come to register for UTME."
"Let me have your O'level certificate."
She scanned through the certificate and intermittently looked at me.
"This is impressive. How do I know that you need this scholarship?" She asked me.
"This scholarship will help me actualize my dream of becoming an electrical engineer. I lost my father when I was an infant. My mother, who is on a sick bed presently, tried her best for me and but her best couldn't take me beyond high school education."
"Your result is awesome. Score a minimum of 300 in the UTME and get sponsored fully for the undergraduate degree program."
She handed over my certificate back to me with the application form that I was to fill.
I received a confirmation message for the successful registration on my way back home.
I headed straight to Chief Kunle's house to appreciate his kind gesture and also promised him that I would diligently do the work to pay back the money.
"My son, have your seat," he instructed me. "The money that I gave you yesterday wasn't a loan. That's my own little way to encourage you to keep moving against every odd."
My joy knew no bounds. Tears rolled down my eyes as I fell on my knees to appreciate him.
The examination was two weeks away and I needed to prepare. I needed to feed my mum too.
"How will I balance this time demand?" I asked myself.
"Chin up and face the challenges," the words of Ben kept ringing in my head.
"Hawk my provision in the day and study for a few hours in the night." I discovered the method that suited me.
I studied extensively for three weeks before going to write the examination.
A day after writing the computer based examination, the result arrived.
"Hurray!!!" I exclaimed when I saw my scores.
I got 310.
True to the promise, I became an undergraduate student studying my dream course, Electrical Engineering in the university.
I managed the scholarship stipend for my living cost and was able to revive my mother's business. The story of my mother and I changed for the better even as a student. The challenges have been surmounted and the future is brighter than ever.