There were three best friends: Philemon, Peter, and Amaka. They were very close friends in secondary school. They all had a dream. Philemon wanted to become an engineer, Peter wanted to become a doctor, and Amaka wanted to become a lawyer. They were all mindful of their careers until they failed to listen to their teacher, Mr. Ebuka. Then everything suddenly changed.
Philemon, Peter, and Amaka started their friendship in JSS 3. By the time they got to SSS1, their friendship had grown even stronger. When it was time for break, they would go to a quiet place where they usually sat, studied, and chatted. Philemon was an extrovert. He loved talking and was the funny one who made everyone laugh.
The three friends were very brilliant and serious about their academics. This was why their teacher, Mr. Ebuka, loved them very much and always tried to encourage them.
The three friends were the best in the class. Peter usually took first position, while Amaka and Philemon competed. Sometimes Philemon took third position and Amaka second; other times, Amaka took third and Philemon second.
Mr. Ebuka understood how serious they were. He didn't want them to make a mistake and destroy their careers, so he sat with them one day to encourage them. He asked each of them what they wanted to become in the future. After they told him, Mr. Ebuka said, “It is very good that you are all concerned about your futures. You need to be more careful because a small mistake can destroy everything you have built.
“So don't allow anybody to influence you with negative activities.”
They all heard his words, but they didn't take them seriously.
When Philemon was celebrating his birthday, his mom bought him a new Android phone as a birthday gift.
Philemon was very happy with his new phone. He said it would help him a lot with his studies. When he was given assignments, he used the phone to do them and to browse for things he did not understand in class. Along the way, one of their classmates, Philip, introduced him to gambling. Philemon said he would not do it.
Philip said it was not bad; he just needed to watch the balls and earn money. At first, Philemon did not want to do it, but he said, “Let me give it a try.” From that day onward, Philemon became used to betting and could no longer pay attention to his academics. He also started chatting with strangers online, which took up even more of his time.
Philemon, who had been taking first place in the class, was not prepared at all when exam time came. When his results came out, Philemon had gotten seventh place. He continued to go down because he had allowed betting, chatting, and other things to influence him.
Amaka had a friend named David from another class who later told her that he loved her. Mr. Ebuka warned her about the boy and told her to take her academics seriously and forget things that could distract her. But she didn't listen. She became more intimate with David. After some months, she discovered that she was pregnant, and everyone in the school noticed.
That was how Amaka was expelled from school. David ran away and was nowhere to be found.
Peter was the only one left. He was very discouraged because his friends were no longer serious. Mr. Ebuka advised him again and said, “Peter, don't be discouraged or backslide. Just keep looking toward your dream.”
Peter continued to take his studies seriously. There were many challenges, but he didn't give up. When he finished SSS3, he wrote his JAMB and WAEC exams and got admission to study medicine at the university.
Before Peter left, he returned to the school to advise the students. He repeated the advice their teacher, Mr. Ebuka, had given them:
“You shouldn't let anything or anybody distract you from what you are trying to become in the future.”
Peter also added that they needed to make wise choices that could help them in their education and protect their futures.
Before Peter left for university, Mr. Ebuka gave him some encouragement, and Peter appreciated it.
(Image from chatgpt)