A Reader of this blog needs help and has urged me to use my medium to help him out of the pathetic situation he presently finds himself..he needs help and/or advice.
Please read and leave a comment or contact him if you can please.
This is what the Nigerian Economy has turned Our graduates into...beggars.
His name is Micheal and this is his unedited story
''Its been me, myself and i on this path, thought it wise for
someone to feel my very tight shoes.
I come from this poor family, dad drives a rickety old mercedes and mom toggles in-between cricket petty tradings possibly to be able to recharge her fone. And of course, by poor, it means your first degree is your lifetime tool towards salvaging the family from its age-long low income level; thats trying out a decent english sentence not to make it sound like "THE POVERTY CYCLE". My sweet kid brother constantly reminds me of how he's going to school abroad on my account when he finishes secondary school.
My first day at the university was filled with alot of energy. So much solace in the fact that getting into these walls already murdered poverty itself. I oozed of too much determination despite not being admitted for my preferred course.
I held on to the thinnest strand; because the university sure represents my lifeguard. From squatting off campus to sleeping on bare floors in the hostels whilst' struggling to concentrate at the same time.
Later days turned sour. My five thousand naira allowance hardly afforded me a decent living. Sometimes, i would have accumulated debts of over two thousand, five hundred naira before it comes at the end of the month. Then i merged entrepreneurship to education so to be able to afford some books. I did allnight keyboarding for some churches, most of them had thirty to fourty members in total and were looking for the cheapest service as possible. You dare not charge too much, it may seem your in contest for a larger share of
the pastor's meager offering.
If your fee is too exorbitant they could do without the keyboard. I accepted just about any fee. The highest pay i got was four hundred naira. Also remember how my charisma afforded me dinner somtimes. I became almost
If your fee is too exorbitant they could do without the keyboard. I accepted just about any fee. The highest pay i got was four hundred naira. Also remember how my charisma afforded me dinner somtimes. I became almost
everybody's favourite guy, that way i owned a duplex in everyones heart. Whenever any of my roomies decided to go philantropic, Michael was the best orphanage.
Poised to break-even. I did campaign train boys for some political parties; i wasn't even interested in the party's name on the t-shirt i was wearing nor the political manifesto, it was all about my take home fee after the whole razzmatazz. Also tried a few singing auditions here and there.
All of these kept me out of class and affected my grades. Sleep barely came and when it did, i prayed for longer nights. There's definitely not going to be breakfast when you wake up. I got free philantropic biscuit and fanta from traders around because you could see my eye balls popping out probably for too much garri. I remember dating this girl off-campus not because i loved her but because she had plenty provisions i could help myself with. Atleast to counter the too much garri in my system.
Four excruciating years crawled by and i came out with a third class degree.
I can still feel the turmoil in my heart each time i think about the word "third". Me?, upon whose shoulders my father rests' our pain? Do you still remember my kiddie schooling abroad, all on me. Its like a whole nation coronating you king trusting you to alleviate the pains and sickness they are going through. Who will i turn to? How will i be able to convince my family that i haven't failed them.
I can still feel the turmoil in my heart each time i think about the word "third". Me?, upon whose shoulders my father rests' our pain? Do you still remember my kiddie schooling abroad, all on me. Its like a whole nation coronating you king trusting you to alleviate the pains and sickness they are going through. Who will i turn to? How will i be able to convince my family that i haven't failed them.
In an economy that can barely cater for the teaming new graduates that spring up everyday. How will i even be able to apply for any job without my degree not going ahead to shut me down?
How will companies not turn me down and assume that my result is a reflection of my prowess? Are there even any vacancies for third class degree holders in the world?
How will companies not turn me down and assume that my result is a reflection of my prowess? Are there even any vacancies for third class degree holders in the world?
- My pain is heavy, my heart is burdened. These days i stay twenty-three hours in my thoughts and spend one hour in real life. I had so many plans for the future including being Aliko Dangotes P.A. and oh how i dreamt of proposing this idea to him and it got the company trillions of naira(smiles).
- I know i was born great. How i know? Check - I take plenty time in ensuring that people are around me are comfortable. I never forget to turn out the lights even if there wasn't power before i slept. I have never mistakenly left the tap or shower on. I can predict when there's not going to be electricity and i never leave my water buckets empty, lol! I'm always at alert when i visit you, you can never catch me cross the boundaries. I never ask for numbers from a girl when i help you with your luggage at the park.
- You can never catch me over laughing, talking too much or even listening too much, i know how to mix them all-in-one that it suits all parties involved, just fine. I like to beat people to the conclusion before they imagine it. I sing. I am abreast with our political situation. I wish i could do something to sweep out these bad managers of our enormous resources and create a better nigeria.
- I am deeply saddened about the sufferings in this part of the world. Our development pace seems trapped in traffic. This is to all of those in my shoes with a third class degree, stuck on the evil perils of poverty, struggling to earn a living, wishing your father was Mike Adenuga. Help will come our way soon!I am Michael, and i am unsure of what the unknown tomorrow holds for me.(Teary eyes)Michael
(myk9digits@yahoo.com) 07065090919
I wish i could help but nigerians cannot be trusted. Sigh
ReplyDeleteHelp if you wan help abeg and stop forming "one thing two things",Nigerians can not be trusted bla bla bla,shior
DeleteHmmmmm.....Nice read,nice write up looks like Micheal did this on behalf of a million others. I am neither trying to be harsh nor insensitive here but the truth is,this is by no means a story in isolation,I mean,this isn't peculiar to Micheal alone,so many others,some even with a Second Class lower division(2-2) are in the same boat. If you got into school with the kind of burden you did,then you should have struck a balance,its foolhardy to think of your stomach and the little other perks at the expense of your studies which actually was the only tool you had to alleviate the poverty in your family,you were not the poorest guy on campus,at least something came from home,some people did not have that priviledge. You got to school and got carried away by the paparazzi in school. You knew your Father was not Mike Adenuga,You knew there was nothing concrete waiting for you at home,You should have read and Read and READ out your arse,you might have ended up a "scholar" and trust me,scholars no dey suffer for school,Breakfast and other meals would have been assured(looks like one of ur biggest problems),4 years would have sped by even before u knew it. Well,you chose your path,like they say "more jam today,less tomorrow",you had some jam in school that's why you have less today. Anyway,Micheal,you seem to write well,so carry your CV go GUardian,Sun,Punch,This Day etc,i'm sure they will employ you.You can even become self employed by offering private lectures etc.abi na Chevron,Shell,Mobil,Total,MTN,GLO etc etc you wan work? God is still in the business of doing MIRACLES!!!
ReplyDeleteExcuse me... Do u really know how much tuition fee costs in a Nigerian university?? So u actually expected him to fold his arms and read and read while money for fees and other neccesities falls from heaven! I bet uve never been in that position that's why u speak with sooo much arrogance and insensitivity.I remember I used to spend 5k/week(on a very good week) while in school...so 5k/month from home??? Ah ah! Nobody lives on that on campus! Help him if u can OR take severally seats! #longhiss
DeleteEmmm,you are excused,lol. S T O R Y and stories that touch.I guess he was the poorest in his school,go check round and you will find extremely poor students occupying enviable positions in big parastatals cus they knew they had to read and READ and READ. Michael probably had people like you encauraging him and telling him the wrong things,okay as he did what seemed the best of choices and you think its so right and he has cried to the world to help him,YOU help him na. Talk is cheap dear n I hate people who talk for the sake of talking. Now that you replied,how has that changed his situation or even affected the price of pomo? Oya,next,I dey wait,meanwhile,remember to get michael a job madam or oga voltron.
DeleteIf he rily wrote this by himself,he will sure get a job,his stlye of writing is meticulous and shows how bright he is,God will help you.
ReplyDeleteMichael just narrated a story of a million other youths out there. D level of unemploynent n ofcourse poverty in d country is so disheartenin. Forget d fact dt Michael finishd with a 3rd class, even 2;1 and 2;2 graduates re jobless, dats why d number of young graduates applying for masters just so dey won't be idle dis days is so high (dts if ur parents can afford u dat) so what are we talking about. Dats what u get in a country totally governed by thieves n rogues. My advice to u Michael n all youths out Der is to acquire a skill (whether ur already in sch, waitin for admission or a white collar job). Acquire a skill such As tailorin, photography, the art of lookin good, fish farming or poultry etc. The list is endless, n u can be assured u av smthin to fall bk on if or when d job ceases to come by. May God see u through ur struggle n make us experience beta times in ds country.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I also graduated with a 3rd class degree, so I understand just how you feel. However, rise above it. I run a successful business now that I sometimes forget I have a degree even. Think of what you can do with your hands, commit it to God and He will bless you. If He did it for me, He can and will do it for you.
ReplyDeleteeven first class degree holders can't see any job. what u need in Nigeria is connections. honestly, if you come from a poor family, forget university until u can feed urself and your family, then when you have become more stable, you can return to school. even rich private businessmen are now opening businesses for their children who schooled abroad because there really isn't any job, and the salary is poor, unless you know someone "at the top". Michael, find something to do, be your own bus, even if it's selling food or whatever, or if u have a talent, develop it, and hope for the best. I wish you luck. this country is fucking messed up. i almost dropped out of school wen i realized that university degree is worthless now, even abroad, i am currently at university of birmingham, and even our teachers tell us about the difficult job market, so it's not only in Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteAbeg dat one na lie,whish 1st class no get job?1st class in what?Isoko language and literature?abeg no lemme laugh. Hmmmm,Michael should be his own "bus"? Shey na BRT abi na MOLUE?specify. University of Birmingham undergraduate,hian! You can lie for Africa!!!
DeleteAnonymos 9:39 it is very obvious tyat a few people like yourself arent aware of the level of decadence in our economy and general society.
DeleteYes there are very many first class students with masters degree who are still roaming the streets unemployed.
I schooled abroad and the first nigerian to make a first class in electrical engineering from my school is still unemployed even with a mastsrs degree in electrical engineering.
So dont just talk because you feel like opening your mouth. Situation in the country is worse than most of you think.
The best we can do is pray for Nigeria, love one another and hope on God for better days.
-Jason
*boss. mistake corrected. for the person insulting me, the only mistake in my comment was the spelling of boss, which i spelled as "bus", you don't have to believe me, but that's my advice for Michael. and yes, the only people who get really good first class jobs with good pay are engineers or if u work in an oil company. studying abroad is more expensive than in nigeria, so for a graduate from abroad, the starting salary is usually very little, at least that's what most of the rich kids say, so their parents start up something for them, since they have the money.
ReplyDeleteThis Anon 4:34pm sef........,your advise is unparalleled,e no get part 2.Hear you"....even if its selling food or whatever...",So Michael should open a mama put joint and be selling rice and beans,spaghetti,dodo,pomo and orisirisi? You should have advisesd him to start selling Akara tOo. #Godiswatchingyouon10D#
ReplyDeleteMichael what sort of help are you looking for? Do you want to go back to school to redeem yourself? A job? Money to start a business?
ReplyDeletePlease specify
problem with nigeria is that everyone feels entitled. what is wrong in what the anon is saying. the anon said MICHAEL CAN START BY SELLING FOOD, etc. haven't u heard of mothers who train their 5 children by selling akara or mama put. so because he's an unemployed graduate, does that make him better than a vulcanizer on the road? hardwork is what will take you far, not university degree. that's why people in nigeria resort to robbery, prostitution, and 419. nobody wants to start small.
ReplyDeleteThnks everyone for your comments. I appreciate ur time on my case. Anonymous 12:16. Goin bak to Sokol isn't really an option for nw. A job, yes. Starting sum sort of bigness, yes. Getting up on my feet seems the biggest problem at the moment.
ReplyDeleteDon't GIVE UP! GET UP! Start anyhow,the journey of a thousand miles begins ONE DAY! You can play the keyboard and sing,have you ever considered imparting same knowledge on others? You can be on the payroll of up to 6 schools you know,esp if you look "tush",above all though,PRAY
DeleteI will keep your details and In sha Allah when I can I will send you what I can afford. May God be your strength
DeleteMr micheal dd plan truth is tht, U̶̲̥̅̊ need rigorous deliverance.. U̶̲̥̅̊ r suffing from evil manipulation.. D strong men n women of ur father n mothers house r after U̶̲̥̅̊. things would hardly work out with out breaking d foundational yoke.. U̶̲̥̅̊ cant keep on asking for fish or sit back n expert help to fall from stella blog..even if a donation of 1million naria is made to ur discretion, it won't held fruit.. Make haste while d sun set
ReplyDeleteSee swear! Na wa o
DeleteMike i will call you,but am waiting for some money,God please give me this money that am waiting for to help people like this,cheers
DeleteMr micheal, ur suffering from set back of manipulators n evil personalities.D strong men n women of ur father n mothers house r holdng U̶̲̥̅̊ on ur case...first of all U̶̲̥̅̊ need to truely accept Jesus christ as ur lord n all, secondly U̶̲̥̅̊ need to go for rigorous deliverance..deliverance from in a true bible beliveing church. They aint done with U̶̲̥̅̊ yet.. U̶̲̥̅̊ need to disconncet urself n break d yoke of failure else nothing would work out for U̶̲̥̅̊.. Trust me, not even a donation of a million naria would work to ur discretion with out deliverance..U̶̲̥̅̊ must then follow christ to sustain ur deliverance n miracle.
ReplyDeleteIf this is how scary the message of Salvation is preached,nobody will accept Christ o. O ga o. Micheal,The Bible says that "In ALL that you do,you will prosper",believe it and receive it in Jesus Name. God says "I will go before you and make the crooked paths Straight....",He also says "I will restore the years the locust...has eaten" My Brother,God is set to restore you with recompense. Abeg,get up and do something,I'm sure you will bring your testimonies back to this blog. Suddenly,I'm vexed,whish kain thing this Jasmine dey yarn sef? Let every man be a Liar and Let God alone be True in your case Michael. It is well
DeleteI know Sapele. This is how they prey on weak souls
DeleteThis is absolute brilliance frm dis youngman.C wat poverty has caused!!!!Godknws he would definiyely av made good grades if the conditions we're better.I feel for u michael...Really wish am empowered to help,wud'nt blink an eye.
ReplyDeleteJasmyn or wateva u call urself,thr are a million ways to pass messages across.The tone u used in ur comment is really not wat dis youngman needs ryt nw.I think u need deliverance too.
ReplyDeleteNa wa o!Must una to show yasef fellow nigerianz!If one oyinbo show for here dey c all this una razzmataz as ma oga@d top mike call am nko!Anywayz,is like,u knw,ii mean!Make una bon talk biko,d guy isn't begging for almz,am sure what hez tryna ask for is a job wif his kinda result!Help if u can,stop wagging ur tongue,if u aint got anyfyn to say,shove it d hell down ya throat already!U re comfortable or was all thru ur academic dayz,doesnt mean itz so for evry1,u who succeeded n bagged a gud result,can u prove it!In all sense of it,this young man is learned n really dint envisage failure,buh hw e for do na!N ma brother,ma advice is,look unto God,who knwz d end b4 d beginning,he saw it all n still seeing it all,he wld definately rewrite ur story IJN n make u a source of joy to ur family,dt even u wld look back n marvel at d miraculous turn around!N:B,n if itz all fraud,hez still watching u!God help us all
ReplyDeleteI wish this was at least a face to face interview done by the blog owner. The prose is so good, it almost seems like fiction.
ReplyDeleteA third class degree is not the end of the world. I honestly feel that thee are innumerable opportunities for advancement through entrepreneurialism in Nigeria, but most people are too blind to see the potential. So busy are they waiting for someone to hire them that they pass up ample opportunities to do for themselves even better then any job could do for them.
The former head of my department did not even have a university degree, he had a community college diploma and was Vice-President of his division in a company with revenues of 100 million annually. He held a similar position for 7 years with his former employer. So a third class degree can take you where you want to go, if you know how to get there. Spending 23 hrs a day in your head thinking about negativity and missed boats will keep you stagnant. Get back into the world and apply yourself using what you have and stop worrying about what could have been.
Really wish I could help. Some people are so far from reality. They don't know what it's like to be poor....to struggle and struggle to no avail. Sometimes even rich man can be struggling on a full stomach...much less a poor man. It's really sad.
ReplyDeletePlease if you are in a position to help him do. I'm sure he is not asking for fish but to maybe teach him how to fish...or give him net.
Something he can use to sustain himself and his family...not bread that will only be enough for breakfast.
But sometimes I feel every disappointment is a blessing. you condition has brought out the writer in you. Before you know it someone with connection in maybe magazine/newspaper will hire you to write columns/articles.
It shall be well with you soon.xx
Tanx@evryone.
ReplyDeleteTanx@anonymous 11:55
ReplyDeleteAnd big luv to Stella for the opportunity to share dis. I appreciate u ma.
ReplyDelete