Fellow Kwarans, let’s take a break from Kwara politics this week. I’d like to share my personal story, highlighting God’s guidance and the supportive people surrounding me. Born to humble parents, I was fortunate to have wealthy individuals who helped me overcome challenges in life.
I’m a columnist, author, and human rights activist by circumstance. My journey began after graduating from Mount Carmel College, Oloje, Ilorin . Financial constraints prevented me from pursuing higher education immediately. I traveled to Lagos for menial jobs to support myself.
Lateef Agboji, a childhood friend, invited me to sell yoghurt at Adeniji Adele Housing Estate. Later moved to Oja-Oba, Isale Eko, and later to Pelewura Market, where I slept in a small shop. I prepared for JAMB exams while selling yoghurt in Lagos suburbs.
After gaining admission to Federal Polytechnic, Offa, a dispute with a lecturer led to my withdrawal in 2005. I returned to Ilorin, reading newspapers at various joints, sparking my interest in the industry. In 2008, I established my own newspaper joint at Itamon junction, expanding to two additional locations.
This venture funded my education at Kwara State Polytechnic, where I graduated in 2015 and served in Katsina State for NYSC. I got married in 2014, And stopping newspaper sales last year due to declining reading culture, Alhaji Hussain Gold connected me with Alhaji Toyin Oloko Oba, publisher of National Moonlight Newspaper in 2015 launching my column career same year.
Since 2015, I’ve written over 365 articles, publishing my first book, “Frantic View of an Accidental Vendor,” on December 29, 2021. Launch my second book last December and Get Ready for the Launch of My Third Book.
My story is one of serendipity. I’m a columnist by accident. I hope to inspire kwara youth with my journey.
Join me on December 29th as I unveil “Voice of Change: Lessons from August Protests in Nigeria – A Call for Transparency and Accountability.” This thought-provoking book challenges governments at all levels to reclaim Nigeria’s lost glory, reminiscent of the exemplary leadership of Tafawa Balewa, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Obafemi Awolowo.
Through this book, I urge governments to Address citizen grievances and frustration, foster trust and accountability, shun extravagant lifestyles that fuel public disconnect, embrace peaceful citizen protests as a catalyst for positive change.
Voice of Change is a must-read for all Nigerians, offering valuable lessons from the August protests. Let’s learn from our past and harness the power of peaceful protests to build a better Nigeria.
Mark your calendars for December 29th and join the conversation! Sorry for my preamble, let me continue my story (laugh)Thus ,I continue writing on my Facebook page and sending articles to newspapers and online media.
Record-keeping can be challenging, but its benefits are immense. Tracking my performance has been instrumental in my growth. Initially, I wrote columns for National Moonlight Newspaper without keeping records. However, the late Editor, Issa Saliu, advised me to save my articles, suggesting I could compile them into a book. I took his advice, and that’s how my first book, “Frantic Views of an Accidental Vendor,” was born.
As a newspaper vendor-turned-columnist, writing hasn’t always been easy. But determination drives me to produce weekly content, which Baba Ghana kindly edits and prepares for publication. His guidance has been invaluable.
I attribute my journalism achievements to National Moonlight Newspaper’s unwavering support. Without them, my progress would have been significantly more difficult.
Through writing, I’ve met remarkable individuals and reached unimaginable heights. This journey has taught me that determination can overcome any obstacle. With persistence and the right guidance, nothing is impossible.
Being born into poverty shouldn’t limit one’s potential for greatness. When I established my newspaper joint at Itamon Junction, some friends ridiculed me, and family members lost faith, believing a vendor’s prospects were limited. They thought my business was just a humble bus stop.
However, that newspaper joint connected me with influential individuals. I sold newspapers to Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi and Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who were serving as ministers at the time.
Interestingly, my friends from our reading group have achieved success globally. Some reside in Canada, Russia, the United States, Spain, and other countries, while others hold esteemed positions in Nigeria’s EFCC, ICPC, DSS, Police, JAMB, and FRSC just to mention.
We applied for job openings together, leveraging our knowledge gained from reading and determination. This perseverance paved the way for our accomplishments.
Through my newspaper joint, I’ve facilitated admissions for numerous students into various Kwara State institutions, leveraging my connections with lecturers and non-teaching staff who were part of my reading teams.
My weekly column, “Pentalk,” in National Moonlight Newspaper, caught the attention of my childhood friend, Professor Lateef Alagbonsi. He expressed admiration for my advocacy for equity, justice, transparency, and accountability and invited me to join a civil society organization he was founding in Kwara State ENetSuD.
I eagerly accepted, and thus began my journey as a human rights activist. Professor Alagbonsi played a pivotal role in my activism, and I’m indebted to him. He assembled a team, including Barr. Muritala Sambo, Muhammad Bashir, Funsho, Adisa Jaji Azeez, Saliu Ayatulah, Baba mehmud, Tewogbola ,De Dele and others, leading to the establishment of ENetSuD.
Initially, many ENetSuD members were part of the Otoge movement prior to the 2019 election, which led the Maigida Government to label us as opposition agents. Despite our assertions that ENetSuD is apolitical, the government remained skeptical. We continued advocating for transparency and accountability, keeping the government on its toes.
During our meeting with Professor Ali Babatunde Ahmed, Speaker of the 8th Kwara State House of Assembly, regarding the passage of the FOI bill, he acknowledged that most ENetSuD members were Otoge supporters but emphasized that the bill’s passage would benefit all Kwarans and posterity will judge them, not just our organization.
However, I later discovered that some ENetSuD members were motivated by a desire to oust Maigida and Saraki rather than genuine activism. Once they gained government positions, their advocacy ceased, and their tone changed.Sadly, some individuals joined forces to label us as agents of opposition, prioritizing loyalty to the ruling government over their activist principles. They compromised their patriotism to garner sympathy from those in power, a tragic tale that warrants a separate discussion other times.
My entry into human rights activism was unexpected, yet I’m committed to continuing our mission.
Determination remains the cornerstone of success.
I firmly believe in establishing a strong reputation, as a good name can pave the way for a lasting legacy. Building a good name is challenging, but creating a double brand is even more daunting. In double branding, the organization you found is inextricably linked to your personal name, much like Siamese twins.
When you mention Dangote products, the name Aliko Dangote instantly comes to mind. Similarly, Mark Zuckerberg is synonymous with Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, while Wale Adenuga is closely associated with Globacom.
Today, I want to impart this wisdom to Kwara youths: achieving success requires immense sacrifice and perseverance. As the Yoruba proverb goes, ‘Ojotiwon babini koladagba,’ meaning ‘It’s not when you’re born that you rise. Rather, it takes time, effort, and experience to build a reputation and achieve greatness.
That’s why I’m working tirelessly, day and night, to build my name and create a brand that promotes my values and adds value to people’s lives. I remain unwavering in my efforts, trusting that God Almighty will crown my endeavors with success.
My goal is to inspire kwara youths, demonstrating that success requires sacrifice and perseverance. I hope my story encourages them to build their brands and maintain good names.
End.
