I remember very proudly when I finally gained admission after several attempts of writing JAMB. Almost 3 years prior to gaining admission, I had my WASSCE grades but I could not seem to get through with JAMB. I recall my grandmother walking up to me one night, while I was reading, and telling me that she believed in me and when the time was just right, I was going to get into the university. I did, one year after she passed on. My journey of preparing and waiting for admission, as was my family tradition, was communal. Everyone was a part of everything, except going with you for examinations. They prayed with you, hoped with you and were for some reason assured that you will breakthrough soon. It was a taboo to suggest that you wanted to do a diploma or needed help with “PROCESSING” your admission. That precious day, after printing my JAMB Result from a cybercafé, at the bottom there was a place written “ADMISSION STATUS: ADMITTED”. This meant that I finally got in. So, we waited a few more days and went to check if my name was on the list. Yes, it was. I scored 219 and was getting in on the indigene 210 cut off point. I can remember the joy in my home that week.
Amidst the celebration, my uncle, Bobby reached out to me and said “I want you to know, that if you decide that you want to graduate with a first class, it is very possible. I hear the stories about lecturers victimizing students, but I want you to know that you can go through school without being victimized. Whatever you do, do not miss classes, do not forget to submit your assignments on time or miss a test. Do not, have reason to go to a lecturer to ask for a favour or consideration. You have to work hard. We do not have the money to sort. Read and you will make the grades you work for.” Those words of advice stuck with me, through trying times. Everyone needs an Uncle Bobby.
