If you think success is quick then you’re in for the biggest shock of the century. I was once told the trajectory to sustainable growth is quite a length of time with no instant gratification. I was also told, if we keep at what we do that two years into it we become an echo, in five years we become a voice and in ten years we become an authority. This is exactly the story of ABAYOMI JOHNSON and I. Eighteen years ago we met at Owen Thomas Secondary School, Alagbado, Lagos State Nigeria where we both attended tutorial classes in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics ahead of our Senior Certificate Examination.
Abayomi was exceptionally intelligent and we become friends instantly. In the course of Baba's classes as we fondly called the chemistry teacher (Baba was a retired secondary school teacher); Baba would dictate a question at the end of each class, and then
Abayomi and I would set a timer to solve the question within a given space of time and see who comes first. We enjoyed each others company and whoever comes first to the tutorial classes would reserve a seat for the other. Often times we got into trouble with other students, but who cares so long we sat close. As we went along our friendship waxed stronger; on one particular occasion he said to me, Peter do you know that the fragrance of Klin (detergent) makes one understand Chemistry and intelligent? I said really, and he reached out to his bag (already begging for final funeral, mine wasn't any better anyway) and brought out a sachet. And so we started smelling Klin before every chemistry class. But what I can tell you for free is we never sniff cocaine, heroin, marijuana, Indian hemp nor any other form of hard drugs.
Abayomi and I would set a timer to solve the question within a given space of time and see who comes first. We enjoyed each others company and whoever comes first to the tutorial classes would reserve a seat for the other. Often times we got into trouble with other students, but who cares so long we sat close. As we went along our friendship waxed stronger; on one particular occasion he said to me, Peter do you know that the fragrance of Klin (detergent) makes one understand Chemistry and intelligent? I said really, and he reached out to his bag (already begging for final funeral, mine wasn't any better anyway) and brought out a sachet. And so we started smelling Klin before every chemistry class. But what I can tell you for free is we never sniff cocaine, heroin, marijuana, Indian hemp nor any other form of hard drugs.
Due to the rigorous nature of our schooling hours i.e. 08:00AM to 14:00GMT was normal schooling hours and from my secondary school to Owen Thomas was about 45 min walk under the hot sun (40 to 45oC) and about same time was for Abayomi's secondary school. The tutorial lesson starts at 1500 to 1800 h. At the end of classes in the evenings we were always left with empty and rumbling stomaches in quest for food. This became a normal hunger routine for us both; at times in class we will both complain of serious hunger, but no food in sight. If at all there was, we both knew we had zero coin in our pockets. On one particular occasion, Abayomi said to me, Peter how do you manage with hunger and the strength to trek (about 35 minute) home? I said I just manage. He laughed, that was always usual of Abayomi, he holds a senior degree at laughing one to scorn and he will then apologise immediately. When he was done he said the law of physics could take you home. At this point I was curious to know how? He said if only I could free up myself to the gentle breeze of the evenings, that the breeze holds the capacity to pull me home. He did a few stunts with absolute still-focus like a lion hunting for his prey and he said try it, and yes it worked. For me every evening became a breeze ride home, after all that was the purpose of the training. This goes to show how empty and food starve our stomaches were at the time.
Few days ago, a name popped up on my LinkedIn app radar, saying 'congratulate Abayomi Johnson for being promoted.' It was at this point, I messaged him directly and ask if he was the Abayomi I knew back in Owen Thomas? A few chat confirmed his identity and the friendship reignited again and we spoke directly on the phone sharing old memories and tales. It happened that Abayomi went ahead to study Chemistry at the University of Ibadan and I did Biochemistry at Ambrose Alli University, Edo State. Subsequently, he went ahead for his Master degree in England at the University of Sheffield to study Chemical and Biological Engineering and also I proceeded to England for my Master degree at the University of Hertfordshire for a degree in Molecular Biology. We loved academia from the very start no doubt. Again, Abayomi gained a PhD scholarship for his doctorate degree at the University of Sheffield to study Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering. Also, I got a PhD scholarship from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland to study Translational Neuroscience and only recently we both bagged our doctorate degrees. I got to know all this in the course of our phone conversation. In all these years we were never in contact and it all happened within the space of EIGHTEEN YEARS (18 years) yes you heard me right!!! Did I mention that Abayomi is currently a Post-doctoral Research Associate at the same university in England and myself a Research Fellow at the same university. Today we are both based in the UK.
Life will always reward those who try hard enough. The number of years it took Abayomi and I to attain our current height, is the current age of my nephew Elisha currently studying for Engineering at Landmark University and Elisha is a fourth year student. Don't be deceived, a successful business, career or life takes a bit of time and pain. Of course we experienced the ups and downs along the way, but the finish line was constant.
If you're inspired by this story kindly leave a comment below. Abayomi and I would love to hear from you!! Stay strong this is just the beginning..
God rewards diligence. We are what we repeatedly do.therefore excellence is not an act, but a habit. Socrate.
ReplyDeleteJust while I was planning on putting a book together on my time with ABAYOMI Johnson, then thus cane up. Now many will understand the passion behind my reason for the book. Congratulations Guyz.
ReplyDeleteThank you for leaving a comment and do kindly share this post with your friends and associate. Kindly leave me a comment on the fans page of this blog when your intending book is finally published. Stay strong and thanks for dropping by.
Delete-Peter
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Thank you great reader. I am highly elated at your comment and it is comment like this that fuel my passion for continuous writing. Regarding difficulty in reaching me, all of my contact details are stated on the "Contact Me" at the very top of this blog. Either way here is the direct link; http://pethianopeters.blogspot.com/p/contact-me.html and my email address is imoesi.peter@yahoo.co.uk I look forward to your creative ideas. Thank you!
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Hi there; many thanks for the compliment. I must politely admit I didn't quite figure the questions you ask. I would like to reply with a more definite answer if you could help make this questions more clearer. Alternatively should you stop by anytime soon, kindly send me a DM on Twitter for a comprehensive chat at @pethianopeters. I do sincerely appreciate your comment on my blog and do find time to read other writeup and please do kindly share with friends across your social media platforms.
DeleteThank you.
-Peters.
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DeleteThank you.
-Peters
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ReplyDeleteI am glad you were inspired and thank you for stopping by.
Delete-Peters
Congratulations dear. This is so inspiring. I need to do more and ignore those friends that keep telling me to get a life and stop
ReplyDeletestudying too much.
Many thanks for stopping by and I am glad you were inspired by the story. Please don't listen to your friends. When you became a threat to people simply by doing what they would like to do yet they can't, they will always try to discourage you. When folks feel you're on the same platform of average as them it makes them happy. However them knowing you're all out to change the status quo is more like upsetting the balance. As such they Know that your persistent studies will pull you ahead of them and this is making them uncomfortable! Keeping going and never look back. Ensure you read the chapter two of my book Absolute Success on this page.. The Tab to your right "Get Inspire" Absolute Success is right underneath!
DeleteThank you.
-Peters
Wao! I'm inspired to do more in my field. Resilience and diligence paid off for you and your friend
ReplyDeleteThat is the goal for the writeup, getting young people inspired especially Nigerians and the rest of the world. Thank you!
DeleteThis is inspiring. I love the tenacity exhibited by both of you and also of note is the focus and direction from secondary School which was strong enough to surmount the Nigeria challenges, you are the intellectual lodestar I seek.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
-Babatunde
Thanks for leaving a comment Babtunde! Tenacity, focus and direction are the key word and you are right. Thanks for the compliment and do share with your friends.
DeleteWaoh. A very inspiring story. Truely, you both were made for each other
ReplyDeleteWow!!!!,this indeed is a real piece to behold and reminiscence over. Thank you so much for this story and I happen to know your cousin Elisha, he is my boss and a good leader at that.Hope to see you at our graduation.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased to know you enjoyed the piece and one or two lessons learnt along the line. Actually I'm Elisha's uncle. If time permit I could attend the graduation of you both. Between you never said your name.
DeleteDr PI Imoesi.