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Halloo,
I am 46 years old today the 5th of April 2020. Isn’t that something? To think I have been treading this earth for 46 years is mind blowing to me. I am grateful for every seconds of these years. I pray I continue to be grateful to my creator for many more years to come.
Born and bred in Lagos Nigeria, not born with a silver spoon, not born in poverty either. Just normal hardworking parents who did their best to bring my siblings and I up the best way they know.
I went to Primary and Secondary Schools in Lagos state, not much opportunity to know much about other people’s way of living. But all that changed when I gained admission for my 3rd level education in Federal Polythecnic Bauchi, northern part of Nigeria, in 1999.
I got the opportunity to know more of Nigeria, travelling 14 hours on a bus from Lagos to Jos, plateau state, of course you will see a lot of Nigeria. But it wasn’t just the Geographical aspect I am talking about. I met with a wide range of people and see totally different ways of life that shaped me as an individual. I began to discover who I am as a person.
The stories of my encounters are for another day, please. Stay tuned.
I later did my internship at Nigeria Airways Ltd, where I met my husband. One of the best things that has ever happened to me in my life. I don’t like writing about my marriage, it’s just that my story is nothing without mentioning my husband.
So, I later went to finish my education at Federal Polythecnic Ilaro, Ogun State. More life lessons gained here and more self discovery made.
My journey continue with me being posted for my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to Imo State, Eastern part of Nigeria. I was 24 years old at this point. Struggling with a lot of baggage- future prospect, Insecurities, health, and many other things.
I embraced the whole year spent in Imo State. I was there when we entered the new millennium. That is how much comfortable I was there. I was not in the city, but in a rural community called Ohaji/ Egbema.
Let me state this now, an uncle of mine- Alhaji Tajudeen Maliki told me when I was writing my final exams in Ilaro to go to wherever the government send me for NYSC, he advised me not to change it as so many people do, and I already planned on doing. He said- Go there, stay there. You will learn a thing or two that will help you in life. I did just that. Boy, did I learn?
I will be forever grateful to him for this advice. I learned so much. Maybe I would have learned same if I went anywhere else, we will never know. But I can confidently say that human beings are the same all over the world.
Approach most people with openness and respect, you will be welcomed. This principle still work for me now. Everybody I meet, no matter what I have heard about them, I approach with a clear mind and treat them well, and I will continue to do so until they prove they don’t deserve it.
Most non- Nigerians do not know that Nigeria is filled with people of totally different cultures and completely different ways of life. There are so many things we believe of other tribes that are not true in all cases. This is one of the things I discovered. We are all human beings, we will gain a lot from each other if we leave tribalism, religion, and other differences aside.
A family living in Jos took me in and made me so welcomed. They weren’t rich in material things, but the love and respect they shared among themselves is inspiring. They are Christians, mind you, I am a Muslim. They never for once treated me any different. I only got to know them because their daughter is a friend of mine and my classmate. I spent the Christmas of 1995 with them in Jos.
Too many stories of human kindness from different tribes or groups of people we were told are bad and dangerous people. This changed my mindset about judging others, generalisation, and showing respect.
I am a full fledged Nigerian. I have lived among the Northerners, lived among the Easterners, I was born in the West. So please know this- PEOPLE ARE THE SAME ALL OVER THE WORLD! Doors open when you approach people with respect, right attitude, and kindness. Most doors anyway.
I lived in Ireland now. A country I love dearly. A country that gave me so many opportunities, which I hope and pray not to waste. I moved to Ireland in 2001, just 2 months after I got married. I gave birth to my 3 children here and also raising them here as best as we can.
I am a work-in-progress, I want to be a better person. I am addicted to finding ways to a peaceful life. I desire it so much, so my actions and behaviour is all about what can make my life uncomplicated. I move away from conflict, especially those ones that can’t be resolved. It is the only way I know to protect myself.
So please, join me as I celebrate this great day in my life. We are told to always look forward and never backward. I call bullshit on that. Sometimes to appreciate where you are right now, you have to look back and see where you are coming from.
I THANK ALMIGHTY GOD FOR TODAY AND ALWAYS!
Stay with me,
Ruka
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