Gossy Ukanwoke: A weekend’s experience for a lifetime (30 Days, 30 Voices)

As we all went back to our different jobs on Monday afternoon, I realized I had spent my weekend with 3 young inspiring youths who have been going against all societal odds to make a mark in their communities, nation and lives.

I got to the airport by 8am on Saturday for my flight only to discover that the flight was scheduled for 4.30pm. I was in a mix of feelings as to what to do. I had just checked out of my accommodation and I was in a city where I knew no one. I was not alone in the flight situation as I met a Journalist – Alkasim who I connected with earlier in the day and Femi who was headed to our destination.

As I wondered what to do, Femi said; Gossy, you can come wait at my house till we head back to the airport. I was amazed that someone would be open to accommodate a relatively total stranger who he didn’t know his last name and I, his.

As we headed out of the airport, I started speaking to Femi about what he does and he showed me two mobile phones that his startup Pliris Mobile had designed and manufactured. The first was the Pliris Blaze and the second the Pliris Blaze+. I was particularly inspired because of the back story behind getting the Pliris Mobile running most especially overcoming the constraints of importation and distribution that a company as his would face.

Just about the time we were leaving for the airport in the afternoon, I asked Alkasim to tell me more about his type of journalism and the conversation led to how he interviewed the persons who led the Boko Haram insurgence in Nigeria. I was amazed at the lengths he would go because of his commitments, professionalism and a sense of delivery to the country. I kept giving him glances throughout the time we spent together because it always crossed my mind that there are people who will put themselves in harm’s way to bring a story to light.

When we got to our destination on Saturday evening, the trio of Alkasim, Femi and I had made a new friend Hadiza. As we got to talk, I realized she was in public service ensuring that projects for the underserved in Nigeria were executed through the Millennium Development Goals. The following morning, we spent part of the day talking as we went through the activities of the day. It was early afternoon when I settled back down to realize I had spent the day with a young woman with visions, discipline, dedication, love for the polity and most importantly, the will to stick to her guns for what is right.

As we all went back to our different jobs on Monday afternoon, I realized I had spent my weekend with 3 young inspiring youths who have been going against all societal odds to make a mark in their communities, nation and lives. I realized that as a young person, I didn’t need to be super rich or influential to make an impact. I realized that I didn’t need all things right to move an idea from paper to realization. I realized that no matter the dangers ahead, I had to dare to try to do what was required of me. I had been inspired by fellow youths who were humble in words, actions and dispositions.

Hadiza is a Northern Muslim, Alkasim is a Northern Muslim, Femi is a Western Christian and I an Eastern Christian. We had dined together, shared experiences, joked, laughed and had spent hours conversing. I had realized that all hope wasn’t lost for Nigeria because there are those who can stick together from different tribes, backgrounds, religions and genders to work together in unity. Our problems as a nation was not tribal or religious, we only need to decide to be open and work together to make progress.

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Gossy Ukanwoke is the founder and president of Beni American University. Prior to Beni American University, Gossy founded Students Circle Network, an academic social network for students, teachers, institutions that brings over 10,000 free academic resources from over 200 universities globally and shares it free for students and teachers. You can follow him on Twitter – @gossyomega

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30 Days 30 Voices series is an opportunity for young Nigerians to share their stories and experiences with other young Nigerians, within our borders and beyond, to inspire and motivate them.

 

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

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