Quran (Retentive Memory), my saving grace

After the overwhelming responses I received from the second episode of my #GetInspired Blog posts, in a special edition (celebrating 29 years of awesomeness), I would like to share what I believed was the actual turning point. As a giveaway, I am releasing two episodes today. How about that for the calls, messages and comments? "you are keeping us waiting, when is your next post".

It was in the year 2000 or thereabout that I realised my potentials. ‘As living beings, we get to realise ourselves at one point or the other.’ For me, that was the key, the watershed, I got to know my true self, realising that I have an excellent retentive memory. I could memorise things quickly and easily, I was exquisite at dictation and current affairs, in fact, anything that has to do with memorization. That was how I got to realise my strengths, I quizzed myself on what to do to sustain this talent of mine. Then I thought it will be good if I left school, enrol in an Islamic school and memorise the Holy Qur’an, in my wrong analysis “Boko” was not meant for me. Alas, I was wrong.

I then divulged it to my Dad, telling him that I had been failing in secular education; worse of all taking the last position in class examinations. I told him how good I have discovered of myself being retentive in memory but still worse in my academics, and asked him to please enrol me in one of the Islamic schools so I can put my retentive memory to use and memorise the Holy Qur’an. To this, he stayed mute. He was also very reluctant to send me to a boarding school as at the time I was just thirteen years of age.

I did all a child could do to persuade his Dad to agreeing and saying yes to a child’s request, but he was not succumbing. At last, he agreed, but on the condition that I will have to combine the both—Secular education and Islamic education. Then I was sent to stay with my uncle in another location in the state we were resident in. For close to five years, I was not living with my parents. I went there to memorise the Holy Qur’an. For those who care to know, I was then modern day “Almajiri”. At 13, I left my parents, siblings, the luxury at home, all in quest of memorising the Quran. Alhamdulillah, I achieved that in 3 years, coincidentally same year I did my first WAEC, in 2003.

Back in Amana International School, that was in the year 2000 still, there was this event that was organised in the form of a carnival. In this event, students showcase their talents in cultural dances, quizzes, arts and other educational obligations. I listened to a lot of news (my initial ambition was to become a Journalist or a Broadcaster all because I hate math) and also read a lot of current affairs, that all got stuck in my memory. It was at this that gave me a clear edge at the event. During the session for questions on current affairs and also names of current ministerial appointment holders, Complex Dictations, Verbal Reasoning, History, States and their Capitals; I got to answer all correctly to the astonishment of my classmates. They were so astonished that they wondered ‘what has actually come upon me.’

Most of the parents even thought that I might have had the first knowledge of those questions before hand. But the grave truth was that I never knew such questions were to be asked. What helped me was the knowledge I already had, thanks to my retentive memory and love for news. At the end of the Carnival, I got showered with praises from both the school management and parents on my unequivocal prowess. I ended up receiving a lot of prizes, more prizes than anyone won. That was when I was in Junior secondary three.

When I was promoted to Senior Secondary one, that was in the year 2001, things changed. I started to become one of the serious students in class, though I was not the best of all. But then, things really began changing for the better. Mind you I am still witty, naughty and always look for people's trouble, the naughtiness improved to another level where I tend to fight back any teacher who bullies me for failing to answer any question, think of flogging me? Mr teacher I will give you the hardest time, Think of punishing me? No way, I will just stand still and do nothing.

“When you begin to improve and you are aware you are becoming better than you were, you will want to get better and better by working harder.”

As at that time, I must admit that I had some issues with some subjects that made me dislike them. Till date, I have not made up for those subjects. Especially Mathematics and Science Subjects—really frightens me. Based on the improvement, before I concluded with Senior Secondary three, a lot of my classmates who are currently on Facebook will attest to the fact that they were shocked with my improvement. They were like ‘is it not this boy that had been taking the last position in class, how comes he’s this good now? What is happening?

“Finding my weakness was the major turning point of my academic career, I was able to accept those weaknesses and search for my strength, in there lies my greatest joy today”

Fortunately or unfortunately, I was the only guy in the midst of so many girls in my class, that was another challenge, I told myself I can’t sit and look at girls ‘flooring’ me mercilessly every term, something has to change. As at then, I knew what I had to do to change and in the end still in Senior Secondary three, I was the second in position, topped only by one of the greatest ever colleagues I would say, Lynda Ozokechi, I still regret not beating her too. I gave Aisha (my best friend forever) the beating of her life *tongue out Ajala*, something I was unable to achieve before then—for her and Karima (another brilliant friend) it was the shock of the century.

Aisha (Ajala as I fondly call her), just like her mother (big aunty) is another person I would thank for persuading me to combine both Quran and Secular education. Despite my Dad's insistence on combining both schools, I was reluctant on doing so. Aisha was the only person who successfully changed my mind—easily. Sometimes we tend to listen and take advice from our friends than any other person, even our parents. That's why it is always expedient to surround your self with good friends. I appreciate you my ‘Ajala.'

The message I want to pass across, in essence, is that “with determination and perseverance, if you concentrate and believe in yourself, you can be able to achieve whatever you want in this life.”

See you in my next blog next week.

Disclaimer

These series of stories are just my personal opinions and real life facts obtained during my academic journey. They are not scientifically proven or researched, and thereby in no way should be misconstrued as such. I am only of the opinion that my stories will be inspiring enough to help the readers. The use of my quotes, adoption of my advises are at the discretion of the reader.