Yesterday was Christmas and I spent most of the day alone in my room. I spent the evening with my friends- Deby, Paulina, Ranjana, Sun and a few others from the University at Deby's house. It was a nice time together, there was drinks, food, Christmas presents and lots of music including Femi Kuti's beng beng beng as well as Salsa. I suppose this was a good way to end the day, but there was also lots to think about. As I got back home at a few minutes past twelve mid night, these were the issues that occupied my mind. What was I thinking about?
Where am I? How did I get here? Is this where I bargained to be at this time of my life? How come I am here? Is there a slight possibility that I can move very quickly from here to a better position? My real mentors in life are not really very big people. My mentors are those young people who are excelling in their fields of endeavour. The young people in my class who are able to write their essays well and get distinctions. The young people who are involved in the youth movement, and who are able to really influence policies and facilitate social change in their communities. The young business leaders and CEOs of companies. The young people in public service. These are my mentors. These last few days, I have been doing a bit of reading and listening about the lives of these young people, and it made me think about where I am going with mine. I am not in a really very bad position where I am now, but perhaps I could be better.
In 2004, I began the process that led to the establishment of a major global movement on youth and HIV/AIDS. Before that, I was involved in animal rights activism and advocacy around ICTs for education service delivery, playing an important role in UNESCO's pioneer efforts to establish a virtual library for Nigeria's tertiary institutions. I had done community work around adolescent sexuality and HIV prevention. I worked in policy positions for 3 years and worked as a consultant for around 4 years with different institutions. But today made me feel that something is missing. What exactly is this? Is it in my personal life? Is it in my professional life? I don't quite know the correct answer, but something is definitely missing and I really need to have it figured out before the new year- 2010, arrives. Thus, in my planning for the new year, I have resolved to get myself properly sorted out in all aspects of my life.
These days, I am very interested in politics, regional integration, regional development, national development planning and youth empowerment. These days, I feel that I need to get my personal life really sorted out, part of the challenge has been my lack of a base for these last few years- but now all these must be solved. I need to answer the questions about where I want to reside after this degree, sort the issues regarding finding a partner and how to prioritise my work for my own benefit and for the benefit of the constituencies that I work with. In the coming year I must set my goals and targets and work as hard as possible towards achieving them. I think I have come a long way. Thus, having travelled this far, going forward is the only option. I have been hiding myself for too long, I need to make myself now available for the benefit of the young people whom I committed myself to work with and support to achieve their full potentials. I must make myself available to work with the professional constituencies so as to enable them benefit from my skills and my perspectives.
I pledged and still do pledge to be faithful, loyal and honest, to serve with all my strength, to uphold honour and glory. I trust God, I will not fail! FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER!!!
Posted at: 01:19 AM | Add Comment
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