In a Nigerian household like mine, respect was more than just a word; it was the rule of the day. Respect for elders, respect for oneself, and applying common sense were non-negotiable. My father, a towering figure in my life, instilled these values in me. His influence has shaped the trajectory of my life in ways I could never have imagined. This is his story and mine.
As a child navigating primary school, I had a complicated relationship with reading. Standing in front of the class to read was my worst nightmare. My stomach would churn with dread whenever we were assigned reading and comprehension homework. I was not just a slow reader but also a hesitant speaker—a trait that lingers to this day. Words seemed to tangle in my mind, like a pair of knotted headphones or a string of Christmas lights. To put it mildly, I was far from 'enthusiastic' about education.
My academic struggles soon became evident on my report card, signaling what I thought was the beginning of the end. I was in what would be equivalent to 3rd or 4th grade in the U.S., and at the tender age of 7, the struggle was real.
When my father discovered my academic woes, he refused to accept the notion of a learning disability. "If the teacher is ineffective, then I'll take over," he declared. Our weekends were transformed into learning sessions where I read the newspaper aloud to him and explained my understanding of the reports. If I stumbled over a word, he'd make me enunciate it.
My father randomly picked words and explained their meanings to broaden my vocabulary. Although I felt embarrassed then, his semi-patience and guidance shifted my focus from the anxiety of reading to the words themselves. "You're about to hear a story," he'd say, "so relax and take it one word at a time."
Over time, my skills improved, and by the end of the school year, my report card boasted a first-place ranking. The joy I felt was indescribable, opening doors for me to excel even in boarding school—a story for another day.
The resilience and self-governance I learned from my father have become the scaffolding for my adult life. These early teachings were not just about education but about lifelong learning, a distinction we often overlook. This love for learning has become a core part of who I am today.
My father passed away on February 14, 2012. His life was far from easy, but he left behind a legacy of learning that I hope to pass on to my children and anyone willing to learn.
If you're reading this, I urge you to prioritize learning in your life, regardless of your age, race, or gender. As Albert Einstein wisely said, "When you stop learning, you start dying." So, push through the noise and keep learning.
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