1

THE DARKER SHADE

ARUBINA ‘OMOJAY'OLORUNWA

2
 DEDICATION

To every student who hasn’t found their bearing

academically or doesn’t know what the academic
world holds, I pray all your dreams come true!
To every student out there, keep pushing! One
day it would eventually make sense.

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4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Special thanks to God Almighty for constantly giving
me the Grace to encourage young minds through words.
Thank you for the grace of writing.
To my Parents, they played a huge success in my
academic Life and in this book, I love you Mum and Dad.
To my wonderful siblings, King-Adonai and Jesuloba,
thank you for constantly being my number one
audience. I hope you never give up on your dreams and
live life fearlessly.
To my Wonderful Aunt, Aunt B who never ceased to
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believe in me all through my journey in the university
and was a strong pillar of encouragement.
Mummy Akinola whom God used to help me through
the clouds when I gained admission.
Dr. Sangoyomi, despite her busy schedule took out time
to help in my academic life. Your advices were very
needful and helpful. Ajayi Mayowa and Adeyemo Jolaade
for taking out time to read.
Itunuoluwa Abidoye for supporting in the biggest way
despite the little time frame.

HOLD ON!
I am glad you decided to read this book. This is a piece
of me, please handle with care!
Don't just read it like it's one of those other novels
you read, read it alongside a pen and book. That way,
you will be able to jot things that are going to help you.
Don't just read once and drop, continue to read it till

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your dream becomes clearer!
Beyond the story, pick the lessons. I look forward to
hearing your review, lessons and most especially, your
testimonies. Just in case you need a listening ear, I am a
step away; thedarkershadebook@gmail.com

PROLOGUE

It was the annual students’ conference that most

students in the Lagos metropolis looked forward to. The
networking, follow up and opportunities that came with

7
it was a great deal which most parents and students
saved up for, long before it started.
This Year’s own had been different compared to
previous ones, as only one speaker was invited. As Kike
dressed up for the program, she wondered why only a
speaker was invited.
Thankfully, she had registered online and didn’t have
to join the long queue. She had missed out from the
worship session and this got to her, who goes to a
conference just to miss the worship session, she asked
herself. “We will now welcome on stage Agronomist
Ojuola. She is the CEO Ojuola Farms and a motivational
speaker whose life is sold out to Christ. Please I beg of
us to jot as many things as we can as the speaker comes
up. A round of applause once again….” She was used to
Engineers and Doctors; she never knew there was a title
for Farmers also. She laughed…. Everything was set on
her laps, her diary, her pen and water bottle just in case
the throat gets dry to assimilate some points .
“Good morning young ladies in the house, my name is
Agronomist Ojuola. I’m so sure a lot of you might not be
familiar with the title. Let me pick it up from there, An
Agronomist put in a lame man’s word is one who majors
in the economical aspect of Agriculture....”

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 1

SMALL GIRL, BIG DREAM.

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 Like every other girl, my dream was to be a Doctor,
not because I understood what it entailed, but because
the title was catchy. I didn't know what the medicine
world had for me but I was super sure that if you
couldn't read, you couldn’t be a Doctor. I had this big
picture in mind and ran my Life based on the norm;
education!
In primary school, I was amongst the top three of the
class and this meant the world to me so much that if you
had asked me to choose between food and going to
school, I would have chosen the latter.
Growing up, my Parents felt I was an average student
and thankfully they helped by constantly providing a
lesson teacher. I really didn’t have the flare for
education until I got to Primary four when I happened to
raise the bar high by becoming one of the top three of
my class, which sure was a big deal to me!
Being one of the best students in class was fun as I
was admired by both my classmates and teachers.
Then, a tragedy occurred!
We were all seated in class on a fateful Wednesday
when we saw two students work into our library for the
entrance examination. No one knew which class they
10
were seeking admission to, all we knew was; they were
going to be students.
The next day, a young guy walked into the classroom.
Little did we know that he was going to disrupt the
system of the class. Tunde became the favorite of the
class and of all teachers.
The result for the next term came out and alas! He
topped the class. The previous first became third while
the previous third became second. The previous third
became the fourth position till we left the school.
On the graduation ceremony, I was happy I was leaving
as the third position but was pained for Anthony who
left as fourth. How surprising it was that a young boy
from nowhere could come to disrupt a system. This
taught me a lesson; we aren't too small or young to
make a difference irrespective of the time life gives to
us.
Life became gold when I gained admission into the
secondary school of my choice. My Parents were so
happy about that and were ready to go any length for
me but something had left my journey that I never
noticed; the competition spirit. The competition spirit
was one that retained me as one of the top three in
primary school despite the fact that Tunde came to
disrupt the system.
I went to school every morning and came back late in
the night only to sleep. I wasn’t a real hard fan of
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watching the television, unlike most people would think.
The first term, I came out with seventh position, which
wasn’t much of a big deal to me. Moreover, we were 30
in my arm of the class. I was like a compass without
bearing instead of flowing with direction. I stayed
stagnant, probably I’ll become a breeding place for the
mosquitoes. My sit partner was the 12th position and as
long as I was five steps ahead of him, I was an achiever!
Prize giving day came and as usual, I was looking
forward to receiving at least one prize, more like reaping
where I never planted. After the ceremony, our teacher
was waiting in a classroom for students to come pick
their gifts. I told a classmate of mine to come collect her
gift and her mother yelled at me saying that we couldn’t
collect prizes and we wanted to collect gift.
That memory stayed with me and I was bent on
improving as I resumed a new session. Dreams do come
true but mine was shattered.
During summer school, we were always ranked; with
each person given a position. I was usually one of the
top four and this left me heartbroken. If only it could
happen during normal school session.
No one was talking to me in class. Looking back now, I
know the reason but then it was a major issue to
contend with. My Parents’ marriage was pulling apart
and there was no one to save it. Mummy spent most of
her midnight as a punch bag in dad’s hand and during
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the day, she barely had time for us as she would rather
go visit a therapist. My Father was a no-goarea for us as
he was the Lion of the tribe of the Clan. This had
instilled a lot of fear and built insecurities around me.
I continued walking through the path of loneliness
where I made insecurities my friends hoping that one
day Hope might take them away from me. That day
never came!
The Junior WAEC was coming soonest and all I could
think of was passing. At least, if loneliness had decided
to hug me, failure shouldn’t be the dress I should have
on. Everyone was talking about how they wanted to go
for Science, Arts or Commercial. The dream came back! I
could be a Doctor after all but that’s if I was intelligent
to do just that.
I was really lost.
After exams, I was checking through my exam scripts
and to my amazement I saw that I had scored 52 marks
out of 60 in Basic Science, I was as astonished as it had
never happened in secondary school.
This amazement drove me into the Science class and not
until I got to Science class did I know that fire was
waiting on the mountain for me. Physics was like Greek,
I never understood it and Further Math was just a waste
of time. I loved books but everything was not just
clicking. I really wanted to turn back but fear of

13
everyone most especially my Father, saying I wasn’t
good enough for Science, gripped me. I was dying inside
but there was no doctor to revive me.
I kept failing wonderfully but everyone kept telling
me I was doing well. My closest friend, Tara was the
best in Science class but I was part of the average
students.
I remember walking down the Administrative block
with my friend and we got talking about the best in Arts
student in our class. I narrated the guy’s story of how he
used to be the dullard of the class and how he was now
the genius. I didn’t know when I told her I used to top
the class back in primary school. She looked at me and
asked a simple question “What happened now? Why
aren’t you topping the class any longer?” These words
were heavy for me and it got me wondering what had
happened in my Journey. “Was I no longer reading?” I
wasn’t the social type and that made me realize being
social didn’t constitute my problem.
G.C.E came knocking at the door and I was so excited
to write my first external examination. Results came out
just as I was starting my last lapse in secondary school. I
was shocked to see that I failed, I had failed Math and
Chemistry. I wasn’t bothered that I failed, I was just
concerned about how the Lion would react to it. It
wasn’t funny for me as the whole house became
unbearable; most especially for my Mother. My Dad
14
wasn’t taking it cool with her and this caused her to
pour her aggression on me most times though she tried
not to. It was few days to WAEC and I was scared.
Scared because I was so sure that I was going to fail, I
held on to faith regardless and was so sure all my nights
had to go into this exam.
It was Thursday evening and my mother was
handling food. “Ojuola!!!” My father shouted and I sure
knew I was in for a serious battle and instantly I came
over to him at the dining table where he was eating. He
asked me to go bring the vegetables my mum was
cooking. Until I got there did I realize she was naïve to
what was happening but gave me to avoid troubles from
my father.
I was instructed by my father to chew the whole
vegetable. I obliged, and only then did I realize I was
eating bitter leaf but it was too late, I had to finish
everything. I rushed to drink water afterwards but that
kind of worsened my condition.
I was bent on passing my WASSCE. How? I never knew
but I knew Miracles happen. The bitter leaf experience
didn’t make sense to me, at least then. I just felt a young
man was punishing me but my mother’s cry over me not
failing, it made a deep sense to me.

15
 2

THE TWIST.

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 I had the big picture of becoming a Doctor, regardless
of what anyone said around me, I kept that in mind. My
phase in Secondary School was gradually coming to an
end and everyone was preparing towards external
examinations, perhaps the exam that would determine
our future.
My dream sounded unrealistic to me but I wanted to
bring it to fulfillment, no matter the cost. My Father
enrolled me for a pre-degree program in the University
17
of Lagos (UNILAG) where I was to study Pharmacy. It
wasn’t a good idea to me, I felt I had better things in
mind than to waste a year of my life. Besides, I wasn’t
sure if I would do well in Pharmacy of all courses.
Eventually, I obtained a JAMB form against my father’s
will in which I chose medicine as my preferred course of
study and opted for a private university simply because I
had watched a movie produced by the drama unit of the
school.
I was writing WASSCE when my Jamb result was
released. I got 191 out of 400 marks. For someone who
wanted to read medicine, that was a dream being
shattered.
My JAMB score caused a lot of trauma to me, I
thought at some point I’ll probably have a hole in my
heart. My dad didn’t want me to write JAMB that year
because He felt I wasn’t sound academically. All my
friends were doing it, why did I have to be an exception?
I rejected his offer which left him with no other option
than to get the form and here I was telling him he was
right after all, I wasn’t supposed to write Jamb.

My father went mute for days concerning that issue

and as a typical Nigerian child that I am, I knew that was
trouble! Few days later, he called me saying he was
going to pay for my form into the University. My joy
knew no bounds, I felt like an undergraduate already
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even without taking the Post-UTME.
At this point, I had to admit that my strength wasn’t
for Sciences. It was a funny plight for me; was I going to
go back and start Commercial again or probably Arts? I
couldn’t phantom this fact and this caused me sleepless
nights for two weeks.
I was crying in my Mum's shop on a fateful day when
someone walked up to me and asked what the matter
was. I opened up to her and told her my situation. She
sat me down and explained how crying wasn’t the
solution, rather I had to look at that big picture in mind
maybe I couldn’t attain it but I had to attain something
similar. On getting home that night, my father brought
up the idea of studying Agricultural Economics and that
was how I opted for it in my Post-UTME.
My WAEC result came out soon after my graduation
ceremony from Secondary school. I narrowly passed my
subjects and I was very happy that a miracle had
happened, at least to me. My Father spared me with
emphasis that I had to finish in the University with a first
class.

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 3

LATEST UNDERGRADUATE

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 I finally resumed in the University of my Dreams!
I walked majestically around my hostel during the first
night reminding myself that miracles do happen if we
play our part. I was ready for the new life ahead and
bent on utilizing it. I didn’t want the whole ‘having to
live in regret’ most especially with the parents I had at
home.
During our first two weeks, the school provided an
Orientation program for us. There were lot of
motivational speakers and lecturers assigned to speak to
us for these two weeks. They spoke about what was
ahead of us and a lot more. As I heard all their long
speeches for the two weeks, the resolve in my heart
grew stronger. I could make this first class after all!
My school had routine devotions in the morning which
usually ended at 6:30 am. I used to dress up before the
devotion and immediately after the devotion, I would
set out for class. I used to trek down to class for a period
of thirty minutes most especially if it was Chemistry
class. And if it was a class close to my hostel, I’ll set out
by 7pm. I didn’t know that you could be busy and not be
fruitful, however, that was my case.
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 I noticed a young lady that usually came to class almost
the same time I did, I wondered why but I felt we had
the same goal in mind; being First class students.
The first semester exams were wonderful and I was so
sure I was going to be that 5.00 student in class but alas!
When the result came out, I had a 2.7 which was a
Second class lower. I couldn’t call home to tell them yet,
I wallowed deep in tears and nobody knew what I was
passing through.
The other student, Titi who usually came to class the
same time I did, had a 5.00 Grade Point Average (GPA).
To make the matter worse for me, she said she was
travelling out of the country in the next one month since
she had an outstanding result.
It was time to reflect on my life, I realized that my
father had told me while leaving the house what had
worked for him but I never sat down to check out what
would work for me. I had adopted his method of
trekking down to class but I never knew it wouldn’t work
for me.
Yes, there was a standard, making a First class, and the
only option was to read. What if I had sat down to
analyze when I can read? When I can assimilate? I was
basically to draw out a plan for my life. I never knew
that was what Titi did.
She realized she could only assimilate in the morning
and went for it, which was the main reason she was
22
always with me and immediately after classes, she went
to her hostel.
Here I was! After classes I would go the library and
come back late in the evening. I didn’t only fail but was
also diagnosed of Ulcer. I thought that the amount of
time you spent reading amounted to you coming out
with a good degree. I never knew that it is one thing to
read and another thing to be able to answer the
questions given to you in the examination.
Looking back, I realized I didn’t connect with the right
friends. I had two friends and our results were similar.
Whereas in Titi’s clique, they had bookworms as friends
and this showed off because they all bagged a first class.
Another key factor that killed me was; as much as I
wanted to top the class, I never realized that no one can
get to the top without the help of others. I was working
on a practical on a fateful day when one of my course
mates walked up to me asking if I knew what I was
doing. I snubbed her not knowing that was the person
that was going to top my class that fateful semester.
Had I known, I would have probably made her my
friend.
I finally told them at home.
Normal drama, my mother came to school to beat me.
They didn’t know I had already felt bad myself and that
wasn’t going to help. My father told me that night that
he was going to withdraw me from school. I remember
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telling him that night, “I am going back to that school
and I’m making a First class.” My father was angry but he
never knew the resolve in my heart was greater than his
anger. Even if it meant begging, I was ready to go back to
that school and make a First class. This time, not because
of my parents, but because of the strong will in my
heart.

4
24
 YOU'RE YOUR OWN MOTIVATION!

If everyone is driving you and there’s no driving force

from within, you might not go far. In the case of Titi, her
driving force was to go and complete her education in
the United States of America (USA). In my case, I was
living in fear, was just afraid of my parents; the typical
Nigeria society!
The next semester began and I was like a lion in the
jungle; ready to devour anything I laid my hands upon. I
25
wasn’t going to read after class again, except it was
called for. I was bent on this. I was going to take out
time to gist, just to relax my brain. I was going to watch
movies, eat and sleep, all work and no play. If you had
seen what my time table was you’d have thought, I was
mad but I was perfectly okay. Not until I drew out my
timetable did I realize I was meant to be a night reader
and not a night sleeper. Realizing this, made me sleep
during the evenings and read during the nights. I never
rushed out of the hostel to trek anymore, I did my quiet
time and afterwards waited till 7:30am, boarded a
shuttle and arrived in class few minutes before the class
started. Everyone didn’t understand me but my resolve
was one that was stronger than their worries.
It was time to go for a short break. It was when they
announced the break that it dawned on Kike that she
was in a conference. Everything had felt so real to her
that she wondered how it must have been for Ojuola.
She was bent on getting her address and details. She
needed help. Though Kike was in her second year in the
university, her results were nothing to write home
about. She stood up, the crowd was something else in
front of Ojuola, she just prayed that she would give out
her number when she was done with the second part of
the conference or better still sell her book. That way,
she could track her down. She couldn’t leave that place
without making at least two friends. She walked round,
it was time for networking.
26
 “Let’s all gather back to our seats as the second
session begins...” They all sat down in their seats. Just
before the moderator came on stage, they were served
small chops with a pack of fruit juice, Kike sighed. That
was all she wanted at that moment though the
conference was a more pressing need.
Ms. Ojuola came up to continue her message for the
day. She walked up to the podium looking more elegant.
Kike was so sure some touches had been made to her
face, she was looking all wonderful again…
It was when I got the dare for success that success also
chose to be my friend. I realized that when I was talking
about success, success was also talking about me but the
instant I started walking towards success, it started
running towards me.
Yes, Bill Gates never went to school but remember
always, you're in Nigeria not America. Yes, you can
always think outside the box, in fact it is very much
allowed but not until you can think outside the box, can
you face your academic future with all seriousness. I
hear people say things like; Adesua Etomi is an actress
and I tell them, she finished with a first class degree in
English. True, Tara Fela-Durotoye owns one of the
biggest if not the biggest make up house in Nigeria but
permit me to say, she discovered herself while in school.
Folorunsho Alakija, yes! She is a business woman but
can I remind you that she isn't selling pepper by the
27
road side. She is into what was at a time the major
source of income to the country, oil. If you leave school
today, would you be the next Folorunsho Alakija in the
next ten years? Yes, Kaffy is a singer but I’ll remind you
that she is learned. Unlike what the society feels about
education, it doesn’t cage, it only organizes a
community.
I was happy with the way my tests scores were going
after I choose to organize my life, it sure was going on
well. I walked into class on a fateful day, our Chemistry
teacher decided to announce our scores, I got 5 out of
30 marks. I still believed that miracles happen but I
wasn't sure if it was going to happen to me at this point
of my life. I braced myself up the night before the exam
of the course. I was so sure of other courses and didn't
want this spoiling it, I solved as many questions as I
could possibly lay my hands upon and by 7:30am, the
morning of the exam which was to start by 8am, I was
sure that I could defeat failure again. No one believed
me at home when I said the exam went on fine, I never
expected them to. As the day went by, I was seriously
counting down to the release of the exam results and
Yes! It finally came. Of the 8 courses I offered, I had 7
A's and 1 B. This was the beginning, my Cumulative
Grade Point Average (CGPA) was now 3.50, a Second
class upper.
It finally felt sweet to taste success, I could sleep well,
eat well and raise my head high amidst everyone.
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Dreams do come true, this wasn't the peak of my Dream
but this made me realize, I was a step closer to it!
“You don't relent when you finally get what you want,
you aim higher.”
This was a quote I made up for myself and I absolutely
had it stuck not only to my wall, but to my
consciousness and subconsciousness. There had to be a
drive! I resumed for my second year and things went as
planned, I had a wonderful result and at the end of my
second year, I had a 3.90 CGPA.
By my third year, I realized the night reading wasn't
going to work for me again as I usually started dosing, I
remembered thinking about it on a particular day and I
felt fear flow through my spines; I couldn't afford to fail
again. In life, no one wants to go back to the spot they
used to be most especially if the latter is better than the
former they'll prefer going any length just to retain the
success.
A story was told of a boy who had first class for the
first two years in higher institution during the third year,
he felt he might fail a course and decided to cheat
during the examination. There and then, he was caught
and that meant an extra year for him. He never
graduated with a first class and still spent an additional
year. He really was bent on not leaving success but he
chose the wrong path.

29
 My case scared me, I couldn't leave success, not now! I
decided to try out different plans at least to see which
would work. I tried reading in the evening but I realized
it wasn't possible (I'll share the reason in another
chapter). I had to try another technique: I tried waking
up by 2am every morning to read till 6am, I realized this
worked out for me and I was able to assimilate. I did
stick to this till I was able to get what I wanted -
SUCCESS!!!

WHAT ABOUT THEM!

30
 “We hear about them long before we understand
what the journey is all about but we really do not pay
attention to it.” When I was allocated to my room upon
admission into the University. I had five other
roommates making us a total of six. Faith, Taiwo,
Precious, Dorcas, Ope and Cynthia. Faith and Taiwo
were very close while the other three were close. The
trio was from very rich families, you didn’t need anyone
to tell you, Money was speaking. On the other hand, the
duo was also getting along, always drawing a budget
and spending most of their nights reading. My mother
had warned me strenuously about friends and this made
me disassociate myself completely from my roommates.
I chose to move with one of my course mates, little did
31
I know that she was as naïve as I was. Faith had done
pre-degree in another school before crossing and had a
fore knowledge about what the university life entailed.
On the other hand, Taiwo had waited at home for four
years and beyond the joy of finally gaining admission,
she knew she had wasted a period of four years and was
bent on maximizing the next four years. The duo had
something in common and this made them click from
day one.
Here was I, naïve about life and still not knowing
whom to blend with. The trio usually didn’t attend class
and were times without number spending their time
flexing and gisting. They were part of the hottest in
school and the most sought after.
At the end of the first semester, Faith was on a First
class while Taiwo was on a Second class upper. The trio
had lot of carry overs in their results and this sent a
signal to me.
Money isn’t everything after all.
Growing up, we are taught to watch out for friends
when we finally settle down or better still not move
with bad company. Most times, we sit back and ask
ourselves, what about them? True, there isn’t any big
deal about them but can I remind you, when you have
the result, it’s your name that would be mentioned not
theirs, everyone answers for their name. If you soil your
name, you soil everything.
32
 Our parents warn us sternly about them, if there
really wasn’t anything to be careful about no one will
always buttress on it. Here, was the single, the duo and
the trio. I chose to go for the single that didn’t help me
but there was a duo that was going to leave a positive
impact on my life and the truth is if I had gone for the
trio, my academic world would have crumbled.
There is a big deal about them after all!

33
 6

SLEEP

If there's one thing I have come to cherish as of today

in this world, it is definitely sleep. I can literally go a
week without sleeping but once it's the eighth day, I
give myself 10 hours of sleep without interruption.
Note that I said sleep not rest.
When I started actualizing my dream while in the
34
University one thing I never joked with was sleep. I had
three leadership positions, first class to make, friends to
gist with, social media to follow up, people to counsel
and a whole lot more. The truth is, if I didn't take out
time to sleep, I'd have probably broken down and
someone else would have fitted into my position.
I remember telling my roommates that if I was
sleeping, no one was to wake me up. Visitors didn't like
this idea neither did my course mates. But soonest, they
got used to me and life became easier.
I once had a gadget, a funny one to be precise. It
usually worked for eight hours and once it gets to the
ninth hour, it begins to malfunction not until you allow it
rest for two hours then it could continue for the next
eight hours.
Take out time out of the 24 hours to actually sleep. It
relaxes your brain and makes you equipped for what lies
ahead. The world is full of so much stress, anxiety, fear
and unforeseen circumstances that you shouldn't want
to take yourself out of it sometimes.
When I realized the benefits of sleep, when I'm not
catching up with meetings or gists, rather than spend lot
of hours on the social media. I’ll split that time I have to
use on social media and I’ll spend half sleeping and the
other half chatting.
Every engine needs oil, every pond needs water, every
paper needs corn, every human needs sleep. Even the
35
mad man you see in your street, he sleeps. The young
and the old need sleep. Academics are quite stressful
for you not to get back and renew yourself.
My father used to tell me that there’s enough sleep in
the grave. Don’t be such of a fool that you realize you
need sleep but don’t realize that sleep can make or Mar
a destiny.
Hakeem had series of tests throughout the coming week
and this definitely meant no sleep to him. He was a
night reader and as such had to balance between going
for classes during the day and reading during the night.
On Friday when he was finally done with his tests, he
got back to his hostel and went to his neatly laid bed
ready to hug sleep tight.
Rashid was in a different department from Hakeem
and wondered why he hadn’t seen him for a week. He
chose to take a stroll down to Hakeem’s hostel. On
getting to there, he was told that he couldn’t wake him
up as he had emphasized before sleeping. Rashid was
upset, he decided to go to Sadiq’s place to relax pending
the time Hakeem will be awake.
Rashid was heartbroken when he realized that Sadiq
was also sleeping. He asked his roommates when he had
slept off. “He was bored throughout the day because he
didn’t attend classes. We opted to play a game and he
slept off while playing the game.” Rashid was left with
no other option than to go to his hostel.
36
 Truth be told there were both sleeping, it is natural to
sleep. As a matter of fact, if you don’t sleep when you
ought to or you probably lack the “sleeping life style”
Doctor’s might have to do their job. Hakeem likewise
Sadiq had been tired from something, they didn’t go to
sleep for fun, it was demanded for. Hakeem had utilized
his day, in fact his week and was permitted to sleep but
in the real sense of it, Sadiq had wasted his day. There is
an underlying fact in this, if you don’t utilize your day,
you’re not permitted to sleep!

37
COUNTING
Counting to be counted!
Money is counting, Time is counting, Friendship is
counting, Water is counting, Blood is counting, Energy is
counting, Resources are counting, Situations are
counting, Failure is counting, Success is counting,
everything is counting!
They’re all counting to be counted whether we like it or
not.
In my second year, I wanted to run for a political
position in my faculty. We were three running for the
same position and this meant a lot of campaign and
work. I was given a form alongside my opponents. There
was a CGPA requirement that others could not meet. I
was the only one running! I won the election even
before the manifesto!
When they started off the journey in their academics,
little did they know that, time was counting. They felt
they should at least make a second class upper division
before leaving the school but they didn’t know it will

38
count before leaving the school.
Everything you do now is at the stage of counting but
one day, they’ll leave that stage only for them to move
to be counted.
As a student who happened to go to a Private
University, money was counting only to be counted for
or against me. Over five million was used to send me to
the University and this was a total shock to me. Now, I
had to make sure such a huge amount of money wasn’t
wasted. How? Come out with a best result and
education. Yes, education! I must have educated myself
on how to talk, walk, write, speak and a whole lot more
in addition to the wonderful result I have to come out
with.
Only when I realized this and made use of it was it
counted against me in the labor market. In the real
sense of it, if what is counted is to your favor, you’ll like
it but if vice-versa versa you’ll pay dearly for it.
Everything you do today is counting to be counted in
the future, ensure that the figures add up!

39
 7

DON'T IGNORE

40
 While in my first year a group of students walked up to
me asking for the time table of my courses. I made
enquiries from them and realized they were carry over
students. How stupid it was of me to had make mockery
of them rather than ask questions.
I never asked questions on what had happened to them
and why they had carried over the courses. I only felt
they had been unserious. Not until my first semester
result was released did I know their usefulness in my
life.

41
 Often times when you ask the best students what they
did to get their First class, they’ll tell you they read and
planned their lives. True, they aren’t telling lies.
Whereas, if you ask the carry over students why they
failed, they won’t tell you, we just failed! They’ll most
likely tell you the things that made them fail “We never
took that lecturer seriously’’, “We slept off during class”,
“I didn’t read as much as I ought to”.
Most times, when they came to me they did mention
the mistake they had made silently, “I never knew
attendance was paramount, that was why he failed me.
Please can I get your time table?” The issue most times
isn’t that the lecturer had failed him but rather he
disregarded going to class. They always mention what
made them fail. Don’t ignore that aspect of them! Pay
close attention, listen to it so you won’t tread that path.
Hear the success and failure stories. The success will
remind you of where you’re going, the failure will tell
you what not to do if you want to get to the success.
Another thing I did wrong was to make mockery of
them. Thankfully, I never did it to their faces but my
actions gave me out! That they are failing today doesn’t
mean they won’t succeed tomorrow. Be careful how
you talk or react to them, you might need them on your
way to the top!
I made mistakes when I was in my first year and learnt
during my second year. During my second year I was
42
good at a particular course and a spill over student in
my class walked up to me and asked for my help in
teaching him the course. I obliged and did the needful.
Few years after I graduated I ran into him at a
supermarket, we linked up and started talking. He was
the one that ended up lending me the money I used in
setting up my farm.
In the real sense of it, no one wants to fail.
Be careful so you don’t end up being the failure!

43
 8

BEYOND THAT!

When I first gained admission into the university I

44
was keen on just academics and Spiritual stuff, it wasn’t
a bad idea after all. I never went for anything social
neither did I get myself involved in any activity.
Gradually, during my second year I realized, we don’t
just come to school for the books alone. Beyond
reading, cramming and scrabbling there’s a lot to be
learnt in school. How to dress, talk less, associate and a
lot more but the silent thing school teaches you is
balance!
During my first year, I had joined a unit in the church.
I looked for a unit where I could be fervent and
consistent and yet not lose my academic goal, I saw one
and instantly I joined them. I was of the notion that if
people didn’t know what you stood for, they’ll definitely
sway you to their side.
I always desired to be the course representative of my
class but not until I got to my second year did I think of
politics. The flare of leading didn’t come when my
results started getting good as a matter of fact, I had
been the class captain all through my six years in
secondary school but one thing I realized I lacked was,
balance! I couldn’t balance being a class rep, having to
go hours reading and then still come back to spare out
time for gist probably at night. I was still building my
results and this meant a big deal to me, I consoled
myself. At least, politics could wait.
By second semester of my second year, I was already
45
sure I understood how I could get my academic goal and
what did work for me. Now it was time to add some few
things; leadership, association and activities. Some go to
school just to get the certificate, others go to school to
get the certificate and other things the certificate
cannot give them. I became a leader in class and I used
this to check mate my result, it didn’t drop. This
gladdened my heart and I didn’t stop there, I went for a
leadership position in my faculty.
Not only did this open my eyes to see beyond the
classroom, it built me up intellectually, socially and in
fact, fashion wise. I remember when I started the
association part of relating with people, I wore orange
shirt on orange skirt out that day. Someone saw me
outside and started shouting “Mirinda! Mirinda!” I felt
so bad and this made me learn how to combine colors
to look nice. You don’t have to wear a baggy top or
trousers just to show you’re not a bad child. You could
wear a nice top and shirt, look clean and still stay
modest.
Beyond going to classes, there are activities that
happen in school. Some are of the opinion that the
activities are there to distract them but in the real sense
of it the activities are there to build one up and most
importantly teach us balance.
Life itself teaches us that if we can’t balance ourselves,
we can’t bring the best out of it. You don’t have to be
46
fully involved in other activities you could just pick one
of your interests, probably you’ll earn one or two things
that Statistics or Economics won’t teach you. I learnt this
and ran whole heartedly with it, I can categorically tell
you that even outside the four walls of school, it did
help me!
Beyond school being a place of education, it teaches us
how to associate with others because in the real sense
of it, we can’t live without interaction with human
beings. We learn how to dress; organizations out there
don’t just need a young brilliant chap, they also want
you to be physically educated. Of what use is the book,
if you can’t communicate? They want you to be able to
articulate your words together and while speaking, you
can make sense.
Yes, school brings us up to learn simple things in class
and answer tougher questions in the exam. If you can
do this and pass, why can’t you bring that technique into
your life? Can you think outside the box? Can you do
something no one else has done before and it would
help to solve some of the societal problems we have? If
not then all the exams you have written are of no use
because beyond that exam, the real exam is waiting for
you outside.

47
48
 9

THE STRUGGLE

49
 I just have to let you know that one major thing I
battled with while in secondary school was self-esteem.
Upon gaining admission into Secondary school, I read
in the brochure of the school that every student owed it
to themselves to do something good to single them out
or better still, bring the school to limelight.
I really wanted the former, I could do something good
anyways - 'snitching'. I started fishing out bad eggs in
the school and walked directly to the principal's office to
50
report them.
This single act made my classmates detest me and
wanted me to keep a distance, they all felt I was evil and
meant evil. But the truth was no one had seen what I
saw; they might have seen this in the long run, but really
never paid attention to it.
I had that aspect of my life to deal with and there was
really no one to talk to about it. My mother tried her
best by constantly defending me from their hands but a
foundation had already been established.
Life wasn't made easier for me as I had to battle with
having a short hair, I felt I was the ugliest in my class. In
the real sense, I really was! There were instances were
my classmates had taken several pictures together but I
never noticed I didn’t appear in them till I became an
undergraduate.
It was Thursday, the usual day for Throw Back
Thursday, #TBT on social media. Prior to that day, I had
asked my classmates for the pictures they had of me
either personal or with them. No one had my picture
except one fortunate guy who had photo shopped my
picture with that of a goat and funny enough, he had
delight in sending it!
I had to talk to myself. I couldn't allow my past with my
classmates destroy my present with my course mates. I
had a choice to make! I picked up my mirror and spoke
to myself for hours underlining one basic point; ‘I was
51
the most beautiful in the world.’
My perspective about other things that mattered in life
actually changed when my perspective about myself
changed. At the end of the day, the freedom we actually
need is from ourselves!

52
 10

FOR SPENDING!

53
 My highest allowance while in the University was in my
first year first semester. Till I graduated from the
University, I never collected half of the money I was
given when I initially gained admission. I was naïve to
what savings was all about, I felt money was to be spent
and I did just that - spent my allowance!
I spent my allowance on data subscription and airtime.
Who didn’t want to keep up with the social world? Every
time I ate, I ate to my satisfaction. Garri was common
food amongst undergraduate but it was far from me.
Not because I didn’t bring from home, but there was
really no need to take it.
Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not saying you should
live your life on garri flakes day in day out. Not at all, in
fact, if you can get hold of good food, eat it! It helps
maintain your brain. But days when we’re at point zero
in our allowance, garri is always a life saver!
Water aids in digestion, water is cheaper than other
liquids, I knew all these, but it really wasn’t in my
Dictionary. Pepsi was my drink, I drank it in the morning,
when I wanted to eat, when I was thirsty. As a matter of
fact, they were both liquid to me.
It was when I had an ulcer attack that I realized that
although they were both liquids, there is no liquid like
water. Nothing beats the original.
Nemesis soon caught up with me as my father realized
I was spending a lot on airtime. When I got to my
54
penultimate year, I had a lot of financial struggles, one
you couldn’t even tell to anyone. One thing I am sure of
is, if I had done some savings earlier on. I could have
scaled through unhurt in my penultimate year.
You really don’t have to starve to save but you can cut
out expenses to save. Eating two square meals per day
won’t hurt, neither will opting for water rather than a
drink. A budget will always help to maintain a good life
style.
Before you decide to go to the ATM, sit down, write
out how you intend to spend the money you withdraw,
calculate and track each penny. It would help a lot!
One key thing I have learnt in saving is you don’t save
after you must have spent, you save before spending.
You could open another bank account where all you do
is save and so as to meet your target, I’ll recommend
you don’t have a card for that account or better still
make it a fixed account. There a lot of savings
applications that can help you save towards your target.
Some of which are; Payday Investor and Kolobox.
I hear a lot of student say, “When I begin to make the
millions, I'll start to save.” But the truth is, if you can’t
save from a thousand you won’t be able to save from a
million.
We don’t save because we have enough, we save to
have enough!

55
 11

HELP, I’M IN LOVE!

56
 It’s not a big deal if you have feelings towards the
opposite sex and it’s natural to want to have a tight
intimacy with them. Every lady wants to feel loved, so
also every guy. What if the other partner isn’t the right
one? Or what if (s)he doesn’t feel the same about you?
What if (s)he is just there to terminate your destiny?
Same boring talk old ones give to us.
Before gaining admission, I was in a relationship with
someone who happened to be nine hours far away from
me in distance when I’m in school. We spent most of
our time talking on the phone and most times when I
got home, we could barely see as we were always busy
during the week.
57
 Mid way into the first semester of my first year, I felt I
was in the wrong relationship. I thought over this for
days and decided on what to do - I ended the
relationship! The guy begged, but my mind was made
up, we both had to move on. We are still good friends
till now, in fact I went for his wedding last week.
Everyone was used to rushing for PHY 119 class. The
class room was too small for the population and there
was usually nowhere for students to sit. We had to go
look for chairs or stool before the lecturer came in. To
make matters worse, the lecturer would come in ten
minutes before time and immediately it was time, he
would go ahead with the class not minding the situation
of things.
On a particular day, I was really stressed from the
previous class but I had to rush to get a space for myself
and afterwards, go look for a chair. While still keeping
space for myself, a young guy, Raphael walked by my
side and offered to give me a chair to use for the class.
We got talking and until then, did I realize he had
actually gotten the sit for me. We became friends and
from that day we went to classes together. We were in
the same faculty and this made life so simple!
We weren’t dating or in a serious relationship. We
were just platonic friends but no one believed me. They
usually spoke about how good we looked together and
by final year, we sure would win best couple of the year.
58
I usually fantasized about the whole idea and looked
forward to it.
Raphael started disengaging himself from me in
second semester, I was surprised but I couldn’t talk to
him about it. Soonest, we became closer once again. It
felt like a heavy log of wood had finally been removed
from my back. I’m so sure if Raphael had asked me out
at that point I’ll have given him a loud YES. But that
dream was shattered now. All the times Raphael
disengaged from me, He was trying to win another
lady’s heart, he asked her out and she already accepted.
Raphael never told me and when I confronted me, he
insisted he wanted me to find out and besides we were
just friends.
How that escapade never affected my result, only
God understands! A lot of times, I walked down from
class to the hostel with my face down. I felt really empty
without Raphael. Worst of all, I felt the whole world was
laughing at me.
I remember waking up from bed on a fateful night
telling myself Raphael wasn’t meant to be THE one after
all. It was when I eventually told myself that truth that I
got my freedom.
The whole world might lie to you because they never
know the future, never lie to yourself! They lied to me
that we were going to get couple of the year and
immediately I realized that truth couldn’t come to be
59
again, I didn’t lie to myself!
That I didn’t get it right in relationship in my first year
doesn’t mean someone else can’t get it right.
I had a hostel mate who started a relationship during
her first year and as at final year, she had done her
introduction. Another started in first year and on
completion of her Bachelor’s degree, she got married!
Relationship is more than “Have you eaten?” “What
did you eat?” It is more than hanging out to eat or gist.
All these are part of it though but always remember,
relationship is a big deal.
Relationship can make a first class student become a
second class student. I once had a roommate who was
on a first class before she started a relationship. Upon
starting to date the guy, they started reading together
what I later termed love reading! She didn’t realize her
grades were falling apart and her ‘tens’ were becoming
tensed. Although she later broke up with the guy, her
result never went up, she graduated with a Second class
upper. How disastrous it is to taste first class when you
start but you never can boast of it when you’re leaving.
The end justifies the means!
Sayo, on the other hand, was a second class upper
student when her first semester result came out and she
settled for someone who was a first class student. They
started dating and by second semester, she had become
a first class student. Her boyfriend had instilled the spirit
60
of excellence in her and ensured she used it to upgrade
her results.
She ran with this and was super happy with herself at
the end of the day. Can I mention to you that they’re
happily married today?
Relationship is not a sin but if abused becomes a sin.
Relationship isn’t meant for babies that are sulking but
for adults that can chew. Relationship requires a lot,
most especially commitment. You’re not the only one in
the relationship, what you want might not be what the
other person wants. Most importantly, the place of God
before entering and in a relationship cannot be over-
emphasized.
Academics itself is a commitment. If you cannot
handle the two, don’t try it! That you don’t date in your
first, second, third or final year doesn’t mean you won’t
end up with someone that will love you and cherish you.
Heart break isn’t a palatable experience neither is
academic failure a delightful experience. One can wait
for one. Relationship can wait for Academics, be smart!

61
 12

DOES IT MATTER?

62
Yes, it does!
I have heard a lot of student tell themselves that
Spirituality is nothing but a waste of time and therefore
it could wait at least till they were done with Bachelor’s
degree.
The truth there is, the Spiritual controls the physical
whether we believe it or not. And just in case we can’t
make use of our physical strength in the physical world,
we could go draw strength from the Spiritual.
I remember after failing in my first semester, I went
back to God and told him exactly how I felt and guess
what? He did listen to me!
Funny enough, it was when I became actively involved
in the things of God, second semester of my First year
that my result received yeast in it and did swell up.
Just in case anyone has lied to you saying, “God will
drain you” let me tell you, you can’t take God seriously
and think he won’t take you seriously. “Fabaya!” No way.
In fact, God gives us so many assurances in His book,

63
the Bible.
3rd John 1:2 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou
mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul
prospereth.”
James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him.”

Deuteronomy 28:13a ‘” And the LORD shall make thee

the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only,
and thou shalt not be beneath.”

These assurances are not just for fun; they are big
deals! All God needs you to do is to submit to Him and
resist any obstacle that is making you not commit
yourself to him and instantly, He will take charge of your
life. Only then can you live a wonderful life.
Being in God doesn’t mean things automatically
becomes rosy, it means that even if you pass through
the thorns, there is someone up there holding your
hands and slowly whispering in your ears, “It will be
well!”

64
 13

HOW I FEEL

65
 Looking back, I never knew but now I know, there was
an Architect that had drawn a plan of my life and after
doing this, He chose to plant a seed. He didn’t just plant
the seed, He watered it!
The plant faced the turbulence of the wind, harsh
weather conditions, trampling on by humans and
animals but despite this, it had to fruit!
I would have been of no use if I actually didn’t produce
any fruit. God was the Architect and the Farmer. He had
planted me securely and had the plan of my life cycle. At
some point, I had felt he was missing but I was
absolutely wrong. He was still watering me day in, day
out. He didn’t stop the wind or the humans, they had to
be there if I wanted to fruit!
As I round up this session, I’ll pin point lessons I have
learnt from my story and I want you to do me a favor
and write them where you can have access to at all
66
times. And just in case you have jotted down a lot from
my story, please do well by reading them day in, day
out. Only then, can they help you.
If you thought I was going to tell you lessons then it
means you have wasted your time here, you’ll have to
write the lessons yourself. Only then can you run with it!

14

THE DARKER SHADE

67
 When you are given birth to, you wore a shade; a dark
one! The shade of not knowing what will become of
you, what you were supposed to be, what the future
was like, if your parents were going to die, if you are
going to have to deal with terminal disease etc.
As though that wasn’t enough, when you continued in
the journey, the shades were removed. You felt it was
better now; at least you could see but when you were
about taking a step further, a darker shade was given to
you!

68
 The dark shade was all about uncertainties but here
was the darker shade, it had uncertainties and
circumstances.
You never knew if you were supposed to be a Pilot or
an Accountant but you knew one thing for sure, you
wanted to be successful! Couldn’t you walk into your
success with hands in your trousers with a cheering
crowd in front of you waiting for your autograph!
We all wish it was that easy but there is a darker shade
we are wearing. The shade doesn’t make one see the
clear picture. It makes you see only the struggle, pain,
worries, frustration and a whole lot.
The shade paints the white picture as black and causes
you to stay in absolute imagination rather than reality.
I had a dark shade on when I set off in my journey, I
wanted to be a Doctor! When I realized it wasn’t meant
to be, I was happy that at least, I was given an option of
becoming a Farmer. Little did I realize, I was going to be
given a darker shade when I gained admission; the
picture was going to become blurry and the dream that
looked like it, can never become a reality. It was all lies
after all!
At a point, the darker shade is going to be removed
and you’re going to see clearly. If you didn’t hide behind
the mask of the shade, you’ll be proud of the person you
have finally become!

69
 If you had hidden behind the mask and left
everything in the hands of fate, you’ll wish you can turn
back the hands of time and go back but immediately the
darker shade has been removed, but there’s no going
back!
Wearing the darker shade could be annoying and
depressing but always remember, it’s a DARKER SHADE
after all!
Life is a twist but you never really know what it looks
like until the twist becomes straightened. I always
desired to heal. Or should I say, offer my best as only
God heals? I wanted to provide solutions in the health
sector; perform surgeries, prescribe drugs and a whole
lot!
It finally came but like a twist. I never got to be a
Doctor of humans but that of seeds. Tell me to separate
a healthy seed from a deficient one, I’ll do just that for
you. I can take care of a seed that you feel is deficient
and make it what you could never imagine.
Maybe we would hold on, if only we knew all our
dreams will eventually come to play probably not the
way we want but the way the owner of sleep wants it to
play out.

70
 15

STANDING OVATION

There was a crowd waiting outside the hall. Some I

71
had predicted and others I had not. My parents were
there in striking colors of lace. It was their daughter’s
graduation and no one expected less.
Let me remind you that at the end of the day, there
will be a crowd waiting for you on the Other Side. A
crowd you cannot predict now. The crowd to cheer you
might be your parents at the end of your first degree or
your boss who finally signs your promotion letter.
I graduated with a First class. This was the beginning
of another journey that I’ll share with you one day.
Looking back, I’m glad that I made my parents proud.
I’m glad I can share my story to inspire someone. Above
all, I’m proud of who I’ve become.
Everyone will be proud of you, but more than that,
the joy in your heart will be unexplainable. You will be
glad of what The Darker Shade molded you to be. It’s a
journey that is worth its challenges. I will be waiting at
the end of your journey, to give you a warm embrace
and a standing ovation…
Ms. Ojuola prayed with everyone and gave out her
email address. Kike was glad she attended this
conference. Now, she had to run with all she had heard
just like the saying goes;
“A Journey of a Thousand Miles starts with a step.”

72
ADVICE FROM A SOJOURNER
First off, school is frustrating. We all know, and it can
be overwhelming at times. You are about to start
another journey with new friends, new hallways and
even new drama! My advice to you is; never give up or
think you can’t do it. Take positive advantage of the
University and I promise you, great things await you.
Whatever happens during your stay in school, always
remember that it is not the end of the world and no one
is perfect. Learn from your mistakes and move forward.
Never let anyone pressure you into doing things that
you’re not ready to do. Don’t forget to always thank
your parents when you’re in school, you don’t have to
wait till they send you money.
Another key thing is SAVING. No matter how little
you think your allowance is, you can still save. From your
first year, have a specific amount you must save for
every month. Note that you begin to build your CGPA
from the very first class you attend. Don’t mind all that
happened in your secondary school and the people in
your life that have written you off. Don’t lose focus, set
achievable goals, don’t procrastinate. Have a target,
write it down, paste it where you’ll see it, and remind
yourself of that target every morning.
Above all, study the Bible and pray! You can never be
73
a complete student without God. Put Him first. Make
the Holy Spirit your best friend. He will always direct
you.
Lastly, make yourself available for God. You don’t
have to be in all the units in the church. Pray for
direction and join a unit.
-- AKOR PROMISE ENE

Nothing is more painful than “I was almost

there!” “…… I almost bagged a first class” The
labor market doesn’t care; all they know is you
graduated with a second class upper division.
Make hay while the sun shines, put in your best
while you still can. The funny thing about
academics is, you don’t do the first semester and
get away with it rather you build on it.
I had outstanding results all other semester but
the first semester of my life in the University left
an everlasting void in my result.
Always remember, sometimes it’s not enough for
us to do our best but what is required.
-T.M.A

74
 The part of asking Questions cannot be over
emphasized. Ask Questions from those that has
passed through your level, a level ahead
preferably . Get Past Questions as most lecturers
repeat them, 5years Past Question per course isn’t
a bad idea. Read wide, Have a jotting note, know
how to calculate CGPA, Don’t hate any lecturer if
not you’ll hate the course. There’s no way you play
your part that God won’t play His. Best wishes!
-Atinuke Dada

Please Dont despise God that's the first thing

Dont say you want to flex or chill first so you Dont have
regrets...
Read your books, I'm sure you have heard that a lot but
please do it.
Dont be discouraged you will hear good and bad things
aboutyou seive the good and dispose the bad.
Bad Company they say corrupt good manners keep good
friends and godfearing ones at that also not just god
fearing make friend whom you are compatible with .
Always be cheerful.

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- Grace Atoloye

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