Alhamdulillah. On August 4th, I was inducted into the medical profession. Honored to serve as Valedictorian and receive awards as Overall Best Graduating Student, and Best in Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Histopathology, O&G, Internal Medicine, and Surgery. By Allah's grace.
Almost 10 years ago, I accosted the Vice Chancellor of my university after a public event.
He was about to step into his car, surrounded by security, staff, and a large entourage.
I somehow pushed through that crowd until I got in front of him.
âMy name is Amaka. I graduated as the Overall Best Student out of over 20,000. I submitted a job application over eight months ago, but I havenât heard back. I really want to teach at this university and would love to be given an opportunity.â
I said everything in one breathâŠpanting.
He looked at me like I had lost my mind.
However, less than a two weeks later, I received a job offer letter to join the University.
That one awkward conversation changed my life forever.
I spent the next three years working full time at the University while completing my masterâs degree and then received a fully funded PhD scholarship to the United States.
Looking back, everything changed because I was willing to put myself in that uncomfortable situation & risked being yanked off by his security.
Hereâs what I learned that I want you to remember.
If youâre like me and you come from a humble background, you just cannot afford to accept the status quo.
Sometimes, you have to be willing to do things that would make people think youâre a little crazy.
You have to be willing to take chances others wonât.
But boldness alone is not enough.
You MUST also be prepared.
When my small window of opportunity came, I had something to stand on.
âI graduated as the Overall Best Student.â
That was my entire pitch.
In Nigeria, where connections, background, and many other factors often influence opportunities, graduating as the Overall Best gave the Vice Chancellor a reason to stop and listen to a humble student with zero connections.
Preparation gave credibility to my boldness.
So keep building your skills. Keep pursuing excellence.
Then, when your moment arrives, donât hesitate.
The conversation that would change your life may only last 30 seconds.
Retweet if this reminds you to take the chance that you might have been avoiding.
I used a Sensodyne (toothpaste) yesterday and could tell immediately that it was fake. Ordered another pack from a different store. Side by side, the packaging is near identical. The only way to know is to use the fake one and find out.
It could have been drugs.
Nigeriaâs regulators need to do far more about counterfeit medicines and consumer products. This is not about money lost. Lives are at stake.
If you've followed my journey, Don't compare your journey to mine without considering that one privilege I had was that I lived with my parents till now. Even when I was broke and hawking in Lagos, I didn't have to worry about rent.
That gave me room to take risks and diversify
In anything you do in life, don't get used to crumbs. Make no mistake, theyâll times we may be forced to accept crumbs to move ahead, but make sure you are aware it is crumbs, and you deserve better. And if you accept crumbs for so long, you may start seeing it as normal.
Another day to tell you to consistently show up and level up. There are jobs and opportunities out there (I know a couple) but theyâll only go to the skilled and those who show up.
Also, watch this space. Iâm cooking.
Good morning, everyoneeee đ€
I found another beautiful scripture today! đ„ș
âBut me, I'm not giving up. I'm sticking around to see what GOD will do. I'm waiting for God to make things right.â â Micah 7:7 MSG
when I say I deserve better, itâs never better than that person, itâs better than that situation. better than feeling hurt. better than being left wondering. better than not being completely loved.
Yes nah, our replacement plenty for ground.
Replacement wey go give you N/S when your BP is 180/110
Replacement wey go use one needle and string for you for five days.
Replacement wey go tell your parent to use different brand of amilodipine at the same time that they perform diff function.
I support it like mad.
i love watching lectures on youtube from fields i never study formally. i love regularly listening to people who have spent decades thinking about something i have only just encountered on a random afternoon. the world is far larger than the small corner of it i happen to inhabit
i'm real careful with who i call a friend, yes we are friendly, we joke around and have fun, but that don't mean we have a relationship worth titling as "friend", we're acquaintances at best and that's ok
You might think earning $30,000 a month is impossible until you start spending time with people who make $100,000 in a single day.
The people around you shape what you believe is possible.
Choose your circle wisely.