Campus Life

The story of Obim part 19

During one of Melosky's computer sessions, a fellow lodge resident approached him while Obim observed from behind. She inquired if she could use his computer for an assignment. Inexplicably, Melosky proclaimed ownership of the computer right in front of Obim, disregarding politeness and the truth.

Obim quietly resolved not to hold a grudge against either party. Instead, he made a firm decision to pursue computer training to utilize his computer effectively.

His dedication to learning about computers ran parallel to his academic lectures. This endeavor marked a significant turning point in Obim's life, enhancing his knowledge considerably. Within just three months, Obim had surpassed many of his peers in computer proficiency, fueled by his passion for technology which aided in his studies and research.

Upon returning from lectures, Obim would sometimes find himself locked out, waiting for his roommate to finish with his female visitor.

Obim's discomfort grew with his roommate's habits, who often returned with friends and consumed food without saving any for him.

The irony of having a roommate who claimed to be penniless yet frequently purchased new clothes did not escape Obim, who found himself using his funds to provide for both of their meals.

While his roommate never brought home groceries, Obim consistently contributed foodstuffs from visits to his parents' farm, ensuring they both had provisions.

Over time, Obim observed his roommate's preference for accepting money, feigning that his parents had provided nothing.

It was common for students to request food from others under pretenses, such as having soup but no garri, only to seek additional provisions elsewhere.

Visits between students often had the ulterior motive of sharing a meal, with guests hinting at their hunger by asking if the host had prepared any food.

READ NEXT: PART 20

 

UNDERSTANDING COMPUTER BASICS

(The story of Obim part 18)

During his first year of tertiary education, Obim enrolled in a Computer course after discovering a fraudster who claimed to have made some payments on his behalf was actually depositing the money into his own account, not the school's.

With his limited savings, Obim purchased his first computer system. His educational journey from primary through secondary school had not afforded him any knowledge of computers, including the various components and their names.

At Tetlow Owerri, when Obim inquired about the cost of a computer, he was relieved to find the price was within his budget.

Pointing at the monitor, Obim asked, "How much is this?"

"5,000 naira," the seller responded. "Please, there's an accessory that connects with it, but I'm not sure of its name."

"Is it a UPS?" the seller suggested. "Yes," Obim confirmed.

At that moment, Obim was unaware of what UPS stood for.

The seller provided Obim with a monitor, a UPS, and a power cable. After paying, Obim returned to his lodging. Upon seeing the purchase, Melosky, his roommate, was elated until he questioned, "But where is the CPU?"

It was then that Obim realized his mistake, having bought a UPS instead of a CPU due to his lack of computer knowledge. To cover up, Obim hastily claimed he didn’t have enough money for the CPU.

Inwardly, Obim admitted the excuse was just to mask his ignorance. Subsequently, he visited Royal Computer's shop at Tetlow Owerri to purchase a System Unit. The shop had recently opened, as the owner informed Obim, who also guided Obim on additional accessories he might need, realizing Obim's limited knowledge of computers.

Obim acquired a System Unit, printer, software, VGA cable, power cable, mouse, keyboard, and more.

Thanks to his practical knowledge in Electrical and Electronics, Obim managed to set up the computer system. However, he could only use the system for basic functions shown by the seller.

READ NEXT: PART 19

 

NO PEACE FOR THE WICKED

(The story of Obim part 17)

The woman, overwhelmed with guilt, started crying, fearing death.

Bystanders pleaded with Obim, but he insisted that the woman must confess her actions to everyone present.

The news spread to the villages of Egwe, and astonishingly, Obim's aunt traveled all the way from Oguta to plead on the woman's behalf.

Obim felt vindicated by God, which was a relief to him.

"I will retract my curse and forgive you on one condition," Obim declared.

"Admit to everyone here whether the money you gave me was counterfeit. Was it fake or not?" Obim pressed her.

"Yes, it's fake. I don't know what overcame me; it was the devil's doing," the woman admitted.

"Keep all the items I gave you and take your money; you won't die. My words have been taken back; you are now free," Obim announced.

This episode reminded Obim of a time a neighbor came to purchase items worth500 Naira and attempted to leave without paying. "Madam, you didn’t pay," Obim remarked.

"I gave you a500 Naira note," the woman insisted.

Wishing to avoid conflict and believing in his own honesty, Obim stated, "Please, Madam, you can go, but I know you haven’t paid me. God is my witness."

The woman, realizing her mistake at home when she found the500 Naira note her husband had left for her, immediately returned to Obim's shop to apologize.

After she explained the situation, Obim accepted the money and was grateful for the divine vindication.

Everyone has unique ways of resolving conflicting situations.

Two wrongs cannot make a right. Life becomes simpler when you find the strategy that works best for you.

READ NEXT: PART 18

 

    EVIL ELDERS

    The story of Obim (part 16)

During his time managing the shop before returning to school, Obim had an encounter one Saturday morning with a woman dressed in a white gown. She entered the shop and made a small purchase, handing over what appeared to be a1000 note for an item worth850. Obim, suspecting the note to be counterfeit, politely questioned the authenticity of the money and asked if she had another note to provide.

The woman became irate, insisting that the money was genuine and accusing Obim of swapping the note. Fortunately, Obim had no other1000 notes with him except the one given by the woman, which supported his claim.

As the disagreement escalated, Obim suggested that she take her money and make her purchases elsewhere, but she refused to return the items. Realizing the situation had intensified, Obim sought the insight of some elders present in his shop to examine the note.

The elders' response was disheartening, as they appeared indifferent, merely suggesting that Obim could either accept the note or refuse it. This reaction highlighted their unwillingness to stand for the truth, marking them as deceitful.

This incident made it clear why some elders are not held in high regard by the younger generation.

Obim decided to end the dispute by returning the money to the woman.

He then addressed her, saying, "Madam, please take your money and the items. I refuse to engage in a brawl, but I warn you, if you are guilty, you will not survive your journey."

Obim resumed his transactions with other customers while the woman remained in the shop, unable to leave.

When Obim noticed her reluctance, he urged, "Madam, please vacate my shop."

Bound by fear due to Obim's curse, the woman admitted, "I cannot leave because of what you've said."

Fearing for her life, she pleaded, "Please, let me go. I don't want to die."

Obim remained firm, replying, "Madam, I'm not preventing your departure, nor will I retract my curse. If you are guilty, death will come upon you as you cross the road."

Panic-stricken, the woman began to tremble with fear, desperately seeking the elders' intervention to plead with Obim on her behalf.

READ NEXT: PART 17

Follow Your Dreams (The story of Obim part15)

 

Follow Your Dreams

At Trinity High School Oguta, where Obim completed his secondary education, he made several observations about his teachers. One notable observation was the preferential treatment extended to their favorite students, contrasted by the disdain shown towards those labeled as stubborn students.

A good teacher is often characterized by their ability to transform a challenging student into a well-mannered individual. Unfortunately, Obim fell into the category of students whom some teachers believed would not achieve much in life, let alone pursue higher education.

Obim harbored dreams of achieving significance in the future, even if his path did not include further education. He frequently expressed his desire to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering or Computer Science.

The future is unpredictable for everyone.

Dreaming is good, striving to achieve those dreams is better, but realizing those dreams is the ultimate goal in life.

During this period of his life, Obim was already assisting his mother with her business alongside his schooling.

Following his secondary education in2008, Obim dedicated himself to his aspiration of becoming successful. By2010, while some of his classmates had begun their tertiary education or were registering for JAMB, Obim also embarked on the journey of registering for JAMB.

The influence of friends can either propel one towards their dreams or pull one away from them. In2010, Obim was admitted into Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, to pursue a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Upon returning to his alma mater to collect his original WAEC and NECO Certificates, Obim chose not to disclose his academic advancements. This decision stemmed from a recognition that many of his former teachers doubted his potential for further education.

READ NEXT: PART 16

THE TALENT OF A YOUNG CHILD (The story of Obim part 14)

 

THE TALENT OF A YOUNG CHILD

Reflecting on Obim's experiences during his primary school days, it's clear he had a penchant for solitude and creativity. He was deeply engaged in drawing, practical projects such as electrical wiring, and constructing various devices including toy cars, electric irons, and microwave ovens. He was also adept at repairing electronics. His dedication to his dreams was evident, as he often forewent food to see a project through to completion.

One notable project was the construction of a toy car, which necessitated the development of a remote control. Despite the daunting nature of this task for a child, and the challenge of sourcing the right materials, a breakthrough came unexpectedly. After falling asleep while mulling over the remote's mechanism, he dreamt of building it. Upon waking, he was able to construct the remote control with ease.

On another occasion, Obim's father took their malfunctioning TV to a nearby technician, unaware that Obim had already diagnosed the issue but hesitated to fix it for fear of being reprimanded. Observing the technician struggle, Obim offered his assistance. With the TV already disassembled, he fixed it in a mere three minutes, in full view of his astounded father. The technician, impressed by Obim's skill, jokingly called him his master and they shook hands. He also recommended that Obim's father support his talents with higher education to further his skills.

Read Next: The story of Obim part 15

Issues with Student Assessment (The story of Obim part 13)

 

Issues with Student Assessment

Upon locating Sir Innocent Onyemaize, Obim and Meme nearly received a punishment for attempting to access the staff room while disheveled.

Two girls, already under punishment, were inside the staff room; they left after a conversation with the teacher.

Traditionally, children of teachers were distinguishable by the higher discipline instilled in them, often making them more intelligent and adept in academics.

However, Obim observed that a student's grade frequently depended on their relationship with their teachers rather than merit.

A fellow student, renowned for securing the top rank, was permitted to submit the exam answer sheets to the teacher's office post-examination.

This student was later found in the Biology Lab, altering his answers from those of a classmate who usually ranked second.

To Obim's astonishment, the teacher overlooked this malpractice, favoring the student due to his preferred status.

In a certain primary school in Oguta, a teacher was caught consuming a student's lunch, an act demeaning for educators and detrimental to the child's welfare.

This misconduct likely results in the child receiving preferential grading over their peers.

Read Next: Part 14

THE GIRLS WERE ADMIRING US (The story of Obim part 12)

THE GIRLS WERE ADMIRING US

Obim, Chukwuka, Chidum, and Meme were left with no choice but to kneel in front of their peers on the assembly ground.

I recall the time Obim and Meme visited Oguta Girls' High School to meet Meme's father, a teacher at the school. The rules there prohibit students from leaving or bringing in visitors without the security guard's permission at the gate. Fortunately, Obim and Meme received the needed permission and upon entering the school grounds, they immediately caught the attention of the girls outside. Many of them dashed into classrooms to spread the word about the visitors.

Upon reaching the staff room and finding Meme's father absent, Obim and Meme chose to tour the school premises in search of him. During their walk, they passed by some students who were kneeling as a form of punishment, all of whom turned to see the boys.

Continue reading part 13

OLD DAYS AT SCHOOL (The story of Obim part 11)

 

Old Days at School

Attending school in those days was brimming with enjoyment; we would trek all the way from Egwe to Trinity High School in Oguta.

The school uniform consisted of a shirt and trousers, complemented by a brown belt and sandals.

Our appearance alone was strikingly neat. At that time, Trinity was an all-boys school. Obim, who was previously known as Obiah, had friends who attended the same school and lived in the same neighborhood. Obim's younger brother, Chukwuka, was in the same class due to Obim's experiences at Adimeri Nursery and Primary School.

There were also two brothers, Chidum and Meme, the elder and the younger respectively, who were in the same class with Obim.

All of them had attended Adimeri Nursery and Primary School before Obim's family relocated to Egwe, moving into the same compound as Chidum and Meme.

It was quite the coincidence; upon arriving at the new compound, Chidum and Meme were surprised to see their classmates.

Dressed up for school, Obim, Chukwuka, Chidum, and Meme were fortunate enough to be offered a lift by someone with a car.

Upon their arrival at the school premises, the sight of them drew the attention of the students who were gathered for the morning assembly.

A teacher approached and requested Obim and his friends to kneel down, but it was difficult for the boys, who had arrived in a car, to kneel down and face humiliation before the other students. The man who had given them a lift knelt down, leaving Obim and his friends in an embarrassed state. The teacher exclaimed, "Yes, that's my student; I taught him."

This incident revealed that the man was an alumnus of Trinity High School in Oguta and had been taught by the teacher.

While the man remained kneeling, the boys stood by, witnessing the scene.

READ THE STORY OF OBIM PART 12

The Reality of Life

 

The Reality of Life

Children's aspirations are often a far cry from the harsh truths of existence.

The journey from dreaming about a future profession to actually embarking on that career path can be fraught with challenges.

·        I want to be a doctor

·        I want to be a nurse

·        I want to be a lawyer

·        I want to be a pilot

·        I want to be an Engineer

·        I want to be the president of  my country

While dreaming big is commendable, the true measure of success lies in actively pursuing those dreams to fruition.

Consider a child who aspires to be a lawyer but does not take their studies seriously, demonstrating a propensity to lie at the slightest provocation.

A secondary school student dreaming of becoming an Engineer yet avoiding Physics and other crucial subjects poses a significant question: How can one fulfill such a dream without conquering the foundational challenges inherent in the field?

It appears that many of the ambitions children label as dreams and visions are merely figments of imagination and illusion.

Interestingly, it is often those with the greatest dreams who find themselves entrenched in poverty.

Spending six years in secondary education, followed by five years in tertiary education, only to consider joining the police force post-graduation due to the stark realities of life underscores a pivotal issue. Options like enrolling in a police academy early on are overlooked, leading some to alter their age to qualify.

Life demands hard work and determination to achieve one's goals, as it doesn’t freely hand out desires and aspirations.

The women seen in the market today once harbored their own dreams. Many wished to change the world, only to have the world shape them into their current roles.

It is worth pondering whether taxi drivers once held dreams of a different future.

Envision a youngster who dreams of presidency indulging in frivolous relationships, mistakenly believing such actions pave the way to success. Unlike Joseph from the Bible who resisted temptation to maintain his integrity, today’s youth often seek such distractions, undermining their own aspirations.

Life's journey becomes easier when we choose the right path and harder when we stray.

The current trend of pursuing quick gains through questionable means without considering the consequences is alarming.

Dreams gradually fade when confronted with the reality that life often delivers the opposite of what one hopes for.

Ultimately, individuals tend to become products of their circumstances rather than the person they once dreamed to become.