Tèmítọ́pẹ́ Ọ̀jẹ́délé-Adéjùmọ̀

I was scrolling through my Instagram sometimes in March 2018 and, as always, a post from Richard Mofe Damijo caught my attention. I stared at the dashing picture first, taking in every detail, before I scrolled downward to read the message. It was apt.

“In Warri, we have a saying “carry waka better pass carry siddon” which invariably speaks to the need to keep walking. If in your estimation you have laboured, prayed and done all that’s your bit to do then it is time to do it. Stop waiting to fly there, just drive, if you don’t have the means to drive, run, if you can’t run, walk, if you can’t walk, crawl but by all means be ready and do it right now. Start where you are, start with what you have, start with who you have but don’t just sit down, waka small small because with one step at a time little dreams have become big brands. It is time! Be ready! Act ready and it will all come together #RMDSaysSo…”

Without unnecessarily cooking up much words, this is what every young person needs, especially at this time when the economic situation is choking and unrewarding. The system is biased; as most qualified individuals don’t even get looked at twice, while the unqualified ones get all the attentions and opportunities.

Yes, it is frustrating, and could make you want to stop altogether and give up on your dreams,but do not. Continue with your hardwork, your dedication, your discipline. One day, some day, someone would come around and discover the greatness you are meant for.

Another error most young people make is the “big syndrome”. It is good to dream big; everyone should dream big, but it is not compulsory you start big. The aim of starting big is what kills most people’s dreams; when they could have always started small, and take it step by step to the top.

The quick money, quick fame trend is what takes most youths to their early graves. Some people, a few of them, get lucky to get rich and famous very fast, but for some others, you have to walk on the success staircase without jumping any step, lest you trip and fall.

If you are doing great things now and it seems nobody is noticing them or giving you accolades on them, do not let it deter you from forging on to do greater things. A day would come when one great thing by you would make people know of every other great-and even not so great- things you have done in the past that made up the steps to where you made it to.

Most people didn’t pay much attention to Chadwick Boseman when he got his first television role in 2003 in Third Watch or The Express or Get on Up or even when he played the role of Thoth in Gods of Egypt. It wouldn’t have always paid off for him; he could have given up, but he didn’t. He kept at it and landed the role of Black Panther; an eponymous role that shot him into the face of everyone, a record breaking movie that reverberates the joy of Black Identity.

Yours too will come someday. Keep at what you are doing; do it well; learn better ways to do it; plan your goals, and be ready for opportunities. When it finally comes, let it meet you prepared and unshaken.