What a Life!
While on my fantastic trip on the journey of Self- discovery I [Femi Kuforiji] was quite fortunate to discuss some issues of societal values with one of the Nigeria finesse on the train.
I boarded the train and was writing some articles as a freelance writer when I glanced over and saw this stunning lady reading this book titled, “Does human being rest at all and when do they rest”
I was quite stunned due to the title of the book and was determined to know what the book entitles even if I had to walk-up to the lady and ask her to recapitulate the book for me, I really didn’t care that particular moment.
Although, I thought the book is probably about the desire and clamouring of human beings but I was taken-aback when I briefly read some chapters from the book after been insulted and tongue-lashed by this lady, who happened to be a Nigeria lady who has lost touch with her African background both culturally, morally and has been westernized to the bone…The insults that was dished-out to me by this beautiful lady was later compensated by the contents of the book and I myself was left thinking and ruminating about the essence of life, the impartation of human beings to the development of the society; why do we clamour for materialistic entities when we all are going to leave them behind one day; do human beings have peace of mind and when do they have peace of mind e.t.c
The issue about the “Peace of mind” that this book emphasised upon was centred on how we [human beings] work day and night to make it in life and at the end of everything, we leave everything behind in this world when we die.
The lasting question I came across in the book again was, “When are you going to have peace of mind” …I couldn’t answer the question myself because we [human beings] have no peace of mind because is either we are chasing after wealth, ladies, cars, men, shelter, frivolous entities and so on and so forth.
The question now rest on you to answer and what ever answer you have to the question, is up to you…just ask yourself this re-phrased question, “When am I going to have peace of mind”?
To the razor mouthed and wonderful Nigeria lady who is full of abusive body piercing words that gave me the opportunity to read the book on my fantastic trip on the journey of Self- discovery, I hope you read this article with outmost attention and it was really cool talking with you after you settled down when you learnt I wasn’t trying to pulling a fast string on you by asking to read the book.
Life is full of ups and downs and the more we live in this world; the more we learn.
Femi Kuforiji.
Cc
Afrolicious Peeps
Afrograms Boys & Girls
S.S. 3D, CLASS OF 1994/2000 [AFROGRAMS]
Some might say they enjoy reminiscing over the memories of their elementary school days while some people like me still reminisce over my studious days at AFRICAN CHURCH GRAMMAR SCHOOL [AFROGRAMS] most especially S.S.3D, CLASS OF 1994/2000.
I was in central London the other day when the BIG BEN started sounding and my mind went straight to Kayode Oguntuase, who was the Bell Boy Prefect during my set and i just wondered how he managed to beat the used truck wheel hung on a tree without using an ear plug...Bros! you tried for hitting that wacky Bell.
I can still recollect Sanusi Quadri [the best captain on the planet], my amicable captain when I was in S.S.3D, while Toyosi Akintepede was the Assistant captain; I used to beg Sanusi to erase my name from the contingent of Noise Makers in order to avoid the lashes of cane from Mr Omosanya [Mr No Jamboree], who was my class teacher.
Likewise, Fine Art Classes was always fun with the likes of Toluleke Bamidele, Segun Sowunmi, Femi Kuforiji [myself] ,Adelani Taiwo, Somide Kayode, Tunde Abiodun, Odunaya Sola, Jide Babatunde, Suliamon [forgotten his surname], Billy Pedro, Segun Osisanya, Akinade Gbenga, Adeaga Damilola, Lanre Adedeji, Azeez Adeyemi, Achori Martins, Sanu Ayotunde, Jamiu Akindele, Agbokiki Kamorudeen, Lijadu Abiola, Kayode Oguntuase to mention a few with Mrs Saliu as our Art teacher but we're given the option of choosing Home Economics or Fine Art; some chose Home Economics to avoid the tsunami effect of horrendous lashes of Mr Alade [also an Art Teacher] then but we all settled for Fine Art and the horrendous lashes from Mr Alade likewise.
Classes was never boring when students like Toluleke Bamidele [Stainless], Segun Sowunmi [Ewedu], Lijadu Abiola [Akoro], Jamiu Akindele [Jametoto or Yellow man], Lanre Adedeji [Animal], Jide Olateju [Cocosheen], Lara Ojelabi, Deborah Ojejola, Fadiji Abidemi [Gentle gaint], Sanu Ayotunde [Bush], Agbokiki Kamorudeen [Agbos], Akeem [Ago Odo] were always at hand to entertain either by verbally attacking one another, singing in the class or getting into trouble with the teachers.
There are some girls [now ladies] I classified as no-nonsense in S.S.3D then, girls like Patience Peters, Omolara Ojelabi, Leshi Omolola [the girl is really gifted], Abimbola Popoola, Tope Buraimo; to me, they take no shit and it's only God that saved me from Abimbola Popoola, the girl never ceased to tongue-lash me and some of you might think is a sign of love but I bet you wouldn't be able to withstand some of her vocal yaps
Those sitting in the front row back then were Lekuti Sola [this girl fine well well], Ifeoluwa [forgotten her surname], Sola Bakare [the girl is awesome…she's an African Queen], Suliamon [forgotten his surname], Fadiji Abidemi, Patrick Ajayi, Sanusi Quadri [the Captain].
We have so many cool students in S.S.3D back then, although they might indulge in some acts am not aware of but Sola Bakare, Tunde Abiodun [He displayed himself on the platform of coolness, gentleness and steadfastness], Gbenga Akinade, Bukola Akinbode, Alaba Adebayo, and so many worth mentioning.
It was really pleasurable to be in the same class with you all……wishing you all the best anywhere you all are.
Written by FEMI KUFORIJI [Former S.S. 3D Student, CLASS OF 1994/2000].
Re-tracking the journey of self discovery ..by Dotun Ikugbagbe
Dotun Ikugbagbe is an Engineering Student at Drexel University, Philadelphia and he developed on the article i earlier wrote and his article read thus:
In the spirit of my day and at this very moment, I am thinking of my journey in life thus far and where I dream to be in life. Twenty three years ago, a child was born and I grew up with desires and passion about what I want to be someday.
As friends and family from all over the world sends there greetings and wishes, I can only be grateful to God and appreciate the fact that I am alive today to grace my twenty third birthday. I also pray that I grace many more days in life. Throughout the night all I was thinking about is my identity and my role in the world today as an individual.
I thought of the best way to address the question: “Who am I?” Maybe this is infact the best time to think about something of such, but I figured that most students and young adults live through their lives without a sense of purpose.
I haven’t had the chance to really express myself fully with this regards before, therefore I decided that I will share my thoughts with my friends and put forth the same question out there to you guys to see if you really know who you are.
It is a matter of fact that we choose to identify ourselves based on race, color, geographic region, sexual orientation, gender, creed, and culture. Yet, it is more important to note that we are also defined by educational system, our country or the country that we live in, the current trends in the world, different life experiences, and our ambitions (i.e. what we hope to be someday).
In view of this, I choose not to limit my thinking to just race, my culture, or color. I like to further define who I am by my creed, life experiences, the kind of educational system with which I was brought up, and lastly the current trends of the world that we live in, which continues to shape every citizen of this world one way or the other.
Growing up in Nigeria, Africa was a remarkable life experience for me. At 13, I decided not to sit down and see where my future led, but rather to lead my future and also to be able to define who I really want to be.
I wanted to travel and immerse myself in the ‘real’ world.
Furthermore, I wanted to become a positive agent of change in everything I do because of the continued realities the world is facing. The motivation to lead my future comes from recognizing that disasters affect all countries, both rich and poor; therefore, young people must equip themselves with the necessary skills to respond effectively to these catastrophes.
This is an aspect that shapes my life a lot and also creates a responsibility for me. In other to be able to respond and affect people’s life positively, I must maintain an ongoing desire and patience to teach others and also have the capacity to learn from similar and also different perspectives.I see myself as an innovative and open-minded individual who is obligated to make the world a better place.
To achieve this goal, it is essential to prepare myself with a sound education and cultural understanding.
As an exchange student in Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom, I developed my self-awareness and personal vision. These experiences provided the space and support to answer fundamental questions such as “What is important to me?” and “How do I want to contribute to the world?” I have clarified and expanded my ambitions through mentorship, personal vision exercises, and inspiring environments that challenged my view of the world and my role within it. By attending conferences in more than six countries, working abroad, and becoming immersed in diverse environments, I developed a stronger and more holistic view of the world, which enables me to more easily incorporate new perspectives, see interdependencies, and identify ways to positively impact any given situation.
Additionally, as a goal oriented person, I chose to major in Electrical Engineering because it deals with the question “why” and develops innovative technologies, thinking, and practice. Earning an engineering degree will be a head start in my development as a leader who is prepared to address the world’s complex problems.
This also defines who I am and in my quest of self discovery. As evidenced through my personal life, belief, and character, I am who I want to be regardless of my race, color, gender, or culture. I have a quest to develop myself everyday into what I want to be. My story and life are my vision and the power of my vision lives within me, in my day-to-day thoughts, activities, words, and actions.
I continue to make every effort to develop as an individual, increase my theoretical knowledge in a wide range of functional and soft skills, and to grasp every opportunity to put my vision into practice for the betterment of mankind.
