Cherished Memory: A Journey of Triumph and Celebration

Every moment of life weaves a tapestry of memories, but some stand out, shimmering brightly in the narrative of our existence. For me, one of those cherished moments occurred around 20 years ago, a time when I truly felt I was winning, when I was celebrated, and when I felt absolutely indispensable.

Source

I vividly remember the phase of waiting for admission into university in Nigeria, a phase filled with uncertainty and hope. Back then, the pathways to higher education were fraught with challenges. You could meet all the requirements yet still find yourself endlessly waiting, praying that your name would appear on the admission list. During this time of uncertainty, I sought solace in enrolling in a Computer diploma program at a private institution.

Initially, I was a complete novice, but with unwavering dedication, I dove headfirst into the program. My commitment was absolute, and I invested all my time into understanding the intricacies of computers. My classmates, seasoned and skilled, quickly found themselves trailing behind me. I embraced every assignment, every task, with flawless execution, and soon enough, I became a favorite among my lecturers.

I didn't limit my engagement to just academic work. I extended my hand to assist staff and faculty whenever I could, helping with various tasks around the institution. My enthusiasm and willingness to contribute made some people mistake me for a staff member, but my motivation was never to gain favor; rather, it was simply a part of who I am, a desire to be useful wherever I found myself.

In every Institution in Nigeria, there's always at least one inevitable difficult lecturer. As the final examination approached, we all knew this difficult man would strike as usual. Unbeknownst to him, my relentless pursuit of excellence kept propelling me forward, perhaps even beyond what he deemed acceptable. He tried various tactics to undermine my performance, but I always managed to exceed his expectations.

Source

When the day of the examination arrived, it was a scenario of one student per computer, and as I settled in, the lecturer recognized me and decided to change my assigned computer to a much older model with minimal RAM and an uncomfortable keyboard. He likely hoped to hinder my speed, knowing I was one of the fastest in the room. Yet, as I smiled and began the exam, I felt an overwhelming sense of confidence wash over me. I was familiar with the quirks of nearly all the computers, and I knew how to navigate around their limitations.

To the lecturer’s amazement, I completed the exam first, only to realize I had made a minor mistake in saving my file. Unbeknownst to me, the lecturer struggled to find my work, sparking a school-wide effort to locate it.

Source

Thanks for the intervention of supportive staff, my file was eventually found, and although I lost some marks due to the error, I still emerged as the overall best in my set, graduating with distinction. The graduation ceremony was an overwhelming experience, with an outpouring of love and recognition that brought me to tears of joy.

To this day, I treasure the gifts I received during that celebration and often reminisce about that unforgettable moment. If given the chance to relive that moment by stumbling on a machine that will take me back to that time, I would eagerly seize the opportunity to recapture that feeling of triumph and elation.