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The National Essay Competition (4th Edition) is here!
Young Nigerians are invited to share thoughtful ideas on revenue administration and policy implementation, with practical recommendations.
📝 Open to ages 20–35
🏆 Prizes up to ₦5,000,000
🔗 Apply via nationalessay.ng
This afternoon, as I sat outside my office, my heart grew heavy when I saw an elderly man hawking sachet water under the burning sun. His frail body, exposed to the harsh heat, told a story words could not explain.
I called him closer and tried to tell him that the sun was too much for someone of his age. We struggled to understand each other because I do not speak Hausa well. In that moment, kindness almost failed because of language. Thankfully, one of the men he came to sell water to understood Hausa and helped interpret my concern to Baba.
When he finally understood why I called him, I saw relief in his eyes. I was able to give him the little I had hoping it would help him start a small business that would take him away from the cruelty of the sun.
I don’t know his full story, but today reminded me that sometimes all an elderly soul needs is to be seen, to be heard, and to be reminded that they still matter.
Life has a beautiful way of reconnecting souls.
Bankole was a young, promising, and visionary student of EKSU back in 2015/2016. At the time, we lived in the same mini-estate in Ado-Ekiti while I was working at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti. Despite how populated the estate was, Banky hardly interacted with anyone mostly keeping to himself, his younger ones, and friends from his hometown, Ijare. I believe I was the only person in the compound he related closely with.
As life moved on, he graduated and left Ekiti. I also moved out of the estate, and we lost contact from 2016.
Then, a few weeks ago, someone reached out to me on Instagram. I asked, “Who is this?” He replied, “Egbon, it’s me Banky.” I asked, “Which Banky?” He explained, but I still wasn’t convinced, so I asked him to send a picture. And there it was Banky.
We immediately exchanged WhatsApp contacts, and he called me right away. He said, “Egbon, I’m so happy to find you again. I’m based in Canada, but I’m currently in Lagos.” I told him I was in Abuja, and he replied, “Egbon, at all costs, I must see you before I leave the shores of Nigeria.”
Banky booked a flight and traveled all the way to Abuja just to see me.
It was such an emotional moment for me reflecting on where he knew me from and where we both are today. To make it even more special, Banky came with a gift.
Grateful. Humbled. Truly blessed. 🙏
I handed over the keys of a 4-bedroom duplex to my brother from another mother, Biola. Since I came to Abuja, he has been a pillar standing by me when it mattered, supporting me without noise, loyal without conditions. Today is not a gift; it’s a return of kindness, loyalty, and brotherhood. Some bonds are built by blood, others by standing firm when it’s hard.
Delivering my welcome address today at the 3rd Edition of the National Essay Competition Grand Finale at the NAF Conference Center, Kado, Abuja. The atmosphere was filled with excitement, purpose, and the joy of celebrating the brilliance of our young minds. It was truly an honour to stand before these exceptional finalists and witness the future of Nigeria in their words, passion, and courage.
