Like every child, I wanted freedom, not like I was caged at home or anything, I just had it in mind even before my SSS1 that I wasn’t going to do my undergraduate degree in Kwara State.
I had heard about FUTMinna, but I can’t remember how, I just knew in my mind I was going to choose FUTMinna when it’s time for me to write jamb, but the course I would study was still unknown.
Unlike most of my mates, I had not read Ben Carson (I’ve still not read it till today), so there was nothing like “I want to do medicine” in my story.
By the way, my Mum is a Nurse and I used to manage her shop for her such that I knew a lot about drugs. A lot of people presumed I was going to venture into the medical line.
Lol, nibo… I woke up one day and asked my dad…
Which of the engineering courses teaches how to build cars and bikes? His response was “Mechanical Engineering”. At that moment, I made a decision that I was going to be a Mechanical Engineer (I would have signed out on the 4th of September).
I had this in mind till I wanted to register Jamb. If not that Allah had another plan for me, I would have registered for Mechanical Engineering and would have been done with it by now.
However, I didn’t register for Jamb on time. The registration started in December 2017, and I was supposed to register then, but my Uncle delayed it.
If you are from Offa or its environs, you definitely have heard about Mustapha Extra Mural Classes, popularly known as “MEC”. We live in Ilorin (I’m from Offa though, but we moved to Ilorin in 2015).
The December of that year (2017), I and my Cousin (Abdullah), went to Offa to attend Jamb lessons in MEC, and on a faithful Friday at Offa Grammar School (OGS), I got to meet someone we now call “Ancestor”. Brother Abdulqadri Afolabi is his name. He was my senior in secondary school and my elder brother’s friend.
He asked me what course I wanted to study, and I told him Mechanical Engineering. Then he asked me why, and I told him it’s because I want to build something in the future, and I was told Mechanical Engineering was the way.
He replied and told me… The world is moving away from mechanical, check out Mechatronics, it’s far better. He further explained some things about it and ended it by telling me to do more research about it. He told me to check the opportunities, the pay, and everything else.
When I got to class that day, I informed my very good friend, Toheeb, and used his phone to conduct my research.
Right there, I made a decision that I was going to study Mechatronics, and not Mechanical.
One of the things I love about my parent is that they never force us to do what we don’t want. However, I met some resistance from my mum, and her major concern was…
“This course is new in Nigeria, when you are done, will you get a job?” I convinced her in my little way, and when she wasn’t convinced, she told me to pray about it and she would too.
She didn’t stop there, she reached out to Ancestor and questioned him about it. It was at that point she freed me.
Alhamdulillah, I got admission on my first trial into mechatronics, and the rest is history.
Schooling in FUT exposed me to a lot I probably wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else.
I met lots of amazing people who have now become my people.
My first guide was still Ancestor, he really tried for me. May Allah reward him abundantly.
He connected me with lots of people, including handing me over to Mallam Abdullah (more on him shortly) when he heard I was memorizing the Quran but stopped. He took me to the Da’wah committee, introduced me to tech, and lots of other things I can’t mention. I pray Allah eases his affairs, grants him all his good heart desires, and blesses him beyond his imagination… Aameen.
Mallam Abdullah was my first Quran teacher in FUT, he also tried for me, but I was just an unserious student. But even with my unseriousness, he has a very huge impact on my Quran journey. I’ve not memorized it completely yet, but I’m a lot better than I was before FUT. May Allah reward him too abundantly.
If I want to start mentioning everybody, this write-up won’t end lol.
I need to mention my very special clique but before then… FUT gave me a brother. The way we are together is something many people can’t understand even if they live with us. Toyin Usman Olawale, may Allah reward you abundantly.
We understand ourselves so much that we don’t need to communicate before we know what have to do. Thank you for being patient with me and tolerating all my excessiveness.
I go on my status every time we have a test or exam that I have not read, it is Usman who made it possible. I can be blank two hours before an exam, and by the time Usman teaches me what he read, I will be filled enough to write an A in the course. You need a friend like Usman in your life.
I forgot to mention… He is a very good cook, and if not for his food, I would have been lean by now. Thanks man.
FUT also gave me a sister, funny how it was Ancestor that still served as a source of connection for us. From learning tech together, to reading together, to becoming so close that people thought we had a thing together. Lol, make una rest. Situ Rahmatullah. People say we look alike and our surnames are even the same, only the spelling is different. May Allah reward you too abundantly sis.
Hassanatu Abdulbaqi my scholar. Scholar in everything. I got to know her in Roudoh and from there we became close too. May Allah reward you abundantly.
Mustapha Bello, my very good brother, the way we connected is something I can’t explain till today. Don’t ever under estimate our combo. We did quite a lot together and we are still doing more. Jazaakumullahu Khayran bro.
Ameer Haarun, my teacher, brother, and friend. I don’t think anyone has menaced him as much as I’ve done. I’ve learnt a lot from him and benefitted a great deal too. May Allah reward him abundantly too.
Ibrahim Hussaini, Ani Emmanuel, my guys. Ibrahim was my first friend in mechatronics. We connected seamlessly and I’ve been very good friends since then.
Ani Emmanuel, our scholar, na me no dey serious sha. I and Ani did quite a lot together too. Projects, learning, and plenty other things. (If you are reading this, you have still not returned the book I lent you. Watch your back bro.)
Adeniji Samuel, my able class rep and also scholar. Thanks for all you do man.
MSSN FUTMinna Excos 1443AH/144AH and 1444AH/1445AH, it was great serving with you all. Barakallahu Feekum.
The Editorial Board family, it was an honor serving as the Editor in Chief twice, may Allah reward you all abundantly too.
My FUT-given family, Usman, Habeeb, Mustapha, Muhsinah, Rahmah, Hassanah Nafeesah, Lutfah, Fatimah, Zainab. Moments with you all are cherished a lot. I will miss you all.
My Mechatronics family, I love you all, let’s meet at the top.
Abdulwarith, Jelillah, Shambad, and Ameer Hamzah May Allah reward you all abundantly.
I really can’t mention everyone. If I forgot to mention you, it’s not because you are not special to me, it’s just forgetfulness. Forgive me.
I don tire to dey write abeg.
Peace out.
Jafar-Sadiq
Latest Graduate in town (do am if e easy)