I'll Put My All To Finish School — 51-Year-Old Secondary School Student

Date: 2022-11-24

She was initially mocked, insulted and gossiped about for returning to school at 50, but that is no longer the case for Mrs Folashade Mary Ajayi, popularly known as “Mama Shade” by her teachers and colleagues.

While speaking with Daily Trust when she enrolled at the Ilorin Grammar School (IGS), she said, “I was insulted by some of my neighbours for my decision to go to school at my age and was widely gossiped about even though most of them are not educated either. But I was never intimidated or ashamed, which is what they wanted.

“They laughed at me most times, saying I was competing with my grandchildren; they mocked me, calling me “Iya Ilewe”.

“As a human being, some of these comments are saddening because they will sustain it until you feel discouraged. But I never allowed it to affect me or dampen my resolve because I have my motivation.

“The fact that I don't wear my uniform from home till I get to school also helps reduce the insults. Otherwise, it would have been more difficult,” Mama Shade said.

Today, however, that is no longer the case. Rather, it is a story of how hope, belief and determination can lead one to achieve and attain success in life, no matter the circumstance.

Meanwhile, it is not yet uhuru for Mama Shade in the pursuit of her dream of acquiring education. She is still soldiering on, confident that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

For Mama Shade, who has scaled through Junior Secondary School (JSS) and SSS classes, it has not been easy.

When Daily Trust visited her at the Ilorin Grammar School (IGS), she was in the middle of a Yoruba language test but was excused to speak with our reporter with a promise by the school to organise a make-up for her.

“It has not been easy, but I thank God, who has seen me through, with the help of others. Initially, those who were mocking me thought I would later drop out or hit the brick wall, but I am determined to put such critics to shame and achieve my burning desire of becoming educated.

“I continued after my JSS because of my love to get educated up to university level, and I know this step is very important to achieving that. The examinations were not easy, but here I am today and I am even more motivated,” she added.

Mama Shade, who thanked her teachers and principals, appreciated the support thus far but called for more financial assistance to enable her to concentrate properly on her educational pursuit, which is taking its toll on her petty business.

“I must say that some people have been very supportive. These are people that I don't even know. My present principal, Mrs Muslimat Abdullahi, has been a strong pillar of support and has been extremely helpful.

“When I began SSS, she bought my uniforms, books and writing materials. And not only that, she has been at the forefront of ensuring that I never regret my decision to return to school at my age.

“Also, three members of the Rotary Club in the state, led by the principal of Queen Elizabeth Senior Secondary School, Mrs Sidikat Taiye Lawal, took it upon themselves to contribute N12,000 stipend for me monthly.

“This is the second month of that pledge and they have not defaulted. There are also other good Samaritans who have brought writing materials, uniforms and others for me.

Coping with the new environment

According to Mama Shade, it has not been easy because the SSS class comes with its own peculiar challenges. “Now, I have to do more subjects that seem a bit complex. But I am determined. If there is anything I don't understand, I usually ask the teachers and students. I am not the shy type, nor am I ashamed to complain if I don't understand something.

“I am in art class, and I try my best. But among the most difficult subjects for me now is mathematics, and at times, recollecting some of what I have been taught is difficult.

“I have to make extra effort to remember, unlike when I just finished a class or lesson, which is easier for me to recall.” But I am coping and doing the best I can.

“I hope my story will be a reference point to others that we can do whatever we set to achieve in life.

Plea

For Mama Shade, her plea is for the government and people to help and support her with capital to establish a foodstuff business to complement her bag business.

“Because of my studies, I now stay longer hours in school because I have to attend lessons after closing. At the weekends, I sometimes attend adult literacy classes also. For this reason, I sometimes get home around 6pm.

“My customers would have all gone when I arrived. That is why I am passionately seeking assistance to enable me to sell foodstuffs instead, as I will still make sales when I return to the shop after school hours.

“I am pleading with our Governor, His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who has demonstrated that he is a great lover of the masses, to please assist me with capital to invest in this line of business,” she added.

Mama Shade said, “Aside from my business, I will also like to work or teach after I finish in whatever capacity I will fit in.”

Source

 


Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

T And K FOODS     Mustapha Akanbi     Yunus Lawal     Hydro-electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Ayinde Oyepitan     Kwara State Polytechnic     Abdullahi Samari     Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu     Kwara United     Daud Adeshola     Isin     Ahmad Belgore     NIPR     Erubu Oba Zubair     Mahfouz Adedimeji     Aasiyat Bello Oyedepo     Col. Ibrahim Taiwo     Alfa Modibo Belgore     Donatus Ejidike     UITH     March 28     Balikis Jawondo     Onilorin     Olaitan Buraimoh     Students Union Government     Arandun     Ariyo     Sherif Sagaya     TIIDELab     Sulyman Abdulkareem     Offa Metropolitan Club     Sanusi Abubakar     Elesie Of Esie     Ayinke Saka     Kudirat Arinola Lawal     Asiwaju Bola Tinubu     Garba Ayodele Wahab     Salaudeen Oyewale     Lanre Issa Onilu     2023 Elections     Ilesha Gwanara Road     Bisi Oyeleke     Government High School Adeta     Dogara     Alaro     Ilorin.Info     Imodoye Writer’s Enclave     Kwara State Internal Revenue Service     Yusuf Zulu-Gambari     Simeon Ajibola     Kunle Suleiman     TESCOM 2025     Sa\'adu Salahu     Kayode Oyin-Zubair     Societe Generale Bank Of Nigeria     Mamman Saba Jibril     Tunji Folami     Amuda Aluko     College Of Arabic And Islamic Legal Studies     Nurudeen Muhammed     Abdulmumini AbdulRazaq     Abubakar Kawu Baraje     Tunde Saad     Olomu Of Omu-Aran     Saad Belgore     Bayo Ajia     Tanke Road     Ibrahim Issa Jetti     AbdulGaniyu Kareem     Convocation Ceremonies     Babatunde Ajeigbe     Afonja     V.O. Abioye     JAAC     Kola Ologbondiyan     Bolaji Aladie     Ahmad Fatima Bisola    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Post Utme     Shuaib Boni Aliyu     New Naira Notes     Aso-ofi     Voices Of Tomorrow     Florence Saraki     Muhammad Akande Olarewaju Odunade     Rafiu Ajakaye     Congress For National Consensus     NIRSAL     Lawyers Unite Against Corruption     Mohammed Khadijat Kubura     Babajide Ajayi     Gbugbu International Market     Iyabo Dupe Adekeye     AbdulHakeem Ajibola Akanbi     Abdullah Janet Amudat     PPS     General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport     Olaoye B. Felix     Idi-Ape     Kwara Poly     Yahaya Abdulkareem     Abdul Jimoh Mohammed     Nurudeen Mohammed     College Of Health     Tunji Arosanyin     BIR     Agboola Abdulraheem     Kunle Akogun     Www.Kwarareports.com     Kazeem Oladepo     Justina Oha     GAMA     Hassan A. Saliu     Coalition Of Kwara North Groups     Bayo Ojo     Muhammad Yahya     Boko Haram     Babatunde Idiagbon     Ella Supreme Tissue Paper     Valsolar-Kwara Company Limited     AbdulRauf Keji     Popo-Igbonna     Ilorin Water Reticulation     Iliasu     Abdullahi Samari     Gobirawa     Oniyangi     Tsaragi-Share     Federal College Of Education (Special), Afon     Kwasu     Sa\'adu Gambari     Ahmad Belgore     Onikijipa     Olatunde Oyeyiola     MAI Akande     Orire     Wahab Egbewole     Alfa Modibbo Belgore     Shaaba Lafiagi     Ajibola Ademola Julius     Al-Adaby     Kwara Hotel     Kunle Okeowo     Unicontinental Construction Company     Government High School (GHS), Adeta     Association Of Kwara State Online Media Practitioners     Jare Olatundun     Ayobami Seriki     Kwara Volleyball Association     Shettima Of Ilorin     Alumni Association Of The Federal Polytechnic Offa     Oluranti Idowu     Tanke     EndSARS     Ayinde Oyepitan