Hello Friends,
This week, we will be reading a letter from Christopher Olowosoke. Christopher is the founder of B.Khrease Academic Consult (Founder), a UNESCO-ICB Scholar, and a associate at the Institute of Bioinformatics and Molecular Therapeutics (IBMT).
In this letter he shares about being vulnerable, and living for many years after you have gone, and not minding your business.
Enjoy.
What and when was your turning point?
I had many turning points in my life. It all began at a crucial stage when I had to further my education after completing my WAEC. In Nigeria, there's a prevailing syndrome of trying to pursue the same courses or programs in the university as your friends, something influenced by the desire to stay together. Similarly, many middle-class parents in Nigeria often urge their children, after finishing secondary school, to study engineering, medicine, or law, the three courses considered most important due to societal influence. However, I decided to follow my heart and chose to pursue a course outside these three fields. After much consideration, I settled on microbiology and biochemistry, courses that people were studying, but not because of parental influence.
I met the cutoff for these courses, but unfortunately, I didn't make the admission list. I decided to rewrite UTME the following year, which turned out well. During this time, I faced a significant turning point. I was encouraged to change my course from physics to mathematics. I was a teacher at that time, and my school's principal observed that I was better at teaching math than physics. In my second attempt at JAMB, I scored over 220, which was a good result. However, after the post-UTME, I still didn't secure the admission I desired. I had selected biochemistry and microbiology. I was quite disheartened and wondered if I was doing something wrong.
I'm someone who responds promptly to messages; I can't ignore them. One day, while I was teaching, a friend from secondary school called me, asking about my progress in school. He was already in his 200-level at the university. He mentioned that FUTA was offering biology, medical physiology, and other courses. It was the first time I heard about FUTA, and I thanked him for the information. This phone call marked the beginning of a significant turning point. It reminded me that I wasn't alone during this challenging period and that there are people watching, people I might have helped in the past, who were now supporting me. It was thanks to this call that I found my way into the field of biotechnology.
When I eventually enrolled in FUTA, I performed well in the first and second semesters, despite facing some challenges. I was working as a lab technologist in my school, which gave me the opportunity to enter the microbiology and biochemistry departments. Although I was officially studying biotechnology, the program was new and allowed me to explore microbiology and biochemistry as well. I felt like God knew what I wanted and provided it through another avenue.
In my 200 and 300 levels, I made new friends who were passionate about research and achieving their goals. We decided to work on projects and gain the skills we needed for the future. This is how I began working as a laboratory assistant in the microbiology department. I could access the microbiology lab whenever I wanted, which allowed me to learn and experiment freely. One day, while I was working in the lab, a distressed young lady came in. She was crying, and I asked her what was wrong. I was working on research for postgraduate students and other researchers who used the lab. This undergraduate student, around 100-level, shared her issues, and I reassured her that they were solvable. I sat down with her, offering guidance and support. This is where my business, B.Khrease Academic Consult, started.
These two turning points in my life were instrumental in shaping who I am today.
What was the one piece of advice you heard that you've lived your life by?
There is a lot of advice, especially in Nigeria; you will always hear advice so you would not take the wrong step. The most instrumental advice I have received is "No matter the stage you get to, there is still room for improvement" regardless of whether you are at the top or bottom, and this is because many think the achievement of the goal is the end of the story. You have a list of goals that you want to achieve, and because you have already written these goals, you start doing things so that you can get to those goals. You are going to also, after getting all those goals, keep setting other goals.
If you are a person who sets a goal and, after achieving said goal, you just stop. It's going to get to a stage where you are going to be irrelevant or fade into obscurity. Change is constant, and if change is constant, that means you should be able to put in effort in your own personal space that is going to bring progress in your professional, technical, research, and mentoring skills. There is always room for improvement in whatever you do. You don't have to settle because you have achieved a goal or feel that you've achieved a goal so it is automatically going to be easy for you to achieve a new set of goals. Keep improving yourself so you can keep getting better in whatever you want to achieve.
So, if you are at a stage today, in the next 3 to 4 years, you should expect that you are going to move from that stage to another stage. Because you want to make that move, it's going to come with a lot of work. So that work you're putting into the improvement and your progress is something that you should not play with. That is my advice for anybody that wants to keep getting better in what they are doing. You can keep improving; improvement is allowed for everybody. The work you put into your improvement is really what is going to bring you out. People are going to see it; it's like a sign-off. So you should not remain in a stage because you have achieved a goal, but you should strive for more. Get better. That is my own advice to people who want to move on with their career.
How do you deal with setbacks?
The setback I had was in school. I had an issue with a course in school, and I felt that this course would affect my CGPA. At that time, I was a young and vibrant student with clear goals. I had friends with whom I planned to venture into graduate school. To achieve this, we needed to maintain a good CGPA and acquire relevant skills. However, during that period, my academic results were not up to par. By this, I mean that my performance in a specific course was below expectations. In this course, I received a grade of C, which was not in line with my academic goals. I was deeply concerned about how this would impact my CGPA, as I was determined to graduate with at least a first-class degree.
During that semester, my overall classification dropped from first class to second class due to this setback. It was as if someone was working against my academic aspirations. However, I am grateful to God and the people in my life who played a significant role during this challenging time. If I claim that I navigated this period entirely on my own, it would be false. Often, when you face difficulties, you'll find that God sends people to support you. These individuals have the knowledge and skills you lack because God has a plan for your life. If you're actively pursuing a goal aligned with His plan, He will provide the necessary help when you need it.
During this period of academic struggle, I visited the department to discuss my concerns. I couldn't understand how I had received a C in the course because I had completed the practical work, assignments, and followed all necessary procedures. However, the department staff informed me that there was nothing they could do to rectify the situation. Sometimes, you encounter challenges for which there is no immediate solution. What matters most are the words and guidance offered by the people who are there to support you during such times. It's important to understand that human assistance may come in various forms, and sometimes it requires your effort to earn it.
The department staff explained that it was just one course, a four-unit course, and it would not determine my entire academic journey. They advised me to accept the grade as it was. Although it was a significant setback for that particular semester, I refused to let it define my entire academic experience. I couldn't allow a single semester to dictate my future. I had nine more semesters ahead of me. I decided to reevaluate my approach.
I intensified my studies, and my new strategy involved cross-referencing classroom teachings with online resources. I discovered that this approach helped me gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. I began to extract additional information from online sources that was not covered in class. Additionally, I engaged with fellow students, particularly those who had successfully navigated the challenges I faced. I listened to their experiences, gained valuable insights, and applied these lessons to my own journey.
After that challenging semester, I dedicated myself to improving my academic performance. I remained committed to completing assignments and practical work thoroughly and on time. By addressing the areas that had caused my initial setback, I was able to make significant progress in my academic journey.
It's important to note that achieving academic success required consistent effort and commitment from both myself and the people who supported me. My determination, combined with the timely advice from a key individual, inspired me to achieve my goal. Had the individual easily corrected the grade for me, I might have become complacent and faced a similar issue later in my academic journey, potentially during my final year. I am grateful that the situation unfolded as it did. It prompted me to work hard and ultimately graduate with a CGPA of over 4.7, a significant improvement from my initial 4.40. This achievement demonstrated the importance of consistency and determination in my academic journey, and I am thankful for the support and inspiration from those who encouraged me.
What are three things you've done over the years that have made a big difference for you in life generally?
Regarding my career as a consultant and working with IBMT, meeting that pivotal person who set me on this path, and collaborating with friends are three major factors that have significantly contributed to my success.
The second crucial element is the ability to believe in what I want, coupled with keeping God first in my endeavors. When I set my goals and trust in divine guidance, everything seems to fall into place. I recognize that there are many people like me that would want to also get this thing but they are no more. There are many that are far better than me in what I do but they have not been able to get this opportunity I have. So, I am grateful for that. God's grace is one of the three things that I cannot overlook.
The third thing is my openness. Throughout my life, I've faced setbacks, achieved moments of success, and experienced periods of stagnation. During these phases, I have consistently upheld the practice of opening up to others and sharing my challenges. This willingness to communicate with others has exposed me to fresh perspectives and potential solutions I might not have discovered on my own. Although sharing challenges doesn't always guarantee immediate solutions, it creates opportunities for valuable guidance and support. My openness about my challenges has played a pivotal role in my journey. If you do not open up, the situation is not going to be resolved. It is said a problem shared is a problem half solved. It is not going to be completely solved but at the moment of you sharing with people, you might come in contact with that person that will make your life move better than the pace of you moving alone.
What is something that makes you optimistic as regards to what you do currently?
At the end of life, everybody is going to die. I believe that even though we are going to die as human beings at the end of our race on this earth, there is a need for us to not just do things because we know that we are going to die. They say everything is "vanity upon vanity," and while this is true, there is a place for you to do things right so that people after you will benefit from what you've done. That is why they are celebrating scientists that have gone centuries back. For these people to be celebrated, it means they really contributed a lot of significant things that are helping mankind. In my own journey too, I must be able to do something that maybe 100, 200 years after I've gone, people should also be able to celebrate my work. There is a big hope for me that the future is bright for mankind. If there are still people that think this way, that they'll have to do something that will benefit human beings, then our future is bright. And because I'm one of the people that also have this thought in my heart, whatever I'm doing now as a person should also make a difference in the future, so that my generation will benefit from it. That is one thing that makes me hopeful for the bright future of mankind.
What's one thing we have as young people that we do not talk about well enough?
You may find yourself in a situation where you have the opportunity to meet someone, perhaps a friend who thinks they know it all. As a consultant, you notice that there are certain behaviors or decisions your friend is making that could negatively impact their future. You recognize these issues but keep them to yourself. However, it's crucial to remember that it's one thing to be aware of what others are going through without them explicitly sharing it, and it's another to approach them and offer advice on what they need to do.
Many times, people are facing challenges, but they hesitate to open up and share their struggles. As the saying goes, "a problem shared is a problem half solved." In today's world, the tendency to mind one's own business can be a significant challenge. This mindset has contributed to issues in Nigeria.
A significant number of young, vibrant individuals choose to emigrate, often referred to as "Japa." While it's not wrong for people to pursue their goals abroad, the problem lies in the fact that many of these individuals do not intend to return to Nigeria. This is often due to a lack of opportunities in their home country. In their statements of purpose (SOP), they may express the desire to use their knowledge and skills to benefit Nigeria, but in reality, few end up returning. The root of the problem is the lack of a mindset that encourages coming back to make a positive impact.
It's not an issue to chase your goals outside your home country, but the key is in sharing the knowledge and experiences you gain with the society you come from. Unfortunately, Nigeria has not done enough to harness the wealth of knowledge from those who have left. This is a situation that needs to change, and if more people can step out of the mindset of minding their own business, it has the potential to address many of the challenges we face today and resolve numerous problems through information sharing.
There is a culture of secrecy in Nigeria due to not being taken seriously and also the idea of trust. How does a young person navigate being vulnerable and open to share information with people regardless?
Yes there is a village people syndrome, and also there are people who feel if they talk about their problems, the motivation to face it would no longer be there. But, If you are a good Christian, I don't think village people should be something you should be worried about. Telling people things doesn't mean that you should broadcast yourself. There are people that you know that are role models, people who have gone far ahead of you, people that are doing well and people that you know that have no hatred in their life. While, you don't know the heart of men, but there is no way you will not be able to confide with at least one person out of a billion that are in this world. I'm not talking about your siblings or parents. Some of the requirements you should look out for before you select people that you can share a problem with and be sure that their hearts are wide open and welcoming. Another thing is that people often feel that solutions to their problems sometimes have to come from an expert or professional help. There is a place for spiritual fathers, mothers, parents who will always remember you in prayers after you share your challenges. These are also some of the people you need to share your challenges, goals and aspirations with. So while you are in the world chasing your goals, you'll know that there are people there that are also praying for you in their hearts. Obviously your parents will do this if you have prayerful parents but then, there should be an external force in connection to your progress. You should ask these people to also support you. You should also be open to accept people, if people have opened up to you in similar situations. It's like a cycle. If you are sharing ideas, networking with people in this manner, you are going to move further faster.
If you have an opportunity to talk to people fresh out of school, trying to figure life out, what would you tell them?
Try as much as possible to see yourself beyond the situation you have presently. If you have this mindset of putting yourself in a stage where you feel that you have to do all these things. I believe this mindset is going to help you push you to do those things. It is not enough for you to write down your goals as a student or as a graduate. If what you are achieving as a person is not directly imparting people around you, I think you have not really achieved a lot. You have achieved but the community has not benefited from what you're doing. Look out to do things that you know in the future and at the end of it all, people will want to hear your name or seek your wise words. If you as a person have the opportunity to do things and this thing you are doing is benefitting the world as a place and then it's a good thing. Be a steward of progress, change and improvement for people around you. As you are progressing, people that come in contact directly with you should also progress. Not just because they are coming to give motivational words to mentor people, but people should also see them and be inspired.
What are you reading or listening to currently?
I'm currently undergoing several online courses, running research and mentoring.
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See you next week.
Your friends,
From AllforDevelopment.
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Insightful story. Thank you for sharing!