ALL I HAVE EVER WANTED (IN MEMORY OF MY LATE FATHER).

I have always wanted to be resounding lawyer. It all started with my father's motivation.
The day my WAEC result was released in 2010, there was no money to purchase scratch card for checking of the result. My dad, my mentor, my backbone assured me not to worry, that I made it already, shock my hands, and congratulated me. I couldn't have asked for a better motivator. Few days later, my dad bought the scratch card, check the result and brought the printout home. Behold I failed English, and mathematics, I looked down, wishing for the ground to just open up and swallow me. I felt disappointed, not just to myself, but to my father, my mother and all those who believed in me.
Remembering how enthusiastic my dad was, the hope he gave me, how he made me believe in myself, I felt ashamed and expected my old man to yell at me or probably just show his disappointment in me. But standing right next to me was a man who despite my failures, still told me I did well, and that I can do better at next sitting. What a father, even where there was no money, he gave all that money cannot buy.
The following year, there was no money to register for the exams again, I had to wait until 2013. I made it finally, passed all my grades, but this time, with all round credits, not even a single distinction. I applied to study law in University of Uyo a year after, but before I departed to sit for the entrance exams, I knelt down before my old man, and asked him for his blessings. That was all I needed, my father's blessings, my father's assurance, my father's words. I emerged the 7th best performing student, and my name was just on the right spot on the admission list, number 7 on the list. I was slated to start my law programme in first quarter of 2015, a programme that will cost me 5 years of my life.
We were just farmers, petty farmers, cucumber farmers. My dad studied law in Delta State University from 2003 through 2008. The 295000 Naira Nigerian Law School fees was one thing that delayed his dreams of becoming a practising lawyer. So after he graduated in 2008, we still continued with our petty farm. He finally made it to the one year compulsory Nigerian Law School programme in late 2014, he was to graduate in late 2015. While I was studying law in University of Uyo, my dad was on his way to finishing in Nigerian Law school. That would have been great for me, for him, for my mum, for my siblings, for all of us.
Then, the unthinkable happened. Barely three weeks to my first semester exams, my dad travelled from home to Yenogua Campus of Nigerian Law School to write his final bar exams. But guess what, he never got to return home. He died on his way, a ghastly motor accident took my old man's life.
I remember my self, speechless as I could be, I had to miss a test. I was damn terrible. With support of my mum, siblings and friends I stayed strong and resolved to complete my law programme, proceed to Nigerian Law School, and become a practising lawyer- those were my father dreams for himself, and also my dreams for me. Guess there's a slight difference. I now use the strength of two, the thinking of two. I always felt my old man's presence around me every moment. That always kept me going.
Few weeks ago, I finished my final exams. 5 years seems like yesterday, like I slept in 2015, and woke few minutes later in 2019. I will be proceeding to Nigerian Law School by January next year and will be a practicing law by December next year. I just want to leave up my dreams, protect my old man's legacy and make my family proud.
I have not raised the 295000 Naira fees for next year, but I know there's always a way.
Thank you my dearest mum for all your support, encouragement and support.
Thank you sweet Aunty Helen for seeing me through school financially.
Thank you my ever amazing siblings, you guys have been my best cheer leaders.
I'm getting there.