I stopped posting about my birthday the year I turned 21. I was just finishing my service with three months to go, and I suddenly started having accommodation issues. I remember almost leaving Sokoto for Lagos because everything felt too hard. I almost forfeited the certificate. I felt exactly how I felt when the journey started. The Corper's lodge provided by my PPA was like an "abandoned animal farm." I was 20, naive, and scared. I told my mum I wanted to come home, and she said she'd put flight money together and send it to me as soon as she could. No mother wants to hear her child is scared and unhappy. She encouraged me to stay until she was able to get the money. And suddenly, I saw the principal of my PPA in front of my lodge with the vice principal (two nice people) saying the Sultan of Sokoto offered us (me and the other youth corper, a guy) an apartment. Who could have thought? Me? Wow! I got a room to myself, and so did the other guy, but at a different location. I lived in the same guest house with the Sultan's soldiers (two), local guard, and chef. I was offered royal food several times by the chef, but I declined because I'm not used to accepting favors from men. (Another story for another day that might never come.)
Seven months in, I made almost ₦500k from teaching people how to make sales via social media. Little me made half a million naira? Another wow! I was able to book my flight, buy things for my family and myself, and go home to see my friends. Still 20.
Almost 21, the Sultan said he was expecting many guests for his daughter's upcoming wedding and wanted to use his house. Of course, he sent people to tell me; he didn't tell me himself. I was not okay with it because I would be leaving this comfortable place—actually, "the most comfortable Corper's accommodation in the whole of Sokoto." My LI said this, not me. I left a day before my birthday. The troubles of packing and feeling uncertain about what this new place—Corper's lodge—would look like really devastated me. I forgot my birthday. My mom's call was what reminded me. She sent me some money to buy myself a cake. Of course, I didn't buy it.😅 Friends called me even when I didn't post about my birthday, and the peace and tranquility I felt on that day prompted the decision that I would not post on my birthdays anymore. It's going to always be quiet. Until this year. This year is different because, five years later, I'm still here. Not exactly where I hoped to be, but I'm better than before. I'm pursuing a new career in acting and developing my skills in social media management. I'm becoming better every single day. Next year might be different; I MIGHT not post about my birthday, but one thing is for sure: I'll always celebrate it with my family. I love them so much (my mother and brother), and I will never take that love for granted.
PS: I got a cake from a film company I worked with. I pray we all find ourselves in the company of people who cherish and respect our presence and work.
#HappyBirthdayToMe