In my life so far, I have had just a few peer-mentors. Now for definition; peer-mentors are your contemporaries who inspire you by their conduct, words and/or achievements. They may be your playground mates, neighbours in the same “compound/yard”, class or school mates, friends or relatives. Some of them are introduced to us by others (sometimes our parents), while more often we meet them in those indescribable points we attribute to destiny simply because they are happenstance.
I met these two big men here at different points of my life growth. Chikwado James Nnowaluem was the regular guy who grew up with me on the streets of Lagos. Quite bullish in his approach to life but was for many of us a rare symbol of academic brilliance and enterprise. Kwado was that kid in the neighborhood who had the answers to almost anything written in the book within the academic curriculum. Orphaned quite early, so his survival skills were something many parents in our area, including mine, pointed their kids to as a reference for how to survive life. Kwado excelled in business (he sold recharge cards and operated a phone booth), excelled as a primary school Teacher — his first job after Secondary school.
In the midst of all these hustles, Kwado resolved to study nothing but “Medicine and Surgery” in the University. In his own words to me many years ago, “Murphy, if I no get Medicine, I go enter Alaba go learn Market”. Kwado, in spite of the many hustles, found time to read, and went on to gain admission to study Medicine and Surgery in UNIZIK. Today, he is Dr Chikwado James Nnowaluem, a sound Doctor and one who is charting his path in Public Health. He remains one of the reasons and early influence on my drive to academic excellence. A peer-mentor I didn’t have to pay!
Chukwuemeka Obi (Obi Trice), the one I call “Okaka na Awgbu”, is another peer mentor who has taught me a lot about ethical living. Obi is not perfect, but by his action would teach you the difficult act of building a principle centred life that helps you draw the boundaries where necessary. A thorough-bred community oriented young man whose love for his local community is enviable and quite infectious. My go-to guy when it is about making uncomfortable decisions. In business, Obi does not monetize advisories, and he is not the type to sweet-talk you into taking unrealistic decisions. Again, he is a peer-mentor I didn’t have to pay!
The moment people require you to pay money for them to teach you “how to make money”, you are the cash cow. If they knew it too well, they should be making so much money that they wouldn’t have enough time to turn others to their money making mill.
“Wetin you dey find for Sokoto fit dey inside your shokoto”
— Mazi Ejimofor Opara
