Prologue: The Making of a Resilient Soul
Life never promised to be easy, and mine certainly didn’t come wrapped in comfort or convenience. I was born into modest beginnings, surrounded by love but not luxury. Education was a privilege, not a guarantee. Every day, my parents instilled in me the understanding that success wasn’t handed to you—it was earned, through perseverance, hard work, and an unwavering belief in something greater than yourself. In the quiet corners of my youth, I learned that life’s battles weren’t won by the ones with the most resources but by those who had the most determination.
From the earliest days in primary school, where I faced my first major setback by failing a year and learning the lesson that failure is not the end but a teacher, to my transition into the polytechnic years, where my self-worth was tested, I was constantly reminded that success is often born out of struggle. As I transitioned from the classroom to teaching, and later to the bustling oil fields of Shell, I encountered more trials, each pushing me further, shaping my character and refining my purpose. Each of these phases demanded growth, required sacrifice, and tested my faith in ways I couldn’t have predicted. But through it all, there was one constant: the grace of God.
In many ways, my journey mirrors the story of Joseph from the Bible—a man who endured betrayal, hardship, and imprisonment before ultimately finding himself in a place of purpose and prominence. Joseph’s journey was not linear, nor was it easy, and neither was mine. But his story is one of transformation, of seeing divine purpose in every setback, every obstacle, and every dark moment.