School: Dority International Secondary School, Abia
16 Years. Female
As I took a stroll along the thoughts of my heart through the “Land of Destiny,” one fateful afternoon, I began to see myself in places I had never imagined. I began to paint my later with the magic pen of imagination. I saw a tree with its leaves fresh, green and succulent and they all had the inscription of “greatness” on it. Just as I plucked a leaf to look deeply at it, an old man appeared to me and asked me to look intensely at the leaf I am holding and I would see another inscription on it. It says, “Your future is colourful and bright but it takes hard work and determination to be as green, fresh and fruitful as this tree.” The man began by saying that the tree was just a tiny seed but blossomed as a result of watering and keeping its fire burning. He said to me again;
“Move forward, my daughter in this “Land of Destiny” which is filled with milk and honey, explore it and utilize the resources but it takes hard work to get to the top.”
I heeded forward after listening to the old man with grey hair but actually could see what I cannot while sitting open even if I climb a stool. The adventure began as I encountered so many trials and temptations on the way. Soon, I saw myself in a manned room with a man who handles the cane and the chalk. As I worked into the room, he began his lectures. I said to myself, this could be the first and foremost phase of hard work. He gazed at me intensely and said; “who are you? And why are you here?” I began, “This is the time and season of the latter rain. The rainy days are here again. The days when the banner of the Negros would be exalted high. The season when the giant of Africa will birth and breed a set of personalities that will restore sanity, peace, unity to its land. A time where the broken walls will be rebuilt and the flag raised high. I am an agent of this agenda and I am here to prepare myself for the latter days.”
I stared boldly into his eyes as I said these words. Indeed, he understood that the future is going to be great with youths and teenagers who are fearlessly bold and stand on their rights and for the right things. Forward, I moved into this great land, suddenly, I saw myself in the Annual General Meeting of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Ideas that will boost the economy of the country, I gave as many marvelled. Indeed, the economy grew as I was called the Okonjo of our time. Further, I moved again as I saw myself contesting for the position of the World Bank president. To my amazement, many African and non- African nations were in support of me. Called upon to gave a speech; I began;
“In every generation, there are agents of world change. Every era and generation is an improvement on the former. Also, for every era and generation, there were economies and they also had mangers of those economies. Joseph, David, Adams Smith, Lionel Robbins and so many others have come and gone and the world is still in search of people like them. I have come as an agent to restore the downturned and recessed economies in the world starting with my home; Nigeria and Africa, because charity begins at home. The broken walls of our economies, I would elevate with the help of other great personalities. I am the Joseph of our time, the Adams smith of our generation. This generation and others to come will feel, taste and hear of my impact. Thank you.”
The world marvelled and heralded the birth of a new Joseph. Indeed, the future with which you plan and pray for, you can attain. Ahead, I continued as I saw myself empowering and energizing other teenagers and youths to do great works for the country and the world at large. Goals we set and achieved and pacesetters we became. I also, saw the shadow of me take up the microphone and just then, many marvelled at the greatness of their source. The creator’s presence was felt as they joined in the chorus. Making many understand that without cultural tolerance and integration we cannot multiply thereby living in peace rather we would always divide and you know the resultant; War! Not too longer. I started seeing my names on the book covers of books. The mother of the pen they called me as I took over from Wole; the vital voice of our time. His legacy and impact I continued to the later as I took the heart of Addictive and the magic hands of Achebe. As I got to the end of the adventure in this great “Land of Destiny,” smiles I put on the faces of the less privileged. Justice, I fought for and still tight for making sure that the heartless and those who pervert justice are nailed. Many economies I helped elevated. Scholarships, I gave to the deserving ones in the society. Alas! A blissful family filled with happiness, love, unity and have one heart and one voice, I rose for myself with the help of my creator. Just as I was about to leave, the old man appeared again and he said to me, “Behold are two keys; – key of success and failure.” Choose one thou shalt have and I chose success. He said again, “Discover your blueprint in order to leave your footprint on the sands of time.”
Just then mother tapped me and I shivered. She said to me; “discover who you are to be a recovery to your world.” It was at this juncture that I realised that I was only painting a picture of the future. “Memoirs for our future are only the future that we picture that we can feature.”