I learnt a lesson again: the power that echoes from the classroom walls follows us, the same way glory follows virtue like a shadow.
On my debut day as a broadcaster, I received three colleagues who came as guests and, at the same time, to show me that they had come again to be part of my historic journey.
I have always loved showing appreciation for even the smallest acts of kindness, not only to those who live rent-free in my memory.
Last Friday's meeting was off camera.
I walked into an office alongside a friend, a lawyer. I had barely settled in when my name echoed:
“MAINFRAME!”
Like a dream, I met a brother from my alma mater.
He welcomed us warmly, genuinely happy to see me in his office.
Then came a statement of calm reproach and meekness from my beloved brother.
As I sat there, I began to observe life.
Many thoughts began to ruminate within me.
From that alma mater of ours, there is someone whom God may be preparing to become the President of your country.
Within those same classroom walls, there may be a prince or princess who will one day emerge as a king, queen or regent.
If only you had a camera with a lens long enough to see into the future, you might discover that the quiet man sitting beside you is deeply devoted to the military, and that you may actually be walking with a future General.
The person receiving lectures beside you today could become the next Governor of your state.
This is the mystery of life.
Let us look back at the last decade.
The Owner of the Universe has reshuffled the puzzle.
We have seen those who once had nothing rise to prominence. We have watched ordinary faces become names that command attention, influence and responsibility.
Yet, while destiny continues to rearrange its pieces, one thing remains constant: character.
I curated this reflection to celebrate my beloved brother, nicknamed “ZAIN” , Mr. Oluwaseun Omotayo.
After our meeting, he went further to take me to the Supreme Boss and formally introduce me.
That gesture told me something about him.
He understood the code of elders.
Mr. Zain, I watched you through your conduct that day.
You love peace.
You don't want anything to hurt your fellow human being.
You are unbiased.
And when correction becomes necessary, you correct with humility.
That is a rare quality.
Thank you for representing the force of our dear nation.
I could hardly contain my joy because, moments after leaving you, I met another colleague, and I told her that meeting you had been one of the best moments for me.
Sometimes, life does not need to announce its lessons.
A simple encounter can become a mirror.
A familiar face can suddenly remind you where you came from, how far you have travelled and how many destinies may still be waiting to unfold.
Perhaps this is why I believe the classroom walls are more powerful than we realise.
They do not merely witness examinations, laughter, struggles and friendships.
They witness beginnings.
Behind those walls may sit the future President, Governor, General, king, entrepreneur, scholar, reformer or servant of humanity.
We may not know them yet.
But destiny knows.
And perhaps, years later, when the world has given everyone a different name, title and responsibility, we will meet again and remember that once upon a time, we were simply classmates.
Today, I celebrate you, my brother.
Happy birthday, Zain.
I wish you longer life, greater strength, greater wisdom and more opportunities to serve.
As you continue to demonstrate loyalty and respect to your leaders, may those virtues become a testimony to the greater position God is preparing for you in the nearest future.
The classroom walls may grow old, but the people they produced continue to write history.
I am Comrade Abioye Tosin Lawrence
Publisher, Oriontimes News
Memoirist | Adventurer | Orator
0 Comments
Join the conversation!
Have insights, corrections, or questions about this news story? Drop your comment below. We value civil, fact-based discussion.