11/06/2025
Ayo, a young vibrant and brave boy who completed his senior school education about 3 years ago, decided to leave the village to the city: a haven of opportunities.
Motivated by this fact and stories of people who made it in the city, especially those who started from scratch and rose to be men of timber and caliber, Ayo left the village amidst farewells and prayers of protection and success in his struggles.
Ayo arrived the beautiful city physically but didn't make it in reality. This was due to dangerous and tricky unforetold events that soon became his reality.
As soon as his feet touched the most admired city in his mind, his first challenge was to sort his accommodation. Luck smiled at him when a stranger offered him a place to sleep. "The City is truly a haven”, he said to himself before sleep snatched him.
That night, while he slept, robbers visited the neighborhood and someone lost his life. It was easy to single him out. He was the stranger who couldn't fully explain and express himself. No one knew him and no one could vouch for him. The man who offered him a place to sleep barely knew him too.
The City Police arrested him and kept him in custody while investigating the case before charging him to court. Nobody could approach the Police or appropriate bodies to secure his bail.
The news of his whereabouts didn't reach his relatives. They felt the city had swallowed their son. They were hopeful however, that one day, it would vomit him into prosperity.
Ayo continued to live with his new 'family' and the stigma of being accused as a criminal and the shame he had brought to his noble family that was known for good morals, hard work and focus. Ayo had received the best moral home training and upbringing and couldn't bring himself to think of himself as a criminal.
As an intelligent, diligent and focused young boy, Ayo was optimistic for a bright future with or without a silver or golden spoon. Sadly, Ayo found himself in the 'home for the accused'.
After about 8 years of back and forth of legal battles in Court, Ayo was granted bail upon lack of diligent prosecution from the Police.
Ayo has been tossed into an entirely different path in his life. 8 years done and dusted in vain.
Ayo is trying to pick up the remaining fragments of his life with positivity, optimism and hope for a better life regardless of what he has lost.
The lesson here is also a prayer that MAY WE CONTINUE TO APPRECIATE GOD FOR PROTECTING US AND NOT LETTING US BE AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME or THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME. This is because one misguided MOMENT CAN COST A LIFETIME TO RECOVER.
Editorial Unit
ECWA Gospel Maitama ,Youth Fellowship.
