Life With Different Faces : Ajegunle As A Case study

AJEGUNLE

I took a day tour around Ajegunle. Before embarking on this day adventure, I did my home research about the ins and outs of Ajegunle. I set off as early as 8: 45 am. I knew if I don't, I would get stuck in traffic. Unfortunately for me , I still got stuck in traffic. The cause of it?, I still don't know. I stayed in traffic for over 30 minutes , from palmgroove to Onipanu before the gridlock was cleared. Few hours, I was in Ajegunle. Few things about Ajegunle:It's a neighbourhood or community located at the south of  Lagos, bordered by Apapa Wharf at the west. It's popularly known as the ghetto city of Lagos or the AJ city. Regionally governed by a Local government, which as its secretariat known as Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local government Secretariat at No,1 Bale street, Boundary, Ajegunle, Lagos. Different ethic groups resides together at Ajegunle and it has a very popular bus stop called Boundary, where its market is located at. It has a reputation of having a large amounts of "agbero". But that didn't stop the likes of musicians like Daddy Showkey, Danfo Drivers, KcPresh ,Papa Fryo, music producers like John Oboh, Rasta Levy , notable footballers like Samson Siasia, Biodun Obende, Odion Ighalo, Taribo West etc from standing out, and succeeded.

Now, the reason why I choose Ajegunle as my case study, is because it's the perfect example for the point I am to prove. Firstly, it's a jungle city, only the fittest "hustlers" survives. It's totally different from Lekki, Ajah, Banana Island, name them. Ajegunle is the living proof of the gap between the rich and the poor. It has bad roads, poor infrastructure, I doubt the availability of portable water. In fact, I had to ask persons residing there if there were good roads in some streets cause at that moment, I stood at Achakpo street, from there to Goriola and Uzor streets, the roads were in bad conditions. And a lady, her name Anonymous, told me that it's only the waterside roads and environs which leads to the Army quarters that were at least in good conditions. Seeing all these one could say that a child growing in this environment has limited opportunities to excel. But that shouldn't be your conclusion too.

I'm not saying that staying at Ajegunle limits your chances to excel. In fact I have friends who virtually spent their lives at Ajegunle, Agege, Mushin, Okokomaiko etc and still succeeded. All I'm saying is that aside financial difficulties, no parent would want their children born and bred in those areas. Take for instance, if you were asked to choose between staying at Victoria Island, Ajah, Lekki etc to staying at those places mentioned earlier. Am very sure you would choose the first option. Right?.
One funny part is that, even those who live at lekki, VGC and it's families still don't succeed too  

But bear in mind that nothing comes on a platter of gold. You have to hustle. If you watch interviews of some Nigerian celebrities who made it from the streets, you see them all flashy and you imagined they just woke up and became rich?. They did suffer and hustled to make it to where they are.

So what if you grew in a neighbourhood that wasn't all that developed?. That should define your personality. Your circumstances shouldn't dictate your life. You own it and decides what way to go, decide if you want to stand out and succeed. 

I tell you, it won't and will never be easy. You must fall, It's a fact. Successful men and women fell to be where they are today. Just know that every fall makes you realise your mistakes and lifts you closer to your heights. Sometimes, it may seem like your sinking in a wild storm, or maybe everything seem to be falling apart. First be calm, seek help- external help, most especially take it to God in prayers The road to success is narrow and only broad minded persons can pass through. If you are an entrepreneur, you may have your trade you'r marketing, you need to be original, because its your originality that makes you unique, it's your signature and it sells. If you a white collar worker, be creative, think outside the box. It makes you unique.   Everyday is an hustle and live each day like a new opportunity to be closer to your dreams.  Remember  "you might not be there yet but you are closer than how you were yesterday and your future will be better than your today, and your today better than your yesterday      

 
I know you might be listing all things "resources" you lack and how they've limited your chances of succeeding. If you had read my earlier post on My top 10 Motivational quotes you would see my no 1. which is "It's not what you don't have that limits you, but what you have but don't make use of'', So starts some where with the little you've got, expand your horizon. Don't let your problem define you, don't let your circumstances define you nor your predicament define you, Instead Define your stance in them. And remember put God first in everything.

Less I forget, I wanted to take more pictures of Ajegunle, especially their secretariat but I was cautioned. No problem anyway.It's little but I hope it changes your life

   Take this:"Your happiness does not depend on your wealth nor possession but only on YOU