I come from the trenches, a place where survival is the goal. A family of five, with divorced parents, born with shibi onike, struggling to break the cycle of poverty. A place where you’re forced to grow before your time, to think before it’s time to think, and to make sure you’re always getting it right. The only privilege I have is education—yet education does not guarantee a job. I am compelled to maintain good grades, not just to avoid disappointment but to inspire my younger ones to do better.

No one cares about how you’re holding up, how hidden emotions eat you up, how you force yourself to smile every day, or how many times you tried not to give up even when you’re tired. All my hope rests on God—He is the only one who can make me that ELENIYAN I aspire to be, the man I want to become.

Everyone says life isn’t easy, but no one asks how to make it easier. We all complain because getting it right is hard.

I'm ASIWAJU. I will make it right. I will become that ELENIYAN I want to be.

So help me GOD.