IT IS NOT JUST CONNECTION, IT IS DILIGENCE

I was struggling with my jalopy Honda on the road when a sleek Mercedes GLA pulled up. Out stepped Hassan — my old classmate and hostel mate from secondary school.

Even before I saw his face, I knew it was him. How could I forget the boy who tried to bully me every day, especially during exams?

Each time I refused to show him answers, he would scoff and say:

“No be by brain or hard work, guy… we go see for main life.”

Somehow, we both ended up in the same university — different departments, but his tone hadn’t changed. I remember in our first year, he met me on campus and laughed, saying:

“Guy, I still enter here whether you gree show me maths answer or not.”

We became friends, but I never lost sight of our differences.

Hassan came from wealth. Money was never a problem. But I knew that if I followed him blindly, I could end up paying the price for mistakes I couldn’t afford.

If he got in trouble, his family would bail him out. Me? I’d likely end up in jail.

So, I gave myself sense and stayed on the path of hard work.

Years passed. He got a job in one of his family’s companies. I moved from office to office, searching for opportunities and applying for jobs online — until I got one.

Back to that day on the road... We hugged like brothers. Then he said:

“O boy, na this nonsense you dey drive? I tell you say no be by hard work!”

We laughed.

I replied:

“Person wey no sabi connection, na God and hard work go save am.”

He waited with me until my mechanic came. Then he drove me home.

When we got to my place, he was pleasantly surprised.

A decent home.

A fine wife.

Four beautiful kids.

A music room.

And, of course, a study — because he said, “I knew you’d have one.”

After lunch, he left quietly.

No more talk about how hard work doesn’t matter.

In a country like Nigeria, where it seems like “who you know” is everything, don’t be deceived.

👉🏾 Even connection needs hard work to sustain it.

👉🏾 The Bible says, “Show me a man diligent in his work, he shall stand before kings…”

That is connection.

Some are born into rooms of kings. But you? You can work your way there.

NEVER STOP WORKING HARD.

Shalom.

📘 Book for the Week: Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

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🖨️ Need printing or publishing services?

Jewel Publishers has got you covered.

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📧 chukachiezie@jewelpublishers.org | jewelswriting@gmail.com

Shalom.

Comments

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