My friend, welcome to the story of my life. I have been thinking of what I was going to be sharing with all my friends and readers this special month of July and got the idea to share the important events that got me to where I am today and the great lessons I have learnt.
I am a firm believer that circumstances does not make a man but man should make his own circumstances. I will be sharing these stories right up to July 25th where I will culminate the series with a summary of all the important lessons I have learnt. I don’t know how many articles I will be writing, but I know I will have to write as many that will make the story to be complete.
When the Holy Scripture tells us that everything is working for our good, we all don’t seem to see the significance of such a statement, especially when we are passing through tough times. I didn’t this could be true as well until I have the time to reminisce on my life and you will see what I am talking about as you read on.
I was born into the famous Aboyade-Cole family, actually a Great Grand Son of Revd. Aboyade-Cole, but as I used to sum it up, fate removed the silver spoon I was born with and replaced it whether with a copper or wooden one, I can’t tell. My parents separated when I was at a very tender age and we, my 2 sisters and myself, were left to the care of our mum, the daughter of a farmer in one remote village.
Growing up was a very tough one for us and we just couldn’t afford the luxuries, but we were NEVER left to go hungry. Our Mum did all she could to make us OK. Most kids stealing or misbehaving do so, most times, because of hunger. An hungry kid will do anything to satisfy his/her hunger but we never find ourselves in such a position so the temptation to go wayward wasn’t there because contentment was the keyword.
I can’t begin to say everything our Mum did just to ensure we got good education, but she did all in her power, from menial jobs to just anything she could lay her hands on so as to see us become something. I had my early educations, Primary and Seconday, at Ebute Metta. I could have had more quality education in some other places, but I was happy with what I have got. One thing going for me then was that I was a VERY brilliant boy. I NEVER dropped beyond the third position right from the beginning of my Primary education to my Secondary.
Since I couldn’t enjoy the luxury of going out and so many other things, I took solace in reading. I started reading newspapers when I was in Primary Four and started buying one in Pry. Six. It is something that baffles everybody when they see me reading or buying newspapers as a tiny boy then. I got introduced to Pacesetters later and I read a chunk of them back then.
One thing I realised is that if I had everything going on well for me then, I could have been a spoilt brat being the only boy of the family. I could have had everything at my beck and call and I am sure I won’t be here today because there would have been no motivation to start studying Personal Development. I have reached a conclusion that all the circumstances in our lives are not meant to paralyse us, they are meant to serve us. They serve as teachers for us to learn from.
Through all the hardships, I completed my Secondary Education in flying colours and this I believe comnpleted the first phase of my life. The second phase began when I entered the Lagos State University, LASU. I put in to study Computer Engineering or Chemical Engineering really, but I was offered Mechanical Engineering and I accepted it without much ado. To a lot of people and myself then, this is a HUGE mistake but this “mistake” got me to this point today.
I will continue the series in another of my post, so you have to keep coming back to this blog. One important lesson you need to keep in mind is that, it is not what happens to you that matters, it is what you do with what happens. Most times, life serves us lime and we tend to complain but the truth is that some people turn their lime into lemonade and they enjoy it. There are important lessons to be learnt from things that happen to us and it is our duty to find that out.
Don’t ever see that situation you are going through as the end of the world, EVERYTHING IS DEFINITELY WORKING OUT IN YOUR FAVOUR 
July 20th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Hi Boia,
This is quite interesting and motivational briefing of events that
shaped your life so far.
Hoping to read more of it as times goes on.
This is wishing you happy birthday in advance.
July 21st, 2008 at 1:23 am
Hi Bola,
That was a nice one - thanks for letting us into your life.
I am known as hamlak at all the forums (a Nigerian IM Based in Ghana. Met you at WarriorForum). Hope you remember me?
Man, hope to read more.
By the way, you can write!
Regds.
GD.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:02 am
Hello Bola,
Thanks once again for letting us into your world.
Once again, you have showed that you are truely out to transform lives. You have not spared your private life to make sure that all that listens to you make it to the top in their journey of personal development. May God bless you for this show of love.
Kindly revert to the requests made by me in the article on the seminar and furnish me with answers - please.
My email still remains: chisco0561@yahoo.com.
Jude C.U.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:37 am
Hi oga.
it is a great encouragement to know that it is not what happens to a person that matters but rather what he does with what happens to him.
waiting to read more.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:42 am
Nice story Bola. You never stop to inspire pople with the true life stories and write- ups in your blog. Just keep it up.
What i see you have done with your lif is that you ve gone the extra mile which is what ‘am talking about in my latest post
http://www.selfdevelopmenthaven.blogspot.com
Cheers Bro.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:25 am
Infact its quiet interesting to me personally. and i believe people can learn from it as a great lesson.
Bola I wish you happy birthday in advance and you shall live long in prosperity and joy for the rest of your live.
Best Regards.
Sunny.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Dats a lovely story.This inspires one not to give up in life no matter what one is facing in life.Gods time is surely the best.I do hope everyone time is coming soon i mean now.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Bola, a leopard is not known without it’s spots.Remain the Bola you are.Micheal Jackson was once a role model for alot of young people but not anymore.
July 21st, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Happy Birthday in advance Bola,
You are a great blessing to your generation.You are destined to touch and improve so many lives.Thanks for impacting on my life.Many more happy returns
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 am
Bola,
You are really passing the message across to all of us.
Thanks for this beautiful idea.
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 am
Hi all. Thanks so much for the wonderful comments and your encouragements. I am HUMBLED
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 am
Bola,
I just can’t stop thanking you for the brilliant impact.
Pls keep it up.
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
hi Bola,
that a good eye opener message i pray to God to bless you with long live so that we can tap more of such inspiration message from you
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Hello Bola Oni,
I never knew you were born with a silver spoon but later lost the spoon due to circumstances beyond your control at a very tender age.I must also commend your mother who did not abandon you at her trying moment.
What has happened is a reminder that circumstances do not make the man but they help to reveal him to it.
A nice one Bola.I enjoyed it and I can’t wait to read through the series.I must also commend you for the recently concluded seminar you put together on everything about blog to enlighten and educate Nigerians on professional blogging.I couldn’t come but was told it was superb.
God bless you as you mark your Birthday.HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOLA ONI.
Thanks.
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:33 pm
[...] Part 1 [...]
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:05 am
Hi Bola.
I quite agree with you.Opportunities comes in disguice.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY in Advance. Please do me one favour, Always appreciate your Mum.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:21 am
I am happy to be associated with you. You are a blessing to us and there is no way God will not bless yo.
Happy birthday in advance.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Wow! You are all making my day.
Thanks for all the great comments. God’s blessing will also be on all of you
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Hi Bola,
I read your 2nd article before this 1st article.
Nevertheless, the lessons learned can be sum up as
Commitment, Hardwork, Determination, Self Development
and Perseverance.
Keep it up.
Together we shall win!
Adesegun Akitoye
http://www.repeatrichrelief.com/pips.html
July 30th, 2008 at 5:39 am
Hi bola,this is an interesting story.i will never forget what you have already done for me.God bless you
http://www.usefulmemoryimprovementguide.com/
August 6th, 2008 at 12:52 am
OgaBola,
That was a great story of a great MAN. I am charged up.Sir, i am on your heels. Have a great day.
October 31st, 2008 at 7:49 pm
thanks for the great work more grease to your elbow..happy bithday and more years ahead of you..