KEEP YOUR HEADS HIGH

One thing I have got to understand in life is the fact that you have to be humble, loving and influence people positively.
Today, I’m one of the Happiest person getting to meet my junior colleagues of those days. Sincerely, you guys were amongst the best I could ever think of in my life.
All encomiums and adulations are never enough to chant your praises. How I wish every drops from the ocean could be turned into Care and affection to show how much you mean to me. Though the time we spent was little, but the 730 days worth more than gold and silver. These were days where I have got to learn, unlearn and relearn lot of things from you guys.

I could still remember the sagacity in the likes of Naasir Abdullah, Muhammad Ibrahim, Khaleed Abdulhakeem, Oladimeji Abdullah, Abodunrin Mustapha, Akintunde Roheemoh and the lovely Yunus Ishaq; the humility in the likes of Adesope Muhyideen; the intelligence of Jimoh Barakah, Adegindin Rumaitha, Abdulrasheed Nusaybah; the look-alike in Lawal Faidah and Lawal Faridah; the cheerfulness of Rodiah Kazeem, Moridiyah Kazeem; the gentility of Zakariyyah Zulikha, Seriki Zainab, Animashaun Maryam, Maryam lawal, Salawu Faibo Hikmah, Sanni Ummisalma; the super stardom in the amiable Amosuro Fateemah. The personalities of Bakki Sanni, Olabode Abdulbasit, Adekunle Habeebah, Abdulaziz Rodiah, Zubaydah Shittu, Ibrahim Kaothar, Ayorinde Romlah, Afolabi Zaynab and Amuda Maryam are indeed a source of joy to my heart as meeting them made me rest assured that they’re real gems.
I would not also forget the likes of Faaiz Uthman, Anas and Aisha Kamaldeen, Faatihah Aliyy Bello who are also wonderful in their ways. They’re pride to us.

At some point whenever people try to hail me, I’ll refer them back to those i lived with during those days. I got developed from your talks, silence, actions, inactions and in fact your misdeeds.
Now the very young lads of those years have transformed into biggies. Seeing you guys today was joy filling.
My write up will be worthless if I didn’t give any reminder to you all.

1. You’re joyful that you’ve left secondary school and it’s challenges. But the reality is: THERE ARE 1001 challenges out there. Prepare yourself for them.
The fact that this stage is challenging than that of the primary is a pointer to the fact that the next stage is more challenging.
Some of you will get admission immediately into the higher institution – you’ll be fired with challenges
Some will not get admission and will have to stay for years – that’s really challenging and affects the mental health if not well managed.
Keep being focused and you’ll surely excel.

2. Concentrate more on your Personal Development. Develop yourself in all ramifications; religious, academics, skill set, etc. You’re now to move from the bookish type of knowledge to real knowledge. Education is NEVER a scam.

3. Build a good Network. Your network is your Net worth. Associate with the right set of people, not the morally bankrupt elements in the society.

4. Keep the bond between yourselves strong as always. All rifts should be dumped with the VS, associate with everyone with good intent. Everyone is blessed with one thing or the other which you have to learn. The ‘real’ life isn’t about who used to be the first position in class. Love yourselves for Allah’s sake and never let insignificant issues break your bond.

5. Shun totally the dream killers: Internet fraud, ‘Marlianilism’, fornication, PONOGRAPHY, nude dresses, obsession with the Internet and social media, illicit chats and relationships, pride and rudeness etc. These are possible characters to cross your minds, but you have to take control over your mind, lest you have your future at stake. They’re all DISTRACTIONS. Dress modest in line with the teachings you’ve got.

6. Take hold of your relationship with your Lord. This is the most important here. Your religious life must be developed. You are not within the walls of AHC anymore, and there might be no one to alert you when going wrong. In fact, families and friends might even tend to pull you down. But, you have to put your head high and think of attaining the highest level in Jannah. Lot of us have got to realize that all our achievements and more to come mean nothing with a broken relationship with our lords. Move at your own pace but never forget your relationship with Him. After your sincere belief in your Lord, Prayers(Salat) should never be joked with. Ensure the obligatory acts aren’t taken with levity while also doing your best with the voluntaries. Never involve yourself in the discrimination, arguments and unhealthy religious discuss that’s all over the space today. Be a Muslim following the injunctions of Allah in tandem with the prophetic traditions.
Pray harder always! Allah is the only answerer to prayers. He loves you more than anyone. Trust your affairs with him and he’ll never let you down.

7. Be happy always and keep your mental health sound always. Don’t allow your precious heart to be shattered by anyone. Don’t keep yourself in any couple’s relationship, dating and the likes. We’ve seen with enough practical evidences that they don’t work as we think. They would rather turn us into a nincompoop with heart breaks and disappointments.
Love yourself and keep away from depression.

8. Never forget your teachers! They are indeed life builders. No matter what might have transpired during your days in the citadel, they have good intent in developing you. Keep in touch with them and never move far away from their tutelage especially the ones that were your mentors.

9. Set your goals. Plan your life. If you don’t have a goal, you’ll wander around like a goat.
As you’re reading this, sit and plan your life. From life goals, break it into annual goals and then monthly goals. Make everyday count in your life. Doing something in line with achieving your goals for 30 minutes everyday will give a fantastic result at the end. Plan getting to higher institution, build more skills, improve your religious knowledge, and keep developing in all ramifications

10. I love you all for Allah’s sake. In case you are in need of anything that be in my capacity, especially I terms of advice and life Development, feel free to get across. May Allah grant ease as you proceed towards the peak.

To the teachers that developed us, thumbs up!
You’ve really done great. We might not be the best, but we are really doing fine in our respective zones. May Allah reward you abundantly.

Hamzah Sirajudeen
23 | 12 | 2020