By Dr Jamiu Jimoh Babalola
I had no idea what I would be going through in my future, I cried almost everyday of my life. I got admission to study medicine in 2012. I was happy and excited, but I soon realised my journey had not been smooth right from elementary school. Every time I was about to take a step forward, challenges kept pulling me backward. I remember having a missing script (ZOO 101) in my first year at university, but I was lucky because the script was later found, allowing me to continue my medical studies.
Everything seemed fine, and I continued with my studies, passing my exams. However, two months before my final MBBS exam, an exam that would have qualified me to be a medical doctor, I was expelled from the university without going through the Student Disciplinary Committee as required by the university’s regulations. This happened after seven years of studies.
Initially, I was resilient, appealing the expulsion with the help of a lawyer and seeking political solutions. However, every step I took to get reinstated failed. At this point, I was losing hope. Life became unbearable; friends disappeared, my family was broken, and I was alone. It felt like the whole world was against me, I cried almost everyday of my life.
My parents are of humble stock and I lost my mother at a very tender age. I left home and started sleeping on the streets because I felt useless and uncared-for at home. I was filled with sadness and frustration, but my subconscious mind never stopped fighting the greatest demons within me. Before leaving home, I had attempted suicide twice, but something kept me fighting. I believed I only stood a chance to win if I kept fighting.
After two years of physical, mental, and financial struggles, I ended up sleeping in a mosque far from my home, where I was fasting and praying. The mosque executives raised money for me to feed myself and meet basic needs. To my greatest surprise, with the help of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria alumni from my university, I was able to get a proper room, an apprenticeship as a sonographer, and some part-time jobs at private hospitals. Additionally, I managed to travel to Ukraine to continue my medical degree despite having nothing.
The journey was never smooth. Two months before my final exam in Ukraine, the Russian invasion started, and I couldn’t graduate. I travelled, standing in a train full of refugees for three days, to Poland and then to Germany to seek protection. During my two-year stay in Germany, I learned German up to the B2 level, including speaking, listening, and writing, and completed an integration course with distinction.
Despite the apparent peace and rapid growth in Germany, I felt unfulfilled. My subconscious mind urged me to return to school. I got a job and raised funds on GoFundMe to afford my tuition and hostel fees. I gathered all my documents and transferred to Kyiv Medical University’s Polish campus.
During this journey, I was also scammed of $6,000 by an agent which almost truncated my renewed hope of studying again.
Initially, it seemed I wouldn’t graduate due to university regulations, but I never stopped being hopeful with fervent prayer and fasting. I’m glad I passed all my exams and graduated successfully with distinction.
Today, I am graduating and joining the league of medical doctors around the world.
It is noteworthy, however, I met wonderful people who supported me throughout my journey. For those who supported me, sacrificed their finances and time, and went the extra mile to keep me moving, I want to say thank you for your kind gestures and support.
Special thanks to my amiable friend Leonie, who never stopped believing in me. She gave me a reason to smile again when I got to Germany. Leonie was the angel I believe God sent to me. I met her at the train station in Bremen, Germany, where I was sleeping. She took me to her home, helped me with immigration, and got me social benefits from the German government. My journey became easier with Leonie’s support.
Special thanks to my lawyer, Barrister Gbajumo, who helped me appeal to my previous university and the Lagos State government. His support motivated me.
Special thanks to Shehu Lateef Iginla, who never stopped speaking about my problems and assisted me on several occasions. He supported me like a father while I was still in Nigeria, understanding my situation and getting me a place to sleep in the mosque. He also helped raise money for me to survive during this period.
Thanks to the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria LASUCOM Alumni, who supported me financially to study abroad. Special thanks to Dr. Fatima Tiamiyu, Dr. Ghaniya, Dr. KK, Dr. Odebiyi, Dr. Fatima O, Dr. Heebatullah and others who treated me like a beloved son. Many thanks to you all.
Special thanks to Dr. Oluwakorede, my amiable, reliable and dependable friend, who never stopped believing in me and supported me from day one.
I was born with something inside me that refuses to settle for average. I have no idea what it is, but I’m grateful I like it. I believe I didnt get out of life what I deserved but what I demanded.
I will conclude this message by appreciating God Almighty for this uncommon grace. I also want to use this opportunity to reach out to my distinguish colleagues who are supposed to graduate with us but couldn’t due to war invasion by the Russian forces, some of them got scammed by their agents and some lost their documents while fleeing, I would say keep fighting even if it feels like you are losing from the beginning, winning is for the relentless and to other black people out there in europe that are stranded and do not know how to start again due to the war invasion in ukraine, i encourage you to keep your struggle in motion and be positive, May God Almighty ease your affairs.
Thank you
