33 years after, ex-student of FGC, Jos shares how Ogun PS impactful service as a corper transformed him from a dullard to private pilot

Dr Rotimi Akinlesi

A former student of Federal Government College, Jos, the capital of Plateau State, Ekos Akpokabayen, has shared how his encounter with Dr Rotimi Akinlesi, a Permanent Secretary with Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, 33 years ago transformed him from dullard to a Private Pilot.

Akpokabayen, now a private pilot plying his trade in South Africa said that he was on 29th position out of 30 in a class and had already considered himself a failure until the government posted young Akinlesi down to the school for the mandatory one year national youth service in 1991.

He said that his self confidence and morale was further battered by one of his primary school teachers who told him that he was wasting his parents money and would rather do well as a bus conductor.

Akpokabayen in the letter which our Correspondent stumbled on and was confirmed by Dr Akinlesi also said that his family did also not help matters as he was always assigned chores thinking that he was the least capable.

He said that all of this however changed when Akinlesi joined the school as a youth corper in 1991 when he was in JSS 2 and that after identifying his challenge, the corper started coaching him on Mathematics and Sciences and that this marked the beginning of his turn around.

The 45-year-old private pilot detailed how the students immediately took to liking the young Akinlesi for bringing life to their science classes and introducing innovative practices, such as reading current news to the entire school during Monday's assembly.

Akpokabayen explained that he had tried locating Akinlesi over the years to intimate him of his success story but has been unsuccessful until recently when one of his former classmates provided him with the contact.

He said "In 1991, over 33 years ago, you selected certain students to read the news at the assembly, an honour and privilege. These students were the smartest and brightest among us, and they were admired and envied. 

"As a child with poor grades and little confidence, this honour seemed far beyond my reach. My primary school teacher had told me I was wasting my parents' money by attending school and should drop out to become a local bus conductor. 

"Even my family saw me as the least capable, always assigning me the chores.

"Despite these challenges, I found myself in the company of the bright students, hoping that being close to them might improve my prospects. 

"You often invited students to your quarters for interactions about life and science, and although I was always present, I remained quiet at the back. I knew nothing and could hardly read. 

"However, you noticed me and asked why I was always silent. You wanted to hear more about me and my life story, and you insisted I visit you alone on a specific date.

"Terrified of being exposed as a dullard, I nevertheless went to see you. You welcomed me with traditional yam porridge, the best I have ever had, and my favorite movie, Superman. 

"After the meal and movie, you asked about my family and myself, and then inquired about my poor grades. I candidly told you I believed I was born dull. 

"You smiled and told me that no one is born dull, and you could prove that I was a very smart boy. You pointed out that my detailed explanation of the movie showed my capability, as no dull child could explain as I did. 

"You said the key was to make education interesting for me, and my grades would improve.

"You then tutored me privately, especially in math and sciences. Before your intervention, I ranked 29th out of 30 in my class. Afterward, my position improved to 11th, then 9th, and eventually 4th. I excelled in math and physics, representing the school in quizzes. 

"I became the Founders House Prefect and have achieved numerous accomplishments since then. 

"Today, I am a private pilot with a BSc in Mathematics from the University of Lagos, an MSc in Advanced Mathematics from Wits University, and an MSc in International Banking from the University of Salford.

"Your impact on my life has been immense, and I am forever grateful. May God bless you and your family in all spheres of life. I eagerly look forward to seeing you in person".

Reacting to this letter, Akinlesi who co-founded Less Privileged Children Encouragement Initiative, alongside his wife, Dr Bukunola Akinlesi, said that he was so happy to have gotten such a life transforming feedback after over 33 years.

He said ''I feel so excited for this unexpected feedback, I was just trying to lend helping hand in a way I could while serving in the school as Integrated Science teacher. 

"This only shows that we can all make the difference in our little way, we must all support the government to create a better society in any way we could because it is obvious that little interventions here and there could prove very helpful to build a happy world"