Before I gained admission into Lagos State University, I have always been enthusiastic about joining a productive organisation for the youths that will assist me in becoming the leader, public speaker, public figure and great impactor I dream of becoming in the future. So, few weeks after my admission into Lagos State University was secured, I began searching for any productive organization for youth, particularly JCI, because I have been hearing of JCI even while I was just a school leaver.
After one full month of search, I finally got what I wanted. My journey as an intending member began the very first day I saw the Junior Chamber international flier(JCI), while leaving school for home in the year 2022, and immediately I was sure that it's JCI flier, I called the numbers on the flier.
At first, when I called both numbers on the flier, both of them were not reachable, I tried the second time, this time only the second number went and it was a male's voice. We spoke briefly and we introduced ourselves. Through the introduction, I got to know that the person that spoke was the current president of JCI as at 2022 and his name is Success Sewane Dohou.
Success and I continued to keep in touch, he was continuously keeping me abreast of the happenings in JCI and through him I was informed about JCI general meeting which holds every TWO WEEKS THURSDAY. I attended the first JCI general assembly meeting for second semester 100 level and at the meeting, we were told that before anyone can be inducted as a member, then he/she must have attended at least 3 JCI LASU general assembly meeting.
Aside the general assembly, I was also privileged to meet new people and visit new places even while as an inducting member. At the middle of second semester, the first induction ceremony for second semester was held and I happen to be among those who would be inducted as a member of JCI.
At the end of the day and as God planned, I was not inducted that day because I was not wearing flat cover shoes and a one handbag to match. Funny right! Yh, that's one of the principles of JCI. This didn't discourage me, we I was sure that if not then, I would certainly be inducted as a member one day, and I was continuously being assured by SUCCESS DOHOU, the local organization president that I would be inducted.
Few weeks before second semester ended, another induction ceremony took place and that happened to be the last induction ceremony for 2022, meaning if I miss the induction this time around, I will not be inducted until 2023 which was 8 or 9 weeks ahead. Woooow, hot! Finally the induction ceremony began and this time around guess what happened, I was not inducted again!
I was not inducted for the second time, not because I was not dressing corporate, but because I could not recite the JCI creed which is like a national anthem, by heart. Woooow, what a disappointment! This time around, I'm going to be frank, I felt a little bit bad, infact very bad, not because I was not inducted, but because only I knew how many things I had to forgo JUST TO MAKE IT TO THE MEETING THAT DAY, only I knew how down I was as a result of stress that particular day, but I still spared time to make it to the meeting, only for me to go back the same way I came, no results, no progress, no induction, nothing!
Still, I did not relent or break, I kept attending their general assembly meetings, I kept following up on the platform and SUCCESS DOHOU kept keeping me informed. SUCCESS DOHOU, God, that guy has done so much for me.
I was eagerly and patiently waiting for the next induction ceremony to take place and I kept telling myself that, if I'm not inducted again, I should not relent but accept it as God's plan for me. So, finally, the day for the next induction ceremony which is also the first general assembly meeting for the year 2023 was scheduled to hold on the 11th of May, 2023. I made sure my nervous self got there as early as it could, I made sure I was corporately dressed and I kept singing the JCI creed to myself until I was called out for the induction ceremony. Finally we were all called out for the induction ceremony and this time around, I was inducted as an official member of the Junior Chamber international (JCI). Woooow, I couldn't believe it and I was overjoyed because now, I. don't have to worry about my dressing, the JCI creed or if I'm putting on flat cover shoes all the time. God, you really don't want to imagine the dress, but it was worth it and it was part of growth.
Alhamdullilah, I'm now an official member of JCI, and my sincere appreciation goes to God first, then SUCCESS DOHOU, the immediate past president of JCI. I have met many young presidents, many young leaders, many young productive minds, but I can proudly say that SUCCESS DOHOU, though young, is the best leader, president and friend I have ever been privileged to meet and pass through. Without his earnest support, I don't think I would be the proud member of JCI I am today. Thank you for your support, motivation and inspiration dear, and thank you for respecting and accepting me for who I am. You are a gem!
©Sakeenah'writes.
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