He took a RISK that changed our lives……

It was 6.30am as we stood around the table chatting about life events. My sister who now worked in Port Harcourt(PH), Nigeria came home for a weekend visit. I recall that before she moved to PH, she had the option of comfort in a smaller city with less traffic and a strong family support system. I encouraged her (more like insisted) to move to a bigger and more challenging city where she could experience independence and the hustle and bustle of big city life. I made her choose discomfort so she could experience a different side of life. That morning as we evaluated the pros and cons of that decision, we all agreed PH was the better option for the stage of life she was in.

At that point, Dad began to share his own story from over thirty years ago. He had a nice looking career as a public servant working in the Governor’s office in the old South Eastern State in Nigeria. Soon, news about the creation of states filtered into the air waves and this came with excitement and anticipation for what laid ahead. Everyone began to pitch ideas about the various career possibilities that will emerge with the newly created Cross River State. It was a sign of good things to come for young Administrative Officers.

My Dad and a few of his buddies wanted more than that, they did not want to remain at the state level, as their eyes were set on the Federal. Everyone thought moving at this time was a bad idea, after all, they looked like they were all on track to become very senior Civil Service Officers in the not too distant future. My dad recalled that someone told him that if he moved to Lagos, the then capital of Nigeria, he would come back with only an envelope on his head, implying that his future was better served here.

“Risk can also be defined as the intentional interaction with uncertainty.[1] Uncertainty is a potential, unpredictable, and uncontrollable outcome; risk is an aspect of action taken in spite of uncertainty”. (Wikipedia)

Against all odds, he made the move anyway, got a job into the Foreign Service and I can say, the rest is history. He said it was not easy as we moved from a three bedroom house to a one room apartment and had to undergo some major lifestyle changes. My dad made what seemed like a risky move over thirty years ago; in the short term, it was not so comfortable but looking back, I am so glad he made that move.

He chose a path that took us to places he could never afford and brought him in close contact with people he could only have dreamed of seeing on television. He is now retired and yes, life after the move was good to him so he did not have to return with an envelope on his head.


Today as I reflect on my Dad’s decision to embrace the unknown, I realized that the road from ‘here’ to ‘there’ is not usually a straight path for most people. You can only know what lies behind a closed door by opening the door and stepping out.

I could have been anywhere or somewhere else, but I am here today because he took a RISK that changed our lives.

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As you keep your 👀 on who you are becoming, we wish you all the best that life has to offer. We love to hear from you, so don’t forget to like, leave a comment, follow us and tell a friend.

Have a great week ahead!

49 Comments

  • Solace

    Nice.

  • Ifiok Akanawan

    This is encouraging , really….we need to take that risky leap of faith to achieve our dreams…..too much sense

    • Thank you for reading, between every dream and its realization, a leap of faith is required. Have a blessed week

  • Walter Ajogbor

    The choices we make in life largely determines the altitude and latitude we attain in the success value chain. To change your narrative, dare to be different, think outside the box and interrogate the status quo.
    Thanks Idosim for being good mentees and following my footsteps. Bravo.

    • When the Man behind the story shows up, a standing ovation is in order. Thank you Dad and mum for taking the risk that got us here. Now that we know better, that was ‘Dogged Faith’ in action…

  • Anyanwu Justice

    I got to understand that where I’m at the moment is my incubation incubation zone. I no time I will lunch out to whole new level. Most times our frustrations are pointers trying to tell us to do the right thing.

  • Isiaku

    Being afraid of leaving your comfort zone will never allow you move to the next level. Most times it is better to take the risk and move out of our comfort zone to get to our purpose in life.

    • Thank you for reading, finding one’s purpose always requires some level of risk

  • Anita Udom

    *You can only know what lies behind a closed door by opening the door and stepping out*

    I love this

  • This story is not just a recap of a great decision but has some great advice for the future. Always choose courage over comfort, always consider the possibilities that these opportunities can bring, never think short term, there is more out there for you as long as you sent your mind on the end goal. Beautiful read!

    • Thank you for reading, Courage over comfort always opens you up to unique opportunities.

  • Noma Jummai Juliana

    What an inspiring story. More grace.

      • Ita onoyom

        People who INSPIRE others to ASPIRE never EXPIRE. Keep on the good work

  • Aniekeme Ukpong

    I love this story, and I am challenged by our clan head. More inspiration team

    • Thank you for reading, we are glad that our story inspired you.

  • Eko

    Good one and timely. Only great minds take risk. Success comes only after risk and hard work believing the future shall be more fruitful. Little minds fear risk taking. They prefer to have their comfort now.

    • Thank you for reading, indeed success and risk go together in this journey of life

  • Aneji Mother Rose Ebokpo

    I really enjoyed it.

  • IRENE JIMA AJOGBOR

    Thank you LifeandBecoming for this truly inspiring and thought-provoking read that is so timely and apt. Honestly, the world needs more models and sources of inspiration. We need more fathers who are indeed thoughtful, visionary, strategic planners, selfless achievers and who are willing to inconvenience themselves to make the lives of the children and future generations much better and beautiful. We are who we are because of the risk our fathers took and decisions they made and for that act we thank them. May GOD continue to bless and keep our fathers as well as our supportive mothers for following their dreams, threading new paths, seizing opportunities and leaving a lasting legacy.

  • IRENE JIMA AJOGBOR

    Thank you LifeandBecoming for this truly inspiring and thought-provoking read that is so timely and apt. Honestly, the world needs more models and sources of inspiration. We need more fathers who are indeed thoughtful, visionary, strategic planners, selfless achievers and who are willing to inconvenience themselves to make the lives of the children and future generations much better and beautiful. We are who we are because of the risk our fathers took and decisions they made and for that act we thank them. May GOD continue to bless and keep our fathers as well as our supportive mothers for following their dreams, threading new paths, seizing oppottunities and leaving a lasting legacy.

  • Nyakno-Abasi Obott

    Very inspiring. You miss 100% of shots you don’t take. Keep it up guys!!

    • Thank you very much, take the shot, who knows you may just hit….

  • Toosh Baba

    Finally! I couldn’t wait to read this piece. I love it too! RISK…if only some people knew the beautiful outcome of the ones they ignored.👏🏾

  • Valerie Akujobi

    Very lovely. Also your brother is a replica of your dad.

  • Kingsley Rhuada

    Nice one. He who waits for perfect conditions never gets anything done

  • Kaybee

    Well inspired, its always good to know what you want and have the determination to achieve no matter what others say. Nice piece.

    • Thank you for reading and getting inspired. Keep reading and taking action

  • Obinna Ekpo

    Alot of Dreams die from the fear of the unknown! Taking that bold step is the apt word for this decade of youths.

    • Alot of dreams will come alive if someone was bold enough, Thank you for reading

  • Efosa Okundaye

    A timely word… apt for the season I am in.

    • Always happy to inspire, thank you for reading and remember to take forward steps toward where you want to be

  • Eta

    what you call risk here, some will call Faith. Dogged Faith. That is what it takes to please Him.

    • Thank you for your comment, i agree with you totally, believing enough to take action and trust God for the outcome

  • Uzoechina

    I love the phrase “You can only know what lies behind a closed door by opening the door and stepping out.”

    • Thank you for reading, the world of opportunity that awaits us if we only take the bold step.

      • Sese Alu

        Don’t be afraid, to take that bold step…. discomfort today will lead to comfort tomorrow.

        Thanks Thelma & Ido👏👏👏👏

  • Owoyi Esiere

    May we have the strength and wisdom of our fathers up to 1000x better and our children better than us.

    • Thank you for reading and Amen to increased wisdom in all our decisions

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