PoTW: John Odia
NAME: John Odia
NICKNAME: Maka Y
LOCATION : Irawo, Ajegunle, Lagos.
Brief Background
I was birthed on the 29th day of May, 1982 in Maryland,Lagos. This was what I was told anyway. Let’s move on. I hail from from Okaigben, Ewohimi in Edo State. Esan South East Local Government Area to be precise.
I am the first son and the second child amongst five children that God gave Mr. John and Mrs. Phil Ebe. They are dinning with the Lord. By implication, am an orphan.
I attended Saint Agnes Primary School, Maryland. I was admitted into MCSS in 93 since I couldn’t get admission into Federal Government College, Ijaniki. I later proceeded to Ambrose Ali University,Ekpoma in Edo State where I did Diploma in Sociology and Anthropology. I didn’t proceed to do any direct entry after it because I wanted to study Law and I was advised to do the diploma first that it will be easy to get direct entry to study Law after it. My people, it wasn’t as easy as it was presented then. I had to return home and enrolled for another Jamb. LASU first choice LAW, UNIBEN second choice,LAW. I still didn’t get it. It was as if I was running on my own plan and not God’s plan for me. To make the story short, I was admitted into University of Benin where I studied English and Literature.
About Myself
I am a God-fearing person. I am not a church person but a Redeemer. I am calm, hardworking and like touching lives when and where I can.
My Experience in MCSS
Really, it will sound ludicrous to say that I can’t recall any. This is because I am always looking ahead to future experiences. However, I still struggle to efface completely from my head the football matches within school premises and, sometime the exchange of blows with one another. Scaling of fence to the other side of Maryland Primary School which had so much grass preventing people from seeing well and some aliens will be hiding there to collect students’ belongings. The running from Obanikoro to Maryland when Baptist Academy Students chased us after defeating them in a football match. It was very crystal clear that some of us back then knew about coitus except for I personally who wasn’t too Interested in book but how to become a footballer and few others. I was awestruck on one very day I went to train with my football team( Golden Star FC) at Maryland field and our ball fell into MCSS premises, and we needed to scale the fence to pick the ball. After getting into the premises in search of the ball, I and some of my teammates,some were even our junior, caught some of us here in this forum lashing. Dancing skelewu and Etigi. Not once, twice but on several occasions. It didn’t make any sense to me really then until I tasted the forbidden fruit while running a Diploma Program at Ambrose Ali University. Funny! I left MCSS intact. That’s having no canal knowledge. .At a point in time, I tried to reflect on some adult acts indulged in by some of us then either consciously or unconsciously and I began to petition the dissent in our ages as schoolmates, and our level of vulnerability. I also can’t forget Churchill Ekama, who was already time-tested with amorous diction as bait to mesmerize his prey. He used to write some lines on a piece of paper for me to study just to woo a girl as if it were exam revisions. He seriously wanted me as one of his disciples. I couldn’t learn the ropes. Frantically speaking, I dare struggled to recall some events because of what I suffered or experienced as someone who was at that time swimming in naivety. Telling ourselves that someone should come with garri, another with spoons and bowl to soak it, and we will all contribute stipend to buy fried fish after school hours at a particular lesson center in Mende was a great experience in MCSS.
My Pals in MCSS
I have a whole, Agnes, Sunday Adesanya, Julius, Raji, Ibokun, Seun Solomon, Obajuluwa, Gboyega, Keating, Monday, Mary Thompson, Shatoke, Theophilus, Onyemechi,Alozie, Adisa, Amanze, Anozie Folashade, Toyin, Omogbeja, Ajobo, Uddin and many more.
My Memorable Moments
It was a beautiful first day for me in MCSS. I strongly believe God was involved. My parents wanted a boarding school for me because I was very stubborn growing up. I was happy because I never wanted it. I had this in mind that it will be difficult staying away from my parents. I use to think that MCSS is the school for the Rich.
One of the Memorable moments was the beating of my life Mr. Cane gave me after a fight I had with Anozie the self-acclaimed boxer. My enemy almost gave up the ghost as a result of Mr. Cane, the intro tech teacher’s strokes.
What you don’t know about me
I am a certified Marketer. A certified Data Analyst. A certified Digital Marketing Specialist. I have been married for over 8yrs with two lovely sons. I just resigned from 9mobile after working with them for 9yrs.
Profession/Hobbies
I am a major dealer with 9mobile Payment Service Banking (9PBS) covering the whole of ikorodu. I have a hub that is certified by 9mobile as their SIM registration and sale center. I am also into buying and selling of vehicles.
Interest and Hobbies
I like to making new friends with fantastic business ideas. I like to listen more than talking. I like to listen and dance to good music.
My Personal Hero
Almighty God and my late parents.
The Most Important Person
My beautiful wife (Mrs. Sonia Odia-John) and my kids ( Master Jehiel Odia-John and Jathniel Odia-John)
Next 5 years
A successful businessman touching lives irrespective of tribal ethnic and religious beliefs.
Change the World
Humanity in the center of all we do.
Efface completely the erroneous misconception about religion the elite have continuously used to disunite us.
Living beyond tribal and ethnic sentiment. No corruption.
My Expectation
I expect us as mature minds to always respect one another. Especially our individual opinions on any subject matter. I also expect that we know when to allow peace reign for the advancement of this group.
My Advice
It is always good that we check on each other. It doesn’t take anything away from us. This will make us better, stronger and strengthen the love for one another as Marylanders.
