Thank You, Dad
Growing up was not easy.
We didn’t grow up with everything. Not even the basics sometimes.
In our house, your school sandals had to be completely worn out before you could even think about getting a new pair.
My dad’s priority was simple:
Have you eaten?
Not “Did you eat enough?”
Just — “Have you eaten?”
We had three meals a day. That was enough.
Anything beyond that? Not necessary.
Failing in school was unacceptable.
School fees were paid on time.
Textbooks were bought.
But pocket money?
Never.
As a child, I hated him for it.
I genuinely thought he disliked me.
It wasn’t until I got into higher institution that I began to understand what he was doing.
He was preparing me for Nigeria.
He was preparing me for a harsh economy.
The Hidden Training
The way we were raised forced me to:
-
Plan ahead
-
Endure discomfort
-
Think independently
-
Provide for myself
While still in school, I became self-employed.
I learned to survive.
I wasn’t the best student in class. But I had something else.
I had foresight.
I identified a gap — a niche no one was paying attention to — and I built around it.
That early planning paid off.
I got a job immediately after graduation.
I have never searched for a job in my life.
Preparation met opportunity.
Why Pressure Built Strength
Today, I look back and see it clearly.
The discipline.
The scarcity.
The structure.
It built resilience.
Now, I head a department in my company.
Not just any department — the one that generates the most revenue.
I manage some of the most popular gaming products in Nigeria.
At the same time:
-
I run more than five betting shops.
-
I operate as a super agent with over 100 agents under me.
It’s a lot of responsibility.
But it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Because I was trained for pressure.
Gratitude, Not Bitterness
Would I train my children exactly the way my father trained me?
Probably not.
I already have a different plan for how I will raise my son — more relaxed, more emotionally expressive.
But I have zero resentment toward my dad.
Only gratitude.
The most valuable lessons he gave me were:
-
Planning
-
Forward thinking
-
Hard work
-
Perseverance
-
Confidence
He taught me that if you are hardworking, content, and straightforward, you can become anything you dream of.
Thank You, Dad
You didn’t give me excess.
You gave me endurance.
You didn’t give me comfort.
You gave me capacity.
And today, I understand.
Thank you, Dad.
You are my mentor.
#ThankYouMentor
About the Author
Adekunle Adeniji is the founder of Betrelate.com, a social platform for betting fans across Africa, where players discuss gaming news, predictions, and share insights. He believes the future of betting in Nigeria is online and is actively building toward that future.
He is also the founder of Micserah Fashion House, an e-commerce platform built around African fabrics and designs, created alongside his wife to empower emerging African fashion designers globally.
This post first appeared on LinkedIn Pulse.
Comments
Post a Comment