- Odibo Victory
A newly graduated student, Dokunmu David, has recounted the heartbreaking loss of his mother, Dokunmu Felicia, who had promised to sponsor his education to any level before her untimely demise.
David, who recently graduated from Ibadan Polytechnic, shared his emotional story on his TikTok handle, revealing how the sudden death of his mother almost brought his educational dreams to a halt.
According to David, he lost his mother just two weeks after completing his National Diploma (ND) on August 20, 2023, a loss he said still remains painful three years later.
“I lost my mum two weeks after my ND sign-out on August 20, 2023,” he said.
Recounting the circumstances surrounding his mother’s death, David expressed shock that what initially appeared to be a minor illness claimed her life within just nine days.
“She was only sick for nine days. On the ninth day, she gave up the ghost. She was gone just like that,” he said.
He further revealed that his decision to study Mass Communication was inspired by his late mother, who had always dreamed of seeing one of her children become a newscaster because of her love for watching news presenters on television.
“I studied Mass Communication because my mom wanted one of her children to become a newscaster.
“She loved watching newscasters on television, and because of that, I decided to pursue the course,” he wrote.
However, achieving the dream his mother had nurtured became bittersweet, as she could no longer be there to witness it.
“Today, I have become what she wanted me to be, but sadly she’s no longer here to witness it,” he expressed.
Following his mother’s demise, David said he was left with no one to depend on, forcing him to take up work to raise money for his education.
“After her demise, I had no one to depend on. I had to start working because I needed to return to school for my HND,” he said.
He revealed that several people promised to sponsor the remaining part of his education during his mother’s burial, but many of the promises failed to materialise when the time came.
“During her burial, many people promised to sponsor my education, but when the time came, many of these promises never became a reality,” he said.
According to David, some of those who had promised to help stopped taking his calls, while others attached conditions to their assistance or simply disappeared.
“Some stopped picking my calls, some have conditions, while others just disappeared. Even the people from church did the same,” he said.
The experience, he said, made him resent the church for a while, although he eventually came to understand that help often comes through those God places the desire to assist in their hearts.
“At some point I hated the church because of the disappointments, but with time I understood that those who eventually help you are the people God has placed the desire to help in their hearts,” he said.
Despite the disappointments, David said he holds no grudges against those who were unable to fulfil their promises, noting that they may have been dealing with personal struggles and responsibilities of their own.
“I hold no grudges against anyone who promised and couldn’t fulfil it. They are not enemies, perhaps they had their own battles and responsibilities. Everything I went through made me stronger,” he said.
He, however, expressed gratitude to his aunt and a woman he met in church, identified as Sis Gbemisola, for stepping in and supporting him through the difficult journey.
“My aunty and Sis Gbemisola, a sister I met in church who took me as her own family, stepped in and helped me through the journey. Today, I am a graduate,” he said.
Reflecting on his achievement, David said completing his education was a fulfilment of the dream his late mother had for him, even though he wished she were alive to witness it.
“My mom promised to sponsor my education to any level, but she is no longer here to see it. Today, I have completed the journey she dreamed of for me,” he said.
He described his certificate as a symbol of the struggles, tears, sacrifices and prayers that accompanied his journey, as well as the people God used to help him along the way.
“This certificate represents the struggles, tears, sacrifices, prayers, and everyone God used to bring me this far.
“Today, I dedicate it all to Almighty God and to my beloved mom,” he said.
In an emotional tribute to his late mother, he said he only wished she could have been alive to see him become the person she had always dreamed of.
“Mom, I became what you wanted me to become. I only wish you were here to see it,” he said.
He also thanked everyone who supported his journey, including those who made promises they could not eventually fulfil, saying he bore no resentment towards them.
“Thank you to everyone who stood by me. And to those who promised but could not fulfil their promises, you are not my enemies. I am grateful,” he said.
Concluding the emotional tribute, he dedicated his achievement to his late mother, himself and God, saying he had finally made it despite the pain and challenges he faced.
“REST ON, MOM.
“I MADE IT. FOR YOU, FOR ME, AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD.”