Page 262 - The Den Yearbook 2015 (Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja)

ONOME CHINAZA

TITE

Enter Onome…

Life in LJC has had its fair share of disappointments, frustrations, irritation,
annoyance… you name it, but I guess it wouldn't be life if these things weren't
present. The understanding which I have finally received is the fact that it is these
negative experiences in life that give a person a greater appreciation of the good
things that do sometimes happen in life. It is because of those times we fail that we
develop a greater appreciation for our successes.

Lord knows that LJC has not been easy but nevertheless, there are so many things
that I am grateful for. I am grateful for the competitive learning environment I was
provided with, without which I'm not sure I would have been able to push myself
hard enough; I am grateful for some of the programs which I was privileged to
take part in, such as; the Citizenship and Leadership Training Program, the Kairos
retreat and the service project. These programs, alongside being enjoyable,
helped me to gain an awareness of myself, as well as of those around me. I am also
grateful for the associations which I was a part of because they gave me an avenue
to let off the steam which had been accumulated as a result of the school related
stress.They helped also in removing monotony in my life at Loyola Jesuit College
and in its place providing some variety.Most of all, I am eternally grateful for
thebeautiful friendships that I have formed within my six years here at LJC.

For five long years I have enviously watched as seniors graduate, while waiting
eagerly for the day when I would, like them, take up the identity of an alumnus of
Loyola Jesuit College, and be declared worthy in character and learning to leave
the confinements of LJC into the bigger world.
Its funny how ironic life turned out to be because as I sit down to write these words
down, the emotions I feel right now are not as homogenous as I had imagined they
would be. There is a very big part of me that doesn't want to leave this place which
I have on many occasions referred to as home, this place which has filled me with
a greater appreciation for life as it is, this family which I have been privileged to be
a part of.

It is therefore with mixed and not completely understood feelings that I say
goodbye to this beautiful place. I will continuously be grateful to my parents and
the Almighty God for giving me the opportunity to be a part of LJC.Thank you for
transforming me into the person I am proud to be and thank you for giving me the
best six years of my life so far, I would not have had my experience any other way.
Wish me luck as I enter this world which many have told me, to my despair, is
even harder than Loyola Jesuit College.

Onome Chinaza TITE, ‘15

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