For Mr Oluwadare Ayodele, a business owner in Lagos, his children’s education has always been the top priority.
When his second son received a scholarship to pursue his master’s degree in the United States, Ayodele didn’t hesitate to make a significant sacrifice to help his son seize this opportunity.
My friends discouraged me
Ayodele recounted the circumstances that led him to sell his beloved car to fund his son’s travel expenses.
“Sending a child abroad was over 5 million naira for expenses, and I did not have that kind of money when he received the scholarship,” he explained. “He was discouraged and told us to forget about it, but I wanted the best for my children.”
Despite the emotional attachment to his car, which he used for both business and transportation, Ayodele made the difficult decision to sell it. “Selling my car for my child was not difficult. I loved the car a lot, but my child comes first,” he said. “I didn’t even think about it. My friends discouraged me, but I insisted.”
My wife was scared of my decision
When Ayodele informed his son about his plan to sell the car, his son was overjoyed. “He was happy, and we started to work out the process,” Ayodele recalled.
While Ayodele’s wife was initially nervous about their son traveling so far away, the father remained confident in his decision. “I just wanted a better life for him so he can raise his other siblings,” he said.
My son has completed his master’s degree
The father’s sacrifice paid off. His son completed his master’s degree in 2022 and secured a good job in the United States. “Now, the job he has is a good one, and he is sending money home. He has given me more than the money we spent on him. It was a good sacrifice,” Ayodele beamed.
Education is a top priority in the Ayodele’s family. “Education is very important to me. My children’s schooling comes first before anything,” he emphasized.
For parents considering making sacrifices for their children’s growth, Ayodele offered an inspirational message: “When he wanted to travel, we had to empty everything we had at that time. The money we spent was really much because everything he needed required funds, but we went all out. Let your children come first, and fathers should make sure they give their children a good education.”
Ayodele’s unwavering commitment to his son’s education and future prospects serves as a powerful reminder of a parent’s love and the lengths they will go to secure their children’s dreams.