Adedeji, Abdullahi lives in Ibadan, Oyo. TYWA stories may be slightly edited for grammatical accuracy and to better serve TGF readers. The originality of the story is 100% intact. - TYWA 2025
In the heart of Bodija, where the scent of roasted corn mingled with the dust of unpaved roads, lived a boy named Tunde. At seventeen, he had never known a world beyond Ibadan's bustling streets. His days were filled with hawking sachet water under the scorching sun, and his nights were illuminated by the dim glow of kerosene lamps.
Tunde's mother, Mama Tunde, was a trader, selling vegetables at the local market. She dreamed of a better life for her son, one where he wouldn't have to toil as she did. Every evening, she would sit him down and teach him to read using old newspapers and worn-out books she had collected over the years.
One day, while delivering water to a customer, Tunde stumbled upon a community center offering free computer classes. Intrigued, he enrolled. Despite being the oldest in the class and lacking basic knowledge, his determination set him apart. He would practice on borrowed devices, often staying up late into the night, his face illuminated by the screen's glow.
Months turned into years. Tunde's skills grew, and he began teaching others in his community. He developed a program to help local traders manage their inventory and finances, revolutionizing the way they did business. His efforts caught the attention of a non-profit organization, which offered him a scholarship to further his education.
Years later, Tunde returned to Bodija, not as the water hawker he once was, but as a beacon of hope. He established a tech hub, providing resources and training to youths in his community. The streets that once echoed with his footsteps now buzzed with the aspirations of countless others he had inspired.
In the heart of Bodija, the last light was no longer a kerosene lamp but the radiant glow of dreams realized and futures rewritten."