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You know, my life wasn’t as easy and sweet like most people in Class 2025, Linguistics Department, University of Benin thought it was.
At a year and a few months old, my mom and I got kicked out of my dad’s house and sent to live on the street for no reason. My mom was young, skillful, and unprepared at the same time. We had to go live with my aunt in the city just to have a roof over our heads.
At age 5, I couldn’t eat. I would take a few spoons and call it a day. My mum was worried because I wasn’t getting enough nutrients. I remember her joining hands with my grandpa, praying that God would open my mouth and stomach so I could eat more. But it felt like heaven was on holiday because nothing changed.
Well, that prayer has been answered now sha, because I love food. 😂
Growing up without a dad was one of the most bearish moments of my life. My mum worked nonstop to keep us going. She was a hairstylist, a very good one, but she had to carry everything alone. When I got into a new school, I really needed help with homework, but she wasn’t always there. By the time she came back, cooked, and settled, she was exhausted. So I had to figure things out myself.
It was hard, but I adapted. My dad never called. Never cared.
Still, I aced my classes. I was the top student in primary school and got a distinction in my common entrance exam. My mum and I celebrated. But on my graduation day, I watched my friends stand proudly with their dads and moms. I stood alone until my aunt arrived because my mum had to work.
High school came, and I continued topping the class, in one of the best schools in my area. I had to borrow textbooks because my mum couldn’t afford them. I suggested taking a side job to assist her; she disagreed. I didn’t listen. I had to do hidden jobs so she doesn’t find out.
That was how my craftsmanship started.
I began drawing comics for students to earn small money for my needs. My friend and I even did music, I rapped, he sang. At the same time, I became interested in inventing. I built a remote-controlled car, a cardboard house with a generator and street light, and LED lamps powered by dry cell batteries so I could read during blackouts. I also sold them all for cash too.
Then senior year came, and fees got too expensive. We couldn’t keep up. I had WAEC (West Africa Examination Council) and JAMB (Joint admission matriculation board) the next year so I can prepare for college. My mum suggested I transfer to a cheaper village school, meanwhile, I had just represented my school at the RCC (Readers Championship Contest) South-South Nigeria and came 4th.
The next day, which was supposed to be my last in that school, I won a scholarship as the Best Art Student and also for coming out 4th in the regional RCC competition, alongside my friend Jonathan. All my fees were paid. I stayed. I wrote my exams.
I’ve always wanted to study Law so I could sue my dad for abandoning us for over two decades. But I got into the University of Benin to study Linguistics unfortunately. It was painful, but deep down I felt God wanted me there.
Fast forward to today:
> Graduated from the University of Benin (Second Class).
> One-time SU (Scripture Union) President.
> One-time LINSA President.
> One-time JAPLON President.
> President of The Supernatural Movement.
> CEO, NoteswapNG.
> Assistant Design Lead, SuperteamNG Edo state.
> Didn’t get my 1M naira at 18
> Currently building @cursedbones_ on Abstract.
So trust me, I understand what it means to be abandoned. To be left behind. To not be seen or appreciated. To be the smartest in the room but someone else gets picked over you. To be insulted. To be overlooked.
Don’t let anything stop you from dreaming.
Every late night, every disappointment, every closed door shaped me into who I am today.
@cursedbones_ isn’t just an NFT collection, it’s my legacy, a prove that anyone rising from a tough background can build something real.⛩️
I’m Creativity Joshua (Crae), this is my story.
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