By Yasir Aladodo
The fate of Mubarak Alaran sticks to him on his skull as a flesh on human being. He had never thought he could be a victim of phone theft despite being regarded as “Mr Wise” among his colleagues.
In 2020, Alaran aspired to study Islamic Studies at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), but his fate glued on him as JAMB offered him Literature instead.
Alaran left in confusion on his first day on campus, contemplating on how to catch up with the new course.
Taking the wise decision to lessen his affairs, he sought for advice from those he met on campus in order to have prior knowledge about Literature.
Alaran’s stay on campus booms with happiness more than his expectation. He mumbled that “so I can later find satisfaction in this course.”
Unlike other students, he finds it difficult to read in the noon, he only gives his best to come for class at night or Till Day Break (TDB).
TDB is a night reading by the students from sunset till the next day with/without setting eye on sleep. During TDB, students read tirelessly regardless of how long it takes.
Alaran’s First Challenges on Campus
In the first semester of 100-Level, this Jambito as fondly called by Danfodites decided to go for TDB since he can’t read in the afternoon. Alaran made the decision in order to cover up the course content, not knowing that the night thief was waiting for his iPhone.
After reading for some hours, sleep gripped his eyes, before he could wake up his phone had deserted him.
“I thought that was the end of the semester for me, because all that I read had already gone from my memory. I searched everywhere but it’s nowhere to be found. My favourite iPhone 7,” he recalled.
Moreso, in the second semester, he carelessly lost another phone to the hand of a thief while doing another TDB for his final examination in 100-Level.
Light at The End of The Tunnel
Fortunately for Alaran, he overcame the twice theft challenges and qualified the victory as a light at the end of the tunnel. He was able to secure a good Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in the 100-level.
“I could not believe that I would be able to stay focused on my academics, but I give thanks to Almighty God for making it up to me,” he recounted.
He boasted that “I can now say, I’m among the best students of my department in terms of good academic performance and commitment.”