By Uchechukwu Ogah
Dearest,
Have you heard about God turning the captivity of Zion and they were like those that dream? That is the exact story of Henry Suubi, a wretched Ugandan lad who reported to Makerere University in Uganda (one of the biggest university in Africa) with only an empty metallic case (the empty metallic case to give the impression that he owned some things and cover his shame at being poor).
Henry’s struggling single mother could not have afforded Henry’ tuition for a university degree education if not that he scored well on his high school exams and government awarded him scholarship.
Upon Henry’s arrival at campus, looking unkempt, hungry and wretched and unknown to him, another rich lad snapped him photos, uploaded them on social media to mock and ridicule him just to earn likes and comments. The photos went viral. That’s how God opened the book of Henry’s life.
A Ugandan senior BBC journalist ran a campaign on Twitter to change Henry’s life. From then up till now, Henry has been receiving gifts.
First, Makerere’s Chancellor promised him any parental help he will ever need while at university; Restaurants and hotels have undertaken to give and deliver him lunch and dinner all his years at the university; Henry has received over 10 laptops from individuals and companies including his first smart phone; designer boutiques have given him clothes and shoes and they promised to do this all through his campus life; and Henry has already got a job by Engineering Companies even before his first university assignment; the French Embassy has given him a fully paid trip to Paris whenever he is ready. The list is endless.
He later met and thanked the rich boy who uploaded his photos on the internet to mock and ridicule him but which became his change of story in life.
You got the gist now? When you are innocent and are being mocked and ridiculed, it is a blessing in disguise because your turning point has come.
Do have a blessed Friday!
• Dr. Ogah is the Minister of State, Solid Minerals.