I had planned to attend the convocation ceremony of my best friend and brother, Abubakar Ibraheem Oladipupo, fondly known as Khaleel, but an exigent personal engagement came up at the last minute, so my mum attended on my behalf.
Khaleel and I have come a long way. We attended State Senior High School, Oyewole in Agege together, and we have maintained that relationship for over 16 years.
After we graduated from college, we grew even closer. I was a student at Jaden Fashion, while he continued his Arabic studies at Markaz Taalim, Agege. So I spent the greater part of my evenings with him throughout my time there.
Subsequently, we began processing our admissions. We wrote JAMB — I chose UNILAG while he settled for UNILORIN. We were both denied admission on our first attempt. On the second attempt, I considered changing my first choice to FUNAAB, but he and my mum advised that we retain UNILORIN. While I got admitted, he was denied again.
Characteristic of him, he doesn’t give up easily. So he picked UNILORIN for the third time, and when he was not admitted, he gave Kwara State University, KWASU, a chance.
Throughout his stay in KWASU, he didn’t forget his missing rib. A month hardly passed without Khaleel visiting me in UNILORIN. He loved my school so much that he memorized our anthem, and can still recite it offhandedly to this day.
He became friends with nearly all my close pals — to the extent that he visits and maintains very close affinity with a great number of them, years after I have left the school and Ilorin.
At some point, he was nominated for an award in UNILORIN because of the presence of his brand — Khaleel‘s Lens — which I also helped popularize while on campus. If he had been told in 2015 by a marabout that he wouldn’t be an alumnus of the University of Ilorin, he would have asked the marabout to go and master his soothsaying skills.
After he convoked from KWASU a couple of years ago, I thought he would focus on his Graphics Design and Photography business, which he was already earning decently from. I was surprised when he said he was contemplating going to LASU for a second degree. The rest, as they say, is now history.
Hazrat Inayat Khan must have had my friend in mind when he said, “Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful.” He didn’t only excel in the school, he became a household name, with a photo studio to his cap.
That he went back to LASU when I was already in my final year at UNILORIN underscores his patience, perseverance, and persistence — qualities often cited as crucial for achieving success.
My friend’s enduring traits are his extreme large-heartedness, patience, can-do spirit, and his ability to win the trust of different people at different times and places.
Actor Amy Leigh Mercree encourages us to celebrate true friends as “they are a part of us that always sparkle.” I celebrate Khaleel, commend, and thank him for his extreme generosity to me at any time of need — particularly when I was in school.
I depended on stipends I got from him, and Mallam Faisal Ladele, to survive for the greater part of my time on campus (this story will be narrated at an appropriate time).
I thank you, Khaleel, for your enduring love, brotherhood, and genuine friendship at all times. I pray that the rest of your journey will be easier.
You can now proceed to your missing rib; the better-by-far, the by-far-the-best institution, the University of Ilorin, for your Postgraduate studies.
Congratulations on your achievement, my dearest friend. Against all odds, you reached the finish line.
Bagbansoro Fahd Taiwo
Mail: Bagbansorofahd@gmail.com
Gatekeepers News is not liable for opinions expressed in this article; they’re strictly the writer’s.
