A friend more than a brother.

It happened in the year 2008 when I gained admission to study Science Laboratory Technology in the University of Jos, Nigeria. My cousin was a student of the same program. He was the one that introduced the course to me when he came for a holiday. He was in the 200 level then. He was aware that after my secondary school education two years earlier, I was applying into Universities for admission into a degree program.

---

My cousin, Azeez came for a holiday as earlier mentioned and informed me of the program which was on part time. I gave him the money to get the form for me. He collected 9500 naira from me for the form. On his next visit, he brought the receipt of the form. I saw 6500 naira in the receipt but I didn't raise any eyebrow because I assumed that he might have incurred some charges unknown to me in the process of purchasing the form. He also informed me that a woman in the admin unit of the University helping him to process my admission requested for the payment of 30000 naira after I am admitted which I obliged.

---

Two months later, the admission list was released and I was admitted into the program. I was very excited as I prepared to start another phase of my academic journey. After a few days, I traveled to meet my cousin so that I could stay with him for a while through the registration period before getting an accommodation for myself.
I arrived at the park in the city and my cousin came to pick me up. I was welcomed and entertained very well. We sat almost throughout the night discussing our people back home.

---

The following morning, I woke up to brush my teeth in front of the house and a neighbor greeted me. He enquired if I had just come to visit his neighbor and I replied that his neighbor is my cousin and that I just got admitted to study SLT in the University. On hearing the name of the program, he chuckled and displayed some signs of disapproval of the course.

Are you aware of this program before coming? You are too young to come and do a program that at the end of it, you won't be eligible to serve. Nigeria employers give consideration to those that participate in National service than others. Why not just exercise patience and get admission into a regular program that will be well recognized?

---

That was the first time I was hearing all that information about the program. I was confused but I appreciated him and told him that I would find out more about the program before deciding whether to register for it or to return back home. National service of one year is compulsory for every Nigerian graduate less than 30 years. However, graduates of part time programs are excluded from the national service and employers of labor preferred those that served the nation and have their discharged letter. Since this experience, I became close to Abdul. He loves discussing politics just like I do and we could spend hours discussing political developments of that time. I could remember the global economic meltdown of that time. We discussed everything and learned from each other. This made us become friends within a few days.

---

My first day on campus wasn't to register but to sample people's opinions about what Abdul had told me about SLT. Almost everyone, especially the undergraduates that I talked to corroborated the position of Abdul. I decided not to register for the program.
I returned home to communicate my decision to my cousin. He flared up and said irrespective of my decision regarding registering for the program or otherwise, I must pay the Admin woman that helped facilitate my admission the agreed 30000 naira. I pleaded with him to help me talk to the woman to reduce it since I have decided not to register for the course but he vehemently disagreed. He thought that I may decide not to pay the money the following before traveling back to my parents and as a result, he hid my bag and shoes when I was outside the house having usual discussion with Abdul.

---

I didn't notice until the following morning when I wanted to pick my tooth brush and paste from my bag. I spent a few minutes looking for the bag to no avail. When I asked him, he told me that he would give me the bag and shoes only when I released the 30000 naira to be paid to the woman. I was confused and I pleaded with him to give me my bag but he refused.
I left the room and stayed outside thinking of the next step to take when Abdul saw me in a moody state. Upon enquiries about what the problem was, I explained everything to him. Abdul was angry why my cousin would do something like that to me.
He walked up straight to Azeez and requested for my bag and shoes but Azeez was adamant in releasing them. I contemplated informing my mother about what I was passing through but I avoided informing her because it may lead to a quarrel between her and her sister who is Azeez's mother.

---

Later in the evening, I slept in Abdul's room because I was afraid of my safety if I spent the night in my cousin's room.
Abdul took it up with him. He accused him of lying regarding having a woman in Admin of the university that helped him out in exchange for 30000 naira. I was naïve but Abdul being an undergraduate student of the University knew about the workings of the University. He took the whole issue up and threatened to report Azeez to the University authority.

---

Abdul informed me of the sale of the pre degree form of the University. Pre Degree is a one year program that ushers one into full time science courses of the University. I bought the form. When Azeez sighted the form, he promised me that with his influence, he would make sure I wasn't admitted. I told Abdul of what my cousin said and he laughed, promising me that I would be admitted by merit because I passed my secondary school exams in flying colors.

---

He successfully retrieved my properties from Azeez after it was established that no woman was requesting for 300000 naira anywhere. Azeez was just interested in duping me of my money. I stayed with Abdul for three days through which I filled the pre degree form and submitted before traveling back home to my parents.

---

About three months later, I was admitted into the pre degree course. I did it and proceeded to study a full time course in the University. Ever since then, Abdul remains a good friend of mine.
My cousin betrayed me because of money but a friend of less than a week fought my battle and made me happy. I can't stop appreciating him for what he did that year.