When the going gets tough, only tough people keep moving.
Life rarely gives us exactly what we bargain for. More often than not, it tests our resolve, our patience, and our faith. In moments like that, it is better to stand firm and pursue your goals than to give up and seek pity.
On my journey through life, I have encountered many resilient individuals. One of them is Pastor Umo Bassey Eno PhD, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. At a time when many doubted his ability and questioned his emergence as governor, he remained calm and focused. Deep within him, he carried a conviction about what God had deposited in his life years earlier. That confidence sustained him through opposition, court cases, and public skepticism. In the end, victory was assured.
That experience reinforces a simple truth. The world often belongs to those who refuse to be broken. There is no room for complacency. Tough people keep winning by refusing to give up.
Growing up, I was not among those expected to make it far in formal education. I lost my father at the age of two, and by human calculation, my story should have ended early. But mercy had a different plan. Against all odds, I struggled through primary school, secondary school, and higher institutions.
It was not an easy journey. School fees were paid late, often after penalties had already been imposed. That was my constant experience. Yet whenever results were released, I was never found wanting. Many of my classmates and course mates will recognize this story. I have nothing to hide. Perhaps someone reading this today needs encouragement to keep pushing.
Today, I am not only a graduate but also a media professional. I was inducted years ago as an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Administration. As I write this, I have completed my coursework for a master’s degree in business management. This is the outcome of a life that was not expected to make it beyond secondary school, according to human judgment.
Because of this, I no longer fear adversity. I have learned to be tough, especially in the face of those who once tried to pull me down.
A few days ago, some individuals attempted to hack my accounts. Despite my efforts to secure them, my WhatsApp line was eventually compromised. Messages were sent in my name, requesting money. It was an act of impersonation and a deeply embarrassing experience.
Yet I chose to give thanks to God. Not because the incident did not happen, but because, to the best of my knowledge, no one has been duped. I would never want to be the source of someone’s hardship, especially in these difficult economic times.
Let this serve as a warning to everyone reading. Please remain cautious. My primary WhatsApp line has indeed been hacked, and I am actively working to recover it.
To those behind this act, let it be clearly stated that you have only made me stronger and more determined. I resolved long ago to be tough, not to give up at the first sign of trouble. I will emerge from this experience stronger than before.
No one can keep me down. God is sufficient for me. His mercy surrounds me daily. I am a child of God, and His protection is certain.
To my friends, associates, and colleagues, please remain calm. God remains in control.
Whatever you do in life, learn to be tough. Those who endure and persist will always prevail, regardless of what life throws their way.
Stay safe.
Arise, that same God.
Solomon Essiet ACIA
Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State
