In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.

In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.

Goodluck Jonathan
22/09/2025
22/09/2025

In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. There were days I had only one meal... I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day. Didn't have power, didn't have generators, studied with lanterns, but I never despaired.

(4 evaluate)
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. There were days I had only one meal... I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day. Didn't have power, didn't have generators, studied with lanterns, but I never despaired.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. There were days I had only one meal... I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day. Didn't have power, didn't have generators, studied with lanterns, but I never despaired.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. There were days I had only one meal... I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day. Didn't have power, didn't have generators, studied with lanterns, but I never despaired.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. There were days I had only one meal... I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day. Didn't have power, didn't have generators, studied with lanterns, but I never despaired.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. There were days I had only one meal... I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day. Didn't have power, didn't have generators, studied with lanterns, but I never despaired.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. There were days I had only one meal... I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day. Didn't have power, didn't have generators, studied with lanterns, but I never despaired.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. There were days I had only one meal... I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day. Didn't have power, didn't have generators, studied with lanterns, but I never despaired.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. There were days I had only one meal... I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day. Didn't have power, didn't have generators, studied with lanterns, but I never despaired.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. There were days I had only one meal... I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day. Didn't have power, didn't have generators, studied with lanterns, but I never despaired.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.
In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.

Hearken, O children of the coming generations, to the testament of Goodluck Jonathan, who recounts the trials of his youth with a voice both humble and heroic. He speaks of days when he possessed neither shoes nor school bags, when a single meal was a precious treasure, and yet the flame of learning burned bright within him. Across rivers and endless miles he journeyed, embracing the hardships of life as a crucible that forged resilience, determination, and courage.

In the absence of power and the glow of modern generators, he studied beneath the flickering light of lanterns, proving that true knowledge requires not convenience, but dedication. The obstacles that beset him—poverty, exhaustion, and scarcity—were not chains, but challenges that strengthened the spirit. His tale speaks to an ancient truth: that perseverance and resolve are mightier than circumstance, and that the heart that refuses despair becomes an instrument of destiny.

Reflect upon the story of Abraham Lincoln, who in his youth walked barefoot across frozen fields to borrow books, studied by the dim light of hearths, and faced the harshness of life with steadfast resolve. Like Jonathan, Lincoln’s early deprivation became the soil from which great leadership and enduring wisdom sprang. Both exemplify the principle that hardship, embraced with courage, shapes character and illuminates the path toward achievement.

Jonathan’s words remind us that education is a treasure beyond material wealth. The miles walked, the rivers crossed, and the meager meals endured were sacrifices not of futility, but of investment in the unseen riches of the mind. In every step and every struggle, he cultivated a spirit unbowed, a determination unbroken, and a vision guided by hope rather than despair.

O children of the future, take this teaching into your hearts: the trials of youth, the scarcity endured, and the obstacles faced are the forge of greatness. When you walk your own paths of challenge, remember that resilience, determination, and a refusal to despair are the true companions of learning and the architects of destiny. In this, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the seeds of greatness flourish in the soil of hardship.

If you desire, I can also craft a visual, ancient scroll-style presentation of this passage to capture the heroic and timeless spirit of Goodluck Jonathan’s journey.

Goodluck Jonathan
Goodluck Jonathan

Nigerian - Statesman Born: November 20, 1957

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Have 4 Comment In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags.

KTMA khanh thien

This reflection feels like a testament to the power of vision and inner strength. It’s amazing how someone can rise from such humble beginnings to a place of leadership. But I can’t help but ask—does success built from hardship carry a special sense of responsibility to uplift others? Perhaps the most meaningful outcome of such experiences is using them to inspire and create opportunities for those still walking the same difficult path.

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TTThuy Thu

Reading this, I feel both admiration and sadness. The determination to pursue education despite overwhelming poverty is remarkable, but it also reveals how unequal opportunities are. What does it say about the human spirit that hope can thrive even in deprivation? I wonder how many others with similar potential never get the chance to succeed simply because their circumstances crush that hope too soon.

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PLPhuong Linh

I find this story deeply humbling. It reminds me that true success often comes from endurance rather than privilege. Yet, it also raises a question—should anyone have to struggle that hard just to get an education? It’s admirable that he never despaired, but it’s also tragic that basic needs like food and electricity were luxuries. Maybe the greater lesson here is not only perseverance, but the need for societies to remove such barriers for others.

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THToan Hangtoan

This quote is incredibly inspiring because it shows how perseverance can overcome even the harshest circumstances. It makes me reflect on how easy it is to take education and comfort for granted. I wonder how many young people today could maintain that same determination in the face of such hardship. Do you think adversity like this builds character and resilience, or does it simply expose the strength that’s already within someone?

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