A PROMISE KEPT… (Part 2)
A lot can happen in one year.
It’s 3:48 AM WAT, I sit at my dining table, gazing at my laptop screen with makeup that should’ve been wiped off four hours ago. A gentle gospel melody plays in the background, and tears roll down my cheeks as my fingers hover over the keyboard.
The tears being shed in this moment are reminiscent of many things; A sigh of relief and a deep sense of gratitude to God; A fleeting memory of a time when life seemed bleak compared to my life now which is full of activity, reeling with purpose, brimming with potential.. A drop of tear for the battles fought for what I have today, and a few more for my sister Precious, who became my rock, standing by me even when we didn’t know what we stood for. More tears flow, after reading the first blogpost I ever published on my Substack.
On the 16th of August 2023, I wrote: “A PROMISE KEPT (Part 1)”. A blog post that revealed my struggles with finding myself again after encountering major personal challenges, business and career losses all in the space of 1 year! Life just kept throwing those curveballs! More importantly, the post emphasized a PROMISE I made to myself, never to give up fighting for the Princess I aspire to be. You can read the previous blogpost here https://theprincessagunbiade.com/a-promise-kept-part-1/
One year and one month later, I have steadfastly honoured that promise to myself. From being uncertain about my place and purpose, and being at the brink of giving up, I’ve risen to compete in the biggest beauty pageant in Nigeria, Miss Universe Nigeria, securing a top 3 finish. I earned a certification in Gender Development and Inclusion, established the Beauty, Brains, and The Bag Community, and launched the Beauty, Brains, and The Bag Podcast, successfully producing its first season with five episodes. I have actively participated in over 15 local and international events as a host, speaker, contributor, or moderator. Additionally, I was selected as one of 50 global youth leaders for the UNESCO APCEIU GCED 10th Youth Leadership Workshop and was among the 10 youth leaders in my cohort to receive grants from UNESCO APCEIU and Mereka/ Biji Biji for community impact projects. I was selected as a fellow in the 2nd Cohort of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, and was appointed as a Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State, H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. These accomplishments represent just a small part of my numerous successes and milestones.
Amidst the immense gratitude and sense of accomplishment I feel writing this, there is an even deeper joy, knowing you have read up to this point. Right now, the words you have taken in are encouraging you to make a promise to yourself –a promise to keep striving to become the best and most powerful version of yourself. It may be easier said than done, but even if the odds are only 0.1%, claim that chance! Be the 0.1%. I believe in you. You’ve got this.
Every setback is like a stepping stone for greatness.
The sky is your limit
Thank you Seraphin. I wish you the same.
This is such a beautifully written piece, and I am truly in awe of how much dedication and effort you always put into everything you do. Your work ethic is unmatched, consistently going above and beyond in every endeavor.
It’s no surprise that you’ve achieved so much-your commitment and perseverance are absolutely extraordinary.
I sincerely pray that all the
accomplishments you think you’ve achieved so far will merely serve as a stepping stone to even greater things ahead. May your current successes only be the beginning of an incredible journey, filled with countless more achievements and milestones.
Congratulations once again on everything you have accomplished thus far. The best is yet to come, and I look forward to celebrating your future successes with you.
Truly inspiring, excellently written! I’m looking forward to reading more blogposts like this.
This was inspiring and a beautiful read. Well done for making even the generation coming after you proud.