I recalled the teacher asking us the meaning of “REMUNERATE” and no one could make an attempt. “these words are what I should know,” as I kept muttering in my heart. I was just seven years old, but the knowledge I sought for made me develop eye bags. I flip my dictionary with so much keenness to know the meaning of the word “remunerate”, I found it as I voiced out in equanimity. “Remunerate means pay someone for services rendered and work done”. I read the meaning of the word four times as I continued glaring at my notebook.

Mama will always tell me, ”Uchenna go and sleep” without knowing that I was seriously foreshadowing my future. Dear future me, you know I love you and I wish to trace your part in my life……….., my mum was coming through the lobby to bash into my room as I hid the book under my pillow, I found a woman who loves me but would like me to work to stupor, “go and wash the toilet, sweep the house, wash the plate before going to school” I folded my face and kept taping my feet’s with my body resisting every aspect of house chore, I just wanted to hid myself in a small room containing books and consume. At that point I was studying a literary book that contains stories, not knowing I was the protagonist in the book “Dear future me”.

My junior secondary school taught me confidence which my senior secondary tried to destroy. “You will have to choose between art, science or commercial art,” the principal said as I became more confused. I went home and told my parents as they suggested I study science. I knew the work load. I went straight to my room as my legs kept shaking.

The next day, I came back and told my mom that I am a science student, with so much mix feeling boldly written in my heart, “Good boy, make sure you make me proud” as I nodded my head in affirmation.

My first day in school was a different scenario as we wrote our resumption test. We wrote different subjects as I went home more confused. Next day, our names were called with our scores called out, “Chukwuegbim David 9/10 in Biology,” my class teacher uttered as I was appreciated with a standing ovation. I felt fat for the first time. It was time for the Chemistry results to be called as my heart flee from my body. I knew the mess I had made. My name was called with so much shame all over my face, I got 2/10 as some of my classmates made jest of me. My body was feeble as my heart melt, I got the roof pulled on my behalf by my mom. I got enrolled in a chemistry lesson. Chemistry became a hard nut to crack as I thought of my future.

Immediately I got home, I went to one of my favorite books “Dear future me” to have a glance, I got trapped by the words as the protagonist condition seemed the same with me “confusion”, but the protagonist was so intentional about his life, I got the message and put them into action.

Also, I went into the laboratory, did chemical equations, measured for iodine but failed to understand due to the dilapidated laboratory, but I kept pressing on. After Chemistry lessons I got home, did my chores, took my dinner, and went in with my stubborn head trying to get it right. My eyes seem too heavy yet I laboured to understand the arithmetic.

The last time I visited a friend, he had a similar problem which I faced with an audacious move, including my classmates that will always run to me for the help am not too sure of. My teachers never told us how they got the level of acidity in solution or in pH, which I desperately needed to know. I raised my hand above my head as I asked her question, “Aunty how did you get the level of acidity in solution” she scolded me and told me to follow the numbers given, education is my desire but I am gradually losing its essence, but no, I never gave up.

However, while all this was happening, my brain kept rotating clock wise daily for a solution. It’s weekend and I can only thank God is Saturday. I was usually given free internet connection to browse and play games. I took advantage of it, went into chrome and at the top of my screen a message popped up, “HOW TO CREATE AN APP”, at first I wanted to ignore the message, but the other side of my brain made me to know that I needed a solution for my learning. It took me hours to understand that I can easily create an app that will be needed for learning. I have not come to the conclusion of what I wanted.

I took in this idea for months and finally came up with an innovative idea. I want to create a game app that will make learning easier. I came up with this, creating an app, whereby the inside will have a furnished laboratory that contains the necessary tools, with the robot being operated by us to perform chemical reactions and get accurate numbers. It will look like a 3d game which allows users to go to the next level after passing the first stage. The app contains biology, chemistry, physics and a furnished laboratory for learning.

Gradually, I took the bull by the horn, told my parents about the idea and they got me enrolled into a web designers class, where I got to learn app developing for a year. Every Saturday and Sunday evening I enjoyed every bit of it until I became a master of my game.

I kicked off the journey of innovation, created a 3d game app that contains chemistry, physics and biology, created the walking robot inside the app that seems fascinating, and other interesting features I added to spice it up.

“I found out that most students found learning boring, so I came up with a 3d game (laboratory in your pocket), to make learning fun and easier. During my own time, I found learning difficult due to the dilapidated laboratory we have, which lacks essential tools for learning, thereby limiting my knowledge. I came up with this idea so that students can easily assess the laboratory with their 3d games” before I could finish, the congregation gave me a standing ovation.

I came for the Zenith idea innovation, which helps to fund young, vibrant, innovative minds to help their small businesses. I just concluded my speech and went back to my chair. After everyone has pitched their ideas, it was time to announce the winners for 2023 Zenith idea innovation. My heart kept beating triple as I listened keenly. After the first and the second runner-up was called, I lost hope.

“And the winner for the 2023 Zenith idea innovation goes to ………, they sustained a lot of suspense, Chukwuegbim David! The host shouted as I screamed madly and ran out to the podium breathing heavily. I was given the microphone to express my gratitude, but words failed me.

Despite being rewarded the sum of 15 million to establish my innovative idea by the Zenith idea innovation, my biggest reward remains me, years of studying, years of innovating. Dear future me, you paid off.

@Chukwuegbim Uchenna