Nollywood actress Taiwo Akinwade (Yetunde Wumi) has shared a deeply emotional account of how she was denied formal education, revealing the painful circumstances that shattered her childhood dreams of going to school.
The actress opened up during a recent episode of the Aunty Ayo podcast hosted by Ayo Adesanya. She described her early life with her paternal grandmother as the only mother she knew, where she attended school up to primary two.
When her father’s younger sister came to take her to Ibadan after having a child, her grandmother gave specific instructions, including ensuring she continued her education. However, those wishes were ignored.
Taiwo recounted the hardship that followed:
“Immediately I got to Ibadan, she made me hawk goods all day.”
Despite her uncle enrolling her in school and asking his wife to take her along with their children, the aunt refused.
Her last hope was pinned on returning to her father’s house. Taiwo said she had assured her friends she would resume schooling once she went back. Tragically, that dream died with her father.
“Just before my father died — a fasting period — I’d already assured my friends that I’d be able to school when I go back to my father’s house but 8 days to the end of the fasting, I was hit with the news of my father’s death, and that was the end of my dream of getting a formal education.”
Taiwo reflected philosophically on her situation, saying:
“I should probably say I just wasn’t destined to have formal education because we’re all just carrying out God’s will.”
Her heartfelt confession has touched many fans, highlighting the struggles some children face when family members fail to honour basic responsibilities like providing education.