Intriguing Story Of How a Crippled Street Beggar Sponsored Himself to School To Achieve A Laudable Feat

Truly, consistency and hard work pays! The man pictured above did not allow his disability to hinder him from achieving a laudable feat.

Mr. Abdulsalam Idowu, who was once a street beggar achieved an unimaginable feat in 2017. He was among the 4,225 graduates of the Nigerian Law School called to bar in Abuja, to commence practise as a lawyer in Nigeria.

Idowu who lost his mum at about age three, and who thereafter became crippled by a disease that befell him was left with a father and relatives who had no interest in his future.

PUNCH reports that Idowu started begging at age eight in Erin Ile, Kwara State, the proceeds from which he sent himself through primary and secondary schools.

In 2011, he obtained a degree in Political Science from University of Lagos but he was not satisfied because he desired a degree in Law. He therefore struggled to secure admission to study Law while in final year for his 1st degree programme.

Idowu, 38, overcame all odds to bag his law degree from the University of Lagos in 2015, and proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, where he emerged successful in the August/September 2016 final bar examinations. He was called to bar a year later.

“It was sometimes in 1987, I was about eight years old in the public kindergarten school. All my mates were promoted to primary one but I was not promoted.

I asked why because I attended classes and sat for exams. I was then told that I was not a registered pupil but they only allowed me to attend classes and take exams.

That day I felt very sad and on getting home I called everybody, including my father and aged paternal grandmother, whom I was staying with, because I was very angry.

I told them that I wanted to be registered in school but they said there was no money and that there was no way I could cope in school because of my condition. But I insisted that they must register me and that they should not bother about paying my fees.

They registered me and as soon as they did, I took to the street begging for alms to meet financial demands that came up. When I gained admission in 1993, I could not afford N520 school fees but I had been hearing the story of Lagos State that one could make money in Lagos State.

So, one day I was begging in Offa, Kwara State, then I said why shouldn’t I join a train to Lagos and perhaps I could make money to pay for the fees, buy a uniform and get my locker.

So, I joined the train to Ido terminus in Lagos. I started begging. I stayed with some people under the bridge and I was begging in some areas including Idumota.

I was not satisfied when they gave me admission to study Political Science because I have always wanted to be a lawyer. So, I struggled to get admission to study Law. I got the admission when I was in my final year, writing my final project for the Political Science degree.”

For solely seeing himself through school to become a lawyer and political science graduate, Idowu earned the rare privilege of being honored by the House of Representatives.

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As a form of encouragement, the House of Rep leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila presented a car to the physically challenged lawyer.

“When ordinary Nigerians do Extra ordinary things then they must be celebrated and all men and women of power and influence must rise and bow to them”, Gbajabiamila said.

“Nigerians and the world celebrate Messi and Ronaldo everyday for the amazing things they are able to do with their legs and today we must celebrate Abdulsalam for the amazing things he has been able to do without his legs”, the House Leader added.

According to Gbajabiamila, Idowu displayed resilience and hard work by studying political science and law from the proceeds of his street begging; despite being homeless for years sleeping at Idumota Motor Park in Lagos.