#HappyNationalHeroesDay Today Iâd like to celebrate heroes who donât wear capes or uniforms. But ones who also sacrifice they entire lives to building nations, one student at a time.Â
My hero this year is my high school French teacher and deputy headmaster Mr. Deogratius âSebuâ Sebulimage from Namilyango College!Â
In 1990, my parents moved me back from Gabon in Francophone Central Africa under the premise of wanting me to study in Uganda, where they felt the English system would ultimately benefit me more later on in life. They werenât wrong!
With my âZende Boyâ aka Pops we visited numerous schools to seek admission (including even Smack but none of them âspoke to himâ, because they didnât vibe with his values) until we arrived at Ngo Dips College! My dad and âSebuâ hit it off on the spot! They both spoke French⊠They were in university around the same time⊠My dad had gained a comrade in arms and someone to âkeep an eye and mentorâ his son and Sebu had registered an instant French distinction for his institution!
Over the years âSebuâ grew the reputation of being the âtoughest, meanest and most militaristicâ member of staff⊠Just him standing in the compound evoked the âfear of the Living Godâ into all of us!Â
However, he instilled in us drive, focus, character, self-expression, resilience, hard work, self-belief and above confidence⊠Personally he encouraged me to develop leadership skills from Class Captain, Mail Captain, House Prefect, Chairman Scripture Union, Chairman Students Council!Â
I even won the election to become Head Prefect by a record-breaking landslide and he used it as an opportunity to teach me humility! Him and the administration made me the deputy head prefect in charge of discipline to remind me that life isnât always fair and is not always about popularity⊠It took me years to forgive them but such is life! (The guy who lost the election
@edtabaro was made head prefect! We became best buddies and room mates afterwards but i still think we need to take this to the Supreme Court! đ) This Uganda also!
#KyokaLifu
To Mr. Sebu, wherever you are. You impacted countless number of us students âŠÂ Merci Beaucoup Enormement! Your lessons left the classroom and followed have me along my journey of life, into boardrooms, and onto platforms and stages all over the world!Â
If you had a teacher who changed your story, tag them below. Letâs flood this day with the names that donât make headlines, but make us! Happy National Heroes Day!