The price of bad choices: Temitope’s struggle with peer pressure, cultism

Temitope, a 20-year-old young man from a humble background, once had big dreams when he gained admission to the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

His parents, who lived on the edge of poverty, saw his admission as the beacon of hope they had been praying for.

They sold what little they had, pooling their resources to send him to school, believing that their sacrifices would unlock a better future for him. But for Temitope, that future remained just out of reach.

In his first year at the university, Temitope was filled with excitement and the promise of academic success. However, as time went on, that promise faded. 

Temitope became increasingly drawn to a different kind of crowd—the wrong kind. In an environment where peer pressure often prevailed, he quickly found himself entangled with bad influences, joining a cult group that would change the course of his life forever.

At first, it seemed like a way to belong, to have power, to feel important. But soon, the consequences of his choices began to show. Temitope started skipping classes, neglecting his studies, and indulging in the reckless behaviour that came with his new associations. 

Late-night parties, violence, and involvement in illicit activities became part of his daily routine. His parents, unaware of the dangerous path he was treading, continued to sacrifice everything to pay his school fees, unaware that their son was spiralling further away from his dreams.

By the end of his second year, Temitope’s academic performance had plummeted.

His grades were bad, and despite several warnings, he continued down the path of self-destruction. Eventually, the inevitable happened — Temitope was expelled from the University of Benin for poor academic performance.

Returning home, he was a shadow of the promising young man his parents had once hoped for. 

The look of disappointment on their faces when he arrived back, without a degree and with nothing to show for their sacrifices, was a painful reality check. His parents, who had nothing left but their faith, had exhausted their meager savings to support his education, and now they had to bear the weight of his failure.

Temitope’s life took a turn for the worse. 

Instead of seeking a way to rebuild his future, he found himself wandering aimlessly, sitting in street corners with no direction. He had become a part of the street culture, mixing with other youths who had either dropped out of school or never bothered to go. 

The once-bright hope of a university graduate now had no aspirations, no vision, and no sense of purpose.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, but Temitope showed no signs of turning his life around. He spent his time idling away, smoking, drinking, and occasionally getting involved in petty crimes — anything to numb the pain of his reality. 

His parents, who had poured all their resources into his education, were left helpless, watching their son waste his potential in the streets.

As the days passed, Temitope found himself sinking deeper into a pit of despair. 

He knew that he had disappointed his parents beyond measure, but he couldn’t find the strength to make a change. 

The dreams they once had for him — of becoming a successful graduate and improving their lives — seemed distant, like a forgotten story. Instead, the street corner became his refuge, his home.