The Most Influential Person On AIB This Week Is Mary Slessor

 Mary Slessor was born on Saturday, December 2nd, 1848 in Aberdeen, Scotland. She was the second child, her parents, Rober and Mary Slessor had seven children, and she was the second child. She came from an impoverished family, who barely had enough to eat. Three of her siblings died at a very tender age, while another died when she was in her twenties.

She was one of the most outstanding early missionaries to Nigeria. She contributed greatly to evangelism, charity work, and educational and healthcare services in Nigeria.
 
Mary Slessor began working, alongside her mother at a cotton mill, at the age of eleven to support her family. While not working, Mary attended the mill-owned school for young workers. Through this, she was able to get a formal education.
 
As she grew, her love for humanity, and her desire to preach the gospel, made her embark on a missionary journey from Scotland to Calabar in Nigeria, a few months before she became 28 years old.
 
She experienced many challenges living with the villagers of Calabar, but she was not discouraged. For example, Calabar was mosquito-infested, but that did not discourage her.
 
Her strong personality, and passion for her work, made her accepted and trusted by the villagers. Sometimes, she settled quarrels between tribesmen. Also, she spread the gospel among them, promoted women’s rights, defied customs and traditions to stop the killing of twins, built schools and churches, with her basic medical knowledge, treated those who were sick, and adopted abandoned children.
 
She learned and was able to speak Efik, the local language of the people of Calabar. She lived among the natives of Calabar as if she was born and bred in the state. She made a difference in her life in Calabar, Nigeria, and the world at large. She was indeed a hero.
 
She died on January 13th, 1915 at the age of 66, at Use Ikot Oku, Calabar, Nigeria. Her last words were’’ O Abassi, Sana mi yok’’, meaning; ‘’O God, release me’’.

Believe in yourself and go for your dreams. Your Creator has blessed you with all you need to accomplish them. #DreamBig. #YouCan.