A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the one I love. I am very pleased with him.”
Matthew 3:17 ERV
In the blink of an eye, I, Sharon Boye, experienced a change in my reasoning, as this young man shared his story with me. On a hot afternoon, as I stood with Him, listening to his story, I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, there is a transformative power that comes, with knowing God.
For years, I struggled with the idea of the topic being discussed. It took one man (Kalio Sotonye), however, to stand firm and stand tall, saying to Himself, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”, to test my knowledge.
Welcome back to the Brave series! I am glad to have you here with me today. Thank you for Tuning in🎉.
It feels as though we have more males this season👀… Oops.. Did I just give a tip as to whom we have next? Haha😄
Today’s guest was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. He derives passion and joy from his Job. Infact, He doesn’t see it as a job, but, as him pursuing after His purpose. He works as a Treatment officer at CHRIST AGAINST DRUG ABUSE MINISTRY (C.A.D.A.M)- a Christian ministry formed primarily to help those dealing with drug addictions.
This young man spent the early days of His childhood schooling at Montessori International school Port Harcourt, Igbinedion Education center, Benin city, and Went to various universities but graduated from Redeemer’s University Ede, Osun state. He is set to get married to the love of his life, very soon🥰🥰.
With a standing ovation and a round of applause, join me as I welcome, the Honourable, ” Kalio Sotonye”.
(Crowd cheering)👏👏👏👏👏
“I once knew a young man who had the best things life could offer, this young man was born into a decent and comfortable home and family, he had a good primary education and was taken to a wonderful secondary school and it was in this school he began to develop some very terrible habits that almost cost him, his life.
This young man out of curiosity, influenced by the friends he kept, began smoking marijuana when he was in SS2 and was just 15 years old in the year 2002. He hung out with boys who always smoked, talked about how good they felt when they did it, and how bold it made them feel.
So, one day he decided to give it a try, and that was the beginning of a dangerous journey for him. He was fortunate enough to get admitted into the university immediately he graduated from secondary school in 2003 and because he thought he had finally found the freedom he had long been looking for, he began to explore carelessly and lost focus of the purpose for which he was in the university even from his first year; he was naive and silly.
He started trying out all kinds of drugs and substances and even joined a cult in his supposed 200 level. This young man became addicted to drugs and eventually dropped out of that university. He went back home, but, instead of him to cool his heels and think of a way forward he took to the streets and began living like a hoodlum. Addiction and cultism got the better of him and although he had a home and house, he stayed and slept anywhere and everywhere he could find (in not yet completed buildings, even in the ghettos).
This young man began to lose hope in life and thought he couldn’t become useful to himself, his family, and society. But God had other plans. Sometime in 2008, he was forcefully taken to a rehab center. Although he was upset about it, he was there for 6 months, but, one week after he was released, he hit the streets again and suffered a major relapse.
He gained admission back into another university in the year 2009 and he thought to himself that things would be different; he would focus on the purpose of which he was at school. But, things took a turn for the worse as he got deeper into drugs and cultism. He did all he could possibly do to, “feed the addictions“, as his family had seized giving him allowance a long time ago.
He stole, he robbed, he engaged in all manner of crime just to feed his addiction. He was also fully active in cult activities. Slowly but surely, he began to get tired of being an addict and began to ask God to help him as he no longer had a reason to live anymore but for drugs.
In February of 2012, he was taken back to the rehab center, but, this time, willing to give it a try. He was there for 6 months and a week. On the 4th of September, 2012, he was released and was immediately taken to Lagos the very next day as he lived with his family in Port Harcourt. On the 9th of September 2012, 5 days after his second release, he began another rehabilitation program at a center called,” CHRIST AGAINST DRUG ABUSE MINISTRY (CADAM) “, and that was where the transformation began.
On the 10th of December, 2012, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and began to live for him alone. While still at the rehab, life began to make sense to him again as he finally discovered purpose and realized that he had the very life of God within him. The scourge of addiction was finally lifted and he was finally free, even from cultism. His family fully accepted him back after his one-year rehabilitation program and were so delighted that God had restored him.
He eventually went to a bible college and gained admission back into the university in October 2014 where he obtained his first degree 15 years after he first gained admission. He graduated from the university in 2018 and he now works as a drug abuse and addiction treatment officer in CHRIST AGAINST DRUG ABUSE MINISTRY, where he helps others who find themselves in the situation he was once in. He’s also a die-hard lover of God and loves to tell people about Christ.
If God could help this young man get out of this, He can help you too. My name is Kalio Sotonye and this is my story.”
Wow! What did I just read? Who did it? JESUS! THIS IS ONE LIFE STORY, THAT DEFINES TRANSFORMATION, SO WELL. To God be the Glory.
Thank you so much Mr. Kalio for sharing your story. I can not express my gratitude enough. May you move from glory to glory. There are no limitations in your life. God will perfect what He is doing in your life and in the end, He will receive the praise and adoration, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you were blessed by this story, please leave a comment below, share it with friends, family, and everyone you can, like, and follow this page as well.
Feel free to always visit and follow my Instagram page for more. See you next week, with another Monday motivation, God willing😁😘.
Remember; you are loved by love Himself.
Boye Paulina Sharon
15th June 2020
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