Must Read: Simeon, The ‘Armless’ Multi-Instrumentalist

Simeon

SIMEON Djagbo exemplifies two adages. One, that with God, all things are possible, and two, that there is ability in disability. In his early 20s, Simeon was born with stumps as arms but with determination, he has remained undaunted and is now taking his destiny in his hands.
Presently based in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, is an
indigene of  Warri, Delta State. “We are three boys and I am the second son. My father works with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) while my mother is into catering,” he says of his family.
Interestingly, Simeon doesn’t see his disability as a challenge. He belongs to a musical group, iCan, with two other talented artistes, Enifome Samuel Peters and Brume Egborge. Together, they formed a gospel band to worship and show the world that nothing is impossible before God.
Incredibly, despite having no hands, he plays the guitar, piano and drums. To him, what he does today is an inspiration from God; it’s a gift God gave to him to glorify His name.
“If you ask me, I can’t explain it but I know I love music and was so determined to get something out of it. And anything I desire in my life, God always gives it to me.”
After several attempts and practices on how to write with his legs and mouth, he tried writing with his hands, clasping his biro with the stumps of both hands. And it worked.
“Before I could enroll in any school, I must learn how to write. I put biro in my legs and mouth but it wasn’t working. I just picked up my biro one fateful day and began to write myself, using both hands,” he explained.
He recalled his mother’s joy when she saw him writing. By the next week, Simeon had improved tremendously and was afterwards enrolled into Saint Luke Nursery and Primary School, Airport  Road, Warri.
“I write with both hands and I am a fast writer. The most surprising thing was that I was treated equally with other students during my school day.
“I finished most of my examinations even before those with complete hands. I cook, I iron, I wash my clothes and I drive myself. Honestly, I am short of words as everything is all about God,” he enthused.
After his primary education, Simeon gained admission into Demonstration Secondary School along Airport Road, Warri. From there, he proceeded to Delta State University (DELSU) from where he graduated in 2010 with a degree in Information Science.
He was posted to Rivers State for the compulsory National Youth Service (NYSC). He served at Okrika Local Government Council and completed his service two weeks ago on June 14.
“I feel God created me for a purpose,” he says of his disability, “but I don’t feel depressed in whatever way.”
Full of confidence, Simeon says he doesn’t need people’s help to do anything. He admits that people always ask if he went to school of music but he always tells them “no!”
“But I have this undying determination to be somebody in life and I told God that I really wanted to go to school. Professionally, I started music 1996-97. I have the skill in me but I learnt the basics from people. I try to transfer what they do with their fingers with my two hands. If I say I can play the sax, people would be shocked but I can do that too.”
Last Sunday, Simeon performed at the 17th edition of the Toyin and Friends Gospel Concert held at Mamora Hall, Ikeja, Lagos.
It was a friend who introduced him to the brain behind the concert, Toyin Adebola (aka Uncle T). It was the second time to perform and he cherished the love, care and attention showered on him at the show.
The yearly Toyin and Friends Concert is all about the worship of God, not the church. At the moment, it holds only in Lagos but plans are on to take it to other parts of the country. The 17th edition was packed full, with different artistes rendering soul-stirring worship songs. They included Pastor Chris, Pastor Nike Adeyemi, Buchi, Cobhams, Okiki Jesu, Frank Edwards and others.
In future, Simeon would like to give the less-privileged a platform to express themselves and better their lot. “I don’t know how, but God would have His way as our pastor always tells us that everything in life has been written down in the dictionary or diary of God.”
What is his relationship with women? “I can do what others can do and even better. I have so many female friends but no lover. Although I really want a lover, the features I want from a girl I am not getting it yet. I don’t want to enter a relationship that will drag me down. I need someone who is God fearing and has something upstairs, the same spirit and drive, and can support me emotionally and physically.”
After serving the country, he is hoping God would place him in a very good company and position so he can earn a good salary. “I am aiming nothing less than the best for myself in life. And I believe God would put smile on my face.”
But Simeon is not ready to sacrifice music for work and vice-versa, insisting: “I am still going deep down into music and nothing stops me from merging work and music together.”
He advises the less-privileged never to give up hope for a better future. “Whatever challenges one is going through, God sees everything but the devil works with the mind. Once your mind says you can’t, you are dead. With God, all things are possible. It’s a process; don’t give up if something is taking time to materialize.”
However, one thing saddens Simeon and that is the fact that society is not helping the disabled. Stressing that they are human beings too, he urged governments at all levels and Nigerians at large, to take care of the disabled.
“They could be handicapped physically but government shouldn’t forget that they are not handicap mentally,” he averred.

-Guardian

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