13/04/2024
There is a fire within each of us - a flame that yearns to be fueled by knowledge, passion, and purpose.
For this young man, that flame burned bright, kindled by a relentless hunger for education amidst the trials and tribulations of life.
This young man whose academic journey began at two prestigious high schools, especially the Methodist Boys High School (MBHS) in Oron, where he completed his O-levels in 2009.
In 2010/2011, he was admitted to the prestigious University of Uyo (UNIUYO) to pursue a 2-year Diploma in Law. During this time, financial instability led him to seek employment with Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC), where he worked for 4 years in various units. He graduated in 2013 and was convocated in 2015.
With an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, he sought admission to other institutions after being denied entry to Uniuyo after completing the Direct-Entry Exam.
Fortunately, he subsequently found National Open University, which offered him admission in 2013 to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Criminology & Security Studies, a field he later cherished. He graduated in 2017 with an Honor's certificate.
Not yet satisfied, he applied for a Postgraduate Program at the National Open University in 2021 and was admitted to pursue a Master's degree in Criminology & Security Studies.
Although the two-year program was challenging, he was unable to graduate in 2023 due to insufficient funds and other family issues. However, through sheer determination and hard work, he overcame these obstacles and joins this batch of convocating students, boasting a remarkable 3.75 CGPA.
Throughout his academic journey, from his BSc to the present, he faced numerous challenges, including:
- Doing assessments for colleagues in exchange for payment to aid his own finances.
- Traveling from Ikot Abasi to Uyo to write examinations.
- Suspending examinations due to severe health issues.
- Balancing work and studies, a feat that proved to be extremely taxing.
Despite these hurdles, he also enjoyed numerous rewarding experiences, such as:
- Being employed by a federal agency after a year of graduation, having applied for a job in 2018 with his Bachelor's degree and being enlisted in 2019.
- Graduating with a Second Class Upper (Honors) Division.
- Being offered a place in the Master's degree program with relative ease.
His hopes and dreams for the future are to attain a Ph.D. in Security Discipline, so he can lend his voice and expertise to the Security Sector, aspiring to create a safer, more secure Nigeria for all.
The path to this point has been arduous, but his perseverance and dedication have proven to be the hallmarks of a determined scholar.
As he looks to the future, he carries with him the lessons learned, the wisdom gained, and the experiences that have shaped him into the person he is today. He is no longer just a student, but a leader, a voice, and a catalyst for change.
Happy convocation my dear husband
