From Tailor’s Shop to First Class: Student narrates story of how she turned challenges Into triumph

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Growing up in Aba as the last of six children, she recalls her early life vividly. “I grew up in a family of six – five girls and one boy. I’m the last child of my parents, who are still alive. My father is a tailor in the city of Aba; he specializes in sewing school uniforms, and my mother assisted in his business,” she said.

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Her journey into sewing began early. “I started sewing when I was in JSS 3, at the age of 13. My siblings and I grew up assisting my father in the business during weekends, public holidays, mid-term breaks, and end-of-session breaks.”

Early Influences

Education was a strong value in her family. “Yes, my father loves education and values quality education. He did not have it all but made sure we all attended one of the best primary and secondary schools in Aba. He would collect jobs from the school and use them in exchange for our tuition. Going to a good primary and secondary school created a solid foundation for me.”

One memory from the shop stands out. “There was a particular job he got, and we were behind schedule due to the quantity. We had to work morning, afternoon, and night just to deliver. We slept a maximum of four hours in 24 hours. It was stressful, but it made me strong.”

But this sacrifice sometimes set her apart from peers. “Yes, I felt different. My peers would be attending summer classes and extra lessons, and I would be on my way to the shop. It got to me after senior WAEC when everyone around me was going for UTME classes, and I was going to the shop every day. I only studied for the exam at night.”

Her parents had their own unique outlook on education. “My parents were not really interested in good grades. They both ended their education at the primary level, so they didn’t understand what those grades meant. I can remember the first time I brought an award home in my primary school days, and my father’s exact words were, ‘I didn’t know you were this intelligent.’ They were interested in making us industrious but, at the same time, wanted good education for us.”

Academic Excellence and Career Path

She maintained brilliance through school. “I was always a brilliant student from primary school to university level, but I worked hard to keep up and maintain the position.”

On her course choice, she explained: “My inspiration was tied to my inquisitive nature — the biology behind every living thing and their response to the environment. It is something worth studying and understanding. Have you ever wondered why mosquitoes bite at night or in a dark setting? Or why some particular insecticides don’t kill mosquitoes anymore within a specific environment? All those questions led me to accept studying Animal and Environmental Biology.”

Interestingly, it wasn’t her first choice in JAMB. “It was not my first choice in JAMB. I developed passion and love for the course in my 200 level when I started noticing a lot of environmental factors that are causing harm to man and his health. To take mitigation measures, we need to understand the causes and impact. There’s a lot happening in the environment — in water, the atmosphere, and on land — that man is not aware of.”

Life on Campus

Her academic journey at the University of Port Harcourt began in 2019. “I gained admission in 2019, experienced a COVID break and ASUU strike twice. My academic journey was filled with energy, stress, and fulfillment. I made sure I participated in extracurricular activities. I took leadership roles every session, either in church, the department, or the student union.”

She coupled her studies with business ventures. “In my 1st year, I sold oil perfumes in classes and hostels. In 2nd year, I added data subscriptions (I was a data vendor), and that particular business gave me my first N100,000 at the age of 20. During my second-year session break, I took a content writing course, and in my third year, I got a long-term deal for content writing.”

However, final year demanded sacrifices. “In my fourth year, which was my final year, the workload became overwhelming. I had to quit the writing gig and focus on my schoolwork. The only job I did in my fourth year was data analysis for project research. I learned data analysis during my 3rd-year session break.”

Challenges and Resilience

She admitted there were times she nearly gave up. “Yes, I felt like giving up after my second-year first semester due to the long ASUU strike. The strike was really a setback for me, and it kept me at a T-junction. I needed to save money for the next semester, and nobody wanted to employ an undergraduate. It was so frustrating that I almost abandoned the degree to get another degree from a school of nursing — at least they (lecturers) don’t go on strike.”

On low points, she said: “I won’t say I never experienced a lowest moment, but I saw it all as a mirage. The financial crisis, eating one square meal a day, the poor-quality food, trekking under the hot sun just so I could have funds to do the important things — they were all a mirage for me.”

Study Habits and Success

Her academic strategy was clear. “I started studying from the beginning of the semester to avoid accumulating courses. I preferred to study alone rather than in a group. Before I start studying, I make sure I have had enough sleep… Sleep helped relax my eye and brain muscles.

Her first-class result was not accidental. “My first class was planned. I started working towards it from my first year.”

Beyond Books

She embraced leadership roles. “I held leadership positions such as SUG barrister under the judiciary arm, departmental member of the jury, general secretary of my church fellowship for two sessions, and financial secretary of my church fellowship for one session.”

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Her tech journey also found expression. “I volunteered at tech events in Port Harcourt when I started my tech journey as a data analyst. I had a small business.”

As for social life? “I never had a social life; it was just school, church, and my business.”

Support System and Mentors

Reflecting on those who stood by her, she said: “My elder sister and her husband, Mr and Mrs Chukwuma Ama, play the biggest role in my success.”

She also paid tribute to her lecturers and friends. “Yes! Prof. Noutcha Aline, Dr. Maduamaka Abajue, and Dr. Ndubisi were the lecturers who kept encouraging me during my weak days. My friend, Mr. Stephen Egbochuo, held my hand from my first year to my fourth year; he stood in as my emotional support.”

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