‘I’m working to become a renowned marine engineer’

Ahmad Khalil Yahaya Bakori is a 25 year old young mind from Katsina State. He recently graduated from the College of Maritime and Technology in Alexandria, Egypt where he read Marine Engineering. In this interview, Ahmad spoke about his feats and ambition

W@SimonEchewofun

hat motivated you to taking a course in marine engineering?

I was motivated from what I have read about successful marine engineers. More so my decision was backed by my fervent prayers, hardworking lifestyle and being patient to attain success.

What was your most memorable event during your stay in Egypt?

I cannot forget the day I found myself at sea working in the engine room as cadet. We sailed from Alexandra seaport to Cyprus, and it was just loving and memorable for me.

As a successful youth, what were your challenges during the course?

Actually there was no challenge. The only one I could think of was that I missed my country home and Nigeria during my stay. In my educational pursuits, I have had course to miss my home a lot right from my primary education which was at a boarding school till date.

What is your next move now that you are back to Nigeria?

I am preparing to enlisted in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Insha Allahu. From thence, I hope to further my education while pursuing a remarkable marine engineering career. What I do at present is further study books related to my course of study while understudying the industry in Nigeria.

Have you done any other thing besides studying?

@LatifatOpoola

Yes of course. I am not the type that would depend on my parents for everything. I am currently into small business, and the proceeds I have used to help myself in various ways. It has always been my dream to be selfempowered and that I preach to other young minds.

What are you doing to affect other youth positively in your immediate locality?

I am enlightening others to study this special course – Marine Engineering, because most of our people in Nigeria are not familiar with this course. Specifically in Katsina state, we are very few who can be referred to as Marine Engineers.

In the next four to five years, I want to see many people studying this course so that my country will have more marine engineers and navigators especially now that government is mulling the idea of having a national shipping line. We need human capacity to drive the maritime sector and seeing that Nigeria achieves that will be my ultimate joy.

What would be your advice to other young persons in Nigeria?

For youth who are still unemployed like me, I urge them to wake up and find an alternative. They should never depend always on government or their guardians. I have often urged such persons to start-up businesses and pray to God for success because He alone grants success, but we as humans must demonstrate our quest for it.