Says Chioma, young 1st Class graduate
Miss Susan Chioma OBASI is 21 years old. She recently bagged First Class in Business Administration and also emerged as Overall Best Graduating Student of Caritas University, Amorji-Nike in Enugu State, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.81. Chioma shares her story in this interview.
Could you tell us about your early days? I am from Ezuhu-Nguru in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. I attended Hillcrest Preparatory and Primary School, Nsukka, and Louisville Girls Secondary School, Old Kutunku in Gwagwalada, Abuja. My parents are, Professor Isaac N. Obasi and Prof. (Mrs.) Susan N. Obasi both of whom are lecturers at the University of Abuja. I am the last of their four children.
What is your guiding philosophy of
life?
My guiding philosophy is to always be myself. This means that no matter where I find myself, I will always endeavour to exhibit the good moral values I already share. Never follow the band wagon just without good reasons. Always project yourself as one that has good moral values and one with a Christ-like attitude.
story behind your
What’s the academic feat?
I will actually attribute my academic accomplishment to God. He actually did everything for me. I remember how I always attended my Church society prayer meetings every Sunday after Mass. It is always after Mass that one feels tired and hungry but when I remember how good God has been to me, I cannot but attend the prayer meeting to thank God for His blessings. Secondly, I will attribute my success story to my family. They were always ready to help in any way they could.
What were the challenges you faced in school?
I usually wake up as early as 5 am to meet up with my 7 am lectures. Also, I usually read my books until daybreak forfeiting my night sleep. Most times I enter the hostel by 4 am and I have to still wake up very early so as not to be late for the day’s activities. Sometimes when I knew I will be engaged at noon and will not be able to read, I go to class to study immediately after lectures because I must read my books at least once a day. As a young lady, sometimes I might wish to gist and spend quality time with my friends but knowing the foundation I laid for myself, I just had to go and study and then the gist could come later.
You mentioned parental role in your success. Can you expatiate on this?
My father teaches Public Administration and my mother is an Educationist. My parents motivated and supported me physically, spiritually and morally. My mum usually gave me monetary reward for every course I made an A. I really worked hard so as to get as many A’s as possible.
What extra-curricular activity do you engage yourself in at free time?
I watch movies most of the time. I also play computer games. But while on Campus, I attended almost all the social activities that were organized. I loved the company of my friends and we usually hung out. I played the Drum set and Conga drums in the Church Choir and I also belonged to Church societies.
What are your education and career plans after the NYSC service year?
I plan to further my studies in order to obtain a Master’s degree, get a good and befitting job by God’s grace, settle down and afterwards enrol for a Ph.D.
Is there a chance for Nigerian youth to realise their dreams?
Yes, I believe there is a chance because they are still young and vibrant and can always pursue and achieve their dreams if they wish.
What is your advice to the youth – especially students and the unemployed graduates?
For those still studying, I will advise them to be very serious with their studies. Let them not be distracted by hyper-social media activities. It may not be easy for them now but if they work hard and back it up with prayers, they are sure to come out with excellent results.
For those who are unemployed after graduation, I will advise them to make good use of the knowledge gained and also try to be creative. They can start up a little business if possible to avoid being idle because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.