My Academic Journey...Part III

It is required for a man to aspire as he perspires what he desires to acquire in this quagmire called life...so said one motivational speaker and you can’t help but wonder if it’s that easy, really??

Is this thing called “life” that easy? Just aspire and then you acquire? Some have it on a glide, sailing smoothly while others have it rocky and hilly, what matters is that everyone arrives at their desired end...unscathed.?

Well, for those who missed it, here is Part I and here is Part II , you can read up!

In my final days of NYSC, just like every other Nigerian Corper, I began to look ahead at what awaits me as I approached the finish line of the clarion call. On one of those days, I took time out to pray and I got confirmation that my Academic journey continues, I wasn’t done. Where and when was unclear, but the “what next” question was clear - Work and Academics.?

Arriving home from Katsina in April 2014, I put out a few applications to two companies and while waiting on response, I did the first tier of the Living Faith Church Bible School (WOFBI) - BCC and then the second tier, LCC after which I enrolled for the third tier. On the day we were to commence the third tier, I was called to resume at one of the organizations I submitted an application to. Upon resumption, I immediately set my sights on Masters, but not without a subtle fight.

I made inquiries around and even physically went to University of Lagos to make Postgraduate study inquiry. Satisfied with my inquiries, I was about to leave the office when I saw a totally unrelated notice on the notice board...there and then, I knew that wasn’t God’s plan for my M.Sc. So in my usual demeanor, I knew I had to wait till I got the go-ahead. A year passed and then at my workplace, a notice was given that all staff who wanted to pursue Academic degrees should register their interest. I did and we got the approval to begin the process. I applied for the Covenant University Postgraduate form and after a series of tests and interviews, I secured the Admission to study M.Sc. Computer Science.?

Immediately the admission was secured, the organization I was then working with revoked the approval given to pursue Academic? degrees...which meant two things - “Pause academic plans and continue working” or “Stop working and pursue academic goals”. I looked at my savings, I only had #250,000 saved, the Tuition alone for the entire M.Sc. programme at CU (in 2015/2016) was about a million naira. Still in my dilemma, some things happened in my Unit and Directorate at the office to which the only feasible outcome is leaving the organization (I guess God knew I would have chosen the first option I had - “Pause academic plans and continue working” in order to save enough for academics, reason he stirred up that situation.) I was devastated and dejected at the turn of events between August 2015 and October 2015, but I took it in good Faith, paid the total savings I had for part-payment of my 1st year tuition and began attending classes without a job.?

For every class I attended and as Examinations approached, I knew God had to come through for me, else, I might have to defer my studies. One thing kept me going however, if God is in it, it will end in Praise. November 2015, I attended an Interview in another Organization and by February 2016 - a few weeks before commencement of 1st Semester Examinations, I picked up my appointment letter. That made Tuition paying a little easy for me even though I had to shuttle between five states and hundreds of local governments to get from work to school and back whenever the need arose, I was able to navigate through that process all through that period unscathed.?

At my interview at the new workplace, it was clearly evident that God gave me favour as the Chairperson of the panel showed enthusiasm and full belief at the impact I was bringing to their organization. I quickly told them I was running my Masters programme and will require incessant trips to school when needed. She (just like the king of Babylon accepted all of Nehemiah’s request) accepted all my requests and after the interview, she said to me in clear distinct words that can never be forgotten - “I have a feeling you are going to bring onboard tremendous impact and positivity to our organization”.?

Back to my Academics, I did well in all my courses, seminars etc. Thank God for project Supervisors who understood the task and are ever ready to be a blessing to their project student rather than being a pain. Forty-three (43) of us enrolled and began the journey for M.Sc Computer Science and Management Information Science, however, only fifteen (15) of us touched the finish line as at when due.?

I am very prudent when it comes to finances, I can save and give out prudently, however, I can be very reckless when it comes to academic/career investment. I wouldn’t mind going hungry and starving myself by investing in academic and career-lifting opportunities, hence all my earnings and stipends were all buried in my M.Sc. Tuition, project and other academic-related expenses...and as a friend told me, “Investment in Academic/Career pursuit is one of the greatest assets”.

We were expected to write and publish academic papers as a requirement for M.Sc. Graduation and with the help of my Supervisor, I wrote and published more than the requirement for graduation. My Supervisor drilled me, but I came out refined and pure gold. July 25, 2017...we rolled out the graduation ceremony drums and ...that morning, I said to myself - “I think it’s time to settle down, get married and build a home!”. After the graduation ceremony that day, I was going through one of my colleague’s WhatsApp status (she also graduated that day) and saw “M.Sc in the bag, on to Ph.D...” and the Spirit bore witness with my spirit saying “Yes, that’s the next!”.?

Rather than being disappointed because I already had other plans that morning, I smiled and rejoiced. I had become accustomed to allowing God to burst into my plans, scatter it and present His own plan. There and then, I knew another academic hurdle beckons, the “when and where”, once again was unknown, but I knew what the next step was and what I had to do - WAIT, till He gives the nudge. Did He eventually give the nudge? Well, we will see about that...