Thank you Jonathan: Nsukka Boy’s Presidential Scholarship Story from London University

Last year, I left Nigeria for the first time – to begin my Masters of Science (MSc) program in Information Security at the University College, London (UCL). It wasn’t because my parents had become overnight millionaires but because I was one of the two hundred and five (205) graduate students to benefit from the PRESSID (Presidential Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development) awardees in 2014.

My name is Chibuike Ugwuoke and was born and bred in Enugu State twenty-something years ago to a very modest family.

I gained admission to study Computer Science at the University of Nigeria,Nsukka in 2007 and by God’s grace, graduated in 2011 with First Class Honours. It was a challenging experience but helped me become the man I am today.

A senior lecturer at the university informed me about it but I felt it was one of those 419 wayo-wayo scholarship schemes that have become the norm in Universities. Besides, I did not expect the final selection process to be credible. In previous regimes, such things are only awarded to people who are related to prominent persons in the government. Somehow I decided to try my luck and apply but even when I was going for the final test phase in Abuja, a part of me felt I was wasting my time.

I’m here in London, but neither the cold nor the fact that I am again the class representative as I was throughout my undergraduate days has made me fully believe that I am not in dreamland.

My classmates who fondly nicknamed me ‘Modulus’ and other schoolmates I met have formed part of my network of friends today, as do some of my lecturers.

It is imperative to note that this would not have been possible without God and the Goodluck Jonathan administration that initiated this scheme in 2012. I cannot thank you enough, Mr. President especially for lifting a burden from my parents’ shoulders and for fulfilling the dream of a nobody. (Photo credit: LIB).