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I'LL LIKE TO GIVE A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO MY UNBORN CHILD, A FUTURE OAU ALUMNUS____SETH

NCB: Please, can we meet you?

FYB: Alright. I’m Seth Chukwuemeka Ukochukwu. I’m currently in my final year studying English.

NCB: Nice to meet you Seth! Could you tell us a bit more about yourself? For example, where are you from?

FYB: Nice to meet you too. Okay I’m from Ebonyi state but I reside in Lagos. If the questions about myself could be specific… I don’t want to overshare (lols).

NCB: Okay! Can we get a bit more information about you? Could you also tell us a bit about your family? Oh! Over sharing is more than welcome!

FYB: Alright, I’m 23 years old. Asides from being a student, I’m a money changer in my free time. Well, I have 3 siblings of which I’m the oldest. My mum is from Ogun state so I’m half Igbo, half Yoruba.

NCB: What exactly does a money changer do?

FYB: We exchange currencies. E.g Cedis for Naira

NCB: Wow! Does that mean that you don’t plan on using your degree in English?

FYB: The future is pregnant with unknown possibilities. We can never tell.

NCB: True! Speaking of degrees in English, why OAU and why English?

FYB: Why OAU? It’s reputation. I was advised by old people who schooled with our forefathers. Why English? I was spoon-fed the course. Although I was always curious about the language.

NCB: Looking at your stay, would you say it has lived up to expectations?

FYB: No, I was told by the old people I referred to earlier that we would be served breakfast every morning.

NCB: Now, this is interesting. Were they students as well?

FYB: Oh yeah, they attended OAU when it was known as University of Ife.

NCB: The original alumni!

FYB: Exactly!

NCB: Spoon-fed, how?

FYB: Law was my initial choice from JUPEB but it was not accredited at the time.

NCB: So, a wounded lawyer? If you could turn back time, would you wish to be a law student?

FYB: A wounded lawyer? If there were any wounds at all, they’ve surely healed. If I could turn back time, yeah I think I would have chosen law. Although it’s important to note that I excel in whatever I do so it’s not a law or nothing situation.

NCB: This confidence is strong, does this mean you are a first class student?

FYB: No, I’m not. Unfortunately, the course is so subjective that some lecturers disagree with the answers I provide in the tests and exams.

NCB: Hm! As an handsome Igbo-Yoruba man that you are, are you taken or outside breaking hearts?

FYB: (Lol) Who says I’m handsome? Well, yeah, I have a girl I fancy. She has almond shaped eyes and sits in the 4th row of my class. As for breaking hearts, I’ll say it’s a matter of perspective and who is telling the story. No one likes things broken.

NCB: No one does. Would you like to tell us her name?

FYB: I wish I could But I don’t even know her name yet.

NCB: Well, when you do, we hope the feelings are mutual and good things happen.

FYB: Hopefully.

NCB: What lessons would you say you have learnt in your journey in OAU?

FYB: There is always someone smarter. Stay humble.

NCB: Hm! Do you have a particular story in mind and would you like to tell us?

FYB: It’s not a story per se but the whole university experience taught me that I won’t always be the smartest person in the room and that’s okay. Being outperformed in something you thought were good at can be humbling. You just have to keep working harder to be better until you meet someone better again. It’s an unending cycle, the pursuit of knowledge.

NCB: Would you say this is your advice to junior colleagues? If so, who would you like to send a shout-out to?

FYB: Yes it’s also an advice to my juniors. I’ll like to give a special shout-out to my unborn child, a future OAU alumnus.

NCB: You plan on building a legacy in OAU?

FYB: I won’t call it building a legacy. But, yeah, if OAU improves both in infrastructure and education in the coming years, sending one of my children here could be a viable option.

NCB: Well, let’s end this interview on a hopeful note. Thank you for your responding to our invite.

FYB: Thank you for having me.

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