THE LADY THAT BROKE THE JINX
In life, there is no limitation to what we can achieve. There is nothing too big for a human being to do. All it requires is a dint of hard work, determination, zealousness and an unrelenting passion.
Some years ago, I got admitted to study Materials and Metallurgical Engineering (known as Met/Mat or MME) in Federal University of Technology, (FUTO). The first impression I received from older students of the department was “Met/Mat na akpo department”, “The department tough so tey person no fit make first class” etc. that was the notion and sadly enough, a lot of us believed such wrong notion.
Today, history is being made! To an extent, it is about TEN (10) years since the department produced a ‘First class graduate’ but today, the story has changed. A lady has broken the jinx with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.55. She has been found worthy in character and learning. She will be conferred a ‘FIRST CLASS HONORS’ degree. She has opened the way and done that which people felt was impossible. It was not done by magic. It was as a result of a blend of academic seriousness and dedication to studies. The question now is; “Who is she?”
EZEH CHIAMAKA CYNTHIA popularly known as ‘Chimaxino’ has done it again. Her success story did not start today. It all began in her days as a fresher. Haven been admitted, she knew her goals and aspiration, hence she was conscious of the fact that she needed to work hard in order to reach the zenith of her goals. She began to study her books judiciously.
Before the end of her third year, she began to top her mates. Her answer scripts was just a replica of the lecturer’s marking scheme. One unique thing about her is her ability to combine her academic life with student politics. She was never the ‘bookish’ type. She was very versatile both in her social, political campus and academic life. She is an Imo state born student political leader well-known for her political shrewdness.
In her sophomore, she became the Assistant Secretary General of the National Association of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Students (NAMMES), FUTO Chapter. The following year, she became the Vice President of the same organization. A duty she discharged with all manner of political enthusiasm. She became a political giant in the department and beyond. After haven served the department, she decided to go national. She contested and won the post of Vice President of NAMMES NATIONAL (a body that unites all Met/Mat students in several institutions within the country). While as the National Vice President, she organized the last NAMMES National conference held at FUTO on 26th January, 2018.
She has this special gift of making a tough course look simple for you when you approach her for tutorials. She is a brainbox and a lover of books. Chiamaka is not only a ‘First class’ material on paper but in all spheres of life.
It should be noted that Chiamaka is an ebullient and erudite scholar with a difference, a repertoire of knowledge and a repository of wisdom and intellectual force within the Engineering field and beyond. When it comes to Metallurgy, she has a vast and practical knowledge of Materials testing, Foundry, Welding technology, Metallurgical Heat Treatment, Principles of Corrosion Engineering, Iron and Steel making etc. She is full of innovative ideas and creativities, loves helping people. She is also a good graphics and web designer, a professional bead maker and a wire work designer.
When it comes to religious activities, she is not left out. She is a strong catholic and a member of Lay Readers association in the Catholic Chaplaincy (known as St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy). She was the secretary of the yearbook committee and also among the team that produced an electronic yearbook. She is currently working on a book which she hopes to publish to share the secrets of her success.
Today, the bells of success will be rung because Chiamaka has achieved a rare feat. Like an academic colossus, she has withstood all academic obstacles on her way, she has fought a good race and now she awaits the crown of honor. An honor that is well-deserved.
Today, she will join the league of ‘First class honors’ graduates from other departments to be presented to the crowd. She has broken the jinx and has paved way for others to follow her line of success. She has let the world know that a ‘First class graduate’ can come from a department which people saw as being ‘akpo’ or ‘tough’. To an extent, the department is tough but she has disproved people’s doubt.
Today, the accolades of praises and congratulatory messages will roll out on her behalf. The camera flash will continually flash as she smiles to the camera. She will be celebrated on such an outstanding achievement. The long hours of reading and burning the midnight candle has finally paid off for her. Her parents are happy. Her friends are happy. The department is happy. Her lecturers are happy. The institution is happy and proud of her. Her success story will forever remain in the archives of academic success as she has made a name for herself.
Friends, I enjoin you to celebrate with her. I enjoin you to identify with her. Remember, when you celebrate the success of others, success will come your way. The litanies of congratulatory messages will never be enough for her as her body, soul and heart is filled with joy on an auspicious day like this. I celebrate with her. I doff my cap for her. I give thanks to God for the gift of life and academic wisdom bestowed on her. I also congratulate her parents, the lecturers that formed basis of her intellectual sagacity and all those that contributed to the success of this rare feat. I wish her well in future life pursuits. It is our collective hope that in no distant time, more ‘First Class honors’ graduates will emerge from the department.
I also use this medium to congratulate the 2017 graduating class of FUTO who has been found worthy in character and in learning. I wish you well in your various life pursuits.
Congratulations once more.
Written by:
Aniebo C. Aniebo
