She was discovered in a primary school in a sleepy village somewhere in Enugu State. She was ferried to Yola, Adamawa State, for a scholarship education in a privately-owned secondary school. Thereafter, she was also given admission to pursue her degree at the American University of Nigeria. Last weekend, she was the valedictorian as the best graduating student of the 2017 class of the institution with 3.98 GPA. This is the inspiring story of Immaculata Onyinye Onuigbo.
Speaking with BDSUNDAY in Yola at the 9th commencement ceremony of the institution, the young woman from Ngwo in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu State, South East geo-political zone, said: “It all started when I was in primary school in my state, some people came from the Musa Yar’Adua Foundation. They were going from school to school, selecting brilliant pupils and giving them scholarship to secondary school. I was lucky to be among the few that were selected. I was brought to the AUN Academy where I had my secondary education on scholarship. Thereafter, I was offered admission into the AUN on scholarship.”
Onuigbo was admitted into the Development University in the fall of 2012 majoring in Petroleum Chemistry.
Asked if she thought her sterling performance was more of nature or nurture, Ms. Onuigbo said: “I think it is everything combined. I was greatly influenced by a lot of people around me- my parents, my professors, my friends, etc. It was also a result of the decision I made to succeed in my academics. It was a determination that I pursued so hard.”
According to her, “The AUN experience is all-encompassing package that prepares students for the challenges and many opportunities in the larger society.
“The professors at AUN are readily available to interact, correct and engage with students at any time they need help. Also for students who are business-minded, AUN provides diverse entrepreneurial training, and conferences that equip students to establish their businesses and manage them well. At AUN, we are trained to apply classroom knowledge to the many challenges facing our community,” she said.
The valedictorian, who bagged Bachelor of Science, further explained that AUN was many things to her. She said she had learned many skills such as leadership, management, community development, creativity and more.
While at the institution, she served as director of public relations in both Student Government Association (SGA) as well as in the AUN Catholic Society; secretary of the institution’s prestigious Honour Society and the AUN Students Chemical Society, and assistant captain of the Stallions female soccer team. She also volunteered and participated in the various AUN community service projects such as the distribution of food items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), AUN Feed and Read Programme, and tutoring of primary school children in Yola.
The young woman won the following awards: Award for Academic Excellence; Overall best graduating student (Valedictorian); Award for Academic Distinction- best graduating student in Petroleum Chemistry; Award for Academic Excellence- best graduating student in School of Arts & Sciences; Provost’s Award for Academic Excellence; Haruna Musa Award for Academic Excellence; Afrinvest (West Africa) Award for Academic Excellence (includes paid internship at any Afrinvest subsidiaries), and Winelight Award for Academic Excellence.
Onuigbo aspires to further her studies in Chemistry, hoping one day to join the teaching profession as a Chemistry lecturer at a prestigious university like AUN.
While delivering her speech as the valedictorian, she said: “Unlike many other students seated here, I never imagined I would be lucky enough to attend a grand school such as AUN. This is because I come from a family of modest average income. My journey started from a small town called Ngwo, in Enugu-North LGA of Enugu State. I can remember that day in my Primary 6 like it was just yesterday. One of our teachers, Mrs. Chibuoke had just died and this made us very sad. On the same day her body was laid to rest, two representatives from the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, whom I later got to know to be Ms. Rose Ugorji and Mr. Darren Venn, came to my primary school to select the best boy and the best girl for a scholarship award examination. What made this opportunity particularly special for me was because while I was in Primary 5, a couple of well-wishers had advised that I skipped Primary 6 because to them, I would be just fine going straight to secondary school. Thank God, if I am permitted to say, that I was able to convince myself then that there was absolutely no need to rush. As God would have it, I emerged successful and was chosen alongside a good friend of mine, Franklin Aziujali, from Enugu State. It was at this point in my life that I met Madam Jacqueline W. Farris (Director General of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation) and Chief Dubem Onyia, who is a member of the board of trustees of the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation and who coincidentally also, hails from my village. They both have strongly influenced my life positively and never got tired of supporting and mentoring me and I thank them very much.
“Winning the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation Merit Scholarship was truly the turning point of my life as it exposed me to so many new and different experiences, especially because, prior to the scholarship, I honestly only knew Adamawa/Yola from Social Studies class and from reciting ‘the 36 States and Capitals.’ But on starting my secondary school education here at AUN Academy, I really came to understand and appreciate what truly makes Nigeria beautiful, and that is our richly diverse cultures.
“At first, I was homesick and cried so many times because I missed my family so dearly. I thank God for the wonderful schoolmates, and great teachers I had in secondary school. In loving memory, I also want to thank the late Ms. Krista McKee, whose belief in me made me believe more in myself. I can remember her words to me during my secondary school graduation. She told me, ‘Dear Immaculata, you are a beautiful and brilliant young woman. May God provide you with all you need to live to your full potential. I know you are invincible.’ These words have helped me grow into a woman she would have been very proud of.
“After my secondary school graduation and by God’s special grace, I was once more fortunate enough to be awarded a full university scholarship to study Petroleum Chemistry here at AUN. To be frank, It was easier to quickly adapt here than when I first got into secondary school; thanks to the AUN New Students’ Orientation Programme that was organised for us.”
Reminded however, that there are those who, despite their decision to excel, fall short of their own expectations, she said: “Well, there’s something someone told me, and I believe it that if something is meant for you, it will definitely come to you.”
Her father, Christopher Onuigbo, speaks
Expressing excitement over his daughter’s excellent performance and gratitude to the Musa Yar’Adua Foundation for the opportunity granted the young lady, Christopher Onuigbo, a trained Aeronautic engineer, said: “I am overwhelmed with happiness because I didn’t expect the miracle. I thank God, the Yar’Adua Foundation and AUN. Without the Foundation, I wouldn’t know how such privilege could come to me. The Foundation is the pillar of this little girl’s success. And I thank the AUN that granted her scholarship to study in the university.”
Asked whether he was surprised at the daughter’s sterling performance, he said: “No, I am not surprised because the girl is a child of God; she knows what she wants and she is not a disturbing child. But I am excited. I am very happy. It is the Lord’s doing.”
I’ve never seen a school like AUN’
In her expression of gratitude to the Yar’Adua Foundation, Victoria Onuigbo, a nurse by profession and the valedictorian mother, said: “I am very excited. I have never seen a school like AUN. Since he entered the university till her graduation, it has been award, award and award. Every subject she would score A, A+, etc. Her name is Onyinyechukwu, and it is really reflecting- the gift of God, that’s the meaning. That’s what has been following her. I thank God and we are very grateful to God and thankful to the Yar’Adua Foundation.
