Those who know Boniface Ofoke of Nkaleke Echara community in Ebonyi state can attest to the fact that his is a story of jumping from grass to grace.
Mr. Ofoke, a popular commercial motorcycle rider around the capital city, Abakiliki rise from the ashes of poverty, depreciation to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) researcher in one of the world renowned Ivory towers.
However, narrating his journey from poverty-stricken commercial motorcycle rider to Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom university, Ofoke said”my journey was never an easy one.
“During my undergraduate years, I was a committed Okada rider (commercial motorcyclist) in Ebonyi State. I rode Okada while pursuing my education and struggling to build a better future for myself”.
Explaining further he said, “sometimes I sit quietly and look back at my journey, and I ask myself: How did the son of an ordinary village farmer from Oguzoronweya Nkaleke Echara, Ozibo Development Centre, Ebonyi LGA get from riding Okada on the streets of Ebonyi State to pursuing a PhD in the United Kingdom?
“The answer reminds me that sometimes one opportunity can completely change the direction of a person’s life.
“I am proudly from Oguzoronweya, Nkaleke Echara, a rural community in Ebonyi State which, in my personal experience, has not always received the political attention and opportunities its people deserve.
“My journey was never an easy one.
During my undergraduate years, I was a committed Okada rider (commercial motorcyclist) in Ebonyi State. I rode Okada while pursuing my education and struggling to build a better future for myself.
“I knew where I came from.
I am the son of an ordinary village peasant farmer.There was no wealthy family background waiting to finance my dreams. There was no guarantee that after graduation everything would suddenly become easy.
But Thank God!”
However, taking our reporter down memory lane how the breakthrough occurred, Ofoke stated that “after completing my undergraduate degree, there came a period when it genuinely seemed as though there was no hope again for the son of an ordinary village peasant farmer. I had the certificate.
I had the dreams.I had the determination. But the opportunity to move to the next level seemed very far away.
“Yet, my story did not end there.
An opportunity came through the administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, Executive Governor of Ebonyi State.
“Through a fully funded scholarship from the Ebonyi State Government, I was given an opportunity that changed the trajectory of my academic journey and brought me to the United Kingdom for postgraduate studies.
“Today, that former Okada rider from Ebonyi State has successfully completed an MSc in Cloud and Network Security in the United Kingdom. What a transformation!
And by the special grace of God, I am currently pursuing my PhD in Computing and Engineering at Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom.
Sometimes I have to repeat it to myself:
“What a journey!
This is why when I speak about the
importance of human capital development, I speak from personal experience.
“For me, it is not merely a political phrase.
It is not something I only read on Facebook or other social media
It is not something someone narrated to me.
Iam a living testimony of what investment in human capital development can do.
“This scholarship is more than the payment of tuition fees. Sometimes, it is the bridge between hopelessness and opportunity. This takes the child of an ordinary farmer, open a door that once appeared impossible, and gives me the opportunity to compete on an international academic stage.
“For this chapter of my life, I remain profoundly grateful to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru
Your Excellency, you may never completely understand what this opportunity means to me.”
Expressing his gratitude to his sponsor, Mr. Ofoke stated that “you did not merely provide funding for my education.
You gave a young man from a rural community another reason to believe in his future.
Today, the hands that once held the handlebars of an Okada while struggling for survival are now engaged in postgraduate research in a British university.
“The young man who once wondered what the future held after graduation can now look towards completing a PhD.
“And the son of an ordinary village peasant farmer can now tell other young people from humble backgrounds.
“I am proud of the Okada rider I was.
Do not forget your little beginning.
I am proud to be the son of a village peasant farmer, not his fault anyway!
I am proud of Oguzoronweya Nkaleke Echara Village.
“And I am grateful for the opportunity that enabled me to move from that humble beginning to postgraduate education in the United Kingdom.
“My responsibility now is to make this investment count, to complete my doctoral journey, contribute to research and innovation, and ensure that the knowledge and opportunities I have received ultimately create value for my Village—Oguzoronweya, Ebonyi State, Nigeria and humanity.”
