A 26-year-old Simon Godwin Idoko graduated with a first class from the Department of Applied Chemistry, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, has revealed how he was able to scale through school stress and come out with good grades.
He also disclosed that before he could obtain admission into a tertiary institution, he wrote Jamb for six consecutive times.
Idoko, is an indigene of Udaburu Owukpa, Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State, said his goal of becoming a medical doctor or pharmacist went into shambles after writing UTME for five times without coming out successful.
He wasn’t discouraged, he decided to apply for a different course that was related to science and was offered admission to study Applied Chemistry at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto where he bagged a first class, having a total of 4.75 CGPA.
According to Daily Post, the ex-student of Wesley High School, Otukpo, and LGEA Primary School, Udaburu, Owukpa acknowledge God and hard work as being a key factor in his success.
He said:
“I left secondary school in 2007 from Wesley High School, Otukpo where I was awarded the overall best in Mathematics. I took UTME six times before I got admission to study Applied Chemistry. I was initially applying for Medicine and Surgery due to the advice from different people.
“I have never scored below 200 in UTME and the most disappointing time during the period of struggling to get admission was when I scored 264 in UTME and 68 in Post UTME in 2012 but I was not offered admission to study any course.
“The only course I was offered throughout the period of the six years was the course that I studied (Applied Chemistry). It was very frustrating then.”
Recalling the pain he went through, he said:
“By the grace of God, I didn’t face financial challenges due to the constant support from my parents, Chief & Mrs. Simon Omonu Idoko as well as my uncle, Dr. Idoko Emmanuel Omale.
Additionally, NNPC/Total scholarship and Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) scholarship that I won contributed in no small measure to my well-being in the university. However, one of my challenges was acclimatizing to the harsh weather condition in Sokoto.”
