Bolanle Akanji
Moderator
A 21-year-old Nigerian foreign student, Nana Skari, recently emerged the most outstanding graduating student of University of Kent in the United Kingdom.
She graduated with a first class Bachelor of Engineering degree at the institution’s Department of Computer Systems Engineering at the Kent’s University.
Taking a look at the school’s profile, the University of Kent, founded in 1965, is best known for its world-class research, excellent teaching and an inspiring student experience with international links across nations.
The university is also frequently ranked among the top 30 in British universities. So, with this kind of background, one can imagine how proud it is for Nana, a Nigerian, to study engineering at this prestigious university and graduate with a first class degree.
Even, apart from being the overall best student, Nana also won a separate outstanding award in engineering.
What makes her award unique is the fact that it was given to her by the country’s Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), a national body in charge of accreditation of all engineering, computing, multimedia, and information technology programmes at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the UK.
Born in Borno State, Nana at an initial stage of her education, had thought of studying paediatric neurosurgery.
She met the requirements for the course but she preferred to study a course she said she has a natural flair for. In her words, she said: “A course I enjoy doing.”
Also, she loves mathematics, which she considers to be the “best thing in the world,” hence, she opted to study engineering.
Nana recalled that as a student, many people looked down on her ability to record a good performance because to them, she was too playful, and the fact that she goes late to class and being a “back bencher,” still made the matter worse.
“I’ve never answered questions voluntarily in class unless it was directed at me,” for this and other earlier stated reasons, Nana said “many people underestimated my abilities.”
But if not for God, who Nana said had blessed her to be a “focused, optimistic, autonomous, and enthusiastic person,” the principles which ordinarily worked for her as a student, it would not have been so easy passing with flying colours.
“I’m the most serious person when it’s time to work and I play hard when it’s time to play.”
“If I want something, I work hard to get it. Settling for less is not even an option,” Nana said.
Nana, before travelling abroad, had her basic and secondary education in Nigeria. She attended Tender Care in Kaduna, for her pre-school and primary education.
She later proceeded to Danbo International College, also in Kaduna, for her secondary education, after which she left Nigeria for David Game College, London, for her A-Levels and later got admitted to University of Kent.
Now, Nana has made up her mind to pursue a Master of Science degree in International Oil and Gas Management, because, according to her, she would not want to limit herself to the engineering field. “I want to broaden my horizon.
“I believe Nigeria is a blessed nation. We are going through a lot at the moment but I believe in redemption. I do hope our parents and grandparents can rest and give us the future leaders a chance to restore hope to our nation.
“Yes I’ll move back home at the completion of my masters, get married, gain some work experience, learn how to apply my knowledge to the real world, and continue my journey to being the Oprah Winfrey of my generation,” Nana said.
