By Saidu Idris
365Daily – The convocation ceremony of Baze University, Abuja, was full of colours as the prestigious private institution graduated many of its students who successfully completed their programmes, including prominent politicians and business men and women.
Among the prominent graduands were known faces in the political terrain, such as Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represents Anambra South Senatorial District in the Senate and is the National Leader of Young Progressives Party, (YPP), as well as its candidate in the coming November 6 governorship election in the State.
Osita Chidoka, former boss of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who is also a former Aviation Minister and former Senator Dino Melaye, were among those that bagged law degrees.
The outspoken Senator Melaye, according to one of his allies, Asiwaju Bode Gbadebo, came tops in the Law Faculty.
Gbadebo made this revelation on his Facebook page, where he wrote: “Senator Dino Melaye Graduates From Baze University, Emerges Best Graduating Law Student.”
The ceremony took place in Abuja on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at the university campus.
Announcing the development, Chidoka enthused, “Yes, I have graduated with an LLB Second Class Upper from Baze University.
“Tough journey. Imagine moving from Federal Executive Council to classroom with under 20s. I wore black trousers and a white shirt daily. Made an effort to enter the class before the lecturers, submitted assignments as at due dates.”
Recounting his experiences, he disclosed how he overcame the challenges, including failing a course taught by his friend.
According to him, the whole experience was “humbling, but it brought order to my life. After eight years of high-octane service, from FRSC to Aviation, Baze University was therapeutic.
“School was not without distraction. I left to run for Governor, came back. Left to manage the Atiku campaign election centre, came back.
“School was not without its setbacks. On the campaign trail for the 2019 elections, I struggled with school work but thought I could wing it. Alas, I failed Evidence 1 taught by my friend Prof. Ojukwu. He refused to give me makeup midterm tests that I missed. Whenever I approached him, he would cheerfully gist and analyse the elections with me.
“After each discussion, I went away confident he would reconsider. He did not. I went into the exam with 0/30. It was humbling, as I had not experienced examination failure before then. I nearly withdrew.
“I persevered. I re-registered Evidence 1 and attended Prof Ojukwu’s lectures, participated in all class assignments and followed his teaching style. I passed very well. Setbacks and failures are part of life. Face them squarely.
“At Baze, I got no preferential treatment, and the school enforced rules.”
In celebration of Senator Ubah’s feat, his media aide, Chuks Kamen Ogbonna, describes it as “An amazing story of pure determination and grit – From ‘Nwa Boi’ to a law graduate of Baze University, Abuja.
“The decision to return to the classroom as a billionaire stunned many of his admirers. For many, there was nothing else to prove. But not for Ifeanyi. His relentless thirst for knowledge was all the push that he needed to fulfill this dream. It was a defining moment that epitomizes this special trait in the young trader who soon became a FORBES rated billionaire and global business mogul but refused to rest on his oars.”