FROM A VILLAGE ROPE SELLER TO A PH. D HOLDER
I entered the world in the confines of a profoundly impoverished household, where our upbringing was overshadowed by the persistent specter of poverty. My father, a bicycle repairer, and my mother, a petty trader, toiled ceaselessly to make ends meet and provide for us yet the unrelenting hostile fist of life fixated them financially. I engaged in the sale of rope (ODOR) at the well-known Oyoko market, an endeavor that, as a senior prefect, culminated in a public flogging administered by Principal Joan Okoh. The act of a senior prefect engaging in such a demeaning trade was perceived by her as disgraceful and indecorous earning me the nick- name ‘Ore odor’ (rope seller).
Transitioning from the sale of ‘odor,’ I assumed the role of an errand boy for garri merchants at the Oyoko market, including Ayioma (may his soul rest in peace), M.D., F.A.O, and V.C.O. Urome farm became almost a second home, and on some occasions, I found myself tending to the farm before heading to school in the morning. The depth of poverty compelled me to spend six years at home after completing secondary school, as admission to the university eluded me. Four times was I offered admission into the university but I could not proceed as my parents could not afford the school fees. Eventually, I took the bull by the horn by going to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, upon knowing how cheap and affordable the school was.
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During my time in university, I undertook various odd jobs discreetly without the knowledge of my classmates to augment the financial assistance from my elder brother, pastor Blessing Oyor and my God’s sent Guardian, Mr. and Mrs. Kate Agam (God bless you all). Despite grappling with severe financial constraints, I steadfastly upheld my unwavering commitment to God and my love for education.
Today, a once humble rope seller stands as a Ph.D. holder, achieving the best graduating Management student at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in 2006, the best graduating student at Computer Garden College in 2007 with a distinction, the best graduating student in Professional Diploma in Education at the College of Education, Agbor, in 2014, with a distinction, the best graduating M.Sc. student in the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Benson Idahosa University in 2017 and emerging the only Ph.D. graduand in the 2021/2022 session from the Department of Business Administration at the University of Benin , 2023 convocation.
Presently, I serve as the head pastor of Overflowing Grace Believers Assembly and a lecturer at one of the best universities in Nigeria, putting smiles on the faces of my once despondent parents. My journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of faith, perseverance, and determination. Despite your background, you can break grounds. Indeed, what the eyes can see, the hand can seize. To God alone be all the glory
OYOR GODSPOWER
B.Sc., MBA, PDE, MA, M.Sc., Ph.D., CIC, NIM, CISM