UNN lecturer: I pushed wheelbarrow, repaired shoes to become professor

A Professor of Ethics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in Enugu State, Prof. Nicholas Uchechukwu Asogwa, has recounted his academic journey from being a cobbler to a professor.

Asogwa, who was promoted to the position of professor by the university on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, said he was a wheelbarrow pusher at the popular Orie Orba market in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and a shoe mender in one of the female hostels (Bello Hall) in UNN.

He made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday, September 26.

The professor stated that he was born into a family facing abject poverty, which it said posed a serious threat to his educational opportunities, noting that two persons – Nkechi Ohanuka, a lawyer from Imo State; and Proscovia Ndoboli from Uganda – who were his customers as a cobbler, were instrumental to his academic career and achievements.

Asogwa, in a statement titled, ‘My Journey To Professorship’, added that Nkechi bought a JAMB form for him, while Proscovia paid his first school fees and also paid for his stay in the hostel.

He said he would have been demoralised by circumstances if not for his determination to succeed.

Asogwa stated: “I recall with tears my days as a barrow pusher at the popular Orie Orba market in Udenu LGA of Enugu state, and then my days as a shoe-mender in one of the female hostels (Bello Hall) in the same university where I have become a professor.

“Sometime in 2016, I had a chance-meeting with the owner of C.O.U Barrows, the owner of the then flourishing business outfit from which I used to hire barrow then. In the course of our discussion he told me that seeing me and getting to know what I have become makes him to believe that, ‘what God cannot do does not exist’.”

Speaking on his encounter with Nkechi and Proscovia, the professor added: “May I, in addition to my parents who laid the foundation of my education, mention the names of two persons who were strategically instrumental to my academic career and achievements. They are Bar. Mrs. Nkechi Ohanuka, and Mrs. Proscovia Ndoboli from Imo State and Uganda, respectively. My relationship with them dates back to my days as a shoe-mender in the university. Both of them were my regular customers then.

“Upon realizing that I attended school up to secondary level in one of my interactions with her, Nkechi Ohanuka asked me why I didn’t want to further my education. I replied that I desired higher education badly, but that owing to my background, I needed to make some money that would help me to forge ahead.

“Coincidentally, the discussion took place at a time that JAMB form was on sale. In the evening of that same day, Mrs Ohanuka came back to my shop, tapped me at the back and upon my turning to know who tapped me, she handed a wrapped paper to me saying, ‘I have discussed with my husband, go and purchase JAMB form’.

“When she left, I unwrapped the paper, and lo and behold, it contained six hundred and twenty naira (#620), the exact amount JAMB form was sold then. That was in her final year. As GSM was not in place in those days, there was no means for me to contact her, nor for her to even know the progress of the person she has invested in.

“One thing I did and which later helped me was to write her name boldly at the door of my room. Not knowing where and how to locate Mrs Ohanuka became a source of worry to me to the point that I had to open up to people that come around me about what was becoming a big challenge to me. Although I could not locate Nkechi Ohanuka, yet I dedicated my Ph.D work which has been scheduled for oral defence in February 2014 to her and Proscovia Ndoboli.

“As fate would have it, and through the power of internet (Google & Facebook), I was able to reconnect with Mrs. Nkechi Ohanuka in late 2013, about two or three months to my Ph.D oral defence.”

Asogwa continued: “In the case of Proscocia, when I informed her that she might not see me in my shop when next she comes to repair her shoes, as I was due to leave, having gotten admission to further my education, she was shocked, shocked because she said she didn’t know that I attended secondary school much less sitting for JAMB examination.

“After congratulating me, she told me that she would like to come and know my place and see my parents. We fixed a date and after visiting my place, she told me that even though my place is very close to the university, she wouldn’t want me to be attending lectures from my place.

“In addition, she told me that she would pay for my initial school fees. She fulfilled her promise and left Nigeria the next year, following her graduation. Proscovia Ndoboli was a student of the department of Religion. That was how I started. Nkechi bought JAMB form for me, while Proscovia paid my first school fees and put me in the hostel. From there, my parents and I took over, and the struggle continued.”

Asogwa, who dedicated his professorship to his late parents, therefore, expressed his appreciation to family members, Nkechi, Proscovia, and UNN lecturers for “standing by me, lifting my spirits, and supporting me every step of the way”.

The Star

Segun Ojo