“… be intentional”- Chiamaka Obi: Odyssey of UNIZIK Best Graduating Student
Unizik faculty of social science best graduating student, Miss Chiamaka Obi. Photo Credit- Chiamaka Obi
Miss Chiamaka Precious Obi with an outstanding FCGPA of 4.69 is the 2024 best graduating student in the Faculty of Social Science and the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University. However, achieving such a remarkable status in college does not come as a bolt from the blue but being intentional, diligent to academic and of course not neglecting the God factor. Not to forget that there were odds and storms on the way but the end justified the means as she stayed through to her course. CrispNg, an online media platform with its passion for youth affairs and human development engage this genius in an exclusive interview, to gather insight into what made her to become an academic celebrity.
Interview Question 1: What inspired you to pursue Mass Communication and how did the passion for the field throughout your study in the Faculty of Social Science?
Chiamaka Obi: So uhmm…I have always had the desire to study Mass Communication from my formative years, I admire those people that are always on the television screen casting the news and I wanted to be like them. However, while growing up I realized they were called broadcasters and so I wanted to start the journey of becoming somebody influential in broadcasting.
Another thing that triggered my passion was the Ebola virus epidemic and the story of the fake news of bathing with hot water and salt to prevent the contracting the epidemic. Let me say, I was a victim of that fake report in treating or preventing the virus as I suffered from measles after bathing with hot water and salt and it was really terrible for me at that time. So, the era of fake news made me choose and chase journalism. Similar thing happened with the #EndSARS protest in 2020, remember the Lekki toll gate shooting, the back and front between the government, civilians who were claimed to be casualties and the society groups who claim government to be responsible for the killing and mortal injuries to protesters at the toll gate. So, all these scenarios prompted my drive.
Interview Question 2: Achieving a first-class degree is no small feat, what strategies or habits did you adopt to consistently excel in your course works and exams?
Chiamaka Obi: First, I won’t remove the place of God, and the strategies I employed in my undergraduate days to excel are not from far the general steps we all know to succeed. When I began college, I learnt a lot of tips from people who said to get a first-class is from your year one. I was intentional about it even more after hearing the history of Mass Communication department in lecture still also in my first year that the last time they had a first-class student was in more than 15 years ago as at that time so it is a long time, the lecturer shared with the class and while many felt afraid, I said to myself that this is possible and I can get it. From my freshman year till I graduated, I made sure not to skip classes whether there where a waste of time as some would say or not, I always attend lectures, subsequently late-night tutorials, mostly for difficult courses, and I read my books even before the exams period will hit. I tried to maintain discipline, the discipline to read, focus on my academics and there were times I had no money for transport but still had the burning desire to attend classes.
Interview Question 3: As the best graduating student, what Mass Communication project or assignment are you most proud of and how did it reflect your skills or creativity?
Chiamaka Obi: If I were proud of any project, it will be the creation of a radio programme, we were assigned groups to come up with a demo of a broadcast programme that can aired on the radio station and this was done in my final year. That project made me feel very proud of myself as it brought out my desire for broadcasting, although I write but I love the talk. After that was the creation of a documentary, I did the voiceover and interviewed some sources for the documentary. So, these projects are just my favourite and it helped me to gain a practical knowledge of broadcasting and team work.
Interview Question 4: Were there any lecturers, friends, or mentors in the department who significantly shaped your academic excellence and what key lessons did they impart?
Chiamaka Obi: Yeah!!! There were people who were instrumental in my academic journey and of course I should give credit to them. First, were my friends, they are Chidera Obi, Jennifer Okonkwo and Chiamaka Nwadiugwu, they are amazing most especially Chidera. I got inspiration from my lecturers like Dr, Henry Duru, Dr. Julius Nwosu, and Mr. Samuel Idowu, but most importantly is Dr. Ngozi Marion, she really inspired with her own personal experiences, she was a great mentor, my project supervisor and her supervision was different, she took her time to meticulously go through to my project, she developed ideas, instructing me on the best strategies to adopt and she was patient. When I got the news that she was to be my project supervisor, I was elated because I knew her to share similar desires and visions as mine.
Interview Question 5: Balancing rigorous academics with extracurricular activities can be challenging, how did you manage your time and did any campus activity complement your Mass Communication studies?
Chiamaka Obi: When I spoke earlier about mu academic success, I was intentional and you have to be intentional, I knew that there was church, I had my business, and some other stuffs, so if you want to navigate your academic journey you have to be intentional, weigh your priorities. For someone like me, who came from Lagos to Awka, I knew immediately that my studies should come first. I knew when to place each aspect of my life that it won’t complicate my priorities and with my results, none of these things affected me. From my first year to final, I tried my best to balance my studies, church activities and other personal endeavours.
Interview Question 6: In an era of fake news and digital media, what do you think a Mass Communication graduate like yourself should play in shaping public discourse and how did your education prepare you for this?
Chiamaka Obi: I was prepared to combat the prevalent spread of fake news through my studies in Mass Communication, I was able to understand that sensationalism has corrupted the media and now it has become the most common source of making money. Even Mass Communication students have begun to embrace this as a lucrative venture, prioritizing and spreading fake news in order to make money and it is becoming dangerous. To combat this, there should be a renewal of our mind, it should begin from ourselves, try to identify facts, truths and learn how to uphold it. Another thing is enlightenment, I believe it begins from us, not giving ourselves up for sensationalism and do not be in the race for news when you are not certain of it.
Interview Question 7: What was the toughest challenge you faced in during your degree programme and how did overcoming it contribute to your growth as a student and communicator?
Chiamaka Obi: I can’t say that my academic success was without some challenges, to say that would mean I am a liar. I came into college like most persons with the belief that federal institutions are less expensive and very much affordable. So, finances just like most persons in their college days was a big challenge for me and I had to overcome it so that it won’t affect my goals and intentions of graduating with a first-class degree, and so I developed a side hustle, just to augment my financial income and I tried my best to implement financial plans, trusting God and self-contentment.
Financial challenge which is like the usual for almost all college students but that wasn’t the only difficulty I experienced, losing my dad in the final semester of my final year was another difficult experience for me while in school. It was difficult because he was my biggest sponsor. When it happened, I felt like my dreams were gone, how can I now survive, so many thoughts flowed through my mind but in the end, I overcame it, by the grace and help of God and I dedicated this achievement to my dad.
Interview Question 8: Has there been any reward so far for graduating with a first-class degree or being the best graduating student in the Faculty of Social Science and the department of Mass Communication?
Chiamaka Obi: Well…there has been rewards for graduating as the best student in the department of Mass Communication, I mean I was awarded a medal and a certificate and paraded in various social media platforms as the best graduating student in UNIZIK Faculty of Social Science and the Department of Mass Communication. In terms of monetary reward, I have been awarded cash gifts by my friends, my church and some other well-meaning individuals.
Interview Question 9: What advice would you give to incoming Mass Communication students and those still in colleges who aspire to follow in your footsteps and graduate at the top?
Chiamaka Obi: For those on that part, I can only say to them to put in resilience, dedication and consistency. I mean, without any of these, there is no way you can come out top. Not forgetting that you must be intentional about what you want and try your best to get it because it is possible. In all don’t forget the God factor.
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