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FROM ABIA STATE E-LIBRARY TO ADIDAS WORLD OF GLOBAL IT
With a mix of skills, determination and stroke of luck I have taken roles as Software Engineer @Adidas Global Hqtrs, DHL Global Hqtrs Bonn and ProSieben Sat 1 Media, Munich (Netflix of Germany).
I started my IT career at Abia a State Polytechnic (Abiapoly) as a computer science student, then proceeded to Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, to brush up my certificates with Bachelors. During my academic pursuit at Umudike I engaged in Graphics and web development (self-taught) which I would say opened door to greater heights.
Lines started falling in pleasant places when Dr Okezie Ikpeazu became Governor of Abia State and I came in contact with one of his aides then and current Commissioner for Information ABSG called JOK (then Special adviser to the Governor). There was something different about the Governor during my first encounter with him.
I noticed
• His humility (…’all of you here can be better than me if you work hard at what you do’ … in Ikpeazu’s voice). He is what I call scrum master (servant-leader)
• His Good listening skills
• His interest in getting to know someone irrespective of your background
• His affinity for Technology though he studied Biochenistry
The Governor’s affinity for technology got us connected, I became a fan of his that I could starve to make sure I buy data to carry out his task given through his SA who rewarded me bountifully by making sure I succeed as one of the IT experts at Abia State E-Library while also being confirmed as Programmer Analyst 2 as a civil servant via the Governor’s waiver.
Working with Governor Ikpeazu wasn’t just a blessing but also made me see life from a different perspective while learning so much about life, politics, etc. So, I started dreaming the dream. JOK shared some plans on how I will be sponsored abroad for some technology transfer from India. Although this didn’t materialise then because of the incessant court cases we had back then during the first tenure of our amiable Governor, it fuelled my passion to make this dream come to fruition. I started working towards studying abroad. The Governor never stopped believing in me even when it was as if lines were falling in unpleasant places.
God made a way, I left Nigeria Feb 26th, 2017 in pursuit of master degree at Kiel University of Applied Sciences. Summer semester started well because I was mentally and physically prepared to deal with whatever life throws at me in Germany. I had my own portion of challenges which Spanned from surviving in my new environment to language challenges ( I remember going to koln one day and I saw myself in Dortmund because the train spitted into two) even to different standard of academics as it was much easier to get a good grade in Nigeria. For you to make a distinction (ie A grade) all u need is 70percent in Nigeria but in Germany u need 95percent to be awarded a 1.0 which is A in Nigeria. I had to push myself way out of my comfort Zone that even my naija brothers in same course where mocking me (‘this one think say here na naija where u do cram and pour’…em eye go open very soon’)..as asserted by one of them.
For brevity sake I pulled the rabbit out of my hat by not just chewing more than I can bite but also swallowing them all without vomiting any out. I registered a high of 10 courses in my first semester and passed them all. In two semesters I took 18 courses in total which is nearly impossible studying here. Not only did I finish in record time, my cv is well decorated working for multinational companies Adidas.
Yes, we made class of 2019 and DHL as a software engineer respectively. Before my master’s thesis I had three extra offers already on the table for a full-time job position. Till date most of my mates then that came before me are yet to even finish their core course not to talk of thesis or graduation, but here I am not only did I finish I have my EU BLAU KARTE (EU Blue card) chilling in wallet.
How did I get this far?
-Focus focus focus was the major key (I believe that when talent refuses to hustle, hustle beats talent).
While my mates were touring Europe (as a student your Schengen Visa/ Resident permits allows you to visit most European countries), I was busy grinding and focusing on how to achieve the main reason I came to Germany.
-I am blessed to have a Governor who motivates and offers you the platform to be the best you can be.
-My brother Godson Omenihu is indeed a destiny helper who made sacrifices to see me through my studies
-Above all else, God has been faithful to me.
*Godspower Omenihu is from Abayi Aba in Osisioma LGA of Abia State
