Meet Ngozi Marion Emmanuel
I was so intrigued when my dazzling blue eyes came across this piece on the internet. Honestly speaking, it was this autobiography that inspired this series "Person of Interest" as there is a lot to learn from her life. Let's give it up to her. [Applause] She was the only Nigerian to win in all the categories of the 2017 African Youths Award. Isn't that amazing? There are other great biographies coming up shortly so stay tuned.
I am Ngozi Marion Emmanuel and most people refer to me as the youngest lecturer in Nigeria. However, I like to always play it safe as the youngest where I teach sophomore year at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. I am 22 and the first child in a family of six. One of the greatest things that has ever happened to me is teaching sophomore year students ‘Principles of Advertising’ at the Mass Communication department of UNIZIK. This is the present anyway, like everybody, I have a story.
BEFORE NOW…
When I was younger, I remember my parents as pushy and very demanding – they will never settle for less. My Mom and Dad both taught me to read but my Dad taught me the beauty of writing. I started writing at the age of 6 and would always give my daddy the write-ups to edit. It wasn’t always fun at home because my parents were not rich, we were not even the typical low-class family. So, I had to work for everything I get, at some point, I even hawked to help my parents and my brothers. But I was smart in school and quickly won my teachers’ heart. In all competitions held in and outside, I was chosen to represent my school and I dare say I excelled. I was in the drama team, debate society and I ran the tracks. Apart from being a prefect, I was all the more popular for my exploits in high school both in books and in debate and running. With all of these activities, I knew I was in for Mass Communication.
I was admitted to study the course at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Even before the proper admission list was out, I was restless and had ten and one other thing I wanted to do. As I rode through the city of Awka after my post-UME, I knew I would rule this town and so I said that to myself.
As I progressed in school, I sought for opportunities to do what I knew I could do with my skills. I joined a youth programme airing at the Anambra State Broadcasting Service (ABS) then. I was happy. After a while, when the UNIZIKFM radio got licensed by the NBC, I joined them, becoming one of the pioneer members of the campus radio station. Then, we were taught everything we need to know about radio broadcasting and production. During my second year of school, I ventured into journalism on the platform of campuslife, The Nation Newspaper. I was a voracious writer, exploring, researching, interviewing, always writing. I endeared myself to friends I met at campuslife, all of them lovely people and my editor then, late Mrs Ngozi Agbo nee Nwozor. But I was not satisfied, I wanted more.
Towards the end of my third year in school, I was made the first female President of the department since its inception, after serving as the Vice President. Then, I won the most outstanding student in UNIZIK award. During this period too, I registered my own media company called, SLAM MEDIA INITIATIVE. I got engaged in producing the SLAM magazine and hosting the SLAM YOUTH HEROES AWARDS which is proudly sponsored by the DBC associates.
In 2011, I was the top nominee for the LEAP AFRICA Nigerian youth leadership awards and was also a nominee for Nigerian Youth Merit Awards. In 2012, I won my first Cocacola/Nbc award as best culture reporter.
In the process of all these achievements, I also made some mistakes. Some in investments and others in relationships, but they taught me; I learned. Earlier this year, I received my appointment in UNIZIK and since then, I have found a different kind of love for young people like me.
IT WASN’T ALWAYS SMOOTH…
My journey has not always been a smooth one. I remember days then in school when I would have no money because I had invested all my money in SLAM and community service projects. I would go days without food, drinking garri endlessly and salty watery beans.
There were several offers from men who claimed they love me but whom I knew wanted to destroy me. They would tell me how they would take care of me and I would never lack again. It was a tough decision not to carve in and I thank God that I didn’t bulge. I knew that in school, I dressed poorly then, not that I couldn’t take care of myself as a girl but because I would give all I have to my projects. It is the most important thing to me.
I also remember how I would trek long distances sometimes in the scorching sun. How I would miss some classes in school for ‘work’ and all. I remember now the sleeplessness but God was by my side all along…
WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LEARN…
Always be yourself. Don’t fake it for anyone or to accommodate anybody. In the long run, you’ll find out that the people you are doing it for are not even worth it. Hard work, in whatever shade it comes, is only to make you and its reward is always more work. If you want it bad enough, you will have to stay on it long enough.
ABOUT SLAM MEDIA…
Like I pointed out earlier, SLAM is my media company. I started SLAM in June of 2010. It’s an acronym that stands for SMART LEADERS ARE MADE. It is my passion to build the leaders of the present. I have this thing for youths, this undying passion. I’ve always wanted us young people to see the world like it really is, not the movies, not the novels but like it is in pragmatic terms. Our magazine, SLAM is always a sell out each edition. In 2011, we started the SLAM YOUTH HEROES AWARDS which was initiated to support and encourage young change makers in the south-east. The DBC Associates, our sponsor, entered to sponsor the award for five years, and we’ve done two already. What we do at SLAM is to print the stories of outstanding young people who will inspire others to take initiatives too. At SLAM, we believe everyone is a star.
PHILOSOPHY…
Life is really so short that there is no time to waste time…