AKWA UTD YOUNGSTER BAGS UNIVERSITY FIRST CLASS DEGREE
Akwa United attacking midfielder Paulinus Okon has made history becoming the first student to graduate with a First Class Honours in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in the faculty of Engineering from University of Uyo.
Paulinus graduated with a Cumulative Grade Points Average CGPA of 4.50 and was awarded the 2021/2022 Best Graduating Student in the department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering during the institution's 29th/30th convocation ceremonies in Uyo.
The left-footed attacking midfielder previously played for FC One Rocket in the Nigeria National League after shining for his local government area, Nsit Atai in the 2023 Akwa Ibom State Governor's Cup before joining the 2021 league champions Akwa United at the start of the current 2024-25 football season.
The youngster, a product of Eagle Eye Football Academy who has been described by coach Muhammed Babaganaru as an exceptionally gifted player is yet to feature for Akwa United in a competitive game but has been part of the team's training programmes since he signed a professional contract with the club.
In an exclusive interview with the club's website www.akwaunitedfc.com, Paulinus revealed that the journey to his academic achievement was rough and tough but his determination was the driving force behind his success.
"The desire to play professional football has always been there but I didn't know it would be that challenging combining higher education with football. The pressure wasn't that much when I was in secondary school but when I got admission into University I realized that it was a different thing entirely. Having to attend football training sometimes twice a day and also attending lectures in school was very stressful.
" I have been involved in an accident at least three times because of rushing to meet up with lectures. I have slept in class many times and my colleagues usually make jest of me, even some of my lecturers told me that I was embarking on a suicide mission by trying to play football while also going to school.
"I still remember in my first year in school when I asked about the possibility of graduating with a First Class Honours, I was told that the department has never produced a First Class graduate since it was established, and even if someone will make First Class that I shouldn't dream of being that student because of combining education and football, but I have always believe in myself and I was determined to succeed.
" I'm very happy and I thank God that all the hard work has paid off and today I have graduated with First Class Honours and my football career is also improving especially since I joined Akwa United and I know that my time will soon come and I'm confident that I will make significant impact as a professional player".
AKWA UTD YOUNGSTER BAGS UNIVERSITY FIRST CLASS DEGREE
Akwa United attacking midfielder Paulinus Okon has made history becoming the first student to graduate with a First Class Honours in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in the faculty of Engineering from University of Uyo.
Paulinus graduated with a Cumulative Grade Points Average CGPA of 4.50 and was awarded the 2021/2022 Best Graduating Student in the department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering during the institution's 29th/30th convocation ceremonies in Uyo.
The left-footed attacking midfielder previously played for FC One Rocket in the Nigeria National League after shining for his local government area, Nsit Atai in the 2023 Akwa Ibom State Governor's Cup before joining the 2021 league champions Akwa United at the start of the current 2024-25 football season.
The youngster, a product of Eagle Eye Football Academy who has been described by coach Muhammed Babaganaru as an exceptionally gifted player is yet to feature for Akwa United in a competitive game but has been part of the team's training programmes since he signed a professional contract with the club.
In an exclusive interview with the club's website www.akwaunitedfc.com, Paulinus revealed that the journey to his academic achievement was rough and tough but his determination was the driving force behind his success.
"The desire to play professional football has always been there but I didn't know it would be that challenging combining higher education with football. The pressure wasn't that much when I was in secondary school but when I got admission into University I realized that it was a different thing entirely. Having to attend football training sometimes twice a day and also attending lectures in school was very stressful.
" I have been involved in an accident at least three times because of rushing to meet up with lectures. I have slept in class many times and my colleagues usually make jest of me, even some of my lecturers told me that I was embarking on a suicide mission by trying to play football while also going to school.
"I still remember in my first year in school when I asked about the possibility of graduating with a First Class Honours, I was told that the department has never produced a First Class graduate since it was established, and even if someone will make First Class that I shouldn't dream of being that student because of combining education and football, but I have always believe in myself and I was determined to succeed.
" I'm very happy and I thank God that all the hard work has paid off and today I have graduated with First Class Honours and my football career is also improving especially since I joined Akwa United and I know that my time will soon come and I'm confident that I will make significant impact as a professional player".
