Personal Statement
Since my earliest childhood memories, I have developed a keen interest in computers and how they function. When I was 8 years old, I learnt how to design web pages using HTML and create graphic designs using Adobe Photoshop through self-discipline. At the age of 10, I was awarded the Microsoft Office Specialist Certification, this was a fantastic achievement for me because I was one of the first Africans to bag this certificate. I enjoy problem solving and logical thinking which makes Computer Science much more fascinating to me. My interest in computing is not restricted to the classroom and college life alone. For the past two years, I have been the Director of Media and Marketing at Inspire Youth Initiative (a non-profit that helps underprivileged youth in Nigeria). Through this organization, I have been able to improve my information technology skills by developing websites and creating content on our social media platforms.
Whenever I step on the soccer field, I get this amazing feeling that cannot compare to anything else in the world. I learnt the beautiful game of soccer playing barefoot on the streets of Ojota, Lagos. My dream was to get good enough to someday play on a grass field. Playing on concrete helped me develop my sharp technique, close control and superb instinct in front of goal.
I have been playing this sport ever since I was a toddler. I don’t play soccer just for the fun of it; I play it with an intense passion. After regular training sessions, I stay behind to work on my ball control, finishing, shooting and every other aspect of my game. I have demonstrated my talent routinely by playing soccer competitively around the world.
At Merritt College, I have served as the captain of the Men’s Soccer team. I have played as a forward and been the main goal scorer on the team. I have scored 10 goals and provided 5 assists in 15 starts on the team. I was also awarded the Bay Valley Conference forward of the year and made the shortlist for second-team all-conference due to my outstanding performances.
In high school, I played as a forward for the Whitesands soccer team and was very prolific. I was my school’s talisman and led my team to the quarter finals of the Guarantee Trust Bank Heritage Cup in 2016, scoring crucial goals and providing assists for my teammates. I was the captain of the junior soccer team during my junior years and was assistant team captain of the senior soccer team in my penultimate year at Whitesands. I won the sportsman of the year from 2010-2012 and I was also voted as Whitesands Most Valuable player from 2010-2014.
My performances didn’t go unnoticed as I impressed soccer scouts and was shortlisted for screening by the Nigerian U-17 football team. I was also accepted into the FC Barcelona Soccer School in Lagos out of millions of Nigerians who participated in the trials.
I stand out through a combination of my character traits, my abilities, and my experiences. I have distinguished myself right from childhood with superb performances in academics, sports and dedication to serving my community.
My compassionate and selfless nature makes me incredibly unique. I am the founder of a soccer club that teaches poverty-stricken youth the game of soccer, I am the creative director at Gear ‘Em Up which is aimed at providing athletic apparel to athletes in developing countries, and I am also the primary tutor for students with disabilities at the Merritt College Learning Center. I willingly give out textbooks, writing materials, and school bags to children in my hometown of Auchi every December to support their education. I am very fortunate to have the basic necessities and I want to help as many people as I can have better lives and be happy. It is not the act that matters to me but knowing that I can help someone who is going through significant challenges makes me even more eager to give back.
It is noteworthy to make mention of my athletic merits thus far. I received the award of Male Sports Personality for 2017 at the Nigerian Teen Choice Awards and was invited for soccer trials with the LA Galaxy II. My academic prowess cannot be underemphasized. I had an excellent score of 1400 on my SAT, have maintained an A average at Merritt College and I plan to continue my perfect streak next semester and beyond.
The knowledge I will get from acquiring a degree at your University will go into creating a software program that will track livestock movement because the issue of indiscriminate grazing is a significant problem in Nigeria. This problem has caused hostile friction between farmers and herdsmen in the Northern part of Nigeria and unfortunately led to the death of many innocent lives. I am very passionate about this initiative because it is my duty to help my people and it will go a long way towards ending the brutal conflicts and violence in my country.
