My untold story, by Idoma-born first class brain, Simon Godwin Idoko

In April 2018, the Nigerian mediasphere literally went up in flame with the story of a young, resilient and resolute achiever.

The story of Simon Godwin Idoko enjoyed a massive publicity after he conquered his obstacleS, shook off his challenges and came out with his head high above the academic sea.

Idoko, a native of Udaburu Owukpa, Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State, said his dream of becoming a medical doctor or pharmacist was frustrated after sitting for UTME for five times without success.

Still not discouraged, Godwin decided to apply for a different science-related course and was offered to study Applied Chemistry at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto where he graduated with a first class, garnering a total of 4.75 CGPA.

However, the media erroneously reported him to be 26 years, an error the young achiever described as very ‘damming.’

” I graduated from the university when I was 27 but I’m currently 28 years old. The 26 years that was initially published as my age was a typographical error which was damning and I am very sorry for that,” he disclosed in an interview with this medium.

This is the untold story of the young man who went to the forest, fought the lion with bare hands and came out unscratched.

INTRODUCTION:

I am Simon Godwin Idoko, a first class graduate of Applied Chemistry from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. I got admission to study Applied Chemistry after taking JAMB UTME six times with a minimum score of 219 and a maximum score of 264. I initially applied for Medicine and Surgery five times and Pharmacy once choosing four different universities. I want to make it clear that I applied to study at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) once and I was offered admission to study Applied Chemistry although I applied for Medicine and Surgery. As such, UDUS remains my best university.  My final UTME score was 245. I want to state clearly that I was born on the 18th of February, 1990. I graduated from the university when I was 27 but I’m currently 28 years old. The 26 years that was initially published as my age was a typographical error which I am very sorry for. I am not blaming anybody or myself for my inability to gain a university admission for five years rather I am celebrating success and making reference to some ugly experiences that I had in the past. I’m also praying that no one should go through what I went through. I could remember when tears rolled down my face in 2013 when I checked my admission status on JAMB website and I was offered admission. I thought I was still going to see “No admission is given yet” as I saw for five years. I also want to let everyone know that I didn’t have any deficiency in my O’level result. I’m proud to be a chemist. I wasn’t created a doctor. We are all important in the society.

Okay

Simon Godwin Idoko was born on the 18th of February, 1990 in Udaburu, Owukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Benue State to the family of Chief Simon Omonu Idoko. He started his primary education at Avotec Nursery and Primary School, Eporo, Ondo State in 1995. In 1998, he transferred to L.G.E.A. Primary School, Udaburu, Owukpa where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in July, 2001. Simon Godwin Idoko started his secondary education at Government Secondary School, Ugbugbu, Owukpa in September, 2001 but spent only JSS 1 there. He transferred to Government Day Secondary School, Eupi, Otukpo in September, 2002 where he spent only JSS 2 and JSS 3. In September 2004, Simon Godwin Idoko continued his senior secondary school education at Wesley High School, Otukpo where he graduated in 2007. After five years of struggling to gain a university admission to study Medicine and Surgery which was not successful, he got admission to study Applied Chemistry at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto in December, 2013 after his sixth time of taking UTME. He started his university education in January, 2014 and graduated in December, 2017 with a first class degree in Applied Chemistry.

PRE-UNIVERSITY WORK EXPERIENCE:

I was a Chemistry tutor at Agada Memorial College, Udaburu, Owukpa, Benue State (2007-2008). I was a Mathematics tutor at Ability Secondary School, Chenchenia, Suleja, Niger State (2008-2009). After my successful completion of a diploma programme in Computer Studies and Applications at Destiny Computers, Makurdi, Benue State in 2010 and graduating with distinction as well as the best student in my set, I was retained as a computer instructor. I was a Microsoft Word instructor (2011-2012). I was a Corel Draw instructor (2012-2013).

LEADERSHIP ROLES:

Assistant Head Boy, L.G.E.A. Primary school, Udaburu, Owukpa (1999-2000). Head Boy, L.G.E.A. Primary School, Udaburu, Owukpa (2000-2001). Chemistry Laboratory Prefect, Wesley High School, Otukpo (2006-2007). Chairman, Almanac Planning Committee, National Union of Benue State Students (NUBESS), UDUS Chapter (2016/2017 session).

Overall Best Student in Mathematics, Wesley High School, Otukpo (2007). Overall Best Student in Agricultural Science, Wesley High School, Otukpo (2007). Chemist of the Year Award, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (2017).