A Nigerian graduate is thriving in the United States of America after having a difficult time getting into a Nigerian university.
In 2019, Emmanuel’s story went viral when he revealed that he took the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) a staggering 18 times before gaining admission to the University of Benin to study Mass Communications.
After completing his degree and National Youth Service Corps program, Emmanuel’s family and community rallied around him, securing funding from their church, cooperatives, and bank loans to support his dream of studying in the United States.
Today, Emmanuel is excelling in his studies, a testament to his unwavering dedication and the power of support from loved ones. His journey serves as a beacon of hope for anyone facing obstacles on their path to success.
In a recent interview, Emmanuel shared his remarkable journey, revealing his admission to Cleveland State University’s graduate program in School Counseling in 2021. Since then, he has achieved impressive milestones, such as receiving an honorary Doctorate Degree in International Affairs (DIA) from Global Seminary University, New York; being elected Student Government President; serving as Vice President of the Joint Student Council Board across five campuses of Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland.
He also won many other honors, such as the College’s “Distinguished Student Leader with a Big Heart” and the Active Minds Organization’s “Outstanding Mental Health Advocate of the Year.”
He claims that he is currently employed by the US Federal Department of Education in the capacity of a Peer Reviewer and Judge for the Mental Health Services Professional Demonstration (MHSP) and School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) award programs.
“My remarkable journey from overcoming significant educational and personal challenges to making significant global impacts in mental health advocacy and suicide prevention has earned me these prestigious honors,” he said.