“I’ve Always Loved School”: 72-Year-Old Nigerian Woman Bags Master’s Degree, Wears Graduation Gown
- A 72-year-old woman, Onikeoke Mabel Ayodele Ayodeji, got her master's degree in old age after keeping all hope alive
- The determined grandma said that she could not further her education because her parents did not have the resources
- For several years, the words of her teacher, who believed she could one day become a professor, kept her ambition alive
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A 70-year-old woman, Onikeoke Mabel Ayodele Ayodeji, who graduated and bagged a master's degree, has narrated how she pulled through getting the qualification.
In her interview with BBC Yoruba, the woman said an admission officer thought she wanted to enroll her child in school when she showed up.
Source: Facebook
Road to master's degree
Ayodele said she left her town in Ondo state and came to Ibadan in 1967 because her parents could not afford to send her to school at that time.
In a video, she said after graduating "Modern 3", and could not continue her education, with her friends leaving her behind, she became sad.
To make ends meet, she had to become a sales girl. She narrated how she suffered different maltreatment because she was working in a canteen filled with unruly men.
Teacher encouraged student to get education
The master's degree holder stated how her teacher once commended her for performing well in an impromptu test.
In her words:
"One day, my teacher came to class when I was in Modern school and asked us to prepare for an impromptu test. After he had marked my script, he commended me and said he wished I'd become a professor by the time he returns in 10 years time."
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Those words kept pushing Ayodele to strive for better despite all odds and limited finances to sponsor her education.
On furthering her education to get a doctorate degree, the woman said she would pray to know if it was the next step.
Watch her video below:
Legit.ng compiled some of the reactions below:
Jumoke Akinwande said:
"Congratulations mama, dream come true."
Eso Motunrayo said:
"Congratulations to you my dear sister."
Prince Agbaje Arasa said:
"Nice dream and the achievement, kudos and congratulations ma."
bamijinadu said:
"I'm happy that you are setting this type of precedent for people to know that age has nothing to do with education and besides we don't stop learning, it's never too late to learn, I'm learning the Spanish language at the age of 50 now when I finished learning Chinese at the age of 38 years, learning will keep you younger."
gbemzoobaby said:
"Maami.... mama olorire,,, mama dada.... the entire dynasty is proud of you mum. I love you so much."
61-year-old bagged PhD
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Dr Mosunmola Kudirat Ariwoola became the perfect poster girl for the inspiring saying that one should never give up.
She bagged a PhD from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria (UNILORIN) and opened up, in an exclusive interview with Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
