Former First Lady of Nigeria, Madam Patience Jonathan, don open up say di journey to collect her PhD no be small matter at all — in fact, she talk say she almost give up halfway because of di serious wahala wey she face from lecturers.

 

Mama Peace, as many sabi her, recently celebrate as she bag Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology, Guidance and Counselling from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education during their 43rd Postgraduate Convocation.

 

As she give testimony on Sunday for Streams of Joy International Church wey Pastor Jerry Eze dey lead, Patience Jonathan no hide her struggle. She talk say di academic journey hard well-well, say sometimes she begin doubt herself and wan throw in towel.

 

“In fact, one of my lecturers dey always vex me,” she yarn with her usual voice wey make everybody for church laugh. “Him go tell me, ‘Go and repeat this page.’ I go dey think, ‘This man no know say I don old? I suppose dey rest by now. Wetin I wan use this thing do? Na just to make brain still dey work small small.’”

 

Even though frustration nearly finish her, she give thanks to God say she finally make am. “Wetin be like say e no fit happen, God make am possible. I graduate!” she talk with joy.

 

Patience still yarn say to go back to school after being First Lady no be something wey she ever plan. “When I carry form for PhD, I tell myself, ‘Wetin remain again? I don serve as First Lady. Wetin I wan use PhD do?’”

 

But according to her, na God push her go that path. “God tell me say, ‘If your pikin fit do am, why you no go fit?’” she talk.

 

She come talk how e be like to sit down for class with younger students. “I go siddon for bench with my children. Na me be ‘Mama’ for class, but I no shame. When teacher dey teach, I go dey raise hand ask question. Di small pikin dem go understand sharp sharp, but as ‘Mama’, I fit ask same question three times before I grab.”

 

She describe di three-year programme like say she spend 40 years, but say na only God give her strength to finish am.

 

As she round up her testimony, she beg make her story serve as motivation to other people, especially women and young people, say no be age go stop anybody from chasing book. “Education no get age. Even if you be hundred years, you fit still learn. Na determination be di koko,” she advise.

 

Mama Peace don show say no matter your level, background or age, if you put your mind for something — you go reach am.