The year, 1961, was a memorable and remarkable one in my life. The decisions I made, both significant and minor, profoundly shaped who I am today. God said to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you…” This verse resonates with me, as I believe that God had foreseen my life’s path even before my birth. He orchestrated events, ensuring that both positive and negative influences aligned with His divine purpose. Being omniscient and omnipotent, His plans are unchangeable and unfaltering.
After obtaining my Higher School Certificate in Physics, Chemistry, and Zoology in December 1960, I found myself at a crossroads regarding my university studies. Despite my uncle, Mr Daniel Erinne, advocating for a career in Medicine, a field I had a strong aversion to, I independently applied to University College Ibadan (now University of Ibadan) for Chemistry and the University of Nigeria Nsukka for Zoology.
Additionally, upon learning that the University of Ife was introducing a new Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree, I seized the opportunity to be among the first graduates of this programme. Consequently, I received admission offers from all three universities while teaching at Notre Dame High School, Abatete, in 1961.
My uncle, a 1949 Chemistry graduate from the University of Birmingham and then Principal of Bishop Lasbrey College, Irete, Owerri, aspired for me to become the first medical doctor from our hometown, Okija. He exerted considerable influence over my academic choices and was notably disheartened upon discovering my applications, especially my interest in Pharmacy, given my reluctance to work in a hospital setting.
Determined to guide me towards what he perceived as the right path, he extolled the virtues of a medical career. Eventually, I acquiesced to pursue Medicine, planning to commence studies in 1962. In the interim, having resigned from Notre Dame High School, I sought a teaching position at Washington Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha, close to my alma mater, Dennis Memorial Grammar School. My focus was now on securing admission to the University of Ibadan in the following year.
A defining moment occurred on 31 July 1961, when I penned a letter to Dr V. Walters of the Pharmacy Department:
“I hereby thank you for the place offered me in the Pharmacy course, but regret to inform you that I shall not be able to attend owing to financial difficulties. I hope my place will be filled in due course.”
This brief and courteous declination unexpectedly resulted in the offer of a Pfizer scholarship, dramatically altering my future trajectory. Resolute, I decided to pursue the B.Pharm degree. The challenge remained: how to convey this decision to my uncle and secure his approval.
During our discussion in Irete, my uncle posed probing questions about my interest in Pharmacy, to which I struggled to provide definitive answers. I reiterated my aversion to hospital work. He inquired if I envisioned a career akin to the well-known Nkenobi Chemists in Onitsha. Lacking a clear plan, I vaguely mentioned that the B.Pharm degree would deepen my understanding of drug interactions within the body. He suggested we revisit the conversation the next day.
The subsequent discussion did not sway my determination. Recognising my resolve, he expressed his support for my decision and prayed for my success.
In moments of reflection, I ponder the impact of that succinct letter and the resulting Pfizer scholarship. I am convinced that God’s design for my life was at play, orchestrating events to fulfill His divine purpose.
Wonderful.
Awesome!