Akwa United midfielder Paulinus Okon (Jnr) made history, becoming the first student to graduate with a First Class Honours in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Uyo. In this interview with ABIODUN ADEWALE, he talks about his journey from the classroom to the pitch
Congratulations on your First Class degree in Agricultural Engineering from UNIUYO. How does it feel to become a record breaker at the same time?
It gladdens my heart that God has done it for me and my family. By extension, I know that many other young footballers will know that these things are achievable in our clime as well.
You sound like combining academics and football was a piece of cake, how did you achieve excellence in the classroom and on the pitch?
Honestly, it was tough. Considering the circumstances behind this achievement, it’s a great thing for me and my family. It might not be something huge in other parts of the world but here in Nigeria, it’s a different ball game. If you want to do very well in school, you have to drop football or sports and if you want to do very well in sports or football, you have to set aside school or minimise it.
What are some of the circumstances behind this academic success?
First is finance because going to and fro for academics and football is financially consuming. That is aside from the amount of money that you would have paid in school fees or invested in training kits, fitness and recoveries. There were times I thought of leaving one to focus on the other because of the financial constraints, the time and the stress. Most times, my health breaks down because school takes most of my daytime and still needs me to burn some candles to study at night while football demands that I sleep enough, especially at night and sometimes during the day, so I can stay fit. So, these routines are contradictory and drawing a line between them is exhausting. Most times I cried and wanted to give up but there was always this nudge to forge ahead. In some situations, I go to training in the morning; from there I freshen up and go to school. Sometimes I have classes from 8 am to 6 pm. There were times I didn’t have money to take me to either training or school.
Did you ever miss classes or tests and how did you make up for it?
I missed a few classes but I always ensured I got the notes, class recordings, and examples and studied them. For tests, I always made sure I wrote a letter to the lecturers in charge, requesting a supplementary. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll fall back on my assignments and exams to cover up. I’ve also represented my department and faculty in some competitions and I have had good times, especially having to play among friends and classmates. However, on a few occasions where I had to choose between classes and games, I opted for my classes.
Was there any particular incident that nearly became the deal breaker for you?
There was a time when I got involved in an accident while moving from training to school. The first thing I checked was my legs because others sustained high degrees of injuries. I just took a deep breath and stood up with minor wounds. I was in a tricycle (keke napep) with two other passengers and along the way, a truck was trying to overtake us and the driver was trying to give way for the truck but there was another bus on the road trying to pick a passenger. I don’t know what happened next but I realised the keke tumbled and I could hear eyewitnesses saying the people in the accident wouldn’t survive. For almost three or four months, each time I tried to take public transport, that incident would always flash.
When the thoughts of giving up flashed, which of your ambitions did you feel like surrendering to the other?
It was football and it was because the third year in school was very demanding due to the number of courses. So, the intention I had was to stop playing football professionally for a year but I couldn’t bring myself to that still, so I just continued.
The choice the average Nigerian parents would make for their children is education. At what point did you start nursing your football ambition and what kind of reaction did you get from your parents?
Thankfully, my parents have been solidly behind me, especially my mum. At a very young age, they got to see for themselves how talented I was in football. There were Christmas tournaments that I played in our village when I was just a kid. In one of them, I was nominated as the best player, despite being the youngest, so I believe those were the signs my parents saw that gave them the confidence that I could play football as much as they wanted me to go to school.
How was your progress from playing local football to Akwa United?
Aside from local football tournaments, I will say that I started officially with Eagle Eyes Football Academy around 2019/2020. At Eagle Eye, I also played in the Akwa Ibom Governor’s Cup which was organised by the former governor of the state. I was the best player in my local government, Nsit Atai. From there I was picked to FC One Rocket in the Nigeria National League before joining Akwa United before the start of this season.
How did you adapt to the NNL with FC One Rocket?
It was a great time although I played just half a season with them. I am an attacking midfielder; I played either as a No. 8 or No. 10 depending on the formation. Being a left-footed player also helped me because I could even play on the left wing or any other position. With my left foot, I can be very deadly when facing any defender, even as a false No. 9 and I can equally play as a left back too. People call me Messi because of these abilities.
What was your best moment at FC One Rocket?
That would be my first goal for the club when we were in Lagos to play Tradesafe FC. It was an away game and I was introduced in the second half and I scored a headed goal which earned us a 1-1 draw. I had so many good games that I remember very well including the final of the FA Cup against Akwa United.
Was that where Akwa United discovered you?
Not really because they have seen me in other competitions but I will say that final cemented the interest.
What was it like to have a club like Akwa United looking for you?
As a child that was born and brought up in Akwa Ibom State, one of my childhood dreams was to represent the club and it was a dream come true when the offer came.
You haven’t had the chance to feature in the NPFL yet, how are you preparing for that?
Being drafted into the team was the opportunity I needed to showcase my potential and I’ve always been waiting for my opportunity. When that comes, I will be ready to grab it with both hands and contribute my quota to the club.
What’s the bigger picture for you in football?
I have always had the dream of playing in Europe and in the Champions League as well. I have also watched the Super Eagles on TV and live at the Stadium in Uyo, and that has brought out the fire in me that one day, I will also represent Nigeria. Most importantly, I also want to be an example that people can go to school and play football in Africa. With the mindset that helped me become the first person to bag a first class in my department, I believe I will be among the players that will win the World Cup for Nigeria.
So, what’s the plan for education as you continue your football career?
Agricultural Engineering is one of the best fields one can so I believe my football career can help me make enough money that I can inject into it and I hope to get a Master’s Degree as well.