A 77- year-old woman, Madam Bridget Obiageli Okonji, on Tuesday, bagged a bachelor degree from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.
She studied Educational foundation otherwise known as Guidance and Counselling at the Faculty of Education under the sandwich programme of the university, and she is part of the total 12, 843 fresh graduates from the university at the ongoing 50th convocation ceremonies of the institution, which will end on Thursday.
Interestingly, the septuagenarian woman was called to the podium midway into the programme, as a mark of honour to have a handshake with the Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Dr Wale Babalakin; and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, and other principal officers of the university on stage in the expansive Ade Ajayi Hall.
From that moment, she became a delight of the newsmen around to have conversation with her, but she reluctantly responded despite numerous questions threw at her.
She said she is a retired officer without being specific about her former office and that she had been to so many countries.
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When asked about her motivation for a degree programme, she said she came to UNILAG to acquire knowledge as age can never be a barrier to learning and also to avoid boredom at home.
According to her, “I’m not too old to go to school. Education has no limit. It’s from cradle to death. And you know the more you are educated, the more valuable you are to the society.
“I think this my degree programme could encourage people who consider age as barrier to learning to also go to school.
At this point, she refused further comment, saying “please leave me alone and let me go.”
But our correspondent was able to gather from one of her lecturers, who is also the Director of Institute of Continuing Education, Professor Mopelola Olusakin, that Madam Okonji is actually a jovial and lively person.
“I addressed her as Mama (aged woman) and she was very hardworking in class. She would not wait to greet you before she greets. She would not also greet alone, she would ensure she asked after your health and your family,” the lecturer said.