Emomotimi Ziprebo

It has always been my dream, you know, to leave Nigeria to study abroad. It was great for me because you know, it was really a pathway to greatness. 

What Navitas college did you study at and when did you study? 

The Navitas college I studied at is Birmingham City University International College in Birmingham. And I studied through the years 2013 and 2014. 

What is one of your favourite memories during your time at Navitas?

It was a memorable moment for me and also for my colleagues because we are the pioneer set of BCUIC. The area that we always enjoyed most is the Navitas entertainment. We have a lot of sporting activities, the football, the music. Other students from different colleges to Birmingham, you know, we play together, we exchange contact. That was one of the memorable moments for me and in BCUIC.  

How has studying at Navitas made an impact on your life and that of your family?  

How has studying at BCUIC impacted my life and the life of my family? It’s very, very symbolic to us, because it has always been my dream, you know, to leave Nigeria to study abroad. And when I got the shot, you know, all my family was very, very happy for me because it would help me to concentrate over there. It was great for me because you know, it was really a pathway to greatness for me. 

You know, it changed me totally. Living in Nigeria, most especially in Niger Delta, to go and study in a new environment, it was great for me. You know, it has impacted a lot because, you know, it was true the BCUIC that I went to, the university, which is Birmingham City University…because of, you know, the impacts of BCUIC, I was also one of the founding members of the debating society in BCUIC. I was also a member of the Student Representative Council. I was also part of the team, you know, in the QA assessment. 

So, a lot of that helped me. It enhanced me when I went to university. Through that experience, I was the Student President, the Nigerian Student President in Birmingham City University. I was also elected as the International Student Representative of the university. All of this was as a result of the impact from the college. So, it has helped me a lot. 

After graduating from university, I came back to Nigeria. I was able to go through the Nigerian law school to qualify me as a lawyer because I studied law through the college and the university. So, I came back to Nigeria, I went through the Nigerian law school and was able to call to the Nigerian Bar Association, which is which helped me today as a lawyer, a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. 

Not only that, you know, after that, because that’s given me a lot of massive gratitude, a lot of opportunity, as of today, I’m helping the Nigerian government as a Senior Resignation Officer in the Niger Delta Presidential Music Program, you know, to build capacity. 

So, a lot of this started, you know, going through the foundation, I don’t think it would have been possible. So, I want to say that studying in Birmingham City University International College, which is BCUIC, has helped me a lot today to become who I am. And also, I’ve made my family proud. 

What have you achieved in your life and career since graduating?  

So, one of the great achievements is for me to be able to graduate from the Birmingham City University International College beca use of the seriousness, I was able to achieve that. And after graduating from the university, every student from Nigeria as a law student wants to graduate from law. 

One of the achievement that your family will be proud of you is to be able to go to the Nigerian Law School and also pass the Nigerian Law School. So that is the second achievement for me to come to Nigeria to pass the Nigerian Law School. We call as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. So, that’s a very great achievement for me. 

After that, the third great achievement is for me to be able to secure a job with the Federal Government, which today I’m one of the people that is helping to build capacity in the Niger Delta. So, that’s a very great achievement for me. 

What advice would you have for new students entering a Navitas program?  

 One advice I’m going to give to new students that are applying for the Navitas colleges across UK is very simple, you know. Like every other student, once you’re in the college, you have to be very, very serious just for this. 

That’s the most important thing, you must be serious. You must not be carried away, you know, with the city life. Because as a student you must be very, very serious with your academic work, which is the most important thing. 

And that’s one thing I like about BCUIC, at any given time they are ready to support you. You must go to them because they operate an open policy system. The advice I’m giving to every student of a Navitas college is to take the opportunities before them, because they are always ready to help you. 

So, as a new student, if you want to excel, be serious and take the opportunity before you. Always communicate with your tutors, because they are always ready. And, it also gives you an edge, because there is always a link to talk between the university and the college. So that when you pass through the college or university, it will not be new to you. 

You have already conversed with the system. I want to implore every student, every new student also in the Navitas college across board to be very, very serious with your studies and take the academic world very seriously. 

Thank you.