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3)At what age did you obtain your PHD?  
Ans: 25

   

4)Tell us about the course you study, the economic and socio-political relevance of the course?
Ans:  My field is primarily drug discovery – And search for drug targets. It also depends on the need which is driven by pharm industries. For my Doctorate I had to use the following areas of science: Physics, mathematics, chemistry and computer science and apply it to biological systems – In terms of trying to reproduce a working biological system insilico. The Pharm industry at the time of my research study was particularly interested in finding a drug target for a protein that not only caused many cancers but was also involved in inflammatory diseases such as asthma, HIV and countless other diseases. And yes there are specific proteins (known as transcription factors) proven to be involved in many disease – The List for this transcription factor runs into its thousands – So its big money for the Pharm industry if a drug target can be found for this protein.. 

     

5)What opportunities have been opened to you due to your age as regards your PHD?
Ans: Well First of all I am believer in God – so whatever opportunities that have been opened to me I have attributed to having God on my side. There is a lot of politics in my field especially trying to make it in academia – So sometimes it’s not enough to have a doctorate; you also need the favour of the Lord. Many people who choose to study for a doctorate in England tends to have a Ph.D by 25 (which is the norm if you went straight after your undergraduate degree). So it’s not a heavily huge thing to have your doctorate at that age.

   

6)  Do you regard yourself as a bookworm?
Ans: You must be having a laugh!! – I was during my undergraduate years – I was fiercely competitive – but the Ph.D was relatively much easier. The Lord was in it. 

   

7)Would you say because your parents are very wealthy that you were able to reach the pinnacle of formal education on time?
Ans: Wealthy!! – They were ok – but going to a very good school in the Northwest of England where I lived helped me a little – I think!! – But I wasn’t always intelligent in high school – quite the opposite – But the Word of the Lord says He has decreed and said it – so I had to reach where He I would!

    

8) Are you married? If not do you believe obtaining a PHD this early would hinder your success in marriage?
Ans:  Don’t be silly – it actually adds to it. – No I’m not married – In fact it is quite the opposite (I think) – but I guess from a Nigerian view point they might thinks it’s a negative – but out here many students are enrolling on Ph. D. programs now – as there has to be something distinctively different when compared to other graduates. In the UK we have more Science graduates than we have ever had – and most are capable of doing many science orientated jobs in the industry – so to give yourself that added advantage most science course come with a Masters certificate at the end or an option to go on and do a Ph.D. So because there a more scholars than before coming out with a Ph.D., it’s not necessary a huge deal in the science field – especially if you are career orientated. To get the promotion you deserve you stand at a better chance of being promoted very quickly. Now will it hinder my success in marriage – NO – It will not hinder my success in finding a good man – or working through my marriage. I am single only out of choice – I think I might have just met the one – but I’m praying through it.

    

9)How long did it take you to obtain your PHD? Any challenge along the way?
Ans:  The best part of 2 ½ years – I wouldn’t say there wasn’t any challenges, especially when the field I was working in was very new – But the Lord that I serve made it an uncomplicated experience – My Experience cannot be compared to others, but I would be lying if I told you my experience was a difficult one – Church members didn’t even know I was doing a Ph.D. until the end when I was recognised and acknowledged in my Church. This was because they felt that the stress of it all would be visible for the world to see.

 

10)When last did you reach Nigeria? What are your views on the happenings in Nigeria?
Ans: December of 2005 – I thought we were making progress, But I must confess all I know about the happenings in Nigeria is what I’ve been told – Which is pretty pathetic. I will try and make more of an effort in the future.
 

11)If you were the President of Nigeria; what solutions would you proffer to resolve unemployment issues?
Ans: The problem in Nigerian is the inherent need to defraud – I say this because everyone who goes into power thrives on the knowledge that it is now their turn to enjoy what that position has to offer in terms of kickbacks and back handed bribes – Now to resolve unemployment issues jobs need to be created. To create jobs money needs to be made available to pay the employee, and to have this money available the people placed in authority must be trusted that the money will not be aligned in their bank accounts. So how do we find trusted people who can and will not be remotely interested in trying to defraud the establishment? How do we go about retraining mindsets already moulded and set on selfish motives? How do we go about instilling in people the idea that you must stick to what you’ve been paid and maybe set other avenues to bring in revenues if you are the type to live beyond your means. I am not saying that we don’t have rock solid and trusted individuals but to make this work we need others in agreement. Even the control theories I work on states that the effect of an individual entity is dependent on the magnitude of the others surrounding it. So if I’m president I will pray that the Lord will send me 12 trusted cabinet members, people who can affect Nigeria for the better.

12)  What motivates you in life and tell us about it?
Ans: The Fact that good plans have already been decreed for me, and even though some days might be hard, the good plans the Lord has already planned will come to pass. That