Isioma Osubor: Dilemma of child prodigy

                                                                                                                     FEATURES

 BY CHUKWUDI ABIANDU

The story of Isioma Osubor is the fascinating narrative of a wunderkind, who, like some other unsung Nigerians, has quietly identified with the country’s re-branded cute slogan of “Good People, Great Nation.” These categories of Nigerians have remained focused, doing exploits, and positively making waves on the international scene with the tranquil demeanor of pacesetters.

Isioma Osubor

Among such spectacular Nigerians is the 17-year-old Miss Isioma Osubor, who hails from the sleepy town of Onicha-Uku, in Aniocha Local Government of Delta State.  This little quiet town has also produced pacesetters such as Mr. Tony Elumelu and late S. I. Moemeka of Lintas.

Isioma was born in June 1^st, 1999 to the family of Joseph and Stella Osubor, who are currently settled at Asaba as retirees. At such a young age, Isy, as she is fondly called by admirers has displayed potentials for greatness and leadership capabilities even among her Western peers, in schools abroad, a greatness also acknowledged by those through whose hands she is being molded into a person of value in life.

Isy’s outstanding academic brilliance has been rewarded with university admission offers by schools such as California Institute of Technology (CALTEC), Stanford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The above schools are the cream, but she has settled for the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), reputed to be the best in the world for engineering studies. It is acknowledged that getting admission into MIT to study engineering is a feat that is usually the preserve of persons with exceptional academic brilliance. Reports indicate that it is seldom that Africans find placements into MIT, but that this year, only two Africans scaled the hurdle of exceptional academic brilliance to be found worthy of placement in that institution, and our own little Miss Isioma Osubor is one of them.

While Isy was in year nine, she enrolled for SSAT examinations and attained the full scores. Subsequently Cranbrook Schools in USA identified and offered her both admission and scholarship to complete her secondary education.

Besides being an all ‘A’ student, and the highlight of gaining outstanding university admissions, other icing on the cake for Isy includes the obtaining of SAT full score as well as full scores in Mathematics and Chemistry SAT single subjects. She also holds a Gold Medal in UK Mathletics Maths competition. Before 17 years, she was College Resident Adviser, Co-chair of the Model United Nation, Chairperson of the Maths Association, and member of the Cranbrook basketball Team.

However, despite the above high academic achievements, Isioma Osubor has a challenge; one that should spur well meaning Nigerians, Governments, Companies, Philanthropists and Foundations to come to her rescue. She needs sponsorship to enable her to fulfill her dream of attending MIT and becoming an engineer so that she can make a contribution – according to her, in “making the world a better place”.

Isy’s father, Mr. Joseph Osubor obviously proud of his daughter’s academic prowess and achievements, in answer to what he called “probing question” is not surprised at his daughter’s successes with regards to the Ivy League schools offering her admission. “She has a track record of performance right from her primary days. The Headmaster at her primary school once remarked that we should watch her as all indicators pointed to a pupil that would succeed in life,” he says, adding that at a young age, her most frequent remark was “Why get less when you can get more”.

Continuing, Mr. Osubor said that “even in the United States, Teachers saw in Isy a wonderful child”, and always called on phone to appreciate her parents for bringing up such a youngster who they understood knew what she wanted in life and required little and in some cases no assistance to attain her best”.

Mr. Osubor was asked that given his present circumstance as a retiree, especially that school fees will be paid in Dollars at the present high exchange rate of Naira/Dollar, if he envisaged challenges. He says: You’ve touched on a rather very sensitive and emotional topic. It is sensitive because I would not have liked Isioma to think for once that she will face this dilemma of payment of school fees because my assurances to her had always been: Do your own bit and leave me with how to pay your fees. She seemed to have done her bit, but based on circumstances beyond my control, I got retired and the exchange rate got out of control. This issue is emotional. I am worried explaining to her that there are no structures on ground by all levels of our Government to support her financially.

“So talk of challenges: I am overwhelmed. We are already approaching some Foundations and will also use this medium to appeal to Nigerian philanthropists, and in particular our able Governor of Delta State Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to assist us with her fees currently estimated at $67,000 per year.”

Of course, Isy’s challenge cannot and should not be seen as just hers and that of her family. It is a call to the magnanimous spirit of the Federal Government, Delta state Government, financially able Nigerians, philanthropists, Foundations, and all other lovers of excellence to display this virtue and come to the aid of this Nigerian who has shown verve for distinction.

Isioma Osubor’s dream to leave the world a better place must not be allowed to die for lack of money to attend MIT. Helping her out will confirm us indeed as a country of “Good People, Great Nation”.