The word that best describes Aisha Edwards in my opinion is “a woman of valour” who fights for what is right and what she believes in.

Born with a scourge, sickle cell anemia; Aisha endured so much pain physically and emotionally while as a child. She was labeled a witch and adjudged a must die, no thanks to her sickle cell disorder.

Life seemed to be nothing but a bundle of pains, but she didn’t mind. She fought to stay positive, to live happily and fulfil her destiny.

Aisha Edwards today is a household name in Nigeria. She is the National Coordinator of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder, helping those living with the scourge find happiness and fulfillment in life.

May we know you please?

My name is Aisha Edwards, the National Coordinator of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder, here in Nigeria, based in Anambra State. I am glad to have you here in our Secretariat. I am an Igbo woman and had an intertribal marriage which explains the mix up in my name which is very beautiful and unique. Unfortunately, I lost my spouse at a very short while after marriage. I look forward to settling down soon in Anambra State officially. By then, maybe I will have a new identity and what I represent. That is, it about me and my person.

My childhood experience was challenging

Growing for me, was very challenging because I was born with a scourge, a genetic scourge at that, known as Sickle Cell Anemia.Nobody knew what it was until I was six years old. I was born into a family that was quite rich and comfortable. My Dad was not that educated per se. He was a businessman and very rich too. My Mum was trained by my Dad. So that explains the circumstances that led to my birth, because if my both parents were learned perhaps, they may not have been married or given birth to me, that I can vouch, because each time I was in crisis, I felt the pain directly, but they felt it ten times emotionally, financially, psychologically, mentally and otherwise. A family that was built with love became heavily threatened as if it was going to collapse due to the frustration and confusion surrounding my scourge.

Discovering the Sickle Cell Anemia

My Dad gave so much attention to me. I think I am his most favorite child. I may not be right, but for so many reasons, I feel I was. He took good care of me, He wouldn’t want me to go through pain. He felt most pained and disturbed when I had those excruciating pains that you hardly see him at his workshop. My Dad was a Mechanical Engineer. He constructs machines with a lot of boys working for him. Each time I was in crisis, he was always out of his shop, leaving the business for the boys. Those days, people who used Lister Generators were the rich and my Dad was into that business. But he always left his work just to be with me each time at the hospital.

There was time I stayed in the hospital for six months. I was caned in primary school because one of my books was not wrapped and that landed me in hospital. I was given just one stroke of the cane others were given many strokes but just one stroke scattered the whole bones in my hand. So, I was rushed to UNTH Enugu. It was there the doctors discovered that I had Sickle Cell Anemia. So, they banded my hands with POP. The doctors said I suffered from Osteomyelitis.

My parents got to know about Sickle Cell Disorder through medical investigation and presentation and they were advised not to continue giving birth to children because they may bring children suffering like me to the world, knowing that they are not genotype compatible. It became a very big trauma for my family.

And then, the news in town was that Sickle Cell children don’t live up to some certain age, some ten, twelve and at most twenty. Then my parents were always looking at me like I would die the next day and they were so careful with me. So growing up in that scenario was very special but mixed feeling because I was treated like a queen, given the best treatment in life,at least as young as I was. But at the same time, I passed through the unbearable and horrific pain of sickle cell of course as a child not even knowing what I was going through.

Traditional Discovery and Cure

I came from a royal family. You could see me wear a royal bracelet.Those from my paternal side thought it was a spiritual case and I was a reincarnation of somebody. So they went to look for who I reincarnated from traditionally. I went through a lot of traditional exposures. I was given scars, I tasted blood of so many animals; like cock, goat, cows. Some were used to bath me. I was even dedicated to some river goddesses and named after them just to protect me. Then from my maternal side, my mum is from Mbaise in Imo state while my Dad is from Afikpo south, Ebonyi State. Probably because of the attention my Dad gave to me, people came with several so-called solution to my problem, even to the extent of going to my mother’s place to seek spiritual help. My maternal side took me naked to a native doctor with me carrying a lamp with all sorts of charms. I still recall also, how I was taken to Ngwuta Lake and bathed naked and even named after the goddess of the river (Oguide). Some people who knew me as a kid still call me that name. It was bizarre experience for me.

EARLY SCHOOL YEARS

Then in school, many a times I would break down with the crisis. I may not go to school for months but when I returned during exams, I came out tops in my class. That’s why I tell people that most sickle cell children are intellectually sound. They do a lot of reasoning, meditation, thinking and they have this strong connectivity with the spirit because they don’t walk around. That explains why they are called ‘Ogbanjes’ the mysterious children in the days of old, because we have this strong connection with the spirit. They are usually very stubborn and hyperactive and after that, they have a break down.

Okay, back to school like I told you, I was always top in class and it’s not like the spirit told me all I was doing in school but I found out I was doing well, because when I would be in class, I paid attention to all I was taught and it stuck to my head that I gained series of scholarships. All through my lifetime, I was trained on scholarship, the popular philanthropist Arthur Eze gave me scholarship, an Airline owner also offered me scholarship. A once Bishop of Enugu Diocese gave me scholarship too. Texaco also did during my secondary school days. My Dad could afford my fees, but I was always coming home with Medals and academic prizes that won me those scholarships.

Every competition and congress, I normally got prizes. Each time I made such academic records, I got bad treatment from my peer in school and I lived as a loner. People often saw me as a spiritual child. I was a boarding student. You know Sickle Cell patients are allergic to cold, rain and we don’t put our hands in cold water for a long time. Since I was born, I hardly do my laundry myself. This is not because of bigmannism, the condition fashioned our lives that way. If I do that, I found myself on the sick bed, paying over hundreds of thousands, instead of doing that, why not bring twenty thousand naira and pay who would do the chores. So, it is an expensive lifestyle. As I was telling you, during exams, I scored very high, but I got persecuted and tagged a spiritual child, asking why I came out tops even though I was in hospital throughout, but I used to read anytime I had a relief of the pain, even with the drip fixed to my hands.

The persecution continued…

Do you know that, the persecution got worse in school, that students sprinkled Holy Water blessed by Rev Father Edeh at my corner in the hostel, tagging me a witch and other derogatory names. One reason again was that during Fr. Edeh’s prayers I usually did not come out since it was too stressful, most times we stayed under the sun, knelt down on the stones for a long time which affected my system badly. The sun rays sucked water out of my body and my blood clot, which was very bad for a sickler, but none of them understood me then. They felt I was dodging prayers and deliverance, so I was literally baptized a demonic child. I was accused for nothing, which if my parents were aware, I would have been withdrawn from that school.

My parents took me to a Missionary school, hoping the stress would be less and I would be cared for. But the punishment I went through from students at the Missionary school was so bad and dehumanizing but then, I thank God there were some elite who understood me and gave me a chance. So, I coped and managed until I left secondary school. I didn’t blame my schoolmates because, up until now, many do not understand what Sickle Cell is all about. The society condemned me to death, because people propounded theories that Sickle Cell patients die before twenty, putting children in trauma and parents have given up on the kids who could have been their respite tomorrow. Even if there was a little care, they withdraw it and fast track the death so that they can rest.

Because of this scourge, I lived an innocent life, clung strongly onto God. I was adjudged that I would die, so I felt the hell fire I was going through due to the scourge was enough for me to forbid anything that would take me to the Hell fire I knew nothing about. It was a beautiful check for me morally, but psychologically was stress and torture.

My Admission into the University

I gained admission but my parents never allowed me to go, because it was University of Nigeria Nsukka, far from home. They preferred to train my other siblings, not because they hated me, but felt I would die. I had to abscond from home. I then pleaded with the Bishop, because I scored two hundred and sixty then in JAMB. So, the Bishop said I should apply and if I passed, he would pick up from there. When I gained admission, Bishop took care of everything, gave me his direct line and asked me to call each time I had any problems or crisis. So, I went to school, though I was always brought back to the hospital at Enugu because I always fell ill. And the distance was not too favorable…There was a time I had a very terrible crisis that I almost lost my life, so I became more scared of my life. My parents also threatened fire and brim stone, I felt the kindness of the Diocese should not result into another thing on my cause. So, I absconded further….

TO BE CONTINUED…
#mercyhillblog.com

[b]. . . the story of a young black female professor at the University of Dalhousie
There is a saying that greatness in man is not just measured by the height he has attained, but by the depths from which he came. A soul, determined to achieve success in any area of endeavour will always succeed if he squarely faces any challenges life will throw at him, and ride on to success. There is hardly any great man who has not fought and conquered in a life battle. And as some would say, the fiercer the battle, the sweeter the victory.
Here is a story of a woman from a very humble background. She faced poverty in her early days. Her educational pursuits were severally threatened due to lack of funding and her dreams of being a professor seemed bleak. But eyes on the ball, she ignored all the noise and distractions around and pushed through to the top.
Today, she is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Dalhousie. In this interview with Mercy Hill, Prof. Rita Orji shares the story of her struggles and victories in life.[/b]
Good Morning, can you please introduce yourself?
My name is Rita Orji, a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Dalhousie. I am also a Nigerian born Canadian. Basically, I am originally from Enugu state Nigeria.



I grew up in a very loving and close-knit family of nine children with my mum and dad. We are five girls and four guys and we are so close, doing things together. My late parents were neither educated nor rich. They were into farming and there was not that abundance of wealth. We basically had very tight budget to survive on, so, it was not that easy for them to afford our education. Being able to go to school was due to external support from my uncles and well-wishers from my community.
Poverty aside, one thing I know about my parents is their habit of instilling in us the virtue of hardwork and contentment and trusting in ourselves. One thing I know I took from my parents is that they are contented, hardworking, honest and dedicated. They worked so hard as farmers and sometimes, there was little output from their efforts.
Amidst all our struggles then, I remember telling my friends that happenings around me were just a transition stage for me. I always had this big dream of being a professor, right from my early days. And even then there was no clue of when and how that would materialize, because in my village there were no professors. I am the first and only female professor presently. So my dream to become a professor, coupled with my desire to change the story of poverty in my family made me to follow my educational pursuits with determination.
Eventually, I started my educational pursuits, finished from secondary school and with help from people, I got into the University, that’s Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka. That was where the magic started. After my first year in the University, I kind of discovered that with my little knowledge of computers I could do a lot of magic. I got admission into the University to study Computer Sciences without having used computers for the first time in my life. And when I got into the university, you know somehow I felt intimidated coming from a small village with little or no exposure and meeting people who had a lot of good secondary school education. Initially, it was a bit intimidating, but I got to figure out that I had to learn not bothering who was there or not, I didn’t care about the clothes, I remember vividly that I didn’t have up to four clothes and two pairs of shoes when I was in the University. But I didn’t care at all, I was so comfortable with what I had. I participated in everything I wanted. I was a Charismatic, played my part in school politics and then I gained employment as a teacher and I started making money. So, I felt it was going to be a good ride, but I had to support my family because some of my siblings were not yet in school that point. I also got a federal government scholarship after my year one because I was amongst the best students in my class and that made things easy for me then. From my second year in school, I started using the money I earned to visit the cybercafé to browse, seeking for scholarships abroad, and in my third year, I got admission to pursue my Masters and PhD abroad, because I was not going to do my National Youth Service in Nigeria .But then I was denied visa, so I didn’t go to the US again as planned. I had to stay and serve in Nigeria. But I kept seeking for scholarships abroad. I got admitted into Oxford and some other top universities abroad. At a time I could count up to hundred universities I gained admission into, because I made a good result in my first degree, that’s a First-class Honours. But as I told you, I came from a background is not that of affluence and riches, so I sought for not just admission but scholarship that paid for everything including my flight fee from here to where I was going to. So, for those admission that came with no scholarship it was an automatic “no” from me. For those with partial scholarship, it was still “no”, because I couldn’t afford it. After that I gained a number of scholarships out of which I picked Turkey for my Masters after that I got another admission to Canada for my PhD and right now, I am a professor of Computer science with my own Lab and everything.
One trait that kept me in all these countries I schooled was that zeal of wanting to learn, never giving up and not bothering what the environmental distraction was. God was and is still with me. It was a lot more challenging than you think. I remember at a point when I was pursuing my Masters, I told God its better I die than to fail, and that urged me to keep reading. It was so difficult because most times I was the only black in my class, and it became a thing of mockery.And then you find it quite difficult making friends, navigating around,because the academic environment was quite different from what we have here. At a time, I did contemplate quitting, I would call my family to tell them that I would quit, but my sisters kept asking me to give it my best and stay.To me, I was like, which best? There was a time I could not differentiate between night and day, I would sit, study and work for 48 hours and it was as if things were not working at all. But guess what, they were! With God, hardwork, persistence and character, anyone can succeed. I said character because, when you are climbing up the ladder, its not only about hardwork, but your personality and how you relate with people around you that helps you, because its people that will push you there. You must create presence and make an impact in your environment.
My story is that of nothing is impossible. If you just conceive your ideas and put in your best via hard work and with God by your side, you will excel.
Many young graduates are worried, even afraid of the years after graduation. How did you manage yours?[/i]
Yea, it’s a moment every graduate comes with that question, what’s next? Because in school you are protected from a lot of things, but after graduating, people kind of believe that you should be helping not wanting to be helped. At the time I graduated, several things happened, though with a good grade but I knew it was more than that, because we are in Nigeria. I can remember one of my classmates telling me it was not about grade and that with my first class and his third class or second class lower he would employ me. I didn’t answer him. I went home but the statement made a lot of meaning to me. I then went to the Blessed Sacrament and said my prayers, but later, I came back to him and told him that can never happen. It didn’t stop there. When I couldn’t make it abroad after my initial attempt, I started praying and working. I started asking myself what it takes to get a job, it’s not only your result, here, you must go for interview, write an aptitude test. By the time I went for youth service, I worked in the aspect of studying more. I read ten series of GMAT, ten years back. I started reading everything to get myself set for any kind of exams. I made sure that when I am called for an exam, I would be sure to be pass and that if anyone was going to be chosen, it was going to be me. I knew I got the result, but I had to do the other one. So, any test I went for I passed it and I got a lot of job offers. More so, I had to network with people, because many opportunities that may come would be through who could tell you of one opportunity or the other. You don’t stay in your house and expect opportunities to come meet you, you network. So my network of friends coupled with the fact that I had a good result, helped me a lot. I won’t discount what my good results did for me, because anywhere I applied, they called me, aside the Nigerian factor which may affect you during the interview and you may not get employed, but as for the calls, I always got called. Because of the fact I had a good result too, I was super young, I networked with people and I was always ready to learn.
So, what I advice people is to take it as a game. This is another stage of the game of life. You have conquered the education, now conquer the world.
There are two ways to succeed: first is an understanding of how the world works. There is an intelligence of how the world works, that is the ability to understand the time. What is it right now? It is a time of technology. The second is the understanding of who you are. People tell you what you are supposed to do based on their understanding of who you are, but what you are is only understood by you alone. And one of the downfalls of a man is placing a round hole in a square peg. You will be in wrong career all your life that you will be unable to understand where you are until you are lost. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, most people study courses that are not actually what they want to practice or what they are good at. The good news is that after graduation you can retrieve back and decide. Most times, your first degree does not say who you are its only a door opener that says this person has a capability to learn but it does not define a career path for you. First degree is not meant to create a specialist out of you, rather it is meant to create somebody who has a knowledge base, who now knows what to learn and can learn new things. I tend to believe that, even if your first degree does not match your dreams, you can likely navigate to your dream course. You must have to find out what your strength is and what you can do. People do well when what they do falls in line with their passion and strength.
A moment of truth is the moment of graduation where you are no longer being pampered by your parents, you must sit down and say this is my reality here and I must realize myself. Block out the noise out there of what people think you need and start networking with people who can help you gain those opportunities. Inasmuch that there are no jobs try to get one that is in alignment with where you are going.
Another thing is that you should not focus on money, though very important, but what is more important is making a career. You might take a job that pays you half of what another job would offer but it will channel you to the right direction and position you for the future big thing.
This is a time to build yourself for the big future, at graduation you don’t need too much money to survive, all you need is to build and position yourself for that future you visualize. By the time you will be needing that big money, you are already built for it. Keep an open mind to life and know exactly where you are going to.
Mentoring and success are two words one hears often today. What do you have to say about this in relation to your life?[i]
Mentoring is very important. I tell people that I have not seen a lot of people take the path I took when I was doing what I was doing. Because like I told you, I am the first female to have a PhD from my place. I had a lot of difficulties because I did a lot of things without proper guidance. Most of the steps I took were trials and errors. That means things that would have taken a shorter time, took a longer time for me to accomplish. But when I mentor people these days, I tell you the things that work because I have passed through them. I have lived it and I have experimented it. A journey of forty days can be shorter with a mentor because you will live off their experiences, so you need not start from scratch. It’s more like living using a user’s manual that is more orchestrated and done step by step. If you don’t have a mentor, you might eventually succeed but it may take longer. Mentorship is a very good ingredient to success. If you have it, you get old age insight from a seasoned person who has lived through same experience.

https://mercyhillblog.com/2019/08/05/impossibility-is-nothingpart-2/

For many, the mandatory youth service year is a time to enjoy an absolute freedom from the rigors and stress of hot academic pursuits. Some view it as a time to live a worry-free life, catch enough fun and enjoy endless merriment. However, they only realize by the end of the service year, that they have wasted a golden opportunity to make some meaningful personal achievements.

There are, however, smart and intelligent others who decide to spend the one year working on and improving their lives in all ramifications, for the journey of life ahead. One of such is Ifeanyi Victor (aka Viktur Vital) a young musician.

In our chat with Viktur, he revealed how the NYSC year was for him an opportunity to make some bold achievements in the area of music, through dedication, focus and hard work.

Below are some excerpts from the interview with Ifeanyi Victor, also known as Viktur Vital

Can you please introduce yourself?[/i]

I am Ifeanyichukwu Victor, also known as Viktur Vital

I just passed out from the National Youth Service Corp, here in Anambra state, I taught Government as a subject in a Community Secondary School at Isuofia, Aguata LGA of  Anambra state, presently. I am a gospel musician.
So, how was it like being a Corp member?

It was very interesting because I had yearned to be a Youth Corp member for so long, so getting to wear the khaki gave me a lot of joy and a bit of fulfillment, not minding the situations around me and, the ups and downs of life. I was fulfilled and I felt I could use the opportunity to inspire lives which was paramount to me.

What was the high point for you,during the one-year duration of your service to the country?[i]

I had a lot of achievements during the one-year duration of my service. Do you know that before the first quarter of the year, I had already bought a motorcycle for myself. hahaha with the 19800 allowance, although, it was not easy at all, I had to  involve myself in other skills and activities which I did with all diligence  and hardwork. Someone just came one day and asked me if I could purchase it, I told him the little amount I had, and then he sold the motorcycle to me. Oh my God I was so happy! I was astonished because before then I never knew I would be a motorcycle owner. hahahaha.
Another was my first song, during the service year, I was able to release my first song, titled “Olisa'', it was the biggest hit of my life and I can never forget service year for that because of these two peculiar achievements

What Inspired your Music Career?[/i]

Hmmm…my mum told me that when I started speaking as a child I would always sing what the Igbos call Abu ndinso..it means the songs of saints, and since then I have been singing as a child in my church choir, as a youth I was a Music Director, then in the university. Each time I sang then as an undergraduate, I got accolades from friends who told me I inspired them, some will be like, Viktur, you inspired me, please keep singing. You can't imagine that I got a scholarship back then, when someone saw me singing, and he said wow… I am going to pay for your fees for two years in the university and you won't believe that it went a long way to help my family, myself and academics.

Even when I was in the orientation camp, in my NCCF, I was able to bless lives through my ministration, even from there, I got so much attention.

So in the early part of my service I decided to do something new, I recorded my first single and people started downloading my songs and I reached out to a lot of people through my song and the feedback was wow, this really encouraged me.

Recently your song has been featured in so many radio stations vlogs and many other media outlets, how do you feel about that?

This is me, living the best of my life now, its like a dream come true. Olisa is a song that inspired me, I sang it for the people on the streets, to touch the souls of people out there. Recently, someone called me from the US that Olisa really inspires him and that he plays the song every day in his house.

What prospect do you have for your career in the music industry?
[i]
If you look at Olisa, you will notice that it's a dance hall genre of music, which relates to everyone in the streets. So, my idea is to bring gospel music to the man in the streets so that everybody can relate easily with it. There is a song that I am recording now, which I believe is going to be a bomb, to me,  it will relate more to the people in the streets.

What drives your passion in Gospel music?[/i]

There is this burning desire in me to touch lives, inspire people and bring people closer to God. Money is good but that is not my pursuit for now.

Who is your Mentor in the Gospel Music Industry?[i]

I love all Nigerian artistes, but I must tell you that I will love to have my first collaboration with Sinach, the female Gospel artiste. Her songs inspired me a lot when I started, infact! I began stage presentations with her popular song ''More of You''. I hope to sing and inspire people just like Sinach.

Do you have thoughts of delving into secular Music?[/i]

Nooo! Gospel music is what pays for me, because I want to draw souls for God.

During your service year and in life generally, would you say you have encountered any challenges?
[i]
Hahahaha…my dear, the biggest challenge I encountered, though I now see it as what made me strong, was that I suffered hunger and starvation and then developed ulcer, which dealt with me. Aside that part, which to me, was very challenging, others were minor.
So many youths out there have this opinion that NYSC, as a scheme is a scam and should be expunged, what is your reaction to that?

NYSC, really helped me as a person to grow and affect lives, connect with people of diverse cultures and tradition and utmostly, widened my horizon to life. I as an individual used to have this phobia for other tribes, but NYSC, gave me the opportunity to meet with other Nigerians of different tribes, who affected my life positively.

Then, people only see the scheme as a scam because of the way it is structured, I only  think the government should restructure by empowering the youths by first of all reducing the duration to three months, then give them the money they would have been paid for the twelve months in bulk after they must have been empowered in camp in so many skills. Then, Youths can set up businesses of their choice.

Its few months after Service for you, what are your Aspirations?[/i]

I look forward to affecting lives positively, explore my music career, getting to the peak of my career, telling a bigger version of my story. Where people will listen to or read my story and then get inspired. Okay, someone told me recently, Viktur you are blessed because you inspire me a lot.And that has been my goal and i think i am gradually achieving it.

Aside music, what other area do you see[i]

I am a motivational speaker, so, I wish to explore that part of my life, I am also an event host.

So how many songs have you been able to release?[/i]

I have a lot of songs recorded but I have released just one to the public, others will be out soon.

Your Advice to youths out there?[i]

I will begin with those who just left Secondary Schools and do not have sponsors for them to further their education. First, engage yourself positively, it could be starting up a sachet water business, learn a trade and raise some money for your JAMB form. Read hard and get good grades. Trust me, explore other God's given talents, you will get attention and help will come. When you find yourself in the higher institution, be focused, diligent and explore other things. When I was in school, I did odd jobs, ushering in events, event planning just to mention a few, in order to raise funds. Most importantly I read a lot and worked hard to become one of the best students in my class. Life was not easy but gradually, I have been able to meet up with life's expectation.

Thanks, Viktur, it’s been a nice time with you[b][/b]

Thank you...hahahaha
source: mercyhillblog.com

For many, the mandatory youth service year is a time to enjoy an absolute freedom from the rigors and stress of hot academic pursuits. Some view it as a time to live a worry-free life, catch enough fun and enjoy endless merriment. However, they only realize by the end of the service year, that they have wasted a golden opportunity to make some meaningful personal achievements.

There are, however, smart and intelligent others who decide to spend the one year working on and improving their lives in all ramifications, for the journey of life ahead. One of such is Ifeanyi Victor (aka Viktur Vital) a young musician.

In our chat with Viktur, he revealed how the NYSC year was for him an opportunity to make some bold achievements in the area of music, through dedication, focus and hard work.

Below are some excerpts from the interview with Ifeanyi Victor, also known as Viktur Vital

Can you please introduce yourself?[/b][/i]

[i]I am Ifeanyichukwu Victor, also known as Viktur Vital[b]

I just passed out from the National Youth Service Corp, here in Anambra state, I taught Government as a subject in a Community Secondary School at Isuofia, Aguata LGA of  Anambra state, presently. I am a gospel musician.
So, how was it like being a Corp member?

It was very interesting because I had yearned to be a Youth Corp member for so long, so getting to wear the khaki gave me a lot of joy and a bit of fulfillment, not minding the situations around me and, the ups and downs of life. I was fulfilled and I felt I could use the opportunity to inspire lives which was paramount to me.

What was the high point for you,during the one-year duration of your service to the country?I had a lot of achievements during the one-year duration of my service. Do you know that before the first quarter of the year, I had already bought a motorcycle for myself. hahaha with the 19800 allowance, although, it was not easy at all, I had to  involve myself in other skills and activities which I did with all diligence  and hardwork. Someone just came one day and asked me if I could purchase it, I told him the little amount I had, and then he sold the motorcycle to me. Oh my God I was so happy! I was astonished because before then I never knew I would be a motorcycle owner. hahahaha.
Another was my first song, during the service year, I was able to release my first song, titled “Olisa'', it was the biggest hit of my life and I can never forget service year for that because of these two peculiar achievements
What Inspired your Music Career?

Hmmm…my mum told me that when I started speaking as a child I would always sing what the Igbos call Abu ndinso..it means the songs of saints, and since then I have been singing as a child in my church choir, as a youth I was a Music Director, then in the university. Each time I sang then as an undergraduate, I got accolades from friends who told me I inspired them, some will be like, Viktur, you inspired me, please keep singing. You can't imagine that I got a scholarship back then, when someone saw me singing, and he said wow… I am going to pay for your fees for two years in the university and you won't believe that it went a long way to help my family, myself and academics.

Even when I was in the orientation camp, in my NCCF, I was able to bless lives through my ministration, even from there, I got so much attention.

So in the early part of my service I decided to do something new, I recorded my first single and people started downloading my songs and I reached out to a lot of people through my song and the feedback was wow, this really encouraged me.

Recently your song has been featured in so many radio stations vlogs and many other media outlets, how do you feel about that?

This is me, living the best of my life now, its like a dream come true. Olisa is a song that inspired me, I sang it for the people on the streets, to touch the souls of people out there. Recently, someone called me from the US that Olisa really inspires him and that he plays the song every day in his house.

What prospect do you have for your career in the music industry?[/i]

If you look at Olisa, you will notice that it's a dance hall genre of music, which relates to everyone in the streets. So, my idea is to bring gospel music to the man in the streets so that everybody can relate easily with it. There is a song that I am recording now, which I believe is going to be a bomb, to me,  it will relate more to the people in the streets.

[i]What drives your passion in Gospel music?[/b]

There is this burning desire in me to touch lives, inspire people and bring people closer to God. Money is good but that is not my pursuit for now.

Who is your Mentor in the Gospel Music Industry?[b]

I love all Nigerian artistes, but I must tell you that I will love to have my first collaboration with Sinach, the female Gospel artiste. Her songs inspired me a lot when I started, infact! I began stage presentations with her popular song ''More of You''. I hope to sing and inspire people just like Sinach.

Do you have thoughts of delving into secular Music?[/i]

Nooo! Gospel music is what pays for me, because I want to draw souls for God.

[i]During your service year and in life generally, would you say you have encountered any challenges?[b][/b]

Hahahaha…my dear, the biggest challenge I encountered, though I now see it as what made me strong, was that I suffered hunger and starvation and then developed ulcer, which dealt with me. Aside that part, which to me, was very challenging, others were minor.
So many youths out there have this opinion that NYSC, as a scheme is a scam and should be expunged, what is your reaction to that?

NYSC, really helped me as a person to grow and affect lives, connect with people of diverse cultures and tradition and utmostly, widened my horizon to life. I as an individual used to have this phobia for other tribes, but NYSC, gave me the opportunity to meet with other Nigerians of different tribes, who affected my life positively.

Then, people only see the scheme as a scam because of the way it is structured, I only  think the government should restructure by empowering the youths by first of all reducing the duration to three months, then give them the money they would have been paid for the twelve months in bulk after they must have been empowered in camp in so many skills. Then, Youths can set up businesses of their choice.

Its few months after Service for you, what are your Aspirations?[/b]

I look forward to affecting lives positively, explore my music career, getting to the peak of my career, telling a bigger version of my story. Where people will listen to or read my story and then get inspired. Okay, someone told me recently, Viktur you are blessed because you inspire me a lot.And that has been my goal and i think i am gradually achieving it.
[b]
Aside music, what other area do you see

I am a motivational speaker, so, I wish to explore that part of my life, I am also an event host.

So how many songs have you been able to release?

I have a lot of songs recorded but I have released just one to the public, others will be out soon.

Your Advice to youths out there?

I will begin with those who just left Secondary Schools and do not have sponsors for them to further their education. First, engage yourself positively, it could be starting up a sachet water business, learn a trade and raise some money for your JAMB form. Read hard and get good grades. Trust me, explore other God's given talents, you will get attention and help will come. When you find yourself in the higher institution, be focused, diligent and explore other things. When I was in school, I did odd jobs, ushering in events, event planning just to mention a few, in order to raise funds. Most importantly I read a lot and worked hard to become one of the best students in my class. Life was not easy but gradually, I have been able to meet up with life's expectation.

Thanks, Viktur, it’s been a nice time with you[b][/b][i][/i]

Thank you...hahahaha
Source:mercyhillblog.com