Speech by Yusuf Ibrahim Sharada on Graduation day My Dear Professors, Seniour Lecturers and Lecturers, Our Guest of Honour, Distinguished Government officials from Nigeria, Distinguished Government Officials from Uganda, Distinguished Government Officials from other countries, Our Parents and Sponsors, My fellow Graduands, Ladies and Gentlemen!! It gives me a great pleasure to stand before you on this historic occasion of the first ever convocation ceremony of our International University of East Africa (IUEA). I am one of 197 pioneer students sponsored by the Kano State Government under the leadership of Engr. Rabiu Musa kwankwaso to come and study Computer Science and Information Technology courses here in Kampala-Uganda all the way from Nigeria in West Africa. My 196 colleagues and I travelled 4,162 Kilometers to Uganda to receive an education that we are very proud of having received. THANK YOU IUEA!! My little journey started as follows: I was born and raised up by a low-income but highly respected family of Mr. and Mrs. Ibrahim Umar Sharada in the ancient city of Kano state in Nigeria. I received a strong Islamic education in my early age before joining Salanta Special Primary school to begin my formal education. I attended Government Secondary School Sharada and Government Technical College Kano for my junior and senior secondary education respectively. Thereafter, I got an International Diploma and Advanced Diploma in computing from Informatics academy of Singapore which qualified me to join the International University of East Africa for the completion of my degree programme in INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. Being a first timer to East Africa, I found the environment very challenging. I was surprised to discover that people eat things that I had never seen such as MATOKE and CHAPATI. I overcame the challenges of eating east African foods, I studied harder than I had ever done in my life, and I am happy to announce two things today: One, I am graduating with a FIRST CLASS DEGREE Two, these great university has offered me their first ever SCHOLARSHIP that is reserved for those who are selected to remain as future academic staff. I will be remaining to do my MASTERS DEGREE and to work as a TEACHING ASSISTANT. Before coming to IUEA, my target was just to finish my studies, to quickly go back and continue with my normal life in Nigeria. Everything has now changed, I HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY TRANSFORMED BY MEETING GREAT SCHOLARS AT THIS UNIVERSITY. The special credit for this transformation goes to my Vice Chancellor and mentor Prof. Olubayi Olubayi and to my Dean Dr. Emeka Akaezuwa. I have new dreams. I am now dedicating myself to a life of full-time scholarship. I have decided to go all the way to PhD and to a future of working as a PROFESSOR. Let me use this opportunity to thank Allah who despite all challenges, hurdles, obstructions, obstacles and impediments made it possible for me to achieve first degree. My sincere gratitude goes to my sponsor THE GOVERNMENT OF KANO STATE, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF Engr. Rabiu Kwankwaso the Executive Governor of Kano State for fully sponsoring my studies in this University. Finally, I would like to recognise in a special way the courage, support and prayers which I received from my best friend and my bride to be (inshaAllah), Miss Khadija Bashir Baita who has been there for me throughout my stay in Uganda. Long live IUEA Long live Uganda Long live Nigeria Long live Africa Long live Everbody!