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 Obasesam (Sam) Okoi
Why did you choose Trent? I chose Trent because of the interdisciplinary nature of the International Development Studies program. I wanted to get a degree that draws its strength from different fields of intellectualism. The beauty of the campus was my other attraction...a university located by the bank of a river. How would you describe yourself? How would others describe you? What are your passions in life? I am a Civil Engineering graduate from Nigeria who came to Canada to pursue a leadership vision. I loved civil engineering because it gave me the opportunity to solve problems for individuals, communities, and organizations. Besides, it is a dignified profession in my country. After graduating from the Engineering School, I proceeded to the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps program, meant to foster cultural understanding and integration among young University graduates in Nigeria. During this program, I worked as a Projects Engineer, overseeing rural infrastructural development projects for local governments in one of the Northern states of the country. That afforded me the opportunity to meet people and experience other cultures across the country. I returned from the national service program and spent brief stints in the petroleum industry supervising a project in underwater construction. That gave me money and social status; it did not give me happiness and fulfillment. My search for happiness was due to the discovery that I was working in an environment bedeviled with injustice. I had witnessed inhuman treatments against community youths that affected their self-esteems, self-concepts, and self-worth. These injustices against humanity pierced my conscience and eventually altered the course of my destiny, as I began to see visions that transcend my engineering career. It became apparent that I was destined to serve my people as a leader. I resigned my position in the oil company to become a motivator of the oppressed, redressing injustice, inspiring social freedom, and rebuilding the hope of young people in community. They describe me as an insignia of hope. Have you been involved in any clubs, groups, and/or sports at Trent? If so, which ones? I was involved in the Ashley Fellowship Committee as TCSA representative in 2007, where I contributed in the appointment of Cynthia Good, the current Ashley Fellow at Trent University. I was also involved with the World Affairs Colloquium as committee member and participated twice in the Trent African and Caribbean Students’ Union (TACSU) soccer team during the 2006 and 2007 TISALYMPICS. Besides these activities I participated at an Expert Group Meeting on Sustainable Development at the United Nations headquarters in New York, and registered my presence as observer at the 62nd Regular Session of the United Nations General Assembly. My most recent international involvement was at the World Bank Institute in Washington, DC., USA, where I trained on Global Poverty Analysis, during the Development Economics Course on Poverty and Inequality Analysis. What has your time at Trent meant to you? What are some of your favourite memories? What will you take with you from Trent? My time at Trent was amazing and a great investiture. Trent gave me the opportunity to meet people from different countries and experience different cultures across the world. I felt as if I have traveled half of the world within the small community. Trent is a window to the world and a place to learn about the forces that are shaping the global economy. Understanding the dynamics of the Global Economy has given me the courage to face the world with fearless confidence. Trent has been one of the vehicles I have used to facilitate my journey to destiny. Tell me about your future plans and aspirations. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years? What do you hope to accomplish? How do you want to make a difference? What are you looking forward to? I will be undertaking graduate studies in International Public Policy at Wilfrid Laurier University, to specialize in Global Governance & International Economic Relations. I hope to harness the tools for International leadership that would make me relevant, both as a Global Development Consultant and a potential factor in the Nigerian political landscape. I have the conviction that I would be more useful to society if I transform my life through learning. In 5-10 years, I hope to have completed a PhD, and be actively involved in steering the leadership wheels of my great country Nigeria. I hope to provide opportunities for people to experience true freedom through access to education. I am looking forward to dying empty and fulfilled, after I might have harnessed my full potential in contribution to community change and the promotion of good governance in Nigeria. Is there anything else you would like to add? Trent is a place where we learn, relearn, and unlearn, and are able to make a difference
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Ugep, Cross River State, Nigeria