CB: we have one of the funniest and craziest people you will ever know in the house. Aijay can you say something to the house?
Aijay: Good day, CORE BLOG is actually painting me black. That is not how I am (laughs). I am very calm and easy going and gentle. Thank you.
CB: We don’t believe that. You can’t even prove it.
Aijay: I can.
CB: I remember the first day I saw you and there was this attitude you put up and I was like “Jesus”, who’s this lady?
Aijay: (laughs) I have met Jesus.
CB: (laughs) so your life has changed? Hallelujah! So Sandra right now we will be asking you a few questions and we will like to know everything and please we are truthful and honest to a fault here. So first of all, CORE BLOG will like to know you. Can you just tell us who you are and where you are from?
AIJAY: ok. I am Echeonwu Sandra Ijeoma. I am from Umuahia in Abia state, I am the first child in my family and I am a recent graduate of from department of accountancy and Business administration. Accountancy to be precise.
CB: not yet chartered?
AIJAY: (laughs). I look forward to that.
CB: What does it mean to be chartered? We don’t understand.
AIJAY: you are chartered when you have written your ICAN exams and you have passed. Then you become chartered.
CB: first of all, CORE BLOG congratulates you once again. You guys have made it and you are out.
AIJAY: thank you.
CB: so this academic journey started from somewhere. Can you tell us how it all started?
AIJAY: mine is actually a very funny story. I just hope you don’t laugh (well, we are expecting to laugh!) So I will start from when I was in secondary school, Accounting was never what I wanted to do. Since I knew who I was, I actually wanted to go for law. So in my secondary school, when you are in S.S. 1, you need to do all the courses. In S.S 2, you need to specialise in a particular field. So in S.S 1 I realised I had a very lazy accounting teacher. Lazy in the sense that any thing she teaches in class, any assignment, just go to her examination, the same question, the same figures. People were not smart enough to notice was she was actually doing, but once I recognised that was what she was doing, I took advantage of that. So I will cram the whole note, come to exam hall and give her everything. At the end of the day, you will see me getting like 98 over hundred or 99. So it’s not like I actually knew anything in accounting, but I was feeling fly due to my high scores. So S.S 2, when I wanted to specialise, I was actually selfish. I didn’t want to leave accounting, not because I knew anything in it but because of the grades. And in my family, if you don’t make a good grade, my father is going to kill you. So because if the good grade and the recognition, I didn’t want to leave accounting. So I took waec and neco while Jamb decided to make me a customer. It wasn’t easy at all. I finished secondary school 2009 and I couldn’t get admission that year, I took 2010 and I took 2011. And that was actually my breaking point. I was certain that God I was tired and in 2011, funai actually gave me admission to study accountancy. But the school did not start 2011 as we had to wait for 2012 set and we started together with them. So that’s it.
CB: and now you are a graduate of FUNAI. It all seemed like yesterday right?
AIJAY: These four years was like a flash of light. And when I look back I just remember when they gave us serious hard times in this school. When we were not allowed to cook in the hostel, when every night they will come and do their role call, like they will call your name and when you answer, they will ask to see your face. It was crazy but we thank God we are here today.
CB: we heard a lot of people say that FUNAI was like a glorified secondary school.
AIJAY: the school was not a glorified secondary school. My secondary school was fun! If you say FUNAI was a glorified secondary school, then you are actually insulting secondary schools. It was like the lowest level of primary school. It was very annoying.
CB: Ok. So aijay, as a graduate. How do you feel?
AIJAY: sometimes I don’t believe it. Recently my mum called me and was like when are you coming back? And I am like Jesus I have graduated. So I am happy, scared, and I have an indifferent feeling. I am happy because I will never do FUNAI Bsc exams again. No more reading, cramming or writing exams here again. I am scared because I keep asking myself, what next? You know that kind of expectation from people, everyone looking up to you like this girl is a graduate now no more pocket money and all that. You can even stay in school and fabricate one lie and they will send you money (ha! Ijeoma!!!) But now, you are so on your own. So I am just scared of what is out there. Finally I and indifferent about everything.
CB: so you are just standing in the middle? (Aijay laughs). But CORE BLOG will encourage you, the Aijay we know has a very bright future. We have information about you and we know somethings about your academics. We know about your academic prowess and we know you are one of the best students we have. We know a lot of people have Asked this question, but we still want to know. What’s the secret?
AIJAY: I think it’s just priorities. There are some people when you ask them how their exams were they say, “we thank God”. But I don’t think that should be the exact answer for that question. How was your exam? It either good or bad. What is we thank God? I know you are supposed to thank God in everything we do, but it gets annoying sometimes. I asked my course mate who was teaching Me something one day, “how do you do this thing?” and her reply was “its God’s grace”. I told her “God’s grace is sufficient”. Don’t tell me it’s God’s grace. Because If it was only God’s grace, I should know it too. I shouldn’t come to you to teach me. It’s a lot more than God’s grace and I think it involves setting your priorities right. Knowing what you want. I think God has a reason for everything He does so it is not good for you to question Him. If I had gotten admission the year I left secondary school I don’t think I would have been good at all. Because I will feel life was a bed of roses and I can get anything I want on a platter of gold. So because I know I suffered to get into school, I was determined because I know I was already behind, compared to my mates who have graduated like how many years ago. And I knew that if I have to make a difference, I have to come out with something better than them. So like I told you, by the time I wrote waec, I didn’t know anything in accounting. I decided when I came here, to remove everything from my head and listen. Just rid myself of every knowledge I have acquired before and just study. So I had this mindset that I came here to study. Every other thing should be secondary. And I know that I actually learnt many things about myself in my year one. I sat down and asked myself so many questions and I realised that I am not good at reading. I think when I listen, I can actually get more. When you tell me something, I can have it in my head for a very long time. But when I read, I find it difficult to comprehend because my mind will always digress. So with that, I knew I had to always be in lectures. I don’t miss my lectures. Whether the lecture is boring or not, I know I have to be there. And then you will find out that when you are always in class, reading becomes easy. It’s more like you are trying to remember what you’ve heard before, it’s no longer strange. So it was easy for me. Sometimes when I read, I will be singing and playing at the same time and people will be like why is she making noise when she’s reading? But they don’t know that I was in class so I no longer have to stress myself again. And when you are writing exams, u write both what the lecturer said in class and what you read. So you trying to tell the lecturer that you came to class and you were also wise enough to go to class and read beyond what he thought. So it’s al about priorities, knowing what you want, knowing yourself and what works for you and finally God.
CB: So three things then? Priorities, being punctual in class and God?
AIJAY: I didn’t say being punctual. Being punctual is going early. I said attendance. Truth is we know ourselves (laughs). If the lecturer is not strict I don’t think I will go the class early (laughs).
CB: but if you are not punctual, you might miss some parts of the class?
AIJAY: Thats why you have to know your lecturer. Some lecturers when they come, you know the first 30 minutes they’ve not started saying anything. They just Keep telling stories and keep nagging. So even if you come one hour later, you are early. There are some lecturers that when they come, they just go straight to the point. So for me, setting your priorities right, attendance to class and then God just loves me. Sometimes I think about it and I know I don’t deserve it but God really loves me.
CB: That’s lovely. But from our research, we hear you are one of the fee people that have gotten that prestigious 5.0. did you ever think you will make such grades?
AIJAY: I made a 4.9 in my first semester in this school and it was actually very easy. It was almost effortlessly. Vivien, Darlington, Sammy and me we didn’t really stress ourselves and our results where just wonderful. We were have seven As, eight As and we didn’t stress ourselves. So I thought, if I can make this without so much stress, if I put a little more effort, I can make it 5.1 (laughs). So if I had a 4.9 without much headache, why can’t I have a 5.0 and have it over and over again? So I knew I had to read more and listen more. So that is why i have improved over time.
CB: from what you’ve said, we can conclude that the impression gotten from your first result pushed you to do more. That is, having a 4.9 served as a boost for you to reach 5.0. but I can imagine a student with a one point in his first semester. What do you think?
AIJAY: if I was the person, God forbid. I will know I haven’t done any work and I will sit down and blame myself first. Because I think why people keep failing is because they always have a reason for failing. They want to shift the blame to someone else. Either a lecturer, you complain how the lecturer is too wicked but in that same course people had As. So why is your case different? Is it that your ancestors and the lecturers ancestors are not in good terms? Then some people will blame girlfriend or fellowship they were going to. For heaven sake if you keep blaming people for your failure, you will not brace up and improve because next time you will still fail and you must still have something to blame. But once you know that it is your fault you will sit down and find solutions. You need to make friends with people who know. Naturally, I like people that can teach me around me. I like it when I talk to you, there is something I can learn from you. Try to make friends with people who know and find out their life style, ask them questions... See! No man is an island. That you have a poor results doesn’t mean you don’t know anything. You might be more intelligent than people with 5.0. the difference is just the time you put in and the time they put in. So you find out what they did and by the time you work on yourself, admonish yourself and blame yourself for your failure you will do better. Also you have to have someone you are afraid of. For instance, I am afraid of my dad. Anytime I am in the hall and I forget one question and I think of my dad’s face, I have to remember that question oh. I try to imagine the disappointment on his face I can’t bear it. So if you don’t have anyone that you are afraid of, you don’t have anyone that you need to be proud of you, I don’t think you will be determined to change. So In a nutshell, accept the blame, make new friends with people that know, have a person you want to be proud of you and finally pray. Ask God for help. I tell God what I want in every course. And seriously, that’s why I have been telling you that God loves me. God is in love with me, so I don’t know whether it’s our personal relationship oh.
CB: You should be minister of education (laughs). We believe people reading this will be a lot more educated. we will like you to give a final advice to students co concerning academics. Especially core students.
AIJAY: if you are a student, especially student of CORE, my advice to you is that you need to know yourself. You need to be confident. Confident does a lot of things. I tell people, it is not a crime to say I will make a five point this semester. It is not pride. Do you understand? It is knowing what you want. You should be in that position where you are scared of getting a B. I actually hate it when people thank God for not getting an F. You should get to the point where you are not scared of having an F. You should know that never, you will not even have a C. You should put yourself in the level of someone who knows he can make it. For you to be in the university means you are here on merit, unless someone wrote the exam for you. So you need to tell yourself that what you came here for, you must achieve it. Education is the first thing that brought you to FUNAI, so if you are confused on what brought you here, maybe you should print out your jamb admission letter and put on your cupboard. Just focus. After FUNAI, you can enjoy yourself and have all the fun you want. So believe in yourself, set your priorities, attend lectures no matter how boring it is, you must learn one thing that is not in the note. Then mind the kind of friends you keep. People around you always have a way of affecting you. Finally, in everything, put God first. Always ask God for long life, good health and His grace to see you through.
CB: So Aijay let us divert a bit. We decided to start with academics before you start getting sarcastic (laughs). So it is time to show yourself now.
AIJAY: I promised to be very calm and gentle (laughs). I don’t want these people to know that...ok I just exposed my self (laughs).
CB: We know you will. Ok, we want to start by asking this question. What temperament do you think you have?
AIJAY: seriously, do you know I don’t know?
CB: You should know.
AIJAY: I am saying the truth. I have taken my time to study all the temperaments and I have found out that...If I want to say I am. Sanguine, I find out some things and I am like, God forbid! I am not like that. So seriously, I don’t know. But I think I am more of a sanguine.
CB: OK, you’ve said it all. Now we declare and degree. You are sanguine! You know a sanguine is always fun to be around with.
AIJAY: and they are scattered but I am not scattered. (Are you sure?)
CB: Anyway, there are things about a sanguine but one negative thing is easy mood change. Do you experience that?
AIJAY: seriously, seriously! Sometimes I get angry without anything. I can just stay and wake up in the morning and be like God what kind of life is this? Life has actually not done anything to me, I am just angry. And sometimes, I am easily put off by people and things they say. That’s why I hate people who talk without sense. I think its actually annoying. You just see some people, especially guys, wake up one morning and start blabbing and you start wondering, is this person actually stupid or pretending to be stupid? Truth is, I don’t have tolerance. I am not that patient. Sometimes I get angry or flay up about a particular thing and when I remember how I got angry some minutes later, I just laugh at myself. Some people will now expect me to keep malice and all that, but when I see them later, I greet them like nothing happened. So that’s it.
CB: Thank you very much. Now we will like to know your likes and your dislikes. Very important.
AIJAY: I like honesty. I like humility. I like transparency...being plain. Then I love intelligence. That has to be my greatest like. I am easily attracted to people that are very intelligent. Once you are intelligent, seriously, I will want to talk to you. And once I hear you talk intelligently, I am marvelled that people like this still exist. Then my dislike, I hate lies. I hate pretence. One thing I hate in my life is this. I know who you are! When I now see you, you are trying to form what you are not. What’s up Na oga? Yes now some people do it, even in the chapel here. People that we know who they are, and when they are around some certain people, they start behaving good. I am like, are you really serious at this point? It’s annoying and I hate it. I also hate pride because no matter the level you find yourself, someone must have attained that level before. Nothing is new. I don’t think there is anything you should have now and be feeling fly. Someone somewhere had double. And I hate dumb people. I hate people who are daft. I have no apologies. And I hate it when you know you are daft and you are claiming to...I don’t know how to explain it. You see people that don’t know anything and they feel fly on top of that. Seriously? Who are you? (At this point CORE BLOG is laughing uncontrollably). So that is it.
CB: so now we want to know your hobbies. What are the things you like doing?
AIJAY: seriously, I can’t place my hand on it. I think I am unpredictable. People say am weird or strange, so that explains the fact that at one point, I want to do this and at another point, I actually hate what I wanted to do before. I might want to stay on my own and not talk to anyone. Just sit and watch movies all day. Go from one movie to another. And when I am talking about Movies, please I hate romance movies. I do crime and horror. And at some point I want to stay with friends, I want to gist, I want to hang out, and at some point I feel like dancing. Also at some point I feel like singing. So you see? I don’t have a particular thing I like to do.
CB: that’s part of the characteristics of a sanguine actually. Today you what this and tomorrow, you don’t want it anymore. So you said something about Romantic movies. Some people are argue that some of these movies build your emotional life and ....
AIJAY: Oh please! Seriously? Haven’t you seen any American romantic movie? It’s annoying because you know that these are things that are not obtainable in life. Like this one I watched that the lady wrote her number on money and spent it and then told the guy that if the money gets back to him, then they are meant to be together. Are you serious?
CB: is it Philippines?
AIJAY: I don’t even want to see the case of a Philippine movie. And at the end of the day, the guy got the money. I was very annoyed. Are you serious? I was highly irritated and annoyed. Crime movies can help you build your IQ. You know people trying to uncover a case and all that, it actually helps improve the way I think instead of having to watch one stupid Romantic movie that does not exist.
CB: So why horror?
AIJAY: I am actually strange. Sometimes especially at night I just want something that will heat up my adrenaline. So I will just look for one horror movie. Serious Horror. So that is it. And I am not a fan of Romance. I don’t know whether you’ve heard that I don’t want to get married?
CB: what?
AIJAY: that was not actually meant for you but it’s true (laughs).
CB: we have to discuss that!
AIJAY: (laughing) how long is this chat supposed to take?
CB: no we really have to discuss this.
AIJAY: why did I even bring this up?
CB: you don’t want to get married? Why?
AIJAY: before you make a decision like this, you must have thought about it very well. Before I was saying I won’t get married until after my masters or PhD but recently, I cancelled the thought of it entirely. Personally, I am stressing the word personally, I don’t think there is any benefit. Many people who are in marriage want to leave and on a daily women are assaulted and insulted in marriage. And you know once you are in, you have to stay no matter what. You know now, woman of virtue you need to stay and be praying for him but why will I pray for you, you don’t know how to pray for yourself? God gave me mouth, he gave you too, so you pray for yourself, I pray for myself. You see women in marriage, they are suffering because the society demands that a woman who is responsible should not leave her husband’s house and they are there suffering and all that. Women are taking all manner of nonsense and men are there behaving anyhow because they feel it’s their right, they believe it’s a man’s world. Oh please! I think that ended a long time ago. It’s absurd to say this is a man’s world and I have already told you that I am not a patient person, I can’t tolerate a lot of crap so I don’t think I can put up with any man for a long time. And like I said, I haven’t seen any benefit. I haven’t seen it at all. I don’t see anything a man can give me that I can’t give myself If I work hard. And finally, I have read my Bible and it is not a sin. In the constitution, it is not a crime. So whatever you do that is not against man or against God is justifiable.
CB: a lot of girls reading this now will be like wow! Did this girl actually come from a woman? Like does she not want to bring people into this world?
AIJAY: there are children who need mothers. Children who deserve to be adopted and taken care of. Seriously, there are so many children out there suffering, who needs your help. So it’s not for you to be giving birth and multiplying when people have been multiplied and they need your help and you are still increasing the problems the world has. So Its a personal choice actually. I heard someone saying every girl’s dream is to get married and have a big wedding. For what? You go to churches and crusades and they have an alter call for the young girls and the next thing they are praying for them to have good husbands and the girls will shout AMEN! And then they pray for the men that they will have a good job and make money...are you serious? So as young ladies the only thing we need in life is to get married? So when you are married you are fulfilled? Even if you are one fool like that but once you marry you are fulfilled? And that ends it for you? So you just came to this life to get married? I think it is absurd. I didn’t say marriage is actually a bad thing but at least be someone that a man is not actually going to insult. I think why men insult women is that many women have nothing to offer. Like you will see a graduate and she’s there as a house wife, eating a man’s money, madam why won’t he insult you? It’s actually annoying. You see some people here and they are already thinking of how they want to marry a politician or you want to marry someone who is this or that. Who are you madam? These days men don’t want liabilities. And some people actually want liabilities because they want someone who they can control. They will just keep you there are you will become house help and you cannot talk because you don’t have anything to fall back to. Even if you must get married, at least respect yourself and be somebody first. You get what I am saying?
CB: Where you influenced by anyone or any thing?
AIJAY: I will attribute this to two particular things. The first one is that I have heard so many stories, and they are not fairy tales. I have seen them happen. Seriously, sometimes I just feel like crying for some women because I actually pity them. And I say something I don’t like I don’t ever want to end up a victim. So I don’t want to be in a position where something like that may happen. Also I have this senior friend, she’s actually unmarried and she is fulfilled. You know you have two categories of unmarried people? People who don’t want to get married and people who want to get married but men are not coming. So people believe when you are not married, you are not happy but that is for people who actually want to get married and it’s not happening. You can’t tell me that someone who has been getting suitors and she has been refusing them because she knows what she wants...she cannot be unhappy. Because she knows what she wants for herself. So that is just it.
CB: you are a feminist.
AIJAY: I am a strong one. I have been a female all my life it will be insane not to be on my side.
CB: do you know this women for change initiative? By the former first lady?
AIJAY: ya! But there is a difference. There are some people who are foolish feminists. They don’t even know what they want. Those forums where just set up to eat Nigeria’s money. You organise gala night, dinner night, meanwhile there are women out there who are actually suffering who need to be empowered. Some men actually assault women because these women have nothing doing. That money used for organising gala nights going from country to country hosting women, you can actually use it to set up this women and give them something to do.
CB: This all boils down to your prospects. And what you want to do in life.
AIJAY: people actually see me as someone that is very hard. I know how I feel when I see hear stories of women who have been dehumanised, maltreatment and all that. And....anyway, do you mean the meaning of Sandra? It means helper of men. I think there is a reason for the name.
CB: (laughs) which of the men?
AIJAY: it actually means men and women. So I think I just want to be a great person. I want to be someone that people can look up to. Like I said, I think having a Bsc is nothing. Bsc is nothing to be proud of. Like my lecturer will say, the lower level is saturated, Bsc holders are everywhere. But people with PhDs are being sought after. If you go to that level, just know you will never suffer in your life. So I actually what to have a master’s degree and a PhD while already being chartered. I actually have the mind to help so many people. Naturally, I don’t come from a rich home, like even though we are comfortable. But I want to make a difference in my home and be somebody that my dad will really be proud of. I want to be somewhere where I will make them very comfortable. Then I also want to help others. There are so many people with so many problems. So I think that is it.
CB: you have been mentioning your dad. What about the mom?
AIJAY: I love my mom too. She’s a very nice person. But I love my dad a lot. I am in love with him. Because there are so many things he has sacrificed for me. I know that there are so many things he can give me that he can’t even give my mom. I know how much he spends on me and I actually don’t want to disappoint him.
CB: so let us go back to church now.
AIJAY: please do.
CB: so how did you get to know about CORE?
AIJAY: I came to CORE the first day the chapel started. We were in the hostel wondering where to worship and a message went round that people who are not catholic students have a place where they can worship. An interdenominational chapel so that Sunday, we all went there. The next Sunday, daddy came and excos where nominated and voted for and we kept moving forward.
CB: have you ever help any position in CORE?
AIJAY: not at all.
CB: Wow. Is there any reason for that?
AIJAY: like I said earlier, I hate pretence. And I hate anything that will bring me to the position to be someone that I am not. I know who i am. So I want to do things because I want to do them not because people expect me to.
CB: so for instance, if you are nominated to be assistant Gen coordinator, will you sharply decline?
AIJAY: sharply is not the word. I need to think of it. Don’t worry I will get back to CORE BLOG with the word.
CB: how about wings? Have you been part of any wing?
AIJAY: should I say I am or I was part of a wing. The Kingdom Restorers. That is the chapel of Restoration choir. In fact I am still a member even though I have graduated. I am proud of that choir.
CB: that means you love singing?
AIJAY: ya. I love harmony. I will not include singing as my hobby because sometimes when I sing I don’t like the sound of my voice. I like it when there are so many parts, so many voices, I love the way it sounds.
CB: ok. So what do you think are the strong points in CORE?
AIJAY: the chapel is the only place where we have a spiritual father to look up to in the person of barrister Okezie. Some other fellowships really don’t have this spiritual father they look up to. I am someone that is not actually scared of people, but I am scared of daddy. Seriously. And if you are somewhere and there is someone you are not scared of, there is a problem. You need to have someone you look up to for advice, prayers and so many things. That is a strength for CORE. I think also, CORE is just unique. It is interdenominational chapel where everyone can come and feel comfortable. For instance I am a born Methodist but I can come to CORE and feel at home. We gave Anglicans, people from assemblies of God, Christ embassy and when they all come their individual differences actually align. And finally the kingdom Restorers! We are powerful. There was this rumour I head, that this kingdom Restorers they like to feel themselves, they like to feel big. I was angry when I heard that. It’s not an allegation, we are big! So why should I be feeling fly when I am fly? This is who we are. We are the best choir in this school.
CB: We are proud of them too. Finally, finally. If you are given a political position, would you accept?
AIJAY: I don’t think so. I am not a big fan. But who knows, I might change tomorrow. But for now, nope.
CB: Thank you Aijay. So where do you see CORE in years to come? So what will like to see in CORE if you come back in a few years time?
AIJAY: I think CORE is a chapel where what you want doesn’t matter. Whether you like it or not, CORE is going to greater heights. So I don’t think it’s about what I want it’s what I see. And I see this large congregation of people giving God selfless service. As for KR, I see a choir filled with so many people and when they sing miracles happen and they just bring down glory and everyone will want to be associated with CORE.
CB: alright Sandra. Thank you very much for your time.
AIJAY: my pleasure. Thanks for having me.
Odds and ends
1. Birthday girl: Happy birthday cutie! CORE BLOG Loves you plenty!
2. Marriage: in four years time, CORE blog will be eating Jollof rice in Sandra's wedding reception. We aren't prophets here, but we just know.
3. Beautiful genius: 5.0 twice. 4.9 four times! Beautiful and talented! God really loves this lady and we are proud she is associated with the chapel of Restoration.
4. Exco: So Aijay didn't even hold one leadership position in CORE which is shocking especially when you consider her influence in the chapel and in the school as a whole. But guess what? She is currently the assistant president of the chapel of Restoration alumni. You can't run for ever Sandra!
5. Plain and Raw: CORE blog stayed up late last night to watch the U.S presidential debate between Trump and Hillary Clinton. Donald trump known to be very outspoken, Raw and troublesome came out looking like a good child. He chose his words well and almost sounded like a changed person. It took him just 15 minutes to show his old self again! At first I didn't know we were actually interviewing Aijay. She was calm. Way too calm for my liking but she didn't disappoint at the end as the old, outspoken and blunt self came out . That's actually why we love her.
6. Helper: CORE blog knows how sweet she is. Her generosity knows no bounds. It's our prayer that you continue to get big so you can help more people. You will be blessed beyond your imagination. We just know that. Happy birthday once again.
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