A Nigerian student, Kennedy Amadi studying his masters degree in Minot state university North Dakota celebrates his noble achievement as he was recognised as one of the best graduating students from the school.

During an interview at the graduation ceremony, Kennedy Amadi said that it has been a like a struggle studying his masters in Minot state university. He said that he never expected to be one of the best graduating students because of the rough times he had while studying, working and trying to study. He further said that he owes a lot to his family members in Nigeria who supported him massively in his studies and also contributed financially for his survival in the university. At the ceremony his parents and siblings were present and his parents also testified that it has not been easy for them supporting him all the way from Nigeria for his studies.

His father, Mr Daniel Amadi said that there were days when he would call his son on the phone to know how he was coping with academics and his son would be crying saying that it is not easy for him because he has to work in order to earn some money to support his studies and at the same time he has to be present for his classes without missing a single lecture. His dad said that all he could give him at that moment were words of encouragement telling him that one day it will all be over and he will be graduating. Mr Daniel Amadi expressed so much happiness at the graduation ceremony saying that when his son’s name was announced as one of the best graduating students from the university he was so happy that he didn’t know when he screamed out loudly.

His mother, Mrs Gloria Amadi also expressed her happiness saying that she was not expecting her son to be among one of the best graduating students from the masters degree programme at the university because of the rough times their son studying. She said that back at home they worked so hard to send down some money to him to help with his academics. She said sometimes when they wanted to send him some money he would tell them no, to keep it and take care of themselves but they would still insist he takes it and support his academics. Mrs Gloria also said that sometimes when she talks with her son on the phone he would be crying saying that it is not easy for him studying and working at the same time but she would always encourage him to keep doing his best and one day he will be victorious.

Mr Kennedy Amadi also said that while he was studying and working at the same time, he comes back home late and struggled to study. He further said that the most days he had freedom to study very well was during the weekend because that’s the time he stays off from work and school. He also said that sometimes his co-workers would tell him to take some rest and study which was so helpful to him. He also expressed his gratitude to some of the people who came by at his place of work and tipped him knowing he was a masters degree student and also encouraged him to keep doing his best.

Some of the students from his class also testified that Kennedy has been so hardworking, working and studying at the same time. They said that they once told him to stop working too much so that he could focus more on his education but when they realised why he was working so hard they understood his reasons for working so hard to support his masters education.

Some of the professors at Minot state university also said that Kennedy Amadi has been a hardworking student ever since he started his masters degree at the university. Some of them said that sometimes they met him at his working place picking extra shifts and when they asked him why he does that instead of going home to rest and study, he would tell them that he has nobody else apart from his poor family in Africa who supports him in the little way they can afford.

Kennedy’s siblings also testified that it has been a struggle supporting their elder brother with all they could afford, they said that they would go to the farm and get some food items and send to him. They also said sometimes they would do outfit shopping for him in Nigeria because it was much more affordable and send it to him.

Kennedy said that after completing his masters education, he had to save some more money to pay for his family’s flight to the United States to join him and celebrate because he wanted them to be present at his graduation for supporting him from the beginning of his studies to the end.