In a truly remarkable story of determination, a 43-year-old father, Savior Asuquo, and his daughter, Joyce Asuquo, both graduated with university degrees from the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) on the same day. This extraordinary achiev
ement marks a significant milestone for the Asuquo family, as Savior revealed his journey was driven by a deep desire to break a generational barrier of not having a university degree in his family.
A former staff of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) in Calabar and a freelance cameraman with Channels Television, Savior Asuquo earned a degree in Mass Communication. His daughter, Joyce, was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Laboratory Science. Savior, who hails from Ikot Eyo Edem in Akpabuyo, Cross River State, shared that he felt compelled to pursue his education to “break a covenant” that had prevented his family members from acquiring higher education.
“I wanted to get a university degree because no one in my family had a degree,” he stated. “The determination to acquire a university degree is like breaking a covenant that has held my family spellbound.”
Savior’s path to a degree was far from easy. As a father of four, he faced the immense challenge of funding not only his own education but also that of his daughter and other relatives. He emphasized the importance of self-reliance, encouraging others to take initiative rather than waiting for financial assistance.
“Don’t wait until your parents send you to school,” he advised. “On your own, you can struggle and to bag one… If I can do this, without waiting for anybody, other young men can as well do same without waiting for someone to assist them.”
He recalled beginning his academic journey without the support of his parents, and even had to quit his job as a cameraman due to the demanding travel requirements of his assignments, which made attending classes difficult. Despite these significant hurdles, he expressed immense pride in their shared achievement. Their inspiring story serves as a powerful reminder that with determination and courage, anything is possible.
