Oborududu bags degree from Niger Delta University

By Akeem Lawal

NINE-time African champion, Blessing Oborududu has expressed her gratitude to God almighty after she successfully completed her degree in Business Administration from the Niger Delta University, (NDU) Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist was among the 15,811 graduands at the 5th combined convocation comprising 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 and the 2018/19 academic sessions of the University held at the Amassoma campus of the institution last weekend.

In a chat with Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com, the multiple national champions said although it was not easy to combine wrestling with her education, she will continue to encourage other wrestlers to take their studies seriously.

“Combining wrestling and going to school was not easy at all. But as time goes on, it becomes part of things that my body system got used to. So after training, rest for some time then go to school. That has been my programme.

“I always want to go to school. My late elder brother wanted me to go to school and not be a wrestler. So I promised him I will go to school no matter what. After wrestling for some time, I decided to go to school in 2012. 

“What motivated me to go to school was that I really wanted to have different knowledge outside wrestling. I also receive motivation from the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, who always tell us that education if key. That if he is not educated, he would not be at the level he is now. He became a member of the House of Assembly and other positions because of his education. You cannot do wrestling alone, you must have education too to become who you want to become tomorrow.

“I always tell the young ones coming behind me that wrestling is just for a period of time, after wrestling what next? You can be given a position in the state or anywhere and you have to be ready so that when those things come, they will not pass you bye.

“I thank God for giving me the grace to complete my degree. My gratitude also goes to the wrestling federation president, my supervisor, Dr. Chris and my classmates for their support all these years,” she told Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com.