Agatha Onyinye Ibeazor, a graduate
of the MUSON School of Music, Onikan, Lagos, is a living testimony that the
darkest night often reveals the bright star.
She lost her dad at the age of four
and faced a tough struggle for survival, along with her widowed mum and
other four siblings. Not even her mother’s diligent hands could ease the
stranglehold of hardship on her family.
Consequently, Ibeazor lost the
opportunity of studying Law at the Anambra State University (ANSU). Her
disconsolate mother couldn’t afford the tuition and living cost. It was the
darkest hour of her life, as her youthful dream of becoming a lawyer crashed
irretrievably before her eyes.
Like a drowning man that clutches at
a straw, Ibeazor grabbed the opportunity of studying at the Muson Diploma
School, Lagos, with the tuition fees paid by MTN Foundation for admitted
students. Attending the school, surprisingly turned out to be the magical key
that unlocked her gates of treasure.
Hear her testimony: “I got admitted
to study at MUSON and attended for two years, completing my associate diploma
degree and graduating with prize for voice. Two years after my
graduation, I was awarded a scholarship by former NNPC Spokesman, the late Dr.
Levi Ajuonuma. This enabled me to attend Truman State University in the
United States, where I just graduated with honours (Magna Cum Laude), achieving
my Bachelor’s of Music degree.”
Aside bagging a degree, Ibeazor
smiled home with the outstanding musicianship prize by the music department of
Truman State University. Her name was also engraved in the departmental honour
list for music.
Recall that when she graduated from
MUSON School of Music in 2009, she won the first prize for singing and later
proceeded to teach music in Strauss School of Music, Maitama, for a few
months. She later became freelance and taught music in a number of
schools in Abuja for another two years. It was during this period that her
talent was discovered by Geir HenningBraatena, a prolific international
Norwegian pianist, during a concert in Abuja.
She was granted a full scholarship
by NNPC, with which she attended Truman State University, which prides itself
as one of the top 10 universities in the Midwest of the United States of
America.
“I have always dreamt of singing in
the opera and it had remained a dream until the generosity of MTN in paying my
school fees at MUSON, where I was given the finest musical education. That dream
has become reality as I begin my journey unto the world stage. MTN paid my
school fees as well as provided funds for my books, transportation and
supported me with a stipend as pocket money. Today, I am a proud graduate of
Truman State University in the United States of America and my name is listed
in the honour row. I was also presented with a silver medal,” enthused Ibeazor.
Our reporter gathered that during
the music honours recital in the school, Ibeazor was awarded the outstanding
musicianship prize by the music department, where her name was listed in the
departmental honour list for music. “I owe all this to the financial support I
received from MTN and I am eternally grateful to them,” she said.
Ibeazor’s shining light is
threatened by a gloomy cloud. She is worried about the future. The death of her
benefactor in the June 2012 Dana Air crash has left a hole in her pocket. So
when she was asked, “What are your plans now that you have graduated from
Truman State University?”
She replied, “I plan to attend
graduate school for my master’s and doctoral degrees simultaneously. I
have already been admitted to the Crane School of Music, State University of
New York at Potsdam and also the Butler School of Music, University of Texas at
Austin. I’m looking for sponsorship to be able to attend one of the schools
because on my second year during my time at Truman, I lost my Sponsor, former
NNPC spokesman, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma to the June 2012 Dana Air plane crash.
Since then, after his death, Truman State University took up payment of part of
my tuition, and I had to work long hours to get the rest.”
Akinwale Goodluck, Corporate
Services Executive, MTN, said that the company is proud to be part of the
success story of this talented Nigerian, for making her country proud.”Agatha
has justified the introduction of MTNF/MUSON scholars’ programme which began in
2006 with the aim of giving opportunities and support to students with talent
in music but lack the financial wherewithal to achieve their dreams.”
It was the sponsorship by MTN that
gave Ibeazor the opportunity of becoming a Nigerian Opera singer. If only the
25-year-old lady, a native of Ogidi in Anambra State, could get another
cheerful sponsor to continue from where the MTN and the late Ajuonuma stopped,
she could, perhaps, become the future music star that would rule the world with
her voice