Interview With Albert Ifiok Nkereuwem
BACKGROUND
Albert Ifiok Nkereuwen AKA Ifiok is a young rising star. He is studying Accounting and Finance at the University of Birmingham. He shares his dreams to be a footballer and his inspirations. "My role models are Jay-Jay Okocha, a Nigerian football player and Diego Maradona".
TELL US ABOUT YOU
I'm a first year student. I play semi-professional football for Stratford town football club. I play FIFA a lot, it's like my major thing. And I like eating, it's my hobby. Eating and playing FIFA, that's all I do. Recently I've been into the Weeknd, his "Starboy" is my favourite song and I've been into a lot of Drake as well and Young Thug. I like Adidas, it's definitely my favourite brand. I dislike boredom. I hate when I'm bored, and when people around me are not laughing I will definitely try and do something to make them laugh.
ROLE MODEL AND INSPIRATION
I have a lot you know but I will say my role models are Jay-Jay Okocha, a Nigerian football player and Diego Maradona, he's a football player as well and I've really been into him lately. Those are my two main role models, and myself. They are my role models because they've done what I want to do. They are great footballers and I want to replicate and even do better what they've done and without a doubt I'm going to do it by God's grace.
FIRST DAY OF UNI
My first day of uni was bliss. That was the day I met Wisdom, one of my very close friends. There are four of us actually, myself, Wisdom, Abdussalam and Abubakar...Fantastic four (laughs). The day I met Wisdom we just clicked immediately. We literally did everything we needed to do together. So it was actually good for me. My mum was here as well, so I didn't really feel anything on my first day.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR COURSE
I study Accounting and Finance. I'm aiming to achieve a bachelors degree in the next two years by God's grace, and more. I want stacking degrees to be like a hobby for me and yeah It's not hard it's not easy, it's alright.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR DAILY LIFE
Obviously I play football, but I'm injured currently, I got a knee injury, so I can't really do as I do everyday but basically I just wake up early in the morning, go to training, go to the field, train by myself, come back, have breakfast and then go for lectures. I'm a student also, so I kinda do both of them and it's a lot of work but obviously time management is the major key there. After lectures, I train again, come back and have dinner. I don't have lunch...there is recession (laughs) but I have dinner and yeah just play FIFA. If I've got any school work I do it, I sleep and I repeat.
DO YOU HAVE PLANS OF BEING A FOOTBALLER IN THE FUTURE?
Yeah, definitely. Like I said earlier without a doubt you will see me on the big scene and by God's grace everything is gonna work out. I'm working really hard and I'm in partnership with God. I just wanna be the best I can be, get to the highest level and I really want to win a world cup for Nigeria. So, by God's grace we will be there. I will let you know when we get there.
WHAT'S THE MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT UNI LIFE?
I can't really speak for everyone but personally having to combine uni and a high level of football. My club is not in Birmingham, so I get to do a lot of travelling to Stratford and that's far. I come back late and I have 9 am lectures the next day, so its hard but determination and desire to achieve is whats been driving me, and God. That's really what's challenging, combining both of them.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT UNI?
My friends to be honest. I do try my best to spend a lot of time with my friends. That's really what I like about uni. I'm not really one to enjoy studying I will say, but I mean education is very very good but I'm not the best...but I'm a really smart person, I'm a really intelligent person. I'm a good student but about uni nothing really.
HOW HAS LIVING IN THE UK BEEN FOR YOU?
Bliss! I've loved every moment of it. Like the weather, it's sleep worthy. It's always cool although it's not the best when it's raining. Also the people I live with are wonderful people, great people, so it's easier for me as well. Yeah I've really enjoyed living in England. You should come...leave America.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE TO STUDENTS WHO ARE YET TO GO INTO THE UNIVERSITY?
Just be strong, have faith in God and surrender everything to God. I know not everyone really believes that God is there but there is a God. Surrender everything to God and just work hard, be determined, know what you want and go for what you want. Don't let anyone tell you you cannot do it because you can and if you believe you have it, and say it out. It's all gonna work out for you eventually, so don't be scared. Have a no fear approach basically to uni life and just blaze through it.
you can follow Ifiok on social media.
Instagram @ifiok_
Twitter@ifiok_a
Snapchat @Leofiok
Muji O.
Instagram @_mujii
Twitter @_mujii
Facebook @Mujibat Okwilague