Igniting Excellence: A Conversation with Igbo Cyril Lotanna

My testimony is one filled with gratitude to the Almighty God.

Getting into the university wasn’t easy for me, because then my parents faced serious financial setbacks, which threatened my going to school.

In the crucible of academia, where faith and knowledge entwine, Igbo Cyril Lotanna’s journey shines like polished gold.

“You can be a fire for God and a fire for academics,” he says, illuminating the harmonious balance that fueled his ascent to academic excellence.

With a first-class degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Lotanna’s story becomes a radiant example of what unfolds when passion, purpose, and devotion converge.

Join us as we explore the path that led him to the pinnacle of success.

Igniting Excellence: A Conversation with Igbo Cyril Lotanna

DCM: Can you please introduce yourself to our audience?

Lotanna: My name is Igbo Cyril Lotanna. I am a native of Akwu Inyi, Oji River LGA, Enugu State. I’m the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Igbo,

a Christian, and a first-class graduate from the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in the Department of Igbo, African and Asian Studies.

DCM: Let’s start with your testimony. Please share your testimony with us.

Lotanna: My testimony is one filled with gratitude to the Almighty God.

Getting into the university wasn’t easy for me, because then my parents faced serious financial setbacks, which threatened my going to school.

But thank God for my mum, who exhibited violent faith by believing that, amidst the financial meltdown, I would still enter the four walls of the university.

The way God provided the money for my acceptance fees and school fees was a miracle.

I joined my mates in class after about one month of lectures. And I went through university, depending solely on God for sustenance and good results, which God showed Himself mightily.

Along the line, I got a scholarship that covered my fees till graduation, and most times people paid my rent without my parents adding a dime.

Amidst all these goodies, I remained focused on the goal: “A first-class or nothing.” To the glory of God, my efforts were crowned, and I made a First-Class Honours.

DCM: How did you handle the disappointment of not getting admitted into your desired course?

Lotanna: Disappointments, they say, are blessings in disguise.

To me, it was a disappointment then, but along the line, I began loving the disappointment. Hahaha!

To be honest, when I wasn’t given admission to study English Education, which I had a flare for, I felt so bad.

Due to being a teacher before taking JAMB, I wanted to further my schooling to get an education degree, so I could become a certified teacher,

but I was disappointed when I wasn’t given admission.

How I overcame this disappointment was that I told myself, “Maybe God has something bigger and better for you in this new department He’s sending you to.

Why not go and explore that part of knowledge?”

I took the bold step and went to the department,

but I promised myself that if, after my first year, I didn’t make a good grade there, I would have to drop out and pick another JAMB form.

However, at the end of the session, I made a CGPA of 4.38.

It was at that point I removed the disappointment from my mind and decided to sit back and bring the best out of this new department.

DCM: What strategies helped you excel in your new course, African and Asian Studies?

Lotanna: Okay, in my new course of study, many strategies helped me out, but the most effective of all was rapt attention and the zeal to be the best.

When I got to the African and Asian Studies department, my expectations were high;

I was seeing myself as the next Asian language speaker.

In fact, I saw myself in China already, but my expectations were cut short when I realized that more Igbo courses were being taught and few Chinese courses.

At that point, I felt bad because I wasn’t good in Igbo Language then, as I was Lagos-brought up.

I didn’t do Igbo Language in secondary school, but I wrote it in WAEC because it was a compulsory subject then in Enugu, where I went to write WAEC as a private candidate.

When the reality of the department dawned on me, I hit my chest, saying, “I’ll put in my best and see if I’ll emerge one of the best.”

The zeal to learn and be the best was my driving force.

At first, many things sounded foreign to me, but rapt attention brought me into the spotlight.

I took note of every lecture, and I promised myself never to fail a course or even get an “E”.

So, I’ll say the most effective strategies I employed were rapt attention, zeal, and determination to beat the rest and become the best.

Igniting Excellence: A Conversation with Igbo Cyril Lotanna

DCM: What significant lessons did you learn during your time at Nnamdi Azikiwe University?

Lotanna: Nnamdi Azikiwe University was indeed an interesting school.

I can say I’m happy being an alumnus of that great institution.

In Unizik, I learnt perseverance, determination, and politics. Unizik teaches you how to persevere in the midst of trembling storms.

At the point where you may want to give up, something hard will just hit you, and all you have to do is pick your broken self up and get back on the race.

Lecturers will frustrate you, but you must persevere because you know what you came to school for.

For determination, yes, the first day I entered the department was the first day I learnt determination.

I saw people from different parts of the country, and I beat my chest to keep my eyes on the goal; things around me were my driving force.

My parents at home were waiting for my success, and coming to Unizik, I embraced determination to fulfil the promise of success I gave to my parents.

I dived into politics while in school.

I went for the Student Senate Council of the 29th SUG HOUSE and also ran for the Secretary General of my department for two tenures, which I won all.

Unizik taught me how to play politics, and I can say I learnt something significant in politics, which can help me in the outside world if, peradventure, I want to go into politics.

In Unizik, I won’t forget to mention that I learnt the power of friendship and togetherness.

Unizik taught me the importance of friendship.

I made amazing friends who were out for me, to keep me going, and bring light to my existence.

Furthermore, I also learnt the importance of having God in the plan.

Yes, in Unizik, if you didn’t hold God well, there would be nothing or less you could do.

I can beat my chest to say that Unizik actually brought out the best part of me, and I’ll forever be grateful to that citadel of learning.

DCM: How does your faith impact your academic pursuits and overall outlook on life?

Lotanna: For me, faith and academics were a great ‘collabo.’

Proverbs 22:29 KJV

[29] Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.
https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.22.29.KJV 

The fact that I put myself in the service of God while in school made my academic life what it was.

In a huge way, the church played a significant role in shaping my life.

I never regretted joining the church for one day.

And I was favoured to join the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Campus Fellowship, (MFMCF UNIZIK ) which helped shape my life.

In MFMCF UNIZIK, it was like a taboo to fail. It was an even greater taboo to indulge in exam malpractice.

I can remember our pastor then used to say a dangerous prayer: “Anybody who indulges in examination malpractice will fail the course.” Hahaha!

Some people saw it as a wicked prayer, but I saw it as a call to awaken our reading spirit and shun malpractice.

MFMCF’s beliefs helped me put serious attention into my studies, and I can tell you it was worth it.

It was in church, during one of our academic seminars, that the guest speaker told us to write down the grade we wanted to graduate with,

just as he did during his undergraduate days, and he made the grade he wrote out.

I became interested in his story and went home to write down mine.

After I wrote that grade down, I intensified my seriousness and reading to meet up with the grade I wrote out.

That one program changed a whole aspect of my life, and I can tell you that it contributed to my bagging a first class.

So, I will proudly say that my faith played a significant role in shaping my academics, and the role of the church cannot be overemphasized.

Igniting Excellence: A Conversation with Igbo Cyril Lotanna

DCM: Did you face challenges balancing faith and academics? If so, how did you overcome them?

Lotanna: Balancing faith with academics was one of the easiest things I did in school.

None clashed with the other.

I gave both their places, and neither suffered. I’m a person who believes in creating balance.

When much is given to you, a better much is expected.

I am of the opinion that what brought me to Unizik was academics, so I couldn’t allow my academics to suffer because I was a church boy.

I attended services in church and still attended my lectures.

When I was made the General Secretary of my fellowship,

I felt I wouldn’t be able to carry the task because I was the Secretary General of my department then and now the General Secretary of the fellowship.

The task seemed heavy, but I created a balance.

I told my department that I’d be available for every meeting on any day except Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, which were my service days in church.

Any meeting held on these days might not have me in attendance because I dedicated it to the church.

In church, I also told them that any meeting not done on those three days might not have me in attendance;

unless it was an evening meeting, which wouldn’t clash with my department’s duties.

Everyone understood me, and my work was stress-free.

Amidst all this, I remained focused on my books, which was the main thing that brought me to Unizik.

I never allowed my academics to suffer, and neither did I allow the work of God in my hands to suffer.

For those who say, “I can’t be going to church and still concentrate on my studies,”

I would like to let you know that you can attend church while in school and still achieve the best results, only if you create a balance.

I attended almost all church programs, events, and even retreats, and I still came out with a good result.

So, my faith didn’t clash with my academics, and neither did my academics clash with my faith, because I created a balance.

DCM: What specific habits or routines contributed to your academic success?

Lotanna: A very specific routine that helped me was creating a reading group.

In my first year of second semester, I selected coursemates with like minds and made them my reading partners.

I was the teacher of the group.

During exams, we would always meet every day from 6 pm-10 pm to read and prepare for exams.

I’d teach the course to them, and we would take turns answering questions.

The reading group indeed contributed to my success in a very huge way. It gave me the avenue to teach, and I learn more when I teach others.

Also, research helped me a lot.

I was more like a researcher; in fact, “Google Scholar” should come and pay me because I was literally sleeping and waking up on their website.

However, I learnt the importance of research during my 300 level and, since then, I don’t only depend on lecturers’ notes; I go home and do my own research.

I wasn’t a textbook person; in fact, I barely bought textbooks in Unizik.

But I prefer going online to read people’s work relating to what I have on my table.

Indeed, I enjoyed making research, and by God’s grace, by the end of next year, I should have not less than three published works to my name.

Also, constantly attending lectures helped me.

I can’t remember if I ever missed a lecture.

The only time I would miss a lecture is if I’m not in Awka. Once I’m in Awka, nothing can stop me from attending lectures.

I was a front-bencher. I could barely understand what the lecturer was saying if I didn’t sit in the first row.

Most things I wrote in exams were grabbed during lectures.

In my class, my notes were one of the most sought-after because everybody knows that my notes are always complete since I don’t miss lectures.

Most of the time, I quarrelled with one of my good friends anytime she missed lectures,

because I attached great importance to attending lectures, and yes, it helped me a lot.

Many other academic routines contributed to my success, but I can say these are the most specific.

DCM: What advice would you give to students struggling with their faith and confidence in achieving academic excellence?

Lotanna: Firstly, my heart goes out to every student who is in the situation of struggling with their faith and academics.

I know it’s not an easy struggle, but I will say it’s a conquerable struggle.

I’ll advise that students create a balance between these two.

You can still be a faithful church boy/girl and still be top of the class.

All you need to do is set your priorities and know the most important things to do first before the others follow.

You shouldn’t neglect fellowship because of academics, and neither should you neglect academics because of fellowship.

Let me even tell you,

if you’re a “Mama or Papa” in church ,

and you have a carryover in your department, it is a big shame on the side of God, because God can’t allow those who diligently seek Him to fail.

I call it foolishness to neglect your academics because you want to become a prayer warrior.

You’ll miss lectures and quizzes because you’re going for a retreat in church—that’s gross foolishness.

Please, just like I did, try and create a balance between faith and academics; don’t allow anyone to suffer.

Remember, most of these great Men of God we have these days all did very well in school, and God was still using them.

Imagine a president of a fellowship going to write a carryover,

and if they ask him, he will say it was church work that made him not do well in the course—that’s very wrong.

You won’t throw your academics away because you want to be a full church boy/girl.

However, You can be a full church person and still be the best in class.

In fact, it should be church people who should be those getting first class, because they hold both books and God.

To every student out there in this struggle, please try to create a balance; if possible, draw out timetables and schedules of duties and follow them strictly.

Don’t allow faith to clash with academics, and don’t allow academics to make your faith suffer.

You can be a fire for God and a fire for academics. It worked for me, so I believe it will work for you.

In all, never think of giving up on any; hold God firm and also cling to your books.

It will be more prestigious if the Mama or Papa in church is doing well academically.

Whenever you come out to talk about God to fellow students, they’ll give you an audience because your life will be evidence of the words you speak.

In all, KWECHIRI! Never give up on yourself yet, because there is still a lot in store for you.

Very importantly, please never look down on yourself and never confess negativity to your life.

That you once had a carryover does not make you any less human.

I’ll advise you to make friends with like-minded individuals and those you feel can add value to your academic life.

Engage in group readings and tutorials for courses you find difficult.

Set your mind on a goal to succeed and do everything possible to reach that goal.

Be a researcher; never depend only on the lecturer’s knowledge.

Widen your horizon and seek knowledge from the outside. Academics is very sweet if you’re determined to succeed in it.

Create a favourable academic routine that suits you and work with it to get the best.

Never follow the crowd, but do that which will favour you.

Igniting Excellence: A Conversation with Igbo Cyril Lotanna

DCM: Finally, please give a shout-out to the wonderful people in your life who supported your academic journey.

Lotanna: I think at this point I’ll need a handkerchief to wipe my tears because it’s going to be emotional.

Firstly, I give all thanks to the Almighty God, who gave me life and helped me pass this phase without encountering any problems.

Indeed, He showed Himself mightily in my life, and I’ll forever live to be grateful to Him.

I give a heavy shout-out to my wonderful parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Igbo.

They were my backbone; they made sure I lacked nothing.

Their prayers and words of encouragement kept me going until the last day, and thank God I made them proud.

To my siblings—Kosisochukwu, Uloaku, Chinecherem, Chinenye (of blessed memory), Madukaego, and Somtochukwu—I want to say a huge thank you, ụmụnne m.

You all are the kind of siblings anyone would want to have. Thank you all for your immense contributions to my success.

To Chinenye, you couldn’t wait to reap the seed you sowed in my life, but I promise to keep making you proud. Continue to rest in peace and keep interceding for us.

Another big shout-out to those in my reading group:

Uchenna, Chiamaka, Oriaku, Somtochukwu, Oluchi, and Chikaodili. Thank you all for contributing to my success; I’ll forever be grateful.

To my very good friend Victoria, I sincerely thank you for all you did for me in our four years in school.

I’ll forever choose you as my best friend because you were one in a million.

To every member of the Igbo family, I throw a salute. You all are the real MVPs.

To my supervisor, Rev. Dr. Daniel Ilechukwu, thank you so much, sir, for your prayers, guidance, and fatherly love.

To Rev. Fr. Uche Onyekwelu, thank you so much, Padre, for finding me worthy to be enrolled in your scholarship scheme.

Indeed, you gave me hope again when it seemed like I lost hope. May the Lord continually bless and enrich you.

A big shout-out to the Onyekwelu brothers as well.

To everyone who contributed in one way or another to my success, whom I couldn’t mention by name here, I sincerely appreciate you all.

This is me showing my immense gratitude to you all and saying I don’t take your contributions for granted. Thank you all.

Thank you, Diadem Magazine, for this opportunity; I sincerely appreciate.

Also Read: From Third Class to Top Class: The Story of Tomi Kembi – Diademng

Igniting Excellence: A Conversation with Igbo Cyril Lotanna