Joseph Ukpata

Happy EID-EL-FITR to all Muslims

Thank you gracious God for another full cycle of eventful life!

Last week, five of my mentees completed their PhD interviews. Here’s the list of all the questions they were asked…… The interview usually begins with an introduction to the program/school and the panel. ******* ✅ Tell us about yourself. ➤ Share your academic background. ➤ Highlight relevant professional experiences. ➤ Mention key personal qualities or values. ✅ Why PhD? ➤ Explain your motivation for pursuing a PhD. ➤ Connect it to your long-term goals. ✅ Why this school or department? ➤ Highlight specific resources ➤ Highlight specific faculty ➤ Unique aspects that align with research. ✅ What are your research interests? ➤ Provide a clear/concise summary ➤ Mention key questions or challenges you want to explore. ✅ How does your work fit with the panel’s current projects? ➤ Reference specific faculty research or projects. ➤ Show how your work complements or expands their work. ✅ What will you bring to our department? ➤ Emphasize unique skills like collaboration, leadership, or technical expertise. ➤ Mention how you’ll contribute to the department’s academic community. ✅ Tell us about your previous research. ➤ Describe your methodology and analysis techniques. ➤ Discuss how you interpreted your findings. ✅ What makes our department the right fit for you? ➤ Connect the program’s strengths to your goals. ➤ Show how its focus aligns with your academic aspirations. ✅ Why pursue a PhD when you’ve already achieved so much? ➤ Explain how a PhD will enhance your impact in the field. ➤ Share what excites you about advancing your expertise. ✅ How do you plan to contribute to the academic community here? ➤ Share ideas for collaboration with peers or faculty. ➤ Highlight how you’d engage in teaching or outreach efforts. ✅ Any questions for us? ➤ Show curiosity by asking about specific aspects of the program. ➤ Inquire about mentorship opportunities or department initiatives. ***************** These questions assess your clarity of purpose, readiness, and fit for the program. Preparation is key! know your interest, the program, and yourself! ♻️Repost for others

I have interviewed more than a dozen times for a PhD across the USA and Canada… This is what the PhD interviews actually test Most applicants think the PhD interview is about proving how smart they are. It’s not. Committees already know you’re smart. You wouldn’t be in the room otherwise. Here’s what they’re really assessing 👇 ⸻ 1️⃣ Can you think? They’re watching how you reason in real time. • How you frame problems • How you respond to uncertainty • How you adjust when challenged Perfect answers matter less than disciplined thinking. ⸻ 2️⃣ Do you understand what a PhD actually is? A PhD is not: ❌ more classes ❌ prestige ❌ being told what to do It is: ✔ ambiguity ✔ long timelines ✔ rejection ✔ publishing before certainty They’re testing whether you know what you’re signing up for. ⸻ 3️⃣ Are you research-obsessed or outcome-obsessed? Strong signal: “I keep thinking about this question because…” Weak signal: “I want a PhD so I can…” They want curiosity that survives boredom, not motivation that depends on applause. ⸻ 4️⃣ Can you be mentored without being managed? They’re asking (implicitly): • Will you take feedback without defensiveness? • Can you work independently? • Will you ask good questions? A PhD student is not a task-doer. They’re a developing colleague. ⸻ 5️⃣ Are you a risk or an investment? Funding is limited. Advisors are busy. Slots are few. They’re evaluating: → intellectual trajectory → emotional regulation → long-term fit Not just whether you’re brilliant. Whether you’re sustainable. ⸻ Bottom line: PhD interviews are less about proving yourself and more about revealing yourself. The candidates who do best don’t perform. They explain how they think. ⸻ If you’re preparing for PhD interviews this cycle: • stop memorizing answers • start clarifying your research logic • practice thinking out loud That’s the real test. — If this was useful, repost for someone interviewing soon.

@Chima_Obi1234 This is very sad and heartbreaking! Fallout of poor professional training, poor ethics, and systemic carelessness on matters of life ! So sad. Please accept my sincere condolences as we ask the authorities to investigate and take take necessary punitive actions to deter others.

“We were in Lagos for Christmas. Nkanu had what we first thought was just a cold, but soon turned into a very serious infection and he was admitted to Atlantis hospital. He was to travel to the US the next day, January 7th, accompanied by Travelling Doctors. A team at Johns Hopkins was waiting to receive him in Baltimore. The Hopkins team had asked for a lumbar puncture test and an MRI. The Nigerian team had also decided to put in a 'central line' (used to administer iv medications) in preparation for Nkanu's flight. Atlantis hospital referred us to Euracare Hospital, which was said to be the best place to have the procedures done. The morning of the 6th, we left Atlantis hospital for Euracare, Nkanu carried in his father's arms. We were told he would need to be sedated to prevent him from moving during the MRI and the 'central line' procedure. I was waiting just outside the theater. I saw people, including Dr M, rushing into the theater and immediately knew something had happened. A short time later, Dr M came out and told me Nkanu had been given too much propofol by the anesthesiologist, had become unresponsive and was quickly resuscitated. But suddenly Nkanu was on a ventilator, he was intubated and placed in the ICU. The next thing I heard was that he had seizures. Cardiac arrest. All these had never happened before. Some hours later, Nkanu was gone It turns out that Nkanu was NEVER monitored after being given too much propofol. The anesthesiologist had just casually carried Nkanu on his shoulder to the theater, so nobody knows when exactly Nkanu became unresponsive. How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to monitor him? Later, after the 'central line' procedure, the anesthesiologist casually switched off Nkanu's oxygen and again decided to carry him on his shoulder to the ICU! The anesthesiologist was CRIMINALLY negligent. He was fatally casual and careless with the precious life of a child. No proper protocol was followed. We brought in a child who was unwell but stable and scheduled to travel the next day. We came to conduct basic procedures. And suddenly, our beautiful little boy was gone forever. It is like living your worst nightmare. I will never survive the loss of my child. We have now heard about two previous cases of this same anesthesiologist overdosing children. Why did Euracare allow him to keep working? This must never happen to another child”. CNA

Agbo Adoga is 15 years old. He got the SAT perfect score of 1600. He attends Graceland International School, PortHarcourt. He has 84 major achievements at 15: 1. Singapore Maths Global Finals (SMGF) 2025, Overall Runner Up, Grade 11 & 12. 2. Singapore and Asian Schools Maths Olympiad (SASMO) 2024, Perfect Scorer, Grade 11. 3. 1st place State-wide in SPE YMCTY STEM Competition. 4. 1st place worldwide in the Maths Best of the Best round of the 5th International STEM Olympiad 2025. 5. Gold medal certificate in the Best Of the Bestround of the 5th International STEM Olympiad 2025 (Maths) 6. Gold medal certificate in the Best Of the Best round of the 4th International STEM Olympiad 2024 (Maths) 7. Gold medal certificate in the Best Of the Best round of the 3rd International STEM Olympiad 2023 (Maths) 8. Gold medal certificate in the Final round of the 5th International STEM Olympiad 2025 (Maths) 9. Gold medal certificate in the Final round of the 4th International STEM Olympiad 2024 (Maths) 10. Gold medal certificate in the Final round of the 3rd International STEM Olympiad 2023 (Maths) 11. Silver medal certificate in the Final round of the 2nd International STEM Olympiad, 2022 (Maths) 12. Silver medal certificate in the Final round of the 5th International STEM Olympiad 2025(Coding) 13. Honourable mention certificate in the final round of the 4th International STEM Olympiad 2024 (Coding) 14. Participation certificate in the final round of the 3rd International STEM Olympiad 2023 (Coding) 15. Gold medal for being the World Champion in the 4th Grand Final of the International STEM Olympiad (Mathematics - Grade 11), Spain, 2025 16. Gold medal in the 4th Grand Final of the International STEM Olympiad (Coding - Grade 11), Spain, 2025 17. Gold medal for being the World Champion in the 3rd Grand Final of the International STEM Olympiad (Mathematics - Grade 10), Netherlands, 2024 18. Silver medal in the 4th Grand Final of the International STEM Olympiad (Coding - Grade 10), Netherlands, 2024 19. Gold medal in the American Math Olympiad 2024 20. 1st place in the National Mathematics Tournament (Maths4life) team quiz show with a prize of ₦3,000,000, 2025 21. Most valuable player of the National Mathematics Tournament (Maths4life) team quiz show, with a prize of ₦100,000, 2025 22. Quarter-Finalist in the 2025 Cowbellpedia TV Quiz Show Senior Category nationwide. 23. Winner of the 2023 Cowbellpedia TV Quiz Show Junior category nationwide with a cash prize of ₦5,000,000, and an educational excursion to South Africa 24. State Champion in the 2023 Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Airfield-Sponsored Mathematics Competition Junior Category with a cash prize of ₦250,000 25. Semi-Finalist in the 2024 Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Airfield-Sponsored Mathematics Competition Senior Category 26. 2nd Runner-up National in the 2023 Math Contest Nigeria competition with a cash prize of ₦100,000 27. Silver medallist in the 2024 Special Maths Competition (SMC) with a prize of ₦75,000 and a new laptop. 28. 2nd Runner-up world-wide in the 2023 Special Mathematics Contest (SMC) with a cash prize of $250 29. University of Witwatersrand Mathematics Competition Junior – Top Ten – 2022 30. University of Witwatersrand Mathematics Competition Senior – Finalist – 2024 31. University of Witwatersrand Mathematics Competition Senior – Finalist – 2025 32. 2024 International Youth Mathematics Challenge (IYMC), 1st Nationwide 33. 2024 International Youth Mathematics Challenge (IYMC), Silver Honour Award 34. 2023 International Youth Mathematics Challenge (IYMC), Silver Honour Award 35. 2022 International Youth Mathematics Challenge (IYMC), Silver Honour Award 36. Nigerian Junior Maths Olympiad - 1st in Nigeria, rounds 1 and 2– 2023 37. Nigerian Senior Maths Olympiad - 1st in Nigeria, rounds 2 and 3– 2025 38. Nigerian Maths Olympiad – 3rd Round Participant – 2022 39. Nigerian Maths Olympiad – 3rd Round Participant – 2023

@PeterObi Where are the roads to feed the bus terminals?

₦ 142 Billion for Bus Terminals: Another Evidence of misplaced Priority The difference between the success and failure of the development in any nation is how you prioritise your scarce resources. The recent announcement that a sum of ₦142 billion has been approved by the Federal Government for the construction of one bus terminal in each of our six geopolitical zones further affirms the lack of competence, lack of focus and poor leadership. In the 2024 budget, which is the operational budget today, the entire budget of all the teaching hospitals across all the federal universities in the country, as well as the federal psychiatric centres, is under ₦100 billion, yet the government has approved ₦142 billion for bus terminals. This is disturbing, considering that Health is one of the most critical areas of development, which is deteriorating and remains grossly underfunded. WHO recently reported that over 20 million Nigerians are living with mental health issues. This is not only a misplaced priority but a tragic irony of our country. This is not governance. A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO

@PeterObi HE, What is the need for this vow, sir? I think it's premature at this time. Nigeria needs purposeful leadership. I imagine that you would reserve the vow until you are deep in office to understand the magnitude of the tasks to be done, then you could decide as you deem necessary

My One-Term, Four-Year Vow Is Sacrosanct One of the greatest American Presidents, Abraham Lincoln, served only four years, yet his legacy endures as a model of principled leadership. Another iconic figure, John F. Kennedy, did not even complete a full term, yet his vision and ideals continue to inspire generations. In Africa, Nelson Mandela, revered globally as a symbol of justice and reconciliation, chose to serve only one term as President of South Africa, despite immense public pressure to stay longer. His decision was a deliberate act of leadership, a statement that power must serve the people, not the self. Indeed, history shows that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to be corrupted by it. Longevity in office is not a mark of success; rather, it is purposeful, accountable service - however brief - that defines true statesmanship. It is within this context that I reiterate my vow: I will serve only one term of four years if elected President. And that vow is sacrosanct. I am fully aware that the decay in our society has made trust one of the scarcest and most sceptically viewed commodities. Many Nigerians, understandably, no longer take politicians at their word. But even in this climate of cynicism, there are still a few whose actions have matched their words - whose integrity is built on verifiable precedent. Recently, I became aware of two statements aimed, albeit indirectly, at my vow to serve only a single four-year term. One person remarked that even if I swore by a shrine, I still wouldn’t be believed. Another suggested that anyone talking about doing only one term should undergo psychiatric evaluation. I understand the basis of their scepticism. They are judging me by their own standards - where political promises are made to be broken. But they forget, or perhaps choose to ignore, that Peter Obi is not cut from that cloth. I have a verifiable track record that speaks louder than speculation. In my political life, my word is my bond. When I entered politics in Anambra State, I made clear and measurable promises to the people: to improve education and healthcare, to open up rural areas through road construction, and to manage public funds with prudence. I fulfilled each of those promises without deviation. I did not swear by a shrine, nor have I been certified mentally unstable as a result of honouring my word. My vow to serve only one term of four years is a solemn commitment, rooted in my conviction that purposeful, transparent leadership does not require an eternity. If making such a promise qualifies me for psychiatric evaluation, then we may as well question the mental fitness of those who framed our Constitution, which clearly stipulates a four-year renewable tenure. I maintain without equivocation: if elected, I will not spend a day longer than four years in office. In fact, I believe that service should be impactful, not eternal. We must rebuild trust in our country. I have dedicated my public life to demonstrating that leadership with integrity is not a myth. I have done it before, and I do not intend to betray that trust under any circumstances. Forty-eight months is enough for any leader who is focused and prepared to make a meaningful difference. In that time, I intend not merely to make an impression, but to deliver on concrete promises to: sanitise our governance system; tackle insecurity through effective and accountable use of national resources; prioritise education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation; catalyse small businesses as engines of growth ; and combat corruption with unflinching resolve. Above all, I will dedicate myself to transforming Nigeria from a consuming nation into a productive one, where agriculture, technology, and manufacturing replace rent-seeking and waste as our national anchors. These are not utopian dreams. They are realistic, actionable goals that are achievable within four years. A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO

@VaticanNews May the soul of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, rest in peace 🙏

At 9:45 AM on Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, spoke these words at the Casa Santa Marta: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God." vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2…

@TimedFrank @tedcohenny @PeterObi Interesting conversations. No insults, no abuses! Just peaceful, evidence-based conversations between 2 sound intellectuals!!!

The United States have what can be considered free elections. I gave 6 criteria for what I think a THRIVING, not nascent, democracy should look like. If a country is able to do 67% voter turnout (I postulated 70%) AND the 5 other criteria I stated are met, their democracy is far from being nascent. I’ll go ahead and add a 7th criteria: 7. If the 1st picture below is any country’s OFFICIAL election collation result sheet, ACCEPTABLE by its Electoral Commission, sadly that democracy is still nascent. PROCESS is key. And to buttress my 5th point: Even when Trump alleged rigging and challenged the results of some states, the voting machines were subjected to inspection and the ballot papers previously collated ELECTRONICALLY were subjected to MANUAL count TWICE. He wasn’t asked to “prove” any results. Let me know if you have more questions or need further clarification. Thank you.

This Easter Sunday evening, I had the distinct honour of chairing the cocktail reception held in celebration of the Sunhak Peace Prize awarded to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR. It was not merely an event. It was a moment of deep reflection and recognition of a statesman whose sacrifice, and singular act in 2015 reshaped the course of Nigeria’s democratic journey. When President @GEJonathan conceded defeat after the 2015 general elections, standing on humanistic principles that 'his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian’ he made a choice that few in power are willing to make. He chose peace over power, unity over personal ambition, and the future of Nigeria over the allure of office. That singular decision not only calmed a nation on edge but became a reference point for democratic maturity across Africa. It was a courageous, selfless act that restored faith in the ballot and inspired hope across the continent. Since leaving office, His Excellency has continued to build on that legacy—engaging in election observation, conflict mediation, and democratic advocacy across Africa and beyond. He has shown, time and again, that true leadership is not defined by how long one remains in office but by the positive impact one makes in and out of office. His post-presidency has been a model of statesmanship, service, and quiet diplomacy. If our current leaders could emulate even a fraction of President Jonathan’s humility and commitment to nationhood, Nigeria would be on a firmer path toward democratic consolidation, inclusive governance, and national development. Sadly, what we see today are leaders whose words proclaim democracy, but whose actions undermine its very essence through electoral malpractice, suppression of dissent, and prioritization of personal ambition over national interest. Democracy is not just about elections. It is about accountability, justice, and service to the people. We can not continue to preach democracy while silencing critics, undermining institutions, and treating the people’s will with contempt. President Goodluck Jonathan stands tall today because he matched his democratic rhetoric with action. He has become a symbol of democratic resilience and peaceful leadership. That is the kind of leadership Nigeria needs. That is the kind of legacy we must aspire to build—a leadership that prioritizes the people embraces peace, and upholds the sanctity of our democracy. As we celebrate him today, may we also challenge ourselves, especially those of us in public service, to walk the path of integrity, sacrifice, and service to the nation. Nigeria will rise when we begin to put the people first. A new Nigeria is POssible! -PO

@TETFundNg @NewTelegraphNIG @NigEducation This is so true. Congratulations!

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)@TETFundNg has been awarded as the "Most Improved Government Agency" of the year 2024 by New Telegraph Newspaper @NewTelegraphNIG

Happy New Year 2025!

Congratulations to Ademola Lookman, African Footballer of the year!👏

Today, it is with humility and a great sense of honour that I thank each and every one of the 166 WTO members for the consensus they achieved in supporting my reappointment! Thank you for the wonderful words of recognition and support. I don’t take this lightly. I also want to thank my colleagues in the Secretariat Staff for their dedication and hard work. This is an enormous responsibility and I will redouble my efforts to work with each and every member to try and deliver the results this organization needs, including the necessary reforms to make it fit for 21st century challenges. We’ve done it before, we can do it again! I am also grateful to my family, my country, to the Africa Region, and to all my friends and colleagues from all over the world who have reached out with hundreds of congratulatory messages. Thank you for the recognition!

Congratulations to @NOIweala . We are proud of you.

Ever wondered what Nigeria’s brightest minds have been creating? Find out at the TETFund National Research Fair Theme: Technologies for Massive Generation of Jobs and Wealth Creation among Nigerians 📅 Nov 18-21 📍 Eagle Square, Abuja Register now: bit.ly/NRF_2024

@DrLeonBlack Please accept my sincere condolences, Leon. May his soul rest in peace 🙏

RIP dad. Thanks for everything you did and all that you gave me, including my love of kitsch garden gnomes.

🎥 Watch the recap & feel the power of innovation during the SGCI High-Level Design Bootcamp, as participants refined solutions with market insights to meet real-world needs. Funded by TETFund with support from IDRC, Sida, NRF, Norad, DFG and UK-FCDO #SGCI #InnovationBootcamp