My Project Defense Day ☔🎓

| |- ![1000084411.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZnppCrua6mM9pSis2FZR4XwBgwu5pthiz7hmzozrH79z/1000084411.jpg) ![1000084399.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZUdQdr5SaNASVio8qnBzVhXopzNSYLKw6CnEaKNVAxrR/1000084399.jpg) ![1000084397.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbm4saTpX7UeWRgPzTujBPpeFgpyunmPghTfY1pC9LREE/1000084397.jpg) ![1000084396.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTELDnftZEk8zwKXPvbd5wnQzqnM6yohBfXVQ3ydy7DMK/1000084396.jpg) ![1000084394.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYwL5oarSH1jHyWLbZioBgJbDAxmvxJkr6A96Uq8uP9YS/1000084394.jpg) ![1000084393.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbNDPS9wmTS7VZ28LEC6u77iLkKDTcH9J3yWLGoHyjthN/1000084393.jpg) ![1000084390.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZ7sFWowvUrzFG2ACGRB2uq5PhuLNUCW1rejBwzdJRXUm/1000084390.jpg) ![1000084389.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmfBWyJRrBmBbGfNg3XAYzZsUep3rAVjnRqX1sT7qXeoEr/1000084389.jpg) Today, August 6, 2025, I experienced something I’ll never forget — my project defense at the University of Uyo. It came with everything: tension, delay, stress, and yes — rain. Plenty of rain. From morning till evening, the sky didn’t stop weeping. It would rest a little and then start again. Maybe they were showers of blessing, but they sure made me late. I wasn’t even at the venue by 9 AM as scheduled. Yet somehow, in all the lateness, God still had His plan for me. When I finally arrived, the wait began. Hours passed. I watched coursemates and my colleagues from other units in science education department go in and out — some victorious, some confused. I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, ***"Emacha Aniekeme Monday!"***, I was called. Because of how nervous I was, I moved in immediately, not knowing I was called to be on stand by. By this time, it was already a few minutes after 3pm. I walked in, nervous but determined. And by God’s grace, I delivered my project defense. Surprisingly ,the same woman I celebrated on steemit, few days ago on her promotion to the position of a professor, was the one that made up that panel, Professor Theresa Udofia. ![1000077815.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbSVKuk62FkUSsPvKui2UHUx87U3FXkksWCRChuD7p5iJ/1000077815.jpg) Initially I didn't want to go to the table that she, was a panelist, but after everything, I don't think I have regreted. The only reason I didn't want to go there was because, among the 5 groups of panelist, her group was among the groups that you will enter and remain for so long because you will be asked questions back to back from your project work. That was no jokes. But time was already not by their side, so they rushed things as compared to when we started. When I entered, I was told to say what I have done. I began to summarize my work. From the little experience I got right there, while others where in, I knew exactly what to do immediately she said that. So I started stating what I had in my abstract. But before now, immediately I was in and she opened my project work, she nodded in joy, saying.. "you're the first person that have...". I couldn't heard everything but all I pictured was the woman being satisfied with how I wrote my project. I'm talking about the contents of my project work now😃. After stating my abstract and she was satisfied, she asked certain questions which I provided answers,and held my ground. There was just one question I couldn’t answer perfectly and that was about how I applied the jigsaw teaching strategy in the classroom to teach the concept, Rate of Chemical Reaction. That was a simple and practical question. I couldn't, not because I didn’t know, but because I could not deliver it the way the panelist expected. But that’s okay. God didn’t bring me this far to shame me. Since I'm already convinced about this, it's from the depth of my heart, I just want to thank God. No, I don’t need cars, fine houses, or plenty money before I say thank you. The fact that something has been added to my life is enough reason to be grateful. If people in the hospital can thank God, then who goes me? Life is truly a process — stage by stage — and right now, I’m at a stage of reflection, of gratitude, and of silent celebration. For every step that brought me here, for every lesson, for every sleepless night — I’m grateful. So here I am, Deportal, saying: Congratulations to me. 🥂 And yes, I’m open to your kind words. They mean more than you know. ❤️ You may not have Steems and SteemPower to celebrate me, but a simple "Congratulations" is just enough. 💙 @emmalex25 @edu-chemist @nsijoro @basil20 @bossj23