HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Ukpono, the fourth of five children from a Nigerian village, recounts her journey from childhood dreams inspired by romance novels and Disney cartoons to her current aspirations. At ten, she developed a love for reading and writing, yearning for a fairytale romance. Initially perplexed by lengthy books, her perspective shifted in senior secondary school upon meeting Grace, who devoured 500-page novels in days. Borrowing one of Grace's books proved transformative, igniting Ukpono's passion for longer narratives and making her a frequent visitor to local bookstores. Two years later, facing crucial university entrance exams, Ukpono felt driven to excel beyond her siblings, aiming to be the first in her family to attend university at sixteen. While awaiting exam results, a new ambition emerged: to seek international scholarships, leveraging her internet access to explore opportunities beyond her home country.