A mother of a final-year student of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State, Chinyere, has explained why she chose to gift her son, Promise Okoro, a goat during his department’s sign-out ceremony.
The unusual gesture, which was captured in a viral video, attracted cheers from students as Chinyere walked towards her son with the goat before embracing him.
Speaking in an interview with BBC News Pidgin, Chinyere said the gift was her way of appreciating Promise for making her proud, obeying her instructions and successfully completing his studies without getting involved in cultism.
She explained that when Promise gained admission, she warned him to stay away from cult-related activities and ensure that he completed his education.
According to her, she promised to give him a special surprise if he remained focused and made the family proud.
“I don’t have money for a 4matic jeep, and I love that guy, my son. I said, let me buy this goat as a gift,” she said.
Chinyere said Promise kept his word and remained respectful to the family and others throughout his studies.
“When he was going to school, I told him not to affiliate himself with cultism and to make me proud by not dropping out. I told him that if he made me proud, I was going to surprise him. He didn’t disappoint me,” she said.
She added that Promise, who is also a footballer, deserved the gift as a symbol of her love and appreciation for his achievement.
Chinyere disclosed that she bought the goat for N120,000, stressing that she was prepared to spend more to fulfil the promise she made to her son.
“I bought the goat for N120,000. I said even if it is N200,000, I will try my best to see that I come with that goat,” she said.
The mother said she was delighted by the excitement generated among students as she arrived at the ceremony with the animal.
“As I was walking, they were screaming. I was happy, and I knew my son too was,” she added.
Reacting to the surprise, Promise said he initially thought his coursemates were calling him to witness an engagement ceremony after hearing students shout, “say yes.”
He said he was shocked when he discovered that his mother had brought a goat to the school as his graduation gift.
“It was one of my coursemates that called me because I thought it was an engagement serenade because people in the vicinity were screaming, ‘say yes,’” he said.
Promise said the gesture left him happy and emotional, stressing that he was proud of his mother and appreciated the thought behind the unusual gift.
“I came, happy and deeply emotional. I wasn’t ashamed. I was extremely happy. I am not even ashamed in school; why then would I be ashamed of my mum or her action?” he said.
The video of Chinyere presenting the goat to her son has since attracted reactions online, with many Nigerians praising her for finding a unique way to celebrate her son’s graduation, good conduct and successful completion of his studies.