A Teenager’s Triumph: Deborah Onyibe’s Journey from Loss to National Stage
By Jerry Adesewo
When 17-year-old Deborah Obiaderi Onyibe walked up to receive her trophy, certificates, and a cheque from the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), the applause in her church was more than a celebration of academic excellence—it was the triumph of resilience, faith, and determination.
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Deborah, a member of the Teenage Ministry of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Dakibiyu District, Kubwa Branch, secured the second-place position in the 2024 BSN National Bible Competition, a contest that tested participants’ mastery of the Book of Nehemiah in the Contemporary English Version (CEV).
“It was so amazing,” she said, her eyes lighting up as she recalled the moment the results were announced. “I couldn’t believe I had come this far.”
A Rigorous Journey Through the Stages
The road to the national finals was anything but smooth. Deborah began at the Auxiliary Stage, advancing after placing third. At the Area Stage, she narrowly escaped elimination when a tie for third place initially threatened her chances. “I was scared I would be dropped,” she admitted. “But when both of us were allowed to continue, I was so happy.”
Representing Abuja at the Zonal Stage, she faced a fresh challenge: technical glitches. “When it was time to write the online quiz, there was no network,” she explained. “We thought we might be disqualified, but when it turned out to be a general problem, I just used the waiting time to revise.”
After a rescheduled exam, she advanced to the National Stage, where her hours of study—covering every line of Nehemiah—paid off. Weeks later, she emerged among the top candidates in the country.
Triumph in the Face of Loss
Deborah’s story is also one of resilience in personal tragedy. Born on September 11, 2007, she is the first child of the late Pastor Timothy Obianke Onyibe and Mrs. Funmilola Florence Onyibe. She lost her father in December 2021, just days before Christmas and during her exam period.
“It was terrifying,” she recalled. “But I still managed to sit for my papers the next day. Losing him has cost me a lot, but I also learned to be strong for my mother and siblings.”
That strength has propelled her to milestones she considers some of her happiest experiences: placing second in the BSN competition and learning web design, a skill she pursued after secondary school out of her love for technology and creativity.
A Future Full of Promise
Deborah, who dreams of becoming a medical doctor, describes herself as optimistic, hardworking, and independent. She finds joy in cooking, singing, and spending time with loved ones. Above all, she believes in the power of determination:
“My belief is that when one is determined for great things, you will surely achieve it.”
Speaking during the presentation, Special Apostle Pastor Alex Ogundipe, the Senior Pastor of the Church described her achievement as a beacon of hope for other teenagers, asserting that with faith, preparation, and resilience, young Nigerians can rise above challenges to make their mark.
Pastor Mike Oyeyemi of the Bible Society of Nigeria described her as “a source of inspiration for other young people to take the study of God’s Word seriously while also striving for excellence in academics and life.”
He added that Deborah could not attend the award ceremony, but to inspire more teenagers and youths with her story, the award had to be presented to her in this manner.
A Teenager’s Triumph: Deborah Onyibe’s Journey from Loss to National Stage