St Bede's School, Sussex, England

[Michael is currently on a Pepsi Football Academy/St Bede’s scholarship in the UK]

“On 13th April I flew from Lagos to Gatwick for the start of my 3rd term at St Bede’s in the UK.

I couldn’t go to lessons the next day as I had been on a Virgin Nigeria night flight and wasted lots of time on checking out and then getting a train from Gatwick Airport to school.

On Wednesday 16th April I had my first fever injection for our football trip to Brazil in July and the next day we started training for this trip of a lifetime!

Next day, I had yet another injection for the trip…yellow fever this time.

On 27th April St Bede’s played in the Fusal Indoor Competition which was held at Brighton University….we were runner-ups and I was awarded the MVP of the tournament.

Michael with his Sussex County Cup Winners Medal.

On 3rd May we had a short bank holiday break and I stayed in London and visited a fun fare and ate at a Nigerian restaurant. Also, in the Tottenham area I had my hair cut by the barber who looks after William Gallas and John Utaka’s hair.

On 7th May I competed at athletics for my school house [Dorms House], running in the 800 metres and we came second in the inter-house competition.

On 10th May St Bede’s played in and won the Sussex Cup Football Final 3-2 against Bhasvic [Brighton Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College].

I have now won my first ever winners medal in the UK.

During half term, on Monday 26th May, I had a trial at Upton Park/West Ham in the U 18 section. It was a terrible day as it rained heavily but it was a great achievement for me to play on a premiership football pitch and I am looking forward to doing this more often in the future!

On 27th May I flew from Gatwick to Aberdeen in Scotland for the rest of my half term holiday with the Nelson’s in Ballater.

Mr Nelson ensured that I stayed fit…we went to the gym and swimming every day! I can now do the freestyle quite well.

Michael in action

And, for school work I needed a laptop. I can hardly believe I have one now!!

Back at school, with exams thankfully over, I really look forward to our 2 week football trip to Brazil.

We are in serious training and our squad of 22 plus 3 masters fly from London to Rio on Monday 7th July.

Michael on half term, barbecuing rainbow trout.

As part of our training, on Sunday 14th June, we had a match against St Bede’s former students. Dorms House won 6-5 and I scored three goals and was voted man of the match and my housemaster presented me with a T shirt signed by both teams.

I was so happy to have been awarded this MVP.

I’m looking forward to being back at home in Lagos on 25th July for my summer holidays.

I can only thank Pepsi and the Pepsi Football Academy for all these wonderful opportunities.”

June 2008