The 16yr old Pepsi Football Academy student who obtained a full 2 year sports scholarship to St. Bede's School in England has told us of his Autumn half-term holiday in Scotland.

"I was collected from school by Colin Nelson, the PFA consultants' son, and we went to London Gatwick where I flew with British Airways to Aberdeen airport in Scotland where I was met by Mr. Iain Nelson.

I stayed with the Nelson's at their home in Ballater.

We went to a town called Tighnabruaich for a Christening, where I stayed at the Kames Hotel.

I also flew for the first time in a helicopter and saw many lochs (the Scottish word for lakes) including Loch Lomond which has the largest surface area of fresh water in the UK.

We also went to Aberdeen city for a 'whole-day' of serious shopping for me. I now have all the clothes and sports wear I will need for school and football. I have even got a UK mobile phone and email address!

I have been fitness training to the gym and learning how to swim at the Hilton Hotel in Ballater most evenings and, I have cycled everyday around the village.

I can now swim the front crawl!!

We visited the Royal (train) Station in Ballater and Mr. Nelson took some pictures of me with Queen Victoria!

I have had my first practice at golf and been fishing for rainbow trout.
I have even worn the kilt, the Scottish national dress and the 'Hey Jimmy' tartan hat (makes you look like a Scottish football fan!)

The weather over here is really cold but I am slowly getting used to it. When I left Lagos it was 30C. In Scotland the temperature fell to freezing at night!

I am also trying my best to get used to the very different food at school and in the UK.

I have found Scotland beautiful and peaceful and everyone I have met has been very kind to me. And, there is never a power cut!!

At the end of my 10 day half-term holiday in Scotland I flew back to London Gatwick and was met by Andrew Nelson [Colin's brother] who drove me back to St.Bede's to start the 2nd half of the Autumn term. Andrew also gave me even more clothes!

I can only thank everyone, including Pepsi and the Pepsi Football Academy, for making this dream opportunity for me a reality.

November 2007