Ibrahim El-Mu’azzam is a 21-year-old Zaria-Kaduna State born graduate of computer science who has a flair for writing. In this interview, he explains what inspired him to write a book.
What inspired you to pursue engineering, and how do you balance it with your passion for writing?
Engineering has been the field of my dream since junior secondary school. I love to innovate, repair, develop and upgrade to propel the world and aid human endeavours. In achieving this dream, I perceived it more gripping to pick up computer engineering as the world is turning into a global village, with technology settling everywhere.
Gladly, writing as a passion hasn’t affected my career in engineering, but rather boosted it. I continue to write to express my feelings, opinions and suggest solutions to the affairs of our society.
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Can you tell us about the process of writing your book while managing your academic workload?
It required full determination and sacrifice. It was one of the busiest bits of my life, but glory is to God, it ended with a huge success. I have been committed to a sequence of research, critical thinking, brainstorming, revisions and comparisons, with sleepless nights. I was only able to attend to my cardinal schedules, of course slinging many of the leisure ones. The commitment is more tightened to meet up with a deadline to finish a work; principally that everything is done within a snappy time.
Did engineering influence the themes or content of your book?
Of course, especially since it’s one of the pillars that the book is built on. The book was written on computer science and computer engineering – my diploma and bachelor’s courses in ABU Zaria and IAEC Togo respectively. I felt the need to make my contribution to the fields by making a concise summary of their basics to bring some alleviation to students.
I also dedicated the book to the two mentioned institutions, which I named the book after the first two letters of their names, deeming that the knowledge and impact they made on us are worth more than just the tuition fees.
How do you think your experience as an engineer has shaped your approach to writing and storytelling?
Engineering is about designing, testing, building, upgrading and what have you. This concept has aided in my writing career as I apply it to make a justified audit of every subject I write on. More so, as engineering is concerned with problem solving, it becomes relevant to give proposed solutions to some of the problems I write about.
What advice do you have to other young engineers who have a passion for writing but may be hesitant to pursue it alongside their studies or careers?
Fellow engineers should never be hesitant to engage in writing, thinking of their studies or career as a challenge; they’re not. Not only engineers, but in whatever your career or field of study, you should not have the thought that it’s the only river you can swim in. There are a myriad of gifts stored in people, but many are undiscovered. Some even pursue a career that is contrary or not well aligned with their natural abilities. It’s found in many cases where people prosper more in other ventures outside of their studied career. So, being an engineer should never be a despair. As long as you realise the need, set up and pick your pen; you shall write in marble.
On an additional note, support plays a magnificent role. In my case, it was more possible due to the maximum support I received from the IAEC university management, especially the Registrar, Dr Hermann Mensah, with a huge effort also from the Dean of Students Affairs. They did immensely well to see the dream come true.
After I was done, the university applauded the work to present it on the convocation ground and further blessed me with a scholarship to continue with my master’s degree. You see, after the passion, support is vital. So, I also advise management to give any passionate student a similar or even better treatment.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
A diverse content of a combined experience. The book is well-engineered to quench the thirst of readers. It’s also more of a takeaway to Nigerians, Nigerians in the university, Nigerians in the Republic of Togo and Nigerians in the diaspora. The book is the first to be authored by a student of the university, by a Nigerian in the Republic of Togo, also by the youngest Nigerian to author a book internationally. I think this makes a mark, a glassy one for our motherland. The book is a good grab for both beginners and those who have been in the field. The content is elaborated in a detailed and simple explanation. The book is not restricted to any positive use, as it is also recommended for computer-related classes, departments and other institutions.
