Samuel O. Mbisike Libby Freeman/MOUNTAINEER
Straightforward, honest, and humble are words used to describe Samuel Mbisike, a 23-year-old political science major. On top of that, he is now a book author.
Mbisike recently published a book about his life and his views on relationships. “The Other Side of Desire” addresses the implications of risky behaviors, unbridled sexual appetite and the excruciating consequences of failed relationships.
“When one does not receive the proper love, they look for it in different places, which usually is negative,” Mbisike said.
Mbisike was born and raised in West Africa, Nigeria. His mother and sister, Chinwe, moved to the United States in 2002. Mbisike stayed behind with his father, stepmother and stepbrother but in 2009, moved to the United States for what he said would be a “better life, better living, and better environment.”
In Nigeria, he attended Madonna University, a private Catholic school, where he studied civil law. He began classes at Mt. SAC in the spring of 2010 because members of his church, Sovereign Word, told him that it was a good school with high standards.
He said that although he was leaving a lot behind, it was for the better. He said he chose a political science major because he wants to be a corporate attorney.
“That’s my desire, my passion of what I want to be in life,” he said.
He was accepted to the University of California Riverside and plans to attend in the fall of 2012. UC Riverside was his first choice because he likes the way they combine political science and law and society together.
“The Other Side of Desire” took three years to publish and is based on research, experience, and family background. The book deals with the negative outcomes of jumping into a relationship for the wrong reasons, as well as outlining the right reasons to go into a relationship. He looks at how influences from peers, television, and the media can have a negative effect which often results in heartbreak, teen pregnancy, AIDS, loneliness, multiple partners, physical/domestic abuse, divorce, and other issues.
Sade Myles, 21, child development major, said she appreciated the book and quoted her favorite part from the first chapter: “Microwave love is a very intense and fiery love that has potentials to burn off quickly due to the fact that it hits the highest height of eroticism too soon. It stems from a desperate craving for sexual excitement for someone. The love as it were, is founded on very fragile grounds and most of the time, cannot stand the test of time.”
Mbisike’s parents separated when he was 3. He said coming from a broken home affected his social skills, made him afraid, lowered his self-esteem, and messed him up mentally and emotionally.
“My life would have been so much better if my parents would have stayed together; this affects the child more than the parents,” he said.
Mbisike said he has been an inspiration to people and recalled how he gave a copy of the book to a co-worker who told him the book changed her life. He said that the book helped her take control of her own life again. Mbisike hopes to get the book published around the world.
With his hectic schedule, he still manages to participate in activities on and off campus. He is a youth minister and youth pastor at United Prayer Power Fellowship in Chino, and president of the United for the Cause Fellowship club, a Christian club on campus that offers Bible study, worship, discussions, videos, refreshments, and an opportunity to make friends.
Mbisike’s sister said he is valued by his peers.
“I am so happy that he’s reaching out to his dreams,” said Chinwe Mbisike, 22, biology major and Academic Senator of Associated Students.
Mbisike said he has learned a lot in the last few years.
“My way of thinking has changed, time management and business skills, leadership qualities have improved, personality, my values, I’m more focused and determined, and I’m aiming for big things,” he said.
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Wow! So inspiring!