NAIJA-SCHOLARS

Taiwo graduated from the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics . In this interview with TUNDE AJAJA, she shares the secret to that success. Between when you graduated and now , what has changed about people’ s relationship with you ? A lot has really changed over the time. I have had calls from old friends and more friend requests on my social media . I believe those are traceable to my performance in school . What about offers from companies ?   The offers keep coming , but I received an offer from the university to be a lecturer and I would like to embrace that . Based on what (the offers ) I have at hand now , I would consider lecturing . Moreover, my dream as a child was to impart knowledge and motivate people. Have you always had this kind of result ? I had good results in my previous schools but it got better in the higher institution because I had to forgo subjects that I did not like . During my O’level, I had a good result in the West African Senior School Certifi...

What was growing up like for you ? I grew up in the northern part of the country and I still have fond memories . Most of my childhood memories are about growing up at Sabon Gari in Kano State and that ’s where I had my primary education. I was always at the top of the class then and I received cash gifts from people whenever I went home with my report card . I was also a fast runner and I represented my team several times in inter- house sports competitions . My parents moved to Rivers State when I was eleven and that was where I had my secondary education. I was also among the best science students in secondary school . So, largely, my growing up was fun . Then , my dream was to become a medical practitioner, say a surgeon , or pharmacist , but I later settled for Chemistry . Why did you switch to Chemistry?     It was my most favourite subject in secondary school and I see it as one course that makes one versatile. Since it was the course you wanted , would you say you ...

5.00 CGPA is the peak of academic excellence for an undergraduate in UNILAG. Did you target it from the start ? When I got to school , I only had the plan to finish with a first class , as the Lord would help me to . However, when I saw my first year results and I had 5 .00 CGPA, I made up my mind to sustain it . And it looked achievable . I knew it would require a lot of hard work and I was ready to do it . It wasn ’ t easy at all but God saw me through it all . I was also blessed with good friends and classmates who encouraged me all the way. I can also trace it to the fact that I had a strong upbringing in the area of being serious with my academics. My father is a scholar , so he trained (not forced ) us to be scholars too , and I thank God it worked. Beyond hard work , I believe I also obtained favour from God and my parents were deeply elated seeing that their first child achieved such a great feat. Was it a continuation of your performances in previous schools or it was a fres...

Was it always your plan to graduate with a first class? I was really elated I could make it eventually . In all sincerity, I determined, on entering Babcock University , where I started my undergraduate studies before transferring to the University of Computer Sciences and Skill, Lodz , Poland , to be the best in my class . Of course , the best anyone could be in an academic class is a first class , but I never knew I would come close to a final grade of 5 . 00 CGPA. At what point were you transferred to Poland to continue your education ?    I am one of the seventeen lucky Babcock University undergraduate students , who got the opportunity to be in the first set of the special exchange degree programme between Babcock and the university in Poland. We departed Nigeria for Poland in October , 2014 to resume our 200 level studies, and we were there for two straight years. We returned to Nigeria at the end of July 2016 to complete our programme in Babcock. During this last /...

Finishing with a first class honours must have been fulfilling for you , would you attribute the feat to providence or you specifically set out to achieve the goal ? Actually , I would say my result is a combination of God’s blessings and my determination to succeed . Achieving this target must have come at a price , what were some of the challenges you constantly had to deal with while in school ? It was not an easy journey I must confess. There were several trials along the way including a particular incident during my 200 level when I had to retake a course . It was not easy at all . It all started well but along the line, I started having issues . I still can ’t forget my worst experience . It happened during my 200 level second semester . I am used to collecting at least two extra sheets during each paper , so , during my exam in one of the courses, I collected extra sheet and it happened that during the course of marking the scripts, the main sheet was marked and scored 60 whi...

With an A+ (first class), Joshua Alawode led others in his class; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace , at Carleton University in Canada in the 2016 academic session . Alawode, who also had several commendations from his lecturers for his outstanding performance , tells TUNDE AJAJA in this interview his experience learning in the foreign institution What were your early days in school like ? I have some fond memories about my growing up but the one that stands out in this context was after my first term in JSS1 in Nigeria . After that first term, I didn ’t really do well compared to my classmates. Out of about 30 students , I finished as the 21st . So , I came home expecting my parents to be very upset and scold me , but to my surprise , they did the exact opposite. They graciously smiled at me, and encouraged me by saying, “ we know you can do better and by the grace of God you will do better next term. ” I believe that was where it all started for me because after that term, my ...

With a CGPA of 4. 86, Joshua Aghogho Erubami was the best graduating student of the Delta State University , Abraka in the 2015 /2016 session . In this interview with OVIE OKPARE, the 22 -year old shares his experiences and how he feels being the first student to have graduated with a first class degree from the Department of Mass Communication in DELSU How was life growing up ? I was born in Oghara in Delta State. I grew up under the direct care of my elder siblings . My mum had four children for my dad. I’m actually the last of them . My dad also had children from other women . My mum and dad had issues , and my dad couldn ’t let me go with her so I grew up in his care . Growing up with him wasn ’ t that easy as there were a lot of challenges because my dad was involved in so many things. He was into politics . He ’s actually the Umugbrogodo (Spokesman ) for Oghara Kingdom. Were you this brilliant when you were in primary and secondary school?   I attended St . Peters Nursery...

Onakoya Oludare, 25, could not make first class as an undergraduate at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, where he studied Law, but he made it in Law School in 2016 and that was a milestone for him. In this interview with TUNDE AJAJA, he speaks on the things he did differently Did you have any specific target when you were an undergraduate? I didn’t really plan to have first class in the university. I just wanted to give it my all and satisfy myself that I had given my all, and if that was good enough to have a first class, then good, but if not, then I would still be content knowing that I had given my best. So, I didn’t feel bad, I was satisfied I had given my best and I still finished as one of the best students in my class. So that was sufficient consolation. However, in Law School, I planned to do everything I could possibly do to have first class. How easy or challenging was it to graduate with a first class from the Law school? Even though it’s eas...