How we made a first class in University: First Class graduates

Two hundred and thirty one students have graduated with First Class at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). For many of them, things did not go as planned- they settled for courses other than those they intended to study, endured financial challenges, and took up various jobs to make ends meet. But all these did not stop them from aspiring for excellence, report BABATUNDE KAWTHAR (500-L Petroleum and Gas Engineering) and RUTH AKERELE (400-L, Mass Communication).
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has graduated 6,900 students, with 231 making the First Class grade.  They have been honoured by the university, their parents, teachers, departments, and peers for their achievement.The duo of Oyindamola Omotuyi (Systems Engineering) and Taiwo Bankole (Cell Biology and Genetics) who made the perfect score of 5.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), stand out among them.
Oyindamola, Taiwo and some other First Class graduates share their success stories with CAMPUSLIFE.
Oyindamola got into UNILAG after her first try at the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). She also got her choice  course.  But what made her go for gold was an award instituted by the campus fellowship she attended, the Redeemed Christian Fellowship (RCF).
“It started at my fellowship, the Redeemed Christian Fellowship; there was always a prize for first class students. Among those first class students, there was also another prize for the best three. To be among the best three, a person must be on a 5.00 consistently. So, the encouragement came from there,” she said.

For Taiwo, being the best has become second nature. She cultivated the habit from primary school.  She did not get to study Medicine as planned but she fell in love with Cell Biology and Genetics along the way and   made the best of it.
She said: “It all came through hard work and attending my classes early so I can be able to sit in front and listen attentively. I went online to search for materials, used the library and also prayed to God and trusted Him for retentive memory, wisdom and knowledge. I also studied my lecturers well to know what they actually needed from students. For my project and seminars, I used journals and online textbooks.”
Damilola Adeyemi David was just 0.01point shy of graduating with a perfect score from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. His driving force was his uncle, who became his sponsor after his father died.
“I wanted to impress my uncle, who was sponsoring my education; I also wanted to impress myself and I couldn’t handle failure,” he said.
These goals pushed Damilola to focus on achieving the 5.00 despite holding a position in his department, teaching others and having many friends.
“It was very challenging. Balancing lectures with the busy life of UNILAG.  Along the way I had to always take tutorials for my course mates every morning. I also became the financial secretary of my department for two years and I had to balance everything.
“Most times I always wanted to fall off track but once I remembered what I was aiming for I got back on track,” he said.

Like Oyindamola, Christian Obu, was inspired by honour given to other first class students to excel in his course, Petroleum and Gas Engineering.
He said: “A particular incident that also inspired me was this award that is presented to first class students in my fellowship.  They call it Overcomer’s award. The first time I saw students being honoured as such I told myself, ‘Christian this is the goal, this is the aim’. Also I would hear people talk about the opportunities first class students enjoy in the school and I knew I wanted to be one. And of course my parents, I always want to make them proud, I never want to disappoint them because I know they expect so much from me.”
Emmanuel Uyiosa Osayande is the first graduate of History and Strategic Studies to make a first class grade in the 25-year history of the department.
He said he earned his 4.50 CGPA by focusing on achieving small goals.
“To be honest, my focus was on the short term goals: to ensure I did my best in every test, assignment and examination. Some people tend to be preoccupied with what grade they will graduate with and with that lose sight of the reality before them,” he said.
It is rare to find parents who would counsel their children to study Education. But Mudathir Dhikrullah Ayinde’s parents did.
‘’The 22 year-old said taking their advice was worthwhile.
“I initially wanted to apply for Political Science but my guardian and parents convinced me to study Guidance and Counselling. They shared with me their personal experiences and for some reason I lost interest in Political Science. I am glad I heeded their advice.  My course forces me to reason deeply and philosophise a lot,” he said.
Ayinde’s dad also inspired him to excel with these words: “I remember telling my dad once that only a genius can graduate with a first class and he told me ‘all you have to do is put in effort’, those words gave me faith.”
Oluwadimilola Deborah Salau also has her dad to thank for choosing Geography and Planning and for ending up with a first class grade.
When she was not accepted for Medicine after Diploma programme, he advised her to choose Geography because he had noted her interest in it.
She said: “My parents burned midnight candles with me. My dad would ensure I read two hours per day.  This habit made reading easy for me.
“I actually did not set my mind on a first class. But the orientation programme in school made me change my mind. At first, I wanted the grade for my dad but it was my interest  that eventually kept me going.”
It is amazing that a student as busy as Olagunju Abdul-Hammid finished with a First Class. Olagunju not only held political (he was deputy speaker, University of Lagos Students Union) and religious positions, he also ran a business on campus.
“I was actively involved in the campus politic; l was an active member of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria and started a cab company called BISTEL with some of my friends,” he said.
To cope with his academics, Olagunju said he worked, watched and prayed.
“These principles work for me – work, watch and pray. The work aspect is to study hard and always be prepared. The watch is to tread carefully during your exams/test to avoid mistakes as much as possible. And finally, always pray to God for guidance and mercy because with Him all things are possible. This doesn’t only apply to academics; it is applicable to all spheres of life,” he said.
Remembering his family heritage of excellence, Olagunju also found another reason to excel.
“My primary source of motivation is my parents (I have many parents). Also, the history of the Olagunju family from the time of Timi Abibu ‘Lagunju made me realise that we the children just have to keep the fire burning. And finally, I want my kids to be able to see me as someone to emulate and inspire them,” he said.

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It was a difficult time for us - Turkish school

The victims and some of the school’s management staff...yesterday

Hours after Tuesday’s release of its abducted pupils and officials, the Nigerian Turkish International College (NTIC) yesterday spoke on the incident, saying it was a difficult time for the school and parents.

Mr Orhan Kertom, Managing Director NTIC in Isheri, Ogun State, said their joy knew no bounds when the victims were freed.

The victim were three pupils, three female, supervisors, a cook and a female teacher.

Kertim said the victims’ 11 days in captivity were “sleepless nights” for the school and management.

He spoke at the Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital when Governor Ibikunle Amosun received him, the freed pupils and staff and parents.

They were presented to the governor by the Commissioner of Police in the State, Ahmed Iliyasu.

Kertim praised President Muhammadu Buhari, the security agencies and Amosun for their support that led to the victims’ safe return

“It was very difficult time for all of us; for 11 days, we had sleepless nights but we were full of hopes and prayed.

“I will like to thank the President Muhammadu Buhari; Governor Amosun, Inspector General of Police, Director General of Department of State Service, Chief of Army Staff and all national security agencies for their continuous effort and support.

“I also want to use this medium to talk about our parents because since that night we’ve always felt their presence next to us. They have shown great, tremendous solidarity and and thank God that it is all over. Thank you very much once again Your Excellency.”

Iliyasu said the miscreants surrendered to the superiority of the technically-driven team of the intelligence response system of the Inspector-General of Police.

He said some high profile suspects had been arrested.

The police, he said, would sustain the peace in Ogun.

Iliyasu said: “The Inspector-General of Police mandated me to make a very clear view; it’s an ongoing operation between us with the military and the state services and I’m assuring you sir that the history of this state and the standard of this state as a peaceful state, as a safe and secure state will definitely continue to be in the history of this nation.

“Nobody would come and destroy the peace of this state; this is not a place that kind of a thing would be orchestrated. We are resolute, we are committed to the safety and security of not only the citizens of this state but to our national duty.

“I hereby present to you the management of the school and the kidnapped victims for your reception sir. Thank you for all your support throughout this period. The huge support, the huge backbone that you have given our operation that was carried out led to the success of what we are seeing today.”

An abducted pupil’s father, Steve Nwosu, Deputy Managing Director of The Sun, hailed the security chiefs and all who worked for the safe rescue of the victims.

He said: “We were all in this together and we are very happy as parents that it has turned out the way it has turned out. Yes, even if anybody has any misgivings, the important thing is the result and we are very happy.

“The governor, we must thank you for everything you did, we got to know indirectly, we knew what was happening.

“As a media person, I understand one or two things that was happening. On behalf of the parents and the children, we want to say a big thank you to everybody that participated in bringing back these children and we say may none of you experience what we experienced.”

Amosun restated his commitment to the safety of investors and their investment, saying the kidnappers wan’t go unpunished.

He said: “Let me assure them that they will pay dearly for this because this is Ogun State, we don’t allow criminals to operate here. Ogun State will not be comfort zone, we will not allow them to operate.

“Anybody that wants to do business, with good intention, without criminality, of course they are welcome to the state. But when they want to give us bad name, we will not allow that.

“So, I have news for them, we will go after them, we will hunt them down so that it would serve as deterrent. We are ready, yes, they would want to dare us and we will continue to be ready for them.

“ I don’t want people to go away with the feeling that maybe we are not safe in Ogun State. No, we are. But we will put all necessary measures in place to continue to show that we are peaceful people and this is a very safe environment.

“We are the industrial capital of Nigeria; there is no state that has the number of industries we have. We have the highest number of industries. So, if some people now want to spoil that name or give us bad name, we will not allow it. The truth is that as government, as security operatives, we need to get it right.”

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How ex-Air Chief diverted N22b, by EFCC witness

Amosu

THE Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard how former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd), allegedly diverted part of the N21 billion he stole from the Nigeria Air Force (NAF).

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigator, Tosin Owobo, said Amosu laundered the money through various oil and gas companies.

Owobo, an Assistant Detective Superintendent at EFCC, was testifying for the prosecution in Amosu’s trial.

EFCC arraigned the former air chief along with a former NAF Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun and a former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Olugbenga Gbadebo.

On how part of the money was allegedly laundered, Owobo said in 2014, Air Marshal Amosu wrote to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) requesting for funds to provide maritime security.

He said Air Marshal Amosu listed what was needed to provide maritime security and sent a proposal to former NIMASA Director-General Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, who is also facing separate money laundering charges.

The witness said Amosu demanded over N4 billion from NIMASA “as the cash amount needed” for the security service.

According to the witness, Akpobolokemi approved N3 billion, which was paid to NAF under Amosu.

“The money was released to NAF Special Emergency Operation account in 2014. NAF had also sent as part of the memo the account they wanted the money to be paid into,” Owobo said.

The EFCC investigator said the letter requesting for the money from NIMASA was signed by Adigun on Amosu’s behalf.

“We discovered that between August and September 2014, the money was paid in three installments of N1 billion each to NAF,” he said.

The witness further testified that the money was transferred from the NAF account to several oil and gas companies, such as Right Option Oil and Gas, Delfina Oil and Gas, McAllan Oil and Gas, among others.

“As the monies came in, they were being transferred to various oil and gas companies. We carried out further analysis to know the accounts. We wrote the bank, requesting the statement of account of these oil companies,” the witness added.

EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo tendered the account opening documents of the oil and gas companies as well as details of the NAF Special Emergency Operation account.

But, when he sought to ask the witness questions based on the documents, defence counsel, including Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) and Norrison Quakers (SAN), objected.

Their objection was on the basis that Owobo was not the maker of the documents, adding that the documents should speak for themselves. They said only the documents’ “maker” could give evidence based on them.

But Oyedepo argued that since the witness was the investigator, he was at liberty to say what he discovered, including making references to the documents.

The defendants were charged along with Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, McAllan Oil And Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon Health Care Ltd.

EFCC accused them of converting N21 billion from NAF around March 5, 2014 in Lagos.

They were also accused of concealing “proceeds of crime” and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 17(a).

They pleaded not guilty.

Justice Idris adjourned until today for ruling and continuation of trial.

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Tinubu: we must spend our way out of recession

•Asiwaju Tinubu being introduced to participants and members of Course 25 of the National Defence College by the Commandant Rear Admiral Samuel Ilesanmi Alade, before the lecture ...yesterday. PHOTO: Taiwo Okanlawon

The audience was right – a group of military chiefs. So was the guest speaker, a renowned political strategist widely credited with the movement that swept the President Muhammadu Buhari administration into power – Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu yesterday in Abuja gave the Federal Government a strategy to pull Nigeria out of the recession that has brought hardship on the populace. Spend your way out of it, he said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain advised the Federal Government to constantly review the monetary policy to reflect positively on the market and ordinary Nigerians.

He is worried over inflation growing to 18 per cent and likely to rise, further impoverishing the ordinary Nigerian. The government, said Tinubu, should “spend its way out of recession”.

The APC stalwart was the guest lecturer at the National Defence College (NDC), Course 25 lecture titled: “ Strategic Leadership: My Political Experiences”.

He drew inferences from his political journey and the strategic role of the military in peace keeping and building democracy.

He said: “The monetary policy must be consistent with the environmental need of our domestic requirements. You cannot hold on too much or  too tight to a policy. Let me give an example.  What they call security reserve today in the bank at 27 percent, you have to be able to bring that one down, if the government has to be able to host its treasury bond at 18 percent upfront, effective rate of borrowing is at 23 percent.

“What am I doing if I have a billion, and  you are ready to give me 180 million, that is 18 percent upfront, do I have to work or do anything again? So those are the factors that they have to look at quickly to ease the burden. You have to stimulate this economy, you have to spend yourself out of the recession and you cannot do that by consistently stifling the banks of the liquidity that is required. It’s their money; it’s the savers money,” he said.

Tinubu said the leadership of the APC must criticise certain policies of government when the need arises. “We have to criticise ourselves when it is necessary, speak truth to power. We are the power; we will talk the truth to ourselves.

“Where we see contradictions in the policy, we are going to talk about it. This is a democratic country and this is our government; we are not like the other party that will invent one lie to bury a lie and other mistakes; we tell you the truth. Where we are weak, must identify it as Nigerians  and tell the truth. They have a monetary policy team; they must look into it. We need a constant evaluation. How does it affect the market and ordinary people as well?

“If there is no liquidity in the economy, the banks will price out the ordinary man and when you look at inflation, growing at 18 percent, we are talking of recession. The danger is there that it might get to 20 something, if you are over squeezing or you are too tight,” he said.

To Tinubu, Nigeria would benefit more if there is consistency in the policy, “ This is the bane of our political economy. We have so much talent in the nation but it has not been engaged and engineered to function in unison.  Fiscal policy does not mesh with monetary policy. Trade policy undermined industrial policy, thus ease of doing business is inhibited. Overseas peacekeeping missions do not always harmonise with core foreign policy interests. A nation in progress seeks to minimise, not harvest additional contradictions, otherwise its leadership strategy is doomed to fail,” he said.

Tinubu said the decline of oil prices threatens to be a long-term phenomenon, adding that strategic objectives must be to re-engineer the economy from the bottom-up approach. “Strategic objectives during this period of economic uncertainty must be to re-engineer the economy bottom up, diversify the economic base, strengthen our industrial base, modernise infrastructure,   enhance agriculture, and provide employment. And, of course, ease of doing business.

“The lower oil prices also reduced hard currency earnings. This undermined the naira, causing a steep rise in the cost of imports. The higher prices have suppressed aggregate demand, causing a decline in business activity. The challenge before us is a difficult  but not impossible one. If we stick to the progressive beliefs of the APC, we shall overcome these difficulties to place the economy on surer permanent footing,” he said.

The Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade, in his opening remarks, described Tinubu as a national icon and astute administrator. He said the history of the return to democracy and the struggle to build a stable democratic governance cannot be complete without the courageous role played by Tinubu.

“That is why we have invited him to give a lecture on Strategic Leadership because every country requires a well-developed leadership and there is no time Nigeria needs this more than now,” Alade said.

In his lecture, Tinubu praised the NDC, describing it as  “special place where the best talent in the military may engage in fertile  intellectual exchange with some of the brightest  in our civilian institutions and from other nations”.

Tinubu said: “Some of the best minds in our nation are found in the military.  No military can be successful over the long-term unless it has the intellectual agility to adopt its doctrines and practices to the challenges of a dynamic  and chaotic world as we have today. Like any large organisation, a military overly resistant to change will find itself on the wrong end of history. It will not answer the questions an incessantly changing environment places before it.”

He praised the military for winning the war against Boko Haram but cautioned against lowering the guards. “ I commend the Nigerian military for what it has achieved against Boko Haram.  You have battled and bested this evil enterprise. You have done as well as a military can in putting down this amorphous danger. I must say here, however, that we cannot lower our guard.

“We have learned cardinal lessons from the Boko Haram crisis. First, we must govern justly and for the benefit of the people to prevent the recurrence of violent extremism in the future.  Widespread poverty caused by an unjust allocation of income, wealth and resources provides fertile ground for extremist ideologies that run contrary to the inclusive democracy we seek to perfect,” he said.

Tinubu said excellent strategic political leadership is based on commitment to a political vision, stressing that a  leader must have a coherent objective in mind and strategy and tactics are then fashioned to work toward that vision.

“This is an essential consideration. There cannot be strategic leadership without a conscious objective. Political leadership in Nigeria generally has fallen   short in this regard. Leadership has been short-sighted and fixed on narrow, immediate objectives. Because of this, leadership has been more transactional than strategic in nature.  It has been more focused on the retention of power and control than on the substantive results and long-term consequences of its policies and actions,” he added.

The APC chieftain, who went down memory lane from the struggle for  return to democracy to the historic victory in the 2015 election, said his vision had been the transformation of Nigeria into a robust democracy. “ My constant vision has been the transformation of this nation into a robust decentralised democracy with a diverse industrial base, to provide sufficient jobs to a growing urban population; and a sufficient agricultural base, to achieve food security and provide a decent livelihood to the rural population.”

Tinubu said nothing had been more germane to industrial growth in the last 1,000 years than constant supply of electricity. He believes in the capacity of the Minister of Power, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, but there are complex issues that must be resolved.

“ We have enough gas to fire this country’s electricity but there are so many complex issues attached together that this government must remove. We must work harder. If the workload is too heavy, we must re-examine it. If the privatisation is given to incapable hands, we must revisit it; this cannot lock down our future,” he said.

Tinubu, who donated N10miliion to the College, said the profound lesson he learnt in public life is the need to remain faithful to an achievable, well-articulated vision and develop practical strategies and tactics to progress toward that vision.

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