Scholarly Superstars: Meet Students Who Are Raising the Bar

By Charity Olufokunbi

Being the best in the first and best university is not an easy feat. This is why this interviewer has decided to bring to the spotlight, students in the department of Special Education who are setting the standards for academic excellence. This interview features two students from 400 level and 300 level respectively. It should be noted that the student from 200 level was not available as at the time of this interview.

Interview with Adediran Abdul Mujeeb 

Good day. Can we meet you?

Good evening, ma. My name is Adediran Abdulmujeeb Adewale popularly known as Triple A Sports or Welles Design. Any of the two.

Okay, Mujeeb. According to the result released, you have the highest CGPA in your level.  I'd love to first of all say Congratulations to you.

Thank you very much, ma.

You're welcome, Sir! I have few questions to ask you. You're in your final year already and you're on a first class. Have you always been on a first class from your first year or at some point, you did an academic comeback?

I have always been on a first class since my 100 level. Though there was a time the general public thought I dropped to 2:1 according to the 'Book of Life' that was released at the end of my 200 level, it was as a result of incomplete results.

Ohh wow. That's beautiful! For the benefit of other students, how do you study?

Well, I study as the spirit leads. Sometimes, I study during the day, but if I'm aware that I'm in academic danger, I study until midnight to cover up. I also love group study. This helps a lot and aids my assimilation. The most important of all is that I teach my other colleagues whatever concept I grab. Once I teach it to others, it becomes part and parcel of me.

Interesting! Is there something different you do?

I do nothing different, actually. I only set my priorities right. I've failed before, so I know how painful failure could be, so I always do my best to ensure I come out in flying colours.

One thing I've come to realise and which I use as motivation while studying is that "if I succeed excellently, the joy lasts for a very long time. But if I fall short of that, the pain also lasts for a very long time." It's now left for me to decide which one to go for.

I think I'm learning somethings here. This is a good motivation I must say.

Oh! Really? I'm glad my words serve as a motivation.

Are you in any group, club or society on campus?

Not at all.

Wow...okay. How were you able to cope with your academics and your Presidential election campaign last semester?

It's just a matter of mindset. Like I said earlier, I set my priorities right. When it's time to read, I read, and when it's time to run political campaigns, I suspend reading. And moreover, I have team members that worked for me, and it really made the work easier. I didn't really feel the stress because in my 100 level days, I was the campaign manager of Sotomi Ebenezer, who contested for the post of NUESA Financial Secretary from our department, and in my 200 level days, I worked as the campaign manager of Sakariyau Waris Ajibola, popularly known as Hon. Gucci, the ex-Nuesa President. The experiences I gathered during those political campaigns made mine much easier.

This is really impressive I must say. What's your advice to the freshers, stalites and finalists who aren't on a first class but are aspiring to be?

Well, for the freshmen, I'll just advise them to start strong. Once you start with a very high CGPA, you build on that. They should also not be afraid to ask questions. One of my lecturers in CLA, Dr. Francis, says, "When you're in doubt, ask questions." It's very essential.

For the staylite, I can see that a very great number of them have a very strong CGPA, and I'm so happy for them. With great determination, hard work, and prayer, I believe they will get to the promised land. For the finalists, this is our final lapse; every single person has put in his or her best till this moment, and I wish everyone of us the best of luck.

Thanks so much for the advice and for your time.

You're welcome, ma.

Interview with Adelola Oluwatumininu (image withdrawn on request)

Good day. Can we meet you?

My name is Adelola Oluwatumininu Oyinkansola, I am a bona-fide student of University of Ibadan, from the department of special education.

Nice meeting you, Oyinkansola.If I'm not mistaken, you're in 300 level right?

Yes I am in 300level.

Okay. According to the results released, you have the highest CGPA in 300 level.  I'd love to first of all say Congratulations to you.

Thank you so much.

I have few questions to ask you.You're in 300 level and you're on a first class. Have you always always been that brilliant kid?

Yes, I have always been like that. Starting from my primary school and it has been kind of surprising though that I could still maintain it up till this level.

Wow! This is so impressive and beautiful to hear.

It's a good thing that you're still maintaining it even in the University. I must say that's worth emulating.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome! For the benefit of other students, how do you study?

The way I study is kind of complicated. I do not read much actually, I just listen in class, attend all my lectures, pray and read not that much. I have never done Till daybreak nor Morning till night. It's the lectures that I have listened to that carries me the most.

Wow...this is to say you're more of an auditory learner. Interesting!

Yesssssss I am also a visual learner too.

Interesting. Is there something different you do that you think other students aren't doing?

Everyone's ways are unique and different. I don't think there is anything different I do that other students are not doing. Let me burst your bubbles, I am the most unserious person you will come across.

Yes, people have different ways they learn. That final statement of yours, I'll act like I didn't see it.

I take my lectures serious lowkey.

Okayy. If you're a fresher, stalite or finalist and you're reading this, please take note of that.

Taking lectures seriously is very important. 

Thanks for that.

Are you in any group, club or society on campus?

Noooooo I have the most boring lifestyle ever.

Oh wow. What do you actually do for fun?

There must be something that interest you apart from reading.

I do nothing for fun like that, I guess listening to music, watching some inspirational videos. I have a boring lifestyle but my life is not centered on reading.

Okay. That's beautiful.

Thank you, just to keep going.

What's your advice to the freshers and students who aren't on a first class but are aspiring to be?

My advice to them is to keep working hard, to know what it is best for them, they should not be lazy, they should make sure they attend their lectures and listen attentively. They should be creative and not easily give up. In everything, you have to be creative and always move with strategy. Be consistent and dedicated, keep pushing yourself, stay organised, I and believe in your ability to achieve your academic goals.

Most importantly, always pray.

This is a whole lot!

Personally, I must say I've learnt one or two from this session with you and I'm also sure that anyone who reads this publication will have something to learn from it.

Thanks so much for your time, Oyinkansola.

Thank you so much for the opportunity, I am really honoured.

You're welcome!