Ogun State-born Ajumobi Falola led the pack at the convocation of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology which held recently. Read his interview with Punch below:
FOR 24-year-old Ajumobi Yusuf Falola,
gaining admission to the university was not an easy task and this
perhaps explains why he sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation
Examination organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board
twice. However, Falola’s two attempts before securing admission did not
discourage him from graduating with a First Class from the Rivers State
University of Science and Technology.
gaining admission to the university was not an easy task and this
perhaps explains why he sat for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation
Examination organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board
twice. However, Falola’s two attempts before securing admission did not
discourage him from graduating with a First Class from the Rivers State
University of Science and Technology.
At the RSUST’s 27th convocation, Falola
shone like a star as he won three awards, including the overall best
student prize. For Falola, who studied Petroleum Engineering, the
academic accomplishment did not just come on a platter. He encountered
difficult times, especially challenges bordering on finance as well as
other socio-economic difficulties.
shone like a star as he won three awards, including the overall best
student prize. For Falola, who studied Petroleum Engineering, the
academic accomplishment did not just come on a platter. He encountered
difficult times, especially challenges bordering on finance as well as
other socio-economic difficulties.
Most discouraging of the challenges, he
said, was not his modest background but the financial difficulties he
encountered on his way to academic stardom. Born to a transporter father
and a divorcee Mushin trader mother, the youngster explained that what
his parents offered him as pocket money was nothing to discuss in the
open.
said, was not his modest background but the financial difficulties he
encountered on his way to academic stardom. Born to a transporter father
and a divorcee Mushin trader mother, the youngster explained that what
his parents offered him as pocket money was nothing to discuss in the
open.
Though his parents were sending money to
him for his education and upkeep, what they sent across most times, he
insisted, was not enough to cater to his needs.
him for his education and upkeep, what they sent across most times, he
insisted, was not enough to cater to his needs.
However, what the smart Falola lacked in
terms of deep pockets, he found in brilliance and social life. In fact,
his brilliance attracted some of his rich student-colleagues, who were
providing him with financial assistance.
terms of deep pockets, he found in brilliance and social life. In fact,
his brilliance attracted some of his rich student-colleagues, who were
providing him with financial assistance.
But that did not come without a prize, as
he occasionally devoted a good quality of his time to giving them extra
tutorials on campus. The attribute, he said, drew the empathy of some
of the students, particularly those in his department to assist him
financially.
he occasionally devoted a good quality of his time to giving them extra
tutorials on campus. The attribute, he said, drew the empathy of some
of the students, particularly those in his department to assist him
financially.
Besides, Falola noted that the drive to
lift his family out of poverty also propelled him to face his studies
seriously. Little wonder, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.82,
he walked tall to the podium and addressed the crowd that converged on
the auditorium of the university.
lift his family out of poverty also propelled him to face his studies
seriously. Little wonder, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.82,
he walked tall to the podium and addressed the crowd that converged on
the auditorium of the university.
He said, “I can’t even say that my family
is an average family. But I have just been able to manage the little
resources and financial assistance from some of my colleagues in the
university. I thank them because they really tried a lot. Whenever I was
in need of money, some of them assisted me.
is an average family. But I have just been able to manage the little
resources and financial assistance from some of my colleagues in the
university. I thank them because they really tried a lot. Whenever I was
in need of money, some of them assisted me.
“My parents are not rich, but I managed
what they gave to me and with the books available in the library, I was
able to be concentrate on my studies. My dad is a transporter, while my
mum is a trader in Mushin, Lagos,” an elated Falola said as he stole the
show.
what they gave to me and with the books available in the library, I was
able to be concentrate on my studies. My dad is a transporter, while my
mum is a trader in Mushin, Lagos,” an elated Falola said as he stole the
show.
But even as he received accolades from
the audience, the valedictorian gave the greater glory to God. According
to him, God made everything possible for him, crowning all his efforts
with success.
the audience, the valedictorian gave the greater glory to God. According
to him, God made everything possible for him, crowning all his efforts
with success.
But where there hurdles on his way to
success. To this, he said yes, acknowledging that there were little
distractions from the opposite sex. He nonetheless, explained that his
determination and religion worked for him to ward off any form of
temptation.
success. To this, he said yes, acknowledging that there were little
distractions from the opposite sex. He nonetheless, explained that his
determination and religion worked for him to ward off any form of
temptation.
He noted, “There is no way students of
the opposite sex would not have passed glances at me. But I am a very
religious person; I don’t shake hands with ladies and right from time,
they know me for that. So, the only thing is that we greet from a
distance. That does not mean that we do not crack jokes because that has
made them to know me.
the opposite sex would not have passed glances at me. But I am a very
religious person; I don’t shake hands with ladies and right from time,
they know me for that. So, the only thing is that we greet from a
distance. That does not mean that we do not crack jokes because that has
made them to know me.
“My achievement was made possible through
the assistance of the God and dedication to my studies. I was able to
manage the time because there were many activities in the university and
for you to be a graduate and a responsible Nigerian; you have to
participate in many activities. This will afford you the opportunity to
be well acquainted to the society. In the university, your social and
academic activities are important. So, being able to manage your time is
very important. As I said earlier, I prayed to the God for assistance.
the assistance of the God and dedication to my studies. I was able to
manage the time because there were many activities in the university and
for you to be a graduate and a responsible Nigerian; you have to
participate in many activities. This will afford you the opportunity to
be well acquainted to the society. In the university, your social and
academic activities are important. So, being able to manage your time is
very important. As I said earlier, I prayed to the God for assistance.
“My first year was really a challenging
one because we had two academic calendars rolled into one session.
Having to go through something repeatedly; though it was also helpful in
the sense that for courses that appeared to be difficult, we had time
to really tackle them and understand them. After my year one, I emerged
the best engineering student and I got the Vice Chancellor’s award.
Since then, I have tried not to allow anything to distract me from my
studies. I am happy today because the CGPA I had then was not as high as
the one I am graduating with.”
one because we had two academic calendars rolled into one session.
Having to go through something repeatedly; though it was also helpful in
the sense that for courses that appeared to be difficult, we had time
to really tackle them and understand them. After my year one, I emerged
the best engineering student and I got the Vice Chancellor’s award.
Since then, I have tried not to allow anything to distract me from my
studies. I am happy today because the CGPA I had then was not as high as
the one I am graduating with.”
On whether he was at any time frustrated
by his lecturers, who might want to demand money to increase in his
scores, Falola stated that he never faced such a challenge, maintaining
that most times, students lied against the lecturers.
by his lecturers, who might want to demand money to increase in his
scores, Falola stated that he never faced such a challenge, maintaining
that most times, students lied against the lecturers.
According to him, with humility and good
behaviour, no lecturer will have the moral fibre to approach a
serious-minded student for money to increase his (student) marks.
behaviour, no lecturer will have the moral fibre to approach a
serious-minded student for money to increase his (student) marks.
He advised students not to be discouraged
if they come from a poor background, assuring that God was always
available to help any serious student. According to him, paying
lecturers for marks was not necessary because dedication to studies was
enough to give a student the deserved marks.
if they come from a poor background, assuring that God was always
available to help any serious student. According to him, paying
lecturers for marks was not necessary because dedication to studies was
enough to give a student the deserved marks.
He said, “Before I entered the
department, I heard many things about lecturers. Many say that lecturers
victimise students and that if you do not pay money, you are likely to
fail their courses. That is a blatant lie. I have never paid any
lecturer to add anything to my score. I have never gone to any
lecturers’ office to beg for marks. My lecturers are all witnesses to
that. Again, no lecturer has gone out of his way to frustrate me.
department, I heard many things about lecturers. Many say that lecturers
victimise students and that if you do not pay money, you are likely to
fail their courses. That is a blatant lie. I have never paid any
lecturer to add anything to my score. I have never gone to any
lecturers’ office to beg for marks. My lecturers are all witnesses to
that. Again, no lecturer has gone out of his way to frustrate me.
“I am aware that some students who think
they are brilliant like to challenge the lecturers in the presence of
their fellow students.”
they are brilliant like to challenge the lecturers in the presence of
their fellow students.”