The curator of ScholarZine Ng(a blog that sees to promoting the goodness of Nigeria and its youths)- Israel Dara Sobaloju hooked up with Oni Babajide– the best graduating Student in OAU for 2014 session. He poured out is mind exclusively in the interview.
Good evening sir, can we meet you?
My name is Oni Babajide David, I was admitted into OAU in 2010/2011 into the faculty of Agriculture and department of Agricultural economics, am an indigene of Ekiti State
Wow… You graduated as the best graduating student for the 2015 session, what CGPA did you graduated with?
4.88 out of 5.0
Did you picked Agricultural economics as your first choice when applying for the university?
No, I didn’t. I picked medicine and surgery but due to the Fact that I chose OAU as my second choice of university, I was advised to change my course to Agricultural economics. Though I had enough mark to gain admission into dentistry or pharmacy but for medicine I needed 6 marks.
When did you started leading your class, did it all start in the university?
Yes it started in the university…though I really don’t have penchant for leading the class while in secondary school. All my concern was to get a good grade so that my mother will not give me massive beating.
What was your source of inspiration when you were admitted into the university?
My source of inspiration is God and my humble background. Also, my thirst to make history and Dr D.K Olukoya’s message on beating the best and being the best. Dr D.K Olukoya is also my source of inspiration.
Did you have Vision to graduate as the best when you were admitted?
Truthfully, I never had vision to be the best in OAU but I had vision to be the best in my faculty. God just used my class rep to speak to me that I should strive to be the best on OAU campus
Which secondary school did you graduate from?
Oladipo Alayande school of science, Ekiti-state
What was your least grade as an undergraduate?
C…part one practicals like physics
Did you take any decision as a fresh student then that helped you in the course of your study?
Yes of course… I decided to beat the best and be the best.
What was you CGPA in part one and farm year?
Part one cgpa was 4.83…farm year cgpa was 4.87…part 3 cgpa was 4.90. I had 5.0 like three times.
What was your darkest moment in OAU?
Darkest moment in OAU was when I had 85A in a course Slm 202 and I was given 54C..
What was your reaction to this?
I complained to the lecturer in charge and he said I was even upgraded to get a C and I should go and manage it. But I had to call my prayer partners and we prayed that day. I was called the following day to come and check my result in the lecturers office as the error was done to most of the students in my faculty. Getting to his office I discovered that I had 85A which was the highest in that course in my faculty. He disagreed and went to check raw score sheet before he decided to paste the result on the board.
Were you involved in any extracurricular activities?
Yes…I was very much involved. I am not a one sided student. I partook in Students union activities…I was the PRO for the students union election petition committee in the 2014/2015 session that is TYs administration… Also an active parliamentarian in faculty of agriculture for two sessions…lastly, I was involved in fellowship activities too as a worker and an exco
Which fellowship did you attended on campus?
Mountain of fire and miracles campus fellowship…MFMCF
How did you feel when you knew you are the best Graduating Student?
I felt like I won a champions league or ballon d’or…and I am happy to break the jaws of the technology faculty, who used to get the award overtime.
What advice can you give to any student who wishes to graduate with flying colors has you’ve done?
Pray like you have not read and Read like you have not prayed…work hard and work smart…try to beat the best and be the best.
How many hours did you invest in sleeping and studying per day?
Sleeping…I sleep for a minimum of 6hours…I study erratically but will just say I study for a minimum of 6 hours per day too
What’s your advice to students studying agriculture in Nigeria but wants to cross to the so-called professional courses?
The first question I should ask them is that who made those courses professional? Is it not the society? Then if you are still allowing the society to dictate for you then you will live the rest of your life as a societal slave. The truth is that agriculture is a calling it is either you decide to accept the calling and propound the gospel of agriculture or you decline. Just ensure that any course you study beat the best and be the best!!! Because if you are not the best doctor, your patients will die, if you are not the best farmer, your crops will die also. Then my attitude towards life is just beat the best and be the best
Where do you see your self in 5 years time?
I see myself breaking international records and on the pathway to becoming minister agriculture in Nigeria… Just like my role model Dr Akinwunmi Adesina who is an alumnus of my department and now the president of African development bank
Do you have any special shoutout to make?
Yes…shoutout to my girlfriend Oluwafunmibi, to my school daddy Olubisi Oluwasegun…to my blooders Olaoluwa, otitoloju. Also to all invictus 2015 set. Shout out to bible study, ushering, ICT/Business subgroup members in MFMCF OAU. Lastly, shoutout to my mother Mrs Oni Adebola and my sister Oni Morayo. I Love and Cherish you all!!!
What is your advice for ScholarZine Ng?
My advice for ScholarZine Ng is that continue projecting scholars and success of youngsters and in no time you will get the rewards of doing what’s right. Also, strive to beat the best and be the best amongst your peers… Thank you very much!!!
We wish the very best in life. Go out there to beat the remaining best sir
ScholarZine Ng 