Benson Idahosa University (BIU) in Benin City, Edo State, graduated 721 students at its 13th convocation held last week. The Best Graduating Student, Faithful Bob-Manuel, told the gathering how the recession almost truncated his dreams. EVERISTUS ONWUZURIKE reports.
Faithful Bob-Manuel is the overall Best Graduating Student of Benson Idahosa University (BIU) in Benin City, Edo State. The graduate of Microbiology received five academic awards at the school’s 13th convocation last week.
The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Ernest Izevbigie, disclosed that 60 of the 721 graduands bagged First Class, while 144 finished with Second Class (Upper Division). He added that 364 graduands bagged Second Class (Lower Division) and 38 finished with a Third Class. Also, the school produced 115 post-graduate students.
Faithful had a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.97 on a scale of 4.0. He was the cynosure of all eyes at the ceremony as he stepped out to give testimony and receive the awards.
According to him, his graduation would have been delayed due to his inability to pay his final year fee.
He said: “Three weeks before this convocation, I was told I would not graduate because I paid my school fee late. I had said I would not attend this convocation since I would not be a proper part of it. To my surprise, God came through for me and my name was added to the graduating students’ list at the last minute. That was when the Governing Board realised that my CGPA was the highest.”
Faithful described his academic feat as “God’s favour”, adding that the accomplishment was a product of hard work.
He said: “The feat achieved was through God’s favour. He rewarded my hard work with this exceptional achievement. Most times, I would read all night just to be prepared. I was nicknamed ‘all-night king’, because I usually didn’t go to bed. I am happy to be the first Microbiology student to graduate with the overall best result.”
Faithful’s itinerary in school was not all about reading books. He had a robust social life and engaged in extra-curricular activities.
He said: “I was involved in many extra-curricular activities, including sports. I was the captain of the BIU male chess team. But, every hour I spent outside academic activities was compensated for at night when I returned to class to read. I believe education was my major aim in school.”
The valedictorian said he never had a girlfriend, because doing so would distract him and affect his studies. He said Bible was his source of motivation throughout his undergraduate days.
“I believe everything I need to achieve my life goals is in the words of God. All I have to do is declare to myself and believe in the declaration. When my family was going through financial crisis and it seemed I would not sit for my final year exams, I kept reading Philippians 1:6.”
Faithful said his journey to academic excellence did not come without challenges. He revealed how the economic recession affected his family.
He said: “My major challenge was finance. When government declared the economy was in recession, the financial status of my family was terribly affected. I almost dropped out of school, because there was no money to pay my fees. My dad sold his car to save the situation and by the grace of God, it was a worthy sacrifice.”
Unlike some First Class graduates who want to take up well-paid jobs in money-spinning industries, Faithful wants to be a lecturer.
“My aim is to impart the knowledge I have acquired to the coming generation. That would give me a lifetime satisfaction. I want to lecture in a university and educate future generations. I wish to start my Master’s degree and be the youngest professor.”
