Achieving a distinction in Medicine seemed an impossible task but the jinx has been broken at the Olabisi Onabanjo University.
At the school’s 25/26 combined convocation which ended on Tuesday, Olugbenga Alabi became the first graduand to achieve the feat in the institution’s history. Alabi had seven distinctions in 10 courses.
“I’m glad I achieved the feat of being the first to graduate with MBChB with Honours in the history of this university,” Alabi excitedly told our reporter.
“I first read about the requirements (for making distinction) during my 100-Level days, and I felt it was not possible to get it. But now, that is history because someone has done it. I give Allah all the glory as well as my teachers and mentors,” he said.
And as Alabi stood tall on the podium to address his colleagues, he said getting to the zenith of a man’s aspiration is substantially determined by God and not by human’s efforts.
“As I stand before all of you today, what has put me on the podium to present this valedictory speech on behalf of my colleagues may be because of my outstanding academic performance. But I do not see it that way; rather, I see it as God’s favour and blessing, for I do not know anything except that which God has taught me. He is the Omniscient,” he said amid rousing ovation.
“Only God grants success,” he continued, “it is important we read in addition to praying. Also important is imparting knowledge unto others. Know when you assimilate the most and make the best use of that time.”
Was he a bookworm or a recluse to have made seven distinctions?
Alabi denied being an introvert. According to him, he maintained a modest social life. Nonetheless, he tried as much as possible to maintain his bounds. He had someone close to his heart, to keep others at bay.
“Concerning girlfriends, I have many. But my fiancé is just one (laughs). She has really tried for me in so many areas,”Alabi confessed.
After his secondary education, Alabi had crisscrossed some tertiary institutions. He once attended Yaba College of Technology where he studied Science Laboratory Technology. He finished his National Diploma with a distinction. Thereafter, he had a stint at the University of Ibadan before fate finally crowned his efforts at OOU.
Now in his late 20s, Alabi said he would not wait to complete his internship before thinking of a postgraduate programme to pursue in clinicals and academics.
He believes not only in prayer but combining one’s spirituality with hard work.
He said to his peers: “Prayer is number one key. But we should also be diligent and hardworking. We must learn to strike the iron when it is hottest. I mean reading when you can best assimilate and teach your colleagues or engage in academic discourse with them. Humility is another key to making it in life; forming the habit of having good mentors and seeking advice from them is another.”
Earlier, the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof Saburi Adejimi Adesanya, described the event as remarkable, noting that in line with his promise at inception four years ago, students were now graduating as at when due.
He said the combined convocation produced 5450 graduands, with 4920 and 530 in the undergraduate and post-graduate cadres.
Of the former, 43 had First Class, 831 bagged second class (Upper Division); 2445 were awarded Second Class (Lower Division); 1275 fell in Third Class, while 24 were in a pass category.
“You will recall that I promised during the first convocation in 2012 that students of this university, during my period as vice chancellor, would graduate as at when due. Armed with the support of the (Governing Council, I am happy to report that in the last four-and-a-half years, management has devoted resources, energy and commitment towards fulfilling the promise. Our students are now graduating as at when due and their results have been updated and certificates ready for collection. We have worked tirelessly to correct the error of the past and fashion out a new direction for the university,’’ he said.
