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| Oni Babajide David |
An interview of Mr Oni Babajide, best graduating student at the 42nd Annual Convocation ceremony of the Obafemi Awolowo University carried out by OAU Peeps News Agency.
OAU Peeps: Good day Mr Oni, please do introduce yourself.
Babajide Oni: My name is Oni Babajide David, a graduate of the Department of Agricultural Economics of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
OAU Peeps: Alright, thank you very much Mr Oni but I think you were quite modest with the introduction, considering the fact that you were the best graduating student at the recently concluded 42nd Convocation of the Obafemi Awolowo University. Perhaps you could shed more light on this and also on your educational background in general.
Babajide Oni: Yes, I love modesty in everything I do. Being the best graduating student for the 2014/2015 session in OAU is not by my power but a function of team work and of God who made it happen.
As regards my educational background, I was just a normal average student all throughout my secondary school days, but everything changed when I decided to beat the best and be the best.
OAU Peeps: Interesting, and when exactly did you make this life-changing decision sir?
Babajide Oni: I made that decision in the year 2011 after listening to a message by the General overseer of my church in person of Dr. D.K Olukoya on 'Beating the best and being the best.'
OAU Peeps: Interesting. You are a graduate of Agricultural Economics. We would like to ask Sir, was this your original choice when you came into the Obafemi Awolowo University and if not, when exactly did it change?
Babajide Oni: No, it wasn't. I chose medicine and surgery as first choice but I picked OAU as my second choice of institution. I actually asked for a stethoscope and I was given a hoe like my teacher said. Upon discovering that I would not be offered medicine due to the fact that I picked OAU as my second choice, I decided to study Agricultural Economics in 2010/11 academic session.
OAU Peeps: And looking back now Sir, would you say making that decision was good?
Babajide Oni: I am very sure I made the right decision. This became clear in my second year when I had the chance to apply for a change of course to study medicine. But then, my sole purpose to solve unemployment problem in Nigeria through agriculture was discovered hence I had to just answer the call to do agriculture.
OAU Peeps: Hmmm. Inspiring. We would also love to know, outside academics, were you involved in any other thing?
Babajide Oni: Yes, I was. I hoped to be a versatile graduate hence I participated in politics by serving as a parliamentarian for two sessions and served as the public relations officer of the Great Ife Students Union Elections Petitions Committee. Also, I served as an executive in my fellowship as the ICT/Business unit head. Lastly, I was involved in my personal businesses too.
OAU Peeps: Versatile indeed sir. And just how did you balance out these activities with school work?
Babajide Oni: Basically, it was about doing the right thing at the right time. Likewise sacrificing sleeping hours too. Also, seizing every free time and moment.
OAU Peeps: And apparently that paid off well. Also, having gone through the system zealously, what can you say about the quality of education in Nigeria?
Babajide Oni: Hmm... Truthfully, the education system in Nigeria is somewhat archaic and outlandish. You just take courses that you don't need in your discipline. But then there is a lot to be done in the educational sector of this country. And I believe that there is still hope for this country considering the outstanding performance of Nigerians in diaspora.
OAU Peeps: Okay sir. Considering your earlier comment on agriculture as a way out of unemployment, is this to say that you have plans to go into agriculture sometime in the future?
Babajide Oni: Yes, I do have plans to go into agriculture in the future. But then, I plan to redefine the image of agriculture in Nigeria and that was why I started a concept known as Agrocapitalism Initiatives.
One of the eminent professors in my faculty gave an inaugural lecture titled "Who will bring back the farm children?". It was a brilliant lecture, but I think the question ought be "Who will welcome the farm children?". Hence, there arises a need to create a platform that will be homely for the farm children. This and many more I look forward to doing in the nearest future.
OAU Peeps: Interesting sir. As we round off, we would like to know of the challenges you faced as an undergraduate?
Babajide Oni: The challenges faced as an undergraduate are numerous than I can remember but all I can say is that in spite of them all, God made me more than a conqueror.
OAU Peeps: Alright sir, finally what is your advice to other students looking forward to achieving a feat like yours?
Babajide Oni: Well, I can only advice them to believe in themselves and trust God with all their hearts and He will make every crooked way straight. Lastly, be focused and determined to beat the best and be the best in anything you find yourself doing.
OAU Peeps: Nice words of advice, Mr Oni. Thank you for your time.
Babajide Oni: You are welcome.
OAU Peeps: And congratulations on your feat.
Babajide Oni: Thanks a lot.
OAU Peeps: On behalf of the OAU Peeps News Agency, I wish you the best in your future endeavours.
Babajide Oni: Amen and thank you. See you at the top
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