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| Photo Credit: LASU CIPPR |
By Adebayo Leshi and Israel Yormekpeh
Having been announced as the Lagos State University's best graduating student of the 2020/2021 academic session, with a new CGPA record of 4.97 points, Benjamin Damilare Olowu, a Mechanical Engineering student from the Engineering Department shares his successes, struggles, strength and more in this exclusive interview with Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ-LASU). He tells the story of his time as an undergraduate student of LASU.
ACJ-LASU: Who Is Benjamin Olowu?
BENJAMIN: "Benjamin is a 21 years old boy, who is an indigene of Lagos State, Epe local Government to be précised. I am the second born from a family of six. I have three siblings ( An elder sister and two younger brothers). I am a Christian, a member of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. I did my nursery and primary school education at Saint Mary’s Nursery and Primary school, Ojo Lagos. Due to my academic performance during my primary education, my headmaster advised I to try the common entrance examination when I was in Primary Four. I did and I performed far above what they had projected. So I was asked to begin my junior secondary school education after my primary four sessions. I started with my secondary school education at Saint Mary’s College after which I got admitted on merit to Federal Government College, Ijanikin-Lagos where I concluded my secondary school education. I have a flare for other things aside academics such as Gaming, Football, Pool Ball, Table Tennis, Music, and so on. I am a very versatile person in general because I tend to learn new things very quickly."
ACJ-LASU: What is your LASU Admission Story Like?
BENJAMIN: "My admission into LASU was just by the grace of God. In 2015, remember Jamb had ruled out having different universities as your first and second choice. So, I had University of Ilorin as my first choice and then I think Yaba College of Technology as my second choice. LASU was not even in the picture. When LASU Post-Utme form came out I was really reluctant on applying but my dad advised it’s better to apply just in case Unilorin does not work out. When we eventually wanted to apply, the application had closed. Luckily for me, this midnight came and my dad came to wake me up that he needed my picture for the application stating that he just tried the portal for post-utme and it was open for application. And that was how I got registered and wrote the post-utme exam. I got admitted on my first attempt to the course I applied to."
ACJ-LASU: Among the many Science courses, why Mechanical Engineering?
BENJAMIN: "Well, I knew I wanted to study engineering right from my secondary school due to my curiosity of understanding how the engineering systems works in generally. Being fascinated by the operation of aircrafts, I wanted to dive into aeronautical engineering but then I discovered that my field of interest was not well grounded in any Nigerian University. Looking at the options, the closest course to my interest of study was Mechanical Engineering being the father of engineering as we all say as I can easily switch and dive into other fields of engineering, maybe perhaps aeronautical engineering as I have always wanted. Hence, my reason for Mechanical Engieering."
ACJ-LASU: What Challenges Did You Encounter While Studying Mechanical Engineering ?
BENJAMIN: "One of my major challenges was the transitioning from Ojo campus to Epe campus. It was easy at all. It took a while for my body to really adjust to the environment and I must say it wasn’t at all an easy process. The first time I ever got admitted into an hospital was at Epe campus. It was also at this campus I took my first drip. There was a time I was told not to drink the water on campus because it wasn’t agreeing with my body system. So, my dad being the Director of Pre – Degree Study at the time will always come with water for me every week whenever he was coming down to the campus. May God will continue to bless him for the sacrifices he made for me. So, the challenge of balancing the academic workload alongside that of my health was a tough one but in the end, it all got better."
ACJ-LASU: What Was Your and Parents' Reaction, When The News of Your Feat Broke?
BENJAMIN: I kind of knew already that I would be setting a new record as well as graduating as the overall best student. However, hearing and reading about it on various media outlets was another kind of joy on its own. I was like Benjamin, you have finally made it to the 'Headlines'. My parents sang songs of joy, congratulated me and then prayed for me."
ACJ-LASU: In 2021, When You Heard About Sotunde's 4.95 CGPA, How Did You Take It? Where You Under Any Pressure At Home, In School?
BENJAMIN: "When I heard about shotunde’s CGPA, and how he had set a new record, I was actually amazed and at the same time glad that he has raised the bar so high. It actually lit a fire in my ass to try and come and with the highest CGPA I can possibly can just so I can surpass the record. I really didn’t take note of other people reactions but most people were like “Benjamin go soon break this guy record as the best graduating student.” I was a little bit pressured but I knew that all it would take was just a little bit of more effort."
ACJ-LASU: Who Is Your Mentor Or Source of Inspiration?
BENJAMIN: "My mentor and greatest inspiration for my unending hunger for success is my Dad. Like I knew where my dad was coming from to where he is now. His story of how he broke forth and strived to be successful, getting to where he is now ( Being a Professor) will forever be a source of inspiration to me."
ACJ-LASU: Do You Believe In God As Far As Your New Achievement Is Concerned?
BENJAMIN: "Definitely. All of this wouldn’t have been at all possible without the God factor. It is not easy to sit down for hours to read and to understand and easily grasp what you are reading. I believe I have a special type of Grace particularly for this achievement. I could remember vividly, when I was about to resumed into FGCL, my mother and I went to meet one of our family friends who happened to be an apostle. After our visit, we were about leaving and he was like let us pray. After the prayer, he said he saw that I was going to be a star and that the illumination of my star will shine so bright that the world would not be able to deny its presence. I was perhaps 12 or maybe 13 at the time but I held on to that vision statement. While I was at Federal Government College (FGCL) Ijanikin I made a name for myself so I thought perhaps that was it not knowing I hadn’t even begun the journey to me being a star. With the way everything in my life began to align with purpose beyond the ordinary after I got into LASU, I just knew this was it. All I can say is that the Grace of God was sufficient."
ACJ-LASU: Are You A Regular Library User?
BENJAMIN: "I am not really a library person but Yes, I have used the school library. Maybe once or twice while I was at Ojo campus and perhaps a few times while I was at Epe campus."
ACJ-LASU: What is Your Take On The Term 'Scholar', do you think you are one?
BENJAMIN: "At first the way the word scholar was used while I was in 100L was funny because then it was those people that carried big textbooks or asked lecturers’ questions that were generally regarded as a scholar. It was not until after the first semester result came out I began to hear the word scholar around me. And I would be like I am not a scholar o, ‘cause you’d rarely see me with a textbook talk less of asking question in class then. Even right now I still say I am not a scholar but deep down I think I might be one after all. LOL."
ACJ-LASU: What Are Your Hobbies?
BENJAMIN: "Sure, I have other things that interest me. Firstly, I regard myself as a gamer because I enjoy playing video games a lot. I also play football, pool ball, Basketball. In fact, while I was in FGCL I was part of the volleyball team like I just enjoy sports in general. I also watch movies and I can play the saxophone. I am of the opinion that the fact that you are school shouldn’t deprived you of having leisure time for other things. It all just boils down to Time Management."
ACJ-LASU: Do You Believe That Graduates Should Have Digital Skills Aside From Their Academic Certificates?
BENJAMIN: "Unlike before, the times we are now (the internet age), it Is important for one most especially graduate to possess at least one digital skill. The job market right now does not absolutely revolve around one’s academic certification but more on the skills and services that he/she has to offer and sell. Thank God for Covid-19. The lockdown period really opened my eyes outside of academia, exposing me to the importance of being able to leverage on the skill you have to make money while at home. Personally, I am conversant with the use of various Computer Aided Diagram (CAD) software. I also have deep knowledge about the financial market. And observing the way the world is moving towards Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, I am looking at developing myself in one of the many skills required in those field."
ACJ-LASU: How Supportive Are Your Parents In Helping You Achieve Greatness?
BENJAMIN: "My parents were very supportive regarding my academics and my life in general. I was technically provided with everything I needed to excel so I had no excuse and there’s no other way to say thank you than to make them proud for all of the efforts and sacrifices they made."
ACJ-LASU: While In LASU, Did You Belong To Any Association/Union/Society In Terms Of Extracurricular activities?
BENJAMIN: "To be a completely successful person in life, one has to impact his immediate society positively. So Yes, I was part of different organisations. I was among the organising team that planned and executed the first-ever edition of IEEE day at the Lagos State University. I was once an executive of a campus fellowship, and also an active student member of the Society of Petroleum Engineering (SPE) just but to mention a few."
ACJ-LASU: Maintaining Your CGPA, How Did You Do It, What is Your Secret To Success?
BENJAMIN: "First of all, I would say it is not by my strength or power but by God’s grace. There were so many contributing factors to achieving this. All I can say is I stayed consistent in repeating what has been working for me right from the beginning. I wouldn’t say I had a plan for any of this, I just always put in my best in doing what I had to do at the right time."
ACJ-LASU: What Is Your Advice To Students Who Desire This Kind Of Achievement?
BENJAMIN: To every student reading this, my advice would be “Know what works for you and consistently stick to it. However, even at that be flexible”. “Also, Gather the right kind of friends, this really goes a long way in you achieving outstanding success” and lastly “Don’t be too proud to ask others about the things you don’t know. Nobody is an island of Knowledge. Seeking detailed information is one of the wisest things to do as a student”.
ACJ-LASU: Your 4.97 Record, Do You Think It Can Be Beaten?
BENJAMIN: "Yes, absolutely. It is still remaining 0.03 Grade point so I believe it can be beaten. I am sure that nobody would have ever thought that the 4.95 record would be beaten anytime soon but it has happened even sooner than expected."
ACJ-LASU: As A former LASU student, What Are The Lessons You Learnt For The Past 5 Years?
BENJAMIN: "Believe in yourself regardless of other people’s opinion. Always remaining humble and lastly you don’t know who is who and what might become of anybody so respect everyone and be good to as many people without losing yourself in the process."
ACJ-LASU: Life After School, Are You Ready For It?
BENJAMIN: "I can’t say assuredly if I am ready for life after school but what I will do is to make the best of every opportunity that comes my way. I am currently serving at Agbara, Ogun State but I plan to go for my post-graduate studies. Perhaps, a master’s degree or if God willing a PhD Degree."
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