Adebayo Azeez Opeyemi, the immediate former Amir (President) of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun State, has emerged the institution’s best graduating student.
Adebayo, from the department of Electrical/Electronics Engineering of the School of Engineering, graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average, CGPA of 3.97 at the 20th Combined-Convocation ceremony held on Wednesday, March 30, 2020.
The former amir of the institution became the cynosure of all eyes when he was announced by the Rector of the institution, Dr Segun Aluko during the ceremony that saw no fewer than 10,358 students bagged Higher National Diploma (5,124) and Ordinary National Diploma (5,234) during the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 academic sessions respectively.
The Ogun State-born young scholar could not hide his excitement while speaking with Muslim News. He said, “Being the overall best student is something of joy that every student will always wish due to several accolades from colleagues and staffers. I am elated and I give all the thanks and praise to Almighty Allah.”
He said he was motivated to study Electrical/Electronics Engineering after reading a news story in 2014, where the then Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan promised to hire more Electrical Engineers towards achievement of stability of the nation.
“As a science student, I was motivated by the luck that anybody who studied the course will easily get job opportunities in a country like Nigeria where several graduates, even those with first class degree honours, couldn’t find a job”, he noted.
Adebayo’s journey to success story did not come on a platter. According to him, it came with a lot of sacrifices. I could remember when I couldn’t afford a smart phone for more research. I went to colleagues’ houses to hire their smartphones at different times.
“Also, I had low motivation when my result dropped from the initial CGPA of 4.00. sometimes too, it’s difficult for me to recall especially after studying. But I saw knowledge as light from Allah (SWT) and I always pray and fast to Allah for divine assistance.”
Adebayo, who was the librarian of his departmental association during the 2016/2017 academic session appreciated the role of the Muslim students body, MSSN, in his quest for academic excellence.
He said, I was the Amir of the Muslim Students Society Of Nigeria, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro Branch for the 2020/2021 academic session. Being Amir also assisted me. During my regime, I was able to learn about time management.
“I knew MSSN the first time I came to the institution for post UTME. I was given a handbill that included their activities and various accommodation offers to Muslim students.
“As the Amir of the society, I ensure that various hindrances to the development of the society were studied and possible solution were proffered for the success of the regime and subsequent ones.
“Being a member did not affect me in anyway. It assisted me a lot. Through the MSSN, I met Mallam Ismail Bello who taught me how to prepare for examination and also there was a brother, BOMA who assisted me in Mathematics. May Allah reward them abundantly.”
The best graduating student also appreciated Mr. Majekodunmi, who he says, discovered his potential and took him on extra lessons when he was in secondary school.
“Furthermore, I want to thank Engr. Matthew. He always advise me to put in my best and make sure I didn’t relent. Engr. O.P Aiyelabowo too, he set me on the journey of being the overall best student. He called my attention anytime he feels I was losing hope. Mallam Ismail Bello also taught me to always evaluate myself anytime I read and lastly, Mr Monsur Mosan, he told me studying of materials several times aids more understanding.”
His advice to aspiring students, he said; “To Allah belongs everything. Therefore, anybody who aspires for greatness should pray to Him and work hard accordingly. They should not lose hope as it is not Islamic. They should invest their time in learning Hadiths and Qur’an. There is a lot of information that can help in any situation.”
While revealing his next move, the former amir said he would obtain a top-up for his HND-Degree conversion and invest more of his time in learning more about Islam.
“In the next 10 years, I wish to be an Islamic scholar and to have attained professorial cadre in my field of study,” he added.
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