• Fmr. Amir, 39 members of Muslim body made First Class Honours
• I didn’t allow challenges of life, my mother’s death to distract me: Mubarak
An active member of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State University (LASU) Chapter, Mubarak Olawale Olaniyi has emerged as the 2022/2023 overall best graduating student of the institution, with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.98 out of a possible 5.
Olaniyi, who read Accounting Education, was unveiled before guests and other graduands by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, during the institution’s 27th Convocation ceremony held on Wednesday, June 5 at the main campus, Ojo, Iyana-Iba, Lagos.
His emergence as overall best was coming a year after another member of the Muslim students’ body, Miss Aminah Yusuf became the first student to graduate with a perfect 5.0 CGPA in the history of the 40 years of existence of the institution.
Muslim News gathered that no fewer than forty (40) members of the Muslim students’ body graduated with first class degree honours in their various fields of study, including the immediate past Amir (President), Malam Adam Kewulere, who was the best graduating student, department of Islamic Studies.
Some of them include Ajadi Sofiat, best graduating student from the department of Economics, with CGPA 4.76; Rayan Sobowale from the department of Psychology, with CGPA 4.76; Osho Saheed from department of Marketing with 4.84 and Bolajoko Ameerah, best graduating student in the Department of Philosophy, with a CGPA of 4.76.
Others are Balogun Maryam, School of Agriculture; Afolabi Quadri, Islamic Studies; Tiletile Toheebat, Educational Management; Ibrahim Lukmon, Language, Arts and Social Science Education (LASSED); Bakare Abdulateef, Mechanical Engineering, and Masturah Oshun, one of the few Hijabites in the department of Accounting graduating with a first class honours.
• I didn’t allow challenges of life, my mother’s death to distract me: Mubarak
In his valedictory speech, Olaniyi, who studied Accounting Education from the Faculty of Education said despite his humble background of being the son of a wood seller and losing his mother while growing up, he did not allow the challenges of life to distract him from pursuing excellence.
Olaniyi added that the notion some people have about education courses also did not discourage him in realizing his ambition.
“It is with great humility that I address you today as the son of a wood seller father and a late mother, who has defied expectations to emerge from a faculty wrongly adjudged as an asylum for students with low intellectual quotient and for students gifted with courses different from their desires.
“Mubaraq Olawale Olaniyi is my name. The Best Graduating Student, Lagos State University, 2022/2023 Academic session. Without mincing words, I state categorically that I am neither a low IQ student, nor given the course different from my desire. I chose Accounting Education.
“Today, I got to know the huge difference between dreams and DREAMS. The semantic meaning of Walt Disney’s quote: “If you can dream it, you can achieve it”, turned out to be true. In part, my standing here today is the result of personal aspirations, brought into animation by the inspiration gotten from the previous LASU’s Best Graduating Students whose legacies are replicable. But before I proceed:
“The visitor to Lagos State University; His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State. The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 12th Governing Council of Lagos State University, Sir David Sunmonu. The Chancellor, Professor Gbolahan Elias, SAN. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM.
“The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Registrar, Bursar and the Librarian. Deans, Directors, Heads of Department, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
“Dear fellow graduands, allow me to be the 304th person to congratulate you on this great achievement. Despite the challenges, we have reached the end of our journey at LASU. Four years here is truly remarkable! We’ve all worked hard to be here today.
“Remember, grades do not define us—our critical thinking abilities and skills are what define us. Our certificate is like a receipt, and our capabilities are the products. A receipt is worthless if the product is not valuable. I am, however, strengthened by the realization that Lagos State University has equipped us with the right skills and values to excel in the world of work.
“Achieving only two Bs during my time at LASU wasn’t easy. While balancing academics with my work in fashion design, I managed to achieve a 5.0 GPA in six out of eight semesters. This reminds me of my favorite quote by Colin Powell: “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”
“My position as this year’s BGS results from the choices I made in previous years. Determination, hard work, consistency, good associations, mentorship, and prayers brought me here. I wasn’t just an A student; I participated in various activities, joined impact-focused organizations, served humanity, volunteered, and held leadership roles.
“One notable role was as General Coordinator and Project Lead of the Excel Minds Academic Group at Lagos State University, where we have positively impacted over 15,000 members.
“I am acquainted with what the future holds. I am not oblivious to the fact that there is a great disparity between higher institutions and the corporate world. But we believe that the Lagos State University has adequately invigorated us conceptually, technically, human relations-wise, and character-wise to confront, change, adapt, and contribute to the dynamic nature of the world. On behalf of my colleagues, I assure university stakeholders that we will always represent the university well.
Impact of MSSN
The celebrated scholar acknowledged the impact of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, LASU chapter, in his academic sojourn.
According to him, it assisted my journey in the aspect of getting Muslim mentors that provided mentorship regarding taking Almighty Allah’s laid down steps towards making accomplishments. I was also able to network with different Muslim scholars and friends that assisted my journey in LASU.
“Finally, MSSN provided a platform of believing in Almighty Allah’s plans in my life, enhancing my iman, making my ibadah more efficacious and promoting love amongst my peers,” he stated.
How I balanced academics with Amirship: Kewulere
Also speaking with Muslim News, the immediate past Amir of the Muslim students’ body, Kewulere expressed his gratitude to Almighty Allah for the academic feats.
He said, “Reflecting on my academic sojourn on campus, I felt excited, overwhelmed with joy and great enthusiasm for been the best graduating student of Islāmic studies Education in LASU despite the challenges therein.
“Yet, I was emotional because an attainment of this uncommon feat was far from ease.
Kewulere noted that he was able to balance academic pursuits and amirship responsibilities with the guidance of Allah and then, his mentors.
His words: “I’ll say it’s God’s doing (WalhamduliLāh) that I would graduate with a First Class. I was able to navigate the challenging terrain of balancing academic pursuits with Amirship responsibilities with the guidance of Allah and my mentor.
“Candidly, the journey was far from easy. However, through unwavering consistency, resilience, self-determination, multitasking and prayers, I triumphed over the obstacles that came my way. Despite maintaining good academic standing from my freshman year before assuming leadership roles, merging both spheres proved taxing.
“Here is the secret, for serving MSSN-LASU as the Amīr for two terms consecutively in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic sessions and still emerged as the best graduating student of my Unit.I strategically allocated my time, ensuring that it was spent either in lectures, meetings, or engaging with individuals who shared progressive ideas, academically and religiously.
“Additionally, I adhered to a meticulously crafted to-do list and checklist, which served as guiding tools for my daily endeavours on campus.
“Drawing upon the principles of the Eisenhower Matrix, a productivity framework, I encountered in the faculty of education library during my first year, I adeptly managed my academic and leadership commitments.
“This matrix, also known as the Urgent-Important Matrix, helped me prioritise tasks effectively:
1.Urgent and Important tasks were promptly addressed.
2- Important but not urgent tasks were carefully Planed and Executed.
3.Urgent but not important tasks were Delegated to appropriate Individuals.
4- Neither urgent nor important tasks were Eliminated from my Agenda.
“By adhering to the Eisenhower Matrix, I ensured that neither my academic pursuits nor my Amīrship/leadership responsibilities overshadowed one another.”
Speaking further, the best graduating student of Islamic Studies Education said despite assuming leadership roles, he remained committed to academic excellence, often spending late nights studying at the university mosque to set a positive example for his peers.
“Strategically aligning MSSN Programmes with the school calendar facilitated seamless execution. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of my executive cabinet. Through effective time management and principled leadership, I successfully navigated my academic journey while fulfilling my duties as an Amīr,” he added.
Best Graduating Student in Philosophy Department
Miss Bolajoko also made her family and the Muslim community proud after emerging as the best graduating student in her department.
She said, “This achievement is not mine alone; it is shared with my family, my tutors, and everyone who believed in me and supported me along the way. It is a collective victory that underscores the importance of family, support, and unwavering faith in the potential of every individual.”
In an inspiring article posted on her social media page, with the title, “Don’t Give Up! Your Dreams Are Valid – The Strides So Far”, the young Muslimah disclosed that the strides she had achieved so far are just the beginning.
According to her, “This moment is a stepping stone to even greater achievements. As I move forward, I carry with me the lessons learned, the resilience built, and the unwavering belief that with perseverance, anything is possible.
“In conclusion, let my journey be an inspiration to all who dare to dream. Do not let the labels and limitations others place on you define your potential. Believe in yourself, work hard, and never give up. Your dreams are valid, and with determination and perseverance, you can turn them into reality,” she concluded.
I’m grateful to Allah for this blessing – Rayan Sobowale, Best Graduating Student, Faculty of Social Sciences, LASU
Sobowale, who emerged the Best Graduating Student in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Department of Psychology, attributed her academic accomplishments to Almighty Allah, saying without Him, it would have been impossible. “It feels exhilarating. I’m grateful to Almighty Allah for this blessing. Alhamdulillah!”, she gushed, while speaking with Muslim News.
Graduating with a first class in Accounting is a dream come true – Masturah Oshun
Masturah Omobolanle Oshun is also excited about her success at the State University where she graduated with a first class honours as one of the few hijabites in the Department of Accounting.
“It’s a dream come true and a testimony that hard work pays. It was a big struggle and I am glad Allah made the dream come true, being among the few first class holders in a class of 356 students. I am also among the few hijabites in the department. Alhamdulillah,” she told Muslim News.
