Miss Halima Sulaimon of the Micro-Biology Department, Faculty of Science, is one of the pride of Igbogbo Kingdom in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area LCDA) in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria. The young lady was celebrated by the ancient kingdom, especially the Igbogbo Youth Coalition (IYC), as a good ambassador, after she achieved excellent academic feat at the 26th Convocation of the Lagos State University (LASU), where she graduated with 4.68 CGPA.
Halima is a daughter of a notable philanthropist and the Alakoso Adinni of Igbogbo Central Mosque, Alhaji Sulaimon Ayokunle.
This interview by Kunle Adelabu, Publisher/Reporter – in – Chief, THE IMPACT newspaper, is part of our coverage of the laudable feats achieved by students from Ikorodu Division, who just graduated from LASU, especially those that bagged First Class honours.
As a foremost news medium in the Division, we are not just celebrating them, but also using them as point of reference to other students from the division, that are still studying, to inspire them to emulate and learn from their brilliant academic performances. Hence, the need for these interview sessions that we are having with them to enable them share their experiences with us and other students.
In this interview, Halima spoke about how she initially felt about graduating with a First Class, factors that aided her feat, and how she achieved the academic success. She also offered suggestions to undergraduates and other young ones aiming at higher education, on how to achieve academic excellence among others. Excerpts:
THE IMPACT: What is it like to graduate with a distinction in your undergraduate programme, especially from LASU, which is known for its high academic standard and discipline?
Miss Halima: First and foremost, I’d like to express my gratitude to Almighty Allah, for making this journey a happy and remarkable one. Also, I would like to establish that I feel elated, as my academic feat means a whole lot to me, and as my parent’s pride, the feeling is super cool. Also, due to the fact that LASU is known for its high academic standards, it’s often required me to engage extra study and extensive researches. Like the 5ps says, ‘prior preparation prevents poor performance’.
THE IMPACT: How and what factors contributed to this feat?
Miss Halima: With all honesty, Allah was my solid rock throughout my journey in LASU, and I’ll forever be grateful. This feat would have also been impossible without the support of my loving parents who provided for me physically, morally, financially and spiritually. My dad, ‘daddy Tosin’, never took my academic pursuit for granted. He would always give me pep talk at intervals, this also extends to my mum, and I can tell that you I that l took this trait from them… lol.
My dad’s calls were also timeless as 001’s album too. My siblings and relatives also played a role in my academic pursuit. I’d also not leave out my great studious lecturers, friends, and course mates too, as they all made this feat possible.
Lastly, I also have a blueprint of my study hours in mind, as I made reading my priority.
THE IMPACT: Looking back to when you first gained admission into LASU, till the day you wrote your final examinations, did you ever feel that attaining First Class was impossible, at what point and why (if any)?
Miss Halima: Interesting question! As a fresher on campus, the only thing I ever hoped for when l gained admission was to graduate with an amazing result, first class wasn’t even my priority, as I thought it was impossible and also, I thought of myself as an average student, and I’ll say that this honestly taught me a lesson. I’d like to put this out there to anyone who would eventually come across this that you should never belittle or think low of yourself, as it could be a setback to one’s life. But it’s safe to say that I made it with the proper guidance, the right friends, and extensive study.
THE IMPACT: Did you benefit from any bursary or scholarship award (s) when you were undergraduate, and how did that encourage you and also what is your view about such intervention(s)?
Miss Halima: Nope, not at all.
THE IMPACT: What is your message to other undergraduates and intending university students, in terms of achieving academic excellence?
Miss Halima: I must say that studying requires a lot of efforts and determination. The path is steep like a mountain, but one must not waver on it. Side distraction is bound to happen, but one must not dwell too much on it, as you wield the power to choose between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. That is why I aforementioned that I have a blueprint of my study hours in my head.
My parents remain my strongest backbone as they constantly reminded me of who I am. Also, having the right friends is necessary, because having amazing and studious friends is paramount, as they tend to keep checks on how great you’re doing. I wish you all the best.
Thank you.
