The best graduating student of the Bells
University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, for
the 2013/2014 session, Afolayan Oluwaseun,
shares the secret of his success with
SAMUEL AWOYINFA
For 27-year-old Afolayan Oluwaseun, the
best graduating student at the Bells
University of Technology, Ota, obtaining a
first class, with the Cumulative Point Grade
Average of 4.9 out of 5, is not a piece of
cake.
It is an accomplishment, which 'consumed'
a lot of commitment and dedication. No
wonder, the young man explained that he
was able to achieve the feat following a
mindset he formed in his secondary days.
According to him, he developed quite early
in life a mindset that not only hates poverty
but also sees education as a weapon to
fight disease and poverty.
He said, "The fear of poverty motivated me
to be the best in everything I do. I hate
poverty with a passion. So wherever I find
myself, I strive for excellence. I developed
this spirit while I was in the secondary
school."
Afolayan, who said he never gave up in
anything of life, noted that he sat for the
Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination
twice without meeting the cut off points.
"I scored 192 and 233 in 2007 and 2008
UTME respectively and these scores could
not guarantee me a place to study Medicine
at the Ladoke Akintola University,
Ogbomoso, Osun State," the graduate who
attended the Jefab International School,
Suleja, Niger State, noted.
But even with this initial failure, the young
man never gave up in his pursuit for
studies. He later enrolled at the Allover
Central Polytechnic, Ota, Ogun State, where
he obtained a distinction in Electrical
Electronics in his Ordinary National Diploma.
Afolayan, who explained that he lost his
father when he was seven years old, added
that the OND enabled him to secure direct
entry to the university, where he studied
Physics/Electronics.
He added, "I won't say I spent all the time
in the library but I had a scheduled plan for
every activity that I engaged in. I was the
music director for two years, and I am in
love with the keyboard. It was a matter of
knowing what to do at a particular time.
Like one of my lecturers always says, any
dummy can achieve it, if only he or she can
plan his or time well,' he said.
Afolayan, a native of Iresi, Boluwaduro
Local Government area of Osun State, said
the same deft preparation offered him a
scholarship opportunity in the university.
"That year, the school paid 60 per cent of
my school fees and I only paid 40 per cent,"
he added excitedly.
Did he ever think of being the best
graduating student? Afolayan, the last child
of his mother's six children, explained that
he made a conscious effort to achieve,
especially having witnessed many
convocation ceremonies.
According to him, the 2013 convocation was
the icing on the cake that spurred him into
a greater action.
"When I saw Maryam last year, I said to
myself, 'I will be the next person to be
celebrated as the best graduating student.'
And I began to work at it, I thank God
today, it happened," he added.
Afolayan, who paid a glowing tribute to one
Mr. and Mrs Oresanya, said the story of his
life would not be complete without making a
reference to the couple.
Mrs. Oresanya is his stepsister, as his late
father, James Afolayan, was a polygamist.
He further explained, "When I lost my father,
the lot fell on my mother, Felicia Afolayan,
to take care of my upkeep. She however
could not do much as she was a petty
trader.
"But later I was taken to Zaria by a family
member. It was from there my stepsister
brought me to Suleja. From Suleja, she
brought me down to Ota."
Afolayan, who stated that the Oresanyas
showered much love on him, noted that the
treatment their children got was the same
he received from them.
He said, "They sent me to a private school
where they sent their children. That was
why I referred to them as my 'parents'
because they did more than being my
guardians."
But why did he not eventually study
Medicine, which he claimed was his first
love?
He explained, "Yes, I felt bad during the
period I was seeking admission. I later
observed that I was enjoying the
engineering field when I started studying
electrical/electronics in the polytechnic.
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