The best graduating student of the Osun State
University, Osogbo, Mr. Mubarak Opeyemi Thanni, has disclosed that he sacrificed
his social life throughout his undergraduate days in order to come out with the
best grades.
Speaking with Amiloaded at the 6th
Convocation ceremony of the university, in Osogbo, Thanni, who studied Civil
Engineering, became the cynosure of all eyes at the well-attended event, when he
was announced as the best graduating student of the 2016/2017 set with 4.77
Cumulative Grade Point Average.
Thanni, while speaking on his success
story, said that he never knew he could be the best student, adding that
whenever he got B in any of his courses, he always felt as if he had failed the
course.
Advising undergraduates to always go for the best and nothing
less, Thanni also urged them to endeavour to sacrifice the fleeting enjoyment of
social life, which he said would only distract them from emerging the
best.
He said, “First the secret of my success is Almighty Allah. Two,
dedication. Three, my family. Four, my colleagues and five, my illustrious
lecturers.
“I said God because I never knew I would make a first class
until the penultimate year (fourth year), and of course, I never thought I would
be the Best Graduating Student with 4.77 Cumulative Grade Point Average. It is a
surprise to me, too.
“Two, it is dedication because the academic pursuit
took away my social life. It is either A or nothing else. Whenever I got B, it’s
as if I had failed the course.
“This is also not unconnected with the
promise I made to my parents after my immediate elder brother, who was then a
student of the Lagos State University, was killed by a stray bullet from a
police officer in Lagos while he was returning from a bursary exercise. I was in
SS3 then and I told my parents I would try my best to make up for the loss as
much I could.
“Three, it is my parents because they never doubted me and
were always there to provide me with whatever was needed. Four, my colleagues
with whom we used to do tutorials together. I taught them just as they taught
me. The relationship was mutually beneficial. When I got to this school, I was
lucky to meet great people. Some of them are my first roommate, Abdullah
Lookman; Iyiola Akanji, Tijani Akanji, among others.
“Finally, my
lecturers. They did their best to bring the best out of us. I can never forget
them. They are more than teachers. I can’t mention all of them, but I surely
cannot forget Dr. Bello and Dr. Olawale. They are true fathers.”
When
asked about his future, Mubarak said he would like to follow in the footsteps of
his mentor, Dr. Olawale, who is a structural engineer and researcher per
excellence.
