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“youtube videos helped me a lot” LASU Best Graduating Student

LASU Best Graduating Student Olowu Benjamin Damilare
“youtube videos helped me a lot” LASU Best Graduating Student

Olowu Benjamin Damilare, 21, is the overall best graduating student of the Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2021/2022 academic session.

He graduated with a CGPA of 4.97, Damilare emerged as the best out of 4,994 students who obtained their first degrees at the 25th convocation ceremony of the university.

Sharing his first-class journey to motivate others, saying he gave his all from the very beginning. He also narrated how YouTube assisted him to practicalize the things learned in theory.

Check out the Interview Below

Who is Olowu Benjamin Damilare?

I’m 21 years old from Ilara-Eredo, Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State. My father is a lecturer and a distinguished Professor of Chemistry at LASU. My mother is a civil servant with the Lagos State government, she is the Badagry Divisional head at the office of the Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory (LSMTL). I had my primary education at Saint Mary’s Nursery and Primary school, Ojo, after which I proceeded to its college for my junior secondary school education (JSS1 to JSS3). Later on, I moved to Federal Government College, Ijanikin, where I completed my secondary education and obtained my senior school leaving certificate. I got admitted into LASU in 2015 to study Mechanical Engineering. How did you get admission into LASU?  LASU wasn’t the initial plan because I did not select it as my preferred first choice in JAMB but at that time, LASU Post-UTME was open to all as it allowed those that didn’t choose it as their preferred first choice. I grumbled initially to register for the Post-UTME, but I was compelled by my father to apply pending the time I get a response from the University of Ilorin.  However, at the time I was to apply, the application portal had closed but as God would have it, my dad tried at midnight of that day, and fortunately for me, it worked. Immediately he came to wake my sister and I that we should send him any picture of ours just so we can apply and that was it. I believe it was God’s plan for me to attend LASU. Concerning my resolution, entering into LASU, I wasn’t expecting anything much. I just wanted to be successful in life and I knew that the next phase of my life will be a major determinant of my measure of success so, I just had to put in all I had. Besides, I got to know that getting a good grade will also help one in getting a scholarship to study abroad to obtain a post-Graduate Degree. So, I just had to give it my all from the very beginning.

Can you give an aggregate of your results from 100 to 500 levels?

In my first year, I had a perfect CPGA of 5.0/5.0. Moving to the 200 level, I had my first B in the first semester and then another B in the second semester, making my CGPA 4.94/5.00. I had a perfect GPA of 5.0 throughout my 300 level and 400 levels. As at the 400 level, my CGPA was already 4.97. So, in the 500 level first semester, I had another B, which didn’t affect my CGPA and then my last semester was a 5.0. Hence, making my cumulative grade point average a 4.97/5.00.

At what point did you discover that you were a potential first-class graduate?


It was was was was my first year when I got my 5.00 CGPA, I knew I was going to graduate with a first class because I was willing to continue to press till the end and I can’t even imagine myself dropping to a 2:1 after getting such a good foundational CGPA.

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What was your reading culture like and how did that help you achieve this feat?

Well, while I was at 100 level, my dad woke me up every day by 4 am to read, it wasn’t easy, but it was part of what moulded my ability to persevere and do what was necessary no matter the situation. My second and third year was the hardest as I was reading for long hours. Though I can’t e the actual duration of reading, it was such that when I get tired of sitting, I remain in the standing position to read. After then, the workload dropped a bit, and my reading was just maybe two to three hours maximum.

Apart from reading, what do you do on campus?

Aside from ng, I have other hobbies like playing video games, and eg in several sporting activities such as playing pool ball, basketball, table tennis and so on. I am a versatile person.

What was most challenging about your course of study, Mechanical Engineering?

The fact that the majority of what we did in school was more abstract than practical was a bit challenging. One of the resources I used to overcome this challenge was watching videos on YouTube so I can get an actual of what the working process and operation look like. This in a way, helped me to better understand the course.

Did your father’s presence on campus as a lecturer/professor influence your performance or attract favour?


I won’t’ say it did or did not but what I will say is that his presence in most cases made his colleagues and even my lecturers place some sort of standard I have to meet with talks like ‘You have to make your father proud’ or ‘You know your father is a lecturer, you have to keep the flag high’ and so on. All of these words made me focused, so I don’t bring shame to his name.

How did you find life on campus and how did you cope with distractions?

Campus life was full of ups and downs especially after transiting to Epe Campus. It was hard adjusting to the environment because it was nothing like the Ojo campus. Later, I got used to it and I managed to find my way around it, looking beyond its limitations and making the best of it. For distractions, what I did was constantly remind myself of what was at stake. So, with that, I got back on track and kept pushing.

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How did you cope during the ASUU strikes and the COVID-19 break?

During those times, I always keep myself busy either by taking up an online course or going to YouTube to improve my skills. During the COVID-19 lockdown was when I got introduced to the Foreign Exchange market and I dedicated all my time to the charts. So in all, I kept myself busy.

Do you agree with the insinuations that it is easier to get ann first class in private Universities?

I disagree. I believe that making a first class regardless of the type of school is not an easy task. I believe anyone who is serious-minded and puts in the work required is going to achieve the first class in any school be it a private or public tertiary institution.

Did you partake in the entrepreneurship programme of the school?If Yes, what skill did you acquire and how has it enhanced your knowledge?

Yes, I did. I took part in the Agricultural programme, which equipped me with the knowledge of making the best use of lands to obtain Agricultural produce. I also got to learn about the importance and contribution of agriculture to the economy of the country at large.

Now that you have graduated, what next?

I plan to go for my post-graduate studies to obtain my Master’s Degree or perhaps a PhD because in the long run I eventually plan to have a career in academia.

There is a policy that allows LASU to employ interested first-class graduates as graduate assistants, will you consider this option?

Sure, I will consider this because I don’t know what the future holds and also, I see it as an opportunity to give back to the university and impact the upcoming generation.

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What tips will you give to students coming after you on how to make first class?

I will advise them to get a solid motivation as to why they want to achieve a first-class degree and highlight what they must do to get it. This would help them a lot, especially in their downtimes. Also, they should know their strengths and weaknesses, improve on their strengths whilst simultaneously working on their weaknesses and stay humble all the way.

Credit:

Daily Trust

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