Hello my amazing readers, how was your weekend? I trust it was amazing. Let me wish you all a happy new month! Are you actively engaged in activities that projects you?
It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to my scholar for the week. Kazeem Damilare is a Digital marketer, Content writer, On air personality, just to hint you. Smiles.
In her words,
There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world. Those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed.
Abigael Ibikunle of Edugist: Please share with Edugist, a little about your background.
Kazeem Damilare: My name is Kazeem Omodolapo Damilare, I am from Odeda Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria. I attended Tender Oaks nursery and primary school, Oluyole Estate, Ibadan.
Then, I proceeded to my secondary school education in Rhema Chapel International College, Oluyole Estate, Ibadan. Two years after I started my secondary school education, my father kicked the bucket.
I could say that was a major trying time for us. Things were difficult, complicated and frustrating. No family to call upon, no friends to lean on. God alone stood for us.
My first attempt of Jamb Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) Examination was a failure. As a result, I had to put in for A’levels in Offa, Ilorin.
During this period, I gained admission into the Premier University, University of Ibadan to study Educational Management/English.
AI: Was there any motivating factor(s) that influenced your choice of discipline and institution?
KD: I have always had this keen interest in Education, Management and Consulting. I tried looking for a course that can combine my areas of interest. I discovered that Educational management is the only course in the University of Ibadan that can aid and develop me in these areas of interest.
Books like “Leadership and Self-deception” by Arbinger Institute (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2002), “What management is” by Joan Magretta and “The effective executive” by Peter Drucker were also a source of motivation to influencing my choice of discipline.
It is my belief that if you have a dream, don’t just sit there. Gather courage to believe that you can succeed and leave no stone unturned to make it a reality.
Wherever I go, whatever I do, I always remember these words.
Well, we all know that the University of Ibadan is the first and the best. Most students, if given the opportunity to study in this institution will not decline or reject the offer.
In short, before I decided to choose this institution, I’d met with a few of their products. And they were and are still outstanding. I also discovered that the institution is well known and recognized anywhere in the world.
AI: There are two major skills that every student must possess. COMPETENCE and PERFORMANCE. While competence revolves around skill acquisition, performance is much more concerned about skills application. It is believed that most graduates are competent because their academic performance testifies to this. But they are performance-challenged. This poor performance ipso facto hinders them from getting lucrative jobs in the labour market. What can you say about this assertion?
KD:
It is never all about your academic performance or grades in school. But about the ability to inculcate the right skills, experience, values. And the capacity to perform effectively and efficiently.
I’ve had one on one conversation with employers of labour. Most of them assert that graduates are unemployable. Why?
The reason is because they are conversant with the theoretical aspect of their area of specialization. And as such, they are unable to deliver as regards the practical aspect.
AI: What do you think is responsible for competence without performance?
KD: Dependency. We all depend on what we are being taught in school. However, the University curriculum does not and cannot cover everything. The necessary skills, techniques, values and strategies to everything in life.
We need to groom ourselves, source for skills, experience and values. In our present age, no one wants to be a volunteer, everyone wants to earn huge amount of money at once. It doesn’t work that way.
The value, experience, knowledge you get cannot be taken away from you. One can only begin to gain more experience, see different views to life and discover solutions to future problems.
During my undergraduate studies, I was a Digital marketer, Content writer, On air personality, Tutor and the rest of them. Now, it isn’t all about my class of degree but what I have up there, the experience, skills and values.
AI: Achievement in life transcends one’s personal efforts. There were people who, during your programme, rendered some assistance that made your dreams a reality. Who are specific persons whose contribution you can’t forget in your first-class feat?
KD: Of course, I couldn’t have achieved anything all alone. First of all, special thanks to God Almighty, the one who said “yes” when men said “no”. My family as a whole, roommates, friends, class 2017/2018. I really can’t start mentioning names but I say a big thank you to you all.
AI: As a first-class graduate, are you currently gainfully employed?
KD: Well, I graduated November 13, 2019 and I am currently serving my fatherland. However, I am into digital marketing (buying and selling), Content writing and I also proofread papers and proposals.
AI: Do you think your grades have or is giving you any major advantage over other graduates with lesser grades?
KD: Yes, it is. People want to hear you speak when they know your class of degree. It gives you opportunity to showcase what you have got. So, your ability to handle situations well and market yourself gives you an upper edge over others.
Kazeem Damilare
AI: For students who aspire to graduate with outstanding grade like yours, what would you advise them?
KD: Overcome all distractions. Today, in our present age, I can boldly say it is rare to see people who are not carried away. People who are determined and focused. Why not burn candles now and enjoy on the long run? Friends, fun and parties will come and go. They can all come as distractions. However, your ability to manage them will definitely make you outstanding.
Lastly, you can’t do it alone. Just like the proverb which goes thus:
no man is an island, entirely of itself
This implies that
no man is truly self-sufficient, everyone must rely on the company and comfort of others in order to thrive.
Learn from people regardless of their level or socio-economic status. Most people think they can only learn from those who are way higher than them in terms of class, status and influence. No! you can learn from anyone.
Lastly,
Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm. There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world. Those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed.
Don’t be discouraged!!! Keep trying.
AI: What would you advise the government to do to improve the standard of our education system?
KD: Provision of infrastructural facilities!!! Most educational institutions are lacking this. Education is regarded as less important compared to other sectors in this country. We keep saying our institutions do not cover the practical aspect of their various specialization.
However, we can’t seem to blame them completely. No infrastructural facilities, even the environments are not conducive enough. No befitting hostels, provision of social amenities as a whole. This should be looked into!!!!
AI: Any other thing you would like to share?
KD: In Winston Churchill best speech “Never give in” he says:
” Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy”.
In conclusion, nothing good comes easy. We all pray hard, strive hard to get what we want or what we desire.
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