First Class Diary: Every Achievement is a Call to Greater Responsibility- OAO

Hello everyone! I am particularly excited about this week’s series. My scholar for the week is a double-scholar, if there is any word like that. What is your opinion on every achievement is a call to greater responsibility? Let’s find out!

He is a young and charming scholar; a creative writer and a brand ambassador for The Watergate Apparel.

Please, meet Olusola Ayomipo Osibote. I am sure by the time you’re through with the interview, you’ll thank me.

Every achievement is a call to greater responsibility. Thus, the security of the achievements of this phase of your life is in the success of the next.

Enjoy!

Abigael Ibikunle of Edugist: Please share with Edugist, a little about your background.

Olusola Osibote: I am Olusola Ayomipo OSIBOTE; a mind renewal magnate with a strong voice and writing zeal of influence. I am the Lead Servant (Scripture Study Hub). I am passionate about seeing people live a value-driven and value-giving life.

My early schooling spanned through Stargate Nursery/Primary School, Goodwill Nursery/Primary school and Etunrenren Nursery/Primary (where I wrote my common entrance in Primary 4), Ikorodu, Lagos.

In 2003, I started my secondary education at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School (JOGS), Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state. This was after a rejection at King’s College, Lagos due to my small physical size, despite the excellent grades (no regrets anyway).

Growing up wasn’t all rosy for me. I remember living in a single room that seemed like a barracks for a decade. Myself, my mum and 3 other siblings (one of whom is visually impaired, a graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Lagos and a tornado of influence and enigmatic inspiration in His dealings).

Interestingly, I finished as the overall best graduating student with a perfect 5.0 CGPA in NCE Geography/Social Studies at Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu-Ijebu, Ogun State (2014/2015 set).

After which I proceeded for my Degree at Tai Solarin University of Education. I am also grateful to be the pioneer First-Class graduate from the Dept. of Geography and Environmental Mgt, Tai Solarin University of Education.

With a resolute interest in learning, thought crystallization/conceptualization, transfer of knowledge and techy conversations. I am on a life course to carve a niche in academics, writing, speaking, idea/product strategy and the digital space.

 

AI: Was there any motivating factor(s) that influenced your choice of discipline and institution?

AO: Among other areas, I always had an interest in Architecture. And an undertone appreciation for Human-Nature interactions. But my repetitive effort to get into the university from 2009 didn’t work out. So, I was faced with the option of checking into the College in 2012.

When I got there, I remember asking if they offered Architecture as a course (that’s quite funny right?). As expected I got a NO! I requested for a course that would still keep me in touch with the Human-Nature interactions.

That became my entry into the world of Geography from that moment into the university later in 2016.

 

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 labor market. What can you say about this assertion?

AO: This assertion has its validity through times and circumstances, courtesy to many casual-factors. I remember the CEO of Jobberman recently said the issue of unemployment is relative.

She stated that some job openings have very little or no human force, required to fill them up while others are overcrowded. According to her, the former speaks much on the inadequacies and unfitting tendencies of people in the required skillset.

While this assertion comes in weighty and somewhat true, we must not ignore the cracks in the process, charged with the responsibility of making ready the learners.

AI: What do you think is responsible for competence without performance? Please suggest ways of improving the performance level of university students and graduates.

AO:

Generally, there is the distance between the processes/provisions/conditions of the university and the reality on the outside. Dealing with this requires a double-edged approach. The bodies responsible for the educational processes should get more effective. And learners should also take on the responsibility of making themselves worthy and more resourceful.

 

AI: Achievement in life transcends one’s personal effort. There were people who, during your program, rendered some assistance that made your dreams a reality. Who are specific persons whose contribution you can’t forget in your first-class feat?

AO: My family, of course, comes first on this list. I have the best and most supportive family in the world. They haven’t only supported my academics but every bit of me.

Apart from them, I call people who come under this category “Value Triggers” in one of the books I am currently writing. Such folks are classic and were instrumental in keeping me in remembrance.

I had folks from my Fellowship (#TheRCFTASUED), a few folks from my department. I can refer to the challenge from Senator Adeboun Olamide (The First SUG President of TASUED from the Department of Geography), who would say,

Sola, please keep the Academic flags high for the department while I hold tight in Politics.

It was a joke back then but it usually triggered something in me. My lecturers were supportive too, most especially my HOD (Dr. F.O Oderinde).

 

AI: As a first-class graduate, are you currently gainfully employed?

AO: Maybe not in parallel with the outright meaning of the question because I await my NYSC mobilization in March. However, I have committed my time engaging in things that are quite profiting.

One of such is in sharpening and deploying my idea/product strategy; content creation and social media management skills as a freelancer. Amongst others, an example is #thewatergateapparel.

It is a fashion company in Nigeria, specialized in the making of Casual, Corporate, Native wears and Standard Uniforms. And the vision is simply seeing the brand become a household fashion name in Nigeria and the diaspora.

 

AI: Do you think your grades have or is giving you any major advantage over other graduates with lesser grades?

AO: Well, I haven’t really pushed into areas or endeavors where that would be in obvious manifestation. Nevertheless, I sense the vibes and ambience it creates all around.

At the beginning of the year, I thought of picking up an internship and got a notification of the firm’s interest in my profile. However, I didn’t continue for some personal reasons.

 

AI: For students who aspire to graduate with outstanding grades like yours, what would you advise them?

AO: Smiles! I’ve had to answer this question a thousand times. Well, one of the things I did was engaging the law of imagery on people who had the same feats. I prayed and engaged in other things that are not logical to explain.

In a sentence, I would say,

keep your faith, have a strong “WHY”, keep the picture, set up structures, live a prototype and stay thankful.

 

AI: What would you advise the government to do to improve the standard of our education system?

AO: We have a whole lot of workable plans and submissions. Let us simply implement them in every way possible while creating a path for betterment.

 

AI: Any other thing you would like to share?

AO: I could say a thousand things. Yet, my earnest desire is that people receive the hearing of this as a seed of influence and a stir into greatness.

You may have been exposed to different conditions of life. It should not change the fact that what you think about yourself matters.

Lastly, when you think you are at your best, be aware you just got implicated to achieve more. And this resonates with a line from my book that reads,

Every achievement is a call to greater responsibility. Thus, the security of the achievements of a phase of your life is in the success of the next.

Thanks for having me!

 

That’s it for this week’s episode. I hope you enjoyed the interview. Have a scholar you would love to be featured? Or would like to sponsor any of our scholars you find their stories inspiring?

Want to contact any of them for engagements? Please reach out to me directly: abigail@edugist.org or call me directly +2347035835612.

I am Abigael Ibikunle and celebrating excellence is a top priority for me. iTeach, iSpeak, iTrain, iFacilitate, iWrite, iInterview and iLoveYou all. Smiles! Please feel free to leave a comment.

See you next week!