Nigerian students sweep awards in Beninois varsity

ALL eyes were on 27-year-old Nigerian, Abdullahi Shuaib at Ecole Suprieure d’ Administration D’ Economic De Journalism et des Metiers de L’audiovisuel  (ESAE) University, at the recent bilingual matriculation and convocation ceremony of the school, which took place at Palais Des Congress in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The Computer Science graduate, who hails from Zaria, Kano State, not only graduated summa cum laude (first class), he also emerged the best of the 590 graduating students from French and English countries. In the process, he set a record of 4.96 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in the university.
 
Interestingly, six other Nigerians joined Shuaib to top their various disciplines in the school. They were Augustine Yusuf, who read International Relations; Olaiya Temilade, who studied Mass communication; Fakoya Elizabeth of Accounting Department; Adeagbo Temilade of Economics Department; Inyang Ernest who read Human Resource Management and Ugenlo Glory Ose of the Department of Business Administration.
  
Shuaib, in an interview attributed the success he recorded in the 14-year-old institution to hard work.
 
“After spending years seeking admission into Nigerian universities with no success, I decided to seek admission abroad. I was not too sure of my academic acumen, due to the number of years I spent seeking admission in Nigeria. So, when I was admitted here, I had to put in extra time to study, and I stayed motivated. Consequently, I made “A” grades in almost every course I took during my years of study in the university.”
 
Pointing out that his stay in the school was not all about studying, he informed, “ I took time out for my social life and made great effort in ensuring that my spiritual life did not suffer. In other words, I also balanced schooling with extra-curricular activities and participation in collegiate organisations.

“I developed a working reading habit and timetable to meet the challenges of school and personal goals, I did not joke with my studies, my books were my brothers, sisters and best friends during my time in the school.”

Founder and chancellor of the university, Clement Adechian, tasked the graduating class to whip up their innate entrepreneurial skills in the face of the massive graduate unemployment prevalent in the world. By so doing, they would be contributing to the economic growth of the African continent.

“You must stay hungry for success, avoid terminating your academic odysseys just yet, but continue to seek higher qualifications as this is one of the surest ways to hit the zenith of life. Dream high and aspire for greatness in any situation. Strive to be the best and never give up to obstacles that may come your ways. Create and add value to the society while upholding excellence, which the institution is known for…”

Vice chancellor of the school, Mr. Quentin Didvavi, called on the graduating class to always remember that success resides in them. “Be the best you can be. Don’t get put down by negatives, and turn life’s obstacles into opportunities as your destiny is in your hands…”