26/02/2024
How I Emerged UNIPORT Best Graduating Student — Osisi Solomon
Osisi Uphadi Solomon is the best-graduating student of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Port Harcourt. He graduated with a CGPA of 4.91 in Animal and Environmental Biology. In this interview with UCJ-UNIPORT, he speaks about his academic journey and how he achieved the feat.
By:
Praise Onyekwere, Confidence Kponi
1. Tell Us About Your Background ?
My name is Osisi Upadhi Solomon from Edeoha-Town in Ahoada East Local Government Rivers State. A pastor's son, the third son, and the fifth child out of six children. We are of a moderate financial capacity. By God's grace, as a Christian family we are used to traveling during the transfer of my father from one station to another. So my life has been full of traveling from Ogoni to Eleme, to our region, to Omoku, to Ogun State and that's how we have been. We are simple people, very easy to access, and funny, but look serious with our facial expressions.
2. What Was Your Drive?
Okay, Many things aided my motivation. One, I applied to medicine and surgery. I got a good score on my jamb 293. My Post-Utme was cancelled owing to technical concerns, thus I received a score of 200. I lost hope because I did not get admitted until the fourth list, yet the fourth list resurrected my hope. I had to get started. My first motivation was for my father to retire soon so that I could begin school; two years into my education, he would retire. So I had to take advantage of my final opportunity or risk losing it forever. Then, due to a change of path from medicine and surgery to Animal and Environmental Biology,I lacked the zeal; my eldest brother, who studied educational psychology at this school, advised me to dive into Animal and Environmental Biology (AEB ), with the same energy, power, and enthusiasm that I would have used to study medicine; however, the advice never made sense because I was still angry; however, I soon realized that I had no choice but to do so.
3. What Did You Do To Be The Best Graduating Student?
My father, despite being a preacher, was an academic who could recite bible passages as if he were the Bible himself, and he read all night. So when I got to school, I somehow started late because of the fourth list. I had to recall that my father read at night, some night class was held in my house virtually every day except on Friday. Because I worship on Saturdays. I had to give up my night. Meanwhile, the day was spent learning, climbing Ofrima upstairs for practical sessions, and gradually losing strength. But, despite my flaws, I always kept in mind that I will always read for myself, regardless of what lecturers taught me. I was not a fan of tutorials; I despised them. I read around the clock, go to night class, read from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., and sleep from 3 a.m. until 4 a.m. Go home, do your devotional, keep reading, and then come to school. If no lecture is held in the American Corner, I never had a library card. So I went to the American Corner and spent the entire day reading. It was dumb in some ways because it took away my fun.
4. What Advice Do You Have For Students?
First, every jambite, Waec student, Year one, or even Basic student, when they gain admission, they have this enthusiasm for education and their new course, and it is like a paradise to them, but shortly after admission and stress hit them, they start having disdain for the institution as if it is a prison, and so the zeal and perseverance decreases and sometimes is buried, and thus they lack the zeal to continue, and the beginning of everything matters most. So, my suggestion is for everyone to always have their vision in mind and know what they desire. Before starting school, you assured yourself, "I will be the best, I will make my parents proud," and other such encouraging affirmations. So my advice is that, even when faced with hurdles, you must remain focused. It is also good to have optimistic friends. Another technique to make positive friends is to be a positive friend to others, as like always attracts like. The God aspect cannot be erased because sometimes when the stress is too much, only the word of God may calm you down; otherwise, you may consider su***de as a result of the institution's stress and frustration.
5. How Do You Feel Achieving This Academic Excellence?
I feel very happy, though before now I started expecting it in year 3, then I was on 4.85.
6. Do You Have A Role Model In Academics?
I have many. My father was the first, even though he passed away during the second semester exam time in year two. He read at night, and I would be sleeping like dead wood, so it was strange, but I became infatuated with him. He used to read at night, so I grew up witnessing this. I had just started primary school, and he was attending Babcock University. Knowing the proper procedure, I proceeded to university. His English was a bit off. Speaking English was a fear of mine, and I couldn't speak it until primary 6. He had to deliberately work on me, giving me instructions to go through programs, edit, proofread, and look for typos. He occasionally assigned me papers and essay writing for every activity we participated in. So I started to get better at writing. Another person who inspires me is my lecturer, Dr. Numbere A.O. He is really humble, much like my father, and I can't help but recognize my father in him. Extremely modest but successful scholar who still makes time for everyone and pursues academic success and when I see him, I remember my father.
7. Can You Share Your Best And Toughest Moment While In School?
Yes, In year three of school, I had the best experience. During our orientation, Dr. Babatunde Bolaji Bernard, our course adviser and current head of the Animal and Environment Biology department, assured us that the top three would receive scholarships. Consequently, I was the first of the three. He called Hon. Austin Christian, the former environment commissioner, and a few other CEOs of other organizations and companies during our IT presentation at the 300 level. This was the first time they had called me to give my IT presentation, and the standing ovation I received that day made me feel like the BGS already. Because I could hear people yelling BGS, Prof, Prof! even in the background! It was the cutest moment I had ever experienced in school since even the lecturers were yelling "Prof, Prof."
I had some toughest moments. One of them was Calculus I took in Maths 120. In secondary school, I never took any more math courses. After arriving late and starting classes late after being admitted, I was lost when I noticed X and Y and Delta everywhere in the first few weeks of classes. Two weeks later, when the lecturers started announcing tests, I was still puzzled. And that's when I realized it was over. With the grace of God, I noticed a fellow student who was a part of my fellowship holding a handout. After I checked out the handout, I started a two-week nightly reading marathon. I have to end my life (laughing). Later on, I had to follow up on a missing script I had in that same course, and it turned out to be found. That was the most challenging time I had in school.
8. Did You Face Any Pressure While In School?
There are so many pressures. Pressure from inadequate finances is one. A lack of money was always there. Going to school hungry and attending a night class while feeling intense hunger is a common experience for students. Despite this, one need to keep going and maintain their focus while reading. That was one of the pressure. Friends also imposed both positive and negative pressure on me. However, I am not the type to be swift on evaluating friends. I'll be alright if I stay by myself. I'm cheerful and able to socialize without any problems. It was all within my power to be balanced. I had my buddies' time. I do provide them with free tutorials. Yes, I do assist them. On some occasion, I go-to night class with them, and I also know when to withdraw for myself. Because helping people without helping myself will be a loss.
9. What Other Activities Did You Engage In, While In School Was It Just Reading?
Okay though, I was not a fan of the school's politics. Later on, though, Comr. Paul Chinele, President of the Animal and Environmental Biology Students' Association, appointed him as an academic adviser. I have no way of holding the top leadership position since I will not give it up for my book. I simply withdrew since I wanted to avoid going for anything and then jeopardize that position due to my lack of commitment to it. Although, the fact remains that I supported them, which they still know now. However, I can only say that I participated well in my fellowship.
10. How Were You Able To Balance Academics And Relationship With Your Friends?
I am always available. I mingled with friends and had their time. For those who wanted academic solutions, I gave it to them. Those that want gist, I can gist. For those that want fun, I can give fun. But, one thing is sure, I always have my night to myself.
11. For Attaining This Height, What Piece Of Advice Would You Give To Anyone To Attain Similar Academic Excellence?
Okay, within my years in school, I documented the principles I applied in academics ranging from vision to different study methods to how to manage friends and acquaintances to the later part of academics where the zeal for education is already rushed towards a final year and then my advice for I.T students is to read my book, the “Voyage of a Scholar” it is available on Amazon. I believe the words of my Father.
12. What Would You Miss About the University of Port Harcourt?
I will miss the University of Port Harcourt as a school. Especially the Vice Chancellor Prof Owunari Georgewill. I love him and will miss him so much. It is good to have a student-friendly VC who can smile. I will also miss my HOD, Dr. Babatunde Bolaji Bernard, he is more than a backbone. I will also miss my friends, though we are separated by distance. I will also miss my fellowship. My life is part of the fellowship.
13. What Are Your Career Plans?
Currently, I am serving the Nation, I just came because of the Convocation as the BGS. I have other plans to continue my Masters, if possible not in Nigeria. I also have plans to go into entrepreneurship and that's it.
