• How 2 students under my watch got perfect scores, 12 others First Class – Iroanya
By Gabriel Dike
Dr. Onyekachi Iroanya, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, was recently celebrated by colleagues, graduates and students for the outstanding performance of her graduates.
Under her mentorship, the department produced 14 First Class graduates, out of which two emerged the overall best graduating students with a perfect score of 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
She spoke with Daily Sun. Excerpts:
Why did you venture into academics?
The main reason I ventured into academics was because my father was a lecturer and my husband’s full support and encouragement. My father, Dr. Iwuoha Edozie Aligwekwe, was an exceptionally great lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Sometimes, we had the opportunity of being in the lecture room waiting for him while he was teaching. His passion for teaching was the main thing, and the way he communicated with his students. He was very approachable and accessible and showed so much empathy and understanding. He believed in continuously improving himself and I admired and loved him so much.
These are some of the qualities I saw in him that made me venture into academics. He always talked about building a dynamic and enriching educational experience for students and this is what I try to do. I aim to foster a love for learning and personal growth.
If you were not into lecturing, what other job options would you have gone into?
If I wasn’t lecturing, I might probably have been a business tycoon and a politician.
Your colleagues and students recently celebrated you, what did you achieve?
Oh, what did I achieve? Should I say I achieved or we achieved? Because this is as a result of everybody coming together to bring out the best in the students.
We are celebrating what everyone in the university achieved. From the security men at the gates ensuring our safety, to the cleaners that clean the classrooms and environment, the administrative staff, the non-teaching staff especially those in the laboratory that help to bridge theory and practice, to the management of the university that makes sure the environment is conducive for the students to learn and achieve greatness.
Most importantly, we are celebrating all lecturers who, despite everything, still significantly impact students’ academic and personal development by imparting knowledge and helping students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
What we achieved is that we were able to graduate two students with a perfect CGPA of 5.0 under my mentorship. This is the first time it’s happening from the same class. You can have one or two students from different departments in the school but not from the same class.
From that same class we had 14 First Class students and 49 students with Second Class Upper (2.1). It’s a great feat and has never been achieved. This is what everybody is celebrating. We mentor, guide, motivate and inspire them; so we all achieved it.
How unique is this class of 2024?
The Alpha Helix class of 2024 is extraordinarily unique in every aspect. Our class dominated the sporting activities at the HOD games. We presently boast of students who have travelled out of the country for a conference or some programme.
Their management and social skills were evident in their final year field trip as they redesigned the trip from the norms and incorporated reforms that allowed students stay in an accommodation that was in close proximity to educational centres, tourist centres, and recreational places.
These are some of the unique distinctive qualities that set the Alpha Helix class apart from others. Halimat represented the University of Lagos in various competitions, winning awards and recognitions for her public speaking skills and dominated debates both within and outside UNILAG.
We have numerous flourishing entrepreneurs. The Alpha Helix class produced the first ULSSA president, who emerged from our Department. Ismail “The Political Geneticist”, is a Lagos State Youth Ambassador, while Samuel, Blessing and Ruth are Millenium fellows. Olajide was a campus fellowship president while Haroun learnt and speaks Arabic and Chinese fluently.
Emmanuel, our class “Dreamer Boy,” had a GPA of 2.82 in the first semester of the first year but with hardwork and perseverance graduated with a first class with a CGPA of 4.58.
We created a collaborative learning environment where the students are encouraged to work together, share ideas and learn from one another through group projects, peer reviews and collaborative assignments. We are our brother’s keeper.
At what point did you notice their academic feat?
It was after their second year. Because the first and second years are the hardest. They take courses from different departments, e.g. Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Botany, Marine Science, Zoology, Microbiology, Computer Science, and French. After their second year, most of the courses they take are specialised and tailored towards their interest. So, after their second year, I knew, yeah, we were going to make it.
What was one major encounter you had with a student, positive or negative?
Let me give one major encounter I had with my student and his parent. He was naughty/rude to me on our class WhatsApp group. I was not happy with him. I didn’t know at that point he was having an emotional problem and was derailing.
A few weeks later, one of his classmates came to me and told me that he had a problem at home and his mother came to report him to the HOD. I went to the HOD to find out what the problem was and what happened, because they said he came out crying and very distraught.
I insisted that the mother be invited for another meeting because I believe I should have been part of the initial meeting as his guardian in school. I should be there to protect him, no matter what, so that I can advise him properly.
Before the meeting with his mum, I spent more than two hours talking with him. I was able to understand what the problem was and advised him accordingly. At the meeting with the HOD and his mum, he explained some of the misconceptions, apologised and most of the issues were resolved.
There, he promised he would make us proud, which he did, because he graduated with a first class. I had a private meeting with his mum and also resolved some concerns with her. We all learn’t some of the consequences of our actions and inactions. He turned a new leaf and we are proud of who he has become so we moved from negative to positive.
Do lecturers in the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics have the facilities to teach students?
I’ll say, not really. The university administration is trying their best to upgrade and provide the required facilities, but they have very limited resources. We don’t have all the needed facilities, we need to upgrade our laboratories, classrooms and offices.
If you meet the President and he asks you what he can do for your department, what would you request from him?
The first thing I will ask is for him to build a state-of-the-art Forensic and Molecular Biology Laboratory. This lab will be very useful, not just in teaching but it can also be used to service the community. When you have a fully equipped state-of-the-art Forensic / Molecular Biology Lab we can help in training security personnel and law enforcement agents and serve as a forensic test centre especially for DNA testing and crime scene investigation.
Then the next one is for Mr. President to please review our salaries. That I was able to achieve most of these things was because I had financial support from my husband, our children and my siblings. That helped so most of my students were endeared to me. I paid some students school fees and gave some a monthly stipend to help them get bye and the really appreciated it.
Most lecturers are empathetic and would love to do these and even more, but they can’t afford it because we are very poorly paid. Most lecturers are suffering and our take home can’t take us home. Mr. President, please listen to ASUU and help us by reviewing our salaries.
What is your experience as regards the use of AI by students for assignments?
Most of my assignments are hands-on, practical or case presentations. You report what you have seen or done. Yes, they might use AI to help in reporting their findings but, it will not tell you what you have seen or draw it for you with a pencil on a sheet of paper. You have to see it for you to describe it. Most of my classes are interactive where students make presentations, and everyone asks questions so the use of AI is limited.
Any sign that the next set of students would surpass the 2024 class?
That is what the department is hoping for, that every year will be better than the previous year. We are working hard to improve on what we have achieved.
Who then is Dr. Onyekachi Iroanya?
Dr. Onyekachi Ogbonnaya Iroanya is a Forensic Biology Lecturer at the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos Nigeria. I’m from Umuezegwu, Ihitte Uboma Local Government, Imo State. I’m married to Ogbonnaya Chukwuemeka Iroanya from Nnono, Ikwuano Umuahia LG, Abia State.