• Adebakin, UNILAG perfect scorer advises students
By Gabriel Dike
Damilare Haroun Adebakin, stands tall today at the 55th convocation of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Yaba, for his outstanding performance. He is one of the two graduating students who obtained a perfect score of 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
He spoke with Daily Sun.
Excerpts:
Who is Damilare Haroun Adebakin?
I am from Ogun State. I attended Abeokuta Grammar School known for producing stellar students. I am from a Muslim family of five.
What is the secret of obtaining perfect score?
The secret? First, one must acknowledge that all blessings are granted by Allah and not rely on himself at all. Heights are attained by a combination of Allah’s favours with an individual’s efforts. It goes with the saying, for every effect, there is a cause.
I usually advise students aiming for a perfect score with three things. First, ensure you complete the syllabus for your courses. Second, ensure you meet the required standard for exams. This can be by listening to cues from lecturers while they’re teaching, also by solving past questions, asking seniors or even asking the lecturers directly.
A simple “Sir/ma, how should we approach your exams?” solves a lot. The main reason for point two is to be a student guided by insight rather than assumptions. The third point is to never give up.
There was a very difficult course I wrote in my third year. I had read several times but not fully mastered a topic. Realising I had seven minutes to exam time, I stepped aside from my mates and diligently revised it within very few minutes. Shockingly, it was the first question I saw in the exam hall. Do not ever give up.
Does that mean you avoided social life on campus?
I believe association with people should be with purpose and not aimless. My religion even considers a Muslim that mixes with people to be better than one who stays in isolation.
Asides academics, I was the captain, the number 10 and fulcrum of my level’s football team. I also led the department in the Dean’s games, featuring from my first year in the university. On Sundays, I used to train with a football team at Staff School, UNILAG.
In addition, I redesigned and led the annual final year field trip. I ensuring my classmates lodged in a comfortable residence. We visited notable places such as the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Inqaba Biotec West Africa, Ilaji Hotel and Sports Resort and Agodi Gardens.
How did you end up in your department?
I wanted to study Medicine and Surgery. But life can be so unscripted and very dynamic. In fact, I kept on applying for Medicine and Surgery for four years. At the fourth year, I gained admission to study Cell Biology and Genetics at the University of Lagos and decided to take the opportunity.
What I find amazing is that Cell Biology and Genetics is now among the leading subjects in the world. Even medical students appreciate it a lot.
To find that I am graduating with a perfect score in a leading subject globally, I am deeply grateful to Allah for that. As they say, you plan but Allah’s plan is the best.
Are you going into academics?
I am very open-minded. I am driven to creating scalable and lasting solutions. I usually get excited when discussing innovative ideas or brainstorming on a complex topic. I am open to opportunities in industry and academia. I also have a very keen interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and policy.
What CGPA did you set for yourself?
My goal right from the start was to graduate with a 5.0 CGPA. I recall saying to one of my mates in year one, “we die there.” Yes, it required a lot but, like the statement of Ibn al-Jawzi, “where is the hard work of the scholar? It has all left him and what is left is the knowledge and station he has attained.”
At what level did you realise you would graduate with perfect score?
Honestly, I was never satisfied till I saw my final semester’s results.
Were you a triangular student on campus?
I believe a student should be an all-round student and not be known for just a single matter. While being an undergraduate, I was also a student at the Confucius Institute, UNILAG studying Mandarin Chinese.
At Confucius, I wrote exams for three out of the six levels of the international Chinese Standard Exams, HSK 1-3, scoring perfect scores of 200/200 in HSK1 and HSK2.
During this same period, I was also learning the Arabic language and the proper recitation of the Qur’an.
Considering that I also showed up at the sports centre and played at the Staff School on Sundays, you can say I lived an octagonal life. Most importantly, I acknowledge Allah’s grace over me.
Did your phone and laptop not distract you?
Not at all. Rather they were an aid. It was easy to get information, stay up-to-date with deadlines, projects and assignments. And since a Muslim is encouraged to be diligent on what benefits him and stay away from what does not concern him, it was easy to stay focused when it mattered.
What is the title of your project and its impact on your field of study?
The title of my project was “Diversity Assessment Among African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) Accessions Using Seed Traits and Storage Proteins.” African yam bean holds significant promise for resolving issues related to food and nutritional insecurity.
It has high nutritional potential that combines well with other commonly consumed legumes. It also produces seeds and tubers and can be used to restore soil fertility. However, it is a neglected orphan crop.
Some of the concerns of consumers include its lengthy cooking time, anti-nutritional factors and its taste and smell may be disagreeable. Since a core focus of genetics is crop improvement, my research investigated and identified a rich genetic base for obtaining improved African yam bean accessions.
Is your performance a one-off thing or from primary and secondary schools?
Both in primary and secondary schools, I was naturally among the bright students. However, I did not put much efforts into my studies. The first time I questioned if I was doing enough was when I was not announced a prefect in junior secondary school.
But then I just kept on going and handling affairs spontaneously. Till it became clear to me that heights are reached by a combination of talents and immense work. Don’t get me wrong I am not saying that I am super-talented. Rather, I consider myself a product of grace.
All I am saying is that your talents are never enough and we all must put in efforts in order to make a difference. The principle of life, especially in education, is that whoever puts forth some effort gets something back no matter how little.
Were there any obstacles that you encountered during your study?
Feats are never devoid of obstacles and challenges. In my first semester, as exams approached, I fell ill and could not even sit down. I had a severe back pain, fever, head ache and could only stay awake for about 15 minutes after which I would doze off again.
There was an exam, FSC 114, written by thousands of students, yet I was told only 12 students had a distinction in the previous year. On the day of the exam, I had to go to the medical centre to receive drugs and injection. Despite all this, I was blessed by Allah to make distinctions in all my courses, including the FSC 114.
There were numerous challenges. Another notable mention was my activities in my final semester. I was attending a data science fellowship in SAIL Innovation Lab, Ikorodu. I had to go from UNILAG to Ikorodu and back three times weekly, from Thursdays to Saturdays.
On Sundays, I would feel as if I was sick. This left me with only three days in a week for my school work including project, field work, laboratory work, and classes.
I was also participating in a deep learning project at the Sprint AI Training for African Medical Imaging Knowledge Translation (SPARK) Academy at that period. In the end, I finished with all As. I say this is only favour from the divine.