24-year-old is UNILAG’s best graduating PhD student

The University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, yesterday recorded another history as a 24-year-old man, Hallowed Oluwadara Olaoluwa became the best graduating PhD student, ranking him as one of the youngest Nigerians to attain such a feat. His PhD was in Mathematics. Olaoluwa, whose parent is a clergyman in the Central African Republic, had earlier completed two first degree programmes in Mathematics and Physics and two Masters degree programmes in the same fields before returning to Nigeria to pursue his PhD. The graduand, who instantly became the cynosure of all eyes, thanked the General Overseer of Deeper Life Ministry, Pastor W.F Kumuyi, saying he had benefited from scholarship by the church, and that the scholarship also facilitated his return to Nigeria, and the choice of UNILAG as a place to study. While also dedicating his achievement to God almighty, he thanked his parents and many other individuals and organisations, especially the church, which he said made his academic journey a smooth one, particularly with the provision of fund. Olaoluwa said: “I did not have cause to work because I was sponsored by the church and I lacked nothing, which made my concentration much easier. This award particularly is a victory for the field of Mathematics especially as many people do not believe it is a field that could transform the world. “I hope in the nearest future I can achieve the goal of securing another PhD in Physics since my other degrees had always been in the two fields.” In a similar development, 21-year-old Bakre Oluwafemi Abubakar of the Department of Electrical and Electronics, Faculty of Engineering, emerged this year’s UNILAG best graduating student with a cumulative gradient point of 4.86. Abubakar’s feat, which surprised many guests especia

lly after confirming that his parents are both staff of a new generation bank, was commended by everyone who enjoined parents to always create time for the upbringing of their children regardless of the nature of their jobs. Meanwhile, the university’s Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Jerry Gana, has re-echoed the position of the former Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon on the university’s name-change, saying the name had attracted so much excellence and awards to lose the identity in such a manner. Gana, who said his tenure as the institution’s Chairman of the Governing Council will witness tremendous achievements, thanked the individuals and organisations who had donated one facility or the other to the institution especially those projects commissioned yesterday. The Executive Secretary of the National University’s Commission, NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie represented the university’s Visitor and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. He said the present administration is committed to changing the present status quo of brain drain to brain gain, as parts of efforts to revive the national economy and enhance meaningful development. NIGERIAN TIMES