LASU Convocation: How JAMB pushed me from frustration to becoming overall best graduand

[Gideon Adonai, Lagos]

Nwosu Isioma Sybil, the Overall Best Graduand at the ongoing 28th Convocation Ceremonies of the Lagos State University has disclosed that the Joint Admission and Matriculation (JAMB), it was who pushed her from her comfort zone, into the furnace of frustration and then into the constellation of LASU stars, emerging the overall best graduating student with a total CGPA of 4.93 in a 5.00 scale.

In her speech on Wednesday, 

disclosed that her score at the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in the year 2019 was not unfavourable, despite being her high school's valedictorian.

Narrating her journey of success, and who she had to retake the UTME, Isioma said: "it was a bitter pill to swallow."

Isioma, recounting her university admission tussle said, "My dream was to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan, but I fell just two points short of the cut-off mark."  Musing of the aftermath of her failure to secure medicine and surgery at the University of Ibadan, Isioma said, the "News of my gap year spread like wildfire in my secondary school, and the whispers were loud. "Why me? How did this happen?" I questioned myself over and over. I thought I had failed in life.

Doling out words of encouragement to hundreds of well wishers, fellow graduands, aspiring scholars and visitors alike, Isioma said:

As I stand before you today, reflecting on this monumental journey, one thought resonates deeply-

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" - a timeless truth from

Eleanor Roosevelt."

"I am Nwosu Isioma Sybil, from Delta State, Nigeria," she continued. "I am one whom God has helped and chosen

from birth. When I received the life-changing news that I am the Overall Best Graduating

Student of the 2023/2024 set, my heart overflowed with gratitude. I could only give thanks to the

Almighty, for this achievement is a testament to His promise in Isaiah 60:22: "When the time is

right, I, the Lord, will make it happen. "

See her speech in part below:

Discovering Purpose at LASU

This time, I chose Lagos State University (LASU) as my first choice, again aiming for Medicine

and Surgery, However, when the admission list came out, I was offered Biochemistry a course I

had never even heard of! 

My heart broke a second time. But as Jeremiah 29:1l reminds us, "For I know the plans I have

for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and

a future. " LASU was where God wanted me to be.

Even in my 100-level, I struggled to accept it, Every time I saw Medical stude

students, I pictured myself

But one day, during

among them. I was convinced I would transfer

a Physics 102 class, our lecturer, Dr. Oseni, said something  about that changing 

to Medicine in the 200-level. Bu

Some oj you weren't given your preferred coure Bot instead of lamenting, why not prove to the

university that you deserve something even greater?"

That statement stuck with me. Right there and then I made a decision/ would beCome the

Overall Best Graduating Student of LASU.

Thriving Against the Odds

Biochemistry is not ajoke!

By 200-level, I had embraced Biochemistry fully But let me tell you

The structures, pathways, and mechanisms demand utmost attention to detail. I often said tO

myself, "I can survive LASU Biochemistry, Ican survive anything in life'", because our lecturerS

are hot cake and of international standard.

At this point, I must express profound gratitude to my lecturers in the Department of Biochemisty

and the Faculty of Science. Despite limited academic and non-academic members in the

department, a large student population, and outdated equipment, you all remain intelligent,

hardworking, handsome, beautiful, and inspiring. Your dedication will forever be imprinted in my

heart.

To my final-year project supervisor, Prof. Segun Adeola, and Dr. K.O. Amisu from the

Microbiology Department, thank you for your invaluable guidance during bench work. To the past

HODS and the present HOD, Dr. H.A. Bankole, personally appreciate your different leadership

roles played and effort in taking the department to an internationally acceptable standard. And to

our two young, highly intelligent, and handsome lecturers, whom I always ran to for academic and

personal advice, Dr.O.K. Awote, who will also be convocating tomorrow, and Mr. A.G. Adeyemo,

thank you sirs, for all you do in that department and for always giving a listening ea.

The Power of Friendship

The toughest part of my journey? 300-level. This wàs when I realized that success is never a solo

journey truly takes a village.

My friends were my lifeline. When I checked my LIDC portal and saw my first and only 3" in

my result, my CGPA dropped from 4.97 to 4.94. I was devastated. I called Dr. Awote and my

friends, and before I even spoke, they knew. I cried. And they lifted me, refusing to let me give

up.

Fast forward to 400-level, after one tough exam, I was convinced I wouldn't get an A. What did I

do? I called my friends and cried again. But they reminded me:

"Sybil, you 're not dumb. You're incredibly intelligent. Don't doubt yourself"

True to their words, I got my A. My imends: Anjola. Senami Elizabeth. Ose, E. Zaculus, Miwa-

Aura, Jere, Bamzy, Zaza, Kenny, Sey1, Alpha, to mention iust a fewthis win isn't mine alone. It

belongs to all of us. No matter where life takes us, I will alwavs be a phone call away.

Even in my 100-level, I struggled to accept it. Eve

among them. I was convinced I would tranşfer to Mat

a Physics 102 class, our lecturer, Dr. Oseni, said Sonm

bd to accept 1t. Every time I saw Medical students, I pictured myself

would transfer to Medicine in the 200-1evel. But one day, during

wor Dr. Oseni, Said something that changed my life:

"Some ofyou weren't given your preferrea course. But instead of lamenting, why not prove to the

university that you deserve something even greater? "

That statement stuck with me. Right there and then, I made a decisionI would become the

Overall Best Graduating Student of LASU.

Thriving Against the Odds

By 200-level, I had embraced Biochemistry fully. But let me tell youBiochemistry is not a joke!

The structures, pathways, and mechanisms demand utmost attention to detail. I often said to

myself, fI can survive LASU Biochemistry, I can survive anything in life", because our lecturers

are hot cake and of international standard.

At this point, I must express profound gratitude to my lecturers in the Department of Biochemistry

and the Faculty of Science. Despite limited academic and non-academic members in the

department, a large student population, and outdated equipment, you all remain intelligent,

hardworking, handsome, beautiful, and inspiring. Your dedication will forever be imprinted in my

heart.

To my final-year project supervisor, Prof. Segun Adeola, and Dr. K.O. Amisu from the

Microbiology Department, thank you foryour invaluable guidance during bench work. To the past

HODS and the present HOD, Dr. HA. Bankole, I personally appreciate your different leadership

roles played and effort in taking the department to an internationally acceptable standard. And to

our two young, highly intelligent, and handsome lecturers, whom I always ran to for academic and

personal advice, Dr. 0.K. Awote, who will also be convocating tomorrow, and Mr. A.G. Adeyemo,

thank you sirs, for all you do in that department and for always giving a listening ear.

The Power of Friendship

The toughest part of my journey? 300-level. This was when I realized that success is never a solo

journeyit truly takes a village.

My friends were my lifeline. When I checked my LIDC portal and saw my first and only "3* in

my result, my CGPA dropped from 4.97 to 4.94. I was devastated. I called Dr. Awote and my

friends, and before I even spoke, they knew. I cried. And they lifted me, refusing to let me give

up.

Fast forward to 400-level, after one tough exam, I was convinced I wouldn't get an A. What did I

do? I called my friends and cried again. But they reminded me:

"Sybil, you 're not dumb. You 're incredibly intelligent. Don't doubt yourself."

True to their words, I got my A. My friends: Anjola, Senami, Elizabeth, Ose, E. Zaculus, Miwa-

Aura, Jere, Bamzy, Zaza, Kenny, Seyi, Alpha, to mention just a few -this win isn't mine alone. lt

belongs to all of us. No matter where life takes us, I will always be a phone call away.

Beyond the Books

was deeply nvolved in extracurricular activities, especially politics,

eale Department ot Biochemistry. Balancing academics and leadership

1 that vou don t have to choose between excellence and impact. You

I wasn

I wasn't just buried in books. I was deeply involved

as I was the 33rd Speaker of the Department of Bioche

was challenging, but it proved that you don t have

can excel in bothifyou manage your time well

Looking Ahead

As I step into the future, my journey doesnend here.I aspire to pursue an MSc and a PhD abroad

although not in Biochemistry, but in Biointormatics, Data Science, and their related fields. Yes.

I'm venturing into Tech and would love to be a Tech lady in the nearest future! The world is

evolving, and so must we. So, I am open to any form of assistance and sponsorship to make my

dream come true.

A Final Word to the Graduating Class

To the Class of 2023/2024, I say: Congratulations!

Regardless of your grade, be proud of yourself. You completed this phase. You are resilient,

capable, and prepared for the future. The world is waiting for your greatness and manifestation.

To anyone listening today, I leave you with this: Never be afraid to dream big, for your dreams

are the seeds of greatness. Additionally. surround yourself with friends with values and eaual

vision and ambition.

Reintroducing Myself

Standing on all existing protocols, lad es and gentlemen, allow me to reintroduce myself:

Iam Nwosu Isioma Sybil, the Best Graduating Student (BGS) of the 2023/2024 academic set.

with a CGPA of 4.93.

Thank you, and God bless you all!