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| Olamide Sadiq |
Olayinka Olamide Sadiq made history at the convocation of the University of Ibadan last week when he got eight out of 11 possible distinctions in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
The 23-year-old indigene of Iragbiji in Osun State beat the record of seven distinctions set some years back.
He was also the overall best graduating student of the university.
Many at the convocation held at the International Conference Centre of the university were amazed when his name was called 31 times during the prize presentation.
Sadiq’s lecturers and other university officials rushed forward to take pictures with him.
But how could Sadiq, who always led his class from primary to secondary school, have opted for veterinary medicine and not medicine and surgery?
He told The Nation: “Years ago, University of Ibadan practised a mode of admission where your credentials are graded; basically your JAMB and O-level results. Unfortunately, my O-Level was not included, so my weighted average was so low. It was 27.5; too low for the course I wanted. Veterinary medicine was neither my first nor second choice. It was an alternative as ‘change of course’ due to what I call irregularities, which prevented me from being admitted for Basic Medical Science.”
He said he knew he was going to lead his class, but not being the institution’s best.
“I knew I was going to do very well in the university, but being the best overall student of the year…sincerely I did not think of it. I had some B grades despite the fact that I still scored highest in those courses. The number of distinctions attainable in the veterinary school, university of Ibadan is 11 and I made 8. The other three courses were B grades,” he said.
After his youth service, Sadiq plans to enrol for a postgraduate course in diagnostic medicine, hopefully in the United States.
To be the best, Sadiq said he worked hard. “Being a first class student takes hardwork, focus and prayer to sustain. Some are gifted, but work is still required. Prayer is a necessity if we want to survive the hurdles of life; I am a Muslim and I pray five times daily. Distractions would always surface, but when you are focused, you will be able to achieve many things, even with the numerous distractions in the university.”
He continued:“In veterinary school, 24 hours is never enough. Going to class Mondays to Fridays, from 8am to 5pm; extra-classes on weekends, numerous tests from various departments…It is impossible to thrive without burning the midnight oil.”
His hard work left no room for romance. “Well, there were friends; very nice and good friends, but not the one you think. Also, I did not have any regret whatsoever; though there were hard times, but God took total control,” he said.
Will he be coming back to teach? “I have not decided yet, but research is a yes. I love researching,” he said.
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