Emerging the best student wasn’t my goal — Babcock University valedictorian

Mrs Dogo Edafe Bawa, a mother of two, recently emerged the best graduating student at the convocation ceremony of Babcock University, a Seventh Day Adventist institution in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.97 in Business Education. She speaks with LAOLU HAROLDS.

I understand you’re currently a member of the staff at Babcock University. What exactly do you do? And what was your motivation to enroll for a degree course there in spite of the fees?

Yes, I am a School Officer. Adventist Education is a holistic education of the head, heart and hands. So it was a better choice for me to get my desired degree in Business Education.

And you chose Business Education. Can you explain why you decided to go for this course?

I have always had a desire to get a degree in education. This was an opportunity for me.

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Combining work and study poses serious problem for many people; but here you are: you actually combined work, study and being a wife and mother…and still excelled. How did you manage these pressures?

I have a very supportive husband, wonderful children, great colleagues, encouraging classmates and challenging lecturers. Above all, God’s grace is greater than all my needs. Unless the Lord builds the house, the labourer labours in vain

Did you experience any low moments along the way… family, finance etc that almost brought some discouragement? And how did you manage it?

Starting was a challenge; as soon as I could settle down to the challenge, having very supportive family and friends, God helped me through.

Can you give us an idea of what your typical day and schedule look like?

I wake up 5 a.m, prepare for the day, drop off the children at school and get to work close any time from 5p.m., go to church if there is an evening service, go home, prepare dinner and help the children with their assignments, sleep, wake up in the night to read and do my assignments.

You achieved a CGPA of 4.97. At what point did you notice you might emerge the very best, and what kind of pressure did this realisation exert on you?

Emerging the very best in the university wasn’t my goal, so there was no pressure. I was just getting the best from every class and from my dedicated and inspiring lecturers. It’s a humbling experience coming out the best.

There’s a way achieving this kind of feat creates hunger for further accomplishments. What other goals have you set your eyes on now to achieve?

This is a part of my goal. It is a stepping stone to helping me be of service to others.

What lesson have you personally learnt from your own experience through this course?

God has a plan; I’m just a part of it. So, I keep trusting (Him).