‘Fear of blood made me jettison Medicine for Computer Science’

MISS Esther Odunola Adio says her driving force is her father’s philosophy: ‘Be the best in everything you do’. This was all she needed to emerge as the best graduating student of the 2016/2017 set at the 8th convocation ceremony of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State.

The 22-old-year-old led 565 other graduating students with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.90 from the Department of Computer Science.

She said the moral, spiritual and academic excellence vision of the founding fathers of JABU also spurred her to achieve the feat.

Esther attended the Ibadan District Council (IDC) Primary School, Akobo, in Ibadan before proceeding to Christ the King Secondary School in Ibadan, Oyo State, before gaining admission to JABU to study Computer science.

Though she had been a brilliant student from her primary and secondary school days, she sat the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) twice before gaining admission to JABU.

Haemophobia

Her dream course was Medicine, but she was never given admission to study the course. But more importantly, her phobia for blood made her change that course of action the second time she obtained the JAMB UTME form.

“I wrote (UTME) twice; I was not offered admission at my first attempt and was not given the course I wanted, Medicine, at UNILAG. So, I took the form the second time and opted for Computer science, for which JABU accepted me.

“I (initially) wanted to study Medicine, but along the line, I realised that there were certain things I didn’t put into consideration. I found out that there were some certain things I would not be able to do if I studied Medicine.

“I started going through some books related to medicine as a course, and I got to know that there was no way to avoid blood during practice. I realised that I would not be able to stand the sight of blood. I have phobia for blood, and I don’t really like what I feel when I see blood; so I took the JAMB form the second time and opted for Computer Science.

“When I look at Computer Science and look at the world today, without Computer Science, I don’t know what the world would look like.”

Why JABU

She said she fell in love with JABU the very first time she saw the students of the institution in their bus, and told her friends that she might end up graduating from the university.

Her direct parents are not members of the Christ Apostolic Church, but her grandmother was during her life time.

‘Nothing comes easy’

So, did her feat come without a price? Odunola she had to burn the proverbial midnight oil.

“It is not easy to make a First Class degree, but I actually employed three things when I got admitted here: determination, discipline and hard work. Above all, I observed the fear of my God, which is the beginning of wisdom.

“There were times that I had to remove my mattress from the bed and sleep on the iron board in order not to be too comfortable when sleeping, and would be forced to wake up in the middle of the night to read; and before I read,  I prayed almost every time.

Challenges

“Nothing good comes easily; I faced many challenges. I read and went extra miles. While others were sleeping or giving priority to things outside their academic studies, I burnt the midnight candle, and this is the result I am celebrating today.

“Though there were courses that really gave me issues in my 200 and 400 Levels, I thank God I was able to read and pass those courses excellently.”

She acknowledged the support of her parents, Pastor and Pastor Mrs. Adio, whose words of encouragement she said kept her going.

“Each time I remember those words, I was strengthened even when I felt like backing out; it brought me back on the track. My mum has also been there for me too; she’s my prayer warrior.

Socialisation

“I am a member of Google developer group, JABU chapter, in which I have represented the school in a competition in 2015 and I participated in other social activities on campus.”

She said she usually attended church at her leisure time, saying “I am a church kind of person; after lecture room or library, the next place (you’re likely to find me) is the chapel. I am a chapel worker and served in three different units.

Did she face distraction from the opposite sex?

“I am this kind person that people say I put on strong face, and I thought that scared guys away. This makes some of my friends to always refer to me as ‘Iron Lady’ because I love to do my things without any distractions. So, there wasn’t that much of a distraction”

What makes JABU tick?

JABU is undoubtedly the best in the area of entrepreneurial programmes. We were exposed to various entrepreneurial skills while on campus here. I learnt tailoring or fashion designing skills here, and I can tell you that I am doing perfectly well. I had some work I did when I was in school and continue practising it when I got back home. Thank God one of my sisters is also in the line, and I joined her and we have been doing great.”

Next line of action

The 22-year-old said her dream is to become one of the greatest lecturers in the world, but first hopes to pursue her master’s degree and doctorate immediately after the compulsory one-year national youth service.

This passion to impart knowledge into others led her to establish a foundation when she was still in school. The foundation, Formal Ladies Foundation, she said “was established when I was in school, and the foundation had impacted ladies and females. Though not popular yet, I am praying to God to make it more popular.”