Can you tell us a little about your family and where you grew up?
We are eight altogether in my family, I am the first with five younger siblings. Growing up was very good. I have a mother who is a disciplinarian; but she balances that very well with openness. My siblings and I could and still can talk to her about anything and everything. She instilled the fear of God in us, which is the foundation upon which every other training was built. I remember back in the day, as I set out for school because I was in a boarding house then named “Second Home” in Mayflower School. My mother always told me: “Son, I can’t come and kneel to beg anybody; so please behave yourself and remember the son of whom you are.”
My father is the type that has a little of western life world view. So, he gave us the kind of exposure that was necessary for a child growing up in this generation. I was exposed to computer, email, and all that quite early. In general, my parents are very supportive; they do not compel or force their points of view on their children.
Why did you choose Christian Religious Studies?
That’s a long story, but here is a summary. I was a first class Computer/Electronics student in Lead City University. I had to drop out of school in my 200 Level because of my dad’s business partnership that went wrong in 2009/2010. So, my parents could not afford tuition anymore. But then, I decided to continue with my life and not give in to that setback. So I went into rap music. I wanted to use my music to make a difference. I wanted it to be my own voice; but the promoters I met wanted to change my point of view; they said something like, you know the Nigerian market has a particular kind of demand, you need to give it that. After you have made it, you can then switch back to what you want to do.’ Because of my background and training though, I could not easily give in to what they requested of me. I already had two tracks that I had recorded and wanted to start pushing. But because of that condition, they did not support those tracks. What they requested from me was vulgar and radical lyrical music. It was a tough decision to make.
At a point after so much pressure from my environment and then condition as a hustler trying to make ends meet, I decided to cave in and accept the proposal. But I wanted to take that decision in my bedroom at home where I started my music, so I could live with the decision and face the consequences whatever they may be. So, I left Ibadan for my home in Ijebu-Ode, only for me to get home to meet an in-depth bible study series of evangelism going on in my dad’s church. The church is located in our compound. I went into my room, dropped my bag and entered the church. I could have closed up my mind and just let the preachers make their usual noise, but something caught my attention. For the first time, I saw a bible study session accompanied with projection. The preacher was projecting all he was saying with beautiful pictures, logical arguments and, most importantly, biblical facts. I only intended to stay three days before going back to Ibadan to embark on that journey of no return (at least that’s what I had in mind). But my dad reasoned with me to stay for the whole 14 days programme, which I did. That was how it all changed for me. I gave my life to Christ, got baptized after the program and decided to leave that aspect of my life and have a relationship with Christ. This time a more substantial relationship because for the first time, Christianity actually made sense and was rational to me. All these happened between 2009 to 2011.
So an opening came up for a missionary assignment to my hometown. I joined the group of bible teachers and pastors that went to pioneer the Seventh day Adventist Church through house to house bible study at Iwopin, Ijebu-Waterside, Ogun state in 2012. There I spent a year and eleven months. A lot of things happened in that period. There I got the deep impression that God has a plan for my life, and that He wants me in full time ministry (which I struggled to accept for awhile). That necessitated preparation and equipping; hence, the need to come to Babcock University to study Christian Religious Studies. A lot of my friends thought I was crazy, one even said to me, “Guy, bomb dey your head? You a first class student studying theology? You must be crazy”.
Did your winning 4.97 CGPA come as a surprise to you, or was coming top of the class something you planned towards?
Well, I wouldn’t say it came as a surprise, I had always believed in academic excellence, something that was inculcated in me in my high school, Mayflower School. While in Lead City University, I realised that your first class (grade) begins with your first class (on campus). That mentality followed me to Babcock University, and all I did till my third year was put in my honest best. All I consciously tried to do was best the then BU’s best CGPA of 4.96, and that was in my final year when I became aware of the record. My CGPA already exceeded that by then; I just had to ensure that my last two semesters did not undo what I had done.
What challenges did you have to cope with along the way?
Majorly financial challenges, I was on goodwill sponsorship from a small group for some time, but they couldn’t continue anymore. At that crucial time, God stepped in through some individuals, a sizeable number of them actually, and I owe them a world of gratitude. But I want to particularly mention some: Professor Oluseyi Oduyoye, Pastor (Dr) Adesina Femi, Pastor (Prof.) M. O. Akpa, Pastor (Dr) Dickson T. U., Professor D. Adebawo, Taiwo Akinpelu, Olawale Akinyele, Leo Class 2018 through the ‘Help a Leo Roar’ initiative. The list goes on, but just to mention those few. They are all indelible in the chapters of the story of my life.
Were there particular study habits you stuck to, or some tough decisions you had to take to achieve this?
I am not naturally nocturnal; I did my major studying during the day. At least, that was the case in my first three years. But ever since I assumed the office of the class president, my schedule and daytime were not mine anymore. Noticing that, I had to adjust and adapt to the situation I found myself. So, I sacrificed my nights and sleep to write term papers, assignments and study. Those were really not pretty times, but what will man do? God was also heavily involved, I must say, He crowned my efforts with success. There were instances that I literally saw Him come through for me in my academic sojourn in BU.
Faith-based institutions aren’t particularly great places for socialization, are they? Did you socialise on or off-campus at Babcock?
Babcock believes in holistic education, which is education of the head (mental), hand (vocation) and heart (spiritual). This is all-encompassing, and that includes socialization. The institution also believes in temperance, which is complete abstinence from the harmful and moderate use of the good. So, everything (socializing inclusive) is done with temperance at the driver’s seat. And, yes, I did socialise. I was the main striker for my department’s and faculty’s football team, I was in the school’s scrabble team. I was the president of my department and later emerged as my class president. Such opportunities and many more constitute the social life in Babcock University.
If you were to say in few words what your formula for success is, what would you say?
I will say three principles. Firstly, an inspired writer once intimated that divinity plus humanity is what brings success, I partnered with God. Secondly, we all need a little help sometimes. I didn’t hesitate to ask for help when the need arose. Finally, the present situation is only a phantasm. Let your desired future be more concrete in your mind than your present. And before long, it will be a reality. That was ever in my consciousness.
What is your next plan after this graduation?
Well, I have big, big, big plans, I would rather show you than tell you though; so why not ask me again in five years (laughing jokingly). Seriously though, I have very big plans, but I am presenting those plans to God for Him to reorder and order. I trust Him to do that. He brought me this far.
and then