A few months after winning the Samantha Singh Memorial Award, Oluwadamilola Akintewe has gone ahead to make the nation proud by being the only Nigerian in the top 10 finalists for the inaugural Global Student Prize. She tells ENIOLA OYEMOLADE how her journey has been so far.
You are the only Nigerian in the top 10 finalist for the inaugural Global Student Prize. How does this make you feel?
To be the only Nigerian in the top 10 finalists is surreal. I was all over the place with excitement when it was announced.
Why and how did you apply for the prize? Take us through the entire process.
The application was in two segments: nomination and self application. For the nomination, an organisation can nominate a student while for self application, you can apply if you feel you’re worthy. After four years of my social impact work, I decided to take my chances because I believe I am a leader and would make a fantastic ambassador of education as the Global Student Prize. The competition began with 3500+ students from 94 countries and to be among the best 10 is proof to me that I was right about myself.
I am the founder of Forbidden Topics, a movement to amplify women’s voices against social injustices against the rights of adolescent girls and young women such as sexual gender based violence, institutionalised sexism and gender inequality. Forbidden Topics facilitate an intersectional platform for women and has shared the stories of women and girls from 25 countries and counting, raising a generation of women who are audacious, confident and powerful.
In your opinion, who do you think an exceptional student it?
An exceptional student is someone who has identified a problem, proffered a solution and inspired others to be a part of the solution.
The prize for this award is $100,000. If you win, what will the money be used for?
I intend to utilise the prize money to register Forbidden Topics as an organisation in Nigeria and to facilitate other social impact projects around feminism.
A small town girl from Ondo, who has now gone global with the competitions you’ve won and recognitions received, how has the journey been so far?
The journey to being global had its downside. I’ve been volunteering since 2014, led my own first social impact project in 2017. So, it has been seven years of hard work and I am grateful my story is getting attention positively.
You are a law student and you remain near the top of your class with a 4.3 CGPA. How do you continue to maintain academic excellence even with the awards and competitions you apply for?
Balancing is key. To an extent, I have been able to balance my schedule around school and running social projects. On days that it gets tough, I have my amazing team and my sisters who continually inspire me.
You are on a scholarship courtesy of a national organisation. How did this happen?
After secondary school, this organisation, Zenith Club of Nigeria came to my school and had the school nominate students for an interview. I was part of the nominees. I went for the interview which centred around my academics and social status. I was eventually one of the two student selected across Ondo East and West. This provided me with a scholarship that pays for my undergraduate law studies.
You have dedicated four years of your life to social impact especially in areas of education and gender equality. Why is this so important to you? Why the passion?
I remain grateful to Zenith Club of Nigeria for their generosity and this is why I am so passionate about social impact. I want to replicate their activities to impact people’s lives and get the access to life changing opportunities.
This is why I organise skill acquisition for women and mentor girls. I made a vow to always pay it forward for others. This is the inspiration for my consistent involvement in social work, improving the livelihood of people in rural communities.
You believe that Nigeria’s greatest resource is young people with brilliant ideas. How so?
Nigeria’s greatest resources are young people. We have innumerable brilliant ideas. If or when I win the Global Student Prize (as I sincerely hope and pray), it will forever be on record that a Nigerian girl is the first winner. The Global Student Prize will be the most influential student in the world, the Student Nobel as it is nicknamed and I am Nigerian. I believe there are so many other young Nigerians who are doing fantastically well. I just need the Federal Government to recognise these brilliance, intelligence and support them.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Viral Voice Note On WhatsApp Billing False
Claim: A viral WhatsApp voice note, purportedly made by the director and CEO of WhatsApp, claims users will have to start paying for WhatsApp services…
Experts Say Mixture Of Snail Slime, Evaporated Milk Cannot Cure Stroke
CLAIM: A Facebook user claims water gotten from snails (snail slime) and peak milk can cure partial or full stroke…
Marburg Virus: What You Need To Know About Disease Recently Detected In West Africa
On Monday, August 9, 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the first case of Marburg virus in West Africa in Guinea…
FACT CHECK: US Did Not Give Nigeria 48 Hours Ultimatum To Detain Abba Kyari
CLAIM: Several social media posts claim the United States of America (USA) gave Nigeria’s Federal Government 48 hours to detain suspended Deputy Police Commissioner, Abba Kyari, or face severe sanctions…
and then