Once tormented by cataract, failed in all his O’Level subjects

He stood tall among his equals that day at the 22nd convocation ceremony of the Lagos State University held on May 23, 2018.

Fuad Ogunsanya, 24-year-old best graduating student of LASU, took several prizes and mounted the podium to give the best student’s address. And what an inspiring story it was!

He went home with a postgraduate scholarship, and a five million naira cash gift from the governor.

Ogunsanya really stole the show as he was the cynosure at the event that was graced by the Lagos State governor, who is also the Visitor to the university, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; the chancellor of the university, Justice Kayode Oguntade (rtd), who is also the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, among other eminent Nigerians.

Many times, Mr Ogunsanya, from Ikorodu, was called to the podium to collect his numerous prizes in addition to the one for being the overall best in his set.

He studied Business Administration and graduated with a Cumulative Grade Points Average of 4.78 out of the obtainable 5.0.

But it was an achievement that didn’t come so cheaply, according to him.

Of the seven children from his polygamous father (now deceased), Fuad is the only one who suffered eye cataract like his dad.

“I had thought I would overcome the cataract naturally after some years, but that was not to be until I had the second surgery at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan,” he told newsmen at the sideline of the event.

“I used to feel bad about the situation which oftentimes disturbed me psychologically.”

That congenital health condition didn’t affect his health alone, it denied him full  concentration in his studies, especially during his secondary school days, such that he had F9 grade in all the subjects he first sat for in the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE), conducted by both WAEC and NECO.

Even at that, he didn’t allow the situation to overwhelm him totally. His  ambition had been to go to school, do well and make something tangible out of the efforts after graduation.

“I’m somebody who look beyond the presence and pursue the goals set for myself headlong notwithstanding the nature and volume of challenges I’m facing,” he said.

After Ogunsanya who  graduated from Oriwu Model College, Ikorodu in 2010, had made 4As, 2Bs and 3Cs in WASSCE, he sat for the Unified Matriculation Examination (UTME), and with his 215 score out of the possible 400 marks, he gained admission to LASU.

Though, he had wanted to study Accounting, he settled for Business Administration as a result of the accreditation problem the university had at that time with the National Universities Commission, (NUC).

At LASU, Ogunsanya faced his studies squarely, according to him, even though he combined same with other activities expected of every average student on campus, including fun and sports.

But how did he achieve the feat of emerging the best?

“My coming first in my set wasn’t an easy ride. It really required sacrifice of time and every other thing as well as lots of hardwork and determination,” he explained.

For Fuad, everything was not about book. He had a girlfriend in his 200 Level, but had to quit the relationship so as to avoid unnecessary distraction attached to it

“And since then till now, I’m not into any relationship with any lady,” he noted.

Ogunsanya’s immediate future plan is to go to the United Kingdom for postgraduate studies and thereafter return to academics as a lecturer.

“I love teaching and would therefore want to take to teaching after completing my postgraduate studies.

“I don’t think any other job could give me a better satisfaction than teaching,” he said.

The Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, announced a gift of N5 million and scholarship to Fuad at that event.

He said later in an interview that he would invest the money judiciously but did not say particularly what he invest it in.

The governor, while announcing the cash gift and scholarship had told the audience that Fuad’s compelling story during his valedictory speech moved him into action.

He said, “Your story was compelling and actually reflects that of mine. And so I will adopt you and meet your first request and also give you N5 million cash personally from my purse.”

He, however, congratulated all the graduands for the achievements and promised to continue to lift LASU and other public schools in the state.