Adeseye Omololu Elesho is one of the pride of Ikorodu Division, at the just concluded 26th Convocation ceremony at the Lagos State University, Ojo, which commemorated the 40 years existence of the institution. The young Ikorodu son bagged Master’s in Chemistry with 4.55 CGPA, a feat described as laudable and commendable.
The young Adeseye is a website development expert and son of Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom and former Commissioner for Information in Lagos State.
This is the second interview interaction by Kunle Adelabu, the Publisher/Reporter – in – Chief, THE IMPACT newspaper, with distinction candidates from Ikorodu Division, in LASU, as part of our coverage of their excellent academic performances and first with those that attained the feat in their Master’s programme.
As a foremost news medium in the Division, we are not just celebrating them, but we are also using them as point of reference to other students from the division that are still studying, to be inspired and learn from. To achieve this, we want them to share their experience with us.
In this online interview, Adeseye spoke about Master’s class exploits, his challenges, factors that aided the feat achieved, and also offered suggestions to undergraduates, Master’s candidates and other young ones aiming at higher education on how to achieve academic excellence among others. Excerpts:
THE IMPACT: What is it like graduating with a distinction in your Master’s programme, especially from LASU known for its high academic standard and discipline?
Elesho: It was indeed a feeling of immense satisfaction and accomplishment, having faced so many challenges throughout this journey. First, I must thank God Almighty for life and being able to witness my graduation ceremony. If I was not alive, of what essence is my distinction? And also, to my parents for their immense support in every area. They have always been there for me when I needed them and still there for me. I could remember vividly when I started the full-time master’s program back in 2021, where I had to shuffle between school, office, home, business (Website Development Expert) and other responsibilities every day. At some point, I felt like giving up but I looked back at the academic profile of elder brothers and sisters with at least a Master’s degree, that was what motivated me and kept me pushing till I was able to balance my work life with my academics and here I am today with MSc bagged with distinction. In the process, LASU gave me a brilliant family (Sunmi, Niyi, Senami, Aaliyah, Deolu Girl, Deolu Boy, Bunmi, Efetobore, Mausi, Onifade, Seun, Taiwo, Aishat, Ezekiel, Aduak). We worked hand in hand and never left anyone behind. We did it.
THE IMPACT: How and what factors contributed to this feat?
Elesho: Utilizing available resources, problem-solving, diligence, collaboration and teamwork. My available resources have been my Lecture Note, Mobile phone and Lecturer’s Handouts. My mobile phone is my Library. I have only visited the school library once in my undergraduate days. Collaboration and teamwork are essential for me and have always helped me. Myself, Sunmi, Aaliyah, Senami, Niyi and Mausi are my core reading partners where we put heads together to think critically, analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions with all available resources we had and we made sure we carry everyone along.
THE IMPACT: Looking back to when you first gained admission into LASU, till the day you wrote your final examinations, did you ever feel that attaining First Class was impossible, at what point and why (if any)?
Elesho: No. I didn’t feel so. Actually, in the first one and half year of my undergraduate days, my academic performance was poor until I went back to the drawing board. I looked back at what I paid for my school fee, looked back at my family background academically and considered the fact that my parents won’t be happy with me having supported me. Then, I resolved to put in more effort and ensure that l start to improve academically each semester. I graduated with second class honors (upper division) for my undergraduate degree and I kept the pace of nothing less than 4.0 GP from my 300 level till I attained a distinction in my postgraduate studies with a CGPA of 4.55.
THE IMPACT: Did you benefit from any bursary or scholarship award (s) when you were undergraduate and how did that encourage you and also what is your view about such intervention(s)?
Elesho: Yes. I benefited from bursary awards in my undergraduate days, but not in my postgraduate. I hope to benefit for my PhD program as I embark on the journey. The Bursary has helped students who are struggling financially, to proceed with their academics, otherwise, they would have dropped out. I could remember that the Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, CON, SAN, led administration back in 2011/2012, increased the school fees by 100%. So many of my colleagues dropped out of school, because they couldn’t afford the school fees. The bursary wasn’t enough to sustain them. Two years after, the school fee was reverted by 100%, and some came back having deferred some semesters, while some couldn’t.
THE IMPACT: What is your message to other undergraduates and intending Master’s candidates, in terms of achieving academic excellence?
Elesho: Ultimately, achieving academic excellence is a personal journey, and everyone’s path may differ. To my undergraduates and intending master’s candidates, stay committed, stay passionate, and believe in your ability to achieve your goals. Embrace the joy of learning, pursue your passions, and make the most of the opportunities that come your way.
Thank You, THE IMPACT Newspaper, for this interview session.
