My journey to excellence challenging, says best graduating student

Abdulwaheed Shitta, who bagged the overall best student in the Higher National Diploma category at the Yaba College of Technology’s 31st convocation, says his father’s death in 2013 was a major challenge he faced during his study.

Twenty-four-year-old Shitta told our reporter in Lagos on Friday that the incident, which occurred in his second year in the institution, shook him psychologically and emotionally.

He, however, said he was able to overcome the challenging period eventually, and God was able to see him through.

“The journey has been challenging and exciting, but it has been God all the way,’’ Shitta said, urging students to stay focused in their studies if they plan to excel.

He said apart from hard work, the divine factor was also important in coming out with excellence.

“Some of my colleagues read more than I did,’’ Shitta said, noting that God’s favour, however, made the difference.

Shitta, who graduated from the School of Management and Business Studies, said he had a passion for lecturing and would love to teach finance.

It was reported that Shitta was among 9,021 students who graduated at the 31st convocation of YABATECH on Thursday.

Two hundred and forty-nine students graduated with distinction at the event.

Like Shitta, Miss Nnamdi Nwanne of the School of Engineering came first in the National Diploma category.

The Rector of the College, Dr Margaret Ladipo, had said at the event that 2,538 students got upper credit, 4,330 got lower credit while 1,904 obtained pass grade.

According to her, the students concluded Full-Time and Part-Time HND and ND programmes in the 2015/2016 academic session.

She said that at the HND Full-time level, 64 students graduated with distinction, 716 obtained upper credit, while 1,145 scored lower credit and 283 had Pass.

The rector congratulated the graduating students on the successful completion of their studies in the college.

“I urge you to rise up to the challenge and contribute your worthy bit to the development of the nation.

“Yaba College of Technology has equipped you with the requisite skills and knowledge to be entrepreneurs and employers of labour,’’ she said.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, charged Nigerian polytechnics to live up to their mandates and contribute to nation building.

Adamu, represented by Dr Ojo Samuel, Director, Tertiary Education in the ministry, said such response was required from technological institutions, “particularly now that the country is getting out if recession’’.

He said educational institutions must embrace research culture and technological innovations that must originate from ivory towers.

“Leading higher institutions in the world are well noted for their contributions to development through their research and innovation initiatives.

“It is for this reason that the present administration places a high premium on technical and vocational education.

“The quality of the academic programme offered must continue to progress along global trends for the graduates to compete effectively and remain relevant in the world of work.

“New and relevant programmes must, therefore, continue to evolve in accordance with the dynamics of a rapidly changing world,’’ the minister said.

According to him, for education to make a meaningful impact in any nation, there must also be collaboration between educational institutions and employers of labour.

“This synergy is what will give direction in the development of curricula and also enhance teaching and learning process.’’

Mr Lateef Fagbemi, Chairman, Governing Council of the college, urged the Federal Government to increase the funding of the college.