The Awo Times

OAU BEST GRADUATING STUDENT, 2025.   By Grace Olaniyi Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has announced Sunday Amuke, a 23-year-old graduate of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, as the institution’s best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.90. Amuke, who hails from Enugu State and also bears the Igbo name Chukwudi, described his academic journey as “interesting,” noting that it began with unexpected challenges. Despite scoring 99/100 in MTH101 and 91/100 in CHM101, his first-semester GPA stood at 4.44 short of a first-class grade. However, he said the strong performance in the university’s difficult “yellow and white house” courses strengthened his belief that he could excel. That belief, coupled with consistent hard work and what he described as God’s grace, led him to achieve six 5.0 GPAs in the remaining nine semesters of his programme.  Reflecting on the habits that drove his academic excellence, Amuke said he prioritized thorough preparation...

  FROM SETBACKS TO FIRST CLASS: THE DETERMINED RISE OF TIJANI ADENIKE JANET By Goodness Olope  For Tijani Adenike Janet, the journey to becoming one of the brightest graduates in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Obafemi Awolowo University wasn’t paved with ease. It was carved through discipline, sacrifice, and a quiet determination that kept her moving literally and figuratively from Phase Two to campus every day. At 23, Adenike graduates from the Faculty of Social Sciences with an impressive 4.5 CGPA, a feat many dream of but few attain. Hailing from Ogun State, she reflects on her years at Great Ife with a blend of gratitude, pride, and relief. “It Was Challenging, but Rewarding” Adenike describes her academic journey as “challenging but rewarding,” a phrase that only scratches the surface of what it took to excel. While some courses came naturally, the calculation-heavy ones SSC 105, 106, 201, and 202 pushed her to her limits. They cost her the Part 1 acade...

  PRINCESS OF POLITICS: THE INSPIRING CAMPUS JOURNEY OF OKE RACHAEL  By Goodness Olope  From the very beginning, Oke Rachael popularly known across campus as Princess knew exactly what she wanted. While her parents dreamt of seeing her study law, she held tightly to her own conviction: Political Science was her path. Inspired by an uncle who was deeply involved in politics and fueled by a childhood habit of reading newspapers, Rachael’s interest in governance and public affairs was always more than a passing curiosity it was a calling. A Dream That Survived the Storms Gaining admission in 2019, Rachael entered Obafemi Awolowo University with enthusiasm and focus. Fresher’s Week remains one of her most memorable moments her first real encounter with the diversity, energy, and academic rigor of OAU. But like many students, her journey wasn’t without turbulence. The long 2022 strike shook her resolve so deeply that she once contemplated leaving the school entirely. Looking b...

FABIYI KEHINDE VICTOR: A REMARKABLE JOURNEY By Prosperity Olajire The Journey of Fabiyi Kehinde Victor, the Best Graduating student of the department of political science at Obafemi Awolowo University, is a story of resilience, determination,hard work and focus. Kehinde was born and raised in Ibadan, oyo state to a family who valued education. He attended Golden Rings Group of Schools and Jeislo International School for his primary education and TL Oyesina Model School Ibadan for his secondary school education. He has always been an A student since his primary school days and academic excellence his core values throughout his university days. His decision to study political science was influenced by his interest in understanding how the government works and the impact of politics in Nigeria and in the global world. Graduating with a first class and also being the best Graduating student came with a lot of challenges, where he had to balance his academics with extra curricular activitie...

GRACE, GRIT AND GEOGRAPHY: THE INSPIRING JOURNEY OF AYOOLA SAMUEL AYODEJI By Goodness Olope  When Ayoola Samuel Ayodeji walked into Obafemi Awolowo University as a newly admitted student, he carried a different dream, Medicine. But life, and God, had other plans. Four years later, he is graduating as one of the shining stars of the Faculty of Social Sciences, earning a remarkable 4.82 CGPA from the Department of Geography. What began as an unexpected path soon became his place of purpose, discipline, and deep personal transformation. “God knew what I needed to learn.” Ayoola speaks with a calm conviction that carries the weight of his journey. “I wanted to study Medicine,” he recalls. “But studying Geography made me feel fulfilled because God taught me the important lessons of life I needed to learn while I was in the department.” For him, university wasn’t just an academic journey, it was a training ground for resilience, intentionality, and faith. His experience at OAU became a b...

 BEYOND SIGHT: THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF DABIRI SAMUEL OLUWASEGUN By Goodness Olope  At Obafemi Awolowo University, the legendary Great Ife, a campus revered across Africa for its intellectual rigour, architectural majesty, and unmatched spirit of excellence, thousands of students prepare each year to join a lineage of scholars, icons, and nation-shapers. Its vast courtyards, iconic structures, and deeply rooted traditions have nurtured generations of thinkers, activists, judges, diplomats, scientists, and artists whose influence stretches far beyond Nigeria’s borders. Yet within this vibrant academic community, where brilliance is almost an expectation and resilience is woven into the institution’s history, one story rises quietly but powerfully above the familiar rhythm of convocation celebrations. It is the story of a young man whose journey reminds Great Ife, and the world, that true visibility has little to do with sight and everything to do with courage. This is the rema...

  EMMANUELLA IKEOLUWA AKINWANDE: RISING BY GRACE, DISCIPLINE AND THE GIFT OF MEN By Azeezat Oladeji  At 22, Emmanuella Ikeoluwa Akinwande stands tall among Obafemi Awolowo University’s brightest minds, graduating with an exceptional CGPA of 4.83/5.00 from the Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture. From Osun State, soft-spoken but deeply grounded, her story is one of grace, intentional effort, and a steady commitment to outdoing her own best. A Journey Carried by Grace When asked to describe her academic experience, Emmanuella begins with her source of strength: “I’d say I’ve enjoyed help, especially from the Holy Spirit.” Interestingly, being the Best Graduating Student was never part of her initial vision. What she did hold on to was a desire to keep improving , with every semester, a higher GPA.  Through divine guidance, ease, and what she affectionately calls “the gift of men”, she found herself rising consistently. Habits That Built Her Academic Excell...

FROM CLASSROOM TO STAGE: BIYI PRAISE JOURNEY   By Victoria Ilori As Obafemi Awolowo University prepares for convocation, one of the standout student entertainers leaving the institution is Biyi Adesida Praise Oluwademilade, widely known as Biyi Praise. A French student from the 2021 admission set, Biyi is recognised as one of OAU’s finest young comedians. Academic Path and Early Passion Originally aspiring to study Dramatic Arts, Biyi was instead offered French—a decision he accepted to begin his academic journey without delay. Despite the unexpected switch, he is set to graduate with a Second Class Upper, reflecting his commitment to academic excellence. Biyi’s passion for entertainment began at home, where he enjoyed making people laugh. His official career started in 2021, inspired by comedian Kenny Blaq. Although he never planned to work as an MC, he embraced it for financial support, earning ₦10,000 at his first gig. Campus Career and Memorable Highlights Throughout his t...

  STEADY, CONSISTENT, BALANCED: SONEYE SAHEED OLADEINDE BEST GRADUATING STUDENT IN THE FACULTY OF PHARMACY. By Tofunmi Adewusi In a year marked by remarkable academic triumphs across Obafemi Awolowo University, one story stands out for its quiet determination and disciplined rise.  Soneye Saheed Oladeinde, a native of Ogun State and graduate of the Faculty of Pharmacy, has emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student of the faculty with an impressive CGPA of 4.86, a feat he described as “steady, consistent, and balanced”. A Journey Defined by Discipline Saheed’s academic journey at OAU wasn’t a straight line paved with perfection. Instead, it was shaped by personal highs and lows, long hours of strategic studying, and a deep commitment to growth. He said, “I found what worked for me and stuck to it. I’m a day person — once I wake up, I start my tasks immediately. I minimise distractions, block my time, do deep work, and reward myself with movies or rest at the end of each da...

EJEOMOH WISDOM BREAKTHROUGH: FACULTY OF ADMINISTRATION BEST GRADUATING STUDENT By Anjola Adedeji  In the bustling academic environment of Obafemi Awolowo University, where excellence is both demanded and celebrated, Ejeomoh Wisdom Breakthrough carved a path that now stands as a testament to diligence, consistency and divine guidance.  Graduating with an exceptional CGPA of 4.89/5.00, the Edo State-born scholar emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student of the Department of International Relations and of the entire Faculty of Administration. His journey, however, did not begin with fanfare. It began, in his words, with fear, curiosity, humility and a deep desire to grow.  As a fresher, Wisdom (as he is fondly known) stepped onto the OAU campus feeling largely uninformed — about courses, lectures and the rhythm of academic life.  But what he lacked in orientation, he made up for in determination. “I wanted to outdo myself, and I wanted to grow,” he recalled. “Every...

  THE AWO TIMES ‎Campus News | December 14, 2025 NYSC IFE CANCELS CDS, MANDATES ATTENDANCE AT MYG CONFERENCE                  By Goodness Olope  ‎The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ife Central Local Government, has cancelled its Wednesday Community Development Service (CDS) meeting and directed all corps members to attend a leadership event organised by the office of the PRO, Great Ife Students’ Union. ‎‎The directive, issued by the NYSC Ife Central authorities, stated that the CDS meeting scheduled to hold at the Local Government Secretariat on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, will no longer take place. Instead, corps members are to assemble at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), by 9:00 a.m. prompt. ‎The corps members are invited to a leadership programme themed “The Media, Nigerian Youths and Governance Today.” As a result of the development, all proposed CDS outreaches earlier scheduled for that day have been susp...

  THE AWO TIMES ‎Campus News | December 13, 2025 OAU 49TH CONVOCATION LECTURE TO BE DELIVERED BY SENATE PRESIDENT SEN. GODSWILL AKPABIO TODAY. By Goodness Olope. ‎As part of the grand finale of the 49th Convocation Ceremony of Obafemi Awolowo University, the Convocation Lecture stands out as a defining moment of reflection and intellectual engagement. This year’s lecture, titled “Raising a New Generation of Leaders for the World in Such a Difficult Time Through University Education,” captures the essence of OAU’s commitment to shaping minds capable of transforming societies. In a remarkable and symbolic shift from tradition, the Senate President will deliver and receive the Convocation Lecture and Award of Excellence. His presence not only elevates the intellectual significance of the event but also reinforces the crucial link between education, leadership development, and national progress.