By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The Graduating Nursing Student at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), Rosemary Osemudiamhen Oriwoh has mourned her mother’s death as the founder, Aare Afe Babalola doled out a total sum of N5.05million to outstanding Nursing graduands of the university.
Rosemary who made her plight known in a interview with THISDAY after receiving three awards of best student of the university at the 9th edition of the induction of newly qualified registered nurses, produced by ABUAD held at Alfa Belgore hall of the university said, though the day was her most happiest day in life, but painfully revealed that, her saddest day was the day she lost her mum.
“My saddest day in life is the day I lost my mum. I would have loved for her to be here to see how far I have come and celebrate with me. Today is the happiest day of my life because all my hard work and dedication paid off. I believe this is the beginning of greater things to come.
“But most happiest day is today, I feel great, I feel honoured. It has been a wonderful journey so far and I have enjoyed every bit of the time I have spent in the school. What I have learnt both academically and in character is something I will forever value and appreciate. Being the best graduating student is an icing on the cake and I thank God for it.”
Rosemary who who won Best Graduating Student of the Faculty of Nursing, Best in Registered Public Health Nursing and Best Behaved Student, who consequently received a total award price of (N450,000), four hundred and fifty thousand naira said “I honestly cannot say it was easy, the journey did not start today. I have had to put in a lot of hard work, study time and also prayed to God to bless my effort throughout the process. From this journey I have learnt perseverance, patience and what it takes to meet the goals I have set for myself.
“Definitely God. All this would not be possible without him.It has been nothing short of amazing. The world class facilities, excellent lecturers, wonderful colleagues have all made my experience in the school worthwhile”.
She however dedicated the awards to God, her parents, siblings and friends, “Firstly, I want to dedicate these awards to God almighty for his faithfullness throughout my stay in the school, without him I would not have been able to achieve this. Secondly, I would like to dedicate it to my parents siblings and friends for being an amazing support system”. Adding that “God has been at the centre of it all and has met my needs at every point in time”.
Speaking about the university that made her, Rosemary declared that, ABUAD remained the best university in Nigeria. “I can proudly say that Abuad is the best university in Nigeria and one of the best in the world. The quality of education I have received, I believe, is second to none.
“Aare Afe Babalola has been a father figure to us all and a role model whose qualities are worthy of emulation. His commitment to the education system in Nigeria and the growth and development of the students of this school in particular is highly commendable.
“I would like to appreciate the Dean (Prof E.F Ojo) and the lecturers of the Faculty of Nursing science for being wonderful teachers and role models. I would also like to appreciate my parents( Mr and Mrs Samuel Oriwoh), siblings and my friends for believing in me and supporting me throughout this journey. I really appreciate them.
“In the short-term, I plan to do my internship program and do a masters degree. In the long-term I look forward to specializing in areas of nursing such as anaesthesiology and/or public health nursing”. She revealed.
The ABUAD founder who announced the donation,
According to the breakdown, the legal luminary gave a total sum of N450,000 to the best graduating, and best well behaved student, Rosemary Oriwoh Osanudiamen, while the rest distinguished students, got N100,000 each, and the only four boys in the faculty, also carting home with N100,000 each.
Babalola said his resolve to always reward excellence, was borne out of the need to encourage scholarship and industry, so as to serve as lessons to others.
He said he deliberately established the university, to change the face of tertiary education in the country, and make sure, graduates of the institution became agents of change, equipped to change the world.
He noted that barely 15 years of existence, the university had been rated the No. 1 University in Nigeria, by the highly respected Times Higher Impact Education Rankings, for two consecutive years (2621 and 2022), and Number 221 globally.
On the issue of alumni association, the 96-year old Babalola, who said he never had opportunity of witnessing study, under the four walls of any university, except through correspondences, said it was a matter of regret that alumni, no longer serve the useful purpose, for which it was formed, in several years back.
” It is a notorious fact thiet i believe in quality education, which can be the to solve the problems of education in this counts. And by quality education, will bring a Justifiable end to illiteracy, bigotry, religious and unnecessary beating of the drum of war.
” When i was born more than 90 years ago, Nigeria had no tarred roads, no electricity, no pipe-borne water, and all the modern amenities that make life more worthy of living today we’re lacking then. This was the same thing in Europe in about 1600, as there was no electricity, no pipe-borne water and allied modern amenities of today.
” My advice to you all is that Nigeria should not lose hope. There is light at end of the dark tunnel. Since our maiden Convocation on Sunday October, 21, 2013, we have turned out 1,420 graduates.
” They are not only doing well, but they are also agents and leaders of reformation. We are the change that will change the world. We are breeding a new generation of leaders who will change the world for the better
” This is why I want to say I am not happy with the role of alumni of universities, especially in ABUAD”, he said.
Continuing, Babalola said, “We expect them to exhibit the type of philanthropy inherent in me, which made me to sell all my properties in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and England,in order to set up this wave-making university.
” I expect the alumni to have a solid association, and an unmistakable presence. They should have a viable Secretariat which will be sending Newsletters, containing the achievements of their members and institutions, all over the world.
” Unfortunately, there is nothing like that today. This must change. For example, as an alumnus of the University of London, i still receive the university’s Newsletter every month. The latest, being the one i received only yesterday.
” Don’t forget that i did not attend the university of London physically. 1 obtained my B.Sc. Economics in 1959 and my LL. 8 Honours in 1963 by correspondence. Ever since then, and up today, i still know what is happening there, and with the advantage of the new media such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, among others, things are getting better”
In the words of Babalola, ” The alumni should even have a Bank Account, where every alumnus should make monthly donations, which can in turn, be used for annual awards, and annual gifts to deserving students of the university.
” If every alumnus, donates N50,000 into this account, you can imagine what it would amount to. This will be used to help those who lose their parents, and/or their jobs. This way, you will be your brother’s keeper.
He consequently directed the university Registrar, and the Director of International Collaboration and Linkages of the university, to immediately initiate the setting up of a viable and functional alumni association.
” Henceforth, each graduating student of the university should make commitment to the alumni association, before receiving his/her certificate”, he added.
While inducting the graduating students, the registrar, of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, NMCN, Dr Farouk Abubakar, represented by a Director, Yahaya Sumi, urged the inductees to explore new opportunities in the profession, and be good ambassadors of their chosen careers.
Abubakar said: “I encourage you to learn from your senior colleagues. Be good ambassadors of the nursing profession and explore new opportunities.”
Earlier in a an address of welcome, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Smaranda Olarinde, described ABUAD as the ultimate destination for teaching and learning of the Nursing Science in the country, urging parents who are desirous of the best for their children and wards, to always make it a firs place of choice.
According to her, the faculty recorder 100% pass in their Council Final Qualifying Examination for Nurses in 2023 and 2024, and they also, all passed their midwifery examination in 2024.
” Besides, the faculty also crowned it all with another 100% in the Public Health Professional Examination in 2024″, she said.
