Adetunji Oluwafemi
The 48th convocation ceremony of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife took place on Thursday, 12th December, 2024 at the level of Amphitheater and Oduduwa Hall of the university, where the university held the convocation ceremony of a total of 7,368 students with 215 bagging a First Class Honors.
During the convocation ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Simeon Bamire encourages the graduates to represent their Alma Mater well as they proceed to their next stage of life.
Sodiq- Abdul-Wazim Bolade
In a unique opportunity, our reporter had an interview with one of the graduating students, Sodiq Abdul-wazim Kolade, a physically impaired graduating student from the Department of History and International Relations who finished with a Second Class Honors (Lower Division).
While sharing his overall experiences expressed his gratitude to God for his protection to navigate the campus throughout his stay, saying, “my experience in the Obafemi Awolowo University as a physically impaired student was quite challenging, I experienced numerous difficulties alongside obstacles as a normal student does. However, I thank God that I was able to sail through with no extra year”.
In his word of advice to all other physically challenged students within the University and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria, Kolade noted that all students with whatsoever physical challenge should bear in their mind that their challenges cannot surpass their ambitions if and only if they see “THIS-ability not DIS-ability” in their endeavors,
To him, God has created everyone for a purpose and they mustn’t fail God’s purpose. He further advised them not to be discouraged by whatever setbacks they may likely experience. “With strong will and proper perspective everyone has capacity to shall triumph over it challenges” kolade said.
Beating his chest, Kolade said. “Now, I can call myself THE OVERCOMER” as I’ve never felt pessimistic for once in my endeavors, rather, I summoned courage and always encourage myself.
While stressing value of support system, Kolade said “The impact and encouragement from Prof. Olabisi James Ayodele of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology can never be overemphasized, he has always been there to support and encourage me, his words of encouragement energized me through my undergraduate days” A constant mantra I hear from him “if others can do it, you can do it” shaped my perspective and my resolve to finish my academics and also give life all that is needed.
One’s physical challenges should not discourage one from achieving and fulfilling one’s goals and purposes. It doesn’t matter whether you’re physically challenged or not, don’t stop until you attain the utmost height. __Abdul Wazim says.
