Esther Ekwonwa became the star of the day, as she grabs the title of the Best Graduating Student at Adeleke University. This event took place at the Convocation ceremony for the third set of graduates at the institution, in Ede, Osun state.
The 20 year-old Esther finished at the top of the Class of Eagles 17' set, with a C.G.P.A of 4.92, on Sunday 16th of July, 2017.
FAJ's blog, however, had an interesting interview session with her on Monday 17th, at the female hall of residence, in the private institution. The reports from that encounter are here below.
Enjoy...
FAJ - Good morning to you.
Esther - Good morning
FAJ - Can we meet you?
Esther - My name is Esther Ekwonwa, a graduate of Adeleke University.
FAJ - You finished as the best graduating student in this 2016/17 academic session (the Class of Eagles), did you ever expect that you were going to achieve that?
Esther - Not at all, just until recently when the events of results compilation unfolded, until the end of last semester.
FAJ - When you came into the school in 100 level, did you set a goal of finishing very highly and being the best for your set?
Esther - I didn't set any goal, I just wanted to do what I needed to do and give my best, I didn't have my hope that high. What I wanted was at least a second class upper, may be with a 3.5 or 3.6, and it just happened like that.
FAJ – What has your academic position been like, in your department, from your first year, till now?
Esther – I led my class right from the 100 level, till now.
FAJ – Wow, that’s a wonderful feat. Please could you share with us how you went about your studies, exams, quizzes, assignments; what exactly was the magic that you put into place that gave you this wonderful attainment, especially considering your very unassuming personality?
Esther - I don’t know. I don’t think I did any special thing or any magic. I just did what wanted and that I had to do, I just did my best and I left the rest, it’s just God’s grace.
FAJ – But, what do you think you did differently from the rest of your peers in this set that stood you out?
Esther – Aah, I don’t know because I know, Just like I, came to school to learn, others too came to school to learn. I just did my best, I don’t know how it happened, but, I just know I was doing what I wanted to do and it just led to this. There is no special formula that I used or anything. I just tried to learn what I could learn, I tried to learn a new thing every day, something I never knew before, everyday, and it turned out this way.
FAJ – You studied Public Health right?
Esther – Yes
FAJ – Did you choose the course by yourself or was it your parents or older siblings that chose for you?
Esther – Ok, I wanted to go for Medicine but, Adeleke University wasn’t offering it, and the other school I wanted to go before (the University of Lagos), I didn’t get an admission there, so, coming here, I learnt of Public Health and discovered that it is a closely related course, so I decided to go for it, with the advice of some persons.
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| Esther (2nd from left), posing with her cake, together with faculty dean, Prof. Atolagbe, and her friends |
FAJ – So how exactly did you feel when you got to know that you happened to be the best graduating student, and when did get to know and how did you feel?
Esther – Well, the news was flying around few weeks after exams when the Senate first sat on the results, but nobody was sure, until two weeks (ago) before graduation, I was invited by the Senate and I was spoken to.
FAJ – So, what was your first reaction?
Esther – First of all I was scared. I was actually scared. Yes.
FAJ – Because you never expected it, right?
Esther - Yes. And then you know, when much is given to you, much is actually expected. You know sometime you expect so much from people and when expectations are not met, you feel disappointed and doubt the capability of the person. So, I felt what if I did not meet up with the expectations of the people at the end, and doubt is being raised on all my efforts all through. It was scary, but when I spoke to some persons and they talked to me, and I said OK, let me just enjoy it for the time being, so that’s it.
Esther - Ok, eem, one thing I believe is that, I don’t believe in telling someone to stay away from relationship so that they can do well academically. When they are always saying stay away from relationship, they don’t know that you are not being helped to learn how to juggle responsibilities by the time we are out of school.
You know, by the time we leave here, we start working, we still find ourselves in a relationship with someone, and eventually get married. Again, you would also have relationship with other people that you would have to still maintain, and balance all that with your career life. I think it is from here that we start learning all that. What I believe is there should always be a balance. And, one should always know what he/she is looking for in any relationship. At least my partner understands that; when to be together, when to stay away, and he supports me. One should not let one suffer the other. So, it’s all about being able to maintain a balance.
Esther - Ok, my parents, my siblings, my lecturers, my H.O.D, my dean, and especially my friends, my twin sister from another mother, Ugochi. My friends, I call them my friends that add value, Kehinde, Wale, Tobi,
George. They’ve been wonderful. They’ve been my source of encouragement and inspiration; they are all wonderful people and big dreamers. And then my sisters from another tribe, Halima, Nation, they have all been wonderful, my course mates, everybody. Even some people that I don’t really talk to, they’ve been sources of encouragement, they are so many. I couldn’t have gotten to this point without them.
FAJ - I can understand that you have been in a relationship for a few years back now.
Esther - Yes
So how did you do it that this did not distract you; because you know, most times when the Best graduating or First Class students are asked how they did it, they usually say that they only focused on their academics and nothing more, no relationship. So, how were you able to cope managing the affairs on both fronts, and still finished very strongly?
Esther - Ok, eem, one thing I believe is that, I don’t believe in telling someone to stay away from relationship so that they can do well academically. When they are always saying stay away from relationship, they don’t know that you are not being helped to learn how to juggle responsibilities by the time we are out of school. 
You know, by the time we leave here, we start working, we still find ourselves in a relationship with someone, and eventually get married. Again, you would also have relationship with other people that you would have to still maintain, and balance all that with your career life. I think it is from here that we start learning all that. What I believe is there should always be a balance. And, one should always know what he/she is looking for in any relationship. At least my partner understands that; when to be together, when to stay away, and he supports me. One should not let one suffer the other. So, it’s all about being able to maintain a balance.
FAJ – I learnt you play football right?
Esther – Yes.
FAJ – That means, you are able to live your normal life, just like every other average student, and don’t even show any attitude of very reserved and serious student in quote, and you still perform at your best, academically?
Esther – Exactly. That’s it.
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| Esther, during her speech at the convocation |
FAJ – That means, you possess the qualities of a super woman; do you see yourself replicating all that in the outside world, outside of here? Doing well on all fronts and still remaining calm?
Esther – (Smiles) Hun, that’s just it.
FAJ – So what’s your plan for the next 3 to 5 years?
Esther – Well, currently, though, just make plans, only God disposes all of them. But as God willeth, we have big dreams and I know by His grace he’s going to help me get them.
FAJ - So, so far, what has been your biggest dream?
Esther – Eeeeh… (Laughs), so far, my biggest dream is, for my name to open doors for people.
FAJ – Wow. Like a being big philanthropist or so?
Esther – Well, in different areas. I just like it when you can use the influence of somebody to make ways for other people, like Dr. Deji Adeleke, his name opens doors for people. You know success has a lot of brothers and sisters. I just want to get to that point where people would want to associate with me, and when your name is called, it opens the ways for people you don’t even know from anywhere.
FAJ – That’s interesting. So, who are the people you will be giving special thanks to at this moment? Who have contributed in one way or the other in helping you to have reached this level, and to attain this feat? May be at home, school or anywhere?
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| L-R: Tobi, Ugochi, Kenny, Esther, George and Wale |
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| Esther (middle), cutting her graduation cake with Halima, Ugochi and Nation |
George. They’ve been wonderful. They’ve been my source of encouragement and inspiration; they are all wonderful people and big dreamers. And then my sisters from another tribe, Halima, Nation, they have all been wonderful, my course mates, everybody. Even some people that I don’t really talk to, they’ve been sources of encouragement, they are so many. I couldn’t have gotten to this point without them.
FAJ – So now, lastly, what’s your piece of advice or words of inspiration to other students who are also aspiring to achieve this kind of feat that you attained yesterday, or those who may not necessarily be aiming to become overall best or first class. But just want to finish strongly, and still be relevant in other areas of campus life, how do they go about it?
Esther – Ok, in everything, there should be moderation. They should just learn to be temperate and then, give it your best shot. It doesn’t have to be all about academics alone; try and create a balance in your ways, live your life to the best and always put your best in everything that you do, leave the rest to God, and success will come.
FAJ - Thank you for your time Esther. Wish you success all the way.
Esther - Thank you.
FAJ - Thank you for your time Esther. Wish you success all the way.
Esther - Thank you.
Photos of Esther, below...
