I Tried Being In A Relationship in 300L, 400L and 500L With The Same Girl But She Refused ~ Dipo #FreshGradTales
#FreshGradTales is here again and well, I am as excited as you are (or should be). Today, I have Olaitan Dipo being featured on #FreshGradTales. Dipo is a fresh graduate from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State (FUTMINNA) and he studied Chemical Engineering. The young graduate who hails from Kwara State is the only child of his parents and loves to watch movies, read and gist with friends.
Do enjoy his interview and do not forget to share after you’re done with reading. Thank you.
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How would you describe your journey through the university?
I would describe my journey through the University as a great one with loads of experience from friends and from the environment.
What were the best thing and worst thing about attending your university?
The best thing for me about attending the University was the freedom you get when you leave home; you don’t have anyone to control you. The worst for me was having to deal with different kinds of people especially roommates, lecturers and sometimes the courses themselves
If you had an opportunity to start all over again, would you still pick your university? Why or why not?
I would not, because of the stress I have to pass through to get to the University and the distance from my home (Lagos) to Minna due to bad roads as well as considering conditions such as light issues we experienced outside the campus because of the number of limited hostels we had in the University.
Imagine you had a second chance as a student, what would you do better?
If I had a second chance as a student, I would plan my life better than before. I would make more inquiries about the course I want to study. In details, what I mean is that I won’t go for Chemical Engineering. Although I planned to study Computer Engineering, along the line, I applied for Chemical Engineering.
What did you learn most from being a student in your university?
What I learnt most was how to accommodate different kinds people (their behaviours) and also learning to relate well when meeting people for the first time. I didn’t relate with people well in secondary school when meeting them for the first time until I had known them very well and this affected my relationship with my level mates in 100L.
Tell us about your relationships, maybe?
Actually, for relationships, they did not work out for me. I tried being in a relationship in 300, 400 and 500L with the same girl but she refused.
What challenges did you have as a student? (This could be personal, academic, whatever)
The challenge I had as a student was mainly the problem of mentoring. I had nobody to guide me and that was actually my fault because I kept a lot of things to myself.
Now that you’re a graduate, what’s next for you?
The next is to launch into the labour market (Lol). But before then, I would love to acquire some skills such as programming and leadership skills.
Any final words?
Yes, I want to say a big thank you to Orifunke for this great opportunity. God bless you ma.
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#FreshGradTales is a series of interviews for fresh graduates from ALL universities in Nigeria. This initiative aims at hearing and sharing the stories, struggles, achievements and experiences of fresh Nigerian graduates. We do believe everyone has a unique story that someone somewhere would love to read and benefit from reading as well.
If you are a fresh university graduate and would love to share your #FreshGradTales, Orifunke would be glad to hear from you on [email protected]
Meet Adejumoke Famade, A Nigerian Lady Who Repairs Computers
A few weeks back, I got the mighty privilege to interview a woman in tech, Adejumoke Famade. I came across her online and was intrigued by the fact that she repairs laptops and computers for a living. I wanted to find out certain things; One was how she felt doing the job. Second was how people viewed her and third was why she opted for it. Because I don’t want this text-interview to be too long, I regrettably have reduced the content largely. Nevertheless, you will absolutely enjoy it. Cheers!
Please tell me about your educational background?
I went to St. Bernard’s Nursery and Primary School, Akoka. My secondary school was The African Church Model College, Ifako-Ijaiye then I went to Covenant University, studied Computer Science and graduated with a second class upper.
Oh, so did that lead to your love for computers?
It started during my IT. I went there as a computer software student but my supervisors there were mostly for infrastructure so they influenced me to do infrastructure. The plan was to learn infrastructure for three months and programming for three months. I started with infrastructure and before I knew it, I was going four months into it. From the first month in infrastructure, I was already dismantling and assembling systems in less than thirty minutes. I also started fixing systems for even the Human Resource Director (HRD). When I was leaving, they bought me my own tools because they knew that that was what I loved.
So tell me about your family background.
I’m from Ogun state; Ijebu-Ishara while my mom is from Bayelsa. My mom has two children (my elder brother and I) while my dad has four other children. My father and mother are no longer together.
Was Computer Science a course you just picked for study or was it as a result of your love for computers?
I initially wanted to go for medicine but thank God I failed JAMB! I had 171 and had to stay at home. Although Babcock picked me for Social Works, my mom disapproved of it. Then she later enrolled me at a computer school (NIIT). It was there I found out that computer science was actually a cool course and when I wrote JAMB again, I picked Computer Science and I passed the cut-off.
When you tell people you repair computers, what do they say?
Well, they usually want to test to find out if a female can truly repair computers. Even at work, most systems are always on me because people want to see what I can do. However, some women look down on me. Sometimes women don’t like when women progress. There was a time a woman called me incompetent because I was female.
What other challenges do you face?
The other challenge I face is when a client wants to fix a system and I am at work (this is not the only work I do). Then there are people who message you at odd hours to make enquiries. Another challenge is that many of my clients are also from South Africa and other states in the country. And then there are also people who want you to repair their laptops at a ridiculously low price.
What can you say with regard to women and tech?
What I can say is a woman can do what a man can do better. This is not me being feminist. If men are in tech, why can’t women be in tech? Women use technology so why can’t we know what makes things happen? I am pretty curious about how technology works and always want to know what’s behind the scenes.
How do you deal with comments that are degrading?
I just scroll. I don’t even have time. I know my Bible and if I want to make it, I must have enemies. The hateful comments make me want to keep doing what I do. It’s a normal thing to be talked about. You must be able to manage your emotions so that nobody brings you down. There are people who find it harder to commend you than to criticize you.
What’s the big picture?
If I tell you my picture, you will shake (laughs). I see myself as one of the richest women in Africa in tech in the future.
Any final words?
Just do it. Whether it works out or not.
Thank you for reading. Trust you enjoyed it. Please drop your comments and don’t forget to share.
You can connect with Miss Famade on twitter: @famshizzle
“In My 400Level, I Regretted Being Too Serious With My Academics”- Imisioluwa #FreshGradTales
Hey there!!! Welcome to another episode of #FreshGradTales. If you’re visiting for the first time, FreshGradTales is a series of interviews with fresh graduates from universities across Nigeria. Today, I have the pleasure of sharing one of the thrilling interviews with fresh graduates that I have had. I enjoyed every bit of it! He is Owonikoko Lekan Joseph (Imisioluwa), a fresh graduate from the department of Music, Obafemi Awolowo University. Enjoy the interview as much as I enjoyed it. ?
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Why did you come to OAU?
First, interestingly, was because OAU went on strike regularly and that was going to work very well for me. I was going to need all the time to be able to do so many other things while in school and OAU was just perfect. Second reason why I came to OAU was because I was changing from the Sciences to do Music so I needed a school that could accommodate my O’levels. Then I wanted OAU because I was hoping I could be influenced with indigenous African Music. I really wanted to do African music.
Where did the love for music start from? What influenced it?
I believe every individual is wired in certain ways. I didn’t choose it (Music), I found out that I was just in love with it. I was particularly in love with how music affects the mind- the interactions between people and music and I saw it as a tool to influence people. I’ve always been around music but I didn’t always want to study Music because I didn’t think it was necessary.
Could you explain what your journey in OAU was like?
After my final exam, someone asked me how it felt to be a graduate. The first thing I said was that I felt cheated. I think Nigeria’s version of western education is highly overrated. The problem is not with education but the way we have been doing it overtime. So my journey in OAU has really not been too interesting in terms of the academics. I think I lost interest in the entire school thing after my first semester, part one. I realized that the school was not preparing me for what I wanted to be but for what my lecturers thought I should be. In my 400L, I regetted being too serious with my academics. It wasn’t until 300L that I began to do some other important things.
What were the “other important things” you started doing in 300L?
They were still part of music but were not core academic music. In 300L, I started an NGO- Music for Development- and the goal was to use music as a tool for social change. In 2015, we had our independence month which was to preach a message of responsibility to the youths to stop asking the system to necessarily change before we change. The next year, we did the Girl-Child Concert which was also in October and that was to advocate against rape, violence and harassment.
What were the challenges you faced?
The fact that the university is not equipped for what we are learning. Our lecturers also know that something is wrong with the system but they say there’s nothing they can do.
Any mistakes or regrets?
I didn’t do politics earlier. I contested for presidency in my part 3 but I stepped down. Looking back now, I should just have continued. A lot of people have not forgiven me for that.
So, what next?
For me, what next is not what next but a continuation of what has always been. I’ve always been an advocate of “If you are still waiting to graduate then you are late already” so there are a lot of things that I have been test-running. I’ll launch out now but it’s still around music. It’s time to solidify my NGO. I really want to be a music business entrepreneur.
Any words for students?
Understand who you are. Know that the world has changed and is changing rapidly. The system that held the former generation nay not necessarily work for us. We must open ourselves up to the possibilities of this generation because our children will take no excuses. If you need to read your books, read. Know who you are, know where you’re going and be bold enough to take steps to get there.
Thank you very much, Mr Imisioluwa. I have had a pleasant time speaking with you.
I’m very honoured. Thank you.
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FreshGradTales is a series of interviews for fresh graduates from ALL universities in Nigeria. If you are a fresh university graduate and would love to share your stories and experiences, get in touch via WhatsApp (08184908965) or send a mail to [email protected]
“One of the Challenges I faced on OAU Campus was financial- it was really a struggle”- Bolanle on #FreshGradTales
Hello. My name is Orifunke Lawal and right here with me is a fresh graduate of OAU. This is our first episode of #FreshGradTales. Can we meet you?
I am Benjamin Omobolanle, a graduate of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development and it’s been a wonderful time on OAU campus. Nice meeting you, Orifunke.
So, how has it been on OAU Campus? I’d like to know your challenges and your achievements. Or rather, what were the challenges you faced while on campus?
One of the challenges I faced on campus was a financial challenge. It’s really been a struggle, financially. Another challenge I faced was an academic challenge in part one. However, this reduced with increase in level and better orientation and enlightenment. Another challenge I had was with relationships but as time went on, the “learning and culture” in OAU came on.
What would you say have been your achievements so far?
Okay, yes, one major achievement for me was acquiring leadership skills, the ability to bear responsibilities that do not look like they are possible but which were achieved with great people and God. Another was the ability to cherish relationships, get connected with people and network with them.
You mentioned leadership skills, was there a time when you had the opportunity to lead? Or were they just things you learnt by reading books?
Yeah, I had the opportunity to take up a leadership position in my religious association and in my department, specifically my class (being a group leader by virtue of lecturers’ interest). And then others are things from books.
Was there anytime where you felt like you just wanted to leave OAU?
Sure! *laughs* There were times I began to count down and I was like, “God, when am I going to finish?”
Would you say, “Thank You, OAU”?
I’d say “Thank You, OAU” because I have been able to meet people I would never have met and I may not have known what I actually know now.
What words do you have for OAU students at large?
PLAN. Don’t get “gutted” (laughs) like when you get to your final year and have to start asking, “What have I done with my life?”. Start planning. And it is not too late to plan even if you are a fresh graduate. Planning is the watchword of a leader.
Thank you very much. It’s been very nice speaking with you. Have a nice time outside OAU.
Thank you.
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Thank you for reading.
#FreshGradTales is a project specifically for fresh graduates of Obafemi Awolowo University. This initiative aims at knowing the various stories and experiences that fresh graduates of OAU have to tell to the world.
Are you a fresh graduate of OAU and would love to be featured on #FreshGradTales? Then, WhatsApp 08184908965 or mail [email protected] to schedule an offline or online interview. Share with someone who should see this too.
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