I Had No Girlfriend Throughout School - Ayodele Daniel Dada
- Courtesy Premium Times
- Apr 8, 2016
- 3 min read
Ayodele Daniel Dada (Born 1987) is the University of Lagos first class graduate who scored 5.0 CGPA upon graduation on March 2, 2016, from the University of Lagos, making him the overall best student of University of Lagos (UNILAG) for the 2014/2015 academic session. He is also the best graduate ever produced by the University of Lagos in the 54 years history of the University. He is an indigene of Ekiti State of Nigeria.
He studied Psychology.
In celebration of this unrivaled academic excellence, one of Nigeria’s Telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria invited Ayodele and awarded him with the latest Samsung phone, his own personalized phone number and airtime for the year 2016.
Ayo Dada, was on Wednesday March 23, 2016, honored by the Nigerian Federal House of Representatives. The honor bestowed on Mr. Dada followed a motion by the Majority Leader, of the Federal House, Mr., Femi Gbajabiamila, who upon moving the motion, stated as follows:
“I believe as leaders and as a country it’s time we start celebrating our successes particularly in a period of great national despondency that has enveloped us for years now. As a House I believe we should recognize, celebrate and commend Mr. Ayodele so as to encourage him and give hope and inspiration to many others.
“To this end, I wish for you to join me as we suspend the House rules to invite Mr Ayodele Dada to the floor of the House on Tuesday 22nd March to honour the young man and his remarkable achievement. His story is compelling and inspirational to the youth and he represents and mirrors the hope of our tomorrow,”
In response to the adoption of the motion, the lawmakers took their turns to eulogise Ayodele Dada who was invited to stand before the lawmakers. Mr. Dada was given a standing ovation by the lawmakers.
Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES after his appearance at the House of Representatives, Ayodele said
“I was just standing there (House), feeling it was a dream and wishing it didn’t end.” “Given my humble background, I never envisioned receiving a standing ovation from people I watched on TV. I am completely appreciative.” He expressed “special gratitude” to Mr. Gbajabimiala. He further disclosed that he had no girlfriend throughout his four years as an undergraduate at the University of Lagos; though, he said he had “just female friends. “There were ladies who tried things with me, but I always have my focus,” he said.
Ayodele further disclosed that Schooling was not very rosy for him while studying Psychology at the University as he was responsible for all his expenses in school. “There were times I would be hungry, even hungry for a whole day,” he said. But he later “stabilized” and income started flowing in through private tutoring.
“On a good day, I could make N5,000 a day through private tutoring.
Notwithstanding the challenges mentioned above, Ayodele had a balanced life filled with normal student activities like going for parties, although he remained single. He stated as follows:
“I was a social person throughout school. I attended birthday parties, cinemas, I had so many movies on my laptop and I was sharing them with my colleagues, as I was sharing notes as well.
“I have fond memories. I was the head of my final year planning committee for dinners, symposium, and was involved in a lot of other things. But I didn’t have a girlfriend.
“I had close friends but I did not want to have to deal with a lot of things at the same time. I was working and schooling. You don’t have to be a genius to get the results of a genius. Just target excellence always. The nation needs us. We must readily take direction for our lives.”
Asked if he had been receiving job offers, “I have got a number of offers; they are coming but I need to take time to decide in line with what I wish for myself.”
He disclosed that the management of University of Lagos had offered him lecturing job as a graduate assistant in the Department of Psychology. “Yes, I am considering because I actually love a career in the academia. But as I said I am taking time to decide,” he said.
Other prizes won by Ayodele Daniel Dada includes the Vice-Chancellor’s prize, Dean’s prize, University of Lagos Parent Forum Prize and Tony Elumelu Legacy Prize.
Ayodele who studied Psychology in University of Lagos, added that he has been approached by about five good firms in Lagos for employment but he is yet to choose which one he would be working with.
Comments