Abdulwahab, Habeebbullai Olabisi is one of the pride of Nigeria from Kishi, irepo local government area of Oyo state, he breaks academic record at Usmanu Dan Fodio University Sokoto with a CGP OF 4.86 and won 17 awards including Overall Best Graduating student of the institution. Dr.Habeeb who was inducted into the Veterinary Council of Nigeria and received an award of excellence from the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association. In this interview with Remi Oladoye he explained how he was able to achieve the feat despite the challenges and what inspire him to study veterinary medicine. Excerpt ;
You graduated as as the overall best graduating student, it’s a feet that is thrilling and worthy of emulation how did you achieve that
Well the journey through Veterinary school was so rough and tough but with strong determination to graduate as the best, dedication to succeed that way and prayer, I was able to pass through all the huddles and graduate as the best.
You also won 15 awards, is that the highest in that department or the entire school since it was established
Currently the awards stands at 17 now with 15 from the faculty including student of the year award, farm alert outlier leadership award from farm alert limited (a non-governmental organization), the award is given to the individual who has the best track of leadership in the faculty each year, it comes with a sum of #100,000 and a month paid internship. The last award is Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association award of excellence to the overall best graduating student in total I have 17 awards.
What grade did you graduate with and CGPA
Veterinary Medicine is an unclassified course(there is no first class in your result) but my CGPA is 4.86 I think this is the first time an individual get this much award
What inspires you to study veterinary medicine
Seriously I didn’t chose Veterinary Medicine when I wrote jamb in 2015, I was given and accepted with faith that may Allah bless it for me. I got inspired in 2016 when I attended the NAVMS(National Association of Veterinary Medical Students) hosted by Usmanu Danfodiyo University branch, then I was in UG1 and Professor Tomori was invited as the guest speaker of the opening ceremony, his citation was read and I got inspired that as a Veterinarian there are many things I can become. Since then I shun all discouraging advice.
Let’s have an insight into your background , your parents, schools you attended and how easy or difficult was it seeking admission into university
I am Dr. Abdulwahab Habeebullahi Olabisi (DVM) from Ade Aga Annex, Gaa Baale Area, Kishi, Irepo Local Government, Oyo State. I was born into the family of Mr and Mrs Salami Abdulwahab as the first of four children on 04/07/1998. I attended my primary school at Ansarul Islam Nursery and Primary School, Kishi from 2000-2009. Then proceeded to Ansarul Islam Secondary School for my Junior and Senior certificates from 2009-2015.
I then wrote Jamb in the year 2015 while in SS3 and with the help of Allah, I got admission through that Jamb into Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto in November, 2015.
Why do you have to go that far to study despite the security challenges in the North
Well, I could remembered vividly that in 2015, there were serious security challenges in the North most especially that of Boko Haram insurgency which in first case made to choose OAU as my first choice, but written the exam, I discovered that the academic calender of OAU is long and I took the hardest decision of going down to North despite the fact that my father didn’t wanted that ,later he accepted and we proceeded for change of institution.
Then there are many Kishi students (elder brothers and sisters) in UDUS.
What are the challenges you faced during the course of your study
Hmm, seriously Veterinary Medicine is the hardest course to study in the university where you have to study more than 8species of animals with different characters and structures. I faced a lot of challenges which includes, Many sleepless nights, Uncomfortable weather conditions and Insufficient funding but Alhamdulillahi
Do u have any daily routine that enhances your academic performance
Yes I do, at the beginning of every semester, I usually write out my own reading timetable immediately the faculty time table is out and I used to follow it accordingly. Also I usually read extra miles after the lectures surfing online for textbooks and different handout.I have more than 100 textbooks of Veterinary Medicine in different department on my phone then in which they were all important in today success.
What advise do you have for the younger ones who are also aspiring to achieve a feat like this
I will like to encourage my junior ones to have determination from the beginning of their study, dedicate their time well through the course of study, hardworking and prayer.
Many students failed because the spirit of succeeding as the best is lost from the beginning of the study.
Also, do not be discourage in anyway, always do your best in any course you find yourself and you shall reap the fruit of your labour.
What is the next line of action. Practice or further your study
Well, I am a Doctor that is well versed in Clinical practice so also academic, I wish to further my study first because lecturing is my priority even from the beginning of my study in 2015 and since then I have been training myself by rendering volunteering service in teaching at my alma mata(Ansarul Islam Secondary school) till now.
I may inculcate clinical practice later as Veterinary profession really give room for combining, you can be a lecturer and still have little clinical practice.
