Isiaq Ibrahim reports
Idris Yusuf Ayab, a 28-year-old graduate from the department of Forestry and Environment at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto clinched first-class honors with a cumulative grade point average(CGPA) of 4.59.
Speaking with the NEWS DIGEST PRESS, Ayab said he is the only person who achieved the feat in the 2021/2022 graduating students.
A native of Omupo, Kwara state, the 28-year-old grew up in Hotoro Nasarawa local government areas of Kano state.
Ayab said he almost threw in the towel at 200-level while chasing the first-class honor.
“My first time on campus, I have the intention to graduate with first class, but I want to give up when I see my 200-level results. I said to myself that it won’t be easy to achieve this.”
He said,“during that time, I lost hope, because my CGPA before my 500-level was 4.52 and 500-level wasn’t a smiling year, the pressure was high and the courses were too much.”
“So, I take every challenge as a step forward to success, so I don’t see them as problems, rather I see them as a motivation.”
C, D and E Decorated my Results_Ayab
Taking to his Facebook handle to celebrate the victory, Ayab stated that a combination of hardwork and prayers guided him through.
“7 years ago, when I was offered admission into the prestigious Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, (UDUS), I made up my mind to put in all the efforts I could, pray and make the best out of my course of study,” he wrote.
“My first year result was splendid as my CGPA started with a whooping 4.73. The preceding years seem more confusing as C, D and E grade decorated my results (though A grade appears most).”
“I thought that I would graduate with a 2:1 class of degree, because I heard that the 500-level Forestry department is a war, and one can’t easily get a sound result.”
“Imagine a final year student offering 17 courses, coupled with project, seminar, internal and an external defense.”
He continued:”I studied harder, became more prayerful, and yes it favored me. Final year became my best year as an undergraduate, it became the class I had the best result in and achieved my intended first class grade of degree.”
Extra-curricular Activities Didn’t Affect my Performance
Ayab said during stay in the campus, he engaged in extracurricular activities but that did not stop him from achieving the first-class honor.
“I engaged in extracurricular activities while on campus; and it did not affect my academic performance.”
“I was once a member of Pen Press, UDUS. During my 300-level, I was among the editorial members with Tijaniyya Muslim Students’ Association of Nigeria (TIMSAN), and also a member of the Da’wah community.”
“With the Da’wah community, during my 400-level and 500-level, I was also once an Assistant General Secretary (AGS), and General Secretary; also, I was the immediate former Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of Al-Ihsaan Press, UDUS.”