I want to be Professor at 36 – Adeyemi, 26, Phd holder

GREAT AKOKITE

I want to be Professor at 36 – Adeyemi, 26, Phd holder 

Tope Adeyemi, a 26-year-old female graduate emerged the best graduating PhD student of the University of Lagos. Apart from being the best graduating student, she also holds the record as the youngest PhD holder to be produced by the 50 year old institution. Weekly Trust caught up with her, hours after the convocation ceremony. Excerpts:

How do you feel emerging the best graduating PhD student of UNILAG?

Well, I belief it is a thing of honour, and I am very excited to be an awardee.

How prepared are you to shoulder the burden of the record you are setting today?

Of course yes. I am much aware of the expectations of people and all that. But the truth is that someone has to set the record and I’m glad that person is me.

Did you ever dream of achieving this feat when you first enrolled as a PhD student?

Yes. In everything I do, I always aspire to put in my best and get the best result, this latest achievement inclusive, I thank God Almighty for giving me the privilege to make it through in a university environment like this. You know, it could be very strenuous. It required lots of perseverance to get to this stage.

So how strenuous will you describe the journey?

It was tedious and rough. I mean it required lots of studying, research and continuous efforts to ensure that one got absolute good result. What I can only say is that in the end, the efforts paid-off. It wasn’t in vain and that specifically is my joy.

During the course of your study as PhD days, how would you describe the relationship between you and other elderly colleagues?

The relationship was fantastic and wonderful while the studies lasted. The good thing is that they did not look down on me that I’m younger than them in age; rather, they saw in me someone they could gain or learn one thing or the other from.

What will you say about your growing up and parental background?

My growing up was very fantastic. I have very supportive parents who will go to any length to ensure that you have the very best in education. To that extent, I will always appreciate my parents for their support over the years. In fact, they are the ones who kept me on my toes and have made me to go this far.

Did you have your first and second degrees here in UNILAG?

Yes I did. In the same course of study and it is also in Botany.

How old were you when you had your first degree?

I was 21 when I had my BSc here in UNILAG. And because I graduated with a first class, I came back and took an MPhil programme and later did a conversion into a PhD programme.

Did you at any point time worked before commencing the PhD programme?

No, I didn’t work. However, when I commenced the PhD programme, I took up appointment as an Assistant Lecturer at the department of Botany, here in UNILAG. As an assistant lecturer now, I look forward to climb up the ladder as I work harder. I look forward to do more research and publications for knowledge and development.

Can you give an insight as to what your PhD thesis was all about?

In my doctoral research, I was able to contribute to knowledge in plant systematics, global biodiversity information system, plant conservation, TREEBOL Africa and GenBank through report on the position of African Sapindaceae (Soap berry family) using molecular data, conservation of genomic DNA which were deposited at the DNA Bank of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, London and production of DNA barcodes for species identification. This can be seen to contribute to national development as it addresses Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Millennium Development Goals (MDG) particularly: CBD Articles 6 (General Measures for Conservation & Sustainable Use), 7 (Identification and Monitoring), 15 (Access to Genetic Resources), 16 (Access to and Transfer of Technology), CBD’s Global Strategy for Plant Conservation Targets 1, 3, 9, 11, 15 and 16 and MDG Goals 1, 7 and 8 by targeting poverty reduction as well as focusing on building and enhancing strong scientific and technological capacity to support research.

How soon do you look forward to becoming a Professor?

Oh Yes. I look forward to being  a Professor in the next 10 years. That’s my target.

Are you married?

I’m single.

So, when do you look forward to getting married?

Very soon.

While delivering your goodwill message, you spoke on the need for government to invest in institutional research. What informed this?

Yes. This is because from my understanding of other universities of the world, what appears to have taken them far is the fact that they invest much money in universities for researches. I believe that is what has taken them far. So, if Nigeria can buy into that idea, there is no reason why we won’t move forward as a nation. For any nation to develop, there must be deep investment in research. A nation that fails to invest in science and technology has no economic future. I appeal to government at all levels to invest in research and infrastructure development in our universities.

As an academia, how best do you think other colleagues can contribute to the nation’s growth?

I belief we can solve some of the nation’s challenges like insecurity, epileptic power supply, bad roads, environmental challenges and even the cost of governance if we allow those who are adequately groomed in each of these professions to handle them. To the best of my knowledge, all disciplines are inter-related. No discipline exists in isolation. Hence, for us to achieve the success of national development, professionals in these fields need to be engaged. We need to appreciate the importance of each another and collaborate for the development of our nation.

What role do private investors have in all these?

It is equally important that private organizations and corporate institutions partner with higher institutions in the area of research and development without necessarily compromising the quality of knowledge.

What advice do you have for fellow graduands?

To my fellow graduands, I use this medium to encourage us not just to seek white-collar jobs but be self reliant and create jobs where possible. Also as we strife to make a name for ourselves in our various fields of expertise, let’s make every effort not to become a man of success, but rather to become a man of value because success is more permanent when you achieve it without destroying your principles.

For those who are coming behind, what were the things you were doing right that you can recommend to them?

Yes, those coming after should learn how to be persistent. They should not give up. They should realize that failure comes only when one is tired of trying. When they keep trying without giving up, surely some day, God will crown their efforts.

ACHILES COMIC WORLD WISHING YOU THE BEST OF LUCK 

GOD BLESS YOU>>> TOPE ADEYEMI