“Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.”
This floating quote of William Shakespeare mirrors the life of Samson Adams, who had greatness not thrust upon him, nor was he born great, but achieved greatness through hard work, which resulted in his emergence as the best-graduating student of the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU).
During PAU’s 20th convocation ceremony, Adams, the Fabian Ajogwu scholarship recipient, stood out as the best-graduating student, achieving the highest honours in Economics.
The Delta State-born won the scholarship award with a grade point average (GPA) of 4.95, which also qualified him for first class.
Adams expressed delight for winning the award, when he told BusinessDay, “Honestly I feel proud about winning the award, I’m happy that I was able to finish at least, that’s to me a great feat.”
His scholarship award-winning string started earlier in his academic journey at Olashore International School, Iloko Ijesa, in Osun State (2013-2019).
“I got a scholarship to attend Olashore International School, Iloko Ijesa Osun State, courtesy of the Olashore International School Association Foundation.
I graduated as the best commercial student, and my JAMB score was 330, the best record.
Consequently, I got a scholarship to study Economics at Pan-Atlantic University,” he explained.
Taking to the philosophy of Dieter Uchtdorf, who once said, “It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop”, amidst numerous challenges, Adams was determined to navigate his way to success as he embraced work and study to ensure he came out top of his academic quest.
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“Most times, I have to work and study, and it was quite hectic to wake up as early as 5 am to meet up with my schedules.
I was working 5 am to 7 am every day, I would wake up early dress for work, afterwards come back, and dress for lectures.
Many times, I got to class and found myself either sleeping or not active due to stress,” he narrated.
In addition, Adams revealed that at a time he felt so overwhelmed by the level of hurdles before him that he almost gave up, however, he resolved to push on.
“When I got to PAU, I told myself that I didn’t want to just focus solely on academics. I wanted to at least try and engage in other things, and honestly, it was a bit difficult for me, trying to strike a balance between my studies and work.
At a point, I wanted to drop everything and focus on my academics,” he noted.
The economics graduate explained that his ability to leverage the support system at the university helped him forge ahead and achieve the feat.
“I leveraged the support system, the structures put in place by the school, such as the tutorial system whereby the school pays brilliant students to teach others.
I was teaching students below my level and even those within my class, hence, I was lecturing two sets. And it was a great help to me academically. There is also the counselling programme,” he noted.
According to Adams, though he did not anticipate graduating as the overall best student, he was determined to graduate with first class at least, and that was his propeller to daring all odds.
Besides being the best-graduating student, he was handed the baton as the valedictorian of the 2023 PAU graduating class, and he vouched to make memorable memories with the alumni.
“As I embark on my next phase of life, I hope to make memorable memories with the alumni. I am truly looking forward to what lies ahead,” he said.
Fabian Ajogwu, a legal luminary and the first Nigerian to become a professor of corporate governance was on the ground to present the awards to Adams.
Speaking on the recipient, Ajogwu explained how delighted he was to have been invited to present the awardee with the awards and prizes.
“I’m truly delighted to meet Samson Adams today for the first time in our lives. And I’m so proud of you, so it’s truly a privilege and honour to present you with the plaque and award for attaining academic excellence at PAU. You’re the best of the best!” he said.
Enase Okonedo, the vice-chancellor of the Pan-Atlantic University and a former dean at Lagos Business School, was on the ground to inspire the students with her visionary words and to shape their future as she addressed the graduates and guests at the convocation ceremony.
Adams enjoins upcoming students who desire to excel in their academic goals to embrace networking and leverage structures in school.
“I think I’ll always say to the students when you get into universities, and it is important to network to join a certain community of people that can help you or a spiritual organisation; do it because you can’t succeed alone. Networking is very vital!
Just like every student is coming in to achieve a goal, you must focus on achieving your own goals,” he counselled.
The Pan-Atlantic University, a private, non-profit educational institution in Lekki, Lagos State held its 20th convocation, marking a milestone in academic excellence on Friday to Saturday, December 1-2, 2023 inside the Honeywell Group auditorium at Lagos Business School, Km 52 Lekki – Epe Expressway, Lagos.
The university is indeed a place where everyone and anyone stands a chance. It has a well-earned reputation, locally and internationally, as an institution that provides world-class education.
Pan-Atlantic University is noted as an institution where students form competent and committed professionals with state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional teaching.
Part of the thrilling moments of the 20th convocation ceremony was when the esteemed university chaplain shared a prayer, seeking blessings and guidance for the journey ahead.
The event marked a significant milestone in the lives of both undergraduate and postgraduate students who have completed their academic programmes.
The convocation was a ceremonial testament to the students’ unwavering commitment and hard work and the university’s dedication to academic excellence.
