How I became FUOYE's best graduating student as CAC Campus Fellowship President– Ayomide David Adepoju

 

Ayomide David Adepoju

Rising from the pews of Christ Apostolic Church, Wonderful District, Badagry DCC, Pearce Region, to serving as President of Christ Apostolic Church Campus Fellowship, Federal University of Oye, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), David Ayomide Adepoju, has walked a journey of faith, diligence, and excellence – which earned him the Overall Best Graduating Student of the 2023/2024 of the school, graduating from the Department of Mathematics with a 4.87 CGPA.

Describe your journey to academic excellence

First, I return all glory to the God of Christ Apostolic Church for the privilege given to me. This is a testament that the God of our fathers is real. I remember that the only thing my parent gave me when I was leaving home in 2020 was the validity of the God of this church. 

“At every point in time, learn to go on your knees and talk to God of Babalola” were the words of my father. Becoming the Best Graduating Student and receiving the Vice Chancellor’s golden handshake has always been a dream, one I nurtured right from my first day at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti. 

What seemed like a distant dream has become a testimony of God's grace, hard work, and the unwavering support of my family and the church of God. However, this journey was far from easy. It was marked by numerous challenges—moments of doubt, financial struggles, academic pressures, and the constant need to balance my faith with the demands of university life. Each obstacle seemed like a mountain, but through God’s strength and determination, they became stepping stones toward this great achievement.

People have different modes of study and assimilation. What is yours?

From the beginning, I understood that excellence would require sacrifice, discipline, and a strong academic strategy. One of my greatest commitments was attending night classes and tutorials, a routine I maintained from my days in 100 level. While some found long hours of solitary reading effective, I discovered that teaching was my most powerful study method. I may not be able to read continuously for two hours, but I can teach for five hours straight without losing focus. 

This approach did not only reinforce my understanding but also helped many of my colleagues to grasp complex concepts. A major turning point came at the end of my first semester when I saw my results. My Grade Point was 4.75. This achievement increased my confidence and reassured me that I was on the right path. Instead of relaxing, I became even more determined, pushing myself to aim higher. I embraced every academic challenge with renewed determination, knowing that consistency and resilience were key to maintaining excellence. Beyond the lecture halls, I maximized every opportunity for learning, including tutorials hosted in my fellowship. These sessions became more than just academic gatherings. They were platforms for growth, knowledge sharing, and building a community of scholars who pushed one another toward excellence. 

What were some of the challenges you faced, especially academic balance with being the President of CACCF?

The journey to academic excellence was not without its fair share of challenges, many of which tested my faith, endurance, and resilience. From accommodation challenges to financial issues and then balancing academics with leadership responsibilities. 

Beyond financial struggles, balancing academics with leadership responsibilities was another major challenge. I was actively involved in various political and leadership positions, serving as the President of Christ Apostolic Church Campus Fellowship (CACCF) while also representing my department in different political roles at both the departmental and faculty levels. Leadership was demanding, requiring time, energy, and unwavering dedication. Despite these responsibilities, I remained committed to academic excellence. 

When I was chosen to become the CACCF President, I remember crying massively, overwhelmed by the thought that becoming an executive would ruin my results. I had worked so hard to maintain academic excellence, and I feared that the weight of responsibilities would be too much to handle. But God had different plans. Not only did He sustain me, but He also proved that it pays to serve Him. During my time as an executive, I had some of the best academic performances of my university journey, three perfect 5.0 CGPAs and a 4.98 - something I never imagined possible under such demanding circumstances.

One of the greatest lessons I learned on this journey is that no one succeeds alone. Behind every great achievement, there are people whose support, encouragement, and sacrifices make the journey possible. I was blessed to have good people around me – my parents, my roommate, my friends, my spiritual fathers, the entire CACCF executive body, even my lecturers played significant roles in my success stories.

As I reflect on this journey, I realize that every struggle, every late-night study session, and every sacrifice was worth it. My story is a testament that with God, determination, and the right people, nothing is impossible.