Atinuke Adigun was one of the First Class graduates at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) convocation. This achievement may have stunned many who do not know her family history. She was only following in the footsteps of the father and brother. JOSEPH ESHANOKPE writes.

•Son, daughter follow dad’s footsteps

For members of Adiguns family in Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State, academic excellence runs in their genes. About 31 years ago, the family head, Mr Supo Adigun, was the best graduating student in the Economics Department of former University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. He made a First Class.

Last year, Adigun’s son, Olanrewaju, finished from the Computer Engineering Department of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) with a First Class. This year, Olanrewaju’s sister, Atinuke, 21, followed in their footsteps. She graduated with a First Class in Economics at UNILAG convocation about two weeks ago.

Atinuke was among the 10 First Class graduates in the Economics Department. Her Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) was 4.68.
At the convocation held at the Multipurpose Hall, Atinuke, along with other First Class graduates, received the school honour for excellence. She was also given a presidential handshake by the representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof Jerry Gana, who chairs of the UNILAG Governing Council.

The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Rahamon Bello, described the First Class graduates as the institution’s shining stars. Atinuke said she felt on top of the world by the discription.

She recalled her encounter with the VC: “It was nice; it was the first time I would meet the VC. This makes me happy that my achievements could take me far. Hearing those words of encouragement from the head of the school, I was touched and felt on top of the world.”
The feat, Atinuke said, is humbling. Her inspiration, she said, is her father, adding that her journey to academic excellence started in 2010 when she was admitted into the university. She was 16 and the only thing she could hope for was excellence.

“I prayed to God to give me the grace to finish on top of my class. I worked towards it by studying hard for it,” she said.
But did she burn the proverbial midnight candle? “No,” she said, adding: “I made a First Class by prioritising my time for reading and other engagements. But I dedicated more time during the day for reading. I also attended professional seminars. They made me to be more focused and helped me in achieving my goals.”

For Atinuke, the feat was not easy to come by. She faced challenges like her colleagues, especially in final year when she was under pressure to complete her project and participate in class work. Besides, a newly-introduced course, Econometrics, was a tough subject she had to pass.
What is Atinuke’s plan after Bachelor’s degree? She said marriage is not on her cards for now, hoping to build a career in either academics or investment banking to take after her father, who recently retired from First Bank.

Mr Adigun, who is now in private practice, gave glory to God for his children’s feats. He said the achievement made him to remember his days at OAU, saying the blood of academic brilliance runs in the family.

His wife, Toyin, was all smiles during Atinuke’s graduation. She gave thanks to God, saying: “It is a thing of joy for me to turn out two graduates in succession and all of them made a First Class. I am so blessed. All glory be to God. Today is the best day of my life.”
Adigun’s former classmate in the secondary school and Manager of UNILAG branch of Ecobank, Tunji Jayeola, said: “We are proud of Adigun’s family. I am happy that Atinuke has repeated the father’s feat. She knew what she wanted and went for it. This also shows anyone can achieve his dream in life if he is focused and have the right attitude. This is what Atinuke’s achievement indicates.”

pix: Atinuke flanked by her parents and a family friend, Jayeola
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/a-family-of-first-class/

Oh boy! Hot family

what about their mum, what did she bag out or is she not part of the family?

The first class gene in the children is definitely paternal!

Family of Excellence!

cozy7:
Woow! What a bright family indeed...what of d mother, why is smiling like mama Peace? Watin she carry?

If she had made first class, the report would have said so but she could not have been dull. That I am sure of.

It ain't easy to be a student of oau.

good one.

It runs in the ßlood.

Meanwhile,they all had GOALS....

Op it's record setting they never break any record note this since it's new

Their mum bagged First class from last

Nice one but It is said that records are meant to be broken but if broken then it becomes a bad record.

Nice one, but the op didn't mention the mothers' grade... Well, I think the academic-brilliance gene is definitely paternal, while the resemblance is from the mother.

Cool... And pls you guys should free the mother naw. Even if she didn't graduate with a first class, she gave birth to children who did

happy for them

Nice

c00l....

techmart:
Nice one, but the op didn't mention the mothers' grade... Well, I think the academic-brilliance gene is definitely paternal, while the resemblance is from the mother.

You are wicked!

wow, really nice. Thumbs up to their dad and mum

Brains...

Good for them. I also have a family friend like that

FriedPlantain:
I'm not typing this to undermine their effort but what is the big deal na? We are a family of first class in my house as well.
My dad made first class from the University of Port Harcourt, my mum made hers at University of Lagos, my elder sister made a first class at Covenant University and I made first class as well at University of Port Harcourt just like my father.
If not for that bastard Omo ale Jati Jati Kabiru that spoilt our record by making third class consecutively in two different schools, our long time record would have still been intact.


FriedPlantain

Yes ask your mother well about Kabiru

Oya Na..

the father (or somebody) networks thoroughly, that is all!

Good feat!

omonnakoda:
Yes ask your mother well about Kabiru

Lol.....I very well got your drift

Fynestboi:
It ain't easy to be an oauites a great Ife.

stop making that mistake again bro!

BUSHHUNTER:
VANITY UPON VANITY

MuMu

Now, this is not particularly hard to do is it?
The biggest ingredient here is upbringing and academic discipline.
Those kids must have had their father as mentor and role model with a feisty desire to succeed-Anyone who has that would make nothing less than a First Class.