Deborah Moyinoluwa Irele swept virtually all the prominent prizes at the just-concluded 13th convocation ceremony of the Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State. During the event, she had a permanent smile on her face as if the world is an ever peaceful place, but in this interview with PAUL UKPABIO, she disclosed how she wasted four years in a public university due to incessant labour strikes

You look simple, how did you achieve this enviable feat?
I saw it as an opportunity and a privilege. So, I went after it. But then I had family and friends who mentored me and could call me to order anytime I was losing focus. They taught me about time management because I was also involved in other activities outside academics and that was one of the things that helped me.

We learnt you spent four years in a public university, why did you switch to a private university?
It was because of the constant university staff strikes, we spent almost a year at home, after a while, some of my family members felt embarrassed, they were not okay with the way things were going, so I made up my mind as they advised that I should change to a private university after four years.

Which university was that?
That was Ladoke Akintola University. I was admitted there in the year 2013 to study Agric-Economics, and I left in 2017. That same year, I switched to Redeemer’s University where I studied Economics.

Were you embarrassed in any way with the change?
Yes, for a long time, we had to write our JAMB registration numbers on the attendance sheet and so my JAMB number started with four while those of my course mates started with seven digits and so whenever they looked through the attendance sheet, they would be wondering where I came from and what could have possibly happened.

Some of them were even bold enough to ask if I repeated or dropped out from the school I came from. These experiences made me question the continuity of my journey in Redeemer’s university because at every point people were asking embarrassing questions.

So, I just tried to keep a low profile so as not to get more embarrassing questions from my colleagues. Most importantly though, I had to pray to God to reveal the purpose for being in the school so that I could use his answer to walk head high and be able to walk through this phase. Luckily for me, I also had friends in similar positions but they were doing just fine and so they helped me through so I wouldn’t have low self-esteem.

Did you find it difficult when you changed the academic course?
Yes, it was difficult because Agric-Economics is a science course while economics is a social science course. So I had to do other social science courses like accounting. And before then, I had not done accounting for instance. So, it was a little challenging.

At Redeemer’s University, did you find Economics itself as a course difficult?
It was a bit tasking. It was different from Agric-Economics entirely.

Having been at Redeemer’s University in the last four years, what experience would you like to share?
Each day was an experience on its own. I had the opportunity to learn new things, meet new people, it built me, expanded my capacity academically too. But then I was quite down at some point, but I had friends and people who were there as my support system.

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You crossed from a public university because of the sit-at-home caused by incessant staff strikes, and suddenly COVID-19 reared its head up, how did you feel about the total global shut down of the economy?
(Laughed) Oh yes, but I did not have that fear that the world will stop and that I would not be able to continue, especially when Redeemer University was so magnanimous in helping us to continue with online classes. So, I am grateful to RUN for making up for a time in that area. COVID-19 and the lockdown didn’t waste our time and we didn’t need to stay at home for a whole year because of that.

There were many activities on campus, did you feel that if you had taken part in all of them you would not have been able to excel?
Aside from academics, I was also involved in the chapel where I was an executive member. I was also the president of my department on campus, so those activities didn’t disturb me, because I believed that beyond academics, there are other skills that one should develop, like leadership skills, communication skills, those went a long way to help me too with my grades, as I related better with people around me.

Are you the kind of person students refer to as book worm?
(Laughs) No, I read at normal times when other people are reading. The truth is, I read, but I don’t think I read that much.

As a beautiful lady on campus, did the guys disturb you or did they distract you a bit?
Oh yes, there were advances here and there.

So, did you choose any one of them?
No, I didn’t (laughs), it was not part of the curriculum. There was a focus and a goal to be achieved in the end. Looking back at where I was coming from, I felt there was no time to waste any more on side attractions on campus. So I didn’t give them a chance. I decided to focus on one thing at a time.

How about the future?
I am believing that going forward, I intend to be a great financial analyst, develop more in my field and career. So my next step is targeted at self-development, professional courses, and a Master’s

You also won over N300, 000 through different endowed prizes, how do you feel?
I’m an economist, I know about investment, I don’t believe in spending all one has, so I plan to invest part of it.

Did you also win a scholarship?
Yes. I have just been blessed with a full scholarship from Redeemer University for my post-graduate studies. But of course, I also have other open opportunities.

What is your advice to other students looking out for a blessing like yours?
I cannot forget the fact that, in all my stay on campus, God was my source, my help, and my strength. What I will advise others is that they should stay with God and have good people around them, people who can help when we can’t help ourselves, so that they can strengthen us.

As a lady, in your personal opinion, at what age do you think that one should have a good strong relationship intended for marriage?
I don’t think there is a particular age. I feel that when one is ready, and it won’t affect any other part of life goals negatively, then that is the time.

In what way did your family help to achieve this great feat for you?
My family was there for me. They are academics too. I have cousins that are Ph.D. holders. My family believes in academics and excellence. So that alone was a major motivator for me.

Has this kind of feat ever happened in your family?
Yes, I have two cousins that were top of their faculties at the universities they attended and also had a cousin that was the best graduating student outside the country.

What did you enjoy most at this University and which you will miss most?
Oh, there were so many things but what I remain grateful most for is the friends that I met. They were instrumental in my success today.

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