AGAINST ALL ODDS: A DREAM FULFILLED
@AGAINST ALL ODDS: A DREAM FULFILLED
Glory be to God! I have just conclusively and successfully defended my PhD thesis titled OPTIMISATION OF LIPASES FROM MOLECULARLY CHARACTERISED FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH PALM OIL MILL SOILS and consequently, officially earned my Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Microbiology with area of specialisation in Industrial Microbiology from the excellent Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.
From childhood, my greatest dream in life is to be educated, highly. This was largely inspired by my mum’s utmost twin-desire for me - to have both education and salvation. Little did I know that its fulfilment will be a tough walk on a long, tortuous road riddled with scathing hurdles and daunting obstacles including illnesses, disappointments, abandonment, underrating, bitter jealousy, false prophecies, twisted doctrines and battles.
I once had to withdraw abruptly from the University of Ibadan at 100 level and later restart my academic journey at Olabisi Onabanjo University through a pre-degree programme, effectively beginning again from a lower point. It was a humbling experience, especially with discouraging voices around me, including public statements suggesting that education was not my path and opinions that I was not suited for university. Sometimes during my junior secondary school days, I was sick and out of school for weeks, yet I still managed to perform strongly. In my 300 level, I wrestled with difficult challenges that made studying extremely demanding and, at times, almost unbearable, pushing me to the brink of giving up - but I kept going.
Nevertheless, against all these odds, I graduated with a Second Class Honours Lower Division in Microbiology and most remarkably, without an extra year.
After years of impossibility, I went back to school, completed my PGDE and came out with Distinction having garnered a CGPA of 4.50 (90%). Not done yet, I enrolled for my Master’s Degree where I emerged the ‘Best Graduating Student’ in the Department with a colourful PhD grade CGPA of 4.41 (88%). This distinction automatically catapulted me into the direct PhD studies.
Along the way, i became a Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator (CMIE), earned professional recognition as a Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) as well as achieved the prestigious IC3 GS5 Global Digital Literacy Certification by Gmetrix and CertiPort. Also, I was certified as a Progressive Science Initiative (PSI/PMI - ICT) pedagogy facilitator. I’ve been honoured and decorated with multiple awards and distinctions including the “Outstanding Administrator”; “Most Diligent Staff”, “Best Orator”; “Best Graduating Student”; “Friend” of Bolojo Festival and Awards among others. I have been nominated severally at different times and places as an “Outstanding Staff”. I was not only winning accolades and awards for myself, I have also brought glory and won laurels for my workplaces through the teams I was leading and mentoring, with the invaluable support of my adorable superiors and colleagues.
Over time, I have attended over sixty-five conferences, seminars, webinars and special trainings facilitated by governmental, non-governmental, national and multinational organisations. As a multipotentialite, I function as a charismatic leader, consultant educationist, consultant industrial microbiologist, public servant, published scholar, scientist, researcher, communicator, humanitarian, orator, writer, presenter and blogger. As a public-spirited development advocate and prolific author, I have written and published over six hundred life-shaping, mind-igniting articles on youth, education, community and leadership development. As a fecund speechwriter, i have crafted and drafted numerous audience-captivating and apt public speeches for leaders and speakers for various public outings. As a resource person, I have delivered over twenty “Public Lectures”. As an ICT Master Trainer and Lead Training Facilitator, I have trained hundreds of professionals and thousands of trainees over the years. As an event organiser, I have spearheaded numerous life-touching programs, projects and public engagements. As an orator, my public orations have inspired and impacted many lives. As a Master of Ceremonies par excellence, I have compered countless number of memorable ceremonies - spanning social, religious, cultural, professional, academic, sports and entertainment domains.
As a lifelong, lifewide global learner and a versatile world-class professional who constantly and vigourously seeks to upscale his skills, I have also bagged over six hundred certificates of achievement, badges, recognitions and certifications in several multi-disciplinary continuing professional development (CPD) courses of both local and international flavour covering but not limited to science, education, health, information and communication technology (ICT), leadership, communications, public relations, politics, economics, global diplomacy and international relations, psychology, sustainable development, multi-sectoral management, humanitarian services, entrepreneurship, accounting, journalism and media literacy from reputable world-class universities and international organisations such as Johns Hopkins University, USA; Yale University, USA; University of Michigan, USA; University of Colorado Boulder, USA; Idaho State University, USA; University of Georgia, USA; King’s College London; University of York, UK; University of Leeds, UK; University of Salford Manchester, UK; University of London, UK; Queensland University of Technology, Australia; Deakin University, Australia; University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; University of Padova, Italy; Peking University, China; The College of Law Asia; London School of Public Relations, UK; British Council, UK; City & Guilds, UK; Microsoft USA; Google USA; Accenture, Ireland; Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation, USA; Skillsoft, Ireland; Cegos, France; Grovo, USA; Humanitarian U, Canada; Transparency International, Norway; World Bank; African University of Science and Technology, Abuja; New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning, USA among others.
I have earned the coveted membership of several prestigious local and global professional, learning as well as humanitarian societies such as the Nigerian Society for Microbiology (NSM) Nigeria, American Society for Microbiology (ASM) USA, Microbiology Society (MS) United Kingdom, Microsoft Innovative Educators Community, USA, Society for Education and Training (SET) United Kingdom, International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS) Japan, International Teachers Association (ITA), Bristol, United Kingdom, Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Climate Generation, Minnesota USA, among others.
From this journey emerged the ‘MC Fabulous’ brand under FABULOUS COMMUNICATIONS, a venture I conceived and founded. I am the President and Founder of PROJECT YOUTH FULFIL (PYoF), a community service pro-youth non-governmental organisation (NGO), contributing to youth, education, community and leadership development.
By the design of the Almighty and the will of the people, I am the incumbent life holder of the chieftaincy title of the “Otunba” of Iseje, Owode Yewaland, Ogun State.
In my undergraduate days, I was elected as an Honourable Member of Parliament of the Students Union Government and became the pioneer President of a Campus Fellowship - CACYOF. Since primary school, I have had the privilege of serving humanity in over fifty academic, social, religious, cultural, political and professional leadership roles with a record of excellence and impact, and I currently still serve in several positions simultaneously, including Director of Strategy - YYPF; Director of Sports and Community Engagement; Director of Communications and Mobilisation - MG; State Youth Coordinator – Ogun State YFC; Board Secretary - Cooperative Society; General Secretary - Community Development Association, Deputy Leader - Council of Chiefs & Elders; Council Secretary - Church Council; Council Member - Accreditation Council, ITA, Bristol, United Kingdom; Fellow, ASM Future Leaders Mentorship Fellowship (FLMF), American Society for Microbiology, USA, among others. I cherish the continuing God-given privilege to build, mould, transform systems and structures, empower, inspire and impact lives in various modes and dimensions, and for the promise of a new future.
This PhD - the crowning glory of academic attainment, professional elevation and societal influence; the highest earned degree in the university system recognized worldwide and the apex of manpower development globally – stands as a monumental, historic, and transgenerational milestone. It is the first of its kind in my lineage, breaking barriers and bulldozing boundaries of impossibility. Against all limitations, blazing the trail of possibilities, setting new records, expanding the frontiers of achievement and redefining fulfilment. Greatness knows no humble beginnings – only hearts bold enough to rise beyond them.
To my Maker alone I return all the glory – the greatest Fulfiller! He inspired my mum and I with this dream and made it come to pass, even in her lifetime, against all odds.
To my marvelous mother and chaperone – Olori Victoria Olufunmilayo Abiola, for her vision, drive, unparalleled love and sacrifice;
To my father and benefactor – Overseer Olanrewaju Ajayi, former General Manager, Cash ‘N’ Carry Nig. Ltd., for fathering me throughout my undergraduate journey and forever;
To you who it has ever been said “you are a failure”;
To you who has always been ridiculed and mocked “nothing good can never come out of your life”;
To you who sow in tears, for you shall reap with shouts of joy; and;
To the teeming youths out there who are striving hard to fulfil their potentials, purpose and destiny, I dedicate this Doctorate!
Too numerous to mention, I acknowledge every man-and-woman-like-angel who has, at different stages, played their divine part in my story. I celebrate all my ancestors for enabling me to fulfil their generations-long aspiration. I will forever adore my departed beloved maternal grandmother – Madam Alice Aroki Odeboju for laying the moral, emotional and psychological framework of the man I grew up to become. I appreciate my father and first hero – Baale Samson Alani Abiola Adeyanju, Alani Alesinloye 1 of Iseje Yewaland, Ogun State. Heartfelt thanks to my fabulous wife and twin sister – Yeye Otunba Bolaji Abiola, for giving me a conducive atmosphere to flying and soaring. I appreciate all my most amazing in-laws as well as my siblings. Special recognition and mention must be made of Pastor Tunde Akinbola, Mr Emmanuel Adeotan, Pastor M. J. Omirin, Honourable Sola Ogungbe, Dr Daniel Aborisade, Princess Kemi Dahunsi and Mrs Mopelola Oluyomi.
Profound gratitude to my mentor and Lead Supervisor, Professor Samuel Bankole for nurturing me to academic greatness, and to my Co-Supervisor - Professor Ismail Onajobi for always being there for me technically, intellectually and morally. I am profusely grateful to the incumbent Head of Department, Microbiology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye - Professor Olusolape Ilusanya, ditto to her immediate predecessor, Dr Titilayo Adesetan for their administrative efficiency, courage, competence and academic effectiveness. My immense gratitude is warmly extended to all my amazing lecturers in the Department of Microbiology including Professor Adebajo, Professor Efuntoye, Professor Agu, Professor Egberoungbe, Dr Banjo, Dr Popoola and Dr Thomas for their technical and professional inputs as well as all non-academic staff in the Department. I thank Dr Abass Taiwo, the Head of Department, Statistics, OOU for his statistical inputs.
I salute Professor Timothy Olatayo of the Department of Mathematics for his fatherly love and moral support. I appreciate all academic and non-academic staff of the Faculty of Science. I also extend my thankfulness to the immediate past Dean, Faculty of Science, Professor John Laoye and the immediate past Sub-Dean Postgraduate, Professor Phillip Ikhane, for their academic leadership and administrative efficiency. My profound respect extends to the incumbent Dean, Faculty of Science, Professor Olatunde Odetunde as well as the current Sub-Dean Postgraduate, Dr Adeola Ibikunle. I laud the spirited efforts of the ex-Provost of the Postgraduate School, OOU, Professor Olusegun Lawal, the current Provost, Postgraduate School, Professor Russell Somoye, Mr Austin, Mr Osiyemi, the entire university staff and community. I deeply appreciate the immense technical contributions of Mr Samuel Olatope of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) Lagos State, Nigeria to the success of the thesis. I appreciate Reverend and Mrs J.O.M Odeboju for facilitating my access to the study areas. I’m greatly indebted to my Doctor friends – Dr Bukola Afolabi, Dr Tosin Adeyemi, Dr Ibukun Sossou, Dr Pauline Nwagala, Dr Agu, and Dr Titi Abiona, Tola Odebiyi and Oyin Samson for their inputs and camaraderie. Thanks to Mrs Ayo Afolabi, Prince Adeyinka Adedeji and Mrs Adebola Adedeji for their good-heartedness, love and strong confidence in me always.
My heartfelt appreciation to my humane and ever-supportive boss, Mrs M.D. John for always believing in me and my potentials, fueling and cheering me on to the finish line. And more significantly, I am most grateful to the illnesses, disappointments, abandonment, underrating, bitter jealousy, false prophecies, twisted doctrines and battles that have served as destiny’s furnace and crucible for my becoming.
My dear brother, my dear sister, against all odds, your dreams too can be fulfilled only if you are audacious enough, tenacious enough and in God alone, believing enough!
Congratulations!
Otunba Doctor Olufemi Abiola,
B. Sc. (Hons), PGDE, M. Sc., PhD.
CMIE (USA), MCE (USA), CT (NIGERIA), MNSM (NIGERIA), MAIMN (NIGERIA), MCTAN (NIGERIA), MASM (USA), MMS (UK), MNSTA (USA), MSET (UK), MITA (UK), MISDS (JAPAN).
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