Teaching Made Me

 @Teaching Made Me

Every achievement has a story. Every shining star has a constellation of people whose sacrifices, guidance and love helped shape its brilliance. As I reflect on my journey from a little boy in a public primary school to becoming a teacher, researcher, community leader and PhD holder, my heart overflows with gratitude to the remarkable teachers who saw greatness in me long before I could see it in myself. They identified rawness and patiently refined it. They transformed mediocrity into excellence, uncertainty into confidence and potential into performance. Today, I stand on foundations they helped to build.

My first formal encounter with a teacher was through Miss Tella, later Mrs Agbeyangi, my Primary One class teacher at Yewa South Local Government Primary School I, Oke-Ola, Owode Yewa. She opened the door of formal education to me. Then came the unforgettable Miss Patrick, later Mrs Akinlade, whose love, confidence and belief in me left an indelible mark on my life. She saw possibilities in me that I had not yet discovered. Her discipline was legendary, her standards were high and her trust was priceless. She made me her class captain and assistant. Her neatness, organisation and commitment to excellence inspired me greatly. I still remember the day she discreetly helped me through a classroom window before closing time so I could robe and serve as a chorister at the funeral of a prominent chief in our town. Such acts reflected not just her affection but her understanding of a child's dreams and responsibilities.

At Area Community High School, Owode Yewa, many exceptional teachers continued the work of moulding my destiny. Mr Sobukola, our Physics and Chemistry teacher, was much more than a science educator. He was a mentor who nurtured our talents in drama, literary and debating activities. His classroom standards taught us seriousness and diligence. Mr Adeyemi, fondly called Apillo, inspired us through sports, while another Mr Adeyemi strengthened my mathematical foundation. Miss Odebunmi, my CRS teacher, was a mentor whose love and trust were extraordinary. She would confidently send me to the bank to cash her salary, a responsibility that spoke volumes about her faith in my character. My Biology teachers, Mr Ajibose and Mr Sodeinde, deepened my love for a subject that eventually became one of my strongest academic areas. My principal, Mr Babatunde Okusanya, embodied discipline, dignity and integrity. Mrs Akoni and Mr Akinbo nurtured not only our knowledge of Yoruba Language but also our character. Mrs Asogba ignited my love for English Language, Literature, books, newspapers and the power of words. Looking back, I realise that these teachers were not merely teaching subjects; they were shaping lives.

The university years brought another generation of giants into my life. Dr L. O. Adebajo, now a retired Professor, captivated me from the very first Microbiology lecture with his simplicity, clarity and warmth. His teaching made me fall in love with Microbiology, and he later supervised my Master's degree project. Professor V. W. Ogundero, of blessed memory, graciously approved my transfer from Zoology to Microbiology without knowing me or requiring any recommendation. His decision altered the trajectory of my academic life forever. The approval was denied by his predecessor despite going to him previously with an influential colleague of his. Mr Jenyo Oni, my undergraduate project supervisor, awakened my interest in Industrial Microbiology. Professor Babatunde Onajobi, my PhD co-supervisor, patiently sharpened my research, writing and presentation skills, always making himself available whenever I encountered challenges. Then came the Jagaban himself, Professor Samuel Adegoke Bankole, my PhD supervisor, mentor and academic pathfinder. It was he who encouraged me to embark on the PhD journey and willingly accepted the responsibility of supervising me. Though the road was rigorous, demanding and intellectually stretching, his support remained unwavering. His guidance was meticulous, his commitment steadfast and his mentorship exceptional. No matter how busy his schedule was, he always found time to attend to me. Whether it required meeting on campus, off campus, by the roadside, in the morning, at night, during weekdays or weekends, he was always available. Remarkably, throughout the long and challenging journey, he never missed any of my numerous presentations in spite of his busy engagements. His wit, accessibility, attention to detail and deep commitment to excellence nurtured me academically and professionally, helping to transform a student into a scholar. Professor Timothy Olatayo, though from the Department of Mathematics, demonstrated rare humility, warmth and fatherly concern for my growth and success. Along the way, there were many other teachers and mentors whose names may not appear here for lack of space, yet whose contributions remain permanently engraved upon my heart.

Today, as I look back, I can say with confidence and gratitude that teaching made me and teachers made me. The certificates may bear my name, but countless fingerprints of dedicated teachers are all over them. The honours may be mine, but the sacrifices behind them belong to many selfless educators. The story of Dr Femi Abiola is, in many ways, the story of teachers who believed, invested, corrected, encouraged, challenged and inspired. Silver and gold may not yet be sufficient to repay all they invested in me, yet I commit every one of them and their families to God's ceaseless blessings, favour and protection. Thank you, my teachers. You saw greatness in an ordinary boy and nurtured it into reality. You are great, and that is one of the reasons I am great today. Indeed, I can assert authoritatively and without hesitation: teaching made me, and teachers made me.

Yours in fulfilment,

*@Otunba Dr Femi Abiola, MCE*

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