It was all joy today at the school hall of yewande Memorial School, James Robertson road, Surulere, Lagos, As the management of the institution converge to honour one of her old students Olasubomi Iginla Aina who was recently confered with the prestigious member of the order of the British Empire (MBE) by the Queen of England.
The former student of the school Aina who was born in January 17,1978 passed out from Yewande Memorial School in 1991,before proceeding to the Anglican Girls Grammar school for her secondary education.
She later gain admission to the Obafemi Awolowo university where she bagged her first degree and founded the Organization for Youths and Women Affairs (OYWA) later metamorphosed to become light up foundation.
She was once the student union government president of the Obafemi Awolowo university a position that led her becoming the youngest focal person for the National Women’s peace group which was inaugurated by former Nigeria president Olusegun Obasanjo.
Aina was once celebrated as a “Good Samaritan “on the BBC when she was caught on camera shopping for elderly people in her local area (new Addington) in 2010.
The human right crusader now being celebrated all over the world, created the Bay of Hope (BOH) which is now a rallying point for activities raising awareness of the United Nations (UN) Rights of the child.
On January 8,2018 she started a nursery and primary school which is now running where the less privilege ones now have access to education for free, it is situated at Ikhare Island settlement in Lagos State.
She is using the light up foundation platform even the project is solely funded by her.
In a separate interview with journalists at the event, Aina said her foundation have empowered no fewer than 800 children who were released from prison had also be empowered by the foundation in different skills at Abeokuta,the Ogun State capital and over 100 of such children had also be trained in different skill in Kwara State.
According to her the goal of the foundation is to work in at least three major prison in Nigeria to rescue children whose age ranges between 12 to18 years and empower them as well as reunite them to their families.
She explained that all her exploit there is nothing she can do that will not be linked to charity”i exhitied leadership when I was in secondary school this made me to become the Head girl”,.she recalled.
While speaking to the pupils of Yewande Memorial School, she advice every student and pupils as well as the audience not to give up hope in life because it is not over until is over. “everything about me come from God I consider myself to have been enjoying sanity from God which made it possible to be celebrating here today at Yewande”.
Also speaking one of the Director of Yewande Memorial School Mrs Iyabo Smith described Aina as a wonderful lady and an aluminus of the school who have done very well in her endeavor ,received a big honour from the British monarch and Prime Minister of Britain then come back home to celebrate with the school and also motivate the pupils of the school through motivational talk based on her experiences across the globe.
Another Director of the school Architect Abimbola Ajayi said the coming home to the school by Mrs Aina to celebrate the honour was very encouraging because the honour from the British authorities is not just a national one but a global honour which have done the school to be proud of one of theirs.
Mrs Abimbola advice parents not to look at any child with levity because every child has something special in him or her that will them rise globally.
From Rejection to Record-Breaker: LASU’s Best Graduating Student Thought She Had Failed in Life
In an inspiring twist of fate, Miss Isioma Nwosu, who once believed she had failed in life after missing out on her dream course, emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student of Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2023/2024 academic session with an astounding CGPA of 4.93.
Nwosu, a graduate of Biochemistry, captivated the audience with her moving valedictory speech at LASU’s 28th Convocation Ceremony, held at the university’s main campus in Ojo.
“I thought I had failed in life,” she confessed, recounting the heartbreak of not gaining admission to study Medicine and Surgery—her lifelong ambition.
After finishing secondary school as her set’s valedictorian in 2019, Nwosu faced a major blow: she scored just two points below the cut-off mark to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan. The setback forced her to retake UTME, a decision she said left her humiliated and defeated.
“A valedictorian writing UTME again? It was a bitter pill to swallow,” she recalled.
When she eventually reapplied to study Medicine and Surgery—this time at LASU—fate again dealt her a curveball. She was offered Biochemistry, a course she admitted she had “never heard of” until that moment.
“My heart broke a second time. I couldn’t embrace the course at first,” she said.
But through perseverance, and the encouragement of her lecturers and friends, Isioma not only embraced Biochemistry—she excelled beyond all expectations, finishing top of a graduating class of 11,917 students.
“Dreams Can Be Delayed, Not Denied”
In a stirring message to fellow graduates and aspiring students, Nwosu urged young people not to abandon their dreams in the face of rejection or redirection.
“Never be afraid of having big dreams. Your dreams are the seeds of greatness. You are resilient, capable, and prepared for the future,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of surrounding oneself with “friends of value, vision, and ambition.”
VC Urges Graduates to Shape Their Legacy
In her address, LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, praised the class of 2023/2024, reminding them that they hold the pen to write the next chapter of their lives.
“You’ve demonstrated excellence in both character and learning. Now use that knowledge to drive meaningful change,” she charged.
The university awarded diplomas, degrees, and certificates across various disciplines, celebrating not just academic success but stories of resilience and transformation—none more powerful than that of Isioma Nwosu, who turned disappointment into distinction.
NAPS Applauds Progress on Bill to Abolish HND-Bachelor’s Degree Dichotomy
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), under the leadership of Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, has expressed strong support for the bill seeking to abolish the longstanding disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) holders and Bachelor’s degree graduates.
The bill, which recently passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, is seen as a crucial step toward promoting educational equality and ensuring that all Nigerian students receive fair recognition, regardless of their institution or degree type.
In a statement, NAPS reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for polytechnic students’ rights and called on lawmakers to expedite the process to ensure the bill becomes law.
“As an association, we have always championed the interests of polytechnic students. The passage of this bill will be a major milestone in our efforts to secure equal opportunities for all graduates,” Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide stated.
He emphasized that under his leadership, NAPS has made significant strides in pushing for reforms that benefit its members. He also urged all stakeholders, including the government, educational institutions, and civil society organizations, to rally behind the bill to create a more inclusive and equitable education system.
NAPS reiterated its unwavering commitment to supporting the bill’s passage and expressed optimism that it would pave the way for a brighter future for all Nigerian students.
Meet Eniola Olushola, the newest MSc sociologist from the University of Oye Ekiti
~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi
Eniola Olushola’s career journey demonstrates the impact of ongoing education and deliberate self-improvement in meeting the constantly changing requirements of the modern industry
Eniola has consistently proven his ability to deliver innovative solutions and drive impactful change through a unique blend of humanitarian expertise and executive leadership training
Eniola Olushola began his academic pursuits with a bachelor’s degree from a prestigious university in Nigeria and later earned a master’s degree in sociology from the Federal University of Oye, Ekiti, driven by a growing interest in sustainability and environmental stewardship
The accomplishment bolstered his expertise in addressing multifaceted humanitarian and environmental issues within industrial settings, firmly establishing him as a leading authority in his field of expertise
Eniola Olushola has demonstrated a consistent commitment to self-advancement, recognizing the essential function of leadership in navigating the complexities of today’s fast-paced business landscape and humanitarian issues, and has acquired the necessary expertise to effectively cater to the changing needs in Nigeria and Africa
Additionally, his outstanding leadership is unmatched and his contribution to society is significantly substantial to be overlooked
Eniola Olushola has emerged as a leader with a deep understanding of African resourcefulness needs and the ability to drive innovation, foster growth, and lead with purpose through his transformative experiences in a highly competitive global environment
Eniola Olushola’s relentless pursuit of education demonstrates his dedication to amplifying his positive influence on our society. Through ongoing upskilling, he has empowered himself to address evolving business needs with ease
His acumen in top-tier programs reflects his commitment to balancing academic rigor with practical leadership
Eniola Olushola has achieved something remarkable at the academy and really deserves big congratulations.
Oluwaseun Fabiyi a seasoned journalist writes from Lagos.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login