This 21yrs girl is the best graduating student of Covenant
University, Ota, Ogun State in the 2013/2014 academic
session. The beautiful young lady whose name is Oputa
Alma, finished from the Department of Computer Science
and Information Science with 4.99 CGPA.
In this chat with Punch's Tunde Ajaja, Oputa shares the
story of her success in Covenant University:
Some people have said that the grading system in private
schools is too generous and unrealistic unlike what obtains
in public schools. Do you see any difference in their
products? The grading system is the same. It’s just that we
pay for our comfort in private schools, which enhances our
performance. Those things that could make learning very
conducive and stress-free are already provided for us, and
we pay for them, so we tend to do better.
For instance, some public schools pay N15,000 as tuition
fee while some private schools pay up to N700,000.
Whatever we pay already covers power supply, water
supply, accommodation, equipped and functional
laboratories, etc, and an enclosed environment where not
just anything goes...
unlike in public schools where those facilities are not
always readily available and the teaching and living
conditions are not good enough. The attention and care we
get in private schools cannot be compared to what we have
in public schools. When you put all these variables
together, they influence a student’s performance. With the
kind of money we pay and the kind of academic
environment, the difference is expected.
We learnt you had wanted to study Medicine while growing
up. What motivated you?
My dad is a doctor, a consultant, and he is my role model,
so I wanted to follow in his steps and make him proud. I
loved what he was doing and I just wanted to be like him.
That was why I had such plan, not because I knew anything
about Medicine or had so much interest.
Why did you end up studying Computer Science and
Information Science?
I didn’t pick the course; one of my teachers in secondary
school randomly picked it for me because I never knew
about the course until I was offered. I was keen on
studying Medicine then, so I didn’t care what my second
choice was. In fact, everyone thought I would study
Medicine, but it didn’t work out. But now, I’m okay with the
course, coupled with the Information Science that deals
with everything about information, from the gathering/
collection to its processing, storage and dissemination. I
have always loved mathematical courses and
subsequently, the programming courses because I love
practicality. I don’t really like theory; theoretical courses
were boring to me. I had to put in extra efforts in reading
and learning them. I can study mathematical courses in the
noisiest environments, but for theoretical courses, I had to
consecrate myself and concentrate on what I was reading.
But some people run away from Computer Science because
of courses like programming.
Programming is not difficult. It is something people should
make up their mind to learn, keep practising and enjoy. The
practicality of programming made me like it because it was
like magic to see that I would actually develop a calculator
and it would work. The fact that we are able to practise the
theories we learn and read about should make it interesting
for anyone interested in the course.
What is the big deal in computing that people even learn as
vocation outside the school wall?
People say a lot of things to give excuses concerning this
issue. However, my belief is that there is nothing that is
not simple in life; it just requires undivided attention and
commitment. And for the computer courses being offered
out there, my view is that being in school is a different ball
game from external trainings. I feel being in school gives a
bigger opportunity to know more, even beyond the course
you are studying. It exposes you to certain things, while
external trainings mostly specialise in a particular area or
field.
Did you work towards being the best graduating student or
was it providence?
From the beginning, I told myself I was going to be the best
student and make my dad, especially, proud. I made up my
mind to do things the right way, study hard and get to know
God better. So, I planned for it, and to God’s glory, I
achieved it. There was no major challenge whatsoever and
I realised that making that decision made it so easy for me.
I also knew the place of hard work and I did work hard.
How easy was it for you to graduate with first class
honours?
It wasn’t difficult for me to have a first class. It’s easy if
one puts in the right efforts. Of course, it doesn’t come
without obstacles; that’s where we need God and a lot of
discipline to make the right choices.
You were 20 years old when you graduated, how did you
handle peer pressure?
If someone was becoming a distraction to me, I would drift
away gradually from that person. Most of my friends were
serious-minded people, so I didn’t have such battles to
fight. Also, I like to do all I have on my to-do list, so I don’t
easily get distracted. I had a lot of friends, including guys,
and I liked attending social events as long as they didn’t
interfere with my schedule. I didn’t make myself available
to be disturbed by anyone, male or female. So, there was
no pressure.
You once had a blog on fashion, what attracted you to
fashion?
Yes, I used to have a blog on fashion but I stopped it about
a year and half ago. I would say my love for looking
extremely good at all times attracted me to fashion. But I
plan to start something better soon because I know I am an
entrepreneur.
Why didn’t you go for a course in Arts that could help your
interest in fashion?
I’m a born scientist. I have been in love with science since
my primary school days. I can always go to a fashion
school whenever I am ready to.
Were you involved in other school activities?
Yes I was. I was in hospitality service unit all through my
four years in school. I was the Public Relations Officer for
my department for a year and I was a member of the
Google team of my school too for a year.
What have you been doing since you graduated?
I am currently serving my country as a youth corps
member in Covenant University. I was posted there and I’m
doing a research on Bioinformatics. I hope to do my
Master’s degree immediately after the youth service
programme.
What are the other plans that you have?
I have children, fashion and technology in mind. I plan to
set up my NGOs, motherless babies’ homes and free
schools to take care of children because I want to help
children on the streets begging and suffering to become
learned and better people. I plan to set up my shoe brand
and build my boutiques all around the world. I also want to
help advance technology in whatever way I can to help
better the lives of people. My background made me the
strong, confident, determined and God-fearing, so, I’m
prepared for the future. CLICK HERE TO READ FULL AND TOUCHING NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES BIOGRAPHY AND SCANDALS
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