The best graduating
student from the Faculty
of Science, University of
Ibadan, in the 2013/2014
academic session,
Obidiegwu Chibuike, 22,
graduated with a 6.5/7.0
CGPA to emerge as the
best. He tells TUNDE
AJAJA how he had such
an outstanding result
How easy was it to
graduate with a first
class, especially in
Computer Science?
It was not really difficult
for me. I set my mind on a
goal and manipulated
events around me to
achieve it.
What attracted you to
the course initially?
When I was leaving
secondary school, I was
attracted to anything
related to digital
engineering. So I had an
open mind about the
course I would like to
pursue as an
undergraduate. I made up
my mind to study
computer science after a
brief discussion with my
dad on the subject, where
we analysed the
technology industry and
saw that the growth of
the software industry was
quite exponential. So, we
figured that studying
computer science would
put me in a strategic point
in the market. Also, a
friend of mine, Chude
Emeke, gave me a simple
analogy that finally
influenced my choice. He
made a statement that
fascinated me, he said, “A
single piece of hardware
could work with billions of
softwares.” With that, my
mind was made up. So, it
was not a difficult choice
to make. My parents’
support was awesome
too.
Which other course
could have appealed
to you if you didn’t
get this?
One course I would have
loved to study if I didn’t
get computer science was
petroleum engineering.
Not because I find it more
interesting though, it is
because of the more
money I could make
afterwards. Another
course I would have also
loved is psychology. I
sometimes wish I could
have a chance to have a
second degree in that
field because I strongly
believe that with a deep
knowledge of human
interaction and thought
patterns, the level of
automation and
intelligence that would be
put into software would
increase drastically. But
my dream as a young
child was to be a catholic
priest.
How was your
performance from
your elementary
school till you gained
admission to the
university?
I wasn’t always at the top
of my class then, but I
steadily improved over
the years. In secondary
school, I led my class for
the first time in our final
exams in SS2, and in the
university, I didn’t lead
my class until after my
first year. I didn’t have
problem with my WASSCE
and UTME and my
admission into the
University of Ibadan was
very smooth. I applied
and was invited for an
interactive session. It was
right there that they
congratulated me for
getting the admission
because of my
performance. It was very
transparent.
Which part of your
course did you love
most, and which part
did you find
challenging?
I loved programming and
algorithms. The lecturer
that introduced us to the
concept of programming,
Dr. B. O. Akinkunmi, made
it so relatable. All the
parts of the course
challenged me because I
tried not to dwell at the
surface of what was
taught, I dug deep into
the courses and tried to
understand and mastered
the concepts. So, my
performance from the
start was very good.
But some people run
away from Computer
Science because they
feel it’s hard. Is it
truly hard?
Computer science is not
hard, from my point of
view. It could be very
abstract but other
sciences also share that
element. So, I believe it is
a thing of the mind.
Particularly, some
people have fears for
the programming
aspect of the course.
Is it as hard as people
make it look?
Programming could be
hard at the beginning but
gets easy once you get
the basics. I was able to
cope with most of my
courses because of the
mindset I had. I always
told myself that if I didn’t
understand a concept,
then I had to try harder.
For the programming
aspect, my foundation
was very strong and I
took my mathematics
courses seriously.
What did you do
differently to have
such an outstanding
result?
I didn’t limit my knowledge
to what was taught in
class or what the lecturer
wanted us to know. I also
asked a lot of “whys?”
and “hows?” That way, I
was able to build a mental
model of concepts,
thereby making it easy to
recall and use concepts
and techniques.The best graduating
student from the Faculty
of Science, University of
Ibadan, in the 2013/2014
academic session,
Obidiegwu Chibuike, 22,
graduated with a 6.5/7.0
CGPA to emerge as the
best. He tells TUNDE
AJAJA how he had such
an outstanding result
How easy was it to
graduate with a first
class, especially in
Computer Science?
It was not really difficult
for me. I set my mind on a
goal and manipulated
events around me to
achieve it.
What attracted you to
the course initially?
When I was leaving
secondary school, I was
attracted to anything
related to digital
engineering. So I had an
open mind about the
course I would like to
pursue as an
undergraduate. I made up
my mind to study
computer science after a
brief discussion with my
dad on the subject, where
we analysed the
technology industry and
saw that the growth of
the software industry was
quite exponential. So, we
figured that studying
computer science would
put me in a strategic point
in the market. Also, a
friend of mine, Chude
Emeke, gave me a simple
analogy that finally
influenced my choice. He
made a statement that
fascinated me, he said, “A
single piece of hardware
could work with billions of
softwares.” With that, my
mind was made up. So, it
was not a difficult choice
to make. My parents’
support was awesome
too.
Which other course
could have appealed
to you if you didn’t
get this?
One course I would have
loved to study if I didn’t
get computer science was
petroleum engineering.
Not because I find it more
interesting though, it is
because of the more
money I could make
afterwards. Another
course I would have also
loved is psychology. I
sometimes wish I could
have a chance to have a
second degree in that
field because I strongly
believe that with a deep
knowledge of human
interaction and thought
patterns, the level of
automation and
intelligence that would be
put into software would
increase drastically. But
my dream as a young
child was to be a catholic
priest.
How was your
performance from
your elementary
school till you gained
admission to the
university?
I wasn’t always at the top
of my class then, but I
steadily improved over
the years. In secondary
school, I led my class for
the first time in our final
exams in SS2, and in the
university, I didn’t lead
my class until after my
first year. I didn’t have
problem with my WASSCE
and UTME and my
admission into the
University of Ibadan was
very smooth. I applied
and was invited for an
interactive session. It was
right there that they
congratulated me for
getting the admission
because of my
performance. It was very
transparent.
Which part of your
course did you love
most, and which part
did you find
challenging?
I loved programming and
algorithms. The lecturer
that introduced us to the
concept of programming,
Dr. B. O. Akinkunmi, made
it so relatable. All the
parts of the course
challenged me because I
tried not to dwell at the
surface of what was
taught, I dug deep into
the courses and tried to
understand and mastered
the concepts. So, my
performance from the
start was very good.
But some people run
away from Computer
Science because they
feel it’s hard. Is it
truly hard?
Computer science is not
hard, from my point of
view. It could be very
abstract but other
sciences also share that
element. So, I believe it is
a thing of the mind.
Particularly, some
people have fears for
the programming
aspect of the course.
Is it as hard as people
make it look?
Programming could be
hard at the beginning but
gets easy once you get
the basics. I was able to
cope with most of my
courses because of the
mindset I had. I always
told myself that if I didn’t
understand a concept,
then I had to try harder.
For the programming
aspect, my foundation
was very strong and I
took my mathematics
courses seriously.
What did you do
differently to have
such an outstanding
result?
I didn’t limit my knowledge
to what was taught in
class or what the lecturer
wanted us to know. I also
asked a lot of “whys?”
and “hows?” That way, I
was able to build a mental
model of concepts,
thereby making it easy to
recall and use concepts
and techniques.The best graduating
student from the Faculty
of Science, University of
Ibadan, in the 2013/2014
academic session,
Obidiegwu Chibuike, 22,
graduated with a 6.5/7.0
CGPA to emerge as the
best. He tells TUNDE
AJAJA how he had such
an outstanding result
How easy was it to
graduate with a first
class, especially in
Computer Science?
It was not really difficult
for me. I set my mind on a
goal and manipulated
events around me to
achieve it.
What attracted you to
the course initially?
When I was leaving
secondary school, I was
attracted to anything
related to digital
engineering. So I had an
open mind about the
course I would like to
pursue as an
undergraduate. I made up
my mind to study
computer science after a
brief discussion with my
dad on the subject, where
we analysed the
technology industry and
saw that the growth of
the software industry was
quite exponential. So, we
figured that studying
computer science would
put me in a strategic point
in the market. Also, a
friend of mine, Chude
Emeke, gave me a simple
analogy that finally
influenced my choice. He
made a statement that
fascinated me, he said, “A
single piece of hardware
could work with billions of
softwares.” With that, my
mind was made up. So, it
was not a difficult choice
to make. My parents’
support was awesome
too.
Which other course
could have appealed
to you if you didn’t
get this?
One course I would have
loved to study if I didn’t
get computer science was
petroleum engineering.
Not because I find it more
interesting though, it is
because of the more
money I could make
afterwards. Another
course I would have also
loved is psychology. I
sometimes wish I could
have a chance to have a
second degree in that
field because I strongly
believe that with a deep
knowledge of human
interaction and thought
patterns, the level of
automation and
intelligence that would be
put into software would
increase drastically. But
my dream as a young
child was to be a catholic
priest.
How was your
performance from
your elementary
school till you gained
admission to the
university?
I wasn’t always at the top
of my class then, but I
steadily improved over
the years. In secondary
school, I led my class for
the first time in our final
exams in SS2, and in the
university, I didn’t lead
my class until after my
first year. I didn’t have
problem with my WASSCE
and UTME and my
admission into the
University of Ibadan was
very smooth. I applied
and was invited for an
interactive session. It was
right there that they
congratulated me for
getting the admission
because of my
performance. It was very
transparent.
Which part of your
course did you love
most, and which part
did you find
challenging?
I loved programming and
algorithms. The lecturer
that introduced us to the
concept of programming,
Dr. B. O. Akinkunmi, made
it so relatable. All the
parts of the course
challenged me because I
tried not to dwell at the
surface of what was
taught, I dug deep into
the courses and tried to
understand and mastered
the concepts. So, my
performance from the
start was very good.
But some people run
away from Computer
Science because they
feel it’s hard. Is it
truly hard?
Computer science is not
hard, from my point of
view. It could be very
abstract but other
sciences also share that
element. So, I believe it is
a thing of the mind.
Particularly, some
people have fears for
the programming
aspect of the course.
Is it as hard as people
make it look?
Programming could be
hard at the beginning but
gets easy once you get
the basics. I was able to
cope with most of my
courses because of the
mindset I had. I always
told myself that if I didn’t
understand a concept,
then I had to try harder.
For the programming
aspect, my foundation
was very strong and I
took my mathematics
courses seriously.
What did you do
differently to have
such an outstanding
result?
I didn’t limit my knowledge
to what was taught in
class or what the lecturer
wanted us to know. I also
asked a lot of “whys?”
and “hows?” That way, I
was able to build a mental
model of concepts,
thereby making it easy to
recall and use concepts
and techniques.

However, the driving force for me was an award that was given to the best student in my class after our first year, so, I worked harder. Do you still remember all your GPAs from 100L to 400L? I remember all of them. My school uses a 7.0 grade point, so, in my 100L, I had 6.1 GPA and 6.1 CGPA; in 200L, I had 6.7 GPA and 6.4 CGPA; in 300L I had 6.9 GPA and 6.5 CGPA and in 400L, I had 6.4 GPA and 6.5 CGPA. So, I had first class throughout and my lowest grade was in my first year, which was 6.1/7.0. After that result in 100L, I set a goal for myself and I achieved it. Expectedly, I was happy and my family members have been very proud of me since then. They talk about it at the slightest of opportunities. Also, it tells me there is more to achieve. My father has always been encouraging me and he tells me every time how proud he is of me. continue reading @ www.punchng.com/entertainment/campus-champion/i-saw-difficult-courses-as-opportunity-to-work-harder-chibuike-first-class-graduate-ui/#commentsHowever, the driving force for me was an award that was given to the best student in my class after our first year, so, I worked harder. Do you still remember all your GPAs from 100L to 400L? I remember all of them. My school uses a 7.0 grade point, so, in my 100L, I had 6.1 GPA and 6.1 CGPA; in 200L, I had 6.7 GPA and 6.4 CGPA; in 300L I had 6.9 GPA and 6.5 CGPA and in 400L, I had 6.4 GPA and 6.5 CGPA. So, I had first class throughout and my lowest grade was in my first year, which was 6.1/7.0. After that result in 100L, I set a goal for myself and I achieved it. Expectedly, I was happy and my family members have been very proud of me since then. They talk about it at the slightest of opportunities. Also, it tells me there is more to achieve. My father has always been encouraging me and he tells me every time how proud he is of me. continue reading @ www.punchng.com/entertainment/campus-champion/i-saw-difficult-courses-as-opportunity-to-work-harder-chibuike-first-class-graduate-ui/#commentsHowever, the driving force for me was an award that was given to the best student in my class after our first year, so, I worked harder. Do you still remember all your GPAs from 100L to 400L? I remember all of them. My school uses a 7.0 grade point, so, in my 100L, I had 6.1 GPA and 6.1 CGPA; in 200L, I had 6.7 GPA and 6.4 CGPA; in 300L I had 6.9 GPA and 6.5 CGPA and in 400L, I had 6.4 GPA and 6.5 CGPA. So, I had first class throughout and my lowest grade was in my first year, which was 6.1/7.0. After that result in 100L, I set a goal for myself and I achieved it. Expectedly, I was happy and my family members have been very proud of me since then. They talk about it at the slightest of opportunities. Also, it tells me there is more to achieve. My father has always been encouraging me and he tells me every time how proud he is of me. continue reading @ www.punchng.com/entertainment/campus-champion/i-saw-difficult-courses-as-opportunity-to-work-harder-chibuike-first-class-graduate-ui/#comments

I thought all schools in nigeria adopt the 5.0 overall gpa grading system..why is u.i deifferent

Well, still not a perfect score.

if this thing no make front page, I can only suspect one thing

InyinyaAgbaOku:
if this thing no make front page, I can only suspect one thing

That your ancestors are after you.

Cutehector4u:
I thought all schools in nigeria adopt the 5.0 overall gpa grading system..why is u.i deifferent

We dare to be different

osamaBUSH:
Well, still not a perfect score.

in what sense?

There are 3 universities in Nigeria,
1)university of ibadan.
2)obafemi awolowo university.
3)others.

Good one dude...apply for 2015 commonwealth shared scholarship asap...u can do NYSC later.

#BTWN.....Team U.I......7.0 cgpa scale is tougher than the 5.0 scale........

Well done bro! So, that's how cgpa rise! oh my GOD! I can't wait for 200L. I rep the first and the best.

Amazeballs

BRAINEE123:


in what sense?

7.0 is the perfect score in this case.

na Epistle you write o @op

Cutehector4u:
I thought all schools in nigeria adopt the 5.0 overall gpa grading system..why is u.i deifferent

That's because we are THE FIRST AND THE BEST. . Like if you rep UI. #IRepUI

Damitism:
Well done bro! So, that's how cgpa rise! oh my GOD! I can't wait for 200L. I rep the first and the best.

what's ur courz at ui

blessedvisky:
That's because we are THE FIRST AND THE BEST. . Like if you rep UI. #IRepUI

ur courz pls

Do u expect me to read all these?

Holywizard:
Do u expect me to read all these?

if u like

blessedvisky:
That's because we are THE FIRST AND THE BEST. . Like if you rep UI. #IRepUI

na u no get 1st class like d dude.... tell me another story ni

what of the Richest Boy in UI, what did he graduate with, since we have seen the Richest Boy in Unilag graduate

Cutehector4u:
I thought all schools in nigeria adopt the 5.0 overall gpa grading system..why is u.i deifferent

better you stop thinking.

osamaBUSH:
Well, still not a perfect score.

Wetin u take graduate? if eva u go sku....no vex. cux ur type na specialist for bombing as ur name sound so.

picture

ayooluniran:
Good one dude...apply for 2015 commonwealth shared scholarship asap...u can do NYSC later.

#BTWN.....Team U.I......7.0 cgpa scale is tougher than the 5.0 scale........

ase... converting that 6.5 to 5.0 scale you get a 4.64
also converting a 6.0(first class) to a 5.0 scale you also get a 4.29
so tell me aw thats possible...

ayooluniran:
Good one dude...apply for 2015 commonwealth shared scholarship asap...u can do NYSC later.

#BTWN.....Team U.I......7.0 cgpa scale is tougher than the 5.0 scale........

ase... converting that 6.5 to 5.0 scale you get a 4.64
also converting a 6.0(first class) to a 5.0 scale you also get a 4.29
so tell me aw you are right

Cutehector4u:
I thought all schools in nigeria adopt the 5.0 overall gpa grading system..why is u.i deifferent

at least now you know u.i is different and the first university

mojeed4:


ase... converting that 6.5 to 5.0 scale you get a 4.64
also converting a 6.0(first class) to a 5.0 scale you also get a 4.29
so tell me aw you are right

which yeye conversion are you doing up and down, convert well and you see the 7.O scale is harder than 5.0 scale

see lie CGPA 6.5, that means she finish d CGPA, come add more.

Cutehector4u:
I thought all schools in nigeria adopt the 5.0 overall gpa grading system..why is u.i deifferent

Kwasu uses 4pt