Lagos State University held its 20th convocation with the son of a contract security man emerging the overall best graduating student of the institution.
Michael (middle) with his parents at the convocation
Michael Arowosegbe, the son of a contract security man, has emerged the overall best graduating student of the Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo, on Wednesday, during the institution's 20th convocation.
The 24-year-old from Awe, Oyo State, who obtained a First Class in Biochemistry, scored 4.86 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) to beat over 17, 000 candidates the university produced in the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 academic sessions as seven other persons obtained First Class from the ivory tower.
Michael who held the audience enthralled with his tortuous life journey, narrated how he helplessly watched a students’ protest on campus in 2011, where his father was stoned.
"Many of my friends and colleagues never knew that he once worked as a contract staff, attached to the Campus Marshal. I witnessed a students’ protest while in 100 level, where he was stoned. I could not cry.
"As if that was not enough, another incident occurred on November 9, 2012, which changed his life to this day. He had an accident on a bike, while on duty on campus, where he hit his head and back against the university gate. He could not move any of his limbs initially.
"Some even thought that was the end of him, and that it might affect my academics because there was no succour from the appropriate authorities, But, glory be to God, he is recuperating and I am today a graduate," he said.
Michael, who also emerged the best graduating student from the Faculty of Sciences, noted that he reluctantly came to LASU after he was denied admission at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
"I reluctantly chose LASU as my second choice in 2011 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and I almost ignored the post-UTME that year because I had already written that of OAU, where I scored 278.
"So, I thought with that score, together with a UTME score of 287, I was on my way to study Medicine and Surgery, so I felt the Biochemistry I chose in LASU was to fulfil all righteousness. Today, look at where that choice has brought me," he added.