Nile University’s 2017 Best Student: ‘I don’t study all the time’

Daily Trust: Congratulations, Zainab. As the overall best graduating student of the Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, how did you feel when you became aware of this feat? Zainab Yakubu Lado: I never really expected it, I knew my results were good, but I was not expecting to be the overall best. So I was […]

Daily Trust: Congratulations, Zainab. As the overall best graduating student of the Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, how did you feel when you became aware of this feat?

Zainab Yakubu Lado: I never really expected it, I knew my results were good, but I was not expecting to be the overall best. So I was shocked and I called my mother that I had a surprise for her, though I did not tell her what it was. I decided this should be a surprise to her on that day and my dad too. It was shocking, and I was really excited.

DT: How would you describe the reaction of your parents when this was announced on graduation day?

Zainab: They were so overwhelmed with joy and that made me feel better, to see the smiles on their faces, it made me very happy.

DT: Why did you choose your course of your study?

Zainab: I wanted to go for Medicine, but at that time my school had not started that programme so I went for a sister course – Biological Science, because they are closely related. If you are studying abroad, you have to first study the course before proceeding to  Medicine.

DT: If you did not study Biological Science or Medicine, which other course would you have gone for?

Zainab: I would have gone for Economics.

DT: Why Economics?

Zainab: There was a time they were telling us about Nigeria’s debt. I felt really bad that Nigeria borrowed that much, how we would pay back and how we would make the country better.

 DT: As a Biological Scientist, do you still have the mind to study Economics if you get another chance?

Zainab: I would want to help my country in another way. So I would still go for Medicine, In Sha Allah.

DT: How was it in the university?

Zainab: It was good, but it was not very difficult. It was challenging and with prayers and my parents’ support, it was fine.

 DT: As a student in a private university, there might have been distractions and other challenges, how did you cope with such issues?

Zainab: I am not really a social person. I was mostly to myself so the detractions were not challenging to me. I easily overcame them.

 DT: Were you a “book worm”?

Zainab: I studied when I had to study. I didn’t study all the time, I did not really read and read, I am not the kind of person that studies every day. When I had tests and exams, I studied.

DT: What was your favourite programme on TV and how did it relate to your study?

Zainab: There is this Gray’s Anatomy, it is my favourite series. It is about a team of doctors. I learnt a lot from that series.

DT: What did you do that made you come top of your class?

Zainab: I believe that if I am doing something, I should put in my best. So I always wanted to get the best results since my secondary school days. There were lots of competitions with brilliant and dedicated students across the country and I had to step up. I think it started from there and eventually became part of me.

DT: What direct challenges did you encounter and how did you overcome them?

Zainab: The distractions were there. Sometimes you would want to relax and watch TV and you remember that you have some things to do and you have to discipline yourself to go back to what is more important. In my 100 level I was finding Physics very difficult. I always complained to my mother. There was a lecturer, Dr Vitalis, who later helped me whenever I had any Physics problem. He would relate it to real life scenarios and I would understand it.

DT: You are from northern Nigeria where girl-child education is still an issue, as a role model now, what would you tell people in the region who still believe girl-child education is not a priority?

Zainab: The number of females going to school in the North is increasing, meaning if more females go to school, the help they would render to people would increase significantly. We need more female doctors. There are some men that will not permit male doctors to treat their wives, thus there is more need for female doctors and other professionals. Islamically, Medicine is a good course for Muslim ladies, so they can help the community.

DT: How would you differentiate between private and public universities?

Zainab: I heard of the disparity, that it was difficult in public universities, especially that many lecturers made learning difficult for students. It was not like that in my university, the lecturers were very supportive and encouraging.

DT: Would you like to study in a public university?

Zainab: I actually wanted to go to ABU Zaria when I did not get Medicine but due to strikes and all of that. Even at my 200 level, I still wanted to go there. I heard of the challenges and felt that people were still making it and I too could make it.

DT: After studying and excelling in a private school, how do you see working in a public health institution like teaching hospital?

Zainab: I think it would help more to work in the public sector because they are not economically stable so I would like to work there.

 DT: How would you describe your relationship with your parents while you studied?

Zainab: My parents were supportive. My father is a disciplinarian and he monitors all that we do. They have been very supportive. Most of the credit actually goes to him, especially in our community where girl-child education is not considered a priority.

 DT: How about your siblings?

Zainab: Sometimes they were distractive and sometimes encouraging in their own way.

DT: How were they encouraging you, especially the boys?

Zainab: I wanted to be a role model to them, I wanted them to do well. So I said I would have to be an example to them. I have two brothers, Ashraf is still very small and Sadiq is not really distractive. The sisters were even more distractive.

 DT: How did you cope with them?

Zainab: I sent them out of my room whenever I wanted to study and they listened.

DT: Who would you give the credit of your academic feat and why?

Zainab: Allah, I give the glory to Almighty Allah. This is not my doing, it is Allah’s. He made it possible. I think there are people better than me, but He chose me and I give all the glory to Him.