Juliet Ezekiel emerge as the best graduate of Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin, in the 2017/2018 academic session at the 14th Convocation of the University.
The 23-year-old graduated with a first class degree from the Department of Computer Science, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.95 on a scale of 4.0.
Juliet Ezekiel also received the President’s Prize and Dr. Goddie Isibor’s Prize for the Best Graduating Student, among others.
Juliet Ezekiel had her primary education at the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Model School in Kubwa, Abuja; her secondary education at Word of Faith School in Benin; did a diploma programme in Software Engineering in the university from 2013 to 2015 before proceeding into the degree programme to study Computer Science. Her choice for the course of study is hinged on her interest in computers and the growing usefulness of computer knowledge.
Juliet Ezekiel, while delivering her valedictory speech, said:
“Fellow graduates, we have all made sacrifices to be where we are today, but I must admit that my experiences have given me an inner security that I would never have attained by easily passing examination. Failure taught me things that I couldn’t have learnt if I had achieved success easily. I discovered I have a strong will, discipline and determination than I ever expected.
Fresh out of a successful Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), I experienced my first failure when I took my first UTME. I failed to reach the cut off mark and I was left with the option of registering for a pre-degree programme at Ambrose Ali University in Ekpoma, which was solely dependent on me meeting the cut off mark for my next UTME.
Once again, I experienced another failure as I didn’t meet the cut off mark. Realising the financial stress I had caused my parents, I made a promise that I will never disappoint them again. I learned to embrace my failure instead of dwelling on them and giving up. I treated my failure as a stepping stone to greater heights.”
She admitted that her academic journey at BIU was “rigorous and herculean”, noting that it was not all rosy for her parents to provide finance. Juliet said in spite of her quest to become the best, she was able to combine other social activities to make her stay on the campus worthwhile.
A total of 49 out of 602 students received First Class degrees in the 2017/2018 academic session. 84 students were awarded Second Class (Upper Division) degrees, 318 received Second Class (Lower Division) degrees while 52 got Third Class degrees. The University also awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.) degree, 60 Masters degrees and 38 Postgraduate diplomas.
