I am Adejare, Idris Damilare, a graduate of the Department of Economics in the Faculty of Social Sciences, LASU Ojo Campus, with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.37. My journey through LASU was one of growth, resilience, discovery, and transformation, I entered as an Economics fanatic fascinated with how economies work, and I'm leaving with a much broader understanding of both the discipline and myself.
Graduating with a 4.37 CGPA in Economics is what I'm proudest of, a number that represents years of consistency, discipline, sacrifice, and the determination to keep improving, alongside the body of writing and intellectual work I developed throughout university. I was involved with the LASU Investment Society, LASU Tax Club, LASU PENSWORTH, and JCI-LASU, which exposed me to investment, taxation, financial literacy, leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development.
Balancing a rigorous academic programme with extracurricular involvement and preparation for life after university was my biggest challenge, which I overcame by becoming more deliberate with my time and seeking guidance when necessary. Resilience isn't simply about enduring difficult periods, it's about learning from them and becoming better equipped for the next one, a lesson I'll carry for life.
My parents and mentors have been my biggest sources of inspiration, my parents taught me discipline and perseverance, and my mentors broadened my perspective and pushed me to think beyond what I already knew.
My advice to current and incoming students is to take your academics seriously, but don't let your university experience end in the classroom, learn your discipline deeply, build relationships, and take advantage of opportunities beyond your course of study. As I remind myself often, patience does it, if you walk down the river long enough, you'll eventually see the ocean.