The story of Hillary Agbo-Odeh, a young man who graduated with a First Class after having 17 carryovers in a previous course is certainly an inspiring one.
An online medium, Idoma Voice, shared the tale of 30-year-old Agbo-Odeh who triumphed despite challenges. Agbo-Odeh completed his Psychology programme in Benue State University with a first-class degree after no less than 17 failed courses as an undergraduate.
Idoma Voice reports that Agbo-Odeh completed his secondary education in 2003 before applying for a pre-degree programme at BSU in 2005 with the hope of studying Medicine and Surgery.
Though Agbo-Odeh was said to have emerged as one of the best in the remedial programme that year, he was offered admission to study Physics instead.
Idoma Voice reports, “In frustration, he took the plunge and settled with the Physics (programme) he was offered with little interest in the course. He struggled with the course due to lack of interest. It wasn’t surprising at all that he could not cope with studies as frustration and depression set in his academic pursuit.
“Agbo-Odeh was at his lowest ebb in his final year when his 300-level result was published. He was at the bottom of his class crawling with 17 carry-overs; he was placed on probation by the school authority. He became the subject of mockery in the school among his colleagues.
“Hilary came to a decision point: ‘Why stay here and be withdrawn?’ He told himself the hard truth, it was time to move forward regardless of the storms.”
Agbo-Odeh then decided to pick a new form for Joint Admissions Matriculation Board Exams and applied for Psychology, which he considered to be closely related to Medicine.
During his second trimester in his final year, Agbo-Odeh withdrew from the course (Physics) after admission list came out and he was admitted to study Psychology.
He began his educational journey anew and the young resilient Idoma boy from Ohimini, the worst student in Physics, with 17 carry-overs to his name, would graduate from the Psychology Department of the same university with a cumulative grade point average of 4.57.
Idoma Voice reports, “His outstanding performance broke many records in the university, including the pioneer first class in the Psychology Department since the university’s inception in 1992. He also became the overall best graduating student of the 14th and 15th combined convocation of BSU held on January 17, 2015."
He was rewarded handsomely for this feat. He bagged seven academic awards including the Tony and Awele Elumelu Prize for Excellence.