By Abdulrasheed Akere
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| Abdulganiyu Abdulrahman Akanbi |
A fresh graduate of Islamic Studies from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), Abdulganiyu Abdulrahman Akanbi, who is also from Ilorin, Kwara state has broken the long-standing record of the university, bagging First-Class with 4.96 out of 5.0. He was awarded the best-graduating student of Islamic Studies department and the entire institution.
Information gathered confirmed that no graduate of UDUS has pulled up to Akanbi’s Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) since the inception of the institution in 1975. The highest CGPA before now is 4.95 by a graduate of the Mathematics department in 2015. The closest 4.91 CGPA was also produced by a graduate of Mathematics department in 2018.
Akanbi´s result showcasing brilliance
Akanbi pulled this inspiring CGPA despite his active engagement in extracurricular activities. While on campus, he served as pioneer Publicity Secretary and Convener of University Scholars' Forum (USF); and General Secretary of National Association of Islamic Studies Students (NAISS).
Moreso, Akanbi is an award-winning journalist whose works have been published locally, and on national and international platforms. His experience earned him the post of Editor-in-Chief at Vanguard Press, UDUS. His proficiency in journalism also made him the General Secretary of National Association of Campus Journalists (NACJ) UDUS chapter during the 2022/2023 academic session.
Very excited and elated with his academic feat by appreciating Allah (SWT), his lecturers, mentors, friends and everyone who has in any way contributed to his development, Akanbi said , “Journalism actually helped me personally in achieving academic excellence. Junior Chamber International (JCI), Rotaract and other social associations can always be combined with academics with adequate planning. It's even encouraged to engage in extracurricular activities if you have the strength. This will help you to get some skills which may help you to develop academically, professionally and socially."
Other Students Felicitate Academic Excellence
Notable numbers of students from different faculties in UDUS felicitate Akanbi’s academic feat. A final-year student of Education Islamic Studies, Abdulrasaq Mustopha congratulates Akanbi for pulling such CGPA and prays that may Allah put blessings in his certificate.
“I was surprised when I heard of his achievement because Islamic Studies is one of the departments that hardly produces first-class graduates, not to talk of attaining such great heights. I am so happy for him,” Mustopha expressed.
A 400-level student of History and International Studies, Abdulrahman Rahmat was very glad that someone later broke the UDUS record.
“Akanbi has actually made his parents proud, which is the priority of many students. His achievement is even a pride to Islamic Studies department for producing graduate that break the jinx of many years,” she said.