Diligence Pays: How I Succeed Academically

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” Prov.22:29

Good day, everyone! I’m Arotiba Seunara Peter, the winner of the 2017 Naija English Championship and the 2018 Naija Mathematics championship, both organised by LearnPower Limited.

Being an academic champion that benefited from LearnPower’s competitions (Naija English  and Naija Mathematics championships, my journey from then on has been as a shining light, shining brighter and brighter.

But even before then, I had a very interesting journey through secondary school (Airforce Secondary School, Ikeja – AFSS). It was filled with ups and downs, and being a top student right from primary school, it took a while to adapt to the competitive atmosphere I met at AFSS.

But, by God’s grace, I did, and my stay at AFSS was very fruitful academically. I learnt many principles which I still apply, and which still work for me today.

I learnt from my teachers, and even my classmates, that diligence is key. Diligence involves hard work and persistence. Hard work, because what you put in is what you get. Persistence, to continue putting in the required effort to attain one’s goal.

I also learnt, among other things, to trust God and put Him first in all that I do. AFSS taught me that no man is an island, and we all need help from one another, one way or another.

After winning my first Naija championship, I went on to lead the AFSS team to second position in the 2017 CAS Inter Nigerian Air Force School Quiz competition. We also clinched first in a Young Engineer’s Science quiz organised by the Nigerian Society of Engineers in 2018.
Then, by God’s grace, I went on to clinch my second Naija Mathematics championship prize in SS 3.

In the 2018 WASSCE, I emerged the overall best student in West Africa. This was a crowning feat in a fruitful secondary school academic career, to the glory of God. It earned me many accolades and awards.

But I have pressed on, because it is forward ever and backward never. That’s the way of champions. Being a medical student at the nation’s premier university hasn’t been a piece of cake. But with God on my side, and with due diligence, I know it will be a fruitful journey as well.

So I charge you to give yourself wholly to diligence, and to never give up. Trust God always, and remember that there’s no limit to what you can achieve, if you set your mind to it.

Cheers!