The story of Adeola Olubamiji should be an encouragement to all women, as it is the perfect example of the phrase ‘where there is a will, there is a way.’
Olubamiji, who had to face a lot of struggles as a little child just to make ends meet, has made history after she graduated as the first Black person to bag a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, in June 2017.
In her tribute, Olubamiji recalled how she hawked on the streets of Ibadan just to assist her mother and how she worked as a cleaner in the buildup to her master’s degree.
We bring you five lessons every woman can learn from her inspiring story.
1. As the fifth child of five, I always had to wait for my turn. I was the last, a girl child, and raised by a mother who is a farmer and a father who has little. I hawked pepper on the streets of Ibadan as early as age 10 to help my mom.
Lesson: Coming from a humble background shouldn’t stop you from chasing your dreams.
2. “Because I had a 2.1, it opened the door for me to proceed to Finland for a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. During this master’s degree, I worked part-time as a cleaner and did this after my master’s as well. Out of determination, I applied to over 100 schools for my PhD.”
Lesson: She gave her best shot and was determined to make it.
3. “While in that PhD programme, I worked part-time as a makeup artist and teaching assistant and braided hair and fixed weaves to make extra money.”
Lesson: Doing side jobs and going to school can lead to great achievements if well-balanced.
4. “I walked in celebration of the unfailing love of my first and one truly true love, Jesus Christ (in you I walk, in you I live, and in you I have had and will continue to have my being).”
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Lesson: It pays to put God first and be prayerful.
5. “Be bold, be innovative, be different, be you, be everything you want to be; but remember to put God first. Let no man, upbringing, money, circumstance, colourism, past mistakes, institution, company, partner, or background—let nothing tell you, “You can’t do it’.
Lesson: You should not let anything hold you back, no matter what.