Her medical practitioner father desired a successor in her; he, thus, encouraged her to apply to study Medicine at the University of Ilorin. As a fast developing independent mind, Miss Hamzat Heba Oyindamola, nodded in objection and followed her heart.
She secured admission to study Biomedical Engineering, a course of study that sounded odd to the father and his friends. Driven by self confidence and realisation that she would need to convince her still reserved father, she resumed at the 2018/2019 academic session with one goal, which was to pursue First Class with all the strength of her brain. Now, this 23-year-old Ibadan daughter has dwarfed her course mates and returned to the waiting father with the best result that made the Unilorin authorities rose in applause.
Before the former pupil of the Federal Government Girls College, Oyo, completed her degree and got the crown at the Convocation held on October 21, she was already a star student in the campus, winning laurels at academic competitions and innovatively creating what she called the mobility aid with collision prevention mechanism for people living with mobility disabilities.
“The invention was recognised nationally, winning the regional championship and securing the second runner-up position at the Committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology of Nigerian Universities Engineering Students’ Project Competition in the group project category. It addresses the safety and hygiene issues related to traditional mobility aids which requires the users to put their hands in their footwears to propel themselves therefore exposing them to bacteria and germs and also strain in their body parts especially their arms, shoulder and back.
“I also collaborated with my colleagues to develop an innovative timer switch for optimized energy utilisation and management. All these were accomplished while serving as the Vice- President of my Faculty Students’ Association, where I learned how to balance leadership responsibilities with academics,” she recalled.
Asked about what it took to achieve the outstanding result, she responded, “This achievement was built on countless sleepless nights and unwavering determination. It was made possible by the unconditional love of family, the steady support of friends, and the invaluable guidance of mentors and lecturers who believed in me every step of the way.”
Her gratitude goes to her parents and mentor who, according to her, is a father figure, Engineer Dr S.A Yahaya. She said those personalities guided her on the path which led her to the top.
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