Dr. Adebowale Ezekiel, the best graduating student of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ibadan in the 2021/2022 academic session, attained six distinctions and an impressive average score of 75.8%. In an exclusive interview with VNO, he shares insights into his academic journey, challenges faced during vet school, future aspirations, and offers valuable advice to students.
VNO: Can you introduce yourself, sir?
Dr. Ezekiel: Certainly! I am Dr. Adebowale Ezekiel, a veterinarian. I'm dedicated, disciplined, and hardworking. I'm also a Christian, a gym enthusiast, a big Chelsea fan, and I enjoy games and music. My interests also include extensive research, spending time in the lab, and writing. After my NYSC, I plan to pursue postgraduate studies.
VNO: Balancing so many interests can be challenging. How do you manage them alongside your vet workload?
Dr. Ezekiel: Maintaining a strict schedule is key. I prioritize showing up every day for whatever I'm participating in. For instance, I hit the gym at least three times a week, reduced gaming when needed, and reserved Sundays for church whilst cutting out midweek services. By planning my time carefully and dedicating around 6 hours daily to studying, I maintain balance in all my endeavours.
VNO: Your path into Veterinary Medicine sounds intriguing. How did you discover your passion for this field?
Dr. Ezekiel: I didn't know what Veterinary Medicine was about until I got to UI. Initially, I aimed for Biomedical Engineering at Michael Opara University but couldn't pursue it due to its distance from home. I then considered MBBS at UI but fell short of the cutoff mark.
As a result, I changed to Vet with the aim of getting another JAMB the following year. I wrote another JAMB and got admitted to study MBBS in LASU. To cut the long story short, when I came for the first public lecture in 100L, I met Professor Oyewale Tomori, a virologist. The insights he gave us that day, his career talk was very very inspiring for me. The lecture convinced me that Veterinary Medicine is the right path for me so I had to drop my admission Into MBBS to pursue my career in Vet.
VNO: Staying true to your choice is commendable. Were there moments when you considered switching back to MBBS?
Dr. Ezekiel: Never. Once I made the decision to pursue Veterinary Medicine, I never doubted it, and I knew it was the path I wanted to follow.
VNO: Every journey comes with its challenges. What were the biggest hurdles you faced during Vet school?
Dr. Ezekiel: The rigid curriculum was a significant challenge. The emphasis on studying notes over textbooks was a departure from my past educational experience. Additionally, the heavy workload was daunting. Nevertheless, I refused to resort to cramming, opting instead to understand and study everything thoroughly, which presented its own set of challenges.
VNO: The debate about cramming versus understanding is common. What's your perspective on this?
Dr. Ezekiel: I firmly believe in understanding. Though it may take time and effort, it is definitely worth it in the end.
VNO: Your outstanding academic performance speaks for itself. What was your approach to achieving such excellence?
Dr. Ezekiel: My success can be attributed to my unwavering commitment. Vet school demands full dedication, and I gave it my all. Putting Vet first in everything I did and showing up every day with 100% effort truly paid off.
VNO: Maintaining focus amidst distractions is challenging. How did you manage to read for 6 hours a day without distractions, especially with the prevalence of smartphones?
Dr. Ezekiel: I developed a strong focus and discipline. Knowing when to engage with my phone and when to prioritize studying was crucial. I found ways to limit phone use during study sessions, understanding that phones are inevitable but should not be distractions during valuable study time.
VNO: Your reading habit certainly sets you apart. Could you share more about it?
Dr. Ezekiel: Consistency is the key. I made sure to check my books every day without fail. The habit of reading extensively, not just notes but also textbooks, was ingrained in my routine.
VNO: TDB or MTN: What was your preference?
Dr. Ezekiel: Vet classes run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, so I opted for TDB. However, during exams, both TDB and MTN became essential to handle the demanding workload.
VNO: The competition for Best Graduating Student must have been intense, especially with the second best graduating student having the same number of distinctions as you and just a 0.5% difference. Did you perceive it as a competition at any point?
Dr. Ezekiel: Initially, it wasn't a competition, but it intensified after the 400 level when she secured a distinction ahead of me. Nonetheless, I admired her hard work and determination.
VNO: Maintaining excellence requires constant motivation. Did you always believe you would achieve distinction at the beginning of each session?
Dr. Ezekiel: Yes, I set my sights on achieving distinctions at the start of each session. I aimed to avoid mistakes as they could jeopardize all my efforts. Surprisingly, some courses that seemed challenging resulted in distinctions through dedicated effort.
VNO: Personal life can be a balancing act as well. Have you been in a relationship, and what's your current status?
Dr. Ezekiel: I was in a serious relationship and a few unserious ones. But currently, I am single.
VNO: Specializing in veterinary practice offers many options. What aspect of Vet Medicine do you plan to specialize in?
Dr. Ezekiel: I am interested in specializing in microbiology, immunology, and virology.
VNO: How do you see the future of veterinary practice in Nigeria?
Dr. Ezekiel: The field is rapidly growing, with increased employability and better pay for veterinarians. The demand for veterinary services has also risen in recent years, offering promising opportunities to passionate professionals.
VNO: Academia or Veterinary Practice: which one do you prefer?
Dr. Ezekiel: Academia. I am passionate about teaching, so it's academia and research for me.
VNO: You've mentioned a preference for academia and research. Are there any plans to study abroad?
Dr. Ezekiel: Yes, I intend to pursue my Ph.D. in the United States.
VNO: If you were part of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, how would you improve veterinary practice in the country?
Dr. Ezekiel: I would focus on improving training standards and providing facilities that enable veterinary students to become independent professionals. Curbing examination malpractices would be a priority as well.
VNO: Did you hold any significant roles while in Vet school?
Dr. Ezekiel: I didn't hold any political office, but I was the Chairman of the Academic Committee of the faculty and was part of the Academic Committee of the Student Union.
VNO: Philosophies shape one's journey. What is your life philosophy, and how has it driven you?
Dr. Ezekiel: My life philosophy revolves around the idea of delayed gratification. I firmly believe in working diligently, putting in the necessary effort, and doing what is required of me in life. Understanding that results take time, I remain patient and persistent, knowing that hard work will eventually yield positive outcomes.
VNO: You have never done an internship outside Nigeria. Why is that?
Dr. Ezekiel: It was a matter of timing and application. I applied for an internship at 600 level, but unfortunately, it was too late by then.
VNO: What advice do you have for veterinary students aspiring to achieve the same high standards as you did?
Dr. Ezekiel: Having multiple mentors and effective planning are essential. Diligent planning is crucial as a lack of planning can lead to stagnation. Also, never give up. It's natural to face setbacks, but persistence and resilience are key. Embrace failure as part of life, learn from it, and continue moving forward.
VNO: It's always essential to acknowledge those who supported us along the way. Any shoutouts to people who have been instrumental in your journey?
Dr. Ezekiel: I'd like to give a shoutout to Dr. Ajibade, a good friend and lecturer, Professor Olopade, a mentor of mine, Dr. Ohore and Dr. Jarikre, inspiring lecturers, Dr. Fagbohun, Dr. Abiola, Dr. Awosanya, and Dr. Ogundijo. My friends, Dr. Ibezimuoh Peace, Dr. Agbaje, Dr. Bolaji-Olatunji, Dr. Faith, Dr. Adebare, and Dr. Blessing Paul, have also been supportive. Additionally, I extend my gratitude to vet students like Toluwalase, Shubomi, Roqeeb, IBK, and others who have played significant roles in my journey.
VNO: Family's support is crucial too. Anything you'd like to share about your mother, who represented parents during the induction?
Dr. Ezekiel: My mother is the best! She never gave up on me but supported me wholeheartedly throughout my journey. I am proud to have made her proud.
VNO: It was a pleasure having this session with you. Thank you for your time and insights.
Dr. Ezekiel: The pleasure is mine. Thank you for the opportunity.
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