Daud Olatunji
In a gripping and emotional address at the University of Hull’s graduation ceremony, Raji Ibrahim captivated the audience with a deeply personal narrative of resilience, determination, and ultimate triumph against all odds.
In a heartfelt thanksgiving to Prof. Stephen Hardy, the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, colleagues, fellow graduates, and a loving assembly of family and friends, Ibrahim began by acknowledging the constant influence of Allah and Prophet Muhammed (SAW) in his life—a steadfast anchor in the tumultuous sea of challenges.
Originating from the humble streets of Abeokuta, Nigeria, where the luxury of three square meals a day was a distant dream, Ibrahim’s family faced financial hardships.
His father, a retired civil servant and taxi driver, and his hardworking mother, a petty trader, struggled to secure the basic necessity of education for their children.
Ibrahim’s journey through formative years was marked by poignant sacrifices and arduous challenges.
From working as a salesboy selling Tokunbo tires to the difficult decision of becoming a security personnel adjacent to his Secondary School while striving for university admission, Ibrahim faced isolation from classmates due to his relentless pursuit of education.
The transformative journey continued at the University, sponsored by the Muslim Alumni of Abeokuta Grammar School. Despite initial setbacks in entrepreneurial endeavors, including a failed taxi business, Ibrahim’s indomitable spirit persevered.
He later excelled as an Accountant and Business Manager, achieving remarkable revenue growth and branch expansions.
Undeterred by past failures, Ibrahim revisited his entrepreneurial dream in 2019. Through unwavering dedication and relentless hard work, he turned his business around, experiencing an astounding 300% growth by 2022.
Acknowledging the societal value placed on a UK university certificate, Ibrahim’s journey became an investment that contributed to the internationalization of university cuisines, offering diverse culinary experiences to students from Africa, India, and China.
Quoting President Obama, Ibrahim inspired his fellow graduates to recognize their power in shaping history and encouraged them to bring about constructive change.
Amidst celebrating academic achievements, he passionately reminded the audience of the challenges many faced with the cost of living during their degree pursuits, emphasizing the adversities that shaped them and permeated them with resilience and inventiveness.
Standing at the nexus of academia and history, Ibrahim drew parallels to Hull’s iconic Humber Bridge, symbolizing the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world for 17 years.
Encouraging graduates to embody the spirit of perseverance, he urged them to make the most of their knowledge to solve societal issues and succeed in their professions.
Ibrahim’s words echoed the sentiments of his entire journey—both achievements and failures, emphasizing the value of life experiences, morals, unwavering work ethic, and the larger obstacles encountered.
The Class of 2024 was left with a resounding call to pursue their goals, acknowledging that they are real and worthwhile.
As they forge ahead into the unknown horizons of the future, the tenacity of Hull’s history stands as a guiding light.
The ceremony concluded with a heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2024, thanking them for being a testament to the enduring spirit of perseverance.
Full Speech
Thank you for introducing me Prof. Stephen Hardy, to everyone here today,
The Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor,
Esteemed colleagues and fellow Graduates (You all look amazing in your caps and gowns),
Family and friends,
For an average African child, Allah’s (God, and that of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) factor remains constant, yet we draw numerous moral lessons from the elderly. One such lesson that has resonated with me over the years as a Yoruba is “Ise Logun Ise” by JF Odunjo, which underscores the importance of hard work, the value of education, and the need to maintain integrity in positions of authority. I hail from a very humble background in Abeokuta, where having three square meals a day was a luxury. My father, a retired civil servant and taxi driver, struggled to provide for his children’s education. My mother, a petty trader, worked hard to support the family.
During my formative years, I faced financial hardships to further my education. I worked as a salesboy, selling Tokunbo tires at Oke Itoku in Abeokuta. Subsequently, I made a very hard decision working as a security personnel adjacent my Secondary School, where I was the Senior Prefect (Headboy). My financial struggles led to isolation from classmates as I worked tirelessly to secure admission to the university. This challenging experience reinforced my determination to overcome obstacles and pursue higher education.
My journey continued at the University, sponsored by the Muslim Alumni of Abeokuta Grammar School. While at the University, I got scholarships that I used to set up a taxi business, but unfortunately, it failed in the first year. Undeterred, I sold the car and bought another for a private hire business, which also faced challenges of low patronage. Despite setbacks in these early business ventures, the lessons learned became instrumental and I persevered when I secured a role as an Accountant and Business Manager. I successfully doubled revenue and expanded branches, achieving a 100% and 200% increment simultaneously within a year.
Emboldened by this success, I returned to my failed business in 2019. By 2022, through dedication and hard work, I transformed it, experiencing over 300% growth in value. Hailing from a society that often Favors foreign products, I recognize the value and societal acceptance placed on a UK university certificate and work experience, like many others, I put in my all as an investment. My business experiences have led to contribute support to the University Staff that have successfully turned around internationalization of the university cuisines offering diverse cuisines to students from Africa, India, and China.
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time, we are the ones we’ve been waiting for, we are the change that we seek’’ as President Obama famously stated. Graduates, realize that you have the ability to change the course of history. You have been prepared for greatness by your education, and as you go on, use your influence to bring about constructive change.
Even as we celebrate our academic achievements today, let’s not forget the challenges with cost of living that many of us had while earning our degree. These adversities have shaped us, permeating us with resilience and inventiveness. As you go on to the next phase of your life, keep in mind the value of perseverance and draw inspiration from this experience.
Make the most of your knowledge to solve societal issues as well as to succeed in your professions. Be a ray of hope, demonstrating that anyone can overcome any challenge with perseverance.
As you stand at the nexus of academia and history, excellent graduates of the University of Hull, did you know that, for a stretch of 17 years, Hull’s famous Humber Bridge was the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world? As you advance in your life, make use of that perseverance spirit.
Your academic journey takes center stage today, under the shadow of Hull’s historic maritime heritage, where sailing exploits were previously plotted. As the Old Town of Hull carries whispers of bygone eras, may your education serve as the history that endures forever.
In conclusion, my journey—both the achievements and the failures—highlights the value of a variety of life experiences, morals, the benefits of unwavering work ethic, and the larger obstacles that many people encounter. I hope this encourages you to pursue your goals because they are real and worthwhile. Congratulations, Class of 2024! May the tenacity of Hull’s history serve as a guide for you as you forge ahead over the unknown horizons of the future! Thank you.
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