Busari Taiwo Mutiullah, the 26-year-old son of a widowed petty trader who was on the admission merit list at the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) but couldn’t afford to pay any fees and was on the verge of forfeiting admission, eventually bagged first class in Chemical Engineering from the institution with a 4.77 GPA.
Recounting how destiny brought Mutiullah his way, former Chief Whip, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Tunde Lekan Olatunji, wrote on his Facebook page:
“About six years ago, destiny brought Taiwo Mutiullah into my life when he was offered admission to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Ilorin and had less than 24 hours to forfeit the admission for the second time because he couldn’t afford to pay either the acceptance or school fees.
“I saw a post about him on Ojewola Olawale’s page at some minutes past midnight narrating how he sat beside a young boy in a commercial bus and realised his name is on the admission merit list in Unilorin but can’t afford to pay any fees and might end up forfeiting the admission. I sent a DM offering to pay the fees, but he didn’t get my message; there was no feedback, and I was quite worried.
“I prayed to God to intervene, and surprisingly, I saw a repost with the “#HelpBusariSchoolFees” caption on the Facebook page of Olawoyin Edris Busayo weeks before the acceptance deadline. I messaged him for Taiwo’s contact information; he responded, and I quickly made arrangements for the school fees and reached out to Dr. Itohan Igudia Helynn in Unilorin, who was so kind to facilitate all payments to beat the deadline.
“Little did I know Mutiullah couldn’t even afford a passport photograph for registration, not to mention other admission expenses. I later realized how much he has sacrificed, having to do menial jobs to raise money for JAMB exams and being the son of a widowed, petty trader who has gotten to the breaking point in raising her kids to the stage they were. Taiwo was determined, focused, and resilient. On my part, I have several students in higher institutions and secondary schools under my scholarship and mentorship project already and knew it would be very tough to take on a new addition.
“However, when I realised it might be nearly impossible for him to attend school without full support, I offered, by faith, not only to be responsible for his education, but I also decided to adopt him as a son and integrate him into the family alongside other sons and daughters.
“He is a devoted Muslim who was never forced to compromise his faith but allowed to practice Islam without hindrance in a Christian family. It was a seamless integration and one of the most lovely experiences, as we later had another boy of Islamic faith. The grand rule in the family is love, not religion.
“To God alone be the glory; a seed of yesterday has yielded a fruit beyond our imagination. Busari Taiwo Mutiullah graduated with a First Class Honours in Chemical Engineering today, which made us very proud and happy. May your future be great and prosperous, dear son.”
Recounting his encounter with the boy, whom he met in a public vehicle to Ogbomoso, Ojewola Olawale, in a post on his Facebook handle, said, “While inside a commercial vehicle to Ogbomoso, I noticed a young guy seated beside me. After the casual greeting, he concentrated on his reading. At that moment, I smelled brilliance in him. I excused him and engaged him.
As a teacher and a scholar, I asked him questions across science subjects. Amazingly, he swallowed all the questions like a hungry lion. What a brilliant guy! I talked to myself.
I presented him a copy of the just-launched book with an encouragement that validated the words, “Tough times never last, tough people do. I charged him to be ready for the tough times so he could be at the top of his academic We exchanged contacts.”
Ojewola Olawale, whose post corroborated with Hon. Olayunji’s post, added, “With over two decades of my teaching and community servantship, I have mentored several people who were doctors, engineers, nurses, lawyers, and capitals of industries today.
“Guess what? That young guy, “Scholar Busari Taiwo Mutiullah,” called me last Saturday in the presence of Dr. Amoo Gafar. He called to invite me to his convocation ceremony yesterday at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
“Such was great news. He bagged First Class Honour at the Department of Chemical Engineering from the institution.
“Yesterday, I was excited to add a feather to my scholastic and iconic crown; a professor in years to come has been born. It means a lot to me and is marvellous in my heart.”
Reacting to Hon Olatunji’s kind and philanthropic gesture, Olawale said, “You are a rare gift to society. Continue to wax stronger; God Almighty will keep meeting your needs. #OlawoyinEdrisBusayo, keep making impacts. God lifts you for signs and wonders. May we all succeed in all our endeavours. Amen.”
Reacting to Busari Taiwo Mutiullah’s enviable academic record, Olawoyin Edria Busayo said, “I felt so excited, knowing fully well that a lot of people have used their social media platforms to destroy people’s lives, but I can say I, Olawoyin Edris Busayo, have used my platform for academic advancement and human capacity development by producing a First Class Honors product in Chemical Engineering from the University of Ilorin.”
The advertising executive with the Nigerian Tribune newspapers advised him to consolidate the momentum and ensure that he shows love and support to whoever comes his way in life.
He then advised Nigerians to always use their social media platforms to promote social good. “Of course, we don’t have it all, but we can use our social capital to make a positive change.”
