Joy Omoyemi is the Ondo State overall best student in the 2023 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination with 9 A1s in the subjects offered.
Yesterday, she visited The Hope newspaper along with her parents and tutor. In this interview with SAHEED IBRAHIM, she spoke about the need for more women to venture into the tech world and shared some of her plans for the future. Excerpts:
Briefly introduce yourself
My name is Omoyeni Joy Folakemi. I just graduated from Telnet International Schools, Akure. I am from Ipe-Akoko in Akoko South-East local government area of Ondo State. I had 9 A1s in my West African Senior School Certificate Examination, organised by West African Examination Council (WAEC) and 338 in my Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), organised by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB). I also had 1400 on my Scholastics Aptitude Test (S.A.T.). I emerged the overall best candidate for Covenant University post-UTME test with a score of 52/60.
How has it been growing up?
I grew up in a very loving home with encouraging parents. When I got to SS1, during the Coronavirus period, I decided that I wanted to work at Google in the future in line with my future aspiration as a computer scientist. So, I told my dad and he told me that to do that, I need to have a good result. I need to pass my examination so I can enter a good university and so that I can get an excellent job because working at Google is very competitive. So, when I got to S.S. 1, I dreamt that I would get 9 A1s in my WAEC. So, I began to read. So, I began to prepare to have 9 A1s starting from SS1.
So, now that you are able to achieve that, how do you feel currently?
I feel like a mini-celebrity. It makes me believe that hard work pays off.
While reading for the exam, did you expect that you would actually make the 9 A1s?
There was a time when I was not really sure because the exams were not that easy, to be honest, but I just made sure I read through that period and then it came out as it came out. We thank God.
Was there a time you were like, “I’m not sure I can make this A1”? Like a kind of doubt. And what did you do to overcome that?
Yes, there was but I always have faith in God. My school always emphasises this verse to us: “Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God”. Instead, I should put my faith in God and I will be at peace. So, that’s why I used to remind myself that I should not be anxious about anything and that everything will work out in the end.
So, who is your role model?
I have two role models: Elon Musk and Pastor Victor Akpadu.
Why these two people?
Elon Musk because he is one of the most incredible people in the field I aspire to delve into. Pastor Victor Akpadu because he is the chaplain of my school, and he’s very vast in knowledge. So, I admire that about him. He does not really concentrate his knowledge on one field. He is knowledgeable across many fields. He also puts God first before every other thing.
What role did your parents play in your success?
They played great roles. They always encourage and support me. They are the best parents any child can have and I am grateful to God for blessing me with them.
What’s your favourite subject?
Chemistry
Why chemistry?
Because I like the fact that it is understandable and it is something you can apply the concept to understand.
So, you want to study Computer Science. Why Computer Science?
Calculations are more of what I can do. I do better in calculation than reading and Computer Science is a field that is very connected to Mathematics. I know that most of the courses I will take in the university are Mathematics and I like that about computer science. Also, I like the fact that computer science does not confine me to a particular job. I have flexibility. I can be a data analyst, a cloud engineer and many other fields. I can even have my own startup.
What will be your advice to your fellow students?
My advice to my fellow students out there is that they should know that it’s never too late to start reading. I love to start reading early but I know people that started reading a little later than me, people that started in S.S. 2 or S.S. 3. So, if you are in S.S. 2 or S.S. 3 presently and they feel like all hope is lost that they cannot get 9 A1s anymore, they should know that it is never too late. They just have to put in extra work.
How many schools have you searched?
A lot. I don’t think I can count.
Which university do you intend to go to?
Presently, I would like to go to M.I.T.
Why M.I.T.?
M.I.T. is one of the leading schools in Computer Science. If I want to be the best, I will want to get the best form of education, and I think I will get it from them.
You said you want to work with Google.
Yes.
Is that the end?
No. I plan to give back to the society by creating a non-governmental organisation that supports women in STEM in the future.
Why?
I know that most women do not want to go into the tech industry, and a lot of women tend to go to nursing, medicine and other fields. The world is tilting towards tech and AI and I believe women should be encouraged and supported to develop skills in that line.
Do you have a favourite food?
You won’t count it as food but I love Pringles.
So you mean you will tell mummy to prepare Pringles when you are hungry?
No, rice and stew and meat.
