Young Nigerian Girl Who Bagged 121 Certifications and Honors at Age of 18
Brought to you by achievers’ diary today is, a comprehensive story of the young Nigerian girl in the person of Ogunkeyede Opemipo Grace who is a 100 Level of Obafemi Awolowo University bagged 121 certifications inclusive of badges and honors at the age of 18. Her remarkable excellence across all endeavors as a teen is inspiring and motivating.
Due to her excellence, she is currently an application reader at an application reader for the Mandela Washington Fellowship, YALI.
In this context, we provide you with full-baked details about this young Nigerian lady who has determined to stand out and exhibit excellence in pursuing her dreams.
Table of Content
2.0 Tell us about your educational background
2.1 Asides from being a student, what else do you do?
3.0 How she attained such feet
5.0 Things people don’t know about her
Tell us about your Family Background
My family has been an integral part of the journey. I grew up in a tight-knit family in Ogun, Nigeria, with both of my parents working hard to provide for our family.
Coming from a family that values hard work, education, and personal growth. My parents have instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and determination. They have always encouraged me to pursue my interests and aim for self-improvement, and this was no exception.
I am proud to have obtained 121 certifications, badges, and honors and I’m proud to say that my family has been a source of strength and inspiration throughout the journey. My parents were thrilled and proud of my achievements, and they recognized the dedication and hard work that went into obtaining each certification.
They saw the dedication and hard work that went into obtaining each and every certification, and were impressed by the recognition and opportunities that came with having such a diverse range of certifications.
Throughout my journey, my parents have been my biggest supporters, offering encouragement and support whenever I needed it. They never doubted my abilities and always believed in me, which gave me the confidence to push through challenges and persevere.
I am truly grateful for their love and support, and I know that I would not have been able to accomplish this without their encouragement and belief in me. I am proud to share this achievement with them, and I will continue to pursue my passions and goals with the same determination and hard work that they have instilled in me.
Tell us about your educational background
I have just got enrolled into the Obafemi Awolowo University OAU as a 100-level student.
I completed my secondary school education at age 14 but while I was able to further due to financial challenges till I turned 18, I took the energy into personal development and today, I’ve bagged 121 numbers of certifications, badges and honors from multiple international Organizations; World Health Organization (W.H.O), UNICEF, HP, Asian Development Bank, US Institute of Peace, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Honor Society, Reuters among others.
Throughout the four years, being someone who has a great enthusiasm for knowledge and acquisition skills, I’ve successfully acquired 19+ digital skills so far; 3D modelling and rendering, Motion Graphics, Video Editing, Audio Editing, Photo Editing and Retouching, Graphic Design, Brand Identity Designing, Photo restoration, Digital Marketing, Social Media Management, UI/UX, SEO/ Google analytics, Web/Mobile App Development, among others.
My educational background has been an important part of my journey to achieving 121 certifications, badges, and honors, as it has provided me with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue my passions and interests. While my certifications, badges, and honors are not strictly academic, they are a direct result of my commitment to lifelong learning and my willingness to constantly challenge myself.
Throughout my education, I developed a strong sense of discipline, organization, and time management that has served me well in pursuing my certifications and badges. These skills have allowed me to balance my academic studies with achieving the milestone feat of having 121 certifications, badges and honors at a young age 18.
Moreover, my educational background has provided me with a strong foundation in areas such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication. These skills have been invaluable in obtaining each certification, badges and honors which often require a high level of analytical thinking and communication skills.
I am proud to have achieved so much at a young age, and I know that my educational background has been a key factor in my success. I am excited to continue pursuing my passions and goals, and to use my education and achievements to make a positive impact in the world
Asides from being a student, what else do you do?
As an 18-year-old with a passion for creating positive change, I am involved in several initiatives beyond my studies.
Firstly, I am an advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As an SDG advocate, I am committed to promoting the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 13 (Climate Action), Goal 14 (Life Below Water), and Goal 15 (Life on Land) and I actively work towards achieving these goals through my advocacy, volunteerism, research, events, and projects. My dedication to these goals is rooted in a deep sense of purpose and belief in the power of collective action to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. I believe that everyone has a role to play in achieving these goals, and I am dedicated to doing my part.
In addition to my work on the SDGs, I am a climate activist and environmentalist. I am deeply committed to protecting the planet and raising awareness about the urgent need for action on climate change. Through my advocacy and volunteer work, I have inspired others to take action and make a positive impact on the environment.
I am the founder of Sustain ovate; Sustainovate is a youth-led organization that is committed to addressing plastic pollution and the climate crisis through innovative and sustainable solutions. With a focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship, Sustainovate is dedicated to promoting awareness and action towards reducing the amount of plastic waste that is produced and finding creative ways to repurpose and recycle plastic materials.
Through our efforts to address the plastic pollution problem, Sustainovate is also working to combat the climate crisis, as plastic waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental problems. By promoting sustainable practices and encouraging individuals and organizations to adopt eco-friendly behaviors, Sustainovate is helping to create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
I am deeply passionate about changing the narratives pertaining to plastic pollution, climate crisis and ocean conservation in Africa and the world. I am devoted to collaborating with others to implement sustainable, deep-rooted and innovative solutions.
I am one of the 2022 PlasticWize Fellow of U-Recycle Initiative Africa, an initiative on a mission to emphasize a sustainable recycling culture and advance environmental sustainability across Sub-Saharan Africa.
I am also a digital and soft skills trainer, and I founded the digital skills training academy “Skills Beyond” in 2020. My goal is to equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in the digital era, and to provide them with opportunities to thrive and succeed in their personal and professional lives beyond just education.
As a personal development and self-discovery coach, I am committed to helping others unlock their full potential and achieve their goals. I am a transformational speaker and I enjoy inspiring others to embrace their true selves, overcome obstacles, and achieve success on their own terms.
I am an ardent volunteer who has worked with several local and international non-governmental organizations. I believe that volunteering is a great way to give back to society, gain valuable experience, and make a meaningful impact on the world. Currently, I serve as an application reader for the Mandela Washington Fellowship, YALI, and I am always on the lookout for new ways to make a difference in the world.
You have been in trend for bagging over a hundred certifications, badges and honours. How were you able to attain such feet?
Thank you for asking that question. It’s been a remarkable journey for me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my story.
First, I must say that my success did not happen overnight. It took a lot of hard work, dedication, and persistence to achieve the level of certifications, badges, honours I have received. At the core of my achievements is a strong belief and desire for continuous learning and personal growth.
I have always believed in the power of hard work, determination, and perseverance. There were certainly times when the road was difficult and I faced obstacles, but I never gave up on my goals. I remained committed to my vision and worked hard to overcome challenges and achieve success
As someone who is passionate about various areas such as technology, the environment, personal development, I made a conscious effort to seek out opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills in these areas. I was never content with just the information presented in my academic classes as I have other pursuits, I pursued various online courses, fellowship programs, youth summits, symposiums, bootcamps, entrepreneurship and leadership programs, seminars, conferences and even engaged in self-study.
Opemipo is a young girl who never constrained herself to the four walls of academic activities alone; she has been able to create a record of excellence and vibrancy in other spheres of extracurricular activities and life.
Motivation for Success
One of the key factors in my success was my willingness to put in the extra effort and work hard towards achieving my goals. I was never one to shy away from a challenge or an opportunity to learn something new, and I was always willing to put in the time and effort needed to succeed. This included sacrificing some of my leisure time, working late nights, and even waking up early to pursue my passions.
I have never been afraid to take risks and step out of my comfort zone. I believe that growth and progress can only come from pushing past your limits and taking on new challenges, so I have always been willing to try new things and take on new opportunities.
Furthermore, I had a strong support system in my family, friends, and mentors who believed in me and encouraged me every step of the way. Their unwavering support and encouragement helped me stay motivated, focused, and committed to achieving my goals.
In addition, dedication to personal growth and continuous learning being a cause, I have always been a very goal-oriented person. From a young age, I set high standards for myself and worked tirelessly to achieve them. I have always been hungry for knowledge and eager to learn new things, which has been a driving force behind my pursuit of these certifications, badges, and honors.
Throughout my journey, I have also sought out role models who do not know me but serve as one and a source who have inspired and motivated me to keep pushing myself. I have learned a great deal from their experiences and insights, and their guidance has been instrumental in helping me to achieve my goals.
Did you encounter challenges while taking the course? Tell us some of them
Pursuing 121 certifications, badges, and honors was no easy task. I faced a number of challenges that tested my dedication and commitment. One of the biggest challenges for me was finding a way to balance the demands of the course with the other responsibilities and commitments in my life.
Balancing school work, extracurricular activities, home errands, volunteer work, and the certification courses was not an easy feat. It required a lot of discipline, organization, and time management skills to be able to juggle all these responsibilities effectively.
Completing each course had its own set of challenges, especially when it came to accessing online resources. As I didn’t have a laptop, I had to use my phone, which made it difficult to read course materials and navigate through the online resources provided by the courses.
In addition, my phone’s internet connection was not always reliable, which led to interruptions in my course progress. I also encountered technical difficulties such as slow-loading pages, website errors, and broken links, which were more common when accessing course materials on my phone.
Despite these challenges, I remained committed to my goal and found ways to work around the limitations of using a phone. However, it was not always easy, and I often had to navigate complex technical issues on my own, which sometimes delayed my progress.
I persisted and overcame these hurdles through sheer determination and hard work. My passion for personal development and desire to make an impact in society kept me motivated to keep going even when things got tough.
Looking back on my journey, I am proud of the persistence and resilience that I demonstrated in the face of these challenges and I’m proud to have bagged 121 certifications, badges and honours despite the limitations and challenges”
Do you have plans to take more courses or have target number certifications you aim to achieve?
Yes, I surely have plans to take more courses. I find great satisfaction in the pursuit of knowledge. The thirst for knowledge and continuous learning is what inspired me to this stage of the journey I am on, and it’s not ending. The journey doesn’t end here. It has only begun. At the core of my certification achievement has been a strong belief and desire in continuous learning.
Learning never ends. It is a lifelong journey. When you take a course, you gain additional knowledge. When you take another, you gain knowledge of what you don’t know. You gain new insights. There’s always a new thing to learn, and learning is achieved in a great way through taking courses. Taking courses comes with learning in different forms, it comes with a new skill developed, and it comes with an experience bettering something.
Each course has not only provided me with knowledge and skills, making me a well-rounded individual, but has also increased my insatiable desire to continuously acquire additional knowledge. There’s a difference in acquiring knowledge and sitting back, and there’s a difference in acquiring knowledge and having an increased desire to have more. I am a very curious person. I always love to learn more about something. Taking each course has thereby been leading me to discovering another thing, leading to me learning about another thing, and discovering more things to learn about. The cycle continues.
One of the great reasons I would never back down from taking more courses is the way it builds me. Each course I have taken has built me to a great level of resilience, grit, and determination. Because there’s always a challenge, if not more than one, that comes with taking courses. Each course I have taken so far represents a number of challenges on its own. 121 altogether represents a huge number of challenges I have faced that have built me. It has led me to an increased belief that I CAN! I can do anything I set my mind to, regardless of the challenges and obstacles that come with it.
I am eager to continue the journey and continue utilizing my knowledge to make a positive impact in the world: my community, country, and everywhere my journey leads me.
I don’t have a specific target number of certifications in mind, and I don’t plan to. I am happy to see where my unquenchable thirst for knowledge leads me. Setting a goal to achieve a target number of certifications is just like setting a limit towards my goal of continuous learning. When I started my certification journey, I never had 121 in mind as a number of certifications I hoped to achieve, but my unending desire for knowledge led me here today, and I am excited to see where it leads me next.
Also Apply: ARIPO Young Professionals Programme (YPP) For Young Africans 2023
The Organizations I’ve founded;
Sustainovate Africa
SkillsBeyond
Ocean Guardians Africa
Black Girls Rising Africa
What are the things people don’t really know about you, but you do them?
I love to research. I am a curious person by nature and love nothing more than delving deep into a subject and discovering new information.
Research process is like a puzzle to me, and I enjoy piecing together all the different pieces of information to gain a greater understanding of something.
I find great satisfaction in the pursuit of knowledge and am constantly seeking out new opportunities to learn and discover. The thrill of uncovering new information and making connections between different ideas is what drives me to research. Research is a way I satisfy my intellectual curiosity with, contributing to a greater understanding of a subject.
Another thing is, I love to carry a notebook with me every time. My notebook is my platform of imagination. Ideas don’t always show up according to our schedule. Idea emerges anytime, so if anyone is interested in consistently coming up with ideas to write about or do with, you have to be able to capture them regardless of when they show up.
I feel truly blessed by God to have been blessing me with unique ideas that no one has ever tried before.
From a young age, I have always had a vivid imagination and a natural ability to think outside the box. Whether it was coming up with creative solutions to problems, dreaming up new ideas for projects, businesses or simply seeing the world in a different way, I have always felt that I had something special to offer.
I am excited to see where my unique ideas will take me, and I am grateful to God for blessing me with such a special talent.
Another thing is, I have always had a unique ability to know what others are thinking or had in mind. This talent has been with me for as long as I can remember, and I have had many moments where I have been able to fore-read others and know exactly what they had in mind. I always find myself knowing what others are thinking, knowing what others intend to say/do.
Another one is, I am a true perfectionist when it comes to keeping my things organized. One of the things that sets me apart is my ability to easily know when someone touches my things. This might seem like a small or insignificant talent, but it is actually a reflection of my strong attention to detail and my well-organized approach to life.
I take great care to arrange my things in a specific way, and I have a designated spot for everything. This level of organization allows me to have a keen sense of awareness when it comes to my belongings. If someone touches one of my things or moves it out of place, I will know. This can be very useful in many different situations, as it allows me to keep track of my belongings and to know if anything has been disturbed.
But my love for organization goes beyond just being able to detect when someone touches my things. I find that having a well-organized environment brings a sense of order and clarity to my life, and it helps me to feel more in control and on top of things. It is an important part of who I am, and I take great pride in my ability to keep my things organized and in their designated spots.
Conclusion
Ogunkeyede Opemipo Grace is an Environmentalist and Changemaker driving for a sustainable environment through advocacy, volunteerism, research, events and projects.
For over 3 years, she has been creating and implementing grassroots solutions to pollution and climate change.
She is the founder of Sustainovate Africa, a youth-led organization focused on advancing circular economy, environmental sustainability, climate action and also devoted to projecting the beauty of the environment and its resources.
Opemipo believes that working together yields faster and healthy results and this has further propelled her to volunteering and working with other initiatives and organizations.
She is one of the 2022 PlasticWize Fellow of U-Recycle Initiative Africa, an initiative on a mission to emphasize a sustainable recycling culture and advance environmental sustainability across Sub-Saharan Africa.
She is on a waste-to-wealth journey, turning thrash into treasure, recycling & upcycling waste products, most especially turning plastic waste; being the most dangerous cause of environmental pollution into great fashion products.
Opemipo is passionate about changing the narratives pertaining to plastic pollution, climate crisis and ocean conservation in Africa and the world. She is devoted to collaborating with others to implement sustainable, deep-rooted and innovative solutions.
