On the 18th of May, 2024, I came across a heartwarming video on YouTube, and I decided to write this on the video. In that video, I watched how the Nigerian diaspora community in the United States of America (USA) were celebrating a moment of immense pride and joy as Tami, the daughter of Yahaya Balogun, graduated at the top of her class. Tami’s academic performance and her eloquent, impassioned commencement speech showcased her as a talented and outstanding individual, whose brilliance and versatility set as a shining example for others to emulate. Her significant academic achievement is not only laudable, but also serves as a source of great inspiration for Nigerians back at home and those in diaspora worldwide.
Tami Balogun’s rise to the top of her class is a powerful testament to her total dedication, resilience and intellectual prowess. Tami is a young girl of irrepressible audacity, towering intellect, unparalleled sapience and unwavering commitment. Her academic excellence cannot be said to be the result of her innate intelligence alone, but also of relentless hard work, discipline, and a firm commitment to her studies. Her ability to do exceptionally well in an academic environment built on rigours, underscores the great potential that every Nigerian carries anywhere they go, reinforcing the fact that with determination, success is attainable!
Tami’s commencement speech was a masterpiece of eloquence and clarity. The ability to communicate eloquently and effectively is a good and useful skill in today’s globalising world, and her communication flair should encourage other young Nigerians in the diaspora to hone their communication skills, as it plays a vital role in their overall life’s success. Tami remains a global exemplification of brilliance, and a perfect source of inspiration to both young and old.
Apart from her academic achievements and excellence, Tami has made huge impacts on the lives of those around her through her acts of kindness and humanity. Her compassion distinguishes her among her contemporaries, standing her out as a role model to others to emulate her in various ways:
Firstly, Tami has directly saved three lives, demonstrating a level of bravery, love and kindness. In one instance, she called her teachers’ attention to a slumped schoolmate, ensuring that the student received all the necessary medical attention with immediate alacrity. In another, she intervened when a schoolmate, who was a victim of abuse, contemplated suicide, providing support and forestalling any possible tragic outcome. Furthermore, she befriended another student who was thinking about self-harm, offering her full presence such as companionship and giving a ray hope to the girl.
Additionally, Tami’s sense of social responsibility is also made manifest in her letter to Michelle Obama, where she expressed gratitude for advocating for the release of the Chibok girls. Her involvement in the #BringBackOurGirls movement underscores her commitment to social justice and her willingness to engage in causes larger than herself, especially at the young age she was at the time of writing the letter. This equally underscores for empathy and altruism for humanity!
Tami Balogun’s achievements and her compassionate actions serve as a powerful inspiration to Nigerians in diaspora. Her story is that of bravery, resilience and empathy for humanity. Her story is a call to action for other diasporan Nigerians to strive for excellence, not only in their academic endeavors but also in their everyday social interactions and contributions to society. For the world to become a better place, we all must be like Tami Balogun, for success is solely defined by personal achievements, but also by the significant impacts you’ve made in the lives of others.
So, as we celebrate this precocious child who possesses extraterrestrial intellectual acuity, let’s take inspiration from her thrilling, heartwarming academic journey emulate her, especially for diasporan Nigerians and even those back here in Nigeria; for Tami Balogun is a Shining Star of Excellence.
Sule Abubakar Lucky Mark,
Writer and Sociologist.
Email: suleabubakarmark1111@gmail.com
25/05/2024.