Olubola Babalola Quotes

My view of life is that one should get all the necessary qualifications because no one knows when they would be required and since I found myself in academics with the catchword "publish or perish". I worked hard to publish in both local and international journals in order to gain recognition in my field.

My dad worked with the Oyo State Civil Service while my mum was a trader.

It was not all that easy, I must confess but I was able to cope due to my due to my ardent determination to excel coupled with hard work and prayers.

My view of life is that one should get all the necessary qualifications because no one knows when they would be required and since I found myself in academics with the catchword “publish or perish”; I worked hard to publish in both local and international journals in order to gain recognition in my field.

We need women Professors, Surgeons, Presidents, Leaders, Directors, CEOs, Engineers, Pilots, Research Scientists...

As mentioned earlier, I was the only female student in my set but thank God, there were many female students in other cognate courses that we had lectures in common. With that, I felt a little bit comfortable. I should add that my course mates were courteous and nice! No intimidation whatsoever! I mixed with them easily.

I attended Sacred Heart Convent School and Jericho High School, both in Ibadan for my primary and secondary school education respectively.

No! The road to success has never been an easy ride. There are always ups and downs. When I gained admission to study quantity surveying, I was the only female student in my set and you know the kind of feelings one would have being the only odd one, most especially when we had departmental courses offered by my set only. Thank God, I got used to the system with time and to the glory of God I had the best graduating results amidst male students. As I moved up the ladder for post-graduate programmes, the challenge of combining office work with academic career and matrimony arose. I could not see myself coping with the combined tasks but with the unalloyed support, understanding, words of advice and encouragement from the people God surrounded me with and by the special grace of God, I was able to rise above the challenges.

Nigeria is blessed with many untapped natural and mineral resources that can be used in the production of construction materials. The use of locally sourced materials has a multiplying effect on the Economy creation of jobs, increase in our foreign reserves and boosting of our Economy.

It was through this scientific exposure that I became very focused early in my career. I mean, I developed a specific area of research interest - and have consistently advocated using biofertilizers over and above chemical fertilizers for plant health management.

The practice of quantity surveying in Nigeria does not have the required awareness and recognition. The patronage does not cut across all the social classes of people in the country. It is limited to government, corporate bodies and institutions. The level of awareness of the profession and its services at the grassroots is still very low despite the fact that we have services that can benefit this group of people.

It started in 1987 when I gained admission to study quantity surveying at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. As a young undergraduate, I never knew it would turn out great like this. I made sure I attended all lectures, did all assignments and tests and studied hard for all examinations. After my graduation in 1992 and Youth Service, I was employed in the Department as a Graduate Assistant and I moved through the ranks to becoming a Professor backdated to 2012 after acquiring the necessary qualifications.

For young people: proper planning prevents poor performance. For girls: avoid teenage pregnancy and do not cast your pearls before swine. Although it happens occasionally, there is more to it than meets the eye; face it and do not let it hold you down.

The young quantity surveyors should not major on minor. They should not focus on money now. They should get all the necessary trainings, acquire the needed skills, be more focused and determined, be law abiding, have the fear of God in them. As a quantity surveyor, honesty, transparency and probity should be their watchword and they should be diligent in the performance of their professional duties. With all these qualities in them, sky will be their starting point and money will “run” after them.

Not really. My parents were liberal.