Page 21 - Future Leaders Magazine

PROFILES

BOLU COKER, 20

School Loughborough University
Subject Chemical Engineering (BEng)
Year First
Grade average 2:1

Bolu wants to leave his mark at university and
has hit the ground running.
He is starting a Sign Language Society
at Loughborough with the aim of creating
a “provision for the less able to feel a
sense of community and also open doors
SALIM ATA, 21 for able students to learn sign language”. BENJAMIN DADA, 20
“I have realised there’s an imbalance in
School University of Leeds communication in the developing world and School Lancaster University
Course Advanced Mechanical wish to bridge the gap,” he says. Course Information Technology,
Engineering (MSc) Additionally, Bolu runs Royal Family Management and Organisation Change
Year N/A Enterprise, an events and e-commerce (MSc)
Grade average First class (Equivalent) business he has built from the ground up with Year N/A
First degree Mechanical Engineering a friend. “As a small business our current aim Grade average First class (equivalent)
(BEng) at University of Leeds, grade 2:1 is to become self-sufficient,” he says. “We First degree Management Information
are currently networking with other small Systems (BSc) at Covenant University,
In his second year, Salim co-founded and enterprises and building connections in the Ota, Nigeria, grade First class
served as the vice-president of the Video- retail industry.” ENGINEERING & MATHS
Gaming and Technology society. He assisted in In his role as lead co-ordinator, Bolu Benjamin has had the privilege of studying in
organising gaming nights which consisted of approves the designs of his products, both his native Nigeria and the UK and has
knockout tournaments and competitions. He co-ordinates shipments and organises made it his mission to use his experience in
also co-ordinated with energy drink giants photoshoots. both continents to help other African students
Red Bull to arrange a sponsorship deal and The young businessman is also working on a via an online guide on his blog.
prizes for winners. social media app called Winx, which he hopes His tireless work online has been
Additionally, he led a planned tech-surgery to release later this year. recognised by Medium, his blogging platform,
where students were guided on how to and he was recently named one of the ‘Top
complete personal projects such as fixing Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Writers in Education’.
laptops. Also, he gave advice to students on I would like to launch my social media app Benjamin, who has already completed
the pros and cons of various tech products to across the globe. internships at Sky UK and KPMG Nigeria,
enable them to make a sound decision prior was also an Academic Advisor at Coventry
to purchase. University where he gave motivational
During his second year, Salim co-hosted a welcome speeches to first-year students
charity football event, with all funds raised and planned and organised tutorial classes
used to buy sporting equipment for young for colleagues in their “first, second and
children in Kisimu, Kenya. penultimate year”. He also taught Computer
In his masters year, he is serving as a course Science and Programming introductory
rep and peer mentor within the Mechanical lessons at the weekends.
Engineering department.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I should be a partner in a global organisation
In Nigeria, running my own company. like Bank of America or Google.

Ugo got his first year of university off to a flying engineers. In this role, he ensures that
start after completing a 13,000ft skydive for students’ needs are met and “that they have
charity for the Children’s Society, which helps the best student experience and education”.
to improve the lives of disadvantaged children While managing these roles, he is also the
in developing countries. He raised £520. Vice Chair for the Access Alumni Committee,
In his second year of studies, Ugo became a charity that strives to provide work
the Social Secretary for the university’s placements for students in state schools with
Table Tennis Club, facilitating fundraising less opportunities.
opportunities and organising social events. He In this role, he has delivered speeches at
UGOCHUKWU also coached the team in weekly sessions. Downing Street, hosted events at the House
In the same year, he became the Cultural
EZEJI, 21 and Religious Officer of the African and of Commons and has visited various schools
to encourage students to take full advantage
Caribbean Society where he “strived to ensure of the opportunities on offer.
School University of Birmingham that members were fully represented in
Subject Mechanical Engineering (MEng) events organised by the society and around Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Year Third (of four) the university’s campus”. Hopefully starting something on my own in
Grade Average 2:1 At present, Ugo is the Student terms of engineering solutions, research and
Representative for third year mechanical development.

2017-18 | FUTURE LEADERS 19