…At UNN College of Medicine
BY RAPHAEL ONYEKACHUKWU – Determined to encourage hard work in character and learning, Bloggers Association of Nigeria (BAN) at the weekend presented a cash reward of N120,000 to the best graduating medical student of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Dr (Miss) Chidinma Ikekpeazu.
Scandalized by a picture that went viral in the social media last week where Dr Ikekpeazu was seen receiving the sum of N10,000 from her Medical Students Association, BAN swung into action, insisting that it is important to encourage hard work among students for improved quality of graduates from the nation’s tertiary institutions.
President of BAN, Mr. Chris Kehinde Nwandu, had mobilized members in Lagos and other well-meaning Nigerians to raise the funds, which was delivered to the Vice President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), South East Zone, Comrade Chris Isiguzo for onward presentation to the recipient on behalf of the bloggers.
Speaking during presentation ceremony held at the NUJ Press Centre Enugu, Isiguzo said that money was meant to encourage Dr. Chidinma as a reward for hard work and diligence.
He said the cash presentation was just the beginning as more goodies would still come her way for such as outstanding performance.
Speaking after receiving the cash gift, Dr. Chidinma, accompanied by her mother, Dr. (Mrs) Ebele Ikekpeazu, and other well wishers, said she was inspired to work hard by the competitive world of today and encouragement by her mother.
She expressed her desire to continuously inspire the younger ones, adding, “It’s a very exciting moment for me. I feel happy and inspired to do more. Basically, I have always had the desire to do exceptionally well and seeing the fact that the world of today is very competitive and everybody has to be up and doing, and you really have to be the best in your game to be able to get something exquisite for yourself, I decided to work harder to achieve something very good for myself, family and society in general; something that will inspire the younger ones, to see that you can be better than just the average.
“My best role model is my Mum, because she is always there, after every exam, she is like waoo! Every time I complain about something, she will tell you relax. Sometimes she counsels you; she advises you; basically, she is my top role model,” she said.
Also speaking, her mother, Dr (Mrs) Ebele Ikekpeazu, a senior lecturer at the Department of Medical Biochemistry, UNN, Enugu campus, said she was elated that her daughter could achieve such a height in her profession.
“I wouldn’t say that I’m too surprised because right from when she was a child, right from her Nursery school days, she had always been the best in every class; from Nursery to primary school to Federal Government College Enugu where she did her secondary school. She had always won most of the prizes. And when she came into medicine, being one of her lecturers, I knew I had to encourage her and told her to be the best she could be in every class. And she worked very hard; most of the lecturers used her as an example. She really worked very hard. I give God all the glory,” she said.
