Image from smartphone
A Typical Local Champion In West Africa
As a young boy growing in very remote village called, Igbotu, in Ese-Odo Local Government Area in Ondo state Nigeria, where there is no electricity, no clean water supply and the standard of education was poor, all I wanted as child was to join the Nigeria milliary and become one of the best snippers in the world. I loved guns.
Image from smartphone (That was my picture after I finished primary school)
I could remember asking my mother to buy guns any time she goes to market. She was scared I might become a criminal if I don't find my way into the military early enough and this was why she always encouraged me to read my book, hoping that one day I would change my mind to love another carrier path that has nothing to do with gun. She hates guns.
I went to a primary school that lack teachers, all we do as students was to play all day. My secondary school (Apoi National High School Igbotu) was not different, if not worse. We lacked maths, physics and English teachers in my senior years in the secondary school. Most students left the school in the final year for special centers to write their West African Examination Council exams (WAEC). WAEC is an external exam required to gain admission into all the universities in West Africa.
In my first four years in the secondary school, no student from the school passed WAEC. This is the reason students run to special centers or miracle centers (schools that help you pass your exams). Knowing very well that my parents will not register me in any special center because both of my parents were teachers at the school, that was why I started reading my books seriously. I stopped playing hard and read and read and read.
A day I can never forget was 8 of August 2011, I realized I didn't have any course in mind to study in the Nigeria Defense Academy (NDA). I flew to meet my mother in the kitchen and asked " Mum, I don't know what to study in the NDA", she replied with smile : won't you like to become a doctor before joining the military? Doctors saves lives, Soldiers protect lives. Wouldn't it be great to do the two? Think about it my son. But Mum, the NDA don't have a Medical school! I muttered. Yes my son, it doesn't. But you can join the military when you are done with Medical school through short service.
I thought of the idea of saving lives as a great one. I agreed with my mother to go to medical school as I continued to prepare for my WAEC exams. For majority of the courses, I didn't have a teacher to guide me but I eventually mastered most courses through repetition.
Image from smartphone (I received award as the best graduating students in my secondary school)
On the 13th of September, 2013 my emotion was everywhere, I was anxious and restless. I was at home alone, when the news reached me, WAEC result is out. I ran straight to the cyber cafe where I met a lot of my friends. Some were looking sad and depressed (those that have seen their results) while others were anxious and restless like myself. When it got to my turn to check, I could feel my heart raising, my hands were shaking and I started sweating profusely, as if I was about to be sentenced to a life imprisonment.
Congratulations SP! The cyber cafe guy screamed. I jumped up in celebration, It was the happiest day of my life. I cleared my WAEC. It's time for Medical school. I turned it into a song;
I cleared my WAEC,
it's time for Medical school.
I cleared my WAEC,
it's time for Medical school.
I cleared my WAEC,
it's time for Medical school.
Image from smartphone (Feeling myself after passing WAEC. That's the secondary school building behind)
The following week I was at the University of Ibadan (UI) for entrance exam. To cut the story short, I didn't meet the cut-off mark to study medicine and Surgery. I tried University of Port Harcourt (Uniport) a month later, same story. It became obvious to me, I was a local champion - the only person to clear his WAEC in the village.
I learnt about a predegree program called school of basic studies (Basic) in Uniport, that help prepare average students to get into medicine and surgery. I enrolled into school of basic studies and eventually got admission into the Uniport Medical School.
Basic admitted over 700 students for medicine and surgery of which only 36 persons were finally admitted into the Uniport Medical school, the remaining 664 who didn't meet the Basic cut off mark were either given an option to study another medical related course or sent back home. Basic was a fierce competition for those of us who wanted to study medicine and surgery.
My journey in medical school is a story for another day. Am currently in my final year and looking forward to be inducted in to the Nigeria Medical Association in the next 4-5 months.
I am no longer interested in becoming a soldier because of the high level of corruption and lack of respect for the military especially by the Nigeria government. I lost some friends in the military last year and their families has not been compensated till now. All I want right now is practice medicine, complete my data analysis certification course on cousera and switch career into the tech industry if possible.
Image from smartphone
My name is Olaoluwa Ebiekuraju, AKA Baby-Kurage. I was introduced to the Hive community by @topdollar001 and @drlins. I am very glad to be here, I promise to abide by the rules and regulations of this great community and looking forward to meeting and interacting with everyone. Finally, I want to appreciate the Hive community for giving me the opportunity to earn from expressing myself and sharing my ideas.
Happy New Month to you , God bless you