01karma:
What would Nigeria have done without the igbos? GOD bless Igboland.

Yes this man is an ibo man

02karma: July 4, 2013
A Nigerian student, Victor Olalusi recently emerged the best graduating student with a grade point of 5.0 at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences at the Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow.
Olalusi in 2004 had the best result in the West African School Certificate Examination result in 2004 and was the best Science Student in the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination in 2006. He also had the highest Obafemi Awolowo University Post UME score in 2006.
In this interview with Lekan Otufodunrin, Olalusi speaks on his accomplishments and quality of education in Russia.
Congratulations on emerging as the best graduating student in your faculty, how did you accomplish this feat?
First and foremost, I would like to thank God for these successes. Mostly, I do the much I can, which can be very little, but with God, little is much. Besides that, I would say I was spurred on by a genuine interest to become better than I was yesterday. More pragmatically, I took every class as it came and made sure I gave each of them equal attention; attended my lectures, referred to resource materials and with the much-needed grasp of the language, things turned around. And of course, that’s not undermining personal study hours, hard work, diligence and self-discipline.
In a foreign country, you are your own parent, cum your own ‘child’, what I mean is, besides being a student, you do everything for yourself, so effective time management is key to anything you do.
How will you describe the Russian education system compared with your experience in Nigeria?
Besides the fact one has to study in Russian language, the education system in Russia is intensive and more students friendly. Everything, lecture materials, school books, internet resources are at the tip of your fingers. The lectures hours, lecture halls and classes are very decent – what I mean is the student study environment here is more conducive. For instance, you do not need to run to a lecture at 5:00am (as we students had to sometimes do in OAU) to grab a seat. There are seats enough, and those at the rare end of the halls get the gist of the lecture just in the same way as those in the front. The Lecturers don’t scare you; rather they welcome you and are always willing to help and assist.
And besides lectures, we have practical classes, where we study in small groups (of 10 – 12 students each) and each group has its own instructor. For any student willing to put in the needed effort, the system of education here just comes to your aid. And with a sound knowledge of the language, you’re home and dry.
There are options to study in English, but having to study in Russian language is a great thing and it can be very helpful, so most times I advise my friends to do the same. You know the same thing in two different ways, two different languages; and you think uniquely in the two languages, simultaneously.
With your brilliant records from secondary school, why did you opt to study in Russia?
Well, back at home, there are opportunities, but the issue is how many of such are made known to everyone. I believe, besides me, there are tens of thousands of students with quite impressive high school records, but the question is how many of such students have access to scholarship offers, schooling abroad. Throughout my stay, I did not come across any offers to study in the US or the UK, and of course studying there (without some form of scholarship) can be definitely capital-intensive.
I came across a scholarship offer to Russia (IN THE DAILIES), grabbed the application form and went for the interview; and that was how it all began. As for offers to the UK and the United States, I doubt if such information would be published in the dailies, you might need to have THE so called NIGERIAN EDGE (like KNOW SOMEONE) to even get to know that. Sad though.
How would you rate medical training in Russia globally?
Medical training in Russia is at par with the rest of the world, Europe and the Americas. Besides up-to-date theoretical knowledge, Russia offers training practically. I have heard Russian doctors beat their American colleagues, when it comes to physically examining a patient. The system is awesome, it gives you everything you need; but again it boils down to individual commitments and goals.
How will you compare the medical training you got in Russia with that of medical schools in Nigeria?
The training I got here has been very multi-sided. By that I mean, there has been a decent balance between theoretical and practical knowledge. Besides that, the standard here is just what obtains in the developed world – Nothing beats that. Patient management, operational procedures, maneuvers and manipulations are carried out to world standard. Medical school here is very intensive; besides lectures, we have practical classes EVERY DAY, where you have to write and pass a test, answer oral questions, and take part in discussions and procedures, as the case may be. Haha, they even take our attendance like we are in high school, and classes missed have to re-taken.
If you have an offer to remain in Russia based on your performance will you consider it against returning home?
Hmm, tough question definitely. But really, I believe my home country needs me more than any other nation does. I would return home.
What should the government do to discourage brain drain in the medical sector in the country?
ONE thing, …just ONE thing: EQUIP our hospitals. Our clinics are 50 years behind the standards abroad; this makes my heart bleed. I almost was crying when a Nigerian medical student told me over the phone of how doctors had to use a TORCH LIGHT (a lamp) to finish an operation.
Accidents/trauma at home is like a death sentence, because the ERs (Emergency Rooms) are not EQIPPED enough to take care of these victims. I cry each time I ponder over this.
Our doctors sometimes can’t even help the patients. It can be frustrating and depressing to work in such conditions. It’s sad when you have all the knowledge, but there is nothing physically you can do. That defeats the nobility of medicine (to help the sick and take off pain/suffering) and renders it lame.
It’s sad.
You are a believer in building a positive image for Nigeria and being a worthy ambassador, how much of negative image do you and your Nigerian colleagues in Russia have to deal with?
Oh, negative image, I can write a thesis on this. Corruption, bombings, killings, scams are the bane. It’s even worse when you’re held down, delayed (and MADE TO MISS YOUR FLIGHT) at airports because you’re a Nigerian. I study in a very international environment, with students from Greece, Italy, Russia, Malaysia, Africa, India and lots of other Soviet countries; and it’s sad to know that they come to you with stories of killings and corruption in Nigeria that you do not even know.
The first thing I DID was to take it upon myself to help build a positive image for Nigeria, I placed that weight on my shoulders and I started taking steps at re-defining the image of the country I COME FROM. I saw that even more important than my academics – being a man of character and leaving a sound impression of myself, my family and my nation.
I was mindful of the things I say, do and kind of activities I was involved in. With God, I began setting a standard for them to see; and made sure I talked to my friends about Nigeria each time such issues came up. Soon enough I was made president of the AFRICAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION in my school and served in a variety of other positions. I used that opportunity to re-present Nigeria and I must thank God for what He has done through that.
Has your excellent performance changed the negative impression?
Yes, it has. And in a long way. Now, the world is gradually coming to understand who we truly are, we just need to be more consistent and true (HONEST) to ourselves.
How affordable is University education in Russia
Compared to the United States and the rest of the world, it is pretty affordable. I MEAN YOU GET the same level of education (except in Russian language) as you get in these countries. Living in Moscow can be very expensive though.
The facilities are up to standard. Internet, water, power, transport, everything works! Everything works! And as a young student, all these lessen your problems in a huge way.
Apart from your recent accomplishments what are the other high points and low points of your studying in Russia?
HIGH POINTS:1) Leading other team of international students (Russia, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Morocco) and bagging the best captain of the year award AT THE University’s annual quiz competition on Internal Medicine.
2) Being a part of and Representing Nigeria on the University’s Hall of fame.
3) Bagging an award from the National Union of Ghanaian Students NUGS Russia and the Embassy of Ghana as International Student personality of the year 2012/13
3) Bagging awards and several honours during my Russian language study years (2006 – 2007) – took part in and won Russian language literature contests, quiz competitions in the basic sciences.
4) Leading the African Students in my University also was a great honour for me
Low points: It can be pretty unfair and sad when you get treated or judged based on the things a few Nigerians/Africans have done wrong.
You said in your valedictory speech that you hope to use your wealth of experience and knowledge to help and serve in Nigeria; do you have a particular focus in mind?
I hope to work with other foreign-medical graduates (the Russia-trained and others) and see to it that we bring our experiences abroad to bear on medical practice at home. This might involve inviting our colleagues abroad over to the country, having seminars and workshops, going for further studies, seeing to it (and with the help of the government) that our clinics are upgraded to international standards.
Personally, I am a lover of Cardiology and Cardiovascular medicine; but I have been having a growing interest in Infectious Diseases, especially Malaria. I had once talked to a friend about a possibility of having an institute of Malariology at home, a clinic ONLY for Malaria patients, with ongoing research works aimed at stopping the manace and at reducing the number of deaths and complications.
Can you elaborate on your call to your graduating colleagues that that they should not forget, as young medical professionals to be “true to our calling ; true to our patients, true to our colleagues and most importantly be true to ourselves?”
In one phrase, that means being honest and very diligent in practice.

pendy79:


Yeah proudly Ndigbo indeed?
"In an online interview with our correspondent, Ohuabunwa, who was born in Okota, Lagos and attended Lilly Fields Primary School, Lagos, said he left Nigeria after his junior secondary school education at Air Force Comprehensive School, Ibadan, Oyo State".

Now show us what contribution your Ndigbo land contributed to his Academic prowess? I'm sure Lilly fields primary school okota and Airforce secondary school ibadan are situated just after the main market in upper iweka rd, Onitsha.

The beauty of this country is in its UNITY and ONENESS.
Nigerians go on and exploits the worlds.

just stop hating already. ...
abi u didnt see were I said proudly nigeria ?? hian!

Kudos BRO,may GOD continue to be ur strenght and His grace continue to abide with u, nwa afo biafra i hail u oo

destante:
John Hopkins. Not CU
*sigh

keep sighing. I was comparing not saying it was CU. I dey see, I'm not as old as u grand aunt.

tinkinjow:
Ehm....Please what qualified the 17 US presidents as members of the phi beta kini group.
And I tot this guy just finished his degree so why the scholarship for degree in medicine at is it yale abi havard when we've been made to believe that John Hopkins is d best medical school.

In USA, Harvard is better than Hopkins in LAW and Medicine but when it comes to engineering, Then MIT(Massachussets Institute of technology) is the best place to go.

LORDI:
3.99 guy,guy

hey! That's not too much.
With relentless hard work, it is very achievable

i pray that one day God will give me the strength to read this long post without jumping a word. AMEN

Good for him. This thread has made FP before too, but wait o, why must they say he is the first black man to have a gp of 3.98 why not simply say he's the first PERSON to achieve that feat or has any of the whites score that high before?

bendeco:


Go nd Die!!

Go nd Die!!

I'm a Muslim bro and I have been taught that it is appointed unto man to die at the time that Allahu has destined unto him.

I will die when it is my time. I pray death meets you peacefully and pleasantly.

Wish unto others what you wish for yourself says the Quran. Ma salam bro

I enjoyed this long but inspiring and refreshing article and I am so happy for this guy. The 'eating faeces for breakfast' part got me in tears..lmao

congrat bro, good news

Nice one!

Congratulation bro, white people hates blacks, u make me to remember computer wizard Emeagwali from ocha

Congrats to you bro... But son, its either you're trying to please the Americans by telling them lies or your Uncle lied to you. Can someone please tell me when and at which school the below happened in Nigeria

"It took my uncle seven years to
graduate with a degree that should have taken him
only four years."

That is to say that he lost 3 sessions in a four years course... Chai! Chai! This your uncle can lie ooooo

Na carryover hold that your uncle for seven years. And I will swear that he even have to sort the HOD before he was able to go for service. That is, if he no go oluwole NYSC.

hazyfm:
[size=18pt]NIGERIANS ALWAYS DO WELL ABROAD, OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN NIGERIA WAS DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS TO FAIL...

SO MANY IRRELEVANT COURSES

WHAT BUSINESS DOES AN ACCOUNTING STUDENT HAVE WITH BIOLOGY ??

12 COURSES PER SEMESTER??
[/size]

u made the most reasonable comment since!!! Ur head is complete

The Guy ascribed all the glory to God not his brain...that's why he will continue to succed;"in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path"

If u are not an ex jam(airforce) or an ex commander(command) or an ex boy(nms)..my brother,U ARE WRONG!!!

Success has many friends but failure is no man's friend

menabadoo:
He must be an igbo.

Thump up...... God will see you through in Jesus name.

It happened in 2012 but I'm proud of anyone who can do this. What ever part of the world you are from is irrelevant.

pendy79:


Yeah proudly Ndigbo indeed?
"In an online interview with our correspondent, Ohuabunwa, who was born in Okota, Lagos and attended Lilly Fields Primary School, Lagos, said he left Nigeria after his junior secondary school education at Air Force Comprehensive School, Ibadan, Oyo State".

Now show us what contribution your Ndigbo land contributed to his Academic prowess? I'm sure Lilly fields primary school okota and Airforce secondary school ibadan are situated just after the main market in upper iweka rd, Onitsha.

The beauty of this country is in its UNITY and ONENESS.
Nigerians go on and exploits the worlds.

I will only endorse your comment if you can hold the same view in a news that an Igbo person who stayed all through in Lagos was caught in committing crime in America or Lagos. I know in that case you will quickly disassociate Lagos with the person and claim that his has crime in his DNA regardless of where he lived. You people amaze me, well success has many fathers and failure an orphan.

If you have a good foundation in Nigeria, it's easy to excel abroad.

I've seen average students go to uni in UK and top their classes...one girl told me Nigerians top not just classes but even the Student unions etc.

Ohuabunwa was probably just an OK student over here, but thanks to the good foundation from his early education, he was able to use that sense in the oyibo land

I doff my hat to his parents, for not letting him fall into wrong hands or even get killed by jealous neighborhood youths who can't see a foreign black student excel.

I wish him success in Yale - full scholarship to Yale is not a joke o....you know what that means? Your parents won't spend one dollar....wow this is a dream for some families...

Na wa o, since 2011/2012. igbo people sha like attention.

OLD STORY
I HEARD DIS NEWS MONTHS AGO
THE O.P ARE NT WORKING AGAIN

brownlord:
If this was about fraud or drugs, CNN and their hypocritical BBC will be blabbing by now.

Nice one bra, I belt my life those pink skin albinos that tried to bully and intimate him will prolly be below 2.0

America fear God

Which one is BRA änd BELT again? Must you tell us that u attended night school?

Oyeneku2:


"In an online interview with our correspondent, Ohuabunwa, who was born in Okota, Lagos and attended Lilly Fields Primary School, Lagos, said he left Nigeria after his junior secondary school education at Air Force Comprehensive School, Ibadan, Oyo State. "

Does this make sense to you?
Dumb tribal bigot

His early childhood education didn't make him succeed. What made him that successful was his superb intelligence, ability to capture quickly and retain information. Those are in the brain. And we know he inherited those brains from his parents, it is not a Southwest brain.

Nigerians always on point

Wait... ddnt Ben Carson attend Johns Hopkins??... So ds my naija brother bested Dr Benjamin S Carson

zeroshadow:



meaning he was trained by the Yoruba tribe...

trained ke? Tray kor? What if the staff at the said school were of igbo origin?
What about students trained by the same school why didn't they excel globally as well?

That kid has the superb brain that propelled him to that level. And his brain was given to him at birth by his igbo parents. Intelligent brains are not manufactured in the Southwest.

.

Gej will soon take credit for this one.He might even offer a presidential ride from US to Abuja for the guy.

zeroshadow:


I am not Yoruba, I did not say "one Nigeria"... No one is claiming the kid..... He was born and bred in the west...

His place of birth does not change or affect his ethnicity or origin.
His intelligence could attain that feat because of it's natural uniqueness, not because of some dumb primary or secondary school education in the southwest where kids are taught a,b,c,d and 'define soil'.