From the News and Information Desk, African Students Association, Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia comes a cheering report of the exploits of Nigerian students in a Russian University.
These days, at the mention of Nigeria, what we are subconsciously waiting to hear is the news about the next scammer, the next suicide bomber who kills a British soldier. We expect to hear news of death, stolen wealth or disease.
For a number of us, our minds are already made up, even before we get the news, we have declared ourselves guilty.
There are news of Nigeria that are not about gun-shots, corruption, suicide bombings and scams; and it is just as important we talk about them. For over five years, Nigerian Medical scholarship Students at the Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow have consistently bagged first-class honours in Medicine and Surgery and represented the school at major Quiz competitions.
These students, while meeting the demands of the language, Russia’s relatively alien conditions and other academic engagements, have taken it upon themselves to tell a story of Nigeria by being worthy ambassadors of the nation, off and on classes.
A Nigerian student Olalusi O. Victor led a team of other International students from Russia, Italy, Greece, Morocco and bagged the “Best Captain of the Year” award at the University’s annual Quiz competition. His team – International United – won Silver at the University’s annual Quiz competition.
Olalusi, who for the past three years has represented Nigeria in the University’s Hall of Fame, will deliver a valedictory speech on June 27th as the best graduating Student in the Faculty of Clinical Sciences with a grade point of 5.0. The year 2012 saw another Nigerian student, Ganiyu Sanusi bagging the “Best Student of the year” award at the University’s quiz competition. He graduated as the best student in the faculty with first-class honours and a CGPA of 5.0. Ganiyu Sanusi now works as an Intern in one of Nigeria’s teaching hospitals.
Nigeria-born Alonge Olanike Omotola, who in 2010 represented the country on the University’s Hall of Fame, bagged first-class honours degree in Medicine and Surgery and was the best Graduating student and valedictorian for that year. She proceeded for her Masters Degree at Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA.
Over the past five years, Nigerian students at the Russian National Research Medical University have consistently topped the graduation chat, bagging honours and contributing their wealth of knowledge to the University’s academic status.
These are stories of Nigeria that aren’t about bombings, gun-shots or students protesting for unpaid stipends; and it is as important we talk about them.
The Russian National Research Medical University will celebrate the 2013 set of Nigerian Doctors at a grand ceremony on June 27th, House of the Scientists (дом ученых), Moscow, Russia.
God bless Nigeria.