A Nigerian woman, Adeola Olubamiji, is being celebrated by Nigerians home and abroad after sharing her rags-tograce story dripping with unyielding resilience. Olubamiji, a native of Ijare in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State, became the first African to bag a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.
In a Facebook post on June 6 which has over 2,600 likes and has been shared about 500 times with over 200 comments, the Ibadan-bred woman shared her striking story that she once hawked pepper on the streets. “As the 5th child of 5, I always had to wait for my turn.
I was the last, a girl child and raised by a mother who is farmer and a father who has little, I hawked pepper on the streets of Ibadan as early as age 10 to help my mum. I went to public primary and secondary school(s) in Ibadan and attended OOU and studied Physics,” she began.
Going further, the Lead Metallurgist/Additive Manufacturing Engineer at Burloak Technologies Inc. now, wrote: “Proceeded to Finland for a Masters Degree in Biomedical Engineering. During this masters degree, I worked part-time as a cleaner and did this after my Masters as well.
“Out of determination, I applied to over 100 schools for my PhD and finally got a full three year scholarship (later extended to four years scholarship) at University of Saskatchewan, Canada to pursue a PhD in Biomedical Engineering.
While in that PhD program, I worked part-time as a makeup artist,teaching assistant, braided hair and fix weaves to make extra money. “Today I walked the stage as the first black person to bag a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from University of Saskatchewan, Canada!!! I walked this stage for you Mama Africa and for my Motherland Nigeria!!!”
Also paying tribute to her Mokola hood, Africans striving in Finland and elsewhere and family members, Olubamiji urged people not to give up on their dreams while crediting the feat to Jesus Christ whom she described as “my true love.” Meanwhile, seven candidates of Nigerian descent are now members of the British parliament following Thursday’s election.
Significantly eroding British Prime Minister, Theresa May’s Conservative Party’s majority, the election threw up Chuka Umunna (Streatham), Bim Afolami of (Hitchin and Harpenden), Fiona Onasanya of (Peterborough) and Chi Onwurah (Newcastle).
Others are Kate Osamor (Edmonton), Kemi Badenock (Saffron Walden) and Helen Grant who will now represent Maidstone and The Weald. In a Facebook post yesterday, UK-based Human Capital Development strategist, Dayo Olomu, congratulated the winners.
Nigerian emerges first black to bag PhD in Canadian university
