Nigerians, particularly Igbos, excel abroad because they have the opportunity and resources to pursue their destiny. If our leaders are there for the people, this will be the case for every Nigerian at home. Over the weekend, 97 medical physicians graduated from the prestigious Harvard University, 46 of whom were Nigerian. This story did not go viral because it did not involve a crime!
There are still reasons to report good tidings. You can see how our government’s mismanagement has reduced Africa’s “giant” to a laughingstock. Of the 27 awards of excellence presented at the graduation ceremony of the prestigious institution, 16 were claimed by Nigerian graduates. There is no doubt that Nigeria is blessed with a population of young, vibrant, and talented minds that continue to demonstrate excellence wherever they may be.
Such is the case with 46 Nigerian students who recently graduated with the majority of the 96 medical students from the prestigious Howard University in the United States of America (USA).
Even more intriguing is the fact that 16 of the 26 awards of distinction presented at the institution’s commencement ceremony went to diligent and deserving Nigerian students. The delighted Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa announced the news on her social media account.
President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Abike Dabiri-Erewa as the first chairman and chief executive officer of the National Diaspora Commission in November 2018. Ms. Dabiri-Erewa was a member of the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2015, representing the Ikorodu Federal Constituency in Lagos.
In July 2017, then-acting President Yemi Osibanjo signed the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Establishment Bill into law, a move that was hailed as lending the government’s stated desire to partner with its citizens abroad teeth.
