‘Key to consistent brilliant performance? God, hard work’

Esther Adaobi Azom’s ‘unveiling’ literally lit up the induction ceremony for the maiden set of medical doctors to graduate from the Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado Ekiti, Thursday last week. She led the pack, in a spectacular manner, having scored distinction in all her courses…and she was rewarded for it, taking home a brand new car, among other prizes. She speaks with LAOLU HAROLDS

Where did your motivation or interest to study medicine come from, and at what point in your life did you settle for that choice?

My interest in medicine stemmed from my admiration for doctors; knowing that you can contribute to someone’s health and help save lives was and is still what motivates me.

I can remember telling myself when I entered science class in SS1 that it had to be medicine and I subsequently filled it in my JAMB form. The admission into medicine almost served as a source of discouragement but I thank God that I am here now.

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Let’s start with your admission to ABUAD in the first place. Why did you choose ABUAD?

I had just heard from my father that ABUAD had just began medicine as a course of study. He is a firm believer in the works of our founder, Aare Afe Babalola and he said that it will be one of the best decisions I would make if I decide to come to ABUAD to study medicine. The founder truly is an achiever and I  am privileged to be associated with him. At that time, I had just finished year 1 in biochemistry in a federal university. I had applied for medicine and i was given biochemistry. I guess you can say that ABUAD came to my rescue because like I said earlier, getting biochemistry instead of medicine was a big discouragement.

What do your parents do? And how would you say they have influenced your academic progress so far?

My dad is a business man and my mum is a civil servant/teacher.

They always remind me to be the best in whatever I do and that in itself is one thing I constantly tell myself.

i will also like to acknowledge the role my parents in the profession (my teachers) have played in my life. I have the best teachers and they are a big source of motivation to me.

Medicine is a course dreaded by many people, but you made it look like piece of cake. What factors would you attribute your consistent academic progress to?

I feel that people dread medicine when they begin to study the course and rarely before they begin to study it. It’s always a thing of joy to fill medicine in your JAMB form.

A piece of cake? No! Not at all…this has to be the largest piece of cake the world has ever seen. It is not easy at all.  It is totally the work of God . God requires that you work hard at what you do. So to me, those two things are key to consistency GOD AND HARDWORK

Were there challenges, in whatever form, along the way?

Of course, there is no worthwhile journey that isn’t full of challenges. As the pioneer set, we were the first to face every exam, test, posting. At every point, we had to ensure that we were setting good examples to our junior colleagues coming behind us. We had to be brave to face and conquer whatever was presented to us.

There is a lot of responsibility attached to being a pioneer set but I can say in the end that it was worth it

Success is sweet; but what did it cost you. Do you want to share with us what you denied yourself, your study patterns, socialisation dos and don’ts you imposed on yourself etc, to get here?

The greatest cost is TIME. You have to give a lot of it to your academic work(reading, lectures, ward activities) but I can tell you that it pays off.

On study patterns and socialization, I always tell my younger colleagues that there is no strict rule, you have to understand yourself. Understand what works for you, how best you read, at what time, where and how. Can you cope academically if you get involved in extracurricular activities?

If you understand who you are, you will be able to answer these questions and they will serve as a guide to making choices that will benefit you.

I will however say that balance in every sphere of life (academics, social, spiritual, emotional) is crucial to living a healthy life as a medical student.

You took the big prize: a brand new car. I could see you struggling to push back the tears. What went through your mind that moment you were called to step forward to take the car for your efforts?

When I think about it again, I still feel like crying. It’s not something you expect. It is difficult to imagine that great prize. I’m still so grateful to God and the founder, Aare Afe  Babalola for putting me in the position to receive such wonderful gifts and prayers from the best of the best. It is simply incredible.

With this kind of performance, there will be pressures from both the academia and the medical practice world. So, it’s natural to ask: what is the next plan for you?

Well, I plan to as much as possible turn any pressure on me into fuel to do better. I definitely am not the smartest person but I’m sure that I am willing to learn and that’s what matters. For now it is housejob and by God’s grace, things will begin to fall into place.

Should you decide to practise, what field of medicine holds the attraction for you?

I have quite a number of interests and I hope that the coming year helps me decide fully what I will like to specialize in.