Saint-Perfect Emma-Jimo was at the Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine, Lead City University. She graduated in the 2022/2023 academic session at age 18 with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.92 on a scale of 5.0. in this interview by KINGSLEY ALUMONA, she speaks about her academic feat.
Your profile says you were the best-graduating student with six awards during your secondary school days. Tell us about it.
That is true. I emerged as the best science student, winning the most prizes in the science courses, and the school’s overall best student — the youngest I know to have achieved that. My secondary school (Sunshine Diamond, Ibadan) wins served as the inspiration and the scaffold for the bigger challenges in my tertiary education.
Why did you decide to study Anatomy?
My choice of Human Anatomy emanated from my desire to be an obstetrician and a gynaecologist. In an attempt to pursue the dream, Human Anatomy is the door leading me in that direction. My parents told me that a doctor had said that, when I was in mum’s womb, my condition was an impossible case for unassisted delivery — placenta privia, they called it. But I came without a doctor’s assistant. So, I’m spurred to be a helping hand to women and children.
Why did you choose Lead City University?
Initially, the intention was to secure a place in Nigeria’s best tertiary institution, the University of Ibadan. However, my parents and I couldn’t contend with the regular disruptions of academic activities from strikes and the sluggishness of the academic calendar in most public universities. The next best opinion was a private university, Lead City University, Ibadan. I’ve been in Ibadan my whole life, born and bred. Even if the University of Ibadan ran uninterrupted sessions, I was below the admittable age of 16.
With a CGPA of 4.92, you were the best in your department, but not in the school. How does this make you feel?
They say figures don’t lie, but in this case, I believe I’m not just the best in my department, I’m also the ‘best’ wherever I am. Philosophically, the first might not be the best. My parents, especially my dad, always says “hey girl, you’re the best,” even when I feel (s)low. Still relying on the words of my dad, I’m the best. I’m the youngest, or top 1 per cent best ever in Lead City (perhaps in Nigeria) to have achieved the 4.92 feat, which I forever cherish. I feel very great. I’m elated. So, in my case, figuratively, I’m the best.
I am also very happy for Sarah who had the highest CGPA. I made sure to meet her in the hall and celebrate with her genuinely. That’s my sister from my ‘unknown mother’.
What were your best Anatomy courses and why?
Human anatomy can be studied in different ways, as well as from different subjects. My favourite courses were on embryological anatomy, as these deal with the anatomy of the development of a human from the womb.
What is the title of your final-year project, and what were the major findings from it?
My final year project is titled ‘The Effect of Garcinia Kola on the Temporal Lobe of Adult Male Wistar Rats’. My project was aimed at accessing the level of safety or danger that the consistent consumption of Bitter Kola poses to the temporal lobe, the part of the brain controlling auditory functions, sound reception, emotions, learning and comprehension. It was such an intriguing chain of processes — getting the materials needed, having to pay exorbitantly for them, routine caring for the experimental animals, losing some of them, processing and administering the Garcinia kola, and so forth. Thankfully, the efforts paid off.
One of the major findings is that there is no adverse neurotoxicity associated with the use or consumption of Garcinia kola on human temporal lobe, although, moderate use is advised.
Anatomy is basically the study of the structural parts of an organism — for example, human beings. In the course of your study, what part of the human body fascinates you most?
The framework of the human body, the musculoskeletal system is really fascinating, because, from my point of view, they are the natural machines we have as humans to actually work. For instance, walking, eating, holding, typing, and dancing can only work from the cooperation between the muscular system and the skeletal system, without which some of these activities cannot be carried out, even if the brain can think of the actions. It makes me think of how without the carpenters, bricklayers, architects, and electricians, the mansion in the mind of the rich man can’t be built.
How would you describe the kind of education you received at the College of Medicine, Lead City University?
From my level of education and experience, it was adequate. I would have loved it to have been bigger, better and more exciting. I’m cool with the kind of education I got. However, the case everywhere is there is usually room for improvement.
In what ways do you want the management of Lead City to improve the quality of education that you met and graduated from?
Lead City University is a fast-growing enterprise. I expect my alma mater to make more infrastructural provisions to meet the needs of the growing size of the university community. Interactions with lecturers from other parts of the world would also be more beneficial to students to have a more universalised experience.
If you were the special adviser to the Oyo State governor on health matters, how would you advise him regarding the health of rural people and communities?
Governor’s adviser? Wow! I greatly wish that. That excites me. As a special adviser, I would advise the government to take more responsibility for the health of the rural people. The primary health care delivery doesn’t seem to be A1 for people who dwell in rural areas and communities. I would also call the attention of the government to ensuring the prevention of land and air pollution resulting from poor waste management.
In what ways did you exercise leadership roles in your secondary school days and in the university?
In secondary school, I was nominated and then elected as the Head Prefect Girl after an election. I remember I prepared and delivered a manifesto for that election. I won. I was able to work with other prefects and also students.
In the university, I led. However, not in the way leadership is generally described. I exercised a form of leadership from behind, protecting both the social and academic interests of my coursemates who I think were older. I freely interacted with all and also acted as a cheerleader encouraging them to push further when there were signs of weakness. I do consider this important because all humans are generally mutually dependent. For some time, I was a member of the academic committee that assisted some other students.
This leadership from behind, as well as being top in the department, was graciously recognised by the university authorities.
What were the major challenges you faced in the course of your university education and how did you overcome them?
Major challenges I faced in the course of my university education had to do with balancing time of lectures, preparing for school and trying to not offend my parents — my dad especially, who is a little perfectionistic about time management — as I lived off-campus for the four years. Another major challenge was the massive stress I encountered working on my final year project, handling stress, disappointment, delay, deadlines and also the need to stay healthy.
It was challenging for any parents who have children in different levels of education. I was aware my education was a lot of financial responsibility for my parents who had to part with millions most times using loans and self-help contributory schemes, contrary to the wrong notion that all parents who send their children to private schools are very wealthy or have money in excess of their needs. For example, in my final semester, with one of my siblings getting into the university after a Cambridge A-Level programme, my parents experienced a complicated financial challenge which, if not resolved, would have cost me an extra semester. Somewhat, by some divine intervention, the Chairman of the Council of the university, Professor Jide Owoeye, graciously approved a one-off tuition fee slash, which was a highly appreciated relief that prevented an extra semester for me.
What is next for you after graduation, and where do you see yourself in five years?
I am looking forward to doing the next thing for all qualified Nigerian university graduates: participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. I earnestly desire a government scholarship, and then anticipate climbing the ladder of my academic discipline to the highest. So, this is just the beginning and it can only get bigger and better by God’s grace.
Well, man proposes; God disposes. However, I’m sure in five years, it’s simply going to be so far so great.
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