AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH A NIGERIAN STUDENT: THE INSPIRING JOURNEY OF NIGERIA’S TOP LAB SCIENTIST

During a recent interview, Mrs. Faith Ejikeme, who graduated as Nigeria’s overall best student in Medical Laboratory Science, expressed immense gratitude for the support and guidance she received throughout her journey.

“I know that I wouldn’t be here without His guidance and support,” she shared. “I also feel very proud of myself.”

Studying Medical Laboratory Science is an endeavor that demands significant dedication and focus, and Mrs. Faith acknowledges the challenges that come with it.

“It’s a rigorous course. I’m proud to have persevered, especially given the obstacles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” she reflected.

“I truly feel that this was a unique opportunity that God allowed me to seize.”

Having successfully navigated her studies, she feels well-prepared to enter the workforce. While juggling her academic responsibilities, Mrs. Faith also managed various businesses, including ventures in skincare and food products.

“My business, Davesbery Foods, or Davesbery Food Warehouse, encompasses all types of food items—snacks, drinks, and anything edible,”she explained.

“Managing my business alongside my profession is quite feasible since 90% of it operates online. I post morning updates about my inventory, which doesn’t interfere with my responsibilities as a lab scientist. Additionally, I have someone to help manage the business, making it quite manageable.”

Her passion for life-saving led her to pursue a career as a lab scientist, seeking a challenging and research-oriented medical field that would enable her to delve deep into problem identification.

“I love the research aspect—uncovering issues rather than just addressing them. Medical Laboratory Science allows me to identify significant health concerns, which aligns perfectly with my personality,”

she remarked, noting her specialization in Medical Microbiology, which entails rigorous research and discovery.

Graduating at the top of her class is an achievement Mrs. Faith takes immense pride in, particularly given the personal challenges she has faced, including the loss of her father.

“It’s remarkable to come out on top, and I believe it’s a testament to God’s grace and my hard work,” she said.

“While I didn’t anticipate this level of success, it demonstrates that dedication can truly yield results.”

Mrs. Faith wishes to inspire others by sharing her story, encouraging them that hard work and commitment can lead to remarkable achievements even amid adversity.

“Thank you for allowing me to share my journey. I hope it inspires others to pursue their dreams with unwavering dedication and faith.”

 INTERVIEW SECTION WITH MRS. FAITH EJIKEME

Congratulations on your graduation, How do you feel now that you are officially a lab scientist?

Faith Ejikeme: Thank you so much! I feel incredibly thankful to God because I know that I wouldn’t be here without His guidance and support. I also feel very proud of myself. Studying medical laboratory science requires a lot of dedication and attention, and it’s a challenging course. I’m proud to have pushed through, especially considering the challenges like the COVID-19 break. I’m grateful to everyone who played a role in my journey, though I won’t mention names to keep it brief. I truly feel that this was a one-time opportunity that God allowed me to seize.

What are your expectations moving forward?

Faith Ejikeme: I feel prepared to enter the labor market. While I was in school, I was also hustling and running various businesses, including skincare and food items. I believe this experience has equipped me well. My expectation is to grow beyond where I am now. In three years, I want to look back and see significant progress in my career and business.

That’s inspiring! Can you tell us the name of your business and how you manage it alongside your profession?

Faith Ejikeme: My business is called Davesbery Foods, or Davesbery Food Warehouse. I deal with all kinds of food items, snacks, drinks—anything edible, really. Managing my business alongside my profession isn’t too difficult because 90% of my business is online. In the mornings, I post updates about what I have in stock, which doesn’t interfere with my responsibilities as a lab scientist. I also have someone who helps manage the business, so it’s quite manageable.

What motivated you to choose a career as a lab scientist?

Faith Ejikeme: I chose to be a lab scientist out of a passion for life-saving. I wanted a medical course that was challenging and research-oriented. I love researching and finding out problems rather than just solving them. Medical laboratory science allows me to identify issues, which aligns perfectly with my personality. That’s why I specialized in medical microbiology, as it involves intense research and discovery.

You mentioned graduating as the best student. How does that achievement make you feel, especially given the challenges you faced?

Faith Ejikeme: Graduating as the best student is something I feel incredibly proud of, especially considering the difficult circumstances I’ve faced, including the loss of my dad and other personal challenges. It’s extraordinary to come out on top, and I believe it’s a testament to God’s grace and hard work. I didn’t expect to achieve this, but it shows that dedication truly pays off. I want to encourage others that hard work and commitment can lead to success, even in the face of adversity.

That’s a powerful message, Faith. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, and congratulations once again on your achievements!

Faith Ejikeme: Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share my story. I hope it inspires others to pursue their dreams with dedication and faith.