A Nigerian lady, Chika Stacy Oriuwa set a new record and made the country proud after graduating as the best medical student from the University of Toronto. She was the only black student out of a class of 259 students when she enrolled at the Univerisity in 2016. She is the first black student in 14 years to receive the honour.
She did not only graduate as the best student but was the school’s valedictorian, making her the second black person to have that feat since the inception of the school.
Oriuwa in her statement said she recommends that black medical students have a “resounding sense” of how they define themselves as they pursue their education. She said: “Knowing who you are and what you stand for and what you will and will not tolerate will allow them to encounter any adversity and overcome any adversity,”
She added that her determination to succeed gave her strength but the power of the supportive community was a major role in her success.