Nigerian Doctor, 24, Emerge 2018 Rhodes Scholar for West Africa
LAGOS—24-year-old Nigerian Doctor, Toluwalase Awoyemi and 20-year-old Ghanaian Statistician, Emmanuelle Dankwa, have emerged winners of the 2018 Rhodes Scholarships for West Africa.
The duo will be joining 93 other scholar-elects from around the world to commence studies at University of Oxford, United Kingdom in October 2018.
This was made known by Ike Chioke, National Secretary for West Africa and a 1989 Rhodes Scholar who said thus: “As a beneficiary of the scheme, I am delighted that the 24-year campaign for the re-instatement of the scholarships in the region has been realised, with the emergence of these two awardees. We must continue to provide young people with opportunities to develop to their full potential through quality education. This is the surest way to secure the future of the African continent.”
In gratitude for the scholarship, Awoyemi, who is opting for International Health and Tropical Medicine as his preferred course of study, said: “I am truly grateful to my alma mater, the University of Ibadan, for helping me develop into the scholar that I am, and to the Rhodes Trust for the opportunity to further my learning at the University of Oxford. I feel like the entire continent is looking up to me, and I promise to work very hard to maximize this opportunity for my development and for the good of our people.”
On her part, Dankwa, who intends to study Statistical Science in her first year at Oxford, said: “I am deeply honoured to be selected for this prestigious scholarship. It is, indeed, a rare opportunity, and I am determined to make the most of it for my personal advancement and, ultimately, for the betterment of my country and the world in general.”
Source: Vanguard Newspaper
