Commendable! Nigerian Nursing student honoured as “Outstanding Islander” in Texas
When little Obiageli Omeke would take kids from her village home to take care of, little did she know she was setting herself up for a career that would see her achieve an enviable feat.
With her polished passion for people’s well-being, Omeke now stands head and shoulders above others as she makes herself and her parents proud.
“As a child, I would bring kids from my village home to take care of, and sometimes my dad would be so worried about me because some of them were actually sort of sick,” Omeke said.
She has now graduated from the Island University in Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She was one of 871 students who received degrees December 17 at the fall 2016 Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi commencement ceremony.
Omeke, on her way to achieving the feat as an “Outstanding Islander”, had doubts about pushing through with the Nursing program. Her dedication of long hours to studying and laboratory practice were as challenging as her not having “a background in science.”
She had travelled to the United States in 2009 and first considered obtaining a Master of Business Administration, but soon changed her mind after taking jobs in home health care.
“When I decided to be a nurse, I called my family and I told them this is where I belong. They encouraged me and prayed with me, but I had to prove to them this was my calling because I didn’t have a background in science.”
She however found motivation in the words of University success coaches and counselors who who knew how passionate and hardworking she was and spurred her on.
“All of my professors reminded me of my mother since my mom is a teacher,” Omeke said. “My professors made time for me, encouraged me and sat me down on an individual basis. They looked at me for who I am. One of my professors, Karen Lanasa, actually made me see her each morning before any exam.”
She also had her parents to thank for keeping her grounded in her pursuit of excellence, having instilled in her the discipline to achieve self sustenance through education.
“All the money my father made wasn’t to give us a flamboyant life,” she said. “He wanted us to understand that education is the key. He always taught me that you need to be knowledgeable and respected in society, so I followed that advice when I came here from Nigeria, and I continue to be who I was brought up to be.”
Obiageli Omeke’s parents reportedly made their first trip to the United States to witness their daughter, one of nine children, become the first from her village to earn a bachelor’s degree from an American university.
“I don’t have a lot of money to offer my father in thanks, but watching me on stage with the recognitions I’ll be receiving at my graduation, I’m sure he will be a very proud man,” she had said ahead of the ceremony.
Indeed, dreams become realities when minds are set to achieve.
