Young and brainy Cynthia Chidera Okafor, has emerged as the best graduating student of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, for the 2020/2021 academic session, with a CGPA of 6.9 out of the maximum of 7.0.
The newly decorated Okafor, who was among 93 graduates of the faculty whose induction and oath-taking ceremony took place recently at the Gamaliel Onosode Banquet Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, was given a standing ovation by all in attendance, as she stepped forward to receive her prize.
In what turned out to be an emotional moment for the young Okafor, the entire audience went into a rapture of a standing ovation as several other awards, including, the departmental prize for a best graduating student in pharmaceutics; renown chemist prize for the best graduating student in pharmaceutics who must have taken courses in pharmaceutics, including elective course and project; distinction in pharmaceutics from 300 Level to 500 Level; best student in dispensing for the graduating class.
Others are, the departmental prize for the best graduating student in social and administrative pharmacy; departmental prize for the best graduating student in clinical pharmacy; distinction in clinical pharmacy; distinction in microbiology from 300 Level to 500 Level; foundation dean prize for the overall best graduating B-Pharm student; Prof. Herbert Akinlolu Odelola memorial prize for the overall best graduating B.Pharm student; Pharmacists Council of Nigeria prize for the overall best graduating B.Pharm student; overall best graduating student in pharmaceutics and industrial pharmacy, among others.
Speaking with Pharmanews immediately after receiving the multiple prizes for the feat, Okafor, attributed her feat to the power of God, which yielded much more for her than human effort could ever have, adding that hard work, consistency, going the extra mile, perseverance and dedication also contributed to her achievement.
Speaking further, the beautiful Okafor, a native of Agulu, in Anambra State, from the family of six, disclosed that having distinction in 5 out of 6 departments in the Pharmacy Faculty is by no means an easy task, adding that she was focused at the crown and that was the reason she went the extra mile.
“I finished my primary school as the best graduating student and I thought I have arrived, I felt I was the best student in the world, but at the secondary, it was tough for me and I struggled all through, so on getting to the faculty of pharmacy, I became intentional about emerging the best among the rest and I started working towards, so I am happy today that God has crowned my effort. I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to God for His oil of honour that fell upon me,” she said.
Speaking on her potential career, Okafor disclosed that she could consider going into academia as her future career, adding that her love for imparting knowledge to others is unmatched.
While speaking, Chief Cosmos Okafor, the father of Cynthia, acknowledged God’s grace in the successful academic journey of his daughter, saying she and her siblings have always been identified with good grades, adding that what he was unable to achieve in his young age are been achieved by his children.
Details of Okafor’s academic performance showed that she had a CGPA of 6.9 out of the cumulative 7.0, while twenty others graduands also came out with distinction and were featured on the roll of honour.
The colourful ceremony witnessed a massive turnout of participants, including the professors, faculty members, pharmacists in academia, students, parents as well as top PCN, PSN and YPG, Oyo State officials.
