Why I went back to study pharmacy despite already being a Doctor – UNIZIK best graduating student

Oluebube Okoye, a graduate of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) has revealed why he went back to school to study pharmacy for another four years.

Dr. Okoye, who emerged as the best graduating student of Pharmacy, while delivering his valedictory speech, revealed that he went back to Nnamdi Azikwe University (UNIZIK) where he had graduated in 2014, simply because of his PASSION — his love for Drugs.

According to the Young Doctor, since his medical school days, he had developed a strong liking for pharmacology and had decided that if he had the opportunity he would come back to study pharmacy which he did.

Dr. Okoye didn’t just come back to study his dream course, he also ensured he emerged as the best. This he did by graduating with a CGPA of 4.87.

In an interview with a reporter for The sun newspaper, Dr. (Pharmacist) Okoyo said his success in life stems from his resilience and firm resolve to distinguish himself amongst his peers as well as carve a much for himself by passing through unfamiliar terrains.

Below is the Interview:

In a chat with this reporter, he revealed that his success in life stems from his resilience and resolve to distinguish himself among his contemporaries. According to him, “The drive was as a result of a need to distinguish myself, to be unique, carve a niche for myself, go through unfamiliar terrain. I just love excellence. It took a lot of discipline, a focused mind, and sheer commitment to achieving goals I set for myself.

“I call myself a product of grace and mercy because it wasn’t easy. I had a very tight schedule while in school. Sleep was a scarce commodity as there were times I’d read for 17 hours in a day. I tell myself that I have no reason for not being the best that I could, irrespective of the fact that I was very busy combining part time job as a medical doctor with academic activities. However, I didn’t see my tight schedules as an excuse for not excelling”, he averred.

On why he decided to read Pharmacy after studying such a prestigious course as Medicine, Okoye revealed that while in medical school, he had always had a likeness for drugs. “I had interest in drugs, I loved Pharmacology while in school. I was fulfilled as a medical doctor, and I am proud to be a doctor in addition to being a Pharmacist”, he noted.

For Okoye, the journey was never rosy as he was faced with lots of disappointments from result to self-doubt. In his words, “There were lots of discouragement from seeing results that were not my expectations. At some point the journey became so tough especially as most of my course mates back in medical school travelled out and were doing astonishingly well, I was questioning my decision in pursuing another degree in Pharmacy.

“Also, I hid my identity as a Medical Doctor within the first 2-3 years of study because of the mindset I had about the cold inter-professional rivalry existing between the medics – doctors, pharmacists, med lab scientists; I was scared of being victimized. But surprisingly when my colleagues and lecturers found out, I got a lot of encouragement, acceptance, respect and honour from them”, Okoye further revealed.

Okoye urged students to work hard and be disciplined in their academic pursuit.

In his words, “I encourage students in all sphere to work hard, be disciplined, set a goal for oneself and believe in God and remain focused. I don’t see myself to be super intelligent rather I see myself as being able to mix hard work, dedication, discipline and being focused. I pursue each goal with vigour. I understand the mad rush to make money among youths today but I encourage every young person to make out time to build a solid foundation for yourself for the future. When you get yourself on the right pedestal, the money will come”, he advised.