INTRODUCING THE BOWEN MEDICAL SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS OF 2018: EXCELSIOR
HISTORY
It was a warm sunny (or rainy, we’ve been in medical school too long to remember) day in 2010, when a group of young, bright eyed hopefuls entered Bowen University, Iwo, to pursue their dreams of becoming medical doctors. They knew not the road ahead, or the places their dreams would take them, but one thing was for sure: No matter how the wind blew, no matter how loud the thunder, the journey albeit a thousand years would finally come to an end, and they would become doctors, doctors with a difference.
Soon into their sojourn in the Department of Medicine and Surgery, the class expanded in number, with counterparts from adjoining science departments who shared the same dream entering the class to join them. What became of this was a beautiful mix. Four interesting years flew by, and before they knew it, B.Sc. degrees were in the bag. Yes, the MBBS program is intercalated and so everyone got the assurance of having at least a degree in the bag: a backup plan or soft landing if you will, so named by our consultants. The first professional exams came by, and it was time to move to the Clinical Stage.
Ogbomoso was a new world, new forms of learning, new courses and new teaching arrangements, but more interestingly, the class doubled in size. There had been an exodus from a neighboring institution, and the small family from Iwo found themselves instantly expanded, with in-laws, and well distant relatives.
Friction is bound to happen when 2 surfaces come in contact, but God became the oil that lubricated the class, and together we survived marathon block lectures, gravity defying pathology and pediatric scores, earth shattering clinic jabs, and solid blows of ward round percussion. Through hell and high-waters we persevered; we found our way through 2 more professional exams, and are halfway through the 4th one. Now we are at the final stage, the exit door to the outside world. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: EXCELSIOR the graduating class of 2018.
What’s in a name? Excelsior
Excelsior is a Latin word derived from the phrases “ex” – meaning beyond and “celsus”, meaning lofty, higher. As a word, EXCELSIOR means EVER UPWARD or STILL HIGHER, LOFTIER. It is translated to French to mean “Diamant” and to German to mean “Brillant”
In urban translations, EXCELSIOR has also been translated to mean excellent, and is the past participle of the Latin word “excellere” meaning to excel.
What does this say about us?
The graduating class of 2018 is a dynamic mix of polished, well rounded individuals that are collectively driven, determined and focused. Excelsior 2018 represents a class that has persistently blazed the trail in and outside of the classroom in spite of setbacks, discouragements and trials. We have remained ever upward, in spite of life’s stressors still we’ve gone higher, we have persisted and we have blossomed.
Who make up the class?
The class of 2018 is a group of 44 young individuals that are smart, strong, sassy, savvy, and all around superstars. Under the able Leadership of our Class Governor (Opemipo) and his assistant (Olamide) are 42 other amazing people whom the world is not ready for yet!
Abdulkadir Nafeesat
Abu Moses
Adebayo Abigail
Adebayo Abiola
Adebayo Oluwadamilola
Adebiyi Temitope
Adedoyin Adebukola
Adejala Isaac
Adeniregun Oluwaseun
Adetola Olamide
Adewale Opemipo
Adewara Omowunmi
Adewunmi Oluwatobi
Afolabi Oluwatoyosi
Agbana Oluwabusayo
Ajayi Charles
Akinlabi Ololade
Akinro Oluwatosin
Aremu Oloruntoba
Aroso Bidemi
Awolade Blessing
Bukoye Adeolu
Davis Samuel
Essien Henry
Fagbenro Adeniyi
Gbolagunte Oluwafeyikemi
Ife-Adediran Adeseye
Ihebenachi Chimeremma
Jokanola Adeola
Ogbebor Isoken
Ojelabi Modupe
Olajide Babajide
Olatunde Opeyemi
Oloketuyi Rita
Oludapo Olajumoke
Onyekwelu Robert
Osinaike Toluwani
Otabor Emmanuel
Oyebanji Blessing
Oyemakinde Yeside
Oyetunde Tolulope
Peters Elizabeth
Salako Adetunji
Udoji Chimobi
While it is still “seeming unreal” that we are moments away from being licensed Medical Doctors, we are super excited to be celebrating our final days in Med school, and to this effect we will be having our Final Year (Graduation) week really soon!
Excelsior Week 2018: What can you expect from us?
The Excelsior Graduation week will run from Sunday the 22nd of April to Sunday 29th of April 2018 (Yes, it’s in a week’s time!) It promises to be a celebration of happiness, victory and God’s faithfulness and we are pulling out all the stops to ensure that the world knows we are coming. Here’s what our week is all about:
*Drumroll please*
Sunday 22nd April, 2018
Our first Thanksgiving Service at The King’s Court Chapel, BUTH, Ogbomosho. Time: 8am
Tuesday 24th April, 2018
Sports at Baptist Theological Seminary Field, Ogbomosho. Time: 4pm
Wednesday 25th April, 2018
Emergency Medicine Workshop Training at George Green Auditorium, BUTH Ogbomosho. Time: 9am
Thursday 26th April, 2018
A. Mental Health Guest Lecture, Symposium and Exhibition at George Green Auditorium, BUTH Ogbomosho. Time: 10am
B. Cultural night at BUTH Staff School Field, BUTH, Ogbomosho. Time: 6pm
Friday 27th April, 2018
Dinner and Awards Ceremony at Bethel Events Centre, Ogbomosho.
Red Carpet by 6pm, Departure by 5.30pm
Sunday 29th April, 2018
The final Thanksgiving Service at the School Chapel, Bowen University, Iwo. Departure by 7am.
Yasss! I mean packed right? We are so grateful to God and everyone for your support over these years, and we invite each and every person to come and join us in celebrating this immense success. You can just tell it will be an amazing time, do not miss it!
Hoping to see you on the red carpet 😉
A final Note
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain. Medical school may be the rollercoaster that doesn’t come with instructions, but here we are, alive and ever upward. If we did it, then you can do it too! Be bold, be strong, Be EXCELSIOR!!
With Love and Extreme Joy,
Modupe Ojelabi
(For the Graduating Class of 2018, EXCELSIOR)
