Manuella Oribim Dagogo-George, 23, emerged as the first overall best graduating student of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt with a cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.52/5.0.
She also got awarded as the best graduating student in two other pharmacy departments; Clinical Pharmacy and Management and Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology.
Manuella is the first child of a family of three. She is a twin and an indigene of Buguma in Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In this interview with our reporter, Confidence, she shares her success story and experiences on how she climbed to the top and attained such a remarkable feat.
Excerpts
Metronetworknews: How is it like being the best graduating student?
Manuella: Being the best graduating student was not actually my main focus. My focus was, coming out with a first class and as God may have it, I ended up being the overall Best Graduating Student. It feels very nice.
Metronetworknews: What did you do to be the best?
Manuella: I put God first. When I got admitted into the University, I made a decision to serve God and God has been with me, like my name “Manuella” (laughs). Yes, God led me to the right people. Pharmacy is a Course that you don’t want to do on your own. I had senior colleagues who were willing to help me with information, they told me what I needed to do, they told me what lecturers usually gave tests on the first day. So I formed a reading habit from my first year. I had a reading group, before every test and examination we started reading.
Metronetworknews: How was schooling in UNIPORT like for you?
Manuella: For me schooling in general was stressful, fun, studious, enlightening and it was an opportunity to grow. How I used to see the world has changed. It was fun, met a lot of people, and traveled out of the State for conventions. School life was an eye opener from my interactions with people.
Metronetworknews: What were your pre-university years like?
Manuella: I attended Emmanuel International Secondary School, Aboluma in Port Harcourt, after my secondary school, my parents enrolled me into the Pre-degree Basic Studies and applied for Medicine and Surgery but I was admitted into Pharmacy. I was not happy with the course (laughs). My parents were encouraging, they were like, you can do it, accept it. That was how I got admitted into Pharmaceutical Sciences. Looking back I would say, God has been good to me.
Metronetworknews: What extra-curricular activities did you engage in school?
Manuella: While on Campus, I served as the Welfare Secretary and at some point the Treasurer of the National Fellowship of Christian Pharmacy Students (NFCPS), I was a Member of the Association Of Students On Campus Against Drugs and Misuse, where I volunteered as a pharmacist. During the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS) National Convention I was part of the Welfare team. International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (Worldwide), where I serve in the Media team for the African Region. I am currently the Content Director for Grace and Allison Patient Safety Podcast. I am also a fashion designer. I learnt how to sew during the strike period and I made my graduation suit myself (laughs)
Metronetworknews: What was your best and lowest moment while in school?
Manuella: The best moments I had were spending time with my friends. Another best moment was when I saw Nathaniel Bassey and Mercy Chinwo (laughs) at the Convocation Arena. Seeing them in real time was one of my good times. My lowest moment was when I was really sick. First I want to thank my friend, Happiness. She was the only one who literally helped me when I was losing strength. She carried me to Lulu Briggs and surprisingly, they were very nice, the nurses came around, carried me and I was placed on medical care. Then, I felt I was going to die. But, God intervened. Happiness stood by me, she actually ran around and my Dad. Yes, he came to school that day as well.
Metronetworknews: What would be your advice to students aiming to attain academic excellence?
Manuella: Nothing good comes easy. Know who you are and know what works for you. Be intentional and attend classes.
Metronetworknews: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Manuella: Where do I see myself in five years? five years, I’m 23, (laughs) I see myself done with my Masters and hopefully, my PhD. I hope to have finished my PhD before 30. I hope to see myself married, five years from now (laughing)
Metronetworknews: Did you at any point have to cope with pressure from the opposite sex?
Manuella: Uniport boys (laughs) there one in particular, one disturbed my life. He kept calling me and I was like guy chill (laughs) You know people that downplay what you are going through, he was insisting on a relationship. But, I was sure I was not distracted. Other people were just subtle (laughs). Funny enough, when I graduated, he even called and was like, “Congratulations and all” (Smiles).
Metronetworknews: What would you miss about UNIPORT?
Manuella: Nothing really much, just the people, friends, lecturers and that’s it (laughing)
