Good News, Nigeria! (December 13, 2021)

Good News, Nigeria!

Monday, December 13, 2021

"For things to change, you need to change. For things to get better, you need to get better. The good news is you can change, you can get better and you can start right where you are at and you can go as far as you want to go."- Jim Rohn (American Entrepreneur, Author and Motivational Speaker)

The nation grows when citizens and the government play their respective roles in economic development. Behind every good act are men and women being productive in their different capacities. 

DR UCHECHI IWEALA BECOMES ONE OF THE FIRST SPINAL SURGEONS TO PERFORM LUMBAR SPINAL FUSION USING A ROBOT

A Nigerian, Uchechi Iweala, has become one of the first spinal surgeons to perform a lumbar spinal fusion using a robot. Uchechi, the son of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the

World Trade Organisation (WTO), is a medical doctor whose specialities include robotic spine surgery, cervical & lumbar disc replacement, trauma and fracture care. This is indeed a huge milestone and breakthrough in the medical profession. Congratulations!

TESSY OJO HONOURED BY DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE

Tessy Ojo, British-Nigerian CEO of the Diana Award, has been named a recipient of the Commander of the British Empire (CBE), the UK’s highest honour, for her services to children and young people.The award recognised Tessy’s work in leading the charity in the late Princess Diana's name, which offers mentoring for young people and supports anti-bullying schemes.

In heartwarming pictures shared on her LinkedIn page, she said it was an honour “...to receive my CBE Award from HRH The Duke of Cambridge yesterday at Windsor Castle. Grateful for everyone that has played a part in my civil society journey all of these 21 years.”Congratulations!

JUSTICE DELAYED, BUT NOT DENIED

On October 27, 2021, Bamidele (not real name) got justice after spending 6 years in prison. He was framed and charged with armed robbery after men of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) raided his house. Bamidele was imprisoned because he could not afford bail, until the Citizens’ Gavel team took up his case.Owing to the lack of witnesses, the case has now been struck out.Well done Citizens’ Gavel!

UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN GRADUATES FIRST VISUALLY IMPAIRED DOCTORATE CANDIDATE

In heartwarming pictures shared across social media and blogs during the University of Ibadan’s 73rd Convocation ceremony, Ifeoma Bibiana Okoli, a visually impaired person, bagged her doctorate degree on Wednesday, November 17th, becoming the first visually impaired person to bag a Ph.D. from the institution.

Despite what many would ordinarily consider a disability, Dr Ifeoma Okoli has proven that no physical disability can stop anyone from attaining one’s dreams.Congratulations Dr Okoli!

LOOTED BRONZE ARTEFACTS RETURNED

Hurray! The University of Aberdeen in Scotland, United Kingdom, and the University of Cambridge have officially handed over to Nigeria two of the historical items looted by the British during the 1897 invasion of the Benin Kingdom. The first bronze depicts the head of an Oba (king) while the second is a carved cockerel, known as “Okukor.”

The French government has also returned 26 artworks looted by their soldiers in 1892. University of Oxford is also set to return looted items while more artefacts are expected in 2022. We hope they expedite the process.

We are all dealing with bad news on a daily basis, and the effects of the trauma will not be fully understood for many years to come. We are committed to curating good news.

Enjoy the rest of the week!The EiE Nigeria Team