A determined Nigerian man, Darlington Okoduwa, has fulfilled a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood promise to his mother by earning a Medicine and Surgery degree (MBBS) from Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria.
Growing up, Darlington always believed his mother was a nurse. She went to work every morning at the general hospital in their hometown, often sharing basic medical knowledge with neighbors and occasionally recommending common medications.
Until a fateful day when Darlington fell ill. His mother, who noticed he was not getting better after taking drugs, took him to the hospital where she worked. After receiving treatment, he woke up to an unexpected sight—his mother mopping the hospital floors.
”To my greatest surprise I saw my mom mopping the floor. I was shocked my mom is a cleaner/janitor, I was angry tears running down my cheeks with hot I shouted “why do you have to lie to me that you’re a nurse”, he said.
However, his mother responded calmly and said, “Son you will not understand” She hugged me “Stop crying I’m at work” she said.
From that day on, young Darlington vowed to bag the highest degree in the healthcare system. He promised his mother that he will not just be a Nurse but a Medical Doctor. Though his mother supported his decision, she reminded him that she could not afford it.
To fulfill his promise, after secondary school, Darlington applied for a Medicine and Surgery program but was repeatedly denied admission. Despite his love for art and drawing, he refused to give up.
For four years, he became a regular candidate at the JAMB examinations, writing the exam four times. ”I waited 4 years before I could gain admission into medicine and surgery despite I was given other courses to study, I was jamb best customer, ” he said.
On his fourth attempt, Darlington finally secured admission into Ambrose Alli University’s MBBS program.
Medical school turned out to be more challenging than he imagined. Balancing his passion for art with the rigorous demands of medicine was mentally and physically exhausting.
“It was tough combining art and creativity with medicine. The strikes, the COVID pandemic, and academic delays stretched my studies to over nine years. It felt like serving a jail term,” Darlington said.
But Darlington never gave up. He often motivated himself with a quote that became his mantra. “Art is life, and medicine is the art of saving lives.”
After nine years of struggle, Darlington graduated as a Medical Doctor. The pride on his mother’s face when she saw him in his white coat made every sacrifice worthwhile.
Darlington now hopes his story will inspire others to persevere despite challenges.
“Your story may not have such a happy beginning, but that doesn’t make you who you are.It is the rest of your story, who you choose to be. That’s what makes you who you are,” he said.
