Published on: 19th October 2021
My first few years on this wonderful planet were spent on the streets of Longsight in Manchester. I have only very little memories, but my parents always told us of stories about life in Manchester in the late 70s; my dad shuttling between night school at the Manchester Polytechnic and as a train shunter with British Rail during the day. My mum, who trained to be an auxiliary nurse, could not fulfill her dreams due to difficulties with her mental health. A brief spell at the old Prestwich hospital was my family’s first encounter with mental health services in the UK.
In primary school, all I wanted to be was a breakdancing singer, a member of ‘cool and the gang` or Stevie Wonder in his cool shades.
My interest in medicine started in high school when I discovered I consistently got high scores in Biology. I almost took a detour after high school after I was given an offer to study Food Technology with the hope of solving the food crisis across certain areas of the world
Medical school in one of the largest and famous universities in Nigeria (Obafemi Awolowo University) was full of events. I spent a total of 10 years there due to recurring strikes as a result of an unstable government. The strikes meant being at home and supporting my dad with his business, which often involved sitting next to a driver in a large fuel tanker delivering to petrol stations and local businesses.
It was during these times I became exposed to what it means to be a grafter, leader and manager. My only sister, who died of cancer at a very young age of 30, was a huge motivator of mine - she bought my first and only stethoscope which I continue to keep in my bag and bring to work every day (I have not used it for a while though!).
I found an interest in psychiatry as a specialty and in medical education during my foundation training in Bolton. I was fascinated by my clinical supervisor who was a brilliant psychiatrist who had the interest of his patients at heart. He was very big on being nice to people irrespective of race, colour or status in society.
A key point at the beginning of my journey in psychiatry was when a very experienced mental health professional I worked with in the West Midlands made a comment about meeting me; “You’re the very first black psychiatrist I’ve worked with.” I knew it was a simple innocent comment but it became a personal challenge to up my game, work harder, emulate the best in the field and strive to affect the people around me in a positive way.
While I can’t hide and definitely can’t shy away from being black - which I am very proud of – I’ve never made my colour or race a focal point. I’m aware of stereotyping and the discrimination that occurs in the wider world, but I have never allowed this to affect my determination to add value to the world around me.
For me, Black History Month represents an opportunity to celebrate our differences as humans, be it gender, race, colour ethnicity and language. A time when individuals who don’t tend to fit with the norm re-evaluate their opportunities and aspire to fulfill their potential.
The top should not only belong to those who simply seem to fit in but to every qualified individual, who if given the opportunity, can make a difference. I continue to aspire to be the best at what I do and give my time, energy and resources to support those around me and help them achieve their true potential.