Family, friends and well wishers converged in Abuja, the nation's capital to celebrate a giant feat achieved by Nigeria's Martina Abang Chukwuma-Ezike, who became the first black woman to be elected the Lord rector of the University of Aberdeen since its existence in the last 500 years.
The Cross River born CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland, United Kingdom was recently officially installed as the Rector of the university at a ceremony at the university's Kings College Chapel.
Martina is a graduate of the University of Aberdeen, having completed her MBA in 2009, and has a longstanding relationship with the student body, offering mentoring, volunteering and work placement opportunities at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation which she founded in 2009.
Martina has a range of skills and experience occupying several management positions within the oil & gas sector and from her time leading a charity with national reach.
Her election as the Lord rector of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland came with a lot of excitement in Nigeria as friends and family rolled out the red carpet in her celebration.
In celebration of this historic feat, a reception was organised in Abuja's Transcorp Hilton to honour this outstanding Nigerian.
A former governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke and other dignitaries recognized the significance of her new office and how she has made the country proud in a foreign land.
Imoke applauded her courage and described her as a woman with a 'good heart'
He said, "She's accomplished more than people accomplished in lifetime outside of her own country. When she was speaking and we were listening to her, I was wondering whether, if she had remained in Nigeria, should have accomplished so much.
"This is a good reason for us as Nigerians to have and hold her up as a role model. She's a wonderful young woman who has done so much, not just for herself and her family, but also for us. It's a time we celebrate people like that. I'm glad we have the opportunity to celebrate this highly accomplished young woman".
Also speaking, Catherine Agba Ajibike, the representative of the Head of Alumni Association, University of Aberdeen said Martina is a clear example that the girl child can achieve a lot of supported.
According to her, time has come for women to be given a chance in the boardroom to showcase their skills and talent for the development of the society.
Her father, Soni Abang said as a father, he played a vital role in her life and give her necessary support she needed to succeed.
He said because of his daughter, anytime he visited Scotland, he gets a treatment every other citizen of the UK gets.
In her remarks, Martina urged young people to have confidence in themselves and believe that they can achieve anything anyone else can achieve, saying Nigerians have the talent and skills.
"I want every little young girl watching this to know that being a girl does not stop you from achieving great thing. If I can do it, they too can do it", she added.
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