A young Nigerian woman named Ifeoma Bibiana Okoli has achieved a remarkable feat as she made history as the first-ever blind person to earn a PhD at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Ifeoma Okoli obtained her Doctorate degree in Philosophy from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Her journey to visual impairment was when she was just 8 years old saying her mother sensed it when she checked her notebooks and discovered that she was writing above the margin.
The situation forced Ifeoma to drop out of school at the commencement of her final examination in secondary school. Since then she has been battling with failing eyesight due to a degenerative eye disease known as Retinitis Pigmentosa.
She was able to continue her studies through the assistance of a cloistered nun enrolled at St. Joseph Rehabilitation Center for the Blind, Obudu, Cross River State.
Upon receiving the requisite skills that will enable her to pursue her academic dreams, Ifeoma promised herself with a determined mindset that she would pursue her academic studies to the highest possible level.
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Ifeoma fulfilled her dreams. She earned her PhD in Special education at the University of Ibadan making history as the first visually impaired PhD holder in her state of origin, Anambra as well as the first blind woman to bag a PhD in her University.
She attributed her achievement to the support and assistance of her family, friends, colleagues, teachers, and all those who believed in her dream and who journeyed alongside her.
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In another story, a young black woman named Jenelle Rouse has achieved a remarkable feat as she made history as the first deaf person to earn a PhD in Canada.
Jennelle Rouse obtained her Doctorate degree in Philosophy from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Her educational journey began when she completed of the Deaf and Hard Hearing Teacher Education Program at York University in Canada.
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