UIMSA has again proved to the Nigerian Medical Students Association what it is made of by winning big at her debut in the NIMSA Preclinical Quiz.
The virtually-held NiMSA Preclinical Quiz was brought about by the need to foster academic excellence and also provide a platform where medical students across the nation can flex their intellectual muscles. The 2022 edition saw over thirty-six (36) medical students’ associations come together to battle for the highly prized golden fleece through different phases of stuff banter.
A three-man team comprising Seunara Arotiba Peter, 300L, Victor Femi Lawal, 300L, and Portian Okoye, 200L, represented the UIMSA, scaling each of the phases leading to the final, which was held on November 26th, 2022. Other MSAs represented at the finals include AAUMSA, IFUMSA, EKSUMSA, and UUMSA.
It is quite commendable that the organizers kept to schedule, starting the event at about 1:04 p.m., WAT. The final phases ran in quick succession, with different MSA presidents coming to send goodwill messages. An alumnus of PUMSA, Dr. Tochukwu Achonye, presently working as a doctor in the UK and also a sponsor of the event also came to express goodwill, noting that he’d continue to support NIMSA and promised to identify with her when he returned to the country.
During her goodwill message, the President of UIMSA, Jaachima Nwagbara, expressed confidence in UIMSAites, noting that UIMSA has a record of excellence and winning big at competitions is something the association always does.
The rounds of questioning took place in quick succession, with UIMSA putting up a great performance. On completion of the rounds, UIMSA and IFUMSA had a tie, leading to a tie-breaker round. It almost seemed like neither of the two schools was willing to throw in the towel. However, the table would however tip in favour of IFUMSA.
In the end, UIMSA won third place, IFUMSA finished second, and AAUMSA won first place. The fourth and fifth positions were held by EKSUMSA and UUMSA respectively.
It was a fantastic performance by the participants, and even the final speaker noted that he was surprised at how much stuff students had amidst the 8-month-long strike. The awarding of prizes will take place during the NIMSA General Assembly, scheduled to hold next week in Lagos.
Collins Esohwode