Princess Ziregbe Eshemitan, daughter of the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom in Delta State, His Royal Majesty Orefe III, has emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student in Medicine at the University of Calabar.
The young medical doctor achieved the feat at the institution’s 56th Physicians’ Oath-Taking Ceremony and Sponsio Academica held at the Goodwill Akpabio International Conference Centre, Calabar.
Eshemitan topped the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery programme, clinching the Provost’s Prize for the Overall Best Graduating Student. She also won the Dr. Obal Otu Prize for the Best Graduating Student in Internal Medicine with Distinction.
Her outstanding performance earned her widespread applause during the ceremony, where exceptional graduates were honoured for academic excellence across various disciplines.
As the overall best graduating student, Eshemitan was selected to deliver the valedictory speech on behalf of the graduating class.
Addressing her colleagues, she reflected on the challenges and triumphs of medical training, urging the newly inducted doctors to uphold professionalism, ethics and compassion in the discharge of their duties.
The event featured the administration of the Physicians’ Oath by the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr Fatima Kyari, while Professor Maxwell U. Anah delivered the Sponsio Lecture titled, *“The Noble Calling of Medicine: Maintaining Excellence, Ethics and Empathy.”*
The achievement has since attracted commendation from residents of Oghara Kingdom and well-wishers across Delta State, who described it as a source of pride for the kingdom and an inspiration to young people.
Present at the ceremony were the Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, HRM Orefe III; the Queen, HRM Iyobo Eshemitan; members of the royal family, traditional chiefs, friends and several sons and daughters of Oghara Kingdom.
Speaking after the induction, members of the royal family expressed gratitude to God for the milestone, describing the accomplishment as the result of years of discipline, hard work and dedication to excellence.
Also congratulating the new doctor, her sister, Princess Omeyoma Eshemitan, a legal practitioner, described the feat as well-deserved and a testament to her perseverance and commitment.
She expressed confidence that the young medical doctor would make meaningful contributions to the medical profession and society.
Observers said Eshemitan’s emergence as UNICAL’s best graduating medical student represents not only a personal triumph but also a significant achievement for Oghara Kingdom and Delta State.
They noted that her success serves as a reminder that hard work, determination and academic excellence remain pathways to success for young Nigerians.
With her induction into the medical profession and multiple academic honours to her name, Dr Ziregbe Eshemitan joins the growing list of Nigerian professionals distinguished by excellence and service to humanity.
