Chuka Nwokolo, a UK-trained Nigerian doctor, is among the top figures in medicine recognised for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2021 Queen’s birthday honours list.
The Birthday Honours, in some Commonwealth realms, mark the reigning British monarch’s official birthday by granting various individuals appointment into national or dynastic orders or the award of decorations and medals.
The 2021 list is dominated by the heroes and heroines of the pandemic and key players in Britain’s vaccine rollout.
Nwokolo, who came to the UK from Nigeria to become a top consultant gastroenterologist at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, got the honour of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
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Addressing the British Medical Association (BMA), Nwokolo, who came to the UK on an RCP (Royal College of Physicians) training in 1985, said greater support for overseas-trained doctors will help others share in his success.
“In a sense, I am the one that got away. I can’t claim to be typical of black doctors [in this country]. I was helped by a huge infusion of luck mostly by way of supportive idealistic NHS trainers that I encountered,” the doctor said.
Chukwuedu, his father, was an internationally recognised physician who had taken his family on visits to the UK from their home in Nigeria. The young Nwokolo had then chosen to come to Cambridge for a medical elective.
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5 comments
Chuka, congratulations!
We, Umuahians are very proud of you.
If there are any more titles to be captured over there, go get them!! Regards to Nwabueze who held the lantern while you ‘jobed’.
Tim Morgan
Philadelphia, USA.
Congratulations Chuka 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿I
You have always excelled in everything you put your mind to . I am very proud of you and wish you well .
Congratulations to you Chuka for a deserved award. It’s been long coming. We are very proud of your achievements.
That’s great Chuka. Congratulations!!! Those of us who were with you at the Medical School of the University of Nigeria are proud of you. Greetings to your supportive family.
DR UDOKA IMAGIE
Hello Chuka,
Congratulations on this great achievement. I would not say that I am very surprised – as I had, within days of meeting you during your first week at Aja Hall, UNN knew you were a great guy – likely to surpass your Dad – then a great Dean Faculty of Medicine UNN. Greetings and warm regards to all members of your family. How I wish your Dad is still alive to witness this great achievement – I am sure you know I counted myself as your friend and a fan of your Dad.