Nigerian Graduate Gets Nottingham Trent University VC’s Award

Betty Alali Odema

A Nigerian student of the Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom, has received the prestigious vice-chancellor’s award of the school for the quality of her academic work, her contribution to internationalism of the university and her support for fellow overseas students during the annual graduation ceremonies.

The vice-chancellor’s awards are given annually to one person from each of the university’s nine schools.
University lecturer Imad El-Anis, who nominated Betty Alali Odema, said: “As well as the excellent work for the course and work to boost internationalism, she mentored and supported fellow overseas students.
“In 2012 she cooked and sold different African foods to raise more than £1,600 for a student struggling to pay tuition fees.
“And every Christmas since 2010 she has personally funded, cooked and organised Christmas Day dinner for fellow international students unable to travel home to their families for the festive season.
“Betty has been a real inspiration,” El-Anis said.
The international relations student said: “I was overjoyed when I heard that I had been selected for the vice-chancellor’s award – I called everyone I knew.
“My dissertation was on Niger-Delta Conflict. That’s the area I am from and I would like to build a career working for the government or a government agency in the region to really make the most of the skills I have learned during my time at Nottingham Trent University.”
Betty is one of five Nigerian students to have their education sponsored entirely by the Rivers State Sustainability Development Agency of the Rivers state government.
The senior government officials from Nigeria who watched the graduation included the agency’s executive director, Mr Noble Pepple, Rev Precious Omuku, Honourable Joseph Poroma, Honourable Ibiso Nwuche, Mr Godwin Poi, Mr Kingsley Uranta and Mrs Imah Adegoke.
Former director of Nottingham Trent International College, a college prepares overseas students for study at university, Victoria Crane, attended the graduation as Betty’s guest.
Other Nigerians who graduated with Betty include Auxwell Bank Ozuru (Economics), Godstime Ugele (Law), Esther Wahu (Accounting), and Daniel Nlemogu, who graduated with first class Honours in Law
Thankgod Nnadi (Business Management), Pia Promise (Computer Engineering), Adibaal Ibo (Business Management) and Sotonye Davies (Law), are other Nigerian students on scholarship at the school. Their graduation is not until later in the year.