Star Award inspires student to continue personal and professional development
A Master of Public Health Student is celebrating STAR Awards success after being crowned winner of the Lindsay Leadership award.
Osinachi Sarah Agumanu was one of 15 winners across a variety of categories at GCU Students’ Association’s annual event, which celebrates the hard work and personal achievements of students.
The Lindsay Leadership Award is open to any student who has completed the Student Leaders Programme.
Osinachi said: “The Student Leaders programme really opened my eyes because I thought I knew a lot about leadership, but I really didn’t know that much. It has really helped me as both a person and a professional.”
“Sometimes we get so carried away with our work that we forget what the outside world is about. When I finish at University, I must have knowledge of life in general, not just what I’m taught in class. I think I would have tried to get involved in something like this anyway, so I obviously wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity when my own University was offering it.”
After making the move from Nigeria at the end of last year, Osinachi wanted to make sure she made the most of her time in Glasgow – both through University and volunteering.
“I’ve always worked with people and strived to give something back to the community. Back in Nigeria, I worked with Lagos Foodbank every Saturday. I basically helped people who are less fortunate and gave them food and clothing. We also carried out checks for Hepatitis and HIV.
“I’m used to being involved in volunteering, so when I came to Scotland it wasn’t all about education. I wanted to do something that would make a difference and tie into the Common Good.”
Osinachi has been volunteering with the British Heart Foundation since November, helping raise vital funds for cardiovascular research in the UK.
She said: “I’m very proud to work with the British Heart Foundation because it’s such a diverse organisation. I’m based in the city centre store, and we have a real community there. I’m the only black lady but I work alongside an Englishman, a Scotsman and someone from Germany. Every day is full of laughter from when I come in until I go home – it’s a wonderful place to be.”
Osinachi’s commitment to self-development didn’t go unnoticed by the Star Awards judges.
She said: “It was a real privilege to attend the ceremony and it was a lot of fun with all the food, drink and music. There were so many different awards on offer, and I kept thinking mine would be next. I was surprised when my name was finally called – I honestly didn’t expect to win.
“It’s an added advantage winning this because I now look at myself and recognise there is more to me. I think it’s easy to always think that you don’t stand a chance when it comes to things like this. You don’t know what you are capable of unless you try. I just decided to go for it and now I’ve ended up winning the award. There is an important message to everyone in all of this: always be prepared to put yourself forward and always keep progressing.”
With just a few months remaining of her degree, Osinachi is now looking at how she can progress in the next stage of her career while also continuing to help others.
She explained: “The Lindsay Leadership award and my experience with British Heart Foundation has given me motivation to start my own foundation. I’m able to combine this with the knowledge gained from my Masters in public health to help contribute to society.
“The foundation will focus on young women in Nigeria because there are so many challenges facing them. There is still an expectation for them to forget about education and just get married. I want to make them aware of who they can be and what they are capable of. I also want to help young woman learn more about their reproductive system because there is a real lack of understanding in Nigeria.”
Click here to find out more about the STAR Awards and the winners on the night
By Ross Clark
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter