Scholarship / I have been given the opportunity to lead in several aspects in both professional and social spheres [3]

Hello everyone. Please i am applying for a Chevening Scholarship in 2018 and below are what i have been able to put down. Your critiques and contributuons would be immensely appreciated as i try to meet up the deadline of submission. Thank you.

(1) Chevening is looking for individuals who will be future leaders or influencers in their home countries. Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your own leadership and influencing skills to support your answer.

(minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words)

Chevening leadership Essay

I have been opportuned to work as an eye care professional in both private and government institutions with opportunities to lead in several aspects both in both professional and social spheres. My first experience of leadership was during my national youth service after graduation. I had to bring a group of young health workers and convince them to carry out a medical rhapsody in the community in which we were. It took a while for them to accept because it was voluntary but with perseverance, I was able to convince them and together, we were able to carry out a remarkable exercise which led to me being awarded the best corps member in the state.

As a very young optometrist in 2010, I proposed to my head of department for a free vision screening exercise for our host community to commemorate the world glaucoma day which comes up on the month of March every year. The proposal was approved but I was asked to lead the team for the programme. I saw it as a big challenge because I wasn't the most experienced in the department at the time, but I took on the mandate and had to select a team with which I worked with. We were not financially supported for the programme but with proper creation of awareness within the hospital and around our neighbourhood, we were able to screen over 300 people during the exercise. This exercise brought about an increase in our patient turnout to the department. The following year, we were fully supported financially and the awareness campaign was even carried out on air via radio and television broadcast. The exercise has been extended to other nearby communities and has been marked as an annual exercise of the institution for the past 6 years. The initiative and its success led to my being appointed the head of department 3 years later after the former left on transfer.This initiative has been burrowed by several other departments within the hospital to commemorate several exercises pertaining to their departments.

As the head of department, I have led the department with the corporation of the other member staff, to improve the services rendered to patients and the public with several initiatives like monthly lecture on several aspects of eye care, creation of a paediatric eye clinic and installation of 2 modern equipments to mention a few. In 2016, the department was awarded the most innovative department in the institution's annual Medical Director's award.

I believe a Chevening scholarship to study at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine would give me more leadership experiences to bring back to Nigeria where I would lead and motivate people and institutions to improve the quality of life and develop eye care services in the public healthcare system.

Thank you all in anticipation of your responses. Every comment would be highly welcome.

Scholarship / Masters degree in Public Health for Eye Care from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine [2]

Hello everyone. Below is my essay for my immediate and long term career goals after attaining my masters degree. Any corrections would be highly welcome.

QUESTION: Chevening is looking for individuals who have a clear post-study career plan. Please outline your immediate plans upon returning home and your longer term career goals.

the erection of an eye care centre

After graduation with a Masters in Public Health for Eye care, I must have been equipped with more knowledge and skills required to prevent blindness and improve vision in the population of the visually challenged.

My immediate career goal on attainment of a Masters degree in Public Health for Eye Care from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine would be to facilitate the erection of an eye care centre which would be sponsored by the institution in which I am employed. The primary aim of this facility would be to provide eye care services for free or at very subsidized rates to the host and nearby communities. By the availability of this eye care centre, I should be able to resource, mobilize and execute as well as evaluate local comprehensive eye care programmes. Of course the involvement of the government would be needed for optimum impact hence, the use of such position to present the eye health concerns of affected communities to government authorities for possible assistance.

In the long term, I see myself working as a healthcare administrator for the National Prevention of Blindness plan in my country. With the high population of visually challenged individuals in the country, I consider this position to be a means to be most effective for my contribution to the aims of vision 2020: The Right to Sight. Working in this specific area would enable me use the knowledge I have acquired to undertake enlightenment campaigns and as well develop, implement and evaluate effective public eye care initiatives. With the low regard given to eye care in the public health system in Nigeria, the degree will also avail me the opportunity to focus on how best to reach the vulnerable community members and better allocate resources to underprivileged populations.

Please review and criticise. Thanks.