Hello Medivoice readers! It’s that time of the week again, when we bring to your attention a fabulous personality from IFUMSA who is living their most authentic life and paving their own path. This week’s fascinating individual is Augustine Paul, though most of you know him as Pablo.
MEDIVOICE: Good day Pablo. Can you introduce yourself?
POTW: My name is Augustine Paul. Popularly known as Pablo.
I’m a member of the clinical II (Exypnos) class
MEDIVOICE: I’m sure not a lot of people even know that your name is Paul. Sometimes I forget sef😂
How did you come to be called Pablo? Can you share that story with us?
POTW: 😂
I get that a lot of times. If you go round COHS looking for Augustine Paul, you might never find me.
Back then in Awo hall, some guy on my floor just started calling me Pablo. According to him, I didn’t in any way look like a Paul. Not sure how Pauls are supposed to look.
He started calling me Pablo and everyone just stuck with it. I liked the name, started introducing myself as Pablo too and here we are.
P.S – Pablo is the Spanish equivalent of Paul.
MEDIVOICE: Actually… You don’t look like a Paul. But you do look like a Pablo though, strangely enough.
Moving on, Pablo, what inspired you to study medicine? If you had a second chance, would you pick medicine?
POTW: 🤦🏾♂ I have to do something about this gruff exterior.
Medicine! 😂
There’s no fancy story behind me studying medicine mehnn. Had this Corp member in my secondary school, we called her Copper O.Y. Was the first person to expose us to the different professions we could choose from. She was asking what we’d like to be, and I just said Doctor. Add that to my principal talking about Ben Carson and me buying and reading Gifted Hands, Take the Risk and other Ben Carson books. Yea, I’m one of the medical students Ben Carson dragged into this.
Sometimes later, I wrote “Medical Doctor Professor Augustine Paul” on the wall of my hut and had my eyes on being a doctor since then.
However, when I first got into the university community as a freshman in microbiology, the motivation for wanting to study medicine became money. Only if I knew better.
Second chance? Nothing in the sciences would actually see me. I’m a literature guy.
MEDIVOICE: We’re plenty in this boat… the people that Ben Carson put in trouble😭
Like you, I’m also a literature fan… there’s nothing like relaxing with a good book after a long day.
Tell us, how likely is it that you practice? Do you plan on leaving the country to practice?
POTW: Nothing tops books. Maybe food for me 😂
Right now, my likelihood of practice depends on if I remain in this country or not.
If I’m here, I most likely won’t practice but if I do leave the country I should practice.
Thing is I’ve never been heavy on “Japa”. As a matter of fact, I’ve always wanted to stay here but the current realities in this country make it hard.
Nothing is set in stone though. My final year and housemanship will decide a lot. I’m leaning on God for guidance.
MEDIVOICE: Actually, “japa” can be overrated sometimes. Personally, I think there’s no place like home. So, I’m penning that down as “likelihood of practicing – up to God” 😂
What has been your best part of medical school so far?
POTW: There’s actually no place like home. If only this country will just work!
Best part of medical school would be my people, sincerely. They make life much easier. Shout out si awon temi
MEDIVOICE: We love our country but our country no love us.
Anyway, on the flip side, what are some challenges you’ve faced in medical school? Do you have any regrets so far?
Also, who are the “awọn temi”😂
POTW: The challenges have been mostly academical. Although, I like to think it has to do with how much I’ve lost interest in the whole thing but yeah, it has to be academics.
No regrets at all. It is what it is.
My people full ground o. I can’t start calling names sef ‘cos I def would leave out some people and wahala go start.
MEDIVOICE: Give us names, let them smile when they read this.
POTW: Una sha wan rope me.
Let’s see, off the top,
Bush, Idera, Onome, Tomi, Tawa, Shukrah, Feyi Bada, Timothy, Falexy, Ganeeyah
MEDIVOICE: 😂That’s nice, shout out to them.
Enough of the medicine talk. Tell us a fun fact about you.
POTW: I like cooking. Does that count?
MEDIVOICE.: Yes, it definitely counts.
I envy you. Wish I also liked cooking😭
What are you most proud of?
POTW: I’m extremely proud of how far I’ve come. Proud of my own journey. May not look like much but if you come from where I’m from, you’re not supposed to make it this far
I’ve come thus far and actually, I just dey start.
MEDIVOICE: Yes, you have every right to be proud of your journey. I’m proud of you too🤭
Okayyy, who is your IFUMSA crush?
POTW: Thank youuu!
MediVoice sha wan put me for trouble. There’s no crush o 😂
MEDIVOICE: Oya, who do you admire in IFUMSA?
POTW: 😂
Let’s be clear o. In a romantic way or otherwise?
MEDIVOICE: You sha want to escape😂
Okay, otherwise.
POTW: 😂
That’d be my classmate and friend, Falexy.
He’s one of those people that makes this world a better place. You look at him and just know he’s going places
MEDIVOICE: That’s so nice.
Okay, final question. What advice do you have for the younger IFUMSAites?
POTW: Just be really clear on what you want and just do you. Also, don’t let medical school anesthetize you. Have some fun, pursue other interests and just live mehnn.
MEDIVOICE: Hmm… Don’t let medical school anesthetize you. Wise words.
Any parting words for Medivoice?
POTW: You guys are doing a great job. IFUMSA loves you!
And thank you for having me.
MEDIVOICE.: It was an absolute pleasure to have you, Pablo.
Thank you for your time🤗
And that wraps it up, folks! Overall, it’s been a truly eye-opening conversation with one of IFUMSA’s notable personalities. If you’d like to see more interviews, click here, or join us next publication week, where we’ll bring insights from yet another remarkable member of our community!
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