Born in a remote village in the South Eastern Part of Nigeria, the 23-year-old Chiahanam remembers little luxury growing up – an aspect that shaped his philosophy later in life – living within one’s means.
The 5th year student of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nigeria started school at 3 at St. Paul’s Nursery and Primary School in Enugu, Nigeria. At the age of six, he began primary education in the same school where he graduated top of the class in 2012.
He attended Federal Government College Enugu for his Junior and Senior secondary education and topped at both levels. The fourth born in a family of five is a big fan of sports especially football but also enjoys playing video games.
Third in the recent WePlanet Africa essay writing competition on nuclear energy, Chiahanam says he has previously written on clean energy.
“I come from a country where fossil fuel dominates our production with very obvious impacts on the environment especially at the Niger Delta,” Chiahanam says.
“The quest for a sustainable energy-transition is my motivation for being interested in nuclear,” he says.
If he wasn’t studying medicine, Chiahanam says he would have been an engineering student. “There was a time I wanted to be an electrical engineer,” he says.
Word to world leaders. “Your decisions drive the world and shape the lives of people. Make every effort to see that people are central in every choice you make.”
Biggest motivation
“I enjoy relating with people. Medicine gives me the opportunity to add meaning to people’s lives.”
Favorite movie – Indiana Jones: The temple of doom.
Favorite book – Man of the People: Chinua Achebe
Music: Black President: Brenda Fassie
