– A Nigerian scholar has emerged the winner of a top Optometry prize in the country

– The lady named Stellamaris Onyegbule was awarded the Most Innovative Optometry Student in Nigeria on Saturday, April 10

– She beat others to the coveted prize thanks to her Optoblink innovation

Stellamaris Onyegbule, a Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) student, has been awarded the prize of the Most Innovative Optometry Student in Nigeria.

The young optometry scholar received the inaugural Damian Echendu award at a ceremony held on Saturday, April 10.

FUTO student wins award for the most innovative optmetry student in Nigeria Photo Credit: Linkedin/Stellamaris Onyegbule

The Damian Chinedu prize for Most Innovative Optometry Student in Nigeria seeks to reward and encourage innovation and creativity among optometry students in the country by supporting solution-driven innovations relevant to the practice of Optometry.

An elated Stellamaris took to LinkedIn to make the announcement which according to her came with a cash prize.

She stated that her Optoblink innovation which helped patients with dry eyes to computer vision helped her win the prize.

She appreciated her lecturers, parents and brothers just as she stated that the honour was hers.

Her post read in part:

“Saturday night was indeed a wonderful moment in my life as I received the prestigious DAMIAN ECHENDU AWARD FOR THE MOST INNOVATIVE OPTOMETRY STUDENT IN NIGERIA which comes with a cash prize.

“I won this inaugural award due to my innovative presentation titled ” Optoblink” – a spectacle mounted device to help patients with dry eye due to computer vision syndrome.

“I am honored and grateful for this experience. My sincere gratitude goes to Almighty God, To the Blessed Vir*gin Mary, my parents and brothers. Also to My Professors (Prof. E.C Esenwah, Prof N.C Ikoro, Prof. O.U Amaechi) My HOD Dr Y.C Azuamah, and the rest of my lecturers.”

LinkedIn users flooded her comment section with celebratory messages.

Johnson Edeh said:

“Congratulations Stellamaris

“U’ve done noble, more blessings.”

Chioma Annastacia wrote:

“Congratulations Stellamaris, well done”

Emmanuel Erhasogie Eguae commented:

“Congratulations Stellamaris Onyegbule!

“This is just the beginning.”

 This was made known in a statement by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Nigerian Air Force director of public relations and information.

Izuchukwu, a Senior Secondary 3 student of Air Force Comprehensive School (AFCS) Agbani, Enugu state came first at the grand finale of the competitive examination held on Sunday, March 14, in Abuja.