Graduates all over are making waves for their accomplishments, however, one graduate is setting the bar and reminding us it's never too late to get your degree.
Howard University student Florence Nwando Onwusi Didigu graduated at the age of 73 with her Ph.D. in communication, culture and media studies. The program focuses on teaching students how to understand significant communication problems within a multicultural world and address social justice inequities on a global scale.
The HBCU posted her accomplishment to their website, applauding her achievements.
The 73-year-old defended her dissertation titled "Igbo Collective Memory of the Nigeria – Biafra War (1967-1970): Reclaiming Forgotten Women’s Voices and Building Peace through a Gendered Lens."
She said her dissertation is about Igbo women who survived the Biafra War, including herself. As the oldest sibling of five, Didigu has endured many challenges, including losing both her parents and battling shingles while enrolled at Howard.
“In my second year at Howard, and very close to my screening test, I lost my mother and my father within months,” Didigu said. “I had to return to Nigeria each time to perform the demanding burial ceremonies for each. I was completely deflated, both physically and emotionally, but I persevered because my father always wanted me to be a ‘Doctor.’”
As she continued to preserve through her challenges, the right side of the scholar's face was paralyzed due to the shingles and she lost her voice. Despite the many hurdles, she viewed her inability to speak as symbolism for working toward amplifying the voices of Igbo women through her dissertation.
“The day the Nigeria-Biafra War ended, I, like everyone was wallowing in anxiety and fear about what would happen to us as the vanquished," Didigu recalled.
"A very optimistic gentleman came over to me and asked: ‘Why are you so sad; can’t you see you have survived this terrible war?’ I stood up, even though the Nigerian Airforce was on its last bombing raid, and leaped up in the air in mad glee, repeating to myself and others: ‘Yes, I have survived, I am a survivor!’" she added.
Didigu credits her upbringing and surviving the war as her motivation to complete her degree.
"This powerful survival instinct in me, which I call daring, and God’s help, are what made me overcome all personal challenges during my doctoral program and get to where I am today!” she said.
The Howard graduate now plans to become a published author, continue her scholarly research and be a mentor to "the future generation that will move this discipline forward and tackle the communications-oriented challenges of the future.”
Like many other colleges, Howard University canceled its 2020 commencement ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic. While it's unclear how Didigu will be celebrating her achievement, Blavity wishes her the best in all of her future endeavors.
