Statement of Purpose
Study Program – Masters in Social Work (On-Campus)
Intake Period –

Public Health cannot be a zero-sum game. It thrives only when individuals and communities come together with a genuine hankering for curating better people and societies. Although, Public Health as a profession may not be as lucrative as some other choices, but to me, it gratifies me superlatively; knowing that my knowledge-bank and efforts are changing lives for better.
As a World Health organisation (WHO), Nigeria, designated, Independent Monitor in 2021, I Monitored and supervised the suspected case of acute flaccid paralysis outbreak response at Oyo State, Nigeria; providing reliable and timely data to monitor progress and take corrective action on immunization. Being the member of the National Youth Services Corp, I am currently fulfilling the role of Public Health Counsellor at the Primary Health Center of Egbeda Local Government, Nigeria since September 2021. My work here allows me to gain an extended knowledge of Hospice management, Specimen and Tissue collections and primarily of resolving mental health issues of families and individuals under my direct supervision.
It definitely helps to have a lettered lineage. Both my parents are public servants in Nigeria and have strived their entire professional lives as harbingers of positive change. Post completing his Masters degree in Environmental health, and since his young age, my father has contributed immensely for preserving local ecologies. He is still going strong for his cause as the Minister of Environment protect with the OSUN State Ministry of Environment. My mother works as an accountant with the OSUN State Hospital Management Board.
Since formative years, I was privileged to witness the impact of their nobility from a front seat view, developing humility and strong connection with my Nigerian roots. My parents too ensured a resourceful academia for me; to which I responded to, with astute discipline and willingness to partake in diverse community service programs.
Post completing my Senior Schooling from Bisola College of Arts & Science in 2015, I readily enrolled at the OSUN State University, Nigeria to pursue Bachelors of Science in Public Health (2016 – 2020). As an undergraduate scholar, I worked hard to comprehend my technical coursework spanning BIO Statistics, Biology, Micro Biology & Pathology, Epidemiology. The brilliant curricula at the university allowed me to delve into research in the domain of Public Health principles, Demography, Environmental Health, and Social & Behavioural Health. I was able to learn about the best practices in Public Health Sector and got ample opportunities to venture out for gaining volunteer experience.
I presented a comprehensive undergraduate dissertation on the topic ‘Knowledge Attitude and Practices of Unsafe Abortion’ among female undergraduate students of Osun State University, Osogbo main campus. Some of my other seminal presentations were on topics of ‘Impetigo Contagiosa, Ageing, and, Sexually Transmitted Infections.

As a representative of OSUN State University, I volunteered for the “Tobacco Free Nigeria Campaign” in August 2018. As part of the core volunteer group, I participated in the physical campaign deploying door-door strategy and health talks for making communities aware about the ills of smoking and chewing tobacco. During this campaign, I leveraged social media for promoting the #BreatheChallenge. The reach and the extent of publics’ digital participation encouraged us as a group, opening new frontiers for us of enabling public education programs via digital mediums.

Throughout my bachelor’s tenure, each year, I interned with different agencies to fully understand the scope and practices of Public Health. My internships were concluded with following agencies, viz: Ministry of Health, Department of Public Health (Oct – Dec 2019), Hope for family Development Initiatives (HFDI) [April – May 2019], and with Community Health Centers in 2018. The latter involved me performing general examination of pregnant women and offered insights on interdisciplinary clinical practices involving Neo Natal and Natal Health.

When you are working to help people, the motivation to learn new things is almost organic. I have liberally broken the perimeter of my classroom to better understand my vocational duties. Through UNICEF certification programs, I have earned the PSEA (Preventer of Sexual Exploitation & Abuse) Certificate, and completed the E-Course on Ebola Safety. I additionally attended extensive training programs on tackling with the ‘HIV in Work Place’ issues and about ‘Breaking the chain of COVID infection; both organised by the United Nations (UN).
To the success imperative of my career as a health professional, I have gained proficiency in R Programming and in conducting Statistical Analysis using SPSS. I am certain that Data Analysis and products based on Machine Learning have the potential of transforming the Public Health Space, especially augmenting capabilities in the field of Epidemiology and Preventive Health Practices. Therefore, I have worked to develop strong skills in Machine Learning using the R Studio and a holistic know how of product management. In (mention year/month), I got an excellent opportunity to intern as a Data Analyst at KPMG, Nigeria; learning a great deal about (mention scope of training).
In my current role as a Public Health Counsellor at the Alakia Isebo primary health centre. Egbeda local government, Ibadan, Oyo state, I independently monitored the National Immunization Plus Days during Outbreak Response 1 and Outbreak Response 2 of Poliomyelitis.
Since September 2021, I am continually working here, in the areas of policy development, education, and research, particularly around issues of social justice, disadvantage and the marginalization of people in the communities or in society. The work here as given me profound experience in Community Health Management concerning counselling and treating patients struggling with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and anger management difficulties. I regularly perform routine home visitation, particularly to families of vulnerable young children, to ensure the care provided is sufficient and meets health and safety standards. My duties at the health center also allows me to continue with and enhance my research and analytical capabilities as an epidemiologist and a public health scholar.
I concur that not only is it the most opportune time for me to pursue advanced education, I also believe that my existing academia and experience as a health professional will be a definitive advantage while pursuing my Masters of Social Work at the University of New England (UNE), Australia. I am utmost keen to learn specialist know how about Mental Health Practices, Juvenile Justice and Protection, Social Work Intervention Models and Skills, and Protection of Human Rights and Social Justice. The Master’s program at the UNE includes all these learning outcomes as Core study modules whilst enabling extensive field work and working opportunities in Australia and internationally.
The University of New England is an esteemed institution and its number 1 ranking in New South Wales is a testimony to the success of the Social Work study program at the Armidale campus. A chance to pursue my Masters in a university with an illustrious academic heritage of over nine decades will be the definitive highlight of my academic career; giving a clear impetus to my professional growth.
I am particularly vehement to experience volunteer work with aboriginal groups. Although my knowledge about them is certainly limited, yet, I strongly feel that a lot of similarities can be drawn amongst them and Nigerian Society in general.
In my home country, Nigeria, there is an abundant need for resources, and policy transition for delivering better public health eco-system. I am a strong proponent of preventive health and of recognising mental health ailments as an epidemic. Through the research-based pedagogy of UNE and the practicum experience at its campus, I seek out to gather expansive knowledge about Social Work as an academic discipline and a life-long vocation.
I am committed to earn the degree in style akin to a sincere scholar at the UNE; completing my 1000 hours of field work, clearing my trimester units for 96 credit points and 48 credit points at 500 level. It is with scholarly vehemence and strong learning intent that I want to conduct my fieldwork and campus education; while striving to uphold the formidable academic legacy of University of New England in Australia.
It is only after exhaustive research that I have chosen to pursue my Master’s in Australia. Although similar courses are available in USA, UK, and Canada but the opportunity of diversified learning is simply far better in Australia. The sheer size, terrain and diversity of communities in Australia made a strong case for me. My further research revealed about the world class education and research infrastructure of Australian Universities and that six of them rank amongst top hundred global universities for the study program of Masters in Social Work.
The Australian society in itself is an exemplary standard of Social Justice and Public Health practices. The one year of learning amid my intelligible peers at the UNE Armidale, campus will expose me to the best practices and standard in a global context and to stupendous learning outcomes in the subject of Social Work.
I have innate aspirations to bring health reforms in Nigeria. In case of limited resources too, I want to at least transform health practices and public opinion to the extent of a few local communities in my home country. Working as a Public Health Counsellor in Nigeria revealed that the extent of sex crimes and other illicit activities committed by the Nigerian youth is large. I am driven to curb this trend by facilitating health education at family levels and to those, who are abandoned by their families.
After completing my Master’s in Social Work in Australia, I will be returning to my home country, Nigeria. My immediate professional objectives will include working with Government Hospital as a Social Worker. I also have a preserved ambition to start a Non-Government Public Health Organisation which will focus on providing material and psychological support to those with trauma and work on converting such individuals into productive Nigerian citizens.
I hope to have effectively reflected my academic and vocational rationale to pursue Masters in Social Work at UNE, Armidale campus. I look forward to your favourable review of my admission application and to the forwardly education offered at your university. Please accept my sincere thanks for your time given.

Sincerely