Nigerian table tennis veteran Funke Oshonaike has reflected on her lifelong commitment to caring for others, saying she hopes someone will care for her when she grows older.

Oshonaike, who spoke on TVC News’ Diaspora Connect, said her interest in healthcare was rooted in a desire to help people and began at a young age. According to her, she started taking care of members of her family when she was 14.

Her pursuit of healthcare education in Germany, however, came with considerable academic and language challenges. She had to study anatomy and physiology in German while simultaneously maintaining her career as an international table tennis player representing Nigeria.

Oshonaike said she was not particularly interested in biology while growing up, making the demands of her healthcare studies even more difficult. She recalled buying textbooks in both English and German and dedicating herself to her studies despite the obstacles.

The table tennis star said her determination eventually paid off as she graduated with strong results. She also described helping others and making people happy as values that have remained central to her life.

“I love to help people. I love to take care of people. I love to see people smile,” she said, before expressing her hope that someone would eventually show her the same care she has consistently offered others.

“I’ve been taking care of people from the age of 14. And I just hope one day I’m going to have somebody that is going to take care of me,” Oshonaike said.