The Vice Chancellor, of Igbinedion University, Okada, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye has declared that the University will not relent in its unwavering commitment to excellence in the production of top-grade medical professionals required to bolster the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria, which is currently in dire straits......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
This unwavering commitment of the University, he said, is undoubtedly based on the realization that the world faces numerous healthcare challenges, ranging from emerging diseases to the increasing burden of chronic illnesses.
Prof Ezemonye made the declaration at the 19th Induction and Oath-taking ceremony of the newly qualified Medical Doctors of the Oba Sijuade Okunade College of Health Sciences of Nigeria’s premier private University, Okada, Edo state.
According to him, “Your skills and expertise are urgently needed to address these pressing issues and I do not doubt that you, the inductees, will rise to the occasion and contribute your quota to the health and well-being of your communities and the society at large.
“As you embark on this ancient, noble and learned profession, I urge you to remember the Hippocratic Oath, the guiding principles that have shaped the practice of Medicine for centuries.
“The oath reminds you of your duty to preserve life, alleviate suffering, and treat all patients with compassion and respect.
“Igbinedion University has always been a beacon of excellence in education, and you are a testament to that tradition. We remain committed to championing the higher education revolution in Nigeria through innovation, entrepreneurship, and bespoke research in tandem with the University’s motto of Knowledge and Excellence.
“We pride ourselves in our smart campus, centres of excellence, cosmopolitan future-ready graduates, world-class professionals, fully accredited programmes and internationalization of our pedagogical profile.
“As you step into the world beyond this auditorium, remember the values instilled in you – compassion, integrity and commitment to lifelong learning. These are the pillars that will uphold you in your practice and in every life you touch”.
Prof Ezemonye however reminded the 51 new medical personnel that the induction ceremony marks not only the culmination of years of their rigorous study and dedication but also the beginning of a profound journey in the noble field of Medicine.
The Vice Chancellor also acknowledged what he described as “the exploits and visionary inspiration of the Founder and the Chancellor of the University, His Excellency, Sir Chief Dr Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, CFR, Esama of Benin Kingdom”, as exemplified by the establishment of the University, which he said provided the platform that nurtured today’s inductees.
“To underscore the significance of the Hon. Chancellor’s effort, Igbinedion University has the singular distinction of being the first private university in Nigeria to establish a Medical School. It is also the first private university to produce Medical Doctors. As of today, the University has produced over 3,000 Medical Doctors since inception in 1999” he declared.
Welcoming the Guest Speaker, Professor King-David Terna Yawe, past president, of the West African College of Surgeons to the occasion, Ezemonye said, “I do not doubt in my mind that given your pedigree, you will deliver to perfection the topic of the induction lecture, which is centred on ‘Nurturing And Sustaining The Ethics Of An Ancient, Noble And Learned Profession In The 21st Century’
While congratulating the new doctors, Dr. (Mrs.), Dean of the University’s School of Clinical Medicine said medicine is the life journey of learning, service, and compassion.
“Your success, as physicians, will not be measured solely by the diseases you treat, but by the humanity you bring to your work”, she maintained
In his induction lecture, Prof. King-David Terna Yawe, who lamented the rot in the health system, however, urged the inductees to imbibe the habit of continuous learning.
“Continue to learn by unlearning and re-learning, reading, and attending scientific meetings. Imbibe entrepreneurship spirit- it is not restricted to individual or group medical practice, locum tenens”.