It was a glamorous occasion at the College of Health Sciences, Nnewi Campus on Saturday, 11th December, 2021 as the Faculty of Medicine inducts 63 newest Medical Doctors into the prestigious Medical Profession.
Notedly, the induction of the 63 new Medical Doctors had brought to a total of 2,339 Medical Doctors produced by the Faculty of Medicine since its first Induction ceremony on July, 1995.
The venue of the event – Metu Uzodike, Auditorium, NAUTH Premises was filled to the brim. The excitement on the faces of the parents/guardians were alluring considering the facts that their wards were supposed to graduate in the year 2020 but did not due to COVID-19 Pandemic and the long ASUU strike. Now!, to the glory of God, the Inductees had successfully circled the 250 weeks of strenuous & rigorous medical training while passing through 20 departments in the University. Interestingly, the Class of 2020 set recorded a total number of 7 distinctions.
The Vice-Chancelor, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone, FAS, who was ably represented at the event by Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, FAM, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Administration in his keynote address felicitated with the graduands, their parents and the Faculty staff members on the joyous occasion. The Vice-Chancelor then urged the graduands to go into the Medical Profession in the spirit of the Hippocratic Oath taken at the ceremony, strengthened by the sound training they had received in character and learning and imbued with the University core values of Discipline , Self-Reliance and Excellence .
Prof Joseph Ikechebelu, FAM, informed the audience that the Vice-Chancelor’s heartbeat was to see a comprehensive transformation of the College. According to him, with the recent inauguration of the Governing Council of the College, in few years from now, the College will witness a massive infrastructural and personnel developments geared towards promotion of quality training, teaching and research.
In his remarks, the Provost of the College, Prof Gerald Udigwe congratulated the graduands on their academic feat and thanked the University Management for providing enabling environment for our students to train despite the numerous challenges. He also thanked the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Management ably led by the Chief Medical Director, Dr Joseph Ugboaja (Ochinanwata) for continuously availing our students their facilities for training and learning.
The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof Betrand Obi Nwosu, who spoke on behalf of Deans in the College appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for his continued support to the academic growth of the College; and especially with the approval for the commencement of the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme. The Dean later congratulated the Inductees for their resilient, doggedness and intelligence to complete their medical training successfully.
The Dean further charged the Inductees to inculcate the 3A’s ideal – Availability, Amiability and Accessibility in the course of their medical practice; fear God and learn the act of referral.
Consequently, Dr.Paul Nnadozie Obiabu, who represented the Registrar, Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria led the graduands on taking the Hippocratic Oath. He further noted that Nigeria Medical Doctors are highly demanded globally. He later admonished the Inductees to be discipline in the course of their medical practice.
The Medical Elder of the day was Prof Godswill Amechi Nnaji. The elder charged the Inductees to pay close attention on the solemnity of the physicians’ oath and be guided by ethical principles and concepts of respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, equity and justice. He encouraged them to refrain from criminal activities such as abortion, euthanasia (mercy killing) and flouting the rule of confidentiality. Above all, he advised the Inductees to develop a vision of their future and pray always; be steadfast and persevere to achieve the vision.
The high point of the awards was the presentation of the award of the overall best graduating student of Class of 2020 set which went to Attama Chinweokwu Geoffrey.
Worthy of note are the special guests who graced the occasion, namely: Prof Joseph Ahaneku, FAS, the former Vice-Chancellor, NAU; Prof Emeka Ezeonu, the Vice-Chancelor, Hezekiah University, Umudi, Nkwerre, Imo State & the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, IMO State; Prof Emma Okoye, former Convocation Rep at the 8th UNIZIK Council; Igwe Nnewi, HRM Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu, III who performed the traditional breaking of kolanut and a host of others.
Once again, we congratulate the newest graduands and wished them a resounding success in the course of their medical practice.
Finally, Project200 Policy is working. Let us continue to support it.
Bright Anyanwu,
College Secretary.
