OAU college graduates 157 medical, dental students, 16 with honours – Provost

Prof. Bernice Adegbehingbe,the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has said that the college graduated 157 medical and dental students, while 16 left with honours .

Adegbehingbe stated this during the Medical and Dental Professional Induction Ceremony of the College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), at Oduduwa Hall, on Monday, in Ile-Ife.

She congratulated the inductees for recording outstanding academic excellence in their noble profession, described the achievement as reflection discipline, resilience and commitment to excellence cultivated by the college.

The Provost said that the institution has remained committed to merit, integrity and fairness in its admission and training processes, noting that only the brightest candidates were admitted into the college.

The Don recalled that taking a difficult decision while serving as Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences by enrolling her daughter in another University after another candidate scored slightly higher for the only available slot.

The Ophthalmologist stressed that the decision was necessary to preserve the institution’s integrity and standards, urged the newly inducted doctors and dentists to uphold professionalism, compassion, diligence and integrity.

She described medicine and dentistry as sacred callings dedicated to service to humanity.

Adegbeyingbe appealed to parents, alumni and well-wishers to support the college’s proposal Computer-Based Test Learning and Resources Centre estimated at N350 million.

The Provost appreciated the management of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), faculty members and parents for their support towards training the graduates.

According to her, the College remains one of the most prestigious medical schools in Africa, sustained by the sacrificial support of its alumni.

The Provost urged the inductees to carry the banner of the college and the university with dignity, courage, humility and excellence, praying that their knowledge would bring healing, their skills would inspire hope, and their lives would leave lasting footprints of impact across the world.

Also, Prof. John Okeniyi, the Chief Medical Director, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), congratulated the inductees, admonished them to prioritise compassion and humanity in medical practices.

Okeniyi described the induction as s transition from students to professionals, charged graduands to embrace, resilience, innovation and teamwork in addressing emerging health challenges.

He advised them not to see themselves as the best doctors, but as leaders expected to research, inspire and uphold the institution’s legacy, stressed that although technology was important in medicine, only God cares.

Additionally, the OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof.Adebayo Bamire, urged the inductees to embrace the future of healthcare with courage, compassion and humility, charged them to pursue excellence relentlessly.

Bamire counselled them on selfless service to humanity and upholding the ethics of the medical profession at all times, reminded the graduates never to forget the institution that nurtured them, whether they practise within Nigeria or abroad.

Prof. Fatima Kyari, who doubles as the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) admonished the inductees to uphold professionalism, ethical conduct and dedication to service as they begin their medical careers.

Kyari, who was represented by Dr Tijani Mandaka, the Head of Department(HOD) Medical Registration, MDCN, Abuja, warned the inductees against violating the ethics of medical professional, urged them to adhere strictly to professional Standards,discipline and patients’ confidentiality in discharge of their duties.

The dignitaries that graced the induction were: Prof. Godwin Avwioro, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Sports University of Nigeria, Delta State with his wife, Dr T.O. Avwioro, Deputy Director Nursing, OAUTHC.

The Class Representative, Dr. Toluwani Oduntan, congratulated his colleagues for their endurance and perseverance throughout the cost of the programme.

Oduntan appreciated the Provost, Lecturers, staff, non-teaching staff and the students for contributed their quota the their success

He lauded their parents for their prayers, financial support, saying that their efforts towards their success cannot be over-emphasised, prayed for their long live to eat the fruits of their labour.

The new inductees representative charged his colleagues to ensure that they disseminate their responsibility to their society with diligence and resilient, saying to whom much is given, much is expected.

He promised that the new graduands will not disappoint their alma mater, college, their parents and society at large.

Others are: Mr Femi Oladapo, President, Nigeria Medical Students Association (NIMSA); Dr Shekina Oyebanji, the President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) and Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, CMD, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) among others.

Our Correspondent reports that Dr. Boluwatife Akindele bagged the best medical graduating student and Dr. Fiyinfoluwa Akande got the best dental graduating student.