Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State has applauded the College of Medicine University of Ibadan (COMUI), for producing top-notch medical professionals, saying that the institution’s graduates are truly worthy in character and learning.
Oyebanji said this on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at the induction ceremony of 147 newly minted medical doctors into the medical profession, 122 for the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), and 25 for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS).
Inductees Taking Oath of Medical Profession
Stressing that nothing is too much to support the College, the governor noted that the Sponsor a Student Programme (SASP) touched his heart the most.
On behalf of the parents and guardians of the newly minted doctors, Oyebanji assured that he would commit an undisclosed amount of money yearly in the name of the graduating class tagged Lotus Class of 2024, with effect from this year.
Oyebanji, who was accompanied by his wife, Olayemi Jumoke Biodun-Oyebanji, also promised that a foundation in honour of his mother would support the College.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Kayode Adebowale, who chaired the occasion, appealed to the new doctors to consider Nigeria first in any decision they want to take before any other thing.
In his short remark, titled “Partners with the Divine”, the VC told the inductees that though things might not be the way they want or it might look better elsewhere than Nigeria, their service to their fatherland is a service to humanity.
According to him, the medical profession is a not a job but a divine call that must be heeded.
In her speech, the College Provost, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, regretted that all the new doctors except one has confided in her that they would leave Nigeria for a better country where they could realized their goals.
According to her, the only thing that could make them to stay back and practice in Nigeria is the creation of an enabling environment that would make life worth living.
Omigbodun stated that in specific terms, the new doctors demanded from the government at all levels to create a warm environment that would make relocating abroad to be scary, better remuneration for doctors, timely recruitment of medical doctors, better job condition for them to stay and serve their country.
From Right, Governor Abiodun Oyebanji and his Wife, Dr Olayemi, Professors Juliana O. Taiwo and S.I. Omokhodion
The Professor of Psychiatry appealed to the new doctors to stay back and build their nation.
Also speaking at the occasion was the Deputy Registrar/Head, Medical Registration Department, Dr Henry Okwuorenye, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCAN). Okwuorenye, representing MDCAN Registrar, Dr Fatima Kyari, pledged the council’s support for increasing the students’ quota.
Okwuorenye noted that UI has the capacity to train 1000 medical students at a go, hence encouraging the College to do everything possible to have its students’ quota increased.
Pointing out that the Council was not surprised that the new doctors were poised to relocate to other countries where they thought they could achieve their aims, he urged them to do the needful before travelling out of the country so that they would not have anything to regret in future.
Among the things they were expected to do before leaving the country is housemanship, proper documentation with MDCAN and the National Youth Service.
Addressing the inductees, the outgoing President, Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMMA) Worldwide, Professor Emmanuel Otolorin expressed his worry over the decision of the inductees to relocate abroad, urging them to have a rethink about relocating abroad.
He told them that if their teachers have relocated abroad after their study, who would have taught them and made them what they are today, appealing, “Let us stay and maintain this our great institution”.
He lamented that it has become difficult to replace the retiring academics because the younger ones have ran abroad, advising them to only go abroad for their postgraduate studies and return to Nigeria to practice.
Giving a professional elder’s advice, Professor Samuel I. Omokhodion, who graduated 47 years ago with other 117 advised the inductees “Never live for yourself, live for other people, touch other lives with the skills and knowledge with which you have now been endowed. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. Matt. 16:25, Mark 8: 35, Luke 9: 24, and Luke 17: 33.”
“Remember therefore, the more lives you touch, or make an impact on, the more you will be blessed in life. It is beautifully summed up in words of King Solomon, the wisest man ever: Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11: 1”, he concluded.
Also, in her professional advice, Professor Juliana Obontu Taiwo noted that the dental profession is a profession of skills and dexterity, adding, “You must always be practicing to keep up with the practice so that you can sharpen your skills. It will be wise of you to attach yourselves to dental clinics whilst waiting for placement for internship.”
According to her, the dental profession is always evolving and one must keep up with the emerging new treatment modalities and new improved equipment and instruments. “This means you must continue seeking for knowledge about innovations in dentistry by attending workshops and conference”, she added.
Taiwo urged the inductees not to restrict themselves to the dental practice alone, stressing that they should make use of every opportunity to develop themselves.
“Who said you cannot become the minister of the Federal Capital Abuja or the 1st Nigerian to land on the moon? … Therefore, go into the world and do exploits and carry the name of the Faculty of Dentistry College of Medicine and this great citadel of learning (University of Ibadan) to greater heights in all corners of the world”, she concluded.
The MBBS Valedictorian, Temidayo Mary Odunsi recollected the numerous challenges faced by the inductees including the long night of studying, the stress of exams, the emotional toll of clinical rotations, weeks of silence following exams, strikes, a pandemic, power outages, and no physical Igboora posting.
Intending SASP Beneficial Students
Odunsi said, “Yet, we persevered, drawing strength from one another and having many laughs along the way. We shared our struggles, celebrated our successes, and made friends for life along the way. Our collective resilience allowed us to rise above our challenges. We worked in as Misters and Misses and we are clocking out as Doctors.”
She showed her appreciation to God and to her parents, and the families, friends and well-wishers of the graduating class for their unwavering support and constant encouragement.
She encouraged her colleagues saying “Whether suturing a wound or navigating life’s challenges, a steady hand and calm mind can make all the difference. Precision, focus and patience are vital. Pay attention to the little things, leave no loose ends, and keep your tools sharp.”
Odunsi concluded, “To the Lotus Class of 2024, congratulations! Do not forget that the things that count in life are the things you cannot count. Dare to dream and be tenacious. Our future is full of promise and possibility.”
Similarly, her BDS counterpart, Emmanuella Elubue Dike went down memory lane about the countless sleepless night numerous tutorials, and all the sacrifices they made.
Dike noted, “It will also be very difficult to forget that some of us had references in those exams, some of us repeated into the junior classes, and even now, some of our beloved colleagues are not present here in this hall with us (and we earnestly continue to look forward to sharing in their joy few weeks from now at their induction)”
She listed some of their achievements to include winning the inter class football competition during the 2023 UADS Health week, multiple wins in literary and debating activities, Essay writing competitions as well as local and national quiz competitions.
Dike also revealed that members of their class attended international conferences abroad to present abstracts of their research works and some of them published their papers.
She said, “We are a class of many talents. A significant number of us started our own business brands, and one of us even harnessed his musical gifting, releasing an album. Some of us headed committees that planned some of the best events in the history of UADS. And lest I forget, we also registered a total of eight distinctions.”
Dike implored her classmates to let them keep in touch and they should not forget their alma mater.
Highlight of the event are the inauguration of the Global Sponsor a Student Programme chaured by Dr Olabisi Oshunkanlu with Professor Olubukola Adesina as Co-Chair, raising funds for the construction of hostel blocks for students and the giving out of awards to deserving graduands.
Stealing the show was Dr Emmanuella Eluebube Dike, who got 14 awards for excellence in 14 specialties. Emmanuella, who went home with about N1.4million was the best student in Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Pathology, Pharmacology, Medicine, Surgery, Restorative Dentistry, Oral Biology, Child Oral Health, Oral Pathology, Oral and Max. Surgery, Periodontology and Comm. Dentistry, and Restorative Dentistry.
Also, Temidayo Mary Odunsi got awards of excellence in five specialties, which are Physiology, Pathology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medicine, and Community Medicine. She went home with N500, 000.
Others who were awarded prizes for their outstanding performances in different specialities are Joshua Onaolapo Awokunle, who was best student in Anatomy, and Biochemistry; Deborah Abisola Ogundijo, Pharmacology, Anulika Nwamadiegesi, Surgery and also got the prize alongside with Temitope Esther Komolafe for Paediatrics, and Adedoyin Veronica Babalola, Psychiatry.
Provost’s award for excellent participation in community life, MBBS in the male and female categories went to Abdulhammed Opeyemi Babatunde, and Rachel Ebunoluwa Dada, and David Adetula and Esther Oguntola got for BDS. Jesufemi Adeyinka Adeyeye bagged the Emeritus Professor O. O. Akinkugbe Leadership Award.
