The Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Olayinka O. Omigbodun has called on the Federal Government to help in alleviating the electricity problem being experienced at the College, particularly the Dental School.
Omigbodun made this call on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at the induction ceremony into the Dental and Medical Professions for Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) Graduating Class of 2023 Clinical Intake 2018, and Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) (Batch B) Graduating Class of 2023.
A total of 31 BDS and 24 MBBS were inducted into the medical profession.
Omigbodun, in her speech titled, “An Exceeding Excellent and an Upward Journey Through Trials and Tribulations into Greatness”, specifically appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to help the College offset electricity debt owed the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
She said, “There is a major problem and that is the problem of electricity. I appeal to those who know those in authority to tell them we need help. I can’t beg the Alumni to pay our electricity bill. The government must bail us out because the school belong to the Federal Government. We have a backlog. We need intervention from the powers that be.”
The Professor of Psychiatry noted that a lot of times, there was no electricity in the Dental School and this made the students and staff incapable of doing anything for many days, adding that exams were postponed as a result of protracted electricity problem.
Omigbodun also cried out for help for the completion of the ongoing construction of a hostel building meant to accommodate 600 students and other equipment for training the students.
Calling on the inductees’ parents to assist the College by contributing towards the running of the College, she acknowledged the efforts of the Alumni in the sustainability of the College.
According to her, the induction venue, Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre was renovated by the College Alumni at the cost of N34 million.
Speaking to the students, she urged them not to run away from problems, rather, they should face challenges.
She listed the good side of trials to include helping to create clarity, gaining experience, giving the opportunity to try again, improving on a relationship or building a stronger relationship and becoming a better person.
According to her, the new doctors have been well prepared to face challenges.
In his remarks, UI Vice Chancellor, who was the chairman of the occasion, Professor Kayode Adebowale lauded UI academic staff who are committed to giving the students the best training against all odds and poor funding of the university education in Nigeria.
Adebowale stated that he feels proud to see the quality of doctors the institution turns out, stressing that they are world standard.
Pointing it to the new doctors that they were fortunate to be trained by the best brains in the world, he called on them to join the train of world changers for positive change.
He enjoined them to demonstrate good character and be ethical in their profession as well as urging them to always give back to the College and nation that have made them.
He lamented the hard time the Nigerian educational system is going through and the dwindling resources from the owner of the universities.
“Always remember the words of the oath you took today. Don’t forget these words. Don’t forget ICOMMA”, he concluded.
In his speech, the Registrar of the Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr T. A. B. Sanusi, revealed that the accreditation panel of 22 members would visit the College between January 10 and 12, 2024.
Sanusi notified the College that increasing its quota from 180 would be based on merit.
“Your quota presently is 180. If you merit it that your quota be increased to 500, as long as you meet the requirements, the quota will be increased. If it is found out that you can only cope with 70, your quota will be reduced to 70. Therefore, I urge the authority to put everything in order before the arrival of the accreditation team.”
He warned the students against unethical practices and urged them not to be involved in what would make the council suspend them or strike out their names from relevant registers.
He also informed them that even if they were suspended abroad, the moment the council is aware of the suspension, they would be suspended in Nigeria.
Sanusi noted that they would be temporarily suspended if the council is aware that they have litigation in court, pointing out that the profession is a regulated one like the military.
He also warned them against discharging patients from hospitals when they embark on strike, saying that they may not take fresh patients, but it is contractual to finish with the patients already admitted.
In his speech, the Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital (UCH), Professor Jessey A. Otegbayo, represented by former HOD, Gynecology, Professor Michael Okunola, told the new doctors that medicine is a calling marked by passion, knowledge, commitment and healing, stressing that it comes with privilege of caring for other people.
Otegbayo stated that medicine is not a mere science but an act that requires technical expertise, pointing out, “In the face of uncertainty, you must find strength in knowledge and resilience.”
He also urged the new doctors to ensure that the oath of the profession resonates in their hearts throughout the period of practicing medicine and that their medical journey be marked by positive change.
The President, Ibadan College of Medical Alumni Association (ICOMMA) Worldwide, Professor Emmanuel Otolorin, represented by ICOMMA Vice President 2, Dr Taiwo Soyinka, urged the new doctors to be good ambassadors of the College, UI and Nigeria at large.
He added that wherever they find themselves in the world, they must not forget the College and Nigeria.
The Professional Elders, Dr Gbenga Bolarinwa and Dr O. O. Falomo advised the inductees to be ethical in their profession and be nice to their patients.
Bolarinwa advised them to be conscious of an acronym, “RICH”, standing for, righteousness, integrity, compassion and humility.
According to him, the new doctors should treat the rich and the poor equally and not be influenced by personalities.
His words, “You are to care for the rich and the poor. Beware of bad company. Don’t get involved in unethical practices. Good reputation is better than all the wealth in the world. Don’t limit yourself and don’t be static. You have more than one talent. Look critically to know all your talents and develop them. There will be temptation and trial, therefore, be brave and have faith. Fly high.”
Speaking on behalf of the inductees, the Valedictorian, Nosrom Nzoputa took his classmates down memory lane to when they began the journey into the programme, about seven years ago, describing their struggles together and the little things that inspired them to face their studies.
He said, “With all these events and more, as we reflect back on our journey to become dentists today, I encourage my fellow graduates to take a moment to appreciate how far we have come. Just stop and think about the incredible skills we have developed together – the steady hands and keen eyes it takes to perform a root canal therapy, the compassion it takes to calm a nervous patient’s worries with reassurance and empathy. Think about the vast medical knowledge we have amassed that allows us to diagnose and develop treatment plans. These are not small feats.”
The valedictorian expressed gratitude to their teachers, consultants, academic and non-academic staff, who made their dream possible. He also extended the gratitude to their parents, guardians, partners, families and friends for their love and encouragement all the way.
At the event, Somoye Victor Adeyanju got the provost’s award for excellent participation in community life, for the male category, while Nwosu Sarah Adachioma got for the female category.
While Nsorom Nzoputa Rex got an award and cash prizes for best graduating student, and best student in Oral Biology with a score of 80.8, and Oral Pathology with a score of 81.7, Adedeji Ebunoluwa Adebimpe was the best student in Operative Tech with score 62.9, Oduntan Ebunoluwa Olubukola was the best student in Child Oral Health, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontology & Community Dentistry and Restorative Dentistry with scores 78.3, 80.2, 74.2 and 74.7, respectively.
