Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, on Monday graduated 101 newly trained medical doctors.
The graduating class was inducted into the medical profession by the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr. Fatima Kyari, who was represented by Dr. Tijjani Ali.
The registrar also administered the oath of allegiance to them at the university’s 10th induction ceremony held at the Amphi Theatre of the institution.
For the graduating class, the ceremony was a dream come true, as they expressed happiness and smiled broadly at their great accomplishment after six years of study at Babcock.
While 93 medical students graduated from the university last year, only 60 graduated the year before.
Addressing the new inductees, among whom no fewer than 32 obtained distinctions in various courses — including the 24-year-old Chisom Okafor, who emerged as the best-graduating student with 10 distinctions — the registrar of the MDCN urged them to remain focused and committed as they progress in their careers.
She stressed that unethical practice is not tolerated in the medical field and that any practitioner who flouts the profession’s ethics in any way would be duly sanctioned.
According to her, although medical practice may not be highly lucrative, practitioners are respected in society as they deal with lives and impact humanity.
The registrar also encouraged them that, even if they travelled abroad for further studies, they should ensure they returned home to contribute to the development of the medical profession.
She noted that Nigeria is in urgent need of people who can add significant value and advance it appreciably across all fields of endeavour.
While commending Babcock University for its quality human and material resources in the health and medical fields, she assured that the council would not compromise standards in its regulatory role.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the President and Vice-Chancellor of Babcock University, Prof. Ademola Tayo, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Philemon Amanze, said all the graduands had been thoroughly trained with the requisite knowledge, skills, and character to succeed in their chosen fields and other legitimate endeavours.
While congratulating them and their parents on the accomplishment, he urged them never to compromise standards but to strive to save lives and add value to society.
Using five principles as a guide, Prof. Tayo advised them to always seek new knowledge, be courageous and faithful, show compassion, remain honest regardless of circumstances, and collaborate where necessary.
He noted that not only Nigeria but the entire world is awaiting their contributions to the medical field and the economy.
On her part, the guest speaker, a public health physician and Commissioner for Health, Rivers State, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, encouraged the inductees to build on the solid foundation laid for them by the university.
She urged them to remain positive in the face of challenges, find legitimate ways to surmount them, and make meaningful contributions to the medical profession and the economy, especially at a time when Nigeria is burdened by numerous health challenges.
One of the inductees and valedictorian of the set, Dr. Chisom Okafor, expressed appreciation to God, Babcock University, and their parents for enabling them to enrol and graduate on time.
She said every moment at Babcock counts, and that the training they received is comparable to that of any world-class university, assuring that they would become successful medical practitioners.
Many dignitaries graced the occasion, including the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun; the Provost of the Benjamin Carson College of Health and Medical Sciences, Prof. John Sotunsa; and the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Ogun State, Dr. Luqman Ogunjimi, who presented an academic excellence award plaque and a cash prize to the overall best-graduating student as a reward for her exceptional performance.
