The Abia State University,Uturu, has inducted over 150 Medical Laboratory Scientists,with a promise to maintain high medical standard that will continue to produce quality medical graduates.
The School in her 5th Induction/Oath Taking Ceremony of newly qualified Medical laboratory scientists,held at the Faculty of Law Auditorium,Umuahia, reassured that the she would continue to pursue excellence.
Onyemachi Ogbulu
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu, Professor Onyemachi Ogbulu, said the University will not stop producing quality medical graduates that will compete with their counterparts all over the world.
Professor Ogbulu reminded the graduands that they are entering another phase in their life, hence, the need to remain good Ambassadors of the University.
In an interview, the Vice Chancellor congratulated the students on the success achieved, in spite of obvious challenges and thanked the Governor and visitor to the University, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for his continued support to the University, as well as, parents for the sacrifices made to ensure their success.
He urged the students to be good ambassadors of the University, who have imbibed the culture of excellent service and high ethical moral standard, adding that the students should thrive to provide quality service to mankind,in the area of health care delivery, while reassuring that the management of the school is working assiduously with the Local Government,the State government and security agencies to nip in the bud, insecurity challenges in the Uturu area,to ensure safety of lives.
Earlier, the CEO/Registrar Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Sir Tosan Erhabor, represented by the Director Medical Laboratory Sciences Regulation and Discipline, Dr Uchimo Ashimedua, commended Abia State University for being one of the best Universities in training Medical Laboratory scientists and charged the graduands to strictly follow the ethical standard guiding the profession.
In their remarks, the Provost College of Medicine and Health Sciences, the Dean Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Candy Ahuama and the Dean Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Dr Okezie Okamgba, noted that the graduands have been well trained to bring more positive changes in Medical Laboratory Science practice.
Delivering a lecture on the topic, “The Contemporary Medical Laboratory Scientists, Challenges and Prospects”, the induction lecturer, Professor Lawrence Chigbu, described Medical Laboratory Science as crucial component in healthcare delivery especially in time of outbreak of epidermis.
In his valedictory speech, the overall best graduating student, Oleka Samuel, thanked ABSU management, their lecturers and parents for laying good educational foundation for them and promised to be good Ambassadors of the University.
In an interview with some parents who attended the event, Barr Morris Ucheji, expressed happiness that his second daughter, Miss Nneoma Ucheji was able to wither the challenges to graduate, describing her as a thorough breed,who would do well in her field of study.
Ucheji, however, made a passionate appeal to the federal government to meet the demands of ASUU,so they can call off the over three months strike, which he said is not healthy for the students and as well the nation.
Barr Morris Ucheji and his daughter,miss Nneoma Ucheji
He lamented that already there is a flight of medical personnel outside the shores of Nigeria,due to the level of unemployment, adding that foreign nations are gaining our best brains, while we loose out totally.
The chairman of Isialangwa South council of Traditional rulers,HRM Eze Godwin Nwakanma Nwankpa,lended his voice to the appeal, calling on the government to clear whatever agreement they had with ASUU,so that they can resume academic session,as the continuous stay at home of students,is causing a major problem to parents.
Eze Godwin Nwakanma
Mrs Felicia Umeh,Sir Agwu Kalu and Sir Aaron Ikeagwuchi, congratulated the students for the feats, decrying the incessant strikes embarked upon by university staff, which they said,has given rise to the poor level of education in Nigeria.They called on the federal and state governments to improve the welfare of lecturers for efficiency.
The students who spoke with our reporter,Miss Nneoma Ucheji and Umeh Simeon Ugochukwu, thanked God for seeing them through the seven years of struggle.They said the medical school was not easy but they were able to surmount the numerous challenges, maintaining focus and commitment to their studies.
Umeh Ugochukwu
Highpoints of the Induction/Oath Taking Ceremony, were the presentation of Licenses to the graduands,as well as, awards to the best performing graduands, while three graduands that made First Class were given automatic employment.
