Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has tasked Nigerian youths and graduands at PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS) to use their specialised knowledge, skills and training to advance their professional career, earn a decent living and contribute to the development of the nation.
Gov. Fubara made this known at the 4th convocation ceremony of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Port Harcourt on Friday, November 15, 2024.
The governor charged the graduands to build networks based on their purpose and values and be willing to volunteer their skills and services with integrity to advance the greater good of all irrespective of class, creed, background, status or ethnicity.
He admonished the graduands not to be deterred by the poor state of the economy, the lack of jobs, high inflation rate, and the accompanying poverty and hardship being experienced by millions of ordinary Nigerians across the country at this time.
According to him, “As youths, your future and the future of our country are in your hands; and a better future is possible with hard work, focus and unwavering commitment to achieving set goals and transformational ambitions.”
While commending the University for its towering vision of providing quality medical education and the determination of the founding fathers for excellence, Gov. Fubara expressed delight for the honorary doctorate degree conferred on him and expressed utmost gratitude to the Board of Trustees and the Governing Council for adopting him into the unique PUMS universal family.
“As we all know, this is always a happy occasion. But it is more fulfilling and humbling when the honour is projected as recognizing our leadership efforts and the modest contributions, we are making to advance the course of peace, security and unbiased development in our State and the nation in general”
He averred that the honour reflects the efforts and determination of Rivers people to free themselves from the shackles of domination, fear, and the lack of real development, which they had silently endured for too long.
Gov. Fubara hailed the founder of the University Sir Dr. Peter Odili for his vision and courage to midwife PUMS to such an enviable height in a short period despite challenges, stressing that the university is reputed as the first private medical university in Nigeria, with an acclaimed mission of providing “excellent medical training for the production of world-class medical and health science professionals with the core values of knowledge, discipline and human service.
“I admire PUMS for several reasons. It is the first private university established and owned by an illustrious son of the State who has done and given so much service to our country, Rivers State, and humanity.
“In this era where the standards of education in our universities are declining, PUMS has established itself as an island of excellence in medical education and training in Nigeria. Indeed, only a few medical universities and colleges in this country can boast of the record-breaking progress PUMS has made in a few years.”
He said that there is “nothing as more exciting than the fact that our children now have expanded opportunities to acquire professional education and training in medical and health sciences from PUMS which they can use to serve their communities and change the world.”
The governor congratulated the graduands and their parents for going through the rigours and making the sacrifices to attain the heights of becoming medical graduates, assuring that as an alumnus, he will be a worthy ambassador and uphold PUMS core values and cheerfully continue to contribute his part to the continued progress, relevance and well-being of the university.
Gov. Fubara reiterated his commitment to continue to strengthen the existing development partnership between the University and the Rivers State Government in order to accelerate the transformation of the healthcare delivery system for the benefit of the people and the nation.
“While we feel disturbed by the ceaseless distractions, I wish to assure everyone that we remain focused on the ball, committed more than ever to deliver on our mandate and leave the State far better than where we met it.
“Our mandate is to work with our people to transform our State and communities to a level where we can secure, and all enjoy the greatest standards of security, peace and prosperity from the responsible and responsive management of our collective God-given resources.”
Speaking at the convocation, the Chancellor of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, (rtd) thanked Gov. Fubara for his contribution to the University and accepting the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degree on him and congratulated him as the new lecture theatre was named after him.
He noted that solemn event is to celebrate the resilience and dedication of the graduating students as well as the determination of the PAMO University of Medical Sciences to produce high level professionals in the health and medical sciences, and charged the graduands to be worthy ambassadors of the University.
On his part the founder and Pro-Chancellor of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, Sir Dr Peter Odili commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his commitment to improving the health sector and his focus on delivering the dividends of good governance to the people of Rivers State despite distractions, describing his accomplishments in one year as outstanding.
Dr. Odili further thanked the governor for accepting the conferment of the University Doctoral degree on him as well as granting automatic employment to all the graduands through the ministry of Health, adding that his focus on the people and doing projects that touches the people especially in prioritizing healthcare are quite commendable.
“We thank you for standing out to defend the oath of office you took and for delivering good governance on your feet.”
He said the university is releasing 223 graduates at the convocation to contribute to the development of the medical profession in the country and across the world, announcing an upward increase in staff salary and a support process for the new graduates.
Highlights of the event were the commissioning of a lecture theatre named after Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the conferment of Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) on him.
