On the 2nd of September, 2023, in the hallow halls of our citadel of learning, where dreams are nurtured, students of the MB;BS Graduating Class of 2023 were inducted into the medical profession at the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI). On this day, all graduating students were winners, for in their hearts, they knew they had been found worthy ambassadors of Character and Learning.
Prior to the induction ceremony, a pre-event gathering was convened at the Provost's Office. The distinguished guests included the Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the Induction Ceremony, Professor K. O. Adebowale, FAS, mni; Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr. T. A. B. Sanusi,; the Deputy Provost, Professor F.A. Adeniyi; the Secretary to the College & Deputy Registrar, E.O. Odedele, the Financial Controller, S.O. Ayansina; the Medical Librarian, Dr. Grace Ajuwon; Co-Chair of the Students' Building Committee and a Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Gbemisola Oke; President of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association Worldwide, Professor Dipo Otolorin; Professional Elders, Emeritus Professor E. O. Akande, OON, and Professor Aderonke Manuwa-Olumide; Director of the Institute of Child Health, Professor Adebola E. Orimadegun who was representing the Dean of Clinical Sciences, Professor Temidayo Ogundiran, the Dean of Dentistry, Professor Bamidele Kolude, and the Dean of Basic Clinical Sciences, Prof. F.E. Fehintola.
The Provost, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun FAS welcoming and addressing invited
dignitaries in her office before the academic procession
During this gathering at her office, the Provost, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun FAS, expressed her gratitude to the Vice Chancellor for his punctuality, noting that he had arrived an hour before the programme was set to commence.
The Provost, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun FAS, with the Vice Chancellor,
Professor K.O Adebowale, FAS, mni in the Provost Office
Following the welcoming session, commissioning was held for two renovated public conveniences in the Oluwole Akande Administrative College building. Professor Adebowale, the Vice-Chancellor, commissioned the conveniences for females, and the Pioneer Provost, Emeritus Professor E.O. Akande, commissioned the conveniences for males. The academic procession to the venue followed.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor K.O Adebowale, commissions one of the
renovated public conveniences for use.
Pioneer Provost of the College of Medicine and Medical Elder at the Occasion,
Emeritus Professor E.O Akande, commissions the second toilet for use
while the Provost applauds.
Mr. Emmanuel Odedele, the Deputy Registrar and Secretary to the College, welcomed all invited dignitaries, students, parents, and well-wishers. He acknowledged the journey of the students and affirmed their commitment to continued excellence, wishing them success in their future endeavours.
In her heartfelt and eloquent speech titled, "An Exceedingly Excellent and Ever-Upward Journey into Experience: In Admiration of Excelsior MBBS/BDS Class of 2023!", Professor Olayinka Omigbodun FAS paid tribute to the Bachelor of the Excelsior MB;BS Class of 2023. She praised the exceptional qualities and achievements of the class members, highlighting their intellectual brilliance, fearlessness in voicing opinions, success in diverse activities, and strong sense of community.
Professor Omigbodun acknowledged the challenges the Excelsior class endured, including strikes, strife, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to their growth and unity. She commended their ability to come together as a class, overcome conflicts, and advance a sense of togetherness and kindness among classmates. She emphasized the importance of their unique approach to unity and applauded their excellence in extracurricular activities, academics, and sports. Reflecting on the class's achievements, including distinctions in various medical and dental subjects and their exemplary performance in national quiz competitions, she emphasised their constant advancement and remarkable experiences that moulded them into the best among the best.
The Provost delivering her address, “An Exceedingly Excellent and Ever-Upward Journey into
Experience: In Admiration of Excelsior MBBS/BDS Class of 2023!" at the Induction Ceremony.
The Provost offered her blessings and encouragement to the class, even as some indicated their desire to pursue international opportunities. She encouraged them not to sever their connections and urged them to return when their nation was ready to harness their contributions, saying, "Don't burn your bridges."
In his speech as Chairman, Professor K.O. Adebowale, the Vice-Chancellor, expressed delight at the exceptional brilliance of the class and promised personal gifts to both valedictorians. He emphasized the virtues of godliness and excellence they had imbibed, encouraging them to be good ambassadors and maintain the current standard of the medical profession. He also highlighted the challenges of the low doctor-to-population ratio in Nigeria and appealed to those willing to stay behind to be agents of light and hope for the nation.
The Chairman and Vice-Chancellor, Professor K.O. Adebowale, delivering his address.
Representing the Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Professor Adebola E. Orimadegun presented the MB;BS inductees to the Provost. In turn, the Provost presented the students to Dr. T. A. B. Sanusi, Registrar of the Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), who administered the oath and presented them with their provisional licenses. In his address, Dr. Sanusi acknowledged the university's leadership for its commitment to excellence and quality healthcare delivery. However, he firmly emphasized that the MDCN would not compromise its standards to accommodate inclusions based on goodwill or sentiment. For doctors, he argued that the leadership in the medical community places significant demands on their shoulders, and these credentials must be earned. He also stressed the importance of upholding the ethics of the medical profession and the expected restraints of doctors, even when faced with provocation by patients. The duty of care to patients, he added, is sacrosanct and non-negotiable.
Dr. T. A. B. Sanusi, Registrar of the Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), giving
his address before the administering of oath and provisional licenses to inductees.
A cross-section of Students during their Oath Administration at the Event
Following the presentation of the Class Documentary and Yearbook by the student representatives, the Provost addressed the audience, highlighting two crucial initiatives: the Sponsor-A-Student Programme and the Students' Hostel Building Project. These initiatives were inaugurated as part of her administration's vision to support indigent students in their pursuit of education and to meet the accreditation requirements of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
She made it explicitly clear that the management of the Students' Hostel Building Project falls under the purview of the Alumni body, and she welcomed donors and partners to enquire about the ongoing project from the leadership as they desire. In her report of stewardship, she mentioned that approximately 1.2 billion Naira had been raised but emphasized that more support was still needed to reach the estimated target of N4.5 billion. During the event, beneficiaries of various scholarship programmes were called forward and presented with their award letters.
These beneficiaries for different scholarship programmes are listed below:
(A) PROFESSOR ISAAC ADEWOLE SCHOLARSHIP
N850,000.00
|
S/N |
Name of Awardees |
Level |
Course of Study |
Gender |
Amount Awarded |
Area Scholarship covers |
|
1 |
Ayokunle Opeyemi OGUNLADE |
500 |
MBBS |
Male |
425,000.00 |
Full scholarship |
|
2 |
Oluwatoyin Grace ADELEKE |
500 |
BDS |
Female |
425,000.00 |
Full scholarship |
(B) CECILIA OSHIKANLU SCHOLARSHIP
N331,500.00
|
S/N |
Name of Awardees |
Level |
Course of Study |
Gender |
Amount Awarded |
Area Scholarship covers |
|
1 |
Ndidiamaka Benedict OKAFOR |
300 |
MBBS |
Female |
331,500.00 |
Full scholarship |
(C) DR. ABIB OLAMITOYE SCHOLARSHIP
N600,000.00
|
S/N |
Name of Awardees |
Level |
Course of Study |
Gender |
Amount Awarded |
Area Scholarship covers |
|
1 |
Orinayo Oreoluwa OLU-PEREAO |
300 |
MBBS |
Female |
600,000.00 |
Full scholarship |
(D) DR. T.A.B. SANUSI SCHOLARSHIP
N500,000.00
|
S/N |
Name of Awardees |
Level |
Course of Study |
Gender |
Amount Awarded |
Area Scholarship covers |
|
1 |
Ayodeji Ayobami RAMONI |
500 |
MBBS |
Male |
250,000.00 |
Partial Scholarship |
|
2 |
Oluwadamilola Joy ADENIYI |
200 |
BDS |
Female |
250,000.00 |
Partial Scholarship |
(E) DR AKINOLA AYODEJI SCHOLARSHIP
N100,000.00
|
S/N |
Name of Awardees |
Level |
Course of Study |
Gender |
Amount Awarded |
Area Scholarship covers |
|
1 |
Yinka John ADENIRAN |
300 |
BDS |
Male |
100,000.00 |
HPTL |
The Provost thanked the sponsors and noted the Cecilia Oshikanlu scholarship was supporting 12 students in the College on full scholarships with a total amount of Five Million Naira annually while the Abib Olamitoye Foundation was supporting 5 students to the tune of 3.3 million Naira annually. Dr. Akinola Ayodeji had supported this programme with one thousand US dollars. She recalled that through various sponsors, scholarships of approximately 40 million Naira had been received to support indigent students.
In her passionate call to action, the Provost invited the Excelsior Class of 2023 to share their contributions to support the student-targeted initiatives. The class Senators, led by Dr. Obinna Amaji, mounted the stage to announce their contributions. Dr. Amaji declared that the class had contributed N210,000 to the Sponsor-A-Student Programme and an additional general donation of N150,000 to the Hostel Project. He stressed that this was just the beginning of their long-term commitment to giving back.
The Provost was inspired by their modest contribution and, in her charismatic manner, urged parents to contribute as well. Her repeated I-challenge-you-parents calls resonated with the audience, motivating many parents and family members to make contributions on behalf of the graduating students. In the end, their collective generosity resulted in a total donation of N4,560,000 (four million, five hundred and sixty thousand naira) by the class towards the Sponsor-A-Student-Programme and the Students' Hostel Building Project.
Thereafter, presentations were made to recognize and honour the achievements of several students who were the best in various specialties. The Abib Olamitoye Foundation provided a cash prize of one hundred thousand Naira each to the top student in each specialty area as listed below:
|
SN. |
NAME OF STUDENT |
SPECIALTY |
|
01 |
UGHAGWU, Kelechukwu Peter |
ANATOMY |
|
02 |
BABALOLA, David Oluwasayo |
BIOCHEMISTRY |
|
03 |
UGHAGWU, Kelechukwu Peter |
PHYSIOLOGY |
|
04 |
KOLAWOLE, Olanrewaju |
PHYSIOLOGY |
|
05 |
IYAWE, Efosa Peace |
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS |
|
06 |
UGHAGWU, Kelechukwu Peter |
PATHOLOGY |
|
07 |
UGHAGWU, Kelechukwu Peter |
PAEDIATRICS |
|
08 |
IYAWE, Efosa Peace |
OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY |
|
09 |
IYAWE, Efosa Peace |
MEDICINE |
|
10 |
UGHAGWU, Kelechukwu Peter |
SURGERY |
|
11 |
KOLAWOLE, Olanrewaju |
PREVENTIVE & SOCIAL MEDICINE |
|
12 |
BRIMMO, Farida Oluwabukola |
PREVENTIVE & SOCIAL MEDICINE |
|
13 |
ALADESAWE, Oluwatunmise Adedara |
PSYCHIATRY |
Those with distinctions in the MBBS graduating class include Efosa Iyawe, Kelechi Ughagwu and Oluwafisayo Olawunmi in Anatomy and Oluwatunmise Adedara Aladesawe, Ifeyinwa Oluchi Ogbogu and Kelechukwu Peter Ughagwu in Psychiatry.
Obinna Charles Amaji and Jaachimma Oluwabunmi Nwagbara won the Provost’s Award for Excellent Participation in Community Life, male and female categories respectfully, while Oluwaferanmi David Salami won the Emeritus Professor O.O. Akinkugbe Leadership Award.
The valedictorians, Ughagwu Kelechukwu Peter and Iyawe Efosa Peace delivered inspiring speeches that highlighted their longstanding bond and brotherhood. They shared memories of their journey, from their time at Tedder Hall in the University of Ibadan to being roommates during their final year at Alexandra Brown Hall in the University College Hospital, Ibadan. These two valedictorians not only have shared memories and emotions but also excelled together in their academics. Their speeches revealed their dedication and determination throughout their academic journey.
In the closing moments of the event, Professor Emmanuel Otolorin, President of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) Worldwide, and invited Medical Elders, Emeritus Professor E. O. Akande, OON, and Professor Aderonke Manuwa-Olumide, who sang heartily at the start and end of her presentation, extended their heartfelt well-wishes to the inductees. They celebrated their achievements, provided valuable advice, and encouraged the new medical professionals to make a meaningful impact in the medical community.
Dr. Nse A. Odunaiya, Chairperson of the College Ceremonials’ Committee, gave the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the event - all the invited guests, parents, and students. The event concluded after a well-attended and lively 4 hours and 40 minutes long.
The Sub-dean of Clinical Sciences, Dr. Gbolahan Obajimi, and Sub-dean of the faculty of Dentistry, Dr. Shakeerah O.Gbadebo, moderated the event.
Full Video of the Induction Ceremony into the Medical Profession (MBBS) Class of 2023: WATCH HERE
More Pictures from the Induction Ceremony
