By Michael Ezenwata
The Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU)College of Medicine has concluded the 12th Induction ceremony of its 80 New Medical Graduands.
The Physicians oath were administered to the graduands after their due presentation by the Dean Clinical Medicine Prof. Ifeanyi Ezebialu at the Pathology auditorium, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Awka.
In a message of felicitation, the Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Prof. Kate Omenugha charged the graduands to be worthy ambassadors of the university and abide by the Physicians oath which they took.
Prof. Omenugha announced that the university management has approved that the five best graduating students of the university will engage in their housemanship in the university’s teaching hospital in Awka.
The Vice Chancellor commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his passion to lift the university to enviable heights.
In a speech, the Provost of the College of Medicine Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. Lawrence Ikeako congratulated the 80 inducted medical graduands for making the university proud and urged them to be worthy ambassadors of the institution wherever they find themselves.
Prof. Ikeako noted with joy that the management of the university is working assiduously to establish the Faculty of Dentistry in the College of Medicine.
According to him, on completion of the planning by the technocrats gathered for the purpose, it shall be presented to the Senate for approval.
The Provost spoke of the imperatives of expanding the College of Medicine and expects that the VC and other relevant Stakeholders within the university and outside the health sector will make appreciable input towards its actualization.
In a medical elder induction lecture delivered by a former Commissioner for Health in Anambra State emeritus Prof. Brian Adinma, the lecturer urged the graduands to abide by the Physicians oath which inter alia include having regards for their patients, protecting the autonomy of incapable persons under their care, doing no harm to their patients, embarking on continuous education, respecting the secrets of their patients, being truthful to their patients, and saving lives at all costs not minding the threats against the gesture.
In a remark, the pioneer Provost of the College of Medicine of the university, emeritus Prof. Frank Akpuaka congratulated the graduands and wished them success in their medical career.
In a similar vein, a community leader from Umunnachi and former Awka Zonal Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr.Oliver Onwughalu also congratulated the graduands for excelling in their chosen career and expects them to be worthy ambassadors of their university.
Dr. Onwughalu doubling as the Medical Director, Zion Hospital Nawfia charged them to aspire to greater heights by participating in activities outside their scope of learning to impact positively in the society they find themselves in.
During the occasion, the medical expert bagged an award of special recognition as a friend of the university and a relevant Stakeholder in the university affairs.
In a valedictory speech, the best graduating student in the university, Dr. Karen Njelita on behalf of the 2025 graduated class gave thanks to God and their formators for their support and urged her colleagues to abide by the Physicians oath they took.
The father of the best graduating student Dr. Chukwudi Njelita, appreciated the formators of the graduands for their steadfastness and expects the graduands to be worthy ambassadors of their university.
The occasion featured award presentations to a former Governor of Anambra State, Senator Dr. Chris Ngige represented by Dr. Udoka Imagie; Dr.Oliver Onwughalu; emeritus Prof. Frank Akpuaka; emeritus Prof. Brian Adinma, among others.
Ezenwata is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
