HISTORY was made by the University of Ibadan as 18 pioneer students of the Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science were admitted into the Medical Laboratory Science profession for the 2016/2017 BLMS inductees 40 years after the programme was suspended in the institution.
The induction ceremony which took place at the Board Room of the College Building of the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan was witnessed by the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof Abel Idowu, the Chief Medical Director CMD, of the UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge, Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof Oluwabunmi Olopade-Olaopa and the Head of the Department, Prof. John Anetor, other members of the University College Management as well as parents and loved ones and friends of the graduands.
In a lecture titled: ‘The Oracle Never Falters’ delivered on the occasion, the Director Institute of Biomedical and Drug Research and Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Bowen University ,Iwo, Professor Oduola Abiola described the event as significant , highly commendable and courageous, adding that it was a step taken by the institution to resuscitate the programme.
Oduola recalled how previous efforts in the past particularly by late professor B.O Oshuntokun, a former Dean of Faculty of Medicine and later Chief Medical Director during his tenure towards achieving the feat failed, noting that the resuscitation of the programme has reinstated the University of Ibadan into its national pole position in the training of Medical and Healthcare workers in Nigeria.
While congratulating the graduands, he charged them to exhibit unalloyed dedication, total commitment, pursue excellence with integrity and to conduct themselves with utmost decorum in the discharge of their duties as shown by those who have being in the profession before them.
“My generation is bequeathing to yours a profession that is strong and in an enviable position. Our expectation is that you will take her to a higher heights and make her much stronger.”
“I am therefore challenging you to maintain the tradition that are synonymous with our dear profession; traditions of humility, excellence ,integrity, reliability and humanness but with doggedness in the pursuit of your careers,” he charged.
In his brief address, Chairman of the event and Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka who was represented at the occasion charged the inductees to take heed to be responsible and discharge their duties with dignity.
The vc urged the graduands not to forget their Alma mater by giving back their resources when blessed for the development and growth of the institution and society at large.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital, UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge recounted how he alongside two other professors in the institution advocated for the resuscitation of the programme at the senate of the university several years back before he became the CMD of the UCH.
According to him, despite all odds, the programme eventually saw the light of the day, assuring that graduands of the department just like in other disciplines, would stand above their peers in the sub-sahara Africa.
He promised to absolve some of the graduands based on merit while consideration would also be given to graduands whose parents are personnel of the college if they so desire.
Other speakers which include the President, Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) Dr Abib Olamitoye, the College Provost, Oluwabunmi Olopade- Olaopa, HOD Biomedical Laboratory Science, Prof John Anetor and an elder in the profession, among others charged the inductees not to rest on their oars and engaged themselves in continuous professional development compatible with the needs of their service users and the institution.
