Ngige and Other Members of CMUL Class ’19 inducts into the Medical and Dental Profession

Today, after 8 years and the long wait (ASUU strike and COVID Lockdown inclusive), the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos (CMUL) inducted her MBBS/BDS Class of 2018/2019 – CLAXIX – into the noble profession.

The hybrid induction ceremony held at the Old Great Hall of the college with the presence of prominent people and academician such as the Minister of Labour (Dr. Chris Ngige) and wife (Dr. Mrs Ngige – paediatrician and CMUL Alumus) – parents to one of the inductees, the Vice chancellor, UNILAG (ably represented by the Deputy Vice chancellor), the Provost of the College (Prof. David A. Oke), the Chairman NMA Lagos (Dr. Adenekan), the Registrar Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (Dr. Tajudeen Saheed), Deans of Faculties, Head of departments and other members and staff of the faculties. Also, today marks the 40th day of the ongoing resident doctor strike nationwide.

During the ceremony, different key notes was delivered by various speakers welcoming the newly inducted doctors and enjoining them to be the best they could be. Worthy of note is the active participation and role of women in the class, as both overall best graduating student in MBBS (Dr. Adeyeye Adebisi) and BDS (Dr. Olabinwoninu Aliyah) were females, every other prizes presented were also to females and the class representatives of MBBS (Dr. Yemisi Fashola) and BDS (Dr Blessing Nwosu) –  who gave the valedictorian speech – were also females. As a form of encouragement, Dr. Olowojebutu (a prominent CMUL alumnus and philanthropist) gave a cash prize of 100,000 naira to the best graduating student, amidst other prizes bagged.

In the remarks by the  NMA Lagos Chairman, he emphasized the importance of working with the 4 basic principles and ethics of the medical profession as doctors – to avoid running into troubles – which include Patients Autonomy, Beneficence, Non-maleficence, and Justice. To be fair to all, irrespective of gender, race, status or class. Also, he emphasized on their duties and responsibilities as Doctors, to their colleagues, senior colleagues and most importantly, themselves entrenched in the wordings of the “physician pledge”. Finally, welcoming them into the “medical cult” – a league of extraordinary gentlemen, ladies of substance, a profession of “all for one and one for all”). The provost gave the closing remarks and warmly congratulated the newly inducted doctors against all odds.