FUHSO’s week of glory

By steve anyebe.

 

It was one glorious week of activities culminating in the maiden matriculation attended by the maiden students of the maiden Federal Government owned University of Health Sciences in Nigeria.

 

The week started with a live radio program on Joy FM Otukpo, in which the Director of Academic Planning & Control at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Prof Godwin Owoicho Akpa, who was also the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the maiden matriculation of the Institution, paired with the babyfaced Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof Steve Abah, to speak on various issues relating to FUHSO and the preparations towards the epoch making matriculation. For many listeners it was a very enlightening programme as the duo went through the history of the establishment of FUHSO and the courses available there presently. Again, doubting Thomases were informed of the level of preparedness at the Otada campus to host the induction ceremony of the FUHSO pioneer students. Members of the listening public called to express their elation that academic activities were going to start.

 

The week of glory at FUHSO also witnessed an interactive press conference hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Innocent Achanya Ujah, mni, during which correspondents of media establishments threw up questions about staff recruitment, students admission, security, the coming matriculation, students fees, etc. Prof Ujah, amongst other answers, reiterated his commitment towards making FUHSO a world class medical/academic Institution, pointing out that recruitment of staff and admission of students were done according to due process. The Vice Chancellor stressed the need for all Nigerians to join hands with FUHSO Management to take the new University to enviable heights, referring to the Media as a worthy partner.

 

In the same week Prof Innocent Ujah,mni, hosted members of the FUHSO Governing Council led by its Chairman and Pro-Chancellor, Prof Abdullahi Abba. The Council members held its full meeting at Otada and thereafter, inspected developments at the takeoff site expressing delight at what they saw.

 

An Idoma language program on Joy FM,(OK’ONENE) hosted by Edeh Onyilokwu during the week, had Prof Owoicho Akpa and the Protocol Officer of FUHSO, Francis Onmoke, mesmerize listeners with their command of the Idoma language. The two proved themselves to be walking encyclopedia of FUHSO affairs, as caller after caller expressed happiness and prayed God to give the Prof Ujah led administration the wherewithal to move the University to the level envisioned by its founding fathers.

 

One major landmark of the week of glory at FUHSO was the maiden Matriculation Lecture on 04/11/2021. The choice of the Lecturer was just as apt as the lecture topic itself for experience, it is said, is the best teacher.

Professor Friday Okonofua, the renowned Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the first Vice Chancellor of the first University of Medical Sciences in Nigeria, located in Ondo state, spoke on *IMPROVING MEDICAL EDUCATION IN NIGERIA: THE CASE FOR SPECIALIZED UNIVERSITIES*.

Who else would have done better justice to such an apt topic? He lived up to his billing, segmenting his discourse into three parts. In part one, Prof Friday Okonofua provided some historical narrative of how specialized Universities have evolved over time in Nigeria. Part two saw him sharing his thoughts on the rationale for specialized medical institutions and what that means for the improvement of medical education in the country. In part three, the erudite medical administrator suggested some recommendations, based on his experience, on how the specialized Universities should be administered and developed towards achieving the best results.

Prof Okonofua provided the essential answers to the questions regarding how FUHSO could use innovative and creative strategies *”to produce a 21st century set of health practitioners that will restructure Nigeria’s health care system”.*

Prof Friday Okonofua delivered a lecture which is a must read.

 

The climax of *FUHSO’s WEEK OF GLORY* was of course the Maiden Matriculation Ceremony of 05/11/2021.

The colourful ceremony was rightly titled *A DREAM COME TRUE* by Prof Innocent Ujah himself in his address. A brighter colour was added to the ceremony by the presence of a full complement of officials of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to honour their President, Prof Innocent Ujah,mni. The ceremony kept getting brighter and brighter as distinguished personalities trooped into the arena. Traditional rulers were led by OchOtukpo Odu, Chief Dr John Eimonye and First Class Chief, Emmanuel Okochi. Local Government Chairmen with visibility by Rt Hon George Ali and Hon Ameh Akoche. League of Retired Idoma Generals prominently represented by Gen Harrison Adoga. Benue Rebirth Movement’s National Coordinator, AVM Monday Morgan. Ochetoha K’Idoma and it’s affiliates from all over Nigeria, led by AVM Tony Adokwu. Representatives of Idoma Daughters and Wives Association in their colorful designer white on red attires & League of Idoma Professors.

When the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Architect Sunny Echono, who is also the President Nigeria Institute of Architecture, came into the arena, the Matriculation Ceremony assumed a new colour altogether. Trust Andy Gabriel, the renowned Master of Ceremony (MC), to do justice any day.

Political gladiators were led by former Deputy Governor Chief Steven Lawani, while Hon Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngbia, represented Governor Samuel Ortom.

 

The induction of the matriculating students through the oath administered by the Legal Officer of FUHSO, Barrister Ene Bridget Uja-Oyigboja, was greeted by a loud ovation.

 

The arena of the Maiden Matriculation of pioneer students of FUHSO turned into a carnival of a sort when the MC announced the presence of legendary musical icon, Bongos Ikwue, who graciously sang one of his popular titles, a love song, for the students. Thereafter, a photo session with Bongos Ikwue ensued as practically everyone wanted to be captured in shots with the music legend.

 

The cristalization of *FUHSO’s WEEK OF GLORY* was when the pioneer students of the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo attended their first lecture on 08/11/2021. The Lecturer was Prof Okibe.

 

Much preparations went into the events which culminated in the very successful Maiden Matriculation of pioneer students of FUHSO. Many Committees worked tirelessly round the clock. The Central Planning Committee Chairman must be commended for a good job of coordinating everything. The indefatigable, sharp Registrar of FUHSO, Mallam Aminu Abba; DVC Admin, Prof Ediga Agbo; and all the Committee Chairmen and their members; I doff my hat for all of you.