The third set of qualified Medical Doctors of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma has been inducted with a charge to remain guided by the ethics of the medical profession. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wilson Imongan, who gave this charge on the 4th of September, 2008 during the swearing-in ceremony of the 71 graduating medical doctors at the Ceremonial Pavilion of the University stressed the importance of training undergraduate medical students in Management, Philosophy and Economics while pointing out that health is a social service.

The Health Commissioner congratulated the University and the graduating doctors and assured them of the State Government’s readiness to accommodate any graduating doctor who intends to undergo his internship in any of the State Government owned Hospitals.  He however encouraged them to take advantage of the interview to be conducted by the Edo State Health Management Board for possible placement
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While congratulating the University for turning out the third set of qualified medical doctors, Dr. Imongan re-assured the University of the State Government’s support at all times.  He expressed appreciation to the Management of Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua for its immense contribution towards the training of the medical doctors.

Earlier in his opening remark, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. D.O. Aigbomian, KSM, JP congratulated the young medical doctors for their success in their final examinations and expressed his happiness as the University graduates another set of qualified medical doctors which according to him signified the institution’s modest contribution to the growth of the medical profession in Nigeria at large and Edo State in particular.
 
The Vice-Chancellor regretted that inadequate funds for the running of the College of Medicine had remained one of the challenges facing the University and therefore appealed to the State Government and public spirited individuals and organizations to generously support the College both financially and materially in order to sustain its growth.

The Vice-Chancellor assured the State Government and the public that the University Management would lift the name of the University to greater heights and give it a pride of place in the comity of University, if adequate financial support is provided for the University and the College of Medicine.
 
While delivering the swearing-in lecture, titled “Orthodox Medical Practice in Nigeria: Its Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats”, the Guest Lecturer, Prof. B.J. Bojuwoye, Provost, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin advised the graduating doctors to strive and live above board in  their public and private lives and practise medicine with conscience and dignity.

Prof. Bojuwoye pointed out that Nigerian Medical Practitioners are generally well trained and competent but regretted that this strength ironically has in a way become a weakness due to the brain drain phenomenon.  The Guest Lecturer enjoined the new medical doctors to avoid arrogance, foolish heroism and self-conceit.
 
Also in a word of advice, the Chief Medical Director, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Prof. George Akpede urged the graduating doctors to be good ambassadors of the University and shun notorious conducts capable of tarnishing the University’s image.  Prof. Akpede pleaded with the State Government to live up to its responsibilities in line with the Memorandum of Understanding between it and the Hospital.

Highpoints of the ceremony were the swearing-in of the Medical Doctors and presentation of License to practice administered by the Provost, College of Medicine, Prof. E.F. Alufohai who praised the graduating medical doctors for being the best set so far because of their outstanding academic records.

Rev. (Mrs.) H. Aima Segynola gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the University while Dr. Uzoechi Okechukwu gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the newly inducted medical doctors.
The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Abdul-Aziz Garuba, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Principal Officers of the University and other dignitaries from within and outside the State.