From Emmanuel Ahanonu and Ubong Edet, UNICAL
The University of Calabar (UNICAL) International Conference Centre was recently filled to the brim during the induction of 80 UNICAL Medical Lab. Scientists.
Declaring the ceremony open, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Zana Akpagu, represented by the DVC (Academics), Prof. Florence Obi, described the occasion as epoch-making. “Medical laboratory science is a noble profession and must be practised with all forms of proficiency,” she noted. She charged the graduating students to represent the institution well and to ensure they put into best practice what they have learnt in the course of their study.
The Head of Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Calabar Prof. A. A. A. Alaribe introduced the 80 graduates who have successfully completed their academic obligations and who are worthy to be inducted into the Medical Laboratory Science Association of Nigeria having completed their B.MLS programme. During the introduction he brought to the notice of the Council and Vice Chancellor that amongst the graduating set were two first class students.
The Registrar/CEO, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Mr. Tosan Erhabor described the occasion as a special one especially for the inductees. He congratulated the inductees whose effort gave an additional colour to the occasion. Nehemiah Emono Dankano and Usungise Peace Bassey were the distinguished with their first class honours.
Dankano, an indigene of Taraba State emerged the overall Best Graduating Student with a CGPA of 4.78 while Bassey, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State emerged second Best Graduating Student with a first class degree and a CGPA of 4.57.
The highpoint of the event was the oath-taking, exchange of mementos with deserving students in different categories and presentation of practising licence by the Registrar/CEO, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria; While Dankano won Best Graduating Student’s award, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria award, Best Graduating student award for Chemical Pathology, Bassey won Ekemini Raymond and Dr. Usanga’s awards for Best Graduating Student of Haematology. Ntem Patience Komommoh won Best graduating student award for Medical Microbiology, Udofia Nicholas, Prof. Lydia Abia-Bassey award in Medical Mycology. HOD’s Outstanding Innovative Award went to Alaribe Anthony Akabueze while Eworo Raymond won Entrepreneurship award.
Responding on behalf of the new inductees, the Overall Best Graduating student, Comr. Dankano charged fellow graduands to put the knowledge and ideas they have acquired into work. He applauded the school management under Prof. Zana for providing an enabling and conducive environment for effective learning which has in turn attracted to them these accolades. He applauded the lecturers in the department and other departments domiciled in the medical college for the knowledge and skills instilled in them. He finally applauded their “proud parents and well wishers” for their support and encouragements.
Mr. Michael Monity led the 80 inductees in taking a three bow of loyalty, first to the almighty God, school management and lecturers, parents and sponsors.