Two graduating students of the Medical Laboratory Science department of the college of medicine, University of Lagos last Wednesday were proud winners of N100,000 each for excellent and outstanding performances in their academic pursuit.
The award and prize money sponsored by EL-LAB Limited, a top-notch indigenous medical laboratory based in Lagos were presented to the students at this year’s induction ceremony that took place at Old Great Hall, UNILAG College of Medicine, Idi-Araba, Lagos.
In a brief speech before the final presentation ceremony, the Laboratory Director of EL-LAB limited, Mr Elochukwu Adibo congratulated the graduating students on their formal induction as recognized licensed Medical lab scientists and commended their tenacity over five years that culminated into the glorious outing of that day. He reminisced on the evocative and exciting feeling he had many years ago when he received an award of distinction as the best graduating student in the same field and restated that he can truly relate with the excitement of the inductees.
He however advised that the graduands should not relax in their quest for more knowledge as this was just the first major step in a very exciting professional life that lies ahead each of them.
Mr Adibo also explained that although the initial sponsorship was for the best graduating student in Histopathology and Immunochemistry, a special unit after his heart, but he had to appeal to his board to extend the sponsorship to the Overall Best Graduating student as well.
He promised that his organisation will continue to sponsor the two awards consistently and ensure that the prize money each year is commensurate with meeting quality needs within the Nigerian economy.
Mr David Eragbai Ilevbare – Overall Best Graduating student and Victoria Oluwaseyi Idowu – Best Graduating student in Histopathology and Immunochemistry, were the recipients of this year’s award of One Hundred thousand naira each.
Earlier at the event, the College of Medicine Secretary, Mr O.A. Obafemi-Moses in his welcome address expressed strong appreciation to the University, the college, the department as well as the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria for ensuring that the induction was very successful and hitch-free.
In his opening remarks, the Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. F. E. A Lesi called on all graduating students to act with accountability and good judgement in all their professional activities to reflect the great institution they represent.
The Vice- Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe who was represented by his deputy, Prof Bamidele commended the graduating students and their lecturers for their tenacity despite the current challenges Nigerians are facing in the academic environment.
In his induction lecture titled, “The Role of Medical Laboratory Science in health care delivery system in Nigeria: bridging the gap,” Prof Isaiah Nnanna Ibeh traced the relevance of medical lab science from ancient Egypt till date and analysed clearly that evidence based medical treatment as exemplified by medical laboratory science is a sine-qua-non for quality healthcare services in any sane society. He strongly stressed that until the present bickering among different units of medical practice jostling for superiority ends, effective health care delivery might continue to elude Nigeria.
Before the formal induction of the graduands, the presentation of provisional licences and administration of oath, the Registrar/CEO of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) Dr Tosan Erhabor called on the inductees to guard their licences jealously and act with professional ethics in all their undertakings. In his words, “times like this when dangerous diseases are ravaging our environment, the need for well-trained and sound medical laboratory scientists cannot be over emphasized
