Fresh students of the Mater Christi Catholic College of Health, Science and Technology, Igede-Ekiti, Ekiti State, have been formally admitted into the institution as the college held its 6th matriculation and 3rd professional induction ceremony for graduating students.
The ceremony, which followed a Holy Mass, attracted officials of regulatory bodies, members of the college management, lecturers, parents, guardians and other stakeholders, marking the commencement of academic and professional training for the new intakes and the formal induction of graduands into their professional body.
Declaring the event open, the Provost of the college, Reverend Sister Mary Ezeazor, congratulated the matriculants, inductees and their parents, describing the occasion as a significant milestone in the academic journey of the students.
She said the institution had continued to work assiduously to produce efficient and competent healthcare professionals capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Reverend Sister Ezeazor expressed satisfaction with the academic performance of students of the college, attributing their success to the high academic and moral standards upheld by the institution.
She assured stakeholders of the college’s unwavering commitment to excellence in health education, while cautioning the matriculants to remain focused, avoid distractions and shun examination malpractice, which she noted could jeopardise their academic careers.
In his address, the College Registrar, Mr. Rasheed Yekini, said the institution had earlier faced challenges, particularly in the area of accreditation, but thanked God and relevant stakeholders for their support, noting that the challenges had been overcome.
He disclosed that three programmes of the college are now fully accredited.
Mr. Yekini appealed to government, corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to support the institution, especially in the area of infrastructure development, to enhance effective teaching and learning.
He revealed that 40 students were matriculated, comprising nine Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) students and 31 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) students, while nine graduands of the Medical Laboratory Technician programme were inducted into professional practice.
Delivering the matriculation and induction lecture, Dr. Gbenga Olaniyi charged the students to take full responsibility for their academic pursuits and avoid behaviours capable of derailing their ambitions.
He urged the inductees to place God first, uphold the oaths and ethics of their profession, and strive for self-driven success.
Dr. Olaniyi also encouraged the newly inducted laboratory scientists to effectively apply the practical skills acquired during their training for the benefit of society, while commending the college for its role in producing professionally grounded healthcare practitioners.
The Superior General of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Reverend Mother Maureen Akabogu, represented by the Western Regional Superior, Sister Mary Akaniro, advised the students to remain good ambassadors of the college wherever they find themselves.
She encouraged them to rely on God and put the knowledge acquired to positive use in service to humanity.
Also speaking, the Head of Department, Community Health, Mrs. Roseline Akande, thanked God for the success of the students and urged the matriculants to be dedicated to their studies.
She charged the inductees to discharge their professional duties diligently in their respective places of work, while also appealing for infrastructural support from government and other stakeholders to complement the institution’s efforts at producing quality healthcare providers.
In a goodwill message, the Acting Registrar of the Federal Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Dr. Donald Ofili, represented by Mr. Okanlawon Sheu, urged the inductees to continually develop themselves professionally and encouraged the matriculants to remain focused on their purpose in the college.
He called on all stakeholders to contribute their quota to addressing challenges facing the health sector and improving healthcare delivery in the country.
Other goodwill messages were delivered by the College Chaplain, Very Rev. FR. Clement Kayode; the Provost of FABOTAS College, Ado-Ekiti, represented by Mr. Wale Okeya; Mrs. Mary Aigbe, representing the Chairman of the Association of Community Health Practitioners, Mr. Olatunbosun Temitope, among others.
They advised the students to remain disciplined, humble, committed and obedient to the ethics of the health profession, stressing that the future of quality healthcare depends largely on their competence and conduct.
Speaking on behalf of the inductees, Miss Mercy Ogunbiyi expressed gratitude to God, their parents, lecturers and the management and staff of the college for their support throughout their academic journey.
She pledged that the inductees would be good ambassadors of the institution and would apply their knowledge to advance healthcare delivery for the benefit of humanity.
Some of the matriculants, including Miss Kehinde Adekunle and Salihu Habeeb, expressed joy over their admission into the college and assured that they were ready to face the academic challenges ahead, with a commitment to excel in their studies.
