By Onyekachi Agu

Enugu – The Vice-Chancellor, ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie has urged the newly graduated 48 medical doctors from the ESUT College of Medicine, not to “japa” (leave the country)

The VC made the call on Tuesday while delivering a speech at the 14th induction Ceremony of 48 graduands at the ESUT College of Medicine, Parklane, Enugu.

Represented by the Deputy, Prof Chike Nwoha, the Vice-Chancellor while congratulating the new medical doctors for overcoming the rigours of their 7-year training in the institution, added that the university is proud of them but advised them not to leave the country.

“I want to first and foremost congratulate you on your achievement today. You have demonstrated can-do spirit in undergoing the rigours of your training here for the past six or seven years and today, the world celebrates you. We are indeed proud of you and we believe from what has been impacted into all of you here, you will make us proud.

“The next stage in your life and career is housemanship and thereafter, many of you will go into practice. Please, I want to beg all of, don’t japa. Nigeria still remains the best country in the world and she needs your services. Enugu State needs your expertise. Please stay around and save lives and serve our state and nation.

“For some of you who maybe considering “japaing” (leaving the country) I want you to make a rethink. What if all us had travelled out of the country? What if your dedicated and hardworking lecturers had all travelled out of the country, would you have become a medical doctor today? Please don’t japa, stay in the country and grow your careers,’ the VC said.

Earlier in his opening address, chairman of the ceremony, Igwenagu Ngene, charged the new medical doctors to always see the need to give back to the university that nurtured them.

In his speech, the Induction Lecturer, Professor Anthony Edeh however explained why medical graduates need to travel outside the country after their gratulation

According the former Head of Surgery Department, ESUT, the new medical doctors should travel abroad because the system in Nigeria does not encourage them to grow and serve humanity better.

Prof Edeh noted that systemic failures and government’s inability to provide needed environment for medical doctors to grow has made leaving the country in search of greener pastures by the youths inevitable.

“I want to encourage you to japa. Travel out. In fact, you need to leave the country as a matter of necessity. The successive governments and leaders have failed medical doctors in the country and there are reasons you need to leave the country, and perhaps come back later.

“Nigeria does not have the state-of-the-art technology you need to bring out the best in you if you must practice here. Secondly, in the time past, there was a training fund for medical doctors but today, where is it?

“You need to travel outside the country most importantly to acquire knowledge. You can go abroad to further your studies, I am not against that.

“However, remember, that if you abandon your country, even your relatives will suffer. You need to look back and come back and help to save our society and serve the people,” he said.

Administering the Induction Oath, the Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr Fatima Kyari, represented by the an Assistant Registrar of the Council, Dr Tijani Mandaki, commended the graduates for their steadfastness during their formative years.

Dr Kyari reminded the new medical doctors that while their profession is indeed a noble and highly regarded in the society, the Council would not spare them of they run foul of the ethics of the profession. She admonished them to avoid quackery, prioritizing financial enrichment over and above their professional calling as well as engaging in illegal activities.

“The penalty, if you are found guilty of compromising on you oath, is that you will be deregistered from the Council and your license withdrawn,” she warned them.

The 14th induction ceremony was held at the ESUT Auditorium, Enugu attended bu the graduands as well as their family members friends and well-wishers.

Personalities who graced the induction ceremony include: the Director, Academic Planning, ESUT, Prof Chike Anibeze; Lawmaker representing Orji River State Constituency at the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon Osita Eze, Enugu State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah; Director ESUT Consultancy Services, Prof Okey Oji, among others