By Joy Alinta and Millicent Damian

ESUT College of Medicine (ESUCOM) 44th matriculation ceremony was held on the 21st of February 2025 at Prof Julius Onah Auditorium. This matriculation started with a procession of the Deans of all the four faculties, the members of the management board and the matriculating students.

ESUT College of Medicine consists of 4 faculties which includes; Clinical Medicine, Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences and Faculty of Health and Allied Sciences.

The matriculating students were welcomed by an address of the Vice Chancellor of ESUT bu the Provost of the College, Prof Uchenna Ekwochi. They were voluntarily made to undergo an oat of commitment and loyalty to the school in the presence of the Provost, Deans, members of the management board of the college and their parents/guardians.

The Dean of faculty of Clinical Medicine, Prof. Umezurike Okafor gave an overview of the matriculation ceremony and highlighted many other things concerning the University to the matriculating students providing insights to why the University is notable, focusing on the academic reputation, programmes, achievements and impact on the society.

According to Prof. Ozor Ignatius, Dean, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, he said that matriculation is an official process of admitting students into the University community which makes them legitimate students and that it is wonderful that it is a decentralized programme and the 2nd time the University is doing it. He noted that it’s been very significant and yielding fruits because it gives an opportunity for face-to-face interaction with students and their  parents which has brought about massive turnup of students and parents.

The Dean of faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Dr Sylvester Nweze, said the matriculation is one of the very best because there was an interface between the parents and members of the management team which brought about questions and answers, where parents aired their views and were replied back to and students were given opportunities to give their experiences so far about the school. He also said that the decentralized system of matriculating will be more effective. It is not like a sheep without shepherd where people enter into the field without knowing the students that are matriculating and those who are not . He encouraged the fresh students to study hard and be very mindful of their mode of dressing and avoid any form of malpractice.

A parent of a matriculating student  Dr. Ani Malaki who also aired his view about the matriculation said that his expectations as a parent is the same expectations of every responsible parent which is the goal of the students and that goal is to graduate with flying colors and be useful to his or herself and the society at large. He added that the University already has facilities and resources but he expects that school apply those resources judiciously.

     A matriculating student, Favour Ugwuanyi from the Department of Human Anatomy said that coming to ESUT has not really been easy but she is grateful to be called a student of the University. She also complained about some challenges she has been facing since she became a student which are epileptic light, network issues and hut weather. She mentioned that her academic goals is to maintain a very good CGPA till she graduates from the school.

The matriculation was well arranged and a successful ceremony. The ceremony concluded with a sense of excitement and anticipation, as the new students embark on their academic journeys, ready to make their mark at Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

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Enugu – The Management board of ESUT College of Medicine, ESUCOM on Monday held a Town Hall Meeting with the Staff of the College.

The first of its kind since the formation of the College over a decade ago, the interactive session afforded the management board the opportunity to have unfiltered information from the staff on issues bothering on their welfare, challenges and prospect.

The College Provost, Prof Uchenna Ekwochi in his opening remark, said the essence of the town hall meeting was to have a face-to-face conversation with the staff members, take appraisal of the management’s actions and inactions and find a common ground on how to enhance the welfare of the staff to guarantee effective teaching and administration in the College.

The Provost who listed the achievements of the College under his stewardship since he assumed duty on March 12, 2024 said that despite the obvious records, tangible and intangibles successes achieved, the welfare of the staff remains the management’s top priority even as it plans to install audio visual learning device to aid teaching and learning.

“When I assumed duty as Provost on March 12, 2024, I saw the wonderful work my predecessor did. But I also noticed that some areas need improvement and that was why I set off in my vision to make the College to be on the top.

“We took off by fixing the critical things that faced the College, key among them was accommodation for students due to increase in quota for some departments. We also repaired the students’ buses to ensure ease of movement when they are attending their programmes.

“Cleanliness of the environment was part of the agenda, we also delivered on it. The Department of Anatomy Complex was renovated, reticulation of water within the College was also carried out, Thanks to the Governor of Enugu State who has been supportive.

“As part of efforts to promote excellence, we initiated the ESUT College of Medicine Annual Merit Award where staff who distinguished themselves were recognised. The highpoint of the Award Ceremony held on Monday, December 16, 2024 was the announcement of the conversion from casual worker to a permanent staff of Mrs Ijeoma Ugwu by the University Council Chairman, Chief Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa. Today, Mrs Ugwu has received her appointment letter as a full staff of the College.

“I can go on with the achievements but I wouldn’t want to bore you with that so that the essence of this gathering will not be lost. We are here today to evaluate our actions and inactions and how they have impacted in the discharge of your duties. This meeting is for us to rub minds and have a common ground on how to move the College forward,” he said.

Members of the staff who spoke commended the board for their outstanding successes and urged them to remain on track.

On the challenges facing the workforce, members of the staff listed them to include non-payment of promotion arrears, exclusion of ESUCOM Staff from the new minimum wage, establishment of an autopsy centre to give students much knowledge, training of security personnel to ensure efficiency, under-staffing, among others.

 Responding, the Provost commended the staff for their outspokenness and explained that their views, particularly challenges, would be looked into,

On the issue of new minimum wage, the Provost informed the staff that the University management has set up a committee to work out the consequential adjustment, stressing that the report of the committee is being awaited.

Prof Ekwochi who asserted that every worker deserves good wage, noted that the management is making plans to establish autopsy and embalmment and mortuary centres in the college to serve as training centres for the students and attained to the needs of the people.

On the shortage of staff, he said “we have made recommendations to the management on this and we are expecting to hear from them. We will also work on having a liaison officer at Agbani to help us break the communication gap between Agbani Campus and the College Campus.

“I want to sincerely thank all of you for your contributions. It is important that we have this forum from time to time. If you want to be a leader, you must be close to the people. We have plans to implement all that were said here, but finance is the factor. However we will continue to prioritize your welfare because our mandate is to see you are better and can deliver optimally. We have also made plan to install audio visual to aid teaching and learning. When installed, lectures will be recorded and plated such that students can have their copies and re-watch the lecture during their spare time,” he said

Some staff interviewed commended the management for the Town Hall Meeting and called for sustenance.

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Enugu – In its effort to provide effective, conducive teaching and learning environment for the students, the Board of the ESUT College of Medicine, ESCUM on Friday held a Town Hall Meeting with the students.

Held at the College Auditorium, and chaired by the Provost, Professor Uchenna Ekwochi, the meeting provided the students and the Board great opportunity to interact, identify challenges and ways to solve them.

In his opening remarks, the College Provost, Prof Ekwochi noted that the essence of the meeting was to interact with the students, get unfiltered information from them about their challenges, where the board is not doing well and how to serve them better. He added that no student would be witch-hunted for expressing his or her opinion adding that such act is not permitted within the College.

“When I came on board, my mission is to99 take the College to the top. The College is not just about the staff, it is also about the students who are major stakeholders because the reason the staff are here is because we have the students.

“One of our major core values is anchored on students focus and the initiative of the town hall meeting is to help us get an unfiltered information from the students. We want them to talk to us and we talk to them. If we are doing well, the students should tell us and where we are lagging, they will also inform us and the board will take it up and effect improvement.

“We want the students to tell us areas they want us to serve them better because they are the reason we are here and our priority is to ensure that they enjoy staying here.

“We planned it early January because if we are able to harness these information, we will be able to give them the best in the year and beyond.

“No one will be witch-hunted for expressing their views. Nobody does that in the College of Medicine, that is against the regulations. There is freedom of speech even after the speech. We don’t tolerate anybody who abuses his/her privilege,” he said.

During the interaction, the students who appreciated the board for their efforts to make their studies seamless also commended them for restoration of power, renovation of the Anatomy Department, completion of water reticulation as well as installation of CCTV cameras in the campus to enhance security.

They however listed other challenges such as not having enough chairs and tables in some classrooms, lack of internet connectivity to aid their research work, delay in organising induction for graduates, shortage of hostels due to increase in quota for some departments, lack of projectors, thefts, installation of a Gym Centre, among others.

Responding, the Provost acknowledged that the management is not unaware of the challenges enunciated add thing that plans are underway to build recreation facilities in the campus to enhance students extra curricular activities once the resources are available.

He noted that bills to fix the chairs was on his desk and the replacement would take effect from first week of February.

On shortage of accommodation, Prof Ekwochi noted that it has been a concern to the board due to the increase in quotas for some departments which led to more number of students being offered admission. He stressed that the board is on the lookout for a space for new hostel and advised the students to keep the hostels clean.

On his part, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Dr Yomi Jaye appreciated the students for their outspokenness and promised that the complaints would be tabled to the Governor for prompt action.

“You have the resilience to succeed and I believe the challenges you mentioned will be looked into. His Excellency pays keen attention to health especially on the institution that trains the manpower we need to drive home his health policy for the people. His priority is to make the environment conducive for you so that when you graduate, you will become a tool in stabilising our health system.

“For instance, the government is currently building a 300-bed specialist hospital and when it is furnished with the state-of-the-art medical equipment, many of you here would be key pioneers of the system,” he said.

In his Vote of thanks, the President, Enugu State University Medical Students Association, ESUMSA, Eze Michael Uzochukwu thanked the College Board for initiating the Town Hall Meeting and promised that the students will remain obedient and imbibe all they are to acquire.

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Enugu – In keeping faith in Martin Luther King Jr’s age long assertion that “All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence” because the dignity of labour is the idea that all types of jobs are equally respected, and no job should be discriminated against, the board of management of ESUT College of Medicine, ESUCOM, will on Monday, December 16, 2024 honour five staff for their honourable and exceptional performance in office.

Tagged “First Edition of ESUT College of Medicine Annual Merit Award Ceremony”, the event hold at the ESUCOM Auditorium starting from 11am

Five Staff who distinguished themselves meritoriously will be honoured during the ceremony that will feature the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai as the Special Guest and Chairman of the occasion, ESUT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alyosius-Micaheals Okolie will serve as the Chief Host while the Host is the Provost of the College, Professor Uchenna Ekwochi.

The five staff will be honoured in the following categories:  Best Lecturer in Faculty

Of Clinical Medicine; Best Lecturer in Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences; Best Lecturer in Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences: Best Performing Non-Teaching Staff in ESUCOM and Best Performing Casual Staff in ESUCOM.

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By Amaechi Agbo

Enugu – The Provost, ESUT College of Medicine, Parklane Enugu, Prof Uchenna Ekwochi has disclosed that the management’s vision is to make the College a World Class Institution.

Prof Ekwochi stated this while delivering his welcome address at the 14 Induction Ceremony of Medical Graduates of the College on Tuesday.

The Enugu State University of Science and Technology , ESUT, it would be recalled, on Tuesday graduated a total of 48 medical students who were inducted into the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN. MDCN is the umbrella body regulating medical practice in Nigeria.

“Our vision at the ESUT College of Medicine is to be a world class institution where excellence is the watchword and acquisition of knowledge and skill is the paramount goal. This we have continued to pursue through the expansion of the scope of knowledge in teaching, research and publication, production of medical personnel who are excellent in character, knowledge and skill through the transformation and upliftment of the status of our immediate and remote society.

“Our strong focus on core values of academic excellence, innovation, scholarship, student focus and integrity has provided us with the necessary inspiration and sense of direction,” the Provost said.

Prof Ekwochi who called on well-meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies to partner with the College in achieving its set targets, admonished the new medical doctors to shun short practices, be good ambassadors of the university and always put God first in their activities.

“As our newest medical graduands are being inducted by the Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, we are glad to invite our visitors, parents and friends of graduands, well-meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies, friends of the College and the University, captains of industries and all lovers of progress to partner with us in developing our College.

“To our new graduates, I advise you do not lose sight of our core values as you begin to navigate the wider world.

“Shun sharp practices that will cut short your visions. Engage in healthy relationships that will better your future. Aim at improving your skills through specialisation in your chosen field. Don’t neglect your health. Always remember your root, Join the ESUCOM and University Alumni and plan to give back to the system that trained you. Above all, do not forget your God.”

ESUT College of Medicine (ESUCOM) has made tremendous progress from its full accreditation for medical training in 2010 by the National Universities Commission and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN. It has grown from one faculty to a three-faculty College with the fourth faculty soon to take off.

The College currently has 23 professors and 20 departments

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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

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By Amaechi Agbo

Enugu – The Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, has continued to maintain its dominance in academic spheres within and outside the Enugu State and South East region as the First State-owned university in Nigeria on Friday emerged winner of the 2024 042 Debate.

The 042 Debate was organised by the Enugu State Government in conjunction with Zenith Bank.

For emerging winners, ESUT, represented by the College of Medicine Students, ESUMSA, showed grit and stoicism as they defeated their counterparts from other universities.

This triumph has further signposted the significant steps taking by the current management of the university led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie in repositioning the citadel and promoting academic excellence.

Meanwhile, the Provost of ESUT College of Medicine, Professor Uchenna Ekwochi has described the triumph as a testament of dedication of students and staff as well as investment in the college by the university management.

Prof Ekwochi in phone interview told ESUT Monitor that the victory is the begining of greater things to come from the College and indeed Edit generally.

“It’s a tremendous honor to see our university, college, recognized for their investments in the College of Medicine. This achievement is a testament to the effectiveness of Governor Peter Mba’s education initiatives, prioritizing education and health in the state budget. It’s thrilling to witness our students excel in debate tournaments, demonstrating that ESUT is truly making a positive impact.

“I’m overjoyed and proud of our students and teachers who have worked tirelessly to achieve this success. Their hard work and dedication reflect the high standards of ESUT, and I believe this is just the beginning of greater accomplishments to come,” Prof Ekwochi said.

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Today, members of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT community and indeed scholars and researchers from across the country and beyond, will converge either physically or virtually, at the ESUT College of Medicine Auditorium, Enugu for the 38^th Inaugural Lecture of the university to be delivered by erudite Professor Umezurike Hughes Okafor.  

A Professor of medicine and a consultant physician with subspecialty training in renal medicine, Professor Okafor will be dissecting the topic, “Would You Like to Live a Healthy Life? Then Keep the Purifier Purified” at the ESUT College of Medicine, Parklane, Enugu commencing from 1pm.

Interesting facts about today’s lecture are that Professor Okafor will be recording many “Firsts” with the inaugural lecture as he becomes the first Professor to deliver inaugural lecture in the faculty of Clinical Medicine and 2^nd in College of Medicine ESUT as well as also being the first professor of Medicine to deliver inaugural lecture from Enugu East senatorial zone.

Prof Okafor who has cut his teeth in his academic career, is also the first nephrologist to insert tunneled central venous catheter in South East Nigeria. He pioneered the establishment of haemodialysis center at ESUT Teaching Hospital Parklane, Enugu and was the first head of the unit. He is also the first indigenous Professor of Medicine in ESUT.

The Inaugural Lecturer is a member of several national and international professional bodies such as Nigeria Medical Association, NMA; National Association of Nephrology; Assistant Chairman Nigeria renal registry; Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria; Transplant Association of Nigeria; African Association of Nephrology; International Society of Nephrology; Hypertensive Society of Nigeria and Association of Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria.

Apart from being a human capital builder and a mentor, Prof Umezurike Okafor has served the university, Nigeria and humanity in different capacities including serving as current dean, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Associate Dean Faculty of Clinical Medicine Head of Department as well as being a member of 19 different university committees.

He is currently carrying out free screening for kidney disease in Enugu which holds on World Kidney Day (observed every 2^nd Thursday in Match) from 2019 till date. He conducts annual Medical outreach in Eziokwe Amurri since 2005; Medical Outreach Nigerian Correction center Port Harcourt annually from 2021 till date. Sponsored 1st Rural Electrification and sank borehole at Umuchoke Eziokwe Amurri in Nkanu West Local Government; Sponsor of Prof Okafor UH prize for best graduating student in department of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu 2018 till date, among others.

Today, the academics, researchers, industrialists, and all segments of the human society will converge at the ESUCOM Auditorium to cross fertilize ideas on how to live a healthier life.   

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