In line with the Catholic Philosophy of education, Madonna University has constantly maintained her tradition of not just producing graduates who are academically sound but also morally and spiritually grounded on the essence of education and the dignity and purpose of human life. It is only after this affirmation that the University deems a candidate worthy of bearing her certificate.
This year, about 61 graduates of the College of Medicine were found worthy by the University to be inducted as medical doctors by the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council. This 6th induction took place on 16th June 2015 at the University Auditorium in Elele campus. The ceremony took off at about 10: am with a Holy mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Oliver Udaya, FJS. The mass was that of thanks giving to God for the lives of the graduates and the academic success granted unto them.
While delivering the sermon, the chief celebrant admonished the inductees on the need to distinguish themselves from the crowd bearing in mind the stuff they are made of. After the Eucharistic celebration, the induction proper took off immediately at the same Venue. Present at the ceremony were the Father Founder of Madonna University, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. E.M.P Edeh C.S.Sp who was represented by Rev. Fr. Oliver Udaya. Also present was the Vice Chancellor Madonna University Prof. Chuks Ezedum represented by the Provost College of Medicine Madonna University, Prof. V. O. Ikeh. Other dignitaries include the Registrar Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Prof. Ibrahim, Prof. Raphael Oruamabo, the elder of Medical Profession, the Chief Medical Director, Madonna University Teaching Hospital Elele, Dr. Nwabueze, and many other dignitaries.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor welcomed all the guests to Madonna University as well as congratulated the graduands whom he advised to keep the flag of the University flying wherever they find themselves. According to him, the culture of professionalism is gradually disappearing in our society as people now delve into areas outside their fields provided they are able to make money. He further stated that this trend has painfully and unfortunately found its way into the medical profession which is a sensitive field as it involves human life. He therefore admonished the graduands to practice the profession with a human. Finally, he reminded them that they are not just graduates but products of a Catholic University and therefore must have respect for human life as enshrine in the Catholic Medical Principles which the University has emphasize to them throughout their years of studies; that anything to the contrary can amount to the withdrawal of one’s degree by the university.
In his induction lectures, Prof. J.M.Oli of University of Nigeria Nsukka presented on the need to communicate in our indigenous languages in medical education and practice. Using the western world as an example he insisted that until medicine is studied and practiced in our indigenous languages there will continue to be a gap between in communication between the doctors and their patients
Shortly after this, the administering of the Physician oath was done by the Registrar of the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council in which the candidates bond themselves on oath to protect and preserve with dedication all the ethics and morals of their profession.
A chat with the Registrar of the University, Mr. C. Ezeh reveals that Madonna University which was founded in 1999 remains an institution built on the two solid pillars of sound academics and morals. According to him graduates of this noble institution are expected to be academically grounded and morally sound. He insisted that Madonna been the first private University to go into operation in Nigeria and the first Catholic University in West Africa has achieved a lot to deserve commendation. For instance, the latest web metric ranking of African Universities has Madonna among the first one hundred out of hundreds of African Universities. The same ranking places Madonna among the first ten (10) Universities in Nigeria. Currently, all courses offered in Madonna University enjoy NUC and relevant board/council accreditation.
According to the registrar it is also on record that law graduates, from Madonna come out tops in their law school examinations. The medical, optometry, medical laboratory, pharmacy, nursing and other professional graduates are working in all continents of the world with Madonna certificates.
Our findings also reveal that presently, Madonna is the only private University operating a three campus system in the country. Okija Campus houses Faculty of Education/Art, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences and Faculty of Law. Elele Campus controls Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Sciences and Faculty of Health Sciences while Akpugo campus in Enugu State takes care of Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
In our chat with the inductees, Dr. Nwalie Beatrice told us that the entire process was thorough, vigorous and stressful but at the end they are all happy as the institution has impacted on them all that it takes to be a good medical doctor. According to her, apart from the academic aspect of the training, the University also places high accent on spiritual and moral formation thereby propagating in her graduates respect for man and fear of God which are indispensable qualities in the medical profession.
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