FR. EDEH SAYS YES TO THE POPE ON CATHOLIC EDUCATION

FR. EDEH (left) WITH THE VICE CHANCELOR MADONNA UNIVERSITY (right)ON THE INDUCTION CEREMONY

Fr. Edeh says yes to the pope on Catholic Education

Madonna University Graduates 122 scientists as UNN and UNIZIK join her

As part of the celebration marking the 2011 World Youths Day, the Holy Father, Pope emeritus, Benedict XVI addressed a group of Professors at Madrid’s Basilica of the Monastery of Sam Lorenzo on what Catholic University Education in meant to and should be. According to him, an ideal University must be such where the professors and the students come together with a single purpose of seeking the truth in all aspects of knowledge and building the individual person in a holistic manner. 
 It is in keeping to this papal injunction that Madonna University has consistently maintained her tradition of not just producing graduates who are academically sound but also morally grounded on the essence of education and the dignity and purpose of human life. It is only after such training and knowledge that the University deems a candidate worthy of bearing her certificate.

This year, about 122 graduates of the faculty of Medical Laboratory Science were found worthy by the University to be inducted into the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria. This 7^th induction happens to be significant in the history of the faculty as two other Universities UNN and UNIZIK brought their candidates to join Madonna University for the induction which took place in the Elele campus of the institution.

The ceremony took off at about 11: am with a Holy mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Michael Melladu, FJS. The mass was that of thanks giving to God for the lives of the graduates and for the academic success granted unto them.

While delivering the sermon, Rev. Fr. Francis Chidebere Nwakile, FJS joined his voice with that of the Gospel of St. Mathew (25:14-30) encouraging the graduands not to hide their talents as the bad servant did but rather to fan them to flame for the good of humanity; assuring them that by so doing, they will definitely attract God’s blessings. According to him, God has a purpose for depositing talents in each and every one of us.

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. E.M.P Edeh C.S.Sp who was soundly represented by Rev. Fr. Michael Melladu, FJS. Also present was the Vice Chancellor of Madonna University Prof. Chuks Ezedum. Other dignitaries include the Registrar, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Prof. Anthony O. Emeribe, the Dean Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Madonna University, Dr.Isaac Anatuanya, representatives from UNN and UNIZIK and a host of others. In his key note address, the Dean, Dr. Anatuanya expressed his gratitude to God for the success recorded so far as he remained grateful to the Father Founder for his constant support and encouragements without which according to him such a great feast would not have been possible.

In his welcome address, the Father Founder 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. He further stated that this trend has painfully and unfortunately entered the medical practice which is a sensitive field as it involves human life.

He admonished the graduands to practice just but that which the university has offered; saying that those of them who wish to go into other areas of the medical profession should come back to the university to study in those fields. He went on to warn them against the ugly culture of employers eating up the very system that feeds them and their families. In his opinion, money acquired from such practices have never done good to anyone in life. He advised them to always protect the interest and welfare of any organisation or establishment that is going to employ them as this will single them out from the rest.

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 have emphasize to them throughout their years of studies; that anything to the contrary can amount to the withdrawal of their degree by the university.

 In his address, the Registrar Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Prof. Anthony O. Emeribe declared openly to the gathering that Madonna University is the first in the country to be raised to the status of having a full faculty in Medical Laboratory Science and only seconded recently by Amadu Bello University. While he congratulated the management for such a great feat, he acknowledged and welcomed the other two universities (UNIZIK & UNN) who brought their students to join in the induction,  encouraging the graduands to keep to the oath of Ethics of the council at all times and conduct themselves accordingly.

Shortly after this, the administering of oath was done by the Registrar of the Council in which the candidates bond themselves on oath to protect and preserve with dedication all the ethics and morals of their profession.

The climax of the event was the issuing of certificates; code of conducts, federal government official gazette and medals to the graduates. These rituals were performed by the Registrar of the Council and the Father Founder. After this important ceremonies, the induction lectures was delivered by Prof. C.C. Onyenekwe of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.

The Dean, faculty of Medical Laboratory Science in his address declared that this year’s induction is the first of its kind. According to him, this was the first time two other Universities came to join Madonna in the induction of her graduands.

The event came to an end with the closing prayer asking God to bless the participants and grant journey mercies to them as they travel back to their various destinations.

STUDENTS OF MADONNA UNIVERSITY AT THE CEREMONY