... As The Board Inducts 176 IMSU Optometry Graduands
By Augustus Onyekachi Nwaozor, Anipr
The Registrar of the Optometrists' and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN), Dr. Obinna Awiaka has described Imo State University (IMSU) as very special.
Dr. Awiaka made this statement in Owerri, the Imo State capital, during the Induction and Oat-Taking ceremony of 176 IMSU Optometry graduands, which took place on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at Imo State University Auditorium.
Speaking further, the ODORBN Registrar revealed that this made it his third (3rd) time of inducting Optometry graduands of Imo State University, and his fifth (5th) official visit to IMSU as ODORBN Registrar, adding that he graduated from University of Benin (UNIBEN), but has only inducted one set at UNIBEN, had only been there once, and that "IMSU is very special".
To the inductees, he said, "Today, you are taking an oat to ensure that people don't suffer helplessly. You have chosen a noble profession, to help humanity, so you are here to save lives. "
Dr. Awiaka thanked parents and guardians of the inductees on behalf of the Ministry of Health for allowing their children to join the health workforce. He also thanked the lecturers for quality education given to the inductees and advocated for enhanced welfare package for lecturers, which would enable them to produce more qualified graduates.
In his address at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Professor Uchefula U. Chukwumaeze, SAN, FCArb, ably represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Rev. Professor Chigbo M. U. Ajero, described the day as very wonderful.
While welcoming the ODORBN Registrar, the Vice-Chancellor hinted that the Registrar has been very supportive to IMSU, and the University community appreciates him.
Prof Ajero further stressed that Imo State University offers quality education at a reduced cost, which resulted in many parents and guardians bringing their children and wards to Imo State University for quality education. He added that IMSU has been oversubscribed by JAMB candidates seeking admission into universities and the oversubscription necessitated the high JAMB cut off mark for the 2024/2025 IMSU admission.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that so many people want to be in IMSU for one degree or another due to our high-quality education and zero tolerance for corruption. He thanked the parents of the inductees, who had nurtured the graduands to this level and equally thanked the students for taking their Studies seriously.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Head, Department of Optometry, Imo State University, Dr. Magnus Nsonwu hinted that becoming a Doctor of Optometry is a rigorous one because according to him, "next to the gift of life is the gift of sight", and to become qualified to handle such a delicate organ as the eye, one has to be inculcated into the actual skills of carefulness, sterility and knowledge.
He described the Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Professor U. U. Chukwumaeze, SAN, FCArb, as the grand pillar whose sustaining support made the occasion possible, thanking God for making Professor Chukwumaeze a great pilot of IMSU, who's leadership and vision have created an environment where students can thrive.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Dean Faculty of Health Sciences, Imo State University, Professor C. O. Asinobi, while congratulating the inductees on their successful completion of the academic Programme, stated that the journey was challenging, but with God's grace, they have achieved this remarkable feat. She described the inductees as invaluable assets and added, "as products of a world-class University, we trust you will excel wherever you go."
Professor Asinobi insisted that Professor Uchefula U. Chukwumaeze has been Divinely appointed to lead IMSU. She congratulated the inductees' parents and guardians, as well as all those who supported them on their journey to success.
On his part, the President of Nigeria Optometric Association (NOA), Dr. Anderson Chimeziri advised the graduands to always wear their Lab Coat anytime they are in the clinical environment and remove those clinical wears when going home to avoid transporting infection to the home because there has been several cases where infections are transported to the home because people went home with their clinic wears to see their children or family members and from there, they transferred infections to their homes.
He advised the graduands to identify with NOA anywhere they find themselves. Dr. Chimeziri explained that the reason their clients are referred to as Patients is because, no matter the level of case that comes their way, they must patiently follow the procedures to arrive at the right and accurate diagnosis because wrong diagnosis could land someone in jail. He, however, expressed gladness for seeing the huge number of fresh doctors added to their profession, and congratulated them for making it this far.
While delivering her valedictory speech, the best graduating student, Dr. Bernadine Chimaobim Igwe stated that Optometry is not just a profession for her, but a vocation. She mentioned the death of their Class-Rep who was supposed to be inducted with them, describing him as a vital part of their class and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and the soul of all the departed.
The high point of the ceremony was the oath taking and issuing of awards to deserving graduates.
Dignitaries from all walks of life attended the ceremony which included the principal Officers of Imo State University, Professors, Deans, Directors, Heads of Department and Unit, other Teaching and Nonteaching staff of the University, Parents and Guardians, as well as friends and well-wishers of the inductees', and other invited guests, among others.
Augustus Onyekachi Nwaozor is
The Assistant Public Relations Officer of
Imo State University, Owerri.
Imo NDDC Commissioner Secures Approval For Ultramodern Sports Complex And Teacher's House For IMSU.
Hands Over Project Sites To Contractors After Receiving The Sites From Versity VC
By Augustus Onyekachi Nwaozor, Anipr
The Hon. Commissioner representing Imo State at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board, Hon. Dr. Kyrian Uchegbu on Thursday, September 5, 2024, received from the Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University (IMSU), Professor Uchefula U. Chukwumaeze, SAN, FCArb, the proposed sites for Ultra Modern Sports Complex and Teacher's House respectively, approved for immediate construction by the NDDC.
The unique ceremony took place at the projects sites, located within the University campus, in the presence of the Imo State University Management Team, as well as the NDDC Team.
In his remarks, Dr. Uchegbu stated that the projects were borne out of his desire to improve the standard of his Alma Mater, the Imo State University environment. He recalled that in 2016, during Ph.D program in the IMSU, and while expecting his second term appointment, one of his Lecturers who is today, the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Martin Uchenna Nwankwo, assured him that he would get the appointment, and he should remember to do something for the University, especially as it does not have a play ground and that affects the university negatively. And his answer to him then was, "let's put it in prayer first. Once the appointment comes, the project will come ". And the appointment eventually came.
Speaking further, the Commissioner said that one of the first things he took to the Board was that he needed so many things for IMSU because, according to him, "when I remember the role Prof. Martin played as my Lecturer and the role the present Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chukwumaeze played as the Dean of the Postgraduate School then, I feel challenged to do something to ensure that the University continues to grow.
He added that while he was chasing the sports complex project, he was also chasing the Teachers House and the
Light up Niger Delta Programme for Imo State University, but the sports complex and Teachers House projects came out first, assuring that the Light up Niger Delta for IMSU is still in the pipeline. He expressed optimism that it will also come very soon.
Dr. Uchegbu expressed joy that he and NDDC Team came to receive the projects sites from IMSU Vice-Chancellor, and hand them over to the contractors for immediate commencement of construction. He hinted that Imo State is lucky to have him as NDDC Board member, and the State Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, as Chairman of NDDC Board Advisory Committee, adding that with that combination, whatever he requests from NDDC must be approved. The NDDC Commissioner assured that the Projects would be ready for use in the shortest possible time.
In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Prof. Uchefula U. Chukwumaeze, SAN, FCArb, thanked the Imo State NDDC Commissioner, Dr. Uchegbu, for not being a greedy and selfish man because many people in position of authority today, have no interest in the welfare of their people but only think about how to divert and embezzle public and project funds.
He maintained that, "if other Imo citizens love IMSU the way Dr. Uchegbu does, there won't be any place better than IMSU, noting that IMSU has never witnessed this type of kind gesture since the history of the University. The number one citizen of Imo State University hinted that, the university has produced over 20,000 postgraduates and over 100,000 undergraduates but can't recall how many of them have remembered their Alma Mater (IMSU).
Professor Chukwumaeze however, thanked the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, who did not only make it possible for Dr. Uchegbu to be appointed for a second term, but is also making it possible for Dr. Uchegbu's dreams to be actualized, adding that Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma is also an Imo Star because he is an honorary Ph.D holder of the Imo State University even long before he became the Governor of Imo State.
The IMSU Vice-Chancellor further revealed that there are many abandoned projects in the university, including the NDDC Hostel, pleading that the new projects should not be abandoned like others.
In their separate reactions after receiving the project sites, the sports complex contractor, Wiz Gold Nigeria Limited as well as the teacher's house contractor, Wiz Kamsy West Africa Limited, respectively, assured that with directives from NDDC and support of Imo State University, they will deliver according to specifications and in record time.
Present at the ceremony were the Management, Management support staff, other staff of Imo State University, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Rev. Prof. C.M.U. Ajero, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Very Rev. Prof P. A. Ogbonna, Registrar, Dr. J. U. Osuagwu, Bursar, Mr. Fidelis Njoku, Ag. University Librarian, Dr. (Mrs) Blessing Solomon-Uwakwe, Deputy Director of Physical Planning, Dr. Ken Orgu, Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor M. U. Nwankwo, PRO, Nze Ralph Njokuobi, Executive Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Richard Uzoh, Personal Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. C. J. Amaechi, Esq, Personal Assistant to the Registrar, Mr. Ben Onyewuchi, Assistant PRO, Mr. Onyekachi Nwaozor, Director of Sports, Dr. H. Ogbuehi, and others.
In the NDDC Commissioner's entourage were; Mrs. Priscillia Onyeocha, Imo State NDDC Director, Pastor Steve Nwosu, Assistant Director (PMS), Mr. Malachy Ogbonna, Assistant Director (Agric), Lady Chika Ihenacho, Corporate Affairs, and other team members from NDDC.
Augustus Onyekachi Nwaozor is
The Assistant Public Relations Officer
of Imo State University, Owerri
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