Adefesoye Kingsley emerges overall best graduate; Ehigiegba Pamela named best female
Nigeria’s Premier Private University, Igbinedion University Okada, formally inducted 65 new medical doctors at a colourful ceremony on its Okada campus, where university leaders, professional bodies and guest speakers urged the graduates to serve with humility, integrity and compassion.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye PhD, FAS, told the inductees to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct. He described medicine as a calling rather than merely a profession, one that demands empathy and unwavering commitment to patient care.
He advised the new doctors to listen attentively to patients, respect confidentiality and collaborate effectively with nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other health professionals. He also encouraged continuous professional development, research and the adoption of emerging technologies, and expressed confidence that their training would allow them to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s healthcare system, particularly for the most vulnerable.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Branch, Dr. Andrew Eigbedion, urged the graduates to commit to lifelong learning and never lose their passion for knowledge.
He also called on the Federal Government to urgently increase housemanship slots, saying current capacity is inadequate for the growing number of newly qualified doctors. Expanded training opportunities, he said, would give young doctors the practical experience needed to manage patients and handle difficult situations.
Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Dominic Osaghae, MNI, congratulated the graduates and acknowledged the senior academics and dignitaries who have supported medical education at the university. He singled out Prof. Titus Ibekwe and Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, whose continued service he described as an inspiration to students and faculty.
Urging the doctors to celebrate while remaining mindful of their new responsibilities, he said: “You are no longer students but professionals. Go and shine.”
Delivering the induction lecture, titled “Take a Bow,” Prof. Titus Sunday Ibekwe encouraged the inductees to approach medicine with humility, gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility. He asked them to appreciate those who supported their journey, particularly parents and teachers, and to remember the patients they would serve throughout their careers.
Representing the Registrar of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr. Fatima Kyari, Assistant Registrar Dr. Tijjani Mandaka admonished the doctors to remain humble, respectful and faithful to the ethics of the profession. He urged them to respect their seniors and maintain professional discipline at all times.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, the best graduating doctor, Dr. Adefesoye Kingsley thanked the university, lecturers and parents for their support through the demanding years of medical education. The experience, he said, had instilled resilience, hard work and humility, and fellow inductees were urged to stay curious and committed to continuous learning.
