The Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello has urged the third set of Bachelor of Nursing Science graduates of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja to be ready to give back to the society.
She also appealed to them to jettison the idea of relocating out of the country but stay back to practice their profession.
The VC, who was the chairperson at the induction ceremony of the 31 graduates held at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), said the state government has invested a lot in the training of the graduates as well as medical facilities in the state owned hospitals.
She added that LASUCOM has retained its position as the foremost College of Medicine in Nigeria, and reminded the graduates that the cost of training they received was subsidised by the state government and the quality of the trainings they received at the college was at par with ones offered in the United States and United Kingdom.
While admitting Nigeria is facing challenges in the medical profession, Olatunji-Bello urged them to consider the country first on moral ground.
“If you want to touch lives, stay at home and build lives. You are graduating at the time the stake is high and seeking greener pastures may be appealing but know that your nation needs you more, Lagos State has invested so much in education”, she said.
She however said no one can stop the graduates from japa if opportunity comes their way. Japa is the street name for professionals fleeing Nigeria to relocate abroad.
LASUCOM Provost, Prof. Abiodun Adewuya urged the graduates to be compassionate in their practice and consider all their patients as being emotionally poor though they may be physically rich.
He reminded them that nursing is a noble profession and should be taken seriously.
The guest lecturer, Dr. Mobolaji-Olajide Mary told the graduands that much is expected of them.
“You must have a purpose in life,and a mentor to guide you. You can still be the best even in Nigeria without ‘Japa’. No investment is too much for your career development”, she advised.
LASUTH’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adetokumbo Fabamwo also bemoaned the mass exodus of Nigerian medical practitioners out of the country.
According to him, ‘ we appear to be training for export.’
“The country is not really conducive for nurses. Nobody can stop anybody from going anywhere but there is moral obligation of giving back to the society where you have been trained”, he told the graduands.
