No fewer than 41 medical doctors took the oath recently at the College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar (UNICAL). It was the 39th Physician Oath-taking ceremony, otherwise known as ‘Sponsio Academica’ of the university.
The ceremony was held at the UNICAL International Conference Centre, with eminent personalities, parents and guardians in attendance.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. James Epoke, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Austin Obiekezie, commended the parents and sponsors of the graduates for providing the required resources and support that sustained them throughout their stay in the university.
Prof. Obiekezie congratulated the new medical doctors for conquering the difficult moments, which he said accompanied their training before graduation. He advised them to see hard work as a good virtue, adding that the sky would be their starting point if they could stick to the guidelines of the profession. He charged them to adhere strictly to the tenets of the profession.
The Provost of the College, Prof. Saturday Etuk, congratulated them on their successful completion of the programme, adding that it has been a long journey filled with anxiety and fears.
“You have all successfully completed the first phase of training as medical doctors,” he said.
He admonished them not to betray the confidence reposed in them by involving themselves in unethical practices that would portray the institution in bad light.
Prof Etuk described the new medical doctors as harvest of the college, which they are sending to the society. He implored them to work hard in maintaining the standard they have acquired from their alma mater and always be good ambassadors.
In his lecture entitled, ‘Equations of Life’, Prof. Rowland Ndowa Egba, Pro-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, advised the students to see success in life as a product of attitude.  He urged them to maintain teamwork based on mutual respect for one another, good communication skills, decent dressing and etiquette.
While administering the oath on the physicians, the Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), who was represented by Dr. Ogban Ikpoti, the Director of Medical Services, Cross River State, assisted by the Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Prof. Maurice Asuquo, noted that the oath-taking placed a moral burden on the graduates to live above board, stressing that they would be held accountable for whatever action they take.
Prof. Asuquo urged them to reflect and ponder on the physician oath and be guided appropriately, adding that continuous education remains the armour of a proficient medical practitioner.
Highlight of the event was award presentation to the best graduating student, Dr. Muriel Inyang. There were also Dr. Bassey Kubiangha Education Foundation Award, Samuel and Isabella Inyang Foundation Award and the Provost Prize. Other recipients of the awards were Oka Edochi and Ugbe Beshikinashi.
Inyang thanked the management for its effort in making the day a reality for the graduating students and congratulated her colleagues on their patience. He also commended parents for their moral and financial support during their stay in the university.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Dr. Oku Rita, who is also the Class Representative, praised the school management for providing a conducive learning environment for them. She also acknowledged the support and care of the lecturers and staff of the department.
In her words, “a journey of one thousand kilometre truly begins with a step. The journey we once started by swearing to abide by the rules of the university on matriculation day have come to an end.”
The Chief Medical Director, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Dr. Thomas Agan, advised them not to see the profession as a fast lane to wealth but as a call to serve humanity.
Graduands expressed joy at finishing their course of study succesfully. One of them, Nworie Chinweuba, was happy that her dream “to become a medical doctor has now been actualized.”
•UCHEGBU is a graduating student of Accounting, while Johnfranklin is a 400 level student of Medical Radiography and Radiological Science, UNICAL

UNICAL inducts 41 young medical doctors