Ondo town was agog last weekend as Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko inaugurates the first University of Medical Sciences in Nigeria and West Africa and third in Africa, the Ondo State University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) which also held its first matriculation ceremony.
The Ondo State University of Medical Sciences, strategically sited inside the Ondo Medical Village which houses the Mother and Child Hospital, the Trauma and Surgical Center, the Kidney Dialysis Center and the Gani Fawehinmi Diagnostic Center, in Ondo town, was given approval to begin academic courses in Medicine, Dentistry, Biochemistry, Physiology and Anatomy by the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) in 2015.
While speaking at the event, Visitor to the University, Governor Mimiko said the University is his administration's strategic response to reverse the 'brain drain' in Nigeria's medical industry and to create an institutional base for the production of highly-trained and proficient health care man power to service our ever-growing population. As well as "ensure steady supply of experts in all fields of medicine.
The Governor also noted that UNIMED is expected to leverage on the benefits of the sprawling medical complex at the Ondo Medical Village where it is sited to advance efforts in medical research and training and is envisioned to be a leading internationally-recognized platform for raising crops of professionally-competent individuals in the various disciplines of the Health Care Industry.
Mimiko said "It is our hope and belief that it will provide sound scientific, technological and professional training to address identified health needs and problems, solve them within the context of community and national needs and sustainable development."
While congratulating the pioneer students for scaling through the hurdles of the rigorous admission process, Mimiko charged them to shun every form of anti-social behaviours but imbibe the highest standard of conduct befitting of the institution.
He also appreciated Emeritus Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe, a Professor of Medicine and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, for accepting to come out of retirement to Chair the Governing Council of the University.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Friday Okunofua, a Professor of Gynaecology and former Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Benin, disclosed
that 234 students are being matriculated into the various five courses accredited by the Nigerian University Commission (NUC).
He said "in its first admission process, only 45% of students of this University are from Ondo State, the rest are from 20 other states spread across the country. Also, 45% of our students are female, while 55% are male, which speak volume of our non-discriminant value of our admission policy."
The Vice Chancellor therefore assured of his commitment to work with utmost patriotism and deep commitment to achieve the best international benchmarks for the University.
