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… As Odili Urges Fubara to Increase Doctors’ Retirement Age
By Ikechi Akpuh
Former Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has been honoured with an ‘Award Of Appreciation,’ following his “priceless contributions to the development of education” at the Rivers State University (RSU) and as the initiator of the College of Medical Sciences during his tenure as Rivers State governor.
Speaking at the pioneer medical college’s induction ceremony which held at the Senate Chamber’s of the Rivers State University on Thursday February 6, 2025, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi dedicated the award given to him to the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike.
He said the dedication was for Wike not abandoning the medical college during his reign as governor of Rivers State
In his welcome address, the provost, College of Medical Sciences, Professor Chituru Orluwene, explained that “We are producing our first set of medical doctors within a record time of six years. We did not experience the delays and stagnation that is rampant among medical training institutions in our country.
“The fifty medical students admitted in 2018 passed through the crucibles of medical education and professional training. Along the line, two out of the fifty dropped while the remaining 48 progressed.
“Today, to the glory of God, we are presenting all the 48 who passed through all the stages of medical training and examinations and had a 100% pass rate in their final examination for induction as medical doctors.”
In his speech, after his docoration with the academic title of ‘Medical Elder,’ another former governor of Rivers State, Sir Peter Odili, urged the new medical doctors to note that there is no excuse for lack of performance and discipline.
He charged them to be disciplined and devoted to duty, while reminding them that the call to rescue life is sacrosanct to a medical doctor.
Sir Odili told the graduands that the work of a medical doctor is to sustain what God had done, which he said is a sacred duty, while advising them not to allow any patient to die because he/she could not pay his or her medical bills.
Dr. Odili urged the governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara to be the first governor in Nigeria to increase the retirement age for doctors and health workers in Rivers State.
Also speaking, the Acting Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Dr. Fatima Kyari, thanked Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for initiating the medical college at the Rivers State University.
She expressed belief in the health sector renewal initiative, while adding that induction is a commencement of journey into medical practice.
