Two graduands, Agboola Ridwan Ayomide and Okunade Peace Oluwaseun, bagged first-class honors out of a list of 27 graduands in the Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI).
The graduands were inducted into the Medical Laboratory Science profession at an event held at the Paul Hendrickse Lecture Theatre, College of Medicine, CoMUI, attended by families, friends, and health leaders.
Emphasising the importance of the profession to the medical and health sector, both the University of Ibadan and the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) reiterated their commitment to upholding ethical standards and excellence in the production of medical professionals.
The Vice Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, who was the Chairman of the occasion, lauded the graduates for their resilience throughout the six-year academic journey. Highlighting the indispensable role of laboratory scientists, he noted that up to 70 percent of medical decisions rely on laboratory results, indicating that the profession is vital to the healthcare system.
Charging the graduands, he said: “As you are formally inducted today, understand the profound significance of the profession you are entering. You are not merely technicians; you are scientists, diagnosticians, and vital pillars of modern healthcare. You are disease detectives, providers of the critical data upon which up to 70 percent of medical decisions are made.
“The recent global pandemic has shone an unprecedented light on your profession. The world saw, in real-time, the indispensable role of skilled laboratory scientists in tracking a virus, diagnosing infection, and guiding public health responses. You are entering a profession whose value and necessity have never been clearer.
“The healthcare challenges facing Nigeria and the world, from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases, from antimicrobial resistance to the need for affordable, accessible diagnostics, demand the expertise and dedication you now possess. We challenge you not just to be practitioners but to be innovators, researchers, leaders, and advocates for the vital role of the laboratory in building healthier communities and a strong nation.”
Before inducting the new professionals, the Registrar/CEO of MLSCN, Dr. Donald Ofili, represented by the Deputy Director, Dr. Akinola Olugbenga, emphasized the Council’s zero-tolerance for substandard practices. He called on the public to report unaccredited laboratories, assuring that the Council actively inspects and sanctions erring establishments to safeguard public health.
The Provost of the College of Medicine, Professor Temidayo Ogundiran, described the BMLS graduands as pivotal players in preserving life through science, reminding them that every test, slide, and result has far-reaching implications for diagnosis and treatment. He encouraged humility, teamwork, and giving back to the university community.
The Head of the Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Professor Olayinka Omotosho, congratulated the inductees and lauded the rigorous training of the BMLS program at UI. He emphasized the critical role of discipline, ethical responsibility, and precision in the profession.
The newly qualified medical laboratory scientists took the professional oath administered by the MLSCN, symbolizing their formal entry into the profession and commitment to uphold its ethical and technical standards.
The Valedictorian, Agboola, expressed heartfelt appreciation to God, his parents, lecturers, and peers. He dedicated the success of the Class Vencedores (Spanish for “Victors”) to their shared resilience, calling on his colleagues to remain committed to professionalism and service.
