By CHIOMA OBINNA
No fewer than 308 students graduated at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi-Araba, last week. The graduands are from the school of Nursing, Midwifery, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Health Information Management, Medical and Psychiatry Social Work, Post Basic Nursing, Basic Dental Nursing and Community Health Officers Training Programme.

Thirty seven out of the graduands were from the School of Nursing and Midwifery while 12 were from the school of Basic Dental Nursing.

Others are four, 74, 105, 29 and 10 from the schools of Medical and Psychiatry Social Work, Health Information Management, Post Basic Nursing, Community Health Officers Training Programme and Medical Laboratory Sciences respectively.

Presenting the students at the 2011/ 2012 Joint Graduation of the institution, Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof Akin Osibogun, promised automatic employment for outstanding graduands as part of strategies to encourage hard-work among the students.

Osibogun, who advised the graduands to apply the skills and knowledge that they have acquired during the course of their study to good use, charged the graduands to be worthy ambassador of the institution.

Addressing the graduands, Guest Speaker, Dr. Olushola Odujinrin, a former WHO Reproductive Health Adviser, who commended the institution, said that it was imperative that government provided the necessary health facilities so that the graduates can put their knowledge to proper use for humanity.

Noting that the years of study would have been a waste if the graduands did not have the tools to work with, Odujinrin said, that the dearth of medical equipment in most public and private hospitals in the country was the cause why most Nigerians go abroad for treatment.

One of the outstanding graduands who bagged eight of the Academic Awards of the university, Ms. Cecelia Akor, in an interview with journalists shortly after the ceremony, traced her success to hard work, diligence and commitment.

Akor, who graduated from the School of Basic Dental Nursing, advised students under training to be prayerful, resilient and hardworking.

Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, Dr. Olugbenga Ogunlewe,  chronicled the achievements of the various schools in the institution, saying management has continued to ensure excellence in training.