….To bag award, deliver lecture

By Elizabeth Osayande

Nigeria’s former Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, will deliver the maiden convocation lecture at Eko University of Medicine and Health Sciences, EkoUnimed, just as he is also among those to be honoured with fellowship awards by the institution.

Disclosing this in Ijanikin, Lagos during a press parley, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. G O.G Awosanya, said the title of the lecture is, “Medical Education: Yesterday, Today, and the Future.”

Prof. Awosanya, who announced that 27 medical students would be graduating, added that three distinguished Nigerians would be given Fellowship awards during the event.

“We are excited about this convocation ceremony, where we will have former Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, and former Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, deliver a significant lecture themed: ‘Medical Education: Yesterday, Today, and the Future,’” said Prof. Awosanya.

He added, “We are proud that 27 medical students will graduate that day. This is a milestone for us. In addition, we will be honouring three distinguished Nigerians for their contributions, including our guest lecturer Senator Fashola, Chief Agbaoye, and Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bolaji Kayode Robert.”

Regarding the prospects the university has, Prof. Awosanya explained that EkoUnimed holds a five-year accreditation status from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

“The university aims to build its own teaching hospital and secure approval to commence Bachelor’s degree programmes in Nursing, Radiography, and Medical Laboratory Sciences.

“Our goal is to construct our own teaching hospital across the road, where we can provide affordable healthcare services to Nigerians, especially our host community in Ijanikin. We also hope to gain accreditation to start Bachelor’s degree programme in Nursing, followed by programmes in Radiography and Medical Laboratory Sciences. Expanding our campuses is also part of our plans,” the Vice Chancellor stated.

Regarding the university’s unique features, Prof. Awosanya noted that EkoUnimed, as the first private medical institution in the country, is highly subsidised by its founder, making tuition fees more affordable compared to other state and federal medical institutions.

“Medical education is quite expensive; however, the founder’s aim in establishing EkoUnimed is to give back to the society that first supported him. Thus, our fees are subsidised. We also have both local and international collaborations and partnerships, and we are fully equipped with qualified staff and infrastructure to deliver quality services.”

The VC added that the university hopes to go into research  to explore the efficacy of herbal medicine in collaboration with other researcher institutes.