(By Stella Ijegbula)

FUTO trained optometrists took their professional oath as part of an elaborate ceremony that marked the induction of the fourth and fifth (2016/2017 and 2017/2018) batches of Doctors of Optometry from Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

Administering the oath at Lobic Meridian Hotel, Port-Harcourt Road, Owerri on Tuesday, 11^th December 2018 the Registrar, Optometrists and Dispensing opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN) Prof. Mrs Ebere Uzodike charged the new optometrists to be sincere and committed to their profession.

Prof. Mrs Uzodike advised them not to forget the code of conduct of the profession, stressing that they were trained to save lives at every given opportunity and thanked the parents and guardians for the sacrifices they made, of the new doctors for the sacrifices they made, and for giving them the opportunity to realize their dreams.

Delivering a lecture at the induction ceremony the guest lecturer Rev. Fr. Prof. John I. Obilor in his lecture titled “The Bible and Healthcare” envisaged that Healthcare is directly connected with the most primary value of man, which is life. He maintained that proper healthcare is based on morals and the Christian faith, adding that the biblical teachings concerning healthcare are based on the values placed on one’s livelihood and human nature.

The guest lecturer also stressed that human beings are special creatures from God who must live their lives in accordance with the divine ordinance, stating that God created powerful systems of immunity and self-healing within our bodies, Rev. Fr. Prof. Obilor further stated that there is no one else to entrust with our health unless God, who is the ultimate giver of healthcare.

The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Francis Chukwuemeka Eze, who spoke through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Development and Innovation Prof. Bede C. Anusionwu described medicine as a humanitarian service and calling. He urged the new optometrists to always show compassion to their patients and be ready to go the extra mile for the benefit of such patients.

He thanked the Registrar ODORBN, for the full accreditation status given to FUTO, as he announced that the University will continue to provide appropriate infrastructure and a conducive environment for the training of Optometrists.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Head of Department of Optometry Dr A.U. Megwas gave gratitude to God for providing help to the new doctors when they needed it and thanked the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Francis C. Eze and the Management team for their support and encouragement in procuring more equipment for the clinics, workshops, and Laboratories.

The students who won the awards for the best graduating students were Dr Nwaneri Chidera for 2016/2017 and Dr Aririguzo Chiamaka for 2017/2018.

Other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Dean, School of Health Technology Rev. Sr. Prof. E.T. Oparaocha, the former Dean of the School Prof. I.N.S. Dozie, the pioneer Head of Department Dr Emma Esenwah, parents and guardians of the graduating students.