The VC, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi has commissioned an Ultra-Modern Surgical Skills Centre at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences built, equipped and donated to the institution by the family of a renowned surgeon, Late Okuku Emeritus Professor Akpan Asuquo Otu.
Speaking, the ViceChancellor thanked the family of the late don for the great feat, adding that the Centre would impact the training of undergraduate medical students of the institution. While describing the Medical College as the flagship of the institution, she further eulogized the family of the late surgeon for donating the centre to the institution, saying that it would also help to promote academic excellence in line with the policy thrust of the current University administration.
Prof. Obi who described the late don as a passionate and committed surgeon said his legacies and selfless service to humanity have been etched on the sands of time.
The varsity administrator By Oviri Kelvin, Abuja College of Education (COE) Warri has held the maiden edition of staff training to boost staff commitments, dedication, and professionalism in discharging their duties in the institution.
The workshop tagged “Administrative Procedures, Work Ethical Practices and Professionalism for Staff” and organised by Mrs Christine Aluyi, Registrar of COE, is to help increase the work efficiency of the staff of the institution through seamless processes.
Aluyi, in her statement, divulged that it has always said for the Skills Centre to be fully utilized, there is need to review the curriculum to accommodate more programmes.
To this end, she said a proposal for the review of the curriculum would be presented to the University Senate for approval, The Trumpet gathered.
She said: ‘’ This surgical skills centre being the first in Nigeria medical colleges will help train our doctors to become professionals in their discipline, especially in surgical practices. ‘’
You have lifted a huge burden off our shoulders and we thank you for the kind gesture’’ Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Prof. Victor Ansa, in his remarks, said the Late Surgeon’s family has left a lasting legacy in the College, saying posterity will be kind to them for their phenomenal contribution to the medical profession.
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He assured that the centre would be put into good use, just as he announced that the family of the late don has instituted an award for the best graduating medical student.
Also speaking, the Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Prof.Ngim Ngim described the surgical centre as a great addition to the college and thanked the Okukus for giving back to the society.
Earlier, the Pioneer Director of the Centre, Dr.Victor Nwagbara, in his welcome address, said the department of surgery is eternally grateful to the much-revered Professor Akpan Otu’s family for conceptualizing the Centre, materializing it and citing it in Unical.
He said the Centre will uniquely position the Medical graduates in the University to serve and excel globally, noting that, the potentials of the centre are immense and it will blossom in the hands of the current Vice-Chancellor On his part, Son of the late Emeritus Surgeon, Dr. Akaniyene Otu described his father as a skilled sur- geon, an astute academic and passionate teacher.
He said, selecting a befitting project in his late dad’s memory, the family recognized that the project would have to be centred around dissemination of medical knowledge and skills.
According to him, the family decided to execute a unique project to promote the acquisition of surgical skills among undergraduate medical students in Unical and provide them with a firm foundation for the advancement of their medical careers.
Highpoint of the epochal event was the formal handover of the keys and inventory of the centre to an appreciative Vice-Chancellor by an obviously elated spouse of the late don, Dr. Obal Otu
