PROTOCOL
FELICITATION
I am delighted to be here today to witness the induction of the fifth (5th) set of medical doctors by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). This is because, God has helped us to sustain our accreditation status since inception. Congratulations are therefore in order. Congratulations are due to current students who are guaranteed of unbroken academic calendar. Utmost congratulations to the University for producing another set of distinguished leaders who will define the future. Congratulations again to our graduates and to the Baptist nation for fulfilling another mandate which includes education, missions and health outreaches.
Doctors and I dare say Medical Doctors are watchmen over our health and wellbeing. However, you are no ordinary Medical Doctors – you are different, being built up in an environment given to the development of leaders under an atmosphere of godliness and excellence.
We have done our best to raise you as Africa’s hope for a better today, do your best to manifest these virtues and excel.
MY CHARGE TO YOU
My amiable Bowenians in whom I am well pleased, remember that you are the symbol of the spirit and aspirations of the new and evolving Bowen. The symbol of Bowen’s desire to cultivate talent, reward excellence, and reach for the world’s topmost standards. In other words, you are a symbol of Africa’s aspirations to stand tall and conquer.
I like to draw your attention to a verse of the Scriptures taken from the Book of Prophet Jeremiah:
Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? (Jeremiah 8:22; NIV).
Currently, as we are all aware, it appears that the world is helpless in dealing with our health situation with diverse destructive ailments and illnesses – Ebola Virus, Lassa fever, HIV/AIDS, Malaria and of course the dreaded COVID-19. So, I dare ask you – is there no Physician here? You have been called into a noble profession, where kings and nobles, the downtrodden and impoverished look up to you for medical help and care. You must therefore work, such that the last part of Jeremiah 8:22 is not required from you.
Please do not only attend to the medical/health concerns of a patient, but also see to the total wellbeing by providing all-round care required to make a wholesome and fulfilled personality. This syncs accurately with your trainings in Bowen University that combines Godliness and Excellence which is aimed at the total man who defines the future.
While most of you think this day is about you, note also that there are key actors, which God used to bring you to this point. First, I like to mention and acknowledge God, the Almighty, who is the source of all understanding and wisdom. Members of your family, especially your parents and benefactors, relatives and significant others who have encouraged, guided, and likely funded much of your way to this point deserve significant applause. Note that the funding for your Medical Science studies has been significant. Don’t ever forget your teachers and support staff who laboured over you; make sure their labours are not in vain.
THE NEW NORMAL
The world’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic as well as Nigeria’s race to maintain favourable economic indices characterise the period of your induction. Given these challenges, what was normal is now history – we must accept the new normal. This involves your tenacity to upscale your competence and capacity to surmount current and future challenges.
Speech delivered by the Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University during the 5th Induction Ceremony of MBBS Graduates – (Thursday, 3rd December, 2020)
I must also add that you have been presented with a great opportunity to explore new frontiers of knowledge horizons and become distinguished professional practitioners. This season should therefore not be a confusing time, but a demanding and challenging time. Demanding, because it requires more than normal level thinking and activity including multitasking. And challenging, because it presents a terrain we are not exactly used to. Your training should find relevance in this season.
We are working assiduously to ensure that our students are able to engage with disruptive and transformative technologies in the healthcare sector for productive sustainability. Our students are encouraged to think critically about how technology can enhance and impact patient care. Let me also add that artificial intelligence is on our radar of emphasis as we proceed on our path to becoming foremost in our various degrees of training in healthcare as well as other disciplines interwoven to the building of God- fearing leaders that will define the future.
We are watching for a time when our students will develop technology solutions of their own including prototypes to resolve challenging issues in the new normal.
MY DESIRE IS FOR A NON-DISCRIMINATORY SYSTEM OF HEALTHCARE PRACTICE
If there is anything, I earnestly wish for amongst all healthcare practitioners, it is unity and purposeful collaboration, a non-discriminatory system of operation and collaboration; where one is not for Paul, while the other, also, is not for Apollos but a system where love permeates and working together appears seamless, upholding the Bowen University mantra of “Together, we are Stronger” and not just in words but also in truth and in deed.
This is because, over the years I have noticed and clamoured against the unhelpful, unproductive and regressive dichotomy between medical doctors and the others – we must remember that all members of the body are interwoven, intertwined and interconnected.
In 2 Samuel 10:11 (KJV), there is a big insight for us to glean from. I quote, “And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.” Doctors, pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, medical laboratory scientists, public health scientists and others are to collaborate and not discriminate. In an ideal environment which Bowen University is advocating for, a student of Medicine and Surgery should see a student of Nursing Science as a fellow brother or sister, collaborating, without any iota of discrimination.
It is majorly in Nigeria and probably Africa that such discrimination is apparent. More responsibility is therefore, placed on medical doctors as leaders and it behoves them to show humility and inclusiveness, respect and regard for other health practitioners who are professionals in their own rights. God forbid that Bowen University will produce carnal doctors; for the oil of God’s approval will never rest on the flesh of carnality. Therefore, if you desire to succeed in this profession, and to be a world acclaimed professional- this is the path to toe. A path where everyone is important and everybody is somebody.
I have mentioned it and I like to restate here that the College of Health Sciences must look into ways of bridging the age long gap by exploring ways of creating shared learning introduced at the undergraduate level into their clinical classes. This will definitely promote an understanding of each other’s roles and achieve a positive attitudinal change resulting in a more cohesive relationship through acknowledgement of peculiar valued identities. This is the message I desire your practice to convey to the health sector of this nation and the rest of Africa.
A CALL TO EMBRACE INTENTIONAL COLLABORATION
In all professional fields, collaboration is what works – it increases motivation, reduces errors, increases effectiveness and reduces the weaknesses of professional performance. I must note that patient’s recovery depends on your ability to effectively collaborate with other healthcare providers to deliver creative and sustainable solutions, especially in cases requiring complex treatments.
Values of teamwork is a sine qua non for optimal healthcare service delivery and should be upheld by all of you. Be great team players.
Speech delivered by the Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University during the 5th Induction Ceremony of MBBS Graduates – (Thursday, 3rd December, 2020)
ADVICE FROM YOUR COACH
As you head onward into the future, you will be allowed into people’s lives because of your trainings in a way that is uncommon for others. You will see amazing things. And you will develop extraordinary abilities.
But always remember the following Bible passages in all your dealings:
“…. Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12).
“Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthian 10:31).
I like to also remind you that today’s event, though generally termed (a) ceremony, is to be seen as solemn; remembering the spirit of God’s word in Numbers 30:2 “If a man vows a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”. Please take this induction very serious and mean every word.
Never forget your humanity, or that of your patients. They are people, not just a collection of specialised body parts. They have unique life-stories, linked to their place in families, communities, and societies, with women and girls often occupying the lowest place. These circumstances have a profound impact on illness and healing. Be prepared to be accountable for everything you do; be prepared to welcome your patients’ participation in decisions about their care; be prepared to devote your professional energies not only to your patients’ needs but also to the unmet health needs of our society as a whole.
Always remember, following the words of William Osler (William Osler was a Canadian physician and one of the four founding professors of Johns Hopkins Hospital), that, “The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.” Never neglect your connection with the Great Physician.
CONCLUSION
Today, your many years of hard work, dedication and commitment is apparent and your years of study and learning are being transformed into emerging and promising careers. You will be faced with diverse opportunities and you will need to make informed choices. So, I charge you today to commit your hearts to optimising your hindsight, insight and foresight for effective decisions that guarantee productive sustainability.
I urge you to proceed with intentional gait and glow, not just about your current achievement, also with the realisation that what lies ahead is far greater than can be imagined. I must quickly add that you must instantly dismiss unnecessary agitations and complaints without proposed solutions that are well thought out.
You have been immersed in an environment that stimulates creativity and innovation, often with a distinctly Bowen touch. Prove your mettle!
Our desire is to see you excel and make your Alma Mater proud.
Go on in this thy might and set the nations ablaze to the glory of God as you define the future.
God bless you all
God bless your parents/sponsors
God bless Bowen University
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria