Former minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has dedicated an award to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike for not abandoning the College of Medical Sciences of the Rivers State University (RSU) when he served as governor of the state.
The former Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari had initiated the College project during his tenure as governor of the state, but could not complete it before the end of his tenure in 2015.
The Wike-led administration continued with the project until 2018 when the college matriculated its first set of medical students.
Amaechi dedicated the award on Thursday in Port Hart Harcourt, where he also commended Wike for not abandoning the college.
The management of the college gave the award of appreciation to Amechi during the induction of the first set of medical graduates into the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
The award was in recognition of the former minister’s contributions to the development of education in the University and as the initiator of the College of Medical Sciences during his tenure as governor.
In her speech, the acting Registrar/Chief executive officer of MDCN), Dr. Fatima Kyari, thanked Amaechi for initiating the Medical College in Rivers State University, adding that she believes in the health sector renewal initiative.
Kyari reminded the newly inducted medical doctors that the ceremony was a commencement of journey into medical practice.
In his welcome address, the Provost, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Professor Chituru Orluwene explained that out of the 50 medical students that were admitted in the college in 2018, only two dropped out.
“We are producing our first set of medical doctors within a record time of six years. We did not experience the delays and stagnation that is rampant among medical training institutions in our country.
“The 50 medical students admitted in 2018 passed through the crucibles of medical education and professional training. Along the line, two out of them dropped while the remaining 48 progressed,” Orluwene said.
The Provost added that all the 48 passed through all the stages of medical training and examinations, and had a 100% pass rate in their final examination to be inducted as medical doctors.
