CMUL seeks development of medical institutions in Nigeria

Medical experts at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Idi-Araba, have made recommendations on how to advance development of medical institutions in the country.

The experts at the faculty’s first Alumnus Lecture and End of the Year Celebration with the theme, ‘Celebrating our Alumni and advancing the development of our institution’, spoke on the significant roles alumni play in advancing and development of educational and medical institutions in Nigeria.

Guest speaker and former provost, CMUL, Prof. Wole Atoyebi, said alumni relation is an important part of an institution’s advancing activities. “Alumni generate invaluable word-of-mouth marketing among their social and professional networks. The reputation of an institution grows when it keeps producing successful graduates continuously, who are intelligent and innovative in their fields. Over time, our institution has continued to benefit from alumni skills and experience.

“An active alumni association can contribute to academic matters, student support as well as mobilisation of resources. Alumni are also in the position to engage the expertise of the institution in their professional lives. We should also consider the model the present tertiary institutions are using because they need to be upgraded and worked on.”

Atoyebi added: “The government needs to support the development of the institution through fundraising leading to revitalisation of the tertiary institution. But government alone cannot do the fundraising.”

Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade B. Akinsola, expressed her gladness to know that some alumni groups are already asking for the institution’s needs. Akinsola urged the alumni to help them keep the standard, quality of training and research they embarked on in the institution. The professor encouraged the public and staff to read books that can help improve the community.

The Dean said: “We will continue to encourage our staff to publish more books so that the institution and nation can benefit from our wealth of experience. Prof. O.A Olawale and Dr. Oluchi Kanma-Okafor have written good books titled, ‘Life after stroke’ and ‘Coping in the time of an infectious disease pandemic’, respectively that are going to be presented here today.”

Akinsola called on medical experts, staffs and the public to support them, so that they can continue to improve on services being rendered in training and research activities. She applauded Prof. Wole Atoyebi for contributing immensely to medical education as well as being an excellent administrator.”

The Chairman, First Alumnus Lecture of Faculty of Clinical Sciences Committee, Prof. Janet N. Ajuluchukwu, said: “Under the dynamic leadership of ‘our Next -Level’ Dean, Prof. Folashade B. Akinsola- erudite ophthalmologist who sees well and works smart- the Faculty of Clinical Sciences muted and adopted the idea of an end-of-year activity to a joyous and celebratory end. This morphed into End-of-Year Alumnus lecture! The Faculty of Clinical Sciences advises the government to work on restructuring. There were calls made for making the institution autonomous and not indirectly tied to the government.”

Awards were also given to alumni and medical experts in appreciation of their immense contribution to development of the institution.