VC laments brain drain as varsity matriculates 1,400, inducts 26 doctors

Vice chancellor, Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, yesterday, lamented brain drain in the health sector.

He also urged Nigerians, particularly students of the institution, to be committed to promoting the culture of unity in diversity for national cohesion and development.

Ezemonye gave the charge during the 24th matriculation of IUO, Edo State, where over 1,400 students took the matriculation oath to be of good conduct.

The vice-chancellor, who admonished the students to be of good behaviour throughout their stay in the institution, said the newly admitted, including foreign students, were admitted into the various accredited academic programmes of the seven colleges of the institution.

He said: “This unique composition reflects the university’s irrevocable commitment to diversity and inclusion in all ramifications.

“From the records, all the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, including some foreign students, are represented in the current matriculation. The demography also reflects students from both gender and different religious backgrounds.”

Ezemonye commended parents of the matriculating students for investing in their wards’ education for a better future.

“To invest in formal education is to push the limits of your world a bit further away towards realising your potential.

“By pushing your limits, you improve your ability to think creatively and come up with powerful and innovative ideas required for personal and national development.”

ON brain drain, Ezemonye expressed worry and called on government and stakeholders to address the issue.

Ezemonye made the call during the 17th Oath-taking/induction ceremony of newly qualified medical doctors of varsity’s 2021/2022 session, where 26 medical doctors graduates were inducted into the medical profession.

“This phenomenon is affecting medical doctors and all cadres of health workers. It is depleting the number of doctors in the country and impacting negatively on doctor-to-patient ratio and contributing to high morbidity and mortality data for the country. The urgency for government and all stakeholders to address the issue cannot be over-emphasized, “Ezemonye said.