Eteng Rajuno has made history by becoming the first student to
bag a First Class in Radiography at the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
She was honoured at the eighth Induction and Oath taking of the College
of Medical Science. STANLEY UCHEGBU
(Accounting) reports.
The induction at the College of Medical Science of the University of Calabar
(UNICAL) was remarkable. Although it was the eighth oath taking at the
Radiography and
Radiological
Sciences departments, it was special. An inductee, Ms Eteng Rejuno, made
history by bagging a first class, the first since Radiography was introduced in
the school in 1981.
It was a moment of joy for the graduates, as they took the oath. The
inductees filed into the Conference Centre of the UNICAL
Hotel venue, beaming
with smiles. They were joined by their family members and
friends.
Of the lot admitted into the department five years ago, 61 were lucky to
complete the programme. To the management, the ceremony was a turning point in
the history of the institution and the Radiography Department.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke, led other principal officers,
including the Medical Science Provost, Prof Saturday Etuk, represented by his
deputy, Prof Edisua Itam; Dean of the Faculty of Allied Medical Science, Prof
Anne Asuquo and Dean of the Faculty of the Clinical Science, Prof Maurice
Asuquo.
Others were Registrar, Radiography Board of Nigeria (RBN), Mr Michael
Okpaleke, Cross River State Chairman of Association of Radiographers of
Nigeria, Mr. Otu Asinyang, Medical College Secretary, Mrs. Uduak Akang, Head of
Radiography Department, Dr Nneoyi Egbe, lecturers and medical practitioners,
among others.
Prof Epoke urged the inductee not to tarnish the reputation of the
profession, saying the institution was known for producing sound radiographers.
He told the inductees to shun unethical practices that may erode the value of
the profession, adding that the RBN would not hesitate to withdraw certificates
of erring members.
“Today, history is made in the Department of Radiography. We produced the
first student to be graduated with a First Class in the department. And this
makes the event remarkable. I will enjoin you to always seek knowledge and make
the best of your career,” he said.
Prof Etuk, whose speech was read by Prof Itam, described radiography as an
evolving profession, stressing the need for constant update of knowledge to
meet up with challenges and demands. He urged the inductees to see themselves
as new breeds that would bring about advancement in the profession.
Okpaleke advised the graduates to improve on the knowledge they acquired in
school and be conversant with new techniques. He said: “Knowledge you have
acquired is just the foundation, you are expected to improve on it. You must be
abreast of trends on the field and make a success of it. You need to
continuously develop yourself in new techniques because the practice of today
is different from what we had in the years past.”
In his lecture entitled:
Ethical basis for improving radiography service
delivery, Dr Egbe demonstrated with diagrams how to maintain radiation
dose and therapeutic need of patients in line with best practice. He said a
radiographer owed a patient an enhanced service.
The high point was the oath taking session, which was performed by Okpaleke
and Dr Egbe.
Eteng had Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.5 – the highest
recorded since the institution started awarding Bachelor degree in the
discipline. For the feat, Eteng bagged seven honours, including automatic
employment in the school after her National Youth Service.
Others best students are Emmanuel Agiande, who was the best in clinical
proficiency, and Mabington Okwuonu, best in leadership creativity.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Eteng praised the department’s
lecturers and parents for their efforts in making their dreams come true.
She said: “We thank the management, the college authorities, our parents,
friends and well-wishers for the roles they played in ensuring that we are
being inducted today. We specially appreciate our parents for their financial
and moral support.”
The inductees presented gifts to their lecturers and donated a generator to
the department. This was done by Mabington, a former president of
Nigerian Association of Radiography Students.
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/history-as-girl-bags-first-class-in-radiography-at-unical/
