UNIZIK VC, PAPCPN Charge Physiology Graduants To Be Job Creators

By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha

The Vice Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University Prof.Charkes Esimone had charged no fewer than 68 students of department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Nnewi campus, Anambra State, to be job creators not job seekers.

Addressing the graduating students who participated in the 2023 valedictory session for Physiology students held at the school auditorium, okofia Nnewi, the UNIZIK Vice Chancellor, VC, Prof. Charles O. Esimone, charged them to be also good ambassadors of the University that trained them for four years.

The VC who was ably represented by the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof. Gerald Udigwe, reminded them that the world has changed to the extent that one has to acquire skills to be self reliant and employer of labour.

“The world is changing, no job, go out there and think of how you create jobs. Nobody should sit down and wait for the white collar job. According to the HOD, Dr. Uchechukwu Dimkpa, when he was making a speech, said that when you come out you should have something to offer to the society as those who acquired skills in their profession.

“People like you should not be waiting for jobs, you should go out there and create jobs for yourselves and others,” he enjoined them.

Speaking, the President, Professional Association of Practicing Clinical Physiologists in Nigeria, (PAPCPN), Okeke Ugochukwu Ifeanyi, expressed satisfaction with the graduating students, adding that they would now come out to the world to practice what they were thought.

He however stressed the need for them to go for intensive clinical programme prior to going on full professional practice on their own to be able to know and acquaint themselves with every aspect of the job.

He said he has no doubt in his mind that physiologists are employers of labour that are wanted all over the place, even as he vowed that the association would render support to the graduating students.

“We will make sure that we support all those students who passed out from this department especially in the clinical aspect. We will make sure they get their bearing especially in clinical aspect.

“After their clinical intensive training, they will be given satisfactory letter because for now they are associate members of the association. Though they have been trained theoretically and practically by the University but there is need for them to undergo the intensive programme to acquire more practical clinical knowledge and protection,” he further explained

The President recalled that the association was inaugurated on June 28, 2021 and since then he has remained the President of the association.

On how to fight quacks in the profession he reiterated that the association was not afraid of quacks, stating that it was not an issue since they have the names of all public and private hospitals in the country and their locations, adding that the association has its taskforce that would write the hospital where one is discovered for necessary action and failure the police would be contacted.

Also speaking, the Head of Department, HOD, Department of Human Physiology, Dr Uchechukwu Dimkpa who is also a member of PAPCPN, stressed the need for the graduating physiologists to be productive when they go out to the society, adding that the University and Department have played their own part in training them.

” People will start looking for them and they can be employers of labour. They can establish their own gymnastic ventures/clinics. We have one of the best crops of students today and they will be protected clinically and otherwise by PAPCPN and the association has also assured them of adequate support,” he disclosed.

He however, advised them to further their educational pursuit if they must be best in their field of specialization pointing out that they should not see finance as hindrance to such pursuit.

In his contribution, another member of PAPCPN and lecturer 1, at Department of Human Physiology, comrade Roy Chinwuba Uchefuna, thanked the UNIZIK VC and provost of the College of Health Sciences for giving the department of Human Physiology the right to do its own graduation of the students of the department for the first time, adding that formerly it was the affairs of the Faculty, College of Health Sciences.

“As a member of PAPCPN, we will make sure that we support all those physiological students that passed through our department. I am happy that the President of PAPCPN, Ifeanyi, is here physically to witness their graduation ceremony.

“We that are in the department of Physiology will make sure that they get their bearing, especially in the clinical aspect. We are happy with them and we will not let them down but will assist them to the best of our knowledge clinically,” he vowed

Also in his remark, Prof. E.D Nwobodo, Professor of Human Physiology and Advisory member of PAPCPN, told the graduating students that they were no longer his friends but colleagues in human physiological practice.

“I am happy to be here because nothing like this has ever happened in this department. You are now my colleagues, welcome on board in the practice of Physiology medicine. It is not just going to be the theory of what you learnt but practical medical physiology,” he stated

Pic 1/shows PAPCPN President presenting a certificate of membership to VC

Pic 2. shows group photo of VC representative, Prof Udigwe( middle)

Pic 3.LCR. Shows PAPCPN President and Comrade Uchefuna, Lecturer 1,Department of Human Physiology