1ST CONVOCATION AND 4TH FOUNDAERS’ DAY CEREMONIES
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- Date March 10, 2022
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PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt held her 1st Convocation and 4th Founders’ Day Ceremonies for the Conferment of Honorary Degrees, Award of Bachelors Degrees and Presentation of Prizes on Saturday, 18th December, 2021. The Convocation Ceremony, which was also hosted on a virtual platform (zoom), was for the Award of Honorary degrees on our distinguished Honorees and Bachelor of Science degrees to successful graduands who have been trained, examined and found worthy in both character and learning. PUMS graduated a total of twenty-one (21) students from the Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Physiology: two (2) students graduated with 1st Class, seven (7) with 2nd Class Upper Division, eleven (11) in 2nd Class Lower Division and one (1) 3rd Class honors.
The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC) – Prof. Abubakar A. Rasheed, mni, MFR delivered the convocation lecture on a topic: Higher Education, Private Universities and National Development. The guest lecturer briefly reflected on the evolution of higher education in Nigeria and some of the broader issues surrounding the establishment and roles of Private Universities in the National Development Project.
He highlighted the importance of Private Universities which includes encouraging healthy rivalry with public universities,
meeting the local demands for human capital development, increasing the number of employable job seekers, catalyzing development in the host communities, reducing brain-drain in the country and instilling discipline and moral rectitude in the nation’s youths. He outlined key uniqueness of PAMO University of Medical Sciences and that His Excellency, Dr Peter Odili is clearly building a university that will bloom in an environment that fosters competitiveness, creativity and responsible leadership.
“PAMO has developed faster and stronger and regarded by the NUC as the 1st Private Medical University in Nigeria” he said. He further mentioned that PAMO University of Medical Sciences is ranked 35th university out of the 200 universities in Nigeria and ranked 19th best private universities in this country out of 100. PUMS is ranked 1st in programs with full accreditation by the NUC and also ranked 1st in Nigeria in female index enrollment among the entire universities in the country. He concluded by congratulating the principal actors of this success story – The Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, His Excellency, Gen. Abdulsalami A. Abubakar; The Lion of the South-South – His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Rives State, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike; and the father and founder of PAMO University of Medical Sciences and Chairman of the Council, His Excellency, Sir Dr. Peter Odili; Her Excellency and Her Lordship, Justice Marry Odili – The pillar of support behind His Excellency Dr. Peter Odili
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael F. Diejomaoh in his address warmly welcomed all to the 1st Convocation Ceremony and 4th Founders’ Day Anniversary of our great institution. He gave a brief history of PAMO University of Medical Science, a specialized premier private medical university with the training based on cutting edge medical education models which secured its full operating license from the Federal Government on 7th April, 2021, three (3) years after the issuance of the provisional license.
He further stressed that all courses in the faculties of Basic Medical Sciences and Allied Health Sciences have been fully
accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) with excellent dedicated academic staff. He expressed his deep gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Chief Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS for his immense and sustained support through the scholarship scheme to Rivers State scholars from 2018 till date, and substantial grants for infrastructural development projects. “Thank you so much your Excellency for your support and generosity”, he said. He enjoined the graduands to be good ambassadors of PAMO University of Medical Science.
Finally, he announced; “Today, we are honoring two (2) very eminent leaders from two generations who, in their different ways, have demonstrated outstanding clarity, commitment and consistency of effort at service delivery for common good.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, His Excellency Sir Dr. Peter Odili, CON, KCSGG, GSSRS, KSJI in his address lavished praises on the indefatigable Governor of Rivers State, the “Special VISITOR”, His Excellency Chief Barr. Nyesome Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS-Africa for his unprecedented support with a take-off grant of 500 million naira, and award of scholarships for 100 Rivers students admitted into PUMS for the next 5 years.
“Your Excellency, only God, posterity and history can reward you for this lifetime kindness to the affected families,
humanity and PUMS”, he said. He further charged the graduands to uphold the PUMS values they have imbibed here and apply them in their life outside PUMS campus, diligently. “Be our worthy Ambassadors and the corner stones of PUMS Alumni Association” he said. Finally, he thanked and welcomed all to the maiden Convocation of PAMO University of Medical Sciences, the First Private Medical University in Nigeria, where cultism, drugs, harassment in any form and sorting will have no space as there is zero tolerance for these vices.
The Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, His Excellency, Gen. Abdulsalami A. Abubakar, GCFR in his address mentioned a major pillar of support to the University, the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Chief Nyesom Wike, whose unrivalled contribution to the development of the University will forever be in the annals of her history and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed whose conviction of the ability of the promoter of the University to see to its establishment and subsequent suggestion of same during the fortuitous meeting in December 2016.
“PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS) is only four years old and yet has recorded tremendous achievements within this short time” he said. He urged other State Governments to come in to support the provision of private education in their respective States. He also called on the Federal Government to extend similar support to private universities through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and other agencies of government through the various initiatives currently being enjoyed only by public institutions.
He further congratulated the maiden graduands of PUMS for their remarkable attainments and urged them to always be mindful of the proud legacy they imbibed during their stay in the university and the motto of the University, “Excellence for the Good of All”. He concluded by assuring all of the Board of Trustees’ commitment to a sustained infrastructural and academic development of the institution towards its emergence as a globally recognized University where all its programmes are fully accredited by the various regulatory agencies and where research and community service are given pre-eminence.
CONFERMENT OF HONORARY DEGREE
His Excellency, GEN. ABDULSALAMI A. ABUBAKAR, GCFR – Chancellor & Chairman, Board of Trustees was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) Honoris Causa
His Excellency CHIEF BARR. NYESOM EZENWO WIKE, CON, GSSRS, POS(Africa) – Governor, Rivers State was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) Honoris Causa
A GROUP PHOTOGRAPH AFTER THE CONFERMENT OF HONORARY DEGREES – from Lift to Right, Prof. Michael Dhejomah – VC, Justice Fati Lami Abubakar – Former Chief Judge of Niger State, His Excellency, Gen. Abdulsalami A. Abubakar – The Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, His Excellency, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike – The Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Dr. Peter Odili – The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Prof. Abubakar A. Rasheed – Executive Secretary NUC, Barr. W.U.G Imoedemhe, PH.D – Registrar and Secretary to Council
The valedictory address was delivered by the best graduating student Miss FUBARA Tanunoibelema Blessing of the Department of Anatomy on behalf of the graduating students. In her address, she stated how PAMO University of Medical Sciences has imbedded in her and colleagues an excellent impactable time management and discipline. She expressed their heart felt gratitude to the Pro-Chancellor His Excellency Sir Dr. Peter Odili, the visioner and his dear wife Justice Marry Odili, for not only being the vision bearer but for seeing the vision to fruitation.
“We are happy as graduates of your ambition of establishing Nigerian’s 1st Private University of Medical Sciences” she said. She further thanked His Excellency Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, The Executive Governor of Rivers State for the scholarship program he established for Rivers State indigenes. She also thanked the VC, Registrar, professors, doctors, lecturers, family and loved ones for all their love and support. “Congratulations PUMS class of 2021”, she said.
The “Special Visitor” His Excellency, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS(Africa) Executive Governor of Rivers State in his address thanked the Chancellor, the Pro Chancellor, the Council and Members of Senate of this great university for finding him worthy to receive this Honorary Doctorate of Science (Honoris Causa). “I accept the Honor with delightful heart full of gratitude”, he said. He acknowledged that this honor carries a corresponding responsibility for him to use his position to continue to advance humanity’s cause for peace and progress as well as to support the lofty aspirations of this university. “I wish to
assure you all that I’ll carry the torch of this university with pride and dignity and continue to do my best for our state, our people and our country”, he said
He further stated that education is not just a foundation of development, it is a surest and the most potent way to empower every individual. Today’s graduation underscores the fact that the vision and mission of this university has started coming into full manifestation and justifies the Rivers State Government’s investment in the development of both the university and the youths of Rivers State.
He also commended the entire staffs and management of the university for their hard work and the sacrifices that have enabled to progress the university to today’s historic achievement. Finally, he congratulated the graduating students for the success they’ve attained in completing their degree program in this university.
The Rivers State Governor His Excellency, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS Africa generously announced a reward of scholarship to the best graduating student to further her studies to any level in any part of the world. In addition, he pronounced a cash reward of N5 Million Naira each to the best graduating student in each department and supported the university with the pledge for infrastructure development.
The Convocation and Founder’s Day Ceremony ended with the Commissioning of the Clinical Hostels by His Excellency, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS Africa, the Executive Governor of Rivers State.
His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State assisted by his wife Justice Suzeth Wike, the Pro-Chancellor, The Deputy Governor and the wife of the Pro-Chancellor.
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