By Bright Anyanwu
Department of Environmental Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences & Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, College of Health Sciences, Nnewi Campus has inducted 86 Environmental Health Graduands – Class of 2023 (Igwebuike) into the noble profession of Environmental Health Officers (Sanitationists).
The Induction/Oath-Taking Ceremony which was the 2nd in series in the Department of Environmental Health Science took place today, Thursday 12th September, 2024 at the College Auditorium, Okofia.
The epoch-making event was chaired by the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinyelugo Carol Arinze-Umobi represented by the Provost of the College, Professor Gerald Udigwe.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor, in her speech, congratulated the graduands for reaching the milestone. She noted that despite the dwindling funding and the rising inflation affecting the university administration, the University Management has continued to strive to maintain the highest academic standing.
She noted that the graduates are well trained and the best you can find anywhere in the world. According to her, the University was proud of them, and equally appreciated them for their resilience and doggedness throughout the 5-year of their programme.
She reiterated further that the University Management was fully determined in sustaining the culture of excellence to keep producing graduates who can stand on their feet anywhere in the world.
To the graduates and their parents, the Acting Vice-Chancellor wished them a successful event.
The Dean of the Faculty, Professor M.J. Nwankwo, in his welcome remarks, felicitated with the graduates and their parents for the wonderful feat. He encouraged them to endeavour to pursue their Postgraduate studies in the field after their NYSC service year.
The Dean urged the graduates to be disciplined and focused in order to succeed in their chosen career.
The Head of Department, Dr. Isaiah Abonyi, in his address, commended the graduands for their discipline and resilience to graduate despite some academic rigors and the long universities-wide workers’ strike action.
Dr. Abonyi noted that the department was now fully stabilized and well focused in delivering its core mandate.
He emphasized that as Environmental Health Practitioners/Scientists, he/she is saddled with the responsibility of finding solutions to the adverse consequences of anthropogenic activities of man through innovative research.
On the job prospects of the profession, Dr. Abonyi noted that Environmental Health Practitioners are sort after in different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA), inclusive universities as scholars, and in various multinationals agencies.
He averred that the climate change issues, pollution control and remediation, communication disease control, pests and vector control and international notification disease control are some of the global challenges that can keep an Environmental Health Practitioner very busy.
He commended the efforts of their parents in training the graduates to achieve the feat.
The Registrar/CEO of the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), Dr. Yakubu Baba Mohammed, represented by Professor Cajetan Ilo, in his message, congratulated the graduates.
He explained that the EHCON was empowered by Act No.11 of 2002 (as amended) to regulate the practice of the profession, and that the first induction by the Council was in 2005, and since then, many others have followed.
The Registrar beckoned on the graduates to uphold the code of conduct of the profession after being inducted, and to keep striving in projecting the image of the esteemed profession.
He advised the inductees not to fully focus on white-collar jobs but to explore other broad range of business opportunities available in the private practice.
Thereafter, the Head of Department, Dr. Isaiah Abonyi presented the graduates and on behalf of the Council, the Registrar led them to take the oath of profession and inducted them accordingly.
The valedictory speech was delivered by Ikeokeke Chinecherem Chidimma, the Best Graduating Student of the Class of 2023.
Vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Eric E. Okereke.
Bright Anyanwu is the College Secretary.
