Speeches

Induction Ceremony Of The Fourth Graduating Medical Doctors Of Lagos State University College Of Medicine (LASUCOM)

Jan 15, 2009 - Around this time last year, when I addressed the 3rd Graduands, I talked about the dream of a leader and a better future and that our dreams can create our future. This is what we are witnessing today.

I am delighted therefore, to witness another historic moment in the lives of our young men and women who are today stepping out into the world of achievers.

Today is particularly significant because this ceremony is part of the fulfillment of one of our cardinal programmes – Capacity building for qualitative and functional healthcare delivery to our people.

Going through the rigours of medical training, is no doubt a daunting task, because medical profession is noble and it touches on human life and survival. We are however very proud of our own products in LASUCOM who have been given the best in terms of instruction, learning, research, clinical training and trials, practical application of knowledge and the need to uphold the ethics of the medical profession. I congratulate you all for being part of a great vision and beneficiaries of a worthy legacy.

Without any shadow of doubt in my mind, I am bold to say that Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has become a true Centre of Excellence in tertiary healthcare, due largely to rapid expansion of LASUTH and the progressive development of LASUCOM.

To confirm our passion for the infrastructural development and modernization of LASUTH, just last week we commissioned the Bola Tinubu Health and Diagnostic Centre and Bola Tinubu Paedetric Ward Complex. All these efforts are directed towards fulfilling our vision to make the institutions, globally acclaimed centres of excellence in the delivery of qualitative healthcare as well as making them citadels of training and learning and medical research at both the undergraduate and post graduate levels.

In the last 600 days, we have shown that the benefit of continuity in the administration of Lagos State is the sustained implementation of policies and programmes that are not only fast changing the face of Lagos, but also the lives of Lagosians. Our healthcare programmes for instance, have been upgraded in terms of provision of innovative healthcare programmes (e-health/e-medicine), proactive and preventive healthcare projects, sustenance of free healthcare policy to the vulnerable and less privileged members of the society, and of course improved welfare package for healthcare givers in all our health institutions from the primary to the tertiary levels.

Let me specially congratulate the new Medical Doctors who are wearing the garlands of success and the gowns of achievements today on your commitment and dedication shown during the course of your programme. The journey that you started at your matriculation a few years ago has come to a successful milestone. Let me remind you that from today, you are stepping out to compete amongst the very best nationally and internationally. I am hopeful that Lagos the centre of excellence and the State that nurtured your dream to reality will be your theatre - a big theatre of dreams and many possibilities for that matter, a theatre where the difference between life and death depends on what you do or what you fail to do. I will expect you therefore, to always remember your oaths and the need to put the life of your patient above personal consideration and comfort.

To the management and our teachers who have laboured to produce these brilliant medical professionals, I congratulate you especially for your contributions, sacrifice and commitment, to give the society a new set of potential leaders. I also congratulate the parents, guardians and relations who are here today to rejoice with their wards.

Before I conclude, let me remind you again that your teachers have really done their best to ensure that a new breed, a new crop of doctors that would help implement the health policies of our government is produced. I would therefore urge you to ensure that you put in your best to ensure quality healthcare delivery wherever you are privileged to serve.

Remember that your profession demands that you must be honest, hardworking, patient and compassionate. You must be a good ambassador of this great college. I wish you the very best in all your future endeavours.

I thank you for listening. May God bless you all.

‘Eko o ni baje o!’

Babatunde Raji Fashola, (SAN)
Governor of Lagos State