The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) has commended Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, for its investment in modern equipment and facilities for the training of medical laboratory professionals.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the council, Dr Donald Ofili, gave the commendation on Tuesday at the induction and oath-taking ceremony of 39 graduates of the university’s Department of Medical Laboratory Science, held at the Oba Olashore Auditorium.
Ofili, who was represented by a senior official of the council, Gregory Uchuno, praised the university’s management for securing accreditation for the department and investing in its development.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of equipment available in the department, noting that the programme had continued to expand, particularly with the commencement of postgraduate studies.
While congratulating the new inductees, Ofili charged them to uphold integrity, professionalism and ethical standards in their practice, stressing that their professional conduct would be regulated and monitored by the council.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of JABU, Prof. Olasebikan Fakolujo, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adekunle Eludire, said the induction reflected the university’s commitment to integrity, excellence and innovation.
Fakolujo said the institution had constructed a purpose-built departmental complex equipped with administrative facilities and modern laboratories to meet global standards and provide students with practical, hands-on training.
He added that the university had also recruited experienced lecturers and clinical instructors, while providing stable electricity and internet facilities to support teaching, learning and research.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the inductees to uphold high standards of integrity, discipline and professionalism as they begin their careers.
Also speaking, the Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. Adio Folayan, advised the graduates to make accuracy, competence and integrity the foundation of their professional practice.
Folayan emphasised the critical role of precision in medical laboratory science, urging the new professionals to handle specimens appropriately and resist any pressure to compromise professional standards for financial gain or personal interest.
The Head of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Dr Emmanuel Oni, disclosed that the department had secured full accreditation from the National Universities Commission for five years, attributing the achievement to the support of the university management.
Oni also said students of the department had consistently recorded a 100 per cent success rate in their final professional examinations.
He assured that the inductees had received adequate training and were prepared to contribute to healthcare delivery, scientific development and the solution of societal challenges through their professional expertise.
In his keynote address, an Associate Professor of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis, Dr Oloruntoba Ekun, described medical laboratory scientists as licensed professionals trained to conduct complex investigations using human samples.
Ekun stressed that accuracy, precision and reliability were essential to medical laboratory practice, urging the graduates to ensure consistency and maintain the integrity of their results.
He further charged them to embrace innovation and adhere strictly to professional rules and codes, warning against compromising their integrity in the face of bribery and other inducements.
The ceremony featured the presentation of awards to outstanding graduands, with Akeju Favour Omobade emerging as the best graduating student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.69.
Omobade expressed appreciation to the university management for providing a conducive environment for learning and professional development.
The event also featured a goodwill message from the Osun State branch of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria and was attended by stakeholders from sister institutions, parents, guardians and members of the medical laboratory science community.
