The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has charged the 18 new Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians produced by the University to leverage on technology to enable them effectively explore opportunities around the world that would enhance service delivery.
The VC stated this at the Oath-Taking and Induction Ceremony of the 2020/2021 graduates of the Department of Optometrics and Vision Sciences held at the University’s Auditorium Basement.
In his speech, entitled ‘‘Take Your Place in the World,’’ the legal luminary urged the newly minted professional eye care practitioners to also demonstrate competence while charging them to practice their profession with deserved compassion, no matter the social class of their patients.
He also encouraged the graduands to make out of their training more than what they have been taught as he hinted on the essence of higher education.
In her address, the Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, Prof. Patricia Omojasola, disclosed that the University of Ilorin is one of the six Nigerian universities that run the six-year programme. She similarly charged the inductees to prioritise giving a human face to their practice.
Speaking to the graduands directly, Prof. Omojasola said, “You will encounter a diverse range of patients, each with conditions that would require your intervention. I urge you to approach each interaction with empathy and understanding, treating every patient with utmost respect and compassion. Your goal should be to improve their vision and promote ocular wellness ultimately, enhancing their quality of life”.
While delivering his goodwill adddress, a renowned Professor of Optometry and Vision Science, who is also the foundation Head of Department of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Mathew Olanrewaju Oriowo, recounted the history of how the programme was conceived while he was at the University of Limpopo in South Africa in the 2011 /2012 academic session and he was invited to nurture the programme that eventually took off in the year 2013.
He also drew the attention of the inductees to the responsibility that comes with their new status, saying that “People would easily forgive and excuse you as a student if you display improper judgement, they might reluctantly overlook the slips of the holder of the Youth Corps membership during service. It would be difficult for people to explain, ignore or pardon the misconduct or improper judgement of the holders of the Doctor of Optometry. It is even more so when the degree comes from a University like ours “.
Also speaking, the Registrar of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria, Dr Obinna Awiaka, admonished the graduands never to give up on their dreams as he shared his personal story of how he almost dropped out of his own degree.
While presenting his own speech, the President of the Nigerian Optometic Association, Dr Anderson Chimeziri, disclosed that Optometry is a non invasive type of eye care which also diagnose an array of diseases by simply looking into the human eye.
