A young medical doctor, Chiedozie Ikwu, who emerged the Best Overall Graduating Student of the Fifth Set of Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) doctors, has dedicated the coveted award to souls in purgatory.

Dr. Ikwu, an ardent Catholic and active member of the Purgatorian society, disclosed this in his response after receiving his certificate of award and prize.  The occasion was the swearing-in/induction ceremony for the 5th set of medical doctors  at IMSUTH.

He said, “God Almighty has been everything to me all the way.  I lack words to thank Him.  Some of the times I passed my exams, they were obviously miracles.  I couldn’t understand why some of those things happened.  Thank you Jesus!  To my dearest friends, the souls in purgatory, I can only say that I dedicate this award to you.  May your souls rest in peace”.

Dr. Ikwu placed on record the encouragement he received from his parents, Nze Anselm Ikwu and Lolo Regina Ikwu, whom he described as “unrepentant optimists” and who made great sacrifices to give him and his siblings the best of education.

He thanked the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) whose scholarship he enjoined for six years.

On behalf of his class, he thanked their teachers and other university and teaching hospital authorities.

He regretted that medical students stayed too long (up to 10 years) to graduate from IMSUTH, and that “this trend cannot continue”, adding “but it is not late to act right”.  He called for better funding, urging the state government and Imo people not to allow IMSUTH to lose her accreditation.

Dr. Ikwu, a former president of the Medical Students Association, assured his classmates that there was no limit to what then can achieve rely entirely on God.  He announced the donation of books by his class to the College of Medicine and to the university.

In his welcome address, the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Chijioke Nzewuihe congratulated the graduands and implored the government to continue to support the hospital in its drive to greatness as a foremost provider of medical training, medical research and technical specialist care.

The Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Prof. B.U. Ezem, who announced Dr. Chiedozie Ikwu as the best overall graduating student disclosed that he scored a total of 195 to clinch the position of Best in his 2nd MBBS and 122.4 in his 5th MBBS to win the best overall.

Other dignitaries who spoke included – the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie and Dr. Alex Osuji who delivered the guest lecture.

The highlights of the occasion were: the Administration of the Physician’s Oath to the graduands, Prizes to Outstanding Students, Presentation of Provisional Registration Certificate and one Year Practicing Licence to the graduands.

A total of 34 graduands were in the main class while 21 others were re-sit candidates.  Both the Nigerian Medical Council and Governor Rochas Okorocha were represented at the occasion.

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