Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State says his administration will continue to be committed in ensuring quality education and healthcare that will make the state to be the best in the country.
Mbah said this on Monday during the 3rd Founders’ Day Celebration of State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS) Igbo-Eno, Enugu State.
He said his administration’s agenda would continue to emphasis on expanding access to quality education, strengthening healthcare infrastructures, promoting innovation, as well as building human capital capable of driving economic transformation institutions like SUMAS.
“These institutions are not only centres of learning, they are strategic partners in public policy implementations and societal advancement
” We honour those whose foresight established this university with the clear understanding that medical and applied sciences education are essential to national progress.
“This celebration comes at a time when education and healthcare development occupy a central place in the policy direction of my administration,” he said.
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner of Health in Enugu State Prof. George Ugwu said for a country such as Nigeria, the intersection of education, healthcareand economic development is critical in order to have required needed health workers.
“This university is dedicated to medical and applied sciences, that will carry both academic and societal responsibilities, the state’s emphasis on smart schools, digital learning environments, improved healthcare access aligns naturally with your institutional mandate.
” Universities must serve as s hub for:workforce development in critical health and science sectors.
“To the students especially those in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, laboratory sciences, engineering, and related fields you are not just learners now you are future drivers of transformation.
” Your expertise in future will influence healthcare delivery policy, research, and technological progress, pursue excellence not only for personal advancement but for societal impact,” he said.
The governor explained that state government in partnership with Godfrey Okoye University is establishing DNA laboratory, the lab would help for DNA forensics aimed to enhance security as well as assist in criminal investigations.
“The state is spending billions of naria to build international hospital, DNA laboratory, dualiasation of Nike/ Ugwuogo Opi Road among other projects to ensure total transformation of Enugu State as well as make Enugu State the enviable state in Nigeria and investors destination,”he said.
The governor commended Msgr Prof Obiora Ike, the Pro-chancellor of SUMAS, the Vice-chancellor Prof James Ogbonna and his Management team for their commitment and dedication that have been responsible for the rapid growth of the university within a short period.
Speaking Bishop Godfrey Onah, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese while delivering the the Founders’ Day Lecture titled; “University Education and Crises of Values in Nigeria of Today” said that Nigeria universities are facing crises of values in the educational system.
“University is dedicated to research, teaching and the education of students whó freely associates with their teachers in a common world of knowledge.
“It’s disheartening today that many of our universities are consumer universities,”he said
In a remark, the Pro-chancellor of SUMAS (Prof Ike) expressed appreciation to Bishop Onah, the founders Day lecturer for the thought provoking and intellectual rich lecture rooted in theology, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, technology and logic.
He commended Gov Mbah for always given the university special attention in his desire to make the university the best in the country.
The Pro-chancellor applauded the Vice-chancellor of SUMAS (Prof Ogbonna) and his Management team for their dedication that is responsible for the continued rapid growth of the university.
Earlier in his address, Prof James Ogbonna, Vice-Chancellor of SUMAS said that the institution was established to address the problems of acute shortage of medical, health, and technology personnel in Nigeria and the world as well as to give access to quality healthcare services in Enugu State and beyond.
“We have gathered here today to express our gratitude to those who founded our university, as well as to those who are contributing in various ways to ensue that SUMAS continues to meet the expectations of our Founding Fathers.
“SUMAS was established to join the global intellectual community in abiding search for truth, which is the philosophical reason for research that fashions solutions to global problems through the prism of local challenges.
“It is in this regard that SUMAS is nationally unique as the first university in Nigeria established to explore the research interface of Medical and Applied Sciences in solving pressing national problems,” he said.
The VC noted that, the university has witnessed a lot of infrastructural development that have make the institution’s environment condusive for teaching and learning.
“Over these three years, SUMAS has witnessed a lot of infrastructural development, example is our ten industrial boreholes that have greatly improved on water reticulation in the university that we are now a water self sufficient little community, with steady power supply.
“SUMAS started with twenty-three programmes but we have added more programmes, we started with 661 students but today we have 4198 student population,” he said.
Ogbonna thanked Enugu State Governor for his huge investment, support and commitment in making the university a great institution.
The highlight of the occasion was cutting of the cake for 3rd Founders’ Day Celebration of SUMAS.