By Ègbe Attah
The Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Benue State, has secured approval from the National University Commission (NUC) to run new programmes in the areas of Nursing Science, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory.
This was disclosed by the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Innocent Ujah, during the 3rd Matriculation of the university, recently in Otukpo.
The new programmes according to Professor Ujah, were in addition to the already existing degrees in Human Medicine, Clinical Biochemistry, Microbiology, Computer Science, Biostatistics, Chemistry, Biology, as well as Physics and Mathematics and that plans to bring in BSc Bioinformatics were almost concluded.
On infrastructure development, the Vice Chancellor explained that the Teaching Hospital where the medical students would do their clinical training has been approved by the Federal Ministry of Health, assuring that their current 200 level students would have no difficulties commencing their clinical training.
He maintained that work at the permanent site of the varsity at Akwete Akpa had reached advanced stage, while a new campus had been secured at GRA, Otukpo and thanked all those who have been instrumental to the birth and growth of FUHSO while appealing for more support and collaboration.
The FUHSO boss called on the students to shun all forms of social vices in order to make their dream of becoming medical professionals a reality while decrying the current economic hardship in the country which he promised the university management would take steps to cushion the effects on the school community.
Prof Ujah, specifically expressed concern over the implementation of Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System, IPPIS, policy in Nigerian universities which he said had led to the non-payment of salaries of some lecturers in the institution who were not captured by the system and called for its total overhaul.
“I feel disturbed and demoralized by the ineffective implementation of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System, (IPPIS), which is the Federal Government’s policy for the payment of salaries and allowances to staff.
“I am saddened to state that some of our staff who have been employed for one year, have not been captured on IPPIS and therefore, have not been paid a kobo as salaries even when there is an approved budget. This, in my experience is the worst policy of the federal government.”
In a lecture entitled, “Making your dreams come true,” a guest lecturer, Barrister Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), encouraged the new students to imbibe the spirit of hard work, perseverance, discipline, humility among others in order to attain their life dreams.
The Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Dr John Elaigwu, while congratulating the matriculating students for their new feat, advised them to be of good conduct in order to become great leaders they wish to be.
The Idoma paramount ruler commended the sterling leadership qualities of the VC, Prof. Innocent Ujah and his management team for nurturing FUHSO to an enviable citadel of learning and called on all his subjects to support the young university.
Highlights of the event were the administration of matriculation oath on 250 students who were admitted for the 2022/2023 Academic Session and the unveiling of the maiden edition of the school newsmagazine called, ‘Advance.”
