A total of 103 Nigerian dental professionals were on Tuesday inducted as Fellows of the International College of Dentists at the University of Benin, Edo State.
The induction, conducted under the supervision of the Regent, ICD, West Africa Sub-region, Prof Gbemisola Oke, was part of activities marking the 50th anniversary and alumni reunion of the UNIBEN School of Dentistry.
Those inducted as Fellows of the ICD included the President of the Nigerian Dental Association, Dr Elias Emedom; Prof Matthew Sede; Prof Ese Anibor; Prof Mercy Okoh; Dr Benneth Uwakwem; Dr Adesina Ayodele; Dr Chris Eyikor; Dr Ejiro Idiga; and Dr Adewuwa Abe.
Inducted as honorary fellows were the Vice-Chancellor, UNIBEN, Prof Edoba Omoregie (SAN); Prof Sanni Shehu; and the former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Kabiru Bala.
The FCID is bestowed on dentists who have made significant contributions to the profession or their communities.
Dignitaries at the event included the UNIBEN VC, Prof Omoregie (SAN); Chief Medical Director, UNIBEN Teaching Hospital, Prof Idia Ize-Iyamu; Provost, College of Medical Sciences, Prof Wilson Sadoh; Dean, School of Dentistry, Prof Joan Enabulele; Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the event, Prof Sede; keynote speaker, Dr Jerome Mafeni; and President, Benin University Dental School Alumni Association, Dr Anthony Osaguona.
In his remarks, the UNIBEN VC said the School of Dentistry had lived up to its vision of producing highly skilled dental personnel capable of addressing the oral health needs of the country.
He said, “From those early beginnings, the School of Dentistry, University of Benin, has evolved into one of Nigeria’s foremost institutions for dental education, producing generations of dentists, specialists, educators, researchers, administrators and leaders who have made outstanding impact within and outside the country.”
Omoregie promised that the university management was committed to continuously supporting the School of Dentistry to ensure that its products “remain a competitive brand in dental care delivery in Nigeria and globally.”
Also speaking, the Dean, School of Dentistry, said the school had fulfilled its vision, 50 years ago, to train competent dental professionals who would advance oral healthcare in Nigeria and beyond.
She outlined the vision for the next 50 years, including the construction of a purpose-built clinical dentistry complex.
“A facility that will double our current clinical space, laboratory space, and office space. A centre of excellence where innovation, research, and patient care will take place. This is the legacy we must now build for the generations coming after us,” Enabulele added.