Ondo State Medical Students Association, University of Lagos on the 8th of March, 2017 hosted the college of medicine community at the New Great Hall for her 28th Annual symposium. The symposium which is a core part of the annual OSMSA Health week with this year theme being; “The Emergence” was graced by seasoned speakers, executives and members of other CMUL and states’ associations including Ekiti state Medical Students Association (EKIMSA President), ULADS President, AMSUL Vice President, Welfare Secretary and Deputy Senate President, OGUNMSA and LASMA representatives among others .
During the welcome address of the OSMSA president, Oladoyin Akinrujomu, a 600L Dentistry Student spoke on the unity and the efforts put in place by himself, his Executives and amiable Organising committee to make the avenue for medics and paramedics to dine together and share a common goal bond together by originality, possible. This was further cemented by the speech giving by Practising Physiotherapist Ademuyiwa Adejugbage – an Ex vibrant OSMSAite, past Electoral Committee Chairman and best graduating student in his set, who elaborated on the “inter-professionalism in the health care sector” and “why we should all work in unity” towards delivering a “patient centred service” always, and not an “Ego centred service” and making our health care sector in Nigeria a better one; suitable for all.
One of our Guest Speaker at the symposium – Dr O. A. Morakinyo, a senior lecturer in the department of physiology, CMUL, Research Scientist and Mentor, even at the international level – spoke on the subtheme, “Young Health Care Professionals; where we come in”, during his lecture, he made some cogent points, all pointing to the essence of the subtheme. They include; promoting the individual and community health through Education, Mentoring, Volunteering and Philanthropy, harmony within the health Sector and putting aside individual difference to function maximally, exploring into Health Consulting Management and Technology for better Health care delivering, which starts with the younger generation of professionals to set things right and in motion.
Dr Wale Abodurin Peters, another guest speaker – a past COMPSSA president, a vast businessman and a Real Estate Consultant – spoke on the subtheme, “We against all odds; surviving the Nigerian economy”, which he did justice to by relating his personal experiences and relating with that of the participants. He also gave some hints on “surviving this present Nigerian economy” and “emerging from the recession”. These include; not panicking in this situation, cutting down on unnecessary expenses, expanding knowledge by cultivating a good reading habit which according to him is lacking in this generation and acquiring more skills, investing now and here (70% to school and 30% to other productive things), use the connections and contacts you have wisely (exhaust the potential of your gadgets), convert your hobbies to money, position yourself rightly and never relay on one source of income.
Apart from the symposium, other activities during the health week were the Awareness/Cook Off competition, where prices and certificate of participation was giving out. Also, the following day was the free film show at the New Great Hall, with free popcorn and drinks.
In all, the students gave kudos to the Executive and Organising committee for putting together an enlightening and successful health week, while wishing the next tenure all the best.
