Arthur Jarvis University Produces First Set of Optometrists!

History was made yet again at Arthur Jarvis University as students of her Optometry Department, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences were inducted into the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN) and the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) in an elaborate induction ceremony, which held on Wednesday, 22nd January, 2025.

Being the maiden induction ceremony, the event, held at the university premises, was a memorable occasion and was graced by prominent guests, including the Registrar/CEO of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN), Dr. Obinna Edwin Awiaka, who was ably represented by Dr Sam Ntem, a former Registrar of the same board and ex-president of Nigerian Optometric Association, the president of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Dr. Anderson Chiimeziri, who was ably represented by Dr. Ogechi Cecilia Chukwu, the Vice Chairperson of Nigerian Optometric Association Calabar Chapter. Principal officers of the Institution such as the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Bursar, Dean of Students’ Affairs and Public Relations Officer were also in attendance. Parents, friends and well-wishers of the graduands were there to cheer them on as the brand new optometrists took their official steps into the healthcare profession. Staff members of the Institution, particularly lecturers in the Optometry Department, other staff members in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, and junior colleagues of the graduating set also made the guest list.

Among the major highlights of the event was the procession of the graduands, principal officers of the Institution and representatives from ODORBN and NOA at the beginning of the event. The Vice Chancellor’s address, which followed shortly after, was nothing short of stellar. He welcomed all to the occasion, expressed pride in the graduating students and spoke about how this maiden induction was a milestone achievement for the university. The Head of the Department of Optometry, Dr Adoms Valentine gave a short speech where he inspired the students to keep learning and keep making progress in the field as graduation was not the end but was, in fact, the beginning.  Dr. Ann Ebri Ekong, OD, M.Sc, Ph.D, FAAO, FNCO, delivered a powerful lecture on “Professionalism in Optometry,” offering valuable insights on maintaining high standards and ethics in the optometry field.

The very peak of the event was the induction/oath-taking and prize giving. First, the Head of Department presented the graduands to the representative of the Registrar of the board for induction into the board. The traditional graduation gown was replaced with their white, clinical robes and a customized cape from the board was placed over it. The Registrar then led them to take the professional oath for optometrists before officially inducting them into the board. Hard work and excellence was recognized as the Head of Department announced the best graduating student, Dr Emediong Udoette and the best clinician, Dr Nellie Eyo.

Arthur Jarvis University has a history of celebrating hard work, diligence and excellence of her students through generous cash awards and automatic employment for her first-class graduates. This was the case during the maiden convocation ceremony which was held on April 8, 2023 and the two induction/oath taking ceremonies of her nursing graduands into the Nursing and Midwery Council of Nigeria, which held in 2023 and 2024 respectively. The induction of her Optometry graduands into the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN) was no exception. The atmosphere was one of celebration especially as the university management, in recognition of the excellent performance of her students awarded a generous cash prize of 100,000 naira to the best graduating student, while the best clinician was awarded 50,000 naira for exceptional clinical performance. Additionally, the Head of Department (HoD) presented a 30,000 naira cash award to another remarkable student, the third best graduating student, Dr. Samuel Orok, and the university management added an extra 20,000 naira, bringing the total to 50,000 naira for the third best graduating student as well. The Vice Chancellor also announced automatic employment for any of the three, exceptional graduates who were interested in working with Arthur Jarvis University. This announcement was greeted with cheering and a loud applause.

Worthy of mention is the fact that these set of graduates were the first to be inducted into the board among their peers in the entire South-South of Nigeria. Also worth celebrating is the fact that Arthur Jarvis University Optometry graduates achieved a 100% pass rate in the professional examination conducted and supervised by the board. In other words, every student from Arthur Jarvis University, who registered for the examination, passed it. It was also observed that during the examination, Arthur Jarvis University students maintained a high level of examination discipline and honesty. This is a testament of the quality of lecturers the institution has and how much time and efforts these lecturers invest to ensure their students are the best.

The event was a true celebration of excellence, dedication, and achievement. The Vice Chancellor, Dr Joe Edet, expressed his pride in the students’ accomplishments and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence in their careers, making a meaningful impact on the Optometry profession in Nigeria and beyond. The Registrar’s vote of thanks and closing remarks brought the event to a close.

The induction ceremony was a wonderful display of Arthur Jarvis University’s commitment to nurturing future leaders, not just in Optometry but in all its thirty-three departments, preparing them not just to enter the workforce, but to become the driving force of change in their chosen industry and in the economy of the nation and the world at large.

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