The MBBDS Class Of 1995 Holds A 30-year Reunion

The 1995 MBBDS class had its 30-year reunion yesterday, Friday, September 19, 2025. It started with an opening speech by the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Ogah, after which the President of the reuniting set, Dr. Olakunle Johnson, gave his opening speech. During his opening remarks, he spoke about how his class had always been actively giving back to their alma mater. He read a long list of contributions made to the college toward this reunion. Among the items listed were: the donation of solar panels to Alexander Brown Hall's E-block, the donation of 10 million naira to the ICOMAA student hostel project, the purchase of laryngoscopes for the department of Anesthesia, ambulatory blood pressure monitors for the Pediatrics department, and solar power projects for the Faculty of Dentistry and the departments of Community and Family Medicine. The total cost of these donations came to about 90 million naira. He ended by mentioning how proud he was to be associated with the products of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. He promised to personally sponsor two students under the Sponsor-A-Student initiative: one in medicine, one in dentistry.

After the class president's opening remarks, other dignitaries present addressed the gathering too. The Chairman, Emeritus Professor Oluwole Akande, spoke about how the class had many distinguished members and how proud the college was of the '95 class. He mentioned that his son, a member of the class, was unavoidably absent. He welcomed the 1995 set and wished them a pleasurable stay. He also commended their choice of Professor Otolorin as the guest speaker.

Standing in for the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Arotiba, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Admin, spoke about how this event was a time of reflection, nostalgia, reminiscence, reunion, and gratitude to God. He stated that the Vice Chancellor would have loved to be present but was absent due to University work. Thirty years was a long time and renewing bonds was a very good thing, he said. He spoke about how brain drain would become brain gain when medics in diaspora come back, even briefly, to work and train others, or when they collaborate on research and development projects with those here in Nigeria. 

The 1995 set, along with some special guests at the event.

Professor Ogundiran, the Provost, gave his remarks after. He spoke about how the class of 1995 last had their reunion, in 2015. He commended their unchanged culture of generosity to their alma mater, citing examples of the donation of a Toyota Hiace to the geriatrics department among other things.

Professor Emmanuel Otolorin, the guest speaker, spoke on the topic "Turning Brain-Drain into Brain-Gain in Nigeria's Health Sector." He classified the reasons for people leaving into push factors and pull factors. The list of push factors included poor salaries, unemployment, underemployment, stressful working conditions, limited opportunities for professional advancement, and poor governance. He then proceeded to list the pull factors. These included security, employment, stable infrastructure, electricity, and increased chances of professional advancement. After this, he spoke on ways by which we might turn brain drain into brain gain. These means included short-term professional engagements of clinical work, teaching, etc by those who have traveled abroad. Also, incentivizing such visits with free travel, accommodation among other things. Another solution suggested was collaboration with doctors in diaspora on research projects and other career advancement opportunities. These were some of the things he mentioned concerning stemming the tide of Japa syndrome. 

After this, some people, including Professor Otolorin were awarded and recognized by the class. Also, certain people present who taught the class while they were students were recognized. These included Professor Alada, Professor Asinobi, Professor Ogunbiyi among many others. After this, the UCH Sinfonia choir performed two pieces: 'Kpọ ya Chukwu' and 'Dokita Alabere'. Then there was a picture session, after which the symposium was held.

UCH Sinfonia performing Kpọ ya Chukwu at the reunion.

The symposium started at about 1:15 pm. Dr. Akande of the Endocrinology unit of Medicine, University College Hospital was the MC. The event opened with the chairman of the symposium, Professor Augustine Adeolu, head of the College Medical Education Unit (CMEU) and neurosurgeon, giving his opening remarks. He spoke briefly on life outside clinical practice and urged the students to listen well as there was a lot to learn, richer than the donations of the '95 class. Some of the lectures are covered below.

The first speaker was Professor Wasiu Lanre, Provost College of Medicine, University of Lagos. In his fifteen minutes, he spoke about leadership. Opening with the quote, "Leadership is not rocket science, it is harder." 

"We complain about leaders, but someday, we will be the leaders. Who do we complain about then?" he said. He spoke about how medical students today will be leaders and how even now, they lead other students. He urged students to prepare for leadership, as it is important and nearly inevitable. He differentiated being strict, being difficult, and being wicked. He referenced Niyi Akintola, speaking of the 30 C's and the 4 domains of leadership.

Professor Phillip Oluleke Ibinaiye, from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, spoke next on residency training in Nigeria. He spoke on the requirements, demands, and intricacies of residency training. He mentioned that residency should be done with smart goals. Smart, as he explained, was an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Also, he reiterated the importance of time management, mentorship, and staying updated. He spoke of prioritizing rest and speaking up in times of difficulty. 

Professor Aisuodionoe-Shadrach spoke on Pathways, Opportunities, and Challenges of Academic Medicine in Contemporary Nigeria. He opened by saying that an MBBS certificate is an opportunity to learn medicine. Why an opportunity? Medicine, he said, was a lifelong learning process. He covered the pathways, opportunities, and challenges to achieving these in a short lecture. 

Dr. Chike Muoguilim spoke on "Career and Vocation Outside of Medicine." He spoke of the importance of integrity, knowledge, mental and emotional health. 

Lastly, Dr. Soji Soogun had the last lecture. Drawing from his medical school experiences, he urged that students should see setbacks not as coffins but as classrooms. He spoke about 6 pearls, among which were: perspective is power, delay is not denial, people matter in recovery, passion ignites comebacks, discipline sustains, discern when and how to share, and become a pearl giver. He repeatedly referenced how oysters birth pearls from irritation and how hardship is simply the process of wonderful things. 

The Chairman, Professor Adeolu closed the symposium afterwards. According to him, the symposium had been packed full of useful information. He expressed his wish to compile recordings or materials from the symposium into a format distributable to those who were not around, as well as future medical and dental students. The event had been a sight for sore eyes, soothing to the ears, delightful for the tongue and belly. 

Salami Wisdom