The Madonna College of Health Technology (MACOTECH), Olokoro, Umuahia, Abia State established by the Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, has matriculated 200 pioneer Students for the 2020/2021, 2021/2022 academic sessions, with the vision that the College is on upward trajectory to becoming one of the best Health Institutions in the South-East.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Visitor to the College and Bishop Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji thanked the Management of Madonna Catholic Hospital and MACOTECH for safe delivery of the Institution.
Bishop Ugorji disclosed that they are looking forward towards a robust partnership between the Diocese and Abia Government toward building a progressive society.
He disclosed that the College will train quality Health Personnel and address the worrisome experience of Graduates who are not employable in the society, he said it is not a good omen to lack Personnel in the health sector.
Ugorji said the College had the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities as well as qualified Academic and Non-Academic Staff.
He, however, reiterated that the College would help to address the problems of Youths unemployment and dearth of relevant technical manpower been experienced in most hospitals in the country.
He said that the Institution would also create jobs and contribute significantly to the development of its host community and Abia in general.
The Visitor said that MACOTECH was conceived in 2020 but could not be realised in record time due to the adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking earlier, the Pioneer Provost, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru, (Ph.D), thanked Bishop Ugorji for the initiative to build a College to specially train Professionals in Health Technology.
He revealed that the College started Nov. 16, 2020, with 25 pioneer Students and today they have 200 students in four fully-accredited Departments.
Anokwuru lauded Bishop Ugorji who also donated part of the requirements needed for Accreditation.
In his own words ,”MACOTECH is on an upward trajectory to becoming one of the best health institutions in the South-East. We have achieved accreditation and affiliation in Community Health Technology, Public Health Technology, Medical Laboratory and Pharmacy Technology”.
He commended the pioneer students and their parents and guardians, for the confidence reposed on them, even when they had very little on ground to justify such trust.
He further admonished the students to be serious and committed to their studies, reiterated that “God cannot do for you, what you can do for yourself.”
“Your parents’ job is to provide for you and support your education in whatever way they can. “Your job is to study very hard and make sure that their investments in your education and training do not go to waste. You cannot have any other motive but this”.
He also said the Institution had completed and equipped the Community Health Department’s Maternal/Child Clinic, built a Police Post and residence for the Police, built 500 Hostel bed space for female students, 200 capacity auditorium, water factory, pure water and bottle water to help beef up the IGR of the College, construct gutters to help checkmate erosion within the College, built Provost’s Guest House, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Pharmacy laboratories, E- Library, among other ongoing projects including completed Heritage Bank and the donation of 32 Seater Bus by the Bishop.
Anokwuru who is also the Chairman of Christian Hospital Association of Nigeria,(CHAN) used the occasion to thank some prominent Abia Indigenes, including Dr. Alex Otti, a financial expert-turned Politician, the Deputy Provost, Mr Boniface Nweke, and the Head of Community Health Department, Mr. Shebbs Anthony, Bishop Ugorji, Rev. Father Ameachi for their support toward the successful take off of the College.
He appealed to good-spirited Individuals and Corporate Organisations in Abia and beyond to assist toward the completion of the ongoing Male and Female Hostels, Bishop Ugorji Auditorium,flood control and construction of more classroom blocks and good road network in the College.
Speaking also, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the College,and also former Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU). Prof. Hilary Edeoga admonished the students to shun cultism and other social vices and concentrate on their studies to achieve excellence. He assured them that the College would not be bedeviled by intermittent strikes that often disrupt academic calendar especially in government-owned Tertiary Educational Institutions in the country.
He also commended the Provost of the University, Rev. Father Anokwuru for his relentless efforts in developing his society while calling on younger Priests to emulate his sterling qualities, “I am recommending to the Bishop that father Anokwuru should be a study case to younger Priests”.
In his speech, the Governor gave the charge through the State Commissioner for Post Basic Education, Barrister Mark Chijioke.
He noted that education based on Technology is essential in the society and commended the matriculating students for the privilege as well as the management of the Institution for their vision to establish the College.
He said government would continue to provide the enabling environment to support private sector initiative toward the overall development of the state.
Prof. Michael Ukah from MOUAU in his Matriculation Lecture, charged the students to busy themselves with their studies and shun negative tendencies capable of destroying their academic careers.
Speaking on behalf of the Traditional Rulers present, the Chairman of Olokoro Clan Traditional Rulers Council and Okwu Mgba 1 Okwu Olokoro, His Royal Highness, Eze Boniface Izuogu noted that the emergence of MACOTECH has added another feather and will bring development in Olokoro and thanked the Management for establishing the Institution in their domain.
He warned the students to shun cultism, drug abuse as Olokoro clan would not tolerate it in any form.
Highlights of the event included the administration of Matriculation Oath on the Students by the Registrar of the College, Mrs Nnenna Agbai.
The maiden Matriculation featured the cutting of cake and attracted the presence of Auxiliary Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Umuahia, Most Reverend Michael Ukpon, Abia state Head of Service, Sir Onyii Wamah, Abia State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Osuji represented by Dr Sam Ohaeri, Community Leaders, the Clergy, Parents among other Stakeholders.
