A total of 103 Nigerian dental professionals were inducted as Fellows of the International College of Dentists (ICD) at the University of Benin, Edo State.

The induction, conducted under the supervision of the Regent, ICD, West Africa Sub-region, Professor 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, Doctor Elias Emedom; Professor  Matthew Sede; Prof Ese Anibor; Professor Mercy Okoh; Doctor Benneth Uwakwem; Doctor Adesina Ayodele; Doctor Chris Eyikor; Doctor Ejiro Idiga; and Dr Adewuwa Abe.

Inducted as honorary fellows were the Vice-Chancellor, UNIBEN, Prof Edoba Omoregie, Senior Advocate Of Nigeria(SAN); Professor Sanni Shehu; and the former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Kabiru Bala.

The Force Criminal Investigation Department(FCID) is bestowed on dentists who have made significant contributions to the profession or their communities.

Dignitaries at the event included the UNIBEN VC, Professor Omoregie Senior Advocate Of Nigeria(SAN); Chief Medical Director, UNIBEN Teaching Hospital, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu; Provost, College of Medical Sciences, Professor Wilson Sadoh; Dean, School of Dentistry, Professor Joan Enabulele; Chairman, Local Organizing Committee of the event, Professor Sede; keynote speaker, Doctor Jerome Mafeni; and President, Benin University Dental School Alumni Association, Doctor Anthony Osaguona.

He stated that 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.