The Vice Chancellor of Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba has disclosed that the University will kick-off its Faculty of Medicine by October 2017.

He made this known during the University's Management Meeting held on Monday, 9th January, 2017.

According to the Vice Chancellor, the programme would commence by the 2017/2018 academic session, and stressed the need for the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences to be properly re-organized to be in tandem with NUC benchmark and as a precursor for the take-off of the Medical programmes.

A committee has already been constituted to champion the swift implementation of all decisions that would lead to the establishment of the new Faculty.

The Committee is headed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Elom and included the Former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Kevin Nwogu, former Chief Medical Director, FETHA, Dr. Paul Ezeonu, Head, Department of Anatomy, Prof. Uche Nwachi and Ag. Director, Health Services, Dr. Henry Aloh as members. Other members of the Steering Committee are the Director of Physical Planning, Works and Services, Dr. A.I Ezeocha, the Head of Legal and General Administration Unit, Barr. Ogochukwu Onuorah, representative of the Bursar and the representative of the Registrar as Secretary.

The Vice Chancellor urged them to swing into action immediately and ensure that the University is fully prepared to host an NUC Resource Verification Team on the programme by March 2017.

When eventually started, the Faculty of Medicine would be the 8th Academic Faculties of the University, and another watershed in the administration of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nwajiuba, as he strives to take the University to greater heights.