Nigerian Optometry introduces a residency program!

I got the information below from this website: http://www.medicalworldnigeria.com
This is to inform all qualified Doctors of Optometry, wishing to undergo a 4-year post-graduate training, leading to the award of Fellowship of the College in any of the specialties, that the primary examinations for admission into any of the faculties has been scheduled as follows:
DATE: October 12th 2013
VENUE: Department of Optometry, University of Benin, Benin City.
TIME:  11:00am.
QUALIFICATION: Any intending applicant should possess the following
qualifications:
a) A degree of O.D (Doctor of Optometry) from an institution accredited by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN)
b) A3year Post NYSC clinical experience
c) Must be in good standing with ODORBN
EXAMINATIONS WILL BE TAKEN FOR THE FOLLOWING FACULTIES/SPECIALTIES
a. Primary Care Optometry  b. Public Health Optometry  c. Cornea and Contact Lens Practice
d. Rehabilitative Optometry and Low Vision Care  e. Paediatric Optometry  f. Ocular Health
e. Orthoptics
METHOD OF APPLICATION: Pay an Exam fee of N30,000 (Thirty Thousand Naira) only into:
Account Name: -Nigerian College of optometrists
Account No.  1000957051
Keystone Bank (formerly bank PHB) Asaba Branch.
COLLECT APPLICATION FORM ON PRESENTATION OF YOUR BANK TELLER AT ANY OF THE UNDER-LISTED ADDRESSES:
1. Dr. Mrs. O.U.Amaechi
Department of Optometry
Abia State University Uturu
2. Prof. F.O Iwuagwu
Department of Optometry
Imo State university Owerri
3. Dr. Emma Esenwa
Department of Optometry
Federal University ofTechnology Owerri
4. Dr. E.lyamu
Department of Optometry
University of Benin
5. Dr. (Mrs.) N. Aruotu
Department of Ophthalmology
University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital
6. The Registrar
Optometrist and Dispensing opticians
Registration Board of Nigeria
No.8, Harvey Road, Yaba, Lagos.
7. Dr. Damian Echendu
Optometry unit
State House Medical Centre Aso Rock,Abuja.
CLOSING DATE:All completed forms must be returned to the point of collection not later than 5th october, 2013
Prof. Uche Ikonne
Registrar.

Residency in Optometry in Nigeria is a welcome development. But we need to understand the following:



1) NOA website has been suspended, I do not know for how long now. I went to look up the information circulating around on residency in Optometry in Nigeria, but came up with nothing! Why should we not know what is going on? ODORBN website does not have such information too! Then why hastily publishing it to the outside world without communicating in-house first of all? We are in Information Age and ignorance has no place here.
2) If this is residency, why does it take 4 years here while it takes a max of 2 years in the USA to attain fellowship and one year for residency?
3) What is the salary allowance for the residents, just as it is done in MBBs and in American Optometry residency program?
4) How will this program be funded? By who? How will it be sustained?
5) Examinations should be conducted by an independent body made up of technocrats without any partisan sentimentality and whose primary priority is hinged on objectivity!
6) Why is the information so wrapped-up in secrecy to so many of us and only leaked in National newspapers and in the conferences?
We need inclusiveness in this bold step the profession has decided to take into the future. But for christ's sake, we need to understand what is happening. I so believe in Nigerian Optometry that am willing to join hands with all and sundry to make this program work... For it to work though, need more than mere wishful thinking and grandiosity. Long live Nigerian Optometry!