By Lucy Any
The Ebonyi State College of Nursing Sciences, Uburu has held it’s 8th Capping/Matriculation ceremony.
The ceremony which took place at the College Ground, Hospital Road Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area marked a significant milestone in the Institution’s history.
In her welcome address, the Provost, Mrs. Patricia Nwankwegu said that the College which started in 2018 with Nursing Department has been upgraded to Nursing and Midwifery as Midwifery Department was added to it in 2024.
She disclosed that the NBTE accreditation last year led to the College enlistment in JAMB portal and it did not only increase students quota per a session but attracts people from different parts of the country and beyond.
Mrs. Nwankwegu who described the 275 matriculating students as the highest since the College history, said that barely 19 months ago she was appointed as the Provost, the institution has made tremendous progress
She thanked the Hon. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma for being the brain behind the improvement in the College and poured encomiums on the Ebonyi State Governor, His Excellency, Rt, Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his relentless effort to give the school a facelift through his approval for the construction of 800 capacity 2 storey building modern hostel and new classroom block with ground floor library as well as 20,000 litres overhead tank dual capacity borehole.
While the Provost mentioned understaffing, provision of coaster bus and power supply as some of their challenges, she appealed to the Governor to grant them waiver to employ academic and non academic staff to boost their output and requested the Commissioner for Health to always post Staff on secondment whenever they call.
She explained that they were in dire need of the coaster bus so that they would not lose their accreditation as the requirement for full accreditation and emphasized the need to restore lasting solar energy supply to enhance academic activities in the College.
On his part, the Hon. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Lawrence Ezeogo highlighted Government healthcare programmes aimed at providing affordable healthcare systems in the state through investment in modern infrastructure, employment of medical personnel, improved welfare and remuneration packages for health workers and effective policies that make the healthcare sector more attractive to professionals.
He commended the Provost and the entire management for optimal performance which has brought modest accomplishments in the college adding that a lot has been done within a short period of time
His words, “while the Provost read her address, she talked about solar, she talked about power, she talked about coaster bus and she talked about staff. I noted it and we shall approach His Excellency with this wonderful request”.
“Most importantly, one of the things we shall be able to do in Ministry of Health without really applying for it, is secondment. We are going to post more staff to this wonderful college”
Lending her voice, the Director Nursing Services, Dr. Mrs. Juliet Urom reminded the students that nursing is not just a profession but a calling that demands passion together with commitment and enjoined them to uphold the values and principles of the nursing profession.
Dr. Urom congratulated the matriculants and encouraged them to pay attention to their studies as well as obey rules and regulations guiding the school. She admonished them to be good ambassadors of the Institution and prayed that their light would shine, academically, physically and spiritually.
Earlier, the Co-Chairman of the occasion who is also the Hon. Commissioner for Human Capital Development, Mrs. Ann Aligwe represented by her SA, Mr. James Aligwe and the State Chairman, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Comrade Obasi Chukwu including the SUG President EBSCONSU, Mr. Okoye Chukwuemerie Paul encouraged them to take their academic journey seriously pointing out that the College is dedicated to providing quality nursing education, fostering research, and producing competent professionals.
They urged them to strive for consistent success and to work together to achieve greater heights.
The highpoints were caping, pinning and lighting ceremony, awards, launching of the college magazine and cultural display/choreography by the students.
