Cross River government has assured improved funding for nursing education as a catalyst to addressing the human resource situation in the health sector of the state.
The Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, gave the assurance, Friday, during the inaugural matriculation of the College of Nursing Sciences and Midwifery, Obudu.
Governor Otu, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, stated that his administration has found it expedient to allow all four nursing institutions to maintain their collegiate statuses as a sustainable measure of human resource building in Cross River.
“The standpoint of the present administration is to maintain the four colleges as critical assets and training grounds that would, in no distant future, inject new blood into the depleting workforce in the health sector of the state.
“I can assure you that Cross River state government is going to increase its funding for these colleges, through independent and integrated work planning and budgeting,” Otu stated.
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He tasked management teams of the various colleges to take the ongoing World Health Organisation’s needs assessment seriously, as it will, at the end of the day, be juxtaposed with those from the governing councils for the state to make informed decisions towards a more sustainable budgetary framework for the colleges.
Further, he also lauded the Provost and Management of the College of Nursing Sciences and Midwifery, Obudu, for their effort which is positively impacting the institution, as well as acquiring 2.3 hectares of land from the Obudu Urban community for expansion. While also thanking the community for their gracious donation of land, he cautioned against encroachment into government land, with the Obudu General Hospital as a reference point, warning that the government will use everything within the law to eject anyone who attempts to trespass.
He congratulated the matriculants and charged them to make their families, institutions and state proud by focusing on their studies and eschewing anything capable of jeopardising their academic pursuits.
In her remarks, the Provost of the College, Dr (Mrs) Victoria Undeshi, congratulated the 556 matriculating students for the opportunity to carve a niche for themselves, pointing out that the new academic experience will equip them to become a critical mass for health care service delivery in the state.
Dr Undeshi noted that the college established in November 1952 as the School of Midwifery, had transformed into the College of Nursing Sciences and Midwifery, following the accreditation of the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes by the National Board for Technical Education on October 4th 2023 and immediately followed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria’s approval for programmes such as ND/HND Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Basic Nursing Programme, Post Basic Nursing Programme.
Also congratulating the new students on their decision to pursue a career in the noble profession, the institution’s Governing Council Chairman, Eti-Eka (Mrs) Mary Esuku, explained that the profession is a calling that requires compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the service of humanity, adding that as challenging as it could be, nursing remains a rewarding profession.
Christiana Eneji and KelvinJoe Ashibekong, both matriculants, expressed delight at the opportunity to pursue their education in nursing, promising to be of the best behaviour to their families and society.
556 students from Basic Midwifery, National Diploma I and National Diploma II, were capped/matriculated at the institution’s maiden ceremony.
Notable attendees at the event included Cross River First Lady, Rev Mrs Eyoanwan Bassey, former First Lady, Dr Linda Ayade, Dr Martin Orim (represented), Commissioner for Sports Development, and Hon. Agnes Atsu, among others.
The event climaxed with awards for deserving personalities who have contributed in one way or the other to the growth of the college and society at large. Notable recipients were the Wife of the state governor, Rev Mrs Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, former First Lady, Dr Linda Ayade, former Chief of Staff, Hon. Martin Orim, Dr Pauline Obute, etc.
