The College of Nursing Sciences, St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital, Onitsha, Anambra state has once again recorded another great feat as no fewer than 173 students participated in this year’s matriculation and capping ceremony.
Recall that the College was said to have been established in order to contribute in filling the existing gap in the production of nursing manpower nation-wide which worsened by the mass exodus of the existing ones to abroad for greener pastures. This propelled the Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke to conceive the idea of a School of Nursing as part of the extension of St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital, Onitsha.
The 7th matriculation and capping ceremony took place at the College ground which began with Holy Eucharistic officiated by the Archbishop Okeke.
Archbishop Okeke who doubles as the proprietor of the College expressed satisfaction over the achievements in the institution especially in the area of academic performance and infrastructural development.
The Prelate, however, lauded the management, staff and administrator of the College, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Nwanze for his prudent administration, saying that the products of the College are performing creditably well both in Nigeria and foreign countries where they are working and studying.
In the address of welcome which was presented and read by the acting Provost of the College, Mrs. Obi-Odunukwe Aniedu, she explained that students who were admitted for the award of Registered Nurse (RN) License only were subjected to preliminary training session that lasted for six months with intense academic activities whereas those who merited a pass after the session were being presented as the matriculating students.
According to her, other group of students admitted for the award of ND/HND, Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Midwife (RM) and Registered Public Health Nurse (RPHN) were also subjected to the stipulated screening exercise by the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
She noted that the uniqueness of this year’s matriculation and capping ceremony was a thanksgiving to God for the numerous achievements of the College, mentioning approval granted to the institution by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) to run National Diploma (ND) and General Nursing programmes that had been in existence.
Other achievements of the College includes all the 2020 set that scaled through in the qualifying Nursing Council Examination with excellent results, all the operations in the College that have gone digital mostly academic programmes, equipping the Department of Public Health Nursing as well as completion of building project with support of Afreka Humanitarian Foundation, Hungary.
The Acting Provost reminded the matriculants that their decision to pursue a career in nursing was not just a choice of profession, but a commitment to compassion, excellence, and service to humanity.
Meanwhile, class representative of 2023 set, Nurse Ani Nnenna in her address solicited financial support from the guests to aide the College in buying coastal bus, for field trips amongst others, just as the course representative of ND class 2023 set, Osita Chibueze appealed to Professor Charles Soludo and Anambra State House of Assembly members to assist the institution in securing a 16-seater bus, solar lights and a coastal bus, respectively.
In her key note lecture, Dr B. T Onyeje identified nursing professionals as caregivers, advocates, educators and researchers, adding that challenges facing health-care in Nigeria includes infrastructure deficits, workforce shortage, burden of infectious diseases among other things.
In an interview with newsmen, the administrator of the College, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Nwanze described this year’s ceremony as a great success.
He explained that the matriculation ceremony involved 2 sets; the (ND) set and those of hospital training section set, confirming that 173 students matriculated.
The clergy added that his ability to listen and learn from professionals also guided him in the administrative duties of the College.
He disclosed that Archbishop Okeke was among the professionals who helped him acquire wealth of experience to manage the institution.
He advised the matriculants to be hard-working, resilient and avoid unnecessary distractions.
The College administrator who described Archbishop Okeke as a noble father who always cared for his Children felicitated him in his 71st birthday anniversary, praying that God would continue to protect him, pave more ways of favour for him.
Equally speaking, the Chairman on the occasion, Mr Charles Chukwu enjoined the matriculating students to be more studious and adhere to the advice given to them by the Archbishop Okeke.
The event featured recognition of best students in P. T. S exams which includes Okoye Gift; Chigozie MaryJane; Obinweaku Chidiogo and Obidimma Angela.
Others are best students in (ND) class; Umekesiobi Steve; Mekowulu Jennifer and Joel Omozie.
