The Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Professor Lawrence Ikechukwu Ezemonye, has congratulated the newly qualified nursing graduates for their resilience and hard work culminating in their induction, noting that the pivotal roles played by nurses in the overall healthcare delivery system of the nation, as well as their dedication to patient care, compassion and the value they bring to the community cannot be over-emphasised.
In his opening address on the occasion of the 9th professional oath-taking/induction ceremony of Bachelor of Nursing Science graduates of Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), which was held on Wednesday, 17th January, at the university Library Conference Hall, the Vice Chancellor said, “Let me remind you that you have a critical role to play in shaping the future of the healthcare through your expertise and commitment to improving lives.
“To this end, I admonish you to be open to life-long learning if you are to remain relevant in the profession.”
Prof. Ezemonye further expressed, “It is our hope that you will uphold the code of ethics of the nursing profession diligently and at all times, just as we expect you to be good ambassadors of IUO wherever you may find yourself.”
Earlier, welcoming the representative of the Registrar/CEO of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Mrs. Agatha Chioma Chigbo, Prof. Ezemonye appreciated her for coming to perform the very critical role of licensing the newly qualified nursing graduates to practice the noble profession of Nursing.
Conveying the felicitation of the Honourable Chancellor of IUO, His Excellency, Sir Chief Dr. Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, CFR, Esama of Benin Kingdom to the auspicious gathering, Prof. Ezemonye took the opportunity to applaud his vision of establishing the first private university in Nigeria in May 1999, which has made tremendous contributions to human capital development in Nigeria and beyond.
“Come 10th May 2024, history will be made as the University celebrates 25 years of academic excellence, to which you are all invited,” the Vice-Chancellor announced.
“It is gratifying to note that since its inception in 1999, the University has maintained an unbroken academic calendar.
“Today, a total of 21 nursing graduates are to be inducted. The Bachelor of Nursing Science programme is a flagship of Igbinedion University. The programme is fully accredited by both the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the National University Commission respectively. The Department of Nursing Science has graduated over 700 students,” he added.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, “Our hospitals are currently witnessing the dearth of qualified nurses who are leaving the shores of Nigeria in drones due to the ‘Japa Syndrome’.
“It is on record that over seventy-five thousand nurses have left the country in the last five years, which poses an obvious threat to the healthcare system in Nigeria.
“To address this challenge, Igbinedion University will continue to partner with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to steady the ship of the nursing profession and by extension healthcare delivery in Nigeria.”
While delivering the induction lecture, titled, Genetics and Genomics: A Relevant Tool for Nursing Education and Practice in Nigeria, the guest speaker, Professor Uchendi Fidelis Okafor, of the Department of Nursing Sciences University of Benin, stated that genetics and genomics science is redefining the understanding of the continuum of human health and illness.
Prof. Okafor added, “The integration of genetics and genomics into nursing practice in Nigeria has the potential to revolutionize patient care, offering a more personalized and effective approach.”
Highlights of the ceremony were the presentation of the inductees to the Registrar/CEO, NMCN, by the Ag. Head of Department, Mrs. V.M. Ugeh, and the administration of pledge and affirmation of oath on the inductees by the Registrar/CEO, NMCN, who was represented by Mrs. Agatha Chioma Chigbo.
