By Denis Inakefe, ANIPR.
The College of Nursing Sciences Obudu Cross River State (CONSOB) on Friday held its maiden matriculation ceremony for 556 students in the 2023/2024 academic session.
In a show of appreciation, the college, led by Provost Dr (Mrs) Victoria Undeshi, recognised some stakeholders for their contributions to the institution’s establishment and subsequent development.
The Provost of the College, Dr (Mrs) Victoria Undeshi, while delivering her speech during the matriculation ceremony, congratulated the matriculants for successfully gaining admission into the institution, stating that she is proud of the students’ adventure into a new academic experience that will prepare them adequately for the challenges of later life.
According to Dr (Mrs) Victoria Undeshi, the college transformed from the School of Midwifery established in November 1952 to the College of Nursing Sciences Obudu following the accreditation of ND and HND programmes by the National Board for Technical Education on October 4th 2023 and immediately followed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria approval for programmes such as ND/HND Nursing, Basic Midwifery, Basic Nursing Programme, Post Basic Nursing Programme.
Mrs Undeshi, on behalf of the institution’s management and staff, thanked the previous administration of Senator Ben Ayade and the current administration of Senator Prince Bassey Otu for focusing on current nursing reforms and specifically mentioning the College of Nursing in Obudu, adding that their immeasurable contribution to promoting quality health delivery and personnel speaks volumes about their policy trust.
The provost praised the Obudu Traditional Rulers Council for donating six hectares of land to the institution to meet NBTE accreditation requirements, as well as the Ministry of Education for donating classroom blocks for students and other stakeholders for their unwavering dedication to the institution’s success. She urged students to embrace academic integrity by learning and understanding the role of academic engagements as outlined in the college’s rules and regulations, as this will serve as the foundation for their success.
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Eti-Eka Mrs Mary Esuku while congratulating the students on their decision to join the prestigious nursing profession, explained that the profession is a calling that requires compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the service of humanity, adding that its a both challenging as well as rewarding profession.
The Chairman of the matriculation ceremony, Chief (Dr) Hon. Martin Orim, represented by Dr U.B Ikwong, tasked stakeholders present to make meaningful contributions to the institution’s development in the areas of ICT and other sectors lacking in the institution so that students can acquire the necessary knowledge to perform adequately upon graduation into society at large. He also pledged to continue working with the school’s administration to support the institution.
Some of the newly admitted students, including Ambor Favour of Basic Midwifery and Inde Blessing of the National Diploma Nursing Programme, expressed their delight at being officially admitted to the Nursing College, assuring that they will make their parents and the institution proud.
One of the parents present at the ceremony, Mr Adie Augustin, praised the school for raising academic standards and revealed that he had encouraged his child to attend because he thought the school, with its elite administration, would produce graduates who would do well in the job market.
Significant attendees at the ceremony included Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, the governor of Cross River State, as represented by Commissioner for Health Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk; Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Ayade, the wife of the previous governor of Cross River State; Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, Kelvin Eyam; Dr. (Mrs.) Pauline Obote, the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health; Hon. Peter Akpanke, the member representing the Bekwara, Obanliku, and Obudu Federal Constituency; Deputy Provost, Mrs. Eshigah Agbor; the Registrar Mrs. Afu Dorathey, Ada Rita among others.
The event’s highlights included the matriculating students’ procession, followed by the Provost’s procession, the Provost’s address, student capping, the cultural dance, presentations of cash awards to best students, and other award presentations to deserving stakeholders, among others.
