By Onyekachi A. Nwaozor, Anipr

The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has conducted the 7th Induction/Swearing-in ceremony for 257 Imo State University graduands of Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc), tagged “Induction of Praise and Thanksgiving”.

The ceremony took place in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Imo State University Auditorium, under the chairmanship of the Institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Uchefula U. Chukwumaeze, SAN, FCArb.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor/Chairman of the occasion, ably represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Very Rev. Fr. Professor Philip A. Ogbonna thanked God for His love to everyone, adding that “if you x-ray the hearts of all the inductees, you will see the reason for the thanksgivings to God.” He equally thanked the Visitor and Executive Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, for sustaining the University.

Speaking further, the Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Staff and Students of the University, welcomed in a very special way, the Secretary General/Registrar of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (N&MCN), Dr. Alhaji Faruk Umar Abubakar, RN, PhD, FWACN, stating that Dr. Abubakar loves Imo State University very much. He therefore assured him that the University Community will continue to pray for him as much as possible in return for his love.

The Chairman equally thanked the Parents and Guardians of the inductees who suffered all these years to see that their children/wards came out in flying colours. The Vice-Chancellor described the Head, Department of Nursing Science, Imo State University, Associate Professor Chinelo C. Vincent as a very special person who God brought at this moment to head the Department, adding that the University is proud of her. He also expressed gratitude to the staff of the Nursing Science Department, for their hardwork.

Professor Chukwumaeze further reminded the inductees that they were the ones who chose the Nursing profession in order to give solace to the sick, especially, the helpless in society, saying that “if you abandon the vocation of caring for the sick, you have deviated from your calling”. He, however, described Nursing as a vocation that is different from others and advised them to always work with God in caring for the sick.

On his part, the Registrar, N&MCN, Dr. Alhaji Faruk Umar Abubakar, while speaking immediately after conducting the Swearing-in/Oat taking, appreciated the God Almighty who made the day’s celebration of the accomplishment possible. He, on behalf of N&MCN, congratulated the newly inducted for persevering through challenges and difficulties since the past five years to become Nurses today. Speaking further, he thanked the parents/guardians of the inductees for their sacrifices and commended the Vice-Chancellor for providing an enabling environment for the ceremony.

Dr Abubakar thereafter welcomed the newly inducted into the Nursing profession, informing them that they are now permitted to practice Nursing in any part of the world. He described Nursing as a noble profession and urged them to remain good ambassadors of the Imo State University, the N&MCN as well as their families wherever they may find themselves. They should equally uphold their professional ethics with integrity, pride, and humility.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Head, Department of Nursing Science of the University, Associate Professor Chinelo C. Vincent, explained that the Induction ceremony was a statutory prerequisite for admitting graduates of Nursing Science who have passed the professional nursing examinations and become Registered as Practitioners of the profession which as regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

The Head of Department thanked God for the inductees who, despite all hurdles, were able to pull through. She conveyed the Department’s gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chukwumaeze and the Management team of the University for their support and approval of the ceremony, describing the Vice-Chancellor

as an incredible leader and thanked him for his support, dedication and encouragement which significantly impacted the growth and success of the Nursing Science Department.

She charged the inductees by saying “what I want you to take to heart is that your humility will forever be the best and most vital thing you can give to your patients, don’t despise humility. It is a privilege to take care of people and their loved ones often when they are at their most vulnerable. You are pivotal in their journey and can make the difference to people during the hardest times. ”

She however, revealed that after five years in school, the inductees were going home with four certificates, namely; Registered Nursing (RN), Registered Midwifery (RM), Registered Public Health Nursing (RPHN), and Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc). She announced that the Department has commenced Ph.D programme in Nursing after successfully graduating many Masters students in Nursing Science.

While congratulating the inductees, she further implored them to strive for higher heights, be good ambassadors of the department as well as the University, wherever they go, pointing out that the University’s desire is to see them excel and make their Alma Mater proud.

Delivering the Induction lecture, titled; “Meeting Expectations and ensuring quality care: The role of the 21st century Nurse,” the guest lecturer, Dr. Okoroafor Odochi Peace from Abia State University, listed the quality of care needed to render to patients to include; Compassionate and Empathetic care, Effective Communication, Emotional Support, Creating a Safe and Comfortable Environment for your Patients.

She also underscored the importance of collaboration with other health workers, setting realistic goals, not exceeding your procedures, Health Promotion, Conducting Researches and Publishing your findings, Getting Feedbacks from your Patients, Delivering quality care and Avoiding Discrimination.

In her valedictory speech, the best graduating student, Miss Nosike Uchechi Vivian, who won many awards, said that their journey started five years ago in 2018 and ended successful in 2023, revealing that it was a worthwhile journey and experience for all of them in the Department of Nursing Science, adding that the journey had been a mixture of good times, bad times, and sad times, and that they learnt the value of friendship, importance of handwork and the power of perseverance. She advised her coursemates that ” today is not just about reminiscing, it is about embracing the future”.

The many award- winner continued, “the future has opened up before us like a new book, waiting for us to commit into it’s pages, the story only we can write. We are great Nurses, we are no ordinary people and as such, we can not live less than we profess to be”.

She, however, concluded thus, “to our juniors, we have left a landmark, we have made mistakes, and we have achieved successes too. I implore you to improve on our successes, do greater than we did, and learn from our mistakes to avoid repeating them.

Dignitaries from all walks of life attended the ceremony, which included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) , Professor Chigbo Ajero, The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Philip A. Ogbonna, The Registrar, Dr. Julius U. Osuagwu, The Ag. Librarian, Dr. Blessing Uwakwe, the Bursary, Mr Fidelis Okwudili Njoku, Provost College of Medicine, Professor J. N. Egwurugwu, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor C. O. Asinobi, HOD, Nursing Science Department, Associate Professor Okoroafor Odochi Vincent, Director of Nursing Services, Imo State, Barr. Mrs. Uche Oranusi, Staff and Students of Imo State University, Parents/Guardians and relatives of the newly inducted, among other dignitaries.

High point of the ceremony was issuance of different categories of Award ranging from Academic to Non Academic/Social Awards to deserving students.