By Adeyinka Adeniran
No fewer than 13 students bagged first class honour out of a total 55 graduates of the Faculty of Nursing, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan who were on Wednesday inducted into the Nursing Profession.
The ceremony which held at the Paul Hendrickse Leature Theatre of the College held under the Chairmanship of the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof Kayode Adebowale was attended by the school management staff, parents, friends and guardians of the inductees.
In her brief remarks before administering the oath and presenting the provisional license, the Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), Dr Ndagi Alhassan who was represented by Mrs Eleanor Nwake applauded the institutions for the quality of training of the graduates.
She also thanked the parents, teachers and guidance for the unflinching support to the graduates all the way. She urged the new professionals to be willing to learn from their senior colleagues while they take to corrections and avoid unnecessary mistakes.
She further encouraged the new professionals to acquire higher degrees in Nursing profession and serve as good ambassadors wherever they go.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion who is also the Vice Chancellor of UI, Professor Kayode Adebowale harped on the importamce or nurses particularly to the health sector.
Quoting statistics from the World Health Organisations (WHO) report, the VC said there is a shortfall of 4.5million nurses, saying “our world tenaciously needs compassionate nurses.”
He charged the new inductees to uphold the good name and image which the institution has built in the last six decades of producing competent nurses who are answering higher call of service to humanity.
He said, “You are answering a higher calling as you take your oath today. We need lifelong learners and Ambassador of UI.
“For the past six decades, we have produced competent nurses. Today is a day of celebration and soberness. Be committed to lifelong learning to provide effective care.”
While urging the new nurses to cultivate empathy and advocate change, the VC encouraged them to proritize their well-being.
“Prioritize your well-being. Nursing is demanding. Carry the value with excellence, service and integrity that spell the standard of our great institution”, he added.
In his address, the Provost of the College, Professor Temidayo Ogundiran congratulated the graduating nurses of Set Tenecia. He described the occasion as a celebration of resilience, discipline, and perseverance, noting that the class name, a blend of tenacity and grace, reflects their ability to stand firm while carrying themselves with dignity.
He commended the inductees for refusing to break or give up, saying they are clothed with strength and can face the future with confidence.
The Provost acknowledged that Nigeria’s health system is facing challenges such as brain drain and insecurity, but told the graduates that their success does not depend on perfect conditions.
He noted that great nurses are produced by pressure, discipline, and purpose, and reminded them that their training prepared them to meet human suffering with competence, compassion, and courage.
He urged the new nurses not to see their degree only as a means to leave the country, but as a ticket to change the world from wherever they find themselves, with a constant calling to heal, serve, and represent excellence.
He described nursing as a profession that demands boldness, wisdom, and compassion, and called on the inductees to advocate for the vulnerable and stand firm amid challenges.
Likening Nigeria’s healthcare system to a road under construction, he told the graduates they are builders and problem-solvers needed by society, and urged them to build up healthcare with competence, dignity, humanness, and ethics before closing with congratulations to the class, the Faculty of Nursing, the College, and the University.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of the Provost’s award of excellent participation in community life to Elijah Ugbedeojo (male category) and Samuel Umoh (female category) and other deserving graduands.
The overall best graduating student, Olugbemi Damilola in her valedictory remarks commended the management, lecturers, staff of the College, parents and guardians for the support to achieve the success by the sets.
Recounting the sojourn since the point of entrance for the programme, she said the set has gone through hardship to emerge shinning.
