‘Why Enugu govt is committing resources to nursing education’

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has disclosed that the reasons behind his administration’s deliberate commitment of resources to the training of students studying nursing and midwifery in the state is to create career opportunities for them in the medical profession. 
   
This was even as students from the Enugu State College of Nursing Sciences expressed appreciation to the governor for transforming the once moribund, unaccredited School of Nursing from only an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) to a digital, world-class College of Nursing Sciences where Higher National Diploma (HND) and other certificates would be awarded to enable them to mobilise for national service. 
   
The governor, who made the disclosure at the maiden matriculation ceremony of the 2024 set of the Parklane and Awgu campuses of the nursing college held in Enugu on Wednesday, further explained that the state’s effort in upgrading the institution and ensuring that students are exposed to the best learning techniques, medical equipment and technology, is in fulfilment of its campaign promise of building a healthy society.
   
“At the heart of our administration is a deep commitment to education, and this is reflected in initiatives that aim to uplift students, institutions, and communities. Education is the foundation for growth, empowerment, and transformation, and nursing education, in particular, is crucial in building a healthier society,” he noted. 
   
Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the bold move and the can-do spirit initiative of the administration that led to guaranteeing the future of the people and transforming the state into a hub of medical tourism led to the accreditations of the college and other medical institutions by Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN). 
   
“The journey to this point was marked by determination and progress, starting with the invitation of the first batch of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) officials to accredit the School of Midwifery. This step was critical, allowing students to finally get indexed after two years of delay—a process that officially certified them as student nurses and enabled their enrollment in the NMCN professional exams.