FCT COLLEGE OF NURSING SCIENCES HOLDS 4TH MATRICULATION CEREMONY
By: Samuel Musa
After meeting academic requirements through a rigorous process of admission, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) College of Nursing Sciences (FCT-CONs), Gwagwalada has matriculated 246 successful students into various faculties of the college to study Nursing Sciences.
The matriculation ceremony, which took place on Tuesday, 13th October, at the college premises in Gwagwalada, marks the formal process of being enrolled and becoming eligible students of the college.
Speaking at the ceremony, the FCTA Acting Head of Service (HOS) Nancy Sabanthi Nathan who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, FCTA Common Services Mr. Rotimi Babatunde Ajayi congratulated the students and enjoined them to observe and promote the core values of Nursing profession as well as uphold the values of the institution at all times in order to excel in their academic pursuit.
In her keynote address, the Mandate Secretary FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES) Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe said that Nursing is a noble profession because “it integrates art and science to care for patients, promote health, prevent illness and other complications in sick patients, thereby optimizing healthcare”.
Therefore, the Mandate Secretary HSES who was represented by the Director of Nursing Services FCT Hospitals Management Board (HMB) Mrs. Grace Leo Musa urged the students to be good ambassadors of the institution and profession through discipline, commitment and dedication to their studies so as to emerge best students at the end of their course and make valuable contributions towards advancing healthcare services in Nigeria.
Also, Fasawe noted that Nursing has a prime place in healthcare delivery especially in the area of care. She also added that the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike has continued to show commitment towards improving health services in the FCT.
Furthermore, the Acting Director Nursing Services (DNS) HSES Mrs. Ijeoma Jimi Bada reteirated that Nursing goes beyond clinical skills and encompasses compassion, integrity, empathy, professionalism and resilience through service of caregiving, advocacy and education to bring hope in times of illness and crisis.
Equally, the Ag. DNS-HSES said that “the college is dedicated to ensuring students will not only receive the best theoretical knowledge but also rigorous practical training, ethical grounding and emotional preparedness in line with best practices around the world to meet demands of modern healthcare”.
Moreso, the pioneer provost of the college Dr. Deborah Yusufu appreciated the FCT Administration for upgrading the institution into a college and the recent appointment of key officers to run the affairs of the college, noting that this will project the college in good light.
The Provost FCT-CONs charged the matriculants “to further self-love and confidence, attend lectures, embrace teamwork and uphold academic integrity as plagiarism and absenteeism have no place in the college.”. This, she saidwill help them be the best both nationally and globally.
Again, the Registrar Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) Mr. Alhassan Ndagi in his goodwill message mentioned that” Nurses play a vital role in shaping the healthcare landscape of Nigeria where actions, decisions and care offered by Nursing helps to impact lives of countless individuals and values”. He therefore urged the students to embrace the core values of the Nursing profession, which include empathy, kindness and respect for human lives.
The Registrar NMCN who was represented at the ceremony by the Head, Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics (HPRS) of the council Mr. Aliyu Adamu also cautioned students against the temptation of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) or unauthorized means for exam malpractices, as the Council has devised robust measures to prevent exam malpractice and penalize offenders as well.
