IMO STATE SCHOOL OF NURSING SCIENCES, ORLU HOLDS 13TH MATRICULATION CEREMONIES; GOV UZODIMMA'S MILESTONES IN NURSING SCIENCES EDUCATION SHOWCASED

Stanford Arinze Nwokedi Reports 

PROVOST, MRS HANNAH OFFOR MAINTAINS HER HIGH STANDARDS:

The 13th Matriculation Ceremony of Imo State College of Nursing Sciences, Orlu, was held on Friday , June 13, 2025, at the College's expansive playground. The ceremony was attended by notable dignitaries, including Prof. Victor Nwachukwu, Hon. Commissioner for Tertiary and Technical Education, representing Gov. Hope Uzodimma; Hon. Barr. Chisom Ojukwu - Member representing Nkwerre State Constituency and the Vice Chairman, House Committee on Education; Hon. (Nze) Barr. Ikenna Ihezuo - Member representing Orlu State Constituency and the Chairman of the Occasion; Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie - former Vice Chancellor, Imo State University; The Registrar NURSING & Midwifery Council of Nigeria (represented by the NMCN Imo/Abịa Zonal Coordinator - Mrs Njoku Nneka); Traditional Rulers including the Chairman Imo State Council of Traditional Institution - HRM Eze Dr E.C Okeke, CON (represented), HRH Eze G.E.O Agbanyim (Eze Ahurukwe of Amike),  and a host of other dignitaries.

Ceremony Highlights

- Academic Procession: The ceremony began with an academic procession, followed by the National Anthem, College Anthem, and Nurses Anthem.

- Welcome and Opening Remarks: The Provost, Mrs. Hannah Offor, delivered an opening declaration, and the Chairman of the Occasion, Hon. (Nze) Barr. Ikenna Ihezuo, gave welcoming remarks.

- Presentation of Matriculating Students: The matriculating students were presented, and led by the Provost, took their solemn pledges, supported by Heads of Departments.

- Prizes and Awards: Prizes were presented to exceptional students who distinguished themselves in their academic activities.

Keynote Addresses

- Provost's Address: The Provost - Mrs. Hannah Offor extolled the strategic vision of Gov. Hope Uzodimma in sustaining support from his Shared Prosperity Government, leading to additional accreditation for two more programs: post-basic nursing and midwifery. She highlighted the College's milestones, including securing necessary accreditations and re-accreditation of all courses by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. She expressed her optimism that with successful accreditation by the National Board For Technical Education (NBTE) qualifying the College to award ND/HND certificate, the Imo State College of Nursing Sciences, Orlu aims at securing more nursing specialty programs such as Peri-operative Nursing, Orthopedic Nursing, Mental health Nursing and Cardio-thoracic Nursing. The Provost revealed that the College has introduced Skill Acquisition Programs in the Nursing Institution to equip her graduands with self reliant skill sets.

- Chairman's Address: Hon. (Nze) Barr. Ikenna Ihezuo thanked God for the College's revolutionary management team and pledged the Imo House of Assembly's total legislative support for the College. He also made a donation to the college and expressed optimism in the Governor's capacity to provide material and moral support to the thriving Tertiary Institution. His Nkwerre State counterpart, Hon Barr Chisom Ojukwu (Oyi Nkwerre) followed suit by making his own donation after corroborating with Hon Barr Ihezuo's declaration of total Legislative support to the nursing institution. Few others made their pledges as well.

- Representative of the Visitor: Prof. Victor Nwachukwu who represented the Governor, His Excellency Dist Sen Hope Uzodimma, expressed satisfaction with the College's management, staff, and students, emphasizing the need to maintain highest standards of academic excellence in the school. He highlighted the importance of education in the governor's 3R Government of Shared Prosperity Administration.

The Provost outlined the College's challenges, including:

- Provision of Laptops

- Provision of 150KVA soundproof generator

- Provision of Solar Street light

- Provision of 500 Capacity auditorium

- Provision of functional vehicles for management staff

- Provision of two coaster (32 seater) buses

- Subvention for general administration of the College

- Asphalting of the College internal roads

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by the Registrar, Mr Kennedy Duru, a closing prayer, and the National Anthem.