The Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Rumueme, Port Harcourt, now mobilises its graduates for the one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
The Provost of the college, Prof Franklin Nlerum, disclosed this during the matriculation of fresh students into various academic disciplines of the college.
He equally disclosed that the college now runs diploma and national diploma programmes, and admits students through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Addressing journalists in his office, the provost said, “Matriculation is a period when we officially enter students’ names into the college diaries. It’s an occasion for the students, their parents and the college to celebrate the beginning of another admission. We admitted 878 students that matriculated today. This is higher than the number we have ever enrolled in this institution. It’s an indication that the college is growing.”
Nlerum attributed the growth of the institution to the law enacted by the Rivers House of Assembly and accented to by the Rivers State governor.
“The law removed the college from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Education where all the higher instructions in Rivers State belong. The college now runs diploma and national diplomas, admits students through JAMB, and mobilises students for NYSC.
“We are doing well; the national board accredits all our courses for technical education. We were able to accredit all our expired programmes. The Rivers State Governor, Chief NyesomWike, offered financial assistance to achieve this feat. However, there are still areas that need to be covered”.
Nlerum charged the matriculating students to concentrate on their studies and key into the academic excellence the college offers.
“We have inculcated in them that in this college we do not have time to play around, and they have also keyed into it. What I am expecting from them is, having matriculated today, they should know it’s no more business as usual; they should concentrate on their studies. Very soon we are going in for our internal examinations. I encourage them to study and be ready for their examinations”.
Miss Sunday Faith Soraniabasi of the Department of Medical Imaging Technology and Mr Sunday Ledito Joseph of the Department of Dental Health Science matriculated that day.
Both affirmed commitment to their studies and to abide by the institution’s rules and regulations.
In a related development, the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman of Orowo community Rumueme, the host community of the institution, Comrade AmadiThankGod, while responding to questions from journalists during the event, said the citing of the college in the community had attracted many fortunes to the community.
“As you can witness, the Orowo community chiefs and elders were invited by the college authority to witness the admission of the new students. Orowo community has benefited a lot from the school in admission, contracts, staff employment, etc. Any indigene of this community attending this school here is on scholarship. I can attest that more than 30 indigenes of this community are in different grades of employment in this college. In fact, we are having cordial relationship with the school authority.”
Amadi used the opportunity to call on the Rivers State Government to build more hostels and classrooms and rehabilitate the dilapidated ones.
“However, the college needs the attention of the Rivers State Government. As the number of students is increasing, infrastructure like hostel accommodation and classroom blocks are no longer insufficient. Most of the buildings are dilapidated, and the infrastructure is decaying. This is a college, not a secondary school. Even some secondary schools have more and better infrastructure than this. We appeal to the government to come to the aid of the college”.