The College of Nursing Sciences, Onicha-Uku, Delta State, was on Monday inaugurated as a satellite campus of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba.
At the inauguration, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State said the state would partner with the Federal Government (FG) to ensure the growth and development of the health sector in the state.
The Governor, who announced a donation of a 32-seater coaster bus to the college, lauded the former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, NdudiElumelu, for attracting the project.
He said the new college, at Aniocha North Local Government Area, would greatly enhance the tempo and quality of human capital development in the health sector.
“Currently, there are five state-owned colleges of nursing, but their carrying capacity cannot absorb all the qualified applicants.
“Hence, the establishment of this college of nursing sciences, Onicha-Uku, through our illustrious son, Rt. Hon. NdudiElumelu, will provide adequate healthcare for this community and environs.
“I commend him for laying this solid foundation for the take-off of this college of nursing sciences.
“My appreciation goes to the Hon. Minister of Health, as well as the management and staff of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, for this achievement”, he said.
The Governor added that the presence of the school would, no doubt, boost the retail economy in Onicha-Uku and neighbouring communities.
He, therefore, charged the host communities to reciprocate FG’s kind gesture by taking ownership of the school and protecting the critical asset brought to them.
He assured that his administration would continue to support FG’s institutions in the state for the sustainable overall growth and development of the state.
“On our part, we shall lend adequate support and collaboration to the new College of Nursing Sciences.
“I have listened carefully to the requests of the Medical Director of FMC, Asaba, on various areas of need.
“I assure you of our willingness to assist within the limits of available resources in due course.
“It is my prayer that this college will fulfil its mandates by contributing immensely to the growth of nursing education in Nigeria”, Oborevwori said.
Meanwhile, Elumelu said the institution was one of the many projects he attracted to the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, pledging to continue to contribute to the development of the area.
He challenged students of the institution to maximise the opportunity to acquire knowledge to bridge the manpower needs in the health sector.
Earlier, the Medical Director, FMC, Asaba, Dr. Victor Osiatuma, thanked Elumelu for attracting the college while in office.
He appealed to the State Government and other stakeholders to sink a borehole to solve water needs in the school, in addition to handling issues of electricity, transportation and security.
He also thanked Oborevwori for his achievements in office in the last 11 months, especially in the health sector, urging him not to relent in recording more successes.
The Tide’s source reports that the representative of Onicha-Uku town, Chief Ephraim Osubor, described the project as an asset in the health sector.