By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
The Oyo State Government has initiated a scholarship scheme for students from the state to undertake studies in community nursing and midwifery .
Gov. Seyi Makinde made this known on Thursday, at the convocation ceremony of Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery (OYSCONME ), Ibadan.
Makinde, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Kehinde Ayinde, said that the scheme was targeted at addressing the shortage of manpower resulting from brain drain experienced in the sector.
He said that it became imperative considering the issues of COVID-19 that threw the world into confusion.
The governor also disclosed that government had increased the capacity of the college to train more people and had increased its workforce.
“Recently, I approved six acre parcel of land beside the college for hostel construction.
“This is in the bid to position the college in an enviable point and ensure compliance with global standard,” he said.
Makinde further assured that the government would continue to provide all necessary supports needed for the college to grow.
Also, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Adebo Ogundoyin, said that the demand for the services and competence of nurses and midwives across the world had continued to soar.
According to him, the number of professionals produced by health institutions yearly were not enough to cater for the healthcare needs of the country and Africa.
The speaker therefore, urged the graduands to strive to contribute their quota to the development of the country and state’s health sectors.
Also, the state Head Of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, advised the graduands to live up to the expectations of their mandate and ensure they were kind to patients.
Oni enjoined them to always put in their effort toward development of the health sector entirely.
Earlier, the OYSCONME Provost, Dr Gbonjubola Owolabi, said that this year’s celebration was significant as it was the institution’s 74th anniversary.
Owolabi said that the college was graduating 795 students to be awarded certificates in Basic Nursing, Community Nursing, Community Midwifery and Post Basic Midwifery.
She noted that this was the highest combined number of students to be graduated in a single year so far.
”The commemoration of the milestone is a celebration of years of impacted services to the nation and humanity in general,” Owolabi said.
The provost said such achievements by the college had made it a household name in the production of middle level manpower in health sector, without which the mission of improving the health care and wellbeing of the citizenry would be a mirage.
She said that among the achievements of the college included: accreditation of all programmes of OYSCONME, which is the first time in decades.
“The moribund Oyo State College of Advanced Nursing Studies was resuscitated and utilised for training of community nursing students as an affiliate of the college.
“There is upgrading of the college to Diploma awarding institution and subsequent listing under JAMB and the first set of jambites resumed on Nov. 13.
“Also, the college secured the approval of Gov. Makinde to build additional hostels for the students through Build, Operate and Transfer term on part of a 2.3 hectares of land beside the college,” the provost said.
Owolabi also appreciated the alumni of the college, government non-governmental organisations, philanthropists and well meaning Nigerians for their immense contribution to the development of the college. (NAN)
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