Provost of Ebonyi State College of Nursing Sciences, Uburu, Mrs. Patricia Nwankwegu, has expressed concern over the institution’s understaffing, lack of adequate mobility and power supply, noting that these are the major challenges facing the institution.
Nwankwegu, who made the disclosure during the institution’s 8th capping/matriculation ceremony, appealed to the state governor to grant them a waiver to employ academic and non-academic staff to boost their output.
She also appealed to the state government to provide them with a coaster bus and requested that the commissioner for health post staff on secondment whenever they are needed.
She said that the College, which started in 2018 with the Nursing Department, has been upgraded to Nursing and Midwifery as the Midwifery Department was added to it in 2024.
The capping/matriculation ceremony took place at the College Ground, Hospital Road, Uburu, Ohaozara local government area, Ebonyi State.
She disclosed that the NBTE accreditation last year led to the College’s enrollment in the JAMB portal, and it not only increased the students’ quota per session but also attracted people from different parts of the country and beyond.
Mrs Nwankwegu, who described the 275 matriculating students as the highest since the College’s history, said that barely 19 months ago, she was appointed as the provost, and the institution has made tremendous progress.
She commended the state commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, for being the brain behind the improvement in the college, adding that the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, ensures that the school gets a facelift.
She said that the State Government approved the construction of an 800-capacity 2-storey building, a modern hostel, and a new classroom block with a ground-floor library, as well as a 20,000-litre overhead tank and a dual-capacity borehole.
We are in dire need of a coaster bus so that we would not lose our accreditation, as that’s part of the requirement for full accreditation. There is also the need to restore lasting solar energy supply to enhance academic activities in the College.”
The state commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma represented by the permanent secretary, Dr. Lawrence Ezeogo said that the state government is embarking on improved healthcare programmes aimed at providing affordable healthcare systems in the state.
He said that the programme would be achieved through investment in modern infrastructure, employment of medical personnel, improved welfare and remuneration packages for health workers and effective policies that make the healthcare sector more attractive to professionals.
He commended the provost and the entire management for optimal performance which has brought modest accomplishments in the college adding that a lot has been done within a short period of time.
“While the Provost read her address, she talked about solar, she talked about power, she talked about the coaster bus, and she talked about the staff. I noted it and we shall approach His Excellency with this wonderful request.
“Most importantly, one of the things we shall be able to do in Ministry of Health without really applying for it, is secondment. We are going to post more staff to this wonderful college.”
