By: Promise Adagba
59 Pioneer Students Of newly established Achievers College Of Nursing Sciences, Akure, the Ondo State capital, have been matriculated by the authorities.
The College is an affiliate of Achievers University, Owo.
The matriculation ceremony, the first of the newly established Institution was held at the College premises, Km 2, Owo-Ado road, Ijapo Housing Estate, Akure.
In her address, the Provost of the College, Prof. Omolola Irinoye said Achievers College of Nursing Sciences, Akure was approved and fully accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria on October 30, 2023 and the College started operation on November 7, 2023.
The Provost said, “We are set to be pace setting in academics, practice and institutional growth. The College promises to make it a tradition not just run normal academic calendar but also to commence and complete sessions and release result within 30days of completion of examination.”
She congratulated the first set of matriculating students and charged them to work hard to justify their admission as not all proposed students were admitted.
“We have on record a total of 59 students and 34 members of staff taking cognizance of he security unit, as part of our relationship with Achievers University in Owo, all students and staff enjoy the benefits enjoyed by staff and students as such operates in the University.
“Our students are comfortably accommodated, we have good facilities that why we are being approved to carry out this program.
“In short while more infrastructure would be added to the college to meet the growth of the institution, we would ensure that our standard are maintained to also meet the direction of regulatory agencies.
“As first set of the college, you need to set an outstanding standard so that others can follow, you must distinguish your self in character, academic and practice.”
According to Prof. Irinoye, “as first set of the college, and the trailblazers, you must work to leave marks as outstanding set for others to follow.”
While delivering the matriculation lecture, titled; “NURSING: A PROFESSION BEYOND GAINS,” the Guest lecturer and the Acting Dean Faculty of Nursing, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Mary Idowu Edward, said “caring is the core value of the Nursing profession and the profession should not only be viewed as an avenue to make money but opportunity to serve humanity through care.
The Chairman of Board and Founder of the College, Hon. (Dr) Bode Ayorinde urged the pioneer students to have passion for caring, as most nurses in various hospitals in Nigeria lack this attribute.
He enjoined the Students to be diligent and abide by the rules and regulations of the College and any of the students who go against the College rules shall be seriously dealt with.
Dr Ayorinde added that additional infrastructure such as purposed built hostels, auditorium, lecture theatres and much more will be provided.
“We have recruited qualified lecturers and on full time, our curriculum was approved by the council of midwifery association of Nigeria, we cannot do anything that is shabby, that is why of all that applied, only 59 was admitted, those that are here had passed their O’ Level and other requirements”.
He opined that “This is the first of nursing science that was established by a university, some other colleges were established by individual.’
“I will like to inform our students that they have to be smart because to become a nurse we are going to drive them on a fastest lane to achieve their goals and aspirations,” Dr Ayorinde said.
In an interview with one of the matriculating students, Ayodele Tolulope said he is happy to be one of the first set of students admitted into the college and promised to study hard to become a professional nurse after graduation.