The Cross River State government has pleaded with newly graduated nursing students at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) not to migrate abroad, saying the health sector was in dire need of their expertise.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, made the appeal yesterday in Calabar during the induction and oath-taking of the 229 UNICAL graduates into the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.
The event, the 10th edition, was a combination of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions.
Ayuk said many nurses in the state’s service would retire later in the year, adding it meant the state would employ new hands.
“As you graduate, be assured that Cross River will employ anybody who comes as doctors, nurses, medical laboratory scientists, etc.
“Please don’t ‘Japa’, we are encouraged by what the nursing profession can offer; It is the pillar of our well-being.
“Don’t be scared of working anywhere; abide by the ethics that govern this profession. We are aware that the condition of service is not that impressive, but we are working on that.
Also, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Florence Obi, charged the newly inducted nurses to be professional in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Obi, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC), Academic, Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita reminded the graduates that they had been called to serve humanity.
“You are here to take an oath on the ethics that you are going to abide by and anytime you violate the oath, your licence will be taken away from you.
“Nursing is very dear to my heart, go and make us proud, and remember your Alma Mata wherever you go,” Obi said.
Chairperson, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, (NANNM), Cross River Chapter, Ms Josephine Bassey, congratulated the graduates and urged them to work hard when they get employed.
The event also featured the presentation of awards to Mr Madu Onyedikachi who was the best graduate with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.52.
