C'River: Colleges of Nursing Calabar, Obudu Receive ND, HND Accreditation

By Ebi COLLINS

Collegiate nursing education in Cross River State has received a boost with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) granting accreditation to the Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, Calabar and Obudu, respectively, for full-fledged National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programmes.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, who revealed the news to journalists, Thursday on Calabar thanked the governor, Senator Bassey Otu for his attention in the education of Cross River youths, particularly nursing education, which he described as critical to strengthening healthcare services in the State.

Dr. Ayuk stated that the governor has been very particular about the improvement of edu-health programmes as the foundation for the revitalisation of the health sector of the State.

Ayuk used the opportunity to commend the National Board for Technical Education team for painstakingly touring the various colleges of nursing in the State and ensuring that the necessary requirements for accreditation are met.

He assured the NBTE that the Otu-led government would continue to make efforts to better the lots for nursing education in the State.

Ayuk appreciated the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria for its immense contribution to enhancing nursing education in Cross River State.

The health Boss charged management of the various colleges to repay government's effort with due diligence and dedication to the ethos of nursing education in the country, noting that the present administration has a penchant for excellence.

He promised government commitment to achieving same feat for other schools awaiting NBTE Accreditation.

Also speaking, the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Dr Pauline Obute, said that apart from getting accreditation for Calabar and Obudu respectively, NBTE has also increased the admission benchmark for the various colleges of nursing in the State.

The Permanent Secretary lauded governor Otu for appointing lieutenants who are passionate about service delivery and the development of the State, quipping that Dr. Ayuk has led the State health sector revolution with the exuberance of a youthful teenager.

She expressed believe in the present leadership and hoped for the overall improvement of the health sector and the State at large.