Niger Delta
Varsity Commits To Curb Brain Drain In Nursing
Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, has said the university is committed to training skilled nurses to address the brain drain in the medical profession.
Ezemonye stated this in his address at the 7th professional oath taking/induction ceremony for 16 graduates of Bachelor of Nursing Sciences of the institution.
The Vice-Chancellor described as worrisome, the growing demand for qualified nurses in many regions of the world against the backdrop of the shortage of the professionals arising from the brain drain syndrome.
This, he noted, was affecting the healthcare delivery system in the world, including Nigeria.
He asserted that since the advent of modern medicine, nurses’ role had shifted from being comforters to modern healthcare professionals, who provided evidence-based treatment and wellness education.
“Nurses have a multifaceted role as holistic caregivers, patient advocates, specialists and researchers.
“Incidentally, the demand for qualified nurses is growing in many regions worldwide, particularly in light of nursing shortages exacerbated by the brain drain syndrome amongst medical professions.
“To address this need, Igbinedion University’s College of Health Sciences and the Department of Nursing Science have been in the forefront of training skilled graduate nurses who are contributing their quota to the nation’s healthcare delivery system” he said.
Prof. Emon Duke, former Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, delivered the induction lecture, entitled “Nursing Informatics and Information Technology: A Contemporary Trend in Nursing Practice, Administration, Education and Research”.
Duke, who stressed the importance of Informatics in modern nursing practice in the world, described it as “the use of information technology that helps the nurse to process, manage, store and retrieve the information for providing safe and efficient patient care”.
She urged the inductees to develop a positive attitude towards use of technology to maximise productivity.
The don said electronic health records, which nursing informatics encourages, was needed to overcome the weakness of paper records.
In his remarks shortly he administered oath-taking for the inductees, Prof. Faruk Abubakar, the Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, advised the new nurses to always function independently and collaboratively with other health professionals in the line of their duties.
Abubakar, who was represented by the Port Harcourt Zonal Officer of the council, warned them against breaching the conduct and ethics of the profession.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.